April 2023 Marquette Monthly

April 2023

No. 408

Publishers

Jane Hutchens

James Larsen II

Managing editor

Kristy Basolo-Malmsten

Calendar editor

Carrie Usher

graPhiC design

Jennifer Bell

Proofreader

Laura Kagy

CirCulation

Armstrong

Marquette Monthly, published by Model Town Publishing, LLC, located at PO Box 109, Gwinn, MI, 49841, is locally and independently owned. Entire contents

4 City notes

HigHligHts of important Happenings in tHe area

12 on CaMPus news from U.p Universities & colleges

15 then & now Superior View DoUglass HoUse in HoUgHton

16 New York Times Crossword Puzzle tHis & tHat (answers on page 58)

17 sPorting life Michael Murray local football player takes nfl sHot

20 feature erin elliott Bryan isHpeming celebrates 150 years

25 loCals alex lehto-clark artist miles stearn talks pottery

29 at the table katherine larSon

About the Cover Artist

This mixed media painting is titled Bear With Me by artist Sue Baptist, a resident of the AuTrain area. A retired graphic designer and art teacher, Sue paints and draws in all types of medium, creates contemporary nature weavings and crafts in wood, metal and paper. The surrounding water, forests and wildlife are her creative inspiration.

chriStenSen poetry festival comes to marqUette

46 baCk then larry chaBot wwii bomber crasHes in ontonogan coUnty

48 in the outdoors Scot Stewart colors, part ii: a look at color in natUre

56 Coloring Page an oDe to spring

57 hoMe CineMa leonard G. heldreth

The Glass OniOn, Day shifT & Del TOrO’s PinOcchiO

59 Poetry lynn doMina

MccarTy’s cOve

60 suPerior reads Victor r.

61

city notes

League holds presentation about popular vote

The Marquette County League of Women Voters will hold an educational presentation about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact at its April 5 Membership Meeting, which will be held in-person (weather permitting) at Peter White Public Library (downstairs).

Doors open at 6:30 p.m., 15 minutes before the business meeting starts at 6:45 p.m. The presentation will begin as soon as the regular business agenda is done.

The National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is an agreement among several U.S. states and DC to award their electoral votes to the candidate with the most popular votes nationally. The compact will go into effect if states with a total of 270 electoral votes join. If enough states join, Michigan presidential electors would be bound to vote for the candidate who wins the national popular vote. Currently, 15 states and DC, with a total of 195 electoral votes, have joined, and Michigan and Minnesota (which are both considering joining the Compact) would bring the total to 220 electoral votes. The objective of the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is to make the presidential election reflective of the “one person, one vote” method of electing a President, rather than the present “winner take all” in each state, which can lead to a strategic battle to win select states. Other states would have to join the compact for the candidate with the most votes nationally to win.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Visitors are always welcome. For details, email lwvmqtco@gmail.com or visit the League’s Facebook page.

Foundation announces Spring 2023 grant cycle

The Community Foundation of Marquette County announced its Spring 2023 Competitive Grant Cycle and invites local non-profit organizations to apply for grant funding through the Community Foundation and its countywide affiliate and youth funds.

The grant cycle closes at noon on April 7. The foundation encourages registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organizations to apply for project fund-

ing that enriches the lives of people in Marquette County, using creative approaches that will have the greatest impact. In 2022, the foundation awarded $85,000 in grants to 51 organizations across the county through its competitive grant cycle. In addition, the foundation has awarded a total of $12.8 million in grants benefiting the wider community since it was founded in 1988.

For complete grant guidelines and to apply, visit www.cfofmc.org.

Interfaith Holocaust service set for April 19 in Marquette

TheMarquette area Interfaith Holocaust Memorial Service will resume its four-decade history after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The service will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19, hosted by St. Paul Episcopal Church on East Ridge and High Streets and a reception will be hosted by Temple Beth Sholom, diagonally across East Ridge from St. Paul’s immediately following the service.

The guest speaker is Peter Simenauer of Coral Gables, Florida, who was born to Jewish parents in Berlin who had the foresight to escape from Germany when he was five years old.

They made a daring but successful effort to cross from Germany into France and from the port of Marseilles were able to board a ship bound for South America, finally delivering them to Brazil.

After a career in Brazil, Simenauer immigrated to the United States, where he has lived since, having worked in industry mainly in Toledo. How he and his family coped and succeeded as refugees in several countries after escape from the Nazis is a story of fortitude and the finding of community and livelihood under daunting circumstances.

The Holocaust Memorial Service will include participants from the Marquette Interfaith Forum, St. Paul’s Church and Temple Beth Sholom. Choral pieces will be presented by the Marquette Male Chorus and the Marquette Senior High School choir.

There is no reservation or fee to attend and all are welcome. For details, email apsmd@aol.com.

MAPS committee seeks parent representatives

TheMarquette Area Public Schools Family Life Advisory Committee (FLAC) currently has openings for parent representatives.

The committee meets once or twice per year. The next meeting of the 2022-23 school year is scheduled for 4 p.m. on April 17 in the Marquette Senior High School Library. The main function of the FLAC is to discuss, review and make recommendations regarding family life education curricular issues.

Interested persons should submit an application to: Chris Messano, Marquette Senior High School, 1203 W. Fair Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855. Applications may be picked up at the high school office Monday through Friday between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. or downloaded from the MAPS website under the District Information-Family Life Advisory tab.

For details, call 906-225-4254.

History Center opens special exhibit, plans events

The Marquette Regional History Museum special exhibit Exposing Photography is open through January 13, 2024. Follow the development of commercial photography in Michigan’s central Upper Peninsula.

Starting in the mid 1800s, artists set up photography studios around the UP. They made a living off portrait photography. BF Childs established Childs Art Gallery in Ishpeming which ran over 70 years. Edgar and Merta Lemon started a studio in Marquette in 1909 which still operates today. Early photographers traveled throughout the Lake Superior region to document mines, local scenery and Native Americans.

Many of these images were sold as souvenirs in the form of stereographs. Some were sold in urban markets

Championship run

around the country or printed as engravings in Harper’s Weekly. These businessmen and women were innovators and artists in composition, hand coloring prints and enlargements. Several won international awards.

Notable amateur photographers will also be examined, including John M. Longyear and nighttime wildlife photographer George Shiras III, as well as photographers from the Huron Mountain Club: Harold DuCharme, Tappan Gregory and William Harris. The exhibit draws upon the extensive collections of the MRHC and photographic historian Jack Deo of Superior View. Cameras from professional photographers and amateurs will also be on display.

“Getting to its Source: Researching Misconceptions in U.P. Lore” will take place at 6:30 p.m. on April 5 at the Marquette Regional History Center. For National Library Week, this presentation will explore how modern technology is a blessing in many ways, but also detrimental in others. Information is moving at a faster rate than at any other time in history, with misinformation often being shared today via social media, word of mouth and news outlets.

Being able to spot misinformation, un-reputable claims and to assess the validity of sources will help you become a better-informed person. “Fake news” and conspiracies are very hot terms right now and mistrust in the media is at an all-time high. When news and public information is being questioned, the library can be a beacon of truth. Explore many of the popular misconceptions and legends related to the Upper Peninsula includ-

ing: Calumet becoming the capital, Lake Fanny Hooe and the Lilac Lady amongst others.

The “We’re Banking on You!” fundraiser takes place at 6:30 p.m. on April 13. Enjoy an evening in the First National Bank, now Flagstar Bank, at 101 W. Washington St. Learn more about the history of this anchor in Downtown Marquette. L.G. Kaufman is known as the “father of branch banking” and his family collected coins that are still on display in this building. Share a bite to eat and some wine while touring and admiring the beauty of this 96-year-old bank building. Tickets are on sale now for $50 (single) or $85 per couple; tickets are $10 for members.

Visit www.marquettehistory.org or call 906-226-3571 for details.

