Northern Information Sights

Sight Of The Day

2011-10-05T11:52:00.048-04:00

No Ice Zone

Upcoming Events:

Relay for Life Kickoff Party for Iosco County is scheduled for March 25 at the Tawas United Methodist Church Gym at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Heidi Varner at 800-728-2323 or our event chair, Kim Blust at 362-6555

Contest results revisited

2010-11-24T10:35:00.000-05:00

By JERRY NUNN

Editor

It could be a contest operator’s worst nightmare – inconsistencies in voting that leave the final poll results in doubt. Perhaps the only thing that could possibly be worse is to discover the discrepant results after the winner was announced.

That’s exactly what occurred with the adult category of Info Northeast’s Waters of Northeast Michigan amateur photography contest.

By all appearances, the spoiled results would have made no difference in the poll’s outcome. The wide spread between votes that the contest’s top contenders garnered appears to be too great.

But we cannot state that claim with unwavering certainty. So, in the interest of fairness, Info Northeast will award prizes – a $15 gift card to G’s Pizza – to all entrants who received more than one vote.

We apologize for this unfortunate error, realize it reflects poorly on us and wish to assure readers and contest entrants that this incident will not reoccur.

Hunter's holiday

2010-10-05T17:36:00.002-04:00

Hard telling if changes to Michigan’s deer hunting regulations will play a role in this year’s white tailed deer harvest.

By JERRY NUNN

As hunters head to Michigan's wooldlands and farm fields, what can they expect to find in the way of white tailed deer? Depends on who you talk to.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources estimates Northeast Michigan’s deer herd to be comparable in size to the past several years. But Northeast Michigan meat packers and sporting goods stores are giving mixed reviews based on this year’s bow season.

“So far, from what we’ve found the deer kill has been down,” said Bob Sharrard, a meat cutter at Narski’s in Alger. “Between the lack of hunters, the no-baiting issue and the crappy weather we’ve had on the weekends we haven’t had as many deer as last year.”

From what Sharrard says, the reduced numbers of deer brought into the store just norht of I-75 is probably not indicative of a smaller herd.

“Guys are getting photos on their trail cams, so the deer are out there,” Sharrard said. “There is goood nighttime activity, the hunters just aren’t seeing them while they’re in the woods.”

Hunters in Iosco County are taking a larger number of bigger deer, according to Bob Alward, of Alward’s Market in Hale.

“We’ve had a lot of nice bucks brought in,” Alward said, noting hunters there also report deer moving at odd hours. “A lot of guys are seeing them move in the middle of the day.”

Gary Poole, of Poole’s Meat Packing in Standish said this year’s Arenac County deer harvest is running comparable to last year, which he figured was a little higher than the year before.

As always hunters will find local variations. Perhaps that uncommon behavior is greater in some areas.

“Its been up and down, different reports depending on where you’re at,” said Dave Parker, of the Houghton Lake sporting goods store, Lyman’s on the Lake. “You have a few people saying they’re seeing a lot of deer and others saying they’re not seeing any at all.”

And while Parker agrees with others, that deer movement is not as it used to be, hunters in Roscommon County may find a difference in the size of deer as well.

“They’re really goofy moving, they’re seeing deer all times of the day,” Parker said. “But we’ve had some big deer on the buck pole out here, some really big deer. We’re seeing some real nice bucks coming in this year, so that’s good.”

Be sure to check out our hunting resources page for seasonal information and other links

“Cabaret” comes to the Shoreline Theater

2010-10-04T19:49:00.000-04:00

Press release

OSCODA - Shoreline Players are proud to announce their fall musical, the Tony Award-winning play, “Cabaret.”

Set in 1931 Germany, “Cabaret” is the story of American writer, Cliff Bradshaw, played by Ray Skiver, who arrives in Berlin and becomes involved with a marvelous group of characters. Bradshaw’s landlady, Fraulein Schneider, played by Sue Schmitz, fellow boarders, Fraulein Kost, (Maggie Martella-Waldruff) and Herr Schultz, (Tom O’Malley) keep the action going at the boarding house.

