Hart Ford
HomeArts & EntertainmentMornin' from the Mitten: Forest fires, cornhole and asparagus

Mornin’ from the Mitten: Forest fires, cornhole and asparagus

By Mark Constance

The hot, gorgeous Summer days we’ve had the past few weeks have been great for camping, boating and anything that would take us outside the house.

But it has also kept firefighters in the Upper and Lower peninsulas busy with at least 20 large fires, and dozens of smaller ones; Most caused by humans not paying attention to campfires or burning debris without a permit.

Mark Constance
Mark Constance

And right now, no open burning permits are being issued in our part of the state. And if you’ve been keeping track of a garden recently, you know that things are just too dry.

Although we think of forest fires as just consuming trees and brush, it also affects local wildlife, rivers and streams, as well the homes of people who live in those areas.

So please … In the words of Smokey the Bear: “Only you can prevent forest fires.”

        ###

Summer quote of the day is from Kellie Elmore:

“Some of the best memories are made in flip-flops”

   ###

Events around the region this weekend include:

ROSCOMMON – Kirtland’s Warbler Festival June 2-3. Kickoff and open house June 2 from 5-8 p.m. at the Gahagan Nature Center; Bird tours, vendors, kids activities June 3 at the CRAF Center, located at 606 Lake Street.

GAYLORD – Cornhole tournament fundraiser at 1600 S. Otsego Ave. at noon. Proceeds will be matched by the Otsego Community Foundation and will help young adults dealing with homelessness.

GRAYLING – Steam Day at Wellington Farms June 3 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wellington Farm is home to two fully operational steam engines. On this day they give full attention to these beauties: a 1912 Frick and 1914 Advance.

HILLMAN – Blessing of the Bikes at the chamber of commerce downtown.

OSCODA – Bigfoot Pre-Bash June 3 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 6000 N. Skeel Ave.

ALPENA – Alpena Flower Festival June 3 downtown. Info: (989) 356-6422 or anneg@alpena.mi.us.

EMPIRE – Empire Asparagus Festival June 3 downtown from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Info: empirechamber@gmail.com.

HARBOR SPRINGS – Free small airplane rides for kids ages 8-17. Coordinated by Chapter 1087 of the EAA. Flights are being offered in conjunction with the Harbor Springs Airport Open House and Civil Air Patrol static display. Event held at the Harbor Springs Airport at 8350 M-119. Free. Info: Bill Meyer 231-838-8545.

ROSCOMMON – Summerfest downtown on June 3. Car show, cornhole challenge (bags fly at 11 a.m.), live music, food trucks, vendors, farm market.

###

NOTE: Mornin’ from the Mitten is posted on Thursday nights. It’s 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 in the lower, and East of Marquette and Escanaba in the upper.

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

 

 

Leave a Comment

###

UpNorthVoice.com is Northern Michigan's source for community news.

We cover seven counties including Crawford, Roscommon, Oscoda, Ogemaw, Iosco, Arenac and Montmorency counties in print and / or online.

We are also a full-service commercial design and printing house. Our specialty is custom commercial printing, as well as the creation of clothing, cups and other marketing products.

To submit information for publication, or for questions regarding promotion of your business through web or print, as well as promotional items such as hats or cups, please email info@UpNorthVoice.com, or call 989-275-1170.

Advertisement