I did a couple of fun things last week. Well, I guess I did a lot of fun things, but I am talking about some fun things I did as part of my job.

One was actually a little bit ago, on Thursday, June 8. I went to Wells to go cover (meaning take some photos at) their Summer in the City event.

I was a little bit surprised when I got there. It looked like a freak winter snow storm had hit part of Broadway Street in Wells.

Yes, it actually was not snow, but a whole lot of soap bubbles being continuously sprayed out of a cannon.

I have to admit, it was pretty cool. And the kids there obviously thought it was a lot of fun to get covered in soap bubbles. There were plenty of smiles and lots and lots of laughing going on.

The company with the soap cannon set up is called Uentertainment and they are from Owatonna. I had never seen one before.

It was not my only surprise in Wells. A full two blocks were cordoned off and were full of stands from businesses, organizations and groups. There were about five food trucks there, plus a couple of food stands – and one of those had free hot dogs.

Those KBEW DJs, Norm and Michelle, were rocking the whole place with music and conducting games.

So, maybe you wonder did anyone show up for this festive event? Oh yeah, there were lots and lots of people there, of all ages. After all, one person told me, it was absolutely gorgeous weather that evening and not a bug in sight. And people were ready to have fun and so they came in droves.

I had fun taking photos and talking to folks, as usual. I had a nice visit with Faribault County Commissioner Bill Groskreutz. And, I took a photo of him when he volunteered to be a ‘crash test dummy,’ of sorts.

Actually, he rode on an inclined seat that rolled down a ramp and came to an abrupt stop. It was meant to teach people the importance of wearing seat belts.

Commissioner Groskreutz survived the ride – and the hard stop – just fine.

Two days later I traveled over to Kiester to take some photos of one of my favorite authors, William Kent Krueger.

Yes, it was just a year ago that Kent (yes, we are on a first name basis, although technically Kent is his middle name) was in Blue Earth at the library for the dedication of those wonderful mural panels. He was one of the four authors chosen to be on the murals and the only one of the four who is still alive.

Anyway, on my way to Kiester I wondered how many folks would show up to hear Kent speak on a beautiful Saturday afternoon. And if a lot of folks did show up, how would they fit into the small Kiester library?

Turns out I worried for nothing. A ton of folks did show up to hear him speak, and so it was held in the Kee Theatre, not the library. It was the biggest crowd I have seen to hear him speak, and I have seen him in Elmore, Blue Earth and Winnebago.

Kent once again gave an excellent talk, graciously visited with everyone afterwards, and signed as many books as people wanted him to. He sold copies of his books as well, and actually quickly sold out of them. All of the proceeds went to the Kiester Public Library.

Kent is my favorite author not just because he writes great books, but also because he is just a really great guy.

His new book, ‘The River We Remember,’ which is not one in the Cork O’Connor series, comes out this fall. He revealed it is set in a small town in the fictional “Black Earth County,” on the southern edge of Minnesota. And, it involves a body found in the local river. Hmmm, sounds interesting. And vaguely familiar.

I can’t wait to read it…