Category: General

Making your own snowshoes at Michigan state parks

Craig Kasmer begins with a warning: You will face challenges.

“This isn’t the easiest thing to do,” said Kasmer. “I’ll be up front about this. Some of you will have issues. Some of you will think you don’t have issues, but you do.”

So what are we talking about here? Navy SEALs training? Rebuilding a ’57 Chevy? Undergoing psychotherapy?

man holding a snowshoeNope. Kasmer, the interpreter at Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling, Michigan, is talking about making snowshoes.

For the last eight winters, Kasmer has hosted three weekend classes (in December, January and February) on building snowshoes. The students begin with the basic materials – a wooden frame, some lengths of tubular nylon, and a set of bindings – and by the end of the weekend, they’ll have a self-made pair of snowshoes ready to be varnished and used to negotiate the winter outdoors. The workshop currently costs $175 per student, includes all necessary materials, and comes with Kasmer’s personal warranty on the product.

The class and similar others at a number of Michigan state parks are among the most popular hands-on winter activities offered by the Department of Natural Resources. This year’s classes are full, but there will be plenty of opportunities next winter. (Follow the DNR calendar to learn about classes like these and other upcoming events at Michigan state parks, historic sites and museums.) Read more

General

Cabela’s Hiring in Grandville, MI

Become a part of the World’s Foremost Outfitter team! At Cabela’s we passionately serve people who enjoy the outdoor lifestyle by delivering innovation, quality and value in our products and service. Live…Dream… Work the Adventure!

Now hiring in our Power Sports Department!

Wildlife & Land Management Service Tech (#13969BR)

Responsible for servicing, diagnosing, repairing and installing compact tractors and tractor attachments. VoTech certification, mechanical skills and prior diesel engine repair experience required. At least 2 years experience in the compact tractor industry preferred.

Power Sports Service Manager (#18841BR)

Oversee the service, parts and rigging operations including scheduling repair orders and ensuring efficient delivery and customer satisfaction. Requires VoTech certification, service technician background and 2-4 years management experience in auto or marine industry.

Power Sports Service Administrative Assistant (#18982BR)

Assists with office/clerical duties of the Power Sports Dept. High school diploma or equivalent required. Solid customer service skills and at least 6 months – 1year of clerical experience preferred.

Weekend availability required. We offer a competitive salary, affordable health benefits, 401k plan and generous merchandise discounts.

Apply online at www.cabelas.jobs.com.

and view Req# listed above.

Cabela’s is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE) and seeks to create an inclusive workplace that embraces diverse backgrounds, life experience, and perspectives.

General

Streamlight Launches ProTac 1AAA

Streamlight® Inc., a leading provider of high-performance lighting and weapon light/laser sighting devices, has introduced the ultra-lightweight ProTac® 1AAA, the latest addition to the ProTac® series of tactical handheld lights. The new light uses one easily sourced AAA alkaline battery, and delivers up to 70 lumens measured system output and 550 candela peak beam intensity.

Compact and versatile, the ProTac 1AAA also offers high and low intensity modes, a strobe feature, and the latest in C4® LED technology. Its Ten-Tap® programmable switch allows users to select one of three programs: high/low/strobe (the factory default), high only, or low/high. The light delivers 30 minutes of continuous run time on high over a beam distance of 47 meters, 11 hours on low, and 1.2 hours in strobe mode, using an alkaline battery. For an extended run time, a lithium AAA battery can be used. Read more

General

Exercising Romp

My ’48 International Farmall crank-start Cub had sat all winter and needed some exercise. Always fun to polish the rubber. Because the tractor is so light – purposely so designed to go fast – the heavy snow actually puts a good load on the engine making for a rousing romp in mid-Michigan. Read more

General

DNR and Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department rescue boy who fell through ice

A Michigan Department of Natural Resources conservation officer and a deputy from the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Department teamed up Monday, Feb. 9, to rescue a 13-year-old boy who fell through the ice on Lake Macatawa while chasing his dog.

At approximately 4 p.m. Feb. 9, the boy, his 16-year-old brother and the family’s two dogs were walking on the frozen surface of Macatawa Lake in Holland Township. Near the Dutton Park portion of the lake, there are open waters due to the warm water discharges from a power plant. The dogs were chasing each other when one ran toward the open water. The 16-year-old secured one of the dogs, while his younger brother continued chasing the other dog as it ran toward the open water. Both the boy and the dog went through the thin ice.

Onlookers at Dutton Park called the Ottawa County Dispatch Center to report the incident while the older brother ran home for help. The dog escaped from the water without assistance.

