The Omena Presbyterian Church is holding their annual Special Music service this Sunday at 10 a.m. Once a season the church puts together a service of music only. This year’s event will include Dorothy Duensing, mezzosoprano from Detroit; Carter Smith, tenor from Interlochen School of the Arts; Micah Spiece, theatrical vocalist from the Detroit area; and Kim Unrau, from the Detroit area, playing guitar and timpani. Patrick Kuhl will be directing as well as playing the organ and piano. This service does not have a sermon as its intent is to celebrate worship through music. Come early to get an indoor seat, or sit outside under the tent. There will be refreshments after the service on the lawn. Everyone is invited to attend!
Omena lost a long-time part of the community with the death of Chris Verdery this past week. Chris came to Omena every summer as a child, and it was always the place that he most considered home. He had several passions which he became known for in the area. They included his love of the woods around Omena Point, and his love of opera and old movies. When Chris was passionate about something, he knew almost everything there was to know about it.
He was renowned in the area for his knowledge of the trees in Omena. For many years, he gave tree hikes in Omena Woods, sharing not just species, but often age and other facts about individual trees. He was a member of the Omena Woods Association and on its Board of Directors for a number of years. When diseases started to impact local trees, he was active in trying to treat as many as possible.