But Bradshaw soon becomes a regular at the somewhat seedy Kit Kat Club, where he meets the lovely Sally Bowles, (June Wygant) and of course falls in love with her. The club Emcee, played by Jason Franks, keeps things moving as Bradshaw meets the Kit Kat Girls and Boys, Marissa Cosek, Patricia Idema, Erica Tatum, Tiffany Tudor, Fran Whitney, and Susie Nolff. Everyone is having a wonderful time, oblivious to the creeping influence of the Nazi regime until Ernst, ( David Ryan) slowly introduces the threat that hangs over them all and brings a chill to the show’s close.

The winner of a dozen Tony Awards, “Cabaret” is brought to stage by many of the same production team that brought you Chicago in 2005. Suzan Witt is Stage Director with Jim Sapp serving as Musical Director. Mark Lee and Sandy Schorfhaar are Co-producers and Andre DeWilde is Stage Manager.

Musical genius provides a fine accompaniment to the show and is worth the price of admission itself. The musicians are: Sharon Huitema, Mona Friske, Joe Czaika, Mary Jo Schaum, Rich Cranston, Jan Cortright, Jim DiLoreto, Mary Henry, David Bence, Penny LeClair, Margery MacMurray, John Thomas, JoAnn Noffsinger, Pam Crumley, Jake Huitema, under the direction of Jim Sapp.

The musical will run for two consecutive weekends beginning Friday, Oct. 30, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Shoreline Theater is located on Skeel Avenue, on the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Admission for this show is $12. For more information call (989) 739-3586 or click to visit the website at shorelineplayers.org.

Reservations to “Cabaret” are highly recommended. Please be advised that “Cabaret” contains adult themes and may not be suitable for children.

Upcoming Events: Hartwick Pines State Park and Logging Museum

2010-10-04T12:59:00.000-04:00

Snowshoe Lacing Workshop at Hartwick Pines

Press Release:
Winter is fast approaching and it is time once again to think about winter recreation such as snowshoeing. Hartwick Pines State Park near Grayling will be hosting three snowshoe lacing workshops on November 22nd and 23rd, December 12th and 13th and January 30th and 31st.

This is your chance to lace your own pair of snowshoes to be used during Michigan’s winter months. We will be holding three 2-day workshops this winter.

The first workshop will be on Saturday and Sunday, November 22nd and 23rd, with a registration deadline of November 7. All three workshops will be held at the Michigan Forest Visitor Center at Hartwick Pines.

This is your chance to build your own pair of wood framed snowshoes. Snowshoe styles available will be the Huron Snowshoe (46 inches long by 12 inches wide, has a tail on it) and the Green Mountain Bearpaw (36 inches long by 10 inches wide, with no tail).

While building your shoes, you will learn about the history of snowshoes, their use and why they are a popular pastime in Michigan. Also provided are detailed instructions to finish your shoes if they are not completed at the class.

The workshops are very informal: wear comfortable clothes and bring along a sack lunch. The park will provide a variety of hot beverages.

Because of limited space, reservations are required for all classes. Reservation deadline for the November workshop is November 7, the December workshop has a November 30 deadline and the January workshop is January 16. Please call the Michigan Forest Visitor Center as soon as possible.

Total cost is $160.00.
A $25 deposit is required to secure your spot, and the remaining due at the workshop.

For additional information and to have a registration packet sent to you, please call (989) 348-2537 or email burgr@michigan.gov.

There will be several other programs offered at Hartwick Pines this winter.

These include Cross Country Skiing by Lantern Light on January 2, 16, 30 and February 13 and 27 and guided snowshoe hikes on January 23, February 6 and 20.

We will also be hosting a “Winter Trails Day” Snowshoe exposition and program on Saturday, January 9 from 10am-3pm.

If you are new to snowshoeing, come out and tryout a variety of snowshoes and go along on guided snowshoe hikes and attend a number of winter nature programs.

We will also be presenting a Winter Lecture Series of historical topics on four Sunday afternoons, December 7, January 17, February 14, and March 7.

For more information, please call (989) 348-2537 or visit us on the internet at www.michigan.gov/hartwickpines and www.michigan.gov/loggingmuseum

Christmas Photo Contest Entries

2009-12-15T01:15:00.009-05:00

Adult Category Entries

Peace

Under 18 Category Entries

Santa Pooch

Glowing Globe

Frozen Fauna

The Indoor Snowman

Shanty Man

2009-12-10T00:22:00.003-05:00

Click to Enlarge

At The Movies

2009-11-24T11:34:00.009-05:00

Showcasing trailers and upcoming titles at your local theatre.