First responders to the scene included Ottawa County Sheriff’s Deputy Brent Brown and DNR Conservation Officer Gerard “BJ” Goulette. Brown and Goulette approached the victim who was in the water, clinging to the edge of the ice. Brown was successful in throwing a rescue line to the boy. While officers were able to pull the victim onto the ice, he was unable to move further or grasp the rescue line to assist officers. Goulette quickly decided to crawl forward on the ice until he was able to grasp the boy’s arms and drag him back to thicker ice. Members of the Holland Township Fire Department had arrived on the scene at this time and began to render aid to the boy, who was in the water for approximately 10 minutes. The boy was transported and treated for hypothermia. The family dog was also located by fire personnel and appeared uninjured.  Read more

General

Kennedy Children Sailboat Up for Auction

BOSTON, MA – John Jr. and Caroline Kennedy’s childhood sailboat will be part of an upcoming live auction event by Boston, MA based RR Auction.

Built in Massachusetts and mainly used in the Mediterranean, measuring 12 feet long by 6 feet wide. The boat, constructed in the Winter of 1969–1970, exhibits the original builder’s plate on which is stamped, “Old Beetle Cat, No. 1426, Concordia Co. Inc., South Dartmouth, Mass.”

It has been restored to its original colors, with a sky blue deck and a bright yellow hull. The unusually colored original paint became evident when the boat was stripped down to bare wood and was additionally confirmed in a letter from Caroline Kennedy. On the stern’s transom is fastened contemporary cast bronze letters placed in the original drill holes, spelling out the boat’s name as christened by the Kennedys, “Scallop.”

Accompanied by a copy of an “Original Wooden Beetle Cat Boats” 1969–1970 builder’s inventory page. Listed is this boat, confirmed as “No. 1426,” with the owner listed as “Mrs. Aristotle Onassis,” and location of the boat as “John F. Kennedy, Jr, New York & Greece.” Read more

General

Rifle River Recreation Area’s Winterfest offers cold-weather funfor the whole family

With winter in full swing, the Department of Natural Resources wants residents to know there is plenty of cold-weather fun planned at Rifle River Recreation Area’s annual Winterfest Saturday, Feb. 21.

Winterfest takes place 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and visitors are invited to enjoy free coffee, hot chocolate and hot dogs over the campfire. The event also will include hayrides, and visitors can bring equipment to enjoy a variety of winter activities such as sledding, cross-country skiing, ice fishing and snowshoeing.

Winterfest activities will be held snow or shine. For more information, please contact the park at 989-473-2258. Rifle River Recreation Area is located at 2550 E. Rose City Road in Lupton. Read more

Fishing, General

Chuck Buck-Third Generation Buck Knife Family Member

Chuck Buck, chairman of Buck Knives and grandson of founder Hoyt Buck, passed away Friday evening, February 6, 2015.

The following notification was posted over the weekend on Buck Knives’ Facebook page….

“It is with heavy hearts that we regret to inform everyone that we have lost a legend. Chuck Buck, Chairman of Buck Knives, passed away Friday evening. He was an industry icon and friend to all. Please keep his family in your prayers.

Cutlery, General

Adak Adventure Trailers – Announces Their New 2015 Customizable Trailer

St. Augustine, FL- ADAK Adventure Trailers are leaders in the adventure trailer industry. The company’s dedication and experience in manufacturing recreation vehicles allows them to set standards and re-invent rugged shelters for travelers who choose to take a different path. New for 2015, ADAK has created a smaller adventure trailer with a customizable floor plan to meet the consumer’s needs.

The new 11′ 9″ ADAK Adventure Trailer is a fully featured, rugged recreation vehicle with a luxury interior built for overlanders and outdoor enthusiasts. This adventure trailer is ergonomically designed to tackle any element Mother Nature has to deliver and offers a new floor plan for 2015 with a full size bed in the back with and optional single above. The 11′ 9″ ADAK is equipped with large tires to grip all types of terrain and enhances the ability to clear any elements in its path. This resilient trailer is built with an electronic braking system and a custom torsion bar to ensure stability and precise control.

A cassette blackwater system was installed in the trailer to make for easy and mess free dumping. Every aspect of this trailer was built to outlast whatever is thrown its path. The plumbing and wiring were developed to withstand all climates it may encounter on its way to the final destination. The ADAK trailer is designed with a durable aluminum chassis that will not rust and is bonded to a rugged 1 1Ž2 laminated honeycomb floor creating a heavy-duty foundation for the shelter. The walls and roof are also built with 1 1Ž2 FRP laminated honeycomb and are bonded together as a one-piece construction, making the trailer leak resistant. Double pane tinted windows are installed on the ADAK for improved climate control, reduced noise pollution and add a touch of privacy for its residents. Read more

General
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