Chisago Lakes Chamber
Serving the Chisago Lakes Community
Chamber News & Events!
- Chamber Board Meeting - Thursday, March 3rd from 3:30 - 5:00 pm
- Chamber Luncheon - Thursday, March 10th from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
RSVP Here - Friday Fika - Friday, March 11th from 8:30 am to 10:00 am
- Newsletter Deadline: 25th of every month
- Newsflash Deadline: Every Monday
Please check www.chisagolakeschamber.com for all upcoming events.
Letter from the Chamber Board
March is also women's history month. The National Women's History Alliance designates a yearly theme for Women's' History Month. This years theme is "Women Providing Healing, Promoting Hope." This theme is "both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history."
I often think about friends and acquaintances that work as physicians or nurses, first responders, and educators. I cannot fathom the pressure and emotions these people have felt during these past two years. When you have a moment, please offer a word of thanks, lend an ear, or ask where they need some encouragement or help? Not only to individuals but also to the many community businesses and organizations that offer support and services to so many in need. Places like Ecumen, Hazelden Betty Ford, and Family Pathways always have needs for volunteers and support.
Reflecting on women who have paved the way for small business owners like myself, Marlene Smith is a local historical role model. She was an incredible business woman as the owner of Plastic Products, a hard worker and she genuinely cared about her employees. She was awarded and repeatedly ranked as one of the nations largest women-owned businesses, according to an obituary submitted by Smith's family. Marlene helped with the design of the Lindstrom Coffee Pot water tower and opened a legendary retail shop as Gustaf's World of Christmas and Fine Gifts.
Our community is full of women-owned/directed businesses. As you're out and about in the upcoming weeks, take a minute to consider who is at the helm of some of your favorite places to visit.
As we look forward to spring, I hope you support local businesses and services. As always, we would love to hear from our members! Your Chamber wants to know how to better serve you and your local small business. Reach out and let us know how we're doing!
Jana K. Lensing
Glädje Art Gift & Framing
(formerly Gustaf's Up North Gallery)
Welcome Bridget
- She has a dog named Molly who she loves to spoil.
- She loves to hike, spend time on the boat and generally being outdoors.
- She's an avid reader.
- Bridget loves to decorate for holidays (can't wait to see what she's got in mind here!)
We are so excited for you to meet her. Stop in anytime to say hello!
March 2022 Chamber Luncheon
Register Here.
Join us for our next Friday Fika on March 11th at the Chamber office!
Hosting Events?
- Chamber Website - Every Tuesday, the Chamber sends out a Newsflash to over 600 people. If you would like your events, job postings, updates to be included, be sure to update through your member portal.
- Go to www.chisagolakeschamber.com
- Hover over Membership
- Click on Member Login
- Set up your Profile
- Chisago Lakes Visitors Bureau - If you are hosting a tourism based event, add it here: chisagolakes.org/calendar/
Please reach out with any questions.
Save the Date: Ben Winchester Event
Broadband and Chisago Lakes - in December of 2019 the Chisago Lakes area received a grant to better our broadband footprint in our community. Since then, multiple projects have taken place, miles of fiber has been laid, and overall the community has benefitted tremendously from this work.
The committees responsible for these projects would like to invite you to an event on March 22nd to learn a bit more about what we've been up to. We've invited a keynote speaker to join us and share with you all his findings after decades of work and research on rural Minnesota. Please mark your calendars and plan to come hear what we have to share.
Register here. There is no cost to attend.
Thank You
What a wonderful February we’ve had here at the Chisago Lakes Chamber of Commerce! We celebrated our coldest month with our annual Celebration of the Lakes event and just welcomed back the ever-popular Home & Business Expo!
Whether you made it out for all the festivities on North Center Lake, danced the night away at the Polka dance, or you opted to hunker down for the puzzle contest, I think we can all agree – Celebration of the Lakes was a blast!
Thank you to our organizing partners: Wild River Snowmobile Club, KidsPro Ice Racing, International Ice Racing Association, Chisago Lakes Rotary, Chisago Lakes Lions, The Uncommon Loon, The City of Chisago, Lindstrom Park Board, Downtown Lindstrom Shops, Chisago Lake Lutheran Church, & Trinity Lutheran Church.
Thank you to our generous sponsors for your contributions to this event: Lindstrom EDA, Chisago City EDA, A-Pro Pool & Spa, Stacy Hardware, FXR, Bikeman Performance, Lindstrom Fire Department, Royal Credit Union, The Uncommon Loon, Thrifty White, Lake State Carpet Cleaners, Anderson’s Ice Cream Shoppe, City of Center City, Frankie’s, Twin Flower Books, MidWest One Bank, The Shaleen Team, Lindstrom Bakery, and Copy Pro.
Congratulations to all the event winners throughout Celebration of the Lakes! Kevin Anderson from Cambridge was the lucky winner of the Polaris Snowmobile, Lyle Elledge won the FXR Gift Certificate, and Matthew Clay won the Bikeman Gift Certificate. Winning Puzzle teams were The Fabulous Four Pandemic Puzzlers (Ginger Larson, Caty Larson, Jen Barnick & Katelyn Barnick) & Team Getting Jiggy with It (Alicia DeNio, Patty Vodenka-Reed, Jen Kallas & Nicole Kreyer). Medallion Hunt Winners were Evelyn, Tina & Ashley. Winning dodgeball team was the Untouchaballs (Hudson Waldemaar, Christian Marchant, Nate Bluhm, Nick Giese, Maddox Olson, Cayden Herfindahl, & Alex Smith). Photo contest winners were Kristine Hubbard (Ramen Bowl), Zachary Doherty (Hawk with dinner) & Ashley Erickson (Minnesota Baby). Congratulations to all and thanks for participating!
