By Mark Constance
Good morning Northern Michigan!
Looks like a typical Spring week again. Snow this morning, cold and 25-35 at night all week, then 60 and raining by Friday, before dropping back down into the 50s for the weekend.
I saw the most appropriate post the other day about Spring. It said, “April, go home. You’re drunk.”
That sums up this month so far.
Dave Kelly from Kelly’s Clean Cut Lawn Care was here today. He was doing Spring yard cleanup for my neighbor and I. Lots of branches, leaves and needles down from the Winter. They did a fantastic job.
He won’t cut our grass till after the dandelions go to seed, so the bees get their fill. And he doesn’t cut a 150 x 50 swath at the back of our lot because I let it go fallow in a weak effort to try and attract birds and butterflies for three years now.
But my growing skills are pretty limited. I tried to plant some milkweed a few years ago to attract some Monarchs. It was an epic fail.
So far, we had one small Pine Tree come up naturally, but we’re talking about putting in a couple of fruit trees. Probably apple and peach.
And I’m reading up on the process of transplanting a few of the wild blackberry bushes my uncle has growing at his place in Tawas. Love blackberry preserves, seeds and all.
Quote of the day is from Writer Christopher Hitchens:
“Owners of dogs will have noticed that, if you provide them with food, water, shelter, and affection, they will think you are God. Whereas owners of cats are compelled to realize that, if you provide them with food, water, shelter, and affection, they draw the conclusion that they are gods.”
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Here are a few of the events happening across the region the next few days:
KALKASKA – 2023 National Trout Festival April 26-30. The National Trout Festival consists of events, activities, and parades that take place at the Kalkaska County Fairgrounds and downtown at Railroad Square in the 300 block of Cedar St. For a full schedule of events that include a kids fishing contest, parade, car show and a pizza eating content, visit https://nationaltroutfestival.com/
GAYLORD – Remote Worker Meet-Up April 25 from 5-7 p.m. at Big Buck Brewery. Social event for people who work at home. Info: meetup.com/nmremote.
WEST BRANCH – Rifle River Quilt Guild April 25 from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the K of C Hall at 601 Columbus. Info: Diane @ 989-345-7206.
HOUGHTON LAKE– Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce Business Expo from 4-7 p.m. at The Northern Center, located at 7784 Stone School Road. Vendors, food, door prizes and raffles.
HILLMAN – Open Mic Night at Patchwood Plaza at 14797 State Street South. Info: 989-742-3739.
ALPENA – Ellen LaCross at the Thunder Bay Arts Library, sponsored by the Thunder Bay Arts Council on April 26. Info: (989) 356-6678 or office@thunderbayarts.org.
WEST BRANCH – Kids Craft Class at the West Branch District Library April 26 from 4-5 at 119 N. 4th Street. Info: 989-345-2235.
GRAYLING – Kid’s Corner Crafting at Devereaux Library, 234 E. Michigan Ave. from 3:30-8:30 p.m. Info: 989-348-2921.
WEST BRANCH – Sit & Knit April 27 from 1-2 p.m. at the Ogemaw Commission on Aging located at 1528 S. M-33. Info: Alicia @ 989-345-3010.
HOUGHTON LAKE – AI Tools. Learn about ChatPt and artificial intelligence April 25 from 1-2:30 p.m. at the Houghton Lake Public Library, located at 4431 West Houghton Lake Drive.
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EDITOR’s NOTE: Mornin’ from the Mitten is posted on Tuesday and Friday. If you want us to include your event, please email it to info@upnorthvoice.com. We accept major events from all areas North of Standish.
To promote your business in Mornin’ from the Mitten by bolding an event or placing an advertisement with a hyperlink to your website, call Tracy at 989-275-1170 or email tracy@upnorthvoice.com.
