tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29402069354576823122024-03-21T15:57:11.552-05:00Northern Michigan ArtNews and comment about the Northern Michigan Artists Market in Petoskey, Michigan, Northern Michigan art and artists and Northern Michigan people and eventsMarty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-86041233476987955512014-09-08T12:00:00.001-05:002014-09-08T12:00:39.279-05:00Public Art Plan Public Meeting SetThe <a href="http://petoskeydowntown.com/downtown-petoskey/downtown-management-board">Downtown Management Board</a> (DMB) contracted with <a href="https://www.crookedtree.org/">Crooked Tree Art Center</a> to develop a proposed Public Art Plan for Downtown Petoskey. Their proposed plan is scheduled to be submitted to the DMB in December, 2014 for approval.<br />
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Crooked Tree Art Center is in the process of developing the plan. At the direction of the DMB they are supposed to hold public meetings to gather input. The first meeting was held in June. Crooked Tree Art Center has scheduled a second public meeting for <b><span style="color: red;">Tuesday, September 23 at 5:30 in the<a href="http://petoskeydowntown.com/business-info/business-directory/885-carnegie-building-meeting-rooms"> Carnegie Building</a></span></b><a href="http://./">.</a> If you want to make any input concerning the development of the Downtown Petoskey Public Art Plan, please attend!<br />
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To announce the public meeting, Crooked Tree Art Center has issued the following press release:<br />
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<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
Crooked Tree Arts Center has been contracted by the Petoskey Downtown
Management Board to develop a plan to manage the future of public art
in the downtown district. In order to obtain a clear understanding of
the concepts and concerns of the citizens of Petoskey there will be a
public forum held on Tuesday, September 23 starting at 5:30 pm in the
Carnegie Library Building on upper Mitchell Street adjacent to the
Crooked Tree Arts Center. Everyone who is interested in the public
art project is encouraged to attend. </span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Some
of the goals set forward in the public art plan are to create a</span></span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">
definition of public art relative to downtown Petoskey, identify
opportunities for art in the public realm as a way to enhance
downtown Petoskey and establish guidelines for setting up a downtown
Public Art Commission that will approve future public art projects as
they relate to the finished plan.</span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">The
process used to create the plan will include the formation of an
oversight committee made up of appropriate city staff members, a DMB
member, a member of the DMB Design Committee, a planning commission
member, downtown arts advocates, and downtown cultural leaders. </span></span></div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spearheading
this work on this project for CTAC is Gail DeMeyere, Visual Arts
Director and Curator “I would strongly encourage people that have
any interest in public art to mark their calendars and attend the
public forum on September 23</span></span><sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">rd</span></span></sup><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">.
We are not being asked to define the content or design of the public
art as it pertains to the city, we are only being asked to define the
guidelines for implementing the art. The content and creative
component of this project will come from the citizens at this meeting
and the later public art commission.” </span></span>
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<br />
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Information
gathered from the public forum will be noted in the final report due
to the Downtown Management Board before the end of the year. For more
information please contact Gail DeMeyere at <a href="mailto:gail@crookedtree.org">gail@crookedtree.org</a>.
The Crooked Tree Arts Center located in downtown Petoskey at 461 E.
Mitchell Street, (231) 347-4337.</span></span></div>
Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-81997162521512544112014-08-14T11:50:00.000-05:002014-08-15T11:53:48.205-05:00Artists Market Colored Pencil Artist E.P. Lewandowski Honored with Three International ExhibitionsColored pencil artist extraordinaire E.P. (Irv) Lewandowski has long delighted Artists Market customers with his amazing drawings. Over the last several years, he has built up quite a national following as well. He has recently added several new accolades to his resume. We take this opportunity to proudly brag on his behalf.<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Pencil Art Society</b> --Irv is one of just fifty-nine artists whose artwork has been selected for the <i><b>Pencil Art Society International Open Juried Exhibition</b>.</i> Artists from eleven countries will be featured at the beautifiul <i>Repentigny Exibition Centre</i> in Repentgny, Quebec, August 23 - September21, 2014<br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
I was especially delighted to hear that the juror, Richard Pedneault of the Lauier Museum chose two of my drawings. It is quite an honor to share a venue with some of the best pencil artists in the world. -- <i>E.P. Lewandowski</i> </blockquote>
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Irv's entries<i> Crevice Stream II</i> and <i>Landscape VI</i> represent two of Lewandowski's favorite artistic subjects, waterscape and landscape studies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8_OgUg4td6QzkZnh89lvbWptQPubWPBPTsgOMf5hPD1lbw8gx6oLtzRZAdndzUNtRWGpNZt_jOV1jmAwtK5lurRL5FBUDJl3yLnZrHYJ66-Ivm2ofpRRTjTvyGk68KC2tTyHRt-m2Cv6/s1600/Lewandowski+Crevice+Stream+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8_OgUg4td6QzkZnh89lvbWptQPubWPBPTsgOMf5hPD1lbw8gx6oLtzRZAdndzUNtRWGpNZt_jOV1jmAwtK5lurRL5FBUDJl3yLnZrHYJ66-Ivm2ofpRRTjTvyGk68KC2tTyHRt-m2Cv6/s1600/Lewandowski+Crevice+Stream+II.jpg" height="321" width="105" /></a></div>
The waterscape drawing (above) has been an award-winning image at several events in recent years, including Best of Show at both the <b><i>Southwest National Contemporary Realism </i></b>Competition and the <i><b>Michigan Colored Pencil</b></i> 2012 Competition. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk8U3CxZkPgyF7syJSN5qbYAF5CMUs_qSKxovR_vuNhmMVVzUDZuEiyW-Bf_lyG8ZmOWSALLGExNkyEQm7Kb_0g5sieS0t1E5LUUOnkz0EBawZFmkXV7cMztmzneU-AFsiWtmm0e6neHo/s1600/Lewandowski+LANDSCAPE+VI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk8U3CxZkPgyF7syJSN5qbYAF5CMUs_qSKxovR_vuNhmMVVzUDZuEiyW-Bf_lyG8ZmOWSALLGExNkyEQm7Kb_0g5sieS0t1E5LUUOnkz0EBawZFmkXV7cMztmzneU-AFsiWtmm0e6neHo/s1600/Lewandowski+LANDSCAPE+VI.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></div>
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The landscape study (above) is a part of new series entitled <i>Landscape Images</i>.<br />
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<b>International Guild of Realism</b> -- Lewandowski's waterscape, <i>Crevice Stream IV</i> (below), has been selected for the <b>9th Annual International Guild of Realism Exhibition</b> in Charleston, South Carolina.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbv_TCsEpRLu7GIEZbM7H40meTzx_Hc_Dt-FQUf6CJkmHfxAESVCKXx42EnjGJw888BZYqlGdeM2xbPM1Gqk9u1Q9x-ZLHkYuFqmv9_ECIJYeFjwjHYRNqEoauPriCEKKuLVa8z-Tn-9H/s1600/Lewandowski+Crevice+Stream+IV.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJbv_TCsEpRLu7GIEZbM7H40meTzx_Hc_Dt-FQUf6CJkmHfxAESVCKXx42EnjGJw888BZYqlGdeM2xbPM1Gqk9u1Q9x-ZLHkYuFqmv9_ECIJYeFjwjHYRNqEoauPriCEKKuLVa8z-Tn-9H/s1600/Lewandowski+Crevice+Stream+IV.jpg" height="320" width="185" /></a></div>
The top sixty-nine artists chosen for this prestigious exhibition will be featured at the Robert Lange Studios Gallery in November, 2014.<br />
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<b>Colored Pencil Society of America</b> -- One of Irv's drawings,<i> Streamside Cove II</i> (below), has been selected for the <b>CPSA Twenty-Second Annual International Competition and Exhibition</b> at the Ormond Memorial Art Museum and Gardens in Ormond Beach, Florida. Irv is also scheduled to receive special CPSA Signature status, accorded to members who achieve recognition as a successful artist in consistent international competition.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblKbcagH4jVLZyy8e5Gowtfqmjrgl1jc7-I4A1kecPmralHzzv5aJLZaKCEF3inSE0ZzPYcbKyKVnM5qxoV_sXHJVaOm4vlmh4AKtOysF9wvAV1sITtX27HqgeQMPagopA3hXZMVO2Pny/s1600/Lewandowski+Streamside+Cove+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblKbcagH4jVLZyy8e5Gowtfqmjrgl1jc7-I4A1kecPmralHzzv5aJLZaKCEF3inSE0ZzPYcbKyKVnM5qxoV_sXHJVaOm4vlmh4AKtOysF9wvAV1sITtX27HqgeQMPagopA3hXZMVO2Pny/s1600/Lewandowski+Streamside+Cove+II.jpg" height="244" width="320" /></a></div>
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Kudos Irv for your recent honors and thanks for remembering all of us here at home in Michigan and at the Northern Michigan Artists Market!Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-73335863628187032652013-11-16T13:09:00.004-05:002013-11-16T13:09:59.750-05:00A Tradition of Thanks in Downtown Petoskey<h2 class="western" style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;">Thanksgiving
comes one month before Christmas. This gives us the opportunity and
a little reminder to practice giving thanks before the season of
getting stuff begins. It also usually comes a little while before
Chanukah for the same reason. Of course, this year Chanukah comes a
bit early and starts on Thanksgiving so we might want to start
practicing giving thanks a little sooner – like today.</span></h2>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;">I am thankful for all the
traditions of Thanksgiving. I grew up in metro Detroit so
Thanksgiving tradition meant the big <a href="http://detroithistorical.org/learn/encyclopedia-of-detroit/americas-thanksgiving-day-parade">Hudsons Thanksgiving Day Parade</a>
(a frozen treat I later got to share with my kids), going to the
Lions game with Dad and having lots of turkey and cranberry sauce
with my family.<span id="goog_904101352"></span><span id="goog_904101353"></span> </span></div>
<div style="font-weight: normal;">
<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">I have been blessed
to live in Petoskey for quite a while now and I look forward to a new
set of traditions. There is still a wonderful family dinner. (Vivi makes the cranberry sauce.) I
spend some time thinking about my mom and dad and I still get to go
to a fantastic holiday parade. Up here, the parade takes place on
the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It is called <a href="http://www.petoskeydowntown.com/events/winter-events/holiday-parade">the </a></span></span><a href="http://www.petoskeydowntown.com/events/winter-events/holiday-parade">Stafford’s Downtown Petoskey Holiday Parade </a>It starts at 10 am and it winds
through our streets and our Downtown It ends at the<a href="http://www.staffords.com/perry-hotel-4/"> Perry Hotel</a>.<br />
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The Petoskey parade features the Petoskey High School Marching Band
along with floats and stuff from many of our favorite local business
and community groups. It could feature your group if you <a href="http://www.petoskeydowntown.com/images/2013_parade_entry_form.pdf">click here</a>
for an application.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j74U6HrxqnU/Uoew76aCsUI/AAAAAAAAAoE/HNuPcwKZgtc/s1600/staffords+holiday+parade.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j74U6HrxqnU/Uoew76aCsUI/AAAAAAAAAoE/HNuPcwKZgtc/s1600/staffords+holiday+parade.gif" /></a></div>
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I seem to remember that as a kid I looked forward to some rather
large and happy elf showing up at the end of the parade and getting a
key to the hearts of the children of Detroit from the mayor.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6lz6Hba7Bln2i5lVdVr_i4GNv0o1kV6rlP661Ik0_PJtI0FEr-Zc_FW1Z984noYzbRAvYVd0dYpUO7sDFFRuYlsa6Pbh3K0YQaMWmdRqLMH7xnAuv2aYCusDvCr1NZK9ERlDcE-26eiG/s1600/Parade+Key.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV6lz6Hba7Bln2i5lVdVr_i4GNv0o1kV6rlP661Ik0_PJtI0FEr-Zc_FW1Z984noYzbRAvYVd0dYpUO7sDFFRuYlsa6Pbh3K0YQaMWmdRqLMH7xnAuv2aYCusDvCr1NZK9ERlDcE-26eiG/s1600/Parade+Key.jpg" /></a></div>
Fortunately the Petoskey parade is on a different day so that same
elf can make it here at the end of our parade as well. Back then, we
could go have a chat with Santa up on the twelfth floor of the
Downtown Hudsons on Woodward Avenue. Now we can just stop by the
Perry Hotel a few blocks away and thank him for all the wonderful
things he will be bringing us in a month or so.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-16831135514607813052013-05-28T14:52:00.000-05:002013-05-28T22:41:06.388-05:00Petoskey Now A Trail Town -- It's A Big DealPerhaps you don't know anything about the <a href="http://www.nps.gov/noco/index.htm">North Country Scenic Trail</a>. Perhaps you are not even aware<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6_GCp6-JPR3eWRSR5gHvksDFz61oteKG_gZyDzKal_08bxnmNpLuOAM2UOw8G5Eo0lirzxHHRvVfJM64M4NtMQbFfOi-I3JilMIKfQpbrvUZhDX2z5BHKraJIXI9W_IW7Ny0tc0msf2m/s1600/TrailTown.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" style= "float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0; width: 150px; height: 150px;"src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6_GCp6-JPR3eWRSR5gHvksDFz61oteKG_gZyDzKal_08bxnmNpLuOAM2UOw8G5Eo0lirzxHHRvVfJM64M4NtMQbFfOi-I3JilMIKfQpbrvUZhDX2z5BHKraJIXI9W_IW7Ny0tc0msf2m/s320/TrailTown.jpg" /></a> that it passes right through the middle of our town. Now is a great time for that to change because our favorite Northern Michigan burg just became a <b>Trail Town<i></i></b> in December and there is a party to celebrate on June 1.
