Will March come in like a Lion? Boy I hope not. I’ve sure enjoyed this winter we’ve had. The best part for me has been the decent roads to drive on. I’m constantly driving somewhere for my job, whether it’s close to home or to Chisholm, Hibbing or beyond. Everyday is a new day that presents exciting and sometimes challenging events, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

We sure packed a lot into the shortest month of the year this year. Our bingo has been going stronger than ever at the Lodge, join us some Friday night – come early for the meal and stay for bingo, the pots have grown pretty large in recent weeks – great odds for a $16 buy in.

In February we’ve also committed to giving each child pre-k through grade 5 a free book on any Tuesday of the month. We were lucky enough to have a local teacher purchase the books for us through scholastic. Any books we have left this year will be donated to the Chisholm Elementary school. Last year they were donated to the Laurentian Elementary. Hopefully you’ve had a chance to visit on a Tuesday and pick up a book.

We also held our second purse bingo. This year we had it on an earlier date and we found we were up against some pretty stiff competition on area events. Last year we had 223 people. This year we had 60 only, but everyone there had a great time. We played 10 games and had 2 games where we had multiple bingos. We were able to raise a nice amount of money and everyone fit in the lodge room so it was much more relaxed as well. Overall, I call that a success. Our proceeds from this will be donated to Mesabi Musical Theater this year.

In March we will have our normal bingo sessions every Friday as well as our Pot of Gold bingo the 15th – same program just a St. Patrick’s Day theme. We are also going to have the local Girl Scouts at the lodge on various Tuesdays and Fridays selling their famous Girl Scout cookies. Come up to the Lodge and support these young entrepreneurs.

In February we were lucky enough to be able to give away quite a few donations again. We matched the Gilbert 3rd of July bingo (and added a little more) to donate to their group $2,500. AEOA received $500 for their purple ribbon campaign which helps honor and recognize area volunteers. $1,000 to the United Way Comforts of Home program that helps families that have been displaced due to fire or other disaster. Boys and Girls Club of Hibbing $500, Habitat for Humanity $500 for their Keys of Hope program. Quad City Food Shelf $3,000 this will be added to the grant we have received and their total will be $5,000 to help with food insecurity in our local area. Hibbing band for new uniforms $500, Chisholm Lions Polar Bear Days $500. Mountain Iron Buhl Schools received $500 for their PBIS Program. Ten student of the month scholarships $1,500 and of course Mesabi Musical Theater $5,000 (proceeds from purse bingo plus additional donation) for a total of $17,000! It’s so amazing the impact we can have on our surrounding communities through charitable gambling.

We could not do it without our sites that partner with us. Stop in anytime to any of our sites and Thank them for allowing us to serve them. Currently we have Eggy’s Red Garter, Snickers Pizza, Johnny D’s, The Rink, Boomtown Eveleth and Range Recreation Civic Center (Curling Club) in Eveleth. Timbers Edge south of Eveleth, The Downtown Bar, The Dug Out, The Alibi and the VFW in Gilbert, Jim’s Sports Club in Chisholm and Boomtown and Mike’s Pub in Hibbing. In March we will begin operating at The Wooden Table Inn in Britt. It’s wonderful to have the group that we do that continues to help us support Local!

I wish you all a very Happy Easter this month. Here’s to longer days and more sunshine in the coming months. Stop up at the lodge anytime, we’d love to see you!