Marquette Monthly, published by Model Town Publishing, LLC, located at PO Box 109, Gwinn, MI, 49841, is locally and independently owned. Entire contents Copyright 2025 by Model Town Publishing. All rights reserved. Permission or use of editorial material in any manner must be obtained in writing from the publishers. Marquette Monthly is published 12 times a year. Subscriptions are $75 per year. Freelance material can be submitted for consideration to editor@marquettemonthly.com. Events can be submitted to calendar@marquettemonthly.com. Ad inquiries can be sent to james@marquettemonthly.com or jane@marquettemonthly.com.
14 then & now
Superior View tHe Jacka Block in doWntoWn calumet
16 feature Jennifer Champagne filmmakers from tHe u p overcome tHe odds 23 sPorting life
Jim LaJoie
isHpeming native dave JosepH Has tHe Best seat in tHe House
27 lookout Point Brad giSChia tHe sHiras planetarium marks 60 years WitH a maJor upgrade
30 the arts
Brad giSChia tHe crystal tHeatre attracts Big acts to a small toWn
33 the arts danieLLe pemBLe katHleen conover Has traveled tHe World for Her art 36 loCals
meLiSSa wentarmini tHe Beaumier center examines tHe History of u.p. politics
41 the arts
Jennifer donoVan Jessica fiala returns WitH ragamala dance company
45 in the outdoors SCot Stewart BuBBles offer lessons in cHemistry, pHysics, matH and art
53 on CaMPus
erin eLLiott Bryan nmu creates experiential forest near Heart of campus
56 in the outdoors meLiSSa wentarmini inaugural summit sparks conversation on responsiBle recreation
59 Poetry KathLeen m heideman After Iron’s Boom Goes Bust
60 suPerior reads
ViCtor r. VoLKman
Humorous tales of life in tHe u p
62 the sPirit of water
Jon magnuSon
mysterious Hope for a planet in trouBle
64 on CaMPus
This month’s cover artist is Taryn Okesson, a 2009 graduate of NMU’s School of Art and Design. Her work can be seen in person at Second Story Studio, 118 W. Washington St., Suite B, above Wattsson & Wattsson in downtown Marquette.
neWs from u p universities
66 Coloring Page BeCauSe marquette mccArty’s cove
67 out & about
erin eLLiott Bryan & Carrie uSher april events, music, art, museums and support groups
Farms for Folks sign-up begins April 1
Farms for Folks is a program that addresses food insecurity in Alger County by delivering weekly bags of local food to individuals and families in need.
Participating farms supply fresh vegetables, bread, pork, honey, eggs, chicken and more. Farmers are paid full market price for their products.
Volunteers will deliver fresh locally grown items to eligible homes for free every other Friday, starting in mid-June. This year, program organizers hope to serve 48 homes.
Farms for Folks is funded entirely by donations from community members and businesses.
Sign-up will take place throughout April, and Alger County families must meet specific criteria to be eligible for the program, though no income or eligibility information is required. To register or for information about volunteering, call 906-250-4825.
Earth Fest events to take place in Munising Events will be held throughout April in Munising as part of Earth Fest 2025, sponsored by the Munising School Public Library and Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions.
There will be free “Armchair Trips to View Pollinators” at 10 a.m. every Tuesday at Gallery Coffee Co., and experts from Superior Watershed Partnership will discuss energy audits in residential homes on April 15.
Various demonstrations and activities will take place April 21-26 at the Munising Library, including story time, displays on conservation and energy including a bicycle generator, artwork created by Mather Elementary School’s YEA students, presentations about carbon capture by forests, pumping heat, a climate change “Jeopardy” game and more.
On April 26, the public is invited to an open house to tour Munising Township’s solar array in Wetmore.
For information, visit the ACRES Facebook page or call the MSPL at 906-387-2125.
League of Women Voters to meet April 2
The League of Women Voters of Marquette County will hold its next general membership meeting at 6:45 p.m. on April 2 in Studio 1 at Peter White Public Library in Marquette. Social time will begin at 6:30 p.m.
city notes
NMU commemorates Anderton’s Earth Week
On April 22, 1970, advocates for environmental protection established Earth Day, an annual event devoted to shining a light on issues threatening the environment and coming up with solutions to answer them.
That initial vision has grown to encompass activities around the globe, including those at Northern Michigan University. From April 20 to 27, NMU will simultaneously commemorate the spirit of Earth Day and honor a former faculty member who espoused its mission.
Christened “Anderton’s Earth Week,” the university’s celebration is named for the late Dr. John Anderton, NMU alumnus and former head of the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographical Sciences.
“Dr. Anderton taught a message of learning and caring to his students,” said Dr. Susy Ziegler, the current head of the department.
The 2025 celebration will be the biggest in the 11-year history of the event on campus. “There are at least six student organizations involved this year,” Ziegler said, “as well as five units at NMU and nine local Marquette organizations who are offering events to coincide with our Earth Week celebration.”
The complete list of activities and other information can be found at nmu.edu/shine/andertons-earth-week.
The Green Athletics student group and Queen City Running
The meeting will feature a presentation about immigration by the Latinx Student Union at NMU.
The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy.
All community members are welcome to attend. For information, email lwvmqtco@gmail.com. In the case of
Co. will conduct a shoe drive April 20-27, collecting athletic shoes for recycling or upcycling.
The Water is Life Festival is a new event this year that will take place throughout the day on April 25 in NMU’s Hedgcock Building. It will feature live music, dance, performance art and a panel discussion on the people who protect our water.
Also on April 25, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in Jamrich Hall, there will be an Earth Fest tabling event. This will focus on student organizations that work on sustainability issues and respecting the planet.
The Marquette Food Co-Op will host an outdoor cleanup event at 11 a.m. on April 26. Volunteers are welcome, and there will be educational stations inside the store.
Earth Week “will inspire people to continue to make choices that benefit Earth and the environment,” Ziegler said. “We depend on a healthy planet and need to do our part to foster sustainability for future generations.
“This annual celebration at NMU has expanded to fill one week, but we need to think longer term. It’s important for humans, as only one species of many, to live lightly on the land. Individuals who attend Earth Week events will be more mindful of their environmental footprint. Collectively we will support Planet Earth if each person makes a difference.”
—By Brad Gischia
inclement weather, visit lwvmqt.org to confirm whether the meeting will be in-person or on Zoom.
NMU to host seminar on French baking
NMU’s French program will host “Classic French Baking, Explained: Croissant, Baguette, Macaron, Brioche,” a baking seminar featuring Lisette LaFave, at 1:30 p.m. on April 3 in Whitman Commons at NMU.
‘Haywire’ anniversary celebrated
As part of Northern Michigan University’s 125th anniversary celebration, a special public event will recognize the 30th anniversary of “Haywire.” This Forest Roberts Theatre musical about an 1880s logging camp was one of five productions selected from more than 900 national submissions to perform at the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival in 1995. The program will take place at 7:30 p.m. on April 4 in 1100 Jamrich Hall. It will highlight the creators, including playwright and theater professor emerita Shelley Russell and music professor emeritus Robert Engelhart, who wrote the original score. Some of the alumni who performed in the play will also be on hand. Scenes and musical selections from the production will also be featured. The event is hosted by the Department of Theatre and Dance and the Department of Communication and Media Studies. It is a fundraiser for the NMU students selected to compete in this year’s American College Theatre’s regional showcases. Tickets are “pay as you may” and are available at tickets.nmu.edu. (Photo courtesy of NMU)
LaFave is a baker at Babycakes in Marquette, and her creations are inspired by traditional French pastry and artisanal techniques. She will discuss the baking process and technique of the baked goods. Samples will follow the presentation.
The event is free. For information, contact Nell Kupper, professor of French, at nkupper@nmu.edu or 906227-2648.
Marquette Fashion Show scheduled for April 5
The third season of Marquette Fashion Show will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on April 5 at Ore Dock Brewing Co., 114 W. Spring St. The event, a fundraiser for the Women’s Center, will showcase the work of local designers and community members on models of all ages, shapes and sizes. There will also be an optional afterparty at DIGS.
Ticket prices vary. For information, visit Marquette Fashion Show on Facebook or email fashionshowmarquette@gmail.com.
Hancock businesses to host Kids Day on April 5
TheHancock Business Association invites families to celebrate spring at Kids Day beginning at 11 a.m. on April 5 along Quincy Street in downtown Hancock. Local businesses will offer a variety of free and low-cost activities.
Families can enjoy hands-on activities and special events designed to spark creativity and encourage family fun. Highlights will include archery with Northwoods Sporting Goods, “Princess Day” at Celebrations Bridal and Formal, seed planting at Hancock City Hall, free coloring activities and organic fruit at Keweenaw Co+op, “The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Friends” event at North Wind Books, $1 Bubblers at KC Bonker’s, clay fingerprint charms at Magic Kiln Studio and a free screening of “Big Hero 6” at the Orpheum Theater.
For information, contact the HBA at hancockbusinessassociation@ gmail.com or visit participating businesses on Facebook.
Beautification
The Community Foundation of Marquette County has announced the establishment of a new fund in partnership with the Marquette Beautification and Restoration Committee. This nonprofit volunteer organization, which was founded in 1978, is best known for its “Petunia Pandemonium” project each year in which 23,000 flowers are planted that welcome visitors to the Marquette area. Zosia Eppensteiner, CEO of the CFMC, said the foundation’s partnership will “provide an avenue of giving to the donor who wishes to support the passion of this organization and its community service for many years to come.” For information about the Community Foundation of Marquette County, how to support the Marquette Beautification and Restoration Fund and other vehicles for community giving, call 906-226-7666 or visit cfofmc.org. (Photo courtesy of the CFMC)
National Library Week to be celebrated in Ishpeming
TheIshpeming Carnegie Public Library will mark National Library Week, April 6-12, to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination and support lifelong learning.
During the week, the library will hold its well-attended Tot Tuesday preschool story time; Marilena Corradino will teach Italian in a casual conversation format; the Crochet Club will meet; Apiary Life Studio will offer a Meditation with a Twist class; students at the Homeschool Hangout can enjoy a presentation from Partridge Creek Farms; and the library will show the 2021 movie release “Spirit Untamed” for kids.
For programming information, contact the library at 906-486-4381 or visit ishpeminglibrary.info.
National Library Week is sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries across the country.
Veterans art therapy workshop set for April 7 Aveterans art therapy workshop led by Bill Irving will take place at 1 p.m. on April 7 in the Arts and Culture Center at Peter White Public Library in Marquette.
This workshop is an opportunity for veterans to express their inner, un-
spoken thoughts and feelings in a chosen art form, such as oil, pastel, acrylic or watercolor painting, sculpture or poetry. There will be an opportunity to interview various artists and choose a preferred art form.
There is no charge for the workshop, but, after participants choose an art form, they can purchase materials. Finished creations can be submitted to the national Veterans’ Creative Arts Competition and the fall veterans’ art exhibition at the Bonifas Fine Arts Center in Escanaba.
For information, call 906-235-8478 or email billirving2003@yahoo.com.
Laughing Whitefish Bird Alliance to meet April 9
The Laughing Whitefish Bird Alliance will meet at 7 p.m. on April 9 in the Shiras Room at Peter White Public Library in Marquette. Gary Palmer, an LWBA board member, will present a refresher on the birds returning to the north woods this spring as they travel back to breeding grounds.
Palmer has been a longtime member of the alliance, serving on its board since 2012. He developed an interest in birding more than a decade ago during a spring field ornithology course at NMU. He spent several seasons as a professional migration counter at sites such as Whitefish Point and Hawk Ridge and has spent
summers censusing breeding birds in Illinois and Idaho.
For information, visit laughingwhitefishbirdalliance.com.
‘Walking with Purpose’ scheduled for April 13
Bart Carroll, a dedicated volunteer, recently walked 260 miles along the Camino de Santiago in Spain to raise awareness and support for hospice patients and their families. Carroll will recount his journey during “Walking with Purpose: Camino for Hospice” at 1 p.m. on April 13 at Drifa Brewing Co. in Marquette.
Throughout the Camino journey, Carroll walked in honor of the patients and families served by Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice and raised funds for the hospice’s essential programs, which provide compassionate care and support during life’s most challenging moments.
The afternoon will feature local brews, stories from Carroll and hospice caregivers and opportunities to learn more about the importance of hospice care and the difference it makes in the lives of patients and their families.
For information, visit the Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice Facebook page or lakesuperiorhospice.org.
Interfaith Holocaust service to take place April 14
Temple Beth Sholom and the Marquette Interfaith Forum will host the annual Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Service at 6 p.m. on April 14 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marquette. There is no charge, and all are welcome.
The guest speaker will be Irene Miller, an active member of the Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills and author of the memoir “Into No Man’s Land.” She will share the story of her family’s survival after escaping from Poland ahead of the Nazi invasion.
After being deserted in the fields between the Nazi and Soviet forces, Miller’s family struggled to survive in Soviet labor camps and endured separations and eventual reunions. She experienced additional hardships under the Soviets, eight years in orphanages and eventual freedom in the United States.
The service will also include presentations by the Marquette Senior High School Chorale and the Marquette Male Chorus and remarks from other speakers. A reception will follow the service at Temple Beth Sholom across Ridge Street on Blaker Street.
BAY-CON returns in May
Pop-culture enthusiasts are invited to set their time circuits to May 3, as BAY-CON comes roaring back to Escanaba at a scalding 88 mph.
The pop-culture event, now in its fourth year, is staged by Bay College’s Campus Activities Board. This year’s theme is “Back to the BAY-CON.”
“Last year blew us out of the water,” said Dave Laur, executive director for student life at Bay College. “It was an overwhelmingly positive response.”
Laur said organizers expected about 2,000 people to take part in BAY-CON last year. By the end of the day, however, more than 4,800 had shown up.
That influx prompted changes to the show this year. In previous years, the event was located primarily in the Joseph Heirman University Center. It will now be split among several buildings on campus.
The main vendor space, checkin and special guests will be in the Physical Education Complex. A separate artists’ alley space will be in the Besse Center. Events will be scheduled throughout the day in the theater, cafe and library.
These changes were made to enhance the experience of attendees.
“My favorite part … is the community response,” Laur said. “I know that sounds cheesy, but truly seeing everybody come out, seeing the cosplayers, the parents with their little kids and siblings out together is the best.”
As usual, the show will feature several special guests:
• Sean Chiplock will return after a year off. He is a voice actor born in Kalamazoo whose credits include 2019’s “Pokemon: Detective Pikachu” film and 2017’s “Legend of Zelda: Breath of the
LSAA to present fashion show and Art Talk
The Lake Superior Art Association will host two upcoming events, which are free and open to the public.
An Arty Fashion Show of Upcycled Fabrics with designer JoAnn Shelby will take place at 7 p.m. on April 15 in the Community Room of Peter White Public Library in Marquette. The fashion industry is considered
Wild” video game.
• Nika Futterman is a voice actor who has credits in everything from “Hey Arnold” to “Xmen” video games.
• Steve Lavigne is an illustrator who has worked on “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” comics and licensed properties.
“It’s really cool to have our community members meet and interact with these talented folks,” Laur said.
True to the theme of this year’s event, there will also be a custom-built DeLorean on site.
“A thing I love about this show is that a lot of the vendors who started with the first show want to keep coming back,” Laur said. “We want to make sure that it’s worthwhile for everybody and that everyone is having a good time. The returning vendors show us that they think there’s value in it.”
There is no cost to enter the event, but organizers do ask for a $5 donation. “We will probably eventually have to start charging at the door,” Laur said, “but we want to keep the price reasonable.”
The doors open at 10 a.m. and close at 5 p.m.
“This is a great opportunity to share a passion for pop culture,” Laur said. “With all the negativity in the world right now, it’s a great event to get together with like-minded people around something positive.”
—By Brad Gischia
a significant polluter, contributing a substantial amount of greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution and textile waste, but Shelby’s focus is on ecological fashion, creative reuse and artistic detailing. The evening will begin with models on the runway, followed by a demonstration of tips and techniques that remake cast-offs into couture.
An Art Talk featuring metal sculptor Adam Mowafy of AYM Creations will
Bradford Veley is a freelance cartoonist, illustrator and homesteader in the U.P. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and at bradveley.com.
take place at 6:30 p.m. on April 24 in Studio 1 of Peter White Public Library. Mowafy will share his journey as an artist who creates one-of-a-kind metal sculptures out of repurposed materials. He will talk about his inspirations, his unique material choices and his fabrication process, and his sculptures will also be on display.
For information, visit lakesuperiorartassociation.org.
Third annual Birds and Brews set for April 26
The Laughing Whitefish Bird Alliance and the MI Birds program will host the third annual Birds and Brews event at 5 p.m. on April 26 at the Ore Dock Brewing Co. in Marquette. The event will include a free drink for attendees, a bird nerd trivia game styled after “Jeopardy” and door prizes furnished by MI Birds and local businesses.
The bird trivia game will pit four large teams against one another in a spirited contest over who can score the most points based on their knowledge of bird identification and bird trivia. There will also be a brief presentation on MI Birds, which is an education and outreach program from Audubon Great Lakes and the Michigan DNR.
Attendees will have a chance to play two rounds of bird-related trivia with emcee Steve Waller, an LWBA member, and children and adults can enjoy bird-themed coloring pages.
For information, visit laughingwhitefishbirdalliance.com.
Choral Society concerts planned for April 26-27
Marquette Choral Society will present its spring concerts at 7:30 p.m. on April 26 and 3 p.m. on April 27 in NMU’s Reynolds Recital Hall.
The concerts will feature Benjamin Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb”; Randall Thompson’s “Frostiana,” based on the poetry of Robert Frost; and John Rutter’s “The Sprig of Thyme.” The Upper Peninsula Choral Leadership Award will also be presented at the performances.
Tickets are $5 for those younger than 12 and $10 for adults. They can be purchased at the NMU Ticket Office or at nmu.universitytickets.com.
Marquette Choral Society is a mixed-voice, non-auditioned adult choir of more than 100 singers from a four-county region in the U.P. The ensemble was founded in 1971 by Dr. William Dehning and is currently led by musical director Dr. Erin Colwitz. For information, visit facebook. com/marquettechoralsociety or marquettechoralsociety.org, or email choralsociety906@gmail.com.
U.P. Rowing announces events and registration
Registration is now open for this year’s U.P. Rowing Adult and
Youth Learn to Row programs.
U.P. Rowing is a nonprofit all-volunteer rowing club open to all Marquette-area community members. Rowing is suitable for adults ages 18 and older and youth who have completed eighth grade up to age 18.
The Adult Learn to Row program is intended for novices with no experience as well as those returning to the sport who want a full review. Adult classes will start with “Foundations of Rowing” on Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 22 through July 17. Participants can choose morning or evening sessions, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Adult Learn to Row graduates will continue rowing as members through the end of the summer season.
Rows launch from the Founders Landing beach in Marquette’s Lower Harbor.
U.P. Rowing will host a meet-andgreet event for interested youth and their parents at 6 p.m. on May 5 at Peter White Public Library, and for adults at 6 p.m. on May 12 at Ore Dock Brewing Co.
Pre-registration is required for Adult and Youth Learn to Row. For information, visit uprowing.com or contact Gail Brayden at gbrayden@ charter.net.
Kiwanis Club announces awards for city employees
The Marquette Kiwanis Club has announced the City of Marquette 2024 Firefighter, Police Officer and Public Works Employee of the Year awards.
This year’s honored employees for service in 2024 are Engineer Brandon Morey of the fire department, who is an instructor coordinator for the EMS program, a Red Cross instructor and member of the water rescue team; Officer Nathan King of the police department, who serves on the road patrol and bike patrol teams and provides field training for new recruits; and Benjamin Bernard of the City Public Service Department, who began his career as a heavy equipment technician and now serves as a purchasing supply technician.
The awards were presented at Kiwanis Club breakfast meetings in March. The recipients will also be honored as VIPs in the Marquette Kiwanis Fourth of July Parade.
UPPAA announces student award winners
The Upper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association has announced the winners of the eighth an-
Musicians sought for Escanaba event
Escanaba is joining more than 150 cities across the United States and 120 countries worldwide to offer free public musical events on the first day of summer. A website, makemusicday.org/escanaba, has been set up to give musicians of any age or experience level the opportunity to register for the event as well as community venues the chance to offer their location for live music on that day. Make Music Day began in France in 1982 and has spread to more than 2,000 communities around the world. Escanaba is one of three cities in Michigan to hold an event this year, and its participation is sponsored by the Escanaba DDA. This year’s recital at Jim’s Music will take place on June 21 and is the first event to be registered with Make Music Escanaba. Music students who work with teachers at Jim’s Music or who work with other private teachers in the area will perform from noon to 2 p.m. on the stage at the Escanaba Marketplace. Pictured, the band Dust Bunnies plays on the stage at the Escanaba Marketplace before the Fun Run parade last year. (Photo courtesy of the Escanaba DDA)
DID YOU KNOW ...
the Upper Peninsula was home to a major sugar mill?
The grand Menominee River Sugar Mill, located in Menominee, was one of the largest in the United States. It processed sugar beets grown by farmers in the Upper Peninsula and northern Wisconsin. The mill operated from its opening in 1910 until the 1960s.
Submitted by Dr. Russell M. Magnaghi, history professor emeritus of NMU and author of several books, including “Upper Peninsula Beer: A History of Brewing Above the Bridge.”
nual Dandelion Cottage Award, which recognizes U.P. student short story writers in fifth through 12th grades. The awards will be celebrated at the 27th annual UPPAA conference on May 17 in Marquette.
In the senior division (ninth through 12th grades), first place will be awarded to Addison Hoffstrom, a sophomore at Gwinn High School, for her story titled “Birth of the Wind.”
The award includes a medallion, the winner’s name on a traveling school trophy and a $250 cash prize.
Second place, which includes a medallion and $100 prize, will be awarded to Grace Dee, a sophomore at Calumet High School, for her story titled “Skies.” A medallion and $50 prize will go to third-place winner Gabrielle O’Connor, a senior at Copper Country Christian School in Chassell, for her story titled “The Traveler’s Son.”
In the junior division (fifth through eighth grades), Kya Gleason, a seventh grader at DeTour Arts and Technology Academy, won first place for her story “Starlight.” She will receive a $150 prize.
Second place, which includes a $75 prize, will be awarded to Gwenyth Skoog, a seventh grader at Washington Middle School in Calumet, for her story “Breaking B-3.” Jemmalee Maleport, an eighth grader at Joseph K. Lumsden Bahweting Anishnabe PSA, earned third place and a $25 prize for her story “The Summer in June.”
This year’s contest included more than 50 participants from 20 U.P. schools. Students submit stories in consultation with their teachers.
For information about the contest and to read the full text of stories from the previous seven years, visit dandelioncottage.org.
Farmers market applications now open for 2025 season
The Downtown Marquette Farmers Market is seeking farmers,
growers, food producers, artisans, musicians and local community organizations to be part of its 2025 market season. Applications are now open and are first-come, first-served.
The farmers market will run from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, May 17 through Oct. 25; 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesdays, June 11 through Aug. 27; and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays, Nov. 1-15.
All products available for sale at the market must be made by those selling them; no resale vendors are permitted. Priority is given to those who use local ingredients and products.
The market also welcomes non-religious or non-politically affiliated community organizations to be featured at The Community Table during the Saturday market season. Musicians will be compensated for Saturday morning and Wednesday evening performances.
Interested vendors can choose the dates for which they would like to be considered and do not need to commit to every date in the season. Daily rates range from $25 to $35. For information, visit mqtfarmersmarket.com.
Additionally, Downtown Marquette is seeking musicians for its Music on Third series beginning July 17 and vendors for the Blueberry Festival on July 25; for information on both, visit downtownmarquette.org/ event-registration.
Partridge Creek Farm secures garden site
Partridge Creek Farm has announced the successful purchase of its community garden site. During Giving Tuesday in December 2024, PCF launched a fundraising campaign that raised $10,850 to secure the site for its 24 community garden members.
Now that the purchase is complete, the remaining funds will be used to enhance the garden with accessibility-friendly beds, perennial plants,
new tools and essential repairs and upgrades.
The purchase was made possible through the support of community members, an anonymous donor and Velodrome Coffee Co. in Ishpeming. PCF board president Phil Toutant facilitated the purchase from Jay Clancy.
Access to fresh and healthy food remains a challenge for many Ishpeming residents, especially those without reliable transportation. Many community members rely on the garden to supplement their diets and preserve food for the winter months.
A 2021 survey revealed that 58 percent of Ishpeming residents shop in neighboring towns for groceries, leading to significant economic leakage and classifying Ishpeming as a food desert.
For information on the garden, visit partridgecreekfarm.org.
From the desk of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
• Whitmer has appointed Monica Peach of Escanaba to the Hispanic/ Latino Commission of Michigan. Peach is the chief executive officer and a practicing therapist at Peach Blossom Therapy and Consultation Services.
Local business news in brief
• UP Health System–Marquette has announced the launch of its Mental Health Intensive Outpatient Program, providing structured, evidenced-based therapy for adults facing mental health challenges. The program is designed for individuals experiencing mild to moderate psychiatric distress and offers group therapy sessions three days per week. Patients receive care from a team of licensed therapists, social workers and medical providers, and must be referred by a physician. Patients will undergo an initial assessment to determine eligibility. For information, call 906-4491359 or visit uphealthsystem.com.
• Best Western Plus, a new hotel with Lake Superior-inspired decor and a focus on creating a positive community presence, recently opened at 1200 Wilson St. in Marquette. The hotel offers modern amenities for both leisure and business travelers, including complimentary full breakfast, free Wi-Fi, a 24-hour fitness center, indoor heated pool and EV charging stations. For information or to book a stay, visit bestwestern.com or call 906-3311002.
• Aurora Fitness and Yoga recently celebrated its grand opening at 1000 Country Lane, Suite 600, in Ishpem-
ing. When owners Jim and Katie Gray learned that the previous studio was closing, they were inspired to step in and continue offering yoga and group fitness. Classes are available for all experience levels, including seated options and beginner-friendly sessions. For information, follow @aurorafit906 on Facebook and Instagram.
• El Santo Tacos and Tequila, a taco restaurant that opened in August 2024, recently celebrated with a ribbon-cutting. The restaurant specializes in quesabirria tacos — slowcooked beef marinated with ancho and guajillo peppers and a blend of spices — and is known for its authentic, traditional Mexican flavors and diverse selection of house-made salsas. El Santo Tacos and Tequila is located at 113 W. Baraga Ave. in Marquette. Call 906-273-0709, or find the restaurant on Facebook.
• GLP Pharmacy recently opened in Marquette to address the growing challenges in health care related to the availability and cost of GLP-1 medications, offering compounded alternatives made under FDA guidelines for drug shortages. The pharmacy operates outside the insurance-based pricing system and does not accept third-party insurance plans. It accepts HSA and FSA payments and is licensed in Michigan and Wisconsin. GLP Pharmacy also offers a telemedicine option. GLP Pharmacy is located at 1645 Commerce Drive in Marquette. For information, visit glppharmacy.com or call 844-906-4571.
• The Baraga County Chamber of Commerce has announced that the Nite Owl Cafe of L’Anse has been selected as the Chamber Business of the Year for 2025. The Nite Owl is located at 11 S. Main St. in L’Anse. Call 906-524-5455, or find the restaurant on Facebook.
• Vickie Micheau, executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, the management agency for the U.P. State Fair, was elected in January to serve as president of the board of directors for the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions. Micheau has now served two threeyear terms as the member-at-large on MAFE’s board, which includes representatives from across the state. MM
HOW TO SUBMIT TO CITY NOTES
The deadline for event and press release submissions for City Notes is the 10th day of the month prior to publication. Send your releases to editor@marquettemonthly.com.