Tawas Family Theatre

NEW MOON

Show times through December 11

4p.m. 7p.m. & 9:15p.m.

Doors open at 2:30p.m.

Disney's Old Dogs is also showing at East Tawas theater. Scroll down to view the trailer.

West Branch Cinema 3
Now Showing:

Old Dogs

New Moon

Planet 51

Pines Theatre Houghton Lake

Old Dogs

Show Times:

7:00 PM Only

Coming December 18:

The Princess And The Frog

Roscommon Cinema

Couples Retreat

Coming Soon:

2012

Also Comming soon in Roscommon:

New Moon

The Princess And The Frog

The Gem Theatre Beaverton
Now showing:
Old Dogs
Princess and The Frog

Show Times:
Friday at 7:00 and 9:00 pm
Saturday at 7:00 and 9:00 pm
Sunday at 3:00 and 7:00 pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 7:00 pm
Monday - Closed for special events

Hale Yes Winterfest 2010

2009-11-23T17:33:00.000-05:00

Photography

2009-11-19T22:39:00.001-05:00

I thought I would offer a free service. Yes, that's how nice I am. Send me your pictures and I'll enhance and fix them for you.

Below is an example of a picture I took in Cadillac MI. Below that is the cleaned-up version.

Click To Enlarge

If you'll notice, the color is obviously better. Also, the shadows are better defined, the detail much sharper and I reduced the noise quite a bit. Subtle changes and adjustmens like these will enhance your images.

Now I can't work miracles but whatever you send me will look better when you get them back.

You can contact me here

A Different View

2009-11-15T14:42:00.000-05:00

Reviews

2009-11-05T00:47:00.002-05:00

“Tweet”ily Dee or “Tweet”ily Dumb?

By BARB CASPER

Bay Imaging and Technology Services

Being on a computer all day, I try to be vigilant and keep my personal life secure and tucked neatly away from prying eyes on the “Net.”

I must admit I haven’t used MySpace or Facebook or the more recent media sensation, Twitter. My attitude towards all of these products has been rather dismissive.

But when the staff at Info Northeast invited me to do a tech column, I felt I needed to hop on the bandwagon and do some research. I decided to start with Twitter and wade through the hype that surrounds this newest method of staying in touch.

So what is Twitter? The owners of Twitter suggests that it is a way to communicate with others by providing quick and frequent answers to the simple question: “What are you doing?” Twitter is a social networking service that allows users to send and receive user updates. These updates are known as ‘tweets’ and have a maximum length of 140 characters making Twitter a micro-blogging service.

MY TWITTER REVIEW

The GOOD, using Twitter as a social tool:

If you follow people who are credible and insightful, it’s a great way to discover new resources.
It’s a quick and easy way to stay on top of information using a network of people who share your interests.
Short on time? Even at your busiest, it’s easy to tweet up to 140 characters.
People listen if you have something valuable to say.

The GOOD, using Twitter as a business tool:

Businesses are using Twitter as a productivity tool. It can be used to create a digital to-do list, post self-reminders or quickly let your co-workers know where you are and what you are doing.
Businesses are using Twitters as a marketing tool. The service can help build your brand by getting your name out there.
Due to its ability to ‘tweet’ quick messages, a business can update customers about new products, specials and services. For example, a video store owner could send a message about the latest video release or a restaurant could tweet about their daily special.

There are a significant number of third-party applications that enhance the use of Twitter. One of the apps that I found most useful was TrendsMap.com. Here users can do a map search to see what people are talking about based on their location. This is an excellent tool to weed out emerging trends and see the ‘tweets’ in your local area.

Unfortunately, as with most things high-tech, you also find...

The BAD and the UGLY.

Be aware there is a significant amount of mundane rhetoric on Twitter. For example:

“Need to finish waking up and have some breakfast... then it is on to studying for midterms. Yipee”

“Just finished my sausage burrito…MMM”

“At work….super bored…the day has just started.”

“Just tried to upload a photo. Can’t! Twitter is over capacity again.”

If Twitter users don’t have anything to say, then should not say anything. Tweeps need to begin to be courteous of others and sign up for a private account so only their friends have to put up with mindless tweeting. As with any other social networking tool on the market, if you want to keep things private than it is best to sign up for a private account where your tweets are seen only by those you invite to follow you.

