Wednesday, March 27, 2024 page 7
Michigan is blessed with a great number of fish,
animal, and bird species. Residents and visitors have the
opportunity to observe and interact with wildlife in a variety
of natural habitats.
Folks who choose to participate in the consumptive
activities of hunting and fishing need to be prepared to
do some homework before venturing out. Because of the
number of species and efforts to manage the resource for
the benefit of wildlife, people, and the environment, there
is an extensive list of regulations governing the taking of
fish and game.
There are specific dates for seasons when harvesting
can take place. Limits are set for the number of a species
which may be taken and possessed. Size and gender are
other stipulations which must be considered, depending on
the species pursued, such as the number of antler points on
a buck or the length of a fish.
Fishing regulations get complicated, especially for trout
and salmon, where lakes and streams have specific rules
depending on the season and species. Sometimes special
rules apply to a particular section of a stream or a designated
lake. This may include the type of tackle permitted. On the
other hand, rules for seasons, size, and possession limits for
most fish are easy to follow.
In some cases, an application must be submitted to
be eligible for a lottery drawing when demand exceeds
available licenses. Application deadlines occur well before
the drawings, so one must pay close attention to the dates or
miss the window.
Michigan is a big state with an abundance of wildlife.
Habitat varies significantly across the state. For example,
the U.P. deer herd faces very different challenges than
deer in southern Michigan farm country. Therefore, game
management strategies are tailored for local conditions, so
regulations become more complex. Do your homework and
pay attention to regulations and be glad we have the fish and
game to manage.outdoors
homework assignment Dave StegehuisBy Emma Palova
contributing writer
Most locals know the
building at the corner of
Main and Riverside as the
five-and-dime store, aka
Springrove Variety, with
the red and gold imprint
sign, owned for decades by
Mike Sprenger. But then
came Ripple and Magnolia
restaurants, with unique
authentic Yucatan and
Louisiana cuisines.
“It will be normal
American food,” said owner
of Easy Street Restaurant
and Bar, Greg Canfield.
“Third time’s the charm. I
renovated the building for
a restaurant, which failed.
The second restaurant also
failed. After six months of
no response to a ‘For Rent’
sign, I decided to give it a
shot.”
The ambitious challenge
to start a restaurant became
a realty, in spite of this time
with high minimum wages,
dire shortages of wait staff,
and soaring inflation, the
plan is to have a successful
restaurant in a town of
4,137, with existing eight
restaurants.
“Thirsty Perch Band
Easy Street Restaurant opens to
‘Third Time’s the Charm’ theme
played to a packed house
for a night of great music
and dancing,” said Canfield
about the grand opening
night at Easy Street that
coincided with St. Pat’s
celebrations around the
country. “Our amazing
staff did a great job and
you’d never know we’d just
opened.”
In addition to the
original bar, with original
Springrove sign in red and
gold overlooking the Flat
River, Canfield added a
new large bar up front, plus
brand new furniture, and a
future door to an outdoor
patio. The top of the new
bar consists of nine pieces
of granite and can seat 24
people. Food can be served
at the bar. “This is a game-
changer, the front and the
back bars,” he said. “We
kept the same stage and the
great view of the Showboat
and the neighboring
historical buildings.”
Where did the name of
the restaurant come from?
“We saw the sign Easy
Street in an antique store,”
Canfield said. “Along with
that.” He pointed to the
iconic Rolling Stones signA packed house.Thirsty Perch Band on opening night, photo
courtesy of Bruce Doll.Easy Street owner, Greg Canfield, by the new
bar.with tongue and lips logo
placed near the back bar,
along with Bruce Doll’s
classy picture of the clock
on Main Street.
The well-lit restaurant
sports 23 windows with
blinds, and a new floor after
the expensive remodel of
Springrove. “I completely
changed the space,” he said.
“You never regret doing
things right. It’s a tough
business. Live music is a
big draw.”
Easy Street bar offers
several taps, plus mixed
drinks with focus on local.
“We will have as many
things local as we can get,”
Canfield said. “We’re going
to be a fun and exciting
place to hang-out at, with
lots of music and dancing.”
The full menu features
prime rib on Fridays and
Saturdays. Dinner menu
entrees range from the
Easy Street filet, pastaand chicken, burgers and
handhelds including: The
Secret Club, Prime Rib Dip
and Greg’s Burger. “I am
biased,” Canfield said. “The
food we put out is great.
Easy Street gives people
another choice for breakfast
and other meals, plus live
music on the weekends.”
Easy Street’s hours are
6 am to 10 pm on weekdays,
on Fridays and Saturdays,
from 6 am until midnight,
and on Sundays, from 7 am
to 2 pm.
Currently, Easy Street
has 35 employees with plans
to hire more staff, up to 50.
Easy Street is located at
123 W. Main Street. http://www.
easystreetrestaurantandbar.
com