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“Pickin’ on Joah”, Empire to remember a gentle giant

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This Sunday, May 26, from 4-6 p.m. at the Village Inn in Empire, the Empire Area Community Emergency Fund will hold its monthly fund-raising concert to honor and celebrate the memory of Joah Dye, a beloved member of the community — not a musician, but rather a lover of music, people and life. The performers have chosen to “headline” Joah at this event. Among some of his favorite musicians are Chris Skellenger, Tom Fordyce, Norm Wheeler, Paul Koss and Patrick Niemisto who lovingly coined this event “Pickin’ On Joah”.

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Fill ‘er up, work your core, launch the boat, taste delicious chocolate

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What services are imperative for a small town like Glen Arbor? How about a grocery store, a hardware store, a gas station and an active Chamber of Commerce. Check three of four for Jeff and Georgia Gietzen, the Grand Rapids transplants who acquired Northwoods Hardware three years ago (and became sole owners in 2011), who have also become Chamber leaders, and this spring bought the gas station just north of town. Northwoods Filling Station now boasts vintage 1950s signage, sells gasoline and quick bites, and most importantly stays open 7 days a week, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. That’s a big improvement over having to drive to Empire or Maple City for petrol.

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Empire Asparagus Festival 2013 Poetry Contest winners

Here are the top three entries from the Empire Asparagus Festival’s 2013 Poetry Contest. The winners are Mary O’Neill, R.D. Andrews and Sylvia Duncan

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Economic investment, community resilience, save 10th annual Empire Asparagus Festival

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Years ago, when Paul Skinner traveled around Michigan to acquire antiques for his Empire-based business Miser’s Hoard, he was routinely asked, “Where in the world Empire?” But now, as the annual third-weekend-in-May festival celebrates its tenth birthday, Empire is known far and wide for its eclectic celebration of the green stalk. In fact, four years ago MSN.com named the Empire Asparagus Festival among “the World’s Weirdest Festivals” along with South Korea’s Boryeong Mud Festival and Thailand’s Monkey Buffet Festival.

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Poems welcome at 10th annual Empire Asparagus Festival

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The Glen Lake Community Library will host a poetry contest as part of the 10th annual Empire Asparagus Festival. Aspiring poets are invited to submit their asparagus-inspired verse to the library by Monday, May 13. Entries will be judged in youth (ages 18 and younger) and adult categories, with prizes awarded in both groups. Poems may be emailed to info@glenlakelibrary.net; or mailed to Glen Lake Community Library, P.O. Box 33, Empire, Mich. 49630; or can be dropped off at the library itself. On Saturday, May 18, at 2 p.m., all verses submitted in the contest will be shared in a poetry reading at the Empire Township Hall. Contestants are encouraged to attend this fun gathering to present their own “Ode to Asparagus”!

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Walking the Great Lakes with Loreen Niewenhuis

The Glen Lake Library in Empire will host a presentation by Loreen Niewenhuis, author of the newly published book A 1000-Mile Great Lakes Walk, on Monday, April 15, at 7 p.m. Niewenhuis’ account of her epic hike along the shores of all five Great Lakes offers unique insights into the people, history, culture and environment of our unique region. The presentation will be held at the Empire Township Hall, across the street from the library. Copies of her new book will be available for sale.

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Federal funds help Heritage Trail expand to Port Oneida

The Detroit Free Press and other media outlets report that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has awarded $100,000 to the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) to extend the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Heritage Trail an additional 4.75 miles.

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Celebrate Empire Winterfest with Polar Dip

Don’t miss this weekend’s Winterfest activities in Empire. Plunge into South Bar Lake during the Polar Dip at 2 p.m. on Saturday Feb. 16, and enjoy hot chocolate around a bonfire afterwards. That evening the Glen Lake Manor will feature a wine and chocolate pairing and a late Valentine’s dinner

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Glen Lake Library demonstrates genealogy database

The Glen Lake Community Library in Empire will host a demonstration of a new genealogy database on Tuesday, Jan. 22 at 7 p.m. Ancestry Library Edition provides access to millions of digitized records, including census rolls, immigration logs and military service records. The database can be used on any of the library’s public computers. The demonstration will be led by Kris Rzepcynski (Rep-zin-ski), an archivist with the State of Michigan. Seating for this program is limited, so please contact the library in advance to register by calling (231) 326-5361, or via email to info@glenlakelibrary.net.

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Altruism in Empire

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Northern Michiganders with the urge to help someone in need in their community can take that altruistic step, and enjoy live music and a cold beer in the process. Tom Fordyce and his mates from Cabin Fever will perform on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 4-6 p.m., at the Empire Village Inn, as part of the Empire Area Community Emergency Fund’s (EACEF) monthly benefit concert.

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