The news is still galloping around Omena that the new Mayor of Omena is a horse, Lucky Dinero Bosco. The Omena Dogacratic Party has been caterwauling all week about the fact that for the first time in the history of the Omena Mayor, there is no dog in the top three administrative positions. However, Jovi Labriola, a German Shepherd-Husky mix and Public Relations expert, points out that the canines swept Village Council, holding 12 of the 15 positions. Also, Emmie Tomlinson, a mini-Golden Doodle, and Ruby Emmert, an Old English Sheepdog, completed the top five vote-getters category.
I want to correct the mistake in last week’s column when Lucky was called “Lucky Diablo.” He graciously accepted our apology and admitted that he can be a bit devilish around the mares.
Former Mayor Rosie Disch wants to remind everyone that the Northport Dog Parade is Saturday, August 10 at noon. Participants should be there by 11:30 a.m. The theme this year is Barkum and Bailey’s Flea Ring Circus, the Greatest Show on Arf! About 100 costumed dogs usually participate in this notto- be-missed event. The Omena Village Council invites any of their canine constituents to join them to march together in the parade. You can register in advance at Dog Ears Books or Pennington Collection in Northport, or online at northportomenachamber. org.
The triennial Rule Family Reunion has been underway since this past Saturday. Over 90 descendants of Colter and Marguerite Rule are in town for the week-long event. Activities include a picnic under the gazebo at Peterson Park, three nights of catered dinners under a tent on the Smith Orchards, a poker tournament, an inaugural triathlon event, and a silent auction to raise money for the Rule Cottage. The auction includes items handmade by family members, or products special to their where they came from, or family pieces that they are willing to pass along (for a price) to another family member.
One reunion year, I let Debby take over the column, and she listed the names of everyone who attended. That’s not happening again. But I will tell you the States that everyone came from – plus the Netherlands, which was mentioned in last week’s Omena news column, and one person from London. Family members came from Washington State, Oregon, California, Montana, Colorado, Missouri, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Illinois, Texas, and Connecticut. There are a bunch of children, including two infants. The youngest attendee, Liam Torrington, was born in May, and his first cousin, Layla Paz, was born this past January. At this gathering it’s not enough to say that you are cousins. You need to know whether you are first, second or third cousins, and how many “removeds” you are. The oldest person at the reunion is George Merrick, 90.
I hold the distinct honor of being the only “outlaw” that has been at every reunion. Debby and I may be the only ones who have made it to every one since they began in 1979.
The July meeting of the Omena Women’s Club was a tour of the Leelanau Christian Neighbors’ (LCN) Food and Baby Pantries. LCN Executive Director, Mary Stanton, led the tour and gave the group a fascinating insight into how important these services are to Leelanau County residents. Just a few interesting statistics, in 2023, the Baby Pantry gave out almost 35,000 diapers and 7,500 bags of food to families in need.
Mary also talked about LCN’s other three programs, Samaritan’s Closet, Blessings in a Backpack (BiaB), and the Neighborhood Assistance Ministry. During the last school year, BiaB provided over 10,000 bags of food to qualified students. The group enjoyed lunch afterwards at 9 Bean Rows.
The Northport Arts Association (NAA) will be holding an Arts and Treasures Sale on Saturday and Sunday, August 10 and 11. They are welcoming items of fine art, vintage jewelry, artisan works, arts and crafts books and supplies, and other valuables and collectibles. Items can be donated or given as consignment. The NAA website has details on the consignment option. Drop-off of items is Tuesday and Wednesday, August 6 and 7, beginning at noon each day.
This Sunday is the very special Special Music Sunday at Omena Presbyterian Church! Everyone is welcome to attend the service at 10 a.m. for an hour of worship through music. Patrick Kuhl will be directing the program, featuring the Lime Lake Choir, Dorothy Duensing as soloist, and timpani and guitar with Kim Unrau and Mary Ann Maiuri. There will be a tent with chairs set up on the lawn for overflow. Refreshments will be served after the service.
Happy Birthday this week to Susan Brown, Nina Lingaur, Stefanie Colling, Maggie Magrini, Jen Kemper Wallis, and Tatum Wallis. Happy Anniversary to Bob and Kori Wheeler, and to Millard and Helene Mack.
