STICKY-BUNS HOLIDAY

A “Super Saturday event” will take place at Wellington Farm Park near Grayling on Saturday, July 19 and will feature an outdoor kitchen with farm ladies baking sticky-buns, bread and rolls.

Park officials say that Super Saturdays at the 60 acre living history farm are special when the interpreters concentrate on one specific subject. The first product to be taken out of the oven of the old Kalamazoo wood stoves is the delectable sticky-buns. Officials say that the flour used in the baking is ground in the Grist Mill located at the farm. To the flour are added raisins, walnuts, sugar, molasses, and butter. The mix is divided in small portions, baked and doled out to the audience while still warm.

An interpreter pointed out that it is easy for us to take something for granted when it is as common as bread or rolls. It comes from the supermarket or the bakery. She said that life in the 1930’s during the depression was life of dependence on oneself for food. If there was no money it was necessary to bake your own bread.

People who have attended previous sticky bun Saturdays say that there is nothing better than the smell of bread baking in the oven of a wood stove or the taste of a sticky bun along with a good cup of coffee.

Wellington Farm Park, a working farm is located on Military Road between Higgins Lake State Park and the Michigan National Guard Camp. The farm is open Monday through Sunday. Admission to the park is $6 for adults and $4 for students and seniors. For a map or more information call 888-653-3276 or visit the website at www.wellingtonfarmpark.org

Hartwick Pines Logging Museum. 4216 Ranger Rd. Grayling, MI 49738
phone: (989) 348-2537. fax: (989) 344-6803. email: burgr@michigan.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Michael Deren to present Lumberjack program at Hartwick Pines”

(June 24, 2008) Plan now to be at Hartwick Pines State Park on Saturday, July 5 at 7pm to see Michael Deren’s very popular “Past in Person” program about the Lumberjacks (or Shantyboys as they called themselves) in Northern Michigan in the 1870s. This highly entertaining program of music, song, and stories is sponsored by the Logging Museum at Hartwick Pines, a field site of the Michigan Historical Museum, and the friends of Hartwick Pines, and will take place at the amphitheater at the Logging Museum within the park, eight miles northeast of Grayling.
Journey into the past through the music, songs and tales of the lumberjacks who helped build America in the Nineteenth Century. This is a multi-faceted, audience-centered program that will educate, delight and enthrall all who attend. This program promises to get you on your feet! Michael Deren will portray a lumberjack from Northern Michigan in the 1870s as he takes his audience back to the time when they were “cutting the big sticks.” He will play the concertina, fiddle, hammer dulcimer, bones, button accordion, and limber toys and share songs and stories of life in the logging camps.
Michael Deren’s “Past in Person” program will be Saturday, July 5, 2008 at 7pm at the Logging Museum at Hartwick Pines State Park. In the event of rain, the program will be at the Michigan Forest Visitor Center. Hartwick Pines State Park is located on M-93 (Hartwick Pines Rd.), two miles east of I-75, exit 259. There is no charge for this program, but a state park motor vehicle permit is required for entry into the park. The daily permit is $6 and a yearly permit is $24 for Michigan residents and $8 for a daily and $29 for an annual permit for non-residents. For more information, please contact Hartwick Pines State Park at (989) 348-2537.

Hartwick Pines Logging Museum
4216 Ranger Rd. Grayling, MI 49738
phone: (989) 348-2537. fax: (989) 344-6803. email: burgr@michigan.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“Hartwick Pines Logging Museum celebrates a 19th Century Independence Day”

(June 24, 2008) The Hartwick Pines Logging Museum will be offering several activities and programs to celebrate the Independence Day holiday similar to how our nation’s birthday was celebrated in the 1800s. Events will take place on July 4th, July 5th, and July 6th at the Logging Museum at Hartwick Pines State Park. A traditional activity in the 19th century to celebrate the birth of the United States as an independent nation from Great Britain was the reading of the Declaration of Independence. Historian Rob Burg will read the Declaration of Independence at 2pm, Friday July 4th to the assembled visitors. Other activities of the day will include a log sawing contest, in the spirit of the old lumberjack competitions, children’s games and flag making. Most of these activities will be on going from 11am to 5pm.
On July 5th, entertainer and educator Michael Deren returns to Hartwick Pines for his annual “Past in Person” program of the Michigan Lumberjack at 7pm at the Logging Museum. In the event of inclement weather, the program will be at the Visitor Center. This popular program is always entertaining and will include music, songs, dance, stories and a lot of visitor participation.
The Fourth of July Holiday will end with an exhibition match of “Vintage Base Ball” at the park’s picnic area on Sunday, July 6th at 1pm. Baseball has been our national pastime for more than 130 years and was always a popular part of any small town’s Independence Day celebration. The Hartwick Pines Swampers will demonstrate how baseball was played in the 1860s with this very special match with any interested park visitors being able to play base ball as it was played in the era before gloves and player strikes. Who knows, you may be our newest “Swamper!”
Other upcoming events at the Hartwick Pines Logging Museum and Hartwick Pines State Park include Wood Shaving Days on July 19th and 20th, additional Vintage Base Ball games on July 19th, July 26th, Aug. 3rd, Aug. 16th, Aug. 17th and Aug. 23rd, Forest Fest on Aug. 9th and Black Iron Days on Aug. 23rd and 24th. For more information about any of these events, please call (989) 348-2537 or email burgr@michigan.gov.
There is no charge for any of these events, however there is a state park motor vehicle permit fee to enter into Hartwick Pines State Park. This is $6 for a daily permit or $24 for an annual permit for state residents.
The Hartwick Pines Logging Museum is operated by the Michigan Dept. of History, Arts and Libraries/Michigan Historical Center and is an American Association of Museums (AAM) accredited museum of the Michigan Historical Museum system. The Hartwick Pines Logging Museum is open May 1 to October 31 and summer hours are 10am to 6pm Monday-Saturday, and 12Noon to 6pm Sunday.

