take a
o t p i r T d a o R a e k a t
o t p o i t r p i r T T d d a a o o R R a e a k a e t tak
to
for
G N I S S E L B e h t f o
G N I S S E BL 3 7 9 1 E C N SI
e of th
3
7 SINCE 19
I S S E L B e h t of
3 7 9 1 E C SIN
MAY, 2015
| LUDINGTON DAILY NEWS • ROAD TRIP
Take a Road Trip to Baldwin for
Blessing of the Bikes T
he Baldwin Municipal Airport plays host this year to the 43rd annual Blessing of the Bikes, set for 1 p.m. Sunday, May 17. The gates to the airport open at 9 a.m. The cost is $5 per bike and $3 for walk-in admission. No alcohol or pets are allowed.
try to received a blessing for a safe, happy riding season. Since then, the event has grown to help numerous Lake County charities, which open booths as vendors. The blessing at the Baldwin Municipal Airport south of the village has become something
The event is now a tradition that draws a crowd, but the blessing has humbler origins. The blessing started in 1973 in Baldwin with only four bikes and eight riders who wanted to do something for charity. “They checked into records and Lake County was the most underprivileged county in Michigan,” said Para-Dice Motorcycle Club Blessing Chair June Sanborn. Proceeds for this year’s Blessing of the Bikes benefit Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit organization which provides affordable housing in partnership with people in need. Each year, motorcyclists travel from across the coun-
of a festival of biking in recent years. Lately, Sanborn has been trying to bring the club back to its original focus. “It’s actually a church service, it’s not a motorcycle event, per se,” Sanborn has told the Ludington Daily News. There will still be live music, but less emphasis on other themes. As always, Blessing of the Bikes 2015 will focus on charity. The proceeds of the gate, which come from a $5 per bike donation, go to Habitat for Humanity, but other charities benefit, too. “Every vendor that qualifies whatever they sell, they keep their total profits. That helps 15 to 20 nonprofit organizations also to keep money. I
baldwin GROW WORKS/ LIGHT STORE 722 7th Street Baldwin, MI 49304
Buy 1 Item Get The Second Item 1/2 OFF Equal or lesser value. Must present this coupon. Expires 7-30-15
8
231-745-9257
YOUR DREAM DOCK STARTS HERE. EASY TO BUILD... READY TO ENJOY! From Build-Time to Good Times in No Time! www.tommydocks.com
750 E. Eighth St.
231-745-4671
probably get 50 to 75 calls a year from people who want on the airport. They have to be nonprofit, have a nonprofit business number, be in Lake County and belong to the chamber of commerce.” Sanborn said participants should plan on arriving early. The hour before the actual blessing is often extremely busy. Every year, people arrive late because they didn’t plan for traffic. Some handicap-accessible parking is available. Father Ron Schneider of St. Ann’s in Baldwin will give the blessing. The festival actually spans several days, beginning Friday, May 15 and featuring vendors set up all over the town of Baldwin, as well as a giant food fest all weekend. As for the blessing, Sanborn said the event will always stay in Lake County, though there are many requests to move it around. “Baldwin’s probably going to have it forever, as long as we can do it,” Sanborn says.
Check e Out Th k” c a b t “Ou Official Abate Region 5 North Club House
The Para-Dice Motorcycle Club is made up of about 30 active members who put on the event with the help of the community. “You have some beautiful people in Baldwin,” Sanborn said, “because if I find something is missing, I ask for help and we have not been turned down very many times.” Everything is donated for the event. The only expenses that come out of the gate proceeds are insurance, portable toilet costs and the fees for renting a sound system. Sanborn said when motorcyclists just go to Baldwin for the weekend, that’s not really being at the blessing. “The T-shirts, patches and pins are the official blessing pins and those are all sold by our nonprofit vendors,” Sanborn said. “It’s for the seniors and we would like to see as much turnout as we can get.”
WELCOME VETERANS • WELCOME BIKERS
1295 $ 95 Fri. – Fish Fry .................................... 8 Wed. – 1 Lb. Porterhouse Steak ..
