Life is returning to a ‘normal’ fall

In a sure sign that summer is coming to an end, school is starting. Byron students are heading back to school this week while students in the other districts in the DCI coverage area, Kasson-Mantorville, Hayfield, and Triton, head back to the classroom next week, after Labor Day.
Colleges and universities will also be returning to classes shortly.
And that, in turn, signals the return of other events. Churches and other organizations begin their fall schedules. And of course, football, and other fall sports. In fact, the Minnesota Vikings have already started their season, losing three pre-season games.
It is a pattern that we have followed for years.
But there is something different this year. For the first time in two years, fall events will not be overshadowed by COVID.
Yes, COVID has not gone away and there is still a need to be aware of the possibility of it once again surging as people begin to gather in larger groups and indoors. But the reality is that with some caution and the availability of vaccines life can be pretty much back to normal at last.
And that is something we can all look forward to and enjoy.
So let’s look forward to fall, enjoy the many school sports and activities to come and try not to think about winter.
Oh yes, let’s hope that one thing doesn’t follow its normal pattern. Can we maybe hope that the Vikings will actually have a chance to win the big one?
On another note, let’s not write summer off right away.
The State Fair is continuing through Labor Day and from all reports attendance is up. That’s not surprising given Minnesotans have gone through one year with the fair cancelled altogether and a scaled back event last year with many people still a bit nervous about being in a large crowd.
So consider attending the Great Minnesota Get Together this weekend.
And we are also less than two weeks away from Marigold Days the second weekend in September. This year’s event will include most of the old favorites and a couple of new ones. One thing that won’t be on this year’s schedule is the 5K run. It has been cancelled for 2022 because of the major construction on Highway 57 between Kasson and Mantorville and the detours around the roadwork. Word is though, the run will be back next year.
So before we totally give up on summer and head into the cooler days of fall enjoy two of the biggest events of late summer.