tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-70624444226788108102024-03-13T11:04:13.460-07:00NW MichiganDonnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-30393504179975223182011-07-03T10:13:00.000-07:002011-07-03T10:14:18.245-07:00TBA Cool Tech Camp a Success!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjXIUe5ASXZ0iPKlEs5UEjm7SwmBuLn7XOPYZv9IevIA0e3defXRq38rM4Crj2lO0PdYQwC02dp64mqt4eT07temjuE82A1JcdowQuCLUvTrSpfVNsgfiNmDiu5P4gOyKshih_SWsDtY/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxjXIUe5ASXZ0iPKlEs5UEjm7SwmBuLn7XOPYZv9IevIA0e3defXRq38rM4Crj2lO0PdYQwC02dp64mqt4eT07temjuE82A1JcdowQuCLUvTrSpfVNsgfiNmDiu5P4gOyKshih_SWsDtY/s200/3.jpg" width="200px" /></a></div>My son recently attended the three-day TBA Tech Camp. This year he took welding. He made a great metal stool. I am really impressed with the TBA's camp they put on every year. It is definitely worth the small fee for the classes. <br />
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The kids have over a dozen of classes to choose from to include: Autobody painting, computer training, cooking classes, Robotics, CSI training and much, much more.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This summer's camp is completed but bookmark their link: <a href="http://www.tbactc.org/student-services/summer-tech-camp.asp">TBA Summer Tech Camp</a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-69668161416232493462011-07-03T10:01:00.000-07:002011-07-03T10:03:19.900-07:00FOREST AREA SCHOOLS MUSIC PROGRAM CUT<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVq8x-voa715nOOVFQtCcvBB5h7EGaxLE7HP3GSaiVngcAhmUU5QePR_WLF8sR2QhGujngtU2iM49DDXDF4IW84ey25zbnfxXiNvwF-KHtc851Z9twt4pJsQa7qCyz9sow-KtLWFYtsQ/s1600/DSC00114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcVq8x-voa715nOOVFQtCcvBB5h7EGaxLE7HP3GSaiVngcAhmUU5QePR_WLF8sR2QhGujngtU2iM49DDXDF4IW84ey25zbnfxXiNvwF-KHtc851Z9twt4pJsQa7qCyz9sow-KtLWFYtsQ/s320/DSC00114.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">Forest Area Schools had their music program cut from the curriculum.</span><br />
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After a very emotional school board meeting the members of the board reluctantly cut the music program from their schools from K-12.<br />
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This is a great disappointment to the young men and women who practiced daily to enhance their playing skills.<br />
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Parents, teachers and the community are trying to come up with a way to bring back the program for the Fall semester. Meanwhile some families are looking to register their children in other local schools who have managed to retain their band program. It is a very discouraging situation which I hope can be resolved soon for our musically talented children.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-4668517908736280982011-07-03T09:54:00.000-07:002011-07-03T09:54:03.052-07:00Forest Area Little League<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeklmbdJtfSc_-W-ZPqF6Lng1edHO-dQADQLTuyeDbIrQm1CvuGvBilNhYKAYJviWgubs7Ok6RKHZ-6PnMMXZUI-vYLuaRSzhroFLaVOmvSpIaQ3SoVljUDv721YZPj5B2Le7AIpCIeEA/s1600/DSC00169.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeklmbdJtfSc_-W-ZPqF6Lng1edHO-dQADQLTuyeDbIrQm1CvuGvBilNhYKAYJviWgubs7Ok6RKHZ-6PnMMXZUI-vYLuaRSzhroFLaVOmvSpIaQ3SoVljUDv721YZPj5B2Le7AIpCIeEA/s320/DSC00169.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div> Forest Area Little League is having a great season. So far they have won more games than lost which is always good. Next week is their final week of games.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQl5Nf_bedRVQj7VlYtET3Dttbp_FhPHYplKXItGK9TG_8cB4Km0kG4f0tN9ZS0fPXUk6yW5QyFSiP7fXKgYf02sZpKiWVCVVMDd2dtnMSEtRPziTnk8IcIpNSkf9GXtRPVxh_bKtb4po/s1600/BellaireVSForestArea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQl5Nf_bedRVQj7VlYtET3Dttbp_FhPHYplKXItGK9TG_8cB4Km0kG4f0tN9ZS0fPXUk6yW5QyFSiP7fXKgYf02sZpKiWVCVVMDd2dtnMSEtRPziTnk8IcIpNSkf9GXtRPVxh_bKtb4po/s320/BellaireVSForestArea.jpg" width="320px" /></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-51785951854097689632011-07-02T16:34:00.000-07:002011-07-02T16:34:29.660-07:00Great home on Fife Lake for sale<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DigOwSkRSVID4t7bIZ5ayDN7t0PULLk49xGRhnJ2lo1lAsQRWVkxtqiOk1KQWYGi3QwmXcfiqHfcj5HBq1E8d5HLr8yBTbA_i8RSp3UGz5EfSqsCSFoghoROBBILUVKoInmoN6VfLiw/s1600/homewithview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213px" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DigOwSkRSVID4t7bIZ5ayDN7t0PULLk49xGRhnJ2lo1lAsQRWVkxtqiOk1KQWYGi3QwmXcfiqHfcj5HBq1E8d5HLr8yBTbA_i8RSp3UGz5EfSqsCSFoghoROBBILUVKoInmoN6VfLiw/s320/homewithview.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>I picked up a listing recently in Fife Lake. This home is directly across the street from the lake and walking distance to both parks in the village and the beach. This would make a great full time or summer home. The owner is looking to sell it fully furnished if somebody is looking for a summer home. It doesn't have a lot of furniture, but there are beds, tables and couches. Everything you would need to enjoy your summer by the lake. Only $94,900.<br />
