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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.
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About the Cover Artist
A longtime resident of the U.P., Kevin Breyfogle has done sign painting, murals, illustrations and portraits. He now paints in oils what he knows and loves the most — the wildlife and rugged landscapes of the north. His work is displayed in galleries, and he accepts commissions. Reach him at krbreyfogle@gmail.com.
4 City notes
HigHligHts of important Happenings in tHe area
14 then & now Superior View The Baraga CounTy CourThouse in L’anse
15 new york tiMes Crossword Puzzle tunnel Vision (answers on page 77)
17 feature KriSty BaSolo FaCT and FiCTion mix in The LiFe sTory oF ‘roaring dan’ seavey
25 sPorting life
MeliSSa wentarMini marquette trail 50 is a sHowcase of grit and grace
30 the arts
Brad GiSchia
mike WaLker Brings Bogue’s aLBum BaCk To LiFe
35 sPorting life
MeliSSa wentarMini rugged greywalls still makes a statement at 20
42 lookout Point Jennifer donoVan students take adVantage of summer learning opportunities
48 sPorting life JiM laJoie first tee uses golf to teacH life lessons
55 loCals erin elliott Bryan annual fairs celebrate tradition and community
59 the arts
Brad GiSchia music festiVal in porkies feels like a family reunion
63 loCals
Jennifer chaMpaGne brian Vanwieren is recognized as an elite sailing teacHer
68 in the outdoors lily VenaBle monarcH butterflies Visit tHe u p on tHeir migration
71 Poetry
Gala MalherBe family reunion witH aunt pauline
73 suPerior reads Victor r. VolKMan ‘haggard house’ is inFused WiTh goThiC eLemenTs
74 the sPirit of water
Jon MaGnuSon a circle of gratitude
76 on CaMPus
news from u p uniVersities and colleges
79 out & about
erin elliott Bryan & carrie uSher august eVents, music, art, museums and support groups
New program encourages exploration, litter cleanup
Travel Marquette is inviting locals and visitors alike to help preserve Marquette County’s natural beauty through Collect Marquette, a new digital passport program that rewards participants for picking up litter while exploring iconic outdoor areas.
Throughout the summer, participants can visit the Travel Marquette office to pick up gloves and a trash bag, use the digital Collect Marquette passport to check in at geo-tagged locations across Marquette County, collect litter while enjoying the area’s natural beauty and drop off a full (or well-used) trash bag back at the Travel Marquette office in exchange for a limited-edition Collect Marquette tote bag.
As a bonus, every participant who returns a bag of collected trash will be entered into a drawing to win one of three $150 Love on Local gift cards, redeemable at any Marquette County business that accepts Visa cards. Winners will be announced on Sept. 5.
Participating locations include Sugarloaf Mountain, Presque Isle Park, McCarty’s Cove, Iron Ore Heritage Trail, Marquette City Path, Lower Harbor, Little Presque Isle Recreation Area, Wetmore Landing, Harlow Lake Area, Tourist Park, NTN North Trails Trailhead and the NTN South Trails Trailhead in Marquette; Perkins Park and Thomas Rock in Big Bay; Peter Nordeen Park and Farquar Metsa Tourist Park in Gwinn; Teal Lake and Jackson Mine Park in Negaunee; and Al Quaal Recreation Area and the RAMBA trailhead in Ishpeming.
Collect Marquette promotes responsible outdoor recreation and environmental stewardship. The initiative is part of Travel Marquette’s broader Respect Marquette County campaign, which promotes sustainable travel and community pride.
Thomas Theatre Group hosts free movie series
Thomas Theatre Group is hosting its free summer movie series through Sept. 1. Movies will be screened at 2 and 4 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays at its three venues in Marquette, Escanaba and Quinnesec.
“Hotel Transylvania 3” will be shown Aug. 2-4; “The Angry Birds Movie” will be shown Aug. 9-11; “The Angry Birds Movie 2” will be shown Aug. 16-18; “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” will be shown Aug. 23-25; and “Cloudy with a
city notes
Art show in Copper Harbor
Copper Harbor Art in the Park returns to the Donny Kilpela Memorial Park in Copper Harbor on Aug. 16 and 17 for its 38th year of showcasing artists from the Keweenaw and across the country.
“We have several artists who come from Texas, Florida and California,” said Johanna Davis, the event’s coordinator. This is Davis’ 24th year in charge of Art in the Park, a job she took on after serving as president of the Chamber of Commerce for Kenweenaw County and as a member of the Copper Harbor Advertising Committee.
“I want people to come to Copper Harbor and have a good experience,” Davis said. Since she’s taken over, the vendor list has gone from between 14 and 20 vendors to more than 60.
Davis said the growth has happened for a number of reasons. “We’ve made some changes,” Davis said. “We started doing pre-signup with the artists at the end of the show for next year’s event. That’s made it easier on us and on them.”
Davis added that there are live bands both days, which is a draw for both the vendors and the shoppers.
The show is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
There is a community-wide bake sale happening, and the Copper Harbor Volunteer Fire Department will be set up at the pavilion for its biggest fundraiser of the year. The firefighters will be cooking brats, hotdogs and corn on the cob.
Davis said the timeframe for the show also makes it attractive to vendors. “Being that it’s late in August, the weather is usually beautiful,” she said. “Copper Harbor is a
Chance of Meatballs 2” will be shown Aug. 30 through Sept. 1. For information, visit thomastheatregroup.com.
New cultural festival Aug. 9-10 in Calumet
CroFest, a new Croatian and Slovenian culture festival, will take place Aug. 9-10 in Calumet. This free,
destination place. You can incorporate some vacation time as well as scheduling other art shows.”
Davis said artists often complete a circuit in the summer, mentioning Art on the Rocks and the Outback Art Fair in Marquette and the Eagle Harbor Art Fair the weekend before.
“Often artists will take the week between Eagle Harbor and ours to re-create some work that sold, or they’ll just spend the week hanging around and enjoying the area,” Davis said.
The fair features art and artists in a variety of disciplines. From ceramics and painting to metalwork, woodwork and textiles, there is sure to be something for everyone.
“It’s great to walk through the show later on Saturday,” Davis said. “All the vendors are with customers, people are happy, the music is going, it’s something that’s become special to me over the years.”
For more information about Art in the Park, visit copperharborartshow.com or write to Davis at copperharborartinthepark@gmail. com.
—Brad Gischia
family-friendly event will celebrate Calumet’s Slavic heritage as part of the Village of Calumet’s 150th anniversary and the Calumet Theatre’s 125th anniversary.
Food vendors will sell a variety of ethnic dishes, including ćevapčići (grilled minced beef, lamb and pork kebabs with toasted flatbread, onions and ajvar) and sarma (stuffed cabbage
Copper Harbor Art in the Park
Blues on the Bay scheduled for Aug. 22-23
Manymusic fans were sorry to see the Marquette Area Blues Fest close its final show last year, but members of the organization that staged the event are still at work promoting blues music in the area.
The Friends of the Historic Thunder Bay Inn and the Marquette Area Blues Society have partnered to bring the Blues on the Bay music festival to Big Bay on Aug. 22 and 23.
Mark Bevins, a member of the Friends of the Historic Thunder Bay Inn, is organizing the festival, now in its fifth year.
“I originally came from Macomb County four years ago,” Bevins said. “I’ve always loved the blues. Every year we had a blues concert at the inn. We always said if it was still going on the fifth year that we’d try to expand.”
Expand, they did.
This year, the festival will be on both Friday and Saturday, and the expanded lineup will offer longer days of music as well as acts coming in from out of town.
“We have Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. coming in on Friday,” Bevins said. “The richness and quality of that music is amazing.”
The Friends of the Inn are using this festival to promote their other projects to create educational opportunities in Big Bay.
rolls), and there will be music from Chicago’s Pajdaši Tamburaši playing traditional Croatian/Tambura music, “Kolo” dance instruction, games, kids’ activities and more.
CroFest will be celebrated along Calumet’s Fifth Street, where attendees can walk in the footsteps of Anna “Big Annie” Klobuchar Clemenc. Big Annie was a 6-foot, 2-inch Slovenian-American labor activist who helped lead the 1913 Copper Strike. Known for carrying a massive American flag during marches and standing up for miners’ families, Big Annie became a symbol of strength, courage and immigrant resilience.
In conjunction with the festival, the Tamburitzans, America’s longest-running multicultural dance ensemble, will perform Aug. 10 at the Calumet Theatre.
For information and tickets, visit calumettheatre.com/events/ event/1st-annual-crofest-2025.
“Henry Ford paid to have the Thunder Bay Inn renovated,” Bevins said. “He also had several nonprofits, including a hospital. In that spirit, we want to do good things for Big Bay.”
Those projects include an internet cafe where seniors can bring their technology questions, as well as the construction of a pole building.
“We got a $100,000 grant from Michigan Agriculture and Rural Development and are building what we like to call a recreational lending library,” Bevins said. Half of the building will be stocked with outdoor recreational equipment, which will be free to residents who possess a “library card.”
The other half of the building will be devoted to what Bevins
Eagle Harbor event to present ‘Hubbell Heroes’
Aspart of the Keweenaw County Historical Society’s Adventures in History series, Eagle River resident and veteran Jim Huovinen will present “Hubbell Heroes Flying Against the Odds Over Europe During World War II” at 7 p.m. on Aug. 13 at the Eagle Harbor Community Building.
Huovinen will share the story of two local boys, grandsons of Calumet and Hecla’s CEO James MacNaughton, who became heavy bomber pilots after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
Admission is $5. For information, visit keweenawhistory.org.
U.P. Notable Book Club to feature Joseph Heywood
The Crystal Falls Community District Library in partnership with the U.P. Publishers and Authors Association will host its next event with winners of the U.P. Notable Book List
called “Ed-Venture,” educational and ecology-based activities to educate people about the environment and culture of the area.
The Marquette Area Blues Society has been working closely with the Friends in an effort to help their expansion.
“We really wanted to have the MABS on board with us,” Bevins said. “They’ve been so great, mentoring us and helping us navigate this. We’ve been taking their advice, and it’s really working well.”
To that end, Bevins said they will present the MABS board with an award of recognition on Saturday night, right before the headlining act, to show them how much the community appreciates what was done in Marquette over the last 20 years.
Bevins said Blues on the Bay drew about 300 people each year. This year, he’s expecting about 500.
Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. and the Ils Sont Partis Band will play from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday. Activities and music on Saturday will run from 1 to 10 p.m. Saturday’s lineup includes Flat Broke Blues Band and Laura Rain and the Caesars.
Tickets are $10. Visit historicthunderbayinn.com or call 906345-9220 for information.
—Brad Gischia
on Aug. 14 via Zoom.
This month’s guest will be Joseph Heywood, author of “Limpy’s Adult Lexicon: Raw, Politically Incorrect, Improper & Unexpurgated As Overheard & Noodled.” Heywood, who writes stories primarily about U.P. conservation officers, spends up to a month a year in trucks on patrol with Michigan conservation officers to gather information for his Woods Cop mystery series.
One of the characters in the series is Limpy Allerdyce, who is a master poacher, predator and violator.
The event will take place at 7 p.m. EDT (6 p.m. CDT) on Aug. 14 via Zoom; contact Evelyn Gathu in advance at egathu@crystalfallslibrary. org or 906-875-3344.
Calumet to host 21st annual Pasty Fest
Pasty Fest will return Aug. 15-17, transforming downtown Calumet
Buckwheat Zydeco Jr.
into a quirky blend of medieval mayhem and U.P. charm.
Now in its 21st year, this annual celebration of the Cornish pasty will kick off on Friday night with the pasty song competition at Eva’s Hideaway featuring songs in honor of Michigan’s favorite meat pie.
On Saturday, Fifth Street will become a full-blown medieval street fair — complete with vendors, jousting vibes and an all-ages medieval fighting arena. The Hancock-Houghton Regional Rattan Armored Combat group will present medieval demonstrations in blacksmithing and sword fights.
Other activities will include a pasty eating contest, food, live music and more. For information, visit uppastyfest.com.
Marquette Asahi Week kicks off Aug. 20
Finnish health
exercise program
Asahi Nordic will be featured as part of the fourth annual Asahi Week Aug. 20-27 in Marquette. Asahi Nordic has been described as a low-impact, Finnish version of Tai Chi, and the exercise is designed to be all-inclusive, focusing on increasing flexibility, strength and mindfulness.
The theme of the week will be “From Sunrise to Sunrise” and will also include Finnish modern Nordic walking instruction. A variety of classes will be open to the public, including in Marquette, Republic, Big Bay, Negaunee and at NMU.
Asahi demonstrations will also take place at the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market and at Pasty Fest in Calumet. Additionally, a free public webinar titled “Asahi Nordic and Modern Nordic Walking: Meet Your Weekly Exercise Quota with Two Simple Finnish Health Hacks” at noon on Aug. 23 in Room 243 at NMU’s PEIF.
For information, call 407-4706675 or email adrian@usamnwa.com; or 906-364-3679 or debwahlberg@ yahoo.com.
Tools for Caregivers workshop begins Aug. 21
Powerful
Tools for Caregivers, a six-week workshop designed for the non-professional, informal family caregiver, will take place from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursdays, Aug. 21 through Sept. 25, at the Negaunee Senior Center.
Research studies find high rates of depression and anxiety among caregivers and increased vulnerability to health problems. Caregivers frequently cite restriction of personal activ-
Bayou ArtWalk and Sale is Aug. 24
The Chocolay Bayou Preserve will blossom with art, music and dancers for the fifth annual Chocolay Bayou ArtWalk and Sale from noon to 4 p.m. on Aug. 24 at the site in Harvey. Presented by the U.P. Land Conservancy, stewards of the preserve, this event is free to all. More than a dozen artists will showcase their works in acrylic, watercolor, oil, print, ceramics, metalwork and fiber to walkers along the half-mile trail through the preserve. Additionally, The Make-Believe Spurs will perform from 2 to 4 p.m. near the Iron Ore Heritage Trail entrance, the TaMaMa dancers will interpret the Bayou in movement and members of the Marquette Poets Circle will put the beauty of nature into words. The Chocolay Bayou Preserve is a 13-acre site of mixed pine and hardwood, wetlands and blue bayou waters in Harvey, just south of Marquette. In 2016, the U.P. Land Conservancy, with the support of local foundations and Friends of the Chocolay Bayou, raised $165,000 to permanently protect the bayou and open the preserve for public access. With continued community support, visitors can explore the trails along a boardwalk and guard-railed steps that make the bayou’s naturally steep and wet terrain accessible. The preserve has two entrances: one off the Iron Ore Heritage Trail less than a half mile from the Welcome Center and one off Main Street in Harvey. Parking is available along Main Street, at the Chocolay Marina just east of the preserve, at the Welcome Center and at the Chocolay Township parking lot. For information, visit uplandconservancy.org or call 906-225-8067. (Photo courtesy of U.P. Land Conservancy)
ities and social life as problems. In addition, caregivers often feel a lack of control over events and a sense of powerlessness, which can have a significant negative impact on their physical and emotional health.
The Powerful Tools for Caregivers program will provide caregivers tools to help reduce stress and increase relaxation; make tough decisions; reduce guilt, anger and depression; communicate effectively; set goals and problem solve; and take better care of themselves while caring for a relative or friend living at home, in long-term care or across the country.
The workshop will focus on selfcare for the caregiver, not on specific diseases or hands-on caregiving.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is offered by the Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress in partnership with Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice. There is no charge for this workshop, but registration is required.
Event planned for those living with memory loss
Memory Café: Painting with Purpose — Create, Connect, and Paint Together, an event intended for individuals living with memory loss and their care partner, will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Sept. 22 at the Marquette Arts and Culture Center at Peter White Public Library. The event is hosted by Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice.
Attendees are invited to take a moment to unwind and enjoy the calming experience of painting in a relaxed and supportive setting. This event will highlight connection, creativity and community, and no painting experience is needed. All materials will be provided, and light refreshments will be served.
Pre-registration is required; call 906-225-7760 or email outreach@ lakesuperiorhospice.org.
Class size is limited, and registration will end when the class is full or on Aug. 8. For information and to register, visit upcap.org (click on Events) or call 2-1-1 Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Finn Fun Day set for Aug. 23 in Negaunee
The Finlandia Foundation National Lake Superior Chapter will host the 15th annual Finn Fun Day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Aug. 23 at the Negaunee Township Hall.
The day will begin with a short welcome by President Ron Hill, followed by the singing of both the American and Finnish national anthems, led by Tanja Stanaway. Entertainment will include Stanaway, accordionist Oscar Forsman, the Midsummer Strings (a local group of instrumentalists) and more.
Gloria Alexander will offer information and assistance with genealogy research. There will also be a tori (marketplace) with baked goods, candies, coffee, hand woven carpets, jewelry, Finnish items and more, and a white elephant table full of miscellaneous items.
There will also be a silent auction of special items as well as 50/50 raffles. There is no charge to attend.
Event will mark anniversary of K.I. Sawyer closure
Adinner and dance marking the 30th anniversary of the closure of K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base is planned for Sept. 12 at the K.I Sawyer Heritage Air Museum. A buffet dinner will be catered by the Up North Lodge. Tickets are $30 per person, and reservations are due by Sept. 1. For information, call 906-346-2251 or email upkisham@gmail.com.
Marquette Choral Society begins new season
Marquette Choral Society will begin its Fall 2025 season with its first rehearsal and membership signup at 7 p.m. on Aug. 25 in the Choral Room of the Thomas Fine Arts Building at NMU. No audition is required.
New members may join on Aug. 25, Sept. 8 or Sept. 15. (There is no rehearsal on Labor Day.) Registration will begin at 6 p.m., followed by rehearsal from 7 to 9 p.m.
This semester’s concerts will take place on Dec. 6 and 7 at NMU’s Reynolds Recital Hall. The concert theme will be “Holiday Classics,” and musicians will perform works by Morten Lauridson, Dobrinka Tabakova, Elaine Hagenberg and Marques L.A. Garrett, as well as the “Hallelujah” chorus and other selections from Part I of Handel’s Messiah.
Marquette Choral Society is a mixed-voice, non-auditioned, adult choir of about 100 singers from a four-county region in the Upper Peninsula. The ensemble was founded in
Paquette to host Teal Lake hike
Local historian and author Jim Paquette will lead a hike to the campsites of Negaunee’s very first miners — the ancient peoples who once quarried the local Ajibik quartzite deposits on the northeast end of Teal Lake thousands of years ago — at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 27. The event will be presented by the Marquette Regional History Center. Participants will follow the timeworn footpath along the north lakeshore. It will be an approximately 2-mile hike on uneven terrain and hills, and is considered a moderate to difficult hike. Participants will meet at Lakeview Elementary School in Negaunee. Tickets are $15, and pre-registration is required as only 40 tickets are available. For tickets and information, call 906226-3571 or visit marquettehistory.org. Paquette is pictured above with former participants at the quartzite deposit location. (Photo courtesy of Cindy Deo)
1971 by Dr. William Dehning and is currently led by musical director Dr. Erin Colwitz.
Fees and music costs are $65; some scholarships are available. Membership in the Choral Society is also available for NMU credit. For information, visit marquettechoralsociety.org or email choralsociety906@ gmail.com.
West End Health Foundation to host annual Golf Classic
The West End Health Foundation, in partnership with the Marquette County Cares Coalition, has announced the 10th Annual WEHF Golf Classic, which will take place on Sept. 5 at the Wawonowin Country Club west of Ishpeming.
The annual golf classic supports youth development and health initiatives across Marquette County. Golfers can expect an upscale brunch with a mimosa and bloody mary bar, a shotgun start for 18 holes of play and an awards ceremony with heavy appetizers to wrap up the day.
The foundation and coalition invite new teams and sponsors to join the tradition, as they also welcome back familiar faces.
The registration form outlines sponsorship levels and benefits and is available online at westendhf. org/calendar. Sponsors will be recognized throughout the day on the course and at the awards ceremony. The deadline to register is Aug. 15. Organizers are also seeking raffle basket donations to enhance the fundraising experience.
All proceeds from the golf classic will directly support the coalition’s community-based efforts to promote the healthy development of young people through evidence-based prevention programs.
For information, to donate a basket or to become a sponsor, contact WEHF manager at 906-226-6591 or manager@westendhf.org; Tom Edmark at 906-458-5069 or thomas.r.edmark@gmail.com; or Jessy DeMarinis, MC2 prevention coordinator, at jdemarinis@mqtco.org.
Seppälä receives Michigan Heritage Award
The Michigan Traditional Arts Program at Michigan State University recently announced the recipients of the 2025 Michigan Heritage Awards, which recognize individuals who uphold their family, community or cultural folk traditions. Among this year’s recipients is Kay Seppälä of Hancock, for Finnish folk dancing. Seppälä began folk dancing in 1976 with the Kisarit Finnish American Folk Dancers of St. Paul, Minnesota. Originally from Ontonagon, Seppälä moved to Hancock in 1997 and founded Kivajat Dancers, which are sponsored by the Finnish American Heritage Center. What started as an after-school dance class has expanded to a performance group for children and teens. Seppälä, who also shares the stories and oral histories associated with each dance, has taken the group to Finland three times as part of Tanssiva Turku, an international children’s dance festival. Seppälä will travel to Finland this year to expand her dance repertoire as part of a grant from the American Scandinavian Foundation. In addition to Finnish folk dancing, Seppälä plays the Finnish small kantele, a zither-style plucked stringed instrument that is the national instrument of Finland. She has taught kantele playing to dozens of people in the area over the years and leads the Ilon Kaiku Kantele Ensemble at the Finnish American Heritage Center. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan Traditional Arts Program)
U.P. Notable Books List accepting entries
TheUpper Peninsula Publishers and Authors Association is now accepting submissions for the Upper Peninsula Notable Books List, recognizing outstanding books that capture the spirit, history or people of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
The list honors books that meaningfully contribute to the cultural and literary landscape of the U.P., whether through setting, subject matter or authorship. Since 2020, recipients of the annual award have included notable works that illuminate the U.P.’s cultural heritage, natural beauty and vibrant communities.
Authors, publishers and literary agents are invited to submit eligible titles, published between Nov. 1, 2024, and Nov. 1, 2025, for consideration. All genres are welcome, including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, memoir and children’s literature. Ten titles will be selected across all genres, including
adult and children’s categories. Winners will be announced in January 2026.
While there is not a strict U.P. residency requirement for authors, it is helpful to the panel to have the author’s involvement with the U.P. clarified in the book itself or a cover letter.
Submissions will be evaluated by a panel of independent judges based on literary merit, regional significance and overall quality. The submission deadline is Nov. 15, 2025.
The U.P. Notable Books List is a signature initiative of UPPAA, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting writers across the U.P. To submit a title or learn more about eligibility requirements, visit upnotable.com or email notable@uppaa.org.
Champion Township opens new hall
Champion Township recently opened a new township hall at 1071 U.S. Hwy. 41. The new hall re-
places Champion Township’s previous office, which was a small, aging building that was previously a restaurant. That space, composed of two open rooms, was not ideal for office or meeting use and had deteriorated.
Township officials identified another township-owned building, a former DNR field office and later home to the Champion Lions Club, as a strong candidate for renovation. Construction began in late summer of 2024 and continued through the spring of 2025.
The renovated hall now features individual offices for the township supervisor, clerk and treasurer, a larger meeting room, a small kitchenette and fully accessible restrooms. The building is equipped with air conditioning and will include a backup generator.
The architectural plans were developed by Jim Nankervis, and the renovation was completed by HandiPro, LLC. Grant funding to support the project was secured from the West End Health Foundation.
City of Houghton shapes new brand identity
Over the past year, the City of Houghton has worked with residents, planners and community leaders to develop a new brand identity that reflects what makes the city unique. This work is part of Houghton’s certification as a Redevelopment
Ready Community through the State of Michigan, positioning the city to attract investment while staying true to its character.
The branding committee, formed in 2024 as part of the city’s master planning process, is comprised of city planning commissioners. Its work began with a community-wide survey that generated more than 600 responses.
The committee has since expanded to include four city residents representing a mix of ages, backgrounds and perspectives. The committee is now preparing to share a refined brand platform organized around three core themes: “Home,” which emphasizes Houghton’s welcoming spirit, neighborly connections and the sense of belonging that defines life in a close-knit, forward-thinking community; “Views,” which highlights the region’s natural beauty and the way nature is woven into daily life; and “Progression,” which speaks to Houghton’s legacy of innovation and its intentional growth driven by civic pride, entrepreneurship and innovation.
The city will present these three core themes to the public through two community sessions in early fall 2025, inviting residents to engage with the direction, offer feedback and help shape how the brand comes to life.
For information, contact Houghton
Bradford Veley lives in the Upper Peninsula.
See more of his cartoons at bradveley.com.
City Clerk Amy Zawada at 906-4821700 or amy.zawada@cityofhoughton.com.
Hancock selected as Finno-Ugric Culture Capital
The City of Hancock has been designated as the 2026 Finno-Ugric Capital of Culture, becoming the first-ever community in the United States to receive this title.
Awarded annually, this designation spotlights communities that actively preserve and promote Finno-Ugric cultures, languages and traditions. Past recipients include towns in Estonia, Hungary and Russia with deep Finno-Ugric Roots.
Hancock’s selection recognizes its vibrant Finnish-American heritage, long-standing cultural traditions and the city’s commitment to honoring its immigrant past through festivals, education and community spaces such as the Finnish American Heritage Center.
The selection in favor of Hancock was made by a five-member independent jury as a result of the city’s application and presentation.
The program aims to strengthen ties among indigenous and diaspora Finno-Ugric communities and promote their values in the modern world, including sustainability, resilience and cultural diversity. For information, visit capitals.uralic.org.
Environmental leaders visit Marquette, Houghton Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Director Phil Roos recently joined U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 Administrator Anne Vogel and state and local leaders in Marquette to see the progress being made to clean up the former Cliffs-Dow site and discuss ongoing groundwater remediation.
In 2022, the City of Marquette,
with an endorsement from EGLE, won a nearly $1 million EPA Brownfield Cleanup Grant to address contamination and outstanding environmental damage at the site. The site is now being restored with improved environmental conditions and new opportunities for public access, recreation and economic growth.
Roos, Vogel and other leaders also celebrated the opening of the Keweenaw Waters Resort, a 25-acre waterfront campground featuring sustainably built cabins as well as RV and tent sites. The resort sits on the former site of Michigan Smelter Tailings, one of several locations in Houghton County designated for cleanup under the EPA’s Superfund Program.
The resort grounds — once the site of industrial contamination along the Keweenaw Waterway — now draws visitors and economic activity to the region.
Sands Township earns grant for clean energy leadership
Sands Township has been awarded $748,500 through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s Renewables Ready Communities Award for its support of a proposed solar farm.
The funding will also be used for local improvements, including a nature trail, safety buffers near the park, a new community room and updates to Strawberry Lake Park.
New fund will support Noquemanon Trail Network
TheCommunity Foundation of Marquette County has announced that a new fund has been established to support the Noquemanon Trail Network.
Through the support of local donors Cary Gottlieb and Carol Gamber, in memory of their friend and trail advocate Rob Schmeling, the Noquemanon Trail Network Designated En-
DID YOU KNOW ...
about the background of the Keweenaw National Historical Park?
It was created in 1992 by the National Park Service and is headquartered in Calumet. Its outstanding museum clearly spells out life in the Copper Country during the copper boom. Although it owns little land, the park works to promote historical sites to preserve local history and heritage.
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.”
Art in the Park installation unveiled
The second installation of the Art in the Park program, a collaboration of Honor Credit Union in Negaunee, Negaunee High School and the City of Negaunee, was unveiled recently at the Jim Thomas Pavilion in Jackson Mine Park. The Art in the Park program was developed by Honor Credit Union with the goal of empowering student artists and enhancing community spaces. Through their high school art classes, students submit mural concepts, which are reviewed by their teacher and Honor Credit Union, with input from the city. Selected murals are painted by students and displayed on double-sided kiosks constructed by the Negaunee High School shop class. Each kiosk includes a protective roof and plexiglass panels to shield the artwork from moisture. Honor Credit Union plans to work with the school to rotate the artwork over time, giving new students the opportunity to participate. When murals are replaced, the original artwork will be returned to the student artists. The City of Negaunee provided space for the kiosks along the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, allowing for easy public access and visibility of the artwork. (Photo courtesy of Honor Credit Union)
dowment Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Marquette County, will support trail development projects, ongoing maintenance, signage, conservation efforts and other projects to encourage year-round use of the trail system.
For information about the Community Foundation of Marquette County, call 906-226-7666 or visit cfofmc.org.
Watershed partnership secures $6 million in grants
The Superior Watershed Partnership was recently awarded $6 million from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy Charge Up Michigan grant program to support a series of environmental improvements across Marquette.
Projects include a living shoreline along Lakeshore Boulevard, new fastcharging stations at Presque Isle and
Lower Harbor, water quality enhancements and habitat restoration. The work is intended to support long-term shoreline health and sustainability goals.
Several projects are expected to wrap up this fall, including work along Lakeshore Boulevard and new infrastructure at key recreation sites.
From the desk of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
• Whitmer has appointed Dr. Nerita Hughes of Escanaba to the Michigan Workforce Development Board. Hughes is president of Bay de Noc Community College and president of JG Consulting. She is appointed to represent presidents of community colleges.
• Whitmer has appointed Dr. Kyle Danek of Marquette to the Michigan Board of Dentistry. Danek is president of Lincoln Dental Marquette.
Grow & Lead reveals new logo, identity
Grow & Lead, formerly the Great Lakes Center for Youth Development, has announced its new identity and unveiled its new logo. The organization said its refreshed brand identity reflects the heart of its work: supporting the nonprofits that drive impact across the U.P. Known fully as Grow & Lead: Community and Youth Development, the organization will support nonprofits of all types — not just those offering youth programming — through training, expertise and resources. Additionally, the organization’s core values have been identified as lead by example, collaboration and belonging, youth development and engagement, curiosity and continuous learning, and accountability and responsibility. Grow & Lead leaders said as they embarked on this transformation, the organization’s intention was to reaffirm its role as a trusted partner and catalyst for positive change in the region. For information, visit glcyd.org.
• Whitmer has appointed Lesley Addison of Marquette to the Michigan Board of Counseling. Addison is a retired school counselor for Marquette Area Public Schools and is reappointed as a member of the general public.
• Whitmer has appointed Kathleen Isleib of Negaunee to the Michigan Board of Accountancy. Isleib is an accountant at Tailored CPAs and an accounting instructor at NMU.
Local business news in brief
• The Living Well Chiropractic + Acupuncture recently opened its new location at 1108 W. Washington St. in Marquette. The Living Well is owned and operated by the husband-and-wife team of Drs. Kevin and Brianne Levandoski, who bring an integrative approach to healing through neurological chiropractic and acupuncture. For information or to schedule an appointment, visit thelivingwellmqt. com or call 906-273-0440.
• Travel Marquette has announced the appointment of Kristin Weyher as its new group marketing manager. Weyher, a Michigan native who most recently served as catering sales manager at the Ann Arbor Marriott Ypsilanti at Eagle Crest, will lead group travel marketing initiatives, foster relationships with meeting planners and industry partners and work collaboratively to enhance visibility for the region’s year-round travel offerings.
• Financial Advisor Doug Gordon of Edward Jones in Marquette has received the Certified Financial Planner certification, granted by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards. In addition to the education and examination components of certification, Gordon also has committed to abiding by the CFP Board’s
Code of Ethics and Standards of Conduct. Gordon and Branch Office Administrator Amanda Kakkuri can be reached at 906-226-2852 or edwardjones.com/us-en/financial-advisor/ douglas-gordon.
• Flourish Financial Partners recently celebrated the grand opening of its newly renovated office space at 1901 W. Ridge Street, Suite 5, in Marquette. Updates to the space, led by Ted Williams Construction, include a new reception area, refreshed flooring and walls and the addition of another suite, allowing for a new conference room and private office to accommodate the growing team. For information, visit ameripriseadvisors.com/ team/flourish-financial-partners.
• Mitch Van Vooren, of Peshtigo, Wisconsin, recently signed a rookie deal with the Seattle Seahawks. During the pre-draft process, Van Vooren, who played Division III football at St. Norbert College, trained at AdvantEdge Sports in Marquette, where he received one-on-one coaching from lead trainer Dustin Brancheau.
