I think this is an old map?

The Mushroom Tree

THE FRIENDS OF THE JORDAN ANNOUNCES PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST AWARDS

It was a “family affair” at the Friends of the Jordan annual Celebration on Saturday 9/19/09 as the winning photos were announced. The Grand Prize was awarded to Teresa Cole of Mancelona for her photo “Spring Fling on the Jordan” a stunning photo of a fly fisherman on a crisp spring morning on the Jordan River. Her husband Preston Cole’s photograph graces the cover of the 2010 FOJ calendar and daughter-in-law Stacey Cole’s picture of her brother-in-law playing guitar before a crackling campfire won a spot in the calendar as well.
 The Youth Award went to Ella Porter Lynas for her “Relaxing Bug” and her mother Kristen Porter was chosen for one of the calendar photos. Ella was eager to take the award ribbon to show off to all of her friends in Holland. Her grandfather John Porter, although not a winner this year has consistently been a calendar award winner and was the President’s Choice winner for 2008. This year the President’s Choice Award went to Rosie Evans of East Jordan for her glowing photograph “Jordan Dawn.” This award is chosen by John Richter, President of the FOJ for the photo he feels best represents the natural beauty of the Jordan valley. Rosie stated that this award is the most meaningful for her and she was honored that her photograph was chosen. Viewer’s Choice went to Anne Marie Boettger. 9 other photographers were selected and are represented in the 2010 calendar.  Mike Schlitt of Charlevoix, an international nature photographer judged the 90 entries and was impressed with the quality of the submissions.  He attended the Celebration and was able to meet the photographers and share some feedback about their work.  

The event and the photo contest were supported by Charlevoix State Bank- Grand Prize sponsor,  Bay Winds Federal Credit Union- Viewers Choice, East Jordan Iron Works- Youth Award and East Jordan Plastics sponsoring the President’s Choice Award.  Sponsorship for the remaining awards was provided by Bier Art Gallery, East Jordan Family Health Center, Stacey Chipman Counseling, Glens Market, John and Phyllis Dedoes, Floyd and Nancy Wright, Spicy Bob’s Italian Express, Jordan Valley Animal Clinic, VFW Post 7580 and VFW Auxiliary and in memory of Dr. Greg Klinker.  

The celebration was a huge success with  delicious refreshments catered by Alison MacKay and weather that Richter described as “heavenly” matching the beauty of the harp music provided by Jan Goodwin of East Jordan and “blessed” by a fly over by the Bald Eagle as if on cue as the ceremonies came to a conclusion.

< See a short video of Jan playing the harp

Lets see, we had a cool, kind of dreary day, thunderstorms were predicted and the only person I had talked to who planned to join us on the canoe trip had to back out. Jack and I loaded up the kayaks, packed the cooler and headed off expecting to turn around and head back home thinking no one would show up. Imagine our surprise to find the Middaughs already there, unloading their kayaks, next came the Sothards then another car full and another... All in all 19 people turned out for a beautiful evening on the river. As we were launching, the clouds started to break up and the sun peaked through. The Joe Pye weed, Valerian, Queen Anne's Lace, some white flowers that I could not identify( darn I thought I knew everything blooming in the valley by now!) all were in full bloom adding a lovely scent as the wind drifted toward us. The sunset turned out to be glorious and the moon remained hidden behind the clouds. We saw flocks of Cedar Waxwings and some even cooperated by perching on a dead tree for a photo, a huge flock of geese flew over and landed on the river to settle in for the evening, then flew off in noisy frustration when they were invaded by all these humans in kayaks intruding on their territory. On our arrival into town we heard the last of the concert and were greeted by people standing on the bridge. At the Watershed Center, we had a delicious potluck with so many tasty salads and side dishes that the hotdogs and Brats were practically untouched. We had a lively conversation and made some new friends for the FOJ. All in all... a spectacular event, far exceeding my expectations! .... Margaret Moran                         (click here to see a larger group picture)