If you are looking for a safe, clean,  and fun vacation for your pets you should investigate  2 Cann Dog Boarding,   proprietors Evert & LuAnn Cann.    The love of animals is evident in the well thought out planning and developing of the resort like home away from home for man's best friend that LuAnn & Evert have built.

'Queen' as our dog Maggie is affectionately called by LuAnn definitely has been treated like a queen by her family of royals here at home as well as away.  I must say she gets the royal treatment when she frequents their spa like establishment.  From time of arrival to time of departure her stay is one of socializing, exercising (hiking and swimming) and a day of beauty shampoo,  shave,  and a manicure.  Not to mention she has her own private suite for her over night stays.

If you want to relax and rest assured when you vacation and must leave your pets,  definitely check into 2 Cann Kennel's
for their vacation stay.

 Contact 2 Cann's Dog Boarding

By Mail: 4199 Fitzwater Road Gladwin, Michigan 48624

By Phone: 989-426-8662 or 989-329-4993

By Email: info@2cannsdogboarding.com

February 24 is Paczki day at the Blue Ribbon Bakery in downtown Gladwin.   Make sure you put in your order ahead of time to insure you and your family will enjoy your favorite Paczki flavor and not be disappointed when the big day arrives. Phone in your orders to 989-426-1613.

You'll find Paczki's throughout stores and bakeries in Gladwin, but in this person's opinion Blue Ribbon is hands down one of the freshest and best in the area.

In a previous post an announcement was made of their move into town in The Blue Ribbon Bakery Has a New Address. So order your favorite Paczki's or just stop in for lunch and allow yourself a fabulous mouth watering treat. You can tell Beth Heintz and the girls Sue said hello and enjoy Paczki Day with many of our sweet tooth friends in Gladwin.

Blue Ribbon Bakery
121 East Cedar Ave.
Gladwin,  MI 48624
989.426.1613

Gladwin Counties Carriage Festival Grand Promenade Parade 2008 enjoyed by all in spite of the rain.  It rained the day before and shown a rainbow over Gladwin for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  The rain stopped long enough (and the sun shown) for the parade to proceed from downtown Gladwin to the Fairgrounds the next day. Tickets for admission to the Fairgrounds and more activities were $2.00 for adults and children were admitted free.

Carriages were numbered and judged by those who watched the parade and chose to participate in the judging by ballot.  Plans for next year's parade and festival are already underway. 

The parade proceeded from Cedar Ave. in downtown Gladwin to the Gladwin County Fairgrounds.  News 5 announced the event all weekend long.  There were many events for families to enjoy including carriage rides which were $5.00 per person.

The Schedule of Events for the Carriage Festival sponsored by the Gladwin Historical Society can be viewed for additional information. From Mohawk Valley Militia (Colonial Militia Re-enactment) to a variety of musical styles represented, and numerous other activities to numerous to mention.

Gladwin County Historical Society and all of Gladwin invite you to join in the fun next year.  If it must rain next year we hope it won't rain on our parade and the sun shines on Gladwin once more. 

Half way between West Branch and Gladwin you will find the Best Kept Secret in Mid-Michigan.  That is how this 4000 Acre complex has been aptly described known as Sugar Springs.

There is a wide range of cottages,  year-round homes,  and camping lots available.  An upscale community with it's thousand acres of all-sports lakes, 18-hole championship golf course and the Hearth Restaurant,  Clubhouse and Pro-shop.  Swim year-round at the indoor Olympic sized pool or enjoy a game of Tennis.  There are 15 beach clubs, and the campground nestled away in the woods near the Activities Building where wildlife abounds.  A turf air strip is also available for you fliers.

Two and a half hours from Detroit metropolitan area makes this a great weekend getaway or your home away from home.

The amazing Secord Lake waterway is a 2200 acre, all-sports, dammed up Tittabawassee River at the top of the waterway that flows from Secord Lake to 230 acre Smallwood Lake to 2200+ acre Wixom Lake to Sanford Lake that flows into Midland and continues from there.

Secord Lake has 2 marinas, a party store, The Secord Eagles and The Lost Arrow Resort where you can dock your boat and fine dine or just enjoy pizza and pop on the outdoor patio. Secord Lake has over 90 miles of shoreline and travels in and out of state land and and has plenty of sandy,  beachy areas and quiet spots for family and friends to enjoy.

Located half way between West Branch and Gladwin.  West Branch sports a  new hospital, new Wal-mart Supercenter, and a Tanger 31 Outlet Mall.  Gladwin is host to over 50 lakes and acres and acres of State Land,  in the city of Gladwin visit the Riverwalk Place Mall.