<p><p>
First things first. For those who don't know, the North Country National Scenic Trail is a <b><i>B I G</i></b> trail 4,600 miles big, er, long. It runs through the northern tier of states, Michigan, Minnesota,North Dakota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. (I picked alphabetical order rather than geographical because it puts us first!) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAveptyqCfcz08aYsJ9sRbrqDZ5yE9egZyXH52SPArKIlETi48WbzrvTFVH4UcNsRk4xgr92Lbq07wYX4chQtxG5nDN6wt_iWaAHmRN4Tzv2EAbXTyO2hdWo4EYiQ4DsqVijfcc4Gxmou/s1600/North+Country+Trail.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJAveptyqCfcz08aYsJ9sRbrqDZ5yE9egZyXH52SPArKIlETi48WbzrvTFVH4UcNsRk4xgr92Lbq07wYX4chQtxG5nDN6wt_iWaAHmRN4Tzv2EAbXTyO2hdWo4EYiQ4DsqVijfcc4Gxmou/s320/North+Country+Trail.jpg" /></a>
<p><p>
When completed the trail will be the longest continuous hiking trail in the United States.
<p><p>
Building and maintaining a trail that big is a <b><i>B I G</i></b> project. While the North Country Trail is a part of the National Park Service, most of the work and funding comes from private sources. Much of the coordination of these efforts is provided by the <a href="http://northcountrytrail.org/">North Country Trail Association</a>.
<p><p>
And that brings us to Petoskey's brand new designation as a <a href="http://northcountrytrail.org/trail/trail-towns/">North Country Trail Trail Town</a>, and that is a really <b><i>B I G</i></b> deal. What is a Trail Town? The Trail association says:
<p><p>
<blockquote>A Trail Town is a community through which the North Country Trail passes that supports hikers with services, promotes the Trail to its citizens and embraces the Trail as a resource to be protected and celebrated. Trail Towns are built on a relationship between a town, the Trail and its volunteers. </blockquote>
<p><p>
Petoskey is an ideal selection for a Trail Town. We have many active volunteers to take care of and promote the trail. We have beautiful woods, rivers and Little Traverse Bay to see and enjoy. Plus we have a wonderful town for hikers to explore with great places to eat and shop, including [blush] our own <a href="http://www.nmam.us">Northern Michigan Artists Market</a>. Check out the wonderful article on <a href="http://northcountrytrail.org/trail/trail-towns/trail-town-petoskey/">Petoskey</a> on the Trail Town website.
<p><p>
And one more big thing. Petoskey will have a <b><i>B I G</i></b> party to celebrate the trail, Petoskey's designation as a Trail Town and the<a href="http://www.americanhiking.org/"> American Hiking Society</a>'s <a href="http://www.americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/">National Trails Day 2013</a>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPNF4LE9ivYKHYtA27Y-TJYVQ6Df7XeJ577iPrMiJZXaMdlSxFDv1rMp1XFNUC2XAVIiUY0e2w1asKLYPk17hTSN99Y23gosNmO31H57RMIHbp4ZNgImhtIISHo-dfyVbEQGClnvuRT17/s1600/Trails+Day.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" style= "float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0; width: 150px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFPNF4LE9ivYKHYtA27Y-TJYVQ6Df7XeJ577iPrMiJZXaMdlSxFDv1rMp1XFNUC2XAVIiUY0e2w1asKLYPk17hTSN99Y23gosNmO31H57RMIHbp4ZNgImhtIISHo-dfyVbEQGClnvuRT17/s320/Trails+Day.jpg" /></a>The party takes place on June 1 at the picnic shelter at the north end of the recently enhanced Bear River corridor [near Lake Street]. Festivities will include, exhibits, presentations,children's events (coordinated by the Petoskey District Library's outstanding musician and entertainment all-star, Ron Fowler, and, of course, food. in the For more details, see the <a href="http://www.americanhiking.org/events/petoskey-trail-town-celebration/">AHS website</a> or the <a href="http://www.petoskeynews.com/news/featured/pnr-petoskeys-trail-town-status-to-be-celebrated-at-weekend-event-20130528,0,5224234.story">B I G story</a> in the Petoskey News Review.
<p><p>
And while you are at it, don't forget to actually get out there and explore Petoskey's own segment of the trail.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNb_skPxyhop4U7Ii-gs9feXljn9hN0OsXRurV12vI-yxjU0v_bMTxU1LnjEQNUZvetvLnp70lImFns7H9i-3uTDSoBcxYhH9GTxwd5etqIOYnMAhdxQbRJpTzscz6wk7QYjJR80cL36j/s1600/17930.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" style= "float:right; margin:0 10px 10px 0; width: 116px; height: 150px;"src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhNb_skPxyhop4U7Ii-gs9feXljn9hN0OsXRurV12vI-yxjU0v_bMTxU1LnjEQNUZvetvLnp70lImFns7H9i-3uTDSoBcxYhH9GTxwd5etqIOYnMAhdxQbRJpTzscz6wk7QYjJR80cL36j/s320/17930.jpg" /></a> It follows a part of the <a href="http://trailscouncil.org/index.php?page=little-traverse-wheelway">Little Traverse Wheelway</a> recreation trail, runs through the <a href="http://www.petoskey.us/departments/parks-a-recreation/community-parks/bear-river-valley-recreation-area">Bear River corridor</a> [shown in this photograph, <i>Bear Creek Park Bridge</i>, by Northern Michigan Artists Market artist <a href="http://www.nmam.us/artist/270/">Dawn Thompson</a> and explores <a href="//http://www.ncmich.edu/">North Central Michigan College's</a> <a href="//http://www.michigan.org/property/north-central-michigan-college-natural-area/">natural area</a>.
<p><p>
So you see, it really is a <b><i>B I G</i></b> deal that Petoskey is a Trail Town on the North Country Scenic trail. We know our town is a special place. Now even more people will discover and explore the area we know and love -- and we can get out there and join them!
Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-17937553540201593492013-05-21T11:33:00.000-05:002013-05-23T13:21:24.768-05:00Petoskey Public Art Plan Update<blockquote><i><b>NEWS FLASH</b></i> -- At Tuesday night's meeting the Petoskey Downtown Management Board <b><i>rejected</i></b> my Public Art Plan proposal. They intend to go ahead and develop a plan but prefer a consultant driven process with public input being collected by the consultant. I favor a process driven by public input and community participation with a consultant providing assistance.
<p><p>
DMB members expressed concerns about open public input, stating they were worried (1)the public would be disappointed if the proposals they made were not ultimately adopted and (2) members of the public would become bored and disinterested after working for an extended time on a committee to develop a plan.
<p><p>
To see media coverage of the meeting, click <a href="http://www.petoskeynews.com/news/featured/pnr-downtown-board-rejects-gallery-owners-art-planning-proposal-will-consider-other-approaches-later-20130523,0,7642107.story">here</a> for the <b><i>Petoskey News Review</i></b> article and <a href="http://ipr.interlochen.org/ipr-news-features/episode/more-public-art-focus-petoskey-s-downtown/2013-05-23">here</a> for the <i><b>Interlochen Public Radio</b></i> story.
<p><p>
Watch this space for further developments.
</blockquote>
<p><p>
Last month I made a proposal to Petoskey's <a href="http://www.petoskeydowntown.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=72">Downtown Management Board</a> (DMB)to gather public input and support and develop a public art plan for Downtown Petoskey. The proposal and its background are discussed here in a <a href="http://www.northernmichiganart.blogspot.com/2013/04/lets-create-public-art-plan-for.html">previous blog post</a>.
<p><p>
<blockquote><a href="http://ipr.interlochen.org/">Interlochen Public Radio</a> has been covering the issue and its latest report is linked <a href="http://ipr.interlochen.org/ipr-news-features/episode/petoskey-considers-public-art-proposal-and-alternatives/2013-05-20">here</a>.
</blockquote>
<p><p>
At its April meeting the DMB discussed the proposal. Several concerns were raised. The primary reservation was that some members were concerned about my proposal's focus on gathering public input and generating public support. The proposal calls for public meetings and the creation of a working group to collect and develop suggestions for creating a plan that particularly suits Downtown Petoskey. It provides for the possible hiring of an expert later in the process to help formulate the plan based on community input and the work of the citizens work group. The draft plan would then be brought back to the public for comment before completion and then submitted to the DMB for approval.
<p><p>
Some DMB members though it might be better to skip the initial public input process and begin by hiring an expert to develop a plan and bring it directly to the DMB. The DMB decided to consider the proposal further, along with some other alternatives at its May meeting.
