There was no lack of opportunities to keep busy in our community over the past two months. Main Street Concerts on the Square continued to bat .500 with the weather. On July 10, the Ken Killian SaxtetPlus leisurely set up in sunshine and then just before showtime packed their instruments away hurriedly as the storm blew in from the north. On the other hand, Clear Blue Betty brought clear blue skies and hundreds of spectators for their spectacular July 24 show on the Square. Beal Street Jazz also enjoyed good weather, as they entertained the crowd on the Square on Aug. 14. Our final concert by the Fever River String Band was not as fortunate and was moved to Turner Hall when the weather looked questionable to hold. This proved a great alternative, however, as the staff prepared the Great Hall for concertgoers to bring their chairs and box lunches as desired. Thank you to that crew and to concert supporters - The Monroe Fund, Duxstad, Vale & Bestule, Reffue, Pas, Jacobson & Koster, Monroe Clinic and Ekum Abstract for allowing these concerts to be free and open to the public. A great shopping weekend also was available downtown in August with the traditional Maxwell Street Days, as well as fun for kids of all ages the following weekend with Summer Fair on the Square. This particular event was unique in the number of community partners that work together for it. Complementing the Bouncy House and youth games provided by Main Street volunteers, Boy Scout Troop 101 conducted a "Sponge Toss." This was an opportunity to whack the face of a willing community leader with a wet sponge. A big thanks to Aldermen Dan Henke and Thurston Hanson, Coach Tony Stamm, Kirt Cramp and Jeff Ditzenberger for "taking it on the chin" to give the troop the opportunity to raise project money. Meanwhile, Monroe Area Skate Enthusiasts gave skill demonstrations and ran a concession, complemented by the Schwan's truck. The Monroe Cheerleading Squad also was on hand with its annual bake sale and cheers, and next to them volunteers could be heard humming the Cheese Days song from the Cheese Days merchandise trailer. Rounding out the daytime event was the Annual Pie Eating contest at 2 o'clock, which found John Baumann victorious once again. The Square then morphed into concert mode featuring youth bands until 6 o'clock and headliner FEDORA until 8:30, which was complemented by a beer garden hosted by the Green County Humane Society. It was a great day. Events certainly are the most visible work of Main Street, but only one facet of the program. Supporting private and public investment in improving the physical appearance of our Square is another. Connecting businesses with resources and luring new, complementary business to the Square yet another. Downtown ... and Beyond, the long-range planning conducted earlier this year has helped Main Street to clarify purpose and work plan. There are exciting developments ahead and we'd like to share them with you. Board member John Baumann developed a presentation of the current and future elements that would be of interest to the public. If you think members of your service group, church or school, or employees of your company would be interested in having this information presented in the next couple of months, please contact me at 328-4023. I hold office hours on the second floor of Wisconsin Community Bank from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday (though hours often are altered by outside meetings). Of course, Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings, I'm easier to find downtown at Market on the Square. I look forward to hear from you!

- Barb Nelson is director of Monroe Main Street. She writes a monthly update on the organization for the Monroe Times. She can be reached at 328-4023.