• Youngs Menswear recently celebrated the grand opening of its Marquette location at 2112 U.S. 41. The Escanaba-based business will bring its menswear and formalwear rental services to Marquette. The store has more than 1,000 suits and tuxedos in stock. For information, visit youngsmenswear.com. 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.
The Baraga County Courthouse in L’Anse, background right, was built in 1884 and 1885 for about $12,000. The architect was John B. Sweatt of Marquette, who also designed courthouses in Houghton and Keweenaw counties. The contractor was William Appleyard.
Photos provided by Superior View Studios, located in Art of Framing, 149 W. Washington St. Marquette viewsofthepast.com
The Baraga County Courthouse still overlooks downtown L’Anse. It houses the 12th Circuit Court, 97th District Court and Baraga County Probate Court. In the foreground is the Village of L’Anse’s municipal building.
1 Cry from a guard tower 5 Imaginary fiends 11 Assign a number, maybe 15 Takes orders at a restaurant
Great Plains tribe
‘‘I’ll be right with you’’
Name that becomes a shape if you switch the second and fourth letters
23 They might leave you in stitches, for short
25 Not marbled, say
Electronic music genre 27 Pai gow game piece
They have seniority 31 Bit of red in a salad
What accepts all cookies?
57 Many idol worshipers
59 Cartoonist Silverstein
62 Took an hour off midday, say 64 Phrase cooed en español
65 Dry, as Spanish wine
66 Monk known as ‘‘The Father of English History’’
69 Geometric art style, familiarly
70 Going wrong
72 Two-stringed Chinese instrument
73 Gave a hoot
74 Gentleman’s disagreement?
75 Website feed inits.
76 Basketball shooter’s lament
78 Flattering lines
79 Subj. for John Maynard Keynes
81 Alma mater for John Maynard Keynes
82 Dot in la mer
83 It lets you move north
85 Windy City commuting org.
88 ‘‘A picture is worth a thousand words,’’ e.g.
91 Mulligans
93 Big name in streaming
94 Gossip about
96 Champion’s memento
97 Hold a grudge against
98 North Carolina university
99 ‘‘See if that’s OK’’
100 Chore-o-graph?
102 Significant start
103 Good person
104 Collectors’ org.
105 Traded for cash
108 Letter-shaped opening
110 Postgrad degs.
111 1962 Paul Anka hit with the lyric ‘‘Kiss me mucho’’
113 Absorb, as a cost
115 ‘‘____ bin ein Berliner’’
117 Goddess of the rainbow
119 State bird of Minnesota
120 ____ degree
121 Give bad marks
122 Reason for a successful steal, maybe
126 Unstable noble gas
129 French composer Erik
131 Eeyore-esque
133 Black dialect, in brief
134 Seemingly forever
135 Roar
136 Soft palate appendages
137 Some M.L.B. highlights
138 Litigious threat
140 ‘‘Bob’s Burgers’’ daughter
141 Group in charge
142 Puffer or blazer
143 Still looming, say
144 Shape that becomes a name if you switch the second and fourth letters
145 Wet bar?
146 Smooth with a whetstone
147 Like some bobsleighs
148 Hawk DOWN
1 With 114-Down, some neighborhood bars . . or what connect eight pairs of answers in this puzzle?
2 Shopped at a farmers’ market, say
3 Concern for a web game developer
4 Guiding principle
5 Morse ‘‘. . .’’
6 Opposite of WSW
7 Play with a trio of witches
8 Actor ____ Jackson Jr.
9 State birds of Hawaii RepRinted fRom the new YoRk times
10 Winfield ____, loser to Franklin Pierce for president in 1852 11 Chopper spinner
12 Still in the game
13 Pranksters may have tall ones 14 Tie
15 ‘‘Game of Thrones’’ land 16 Got going 17 Wedding exchange
18 See 68-Down
19 Deep split
24 Falls through the cracks, say
30 Strung rungs
35 Likely place for a hot mic
37 Certain religious pacifist
41 Gloss over, linguistically
46 French film director Varda
47 Italian lawn game
48 Just hate
49 Downright
50 Still-life vessels
51 Quite a while 53 Jacks and jennies
55 The old you?
58 Bygone owner of Capitol Records
60 Tier
61 Like sperm whales, among all animals
63 Slurpable noodle
66 Looked high and low in 67 Polliwog
68 With 18-Down, classic 1967 song by a group whose name is a hint to solving the eight bonus clues
71 Biotech crop, in brief 74 ‘‘Ah, thanks for explaining’’ 77 As an answer 80 Atlantic food fish 81 Breakfast brand 84 Fruit-shaped candies 85 Wide rift 86 Puccini opera set in Rome 87 Ancient symbols of life
88 Man’s name that sounds like two consonants 89 Some luxury bags 90 ‘‘Consequently . .’’ 92 ____ noche (tonight: Sp.)
95 One of 12 for Jacob 97 Classic detergent brand 101 Use for sleeping, say 103 Stealthy aquatic hunter 106 Started broadcasting 107 Countrywide 109 ‘‘Lip Gloss’’ rapper, 2007 112 Stop being buds?
114 See 1-Down 115 Hosting site with a gallery of memes
116 Jersey boys?
118 Google action 123 Just not done
Birdlike 125 Beau ____ 126 Bonnie with 13 Grammys
Beaming
128 AC____ (G.M. subsidiary)
130 Some saxes
132 Grab bag
135 ‘‘We’ve all ____ there’’ 139 Thurman of film
To check your answers, see Page 77.
Fact and fiction blend in the story of ‘Roaring Dan’ Seavey
Legend of the Great Lakes pirate
By Kristy Basolo
Arrested with his sister on counterfeiting charges. Shanghaiing women to work in his floating gambling hall. Moon-cussing ships, leading them into dangerous waters by altering navigation lights, so he could plunder the wreckage. He was even buddies with Frederick Pabst, namesake of the Pabst Brewing Company.
The stories about “Roaring Dan” Seavey, dubbed “The Great Lakes Pirate,” are wild and varied, and if even half are true, he might have been the most interesting man in the Midwest around the turn of the 20th century.
From gold rush fever to a second marriage while he probably was still married, his adventures took him across the country and all over the Great Lakes region. With each episode, his legend grew. Newspapers
loved to cover his antics, as headlines of high shenanigans translated into sales. Historians disagree on what is fact and what is fiction; after all, the witnesses were largely sailors and early newspapers, both known for embellishing their tales.
One thing most accounts agree on is that Daniel Ward Seavey was a large and powerful man. Perhaps the most reliable source on the subject, Richard Boyd, a Wisconsin Underwa-
ter Archeology Association director and author of “A Pirate Roams Lake Michigan: The Dan Seavey Story,” writes that “his hair was sandy, his complexion ruddy, and he spoke with a pronounced New England accent.” Newspapers recount that more than one woman said he was the most handsome man they had ever seen, even in his 40s.
Standing about 6-foot-4 with a barrel chest, small waist, a long reach
Dan Seavey is widely regarded as the last of the Great Lakes pirates. The stories of his adventures are a mix of fact and fiction. (Public domain photo)
and huge hands, he fit the recipe for a fighter, and he lived up to his stature in the ring. “Roaring Dan was a notorious barroom brawler,” Boyd wrote. “The captain occasionally fought for money. His most famous prizefight occurred in Frankfort (Michigan) during the winter of 1904. The fight was held on the ice of the frozen harbor, where a shoveled circle served as a makeshift ring.”
Promotion of the fight produced hundreds of witnesses, many placing sizable bets on the outcome. The bareknuckle fight between Mitch Love and Seavey went on until “Seavey eventually made a bloody pulp of Love, who was carted off for medical attention by his dejected supporters.” Meanwhile, Seavey took his cut of the gambling proceeds and bought rounds of drinks for the witnesses at a local tavern.
New England beginnings
Seavey was born in Maine in the mid- to late-1860s. Census records and Seavey’s own account say 1869, but many sources put his birth in 1865, likely because he lied about his age to get into the military. He had one sister.
His father was a schooner captain, and his mother, Josephine, died when he was young. “Josephine died on October 7, 1872, the result of a tragic accident,” according to “Roaring Dan Seavey: The Western Maine Roots of a Legendary Great Lakes Pirate” by William Chapman. “She was awakened in the early morning by one of the children crying. While she was lighting a lamp, a bottle of camphor fell from a shelf above, spilled on her, and was ignited by the match. She suffered severe burns.” These burns proved to be fatal.
Seavey’s father remarried, and Dan lived with his father and stepmother in Albany, Maine, for a few years. His sister, Jeanette or “Jennie,” was lost to Seavey and history during this period.
According to Seavey’s own account in a 1930 Escanaba Daily Press article, he ran away from home around age 13. His large stature surely helped him embellish his age to find work to survive on his own.
“By the age of 13, he was working aboard local vessels,” Boyd wrote. “At 18, he entered the U.S. Navy for a three-year hitch, followed by a stint as a deputy marshal for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, for which he tracked bootleggers and smugglers on reservation lands in several states.”
No record of Seavey’s service in the Navy can be found, but he stuck to that story until his death.
“Unsurprisingly, popular accounts
of Dan’s life have tended to freely mix documented facts with dubious anecdotes,” Chapman wrote. “Many stories about Dan Seavey come from interviews with the man himself — an unreliable narrator of his own life if ever there was one.”
A man on the move
While working as a marshal throughout the Midwest, Seavey landed in Marinette, Wisconsin, where he likely worked as a professional trapper. It was here he met his first wife, Mary Orphey Plumley, who was reportedly only 14 at the time. With Mary he had two daughters, Harriet Blanche “Hattie” in 1889 and Josephine Orpha in 1890.
Sometime after Josephine’s birth, the family moved to Milwaukee, where Seavey was back on the boats, involved in the fishing market, as well as a saloon owner. “The Milwaukee Business Directory … confirms that Seavey and partner Charles E. Kenealy operated a tavern at 214 Sycamore Street (later known as West Michigan Street) near the city’s harbor,” according to Gavin Schmitt in his book “Great Lakes Pirate.”
A tavern on a port gave Seavey ample opportunity to get into trouble and find future business ventures and partners. It also brought him together with a longlost family member in a chance meeting, and another relocation as a result.
In 1896, the Lewiston (Maine) Evening Journal reported the first big scandal of Seavey’s life. In the police blotter, an article titled “An Unnatural Infatuation” reads, “The police are doubly suspicious of Daniel W. Seavey, the young man who was arrested here Saturday for attempting to pass a counterfeit silver dollar, and at whose home were found tools and a mould [sic] supposed to have been used in the counterfeiting business.”
Further, the nature of the relationship with his sister, Jennie B. Thomas, was called into question.
“The young woman who was found at his home … claims to be his sister,” the article went on. “At first the officers were inclined to disbelieve this statement. They have since received a letter from parties in Bethel, Seavey’s native town, which confirms the claim.”
The letter said Seavey and his sister were separated in early childhood and never saw each other again until recently being reunited in Wisconsin. Both were married to other people with two children each. The paper reported, “An unnatural fascination is said to have sprung up between them, and through its influence both forsook
their homes and came East together. … The sacred ties that are supposed to bind brother and sister had given way to an unholy alliance.”
Seavey claimed the newspapers had been “slandering him dreadfully,” but he and Jennie moved back to the Midwest together after the counterfeiting case blew over.
Back in Milwaukee, Seavey was reunited with business partners, and the wanderlust took over again. “In 1898, Seavey left his family in Milwaukee to participate in the Klondike Gold Rush,” Schmitt wrote. At this time, he appears to have gotten out of the tavern business and sold his other properties as well. He bought a 10% interest in Frederick Pabst’s Rosebud Mining Company. Historians agree that he likely met Pabst while he was running his saloon.
“Seavey was sent to Alaska with [a company], which had the contract to perform tests for Rosebud,” Schmitt wrote. “He apparently made it to Dawson City. Of the estimated 30,000 to 40,000 people who reached Dawson City during the gold rush, only around 15,000 to 20,000 finally became prospectors. Of these, no more than 4,000 struck gold, and only a few hundred became rich.”
Seavey later told reporters that five test beds were made before funds dried up and no gold was found. The venture was a bust, and reports of Seavey appearing back in the Great Lakes region sprung up less than a year later.
Roaring Dan seems to have flown under the radar on purpose, as not even his wife, Mary, or his father knew where he was. Eventually, she caught wind that he was bartending in a tavern in Milwaukee and went to confront him. “Mary did, indeed, find
The schooner Wanderer was the bestknown of Dan Seavey’s boats, but it wasn’t the only one. He also owned the R.P. Mason, the Harvey Ransom and the Mary Alice. (Public domain photo)
Meanwhile, Seavey continued to move around, still with his sister in tow. “In June of 1900, Dan and Jennie could still be found living together in Crystal Lake, Michigan. Shortly thereafter, however, they parted ways,” according to Chapman.
While Jennie moved on and eventually married Paul Dawson in 1903, Roaring Dan’s story was just getting started.
The ship wanders in The Muskegon Weekly Chronicle reports that Seavey purchased the schooner Wanderer for $600 in 1900. This vessel would be just one of many he owned or allegedly stole, but it was definitely the most famous.
Seavey again relocated, this time to Escanaba, and from this point on it becomes even more difficult to separate the myth from the man.
“Seavey acquired a schooner named the Wanderer, a fifty-foot, two-masted schooner, where he lived part of
him there, but he had no desire to return to his family,” Schmitt wrote. No record of their divorce has been found, yet Mary went on to marry William Steele and had eight more children. Census records show she lived in Sagola, Michigan, for more than 70 years, eventually marrying Frank Hintz after her second husband died. She lived in the community until her death in 1965 at the age of 93, according to “Sagola’s Early Years: A History of Sagola, Michigan” by Darryl Ertel. By all accounts, she was “a nice, friendly woman.”
the time,” according to “Piracy on the Great Lakes: True Tales of Freshwater Pirates” by Mikel Classen. “Seavey sailed out of the harbor with a small crew, the first to leave in the spring and the last to arrive in the winter, arriving back as the harbor was closing.”
It’s here where the ruffian is said to have turned pirate, which was apparently just the moniker to entice a second wife, whom he married in 1901. “He married 22-year-old Zilda Bisner — another disastrous union,” Boyd wrote.
Their relationship was a rollercoaster and included the birth of Seavey’s son, Earl Daniel, in 1902. Despite his affinity for young people, fatherhood didn’t seem to slow Seavey down.
“Using his freight service as a cover, Seavey entered a port after dark with no lights on,” Classen wrote. “Then he and his crew loaded everything on board they could find to steal and set sail before daybreak. … Upon the boat’s return to Escanaba, he sold it all as legitimate cargo and reaped the profits.”
This scenario allegedly repeated itself throughout the Great Lakes, and Seavey was always to blame, regardless of any involvement. He continued to fight, steal and charm his way throughout the region, making friends and enemies. Legend accuses him of rum-run-
ning, poaching, smuggling and the provision of gambling and prostitution.
“Roaring Dan also made considerable cash by running a floating bordello,” Boyd wrote. Boat brothels were not an unusual thing in port towns of the time, as local law enforcement didn’t have authority past the water’s edge. “Using this loophole in the law, some schooner masters would load their vessels with prostitutes and liquor and travel from port to port — especially on weekends and paydays.”
It’s no wonder that Zilda and Seavey were soon separated.
“Within four years, Bisner filed for divorce, her declaration describing how Seavey regularly beat her and threatened her life,” Boyd wrote. “When confronted with the divorce suit, Seavey once again disappeared onto the lake.”
Zilda Bisner was eventually granted a divorce in 1907, with “desertion” as the reason cited. Shortly after, Seavey’s son also died, just shy of his sixth birthday.
Charges of piracy
While the first 40 years of Roaring Dan’s life weren’t without action and adventure, he wouldn’t be referred to as a pirate until the newspaper headlines demanded it after he
“borrowed” the Nellie Johnson. Certainly Seavey was up to something, but whether or not it was piracy is another question that was decided in front page ink.
“The trouble had started … on June 11, 1908, when Seavey had come across the schooner Nellie Johnson docked at Grand Haven, Michigan … and apparently found the sight of a ready load of cargo too enticing to resist,” Chapman wrote.
Legend has it that Seavey approached Captain R.J. McCormick, “owner and master of the Nellie Johnson, and several crew members in a local saloon. After some socializing, Seavey enticed the group into more serious drinking until they became immobilized. He then absconded with the schooner and headed to Chicago, intent on selling the ship’s cargo of cedar posts,” Boyd wrote.
Apparently Seavey couldn’t sell the posts on Chicago’s black market, so he headed back across Lake Michigan to its eastern shore. “By then, McCormick had hastened to alert government authorities of the theft,” Boyd wrote, “On June 20, nine days later, the federal revenue cutter Tuscarora steamed out of the Windy City in pursuit of Roaring Dan, with Cap-
The cutter Tuscarora was called the fastest ship on the Great Lakes. Under Preston Uberroth, it had the distinction of chasing down Dan Seavey, who was arrested for “borrowing” the Nellie Johnson. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard)
tain Preston Uberroth in command. Aboard were McCormick and U.S. Deputy Marshal Tom Currier with an arrest warrant for Seavey.”
If Seavey had a nemesis, Schmitt wrote, that would be none other than Uberroth and his ship the Tuscarora. The Tuscarora was a 178-foot, steelhulled gunboat that was dubbed the fastest ship on the Great Lakes at the time. It made its way up the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, stopping in any potential pirate hiding place. This was a slow and fruitless process.
“So — at Ludington — Captain Uberroth telephoned all the lighthouses and lifesaving stations to the north and asked their crews to search for the pirate,” Boyd wrote. “Eventually, the lifesavers in Frankfort reported that Seavey was there, having hidden the Nellie Johnson on a nearby river.”
Uberroth refueled and decided to proceed to Frankfort overnight, in case the pirate was tipped off by his network of friends in the area. It’s here the chase ensued.
The Grand Haven Tribune reported, “Hardly had the government steamer dropped anchor when the Wanderer, under full sail and with a fine breeze behind her, came racing out of the harbor heading directly across the lake. There was some excitement aboard the cutter. Anchors came up on the run and she swung around on the course after the flying schooner.”
The truth of what happened next is lost to time. Most historians agree that Seavey’s arrest was with much less fanfare than the newspapers depict. But it seems they couldn’t resist the headlines.
The June 30 issue of the Inter Ocean out of Chicago laid it on thick. “PIRATE ON LAKE STOPPED BY SHOT” was spilled across Page 1, jumping to “Ho-ho and a bottle of rum” framing a large photo of Uberroth, and the headline “Shot Across Bows; Pirate heaves to.”
The paper quoted Roaring Dan as saying, “Move, you son of a sea cook, you waterlogged landlubber. Get a hold of the topgallant sheet and pull in those peak halyards,” and even misquoted Robert Louis Stevenson in its display type, “Thirteen men on a dead man’s chest … .”
The official logbook of the Tuscarora says no shot was actually fired, but regardless, Seavey knew he was caught. “Seavey was taken on board the cutter, locked up in the brig and then the boat headed for Chicago,” The Inter Ocean reported. “The specific crime with which Seavey was charged, however, was that of running away with a vessel on which he had been a seaman.”
Roaring Dan’s maple-flavored rum is made by Great Lakes Distillery in Milwaukee. (Photo by Kristy Basolo)
So mutiny, not piracy, was the charge. Seavey told marshals that he was sailing under McCormick’s orders, and he had taken her into the harbor at Frankfort for repairs. Later in life, he would say that he won the Nellie Johnson in a poker game.
“Despite the government’s best efforts, however, a grand jury failed to indict Roaring Dan on the charges, and he was set free,” Boyd wrote, noting that no official records of the trial survived, including the arrest warrant.
Marshal Currier was quoted in the newspapers as saying, “It was one of the most exciting trips we have had. … I have chased criminals all my life, but this was the most thrilling experience of many years. I never before chased a pirate with a steamship, and probably never will again. But of all the ‘jolly pirates,’ Seavey is the jolliest.”
The last Great Lakes pirate
After the chase, Seavey dabbled in other businesses — legend would have them all be fronts for some other illegal operations, regardless of evidence — and he would eventually open a sawmill on the Garden Peninsula in 1912. All accounts say he was not welcome in Garden because of his reputation, but that didn’t stop him. During this time, he also took a third wife.
“His third marriage, to Annie Bradley, finally stuck, lasting from about 1912 until her death in 1928,” Chapman wrote. “Dan also eventually reconciled with one of his daughters from his first marriage, Josephine,
with whom he lived later in life.”
Classen recounts that Seavey built a house with a sawmill and sizable dock for ships to tie up to in Gouley’s Bay. “In 1915, tragedy struck. Seavey was loading the R.P. Mason with a portable sawmill for a job with one of the local farmers,” he wrote. “The job lasted all day, and there was a fair amount of drinking involved. Seavey had two helpers, one of whom was a fifteen-year-old boy. At one point, Seavey decided to go take a nap.”
His hired help finished the job, but a can of gasoline was knocked over and a fire broke out. “The fifteenyear-old, James Brodie, ran into the flaming mill to get Seavey,” Classen wrote. “He woke him up, but he was already badly burned on his arms and feet. Everything was burning, including the mill and the house. Seavey jumped out a window onto a rocky beach. He was found unconscious several hours later.”
Brodie died in the fire. The other helper, Lucias Mercier, tried to get his sailboat away from the dock. “Mysteriously, his boat showed up on the shore the next day, but Mercier was gone,” Classen wrote. “Eventually, his body was recovered on the bottom of the bay. Everything, including the schooner R.P. Mason, was burned to cinders.”
While Seavey survived, he was questioned in the deaths of his employees but ultimately was found innocent. His injuries from the fire were significant.
This wasn’t the last time fire would bring Roaring Dan closer to the end of his piracy career. The Wanderer was destroyed by fire in 1918. Later, he quit sailing in 1927, he said, because of paralysis affecting his right arm that was a result of being burned in an explosion. The explosion was likely due to the incident at his sawmill.
According to the Escanaba Daily Press on April 8, 1928, “Mrs. Dan Sevey [sic], 50 years old, died at her home, 211 South Sixth Street … following a three weeks’ illness.”
Soon, Seavey was on his own, living in a boarding house in Escanaba. He recounted his life to reporters during this time, likely some fact, some embellished. Newspapers report he went back into law enforcement in the 1930s, since he knew all the tricks of the trade. Historians say he and Mary rekindled their relationship, going by the names of John and Mary Silver. Likely, Seavey’s story took a much less exciting turn into old age.
“The captain retired from sailing in his 60s and took up residence at Martha Champ Weed’s boarding house near the Escanaba waterfront,” Boyd
wrote. “In the latter part of the 1930s and into the ’40s, he lived quietly with his daughter Josephine in several communities near the border between Michigan and Wisconsin.”
The R.P. Mason, Seavey’s last mark on Delta County, was removed from the landscape during that time as well.
A headline in the Escanaba Daily Press on March 19, 1938, read, “Old Dan Seavey Boat Is Wrecked to Improve Gouley’s Harbor Site.” The article said whenever weather conditions are favorable, a caretaker of a local estate on Garden Bluff will be wrecking the boat, R.P. Mason, which was run aground in the area. “At present the wreck resembles a huge skeleton, reminiscent of the huge animals that roamed the earth in prehistoric times, as the ribs which have been stripped of the long oak planks stand out.”
Despite his reputation, researchers still root for Roaring Dan Seavey to be the hero of his own story. They write he had many friends because he gave away his money to needy children and died penniless in a nursing home. “While Dan was known to be capable of violence, hard drinking and criminality, many stories attempt to rescue his reputation somewhat, noting his occasional acts of personal generosity, and especially his soft spot
for young people,” Chapman wrote.
Also, some want to paint him with an even bigger change of heart. “In his later years, Seavey was known to be quite religious and was often seen carrying a Bible — a stark contrast to his earlier life and the legends that surround ‘the pirate of Lake Michigan,’” Boyd wrote.
Yet, Classen reminds us: “Seavey goes down in history as the only man formally charged with piracy on the Great Lakes.”
Seavey died at the Eklund convalescent home in Peshtigo on Feb. 14, 1949, and is buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Marinette with his daughter Josephine (1890-1979) nearby. His other family is buried all over the Upper Peninsula: his first wife, Mary (1872-1965), in the Channing Cemetery in Dickinson County; his second wife, Zilda (1878-1930), in Holy Cross Cemetery in Escanaba with their son, Earl (1902-1908); and Anna (1877-1928), his third wife, in Lakeview Cemetery in Escanaba. His daughter Hattie (1889-1936) is buried in the Gwinn Cemetery.
Kristy Basolo has a master’s degree in writing from NMU and is one of the editors of MM.
The Inter Ocean in Chicago carried news of Dan Seavey’s arrest. Despite the headline, no official accounts noted that shots were fired. (Public domain photo)
sporting life
‘Doing hard stuff because we should’ Marquette Trail 50 is a showcase of grit and grace
By Melissa Wentarmini
Forestville Trailhead, 5:15 a.m.:
A constellation of headlamps flickers through the birch trunks, illuminating runners shuffling toward the timing arch. The pre-dawn air, sharp with the scent of cedar and damp quartzite, hums with anticipation. Near the front, 56-year-old Jeff VanderKooi adjusts the laces of his favorite trail running shoes, grinning as he wonders which of Marquette’s granite peaks — Sugarloaf, Top of the World, Bareback or Hogback — will claim the most runners by sunset. Just yards back, 26-year-old Amber Manitowabi closes her eyes, inhales the cool morning air and steadies herself with a whispered mantra that has car-
ried her through countless training miles: “I am strong.”
Beyond the immediate crowd, 58-year-old Greg Borzick holds a quiet calm. He stood on the line for the inaugural Marquette Trail 50 in 2009, a nascent experiment that sent less than 12% of the current participant count into the vastness with a single aid station. Today, he’s embarking on his ninth, a shared adventure with his daughter, Allison.
In 15 minutes, the starter will launch about 500 runners up the first narrow ribbon of singletrack. For them, and for the hundreds more who cheer, volunteer and bear witness year after year, the Trail 50 is more than a race.
It’s a reunion. A test of grit, yes,
but also a celebration of resilience, memory and shared miles. It’s one of the rare endurance events still stitched together by hand: no prize money, no hype, just volunteers with radios, runners with headlamps and a start line carved into the forest.
Now in its 17th year, the Marquette Trail 50 has become one of the Upper Midwest’s signature ultras. Fields are deliberately capped at 175 for the 50mile race and 350 for the 50-kilometer, a conscious choice to protect the fragile trails and preserve a culture that still feels like a Saturday morning group run, albeit one with numbers pinned to shirts.
In 2024, the wilderness claimed its share: 63 runners completed the 50mile, while 38 did not; in the 50k, 273
crossed the finish line, with 27 unable to complete the course. While the event also hosts a Friday night 5k and a 1-mile fun run for kids, Saturday’s 50-mile and 50k courses remain the soul of the event.
The 50-mile race consists of an initial 11-mile loop followed by two circuits of a rugged 20-mile loop, while the 50k includes one pass through each. The elevation gain is formidable: 5,520 feet for the long course and 3,237 feet for the shorter one. According to Ultrarunning Magazine, the course is rated 3 out of 5 for terrain (“Hilly”) and 4 out of 5 for surface (“Trail with substantial rocks, roots and/or ruts”).
Much of it is singletrack, stitched together with ancient quartzite out-
Now in its 17th year, the Marquette Trail 50 has become one of the Upper Midwest’s signature ultras. (Photo courtesy of Marquette Trail 50)
crops, root-wrapped pine forest and breathtaking lakeview ridgelines. “I don’t think they understand how technical it is,” said race co-director Paige Du Bois, referring to some out-of-area runners who may not realize the course isn’t “your average trail.”
Du Bois knows the course intimately. She ran the 50k in 2022 before stepping into a leadership role. “I had such a great time. I loved it so much I wanted to be involved on a deeper level,” she said. Now she works yearround behind the scenes: plotting logistics, coordinating volunteers and managing registration. “None of us get paid; we’re just out there because we love it and we want to help raise money for the trails.”
Rather than a horn’s blast, the Trail 50 begins with a communal countdown — runners, volunteers and onlookers echoing the final seconds in unison — capturing the spirit of a homegrown gathering. Aid stations are staffed by familiar faces, often veterans who remember your name. Race shirts are understated, soft, a quiet badge of honor. “If anybody in the U.P. wants in, we let ’em in,” Du Bois said. “We open it on Black Friday, and it fills up that day.”
For VanderKooi, a longtime participant, the commitment is as emotional as it is physical. A native Michigander who divides his time between Las Vegas and the Upper Peninsula, he comes back each summer to reconnect with the quartzite ridges and the tight-knit community that first drew him to ultra-distance running.
His debut attempt at the 50-mile course in 2013 ended in a DNF, racing shorthand for “did not finish.” He said, “I didn’t realize what I was getting into. Pictures don’t do it justice.” He returned the next year and finished. In 2015, he placed second.
This year, VanderKooi carries the distinction of having the most 50-mile
finishes of any runner on the 2025 roster, with an impressive eight completions under his belt, plus a 50k finish while pacing his wife.
VanderKooi trains on desert trails near Vegas but finds his rhythm with local Marquette groups like the Muffin Runners and the Friday Four Peaks No Fluff crew. He runs without music or gadgets. “No headphones,” he said. “It’s bare-bones, quiet time — processing, thinking.”
Mornings are non-negotiable: “If I don’t get it in the morning, it won’t happen.” He’s drawn to “just doing hard stuff because we should,” and the sport, he attests, has paid him back in ways far beyond fitness. “It’s actually how I met my wife,” he recalled of a group run where “she came in behind me and was like, ‘Hey, who are you’?” The rest, he said with a laugh, “is history.”
What keeps VanderKooi coming back, though, is the atmosphere on the trail itself. “That’s one of the biggest reasons why I like trail running,” he said. “The trail running community is so welcoming and friendly, and everybody is cheering everybody else on.”
His favorite stretch of the Marquette 50 arrives after conquering Hogback and Top of the World, when the course tips downhill toward the Harlow Lake aid station. “You do the small loop, you do the big loop one time through and then you turn around and come back,” he said. “And my favorite thing about that is going out towards Hogback. I’m running into people doing the 50k or the 50-mile. Just the energy of people saying ‘Hi’ and ‘Good job.’ … It’s kind of flowy down a lot of that, especially once you get off Top of the World and you’re going down to the aid station. It’s beautiful, but the people and seeing familiar faces and cheering people on — that’s my favorite.”
In those flowy downhill miles —
The 50-mile race is capped at 175 participants, while the 50-kilometer event is limited to 350 runners. (Photo courtesy of Marquette Trail 50)
hydration vests bouncing, strangers swapping encouragement — VanderKooi hears the heartbeat of the race he travels about 2,000 miles to join each August.
Manitowabi approaches her first ultra with a clear focus on completion, not time. “It’s about completing it and doing something hard,” she said, finding that “more rewarding to me anyways.”
She’s meticulously prepared for the event’s technical demands, incorporating strength training, yoga and runs along the rugged trails of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore into her routine. A recent, challenging 16-mile loop with veteran runner Kristin Tuominen was a revelation. Tuominen, Manitowabi said, was “showing me the ropes and encouraging me,” proving that Manitowabi could cover more ground than she previously believed.
Crediting running with profoundly affecting all areas of her mental, physical, spiritual and emotional health, Manitowabi highlights how training for an endurance event ripples into her entire life, fostering a greater focus on self-care, improved eating habits and disciplined time management.
Running also provides her with clarity and significant mental health benefits, a living testament to the adage that “you never regret a workout.” She embraces challenges, noting that “you kind of find beauty in the discomfort,” especially amidst Northern Michigan’s notoriously varied weather.
Manitowabi finds inspiration in her sister, Shayla, also a strong runner who qualified for the Boston Marathon in her first marathon attempt. “She runs way faster than me, but it doesn’t really matter. A faster runner isn’t a better runner,” Manitowabi noted, echoing a profound truth of the ultra world.
She also looks up to seasoned runners like Bill Sved and Tuominen,
who continuously set ambitious goals. Manitowabi firmly believes in the power of consistency, a lesson forged during her days playing basketball for Northern Michigan University: “If something matters to you, you’re gonna do it every day.”
