The newest member of our “team” will be joining our board of REALTORS this morning, which prompted her to ask me about the Code of Ethics all REALTORS swear to abide by, which gave me the opportunity to share with her the preamble to the Code, something which speaks to me every time I read it:

“Under all is the land. Upon its wise utilization and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization.

REALTORS® should recognize that the interests of the nation and its citizens require the highest and best use of the land and the widest distribution of land ownership. They require the creation of adequate housing, the building of functioning cities, the development of productive industries and farms, and the preservation of a healthful environment.

Such interests impose obligations beyond those of ordinary commerce. They impose grave social responsibility and a patriotic duty to which REALTORS® should dedicate themselves, and for which they should be diligent in preparing themselves. REALTORS®, therefore, are zealous to maintain and improve the standards of their calling and share with their fellow REALTORS® a common responsibility for its integrity and honor.”

The balance of the preamble can be read here.

Here’s what I hear when I read that first sentence:
Under all is the land: the very foundation of this country is the land from which and upon which the nation was created.
Upon its wise utilization: waste not, want not. Don’t spoil the land. Make good use of the resource you have.
…and widely allocated ownership depend the survival and growth of free institutions and of our civilization: Reflective of the roots of our democracy, that real property rights- the right to freely and appropriately use real property- and the freedom to engage in commerce and seek our own success, are the keystones to our way of life.

I honestly, truly believe in the role that REALTORS can and do play in building communities, in shaping and encouraging economic growth, in helping others achieve the stability and pride that a home of their own can provide, and that ownership of real estate offers an significant opportunity to build wealth.

That’s why I’m so passionate about identifying and developing the next generation of real estate rockstars, those who will champion this industry for years to come. The opportunity to impact the lives of others is amazing, and the generation now entering the real estate market, the Millienials or Gen Y, is HUGE. This generation will impact society every bit as much as the Boomers did, and more.

There will always be opportunities for people of all ages and generations in this business, but right now there is a disproportionate need and opportunity for younger professionals. We just have to go out and find them.

I mean, where else but a marina can your family swim over and make new friends.  My wife swam/floated past a neighboring boat, and in conversation discovered that she’d actually graduated high school with one of the boaters, Tim Beson of Bay City.

2. Loaning your car to someone you’ve known for 30 minutes is actually NOT a bad idea…

Since we established such a fast friendship, of course we volunteered our vehicle for Tim’s use in the morning so that he didn’t have to leave via boat that evening.

2. Tim owns Beson’s Market in Bay City.  Beson’s Market has the best meat in Bay County the greater tri-cities area

Our car came back unscathed, with a full tank of gas, and a cooler of amazing fresh meats…

3. You can save a boat from sinking with quick thinking and a piece of rag.

Shortly after the sun set and we gave up on swimming, it was discovered that Tim’s boat was taking on water.  As in a LOT of water.  In an amazing display of quick wits, a flashlight was produced, bilge pump activated, and a rag stuffed in a split outdrive boot to save the boat from a quick trip to the bottom of the harbor.

4.  I can still do front flips off a dock.

Did anyone take a picture?  Better yet, video?

Fireworks at Crystal Lake

If you know of a firework display in Benzie, Leelanau, Grand Traverse or Manistee Counties (or even surrounding counties) that I missed, let me know about it, please!  Or feel free to share tips on best places to watch fireworks in Northwest Michigan.

Benzie County Fireworks:

July 3rd, Crystal Mountain Resort, Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration.  Fireworks at dusk over the mountain, tons of other activities from  July 2nd-5th.

July 4th, Beulah.  Fireworks launched over Crystal Lake at dusk.  Past experience says they usually wait until it is good and dark before they start.  Fireworks are launched from near the public beach in Beulah, so that’s prime viewing space, as is the lake itself if you’re lucky enough to have access to a boat.  The access site near the marina on the north shore and Fair Park at the base of Benzie Street on the south shore also offer good vistas a bit farther removed from the launch site.  Nearly anywhere on the lake with the exception of Outlet Bay will offer a view, and from along the north shore certain points give you a distant view of Beulah and Frankfort fireworks at the same time.

Beulah’s parade is at 1:30 on the July 4th.

Frankfort:  Launched over the mouth of Betsie Bay along Lake Michigan Beach, also at dusk.  The fantastic beach here offers lots of sandy space to enjoy the display, and like Beulah a boat is a great spot as well.  In both locations, the twinkling,  bobbing lights of the boats are an added bonus to the display.  Beach areas near the north breakwall are closest and most obvious, but don’t discount Elberta Beach, the Elberta Overlook, or even Cannon Park or Elberta Waterfront park if you don’t get there in time for a front row seat.