71 ____ group (chemistry classification)
72 Source of the ‘‘blood’’ in a meatless burger, maybe 73 Good lighting?
74 Spill the tea
75 Playground retort
77 Doses of a certain hallucinogen
82 ____ breve
83 Russian range
84 Sounding as if the speaker has some swollen glands
85 Much high school gossip
87 Metaphor for Juliet, in Romeo’s soliloquy
89 Got up and at ’em
90 Official who reports to a president
91 Reddish-brown shade
94 Secretly communicating in class
98 Make out
100 Settings for telling some ghost stories
105 Superb, in slang 106 In 2021 she became the first tennis player to light the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony
108 Fried fare often served with marinara
110 Discards from fuzzy fruits 115 Blade runner?
117 Reassurance after bandaging a boo-boo
118 Till bills
119 Actress Richards of ‘‘Starship Troopers’’ 120 Felt absolutely determined about
Betting site’s quote
Catch in the act
Florentine artist known for frescoes
‘‘The Jetsons’’ boy
It’s one thing after another
Have as food, formally
Former Maine senator Olympia with an apt name for her state
Taste or touch
54 Light to stop at
55 Like the best bonds, perhaps
58 Primps
59 Slow, musically
63 Brit’s jolly cry of approval
64 Lacking a knack for
65 Zola who wrote ‘‘J’Accuse …!’’
66 Critic’s common seating preference
67 Lets go of
68 Some green cars
69 -
70 Hawkeye’s real first name in the ‘‘Avengers’’ movies
72 Smile
73 Bamboozled
75 Boxer Roberto who fought Sugar Ray Leonard
76 Chimp’s cousin
78 Attach, with ‘‘on’’
79 Attach, with ‘‘on’’
80 Cote quote?
122 Like the typefaces Helvetica and Arial
1 Cornrow or challah feature
Playwright Federico García ____
Like freshly poured concrete
Medical buildup of fluid
Verbally reacts to in awe
Links letters
Where Waterloo is
-
Something you might get a break with? 12 Composition of Catullus
81 ____ dog
84 Author Rice
86 ‘‘Agnus ____’’
87 Hopes that one might
88 Live, in a way
92 Girl who’s ‘‘sweet as apple cider,’’ per an old song
93 Admission
94 Tree with oblong yellow-green fruit
95 What’s on the fast track?
96 Navy group
97 -
99 Tiny bit
100 Bars of soap
101 Appliance brand owned by Whirlpool
102 Morning in Monaco
103 Word with French or bench
104 -
German soccer legend Manuel who innovated the ‘‘sweeperkeeper’’
107 Latvia, e.g., once: Abbr.
109 Drug sold in 77-Across
111 Compound found in marijuana, for short
112 Start of a bray or conclusion of a giggle
113 Sch. calendar abbr.
114 ‘‘____ be a pleasure’’
116 Call off
The structure at 200 Fifth St. in downtown Calumet, pictured above right, was built in 1905. It was commissioned by George Jacka, a business owner whose previous building on the site was destroyed by fire the prior year. The two-story structure, known as the Jacka Block, housed the Merchants and Miners Bank of Calumet and other businesses.
Photos provided by Superior View Studios, located in Art of Framing, 149 W. Washington St. Marquette viewsofthepast.com
The Jacka Block was occupied by the Merchants and Miners Bank of Calumet and its successor institutions from 1905 to 2007. A part of the Calumet National Historic Landmark District, it still houses commercial enterprises.
How indie filmmakers from the U.P. created ‘Green and Gold,’ an unlikely box-office hit feature
Homegrown cinema
By Jennifer Champagne
Dreaming of making films is one thing. Actually doing it is another. There are many obstacles to overcome: locking down a story, securing financial backing, casting the right talent, crewing up with professionals and executing filming, editing, sound mixing and color grading.
Then comes the gauntlet of distribution. A theatrical release remains elusive, and for filmmakers in rural America, the bar for “hard” is raised exponentially. They must import everything — crew, cast, gear, housing, catering — and still make a film that looks like it came from a multi-million-dollar studio. Accomplishing this on an independent budget is nearly impossible.
Impossible, however, is what Upper Peninsula natives Anders and Davin Lindwall have accomplished with their first feature film, “Green and Gold.”
The Lindwall brothers grew up in Iron River, far removed from Hollywood’s hustle. In the quiet wilderness, shaped by small-town values and their grandfather’s dairy farm, their storytelling roots took hold.
Anders, the director, always had a camera in hand, while Davin, the producer, honed his organizational instincts through early filmmaking projects. Together, they believed in turning dreams into reality.
They credit their creative drive to mentors like Lee Rometti, a retired film teacher who introduced them to film competitions through Business Professionals of America. The brothers thrived, taking their high school films to national competitions.
Anders and Davin’s filmmaking journey grew naturally from their small-town upbringing in Iron River and their complementary personalities, despite a six-year age gap. Raised by Ed and Sylvia Lindwall in a household grounded in faith, hard work and service, they were part of a large fam-
ily where being “of use” was expected — and modeled through their parents’ deep community involvement. That ethic shaped both brothers and their sisters, Erika and Krista, and continues to guide their work today.
Anders started making high school ski videos and dreamed of being a professional skier. When West Iron County High School didn’t offer a film class, he created an independent study with Rometti. “We were learning from scratch,” Rometti said. With help from an intermediate school district grant that provided cameras and Final Cut Pro software, Anders began editing and producing short films that gained attention. Rometti encouraged him to enter competitions, helping him qualify for nationals through BPA.
“Mr. Rometti helped me get into college, helped me apply for scholarships. I went to Azusa Pacific University in Los Angeles,” Anders said. “He didn’t pretend to be an expert — he just said yes and figured it out with
us. That kind of support, especially in a small town, means everything.”
Davin echoed that sentiment: “Mr. Rometti didn’t have to do any of it. He wasn’t a film guy, but he saw something in Anders — and eventually in me — and just kept encouraging us.”
At university, Anders studied narrative film. There, he found that hard work and authenticity could go just as far as connections. After graduation, he worked in a cherry factory in Northern California, carving out a path through university gigs and nonprofit videos. “I convinced my university to hire me for a few commercials,” he said.
Davin followed a different route. Though he initially attended college, he leaned into the self-taught, hustle-heavy side of filmmaking. Immersing himself in the L.A. production world, he built his career through sheer persistence and strategic thinking, often described as “lawyerlike” in his objectivity and deal-making instincts.
Actor Craig T. Nelson, left, and director Anders Lindwall discuss a scene while filming “Green and Gold” in Door County, Wisconsin. (Photo courtesy of Russ Fraser)
The Lindwall brothers’ foundation was forged in Bible study, business club and community activities focused on service. Their cultural and spiritual grounding made their partnership seamless. Anders described their working relationship as one of deep trust and “secret language” shorthand. “I know exactly what he needs,” Davin said. “I know exactly what he’s thinking.”
Alex Ralston, a close friend and fellow Iron River native, recalled how faith played a foundational role in his connection with the Lindwalls — though he was part of the next wave. “I’m about nine years younger than
Anders and a few years younger than Davin,” he said. “My older brother was in the same grade as Davin, so I kind of came in behind them.”
Ralston entered the circle through church. “When you get into high school, all the high schoolers are together in the same youth group,” he said. “That same year, Anders came back to Iron River and helped our youth group as one of our leaders. It was really cool to spend time with him on more of a spiritual hangout level. We were church friends, camp friends — and then we realized we all had this creative spark. We’d come up with ideas and build them out together.”
This poster promoted the theatrical release of “Green and Gold” in January. The film ranked No. 1 in Thomas Theatre Group’s venues. (Image courtesy of Childe)
That spirit of collaboration evolved into Childe — a global production company with roots in Southern California and Colorado. While Childe runs commercial campaigns worldwide, its foundation is grounded in the values the brothers grew up with — integrity, storytelling and a connection to place. A decade later, the once-aspiring filmmakers have grown into husbands, fathers and business owners — juggling family life and creative ambition with the same humility that shaped their beginnings.
Their transition into filmmaking was never about chasing Hollywood dreams. It was about honoring the stories, values and people of the Upper Peninsula — something they’ve done masterfully with “Green and Gold.”
That small-town grit stayed with them, and when they set out to make their first feature, they didn’t wait for permission. They developed the story, turned down a studio offer in order to preserve creative control and launched into preproduction. But like many independent projects, the pandemic brought everything to a standstill. Originally slated to shoot before COVID-19, the film had to be pushed back and restructured.
“Green and Gold” draws directly from the Lindwalls’ background, capturing the quiet struggles and emotional complexity of rural life. Set on Midwestern farmland, the story follows Jenny, a young woman torn between family obligation and personal ambition. Madison Lawlor (“Juniper”) plays the role with grit and vulnerability. Craig T. Nelson (“Parenthood,” “Coach”) signed on early, bringing depth that anchors the film’s emotional core. He’s joined by Brandon Sklenar (“It Ends With Us,” “1923”), Annabel Armour (“Contagion”) and the late M. Emmet Walsh, who gives a moving final performance. Featuring music by Jackson Browne and S. Carey, the film steers clear of nostalgia and instead offers a clear-eyed look at the steadfastness embedded in rural communities.
Lawlor praised her experience working with the Lindwalls on “Green and Gold,” calling it emotionally grounded and fulfilling. “They’re incredible,” she said. “They’re just such good people.” She noted their deep respect for the people and places featured in the film. “They have so much respect for Wisconsin, where we filmed — for the real farms and the people we filmed with.”
One of the most powerful scenes — a quiet exchange in the barn between Jenny and her grandfather Buck — evolved just days before
shooting when Nelson called to say he had rewritten the moment. “He called us the day before and was like, ‘Guys, I rewrote this. … I think it’s right,’” Davin said.
Anders added, “He could have easily just said, ‘Hey man, I’m going to write this,’ but instead he called and asked gently if I’d been thinking about changing it. And he made it better.”
Nelson said the change came from a place of emotional truth. “By the time we got to that scene in the barn, Buck had been through a lot,” Nelson said in an interview in late March. “There’s a moment earlier where he tries to talk to God in the field, and he’s unable to really express himself … . I remember telling Anders, ‘I’m not sure he knows how to pray.’ The words shouldn’t come easily. He’s stuck. We shot that scene a few different ways until we found one that worked. He finally found a small voice inside himself — a way to release some of what he’d been holding in. In the barn, he’s losing the one person he’s been able to relate to other than animals — his granddaughter. When I read that scene, I felt there was a deeper level he could reach. So I sat down one day, played with it and the words just came. I called Anders and read it to him. He responded positively, and we tried it on set. It worked. It felt true to Buck.”
Lawlor connected deeply with her
role as Jenny, drawing on her upbringing to shape the performance. “I grew up in South Dakota, surrounded by strong, stubborn women — so I understood Jenny,” she said. That perspective helped her tap into the emotional weight of a character torn between personal ambition and inherited responsibility. “There was this quiet strength I really wanted to bring to her,” Lawlor said. “She’s not loud about her struggle, but it’s always there.”
That quiet struggle resonated just as deeply with Nelson, who portrayed Jenny’s grandfather, a man shaped by generational hardship and emotional restraint.
“You start to realize the legacy your ancestors gave you — the values they instilled and the work ethic they lived by,” he said. “Farming is a hard life. It takes resiliency and a belief system, and I think the film really brought that out.”
Nelson said stepping into the role of Buck came naturally, especially as a father, grandfather and great-grandfather himself. “When you’re the patriarch, there’s responsibility and accountability that comes with that,” he said. “The challenge is in trying to connect across generations — especially when you’ve lived through loss. Buck carries the guilt of losing a daughter, and it’s created a barrier between him and the people he loves.”
But indie filmmaking isn’t just about casting — it’s about execution. Determined to make their film look like it cost millions, the Lindwalls brought on cinematographer Russ Fraser, known for his work on Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo music videos.
“Green and Gold” marked Fraser’s first feature, and he approached it with both ambition and resourcefulness. He spent two weeks in Door County, Wisconsin — a few hours southeast of Iron River — developing a visual language rooted in nostalgia and naturalism.
“I knew what I wanted it to look like,” Fraser said. “After reading the script and spending some time with Anders, I really knew. … I wanted to create something I would be proud of in 20 years.”
To pull it off, Fraser leaned on his relationship with Panavision. “I came to them with nothing and was like, ‘Hey, this is my first feature endeavor.’ They listened.” The team shot on ARRI Alexa Minis paired with a full set of Primo Anamorphic lenses and one prized 40mm C-Series lens — the same kind used on “Star Wars” — shipped from London. “We probably shot half the movie on that one lens,” he said.
The physical demands of the shoot were intense. “We were in the mud … on dairy farms … October … wind …
Director Anders Lindwall, left, and director of photography Russ Fraser set up a shot while filming “Green and Gold.” It was the first feature film for both Lindwall and Fraser. (Photo courtesy of Russ Fraser)
cold,” Fraser said. A compact camera form factor and custom lookup tables
LUTs — helped him adapt, blending handheld shots for rawness with hard-mounted setups for balance and weight.
Still, early in the shoot, it was clear that a second camera would be essential to capturing the film’s visual scope — something the budget didn’t allow for. That’s when Nelson stepped in.
Anders Lindwall recalled, “On Day 2, Craig was like, ‘Hey, Anders, come here. Where’s your other camera?’ I told him we only had one. He just looked at me and said, ‘This is gonna be hard, isn’t it?’ Then he said, ‘Take whatever you need. Go get yourself a second camera. Have your producers talk to my people, and we’ll figure it out.’”
Fraser confirmed the support: “Yeah, he paid for the additional rental.”
For Nelson, the decision was simple. “I loved the story and what they were trying to do and what they had envisioned,” he said. “I had the means, and when there was a need, it just felt like the right thing to do. You have too much to do, and you want to be able to have options. If you only have one camera, you’re stuck. You can’t always capture what you need, especially with a story where the environment itself is a character. The land, the setting — that’s the stage. You need the scope to tell the story properly, and, thank God, I did have
the ability to do something about that and help.”
The cinematic polish continued into post-production. Colorist Matt Osborne, who works with Company 3, handled the final grade. Osborne
— originally from England but now based in Los Angeles — brought over 15 years of experience to the project and a long-standing creative relationship with Fraser. “We grew up together doing music videos and commer-
Retired West Iron County High School teacher Lee Rometti, left, director Anders Lindwall, actor Craig T. Nelson and producer Davin Lindwall gather on the set of “Green and Gold.” (Photo courtesy of Lee Rometti)
cials,” Osborne said. “I always told him, when the time came, I’d love to do his first movie.”
Working in DaVinci Resolve, Osborne built on the LUTs Fraser had used on set and focused on enhancing what was already in the image. “Russ is very good at shooting beautiful skin tones,” Osborne said. “I always try to complement their images — not manipulate them into something they don’t want to be.”
The collaboration was rooted in mutual trust and a shared aesthetic. Fraser brought a textured, handheld style balanced with hard-mounted and stabilized setups. Osborne added scanned 35mm film grain, halation techniques and subtle golden tones — elements that gave “Green and Gold” its warm, organic look. “We wanted a look that was warm and inviting,” Osborne said, “with subtle golden tones, kind of a nod to the Green Bay Packers.”
Another key element in post-production was the extensive use of visual effects. VFX supervisor Matthew Gardocki and his Oklahoma Citybased team delivered 128 shots — an exceptional number for an indie film. Most of the work was invisible by design: digital screen replacements, environmental enhancements and period-authentic branding.
“We had to make sure it all felt real,” Gardocki said. One memorable sequence involved digitally adding snow to a field where a car breaks down. “It was supposed to be winter, but there was no snow. So we painted it in. Then we digitally added a bird landing on the car. That was all us.”
Gardocki’s studio used Adobe After Effects, Blackmagic Fusion and Blender for compositing and environmental effects. Screen replacements on CRT televisions were done using Mocha’s planar tracking system. “We wanted everything to feel grounded and authentic,” he said. “We never wanted the effects to stand out.” The VFX team also created new branding assets after the production wrapped, when Culver’s joined as a sponsor. A Culver’s burger box bouncing on a dashboard was added entirely in post.
While the film’s visual effects were subtle and seamless, its soundscape was just as thoughtfully constructed. Like much of the production, the music came together without traditional industry infrastructure: no music supervisor, no high-powered licensing team, just hustle, heart and a little Midwest hospitality.
One of the film’s biggest musical “gets” came through an unexpected relationship. “We reached out to Jackson Browne because he had a Door
County connection,” Anders Lindwall said. “He ended up taking a call from Davin, and they just hit it off — chatting about surfing and life. He gave us permission to use his music, no strings attached. It was all built on kindness and knocking on doors.”
The result is a soundtrack that blends effortlessly with the story’s emotional undercurrents.
Nelson praised the film’s subtle score by composer Corey Martin, noting how it crept in almost unnoticed. “I thought the music in the film was extraordinary,” he said. “I didn’t even realize I was listening to a soundtrack until halfway through. I was really captivated by the subtlety of it. I’m not just talking about the featured songs, but underneath the film there is this quiet, quite extraordinary score. When I realized what I was listening to, I thought, ‘My gosh, it’s so important to have that. It’s such a wonder.’ That’s one of the beauties of this little movie.”
All of this was done on an independent budget — a shoestring by Hollywood standards.
The turning point for “Green and Gold” came when two major Midwest institutions stepped in — with critical brand support that elevated the film’s visibility.
Justin Wolf, director of corporate partnership sales and activations for the Green Bay Packers, saw early materials and recognized how closely the film matched the team’s values. “We know a large contingent of our fan base is represented through folks who are on family farms,” Wolf said. “It felt close to our DNA.” While the Packers didn’t contribute financially, they offered in-kind marketing support that amplified the film through their channels.
Around the same time, Anders Lindwall connected with Alison Demmer, public relations manager for Culver’s, who recognized that “Green and Gold” aligned perfectly with the company’s values. “We saw a lot of the connections within the movie ring true to what Culver’s believes in — support of agriculture and the values of community,” Demmer said. “That’s why we wanted to be a part of it.”
Through Culver’s Thank You Farmers Project, the company provided valuable branding integration and a much-needed infusion to support marketing collaboration that significantly boosted awareness and reach for the film. “We put a lot of time into supporting the National FFA Organization,” said Demmer, referring to a group previously known as Future Farmers of America. “We want people
to know where their food comes from and why agriculture matters.” With the support of Culver’s, alongside the Packers, “Green and Gold” was able to break through the indie noise and reach audiences across the region.
Once completed, “Green and Gold” faced the uphill climb of distribution. Released through Fathom Events, the film opened in nearly 1,000 theaters for a limited one-week run. Afterward, that number was reduced to about 200 theaters across select markets, including parts of the Midwest, Florida, Arizona and Colorado.
In most areas, the film was expected to fade quickly. But in the Thomas Theatre Group’s Upper Midwest circuit — located in the Upper Peninsula — something unexpected happened: The community showed up.
The film significantly outperformed expectations, running for about six weeks in Thomas venues. In Florida, many U.P. snowbirds rallied behind the film as well, helping extend its momentum beyond the region.
Fueled by grassroots social media campaigns and word of mouth, “Green and Gold” became the Thomas Theatre Group’s No. 1 film, an extraordinary achievement for a smalltown indie drama competing against Hollywood blockbusters.
“We promoted it on Facebook and Instagram, but really it was word of mouth,” said Jeff O’Neill, general manager of Thomas’ Marquette venue. “Seniors especially came out in full force. We even sold out an 85-seat house.” This groundswell extended the theatrical run and helped build
momentum for its upcoming digital release.
One compelling story from the production belongs to Ryan Piwarski, who interned with the Lindwalls as a teenager. As a student in Rometti’s film class, Piwarski shadowed Anders Lindwall throughout the shoot — not as a production assistant but as an authentic observer. He filmed behind-the-scenes footage and learned to manage a set with emotional intelligence and focus. “I was only 16 or 17, and I was treated like an equal,” Piwarski said. “I was shy at first, but one of Anders’ friends pulled me aside and gave me the confidence to step up. That changed everything.”
Piwarski’s experience is one thread in a broader pattern of mentorship and hometown investment. The Lindwall brothers stay connected to their roots in meaningful ways. Anders
has returned to speak with Rometti’s students, sharing his journey and reinforcing the message that small-town origins don’t limit big dreams.
Now 21, Piwarski runs his own film company in Atlanta and is in talks to collaborate again with the Lindwalls. “If there’s a class like Mr. Rometti’s out there, take it,” he said. “I wouldn’t be where I am now without that experience.” For him — and many others who crossed paths with the Lindwalls — “Green and Gold” wasn’t just a movie set. It was proof that where you’re from doesn’t define where you can go, especially when those ahead of you take the time to reach back.
Another example of small-town support comes from Anders and Davin’s sisters — Erika Sauter and Krista Chako. Erika organized the church choir scene in the film. She rallied volunteers from their community, many
of whom drove four hours one way to participate. The group spent the day waiting in a church basement, singing for just 30 minutes before making the long trek back home. And Krista not only provided emotional support but also babysitting services for her brothers, proving that sometimes all you need is a sibling to hold down the fort while you chase your dreams.
From a thousand-theater opening to a regionally extended run driven by word of mouth, the film proved that you don’t need millions to make something that connects.
Now, “Green and Gold” is heading to streaming. Beginning April 1, audiences nationwide will be able to watch the film on major platforms including Apple TV, Amazon Prime Video, Google Play and Fandango at Home.
What’s next for the Lindwalls? In addition to their commercial work, they’re already developing their next feature project, rooted once again in the cultural and emotional landscapes of the Midwest.
Their “Green and Gold” debut has proven one thing: “Impossible” doesn’t apply when you combine vision, talent and a community that believes in you.
MM
Jennifer Champagne tells stories about real people doing remarkable things — from film sets to the back roads of small-town America. Her work is fueled by curiosity, sincerity and more iced tea than she’d like to admit.
“Green and Gold” was filmed in Wisconsin. (Photo courtesy of Russ Fraser)
sporting life
Ishpeming native Dave Joseph is the man behind the microphone
The best seat in the house
By Jim LaJoie
When Dave Joseph climbs out of bed each morning, he can’t help but pinch himself.
Nearly three decades removed from getting his start in sports public address announcing, the Ishpeming native and 1992 Westwood High School graduate continues to live a boyhood dream that many aspiring sports aficionados could only hope to achieve.
“I’ll walk into the Delta Center [in Salt Lake City], and there are 16,000 people there,” Joseph said. “It’s a childhood dream. I’m a kid from Westwood High School in Ishpeming, and I find myself introducing people
like Wayne Gretzky, Snoop Dog and other famous people. I never expected it would turn out like this, and here I am, 25 years later. … It just blows my mind.”
Joseph, 50, has done PA announcing for collegiate, semi-pro and professional sports teams. He’s been the man behind the microphone for the Los Angeles Kings and the Utah Hockey Club in the NHL, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tampa Bay Rays in Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Galaxy in MLS, UCLA football and basketball and USC baseball.
In addition, Joseph had the opportunity to announce the 2023 NCAA Frozen Four at Amalie Arena in Tampa. And it’s believed he’s the only
person to call the all-star game for the nation’s top three major professional hockey leagues (NHL, AHL and ECHL).
Oh, he also has appeared twice on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC.
A small-town kid with a big-time dream. Hope blossomed into reality.
“I never had that dream to do playby-play, but I wanted to do broadcasting,” said Joseph, who played defense on a club hockey team at Hofstra University on Long Island, New York, following high school graduation. There, he captained the team in his senior season before being an assistant coach for one season, followed by two more as the head coach.
“I knew I wasn’t good enough to
play hockey, and I knew I wasn’t playing major league baseball with an 80 miles-per-hour fastball,” he said. “Yet, I wanted something sports related.”
At Hofstra, a renowned university with a top-flight broadcasting department, Joseph majored in communications, minored in English and began chasing that dream. Yet, like a lot of aspiring young professionals, he faced rejection in a number of areas. But perseverance and hard work ultimately paid off.
While still a student at Hofstra, he was hired at WBLI, where he worked as a DJ.
“After college, I was doing some sports updates for an ESPN Radio sta-
Dave Joseph has been featured twice on ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” In this appearance, he introduced a group of new U.S. citizens in the style of an NHL announcer’s player introductions. At the time, he was the PA announcer for the Los Angeles Kings. (Photo courtesy of Dave Joseph)
tion in L.A.,” Joseph said. “They gave me a pass to an L.A. Kings hockey game, and I started talking to the playby-play guys. Then I started talking to the PA announcer, David Courtney, who also did the PA for the Los Angeles Clippers.
“He told me that he often had conflicts and couldn’t do the [Long Beach] Ice Dogs hockey games when the Kings were in town. And he told me there were times he couldn’t do the PA for the Kings. He said, ‘Do you want to do it?’ I said, ‘That would be fantastic.’”
Joseph filled in for Courtney once or twice and became his primary backup when the latter was unable to do a game. “That’s how it snowballed into a regular gig,” Joseph said. “At the time, that wasn’t my career goal. … I’m not sure what it was then, but it morphed into this.”
Courtney died in 2012, and Joseph became the full-time announcer for the Kings. Joseph had the honor of being the PA announcer during the team’s 2014 Stanley Cup season.
“That is by far the highlight of my career,” he said. “I got to say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, the Stanley Cup.’ I thought the roof in the Staples Center was going to blow off. I see this Cup, and all of this is happening right in front of me. The Cup has such a rich history and mystique. I was like, ‘Oh my God! This just happened!’”
Another highlight from his illustrious career was when he worked the PA for the L.A. Kings’ outdoor game at Dodger Stadium in 2014. “There were 56,000 people there. Before the game, I introduced KISS. And I got to introduce [legendary announcers] Vin Scully and Bob Miller. It was absolutely insane.”
Joseph has had his fair share of professional accomplishments. Yet, he manages to keep his feet humbly planted and knows that if not given the opportunity to work in radio at the
tender age of 16, he wouldn’t be sitting in the position he’s in now.
“Growing up,” he said, “Tom Mogush lived across the street from me.” At that time, Mogush was the color commentator for Northern Michigan University hockey on WMQT radio.
“My father, Larry, owned a supermarket, and I think he expected me to work there. I worked there for one or two days … didn’t like it, and I think I even threw a can of corn at my dad,”
Joseph recalled, laughing. “I was out cutting the grass one day, and when I stopped, I saw Tom.
“I asked him, ‘Can you get me a job at the radio station?’ He said yes. So, he introduced me to [DJ] Jim Koski, and that is how I got my foot in the door. They taught me everything. I started producing NMU hockey games, playing music, doing hockey trivia, doing news reports in the summer. … They just gave me this wonderful opportunity. If it wasn’t for
[Mogush], I don’t know where I’d be today.”
Mogush, now the Eagle Radio Marquette region general manager for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, said it was a no-brainer hiring the eager-to-learn, energetic Joseph.
“I actually wanted to hire Dave a year earlier,” Mogush said. “I believe he was 15 years old, but we weren’t allowed to hire him because of hiring rules at the time. So, I waited a year.
“I saw a young guy who had a burn in his belly to do anything to get his foot in the door. He was willing to do any job at the station if asked. He filled in for announcers during any shift of the day. If we needed someone to cover the U.P. track finals, he was there. He had self-motivation.”
What sets Joseph apart from other aspiring men and women who are exploring careers in sports, Mogush noted, is his willingness to grind.
“He was always prepared,” he said. “He had his listening ears on and respected the people who were trying to help him. He always felt it was important to take your first job and go to work. I’m really proud of Dave and what he has accomplished. I gave him an opportunity, and he ran with it.”
And the rest, it has often been said, is history.
In a profession that is often cutthroat and incredibly unkind at times, Joseph takes his craft very seriously. He understands he has one chance to get players’ names and pronunciations right. Every scoring play has to be flawlessly recapped. Being “off” is not an option.
“The day of a game,” Joseph said, “I spend a couple of hours in the morning going over the names, and I have to be sure I have it right for the opposition. I watch YouTube videos, find correct pronunciations online, watch NHL highlights.”
The toughest part of being a PA announcer? “I would say it is staying
Dave Joseph has been behind the microphone for the Stanley Cup Finals and the NCAA’s Frozen Four. (Photo courtesy of Dave Joseph)
healthy,” he said. “You can’t take your role for granted. If the PA announcer is not there, it’s different. Keeping my voice ready to go, along with my mind and body, is important. When I did the Kings games, I didn’t miss a game in eight years. I have always said, ‘I’ll be there.’ I used to be into tea [to keep his voice healthy], but now I’m really into warm water, and I try to stay hydrated all the time. I will go through four to six bottles of water before a game even starts. It’s a constant, and it works for me.”
Joseph and his wife, Carly, now make their home 30 minutes outside of Nashville. He has two exciting sports gigs and spends a great deal of time flying.
He’s the PA announcer for the NHL’s Utah Hockey Club — the former Phoenix Coyotes, who moved to Salt Lake City last summer.
In 2024, Joseph was the PA voice for the Nashville Sounds, the Milwaukee Brewers’ Triple-A team. But he was recently hired as the on-field host for the Salt Lake Bees, the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Angels.
“Announcing [the Utah Hockey
Club’s] first game this season, a new team that had so little time to put it all together, that was great,” he said.
“Everyone in the organization is so friendly and nice. It’s such an electric atmosphere. We won our first game, and I got to announce the first goal in club history.”
Joseph is thankful that his parents make their winter home a few miles from his own home in Nashville.
And he credits his wife for offering her full-fledged support for a career that often finds him sleeping more in out-of-town hotel rooms than at home.
“My wife is amazing. She’ll often ask, ‘What are you doing now? Who are you talking to now?’” he said about Carly, an accountant. “She’s a huge sports fan, and that really helps. My mom and dad live a couple of miles from us, and are always there for me when I need a ride to the airport. They are behind me 100 percent.”
Although he has done PA announcing for many sports, hockey, he said, stands alone.
“I love the pace of the game,” he said. “I just love being in the rink. When you see the ice, all shiny and
The NHL’s newest team, the Utah Hockey Club, announced the hiring of Dave Joseph with this graphic. (Image courtesy of the Utah Hockey Club)
In his career working at major sporting events, Dave Joseph has crossed paths with countless stars in the sports and entertainment industries, including NHL Hall of Fame player Wayne Gretzky, far left, and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich. (Photos courtesy of Dave Joseph)
bright … there is that crispness in the air. It’s special.”
When asked if he has any advice for aspiring young men and women who long for the opportunity to be a PA announcer, Joseph’s answer was a tad surprising yet incredibly truthful.