<p><p>
In the meantime I have given the DMB a short statement of my extensive community leadership and project development experience. No one else has come forward with any proposal for how to proceed.
<p><p>
<b>The May meeting is set for tonight, May 21st at 7:00 pm at City Hall and is open to the public. A copy of the agenda and the member's packet are available <a href="http://www.petoskey.us/component/docman/cat_view/158-boards-commissions/63-downtown-management-board/187-agendas/197-2012-agendas?Itemid=222">here</a>.</b>
Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-88354612601679902722013-05-07T16:23:00.000-05:002013-05-07T21:54:13.565-05:00Petoskey's Downtown Trolly will be Truckin' AgainThe Downtown Trolly got a test last summer. Evidently it passed and it is graduating to become a permanent attraction and means of transportation in Petoskey this summer starting on Friday, June 14.
<p><p>
Last summer during the experiment, the trolly ran various routes and a very informal schedule. That all changes this summer. The trolley will run on a regular, published schedule on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through August. If it turns out to be the success everyone anticipates, look for it to continue gracing our streets into the fall.
<p><p>
ROUTE
<p><p>
The Trolly will leave the <a href="http://www.staffords.com/perry-hotel-4/">Stafford's Perry Hotel</a> at a quarter past the hour. It will follow its route to the
waterfront, <a href="http://www.petoskey.us/departments/parks-a-recreation/magnus-park-campground24">Magnus Park</a>, <a href="http://www.bayviewassociation.org/">Bay View</a>,and through Downtown. It will stop at Bay View, the <a href="http://www.petoskey.us/departments/parks-a-recreation/marina-and-boat-launch">Marina</a>, the
<a href="http://www.petoskey.us/departments/parks-a-recreation/shelters-and-gazebos/pennsylvania-park">Gazebo</a> on Lake Street, the <a href="https://www.crookedtree.org/">Crooked Tree Arts Center</a> and Magnus Park. The route and stops will be displayed on posters around Downtown and on the Downtown shopping map.
<p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHRBtZNuMozpEb7Z2XrrLwB0J4fOj8NCTyzh_O0zxK20KNROpgcPW8WRB4YUeQoErZ6Ibo_Y_7oNOwvurnVDOgV6wcvbiejJuh8-UZ6YCcQHEouiRp5RsG4yG_L-hw4Je918UvvembZIO/s1600/Trolly.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZHRBtZNuMozpEb7Z2XrrLwB0J4fOj8NCTyzh_O0zxK20KNROpgcPW8WRB4YUeQoErZ6Ibo_Y_7oNOwvurnVDOgV6wcvbiejJuh8-UZ6YCcQHEouiRp5RsG4yG_L-hw4Je918UvvembZIO/s320/Trolly.jpg" /></a>
<p><p>
THE FARE
<p><p>
Now for the best part. Your ride on the Downtown Petoskey Trolly is <b><i>totally free!</i></b> The cost is covered by the Downtown Management Board and by advertisements on the trolly paid for by various Downtown businesses, including the <a href="http://www.nmam.us">Northern Michigan Artists Market</a>.
<p><p>
Our Downtown Trolly was the idea last year of <b>Craig Bell</b>, owner of <a href="http://www.ciaobellashop.com/">Ciao Bella! Garden and Home Gallery.</a> He researched successful downtown trollys in other resort towns around the country and made a spectacular presentation to the Downtown Management Board which approved the concept and conducted last year's test. Thank you Craig!
<p><p>
When you visit Petoskey this summer, please enjoy riding the trolly, either as a beautiful tour of our area or as a convenient and scenic way of traveling between Downtown, the Marina, Magnus Park and Bay View. This summer, the Petoskey Downtown Trolley's bell rings for you!Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-50072118504186194462013-05-06T16:53:00.000-05:002013-05-07T21:57:03.028-05:00Our Tree UpdateA week or so ago, I posted a <a href="http://northernmichiganart.blogspot.com/2013_04_01_archive.html">story</a> about the new tree the <a href="http://www.petoskey.us/">City of Petoskey</a> planted in front of <a href="http://www.nmam.us">our art gallery</a>. I thanked the City and Mother Nature (for the gentle rain that started soon after the City planted the tree).
<p>
Now I am pleased to report that our new tree is starting to bud so the City and Ma Nature seem to be doing a good job so far.
<p><p>
Just thought you might like to know.
<p><p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYbNfrr4yGensv8xkP71OscCL96dBg_AWjywEDXLs-xQopFGZ530RL7P_OUsJ3pFNL6gf6bfm1jETczzDH_y7AU6rgKT7ICW3nDnimF-2DCHmJJS41KrSVjGyblebs56q0VfA53O0QLqQ/s1600/tree+budded.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiYbNfrr4yGensv8xkP71OscCL96dBg_AWjywEDXLs-xQopFGZ530RL7P_OUsJ3pFNL6gf6bfm1jETczzDH_y7AU6rgKT7ICW3nDnimF-2DCHmJJS41KrSVjGyblebs56q0VfA53O0QLqQ/s320/tree+budded.jpg" /></a>Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-90352223118377043482013-05-02T14:15:00.000-05:002013-05-02T16:54:42.430-05:00Fire the Security Guards and Hire Art TeachersFinally somebody got it right!
<p>
For years public schools have been cutting art programs to save struggling schools. Now folks are calling for more guards and more guns to protect children in school. This has been bothering me for quite a while on a visceral level and I have been looking for a way to explain it in words. To me there is something about schools (creativity, freedom, experimentation) and something about guards and guns (repression, control, rigidity) that is essentially incompatible. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0sk4ix09iQ/UYK0VQzxuGI/AAAAAAAAAg4/mfmuw09vCw0/s1600/Army+bake+sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img style="float:left; border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X0sk4ix09iQ/UYK0VQzxuGI/AAAAAAAAAg4/mfmuw09vCw0/s320/Army+bake+sale.jpg" /></a> That is why an article in <a href="http://dailynightly.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/01/18005192-principal-fires-security-guards-to-hire-art-teachers-and-transforms-elementary-school">The Daily Nightly on NBC News.com</a> was such an enjoyable and enlightening break from the dominant news stream of the last month (and years).
<p>
According to the article, the new principal at <a href="http://orchardgardensk8.org/">Orchard Gardens</a>, a public school in Roxbury, Massachusetts, <i>got rid of the security guards and reinvested all the money used for security infrastructure into the arts</i>. What a concept! It reminds me a little about the old saying about the schools getting all the money they need and the Army having to hold bake sales.
<p>
And this was no ordinary school. It was started as a dream school founded in the arts in 2003. It had art studios, a dance room and a theater with cushy seating. But the dreams failed right from the beginning:<blockquote>Instead the dance studio was used for storage and the orchestra's were locked up and barely touched. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l73Bl1kPe3Q/UYKypfb3-2I/AAAAAAAAAgw/17yPE7_SdMg/s1600/art+school.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l73Bl1kPe3Q/UYKypfb3-2I/AAAAAAAAAgw/17yPE7_SdMg/s320/art+school.jpg" /></a>The school was plagued with violence and disorder from the start, and by 2010 it was rank (sic) in the bottom five of all public schools in the state of Massachusetts.</blockquote> Then the school brought in its sixth principal in seven years, Andrew Bott.
<p>
I know this sounds like some starry-eyed utopian fantasy movie but firing the guards and hiring art teachers really changed the place. The article describes the amazing transformation:<blockquote>But now, three years later, the school is almost unrecognizable. Brightly colored paintings, essays of achievement and moivational posters line the halls. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjNreMQhwrw/UYK2q_S92RI/AAAAAAAAAhA/QXolSr9F4a0/s1600/Orchard+Gardens+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjNreMQhwrw/UYK2q_S92RI/AAAAAAAAAhA/QXolSr9F4a0/s320/Orchard+Gardens+hall.jpg" /></a>The dance studio has been resurrected, along with the band room, and the artists' studio.<P>The end result? Orchard Gardens has one of the fastest student improvement rates statewide. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-9HdFfneSQ/UYK26yvqEkI/AAAAAAAAAhI/ErIqk07ux7s/s1600/Orchard+Gardens.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-J-9HdFfneSQ/UYK26yvqEkI/AAAAAAAAAhI/ErIqk07ux7s/s320/Orchard+Gardens.jpg" /></a>And the students, once described as loud and unrully, have found their focus.</blockquote> Be sure to read the article. It has wonderful quotes from students and teachers and a fascinating list of posted comments.
<p>
A related item -- last night on <a href="http://tv.msnbc.com/shows/all-in/"><i>All In With Chris Hayes</i></a> on MSNBC, I watched a <a href="http://tv.msnbc.com/2013/05/02/florida-teen-faces-felony-charges-for-science-experiment/">story</a> about this 16 year old,<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAJbL7Sllg4QceMW4OmK77o41FB6I1t7CE2E5IscRvr8wTDS9oGWdDZs44Co5MfWX5irrMExjM7Ym17DZFO3QaWFm4UskyB7GNzH9fnl0FuBfqcksJmc4TzhNXEoyTr7YmOMDHk17kGi6/s1600/Wilmot.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img style="float:right; border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCAJbL7Sllg4QceMW4OmK77o41FB6I1t7CE2E5IscRvr8wTDS9oGWdDZs44Co5MfWX5irrMExjM7Ym17DZFO3QaWFm4UskyB7GNzH9fnl0FuBfqcksJmc4TzhNXEoyTr7YmOMDHk17kGi6/s320/Wilmot.jpg" /></a><p>Kiera Wilmot, until recently a student at <a href="http://www.bartowhighschool.com/
">Bartow High School</a> in Bartow, Florida,who put a mixture of toilet bowl cleaner and aluminum foil in a small, plastic water bottle as part of an apparent amateur science project. The mixture expanded and blew the top off the bottle. [<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uKQN8bU56M">Here</a> is one of many YouTube examples of similar exploits.] No property was damaged and no one was injured.
<p>
Ms. Wilmot had consistently good grades and no prior criminal record. She was expelled, charged with a felony and will be tried as an adult. This incredible response to a minor incident resulted from a zero tolerance policy and the presence of police in the school.
<p>
As Chris Hayes pointed out:<blockquote>Nonetheless, recently a handful of public figures have called for even more of a police presence in America’s public schools. In the aftermath of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, National Rifle Association Executive Vice President Wayne LaPierre demanded “armed police officers in every school in this nation.”</blockquote> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aBaiCtsfSSDlSKMqZGN3beoVHgl1GGbmxgmjPEFQSlcyMnyVaNU0Lqc_L6TRN2aKoG5p1uRx6jye8HAohAuOajiLRDRoCp8-cKxJzYy-8-j-roaofU2DUVynaiIR_jYSWLiJfmabNyjj/s1600/Wayne+LaPierre.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9aBaiCtsfSSDlSKMqZGN3beoVHgl1GGbmxgmjPEFQSlcyMnyVaNU0Lqc_L6TRN2aKoG5p1uRx6jye8HAohAuOajiLRDRoCp8-cKxJzYy-8-j-roaofU2DUVynaiIR_jYSWLiJfmabNyjj/s320/Wayne+LaPierre.jpg" /></a>
<p>
Which approach makes more sense for our students, Wayne LaPierre's or Andrew Bott's?