Family Night set at NMU’s DeVos Art Museum

TheDeVos Art Museum on NMU’s campus will hold a Family Night from 5 to 7 p.m. on April 20.

The event is free and open to the public, and all are invited to attend, including immediate, extended and chosen families. Guided tours with the curators are offered on the hour at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., and visitors are encouraged to participate in an all-ages activity available, with supplies and guidance provided. Curators Emily Lanctot, Sydney Sarasin and Diane Kordich will be available throughout the event to chat and answer questions.

Family Night events will highlight current exhibitions New to the Collection: Lundmark and the Lake, Kinngait: Artists’ Reflections in Print,

The Baraga Vikings girls basketball team made it to the state finals in Division 4, losing to Maple City Glen Lake, 43-60. The Vikings won their first seven games of the season, which ended with a 23-6 record. During the season, standout Cori Jahfetson scored her 1,000th point in February. (Photo courtesy of Jon Young)

and Selections in Contemporary Illustration and Snowdrift, both of which feature artworks from the Museum’s permanent collection.

These exhibitions are on show through this summer. The Senior Exhibition for this semester’s graduating seniors will also be available for viewing.

The DeVos Art Museum is located on the corner of Tracy and Seventh streets.

Visit www.nmuartmuseum.com for details.

Dark Sky Park Festival set for April 21 in Keweenaw

TheKeweenaw Dark Sky Park is hosting its first-ever event during Dark Sky Week. The Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival invites stargazers and astrophotographers to participate in two days of workshops on April 21 and 22.

The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) encourages people worldwide to discover the night during International Dark Sky Week (April 22-30). The annual week-long event aims to raise awareness about the negative impacts of light pollution and the solutions that exist while simultaneously celebrating the night.

Attendees of the first-ever Upper Peninsula Dark Sky Festival will learn about the impacts of light pollution and the value and beauty of dark skies. The Keweenaw Dark Sky Park is hosting a sustainable event that values the environment while drawing people into the area.

All ages of dark sky enthusiasts are invited. If you’re interested in learning about light pollution and have an interest in dark skies, astronomy or night sky photography – this event is a must-attend for you.

Speaker Melissa Kaelin is highly respected in the Midwest aurora-chasing community. She will present “Chasing the Northern Lights in Michigan” on Saturday, April 22 during the Festival.

The evening of Friday, April 21 will allow guests to check into their accommodations, have a meal and then take in a workshop. Saturday’s events in the afternoon allow guests to have a morning adventure and an afternoon and evening of learning.

The event cost is $125 per person. This ticket includes admission to all workshops and lectures as well as a rustic worldly lunch on Saturday. Purchase tickets at www.lodgelifeshop. com.

Bradford Veley is a freelance cartoonist, illustrator and farmer in the U.P. Follow him on Facebook, Instagram and at www.bradveley.com

School of Choice openings at Marquette area schools

Marquette Area Public Schools

announces School of Choice openings for non-residents in grades K-12 for the first semester of the 2023-24 school year. Application forms may be obtained at any MAPS school building, at the Superintendent’s office, or downloaded from the MAPS website.

Completed application forms will be accepted through Friday, September 8. The district will make every effort to accommodate building preference at the elementary level, but retains the right to make the final building selection for student placement. The enrollment deadline for students accepted under the School of Choice program is Friday, September 8.

Students must reside within the Marquette-Alger RESA to be eligible for School of Choice at MAPS.

Ballet set for April 22

“ANight at the Ballet” will take place at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. on April 22 in Kaufman Auditorium.

This event is a performance by members of the community-sponsored Queen City Ballet of Marquette and Kaufman Auditorium. The production consists of three dance pieces that include Life of a Dancer with a cast of 40, a classical ballet tribute to the art of Edgar Degas, and an emotional contemporary piece first staged at LSSU in 2013.

All pieces were directed and choreographed by Deborah Choszczyk. The production is family-friendly and will be performed by dancers of all ages from the community as well as dancers from Queen City Ballet Company in Marquette. Some special events will take place on stage.

Tickets are available through NMU ticket outlets; cost in advance is $9 for youth and $15 for adults. Cost goes up an additional $2 at the door. All ticket sales will be given to support Kaufman Auditorium.

U.P. Rowing announces youth, adult programs

Join U.P. Rowing at the Peter White Public Library Community Room (lower level) at 6 p.m. on Tuesday May 2, where interested youth, parents and guardians can learn more about U.P. Rowing’s summer youth rowing program.

The program is for youth ages 13 to 18 and is held in Marquette in the Lower Harbor. Youth participants have an opportunity to try rowing in a fun and safe environment. Rowing is a low impact sport that is a great activity for athletes and non-athletes alike.

Rowing builds strength, stamina, balance, teamwork and confidence. It is also a great summer cross-training activity for basketball, swimming, volleyball, skiing, and track. Past U.P. Rowing youth participants have gone on to row at the collegiate level.

The program runs from June 26 through August 30 on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Program cost is $125, and scholarships are available. For details, visit www.uprowing.com or call 906-250-4486.

The U.P. Rowing Meet and Greet event for adults will take place at 6 p.m. on May 8 at Ore Dock Brewing Company. UPRC is an all-volunteer, non-profit club that offers instruction plus recreational, competitive and youth rowing in Marquette’s Lower Harbor.

At the meet and greet, information will be presented for adults interested in learning about the fun and healthy sport of rowing, and about how you can learn to row this summer. “Adult Learn to Row” is suitable for adults ages 18 and up who would like to try a low-impact outdoor activity that emphasizes teamwork and camaraderie. Visit www.uprowing.com or email Gail Brayden at gbrayden@charter. net for details.

Mackinac Island ferry to go electric with EGLE grant

A$3.06 million award from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) Fuel Transformation Program (FTP) Part 2 will support the first-ever conversion of a Mackinac Island passenger ferry to zero-emissions electric power.

Star Line, now known as the Mackinac Island Ferry Company (MIFC), will replace two 1988 diesel engines with two electric propulsion motors on a ferry, the Chippewa, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 14,152 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents and 887 metric tons of nitrogen oxides over the boat’s lifetime.

The project will begin immediately as part of a two- to three-year overhaul that will redesign and modernize the vessel’s hull and appearance.

The grant covers half the cost of the project, which includes installing 1.5 megawatts in shore power infrastructure at the Mackinaw City ferry dock, as electric power upgrades are also planned for the ports of St. Ignace and Mackinac Island.

Ferries serve about 500 year-round islanders and 750,000 visitors a year, with a summer peak of more than 16,500 a day. During peak months, ferries make up to 125 round trips daily. The 84-foot ferry Chippewa, built

in 1962, is expected to carry 250 to 300 passengers after the electric conversion and MIFC’s concurrent redesign and modernization of the vessel. After converting the Chippewa to electric power, MIFC intends to similarly upgrade the propulsion systems on its other seven steel vessels that operate passenger or freight service to Mackinac Island.

The Chippewa conversion is a pilot project for electrification of 28 Mackinac Island ferries in all. It marks the launch of the MEA’s Mackinac Marine Mobility Strategic Plan to create full-time, year-round marine and shipbuilding jobs in the straits region. Also partnering in the project is shipbuilder lncat Crowther.

MDHHS launches app to reduce opioid overdoses

In an effort to reduce the occurrence of overdoses and help residents learn to treat an overdose, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is launching OpiRescue, a smartphone app aimed at reducing harm.

The OpiRescue app helps anyone, including first responders, prevent opioid misuse and reduce opioid overdose deaths by addressing education, prevention and tracking of overdose

reversals.

The OpiRescue app provides:

• Educational content to identify and reverse overdoses.

• A Naloxone finder to locate the medication nearby.

• A treatment locator.

• Information on how to report an overdose reversal.

