This Sunday is the start of National CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) Week. A CSA generally involves customers signing up for regular, weekly orders of the current fresh produce that the CSA offers. This guarantees the customer will get the produce and guarantees the farmer some income at the beginning of the season when they need it.
The Michigan CSA Network website has a map where you can locate CSA’s. It provides information on what products they have, and where else you can buy their products, such as farm stands or farmers markets. I did a search for Leelanau County CSA’s, and it showed that were 16.
While talking about locally grown produce conjures up visions of summertime, there is still lots to do to enjoy this winter weather. After a six year hiatus, the Northport Winter Carnival is back! It will Saturday, Feb. 22 from noon to 4 p.m. at Braman Hill. There are a few updates since my last column. The cardboard sled construction is now tomorrow, Friday, at Northport School from 9 am to 3 pm. Materials and chaperones will be on hand.
There are four categories for awards: 1. LITTLES - ages 0- 6; 2. Elementary - 1-5 graders; 3. Middle schoolers - 6-8 grade, and 4. BIGGINS - highschoolers. Advance registration is greatly appreciated, but not required.
A winter version of the Braman Bolt has been added to the schedule of events, so if you’re up for a run UP Braman Hill, the Blizzard Bolt is for you.
As mentioned before , there will be Broomball and Milk Jug Curling competitions, so get your teams together! The chili cook-off has four categories traditional, veggie, white and wild game. As with all the events, advance registration is appreciated.
There will also be an activities tent for kids, open skating, and hotdogs and hot chocolate to purchase. For more information, or to register, you can go to Deep’s or New Bohemian Café in Northport. The Library and other locations have posters with information and QR codes that you can scan. You can also search Facebook for Northport Winter Carnival and find their website there.
The “We’ve Got HeART” exhibit continues at the Village Arts Building in Northport through Saturday, Feb. 22, so you can take a break from the Winter Carnival and enjoy an art show. The exhibit is open Tuesday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.
Happy Birthday this week to Nonie Steele, Dave Waskiewicz, Helen Putnam Bradley, Richard Colling, David Lightner, and to Isabella Bronke and Rosie Disch, who both turn 9 years old.
