NEWSPAPERS n o i t i d E l a i c e Sp
JUNE 14, 2023 candgnews.com
Grosse Pointe and Macomb County papers
Shelby Township receives grants for kayak launch and fishing dock
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C & G NEWSPAPERS WILL BE FEATURING STORIES ABOUT NORTHERN MICHIGAN DESTINATIONS FOR OUR READERS TO EXPLORE. Photo provided by Steph Castelein, www.mackinacisland.org
BY KARA SZYMANSKI kszymanski@candgnews.com
SHELBY TOWNSHIP — The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan and the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation recently announced the awarding of $800,000 in grants to 36 organizations through the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Legacy Funds, and those grants included $50,000 for Shelby Township to build a universally accessible kayak launch and fishing dock, which is one piece, at River Bends Park. Elizabeth “Lizzy” Schultz, Shelby Township naturalist and Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center coordinator, said that as an avid paddler, this project is dear to her heart. “I believe the joy of floating down the Clinton River, watching muskrats and turtles while listening to singing birds, should be a barrier-free experience. It’s an honor to help make that happen for our community,” she said. The Clinton River Water Trail runs through River Bends Park and is enjoyed by residents and tourists. See GRANTS on page 15A
MAKE THE MOST OF A DAY ON MACKINAC ISLAND BY GREG TASKER Spending a day on Mackinac Island is a rite of summer for many Michiganders. But most of us, I’m betting, aren’t making the most of that day. We scurry off the ferries right into the heart of downtown Mackinac Island, rent a bicycle for the traditional loop around the island, and then spend a few hours searching for souvenirs and fudge. We might grab a drink or a meal before heading back to the dock. While it’s always a fun outing, there’s so much more to this Michigan gem than fudge, bicycles and horses. Most of the car-free island is a state park with miles of trails to hike and bike. It’s steeped in centuries of Native American, European and American history. And while Mackinac evokes images of being lost somewhere in time, there’s always something new to check out. New this season, for example, are: Patrick Doud’s Irish Pub, named after a contractor of Irish descent who helped
build a number of important buildings on the island; the Mackinac Island Pizza Co., which serves Detroit-style pizza and is among the restaurants operated by the Grand Hotel; and the Cedar Grove Bike Track, a dirt bike trail designed for children 12 and younger. In the last few years, a distillery, a brewery and a whiskey-themed restaurant and bar have opened as well. So how do you make the most of a day trip to the island, which was recently named Best Summer Travel Destination in the country by USA Today readers. Here’s a loose itinerary to make sure you enjoy the highlights.
9 a.m. — Join a horse-driven tour with Mackinac Island Carriage Tours
This might seem like a no-brainer, but it wasn’t until my third trip to Mackinac that I hopped aboard. What a difference. It’s a leisurely and nearly two-hour excursion See MACKINAC on page 4A