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Charity Island Dinner Tour Trout Stream Review Conservation News Blues by the Bay Room with a view Don’t bug me All-season Hanson Hill Sandie’s Galley NE Michigan’s Barbary Coast State Park overview Info Northeast photo contest Wellington Farm update Kirtland Community College Performing Artist Series
The Guide
to Northeast Michigan covering the counties of Alcona, Arenac, Crawford, Gladwin, Iosco, Ogemaw, Oscoda and Roscommon August/September 2010 Published by: Info Northeast Jerry Nunn, editor Tanger Outlet Center Office: (989) 345-0356 Cell: (989) 780-0900 jnunn@infonortheast.com Contributing writers: Paula Belden, Jerry Nunn, Sandie Parker, Jim Smith Advertising sales: Russ Dreher (989) 345-0356 Advertising sales and design: Scott Nunn (989) 245-7140 Layout and design: K. Neff Photographics kneffphotographics@mac.com 2
Haunted Waters Festival and Lake Monster Sculpture Tour By JERRY NUNN, editor
It all sounded innocent enough during a quiet conversation. How could we get some much needed press for our organizations without going broke in the process?
our Maritime traditions and an art show that centers on our lake-side culture,” Eagel said. “We could have a themed and juried art competition, bring in presenters, we could even team with historical societies. We could hold public presentations and invite authors and film makers.
Looking at proven gorilla marketing techniques for personal inspiration, I admit guilt in coming up “We will call it Haunted Waters and include a with some pretty hair-brained ideas. In the end, it public art display; welded scrap metal designed in was Kit Eagel, director of the Sunrise Art Center in a sea serpent theme.” East Tawas, who took first prize in the brainstorming competition. Before the day was done, Haunted Waters Festival and ground work for the Haunted Great Lakes Art Show “We need something that will Waters Festival and Great & catch the public’s eye, but will be Lake Monster Sculpture Tour Lakes Art Show was set down considered harmless in the end,” and with Sunrise Art CenEagel said, noting the past efforts An all-inclusive art contest fine art and welded scrap ter serving as the hosts, Info of others that resulted in stiff fines featuring Northeast was on its way metal sculptures as well as papier and jail time. “It is hard to promache creations in family, business toward promoting its first large mote anything when your sitting and youth classes. event. behind bars and my pocketbook Reception and opening: Sept. 25 won’t allow for court costs on top The event will open on Sept. Information: of all this advertising.” 25. Of particular interest was www.hauntedwaters.org or the Lake Monster Sculpture Good point. www.InfoNortheast.com Tour, a public art display of welded scrap metal creations “We should build a lake mondesigned to the theme of sea serpents. ster,” Eagel said. “It would get noticed by locals, word would spread fast and in the end prove attracLittle did we understand the red tape and backtive to folks from out of town.” ground work that would be involved but plans proceeded nicely. “Something that can float in and out of the fog on Tawas Bay,” I added. “We’ll use it sparingly; With artists and presenters already onboard, the give folks a quick glimpse and then drift back into City of East Tawas recently lent us its blessing and the nothingness.” business owners along Newman Street are offering support. “With creative engineering we could make the thing submersible,” added Julius Muller, owner of As an all inclusive festival there will be plenty Julius Muller design and sometime-writer for Info for everyone. Prizes in the Lake Monster Sculpture Northeast. “It come peek out of the water at the Tour total $1,000. Included are business, family end of M-55 and then submerge right after the cell and individual classes calling for papier mache phone cameras come out. Or float it just under the creations that will be displayed and judged by the water along the State Dock.” public, offering prizes as well. “Too shallow, or we’ll get hung up in fishing You can learn more about the Haunted Waters lines,” said Eagel, quelling the thoughts that we Festival and Great Lakes Art Show, as well as the had to make this advertising campaign difficult and Lake Monster Sculpture Tour by visiting www. ignoring our talk of rubber suits, SCUBA gear and hauntedwaters.org or www.InfoNortheast.com. purloined pontoon boats. “No, I am thinking of something more aboveboard and family-friendly. A festival celebrating
Submissions are welcome from far and wide. We hope to see you in the Tawases.
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CALENDAR OF EVENTS and carnival rides, food, petting zoo, horse show and more. Info: (989) 275-8546.
August Calendar
July 31-Aug 1: 50th Annual Tawas Bay Waterfront Fine Arts Festival, Sat. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., located on Newman Street, East Tawas, featuring dozens of exhibitors in 13 juried classes. Info: (989) 362-5613. *2-9: Tanger Outlet in West Branch, sidewalk sales. 6: Hospice of Helping Hands Golf Tournament, at West Branch Country Club, four man teams. $75 per person registration inEvery attempt at accuracy has been made while producing this calendar of events. Nonetheless, events can change or mistakes can be made. Thus, it is never a bad idea to call ahead, before heading out on that three hour drive north.
cludes breakfast, lunch and putting green, with door prizes and contests. Info: (800) 992-6592. 6: 13th Annual Jim Ruedisueli Memorial Golf Challenge, at Red hawk Golf Course, with 8 a.m. registration and a 9 a.m. shotgun start; 18 holes with a cart, breakfast, lunch, prizes, give-aways and raffles. Info: (989) 739-7322.
6-8: Houghton Lake Historical Society 2010 Village Days, located on M-55 next to the Houghton Lake Playhouse, featuring entertainment, crafters, pig roast dinner. 7: Firefighter’s Day, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Steiner Museum, three Info: (800) 248-5253. miles north of Fairview on state 7: Au Gres Pirate Festival at Au highway M-33. Info: (989) 848Gres, featuring raft races down the 5362. Au Gres River, costume dressing 7: 5th Annual 5K Wellness Run/ contest, food and beer tent, and Walk sponsored by Harrisville Eye entertainment. Info: (989) 876Care with proceeds to the Lion’s 2427. Club. Pre-register costs $15, $18 7: 3rd Annual Art de Vin, art and day-of registration. Info: (989) wine event, 5 to 9 p.m. at Forest 724-2159.
6-7: Northern Michigan Relief Sale and Auction, featuring one of Michigan’s largest quilt auctions, with food, entertainment, craft and art sales. Steam powered ice cream mixer with ice cream ready at 5 Friday, and afternoon Saturday; proceeds to Mennonite missions world-wide. Info: (989) 848-5904 or (989) 848-2445 or online at www.reliefsale.org. 6-8: Roscommon County Fair, featuring a 5K run, kid’s games
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Dunes Golf Course, Roscommon. Enjoy the work of more than 20 artists while sipping the best Michigan wine, beer and spirits, with music from Michael Lee Seiler. Tickets are limited. Info: (989) 275-0700 ext. 119.
12-14: Sidewalk Sale Days, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in downtown East Tawas. Info: (888) 55-TAWAS. 13-15: Saint Helen ATV Jamboree, Saint Helen, Richfield Park & Campground. Mud Bogs, field events, ATV pull, scenic rides, more. Info: (989) 389-4994. 13-15: 44th Annual Sand Lake Festival, held at Sand Lake Community Center on Indian Lake Road, Sand Lake (National City), featuring fun, food, entertainment, games and prizes for all. Info: (989) 268-0469.
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13-15: Carriage Festival, Gladwin County Fairgrounds, featuring traditional crafts and games, a buggy parade, horses, buggies and wagons galore. Info: (989) 4262311. 13-15: Super Boat Fishing Tournament, Lake Huron fishing for salmon, walleye, lake trout and steelhead, featuring the lady’s classic on Aug. 13, beer tent and live music, with proceeds to the Lake Huron Sports Fishing Inc. Oscoda Dive Rescue Team. Info: (989) 739-5580. 14: Annual Forest Fest, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hartwick Pines State Park, with guided hikes, fire prevention, kid’s activities and games, Smokey Bear, displays, presentations, demonstrations. Cost is free; a state park vehicle pass is required for entry. Info: (989) 348-2537.
