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HomeArts & EntertainmentMornin’ from the Mitten: Turtles, PowWow and cornhole

Mornin’ from the Mitten: Turtles, PowWow and cornhole

By Mark Constance

As I was driving North on I-75 the other day, I saw a large turtle in the right hand lane of the road. I slowed down and drove around it, then backed up on the shoulder and parked. I planned to move it off the pavement, which was hot considering the 90+ degree temps that day.

Mark Constance

I popped out of the truck with my walking stick and started toward the turtle, as the northbound drivers honked their horns. I’m sure they were encouraging me to save this distant family member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

But as I got closer, I could see that it was well past saving. This turtle was at least 15 inches across the back of its shell and weighed about 30 pounds. I pushed its still bloody carcass off the road regardless. Even a turtle deserves death with dignity I suppose.

I always want to think that dead turtles on the road are hit by accident. It is hard to see a six-inch painted turtle going 80 miles an hour.

But there was NO WAY you couldn’t see this huge snapper lumbering across the expressway. This was a beast of the swamp. King of his domain. He feared nothing in his environment, except a Michelin tire.

There are so many people who are part of the “Turtle Savers Club” who stop whenever they see a turtle in the road, regardless of traffic. We give them a little nudge in the same direction they’re headed, off the hot asphalt and onto the cool grass. So, I have faith we’ll save enough of these reptiles to keep them going.

For those of you would don’t go to the same extent as the “Turtle Savers,” just try to avoid them when you can.

And for those of you who intentionally run these critters over, you know who you are. When your days are past and you go to the great swamp below, you can bet a few old snappers will be waiting for you.

  • Just a reminder, this is the state’s Free Fishing Weekend (June 10-11) All license fees are waived. A recreation passport is NOT required for entry into state parks and boating access sites

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Summer quote of the day is from Bud Holland:

“We’ve all had that one summer that changed us in ways we might never truly understand.”

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Events around the region this weekend include:

MIO – Nor-East’r Music Festival starting at 5:15 on June 9 and running through June 11. Oscoda Fair Grounds at 1889 Caldwell Road, off M-33 four miles north of Mio. Info: NOR-EAST’r.

MIO – Blue Collar Festival in downtown Mio June 9-10. Car show, cornhole, live music, vendors. Info: BLUE COLLAR.

HALE – Sage Lake Rough Fish Tournament June 10 at 7 p.m. through June 12 at 11 a.m. Up to four-person teams. To register email sagelakeroughfish@gmail.com. Register on site June 10 from 6-7 p.m. at Crusins Cones and Coney, 482 North Sage Lake Road in Hale. Guaranteed payout for biggest bag of Bullheads. All fish donated to wildlife rehabilitation facilities across the state.

ST. HELEN – Second Annual Legion Auxiliary Car Show & Craft Vendor Fair June 10 at 10062 Ford Drive from noon to 4 p.m.

OSCODA – Touch a Truck Touch A Truck NE Michigan on June 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring your kids to see, touch and sit in fire, EMS, police vehicles, military vehicles, other trucks. Call 989-335-3598 to register a vehicle.

ALPENA – June regional cornhole tournament June 10 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the APlex at 701 Woodward. Info: CORNHOLE.

ST. IGNACE – Highland Festival June 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Little Bear East Arenac at 275 Marquette Street. Info: 906-643-6950.

MUNISING – Pictured Rocks Days on June 10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 11 at Binsfeld Bayshore Park. Live music, food trucks, bounce houses, beer tent, petting zoo, arts & crafts, interpretive demonstrations.

NEGAUNEE – 2023 Annual Town-Wide rummage sale June 9 at noon to June 11 at noon.

MANISTIQUE – Niiwin Noodin Powwow June 9-10. Talking Circle at 6 p.m. June 9. Grand Entry June 10 at 1 and 7 p.m. Feast at 4 p.m. behind the Manistique Tribal Community Center, 5698W U.S. Highway 2. Info: niiwinnoodinpowwow@gmail.com.

CHARLEVOIX – Charlevoix Photography Club 14th Annual Juried Exhibition: Pure Northern Michigan. Charlevoix Circle of Arts at 109 Clinton St. on June 9 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

PETOSKEY – The Old Town Emmet Farm Market June 10 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Friendship Center Parking lot at 1322 Anderson Road. Seasonal produce baked and canned goods, handicrafts, eggs, plants, flowers and honey.

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NOTE: Mornin’ from the Mitten is posted weekly on Thursday evening. It is distributed online at UpNorthVoice.com and various social media outlets serving the Northern Lower and Eastern Upper Peninsula. If you want to include your event in a future issue, please email it to info@upnorthvoice.com. We accept major events from all areas of Michigan North of Standish.

To promote your business in Mornin’ from the Mitten by bolding your commercial event, or placing a display advertisement with a hyperlink to your website or Facebook page, call Tracy at 989-275-1170 or email tracy@upnorthvoice.com.

 

 

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