February in northern Michigan is all about getting outside and enjoying the winter landscape, and then curling up with something to read or listen to. And Omena and the surrounding area has plenty to offer for both.
Congratulations to Omena resident, Don Lystra, whose third novel, “Searching for Van Gogh,” was recently selected as a Michigan Notable Book for 2025. Both of his two previous books were also named Michigan Notable Books. You can find his books at any of our local Indie bookstores.
Congratulations also to Omena historian and author, John Mitchell. He now has 29 documentary videos on his YouTube channel, Follow the Fishing, which can be found at youtube. com/@ followthefishing. The series has videos from places where John and Ann Marie have visited around the world, documenting everything from fishing itself to preparing and cooking many types of fish and seafood.
John most recently completed a video on Carlson’s Fisheries. Previous videos that covered local subjects included the wooden boats in Leland and bass beds in Omena.
At my age, one seems to start to experience a wide variety of health issues. I recently learned that I am color blind. It came completely out of the purple.
A great opportunity to have fun in this winter weather is coming up on Saturday, Feb. 22 when the Northport Winter Carnival returns to the Braman Hill Recreation Area from noon to 4 p.m. that day.
This year’s Winter Carnival, the first in many years, will include broomball, milk jug curling, a chili cook-off, plus open skating on one of the ice rinks, live music, and a bonfire for s’mores. Hot dogs and hot chocolate will be available for purchase.
Get your team together for broomball or milk jug curling, or brush up on your favorite chili recipe. The chili categories this year are Traditional, Veggie, White, and Wild Game. Bring the chili in a crock pot, hot, and with a list of any known allergens.
The warming center at Braman Hill will be available on Saturday, Feb. 15, with all the supplies for kids to make sleds ahead of time. The Northport School PTO will be on hand at the warming center with supervision and supplies that day.
Information about the Northport Winter Carnival is available on Facebook. Sign-ups for the chili contest, and the broomball and milk jug curling contests will be available next week. They are looking for volunteers to help with parking.
If you have any questions, or to volunteer, you can send them to npwintercarnival@gmail. com.
You can blame it on the weather – or the dog – but there was no Omena News last week. So, here are two weeks of birthdays and anniversaries. A belated Happy Birthday to Tony Sova, Bill Singer, Finley Pearson, Abby Biederman, Amelia Rose Hoffman, who turned 14, Amelia Roman, who turned 18, and to Brian Shapiro, who gets to wake up on his birthday to hear Punxsutawney Phil give his pronouncement on how long winter will last.
Happy Birthday this week to Judy Smart, Martha Eldridge, Laurie Adelson, and to Henry Wood Maylen, who turns 6, and Victoria Huffman, who turns 14. Happy Anniversary to Bruce and Judy Balas.