$
Baked Potato, Coleslaw
Alaskan Pollock (All U Can Eat)
Outdoor Service Available • Open Jam Session Every Sunday 2 PM-7 PM
STILLWATERS BAND – NIGHT OF THE BLESSING
Ruby CReek TaveRn OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
1
(231) 898-2377
East Washington • Ruby Creek
You CAN Do-ItYourself and SAVE, and We Can Help! The “Simple System” for the Do-ItYourself Dock Builder. BUILDING MATERIALS PAINT 9 HARDWARE CONCRETE PRODUCTS
10
Home of Disabled Veterans Deer Hunt
take a
Road Trip to
19
for
18
20
M-63
16
BLESSING
17
15
of the SINCE 1973
14
13
21
22
11
Masten
1
4
2
12
5 6 7 8 9 10
3
Washington
Madison Monroe
Bingham 14 Mile
BITELY
• • • • •
“Prime Rib Experts of the North” 3803 N. M-37 Baldwin
(231) 266-5601
15
Burgers Steaks Seafood Italian Mexican
Prime Rib Proudly Served 7 Days A Week
Breakfast - Sat. & Sun. Morning 8am-Noon FRIDAY NIGHT FISH FRY
Featuring Walleye, King Crab, Lobster and Shrimp Beer, Wine and Cocktails Available
1105 East Old M-63 Luther, MI 49656
17
Trail Access on Twin Creek Rd. South
(231) 797-5418
$1.50 DRAFTS! $2.50 BOTTLE BEER!
River's Edge come, stay with us.
16
Good Times! Great Burgers! Coldest Beer in Town!
www.riversedgelogcabins.com
1853 W. Old M63, Luther, MI 49656
22 519 E. Dowland, Ludington 845-5895
GREAT FOOD BEER • ATM LIQUOR PIZZA • LOTTO
and in our North location we also offer
Keno s Pull Tab Lotto
2 NORTH BIG • BASS • LAKE 5796 N. BASS LAKE RD. • IRONS 231-266-5252
14
LP Gas • Tripods • Dutch Ovens Fry Pans • Deep Fryers LARGEST SELECTION OF CAST IRON & OUTDOOR COOKWARE IN THE MIDWEST! 1052 N. M-37, Baldwin • 231-745-3085 7 Miles North of Baldwin at Wolf Lake
GAS • DNR LICENSES GROCERY • BAIT 20 SOUTH BIG • STAR • LAKE 6392 W. 76TH ST. • BALDWIN 231-898-5252
Homemade Ice Cream Treats served the old fashioned way Since 1942.
5 “Let your taste decide” Open 7 Days • Downtown Baldwin
(231) 745-3591
www.JonesHomemadeIceCream.com
Alternative Heating & Fuel
Deliciously Different
12
Indoor and Outdoor Heating Systems Fueled by Wood & Wood Pellets
Best Food In Lake County
Bikers and Fishermen Welcome
Fri., Sat., Sun. May 17, 18, 19 LIVE MUSIC! ALL WEEKEND PIG ROAST!
Theresa Fairbanks
231-510-1935 • 231-266-6014 riversedgelogcabins@yahoo.com
HOME MADE s Jone ICE CREAM
910 N. M-37 at Wolf Lake 13 Baldwin • 231-745-6110
4016 S. M37 • Baldwin • (231) 745-6015
Mon-Sat 11am-2am, Sun. 12pm-2am
www.alternativeheatingandfuel.com
Dublin General Jerky Store Fishing & Hunting LicensesHomemade • Tackle & Bait 19
GROCERY • LOTTERY LIQUOR • HARDWARE
231-859-4121
18372 Hoxeyville Rd., Wellston, MI 49689 www.dublinstore.com
Calendar BLESSING OF THE BIKES
1 p.m. Sunday, May 17, Baldwin Municipal Airport, with related events May 15-17 in downtown Baldwin.
SOUNDS FROM THE FOREST AT WENGER PAVILION 7 to 9 p.m. every Wednesday and Saturday, rain or shine, free concerts. For more info, visit www.baldwinsummerconcerts.org.
