June 11, 2026 at 10:15 am in Press Release
Public invited to help unlock matching funds through MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places program — Paddle Antrim, the Village of Central Lake, and the Central Lake Lions Club are inviting the community to help transform Thurston Park into a more welcoming, accessible, and connected public space for residents and visitors alike. The organizations have launched a fundraising campaign to support improvements at Thurston Park and are eligible for a matching… Read More »
June 4, 2026 at 12:33 pm in Press Release
On June 3 officials from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the Village of Elk Rapids, Paddle Antrim, and supporters gathered to officially cut the ribbon on a suite of trailblazing improvements at Rotary Park. The project marks a significant milestone for Michigan’s outdoor recreation industry, debuting the state’s first permanent non-motorized boat washing station and creating a new standard for universal accessibility. Rotary Park is a key… Read More »
May 12, 2026 at 12:10 pm in Press Release
Registration is officially open for the 11th Annual Paddle Antrim Festival, returning September 18–20, 2026. This premier event invites paddlers of all levels to explore the Chain of Lakes Water Trail—the only Pure Michigan-designated water trail in Northern Michigan—while enjoying a revamped weekend schedule designed for maximum participation and skill-building. To make the festival more inclusive for working professionals, Paddle Antrim has shifted its primary paddling days to Saturday and… Read More »
May 11, 2026 at 3:50 pm in Press Release
As the spring sun begins to slowly warm Northern Michigan, Paddle Antrim is joining organizations across the country to recognize May as National Water Safety Month. While the air may be starting to warm, Paddle Antrim is issuing a critical reminder: water levels on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail and surrounding waterways are unseasonably high, and water temperatures remain life-threateningly cold. Current data shows that Grand Traverse Bay and… Read More »
April 8, 2026 at 1:53 pm in Press Release
Paddle Antrim is pleased to announce the addition of two new members to its Board of Directors, Rich Hannan and Gary Chenoweth. Both bring a wealth of experience, leadership, and a deep commitment to conservation and community engagement. Rich Hannan is a retired research scientist whose career focused on the conservation of plant genetic resources. He spent decades with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service as a Research… Read More »
March 12, 2026 at 12:59 pm in Uncategorized
At Paddle Antrim, we believe that supporting like-minded organizations ripples our mission further than we could ever do alone. Our Ripple Effect Mini-Grant Program supports local non-profits and governmental units whose goals align with ours—protecting the precious waterways of the Chain of Lakes and adjacent watersheds. These grants are funded through a portion of the income earned from our classes and events, allowing us to reinvest back into the community… Read More »
March 3, 2026 at 11:38 am in Uncategorized
We’re thrilled to share some exciting news from Paddle Antrim! Our Executive Director, Deana Jerdee, has been appointed by Gretchen Whitmer to serve on the State Waterways Commission. Deana will serve as a member of the general public for a term beginning September 19, 2026, and ending September 18, 2029, succeeding Craig Lehrke. This appointment is subject to the advice and consent of the Michigan Senate. The State Waterways Commission… Read More »
February 17, 2026 at 2:21 pm in Blog
Ice fishing is a cherished winter tradition in Northern Michigan. Even when our lakes are frozen over, they’re very much alive — and that means they’re still vulnerable to aquatic invasive species (AIS). Species like Eurasian watermilfoil and zebra mussels can survive beneath the ice all winter long. Unfortunately, they can also hitch a ride from lake to lake on ice fishing gear, including tackle, tip-ups, augers, and even small… Read More »
December 17, 2025 at 3:32 pm in Press Release
Paddle Antrim is proud to announce the recipient of its 2025 Ripple Effect Mini Grant, awarding $1,000 to Antrim County Emergency Services / Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) to support the purchase of volunteer field glasses. The Ripple Effect Mini Grant Program is funded through revenue generated by Paddle Antrim events, including the Paddle Antrim Festival. “A portion of the proceeds from our events is reinvested directly back into the… Read More »
November 18, 2025 at 11:41 am in Uncategorized
We are thrilled to share some exciting news—Paddle Antrim has been named Nonprofit of the Year by the Elk Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce! The award was presented at the Chamber’s Annual Dinner on November 7 at Turtle Creek Casino, and we couldn’t be more honored. The Nonprofit of the Year Award recognizes an organization that goes above and beyond in service to the community—one that demonstrates vision, compassion, ethical… Read More »