---

I trust you and your family had a wonderful Fourth of July weekend. We had absolutely beautiful weather the entire long weekend. Let’s keep our fingers crossed this weekend is just as spectacular for our local celebration.

Karl Oskar Days is in full swing this week. I hope you have enjoyed some of the festivities that have already taken place. Don’t forget about the Karl Oskar Queen Coronation tonight (Thursday) at the Performing Arts Center in the High School. This year’s group of girls is exceptional and I don’t think the judges will have an easy time choosing the next Karl Oskar Days queen.

Friday has something for everyone. There is a taste of Tingsryd at the Lindstrom Community Center, where you will find all sorts of foods to sample while the proceeds help fund our Chisago County Historical Society. At 5:30 p.m. there will be a Back to the 50’s Carhop Dinner held in the parking lot at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lindstrom. Then at 6 p.m., there will be a concert for teens at Lions Park. Also at 6 p.m. is the Karl Oskar Days Queen’s Tug-O-War Challenge across from Lions Park.

Saturday starts with the Loppet at 7 a.m. and the golf tournament starts at 7:30 a.m. From 8 a.m. till noon, you should check out the Farmers Market in St. Bridget's parking lot. Then stick around for the Classic Car Show in the same parking lot. The parade starts at 6 p.m., and the dance this year is in Lions Park with Deuce as the band.

Sunday has a pancake breakfast, arts and crafts fair, music and dancers, and the kiddie parade. There will be a waterski show prior to the fireworks down at the beach and it all wraps up with the annual fireworks show at 10 p.m. Sunday night. I am sure I have left some parts out but the schedule is in this Press or all around town you will find posters detailing the events.

I don’t know about you, but I am so unbelievably sick and tired of our legislators bickering back and forth when they should be putting a state budget together in a timely manner. The night of the supposed shut down you had the one side get up and walk out at 10 p.m., refusing to cooperate and come to an agreement. At the same time, you have the other side crying that the only reason they closed up for the night was to harm our current governor’s chances of being re-elected. I have to say, I am the father of a 5-year-old and a 4-year-old, and my very own children act more mature and responsible than our lawmakers who we (me included) voted to run our state. I think we the voters need to take a hard look at who we want to represent us in St. Paul. You know the old saying “change is good.” Well if it’s truly good, than I am all for change.

---