When self-doubt creeps in on tough training days, Manitowabi relies on her short, potent mantra: “I am strong.” She also draws strength from her grandpa’s pragmatic advice: “Well, everyone’s experiencing the same weather,” a simple reminder that challenges are universal. She uses the Strava app for motivation, observing other runners’ efforts without falling into comparison, a trap she’s observed even seasoned runners succumb to.
New to using a hydration pack for water on trails, she embraces the “learning process” with enthusiasm.
Manitowabi reflects on overcoming significant personal obstacles,
including a challenging mental period during her senior year of college amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the loss of her father. These experiences, she said, forged her resilience.
“When I do get reminded of it, it is like, ‘Wow, I overcame it,’” she said, finding “beauty in every day.” She also values being a role model in her small community of Munising, particularly to a young Native girl who looks up to her. Manitowabi notes that it’s “amazing” to be someone a kid could look up to in a small town with limited opportunities.
Looking ahead to crossing the finish line, Manitowabi anticipates feeling “amazing” and fully expects to “be flexing as I cross the line because that’s my signature finish.” She envisions the finish as “the icing on the cake” after months of dedicated training, emphasizing the quiet triumph of “showing up every day.”
Then there’s Borzick, a true fixture. “I’ve been there since the beginning,” he said. When Joe Jameson first envisioned the Trail 50, “putting this course together in his mind and bouncing ideas off of people,” Borzick and his wife, Kate, lined up at the start. There was no big arch, no stateof-the-art timing mat. Just a man who said “go” and a handful of runners who did.
Borzick recalled the end of that inaugural event. “We finished running, and one of my favorite memories, it finished at Tourist Park,” he said. “I remember Joe, he’s flipping hamburgers at the finish line for everybody.” He characterized it as “a really small event, and it just grew.”
Borzick has returned nearly every year since. He’s witnessed the evolution of the event, including moving the start from Tourist Park to Forestville and the aid stations becoming
The race course encompasses several well-known peaks north of Marquette, including Sugarloaf, Top of the World, Bareback and Hogback. (Photo courtesy of Marquette Trail 50)
more elaborate than the “really simple” first-year stations.
This year is particularly special because he’s running it with his daughter, Allison. “I’m really excited,” he said, mentioning that Allison “did a 50k when she was a senior in high school,” but this will be her first Marquette Trail 50.
His seasoned advice for his daughter and other aspiring finishers is simple, distilled from years of experience: “You don’t have to run the hills.” He counsels, “Hike the peaks or you’ll blow up. Save it for the flats and don’t skip the aid stations; it’s usually warm and humid out there.” He also underscores the profound importance of self-challenge: “It’s such a fulfilling thing to challenge yourself and see what you can do.”
Back in 2009, when Borzick lined up for the first edition of the race, the scene was more experiment than spectacle. “It was kind of a ragtag group,” he said. “People were just trying it out to see if it would work.” The aid station was stocked with the bare basics: water jugs and a few coolers. “We didn’t know what we were doing,” he added, laughing. “But it worked.”
Over the years, Borzick has watched the race swell from just over 50 starters to capacity crowds that fill on Black Friday. More runners, more support, better course marking. But the core spirit, he insisted, hasn’t changed.
“It’s still about getting out there, seeing what you’ve got in the tank and being with other people who are doing the same thing,” he said. What once felt experimental now feels like tradition. “There’s a rhythm to it. And you really feel like you’re part of something bigger.”
Despite the crowds, the solitude remains. “You can still feel alone out there,” he said, “and that’s part of the draw.”
Along the way, Borzick has skied the American Birkebeiner 21 times and finished the grueling Superior 100, a race his daughter paced him through. “It was cleansing. … It brings out the life in you,” he said. Endurance, he believes, strips things down to essentials. “We evolved moving. These races remind us what we can do.” The calculus, for him, is clear: “60% mental, 40 physical.”
On his toughest days, running resets everything. “It clears the mind,” he said. “Especially after a hard day, you come back different.” It’s why he returns, year after year, not to race the clock but to rejoin something elemental. A voice on the trail, a shared mile, a quiet understanding. The stopwatch fades. What lingers is connection.
For Du Bois, preserving that spirit while managing logistics for hundreds of athletes is a balancing act. She continually works “to balance managing the growth and the popularity with what the trails can handle.” This ongoing effort includes maintaining partnerships with trail groups and reinvesting race proceeds back into the local system to ensure its sustainability and preservation.
Weather, as always, remains a wild card. Some years bring cool mist or perfect footing; others, blistering sun and the threat of heat stroke. Du Bois notes that last year’s higher drop rate was partly due to “super slippery” rocks and “super foggy” conditions, and also because some out-of-area participants genuinely didn’t realize the formidable technicality of the terrain. Yet, even when participants face challenges or drop out, she finds they are often driven to return, undeterred by the difficulties.
Some of the most powerful race moments don’t happen at the peaks or at the finish. They happen in the bus-
One Trail 50 runner said, “You can still feel alone out there, and that’s part of the draw.” (Photo courtesy of Marquette Trail 50)
tling aid stations, on the quiet climbs, in those small acts of encouragement.
VanderKooi notes that when he’s feeling awful, a breakthrough can occur where “10 miles later, I feel like a million dollars,” a testament to pushing through discomfort and the potential for unexpected shifts in mindset and morale.
Manitowabi, too, has found kinship where she least expected it: “I’ve had people I don’t even know say, ‘You’ve got this,’ or ‘Looking strong.’ It matters.” In her training runs, she’s often alone, but on race day, she said the crowd carries her. “That’s the difference. It’s not just you anymore.”
The race has a profound way of revealing fundamental truths — about pain, about persistence, about belonging. “You might not remember your finish time,” Borzick said, “but you remember who helped you get there.”
As runners descend into the final miles, battered and sun-drenched, that human connection is often the invisible force pushing them forward: a voice, a helping hand, a shared look of understanding.
Each year, the Marquette Trail 50 writes a new story in dirt and sweat and resolve. Its chapters are etched into the ancient rocks of Hogback, woven into the pine-needle switchbacks of Bareback and marked by the salt lines dried into every runner’s shirt.
“
THERE’S A RHYTHM TO IT. AND YOU REALLY FEEL LIKE YOU’RE PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER.
And in that final, triumphant moment — when someone emerges from the deep woods to find the finish arch still standing — there’s no need for music or shimmering medals to proclaim the achievement. The story, like the trail itself, speaks for itself.
As the sun lifts above the ridgeline and the horn sounds, Paige Du Bois steadies her radio, a silent guardian of the forest. Jeff VanderKooi glides onto the singletrack, chasing focus,
chasing flow. Amber Manitowabi sets her sights on the daunting climbs ahead of her, her mantra a steady pulse. Greg Borzick glances at his daughter, a shared smile passing between them, a history and a future unfolding.
Some runners will bow out early. Others will arrive at the finish long after dark. But all of them — rookie, veteran, volunteer, director — will have carried something forward. Through exhaustion. Through elation. Through forest and fire road. The trail, like truth, strips everything down to what matters.
And when they gather beneath the arch on Saturday, Aug. 16, breath slowing, hearts still beating loudly, shoes dusted with dirt, the talk won’t be about time or pace. It will be about grit and grace and the way strangers become companions in the quiet places between aid stations.
Where the only thing louder than your heartbeat is your own voice saying, I am strong.
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.
Weather is always a wild card. Some years bring cool mist, others a blistering sun. (Photo courtesy of Marquette Trail 50)
the arts
Mike Walker of Marquette resurrects his band’s record
The album that (almost) never happened
By Brad Gischia
Mike Walker grew up in Marquette. He did all of the stuff a young musician should do in the biggest little town in Michigan. He started playing music at a young age and took lessons at the Melody Shop. When Walker graduated high school, he moved, figuring it would put him in a better musical locale.
“I thought that Ann Arbor and Detroit were going to be the next Seattle,” Walker said.
This was in the late ’90s. Seattle had just birthed a musical renaissance that took the recording industry by storm. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Mudhoney, Alice in Chains and Foo Fighters all came out of Seattle, with a list of other bands that are just as recognizable.
“I went downstate, chasing the dream of rock ’n’ roll stardom,” Walker said. If he was correct in his assumption, that dream was just a few hours south.
His brother Geoff was already in Ann Arbor finishing up college. Geoff Walker had also grown up in Mar-
quette, making music in bands before moving downstate for school.
“I had already started a band called Gravitar,” Geoff said. “Shortly after Mike moved to Ann Arbor, I moved to Hamtramck.”
The brothers reunited shortly thereafter, with Mike joining Gravitar. “We had these grand aspirations about going out on tour and playing,” Geoff said. “We also knew that while we were out there, we had to be making enough to pay rent — and unfortunately that wasn’t happening.”
But the Detroit area was a fertile planting ground for music for many years and was at the time continuing that tradition. “It’s important to note that there’s a lot of stuff happening musically at that time in Detroit,” Geoff said. “Not just rock. There was a lot of cross-pollination happening. You’d set up shows where there was an African drum ensemble, a DJ collective, a noise rock band and a rock band all on the same bill, and it didn’t seem weird to us. We were a little more open at that period of time to a wider range of stuff.”
Detroit was already the home of legendary Motown Records, which revolutionized the recording industry. Was it ready for another musical shift?
Once Mike landed in Detroit, he began to get into the music scene there with a group of musicians who were playing the same gigs. When they weren’t playing, they were watching each other.
“Everybody was watching each other’s bands at shows,” Mike said. “We’d look at what amp someone was using, check out all their equipment. We were mining the same record crates for music.”
Around that time, in 1996, a Detroit man named Jim Diamond opened a recording studio called Ghetto Recorders. Diamond, who has since become a staple in the Detroit music scene, was playing at the time with a band called The Dirtbombs.
“The first band I recorded was Bantam Rooster,” Diamond said. “I had a friend who had a big space right where Comerica Park is now. She had a little eight track and a mixer machine, and I knew the bands.”
Diamond said that in short order, he had laid down tracks for several bands including The Dirtbombs, The Detroit Cobras, Electric Six and The White Stripes Those bands began to get national and international notice.
“We were a part of the music community,” Mike said. “A lot of our friends were becoming very notable.”
One of the venues that hosted many of these bands was Gold Dollar, a bar on Cass Avenue. As it happened, Mike Walker worked at Gold Dollar and was neighbors with another musician named Dan Maister, who was guitarist and vocalist in a band called Bogue, which had formed in 1999 with drummer Matt Blake.
“It was a natural fit,” Mike said of his joining Bogue as a guitarist. “We approached music in a similar way.”
The fit was obvious to others as well. “Bogue was the band Mike really clicked with the best,” Geoff Walker said. “It fit his tone and sensibilities best, and he really shined in that. They clicked in a way that lots of bands don’t.”
Mike said that as a group they were listening to the Rolling Stones, but they also drew inspiration from soul music coming out of New Orleans and Detroit. “We were really into The Meters and Otis Redding,” Mike said.
All of those musical influences changed the way Bogue approached music. “We had grown up as punk rock guys,” Mike said. “It was like Mudhoney and The Cramps trying to interpret Booker T. and the M.G.’s.”
The whole scene was feeding off a deep appreciation for music and musical history. “We’re talking about bands that are replicating this British and American garage rock,” Mike said. “I’m not a real polished sort of musician. I shoot from the hip. We were an evolution of those older Detroit bands.”
Mike described it in terms of how cuisine moves through a community. “There are new flavors added or a new reduction which changes the entire taste palate,” he said. “For us, we had Muddy Waters and The Jesus Lizard and all these other bands that we were building on. Everything we were processing was distilled into what came next.”
It was a recipe that worked. Bogue was popular. The group toured widely but never forgot about Mike’s hometown. “We’d always tried to bookend shows at the Upfront,” Mike said. Upfront & Company, located at Front
Street and East Main Street in Marquette, was a popular venue to see live music, but it closed down over a decade ago.
“Dan and Matt were both Detroiters, born and bred, and it was fun to take them on a seven-hour car ride and get almost as far geographically north as you can go in Michigan,” Mike said. “They thought it was the most beautiful place, and the fans were always enthusiastic. We loved playing Marquette, and I was always proud to show it to them.”
Bogue was in a good place musically. The band was touring and gaining in popularity. The obvious next step was to record an album, and Diamond was ready to help.
“We were all buddies. We’d hang out and party together,” Diamond said. “They told me they wanted to do some songs live. I did a quick mix, and that was it.”
The studio wasn’t perfect. But for
this type of music, you don’t want perfect. “There was no polish,” Mike said. “Jim’s studio was a former chicken processing plant. There were no fancy pro tools or spit shine.”
Mike said Bogue worked fast that day in the studio. “We went into it to make a demo to shop to labels,” he said. “We wanted to go back later and spend time to make a proper record. We didn’t have money for studio time or tape, so we really just knocked it out.”
After the recording session, Diamond burned CDs to give to the band members, “just something for them to take home and listen to.”
Bogue then sent the demos to labels and began to get positive responses. “Some of the labels said it already sounded complete,” Mike said.
The band met with a few different interested parties, but those individuals were not as legitimate as they’d first appeared and nothing material-
In the early days of this century, Mike Walker of Marquette played guitar in the Detroit band Bogue. Tragedy derailed the trio’s aspirations, but Walker recently brought Bogue’s album to life. (Photo courtesy of Mike Walker)
ized. One deal, though, looked promising.
“There was a group of lawyers who wanted to fund a record label for Jim,” Mike said. This was going to be a new venture apart from Ghetto Recorders, one that would create a completely different studio.
“The Bogue album was going to be the first release of Jim Diamond Records,” Diamond said. “Then we ran into distribution problems, and the whole deal folded.”
It’s not an unusual theme in the music business. Deals come and go.
Unfortunately for Bogue, there was another common theme. “We made our own mistakes,” Mike said. “We got advance money one time and drank it up.”
Drugs and alcohol sometimes go hand in hand with the venues that rock bands play in. Bogue’s guitarist and vocalist, Dan Maister, fell into that trap, becoming a heroin addict. Shortly after the collapse of the deal that was set to create Jim Diamond Records, Maister took his own life.
“There were a lot of drugs and alcohol involved in the scene at that time,” Mike Walker said. “What happened with Dan sort of took the wind out of everything.” The Bogue session tapes were set aside, and the other two members of the band tried to move on.
“In my mind, everything got shelved,” Mike said. “Then our drummer, Matt, died of a heart attack, literally at his drum kit.” The shock of losing two-thirds of your band in a few years is enough to make anyone walk away.
“The tapes went into a drawer,” Mike said. And that’s where they might have stayed forever but for a weird turn of events.
Mike, now sober, said an uncle who had a copy of the Bogue demo CD gave it back to him. Shortly thereafter, he received a call from a journalist in the United Kingdom who was doing work on a commemorative box set on the 20th anniversary of the Detroit band Electric Six
“I was asked to comment, and I thought, ‘Are there people that are really interested in this music we were playing 20 years ago?’” Mike said.
His memory went to the album he and his friends had recorded — which had recently come back into his life from his uncle — and he wondered if anyone would want to hear it. “In the day, it got passed around a lot,” Mike said. “There were bootlegs of it all over.”
Maybe it was time.
“I listened to the album for the first time in maybe 15 years, and I was
like, ‘Damn, that’s a good album,’” Mike said.
The sounds coming out of his speakers transported Walker back to the Cass Corridor, a historic neighborhood in the west end of Midtown Detroit. “I could suddenly see people dancing in the room, mountains of Stroh’s cans, it brought me back to that neighborhood,” Mike said. “It was transformative.”
Welcome back, Jim Diamond, who had spent the intervening years grinding away in the music business and moving to France for a stint. The old recording studio was torn down and would be outrageously expensive now. But he’s back in Detroit and gave Mike the thumbs-up on making the album.
“He told me what was going on, that he had been talking to a guy about putting the Bogue album out,” Diamond said.
Diamond’s first challenge was to locate the original recordings. “I had to find them first,” Diamond said. “I had booklets of CD-ROMs. Everything was backed up on them. Thank God they didn’t disintegrate.”
Diamond had also not listened to the album in many years. “It was a little funkier than I remember,” Diamond said. “Their whole thing was that they had the Detroit garage rock sound that was popular at the time, but they had another element of funkiness that most bands here didn’t. I always thought that was really great about Bogue.”
After doing a file conversion so the CDs could be read with a more modern computer, Diamond was able to remaster the files and send them back to Mike.
Dan Maister was Bogue’s singer and guitarist. (Photo by Doug Coombe)
“When he sent the mastered version of it, I couldn’t believe what he was able to do with them,” Mike said. “The other members are gone. We couldn’t go back and overdub or retrack anything. We had one recording from one day. The version he sent me is out of control. It rips through the speakers.”
Geoff Walker recognizes the accomplishment. “Getting this project completed and honoring the good work that they did, the legacy of these talented musicians who aren’t here, is really cool,” Geoff said. “It’s getting interest nationally and internationally. I’m really proud of him.”
Having a ripping album is important, but having a label is probably more important, as that’s how you get it into people’s hands and ears. Again Mike was looking for a label to host Bogue.
“That became a whole different nightmare. I put feelers out for interested labels,” Mike said. “One in Detroit was very enthusiastic, but unfortunately he was pretty unscrupulous and lied to me for months.”
Mike eventually got the masters back and started the process again. While searching, he came across a label called Chaputa Records in Portugal. “They put out gorgeous records,” Mike said. “Every release they do is made to look really good.”
Unbeknownst to Mike, there was
already a connection to Chaputa through a mutual friend. “I do a lot of work with European bands,” Diamond said. “I’d heard of Chaputa and know they’re reputable and keep their word. I knew they’d come through.”
Mike sent the demo to Chaputa in Portugal. “They heard my demo and wrote to me the same day and asked how they could be a part of it,” Mike said. “They’ve been really enthusiastic.”
The album was back on track. With a call to Tom Deja, who did the original album art back in the day, and a call to Archer Record Pressing in Detroit, the actual creation of records began. Walker had to shoulder most of the cost for pressing copies in the States.
“Fortunately, I had a bunch of pre-orders that helped,” Mike said. When the deal with the previous label fell through, fans were understanding.
“The part that stressed me out was that a lot of people ordered it when the other label had promised it by Thanksgiving,” Mike said. “I wanted to make sure that the people who forked over their hard-earned money got their product.”
The fans waiting for the album were sympathetic to Mike’s update about the label problems. “I emailed them each about the delay,” he said. “I was incredibly grateful that every one of them was willing to wait.”
The wait is over.
The official release date for
Mike Walker of Marquette played guitar in Bogue, a Detroit band that performed in his hometown several times. (Photo by Doug Coombe)
Bogue’s album, “How’d You Feel About Talkin’ To Me,” which was recorded in 2002, is Aug. 1.
“It was really quick. I spoke to Chaputa in April, and we had set the date of Aug. 1,” Mike said. “They have an edition they’re pressing in Europe as well. It was just a matter of the time it took to press them.”
Having the album in his hands has been a bit surreal for Mike. “Sometimes I think when you work towards a project for such a long time, and then you finally have it in your hands, there’s this expectation that the sun is going to have a different color or there’s going to be this monumental shift,” he said. “Instead, I just put the boxes in my car and drove away.”
But having this album complete and in hand, after what it took to get it there, isn’t lost on the remaining member of Bogue. “To do it at that pressing plant was amazing,” Mike said. “Archer did Motown Records. I’m proud to have been able to do it and to bring it back through Detroit.”
There were only 600 copies pressed, so supplies are limited. For now.
“I’m debating on ordering another pressing,” Mike said. “I feel like there might be a demand there, and at the same time I feel like maybe I should be happy selling out the ones I have.”
“How’d You Feel About Talkin’ To Me” might never have seen the light of day. It is not outside the realm of possibility that it would have stayed in a desk drawer until it was thrown out or ruined. It’s a musical time capsule, unearthed for the first time in over 20 years.
It’s also a chance for Mike Walker to put the past to rest. “For me, personally and emotionally, I have some closure now,” Mike said. “It also lets me celebrate the band I was a part of and the friends I had. And it’s a good album.”
Mike is still happiest playing music with friends. The only difference is that now he does it in his basement. “I’d join a band again if I could find that perfect spark, that dialect that really clicks well,” he said. “But for
now, I’m content making a connection on a personal level.”
Bogue may not have received the “standard rich and famous contract,” but they made their mark in their own way. “They were a great band,” Diamond said. “It was an absolute shame the way it ended up, but I’m really happy to see that the whole thing was able to get a second life.”
The end of Bogue was not atypical in the music industry. What was different was that one member was able to finish the project the band started. It’s a fitting tribute to friends and a snapshot of Detroit music history.
Geoff Walker has spent the intervening years playing music a different way, on the turntable. He puts on record shows at Ore Dock Brewing Company with Jon Teichman. For each show, he brings about ten thousand records to sell. He does many shows a year.
This guy knows records.
“The Bogue cover is great. The illustration jumps off the album,” Geoff said. “They were ‘rough recordings,’ but when the band is really tight and you have an excellent engineer and producer, which is what Jim is and was, you can get a great recording right off the bat. It’s all just straight rock ’n’ roll. It sounds like it’s live without sounding muddy. It’s aggressive without being antagonistic. It’s fun without being goofy. It’s honest and lean, and it just kicks ass.”
To purchase a copy of the Bogue album, go to Mike Walker’s bandcamp page, bogue.bandcamp.com, or visit one of the several stores in Marquette that has copies for sale. You only have to walk Third Street in Marquette to find it — at Yooptone, The Emporium and Jim’s Music. It’s also available to stream on popular streaming services. 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.
Matt Blake of Detroit was Bogue’s drummer. (Photo by Doug Coombe)
Rugged and rocky Greywalls at 20 still makes a statement
Getting better with age
By Melissa Wentarmini
On a wind-streaked June morning, Nicole Aloe Goetzke climbed into a golf cart at Marquette Golf Club and followed a winding, wooded trail for nearly 10 minutes before reaching the first tee.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” she said. “Usually you’re right there, but this — you feel like you’re leaving behind everything familiar. You’re really going somewhere.”
That “somewhere” is Greywalls, a course celebrated for its rugged au-
thenticity and its refusal to tame the wild terrain it inhabits. Now celebrating its 20th anniversary, Greywalls remains one of the most dramatic, distinctive and environmentally forward-thinking courses in the United States, carved not into nature but alongside it.
Opened in June 2005 as the second 18-hole course at Marquette Golf Club, Greywalls was designed by Mike DeVries, a protégé of minimalist architects Tom Doak and Tom Fazio.
Rather than imposing a design on
the landscape, DeVries let the course emerge organically from the terrain, threading through Precambrian granite outcrops, wetlands and boreal forest, all part of the ancient Canadian Shield. This geologic formation contains some of the oldest exposed rock on the continent, estimated by scholars to be 4.28 billion years old. With just 40,000 cubic yards of soil and 3,000 cubic yards of rock moved during construction, Greywalls is a rare example of environmentally sensitive golf course routing.
“It’s a pretty incredible way to put
a golf course together,” said Michele Butler, president of the Marquette Golf Club board, who has been involved with the club since Greywalls opened. “The way [DeVries] was able to build the course around all of the rock, and with the views of Lake Superior, really defines what makes it special.”
Routed across more than 200 feet of elevation and framed by corridors of ancient granite and towering pines, the course earned praise from Golf Club Atlas as “a walk through geology.”
Course architect Mike DeVries allowed Greywalls to emerge organically from the surrounding terrain. (Photo courtesy of Marquette Golf Club)
A stretch of holes carved across sheer rock faces, tumbling fairways and steep hills, the front nine has become infamous for its rock outcroppings, elevation shifts and visually intimidating shots. “Wild,” “unforgettable” and “roller coaster” are common descriptors.
Among the most talked about is the dramatic par-5 opener, which unfolds downhill through sweeping mounds and boulder-edged corridors to a turtle-back green that funnels shots unpredictably. Hole 5, a short par 4 of about 312 yards, tempts long hitters with a narrow entrance bordered by a cliff. Hole 6, perhaps the course’s most iconic par 3, launches from a rocky ledge over a deep chasm to a tiered green. Golfers often call it one of the most beautiful par 3s in the country. Then there’s Hole 7, a long par 4 offering the thrilling gamble of a drive over a cliff, with severe consequences for a mis-hit. Hole 9 features an elevated tee with sweeping views of Lake Superior and a green that sits naturally into the hillside.
The back nine, in contrast, transitions to sandy forests and more open fairways while maintaining strategic complexity. Holes 11 through 15 introduce a rhythm of sculpted greens
and undulating fairways. Hole 13’s par 5 is known for its wildly contoured green, and the par-3 15th requires a carry over a ravine. The course finishes with a downhill par 5, Hole 18, which narrows around 280
yards from the tee and funnels shots toward a dome green with full views of Lake Superior.
Greywalls has subtly elevated its agronomic standards without losing its rugged essence. Under the leader-
ship of GCSAA Class A Golf Course
Superintendent Craig Moore, the course showcases improved turf quality on fairways and greens thanks to optimized irrigation patterns and selective nutrient regimes.
While native grasses now dominate the rough and out-of-play margins, supporting both the course’s aesthetic and ecological health, maintenance remains minimalist: Only low-volume irrigation systems are in place, and granular or spoon-fed nutrient applications target turf needs without excess. Hybrid mowing equipment has been introduced, enhancing precision and reducing wear on sensitive turf areas.
Today, out-of-play areas remain largely undisturbed, with minimal shaping and few ornamental plantings, fostering space for native flora and potential pollinator habitat. From hole routing to daily upkeep, Greywalls continues to live lightly on the land, honoring both its original wild spirit and a growing awareness of ecological responsibility.
Greywalls has evolved into more than just a dramatic test of golf; it has become a cornerstone of the Marquette area’s seasonal economy. According to a 2024 Travel Marquette
Kurt and Nicole Aloe Goetzke of Royal Oak celebrated their 10th anniversary in the Upper Peninsula — including a round of golf at the rugged Greywalls course in Marquette. (Photo courtesy of Nicole Aloe Goetzke)
report based on Placer.ai geolocation data, the course welcomed more than 10,400 unique visitors between May and October — the highest seasonal total since tracking began in 2018.
The final week of July marked the busiest period, with more than 2,200 visits. Nearly a third of all visitors, 28.1%, were Marquette County residents, underscoring the course’s strong local roots and loyal regional base. Another 15% came from downstate Michigan, and nearly 7% represented the broader Upper Peninsula. That foundation of in-state support has helped sustain Greywalls since its debut, even as its national profile continues to grow.
Butler emphasized that this combination of local loyalty and national recognition has been essential. “It’s very valuable, and it’s been very valuable to the Marquette Golf Club,” she said. “That mix of local members and destination golfers has helped us maintain the course, helped us maintain and grow and be financially stable.”
The report indicates that Grey-
walls’ pull stretches well beyond the U.P. Nearly 46% of visitors in 2024 came from out of state, with sizable contingents from Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois and beyond. Many traveled from urban hubs like Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Chicago, contributing a wave of tourism dollars to nearby hotels, restaurants and small businesses.
It’s this dual identity — both local mainstay and national draw — that allows Greywalls to thrive, shaping not
only the area’s golf scene but also its broader tourism economy.
As Travel Marquette highlights, Greywalls has become a cornerstone of Upper Peninsula tourism, attracting downstate and Midwestern golfers. Alongside hiking, brewery visits and Pictured Rocks excursions, the course helps generate substantial off-course economic value.
Goetzke’s group illustrated this perfectly: golf followed by Blackrocks Brewery, local lodging and sightsee-
ing — highlighting Greywalls’ role in regional travel itineraries.
Goetzke, a Royal Oak-based real estate agent, and her husband made the eight-hour drive north to celebrate their 10th wedding anniversary with friends. They stayed in the tiny lakeside town of Christmas and included a round at Greywalls in a week of sightseeing that included Pictured Rocks, Oswald’s Bear Ranch and Blackrocks Brewery.
“We did everything,” she said.
Greywalls consistenty ranks among the top courses in the state that are accessible to the public. (Photo courtesy of Marquette Golf Club)
“We golfed in the morning, then met up with our friends at Blackrocks. … We’ve lived in Michigan our whole lives, but had never been past Mackinac. This year we decided to change that — and Greywalls was at the top of our list.”
She described the par 3s as especially thrilling. “No. 6 — oh, that was stunning,” she said. “Probably our favorite hole. You’re teeing off from this rocky ledge, and it just drops away. Beautiful, but you’ve got to hit it clean.”
Even experienced players, she said, had to rethink their approach. “Our home course is flat, links-style. Greywalls — there’s elevation everywhere. Hills, angles, pins tucked in nasty spots. We were constantly adjusting. But that’s what made it so fun. It demands creativity.”
Butler agreed, noting that the course is challenging, yet fair. “It’s a very playable course if you pay attention to the terrain,” she said. “And more specifically, especially for females, I think that there’s opportunity there.”
“
GREYWALLS?
I’D TELL THEM TO BUCKLE UP. IT’S LIKE NO PLACE ELSE.
Peaceful, but not easy. “Everyone warned us we’d lose balls,” she said, laughing. “I only lost one. But you had to be precise.”
Though she has played in Ireland, Florida, Arizona and California, Greywalls made a distinct impression. “It’s not for the faint of heart,” she said. “It is challenging. But I’d go back in a heartbeat.”
That reaction speaks to the course’s lasting appeal. Greywalls isn’t about
Even after just one round, Greywalls left an impression. “The staff was amazing,” Goetzke said. “They even gave us 10% off at the clubhouse because it was our anniversary. And the pace was perfect. We never had to wait. No one was behind us. It was peaceful.”
A Travel Marquette report indicates that nearly 46% of visitors to Greywalls in 2024 came from outside of Michigan. The course has become a cornerstone of Upper Peninsula tourism. (Photo courtesy of Marquette Golf Club)
luxury finishes or curated perfection. It’s about immersion — in landscape, in elevation, in silence and sky. It’s a place where players meet the land on its own terms.
Butler put it this way: “If nothing else, for the beauty of what you can see — the absolute views of Lake Superior and how everything is put together — I would highly recommend that people take advantage of that if they’re in the area and if they are golfers. It’s on a lot of people’s bucket lists.”
The course operates on a tight seasonal window, opening in late May and closing by mid-October, its schedule dictated by the Upper Peninsula’s brief growing season and unpredictable weather. That rhythm mirrors the land itself: rugged, moody and ever-changing.
When Goetzke and her group played Greywalls, they encountered all four seasons in a single round. “We said, ‘This feels like Ireland,’” she said. “One minute it was raining, the next sunny, then windy, then cold. By the end of the round, our layers were off.” Despite the shifting skies, she said, “We didn’t care. We were just really excited to play the course.”
Goetzke’s anniversary trip added a serendipitous touch of symmetry — celebrating a decade of marriage at a course now celebrating 20 years of its own enduring legacy. That legacy isn’t just etched into granite ridgelines and dramatic fairways, but in the accolades that continue to follow.
In Golf Digest’s 2025-26 update of America’s 100 Greatest Public Courses, Greywalls earned the No. 55 spot nationally and ranked No. 8 among Michigan public courses. Golfweek has named it one of the
Top 100 Public Courses in the country nine times, most recently placing it at No. 46. Within Michigan, Greywalls consistently ranks among the top two public layouts, second only to Arcadia Bluffs in Golfweek’s most recent survey.
The course has also appeared in Golf Magazine’s list of Top 100 Courses You Can Play and regularly lands on Best in State rankings across major publications. Reviewers continue to describe it as “one of the most exhilarating walks in golf” — a place where bold design and raw natural beauty create a round that’s as memorable as it is challenging.
At 20, Greywalls stands firm against the wave of resort-style, heavily sculpted courses. Its minimalist, environment-first ethos endures, a lesson in restraint and respect for land. DeVries has continued creating high-profile projects, but Greywalls remains one of his boldest statements.
For Goetzke, and thousands of others who make the trip north each summer, Greywalls offers more than a round. It offers an experience. A challenge. A sense of wonder that lingers long after the scorecard is tossed.
“Greywalls? I’d tell them to buckle up,” she said. “It’s like no place else.” 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.
