Close to wrapping up the year

Some highlights

Well, a full year
From one of “those” birthdays, and a wonderful gathering with my family, to wrapping up our Conservation Easement.

Ian popped the question, to which I answered “like I’m surprised?”
Wedding due late Oct ’08.
Nicole announced that Robby will be an “older brother”

Travel was rather light, Chicago to see Whitney, California to see Nicole and Robby, NYC for conference and “vacation”, Sanibel mostly on condo stuff.

Purity Foods prevailed against “Evil PFoods” who closed their doors. Late in the year, looks like progress in working with Michigan State University on nutrition and bio-availability issues.

Finished re-organization of Earthy.com by increasing investment and bundling the packaged goods (retail) business with the dot-com.

Helped arrange the launch of Cherry Capital Foods, working with founder Eric Hahn and Earthy Delights.

Wetco financed (Lease) the white flour mill for Purity foods, then later, coolers for Cherry Capital Foods.

Helped put Red Cedar Technology on a more solid financial footing, and this company continues to make progress, with a likely teaming up with the biggest software service company in India.

We got Shirley’s studio finished, and some further tidy up of the cabin.
New lift built for “Chip’s Ahoy” and she was featured in “Wooden boats of Leelanau”

Broke down and bought (used) Honda S2000, my “M22 Car”

Visited Maine, for Andy/Katie’s wedding.
Now, only Alaska is missing from my list of states visited.

Wrapped up our Conservation Easement, now to draw more landowners into the program. Related was getting our Forest Management plan approved.

Community:

Progress with the Glen Lake Association Long Term Planning committee.

Shirley accepted board nomination to GLA.

Establishment of Leelanau Brownfield Redevelopment Authority

Accepted offer of Chair of the Leelanau EDC for ’08. This position leads to board seat on the Traverse Bay EDC.

Moving into the new year :
Discussions about launch of Leelanau Timber LLC/Champion Trees project
Discussions (early) about further support of Taste the Local Difference, mainly via looking at ways to help growers establish greenhouses.