Advertisement Our office was informed over the weekend that the candidate forum will likely take place on Tuesday, Oct. 7.
We know that incumbent 96th Assembly District Rep. Lee Nerison (R-Westby) is being challenged by Dale Klemme (D-Prairie du Chien) and that 32nd Senate District Sen. Dan Kapanke (R-La Crosse) is being challenged by Tara Johnson (D-La Crosse).
It’s our understanding that all candidates for contested offices in the area and county will be invited to participate. The forum is also being held with plenty of time before the election.
Hats off to the Vernon Area BPW for taking a roll in getting the candidate forum on the calendar.
---
The Viroqua Skylighters, led by Duane Hoff, will once again be bringing a Fourth of July fireworks show to the Vernon County Fairgrounds on Friday.
We all, of course, love the Fourth of July no matter what day it comes on. For us in the newspaper business, it’s best that the Fourth of July comes on a Friday. Then it’s like a real holiday.
The one thing that is obvious about holidays is that they’re not really holidays for a lot of people. All the convenience stores remain open as do many other stores. As always, cows need to be milked and chores need to be done.
And for us, pictures need to be taken and events need to be attended.
I guess in our go-go world the idea of there ever being a real “holiday” could never happen.
Still, the Fourth of July is the day where we mark our independence and freedoms guaranteed under the Constitution. Those freedoms are the cornerstone on which everything in this country balances. I appreciate the fact that our forefathers fought for our rights.
I’ll be watching the fireworks on Friday. And I’ll remember that although many things need fixing in this nation, the premise under which we operate is sacred, trusted and true.
Happy Fourth of July!
---
I watched some of the U.S. Olympic Team qualifying over the weekend. I can’t believe the Beijing Olympics are a little more than a month away. Time flies.
I was amazed at all of the outstanding times posted by U.S. swimmers in the trials. There was a lot of talk about the new Speedo swimsuit giving U.S. swimmers both a technological and perceived mental edge. After seeing some of the world records broken over the weekend, I’m a believer.
When it comes to the summer Olympics, I enjoy watching the field events, such as the jumps, pole vault, shot put and discus. I also like to follow the team sports, such as water polo and baseball.
I’ve never played water polo, but from what I’ve heard, it’s an absolutely brutal sport. I guess that doesn’t always bring out the Olympic spirit in everyone, but it sure makes things interesting.
I’m also interested to see how China makes out hosting the Olympics. The country is a closed, communist society. I wonder how the reporting will go and if there will be any incidents.
I didn’t think about that when the Olympics were held in Sydney. We live in an odd world.
---
On Monday I noticed the park and rec staff putting up a bigger dry-erase board at the Park Bowl.
This is certainly a busy time of the year for the city of Viroqua’s Park and Rec Department. On any night of the week you’ll find games and practices happening at several different diamonds. Also, there are other park and rec programs going on in the morning.
I think the diamonds are looking pretty good and the Park Bowl is spruced up with the new dugouts. After dealing with two floods and everything that comes with it, I tip my hat to Boone Stalsberg at the park and rec and his staff, and the city of Viroqua in general for keeping things moving forward.
Between the school district’s summer school (Kudos!) and the park and rec, hundreds of kids are enjoying fun summer activities.
You can e-mail Matt Johnson at matt.johnson@lee.net
Advertisement 
