Cherry Republic holds snowshoe hike, chili dinner to benefit Friends of Sleeping Bear
From staff reports
Fans of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore are invited to attend a fun and informal snowshoe hike and chili dinner on Sunday, Jan. 20, to help support Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes—the nonprofit group whose volunteers maintain the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail and help in other ways during the federal government shutdown.
Park enthusiasts should plan to meet at Cherry Public House, 6026 S. Lake St. in Glen Arbor, at 3 p.m. before heading out for a casual snowshoe hike. A chili dinner will be served at the Public House from 3 to 7 p.m. Cost is $10 and includes a bowl of chili and one beverage of choice (craft beer, wine, soda, hot chocolate, or coffee). All proceeds from this family-friendly event will go to Friends of Sleeping Bear. (Note: Showshoes will not be provided; please bring your own if you plan to snowshoe.)
While basic visitor services have been resumed at the Park, the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes organization has been working hard during the current partial government shutdown to keep as much of the Park operating as possible. They’ve been busy grooming cross-country ski trails and keeping toilets clean and stocked, among other duties.
“We hope everyone will come out to celebrate our beautiful National Lakeshore, while helping to support this group of volunteers who work all year long to protect the Park and improve visitors’ experiences,” says Cherry Republic president Bob Sutherland. “I can’t think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon in January in northern Michigan!”