Michele Butler, president of the Marquette Golf Club board, said, “That mix of local members and destination golfers has helped us maintain the course, helped us maintain and grow and be financially stable.” (Photo courtesy of Marquette Golf Club)
lookout point Strings organization and farm expand learning opportunities
Summer camps focus on music, food
Editor’s note: Summer camp has long been a staple of children’s lives, a place to swim, hike, sing around campfires and get a breath of the great outdoors. But there are other kinds of camps in the U.P., opportunities for children and adults alike to create art, play music, learn about the environment or grow a nutritious meal. We highlight two such examples this month, following two in the July issue.
By Jennifer Donovan
There’s music in the air. It’s coming from the violins, violas, cellos and basses of young people who are spending part of their summer learning and playing at the Superior String Alliance music camps.
The alliance’s summer music camp changed Jeanette Adams’ life. “SSA shaped me profoundly — as both a musician and a person,” said Adams, a professional musician from Escanaba who attended the camp as a teenager and has returned many times as a
counselor, teacher and camp director. “It offered a community where I felt safe, encouraged and seen, and it’s where many of my closest friendships were formed.”
Adams now lives in Colorado. She plays double bass and tours with Stillhouse Junkies, a nationally touring folk-Americana trio.
“SSA has brought immense joy into my life,” Adams said. “It helped me discover my passion for music and education, and it shaped the person and artist I’ve become. It made a lasting impact on me, and I know it continues to do the same for others. It’s a place where young musicians feel supported, challenged and inspired to grow.”
Founded in 1984, the nonprofit Superior String Alliance supports the learning and performing of music on the violin, viola, cello and bass throughout the Upper Peninsula.
SSA runs two sleep-away music camps in August: Camp Presto for students in grades six to eight and
Superior String Alliance camps offer instruction focused on violin, viola, cello and bass. Overnight camps are held at Fortune Lake. (Photo courtesy of SSA)
Camp Vivace for ninth to 12th graders. Both are based at Fortune Lake near Crystal Falls. The alliance also offers a chamber music summer day camp for fourth through 12th graders in Marquette.
The organization is funded by grants, donations and tuition fees. Some camp scholarships are available.
SSA campers pack a semester’s worth of music education in a oneweek camp session, said Danielle Simandl, a violinist who is camp director and SSA executive director and music director. The campers’ days are filled with music. They play in orchestra and chamber groups and participate in improvisational workshops. Each camper also gets a private lesson every day. “They get a unique amount of individual attention for a music camp environment,” Simandl said.
She described the camp as “a small and tightly knit community that encourages kids to be their most authentic and creative selves.”
So many lessons and so much practicing sounds like hard work. But SSA’s music camps are far from all work and no play. There’s plenty of more traditional camp activities too. Campers swim, play field games, perform in talent shows, sit around bonfires, write and sing cabin songs. And there’s a lot of socializing with each other and camp staff.
“I’ve seen so many students socially come out of their shells at camp,” said Ben Campbell from Escanaba, who attended the music camp when he was in grades six through 11 and
returned to teach there. Now a professional musician pursuing a master’s degree in violin performance at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, he is a member of the Rabin String Quartet.
“It’s pretty rare nowadays that kids get the opportunity to spend time in nature without their phones for a whole week, and camp is a great space
for them to blossom and connect with one another,” Campbell said. Music camp faculty are professional classical musicians who play the violin, viola, cello and bass themselves. According to Simandl, they all hold at least a Bachelor of Music degree in performance or education, and a majority also hold a Master of Music degree in performance in addition to a
teaching certificate.
SSA camp was a turning point for Campbell. “Having my teachers at SSA tell me and my parents that I have what it takes to pursue a career in music — it was the vote of confidence I needed at the time,” he said. Both Adams and Campbell say music education is important for young people. “Music education is more
Superior String Alliance bass players develop their skills while practicing in the great outdoors. (Photo courtesy of SSA)
than learning an instrument — it’s really about fostering community and expressing yourself,” Campbell said. “As students grow with their instruments, they are also gaining skills such as working with others, making creative decisions and developing confidence within themselves.”
Adams added, “Even if campers don’t pursue music long-term, the lessons in collaboration, discipline and expression are lifelong tools.”
SSA campers give final performances at the end of each camp session. These concerts are open to the public.
Partridge Creek Farm summer camp
A lot of middle school students live on mac and cheese, french fries, chicken nuggets and hot dogs. They think food comes from a box or a fastfood place. Sometimes their working parents don’t have time to cook, or they can’t afford fresh food — or both.
That’s changing for some Marquette County middle schoolers this year, at Partridge Creek Farm’s Farm to School summer camp.
Thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Superior Health Foundation, the non-
EVEN IF CAMPERS DON’T PURSUE MUSIC LONG-TERM, THE LESSONS IN COLLABORATION, DISCIPLINE AND EXPRESSION ARE LIFELONG TOOLS. “
Superior String Alliance’s campers receive one-on-one lessons every day. Above, professional musician Ben Campbell, from Escanaba, teaches one of his violin students. (Photo courtesy of Ben Campbell)
profit farm in Ishpeming is giving 60 fifth through eighth graders an inside look at how fresh produce is grown, prepared and eaten.
For a week each month in June, July and August, campers can learn about gardening, growing food, healthy cooking and nutrition at the Partridge Creek Farm Community Gardens and Community Farm. Students also create food-based art projects.
The camp is based on the Farm to School program that Partridge Creek Farm runs during the school year in partnership with the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency.
Partridge Creek Farm Education Coordinator Keats Dormont said that the farm’s educational programs have a powerful message at their core:
“You are a part of nature. You are a part of our ecosystem, and as an intrinsic part of this impossibly beau-
tiful world, you have the choice to participate in it with disconnected and destructive actions or with interconnected and beneficial ones.”
He said, “We ask the question, ‘How can our human and planetary needs get met from within our bioregion?’ Well, a great place to start is with our local food system, and what better way to begin than with a garden?”
The summer camps feature a lot of garden time, said Mary Antonia Andronis, co-executive director and director of professional programs at Partridge Creek Farm. “We’ll be out in our school gardens every day if weather permits.” And when it doesn’t, activities will move to the farm’s “hoop house,” a plastic-covered structure where vegetables can be grown year-round.
There’s also a healthy cooking and nutrition class that focuses on the
Participants in Partridge Creek Farm’s summer camp in Ishpeming learn about the growing process. (Photo courtesy of PCF)
food grown in the school gardens. “We’ll be teaching the kids some basic cooking skills and how to prepare the vegetables we grow, like potatoes, corn, squash, beans and carrots,” Andronis said.
Many vegetables are new to the campers. Are they hesitant to try them? “The ages we work with are really cool, because they are trying new things at this age, especially if it’s presented to them right,” Andronis said. “You have to approach it delicately. We never force kids to eat anything they don’t want to. We always say, ‘You don’t have to like it, but will you please try it?’ And generally, they do.”
Parents love Partridge Creek Farm’s children’s programs. “My daughter, who is 7 now, pulled her first carrot in a Partridge Creek Farm garden,” said Billy Mercer, who lives in Ishpeming. His daughter goes to skill share on Wednesdays and helps in the gardens on volunteer days. He feels sure she’ll go to camp when she’s old enough.
“Most of the PCF gardens are within walking distance of downtown Ishpeming,” Mercer said. “That is good in a town where there is hardly anything for kids who have no transportation to do.”
Partridge Creek Farm is a nonprofit whose community gardens and community farm have this vision: “Our community has access to equitably produced nutritious food that they grow and eat together.”
It all began about 11 years ago, when a local contractor, Dan Perkins, noticed that neighborhood kids were curious about what he was growing in his backyard. So he invited them in and got them gardening too — and
Perkins’ act of hospitality has grown into Partridge Creek Farm.
The farm covers 3.75 acres on the old Bell Memorial Hospital site. It was a brownfield tract that had to be remediated so edible plants could grow there. Now there’s about an acre of farming lanes and a covered hoop house for growing produce yearround.
Partridge Creek Farm doesn’t sell retail or wholesale to stores. “We don’t want to compete with local farmers,” Andronis said. They sell through their community supported agriculture program, where subscribers pay a seasonal fee to get a weekly box of produce. About half of the subscribers use food stamps, which enables them to get a big box of vegetables for about $5 a week.
The organization does have a farm stand that sells produce during its weekly CSA pickup. “We do skill-sharing and recipe demonstrations at the farm stand, so people can see how to work with the food that they’re getting,” Andronis said.
Partridge Creek’s West End Farm Stand is open from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. through October at 550 Cleveland Ave. in Ishpeming.
Through its CSA and Farm to School programs, and now its summer camp, Partridge Creek Farm is bringing healthy, local food to all ages in the Ishpeming area and beyond.
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.
Partridge Creek Farm’s programs teach children about growing and cooking food. Here, students cook produce in the WLUC-TV studio. (Photo courtesy of PCF)
First
sporting life
Tee program
teaches kids about golf and so much more
Life lessons on the links
By Jim LaJoie
Kenn Hruska has been around the game of golf for decades. He’s generally revered as one of the top players in not only Marquette County but the entire Upper Peninsula. He has been a member of the Marquette Golf Club since 1983 and sits on its board of directors.
Hruska has an undeniable passion for the sport. Yet, today, his personal dedication has been redirected. He has been afforded an incredible opportunity to give back and help teach aspiring children the game of golf, improve their swing and provide a blueprint for youth to achieve success in life.
Recently, Hruska, 57, was named the area director of First Tee Northern Michigan–Marquette County. First Tee is a large, youth-oriented national nonprofit hatched 28 years ago from the United States Golf Association, PGA of America and others to provide an avenue to get kids back in the game. It falls in place with the Marquette County Junior Golf Association, which offers boys and girls
ages 4 to 19 an opportunity to learn and improve their skill level.
The First Tee curriculum is organized around four age groups: 7 to 9, 10 to 11, 12 to 13, and 14 and older. The organization’s leaders believe
that kids become better versions of themselves when they have the space to be who they are, surrounded by passionate people who guide them to see what they are capable of.
There are 150 First Tee chapters,
mostly located in the United States. Bringing the nationally acclaimed First Tee to Marquette County was far from an easy task. For 20 years, Hruska and other Marquette golfers pitched the idea of establishing a chapter here. In 2023, a grassroots group put together a business plan, and the national organization bought in.
“We were getting kids out there to golf, and [First Tee] added a life skills curriculum with key commitments. Thus, it’s not just teaching kids golf, but adhering to principles in character and citizenship,” Hruska said. “We wanted to supercharge the great programs we have.”
Hruska, a pharmacist in the Peninsula Medical Center, has long held a special place in his heart for children and providing them with a path to play golf and learn invaluable life lessons to build inner strength, confidence and character.
Kenn Hruska, left, works with a participant in the First Tee program, which teaches golf and life lessons. (Photo by Jim LaJoie)
“My passion is growing the game for kids,” he said. “Once we got the bid, they said they need to hire someone to run it. I said, ‘I should do this.’ I took a look at where I am in my life, and I can work a lot less in the pharmacy. And I am getting paid to do what I love. I told the chapter downstate that whether you expand into Marquette County or not, I’m going to continue to do this. I am blessed.”
For years, Hruska and the board of directors of the Marquette Golf Club have worked tirelessly to expand junior golf opportunities. The Marquette County Junior Golf Association has done a great job laying a foundation, working to incorporate life skills for up-and-coming players. The idea is to build future leaders and upstanding citizens in the community.
“It’s really about that,” Hruska said. “It’s a game changer. These kids can pursue goals on the course and through the lessons we teach them. We instill the five Key Commitments. ... We have told the kids that we’re going to do some drills, and everyone is going to have some success. It’s making it fun for them … teaching the inherent principles of the game and etiquette.”
Hruska said to grow, children have to maneuver through mental and physical challenges. “What better game than golf to teach resilience,” he said. “For instance, I’ll demonstrate a shot. And I’ve told them that I have lost on the golf course far more than I have won. It’s working through those challenges.
“The person who wins is not the person who goes out and hits all the great shots. The person who wins is the one who regroups after that bad shot. We start with a simple skills set, and they come back the next week to build on that.”
First Tee believes experiences are our greatest teacher, and they should be both fun and meaningful, where kids feel excited to grow, safe to fail and are better equipped for what comes their way.
First Tee promotes five Key Commitments: Pursuing Goals, Growing through Challenge, Collaborating with Others, Building Positive Self-Identity and Using Good Judgment. These commitments are reiterated as participants focus on mastering golf fundamentals and building upon a golf skill foundation as they advance within the program.
In the end, First Tee’s No. 1 goal is making golf a fun and enjoyable experience, while building game changers. “We’ve had a lot of smiles,” Hruska
said. “I’ve been to national trainings in Phoenix and Level One training in Boyne to be certified to deal with kids and their frustration. One technique we use is to redirect. OK, you’re frustrated. … Let’s try something different. All of these principles are there for these kids to have a good day.”
The Marquette County chapter has 10 paid coaches and 25 volunteers, ranging from Northern Michi-
gan University and Marquette Senior High School golfers to others in the community committed to ensuring the kids are on the road to success.
First Tee is committed to creating and maintaining a safe and welcoming environment for all participants and individuals affiliated with the organization.
“Golf was not a welcoming sport when I was growing up,” Hruska said.
“
THE PERSON WHO WINS IS THE ONE WHO REGROUPS AFTER THAT BAD SHOT.
“I’ve been on the Marquette Golf Club board since 2003, and we have worked hard on creating a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere for kids.”
And for Hruska, he happily welcomed the helping hands from his family. His daughter Seiler serves as an assistant coach with First Tee. Seiler’s forte is volleyball. She played four years of varsity volleyball at MSHS, was named team MVP all four years and was the Great Northern Conference Player of the Year in 2019 and 2020. She now plays collegiately as an outside hitter at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Florida.
“I grew up with golf because my whole family played,” she said. “My dad has been talking about this for so long, and I love coaching. I’m good with kids, and this is really his passion.”
Seiler said even though First Tee has only been operational for two months in Marquette County, she has already seen positive results in children. “This creates more joy in the sport, which is really a big thing for younger players. With each age group, we teach them life lessons through all of these fun games,” she said. “We created an obstacle course for them, and they love it. When we tell them these are things we can do before they go out on the course, their eyes light up.”
And it’s apparent.
Blake Schroeder, 7, of Marquette is a shining example. “I like when I hit the driver and it goes far,” he said. “When you practice, you get better at your swing. You can hit the ball further.”
Sophie Capello, 8, of Marquette
Kenn Hruska is area director for First Tee of Northern Michigan. His daughter Seiler, right, is a coach with the organization. (Photo by Jim LaJoie)
added, “I like driving the ball. I started when I was 5, and I like driving the golf carts.”
Crew Langdon, 10, said practicing has helped his game. “Really, it’s just having fun and hanging out with friends and family and getting to play,” he said. “My chipping and putting have improved.”
Now that First Tee is up and running successfully, Hruska has dreams of growing the sport far beyond this season. “We hope to expand in other counties. We’re trying to connect the dots with the kids who don’t have a lot of opportunities,” he said.
And, beyond that, he has a much larger goal:
“We will get into schools to do programming and fundraise for a capital campaign to build a sports complex in Marquette,” he said. “We have a spot that really fits the bill. To build one here would also benefit adult golfers. An indoor facility would have classrooms and simulators. And we want a ninehole short course with a putting green.”
Growing the sport. Giving children an opportunity to play a game for a lifetime. Making it fun. All are essential ingredients to build a successful program.
“We tell the kids that we’re going
First Tee participants practice the skills they have been taught by their coaches. (Photo by Jim LaJoie)
to teach you a sport you can play by yourself,” he said. “I ask, ‘Who likes to play basketball? Who likes to play football?’ Then I’ll say, ‘Can you get 20 more people today to play football?’ We can teach these kids the components to play for a long time.”
Participants enrolled in the program can keep playing and learning through the First Tee app. It includes games and challenges that reinforce in-class concepts while bringing them to life in new ways.
For now, the First Tee chapter in Marquette County runs on donations and fees collected from the 2025 Player Card. For $149, golfers can play more than 50 courses in the Upper and Lower Peninsulas at greatly discounted rates — a $1,300 value. To purchase a Player Card, visit firstteenorthernmichigan.org.
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.
Annual fairs feature animals, exhibits, food and entertainment
Celebration of tradition
By Erin Elliott Bryan
It’s fair season! “Michigan’s county fairs are cornerstones of social and cultural community identity,” Tim Boring, director of Michigan’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, wrote in a letter to statewide fairgoers. “These annual events bring people together and maintain essential connections to rural traditions at a time when people are increasingly disconnected from agriculture and food production. Our state’s 85 local, county and state fairs produce safe, family-friendly entertainment and celebrate our important agricultural heritage.”
Many of the local and county fairs are run solely by volunteers who dedicate the entire year to making each event a success. What follows is but a sampling of the fair experiences available to U.P. residents and visitors.
U.P. State Fair
Escanaba, Aug. 11-17
Since 1928, the U.P. State Fair has provided a place for all people to experience and celebrate the unique culture and heritage of the Upper Peninsula. Prior to that time, it was impossible to show U.P. livestock and produce at the Michigan State Fair in Detroit, so the state Legislature passed a bill granting the U.P. its own state fair in 1927, according to a 2017 Daily Press article by Karen Wils.
In April of that year, Michigan Gov. Fred W. Green signed Act 89, which established the U.P. State Fair “to promote the agricultural and industrial interests” in the U.P. Governed by the Upper Peninsula State Fair Authority, which represents all 15 U.P. counties and the Hannahville Indian Community, this year’s fair will run Aug. 11-17 at the fair-
Grandstand entertainment at the U.P. State Fair in Escanaba includes The Fab Four, Diamond Rio and Pop Evil. (Photo courtesy of the U.P. State Fair)
grounds on North Lincoln Road in Escanaba.
“Fair week is a time to renew past fair acquaintances and make new ones,” Chairman Matt Jensen wrote in the fair book. “A time with family and friends to enjoy fantastic midway rides provided by the Skerbeck Entertainment Group, traditional fair food options and the latest items from various merchant booths.”
Grandstand entertainment will kick off with a cornhole tournament on Aug. 11, followed by daily musical acts: Beatles tribute band The Fab Four, Diamond Rio, Snotty Nose Rez Kids, Justin Moore and Pop Evil. The main event on Sunday, Aug. 17, will be UPW Pro Wrestling.
There will also be rides, games, food, arts and crafts displays, animal exhibits and shows, horse demonstrations, youth competitions, vendor booths and more. A white dove release will take place daily at 3 p.m. in front of the poultry barn (weather permitting).
“There’s something truly special about our communities coming together each year for their fairs and celebrating what makes Michigan such a great place to live — our vibrant communities, rich agricultural heritage and hardworking families,” Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wrote in a letter published in the fair book. “Whether you’re enjoying local foods, cheering on the next generation of 4-H stars and future leaders of Michigan’s agricultural industry, or just soaking in the excitement, I have no doubt that you will have a great time at your local fair.”
For information, visit upstatefair. net.
Marquette County Fair
Sands Township, Aug. 7-9
This year marks the 35th annual
Marquette County Fair, which will run from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily, Aug. 7-9, at the fairgrounds on M-553 in Sands Township.
President Walt Maki has been coming to the fair since the beginning, accompanying his children while they were involved in 4-H. He’s served on the fair board for the past 10 years and has been president for six years.
“I love seeing all the kids, showing their animals, competing,” Maki said.
It’s a family affair, too, as Maki’s wife serves as superintendent of the fair’s quilt and sewing section, where she will oversee entries in a variety of media. “It’s really about showing off what you’ve done in the last year,” Maki said. “It used to be called a fair
and exhibition.”
Of course, the fair will also include popular fair food and midway rides as well as small and large animal exhibits and competitions, featuring “tons of animals.” Special events will include inflatables in the Fun Zone, Scott’s Crazy Comedy Magic Show, the Steamers thrill show, a youth talent show and culinary cooking competition in the newly built Clubhouse, axe throwing, bingo, petting zoo and more.
Back by popular demand will be KidBucks Game Show, where kids can compete in silly farm games to win fair money. “That was a huge hit last year,” Maki said. “There was a line of kids trying to get tickets a half hour before.”
Each day, the fair will offer nine hours of free entertainment as well as two live performances from local bands, including Blue Champagne, 41 West, Derrell Syria, Neo Lives, Paul and Tom, and Groove Candy.
“I’ve been around it so long,” Maki said. “I love seeing young families come and have fun.”
Tickets are available at the gate: $4 for children and $7 for adults. For information, call the fair office at 906249-4111 or visit marquettecountyfair.org.
Baraga County Fair
Pelkie, Aug. 1-3
In an article from July 22, 1965, The Mining Journal reported that the 25th annual Baraga County Dairy Day would henceforth be known as the Baraga County Fair.
“However, it was pointed out that, although the name is different, the type of program will be the same as in past years,” the article noted.
Now, 60 years later, the tradition
will continue Aug. 1-3 at the county fairgrounds in Pelkie.
Fair manager Robin Chosa said the fair will highlight its youth competitions, small animal shows, large animal auction, vendors and community organizations, as well as the popular mud drag on Saturday and demolition derby on Sunday.
This year will also include live music from Belinda Maki and Cathy Bolton and an expanded area for kids and families with bounce houses, carnival games, a movie night and “tons of baked goods.”
“It’s shaping up to be pretty busy this year,” Chosa said.
Chosa also owns Rez Robins fry bread and has been involved with the fair for about seven years. He took over as fair manager in 2024 and said he leveraged his connections through his “day job” as a business navigator to attract new vendors.
Chosa said that fair admission continues to remain affordable — $5 per day or $10 for the weekend for adults — thanks to generous donations from the community.
“As a small town, we have a really strong sense of community,” Chosa said. “Come out and support our local vendors and entrepreneurs.”
Follow the Baraga County Fair on Facebook for the latest updates.
Alger County Fair
Chatham, Aug. 1-3
This year’s Alger County Fair will take place Aug. 1-3 at the fairgrounds in Chatham. Attendees can enjoy traditional fair food, animal exhibits and shows, competitions, pig roast, bingo, kids’ activities, a bean bag tournament, Little League baseball game, a church service and more.
Livestock exhibits remain a staple of the U.P. State Fair and county fairs across the Upper Peninsula. (Photo courtesy of the U.P. State Fair)
Live music will be offered throughout the weekend. Other entertainment will include a mobile arcade, axe throwing and a youth game tent each afternoon.
The weekend will also feature the Alger Fair Hamfest, a ham radio buy, sell and trade event. For $5, amateur radio enthusiasts can set up a tailgate-style spot to engage with visitors.
For 2025, the fair board announced the installation of new playground equipment through the efforts of Little League baseball volunteers and the Chatham Lions Club, as well as improved fencing and security around the livestock buildings and pavilion with support from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the estate of Carl Buehrly.
“Carl was extremely dedicated and involved in judging, teaching and coaching at many livestock expositions and fairs during his lifetime,” board president Paul Naasz wrote in a letter published in the fair book. “We certainly appreciate his contribution to youth education and safety in our community.”
For information, visit algercountyfair.com.
Houghton County Fair
Hancock, Aug. 21-24
The 74th Houghton County Fair is slated for Aug. 21-24 at the Hancock Driving Park. According to its mission statement, the Houghton County Fair Association is dedicated to “organizing and producing a dynamic and successful annual fair to promote and encourage education, agriculture, the arts and entertainment for participants and community members of all ages in a traditional, whole-
some and safe environment.”
The average attendance over the four days of the fair is about 25,000, according to the website.
Among the special events scheduled for this year are motocross, a demolition derby, off-road derby, monster trucks, cattle sorting, livestock shows and a hypnotist. Daily entertainment will include Sea Lion Splash, Alfy’s Robotic Puppies and Whispering Pines mobile zoo as well as horse shows and carnival rides from Skerbeck Entertainment Group.
There will also be commercial booths and vendors and a variety of food options.
Daily and four-day passes are available. For information, call 906482-6200 or visit houghtoncountyfair. com.
Dickinson County Fair
Norway, Aug. 28 to Sept. 1
The115th Dickinson County Fair, known as “the biggest little fair in the U.P.,” is held annually on Labor Day weekend at its fairgrounds on U.S. 8 in Norway.
Visitors can enjoy carnival rides from Skerbeck Entertainment Group, traditional fair foods, vendor booths and friendly competition for best livestock, flowers and more. Other annual events include horse and pony pulling, truck and tractor pulling, bingo, live music and the demolition derby.
For information, call 906-5638840, email dickinsonfair@norwaymi.com or follow the Dickinson County Fair on Facebook.
Erin Elliott Bryan grew up in Ishpeming. She is a freelance writer and an MM calendar editor.
A motocross rider takes flight at the Houghton County Fair in Hancock. (Photo courtesy of the Houghton County Fair)
the arts
Music festival continues to evolve, but
its
close-knit vibe remains
Feels like home in the Porkies
By Brad Gischia
The Upper Peninsula has no shortage of live music to see throughout the year. Mainstay bands make the rounds of craft breweries throughout the cold months, but once the weather changes, a whole new group of venues opens up. What better place to enjoy live music than the great outdoors?
The Porcupine Mountains Music Festival has been an annual event for almost 20 years — the event was a casualty of the pandemic in 2020 — staged within Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon County.
“This festival is unique because of
the relationship between the festival and the State of Michigan,” said Cheryl Sundberg, festival director since 2013. “Most festivals are for-profit,” Sundberg said. “This is different because we can’t generate income inside the state park.”
That leaves the sole focus of the festival on the music itself.
The first year of the festival was 2005, and it was created by Don and Linda Kermeen, who moved to the Ontonagon area from Texas when they bought Superior Shores Resort. “Don and Linda had just been to a folk festival,” Sundberg said. “They looked at the ski hill and thought it would be a great music venue.”
Zach Miller from the Chicago area
met the Kermeens when he stayed at Superior Shores. He had experience booking artists for various events and venues. The three went to a group called Friends of the Porkies to pitch the idea of a festival.
“Jim Bradley was the president then,” Sundberg said. “They also approached Bill Doan, who was supervisor of the Porcupine Mountains State Park. Doan was very enthused about the idea and instrumental in getting approval for the project.”
Funding for the show is helped along with a grant from the Michigan Arts and Culture Council. “This year we received a grant for $12,000,” Sundberg said. “All of that went towards headliner fees. That’s been a
huge help. They’ve supported us for years, and that funding has really helped us bring the show to a different level.”
The show has always been held in August, the week before Labor Day weekend. It was scheduled for that time because the park historically was not as busy then. “As we started to build and grow, we saw it increase until it became the busiest weekend of the year for the campground,” Sundberg said. “It’s just steadily grown each year.”
The festival — scheduled for Aug. 22-23 this year — has evolved since it started, but those changes have made it more successful. “Every year, we tweak things a little,” Sundberg said.
The Busking Barn at Porcupine Mountains Music Festival attracts first-timers, professionals and popular jam sessions. (Photo by Knox Keranen)
“At one time we had two stages. One of the stages was in bad shape and was being decommissioned.”
In an effort to streamline things, they put their funds into building one good stage. “Now the sight lines are better and people can see the musicians while they’re dancing,” she said. “That’s been a great change.”
The festival used to be three days and has been shortened to two. “We are really focused on what’s working and making it more manageable,” Sundberg said. “We want to keep the quality of the music, and the rest of it will work out.”
It seems to be working. The show is busier than ever, and that is due in part to the assistance organizers receive. “We have a large volunteer base,” Sundberg said. “We have about 15 people who work throughout the year. And once we get to the weekend of the festival, we have around 150 volunteers on the ground. There are a lot of moving parts.”
Getting anyone to dedicate their valuable free time to an event is hard, and to have people returning year after year is almost impossible. But the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival does it successfully each year.
“We’ve always wanted to keep the focus of the festival on the music itself,” Sundberg said. “We want to showcase really quality music by people who are making a living playing their music and touring.”
Sundberg said that as far as the main stage goes, the festival organizers are
looking at performers who wouldn’t normally come to this area. “We focus on a lot of performers who you might see on ‘Austin City Limits’ on PBS,” Sundberg said. She also noted public radio and independent music publications such as No Depression. “That’s the style we really like.”
The festival gets hundreds of recommendations each year from all over the country. “It’s really fun homework to do,” Sundberg said. “We try to get out to see performers live as much as we can, but everyone has a social media presence now, and that makes it a lot easier as well.”
Even as organizers are searching for acts, artists are seeking them out. “We get calls from agents and bands,” Sundberg said. “Every year they come here, and they all want to come back. They go out on the performance circuit and tell the people they meet about the show. It’s a testament to how they’re treated when they come.”
Sundberg notes the slower pace of life is a draw for returning performers. “You see them start to relax while they’re here,” she said. “They come up here and fall in love with the show. Then, afterwards, they don’t seem like they’re in any hurry to leave.”
The distance and remoteness of the area might be a deterrent for some performers. “It’s really hard to route an artist here,” Sundberg said. “With the closest large cities being Chicago and Milwaukee, it’s hard to book them elsewhere to make the trip worth it. But when they get here, they get it.”
Sundberg recalled one specific group that showed what true road warriors they were to get to the Porkies. “The Randy McAllister Band played a show in Denver, Colorado, some kind of late-night club gig,” she said. “They got in their van at 2 in the morning and drove straight here. They got here about half an hour before they had to be on stage.”
Not only do performers enjoy the event and go to great lengths to participate, but the festival inspires loyalty in its dedicated group of volunteers. One of these volunteers is Eric Hopper, who is in charge of the Busking Barn, one of the more unusual aspects of the show.
“It’s a truly all-acoustic stage,” Hopper said. “There’s no electricity out there. It’s just the performers and their instruments and the audience.” As far as Hopper knows, there are only a few such stages in the country.
Hopper first laid eyes on the old storage shed when he attended his first Porcupine Mountains Festival and was invited to play in the Busking Barn. “I had never heard of it,” he said. “I was new to the area and was excited to check it out.”
That first experience in the barn led to nearly a decade of managing the space. “I performed the first year and fell in love with it,” he said. “It was an old storage shed. We built a small stage, and you’re up there with just your instrument. It’s important for musicians to know that because it forces you to make adjustments to the
John Nemeth performed at the festival last summer. Organizers scout shows such as “Austin City Limits” and publications like No Depression to find artists who might be a good fit. (Photo by David Braithwaite)
way you play. It feels like you’re in your living room with a live audience. It’s a very intimate setting.”
The Busking Barn is open to everyone from first-timers to the professionals who are playing the main stage. “Some people have never performed in front of an audience,” Hopper said, “and then we have main-stage performers like Charlie Parr who come out and improve a show every year.”
Hopper said one of the other popular features at the barn is the open jams, which are scheduled throughout the two-day festival. The jams get up to 20 performers onstage for 30-minute sets. “Anyone can get up onstage,” he said. “Either you bring your own instrument, or you can borrow one of ours. It’s a really encouraging venue for people of all talents.”
Hopper said Busking Barn slots fill up early. And although there are many returning performers, there are always openings for first-timers. “Usually the schedule is full by February,” he said. “I always tell people to sign up, but we give preference to new performers.”
It’s an opportunity that many people don’t get at other shows. “A lot of young performers get their start here,” Hopper said. “We’ve had a lot of kids under 18 show up with a guitar and get up on stage. It can be a scary thing. I’ve had main-stage performers do that and they’ve told me it’s absolutely terrifying because of the lack of amplification and the nearness of the audience.”
Tim Kieffer is a singer-songwriter from Wisconsin. He came to the U.P. in college and hiked around the Porkies with friends. “I stopped going when I got older and getting up the hill got to be too hard,” he said.
Then he ran across a flyer for the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival.
“I thought it would be a great way to get back to the Porkies, maybe do some day hiking and get a chance to play music,” he said. “I basically went up there on a last-minute decision and ended up staying in Bessemer at the ski hill.
“The first time I went up there, I felt like I was adopted. It’s such a wonderful environment, and I made so many friends. Everyone is so accepting and friendly. Going back is like a family reunion every year.”
Kieffer said the open jam is one of his favorite times of the weekend.
“It’s a blast,” he said. “You have people of all different skill levels getting together. Sometimes someone wants to lead a song. Some people just sit in the background and struggle along. Some people don’t even bring an instrument but just want to get up and sing along. I enjoy playing with all the people.”