The OpiRescue app is available statewide in Michigan on both Android and iOS platforms. It is free to use and is anonymous. It can be downloaded at Apple iOS app store or through Google Play.

The dashboard will allow those partners to view overdose reversal data in near real time and allocate additional resources as needed to areas with increased reports of overdose reversals. For more information on Naloxone and how to obtain the medication, visit Michigan.gov/Naloxone.

Isle Royale deemed least visited National Park

Isle Royale National Park, located in the northernmost part of Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula has been named the least visited national park in the lower 48 states in 2022 according to a recent article by CNN Travel.

In the 45 miles of wilderness at Isle Royale, you’ll run into more wildlife

than people. The island is well-known for its moose and gray wolf populations. It houses one of the longest-running predator-prey studies to date.

National Park Data shows Isle Royale National Park saw 25,454 recreation visits in 2022. Visitors to Isle Royale stay for an average of threeand-a-half days. An average visit to any other national park is closer to four hours. Because of its extreme winters, Isle Royale is only open to the public each year from April 16 to October 31. That means its 25,454 visits in 2022 occurred across a seven-month period — about 3,636 visits a month. National Park Service data shows April 2022 saw only 37 visitors, while August brought 7,981.

In the last ten years, visitations grew to Isle Royale from 14,038 in 2008 to 28,196 in 2017. It tapered down to only 6,493 visitors in 2020, a year that saw heavy travel restrictions because of COVID-19. In 2021, visitations rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, drawing in 25,844 adventure seekers.

MEDC awards money to key U.P. redevelopment projects

TheMichigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced Michigan Strategic Fund

approval of a wide range of projects that could lead to the creation or retention of 421 jobs and generate nearly $203 million in investment in Michigan.

These projects include redevelopment or renovation of underutilized properties to build affordable housing, create commercial space, and remove blight. U.P. locations include Marquette and Hancock.

The City of Marquette was awarded up to $8 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds for the City of Marquette Blight Clearance Project in Marquette. The project will include the demolition of buildings at the property of the former Marquette General Hospital as well as structure and site demolition, relocation of active utilities and temporary access to provide for demolition and removal of buried debris. As part of the demolition, engineering services will be required to assess and potentially eliminate environmental conditions and remove existing contamination on the site.

The NMU Foundation has established a website to share information regarding the project, including public access to reports and documents related to its work of aligning relationships and resources required to facilitate

demolition and site preparation of the former hospital site. For details, visit www.RenewCollegeAveMQT.org.

The total estimated project cost is $12.7 million to be used for site demolition and the removal of hazardous material. The CDBG funds will be wholly dedicated toward blight elimination. The project is supported by regional economic development partner InvestUP, the Northern Michigan University Foundation, local legislators, stakeholders and residents.

Also in the U.P., Keweenaw Cooperative, Inc. plans to transform a vacant, underutilized former car dealership in downtown Hancock. When completed, the building will serve as the new location of the Keweenaw Co-op Market & Deli, providing healthy food options in what is currently considered a “food desert.” The project will include a 4,728-squarefoot addition to the building, allowing space for a deli, indoor and outdoor seating, fresh produce, meat, dairy, frozen foods and packaged groceries.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of $7.6 million and create 11 full-time equivalent jobs as well as retain 28 jobs, supported by a $1.4 million Michigan Community Revitalization Program performance-based grant. In addition

to activating a vacant building in the heart of downtown Hancock, the project will contribute to walkability, bring new economic activity and serve as a catalyst for future development in the area.

Local airport changes name to better reflect location

Sawyer International Airport will

be renamed as Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport. Staff is currently working with Federal and State agencies towards the completion of this transition.

The County Board voted unanimously on March 21 to rename Sawyer International Airport to Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport. This name change is part of a full re-branding project already underway. This will include a new logo and color scheme that will complement the many new changes for the airport, including the new terminal reconfiguration project. Visit www.sawyerairport.com for more information on the new name, upcoming flight schedules, and other available travel services.

Manufacturing training available through Bay College

Bay College and Invest UP, the Upper Peninsula’s regional eco-

nomic development organization, are offering advanced manufacturing certification training. Fanuc Level 1

Introduction to Robotics is being offered May 8 through 12.

The goal of this training program is to help fill manufacturing positions across the U.P. Low-and moderate-income (LMI) trainees will be offered the training program for free. This training initiative is backed by a Regional Talent Innovation grant and part of a Community Development Block Grant – CARES Acts funding allocated to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC).

The Fanuc Level 1 Introduction to Robotics training is open to the general public who meet the following criteria: high school graduate, early career worker, displaced worker and those seeking new career opportunities. An applicant’s income must not exceed the income limit of $36,150 and all applicants will be required to complete a Job Training Grant Application which includes an Affidavit with respect to Taxable Income.

For details, call 906-217-4200.

Copper Peak receives funds to renew ski flying hill

Copper Peak, a ski flying hill that once attracted international ath-

letes, has loomed over the western horizon of the Upper Peninsula for decades.

Ski jumping at the site ended years ago, and Copper Hill has remained open as a seasonal tourist destination outside Ironwood. Thrill-seeking visitors hop an elevator and climb a series of stairs to reach the top of the 26-story tower. The reward is panoramic views, stretching as far as Minnesota, Wisconsin and Canada on clear days.

These days, however, Copper Peak is on a new trajectory. An ambitious project to transform Copper Peak and return the hill to the international ski jumping stage continues to gain momentum, with the State of Michigan last year awarding the project $20 million for structural renovations and other improvements. Last summer the Great Lakes Sports Commission provided nearly $150,000 for upgrades. International ski organizations have expressed support for the project as well.

The plan is to revamp Copper Peak as a year-round ski flying hill with an all-season surface. It will be the only one of its kind in the world.

Because Copper Peak is smaller than other ski fly hills, it’s more conducive to introducing women and Nordic combined athletes to the sport.

News & Notes from Senator Debbie Stabenow

• Senator Debbie Stabenow (Michigan) introduced a bipartisan, comprehensive bill to help families across the country dealing with Alzheimer’s disease. The Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer’s Act would help the 95 percent of individuals with dementia that have one or more other chronic conditions, such as hypertension, heart disease and diabetes. The bipartisan bill reduces medical complications for these patients by creating a new way to fund dementia care through Medicare. This new model of managing care can help reduce hospitalizations and emergency department visits and delay nursing home placement, which improves the quality of life for patients and makes treatment more affordable.

• Stabenow introduced bipartisan legislation to take the first step towards creating a National Strategic Propane Reserve to address the high cost of propane for families in Michigan. A reserve of this kind could provide a safety net to households that heat with propane, one that communities could use in emergency situations when there are supply shortages or prices so high that people cannot afford to heat their home.

• Stabenow and Senator Gary Peters (Michigan) announced that the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) will be awarding the Chippewa County International Airport $1,448,322 to repair runways and taxiways that have reached the end of their useful life. These funds are from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grant program.

From the desk of Governor Gretchen Whitmer

• Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced that the MI Future Edu-

cator Fellowship and Stipend programs’ first payments are being awarded to provide financial assistance to college students aspiring to become teachers.

• Whitmer joined the Michigan Lottery to announce their $1.25 billion contribution to the School Aid Fund in fiscal year 2022. This marks the Lottery’s fourth consecutive contribution of more than $1 billion to Michigan’s schools.

• Whitmer announced that 16 organizations serving Michiganders in 81 counties are receiving $2.4 million in Regional Child Care Planning Grants from the Early Childhood Investment Corporation’s (ECIC) Child Care Innovation Fund, helping them expand child care options, serving more families, and lowering costs for parents. Grant recipients will each receive $150,000. The grantee in Region 1: Upper Peninsula is UPWARD Talent Council

• Whitmer announced the following appointments: Gregory Zyburt of Marquette to the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards board; Lindsay Hiltunen of Baraga to the Historical Records Advisory Board; and Zosia Eppensteiner of Marquette to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Statewide Housing Board.

