Late Winter to Early Spring 2013

From South Shore Drive, looking north (early March)

Aldo Leopold writes of the returning geese in A Sand County Almanac (1949):

A March morning is only as drab as he who walks in it without a glance skyward, ear cocked for geese.  I once knew an educated lady, banded by Phi Beta Kappa, who told me that she had never heard or seen the geese that twice a year proclaim the revolving seasons to her well-insulated roof.  Is education possibly a process of trading awareness for things of lesser worth?  The goose who trades his is soon a pile of feathers.

From Lakeside Rd., looking west (early April)

A cardinal, whistling spring to a thaw but later finding himself mistaken, can retrieve his error by resuming his winter silence.  A chipmunk, emerging for a sunbath but finding a blizzard, has only to go back to bed.  But a migrating goose, staking two hundred miles of black night on the chance of finding a hole in the lake, has no easy chance for retreat.  His arrival carries the conviction of a prophet who has burned his bridges.

[It's 5:49pm.  Thurs. Apr. 4, 2013.  Just heard geese.]

From the north shore, looking south (mid-April)

Although they have been shot at most of the winter, as attested by their buckshot-battered pinions, they know that the spring truce is now in effect.  They wind the oxbows of the river, cutting low over the now gunless points and islands, and gabbling to each sandbar as to a long-lost friend.

From the north shore, looking south (late April)

Finally, after a few pro-forma circlings of our marsh, they set wing and glide silently to the pond, black landing-gear lowered and rumps white against the far hill.  Once touching water, our newly arrived guests set up a honking and splashing that shakes the last thought of winter out of the brittle cattails.  Our geese are home again!

A Sand County Almanac [and Sketches Here and There], Aldo Leopold, illus. Charles W. Schwartz, Oxford University Press, New York, 1949, pp. 18-19. 

Orchard Hill Fire Relief Coming Soon

It's been a few months in coming, but the collection of new personal supplies for Orchard Hill residents will arrive shortly.  This afternoon, Kaleva Meats owner Dave Barrett confirmed that funds raised for the displaced residents of the assisted living complex will be spent over the next few days and items distributed within a few weeks.  "It should have been done already," said Barrett.

A benefit dinner was held shortly after a fire broke out at Orchard Hill in February.  Residents were moved to other homes, but items such as razors, combs and pajamas were lost in the blaze.  Barrett said that scheduling difficulties between Kaleva Meats and Orchard Hill had caused the delay, but said he looked forward to completing the project.  "We do a lot of donations and benefits," he said.  His own out-of-pocket contributions covered the basic food items for the dinner, which was held at the Kaleva Lions Den and brought in over $700.

 Barrett said his wife, Beth, and a representative from Orchard Hill will purchase the supplies together, to guarantee proper disbursement of funds and careful distribution. Staff from Orchard Hill were not immediately available for comment.

The Three Pines Gander will update this story as more information becomes available.

Controlled Burn at Arcadia Marsh

The smoke in the air isn't leaves burning, or at least, not only that.  The haze over Bear Lake and other neighboring communities is coming from Arcadia.  After returning from a drive to investigate for themselves, Bill and Cheryl Lindeman of Bear Lake reported that a controlled burn at Arcadia Marsh has been underway since the early afternoon, in order to eliminate invasive species.  They said workers with the company doing the work are igniting specific areas with flamethrowers.  Wild rice was apparently also discovered, they said.

155 acres of Arcadia Marsh are owned by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, which is conducting the controlled burn as part of the restoration activities it began three years ago. More information at: http://www.gtrlc.org/land-stewardship-project/arcadia-marsh-restoration/

See TV news coverage of the controlled burn, below:

http://www.9and10news.com/story/22101355/controlled-burn-will-help-revitalize-native-species-in-arcadia-marsh

http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=890930

Seeking Volunteer Radio Program Hosts

Seeking volunteer radio program hosts. Designed for those who can't participate in existing media opportunities (WNMC in Traverse City, Lakeshore LAVA at WSCC) or need more flexibility, due to work/personal schedule or transportation issues.

To apply, please provide a short paragraph about the weekly show you'd most like to do, including the music genre(s) or audio type. Also, tell us: how would this be different from other local programs on the air? what type of show would you definitely not want to do, and why? your favorite color.

Please reply by email: threepinesgander@gmail.com

2011 Tax Changes Hit Home in 2013

The side effects of cutting out the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) nearly two years ago are now being felt by some individuals across the state at tax time: "[p]arents, retirees, homeowners and the working poor," according to the Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive. 