14: Historical Day at Sturgeon Point Lighthouse, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with lighthouse tours, displays and more. Info: (989) 7246297. 14: Annual Car Show & Sidewalk Sales, in downtown Standish. Info: (989) 846-7867. 14: Grayling Art in the Park, at Grayling City Park, 10a.m. to 5p.m., fine art, wine tasting, live music and more. Info: (989) 3482921. 14-15: Victorian Art Fair, at Irons Park in West Branch, one of Northeast Michigan’s largest and most successful art fairs with arts, crafts, entertainment and more. Info: (989) 345-3856. 15-21: Ogemaw County Fair – 30th Anniversary; a true countrythemed county fair and one of the largest in Michigan with animal exhibits, grandstand and midway
entertainment, Arnold’s Amusements Carnival and midway, Carnival and animal exhibits open Tuesday, Aug. 17. Info: (989) 3455993 or www.ogemawcountyfair. com. 16: 12th Annual AuSable River Canoe and Clean, pitch in to help keep the AuSable River pristine and beautiful. Info: (989) 7399040 or an AuSable River canoe livery.
lunch, bake sale, quilt sale, and more. Info: (989) 348-9215 21: Endurance Trail Run, Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Grayling, endurance run through scenic mountain bike trails. Info: (989) 348- 9266.
19: Kelly Miller Circus, come early to watch the elephants set up the Big Top, at Don Nester Chevrolet, on M-55, Houghton Lake, show times at 4:30p.m. & 7:30p.m. Info: (800) 248-5253 21: 19th Annual Lovells Bridge Walk, a small scale version of the Mackinac Bridge Walk, including a Fireman’s Pancake Breakfast, a parade and bridge walk, a potluck
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See your Northeast Michigan event or your high resolution photograph on these pages. Send them by email, along with a phone number where you may be reached, to jnunn@infonortheast.com. Put “calendar of events” in the subject line.
Aug. Calendar Cont.
21: Rifle River Survivor, a daylong event, featuring competitions in test of your ability and knowledge. Two age classes – 6- to 10-year-olds and 11- to 16-yearolds. Intermission for lunch at 1 p.m. Wear old clothes and expect to get dirty. Info: (989) 473-2258.
featuring Joe Binningslea and the Contours. Info: (989) 739-7322.
ASA regulations, home Run Derby, 16 team max, with five game guarantee. Info: (989) 739-7322.
28-29: “First Dam Canoe Race,” at Mio Pond in Mio. Info: (989) 826-5382 or (989) 826-3165.
21-22: 2nd annual Shoreline Arts & Crafts show at shoreline beach, a juried and true craft show featuring artists from around the country. Info: (989) 739-7322.
28-29: Black Iron Days, at Hartwick Pines and the Michigan Logging Museum, featuring traditional lifestyles, old time crafts, period entertainment and demonstrations. Cost is free; Michigan State park motor vehicle permit is required for entry. Info: (989) 348-2537.
24-28: Alcona County Fair, Lincoln, with animal exhibits, livestock auction, grandstand shows, music and entertainment, craft classes, shows and demonstrations, hole-in-one tournament. Friday tractor pulls, Wednesday night horse pull, Saturday bump and run, Info: (989) 724-7000 or (989) 736-9550.
21: Conservation Expo, Houghton Lake Historical Playhouse, 10a.m. to 3p.m., with nature crafts, fish casting contest and 27-28: Lincoln Lions Antique training for the kids, plant your own tree seedling, and more. Info: and Classic Car Show, with a parking lot party and cruise on (989) 275-8760. Friday night and a live band Satur21: Motown in O’Town, at 21-22: Blue Ox Battle of the day. Info: (989) 724-7056. Furtaw Field in downtown Oscoda Bats, at McQuaig field featuring 27-29: 9th Annual Blues by the men’s slow pitch, bracket ball, Bay, at Harbor Park, East Tawas, featuring blues bands from across the state and beyond, with food, beer and wine; $20 admission lasts the weekend. Info: (800) 55-TAWAS.
September Calendar
3-5: North Central Arts Council Labor Day Weekend Craft Show, on the Houghton Lake High School grounds. Info: (989) 3894500. 3-6: Sidewalk Sales at Tanger Outlet Center, West Branch. Info: (989) 345-2594. 4: Mio Mud Bogs, 1p.m. in Mio. Info: (989) 826-3331. 4: 8th Annual Gun Show, at the Steiner Museum in Fairview, 10 to 4 p.m. Info: (989) 848-5362. 4-5: 20th Annual Labor Day Arts & Crafts Show, on Newman Street in downtown East Tawas. Info: (989) 362-8643.
27-29: Going Green 2 renewable energy festival at the Michigan 4-5: 17th Annual Labor Day Magazine Museum in Comins. Crafts Show, held indoors and out Info: (989) 848-2246. at Houghton Lake Middle School, hosted by the Houghton Lake 27-29: Tractor and Antique En- Arts and Crafts Association. (989) gine Show, noon to 4 p.m. Friday. 366-8511. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, at Wellington Farm, USA. 4-5: Harmony Weekend in HarAdmission costs $7.50 for adults; risville, art and craft fair on the $5.50 for seniors and students. courthouse lawn with over 400 Info: (888) OLD-FARM or www. exhibitors, parade on Sunday at wellingtonfarmpark.org.
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18-19: Civil War Encampment, at Michigan Magazine Museum, Cumins. Info (989) 848-5688. 24-26: Hot Air Balloon Festival, sponsored by St. Joseph Health System and Hale Yes, at the Iosco County Fairgrounds, M-65 in Hale. Info: (989) 728-2525. 24-26: 13th Annual Pumpkin Run Car & Motorcycle Show and Cruise, at the Houghton Lake Kmart parking lot. Info: (989) 366-5644.
Sept. Calendar Cont. 1p.m. followed by a Barbershop and Sweet Adeline concert at the Harrisville Harbor pavilion. Info: (989) 724-7197.
Farm Park, USA from 10a.m. to 6p.m. Info: (989) 348-5187.
11: Farmers Market Wine Dinner at Forest Dunes Golf Club, menu will be decided the morning of the dinner, based on what the 6: Labor Day 5 Mile Run/Walk, farmers market is offering. Seating at the Rifle River Recreation Area, is limited and reservations may be Lupton. Races begin at the Grouse made by contacting: (989) 275Haven day use area. Info: (989) 0700 ext. 119. 473-2258. 16-19: 31st Annual Fireman’s 10-12: 12th Annual Hospice of Memorial Festival, at the FireHelping Hands Garage Sale Fund- man’s Training Grounds in raiser, at West Branch Industries Roscommon, with an industry Building just east of West Branch trade show, light parade, entertainon state highway M-55. Info: ment, and much more. Info: (989) (800) 882-6592. 275-5580. 11: Northern Michigan Folk Arts 17-19: 14th Annual Paul Bunyan Festival will be held at Wellington Festival, at Oscoda’s Furtaw Field, home of the Great Lakes Chainsaw Carving Competition, featuring Timberjack Show, pony rides, inflatables, arts and crafts fair, classic car show, Bunyan games. Info: (989) 739-7322. 18: 12 & 24 Hours of Hanson Hills Mountain Bike Race at Hanson Hills Recreation Area, Grayling. Endurance Series Michigan Cup Finals. Info: (989) 348- 9266.
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25: Haunted Waters Fine Arts Exhibition, Tawas Bay Center for the Arts, fine art festival, with presentations, programs, and the Lake Monster Welded Sculpture Contest. Info: (989) 747-8871. 25-26: Lamb and Wool Festival, Ogemaw County Fairgrounds, featuring agricultural and fiber arts industries all in one place, with presentations, seminars, programs, entertainment, food vendors, crafters and supplies. Cost is ***. Info: (989) 345-2434.
25-26: Black Bear Festival in Curran, featuring crafts, parade, car show, motorcycle rally, horse pull, food and entertainment. Info: (989) 848-5610.
October Calendar
1-31: Old Orchard Park Annual “Haunted House and Hayrides, every Friday and Saturday night from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. in October, the best of Halloween scares on a hayride through the woods and a very haunted house; located on River Road, seven miles west of Oscoda. Info: (989) 739-7814. 1-2: Octoberfest, at Tawas City Park, across from the courthouse in Tawas City, offering family fun with many games and contests for the youngsters, a beer tent with entertainment, vendors, air boat rides, chainsaw demonstrations and best costume contest. $5 entry fee, 10-and-under free. Info: (989) 362-8643. 2: Hartwick Pines Challenge, 7.2 and 3.1 mile run, at Hartwick Pines State Park, sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Grayling. Info: (989) 390-5530. 2: Earleen Fox Memorial 5k Run/Walk, West Branch, promoting breast cancer awareness. Info: (989) 685-2552 or (989) 3450200.