Local business news…in brief

• NMU graduate students Michael Woodworth and Amy Munes were selected as Presidential Management Fellows (PMF), a prestigious program that partners early-career professionals with U.S. Federal Agencies to make a difference in government and impact their communities.

• Alger Delta Cooperative Electric Association’s $10.9M infrastructure improvement plan will help provide power to more than 700 new

DiD You Know ...

When automobile roads were developed in the U.P.?

The Michigan state legislature created county road commissions, and road construction lay entirely with the townships within counties. The State Highway Commission, created in 1905 by the Michigan legislature, oversaw the development of state routes. Later, the U.S. Bureau of Public Roads did the same for federal highways. To encourage the construction of local highways, the state provided rewards for completed roads, and local bonds for road construction were voted. The State Trunk Line System was laid out in 1913 by the state legislature connecting all counties. Highways linked towns, but more importantly, provided new and efficient roads for the growing tourist trade.

Submitted by Dr. Russell M. Magnaghi, history professor emeritus at NMU and author, including of the recently released Classic Food and Restaurants of the Upper Peninsula.

customers in the power company’s service area — roughly a seven-percent increase in total customers served; the funding is part of a U.S. Department of Agriculture initiative. Alger Delta was the only U.P. cooperative to receive the loans this year.

• Wheaton World Wide Moving recently awarded Guindon Moving with the van line’s Achievers Club Award for 2022, earned through hard work in building comfort and confidence in customers that Wheaton would provide an excellent moving experience.

• Well Now Urgent Care held a grand opening at its new location in front of the Delta Plaza Mall, 225 N. Lincoln Road, Escanaba; Well Now does pre-employment drug screens and Department of Transportation physicals, and is open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week.

• UP Health System – Marquette, a Duke Lifepoint Hospital and Duke Health Affiliate, reintroduced and welcomes electrophysiologists Brian Jaffe, MD; Daniel Buerkel, MD; and Matthew Fedor, MD; to the Heart and Vascular team.

• Visit Keweenaw’s Economic Impact dashboard suggests the Great Bear Chase in Calumet pulled in more than $700,000 worth of visitor spending to the Keweenaw.

The deadline for event and press release submissions for City Notes is the 10th day of the month prior to publication. Email your press release to editor@marquettemonthly.com.

UPPAA announces spring conference, honors students

TheU.P. Publisheres & Authors Association Spring Conference is scheduled for June 103 at the Peter White Public Library in Marquette.

The keynote speaker will be poet Marty Achatz, an adjunct assistant professor at Northern Michigan University. He is also events coordinator at Peter White Public Library, has been the U.P. Poet Laureate twice, leads writing/poetry workshops and was recently featured in a documentary about his interest in writing poetry about Bigfoot.

Other conference sessions include:

• Terri Martin: Infusing humor into your stories

• Tyler Tichelaar: Self-Publishing 101

• Brandy Thomas: Getting started with audiobooks

• Carrie Pearson: Working with an illustrator for children’s books

• Laura Smyth: Cover design

• Amy McKay, Jessica Bays and other panelists: Working with bookstores.

A hot lunch buffet is included for all attendees. Attendance is free to 2023 UPPAA members in good standing. If you have yet to renew, visit www.uppaa.org/join-or-renew.

Attendees are required to register in advance so they can properly plan the lunch menu and space usage at the library.

The board is still in need of a vol-

unteer catering coordinator to plan the menus, negotiate with vendors and arrange delivery of the conference lunch.

UPPAA announced the winners of the 6th annual Dandelion Cottage Award. The award recognizes U.P. student short story writers of excellence in Grades 5 through 12. The Dandelion Cottage Award is funded entirely by charitable donations and no fees have ever been charged to entrants.

Students submit stories in consultation with their teachers. This year’s contest was made even more exciting by adding second- and third-place winners to the junior division, which formerly chose only a single winner in all past years.

In the senior division (Grades 9 through 12), first place was awarded to Jaclyn Jukkala, a freshman at Houghton High School for her story “The Window.” Second place was awarded to Lilli Gast, a freshman also at Houghton High School for her story “Azalea Tea and Other Poisons.” Third place winner was Miah Billie, a sophomore who is homeschooled in Ironwood for her story “Shadows of the Mind.”

In the junior division, for writers in Grades 5 through 8, Halle Wakkuri (Grade 8), in the Delta County Christian Home Educators (DCCHE) Co-op, won first place for her story “The Karate Club.” Serah

Oommen (Grade 8) in Houghton Middle School won second place for her story “Overcoming Hardships in Life.” Betty Harriman (Grade 6) in Marquette’s Bothwell Middle School took third place for her story “Mushrooms.”

This year’s 37 participants came from 16 different U.P. schools, from Ironwood to Escanaba and from Houghton to Marquette. The judges thank each and every student who submitted their work.

For more about the annual Dandelion Cottage short story contest, visit www.DandelionCottage.org.

Each of the honored stories will appear in the upcoming seventh volume of U.P. Reader, UPPAA’s own annual literary anthology featuring short stories, poetry and essays by its members.

This successful publication helps spread the word about the organization, raise money for educational programming and encourages people in the Upper Peninsula and beyond to read U.P. writers. Complimentary copies of the U.P. Reader are available to all U.P. educators and media for the asking. It is expected to be available beginning April 15.

Visit www.UPReader.org for details. For more information about this award, email president@uppaa. org.

on campus

Finlandia closes before 2023-24 enrollment

On Thursday, March 2, Finlandia University’s Board of Trustees announced that Finlandia will not enroll students for the 2023-24 academic year. The decision follows months of continuous efforts to find pathways for the university to continue its mission.

“I am deeply saddened to announce that due to a combination of demographic changes, with fewer high school graduates available, a steep decrease in interest in going to college among those graduates, and an unbearable debt load, Finlandia’s Board of Trustees met and have decided to not enroll students for the 2023-24 school year,” the board wrote in its statement.

In a letter to Finlandia’s students, faculty and staff, Finlandia President Timothy Pinnow wrote to his community saying the decision follows months of herculean efforts and constant and repeated attempts to mend Finlandia University’s finances and enrollment struggles.

“I do want to assure you that the leadership team, the Board of Trustees and myself have left no stone unturned in an attempt to avoid this day,” Pinnow said in his letter. “Our efforts have been noble and unceasing and while none of us wanted this day to come, we have also realized that in order to honor Finlandia University’s 126-year-old legacy appropriately, we must end its operations with grace and dignity.

“As the leadership of Finlandia, our focus must now turn first to making sure that all of our students have good options to complete their education at another institution and that we can fulfill our intent that our employees be paid for all the work and tireless effort they have put into this little Finnish-Lutheran school way up north in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.”

The board said that President Pinnow and his leadership team are working diligently to help Finlandia’s current students wrap up their studies and will help them smoothly transition to another college or university to complete their education.

Finlandia University has finalized Teach-Out Agreements with Michigan Technological University, Bay College, Adrian College, Wartburg

College and Northern Michigan University.

Announced Tuesday, March 14, Finlandia University’s Board of Trustees unanimously voted to dissolve the institution and wind up affairs in an orderly manner.

Finlandia’s Board of Trustees and President have shared that Finlandia has hired legal counsel with experience in winding up the affairs of educational institutions.

The university has notified the Office of the Attorney General of Michigan of its decision and is in the process of filing all appropriate paperwork with relevant regulators and accreditors.

Finlandia is working to helping students find new academic homes and has submitted teach-out plans to the Higher Learning Commission that include options to complete comparable programs at other institutions and information about admissions to partner schools, including all credits earned. The teach-out plans also ensure that students will be able to complete their program in a timely manner and for a comparable cost to Finlandia.

