Is there anything better than attending a Two Harbors City Band concert on a warm summer evening? Officially, no. But you can make the evening even sweeter, by having your evening meal right across the street from the band shell in Thomas Owens Park, at United Church of Two Harbors. For years we have been hosting “Simple Suppers,” delicious lost-cost meals for the public. These meals have turned into a popular community event, and have become a part of the longstanding concert-in-the-park tradition.

Our first Simple Supper is on Thursday, June 21, before the Two Harbors City Band’s first concert of the year. Get to the church around 5:30 p.m. and start your evening off right!

One of the hymns we will be singing this coming Sunday is “Lift Every Voice and Sing”. Coincidentally, June 17 is also the birthday of the hymn’s lyricist, James Weldon Johnson. I have been seeing this name for years, but I didn’t know anything about the man until today. Here is a very abbreviated list of his accomplishments: Songwriting collaboration with his brother J. Rosamund Johnson (including success on Broadway), author and poet, United States Consul to Venezuela and Nicaragua, executive secretary of the NAACP, professor, lawyer, supporter of the arts. He even had a U.S. Postage stamp issued in his honor.

I’m sure we are all looking ahead to Grandma’s marathon on the 16th. Here is a reminder that you can do your carb loading right here in Two Harbors the night before, at the Third Friday Community Supper. 5:00-6:30 p.m.

This month’s Menu: Marathon Special Spaghetti with Meatballs, “Olive Garden” salad, Garlic Bread, Dessert and Beverage.

United Church Fellowship Hall, 531 3rd Ave., Two Harbors

No cost and everyone is welcome!