Record Low Prices on PIHA Lots

If you have been considering purchasing a lot in Presque Isle Harbor Association for use of the clubhouse, beach house, and other amenities, or to build on in the future?  Now's the time to buy!  Lakeshore recently sold a very nice double lot on Kauffman near the clubhouse for $900, and we have just received a price reduction on a single lot on Belfair for $500 (shown below).  Give us a call today, there are many available under $1,000!

For more information on the Association, please click here.

US-23 Named the Midwest's Favorite Fall Drive

The Weather Channel has named US 23 between Alpena and Standish the Midwest's Favorite Fall Drive for 2012!  The mix of water, evergreens and beautiful fall foliage make for a very scenic drive, indeed.  Of course, for a real treat, pull off of 23 at East Grand Lake Road and drive to Presque Isle!  You can't beat the beauty awaiting around every curve of the road.

Make sure to make the drive up this weekend while the colors last!  They won't be around much longer!  Also, while you're here, join the droves of "clearance shoppers" looking to take advantage of some great end-of-season real estate deals!  Call us at 989-595-2970 to schedule a showing today.

Summer is drawing to a close...

The chilly weather of the past week has been a timely reminder that summer is nearing the end!  The squirrels, who seem to disappear into the forest during summer, are out gathering their nuts for winter.  The geese are gathering into large groups in preparation for the long journey ahead of them.  The leaves are losing their luster and a few are starting to fall softly to the ground on windy days.

There are still a few summer events left, like the Alpena County Fair, the Labor Day Picnic at the New Lighthouse, the Posen Potato Festival, and others (check out www.alpenacvb.com for a daily event calendar,) but the dogs days of summer are sadly behind us!

Are you looking forward to fall colors, cider mills, autumn decorations, pumpkin patches and hayrides or are you clinging onto those flip flops and beach towels until the bitter end?  One great thing about Northern Michigan is the great many things to see and do during the fall season, and of course, the spectacular colors!  For me, this helps ease the transition a bit.  Instead of mourning the end of summer and the warm weather, enjoyment of the lakes, and plethora of events that come with it, I'm saying "Goodbye for now!" and looking forward to fall, even if "you-know-what" comes after it! 

What is your favorite time of year in Northern Michigan? 

Things to do this weekend!

Plan a trip to our area this weekend and you will have plenty of activities to enjoy! Thanks, Alpena CVB for providing this information. Visit their website for the full list of events - this is just a small sample of all the things to do this weekend!

Today, Friday June 15, you can choose from a plethora of events including:

Ramblin' Rods Car Show and 50's Party
Come join us for a night of fun with the Ramblin Rods Car show, and 50's style music with Dick Reed and Greg Altman. Hot dogs and root beer floats will be served. This is a FREE family event and the public is invited!

Downtown Alpena Block Party

Time: 05:30 PM To 08:30 PM

For a solid three (3) hours you will be entertained by a mini-carnival, photo opportunities, music, great food/drink/treats, special offers, big toys, little toys, art activities, sport activities and a dunk tank with folks you may know on the 'hot' seat!

For more information, contact the Downtown Development Authority at 989-356-6422 or visit the Block Party's Facebook page here.

Sunrise Bicycle Tour
Alpena is proud to host the 2012 Alpena Sunrise Tour June 15-17. This 3-day bicycle adventure showcases the pristine natural beauty of northeast Michigan along the shores of Lake Huron. Each day features a different loop tour from Alpena. Highlights include a rider wine and cheese reception, the Presque Isle Harbor Wooden Boat Show and a special Seersucker Ride (featuring turn of the century bicycles and riders wearing period attire). For more information, visit LMB.org.

Then, on Saturday...

20th Annual Presque Isle Wooden Boat Show
One of the premier summer events in Presque Isle, the Wooden Boat Show features gorgeous classic boats from the early 1900's through today for your viewing pleasure.  Also enjoy plentiful chicken dinners from the Portage Restaurant, an arts and crafts show and vendor booths. Be sure to visit our two historic lighthouses, located just down the road, while you're here! 


Alpena Farmers' Market

Time: 08:00 AM To 01:00 PM

Location: Behind City Hall just off of River Street

Website: www.alpenafarmersmarket.org

Contact: JB Cook

Phone: 989-356-5995

Locally grown fresh produce, baked goods, cut flowers, perennials, maple syrup, honey and arts and crafts from Alpena, Alcona, Montmorency, Presque Isle, and Oscoda counties.