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MLS# 1728058Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-62957623932206048792010-11-10T05:19:00.000-08:002010-11-10T05:26:21.415-08:00Forest Area Warriors Pop Warner Football team has a fantastic season!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfNznEJ66T8J0uz6I7dqCbO2gFyGX5I10WQtV4bYKCi6LR95ZajEMyv7WjxHhfiZ_1mduWVY2bKVPKgVtTh_Zwc06dtuRUO3i-zT2eBO0SZ0jzBvSZMn52fRtHpMl21a0D3XFVXeEkTQ/s1600/warriors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="467" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlfNznEJ66T8J0uz6I7dqCbO2gFyGX5I10WQtV4bYKCi6LR95ZajEMyv7WjxHhfiZ_1mduWVY2bKVPKgVtTh_Zwc06dtuRUO3i-zT2eBO0SZ0jzBvSZMn52fRtHpMl21a0D3XFVXeEkTQ/s640/warriors.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">The Warriors had an outstanding season with 6 wins and only 1 loss! The team really worked hard. I watched the workouts and those coaches really did a great job getting the kids in shape.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: large;">Great work Warriors!</span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-79217937145699277972010-11-10T04:47:00.000-08:002010-11-10T05:27:06.424-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaxt8MxAcosCOasaHFMFPBU2i7J34buhzMmsFBjV_vKTSgC6ipGnY11m5R3WFW6kW2vYuI2fC4t17Vw3TXS-71CNW0GZzugYIstUdB_XJTkdpgI8rln3RzJxKY_kQS1VJOsRlkyNe2I0/s1600/moonoverPerchLake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaxt8MxAcosCOasaHFMFPBU2i7J34buhzMmsFBjV_vKTSgC6ipGnY11m5R3WFW6kW2vYuI2fC4t17Vw3TXS-71CNW0GZzugYIstUdB_XJTkdpgI8rln3RzJxKY_kQS1VJOsRlkyNe2I0/s320/moonoverPerchLake.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">I was able to capture a really nice photo of the moon over beautiful Perch Lake in Kalkaska County. This was taken a few hours before sunrise.</span>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-37936146198349545022010-09-13T08:56:00.000-07:002010-09-13T08:56:08.788-07:00Pop Warner Football<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-dfux5qJWUZz6Y3JB94kqoEOv5EuLUe30tgfPDzF4iwGRLoBZwmjRsLcYGsvUC3_g_EOvylZtpOk7xYBERxiRCLgECjzzTAy0DxW43i77WgpTNhJ7E9BMEeJJPbp3OhFAROONgjirTw/s1600/Forestarea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-dfux5qJWUZz6Y3JB94kqoEOv5EuLUe30tgfPDzF4iwGRLoBZwmjRsLcYGsvUC3_g_EOvylZtpOk7xYBERxiRCLgECjzzTAy0DxW43i77WgpTNhJ7E9BMEeJJPbp3OhFAROONgjirTw/s400/Forestarea.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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My son had his first Pop Warner Football game. He was very excited. He was especially happy when his team won. The score was Forest Area 18 to Boyne City 14.<br />
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Both teams did a great job. I only wish it wasn't pouring rain during the entire game.<br />
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I found this game more exciting than any professional game I have ever watched. It is amazing how having a son on the team can get you fired up about the game!Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-47460385758553569842010-09-10T06:04:00.000-07:002010-09-10T06:04:37.904-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish_IO9sLwnmz0wsEEd2Gd1L19r9IjNtFWpEqfRI0QBTVXwMxDCzKMit0Rsykx8BpLYhv7LncPktw3mvCcS1MA9EkWpuT4by4Ww9rGlfb94hY9b6VBcD5NQlS9NptTVsx9_NBo0q_OOwo/s1600/lukeandmaracolor%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEish_IO9sLwnmz0wsEEd2Gd1L19r9IjNtFWpEqfRI0QBTVXwMxDCzKMit0Rsykx8BpLYhv7LncPktw3mvCcS1MA9EkWpuT4by4Ww9rGlfb94hY9b6VBcD5NQlS9NptTVsx9_NBo0q_OOwo/s400/lukeandmaracolor%5B1%5D.JPG" width="372" /></a></div><br />
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I must own 50 Star Wars novels and the plotlines have gotten crazy and the authors seemed determined to kill off every major character. So this is what I want to see in the next novel. Something that tells us that the events of the last twenty novels have all been a dream.<br />
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I wish I drew this but it was done by a fellow artist for me. You can see his online gallery here: <a href="http://vagabondx.deviantart.com/">http://vagabondx.deviantart.com/</a><br />
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And if you have not been reading the novels this will make no sense at all to you. :)Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-73042269528994949262010-08-02T16:42:00.000-07:002010-08-02T16:42:56.815-07:00Another attempt to teach myself to oil paint<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-jWrZqWU7x4hQlsyR-sF1KY6m9mkWgbpk49gPKtUK0iJwsnrDrnE99dMd3Qv4SGYQTptlWyLhSYAKiqXTQ8QYIVXk35pb9JGuxxMi0zntwiGNvR96EnPiHr8ZTJ1c-HdU3ullVAvKzE/s1600/P8020159.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-jWrZqWU7x4hQlsyR-sF1KY6m9mkWgbpk49gPKtUK0iJwsnrDrnE99dMd3Qv4SGYQTptlWyLhSYAKiqXTQ8QYIVXk35pb9JGuxxMi0zntwiGNvR96EnPiHr8ZTJ1c-HdU3ullVAvKzE/s320/P8020159.JPG" /></a></div>My first attempt to oil paint was on a 20X16 canvas. I decided that I wanted to see if I could work on a smaller 8X10 Panel canvas. It is a whole lot harder to do detail work. I am not especially happy with this painting, but I am just learning, so I hope I will get better over the years.<br />