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Oct. Calendar Cont. 2: Bump and Run Derby, at the Ogemaw County Fairgrounds. Info: (989) 345-3033. 7-9: 25th Annual Quilt Show and Raffle, in downtown West Branch, hosted by Hospice of Helping Hands. Info: (800) 9926592.
8-10: Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival, at Tawas Point Lighthouse, East Tawas, including lighthouse tours daily, sponsored by Friends of Tawas Point, $2 admission. Info: (989) 362-5041 or (989) 362-5658. 8-11: Columbus Day Weekend Sidewalk Sales, at Tanger Outlet Center. Info (989) 345-2594.
14: Senior Health Fair, 1 to 5 p.m. at the Alcona Senior Center, featuring flu shots, cholesterol test, blood pressure and glaucoma tests, dinner and more. Info: (989) 736-8879. 15-16: Haunted Lighthouse, at the Tawas Point Lighthouse in East Tawas, featuring all day games, evening tours, hayrides followed by Monster Dance. Info: (989) 362-5041, 362-5658. 16-17: Punkin’ Chunkin at Wellington Farm USA, check out life on a Depression-era farm and try your hand at tossing a pumpkin a hundred yards or more using a Medieval trebuchet. Info: (989) 348-5187.
21: Uncorked in Grayling, Kiwanis Club wine tasting at the 8-10: Oktoberfest & German Grayling Country Club, with live Beer Fest at Forest Dunes Golf music, hors d’oeuvres, and the Club, with German Beer Hall food chance to buy some fine wine; $15 and beverages all weekend long. entry. Info: (989) 348-5618. Info: (989) 275-0700, ext. 119. 22-23, 28-30: The Haunting of 9-10: Color Tour, non-comWellington, the Depression-era petitive trail riding event for all historic farm undergoes a transforages, Rose City. Bikes and Quads mation, just in time for Hallowwelcome. Info: (248) 682-6540 or een. Info: (989) 348-5187. www.bentwheels.com. 23: Rich Little, impersonator, 10: Garden Tractor Pulls at Wel7 p.m. at the Kirtland Center for lington Farm USA, Grayling. Visit Performing Arts, at Kirtland Coma Depression-era historic farm and munity College. Info: (989) 275see the little guys behave just like 6777 or www.kirtlandcenter.com. the big tractors. Info: (989) 3485187.
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CHARITY ISLAND – Anticipating long, lonely nights in his new job as Charity Island lighthouse keeper, a young William Pierce carried a copy of the Jules Verne novel, “Mysterious Island” when he headed to his Saginaw Bay outpost in 1857. Travel to Charity Island these days and Bob Wiltse, owner of the light keeper’s house, will do his best to remove Charity Island’s mystery. His understanding of the history, geography and geology of big Charity Island are the topic of pre-dinner conversation during Charity Island Dinner Cruise. That mystery includes Pierce and what life may have been like for a young upstart sailor and lighthouse tender in the late 19th Century. Like all his stories, Wiltse recounts Pierce’s tale with a personal slant.
Charity Island Excursions Experience Charity Island in a variety of ways Pack a lunch.
Take a day trip and picnic on Charity Island; learn about the island’s unique geography, geology, biology and maritime history, as well as facts about Saginaw Bay. Tour the lighthouse, explore the island, discover rare and endangered plants. Charity Island is a conservationist dream and you’ll standing a chance of seeing bald eagles and other rare birds and plants.
And the folks from Charity Island Excursions will even kick in the appetizers and warm blankets for this 3-hour cruise. Book a berth on a dinner cruise
What could be better than a 4560 minute cruise across Saginaw Bay, but to dine in the shade of an 1857 lighthouse? Visit arrives with a short walk to the Charity Island lighthouse. Along with the story of Charity Island, dinner is often accompanied by sightings of sail boats and freighters in the waters of Saginaw Bay. To top off Take a Saginaw Bay sunset cruise the visit, the return trip is timed to Looking for romance? You sup- catch the setting sun. ply the wine and let Charity Island As if those opportunities are not Excursions provide the breathtakenough, Charity Island Excuring view of a Saginaw Bay sunset. sion makes itself available to tour Nature will take care of the rest. 8
You see, Wiltse met the late keeper’s elderly 84-year-old By JERRY NUNN Info Northeast editor granddaughter when he and his wife Karen hosted the lady at their island home. It was on a day of buses, wedding parties, spring heavy winds and Wiltse was relucbird tours and other personalized tant to take bring and her extended events. family across the riled waters of Saginaw Bay. Boats depart from East Tawas State Dock in East Tawas and “But what could I say?” asks from Hoy’s Saginaw Bay Marina Wiltse, of his recent dinner guests in Caseville nearly every day from the Montcalm County Comduring summer and early fall. To mission on Aging. “She had travlearn more about these adventures, eled two days to get here, to visit including schedules, costs and oth- Charity Island and see where her er particulars, go online to www. grandfather had tended the lightcharityisland.net. Or call (989) house. This island was part of her 254-7710. grandfather’s history and through New this year at Charity that, she saw the island as part of her own history as well.”
Island Excursions
The passenger ferry Northstar is now docked Caseville while the 50foot catamaran Shirley Ann leaves port from East Tawas. Excursions leave daily when interest and weather permit.
With the granddaughter’s trip waylaid but not postponed, Wiltse brought the elderly lady to Charity, where she provided her host a second-hand tour of his own home, as it was passed on to her
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It is all part of the dinner cruise package from Charity Island Excursions, a deal that includes the boat ride across Saginaw Bay, your choice of a delicious perch or beef tip dinner served on the island, a tour of the new keeper’s house and a peek at the flora and fauna who share Bob and Karen Wiltse’s island property. “It was a great trip,” says Richard Stull of Stanton, who booked his cruise through Montcalm County Commission on Aging. “He tells a really good story, Paul LaBrecque, captain of the Charity Island Excursion’s Shirley Ann, turns his attention with no repetition. What made it so good was he tells them from to the radio as 1st Mate Anna Stanley entertains passengers and crew member and here,” Stull added, patting his server Lexi Parker retrieves soft drinks. The boat ride across to Charity Island takes about chest. an hour from East Tawas, a little less from Caseville. That the Wiltse’s feelings about tales dealing with Charity Isfrom her ancestor lighthouse Charity Island are heart-felt should land. Those are stories Wiltse keeper. gladly shares every time he gets a come as no surprise. They spend She also provided Wiltse with chance, most often to guests of the their time shacked up in their remote home from ice-out in spring one of his most poignant stories Charity Island Dinner Cruise. until freeze-up threatens in late yet, in a growing repertoire of fall. For a good deal of that time the couple’s boats, the Shirley Ann and the Northstar, are transporting visitors from East Tawas or Caseville.
“What Bob and I have here is very magical,” says Karen Wiltse. “Charity Island is a very special place and we understand that. Besides, we love to have people over to dinner.” For those who like to eat, dinner may be the best part of the package. Folks are offered a choice of beef tips or lightly breaded perch, served with fresh bread, green beans and potatoes. The cheesecake desert waits until the boat ride back to port. “Bob loves talking about the island, about Saginaw Bay and about their history. And he is very good at it,” Karen said. “People love to hear about it. They could sit and listen to him for hours.” If Bob had his way, perhaps they would have to. But sooner or later, dinner is served and Karen cuts him off so she can provide a tour of own, showing guests around their self-contained island home. “I explain how our house works without electricity; how we get our water and that sort of thing,”
With a rich history, uncommon geography and a geology all its own, Charity Island becomes the topic of conversation as the crew prepares the meal curing the Charity Island Dinner Cruise. Bob Wiltse, shown here addressing guest from a Montcalm County excursion, spins the story of Charity Island with a personal flare, keeping interest high and delighting guests.
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Karen says. “Of course we had to replace the house that was here, so this is new, but we have some of the artifacts from the old home and the foundation is the same. We still use the old water cistern that was built for the original home.”
Eventually Karen’s tour ends as well and, time provided, guests are free to wander the beach discovering the rare and protected species of plants that grow on Charity Island, including Jack in the pulpit, pink lady slippers, Pitcher’s thistle and acres of trillium. Of course birds are in abundance and the island is usually home to the rare piping plover. Some days one or more of the six resident bald eagles or their offspring make a fly-by visit.