Only 2 1/2 hours from the Detroit Metropolitan area makes this a desirable resort, vacation, week-end getaway or a new home away from the city.

 
For the snowbirds coming back to the area soon,  the Blue Ribbon Bakery is sporting new quarters.  They've relocated to 121 East Cedar Ave. in downtown Gladwin.  For anyone new to the area they make the best homemade baked goods,  and their soups are homemade and delicious too ( today's special was Beef Noodle),  you team that with one of their great sandwiches and oh it's so good!   It's a great little bakery with friendly hometown flavor I'm sure you'll enjoy. Try their Chicken & Dumpling soup, yum.   

Call ahead to order your favorite flavor of pie or just stop in and take a chance it still may be on their shelves.  There's always something yummy to choose from.  If you call ahead of time to order you'll be sure to have it.  If you expect to just drop in and ask for your favorite it probably disappeared hours ago.  By the end of the day their shelves are getting bare and they're working on the next days orders.

Moving into town was a smart business decision and one that I'm sure is
keeping them very busy. Stop by and have lunch with Beth Heintz and the girls or stop in for a breakfast roll, soup, or cup of tea. It's an experience you'll repeat again and again. 

Blue Ribbon Bakery
121 East Cedar Ave.
Gladwin,  MI 48624
989.426.1613

Innocent animals who look to their owner's for care are being left behind to fend for themselves in abandoned homes.  Some left out in the cold, tied or staked out, not given the chance to forge for themselves. Yes these are the most recent victims of foreclosures.                                       

Gladwin has not seen pets left behind in their homes as yet,  although the animal shelter is seeing an increase in owners feeling they have no choice but to turn their pets over as they struggle to find housing for their families.

Please keep in mind as you see abandoned homes in your area to pay attention to the yard and surroundings. If you see or hear barking or whining call your local animal shelter or authorities to investigate.

Saddened by the hopelessness felt by those who feel they have no choice but to turn their pets over to animal shelters I spoke with our local shelter.  They suggested I post the web address of petfinder hoping those looking for a new pet might consider adopting one of the many needing our help. The web address is http://www.petfinder.com/shelters/MI547.html. Type in the animal you would like to adopt, a dog, cat, or use the drop down to view all that are available,  type in your zip code and it will take you to your local animal shelter page. Photo courtesy of Gladwin Animal Shelter.  This little boys name is Bones and he would love to be your best friend.

Families in crisis, animal experts urge you to find a friend, a neighbor or a shelter but never leave your pet behind with no one to care for him.

I'm tired of hearing how bad our market is,  sick of hearing about the loss of jobs and closing of plants.  I need some good fresh air,  some encouraging news and I don't believe it's going to come from the news media.

The buyers are looking in our area and from conversation with a couple this morning I believe they recognize that seller's are at about the lowest they are going to go, so it is a great time to buy! Mortgage rates are at a low again and there is fantastic inventory out there.

Brad Andersohn wrote a recent blog with more eloquence then I could ever imagine writing.  I thought you might enjoy his view on the market if you haven't already read it and it's turning around at Has The Market Bottomed Out? - The Crystal Ball Says...  

Showing commercial property last weekend, the buyers are looking at high visibility areas to bring in a New York Coney Dog type business. This doesn't sound like fear to me, it sounds like good business sense and anticipation of good times to come.

The phones are ringing and our agents are showing properties,  so that tells me not all buyers are listening to the media hype. There are some fantastic buys out there, and the smart buyers are starting to move knowing they'll get the pick of the best out there.  Brad's,  Action Fixes Everything, in the above mentioned blog is the optimism and the fresh air I'm craving.

So best to all of you out there and breathe positively, optimistically deep!

If your visiting Gladwin stop in and see us REMAX River Haven http://www.riverhavenhomes.com/ at the Riverwalk Place in Gladwin.  We're on the second floor and would love to meet you.  You can plan a day at the Riverwalk.  shop at RW Threads,  have lunch at the Riverwalk Grill and visit  The Blackberry Lodge for rustic decor and home furnis

hings.  Make an appointment and block off the day for the Oasis Salon

http://www.riverwalkplace.net/relax.htm where you can relax, rejuvinate, and revitalize.

We look forward to meeting you.     

When in Gladwin remember to call or stop by The Fruitful Orchard & Cider Mill formerly known as Yost's orchard and cider mill. Stop by and meet the new owner Dan Vannest.

U-Pick Apples with a gift shop, homeade pies,  donuts,  and other baked goods. Hayrides,  cider and custom cider pressing also available.  Open until the end of November,  call to check on availability.

The Fruitful Orchard & Cider Mill
5740 W.  M-61
Gladwin,  MI 48624
Phone: (989)426-3971