For decades, summer has been the time when the region comes alive.

What that life looks like has changed in some ways. The music has changed; there’s more theatre. Fewer canoes and more rafts. Always fish; always water; always spending time and relaxing with friends or family, whatever that looks like for you.

This year’s issue of Hello Summer gives you a list of what’s happening over the holiday weekend, and the websites or Facebook pages so you’ll always know what’s going on, even after Memorial Day weekend is past.

Not into music or art? Go outside. There are so many options. We even have a list of trails near the river; there is so much to see in our woods.

Hungry? We have a list of farmers’ markets and a couple of farmstands. Get to know where your food comes from. Talk to the farmers.

And there’s this, sobering and important: Stay alive on the water. Wear a life jacket. Do you know what to do if your boat capsizes? The National Park Service has provided information you should read. That’s here too.

Welcome, all. Enjoy the summer.

Annemarie Schuetz

Section editor