The Pride of Baltimore II on its last visit to Boyne City in 2016.

The Pride of Baltimore II tall ship will be returning to Boyne City for a week this Friday. The 157-ft. ship will pass through Round Lake Channel in Charlevoix on Friday morning, and will be docked in downtown Boyne City at the 1 Water Street Pier Friday through Wednesday. The ship will be hosting a number of free deck tours. You can also sign up for one of five two-hour sails on Lake Charlevoix with an admission fee of $40 for adults and $30 for children ages 12 and under.

The ship has visited Boyne City several times in the past, thanks to a connection with local Realtor Wally Kidd, whose father was one of the founders of the nonprofit organization that built the original Pride replica ship in Baltimore in the 1970s. Kidd's family in Walloon Lake typically hosts the crew for some R&R when they come to Boyne City, and they will do so again this year. Pictures from 2016 visit to Boyne City .

Here is a summary of the ship's itinerary in Boyne City:

> Full schedule and links to purchase tickets for the sailing trips on Lake Charlevoix.

Music, fun and great times fill the streets of downtown Boyne City again this summer as Stroll the Streets returns for its 16th season every Friday from 6-9 p.m. Stroll the Streets is a signature summer event for downtown, organized by Boyne City Main Street.  Musical entertainment ranges from contemporary, country, bluegrass, traditional, folk, jazz, to rock. Special activities include magicians, caricature artists, face painting, balloon twisting and more fun activities for kids. Thanks to event organizer Karen Guzniczak of Country Now & Then and map designer Robin Lee Berry of Freshwater Art Gallery. V isit  www.strollthestreets.com   for the full summer schedule and updates. 

  

> Here is the entertainment lineup for this Friday:

• Sunset Park - "Bodies and Water" Interactive dance with croftresidency.org
• Coldwell Banker Real Estate - Katherine Ryan Trio 
• Harbor House/Country Now & Then - Paul Cervenak Trio
• Strolling Downtown - Magic Lady
• Bob Mathers Ford/Boyne Arts Gallery - Library Bookmobile
• Boyne City Hardware - The Painted Lady Face Art
• Pat O'Brien Real Estate - Sweetwater
• Stiggs Brewery & Kitchen - Holly Keller
• The Lawn at Lynda's - The Never Never Band
• Kilwin's - Karen Brooks
• Old Sportsman - Gaylord Community Band 
• Kidd & Leavy Real Estate - Dos Hippies
• Freshwater Art Gallery - The Duges
• Lady Barber Shop - Pooch the Magician
• Boyne District Library - Hap Wright sharing stories and poems
• SOBO Pocket Park on Main Street - Make Art

Facade renovation at Banner Law Office started last Thursday on South Lake Street. 

Main Street Executive Director Kelsie King-Duff commented, "We are so pleased that this is under way. Main Street is supporting this project with a $15,000 facade grant, and we are excited to add this to our stash of "Before and After" pictures.

Junior Achievement of Northern Michigan is hoping to reestablish their program in Boyne City after a lapse of four years if volunteers can be found. JA programs teach students in kindergarten through high school important real-world concepts in financial literacy, work readiness and entrepreneurship. They also give students opportunities  to learn and apply critical soft skills such as collaboration, communication, critical thinking and creativity. 

The time commitment for a Junior Achievement volunteer is as little as one hour a week over five weeks. You can coordinate your classroom visits directly with the school's teacher to make sure the schedule works for both.

Students love the hands-on learning opportunities that JA provides. The volunteer is the critical component in the success of JA programs - he or she can share professional experiences that align with program content and help the students see how JA can help them achieve their dreams.

Junior Achievement enhances the relevancy of education, bridging the gap between what students are learning in school and how it can be applied in the real world. Students who receive Junior Achievement programing display enhanced problem-solving and decision-making skills, feel more prepared for the real world, develop more competitive life and work skills and are more likely to stay in school and graduate. In fact 92% of JA alumni say that their JA experience helped them to compete successfully in a business environment.

> TO VOLUNTEER at your local school contact Matt Berger, District Director Junior Achievement of Northern Michigan, at (231) 582-4660 or janso@ja.org . Visit the JA website for a full description of their many programs.

	New Head Coach Dave Suttle

The Boyne City Football program will be holding its 3rd annual Kickoff Classic at 5 p.m. this Saturday, August 17th at the high school. This is the first opportunity to see the 2019 Ramblers on the field. The entrance fee is $10 per person, including a tailgate party, and all registered Boyne City football players are free. 

