When Lucy McAllister moved to Afton in 1973, the city hadn’t had a Fourth of July parade since “the ladies wore long dresses,” she said.

The American Revolution Bicentennial Administration that same year sent out guidelines to city officials around the country describing how their cities could gather to celebrate the nation’s 200th birthday in 1976, said McAllister, who was appointed chairwoman of the Afton Bicentennial Committee by then-Mayor Don Scheel.

“There were three key themes: heritage, festivals and horizons,” said McAllister, 87. “One of the suggestions under ‘festivals’ was to hold a parade. I knew we wanted a parade. When we reviewed the suggestions, everyone agreed, ‘Oh, yeah, we ought to have one.’”

McAllister, a flutist, also came up with the idea of having a town band perform in the parade. The Afton Schooner Band, which plays John Philip Sousa-type marches, started with the 1975 “Dress Rehearsal Parade” for the 1976 Bicentennial Parade; Vice President Walter Mondale was the grand marshal in 1976, she said.

“Some of the first people to come to Afton came in horse-drawn wagons. They were called ‘prairie schooners,’” McAllister said. “We had to have a wagon because so many of us were too old to march. That’s how we came up with the Schooner Band.”

The Afton Parade Committee has selected McAllister to serve as this year’s grand marshal.

“I was really surprised by the invitation, but I am going to enjoy it,” McAllister said. “Years ago, the grand marshal rode in a horse and buggy, but I think I’ll be in a convertible.”

‘Because of Lucy’

McAllister spent her career working in art education; her husband, Loring McAllister, worked in mental health. Over the years, the couple hosted 13 foreign-exchange students at their home in Afton and became volunteers in various community projects.

McAllister was an obvious choice for the honor, said Afton City Council Member Stan Ross, who serves as chairman of Afton’s Fourth of July Parade committee. “Because of Lucy’s efforts, the parade was a great success and remains an important tradition for Afton,” he said.

The parade, which attracts thousands of spectators, starts at 1 p.m. Friday. People wanting a good view of the parade — which starts on the north end of town, travels south for about three-quarters of a mile, turns around and comes back — are expected to start claiming spaces along St. Croix Trail on Thursday night, Ross said.

This year’s volunteer band is the biggest yet, McAllister said.

Lucy McAllister at the 2023 Fourth of July parade in Afton. (Courtesy of Lucy McAllister)

“It’s just really a surprise,” she said. “The group that I had last year included people who are savvy with social messaging, so they actually did some of the recruiting. I was floored when I kept getting phone calls and emails from people wanting to join.”

Rehearsals have started, but it’s not too late to join, she said, particularly if you play the bassoon or oboe.

“A bassoon and an oboe, that would be wonderful,” McAllister said. “We have so many people this year that they are not all going to fit on the wagon anyway, so they’ll be walking along the side. It’s a little tricky since the parade passes by itself. We’ll have to figure out if we want people on both sides, or just one side.”

McAllister said she plans to convene the band around 10:30 a.m. Friday, lead the last rehearsal, get the wagon decorated and then head to the start of the parade to begin her grand-marshal duties. “I will probably be holding my flute in my hand,” she said.

For the record, this isn’t the first time McAllister has been tapped to be grand marshal.

“I turned it down a couple of years ago,” she said. “I wanted to ride on the band wagon.”

Afton Schooner Band

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Musicians of all ages and skill levels are invited to join this year’s Afton Schooner Band; the next rehearsal is at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Afton Historical Museum. Participants should bring a music stand.

The band will gather at 10:30 a.m. Friday for a short rehearsal before riding a decorated float in the parade.

One major Afton Schooner Band perk is free parking by the side of the museum if band members show their instruments.

For more information or to get music to practice in advance, contact Lucy McAllister at lucymcallister5@gmail.com or call 651-503-6122 and leave a message.

When the 3M Open descends upon TPC Twin Cities in Blaine from July 24-27, tournament director Mike Welch said he is expecting the deepest field to date.

There are a number of high profile golfers already committed, including Tony Finau, who won the 3M Open in 2022, Sam Burns, who recently finished in the top 10 at the U.S. Open, and Max Homa, who is trying to get his career back on track.

The expectation from Welch is that additional commitments from other high profile golfers should be rolling in over the next couple of weeks.

The biggest challenge for the 3M Open when it comes to locking down some big names is the fact that it immediately follows the Open Championship. The travel from different parts of the United Kingdom to the Twin Cities isn’t exactly the most palatable.

Though it’s placement in the PGA Tour schedule has prevented the 3M Open from trotting out a bunch of superstars in the past, Welch remains bullish on the current field, which also includes defending champion Jhonattan Vegas.

Here’s a look at some of the highest ranked golfers already committed to play at the 3M Open:

Maverick McNealy

World Golf Ranking: No. 16

Analysis: Though he might not be recognizable to the casual fan, McNealy has steadily improved since turning pro nearly a decade ago. He has put together a solid campaign this year, highlighted by finishing in second place at the Genesis Invitational, third place at the RBC Heritage and fifth place at the Memorial Tournament.

