For all you shoppers out there this is your favorite time of the year. For me, following the swans always coincides with Thanksgiving and Christmas. The swans are out in the lakes and rivers but the freezing temperatures brings them to areas where we can expect to see them for photography. I can tell when we are close to the right time of the year because the Bald Eagles are also moving into the area, fishing and hunting on the dwindling areas of open water. The swans love the shallow water where rice beds grew during the summer.

What would winter be without days on the ice with blades on your feet? Well, it wouldn't seem like Minnesota. Chilly temperatures made for good ice making Thursday but a warming trend expected this weekend could threaten plans for skating just yet.

Never fails – every year that I’ve worked at the Dispatch I suddenly have the urge in the middle of the winter to start tunneling through the snow mountain that sits directly between our building and the Wendy’s right across the street. 

Reading is, of course, its own reward, but here at Brainerd Public Library we want to double your pleasure, double your fun! You can participate in our Winter Reading Program- Snow Time to Read, January 3rd to March 31st, 2011.  For every 5 books read or listened to, readers may enter a drawing for weekly prizes.  The more you read, the more chances you have to win!

Readers can also enter for monthly prizes by sharing their review of a book.  The book reviews will be posted near the reference desk for all to enjoy.

Our area is blessed with lakes and woods but very few places where photographers can photograph moving water showing motion in the winter. 

The exception is Stony Brook in Fritz Loven Park in the City of Lake Shore. With your tripod in hand, head for the rushing water as it tumbles over the rocks in the brook.