Stroll the Streets of Boyne for music, magic, mirth

Stroll the Streets, every Friday night in the summer

From the Petoskey News-Review: Stroll the Streets will fill downtown Boyne City with music and entertainment 6-9 p.m. every Friday from June 24 through Labor Day weekend. This is the eighth year for Stroll the Streets, which is organized by the Boyne City Main Street Program. "We originally wanted to find a way to bring people downtown to see what Boyne City has to offer," said Karen Guzniczak, event organizer and founder. "Getting off the ground was real tough, but now it's an extremely popular event." Music ranges from traditional folk to jazz and rock. Other activities include magicians, caricature artists, face painting and balloon twisting. This year there are new acts coming in as well as returning favorites. It has grown to include seven to eight musicians each time, according to Guzniczak. The lineup for June 24 includes Beer Bottle Blues Band, Harbor Hoe Down, Harry Colestock, June Bug, Kelly Beck, Kowalske Family Band, Lake Street Ramblers, Ruby Williams and Friends, and The Vermeers. Full story.

Wildwood Rush zipline canopy tour opens near Young State Park

From the Petoskey News-Review: A pair of local builders have an altogether new venture -- or adventure -- under way. Todd Wright, of Boyne City, and Andy Poineau, of East Jordan, opened Wildwood Rush Friday, a zip line canopy tour business across the road from Young State Park, just north of Boyne City. Their 50 acres there once were intended for an eco-friendly housing development, but instead became an eco-centered tourist attraction. "Last year, we built a zip line for our own amusement," Wright said. The idea literally launched into the sky from there. Now the builders have 12 guides on the payroll and expect to capitalize off the new business's proximity to the state park and its well-established ability to draw in tourists to the Lake Charlevoix shoreline. It's basically a captive audience. "Being close to the park is awesome," Wright said.. Full story.

Creating options for the future at Boyne District Library

In an effort to enhance the long-term viability and potential growth of the Boyne District Library, its board of trustees recently purchased the property at 214 Ray Street, next to the Library and the city parking lot. While there are no immediate plans for the property, the board wanted to create options for the future. The library serves the people of Boyne City, Evangeline and Bay townships, and parts of Eveline and Wilson townships. The library was renovated and expanded in 2001. While it has served the community’s needs well in the past 10 years, the number of library users has increased by more than 80% (based on statistics from the library’s annual State Aid Report), the need for library resources is growing, and there are indications that future expansion may be needed. “Some days in the summer we are so busy that it’s hard to find a place to sit,” said library director Cliff Carey. “Our meeting rooms are often booked with four different meetings in one day. The public computers are full, the children’s room is humming with activity and our resources are fully utilized.” News story.

Massage therapist opens Elite Energetics in downtown Boyne

The Chamber and Main Street welcome Karen Wright and Elite Energetics to the Boyne City downtown business community. She is a nationally certified massage therapist and massage instructor who graduated from one of the top schools, Boulder College of Massage Therapy, in 2002. A Michigan native, Karen spent the last eight years at top resorts in Orlando. She specializes in therapeutic treatment work, heeling sole massage (full body massage with the feet), and achieving a state of relaxation. "My goal is to add to the quality bodywork in this area while building lasting relationships. I will work with you to reduce muscle soreness, increase performance and range of motion, and balance your mind/body/spirit." Elite Energeticsis located in the historic railroad building at 112 S. Park St. and Karen can be reached at 231-675-0015 or by email at eliteenergetics@gmail.com.

Dunagain's Antiques and Collectibles opens in SOBO

From the Petoskey News-Review: Wanting to add to the interesting businesses in the SOBO district of Boyne City, Michael Sehr opened Dunagain's Antiques and Collectibles on May 1.  I think when you see a town without an antique shop, there is just something missing. It's a great draw for Boyne City and a wonderful draw for this neighborhood. An antique shop was needed in the SOBO district," said Sehr. Located in the former Boyne Valley Printing building at 209 S. Lake St., the shop is filled with antique and rustic furniture, a selection of vintage clothing and accessories, pottery and a variety of retro lamps, to name a few of the items. Along with Sehr, there are six vendors in the store. "For the circle of collectors that I know, I want them to have a really nice place to sell their items. The only reason I started to sell antiques is so that I could keep buying them," laughed Sehr. Full story.

Boyne City building vibrant downtown with innovative Main Street program

Reprinted from the Harbor Light newspaper: Boyne City, located less than an hour southeast of Harbor Springs, has spent the last decade in headline-grabbing transformation. Once a gritty, worn center for trades of times past - lumber yards, tanneries, and a chemical plant marked its Lake Charlevoix shores - the village has escaped a decline that has swallowed so many Michigan towns. In doing so, the town has provided a model, showcasing a keen eye toward the future - one that its neighbors, Harbor Springs among them, might consider. Full story.

Say bon appetit to Michigan as culinary tourism soars

(From MLive.com, the website of Booth Newspapers) Soon you’ll be able to spend a weekend “glazing and grazing” — firing a pottery plate one day and enjoying locally grown gourmet food on it the next. Or there’s the “Boyne Appetit” weekend, designed like a pub crawl but instead visits the kitchens of top chefs. Or a tour of a dozen Frankenmuth food venues (cheese makers, pretzel rollers, brewers and more), all guided by a free smart phone application. Those outings, plus a Michigan chestnut tour, a brewery tour (with driver) of Southeast Michigan and many others, are being developed across Michigan, thanks to inspiration offered earlier this month at the state’s first Culinary Tourism conference. Full story.