First-year Head Coach Dave Suttle said, "This event is a chance for family, friends, and the community to come see the hard work our amazing kids have been putting forth, preparing for another great season of Boyne City Football."

The Kickoff Classic will start with a flag football game to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Boyne youth football. The 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th graders who have signed up for football will play against the high school players. This will be followed by a chance to meet the 2019 Ramblers. Then there will be a tailgate party with food, drinks, and games for everyone. The Varsity and JV teams will have a short warmup period, followed by the blue and white scrimmage. After the scrimmage, the players and coaches will eat and clean up. Suttle said 100% of the admission fees and other contributions will go directly to the football program, used for the "on-field tools and equipment needed to keep our players safe, and able to compete at the highest level possible." PNR feature.  The new coach.

> THE SCHEDULE - Football season begins at 7 p.m. Thursday, August 29th with a home game against Essexville Garber. The following Friday, Sept. 6th, the Ramblers travel to cross-county rival Charlevoix. Full schedule of football and other fall sports.

This year's Boyne Area Chamber Business & Community Expo will be held Friday, November 1st, in partnership with Boyne City High School in the school gymnasium. The Expo will be held from 3-7 p.m. with exhibitor networking from 3-4 p.m. before opening to the public from 4-7 p.m. More details and registration info will be announced soon.

Other upcoming Chamber events include:

	Chief Jeff Gaither

From the Petoskey News-Review: The Boyne City Police Department is now in the market for two police officers after police chief Jeff Gaither announced his upcoming retirement from the department Tuesday. Gaither made his announcement by reading aloud a letter he had submitted to city manager Michael Cain earlier in the day near the end of the Boyne City City Commission's regular semimonthly meeting Tuesday.

Gaither, who plans to retire effective Nov. 9, has served as the department's chief for about the past seven years. Gaither was appointed on July 6, 2012, to fill the chief's position after longtime police chief Randy Howard retired in late 2011.

Gaither's announcement comes just days on the heels of the retirement of longtime officer Craig Remsberg, whose last day with the department after 39 years of service was Thursday. Remsberg was on hand at Tuesday's meeting to receive a special recognition of his years of service from the city commission. Full story.

Boyne City will celebrate its autumn bounty at the Harvest Festival from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28.  This family fun day will include music, crafts, children's activities, food and fall produce in the downtown area. Portions of Water and Lake Streets will be closed to traffic, as the extended Boyne City Farmers Market will be moved downtown from Veterans Park.

There will be children's games and activities including pumpkin painting, face painting, hay rides, a scarecrow contest, and live musical performances throughout the downtown. Local churches and non-profit organizations that would like to participate by organizing children's activities or harvest crafts are encouraged to contact Boyne City Main Street.  Join us as we shop the market and arts and craft vendors and spend time enjoying all that the downtown area has to offer.

>  The festival is supported by Boyne City Main Street . Click here for vendor registration .

The Boyne Area Chamber will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 6 p.m. Tuesday, August 20th, to celebrate the completion of the Avalanche Preserve mountain bike trail-building project, and to honor the volunteers who made it happen. The ribbon-cutting will be held near the parking lot at the base of Avalanche Mountain. The expert-level "Stroll the Steeps" was the final trail to be completed by volunteers from the Top Of Michigan Mountain Bike Association. The public is invited to attend, bring your bike and ride one of the many trails after the ceremony.  Avalanche trail map .

Shiver Me Timbers! The 2nd Annual Boyne City PirateFest was a huge success this past weekend, although if you were flaunting your wealth like this Irish gentleman in the top hat and tails, you may have been separated from your wallet. Thanks to everyone who volunteered and attended! Here's a PirateFest photo album from Kim Mettler of mibarefootmemories.com .

Charlevoix County entrepreneurs and new businesses two years old or less are invited to apply to compete for startup cash toward their business in the first county-wide pitch night, "Ignite Charlevoix County," scheduled for October 9th at Castle Farms. The winner advances to the finale competition, Grand Event, to compete for more startup funds.

Here is the application, which is due by midnight of September 15th. Admission is free, so everyone is encouraged to come and cheer for your favorite entrepreneur - reserve your spot here.