And the possibility of sitting next to a pro is right there as well. “I was playing at an open jam once, and when we were done someone came up and told me I had been sitting by one of the headliners,” Kieffer said. “That was pretty cool.”
Festival organizers take pride in drawing big-time entertainers to the Porkies, and this year is no different. Scythian, a band from Florida, will be headlining Friday night.
“They’re a dynamic band that we first saw at the Suwannee Festival 10 or 12 years ago,” Sundberg said. Because of scheduling conflicts around another festival, they were never able to come up to the show — until now. “This year we got a call from their agent, and the opportunity was right routing-wise since they’re doing a show in Milwaukee. We just kind of fell into it. It’s really going to be a treat for everyone.”
The Busking Barn draws an overflow crowd. (Photo by Knox Keranen)
Saturday night’s headliner is Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. He carries on the legacy and the music that his father helped to popularize. “We had his dad here several years ago, and it was our highest attended show,” Sundberg said. “We’re really excited to have him come up and play. Zydeco music is happy music.”
Performances begin each day around noon and are scheduled until around 10 p.m. There are six mainstage acts each day. During setup and tear-down on that stage, there are acts in the A-frame chalet as well.
“Inside the chalet, we have performers who write their own music and regional performers,” Sundberg said. “If there’s something you don’t like on one stage, you can move to the next. There’s also a children’s area with arts and crafts that runs throughout both days.”
There is the opportunity to camp at the park, but those reservations are usually booked early in the year. Sundberg said there are several other campgrounds in the area as well as the other hotels and motels in the Ontonogon area.
The future of the festival is bright. “I think we need to focus on sustainability,” Sundberg said. “We want to keep bringing fresh people in to keep it going. Fresh people bring fresh ideas. Everyone is committed to being around for years and years. We’re excited for the future and have every intention of continuing on.”
Hopper has trouble picking a favorite memory of his time with the show but remembers seeing the Holmes Brothers there once. “They were amazing vocalists,” he said. “It was evening, and they were singing ‘Amazing Grace,’ and their voices floated up the ski hill and the moon was out. That definitely stands out for me.”
He also has the opportunity during the festival to perform with his children, something he looks forward to each year. “This will be our fifth or sixth year,” he said. “I really look forward to the gathering of people. It becomes a family with these Busking Barn performers. Sometimes I only see them this one time each year. We get to reconnect and make music for the joy of it. It’s fantastic.”
The importance of the show comes from not only the opportunities for the performers but for the audience as well. “We’re so secluded and small,” Hopper said. “We don’t get the advantages of a venue you might get in bigger cities. This is essentially a big festival dropped up here. For locals, it’s an opportunity they might not otherwise have.”
Sundberg said her love of music drives her to work so hard. “In another life, I might have been a musician, but in this one I don’t have the talent,” she said. “I’ve been really blessed to be involved with a highly produced event like this. It gives me chills when I hear a band really locked into the groove. It’s magical.”
Kieffer said although he spends most of his time in the Busking Barn, the festival is what he plans his year around. “I haven’t missed it since I started,” he said. “As long as I can still make the drive up, I plan on doing the show. There’s so much madness in the world. This is a great opportunity to go fill your soul with music and people and love.”
Visit porkiesfestival.org for tickets and information.
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.
The festival features an area for children’s activities. (Photo by David Braithwaite)
locals
Steady at the helm
Brian VanWieren’s life of sailing, soul and second chances
By Jennifer Champagne
Brian VanWieren doesn’t like to talk about awards. He’d much rather talk about fundamentals — what it means to feel the wind fill the sails, how a boat heels too hard if it’s not properly trimmed or the moment a nervous student lights up when she realizes she’s in control.
But this summer, VanWieren is quietly making history. For the second year in a row, he has been named one of the top 1% of sailing instructors globally by the American Sailing Association — an elite group recognized solely through student surveys.
“My goal when we first opened the school and started teaching sailing was just to open people’s eyes to sailing and make sure that they came away with solid fundamentals — how to sail boats, but most importantly, how to do it safely,” VanWieren said. “And we still have fun out there while doing it.”
The ASA award is no small feat. Of the more than 2,500 active instructors worldwide, only about 30 make the list each year. The selection is based on student surveys that rate everything from safety to teaching style. An algorithm balances the quality and quantity of feedback over time, allowing instructors from schools of all sizes to be evaluated fairly.
To make the list once is rare. To do it twice, back-to-back, while teaching on Lake Superior — one of the most
demanding freshwater sailing environments in the world — is almost unheard of.
From the docks of Holland VanWieren’s journey started modestly. He grew up in Hudsonville, Michigan, near Grand Rapids. Like most kids in that part of the state, sailing wasn’t handed to him — he found his own way into it.
“Ever since I was a kid, the only books I read were about boats — power boats, sailboats, anything nautical,” VanWieren said. “I was always fascinated.
“I didn’t start sailing until I was 15 or 16. I just walked the docks and got picked up as a crew member. I learned from that group. Someone from that
crew raced on a bigger, faster boat and brought me along. Eventually, I got my own.”
Rah Trost, captain with U.P. Sailing Co. and former director of the Marquette Junior Yacht Club Youth Sailing Program, said, “You know, he grew up on a horse farm and was a farmer. The fact that he has been allowed to follow his dream — I think he has an interesting story.”
VanWieren said, “When you shut the motors off and you just hear the waves crashing against the hull or as you cut through the water … this boat is generating power from this wind and looking at where we’re going. There is still something romantic about sailing.”
He became a fixture in the West
Michigan sailing scene, racing out of Holland and building a reputation as a calm, knowledgeable helmsman with a knack for teaching.
VanWieren served as commodore of the Anchorage Yacht Club in Holland and played a key role in organizing the Anchorage Cup, an annual race from Grand Haven to Holland that drew sailors from around the region.
Fleet Smith first met Brian when he and his wife, Teresa, hired him for private sailing instruction after a decade away from the water. “We had never sailed a boat like this before,” Smith said. “We just hired him as our instructor to teach us how to sail — the right way. And that’s exactly what he did.”
The connection was instant. “Brian was just absolutely perfect,” Smith said. “Just everything we could ask for in an instructor — and we became friends right away. He’s just so comfortable on the boat that the confidence he exudes is transferred to the student.”
Soon VanWieren was immersed in the world of Great Lakes racing. He joined the Great Lakes Singlehanded Society and competed in some of the region’s toughest solo challenges — the Trans Superior, Chicago to Mackinac, Port Huron to Mackinac.
“My first solo challenge … it was storming, and I de-masted the boat just outside of Chicago,” VanWieren said.
For the second straight year, Brian VanWieren has been named one of the top 1% of sailing instructors in the world. (Photo courtesy of Kristen Cooper VanWieren)
Lu Perkins, a longtime sailing friend, said, “About 5 miles out from Chicago during the solo race to Mackinac, Brian’s mast just collapsed — fell right down on the deck. Other sailors came to help and were blown away by how he handled it. He grabbed his cutters and a hacksaw, started releasing the rig so the mast and sail could drop into the water. Total pro.”
VanWieren added, “The next year, I went back and got first place in my division.”
He has raced in at least 10 of those solo events. Along the way, he built a resume of resilience, strategy and respect from fellow sailors. Mark Perkins (Lu’s husband), who raced alongside him in Holland, said their connection started early — when Brian was still in his 20s and first pulled his boat into a slip near theirs at Anchorage Marina.
“We kind of got to know his family at that point,” Mark said. “We both have such an affinity for sailing.”
Lu added, “It would be one of those things where on Saturday or Sunday mornings, I’d pop up out of the companionway and say, ‘Hey, breakfast?’ Here he’d come with a bottle of orange juice.”
The two families stayed close. Brian joined their Wednesday night race nights, then followed Mark into solo sailing.
“Pretty soon, it was a two-man team,” Lu said. “They’d leave after race night on Wednesday, go to Chicago and race to Mackinac Island.”
Mark added, “There was a lot of trust with each other. He’s got a lot of kindness, but when you do things, you do them the right way. That’s the only way he likes to do it.”
Over the years, they watched VanWieren’s sailing skills sharpen, but it was his character that made the bigger impression.
When Mark needed heart valve surgery, VanWieren showed up — cooking meals, cleaning the house and waiting outside the operating room. “When the elevator doors opened, there was Brian,” Lu said. “He sat and waited with me.”
Mark added, “He’s what I consider probably my best friend.”
A life rebuilt in the U.P.
Afterdecades sailing the lower Great Lakes, VanWieren and his wife, Kristen, made a leap in 2022. They moved north, drawn not by business opportunity but by something deeper. “Crossing south over the bridge, we felt grouchy. Coming back, it was instant calm,” Kristen said. They settled in the Munising area
with three dogs, two horses and two mini-donkeys — and an idea. “When we moved up here,” Kristen said, “we thought, ‘Well, there’s nothing like that in the U.P. There are small pockets of sailing communities, but no schools or charter businesses to introduce people to sailing.’ … So we just saw a gap.”
VanWieren had run his family’s trucking company for years. Kristen was working as a corporate executive. Building a sailing school was a dream they weren’t sure would take off.
“It was scary,” Kristen said. “Brian ran his family’s trucking business for a very long time, and his dream had always been to do something in the marine industry. … So to really go out and try this, that was a big step. But it has paid us back tenfold.”
In 2023, the VanWierens’ U.P. Sailing Co. launched its first full season. Today, they host students from across the country — even families flying in from Utah for a weeklong Lake Superior experience. Their overnight courses include anchoring off Pictured Rocks, sailing around Grand Island and dining on fresh-caught whitefish under the stars.
“We’ll cook whitefish dinners out at anchor,” VanWieren said. “And people are just looking at the stars. That’s when I go, ‘Is this really my job?’”
The couple also regularly donates sailing outings to veterans’ groups, local nonprofits and scholarship fundraisers. “They’ve taken vets out in wheelchairs,” Trost said. “They’re very accommodating in that regard.”
They’ve supported the Marquette Junior Yacht Club, the Alger County Vietnam Veterans Fourth of July raffle and animal shelter events.
“They bring a lot to the community,” Trost said. “They offer scholarships. … They’ve enriched our sailing community through all that they do.”
Brian and Kristen Cooper VanWieren moved to the U.P. in 2022 to pursue the dream of a nautical life. (Photo courtesy of Kristen Cooper VanWieren)
Teaching on Lake Superior
Sailing on Lake Superior isn’t like sailing on an inland lake — or even the other Great Lakes. “People think Lake Superior is dangerous — and it is — but for a lot of students, it’s a bucket-list item,” Kristen said.
Trost agreed. “I grew up on this lake,” he said. “You know this lake — it’s capricious at any moment. Brian knows it, and he’s always prepared.”
VanWieren said, “All ASA schools teach a little differently based on geography. Lake Superior definitely adds some trickiness. … Sometimes we have a lot of wind, sometimes not much. In our classes, we talk about the weather a lot more than maybe some other schools.
“Safety is one of our biggest things. Just for captain’s licensing … you take your Coast Guard tests and certifications, but it’s also about gaining that sea time experience. So when different scenarios present themselves, you can navigate quickly — and keep everyone safe.”
The way he teaches VanWieren doesn’t bark commands. He doesn’t run a tight ship in the traditional sense. His students say what makes him exceptional isn’t that he demands precision — it’s
that he builds confidence.
“My teaching style is … I ask a lot of questions,” he said. “I try to coax my students into giving me the answer … and I’ll present it in different ways if they’re struggling.”
Michelle Warden, a Great Loop sailor and former student, said, “Brian coaches and guides without ever making you feel dumb or inadequate. It’s more like, ‘Hey, have you thought about trying it this way?’ or ‘What if
you did it like this?’ It’s gentle, respectful — and it works.”
Warden met VanWieren in 2014 after buying her first sailboat. She and her husband were new to sailing and wanted a captain aboard for a “shakedown cruise” out of Holland.
“He was amazing,” she said. “He helped instill confidence in me and just made me feel like I knew what I needed to do in the event of anything serious … and made me comfortable.”
They later began racing with the VanWierens on Wednesday nights.
Trost, who has sailed for more than 40 years, said she’s never met anyone quite like VanWieren. “He’s so patient,” she said. “He’ll take all the time in the world to answer your questions. He steps you through it, and if you smack the dock, he’s not going to lose his mind. He just instills confidence. He really does.”
Before the move
Brian and Kristen VanWieren once lived a very different kind of life.
They met later in life, introduced through mutual friends in West Michigan. Both had been through previous relationships and weren’t looking for anything serious — but something clicked. They bonded over a shared love of the water, a quiet resilience and a deep respect for each other’s independence. “It wasn’t fireworks,” Kristen said. “It was steady, calm, solid — like something we could actually build a life on.”
She added, “He always wanted to do something in the marine industry. But I don’t think he ever had the right backing to pursue it.”
That began to change when they started spending more time in the Upper Peninsula. They’d fallen in love
Brian VanWieren grew up reading books about boats — “power boats, sailboats, anything nautical.” (Photo courtesy of Kristen Cooper VanWieren)
with the area in winter — snowmobiling, slowing down, soaking in the quiet. At first, they talked about maybe retiring there. Then something shifted.
One evening, Kristen was alone on her boat, struggling emotionally, when she came across a news article about a new park being built in Holland. The name stopped her cold: Cooper VanWieren Park. Cooper was her last name.
“He had just texted me and said, ‘Can I come over and give you a hug?’ I said no … and he came anyway,” she said. “The second I read the park name, he knocked on my boat. I thought, ‘OK, universe — I hear you.’”
The park had nothing to do with either of their families. But for Kristen, it was a clear sign. “I’ve never had a true partner in life before Brian,” she said. “I have this person that is cheering for me when no one else is clapping.”
Soon after, they jumped in with both feet and moved to the U.P. “I worked for Deidre [Phillipson] the first summer up here in 2022 — I was one of her captains,” Brian said. “It helped me get to know the shoreline from a different angle.”
Phillipson, captain, general manager and part-owner of Pictured Rocks Kayaking, remembered him clearly. “He was very clear about his intentions to open a sailing company. We 100% supported it and love to see him thrive,” she said. “Brian is an all-around great human being and a fantastic captain. I believe he is right where he needs to be.”
At home, they’re slowly building a house tucked in the woods outside Christmas — not for themselves, but for Kristen’s mom. “We’re just keeping it simple,” Kristen said. “We’re living in a small part of the house while we build out the main space for her. Even though our schedules are so packed, we make time to check in with each other: ‘What are you doing? What can I do to help?’”
They share their space with their
rescue dogs: Skip, the unofficial first mate; Oreo, who was brought home as a companion for Skip when Freya was very ill; and Freya, who then made a miraculous recovery. She’s now old, deaf, blind and, as Kristen joked, “also dramatic.”
Summers are full tilt. Kristen works full time remotely, handles the business side of U.P. Sailing Co. and helps host guests. Brian splits time between chartering, teaching and his job as a safety manager at Cross General Contracting.
“That’s the life we chose,” Kristen said. “And that’s fine. But I also really enjoy the offseasons, when things slow down and we get a little more time to just be.”
A legacy of mentorship
VanWieren is quick to downplay the idea that he alone shapes his students, but he takes mentorship seriously. “It’s going to sound kind of weird,” he said, “but just about all sailors [have been mentors]. I like to pull stuff from everyone … even some of my students.”
Trost sees the impact every day: “His passion really comes through — clearly — that he loves to teach and he loves to sail. He’s affable. He is just warm. He’s sincere. And he’s incredibly good at what he does.”
Fleet Smith put it more simply: “He’s the guy that the instant you meet him, you want to hang out with him. He is a 100% person — nothing fake, just honest and real.”
From the shores of Lake Michigan to the wild blue of Superior, VanWieren is steady at the helm — and always teaching someone else to steer. 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.
Brian VanWieren’s former students say one of the hallmarks of his teaching style is patience. (Photo courtesy of Kristen Cooper VanWieren)
in the outdoors
It’s almost time to spot the iconic butterflies near Lake Michigan
Migration of the monarchs
By Lily Venable
It’s late August on the Garden Peninsula, and the air shimmers with gold. The peninsula, jetting out into Lake Michigan just south of the rich and expansive Hiawatha National Forest, sees goldenrod nodding along the roadsides as the lake breathes its late-summer warmth. In the stillness between the dunes and forest edge, orange wings drift like living embers in the breeze: The monarchs have arrived.
Monarch butterflies hold deep symbolic meaning for several Indigenous tribes in the Great Lakes region, including Anishinaabe (Ojibwe, Odawa and Potawatomi) communities. In Anishaabe culture, they are seen as messengers and carriers of dreams. According to Ojibwe oral tradition,
butterflies can carry thoughts and wishes to the spirit world, and their presence is sometimes interpreted as a sign that ancestors or spirits are near.
The monarch’s metamorphosis — from caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly — is also viewed as a powerful metaphor for personal growth and
spiritual evolution. As Native educator and author Winona LaDuke has written, the monarch’s migration represents a sacred journey and reminds us of the interconnectedness between species, land and people.
The monarch, with its long migration, also symbolizes resilience and unexpected strength through a long journey. Each year, these butterflies — as weightless as petals but stronger than they look — undertake one of the most awe-inspiring migrations on earth.
They come from all over the eastern United States and southern Canada, funneling south toward a small patch of ancient fir forests in central
Butterfly hobbyist Sharen Sam of Houghton cups a monarch butterfly in her hands. (Photo by Lily Venable)
Mexico, where they winter in hanging clusters by the millions. On their way, they seek out wildflower-rich fields, blooming roadsides and sheltering trees to feed and rest.
And here, on the Garden Peninsula, they find just that: a haven of lakeshore meadows, blufftop pines and sun-drenched nectars.
“Late August is nearing the end of the monarch’s annual life cycle in the U.P.,” said Jim Bess, a butterfly expert who has studied and marveled over insects for more than five decades. “The newly emerged adults start flying south and congregate along the shores of the Great Lakes. The Garden Peninsula is a natural gathering area for these early migrants. They feed on wildflower nectar before continuing their journey.”
That journey spans up to 3,000 miles — an unthinkable distance for a creature so delicate. The monarchs that leave Michigan in August are part of the “super generation,” a special brood that lives longer than their parents and grandparents and flies all the way to Mexico.
They’ve never been there before. No single butterfly ever makes the full round trip. And yet, each one follows an ancient instinct encoded in its cells — a longing for fir forests on mountain slopes thousands of miles away.
But environmental changes threaten monarchs, whose larvae feed exclusively on milkweed. The monarch’s reliance on milkweed is both a strength and a vulnerability: Its natu-
ral toxins make monarch caterpillars and larvae unpalatable to predators. Even the adults retain this defense, their brilliant orange wings acting as a warning: I’m not good eating. But that tight link to a single plant family means monarchs are deeply affected by the timing of seasonal bloom cycles.
“Climate change is affecting the distribution and phenology of plants and animals,” Bess said. “If the timing becomes mismatched — if milkweed isn’t sprouting when monarchs arrive — it can really hurt their chances.”
The monarch’s survival also hinges on more than wildflowers. It is the forest — both here and far south — that shapes their success in surprising ways. Extreme weather and shifting seasonal rhythms could leave migrating monarchs with too few nectar sources or no fresh milkweed for egg laying.
At the same time, forest health is shifting too, bringing new diseases, invasive species and uncertain rainfall patterns into play.
Dr. Tara Bal, forest health expert and professor at Michigan Technological University, discusses the importance of forest management for monarchs. “All monarchs from eastern North America overwinter in oyamel fir forests in the mountains of central Mexico,” Bal said. “Protecting those habitats with sustainable forestry and reforestation practices is crucial.”
But the connection doesn’t end in Mexico. As monarchs migrate
The vibrant orange wings of the monarch butterfly warn predators to stay away.
(Photo by Lily Venable)
through the Midwest, including the Upper Peninsula, they rely on trees for roosting — especially dense-canopied evergreens like native fir and cedar. These trees provide shelter from wind and help regulate temperature and humidity, acting like natural inns for tired wings.
“Forestry practices can also help locally,” Bal said. “Sometimes opening up the forest canopy creates sunny patches where milkweed can grow — since milkweed doesn’t thrive in full shade.”
Thoughtful land management, even in ditches and along power lines, is important for monarchs. “Less frequent mowing and letting meadow-like grasses grow along roadsides helps keep the caterpillar food source available longer,” Bal said.
Bess agreed. “Mowing and herbicide spraying during the growing season is very detrimental,” he said. “It doesn’t just affect monarchs — it harms moths, bees and other pollinators too. And all of these are critical for our wildflowers, fruits and vegetables.”
Bal added, “Insects, like the monarch, are particularly sensitive indicators of ecosystem change. That’s part of what makes them so fascinating to study — and so vital to protect.”
For Bal, the connection between monarchs, forests and education is more than academic. It’s deeply personal. “I’ve always loved insects,” she said, “and my job at Michigan Tech is actually my dream job — teaching people about insect ecology and forests.”
Recently, Bal helped lead a project to publish Michigan Tech’s historical insect collection online. The collection, built by students since the 1960s, includes more than 10,000 specimens — each one a snapshot of what lived where and when. As soon as it was released, scientists from around the country took notice.
“One researcher studying monarch DNA reached out because he didn’t have any samples from the U.P.,” Bal said. “Now, this teaching collection is being used for new discoveries about monarch health.”
That sense of legacy and interconnectedness runs through Bess’ work as well. His fascination with insects began in kindergarten, when he first laid eyes on a massive cecropia moth. Since then, he’s conducted insect surveys across the Midwest and continues to study pollinators in the Keweenaw.
“We still have quite a diverse fauna,” he said, “though some species that were once common have become
increasingly rare or even extinct. That’s why conservation matters.”
As for the ever-vibrant monarch, now is the time to marvel at them for yourself. “The dunes along northern Lake Michigan are ideal areas to look for monarchs in late summer and early fall,” Bess said. Warm, sunny afternoons with blooming wildflowers offer your best chance to catch a glimpse of the migration.
Look for butterflies sipping nectar from goldenrod, asters and blazing star. Watch the trees in the evening, when tired wings seek shelter. And know that the butterflies passing by may be heading all the way to a fir-covered mountain you’ll never see — but they will.
For some, the sight of the monarch is a nostalgic childhood memory, a reminder that there is hope in adversity, a marvel of the freedom of flight, an omen of resilience despite a harrowing journey.
Ecologically and emotionally, this notable bug is worth protecting. Monarchs are a symbol of strength and beauty, but they’re also a call to action. Their fate depends on all of us: what we plant, how we mow, what we protect and what we notice.
Individuals can support monarchs and other pollinators in a number of ways:
Plant native milkweed and late-season nectar flowers.
Avoid mowing and spraying in ditches and meadows during growing season.
Support sustainable forestry and local habitat restoration.
Report sightings on platforms like Journey North.
Or check out the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Monarch Initiative, U.S. Forest Service Monarch Habitat Guide or The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, excellent sources for taking a deep dive into wild butterflies.
Enthusiasts can also connect directly with Jim Bess (jabess@charter. net), who offers consulting for habitat restoration, insect conservation and regional pollinator health.
In the rustle of milkweed blossoms and the hush of August wind, the monarch writes its powerful story. And here on the Garden Peninsula, for just a fleeting moment, we get to be part of it.
MM
Lily Venable is a cook, mother, veggie enthusiast and community-oriented creative in the Keweenaw Peninsula. For more from Lily, visit lilyvenable. com.
Family Reunion with Aunt Pauline poetry
By Gala Malherbe
We gather, each August, in the pines, under the pavilion, near the horseshoe pits. In the field, someone has placed picnic tables, end to end, 12 tables, maybe more, spread the family tree from one to the next, a continuous document of lineage, of marriages and deaths, of births and family units. Standing on its end it would be as tall as these white pines that surround us as we bend over names and dates and history.
I strum my guitar beside my dad and my uncle, beside relatives I do not know. I watch fingers for chord changes. I look over at Aunt Pauline. She sings along to Five Foot Two beneath her flowered hat from her lawn chair. A paper plate rests on her lap, a half-eaten piece of birthday cake. She is 104 this year.
After the singing, I follow her to the outhouse. She pushes her walker over grass and roots. I become a vigilant guardian behind her. My arms hover close, out-stretched and ready. She pauses, looks up at the pines, tells me, “I remember when these were just this high.” She gestures shoulder height with her hand.
I wonder if this could be true, then I think of that family tree rolled out like a red carpet in the field. So often, we are poor believers in size, in age, in the power of time.
For this afternoon, I am content to walk my great-aunt back from the outhouse among white pines just a few years her elder. I imagine us both in our flowered hats, sauntering down the red carpet of our shared family tree.
Gala Malherbe lives in Marquette. Her poems have appeared in “Maiden Voyage,” “Superior Voyage” and “Yooper Poetry.” She has self-published several chapbooks, including “This Bird Way of Being.” Her full-length book of poems titled “Growth Rings” was recently published through Harvard Square Press.
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
‘Haggard House’ is infused with Gothic elements
Review by Victor R. Volkman
Gothic fiction characteristically is imbued with an environment of fear, the threat of supernatural events and the intrusion of the past upon the present. Settings often include reminders of the past, especially through ruined castles or houses that stand as proof of a previously thriving world that is now decaying.
One of my favorite authors, the late H.P. Lovecraft, invoked this feeling often in forgotten and corrupted backwater New England towns with names like Arkham, Innsmouth and Dunwich. The atmosphere of Gothic fiction is typically claustrophobic, and common plot elements include vengeful persecution, imprisonment and murder.
Although Gothic fiction is rarely set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, it’s a locale ripe for exploitation. Certainly, Karen Dionne’s U.P. novel “The Wicked Sister” is rife with many of these essential elements.
So it was with some excitement that I discovered Elisabeth Rhoads’ debut novel, “Haggard House,” which is infused with Gothic elements, right down to the creepy cover art.
An advance reviewer from the blog A Book and a Dog describes “Haggard House” as “a captivating blend of genres, including history, horror, suspense and a coming-of-age story with forbidden love … .”
Set in the fictional town of Nomaton, Michigan, probably somewhere in the neighborhood of Manistique, the story opens in 1859. Adam Bolton, our main protagonist, is just 11 years old at this point but already both world-weary and suspicious of strangers even of his own age cohort.
He has been homeschooled his entire life, almost entirely through Bible readings, and now he is cast into the village’s one-room school to learn what he can. Sarai, his mother, is a virulent member of a nameless Christian cult, so he knows not one single
child. He has been instructed to “hold himself apart” from others lest they be a morally corrupting influence on his tender youth.
Adam’s main literary foil is the beautiful and precocious Penny Haworth, a 9-year-old redheaded girl at the village school who quickly develops a crush on Adam after he rescues her from schoolhouse bullies.
By “foil,” we mean not an antagonist but rather the full literary categorization of the word, which means a character that contrasts with our protagonist and highlights his strengths and weaknesses.
While Adam’s family lives in self-imposed poverty at the edge of town in a tumbledown house derisively nicknamed Haggard House, Penny’s prosperous lumber-baron family lives in a cozy brick-built house, probably one of the first in Nomaton.
While Adam’s house has a huge hearth, it is never lit by a fire that might fit its scale. The inhabitants eat flavorless food without the least seasoning and bread made with weevil-infused flour. All of this is in service of Sarai’s fanatical dedication to eschew any worldly pleasures, because such things are the devil’s playthings. When Penny’s family brings an apple pie to Haggard House, Adam is stunned, having never tasted anything made with sugar.
floor and reading the Bible to herself. Young Adam emulates Sarai in her nocturnal Bible study and follows her belief that everything in the book is literal truth.
Given the setup, you might be lulled into thinking, “Oh, this is a charming little middle-grade fiction story.” Nothing could be further from the truth, despite the fact that half the story takes place while the youngsters are still minor children.
There are strange things afoot in Nomaton. Animal mutilations of all kinds are going on (trigger warning here). A cloud of doom seems to hang over Haggard House. Peter Bolton, the patriarch, is mired in a sexless marriage, and his wife has always remained virtually a stranger. Sarai spends every night pacing the
Rhoads’ narrative style alternates most chapters among the points of view of Peter, Adam, Penny and Silas Whittemore. Sarai remains a cipher for almost the whole book, and we must take at face value what she says and does — much of it under the influence of the domineering Minister Judd, who controls her spiritual life and by proxy the Bolton family.
“Haggard House” spans tumultuous decades of American life including the Civil War and the building of the transcontinental railroad. When Adam returns from amassing a fortune building the railroad, everything fails him and he again falls under Sarai’s spell — even after marrying the mercurial Penny.
I quizzed Rhoads, the author of “Haggard House,” about the potential inclusion of her work into Gothic fiction categorically. She wrote back, “Initially, I didn’t even consider placing ‘Haggard House’ into the Gothic fiction category. To me, it didn’t seem to have enough dread or darkness to fit neatly into that category. One of my early readers mentioned that she thought it had Gothic elements. I agreed with that. However, now that the book has been going out to advance reviewers, I’ve been getting a lot of feedback that it is, indeed, full Gothic fiction. I think the category of a book is really up to the reader, so although I didn’t initially see it that way myself, I would now consider ‘Haggard House’ to be Gothic fiction.”
The underlying mysteries beneath “Haggard House” propel the reader ever forward. As reluctant as I am to use cliché, I found Rhoads’ engaging style kept me turning pages as fast as I could devour them.
As in modern novels of quality, many of the characters’ actions are informed by traumas they have lived through. “Haggard House” keeps ahead of the reader as shocking revelations of betrayal and deceit fill the final act. The book delivers fascinating historical details about life on a 19th century U.P. homestead, railroad building and much more in an atmosphere rich with mystery.
MM
Victor R. Volkman is a 1986 graduate of Michigan Tech 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.
Elisabeth Rhoads
spirit of water
A circle of gratitude
Editor’s note: This article is the final installment in a series by the Interfaith 2024-25 Water Stewards Initiative, a collaboration with local municipalities and Native American tribes to protect and preserve the quality of our accessible drinking water. Visit cedartreeinstitute.org for more information.
“We all come from the Mother And to her we shall return. Like a drop of water. Returning to the Ocean.”
—Linda Lila, “Sacred Chant”
By Jon Magnuson
Ifirst heard these lyrics, sung by a hospice nurse, during the first evening of a three-day kayak trip for medical providers along the shores of Lake Superior. She’d come off shift work that afternoon and asked me if she might share a quiet song as an evening’s closing. Of course, I replied. Later, she thanked me and said that she’d been at the bedside of a 6-year-old boy days before. Sang it gently to him as he lay dying.
“Like a drop of water … .” For the last two years a group of volunteers from six different faith traditions have been engaged in inviting our wider community to deepen our appreciation for the lakes and streams of water that so dramatically define the landscape of our Northern Great Lakes Basin. We’ve focused specifically on the challenges of protecting our public drinking water sources, seeking to understand social forces and institutional practices that threaten them.
It’s been a learning experience. I’m wondering why this kind of knowledge was absent from my own formal education that includes two graduate degrees. A significant lesson for me was that the water on our planet is the original water here at the beginning of the earth’s origin. It simply is being recycled, over and over again, in shifting forms: liquid, solid (ice) and vapor.
Implications are significant. When ice melts in the arctic, aquifers drain dry; when large forests that absorb and store rainfall are cut down, the critical cycle of our planet’s balance is disturbed. And that’s what’s happening with climate change. Storms,
droughts, floods to an extent not seen before.
The Interfaith Water Stewards is soon completing our work. Like a “drop of water,” we will “return to the sea.” Over two years, we’ve planted 1,000 trees in the Yellow Dog Community Forest, sponsored three community forums, published 12 columns in Marquette Monthly and assisted in supporting two drinking wells for small communities in under-resourced countries — one in Tanzania, another in Cambodia.
Water connects us. Clean water’s availability, like clean air, is a matter
of collective survival. The protection of those resources also reflects core spiritual values of compassion and justice, two pillars that Judeo-Christian traditions believe “hold the universe together.”
Projects like this one always remain tenuous ventures. Many of my colleagues hold, along with myself, that if such efforts are to be sustained, when all is said and done they will find ongoing sources of energy and hope in rituals of gratitude and appreciation.
It’s an evolving process, developing an authentic, heart-felt sensibility
The Spirit of Water Health, Hope & Healing
of thanksgiving. It takes a lifetime to begin to reach such a level of understanding. Many of us never get there. Thanks to those who come into our lives to help teach us, unexpectedly, about such things. Here’s one lesson, unbeckoned, received last year. It’s about water. And gratitude.