“Don’t do it,” he said, chuckling. “Seriously, it’s a tough business. Yes, I’m not digging trenches or working a manual labor job. In this business, there is a lot of training and failing. There are a bunch of rejections, and you have to be able to face all of that criticism. It’s not easy. This business is so subjective. If someone doesn’t like you, you’re not going to get the job, regardless of talent. Not everyone is Joe Buck.”
Mogush said Joseph “has never forgotten where he came from and the work ethic it took.”
Mogush added, “He told me how he went to apply for an internship at a New York radio station. They looked at his resume and the fact he was just 18 years old. … They couldn’t believe he had already done all that he had said. Then one of the people looking at the resume saw he was from the U.P., and said, ‘You’re hired!’”
Mogush fondly remembers when Joseph helped out WMQT radio with
an important player interview.
“When Justin Florek from Marquette and Northern Michigan University hockey was with the Boston Bruins on a road trip to Los Angeles, I called Dave to ask if he would grab an interview with Justin after the game that we could air on our ESPN ‘Sportspen’ talk show,” Mogush said. “Dave was doing the PA that night,
and Justin scored his first NHL goal. Dave did a great interview, sent it to us and we played it the next day with Justin’s dad listening to it in the Marquette studio.”
When asked if he has any career aspirations to put a stamp on a successful run, Joseph didn’t hesitate in responding: “I would love to do the Olympics at some point. They are in
Salt Lake City in 2032. And I would love to call the Super Bowl someday. That would be a bucket list.” MM
Jim LaJoie was a newspaper sports writer and sports editor from 1986 to 1996. He is an award-winning sports columnist for The U.P. Catholic. LaJoie lives with his family in Marquette.
lookout point
Shiras Planetarium due for its next upgrade Eyes on the skies
By Brad Gischia
On July 30, 1955, the United States declared its intent to the world to launch artificial satellites into space. The Soviet Union made a similar statement four days later. The Cold War Space Race had begun.
According to the American Presidency Project, the national defense budget was around $55 billion in 1965. That year, a portion of that budget came to the Upper Peninsula in the form of the Shiras Planetarium.
“We got it because of the National Defense Act,” said Scott Stobbelaar, planetarium director from 1973 to 2002. “The money for the instrument came from that, but we didn’t have a building.”
The Shiras Institute came forward and offered to fund the project. Created in 1937 by George Shiras III, the institute is an endowment to benefit the public in the fields of beautification, recreation and cultural activities in the City of Marquette.
The Shiras Planetarium was built into the side of Marquette Senior High School, where it remains to this day.
“I was a junior in high school when John Glenn went into orbit,” Stobbelaar said. “I was all about that.” Stobbelaar went on to start the Marquette Astronomical Society when he was a junior at Graveraet High School.
When he took over the job of director in 1973, the planetarium was pretty low tech. As you would expect in a 60-year run, there have been some advances.
“We had one slide projector and a tape recorder and a turntable,” Stobbelaar said. “In 1992, it was time to replace the original projector, which was failing.” At that time, the Shiras Planetarium was outfitted with a Minolta MS-8 Star Projector.
“The new one was very, very accurate in comparison,” Stobbelaar said. “It had a star ball for each hemisphere.”
Community leader Ellwood Mattson, who was in charge of fundraising, asked Stobbelaar if there was
anything else he needed.
“We were also able to install a laser disc projection system, zoom lens, slide projectors and an automation system,” Stobbelaar said. The new tech allowed him to program advanced shows with slides and sound all coming together.
“It took a lot of time to program, but it really jumped up our shows,” he said.
During that time, the planetarium was hosting field-trip groups from local schools as well as astronomy and science classes daily through Marquette Area Public Schools.
Stobbelaar was putting on shows for the public once a week, and the facility was open during the summer break. He was able to allow students to help with productions and remem-
bers a few that were popular annual events.
“We did ‘The War of the Worlds’ every October and a Christmas show in December,” he said. “The Christmas show was unique in the planetarium because you could move the planets around. The magi were astrologers. They saw the conjunction of two or three planets, and I could have the dial set and the planets would somewhat merge.”
When Stobbelaar retired in 2002, Chris Standerford was the next in the job.
“I was a pretty young teacher at the time,” said Standerford, who is now the director of the Seaborg Center at Northern Michigan University. “When Scott decided to retire, the district asked if I was willing to step into that role.”
That was 10 years after the installation of the MS-8.
“At that time, digital projectors that used a fish-eye lens were just being introduced,” Standerford said. “We were able to pair a fish-eye with the full-dome projector. They were the best star shows in the state.”
That renovation was completed in 2004 and served Standerford throughout his time as director.
“It was a learning experience,” he said. “I had to learn to use Adobe to make effects and program shows. We had to make sure that they looked right on the dome.”
Over his years, Standerford said he put on thousands of shows for students and the community and said one of his favorite things was being able to explain physics concepts in real time.
The Shiras Planetarium was outfitted with this Minolta MS-8 Star Projector in 1992. A new ZEISS Velvet Duo projection system is being installed this year. (Photo courtesy of the Shiras Planetarium)
“We could talk about light wavelengths, why we see color and then build small telescopes and use them in the dome,” Standerford said. The MS-8 had six objects that were invisible with the naked eye.
“You could go in there with a basic telescope and see those hidden details,” he said. “The students thought that was really cool.”
Standerford said with the lens and MS-8, he was able to put on shows that were more like movies.
“We had the ability to ‘fly’ towards a planet like Saturn, to go into the rings and see the individual particles of rock and ice and dust. The audiences were blown away,” he said. “It was like virtual reality for 30 people at the same time.”
In 2017, the Shiras Planetarium’s current director came on board. Rebecca LeBrecque is a Gwinn native who has been with MAPS for 15 years. She is also a Friends of the Shiras Planetarium board member.
“I was friends with the director, and she was transitioning to another position,” LeBrecque said. “I was running our ‘Maker’s Space,’ which involved a lot of fundraising, and the planetarium was facing some of the same project design and fundraising issues. She asked me if I would be interested in being director.”
As an earth science major, LeBrecque said she didn’t know a lot about astronomy, but her time at the Shiras has changed her. “It’s become a passion of mine,” she said.
The Shiras was again facing technical problems. The digital projector that Standerford had installed failed in 2015. Fortunately, the Minolta MS-8 was still around and functional. They continued to put on shows with the MS-8, but that machine is now two decades old. It was time for another upgrade.
The goal for the project was to raise $1 million.
Initial funding of $250,000 was secured from the State of Michigan in 2021, and an additional $250,000 was given by the Shiras Institute.
“Plans are moving forward,” LeBrecque said. “MAPS has been our partner in this, and because we’ve raised the majority of the money needed, they’re confident that we’ll raise the rest.”
In addition to the large donations, the Friends of the Shiras Planetarium has continued to raise funds, bringing its total to $818,000. Based on that total, the group was able to purchase the next big thing to hit the Shiras Planetarium since the fish-eye lens — a ZEISS Velvet Duo projection system.
The Shiras Planetarium’s first projector, a Spitz AP3, was in use for 28 years. (Photo courtesy of the Shiras Planetarium)
“There are only 30 Zeiss planetariums in the world,” LeBrecque said. “It will put us in elite company. There’s nothing better than this.”
LeBrecque explained it like this: A night sky on a television has a gray hue to it, and most projectors have that same gray hue. The ZEISS is the only projector that can create a jetblack background.
“This machine will remove all the other systems,” LeBrecque said. “It will show us both the current night sky and also be able to show movies. It will greatly expand what we’re able to do here. This gives us the ability to be a full-dome movie theater for Marquette.”
Stobbelaar said, “Back when I was doing it, a point of light projected after 15 feet was pretty fuzzy. The new one will be razor sharp, plus all the video and simulations. We have all these new pictures from Webb and Hubble that will excite people.”
LeBrecque said the new system will be able to show 360-degree films, either made by a studio or filmed on a student’s GoPro camera.
“The ZEISS is guaranteed to be serviceable for 10 years,” LeBrecque said. “But most facilities get a little longer than that.” After initial funds are secured, the Friends of the Planetarium will continue to fundraise to create an endowment so that they aren’t facing the same problem in the future.
“Most planetariums that have this system get at least five years past the projected 10,” LeBrecque said. “ZEISS created the first planetarium. They’re the pinnacle.”
While the Shiras Planetarium is physically connected to the school, it is a zero-fund facility. All shows are run with money made by the planetar-
ium, so the shutdown that is occurring for the remodel will also stop its revenue stream for a few months.
“We shut down in January,” LeBrecque said. “The old equipment [came] out in February, and renovations will start in early spring.” The planetarium will get some HVAC work done, new paint and carpeting, and rework things to accept the ZEISS, which will be installed by the company in June after school is out for summer. Then staff will come in to learn how to use the system.
LeBreque said the planetarium is scheduled to reopen in September.
The future of the Shiras Planetarium is filled with stars. LeBrecque said its importance for the community is in the space itself.
“I think it’s really important to preserve gathering spaces in the community,” she said, “places where we can enjoy technology together, without earbuds and looking at individual screens, places to have conversations and experiences together.”
Standerford added, “I hope that the level of sophistication and the quality of the project will spark a whole new area of excitement around astronomy and earth and space sciences. We’re fortunate to have the Shiras here. Every learning space has the unique ability to excite unique audiences. If this planetarium can excite a new
generation, that’s all I can hope for.”
Stobbelaar said the planetarium creates a different kind of experience.
“You can play ‘War of the Worlds’ at your house with the lights off,” he said. “But at the planetarium, the sound is so good, not only are your ears and eyes being used, but your emotions. You see it better and retain it longer when your emotions are engaged.”
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the Shiras Planetarium. Unfortunately, it will be closed for renovations for most of the year. But with a little help from the Marquette Area Historical Society, there will still be a celebration.
“In April, the historical society will have a display with a bunch of our old equipment,” LeBrecque said. “There will also be a discussion panel with former directors.”
“A Community Under the Stars: 60 Years of Shiras Planetarium” will kick off at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23, with a special panel discussion featuring past and present directors. Former planetarium equipment will be on display at the Marquette Regional History Center from mid-April through mid-May.
“It all boils down to opportunities to learn about the world and the universe we live in,” Standerford said. “It might influence what they want to
do with their lives, either as a hobby or professionally, even just a way of thinking about the universe. Without that facility, it’s nearly 200 miles to the next planetarium. That’s a huge opportunity desert in this area of study.”
Standerford is thankful for all the supporters — MAPS, the Shiras Institute, the Kaufman Foundation and all the private donations — and feels lucky to be a part of the planetarium’s evolution.
Stobbelaar agrees. “I feel very honored when I look back,” he said. “I had a physics and math degree, and I could have ended up teaching six hours of that a day. It wouldn’t have been as satisfying as the planetarium job for me.”
To continue to support the Shiras Planetarium and for updates on renovation progress, visit friendsofshirasplanetarium.org.
“I love this facility,” LeBrecque said. “I consider it my legacy, my gift to Marquette, and it’s something I’m going to continue to develop for the remainder of my career.”
MM
Brad Gischia is a writer and artist native to Upper Michigan. He has published two children’s books and done illustrations for both comic books and novels.
Throughout its 60-year history, the Shiras Planetarium in Marquette has welcomed students from across the Upper Peninsula. The nearest planetarium is about 200 miles away. (Photo courtesy of the Shiras Planetarium)
the arts
Small town, big shows Crystal Theatre continues to entertain
By Brad Gischia
Driving west into Crystal Falls will give a traveler one of the most picturesque views of a small town in the Upper Peninsula. Highway 69 crosses the Paint River into a corridor of turn-of-the-century buildings that have remained largely unchanged.
The Iron County Courthouse stands sentinel at the top of the hill. Three-quarters of the way up, on the right, is the illuminated marquee of the Crystal Theatre.
Originally built as a vaudeville theater named the Ejay in 1927, the facility quickly transitioned to a movie house when vaudeville petered out. As the Aldo Theatre, it operated through the 1970s and finally closed its doors in the early 1980s.
In most cases with a building of this kind in a small town, that would be the final nail in the coffin. What followed would most likely either be a wrecking ball or a slow decline into rubble.
Not so in Crystal Falls.
Cy Warmanen, a pastor and director of the Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp, saw something in the theater that was worth saving.
“He was one of the visionaries,” said Cy’s widow, Ruth Warmanen. Ruth, who is secretary of the Crystal Theatre Board, said Cy saw the Crystal as a place that could house play productions for the Forest Park High School drama club.
As the drama coach at Forest Park at the time, she held productions in the school gymnasium. “That was awful,” Warmanen said. Cy saw the Crystal as an opportunity to advance that program.
“He’d always been fascinated by old things, classic cars and classic places,” Warmanen said. “He had vision when it came to those things. He could look at it and see it as it would be once it was restored.”
One of the first things that happened with the theater’s resurrection was the purchase of a theater organ from the Green Bay area.
“Walter Karjewski found that or-
gan,” Warmanen said. “That was a big motivator as well. Between Cy and Walter, there was a lot of drive there.”
With the help of community volunteers, the theater was reopened in 1991 after a two-year renovation. Donations from an estate gift allowed the theater restoration committee to purchase the building next door, which was then incorporated into the whole of the complex. What is now known as “stage left” has become the ticketing office and concessions area.
“The community really saw the value of it,” Warmanen said.
Since then, Crystal Theatre organizers have been working to create great entertainment. Part of building that foundation involved the hiring of a full-time theater manager in the person of Kristin Underhill.
Three years ago, Underhill was working downstate at Hope College, where she was the executive assistant to the gallery director and chair of the Art and History Department.
Then a job opened up in Crystal Falls.
Underhill was ready for a change. Her daughter was graduating from high school and encouraged her to take the leap.
“She said, ‘I’m literally out of your
house in four years; take the job. It’s not going to wait.’ I upended my life, and here I am,” Underhill said.
“It’s different. I was working with 12 other faculty members, and now it’s myself, a nine-member board and a limited but dedicated number of volunteers. I haven’t run screaming from the building yet, so I’ll call that a win,” she joked, adding, “I love it.”
Underhill is not unaccustomed to the Upper Peninsula, having grown up in Norway.
As the only paid employee at the Crystal Theatre, Underhill is required to wear many hats. She earned a degree in technical theater, but beneath the hat of theater manager lie the hats of booking agent, volunteer coordinator and popcorn maker.
The Crystal Theatre strives to bring high-quality entertainment to the area. That kind of commitment takes a lot of time and effort.
“On any given event day, we need eight to 10 volunteers. And for large shows, like our ‘Legends’ concerts, we’ll need 18 to 20,” Underhill said. “That’s everything from concessions, ushers, playbills, the strike team, everything.”
The “Legends” series is an effort to bring big names to Crystal Falls.
Past performers in the series have included the likes of Crystal Gayle, Lee Greenwood, Peter Yarrow and Garrison Keillor.
The day of the event is only the culmination of the extensive work that goes into a show. Underhill begins sometimes over a year in advance, contacting acts and scheduling dates.
“When I’m looking at talent,” Underhill said, “the big ones are a year in advance.” She used the example of their choice for the “Legends” concert for 2025, the return of the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, who played the Crystal two years ago.
“I’ve been hustling for two years to make sure we’ve got this show,” Underhill said.
That work has paid dividends. On July 11, the Ozark Mountain Daredevils will stop at the Crystal Theatre on their final extensive tour.
“The fact that the Daredevils wanted to stop here on their final tour speaks leaps and bounds about us,” Underhill said. “When a group like that wants to come back and make us a part of history, that speaks to the level of the theater and the area as well.”
John Dillon, a founding member of the Daredevils, said the tour is going well so far. “We feel very fortunate
The Crystal Theatre in Crystal Falls began life as the Ejay in 1927. (Photo courtesy of the Crystal Theatre)
that people still want to come and hear what we have to say,” Dillon said.
He stressed that the band is not retiring. “Our last show of the tour is in November, but that is not our last show,” he said. “We’re still going to tour and record. We’re just not going to be doing 40 to 50 shows a year. That kind of travel takes a toll.”
He added that after 53 years in the music business, “We want to run through the finish line, not limp to it.”
That run will take them through Crystal Falls. “It’s a thrill to come to places like Crystal Falls,” Dillon said. “We’re more than likely not going to come back here. If you want to support us, and support this venue, this is your chance. Come and let us say thank you for letting us do this for so long.”
Over the years, the Daredevils have had the opportunity to play some pretty huge venues. “We’ve played the Grand Ole Opry a few times,” he said, “but that’s a 13-minute set. It’s a thrill, but it’s not really just your show.”
They’ve also played historic venues like The Troubadour, The Roxy and the National Mall during the Fourth of July.
But nothing could beat their opportunity to play the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. “That was the thrill of a lifetime,” Dillon said. “A bucket-list item. That place is special.”
Even with those performances in their memory banks, Dillon said the Ozark Mountain Daredevils have a special place in their hearts for small venues like the Crystal.
“We had a great experience there,” he said. “It was sold out. Hearing those words never gets old. Small theaters are intimate. It’s important as a performer to get feedback from
your audience. You want to get a feel for the crowd. You want to hear them laugh and joke and sing along with the lyrics. There’s nothing that gives us more energy than that.”
That kind of energy seems to be in everything the Crystal Theatre is doing.
Their “Gem of a Season” schedule for 2025 has eight official performances that show a wide musical variation, just what Underhill is hoping to achieve.
In addition to the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, there will be a tribute to ABBA, a blues revue featuring the Blooze Brothers and, hold onto your hats, Gen Xers, The Verve Pipe.
Underhill said of The Verve Pipe, “They’re releasing their first album in years and are doing a small-venue tour, and they reached out to us.” The band is scheduled to perform at 7 p.m. on May 17; fans are encouraged to secure tickets as soon as possible.
Also returning this summer is a week-long workshop put on by the Missoula Children’s Theatre, a traveling group that “empowers children and adults through theater education and performance to develop lifelong skills while enriching communities worldwide through live productions.”
“Students audition on Monday, and by Friday and Saturday they’re putting on a show,” Underhill said. “It’s amazing.”
Students from first through 12th grades are encouraged to audition. The workshop at the Crystal draws from the entire area, including Iron Mountain, Kingsford and Florence, Wisconsin. “It’s pretty much the only live theater experience some of these kids will get,” Underhill said.
The Crystal Theatre hopes to con-
The Verve Pipe, now on a tour of small venues, will appear at the Crystal Theatre on May 17. (Photo courtesy of the Crystal Theatre)
tinue expanding its offerings. “We’d like to look at doing local plays again,” Underhill said. “We’re not quite there yet, but that sort of thing comes with a whole different set of skills. It takes more time with rehearsals and casting, and it’s a lot more work than a onenight event.”
There are also plans to have a visit from the Pine Mountain Music Festival, showings of documentary films and the group Beethoven and Banjos. Underhill also wants to make sure she doesn’t burn out the people and equipment that are so important to the operation. “Every show takes a toll,” she said, “not only on volunteers but on equipment. It ages out and has to be replaced. If the equipment can’t be replaced, the caliber of shows will begin to drop off.”
Having a small-theater experience is different from the giant concert venues that people have become accustomed to. “Live music is better in a venue like this,” Underhill said. “The Crystal was built before stadium seating, so the floor is sloped. There is not a bad seat in the house. You can see over the tops of people’s heads.”
Dillon added, “A theater the size of the Crystal is one of our favorite places to play. You feel like you’re creating a personal experience. Your political leanings, your religions, your sexual preference, none of that matters when you go to a musical concert. You’re going to see that artist perform, and you leave that stuff outside. Live music is the most communal experience you can have.”
The Crystal Theatre has become a beacon for the arts in its area. “Some
people don’t know we exist,” Underhill said, “and to others it means the world. It’s important to keep the doors open, to keep the marquee lit, to keep everything in the forefront of people’s minds. Live and performing arts are important, not only to me but to everyone.”
Underhill said that in her short three years as theater manager there are more great memories than could be described here. She said some of her favorite times have been hanging around with the performers and after shows when a patron might pull her aside and say, “That was a really great show.”
“That’s why I do it,” Underhill said. “It’s a tough job, but I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t love it.”
At the end of all of the work, the Crystal Theatre is a testament to the community around it — not only those stalwart volunteers who work every show, but the support that is garnered from local businesses, grant writers and donors.
“The theater is a testament to the volunteers,” Warmanen said, “but also to the original vision.”
The vision of the early advocates has held true.
For information about upcoming shows and purchasing tickets, or to donate to the Crystal, go to thecrystaltheatre.org. In addition, the box office is open from 9 a.m. to noon CDT Monday through Friday.
Dillon said he has seen a lot of small theaters close in his 53 years touring the country, but many remain.
“There are more of them than you’d think,” he said. “There have been innovative people that have found ways to renovate and help maintain that
original experience. It’s important for people to support these theaters by buying tickets to their events. That’s the lifeblood for them.”
The Ozark Mountain Daredevils look forward to the night of music they’ll bring to Crystal Falls on July 11.
“The biggest thing for us is for the fans to know that we really do appreciate their support,” Dillon said. “We don’t take it for granted. This is a reciprocal tour. We want them to see us play, but we also want to thank them for the years of support.”
Underhill wouldn’t be anywhere else: “When I was drafting blueprints in college, I never would have thought, in a million years, that so many years later I’d be sitting in an historic venue going, ‘Yeah … I just shook hands with Garrison Keillor.’ But here I am. That was bananas. I feel very fortunate and blessed. … That seems so cliché when you say it … but when you’re in it, it’s the best way to explain it. This is the funnest job I’ve ever had.”
The vision that Cy Warmanen and friends had back in the late ’80s is continually bolstered by passion like this — from performers who pass through, from the volunteers and employees, from the board members, but most importantly from the people in the surrounding community who continue to buy tickets and donate to the Crystal Theatre.
MM
Brad Gischia is a writer and artist native to Upper Michigan. He has published two children’s books and done illustrations for comic books and novels.
Performers such as the Ozark Mountain Daredevils, scheduled to appear on July 11, appreciate the Crystal Theatre’s intimate setting, which allows for more audience interaction. (Photo courtesy of the Crystal Theatre)
the arts Worldwide watercolor
Kathleen Conover pursues her art around the globe
By Danielle Pemble
Picture this. You’re a teenage girl in your bedroom, journal in hand, dreaming about the future. You start to write a “bucket list.” One of the things on your list: “Become an airline stewardess.”
While master watercolor artist Kathleen Conover did not pursue that particular career in life, she has reflected on why she wrote it on her list so many years ago. It really wasn’t the job that she desired but the yearning to travel the world.
Little did teenage Kathleen know that her dreams would end up to be more than she could have imagined — using her gift of art and practicing it all over the globe.
“It’s worked out,” Conover said. “It’s funny; all of a sudden, here I am. I checked off all seven continents. I don’t think I could have ever imagined that as a teenager.”
Conover had a lot of alone time, being raised by a single working par-
When her camera malfunctioned in the cold of Antarctica, master watercolor artist Kathleen Conover of Marquette documented her trip with her sketchbook and paints. (Image courtesy of Kathleen Conover)
ent, and used it to create artwork from a young age. A native of Southern California, she followed her passion and studied undergraduate fine arts at San Diego State, finished her B.A. at the University of Washington and made her way to Marquette, where she earned her Master of Arts degree from Northern Michigan University.
“I’ve been in Marquette over 40 years,” Conover said. “It was quite the climate shock and took me a few years to toughen up. Faced with the option to move back to the West is when I realized that Marquette was the permanent home I wanted.
“Besides the wonderful people here, the beauty never fails to inspire me. I love painting the grand vista and scenery of Lake Superior, the iconic lighthouse in the cove, the historic iron ore dock, as well as details like the poppies that grace our gardens in early summer.”
High achieving yet grounded, Conover has been juried into more than 200 exhibitions, receiving national and international recognition for her watercolor paintings. She exhibits her work, juries exhibitions, gives demonstrations and teaches in-depth workshops worldwide.
According to her website, “Kathleen Conover’s current involvement in the growing international watercolor scene includes invitations to exhibit, judge and demonstrate in China, Turkey, France, Belgium, Thailand and Greece. She has been honored as one of the 40 international master watercolorists invited to exhibit at the first watercolor-exclusive museum in Qingdao, China, the ‘Birthplace of Watercolor.’ Global travel continues to influence her award-winning paintings and inspires her work toward her lifetime pursuit ‘… to be a better artist.’”
In 2023, Conover had the opportunity to visit Africa. She drew inspiration from the majestic landscape and animals of the Serengeti and the bustling beaches of Zanzibar. This year, she ticked off the very last continent on her list, the vast ice of Antarctica.
“I love seeing new things,” she said. “It’s to be inspired.”
While she usually comes home with 2,000 to 3,000 photos after traveling, her trip to Antarctica was a bit different. “My camera didn’t like the cold,” she said.
Her camera kept turning off, not able to withstand the bitter arctic temperatures. Despite the technical difficulties, she used her sketchbook and paints to document the icebergs, glaciers and mountains. She was especially surprised that the fragile environment was teeming with life. In
her paintings and sketches, you’ll find plenty of whales, seals, penguins and many types of birds.
“It was pure delight just to be painting for myself,” Conover said. “It’s just been sheer joy.”
Painting with the cool colors of the arctic landscape was joyful and particularly challenging. “The landscape is contrasting vistas of volcanic warm black, all shades of white, misty purples, straight-out-of-the-tube blues including icy turquoise mixed with a bit of green-gold,” she said. “It sounds so easy, with a limited palette, but so difficult to catch that ‘essence.’”
On Conover’s last couple of major trips, it has been refreshing and “selfish” to paint just for herself, but she also returns rejuvenated and ready to share and teach. “Right now, I depend heavily on my teaching, which is interesting because I come from a lot of teachers and I was not enthralled with the idea of teaching.”
But loving art the way she does, it doesn’t feel like teaching. “I feel like it’s sharing what I love with people who love it also,” she said.
years, painting and selling her work. She has showcased her art in other galleries, participated in art fairs, juried exhibitions and taught. “If you’re going to make a living as an artist, you do it all,” she said. “It might not be all at the same time, but you end up doing it all.”
As Conover has built her own style and a name for herself in the local and global communities, there is something to be said for building a lifetime of work that brings value to her as an artist. “That’s why I can get the teaching gigs,” she said. “It’s why I still do the competitions.”
Even now, Conover paints three times a week via webcam with six of her friends who are mature artists, from all over the country. “It keeps us doing our craft,” she said. “You have to keep doing it.”
Conover urges all artists to have their own community of artists that they do art with. The mutual encouragement, collaboration and discussing business aspects is helpful for her and her colleagues. Diana Magnuson of Marquette is one of the artists in Conover’s inner circle.
“The relationship among artists, especially art friends, is both deeply personal and professional, with shared encouragement and motivation through workshops, business, coffee chats,” Magnuson said. “Our three days a week ‘Happy Painters’ Zoom sessions are invaluable.”
At this stage in her career, Conover loves to help other people achieve their goals in art and to help them get where they want to be.
“It’s very rewarding,” she said. “I had no idea it would be this fun. I was told years ago that my love of art is the gift I was given. To teach is the gift I give back.”
As the world is constantly changing, so is art and the way we consume it. “There was a time when people bought expensive, original artwork,” she said. Selling original paintings is more difficult than it once was. Conover attributes this to a few factors.
“Our style of decoration has gone minimalist,” she said. “Our young people don’t want any clutter in their houses. The style of architecture has windows, windows, windows, big open spaces and not many walls, not much exhibit space.”
Another reason is the tight economy, she said, along with the fact that people have gotten more creative with their home design and decor.
Conover owned a gallery space on Presque Isle in Marquette for 25
Conover also remains active in the Lake Superior Art Association. The LSAA has invited Conover to give a talk at 7 p.m. on May 20 about travel sketching and turning those sketches into paintings. She will share sketches and paintings from her recent travels to Antarctica.
This summer, Conover’s work will be showcased at Zero Degrees Gallery in Marquette. And in 2026, she will have a solo exhibit at the Devos Art Museum at NMU.
For more information about Conover and to see examples of her work, visit kathleenconover.com.
“For most of us career artists, at some point we realize that we didn’t choose art. It chose us,” Conover said. “At this stage in my life, I feel like one of the very lucky souls that has been given the gift of being chosen.”
MM
Danielle Pemble was born and raised in the Keweenaw and graduated from NMU. She worked as a newspaper photo editor and staff writer and did freelance photography for The New York Times. She is now a full-time stay-at-home mom of three.
Kathleen Conover says, “If you’re going to make a living as an artist, you do it all.” (Photo courtesy of Kathleen Conover)
locals Beaumier Center looks at politics Exhibition was sparked
By Melissa Wentarmini
Nestled on the campus of Northern Michigan University, the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center invites visitors on a journey through the political history of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
“The Political Life,” a new exhibition running through June 28, seeks to illuminate the lives and legacies of the U.P.’s most influential politicians. Through a dynamic collection of artifacts, stories and photographs, the exhibit serves as both a tribute and an education on the political forces that shaped the region.
