Free Fishing Weekend June 10-11

Michigan is showing off its wonderful fishing opportunities this weekend with the annual Free Fishing Weekend. June 10 & 11 are the two days that fishing license fees will be waived. What a great way to introduce your kids to fishing. You shouldn't have far to drive for a fishing spot and if you borrow fishing gear from someone you won't even be out much money. The time invested with your kids is priceless. Remember, give a kid a fish and he will probably chase his sister with it for a day. Teach a kid to fish and he will enjoy a summer of chasing his sister with a dead fish.

Check it out at the Michigan DNR's website.

Free Energy Workshops Offered

Today, May 22, the Ottawa County Community Action Agency will be holding an energy workshop at the Michigan Works! Service Center from 6-8:30pm. Another energy workshop will be held on Wednesday, May 27, in Holland in the main conference room of the Ottawa County Public Health Building from 2-4:30pm. The workshops will help you save money on your energy bills, conserve energy, and educate attendees on pollution. Lessons in weatherproofing your home will include - weather stripping installation and plastic window coverings. Many more practical tips will be presented to help residents save money by conserving energy through various means.

If you are interested call Carrie at 616-494-8842 to register for this free workshop.

National Cherry Festival is July 1-8

The 80th National Cherry Festival takes place this year July 1-8. Traverse City will be bustling with all kinds of cherry-themed items and thousands of visitors. The festival's mission statement is, "to promote cherries, tourism and community." They definitely do that. 9,000 pancakes will be served up for breakfast on the 4th of July (with cherries on top, of course). On July 1-2 the Blue Angels will be showing off their aerodynamic skills over the waters of West Grand Traverse Bay. The National Cherry Festival will close with the Cherry Royale Parade on July 8.

For more details and information check out the National Cherry Festival website. For information on other fun things to do in the Traverse City area head over to the Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau website.

Traverse City also has a new Frontier League baseball team - the Traverse City Beach Bums that will be playing a handful of home games during the weeklong National Cherry Festival. From the photos on the team website it appears that they have a really unique stadium. The main stands look like a beach resort. What a neat atmosphere for baseball.

National Cherry Festival article in the Traverse City Record Eagle.

Become an Outdoors-Woman

The annual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program will be held June 2-4 in Big Bay (just north of Marquette). The Michigan DNR is sponsoring this event at Bay Cliff Health Camp. Over two dozen types of activities will help women learn and further enhance their outdoor skills. A small sampling of the classes shows - rock climbing, kayaking, hiking, fishing, and much more. Registration is $155 (includes lodging, meals, and equipment) and more information can be found through www.michigan.gov/dnr.

Don't Forget to Adjust Your Clocks

Yes, it is time once again to wake up to darkness and have an extra hour of light in the evening. You will need to set your clocks forward an hour before you go to bed Saturday night unless you want to stay up and change them at 2a.m. when the time change officially takes place. Just when it was getting nice and light out at 6 a.m. - rats! Remember that next year the time change will begin the second Sunday in March and end the first Sunday in November. This is due to the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which is supposed to help us save energy. I don't see how this is true since you will just have to have your lights on longer in the morning and less in the evening. Oh well, trying to make sense of it makes my head hurt too much on a Friday afternoon.

On Tap for the Weekend - 3/24-3/26

Here are some select events taking place this weekend. There are many things happening around Michigan and these are just a few. Have a great weekend! Listening to the Past - Michigan Historical Museum Hear fun stories from the past from people who were there, learn games from the past and play with the toys that were used 150 years ago, try foods from the past and tour the museum. $5 per child, no charge for chaperons. Hours 10am - 3pm. Phone (517) 241-4060.

Native Americans on the Great Lakes Day - Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven Explore Native American traditions through song, dance, and stories. Free to the public. Boat Shed and Museum campus from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Family program. No admission. For more information, call (800) 747-3810.

Annual Ann Arbor Pow Wow - Crisler Arena, Ann Arbor A Native American celebration of spring featuring dancers, drum groups and food and craft vendors. 10,000 spectators from all over the US and Canada. All are welcome. Phone for more detail (734) 647-6999

Kalamazoo Antique Show - Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds A great collection of true antiques will be on display on March 25-26, 2006 with dealers from all over Indiana, Ohio, Illinois and Michigan selling their prize items. Show hours are from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday and 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday. For more details, Please call (517) 784-4608.

Klondike Canoe Race - Oscoda Hardy paddlers set out in the kickoff race of the Michigan Canoe Racing Association season on March 25-26, 2006. Call (989) 739-9231 for more details.