You can call us crazy, but here in Omena, we love our local politics. We are pleased to announce that the Omena Historical Society (OHS) is hosting its Sixth Triennial Omena Mayor Race. Qualifying candidates must be animals other than humans, and reside seasonally or full time in the Greater Omena area. Of the six Mayors to-date, five have been canines and one feline. In addition to Mayor Rosie Disch, a yellow lab mix, the Omena Village Council currently includes Vice Mayor Penny Labriola, a chicken, Press Secretary Sandra O’Day Jones, a goat, and ten canine Council members.
Applications will be available at the Opening Reception at OHS on Monday, June 24 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. The event also celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Putnam-Cloud Tower House Building, home to the OHS, moving to downtown Omena from its original home on the current Villa Marquette Property. The applications will be available after that at the OHS and the Omena Post Office. The deadline for applications is July 8, with voting from July 9 – 18. The announcement of the new Mayor and Council members will be at an Ice Cream Social on Saturday, July 20 at 1:30 pm.
Congratulations to three DJ Trivia teams who play regularly at Knot Just a Bar in Omena for progressing to the championship games. Five Leelanau County teams played last week in the Regional Play-Offs at Suttons Bay Ciders. All five qualified for the Championships. The three Knot Just a Bar teams took the top three spots. The McTrivia team came in first, followed by Schlau, and the DeeGees. The DeeGees, who are the Duffiney and Groesser families, are the defending Champions. McTrivia was represented by Roberta Cohen, Debby Disch, Judy Mardigian, Kathy Miller, Mary Smart and Joe Varley. Schlau team members are from the Northport area. It was a special night because the team included Linda Szarkowski and her German exchange student, Jule Brueck was able to compete with the team before leaving to return to Germany two days later. Jule had named the team last fall. “Schlau” means “smart” in English.
Phil Hallstedt is organizing the mobile Blood Drive sponsored by the Northport-Omena Chamber of Commerce on Monday, June 24 from 10 a.m . to 4 p.m. They will be at the Marina parking lot, making it the most scenic blood drive in the country! Your donation could help two lives, so please come donate. It’s close, easy, and a wonderful thing to do. You can sign up at versiti.org.
The Northport Arts Association’s (NAA) Annual Members Exhibit opens this Friday, with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. The exhibit runs through July 5.
There are two very special events coming up this month to raise money for two very special local organizations. On Wednesday, June 26 from 6 to 8 p.m., the Leelanau County Cancer Foundation is hosting a “Gala of Grace” at French Valley Vineyard. Since 2016 the Leelanau County Cancer Foundation has provided funds for neighbors touched by cancer for their non-medical expenses. These payments can be a source of relief for patients and their families. Support goes toward household expenses like rent and mortgage payments, auto insurance and repairs, gasoline, dental bills, health insurance, utilities, child care, home and lawn maintenance. They also help with the cost of travel and lodging for distant care. When you contribute to the LCCF, that help goes directly to your neighbors… people who live in your community.
Thursday, June 27 from 6 to 8 pm, Genuine Leelanau is hosting an evening of appetizers and art at the V Gallery in downtown Omena to benefit Leelanau Investing for Teens (LIFT). LIFT, is a free, afterschool program for 6th through 12th graders in Leelanau County, Michigan, with locations currently in Suttons Bay and Northport. Genuine Leelanau is a non-profit organization with a mission of raising and returning funds to Leelanau County to provide grants and funding for integrated arts and other projects that benefit children and families in need.
Everyone is invited to attend worship at Omena Presbyterian Church this Sunday at 10 a.m. Preaching is Rev. Dr. Mary Hulst, with Wendy Hofman, soloist, and Linda Zylstra and Patrick Kuhl together on the piano providing the special music.
Happy Birthday this week to Terry Groesser, Ava Makowski, Mary Loveless, Raegan Moore, and Ashley Wheeler. Happy Birthday also to the Harris twins, Colin and Tess, who turn 20 this week. Happy Anniversary this to Mike and Marcia Biskupski, Mike and Kathy Bosco, Bob and Mary Smart, and to Bill and Mary Loveless.
Happy Flag Day tomorrow, everyone! She turns 247 years old!