Hartwick Pines Logging Museum. 4216 Ranger Rd. Grayling, MI 49738
phone: (989) 348-2537. fax: (989) 344-6803

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rob Burg, (989) 348-2537 or burgr@michigan.gov

“Hartwick Pines to host annual Wood Shaving Days”

(June 24, 2008) Mark your calendars now for July 19th and 20th to come out to Hartwick Pines State Park to enjoy the annual Wood Shaving Days Festival held at the Logging Museum. From 10am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, enjoy the sights, sounds, and scents of the historic sawmill cutting logs into pine boards, listen to traditional music played by “The Cousins Music Group”, and enjoy the art of wood carving, wood burning and other woodcrafters. Also included at Wood Shaving Days are demonstrations by blacksmiths, weavers, and wool spinners.
A special added event this year will be a match of “Vintage Base Ball” with the home club Hartwick Pines Swampers taking on the Walker Tavern Wheels at 1pm, Saturday July 19th at the park’s picnic area. This is a chance to see baseball as it was played in the mid-1800s, without a glove and a few different rules than we are used to today.
Wood Shaving Days will be held on the grounds of the Logging Museum at Hartwick Pines State Park. The Logging Museum is a field site of the Michigan Historical Museum and interprets the white pine logging era of 1840-1910. Wood Shaving Days is sponsored by the Friends of Hartwick Pines and all proceeds go towards the interpretive and educational programs at Hartwick Pines State Park. Besides Wood Shaving Days, upcoming events include Vintage Base Ball games on July 26th, August 3rd, August 16th, August 17th and August 23rd, Forest Fest on August 9th, and Black Iron Days on August 23rd and 24th. For more information about Wood Shaving Days or other programs at Hartwick Pines, please call (989) 348-2537. There is no charge for attending Wood Shaving Days, but a state park motor vehicle permit is required for park entry.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Florence Hough
Beyond the Garden Wall Garden Club
Grayling, MI 49738
Phone: 989-348-8519
Email: fahough@yahoo.com
Mark your Calendars for the Grayling Garden Walk

Grayling, MI - Beyond the Garden Wall Garden Club is excited to present its 2008 Garden Walk on July 12, 2008 from 11AM to 4 PM. This has become a favorite annual event celebrating Gardens of Northern Michigan. Extraordinary gardens abound, providing inspirations for the novice and garden enthusiast alike.

This year’s gardens feature a diverse mix, from Lake and Riverside retreats, to forest hideaways and small space gardens. Water features, extensive perennial gardens, eclectic garden art, bountiful containers, water features, rock gardens and even a railway running through! Annuals, Perennials, evergreen and native plantings abound. Do not be surprised if you catch a glimpse of hummingbirds, butterfly and other native wildlife, making this garden walk, a photographer’s paradise. You will even have the chance to see some new plant varieties, not yet in the marketplace as one of our home owner’s trials new varieties for some of the nation’s leading plant breeders.

In addition to the visual inspirations, you will have the opportunity to speak to fellow gardeners and glean tips from deer-proofing your garden, to encouraging plants to grow in the sandy dry soil so common to the area. You will even be provided with tip sheets at each of the locations, making it simple to emulate some of these great garden secrets in your own yard!

This year’s garden walk will prove to provide something for everyone. Whether you want to go for a leisurely stroll, or garner ideas for your next garden project, or just curious about some of the gardens that flank the cottages, log cabins, and city homes, you are sure to enjoy.

This event is sponsored by Beyond the Garden Wall Garden Club, providing educational and inspirational events for its members and the community. Additionally, the Garden Club sponsors several gardens within the Grayling community. Proceeds from the event go to these community gardens and events.

Tickets go on sale at the end of June and will be available for just $5 at the following Grayling businesses. Your ticket will be accompanied by directions to each of the gardens.
Flower’s by Josie
Grayling Restaurant
Heads up North
JDAP
Riverland

For more information, contact Florence Hough at 989-348-8519

GRAYLING, MICHIGAN'S 4TH OF JULY CELEBRATION EXPANDS!

Grayling, MI-July 4, 2008

Grayling, MI celebrates the 4th of July in style this year with expanded
events.

Start the day with a great parade that begins at 11:00 on Michigan Ave., in
Grayling. This year's parade will be larger than past years with many
additional entries, including the Red, White and Blues Band!

Beginning at noon the Grayling Booster Club will have their annual 4th of
July activities in the City Park. There will be a variety of contests for
children, teens and adults throughout the day, including a free fishing contest for
kids up to 12 years old, from 12:00 - 3:00. The Booster Club concession stand
will be serving hot dogs, kielbasa, popcorn, nachos and ice cold drinks all day
long.

Hartwick Pines State Park will have an Independence Day Celebration at the
Logging Museum. Learn how the 4th was historically celebrated in the
1890s. Activities run from 11am to 5pm and will include, among others, a
log-sawing contest and the reciting of the Declaration of Independence.

