DeTour Area
By Barbara Buschbacher 297-8075 bbann@sault.com

June has proven that summer has definitely arrived. The very warm temperatures are luring boaters to cruise along the rivers and lakes. Families are enjoying the beaches and picnic areas for a day in the sun.

It is always a pleasure to drive into the area and see the beautiful flowers in bloom at the Botanical Gardens and outlying areas. Village residents show their pride with the brilliant colors of spring and summer flowers.

Members of the Garden Club are enthusiastic about the garden shed that is being constructed. The shed has added needed space for storing tools. Volunteers work diligently every week in the gardens. The work bees are every Thursday morning from 9 a.m. to noon and every Thursday evening from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Some thoughtful workers bring pie and cool drinks. If you haven't visited the gardens in a while, make a point to stop by and walk around; so much has been added.

Mark your calendar to attend the Home and Garden Walk scheduled for Saturday, July 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost of a ticket is $10 for the walk and $20 for the walk with lunch. The lunch will be held in the garden of the Wytiaz home on Ontario Street. For more information, contact Kris Kelley at (906) 297-6071.

Members of the Garden Club will have a hosta sale from their booth at the Fine Arts Fair Saturday, June 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in DeTour. The Botanical Garden Club meets on the first Thursday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Village Hall. There will be meeting on hosta dividing Thursday, June 21, at 9 a.m. at the Botanical Gardens. Memberships are now available. The cost for an individual is $15; family memberships are $25. Donations are also appreciated.

Coming up soon is the annual spring concert performed by the DeTour Area Community Choir Friday evening, June 29, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

The Fine Arts Fair will be held in the Village Saturday, June 30. There will be new additions to the fair this year. There is always something for everyone at the fair.

Planning is underway for the DeTour 5K Race July 4. Bonnie Hughes, the director, is from Duluth, Minnesota, and may be reached at bbhughes@charter.net or (218) 724-0858. For contact here in DeTour, call Kris Kelley at (906) 297-5071.

Village residents were saddened upon learning of the passing of Kaye Birkmeier Monday, June 10. Ms. Birkmeier, owner of Beyond Words (located across the street from the post office), was involved in several organizations, the DeTour Friends of the Library, the EUP Fine Arts Council, and the DeTour Botanical Gardens. Memorials may be sent to any of those groups. Ms. Birkmeier, with her skills as a graphic artist, will long be remembered for her well designed posters and playbills for summer theater. She is survived by two sons, a daughter, five grandchildren, and one great grandchild. She will be missed by all who knew her.

It was a pleasure to see former DeTour residents Bonnie Parks and Frances Spencer in the Village over the weekend. The ladies plan to spend a month. Their families will visit for the Fourth of July activities.