Finlandia’s Board and President have said that in order to make funds available to facilitate student transfers and operations, certain staff have been laid off, with most remaining staff to be laid off following commencement. The university is working diligently to satisfy its obligations to creditors, and it aims to ensure that all faculty, staff and vendors receive compensation for their work.

Events were held in March for students to help pair them with future educational opportunities, and with staff for a career fair. Finlandia’s Board of Trustees and President thanked the faculty, staff, students, parents, alumni and community who have exhibited honor, dedication and grace throughout this process, knowing that the broader mission of Finlandia University will continue to grow and live on through the community from which it was built.

More information about Finlandia’s intentions and next steps is available at www.finlandia.edu. Specific questions not answered on the website can be sent to questions@finlandia.edu.

Northern opens new dining laboratory

Northern Michigan University’s hospitality management program has opened its new student-operated restaurant, tentatively named the NMU Training Kitchen, each Wednesday evening through April 19.

Community members can enjoy fixed-price, four-course meals, with an option to purchase non-alcoholic mocktails and wines from a new Dry Bar menu.

This will mark the public debut of the dining laboratory in the Northern Center.

“We are so excited to be the first class to operate in this new space,” said associate professor Loganne Glendening. “It’s an open-kitchen concept, so diners will be able to see students functioning on the line. This semester, we’re offering table d’hote, which means that for one price, guests will receive four courses: small plates, salads, entrees and desserts.”

There will be a menu with different options for each course, so diners could create a new meal each time they visit.

“Rather than a rotating student feature as in past years, the class created more than 20 menu items to select from over the course of the semester,” Glendening said.

Seating options are from 5:15 to

7 p.m., 6:15 to 8 or 7:15 to 9. While customers are dining, they will also have an opportunity to participate in a survey to help determine what the restaurant’s name and marketing concept should be moving forward.

“I keep seeing so much potential with this new facility,” Glendening said. “With the well-organized layout and quality equipment, it has a real professional feel.

“I often step back and watch my students working in it and say, ‘Look how far we’ve come.’”

The four-course menu is $45. All selections from the Dry Bar are $6 or less.

For reservations, visit nmu.edu/ hospitality and scroll down to the “Request a Reservation” link under NMU’s Training Kitchen.

Glendening said hospitality management will not be hosting its Main Event this year, but hope to bring it back in 2024.

The program’s academic offerings include a bachelor of applied science in hospitality leadership, an associate of applied science in food service operations, and a minor in hospitality systems.

Learn more about these options at nmu.edu/tos/hospitality.

Michigan Tech recognized for excellence in cyber defense contributions

Michigan Technological University has been designated a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD) by the National Security Agency (NSA). The designation is in effect through the 2027-28 academic year.

The goal of the CAE-CD program is to improve the overall cybersecurity posture of the United States. By promoting and supporting quality academic programs of higher learning that help produce the nation’s cyber workforce, the CAE-CD designation helps to ensure that the nation is better prepared to defend against cyber threats and attacks.

“CAE-CD designated institutions are recognized as leaders in cybersecurity education and research, and graduates of CAE-CD programs are highly sought after by employers in the cybersecurity field,” said Michigan Tech Professor Yu Cai, an expert in applied computing and computational science and engineering who led the CAE-CD effort. “This recognition can help to attract students and faculty members, as well as funding and collaboration with government agencies and industry partners.”

Additional faculty from Michigan Tech’s College of Computing were directly involved in the effort, including Jean Mayo, Bo Chen and Gorkem Asilioglu of the Department of Computer Science and Tim Van Wagner and Todd Arney of the Department of Applied Computing.

“Without the collective effort and support of the team, we would not have been able to achieve what we have accomplished,” Cai said. “We value and acknowledge each person’s contributions and dedication toward our shared goals and the mission of the College.”

Rick Koubek, Michigan Tech’s president, said the designation provides many opportunities for growth at the university.

“This is great recognition for the University, confirming our excellence in education and research and the quality of Michigan Tech’s academic programs and its faculty,” said Interim Provost Andrew Storer. “It opens up exciting new opportunities.”

Dan Fuhrmann, chair of the Department of Applied Computing, said this designation means that Tech are

recognized and certified by the NSA as an institution committed to producing cybersecurity professionals.

Fuhrmann said the designation “puts Michigan Tech on the map as one of 300 institutions in the country with high-quality academic programs in cybersecurity, which will no doubt lead to increased visibility and growth of those programs.”

Institutions that receive a CAE-CD designation have met rigorous requirements set forth by the NSA.

Further, the program aims to create and manage a collaborative of cybersecurity educational programs that:

• Establish standards for cybersecurity curriculum and academic excellence,

• Include competency development among students and faculty,

• Value community outreach and leadership in professional development,

• Integrate cybersecurity practice within the institution across academic disciplines, and

• Actively engage in solutions to challenges facing cybersecurity education.

The National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) program is managed by NSA’s National Cryptologic School. Federal partners include the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/ National Initiative on Cybersecurity Education (NICE), National Science Foundation (NSF), Department of Defense Office of the Chief Information Officer (DoD-CIO) and U.S. Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM).

As part of the NCAE-C community, Michigan Tech has access to resources to aid individual success through workshop facilitation, marketing efforts and communication tools.

The NCAE-C community actively engages with government representatives to provide educational workshops, opportunities for funding, conferences and working groups.

The community also partners with industry to ensure that students entering the next-generation cyber workforce have the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities for a successful career in cybersecurity.

then & now

The Douglass House, located on the corner of Shelden Avenue and Isle Royale Street in Houghton, was built in 1860. The hotel had 50 rooms, a dance hall and dining room, which served as the social center of Houghton.

The Douglass House has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1982, and now is home to apartments, and Armando’s Restaurant and the Douglass House Saloon.

Photos provided by Superior View Studios, located in Art of Framing, 149 W. Washington Street Marquette www.viewsofthepast.com

ACROSS

1 Turn off

6 Make a trade

10 Emulate Rockin’ Robin, in a 1958 hit

13 Poke

18 ‘‘Go me!’’

19 Somewhat, musically

20 Hemingway’s home for over 20 years

21 Skatepark trick

22 One in charge of Brownies and cookies?/Easy to understand

25 Put away for now

26 Drink with a domed lid

27 More than just compact

28 ‘‘Consequently . . ’’

29 Feature of an ungulate 30 Dance move used to teach children how to limit spreading germs sneezingwhile

31 Post-dryer chore/ Splendid

35 Game stoppers

37 Shawkat of ‘‘Arrested Development’’

38 It’s a stretch

39 Steamed Chinese bun

40 Apt name for a horticulturist?

41 Wispy, as hair

43 Buzzer

44 Ring or belt, essentially

45 One whom the bride and groom invite/Stealdidn’t a meal

50 Now

52 Traveled on horseback

53 Predators whose genus translatesname to ‘‘of the kingdom of the dead’’

54 Moonfish

56 Speaker of catchphrasethe‘‘Did I do that?’’ on 1990s TV

57 Inoffensive

59 Deep cut?

61 Brit’s clothespin

THIS AND THAT RepRINTeD fRom THe New York Times

By DaviD Tuffs/EDiTED By Will shorTz

62 Utopia/Occasionally, poetically

66 With 72-Across, post- sledding mugful

69 Settles the score

70 Potential result of a strike

72 See 66-Across

75 Green isle

76 Plus

79 Akbar’s tomb locale

80 Despises

82 German deli meat/ Discussion

85 One might be raised on a farm

86 ‘‘Washboard’’ features

88 M.L.B. player with over 600 career home runs, to fans

89 Mushy ____ (British side dish)

90 Poehler of ‘‘Inside Out’’

91 Palm product

92 Mexican capital

94 Some steel beams

96 Theyresultmight in booby prizes/Physical discomforts

101 Sportsman of the Century, per Sports Illustrated

104 Stop running, in a way

105 Words with motion or stone

106 ____-do-well

107 ‘‘Don’t Matter’’ singer, 2007

108 Arduous journeys

109 Issuecelebrityfeaturingissues/ Repeatedly

112 ‘‘Bloody’’ English monarch

113 ‘‘Gotcha’’

114 John known as the ‘‘Father of the National Parks’’

115 More adorable

116 Fightin’ words

117 2012 Seth MacFarlane film with a 2015 sequel

118 Vocal nudge

119

DOWN

1 Unyielding

2 Feminist writer Jong

3 Westminster competitor

4 PopularperiodicalFrench

5 Article in a French periodical

6 Stolen goods

7 Like yarn and old film

8 Intermission follower, often

9 Party person, informally

10 Siddhartha Gautama by another name

11 Like Nero Wolfe

12 One getting out early

13 California’s ____ Tree National Park

14 Brown of the Food Network

15 Donation center

16 Paris-based carrier

17 Tiny prop

20 ‘‘Pleeease?’’