1st Mate Anna Stanley ties the Shirley Ann to the dock as Lexi Parker prepare to help guest depart. Weather and passenger interest permitting, the Shirley Ann sails for Charity Island most days during spring, summer and autumn. “I really enjoyed it, but even more importantly, so did they,” Implom says, motioning to the 47 Montcalm County seniors whose entertainment she is charged with.
“Most of them have already told me that they’ve had a great time. I’d have to say this trip was a winner.”
Bob and Karen Wiltse say their closeness to nature never grows old, and while they do their best to explain the mysteries, the magic of Charity Island never really ends. Those who experience it once, often turn around and do it again. “We will probably be back again next year,” said Lauri Implom, Montcalm County’s volunteer who is in charge of booking senior trips. “We had a waiting list for this trip and people really enjoyed it. And that’s a good thing. People love this stuff, the food was very good and the Wiltses were really Departing guests who booked their excursion through the Montcalm County Commission great hosts. on Aging receive one last look at Charity Island lighthouse as they await their dinner desert of strawberry cheesecake. 10 INFONORTHEAST • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER INE Single Pages.indd 10
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That’s one nice 20-inch brown trout, perhaps proving the effectiveness of the Fisheries Divisions management practices in Michigan.
Michigan trout stream review By JIM SMITH Info Northeast staff writer For over 100 years Michigan has protected her quality trout streams by restricting the type of equipment and method of fishing used on those waters. It started in 1907 when the North Branch of the AuSable was restricted to fishing with flies only. Over the years this fish and habitat management philosophy has spread not only to over 200 miles of Michigan streams, but has proven effective in producing quality fishing in major trout waters throughout the United States.
unharmed, into the water. This philosophy his allowed certain stretches of pristine waterways to not only produce bigger but many more trout of all species. In addition, excess populations of trout from these natural nurseries migrate into less protected waters, both upstream and downstream, enhancing the productivity of the entire water-course.
In 2002, the Michigan Legislature passed Public Act 434 which expanded the previous 100 miles of protected streams to 212 miles. The existing regulations protect the trout population from over-harvest and Michigan’s Since the 1970’s, trout fishermen trout population is not in danger. However, with the addition of have evolved an angling phimore stream miles, research has losophy of catching trout on flies only, mostly with barb-less hooks, revealed numerous opportunities to increase trout populations in and immediately releasing them several streams.
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DNRE Fisheries Biologists use electro-shock equipment to capture trout and then record those statistics to support recommendations for gear restrictions on Michigan’s quality trout waters. Here they work the AuSable River main branch, near Stephan Bridge just downstream in Grayling.
two miles of water. Having satisfied these three initial criteria, the stream sections are then evaluated on social and biological criteria. The stream must be predominantly inhabited by trout. The two-yearThis summer, DNRE represenold fish must be equal to or greater tatives held a public hearing in than the state’s average size of Grayling for inland rivers in the two-year-old trout and the fish northern part of Michigan’s Lower population must have a low natuPeninsula. Since the first of 2010, ral mortality rate. nominations had been solicited Over the last several decades from the general public for rivers to be considered for gear-restricted fish experts have conducted studies of trout populations on numer(read as flies only or catch and ous rivers in northern Michigan release only) status of some degree. Earlier this year, the DNRE and evaluated these streams according to the above criteria. The received almost 1,000 nominahearings provide the opportunity tions for gear-restricted streams for citizens to comment and offer totaling over 1,300 stream miles. feed-back to the public about the Of the total, only 35 individuals opposed the addition of more gear results of these studies along with recommendations for potential restricted waters. changes in the fishing rules. The To be considered for a gear redocumentation and recommendastricted designation the waterway tions for almost 50 separate trout must meet three criteria. There waters in Northern Lower Michimust be adequate public access. It gan are available through the must be wide enough for casting “Michigan Department of Natuand must consist of a minimum of Part of the process for dedicating streams to gear restrictions is to obtain, as required by PA 434, input from the public through public hearings.
ral Resources and Environment Fisheries Division” website or by contacting them through your local field office. Michigan has over 36,000 miles of rivers; 20,000 of those miles consist of cold water habitat suitable for trout. Over 16,000 miles of these streams are available to trout fishermen without gear restriction, with creel limits, open season and minimum size being the primary rules. Drown a worm and eat your catch. Two hundred and twelve miles of trout waters are dedicated to restricted fishing methods and tackle with the remaining miles reserved for research. Not many places can boast of the diversity of fishing opportunities found in Michigan. And Northeast Michigan is especially attractive to trout fisherman from around the world, thanks in a large part to our states’s dedication to scientific game management.
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News from
Huron Pines AuSable River Queen So much to do, so little time! Northern Michigan is a busy place during the summer. Be sure and check out some of the great events, like the upcoming Hartwick Pines Forest Fest, Aug. 14. Speaking of busy, our Invasive Species SWAT Team has been on the go combating some of Northeast Michigan’s worst invasive plants. One important lesson they learned before getting the herbicide out was how to identify native phragmites from invasive phragmites.
How do you tell the difference between native and invasive phragmites? To learn the answer read the July 15 issue of the Huron Pines e-Newsletter at www.huronpines. org/article/71.
AuSable River Queen
located at Foote Site Pond west of Oscoda on River Road. 2010 Regular Schedule June 26-Aug. 29 Noon and 3 p.m. Adults $12, youngsters $6
Fall Color Tour Schedule Sept. 25 – Oct 17 Weekends 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Weekdays noon and 3 p.m. Adults $14, youngsters $6 Reservations are required for fall color tours.
Call for group rates - (989) 739-7351 www.ausableriverqueen.net
more information on how you can Find out how to manage that balhelp, or to learn more about Huron ance and become the steward of the wildlife on your property. Pines, look for the organization 11/11 Project seeks online, at huronpines.org. Sept. 15: Iosco County, conservation-minded To help out with one of these Invasive Species Treatment specific events, contact Jill at volunteers Come dressed to get wet, dirty, Huron Pines by calling (989) 344Leave it to the resources-minded 0753, ext. 21 or by email at jill@ and dyed blue. Learn about the biology of invasive species and folks at Huron Pines to come up huronpines.org. hands-on removal techniques with a program like this. while protecting the Lake Huron Aug. 21: Alcona County, To better reach their 11 county shoreline from phragmites. Invasive Species Treatment service area, as well as advance Oct. 2: Alpena County, Come dressed to get wet, dirty, the cause of conservation, the Native Plant Restoration and dyed blue. Learn about the group has developed the 11/11 biology of invasive species and Project – 11 projects volunteerNative plants are a beautiful hands-on removal techniques manned projects, one each in the and ecologically beneficial way to while protecting land from inva11 Northeast Michigan counties improve landscaping, whether to sive plants. that Huron Pines serves. repair a recent disturbance or just to beautify an area. Ecologist JenSept. 3: Ogemaw County, Here is your chance to improve nifer Muladore will teach the ins Wildlife Habitat Enhancement your community, or the larger and outs of selecting, planting and Northeast Michigan region, while By identifying key habitat protecting these treasures. learning skills of restoration, components such as food, space, conservation and resource manshelter, and water, you can begin agement. Below are the projects yet to be completed this year. For to understand the balance of each feature and how it affects wildlife.
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Hike with HeadWaters’ protection specialists Join HeadWaters Land Conservancy as they celebrate the gorgeous colors and crisp, refreshing temperatures of fall while hiking through a scenic piece of Northeast Michigan that will be protected forever. From 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on September 18, participants will have a rare chance to experience a piece of property not normally open to the public, while learning from local Land Protection Specialists about how important land conservation is to protect the scenic and natural resources so valuable to the region. Hikers are encouraged to bring along binoculars, field guides and a picnic lunch if they wish to linger a little longer and make the most of this opportunity. Fall in Northern Michigan can bring cooler temperatures so please dress appropriately. The group will be doing some walking so sturdy shoes are a must and organizers suggest you pack water and a snack to stay energized. If you are interested in participating in this event, or for more details, call (989) 731-0573 or e-mail land@ headwatersconservancy.org. For updated information on the Conservancy’s 2010 Outreach Events check the “News” section of HeadWaters’ website at www. headwatersconservancy.org. Information regarding locations, times and items you may need to bring will be posted there as event dates get closer. HeadWaters Land Conservancy appreciates your interest in conservation.
