Driving through Old Mission Penninsula, we came upon a road side stand selling fresh cherries. After a long day at the beach, if felt like the best way to end the day so we stopped to purchase some. The attendant said they had just sold the last bunch but if we had a couple minutes to spare, they would bring some right out. Not in a hurry, we stayed and chatted with him until the cherries were brought up. “Fresh off the tree” he said. I took one and popped it in my mouth. “Mmmm…still warm from the sun.” “You betcha.” And we went on our way.
Cherries aren’t just a fruit in Northern Michigan — they are a way of life. In the spring, you can drive along any of our Penninsulas and see rows and rows of the blossoming cherry tree. Our farmers take pride in producing the best produce they can. For one week in July, they are rewarded by the celebration of the fruit of their labor – literally. For the National Cherry Festival is underway and growers are sending truck loads of cherries downtown every day. The cherries are used to make pies, crisps, juice, ice cream, trail mix, and even beer! And to leave none of the cherry to waste, there’s even a pit spit contest.
The cherry growers are not the only ones who benefit from this sumptuous fruit. Heard of “super fruits”? Well, the cherry is Northern Michigan’s super fruit. Anti-oxidants are in abundance in this little powerhouse. Tart cherries also contain beta carotene, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, iron, fiber, and folate. Cherries have been shown to improve many ailments including arthritis, gout, inflammation, and pain. New studies at the University of Michigan have suggested that cherries can help reduce your risk of heart disease.
Want to add more cherries to your diet? Cherries are for more than just pies and ice cream…You can add dried cherries to salads, parfaits, chicken entrees, sandwich wraps, and quiche. Or, puree cherries for sauces, sorbet, smoothies, and gelato. And, an ounce of cherry juice concentrate is just as good as any of those other “super juices” but costs a lot less!
Cherries are a way of life to us in Northern Michigan. We see them in our horizon…we eat them in our entrees and desserts…we drink them in our juices and smoothies. And we’ve come to find that our cherries are the best medicine Mother Nature can give us. You can’t be more Pure Michigan than that…
I often hear the same question “What is there to do in the middle of winter, when the snow covers the ground, and there is a chill in the air?” Well, this past Saturday, February 13, I had the privilege to be a volunteer for the North American VASA Race held annually in Traverse City, Michigan. This year would be the mark of the 34th race held. Linda Deneen, who is one of the board members for the race, allowed me to follow her for the day and help out at the local event. Linda is a retired Licensed Professional Counselor from Traverse City’s Central High School and enjoys spending much of her time helping out and organizing local community events like the VASA. She has also been a participant in the race for many years, and this year decided to, instead, root on all her friends in the event. Linda organized a wonderful program this fall called, “SheSkis”, which is a cross-country skiing program that encourages women of all ages to get out and enjoy the activity. Another program she put together is “WeSki”, an instructional family ski program. Even some of the women who were new to skiing this year and joined her weekly program on Wednesday’s, “SheSki’s”, decided to sign up for the VASA and further challenge themselves.
The half way point for some of the race was “The Rock” location on the trail, so Linda and I drove out into the woods to go there and continue to cheer on the racers. There were also volunteers out there who had a tent sent up, and were supplying the skiers with water as they passed by. I saw many new – and neat – ideas. One was a volunteer in the tented area grilling bananas to give to the racers as a warm treat and boost of energy that they may need to finish. We walked on up the trail a little ways from the tent, and Linda made sure to supply me with a cowbell and with our bells in hand we stood with her friends out at “The Rock” and cheered on the racers to keep pushing!