For a really memorable fireworks experience, take the Sleeping Bear Dunes Boat Cruise for their sunset cruise, and get a breathtaking view of the Lake Michigan Shoreline first- on the Fourth the sunset cruise returns to the docks after the fireworks.

Frankfort’s Parade will be at 10:00 on the 3rd of July this year, and they also have a carnival at Open Space Park.

Manistee County Fireworks

Manistee:  Fireworks at 10:30: Best viewing from either First Street Beach or Fifth Avenue Beach. Rain date is July 5.  Lots of other activities centered around the National Forest Festival July 1st-4th.  Parade July 3rd at 10:oo a.m.

Wellston:  Norman Township Community Center

Bear Lake Days are also worth noting.  They take place July 9-11, and include an evening parade and fireworks on the 10th.

Leelanau County Fireworks

July 3rd:  Leland Fireworks, dusk over Lake Michigan.  Leland mixes things up a bit and does their fireworks on the 3rd while keeping their parade on the 4th at 3:00

Also on July 3rd Northport will have their fireworks, launched at Northport Marina Park.

Cedar:  Polka Fest is July 1-4th.  Younger generations- don’t laugh at the idea of attending a Polka Fest.  It’s an absolute blast, and I guarantee you won’t be able to keep up with the Polka enthusiasts even if they are twice your age.  Parade July 3rd at noon.

Grand Traverse County Fireworks

Traverse City, West Grand Traverse Bay.  Tons and tons of locations to view the fireworks here, and as this is the biggest venue, these also tend to be a longer and bigger display (though I believe the Festival Finale on the 10th are bigger.)  But that also comes with more crowds, so decide what works best for you.  Plenty of creative places to watch in and around town, from the bay, the west shore, the peninsula, or surrounding hills.  I can remember watching the fireworks from the hood of my car up on Wayne Hill, but there a ton more homes there now and I wouldn’t recommend it now.

Of course, you can’t mention Traverse City fireworks without talking about the National Cherry Festival. The Air Show will be going on over the 3rd and 4th as well, including the Blue Angels.  Here’s a full schedule for the Cherry Festival- there’s more than I can list here, including the Festival Finale Fireworks on July 1oth.

Lots of other opportunities

Here’s a link to fireworks for the bulk of the Northern Lower Peninsula and Eastern UP from UpNorth Live/TV 7 & 4.  And here’s another for the entire state of Michigan fireworks displays throughout the year- they’re currently indexing 426 displays.

Again, if I’ve missed something, or you have a tip to share, please add it in the comments!

So… with all these options, where will I be?

Campfire time at the lake

As for my family and I, our tradition is to gather at a family lake lot on the south shore of Crystal Lake, about a mile and half from Beulah.  We’ll barbeque and somewhere around 1o families will gather around a campfire and sing campfire songs until the fireworks begin.  If you’re passing by on Crystal Avenue, or walking by on the Betsie Valley Trail and see a big gang with lots of kids, be sure to say hi!  Mention that you saw my blog and we’ll hook you up with a s’more.

Happy Independance Day everyone, and God Bless America!

The email said:

Here is my homework I had to do for the week.  I had to write a paper about if I would like to life my life easy or with challenges.

Mom thought I did a good job.

And this is what he turned in:

I would like to have a life that offers challenges.  First I’d like challenges that offer excitement in my life.  Learning how to NASTAR race (1)  would be exciting and challenging.  Also, I love tennis and if I work hard maybe I could play in the U.S Open.  That would be challenging and exciting too.

In addition, I want challenges so I can be more successful in life.  I would like to be challenged in school so I get better grades.  This would give me the opportunity to receive scholarships to a good college.  This challenge would offer me a chance to get a high-quality job.  I would also like to challenge myself to be stronger so I can play the sports I like with greater ability.

Third and last but not least, I like challenges because they make me feel good.  It makes me feel good to know I finally completed something I worked really hard for.  Also I know I might not complete every challenge in my life but if I try my best I’ll feel good.  I know life’s going to be full of challenges, so why not take them!

(1) (note: he’s talking about ski racing, this is not a typo)

This kid constantly blows my mind.  Little did he know he was writing his first blog post.

I’m truly blessed to have each one of my children, and the privilege of loving and guiding them through their childhood is the single greatest challenge and reward of my life.