The not-so-nice weather this year has taken its toll on Iowa sweet corn this year. Here we are almost at the midpoint of summer and not even one ear of local sweet corn has appeared in the area. Usually by now the sweet corn is flowing out of local vendors by the dozens. I would guess we are still two weeks or more away from the Iowa speciality making an appearance on my plate. The only good thing is it looks like we will be eating sweet corn a ways into the football season.
Movies
The summer free movies here in Creston start this week and run every Wednesday and Thursday for five weeks. You can pick up free tickets at many businesses around town and it is a great way to get the kids out of the heat and have a little fun at the same time. The Strand does a nice job of putting the promotion together along with the local businesses that support it. Grab the kids and go hit a free show.
County fair time
The county fairs are getting started up this weekend. The Creston News Advertiser will be at many of the county fairs around the area over the next three weeks. Of course, Mother Nature looks like she is going to start heating the days up just in time for the fair to start. So get out your suntan oil, bottles of water and your portable fan and go take in all the fun and food at your local county fair.
State fair
Speaking of fairs. You can now buy Iowa State Fair discounted tickets for $8 at your local Hy-Vee or Fareway stores. The tickets will cost you $11 if you wait and buy them at the gate. You can also buy tickets to goat yoga this year. They are $20, and you get a state fair mat, personal instruction and chance to pet a cute little goat! Only 27 days and counting!
Bikers
This years RAGBRAI comes over the top of Creston with the group of riders going from Atlantic to Winterset on Monday, July 22. The riders will overnight in Winterset Monday night. The band for the evening is Here Come the Mummies. Always an entertaining group if you like mummies.
Apollo 11
You will see many TV shows and specials this next week in honor of the 50th anniversary of our trip to the moon. They are selling everything from coins to bath towels to celebrate the occasion. It was an amazing trip. Maybe someday we will be back to see the moon again close up!
McKinley Park
The McKinley Park Festival will be coming up July 27. Besides the usual fishing trip there will also be a “bunch” of inflatables this year with a 20-foot-tall water slide suitable for both kids and “big kids.” Plus, there will be the usual bouncy house, an obstacle course and water tag, and a bunch of other activities for all involved.
Summer TV
There are bunch of new summer shows that start up this week. Plus some of the usual summer favorites like American Ninja Warrior and America’s Got Talent. I use my TiVo a lot in the summer time. I would rather be out fishing or doing other outside things.
Thought for the week
Happiness is when you think, what you say and what you do are in harmony. – Mohandas Gandhi