Sunny thoughts for a grey day

Winter 2016-17 mainly has been described as "weird." Now that it is officially over and spring is trying to arrive, it is time to look forward and spring ahead to all that it is in store for our area. I hope you find these newsworthy and noteworthy events as exciting as I do!

Tuesday Roscommon County received great news - +Michigan Cares for Tourism has chosen Roscommon for its 2017 #MC4T volunteer clean-up event.  They will be joined September 18-19 at the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum and R. A. MacMullan Conference Center (RAM Center) in Roscommon by nearly 200 tourism professionals volunteering their time for the project. More details will follow, but what an opportunity for us to be gracious hosts and let them see what Roscommon County has to offer.

Earlier this month we received notice that Roscommon County was awarded an Iron Belle Trail feasibility grant. Biking is becoming ever more popular in the area and eventually be tied in with the State's Iron Belle Trail could mean a boost to our economy as well as give local residents a great bike path. What do you think about it?

Local chambers of commerce are busy setting up their summer events - we are looking forward to the summer kick off in St. Helen and its Blue Gill Festival; the Roscommon Art Show; and Houghton Lake Chamber business expo. Please be sure to visit the tourism bureau event calendar for all the events and details.

It is exciting to see new restaurants, a distillery, and more trails (including a birding trail) being developed. Fishing reports have been fantastic.

SAVE THE DATE - April 23 is the Catch Us If You Can drawing at Spicer's Boat City. FOURTEEN tagged fish were caught in all three lakes this year - will 7  year old Marisa be the one to walk away with $100,000 and a new boat? Or will it be Marianne whose husband caught a tagged fish a few years ago? So many stories to tell with this year's winners. Come share them with us on the 23rd.

On a personal note, it is great to open the windows in the morning and hear birds singing. So far I have seen geese, ducks, and red wing blackbirds return. Have you seen a red robin in Roscommon County yet?