This data will be used in a column on or about August 22.

Halls Lake is a 70 acre lake located in western Isabella County. This is one of the last wild undeveloped lakes in the area. The Chippewa Watershed Conservancy is working to protect this unspoiled habitat.

The CWC sponsors monthly guided nature walks at the Hall's Lake Natural area. The walks are designed for your enjoyment and to learn about the land we have preserved. Among our guests at the July 28, 2011 hike was State Representative Kevin Cotter. I would like to thank Representative Cotter for taking time out of his busy schedule to come visit with us and to learn about what the CWC is doing.

The next guided hike is August 25, 2011 at 9:30 AM but visitors are welcome to hike the trails any time.

A good map is a treasure to use and there is a new map coming to the area. The Chippewa Watershed Conservancy is publishing a new map for the Chippewa River. The new map will highlight access sites all along the river for sightseeing and using the river. It will include spots to put watercraft into and take out of the river, as well as scenic attractions along the river. The map will start in Barryton and end in Midland County. Permanent hazardous areas of the river will be marked on the map, making it easier to plan a canoe, kayak, or tubing trip.

This is a joint project of the CWC, the Isabella County Parks and Recreation Department, the Isabella County Planning Commission and interested community leaders. The map is funded by a grant to the CWC from the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network. (WIN)

The 2011 Art Reach Chair Affair ended yesterday. Forty-four chairs were on display at 111 East Broadway in Mt. Pleasant.

Judges selected two chairs and a bench submitted by students in the area. First place went to Abbie Amber Arndt from Beal City. Her chair had been on display at Isabella Bank Collections. Second prize went to Patrick Schafer, also from Beal City. His chair was displayed at Central Insurance. Third place winners were Alma Middle School students. The bench was designed by Mackenzie Nemeth. The host for the bench was Firstbank.

Judges awarded prizes to the top three adults entering chairs and benches in this year's Art Reach Chair Affrair.
First place went to Ted Evans. The chair was hosted by Art Reach of Mid Michigan. Second place went to Michael Thompson. The chair appeared at Salon Blue in days leading up to the award. Third place went to June Bonstelle. The chair was hosted by June's Boutique.

Chalk Artist Lee Jones displays her rendering of William Adolphe Bouguereau's Juene Fille et Enfant at the corner of Broadway and University.

Today was the last day of the annual Art Reach Chair Affair in downtown Mt. Pleasant. Forty-four chairs and benchs were open for silent auction. In this and following blogs you will see first photos of winners in three categories. This collection shows the People's Award winners:

1st Place: Haley, Madison & Heather Fox, Hosted by Heartstrings

2nd Place: Paula Clark, Hosted by Brass Cafe & Saloon

3rd Place: Shelly Vallee-Roy, Hosted by Trillium

The works of sculptor Chick Powers are on display at the Art Reach on Broadway Gallery, 111 East Broadway through July 30. He earned his BA from CMU in 1967 and his MA in Fine Arts in 1972. He started as a painter, worked in photo manipulation and has sculpted in sawmill-cut aspen logs, copper, and brass since 1996. He taught in Alma Middle School and High School for 30 years and retired in 1997.

The works shown here are “It Was You”, "It Wasn't Me", "Little Feet", and“Long Horn Steer”, He is a master at line and shape, and uses detail selectively to produce haunting effects.

Four new houses are being completed by Olivieri Builders. They are on the east side of North Main Street and will be used for student housing.Two are nearly done and the others require wiring and siding to be ready for fall occupancy.