The newly formed Watershed Art Project will offer a hands on art exhibition
on the west end of Michigan Ave from 4-8PM. This will include a very large
mystery mural which will eventually be displayed downtown, instructional
centers that include weaving boards, carving and watercolor opportunities.
The Watershed Art Project will also provide walk around music by local
musicians.

Join the Crawford County Museum for a BBQ from 4-8.

The Grayling Summer Music Series presents T.J. Cravens in the City Park from
7-9PM. This soon to be 12 year old belts out country songs, impersonates
Elvis and charms his way into the heart of his audience.

This all leads up to the spectacular Grayling fireworks at dark in the City
Park. Bring your lawn chair and celebrate the 4th of July in Grayling!

Be sure to put Grayling on your list of places to visit this summer!

GRAYLING REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
213 N. James St., P.O. Box 406
Grayling, MI 49738
Phone 989-348-2921 Fax 989-348-7315
www.graylingchamber.com
board@graylingchamber.com

Serving the Communities of Crawford County Since 1942
PRESS RELEASE

Date: June 14, 2008
Contact: Kim Millikin, Interim Executive Director

CHAMBER ANNOUNCES SUMMER MUSIC AND ART SERIES LINEUP

The Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce announces that its Summer Music and Art Series will kick off on Thursday, June 19, 2008 with a performance by a local favorite, The Banjo Picker and Friends, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the lawn at Citizens Bank in downtown Grayling.

The Banjo Picker trio consists of Barry Jon Van Guilder, his daughter Rachel and his son Andrew. They perform all types of music from Traditional Country, Bluegrass, Folk, Comedy and Standards. The instruments they use are the guitar, bass guitar, banjo, and mandolin. They have written, recorded and released over 50 songs.

Next in the lineup will be a performance by TJ Craven on July 4th from 7:00 to 9:00 in the City Park. This soon-to-be 12 year-old hit the southeastern Michigan music scene last year in a big way placing second in the Wayne County and Michigan State Fair competitions, and winning the Arts, Beats and Eats competition. He belts out country songs over recorded tracks, impersonates Elvis and flat out charms his way into the hearts of his audiences. Children and adults will both love him!

On July 10th the McKinney Washtub Two will hop over from the Petoskey area to entertain us for the evening, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the lawn of Citizens Bank. This husband and wife duo, Judy and Whitt McKinney, have performed as a duo for 5 years and as a family band for several years before that. Their act includes the guitar, washtub base, washboard, mandolin, flute, bodhron, ukulele, and various percussion instruments. They describe what they do as “storysinging and songtelling” – their own style of interpreting traditional and original material. Their music is played on radio stations all over and they are a sure crowd-pleaser.

The Dinosaurs are back on July 17th from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. on the lawn at Citizens Bank! This is a group of four guys and one gal, Dale Reiger, Tim and Ruth Whitmore, George Sanford and Mark Stormzand. They love to play classic rock and roll and like to say they are PLAYING MUSIC THAT WILL NEVER DISAPPEAR. They play everything from The Beatles to ZZ Top and lots of songs in between. Their have great audience interaction and give a good performance. They love to play music that makes people remember when they were young. Their instruments include the guitar, base guitar, drums and the congas and harmonica.

From July 22nd to 27th, during the week of our AuSable River Festival, we will have an art display in the Nature Center in City Park. We will host the “Carnival” art exhibit which is on loan to us from the Michigan Arts League in Detroit! This is a 46-piece visual arts exhibit, which is comprised of the work of 27 Michigan artists. You can view this daily from 10:00 a.m to 7:00 p.m. This exhibit will be travelling all over Michigan this year and we are just one of the lucky communities to be able to host it!

We will end this year’s Summer Music and Art Series with a performance by local favorites, The Wise Guys following the H.U.P. Race on Wednesday, July 23rd! This is a three-member band consisting of locals Thane Doremire, Jack Beckwith and Dan Beckwith. This group is a local favorite and has been since the guys were in high school. They all have “real” jobs and families now and still get regular requests to perform in and around our area. They play guitar, base guitar and drums and their vocal sounds of the hits when we were young bring everyone back to a place of happy reminiscing.

Please join us for all these great events this summer. They are all free and open to the public! Come on out, bring your lawn chairs and enjoy! The Summer Music and Art Series is being made possible by funding received from the Michigan Council of Arts and Cultural Affairs, Grayling Insurance Agency, A.I. Security, Citizens Bank and Burning Bush Tabernacle. Please thank them for their kind generosity to help make these community events possible.

For more information please call the Grayling Regional Chamber of Commerce at 989-348-2921 or visit our website at www.graylingchamber.com

Hartwick Happenings, June 2008

New Summer Hours
Daily Summer Programs
A Day in the Life of the Shantyboys
Hartwick Pines Base Ball Club Swampers
4th of July programs
Special Guests
2008 Schedule of Events
Join the Friends of Hartwick Pines
Internet Contacts

New Summer Hours
A reminder that the Michigan Forest Visitor Center and the Hartwick
Pines Logging Museum are now open 10am to 6pm Monday-Saturday and
12Noon-6pm on Sundays. The hours will be expanded during special
events. These hours will be in effect until Labor Day. After Labor Day
we will return to the 9am-4pm daily schedule.