Lastly, following Twitter conversations is not for the faint of heart as there is a significant amount of cursing and swearing in the tweeting.

Moments after signing up for a business account, which I made public so others could follow my business happenings, I had two followers that were tweeting about sex-related topics. I had to block both users from following me. Of course, I could have signed up for a private account but business users who want to market their business using Twitter need to make their account public. I recommend that businesses with public accounts should be wary and at least check their account regularly for unscrupulous followers.

In summary, if you are thinking about jumping into the Twitter foray (and who isn't these days?) it's best not to do so blindly. While Twitter has its downfalls, on the positive side, Twitter does have a big advantage by allowing users to build relationships and follow emerging trends.

– Barb Casper, owner of Bay Imaging and Technology Services, is a freelance graphic and web designer. This tech column is geared towards keeping you, the reader, up to date on the latest tech products, gadgets, services and ideas while presenting the information in plain English.

2009-11-05T00:01:00.014-05:00

Have any digital artwork you would like to share and show?

This is the page to do it.

If you have any previously published or even unpublished works you would like to share, please contact me

For now, my contributions will be limited to some free jpegs.

If you contact me I will provide you with the PSD File.

Also, I'll consider any requests you might have. Just drop me a line and explain or show me an example of what you may need.

Since it is the season:

Artists & Galleries

2009-10-30T13:27:00.002-04:00

Featured:

Tawas Bay Arts Council & Gallery

207 Newman Street

East Tawas, MI

(989)362-5613

Local Artists Co-Op Gallery features watercolors, oils, acrylic, pastel, drawings, photography, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, graphics, fiber art, and more executed by over 35 area artisans.

Open Daily 11a.m.-4p.m.

The Artists Of Tawas Bay:

FishStix Arts

115 Newman Street

East Tawas MI

(989)362-1824

Inn2Art

403 East Bay Street

East Tawas MI

(989)820-7850

Tracy Raymaley

306 West Licoln Street

East Tawas MI

(989)362-5616

Sewing Design Studio

211 Newman Street

East Tawas MI

(989)362-5057

Huron Shoreline Art Show

at St. Joseph Health System

M55

Tawas City MI

(989)362-0159

Mrs. B'zzz Celestial Cottage

2231 East US23

East Tawas MI

(989)305-6212

Summer Field Pottery

1252 Plank Road

Tawas City MI

(989)362-2523

River Turnings

800 South Rempert Road

Tawas City MI

(989)362-0038

Bellissima

1315 M-55

Tawas City MI

(989)362-6993

2009-10-23T19:06:00.001-04:00

Theatre Groups

“Cabaret” comes to the Shoreline Theater

Press release

OSCODA - Shoreline Players are proud to announce their fall musical, the Tony Award-winning play, “Cabaret.”

Set in 1931 Germany, “Cabaret” is the story of American writer, Cliff Bradshaw, played by Ray Skiver, who arrives in Berlin and becomes involved with a marvelous group of characters. Bradshaw’s landlady, Fraulein Schneider, played by Sue Schmitz, fellow boarders, Fraulein Kost, (Maggie Martella-Waldruff) and Herr Schultz, (Tom O’Malley) keep the action going at the boarding house.

But Bradshaw soon becomes a regular at the somewhat seedy Kit Kat Club, where he meets the lovely Sally Bowles, (June Wygant) and of course falls in love with her. The club Emcee, played by Jason Franks, keeps things moving as Bradshaw meets the Kit Kat Girls and Boys, Marissa Cosek, Patricia Idema, Erica Tatum, Tiffany Tudor, Fran Whitney, and Susie Nolff. Everyone is having a wonderful time, oblivious to the creeping influence of the Nazi regime until Ernst, ( David Ryan) slowly introduces the threat that hangs over them all and brings a chill to the show’s close.

The winner of a dozen Tony Awards, “Cabaret” is brought to stage by many of the same production team that brought you Chicago in 2005. Suzan Witt is Stage Director with Jim Sapp serving as Musical Director. Mark Lee and Sandy Schorfhaar are Co-producers and Andre DeWilde is Stage Manager.

