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A sunny weekend obstructed by smog

Friday, May 30 should have been a sunny clear day, but the morning started with a haze of smoke. Instead of blue sky, central Minnesota was covered by gray. This was caused by wildfire smoke in northern Minnesota. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency issued an air quality alert for most of the state. Hazy conditions are expected to remain through the weekend, limiting sunlight. It is an unfortunate summer trend in Minnesota. The return of summer is also the start of wildfire season and days for smog.

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Flandrau swimming pond concessions are back

The Flandrau sand-bottom swimming pond is open for the summer, which is always a reason to celebrate, but the concession counter also returned. For years, a concession stand operated out of the historic Flandrau beach house next to the swimming pond. Nonprofit organizations would sell snacks and refreshments from the beach house kitchen, located only a few yards from the pond. However, in 2020 the park’s pool and concession stand did not reopen due to the COVID pandemic. The Flandrau swimming pond reopened in 2022, but concessions remain absent until now. This year, the New Ulm Optimist Club stepped in to help organize a schedule for the concessions counter. Five youth organizations staff the counter throughout the summer. It’s great to see a longtime staple of New Ulm summers return.

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Strong community support for Memorial Day observation

Last week during New Ulm’s Memorial Day observance, the Soldiers Rest section of the cemetery was fully adorned with American flags at every veteran grave. This was the work of many community volunteers who assisted to make the observance special. Legion volunteers reported the number of youth volunteers was high. Community support is always worth praise, but when young people lend a hand, it is a good sign for the future.