Here’s a roundup of recent news and photos around the Old Mission Peninsula.
Boy Scouts Host Spaghetti Fundraiser. Boy Scout Troop 34 recently hosted a fundraiser dinner and silent auction at First Congregational Church at the base of the Old Mission Peninsula. The event featured spaghetti, fresh garlic bread, salad, vegetables and home-made pie, and was also a 100 percent “Zero Waste” event. The scouts do a lot around the OMP, including helping the Historical Society mulch trees and restore the historic Oil House at Mission Point Lighthouse.
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Tuesdays at Two with Tim. This weekly event at the new Peninsula Community Library is a big hit! Tim Carroll shares Old Mission History every week from now until Nov. 19, 2019, on Tuesday at 2 p.m. The door from his ancestral Old Mission farmhouse even hangs on the wall in the local history room. Call the library, (231) 223-7700, to reserve your spot for this fun event.
Power Out, Then Back On at Old Mission Peninsula School. A bird flew into a transformer at OMPS, knocking out power to the school for several days. The school made lemonade out of lemons and took field trips on some of those days. The power is back on now.
Fire at Mission Table. A fire caused the staff and diners at Mission Table and Jolly Pumpkin to be evacuated last week. The fire was caused by a cigarette that someone tossed into a bush, which then smoldered against a wall on the building. Along with our own Peninsula Fire Department, trucks arrived from Elmwood, Garfield and Long Lake Townships, as well as Grand Traverse Metro. Fortunately, the situation was remedied in a short amount of time.
Book Sale Raises Funds for Library. The annual Used Book Sale at Peninsula Community Library raised about $7,000. PCL Friends President Nancy Davy noted that they’re “thrilled to have raised that amount,” especially since the sale happened directly after the move into the new library on the corner of Center Road and Island View Road.
Methodist Church Harvest Dinner Raises Funds. Likewise, the annual Harvest Dinner (Swiss Steak!) fundraiser at Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church raised more than $2,000. Organizer Deb Allen thanked everyone who helped out and said it’s the best they’ve ever done with the fundraiser. In fact, they actually ran out of food. See more photos here.
Peninsula Fire Department Hosts Open House. The PFD hosted an open house last weekend to show off their new Engine and Tanker, and they also gave a demonstration of how the Jaws of Life work. Click here for more info, photos and videos. And click here to read about the new fire station on the north end.
Historical Society Hosts Illini Cottagers Resort Presentation. The Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society recently hosted a presentation by Bob and Penny Rosi about the history of the historic Illinis Resort on the west side of the OMP. In this photo, Bob holds a sign from the resort. Click here to learn how to join the OMP Historical Society.
Eighth Street Open to Motorists. And, in case you’re away from the Traverse City area or haven’t had a chance to drive down the new Eighth Street, here’s a photo. The bike lanes are now an extension of the sidewalk (a definite improvement of where they used to be), and the new design features vegetation in strips in the middle of the street.
A NOTE FROM JANE: I started Old Mission Gazette in 2015 because I felt a calling to provide the Old Mission Peninsula community with local news. After decades of writing for newspapers like the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, and magazines like Family Circle and Ladies' Home Journal, I really just wanted to write about my own community where I grew up on a cherry farm and raised my own family. So of course, I started my own newspaper. Because the Gazette is mainly reader-supported, I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks my way if I mention your event, your business, your organization or your news item, or if you simply love reading about what's happening on the Old Mission Peninsula. Check out the donation page here. Thank you so much for your support. -jb