Daily Summer Programs
Our summer season kicks off the week of June 16th. There will be daily
Old Growth Forest Tours led by a park naturalist, living history
interpretation and hands-on experiences at the Logging Museum and weekly
campground programs on most Thursday-Saturday evenings. Please check
at the Visitor Center for more information or call (989) 348-2537.

A Day in the Life of the Shantyboys
The Hartwick Pines Logging Museum’s popular Friday program, “A Day
in the Life of the Shantyboys” returns for a new season, beginning on
June 20th. Historical Interpreters will be on hand at the Logging
Museum on Fridays to help our museum visitors experience some of the
“shantyboy life” firsthand. Take part as a “cookee” to help
prepare (and taste!) the noon meal, try cutting a log with the crosscut
saw and use some of the other logging tools, help with “boil-up day”
by doing some laundry, become a “chore boy” and help with camp
chores, relax in the bunkhouse as the shantyboys might, and
“purchase” some items at the campstore. The activities will
generally last from 11am to 5pm. We will not have this program on Friday
July 4th, Friday July 19th and Friday August 22nd. For more information
please call (989) 348-2537 or email Rob Burg at burgr@michigan.gov.

4th of July Program
How do you think Independence Day was celebrated in the 19th century?
On Friday, July 4th, come visit the Hartwick Pines Logging Museum and
learn how our nation’s birthday was historically celebrated in the
1890s. Activities run from 11am to 5pm and will include a log-sawing
contest and the reciting of the Declaration of Independence. Baseball
has always been a popular way to celebrate the holiday and the Hartwick
Pines “Swampers” will play a game of vintage baseball with our park
visitors on Sunday, July 6th at 1pm as part of the Independence Day
holiday weekend. For more information on the 4th of July program, please
call (989) 348-2537 or email Rob Burg at burgr@michigan.gov.

Hartwick Pines Base Ball Club “Swampers”
The Hartwick Pines Base Ball Club’s Swampers has begun its fourth
season of playing “vintage baseball” and interpreting the National
Pastime as it was played and celebrated in the 19th century. We sadly
lost our first match - a close one to the Northville Eclipse on Sunday
June 1 (10-9 in extra innings), but we are looking forward to a good
season. In 2008, the “Swampers” will be playing a full season of
1860s rules of baseball with teams from Ludington, Midland, Port Huron,
Walker Tavern (near Brooklyn, MI) and Northville. The season schedule
will be from June 1st to Labor Day weekend and we will be playing 11
games. Home games are played on the field at the park’s picnic area
and we are always looking for anyone interested in playing, taking part
as “cranks” (19th century term for fans), umpires, and scorekeepers.
Practices are open to all and are usually on Thursday evenings at the
picnic area at 6pm. The only requirement to play is to be in
reasonably good health and enjoy baseball. For more information or if
you have any questions, please contact Rob Burg, the club manager, at
(989) 348-2537 or email at burgr@michigan.gov.

Summer Special Guests
Once again, Hartwick Pines State Park will play host to some special
guests this summer. On Saturday, July 5th, Michael Deren will present
his always popular “Past in Person Program-the Lumberjack/Shantyboy”
at 7pm at the Logging Museum. This program includes music and songs of
the lumberjacks, stories and a lot of audience participation. Rain
location is the Visitor Center. Naturalist Jim McGrath also returns for
some of his popular Live Animal programs on July 11-12 and August 15-16.
What animals will Jim bring with him this time? He usually has in tow
with him a variety of Michigan snakes, turtles, frogs and toads and
salamanders. Call the Visitor Center at (989) 348-2537 for more
information on these programs.

2008 Schedule of Events (Additional programs and events will be
scheduled.)
June 21: Vintage Base Ball on the Road! The Swampers travel to Midland
to take on the Mighty River Hogs of Midland County. 1pm at Chippawassee
Park (next to the “Tridge”)
June 29: Vintage Base Ball on the Road! The Swampers travel to the
Irish Hills to take on the Walker Tavern Base Ball Club. 1pm at Walker
Tavern (corner of M-50 and US12). (Changed from June 28th.)
July 4: Independence Day Celebration. 11am-5pm at the Logging Museum.
Learn about how the 4th was historically celebrated.
July 5: Michael Deren’s Past in Person Program: The Lumberjack! 7pm
at the Logging Museum.
July 6: Vintage Base Ball exhibition with the Park’s visitors. 1pm.
Come out and play Vintage Base Ball with the Swampers!
July 11: Jim McGrath: Live Animal Program. 7pm at the Campground
Amphitheater.
July 12: Jim McGrath: Live Animal Program. 3pm at the Visitor Center
Auditorium.
July 19-20: Wood Shaving Days. 10am-4pm both days.
July 19: Vintage Base Ball. Swampers vs. the Walker Tavern Base Ball
Club. 1pm.
July 26: Vintage Base Ball. Swampers vs. the Northville Eclipse. 1pm.
August 3: Vintage Base Ball. Swampers vs. the Ludington Mariners. 1pm.
August 9: Forest Fest. 10am-4pm.
August 15: Jim McGrath: Live Animal Program. 7pm at the Campground
Amphitheater.
August 16: Jim McGrath: Live Animal Program. 3pm at the Visitor Center
Auditorium.
August 16-17: Vintage Base Ball. Swampers vs. the Welkins Base Ball
Club. 1pm both days.
August 23-24: Black Iron Days. 10am-4pm both days.
August 23: Vintage Base Ball. Swampers vs. the Mighty River Hogs of
Midland County. 1pm.
August 31: Vintage Base Ball on the Road! The Swampers travel to
Ludington to take on the Ludington Mariners at White Pine Village. Time
TBA.
September 20: “An Evening at the Logging Camp” Lantern Program.
7pm-9pm.
October 1-31: Archaeology Exhibit of Hartwick Pine’s Logging Camps.
At the Visitor Center.
October 4: Hartwick Pines Challenge cross-country race.
October 18: “Critters in the Moonlight” Halloween Walk. Time to be
announced.

