Yes, my dear. There is a parade in Paradise!

Photo Courtesy Village Fabrics & Crafts in Paradise

     There has been a lot of concern in the past six weeks as to whether or not there will be a fourth of July parade in Paradise. All of the community can rest assured.   Yes my dear. There is a parade in Paradise, July 4, 1:00 PM starting at the blinker light located on the corner of M-123 (the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway) and Whitefish Point Road. 

 

     July 4 is a grand holiday throughout the United States. In Paradise, July 4 is culture-rich tradition that has blessed so many families and has been included in so many summer plans for several decades.  As a small community, Paradise is conveniently located at the southwestern edge of Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay.  Many people travel to the eastern Upper Peninsula for their summer vacation to enjoy the sights and sounds of the mighty Tahquamenon River, and to escape the heat that tends to settle across the county in July.  Many people are amazed at the Fireworks show held at the Whitefish Township Community Center at dusk.  How could such a small community put on such a grand show!  Well it is the 4th of July and the folks in Paradise are more then pleased to celebrate the birth of the nation!

Whitefish Township EMT's Preparing Breakfast

     The July 4th Festival in Paradise begins with Breakfast, 7:00 - 11:00 AM. We are talking the full meal deal: pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, coffee, and juice, prepared and served by our Whitefish Township EMT's.  Breakfast is a free will donation, so please give freely.  

Photo Courtesy of Terry Humphrey

     The parade begins at 1:00 PM at the blinker light.  This year the parade is being sponsored by RE/MAX NorthStar Realty.  Garth MacMaster Jr. has been involved with the Paradise community for years, and recognizes the heritage and value of the parade to the community, he encouraged his associates, Randy and Leslie Kooienga (Outstanding Agents, Outstanding Results), in coordinating the parade.  If you have any questions about entering your float, or participating in the parade, just give them a call at 906-492-3513.  When asked by this writer whether RE/MAX NorthStar Realty would have a hot air balloon in the parade, Garth stated that it may be a possibility!

     In preparing for the Fireworks, the Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce is organizing a bevy of exhibitors offering food and snacks at the community center from 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM.  A popular bake sale will again be hosted by the Paradise Area Community Foundation, and several organizations will have exhibits at the center as well.  If your organization is interested in setting up a display, contact PACC member, Rick Bicknell in claiming a space, 906-492-3219.  Don't miss Music On The Bay's FREE concert that begins at 7:00 PM and runs through 9:00 PM.  A south eastern Michigan based country/rock trio, Seven Bridges, kicks off the 2016 Music on the Bay season. Check the 2016 schedule at www.MIMusicOnTheBay.org. 

     The Fireworks begin at dusk, brought to you by Whitefish Township and the Whitefish Township Fire Department. You will be amazed as you join this small community in celebrating the birth of a great nation, the United States of America.  Thank you to all of the organizations and volunteers in putting together the 2016 Paradise July 4 Festival:  Whitefish Township EMS, RE/MAX NorthStar Realty, the Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce, Whitefish Township, and the Whitefish Township Fire Department!

2016 Paradise Area Polar Plunge

On February 27, 2016, the Second Annual Polar Plunge was held at Andrus Lake, near the intersection of North Whitefish Point Road and Vermilion Road, north of Paradise in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The Polar Plunge is one of several activities the Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce organized and promoted as a part of the 2016 Ice Festival.   By the end of February, residents of the Whitefish Point Region often finds spring to be elusive for another month or two. Cabin Fever starts to get a foothold infecting residents near and far.  The frigid temperatures of 2014 and 2015 substantiated the need for just such community activities to celebrate the conditions that make us unique and engage the entire family:  Ice Fishing Contest, Pancake & Sausage Breakfast, Ice Sculpture Contest, Chili Cook-Off, Snowshoe Hikes, Lantern Lit Ski Trails, Snowmobile Safety Class and Ice Swap Meet.  The Polar Plunge can not happen without the support of the Whitefish Township EMS and Fire Department.

