John Clement Howe took this photo in November, but the spring storm season features some great winds and waves too!

Jim took this photo last summer at Esch Road Beach. Won't be long now!

Nikki writes:

I took this shot of the Point Betsie Lighthouse almost a year ago to date. It's a beautiful place, I absolutely love the Benzie area. I can't wait to visit again this summer.

Check it out bigger and see more of her great shots in her Beautiful Benzie County slideshow (or view the set)

The Song Spinners will welcome participants with several musical selections, followed by visits from a number of historical and local women, interviewed by Susanne Glynn and sharing their stories of the Depression and other eras in our country's history. Breakout Sessions after lunch will feature Anne Magoun and Nancy Doughty from the WHPNM Oral History Program, journalist Anne Stanton, a discussion of Barbara Kingsolver's Animal, Vegetable, Miracle with Katherine Ross, captioned video/discussion with Cindy Shapiro and Kathi Houston, and more.

Registration begins at 9 AM and the $25 pre-registration fee includes lunch. Pre-registration by March 16 is strongly encouraged to help them plan the number of lunches required. Fees pay for the expenses of the day as well as our annual $500 scholarship for a non-traditional female student at Northwestern Michigan College.

Consider using the Benzie Bus for transportation. To set up a ride, call 231-325-3000, or toll-free 866-325-3380. More info? Call (231) 882-5373, email infobop@bawhp.org or visit their Women's History Day 2009 page.

Photo: Photographer Rosie Lasley (left) and friend, 1896

pink sunset glow 011009 (1), photo by michigansnowman03.

Ian writes that these are the colors he and his wife and another photographer saw at sunset in Frankfort on Saturday. Lucky them, eh?

Here's more of his photos from that January sunset and some from forestlady.

Sorry Ian for getting that wrong!