The idea for “The Political Life” was born in the classroom of Dr. Kathryn Johnson. Students were asked to come up with ideas for potential exhibits, and one suggestion was for a show focused on presidential visits to the U.P.
Dan Truckey, the director and curator of the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center, was fascinated by the idea. “I thought it was a really intriguing idea,” he said, “so I started delving into whether anything was there.” He soon discovered there was enough material for a small show but not enough to fill an entire exhibit. “So I expanded it,” he said, “to really looking at politics in general, in particular individual politicians from the U.P., as well as presidential visits.”
“The Political Life” is a comprehensive look at the U.P.’s political history. The exhibit features profiles of key figures, election statistics, historical backgrounds and even profiles of key places such as Mackinac Island and its draw to politicians. The exhibit also explores the unique role of the U.P. in state and national politics.
“The U.P. has voted the opposite of the rest of the country on a number of occasions,” Truckey said. “There have been issues that were important to the people of the U.P. that weren’t as important to the nation.”
The exhibit features profiles of key figures such as Dominic Jacobetti, “The Godfather of the U.P.”; Chase Osborn, the only Michigan governor from the U.P.; Connie Binsfeld, Mich-
by NMU student’s suggestion
igan’s first female lieutenant governor; state Sen. Joe Mack; and Cora Reynolds Anderson, the first woman and Native American to be elected to the Michigan House of Representatives. It also delves into presidential visits, showcasing the unique relationship between the nation’s leaders and this northernmost region of Michigan.
Jacobetti, a native of Negaunee,
was Michigan’s longest-serving state representative. He was a steadfast advocate for the mining industry and a powerhouse in Lansing, securing vital funding for the U.P. despite controversy over his political maneuvers. His ability to bridge partisan divides cemented his legacy as a pragmatic leader dedicated to the well-being of his constituents.
In his 40-year tenure, Jacobetti was perhaps most impactful in his role as chairman of the Appropriations Committee, allowing him to wield significant influence over the direction of revenue in the state. “He was very pugnacious,” Truckey said, “and he really learned how to battle for things, politically, in the trenches.”
Osborn, another towering figure, remains the only Michigan governor from the U.P. In his early years, he ran a newspaper and prospected for iron in Florence, Wisconsin, on the border near Iron Mountain. He later moved to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, where he ran another newspaper and began his involvement in politics.
Osborn’s tenure as governor from 1911 to 1913 was marked by progressive policies, including labor and taxation reforms. A curious detail about Osborn was his eccentric lifestyle in later years. He lived in a secluded home on Sugar Island in the St. Marys River between the Upper Peninsula and Ontario with his second wife, who was previously his adopted daughter. The exhibit also highlights Binsfeld, a Munising native who became a pioneering force in Michigan politics. As the state’s first female lieutenant governor, Binsfeld championed environmental protection and women’s and children’s rights. Her groundbreaking career paved the way for greater gender representation in state government. While serving in the state House and Senate, she was also instrumental in legislation that helped establish protections for Michigan’s Great Lakes shorelines, an issue that remains crucial to this day.
Presidential visits to the Upper Peninsula capture the interest of both young and old, and Truckey notes that the exhibit features stories from presidents, vice presidents and presidential candidates who have visited the U.P. Historical visits from Theodore Roosevelt, Dwight D. Eisenhower and William Howard Taft are intermingled with those from more recent visits from George H.W. Bush, George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Roosevelt, known for his robust campaigning style, visited twice in
State Rep. Dominic Jacobetti of Negaunee was a force in Michigan politics as the longtime chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. (Photo courtesy of Superior View)
1912 — first during his presidential run and later in a dramatic courtroom battle with George A. Newett, publisher of the Iron Ore, a newspaper based in Ishpeming. Roosevelt sued Newett for libel after the paper accused Roosevelt of getting “drunk … and not infrequently.”
In a nod to the unique voting behaviors of Upper Peninsula residents, Truckey noted that although Woodrow Wilson won the 1912 election, “The people of the U.P. voted overwhelmingly for Roosevelt, which may be because he came here and made the U.P. part of his whistle-stop [campaign] that year.”
Eisenhower was known to enjoy fishing in the U.P., particularly in the Keweenaw Peninsula. In fact, on the eve of D-Day in 1944, Eisenhower was photographed talking with a group of paratroopers. Though it was assumed to be a motivational speech, one of the men, Wally Strobel, later shared that Eisenhower, upon learning that Strobel was from Saginaw, Michigan, spent a few moments with
the men reminiscing about fishing in the state.
An intriguing story from the exhibit is that of Eisenhower’s secret fishing trip to the U.P. several months after he left the presidency. “He came up to Watersmeet to go fishing with his brothers,” Truckey said. “They went to the cabin and went fishing in the Sylvania wilderness together. It did make the news, but it kind of disappeared. I found reference to it and then did a deeper dive and found photographs of their trip here at the Eisenhower library.”
An endearing anecdote from Vice President George H.W. Bush’s trip to the Upper Peninsula in 1986 was shared by William Verrette. “He was very personable,” said Verrette, who co-chaired Bush’s visit to Iron Mountain. “He took the time to talk to people, and he really seemed to enjoy himself.”
While visiting with constituents at The Chippewa Club, Bush glanced out the window and noticed two young boys hiding in the bushes across the
“The Political Life” includes artifacts from Upper Peninsula politicians, like these displays featuring Charles Varnum and Connie Binsfeld. (Photo by Dan Truckey)
street. “He asked the Secret Service to bring them over,” Verrette said. “He talked to them for a few minutes and gave them each a presidential pin.”
Bush was also known to have so enjoyed his introduction to the famous Upper Peninsula pasty that he requested additional ones from the club’s baker to take onto Air Force Two with him.
Obama, who as president was invested in the wireless internet access revolution, visited Marquette in 2011 to recognize the WiMAX network, which provided high-speed wireless internet access across a large geographic area.
A White House press release at the time noted, “Marquette is an effective demonstration of how the President’s proposal to open up airwaves will spark new innovation, put people back to work, grow the economy and help America win the future.” While in Marquette, Obama ordered lunch and bought some candy at Donckers on West Washington Street.
Visitors to the exhibit will find a treasure trove of artifacts, many of which were in the NMU archives because so many politicians have donated their collections to the university.
“We have this great resource of all these materials,” Truckey said. “I knew we had a lot of stuff that we could put on display in addition to the stories we were telling.”
However, curating “The Political Life” did come with some challenges, including the difficulty of getting responses from presidential libraries.
In addition, Truckey was unable to secure one particularly elusive artifact, despite his best efforts. Mack, the longtime state senator from Ironwood, was known for wearing blazers that matched his colorful and controversial personality. “I wanted to get one of Joe Mack’s famous checkered blazers that he always wore,” Truckey said, “but his son doesn’t have any or know where they went.”
Staff and NMU students assisted in researching and assembling the exhibit. One student researched and compiled election results from each county from the 1840s through the last election and analyzed how the U.P. has voted. Truckey credited the student with compiling a thorough database of the information. “It was a lot of crunching numbers, but she did a really great job with it,” he said. “We had some interesting conversations about what the numbers meant in each particular election.”
“The Political Life” is an invitation to explore the rich political history of the Upper Peninsula through the legacy of its legislators and political visitors and how it continues to shape the region today. MM
Melissa Wentarmini is a writer based in Iron Mountain with a focus on storytelling that highlights local communities, history and human connections. An avid runner and cyclist, she is actively engaged in her community and enjoys time with her family as a wife and mother.
“The Political Life” runs through June 28 at the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University. (Photo by Dan Truckey)
the arts
Jessica Fiala returns to Marquette with Ragamala Dance Company
‘This is not an easy art
By Jennifer Donovan
Bharatanatyam is a classical South Indian dance form, reflecting Hindu and Jain religious traditions. So what is a woman from Marquette, of primarily Czech, German and Dutch ancestry, doing dancing Bharatanatyam for a living?
For Jessica Fiala, who dances with the Ragamala Dance Company based in Minneapolis, it’s a way to express herself in traditional movement while connecting with people and exploring issues that confront us today.
“Bharatanatyam combines psychological, physical and emotional layers with musicality and an attention to space and audience,” Fiala said. “But beyond the form itself, I was particularly drawn to Ranee and Aparna’s artistic voices.”
Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy are mother-and-daughter founders and artistic directors of the dance company. “They simultaneously dive deep into research and collaborate across forms to create multimedia worlds onstage,” Fiala said.
Working with the Ragamala Dance Company has also given Fiala opportunities to connect with dance audiences and broader dance communities through programming and workshops that foster conversations on topics such as immigration, spirituality and contemporary Bharatanatyam.
“As a dancer of non-Indian descent,” Fiala said, “these types of experiences provide opportunities to examine and situate my own practice within intertwined elements of history, privilege and international dance networks.”
She has been with the Ragamala Dance Company since 2005, when she successfully passed an audition. She started studying with Ranee Ramaswamy in 2006.
“I was impressed with her commitment to learning Bharatanatyam,” Ramaswamy said. “This is not an easy art form. We always say that it takes a lifetime to just dip a toe into the ocean of knowledge that is Bharatanatyam. Jessica is a voracious learner. She is an academic and loves research and
form’
She is also an independent scholar whose research focuses on intersections of the body, space and identity.
Fiala moved to Minneapolis in 1998 to attend the University of Minnesota. She’s lived there ever since, except for one year that she spent studying in Paris. “But I still consider Marquette my hometown,” she said.
Camilla Mingay was Fiala’s best friend through high school. They met in French class during their freshman year. “Jess was the best tap dancer in her class,” Mingay said.
When they became friends in school, Mingay asked Fiala to work with her at her parents’ store, Second Skin Shop in Marquette. “Since it’s a dance apparel shop, you want employees with great customer service skills who are knowledgeable about dance,” Mingay said. She said Fiala met both requirements: “Jess was intelligent, extremely talented and caring.”
finding deeper layers of meaning in works of art. I am always impressed with her desire to learn about the culture and find sources of inspiration behind movement. I think that genuine love of our dance lineage shines through when she dances. You know that she is doing something she loves and wants to continue to learn about.”
Ramaswamy can’t envision the dance company’s future without Fiala in it. “She has shown her commitment to Ragamala, and I hope she stays for a long, long time,” the artistic director said.
How did it happen?
Fiala’s military family moved to Marquette when the dancer was in seventh grade. She was already dancing, having started ballet lessons when she was 6.
“I quickly shifted over to tap,” she said. “Rhythm tap was my base grow-
ing up, but over the years I also studied clogging, jazz, ballet and modern dance. Modern dance became more central to my dance practice during college, alongside my continued study of rhythm tap.”
She became acquainted with Bharatanatyam near the end of her undergraduate years, when she had the opportunity to work with some choreographers who blended Bharatanatyam and different forms of modern dance, jazz and theater.
Alongside her work as a dancer, Fiala has been a research associate at the consulting firm called Bridges Workshop since 2012. Her projects have included research and analysis, writing and editing, workshop development, program evaluation and project management. “This work offers another vantage point on the arts and culture sector, as well as another avenue for continued learning,” she said.
Mingay added, “I always thought Jess would end up in a tap dance company. So initially I was surprised when she joined Ragamala Dance Company, which focuses on classical Indian dance. However, once I saw her perform and met other members of the company, it all made sense. I could see her tap skills come to life in the rhythmic footwork, and all the dancers are full of grace and kindness on and off stage.”
Ragamala also offers workshops and classes. That suits Fiala perfectly. “Ever since high school, Jess has always been involved with community outreach,” Mingay said. “Jess was concerned about the environment, so she organized a group of us to perform a piece inspired by Dr. Seuss’s book, ‘The Lorax,’ and teach kids about Reduce, Reuse, Recycle at local elementary schools.”
Ragamala’s workshops and classes enable her to fulfill that commitment to community outreach.
Although Mingay still lives in Marquette, running Second Skin Shop, she and Fiala have kept in touch over the years. “Any time we are in the same town, we always try to visit each other,” Mingay said.
Marquette Senior High School graduate Jessica Fiala returns to her hometown this month to perform with the Ragamala Dance Company of Minneapolis. (Photo courtesy of the Ragamala Dance Company)
Ragamala Dance Company
Founded by Ranee Ramaswamy in Minneapolis/St. Paul in 1992, Ragamala is led by Ranee and her daughters, Aparna and Ashwini Ramaswamy. Ranee serves as artistic director, while Aparna is executive artistic director. Ashwini is the choreographic associate.
Rooted in South Indian classical dance, Ragamala employs a collaborative approach involving a variety of artists who bridge dance, spiritual practice and activism.
The Ramaswamys draw from both their Bharatanatyam lineage and their personal lived experiences as immigrants in America, using myth and embodied ritual as keys to understanding our present world. Believing that Bharatanatyam is a dynamic, living tradition, they are revolutionizing the dance form by examining contemporary issues such as sustainability, connectivity, resilience and the effects of technology on our society, through the lens of ancient texts, myths and philosophy that have been passed down through generations.
Bharatanatyam originated in Tamil Nadu, India. It focuses on graceful body movements and gestures called mudras, particularly hand gestures, leg movement and the facial expressions of the dancers. Lord Shiva is considered the god of this dance form.
“Bharatanatyam is known for its grace, purity, tenderness and sculpturesque poses,” Ranee Ramaswamy said.
The dance company has performed extensively throughout the United
States, India and elsewhere, including at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates and the National Centre for Performing Arts in Mumbai, India.
Coming to dance in Marquette
In addition to running Second Skin Shop, Mingay books performances in Marquette. She brought the Ragamala Dance Company to Marquette for the Blueberry Dance Festival in 2018, where Fiala performed a solo and taught a workshop in Bharatanatyam. “The audience loved watching her perform and taking her class,” Mingay said.
She’s bringing Ragamala back
again this month. On April 8, the dancers will conduct a Bharatanatyam workshop, and the following day, they will give a public performance. Both events are scheduled for Kaufman Auditorium.
The company will also perform at schools in the Marquette area as part of the Kaufman Lyceum Series, an annual series of performances and events.
“I think it’s important that kids growing up in a small town can see what others just like them have been able to accomplish after graduating,” Mingay said. “I was looking for a performing arts company of high caliber that included educational outreach
and was different than what Marquette currently has to offer.” The Ragmala Dance Company fits the bill.
Tickets for the workshop cost $10 cash or check at Kaufman Auditorium. All ages are welcome. Performance tickets are available through NMU Ticketing at 906-227-1032 or tickets.nmu.edu.
MM
Jennifer Donovan is a freelance writer based in Houghton. She has decades of experience as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer and university communications specialist, most recently as director of news and information at Michigan Tech.
The Ragamala Dance Company features a classical Indian dance form. (Photo courtesy of the Ragamala Dance Company)
in the outdoors
The magic of bubbles
Story and photos by Scot Stewart
“If you look at the soap bubbles in the sink when you’re doing dishes, you’ll see the incredible diversity of shapes in there. There are cubes in there; there are decahedrons and tetrahedrons; there are odd, irregular shapes without names, you know.”
—Tom Noddy aka Tom McAllister
Wondering how to add some color to brighten up a cloudy day? Spectacular color flashes may be no farther away than the kitchen sink. As the soap bubbles pop up in the dishwater, it is worth taking a closer look.
Soap bubbles form as two thin layers of soap sandwich a thin layer of water, encasing a spherical mass of air. Soap is a mixture containing a long chain of carbons in a fatty acid reacting with a strong base like potash or lye (sodium hydroxide).
The process of combining fats with alkaline bases is called saponification. Accidental mixing of animal fats with wood ash that had been combined with water to produce potash probably led to early discoveries of soap and could have occurred as animals
were processed for hides, meat and rendered fats called tallow. It might have come while making leather jack-
ets after eating dinner. The discovery of soap in its earliest form probably dates back to prehistor-
ic times. Signs of soap use date more than 4,800 years ago to ancient Babylon, where the primary purpose was
Soap bubbles in dishwater showcase a spectrum of colors. (Photo by Scot Stewart)
to clean wool and textiles. Egyptians mention soap in papyrus scrolls more than 3,000 years ago being used with clothing and in medicine.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, the knowledge of soap making disappeared and cleanliness was discouraged across Europe and parts of Asia. In the 1600s, personal hygiene finally got a foothold again in Europe.
While ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans all had traditions connecting floral arrangements with brides and marriage ceremonies, flowers played an even larger role during the Dark Ages as the flowers’ fragrance often helped shroud unpleasant body odor. Later, boiling wood ash in brine brought on the discovery of solid soap and led to bars for personal washing and greater ease in staying clean.
Phosphorus has also been used in soap products like laundry detergent. Soap formula experiments look at ways to clean better and produce more effective suds (bubbles) that can enhance cleaning powers.
Unfortunately, products containing phosphorus were eventually identified as a major cause of pollution problems. Once phosphorus enters the environment, it behaves as a fertilizer, stimulating algae growth in waterways. Algae decay reduces oxygen levels and can also produce toxins in water.
Soap bubbles are unbelievably thin. They are an entire science lesson in all they do. A stack of the filmy coverings from 10 bubbles would be the thickness of one human hair.
Soap molecules are long, with one end made from the fatty part of the mix. That end of the soap loves water (hydrophilic) and is attracted to the H2 part of the water molecules in the dishwater. The other end of the soap comes from the alkaline and pushes away from the water. In the sink, that part heads to the grease and dirt and starts to break it apart.
Back to the water-loving part of soap. Those ends are drawn to the hydrogen ends. They really like them, and some of the soapy ends will even push around water molecules to get to those places in the water — and that is the key to making bubbles.
As the soap pushes through, it causes the natural forces that hold water together; think about how raindrops bead up on a leaf or how water striders run across the surface of a pond or backwater of a creek. That force holding the water molecules together is called surface tension.
Soap lowers that surface tension, allowing water to stretch a little more. Pour some tap water into a glass, and the bubbles produced break almost
right away. The surface tension pulls the water in the bubbles back to the main body of liquid.
The other factor breaking up the fun with bubbles is evaporation. After bubbles of water form with those thin layers, just a bit of evaporation will weaken the bubble enough for it to break.
Enter the other role of soap: cutting surface tension and slowing evaporation. By surrounding water molecules on both sides in a flat state, evaporation of the water is slowed even more.
Notice the layers of soap and water are flat. Add air between two sandwiched layers and, presto, bubbles.
Now comes the fun part: adding the color.
When light shines on a bubble, some of it is reflected. Some of the light penetrates the bubble and is reflected back from the inside layer. If the same wavelengths of light are reflected back, the bubble may remain colorless. However, the amount of water in the bubble is ever changing due to evaporation. This thins the water layer in parts of the bubble, and gravity pulls the water down.
As that happens, varying wavelengths are reflected back from the bubble. Some of the color wavelengths are cancelled out as the wave-
lengths collide, deleting that color, and some are combined to enhance a color. Because the bubble is constantly changing, the colors are too.
The best part of the colors is the ever-changing variety of patterns and shades, swirling and twisting on the tops and sides of bubbles.
Thicker parts of the water layer tend to have more purples and violets. As the bubble gets older, shades of color get brighter and shift through reds, pinks, greens to oranges, then golds and yellows before they pop.
Smaller plain soap bubbles seem to contain patterns on the brighter or sunny side of the bubble with more distinctly shaped inclusions — tadpole- and tear-shaped forms writhing and swirling through the bands of colors like slow-moving snakes.
Larger bubbles are more likely to have distinct pink and green bands and can also act like a fisheye lens to capture surrounding scenes, including window frames, people and outside objects like trees and buildings.
“Anyone’s life truly lived consists of work, sunshine, exercise, soap, plenty of fresh air and a happy contented spirit.”
—Lillie Langtry
No one explained exactly what that soap reference actually meant, but there is certainly plenty of fun involving it.
These are frozen bubbles, blown outside on cold days. Ice crystals form inside the bubble skin. (Photos by Scot Stewart)
One of the tricks to extending the life of a bubble is to add another water-loving ingredient to the soapy water. Three favorites for bubble makers are sugar, corn syrup and glycerin. All are hydrophiles, and all thicken bubbles. They slow the evaporation of the water and lower its surface tension.
Bubbles can be blown much larger and can last a lot longer. There are a number of other formulas used to make really giant bubbles that include everything from cornstarch to baking soda, from J-Lube (used by veterinarians) to guar (a food additive), from polyethylene to surgical lube. Many of these contain long chemical chains called polymers, long molecules with repeating sequences.
Here is where the soap, work and happiness come together. They can create bubbles 10 feet long. Bubble fun doesn’t get much better than that.
At Emory University in Atlanta, scientists were intrigued by the creation of giant bubbles and began to wonder not only how they were able to stretch out as far as they did, but also what happened when they popped. What did that look like? It
was definitely more interesting and dramatic than anything that happened in the kitchen sink.
The Emory scientists measured the thickness of the bubbles’ film and molecular weight and determined the polymers are matted up and are responsible for helping the bubbles stretch.
The surface of this bubble, made with a special mix, reflects the sky and a tree.
(Photo by Scot Stewart)
They then compared the size of the molecules to the bubbles’ length to find a direct correlation between the molecule’s size and how far the bubble can stretch. They created bubbles 300 feet long — the length of a football field.
This information is now being used to develop additives to oil to find the best mix to move oil through pipes more efficiently.
“Bubbles are just a little liquid soap and a breath of air.”
—Tom Noddy aka Tom McAllister
When a string of bubbles is blown into the air, it can produce a wondrous joy watching them float gently off into the distance. It can generate a sense of freedom and carefree travel — being unsure as to where the bubbles will go or how long they last. It is part of the thrill felt by children and adults to see them take off.
Start blowing bubbles outside, and the presence and power of wind become clear immediately. To just blow them or pull them out of the solution mix makes the “flying” bubbles fun and a pleasure to watch. Try to make a stack of them or create a frozen bubble on a winter day, and it becomes immediately clear the wind is not a friend.
Floating bubbles rely on chemistry and physics. When blowing a bubble, the air filling it contains more carbon dioxide than the air in the wind. The added CO2 gas portion is lighter than the oxygen and nitrogen molecules,
so the bubbles are “lighter than air.”
Breath is also warmer than the air most days in most places, so that also makes bubbles lighter to help them sail on.
Bubbles also provide some mathematics lessons. Spheres are the most efficient containers. Whether filled with gas or liquid (or even beans in bean-bag chairs — remember them?), spheres contain the largest volume
with the smallest surface area. There is a science experiment where bubbles are blown in between two layers of cellophane with the bottom layer on a table and the top layer propped up and stretched above, parallel to the first layer. As the bubbles fill the space, they flatten and eventually take the shape of hexagons, like those in nature. Each touches just two other bubbles at any intersection, at
120-degree angles for greatest efficiency.
Bubble stacking is a really interesting way to see how groups of bubbles interact. Using a shallow medium-sized pan, bubbles can be blown slowly in until they fill the pan. Gently continuing to blow bubbles onto the first layer, new bubbles can be stacked in layers atop the older ones.
The stacking provides the chance
Ice on Lake Superior reveals bubbles and cracks. (Photo by Scot Stewart)
to see how bubbles interact and better illustrates their efficiency. The stacking starts to resemble similar natural patterns. Efficiency of flattened spheres in nature is shown in the shapes of corals as well as bees’ and wasps’ nests, with their many chambers nestled together.
Tom Noddy is the stage name of Tom McAllister, an entertainer who perfected bubble science and tricks. Popular in the 1980s, he appeared at science centers and math conventions and on night-time talk shows.
Using a mix of bubbles and smoke, he created cubes and other geometrical shapes of smoke inside bubbles; multiple bubble configurations like caterpillars and carousels; and polygons including an amazing tetradecagon, a 14-sided polygon, blowing the minds of 900 mathematicians at one conference when he did it publicly for the first time.
Recently, he has delved more deeply into math, placing bubbles on good old overhead projectors, showing the geometry of shapes, connections and
angles produced by conjoined bubbles.
The dean of bubble science is Eiffel Plasterer. He got his start in the 1940s after a career as a high school physics teacher in Indiana and made it to national prominence in the 1980s. He also appeared on late-night talk shows and other network shows. He performed 1,501 shows all told and even created a bubble he placed in a sealed jar that lasted over 300 days.
Since then, scientists in France created an even more endurable bubble with a special formula involving glycerol and plastics particles that lasted 465 days.
“What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul.”
—Yiddish proverb
Discovery and wonder often spur laughter. Soap can create a bubble and do something even more wonderful.
One of the greatest discoveries with bubbles is the miracle they can do out-
Bubbles in dishwater can add color to a cloudy day. (Photo by Scot Stewart)
side on a very cold day. Ideal days are below 15 degrees Fahrenheit with no wind and some touches of sun.
There are a number of great websites describing how to set up using bubble solutions with sugar, corn syrup and/or glycerin to strengthen the bubble. Using a straw, a medium-sized bubble can be blown on a relatively smooth surface (avoiding a surface that could break the bubble).
As the bubble cools, ice crystals, either star-shaped or fern-like, will begin growing inside the bubble. The colder it is, the faster they will grow.
For some, it appears like a real-life snow globe, eventually filled completely with ice.
Further experimentation involves watching or photographing the bubble from different angles to produce varying effects from the light. Early mornings often feature the least amount of wind and can add extra color with the warm reds, corals and oranges of the morning sun.
Some photographers have even produced images at night using lights with different colored filters. Warm clothes, patience and a comfortable
place to work are big helps in watching and taking pictures and movies.
“There’s something wrong with a mother who washes out a measuring cup with soap and water after she’s only measured water in it.”
—Erma Bombeck
So,a good start for a love affair with soap bubbles begins back at the kitchen sink. For those with dishwashers, try a different routine. It is a great place to contemplate the wonders of the universe and watch
some great nature shows at the same time. After a start there, the world of bubbles opens up all around — at the bottom of waterfalls, in a glass of milk, trapped in a sheet of ice. The bubbles in Lake Superior and other large lakes can be truly spectacular. Bubbles! Who knew?
MM
Scot Stewart is an educator, writer and photographer with an inherent love of the natural world. He is active with the MooseWood Nature Center at Presque Isle Park in Marquette.
Experimenting with hydrophiles such as sugar, corn syrup and glycerin can affect the thickness and color of bubbles. (Photos by Scot Stewart)
on campus
NMU’s experiential learning forest Woodland Park builds on university’s values
By Erin Elliott Bryan
“This land doesn’t belong to us. This land belongs to seven generations down the road. I pray that the water that we drink, the water that we swim in, will be there for our great-greatgreat-grandchildren. As well as all over the world. I pray that the land that we walk on, the trees that we enjoy, will be there for our generations to come. These things, they all come together with health. Health of humans. Health of the animals. And health of the Mother Earth.”
— Closing prayer by Okanagan Nation Elder Grouse Barnes, 2015 International Conference on Health Promoting Universities and Colleges
This spring, Northern Michigan University will relocate the Hoop House, its large greenhouse that serves as a collaborative learning space for students and community members, from its current location at the Jacobetti Complex to a new site adjacent to the Woodland Park Apartments.
There, the Hoop House will become the centerpiece of Woodland Park, a 20-acre “experiential learning forest” located one block from Tracy Avenue at the corner of Norwood and Neidhart avenues — just a short walk from the heart of campus.
The idea for Woodland Park came out of a strategic planning workshop that NMU hosted in October.
“It was an idea that really engaged all participants,” said Jes Thompson, NMU’s assistant vice president for sustainability and director of its Sustainability Hub for Innovation and Environment, or SHINE. “It’s 100 feet from the backdoor of the library and will be a place to learn about local food and ecosystems.”
Preliminary plans for the site include a focus on Indigenous foods, medicines, foraging and pollinator crops. It could also include space for a sensory garden, forest bathing, composting demonstrations, raised garden beds and more.
Interpretive paths and trails will educate visitors about culturally sig-
nificant foods and how to grow food in the local climate. Thompson said the project can offer learning opportunities for students, faculty and staff and community members.
“We’re here to create engagement,” Thompson said. “I don’t think anything is out of the question.”
The Woodland Park project has been identified as one of several strategies that will help NMU achieve the goals set forth in its strategic plan, known as “Our Compass,” which was announced in August 2024 in con-
junction with the university’s 125th anniversary.
The strategic plan is organized around three “grand challenges” that embody the elements of NMU’s mission, vision and core values: supporting people, partnering with place and realizing the potential of all students.
The first challenge, supporting people, states the “well-being of people, places and the planet are interconnected and integral to NMU’s educational mission.” It places significance
on NMU’s “commitment to honor and nurture the role of Indigenous perspectives and peoples locally and globally.”
“Our Compass” also embraces the Okanagan Charter: An International Charter for Health Promoting Universities and Colleges and its calls to action. The Okanagan Charter serves as a guide for educational institutions around the world to prioritize and enhance the health and well-being of students, faculty, staff and communities. It was first developed and endorsed at the International Conference on Health Promoting Universities and Colleges in the Okanagan region of British Columbia, Canada, in 2015.
NMU President Brock Tessman signed the charter on April 26, 2023.
“We sort of refer to the first strategy as our living-the-Okanagan-Charter strategy,” Rhea Dever, NMU’s vice president of people, culture and well-being, said at a university forum highlighting the strategic plan on Nov. 6, 2024. “This really speaks to how we embed the Okanagan Charter into all aspects of campus life.”