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9th Annual Blues by the Bay Aug. 27-29, 2010
Enjoy the finest in Blues music located on the shore of Lake Huron just steps from downtown East Tawas at the East Tawas Harbor Park
Featuring Bryan Michael Fischer Band • Teeny Tucker Blues Abusers, Joel Sheltrown, state representative Ashford Gordon Band • The Rusty Wright Band Reverend Raven and the Chain Smoking Alter Boys Funky Mojo Daddy, hot from the Chicago blues scene Craig Kenning and special guest headliner, Motor City Josh
Performances begin at 6 p.m. Friday, noon on Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday. Admission for three days costs $20. Lawn chairs are welcome. Beer, wine, soft drinks and food are available. For more information call (800) 55-TAWAS.
Brought to you by the Tawas Bay Blues Society
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Blues by the Bay 2009, photos by Julius Muller
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Room with a view
“They are worth supporting and I want to do that in any way that I can. If someone wants to buy something in here, it is theirs. I’ll just have another one made to replace it.” Of course it won’t quite be the same. Like the lodge itself, nearly every fixture in AuSable View Lodge is an item you won’t find anywhere else. “Everything in there is, I won’t call them one-of-a-kind, but everything he has is unique to say the least,” says local cabinetmaker Pat Holberton, owner of Perry Creek Woodworking. Like the curly maple kitchen cabinets that Holberton constructed with the lodge in mind. “I’ve worked with curly maple before but never anything like that.”
MIO – There is no denying that Dale Handrich is a man of vision. Standing on the front porch of his Oscoda County home, he commands a 180-degree view stretching 25 miles across the AuSable River Valley.
But Handrich, owner of Handrich Trucking in Mio, has been a man on a mission as well. For the past two years he has been constructing a log-style lodge on his bluff-top property. Now, with completion of AuSable View Lodge, Handrich can finally see his dream come true: To provide a quiet and affordable retreat for fellowship and friendbuilding, while highlighting the work and wares of the local craft community.
ment doors and a deck-centered barbeque pit that allows a sweeping vista. Yet if anything sets the sophisticated tone of AuSable View Lodge it is the furnishings. From the hand-carved front door, to tables and chairs, wall hangings and structural elements, nearly everything in the lodge was created by local craftsmen, or sold by retailers in Mio’s local stores. And Handrich’s support doesn’t stop with buying local.
Built in a log cabin-style de“All this stuff that is in here is scribed best, perhaps, as subdued elegance, AuSable View sleeps 28, for sale,” Handrich says. “These and is available for rent by groups, lamps, this table, even these mounts,” he said, motioning organizations and individuals. towards an elk head that hangs on the wall, “everything is real, nothWhile amenities include an ing is fake.” even greater panorama than Handrich enjoys from home, it “There are so many crafters includes other offerings that are around here who do really outunique, such as the ATV parking standing work,” Handrich said. lot right outside walk-out base16 INFONORTHEAST • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER INE Single Pages.indd 16
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from a cross-cut section of a log found lying in the ditch, its twisted log legs hand-picked from standing timber by machinist-turnedwoodworker Kevin Henderson. The taxidermy that covers the walls include bison, elk, caribou and a bear-skin rug. Even a stuffed porcupine can be had for cash. Much of the wood used in the lodge is salvaged scrap, according to Handrich. The lodge itself is made of short pieces of western red cedar, a product of British Columbia, that were salvaged from a project in the Philippines and supplied by RippleCraft Log Homes, located just north of Mio. The flooring is Brazilian teak, 100-times more dense than oak and the historical choice for ship’s decking. A dining table measuring more than 3-foot-wide and 3-inchesthick, long enough to seat 14 people or more, is fashioned from a single seamless board by David Miller, a local Amish craftsman. A three foot pub table is made
With local crafters set to work and their wares now on display, Handrich can turn his attention to fulfilling his mission: Renting the lodge out to organizations and groups seeking rest, solitude or a great place to hold a retreat. “This is just something I’ve always wanted to do,” Handrich says, “Ever since we built the house, and saw what a great view we had, it has always been something we’ve wanted to share.” “Now we can do that.” To learn more about AuSable View Lodge, and how you or your group can share the vision of Dale and Sandy Handrich, visit AuSable View Lodge online at www. ausableviewlodge.com.
Even the view from the lodge’s deck-side fire pit is breathtaking. Imagine your crew, roasting marshmallows here under a starry sky.
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Cosmetologist, artist and Kitchen Beautician writer Paula Belden, works to make her world more practical as well as more beautiful. You can find her columns filled with the practical aspects of personal beauty at InfoNortheast.com
By PAULA BELDEN The Kitchen Beautician With so many months of winter, northern Michigan residents are probably happier to see warm weather than most and more eager than others to enjoy the summer season. Unfortunately, along with the warm climate and sunshine come the summer pests. One of the most annoying and blood feasting summer creatures is the mosquito. You may agree, every camping trip and backyard barbeque includes at least one conversation of why mosquitoes bite some folks more than others? And why do some people welt up, while others are not affected at all? Well scientists agree that genetics do contribute but other things like cholesterol and acids on the skin, as well as how much carbon dioxide is expelled from the body play a role in the hunt.
to keep blood from clotting so that she may feed freely. So you have been bit. What now? First thing; try not to scratch. It is a wound on the skin and bacteria from fingernails may cause infection. Second; put something on it. There are several great over the counter products out there and they work well. But if your kitchen is the only pharmacy at hand, rub onion on the bite or use the inside of a banana peel for quick relief. The Kitchen Beautician put some of her homemade deodorant on her kids and it worked wonders as a poultice. Folks don’t plan on getting mosquito bites in the back yard or while fishing down by the lake but planning ahead could prove useful. Try this KB recipe to prevent bites. Pine Repellent
• One hand full of pine needles, cut up • 1 teaspoon dried basil • 4 tablespoons mineral oil The perfect buffet for a mosqui- • cup rubbing alcohol to is sweaty skin on a panting host Warm oil in a saucepan but do in about 80-degree weather, and not boil. Add pine needles and roughly a mile from a water filled basil. Allow to steep overnight. egg laying bed. It’s the female Strain the oil and place in a fine mosquito that wants your blood. mist spray bottle. Add the rubbing She needs it to nourish her eggs alcohol and shake well. Test a and her bite is not what makes a small area on your body before swelling. It’s the saliva she injects using and do not spray on clothing. 18
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miles. “But there is an outer loop, an inner loop and shorter cutoffs.” Mix them up and the opportunity to ride is endless, offering something for the young, the old, the experienced and the beginner. Even on a smaller level, though no less important, a fenced in playground offers recreation for the younger set, while a pond offers a chance to catch a fish or float a canoe. Nearly all programs are offered at cost and Beroset points to the Friday night winter downhill skiing, when lift tickets as well as ski rentals cost just $1 each, as an Ski hills idled for the season, there is still plenty of activity taking place at Hanson Hills. example of the affordability. How do they accomplish it? While softball, mountain biking and disc golf are currently popular, it will not be long before autumn activities dominate the schedule of events. For starters, Hanson Hills operates under the auspices of the Grayling Recreational Authority, a consortium of local government entities along with citizens chosen at large. While the authority collects a .5 mill property assessment, special state legislation allows the GRA to operate as a non-profit. But if it were not for the supPerhaps best known for its win- Day Camp for youth starts soon, port of the business community, running and biking events lie just ter-time sports, Hanson Hills Beroset says Hanson Hills would offers year round activities for around the corner and, as sad as it probably not exist. is to say, autumn and even winter Crawford County youth. But “We have a great partnership will soon fill the schedule. the recreational opportunity with the business community Hanson Hills provides is popu“Then in the spring our Easter without whom we could not offer lar with adults and the area’s Egg Hunt is very popular,” Bemany of the things we do,” Berovisitors as well. roset says. “We have our indoor archery range and the 3-D archery set says. “While they support us, GRAYLING –With only two course; those are some other great we in turn promote them and we weeks on the job, Hanson Hills are happy to do it. In addition, we new program director Jeremy Be- ideas that have been brought try to co-ordinate as best we can roset has learned one thing above online and are now proving their with local business owners who all else: Don’t expect a rest when popularity.” have expertise in a program. We In addition, Hanson Hills is a the seasons change. look to them for help and guidfavorite place among walkers and ance and they are almost always “What is our most popular prorunners, who view the area as a willing to provide it.” gram?” asks Beroset with tongue quiet, scenic place to ply their in cheek. “Let’s see, what season In that way, the whole idea of sport, as well as with mountain are we in?” community supported recreation bikers, who can select from a wide may be a self-perpetuating part Right now that would be softvariety of trails. of Crawford County’s recreationball, mountain biking and the “The trails all share a common minded culture. It certainly seems area’s new Rotary-sponsored disc golf. But Hanson Hill’s Adventure trail head,” Beroset explains, not- so, when you consider Hanson ing the longest trail measures 15
If it’s not one sport it’s another
Hanson Hills Recreation Area
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Hills’ myriad programs and events. Each year Hanson Hills plays host to two major mountain bike events, the Hanson Hills Challenge, a points race in the Michigan Mountain Bike Association’s Championship Points Series, as
Brothers Joel and Jacob Poliskey of Midland head out on Hanson Hills Trails as Hal Bennett of Fenton follows along. While the Poliskeys are familiar with Hanson Hills, it was only Bennett’s second visit and he looked forward to exploring more.