Sam Burns

World Golf Ranking: No. 21

Analysis: There was a brief moment a few weeks ago when it looked like Burns was going to win the U.S. Open. He was the solo leader heading into the final round at Oakmont Country Club and was firmly in contention down the stretch before soggy conditions got the best of him. He’s currently the best putter on the PGA Tour this season when it comes to strokes gained on the green.

Wyndham Clark

World Golf Ranking: No. 30

Analysis: After winning the the U.S. Open in 2023, it looked like Clark was on a rocket ship to becoming a household name. Instead, he has struggled with consistency in all facets of his game, a concerning trend that has continued this year. He’s currently on the outside looking in for the FedExCup playoffs. The top 70 players in the FedExCup standings qualify, and Clark is ranked No. 77.

Akshay Bhatia

World Golf Ranking: No. 35

Analysis: The highlight for Bhatia so far this year came when he finished in third place at the Players Championship. There has been a noticeable drop off in the aftermath. He hasn’t finished in the top 10 since. He also notably missed the cut at the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open.

Taylor Pendrith

World Golf Ranking: No. 39

Analysis: There have been some impressive performances from Pendrith this year. Whether it’s finishing in ninth place at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am, fifth place at the Houston Open, or most notably, fifth place at the PGA Championship, he has turned himself into somebody that’s capable of contending on a weekly basis.

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City Limits rounds up the latest housing and land use-related events, public hearings and affordable housing lotteries that are ending soon.

Jamaica, Queens. The City Planning Commission will hold a hearing this week on a proposed rezoning for the neighborhoods. (Dept. of City Planning)

Welcome to City Limits’ NYC Housing Calendar, a weekly feature where we round up the latest housing and land use-related events and hearings, as well as upcoming affordable housing lotteries that are ending soon.

Know of an event we should include in next week’s calendar? Email us.

Upcoming Housing and Land Use-Related Events:

Tuesday, July 1 at 10 a.m.: The NYC Council’s Subcommittee on Zoning and Franchises will meet regarding Bally’s Ferry Point Map Amendment and the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan. More here.

Tuesday, July 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.:  The Department of Housing, Preservation and Development will host “HPD in Your District” at Assemblymember Alicia Hyndman’s office in Springfield Gardens, Queens. More here.

Wednesday, July 2 at 10 a.m.: The City Planning Commission will meet to vote on land use applications for 5051 Iselin Avenue, 2360 Broadway, and Modulightor Building Apartment Duplex; the board will hold public hearings for Broadway Junction Station City, The Hillside Swimming Club, Jamaica Neighborhood Plan. More here.

Monday, July 7, 5 to 8 p.m.: New York City Charter Revision Commission, which is considering changes to city government rules around housing and land use, will hold a public input hearing in Manhattan. More here.

NYC Affordable Housing Lotteries Ending Soon: The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is closing lotteries on the following subsidized buildings over the next week.

 1471 Amsterdam Avenue Apartments, Manhattan, for households earning between $84,309 – $189,540 (last day to apply is 7/1)

77 Kosciuszko Street Apartments, Brooklyn, for households earning between $75,840 – $140,000 (last day to apply is 7/2)

Bronx Renewal HELP USA Cluster, Bronx, for households earning between $54,000 – $105,000 (last day to apply is 7/3)

360 Shepherd Avenue Apartments, Brooklyn, for households earning between $37,783 – $157,500 (last day to apply is 7/3)

3825 Carpenter Avenue Apartments, Bronx, for households earning between $73,920 – $140,000 (last day to apply is 7/3)

The Garrison, Brooklyn, for households earning between $125,520 – $189,540 (last day to apply is 7/ 3)

26-18 4th Street Apartments, Queens, for households earning between $77,932 – $116,640 (last day to apply is 7/ 3)

1229 Eastern Parkway Apartments, Brooklyn, for households earning between $84,000 – $227,500 (last day to apply is 7/ 7)

Greenpoint Central Apartments – 65 Dupont Street, Brooklyn, for households earning between $68,949 – $227,500 (last day to apply is 7/ 7)

The Dome, Brooklyn, for households earning between $65,109 – $227,500 (last day to apply is 7/ 7)

The post NYC Housing Calendar, June 30-July 7 appeared first on City Limits.

Republicans in the Senate may be on the verge of their most consequential capitulation to President Donald Trump so far — and I am not talking about the deficit-busting “big, beautiful bill.”

On Wednesday, when the eyes of the nation were still fixed on the Middle East, the Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing on Trump’s nomination of Emil Bove to serve as a judge on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which covers cases from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and the Virgin Islands.

Bove’s nomination is yet another sign that Trump’s second term is beginning (yes, it’s still only the beginning) very differently from his first. Just as he wants sycophants and yes men staffing his administration, he’s now moving toward staffing the judiciary with the same kind of person: judges who will do whatever it takes to curry favor with a president who values fealty above all.

By now, Americans are accustomed to the devolution of Trump’s team. Serious people populated the highest levels of the executive branch at the start of Trump’s first term, but now some of the most important positions in American government are held by cranks like Kash Patel, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pete Hegseth.