True North Radio Summer Concert Series

Time: 06:00 PM To 09:00 PM

Location: Bay View Park Fine Arts Bandshell - US 23 South/State Avenue, Alpena.

The Brenda Loomis Band ( BLB ) Features “high energy and talented musicians” with a wide Variety of instrumentation. Visit their website at www.brendaloomis.com.

True North Radio Network again will team up with area sponsors to offer these concerts free of charge. Bring your lawn chairs or a blanket and sit and enjoy the great music. Don't forget to tell your friends and family to come and join you there! There will be plenty of giveaways and fun for the entire family. 

CATS

 Come see what the rave reviews for this show are all about! Live Theatre Performance - Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30p.m. and Sundays at 2p.m. No show on July 4. Call 989-354-2267 for reservations or order tickets on line from www.ThunderBayTheatre.com

Live Dive from the Grecian

 Time: 02:00 PM

Location: Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center

Website: www.thunderbay.noaa.gov

Phone: 989-356-8805

Armchair archeologists across the globe can experience the thrill and excitement of undersea exploration during a series of "Live Dive" webcasts this June 16 from NOAA's Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Join underwater archaeologists as they explore the shipwreck of the GRECIAN, a steel freighter that sank in Thunder Bay in 1906.

Red Solo Cup Party
Location: Burton's Last Resort, W. Long Lake Rd.

Phone: 989-595-6300

Live entertainment!

Detroit Free Press Article Buzz!

Our office has received many calls and emails regarding Sunday's feature article in the Free Press about why buying a vacation home in Northeast Michigan, with our affordable housing, laid-back attitude, and natural splendor is a great choice.  It was so nice to receive some positive comments from our neighbors to the south, who have historically overlooked all our area has to offer and chose instead to vacation on the west side. 

True - Northeast Michigan does not have as many sandy beaches, but we do have them. And our beaches are among the best and most private in the state!  Spend a day at Thompson's Harbor State Park and it is more than likely you will have the long stretch of beach, sand dunes and thousands of acres of state land all to yourself.  Besser Bell and Range Light Park also have few visitors on most days.

We do lack the large shopping malls and extensive fine dining choices of Petoskey and Traverse City, but if you know where to look, you can find great amenities in the historic city of Alpena, located about 25 miles from Presque Isle.  Looking for local, healthy, sustainable cuisine?  Check out the Fresh Palate in downtown Alpena.  If you are looking for top of the line special occasion fine dining, be sure to check out The Cellar, also located downtown.  Fine ice cream and coffees can be found at Downtown Scoops and an authentic English pub serving fish and chips, bangers and mash and a plethora of fine beers await you at the Black Sheep Pub. 

If you like boutique shopping you will love How Cute is That?, The Marketplace, Traveling Ladders (a unique antique and art store in an old pharmacy) and many other fine stores.  You can catch a flick at either of our two theatres, take a glass bottom boat shipwreck tour or enjoy music, vendors and family fun every week downtown during the summer.  Alpena's downtown is undergoing a massive overhaul which includes improved signage, a beautification project, unique stores opening their doors steadily and new community events.

Northeast Michigan will never be Northwest Michigan, nor do we pretend to be.  We are a place for those seeking solitude, a vibrant community to participate in, the untouched splendor of nature and space to roam.  If you are one of those people, contact us today or visit www.lake-shore-realty.com to find an affordable way to make Northeast Michigan your own personal paradise!

Backyard Delicacies

One benefit to living in Northern Michigan is the abundance of gourmet foods you can find in nature.  We found well over a pound of delicious morel mushrooms in our garden and backyard today!

This weekend we plan on continuing our annual tradition of hunting for them at Thompson's Harbor State Park here in Presque Isle.  You can check out some morel hunting tips and pictures of our morel hunt last year here.

These gourmet mushrooms can fetch up to $30 a pound on the market, but if you know where to look, you can enjoy them for free, and have a great time exploring the woods on your treasure hunt! 

Rockport Featured in Aerial America

Check out the beautiful views on this preview for the Smithsonian Channel's episode of Aerial America entitled On the Shores of the Great Lakes.  You can see the newly-designated, 100th state park Rockport around the 0:30 mark.  We'd love to see the entire episode!  Thanks to John Porter, an area resident, for sharing!

Where's your favorite Great Lakes hangout?