Recent Blog Posts

On the bulletin board behind my school desk, I have a found note of wishes. Among them is this one: “I wish I’d been more grateful.” This little message is a daily reminder to avoid obsessing on what problems come my way, to recognize the simple pleasures all around me, and to appreciate th...
Read More>>

The holidays are officially here and Thanksgiving is only days away. Petoskey's Downtown Holiday Open House is Friday December 7th and that marks the official Downtown Petoskey Christmas season. Like many small midwest towns, the Christmas season is magical. Maybe it's walking around downtown during...
Read More>>

I think winter is officially here in Northern Michigan. The last month, it felt like fall just arrived here and now there is snow on the ground. Us northerners woke up to at least 1-2 inches, if not more, of snow this morning. My morning drive to school was filled with anxiety as the roads were icy...
Read More>>

The holidays are right around the corner and that means the inevitable holiday rush. Every year I try my best to plan ahead on holiday gift purchases, yet I always seem to be rushed regardless of what I do. I love shopping local during the holiday season, especially while the kids are in school. The...
Read More>>

Veteran’s Day is a solemn commemoration in any year, but in 2018 the event carries additional significance.  This year marks 100 years since the armistice to end the war to end all wars. Americans possessing a basic sense of history know how that armistice signalling the end of World War 1, ma...
Read More>>

Fall in Northern Michigan signifies pumpkin patches and hayrides, fall wine tours, downtown Petoskey Trick or Treating as well as many more community events. Petoskey is such a great little midwest town. Sitting on the shores of beautiful Little Traverse Bay, it's one of those few places that you ca...
Read More>>

A month into the school year and I have plenty of reason to speak to students about what they are reading. A few even ask sincerely for suggestions, and while I recognize the challenges of suggesting or assigning reading, there are just some books that all high school students should read. M...
Read More>>

With November only being less than a few weeks away opening day of deer season is on the horizon. My husband is an active outdoorsman and also hosts hunters safety classes in the City of Petoskey. Soon, him and many other husbands will be venturing off for a week or weekend at the infamous deer camp...
Read More>>

Ask any seasoned deer hunter, and they will be happy to share their deer hunting stories from present or past. With bow hunters already afield, and rifle hunters about to take their stands, deer hunting in northern Michigan is again hitting its peak. Thanks to the Tip of the Mitt Quality Deer Man...
Read More>>

Pictured from Left to Right: Shawn Young, Cameron Stone, Jennifer Shorter handing the check to Kim Redman, Brittni Daley, and Pamela Pynnonen-Moyer. The Grandpa Shorter’s Gifts Team donated $1,700 to the Mossy Foot Project on behalf of Kim Redman. Mossy Foot is a painful foot disease that affec...
Read More>>