June 7, 2011

Motorcycle enthusiasts who love polishing up the chrome and hitting the highway for a good cause can participate in a salute to military veterans by signing up for the Hookin' Up Heroes charity motorcycle ride. The ride kicks off at 11 a.m., June 18, at the Newaygo County Sportsman's Club, 7951 Elm Ave., in Croton. Registration starts at 9 a.m.

The ride is part of the second annual "Hookin' Up Heroes" fishing tournament conducted by the staff of Newaygo State Park, along with area business sponsors, as a way of saying thanks to those who serve our country. The event teams disabled and combat veterans as well as active duty service members with competitive anglers in a BASS style pro/am tournament on Hardy Pond.

The 50-mile charity ride will run parade style through the village of Newaygo, cross the Croton and Hardy ponds, tour Brower Park, and end at Coocheez, of 23470 Jefferson Road in Morley. Cost is $25 per rider and $10 per passenger. Registration fees cover meals, pins, and prizes. Any additional proceeds will be donated to the Brain Injury Association of Michigan's Veteran's Program and the Michigan Chapter of the Paralyzed Veterans of America.

Bikers can stop by the Newaygo State Park boat launch at 3 p.m. to view the military aircraft flyover with veterans and their families and watch the tournament weigh in. The daylong activities conclude at 5 p.m. at Coocheez with a pig roast and live music.

Newaygo State Park is located at 2793 Beech St. in Newaygo. Register for the ride by calling Ron Monroe, unit supervisor at Newaygo State Park, at 231-590-2376 or email monroer@michigan.gov.

The Recreation Passport has replaced motor vehicle permits for entry into Michigan state parks, recreation areas and state-administered boating access fee sites. This new way to fund Michigan's outdoor recreation opportunities also helps to preserve state forest campgrounds, trails, and historic and cultural sites in state parks, and provides park development grants to local communities.

Michigan residents can purchase the Recreation Passport ($10 for motor vehicles; $5 for motorcycles) by checking "YES" on their license plate renewal forms, or at any state park or recreation area. Nonresident motor vehicles must still display a valid nonresident Recreation Passport ($29 annual; $8 daily) to enter a Michigan state park, recreation area or state-administered boating access fee site; these can be purchased at any state park or recreation area, or through the Michigan e-Store at www.michigan.gov/estore. To learn more about the Recreation Passport, visit www.michigan.gov/recreationpassport or call 517-241-7275.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.