For more information about these events, call (989) 348-2537 or email
burgr@michigan.gov.

The Friends of Hartwick Pines State Park
The Friends of Hartwick Pines State Park is a non-profit organization
that works with the park and museum to help present programs and special
events and to raise money to fund these programs. The Friends of
Hartwick Pines sponsors two annual festivals each summer: Wood Shaving
Days in July and Black Iron Days in August. The Friends Group also
operates the bookstore inside the Michigan Forest Visitor Center. Many
of the programs that we provide to our park guests would not happen
without the support of the Friends of Hartwick Pines State Park. Some
of the benefits of being a member of the Friends Group include a 10%
discount in the Michigan Forest Visitor Center bookstore and a Hartwick
Pines patch each year (usually designed by a member of the Friends
Group). If you want more information about the Friends of Hartwick
Pines or would like to become a member, please send an email to
friends@hartwickpines.org. The Friends of Hartwick Pines is
developing a new website: www.hartwickpines.org that will information on
the group and its programs added to as they become available.

Internet Contacts
Hartwick Pines State Park and Logging Museum are jointly operated by
two agencies of the State of Michigan: The Department of Natural
Resources and the Department of History, Arts and Libraries. Each
department, has a website for Hartwick Pines. Visit these websites for
more information on the park and museum and also for other offerings by
our two departments.
Hartwick Pines State Park: www.michigan.gov/hartwickpines
Hartwick Pines Logging Museum: www.michigan.gov/loggingmuseum
DNR: www.michigan.gov/dnr
HAL: www.michigan.gov/hal
The Friends of Hartwick Pines: www.hartwickpines.org

Contact: Tim Zigila
Weyerhaeuser Au Sable Canoe Marathon
Phone 989.348.4425
www.ausablecanoemarathon.org
aricm@i2k.com
P.O. Box 911
Grayling, MI 49738
Weyerhaeuser Au Sable River Canoe Marathon
> NEWS RELEASE <
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDITOR’S NOTE: COMPLETE ENTRY LIST, MAP GRAPHICS (.jpg & .pdf), PHOTOGRAPHS
AND MORE ARE AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC AT:
http://www.ausablecanoemarathon.org
61st Weyerhaeuser Au Sable River Canoe
Marathon July 26 and 27, 2008
Weyerhaeuser is back for 16th year as primary sponsor
March 19, 2008-Grayling MI
Grayling and Oscoda canoe race committees are pleased to announce Weyerhaeuser
Strand Technologies Mill of Grayling is back for the sixteenth (16th) consecutive year as the
primary sponsor of the annual canoe race held in July. “Since 1992, Weyerhaeuser has been a
great partner for the canoe race. With their leadership and support the canoe race has become a
world-class sporting event” said Joe Wakeley, race organizer. “During the last sixteen years
we (race committee) have watched the event grow in popularity; both with the competitors
and fans” Wakeley continued “we attribute that growth to the support of Weyerhaeuser and
their commitment to the community and the event.”
The Weyerhaeuser Au Sable River Canoe Marathon is widely recognized as the “Longest,
Richest and Toughest Canoe Race in North America”. Competitors paddle an average of fifty
paddle strokes per minute to finish this grueling race. The race course runs from Grayling to
Oscoda Michigan, covering over 120 miles of the world famous Au Sable River.

Contact: Tim Zigila
Weyerhaeuser Au Sable Canoe Marathon
Phone 989.348.4425
www.ausablecanoemarathon.org
aricm@i2k.com
P.O. Box 911
Grayling, MI 49738
Weyerhaeuser Au Sable River Canoe
Marathon
> NEWS RELEASE <
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
EDITOR’S NOTE: COMPLETE ENTRY LIST, MAP GRAPHICS (.jpg & .pdf), PHOTOGRAPHS
AND MORE ARE AVAILABLE TO THE MEDIA AND THE PUBLIC AT:
http://www.ausablecanoemarathon.org
61st Weyerhaeuser Au Sable River Canoe
Marathon July 26 and 27, 2008
Scott McNamara Ford-Mercury Time Trials to be held July 24 and 25, 2008
March 19, 2008-Grayling MI
The Weyerhaeuser Au Sable River Canoe Marathon race committee is pleased to
announce Scott McNamara Ford-Mercury of Grayling will again be the sponsor of the time
trials for the canoe race. “We are happy to have Scott McNamara Ford-Mercury back on
board as a sponsor” said John Lucey, Chairman of the Canoe Race Committee. “The canoe
race itself would not be as successful as it is without the support of sponsors like Scott
McNamara” continued Lucey “and we appreciate their support of this great community
event.”
Time trials are held to determine the starting position for the LeMans style start of the
Weyerhaeuser Au Sable River Canoe Marathon. Penrods Canoe Livery will be the host site
for this two day event starting on Thursday July 26, 2008. Competitors paddle a looped
course on the Au Sable River and the team with the fastest time secures the pole position for
the race. Teams line up on Peninsula Street at 9 p.m. on race night and sprint three blocks with
their canoes and paddles to the Au Sable River for the start of the canoe race. Once in the river
competitors will begin a journey leading them through Northern Michigan’s pristine forest and
finishing 120 miles later in Oscoda MI.
The Weyerhaeuser Au Sable River Canoe Marathon is widely recognized as the “Longest,
Richest and Toughest Canoe Race in North America”. Competitors paddle an average of fifty
paddle strokes per minute to finish this grueling race. The race course runs from Grayling to
Oscoda Michigan, covering over 120 miles of the world famous Au Sable River. For
additional information visit www.ausablecanoemarathon.org