23 Impatient contraction

24 National birds of Germany, Egypt and Mexico

31 Stereotypical name for a female poodle

32 Grannies

33 Calculus calculation

34 It might end on a high note

36 Lent a hand

40 Sierra ____

41 TV monitor, in brief?

42 Glass of ‘‘This American Life’’

43 Praise for a diva

44 Tedious sort

45 Lettuce, in many a low-carb recipe

46 Big jazz combo

47 It smooths the way

48 Part of a goat or Africa

49 Weapon with a spring

51 Behind, in slang

55 Lee who wrote ‘‘Go

Set a Watchman’’

58 ‘‘Am I understood?’’

59 Grift

60 Assert

63 What gerunds are formed from

64 Not just bad

65 ‘‘99 Luftballons’’ singer

66 Three sheets to the wind

67 Gumbo vegetables

68 ‘‘Go, ____!’’

69 Continue

71 Modern lead-in to -ade

72 Coup group

73 Many a liberal21st-century

74 PT Cruisers, e.g.

76 Ohio site of the first Quaker Oats factory

77 NorCal hub

78 Grassy surface

81 Go with the wind, in a way

83 Where you hope to get a good deal

84 Spots to relax

87 ‘‘Fiddlesticks!’’

91 Clicks ‘‘I agree,’’ maybe

92 Where to let a sleeping dog lie

93 Do some taxing work online?

94 Start of many a T-shirt slogan

95 Most of it is found underwater

97 Home of the world’s busiest train station (3.5 million daily commuters)

98 Come to an end

99 RiverPakistanthrough

100 Manyvehiclesinterstate

102 No party person

103 Like noble gases

107 Blue: Sp.

108 ‘‘Am I oversharing?’’

110 Childish nuisance

111 Majorlegislationhealthof 2010, in brief

To check your answers, see Page 58.

sporting life

Chasing the NFL dream

By Michael Murray

Millions of sports fans will plop down in front of their TVs April 27 to 29 to take in the National Football League’s annual draft. One overarching idea will occupy their thoughts: After adding these players, will my team be better than last season?

A much smaller group of individuals — probably in the hundreds — will watch the spectacle with a more urgent set of questions: Is there a team out there that thinks I’m good enough? Do I have what it takes? Is this the day my dreams come true?

Over the course of the three-day draft, the NFL’s 32 teams will select more than 250 athletes to add to their rosters, moving them one step closer to the fortune and fame that comes with playing in the nation’s most popular sports league.

In most NFL drafts, players from schools like Northern Michigan University are an afterthought. While a handful of Division II athletes are picked every season, the most common route into the league for smallschool players is as undrafted free agents.

This year, however, one recent NMU Wildcat is attracting attention with his combination of size and athleticism — and his work with another Northern graduate might just lead to his name being called during ESPN’s draft telecast.

Small-town stigma

Dustin Brancheau knows what it’s like to be overlooked simply because of geography. Growing up in Republic in the southwestern corner of Marquette County, Brancheau was a highly decorated athlete for the Republic-Michigamme Hawks, starring on the basketball and track and field teams.

He also excelled in football, but because his school was too small to field a team of its own, he competed for Ishpeming High School, which had a cooperative arrangement with R-M. Every day during the season, Brancheau made the 50-mile round trip so he could practice with his team and

learn from Jeff Olson, the head coach who was building a dynasty with the Hematites.

Brancheau had dreams of playing both football and basketball at the collegiate level, so for his senior year, 2005-06, he transferred to Ishpeming. The move allowed him to prove himself against stiffer competition on the basketball court.

Despite earning All-Upper Peninsula honors in both sports — as well as five U.P. titles in track and field over his junior and senior years — Brancheau attracted less attention from college recruiters than someone with similar credentials at a larger school. Ultimately, he chose to attend NMU, which gave him a scholarship for football and preferred walk-on status in basketball.

When he got to Northern, Brancheau said he grasped the importance of the lessons Olson instilled in his Ishpeming teams, which eventually won three state championships.

“He’s always preaching about toughness, outworking people, a blue-collar mindset,” Brancheau said, “but he also emphasizes being smart about your craft. He was always

breaking down film and looking at ways to beat the opponent. And then when you get to the college level, every little bit helps.”

Brancheau ended up focusing on football at NMU, where he was a twoyear captain, the team’s most valuable receiver and an all-conference selection. Like most accomplished athletes in that situation, he wondered whether he was good enough to play at the next level.

In the spring after his senior season, Brancheau traveled to Grand Valley State to participate in an NFL pro day, an audition of sorts where players are tested in strength, speed and agility. Fans who watch the NFL draft combine are familiar with the drills: the 40-yard dash, bench press, vertical jump and broad jump, among others.

After his pro day experience, Brancheau performed well enough in private workouts to land on the roster of the United Football League’s Hartford Colonials, a team coached by another NMU alumnus, Jerry Glanville. Unfortunately for Brancheau, the team suspended operations a few weeks later and the league shut down the following year.

One NMU grad sets his sights on pro football, while another works to get him there

Dustin Brancheau, a decorated athlete from Republic-Michigamme, focused his talents on training professional and aspiring professional athletes at AdvantEdge Training in Marquette. (Photo by Tom Buchkoe)

If Brancheau was going to find a place in sports, he needed to forge a different path.

A familiar story

JakeWitt also knows what it’s like to battle the question marks attached to small-town athletes. He grew up in the junction town of Bruce Crossing in southeastern Ontonagon County and excelled on the basketball and eight-player football teams at Ewen-Trout Creek High School.

While Witt did attract notice as a 6-foot-7 all-state basketball player on his way to a scholarship at Michigan Tech, Brancheau said Witt’s size and athleticism should have led to offers from larger schools: “Here’s the thing about Jake. If he was anywhere but Ewen-Trout Creek, he would have been playing at someplace like Michigan.”

As a true freshman forward for the Huskies in 2018-19, Witt played in 26 of the team’s 27 games and averaged 6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds. It appeared that an outstanding collegiate basketball career lay before him, but he decided to make a change.

“I wasn’t happy playing basketball

anymore,” he said. “Originally, out of high school, it was the most familiar sport to me, so it was the natural choice to play basketball. But I realized after that year that I wanted to try things other than basketball.”

He transferred to NMU intending just to focus on academics and earn a degree in applied exercise science. He told himself he was content not playing sports. One day, however, he posted a photo on Instagram indicating that he was at the Superior Dome. One of the people who saw the post was Brancheau.

‘You have to be exceptional’

When his playing career ended, Brancheau, armed with a degree in physical education and coaching, established a foothold in the world of athletics. He joined Olson’s staff at Ishpeming and started training athletes at AdvantEdge Sports in Marquette.

