Looking forward was the theme of the fourth annual State of the Community luncheon that took place on Friday, at Staffords Perry Hotel in Petoskey. Hosted by the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by CHASE, the luncheon featured speakers addressing topics including the state of education, culture, tourism and the economy.

Fortunately, for the state of Petoskey, the economic outlook is not as dismal is it is for the rest of the state, but we have a lot of work to do, said event chairman, Dan Ledingham, to approximately 130 attendees.

A sell out this afternoon in todays economy shows how much we are committed to our community. Although Gov. Jennifer Granholm announced serious news with her plans to dismantle history, arts and libraries during her State of the State address on Feb. 3, Liz Ahrens, executive director of Crooked Tree Arts Center in Petoskey, said the state of culture in the community is strong.

You really are all part of the arts and the arts are part of everyday life, whether you watch NASCAR or walk through an art fair in downtown Petoskey in the summertime, Ahrens said. Ahrens said creativity is abundant in our region with events including art fairs, Blissfest, performances by the Northern Michigan Chorale and the Petoskey High School Steel Drum band, even just taking a walk through Bay View with its architecture and all the amazing musicians from around the world. The arts are part of the whole economic package …

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