The Home & Business Expo was a welcome addition to our winter line up. We missed having this event last year and were excited to see so many of our local businesses and community members come out to see what we had in store. Thank you to Chisago Lakes Community Ed, and the Chisago County Press for your partnership with this event. Congratulations to the multiple prize winners throughout the weekend too! Sarah Doffing won the beautiful chimenea donated by Unruly Acres. Thank you to Gregory Contracting for the great birdhouse activity and a huge thank you to Arrow Building Center for donating the birdhouse supplies. Lots of kids were happily hammering on these projects throughout the weekend.
Thank you to all who made these wonderful events possible!
Al's Center Saloon
MARCH at Al’s in Center City:
Al’s Annual Corned Beef Fest is slated for MARCH 13-17.
Please note: Highest demand is usually Sunday. Supply most steady Monday-Thursday.
Reubens & Irish Stew only through St. Pat’s Day. Back to burgers after Fest.
Take out orders are available.
Al’s Center Saloon, 11am-midnight, DAILY
325 Summit Ave, Center City
651-257-5757
Alan Honn Glass, FRIDAYS & SATURDAYS, noon-6pm
320 Summit Ave, Center City
Rise, Inc. Employment Innovations
Wild Mountain - Purchase Your Season Pass for 2022/2023
Franconia Sculpture Park Upcoming Events
Apply now to be a 2022 Franconia Art & Farmers Market Vendor!
Applications due March 15, 2022
2020 was the inaugural year of the Franconia Art & Farmers Market. More than 12,000 visitors to the markets were able to safely connect with art and agriculture in the idyllic setting of Franconia’s 50-acre outdoor museum and sculpture park. The first Sunday of each month, May-October from 10am-2pm, local farmers and artists come together to provide a variety of fresh produce and handmade crafts to our 180,000 annual visitors. Each event is a fun way for people to connect directly with the local farmers and artists in the St. Croix River Valley.
Apply Now!
Dinner & Discussion with Yasmeenah Sideak and Jose Dominguez
March 15th, 6:00pm-7:00pm
Franconia will be speaking with the first two artists featured in the FSP Billboard Project, Yasmeenah Sideak and Jose Dominguez. Yasmeenah’s powerful billboard featuring 20 Black artists and curators from Minnesota is currently on display at the intersections of Highways 8 and 95 at Franconia Sculpture Park, and will soon be replaced by the colorful, playful, and subversive artwork of artist Jose Dominguez. Sponsored by the East Central Regional Arts Council, the inaugural FSP Billboard Project examines “Authority & Visibility in Public Space.” These artists will discuss their first large-scale public artworks and the importance of having positive BIPOC representation in rural Minnesota. Please join the discussion in a fun, informal setting moderated by Franconia’s Executive Director and Chief Curator Ginger Shulick Porcella. Find Out More!
Taylors Falls Recreation
Please check out our new websites for Taylors Falls Boat Tours and Taylors Falls Canoe & Kayak Rental. It's never too early to plan your summer fun!
Glädje
February Framing Sale extended through March 12th!
Appointments strongly recommended. Sign up on our website: https://www.gladjegallery.com
Art classes are now offered weekly!
Check out our website or Facebook page for upcoming classes.
Drawing 101 - Portraits and Figures
March 3, 5-7 PM, $20
This two-hour class will focus on figure drawing and portraiture in graphite and charcoal. No experience necessary, materials will be provided!
Watercolor 101 - Botanicals
March 10, 5-7 PM, $20
This two-hour class will focus on the fundamental techniques used in watercolor painting, and we will create artistic renditions of plants, from flowers to greenery. No experience necessary, materials will be provided!
Oil Painting 101 - Landscapes
March 24, 5-7 PM, $30
This two-hour class will cover the basics of oil painting to create an artistic rendition of a landscape. No experience necessary, materials will be provided! Bring a reference photo if you'd like.
Acrylics 101 - Pet Portraits
March 31, 5-7 PM, $25
In this two-hour class, we will go through the fundamentals of acrylic painting while learning to paint your favorite fur baby! No experience necessary, materials will be provided! Please bring at least 1 reference photo.
March Community Book Club
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
Monday, March 28th @ 6:00 PM
The Chamber Office - 30525 Linden Street, Lindstrom
This book club is open to all - please join us and meet some fellow book lovers in our community.
Winehaven March Events
- Cabin Fever Days - March 3rd - 6th, 2022
Build a Do It Yourself Clock - Sunday, March 13th, 2022
Wine & Waterfowl Bingo - Friday, March 25th, 2022
Click here for more info.
Gustaf's Eatery
Gustaf's Eatery has Spring in the Air!
Tea Parties -
Reservations are required.
April 3rd, 24th, and May 1st. Full high tea with unlimited tea, scones, Devonshire Cream, finger sandwiches, soup, and desserts. $25 plus tax and gratuity per person. Reservations are open now! Space is limited. 651 263 0737
Event Space -
Use of our place for baby or bridal showers, groom's dinners, Wedding morning after brunch, anniversary parties, birthday celebrations, or business meetings are available. Contact us for details and to make a plan. 651 263 0737.
MN DNR
Monday, March 7th, 2022 - Fish house removal deadline for southern two-thirds of MN
Make plans now to ensure you get your shelter off in time – and don’t forget to clean up everything after you go.