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Silver Lake is an over the top funhouse for anyone who loves an all-sports lake experience. Practically anywhere you look, you’ll see Jeeps, ATV’s and boats. It’s just an all around fun, exciting place to be, with something for everyone. This picture is a rather sedated look of the lake, but I like it because you can see the boats, water and dunes. This link will get you to Silver Lake, in the general area where I took this photo.

Here’s a link for dune rides, I’m pretty sure you can parasail at Silver Lake too but don’t have a link for that. If anyone knows one, I’ll add it to this post if you let me know in a comment.

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Here’s the same spot where I took the picture of the dragonfly. This is the Little Point Sable Lighthouse in Whitehall. Whoops, thanks to help from one of my visitors, I’m correcting this, it’s actually the White River Lighthouse. I also took pictures of the Little Point Sable Lighthouse and will be posting them soon.

This is the view from across the water, which is a little harder to get to but worth it. The view is better and it’s not as busy. Here’s a google map link so you can see it from my perspective in Medbery Park

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For the last ten years, every time I’ve driven by this farm, I’ve said to myself, “Hmmmm, I think I’ll take a picture of that place, could it possibly be more perfect?” Problem is, it’s on Pettis, a rather busy road, and there is no shoulder to park on.

I finally decided to brave the elements and get the shot. I very quietly parked. Quietly, because my car was a little bit on someone’s lawn, and then ran across the street, took my pictures and ran back to my car. Unfortunately, my car locks on it’s own when I shut the door and I locked my keys in it. No problem, I just stuck my hand in the open window and unlocked the car, which of course set off the car alarm. And, I couldn’t turn it off. So, if anyone saw a woman driving down Pettis last night with her horn honking and lights flashing, “hi,” it was me.

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You would not believe the grossness I walked through to get this shot. The best photo angle was through a mucky swampy area though, so I walked through it barefoot. I really hope I can get the mud out of my toenails before I have an executive level meeting tomorrow at work.

I took this off Pettis Avenue at Chief Lazy Cloud park in Ada. What a perfect place to watch the sun go down. I heard that the Pettis family owns property adjacent to the park and are going to donate land to make it bigger.

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Actions speak louder than words and the Forest Hills Fine Arts Center (FHFAC) is a perfect example of this. From the staff, to the beautiful LEED certified facility, this place tends to the performing and visual arts like a master gardener tends to a precious orchid. The facility is high tech with an incredible intimate 1,220 seat auditorium that hosts nationally known acts and student performances.

However, the people who work at the FHFAC are what make it so special. In 2006 I was a featured artist there and couldn’t have had a better experience. They were professional, helpful and encouraging. Artists need this kind of nourishment to thrive. So, I thank you, I thank Meg George, Jeremy Cox, Sue Sherman, Lori Dykehouse, Karen Lott, Rose Kogge, John Bischoff, volunteers and the Forest Hills Public School System for all you do on behalf of the arts. And, I thank the sponsors who care enough to dig into their pocketbooks and support this place.

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The Grand River flows through Grand Rapids. Usually you’ll see photos looking down on the river from the bridges and air. I wanted to show you something different. Downtown, along the river, there is this wonderful boardwalk that goes for quite a distance, I love to walk along the river here. This bridge is the huge walkway that leads to the Gerald R. Ford Museum.

Gerald R. Ford Museum

This is a photo of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. Gerald R. Ford chose Grand Rapids to be his final resting place and considered this town his home. In 1999 I was privileged to work on the Kent County International Airport’s annual profile when the ad agency I work for (Allie Design Group) was selected to create it. This was the year the airport was renamed the Gerald R. Ford International Airport.

I coordinated our efforts with President Ford’s assistant, Marty Allen. Previous to this experience I had a skeptical impression of all politicians, Ford included. What I discovered changed my mind, about him at least. We had access to many of President Ford’s personal photos and looking at them, it was easy to see he was a caring, sincere man who deeply loved his country. We selected a variety of photos of his life including one of him in the White House relaxing with a pipe in his mouth. We were told we could use this picture, but only if the pipe was Photoshopped out of his mouth. President Ford had since quit smoking and didn’t want to be a negative influence.

In the final draft of the letter we were to print from him on the inside front cover of the airport profile, President Ford recalled his feelings for Grand Rapids. When I read it, I told Marty that I thought the letter should be toned down, I thought maybe it was a little too much. Marty paused and then insisted “No Ann, that IS how he feels about Grand Rapids. Don’t change a word.” I believed him.

Here’s what Gerald R. Ford had to say about Grand Rapids, “In a long and eventful life, many honors have come my way. Few compare with having my hometown airport bear my name. None can surpass the proudest claim of my life – I am from Grand Rapids, Michigan.”

Years later, tens of thousands of Grand Rapids citizens lined the streets for President Ford’s funeral procession. I took the photo at the bottom of this post during the 21 gun salute at his burial. As a canon blasted away at dusk one of the shots formed a perfect smoke ring.

We love you too President Ford.

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Lowell Showboat
I took this photo in Lowell late in the day, just as the sun was setting. I was facing main street, with the Lowell Showboat off in the distance. I love the beautiful river running through town and everything that comes with it, like the ducks and riverwalk. When I was taking this photo, there was a cute little girl feeding the ducks, which just made them crazy with joy.