At the forum, Dever highlighted the Woodland Park project.
“We think about the work that we’re doing under the Okanagan Charter,” Dever said. “When we think about the work that we’re doing as it relates to equity, inclusion and diversity, when we think about sustainability, Indigenous perspectives, as well as high-impact practices, this is a project that has the opportunity really to sort of bring all of those together.
“I think it’s a pretty cool opportunity for us to take a plot of land and do something really, really meaningful with that.”
The project is also part of NMU’s goal of attaining carbon neutrality by 2050, the plan for which was adopted by the university’s board of trustees in December 2023. The plan aims to “embed sustainable values into all aspects of the university, including curriculum, operations and external partnerships.”
To further support these efforts, SHINE is hosting Anna Solberg as its MI Healthy Climate Corps climate
Northern Michigan University’s Hoop House will be moved from its current location at the Jacobetti Complex to Woodland Park, a 20-acre forest closer to the heart of campus. (Photo courtesy of Jes Thompson)
action coordinator through October. Solberg, a Negaunee native, earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and sustainability from NMU in 2015, followed by a master’s and doctorate in geography from Kent State University.
Solberg is working with Thompson on action items connected to carbon neutrality and sustainability, such as the recent Sustainability Summit on Feb. 18 and the Woodland Park project.
“The main focus of SHINE is how to make these goals a reality,” Solberg said. “We looked at where my experiences, strengths and interests are and how I can best help. NMU does a great job at engaging the community, and [Woodland Park] was one of those projects that really excited me.”
She said community members will be able to gather for events and education or to grow their own plants, providing an opportunity to supplement the rising cost of groceries. “I’m excited to see how people will gather at this space,” Solberg said. “It’s right here, on campus, in the neighborhood.”
Solberg said the project will also be a unique opportunity to engage students as well, both inside and outside of the classroom. “Students will be able to engage on their own time,” she said. “It will be an essential location that they can access easily.”
Thompson said SHINE will facilitate conversations with NMU facilities, academic departments and stu-
dent organizations to identify areas for research, classroom work and activities.
“I imagine a class walking out of a windowless room and being able to walk down the hill and into the trees. It’s like the water cooler of nature,” Thompson said. “So many programs can come together.”
The space can also support the work of Hoop House, which currently donates all of the produce grown there to NMU’s Food Pantry.
“You’ll be able to walk out to a space where food is being grown,” Thompson said. “I think about the seeds that will grow and spread there. There is nothing bad about growing food. It’s all good things.”
Thompson said the process will be gradual and acknowledged that the project is probably five years in the making. She said other ideas for the area could be brought forth as additional resources become available.
“By the fall of 2025, there will be a new zone starting to take shape,” Thompson said. “As the space evolves, we will see more of its potential.”
For information about the Woodland Park project or the work of SHINE, email shine@nmu.edu or visit nmu.edu/shine.
Erin Elliott Bryan grew up in Ishpeming and graduated from NMU. She is a freelance writer and an MM calendar editor.
Jes Thompson, left, NMU’s assistant vice president for sustainability, is working with Anna Solberg, right, on the Woodland Park project. Solberg is the climate action coordinator with MI Healthy Climate Corps. (Photo courtesy of Jes Thompson)
Summit will tackle questions concerning responsible recreation in the outdoors
An effort to shape the future
By Melissa Wentarmini
Outdoor industry leaders, business owners and community stakeholders will converge at Northern Michigan University’s Innovation Hall on May 16 for the inaugural U.P. Outdoor Summit.
This groundbreaking event aims to strengthen the central Upper Peninsula’s outdoor recreation economy by presenting the findings of two studies and fostering networking opportunities.
The lakes, rivers, streams, trails, shorelines, forests and hills are some of the greatest U.P. resources and can be potent economic drivers, and the summit aims to explore this idea. The gathering is spearheaded by the Outdoor Recreation Innovation Action Network, or ORIAN, which was formed in May 2024.
“The ORIAN U.P. Outdoor Sum-
mit marks a transformative moment for our region,” Innovate Marquette CEO Joe Thiel said. “We’re uniting community leaders, innovators and outdoor enthusiasts to help shape the future of responsible recreation. Through the presentation of our ORIAN initiative findings and the trail electrification study, we are establishing the groundwork for a more advanced, integrated outdoor experience — one that fosters longevity, progress and economic opportunity while maintaining the essence of our natural spaces.”
Facilitated by Phil Britton through the ORIAN Project, the summit represents the culmination of a year-long initiative funded by the Economic Development Administration to transform the outdoor recreation industry in the central Upper Peninsula.
Britton expressed his aspirations for potential outcomes of the summit:
The inaugural U.P. Outdoor Summit scheduled for May 16 will bring together community leaders, innovators and outdoor enthusiasts to discuss shaping the future of responsible recreation in the region. (Photo courtesy of ORIAN)
“The biggest one for me is just bringing the people together and trying to build those connections and conversations across different outdoor recreation sectors or interests. It does seem like there’s a lot of really good work happening around different activities, but not a whole lot intersecting them.”
ORIAN was formed in May 2024 to bring together a group of public and private outdoor recreation industry stakeholders to collaborate, share information and oversee the development of a growth strategy for outdoor recreation innovation in the central U.P.
One of the most anticipated presentations at the summit will be the Outdoor Recreation Industry Growth Strategy, developed by TIP Strategies, which offers advisory services and strategic planning for economic development. This study, conducted through industry roundtables and regional and national surveys, seeks to define a sustainable pathway for expanding outdoor recreation in the region.
“The idea behind [the study] is looking at recreation as an industry and what fits for this area here in the U.P., both from a manufacturing standpoint, a tourism standpoint, a product testing standpoint,” Britton said. “What makes the most sense here?”
The study also examines how different recreation sectors — such as biking, paddling, hunting and fishing — can work together to create a more unified and prosperous outdoor industry. “Hopefully,” Britton said, “this growth strategy will help build some of those bridges and also strengthen the committee overseeing these efforts.”
Through extensive research, TIP Strategies has also evaluated the challenges other similar regions have faced in expanding their outdoor recreation economies. The final strategy will act as a guide for local businesses, policymakers and outdoor organizations looking to grow the region’s reputation as a premier outdoor destination.
The second major study, led by a group called UPland, focuses on the feasibility of electrified trails in the region. A team of university students has been analyzing trail networks in the area to assess their potential for electric infrastructure such as charging stations, lighting, Wi-Fi access and trail monitoring.
“They’re going to be looking at different trail networks around the central U.P. seeing if there’s somewhere this is already happening. Are there some that are good candidates for pilots? Are there some that probably wouldn’t work at all?” Britton said. “It’s a unique opportunity to explore how technology can enhance outdoor recreation while maintaining sustainability and accessibility.”
Electrified trails have the potential to attract a broader audience, including those who rely on e-bikes or other forms of electric mobility. With improved accessibility, the region could become a model for integrating modern technology with traditional outdoor experiences.
Michigan’s outdoor recreation economy is a powerful force, generating nearly $13.9 billion in economic value in 2023. This sector supports about 118,000 jobs statewide and provides $6.4 billion in wages to employees.
Retail businesses play a critical role in the outdoor industry’s success, contributing an estimated $4.4 billion to the state’s economy. Nearly 30% of the total economic impact comes from retailers that
cater to outdoor enthusiasts, and these businesses collectively support nearly 48,000 jobs, with close to $2 billion in wages paid.
“As a local outdoor sports retailer, the summit will be a great opportunity for us to meet other local and regional businesses with similar backgrounds,” said Brandon Croney, owner of The Compound Ski and Board Shop. “It will be nice to share experiences and knowledge back and forth with other like-minded business owners and entrepreneurs.”
The summit’s agenda will feature presentations in the morning, including a keynote by Brad Garmon, director of the Michigan Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, as well as the research findings from TIP Strategies and UPland.
Garmon, who recently spent time in the U.P., recognizes the importance of collaborative events like the summit. “It’s not a competition,” he said. “Every region has assets and opportunities and ca-
pabilities. I’m hoping we get into thinking about asset mapping a little differently. What do we have instead of what don’t we have?”
Afternoon sessions will include open-format discussions on topics such as sustainability, accessibility, equity, inclusion and manufacturing in the outdoor recreation sector.
Mindy Meyers, executive director of the Dickinson Area Economic Development Alliance and ORIAN committee member, is eager to attend. “I look forward to attending the U.P. Outdoor Summit this year to see how other Upper Peninsula communities are utilizing outdoor recreation to market their communities,” she said. “The Dickinson area is an incredible example of how outdoor recreation can thrive.”
Networking opportunities will extend beyond structured discussions. Lunch breaks and informal gatherings will provide additional chances for at-
The central Upper Peninsula offers four seasons of outdoor recreation. One of the major events each winter is Michigan Ice Fest in Munising, which attracts about 1,000 people to the area. (Photo courtesy of ORIAN)
tendees to build relationships. “The best part about going to a conference isn’t always the sessions themselves, but the conversations you have in the hallway,” Britton said. An after-hours social event is also in the works, allowing participants to decompress and continue discussions in a relaxed setting.
The summit is not just about discussing ideas; it’s about driving real change. The funding for the initiative was directed at communities affected by the closure of coal-fired power plants with the goal of transitioning lost jobs into new industries.
By fostering a stronger outdoor recreation economy, the summit could pave the way for new business opportunities, increased tourism and improved quality of life for U.P. residents. “Being able to combine our voice in advocacy — whether for funding or policy discussions — is crucial,” Britton said. “If we’re talking to elected representatives or folks in Lansing, we want to be able to say, ‘We’re speaking as the U.P. across all these activities, and we’re moving in the same direction.’”
The hope is that stronger industry connections will not only boost economic growth but also lead to improved trail systems, better recreational facilities and increased visibility for the U.P. as a leading outdoor destination.
Chad Susott, president of the Dickinson Trail Network, highlighted the importance of regional collaboration in this effort: “By attending the summit, I hope to gain a regional perspective of projects and efforts currently happening in the U.P. and discuss how trail organizations like DTN can coordinate our efforts with other stake-
holders to work together as a regional destination for outdoor recreation.”
While this year’s event is the first of its kind, organizers hope it will become an annual gathering. “That would be wonderful,” Britton said. “It’s contingent on funding and capacity, but we’ve been calling it the first annual U.P. Outdoor Summit for a reason.”
For his part, Garmon sees opportunity in many sectors in the Upper Peninsula. “How do we leverage and lean into things that are related to entrepreneurialism, business support?” he said. “How do we help the industry and not just the consumer? How do we innovate more? How do we make more? Testing meshes really well with Michigan’s background in product development, prototyping and testing. What I’m trying to do is build growing awareness and recognition of opportunities to leverage that.”
For those passionate about outdoor recreation, economic development or community collaboration, the U.P. Outdoor Summit is an event not to be missed.
Event registration is open, and details are available at upoutdoor.org.
“This is the first step in bringing everyone together,” Britton said. “What comes next will depend on the people who show up and the momentum we build.”
Melissa Wentarmini is a writer based in Iron Mountain with a focus on storytelling that highlights local communities, history and human connections. An avid runner and cyclist, she is actively engaged in her community and enjoys time with her family as a wife and mother.
The U.P. Outdoor Summit will address the needs and concerns of those involved in both motorized and non-motorized sports. (Photo courtesy of ORIAN)
After Iron’s Boom Goes Bust poetry
By Kathleen M. Heideman
No industry in this port town’s future, only tourism based on a memory of industry, and relics for sale including postcards no one sends, craft beers named for mines, smoked fish, pine slivers, iron pellets in baggies. I captain the oreboat, Paavo B. Tiresias, paid to stay just out of sight, anchored nightly behind the island — not a bad job. Appreciative crowds gather on the breakwall with their cameras. Down at the oredocks, taconite spouts slip into place with grease and wires, a rehearsed ease. The rumbling of the ore as it enters is pre-recorded audio. Red dust lifting in the wind billows fresh from the deck where we’ve sprinkled it, each morning. After iron’s boom goes bust we extract Scenery & Trust. Bilge and ballast automatically adjust to make the freighter ride lower, leaving harbor. Faux smoke seems. A cardboard crew. A tugboat just for show, helpful. Departing, I sound the ship’s foghorn — kids love it.
Kathleen M. Heideman is the author of “The Caving Grounds: A Brief Report on the Human Animal” and “Psalms of the Early Anthropocene.” A writer-artist environmentalist working in the Upper Peninsula, she has completed residencies with the National Park Service, watersheds, research stations, private foundations and the National Science Foundation’s Antarctic Artists & Writers Program. Drawn to wild and threatened places, she works to defend them as a board member of the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition. Heideman received the “Freshwater Heroes” award from Freshwater Future and has a handful of Pushcart nominations; her other hand is full of moss. Curious woman. (Photo by Pamela Arnold)
This poem is from the 10-year anthology, “Superior Voyage,” which is available for purchase.
All proceeds benefit Peter White Public Library.
“Superior Voyage” was selected as a 2023 U.P. Notable Book by the Upper Peninsula Publishers & Authors Association.
superior reads
Humorous tales of life in the U.P.
Review by Victor R. Volkman
One of the memorable things I was struck by after moving to the U.P. was the self-effacing humor of the Finnish culture. My introduction to this was the comedy duo Toivo and Eino on WHUH-FM out of Houghton in the 1980s.
In recent years, we have the dry humor of Terri Martin in her tales of the fictional Yooper village of Budworm, Michigan, featured in both “High on the Vine” and “The Church Lady Chronicles.”
If you’ve enjoyed either of those, then you will love Sharon Brunner’s “Lake Superior in the Moonlight: Yooper Tales.” To further define this type of humor, I reference “Ma & Pa Kettle,” a series of 10 films from the mid-1940s into the 1950s. As Universal Studios billed them, “This hillbilly duo have their hands full with a ramshackle farm and a brood of rambunctious children.”
Specifically, Brunner’s work arose from a column she wrote under the pen name Thelma Lou for the now defunct Yooper Chick News. The theme was all about what life was like in a small town in the U.P. Thelma Lou had six children, a pasty shop, a store and gas station with one gas pump. Thelma Lou appears in many, but not all, of the stories that take place in and around the small fictitious Yooper town of St. Mary.
Roman à clef is a French phrase meaning “a novel about real-life events that is overlaid with a façade of fiction.” I say this not entirely to impress you with my literary criticism chops but to point out that some of the events and characters in “Lake Superior in the Moonlight” are based on Sharon’s memories of growing up in the U.P. These include the facts that her own father drove a school bus; her parents ran a small store with a gas station; and they had to make ends meet by heating their home with wood.
One of the stories features a U.P. crew transforming the flatbed of a
broken-down pickup truck into a towing trailer, which is also loosely based on a real-life event Brunner witnessed growing up.
Despite having no resources whatsoever, Earl and Bertie negotiate for use of the truck body on the condition that Cecil, the original owner, can borrow it whenever he needs to. Furthermore, they build up the trailer using scrap lumber, a sledge hammer, an old rusty chainsaw and a couple of crowbars. This story reminded me of the old parable of “Stone Soup,” where ingenuity and community solve a problem.
In “Ma & Pa Kettle,” it seems Pa’s only talents “appear to be avoiding work and winning contests.” Many of the stories in Brunner’s book are also focused on contests of many types, from a straightforward fishing derby to more athletic feats of strength such as “outhouse pulling” to the esoteric, such as rototiller racing. The prize for these contests is usually a case of Old Milwaukee beer or the like.
The top contenders for these contests are usually Earl and Bertie, two likable scalawags who are always trying to get an edge. For example, in “Rooting for Rototillers,” Bernie tries to build a turbocharged rototiller by substituting a disused snowmobile engine in his cultivator. Earl, not to be outdone, salvages an engine block from a 1963 Buick, which had been relegated to the status of lawn ornament. The outcome is both predictable and hilarious. The machines are so overbuilt that one digs its own grave and the other climbs a tree — so neither man is victorious.
“The Pasty Smuggling Ring” is a clever bit of satire I enjoyed a lot and recall its earlier appearance in the “U.P. Reader Volume 6” (2023). The whole conceit is played as a straightup police procedural in which a special FBI unit embedded in the Mystery Spot is out to break a nefarious pasty-smuggling ring. The ring threatens the stability of the U.P.’s economy because the gang is trucking counterfeit mass-produced pasties over the
Mackinac Bridge and thereby undercutting the local market.
Really, though, the stories excel most when they talk about the power of community — folks coming together to celebrate life’s little pleasures like the cocooning in winter or the coming of spring. Of the fall, Brunner writes, “In spite of the cold weather, she liked this time of year. Her family had more time to have family game nights, read lots of books, watch a lot of movies. Family time was precious and reminded her of her own childhood. Four other siblings shared in the fun with her during game night, sledding and skating.”
Thelma Lou lives as a wealthy soul in spite of whatever economic hardships come her way. I’ll leave you with a passage that I feel exemplifies this the most:
“Thrift shops help provide the family with their wardrobe and books. … Her family thought they were living the high life when they spent time doing the things they loved such as walking in the woods, hunting, gathering, fishing, swimming, playing games, reading, watching old movies, and participating in a polar bear swim.”
The 20 stories in “Lake Superior in the Moonlight” should be savored rather than read all in one go. This is the perfect book to bring with you while waiting to pick up the kids after a sporting event, sitting in the barber shop or otherwise needing an excuse to kill some time. The stories often raise a smile and depict an idealized U.P. that any Yooper would be proud to call home.
MM
Victor R. Volkman is a graduate of Michigan Technological University (Class of ’86) and is the current president of the U.P. Publishers & Authors Association. He is senior editor at Modern History Press and publisher of the U.P. Reader.
HOW TO SUBMIT A BOOK
Send Upper Peninsula-related book review suggestions to victor@LHPress.com. Books submitted for review can be sent to: MM Book Reviews, 5145 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.
spirit of water
Mysterious hope for a troubled planet
Editor’s note: This article is the eighth in a series by the Interfaith 202425 Water Steward Initiative, a collaboration with local municipalities and Native American tribes to protect and preserve the quality of our accessible drinking water. A part of this initiative, alongside efforts here in Michigan, is assisting in establishing a village well in Tanzania and a community well in Cambodia. Visit cedartreeinstitute.org for more information.
By Jon Magnuson
“If there is magic to be found in the world, you will find it in water.”
—Loren Eiseley
Years ago, during a visit to the Marquette community, I visited the father of a high school friend who lived in a modest home on Spruce Street. The day before, he’d returned from the hospital following major surgery. He was living alone. He was frail. As we sat together staring out the backyard window into the melting snow that April afternoon, I remember him saying: “This is really all I need. To sit here watching the earth come alive again. To be drinking from this glass, filled with water.”
The Spirit of Water Health, Hope & Healing
world, as the “blue marble.” What the astronauts saw was a slowly spinning planet covered with clouds, formed from condensation rising from seas and forests. Those clouds were floating gently over what Paul Winter in lyrics for his composition “Earth Mass” called “the vast blue-green hills of earth.”
“
TREES ARE ... A PART OF THE HEART OF A SACRED CYCLE THAT OFFERS US LIFE AND HOPE.
Thanks to sophisticated research over recent decades, we are discovering more and more fascinating, spellbinding lessons about water. We need to keep reminding ourselves that we have difficulty grasping what we cannot see. Scientists and artists can help us. In 1972, astronauts on Apollo 17 returned with the first photographs of earth taken from a distance of tens of thousands of miles. Those images soon became known, around the
What wasn’t recognized by many at that time was that our earth’s molecules of water with their remarkable, ever-shifting blue colors are actually finite. In other words, while water changes form between solid, liquid and gas, the essential element remains unchanged. It’s the same water that was here at the creation of the planet 6 billion years ago. What appears to come and go actually doesn’t. Water is simply recycled in the dynamics of the earth’s many interfacing geophysical systems. We know that H2O is the essential building block for all living things. It marks our earth as unique in the solar system as we know it. Water is life. Life is water. W.H. Auden may have said it best: “Thousands have lived their lives without love. Not one without water.”
Over the last year, members of the interfaith community joined together to understand, celebrate and protect sources of drinking water in the Great Lakes Basin. Efforts have included community forums addressing drinking water from a global perspective and the challenges of protecting the drinking water in our region’s
cities and rural communities. Coming soon is a public forum on the heated controversy about health and the challenge of adding fluoride to public sources of our local drinking water. Two components of this collaborative project, however, remain puzzling for many. But they are at the very heart of the 2024-25 Water Stewards Initiative.
First is the ongoing planting of 1,000 small Northern white cedar trees by volunteers in community forests and public lands. Here’s the reason. Forest biologists now confirm that each and every tree, with an average circumference of 10 inches in trunk size, releases, through their foliage, 100 gallons of pure, clean water into the biosphere every 24 hours through a process of transpiration. Jeff Noble, a retired wildland firefighter, refers to the initiative’s tree planting process as “gifting the earth.” When these trees mature, thousands of fountains of pure, clean water will be released into the biosphere each and every day.
Second, this initiative is assisting and supporting the maintenance of two village drinking water wells, one in Cambodia, the other in Tanzania. Less than 1% of water on our planet is suitable for human consumption. The majority of it remains captured in our oceans, locked into arctic ice
and stored deep underground in aquifers. The lack of availability of good drinking water for millions of people around the world remains a crisis. Religious traditions at their best will unceasingly keep inviting all of us to use what resources we may have to share with others.
The mystery of water reminds us we are all connected. Far from here, two wells in Asia and Africa will be providing health and hope to under-resourced communities. Here in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, protecting our forests, the planting of trees is part of another kind of healing. Trees are more than harvestable commodities for profitable lumber industries. They are a part of the heart of a sacred cycle that offers us life and hope.
My friend’s father is long gone. But the memory of him, long ago, staring out a window one afternoon, holding a simple glass of water, resting in gratitude and grace, will remain with me forever. Perhaps, it will remain with you as well.
MM
Jon Magnuson is the director of the Cedar Tree, a nonprofit organization in Northern Michigan that initiates projects and provides services in the areas of mental health, interfaith collaboration and the environment.
The Interfaith Water Stewards Initiative works to celebrate — and protect — the joy of pure water. (Photo courtesy of the Cedar Tree Institute)
on campus
MTU joins University Research Corridor
Michigan Technological University has joined the state’s University Research Corridor, solidifying the URC’s position as a driving force for innovation and economic growth in Michigan and the Great Lakes region.
Michigan Tech joins original URC members Michigan State University, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. Tech’s inclusion is the first addition to the URC since its formation in 2006 — and marks a significant expansion of the URC’s collective expertise and impact.
MTU’s recent elevation to R1 status by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education formally placed the university among the nation’s most elite research institutions. MTU’s membership in the URC builds on that momentum, further aligning the university’s cutting-edge research and talent pipeline with Michigan’s key industries, including advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, sustainability and life and health sciences.
“Michigan Tech is honored to join the URC and to work alongside Michigan’s leading research institutions,” MTU President Rick Koubek said. “Together, we will continue driving innovation, supporting industry and ensuring our state remains a global leader in research and talent development.”
Michigan’s four R1 universities have grown the research conducted through their institutions, totaling
more than $3.135 billion in research and development expenditures for fiscal year 2023. This accounts for more than 93% of the state’s total academic research and development conducted and 95% of the state’s total academic research and development funded by the federal government, which supports defense-related, health sciences and other vital research to drive American competitiveness.
For years, MTU has actively engaged with the founding URC universities in research collaborations of relevance to Michigan residents. These partnerships have yielded advancements in life-saving medical devices, watershed restoration, water quality in the Great Lakes, astronomical observation and autonomous vehicle technology on land, in the air and underwater.
“Michigan Tech’s addition to the URC is a natural fit,” said University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono, chair of the URC executive board. “MTU’s world-class research and deep expertise in engineering, technology and environmental science will amplify the URC’s ability to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing Michigan and the world. Together, we are better positioned than ever to support economic growth and innovation throughout the state.”
All four URC universities are committed to fostering strategic partnerships between academia, industry and government.
Michigan Technological University recently joined the state’s University Research Corridor with three other institutions. (Photo courtesy of MTU)
NMU recognizes ‘transformative leaders’
Forty-three former faculty, staff and administrators have been selected as “transformative leaders” as part of Northern Michigan University’s 125th anniversary celebration, based on their significant positive impacts on the university. The selections were made after a committee reviewed nominations and additional historical records.
“These individuals, and countless others, have helped Northern thrive and grow throughout the years, continuously revitalizing the campus and leaving a lasting impact that we are able to see and benefit from today,” said Anne Dahlman, NMU provost and vice president for academic affairs and student success.
Selection committee members were: Russ Magnaghi, history professor emeritus; Marcus Robyns, NMU archivist; Leslie Warren, dean of library and instructional support; Weronika Kusek, provost fellow and associate professor of geography; and Dan Truckey, director of the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center.
More information on the history of the university and individual contributions of campus members can be found via the following sources:
• UPLINK (uplink.nmu.edu), the U.P. Digitization Network collection led by the Central U.P. and NMU Archives;
• The late Miriam Hilton’s book, “Northern Michigan University: The First 75 Years”; and
• Magnaghi’s book, “A Sense of Time: The Encyclopedia of Northern Michigan University.”
Listed below are the 43 transformative leaders throughout Northern’s history and their years of employment, in order from earliest start date to most recent. Current employees were not eligible for this distinction.
• Grace Spalding, 1903-39, head of art department
• James H.B. Kaye, 1904-23, president
• Eulie Gay Rushmore, 1905-1926, faculty in theatre
• Flora Hill, 1906-1920, English professor
• Lydia Olson, 1909-41, head librarian
• Lew Allen Chase, 1919-44, head of history department
• James Bowman, 1920-39, head of English department
• Ethal Carey, 1924-56, dean of women
Michigan University’s
stood near where the Cohodas Building is now located. It was built in 1907 and demolished in 1993. The university recently released a list of 43 “transformative leaders,” former faculty, staff and administrators who had a significant positive impact on the institution dating back to its first years. (Photo courtesy of NMU)
• Forest Roberts, 1928-66, head of speech department
• Cloyd Vern Money, 1947-68, athletic director, head of health, physical education and recreation department
• Edgar Harden, 1956-67, president
• Paul Anick, began in 1958, WNMU
• James Rapport, 1958-1998, faculty in communication and media studies
• Bruce Turner, 1963-2019, TV station manager, broadcast and audio-visual services
• Tom Peters, 1963-94, NMU Foundation
• William Robinson, 1964-98, biology
• Barb Patrick, 1965-91, intercollegiate athletics and recreational sports
• Robert McClellan, 1965-93, history department
• Rico Zenti, 1966-75, director of athletics, physical education and intramurals
• Duane Fowler, 1968-2005, head of physics department, interim head of Seaborg Center
• Jim Carter, 1968-96, identity, brand and marketing
• John X. Jamrich, 1968-83, president
• Karen Kunkel, 1968-88, U.S. Olympic Training Site
• Cliff Maier, 1968-93, history
• Carl Holm, 1972-2014, housing director
• Pryse Duerfeldt, 1972-97, head of psychological science
• Diane Kordich, 1977-2007, professor emerita of art and design
• Gerri Daniels, 1978-2024, admissions
• Philip Watts, 1978-2016, professor emeritus of sports science
• Ken Godfrey, 1978-2013, director of athletics, associate vice president of recreation and athletics
• David Bonsall, 1979-2013, director of NMU volunteer center
• Jean Kinnear, 1979-2011, professor of health and human performance
• Paul Duby, 1984-2016, associate vice president for institutional research
• David Lucas, 1986-2015, head of physics department
• Peggy House, 1993-2015, professor of math and computer science
• Sten Fjeldheim, 1997-2021, head coach of skiing, track and running
• John Anderton, 1999-2014, head of earth, environmental and geographical sciences department
• Russ Magnaghi, 1969-2014, head of history department
• Arthur Walker, 1970-73, counselor and head of the black studies program
• Jim Greene, 1971-2007, professor of philosophy
• John Major, 2006-07, adjunct instructor in communication and media studies department
• Martin Reinhardt, 2010-24, director of Center for Native American Studies MM
Answers for the crossword puzzle on Page 13
Northern
Longyear Hall
out & about
Out & About is a free listing of Upper Peninsula events. Events included must cost $25 or less (except fundraisers).
All events are free and in Eastern time unless noted. We print information sent to us by a wide variety of people and organizations. It pays to double check the date, time, place and cost before heading out.
E-mail your May events by Thursday, April 10 to: calendar@marquettemonthly.com.
followed by an optional craft and playtime will be offered for toddlers and preschoolers. 11 a.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
Marquette
Escanaba
• Tech Tuesday. Appointments or walk-ins are welcome. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
Ishpeming
• Tot Tuesday Storytime. Stories, songs and movement activities
• Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities will be offered for preschool-age children and a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn how to make your electronic devices work with the help of retired teacher
Garden Planning Workshop Series | April 3 | Ishpeming
Photo by Jonathan Kemper via unsplash
and librarian Christine Ault. Bring passwords and ensure the device is charged. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register for a 30-minute session, 906-226-4311.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• Oil Painting, Pastels and Drawing Classes with Marlene Wood. Bring your own supplies. $20. 1 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, Lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-8655.
