The Big Island doesn't have anything on Prior Lake this summer.

Yesterday, a friend visiting from Oahu reminded me of two island phrases that can fit Prior Lake just as well as Waikiki Beach.

“Aloha Friday” and “Beach Party weekend” should be our new, weekly summer mantras.

Reed’s, Yacht Club, Lone Tree and Twin islands could use a dose of “aloha Friday,” right? (I’m not sure what “Hello, Friday” means exactly, but it sounds more tropical than TGIF.)

And, fun-loving Prior Lakers all understand “beach party weekend,” as evidenced by the revelers in Candy Cove.

We’ve created names for new elementary schools, sports fields, uptown Prior Lake, and other buildings in recent years - why not have some fun naming our weekends?

Just leave the tropical-print shirts at home…we’re still Minnesotans, after all.