Madison had their summer community events Friday and Saturday called Stinker Days and Dragonfest! When I laid down on my bed Saturday night I was completely exhausted. One event after another Friday and Saturday and I didn’t even make all of them.

I really enjoy community events and after not having any last year because of Covid its nice to be able to get together with family, friends and neighbors and celebrate the community you live in. Most of my time was spent at the baseball field broadcasting Legion baseball playoffs, but between games I made a few of the community events. With four teams playing at Madison Memorial Baseball Field, an all school reunion, races at the Madison Speedway, family reunions, a parade, and the local bars and restaurants having bands. Madison was full of people.

I broadcasted a number of baseball playoff games Friday and Saturday. In the press box with me was my great niece, Kelsey Loterbauer and the homecoming queen at Lac qui Parle Valley, Ashley Mcfarland. Kelsey and Ashley are good friends and started doing the announcing and running the scoreboard for LQPV softball games and now at the Madison ballpark during the summer. Friday night I was broadcasting the game by myself and it’s always nice to have help when broadcasting a game. I asked them if they could do the PA and run the scoreboard and wear a headset and do commentary for the baseball game. Kelsey and Ashley screamed with excitement and said yes they would love to go on the radio! I hooked them up with headsets and after a commercial break between innings they made their radio debut! I had two rules for them, no swearing and no bad mouthing the umpires! They laughed and said okay we can handle that. We sure had fun broadcasting the rest of the baseball game. They added their sense of humor and laughter to the broadcast.

Saturday, between games, I picked up my wife and grandson Zane. He is staying with us for the week. We went to our friend Greg Schmidt’s retirement party at the swimming pool park. Greg retired from being superintendent at LQPV High School and from his many years in education. It was like a major family reunion for him under the shelter in the park. Lots of family and friends showed up for Greg’s party. The swimming pool was absolutely packed with kids and adults for the coin toss. Madison really has a nice city park and it was fun to see so many people enjoying it and the beautiful weather.

Saturday morning was the big parade! Maynard asked me if I would Facebook live the parade on our KLQP Radio Facebook page, so I set up my tripod in front of the Grand Theatre on main street. The parade was great with just about 100 units.

Saturday evening Roxie, Zane and I had a fire in our fire pit and waited patiently for the fireworks. We can watch the fireworks from our backyard. Once again the fireworks didn’t disappoint. After the fireworks we got to listen to the band Eclipse playing at the Happy Hour Sports Bar. It’s only a block from my house. They had a street dance and many people showed up for that. While on our patio we saw a drone flying over our house and my grandson Zane thought that was pretty cool.

It was a great two days in Madison. I met many people and had so much fun. But, I am getting old and like I said before I was completely exhausted when I went to bed Saturday. Fun times.