Grayling Visitors Bureau

Range 35 at Camp Grayling will echo with the sights, sounds, and smells of historic ordnance, in use once again. For the 20th year, a long range competition with historic ordnance is sponsored by Loomis’ Battery of Michigan light artillery at Camp Grayling and the public is invited to observe the activities.
Approximately twenty Civil War and Spanish American War field guns are expected to take part in the competition, as well as a dozen Civil War mortars. The use of historic cannon in modern recreational competition began back in the 1950’s and continues in various organizations, most notably in the North – South Skirmish Association east of the Mississippi, and the Civil War Skirmish Association, from there to the West Coast. Since most all of the completions are tied to private civilian ranges the historic cannon have rarely been fired beyond 200 yards, until the Camp Grayling matches began in 1990. Now the historic guns are firing at realistic ranges up to 1200 yards, and their real potential can be appreciated.
The Civil War saw the first use of rifled cannon and they predominate at the 1200 yard event, but bronze smoothbores also attend, firing at a realistic 500 yard range. Also attending in significant numbers are the smaller class “mountain rifles” as used in the 1860-1898 period. Most are early breechloaders of 1.65 inch caliber.
All ammunition is inert, but impacts are easily observed, making it interesting for spectators. Targeting is both “bullseye” and simulated counter-battery. Field guns fire 15 shots for score and five at replica field guns built as targets.
Spectators get an extra thrill out of the mortar match since the balls are quite large—from six to eight inches—and are easily seen throughout their slow trajectory. Mortars fire at a downrange flag and the winner is the one with the aggregate of closest hits, computed as the re-useable balls are recovered after the match.
The event is sponsored by Loomis’ Battery of Michigan Light Artillery, which was founded in 1960 to study and interpret the light artillery of the Civil War. Spectators with any interest in the big guns of the past will find the program on Saturday, July 31st from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. very interesting. A cash trophy rematch will also be fired the following day, simulating a documented event in January 1862 when the original Loomis’ Battery fired at a single newspaper sheet at 1000 yards. Also on Sunday, Aug. 1st, a brief mortar match will be fired as well as a match for smaller mountain-class artillery. The Sunday program will end by noon.
The range can be accessed from the I-75 Business Loop to North Down River Road and follow the signs. The event is located on Camp Grayling’s Range 35, located off of North Down River Road. Hearing protection, binoculars or spotting scopes and lawn chairs are recommended. There is parking at the site; the area is not paved and is very sandy. Concessions are available. Be prepared for lots of smoke and loud explosions; get a feel for what a Civil War battlefield might have been like. Competitors are willing to answer questions and talk about their various units. Ear protection and binoculars or spotting scopes are strongly recommended!

The AuSable Artisan Village Gallery is proud to present a showing of the photography of Anne Beckwith and Deborah Schreiner. An opening reception will be held at the Gallery at 108 Michigan Ave., Grayling MI on Friday, July 30, 5:00-7:00 p.m. There is no fee to enter the Gallery which will be open from July 30-August 12 on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m.

Anne Beckwith grew up in the Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan and moved to Grayling where she and her husband raised their family. While attending college for behavioral science, she also enrolled in a Kirtland Community College photography class and found she really had a passion for art as well.

She credits this journey to Joseph Donna, an Art Professor at Kirtland Community College. Although her favorite part of photography will always be in the darkroom with black and white film, she enjoys the instant gratification of digital imagery.

Anne’s work encompasses landscapes, animals and candid shots of people but also has an eye for the abstract. Senior pictures, weddings and even a small clientele in Los Angeles for actor headshots are a few of Anne’s accomplishments. In addition to her photography, she takes great pride in framing and matting in her own home.
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Deborah, daughter of Karl and Marge Schreiner, is a native of Grayling, MI.  Raised in Grayling, Deborah attended Grayling High School and later attended Kirtland Community College.  Her love of music attracted her to a job at the Grayling High and Grayling Middle schools as choir accompanist for four years.

Though music is near and dear to Deborah’s heart, one of her biggest passions is photography.  Choosing to pursue photography as her career, she moved to Grand Rapids, MI and began working as office manager and assistant photographer for McConomy Photography.  Having been able to learn and grow in this art, Deborah is excited to have the chance to share her work with The AuSable Artisan Village Gallery and her hometown.

Deborah resides in Grand Rapids with her husband Matthew and they are expecting their first child in December.  In addition to her photography and music, Deborah has also self-published three novels and is currently working on her fourth.

For more information, please contact the Chamber of Commerce at (989)348-2921.

The folks around Wellington Farm, USA are ending the month of July with two of the hottest events of the season, Sticky-buns Day on the 17th and a Barndance on the 31st. Sticky-buns Day has become a tradition at Wellington Farm, USA. It was started 12 years ago as a means of giving recognition to some of the baking skills generally practiced by the homemakers of the Great Depression.

Since that beginning, Sticky-buns Day has grown into a full blown event at the 60-acre living history farm. In addition to all the Sticky-buns being created in the kitchen, the Grist Mill will be in full operation, turning out the whole wheat flour used to create the famous culinary treats. Across the way the Sawmill will be sawing lumber, powered by one of the farm’s two steam engines. Throughout the farm, there will be music and demonstrations, and of course, interpreters will be working throughout the entire complex, explaining the lifestyle of years long past. Just the regular park entrance fee will gain you admission to all the events of Sticky-buns Day on July 17.

Following Sticky-buns Day Wellington Farm, USA will present, on Saturday, July 31, the first performance of the season of The Wellington Barndance Show. If you like old fashioned, country music, and old fashioned corney country humor, then this show is a must. Presented on one of the most picturesque outdoor stages in Northern Michigan, the Wellington Barndance is a full evening of very enjoyable entertainment. Price of admission for the Barndance is only $12.50 and tickets are presently available at the farm’s Visitor Center or by phone by calling 989 348 5187. Steel guitars sing, the banjos ring and Ezra and Ethel Frogmire banter at the Wellington Barndance.

Wellington Farm, USA is within easy reach of Exit 251 of I-75 and Exit 206 of US-127. This historic agricultural complex is open from 10 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. seven days a week. Reservations are also now being accepted for the July 31 Barndance Show which is scheduled for 7:30pm; gates open 6:30pm. More information can be obtained by calling the farm at 989 348 5187 or visiting the website at www.wellingtonfarmpark.org.
Wellington Farm, USA is owned and operated by Wellington Farm Park, Inc., a 501©3 non-profit corporation.