Get out! Get involved! Our event list is growing, including activities from other organizations. Headwaters events are Bolded. Please, if you are interested in helping out, call the organizer if listed so they know how many people to plan for. Or use the “Contact Us” tab on the homepage.
As always, keep checking back here or our Facebook page for current issues and/ or newly added events.
January
January 1, 2024 – Happy New Year!
January 10, 2024 – HTU Annual Meeting. Held at the Otsego County Library, all are welcome. Covers a review of 2023, election of Board of Directors, proposed bylaw changes and the President’s Report. Time: 5:45 to 8:15 approximately.
January 18, 2024 – Pigeon River Advisory Council quarterly meeting. Corwith Township Hall, 8170 Mill Street, Vanderbilt, MI 49795. Starts at 5:00 and usually runs until 8:00 – 8:30. If you are at all a “forest user”, this is a great way to know how the Pigeon River Forest is being managed. Perhaps an update on the future of the Cornwell Flooding Dam. For more information, here is the PRCAC website: https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/about/boards/prcac
February
February 1, 2024 – HTU Board of Directors meeting. Starts at 5:45, usually runs until 7:30 – 8:00. All are welcome. This meeting will be held at the Big Buck Brewery and we will be moving the meetings around to both support the local companies that support us, and also to hopefully get closer to our coastal cities during the year.
February 17, 2024 – Second Annual HTU Ice Fishing BBQ. Otsego Lake State Park, noon until 3:00. Light grilled lunch.
February 24, 2024 – Fly Fishing Film Tour (aka F3T) in Alpena. The F3T film tour is a curated collection of 7-9 new, independent films covering fishing and all parts of the lifestyle. A great mid-winter escape. Will be held at the Alpena National Maritime Sanctuary. Starts at 5:00, runs until about 9:00. Tickets are $25 and include the movies, access to the exhibits and exhibitors, silent auction merch and food/beverages. For more information, click here: https://flyfilmtour.myeventscenter.com/event/Alpena-Mi-Mothbear-Outfitters-86363?redir=1
March
March 7, 2024 – HTU Board of Directors meeting. Usual time, first Thursday of the month, 5:45 to 7:30 (approximately), all are welcome. Snowbelt Brewery in Gaylord.
April
April 4, 2024 – HTU Board Meeting. Usual time, first Thursday of the month, 5:45 to 7:30 (approximately). All are welcome, site still being determined.
April 20, 2024 – HTU 46th Annual Spring Banquet. Our primary social event and fundraiser. Location is the Knights of Columbus Hall. “Social hour” starting at 5:00, dinner at 6:30, music starting at 7:30.
April 27, 2024 – HTU Opening Day Pancake Breakfast, at Lumberjack Park in Wolverine, 8:00am until maybe noon. This may be early in the day but we have a lot of fun and have been doing it for many years. Grab a friend or two – they do not have to be members – and kick off the new season with a steaming hot breakfast!
May
May 18, 2024 – HTU Macroinvertebrate Survey, Black River. Healthy rivers have a healthy bug population and we monitor two sites on the Black to detect any trend changes. Also of interest is an endangered species – the Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle. We found some evidence last time out. This event gains you a lot of knowledge about what trout eat and where to find it. It’s hands-on learning and no experience necessary, so come with a friend and make a morning of it. Dress for the weather and bring your waders. Finish up with a grilled lunch streamside. Be at the Tin Shanty Road bridge by 9:00.
June
June 6, 2024 – HTU Board Meeting. Usual time, first Thursday of the month, 5:45 to 7:30 (approximately). All are welcome, site still being determined.
July
July 27,2024 – A combination summer party held at Mark Jarvie’s house on Long Lake, and a meeting of the Headwater’s Chapter Board of Directors. Those of you who were at this party last year…we’re doing it again! As an added bonus, the Board will be conducting business prior to the festivities. Board meeting starts at noon, grill fires up at 1:00. Look for details in an upcoming email or on our Facebook page.
August
August 3, 2024 – Project Healing Waters Veterans event at the Greenwood Foundation.
August 24, 2024 – Cedar tree maintenance and Gary Isaman Memorial Bench dedication. Come out and help the growth of our cedars on the Upper Manistee, Deward Tract. Howard Johnson from Cedars of the Au Sable will be there to explain the entire process and why these trees are so important. Expect some tromping through underbrush but no heavy lifting and all on land. This is a beautiful location and will be accessed here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rex5mAoe7djrEjDo7 We will have a Headwaters banner posted at the entrance.
After the tree care has been completed, we will shift one put-in south (entrance: https://maps.app.goo.gl/hFnDcfH2hWLGBCoX7 ) for a light lunch and the dedication of the Gary Isaman Memorial Bench.
September
September 14, 2024 – HTU Macroinvertebrate Survey, Black River. Healthy rivers have a healthy bug population and we monitor two sites on the Black to detect any trend changes. Also of interest is an endangered species – the Hungerford’s Crawling Water Beetle. We found some evidence last time out. This event gains you a lot of knowledge about what trout eat and where to find it, including seasonal changes. It’s hands-on learning and no experience necessary, so come with a friend and make a morning of it. Dress for the weather and bring your waders. Finish up with a grilled lunch streamside. Be at the Tin Shanty Road bridge by 9:00
October
October 3, 2024 – HTU Board Meeting. Usual time, first Thursday of the month, 5:45 to 7:30 (approximately). Big Buck Brewery, and as usual, all are welcome!
November
December
December 7, 2024 – HTU Board Meeting. Usual time, first Thursday of the month, 5:45 to 7:30 (approximately). All are welcome, site still being determined. Will include our annual Christmas dinner and awards presentation.