Hartwick Pines Logging Museum. 4216 Ranger Rd. Grayling, MI 49738
phone: (989) 348-2537. fax: (989) 344-6803

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rob Burg, (989) 348-2537 or burgr@michigan.gov

“Vintage Base Ball will be played again this season at Hartwick Pines State Park.”

(April 8, 2008) Baseball has been a part of northern Michigan since the 1870s and the Hartwick Pines “Swampers” will again be interpreting this part of the local history by playing their fourth season of “vintage” base ball at Hartwick Pines State Park this summer. The Swampers will play a full season of ten games against other vintage base ball teams beginning June 1st and an exhibition game on July 6th, where anyone who is interested can take part and play baseball by rules of 1860. Come on out to cheer on the “Swampers” this season or even better, become a member of the team!
On Thursday, April 24, the Hartwick Pines Base Ball Club “Swampers” will be holding an informational meeting for anyone interested to learn about what vintage base ball is, the 1860 Rules, the types of equipment used, and how you can become a member of the team. The meeting will be at 7pm at the Michigan Forest Visitor Center at Hartwick Pines. Weekly practices will begin in May.
Unfamiliar with Vintage Base Ball? First, you will note that base ball was spelled with two words in the 1800s. Second, while cheering on players with entertaining nicknames like Iron Burner, Snake Oil, Scribe, Maestro, Choppers, and Splinter, you might notice that they are catching the ball barehanded. That’s right, no gloves! The baseball glove did not come into being until the late 1870s when the pitchers stopped tossing the ball underhand and started to throw it into the catcher, hard and fast. And now you can understand why they are also catching the ball on one bounce! That’s right, catch it on a bounce and the batter is still out. Also, you will notice that the players try not to slide or leave their feet, do not swear or spit and are respectful of the umpire’s calls. These are just a few of the differences that you will notice from the early game as compared to modern baseball.
Come on out and join the ranks of the “Cranks” (19th century term for fans) at one of the matches of the Hartwick Pines Base Ball Club’s “Swampers.” These games are free of charge, however a state park motor vehicle permit is required for entry to Hartwick Pines State Park and are available at the park. If you have any questions or would like further information, please contact Rob Burg, the manager of the “Swampers” at (989) 348-2537 or by email at burgr@michigan.gov . Play Ball!

18th Annual Historic Artillery Match
On July 26 & 27, Range 35 at Camp Grayling will echo with the sights, sounds, and smells of historic ordnance, in use once again. For the eighteenth year, a long range competition with historic ordnance is sponsored by Loomis’ Battery of Michigan light artillery at Camp Grayling and the public is invited to observe the activities.
Approximately twenty Civil War and Spanish American War field guns are expected to take part in the competition, as well as a dozen Civil War mortars. The use of historic cannon in modern recreational competition began back in the 1950’s and continues in various organizations, most notably in the North – South Skirmish Association east of the Mississippi, and the Civil War Skirmish Association, from there to the West Coast. Since most all of the completions are tied to private civilian ranges the historic cannon have rarely been fired beyond 200 yards, until the Camp Grayling matches began in 1990. Now the historic guns are firing at realistic ranges up to 1200 yards, and their real potential can be appreciated.
The Civil War saw the first use of rifled cannon and they predominate at the 1200 yard event, but bronze smoothbores also attend, firing at a realistic 500 yard range. Also attending in significant numbers are the smaller class “mountain rifles” as used in the 1860-1898 period. Most are early breechloaders of 1.65 inch caliber.
All ammunition is inert, but impacts are easily observed, making it interesting for spectators. Targeting is both “bullseye” and simulated counter-battery. Field guns fire 15 shots for score and five at replica field guns built as targets.
Spectators get an extra thrill out of the mortar match since the balls are quite large—from six to eight inches—and are easily seen throughout their slow trajectory. Mortars fire at a downrange flag and the winner is the one with the aggregate of closest hits, computed as the re-useable balls are recovered after the match.
The event is sponsored by Loomis’ Battery of Michigan Light Artillery, which was founded in 1960 to study and interpret the light artillery of the Civil War. Spectators with any interest in the big guns of the past will find the program on Saturday, July 26th from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. very interesting. A cash trophy rematch will also be fired the following day, simulating a documented event in January 1862 when the original Loomis’ Battery fired at a single newspaper sheet at 1000 yards. Also on Sunday, July 27th, a brief mortar match will be fired as well as a match for smaller mountain-class artillery. The Sunday program will end by noon.
The range can be accessed from the I-75 Business Loop to North Down River Road and follow the signs. The event is located on Camp Grayling's Range 35, located off of North Down River Road. Hearing protection, binoculars or spotting scopes and lawn chairs are recommended. There is parking at the site; the area is not paved and is very sandy. Concessions are available. Be prepared for lots of smoke and loud explosions; get a feel for what a Civil War battlefield might have been like. Competitors are willing to answer questions and talk about their various units. Ear protection and binoculars or spotting scopes are strongly recommended!