I was visiting a retired professor from Nepal who lives with his wife in a modest home near Tampa. I first met him years ago when I was serving as a Peace Corps volunteer. He was a young man, a leader of his community at that time. His home was in a village that had no motor vehicles, no electricity. It took a three-day trek by foot through mountain foothills to reach Kathmandu.
During our four-day stay with him and his wife, Pamela, he did all the cooking. Following each meal, I offered to help him wash dishes. He adamantly refused to allow my wife, Diana, and me to assist. For three days we repeated our offer. I found it puzzling. Finally, toward the end of our visit, he looked up from the sink where he was cleaning plates. With a gentle smile, this is what he told us:
“Jon and Diana, for years as a youth I hauled water from a public tap to our small home. We used every drop. When I wash dishes now, when I feel the warm water abundantly flow from the faucet, this is actually a kind of prayer for me of gratitude.”
Here in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, when utilizing our water resources, when continuing collective efforts to protect and ensure the health of our public and private water systems, think of my friend from the hill country of Nepal. Perhaps we can do the same, take a bow of thanksgiving.
MM
Jon Magnuson is director of The Cedar Tree Institute (cedartreeinstitute.org), a nonprofit organization in northern Michigan that provides services and initiates projects 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
Anishinaabe Radio News marks milestone
Anishinaabe Radio News, a program co-produced by Northern Michigan University’s Center for Native American Studies and Public Radio 90, will soon mark its 200th episode.
Since the first broadcast in 2016, host April Lindala has explored Native American history and culture and shared updates on Indigenous events planned across the Great Lakes region.
“I hope it’s viewed as something that enriches the station’s offerings and underscores the relationship to Indian Country on a broader scale, but also something that the Center for Native American Studies can produce that’s informative,” Lindala said. “I really try to switch up the topics so you never know what to expect. I might talk about hockey players in Canada one week and language revitalization in Choctaw territory the next. The conversation could range from entertainment and culture to sports and politics. I really try to keep it broad, in a sense, beyond the local communities and local news, to ensure the material wouldn’t necessarily be heard on Public Radio 90 otherwise.”
Lindala collaborated with WNMU-FM News Director Nicole Walton to introduce the program as a broadcast companion to the former Anishinaabe
News print publication when NMU became the first and only university in Michigan to offer a bachelor’s degree in Native American studies.
“We were running out of steam and personnel trying to keep the print version going — that format was more labor-intensive and required people to go search for it or get on a mailing list — but we wanted to preserve the legacy of Anishinaabe News in some
continuous form,” Lindala said. “Radio provided another avenue for getting the word out.”
Walton assists Lindala in recording the vignettes in the WNMU-FM studio. They are typically 3 minutes in length and air on Fridays at 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
“Anishinaabe Radio News enhances Public Radio 90’s format in more than one way,” Walton said. “First, it
supports the station’s mission to bring listeners local programming that expands their understanding of their part of the world, whether it be through art, music or any other medium. Second, it honors Indigenous peoples, their culture and the means by which Native Americans and First Nations populations express themselves and embrace their identities as vibrant communities in a shifting worldview. Public Radio 90 is proud to collaborate with the Center for Native American Studies on Anishinaabe Radio News, especially as NMU is located on the ancestral homelands of the Anishinaabe Three Fires Confederacy.”
The latest episodes include a profile of Jonathan Thunder, an artist from the Red Lake Nation (No. 198, July 18); news of 120 Indigenous youth kayakers who made history as the first to descend more than 310 miles down the newly free-flowing Klamath River (No. 199, July 25); and the milestone 200th episode (Aug. 1) about the Native-led Studio of the Americas signing on to produce a film on the history of Native golf, which started with Shinnecock Oscar Smith Bunn’s play in U.S. Open tournaments in the late 1800s. Episodes are available at facebook. com/cnasatnmu.
April Lindala, background, narrates a vignette while Nicole Walton operates the board. (Photo courtesy of Northern Michigan University)
MTU robotics lab wins international competition
Michigan Technological University’s Robotics and Remote Sensing Lab brought home an unprecedented win in the international Benchmark Autonomous Robot Navigation Challenge. The victory could set a new standard for robotic navigational algorithms.
Amna Mazen had her sights set on a win for more than a year. The assistant professor of applied computing and manufacturing and mechanical engineering technology has been working on her algorithm for mobile robot navigation since her Ph.D. studies in robotics at the University of Detroit Mercy. Prior to graduating, Mazen traveled to Japan for the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation to watch and study the third annual Benchmark Autonomous Robot Navigation Challenge. A year later, as a new MTU faculty member, she and her team won the challenge.
ICRA, founded in 1984, is one of the largest and most prestigious robotics conferences in the world. At ICRA 2022, researchers from George Mason University, in collaboration with Clearpath Robotics, introduced the Benchmark Autonomous Robot Navigation Challenge in order to create an annual benchmark for robotic
navigation systems and elevate the performance of autonomous robots in challenging environments. This benchmark for success includes a public dataset of over 300 pregenerated simulated environments, which are used by robotics researchers around the world who put their own algorithms to the test against the formidable simulated obstacles.
The BARN dataset became integral to Mazen’s work as a graduate student, as she was developing an algorithm for mobile robot navigation in unknown environments for her doctoral research.
The introduction of the BARN dataset was a large step forward for the entire mobile robotics navigation industry. “Instead of having to go and find every existing algorithm for mobile robot navigation, I could compare it against the benchmark, get a score and everyone after me can compare,” Mazen said. “This whole process makes more sense now.”
Mazen joined the faculty at Michigan Tech last fall with joint appointments in the College of Computing and College of Engineering. Competing in the 2025 challenge was part of her proposed research.
MM
Answers for the crossword puzzle on Page 15
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 September events by August 10 to: calendar@marquettemonthly.com.
end of july events
30 WEDNESDAY
6:28 a.m.;
Calumet
9:24 p.m.
• Summer Concert Series: Wild Honey Collective. 7:30 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.
Curtis
• Music in the Park. Featuring music by Sidetrak’d. 6:30 p.m. Erickson Center for the Arts, N9224
Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906-586-9974 or ericksoncenter.org.
Escanaba
• Color Our World: Old Songs for Young People with Singer/Songwriter Ben Traverse. 4:30 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
Ishpeming
• LEGO Club. Youth can build with friends and attempt to complete LEGO challenges. 10 a.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
• Italian Lessons: Casual Conversation. Marilena Corradino
Photo courtesy of Adobe stock
will teach Italian in a casual conversation format. The 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.
• West End Farm Stand. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Partridge Creek Farm, 550 Cleveland Ave. partridgecreekfarm. org.
• Community Skill Share. Partridge Creek Farm will host a food demonstration and tasting using ingredients from the weekly CSA. 4:30 p.m. 550 Cleveland Ave. partridgecreekfarm. org/events.
• Jack Deo Local History Presentation. Jack Deo will present photographs and stories of the Jackson Mine Museum and the D.S.S.&A trainwreck in Michigamme in 1939, among other histories. 6 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
Marquette
• 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.
• Bubble, Bubble, Splash! Youth of all ages can enjoy sprinklers, toy car wash, bubbles, water play and more. Swimsuits and towels are highly recommended. 1 to 3 p.m. Front Street steps and lawn, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Wednesday Night Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers, and artisans. 5 to 8 p.m. 100 Block of Washington Street. mqtfarmersmarket. com.
• Concert on the Steps: The Boston Imposters. The Boston Imposters, featuring Davey Harrison and Maire Clement, will showcase their training in classical, contemporary improvisation and traditional American, British and Celtic folk music. 6:30 p.m. Front Street Steps, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• “Twelfth Night. ” A vibrant ’80s setting, neon colors and synth-pop will add a fun twist to Shakespeare’s classic comedy. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 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.
• Kids’ Craft Time. Kids ages five to 12 will get messy with splatter painting at this hands-on crafting session. All supplies will be provided. Registration is appreciated but not required. 2:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
• Negaunee Farmers Market. Fresh produce from Little Parsley Farm and crafts from a variety of vendors. 4 to 7 p.m. Chiri Park, Iron Street. cityofnegaunee.com/farmers-market.
• Negaunee City Band Concert. Bring a chair. 7:30 p.m. Negaunee Outdoor Performing Arts Center, east end of Iron Street.
31 THURSDAY sunrise 6:29 a.m.; sunset 9:23 p.m.
Calumet
• Kids Movie Magic. The film selection will be “Sonic the Hedgehog 3 ” $1 7 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre. com.
Copper Harbor
• Performance in the Park. Featuring live music from Wild Honey Collective. 7 to 9 p.m. Donny Kilpela Memorial Park, 240 Gratiot St. 906-289-4020 or performances.in.the.park@gmail.com.
Escanaba
• Live on the Lawn at Lunch. Featuring music from The Boston Imposters and lunch from the Curious Pig Food Truck and Main Squeeze Lemonade. 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-7897323 or escanabalibrary.org.
Gwinn
• Gwinn Modeltown Market. Featuring a farmers and artisans market as well as live music. 3 to 6 p.m. Riverside Pavilion, Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-361-4843 or modeltownmarket@gmail.com.
Ishpeming
• Summer Concert Series. Featuring Union Pacific. Bring a chair. 7 p.m. Old Ish Park (rain location is Lake Bancroft Pavilion).
L’Anse
• Lakefront Concert. Featuring bluegrass music by Chasin’ Steel. 7 p.m. Lakefront Park, Broad Street at the lake (rain location is Meadowbrook Arena, 204 Division St.).
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. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson
Reading. Jocelyn Benson, Michigan Secretary of State and a Democratic candidate for governor, will read selections from her newly published memoir “The Purposeful Warrior: Standing Up for What’s Right When the Stakes Are High,” and answer audience questions in a conversation moderated by former TV6 news anchor Elizabeth Peterson. A book signing will follow. 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• Marquette City Band Concert. Bring a blanket or chair. 7:30 p.m. New pier at Founders Landing (rain location is Reynolds NMU’s Recital Hall). marquettecityband.com.
• “Twelfth Night ” A vibrant ’80s setting, neon colors and synth-pop will add a fun twist to Shakespeare’s classic comedy. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu.edu.
Negaunee
• All Booked Up. “Upper Michigan Today” host Tia Trudgeon will lead an on-air book discussion of Louise Erdrich’s “The Mighty Red.” 9 a.m. WLUC TV6 Studio, 177 U.S. Hwy. 41 E. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelf-stable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St feedwm.org or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
august events
01 FRIDAY sunrise 6:30 a.m.; sunset 9:22 p.m.
Calumet
• Drop-in Organ Matinee and Pop-Up Pipes. The recital theme will be “Used to Be,” featuring arrangements of music that used to be something other than an organ solo. A pipe organ demonstration and hands-on tours will begin on the halfhour from 3 to 6:30 p.m. $5. Recital, 2 p.m. Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s, 25725 Scott St. 906-337-2410 or keweenawheritagecenter.org.
Chatham
• Alger County Fair. Visitors can enjoy competitions, including Farm Olympics, live music, local vendors and more. Alger County Fairgrounds. algercountyfair.com.
Gwinn
• Summer Storytime in the Park. Preschool-age kids can enjoy stories and snacks. 10:30 a.m. Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-346-3433 or forsythtwplibrary.org.
Ishpeming
• Tiny Bookcases. Teen crafters ages 13 and older will create tiny bookcases out of metal tins. Registration is required. 1 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• Community Farm Tour. Participants can drop by for an informal tour of the
Wings Over Marquette Air Show | Aug. 2 and 3 | K.I. Sawyer
on the town
Big Bay
• Lumberjack Tavern.
- Saturday, Aug. 16: Groove Candy. 8 p.m. to midnight.
202 Bensinger St. 906-345-9912.
Escanaba
• Upper Hand Brewery.
- Saturday, Aug. 23: Tie Dye Spectacular fundraiser for UP Foster Closet. Ages 21 and older.
- Fridays: Live music. 5 to 8 p.m.
- Sundays: Live music. 2 to 5 p.m. 3525 Airport Rd. 906-748-9466 or upperhandbrewery.com.
Gwinn
• Happy Hour Bar and Grill.
- Friday, Aug. 1: Chris Valenti.
- Friday, the 8th: Shrek Music.
- Friday, the 15th: Lillian Manceau.
- Friday, the 22nd: Tumbleweed Taylor.
- Friday, 29th: Tim Sim.
- Mondays: Tumbleweed Taylor. 6 p.m.
- Saturdays: Karaoke. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
5 E. Stephenson Ave. 906-346-6340.
• Up North Lodge.
- Sunday, Aug. 3: Last Call. 4 to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, the 10th: Dano Keller Band. 4 to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, the 17th: Soul Shine. 4 to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, the 24th: Flat Broke Blues Band. 4 to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, the 31st: Jim and Ray. 4 to 8 p.m. 215 S. CR-557. (906) 346-9815.
Ishpeming
• Shelly’s Rainbow Bar. 120 E. Canda St. 906-486-8998.
Lake Linden
• Maple Leaf Bar and Grill.
- Saturday, Aug. 30: Groove Candy. 8 p.m. to midnight. 53088 Bootjack Rd. 906-296-2146.
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 or blackrocksbrewery.com.
• Drifa Brewing Company.
- Saturday, Aug. 9: Boots and Sandals.
- 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. 906-228-8865.
• Kognisjon Bryggeri.
- Friday, Aug. 1: UPAWS Beer Release Event. 6 to 8 p.m.
- Monday, the 4th: Vinyl Day.
- Tuesday, the 5th: Trivia. 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, the 6th: Nature Trivia fundraiser for Moosewood. 6:30 p.m.
- Thursday, the 7th: Iron Golem Games. 6 to 10 p.m.
- Thursday, the 7th: Hot Plate. 6 to 8 p.m.
- Friday, the 8th: Beatrix. 7 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday the 9th: Alex Teller. 7 to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, the 10th: Open Mic. 7 to 10 p.m.
- Monday, the 11th: Vinyl Day.
- Tuesday, the 12th: Trivia. 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, the 14th: Iron Golem Games. 6 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, the 16th: Heather Evans. 5 to 8 p.m.
- Sunday, the 17th: Shut the box and cribbage.
- Monday, the 18th: Vinyl Day.
- Tuesday, the 19th: Trivia. 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Thursday, the 21st: Reverend Robert and Da Bones Man. 5 to 8 p.m.
- Thursday, the 21st: Iron Golem Games. 6 to 10 p.m.
- Friday, the 22nd: Boots and Sandals. 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
- Saturday, the 23rd: Benny B. 8 to 11 p.m.
- Sunday, the 24th: Cribbage Tournament. 3 to 5 p.m.
- Sunday, the 24th: Open Mic. 7 to 10 p.m.
- Monday, the 25th: Vinyl Day.
- Tuesday, the 26th: Trivia. 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.
- Wednesday, the 27th: Luke Ogea. 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
- Thursday, the 28th: Iron Golem Games. 6 to 10 p.m.
- Friday, the 29th: Conga Se Menne. 7 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, the 30th: Conga Se Menne. 7 to 10 p.m. 1034 N. Third St. 906-273-2727.
• Ojibwa Casino.
- Saturday, Aug. 2: Eddie and the Bluesers. 8 p.m. to midnight.
- Saturday, the 9th: DayDreamers. 8 p.m. to midnight.
- Saturday, the 16th: Diversion. 8 p.m. to midnight.
- Friday, the 29th: Tom Katalin and Highway 41. 8 p.m. to midnight. 105 Acre Trail. 906-249-4200 or ojibwacasino.com.
• Ore Dock Brewing Company.
- Friday, Aug. 1: Luke Winslow-King and Rachael Davis. In advance, $16; day of show, $20. 8 p.m.
- Sunday, the 3rd: Breathe Owl Breathe. In advance, $12; day of show, $16. 7 p.m.
- Thursday, the 7th: Chanteymen and Windmill Music. $10. 8 p.m. Ages 18 and older.
- Friday, the 8th: Chris Michels and Jakey Thomas. 8 p.m.
- Saturday, the 9th: Ore 2 Shore After Party featuring Brothers Quinn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Finish Line at Lakeview Arena; Silver Creek Revival from 2 to 5 p.m.; Chloe Kimes from 6 to 9 p.m.; and Brothers Quinn from 9 p.m. to midnight.
- Friday, the 15th: Emerald Grove. 3 p.m.
- Friday, the 15th: Hatchwing Rider. 9 p.m.
- Saturday, the 16th: Emerald Grove. 8 p.m.
Silver Creek Revival | Aug. 9 | Ore Dock Brewing Company, Marquette
(continued on page 83)
Community Farm to see what’s growing, explore the farming practices and ask questions. Dress for the weather and wear closed-toe shoes. 2 to 4 p.m. Partridge Creek Community Farm, 550 Cleveland Ave. PartridgeCreekFarm. org/farm-tours.
Marquette
• Color Our World: Book Fair No. 3. Youth who are registered for Summer Reading and who have been tracking their reading can stop by to choose their final book of the summer. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Gather2Grow: Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelfstable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dandelion Cottage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 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
on the town
- Friday, the 22nd: Whiskey Charmers. 5 to 8 p.m.
- Friday, the 22nd: Gizzae. $10. 9 p.m. Ages 21 and older.
- Saturday, the 23rd: Erik Koskinen Band. In advance, $12; day of show, $16. 8 p.m.
- Sunday, the 24th: Rev Rob and Da Bones Man. Time TBA.
- Thursday, the 28th: Jakey Thomas. 5 to 8 p.m.
- Friday, the 29th: Adrian and Meredith. $10. 8 p.m.
- Saturday, the 30th: The 4ontheFloor. In advance, $10; day of show, $15. 8 p.m.
All shows are free unless noted. 114 W. Spring St. 906-228-8888 or oredockbrewing.com.
• Rippling River Resort.
- Friday, Aug. 1: Adam Carpenter. 6 to 9 p.m.
- Thursday, the 7th: Troy Graham. 6 to 9 p.m.
- Friday, the 8th: Beechgrove and Blacksmith. 6 to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, the 9th: Chris Valenti. 6 to 9 p.m.
- Thursday, the 14th: Delta Duo. 6 to 9 p.m. 4321 M-553. 906-273-2259 or ripplingriverresort.com.
• Superior Culture.
- Tuesdays: Open Mic night. 8 to 10 p.m.
717 Third St. 906-273-0927 or superiorculturemqt.com.
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.
• U.P. Wild’s 4th Annual Rock Painting. Attendees of all ages can bring a rock or one will be provided. Art supplies and assistance from artists will be provided. 6 to 8 p.m. Lawn, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 201 E. Ridge. upwild.org.
• “Twelfth Night. ” A vibrant ’80s setting, neon colors and synth-pop will add a fun twist to Shakespeare’s classic comedy. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu.edu.
Negaunee
• Smarty’s Saloon.
- Friday, Aug. 8: Boots and Sandals. 212 Iron St. 906-401-0438.
Republic
• Pine Grove Bar.
- Friday, Aug. 1: The Lifters. 8 to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, the 2nd: Tumbleweed Taylor. 3 to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, the 2nd: Spun. 9 p.m. to 1 p.m.
- Friday, the 15th: Money Shot Acoustic. 8 to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, the 16th: Noah Bauer. 3 to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, the 16th: Maynards. 8 to 11 p.m.
- Friday, the 22nd: Mike Hozz. 8 11 p.m.
- Saturday, the 23rd: Matthew Byce. 3 to 6 p.m.
- Saturday, the 23rd: Boots and Sandals. 8 p.m. to midnight.
- Sunday, the 31st: Luke Ogea and Family. 3 to 6 p.m. 286 Front St. 906-376-2234.
Rock
• Herb'sBar.
- Friday, Aug. 29: Gitchel Galloway Band.
-Satruday, the 30th: Gitchel Galloway Band. 4 p.m.
- Sunday, the 31st: Gitchel Galloway Band. 2 p.m. M-35. 906-356-6126. MM
(continued from page 82)
art galleries
Calumet
• 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. 906-9342346 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. (across the street from the gallery’s previous location). 906786-0300 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.
- Bonifas Membership Show, featuring a variety of works by emerging and professional artists, is on display through Sept. 4. Powers Gallery.
- East Ludington Invitational, showcasing artwork from more than 25 East Ludington members, is on display through Sept. 4. 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. 906-7863833 or bonifasarts.org.
Garden
• Village Artisans/Garden Gallery. The Gallery has approximately 50 consignors each year featuring paintings, photography, quilting, stained glass, woodwork, pottery, jewelry and more. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 6367 State St. 906-644-2025 or villageartisansofgarden.org.
Hancock
• Finlandia Art Gallery.
- In partnership with the Finnish American Folk School, “The Folk School at Midsummer,” the fourth annual group exhibit presenting the work of the folk school instructors and students, is on display through Sept. 10. 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. Works by local and regional artists. 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. 906-482-2333 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 through Friday, 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 116 Quincy St. lynnmazzoleni. com.
Houghton
• The Rozsa Galleries. Works by local and regional artists. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 to 8 p.m. Rozsa Center, 1400 Townsend Dr. mtu.edu/rozsa.
Manistique
• Lake Effect Community Arts
Meghan Bjork | McLovin | Zero Degrees Gallery, Marquette
Negaunee
• Building Storytime. Children ages three and older can listen to a story or two and be inspired to build with LEGOs and other blocks. Older youth are welcome to quietly build as they please. 11 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906475-7700, ext. 18 or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
Pelkie
• Baraga County Fair. Visitors can enjoy rides, games, food vendors, livestock exhibits, entertainment and more. Baraga County Fairgrounds, 15241 Pelkie Rd. baragacountyfair@up.net.
02 SATURDAY
sunrise 6:31 a.m.; sunset 9:20 p.m.
Big Bay
• Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve 30th Anniversary Celebration. The event will feature a guided hike of a seldom-visited section of the Community Forest, games for all ages, pig roast, kids’ open mic and evening music by Michael Waite and Ignorant Mob. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to share, their own tableware and a blanket or chair. No dogs. Suggested donation, $10. 2 to 10 p.m. 605
art galleries
(continued from page 84)
Center.
-“From Imagination to Manifestation,” featuring new works by Stella Larkin and Larry Godfrey, is on display through the 26th with an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. on the 1st. Monday through Saturday, 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 Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 130 W. Washington St. 906-225-1993.
• DeVos Art Museum.
- “North of the 45th,” an exhibition highlighting artists living in this upper Midwest region from rural and urban areas in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, is on display through the 1st. 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.
- The New Member Exhibit, showcasing work by Larissa Schmock, Megan Leys, C. Beulah Budnick and Chloe Fortune, is on display through the 10th in the Sarosik Gallery.
- Paintings by local artist Meghan
County Road KCH (Remington Road). 906-362-8521, ydwp@yellowdogwatershed.org or yellowdogwatershed. org.
Calumet
• Amanda DeBoer Bartlett Concert. Amanda DeBoer Bartlett is a Chicago-based singer and songwriter specializing in contemporary classical music, folk music and improvisation. She will perform songs from her new album “Braided Together.” Noon. Sanctuary Gallery, Calumet Art Center, 57055 Fifth St. 906-934-2228 or calumetartcenter.com.
• Prop ’n Swap. Participants are invited to swap their plants and connect with local plant lovers. Noon to 2 p.m. Calumet Art Center, 57055 Fifth St.
Chatham
• Alger County Fair. Visitors can enjoy competitions, including Farm Olympics, live music, local vendors and more. Alger County Fairgrounds. algercountyfair.com.
Crystal Falls
• American Gold/That 70s Music! 2025. Nashville Hitmen, under the music direction of Mark Oliverius, will perform some of the most iconic songs of the 1960s and ’70s. Students, $5; general public, $23. 7 p.m. CDT. Crystal Theatre, 304 Superior Ave.
906-875-3208 or thecrystaltheatre.org.
Curtis
• 906 Festival. This family-friendly event celebrates the U.P. and will include food, live music, art and retail vendors, entertainment, games and activities, demonstrations and more. 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Erickson Center for the Arts, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906-586-9974 or ericksoncenter.org.
Escanaba
• Waterfront Art Festival. The festival will feature work from regional artists, music and food vendors. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ludington Park.
• Color Our World: Musical Show and Tell with Jim’s Music. Intended for children ages seven to 15. 10:30 a.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
• 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.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Hotel Transylvania 3.”
2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
Ishpeming
• Upper Peninsula Gem and Mineral
Show. This 49th annual event will include local and exotic gems, jewelry, fossils, dealers, demonstrations and displays, as well as a silent auction, kids’ table and door prizes. An evening program featuring Nathalie Brandes and a live auction will take place at 7 p.m. 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Ishpeming Elks Club, 597 Lakeshore Dr. ishpemingrocks.org/show.
K.I. Sawyer
• Wings Over Marquette Air Show. Attendees can experience rides in three historic flyable aircraft, as well as aerobatic performances and ground entertainment. Presented by the Michigan Flight Museum. Ticket prices vary. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport. wingsovermarquette.com.
Marquette
• Farmers Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. mqtfarmersmarket. com.
• U.S. National Guts Frisbee Tournament. Teams will throw and catch flying discs at 85 miles per hour to win the Buck Buchanan Memorial Guts Frisbee National Championship trophy. Presented by the Marquette Guts Frisbee Association. Opening ceremony, 9:30 a.m.; games begin at
Bjork will be on display Aug. 11 through Sept. 14 with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. on the 22nd. Works by local and regional artists. Daily, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesdays, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Inside the Masonic Building, 130 W. Washington St. thegallerymqt.com.
• Huron Mountain Club Gallery.
- “M.G.H. 1915-2025” by AJ Jensen is on display through Sept. 30 with an artist reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on the 14th. 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.
- “Umbilios,” featuring work from members of the Sensoria Artist Collective, is on display through Sept. 30 with an artist reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on the 14th. 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. 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. Wood turnings by Marc Himes will be on display through the 31st with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on the 7th. 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 painter Ralph Lafave is on display
through the 31st with a reception from 1 to 4 p.m. on the 9th. 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 or adhocworkshop. com.
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
10 a.m. Tourist Park, 2145 Sugar Loaf Ave. marquettegfa@gmail.com or gutsplayers.com.
• Color Our World Family Fun Run. Peter White Public Library will wrap up its summer reading with a family one-mile Bubble Fun Run. Presented in partnership with Queen City Running. 9:30 a.m. Meet at South Beach Parking lot. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.
• Color Our World: Book Fair No. 3. Youth who are registered for Summer Reading and who have been tracking their reading can stop by to choose their final book of the summer. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Community 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. Lessons, 10 a.m. Games, 11:30 a.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Hotel Transylvania 3.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup. com.
• Watercolor Trees. Adults will learn to paint some of the trees found in Presque Isle Park. Participants will begin with simple sketches and paint them. No experience necessary. $10. 5 p.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Shiras Pool Building at Presque Isle Park. moosewood.org.
Pelkie
• Baraga County Fair. Visitors can enjoy rides, games, food vendors, livestock exhibits, entertainment and more. Baraga County Fairgrounds, 15241 Pelkie Rd. baragacountyfair@up.net.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Hotel Transylvania 3.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
03 SUNDAY sunrise 6:33 a.m.; sunset 9:19 p.m.
Chassell
• Friends of Fashion Show. 2 p.m. Chassell Heritage Center, 42373 Hancock Ave. 906-523-1155 or chassellhistory.org.
Chatham
• Alger County Fair. Visitors can enjoy competitions, including Farm Olympics, live music, local vendors and more. Alger County Fairgrounds. algercountyfair.com.
Escanaba
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Hotel Transylvania 3.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
K.I. Sawyer
• Wings Over Marquette Air Show. Attendees can experience rides in three historic flyable aircraft, as well as aerobatic performances and ground entertainment. Presented by the Michigan Flight Museum. Ticket prices vary. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport. wingsovermarquette.com.
Marquette
• CISM Donut Dash. Presented by the Ben Lauren Memorial Foundation, this 5K and 1 mile run/walk supports the Central Upper Peninsula CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management), which is a first responder peer-to-peer team of volunteers who respond after a crisis or traumatic event. Prices vary. 10 a.m. 401 S. Lakeshore Dr. runsignup.com/Race/MI/Marquette/ CentralUPDonutDash.
• U.S. National Guts Frisbee Tournament. Teams will throw and catch flying discs at 85 miles per hour to win the Buck Buchanan Memorial Guts Frisbee National Championship trophy. Presented by the Marquette Guts Frisbee Association. Games begin at 9:30 a.m. Tourist Park, 2145 Sugar Loaf Ave. marquettegfa@gmail.com or gutsplayers.com.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Hotel Transylvania 3.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup. com.
Pelkie
• Baraga County Fair. Visitors can enjoy rides, games, food vendors, livestock exhibits, entertainment and more. Baraga County Fairgrounds, 15241 Pelkie Rd. baragacountyfair@up.net.
Sands
• Stock Car Racing. Cars race on a quarter-mile asphalt-paved tri-oval track built into the base of a hill. Bring a blanket or chairs. Kids 12 and younger, free; seniors and students, $10; adults, $15. Gates open, 1 p.m.; time trials, 2 p.m.; races, 3 p.m. Sands Speedway, 675 Old Co. Rd. 553. sandsspeedway.com.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Hotel Transylvania 3.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
04 MONDAY
sunrise 6:34 a.m.; sunset 9:18 p.m.
Escanaba
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Hotel Transylvania 3.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
• Music Mondays. Featuring Sit Down Francis. 7 to 9 p.m. Karas Bandshell in Ludington Park.
Gwinn
• Drop-in Crochet Club. All experience levels are welcome for crochet and conversation. Intended for adults and teens. 5 p.m. Forsyth Township Library, 180 W. Flint St. 906-346-3433 or forsythtwplibrary.org.
Marquette
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Hotel Transylvania 3.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup. com.
• 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.
• Craft Magic Series: Felt Magic with Jody Trost. Participants will learn basic needle felting and leave with their own handmade felted moon magnet. Felting starter kits and wool provided; bring a small pair of scissors. 6:30 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, visit pwpl.info.
• The Joy of Sound Meditation. This meditation will use the sounds produced by bronze singing bowls and metallic gongs. 7 p.m. Chapel, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 201 East Ridge St. 906-362-9934 or ckitchenmqt@gmail.com.
Negaunee
• Bubble Pop Tot Hour. This event, designed for children up to age three with their caregivers, will feature family-friendly pop music, bubbles of all sizes and a variety of sensory activities. 10:30 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
• Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelf-stable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. feedwm.org or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
• Storytime. Negaunee Public Library staff will host a program of stories, songs and rhymes. Rain will cancel the event. 2 p.m. Jackson Mine Park. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Hotel Transylvania 3.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
escanabalibrary.org.
Ishpeming
• Popcorn and a Movie: “Wicked.” Free popcorn will be provided for a screening of the 2024 release “Wicked” (rated PG). 1 p.m. Community Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Little Lake
• Bingo. A concession stand will be available. Doors open, 5 p.m.; early bird games, 6:30 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary Post 349, 1835 E. M-35. 906-346-6000.
Marquette
• 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.
• Gather2Grow: Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelfstable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dandelion Cottage 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. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• Historic Marquette Bus Tours. The Marquette Regional History Center will offer historic interpretation and reenactors to bring to light the stories of buildings, people and points of interest along the Marquette lakefront, in downtown and at historic homes, Park Cemetery and sites north of NMU.
The 90-minute tour will be aboard an air-conditioned Checker bus. $25. 1 p.m. Departs from the Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. 906-226-3571 or marquettehistory. org/bus-tour-tickets.
• 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.
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
• “Forever Plaid. ” When members of a four-man harmony group are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one last gig. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu.edu.
Negaunee
• Tuesday Afternoon Program. Local historian and archaeologist
Jim Paquette will present “We Have Always Been Here: The Ancient Caribou Hunters of Silver Lake.” 2 p.m. Auditorium, Michigan Iron Industry Museum, 73 Forge Rd. 906-475-7857.
• 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.
06 WEDNESDAY
Calumet
• Summer Concert Series: Heather Evans. 7:30 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.
Curtis
• Music in the Park. Featuring music by Three Wheel Drive. 6:30 p.m. Erickson Center for the Arts, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906-586-9974 or ericksoncenter.org.
