Scottville Fall Festival 2024

 Scottville will never completely be able to bring back the "glory" that was the Harvest Festival. Those were huge and deeply rooted in the area's agricultural heritage. Everyone attended. It was a 3-day event with parades, an ox roast, a midway, music, contests, and I don't even remember what all. The streets were packed so full it was even difficult to walk around most of the time.

But the city is trying to recreate some small-town pride and enthusiasm with a one-day Fall Festival. From my perspective, it was moderately well attended. I'll have to wait to hear how the city feels about it. There were lots of activities for kids with pony rides, face painting, games, etc. There was music (the famous Scottville Clown Band, of course, and another group too). there was a dunk tank. I don't know how that was run this time- it used to be that a local celebrity would take the seat and folks would pay for throws to try to drop the person into the water. There were softball and cornhole tournaments. And there were vendors. That's how I got involved. The vendors were not on the main drag, and I suspect there were a lot of people who didn't come all the way to our end.

That said, I did OK. About what I thought I'd sell, but definitely in the black. I got to explain about the North Country Trail to quite a few people.

This was very cute. It's a remote control car operated by the Sheriff's Department. It played various musical numbers, and the dog opened and closed its mouth.

It was a fine day, my only complaint was that it was blazing hot. I took all the food I needed, but I ended up having to buy one extra drink, and that was even after a friend brought me a bottle of water. Thankfully, I was right beside a convenience store, so that was easy.

No walking happened other than setting up and tearing down.

See Wild Blueberry Festival

Just a Few Scottville Pictures

  I walked down to Riverside Park today. The trail I used to walk there has fallen into complete disrepair, but there is still a small loop. They do have a new sign.

This huge glacial erratic rock used to be in town, but it was moved down here a number of years ago.

Someone's late garden has pure pink gladiolas, and one of the hostas with large white flowers.

Growing in the "wild" was this Trumpet Vine (or Cow-Itch vine!), Campsis radicans. It's very showy, and it's native.

In other news, I worked on required things in the morning, and walked and gardened in the afternoon. This is really the schedule of a perfect day in my opinion. I'm trying to make it the general plan of my "normal" life.

Miles walked in 2024: 411.2

See Walking Tour du Ludington

Longest Walk in a Month

  It's been a month since I began my temporary hiatus from hiking the North Country Trail. I knew I was feeling beaten down, but I didn't realize how much so. Today I walked to town and back, just two miles. I did it, but it wasn't fun and it didn't feel good. Here's hoping that things will be much better before March, when I hope to take on the completion of the trail.

The good news is that I did get my errand completed, and I did finish the two miles. Walking has almost without exception been an enjoyable part of my life, so I sure hope all these aches and pains subside so that it will again be enjoyable. I cut out the "vitamin I" when I came home to determine just how "beat up" my body was. Now I know. But I can definitely say that I feel a little better every day, so I think it will be good again.

In other news: just more of the same- sorting, finances.

See So This is Sun?

Lost Its Topknot!

  I didn't take these pictures today, but I did chuckle at the circumstances again today. The Catholic Church in Scottville has been closed for a couple of years now. Sad, but true- a lot of traditional churches are disappearing, especially Catholic ones, as they don't have enough young priests coming up.

Anyway, I was walking along the back of the parking lot and saw this "shed." Wait a minute! Didn't that used to be on top of the church? How did it get on the other side of a chain link fence? Did the owners of that house buy the belfry? Why? It's not closed in?

Anyway, there the topknot now sits, looking quite forlorn.

I was really doubting my memory. It did look as if the roof had been rebuilt and a square object removed from the front. You can see the new shingle line.

The clincher was when I looked at older photos and did find one of the topknot high against the sky. It's in the post linked below.

I just thought this was not only sad, but good for a chuckle.

In other news: I wrote 321 words and finished Chapter 17. I got 4 packages ready to mail and walked to the PO and the bank. I worked on editing jobs. Not a very exciting day, but productive. However, tomorrow is looking up!

See Blue Sky and Sunshine

Nature Center Path in Scottville

 
I thought I was going to share an update on this tiny pathway. I know I was there once before, but I could not find a blog post about it, so maybe I never showed you. This is a quarter-mile nature pathway on Mason County Central school property. I believe it was built by and is and maintained by students.



Not many people have been using the space in winter, but just enough that I could tell where the actual path was supposed to be. There are several little resting spots, and also some picnic tables.



There's a tiny pond in the center. It would probably be a good place to see wildlife if you sat still and waited a while, particularly at dusk.



At the far end before you loop back, there's a bridge that crosses the unnamed stream.



I actually walked 4 miles. This little loop was just a blip at the far end of the walk.

Ed Malkowski Nature Path, Scottville, Michigan, Mason County Central Schools

In other news: I spent the morning getting all the boxes assembled and the mailing labels affixed for the pre-ordered copies of North Country Quest. Then I did errands, volunteer stuff, and took my walk.

Yellow and Blue, Trite but Lovely

 
It was nippy cold today, but the sun came out and I walked to the Post Office and the library. The dandelions think spring has arrived.



There's something about the leafing trees against a blue and white sky that makes my heart sing. I don't care how many times I see views like this. I always smile.



Even the streets of Scottville are lovely with the various colors of new leaves.



In other news: I worked on North Country Quest in the morning, then took the walk mentioned above, and then worked on more projects I have promised people. Made some progress, but very few things crossed off the list.

	See Spring For a Day
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Blue Sky and Sunshine

 
I'll tell you what. If blue sky and sunshine in November can't make you happy, I can't do anything for you.

I walked to the post office today, and just took pictures along the way.



This is really two trees, but I like how it looks like one.



Small town, America. It's what I know best. I had errands to do in town too.





Sky above the Catholic church, now closed, sadly.



The shadows were lengthening as I came home. No matter that it was only three in the afternoon. We're on days of short daylight.



Accountability report:
Wrote two chapters in Dead Mule Swamp Druggist. Only one or two to go.
Did a bunch of stupid recordkeeping stuff.
Mailed out two book orders.

	See Scottville in the Snow
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