FORD RIVER, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Delta County nonprofit is working to make guests feel welcome as they drive into town.
The Ford River Lions Club owns a triangular plot of land along the highway, across the street from the Ford River Pub & Grill.
“It was just here; nothing was really on it,” said Lions Club member Jayne Church. “For the last 5 – 6 years, a lot of people have talked about developing this area. A group of women decided to work with the club and started developing it and making kind of a community welcome to Ford River.”
Members have filled the once-empty space with a welcome sign, a pergola with lights and flowers, and a canoe with silhouettes of three people fishing.
“One of our members made the sign, actually went out, got the trees, cut them,” Church explained. “The pergola was put up this year, then we decorated a little bit a canoe that was actually found in the Ford River. A couple of the other members made the shadow men for the fishing.”
The group plans to continue raising funds to add even more elements, like a small veterans’ memorial. In addition to providing some exposure for the Lions Club, Church says the display also brings the community and visitors together.
“We wanted something to say, ‘Welcome to Ford River’ and ‘smile when you drive through,'” she said.
The Ford River Lions Club invites the public to enjoy its annual Fish Boil and Croatian Chicken Dinner on Sunday, August 4. The event runs from noon to 6 p.m. at the Lions Clubhouse, located on L 15 Lane just past the pub, and will feature raffles and “chicken poop bingo.”
The dinner has been a Ford River tradition for more than 50 years. According to Club President Matt Lund, the proceeds will help the Lions support charities and local organizations.
“Some of the organizations that we contribute to are Leader Dogs for the Blind, Eversight, Pregnancy Services of Delta County, Delta County Cancer Alliance,” Lund said. “Also Bay Cliff Health Camp and Camp Harstad. “The club was established in 1952, and it’s very important to us to have new members so that we can keep this club going.”
To support the Ford River Lions Club Triangle Project or to learn about becoming a club member, call Secretary Rick Anderson at (906) 786-8983. Follow the Lions Club on Facebook for events and project updates.
