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With the temperature soaring as high as 93 on Monday, it has everyone thinking summer. Even though summer really doesn't begin until the end of June, our area has plenty of events to make you feel like summer is upon us.

How does a nice outdoor concert sound? Beginning next week, the Harmony in the Park concert series starts another year of Wednesday night concerts at Lions Park in Lindstrom. Next Wednesday grab your lawn chair and head over to the park. The Blue Drifters will be the featured band. The Blue Drifters are a bluegrass band that also plays contemporary country music.

The folks that put together the concert series have also teamed up with various area groups for a little added value for your enjoyment. Beginning at 6:30, for a half an hour you will be treated to a "Get to know the Community" event. Next week you will be treated to a performance by the Lake Country Cloggers. Look for a weekly advertisement in the Press and Search Shopper explaining what music acts and get to know the community event is scheduled. We will see you there!

Another sign of summer for most is the long Memorial Day weekend. I am as guilty as the next person of scheduling as much fun as possible in this long weekend. But I am also very aware of the meaning of Memorial Day.

Memorial Day isn't just another day off of school (although there seemed to be a hundred this year) or work, it is a day of remembrance. A day to honor those great men and women who have served our country faithfully over the years. Without these wonderful people, the country that you and I reside in would look a whole lot different than today.

I am not asking you and your family to stay home this weekend and mourn, but maybe take a small fraction out of your long weekend and take in one of the many Memorial ceremonies taking place in our area. Without sounding preachy, it is the least we can do. These people gave up their lives for you and me, we can take an hour out of our busy lives to thank them. We have a listing of all the Memorial Day services in this edition of the Press.

Thanks to all who participated in the first ever Carp Festival last weekend. Although there were very few carp caught, it seemed like everyone had a good time. I look at it like this, every event has to have a first time, and while the carp turnout was low, it is something to build on. I guarantee that next year's event will be bigger and better.

Please remember that your subscription renewals are due now. In just one week, we will be stopping all subscriptions that have not renewed. Our goal is for all readers to not be cut off, so please send in your payment today.

Remember the new subscriber deal we have going? If you are a new subscriber and mention the train special, you will receive two complimentary tickets to the historic Osceola Train in Wisconsin. Just a short trip from here, you will be treated to a beautiful 1 1/2 hour train ride along the picturesque St. Croix River valley. For those who have never ridden the train, it is a step back in time that you will never forget. If you would like to subscribe to the County Press , please call 651-257-5115 and mention the train special. We will get your subscription started immediately.

The Press is also offering another special to new subscribers. For a limited time, new subscribers will receive two complimentary tickets to a Saint Paul Saints game at Midway Stadium. As you know, getting tickets to the new Twins stadium is virtually impossible this year, so why not enjoy the next best thing? Just fill out the coupon found in this edition of the Press, and we will send you out your tickets.

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