• NCLL: Fisher and Pine Marten Ecology. Wildlife Specialist Cody Norton will discuss the ecology and biology of fishers and pine martens, both of which were impacted by extensive logging beginning in the late 1800s. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 1:30 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-1004 or hoosieyooper80@gmail.com.
• Comic Creators 2.0. Students in second through fifth grades can write, illustrate and publish their own graphic novel. They can also meet other graphic novel/comic book fans, talk about favorite books, create stories and make comic-based crafts. 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival: Kathleen M. Heideman Book Launch and Reading. Poet Kathleen M. Heideman will read from “The Caving Grounds,” her recently released collection of poems from Modern History Press. 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322.
• Maritime History on Tap. Susan Hill and Trish Kautz of Yooper Paranormal will share their spooky experiences from paranormal tours and investigations of the Marquette Harbor Lighthouse during the summers of 2021 through 2024. Presented by the Marquette Maritime Museum. Suggested donation, $5. 7 p.m. Ore Dock Brewing Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. 906-226-2006 or mqtmaritimemanager@gmail.com.
Munising
• Documentary: “The Fascinating World of Insects.” Part of Earth Fest, hosted by Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions. 10 a.m. The Gallery Coffee Company, 120 Elm Ave. 906-387-2125 or acrenewableenergysolutions@gmail.com.
02 WEDNESDAY
sunrise 7:27 a.m.; sunset 8:19 p.m.
Escanaba
• Poetry Open Mic. 5:30 p.m.
Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
Ishpeming
• Aspen Ridge Playgroup. Children and their caregivers can enjoy free play, circle time, crafts and activities, and snacks. 10 a.m. Aspen Ridge School, 350 Aspen Ridge School Rd. 906-485-3178, ext. 1104 or 1105.
• Yooper Planners. Lisa from Amethyst&Co. will discuss the planner hobby and ways of organizing months and days. Attendees will receive free sticker sheets. Intended for adults and teens. Registration is required. 5 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. To register, 906-486-4381.
Marquette
• Book Babies. Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays will be offered for newborns to 17 months old with a loving adult. Older siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Heritage Room Book Group. The group welcomes readers interested in a variety of contemporary fiction. This month’s selection will be “Long Island” by Colm Tobin. 10 a.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Director Chat. Visitors can drop by the library to chat with Director Andrea Ingmire. 11 a.m. to noon, and 5 to 6 p.m. Circulation Lobby, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4303 or pwpl.info.
• Congregate Meals for Seniors–Dine in or Curbside Pickup. Meals available to those age 60 and older and their spouses. Call to reserve a meal. $3.50 suggested donation. Noon to 1 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. 906-228-0456.
• Senior Visual Art Classes: Coiled Bracelets with Diane Kribs-Mays. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents ages 50 and older. 1 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-225-8655.
• Home School Chapter Book Discussion. Home school teens ages 11 and older can meet for biweekly book discussions. This week’s selection will be “Burn” by Patrick Ness. 1 p.m. Teen Zone, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4321, apierce@ pwpl.info or pwpl.info.
• Teens Game On! Teens in sixth through 12th grades can drop in to play video games, board games and more. 3 to 6 p.m. Teen Zone, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-2264321, apierce@pwpl.info or pwpl.info.
• Fandom Fun: Greeking Out! Fans of the Percy Jackson series can discover the real myths behind the characters, take part in a Labyrinth Quest, make a Golden Drachma and test their mental
and physical strength against mythical heroes. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Marquette County Quilters Association Meeting. All skill levels are invited for socialization, program events and show and tell. Yearly membership fee, $20. 6 p.m. Lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. marquettequilters.org.
• League of Women Voters of Marquette County Meeting. The meeting will feature a presentation about immigration by the NMU student group the Latinx Student Union. All interested community members are welcome. In case of inclement weather, visit lwvmqt.org to confirm if the meeting will be live or via Zoom. Social time, 6:30 p.m.; meeting, 6:45 p.m. Lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. lwvmqtco@ gmail.com.
• La Table Française. This informal conversation group will discuss various topics in French. Intended for all levels of speakers and listeners. 7 p.m. Room 2603, C.B. Hedgcock Building, NMU. 906-227-2648 or nkupper@nmu.edu.
• Knitting Group. Crocheters, knitters and others interested in fiber arts are welcome to bring their projects and enjoy fellowship. Coffee will be provided and lessons are available. 1 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
• After-school Middle School Group. Snacks will be provided. 3 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
03 THURSDAY
sunrise 7:25 a.m.; sunset 8:20 p.m.
Calumet
• Preschool Story Time. 10:15 a.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107. clklibrary. org.
• Knitting and Crochet Group. Participants can bring their portable handwork project and enjoy an informal social time. Open to everyone. 1 p.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107. clklibrary.org.
Ishpeming
• Book Club. Hosted by the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, this month’s selection is “You Are Here” by David Nicholls. 11 a.m. Ishpeming Senior Center, 121 Greenwood St. 906-4864381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• Drop-In and Draw Club. Attendees can bring their own supplies and projects to work on in a casual group setting.
1 p.m. Ray Leverton Community Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• Project Linus: Fiber Artists Meetup. Knitters, crocheters, quilters and other fiber crafters are invited to work on blankets for Project Linus, an organization that donates homemade items to children in need. Participants can bring their own project to work on for the cause. 3 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
• Garden Planning Workshop Series. The second session of this four-part series with Partridge Creek Farms will include information on garden planning for the local growing zone, focusing on sustainable, budget-friendly and DIY methods of gardening. 5:30 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Marquette
• American Red Cross Blood Drive. Hosted by NMU’s Student Nurses Association. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1100 Jamrich Lobby, NMU. 800-REDCROSS or redcrossblood.org.
• Toddler Storytime. Stories, songs and sensory play activities will be offered for children 18 to 36 months with a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn how to make your electronic devices work with the help of retired teacher and librarian Christine Ault. Bring passwords and ensure the device is charged. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register for a 30-minute session, 906-226-4311.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• French Baking Seminar. Lisette LaFave, baker at BabyCakes in Marquette, will present “Classic French Baking, explained: Croissant, Baguette, Macaron, Brioche” in partnership with NMU’s French Program. Samples will be available. 1:30 p.m. Whitman Commons, NMU. 906-2272648 or nkupper@nmu.edu.
• NCLL: Embracing Aging with Mindfulness and Equanimity. Deb Smith, a licensed psychologist and certified mindfulness meditation teacher, will introduce mindfulness as a practice that can be applied to the aging process. 3:30 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 248-767-5973 or lzbinns@yahoo.com.
• Pokémon Trading and Gaming. Youth of all ages interested in Pokémon card trading and gaming can play with other Pokémon fans, chat about Pokémon and look through their cards.
Trading and gaming will be led by participants. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Youth Services Makerspace, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• “Common Ground.” This film, the sequel to the documentary “Kiss the Ground,” profiles a movement of farmers using “regenerative” models of agriculture to balance the soil and promote health. Hosted by Partridge Creek Compost, Partridge Creek Farm and Citizen’s Climate Lobby. 6 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-422-0012 or ali@partridgecreekcompost.org.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival: Josh Brindle (JJ Brinski) Book Launch and Reading. Mad Space Poet Josh Brindle (JJ Brinski) will read from his most recent collection of poems, “Beasts of Our Burdens: Ballads of Wing and Hoof.” 6:30 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322, machatz@ pwpl.info or pwpl.info.
• Lasers on the Ore Dock. This new show will be presented by Fresh Coast Light Lab and Travel Marquette. 20 minutes after sunset. Ore Dock, Mattson Lower Harbor Park. travelmarquette.com.
Negaunee
• Sensory Playtime. This one-hour, drop-in play session will feature activity stations and early reading and language activities. Parents and caregivers can also connect to share tips and experiences. This week’s theme will be “Currency.” 11 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906475-7700, ext. 18 or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
04 FRIDAY
Gwinn
p.m.
• Story Time. Children and families can enjoy stories, crafts and light snacks. 10:30 a.m. Forsyth Township Library, 180 W. Flint St. 906-346-3433.
Ishpeming
• Afternoon Movie: “Ron’s Gone Wrong.” Children and families are invited to enjoy free popcorn and a movie. Rated PG. 1 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
Marquette
• Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities will be offered for preschool-age children and a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Cultivating Care, Compassion and Connection. This event will offer a safe space to pause, reflect and build
connections with others who are committed to cultivating kindness. Each week, a different local organization will present educators and leaders who will facilitate a discussion while maintaining a shared commitment to the Charter for Compassion and the Circle of Trust principles. Noon. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4303 or pwpl.info.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• UP Boat, Sport and RV Show. Features the largest display of outdoor products in northern Michigan. Children younger than 6, free; children ages 6 to 12 and seniors 65 and older, $5; general admission, $6. 3 to 8 p.m. Superior Dome, NMU. upboatshow. com.
• LEGO Club. LEGO enthusiasts are invited to build projects with the library’s LEGO blocks. 4 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4303 or pwpl. info.
• Crafting in Community. This drop-in creativity space will include calm music, candles and tea. Bring your own project or share. 6 to 8 p.m. The Sanctuary, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 201 E. Ridge St. upwild.org.
• “30 Years Later: Remembering ‘Haywire.’” As part of NMU’s 125th Anniversary Celebration, the Department of Theatre and Dance and the Department of Communication and Media Studies will recognize the 30th anniversary of “Haywire,” one of five shows selected to perform at the Kennedy Center’s American College Theatre Festival in 1995. The musical, which was about an 1880s logging camp, was written by NMU theatre professor Shelley Russell with an original score by NMU music professor Rob Engelhart. 7:30 p.m. 1100 Jamrich Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/theatreanddance.
• Lasers on the Ore Dock. This new show will be presented by Fresh Coast Light Lab and Travel Marquette. 20 minutes after sunset. Ore Dock, Mattson Lower Harbor Park. travelmarquette.com.
05 SATURDAY sunrise 7:22 a.m.; sunset 8:23 p.m.
Escanaba
• Ink Society Local Writers’ Group. Intended for ages 16 and older. 10:30 a.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
Hancock
• Kids Day. Local businesses will offer free and low-cost kid friently activities including, archery, princess day, coloring, storytime, a
on the town
Gwinn
• Hideaway Bar.
- Mondays: The Hideaway All-Stars. 7 p.m.
741 M-35. 906-346-3178.
Marquette
• 906 Sports Bar and Grill.
- Wednesdays: Trivia. 6:30 p.m. 145 W. Washington St. 906-273-0706 or 906barandgrill.com.
• Blackrocks Brewery.
- Mondays: Trivia. 7 to 9 p.m.
- Wednesdays: Open mic. 6 to 9 p.m.
424 N. Third St. 906-273-1333.
• Drifa Brewing Company.
- Mondays: Musicians’ Open Mic. 6 to 8 p.m.
- Thursdays: Trivia. 7 p.m.
501 S. Lake St. 906-273-1300.
• Flanigan’s.
- Mondays through Saturdays: Karaoke. 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Tuesdays: Open Mic. 7 to 10 p.m. 429 W. Washington St. 906-2288865.
• Kognisjon Bryggeri.
- Tuesday, April 1: Trivia. 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, the 3rd: Hot Plate, 6 to 8 p.m.; Iron Golem Games, 6 to 10 p.m.
- Friday, the 4th: Generation Jazz. 5 to 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, the 5th: Jazz Brunch.
- Saturday, the 5th: Groove Candy. 7 to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, the 6th: Jazz Brunch.
- Monday, the 7th: Vinyl Day. Bring your favorite records.
- Tuesday, the 8th: Trivia. 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, the 9th: Seven Foot Drift. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, the 10th: Iron Golem Games. 6 to 10 p.m.
- Friday, the 11th: Generation Jazz. 5 to 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday, the 12th: Jazz Brunch.
- Saturday, the 12th: Improv night. 6:30 to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, the 13th: Jazz Brunch.
- Monday, the 14th: Vinyl Day. Bring your favorite records.
- Tuesday, the 15th: Trivia. 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, the 17th: Hot Plate, 6 to 8 p.m.; Iron Golem Game, 6 to 10 p.m.
- Friday, the 18th: Union Suits. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Saturday, the 19th: Jazz Brunch.
- Saturday, the 19th: Resinator Beer and Metal Show. 5 p.m. to midnight.
- Sunday, the 20th: Jazz Brunch.
- Monday, the 21st: Vinyl Day. Bring your favorite records.
- Tuesday, the 22nd: Trivia. 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, the 23rd: Seven Foot Drift. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, the 24th: Iron Golem Games. 6 to 10 p.m.
- Friday, the 25th: Eddie and Bluesers. 7 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, the 25th: Jazz Brunch.
- Saturday, the 26th: Pink Violin. 7 to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, the 27th: Jazz Brunch.
- Monday, the 28th: Vinyl Day. Bring your favorite records.
- Tuesday, the 29th: Trivia. 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
Jazz Brunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1034 N. Third St. 906-273-2727.
• Ojibwa Casino.
- Saturday, April 5: Lost Cause.
- Saturday, the 19th: DayDreamers.
- Saturday, the 26th: Vinyl Tap. Music, 8 p.m. to midnight. 105 Acre Trail. 906-249-4200.
• Ore Dock Brewing Company.
- Tuesday, April 1: Euchre. 7 p.m.
- Friday, the 4th: Chanteymen + Cattle Dogs + Addicus. $5. 9 p.m Ages 18 and older.
- Saturday, the 12th: Wrestle with Jimmy (Weezer Cover Band). $5. 7 p.m. Ages 21 and older.
- Tuesday, the 15th: Euchre. 7 p.m.
- Wednesday, the 16th: Hiawatha on Tap. Hiawatha Music Co-op members, $5; general admission, $10. 6
p.m.
- Monday, the 21st: Earth Day Movie. 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, the 22nd: Drag Show with Marquette Fringe.
- Tuesday, the 22nd: Euchre. 7 p.m.
- Friday, the 25th: New Nostalgia. Students, $5; general admission, $10. 9 p.m. Ages 18 and older.
- Saturday, the 26th: New Nostalgia. Students, $5; general admission, $10. 9 p.m. Ages 18 and older.
- Tuesday, the 29th: Euchre. 7 p.m. All shows are free unless noted. 114 W. Spring St. 906-228-8888.
Negaunee
• Upper Peninsula Brewing Company.
- Friday, April 4: Acoustic Antics.
- Saturday, the 5th: Sami Brown.
- Friday, the 18th: DayDreamers. 6 p.m.
- Friday, the 25th: Bradley Brownell.
Music at 7 p.m. unless noted.
Republic
• Pine Grove Bar.
- Friday, April 4: The Maynard Band. 7 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, the 5th: Matthew Byce. 3 to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, the 5th: Under the Radar. 8 p.m. to midnight.
- Friday, the 11th: Boots and Sandals Acoustic. 8 to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, the 12th: Nolium. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
- Friday, the 18th: Outlaw’d. 6 to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, the 19th: Lost Cause. 8 p.m. to midnight.
- Friday, the 25th: One Human Band. 8 to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, the 26th: Toni Saari. 3 to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, the 26th: The Degens. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Calumet Art Center. Works by local and regional artists. Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 57055 Fifth St. 906-934-2228. calumetartcenter.com.
• Copper Country Associated Artist. Works by members and workshop participants in watercolor and oil, drawings, photography, sculpture, quilting, wood, textile, clay, glass and other media. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 205 Fifth St. 906-337-1252 or ccaartists.org.
• Gallery on 5th. Featuring works by local and regional artists. Call or visit Facebook for up-to-date store hours. 906-299-0118 or galleryon5th.com.
• My Story Gallery at Keweenaw Storytelling Center. Presented by Real People Media, the gallery shares stories of ordinary residents through multimedia exhibits. Contact for updated hours. 215 Fifth St. 906934-2346 or realpeoplemedia.org.
Curtis
• Erickson Center for the Arts–Waterfront Gallery. The gallery features unique work from local artists, including photography, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, paintings and more. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906-586-9974 or ericksoncenter. org.
Copper Harbor
• EarthWorks Gallery. Featuring Lake Superior-inspired photography
by Steve Brimm. Daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 216 First St. 906-231-6318.
Escanaba
• Besse Gallery. Works by local and regional artists. Days and hours vary. Bay College, 2001 N. Lincoln Rd. baycollege.edu.
• East Ludington Gallery. Works by local and regional artists. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1000 Ludington St. 906-786-0300 or eastludingtongallery.com.
• Hartwig Gallery. Featuring works by local, regional and national artists. Days and hours vary. Bay College, 2001 N. Lincoln Rd. baycollege.edu.
• William Bonifas Fine Arts Gallery.
- “U.P.Cycle,” featuring artwork comprised of at least 85 percent recycled material in a variety of media, will be on display April 2 through May 22 with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on the 3rd.
- “Now and Through Time: Photography by Dan Young will be on display April 10 through May 22 with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on the 10th. Studio Gallery. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 700 First Avenue South. 906-786-3833 or bonifasarts.org.
Hancock
• Finandia Art Gallery.
- “Encountering the Invisible,” a printmaking exhibit by Finnish artist Jaana Erkkilä-Hill, is on display
through the 16th. Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Located in the Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy St. 906-487-7309 or gallery@finlandiafoundation.org.
• Kerredge Gallery.
- “I DON’T COOK,” fiber art by Lynn Anderson, will be on display April 8 through May 3 with a public reception from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on the 10th. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Copper Country Community Arts Center, 126 Quincy St. 906-4822333 or coppercountryarts.com.
• Youth Gallery. Featuring works by local students. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community Arts Center, 126 Quincy St. 906-482-2333 or coppercountryarts.com.
• Lynn Mazzoleni Studio and Gallery. This is the working studio and retail gallery space of acrylic and oil painter Lynn Mazzoleni, showcasing her original artwork and high-quality reproductions, as well as home décor pieces and unique goods. Tuesday and Thursday, 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 to 6 p.m. Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. 116 Quincy St. info@lynnmazzoleni.com.
Houghton
• The Rozsa Galleries.
- “Odyssey: Spring Student Art Showcase” will be on display April 11-15 with an artist reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on the 11th. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Megan Leigh | untitled | Wintergreen Hill Gallery and Gifts
art galleries
Saturdays, 1 to 8 p.m. Rozsa Center, 1400 Townsend Dr. mtu.edu/rozsa.
Manistique
• Lake Effect Community Arts Center. Works by local and regional artists. Monday through Saturday through the 31st, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 244 Cedar St. info@lakeeffectarts. org.
Marquette
• Art—U.P. Style. Art by Carol Papaleo, works by local artists, gifts, classes and more. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. 130 W. Washington St. 906-225-1993.
• DeVos Art Museum. The senior exhibition from NMU’s School of Art and Design, featuring work in computer art, digital cinema, graphic design, human-centered design, illustration, metalsmithing, sculpture and photography, will be on display April 17 through May 2 with a reception from 7 to 9 p.m. on May 2. Monday through Wednesday, and Friday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.; Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Corner of Seventh and Tracy streets. NMU. 906-227-1481 or nmu.edu/ devos.
• The Gallery Marquette. Locally inspired oil paintings by Justina Faunt are on display through the 29th in the Judy Sarosik Rotating Gallery. Works by local and regional artists. Daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 130 W. Washington St. thegallerymqt.com.
• Huron Mountain Club Gallery.
- “Patterns of Connection” presented by Knot Work Studio is on display through May 31 with an artist reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on the 10th. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-228-0472.
• Lake Superior Photo and Gallery. The studio features landscape photographic art by Shawn Malone, including naturescapes of the Lake Superior region. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 211 S. Front St. 906-228-3686 or lakesuperiorphoto.com.
• Marquette Arts and Culture Center Deo Gallery.
- “The High School Art Show” is on display through May 31 with an artist reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on the 10th. Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-228-0472.
• Niik Creative Co. Handcrafted
and local artisan goods. Wednesday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. 2905 Island Beach Rd.
• Presque Isle Station. This working pottery studio features pottery by Michael Horton and Terry Gilfoy, along with works by local artists. Days and times vary. 2901 Lakeshore Blvd. 906-225-1695.
• Second Story Studio.
- “On the Wall” featuring a collection of local photographers’ work, will be on display April 10 through May 31, with a reception at 5 p.m. on May 9. Thursday through Saturday, 2 to 6 p.m., and by appointment. Inside the Wattsson and Wattsson Marketplace, 118 B W. Washington St. tarynokesson.com/second-story-studio.
• Wintergreen Hill Gallery and Gifts. Artworks by Megan Leigh will be on display through the 30th with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on the 9th. Wintergreen Hill Gallery strives to create an immersive art experience for visitors who are looking to buy or just looking for inspiration. Local art by local artists. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 810 N. Third St. 906-273-1374 or wintergreenhill.com.
• Zero Degrees Gallery. Work by guest artist Shantina Hatfield, Scroll Saw and mixed media artist and student artist Raina Doughty is on display with a reception from 1 to 4 p.m. on the 12th. The gallery features works in oils, watercolors, mixed media, jewelry, photography, metals, woods, recycled and fiber arts, and more. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 525 N. Third St. 906-228-3058 or zerodegreesgallery.org.
Munising
• UP-Scale Art. Featuring works by local and regional artists. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. 109 W. Superior Ave. 906-387-3300 or upscaleart. org.
Rapid River
• Ritch Branstrom’s adhocWORKshop. Specializing in award-winning found object sculpture. By appointment or chance. 10495 S. Main St. 906-399-1572.
Sand River
• Aurelia Studio Pottery. Featuring high fire stoneware, along with functional and sculptural pieces inspired by nature, created by potter and owner Paula Neville. Open by appointment or chance. 3050 E. M-28. 906-343-6592.
MM
movie and more. Participating businesses can be found at the Hancock Business Association Facebook page. 11 a.m. Quincy St. facebook.com/ hancockbusinessassociation.
Marquette
• UP Boat, Sport and RV Show. Features the largest display of outdoor products in northern Michigan. Children younger than 6, free; children ages 6 to 12 and seniors 65 and older, $5; general admission, $6. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Superior Dome, NMU. upboatshow.com.
• Celebrate the U.P. Join the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition for a day of fun and educational activities. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. upenvironment.org.
• Saturday Storytime. Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays will be offered for babies through preschool with a loving adult. Older siblings are welcome. 10:30 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. Lessons, 10 a.m. Games, 11:30 a.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival: Wild Words in the Wild U.P. In partnership with the Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition, U.P. poets, including Kathleen M. Heideman, Beverly Matherne, Gala Mahlerbe, Lisa Fosmo, Christine Saari and Marty Achatz, will present a poetry reading
on the environment. 1 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322, machatz@ pwpl.info or pwpl.info.
• Talking Wolves and Large Carnivores with the Michigan DNR. Brian Roell, wildlife biologist and large carnivore specialist for the Michigan DNR, will speak about the role of wolves, cougars and other large predators in the U.P. and how they interact with prey species, including deer. The talk will be followed by a short question-and-answer session. 3 p.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Shiras Pool Building at Presque Isle Park. moosewood.org.
• Marquette Fashion Show. This fashion show is a fundraiser for the Women’s Center. $25 to $40. 7 p.m. Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. oredockbrewing.com.
• Lasers on the Ore Dock. This new show will be presented by Fresh Coast Light Lab and Travel Marquette. 20 minutes after sunset. Ore Dock, Mattson Lower Harbor Park. travelmarquette.com.
06
Ishpeming
• Bingo. Doors open at noon. Ishpeming VFW, 310 Bank St. 906-486-4856. Little Lake
Talking Wolves and Large Carnivores | April 5 | Marquette
Photo by Andrew Ly via unsplash
• Bingo. A concession stand will be available. Doors open, 11 a.m.; early bird games, 1:30 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary Post 349, 1835 E. M-35. 906-346-6000.
Marquette
• Story Time at MooseWood. “Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring” by Kenard Pak will be read, followed by an activity or craft. Intended for ages five to eight, but all are welcome. Suggested donation, $5 per child or $10 per family. 11 a.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Shiras Pool Building at Presque Isle Park. Registration is appreciated to moosewoodnc@gmail. com.
• UP Boat, Sport and RV Show. Features the largest display of outdoor products in northern Michigan. Children younger than 6, free; children ages 6 to 12 and seniors 65 and older, $5; general admission, $6. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Superior Dome, NMU. upboatshow.com.
• Senior Recital. Featuring Erik Meilstrup on trombone. 3 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu. edu/music.
experience levels are welcome for crochet and conversation. Intended for adults and teens. 5 p.m. Forsyth Township Library, 180 W. Flint St. 906346-3433 or forsythtwplibrary.org.
Marquette
• Toddler Storytime. Stories, songs and sensory play activities will be offered for children 18 to 36 months with a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Senior Theatre Experience: Monthly Theatre Workshop and Discussion. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents ages 50 and older. 4 p.m. Room B, Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. To register, 906-225-8655.
• Superiorland Pet Partners. Children of all ages can practice their reading skills with a pet-therapy trained Superiorland Pet Partner dog. 4 to 5:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 6 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.
with Jody Trost. Participants will learn basic needle felting and create their own handmade felted Easter egg. Starter kits and wool will be provided; bring a small pair of scissors. 6:30 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4322 or machatz@pwpl.info. To register, visit pwpl.info.
Negaunee
• All-Ages Online Storytime. Miss Jessica will lead stories, songs and rhymes on Facebook Live. 11 a.m. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.
• Troy Graham and Gala Malherbe Poetry Reading. 5:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.
08 TUESDAY
Escanaba
• Tech Tuesday. Appointments or walk-ins are welcome. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
Lodge, 215 S. Co. Rd. 557. 906-3463433 or forsythtwplibrary.org.
Houghton
• “Winter Fungi in the North Woods.” Tara Bal, assistant professor in the College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, research assistant Abraham Stone and students Lane Cozort and Isabelle Holmstrom will present a brief overview of their book, “Winter Fungi of the North Woods,” a field guide to assist in identifying winter fungi in northern hardwood forests. 7 p.m. Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw, Huron Street and Montezuma Avenue. 906-482-7140 or carnegiekeweenaw.org.
Ishpeming
• Tot Tuesday Storytime. Stories, songs and movement activities followed by an optional craft and playtime will be offered for toddlers and preschoolers. 11 a.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Marquette
Gwinn
• Drop-in Crochet Club. All
• Ukulele Class. Free for ages 50 and older. Instruments will be provided. 3 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. To register, 906-228-0456.
• Craft Magic Series: Felt Magic
Gwinn
• Literature at the Lodge. This month’s selection will be “The Lying Game” by Ruth Ware. 6 p.m. Up North
• Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities will be offered for preschool-age children and a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn
how to make your electronic devices work with the help of retired teacher and librarian Christine Ault. Bring passwords and ensure the device is charged. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register for a 30-minute session, 906-226-4311.
• Tasty Reads Book Group. The group welcomes readers who love to cook. This month’s selection will be “The Hundred-Foot Journey” by Richard C. Morais. Noon. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4303 or pwpl.info.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• Lake Superior Knitters. Learn how to knit, solve problems in reading patterns and expand your knitting skills. The group includes a variety of ages and levels of experiences. Bring a skein of lighter color yarn and a size 7, 24-inch wooden circular needle to make a hat or cowl. Suggested donation, $1 to $5 to the MRHC for the study and preservation of the fiber arts. 1 to 2:30 p.m. Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. beedhive47@ yahoo.com.
• Oil Painting, Pastels and Drawing Classes with Marlene Wood. Bring your own supplies. $20. 1 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, Lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-8655.
• Senior Dance Class. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents ages 50 and older. 4 p.m. Baraga Gym, Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. To register, 906-225-8655.
• Muggles for Potter. Young wizards in third through sixth grades will paper mâché their own unique dragon egg and design clay decorations to go with it. 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Ragamala Dance Workshop. All ages and levels are welcome to attend. $10. 7 p.m. Kaufman Auditorium, 611 N. Front St. 906-225-4213.
• Open Mind (OM) Ensemble Concert. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/music.
Munising
• Documentary: “Secrets and Mysteries of Bats.” Part of Earth Fest, hosted by Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions. 10 a.m. The Gallery Coffee Company, 120 Elm Ave. 906-387-2125 or acrenewableenergysolutions@gmail.com.
Negaunee
• Readers Dozen Book Club. As part of the “Readers Dozen Reading Challenge,” the library will host an optional book club for all participants. Participants can enjoy refreshments, share what they’ve been reading, swap
recommendations for the coming month and connect with fellow readers. 5 p.m. Reading Room, Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
09 WEDNESDAY
sunrise 7:14 a.m.; sunset 8:29 p.m.
Houghton
• The Kids Consignment Sale. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Copper Country Mall, 47420 Hwy. M-26. thekidsconsignment@gmail.com or thekidssale.net.
Ishpeming
• Aspen Ridge Playgroup. Children and their caregivers can enjoy free play, circle time, crafts and activities, and snacks. 10 a.m. Aspen Ridge School, 350 Aspen Ridge School Rd. 906-485-3178, ext. 1104 or 1105.
