WELCOME — There will be a free Veterans Serving Veterans outdoor picnic sponsored by the area Legion Posts, VFW, and DAV groups from 4-7 p.m. Saturday, July 9, at Gomsrud Park in Fairmont. Pork chop on a stick, chips, dessert, and soft drinks are on the menu. Thank you for your service.

There is a drive through communion for Circle of Faith parishes at Waverly and Trinity by Welcome from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday. This communion will be held next Sunday also.

Circle of Faith members in Trimont are reminded that the Sunday service will be 10 a.m. on July 10 only and it will be at Anderson Park in Trimont in conjunction with the Fun Fest activities. Also the Wednesday evening services will be held 7 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Welcome during the month of July.

Welcome senior citizens will meet for a noon potluck meal Monday at the Welcome Legion Hall, with fellowship to follow. Please bring a dish to pass and your own eating utensils. Note this is a correction from last weeks column since the first Monday fell on the Fourth of July holiday last week.

Welcome Legion will meet 7 p.m. Monday evening at the Welcome Legion Hall. All members are encouraged to attend.

Congratulations to former pastor in Welcome, Lyle Rich, who will be 90 years old Saturday, July 9. Cards will reach him at 2211 White Pine Lane, Room 06, Menomonie, WI 54751. He has moved to be nearer to family.

One week until the big Welcome Summer Festival begins. Friday, July 15, there will be city-wide rummage sales with maps available at Casey’s. Welcome Fireman’s Relief Association chicken feed will be held 5-7:30 p.m. July 15, at the Welcome Legion Hall. There will also be inflatable rides available and the first clue for the medallion hunt will be posted at the post office at 8:30 p.m. On Saturday, July 16, there will be city-wide rummage sales and the second clue for the medallion hunt will be posted at 9 a.m. There will be a vendor show from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hansen Keck Park. Inflatable rides, children’s activities, and food trucks will be available. The parade is at 3:30 p.m. After the parade the third clue for the medallion hunt will be posted and Shell’s Hobo Band and Groove will perform uptown. There will be a car show at the Old 16 Bar and Grill. There will be a pork chop feed sponsored by the Welcome Legion from 5-7 p.m. at the Welcome Legion. There will be vendors open on Main Street from 5 p.m. to midnight. There will be a kid’s tractor pull at 5:30 p.m. (sign up 5 p.m.), at 8:30 p.m. the fourth clue to the medallion hunt will be posted if needed, then from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. the Band “Rhino” will be featured at the street dance on Main Street. On Sunday, July 17, Paul Christian will perform from 4-7 p.m. at the Old 16 Bar and Grill. For more information about the parade or vendors, call (507) 236-1791.

Welcome Historical Society Museum is NOT planning to be open during festival weekend but appointments can be made by contacting Marsha Williams at 507-236-2034. Sounds like a lot of fun next weekend in Welcome. Plan to attend.