Contest: Gnorth the Gnome Spottings!

Recognize this li'l rascal from the "75 Ways to Love Summer" feature in the June 2009 issue of Traverse, Northern Michigan's Magazine?

Sure, his feet are cemented together, but Gnorth the Gnome is out roaming the Great North as we speak. We'll tell you where he's hiding each week through August 1st, 2009. You just find him, snap your picture with him, and upload in the comments section below.* You'll instantly be entered to win an "I'd Rather Be Up North" T-shirt emblazoned with a portrait of his Gnome-ness.**

* You will need to join our MyNorth.com Community to add a photo to this forum. It's free and it's easy. Then, to upload your photo with the Gnome, click on the blue-and-green photo icon on the toolbar below and simply browse for your photo. Feel free to write a little blurb about your encounter!
** Winners chosen at random weekly. We'll contact you via your MyNorth.com Community membership to inform you if you've won.

GNORTH THE GNOME SPOTTINGS

July 20, 2009 Gnorth knows there is nothing like sweet cherries right off the tree, so he headed to King Orchards, 4620 N M-88, Central Lake, 231-544-6479, where the U-Pick is in full swing.
Gnorth Knows... "The King family says the tart cherries will be ready for picking by Tuesday, the 21st. It’s going to be a great year for u-pick tart cherries, so get rolling on your pie crusts. Or whip up a Northern Michigan tart cherry barbecue sauce!

July 1, 2009 This just in! Gnorth has high tailed it to the Dockside, 6340 Old Torch Lake Dr., on beautiful Torch Lake, just in time for the Holiday weekend. Sit with him for a sunset, or enjoy some tasty eats before an afternoon out on Torch.
Gnorth Knows... "After a night of fireworks and festivities Sunday is the day to get your bloody mary fix at the Dockside. Sip 'em down, but relax because the Sunday bloody Sunday special runs all day."

June 11, 2009 Latest spotting! Gnorth is hanging under a tree at The River Putt and Paddle in Glen Arbor, 5959 Oak Street, 231-334-PUTT. Smooch the Gnome, then after a game of mini-golf, rent a kayak or canoe and paddle the Crystal River, which winds 11 miles through the pine and cedar forests of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park.
Gnorth Knows..."When you come to three culverts running under the road, it’s time to shoot the tube. You could opt to portage, but it’s more fun to point your bow at the middle of the three tubes (make sure everyone has a life vest on, fastened tightly), pull in your paddle, hunch down low and let the current whisk you through. You’ll shoot out into swirling water on the other end. Paddle hard on the right to make the river’s dogleg left, or you’ll crash into an old logjam. But don’t panic—paddlers have been shooting these culverts for over a half-century and the worse anyone has come out of them is wet!"

May 28, 2009 Higgins Store, 9105 Helena Rd., Alden, Mich., 49612
Gnorth the Gnome Knows..."Grand Traverse Bay Cherry Fudge ice cream from Higgins Store in Alden is IT! Amaretto ice cream with local cherry pieces and thick fudge swirls, it’s no wonder they go through 9 tubs of this flavor a week!"