The Annual Community Antique and Cottage Decor Sale June 25, 2011

The Alden Depot Park on Beautiful Torch Lake!

The Alden Depot Museum

The Alden Depot Museum Model Train Exhibit!

The first Alden Stroll-Thursday evening June 23, 2011

JuJuniper Garden Walk, promises diversity in garden designs

The gracious gardens surrounding the charming home, known as Alden’s “Pink Lady”, with it’s trade mark, petunia lined stairway, will be one of six gardens featured during the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on July 7th during the Juniper Garden Club’s semi annual, garden walk. A centennial farm, a log cabin and a cottage garden are all included on the walk. Tickets will be sold at the Depot in Alden, on the day of the walk for $10. and are available for $8. at Mullalys in Elk Rapids, at Carter Candles and the Muffin Tin in Alden, as well as the Lark’s Nest, is Rapid City.

A Yummy Way, to Spend the Day!

Strawberry shortcake piled high with whipped cream was the order of the day, down at Alden's Depot Museum, during the Downtown Alden Business Association's (DABA) annual Father's Day, "Strawberry Festival" fundraiser. Business owners dished out bowls of the luscious treat and sold quarts of fresh, locally grown berries from the Brown Orchard and Cole's U Pick Strawberry farm on Clam Lake Road in Bellaire. Proceeds from the event will be used to provide live entertainment on Thursday evenings during the Alden Stroll. The first stroll starts this week at 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. and will continue, every Thursday evening until August 18th.

Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention continues to make a difference.

The Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention was held on Monday, at the Pelican Room, in Central Lake.  All tables were decorated in a variety of beautiful, motifs. This Mardi Gras table, proved to be a real attention getter, as were the table's occupants. 

Ed Huller, president of the board of directors for the 501C3, all volunteer, organization, addressed those in attendance and informed them of the progress ACHT has made, since the first high tea was held in 2004. Since then, the number of low income/ uninsured women who've received a mammogram, has grown form 40, that year, to 215 in 2010. He also noted, "that according to the National Cancer Institute, over the last three years, Antrim County's mortality rate has dropped from 1st in the state of Michigan, down to 33rd in the state"  he credits the High Tea's programs, in partnership with the Health Department of Northwest Michigan, and Munson Medical Center with having an impact, on the change in these statistics. He also reminded everyone, that "State cutbacks are creating significant, new challenges in serving those in need."  Benediction was sung by Catherine Belcher, of Kalkaska and Dr. Charles Weitz, Director of MHC Smith Family Breast Health Center at Copper Ridge, was the guest speaker. 

A Taste of Alden, anywhere, any time!

A new “Made in Michigan” product makes its debut

For the past twenty three years, generations of families have been returning each summer to The Muffin Tin in Alden, to enjoy Jane VanEtten’s freshly baked muffins. Now in response to numerous requests from residents and visitors alike, those same freshly baked,moist, Muffin Tin muffins, can be made at home, anytime, by simply opening a package of Muffin Tin Mix, mixing in a few basic ingredients, along with some dried fruit or nuts if desired, and baking.

The two pound package of muffin mix, makes about 28 muffins. The mix along with bags of dried cherries, cranberries and pecan pieces, are available on line at www.aldenmuffintin.com, may be purchased at the Muffin Tin, or by calling 231-331-6808

As cofounder of the Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer Prevention, Jane, is donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her muffin mix, to the 501 C all volunteer,organization, that assists uninsured and under insured residents of Antrim County, with free mammograms.

Pure Michigan products, arrive in Alden

The Winter Workshop,now carries a new line of Official, Pure Michigan products. The Pure Michigan “Eating Fresh in the Great Lakes State” cookbook, proved so popular that within ten days, it sold out and Mary Pixley, had to order more. The line includes Pure Michigan Logo tea shirts, coffee mugs, handmade soy candles, hats, glasses and more. These items allow visitors returning home, to take part of Michigan, and all of the beautiful memories of their visit here, home with them. All of the Pure Michigan merchandise is made in the United States and much of it, is made right here, in Michigan. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of Pure Michigan products, goes to support the Pure Michigan Campaign.

Fundraiser to pay for South Torch Lake Firefighter's funeral expenses

Memorial Ride and Poker Run, for South Torch Lake Fire Fighter

A Memorial Ride and Poker Run, will be held on Saturday, June 25th from 11:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Kritters Bar, 9395 Valley Rd. in Rapid City, for Captain Scott Tracy, of the South Torch Lake Fire Department. All riders are welcome to take the scenic ride around Torch Lake. A benefit dinner, and silent auction, will follow the ride at 5:00 p.m. and the public is invited to attend.

Scott,was a 12 year veteran and EMT with the department. He passed away suddenly last month and leaves a wife and four young daughters. All proceeds from this event will go to help with Scott’s funeral expenses. Anyone wishing to make a donation, may send a check made out to Mortensons Funeral Home, in care of: C. Baker, 6486 West Elder Rd. Bellaire, 49612

Alden's little mystery

It's Alden's little mystery!  Now that A Stone's Throw Flower Shop is gone, the front of this charming little building, once bursting with blooms of every kind and color, now sits naked and bare. Some activity has been noted however, and speculation abounds, regarding who, or what, will be occupying the building in the near future .....stay tuned!

A Pear Tree Grows in Alden.

You won't find a partridge in The Pear Tree Gallery, but you will find some beautiful works of art, limited edition prints, and note cards, by watercolorist, Janis Schilling, along with an array of pottery, fiber art, wood products, accents for the home or cottage and ceramics, including a unique, Torch Lake platter and she specializes in custom gift baskets, in a variety of price ranges.

"Jan" as she likes to be called, has been drawing and painting, for as long as she can remember. She credits her mother, with encouraging her, because she matted, framed and proudly displayed her young daughter's art work. As a teenager, Jan's work was sold, at Brownwood, in Central Lake. Today, Jan says, " I occasionally meet someone, who tells me they have one of those original Brownwood paintings. I've offered them a choice of my recent work, in exchange for my childhood paintings, but they don't want to part with them!" Jan graduated from Central Michigan University, with a major in art and completed her graduate work at West Virginia University, where she received her Masters of Art with a major in painting. She went on to teach grades K - 12.

She resides in Ohio, during the winter months, where she has a studio and has been doing art festivals in northern Michigan, during the summer. For several years, she, like many others in this area, was curious about the historic bank building on Torch Lake Drive, with a Gallery sign posted on its facade, that had sat vacant for several years. She had been looking for a location to open her own gallery, when she learned the building was finally available. She feels that the old building, was just waiting for her.

Jan is pleased to offer a line of Raspberry products from her brother's Sandhill Berry Farm, in Pennsylvania. The jams, jellies and sauces have been featured in the William Sonoma Catalogue and served at the White House.

The Pear Tree Gallery, is open during the summer from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jan can be reached at 412-582-2661