The Community Bulletin Board

Carton Birds Spotted in Little Traverse Area

Birders and art enthusiasts alike have been treated to sightings of two large bird sculptures which have been winging around the Little Traverse Bay area recently. Both feature a base of “found objects” with feathers made from paper cartons. They bring the message, “Recycle your cartons!” The two were first seen at Turkey’s Restaurant just before the Harbor Springs Merchants Open House on December 10. 

For several weeks after the visit to the Downtown Harbor Springs, sightings of the birds, described as a Carton Heron and a Carton Crane, were solo appearances.  The heron, measuring roughly four-and-a-half feet tall, moved on from Turkey’s to the Harbor Springs IGA, then later to the Grain Train Natural Foods Cooperative in Petoskey. Most recently it was been spotted at the Recycling Drop Site behind Dunham’s in Bay Mall and then rejoined the Heron at the Crooked Tree Arts Center (CTAC) New Year’s Gala. Carton bird migration expert Lindsey Walker of Emmet County Recycling predicts it will turn up at the Glen’s North Recycling Drop Site from Tuesday, January 3 through Sunday, January 8.

After leaving Turkey’s, the Carton Crane, which is over six-feet tall, was spotted at the Emmet County Drop-off Center, perched on the island in front of the gatehouse where it rested for several days  “The women loved it, but the men said, ‘What the heck is it?’” noted Drop-off Center Gatehouse Attendant Gary Hickman. The crane has since been seen at the Emmet County Recycling Drop Sites in Glen’s North Plaza and with the heron at the CTAC New Year’s Gala.  Ms. Walker anticipates that the Carton Crane will next roost at the Recycling Drop Site behind Dunham’s from January 3 through 8.

The Carton Crane and Carton Heron sculptures are both the work of local artist Walker VanWagoner, commissioned by Emmet County Recycling as part of their campaign to collect “10,000 Pounds of Cartons in 10 Weeks.” Paper cartons, including milk cartons, juice boxes and the like can be recycled in the Containers Bin curbside and at all county recycling drop sites in Emmet, Charlevoix, Cheboygan and Presque Isle counties. The “10,000 Pounds” campaign challenge runs through January 22.

For more information on recycling paper cartons visit www.EmmetRecycling.org or call 231-348-0640.

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Bob grew up in Grand Rapids where the encouragement of a third grade art teacher, the joy of "up north" vacations, the gift of a camera for Christmas, and the invitation of a friend to take oil painting lessons, all played into his passion for visual art. He graduated from college with a degree in art and embarked on a career as a graphic designer and photographer. Sixteen years ago he was able to move his family to the Petoskey area to be closer to the landscapes that inspired him. Bob has had the honor of being selected to serve as artist-in-residence at five national parks since 2005. "I have a rather eclectic approach to my work as an artist. I like to play with a wide variety of styles and subjects just to keep my work from becoming boring." You can see his work at www.robertdejonge.com

Feel free to join PRAS friends for a pre-meeting dinner at 5:30 p.m. at Applebee's (near Wal-Mart) in Petoskey.

The meeting will start promptly at 7 p.m. at Petoskey’s Independence Village, 965 Hager Drive. After brief announcements and reports of recent bird /nature sightings, the program will begin around 7:20 p.m. Refreshments will follow.

CAMP DAGGETT SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATION BEGINS JANUARY 4, 2012

(Petoskey, MI  December 28, 2011)  Registration opens for Camp Daggett summer camp on Wednesday, January 4. Summer Camp applications may be picked up at area schools and local Chambers of Commerce beginning mid-afternoon on Wednesday, January 4. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications will be available online beginning mid-afternoon on Thursday, January 5. (Applications must be downloaded, printed and mailed to Camp Daggett.) Registrants for the first week of camp, June 17-23 get $50 off the registration fee.

Every year, over 1,000 children ages 7-14 get the opportunity to spend a week at Camp Daggett. They experience the beauty of the natural environment that the camp provides, make new friends, try new things and have loads of fun. The summer program also develops a feeling of acceptance, respect and independence that campers take home with them. Camping provides a setting in which children can live, learn, and develop skills that are useful throughout their lives.

Activities include group sports and games, sailing, swimming, canoeing and fishing, arts and crafts, nature study, hikes, adventure ropes courses and team building activities, archery, campfires and camp-outs. The program answers a child’s search for adventure in an environment that is upbeat and wholesome. Appetites are satisfied with nourishing, family style meals served in beautiful Mac Hall, a picturesque log dining room overlooking Walloon Lake. 

Camp Daggett offers eight one-week coed camping sessions starting June 17^th and ending August 11th, 2012.  Cost is $380 for children who attend schools in the Charlevoix and Emmet Intermediate School District during the 2011-2012 school year and have year-round residence in Charlevoix or Emmet County. Scholarships are available to campers who need financial assistance.

Get your child started on the meaningful and memorable experience of a lifetime. 

Camp Daggett also offers three Wilderness Adventure Trips. The Pathfinder is June 24-30. On this exciting backpacking expedition to North Manitou Island, campers will live and learn the basics of wilderness travel and camping while exercising sound, non-invasive, minimum impact techniques. The Canoer, July 15-21 is a true paddling adventure along the winding waters of the Muskegon River for four days and three nights. Campers will paddle some of the last untouched river wilderness in the Lower Peninsula, see plenty of wildlife and pristine river views while camping along the river banks. Finally, the Explorer, July 29-August 4, will take campers to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along the southern shore of Lake Superior for a challenging wilderness excursion for four days and three nights. The educational component will be similar in nature to the Pathfinder session, although more advanced. Some prior wilderness experience and exposure to hiking and backpacking is preferred. Details of all Wilderness Adventure Trips can be found at www.campdaggett.org.

