Former U.S. Senator receives high honor during Harvest at the Commons event

A ceremony was held to give a former U.S. Senator a high honor Saturday during the annual Harvest at the Commons event.

Senator Carl Levin was given the annual Milliken Distinguished Leadership Award at the Grand Traverse Commons.

The award, which was presented by Ground Work Center, is said to recognize leaders who embody the legacy of Gov. William Milliken, who was in attendance at the ceremony.

Some of Levin's accomplishments include preserving more than 32,000 acres of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and secured funding for the Boardman River Dam Removal project.

"It's a great honor coming from the groundwork center first of all because of the work they do to boost the community and this part of the state," said Senator Levin. "They bring people together in great common causes and what they really represent is just how important it is that people realize you got to work together again come together even though there may be disagreements ultimately find common ground in order to do great things.

Senator Gary Peters was also at the ceremony showing support for Senator Levin in his accomplishments.

Senator Peters was also able to speak on behalf of things he's currently working, such as a railroad connecting from Ann Arbor to Traverse City and the pipelines that run under the Straits of Mackinac.

Once the ceremony ended, people in attendance were able to enjoy the rest of this year's Harvest at the Commons.

The event is put on by Ground Work Center, which helps strengthen the environment, economy and community in Michigan.

Harvest at the Commons is certified as a local food event with 100 percent of its ingredients from local farms.