“I fell in love with strength and conditioning and trying to help people get to the next level,” he said. “Whether it be hockey, football, baseball, it didn’t matter. It was just a cool thing to see people improve and reach

Ewen-Trout Creek grad Jake Witt has been training with Dustin Brancheau at AdvantEdge in Marquette for a pro day at CMU on March 15, with hopes of being selected in the April NFL draft. (Photo by Tom Buchkoe)

their goals.”

In 2013, Brancheau helped two of his former NMU teammates, Jace Daniels of Escanaba and Zach Anderson of Sault Ste. Marie, prepare for their pro day workouts. Daniels signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad, and Anderson participated in a rookie camp with the Cleveland Browns. They both eventually played in the Canadian Football League.

In the years since then, Brancheau, who now owns AdvantEdge, has trained about 40 players for NFL pro days as well as professional hockey players and Olympic gold-medal-winning snowboarder Nick Baumgartner of Iron River.

His professional relationship with Baumgartner began with a social-media post — just like Witt’s from the Superior Dome.

“Dustin saw my picture on Instagram,” Witt said, “and he replied to me and said, ‘Hey, come check out the gym.’” Brancheau was training a group for pro days in 2020 and wanted to use Witt as a test subject. What he saw impressed him immediately.

“Jake said he was done playing sports, that he just wanted to be a student,” Brancheau said. “But I told him, ‘You’re going to play in the NFL one day. You literally have a chance to make it to the NFL.’ He didn’t believe it, but look where we’re at three years later. … I obviously can’t predict the future. I don’t know if he’s going to play. But do I think he has a solid chance? Absolutely.”

Brancheau, who was the strength and conditioning coach for the football Wildcats, convinced Witt to join NMU’s team. He began as a tight end, but an injury to a teammate in a 2021 game forced him to move to right tackle. He performed well in that position for the rest of the season and moved to left tackle last fall.

Witt — along with Hayden Huttula

of MTU and Dallas Dixon of Central Michigan — worked with Brancheau to prepare for a pro day at CMU on March 15. Among all the players Brancheau has trained through the years, he said Witt has the best chance of being drafted.

Witt is raw in terms of technique, having played his position for just one season, but his athleticism is off the charts, especially for a player of his size (6-7 and 305 pounds).

“Coming from the Division II level, you can’t do the norm,” Brancheau said. “You have to be exceptional. And that’s one thing you’re going to see with Jake’s results. He’s going to be the best-tested offensive lineman not only in this year’s draft class but in the history of it.”

The numbers Witt posted during his pro day were truly exceptional. He ran the 40 in 4.89 seconds, faster than any offensive lineman who participated in this year’s scouting combine in Indianapolis. His broad jump of 10 feet 3 inches was better than any recorded in the history of the combine. And his vertical jump of 37 inches tied the all-time combine record for offensive linemen.

“Jake was mobbed by 20 scouts after his workout,” said NMU alumnus David Gregory, Witt’s agent. “We’ve been taking calls from multiple teams almost every day since the pro day.”

Brancheau said, “This is obviously no disrespect to Northern, Tech or even Central, but these are under-the-radar guys we’re working with. They’re blue-collar guys who know they have to work their tail off to get to the next level. But I love to see something in somebody that they don’t see yet — and then help them get there.”

Michael Murray started writing about U.P. athletes and teams in the mid1990s as a student at NMU.

Brancheau encouraged Jake Witt to take his athletic talents to the next level — the NFL — after playing for NMU. (Photo by Tom Buchkoe)

Ishpeming celebrates milestone, history

By Erin Elliott Bryan

On April 10, Ishpeming will mark the 150th anniversary of its incorporation as a city. The approval of its city charter by the Michigan legislature in 1873 granted official city status and provided the framework for the city government, establishing the common council and a separately elected mayor.

The new city was led by the mayor, Capt. F.P. Mills, Recorder W.F. Swift and Marshal John Mills. At the time, it had a population of 6,800, slightly more than its present population.

Though Paleo Indians had lived in the area as far back as 8,000 years ago, it was the discovery of iron ore and other resources in the mid-1800s that saw an influx of immigrants to the region and a small village began to flourish.

“You can’t celebrate this town’s 150th without acknowledging the mines,” said Karen Kasper, vice president of the Ishpeming Historical Society. “If there were no iron mines, there would be no Ishpeming.”

And while mining is a significant part of the city’s history, it’s only a slice of what makes Ishpeming unique.

“Ishpeming is rich in history,” said

City Manager Craig Cugini. “There are a lot of things people don’t know.”

Cugini listed several things that distinguish Ishpeming from all other places, including its designation as the birthplace of organized skiing and site of the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame as well as the oldest operational ski jump in the United States (what used to be known as Suicide Hill), location of the “world’s largest gemstone” (Jasper Knob), the home of author and Michigan State Supreme Court Justice John Voelker, the filming locale of Voelker’s Anatomy of a Murder (written under the pen name Robert Traver), and where the Acme Packers (predecessor to the Green Bay Packers) played a semi-professional football game against the Ishpeming-Negaunee Twin City 11 team in 1919 (the Packers won, 33-0).

In addition to Voelker, some other notable people called Ishpeming home for a while, including Nobel Prize-winning chemist Dr. Glenn T. Seaborg and aviation engineer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson, who designed the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird. Those three men are featured on the “Sons of Ishpeming” monument at Ishpeming Heritage Plaza, located on Hematite Drive.

The City of Ishpeming will mark it’s 150th anniversary of incorporation, honoring both its past and its future. (Photo courtesy of Superior View)

Main Street in Ishpeming in 1915. (Photo courtesy of Superior View)

Additionally, Chuck Fairbanks, an NCAA Division I and NFL head football coach, and Tom Izzo, the current head coach of Michigan State University’s men’s basketball team, both coached at Ishpeming High School.

“We have 150 years of making that history,” Cugini said. “Why not share and tell that story?”

To commemorate the city’s official birth date, the Ishpeming Historical Society and the Greater Ishpeming-Negaunee Area Chamber of Commerce will host a Business After Hours event on Monday, April 10 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Historical Society’s museum inside the Gossard Building. The public is invited to attend; chamber membership is not required. There will be food, beverages and a special cake to celebrate.

Commemoration activities will continue throughout the year, including a screening of Anatomy of a Murder on June 29 at W.C. Peterson Auditorium and the 128th Annual U.P. Volunteer Firefighter’s Tournament July 28-30 in Negaunee, which was incorporated one day after Ishpeming, on April 11, 1873.

Ishpeming’s first fire chief, Henry Routhier, served as the first president of the Upper Peninsula Firefighters Association, and the Ishpeming Fire

Department won the first tournament. Because it is also marking its 150th year, the Ishpeming Fire Department will host an open house on July 24.

“History is all around us and we can use it to create a better understanding of our community and a better appreciation,” said David Aeh, president

of the Ishpeming Historical Society. “It’s the meaning of what we do.” Indeed, the community is using its history to inform how it moves

The Ishpeming Fire Department is marking its 150th anniversary this year. (Photo courtesy of Superior View)

through the next 150 years. One of the big projects this year will be the grand opening of a new rustic campground called Brasswire Campground that will take place around Memorial Day. The campground is located off Malton Road, just north of County Road, and will include 50 campsites, bathrooms, water and easy access to RAMBA biking trails.

The location is a reclamation of sorts of property that was once known as Union Park, which was used from about the 1890s through the mid1930s. Union Park was serviced by the city streetcar and was the site of popular horse and bicycle races, a smaller ski jump known as Jackson Hill, traveling circuses (both Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circuses performed there before they merged), the Packers game and Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show.

The Ishpeming Historical Society will partner with the city to launch an upcoming Patronicity campaign to secure funding for historical signage at the site.

“By taking an area that was a dying forest and turning it into a healthy location and tying it into our parks and recreation, it gives other opportunities to make us a destination in the west end of Marquette County, it’s just a great resource of all things outdoors for Ishpeming,” Cugini told WLUCTV6 about the project last fall.

