Great weather has been with us this spring and we’re looking forward to more planned travel events to help us enjoy those Minnesota summer days.

•May 23: At 3:30 p.m. our Danube Cruise travel representative will be here for all those signed up for our September riverboat cruise.  Before that at 2 p.m., there will be a presentation for those interested in the 2019 Hawaii tour and Best of Scandinavia. Both of these destinations were chosen through our survey of places to visit. Of course, Scandinavia had to be a choice with our area of strong Norwegian heritage. Reservations are not needed to join us. This is open to the public at the Mower County Senior Center.

•May 20: Czech Festival at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Departure time is 7 a.m. from the Walmart parking lot. This annual festival is the site of the National Czech and Slovak Museum. Houby Days, translated means mushrooms, which are hunted in the spring as a special treat for folks living in the Czechoslovakia homelands.  A favorite dish includes fried morel mushrooms with scrambled eggs.

It will be interesting to see what will be available. A traditional Czech dinner includes dumplings and kraut and of course, kolaches.

The day will include visits to distinctive ethnic shops, a museum of handcrafted folk art, a 19th century immigrant home, library and a gift shop of exquisite glassware. Our return time may be around 7 p.m.

•June 6: Botanical Gardens, Como Park and Daytrippers Theatre in Minneapolis.

This trip will include the indoor gardens along with the Sunken Garden, which is showcased under the glass roof.

The outdoor gardens will be in full bloom as well. There will be a themed buffet dinner with a hilarious show to follow.  In “Drinking Habits,”  those beloved nuns are at it again. We will depart at 8 a.m., from the Walmart parking lot.

•June 18: Carousel and Horses.  This is a repeated trip of last year’s Mystery Trip.

This family farm was one of the most unique collections that we have visited. This collection of miniature carousels and large calliopes brought us back to our younger days where we would hear the music during the summer parades.

The owner is proud to give us a guided tour and tell a story with each. Lunch will be in the Grand Ballroom. After lunch we will observe the owners give demonstrations of teaching young folks to ride. This trip has very limited walking, but there will be plenty of time to walk through their flower gardens.

There are a limited number of seats available with payment due by June 4.

Looking ahead

July 12:  “Beauty and the Beast” and mystery meal

July 25: “Newsies”  at the Chanhassen Dinner Theatre

August: Date will be set in June as it’s still mystery

August 27: Minnesota State Fair.