IRONS FLEA ROAST AND OX MARKET June 25-28 at Skinner Park east of downtown Irons, amusement rides, flea market, live music, food/beer tent, bingo, and various tournaments (softball, volleyball, and horseshoes). Parade at 3 p.m. beginning at Irons Union Church.
LUTHER LOGGING DAYS July 4-6, a celebration of the community’s lumber and logging heritage, international lumberjack competition with events spread over two days, a car show, kids games, a parade, softball tour-
nament, outhouse race, and a horse pull, music and other entertainment, a human vs. zombies game, and Made in Michigan items. Call Lori at 231-629-5634 or visit www. luthermi.com or facebook.com/ LutherLoggingDays.
IDLEWILD MUSIC FEST Noon to 9 p.m. July 10-12 Gospel, blues, jazz, R&B, and soul on the grounds of the Morton Motel, 6389 S. Tacoma, Idlewild. Artists Dee Lucas, Margaret Bell, Althea Rene, Marqueal Jordan, NuEra, Kimmie Horne, Urban Jazz Collection, Paul Dozier and Paula Atherton. Sunday is the free gospel performance. Donations will be accepted. Call (231) 7294666 or visit www.idlewildmusicfest.com.
TROUT-A-RAMA July 16-20 - The festival features a grand parade, a beer tent, a horse pull, Schmidt Amusements Carnival, a youth fishing derby, DARE car show, an entertainment tent including casino nights and live music, and much more. Visit www.troutarama.com.
more to offer Baldwin and Lake County in May have more to offer than bikes. The area is host to some of the world’s best brown trout fishing on the Pere Marquette River and its tributaries. The area also boasts many canoe liveries to take advantage of the world-class floats on the P.M. and Pine rivers. May is often a fine time for morel mushroom hunting in Lake County. There’s also good hiking in the Manistee Natinal Forest and fine camping, too. Jones Ice Cream Parlor in Baldwin is well-known for its homemade ice cream. Shrine of the Pines is an interesting attraction worth a look too, and the area offers unique shops and eateries as well.
6
Our Deck Is Open
Emerson Lake Inn Casual Dining & Cocktails Hours: Open Mon.-Sat. 11:30 am-11 pm Sun. 11:30 am-9 pm
21
Pandora's Box Unique & Unusual Gifts • Clothing Jewelry • Custom Framing
GOVERNMENT LAKE LODGE
OPEN AT 8AM • Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Great Food! Great TimEs!
757-2385
Fabrics, classes, books, notions and quilting tools.
D & M Heating & Cooling LLC
7
CALL TODAY! 231.745.9559 3
815 Michigan Ave Baldwin, MI (231) 745-4500
11
• Full Menu/Full Bar • Flame Grilled Steaks • 9 Draft Beers • Hand Tossed Pizza • Breakfast Sat & Sun 8 am
4953 S. M-37, Baldwin 231-745-3000 LIVE BAND SAT. MAY 16TH AT 9 PM,
East US-10, Walhalla
855 Michigan Ave., Baldwin Mon-Sat, 10-5 • Sun, 12-4
231-745-8804
Casual Fine Dining
Your local full service experts at air conditioning, heating, and furnace services for 25 years!
8140 M-37, Baldwin, MI 49304 dmhc@sbcglobal.net • Financing is available
"THE RAMBLIN BAND"
Jackie's Place
18
Open at Noon 7 days a week 6016 W. 10 1/2 Mile Rd., Irons, MI • 231-266-8382
H&H EXCAVATING Residential and Commercial
• Building Sites 4 • Basement/Drives • Demolition • Land Clearing • Dairy Doo Compost • Pond Excavation • Septic Systems • Sewer Hookup • Topsoil/Gravels
Phone 231-745-8501 Fax 231-745-8601 Fully Licensed and Insured State #2101195737 • District #43-0001
Bloomin Daisy
7457 S. M-37 Hwy. Baldwin, MI 49304
See the at H&H for Hanging Baskets, Annuals and Vegetables