Northern Happenings

Elizabeth Buzzelli did a stellar job speaking at the library on Tuesday. I’m sorry not to have posted the news of her appearance sooner, but to make up for that lapse I’m announcing here and now that she will be teaching a one-day intensive writing seminar, through NMC, on August 9. I wish I could go! It is, however, a Saturday in August, not to mention Northport Dog Parade Day, but those of you nearer to Traverse City and more dedicated to the pen than the pooch will want to check out this opportunity before the class fills up. You’ll get your tuition’s worth. By the by, she’d been hoping for a “dark and stormy night,” when planning her evening presentation on how we scare ourselves with stories involving gruesome gore, but we had beautiful skies in place of thunder, and that worked out fine.

Downed by migraine a week ago Tuesday, I was forced to take a break from the nonstop pace of summer, and it felt so good (despite the cause) that I haven't wanted to go at a breakneck speed again since then. David feels the same way. Wednesday brought us a small taste of summer vacation. Bruce was at the bookstore, it was my house-and-garden day, and as I was coming in from weeding to get another load of laundry out of the washer to hang on the line the phone rang. It was my sister, calling from Mackinac. Her husband had raced in the Mac from Chicago, she’d driven up to meet him, and they were now starting back south and had just enough leeway to stop and visit briefly on their way. No time for me to go to town to shop, but there was beer and ginger ale (Vernor’s, of course), and inspiration pushed me out to the car and up the road to buy some fresh local cherries. The temperature was perfect. The sunshine was perfect. My gardens glistened from their morning watering.

We sat at the umbrella table under the black walnut tree, as if there were no such thing as work. This put the cap on Sarah’s wonderful morning. Being out in the yard for hours, with me and her friend, Kona, and then having company besides--!!! Both dogs enjoyed the social hour as much as the human beings did.

This morning I finished Richard Hill’s LAKE EFFECT and enjoyed it very much. In fact, one peripheral thought it put in my mind was the whole subject of self-publishing: what kinds of books succeed when self-published, what it takes for success, and when aspiring writers would be better off simply printing a few copies for their relatives. LAKE EFFECT is worth its cover price, and I’ll have no trouble recommending it. Another time I’ll go down my list and say why, citing other well-done, self-published books.

NORTHPORT CALENDAR:

Saturday, July 26, is the pig roast and family festival benefiting the Leelanau Children’s Center. The meal is free for kids under 5 years of age, with meals for kids 5-12, $5, and adults $15. The pig roast will be at the marina park in Northport, 3-6 p.m. (at the school in case of rain).

Tuesday, July 29, is the final evening of the Leelanau Township Library summer series, and it’s Poetry Night! Bring a poem you’ve written (more than one, if you’d like), or just come to enjoy and applaud. My personal theme this year is “You don’t have to be afraid of poetry!” Some of our local poets are very serious, others produce humorous verse, but there is a lot of variety, and Poetry Night last year was a huge success, moving right along, with lots of laughter and appreciation.
Thursday, July 31, is Gallery Walk again. All the galleries in Northport will be open from 6-9 p.m. We will hope for a pleasant strolling evening, as all but two of the galleries are right in the village.

Saturday, August 9, is the always eagerly awaited Northport Dog Parade. This year’s theme is “Indiana Bones and the Raiders of the Lost Bark,” so plan your costumes and floats accordingly. Registration for the 2008 parade can be done early in the day, to save time, at Dog Ears Books or at the Northport Bay Dog and Cat Company.

Saturday, August 16, is another wonderful annual event, the fly-in at Woolsey Airport, with pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to noon ($4 children; $8 adults). The band will play, and there will be vintage cars on display, as well as all manner of small planes. My advice: Plan to arrive early to see the planes coming in and to get your breakfast before the line is too long.

I don’t have a poster yet for the food and wine festival in Haserot Park, but that should be August 9, and if scheduling this year is the same as most years, the pow-wow at Peshawbestown should be August 15, 16 and 17. I’ll give definite word on that when it comes my way.