But as bad as those men are, their influence is ultimately limited — first by Trump himself, who feels completely free to overrule and disregard any decision they make for the sake of his own interests and whims, and second by time itself. Trump’s political appointees won’t be in American government for long, and while they can inflict lasting damage during their short tenures, the next president can replace them and at least start the process of repair.

Bove, however, would be a problem for a very long time. At 44 years old, he’s been nominated for a lifetime appointment to the federal bench. That means he’d long outlast Trump in the halls of American power, and if past performance is any measure of future results, we should prepare for a judge who would do what he deems necessary to accomplish his political objectives — law and morality be damned.

Bove was formerly a prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, and after he left the Department of Justice during President Joe Biden’s term, he served as one of Trump’s lead defense attorneys in his federal and state criminal cases.

At the start of his second term, Trump named Bove the acting deputy attorney general, and Bove immediately made himself an instrument of Trump’s vengeance. He ordered FBI officials to compile lists of agents who participated in investigations related to the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol. He fired Justice Department prosecutors who were hired to work on Jan. 6 cases without any evidence of wrongdoing.

He ordered prosecutors in the Southern District of New York to drop criminal charges against Eric Adams, the mayor of New York, seemingly on the ground that prosecuting Adams could interfere with Trump’s immigration agenda, an action which triggered a revolt in the Southern District.

Danielle Sassoon, a former law clerk for Justice Antonin Scalia who was then the acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District, resigned, declaring that she did not see “any good faith basis” for Bove’s legal position. Another attorney with impeccable conservative credentials, Hagan Scotten, wrote perhaps the most scathing resignation letter I’ve ever read.

“No system of ordered liberty,” he wrote, “can allow the government to use the carrot of dismissing charges, or the stick of threatening to bring them again, to induce an elected official to support its policy objectives.”

Last week, a former Justice Department lawyer named Erez Reuveni filed a whistleblower complaint that included claims that Bove said in a March meeting that the Justice Department should consider saying “f— you” to courts that enjoined efforts to deport immigrants under the Alien Enemies Act. Bove denies Reuveni’s account.

Even before Trump’s second term, Bove was a controversial figure. During his first tenure at the Department of Justice, he faced an internal investigation over alleged mistreatment of subordinates. His superiors initially recommended a demotion but then later decided against it.

In a Truth Social post announcing Bove’s nomination, Trump included this ominous line: Bove, he wrote, will “do anything else that is necessary to, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN.” That statement caused Ed Whelan, a senior fellow in the Ethics and Public Policy Center, to write in National Review that there is a “danger that Bove, if confirmed, would leap to the top of Trump’s list for the next Supreme Court vacancy.”

Context matters here. Trump’s nomination of Bove comes just as he turned on Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society. In May, Trump called Leo — a man who was instrumental in helping Trump nominate the justices who overturned Roe v. Wade — a “sleazebag” and a “bad person who, in his own way, probably hates America.” He attacked the Federalist Society for giving him “bad advice” on judicial nominations.

Trump’s first-term judicial nominees are conservative, but (with very few exceptions) they are not Trumpists, and that means when Trump’s demands conflict with the text and the original meaning of the Constitution, they’ll side with the Constitution over Trump — an unforgivable outrage to the president.

Judicial liberals no doubt have many differences with the Federalist Society, but as a rule, both conservative and liberal jurists share commitments to the Constitution, the rule of law and the judiciary as the branch of the federal government that is tasked with interpreting the law, not with driving public policy or political agendas.

In other words, liberal and conservative judges have mainly differed in their judicial philosophies, not in their commitment to integrity and America’s liberal democracy.

Bove, by contrast, has signaled as clearly as he can that he is committed to Trump.

But he kept quiet about this at his confirmation hearing. During his testimony Wednesday, Bove not only denied that he’d threatened to defy court orders, he said, “I am not anybody’s henchman, I am not an enforcer.”

But actions, as you may have heard, speak louder than words, and Bove’s actions indicate that Trump was exactly right when he said that Bove would do “anything else that is necessary” for the MAGA movement.

Republican senators have so far given Trump everyone he wants in the executive branch this term. They haven’t voted down a single nominee (Matt Gaetz and several others stepped aside before any Senate votes), even when those nominees were obviously and grotesquely inexperienced and incompetent. Trump won the election, they reason, and they’re letting him staff his team.

But judges are not part of the president’s team. They’re a separate branch of government. This means that there is an even more urgent necessity for Republican senators to exercise their independent judgment.

There is recent precedent for a Republican revolt against a Republican president’s judicial nomination: when George W. Bush nominated Harriet Miers, his White House counsel, to the Supreme Court. Republicans reacted strongly, believing that she was undistinguished and inexperienced in constitutional law and lacked a clear record of a conservative legal philosophy compared with other potential candidates.

Republicans weren’t betraying the president; they were exercising their constitutional responsibilities. Bush ultimately withdrew her nomination, and replaced her with Samuel Alito.

Our nation does not need vengeful political operatives on the federal bench. Bove is a far worse nominee than Miers. Critics questioned her experience and her qualifications. They did not question her integrity. But with Emil Bove, integrity is precisely what is in doubt.

David French writes a column for the New York Times.