Musical genius provides a fine accompaniment to the show and is worth the price of admission itself. The musicians are: Sharon Huitema, Mona Friske, Joe Czaika, Mary Jo Schaum, Rich Cranston, Jan Cortright, Jim DiLoreto, Mary Henry, David Bence, Penny LeClair, Margery MacMurray, John Thomas, JoAnn Noffsinger, Pam Crumley, Jake Huitema, under the direction of Jim Sapp.

The musical will run for two consecutive weekends beginning Friday, Oct. 30, with Friday and Saturday performances at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Shoreline Theater is located on Skeel Avenue, on the former Wurtsmith Air Force Base. Admission for this show is $12. For more information call (989) 739-3586 or click to visit the website at shorelineplayers.org.

Reservations to “Cabaret” are highly recommended. Please be advised that “Cabaret” contains adult themes and may not be suitable for children.

Northeast Education News

2009-10-22T13:10:00.000-04:00

KCC celebrates new campus

Compliments of Kirtland's student publication, 'The Zine'

By Katelyn Durst

Kirtland Community College has begun with the opening of a new location in West Branch earlier this fall. And, now, college officials are looking to show it off during several upcoming events at the site, located adjacent to Ogemaw Heights High School on M-33.

For some Ogemaw County students, the new campus is a dream come true – the creation of a place where students can go to learn surgical technology that’s more accessible and closer to home.

The new site, located in the former West Branch-Rose City Schools board office, already has nearly a dozen students walking up and down its hall.

Jose Colunga, who has 35-plus years of experience in the field of surgical technology, is overseeing Kirtland’s new surgical technology program and is its one full-time faculty member. Colunga started his career in 1972 as a surgical technologist and instructor for the U.S. Air Force, including teaching in areas of surgery, combat casualty care and military studies. Since May 2008, he’s worked at Mercy Hospital in Grayling.

“It is my desire to not only establish this program, but to set a new standard for all programs of this type to emulate,” Colunga said. “I love the challenge almost as much as I love to teach.”

So far, the West Branch campus has a simulated operating room and general classroom space, as well as offices. The new location even has a computer lab, which any KCC student can use with a valid student I.D.

“I am so excited for this program,” said Cara Etcher of Gaylord. “I started something like this a while ago, but I was so happy when I heard about it opening here in West Branch.”

The new campus and program hold great potential for KCC students, as well as the future of the college.

Jose Colunga, Kirtland’s new surgical technology instructor, talks to a perspective student at the new campus, located next to Ogemaw Heights High School in West Branch. Colunga began his instructor's career in the U.S. Air Force.

“All of our students in the surgical technology program have the option to graduate in a year,” said Dr. Tom Quinn, president of KCC. “Not only that, we can practically guarantee them employment because of the current need for surgical technicians. We don’t know how fast this will grow, but it could happen very fast.”

In fact, officials said this winter semester the West Branch office will open its doors to all students, as the college starts to provide developmental and prerequisite classes. Five classes will be offered and any Kirtland student may enroll.

If the new campus proves to be a big hit with students, other programs and classes may be added in the future.

And, to show off the new site, college officials are opening the doors for a trio of upcoming events to give people a chance to tour the building. The first is an open house from 3 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 21. The college and West Branch Area Chamber of Commerce will next host a “Business After Hours” event from 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22.

“We are very excited about having the West Branch site up and running, which we believe will benefit both our students and the community,” said Dennis Mansfield, director of public relations at KCC. “Now, we have the chance to show off both the remodeled building and our new surgical technology program with these events.”

The third event is set for Thursday, Nov. 19, when the Kirtland Community College Board of Trustees will hold its regular monthly meeting at the site. The meeting is slated to begin at 7 p.m.

Annually, about 3,200 students attend a variety of certificate and two-year degree programs at Kirtland’s three locations – near Roscommon, and the Michigan Technical Education Center (M-TEC) in Gaylord and in West Branch – with the college’s service area including all or parts of Crawford, Oscoda, Ogemaw, Roscommon, Otsego, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Gladwin and Alcona counties, and the surrounding areas.

For more information on Kirtland, persons visit online at www.kirtland.edu or call 989-275-5000, extension 284.

– Katelyn Durst of West Branch is a staff writer for the Kirtland Zine, Kirtland Community College’s student magazine.