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I am including the reference photo for this painting. It is a photo of the Traverse Area Community Sailing Center.<br />
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</div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-34686981984496621792010-07-31T21:18:00.000-07:002010-07-31T21:22:22.888-07:00Boardman River Nature Center<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GKOyf3jHHF_0NGqx_6FsiPF_-YnEsXiYvVhs6i4ctffPqXt2ZLyfS47YGbiS2E9F9QfOr8sQqcImqzdJ6kSnuikqhFowEG1SnFuzpiTrNyiMNeEr4fX271UOIcFh6bcnhwIUjOTA5gw/s1600/Boardmanrivernaturecenter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0GKOyf3jHHF_0NGqx_6FsiPF_-YnEsXiYvVhs6i4ctffPqXt2ZLyfS47YGbiS2E9F9QfOr8sQqcImqzdJ6kSnuikqhFowEG1SnFuzpiTrNyiMNeEr4fX271UOIcFh6bcnhwIUjOTA5gw/s320/Boardmanrivernaturecenter.jpg" /></a></div>I brought my son to the Boardman River Nature Center in Traverse City yesterday so he could work on his Boy Scout Tracking Merit Badge. Before all you former Boy Scouts chime in that there is no such thing... I have to tell you it is a merit badge only offered in 2010 in honor of the 100th Birthday of the Boy Scouts. There are about 5 or 6 decommissioned merit badges that were brought back this year. If the scout does not finish the work this year he will be out of luck.<br />
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So anyway, my son needs to find tracks of wild animals and take photos of various types of animals for this merit badge.<br />
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Usually around my house I am always seeing animals. Deers jump out in front of my car, wild turkey roam the nearby fields, there is grouse around and I even saw a black bear last month while down in Interlochen.<br />
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As soon as he starts this merit badge it is like all the animals disappear from around my house. When we want to see them they go into hiding.<br />
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Eventually I decided to bring him to the Boardman River Nature Center in the hopes to see some animal tracks.<br />
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</div>We were not disappointed. We hiked down the trails along the Boardman River and also the Sabin Pond. We found all types of animal tracks. Of course everytime we see a huge track he says "I think that is a bear, lets see if we can track it." I am like, "Ummm... no I don't think so." I am pretty sure what he saw was the tracks of a large dog. It was in a boggy area so it was very distorted and unfortunately we could not get a good photo of it.<br />
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The Boardman River Nature Center has great trails with some fantastic views. If you are looking to connect to nature I would highly suggest a visit. Also, during the summer and spring break they host various nature classes for the kids.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>For more information on the Boardman Nature Center go to: <a href="http://www.gtcd.org/nature-center/">www.gtcd.org/nature-center/</a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-35240252003541207862010-07-29T15:28:00.000-07:002010-07-29T15:28:17.125-07:00Fun at Camp Greilick, Boy Scout Camp<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzHbqeygLmRmXma6mh5GOP1KuKJoL0nH0h2Z2fJ_G6sI2E5IoAOrFKTzqbj3lkXI1GzKEPW0PISp2V_zZr3YcZKJXsJqTzWO_tXlQver8VcyvKu6kOCXQ_kNbLtZp5fpngEwTiojgpr4/s1600/BLACKSMITH.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUzHbqeygLmRmXma6mh5GOP1KuKJoL0nH0h2Z2fJ_G6sI2E5IoAOrFKTzqbj3lkXI1GzKEPW0PISp2V_zZr3YcZKJXsJqTzWO_tXlQver8VcyvKu6kOCXQ_kNbLtZp5fpngEwTiojgpr4/s320/BLACKSMITH.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This weekend my son attended the Camp Greilick WEBELOS Adventure Camp. WEBELOS are Cub Scouts but they are the upper ranks of Cub Scouts and will soon pass over to Boy Scouts. Because they are older boys they are allowed to do activities that are not age appropriate for the younger cub scouts.<br />
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Therefore my son was able to do fun activities like work in a blacksmith shop where they heated up metal and pounded them into functioning spoons. My son was also able to climb the the rock tower.<br />
