(Got OMP news or photos? Send them to me, [email protected].)
Here’s a roundup of recent and upcoming news and photos around the Old Mission Peninsula…
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Township Flowers. Have you noticed the containers of gorgeous flowers at the Peninsula Township offices? You can thank the Old Mission Women’s Club, who champions that project every year. Here are the ladies who planted the containers a few days ago – left to right, Sue Pontes, Bonnie Palmer, Ellen Kerr, Braun Campbell and Anita Klein.
Chicken BBQ. The annual (and tasty) Chicken BBQ at Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church is coming right up. The event will take place on Saturday, June 24, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the church, 16426 Center Road (at the top of the hill on the right before you get to Old Mission Tavern). This is a community event, and everyone is invited. A free will offering is accepted.
The chicken is buttery good and grilled over an apple wood fire pit at the church. There will also be sides like potato salad, old-fashioned coleslaw, baked beans, and plenty of homemade desserts. Just drop in between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m., or call for takeout earlier in the day on Saturday, (231) 223-4393. You might even see Cal Jamieson there – here he is with Helen Mumford last year.
Bowers Harbor Park Update. Big things are happening at BHP! If you’ve gone by there, you’ve probably noticed new playground equipment and new woodchips – painstakingly shoveled and spread by many Township residents who pitched in to help, including a local soccer group and the Peninsula Township Fire Department.
The new pickleball courts and relocated basketball courts are back in business, too, after being stalled temporarily. Big thanks to the Parks Committee and, in particular, Michele Zebell (second from right in the bottom photo), who spearheaded the BHP projects and spent many weeks bringing everything together.
I believe there will be an open house celebration at the park sometime soon – I’ll keep you posted on that. Here are a few photos of the woodchips-shoveling project.
Birdhouses at the Library. Have you noticed the beautiful bluebird houses surrounding the pond at Peninsula Community Library (PCL)? Those were made by Cole Harding for an Eagle Scout project.
Also, Library Director Vicki Shurly says she could use a few more volunteer gardeners to adopt beds in the garden behind the library. It’s a great family project, and you can do it on your own schedule, using your own tools or those at the library.
And, she’s also looking for a volunteer to play “camp songs” on July 11 around 11 a.m., as part of the Summer Reading Club. It will only take about 20 minutes or so. Email Vicki, [email protected], if you can help with the gardens or songs.
One more PCL note: The collaboration with Michigan Medicine last year was so popular that they’re continuing it with more programs at the library this year. We’ll remind you as they get closer, but here’s the lineup, along with a fun video from Michigan Medicine about the upcoming programs.
Friends of PCL Book Sale. The Friends have a lot coming up this year, including their annual Book Sale on August 9-16 at the library. If you have books to donate, drop them at the Carriage House next to the library on June 19, July 3 and July 17. We’ll keep you posted with more info about the sale as it gets closer.
Also, the Friends are hosting a “Beach Bundles” sale (beach reads!) – $5 in PCL’s lobby through June 30. And a Summer Solstice party will be held on June 21, 5 – 7 p.m. They’ll provide ice cream and entertainment; you bring a picnic dinner.
Check out the Friends’ newsletter chock full of info here.
Dougherty House News. Starting Saturday, June 10, the Dougherty Mission House, located at 18459 Mission Road in the village of Old Mission, will be open for tours Wednesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Discover the beginnings of the Old Mission Peninsula and its historic origins dating back to 1842. Explore the house and museum, outbuildings, demonstration gardens and 15 acres of trails. Check out the website here, and to arrange group tours, email [email protected].
Also, the Dougherty House now has its first full-time employee. Ted Arnold has been training with Dougherty Board Member Tom Dalluge, and will be available for tours beginning June 10. Ted graduated from Traverse City Central High School this spring, and in the fall, he’ll be attending George Washington University.
Update on Johnny Rokos. Johnny Rock, everyone’s favorite bartender at Peninsula Grill, got a new recliner (with massage and heat!) and also went for a car ride this past week. From his daughter, Jennifer Rokos-Crampton, on the Johnny Rock Facebook page:
“We got blueberry smoothies, we drove past his house, through town, and out to Old Mission, stopping at the cemetery and The Grill. He got to see Ardy, Grant, Paulie and Dylan … he ‘chatted’ up a storm (which he also did the entire two-hour car ride😂). Ardy made him a grilled cheese and chips to go, which he ate as soon as we got back. He really enjoyed going to The Grill, and the entire ride back kept saying “those guys are the best.”
She adds that his physical progress is surprising everyone. “He scoots past the nurses station with his walker and tells them ‘I’m leaving,’ they hide it and he finds it and scoots past again. The staff loves him. His speech is advancing, as well, and he is recognizing he’s not getting his words right and asking how to say things. I’m hoping the next time we go out, his mobility will be good enough to get out and have lunch or sit by the water.”
Contribute to a GoFundMe page for Johnny’s recovery here.
Update on Conor Rigan. Conor’s mom, Sarah, writes that the surgery for his tumor at Boston Children’s Hospital was a big success. “We went into this hoping that [the surgeon] would remove most of it. Based on our pre-op appointment we knew she was going to put Conor’s safety first and leave a small layer behind, if she felt it would compromise his neurological functions. We prayed that she would get rid of all of it safely. She ended up doing just that, while also going back and removing much of the scar tissue from previous surgeries. According to her, everything peeled off nicely, even what was wrapped up in the brainstem.”
She writes that they have a lot of decisions and big things to work through in the next couple weeks, “and we pray that our paths will be made clear and our hearts will be at peace. But for now and hopefully for all of our days, we plan on soaking up every single moment of this precious life.”
Support the Rigans through a GoFundMe page here.
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Hi Jane, I thank you for the update on Biwers Harbor Park and the new playground looks great, however the old playground in the back of the park is in terrible shape and some items are dangerous. Are there plans to update that area or tear it down?