The 2024 Omena Mayor elections are in full swing! There is a diverse field of 18 candidates. While the candidates are required to have a residence in Greater Omena, anyone can vote. The every-three-year election is a fundraiser for the Omena Historical Society (OHS). You can vote at the Election Center Board in front of the Omena Historical Society, or on-line at omenahistoricalsociety. org. Vote early and vote often! Be sure to read all of the candidates’ nomination forms. They are quite entertaining.
Lucky Diablo Bosco is the first equine to run since 2012. She is an American Quarter horse/Paint horse. Sandra O’Day Jones, an Angora goat who is currently Omena’s Press Secretary, is throwing her hat in the ring for a bigger job. There are two Tuxedo cats — Birdie Anderson and Lenny Kravitz Deal. Topsy and Turvy Stephenson, domestic short hair cats, are running as co-Mayor. Porsche McKee, an American short hair Tabby, is the sister of the late Omena Mayor, Sweet Tart McKee. Her older sister, Callie, was a Village Council member. At just one year, Porsche is one of the youngest entrants in the field.
After weeks of debating it, current Mayor Rosie Disch, a yellow lab mix, is running for an unprecedented second term. Schatzi Putnam, an All American canine, has two terms on Village Council to her credit. Several candidates are following in their family’s footsteps. Golden Retriever Clyde (Henrik) Joyce, also a current Village Council member, is hoping to become the third generation in his family to become Omena’s Mayor. His grandfather, Tucker Joyce, was Omena’s first mayor, elected in 2009. His father, Parker Joyce, was the fourth mayor.
Mac Walker’s late sister, Brit, was a Village Council member for several terms. Mac is a Black Lab. Jovi Labriola, a German Shepherd – Husky mix, helped his fellow family member, Penny the Chicken, become the current Vice Mayor of Omena.
There are six first-time entrants in this year’s contest. Ruby Emmert, an Old English Sheepdog, is running on a platform of togetherness and toysharing. Emma Tomlinson, a Mini-Golden Doodle, can be seen walking Omena Point and swimming in Omena Bay. Maxim de Drinan, a Corgi, is touting his experience in herding grandchildren. Shasta Messer, an Australian Shepherd, is the only downtown Omena resident, and can be seen paddleboarding in Omena Bay. Storm Putnam, a cousin of veteran Omena politician Schatzi Putnam, is a Silver lab. Like Schatzi, he traces his family’s heritage back to one of Omena’s earliest settlers, Rinaldo Putnam. Rinaldo also built the house that is now home to the Omena Historical Society.
Bear Woolford, a Chocolate lab mix, is promoting his high energy, “zooming” (not the Internet kind) with neighborhood dogs and in the orchard. And last, but not least, is the youngest candidate. At just 5 months, Mr. Beans, a Pug, admits that he is still learning, but he has a good tutor in his cousin, Sandra O’Day.
Voting ends at 5 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, so don’t delay. Remember — it’s a fundraiser! The new mayor will be announced at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 20, followed by an ice cream social in the Omena Presbyterian Church parking lot. Everyone is invited to attend.
It’s hard to believe that July 4 is now in the distant past, but it was another meaningful beginning to the holiday with the reading of the Declaration of Independence in front of the Omena Post Office that morning by Rink Smith. Rink had, again, organized the reading in front of every Post Office in Leelanau County at 10 am. It was a great turn-out for the reading. Many came dressed in red, white, and blue. One family, in particular, stood out. They were 23 strong — adults and children all dressed to the nines. They were all descendants of the Mahoney family, the older generation raised in St. Clair. The children ranged in age from 9 months to 12 years old. This was their second year staying at Omena House on Lake Street, and they love coming to Omena.
On Saturday, July 20, HH Cherries is hosting a Cherry-Ganza curated lunch by three time James Beard award winning chef Jimmy Schmidt, highlighting sweet and tart cherries. He will be preparing Angus Brisket Sliders, beverages, appetizers, salads, and his unique spin on Cherries Jubilee. Tickets are available at hhcherries. net.
Leelanau Christian Neighbors (LCN) is holding its annual fundraiser this coming Wednesday from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Aurora Cellars Estate. It includes food, wine, a silent auction, and features fashions from Samaritans’ Closet, and lots of fun. Tickets are available at the LCN website.
Everyone is welcome to attend worship at Omena Presbyterian Church this Sunday. Rev. Sarah Logemann, pastor of Fort Street Presbyterian Church in Detroit, will be preaching. Her husband, pastor Garrett Mostowski, preached last summer. Continuing the reunion from Fort Street, Dorothy Duensing, soprano soloist, will be providing the special music. Patrick Kuhl will be on the organ.
Happy Birthday to Kim Kemper, Marianne Vick, Kori Wheeler, Laura Deal, Jan MacDonald, Susan Valiga, Nicole Grant, and to Iverson Fox, who turns 15, Lily Compton, who turns 10, and Kyla Jane Cairns, who turns 2.
‘Happy Anniversary to Dave and Kathy Spohn, and to Nick and Samantha Bronke.
