The opening reception at the Omena Historical Society (OHS) on Monday evening was a great event. It highlighted the move of the Putnam-Cloud Tower Building from the Villa Marquette to downtown Omena 20 years ago. There are lots of fun pictures of that event at the Museum for visitors to see this summer. The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays in July and August from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by appointment.
The reception also marked the kick-off the 2024 Omena Mayor election season. The Omena Mayor race is unlike other elections in many ways — it is only open to the pets of year-round and seasonal residents of Greater Omena, NO humans! Second, the election season lasts less than a month. Candidates’ applications are due by July 7, and voting takes place from July 9 through July 18. Mark your calendars for the announcement of the new Mayor and Village Council at an ice cream social on Saturday, July 20 in the parking lot of the Omena Presbyterian Church. And the final difference is that the money raised goes to support the OHS.
Applications for Mayor can be filled out on the Omena Historical Society website. Candidates will appear on the website in the order their applications are received, so don’t delay in getting your pet entered. There is an extra incentive this year. The Mayor will receive a portrait painted by local artist Marianne Vick.
Dale and Joan Blount celebrated their 65th anniversary in a very special way last week. They purchased an Amish built cabin which they placed on their wooded property on the outskirts of Omena. The property has long been a favorite camping spot for their children and grandchildren.
The Village Voices of Northport Community Choir, under the direction of Amanda Kruk, will present “Songs of Night” for their annual summer concert this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Northport Performing Arts Center Auditorium at the Northport Public School.
The concert features a performance from Trinity Community Bell Choir, directed by Joe Thatcher, as well as solos and ensembles by members of the Village Voices.
This season, the Village Voices welcomes their new accompanist, Suttons Bay resident Claude Foisy, an accomplished musician and composer.
Village Voices extends a special thanks to the Leelanau Township Community Foundation for a grant which paid for all the sheet music for the choral pieces in this show. Tickets for this concert are $15 for adults, $5 for students (including college), and students of Northport Public Schools are free. You can purchase tickets by visiting www. northportperfomingarts.org, or call the office 231-386-2009. Tickets will also be available at the door.
The Omena Presbyterian Church is welcoming back Rev. Bryant Anderson to the pulpit this Sunday. He is the pastor at Palms Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville Beach, FL. He and his family haven’t been back to Omena since before the pandemic. Special music will be provided by Diana Ladio. Formally of The Moxie Strings, Diana plays a contemporary 5-string violin and uses a variety of audio effects pedals. Diana will be playing throughout the entire worship service so you’ll definitely want to attend (and come early for seating). The service begins at 10:00 am.
Happy Birthday this week to Bryan Morgan, Robert Wingfield, Dana Colling, Bill Graf and John Abernathy. Happy Anniversary to Rink and Karon Smith, Jim and Kathy Browning, and to Rick and Trish Bryan.
