Wasn’t it just yesterday that we broke out the flip flops and shorts and got ready for a hot summer?
And here we are, about to start the last weekend of August.
I don’t know if we’re officially in those fabulous “dog days of summer,” but I can definitely hear them barking.
That means we have a few precious days left to enjoy summer before fall hits back-to-school.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before, perhaps coming out of your own mouth:
“I’m going to pack a picnic lunch and spend a sunny afternoon at the beach.”
“The hammock is up. Now all I have to do is grab a book and a pitcher of iced tea and slip away for an afternoon.”
People also read…
“That Biergarten at Petrifying Springs Park looks fun. We’re going there this week.”
“I’m finally going to Twin Lakes and see the Aquanuts perform.”
The good news is that there is still time to do all these activities.
In fact, I’d say late August/early September is the perfect time to hit the beach (less crowds, cooler sand on your feet), curl up with a novel in the backyard (less humidity, less errors) and visit it. the outdoor Biergarten (it’s almost Oktoberfest season!).
You may not have ticked off everything on your summer 2022 to-do list, but you still have time.
This weekend, there are two FREE local festivals to hit the streets with.
On Saturday, the “Picnic in the Park” (cancelled last Saturday due to the threat of storms) starts at 4pm at Petrifying Springs Park, on the south end, next to the Biergarten. Two bands play there: the Quinn Brothers from 4 to 6 p.m. and the Ethan Keller Group from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., plus food trucks, bounce houses and children’s games. Stay for the big bang finale when the fireworks begin at dusk.
The new “BBQ in the Park” event is Saturday from 11:30am to 9:00pm and Sunday from 11:30am to 4:30pm at Prairie Springs Park in Pleasant Prairie (Lake Andrea). The festival features live music, food (of course!), bingo, a “bag” tournament (or corn hole, if you prefer) and vendor booths.
As for the Aquanuts, the award-winning waterski team only has three more free shows this summer: Saturdays, August 27 and September 3 at 6pm and Wednesdays. August 31
And your backyard reading plans? This is always available. Head to one of our libraries to borrow something, or visit one of our local downtown bookstores: Studio Moonfall (which is holding its Kenosha Book Festival today through Sunday) or Blue House Books.
To keep up with area events each week, read our Entertainment and About Entertainment section every Thursday in the Kenosha News.
And then get out there. Because before you know it, I’ll be writing about haunted houses and Christmas lights… and you’ll be wondering if you’ll ever leave that hammock.
Those summer blues…
One of the surest signs of summer each year is our own Lake Michigan, when it turns a mystical blue color that signals “summer is here.”
Considering our local Great Lake spends most of its time looking rather gray when it does its Caribbean Sea impression, it’s worth noting.
“This is what we’ve been waiting for all year,” said a woman standing near me recently as we both looked out at the lake’s edge.
While the lake’s summer hue is a sight not to be missed, I was surprised to see more bright blue water downtown this week.
The water in HarborPark Fountain, west of the Kenosha Public Museum, is a beautiful turquoise color.
I thought maybe the fountain was being cleaned (I associate this blue with toilet bowl cleaner), but instead I was told the color was added to deter people from wading in the fountain. Another explanation? To prevent the growth of algae.
Whatever the reason for the color of the Easter egg, it’s a reminder to a) clean my bathroom and b) grab a Blue Moon ice cream on the way home.
Readers may have noticed that we had a story in our Sunday paper written by a Kenoshan who was visiting Ukraine.
The writer is Ronald Paul Larson, who has worked in television documentary filming and has been to various conflict zones, including Iraq in 2003, Libya in 2011, Syria in 2013, and now Ukraine in 2022, as a writer and photographer.
We also have another Kenoshan, Adam Larson, who wrote an article in April from Poland, where he was teaching English, about the “war next door.”
I got my Larsons mixed up and attributed the August 21 Ukraine feature to Adam, not Ron.
I have apologized to both writers and look forward to further dispatches. Until then, stay safe guys.
Do you have a comment? Email Liz at esnyder@kenoshanews.com or call her at 262-656-6271.
Rummage Sale, Memorial United Methodist Church, 2935 Sheridan Road, Zion, Thu., 8/25 5-8 p.m., Fri. 26/08 9:00-18:00, Saturday 27/8 9-13:00. $5 bag
Multi Family Sale 5802 1st Place SW of KR & Hwy 31 Friday 8/26 & Saturday 8/27 8-3pm Good Home Decor, Harley Parts, Fall & Christmas Stuff, Wow…
Rummage Sale 6818 – 53rd St. Indian Trails Fri. & Sat. 26/8 & 27/8 – 09:00 – 15:00 LOTS of puzzles, LOTS of books, vinyl records, Owl collection…
Do you have a comment? Email Liz at esnyder@kenoshanews.com or call her at 262-656-6271.
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