Ishpeming
• West End Farm Stand. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Partridge Creek Farm, 550 Cleveland Ave. partridgecreekfarm. org.
• Community Skill Share. Partridge Creek Farm will host a food demonstration and tasting using ingredients from the weekly CSA. 4:30 p.m. 550 Cleveland Ave. partridgecreekfarm. org/events.
Marquette
• Heritage Room Book Group. This month’s selection will be “Rental House” by Weike Wang. 10 a.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4311 or pwpl.info/news-events/book-groups.
• Director Chat. Visitors can stop by to chat with Library 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: Silk Scarf Painting with Diane KribsMays. Intended for ages 50 and older. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents. 1 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, call 906-225-8655.
• Wednesday Night Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers, and artisans. 5 to 8 p.m. 100 Block of Washington Street. mqtfarmersmarket. com.
• Historic Marquette Bus Tours. The Marquette Regional History Center will offer historic interpretation and reenactors to bring to light the stories of buildings, people and points of interest along the Marquette lakefront, in downtown and at historic homes, Park Cemetery and sites north of NMU. The 90-minute tour will be aboard an air-conditioned Checker bus. $25. 6 p.m. Departs from the Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. 906-226-3571 or marquettehistory. org/bus-tour-tickets.
• 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.
• “Forever Plaid ” When members of a four-man harmony group are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one last gig. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 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.
• Kids’ Craft Time. Kids ages five to 12 will make cardboard looms at this hands-on crafting session. All supplies will be provided. Registration is appreciated but not required. 2:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
• Negaunee Farmers Market. Fresh produce from Little Parsley Farm and crafts from a variety of vendors. 4 to 7 p.m. Chiri Park, Iron Street. cityofnegaunee.com/farmers-market.
• Negaunee City Band Concert. Bring a chair. 7:30 p.m. Negaunee Outdoor Performing Arts Center, east end of Iron Street.
07 THURSDAY
or keweenawheritagecenter.org.
• Kids Movie Magic. The film selection will be “IF.” $1. 7 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.
Chassell
• Traveling Finland: Exploring Finnish Heritage and Culture. Keith Meyers will share the details of his 18-day trip to Finland with his wife this past winter, which included researching his family heritage, cross-country skiing, hiking and visiting museums. 7 p.m. Chassell Heritage Center, 42373 Hancock Ave. 906-523-1155 or chassellhistory.org.
Copper Harbor
• Performance in the Park. Featuring live music from Heather Evans. 7 to 9 p.m. Donny Kilpela Memorial Park, 240 Gratiot St. 906-289-4020 or performances.in.the.park@gmail.com.
Escanaba
• Live on the Lawn at Lunch. Featuring music from the Suns of Memphis and lunch from Wildman’s Food Truck and the Boho Blender. 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
Gwinn
• Gwinn Modeltown Market. Featuring a farmers and artisans market as well as live music. 3 to 6 p.m. Riverside Pavilion, Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-361-4843 or modeltownmarket@gmail.com.
Ishpeming
• Book Club. Hosted by the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, this month’s selection is “Let’s Call Her Barbie” by Renee Rosen. 11 a.m. Ishpeming Senior Center, 121 Greenwood St. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• Drop-In and Draw Club: Emily Weddle Instructs. Emily Weddle will teach “Drawing What You See,” a class for teens and adults featuring observational drawing tips and techniques. All supplies will be provided. 1 p.m. Ray Leverton Community Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
Lutheran Church, 715 Mather Ave. 906-362-9934 or ckitchenmqt@gmail. com.
• Summer Concert Series. Featuring Groove Candy. Bring a chair. 7 p.m. Old Ish Park (rain location is Lake Bancroft Pavilion).
L’Anse
• Lakefront Concert. Featuring favorite hits by One Voice. 7 p.m. Lakefront Park, Broad Street at the lake (rain location is Meadowbrook Arena, 204 Division St.).
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. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• Senior Center Trip to the Marquette County Fair. Open to ages 50 and older. Bus fee, $1. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pickup at the Marquette Senior Center, 300 W Spring St. To register, 906-228-0456.
• “Forever Plaid. ” When members of a four-man harmony group are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one last gig. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu.edu.
• 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
• Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelf-stable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St feedwm.org or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
Sands
Calumet
• Pipe Organ Matinee. Played by Jan List. Admission includes exhibit tour, recital and optional visit to the historic pipe organ. $5. 2 p.m. Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s, 25725 Scott St. 906-337-2410
• Walloon Writers Review Live Reading. This event will showcase a group of writers who are featured in the ninth edition of the Walloon Writers Review, a literary magazine inspired by the U.P. and Northern Michigan. The writers will be Kate Allore, Milton Bates, Susan Boback, Patty Durell, Lisa Fosmo, Stephen Hooper, Elizabeth Kerlikowske, Ellen Lord, Edd Tury, Glen Young and Elizabeth J. Bates. 4 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• The Joy of Sound Meditation. This meditation will use the sounds produced by bronze singing bowls and metallic gongs. 7 p.m. Bethany
• Marquette County Fair. The fair will include exhibits and competitions, petting zoos, kids’ activities, live entertainment, specialty foods and more. Gates open at 10 a.m. Marquette County Fairgrounds, 715 M-553. marquettecountyfair.org.
08 FRIDAY
sunrise 6:39 a.m.; sunset 9:12 p.m.
Calumet
• Pipe Organ Matinee. Played by Kathleen Arten. Admission includes exhibit tour, recital and optional visit to the historic pipe organ. $5. 2 p.m. Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s, 25725 Scott St. 906-337-2410
museums
Baraga
• Baraga County Historical Museum. The museum highlights the historic and cultural heritage of Baraga County. Current exhibits include “The Ford Motor Company in Baraga County” and prehistoric copper objects on loan from the Ancient Artifacts Preservation Society. Children, free; teens $1; adults, $2.50. Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or by appointment. 803 US-41 S. 906395-1730 or baragacountyhistory@ gmail.com.
Big Bay
• Big Bay Lighthouse. Big Bay Lighthouse is an active aid to navigation monitored by the U.S. Coast Guard. The light is the brightest on Lake Superior and provides a beam that is visible 20 nautical miles. $10. Guided tours offered Sundays at noon and 1 p.m. 3 Lighthouse Rd. 906-345-9957.
Calumet
• Coppertown USA Mining Museum. View exhibits relative to the copper mining industry and community life. The museum is a Keweenaw National Historical Park Heritage Site. Children five and younger, free; children ages six to 15, $2; adults, $4. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 25815 Red Jacket Rd. 906-337-4354 or uppermichigan.com/coppertown.
• 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.
Caspian
• Iron County Historical Museum. The Iron County Museum is one of the largest outdoor museum complexes in the U.P. and is the designated “Log Cabin Capital of Michigan” with more historic log structures than any place in the state. Exhibits include the Carrie Jacobs-Bond House, Stager Depot, St. Mary’s Church, Toti’s Tavern, Pioneer School House, Giovanelli Studio and Gallery and Lee LeBlanc Memorial Art Gallery. Children five and younger, free; students. $10; adults, $15. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 100 Brady Ave. 906-265-2617 or ironcountymuseum.org.
Chassell
• Chassell Heritage Center. The museum strives to preserve the history of Chassell Township, to keep alive its cultural heritage and
to share that heritage with citizens and visitors. The museum is an official Heritage Site of the Keweenaw National Historical Park. Tuesdays, 1 to 4 p.m.; Thursdays, 4 to 9 p.m.; and Saturdays, 1 to 4 p.m. 42373 Hancock Ave. 906-523-1155 or chassellhistory. org.
Copper Harbor
• Fort Wilkins State Park. Built in 1844, this fort is a well-preserved 19th-century military post and lighthouse complex. Through museum exhibits, audio-visual programs and costumed interpretation, visitors can explore the daily routine of military service, experience the hardships of frontier isolation and discover another era. Park store, bookstore, concession stand and campsites are on site. Michigan Recreation Passport required for entry. Dawn to dusk. US-41 (one mile east of Copper Harbor). 906-289-4215.
Covington
• Covington Historical Museum. Located in the historic 1905 Township Hall, a Michigan Historic Site, the museum houses exhibits, photographs and artifacts focusing on the life of early Finnish residents of Covington Township. The museum contains the township’s only jail cell. The Genealogy Room has family history files and early township records. Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m. Center Street. 906-355-2169.
Eagle Harbor
• Eagle Harbor Life Saving Station. View displays of early wooden rescue boats, surfboats, life-cars and more. Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. End of Marina Road. keweenawhistory.org.
• Eagle Harbor Lighthouse. The original lighthouse was built in 1851, which was replaced by the present red brick structure in 1871. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to operate the light at the top of the tower as an active navigational aid. Children 16 and younger and KCHS members, free; adults, $8. Daily, noon to 5 p.m. 670 Lighthouse Rd. keweenawhistory. org.
Eagle River
• Eagle River Museum. The museum focuses on four themes: the Cliff Mine, the town of Eagle River, the town and mine of Phoenix, and the Crestview amusement area. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. M-26. keweenawhistory.org.
Escanaba
• U.P. Steam and Gas Engine Association Agricultural Museum—Summer in the Village. Visitors can enjoy live demonstrations, classes and guided tours. Select Antique Village shops may also open. Thursdays, noon to 4 p.m. U.P. State Fairgrounds (behind the Delta County Chamber of Commerce), U.S. Hwys. 2 and 41. upsteamandgasengine.org.
• 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.
(continued on page 90)
Quincy Mine Hoist Association | Hancock
museums
(continued from page 89) (continued on page 91) or keweenawheritagecenter.org.
• 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. Inside the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, 1001 N. Lincoln Road. 906-786-2192 or deltami.org/webster-marble-inventing-the-outdoors-museum.
Garden
• Fayette Historic State Park. This site was once one of the Upper Peninsula’s most productive iron-smelting operations. A town of nearly 500 residents grew up around two blast furnaces, a large dock and several charcoal kilns. It now includes a visitor center, museum exhibits, a 26-station walking tour and a scale model of the original townsite. Michigan Recreation Passport required for entry. 9 a.m. to dusk. 14785 II Road. 906-644-2603 or michigan.gov/mhc/museums/fayette.
Grand Marais
• Lightkeeper’s House Museum. Step back in time to the early 1900s and discover the life of the early lightkeepers. Operated by the Grand Marais Historical Society. Daily, 1 to 4 p.m. On Coast Guard Point next to the inner range light. grandmaraismichigan.com/historicalsociety.
• Old Post Office Museum. The history of Grand Marais is on display, from the earliest peoples to the present day. A memorial rose garden is at
Gwinn
• Summer Storytime in the Park. Preschool-age kids can enjoy stories and snacks. 10:30 a.m. Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-346-3433 or forsythtwplibrary.org.
Houghton
• Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club Gem and Mineral Show. Vendors will have gems, minerals, fossils, copper and gift items for sale, and there will be silent auctions of local mineral and copper samples, activities for kids and a life-size Dimetrodon skeleton. Geologist and author Dr. Nathalie Brandes will speak at 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 1 to 8 p.m. Houghton Elementary School. ccrmc. info.
Ishpeming
• CD Scratch Art. Teen crafters ages
the rear of the museum overlooking the water. Operated by the Grand Marais Historical Society. Daily, 1 to 4 p.m. Lake Avenue. grandmaraismichigan.com/historicalsociety.
• Pickle Barrel House Museum. This 16-foot-high barrel has been restored to its condition as a cottage, built for author and illustrator William Donahey, who created the Teenie Weenie characters. Operated by the Grand Marais Historical Society. Daily, 1 to 4 p.m. Northeast corner of Lake and Randolph streets. grandmaraismichigan.com/ historicalsociety.
Greenland
• Adventure Mining Company. The mine opened in 1850 and remains one of the best-preserved sites of its time. Although the mine closed in 1920, many of the shafts are still open for touring. Tours range from surface walking tours to underground rappelling down a mineshaft. Prices vary. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 200 Adventure Ave. 906-8833371 or adventureminetours.com.
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. Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 49750 US-41. 906-4823101 or quincymine.com.
13 and older will create shiny scratch art with recycled CDs and wood stylus tools. 1 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Marquette
• Gather2Grow: Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelfstable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dandelion Cottage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 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
Houghton
• A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum. New exhibit on 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. Daily, 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
the Circle of Trust principles. Noon. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4303 or pwpl.info.
• NCLL: Lunch and Learn. The conversational topic will be “What is your favorite outdoor place in Marquette and why?” Noon. Pavilion near the ice cream store at Presque Isle. 906-4585408 or csteinha@nmu.edu.
• NCLL: MycoNaut Wild Mushroom Foray: Medicinal Uses and Ecological Benefits. Joe Lane and Ryan Iacovacci, co-founders of MycoNaut, will lead a guided mushroom foray and discuss the medicinal properties of fungi, their applications in human health and the ecological roles fungi play. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 1 p.m. Pavilion near the ice cream store at Presque Isle. 906-249-9975 or margrifs@gmail.com.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m.
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
• Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum. View local historical artifacts of miners and mines, past and present, safety equipment, blasting and diamond drilling equipment and more. Guided tours of the tunnels are available. Prices vary. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (guided tours available). Sunday and Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (museum only). 501 W. Euclid St. 906-485-1882 or cliffsshaftminemuseum.com.
• Ishpeming Area Historical Society Museum. The museum focuses on everyday life, people, businesses and past times that showcase Ishpeming’s citizens, including John Voelker, Kelly Johnson and Glenn Seaborg, as well as memorabilia from the filming of “Anatomy of a Murder.” Open by appointment. See website for updates. Gossard Building, Suite 303, 308 Cleveland Ave. ishpeminghistory.org.
• U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum. The museum features more than 300
Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
• “Forever Plaid. ” When members of a four-man harmony group are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one last gig. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets. nmu.edu.
• 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
• Show and Tell Book Club. Children ages five to 10 can talk about books in a show and tell format. 11 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case
St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18 or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
Sands
• Marquette County Fair. The fair will include exhibits and competitions, petting zoos, kids’ activities, live entertainment, specialty foods and more. Gates open at 10 a.m. Marquette County Fairgrounds, 715 M-553. marquettecountyfair.org.
09 SATURDAY
Calumet
• CroFest 2025: A Sesquicentennial Slovenian and Croatian Celebration. This family-friendly event will include ethnic foods, live music and dance, arts and crafts, vendors and kids’ activities. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340
museums
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.
Lake Linden
• Houghton County Historical Museum. Exhibits include local Copper Country mining, logging and cultural history. Outdoor exhibits include a working Calumet & Hecla Mining Company train. Admission by donation. Daily, noon to 4 p.m. 53102 M-26. 906-296-4121 or houghtonhistory.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.
- “Remnants: Ghost Towns of the Upper Peninsula” and “The Polar Bears: U.P. Soldiers in the Northern Russian Expeditionary Force 19181919” are on display through the 30th. The museum promotes and preserves
Sixth St. calumettheatre.com.
Eagle Harbor
• Eagle Harbor Art Fair. This 64th annual juried art fair features vendors showcasing work in a variety of media, including jewelry, ceramics, painting, woodcarving, fabrics, stained glass and more. Presented by the Copper Country Associated Artists. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. St. Peter’s By the Sea Church, 435 Front St. ccaartists.org.
Escanaba
• LEGO Club. This month’s theme is “Fair Fun.” 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-7897323 or escanabalibrary.org.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
Gwinn
• Used Books and Brats Fundraiser. This event will include a free concert by Big Lake Acoustic beginning at 1 p.m. as well as free ice cream treats made possible through a grant from the Gwinn Area Community Fund. Proceeds will benefit the Forsyth Township Public Library. Noon to 3 p.m. Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St.
Houghton
• Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club Gem and Mineral Show. Vendors will have gems, minerals, fossils, copper and gift items for sale and there will be silent auctions of local mineral and copper samples, activities for kids and a life-size Dimetrodon skeleton. Geologist and author Dr. Nathalie Brandes will speak about Dimetrodons in presentations at 4 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Houghton Elementary School. ccrmc.info.
Ishpeming
• Buzz the Gut Car Show and Parade. This 23rd annual event will include the Show and Shine from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Cliffs Shaft Mining Museum, followed by a parade through Ishpeming and Negaunee. A dance featuring Swampberry Moonshine will take place at the Ishpeming Elks. Food and refreshments will be served. 906-485-1234.
Marquette
• Ore to Shore. This mountain bike epic is a point-to-point race from Negaunee to Ishpeming to Marquette and includes races at a variety of distances and for a variety of age groups. Registration prices vary. Races begin at 8 a.m. at several locations. oretoshore.com.
the history and culture of the U.P. and collects and preserves artifacts related to the history of NMU. Monday through Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. Inside Gries Hall, corner of Seventh and Tracy streets, NMU. 906-2271219 or nmu.edu/beaumier.
• Marquette Maritime Museum. Exhibits on shipwrecks in Marquette and Lake Superior, early life-saving and U.S. Coast Guard, the wrecks of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Henry B. Smith, and more. Guided tours of the Marquette Lighthouse are available. Prices vary. Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 300 N. Lakeshore Blvd. 906-226-2006 or mqtmaritimemuseum.com.
• Marquette Regional History Center.
- “Mad about Maps” is on display through Jan. 31, 2026. The exhibit includes maps of the Great Lakes and Marquette County, shows how mapmakers have sometimes misled their viewers and how the local landscape and surroundings have changed. 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.
Michigamme
• Michigamme Historical Museum.
The museum has a collection of more than 125 years of history through artifacts, antiques and memorabilia, including the “Anatomy of a Murder” display. The museum also has an exhibit devoted to the Ford story and a 1900 steamer on display. Guided tours or special showings by appointment. Daily, noon to 5 p.m. 110 W. Main St. 906-323-9016 or 906-3236608, or michigammetownship.com/ michigamme-museum.
Menominee
• West Shore Fishing Museum. Tour the restored early 20th-century Bailey family home, enjoy the flowers throughout the surrounding grounds and see exhibits of fishing equipment and practices of pioneer commercial fishing families and Native Americans on the west shore of Green Bay. Explore the beach area, which includes a unique flagpole, monument and display of boats used in the commercial fishing industry. Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. through the 31st. 15 miles north of Menominee or 8 miles south of Cedar River on M-35. Turn at Bailey Park entrance.
Mohawk
• The Delaware Mine. Self-guided tours of veins of copper exposed in the walls of the mine, as well as indoor and outdoor train displays. Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 7804 Delaware Rd. 906-289-4688 or delawareminetours. com.
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. In the forested ravines of the Marquette Iron Range, 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 largescale 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. 906-475-7857 or michigan.gov/mhc/museums/miim.
Painesdale
• Painesdale Mine and Shaft Inc. Tours of the ground level are free and visitors can see the hoist house, the captain’s office and the ground levels of the shaft house. Guides can provide interpretive information. Private tours can be arranged online. Fridays and Saturdays, tours begin at noon. 42634 Second St. 906-369-5358 or painesdalemineshaft.com.
Phoenix
• Phoenix Church. Built in 1858 and located in the town of Cliff, the museum was dismantled and moved to its current location in 1899. The last mass was was held in 1957. Daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Junction of US-41 and M-26. keweenawhistory.org. MM
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• Farmers Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. mqtfarmersmarket. com.
• 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.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup. com.
• “Forever Plaid. ” When members of a four-man harmony group are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one last gig. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu.edu.
• 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.
Sands
• Marquette County Fair. The fair will include exhibits and competitions, petting zoos, kids’ activities, live entertainment, specialty foods and more. Gates open at 10 a.m. Marquette County Fairgrounds, 715 M-553. marquettecountyfair.org.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
10 SUNDAY
6:41 a.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.
Eagle Harbor
• Eagle Harbor Art Fair. This 64th annual juried art fair features vendors showcasing work in a variety of media, including jewelry, ceramics, painting, woodcarving, fabrics, stained glass and more. Presented by the Copper Country Associated Artists. Noon to 4 p.m. St. Peter’s By the Sea Church, 435 Front St. ccaartists.org.
• Gail English. Gail English will perform with other band members. 6 to 8 p.m. Eagle Harbor General Store, 181 W. North.
Escanaba
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
Houghton
• Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club Gem and Mineral Show. Vendors will have gems, minerals, fossils, copper and gift items for sale and there will be silent auctions of local mineral and copper samples, activities for kids and a life-size Dimetrodon skeleton. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Houghton Elementary School. ccrmc.info.
Marquette
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup. com.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
Rock
• Senior Dance. Featuring music by Old Friends. This event will raise money for the Rock Senior Corporation. 1 to 4 p m. Rock Senior Center, 3892 W. Mapleridge 37 Rd.
11 MONDAY
sunrise 6:43
Calumet
• Musical Monday. Featuring Anne Linja on keyboard. $5. 7 p.m. KHC Sandstone Hall, Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s, 25725 Scott St. 906-337-2410 or keweenawheritagecenter.org.
Escanaba
• U.P. State Fair. Events include carnival rides, petting zoo, bingo, live entertainment, exhibitions and displays, livestock shows, and more. Admission prices vary. Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds, 2401 12th Ave. N. 906786-4011 or upstatefair.net.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
Marquette
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup. com.
• 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.
Negaunee
• Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelf-stable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St feedwm.org or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
• Storytime. Negaunee Public Library staff will host a program of stories, songs and rhymes. Rain will cancel the event. 2 p.m. Jackson Mine Park. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
12 TUESDAY
Escanaba
• U.P. State Fair. Events include carnival rides, petting zoo, bingo, live entertainment, exhibitions and displays, livestock shows, and more. Admission prices vary. Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds, 2401 12th Ave. N. 906786-4011 or upstatefair.net.
• 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.
Gwinn
• Literature at the Lodge. This month’s selection will be “The Book that Matters Most” by Ann Hood. 7 p.m. Up North Lodge, 215 S. Co. Rd.
557. 906-346-3433 or forsythtwplibrary.org.
Little Lake
• Bingo. A concession stand will be available. Doors open, 5 p.m.; early bird games, 6:30 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary Post 349, 1835 E. M-35. 906-346-6000.
Marquette
• 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: Echo Lake Hike and Picnic. Participants will take an easy one-mile hike to Echo Lake where they can enjoy their picnic lunch. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 11 a.m. 906-3459295, elizabethjbates@hotmail.com.
• Gather2Grow: Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelfstable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dandelion Cottage 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. 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.
• 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; students nine and older are invited to learn how to knit over the summer months. 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.
• 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.
• Moose on the Move. Ann Hilton Fisher will present photos and videos of the Michigan DNR’s Moose Lift operation, which relocated moose from Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario to a suitable habitat in northwestern Marquette County in the 1980s. 6:30 pm. MooseWood Nature Center, Shiras Pool Building at Presque Isle Park. moosewood.org.
• “Disney’s Dare to Dream, Jr. ” This musical review is a theatrical celebration of Disney music, creativity and dreams. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu.edu.
Negaunee
• Tuesday Afternoon Program. Historian Dan Fountain will present “He Went Down with his Ship: Captain Burke and the Steamer Arlington.” 2 p.m. Auditorium, Michigan Iron Industry Museum, 73 Forge Rd. 906-475-7857.
• Terracotta Pot Painting. Intended
for ages 12 and older. Registration is required. 2:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
13
Calumet
• Summer Concert Series: Tapestry. 7:30 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre. com.
Curtis
• Music in the Park. Featuring music by The Driftless Revelers. 6:30 p.m. Erickson Center for the Arts, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906-586-9974 or ericksoncenter.org.
Eagle Harbor
• “Hubbell Heroes Flying Against the Odds Over Europe During World War II.” Eagle River resident and veteran Jim Huovinen will share the story of two local boys, grandsons of Calumet and Hecla’s CEO James MacNaughton, who became heavy bomber pilots after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Part of the Keweenaw County Historical Society’s Adventures in History series. $5. 7 p.m. Eagle Harbor Community Building. keweenawhistory.org.
Escanaba
• U.P. State Fair. Events include carnival rides, petting zoo, bingo, live entertainment, exhibitions and displays, livestock shows, and more. Admission prices vary. Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds, 2401 12th Ave. N. 906786-4011 or upstatefair.net.
Great Deer Chase | Aug. 16 | Calumet
Photo by Brockit, Inc.
Gwinn
• Bingo! A Fundraiser for Marquette County Habitat for Humanity. There will be nine games played, with up to 17 prizes to win. In-it-to-win-it tickets will also be available for purchase. Tickets are available at the MCHFH Administrative Office or MCHFH ReStore in Harvey, or at the door. $20, plus one set of three game boards. 7 p.m. The Up North Lodge, 215 S. Co. Rd. 557. 906-228-3578.
Ishpeming
• LEGO Club. Youth can build with friends and attempt to complete LEGO challenges. 10 a.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
• West End Farm Stand. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Partridge Creek Farm, 550 Cleveland Ave. partridgecreekfarm. org.
• Community Skill Share. Partridge Creek Farm will host a food demonstration and tasting using ingredients from the weekly CSA. 4:30 p.m. 550 Cleveland Ave. partridgecreekfarm. org/events.
Marquette
• 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.
• Wednesday Night Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers, and artisans. 5 to 8 p.m. 100 Block of Washington Street. mqtfarmersmarket. com.
• Historic Marquette Bus Tours. The Marquette Regional History Center will offer historic interpretation and reenactors to bring to light the stories of buildings, people and points of interest along the Marquette lakefront, in downtown and at historic homes, Park Cemetery and sites north of NMU. The 90-minute tour will be aboard an air-conditioned Checker bus. $25. 6 p.m. Departs from the Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. 906-226-3571 or marquettehistory. org/bus-tour-tickets.
• Concert on the Steps: The Derrell Syria Project. Local band The Derrell Syria Project will provide a concert to lift the spirits and get the audience dancing. 6:30 p.m. Front Street Steps, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• Community Knit/Crochet Club. 5:30 p.m. Alley Kat’s Quilt Shop, 1010 W. Washington St. 906-315-0050.
• “Disney’s Dare to Dream, Jr. ” This musical review is a theatrical celebration of Disney music, creativity and dreams. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N.
Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 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.
• Kids’ Craft Time. Kids ages five to 12 will create cardboard looms at this hands-on crafting session. All supplies will be provided. Registration is appreciated but not required. 2:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
• Negaunee Farmers Market. Fresh produce from Little Parsley Farm and crafts from a variety of vendors. 4 to 7 p.m. Chiri Park, Iron Street. cityofnegaunee.com/farmers-market.
• Girls Who Code Club Information Session. The Negaunee Public Library is planning a Girls Who Code Club for girls in third through fifth grade, which will help students build the foundational skills and understanding of computer science concepts and sisterhood through a reading discussion and coding activities. Interested families can learn more about the program and enroll. 5:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St
906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
14 THURSDAY
sunrise 6:46 a.m.; sunset 9:02 p.m.
Calumet
• Preschool Story Time. 10:15 a.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107, or 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, or clklibrary.org.
• Pipe Organ Matinee. Played by Jan List. Admission includes exhibit tour, recital and optional visit to the historic pipe organ. $5. 2 p.m. Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s, 25725 Scott St. 906-337-2410 or keweenawheritagecenter.org.
• Kids Movie Magic. The film selection will be “PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie ” $1 7 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.
Chassell
• Iron Horses in the Woods: A Look at Logging Railroads in Michigan. Mark Worrall will discuss the early logging railroads in Michigan and the
types of railroads and equipment. 7 p.m. Chassell Heritage Center, 42373 Hancock Ave. 906-523-1155 or chassellhistory.org.
Copper Harbor
• Performance in the Park. Featuring live music by Tapestry. 7 to 9 p.m. Donny Kilpela Memorial Park, 240 Gratiot St. 906-289-4020 or performances.in.the.park@gmail.com.
Crystal Falls
• U.P. Notable Books Club (Online). This month’s discussion will feature Joseph Heywood, author of “Limpy’s Adult Lexicon: Raw, Politically Incorrect, Improper and Unexpurgated As Overheard and Noodled.” 7 p.m. EST, 6 p.m. CST. Via Zoom. 906-8753344 or egathu@crystalfallslibrary. org. upnotable.com.
Curtis
• “Fraudway’s London Fraud.” This vaudeville show will feature acrossthe-pond humor, music, memories and surprises. Ages 10 and younger, $10; students, $15; adults, $20. 7 p.m. The Pine Performance Center, N9224 SawWa-Quato St. mynorthtickets.com.
Escanaba
• U.P. State Fair. Events include carnival rides, petting zoo, bingo, live entertainment, exhibitions and displays, livestock shows, and more. Admission prices vary. Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds, 2401 12th Ave. N. 906786-4011 or upstatefair.net.
• 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.
Gwinn
• Gwinn Modeltown Market. Featuring a farmers and artisans market as well as live music. 3 to 6 p.m. Riverside Pavilion, Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-361-4843 or modeltownmarket@gmail.com.
Ishpeming
• 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.
• Summer Concert Series. Featuring Luke Ogea. Bring a chair. 7 p.m. Old Ish Park (rain location is Lake Bancroft Pavilion).
L’Anse
• Lakefront Concert. Featuring smooth jazz, rock and country music by Black Pearl. 7 p.m. Lakefront Park, Broad Street at the lake (rain location is Meadowbrook Arena, 204 Division St.).
Marquette
• NCLL: Chic-A-Bee Family Farm.
Participants will learn the details of running the family farm Chic-A-Bee, learn about its egg program and have the opportunity to purchase soaps and honey. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. Noon. Chic-A-Bee Farm, U.S. Hwy. 41 S. 906-235-8532 or susanholliday83@gmail.com.
• 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 “Sand, Surf and Summer.” 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, 123 W. Baraga Ave. 906-226-3911 or upchildrensmuseum.org.
• 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. 906226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• “Disney’s Dare to Dream, Jr ” This musical review is a theatrical celebration of Disney music, creativity and dreams. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu.edu.
• Marquette City Band Concert. Bring a blanket or chair. 7:30 p.m. Lawn, NMU’s Northern Center (rain location is Reynolds NMU’s Recital Hall). marquettecityband.com.
Negaunee
• Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelf-stable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. feedwm.org or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
15 FRIDAY
sunrise 6:48 a.m.; sunset 9:01 p.m.
Calumet
• Twinning Sign Rededication. A new sign will honor Calumet as a sister city to Cambourn, Cornwall, United Kingdom. Residents of Cambourn are expected to join the celebration virtually. A Cornish tea will follow at the Keweenaw Heritage Center. Noon. Calumet Greenspace Park, near the Calumet Theatre. uppastyfest.com.
• Pipe Organ Matinee. Played by Kathleen Arten. Admission includes exhibit tour, recital and optional visit to the historic pipe organ. $5. 2 p.m.
Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s, 25725 Scott St. 906-337-2410 or keweenawheritagecenter.org.
• Pasty Fest Music Competition. Performers of all ages and experience levels are invited to compose a tune, pen a ballad or croon an ode to the pasty. Prizes will be awarded. 7 p.m. Eva’s Hideaway, 211 Seventh St. uppastyfest.com.
Curtis
• “Fraudway’s London Fraud.” This vaudeville show will feature acrossthe-pond humor, music, memories and surprises. Ages 10 and younger, $10; students, $15; adults, $20. 7 p.m. The Pine Performance Center, N9224 SawWa-Quato St. mynorthtickets.com.
Escanaba
• U.P. State Fair. Events include carnival rides, petting zoo, bingo, live entertainment, exhibitions and displays, livestock shows, and more. Admission prices vary. Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds, 2401 12th Ave. N. 906786-4011 or upstatefair.net.
Marquette
• Gather2Grow: Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelfstable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dandelion Cottage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 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.
• Global Cinema: Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma.” In this Oscar-winning Mexican drama, a domestic worker, Cleo, navigates the complexities of life in 1970s Mexico City. The film is rated R. Noon. 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.
• “Disney’s Dare to Dream, Jr. ” This musical review is a theatrical celebration of Disney music, creativity and dreams. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu.edu.
Negaunee
• Building Storytime. Children ages three and older can listen to a story or two and be inspired to build with LEGOs and other blocks. Older youth are welcome to quietly build as they please. 11 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906475-7700, ext. 18 or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
16 SATURDAY
sunrise 6:29 a.m.; sunset 8:59 p.m.
Big Bay
• Ice Cream and Pie Social. Offerings will include sundaes, banana splits and ice cream cones, as well as homebaked pie ala mode. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community Presbyterian Church, Bensinger Street. 906-399-0868 or 906-869-4964.
