Spring has sprung and so have the daffodils and many of the spring wild flowers. Many of the fruit trees in the area are in “green tip”, which is when the fruit buds have just broken at the tip. It is also when the buds become susceptible to the cold, so cherry and apple farmers hope that there is not another cold snap. When the buds start to open this early, it is always a risk.
Spring also provides many opportunities for fun things to do. Joan and Dale Blount drove down to East Lansing recently to see their granddaughter, Erica Brown, perform with the Spartan Showstoppers dance team at Michigan State. Erica is a sophomore at MSU majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. They also were able to celebrate their grandson Dan Brown’s birthday while they were there. Dan is a first year law student, also at MSU. They were joined by Dan and Erica’s parents, Kristen and Jeff Brown of Mount Pleasant, as well as law school friends of Dan’s, Erica’s roommate and a special friend from Mount Pleasant. Being on Michigan State’s campus in spring is very special and brought back many good memories for Joan and Dale.
Brian and Sally Shapiro recently held a fundraiser in Indianapolis for Trinity Haven House, a home that provides housing to 16 to 21 year-olds in the LGBTQ+ community whose parents have kicked them out. This keeps young, vulnerable kids from being homeless and provides critical support and assistance to them.
James Bloomfield and Becca Snook, who were the chefs at the Traverse City restaurant Alliance, came to Indy to help with the event. James and Becca flew in from their current home in Napa, California, and worked with veteran chef Steve Oakley of Oakley’s Bistro in Indianapolis. Steve and his entire team graciously opened their kitchen to James and Becca and donated everything to the event.
They had a phenomenal five course dinner with wine pairing consisting of wines from Robert Sinskey Vineyard, White Rock Winery, both from Napa Valley, and de la boue from Willamette Valley, Oregon, which were also donated to the event.
The event was Brian and Sally’s idea and they hosted and underwrote it. They were thrilled that Omena friends, Chris and Patti Evans, came to it. It was a great success.
We were very sorry to learn of the death of Jamie McCord on April 7 in Cincinnati. Jamie was a long-time summer resident in Omena. His family began their visits to the Omena area renting on Omena Point. His parents then purchased the house about halfway between Northport and Omena that is still the McCord family summer place.
From the time he was a teenager, Jamie loved boats and cars. He could almost always be found in his boat cruising between Omena Bay and Ingalls Bay. Those loves continued through his life, and he added trains, planes, and sailboats to that list. After he retired, he was able to spend more time in Omena. Friends and family were most important to Jamie. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and sharing his passions with them. Our sympathies go to his brother, Steve, his sister, Maril, his three children and five grandchildren, and to all of his extended family and his friends in the Northport-Omena area.
This coming Monday is Earth Day. Since the first Earth Day in 1970 in America, it has evolved into a global event, activating billions across 192 countries. This year’s theme is “Planet vs. Plastics,” and it advocates for widespread awareness on the health risk of plastics, and pushes for a strong UN Treaty on plastic pollution. There is a wealth of information about the health risks of plastics on their website, earthday.org.
Mark your calendars for next Friday, April 26, which is Arbor Day. The Northport Tree Committee is holding its third annual Arbor Day Tree Planting to celebrate Northport’s designation as a Tree City. The planting will take place at 10 a.m. at the south end of South Beach Marina Park in Northport.
Started in 1976, Tree City USA is one of the Arbor Day Foundation’s oldest programs. The first Tree City USA cohort was comprised of 42 communities in 16 states. Today, the program includes more than 3,600 communities from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico.
Omena Mayor Rosie Disch declares this “Don’t Spell Your Name the Old-Fashioned Way Week.” In that spirit, Happy Birthday to Karon Smith, Caryn DeVries, Aimée Harris, and Londyn Cooper, and Xzander Roman. Happy Birthday also to Charlotte Lichtel, Caleb Kickbush, Roger Edgley, Joan Blount, Abby Van Dusen, Peter Van Dusen, and Leslie Disch.