The Polar Plunge serves as a means to raise additional funds for the Whitefish Township Emergency Services which includes the Whitefish Township Fire Department and the Emergency Medical Technicians.  This year the chamber offered participants two strategies to raise funds:   a challenge and or sponsorships.  While Internet social networking sites are popular and a lot of dialog included conversations about the plunge, official challenges had to be posted at Paradise Foods, downtown Paradise.  One resident could challenge another resident to JUMP for a specific amount of money.  

 The challenged has several  options:  a) reject the challenge, b) negotiate a higher amount, c) find someone else to jump on their behalf and maybe sweeten the pot, or d) JUMP.  In options c and d, the challenger has to pay up.  If someone wishes to jump, they may approach a business or organization and offer to wear a shirt with their logo for a negotiated amount of money.  A Jumper may collect as many sponsorships or challenges as possible.  All of the money goes to a great cause.  Community conversations related to the Polar Plunge preceded the event by nearly eight weeks as challenges, sponsorships, and nerves were collected.

A number of people contributed to this entire project:  Snow had to be cleared (Many thanks to Bolz Construction.)  The ice (8 inches thick this year) had to be cut, Charlie Jacques and his crew did a great job!  Joann Cook, PACC Vice President, oversaw the entire event including the validation of several challenges.  Sue Anway aided in getting the eager plungers to sign waivers and collect funds. Many were very grateful to Roger Clark and his ice shanty, the shelter, heat, and refuge that it provided was invaluable.  Two kind, local photographers contributed their skills capturing some mighty cold moves. Each of them caught by the other in these next two candid shots.

   

$360 was raised by this tiny band of brave souls. Afterwards, ideas were shared among the coordinators as to how this event might be improved for 2017, the last Saturday in the month.  Ice cutters, emergency crews, and snow removal crews have been locked in.  Last year, the Yooper Sauna Company added to the festivities, may be they would return if we reached out earlier in the year. The action could start a little later in the afternoon.  The Chili Cook-Off participants wanted to get in on the fun, so next year we'll start at 2:00PM  maybe the air will be a bit warmer.  The T-shirt idea was great!  Nice work Tanya!  If we offered shirts to the brave souls that take the plunge in 2017, the plungers could wear the shirt as a badge of honor, so deserved!   For your enjoyment and our reminder of a great time, here are a few additional shots you might enjoy! (Note that very clear, reflective water!  Only in the Purest of Pure Michigan, the Upper Peninsula.)

Chili Cook Off Declares Two Awards

The Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce added an activity to their second annual Ice Festival, Saturday, February 27, a  Chili Cook-Off.  It just made sense to offer a warm up during the plethora of activities, scheduled through the weekend: Ice Fishing Contest, Ice Sculpture Contest, Snowmobile Safety Class, Snowshoe Hike, Lantern Lit Ski Trail,and Polar Plunge.  
 
In this first event there were four entries, Vegan Chili, Cincinnati Chili, Chili Picante, and  D & B Chili. Contestants set up prior to noon, provided a copy of their recipes, and provided sufficient quantities of their chili to offer as many 50 miniature servings to taste testers.  From noon until 1:00 PM approximately 22 tasters stopped in and sampled this variety. Two tasters had been prearranged to serve as judges. The chamber provided insulated cups, spoons, napkins and soda crackers to cleanse the palette between samples.  One of the contestants provided corn chips and an assortment of sauces to either add heat or lower the temperature of the chili in accordance to your preference.  Contestants were encouraged to decorate their station as much as they wished and could visit with tasters or permit tasters to serve themselves.

The biggest delight of the day was the relaxed atmosphere as people meandered about from crock pot to crock pot, asking the cooks/chef's a variety of questions and then tasting.  A number of conversations were struck among the tasters, oohing and aahing as they shared stories of family favorites.  

At the end of the journey the tasters wrote down the number of their favorite crock pot.  A few collected copies of  the recipe of their choice for another day.  

