The 2022 Douglas Lake Boat Ramp is in place and ready to use.  Be aware that the concrete planks are three feet wider than the old ramp’s planks.  Those putting in or retrieving bigger boats should find it easier to manage their boats/trailers on the wider planks. The dock will be re-installed when the volunteer boat ramp maintenance crew is available to put it back in position.  A few more volunteers would be welcome to help move and position the dock sections.  Drop Stuart Case an email if you are willing to help out at stuartcarma66@gmail.com.
          Thank you to Munro Township for taking over jurisdiction of the Douglas Lake Boat Ramp. Also, appreciation to Spierling Trucking & Excavating for its compression of the initial proposed time frame for removal and disposal of the old ramp and construction of the new ramp including landscaping adjacent to the ramp to minimize shoreline erosion.
Feedback?  Send comments/questions to info@douglaslake.org
[photo credit to Holly Gedert]

     The Conservation Resource Alliance (CRA, https://www.rivercare.org), working with the Emmet County Road Commission, is replacing the bridge on Robinson Rd over the East Branch of the Maple River with a timber bridge to allow free flowing of the Maple River instead of the current culverts.  Robinson Road is currently closed to traffic for about 5-6 weeks. The posted detour from US 31 is Woodland Road to Plains Road back to Robinson east of the bridge crossing. Travelling from the north on US 31 to points west on Robinson Road, you can turn west onto Douglas Lake Rd, turning right onto Bryant Rd at Douglas Lake Bar & Steakhouse; drive south on Bryant Rd to Robinson Rd.  If you turn right onto Robinson from Bryant you can get to Plains Rd, but no further west.  If you turn left from Bryant, you’re on the way to I-75.
[photo - example of timber bridge. This one by CRA on Woodland Rd over Maple River near Dam Site Inn]

It has been reported that the Urgent Care facility on south 131 next to Bob Evans across from Walmart is open. DLIA member was there in midAugust for walk-in emergency and reports good service. Also, the Munson Health Care office in Indian River does takes "true" emergency walk-in patients.  If you are not a "true" emergency, they prefer a call in advance to schedule a same-day appointment. And, apologies for the earliler misspelling of McLaren Hospital.