---

I’m not sure if it’s the fact that I’m getting older or the fact that I have never been a huge TV fan, but what’s with the constant barrage of promotional ads for all of these “reality shows” as they now call just about every show. It amazes me that the networks can generate enough viewership with these types of shows to be able to get sponsors to support them. I, of course, am probably not a typical television viewer, so my opinion doesn’t count for anything.

Seriously, I find this new wave of shows to be insulting so I spend what TV time I do have watching the food network, Discovery and history channels, along with CNN and ESPN. I don’t know how long this “reality” trend is going to continue, but don’t be surprised if a show that awards prizes for infidelity or unfaithfulness wins an Emmy award. If you had just arrived here from some Third World nation or even outer space, what in the world do you suppose your reaction to this TV would be? Where the heck is Beaver Cleaver when we really need him?

+++++

Gosh, it’s going to be an awfully long time till November 2004, given the fact that the candidates for president are already off and running hard. It probably won’t have anything to do with which candidate makes the best sense but will depend on who has the most money to spend and the fewer skeletons in the closet. Our country is still the best place to live, but there has to be a better way of electing our politicians than subjecting us to the endless barrage of negative comments and the tens of millions of dollars that are spent on the campaigns.

+++++

This weekend the area summer celebration season gets off to a great start with the annual Midsummer Days celebration in North Branch. (See the list of events on pages 10 & 11 of this Press.) From Wednesday through Sunday things will be jumping with all kinds of events for the entire family. Plan to take in some or all of the great organizations and businesses who make the celebration possible.

+++++

On the subject of great community events, this year’s Southern Chisago County Relay for Life fundraising event for the American Cancer Society is scheduled for Aug. 2 and 3, at Chisago Lakes Senior High School. This event offers a great opportunity for your involvement. You can form a team, join a team, go on your own, or make pledges (donations to those who will be walking). This year the walk will be Saturday night into Sunday morning, and teams and team members will walk around the track throughout the night.

Now is the time to organize a group (team) and become part of this great event. Unfortunately, there are not many amongst us whose lives have not been touched by a friend or family member’s battle with cancer. For more information, please contact Jody Sellman at 651-257-9366. If you can’t be part of a team, you may purchase luminary bags in honor of a cancer survivor or in memory of a cancer victim. If you can’t physically be part of the Relay for Life, you can help by making a generous donation. Do whatever you can to help and perhaps through the grace of God, the money raised will help find a cure for cancer, we will then all celebrate together.

+++++

Karl Oskar Days is coming fast and unfortunately that has always sort of been the unofficial middle of summer. Heck, summer just got started a few days ago, how could we already be talking about the middle of summer?

Anyway, back to Karl Oskar Days. The planners say that everything is shaping up to make this another outstanding celebration. As we have done for many of the previous Karl Oskar Days celebrations, we are again sponsoring an informal Boat Regatta that will be held off of Beach Park after the Water Ski Show and prior to the fireworks display. There is no charge to enter the event but we would like a quick call to our office to inform us as to what type of entry you will have. We have traditionally had wind powered, people powered, best lighted, most creative and whatever. It is meant to be a fun, relaxing evening helping wind down the hectic Karl Oskar Days weekend.

We have usually had music available, either on a pontoon or under the picnic shelter at the park. If you are connected with a group that plays some sort of easy listening music and would like to be part of this event, please give me a call.

+++++

This past weekend was plenty special for this old grandpa with a big second birthday for my granddaughter (attended by all my grandchildren) and a train ride on the restored train out of Osceola on Father’s Day. It was with great joy at the birthday party that I watched several young fathers, who I have known since they were in middle school, dealing with their children and it gave me a good feeling to know that there are probably more of their types of parents than the ones who don’t care. I think their influences will be passed on to their children and that will make this world a better place. If you are a father, I sure hope you had a chance to be with your family.

---