Ferry lets kids ride free all summer
MUSKEGON -- Kids can ride Lake Express for free during the ferry's entire 2009 summer season.
The promotion was first announced in May, but has now been extended to Aug. 31. It's good for all children under the age of 18.
Lake Express makes two daily roundtrips between Milwaukee, Wis., and Muskegon, accommodating 250 passengers and 46 vehicles during each 2&1/2-hour trip.
For more information and ticket prices, call (866) 914-1010 or go to www.lake-express.com.
Elmore, Peter Leonard at event
TRAVERSE CITY -- Author Elmore Leonard comes to Traverse City for his first-ever appearance here June 28.
The Traverse City National Writers Series presents the crime novelist, author of newly published "Road Dogs," and his son, Peter Leonard, author of the newly published "Trust Me," at the City Opera House beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students 21 and younger; all proceeds will benefit college-bound writing students from the Traverse City Area Public School and the Grand Traverse Area Catholic Schools. Tickets are available at www.cityoperahouse.org or by calling 941-8082.
Elmore Leonard has written more than 40 novels in his nearly 50-year career. Doug Stanton, co-founder of the writers series, said he's "one of the towering novelists of our time with a world following. We're really lucky to have him."
Peter Leonard is working on his third novel; his first, "Quiver," features scenes from Leelanau County.
A reception features hors d'ouevres (included in the ticket price) and a cash bar of wine and beer. Signed copies of the authors' books will be for sale.
Poet returns to Mich. for reading
TRAVERSE CITY -- April Dawn Gosling, a native of northern Michigan, will be returning in July to read from a new collection of poems.
Gosling has also published her first collection, "Dilation & Curretage." She studied poetry at the Interlochen Arts Academy and Western Michigan University. She now lives in Denver.
She'll be at Horizon Books in Traverse City July 2 at 7 p.m.; and Horizon Books in Petoskey July 3 at 7 p.m.
Mystery is set on Mackinac Island
TRAVERSE CITY -- "The Mystery of the Copper Turtle," by Doris Holik Kelly, is set on Mackinac Island.
Kelly, of Niles, will be signing copies of the book June 28, 1-3 p.m., at Horizon Books, and July 1, 3-5 p.m., at Up North Kids Books, both in Traverse City.
The book is the first of the Big Mitten Mystereis, a series of books for young readers set in locations around Michigan and published by Arbutus Press.
For more information, go to www.arbutuspress.com or call 946-7240.
Illustrator Beeby honored in Eastport
EASTPORT -- Illustrator Betty Beeby will be celebrated with a "We Love Betty Beeby Night" in Eastport Thursday.
Beebe's illustrations have been used for more than 30 book covers. A 50-foot mural at the Fort Michilimackinac Orientation Center was created by Beeby and she was instrumental in saving the Wilkinson Homestead in Eastport and turning it into an historic site.
Beeby has also saved written and oral documentation of life in northern Michigan, including a collection of thousands of family letters now housed in the archives at Western Michigan University.
In 2008, Beeby received the Distinguished Volunteer Service Award from the Historical Society of Michigan.
The event will be held at the Pelican Room on the corner of West Old State and East Torch Lake roads, about 3&1/2 miles south of Eastport on East Torch Lake Road. For reservations, call Connie Claar, 599-2290. The event, which costs $20, begins at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and a brief program.
