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Here’s a roundup of news, photos and upcoming events on the OMP. As always, there’s a lot happening on our little Peninsula, including a harvest dinner, construction of a bookery, apples and pumpkins on the farm stands, fire department open house, roadwork, Walk to End Alz and more.
Harvest Dinner. Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church is hosting their annual Harvest Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 4, 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. On the menu is a delicious Swiss steak dinner, which includes a potato, vegetable, homemade desserts and beverage. Freewill donation. Dine in or take out by calling (231) 223-4393. The church is located at 16426 Center Road on the OMP.
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Open House. The Annual Fire Department Open House will take place on Saturday, Oct. 4, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., at the Main Station at 14247 Center Road in Mapleton. The event will include a tour of the station and equipment, car seat safety inspections, on-site “Stop the Bleed” training, free food and drinks, fire safety activities and merch, a bounce house and more. You’ll also be able to check out the new Fire Safety House, which recently made an appearance at Old Mission Peninsula School.
Also, Chief Fred Gilstorff reports that the Fire Department was recently awarded $10,000 through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighter Grant for a fire hose. The grant will allow the department to purchase thirty-four 50-foot sections of new hose that will replace some older hose in order to maintain operational efficiency. The department is very grateful for this award from FEMA.
Oktoberfest at the Library Canceled. If you were planning on attending the Oktoberfest at Peninsula Community Library, note that the event has been canceled. Due to unforseen circumstances (like an accordion player with a torn ACL), the Universe seemed to be plotting against the event. However, one of those reasons is a good thing! Construction has begun on PCL’s new bookery, which will serve as a storage shed for the Friends of PCL’s used book sale. Here’s a photo of Library Director Vicki Shurly with the team.
Roadwork on Swaney Road. If you noticed some trees cut down along the S-curve on Swaney Road (including the trees with engravings on them!), the road is getting a little makeover. The Grand Traverse County Road Commission is improving the road to eliminate the lake that always appears there whenever it rains. If you have any photos of those engravings of old-timey names, send them to me, [email protected].
Bowers Harbor Park History. The Parks Committee is working on new signage for all the parks, and their current focus is Bowers Harbor Park. If you have historical photos of the park, info about how the park was started or events that took place there (I need photos of the horse shows!), email them to me, [email protected], and I’ll pass the info along. I don’t have a ton of info, but here’s a little story I wrote about the Traverse City Resorters who played baseball there in 1910.
Need Pumpkins? Cory Holman’s Pumpkin Patch is open for business! As in previous years, they have a variety of pumpkins in all sizes, gourds, squash, pie pumpkins, corn stalks and more. There is nothing like a pumpkin patch in October – especially Cory and Elise’s Pumpkin Patch! It truly is a family affair, with several generations of the Holmans helping to set up and look after the patch. And baby Henry is now a toddler who loves helping with the pumpkins. The Holman farm has a very long history on the Old Mission Peninsula, which you can read more about here.
Honeycrisp Apples at Johnson Farms. If you’ve been waiting for honeycrisp apples to appear at Johnsons Farms Fruit Stand, your wish has been granted. The beloved apples are now on the fruit stand, located on Center Road about a half-mile north of Mapleton on the right (Johnson Farms cooling pad). They are so good (and I’m not just saying that because they’re my family’s farm!). I’ll work on a farm report for next week — apple season is in full swing.
Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Each year, Wendy Warren and her family participate in the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s.” This year’s walk will take place on Oct. 4 at Hull Park, 660 Hannah Ave. in Traverse City. Registration begins at 9 a.m., with a Promise Garden Ceremony and Walk Start at 10 a.m. There are all kinds of activities, including face painting and family stories. Rumor has it there will be an interactive “Mega Brain” you can walk into!
The disease continues to affect people at a younger age, like Wendy’s husband Gary, who passed from it at the age of 63. My sister Carol died from it at the age of 66.
Writes Wendy on her “Gary’s Gang” donation page: “How can it be a decade since Gary was part of our everyday lives? But it has been 10 years and, true to my promise to him, I continue my quest for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. We haven’t found that yet, but we’re getting so close! There are now two verified treatments that slow the progression of the disease. More than that, there is exciting research which points to early diagnosis, and true prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.”
She adds, “The bad news is that research costs money, and we know that funds are being cut across the board, so that means less money for necessary research. Many programs could be discontinued, which means that any progress that has been made could be lost with them. Once again, I am partnering with the Alzheimer’s Association to continue this forward movement. I’m asking if you would make a donation in memory of Gary and all those who have experienced this dreaded disease. Or you could make your own team and join me in this fight.” For more info on our local chapter, contact Kristen Weber, (231) 714-6736, [email protected].
Make a donation at the Gary’s Gang page. Here they are on a rainy “Walk to End Alz” in 2020.
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