WGO: Digester, Bridge, Cloud, and Gumbo

We had the chance to visit the Fremont biodigester Friday.
You know, the place that opened in 2013 despite some pushback from neighbors, then closed amidst financial and odor issues  before finally reopening a couple of years back?
The new company poured $3.5 million into upgrades and the site is now managed by Dynamic Systems Management.
We were with a group of media folks shown around by facility manager Leon Scott along with a few others from the American Biogas Council, a trade association advocating for biogas systems.
Scott obviously takes a lot of pride in the facility and seems committed to creating an operation based on best practices. He spoke to the improvements that had been made and  pointed out the steps taken to reduce any offensive olfactory experiences (bad smells).
N3 received letters to the editor and Pulse pieces last year regarding the odors emanating from the lagoons, the two 10 million gallon holding sites located miles to the west of the Digester containing the material that will eventually be used to fertilize farms.
Right now straw has been placed atop the lagoons  to mitigate the odors but as soon as weather permits permanent covers will be installed, an initiative that according to info received on the tour should help considerably in the reduction of the unpleasantness that has been wafting over a disgruntled community of neighbors of the site.
Got questions? Want a tour? 
They will be holding another site tour for the community on Thursday March 5th from 1-3:30pm and follow it up with a town hall meeting from 5:30-7pm.

To Bridge or Not to Bridge?
Last Thursday the ‘I Am Newaygo’ community held a meeting to discuss the new branding initiative (“Heart of the Muskegon”) and the proposed suspension walking/biking bridge connecting the city and Henning Park. We were there for the branding section which was met with positive feedback but missed the bridge discussion. From what we heard there were yeas and nays regarding the project which is not unusual for anything involving change, but most  impressive was the turnout and the desire of those who attended to have a voice in their city’s future. 
Well done Newaygonians. 

The Newaygo Museum folks have been putting together a speakers series on a monthly basis featuring local folks discussing a variety of topics. This past week Dale Twing gave an informative presentation on the history of White Cloud with some compelling photos depicting the city’s rich past (including the famous Goat Man) and some intriguing anecdotes involving it’s earlier citizens . Dale’s family traces far back into the history of our county seat and he made sure to acknowledge the help of Pamela Miller of the White Cloud Community Library in securing the photos and helping to put together his talk. 
He also mentioned that anyone interested in genealogy might want to check with Pam who has assisted many in their efforts to take the journey of descendant discovery.
In case you didn’t know the museum is open each Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 12-3pm and if you haven't been recently you need to stop in and check it out.

Got Gumbo?
Yes it is indeed Fat Tuesday week. 
With Lent looming and the prospect of Friday fish fries becoming a weekly supper staple you may not be able to make it down to the Gulf Coast where the lengthy celebration of Mardi Gras will be culminating,....
But...Chef T. of Hit the Road Joe will allow your taste buds to travel to The Big Easy with some righteous Authentic New Orleans Style Seafood Gumbo To Go.
Chef T. has never disappointed our gastronomic expectations and her gumbo will arrive over rice with a slice of what can only be described as heavenly cornbread.
Tuesday 5-7pm and you better call (231)652-6020 to reserve yours for pickup because while there is no limit to the amount of celebration one can do on Fat Tuesday...
There is only so much gumbo to go around.

Regional Security in the Red Sea is the topic for Tuesday’s Great Decisions Global Discussion Speaker Series at the Dogwood, 12-1pm.
Steve Dalzell, a Senior Defense Policy Researcher with  the Rand Corporation will be the speaker.
Free, informative, thought provoking, and did we mention free?

And finally a favorite Kurt Vonnegut quote: "A step backwards after making a wrong turn is a step in the right direction."

Keep in touch and talk soon.

Ken and the staff of N3 World Headquarters