<p>
So artists and art enthusiasts, don't despair, don't give up. We will change the world!
<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRVa7orTW_WBRB3xRXO21P7r72lbk8cPMrT32ZEKwfwXXNNPIACDG7Sfy819hh7C296dHmb7TFlhGMyGNhf9p402gaWEhcVfHvwmK_bYRLnD2VK4S8Gw4LRCKRVb8_1wliQhaZcHmHPGU/s1600/marching+band+refused.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlRVa7orTW_WBRB3xRXO21P7r72lbk8cPMrT32ZEKwfwXXNNPIACDG7Sfy819hh7C296dHmb7TFlhGMyGNhf9p402gaWEhcVfHvwmK_bYRLnD2VK4S8Gw4LRCKRVb8_1wliQhaZcHmHPGU/s320/marching+band+refused.jpg" /></a>
<i><b><p>The players tried to take the field -- The marching band refused to yield</b></i> -- Don McClean, <i>Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie</i>Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-24261339946531723512013-04-29T16:19:00.001-05:002013-04-29T16:29:30.983-05:00Thank you Petoskey for Our New Tree!When the City of Petoskey rebuilt Mitchell Street in front of the <a href="http://www.nmam.us">Northern Michigan Artists Market</a> and, OK all of our neighbors as well, they planted some nice trees in the middle of the sidewalk. Something went wrong and the trees all died. Last year the City replanted some of the trees but municipal budgets being what they are, the folks on our end of the block had to wait.
<p>
Today the waiting is over. People from the nursery were out all day today digging, putting in new dirt and doing all the other things necessary for planting a tree. And now, at the end of the day, we have our own brand new tree.
<p>
Mother Nature is now making her contribution right on time with a nice gentle rain.
<p>
Here is the result:<p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbijgYM6I46xM4qsmWvfV4OnoAWQDEPvsR_GhHnvnsR46tS56jiodnloVOEqKmImj-giKjxAc1uFNOJBDy2HvkO4h1ilmbMK-3Wdhg99j76hQdfz7hjazGAImJ2y4duaMq2W65Q9ndqXx/s1600/new+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhbijgYM6I46xM4qsmWvfV4OnoAWQDEPvsR_GhHnvnsR46tS56jiodnloVOEqKmImj-giKjxAc1uFNOJBDy2HvkO4h1ilmbMK-3Wdhg99j76hQdfz7hjazGAImJ2y4duaMq2W65Q9ndqXx/s320/new+tree.jpg" /></a>
<p>
[Please notice that there is no snow in this photo!] Stop by and visit our new tree and while you are in the neighborhood, come inside the gallery and check out the art.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-63381533366361802572013-04-29T12:08:00.000-05:002013-04-30T13:38:16.329-05:00The Mighty Puddingstone Gets its Own Special WeekendSummer time in Northern Michigan means one thing - <i>festivals<b></b></i>.
OK, it also means fudge, great sunsets and, in some places, black flies, but you've got to admit, we have festivals for everything. (Check out my prior post on Calumet's <a href="http://northernmichiganart.blogspot.com/2009/06/celebrate-pasty.html">PastyFest</a>.) So I guess it was just a matter of time before we got a festival for the exalted Puddingstone.
<p>
August 9-11 the <a href="http://http://www.chebo0 yganhistorycenter.org/">Cheboygan County History Center</a> is presenting its first ever Puddingstone Festival.
<p>
Never heard of puddingstones? Where have you been, hiding under a rock? <p>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgil7x0v-8No_PwvQCHoyIo6CwGaqh9AazquZEOLSFRcQwqWQiwZkDnCYI22Qm2h3g8nsb6lBtGhnr9K7XnXwO-_K5NMbzbfbebQAlH9XxuH1UAF0DgFQrn1OHdOeS__63Zl8De2SA9Y7rd/s1600/puddingstones.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgil7x0v-8No_PwvQCHoyIo6CwGaqh9AazquZEOLSFRcQwqWQiwZkDnCYI22Qm2h3g8nsb6lBtGhnr9K7XnXwO-_K5NMbzbfbebQAlH9XxuH1UAF0DgFQrn1OHdOeS__63Zl8De2SA9Y7rd/s320/puddingstones.jpg" /></a>
<p>
The festival's <a href="http://http://www.puddingstonefestival.org/">website</a> states that the Pudding Stone is a <blockquote>unique, highly collectible stone conglomerate. It was named so by the British on St. Joseph’s Island in the St. Mary’s river in the 1700’s because of its resemblance to their native boiled suet pudding. It is found in only a few states, Ontario and England! In fact it is the official State Stone of Massachusetts. Cheboygan County just happens to be blessed with a vast number of them, ranging in size from tiny pebbles to huge boulders. </blockquote>I guess they should know, its their festival.
<P>
[For a little more history and puddingstone lore, see what the folks on <a href="http://www.drummondislandchamber.com/index.php?page=puddingstone">Drummond Island</a> have to say.]
<p>
The festival should be a great rock'em sock 'em event, complete with exhibitors, puddingstone judging, a Stones Rock concert, the <i>Stone Soup</i> story dramatized by local youth and a Straits area geocaching event.
<P>
Can't wait for the festival? We have a great selection of puddingstones and puddingstone art items at the <a href="http://www.nmam.us">Northern Michigan Artists Market</a> in beautiful Downtown Petoskey.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-4262072651809213982013-04-27T17:05:00.000-05:002013-05-02T17:01:14.662-05:00Lets Create a Public Art Plan for Downtown Petoskey[Yeah that's right. I am back after a long hiatus}<br />
<br />
I think it is about time Downtown Petoskey, Michigan, developed a public art plan and, as a big fan of our Downtown and our local artists as an artist myself and as part owner of the Northern Michigan Artists Market, I have decided to do something about it.<br />
<br />
A LITTLE BACKGROUND<br />
<br />
Petoskey is a great art town and Northern Michigan is a fantastic art region. For a town its size, there are quite a few art galleries in addition to the Northern Michigan Artists Market. We have several wonderful events that focus on art including the annual <a href="http://http//www.petoskeydowntown.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=49&Itemid=63">Gallery Walk</a>. And, of course, lots of artists live here and in the surrounding woods and villages. In fact, <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/The-20-Best-Small-Towns-to-Visit-in-2013-196855051.html?c=y&page=7&navigation=next#IMAGES">Smithsonian Magazine</a> recently selected Petoskey as the #6 best small town in the US to visit, largely based on our galleries, arts and culture.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M9WuWQBGSzN7Mjccfd5kqZBxI2Y78raGXA6DhYGT4TPChNP6AZJ7l1ukNyjFFzn7bDhMjng2vprKOHMrJ1AEB-mLg-Xs9LkJXuTHSLfmXqSjQZmOOKHluP4eg0gGZ5lyY7bqFU2hvXi1/s1600/Cold+Chief.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img style="float:left; border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7M9WuWQBGSzN7Mjccfd5kqZBxI2Y78raGXA6DhYGT4TPChNP6AZJ7l1ukNyjFFzn7bDhMjng2vprKOHMrJ1AEB-mLg-Xs9LkJXuTHSLfmXqSjQZmOOKHluP4eg0gGZ5lyY7bqFU2hvXi1/s320/Cold+Chief.jpg" /></a>
Many of the activities and events in our Downtown, as well as our downtown parking and sidewalk snow removal, are financed an run through our <a href="http://http//www.petoskeydowntown.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58&Itemid=72">Downtown Management Board</a> (DMB). It is funded primarily through an assessment on Downtown businesses and on Downtown parking revenues. In 2007, the DMB adopted a <i>Downtown Blueprint</i> containing an aggressive set of planning and development objectives and projects for Downtown Petoskey. The vast majority of these goals have actually been achieved. However, nothing has been done about one of my favorite ideas -- the creation of a public art placement plan.<br />
<br />
The Blueprint was revisited in 2012. The commitment to establish a public art plan was reestablished in the new Downtown Petoskey <a href="http://http//www.petoskey.us/component/docman/cat_view/71-planning?Itemid=222"><i>2013-2017 Strategic Plan</i></a>. Neither the current strategic plan nor the earlier one provided much detail concerning the nature or scope of the desired plan. At the DMB meeting where the new strategic plan was adopted, I submitted a proposed amendment to the plan providing more specific detail about a procedure for the creation of an art plan and possible aspects of the mission of that plan. The Board decided not to accept the proposed amendment at that time but suggested that it would consider beginning a planning process in the near future.<br />
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We already have some public art in Downtown Petoskey -- some murals painted on exterior building walls, some statues (including the one pictured above of Chief Petoskey dressed for the Northern Michigan winter), etc. and for a short time we even had a place for independent, creative graffiti art (see picture below)featured here in a <a href="http://northernmichiganart.blogspot.com/2007/05/new-public-alley-art-created-in.html">previous post</a>. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKua29dV6Y3QWe9AjsX_eWIesQ0X2fAKUqNDaZiH-8LsHdZOvKx5hUL-z_7RtHUZrluJoPc1W535x-D8urXaJU-aJ88c5-_CtHOsSuSiKGwESLhaXzr79fMzQzEQczEltmTqZobJaiYhcQ/s1600/Alley+ptown.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img style="float:right; border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKua29dV6Y3QWe9AjsX_eWIesQ0X2fAKUqNDaZiH-8LsHdZOvKx5hUL-z_7RtHUZrluJoPc1W535x-D8urXaJU-aJ88c5-_CtHOsSuSiKGwESLhaXzr79fMzQzEQczEltmTqZobJaiYhcQ/s320/Alley+ptown.JPG" /></a>But there is no plan for encouraging, creating and placing more creative works of art, particularly by local artists, around our Downtown to take advantage of the artistic character of the area and improve the esthetic and artistic atmosphere of the community.<br />
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I recently decided to see what I could do to get the process started. I have drafted a proposal outlining a public process for the creation of a public art plan and presented it to the DMB at its April 2013 meeting for review and comment. They were supportive of the general concept but had some reservations and want to consider some alternatives. Generally, they seem a bit anxious about my plan to have open meetings to gather broad, grassroots community input and support. Some want to rely more heavily on the advice of a paid consultant. Some of them would like a more formal role for the Crooked Tree Art Center. I am working on some revisions to my proposal that will preserve the importance of broad community input while answering some of their concerns. They will take up the issue again at their May meeting.<br />
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If you are interested in developing a community based process for developing an art plan for Downtown Petoskey, I would like to hear from you. I encourage you to attend the May DMB meeting to hear what they have to say and to lend your support for a publicly discussed and developed plan that will serve the interests of the people of Petoskey and the surrounding area. We particularly need input from other local artists.<br />
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I will continue to update the progress of this proposal here on the Northern Michigan Art Blog. For now, please leave a comment if you are interested in the project or if you have any ideas. Please call me at the Northern Michigan Artists Market: (231) 487-0000 (Join us and get involved in this exciting new project for Downtown Petoskey!<br />