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjis8XYkQOafxk26szuyetayf8ndHPJQqKKqNSz7EOSlPxJb4PNgwnJfcfmrpHib5JUGz_8LNVp6imwQkI32BObJyki8WMbM0LD5M8ueR7VR_RqX2VZ5vxL8x_so4Z66XZbFUCCz-X3pv4/s1600/rockclimbing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjis8XYkQOafxk26szuyetayf8ndHPJQqKKqNSz7EOSlPxJb4PNgwnJfcfmrpHib5JUGz_8LNVp6imwQkI32BObJyki8WMbM0LD5M8ueR7VR_RqX2VZ5vxL8x_so4Z66XZbFUCCz-X3pv4/s320/rockclimbing.jpg" /></a>There were all kinds of fun activities to include Geo-Caching, art classes, first aid courses, swimming, geology classes, outdoorsman classes, just to name a few. </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">We were supposed to have heavy rain that weekend, but we experienced fairly good weather.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">The scouts have all types of great opportunities for boys. The council that covers the Traverse City area is the Scenic Trails Council. If you have a son interested in joining the scouts you can find more information at the local council website: <a href="http://www.stcbsa.org/main/portal.php">http://www.stcbsa.org/main/portal.php</a> </div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-5060978272117676852010-07-22T05:36:00.000-07:002010-07-22T05:36:49.793-07:00Lot for sale at the end of Brakel PointThis is a lot that I have listed for sale on Brakel Point. I was really happy with the way the photo came out. You can learn more about it at <a href="http://www.realestateone.com/1710402">www.realestateone.com/1710402</a><br />
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This photo is sunset over Silver Lake in Traverse City.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijj6s5qqWyGEJnzrz8_-arzOsnQGTjm5qLOpHSIuVbl_UGfmMilBj0tpTVaEnLk3Bz5oRkCErvpjtRqWklAkjsS8VSzdp8WI6zxn7ydMl87OxJhLqajAg2pB8HlkYg1urw1qBlQQ65GZo/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijj6s5qqWyGEJnzrz8_-arzOsnQGTjm5qLOpHSIuVbl_UGfmMilBj0tpTVaEnLk3Bz5oRkCErvpjtRqWklAkjsS8VSzdp8WI6zxn7ydMl87OxJhLqajAg2pB8HlkYg1urw1qBlQQ65GZo/s400/1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<em>(Real Estate One, 511 E. Front St. TC)</em>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-78432625387723756902010-07-22T05:29:00.000-07:002010-07-22T05:31:46.827-07:00Flowers along the shoreline<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlwhvPMkduJYEtGaiLkFvsDKac6MapW4yTJ6WyBuF0esTBU5930F56VGB692v2E01uM_e-V9OUgvQJmfwp44ZDWEc2GdtXwlH4BzllFeNvYEtDbYG7yTf6JFa7Y6NOq1TniTsMVKnal0/s1600/traversecity5flower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlwhvPMkduJYEtGaiLkFvsDKac6MapW4yTJ6WyBuF0esTBU5930F56VGB692v2E01uM_e-V9OUgvQJmfwp44ZDWEc2GdtXwlH4BzllFeNvYEtDbYG7yTf6JFa7Y6NOq1TniTsMVKnal0/s400/traversecity5flower.jpg" width="370" /></a></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>I was just taking photos of flowers around Traverse City.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-16440105550478100692010-07-21T05:21:00.000-07:002010-07-21T05:21:30.508-07:00Images from Hull Park in Traverse City<div class="" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Recently I was in Hull Park In Traverse City and decided to take a few photos since it was such a beautiful day. Hull Park is right behind the public library.</span></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCn1jbVDWvNOZ_VNl2Njf7DZ4HUGBKekxY7oZslPPVWcYZTBU7TuXS_lfMZ4CrdZOHdtSCZ9P-mZ3LdlFK0XG5eOCK04keeC-LRFcJU-aZ__D8GwwaNoaggZT9zq1h0jwKSeEx_EIudiE/s1600/tacs2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="259" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCn1jbVDWvNOZ_VNl2Njf7DZ4HUGBKekxY7oZslPPVWcYZTBU7TuXS_lfMZ4CrdZOHdtSCZ9P-mZ3LdlFK0XG5eOCK04keeC-LRFcJU-aZ__D8GwwaNoaggZT9zq1h0jwKSeEx_EIudiE/s320/tacs2.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDP6XG6_oepOrsJ3M5AmXGw6k6QU1ZluLfLzHMLTSkwq_4VuA0UbG_T8J3CyVqVfrnTt_JxZ7_AsL5vFxxLN9GeU2IAdaEM4Uj4jiHt7iVhysHLBgjMbvcKK5UmWjviMyAXNlJGGK8a3E/s1600/Traverse+Ciy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDP6XG6_oepOrsJ3M5AmXGw6k6QU1ZluLfLzHMLTSkwq_4VuA0UbG_T8J3CyVqVfrnTt_JxZ7_AsL5vFxxLN9GeU2IAdaEM4Uj4jiHt7iVhysHLBgjMbvcKK5UmWjviMyAXNlJGGK8a3E/s320/Traverse+Ciy.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-26110703008168021692010-07-17T17:30:00.000-07:002010-07-17T17:30:29.007-07:003 Br home near a lot of state land<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzwRqYeMxETp4-7L85o9ZA-lf9Axa3JvdTloZBIJbdq1hiZrAiav0gYJW0V75mfjApxMaclA1v0cv0XtmZV2m1ezlitOjOc-bPvPAe0MC9Ayo2_SQUAAkdux2jaEEEcAK8m-Es21-ixI/s1600/finalmap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmzwRqYeMxETp4-7L85o9ZA-lf9Axa3JvdTloZBIJbdq1hiZrAiav0gYJW0V75mfjApxMaclA1v0cv0XtmZV2m1ezlitOjOc-bPvPAe0MC9Ayo2_SQUAAkdux2jaEEEcAK8m-Es21-ixI/s320/finalmap.jpg" /></a></div>I just listed a great home in the country. It is about 5 miles from downtown Interlochen and would be great for anybody looking for property near state land. The home is in great shape, has a 2+ car garage and a paved driveway. For more information go to: <a href="http://www.realestateone.com/1717042">www.realestateone.com/1717042</a><br />
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There is a ton of wildlife in the area. The neighborhood is peaceful and quiet. It is a great place to live.<br />
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Donna Sweeney<br />
Real Estate One<br />
511 E. Front St.<br />
Traverse City, MI<br />
