Nearly 100 people attended the Leelanau County Republican Party "Patriotic Day" picnic Sept. 9 at the Leland Lodge.

A short film, Never Forget … Never Again, highlighted the event and served as a remembrance of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers in New York City that claimed nearly 3,000 lives were lost.

Party Chairman Lance Roman introduced state Rep. David Palsrok, along with the Republican candidates who are seeking to replace the term-limited Palsrok in the 101st House district in 2008. They are Ray Franz, a business owner from Onekama; Janice McCraner, a Manistee County commissioner; and Mike McManus of Leelanau County, a Traverse City school teacher.

Prior to the meal, participants heard a reading of a letter to the editor published in the Sept. 20, 2001, issue of the Leelanau Enterprise. Written by Denise Glowicki, it was entitled America Prayed. Club Secretary Wilma McQueen led the group in prayer and Helen Stimson, president of the Republican Women of Leelanau County, led the group in the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance.

A silent auction featured a variety of items, including home canned beets and salmon, a fancy birdhouse, a bushel of apples, prints of paintings by local artist Jane Uehling, and a sushi serving set provided by Empire artist Cheryl Fettes.