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This weekend is a big one in North Branch. MidSummer Days are here and the summer celebrations are officially under way.  MidSummer Days begins today (wednesday) and runs through Sunday.  Because of the date of this paper, I will jump to Thursday’s events.  The carnival in Central Park will open at 4 pm with rides and games and of course food.  The Legion will hold a meat raffle at the Legion at 4:30 pm.  Also at the Legion there will be bingo under the tent which will run all day until 10pm.  

Friday is more bingo under the tent.  From 5-8 pm, the bingo will up its ante to include Coach purses. The cost of bingo also will go up for the purse bingo, but you are playing for $225 purses.  The night caps off with the band “Off the Record” which plays at 8:30 pm.

Saturday begins with a golf tournament at 8 am.  Register online at nbgolfcourse.com.

There is the ever-popular kiddie Olympics held at  North Branch Middle School at 9 am.  They ask that athletes register at 8:30 am.  

At 11 am, there will be a free community meal held back at the Legion tent.  The lunch will run from 11-1 pm.

Dress your kids up and head to the municipal (city hall) parking lot, for the kiddie parade line-up.  Kids ages newborn to fifth grade are encouraged to take part in the parade.  Awards will be given to top five contestants and everyone will receive a prize.

At 3:30 pm, join the North Branch firefighters as they host their annual water fight.  Hopefully it will be warm out, because odds are you will get wet.
The very popular “Farmer’s Daughters” will headline the street dance Saturday night.  The show begins at 8:30 pm.

Sunday the celebration wraps up with the grand day parade.  The parade will wind its way down Mainstreet and begins at 2 pm.  
Plenty to do, plenty to see, plenty to eat.  See you there!

Being the parent of a senior who just graduated, I have come to realize a few things.  We just completed a weekend that consisted of 13 graduation parties. Yes, 13.  It sounds exhausting I’m sure, but in reality it was great.  Just show up and eat.... who wouldn’t love that?  So many wonderful treats and main dishes.  
The down side of so many parties is that you are limited to staying at each party for a small bit of time before moving on to the next.

I feel bad for our friends.  We would continously bump into the same friends, party after party.  I love our friends and would do anything for them. But the reason for my sorrow is the fact that they have to sit and make small talk with me 13 different times.  Let’s face it folks, I’m just not that exciting.  I’m not a great conversationalist. I am a good listener, but other than that my life is pretty simple.  No skydiving stories to tell, no near death experiences or lottery wins to speak of.  Just plain old Matt.  

There are still tons of grad parties that are yet to happen.  If you happen to bump into me at one or more, I apologize in advance.  

On June 25 (Monday), you are invited to come and tour the first completed project of the Chisago Lakes School construction projects.  There is a guided tour of the brand new tennis and pickleball courts at 7 pm.  They are asking that you meet them at the lower entrance of the middle school (at Hwy 8 and Irene) before the tour. Everyone is invited!  The courts will officially be open for public use on the Fourth of July.  If you are like me, you have been watching the courts take shape over the last few months.  Pretty exciting.

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