At 3:00 PM the awards program identified the Chili Cook-Off award recipients.  In this first year, two chili chef's were recognized through the Judges Choice and the People's Choice.  The Judges Choice went to Dianne Clark and her Chili Picante. Dianne offered to tasters her Chili 101 curriculum and shared with people information about chili peppers and temperature control of your chili. The People's Choice Award went to Deb and Bill Mangham for their D & B Chili.  Deb shared with the event coordinator, Nikki Craig, that quite often their chili takes on a different flavor, depending upon what herb is available.   Each contestant and taster seemed to be gratified by the experience and encouraged at the possibilities of a 2nd annual event in 2017. 

Paradise Area's Ice Festival Chili Cook-Off

The Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Chili Cook-Off event during their second annual Ice Festival weekend in Paradise, Michigan.  It just made sense to winter events coordinator, Nikki Craig to offer a warm up activity during the Ice Festival schedule.   Tahquamenon Falls State Park offers a Chili Cook Off activity during their Harvest Festival in October. The chamber hopes to model that activity while providing visitors to the area a tasty sampling of Chili to warm their spirits.

The Ice Festival’s Chili Cook Off is Saturday, February 27 from Noon until 1:00 PM.  Anyone interested in putting their chili recipe to the test, may set up between 11:00 and Noon.    You need to bring your prepared soup and be ready to serve at Noon.  Please abide by health department requests by using your best manners in preparing and serving the food.  You will have access to an electrical outlet and need a ladle to serve from 25 – 50 miniature servings (2 – 3 ounces).  Soup servers may decorate their table suitable for the festivities.  There is no charge for participating in this first year and there is no charge for soup tasting.  The chamber will provide soup tasters with soda crackers, serving cup, napkins, and spoon.  Soup tasters will vote on their favorite entry.  So invite your family and friends to participate in the soup tasting fun.  

Awards will be meager this first year but boasting rights abound.  A certificate of merit will be given to the People’s Choice.  A judge has been wrangled to provide an additional perspective so contestants, please have your recipe handy.   The judge’s choice will receive a certificate as well.    So bring in your TexMex, White Chili, Minnesota’s Twist, Cincinnati Style, or your grandmother’s best.  We’re looking forward to the camaraderie and tasty delights!

When you arrive early, you will be able to enjoy the Whitefish Township’s EMT’s breakfast and hang around for the Ice Festival Swap Meet.  If you have anything to sell, bring it to the swap meet from 11:00 to 3:00 PM.  The Chili Cook-Off awards will be handed out at the 3:00 Awards program along with the winners of the Ice Festival Sculpture contest.  There is a lot to do during the Ice Festival, so get out and about, say hello to a neighbor or two and have some fun in Paradise!

If you have any questions, give Nikki a call at 492-3266.  If you plan on submitting an entry the last Saturday in February, please give her a call so we have an idea for preparations and entry signs.  Come join in the fun!

Pictures and contestants will be featured in a post on this blog in March.  We're looking forward to seeing you.

Paradise Experiences An Increase in Population!

The sparsely populated community of Paradise added 10 new residents during the last weekend in January, special visitors to the 2016 Winter Carnival.

The Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce experienced such a great success in their Decorate-the-Town December Contest, they decided to challenge the residents to create Snow Sculptures this year with the theme Snow People. Last year the event limited entrants to building their art forms on the community center property on the day of the event. After the grand success of the Decorate the Town Contest, the venue changed to anywhere along M-123 and Whitefish Point Road within Whitefish Township. The sculptures were to be built during the week before judging, visible from the road and manage to survive snow plows before the judging deadline. The added time to build projects yielded vastly larger sculptures and more talk within the community. It was exciting to watch the projects develop as families worked together in this outdoor activity.

The 2016 Judge determine the winner as a tie, The Snow Family built by the Holden family and the always popular Hulk built by the Moore family. Donations given by Silver Creek Grill and Pub, The Inn, and The Berry Patch were evenly divided between the two entries. After such a great time building, this gives the families even more quality time, an opportunity to dine in a few of Paradise area’s finest restaurants.

Saturday, February 27, Paradise is in the midst of their 2nd Annual Ice Festival. Keeping a good thing going, there is an Ice Sculpture Contest. The requirements to participate are essentially the same. The sculpture should be visible from M-123 and North Whitefish Point Road within Whitefish Township and you must complete by 2:00 PM, Saturday, February 27. In order to be including in the judging though, you must call 906-492-3219 and let us know where your sculpture is located. Contestants may begin this Saturday, 2/20. Then keep adding it to! This year's theme is "Reach for the Stars"! We hope you will join us in Paradise!