For additional press or competitor information, contact Matt Switlik, Adjutant, LOOMIS BATTERY 38 E. Elm Ave. Monroe, MI 48162. For spectator information, contact the Grayling Visitors Bureau at 800-937-8837

NEWS FROM: GRAYLING VISITORS BUREAU FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
P.O. BOX 217 September 2008
GRAYLING, MI 49738

CONTACT: ILENE GEISS-WILSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
(800) 937-8837
WEBSITE: WWW.GRAYLING-MI.COM


Birders Flock to Grayling For Spring Viewing

The Kirtland’s Warbler. Bald Eagles. Trumpeter Swans. Woodpeckers
and whippoorwills. Hawks and hummingbirds. They’re all part of the
natural beauty of Grayling and Crawford County, which is making the
county the focal point for northern Michigan birding from spring
through fall.
“Birding is considered the most popular outdoor pursuit in America,
and Grayling is birder-central for Michigan,” says Ilene Geiss-Wilson,
Executive Director of the Grayling Visitors Bureau. “From Michigan’s
rarest bird to the majestic bald eagle, the Crawford County area has
loads of species as well as locations to see them.”

The Grayling Experience
Birding in the Grayling area and entire Au Sable valley can be a hugely
rewarding experience for birders looking to add to their life-lists, says
Peg Ridgway, president of the Michigan Audubon Society. Since
Grayling is the heart of Au Sable River Country, and the Au Sable Valley
harbors some of the best bird viewing opportunities in the state, it’s
only a natural choice to make the city a key role in developing future
northern Michigan birding opportunities.
Here’s a sampling of the current opportunities awaiting birders on a
visit to the area this spring:

Kirtland’s Is King
Michigan’s rarest songbird, the Kirtland’s Warbler, calls more than
150,000 acres of state and federal forestland home near Grayling in
one of the most pioneering and successful endangered species
management stories in the United States.

Again next year, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the
Michigan Audubon Society will offer birders a chance to see these tiny
singers up close and personal on daily tours.
Tours will take place starting at 7 and 11 a.m. May 15-July 4 from the
Grayling Ramada Inn. You’ll first see a movie about the tiny
endangered songbirds, which live only in five- to 15-year-old jack pines
in the sandy plains surrounding Grayling.
Led by a FWS/Audubon guide, birders will then travel to sites known to
have warblers, says FWS spokesperson Chris Mensing. Tour-goers will
hike more than a mile over uneven sandy ground, which can be
challenging for those with trouble walking. No special provisions are
made for photographers, and no attractors can be used to disturb the
nesting birds.
At last count, there were an estimated 1,697 singing males. Thanks to
wise habitat management, which includes a vigorous cowbird-trapping
program, the number of warblers has increased ten-fold since only 167
males were counted in 1987 and 1974. Cowbirds are enemies of
Kirtland’s and other species, laying eggs in their nests that when
hatched, displace Kirtland’s young.
Habitat has been increased over the decades by appropriate use of
controlled burns and more recently, clear-cutting and re-planting.
Currently there are 153,000 acres in the Huron-Manistee National
Forest, neighboring state forests and Fish and Wildlife Service lands
managed on a rotating 50-year cycle to cut and replace swaths of trees
so the birds will always find suitable nesting. Each year about 2,700
acres are developed into nesting habitat so 38,000 acres are available
to birds at any time. For tour information, call (517) 351-2555, or go
to http://midwest.fws.gov/EastLansing/tour.html.

Other Birding Opportunities
The tiny Kirtland’s Warbler isn’t the only species to attract thousands
of bird-watchers to Grayling. Check out this list of places to go and
birds to add to your life list on a visit to the area:

Hartwick Pines State Park--Located just north of town, it is a top
destination, says park interpreter Craig Kasmer.
“One of the simplest and easiest ways to birdwatch here is along the
Old Growth Trail,” he said. Walking amongst the majestic old-growth
white pines along the trail is not only akin to meditating on foot. It’s
also home to more than 40 bird species, mainly songbirds.
Expect to see warblers such as the Nashville warbler, black-throated
green, pine, black burnian and northern parula. Other species
commonly seen include evening grosbeaks, juncos, pileated
woodpeckers, vireos, flycatchers, tanagers and others that call the
10,000-arcre park home. Other great birding trails include the Mertz
Grade and Au Sable Trails. The latter meanders through dense forest,
crossing the Au Sable River’s East Branch twice. For more information,
call the park at (989) 348-2537.

Au Sable and Manistee Rivers—These twin streams that rise from the
highlands north of Grayling also are excellent birding choices. There
are numerous public access sites to visit, and great opportunities on
both rivers for canoe or kayak trips from a few hours to a few days.
Along the way, expect to view herons, geese and several duck species,
kestrels, woodcock, bald eagles and others that call the river valley
home.

