Welcome to the first edition of Up North, Close By...

Crowd Pleasers

June 14 – the 28th Annual Lakestride Half Marathon, 5K, and Fun Run.

One of the most beautiful and scenic courses in Michigan, the Lakestride starts at Lake Michigan, in downtown Ludington, and goes through the dunes and wooded trails of Ludington State Park. Register online (www.classicrace.com) – family rates available – or call Gary at 757-2166 for details.

If you haven’t registered yet for one of the 900 3-on-3 basketball teams that will be competing in this year’s Gus Macker (June 28 & 29) you’re pretty much sidelined. But, you can still watch the action at the premier Gus Macker. Look for the Better Made Players, named originally for their sponsor – the maker of those tasty Michigan potato chips. The team’s Doug Seymour, Kenny Prior, Don Downey, and Jeff Luft have been playing and winning in the Macker since 1994. And, their enthusiasm for the competition hasn’t diminished over the years. Though they love to win, they’re in it for the love of the game, the great people they meet from all over, the festive atmosphere, and even a chance to spot an occasional celebrity (“Was that Chris Kamon, I just saw eating a walking taco?”) Doug’s tip for playing to win? “Play a tough defense and unselfish offense.” Thanks Doug and good luck!

Tee Times

Rated “Top Ten Best New Affordable Courses in America,” by Golf Digest, Hemlock Golf Club’s formidable, 7,030-yard course was designed in 2001 by nationally acclaimed architect Raymond Hearn.

In nearby Mears, Golden Sands Golf Course offers a relaxed course for the whole family. And, golf enthusiasts can enjoy the green links of a number of other public and private courses in our region including Lakeside Links and Lincoln Hills Golf Club in Ludington, Manistee National Golf Course in Manistee, and Thoroughbred Golf Course in Rothbury.

Inland Adventures

Nestled in the midst of farm country 15 minutes inland from Lake Michigan, is the quintessential Main Street in Scottville. There’s a farmers’ market every Saturday (May-October), sing-a-longs and other local music at the Optimists’ Club on Tuesday nights during the summer, fishing down at the Pere Marquette River, and then there are the clowns. Not just any clowns, but singing, marching, musical-instrument-wielding, regular-joe-during-the-day clowns. They’ll be performing throughout Michigan this summer, as they have for over a century, but there’s nothing better than seeing the one and only Scottville Clown Band in their hometown at their annual Patriotic Concert on July 1 at 7:30.

Stop by the Duck Blind Café for a cup of joe and slice of homemade pie or Steve’s for a beer and a burger. When you’re done for the night, you and your tent or RV can stay nearby in Riverside Park. And, during the day, you can rent a canoe or kayak from River Run Canoe Livery for a trip down the Pere Marquette River.

The Artist’s Life

The Red Door Gallery in downtown Ludington hosts its 7th annual open house on Saturday, June 21 from 7-9 This is the one time of the year when you get to know some of the 30 plus artists who have created the work exhibited in the gallery. The gallery showcases the ceramic art of owners, Amanda St. Hilaire and Nathan Grubich, along with photographs, fiber pieces, glass, paintings, and jewelry from regional artists. When they are not tending the gallery, Amanda and Nathan are working hard on creating ceramic pieces for the many shows they participate in in various part of the U.S. throughout the year.

July 5 & 6 – West Shore Art League’s 48th annual Fine Art and Crafts Fair – Ludington City Park.

The Good ‘Ole Days

On 23 acres of the Buttersville Peninsula across from downtown Ludington, Historic White Pine Village is a window to the area’s history. Take a walk into the 1800’s including a tour of the one-room schoolhouse, the doctor’s cottage, the post office, and museums of music, time, cars, and lumbering. Top it off with an ice cream in the good, old-fashioned ice cream parlor.

Events at the Village bring history to life for all ages and interests. Full details are at historicwhitepinevillage.org.

June 21 – Unveiling of inductees to the Mason County Sports Hall of Fame, followed by old-time baseball: Ludington Mariners host vintage teams from Grand Rapids and Lowell.

July 11-12 – “Quilts in the Pines”
Country Quilters’ Guild Show

July 14-20 – Blacksmith Bill Jenkins will be heating things up, literally!

July 15 – Village Fish Fry

July 17 – Children’s Day #1

Badger

S.S. BADGER LUDINGTON & GREEN BAY GETAWAY

Go “Up North, Close By” to Ludington, home port of the historic S.S. Badger carferry. Spend some time there on Michigan’s best beaches; then get aboard the S.S. Badger for a fun cruise across Lake Michigan on an authentic steamship, followed by a short drive to Green Bay to visit Lambeau Field, Packers Hall of Fame, National Railroad Museum, and more.

WIN a trip to Packers Training Camp August 8th-10th! Round trip for four with auto on the S.S. Badger, plus 2-night stay at Ramada Plaza Hotel Green Bay. Click here for more information and link to online contest entry.

We’re At The Heart of Michigan’s Great Outdoors!

Within an hour’s drive of our area are endless vacation opportunities year round. From riding the dunes to snowmobiling through acres of forests to exploring quaint villages…find out about the possibilities at Michigan’s Great Outdoors.

Coming Up in July

Area fireworks are on July 4 at dusk at Stearns Park beach in Ludington and on July 5 at 10:15 pm on Upper Hamlin Lake opposite Wilson Hill Park.
And, there’s tons more:

July 1
Hospice of Michigan Fun Fest in Scottville – 4:00 pm
Fun and food for the whole family.

Scottville Clown Band Patriotic Concert – 7:30 pm

July 3
Ludington Area Jaycees’ Freedom Festival Children & Pets Parade in Ludington 6:30 pm
July 4
Ludington Area Jaycees’ Freedom Festival Grand Parade in Ludington – 2:00 pm

July 5-6
West Shore Art League Fine Arts & Crafts Fair in Ludington - 10:00 am

Outdoor Antiques Market - 10:00 AM

July 8
Scottville outdoor concert series featuring Edgar Struble - 7:30 pm

July 10-12
Idlewild Music Festival

July 11-13
Scottville Summerfest Weekend
Includes car cruise and show, garden and antique tractor pull, Rubber Ducky Race, barbeque, brats, and more.

Plus, there are home shows, antique shows, the county fair, fishing tournaments, magicians, juggling, Friday Night Live in downtown Ludington to name just a few of the summer activities. Check out our complete calendars for all the specifics on these events and more to plan your trip!

We’re Making News!

The Grand Rapids Press recently covered the growing art scene in Pentwater, Manistee, and Ludington, highlighting The Red Door Gallery, Todd & Brad Reed Photography, and the future Center for the Arts in downtown Ludington.

The May issue of Traverse Magazine raved about organic, slow food The Plaza Cafe, calling their all-natural burger "a new Ludington classic" and shared chef Tom McKenna's recipe for asparagus guacamole. The story's not online, so you'll just have to stop by The Plaza Cafe and find out what the fuss is all about!

Downtown Ludington was the star of an MLive.com piece, on the Lure of Ludington, which featured the Lamplighter Bed & Breakfast and a slew of downtown restaurants - Old Hamlin, Luciano's, House of Flavors, Jamesport Brewing Co., and P.M. Steamers.

And, in their ____ 2008 edition, Silent Sports, the Upper Midwest’s aerobic recreational magazine, calls the bicyclist 600-mile S.S. Badger Loop, an “unforgettable bicycle experiences that just don't come along often enough.”