Karen’s Common Ground Column

It seems hard to believe that summer is coming to an end but with the State Fair and the start of school that fact is inevitable.
Students in Byron already started their school year this week with the other districts sticking with the more traditional after Labor Day start.
The last big summer event in Dodge County is right around the corner with Marigold Days in Mantorville coming up September 9 and 10 with a couple of the events on Thursday and Friday.
Marigold Days is always a fun event, but in looking at the schedule I noticed there is one new event that sounds especially interesting.
The schedule lists a Cambodian Moonlight Dance at the County Seat Coffeehouse at 6 p.m. on Friday. What is that you ask?
Well, it is a troupe of young dancers, ages 8-14, who will present a program of Cambodian dances in front of the coffeehouse.
These performers have been studying the traditional dance forms of their cultural heritage since they were two years old and perform their dances in traditional costumes.
That sounds like something not to be missed.
Another fun-sounding event, although not new, is the Let’s Get Local food-beer-wine tasting Thursday, September 8, from 5 to 8 p.m. This event is actually held at the American Legion Kasson Post 333, at 2 12 W. Main Street in Kasson. Tickets are available through Eventbrite and also the Legion Post at 507-634-4353.
And another returning event that is especially worth attending is the Field of Flags 2022. Dedication of the field for this year is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, at 8th Street and Highway 57 in Mantorville. That is the field adjacent to the county government building.
The event is to honor military service members and also those who performed essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially law enforcement, fire fighters and first responders.
If you would like to have a flag honoring a service member or essential worker contact Cindy Nelson at 635-5519 or Dick Denny at 507-259-2081 for information.
Sounds like a fun weekend.