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Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-2762086964031012482010-05-14T11:29:00.008-05:002010-05-14T15:05:30.960-05:00Jordan Valley Glass Headlines Show at Charlevoix CircleThis month one of our favorite local glass studios and a very special local art gallery combine to put on a spectacular show in our neighboring town of Charlevoix.<br /><a href="https://www.nmam.us/artist/77/"><br />Jordan Valley Glassworks</a> of East Jordan <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S-2mrrC_aYI/AAAAAAAAAac/ImtO_kq98PY/s1600/JVG+logo.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 120px; height: 35px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S-2mrrC_aYI/AAAAAAAAAac/ImtO_kq98PY/s320/JVG+logo.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471212391544875394" /></a>is the creation of third generation glass blower Jay Bavers. He discovered the wonder and some of the secrets of glassblowing as a young boy living above his grandfather's glassblowing shop in Brooklyn, New York. Glenna Haney added her talents to the studio part time fifteen years ago and became a full partner about four years later. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S-2rRRd2VoI/AAAAAAAAAak/Aw6o8Gffvp8/s1600/11513.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 80px; height: 91px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S-2rRRd2VoI/AAAAAAAAAak/Aw6o8Gffvp8/s320/11513.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471217435559745154" /></a> Jay's son Bill brought the family tradition to a fourth generation when he joined the Glassworks last year after earning his BFA from Bowling Green. Together they produce beautiful glass pieces for the home and garden from ornaments to lighting fixtures to free form sculptures.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.charlevoixcircle.org/">Charlevoix Circle of Arts</a> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S-2rplbbKLI/AAAAAAAAAas/B1DqztARQug/s1600/Charlevoix+Circle+Logo.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 100px; height: 93px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S-2rplbbKLI/AAAAAAAAAas/B1DqztARQug/s320/Charlevoix+Circle+Logo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5471217853235144882" /></a>is a non-profit cultural arts organization that, in addition to its gallery. provides classes, concerts and other activities to support the arts and provide cultural enrichment to the region. Their latest presentation, <span style="font-style:italic;">Translucent Show</span>, includes large and small glass creations by Jordan Valley Glassworks and other artists as well as watercolors and other translucent mediums.<br /><br />The show is well worth seeing and continues through July 4th. The Circle of Arts gallery is located at 109 Clinton Street in Charlevoix. Hours are 1-5 Tuesday through Saturday.<br /><br />The <a href="http://www.nmam.us">Northern Michigan Artists Market</a> has a large selection of works by <a href="https://www.nmam.us/artist/77/">Jordan Valley Glassworks</a> available at our gallery in Petoskey and our <a href="http://www.nmam.us">online store</a>.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-5032899390831267502010-04-28T10:23:00.012-05:002010-04-28T13:35:25.620-05:00Spring Brings Major Waterfront and Park Improvements to PetoskeySpring is in full flower<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S9hjtbmVIrI/AAAAAAAAAZs/fSXp7KDi6HQ/s1600/Love+1363.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin: 0 10px 0 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S9hjtbmVIrI/AAAAAAAAAZs/fSXp7KDi6HQ/s400/Love+1363.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465227779967886002" /></a> [like this watercolor by <a href="http://www.nmam.us/artist/56/">Bruce Love</a>] at the <a href="http://www.nmam.us">Northern Michigan Artists Market</a> and in our home town of Petoskey, Michigan. At the Market, that means new artists and lots of new artwork. In town, spring means that a slew of new boating, recreation and downtown enhancement projects are about to start. Whether you live here or are planning to visit us sometime this summer or even if you just love Petoskey and like to keep in touch, we thought you might like an update.<br /><br />On the waterfront, the big news is a whole raft of improvements at the City's marina. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S9hlZn2mr4I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/3Ki1227H6z0/s1600/marina.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S9hlZn2mr4I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/3Ki1227H6z0/s320/marina.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465229638683242370" /></a>The biggest change will be a fourth pier that will be built in the gap between the leftmost dock and the two on the right. This new pier will add forty-four additional boat slips. The plans for this summer also include renovation and expansion of the marina's service building. The shelter house will be relocated to allow for the expansion.<br /><br />The Army Corps of Engineers has resumed its reconstruction of Petoskey's breakwall. [Watercolor by <a href="http://www.nmam.us/artist/67/">Karen Kubovchick</a>] <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S9hnpspHTKI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/hAJB6Yi25lI/s1600/2432.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 112px; height: 160px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S9hnpspHTKI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/hAJB6Yi25lI/s320/2432.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465232113869999266" /></a>The outer portion was completely rebuilt last year and is a vast improvement. Rebuilding will continue moving down the breakwall all the way to the shore. This project will not only repair the damage caused a couple of years ago when ice and waves broke through the wall and created a huge gap but will rebuild the wall to correct years of wear and deterioration. It will also widen the wall and make it safer for all of the people who love to walk out on the breakwall and dive off into the harbor.<br /><br />You probably know that the Bear River flows under the big bridge on US-31 just west of Downtown Petoskey, then under a bridge on Lake street and through a rocky channel next to City Hall, then empties into Lake Michigan in the Petoskey harbor. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S9hoXMsPnSI/AAAAAAAAAaE/4DkXL-Ykxbo/s1600/bear+river.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 229px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/S9hoXMsPnSI/AAAAAAAAAaE/4DkXL-Ykxbo/s320/bear+river.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465232895567174946" /></a>What you may not know is that before all this, the Bear flows through a beautiful wooded valley right in the middle of town. This scenic walking path is a local favorite and is actually a segment of the <a href="http://www.northcountrytrail.org/">North Country Trail</a> that runs all the way from Upstate New York to Central North Dakota. In mid-May, Petoskey will begin a major improvement project that will include the construction of walking trails, restrooms, picnic shelters, and improvements to the Bear River that will create a Class III whitewater rapids along the Bear River from Sherridan St. to Lake Michigan. Actually, preparatory work has been going on for a while but the major, visible enhancements will take place through this summer. I personally walk this trail frequently and I strongly recommend a visit to this tranquil oasis. The improvements should make this walk even more pleasant and will make more people aware of its existence and beauty.<br /><br />As I discuss in the latest issue of the Artists Market's email newsletter, <a href="http://comm.gaslightmedia.com/public/kkd4/IR6/subscribe">Art Up North</a>, there was a major breakthrough this winter in the efforts of the City to develop Pennsylvania Park. The railroad track and its right-of-way that makes up much of this park in the center of Downtown has been untouchable because it is owned by the State of Michigan. After about twenty-five years of discussion and negotiations with the State, Petoskey has made a deal buy this property. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJISJ2P73TqOYSltcE61mKqpIqVqFLgTG5d7yY6TxM0TROQ46gXPkYtTXqyibG5wp5ZPSSGY44Mr3BxZl6ZufOpweJ4MLbegnVyIF6hsX3QdPZPlHZzbPr6aIGUiWiNYqH3BRIDUGNhp1Q/s1600/railcorridor.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 217px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJISJ2P73TqOYSltcE61mKqpIqVqFLgTG5d7yY6TxM0TROQ46gXPkYtTXqyibG5wp5ZPSSGY44Mr3BxZl6ZufOpweJ4MLbegnVyIF6hsX3QdPZPlHZzbPr6aIGUiWiNYqH3BRIDUGNhp1Q/s320/railcorridor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465234815115551282" /></a>Plans include a long anticipated historic rail trolley and walking path that will run from the Zipp building, a former railroad station south of Downtown, through the middle of the Gaslight District and on to Bay View east of Downtown. When completed this project will be a beautiful and functional attraction and reminder of Petoskey's railroading history.<br /><br />There will be a lot going on this summer here in Petoskey. We hope you will come and enjoy it with us.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-32747080772644644082010-01-10T14:48:00.004-05:002010-05-11T21:20:52.430-05:00Artists Market Featured in The GraphicThis week, <span style="font-weight:bold;">The Graphic<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>, Petoskey's local free entertainment and events weekly, takes a break from its series of outstanding features on local artists to review the <a href="http://www.nmam.us"><B><I>Northern Michigan Artists Market</I></B></a>. <br /><br />I am a big fan of Maggie Peterson and her <span style="font-style:italic;">Art Scene</span> feature in the Graphic. I have commented <a href="http://northernmichiganart.blogspot.com/2009_05_01_archive.html">here</a> on <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMrmuIfnjbQr1bHKgE1cu87dYRT-lPKyjef4P1oNaPAbKut9bzeDmAIvQpLdq0Oy9rdOSvxGOdJZCZAXHR6NMU-2U-EAM3CwuLzF63AfQZT4PzCOY3FvFmlC8hK9_wl9nAM0TEVIQ6gRS/s1600-h/graphiclogo.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 75px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMrmuIfnjbQr1bHKgE1cu87dYRT-lPKyjef4P1oNaPAbKut9bzeDmAIvQpLdq0Oy9rdOSvxGOdJZCZAXHR6NMU-2U-EAM3CwuLzF63AfQZT4PzCOY3FvFmlC8hK9_wl9nAM0TEVIQ6gRS/s400/graphiclogo.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425580910077034482" /></a>her previous columns profiling Artists Market artists such as extraordinary Harbor Springs wood turner <a href="http://www.nmam.us/artist/205/">Tom Jacobson</a>. This week, I was delighted to read her insights into my own favorite creative work, our art gallery. <br /><br />The article features a great picture of my two partners, Vivi Woodcock and Susan Lange, and me inside the Market. It does a great job of capturing the spirit and mission of our little store. In addition to visiting the gallery and talking with the three of us, Maggie spoke with a couple of the very special local artists who exhibit here, nature photographer <a href="http://www.nmam.us/artist/10/">Kris Busk</a> and potter <a href="http://www.nmam.us/artist/215/">Christine Rowe</a>.<br /><br />Sometime this week, take the time to pick up a copy of <span style="font-style:italic;">The Graphic</span> or check out the article on their <a href="http://www.thegraphicweekly.com/artscene/artscene20100107.html">website</a>. If you have any comments, be sure to post them here.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-58823704749022255932009-10-31T00:24:00.008-05:002009-11-02T11:44:46.164-05:00First Responder, a Ghost StoryIn my <a href="http://northernmichiganart.blogspot.com/2009/10/downtown-petoskey-hosts-spooktacular.html">previous post</a>, I wrote about Downtown Petoskey's Ghost Walk. That event took place last night and a great, ghoulish time was had by all. It did rain but that did not seem to dampen the <span style="font-style:italic;">spirits</span> of the participants who turned out in large numbers (over 100 people) to tour Downtown Petoskey and hear stories about the local ghosts who inhabit our town.<br /><br />Now that the event is over, I can reveal the tale of the Artists Markets very own ghost, one of the spectral biographies presented on the tour:<br /><br /><br />First Responder<br /><br />For the last six years residents and visitors have been coming to 445 East Mitchell to buy the creations of local Northern Michigan artists but that was not always so. This address has been important to Downtown Petoskey residents for many many years. Long before it was an art gallery it was a Montgomery Wards Department store and even longer ago it was a car dealership selling Studebakers from South Bend Indiana.