• Italian Lessons: Casual Conversation. Marilena Corradino will teach Italian in a casual conversation format. The bimonthly class is intended for beginners or those who want to practice speaking Italian with others. 4 p.m. Ray Leverton Community Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• Crochet Club. This is a time to gather with fellow crafters to socialize. Supplies and instruction will be provided for those who are interested in learning how to crochet. 5 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Little Lake
• Gwinn Quilters. Members learn new skills and techniques, work on individual and group projects, and create items to donate to community organizations. A business meeting takes place at 12:30 p.m. followed by show and tell. Bring a bag lunch. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Fellowship Hall, Little Lake Chapel, 1761 M-35. 906-346-6344.
Marquette
• Book Babies. Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays will be offered for newborns to 17 months old with a loving adult. Older siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Congregate Meals for Seniors–Dine in or Curbside Pickup. Meals available to those age 60 and older and their spouses. Call to reserve a meal. $3.50 suggested donation. Noon to 1 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. 906-228-0456.
• NCLL: Trillium House. Melissa Cavill will speak about Trillium House, an adult care home. The event will include a tour and lunch. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. Noon. Trillium House, 1144 Northland Dr. 906-225-1004 or hoosieryooper80@
gmail.com.
• Fandom Fun: Magic Treehouse. Youth of all ages can join Jack and Annie on a time traveling Magic Treehouse adventure. Attendees will head out on a scavenger hunt where the clues are scattered through time, build their own treehouse and more.
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Community Knit/Crochet Club. 5:30 p.m. Alley Kat’s Quilt Shop, 1010 W. Washington St. 906-315-0050.
• Getting Active on Climate! John Forslin, leader of the Climate Reality Project, will present this workshop that will discuss climate studies and climate actions taking place around the world. Bring your cell phone and, if available, a larger-format tablet or laptop. 6 p.m. Lions Club Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-869-6621.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival: Northwords and Music: Wordplay Show. Writer B.G. Bradley and his friends, U.P. Poet Laureate Marty Achatz, musicians Linda Smith and Seamus Collins (of Big Lake Acoustic), actress Jacque Love, Jim Edwards and musician John Mallow, will present an evening of music, stories, poetry and skits. This event will also be livestreamed. 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322, machatz@ pwpl.info or pwpl.info.
• NCLL: Mindfulness and Sustainability: The Interconnected Healing of People. Angela MillerPorter, Ed.D., a mindfulness-based sustainability educator, will share her research and life experiences on how mindfulness can help toward the mutual healing of people and planet. 6:30 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 248767-5973 or lzbinns@yahoo.com.
• La Table Française. This informal conversation group will discuss various topics in French. Intended for all levels of speakers and listeners. 7 p.m. Room 2603, C.B. Hedgcock Building, NMU.
906-227-2648 or nkupper@nmu.edu.
• Laughing Whitefish Bird Alliance Meeting. LWBA board member Gary Palmer will present a refresher on the birds returning to the north woods this spring, including an overview of many of the migrants that can be found throughout the U.P. as they travel back to breeding grounds. 7 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. laughingwhitefishbirdalliance.com.
• Ragamala Dance Company Performance. Youth and NMU students, $10; seniors, $12; general public, $15. 7 p.m. Kaufman Auditorium, 611 N. Front St. 906-227-1032 or tickets. nmu.edu.
Negaunee
• Knitting Group. Crocheters, knitters and others interested in fiber arts are welcome to bring their projects and enjoy fellowship. Coffee will be provided and lessons are available. 1 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
• After-school Middle School Group. Snacks will be provided. 3 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
• Kathleen Heideman Poetry Reading. Books will be available for purchase and signing. 6 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
10 THURSDAY
sunrise 7:12 a.m.; sunset 8:30 p.m.
Calumet
• Preschool Story Time. 10:15 a.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107. clklibrary. org.
• Knitting and Crochet Group. Participants can bring their portable handwork project and enjoy an informal social time. Open to everyone. 1
Sixtiesmania | April 11 | Calumet
Photo by Nicole Harris via unsplash
museums
Calumet
• International Frisbee/USA Guts Hall of Fame and Museum. Learn about the history of Guts Frisbee. Days and hours vary. Open when events are held. Second floor ballroom, Calumet Colosseum, 110 Red Jacket Rd. 906-281-7625.
Escanaba
• Upper Peninsula Military Museum and Honor Flight Legacy Museum. The museum honors Upper Peninsula veterans, and features exhibits and dioramas portraying the Upper Peninsula’s contribution to U.S. war efforts from the Civil War through the Afghanistan wars. Learn the history of the honor flight trips. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Inside the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, 1001 N. Lincoln Rd.
• Webster Marble Inventing the Outdoors Museum. Webster Marble came to the U.P. in the late 1880s to be a timber cruiser and surveyor, but later became an inventor. He held 60 patents and invented a long list of gear for camping, hiking, hunting and fishing, including a safety ax with an attached blade guard that folded into the handle. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1001 N. Lincoln Road. 906-786-2192 or deltami.org/ webster-marble-inventing-the-outdoors-museum.
Hancock
• Quincy Mine Hoist and Underground Mine. There are two options for touring the site. On both the surface tour and the full tour, visitors will see the museum, inside the No. 2 Shaft House and the Nordberg Steam Hoist and ride the cog rail tram car to the mine entrance. On the full tour, visitors will take a tractor-pulled wagon into the mine, seven levels underground. Prices vary. Tours can be scheduled year-round. 49750 US-41. 906-482-3101 or quincymine. com.
Houghton
• A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum. The museum features Yooperlites, sodalite-bearing syenites that possess fluorescent properties. View the largest collection of minerals from the Great Lakes region and the world’s finest collection of Michigan minerals. Prices vary. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1404 E. Sharon Ave. museum.mtu.edu or 906-487-2572.
• Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw. The museum features changing exhibits and programs about the region’s natural and cultural history. Tuesday and Thursday,
noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. 105 Huron St. 906-482-7140 or carnegiekeweenaw.org.
• MTU Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections. Features a variety of historical memorabilia, highlighting life in the Copper Country. Open by appointment. Lower level of the J.R. Van Pelt Library, MTU. 906-487-3209.
Iron Mountain
• Cornish Pumping Engine and Mining Museum. The 725-ton Cornish Pumping Engine, the largest steam-driven pumping engine ever built in the United States, is famous for dewatering Iron Mountain’s Chapin Mine, one of the wettest mines ever worked and the largest producer of iron ore on the Menominee Iron Range. The museum also displays underground mining equipment. Children five and younger, free; students, $5; seniors and veterans, $7; adults, $8. Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT. 300 Kent St. 906-774-1086 or menomineemuseum.com.
• World War II Glider and Military Museum. During World War II, the Ford Motor Company’s Kingsford plant built the CG-4A gliders for the U.S. Army. View one of seven fully restored CG-4A G World War II gliders, military uniforms from the Civil War through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, memorabilia, restored military vehicles and more. Prices vary. Children five and younger, free; students, $5; seniors and veterans, $7; adults, $8. Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CDT. 302 Kent St. 906-774-1086 or menomineemuseum.com.
Ishpeming
• U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum. The museum features more than 300 Hall of Fame inductees, presented in photographs and biographies, and displays and exhibits of skiing history and equipment, an extensive library, video show, gift shop, special events and more. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. US-41 and Third Street. 906-485-6323 or skihall.com.
K.I. Sawyer
• K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum. The museum promotes and preserves the aviation history the air base brought to the area. Air Force-related materials are on display, including photographs, flags, medals and more. Wednesday through Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. or by appointment. 402 Third St. 906-236-3502 or kisawyerheritageairmuseum.org.
Marquette
• Baraga Educational Center and Museum. View artifacts and tools used by Venerable Bishop Baraga. Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment. 615 S. Fourth St. 906-227-9117.
• Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center. “The Political Life,” an exhibition chronicling the lives and work of U.P. politicians, along with accounts of U.S. presidents who visited the region, is on display through June 28. The museum promotes and preserves the history and culture of the U.P. and collects and preserves artifacts related to the history of NMU. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 11 to 4 p.m. Corner of Seventh and Tracy streets. NMU. 906-227-1219 or nmu.edu/beaumier.
• Marquette Regional History Center. “School Days: Educating Marquette County,” will be on display through June 7. The museum includes interactive displays as well as regional history exhibits. Youth 12 and under, $3; students, $4; seniors and military, $8; adults, $10. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 145 W. Spring St. 906-226-3571 or marquettehistory.org.
• Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum. A variety of interactive exhibits offer learning through investigation and creativity. Prices vary. Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 123 W. Baraga Ave. 906-2263911 or upchildrensmuseum.org.
Munising
• Alger County Historical Society Heritage Center. Exhibits include the Grand Island Recreation Area, Munising Woodenware Company, barn building, homemaking, sauna and more. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1496 Washington St. 906-387-4308.
Negaunee
• Michigan Iron Industry Museum. The museum overlooks the Carp River and the site of the first iron forge in the Lake Superior region. Museum exhibits, audio-visual programs and outdoor interpretive paths depict the large-scale capital and human investment that made Michigan an industrial leader. The museum is one of 10 museums and historic sites administered by the Michigan Historical Center. Michigan Recreation Passport required for parking. Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 73 Forge Rd. 906475-7857 or michigan.gov/mhc/ museums/miim.
p.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107. clklibrary.org.
• Getting Started with Libby. Volunteers will host this help session for library users new to the Libby (Overdrive) app, which provides access to audiobooks and ebooks through the Great Lakes Digital Library. 4:30 p.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107. clklibrary. org.
Crystal Falls
• U.P. Notable Books Club (Zoom). This month’s discussion will feature Raymond Luczak, author of “Animals out-There W-i-l-d: A Bestiary in English and ASL Gloss,” a first-ofits-kind collection of sign language gloss poetry. 7 p.m. EST, 6 p.m. CST. Via Zoom. 906-875-3344 or egathu@ crystalfallslibrary.org. upnotable.com.
Escanaba
• Fiber Arts a la Carte. Intended for ages 16 and older. 5 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
Houghton
• The Kids Consignment Sale. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Copper Country Mall, 47420 Hwy. M-26. thekidsconsignment@gmail.com or thekidssale.net.
• “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” This Tony Award-winning musical thriller is a tale
of love, murder and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. For mature audiences. Pay As You’re Able ticketing. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. mtu.universitytickets.com.
Ishpeming
• Meditation with a Twist + Craft for Kids. Amy from the Apiary Life Studio will lead participants through a guided meditation in the Ray Leverton Community Room and there will be a craft for kids in the children’s room. 5:30 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. To register for the meditation, call 906-486-4381.
Marquette
• Toddler Storytime. Stories, songs and sensory play activities will be offered for children 18 to 36 months with a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn how to make your electronic devices work with the help of retired teacher and librarian Christine Ault. Bring passwords and ensure the device is charged. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register for a 30-minute session, 906-226-4311.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W.
Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• Second Thursday Creativity Series. Guests can enjoy hands-on craft activities and free Culver’s frozen custard. This month’s theme is “April Showers.” 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, 123 W. Baraga Ave. 906-226-3911 or upchildrensmuseum.org.
• Yarnwinders Fiber Guild of Marquette. 6 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St.
• Book Discussion. Participants will discuss Chapter 12 of Leanne Simpson’s “As We Have Always Done,” titled “Constellations of Co-Resistance,” with Dr. Lesley Larkin, professor of English. 7 p.m. Whitman Hall Commons, NMU. ksassi@nmu.edu.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival: Marquette Poets Circle. Local poets, writers and poetry enthusiasts can enjoy an evening of poetry. Participants will workshop their current work at 6:30 p.m., followed by an open mic at 7:15 p.m. New and experienced poets are welcome for either or both events. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info or pwpl.info.
• “Jesus Christ Superstar.” This rock opera, featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, is based on the last week of Jesus’ life.
For mature audiences. NMU students, $5; youth, $15; NMU employees, seniors and military, $22; general public, $25. 7:30 p.m. Forest Roberts Theatre, NMU. nmu.universitytickets. com.
Negaunee
• Sensory Playtime. This one-hour, drop-in play session will feature activity stations and early reading and language activities. Parents and caregivers can also connect to share tips and experiences. This week’s theme will be “Animal Friends.” 11 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18 or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
11 FRIDAY
sunrise 7:10 a.m.; sunset 8:31 p.m.
Calumet
• “Sixtiesmania: A Journey Through the Sixties.” This show covers the groups and songs that became the backdrop to the 1960s, including The Beatles, the Beach Boys, the British Invasion, the California sounds and more. Ticket prices vary. 7:30 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.
Gwinn
• Story Time. Children and families can enjoy stories, crafts and light
snacks. 10:30 a.m. Forsyth Township Library, 180 W. Flint St. 906-346-3433.
Hancock
• Stitch Circle with Lynn Anderson. The stitch circle will be led by Lynn Anderson and friends, in conjunction with Anderson’s exhibit at the Kerredge Gallery. Attendees can bring works in progress, try their hand at stitching with provided materials or watch and learn about various techniques. Noon. Copper Country Community Arts Center, 126 Quincy St. 906-482-2333 or coppercountryarts.com.
Houghton
• The Kids Consignment Sale. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Copper Country Mall, 47420 Hwy. M-26. thekidsconsignment@gmail.com or thekidssale.net.
• “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” This Tony Award-winning musical thriller is a tale of love, murder and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. For mature audiences. Pay As You’re Able ticketing. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. mtu.universitytickets.com.
Ishpeming
• Homeschool Hangout. Homeschooling families can visit with fellow homeschooling friends, network with library staff and learn about the library’s resources. At 10:30 a.m., staff from Partridge Creek Farms will present “Soil Food Webs.” 10 a.m. to noon. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• Afternoon Movie: “Spirit Untamed.” Children and families are invited to enjoy free popcorn and a movie. Rated PG. 1 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
Marquette
• Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities will be offered for preschool-age children and a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Cultivating Care, Compassion and Connection. This event will offer a safe space to pause, reflect and build connections with others who are committed to cultivating kindness. Each week, a different local organization will present educators and leaders who will facilitate a discussion while maintaining a shared commitment to the Charter for Compassion and the Circle of Trust principles. Noon. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4303 or pwpl.info.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival Docu Cinema: “Billy Collins: On the Road with the Poet Laureate.” This portrait of poet Billy Collins trails him from readings to college classrooms, his
home and even his car, and explores the cultural role of the U.S. Poet Laureate. Noon. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info or pwpl.info.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• LEGO Club. LEGO enthusiasts are invited to build projects with the library’s LEGO blocks. 4 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4303 or pwpl. info.
• “Jesus Christ Superstar.” This rock opera, featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, is based on the last week of Jesus’ life. For mature audiences. NMU students, $5; youth, $15; NMU employees, seniors and military, $22; general public, $25. 7:30 p.m. Forest Roberts Theatre, NMU. nmu.universitytickets. com.
12 SATURDAY sunrise 7:08 a.m.;
Crystal Falls
• “Last Date: The Floyd Cramer Story.” Pianist Jason Coleman will celebrate the music made famous by his grandfather, Hall of Fame artist Floyd Cramer who was touted as “the cornerstone of the Nashville sound of the ’50s and ’60s.” Students, $5; general public, $23. 7 p.m. CST. The Crystal Theatre, 304 Superior Ave. 906-8753208 or thecrystaltheatre.org.
Escanaba
• LEGO Club. This month’s theme is “Cute Animals.” 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
Houghton
• The Kids Consignment Sale. Many items will be half price. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Copper Country Mall, 47420 Hwy. M-26. thekidsconsignment@gmail.com or thekidssale.net.
• Night at the Museum. This fundraiser evening will include food, silent auction and live music on both floors from The Quarantunes, Majority Finn and Bob Hiltunen, Clay Hilman and Clare Zuraw. $30. 6 to 8 p.m. Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw, Huron Street and Montezuma Avenue. 906482-7140 or carnegiekeweenaw.org.
• “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.” This Tony Award-winning musical thriller is a tale of love, murder and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th century London. For mature audiences. Pay As You’re Able ticketing. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. mtu.universitytickets.com.
Iron Mountain
• NSDAR Meeting. This is the monthly meeting of the Onagomingkway Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). Noon. Dickinson County Library, 401 Iron Mountain St. 906-226-7836.
Marquette
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. Lessons, 10 a.m. Games, 11:30 a.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.
• Beatrix Potter Tea Party. Guests ages three to eight, accompanied by a loving adult, are invited to enjoy treats, stories and activities. Dress up is highly encouraged. 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., or 1 to 2 p.m. (register for one of the two sessions). Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Repair Café. In partnership with the Marquette Sustainability Coalition, visitors can bring in broken household goods such as appliances, clothing or bikes and skilled fixers will assist in repairing them. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4303 or mqtsustainability@ gmail.com.
• “Jesus Christ Superstar.” This rock opera, featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, is based on the last week of Jesus’ life. For mature audiences. NMU students, $5; youth, $15; NMU employees, seniors and military, $22; general public, $25. Theatre for All, 1 p.m.; general performance, 7:30 p.m. Forest Roberts Theatre, NMU. nmu. universitytickets.com.
• Birding Basics: Birding in the U.P. Teens and adults will learn the basics of choosing binoculars, using a field guide and what to look for while observing the bird feeders adjacent to the nature center. Bring your own binoculars or use one of the center’s. Suggested donation, $5 per person or $10 per family. 2 p.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Shiras Pool Building at Presque Isle Park. moosewood.org.
• Marquette Symphony Orchestra. This season finale performance, titled “Festive Folk,” will feature The Knockabouts. Tickets prices vary. 7:30 p.m. Kaufman Auditorium, 611 N. Front St. nmu.universitytickets.com.
13 SUNDAY
Calumet
• Art Play. This open studio time for adults encourages artists to create and share their work. 2 to 4 p.m. Calumet Art Center, 57055 Fifth St. 906-9342228 or info@calumetartcenter.com.
Ishpeming
• Bingo. Doors open at noon. Ishpeming VFW, 310 Bank St. 906-486-4856.
Little Lake
• Bingo. A concession stand will be available. Doors open, 11 a.m.; early bird games, 1:30 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary Post 349, 1835 E. M-35. 906-346-6000.
Marquette
• Walking with Purpose: Camino for Hospice. Hospice volunteer Bart Carroll recently embarked on a 260mile journey on the renowned Camino de Santiago to raise funds and awareness for Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice. He will share stories and photos from his pilgrimage. 1 p.m. Drifa Brewing Company, 501 S. Lake St. 906-225-7760.
Rock
• Senior Dance. Music will be performed by Red River Band. The dance will raise money for the Rock Senior Corporation. 1 to 4 p m. Rock Senior Center, 3892 W. Mapleridge 37 Rd. 14
Houghton
• “Studio Here Now” Student Pop Up Exhibit. View works by MTU sutdents at this pop up exhibit. 6 to 7:30 p.m. Studio GO4W, Wadsworth Hall, MTU. events.mtu.edu.
Marquette
• Toddler Storytime. Stories, songs and sensory play activities will be offered for children 18 to 36 months with a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Superiorland Pet Partners. Children of all ages can practice their reading skills with a pet-therapy trained Superiorland Pet Partner dog. 4 to 5:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Interfaith Holocaust Remembrance Service. The guest speaker will be Irene Miller, author of the historical memoir “Into No Man’s Land” and an active member of the Zekelman Holocaust Center in Farmington Hills, who will tell the story of her family’s survival after escaping from Poland ahead of the Nazi invasion. There will also be choral presentations by the Marquette Senior High School and the Marquette Male Chorus, and additional speakers. Hosted by Temple Beth Sholom and the Marquette Interfaith Forum. 6 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 201 E. Ridge St.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 6 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival: Milton Bates and Gala Mahlerbe
Book Launch and Reading. Poet Milton Bates will read from “Undivided Attention,” his recently published poetry collection from Kelsay Books, and Gala Mahlerbe will read from “Growth Rings,” her recently published poetry collection from Harvard Square Press. 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322, machatz@ pwpl.info or pwpl.info.
• NMU Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble Concert. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/ music.
Negaunee
• All-Ages Online Storytime. Miss Jessica will lead stories, songs and rhymes on Facebook Live. 11 a.m. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.
15 TUESDAY
Escanaba
• Tech Tuesday. Appointments or walk-ins are welcome. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
Ishpeming
• Tot Tuesday Storytime. Stories, songs and movement activities followed by an optional craft and playtime will be offered for toddlers and preschoolers. 11 a.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Marquette
• Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities will be offered for preschool-age children and a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn how to make your electronic devices work with the help of retired teacher and librarian Christine Ault. Bring passwords and ensure the device is charged. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register for a 30-minute session, 906-226-4311.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• Oil Painting, Pastels and Drawing Classes with Marlene Wood. Bring your own supplies. $20. 1 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, Lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-8655.
• Advance Directives Presentation. Staff from Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice will guide attendees through
the 5 Wishes and discuss how to express medical, personal, emotional and spiritual wishes in a legal document. Participants will receive a free copy of the 5 Wishes and extra copies will be available to purchase. 3 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-7760.
• Dungeons and Dragons. Jordan from Iron Golem Games and local dungeon masters will lead groups of teens in Grades six to 12 on a quest with this role-playing game. Registration required. 4 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4321, apierce@ pwpl.info or pwpl.info.
• Senior Dance Class. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents ages 50 and older. 4 p.m. Baraga Gym, Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. To register, 906-225-8655.
• Jr. Explorers. Intended for curious kids in kindergarten through second grade who like fun facts and love learning about animals. 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl. info.
• Arty Fashion Show of Upcycled Fabrics. Presented by designer JoAnn Shelby in a show hosted by the Lake Superior Art Association. 7 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. lakesuperiorartassociation.org.
• Documentary: “Monarch Butterfly Migration: A Mystery of the Natural World.” Part of Earth Fest, hosted by Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions. 10 a.m. The Gallery Coffee Company, 120 Elm Ave. 906-387-2125
906-485-3178, ext. 1104 or 1105.
• Poetry Reading with Beverly Matherne and Troy Graham. Part of National Poetry Month. 5:30 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Marquette
• Book Babies. Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays will be offered for newborns to 17 months old with a loving adult. Older siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Congregate Meals for Seniors–Dine in or Curbside Pickup. Meals available to those age 60 and older and their spouses. Call to reserve a meal. $3.50 suggested donation. Noon to 1 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. 906-228-0456.
or acrenewableenergysolutions@ gmail.com.
• Energy Auditing. Speakers from the Superior Watershed Partnership will explore and offer assistance for auditing homes for energy efficiency. Light refreshments will be provided. Part of Earth Fest, hosted by Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions. 6 p.m. The Gallery Coffee Company, 120 Elm Ave. 906-387-2125 or acrenewableenergysolutions@gmail.com.
Negaunee
• Black-out Poetry Night. Participants can transform old pages into new works of art and create unique poems by blacking out words on a page to reveal a hidden meaning. All supplies will be provided and no experience is needed. 5:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St 906475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
16 WEDNESDAY sunrise 7:01 a.m.; sunset 8:38 p.m.
Gwinn
• After School Lego Club. 10 p.m. Forsyth Township Library, 180 W. Flint St. 906-346-3433.
Escanaba
• United Way Family Fun Night. Intended for families with children up to eight years old. 4:30 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
Ishpeming
• Aspen Ridge Playgroup. Children and their caregivers can enjoy free play, circle time, crafts and activities, and snacks. 10 a.m. Aspen Ridge School, 350 Aspen Ridge School Rd.
• Senior Visual Art Classes: Coiled Bracelets with Diane Kribs-Mays. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents ages 50 and older. 1 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-225-8655.
• Home School Chapter Book Discussion. Home school teens ages 11 and older can meet for biweekly book discussions. This week’s selection will be “Pearl” by Sherri L. Smith. 1 p.m. Teen Zone, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-2264321, apierce@pwpl.info or pwpl.info.
• Fandom Fun: Barbie! For youth of all ages who love Barbie, there will be a photo shoot, a Barbie job station and more. Rescheduled from March. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Marquette County Genealogical Society Meeting. The meeting will include a short business meeting and presentation titled “The Taxman Cometh.” Members, visitors and guests are encouraged to attend. 6 p.m. Family Search Center, 350 Cherry Creek Rd., Chocolay Township.
• MSHS Jazz Band Concert. Attendees can enjoy an evening of music performed by the Marquette Senior High School Jazz Band, led by Director Emily Morgan-Booth. 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4321, apierce@pwpl.info or pwpl. info.
• Upper Peninsula History Book Club. The selection will be “Kawbawgam: The Chief, The Legend, the Man” by Tyler Tichelaar. The event will take place in-person and online via Zoom. 6:30 p.m. Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. 906226-3571 or marquettehistory.org/ UPHBC.
• La Table Française. This informal conversation group will discuss various topics in French. Intended for all levels of speakers and listeners. 7 p.m. Room 2603, C.B. Hedgcock Building, NMU.
Monarch Butterly Migration Documentary | April 15 | Munising
• Knitting Group. Crocheters, knitters and others interested in fiber arts are welcome to bring their projects and enjoy fellowship. Coffee will be provided and lessons are available. 1 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
• After-school Middle School Group. Snacks will be provided. 3 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
17 THURSDAY
sunrise 6:59 a.m.; sunset 8:39 p.m.
Calumet
• Preschool Story Time. 10:15 a.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107. clklibrary. org.
• Knitting and Crochet Group. Participants can bring their portable handwork project and enjoy an informal social time. Open to everyone. 1 p.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107. clklibrary.org.
Ishpeming
• Graphic Novel Book Club. Students in fourth through seventh grade can enjoy snacks and a book discussion. New members are welcome. 4 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• Crochet Club. This is a time to gather with fellow crafters to socialize. Supplies and instruction will be provided for those who are interested in learning how to crochet. 2 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• Bookworms. This tween book club will read children’s and middle-grade books published for fourth through eighth grades. This month’s selection will be “Wings of Fire #1: The Dragonet Prophecy by Tui T. Sutherland. 5 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• Poetry Reading with Kathleen M. Heideman. As part of National Poetry Month, Kathleen M. Heideman will read from her new collection, “The Caving Grounds.” 5:30 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
Marquette
• Toddler Storytime. Stories, songs and sensory play activities will be offered for children 18 to 36 months with a loving adult. Siblings are
welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn how to make your electronic devices work with the help of retired teacher and librarian Christine Ault. Bring passwords and ensure the device is charged. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register for a 30-minute session, 906-226-4311.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• NCLL: Planting for Wet and Dry Gardens. Christy Foye will discuss the variations of garden spaces and the best type of plants to put into either a wet or dry environment. There will also be an opportunity to purchase trees or native plants from the Marquette Conservation District. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 1 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-235-8532 or susanholliday83@gmail.com.
• Pokémon Trading and Gaming. Youth of all ages interested in Pokémon card trading and gaming can play with other Pokémon fans, chat about Pokémon and look through their cards. Trading and gaming will be led by participants. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Youth Services Makerspace, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Remote Worker Meetup. U.P. and
Marquette
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St.
• Ojibwe Spring Contest Powwow. The Spring Powwow includes a competition for drummers and dancers, a celebration for indigenous culture with food, crafts and native regalia. Kids ages five and younger and elders ages 62 and older, free; daily admission, $5; weekend admission, $15. Registration, 4 to 7 p.m.; Grand Entry, 7 p.m. Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Fair Ave. 906-201-2297 or 906-395-0999, or kbic-nsn.gov.
• “Jesus Christ Superstar.” This rock opera, featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, is based on the last week of Jesus’ life. For mature audiences. NMU students, $5; youth, $15; NMU employees, seniors and military, $22; general public, $25. 7:30 p.m. Forest Roberts Theatre, NMU. nmu.universitytickets. com.
• Lasers on the Ore Dock. This new show will be presented by Fresh Coast Light Lab and Travel Marquette. 20 minutes after sunset. Ore Dock, Mattson Lower Harbor Park. travelmarquette.com.
Marquette area remote workers can build community with their fellow workers. Family members and kids are welcome. 6 to 8 p.m. Superior Culture, 717 N. Third St. marquetteremoteworkers@gmail.com.
• “Jesus Christ Superstar.” This rock opera, featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, is based on the last week of Jesus’ life. For mature audiences. NMU students, $5; youth, $15; NMU employees, seniors and military, $22; general public, $25. 7:30 p.m. Forest Roberts Theatre, NMU. nmu.universitytickets. com.
Negaunee
• Sensory Playtime. This one-hour, drop-in play session will feature activity stations and early reading and language activities. Parents and caregivers can also connect to share tips and experiences. This week’s theme will be “Weather.” 11 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906475-7700, ext. 18 or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
18 FRIDAY
sunrise 6:57
Houghton
• State of Imagination: Superior Wind Symphony and Campus Concert Band. Pay As You’re Able ticketing. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. mtu.universitytickets.com.
19 SATURDAY sunrise 6:55 a.m.; sunset 8:42 p.m.
Curtis
• Community Easter Egg Hunt. There will be three separate egg hunt groups for kids up to age 10; register from 12:30 to 12:45 p.m. in the Upper Level Lobby. There will be prizes for every child and pictures with the Easter Bunny. 1 p.m. Erickson Center Park, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906-5869974 or ericksoncenter.org.