<a href="mailto:DonnaSweeney@RealEstateOne.com">DonnaSweeney@RealEstateOne.com</a> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARtrL5pkZAj9sq1LnCKw6jNoeLIq9ufnITbM0A7hD-gZQb7SSLY-BGFPBDVcWxyxJCiDbEt3UJavaQbMrCkEy7CWMkyygL0xuu2ZD-FxD3MpCYFGeZOANs66APGRvaehNVc5J_Kvhoac/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjARtrL5pkZAj9sq1LnCKw6jNoeLIq9ufnITbM0A7hD-gZQb7SSLY-BGFPBDVcWxyxJCiDbEt3UJavaQbMrCkEy7CWMkyygL0xuu2ZD-FxD3MpCYFGeZOANs66APGRvaehNVc5J_Kvhoac/s320/1.jpg" /></a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-21132770719718419042010-07-16T08:22:00.000-07:002010-07-16T08:22:53.318-07:00Learning how to sail at the Traverse Area Community Sailing Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TRSML6WyjxPopK3JT1Rg4xTjAqzcUqihv1fhfZwXJbQR27NawWftT5gWln1wuiyJ894HksaiLe-TUB6PyB84ZgQ9psCSW-O7_TH3KSt5GRjvyLhJuYmPDmNbRnE5lYqRr97bM1zygx4/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0TRSML6WyjxPopK3JT1Rg4xTjAqzcUqihv1fhfZwXJbQR27NawWftT5gWln1wuiyJ894HksaiLe-TUB6PyB84ZgQ9psCSW-O7_TH3KSt5GRjvyLhJuYmPDmNbRnE5lYqRr97bM1zygx4/s320/1.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
My boys are learning how to sail at the Traverse Area Community Sailing Center located on the Boardman Lake in Traverse City.<br />
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I cannot say enough good things about this non-profit organization. The cost of instruction is incredibly reasonable. I calculated the cost of my son's two week course equates to under $6 per hour.<br />
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You can check out the various programs available at the school at the following link:<br />
<a href="http://www.tacsailing.com/">http://www.tacsailing.com/</a><br />
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The counselors are extremely patient and very knowledgeable about sailing.<br />
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The only drawback is now my sons want me to purchase their own sail boat.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-81417289374275299782010-07-07T19:34:00.000-07:002010-07-07T19:34:54.878-07:00National Cherry Festival 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5W3bxYJAXf9wRydwTFcVZhFLMXPeIUYW1q1rsbwDX2gU_QnBDRcf1fe983gU9vpema0ZcR6au19GDvU8F7_sFV74RvGaGug-cuJpXRPRHju8O6j00yNbsUHLdg2HpuyfWGKorRqbrWK0/s1600/cherry+fest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5W3bxYJAXf9wRydwTFcVZhFLMXPeIUYW1q1rsbwDX2gU_QnBDRcf1fe983gU9vpema0ZcR6au19GDvU8F7_sFV74RvGaGug-cuJpXRPRHju8O6j00yNbsUHLdg2HpuyfWGKorRqbrWK0/s200/cherry+fest.jpg" width="123" /></a></div>I hope everybody was able to get out this week and attend the National Cherry Festival. For those new to the area the Cherry Festival is Traverse City's premier event. This year it is from 3-10 July. <br />
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This weekend the US Navy Blue Angels thrilled everybody with their aerial acrobatics. Later you could listen to music at the B<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">ay</span> Si<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">de</span> music stage or watch a cherry pit spitting contest. <br />
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There is a little of everything for everybody at the festival. Childrens' events, car shows, arts and crafts fairs, bake sales, the Midway, and even a beer tent for the adults.<br />
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For more information on the festival go to: <a href="http://www.cherryfestival.org/events/everything.php">http://www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">cherryfestival</span>.org/events/everything.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word" style="background: yellow;">php</span></a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-33344550780541784902010-07-06T15:26:00.000-07:002010-07-06T15:34:50.046-07:00Fife Lake--The Best 4th In the North!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX8cKKjLrF-aurPM5PnNGBGXvfR11VUhrykv8NwjwQjMkvpzAKHfZnArQTi-9bq3t95znw3awLNnhlsJnzSHE_Zl5GsGhfRJuga1QPwMVNWeEMLr3hs2NcH-LA85LYCB9M5B1WDT5ASo/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHX8cKKjLrF-aurPM5PnNGBGXvfR11VUhrykv8NwjwQjMkvpzAKHfZnArQTi-9bq3t95znw3awLNnhlsJnzSHE_Zl5GsGhfRJuga1QPwMVNWeEMLr3hs2NcH-LA85LYCB9M5B1WDT5ASo/s320/16.jpg" /></a></div>This 4th of July my son and I went to see the fireworks at Fife Lake, Michigan. They did a great job as usual. I think this is the 4th year in a row that we have attended the Independence Day celebration at Fife Lake. The locals like it because they do not have to fight the traffic to Traverse City and the fireworks display is truly impressive.<br />
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Of course, my favorite place is the Fife Lake Dairy Bar. That place has the BEST soft serve ice cream and they have a couple dozen great flavors. <br />
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Fife Lake is an all-sports lake just off US-131 and about 30 minutes southeast of Traverse City. It has a nice sandy beach and a public boat launch. <br />