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Jordan Luce, Cody Odden and Jordan Renaud, all of Grayling, look on as Cody’s brother, Jesse Odden tees off at the second hole of Hanson Hills’ new Rotary-sponsored disc golf course. As regular players of a sport gaining in popularity, the guys give the course through the area’s hilly terrain high marks for he workout it provides. well as the endurance race, 12/24 hours of Hanson Hills, one leg of a nine-race series sponsored by Fun Promotions. While Hanson Hills offers opportunity to the competitive cyclist, the paved Wayne C. Koppa Bicycle Pathway leads all the way from Hanson Hills to Hartwick Pines State Park. “That trail to Hartwick Pines gets used a lot,” says Justin Andre, director of the Grayling Recreation Authority. “Visitors staying at Hartwick Pines can now find Hanson Hills easily, and I think it makes people more aware of that bicycling community. Not only is the trailway a good way for mountain bikers to get from one trail to another, it provides opportunity for others as well. “It is a user friendly place for the beginning bicyclist or for mom and dad who want to take their kids out on a nice, safe place to ride,” Andre said. “It also makes cyclists highly visible,” Andre said. “I think the community has come a long way in recognizing that recreational culture.” And perhaps that recognition was there all along.
Opened in 1929 as the Grayling Winter Sports Park, the area was home to Michigan’s first downhill ski resort. It also played host to the annual Winter Carnival, an event that drew visitors from across the Midwest, who traveled here aboard the snow train to view the elaborately carved snow sculptures or watch competition on the 66-foot ski jump. By the 1970s, when it was known as Bear Mountain, Hanson Hills boasted 22 ski slopes, a hotel, a riding stable, the Fred Bear Museum and Little Smokey Railroad. But the property had been a gift to the state from the late Rasmus Hanson, to be used for military purposes or public recreation only. With profitable private enterprise operating on the property, Hanson’s heirs went to court in an attempt to take the land back. In 1973 Bear Mountain was ordered closed, prompting the first in a long line of local volunteers stepped forward to keep the slopes open to the benefit of local youth. Soon after, the Grayling Recreational Authority was formed. Now, 40 years later, the GRA continues to provide the community with a wide variety of activities and sports.
3-way Mini Vinegar Potatoes By SANDIE PARKER sandiesgalley.com
Culinary artist and recipe writer Sandie Parker, rated as a five-star cook by “Better Homes & Gardens,” writes a regular recipe column for Info Northeast and others from aboard her boat, “Nice N’ Nauti.” Look for more of Parker’s recipes at sandiesgalley.com. Okay, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for another story, one that turned out to be a huge success. See, I got an email from an avid male boater that had found my website, who was looking for recipes to cook on his boat. When he read one of my fish recipes and saw that I said “if you want to take out some of the fishy taste, soak the fish in dill pickle juice.” Well that was all he needed to read to get his fingers typing away and to let me have it. His comment: “Never soak fresh fish in pickle juice.” Ouch! He then went on from there, explaining that for most of us, finding fresh fish to cook for dinner is not going to happen. He did say, however, that pickle juice is wonderful on potatoes and I asked him for the recipe. In return, he wanted a good crab cake recipe from me. The ex-
change was made and I tried my new-found potatoe recipe out on five guests and everyone loved it. Now, you are probably going to think that I have totally lost it because there is no dill pickle juice in this recipe. The reason is this: You can use the dill pickle juice but he preferred rice vinegar instead. All ended pleasantly when we thanked each other. He had his good crab cake
recipe and I got a good laugh. Hope you did too. See you soon and rest assured, I haven’t lost it yet! 3-way Mini Vinegar Potatoes • 12 fingerling or tiny red potatoes • Salt to taste • 6 T. rice vinegar or dill pickle juice, divided • 1 med. yellow onion, sliced and roughly chopped • 1/2 tsp. or so Montreal Steak Seasoning • 1/4 c. extra virgin olive oil • 1/4 tsp. paprika • 1-2 chopped green onions
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Cut the potatoes into bite size pieces and place in a fry pan. Add salt and 1/2 inch of water. Simmer until tender, drain. Return potatoes to fry pan and pour 1/2 of the rice vinegar over them. Drizzle the oil over potatoes, add the onions and cook over mediumhigh heat until browned. Add the paprika, and the remaining vinegar, per taste, when the potatoes are almost done. Garnish with the chopped green onion. To make these on a grill, just wrap cooked potatoes drizzled in oil, along with the onions, half of the vinegar and the seasonings. Cook over medium heat until browned, turning while cooking. Add the last of the vinegar towards the end. You want to roast em? Go for it! Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Oil your baking dish plus the precooked potatoes, follow instructions above for grilling and bake for about 20 minutes or until nicely browned. Flip them once or twice while baking. There you have it, 3-way Mini Vinegar Potatoes.
Italiano Chicken
By SANDIE PARKER
Whether it is a sunny, summer day or a dreary, rainy one, you will have the main course done in about 15 easy minutes. It happened to be one of those gray, wet days when I dreamed this one up for dinner on the boat but don’t worry; below you find the grilling technique for when the sun is shining bright. Let’s face it, walking the long dock from boat to car is not one of my favorite things to do in the pouring rain so I had to come up with a recipe that used items I had on board. If the weatherman would have been right we would have been cooking out with friends and I could have gone to the store without getting soaked. Now that it was just me and hubby, I needed something simple. Loving recipes that call for items
on hand is indeed what I strive for. Let’s face it, makes life easier and it gives us more play time. I know you will enjoy this chicken recipe no matter what color the sky may be. Enjoy! 15 Minute Italiano Chicken • 2 boneless, skinless, chicken breasts • 1/4 tsp. salt • 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper • Non-stick buttery spray • 1/2 c. Zesty Italian dressing • 1 tsp. minced garlic • 1/2 tsp. dried Italian seasoning • 4 tomato slices • 1/2 c. Parmesan or mozzarella cheese, shredded • 1/2 tsp. dried basil, or • 1 T. freshly chopped
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Pound chicken breasts to 3/4 inch, salt and pepper, then set aside. Pour Italian dressing into a small bowl; add minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Stir or whisk until combined. Spray fry pan with non-stick cooking spray and heat to medium-high. Place chicken breasts in hot skillet, brown on each side, then turn heat to medium. Ladle dressing mixture over the chicken breasts. Cook for 10-12 minutes, turning once. When chicken is done, place 2 tomato slices on each piece, then top with cheese. Cover and allow cheese to melt, then sprinkle with basil. To grill, place tenderized, salt and peppered chicken breast on a medium-high grill. Sear until golden brown on each side. Place the chicken on a piece of foil, return it to the grill and cook as directed above.
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people per boat and decks must be at least 4-foot by 8-foot.
AU GRES – Walk the streets of this lakeside town the first Saturday in August and you’re apt to be greeted with a hearty “R-rrrrrr, r-rrr, matey!”
“Each boat has to have a wheel of some kind and there has to be a flag,” Walker says. “And every boat must have some lemons or limes on board. They guard against scurvy.”
Don’t let the salutation shiver your timbers. That would just be folks getting into the spirit of the AuGres Pirate Festival. The day-long festival starts with a walk/run, ends with live bands and entertainment and includes every attraction on the Seven Seas including a boat race. “One of the big draws each year is the homemade boat race,” said organizer Robyn Walker. “You get to see every type of boat going down the river. They have to self-propelled; nothing motorized. Oars, paddles, wheels, we’ve seen everything, rafts made of old drums, rafts made completely of Styrofoam.”
