19 graduate as Leadership Charlevoix County completes 5th year

THE GRADUATES: Front row from left - Charity Gee, Great Lakes Energy; Nicole Skrocki, The Insurance Shop; Barb Brooks, City of Boyne City,; Heather Jackson, City of East Jordan; Molly Hauxwell-Currier, Petoskey News-Review; Liane Hagerman, Health Dept. of NW Michigan; Ashley Sonnevil, Munson Healthcare-Charlevoix Hospital; Alissa Post, Castle Farms; Carrie Titus, 4Front Credit Union; Jennifer McAndrew, Boyne Co-op True Value. Back row:  Jeffrey Minkwic, Boyne Mountain; Kimberly Altobello-MacNaughton, Ralph Gillett CPA; Devin Butterbrodt, Classic Instruments; Lisa Meyer, Charlevoix Public Schools; Randall Sutton, Boyne Mountain; Kristen Austin, Re/Max Resort Properties; Clifton Porter, Cannonball LLC; John Wayne Cool, Charlevoix State Bank. Missing was Hannah Sanderson of  Northern Lakes Economic Alliance.

Leadership Charlevoix County completed its fifth year Wednesday with a graduation ceremony at Boyne Mountain Resort, which sponsored the event. The graduates were encouraged by keynote speaker Dr. John Jeffries, a well-known retired local educator, to continue building their leadership skills throughout their lives. 

"This year's class is a fantastic group of people," said program coordinator Kendall Hayes. "They are smart, driven, enthusiastic and ready to take on leadership roles throughout Charlevoix County. I can't wait to see the things they accomplish in our community."

There are now a total of 73 graduates of the leadership program, which was started by the Boyne City, East Jordan and Charlevoix Chambers of Commerce with funding assistance from the Charlevoix County Community Foundation.  

> APPLICATIONS are now being accepted for the 2016-17 program, which begins with an orientation in August and an overnight retreat on Beaver Island in September. More information may be found at www.leadershipcharlevoixcounty.com or by calling the Boyne Area Chamber at 231-582-6222. 

Two taprooms and a brew pub opening soon

 Boyne City has been a little late to join the craft beer phenomenon, but by late summer 2016 there will be two tap rooms and a brew pub within a couple of blocks of each other in the downtown. "We're going to be the Beer Mecca of Northern Michigan," said Mike Castiglione, owner of Stiggs Brewing Company, which plans to open in August or September. Stiggs is under construction in the historic building that once housed the Boyne City Railroad office at 112 S. Park St. Also under construction is 7 Monks Taproom at 202 S. Lake St., which plans planning to open in mid to late June. This will be their first expansion beyond what has been called "a resounding success" in Traverse City. And they're also planning a third location in Grand Rapids. The latest to join the Boyne City beer movement is another successful enterprise, Lake Charlevoix Brewing, which opened not quite a year ago in Charlevoix. Their second location will be called the Boyne City Taproom and will be located in the former Northern Table building at 220 S. Lake St. They also plan to open in mid to late June. All of the new establishments will also have food, and all are now looking to hire staff.

Boyne City Farmers Market outdoor season begins

The Boyne City Farmers Market has two reasons to celebrate. The outdoor market season starts on Saturday, May 7 and there is a new face at the market. Erica Tosch will be the new market manager, replacing Becky Harris who will retire on May 31. The outdoor market, open every Wednesday and Saturday from 8 am to noon at Veterans Park, will feature more than 65 regular produce vendors, all local. They offer seasonal fruits, vegetables, and herbs; gourmet baked goods and preserves; eggs and cheese; honey and maple syrup; proteins, fish, potted annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, and cut flowers; plus a juried craft market with unique hand-made items for your home or a special gift. 
“The farmers never missed a beat! Greens were available all winter and with the many hoop-houses and greenhouses the produce continues to be amazing,” said Tosch, the new market manager. This is the 5th year accepting Bridge Cards. Customers swipe their card at the Market booth and receive tokens to shop with. The market also partners with Fair Food Network’s Double Up Food Bucks program. 
SPECIAL EVENTS
A full season of activities have been arranged including cooking demos with Frog Hollow Farm, Fustini’s, Michelle Bommarito, Philip Munday from Hardwood Gold, children’s activities, and live music every Saturday. The 3rd Annual Food Truck Rally will take place Thursday, July 14, 6-9 pm at Veterans Park. 
The Friends Farm Meals are also a highlight of the season, breaking bread and toasting the farmers and others who make Michigan’s agricultural community so vibrant. This year’s event on August 14 will take on a new twist with a tour of venues including Coveyou Scenic Farm, Blackbird Gardens, and ending at Walloon Lake Winery. The price is $75 per person. Reserve your seats at the Market Booth or call 330-0319 with any questions. 
Proceeds raised from these events will be used to help fund the Community Pavilion which will become the market's winter home. The Boyne City Farmers Market is a program of the Boyne City Main Street and governed by an 11-member committee consisting of vendors and community members. For a complete line-up of our market events visit www.boynecityfarmersmarket.org. For more information, contact Erica Tosch at 231-330-0139 or Main Street at 231-582-9009. 

Walkabout Sculpture Show celebration and installation set for June 24

Boyne City's Walkabout Sculpture Show is approaching its one-year anniversary. The six pieces on loan from Michigan Sculptors have been in place since June 2015 and will be replaced with new pieces on June 24. Organizers will celebrate the outgoing pieces and announce the winner of The People.s Choice Award. The cash award of $1,000 is given to the artist who has received the most ballot votes - online or on paper. It's not too late to vote for your favorite. Go to www.walkaboutsculptureshow.com. All works have been for sale during the exhibit and there is still time to purchase your favorite pieces. 

Draco Viewer: $19,800, Red Angus: $5,400, Sculpture in Motion/Petal Point $2,600, Sculpture in Motion/Windward: $3,900, Sculpture in Motion/Diamond Dancer: $3,400, Icicle Blue: $3,000 and Becca Triumphs: $15,000.

 "It has been such a pleasure to have these works of art enhance our downtown and parks for the past year," said event organizer and local sculptor, Martha Sulfridge. "We are so fortunate to have talented artists who want to share their work with our community, This was an opportunity for us to make beautiful public art available for all to enjoy." 

Nine new sculptures of various sizes and media - life-size to monument presentations, realistic to abstract, metal, clay, steel, iron and granite - will be installed on June 24 at sites throughout Boyne City, including Sunset Park, Veterans Park, the marina, the new open space as well as downtown. 

Sulfridge said, "The goal is to create a new and fresh show each year and expand the offerings we were able to accomplish this year." An Artist Reception will be held on June 24 at 4:30 p.m. at Freshwater Gallery to celebrate and thank the artists and unveil the new exhibit. 

The Walkabout Sculpture Show is free and accessible to all viewers 24 hours a day. All the featured art works are for sale. Anyone interested in purchasing or voting on their favorite pieces can contact the Boyne City Main Street office at 231-582-9009, Mainstreet@boynecity.com or visit www.walkaboutsculptureshow.com.