Trails in the News - Press Clipping Files

10/20/2006

TOMTC President Quoted in Wall Street Journal

Local Man's Local man's words, photos, show up in Wall Street Journal

Petoskey News-Review

BY BETHANY ROOT NEWS-REVIEW STAFF WRITER


When the Wall Street Journal mentioned Northern Michigan Monday in a guide to retirement planning and living, words couldn't describe the area's appeal.

So the newspaper, known for shunning photos in favor of illustrations - or in some cases, more words - featured a picture of the Petoskey waterfront taken by local resident Charlie MacInnis.

“This is exciting, that makes me a nationally published photographer now,” joked MacInnis, director of public relations at North Central Michigan College and president of the Top of the Mitt Trails Council.

The story described different retiree destinations, some off the beaten path, and focused on Northern Michigan's rail to trail system.

“The growing network of 1,500 rail trails - old railroad beds and corridors converted into strips of asphalt and crushed gravel with no cars allowed - is luring retirees who like to cycle, walk, skate and even ski,” reads the article written by Kelly Greene.

Greene contacted MacInnis because of his involvement with the trails council. When she asked him if the council had any photos of the trail, he couldn't find one right away. So he took matters into his own hands.

“I just grabbed my camera and went down to a couple scenic parts of the trail,” said MacInnis, who lives in Harbor Springs with his wife, Katie. “I had lunch, and waited for some people to go by, then I snapped the photo and sent it to the reporter, and she liked it.”

MacInnis was excited about more than the publication of his photograph, though. He said the recognition of the area as a great place for all ages is well-deserved.

He certainly has learned to take advantage of the area's natural outdoor opportunities. He does a biathlon every summer, kayaking across the bay and biking from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix.

“I think everyone, every individual, discovers retirement in a different way,” MacInnis said. “I think that for me and my wife, this area is a terrific combination of the environment plus the wonderful people of all types who have chosen to live here.”

MacInnis and his wife also often fly out of the small Harbor Springs airport to destinations across the region. But he said they have no interest in leaving the area.

“We can escape without going far,” he said. “I will go as far as my small airplane will take me, but I will always come back to Harbor Springs.”

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