Library Hosts ‘Pickin’ with the Champ’

In one of their first in-person adult events since the pandemic, the Harrison District Library hosted morel mushroom picking champion Anthony Williams. More than 25 community members were eager to learn more about how to find morel mushrooms.

Williams was the 5-time morel picking champion at the National Morel Mushroom Festival in Boyne City in the 1980s. He was eventually asked to stop competing and start promoting the festival and morel mushrooms, an easy task for someone with William’s passion for the outdoors.

Williams grew up in the Boyne City area picking mushrooms in what he calls, “a morel picking culture.” Some of William’s spots have been handed down across several generations. His family has lived in and around Boyne City since the 1890s.

Morel mushrooms grow along the 45^th parallel over all the world though varieties are different in many countries. The festival in Boyne City brings visitors from around the world and it is the world’s largest morel cooking event.

While the crowd was anxious to hear Williams’ tips and tricks for finding morels, his passion and respect for nature was captivating. His storytelling lecture style took listeners into the woods on a mushroom hunting expedition. Listening to Williams, the magic of finding mushrooms is just as powerful as the experience of eating and enjoying them.

Some participants were worried about the clear-cutting in the areas affecting morels. According to Williams, clear cutting won’t affect mushrooms and they will show again. Morels, like all mushrooms, are the fruit, or flower of the mycelium growing underground.

Final advice from Williams, if you cannot find morels, look for leeks, also edible and appreciate the gift of just being in the woods.

The National Morel Mushroom Festival is held every year the weekend after Mother’s Day and this year will be held May 12-15 in Boyne City. For more information visit www.bcmorelfestival.com/