Northeast Educational Institutions

2009-10-22T13:02:00.000-04:00

Kirtland Community College

Northeast ORV

2009-10-21T12:15:00.002-04:00

Area Accommodation - Crawford, Iosco, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Roscommon

Detailed maps of Northeast ORV Trails by county courtosy of:

Crawford

Iosco

Ogemaw

Oscoda

Roscommon

Random Coolness

2009-10-20T00:40:00.003-04:00

Mutating Matter

Find out here

I take it there were no UFOs that day

Gadgets & Gizmos

2009-10-16T10:37:00.002-04:00

Area Events

2009-10-15T20:32:00.003-04:00

Paul Bunyan Festival - Oscoda 2009
Click above for more

Appldore Visits East Tawas - September 2009
Click above for more

Blues By The Bay - East Tawas 2009
Click above for more

Creative Arts

2009-10-15T20:27:00.000-04:00

Celebration of Fine Art!

Kirtland Community College instructor Justin La Doux is named feature artist for Roscommon's upcoming “Celebration of Fine Art!” Oct. 23-25

By Hilary Salvas

Special to Info Northeast

ROSCOMMON – Kirtland Community College faculty member Justin La Doux, who was recently selected to compete for the world's largest art prize in Grand Rapids earlier this month, will be the featured artist at the first-ever “Celebration of Fine Art!” in Roscommon on Friday through Sunday, Oct. 23-25.

Justin La Doux, 27, Kirtland instructor, will be the featured artist at the first-ever “Celebration of Fine Art!” in Roscommon on Friday through Sunday, Oct. 23-25. Above, La Doux stands next to his LION, which he entered in the first-ever ArtPrize International competition in Grand Rapids. Made of scrap metal and standing six-feet high, the LION was assembled using a mig and arch welder.

Kirtland officials, with assistance from organizations including the Pen & Palette Group in Higgins Lake, invited area artisans to display their creative efforts at the fine arts exhibition that will take place at two venues – the AuSable River Center and the Roscommon County Annex, both located in the Village of Roscommon – this weekend.

The three-day event during the fall color change will actually consist of two parts, with a small works exhibition at the AuSable River Center on North Main Street and a fine arts show for larger and more distinctive pieces at the Roscommon County Annex on South Fourth Street, adjacent to the CRAF Center.

La Doux, a part-time instructor at KCC, was selected as the featured artist for the first-ever fine arts event. La Doux recently entered one of his pieces for a $250,000 art prize. His original art work, LION, was chosen from more than 1,700 applicants to be a participant in the first-ever ArtPrize International competition.

The competition is described as “unprecedented” in the ArtPrize media kit because the public decides who wins by registering at the event during a two-week period. All the exhibits occupied hundreds of venues within a three-square-mile area in the Grand Rapids downtown riverfront district.

La Doux, 27, was made aware of the international art competition by Scott Rice, an art instructor at Kirtland. Although La Doux is skilled in many different art forms, he decided to make his entry with a relatively new medium to him – welding, using all recycled materials.

The difficult part was deciding what exactly he wanted to create. La Doux and Rice tossed around the idea of a moose or a dragon. La Doux even crafted a sculpture of a Great Blue Heron. He felt, however, that his heron, while impressive, was not of sufficient size and complexity to compete for the top prize.

That’s when LION was born.

La Doux’s LION is, to put it mildly, stunning in design, structure and stature. Made of various pieces of scrap metal and assembled using a mig and arch welder, the LION stands six-feet high, about three-feet wide and eight-feet long.

But the size of La Doux’s work is not its most remarkable feature. Rather, it is the seemingly endless layers, of what some would call junk or tools, and textural differences that could keep a viewer inspecting and appreciating LION for hours on end.

Where you think there will be hollow space upon closer inspection, you find muscles made from car parts, saw blades, and farm equipment. Where at first you simply see a sharp-toothed roaring jaw, you realize his jaw is formed from a cheese grater and what appears to be some type of Victorian looking grating.

La Doux estimates the creation of LION took about 100 hours to complete. And he hopes the layering will provide the visual eye candy to keep voters talking and thinking about his entry. He also hopes to bring attention to recycling in ways many people hadn’t considered.