<br /><br />Many happy and tragic things have happened between these walls over all those years but one of the most dramatic took place on a chilly evening in October back in <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNThZmUTLRz6Rai8xtwBnAZiDPKFERgRkJdn85EkqwVQhflE8pWfh_9qJf9FEvEYEkLrwXn0cioeelislxQiwOYjdJ5d1FKdgu8PdaDvJjbaGSfhdXawa5wpFErCDw6ipJEzW41IsZXoeG/s1600-h/MVC-007F.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 109px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNThZmUTLRz6Rai8xtwBnAZiDPKFERgRkJdn85EkqwVQhflE8pWfh_9qJf9FEvEYEkLrwXn0cioeelislxQiwOYjdJ5d1FKdgu8PdaDvJjbaGSfhdXawa5wpFErCDw6ipJEzW41IsZXoeG/s200/MVC-007F.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399159460570167170" /></a>1961. Late that afternoon, a customer in the Women's Clothing Department of Montgomery Wards told a young sales clerk that she smelled smoke. The clerk called the fire department and an older, red-headed fireman came to the store and searched all the nooks and crannies of the building and the A&P Grocery that was then next door in the attached building at 441 East Mitchell. He carried a lantern in his left hand and a fire axe in his right. Despite looking for about two hours, he was unable to find the source of the smoky smell and left.<br /><br /> Early the next morning, about 3:00 a.m., a truck driver delivering groceries to the A&P noticed a fire in the loading dock area in the back of the building. Soon there was heavy smoke and and flames shooting out the side of the building on all floors. Fire fighters fought the blaze for several hours but were unable to prevent over $100,000 damage to the A&P. They were able to keep the blaze itself from spreading to the Montgomery Wards but in the process the future home of the Northern Michigan Artists Market was filled with smoke and water reached a foot deep in the basement.<br /><br />Accounts of the fire in the <span style="font-style:italic;">News Review</span> the next day do not report the deaths of any firefighters in the incident. There is no mention of the red-headed fireman who had searched the building in vain earlier in the day. In fact, people say that they cannot recall there being any red-headed Petoskey firefighters at all at that time but several people reported seeing a man in a firefighter uniform carrying a lantern and a fire axe running into the building as the flames raged, saying that the blaze was all his fault. No one saw him come out of the building that night.<br /><br />Now every year on chilly evenings in late October, just after dusk when the sky is dark and the Artist Market lights are dimmed, people walking by the Artists Market have reported a slight but distinct smell of smoke and some have said that they thought they saw in the window what looked like an older, red-headed fireman holding a lantern high in his left hand and a fire axe in his right searching the nooks and crannies of the building trying to find the source of the smoke smell and still trying to prevent the A&P fire of 1961.<br /><br />*******<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07MVLTRxb7_8cG8DpTETZeW2CsUgjvxBsTepA01TyXrvF2RFEbZoXM2p9YaNr_GrW83Lh1pdwaAUF1AoCNuLKlyQLdx6LvusMM8lC-dzYUlYxEpLRRxyxDc1mPF9eVnGq4zYSmPw_TRtY/s1600-h/MVC-007Fa.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 179px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg07MVLTRxb7_8cG8DpTETZeW2CsUgjvxBsTepA01TyXrvF2RFEbZoXM2p9YaNr_GrW83Lh1pdwaAUF1AoCNuLKlyQLdx6LvusMM8lC-dzYUlYxEpLRRxyxDc1mPF9eVnGq4zYSmPw_TRtY/s200/MVC-007Fa.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5399547899142156962" /></a>The First Responder himself did appear last night during the Ghost Walk as one of the guides and raconteurs and is expected to materialize again today at the Artists Market where he is scheduled to distribute candy to the young trick-or-treaters who will be going from store to store. (Any slight resemblance between myself and the First Responder is, of course, entirely coincidental.)<br /><br />The Ghost Walk, by the way, was a brand new event for Downtown Petoskey. Due to the fantastic turnout and enthusiastic response, the tour will likely reappear in the future on the Downtown schedule.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-64701783384014655382009-10-23T14:21:00.003-05:002009-10-23T16:23:29.977-05:00Downtown Petoskey Hosts Spooktacular Halloween FestivitiesThis is the time of the year when ghosts and other strange and creepy characters wander the streets, including the byways in our favorite downtown. The Northern Michigan Artists Market will be doing its part to welcome the ghosts and goblins of all ages to Downtown Petoskey and, in cooperation with Downtown Petoskey, provide a little spooky fun.<br /><br />First, on Friday night, October 30, starting at 7:30pm, Downtown Petoskey presents our very first Ghost Tour, a guided stroll through Downtown featuring ghostly tales of the supernatural spirits known to inhabit the historic buildings. We have collected tales of Petoskey's own macabre and weird spectral creatures and assembled a crew of spooky characters to tell those tales as they guide you through the dark streets and dimly lit haunted shops of our town on the eve of Halloween.<br /><br />There is a ghost that haunts the Artists Market on certain cool evenings in late October. I could tell you the story now but that would spoil the fun. [Perhaps I will post it here after the event.] Our ghost is featured in the tour and I personally will lead a couple of groups around Ghost Town Petoskey Friday night.<br /><br />Tours are $5 per person. Reservations can be made at the Petoskey Downtown Offices, 216 Park Avenue. The walks will run approximately 30 minutes. Walk-ins will be accepted if space allows. <br /><br />Hopefully the ghost stories Friday evening will not keep you up all night because early Saturday morning it will be time to get all the kids in costume and bring them to Central Elementary School (corner of Howard and State Streets) at 10:00 am for the Children's Costume Parade. As soon as the parade is over, the begging begins. The Northern Michigan Artists Market and other Downtown merchants will be handing out goodies to children trick-or-treating throughout Downtown Petoskey until 12:00 noon. Signs will be posted at stores participating in this event.<br /><br />The fun continues on into the afternoon as the Petoskey Public Library presents additional Halloween frivolity for children. <br /><br />Come join the Northern Michigan Artists Market and the rest of Downtown Petoskey this Halloween. By the way we do have some great Halloween items in the gallery along with our usual assortment of art in all media by more than eighty-five of Northern Michigan's most talented and creative artists.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-83703441028234961522009-09-17T22:11:00.005-05:002009-09-17T22:49:42.410-05:00Petoskey UM and MSU Alumni Groups to Host Joint Crying Towel Before Big Game!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTFqPcYNgCt4Mot6M4qnEvCDZfYcURhzatzt1APQS09RS3cOHAhQwfwtrMmIqNsMC2QKtBi_R8Td-52Z-AjZ9EYa2EaBNXg4cYmprwEn-RJEXZ10G0mEfDazzNQXOMIt-Etdpw08s1ZeK/s1600-h/LTBlogo1.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 117px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlTFqPcYNgCt4Mot6M4qnEvCDZfYcURhzatzt1APQS09RS3cOHAhQwfwtrMmIqNsMC2QKtBi_R8Td-52Z-AjZ9EYa2EaBNXg4cYmprwEn-RJEXZ10G0mEfDazzNQXOMIt-Etdpw08s1ZeK/s320/LTBlogo1.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382443348767679474" /></a><br /><font color=blue>As I have mentioned <a href="http://northernmichiganart.blogspot.com/2009/05/ums-lloyd-carr-to-speak-in-petoskey.html">here</a> before, I am the President of the University of Michigan Little Traverse Bay Spirit Group and occasionally take advantage of this venue to point out significant upcoming events.<br /><br />The annual MICHIGAN v michigan state football battle is rapidly approaching. As the recent WOLVERINE triumph over the leprechauns of notre dame and sparty's recent humiliation at the hands of Central Michigan demonstrate, this is likely to be a very interesting match-up.<br /><br />[Switching to non-partisan mode for a moment. . .]<br /><br /></font>The local alumni of the University of Michigan and Michigan State University <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SrJHKwFvZzI/AAAAAAAAAYg/qcjyqoTBXjg/s1600-h/Knot.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SrJHKwFvZzI/AAAAAAAAAYg/qcjyqoTBXjg/s320/Knot.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382442754694407986" /></a>will gather together jointly for their annual <span style="font-style:italic;">Crying Towel</span> pregame funfest and jousting session at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, September 30, at <a href="http://www.knotjustabar.com/">Knot Just a Bar</a>, in Bay Harbor.<br /> <br />Please join us. Wear your loyalty colors. There will be door prizes, a 50/50 raffle and the opportunity to stand and make pointed observations about the <span style="font-style:italic;">other school</span> and the quality of its football team (and alums).<br /> <br />The cost is just $15 per person for light snacks. Buy your own beverages. Proceeds will go to the respective clubs' scholarship funds, proving that some good may come from just about anything. You do not need to be an alumnus to attend.<br /> <br />Please RSVP by September 23 to: (U-M) Maureen Whitehead, 547-2728 or (MSU) Jeff Wellman, 582-2400.<br /><br />[Switching back to my <font color=blue>True Blue</font> colors. . .]<br /><br /><font color=blue>On game day, Saturday, October 2, loyal MICHIGAN fans will gather <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SrMCHdIRnPI/AAAAAAAAAY4/lOYrcZ-LJMk/s1600-h/Michigania+edcenter2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SrMCHdIRnPI/AAAAAAAAAY4/lOYrcZ-LJMk/s200/Michigania+edcenter2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382648306739551474" /></a>in the Education Center at <a href="http://alumni.umich.edu/get-active/michigania-conference-and-retreat">Camp Michigania</a>, located at the corner of Camp Sherwood and Zenith Heights Roads, to watch the big game together on a big screen TV, enjoy some pizza and cheer on our conquering heroes to victory.<br /><br />Game time is 12:00p.m., so we’ll gather beginning at 11:30a.m. We’ll order out pizza, but BYO Beverage. Follow the signs and balloons to the Ed. Center.<br /><br />The cost is $15 per person, with children 10 & under $10.00. There is no charge for <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6LPO3ANEbX8JO00D_oLLPmOZLAhlS6TG_IrfbpYFkGxCx0d4cEQUbgvDkswPUZyKK99Y6b0OruJZs0Zor6DaTk_gIpa7Rs8qOKsJRdLPMYX7kwvbqID6Sa_zhVQWoejJr2SfPKMc91jj/s1600-h/m+flag.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK6LPO3ANEbX8JO00D_oLLPmOZLAhlS6TG_IrfbpYFkGxCx0d4cEQUbgvDkswPUZyKK99Y6b0OruJZs0Zor6DaTk_gIpa7Rs8qOKsJRdLPMYX7kwvbqID6Sa_zhVQWoejJr2SfPKMc91jj/s200/m+flag.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382648712650221090" /></a>children 5 and under. There will be door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. All proceeds go to the club’s Scholarship Fund.<br /><br />Please RSVP to Glen Williams, 231-582-6858, by September 29, so we can order enough pizza.<br /><br />GO BLUE!</font>Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-37402862290933650292009-09-16T21:58:00.012-05:002009-09-17T12:14:28.725-05:00Artists Market Photographer Luanne Schonfeld Points the Way to the 2010 Vancouver OlympicsNext year the Winter Olympics will take place in Vancouver and <a href="http://www.nmam.us">Northern Michigan Artists Market</a> artist <a href="https://www.nmam.us/artist/133/">Luanne Schonfeld</a> is pointing the way.<br /><br />Luanne just brought a boxfull of her black and white photocards to the Market. One <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SrGyzPy33wI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/HTwiyahU29s/s1600-h/12080.