Competitors will receive business counseling from professionals to help in preparing a 4-minute business pitch for the panel of judges on the night of the competition. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners will be awarded as well as an audience selected People's Choice Award.

There will also be time for competing businesses to network and make connections with other business professionals and angel investors in the audience. 

Doors open at 5 pm and the event starts at 5:30 on the. night of the competition, October 9th. For more information visit www.charlevoixignite.com.

Charlevoix Ignite is sponsored by Consumers Energy and DTE Energy Foundation and various local sponsors, including the Boyne Area Chamber, Boyne City Main Street.

The Charlevoix County Community Foundation announces the availability of grant dollars to support the work of area nonprofit organizations, educational institutions and municipalities. The deadline to submit a grant proposal is Tuesday, October 1. Grant applications to support arts and culture, education, the environment, community and economic development, health and human services, recreation and youth are available by calling the Community Foundation office. Applicants must call to discuss their proposal to begin the application process. Eligible nonprofit organizations serve residents of Charlevoix County and work to enrich or improve life for local residents. Applications will be reviewed by advisory committees made up of community representatives. The Youth Advisory Committee will review proposals that benefit young people in two or more communities in Charlevoix County.

The Community Foundation accepts contributions from donors and then uses a portion of the income earned from the investment of these gifts to help foster positive change in our area. In this way, our donors' contributions meet our community needs, now and in the future - For good. For ever.® 

To apply for a grant or for more information, call 231.536.2440 or email Mishelle Shooks for youth grants at mshooks@c3f.org or Maureen Radke for all other grants at maureen@c3f.org.

North Central Michigan College is introducing two exciting new club athletic opportunities. This fall, the College is starting competitive running and ski teams, providing students an opportunity to participate in an athletic team atmosphere. 

The co-ed club running team is open to both competitive and non-competitive runners who seek an opportunity to better themselves and others, through establishing and working together towards athletic goals. All team members will have the opportunity to participate in several competitive cross-country or road races during the fall semester. For additional information, contact Rod Anderson at: randerson@ncmich.edu.

The co-ed club ski team is open to a minimum of 7 to a maximum of 12 competitors. North Central is sponsoring a Race League for one evening a week at Nubs Nob Ski Area. The emphasis is on improvement throughout the season; therefore, prior training is not necessary. For additional information, contact Ashley Antonishen at aantonishen@ncmich.edu.

The college is taking this club approach as an entry point to providing competitive running and skiing at the collegiate level. Additionally, this will allow for involvement at various levels, and afford students the ability to enjoy and benefit from continued participation in a competitive athletic team. 

The Charlevoix County Planning Commission and Parks Committee are in the process of updating the County Recreation Plan. There are two open house opportunities to provide public input to assist county officials in updating the plan:

> Monday, August 19th - drop in any time from 7-9 p.m. at Whiting Park Log Cabin.

> Thursday, September 19th - from 5-7 p.m. at the Charlevoix Public Library Community Room A.

The county has also developed an online community survey concerning county parks and recreation facilities. Click here to take the survey, which will be open until September 13th. 

For further information or questions, contact Kiersten Stark, County  Parks & Planning Director, (231) 547-7234, starkk2@charlevoixcounty.org .

> Flyer with details about the open houses and the survey. Hard copies of the survey can be picked up at Charlevoix County Parks & Planning Department, 301 State Street, Charlevoix.

Avalanche Bay Indoor Waterpark at Boyne Mountain Resort is hosting a school supply drive in partnership with the 12th Annual Char-Em United Way Stuff the Bus campaign. From now through September 2, park-goers can receive $5 off a single-day pass with the donation of two or more school supplies. 

Recommended school supplies include #2 pencils, colored pencils, pencil boxes, art supplies, backpacks, construction paper, chalk, crayons, erasers, folders, glue bottles and sticks, highlighters, dry erase markers, notebooks, rulers, scissors, and tissues. Items should be new and in original packaging.

School supplies will be donated to students in need within the Charlevoix-Emmet Intermediate School District. Each year the program delivers over 10,500 items to help students prepare for the new school year. 

	Raffle prizes from last year's event.

Charlevoix Conservation District will be contacting local businesses toward the end of August/early September in search of door prizes for their Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held Thursday, November 14th from 6:30-8:30pm at the Old Middle School. Students from the Boyne Hospitality Class cook and serve the meal, and a guest speaker discusses a conservation topic. 

Door prizes are raffled off at the end of the meeting to anywhere from 50-70 county residents. "We greatly appreciate the local businesses supporting our conservation efforts here in Charlevoix County," said District Manager Alison Adams. "We are proud to support the local businesses in return, and thank everyone in our newsletter, annual report and newsletter - reaching out to over 2,000 members." Door prizes can be anything from a t-shirt to a logo coffee mug or a gift certificate. Conservation District website.

The Boyne City Rotary Club will hold an "open meeting" at 6 p.m. Monday, August 19th at Lake Street Pub, 202 S. Lake St. The public is invited to attend and learn how Rotary contributes to the Boyne community and how our service projects benefit people around the world. This meeting will take the place of the usual weekly meeting held at 7 a.m. on the first, second and fourth Mondays of the month at the Boyne District Library Community Room. The club holds their evening open meeting once a month, on the third Monday.

	The Sunset Park Log Cabin, photo by Mike Cain.

The Boyne Area Chamber and the City of Boyne City  have launched the Log Cabin Volunteers group to give out information from the Sunset Park cabin this summer. 

So far, 11 local people have volunteered as part of a group that is providing visitor information in the log cabin formerly occupied by the chamber. 

> VOLUNTEER! If you are interested in volunteering at the log cabin for a couple of hours, you can click here to sign up for the final shift of the summer during Stroll the Streets from 6-8 p.m. on August 23.

The Chamber/Main Street E-News comes to your inbox each Thursday morning. If you submit news for next week, please send it by Tuesday to jim@boynechamber.com. More than 1,300 people open our newsletter each week, and you can reach them with your news release (no cost for Chamber members) or advertising message and a link for as little as $50. We have ads available starting next week.

> SPREAD THE NEWS - We'd love to send you and your friends the weekly Boyne Business News. To subscribe, just  email us .

On Saturday, August 24th, folks all over Northwest Lower Michigan will host dinner parties where they invite their friends to come to a benefit for the Charlevoix Area Humane Society. The parties can be themed, fancy or just a potluck. A number of area restaurants will be also hosting parties with special dinner rates with a portion of the bill to benefit the CAHS.

At 8 p.m. all participants and parties are invited to a grand afterglow at Veterans Park in Boyne City. At the Afterglow, we will have desserts prepared by the best area restaurants and desserteries in Northern Michigan. There, we will tally and celebrate the fundraising results with cocktails and dancing to live music. The Charlevoix Area Humane Society is an independent nonprofit 501c3 tax-deductible organization.

REGISTER YOUR PARTY and give your estimated guest count by calling the Humane Society at 231-582-6774 or email pets@charlevoixhumane.org.

	Olympian Hunter Kemper

A beautiful venue, incredible cause, and a significant prize purse await you at the 7th Annual Boyne City Triathlon-Duathlon on Sunday, Sept. 1 at Peninsula Beach. You'll also meet 4-time US Olympic Triathlete Hunter Kemper. This course will take your breath away the first time you see it. Athletes will start out swimming in the crystal clear waters of Lake Charlevoix before skimming the coastline on their bike and passing through town on their run. Last year this race brought you the largest cash prize purses in Michigan... stay tuned for this year. Funds raised from this event support Team Lucky Seven, Inc. and its mission of "Racing to Fight Brain Disease." In the first five years more than $25,000 was granted to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, for the express purpose of research into MS, ALS and Alzheimer's.

Here is a summary of the USA Triathlon Certified Races: 

> Olympic Triathlon: 1,500m swim, 40km bike, 10km run

> Sprint Triathlon: 750m swim, 20km bike, 5km run

> Sprint Duathlon: 5km run, 20km bike, 5km run

Events can be completed INDIVIDUALLY or as a RELAY team. Register here.

> VOLUNTEER - The Triathlon can always use local volunteers to help with various aspects of this event. You'll get an event gear bag and some great food! Volunteer here. 

> SPONSOR OPPORTUNITIES are available. Contact event founder and organizer Rob Swartz at  rob@teamluckyseven.org.

	St. Matthew Church

St. Matthew Church is having their Summer Festival on Sunday, Aug. 18 at 1303 Boyne Ave. in Boyne City. The festival will be held from 12 to 2:30 p.m. Ma's & Brother Bill's Polish dinner will be featured, including Golumpki (stuffed cabbages), sauerkraut & sausage, cream cucumbers, pierogis, dill potatoes, fresh Polish sausage and desserts. From noon to 1 there will be live music from the Larry Czerkies Band. Buy tables and silent auctions will be held from noon to 2:30 and the live auction will start at 1:25. There will be free children's activities including inflatables, games, activities and prizes. A refreshment tent will have popcorn, soda, hot dogs and more. A $4,500 cash raffle will be held with the drawing at 2:30. Honorary festival chairs Joyce and Ray Zavesky will be recognized at 12:55 p.m.

Create: Community Arts Studio is hosting a 7-day online Drawing Challenge from this Friday, August 16th through August 22nd. Participants can join by simply visiting the studio's website and uploading artwork directly to the site. Each day a new drawing prompt with be posted and artwork will be displayed in the online gallery the following day. No age restrictions apply and individuals can choose to remain anonymous. To view rules and submission guidelines and join the 7-Day Drawing Challenge visit: www.letscreatetogether.org.  Create: Community Arts Studio is a 501(c)3 arts and social service organization connecting members of the community through the arts.

Provisions Wine Lounge, the new wine bar at 123 Water Street, has been delayed a bit. Owner Ed Brehm reports: "The new water main installation (required for the building's new fire suppression system) has been pushed out. Much to our dismay, this will delay our opening until approximately Labor Day weekend. If we're able to open sooner than that, we certainly will." Brehm recommends following the Wine Lounge on their new Facebook page for updates. The Wine Lounge will be managed by Provisions employee Chloe Chaffee and is located next door with a connecting doorway to the Wine Emporium and Deli and Boyne Country Provisions.

Discover the art of belly dancing in a workshop taught by Lola Kennedy at 10:30 a.m. this Saturday, Aug. 17th at balanced living. The workshop touches on technique, building from the ground up and by the end of the workshop you will be shimmying across the room. It includes warm-up, basic moves and techniques, plus relaxation. There is no choreography to memorize - you'll be guided to allow the music to mesmerize you while you enjoy this fun and empowering movement. Hip skirts provided for use during the workshop. Some of the benefits of belly dancing are that it stretches and tones your body and increases your stamina and grace. No experience necessary - belly dancing is a fun way to enjoy exercising with friends. Class fee is  $20 if pre-registered/$25 at the door; register online here.

OUTDOOR YOGA is offered under the Master Willow tree across from the studio in Veterans Park with instructor John Dakini at 6:30 on Friday evenings. The secret to success with Outdoor Yoga is to dress in layers and bring extra layers. Outdoor Yoga develops the skill to stay present and devoted to the practice of yoga in the face of distraction, and there is nothing quite so nourishing as the beautiful NoMI summer sun and the cool and fresh breezes Lake Charlevoix has to offer us. Outdoor yoga mats and sunglasses will be provided. In the event of rain, class will be held at the studio.

Kiersten's Ride, the 7th annual fundraiser for suicide prevention programs in Northern Lower Michigan, will be held Saturday, August 17th at Chandler Hill Campground in Boyne Falls. Participants have a choice of a 10 a.m. Horseback Trail Ride, a 12 noon 1.3-mile Nature Walk, or a 2 p.m. ATV Ride. Lunch for participants is from 1-2 p.m. and prizes will be awarded at 1:30. Early registration is $15, or $25 after Aug. 10. Registration flier has more details. For more information, For more information, call 231-675-5047, email KierstensRide@outlook.com or visit www.KierstensRide.org. 

The 16th annual Boyne City Drag Race returns to the Boyne City Airport on Sunday, Sept. 1. Side-by-side, eighth-mile drag races will run from 12 noon-5 p.m. at the airport, 1048 E. Main St. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Boyne City Airport and the Boyne Valley Lions Club. The event is organized by the Lions and a committee of drag race enthusiasts. Entry fees are $25 in advance and $30 on race day for cars, trucks and motorcycles, while pit passes are $15. Spectators pay a $10 admission fee; children under 12 years are admitted free. Gates open to racers at 8:30 a.m. for registration and tech inspections. For information and registration forms visit www.bcdragrace.com. 

> VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - Anyone interested in helping should call Mike Cain at 231-582-0377 or mcain@boynecity.com . Volunteer help is needed on Saturday, Aug. 31, with set-up from noon until done and then on Sunday, Sept. 1, the day of the race, from 8 am until 8 pm.

Anyone interested in local history is invited to attend a meeting at Raven Hill Discovery Center at 5 p.m. Thursday, August 15. This short meeting is a chance for individuals from area communities to come together to make plans to share the past and present of their own communities with all of northern Lower Michigan.

In September and October, Raven Hill will host a Generations exhibit. Northwestern Lower Michigan has a rich history of many cultures settling in this area. Anyone interested in sharing the history of their tribe, town or village and its culture (or that of a local "ghost" town) is invited to join us or let us know if you are interested in participating, but are unable to attend. We will keep you posted on the next meeting.

> For more information or to RSVP, call Cheri at 231-536-3369 or email info@miravenhill.org.

North Central Michigan College will present a lecture featuring Canadian conservationist Joanie McGuffin on Wednesday, August 21 from 8:30 - 10 a.m. in the gym in the Student and Community Resource Center. Cost is $10 and includes breakfast.  McGuffin is a public speaker, educator and one of the founders of the Lake Superior Watershed Conservancy (LSWC). She is the author of eight books with her photographer husband Gary. Six are photographic books chronicling their long-distance paddling voyages and two are illustrated instructional paddling guides.   

The Conservancy has approached the protection of the Lake Superior through a watershed approach that acknowledges that water knows no boundaries. In 2019, LSWC launched Canoes for Conservation, a program that engages people and their communities in an ecological and cultural heritage connection to the world's largest freshwater lake. 

Reservations are required. Call 231-348-6600 or email willcall@ncmich.edu to reserve a seat.

HONEYBEE WORKSHOP - On August 15 from 6 - 9 p.m. Mel Disselkoen, a 40-year veteran beekeeper, will present: "Farming Honeybee Livestock for Next Year's Bees."  Learn how to maintain a healthy and productive hive. Sponsored in conjunction with the Little Traverse Bee Guild. Disselkoen was born on a big farm in South Dakota and has studied honeybee behavior for 47 years. He has operated hundreds of colonies and is familiar with all types of beekeeping, commercial and hobby issues. Register here. 

Interested in learning more about gardening with native plants, and attracting pollinators? Join the Charlevoix Conservation District for an informative Native Plant Workshop on Thursday, August 29th, from 4-6pm with Vern Stephens of Designs by Nature. Learn the values behind planting native on local fauna, soil and your groundwater. Other interesting topics include site preparation, installation, maintenance and examples of different native plants. The workshop will also be an opportunity to pre-order your plants for the plant sale the following week.

The Native Plant Sale will be held on Friday, September 13th from 3-6pm.

Both events will be held in the Charlevoix Conservation District's Community Room. The workshop is free, but space is limited; RSVP by contacting Alison at 231-582-6193. 

PRE-ORDER YOUR PLANTS by Aug. 29 with this order form now or at the workshop. Prices are $6.50/qt for wildflowers, $7.50/qt. for woodland species, $70 for garden flats and $60 for single species flats. The plant sale is for those who pre-order, but the public is welcome to purchase any available extra items. For more information, stop by office or call 231-582-6193.

League season is right around the corner for BC Lanes and we've got some meeting dates and times to share:

The Wednesday league voted at their meeting to open up the league to now include women as well. This means you can now have any combination guys or gals on a 5-person team.

Also, we now have an official Monday meeting time. It will be next Monday night here at the center at 6:30pm.

If you are returning from last season, interested in joining a team or just bowling as an individual, you're asked to either attend the meeting of your choice or contact Kirk at the center at 231.582.6353.

The 4th Annual Paddle 4 The Pool fundraising event for the Charlevoix Area Community Pool will be held Saturday, August 17, at Ferry Beach in Charlevoix. Estimate your elapsed time for this paddle event, and if you finish the closest to your prediction, you are the winner. Students, seniors, everyone can enjoy this event. This is not your typical race, but it definitely is a contest. Grab your kayak, canoe or stand up paddle board and join us on Lake Charlevoix. Choose the two-mile or four-mile course. Please, obviously... no time pieces on board. Last year all participants for the 4-Mile Course finished under 1 hour and 30 minutes and the fastest time was 46:02. The winner was 5 seconds away from his predicted time.

Entry fee per watercraft (single or double) is $25 by August 9th, and $35 after that date. After you paddle, enjoy live music by the Crosscut Kings and tasty food from the Pigs Eatin' Ribs Food Truck. 

> Website with details and registration is www.paddle4thepool.com.   Event flyer.