Bouquet: This weekend the Crystal Falls Lions Club hosts the Bass Festival today and Sunday in Runkle Lake Park in Crystal Falls, and the Vulcan-Norway-Loretto Lions Club has its Community Picnic from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday in Marion Park in Norway.

These events are not just a good excuse to get an excellent chicken dinner or other item off the grill, participate or watch games and perhaps enjoy a beverage and some music. It also marks another step toward a more normal summer in the Upper Peninsula after COVID-19 wiped out most public gatherings over the past year.

So kudos to both Lions Clubs, for giving area communities a chance to experience again what a pleasure summertime activities in the North Woods can be when the weather cooperates, as it’s expected to do this weekend.

Hopefully people will reward these clubs by turning out for these events — and perhaps considering volunteering some time or even becoming a member of the organization, as both Lions Clubs look to bring in new blood.