The Next Steps

As summer fades, it's hard not to feel a little bit nostalgic already.

In another month or so, someone else will be inhabiting my office. They will have a great opportunity to move a dynamic organization in yet another direction.

Our Search & Screen Committee is working hard to identify the right person. I'm excited, because although I will be moving on to other ventures - some of them typical retirement pastimes, like reading, gardening and genealogy - I will also have the opportunity to watch the chamber grow.

Five years ago, we were an events management organization. We were newly merged, too, and sort of feeling our way in the community. Thanks to a lot of people working together, we were able to sort through programs and events from two chambers and create a third business-oriented organization.

None of this diminishes the work of previous executive directors or previous boards. Gary Nadolny and his board did a masterful job of implementing the merger of the two chambers, after decades of conversation about the wisdom of such a merger.  Prior to that, people like Nancy Douglas and Mary Robbins Eickman built solid foundations and reputations. It's been a honor serving after them.

But I'm excited to see what happens next. You should be, too!

I have a great deal of confidence in our Search & Screen Committee. Under the leadership of Paula Langteau, the committee has spent many hours creating a position profile and sifting through applications.

But it's not over until it's over. These things take time.

Meanwhile, I'm wrapping up lose ends and working hard to ensure the next director walks into a streamlined and organized office. There are many challenges ahead.

As for my own future, I've heard lots of rumors of what I'm supposedly doing. It's been fun. For years I had my own little writing and communications business and I hope to start that up again, among other things.

But first I have to clean out my office.

How to Become Part of Your Community, Part Two

There was a time when sending for pickled goat livers from Turkey or a special wheat only grown on an island off the cost of Scotland were the chichi things to do when entertaining friends.

Now it's eating locally, preparing a meal made only from products grown within, say, a 100-mile radius of your home.

Fortunately, we are able to do that fairly often here, especially now when the harvest is nearing its peak. Not only do we have at least five farm stands scattered throughout the community, we also are seeing more locally-grown produce in area grocery stores.

Local restaurant menus are also reflecting an interest in seasonal and local produce. Local chefs know that buying local and preparing seasonal menus is not only smart, it helps create a sense of community for diners.

It's a lot more fun when you know where you food comes from and who grows it.

Which brings me to our local farm markets. The Historic Downtown Menominee Farm Market runs 3-7 p.m. on Thursdays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Marinette's Main Street Market runs Tuesdays and Fridays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Farm markets have the potential to build community as well as provide local sources of fresh produce. They also provide a marketplace for the exchange of ideas, news, and friendship.

Want to be part of the community? Shop at a local farm market.

Waterfront Festival, a Weekend To Wait For

Only 361 more days until Waterfront Festival rolls around again.

Start counting.

The venerable event - after 30 years, a long time in festival years, it has earned the right to be called "venerable" - continues to draw crowds to Menominee's beautiful Great Lakes Memorial Marina Park year after year. Whether it's the location, the people, the music, the food or the sense of community, Waterfront Festival means something special to our community.

Anticipating it is half the fun. This is especially true on Saturday night, fireworks night. I've volunteered at both the Rotary booth and the wristband booth on Saturday night, and it's fun feeling the excitement build.

Kudos to Tyco for its generous contribution the the fireworks this year. Fireworks and a company that specializes in fighting fires is a perfect partnership.

Big kudos to Nancy Douglas for her longtime management of Waterfront Festival, which began in the early 1980s when Nancy was head of the Menominee Area Chamber of Commerce. When Nancy left the chamber in 2001, she continued to shepherd the festival for a year or so, and then returned in 2010. That she loves this event is as palpable as the pre-fireworks excitement on Saturday night.

Thanks to the more than 300 volunteers, including the Waterfront Steering Committee, who give countless hours to this legendary event. Having worked with them for two years, I know how passionately they care about Waterfront Festival.

The festival may not fit in the with the chamber's current program of work. But it's a good event, and we are pleased that it continues to provide an exciting rallying point for our summers.

Thirty Great Things to Do in Downtown Menominee

When the weather's hot, my husband and I are drawn to downtown Menominee. Each of us spent the better part of our growing up years living nearby. Although we now live in and love Marinette, Downtown Menominee is home to us.

On warm summer nights, Downtown Menominee is hopping! People without air conditioning come here to cool off. Families, people from boats docked at the marina, cyclists, skateboarders, people of all ages seem to flock here to grab a good meal, play on the playground, watch marina life, listen to music or eat an ice cream cone.

A few weeks back, we listed all the things you can do in downtown Marinette. Here's our Things to Do in Downtown Menominee list.

• Admire an historic building.
• Watch other people enjoy downtown.
• Borrow and ride a Yellow Bike.
• Eat a good meal at any of six restaurants.
• Dock your boat.
• Borrow or buy a book.
• Swing on the swings at Sings 'n' Things.
• Find a piece of jewelry no one else will be wearing.
• Take a dance class.
• Buy fresh produce on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings.
• Get a massage, facial or new hairstyle.
• Eat an ice cream cone.
• Toss back a brewsky.
• Eat a sauteed vegetable sandwich.
• Watch a sailboard race.
• Enjoy a summer concert.
• Buy outdoor gear for nearly any sport.
• Watch a bunch of talented kids every year at Bay Jammer.
• Take photographs of sailboats, turrets on old buildings, or street life.
• Participate in a fishing derby.
• Have a picnic.
• Appreciate Menominee's history.
• Admire Linda's Garden at Stephenson Public Library.
• See a fish sculpture in front of the boater's lounge.
• Rent an apartment.
• Sample great wines.
• Buy flowers.
• Stock up on office supplies.
• Wade in the water.
• Order a thick, juicy steak.

OK, thirty seems like a good place to stop. But you can add your favorite things to do in the comment box below.