For more information, visit www.campdaggett.org or call 231-347-9742.

January Film Screening Schedule at the Harbor Springs Library

Thursday January 5th 7:30pm Water for Elephants
Thursday January 12th 7:30pm 180 South
Thursday January 19th 7:30pm Sarah's Key
Thursday January 26th 7:30pm Invictus

Upcoming Events at the Harbor Springs Library:

Film Screening: The Harbor Springs Library will be showing the movie "Water For Elephants" on Thursday January 5th at 7:30pm. All are welcome, donations are appreciated. Refreshments will be available. Call the Library (231) 526-2531 with Questions.

Spanish Conversation Group: Anyone interested in practicing their Spanish speaking skills are welcome to join us in the Harbor Springs Library on Thursday January 5th from 5:00-5:45pm. Speakers of all levels are encouraged. Call the Library (231) 526-2531 with Questions.

Lap Sit Story Time: Babies and Toddlers ages 0-3 and their parents are invited to attend the Harbor Springs Library's new Lap Sit program. The session will include age appropriate themes, stories, songs, and finger plays. The first Lap Sit Story Time will be on Wednesday January 4th from 10:30-11:15am. Call the Library (231) 526-2531 with Questions.

Community Game Day: The Harbor Springs Library is hosting an afternoon of game playing on Sunday January 8th from 3:00-5:00pm. All ages are welcome to join us for a fun afternoon at the library. Bring your favorite board or card game to share!

Harbor Springs Library

Hours:
Monday 10am-5pm
Tuesday 10am-5pm
Wednesday 10am-8pm
Thursday 10am-5pm
Friday 10am-5pm
Saturday 9am-1pm
The Harbor Springs Library offers free WiFi access and both Mac and PC public access computers. For more information please call (231)526-2531.

Dear film lovers,

Here's the information for this week's French film, "My Best Friend".  A businessman tries to belatedly learn the fine art of friendship in this comedy from French filmmaker Patrice Leconte. The performances of Daniel Auteuil and Dany Boon manage to turn "My Best Friend" into an earnest and witty romp and a thoughtful study of the nature of true friendship.
Hope to see you at the movies!

Craig Stutzky
Petoskey Film Theater

MOVIE TRAILER:
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2964128025/

A sweetly surprising treatise on friendship.
Roger Moore
Orlando Sentinel

Patrice Leconte has taken a story about male friendship, in all its posturing and potential vulnerability, and turned it into a light, smart, crowd-pleasing comedy.
Christy Lemire
Associated Press

It was directed by Patrice Leconte, who makes intelligent films combining sympathy for his characters with a quick wit, a dark undertow and a love of human peculiarity.
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times

IN BRIEF:

Wed. 12/28 & Friday 12/30
7:30 pm
"My Best Friend"
Rated PG-13  2007  94 min.
French with subtitles
Petoskey District Library,
  Carnegie Building
Donations are appreciated
PFT Movie Hotline:  758-3108.

  
François (Daniel Auteuil) is an antique dealer who runs an upscale shop with his business partner, Catherine. François is a gently ruthless trader who will do nearly anything to make a deal, and when Catherine throws him a birthday party, someone points out that all the guests are business associates, not personal friends. While François protests that he does indeed have friends, Catherine calls him on it and makes him a deal -- if he can produce his best friend within ten days, he'll be allowed to keep a valuable vase he recently found for the shop, but if not, the vase will belong to her. François agrees to the challenge, but while going through his address book, he begins to realize he really doesn't have any especially close friends.

Over the course of several days, François keeps running into Bruno (Dany Boon), a gregarious and friendly taxi driver, and while Bruno's personality rubs François the wrong way, he notices that the cabbie has a way of making people like him. Eager to win his bet with Catherine, François recruits Bruno to give him a crash course in making friends and influencing people, hoping to find a buddy before his deadline.

REVIEWS

Leconte has crafted an at once thoughtful, engaging, lighthearted, and melancholic entertainment about loneliness and friendship
Marlow Stern
Manhattan Movie Magazine

[Director] Leconte and his perfectly suited stars have given us one of those light comedies that carry a world of lovely weight.
Lisa Kennedy
Denver Post

Some of the best French films of the past 20 years have been made by Patrice Leconte.
Mick LaSalle
San Francisco Chronicle
 
You'll laugh, but you may also be counting your friends on your fingers Terry Lawson
Detroit Free Presswhen you leave.
  
This is a movie that sneaks up on you and grabs your heart before you know it. I would want to watch it with my best friend.
Cherryl Dawson and Leigh Ann Palone
TheMovieChicks.com
  
French though it may be, My Best Friend effectively addresses what is a universal human condition.
Don Willmott
Filmcritic.com
  
A wonderful, rare film that portrays one of the most under-represented but universal human neuroses: the desire for friendship or platonic love.
Brett McCracken
Christianity Today
  
 Few films so directly address the question of friendship, the nature of friendship, and, most of all, the illusion that our acquaintances and our friends are the same thing.
Ken Hanke
Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
 
This is one of the better films to come out of France this summer.
Eric Lurio
Entertainment Insiders
 
There's no great surprise in where this Odd Couple pairing is headed, but...it'sc quite enjoyable to tag along on the journey.
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion