Acme Fall Festival 2016

Who knew a fall festival could be educational?  When I decided to go the Acme Fall Festival, I expected the usual craft and food booths, a play area for the children and the tractor and car shows.  However, when I got off the tractor wagon that met us in the parking area and took us to where the events were at Fairfield's, the first thing I saw was a rather large gathering of onlookers and a woman holding a bird on stage.  I didn't know what kind because I was just walking onto the scene. 

This woman was come to find out, Rebecca Lessard, founder and director of Wings of Wonder, a sanctuary dedicated to saving, rehabilitating and releasing back into the wild (if possible), raptors of all kinds.  She soon replaced the first bird with Doolin, a human printed turkey vulture.  I was mesmerized as Rebecca held this huge raptor on her arm and continued educating us about what type of bird is considered a raptor, their habitats and habits.  I must confess I lost focus for a minute as I was contemplating how heavy Doolin was, and how well-behaved he was throughout the presentation.

 

Rebecca Lessard with Doolin the turkey vulture

The climax of the presentation came when Rebecca released a rehabilitated red tailed hawk back into the wild.  As the hawk sought refuge in the nearby trees, I wished him well in his life as nature intended.

Releasing the red tailed hawk



Headed for the trees

        
The rest of the festival was pretty much as I'd expected.  I did stop by the Yuba Historical Society's booth and learn about the restoration of the school house.  All in all it was a beautifully perfect day to wander around the festival.  I encourage everyone to com out for next year's festival.  It was definitely worth the donation cost.
 
*Check out Wings of Wonder at www.wingsofwonder.org

Compassion

This post isn't actually about Elk Lake, it's about getting to Elk Lake.  I was down state at my sister's in Battle Creek.  Yesterday I was travelling on 37 N on my way back up to the lake.  I suddenly heard a noise like I ran over something and it hit the bottom of the car.  I looked in my rearview mirror and didn't see anything, so I kept going.  The car was not acting right, and the driving was feeling a bit "squishy".  I pulled over onto a side road, stopped the car and got out to look.  I had a flat tire on the passenger's rear side.

Well, I pulled out my little overnight bag, and pulled up the bottom of the trunk.  I got out the donut tire and the jack.  Then I looked for the tire iron.  It was no where in sight.  I looked all through the trunk and it did not magically appear.  Hmmph!  I sat down, called my sister.  She said she knew a towing service that could come out and change the tire, but it would be a bit of a wait. 

I got out a book to read while I was waiting.  Lo and behold, a good Samaritan stopped and said he could help change the tire.  I explained that a tow truck was on the way.  He said, "Don't do that, it'll cost you money."  So I called my sister back and told her to cancel the truck.  The man used his jack and tire iron that happened to fit my car.  He had the tire changed and the donut on within 10 minutes.  I thanked him, and want to thank him again for his kindness.  I pray that his kindness to me comes back to him when he needs it.

So I continued north on 37 to Hastings where this gentleman told me there was a place that worked on tires.  I GPS'd tire places in Hastings when I got there and went to the one with 5 stars.  I drove in and walked in.  The girl behind the desk was on the phone and didn't acknowledge that I even stepped into the shop.  I patiently waited for her to finish her phone call.  I told her the situation - that I had a flat tire that needed repaired, or to buy a new tire so that I could continue my drive home.  It was about 12:20.  She said all her guys were at lunch.  I asked what time they returned.  She said 1:00.  I then asked if they could take a look at the tire then.  She told me that she didn't know because they already had two appointments at 1:00.  Since I was receiving no compassion for my plight, just a 'too bad for you' attitude, I walked out.

I then called Tires 'n' Such.  They said they could get me in right a way.  I GPSed it and drove to the shop.  It was nothing to look at, in fact, I do believe I heard banjos playing.  However, I was taught, don't judge a book by its cover.  I walked in and the man behind the counter old me to drive my car around to the back.  The young man met me and immediately fixed my tire, and put air in my donut tire. The tire was plugged and back on my car within 15 minutes,  He was friendly and efficient.  Thanks to Tires 'n' Such for helping out someone who was in a pickle.

I appreciate the compassion for a traveler who had car trouble.

Why write about Elk Lake?

So why write about Elk Lake?  My family has owned a cottage on the lake for 28 years.  How do I know exactly 28 years?  Because my parents bought it the year my son was born.

I have spent most of my summers, or parts of summers at the cottage.  It has been a place of rest, relaxation and rejuvenation. The one rule that we have always instituted at the cottage is that no one has to do anything they don't want to do.  If you don't want to eat the fresh brussel sprouts that were bought at the Elk Rapids Farmer's Market, you don't have to.  I have always liked this rule (though I do like to eat the fresh brussel sprouts).

Recently, I have changed professions from a college professor and director to a freelance writer and editor.  I have had enough concerning university politics and moved to our cottage as a permanent resident. I have written for the past 30 years in my profession, and am now enjoying writing what I want to - which means for this blog, anything that has to do with Elk Lake.  I want to share my observations as this transition to permanent resident goes along.

Already, the Lake is calming down as many of the summer residents are closing up their cottages, dry docking their boats and pulling in their docks.  The water is still warm enough to swim in, so when the weather permits, I'm still swimming along the western shore.  The children's voices have silenced as they have returned to school.  The sounds of the lake are only those of the waves and the seagulls .  As I swim, my mind wanders and my soul is renewed.

The nights are now cooling off, making sleeping with the windows open very comfortable.  The leaves of the maples are just slightly tinged with color.  Summer is trying to hold off Fall, but Fall is pushing to overcome it.  Already, I have spent a longer time at the cottage than any year previous.

So the adventure begins...