The Week in Photos: Smoky Haze, New Farm Stand, and a Truck’s Great Escape (Over the Bank)

This week in photos, we’ve got a truck that went over the bank and nearly into West Bay at the corner of Peninsula Drive and Island View Road. I believe both occupants are ok.

I took a few photos of the emergency crews when it happened, and went by later and talked to Rick Tasch, who owns that stretch of beach. He sent along a few photos, and said the incident took out his stairway, damaged a kayak and shed, and basically caused lots of havoc on the beach.

Also this week, there’s a new farm stand on Island View Road, courtesy of a very old OMP farm. Lyon Farm and Vineyards offers a variety of fresh fruits and veggies in season (tomatoes and cherries this week), firewood and assorted baked goods.

It’s always a thrill to see a younger generation taking over an Old Mission farm, and that’s the case with Christopher Lyon and his family (his dad is John Lyon). They have a great social media presence – check them out on Facebook and Instagram. This week, Christopher was also appointed as a new member of the Peninsula Township Planning Commission.

Lavender is blooming all over the Old Mission Peninsula. Check out photos below of Brys Estate and Harbor View Lavender Farm. It also looks like Brys has a new farm stand going up on the corner of Center Road and Blue Water Road. I’ll find out more and report back.

Also in the news this week: a smoky haze settled over all of northern Michigan as a result of wildfires in Canada. I’ve included a photo of Island View Road with smoke blanketing the area. A few days were especially hazy, prompting many cherry harvest crews to wear masks while working in the orchards. Conditions seemed to improve as the week progressed, so we’ll see what this week has in store.

If you were in Family Fare this week, you might have seen the crew from Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church ringing bells for the Salvation Army. In church this morning, we learned that Santa Claus (aka Jack Lardie) was very popular, with folks taking selfies with him and just leaving in a better mood than when they came into the store. We love that, and we love you, Jack!

I also drove to the Bowers Harbor Boat Launch to check out the sunset, and happened upon someone doing that same thing in their golf cart or four-wheeler. Feel free to reveal who you are (or not) in the comments below!

There are free books across the road from Haserot Beach, and the Old Mission Congregational Church is once again hosting their Wednesday night picnics at 5:30 p.m., 18687 Mission Road.

Speaking of books, I grabbed a photo of the Little Free Books at Peninsula Community Library when I was there this week for Pageturners Book Club (the August book is “This Book Made Me Think of You” by Libby Page – join us! Third Thursday of the month at 6:30 p.m.). Did you know there’s a map of all the Little Free Libraries around the world? I didn’t either. Check it out here.

Cherry harvest is in full swing. I’ve been taking tons of photos and will put together a farm report this week. I’ve also had lots of “Old Mission Stories” come in (thank you!), and will start posting those.

Also Read…

Supervisor’s Weekly Note: Shoreline Amendment, Right to Farm Meeting, Road Commission FOIA & More