Apple Festival and Stagecoach Days; you can still volunteer this week

One of my favorite events of the year takes place on Sunday. The annual Almelund Apple Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. I knew once the Vikings started playing, the festival had to be close. If you have never been to the festival, I will try to explain it. It is one of the most relaxed atmospheres you will experience in a town festival. There is a little something for everyone and if you love apples, you will be in Heaven.

There is a historic school house that is filled with thousands of memories from years gone by. You are invited to tour log cabins and log farm buildings that have been restored beautifully. You can take a spin around town in a Model T. There is a petting zoo with my kid’s favorite animal, the Alpaca. Please turn to page 10 for all event listings. If you are in the mood to eat, they have you covered. How does fresh apple pie sound? How about apple desserts, apple ice cream, apple sausages on a stick, apple sno-cones, carmel apples, or apple cider?

My stomach is growling as I write this. The festival begins at 11 a.m. and runs until 4 p.m. and is located on the corner of Highway 95and County Road 12. I forgot to mention there are apples for sale to take home also. This weekend is also Wyoming’s Stagecoach Days. Beginning Friday, the City of Wyoming would love to have you and your family come out for some serious fun. In downtown, your children can learn how to be an artist, and Goodview Park will host a kids DJ competition with a showing of Wreck-It-Ralph at dusk. Back in town, Simpson Road will be playing at the Street Dance. Saturday begins with a 5k at Maranatha Church. There is a pie baking contest, a pie eating contest, a car show, a pet adoption, and everybody’s favorite entertainer Marty Sonnek. At 8 p.m. in Goodview Park, you’re invited to come watch a great fireworks display.

Also at 8, Uncle Chunk will take the stage downtown. As you can see, there is no shortage of things to do in our area this weekend. I hope you can make it out to some or all of the events. There is still time to volunteer for A Brush With Kindness. Next week begins a monumental week, as teams begin to transform neighbor’s homes that are in disrepair. There is something about volunteering that I can’t quite put into words. It gives you a euphoric rush to help someone and not asking anything in return. It’s good for the community, it’s good for your soul, it’s just plain good. If you would like to volunteer I urge you to call 651-361-0229. Thank you in advance.

Yesterday when I was bringing the kids to school we drove our normal route. On the way home last night, I noticed along the same route that a big snapping turtle was run over. I know animals get hit all the time, but this is what really bugs me about turtles. A turtle (especially one this size) is easily seen. They just don’t dash out into the road. So someone was driving along, easily saw this turtle and still made the decision to hit it. I know they saw it because it was light when I drove it in the morning. I just don’t understand sometimes.