Captains and their crews of cutthroats do have some incentive to finish well in the race: While the fastest boat earns $250, Best of Show garners $500 and the runner up in the design competition gets $250. While would be pirates roam about, there are other, more ferocious pirates of the flesh and blood variety as well. Ring of Steele theatre troupe, pirate re-enactors, will be on hand to entertain youngsters young and old.
“We are all in costume and interacting with the crowd and we have Rules state there can be no man- all new shows this year,” said ufactured hulls, there must be four troupe leader and head buccaneer
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Maestro Christopher Barbeau. Thank the Michigan Film Incentive, and the plethora of films the tax break has brought to the state, Barbeau says. “We have done a bunch of movies because they are bringing more to the state. So, we have five new shows prepared for this year.” Those shows include a kid’s costume contest, sword fighting demonstrations, interactive games like Jacob’s Ladder (which invites participants to climb an unsupported extension ladder) and ax throwing contests. Bunny fencing invites folks from the audience to try their hand at popping a balloon on the head of their competitor. Back and always popular is the equipment table, an invitation to festivalgoers to see real pirate weaponry up close and personal. “That is always popular,” Barbeau said. “That is where kids can pick up a broad sword and feel its heft. It’s very educational.” The interaction doesn’t stop with weapons of bodily destruction. To better fill its roster of pirate characters, Ring of Steele turns to local theater groups and schools, inviting folks to take part. Volunteers learn fighting for stage and film while Ring of Steele grows its raucous ranks. While the Au Gres Pirate Festival is about the most familyfriendly event around, Ring of Steele will perform an evening show that is more for adults than for children. “We’ll be doing a more adult, sort of PG-rated show later in the day,” Barbeau said. “That should be a lot of fun. You could maybe call it a whip show for grownups.”
- Photo by Julius Muller
With its stark white tower and bright red trim, the Sturgeon Point Lighthouse is one of Northeast Michigan’s most easily recognized. Now under the care of the Alcona County Historical Society, the lighthouse, along with nearby Bailey School, serves as a museum. Sturgeon Point Lighthouse is just north of Harrisville, at Sturgeon Point Scenic Site.
State Park Over view
If Northeast Michigan has one thing to celebrate it is our abundant natural resources. From hiking to biking, hunting, fishing and camping, outdoor opportunities are perhaps our region’s largest attraction. Fortunately for visitors and locals alike, Michigan’s State Parks allow us to get up and personal with the great outdoors. To learn more about Northeast Michigan’s state parks, and to access the state’s online camping reservation system, go to www. michigan.gov/dnr. Here is an overview of Northeast Michigan’s State Parks. Harrisville State Park Alcona County (989) 724-5126 107 acres
Features: Modern and rustic campground and day-use area located in Harrisville, on the sandy shore of Lake Huron Activities: Hiking, cabins and lodge, picnic, explorer program, swimming, biking, picnic, playground, metal detecting, Explorer Program, day-use opportunities. Attractions: Campers who stay at Harrisville State Park will find themselves within walking distance of the uniquely artistic and crafty harbor town of Harrisville which offers a wealth of musical entertainment, shopping, festivals and outdoor sports. Popular right from the start is a newly-paved bicycle path that leads to town and the nearly 2-mile-long U.S. 23 Heritage Bike Trail. Offering 195 modern, somewhat secluded campsites, some of which are located on the shore of Lake Huron, along with a rustic cabin that sleeps six or eight, as well as two
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Most Michigan state parks offer forests and water in abundance, as can be seen in this photograph taken from the observation tower at Rifle River Recreation Area. Overlooking four lakes, the tower also offers a great view of an active eagle’s nest.
Avid and productive angler Audrey Smock, 4, of Grayling, shows off a blue gill that she pulled from Bright Lake at Hartwick Pines State Park. Norhteast Michigan’s state parks offer a wealth of affordable outdoor opportunity and are especially welcoming to families.
mini cabins, Harrisville State Park is seasonally popular with fishermen and other sports enthusiasts. Harrisville Harbor lies just up the beach.
Pines State Park offers a vista reminiscent of that which greeted Northern Michigan’s earliest lumberjacks. Rich in scenic beauty, the park has a wide diversity of geology and environments, perHartwick Pines State Park fect for serious study or leisurely Crawford County contemplation. Two lakes – Bright (989) 348-7068 and Glory – offer seasonal angling 9,762 acres opportunity. Abundant foot and Features: The largest old growth ski trails, as well as free loaner forest in the lower peninsula with snowshoes, make Hartwick Pines an easy-access all season outdoor 20 miles of foot trails, as well opportunity. With the Michigan as the Michigan Forest Visitor’s Center and the Michigan Logging Logging Museum and the Michigan Forest Visitors Center located Museum. in the park, Hartwick is as popular Activities: Hiking, hunting, fish- destination for day-users as well ing, picnic, playground, mountain as longer term campers. Hartwick Pines has 100 campsites, all with biking, skiing, wildlife viewing electrical and 34 with full hookand day-use opportunities. up. Attractions: With nearly 50 acres of old growth pines, Hartwick 24 INFONORTHEAST • AUGUST/SEPTEMBER INE Single Pages.indd 24
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Negwegon Point State Park Alcona County (989) 724-5126 3,700 acres Features: Beaches and undeveloped nature, 12 miles of foot trails, eight miles of beach Activities: Hiking, hunting, rustic camping, swimming, wildlife, metal detecting and day-use opportunities. Attractions: Located north of Harrisville and east of Spruce, Negwegon State Park is the area’s most rustic state park, offering undeveloped enjoyment of hunting, walk-in camping and hiking. The terrain is a mixture of low land areas, with small ridges, to mature pine forest, with some hardwoods and aspen forest, and some areas of open meadow. Negwegon hosts an undeveloped sandy beach on Lake Huron that is popular with kayakers and canoeists. The park also boasts four back-country campsites that are available from April 1 to November 30. Road conditions in the park are seasonal and extreme caution is strongly urged. Motorized vehicles are not allowed on the trails or off-road.
ian Conservation Corps Museum provides a glimpse of Michigan’s history from a natural resource perspective. North Higgins Lake State Park was once the site of the world’s largest tree seedling nursery, supplier of trees used by the boys of the CCC to reforest Michigan during the Great Depression. Today, abundant beaches, as well as foot trails and a exercise trail make this campground one of the most popular in the state. the park boasts 174 modern campsites, some with 50 amp service. It also has one rustic cabin. Rifle River Recreation Area Ogemaw County (989) 473-2258 4,449 acres Features: Headwaters of the Rifle River, plentiful lakes and great trails. Activities: Camping, boating, hiking, swimming, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, wildlife viewing, Explorer Program, dayuse opportunities.
Attractions: With five lakes, numerous ponds as well as the headwaters of the Rifle River, this park is a water enthusiast’s North Higgins Lake State Park dream. As one of our largest state parks, measuring nearly 4,500 Crawford County acres, Rifle River Recreation Area (989) 821-6125 offers opportunity for everyone. 429 acres Nearly 15 miles of trails invite Features: Beaches, wildlife, the hiker, biker and skier. Day use access to Higgins Lake including opportunities abound, with swima boat launch and 12 miles of hik- ming, fishing, hunting, hiking and ing, cross country ski trails. canoeing all popular activities. Once the site of a private hunting Activities: Camping, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, picnic, and fishing preserve, as well as a playground and cross country ski- field laboratory for biological and environmental study, Rifle River ing. Recreation Area has 75 modern sites and 99 rustic sites, many of Attractions: Located on the which are located in group campnorth shore of Higgins Lake, sites. The park also boasts five the park offers unlimited water sports and activities in abundance, popular rustic cabins. while across the road, the Civil-
South Higgins Lake State Park Crawford County (989) 821-6374 1,000 acres Features: Nearly one mile of Higgins Lake shoreline and the second largest Michigan State Park campground.