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SrGyzPy33wI/AAAAAAAAAYQ/HTwiyahU29s/s320/12080.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382279623167434498" /></a>of these cards is a black and white film photograph of an <span style="font-style:italic;">inuksuk</span>, shown here. For centuries, the Inuit people of Canada’s Arctic made these piles of rock in human form as guideposts for travelers to show them the way or warn them of danger. In other words, an inuksuk is something like an Inuit version of a lighthouse. Over time, the inukshuk has become a symbol of hope and friendship. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SrGyNuZrEaI/AAAAAAAAAYI/NbrzWkQsZvI/s1600-h/Ilanaaq.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 122px; height: 131px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SrGyNuZrEaI/AAAAAAAAAYI/NbrzWkQsZvI/s320/Ilanaaq.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382278978548208034" /></a>So what does all of this have to do with the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver? The Vancouver Olympics mascot, Ilanaaq, is a symbolic representation of an inuksuk. Ilanaaq was designed by Vancouver artist Elena Rivera MacGregor. It stands for friendship and the welcoming of the world. Luanne hopes her photograph will help connect people here in Northern Michigan with the Vancouver Olympics and the cultural significance and message of friendship and welcome represented by the Olympic mascot and the Inuit inuksuk on which it is based.<br /><br />We agree with Luanne and we thought that for some inspiration you might like to see <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SrG3dOw6BhI/AAAAAAAAAYY/E3Ctlu1kR5s/s1600-h/Inuit+Inukshuk+2.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 108px; height: 124px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SrG3dOw6BhI/AAAAAAAAAYY/E3Ctlu1kR5s/s320/Inuit+Inukshuk+2.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5382284742491768338" /></a>what an actual Inuit inuksuk looks like so here is one of Olympic mascot Ilanaaq's most well known ancestors that stands at Vancouver's English Bay. Speaking of family ties, Ilanaaq has some American cousins as well. Piles of rocks, or cairns, are frequently used as trail markers in the United States, particularly in areas where there are no trees or structures where trail markers can be placed. Locally, some good examples exist in <a href="http://www.wildernessstatepark.net/">Wilderness State Park</a> in the extreme Northwest corner of Michigan's Lower Peninsula.<br /><br />Luanne Schonfeld is a very talented photographer. She takes black and white pictures with real film and develops and prints them in a darkroom the traditional way with chemicals and an enlarger. We are privileged to have a wide selection of her prints and photocards at the Northern Michigan Artists Market.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-76108511260188443202009-09-15T14:25:00.004-05:002009-09-15T14:58:12.083-05:00Artists Market Artist Steve Webster Selected to Create Official Downtown Petoskey Collectable Holiday Ornament<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/Sq_wbDWKzsI/AAAAAAAAAXo/EBUaUubRhs8/s1600-h/Ornament.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/Sq_wbDWKzsI/AAAAAAAAAXo/EBUaUubRhs8/s320/Ornament.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381784427276455618" /></a><br />The Downtown Petoskey Events Committee chose <a href="http://www.nmam.us">Northern Michigan Artists Market</a> artist <a href="https://www.nmam.us/artist/175/">Steve Webster</a> to create and produce the 2009 Stafford’s Downtown Petoskey Holiday Parade collectible holiday ornament. This year's ornament will be an actual Petoskey stone carved into the shape of a tree.<br /><br />For several years, the Committee issued manufactured ornaments. This year for the first time, the Committee decided to select a handmade ornament created by a local artist. Webster is a Northern Michigan artist well known for his Petoskey stone creations. The Committee is delighted and proud to be able to provide a collectible ornament made from Michigan's state stone and our town's own indigenous treasure.<br /><br />The Downtown Petoskey Events Committee presents this year's ornament by Mr. Webster as the first in what it plans to be an annual series of Petoskey stone ornaments cut<br />into holiday shapes. The 2009 tree ornament will be a limited edition and will sell for $15 each. It will be available at the <a href="http://www.nmam.us">Northern Michigan Artists Market</a> and at other participating Downtown Petoskey stores. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/Sq_xlEsee_I/AAAAAAAAAXw/ye3maT0QVOw/s1600-h/staffords+holiday+parade.gif"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 314px; height: 94px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/Sq_xlEsee_I/AAAAAAAAAXw/ye3maT0QVOw/s320/staffords+holiday+parade.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381785698948774898" /></a>The ornament will be issued in connection with the 2009 Stafford’s Downtown Petoskey Holiday Parade, to be held on Saturday, November 28 at 10 am. The ten o’clock hour gives time so that the streets can be reopened and shopping and dining can begin.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-27655822148851355902009-09-15T13:31:00.007-05:002009-09-15T14:12:48.608-05:00IT'S BACK! Win a $1000 Downtown Petoskey Gift Certificate and PARK FREE for a Year.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/Sq_jvnm_5fI/AAAAAAAAAXY/R7JQsXidN3k/s1600-h/treasuredowntownweblogo2.gif"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 247px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/Sq_jvnm_5fI/AAAAAAAAAXY/R7JQsXidN3k/s320/treasuredowntownweblogo2.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381770486956942834" /></a><br />Downtown Petoskey's Fall Treasure Downtown Contest is on. A similar <a href="http://northernmichiganart.blogspot.com/2009/03/downtown-petoskey-announced-today.html">Spring contest</a> was held in March, April and May of this year and was a fantastic success. The fall contest, like the one last spring, promotes the new Downtown Treasure Certificates that shoppers can redeem in stores all over Downtown Petoskey, including the <a href="http://www.nmam.us">Northern Michigan Artists Market</a>.<br /><br />The winner of the contest, which runs from now until December 1, 2009, will receive a $1,000 Downtown Treasure Certificate and a parking pass good all over Downtown Petoskey for one year.<br /><br />To enter, shoppers must accumulate sales receipts totaling $500 from stores in Downtown Petoskey dated September 1, 2009, to December 1, 2009. Entrants place the receipts in special envelopes available at the Chamber of Commerce, 401 E. Mitchell, and the new Petoskey Downtown Office at 216 Park Avenue. Then turn them in at the Chamber office or Downtown office. The winner will be announced at the Holiday Open House. <br /><br />The winner will be announced at the Downtown Petoskey Holiday Open House, December 4, 2009. Entrants need not be present to win. Detailed rules and additional information are available on the <a href="http://www.petoskeydowntown.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=46&Itemid=60">Downtown Petoskey website</a>.<br /><br />The spring contest was a lot of fun and the fall version is shaping up to be even better. Kristy Fralich was the winner of the Spring contest. She is still having fun spending her Treasure Certificates. Kristy is a new mother and used the certificates to buy clothing and toys for her baby as well as other shopping and restaurant dining. She was one of 154 entrants last spring and was very surprised to be notified that she was the lucky winner. Kristy said that she saw the contest as a great incentive to support the local businesses she has grown to love and that getting to the $500 entry amount was not that difficult. Other entrants also reported that just saving their lunch receipts added up quickly or that a couple of dinners out and some occasional shopping and maybe a haircut easily tallied up to $500. Several people collected enough receipts to enter several times.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/Sq_laMJP9kI/AAAAAAAAAXg/JFVEQVa_lLA/s1600-h/11158.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 215px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/Sq_laMJP9kI/AAAAAAAAAXg/JFVEQVa_lLA/s320/11158.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381772317830411842" /></a>You know you are going to be shopping in Downtown Petoskey over the next few months. You will be buying holiday gifts at the <a href="http://www.nmam.us">Northern Michigan Artists Market</a> and eating at the Downtown restaurants. Just hold on to the receipts and you may be parking for free for the next year and spending $1,000 in Treasure Certificates. Enjoy winter in Downtown Petoskey as seen in this painting, <i>Petoskey Impressed #5</I> by local artist <a href="https://www.nmam.us/artist/207/">Doug Flewelling</a>.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-46120526710582215882009-06-12T10:35:00.007-05:002009-06-13T03:51:49.739-05:00Global Warming a Threat to Northern Michigan?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtg4LdOsDyeXImvZxbaKw4vpFyPNZXuvbPo7h_SXXpxe0eHrnpGW2zqAEFxmIqh2AE0pPkL4tkTZVNQktBvjkKnfUUHiOsCAMT3NxzYW9hoFuGqDSVZkRMEY9vh42rfQT5-ax7R2mDA0R/s1600-h/buskxhappyxfeet.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 255px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHtg4LdOsDyeXImvZxbaKw4vpFyPNZXuvbPo7h_SXXpxe0eHrnpGW2zqAEFxmIqh2AE0pPkL4tkTZVNQktBvjkKnfUUHiOsCAMT3NxzYW9hoFuGqDSVZkRMEY9vh42rfQT5-ax7R2mDA0R/s320/buskxhappyxfeet.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346478749708312018" /></a>When we think about the dangers of global warming, images of shrinking icecaps, starving polar bears (or penguins like this one photographed by <a href="https://www.nmam.us/artist/10/">Kris Busk</a>), flooded coastlines and other far away perils most often come to mind. But could the next images from Al Gore's video presentation feature our local landmarks? A recent study indicates that our Northern Michigan lifestyle may be in danger.<br /><br />According to an article in this month's online edition of the University of Michigan publication <a href="http://michigantoday.umich.edu/2009/06/story.php?id=7502&tr=y&auid=4957967">Michigan Today</a>, climate change is driving Michigan mammals farther north. <br /><br />Researchers at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University and Ohio's Miami University, in findings published in the June issue of the journal <span style="font-style:italic;">Global Change Biology</span>, have concluded that some Michigan mammal species are rapidly expanding their ranges northward, apparently in response to climate change. In the process, these historically southern species are replacing their northern counterparts. The researchers analyzed distribution and abundance records of opossums and eight species of <span style="font-weight:bold;">small forest rodents</span>.<br /><br />The <span style="font-style:italic;">Michigan Today</span> article reports that the data shows:<blockquote>Of the nine mammal species examined, four have established strongholds or increased in abundance, while five have declined. The increasing species—white-footed <span style="font-weight:bold;">mice</span>, southern flying squirrels, eastern chipmunks and common opossums—all are southern species, while the declining species—woodland deer mice, southern red-backed voles, northern flying squirrels, woodland jumping mice, and least chipmunks—are all northern species.<br /></blockquote><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SjKCwr7CW9I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/K59TLl56Gdo/s1600-h/11058.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 141px; height: 160px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SjKCwr7CW9I/AAAAAAAAAXQ/K59TLl56Gdo/s320/11058.