This Saturday is not only the 250th celebration of the U.S. and its Independence, it’s Mineral Point’s annual July 4th celebration. People come from all over to take part in the "Getting the Lead Out" Run/Walk of either 2 or 5 miles that starts at 8:00 a.m. This is the 45th Historic Run through the streets of the city. Then there’s a huge parade followed by a luncheon at Water Tower Park where the Al Bauman Band will provide music. There are events going on all day. That evening, starting at 6:00, is the Mineral Point Kiwanis Ice Cream Social followed 45 minutes later by the Mineral Point City Band playing music, including patriotic pieces from way back to the present. A huge display of fireworks will end the day.
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An early Independence Day celebration was held last Saturday in Ridgeway. There was a lot going on all day with fun for all ages, including ball games and music.
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Speaking of celebrations, Dodgeville will be the site of the 40th Farmers Appreciation Day July 11-12. Saturday evening, it’s "Sip n Savor" at Harris Park from 5-dusk, put on by the Upland Hills Health Foundation. A huge fireworks display will take place at Harris Park at dusk. Then Sunday will be the parade through downtown Dodgeville beginning at 11:00 a.m. Events following will be at the Iowa County Courthouse Parking Lot, just outside of the Dodgeville Chronicle office. There will be food, music, awards, pedal tractor pull, petting zoo and more. Don’t forget your Dodgeville Lions Club cheese curds!
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When the Farmers Appreciation Day ends at 3:00 p.m., another Dodgeville event begins – Town Square. That’s held for two weeks on East Merrimac Street with it being blocked off between the Red Room Bar & Restaurant and Bob’s Bitchin BBQ. There are a lot of events planned for those days. Check out the ad in this week’s Dodgeville Chronicle or check the Dodgeville Chamber of Commerce FACEBOOK page for details. Several businesses and organizations have stepped up to sponsor one of the days!
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Saturday morning breakfast was very interesting. It was Tom driving Bob, Terry, Potsie and me to the south – Platteville. Royce couldn’t make it and Dave is still on vacation. Our place to stop was on 2nd Street and no it wasn’t a bar! We went to The Owl Cafe, a place we had been a few times before. Peggy, the owner, and I had a good conversation. When she was younger and helping her mom at the restaurant, she would make trips around the corner to the Davis Royal Blue Grocery Store. It was run by my stepmother, Helen. She remembered Helen vividly. She also remembered a youngster who worked there, Greg Dale. His Dad, Kenny, had a restaurant just up the main street. They moved to Dodgeville and Kenny had a restaurant in downtown Dodgeville and Greg was a classmate of mine, 1964 graduating age. I asked Peggy about the name The Owl Cafe came from and she wasn’t real sure. There was a Meat Market next door that was The Owl Meat Market before her time in Platteville. She figured it may’ve turned into The Owl Cafe. Anyway, the food was really good and there was a lot of it at the Owl. We all went away filled to the brim!
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I keep harping about drivers not using their directionals. Here’s another instance that happened to me. I was coming out of the Dodgeville Post Office on Johns Street and stopped for traffic going by both ways north and south. There was a car across from me coming out of Culver’s. It didn’t have a directional on, but it was pointed to turn right. I motioned for it to go and then the driver turned its directional on to turn left! *****
I had my first lemonade of the summer from a Lemonade Stand on Johns Street in Dodgeville the other day. The young girl made it from scratch and boy was it good! I even had a piece of lemon in the bottom! She should’ve made a killing this week with the temperatures in the 90s! *****
My special day this week should probably be Saturday, July 4 – Independence Day, but instead I chose today, Thursday, July 2. It’s "I Forgot Day". It is a lighthearted day that gives you the opportunity to laugh off your memory lapses, apologize for missed birthdays or anniversaries and finally send those belated cards and gifts. Whether you forgot to return a call, missed a meeting or let special occasions slip your mind, his day is all about giving yourself grace and making amends! Just ask Pat -he’ll tell you how much I forget