Features: Locates on Michigan’s second largest inland lake, South Higgins Lake State Park
At a loss for vacation ideas? Looking for a way to spend a lazy afternoon? Check out these Northeast Michigan chambers of commerce websites. For an afternoon’s fun or a full blown week’s excursion, these folks are here to help you plan a good time. Alcona County huronshorescc.com
Oscoda County www.oscodacountymi.com
Au Gres augreschamber.com
Rose City/Lupton rosecityluptonchamber.com
Grayling Area graylingchamber.com
St. Helen www.sainthelenchamber. net
Hale Area haleyes.org
Standish www.standishchamber.com
Higgins Lake/Roscommon hlrcc.com Tawas Area tawas.com Houghton Lake houghtonlakechamber.org West Branch wbacc.com Oscoda/AuSable www.oscodachamber.com
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Activities: Camping, boating, hiking, swimming, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, wildlife, Explorer Program, day-use opportunities.
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Info Northeast
“For the Birds”
photo contest
Considering Northeast Michigan’s diversity, its many festivals and events, as well as the variety of activities that folks here take part in, the thought of placing a theme on Info Northeast’s next photography contest seemed a little restrictive. An idea that we felt was “strictly for the birds,” so to speak.
Rose City Feed and West Branch Flour Mill, have definitely been chosen with our feathered friends in mind, ranging from bags of bird seed, to a hummingbird feeder, to finch feeders, to oriole feeders. Included in the prizes is a homemade bird house from Info Northeast writer Jim Smith. Top prize is a pair of binoculars so you can watch those birds appreciate your yard.
So we’ve set no limits on the As always, our youth prize photographs we’ll accept. Activifor those under 18-years-old is ties, events or scenery, pets, kids delivered in cold, hard cash - $50 or grandparents, we’ll take any this time around. photo fitting for print in a family Contest runs through Septemoriented publication. ber 30 at midnight. Email your The only rules: high resolution entrees, along with your name, address, catNo digital alteration. egory of entry (adult or youth) Photos must be taken within and age, as well as a few words Info Northeast’s eight-county about the photo to photo@incoverage area. fonortheast.com. Photos must be taken between We will post all entries at InJuly 1 and September 30, 2010. foNortheast.com. And while the contest itself has Voting will take place from no theme, the same cannot be October 1 through 14. Winners said for the prizes we are offerwill be announced on InfoNorthing. east.com and notified by email or phone. Awards in the contest, from such places as Nordic Sports,
Hot Air Balloon Festival
Sponsored by St. Joseph Health System and Hale Yes! Association
September 24-26
At least 12 balloons will take to the Iosco County skies during this first-time family event. With a wine tasting, an art battle, fine arts show, art auction, scarecrow contest, craft show and more events yet to come.
Info: (989) 728-2525
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is an attractive location to sports enthusiasts and families alike. Set between Higgins and 700-acre Marl Lakes, Higgins Lake State Park offers opportunity for the hunters and anglers. Nonetheless, an over-flowing list of extra activities means that South Higgins Lake State Park is popular destination for active families and others. While the park’s annual Halloween celebration brings ghostly activities for little goblins, park visitors stay busy with events such as Lawnolympics championship competition, car shows, and other events, including the popular state park Explorer program. And though the park offers 400 modern campsites, you don’t have to be a camper to take part.
sponsibility of the Alcona Historical Society. Tawas Point Lighthouse Iosco County (989) 362-5041 183 acres Features: Tawas Point Lighthouse, Tawas Point and the Tawas Bay shoreline. Activities: Camping, boating, sailing, hiking, swimming, bicycling, fishing, wildlife watching, Explorer Program, day-use opportunities.
Attractions: Considered the “Cape Cod of the Midwest” by its numerous and fervent supporters, Tawas Point State Park is home to the only Great Lakes Sturgeon Point Scenic Site lighthouse station representative Alcona County of the Victorian style. The park (989) 724-5126 / (989) 724-5107 makes good use of that distinction, 76 acres with an increasingly popular Light Keepers Program, inviting visitors Features: Sturgeon Point Light- to spend a week in the lighthouse house and Maritime Museum while serving as caretaker and docent. Combined with the excellent Activities: Lighthouse, hiking, sailing and boating opportunities swimming, wildlife, concession found on Tawas Bay, Tawas Point store and day-use opportunities. State Park is a destination campground for folks from all across Attractions: Home to Sturgeon the Midwest. The park boasts 193 Point Lighthouse and Maritime modern campsites, while several Museum, Sturgeon Point Scenic Site is a great place to familiarize rustic cabins line the lake shore. yourself with Michigan’s maritime Each spring the park plays host to AuSable Audubon-sponsored history, catch lunch or take a dip in the cool waters of Lake Huron. Tawas Point Birding Festival. Friends of Tawas Point State Park Located just north of Harrisville also hold the annual Tawas Point and still operational, Sturgeon Point Lighthouse is a fine example Celebration Days, a history and of the Cape Cod-style architecture education filled festival in celfound in many of the Great Lakes ebration of Michigan’s maritime history. lighthouses. With its bright red trim set against the pure white, 70-foot-tall tower, the light is one of the state’s most photogenic. Now owned by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, with the light maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, upkeep of the buildings and grounds is the re-
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This museum quality Advance Thrashing Machine, built in 1890, will be on permanent display in the soon-to-be-completed Big Engine Shed.
Wellington Farm USA puts a small town back on the map By JIM SMITH Info Northeast staff writer Once upon a time, in a little community called Wellington, a hardy group of immigrants broke the fertile sod of Northern Michigan and began to put down roots. Civil War veterans for the most part, these early farmers cleared the land of stumps and trees, struggled to gain a foothold and eventually survived the Great Depression. Unfortunately, the town of Wellington and its inhabitants survived all that only to succumb to progress with the introduction of modern transportation and roads. Today, in southwest Crawford County, Wellington lives again as a 60-acre living history museum, dedicated to preserving and inter
preting rural life the way it was in 1932. Founded in 1996 by Howard and Gloria Taylor, Wellington Farm USA has grown steadily, rising to join the ranks of the many highly respected living history museums spread throughout the United States. Many thousands of visitors are familiar with the historic buildings and educational potentials presented throughout the summer but there have been some major acquisitions recently that many are not yet familiar with. Over the last few years the Taylors of Wellington Farm have become friends with the management at Archbold, Ohio’s Sauder Village. Sauder Village is a living history museum focused on rural living during a period much earlier than Wellington’s Great Depres-
sion era. Much of the equipment donated to Sauder does not fit the era that farm represents and is inappropriate for their operation. Recently, Sauder Village organizers contacted the Taylors, offering to donate several pieces of rare and hard to find farm and industrial equipment to Wellington. Among these treasure’s is one of this country’s earliest thrashing machines made by the Advance Thrasher Company about 1890. The Advance Company was incorporated in 1881 in Battle Creek, Michigan and manufactured threshing machines until its purchase by the Rumley Company in 1911. This piece of equipment is in working condition and of museum quality. It will become a part of Wellington’s permanent collection of antique farm equipment to be housed in the soon-to-be-completed Big Equipment Shed. Sauder Village also donated a Farmall F-12 tractor and cultivator set along with an 1885 Flory Steam Lift Engine. The Farmall F-12 was manufactured between 1932 and 1938 and needs a little work but it is restorable. The Flory Lift Engine, sometimes referred to as a “donkey engine,” was used for a variety of purposes from skidding logs in the lumbering industry to operating water pumps and lift cages in mining operations. Along with these new acquisitions, the folks at Wellington are working hard to finish a new livestock barn that will eventually house all of the farm animals and store feed and hay. If all goes as planned, the barn should be completed as this story goes to print. Late summer and all of autumn are the best times of year to visit Wellington Farm USA. The crops are maturing, summer activities are in full swing and the calendar
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of events is chock full of things to do. Yet another Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre is scheduled for August 14, while August 22 will find Garden Tractor Pulls. August 27-29 is the biggest weekend of the summer at Wellington when the annual Antique Tractor and Engine Show takes place. Events at Wellington stretch through September and October, with the Northern Michigan Folks Arts Festival on September 11, Punkin’ Chunkin on October 1617, while Wellington’s Haunted Farm celebration of Halloween is held the last two weekends of October. These are just a few of the many events designed to entertain and educate visitors who fancy a journey back in time to the days of the Great Depression at the place called Wellington. For further information and a full calendar of events, visit Wellington Farm USA online at www. wellingtonfarmusa.org. – Jim Smith of Grayling is a staff writer for Info Northeast and serves on the board of directors for the non-profit living history museum, Wellington Farm USA.
To view a video of Jim Smith and Wellington Farm’s annual Punkin’ Chunkin, visit Info Northeast on YouTube at www. youtube.com/user/ infonortheast
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