The KCC instructor and paraprofessional is a big recycling fan. La Doux once found an old muffler along side the road and turned it into an alligator. He finds his materials not only discarded on roads but also at Goodwill, St. Vincent DePaul’s and the Salvation Army. LION’s back bone was partially structured from an antique scale from his grandparent’s farm.

“I feel that this sculpture is a good way to help people think in a more positive way on how we can make a difference,” La Doux said in his work statement for LION. “The biggest benefit for me with using recycled items in my art is that most of the items are cheap, free and will not end up in a landfill.”

While La Doux’s creative efforts have made him the featured artist at the upcoming Celebration of Fine Art, organizers are sure that those attending the three-day event will find many other pieces that will also capture their eye.

“The purpose is to showcase the exceptional level of artistic talent and creativity available in the area, as well as provide a venue for local artisans to display and sell their products,” said KCC president Dr. Tom Quinn.

The show will include works by artists from Otsego, Roscommon, Crawford, Ogemaw and Oscoda counties. The college will display the items at the two venues in Roscommon, which will be open to the public. Refreshments will also be available during all three days of the event. There is no charge to attend, though donations will be accepted.

The Celebration of Fine Art! includes a reception from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 23, at the AuSable River Center. Planned hours for the weekend are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24, and then 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 25.

For more information on the fine art show, visit online at www.kirtland.edu or call 989-275-5000, extension 388.

Hilary Salvas of Rose City is a staff writer for the Kirtland Zine, Kirtland Community College’s student magazine.

Clinical Artistry

By JERRY NUNN

Artists and art aficionados both come out winners in a new joint effort between the Tolfree Foundation and the West Branch Creative Arts Association. Artwork on display at the West Branch Medical Arts Center is for sale, with 20-percent of the proceeds going to benefit the Tolfree Foundation.

WEST BRANCH – The institutional hallways at West Branch Medical Art Center took on a more artistic appearance following the joint efforts of the Tolfree Foundation and the West Branch Creative Arts Association. Starting this week, the clinic walls will serve as an art gallery, displaying the works of 30 area artists.

Both groups stand to win.

West Branch-area Artists now have a permanent venue where they can sell the work and the Tolfree Foundation pockets 20-percent of all works sold. Once sold, art work is replenished. The themed showings will change with the seasons.

Money raised goes toward the purchase of a $400,000 digital mammography system, according to Mary Koliba, foundation Director. Wednesday’s public reception, and the private showing Tuesday, were the kick-off to a larger money raising campaign, Koliba says. Coming fund raising efforts include a Cow Girls Wear Pink campaign and other events. Tanger Outlet Center is also kicking in with it Style of Pink shoppers card promotion. While shoppers pay $1 for a discount card, they save 25-percent off a one-time purchase. Proceeds go to the Tolfree Foundation.

To learn more about the Tolfree Foundation’s efforts to combat breast cancer, as well as other benevolent works the group is involved in, visit them online at www.tolfreefoundation.org.

Arts & Entertainment

2009-10-15T20:21:00.000-04:00

Under Construction

Tuttle Marsh

2009-10-14T19:08:00.000-04:00

The marsh area itself is a 380-acre impoundment surrounded by an additional 4100 acres of wetlands and forms part of the Huron-Manistee National Forest.

In a cooperative effort, the U.S. Forest Service together with Ducks Unlimited, the Audobon Society and Michigan Department of Natural Resources started developing the land in 1989.

Although their efforts so far have not included any development of facilities, their focus remains on managing water levels and improving habitat for a variety of plants, birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals like the Beaver.

It’s a bird lover’s paradise, especially during spring, and reported spotting of as many as 60 species in a single day should provide enough encouragement for the average birder to strap on his or her hiking boots.

To that point, the dykes surrounding the marsh make for excellent hiking and since you will be at an elevated level, they are perfect for spotting any of the 170 species of bird that annually pass through the marsh. Although, if you ask any of the frequent visitors to the marsh, they’ll be sure to tell you that the best sights and views are often only available if you venture off the beaten path.

Hunting and fishing is allowed, and all Michigan and Federal hunting regulations apply.

Tuttle Marsh is located on Tuttle Marsh Road - about six miles out of Tawas City. For more information, please call the U.S. Forest Service at 989-739-0728.

Click on images to enlarge

Tawas Point Lighthouse

2009-10-14T18:48:00.000-04:00