For at least one Manistee County taxpayer--an 83-year old widow--about $500 is owed to Lansing for 2011 taxes, as opposed to a small refund check in prior years.  A local tax office confirms that others within the county are seeing similar changes and reports that brown postcards reminded taxpayers of the changes' general effect.

In May 2011, the MBT was eliminated [1], but state lawmakers made sure that the revenue came from, or was held back, from other sources: "implementation of the Pension Tax, the reduction of the Homestead Property Tax Credit and the elimination of the $600 per-child tax deduction and the $2,300 exemption for seniors, among other changes. The Earned Income Tax Credit has been cut from 20 percent of the federal EITC to 6 percent" [2].

Representative Ray Franz and Senator Darwin Booher voted for the 2011 legislation [3, 4], but five Republican Senators voted against it: Sens. Rick Jones of Grand Ledge, Tory Rocca of Sterling Heights, Joe Hune of Hamburg Township, Dave Hildenbrand of Lowell and Jack Brandenburg of Harrison Township, reports MLive's Capitol bureau [5]. Those same five Republicans now propose a new bill to reinstate the full Homestead Property Tax Credit and to cut the pension tax. House Democrats also support those two measures [6].

The state webpage describing the 2011's changes to the Homestead Property Tax identifies who would lose the credit:

The groups most likely to experience a change in their credit from the 2011 tax year are:

• Seniors (65 & Older)

• Taxpayers with Total Household Resources over $50,000, and

• Homeowners whose property has a taxable value over $135,000  [7]

The webpage says that the credit is "calculated differently" but a change in wording and definitions is involved as much as mathematics. "Total Household Resources" has replaced "Total Household Income" as one of the criteria examined. The new "Resources" term appears to allow for taxing certain things exempted by federal taxes, and does not account for personal business losses.

1. http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/05/gov_rick_snyder_signs_michigan.html

2. http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2013/03/state_tax_increases_hitting_mo.html

3. http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/35095#.UWRp8KJg848

4. http://votesmart.org/bill/votes/35094#.UWRseaJg848

5. http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/03/group_of_republican_senators_s.html

6. http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/04/michigan_state_budget_democrat.html

7. https://www.michigan.gov/taxes/0,1607,7-238-43535_43538---,00.html

Blue Slipper Closes Amid Reshuffled Restaurants

Update (4/12/13, 1:45pm)

We've confirmed that Blarney Castle & Oil has plans for the Bear Lake Bar.  Bill McCarthy told us yesterday afternoon that the company is in the process of purchasing the property.  Since the company wants to spend an appropriate amount of time consulting with those experienced in the restaurant industry, McCarthy does not expect a re-opening this summer.

Original story published 4/6/13, 8:08pm

The Blue Slipper Bistro of Onekama has closed.

Chef Brian Kissel announced the news late this afternoon through the restaurant's Facebook page. Kissel cited the recent passing of his wife, Cheryl Kissel, as well as medical bills and debt. The couple had full insurance for themselves and their children up until about a year ago, when they cut back on their coverage following their children's graduation from high school. They planned to use the savings to stabilize their business. Cheryl passed away unexpectedly in late December. 

Brian and Cheryl Kissel

The restaurant had been closed since January. At first, Brian Kissel planned to re-open either this month or next, but said today that "it's time to move on." 

In his online note, Kissel said, "the Blue Slipper has fulfilled its duty by supporting my family for 13 years, putting my children through high school, college and careers to the future. Thanks everyone for the support over the years, we couldn't have made without all the customer support. LOVE TO ALL." Kissel said he's putting the business up for sale but hopes to continue to live and work in the area.

Brian Kissel talked to the Three Pines Gander about the challenges of running the Blue Slipper below (click arrow to listen).

The closure comes four months after the Bear Lake Bar shut its doors, following Dave Long's retirement. There are unconfirmed reports that Blarney Castle Oil & Propane of Bear Lake has plans for that bar.

Meanwhile, Grille 44 (formerly named the Ice Shanty), at the opposite end of Bear Lake, is accepting applications for cooking and wait staff, and could open before the end of the month. Its owners, the Buckner family, also own and operate the adjacent Saddle Up Gas & Grocery and Traks Bar & Grill in Brethren.

Blue Slipper Bistro sidewalk sign

(Photos from Blue Slipper Bistro Facebook page)