Chelsea, Dexter, and Kalamazoo: 22 June 2014

After the exhibition finished, the Monitors took the field against Dexter and Kalamazoo in a slightly confusing but fun three-team match.

There was pre-match music!

The local retirement community brought a small busload of its residents to enjoy the match. The Monitors, the gentlemen that they are, made sure they made it safely to their seats.

Prior to the match, there were two skills competitions. The first was a relay race around the bases; the second was a fly ball-catching contest.

Then the match started.

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Monitors, Merries, and Scrubs: 22 June 2014

Sunday was a day full of vintage base ball in Chelsea! The first match was an exhibition featuring the Monitors, the newly-formed Merries, and the Scrub 9, a collection of hardy locals. Especially notable about this match: it was the Merries’ first game action. Huzzah!

If you’ve been to the Chelsea Alehouse, you may recognize this scrub:

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Sounds & Sights: 19 June 2014

The Chelsea area has gotten plenty of rain this week, but Thursday evening was another beautiful dry evening for Sounds & Sights.

There was more comedy at the library, but Kevin Kramis wasn’t able to be here this week. This gentleman did a fine job filling in for Kevin.

The ever-popular Chelsea House Orchestra drew a crowd to Middle Street.

As was evident in the first CHO photo, the younger spectators were having a great time.

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Sounds & Sights: 12 June 2014

Another week, another Sounds & Sights!

Once again, say hi to Kevin Kramis.

Kevin at the library means comedy at the library.

Kate Brindle:

Dan DeCapua:

Travis Root:

Bob Skon Trio:

Cold Tone Harvest:

The Veasey Trio:

New Blues Street Project:

Annie & Rod Capps:

(That’s Jason Dennie. I would have gotten photos of Annie and Rod, but I got there during their last song. Next time, Capps!)

Chelsea’s Sounds & Sights continues through the summer. Join me there next Thursday from 6:30-8:30!

Chelsea Sculpture Walk 2014

Artists recently installed twelve new pieces of art for the 2014 version of Chelsea’s Sculpture Walk. Details matter in art, so here’s a look at some of the details in the pieces featured in this year’s Sculpture Walk, along with each sculpture’s location so you can go see the whole work.

Main Street just south of Van Buren:

Congdon & W. Summit:

Main & E. Summit:

Main & Orchard (south side of Orchard):

Main & Orchard (north side of Orchard):

Library parking lot:

Main & South:

Park Street, next to the Purple Rose:

W. Middle parking lot:

Main & railroad tracks, next to Heydlauff’s:

Clocktower gazebo:

Main & North:

Sounds & Sights: 5 June 2014

Chelsea’s Sounds & Sights had beautiful weather and a good crowd for the start of its 2014 season.

The Chelsea Library hosted the first of its four weeks of comedy on its lawn. As always, Kevin Kramis hosted the evening of laughs.

The comedy show attracted a wide range of spectators, including some with a bit more hair than average.

Elsewhere in downtown, Creole du Nord was having a good time on Middle Street.

The band wasn’t the only one having fun. Creole du Nord’s music got people to dance!

There was even a little bit of break dancing. Well, I think that’s what this was.

Also on Middle Street, there was a chalkboard inviting input. These kids were completing the statement “My favorite artist is…”

Corndaddy was playing on South Street.

Mike Vial was playing the east alley.

Sounds & Sights runs from 6:30 to 8:30 in downtown Chelsea every Thursday evening through the summer. Come join the fun!

Spring in Michigan: 22 May 2014

The trumpet vines started to wake up.

Elsewhere, the old shed has another year under its belt.

Spring in Michigan: 21 May 2014

Dandelions!

More dandelions!

In the continuing chronicles of Plants Growing in Strange Places, here’s a blade of grass that found its way into and back out of a crack between two boards in an old garage.

Spring in Michigan: 20 May 2014

This spring has been the Spring of the Tiny Maple Trees in Michigan. Thanks to last spring and this winter, little Canadian flags have sprouted EVERYWHERE. A couple weeks ago I posted a photo of a tree growing in a mildly unconventional spot, but recently I noticed several trees trying to put down roots in a very odd place: about four feet above the ground, between the house and the deck.