Snow Bake-Off Baking Contest Warms the Hearts as Well as the Kitchen

The Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce added a new activity to Paradise’s Winter Carnival, a Snow Bake-Off Baking Contest and Bake Sale. Winter is an ideal time to heat up the oven and enjoy the fragrance of freshly baked breads, pies, and cookies. The 2016 Bake-Off surpassed all expectations in this first annual event. The baking contest offered two divisions: adult and youth (Aged 18 and under).

Dianne Clark, Snow Bake-Off Chairperson, wanted to provide families and schools an opportunity to utilize this event as a learning and encouragement activity for children as well. Within each division there were three categories: Breads, Pies, and Cookies. The greatest challenge was that no box mix was allowed. This baking had to be completed from scratch. Each entrant had to include their recipe willing to share with spectators.

In the adult division Breads, 1st place went to Penny Clark of Eckerman for her Easy Crusty Bread, 1st Place Pies went to Laurel Graham for her Apple Pie. In the adult division Cookies, Linda Culbert took the cake or rather the blue ribbon for her Molasses Crinkles. Sarah Wilde is pictured here with her ribbon winning Shortbread Cookies. In the junior division there were no bread entries. In junior division Pies, the blue ribbon went to Rachel Holden for her Snicker Doodle Reese Cream Cheese Pie and the Whitefish Township Community Schools Art Class earned the blue ribbon for their Smores Stuffed Cookies. Wyatt Moore is pictured here with his yellow ribbon and chocolate Brownies.

Discussions are already in place for the 2017 Snow Bake-Off; the last Saturday in January, 2017. Put your best foot forward and start practicing. Funds raised in the 2016 Bake Sale will be used to cover costs and prizes for 2017. Thinking in the long term, there is even talk of a 5th Anniversary Snow Bake-Off Cookbook. The Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a Chili Cook-Off the last Saturday in February as a part of their Ice Festival activities. You can find details about the contest or festival at www.ParadiseMichigan.org.

Decorate the Town!

For many years, Whitefish Township residents hung lighted Christmas wreaths, and assorted decorations from the utility poles. Cloverland Electric enacted a recent policy denying access to the poles for this purpose. Undaunted, the chamber board quickly proceeded with a Christmas Light Contest awarding a $100 cash prize to the best decorated property along the route of M-123 from Cloud 9 Cabins south of central Paradise to Village Fabrics and Crafts located west of Paradise. Former Deputy Sheriff Tom McBride reported that he would check his stash for more lights when he was handed the flyer encouraging residents and businesses alike to participate in the contest. Peggy Moore of Moore's Cabins thought they might join in the program, adding more lights this year as well.

The Reason for the Season

Paradise is a community that depends on snow to boost their local economy through the winter months. This year the snow hasn't arrived as yet, but residents are using this time and opportunity to get into the spirit of the season. Motives to participate in this effort are mixed, the community had a wonderful tourist season in 2015 and feels like expressing their joy. Many have commented as to the exceptional darkness during the holiday times last season and wish to avoid that this year, while other members of the community are moved to celebrate the Christmas. Regardless of the reason, everyone within Paradise is pleased to see the number of lights increasing night after night.

There was so much excitement generated by the contest, that at their December meeting the Chamber members decided to offer two $100.00 cash prizes, one to a resident and one to a business. After much deliberation, the finalists were chosen.  The finalist for the resident prize is Debbie Brown and the finalist for the business category is the former Paradise Hardware store recently purchased by Jack and Renee Grimes.  Jack and Renee Grimes, offered the $100.00 cash prize back to the Paradise Area Chamber of Commerce Christmas Fund. Thank you to all of the residents and businesses that participated in this contest.  It was a great time and enjoyable holiday season living in Paradise.

Former Paradise Hardware Store and Post Office

Residential First Place with Moon in the Background