Features Patrick Sullivan The race for the Michigan’s 1st Congressional seat is one of the hardest fought in the nation this election cycle, and the result is that Michigan residents from Marquette to Manistee have been besieged with television advertisements from each of them and political organizations working on their behalf.

Features Rick Coates There’s a saying that “blood is thicker than water,” and the Bihlman Bros. plan to prove that with their new reality TV show “Blood Brothers.”

Letters

Disapproves of model ... Tough on local biz... Protect school districts

"There are elections, and there are elections..."

Features Rick Coates Typically, resolutions are for individuals, but maybe now is the time for Northern Michigan to have a New Year’s Resolution. I have a suggestion. The time is right for Northern Michigan to work collectively to become the “culinary,” “cultural” and “craft-farming” capital of the country.

Returning oldies but goodies will include stars of the local acoustic music scene, including Adair Correll with Kurt Westie and Friends, Song of the Lakes, Sister Wilene, Wild Sullys, Sour Mash, New Third Coast and many others. (See the full line-up and times in the ad on page 25.

Letters

$20,000 hospital stay There was a 23-hour stay at the hospital. Afterward, we received a bill for over $20,000. There’s not much to say except we make just enough to not qualify for Medicaid, but can’t afford the best insurance...

Marriage & procreation One of the main concerns expressed during the recent Supreme Court deliberations concerning gay marriage was the view that the main purpose of traditional marriage was procreation, and therefore the marriage of same-sex couples was pointless and even invalid.

I immediately thought of my own marriage of 23 years between a postmenopausal female and a vasectomy recipient...

Irritating comment As a foodie in a foodie area I was enjoying the “Best of” issue and making plans to visit some new and exciting restaurants when I came across “You know you’re from Northern Michigan when...”. I was looking forward to the usual chuckles about snow, Subaru’s and the usual whatnot when I came to the whenism “Everyone is white.”

Opposing biodiversity “Natural diversity in ecosystems provides essential economic benefits and services to human society—such as food, clothing, shelter, fuel and medicines—as well as ecological, recreational, cultural and aesthetic values, and thus plays an important role in sustainable development.”

-- Chevron’s Biodiversity Statement, April 2012, http://www.chevron.com.

Sadly, our representatives in Lansing reject such science-based wisdom...

Correction: Please note, it was Sleeping Bear Surf & Kayak named the Best Athletic Gear Shop in Leelanau County in our recent “Best of Northern Michigan” issue. An editing error mangled the shop’s name. Also, it was A. Papano’s Pizza chain that won “Best Restaurant Staff and Pizza” in Benzie County.

Letters

Conflict of interest? ...How ironic it is then that the chairman of LTC’s board, Neil Marzella, is leading the charge to develop a world-class motorsports complex in Indian River that, if built, will permanently scar, pollute and degrade an otherwise quiet and scenic community.

Busted at Sleeping Bear Let me give you all a warning. If you go to our National Lakeshore to hike or whatever, be very careful. Watch out for your friendly park ranger. I was alone, walking down a Lakeshore path in the rain, minding my own business when out of the blue, I’m mugged by this park ranger. I produce my drivers license and my Michigan Medical Marijuana card. I’m 65 years old and retired...

No meth epidemic here Re: “The Shadowland Bust,” 5/27) The fact is that meth is just one of many epidemics and I do not believe Michigan has a epidemic in this field. Also the pilots who accidently bombed Canadian troops in the Kosovo war were found to have been up on meth for many days...

Gunshots on the Platte I am sure that no resident of the Platte River Watershed neighborhood is unaware of the nearly daily event of gunshots ringing through our beautiful forest community. This is alarming for a number of reason...

More trail tips It is great that you rode the North Eastern State Trail (“One Wild Ride,” 5/20). As you noted, it is a very rural trail where you will see more wildlife than people. It is also great that you told readers to be prepared as there are limited services along the trail A few notes/corrections...

Don’t forget da U.P. I must say that your front page photo - “Spring Styles,” April 15, shows a nicely done flag misrepresentation of Michigan showing only the Lower Peninsula. Having also lived in the Copper Country (Houghton - Hancock) for 25 years previous to moving to the Lower Peninsula, I am totally aware that Michigan has two peninsulas, both very nice in their own way...