• Berry Bash. Offerings will include all types of berry baked goods and desserts, made with fresh berries. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. St. Mary Catholic Church, Bensinger Street. 906-235-3487.
Calumet
• The Great Deer Chase. Bike events will include 50-Yard, 2-Mile, 8-Mile, 15-Mile and 30-Mile races as well as an Adventure Ride for several age groups. All money raised will support trail improvements at Swedetown.
Start times vary. Swedetown Recreation Area, 56641 Osceola Rd. greatdeerchase.org.
• Pasty Fest. This year’s festival activities will include live music, a car show, horseshoe tournament, farmers market, kids’ activities, strong-man pasty pull and pasty eating competition. The medieval street fair will feature vendors, jousting and an all-ages medieval fighting arena. Noon to 4 p.m. Fifth Street. uppastyfest.com.
Escanaba
• U.P. State Fair. Events include carnival rides, petting zoo, bingo, live entertainment, exhibitions and displays, livestock shows, and more. Admission prices vary. Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds, 2401 12th Ave. N. 906786-4011 or upstatefair.net.
• Great Start Storytime. The theme will be “Travel by Boat.” Intended for families with children up to age eight. 10:30 a.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
Ishpeming
• Try Ski Jumping Day. Open to potential ski jumpers ages five and older. The Ishpeming Ski Club will provide skis, boots, helmets and coaching
from ISC Junior Development Coach Logan Gundry. Attendees should wear long sweatpants, long-sleeved T-shirts and tall socks. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. U.P. Nordic Ski Complex, Business M-28/ County Road (between Negaunee and Ishpeming). ishskiclub.com.
K.I. Sawyer
• Team Golf Outing. Proceeds support 906 Warrior Relief Fund. Red Fox Run Golf Course, 217 Fifth St. To register, 906-869-1985 or tracypap14@gmail. com.
Marquette
• Prospect Street for UPAWS. This sixth annual multiple-family sale benefits UPAWS (Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter). 9 a.m. to noon. 305 E. Prospect St. 906-225-0595.
• Farmers Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. mqtfarmersmarket. com.
• 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.
• Classic Cars and Bikes on Third. A variety of vintage cars and bikes will be on display. There will also be music, food vendors, kids activities and raffles. The show will commemorate Jessica Drummond and proceeds will benefit the Women’s Center of Marquette County. Presented by the Marquette Downtown Development Authority. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. North Third Street, between Ohio and Park streets. 906-228-9475, ext. 104, or mike@ downtownmarquette.org.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup.com.
Munising
• Comin’ Home: An Evening with Singer-Songwriter Phil Lynch. Suggested donation, $1 for children; $5 for adults; and $20 for families. 6 p.m. Falling Rock Café, 104 E. Munising Ave. yoopfallingrock@gmail.com.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
17 SUNDAY
$5; general public, $23. 7 p.m. CDT. Crystal Theatre, 304 Superior Ave. 906-875-3208 or thecrystaltheatre.org.
Escanaba
• U.P. State Fair. Events include carnival rides, petting zoo, bingo, live entertainment, exhibitions and displays, livestock shows, and more. Admission prices vary. Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds, 2401 12th Ave. N. 906786-4011 or upstatefair.net.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
Marquette
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup.com.
• “Disney’s Dare to Dream, Jr. ” This musical review is a theatrical celebration of Disney music, creativity and dreams. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 3 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu.edu.
Sands
• Stock Car Racing. Cars race on a quarter-mile asphalt-paved tri-oval track built into the base of a hill. Bring a blanket or chairs. Kids 12 and younger, free; seniors and students, $10; adults, $15. Gates open, 1 p.m.; time trials, 2 p.m.; races, 3 p.m. Sands Speedway, 675 Old Co. Rd. 553. sandsspeedway.com.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
18 MONDAY
sunrise 6:52 a.m.; sunset 8:55 p.m.
Escanaba
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
Hancock
• Buellwood Weavers and Fiber Arts Guild Meeting. 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 or 906-221-5306.
Marquette
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup.com.
• Block Busting Cinema Dinner and a Movie: “A Complete Unknown.” Guests can bring their own dinner and enjoy the acclaimed biopic “A Complete Unknown,” starring Timothee Chalamet in a SAG Awardwinning performance as young Bob Dylan. The film is rated R. 5:30 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. 6 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.
• The Joy of Sound Meditation. This meditation will use the sounds produced by bronze singing bowls and metallic gongs. 7 p.m. Chapel, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 201 East Ridge St. 906-362-9934 or ckitchenmqt@gmail.com.
• “Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End. ” Leslie Parkkonen will perform this show that captures the charm of columnist Erma Bombeck. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail. com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu. edu.
staff will host a program of stories, songs and rhymes. Rain will cancel the event. 2 p.m. Jackson Mine Park. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “The Angry Birds Movie 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
19 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.
Gwinn
• Read It! and Eat Book Club. The selection will be “Kitchens of the Great Midwest” by J. Ryan Stradal. Noon. Forsyth Township Library, 180 West Flint St. 906-346-3433 or forsythtwplibrary.org.
Ishpeming
• NCLL: Bell Forest Wood Products. Josh Nicholas will share the variety of wood products available from Bell Forest. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 1:30 p.m. Bell Forest Wood Products, 200 E. Hematite Dr. 906235-8532 or susanholliday83@gmail. com.
• Adult Book Club. This month’s selection is “The Midwife’s Touch” by Sue Harrison. 2 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.
• Gemini Moon Band Performance. Gemini Moon performs guitar-driven originals with male/female lead vocals and harmonies, as well as fresh interpretations of classic and modern covers that create a family-friendly musical space. 4 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
sunrise
Crystal Falls
• Sixtiesmania. Las Vegas-based tribute band Sixtiesmania will amplify and extend the popularity of the music of the 1960s, playing everything from The Beatles to Woodstock. Students,
Calumet
• Musical Monday. Featuring Home Choir acapella group led by Susan Byykkonen. $5. 7 p.m. Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s, 25725 Scott St. 906-337-2410 or keweenawheritagecenter.org.
Curtis
• Stas Venglevski Trio. Banyanist Stas Venglevski and guests Kostia Efimov and Carmen Nickerson will perform jazz, classical, folk, blues and more, blending musical traditions with contemporary soul. Sponsored by The Friends of Curtis (formally Curtis Buckeyes). 7 p.m. The Pine Performance Center, N9224 Saw-WaQuato St. ericksoncenter.org.
Negaunee
• Bubble Pop Tot Hour. This event, designed for children up to age three with their caregivers, will feature family-friendly pop music, bubbles of all sizes and a variety of sensory activities. 10:30 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St 906475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
• Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelf-stable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St feedwm.org or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
• Storytime. Negaunee Public Library
Little Lake
• Bingo. A concession stand will be available. Doors open, 5 p.m.; early bird games, 6:30 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary Post 349, 1835 E. M-35. 906-346-6000.
Marquette
• Gather2Grow: Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelfstable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dandelion Cottage 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. 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.
• Franklin Park Band. This group will perform hits from the 1960s and more. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu.edu.
Negaunee
• Tuesday Afternoon Program. Dr. Allie Penn of Wayne State University will present “A Tale of Two Paternalisms: Comparing the Paternalism of the Michigan Copper and Iron Districts.” 2 p.m. Auditorium, Michigan Iron Industry Museum, 73 Forge Rd. 906-475-7857.
20 WEDNESDAY
sunrise 6:54 a.m.; sunset 8:52 p.m.
Calumet
• Summer Concert Series: Almost Elvis. 7:30 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.
Curtis
• Music in the Park. Featuring music by The Blue Water Ramblers. 6:30 p.m. Erickson Center for the Arts, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906-586-9974 or ericksoncenter.org.
Ishpeming
• West End Farm Stand. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Partridge Creek Farm, 550 Cleveland Ave. partridgecreekfarm. org.
• Community Skill Share. Partridge Creek Farm will host a food demonstration and tasting using ingredients from the weekly CSA. 4:30 p.m. 550 Cleveland Ave. partridgecreekfarm. org/events.
• Author Visit: Sue Harrison. Author Sue Harrison will discuss her historical novel “The Midwife’s Touch.” 5:30 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Marquette
• 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.
• Memory Café: Dementia Friendly Movie Matinee: “80 for Brady.” Individuals living with dementia and their caregivers can enjoy a free screening of “80 for Brady,” a lighthearted comedy celebrating friendship and adventure. 1 p.m. Thomas Theatre, 1525 Commerce Dr. To register by Aug. 13, call 906-225-7760 or email outreach@lakesuperiorhospice.org.
• Senior Visual Art Classes: Silk Scarf Painting with Diane KribsMays. Intended for ages 50 and older. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents. 1 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, call 906-225-8655.
• Wednesday Night Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers, and artisans. 5 to 8 p.m. 100 Block of Washington Street. mqtfarmersmarket. com.
• Concert on the Steps: Gemini Moon. Gemini Moon will perform guitar-driven originals with male/female lead vocals and harmonies, as well as fresh interpretations of covers from artists like Elle King, Jimi Hendrix, Fleetwood Mac, Cyndi Lauper and Paramore. 6:30 p.m. Front Street Steps, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 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.
• Kids’ Craft Time. Kids ages five to 12 will create a yarn letter at this hands-on crafting session. All supplies will be provided. Registration is appreciated but not required. 2:30 p.m.
Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
• Negaunee Farmers Market. Fresh produce from Little Parsley Farm and crafts from a variety of vendors. 4 to 7 p.m. Chiri Park, Iron Street. cityofnegaunee.com/farmers-market.
21 THURSDAY
sunrise 6:55 a.m.; sunset 8:50 p.m.
Calumet
• Preschool Story Time. 10:15 a.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107, or 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, or clklibrary.org.
• Pipe Organ Matinee. Played by Jan
List. Admission includes exhibit tour, recital and optional visit to the historic pipe organ. $5. 2 p.m. Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s, 25725 Scott St. 906-337-2410 or keweenawheritagecenter.org.
• Kids Movie Magic. The film selection will be “Despicable Me 4 ” $1 7 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.
Chassell
• Music On and Off the Beaten Path: Covers and Originals. Bling Crosby will perform a mix from country favorites to rock tunes, as well as originals written by band members. 7 p.m. Chassell Heritage Center, 42373 Hancock Ave. 906-523-1155 or chassellhistory.org.
Copper Harbor
• Performance in the Park. Featuring live music from Almost Elvis with The Michigan TCB Mafia. 7 to 9 p.m. Donny Kilpela Memorial Park, 240 Gratiot St. 906-289-4020 or performances.in.the.park@gmail.com.
Deerton
• NCLL: Tyoga Historical Pathway Hike. Participants will take the 1.6 mile-loop Tyoga Historical Pathway around Laughing Whitefish River. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 10 a.m. Directions will be provided to attendees. 248-767-5973 or lzbinns@yahoo.com.
Gwinn
• Gwinn Modeltown Market. Featuring a farmers and artisans market as well as live music. 3 to 6 p.m. Riverside Pavilion, Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-361-4843 or modeltownmarket@gmail.com.
Hancock
• Houghton County Fair. Visitors can enjoy rides, games, food vendors, livestock exhibits, entertainment, monster trucks, off-road derby, motocross races and more. Hancock Driving Park, 1500 Birch St. houghtoncountyfair.com.
Ishpeming
• Choose Your Own Adventure Book Club. Youth entering fourth through eighth grades can share their favorite books they are reading this summer. 4 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• Teen Graphic Novel Book Club. Intended for teens ages 14 and older. 5:30 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• The Joy of Sound Meditation. This meditation will use the sounds produced by bronze singing bowls and metallic gongs. 7 p.m. Bethany Lutheran Church, 715 Mather Ave. 906-362-9934 or ckitchenmqt@gmail. com.
• Summer Concert Series. Featuring Flat Broke Blues Band. Bring a chair.
7 p.m. Old Ish Park (rain location is Lake Bancroft Pavilion).
L’Anse
• Lakefront Concert. Featuring bluegrass and western swing music by Keweenaw Brewgrass. 7 p.m. Lakefront Park, Broad Street at the lake (rain location is Meadowbrook Arena, 204 Division St.).
Marquette
• Third Thursday Roundtable. This casual drop-in roundtable discussion will explore smartphone topics such as popular apps, how to manage settings, how to secure Facebook accounts and more. Bring your phone and a bag lunch. Noon to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 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.
• Remote Worker Meetup. U.P. and Marquette area remote and independent workers can build community with their fellow workers. Friends, family members and kids are welcome. 6 to 8 p.m. Superior Culture, 717 N. Third St. marquetteremoteworkers@ gmail.com.
• Music on Third. Local musicians will perform along the sidewalks of Third Street. 6 to 9 p.m. downtownmarquette.org.
• HarborFest. Entertainment will be provided by the Marquette Symphony Orchestra and Marquette Rockestra. Sales from wristbands, beer, wine and seltzer support the mission of Marquette West Rotary. No carry-ins; bring chairs or blankets. 6:30 to 10 p.m. Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park. marquettewestrotary.org.
• Franklin Park Band. This group will perform hits from the 1960s and more. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu.edu.
Negaunee
• Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelf-stable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. feedwm.org or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
22 FRIDAY sunrise 6:57 a.m.; sunset 8:48 p.m.
Big Bay
• Blues on the Bay. Music will be performed by Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. Presented by Friends of the
Thunder Bay Inn and Marquette Area Blues
Society. $10. 4 to 7 p.m. Thunder Bay Inn, 400 Bensinger St. 906-345-9220 or historicthunderbayinn.com.
Calumet
• Pipe Organ Matinee. Part of the “Across the Alley” collaboration between the Keweenaw Heritage Center and the Calumet Art Center. 2 p.m. Calumet Art Center, 57055 Fifth St. 906-337-2410 or keweenawheritagecenter.org.
Caspian
• History Happy Hour: Homesteading in Iron County. $5. 6 p.m. CDT. Iron County Museum, 100 Brady Ave. 906-265- 2617 or ironcountymuseum.org.
Curtis
• Loonapalooza 2025. Presentations will be offered from regional historians, scientists and conservationists. Presented by Friends of Seney National Wildlife Refuge. 2 to 6 p.m. Pine Performance Center, N9224 SawWa-Quato St. 231-333-4419 or friendsofseney.org/loonapalooza2025.
Hancock
• Houghton County Fair. Visitors can enjoy rides, games, food vendors, livestock exhibits, entertainment, monster trucks, off-road derby, motocross races and more. Hancock Driving Park, 1500 Birch St. houghtoncountyfair.com.
Ishpeming
• Friends of the Library Used Book Sale. Used books will be available at a variety of prices. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Marquette
• Gather2Grow: Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelfstable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dandelion Cottage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 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.
• HarborFest. Entertainment will be provided by Beechgrove and
Blacksmith, Diversion and Barenaked ’90s, a ’90s tribute band. Sales from wristbands, beer, wine and seltzer support the mission of Marquette West Rotary. No carry-ins; bring chairs or blankets. 4 to 11 p.m. Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park. marquettewestrotary.org.
• “Erma Bombeck: At Wit’s End. ” Leslie Parkkonen will perform this show that captures the charm of columnist Erma Bombeck. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail. com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu. edu.
Negaunee
• Show and Tell Book Club. Children ages five to 10 can talk about books in a show and tell format. 11 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906475-7700, ext. 18 or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
Ontonagon
• Porcupine Mountains Music Festival. The weekend will feature more than 25 performers on the Chalet and Busking Barn stages, including Scythian and Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. and the Legendary LLS Sont Partis Band. Recreation passport is required to enter the park. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. 906-390-2666 or porkiesfestival.org.
23 SATURDAY
sunrise 6:58 a.m.; sunset 8:47 p.m.
Big Bay
• Blues on the Bay. Music will be performed by Jupiter Vinyl, Reverend Robert and Bones, Flat Broke Blues Band, Nick and the Snake Charmers, and Laura Rain and the Caesars. Presented by Friends of the Thunder Bay Inn and Marquette Area Blues Society. $10. 1 to 10 p.m. Thunder Bay Inn, 400 Bensinger St. 906-345-9220 or historicthunderbayinn.com.
Curtis
• Curtis Show and Shine Car Show. Erickson Center for the Arts invites all to show off their classic ride, “souped-up” truck or pride and joy showpiece. Entry fee per vehicle is a $5 donation to benefit Marcy’s Pantry. 2 p.m. Erickson Park, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906-586-9974 or ericksoncenter.org.
Escanaba
• Coffee and Chat with Author J. L. Hyde. This event will also include a book signing. Noon to 2 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek
Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
Hancock
• Houghton County Fair. Visitors can enjoy rides, games, food vendors, livestock exhibits, entertainment, monster trucks, off-road derby, motocross races and more. Hancock Driving Park, 1500 Birch St. houghtoncountyfair.com.
Ishpeming
• Friends of the Library Used Book Sale. Used books will be available at a variety of prices. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
• West End Card Show. Featuring sports and TCG cards from a variety of vendors. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. River Rock Lanes and Banquet Center, 1011 North Rd.
Marquette
• Farmers Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. mqtfarmersmarket. com.
• 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.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup.com.
• HarborFest. Entertainment will be provided by Ramble Tamble, Luke Ogea, Tom Katlin and Highway 41, and Used Cars, a Cars tribute band. Sales from wristbands, beer, wine and seltzer support the mission of Marquette West Rotary. No carry-ins; bring chairs or blankets. 2:30 to 11 p.m. Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park. marquettewestrotary.org.
• Blue Champagne Concert. Blue Champagne, featuring singer Mary Lou Pesola and pianist Bob Buchkoe, will perform song standards from the 1920s to the ’90s. 4 p.m. Marquette Federated Women’s Clubhouse, 104 W. Ridge St.
• Marquette Roller Derby. This double header will feature MidWisconsin versus the Lansing B team and Marquette versus the Lansing A Team. Ticket prices vary. 6 p.m. Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Fair Ave. marquetterollerderbyinfo@gmail.com.
Negaunee
• Fourth Annual Irontown Classics Car Show. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jackson Mine Park, Tobin Street. 906- 475-5549.
• 15th Annual Finn Fun Day. There will be Finnish entertainment, a “tori” (marketplace), 50/50 drawings, silent auction, coffee with “pulla” (Finnish cardamom coffee bread) and more. Sponsored by the Finlandia Foundation National Lake Superior Chapter.
All are welcome. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Negaunee Township Hall, 42 M-35. 906-226-7085.
Ontonagon
• Porcupine Mountains Music Festival. The weekend will feature more than 25 performers on the Chalet and Busking Barn stages, including Scythian and Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. and the Legendary LLS Sont Partis Band. Recreation passport is required to enter the park. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. 906-390-2666 or porkiesfestival.org.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
24
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.
Escanaba
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
Hancock
• Houghton County Fair. Visitors can enjoy rides, games, food vendors, livestock exhibits, entertainment, monster trucks, off-road derby, motocross races and more. Hancock Driving Park, 1500 Birch St. houghtoncountyfair.com.
K.I. Sawer
• Dance. Music will be performed by Bush Hunters. $10. 1 to 4 p.m. K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum, 402 Third St. 906-346-2251.
Marquette
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup.com.
• 5th Annual Chocolay Bayou Art Walk and Sale. Visitors can explore the half-mile trail through the Chocolay Bayou Preserve, while viewing art works from local artists, a performance by the TaMaMa dancers, poetry from the Poets Circle and music by The Make-Believe Spurs. Parking available at the Marquette Welcome Center, Main Street, and the Chocolay Marina. Noon to 4 p.m. 906-225-8067 or uplandconservancy.org.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s
selection will be “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
Sands
• Stock Car Racing. Cars race on a quarter-mile asphalt-paved tri-oval track built into the base of a hill. Bring a blanket or chairs. Kids 12 and younger, free; seniors and students, $10; adults, $15. Gates open, 1 p.m.; time trials, 2 p.m.; races, 3 p.m. Sands Speedway, 675 Old Co. Rd. 553. sandsspeedway.com.
25 MONDAY
sunrise 7:01 a.m.; sunset 8:43 p.m.
Calumet
• Musical Monday. Featuring the Keweenaw Early Music Ensemble with Brian Wall on violin, Andrew Shaud on cello, and Kathleen Arten on harpsichord and organ. $5. 7 p.m. Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s, 25725 Scott St. 906-337-2410 or keweenawheritagecenter.org.
Escanaba
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
Marquette
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup.com.
• 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.
• Superior Memories: Broadway at the Boathouse. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail. com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu. edu.
Negaunee
• Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelf-stable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St feedwm.org or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
• Storytime. Negaunee Public Library staff will host a program of stories, songs and rhymes. Rain will cancel the event. 2 p.m. Jackson Mine Park. 906-475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook. com/NegauneePublicLibrary.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
26 TUESDAY
sunrise 7:02 a.m.; sunset 8:41 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.
Little Lake
• Bingo. A concession stand will be available. Doors open, 5 p.m.; early bird games, 6:30 p.m. American Legion Auxiliary Post 349, 1835 E. M-35. 906-346-6000.
Marquette
• All Booked Up: Can We Talk? This month’s selection will be “The Life Impossible” by Matt Haig. 10 a.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• Picnic in the Park. Hosted by the Marquette Senior Center, the picnic is open to ages 50 and older. Suggested donation, $5. Noon. Father Marquette/ Lions Lakeside Park, South Front Street. To register, 906-228-0456.
• 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.
• Gather2Grow: Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelfstable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dandelion Cottage 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. 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.
• 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; students nine and older are invited to learn how to knit over the summer months. 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. Harlow Park. beedhive47@ yahoo.com.
• NCLL: Blacks in the U.P. Dr. Russell M. Magnaghi will discuss the contributions, history and stories of blacks in the U.P., beginning with slaves that were found among the French and English who settled at the Straits of Mackinac, and later including miners, farmers, woodsmen, musicians and sports figures. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 3 p.m. Mead Auditorium, NMU. 906-249-9975 or margrifs@gmail.com.
• 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.
• Concert on the Steps: Bluesday Tuesday. This blues concert will be sponsored by the Marquette Area Blues Society. 6:30 p.m. Front Street Steps, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• Superior Memories: Broadway at the Boathouse. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail. com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu. edu.
Negaunee
• Terracotta Pot Painting. Intended for ages 12 and older. Registration is required. 5:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906475-7700, ext. 18, or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
27 WEDNESDAY
Calumet
• “A True Story of Fake News: The Night of the Gliding Brick.” Author Joseph Heywood will discuss the events of Aug. 14, 1969, when he was one of four airmen who survived a bailout from a KC-135 tanker. 6:30 p.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107, or clklibrary.org.
Curtis
• Music in the Park. Featuring music by Nathan Walton and the Remedy. 6:30 p.m. Erickson Center for the Arts, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906586-9974 or ericksoncenter.org.
Ishpeming
• West End Farm Stand. 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Partridge Creek Farm, 550 Cleveland Ave. partridgecreekfarm. org.
• Community Skill Share. Partridge Creek Farm will host a food
demonstration and tasting using ingredients from the weekly CSA. 4:30 p.m. 550 Cleveland Ave. partridgecreekfarm.org/events.
• Adult Horror Book Club. This month’s selection will be “Tender is the Flesh” by Agustina Bazterrica. 6 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.
Marquette
• Memory Café: Welcome Wednesday at the Trillium House. This supportive gathering is intended for individuals living with memory loss and their care partners. Participants can enjoy lunch, connect with others, hear from guests from the Alzheimer’s Association, and tour Trillium House to learn more about its short-term respite stays and hospice support. Noon. Trillium House, 1144 Northland Dr. To register by Aug. 20, call 906-264-5026.
• 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: Silk Scarf Painting with Diane KribsMays. Intended for ages 50 and older. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents. 1 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, call 906-225-8655.
• Wednesday Night Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers, and artisans. 5 to 8 p.m. 100 Block of Washington Street. mqtfarmersmarket. com.
• The Spiritual Evolution of Humanity. The Marquette area Bahá’í Community will host this discussion on humanity’s spiritual journey and explore whether we can recognize a divine plan at work that will eventually bring the world’s diverse peoples together. 6:30 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-361-1844.
• Superior Memories: Legends and Lore 2 with Jack Deo and Jim Koskey. Presented by Lake Superior Theatre. Youth, $7.50; seniors and students, $12; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre Boathouse, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. lstmqt@gmail.com or lakesuperiortheatre.com. For tickets, 906-227-7625 or tickets.nmu.edu.
Negaunee
• All Booked Up. “Upper Michigan Today” host Tia Trudgeon will lead an on-air book discussion of Matt Haig’s “The Life Impossible.” 9 a.m. WLUC TV6 Studio, 177 U.S. Hwy. 41 E. 906226-4322 or pwpl.info.
• 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.
• Negaunee Farmers Market. Fresh produce from Little Parsley Farm and crafts from a variety of vendors. 4 to 7 p.m. Chiri Park, Iron Street. cityofnegaunee.com/farmers-market.
• Teal Lake Hike. Historian and author Jim Paquette will lead an advanced hike over difficult terrain along the north shore of Teal Lake. The hike will visit the camp sites of Negaunee's first miners. Tickets are limited and required. $15. 6:30 p.m. Lakeview Elementary School, 200 Croix St. 906226-3571 or marquettehistory.org.
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 free, online community is for those 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.
• Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Checks. Cholesterol checks are $5. Call for Marquette County schedule. 906-225-4545.
• Caregiver Support Group— Marquette. Family, friends and
Rock
• Escanaba Public Library Bookmobile. 1 p.m. Rock Senior Center, 3892 W. Maple Ridge 37 Rd. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.
28 THURSDAY
sunrise 7:04 a.m.; sunset 8:37 p.m.
Calumet
• Preschool Story Time. 10:15 a.m. Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. 906-337-0311, ext. 1107, or 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, or clklibrary.org.
• Kids Movie Magic. The film selection will be “Elemental.” $1. 7 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.
Chassell
• Bill Kautto and Lightning Ridge. This evening will include a concert of old and new country favorites. 7 p.m. Chassell Heritage Center, 42373
Hancock Ave. 906-523-1155 or chassellhistory.org.
Copper Harbor
• Performance in the Park. Featuring live music from John Snyder and Friends. 7 to 9 p.m. Donny Kilpela Memorial Park, 240 Gratiot St. 906289-4020 or performances.in.the. park@gmail.com.
Gwinn
• Gwinn Modeltown Market. Featuring a farmers and artisans market as well as live music. 3 to 6 p.m. Riverside Pavilion, Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-361-4843 or
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. Aug. 13. 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 p.m. First Baptist Church of Gwinn, 195 N. Billings St.
• Celebrate Recovery—Marquette. Twelve-step program for hurts, habits and hang-ups. Tuesdays. 6:30 p.m. Marquette County Salvation Army, 1009 W. Baraga Ave. 906-226-2241.
• 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. Aug. 13. 2 p.m. Forsyth Senior Center, 165 Maple St. 906-225-7760 or lakesuperiorhospice.org.
• 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.
• Grief Support Group— Marquette. Guided by trained facilitators, these gatherings will offer comfort, understanding, and connection through shared experiences. Fourth Wednesday of each month. 4 p.m. Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, 914 W. Baraga Ave. 906-225-7760.
• 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. Aug. 11 and 21 (email ckbertucci58@charter.net to confirm meeting). 7 p.m. 1025 W. Washington St., Suite C, Marquette. 906-360-7107 or namimqt.com.
• National Alliance on Mental Illness—Zoom Support Group.
Individuals living with mental illness and friends or families living with an individual with mental illness are welcome. Aug. 6. (Zoom date may be subject to change). 7 p.m. Email ckbertucci58@charter.net or call or text 906-360-7107 before 6:45 p.m. the day of the meeting to receive the Zoom invitation. namimqt.com.
• Nicotine Anonymous. A fellowship of people helping each other to live nicotine free. 415-750-0328 or nicotine-anonymous.org.
• Parkinson’s Support Group. Open to people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. Aug. 20. 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
Ishpeming
• 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.
• Summer Concert Series. Featuring The Whoppers. Bring a chair. 7 p.m. Old Ish Park (rain location is Lake Bancroft Pavilion).
L’Anse
• Lakefront Concert. Featuring country, folk and American music by A Place to Land. 7 p.m. Lakefront Park, Broad Street at the lake (rain location is Meadowbrook Arena, 204 Division St.).
Marquette
• NCLL: Mycology Hike. Mushroom enthusiast Adam Berger and Hannah Boyd, of the U.P. Land Conservancy, will lead participants to forage for edible mushrooms and learn about the fungi of the Northwoods. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 10 a.m. Vielmetti-Peters Reserve, Brickyard Road. 906-458-5408 or csteinha@ nmu.edu.
• Tech Help Workshop with SAIL. Open to ages 50 and older. 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. 906-228-0456.
• Geoff and Jon’s Record Show. Thousands of new and used vinyl records, CDs, posters, cassettes, books and T-shirts will be available. Presented by the NMU Vinyl Record Club. Noon to 11 p.m. Community room, Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. 906-228-8888.
• 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 After Loss: Grief Journals— Creating Space for Healing Through Art and Reflection. Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice will host a workshop to create grief journals, using both art and written media. Bring a blank journal (some will be available) and personal items with which to decorate it, such as poems, photos and inspirational quotes. Basic art supplies will be provided. 4:30 p.m. Studio 1, Peter White Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-7760 or cvoce@lakesuperiorhospice.org.
Negaunee
• Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelf-stable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. Noon to 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St feedwm.org or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
Norway
• Dickinson County Fair. Enjoy rides, games, food vendors, livestock exhibits, live performances, competitions and more. Dickinson County Fairgrounds, N1476 U.S. Hwy. 8.
29 FRIDAY
sunrise 7:06 a.m.; sunset 8:36 p.m.
Marquette
• Gather2Grow: Feeding America West Michigan Meal Pickup. Shelfstable meals are available at no cost to all youth (18 and younger) and disabled adults up to age 26. 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dandelion Cottage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 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.
• Geoff and Jon’s Record Show. Thousands of new and used vinyl records, CDs, posters, cassettes, books and T-shirts will be available. Presented by the NMU Vinyl Record Club. Noon to 11 p.m. Community room, Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. 906-228-8888.
• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested
superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.
• Geoff and Jon’s Record Show. Thousands of new and used vinyl records, CDs, posters, cassettes, books and T-shirts will be available. Presented by the NMU Vinyl Record Club. Noon to 11 p.m. Community room, Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. 906-228-8888.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup.com.
Norway
• Dickinson County Fair. Enjoy rides, games, food vendors, livestock exhibits, live performances, competitions and more. Dickinson County Fairgrounds, N1476 U.S. Hwy. 8.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com.
Rock
• Labor Day Parade. 11 a.m. downtown.
Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com.
Negaunee
• Building Storytime. Children ages three and older can listen to a story or two and be inspired to build with LEGOs and other blocks. Older youth are welcome to quietly build as they please. 11 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906475-7700, ext. 18 or facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary.
Norway
• Dickinson County Fair. Enjoy rides, games, food vendors, livestock exhibits, live performances, competitions and more. Dickinson County Fairgrounds, N1476 U.S. Hwy. 8.
30 SATURDAY
sunrise 7:07 a.m.; sunset 8:34 p.m.
Escanaba
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
Marquette
• Farmers Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. mqtfarmersmarket. com.
• 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.
31 SUNDAY
sunrise 7:08 a.m.;
Escanaba
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Willow Creek Cinemas 8, 2701 Third Ave. N. thomastheatregroup.com.
Marquette
• Geoff and Jon’s Record Show. Thousands of new and used vinyl records, CDs, posters, cassettes, books and T-shirts will be available. Presented by the NMU Vinyl Record Club. Noon to 11 p.m. Community room, Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. 906-228-8888.
• Pop Culture Trivia. 2 p.m. Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. 906-228-8888.
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Marquette Cinemas, 1525 Commerce Dr. thomastheatregroup.com.
Norway
• Dickinson County Fair. Enjoy rides, games, food vendors, livestock exhibits, live performances, competitions and more. Dickinson County Fairgrounds, N1476 U.S. Hwy. 8.
Quinnesec
• Free Kids’ Movie. This week’s selection will be “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2.” 2 and 4 p.m. Tri-City Cinemas 8, W7700 U.S. Hwy. 2. thomastheatregroup.com. MM
players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W.
Dickinson County Fair | Aug. 28 - Sept. 1 | Norway