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I have a couple properties listed out in the Fife Lake area: <a href="http://www.realestateone.com/1709331">www.realestateone.com/1709331</a> and also <a href="http://www.realestateone.com/1707985">www.realestateone.com/1707985</a> .Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-83888668284502950012010-07-06T15:02:00.000-07:002010-07-06T15:02:07.010-07:00Moody Blues Concert at Interlochen Center for the Arts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQOVoi6t26jzZJZQn4fmdMAvE3FxNa7P2BFk2_ls6GzqD__Cp22NXKGrvQ1yjkL2gfdl9_0UWmFjV3bUKJ3eQjEGP3iKGQBDAXtP9aVHPVipGZtWxHWHlxNnwM3eA6GOMPEZP-z0MU-Y/s1600/moodyblues.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpQOVoi6t26jzZJZQn4fmdMAvE3FxNa7P2BFk2_ls6GzqD__Cp22NXKGrvQ1yjkL2gfdl9_0UWmFjV3bUKJ3eQjEGP3iKGQBDAXtP9aVHPVipGZtWxHWHlxNnwM3eA6GOMPEZP-z0MU-Y/s320/moodyblues.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>On 26 June 2010 I went to my first Moody Blues concert. It was great. I was shocked to realize that the drummer was 69 years old. He joked that now when he says "Sex, Drugs and Rock & Roll" the "Sex Drugs" now refers to Viagra.<br />
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They are a true classic band and I am glad to have finally been able to see them. <br />
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The concert was at the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Interlochen</span> Center for the Arts which is an amazing place. It has a great covered outdoor stage set in front beautiful Green Lake.<br />
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For those who are not familiar with the area the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Interlochen</span> Center for the Arts is home to the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Interlochen</span> Arts Academy which is one of the nation's top fine arts boarding school for High School students. There is the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Interlochen</span> College of Creative Arts which has adult classes, there is the <span class="goog-spellcheck-word">Interlochen</span> Arts Camp where there is a great fine arts summer program for grades 3 to 12th. The Center teaches art, dance, motion picture arts, music, theater, creative writing and so much more. For more information on the center go to <a href="http://www.interlochen.org/">www.<span class="goog-spellcheck-word">interlochen</span>.org</a>.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-65916589598879724182010-06-23T12:37:00.000-07:002010-06-23T12:37:37.293-07:00Log Lake in Kalkaska<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierSem1buY984KZKSUL0g-OOOKLitPmfys6iQuQhJ6D8Prn_sq4dQ7bvEbcWIPM6ByVLuVsQM_xoC-RkdjrtJxSPfepV3ww_YchpR2xOsl0R_VMQUz96-r2V_tBAHA5PE5SBsAT4GEeCQ/s1600/loglake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEierSem1buY984KZKSUL0g-OOOKLitPmfys6iQuQhJ6D8Prn_sq4dQ7bvEbcWIPM6ByVLuVsQM_xoC-RkdjrtJxSPfepV3ww_YchpR2xOsl0R_VMQUz96-r2V_tBAHA5PE5SBsAT4GEeCQ/s200/loglake.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>If you are looking for a great beach in Kalkaska County can I suggest Log Lake. It has a wonderful sandy beach perfect for skim boards...which my kids have not figured out how to ride yet. But with those boards you cannot have the rocky beaches found so often in Northern Michigan.<br />
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Log Lake is a public no-wake lake that has a park and picnic area and there is also a camp ground right next to the beach if you are looking for a place to camp. I was told there is great fishing there. My son in this photo went snorkling and said he saw a huge school of fish. I bought him a disposable underwater camera so maybe in the next blog I will have a photo of some of those fish. For more information on what is going on in Kalkaska there is a great link I found: <a href="http://www.visitkalkaska.com/LogLake.htm">http://www.visitkalkaska.com/LogLake.htm</a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-58700297584007180422010-06-23T12:09:00.000-07:002010-06-23T12:25:31.821-07:00Cool Tech Camp<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMe-O4wyRQvc_H7MyZ7af-VgNItdjN4sCqg2c6qi_w0YtC44NpXM4rMecr6LLKDj7bPyKz-U03bguEuoLMukjRbVxZisCQEVH2Dm796me-ACaK-yA-2E300atsb6EQFPIA6L-39vJoMY/s1600/tba.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5486049840257343170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZMe-O4wyRQvc_H7MyZ7af-VgNItdjN4sCqg2c6qi_w0YtC44NpXM4rMecr6LLKDj7bPyKz-U03bguEuoLMukjRbVxZisCQEVH2Dm796me-ACaK-yA-2E300atsb6EQFPIA6L-39vJoMY/s200/tba.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 150px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 200px;" /></a><br />
<div>My son is in 6th grade and is now eligible to attend the TBAISD Career-Tech Center's <strong><em>Cool Tech Camp. </em></strong>This summer he is attending the TBA Drag Way class where the kids make wooden drag racers and then race them by a CO2 cartridge propelling them. My son thinks this is the <em>"GREATEST CLASS EVER!"</em> That is his quote. </div><br />