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346479480577874898" /></a>While many local Northern Michigan residents and disappointed visitors who have come to the area in the last few weeks expecting to put in some quality beach time and return home with tans scoff at any mention of global warming here in the <span style="font-style:italic;">Frozen North</span>, researchers point to some evidence of a warming climate. (Stained glass sun by <a href="https://www.nmam.us/artist/206/">Michael Myers</a>.) <span style="font-style:italic;">Michigan Today</span> reports:<blockquote>The researchers downloaded maximum and minimum daily temperatures from the National Climate Data Center for 16 weather stations in the Upper Peninsula, where changes in the small forest rodent community have been especially pronounced. They then calculated monthly averages for minimum and maximum daily temperatures for each year between 1970 and 2007 for each station and for the region as a whole. Across all 16 sites, average annual minimum daily temperatures increased significantly over the 37-year period.</blockquote><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz0-uONXt2-5KlTZFh5p0rF5kjZAu3f50IYUS1tJjKhuiBix1IYBSdIcNfXIqjGSZXqKDJDK-dv6F-oDSpzwvfaTQxiMPHpJh4dwSBKD7nZNZkTMCffHwu5761cvPVM3bzlWYsEvzoo_L/s1600-h/Mickey.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 119px; height: 130px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLz0-uONXt2-5KlTZFh5p0rF5kjZAu3f50IYUS1tJjKhuiBix1IYBSdIcNfXIqjGSZXqKDJDK-dv6F-oDSpzwvfaTQxiMPHpJh4dwSBKD7nZNZkTMCffHwu5761cvPVM3bzlWYsEvzoo_L/s320/Mickey.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346476360160904674" /></a>I have been giving some thought to the dangers that these results may foretell for our way of life here in Northern Michigan, and in particular for our tourism and resort industry. Lets see. Southern rodents migrating to Northern Michigan. Is it possible . . .Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-47600104026652865862009-06-11T09:39:00.006-05:002009-06-11T12:03:08.604-05:00Celebrate the PastyOne of the best things about Northern Michigan is all of the festivals. Every town with a history or a favorite vegetable, fungus or fish has at least one every year. (And what N Mi berg doesn't have something to brag about?) We occasionally point out some of the more notable of these events <a href="http://northernmichiganart.blogspot.com/2009/03/huzzah-festival-for-petoskey-stone.html">here</a>.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SjE2PLiBa7I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/vmwfPZu-yHk/s1600-h/Pasties.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 127px; height: 90px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SjE2PLiBa7I/AAAAAAAAAWQ/vmwfPZu-yHk/s320/Pasties.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346113867086916530" /></a>This month the historic mining town of Calumet salutes the venerable miner's meal with its annual <a href="http://www.mainstreetcalumet.com/events/pastyfest.htm">PastyFest</a>. The pasty is, of course, one of the indigenous hallmarks of Upper Peninsula life and well deserves this honor.<br /><br />As with all good Northern Michigan festivals, there will be a lot going on at PastyFest. The excitement kicks off Friday night with a community service awards ceremony. Saturday features the Pasty Parade, free horse-drawn wagon tours and a pasty bake-off in the park. There will also be most of the normal Michigan festival standards like vendors, artist, crafters, live music, kids games, food and refreshments of all sorts including the star of the show, pasties. PastyFest will be topped off by a Richie Havens concert in the Calumet Theater.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SjE2y8vei_I/AAAAAAAAAWg/_AvzFc_Kvv4/s1600-h/Calumet+Theater.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SjE2y8vei_I/AAAAAAAAAWg/_AvzFc_Kvv4/s320/Calumet+Theater.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346114481592110066" /></a>Calumet is a great town to visit. It was established in 1875 and is filled with the history of the UP's mining boom days when then town had more money for civic projects than it knew what to do with. While you are there, be sure to see the historic <a href="http://www.calumettheatre.com/">Calumet Theater</a>. The Theatre opened on March 20, 1900 with a touring Broadway production of Reginald DeKoven's The <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeGFOHpW5BtChA4XutITcc81W4gepadeMBG39wKIAmctr9N0oslhy_tqQL30GfPYbBVl2M5ZwXGFur0xzutbjU-iZroUhWgpgeU2GiiX6ktj3O4RABkb-So191Sua_7xuaotT6tA4j3PC/s1600-h/Calumet+Opera+House+and+Village+Hall.jpeg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 150px; height: 113px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeGFOHpW5BtChA4XutITcc81W4gepadeMBG39wKIAmctr9N0oslhy_tqQL30GfPYbBVl2M5ZwXGFur0xzutbjU-iZroUhWgpgeU2GiiX6ktj3O4RABkb-So191Sua_7xuaotT6tA4j3PC/s320/Calumet+Opera+House+and+Village+Hall.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346114136313813090" /></a>Highwaymen. All the great stars of the era performed there including Madame Helena Modjeska, Lillian Russell, John Phillip Sousa, Sarah Bernhardt, Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., Lon Chaney, Sr., Jason Robards, Sr., James O'Neill, William S. Hart, Frank Morgan, Wallace and Noah Beery, and Madame Schumann-Heink, to name a few. Also don't miss the <a href="http://www.uppermichigan.com/coppertown/">Coppertown USA Mining Museum</a> and the <span style="font-weight:bold;">U.P. Fire Fighters Memorial Museum</span>.<br /><br />Take this opportunity to travel through the Upper Peninsula and celebrate the UP's famous and humble pie by relishing in its history and eating as many pasties as you can.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SjE3csdXniI/AAAAAAAAAWo/HSNq6rCSsBE/s1600-h/Calumet+Location.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 124px; height: 78px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SjE3csdXniI/AAAAAAAAAWo/HSNq6rCSsBE/s320/Calumet+Location.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5346115198775696930" /></a><span style="font-weight:bold;">TRAVEL TIP</span>: If you are going to Calumet for PastyFest, leave soon. Calumet is a long way from wherever you are and the festival takes place on June 26-27.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-47836906904405051452009-06-10T11:25:00.004-05:002009-06-10T11:52:47.747-05:00Karen Kubovchick Painting on Cover of the Dining GuideWe love to brag here when one of our fine Artists Market artists receives an honor or some press coverage. Watercolorist Karen Kubovchick just scored big in both of those categories. One of her watercolors was chosen for the cover of the Summer 2009 edition of the <span style="font-weight:bold;">Northern Michigan Dining Guide<span style="font-style:italic;"></span></span>.<br /><br />The watercolor is a beautiful still life of fruits and flowers. You can pick up a copy of the Dining Guide for free all over Northern Michigan. It was just released and is available now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuK8lFaWJKmAjyr0jcodpMGBWIT8veg7Q_YojmFPAerWOICxuSCZNXLhUHXXxdPfX81bF_J6Dv3mukvvYiuj1WsFK6TwEk4YruN0LA7C-k3bvLXtj6k0McRNFt4Jo9TTm4MA8e3Dk-dMZV/s1600-h/10084.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 228px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuK8lFaWJKmAjyr0jcodpMGBWIT8veg7Q_YojmFPAerWOICxuSCZNXLhUHXXxdPfX81bF_J6Dv3mukvvYiuj1WsFK6TwEk4YruN0LA7C-k3bvLXtj6k0McRNFt4Jo9TTm4MA8e3Dk-dMZV/s320/10084.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5345742070905494722" /></a>Here is another example of Karen's watercolors, <span style="font-style:italic;">River Bridge</span>, showing the Bear River and the US 31 Bridge in Petoskey. See much more of Karen's work at the Northern Michigan Artists Market in Downtown Petoskey or <a href="https://www.nmam.us/artist/67/">online</a>.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-23552976771659629222009-05-31T14:35:00.005-05:002009-05-31T21:10:43.562-05:00Tom Jacobson Featured in The Graphic<a href="http://www.nmam.us">Northern Michigan Artists Market</a> wood turner <a href="https://www.nmam.us/artist/205/">Tom Jacobson</a> was featured in the May 28th issue of <a href="http://www.thegraphicweekly.com/"><span style="font-style:italic;">The Graphic</span></a>, the local Petoskey weekly.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SiM3hnTScZI/AAAAAAAAAV4/09vqyw3_TUs/s1600-h/10919.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 218px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SiM3hnTScZI/AAAAAAAAAV4/09vqyw3_TUs/s320/10919.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342174633616634258" /></a>In the interview, Tom explains how he creates his beautiful turned wood pieces including burl bowls, sculptural pieces like this vase of tulips, wooden pens and pencils and pierced wood marvels. The article includes a photo of Tom hard at work at his craft and shots of many of his excellent creations.<br /><br />You can read the article <a href="http://www.thegraphicweekly.com/artscene/artscene20090528.html">online</a> or pick up <span style="font-style:italic;">The Graphic<span style="font-weight:bold;"></span></span> at locations all over Petoskey and the surrounding area. Of course the best thing to do is to come in to the Artists Market and see many of Tom's works in person, touch them and, if you wish, buy one to take home or for a gift.<br /><br />Thanks and kudos to The Graphic's Maggie Peterson for another revealing article about a local Northern Michigan artist. By the way, Maggie says Tom does not <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SiM4JtDANSI/AAAAAAAAAWA/k6e43V781xw/s1600-h/10921.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 287px; height: 246px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_E-wx4r7Nk8E/SiM4JtDANSI/AAAAAAAAAWA/k6e43V781xw/s320/10921.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342175322353710370" /></a>consider himself an artist and feels more comfortable being described as a wood turner. He certainly is an outstanding wood turner but visit us and judge for yourself whether he is also an artist.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2940206935457682312.post-48746948148894920822009-05-23T21:54:00.005-05:002009-05-23T22:16:17.309-05:00Work Begun on Petoskey Breakwall<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xNv6KCJ6ytcAaJUHMxVn43rosV_dFAcYSzoPObpCd34k9oT-Ad9sUJ6XSatrIAEvWwUBha9-m5I-3EmNYQhYqWLxTixF1rdc8OTgg7uUyaG4BezKp9jNZIfJA-5L9oS8mcsysaXGeYEa/s1600-h/breakwall.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 235px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9xNv6KCJ6ytcAaJUHMxVn43rosV_dFAcYSzoPObpCd34k9oT-Ad9sUJ6XSatrIAEvWwUBha9-m5I-3EmNYQhYqWLxTixF1rdc8OTgg7uUyaG4BezKp9jNZIfJA-5L9oS8mcsysaXGeYEa/s320/breakwall.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5339223410539934354" /></a>As we reported <a href="http://northernmichiganart.blogspot.com/2009/04/update-for-wayward-friends-of-northern.html">here</a> a couple of months ago, The Army Corps of Engineers is going to repair Petoskey's damaged breakwall this spring and summer. <br /><br />Well, work has begun. The work barges are in place in the Petoskey harbor and the damage done by the ice storm a couple of years ago and by years of wear and tear is about to be fixed.<br /><br />The Corp of Engineers will conduct Phase One of reconstruction this spring. The 300-foot outer section of the wall from the lighthouse in to the end of the damaged portion will be replaced first. Construction is expected to last the rest of the year.<br /><br />You may remember a couple of summers ago when the breakwall looked as it does in this pastel by Artist Market artist <a href="https://www.nmam.us/artist/62/">Jan Vandenbrink</a>. The gap was temporarily filled in later that year.Marty Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03958400592788140616noreply@blogger.com0