Escanaba
• Great Start Storytime. Intended for children up to eight years old. 10:30 a.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323.
Hancock
• Buellwood Weavers and Fiber Arts Guild Meeting. Participants will start a group project that will be used for a display next summer. All fiber artists are welcome. 1 p.m. Fiber Arts Studio (Room 105), Finnish American Folk School, lower level, Skyline Commons, 200 Michigan St. jegale@att.net.
Houghton
• Considering Matthew Shepard: Choirs of Michigan Tech. This performance will be a musical depiction of the life of Matthew Shepard and the true events surrounding the circumstances of his murder, which led to the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act in 2009. For mature audiences. Pay As You’re
Community Easter Egg Hunt | April 19 | Curtis
Photo by Spukkatodepositphotos.com
Able ticketing. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. mtu.universitytickets.com.
Marquette
• Ojibwe Spring Contest Powwow. The Spring Powwow includes a competition for drummers and dancers, a celebration for indigenous culture with food, crafts and native regalia. Kids ages five and younger and elders ages 62 and older, free; daily admission, $5; weekend admission, $15. Registration, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Grand Entry, 1 and 7 p.m. Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Fair Ave. 906-201-2297or kbic-nsn. gov.
• Saturday Storytime. Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays will be offered for babies through preschool with a loving adult. Older siblings are welcome. 10:30 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. Lessons, 10 a.m. Games, 11:30 a.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.
• “Jesus Christ Superstar.” This rock opera, featuring music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice, is based on the last week of Jesus’ life. For mature audiences. NMU students, $5; youth, $15; NMU employees, seniors and military, $22; general public, $25. 1 and 7:30 p.m. Forest Roberts Theatre, NMU. nmu.universitytickets.com.
• Lasers on the Ore Dock. This new show will be presented by Fresh Coast Light Lab and Travel Marquette. 20 minutes after sunset. Ore Dock, Mattson Lower Harbor Park. travelmarquette.com.
20 SUNDAY
sunrise 6:54 a.m.; sunset 8:43 p.m.
Little Lake
Easter
• Bingo. A concession stand will be available. Doors open, 11 a.m.; early bird games, 1:30 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary Post 349, 1835 E. M-35. 906-346-6000.
Marquette
• Ojibwe Spring Contest Powwow. The Spring Powwow includes a competition for drummers and dancers, a celebration for indigenous culture with food, crafts and native regalia. Kids ages five and younger and elders ages 62 and older, free; daily admission, $5. Grand Entry, noon. Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Fair Ave. 906-201-2297 or 906395-0999, or kbic-nsn.gov.
21 MONDAY
sunrise 6:52 a.m.; sunset 8:45 p.m.
Marquette
• Toddler Storytime. Stories, songs and sensory play activities will be offered for children 18 to 36 months with a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Ukulele Class. Free for ages 50 and older. Instruments will be provided. 3 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. To register, 906-228-0456.
• Senior Theatre Experience: Monthly Theatre Workshop and Discussion. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents ages 50 and older. 4 p.m. Room B, Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. To register, 906-225-8655.
• D&D Junior. Students in fourth and fifth grades can join DM Grace for a role-playing adventure. Kids new to the game are welcome and all character sheets and supplies will be provided. Registration is required. 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323.
• Cyber Clinic: Artificial Intelligence. In partnership with the Upper Peninsula Cybersecurity Institute, this session will discuss the basics of AI and address how to navigate an online world where AI is increasingly prevalent. Questions may be submitted ahead of time by emailing upcyber@ nmu.edu. 6 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4319 or pwpl.info.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 6 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival KickOff: The Women of Harvard Square Press. To launch the Great Lakes Poetry Festival, this reading will celebrate the women of Harvard Square Press, including Beverly Matherne, Claudia Drosen, Randi Clemens, Lynn Domina, Helen Haskell Remien and Kathleen M. Heideman, among others.
6:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322.
Munising
• Earth Fest Storytime. Preschoolaged children and their caregivers are invited to hear stories, sing songs and make a simple craft about Earth Day. Part of Earth Fest, hosted by Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions. 10:30 a.m. Suite A, Munising School Public Library, 810 State Hwy. M-28W. 906-387-2125.
Negaunee
• All-Ages Online Storytime. Miss Jessica will lead stories, songs and rhymes on Facebook Live. 11 a.m. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.
22 TUESDAY
sunrise 6:50 a.m.; sunset 8:46 p.m.
Escanaba
• NCLL: Lunch at the Swedish Pantry. Attendees can meet for lunch before the group’s tour of the Veteran’s Center. To carpool, meet at Lafaro’s Fresh Market in Marquette at 10 a.m. Swedish Pantry Restaurant, 819 Ludington St. 906-235-8532 or susanholliday83@gmail.com.
• Tech Tuesday. Appointments or walk-ins are welcome. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
• NCLL: Learning About Veterans and the Escanaba Veterans Center. Attendees can enjoy a tour of the facility and learn more about the services offered from host Lou Reynolds. To carpool, meet at Lafaro’s Fresh Market in Marquette at 11:45 a.m. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 1:30 p.m. 301 N. 30th St. 906-235-8532 or susanholliday83@gmail.com.
Ishpeming
• Tot Tuesday Storytime. Stories, songs and movement activities followed by an optional craft and playtime will be offered for toddlers and preschoolers. 11 a.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• Adult Book Club. This month’s selection is “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America” by Amanda Jones. 2 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
Marquette
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival All Booked Up: Can We Talk? This month’s selection will be “Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit” by Colby Cedar Smith. 10 a.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322, machatz@ pwpl.info or pwpl.info.
• Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities will be offered for preschool-age children and a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn how to make your electronic devices work with the help of retired teacher and librarian Christine Ault. Bring passwords and ensure the device is charged. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register for a 30-minute session, 906-226-4311.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.
• Lake Superior Knitters. Learn how to knit, solve problems in reading patterns and expand your knitting skills. The group includes a variety of ages and levels of experiences. Bring a skein of lighter color yarn and a size 7, 24-inch wooden circular needle to make a hat or cowl. Suggested donation, $1 to $5 to the MRHC for the study and preservation of the fiber arts. 1 to 2:30 p.m. Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. beedhive47@ yahoo.com.
• Oil Painting, Pastels and Drawing Classes with Marlene Wood. Bring your own supplies. $20. 1 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, Lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-8655.
• Senior Dance Class. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents ages 50 and older. 4 p.m. Baraga Gym, Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. To register, 906-225-8655.
• Earth Day Family Storytime. Families with youth of all ages are invited to this interactive storytime to celebrate Earth Day followed by a bee hotel craft. 6 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival Headline Poet: Kimberly Blaeser Reading. Poet Kimberly Blaeser, a former Wisconsin Poet Laureate and author of six poetry collections, will read from her work. 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• NMU Choral Concert. 7:30 p.m. St. Peter Cathedral, 311 W. Baraga Ave. nmu.edu/music.
Munising
• Documentary: “David Attenborough Presents Hummingbirds: Jeweled Messengers.” Part of Earth Fest, hosted by Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions. 10 a.m. The Gallery Coffee Company, 120 Elm Ave. 906-387-2125 or acrenewableenergysolutions@ gmail.com.
• Earth Fest 2025: Celebrate Earth Day. Speaker Steve Waller will discuss how forest landowners can help reduce the impacts of climate change if they understand the carbon capture forest strategy. Light refreshments will be provided. Part of Earth Fest, hosted by Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions. 6 p.m. Suite A, Munising School Public Library, 810 State Hwy. M-28W. 906-387-2125 or acrenewableenergysolutions@gmail.com.
Negaunee
• Pressed Flowers Craft Night. Participants can make a bookmark or greeting card to celebrate Earth Day. All supplies will be provided and no experience is needed. Choose one session, 5 or 5:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St To register, call
906-475-7700, ext. 18, or visit facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
23 WEDNESDAY
sunrise 6:48 a.m.; sunset 8:47 p.m.
Ishpeming
• Aspen Ridge Playgroup. Children and their caregivers can enjoy free play, circle time, crafts and activities, and snacks. 10 a.m. Aspen Ridge School, 350 Aspen Ridge School Rd. 906-485-3178, ext. 1104 or 1105.
• Italian Lessons: Casual Conversation. Marilena Corradino will teach Italian in a casual conversation format. The bimonthly class is intended for beginners or those who want to practice speaking Italian with others. 4 p.m. Ray Leverton Community Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• Adult Book Club. This month’s selection is “That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America” by Amanda Jones. 6 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381.
Marquette
• Book Babies. Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays will be offered for newborns to 17 months old with a loving adult. Older siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Congregate Meals for Seniors–Dine in or Curbside Pickup. Meals available to those age 60 and older and their spouses. Call to reserve a meal. $3.50 suggested donation. Noon to 1 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. 906-228-0456.
• Adult Nonfiction Book Group. The group is for people who enjoy reading narrative nonfiction that tell stories of the past, present and future. This month’s selection will be “The Art Thief” by Michael Finkel. 2 p.m. Conference Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4311.
• Teens Cook! Teens in sixth through 12th grades will learn easy-to-prepare recipes. Online registration is required. 4 p.m. Marquette Food Co-op, 502 W. Washington St. To register, pwpl.info.
• Fandom Fun: Hot Wheels. Youth of all ages can enjoy Hot Wheel games and activities, including racing, decorating, a car wash and more. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival Dinner and a Movie: “Paterson.” As part of the Great Lakes Poetry Festival, attendees can enjoy a seated dinner and a screening of director Jim Jarmusch’s acclaimed film “Paterson,” which stars Adam Driver as a bus driver and poet from Paterson, N.J. Rated R. 6 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St.
906-226-4322.
• Creature Feature: Snakes. Easton Zivnoska and Grace Souza, in partnership with Critter Classroom of Marquette, will present a live snake program and an up-close look at boa, python, corn and milk snakes. Intended for ages six and older and children must be accompanied by an adult. Suggested donation, $5 per child or $10 per family. 6 p.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Shiras Pool Building at Presque Isle Park. Registration is appreciated to moosewoodnc@gmail. com.
• Earth Fest 2025: Pumping Heat. Speaker John Forslin will discuss heat pumps, recent changes in residential availability, financing with Michigan Saves and Michigan IRA rebates. Light refreshments will be provided. Part of Earth Fest, hosted by Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions. 6 p.m. Suite A, Munising School Public Library, 810 State Hwy. M-28W. 906-387-2125 or acrenewableenergysolutions@gmail.com.
Negaunee
• All Booked Up. “Upper Michigan Today” host Tia Trudgeon will lead an on-air book discussion of Colby Cedar Smith’s “Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit.” 9 a.m. WLUC TV6 Studio, 177 U.S. Hwy. 41 E. 906-226-4322.
• Knitting Group. Crocheters, knitters and others interested in fiber arts are welcome to bring their projects and enjoy fellowship. Coffee will be provided and lessons are available. 1 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
• After-school Middle School Group. Snacks will be provided. 3 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
24 THURSDAY
sunrise 6:47 a.m.; sunset 8:49 p.m.
Calumet
• Preschool Story Time. 10:15 a.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107. clklibrary. org.
• Knitting and Crochet Group. Participants can bring their portable handwork project and enjoy an informal social time. Open to everyone. 1 p.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107. clklibrary.org.
Marquette
• Toddler Storytime. Stories, songs and sensory play activities will be offered for children 18 to 36 months with a loving adult. Siblings are
welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn how to make your electronic devices work with the help of retired teacher and librarian Christine Ault. Bring passwords and ensure the device is charged. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register for a 30-minute session, 906-226-4311.
• NCLL: Brunch at Jeffrey’s. Attendees can enjoy food and conversation in the newly remodeled restaurant. 10 a.m. Jeffrey’s Restaurant, 300 S. McClellan Ave. 906-458-5408 or csteinha@nmu.edu.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• Art Talk: Artwork Made From Repurposed Metal. Metal sculptor Adam Mowafy of AYM Creations will talk about his inspirations. Mowafy’s sculptures will also be on display. 6:30 p.m. Studio One, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. lakesuperiorartassociation.org.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival Keynote Poet: Jeff Kass Reading. Festival Keynote Poet Jeff Kass will read from “True Believer,” his recently released collection of poems that delve into the origins of the Marvel superheroes. 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• An Evening with the Interfaith Water Stewards: Fluoride And Drinking Water. Pharmacist David Campana and Scott Emerson, M.D., an integrated medicine physician, will take part in a community conversation moderated by Chuck Thomas, retired Upper Michigan supervisor for public water resources. There will also be music performed by Michael Waite. Presented by The Cedar Tree Institute. 7 p.m. Messiah Lutheran Church, 305 W. Magnetic St. 906-360-5072, cedartreeiinstitute.org or wildchurch.org.
• Superior A Cappella Concert. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/music.
• Lasers on the Ore Dock. This new show will be presented by Fresh Coast Light Lab and Travel Marquette. 20 minutes after sunset. Ore Dock, Mattson Lower Harbor Park. travelmarquette.com.
Munising
• Climate Change “Jeopardy.” Steve Waller will host this modified “Jeopardy” game designed for adult audiences of 10 or more players. Prizes and light refreshments will be provided. Part of Earth Fest, hosted by Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions. 6 p.m. Suite A, Munising School Public Library, 810 State Hwy. M-28W. 906-387-2125 or acrenewableenergysolutions@gmail.com.
Negaunee
• Sensory Playtime. This one-hour, drop-in play session will feature activity stations and early reading and language activities. Parents and caregivers can also connect to share tips and experiences. This week’s theme will be “Under the Sea.” 11 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18 or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
25 FRIDAY sunrise 6:45 a.m.; sunset 8:50 p.m.
Gwinn
• Story Time. Children and families can enjoy stories, crafts and light snacks. 10:30 a.m. Forsyth Township Library, 180 W. Flint St. 906-346-3433.
Ishpeming
• Friends of the Library Used Book Sale. Used books as well as new library sweatshirts will be available for purchase. Presented by Friends of the Library. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
• Homeschool Hangout. Homeschooling families can visit with fellow homeschooling friends, network with library staff and learn about the library’s resources. At 10:30 a.m., staff from TruNorth Credit Union will present “Money Smart.” 10 a.m. to noon. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Marquette
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival: Cindy Hunter Morgan Writing Workshop. Cindy Hunter Morgan, author of the Michigan Notable Book “Harborless,” will guide participants through writing prompts to generate new work. 10 a.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, visit pwpl.info. 906-226-4322.
• Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities will be offered for preschool-age children and a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Cultivating Care, Compassion and Connection. This event will offer a safe space to pause, reflect and build connections with others who are committed to cultivating kindness. Each week, a different local organization will present educators and leaders who will facilitate a discussion while maintaining a shared commitment to the Charter for Compassion and the Circle of Trust principles. Noon. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4303.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival: Cindy Hunter Morgan Filmetry Screening.
Cindy Hunter Morgan, author of the Michigan Notable Book “Harborless” and cofounder of the Filmetry Festival of Poetry and Film, will screen some of the festival’s award-winning short films based on the poems of noted writers. 12:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• LEGO Club. LEGO enthusiasts are invited to build projects with the library’s LEGO blocks. 4 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4303 or pwpl. info.
• Spring Fling. Students in sixth through eighth grades can dress in their best tropical-themed attire and dance to their favorite songs with friends. Tickets required, which must be purchased in person. 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4321 or pwpl.info.
• Theatre and Dance Senior Showcase. Graduating seniors will perform. NMU students, $5; youth, $15; NMU employees, seniors and military, $22; general public, $25. 7:30 p.m. Forest Roberts Theatre, NMU. nmu.universitytickets.com.
• Lasers on the Ore Dock. This new show will be presented by Fresh Coast Light Lab and Travel Marquette. 20 minutes after sunset. Ore Dock, Mattson Lower Harbor Park. travelmarquette.com.
26 SATURDAY
sunrise 6:43 a.m.; sunset 8:51 p.m.
Curtis
• Family Movie Night. The movie title is TBA. There will be free popcorn for all kids. $7. 5 p.m. The Pine Performance Center, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906-586-9974 or ericksoncenter.org.
Gwinn
• Coffee and Conversation. 10 a.m.to noon. Forsyth Township Library, 180 W. Flint St. 906-346-3433.
Ishpeming
• Friends of the Library Used Book Sale. Used books as well as new library sweatshirts will be available for purchase. Presented by Friends of the Library. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
• Silent Book Club. Hosted by the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, attendees can bring their own book and read silently for one hour, followed by time to socialize and talk about books. Noon. Velodrome Coffee, 105 S. Main
St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
Marquette
• Bike and Kayak Swap. Equipment drop-off, 9 to 10:30 a.m.; Superiorland Ski Club members’ only sale, 10:45 to 11 a.m.; general public sale, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Fair Ave. superiorlandskiclub.com.
• Saturday Storytime. Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays will be offered for babies through preschool with a loving adult. Older siblings are welcome. 10:30 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival Teen Reading/Poetry Contest Award Ceremony. Winners and participants from the annual Great Lakes Teen Poetry Contest will read from their work. 11 a.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. Lessons, 10 a.m. Games, 11:30 a.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival: 2025 International 3-Day Chapbook Contest Reading and Award Ceremony. The three winners of the 2024 3-Day International Chapbook Competition will read from their work. The contest was judged by award-winning poet Diane Glancy. 1 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• Birds and Brews. This event includes a “bird nerd” trivia game styled after “Jeopardy” where teams work to score the most points based on their knowledge of bird identification and bird facts. There will be a free drink for attendees and door prizes from MI Birds and local businesses. Co-sponsored by the Laughing Whitefish Bird Alliance and the MI Birds program. 5 p.m. Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. laughingwhitefishbirdalliance.com.
• Marquette Choral Society Spring Concert. The concert will feature Benjamin Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb,” Randall Thompson’s “Frostiana” based on the poetry of Robert Frost, and John Rutter’s “The Sprig of Thyme.” The Upper Peninsula Choral Leadership Award will also be presented. Children younger than 12, $5; adults, $10. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/tickets.
• Marquette City Band Spring Concert. 7:30 p.m. Kaufman Auditorium, 611 N. Front St. marquettecityband.com.
• Lasers on the Ore Dock. This new show will be presented by Fresh Coast Light Lab and Travel Marquette. 20 minutes after sunset. Ore Dock, Mattson Lower Harbor Park. travelmarquette.com.
Wetmore
• Solar Array Open House. The public is invited to tour Munising Township’s solar array and learn how it was installed and the statistics behind it. Light refreshments will be provided. Part of Earth Fest, hosted by Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions. 1 to 3 p.m. Munising Township Building, E9630 Prospect St. 906-387-2125 or acrenewableenergysolutions@gmail. com.
27 SUNDAY
sunrise 6:42a.m.; sunset 8:53 p.m.
Calumet
• Art Play. This open studio time for adults encourages artists to create and share their work. 2 to 4 p.m. Calumet Art Center, 57055 Fifth St. 906-9342228 or info@calumetartcenter.com.
Little Lake
• Bingo. A concession stand will be available. Doors open, 11 a.m.; early bird games, 1:30 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary Post 349, 1835 E. M-35. 906-346-6000.
Marquette
• Story Time at MooseWood. “999 Tadpoles” by Ken Kimura will be read followed by an activity or craft. Intended for ages five to eight, but all are welcome. Suggested donation, $5 per child or $10 per family. 11 a.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Shiras Pool Building at Presque Isle Park. Registration is appreciated to moosewoodnc@gmail.com.
• Marquette Choral Society Spring Concert. The concert will feature Benjamin Britten’s “Rejoice in the Lamb,” Randall Thompson’s “Frostiana” based on the poetry of Robert Frost, and John Rutter’s “The Sprig of Thyme.” The Upper Peninsula Choral Leadership Award will also be presented. Children younger than 12, $5; adults, $10. 3 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/tickets.
• Great Lakes Poetry Festival Afterglow Event. The 2025 Great Lakes Poetry Festival will close with readings by Gala Malherbe, Ronnie Ferguson, Troy Graham and two-time U.P. Poet Laureate Marty Achatz. Troy Graham will round out the evening with a concert. 5 to 8 p.m. Rippling River Resort, 4321 M-553. 906-2264322 or pwpl.info.
28 MONDAY
906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
Negaunee
• All-Ages Online Storytime. Miss Jessica will lead stories, songs and rhymes on Facebook Live. 11 a.m. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.
29 TUESDAY
sunrise 6:38 a.m.; sunset 8:55 p.m.
Escanaba
• Tech Tuesday. Appointments or walk-ins are welcome. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
Ishpeming
• Tot Tuesday Storytime. Stories, songs and movement activities followed by an optional craft and playtime will be offered for toddlers and preschoolers. 11 a.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Marquette
• Preschool Storytime. Stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities will be offered for preschool-age children and a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• Oil Painting, Pastels and Drawing Classes with Marlene Wood. Bring your own supplies. $20. 1 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, Lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-8655.
• Senior Dance Class. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents ages 50 and older. 4 p.m. Baraga Gym, Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. To register, 906-225-8655.
• Art After Loss: Creating a Memorial Collage. Participants can bring photographs, handwritten notes or letters, favorite symbols, quotes, poems or song lyrics to create a memorial collage in memory of a loved one. Poster boards and craft supplies will be provided. 4:30 p.m. Arts and Culture Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, call 906-225-7760.
Marquette
• Toddler Storytime. Stories, songs and sensory play activities will be offered for children 18 to 36 months with a loving adult. Siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St.
• Bluesday Tuesday Concert. This concert is sponsored by the Marquette Area Blues Society. 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322.
Munising
• Documentary: “Facts About
Spiders.” Part of Earth Fest, hosted by Alger County Renewable Energy Solutions. 10 a.m. The Gallery Coffee Company, 120 Elm Ave. 906-387-2125 or acrenewableenergysolutions@ gmail.com.
30 WEDNESDAY
sunrise 6:37 a.m.; sunset 8:57 p.m.
Ishpeming
• Aspen Ridge Playgroup. Children and their caregivers can enjoy free play, circle time, crafts and activities, and snacks. 10 a.m. Aspen Ridge School, 350 Aspen Ridge School Rd. 906-485-3178, ext. 1104 or 1105.
• Popcorn and a Movie for Adults. Adults are invited to enjoy free popcorn and a screening of the 2023
support groups
• Adult Children of Alcoholics and Dysfunctional Families— Marquette. Sundays, 7 p.m. Use the parking lot entrance. Downstairs meeting room, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 201 E. Ridge St. adultchildren.org/meeting.
• Alano Club—Marquette. Twelvestep recovery meetings daily. Daily, noon and 7:30 p.m. 106 Coles Dr.
• Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups. A fellowship offering strength and hope for friends and families of problem drinkers. al-alon.org or 888-425-2666.
• Al-Anon—Ishpeming. Friends and family who have loved ones dealing with alcohol issues are invited. Mondays, 6 p.m. Wesley United Methodist Church, 801 Hemlock St. 906-361-9524.
• Alcoholics Anonymous. Daily meetings throughout Marquette County at many locations and times. Twenty-four-hour answering service. aa-marquettecounty.org or 800-605-5043.
• Open AA Meeting—Gwinn. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Basement, Gwinn Community Building, 165 N. Maple St.
• Open AA Meeting—K.I. Sawyer. Fridays, 8 p.m. 906 Community Church, 315 Explorer St.
• Men’s AA Meeting—Gwinn. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, 280 Boulder St. (entrance to the right of main entrance).
• ALZConnected. This is a free, online community for everyone affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other memory loss diseases. alzconnected.org.
• American Legacy Foundation. Smoking quit line for expectant mothers and cessation information for women. 800-668-8278.
release “The Marvels” (rated PG-13). 2 p.m. Community Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381.
• Adult Horror Book Club. This month’s selection will be “Lost Gods” by Brom. 6 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Marquette
• Book Babies. Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays will be offered for newborns to 17 months old with a loving adult. Older siblings are welcome. 10 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Congregate Meals for Seniors–Dine in or Curbside Pickup. Meals available to those age 60 and older and their spouses. Call to reserve a meal.
$3.50 suggested donation. Noon to 1 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. 906-228-0456.
• Denim Day Awareness Walk. This movement began after a court ruled in 1992 that tight jeans implied consent. Supporters are encouraged to wear denim to show solidarity with survivors of sexual violence and promote awareness. Noon. Harlow Park. thewomenscenterinc.org.
• Assistive Technology with SAIL. Support will be provided for senior citizens who have questions about assistive technology, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and email. 3 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. 906-228-0456.
• Fandom Fun: It’s Raining Tacos! Youth of all ages can enjoy a fun-filled (non-food) taco party inspired by the picture book “Dragons Love Tacos.”
There will be taco sensory play, the opportunity to create a fiesta mobile, “Taco and Pizza” party games and more. 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
Negaunee
• Knitting Group. Crocheters, knitters and others interested in fiber arts are welcome to bring their projects and enjoy fellowship. Coffee will be provided and lessons are available. 1 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
• After-school Middle School Group. Snacks will be provided. 3 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary. MM
• Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Checks. Cholesterol checks are $5. Call for Marquette County schedule. 906-225-4545.
• Caregiver Support Group (Phonebased). Caregivers can share their feelings, develop friendships and learn about available community resources from their own home via phone. April 16. 2 p.m. To register, call 906-485-5527.
• Caregiver Support Group— Marquette. Family, friends and others who are caring for a person with a chronic illness or disability can share their feelings, develop friendships and learn about available community resources. April 9. 2 p.m. Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, 914 W. Baraga Ave. 906-225-7760 or lakesuperiorhospice.org.
• Celebrate Recovery—Gwinn. Wednesdays. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. First Baptist Church of Gwinn, 195 N. Billings St.
• Gamblers Anonymous. This group is for those who have or think they have a problem with gambling. Thursdays, 7 p.m. Library Room, First Presbyterian Church, 120 N. Front St., Marquette.
• Grief Support Group—Ishpeming. U.P. Home Health and Hospice offers support for those caring for a loved one with a life-limiting diagnosis or who recently experienced the loss of a loved one. Second and fourth Thursdays. 2 p.m. Ray Leverton Community Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-225-4545.
• Grief Support Group—Ishpeming. Anyone dealing with grief and loss is invited to attend. Third Wednesday of each month. 7 p.m. St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1889 Prairie Ave. 906-376-8475.
• Grief Support Group—Gwinn.
People dealing with grief and loss are encouraged to attend. Individual grief counseling is available. April 9. 2 p.m. Forsyth Senior Center, 165 Maple St. 906-225-7760.
• Grief Support Group—Marquette. U.P. Home Health and Hospice will offer support for those caring for a loved one with a life-limiting diagnosis or who recently experienced the loss of a loved one. First and third Thursdays. 3 p.m. Dandelion Cottage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-4545.
• iCanQuit. Smokers are invited to learn more about quitting with the help of a quitting coach. 800-480-7848.
• Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous. Tuesdays, 12:05 p.m. Upstairs, The Crib Coffee House, 401 N. Third St., Marquette. ITAAMQT@ zohomail.com.
• Michigan Tobacco Quit Line. This free quit smoking coaching hotline provides callers with a personal health coach. 800-784-8669.
• Nar-Anon Meetings—Ishpeming. Family and friends who have addicted loved ones are invited. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Mission Covenant Church, 1001 N. Second St. 906-361-9524.
• Narcotics Anonymous Meetings— Marquette. Family and friends who have addicted loved ones are invited. Open meetings on Wednesdays and Sundays, 7:30 p.m. Closed meeting on Fridays, 7:30 p.m. Downstairs Social Room, Marquette Hope First Campus, 111 E. Ridge St. (use Ridge Street entrance).
• National Alliance on Mental Illness—In-Person Support Group. Individuals living with mental illness and friends or families living with
an individual with mental illness are welcome. April 14 and 17 (email ckbertucci58@charter.net to confirm meeting). 7 p.m. 1025 W. Washington St., Suite C, Marquette. 906-360-7107 or namimqt.com.
• Nicotine Anonymous. 415-7500328 or nicotine-anonymous.org.
• Parkinson’s Support Group. Open to people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. April 16. 2 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. 906-228-0456.
• SMART Recovery—Calumet. A self-help group for alcohol and substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. Mondays, 7 p.m. Copper Country Mental Health, 56938 Calumet Ave. smartrecovery.org.
• SMART Recovery—Hancock. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 p.m. Conference Room No. 5, U.P. Health System–Portage Hospital, 500 Campus Dr. smartrecovery.org.
• SMART Recovery—Marquette (Zoom). Mondays, noon. Via Zoom. smartrecovery.org.
• Take Off Pounds Sensibly. This is a non-commercial weight-control support group. Various places and times throughout the U.P. 800-932-8677 or TOPS.org.
• Virtual Caregiver Support Group. U.P. family caregivers are welcome to join. A device with an internet connection, webcam, microphone and an email address are necessary. Advanced registration required. Second Tuesday of each month. 2 p.m. 906-217-3019 or caregivers@upcap.org.
• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Food Program. Clinics include nutritional counseling and coupon pick-up. Appointments required. Call for Marquette County schedule. mqthealth.org or 906-475-7846. MM