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<div>Traverse City has tons of things for kids to do over the summer. There are courses run by the Career-Tech Center and also NMC's College for Kids. My younger child will be attending a course there this summer. For more information you can go to the Center's website at: <a href="http://www.tbactc.org/student-services/summer-tech-camp.asp">http://www.tbactc.org/student-services/summer-tech-camp.asp</a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-23831466003206104492010-06-21T16:09:00.000-07:002010-06-21T16:24:31.784-07:00My first attempt at oil painting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4qEwwi0sYH0mGibzgt5YA02TLZn8cf7ZWLf78eCMg-a7rpMdUnYLtDE79JDW2xBBeuau462N0_55RNrgop4fErk0qfih_CVzn_aINUpE6ioxnJ7DNmLOODHdk1vGpF1ypx55p_BLFJ0/s1600/mybackyard.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485370194807562882" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 180px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo4qEwwi0sYH0mGibzgt5YA02TLZn8cf7ZWLf78eCMg-a7rpMdUnYLtDE79JDW2xBBeuau462N0_55RNrgop4fErk0qfih_CVzn_aINUpE6ioxnJ7DNmLOODHdk1vGpF1ypx55p_BLFJ0/s200/mybackyard.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I took some oil painting lessons from the Art Center of Traverse City. I had never painted before with a real canvas and brushes. I did teach myself how to draw on the computer using Corel Painter and a Wacom Tablet, but I wanted to see how that compared to real life painting.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I must say Corel Painter mimics real world painting fairly well. I sort of like drawing on the computer better because the paint dries faster. :)</div><div> </div><div></div><div>I would recommend the center for anybody wishing to learn how to paint or draw. You can find out more at the following link:</div><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://www.artcentertraversecity.com/">http://www.artcentertraversecity.com</a><a href="http://http//www.artcentertraversecity.com"></a></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-22598831448039237842010-06-21T15:53:00.000-07:002010-06-21T16:05:43.231-07:00June 26 is Kids' Free Fishing Day at NMC<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR025aG457FmiimLmaFNdAish__nK6Nsf2a9TmDx01Q_lz4dfGsRZZRbPQoxNPfsyAiH_9NJIVPHaZzcLPtT4vNIIyhj-6R1Y7Rr6Sj0kKk5_HTLc4R0-KovfNanhVZKAwh3_IOzOtkQQ/s1600/Sean's+Fish.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485366781995496530" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 194px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR025aG457FmiimLmaFNdAish__nK6Nsf2a9TmDx01Q_lz4dfGsRZZRbPQoxNPfsyAiH_9NJIVPHaZzcLPtT4vNIIyhj-6R1Y7Rr6Sj0kKk5_HTLc4R0-KovfNanhVZKAwh3_IOzOtkQQ/s320/Sean's+Fish.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>A couple years ago I brought my children to Northwestern Michigan College's free fishing day. They loved it! My boys have absolutely zero patience when it comes to fishing and luckily you don't need any at this event. They threw in their line and a couple minutes later they caught a fish. The children were allowed to catch two fish from the stocked area where 1500 Rainbow Trout were packed into a fairly small area. </div><br /><div></div><br /><div>This year's NMC free fishing day is on 26 June from 10AM until 2PM. The following website has more information about this years event:</div><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="http://http//www.mynorth.com/My-North/June-2010/Kids-Free-Fishing-Day-at-Traverse-City-039s-NMC/">http://http//www.mynorth.com/My-North/June-2010/Kids-Free-Fishing-Day-at-Traverse-City-039s-NMC/</a></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The last time I went with the kids they had people cleaning the fish and putting them in plastic bags packed in ice for the ride home. I am not sure if they are doing the same thing this year, but I hope so. It really is a great time for the kids.</div><br /><div></div>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-23986201913409818042010-06-21T15:45:00.000-07:002010-06-21T15:52:51.688-07:00Boy Scout Horsemanship Merit Badge Weekend<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ0HJFQMVI0iopSXJCwosIW3ve2hoBJ3adWbyBB7JJarjxX4TJpSKmTFhMSxWbVFNGTj3XJR6EzYPKz6DVIOw8k4L0EadVn2UzSFpqjiBtfeO4ds-kWWNvM6sPXQnwBGXDlG_48-N5U8/s1600/DSC00025.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5485362863216792418" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinJ0HJFQMVI0iopSXJCwosIW3ve2hoBJ3adWbyBB7JJarjxX4TJpSKmTFhMSxWbVFNGTj3XJR6EzYPKz6DVIOw8k4L0EadVn2UzSFpqjiBtfeO4ds-kWWNvM6sPXQnwBGXDlG_48-N5U8/s320/DSC00025.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A couple weeks ago my scouts went to a wonderful horse farm in Interlochen to learn how to ride and care for horses in order to earn their Horsemanship Merit Badge. The scouts had a wonderful time. At the end of the weekend each scout was able to maneuver his horse and even back up a horse. They also learned how to care for a horse from grooming their hooves to mucking the stables. I was very impressed.Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7062444422678810810.post-35426597218112995772009-08-23T15:21:00.000-07:002009-08-23T15:48:00.770-07:00South Boardman- A Great Place To Live<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTLdHZvTqNh8IpNhkjaloTHIuQElKRDi4e4gonskWoxYSaH7aYpIsnO6Th-ksUxZ-HCsGkFEh2ntox56SVgYBE9tMxzG4oia2az7UKZP1dAfZIzU8QTM7uPJZPCUVY_33ccsC2rPDS5k/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBTLdHZvTqNh8IpNhkjaloTHIuQElKRDi4e4gonskWoxYSaH7aYpIsnO6Th-ksUxZ-HCsGkFEh2ntox56SVgYBE9tMxzG4oia2az7UKZP1dAfZIzU8QTM7uPJZPCUVY_33ccsC2rPDS5k/s320/3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5373292845672235426" /></a><br />Are you thinking about buying land in the country? Then can I recommend a small little town called South Boardman.<br /><br />South Boardman is a tiny town located in Kalkaska County off of US 131 between the Villages of Kalkaska and Fife Lake. The town was established in 1874 when a railroad depot and hotel were built there. The next year, in 1875, a post office was established. In the last 135 years not much has changed, except the depot is now gone. The major metropolitan area of the town is the intersection of US 131/Supply Road/& Boardman Road. There you will find a Motel, a restaurant, a gas station and a furniture store. Down the street a bit is the post office. While traveling down US 131, don’t blink or you will miss the town.<br /><br />Despite its rural nature, South Boardman has a lot to offer to people who want to get away from it all, but are a close commute to shops & Restaurants. South Boardman is approximately 9 miles from both Kalkaska and Fife Lake. Both villages have all the basics one would need. Kalkaska has a half dozen fast food restaurants, two large grocery stores, a HUGE community recreation center with two indoor pools, weight room and hockey rink. There is over 80 miles of groomed snowmobile trails in Kalkaska County and it has the Kalkaska Area Recreation Trail (KART), which is a paved running/biking/skating trail that is planned to hook up with the Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART) (if it has not already).<br /><br />As you travel away from Kalkaska toward South Boardman, you will pass the Country Lanes Bowling alley which hosts a number of bowling leagues and various programs for children and adults alike.<br /><br />As you come to the blinking light that is the main commercial area of the town, if you turn left you will come to the South Boardman Elementary School with grades Preschool through second grade. Third to fifth graders attend the Fife Lake Elementary school about 9 miles down the road.<br /><br />The village of Fife Lake is built along the lake it was named for. Fife Lake is a 600+ acre all sports lake with a beautiful, sandy public beach and boat launch. The village has a wonderful grocery store where I do most of my shopping. Usually when you find little grocery stores in small towns you can expect high prices, but I have been extremely happy with the Fife Lake Grocery Store. The Fife Lake Library is located in a beautiful building and they offer so many wonderful programs for the kids. It is a great library. But if you ask my children, they will tell you the ice cream shop in Fife Lake is the best place in town. The soft serve is wonderful there. On the 4th of July, Fife Lake is the place to be. The fireworks show is spectacular! But I digress... I meant to sing the praise of South Boardman.<br /><br />What is nice about South Boardman is the Boardman River flows through the area and there are a couple beautiful lakes. If you want river front,lake front or lake view property at a reasonable price... then you need to go to South Boardman.<br /><br />One of the prettiest bodies of water in the town is Perch Lake. Perch Lake is a 23 acre, no-wake lake (electric motors only) with plenty of fish. The lake is incredibly beautiful especially in the Fall. <br /><br />I have two lots for sale in the Perch Lake subdivision. These lots do not have lake frontage, but they are located across the street from the lake. The township runs a beautiful park on the lake that is walking distance from these lots. The park has a sandy beach, picnic area and toilet facilities. Farther down the road there is a public boat launch.<br /><br />I live on Perch lake, and I can tell you the area is extremely quiet. The only thing that can be usually heard are the crickets, the screeches of the pair of bald eagles that hang around the lake and an occasional loon.<br /><br />The lots I have available are only $12,000 each and are over 0.6 acres each. They are high and dry and heavily wooded. South Boardman is an area where you can get the most for your money. If you like living in a rural area, then this is the place for you. For more information on the properties click <a href="http://www.taar.com/mlssearch/?lid=1699734">here.</a>Donnahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12739577898650547018noreply@blogger.com0