Deward Watchable Wildlife Site—This relatively undiscovered natural
viewing area is near the headwaters of the Manistee River. It was
named for 19th century lumberman and innovator David Ward, who
besides operating a lumber camp here, maintained what was then
reportedly the world’s second largest orchard.
There are several fisherman paths that lead from the parking area to
the river, varying from one-eighth- to ¼-mile long. Glimpse views of
bald eagles, redtail and broadwing hawks, in addition to loons, geese,
grouse and woodcock. The area can also be canoed via the Manistee.
From Grayling, go north on Old U.S. 27 to County Road 612. Head west
to Manistee River Road. Go north to the Cameron Bridge area and the
site.

Dyer Red Pine Natural Area—Originally spared from lumbering to collect
seeds for state nursery programs, it is a 20-acre tract of red pine,
jack pine and oak. More migratory birds make their home here, and
birders can walk throughout the tract that also is close to Kirtland’s
Warbler habitat. To find the area, take I-75 Business Route through
Grayling to North Downriver Road. Head east to Wakeley Bridge Road.
Turn left and continue on the paved portion east about 1½-miles
where the road makes a 90-degree turn north. The unpaved two-track
road leading straight ahead is Dyer Truck Trail. Drive in, park, and
enjoy.

Mason Tract Pathway—This more than 12-mile pathway through the
dense valley floor of the South Branch of the Au Sable leads from just
north of a parking area at the river’s banks at Chase Bridge to end
near Canoe Harbor Campground. The trail is for hiking only and
provides beautiful views of the river and birds that range from
waterfowl to woodpeckers, both downy and pileated, whippoorwills,
grouse, hummingbirds and many others.

W.J. Beal Plantation—This area was named after a Michigan State
University botany professor and was an 1888 experiment to reforest
the region with a variety of trees. More than 40 types exist in this
small setting. “Supercanopy” birds including warblers also make the
red pine, spruce, dogwood, birch and other species home. To find the
plantation, head east from Grayling on M-72 to Industrial Drive, and
head south, or right, to the plantation area.

Rayburn Estate—Willed to the State Department of Natural Resources
Forest Management Division by its former owners, this prime example
of river habitat offers great views of the Au Sable River’s Main
Stream, a picnic area, and a bridge across the river. Multiple canopy
birds are common here, from river kingfishers, ducks and other water
birds, to tree-dwellers like warblers. To find the Rayburn, lead east on
M-72 from Industrial Drive and the Beal Plantation about one mile.
Look for a stone arched driveway on the north side of the road. Turn in
and follow it to the parking lot.

Wakeley Lake Quiet Area—This unique area surrounds one of the best
catch and release panfish lakes in the state. Federally managed, it’s
reached via a trail from a parking area just north of M-72 near Canoe
Harbor Campground on the Au Sable’s South Branch between Grayling
and Luzerne. A five-mile hiking and bike trail winds around the lake,
including a portion on a boardwalk over wetlands. Loons, eagles,
ducks, geese and at the lake’s north end, a heron rookery, are just a
few of the species birders will see, along with lakeside animals that
include wood and painted turtles.
There is limited walk-in lakeside camping. For more information, call
the U.S. Forest Service Mio Office, (989) 826-3252.

Hanson Hills Recreation Area—Operated by the Grayling Recreation
Authority within a 20,000-acre forest tract, the area features 1,000
acres and more than 35 kilometers of hiking and biking trails
meandering through the pine and oak hills on the city’s western edge.
Numerous songbird species also are present, says Director Justin
Andre. For general information on the recreation area, call (989)
348-9266, (888) 876-2196, or www.hansonhills.org.

Still more birding opportunities are available along the new Crawford
County Pathway Project, a paved biking and hiking route from
Grayling to Hartwick Pines State Park.

Make It Grayling for the North’s Best Casual Adventures!

For more information on the river and how to see it and its wildlife,
plus other fun in Crawford County, contact the Grayling Visitors
Bureau, (800) 937-8837, or www.grayling-mi.com.

Old U.S. 27 may soon be designated as a Heritage Route, the first step in including the old road in the National Scenic Byways program.
The old road was first designated as U.S. 27 in 1926. At its longest, U.S. 27 stretched from St. Ignace to Miami. The expressway from Lansing to Grayling was called U.S. 27 until 2001, when it was renamed U.S. 127.
The project is the brainchild of car enthusiast Craig Parrish of Lansing. He has been involved with the preservation of the former U.S. 66, which once stretched from Chicago to Los Angeles.
Today, parts of the road in Illinois, New Mexico and Arizona, designated as Historic Route 66, are designated as National Scenic Byways. ”We‘re trying to get 27 the same status,“ Parrish said. ”Old 27, the north-south road, was like Route 66 in its heyday.“
Parrish said he now has the endorsement of every city and county except one that Old 27 passes through in Michigan, and he‘s expecting a resolution endorsing the project to come from that county (Cheboygan County), shortly.
Once he has that, he said, he‘s hoping the Michigan Legislature will endorse the designation. Parrish said State Representative Joan Bauer has introduced the resolution, with State Senators Michelle McManus, R-Lake Leelanau, and Tony Stamas, R-Midland, co-sponsoring.
He said he‘s convinced that car enthusiasts would love to have a clearly marked, historic route to travel, much as they do on Historic Route 66. Parrish believes that could boost tourism.
He‘s organizing the second classic car tour of Old 27 for August 19-24, 2008. Participants in this event can travel from Coldwater to Cheboygan, or join for only portions of the tour.

A new 60th Anniversary book commemorating 60 years of the AuSable River International Canoe Marathon is now available for purchase at The AuSable River International Canoe Marathon website