Idlewild Documentary on Wednesday July 7 at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts
LUDINGTON – The Third Coast Film Society will be showing the film, Whatever Happened to
Idlewild on Wednesday, July 7 at 7 pm. This documentary, produced by Coy Davis explores Idlewild,
Michigan. Located just east of Baldwin in Lake County, this African-American resort was founded in
1912. During the 1940’s and 1950’s it played host to black professionals from all over the Midwest.
Primarily lake cottages, hotels, restaurants, and two Las Vegas style night clubs, it hosted legendary
performers such as Louis Armstrong and B.B. King. With the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,
Idlewild declined in its number of visitors. Today, it is experiencing a renaissance and has become a
historic vacation and retirement community.
The producer, Coy Davis, will be at the screening to introduce the film, and will hold a discussion
after. In addition, the Idlewild African-American Chamber of Commerce has donated two tickets to the
Idlewild Music Fest that will be drawn at the screening. The festival is in the evenings July 8-10.
Tickets for each film screening are $7 per person at the door. Popcorn and beverages will be
available for sale.
The Film Society’s regular screening the last Friday of each month continues with Buena Vista
Social Club, a documentary about legendary Cuban musicians, on Friday, July 30 at 7 p.m.
For more information, contact the Ludington Area Center for the Arts during business hours:
Tuesday-Saturday, 12-5:30 p.m. The Center is at 107 S. Harrison in the historic former home of the
United Methodist Church in downtown Ludington. Parking for Center events is available in the public
lot south of the Center at the corner of Harrison and Loomis streets.
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Show Off Your Talent at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts on July 23
Do you have an unusual, spectacular or funny talent to show off? As part of the Sweet
Summer Celebration, the Ludington Area Center for the Arts is holding a Variety Talent Show
for all ages on July 23rd at 7:30 p.m. The performances will be followed by an Ice Cream Social
sponsored by House of Flavors Ice Cream.
Whether amateur or professional, any family-friendly talent is acceptable. Auditions for
the Sweet Summer Celebration Variety Talent Show are July 15 & 16 from 6 – 8PM. The
deadline for registration is July 13 at 5PM. The Show is limited to twenty acts of no more than
three minutes. Acts will be critiqued by a panel of judges, and prizes will be awarded in various
categories. Registration forms are available online at www.sweetludington.org.
The Variety Talent Show is part of the Sweet Summer Celebration, a multi-day festival of
arts and culture, which will be held from Wednesday, July 21 through Saturday, July 24 at
venues around downtown Ludington. For more information, go to sweetludington.org or the
Ludington Area Center for the Arts at 231-845-2787.
The Center is at 107 S. Harrison in the historic former home of the United Methodist
Church in downtown Ludington. Parking for Center events is available in the public lot south of
the Center at the corner of Harrison and Loomis streets.

Sweet Summer Art Exhibition Opening Reception on Friday, July 2 from 6-8 p.m.
at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts
LUDINGTON—The public is invited to the opening reception for the Sweet Summer Art Exhibition this
Friday, July 2 from 6-8 p.m. at the Ludington Area Center for the Arts.
The exhibition, which runs through July 31, features 50 paintings by 20 area artists in a nonjuried
show. Gallery hours are Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5:30 p.m.
Artists were invited to submit work under the broad theme of Sweet Summer. Jenna Sanders of
Ludington chose to submit Tulips in Pitcher because, “The first things I think of when I think of summer
are red tulips. They are a sign to me that winter is gone, and I love to pick a vase of them for my
house.” Similarly, Laura Carter chose Umbrellas because, “To me, everybody on the beach represents
summer. It’s the only season people can go out and enjoy the warm weather.”
The exhibition is part of the new Sweet Summer Celebration, a multi-day festival of arts and
culture, which will be held from Wednesday, July 21 through Saturday, July 24 at venues around
downtown Ludington. More information about the Sweet Summer Celebration is available at
www.sweetludington.org.
The Center is at 107 S. Harrison in the historic former home of the United Methodist Church in
downtown Ludington. Parking for Center events is available in the public lot south of the Center at the
corner of Harrison and Loomis streets.

The Friends of the Ludington Library annual used book sale will be held Saturday, July 10, 10 am to 6 pm, and Sunday, July 11, 10 am to 4 pm on the front lawn of the Ludington Library at 217 East Ludington Avenue.
The Friends of the Ludington Library was organized in 1977 by citizens interested in promoting public support and development of the library. Their main goal is to supplement the funds the library receives. Fund raising is a vital part of the Friends’ existence. Money raised at the used book sale is used to buy materials, programs, or equipment for the library.
In the past, the Friends have purchased a camera to record library activities, a portable movie screen, bulletin boards, book ends, furniture for the reading area and children’s area, shelving units, paperback displays, pamphlet holders, CD displays, book carts, and a lighted display case. In addition, the Friends donate funds for the purchase of library materials, including books, dvds, audio, and children’s materials, and to bring speakers and performers to the Library, such as Magician Gordon Russ, and the Traveling Zoo.
Fund-raising efforts from the Friends have also provided matching funds for grants from the Carnegie Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and the MacArthur Foundation. With the financial support of the Friends, the library has received thousands of dollars worth of library materials and equipment from these sources.
Organization of the sale requires many hours of work by the Friends. Books must be sorted and priced. Materials for the sale are gathered from generous public donations and library discards. A record number of books have been collected this year. “This is the largest collection of used books we have ever had for the sale,” said Friends President Bruce Nelson.
Membership in the Friends is open to anyone of any age. Dues are modest and members are able to set their own level of participation. Membership forms are available at the library and during the used book sale.
Friends’ officers for the year include Bruce Nelson, president; Helen D. Nelson, secretary-treasurer; and directors Duane Jorgensen, Lana Jorgensen, Joyce Keson, Guy Merskin and Carol Omohundro.
The Friends of the Ludington Library used book sale is scheduled for Saturday, July 10 from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday, July 11 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on the front lawn of the Mason County District Library in Ludington, 217 East Ludington Avenue.

Through June 26 – West Shore Art League’s Annual Membership Show — Tuesday-Saturday, noon-5:30 p.m.

Friday, June 25 – Film Screening: Vincent & Theo, 7 p.m.

July 21-24: Sweet Summer Celebration: three days of arts and fun to benefit the Ludington Area Arts Council