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Here’s a roundup of news and photos around the Old Mission Peninsula…
Lavender Farm Update/Carter’s Compost. As mentioned previously here on the Gazette, Lightwell Lavender Farm on Carroll Road is in the process of being sold. This farm was also the OMP contact point for Carter’s Compost.
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I ran into Megan Alexander, owner of Carter’s Compost, the other day, and she said she’s looking for a new contact point on the OMP. This involves providing a space for people to pick up and drop off compost buckets. If you’re interested or know someone who is, feel free to contact Megan, (231) 268-0093, [email protected]. Check out her website here.
Church Treasure Sale. The annual sale hosted by Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church is happening on Saturday, May 17, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the church, 16426 Center Road. They always have lots of great stuff, and I’m in the process (ongoing, it never ends) of going through my house and taking things up to the church for the sale. I may even have another small cat carrier, like I did a couple years ago.
Charley had a vet appointment a couple weeks ago (she’s doing great), so I once again decided the traumatic journey might be easier for her with a smaller cat carrier. I don’t know why I keep thinking this is the answer to smooth sailing – she will never be happy about getting in ANY carrier and going to a strange office to be poked and prodded by a strange person.
I am hereby vowing to continue using the carrier that Maura sent her home with, because at least Will and I can get her in there and flip the top shut without too much bloodshed. Here’s her opinion of the previous carrier.
Birthday for a Legend. The Man, The Myth, The Legend … Johnny Rock “Roke” Rokos is turning the big 75!! Join in the celebration of this milestone of a birthday and milestone of the last two years. Meet up with Johnny at Peninsula Grill on Saturday, May 10, 5:30 p.m. til whenever. He really enjoys seeing all of his friends, so stop in, wish him a Happy Birthday, and enjoy some pizza and cake!
Warren Farm Stand News. After 14 years of serving friends and neighbors at the “Big” or “Purple ” stand, as it was known for so long, Warren Orchards/Between the Bays has made the decision that it’s time to change gears. They will no longer be leasing the roadside stand on Center Road across from Fire Station 2.
But never fear! You can still find their awesome honey, jams, produce in season, Wendy’s Baked From Scratch items, and Old Mission Maple’s new season maple syrup at the “Blue Stand” at 2705 Island View Road. Check out their Facebook page, and use the pre-order form there or on their website.
Blessing of the Blossoms. The annual celebration is happening May 10, 1 p.m., at St. Joseph Catholic Church. This cherished tradition marks the beginning of cherry season with a blessing ceremony led by representatives from all four churches on Old Mission Peninsula, as well as the Bishop from the Diocese of Gaylord.
- Fr. Ben Rexroat – St. Joseph Catholic Church of Old Mission
- Pastor Peter Shumar – Old Mission Congregational Church
- Pastor Andrea Johnson – Old Mission United Methodist Church
- Dr. Hogue – Mission Hill Church (formerly First Congregational Church)
- Bishop Walsh – Diocese of Gaylord
Following the blessing, attendees are invited to enjoy a Pie and Coffee/Wine social, generously provided by Sara Lee and local wineries. Father Rexroat will then travel around the Peninsula blessing the blossoms on various farms.
This time-honored tradition dates back to 1910, when residents of Old Mission Peninsula gathered to pray for a bountiful cherry crop. As orchards expanded and the cherry industry became vital to the local economy, the ceremony grew in significance. In 1925, cherry growers joined with Traverse City merchants to establish the “Blessing of the Blossoms Festival.” Just a few years later, in 1928, the celebration was renamed the Michigan Cherry Festival, eventually evolving into what is now known as the National Cherry Festival.
Need Painting Done? “Painting by Don” can help! Don Valentino moved his family north to the Old Mission Peninsula in 1985 from Detroit, Michigan where he was born and raised. OMP locals may remember Don as the Peninsula’s football coach, but Don also had a long and fulfilling career in engineering before retiring in 2015. Don soon grew bored and took his twin brother’s suggestion to start an interior and exterior painting business to keep him busy. The business has recently expanded to include decks, flooring, and exterior Christmas lights, too.
Born to a family of immigrants, both name and work ethic are important to Don. He personally strives to ensure that all of the work he does is of the utmost quality and reflects positively on his reputation. Don’s motto is “quiet confidence based on affordable quality and professional work.” Schedule a free estimate appointment by calling Don directly on his cell, (231) 492-3630.
Hessler Log Home and Mission Church get spruced up. The crew from the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society has been busy sprucing up the Hessler Log Home at Lighthouse Park, as well as the historic Log Church north of the Old Mission General Store. A few pics…
Mulch Sale Continues. The Scouts BSA Annual Mulch Sale continues on Saturday, May 10, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, at Mission Hill Church (formerly First Congregational Church), 6105 Center Road.
Cost for the natural undyed hardwood bark mulch is $4/bag (standard 2 cubic foot bag) or $35/cubic yard. Pre-order by emailing your name, delivery address, mobile phone, amount in cubic yards (3′ x 3′ x 3′) and specific location for dumping to Brian Brooks, [email protected].
I stopped by last Saturday and told them to load up the back of the Subie with as many bags as will fit in there. For the record, it’s 11. Here’s photographic proof, along with some pics of the crew doing their thing.
Bardon’s. Have you stopped by yet? I was missing Tim and Mom and our usual excursions to Bardon’s, but I swung in there and grabbed a vanilla/chocolate twist with toasted coconut. This one’s for you, Tim and Mom.
Cats Found a Home. Penny Paulley’s cats I posted about here that needed a home? They found one. Thank you, good people.
Barn Repaired. That Bluff Road barn that someone plowed into a while back? It’s been repaired and looks great.
Cherry Pie. Here’s yet another great reason to attend Township meetings at the Peninsula Township Hall. Sometimes you get home-made pie that’s as good as any I’ve ever had. I’m a Township meeting nerd anyway, but I’m especially glad I went to that Parks Committee meeting. I remembered to take a picture right before I ate the rest of it.
Spring Clean-Up at the Dougherty House. The good folks at the Dougherty Mission House and Museum are planning a Spring Clean-Up Day on Saturday, May 10, 10 a.m., at 18459 Mission Road. Stop by and help them spruce the place up to open for the season on June 4.
Volunteer opportunities abound! Join the Museum Committee or the Tuesday Crew that works on various projects (they built the Cole Pavilion). Join the Gardening Committee and work in the demonstration garden. Other volunteers greet visitors and lead tours.
If you’ve never toured this historic house built in 1842 — which, by the way, gave the Old Mission Peninsula its name — it’s a great time to check it out and meet your neighbors while you pitch in. The house was built by Rev. Peter Dougherty, Chief Agosa and the Ottawa and Chippewa tribe. Hours through the fall season will be Wednesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Also Read…
SUPPORT YOUR INDEPENDENT LOCAL NEWSPAPER: 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 and magazines like the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, 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 I started my own newspaper.
Because Old Mission Gazette is a "Reader Supported Newspaper" -- meaning it exists because of your financial support -- I hope you'll consider tossing a few bucks our 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 OMP. In a time when local news is becoming a thing of the past, supporting an independent community newspaper is more important now than ever. Thank you so much for your support! -Jane Boursaw, Editor/Publisher, Old Mission Gazette
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Just so you know, as of February 8, 2025, Scouts BSA (formerly known as Boy Scouts of America), in now officially going by the more inclusive Scouting America.