Seemslike it was just Memorial Day and then the 4th of July was here and now gone. Be Labor Day before we know it 
Cloudy and 56° this morning. Heading to mid 70’s, just a tad below normal, but fine by me. Looks like some good rain later tonight. Hope it stays away from Vermont as it moves east. Rosemary is out that way somewhere as she posted in either May or June that she was heading for the NE and maybe the Canadian Maritimes. Rain has helped the Quebec fires, at least in the southern areas.
Neighbor came over and picked up the planter box. I helped her load it in her truck and then went with her to help unload. They are just like a couple of kids with a new toy. I gave her what stain I had left from mine and she’s going to get more. Have to figure out how much to charge them, as I don’t keep track of hours I do these things. Just do them for the fun of it. Do have the cost of materials figured up though.
Today is haircut and grocery shopping. Might go back to town late this afternoon as there is a German band concert as part of Alpenfest. Fun to hear Ommpa ommpa. There’s some kind of concert every night. Gaylord adopted a Swiss theme for its downtown area over 50 years ago as part of a revitalization to freshen up an aging downtown area. Many of the buildings were built back in the late 1800-early 1900’s when logging was king here. Was looking like a lot of other northern Michigan towns, just a highway through town with drab storefronts. So the Alpine theme came about and revitalized downtown as all the businesses remodeled to Swiss themed storefronts. We are also a Sister City to Pontresina, Switzerland. They sent us a huge rock from the Swiss Alps which is displayed downtown. Alpenfest was born as a way to celebrate the Swiss heritage celebrations in Switzerland. Main drag is closed to traffic for a week and is transformed into an arts and crafts fair, amusement rides, food vendors, a Walking parade for those who want to dress in Swiss outfits, for contests of all kinds for both adults and kids and of course music and a Grand Parade. It’s evolved into kind of a home ing for those who no longer live here. Today is the Walking parade followed by the Worlds Largest Coffee Break. Free coffe and donuts to all who have an Alpenfest pin. Many businesses open a bit late as everybody heads down there. Gaylord also holds the distinction of being the only city in Michigan allowed to close a major State highway down for a week for a festival. Traffic is detoured around the two blocks ia city streets and works perfectly. Has never been one accident in it’s over 50 years of running. There is also one person from the community chosen to be the “Der Burgermeister” or Honorary Mayor of the city for the week. The movers and shakers I call them. They are out there quietly doing what they do. This person is always someone who has given unselfishly of time, talent, generosity etc. for the better of the community. They receive the key to the city and a beautiful in ornately decorated black jacket to wear. One of my neighbors holds that distinctive honor from a few years ago. They are known as the “Black Jackets”. Same goes for the Parade Marshals. This years Birgermeister is the Executive Director of our County Commission on Aging.
But I bet they taste good!
