Laura Cavender: Oryana Food Sample Host Extraordinaire

While shopping at Oryana Food Co-op one day, I took this photo of Laura Cavender, who was hosting a little food sampling there – Honey Roasted Beet Salad, which is delicious – you should try it.

We got to talking, and I learned that Laura Cavender actually lives on the Old Mission Peninsula, and I’d met her previously when she worked for Sally Van Vleck (my yoga teacher) at the Neahtawanta Inn. Laura’s family lives on the Peninsula, as well.

We also talked about how she’s somewhat of an anomaly on the Peninsula, because she’s a youngster (my words) who bought a house on her own and is fixing it up. People generally think of the Peninsula as a place filled with farmers who’ve been here forever and wealthy people in large homes. And let’s face it – Tim and I go to a LOT of funerals, and it’s because much of the population here is getting older, without a lot of youngsters coming in to fill the void.

I love the idea of folks like Laura who are finding ways to buy homes and live on the Old Mission Peninsula. I wish it was easier for that younger demographic to make a living and raise families here.

In fact, many of the people I graduated from high school with moved away because they couldn’t afford to live here, and have been trying to get back here ever since. Tim and I have always been so rooted here, that moving away – even to Traverse City – was never really in our mindset. But there have been plenty of sacrifices along the way. We’re not rich, but we love having our family around us and, of course, we love this Peninsula.