Cugini said outdoor recreation and tourism is where the city believes it can achieve growth. He already sees what are known as “climate refugees” moving into the area as well as outdoor enthusiasts who can now work remotely from anywhere.

“Outdoor recreation has always been part of the U.P. and there is a large network in protected areas,” he said, specifically citing Ishpeming’s Al Quaal Recreation Area. “If we make [those areas] better, people will

want to come.”

Important improvements have also been made to Ishpeming’s downtown, which was added to the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places in 2021. A press release from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation announcing the designation noted that it recognizes places “deemed worthy of preservation for their historic significance.” (Negaunee’s downtown district also received the designation at the same time.)

The Ishpeming Main Street Historic District contains 28 buildings, most of which are located on both sides of Main, from Front to Division streets, although it also includes a few adjacent buildings on Front and Division. This designation allows owners to receive state tax credits for certain improvements they make to the building, such as a new roof or facade restoration, as long as they follow particular guidelines.

Many of the buildings are notable because they are constructed of Lake Superior red sandstone, which was quarried locally, and five of the buildings were constructed before 1884 during a time when the downtown area was rebuilding after a devastating fire in 1874.

Separately, Ishpeming’s Gossard building and the Mather Inn are also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Kasper — who Aeh fondly refers to as the “pitbull of research” — conducted deed research for the project, as well as for the Ishpeming Historical Society’s popular Main Street and historic home tours.

“I think it is important to recognize that we have some very nice, historic buildings in downtown Ishpeming,” Kasper said. “When I did my historic Main Street tour, I would talk about the buildings from across the street, so

The view from Jasper Knob, which is commonly known as the “World’s Largest Gemstone.” (Photo courtesy Superior View)

people would have a chance to look up at the buildings. Not many people look above street level, and it is a shame, because they miss some beautiful parts of the buildings.”

Aeh owns one of those historic buildings and has been the proprietor of Main Street Antique Mall for 20 years. He also lives in a historic home that was once owned by George Newett, editor of the Iron Ore newspaper. A native of Ohio, Aeh moved to Marquette County from Chicago 28 years ago.

“I’m a convert to the Ishpeming religion,” Aeh joked.

Similarly, Cugini came to Ishpeming from Fort Greely, Alaska, after a career with the federal government. A native of St. Clair Shores, near Detroit, Cugini is a graduate of Northern Michigan University and was looking for an opportunity to return to the Upper Peninsula. He has close friends in Ishpeming and now his mother and brother also live in town.

For him, it’s the people that make Ishpeming special.

“Almost everyone would agree that it’s the people. They’re friendly and they’re proud of their history,” he said. “You get drawn in, and when you’re here, it’s hard to get away. Before you know it, you’re becoming pseudo-Scandinavian. It’s a welcoming environment.”

While both Kasper and Aeh acknowledge some blight around the city and a problem with drugs that has permeated many small towns around the country, Aeh said he noticed a “little turnaround” about six or seven years ago with improved city infrastructure, investments from the state, and new businesses moving into downtown that “added a lot of life.”

There are also community events,

such as the summer concert series in front of the Old Ish statue and the annual Fourth of July celebration, which will now take place on the first Saturday of July. There are also more affordable housing options.

“Young people move in because of the vibe it offers,” Aeh said. “I think our worst days are behind us. Things are being done specifically to uplift Ishpeming. I really feel like a lot of good things are happening, though there is still more work to be done.”

Kasper has deep roots in town as her paternal great-grandfather came to Ishpeming in 1872 to work in the mines. Up until it was sold a couple of years ago, her family had resided on the same piece of land since her great-grandfather’s brother purchased it in 1874 from Robert Nelson, who owned Ishpeming’s first downtown business, Nelson’s store.

Kasper lived away from Ishpeming for some three decades before returning to help her mother after her father died from brain cancer. She decided to stay and became involved in the Ishpeming Historical Society in 2011. She is one of many volunteers who work to preserve and share the story of Ishpeming for generations to come.

“I think the fact that Ishpeming has lasted for over 150 years is reason enough to celebrate, but more importantly, the anniversary shines a light on the history of Ishpeming,” Kasper said. “I spent almost 30 years away from Ishpeming, but when I finally came back, I realized that I did not want to live anywhere else.”

Erin Elliott Bryan grew up in Ishpeming, and was the MM calendar editor from 2001 to 2005. She is now a freelance writer.

The oldest known photograph of Ishpeming, taken in 1860, offers a view of many structures that no longer exist. (Photo courtesy of Superior View)

Negaunee artist uses brushing technique to create vibrant ceramic art

The Painter Potter

By Alex Lehto-Clark

It’s a cold Tuesday afternoon in February, one of those days when the sun has decided to show off. There’s a little studio on a small street in Historic Downtown Negaunee, where colorful mugs, bowls and various artistic endeavors are perched in the window, capturing the light. “By Appointment Only,” the sign on the door reads.

“It used to be a lawyer’s office, but I took the walls down and it has all that I need for my studio,” Miles Stearn said.

He chose the space specifically for the light, and it shows on this bright day. Light works well with Stearn’s work. His ceramic style is distinct: terracotta mugs, vases and other vessels with colorful translucent glaze dripping and layering organically over other colors, coupled beautifully with bright red and white dots and scored designs. A painter’s touch on a 3D medium. For more than two decades, Stearn has worked to perfect this process, or at least get as close to perfection as is possible in the unpredictable medium.

“A lot of people don’t use a lot of color,” Stearn said. “Clay comes from the Earth and ceramicists use a lot of oxides and different stains from minerals that come from the Earth. I like to add a little flair and color to my pieces.”

Ceramics was not Stearn’s first love. During his initial college years, he focused on painting.

“I was really into color theory and really into color,” Stearn said. “So I feel like that’s kind of developed into my pottery.”

Stearn switched from painting to ceramics after taking a beginner ceramics class.

“I started in 2001; I was going to Eastern Michigan at the time,” Stearn said. “Most people took pottery class as a prerequisite, but the professor saw me and this other guy really got into it. So the two of us, she kind of took us under her wing. And she saw that we were really interested.

“And then my professor at Eastern got me a job at Pewabic. I didn’t know this at the time, but there’s a U.P. connection there — the owner, the lady who started Pewabic, she was from

Hancock.”

The pottery studio, located in Detroit, is one of the oldest continuing studios in the country, and Stearn was able to learn how to produce on a larger level while working with other artists.

Stearn works primarily in terra cotta, a red-colored clay that he later brushes with “slip,” a white clay dust suspended in water that has what Stearn calls a yogurt-like consistency.

“I like to throw things, mostly,” Stearn said, referring to the act of building a clay creation on a wheel.

Here’s how it works: Stearn centers the clay in the middle of the wheel, and then, while controlling speed with a foot pedal, uses his hands and gravity to shape the clay into a vessel. It takes control, patience and an understanding that things will go wrong.

Stearn said that once an artist gains confidence, throwing becomes a med-

itative place where curiosity and process take over. Playfulness and creative thinking is necessary, and that includes using every-day things to create a new effect.

“You can use all kinds of fun tools,” Stearn said.

Though there are specific tools designed to shape and smooth on the wheel, Stearn said that he has experimented with various instruments over the years, including kitchen products and leather pieces. One of his favorites is fishing line, which creates a neat, clean edge on the top of a mug, bowl or other vessel.

Stearn emphasized that there’s only one way to build throwing skills: practice, practice, practice. It’s one of the most important lessons he learned in college.

“When I was working at Eastern, my professor saw me trying to work on the wheel, and she said ‘I want you

Miles Stearn now has a pottery studio in Downtown Negaunee; however, ceramics was not his first love. (Photo courtesy of Danielle Pemble)

to make 50 mugs.’ And at the end of the day, I had made one or two really bad ones. But by the end of the semester, I had that 50.”

The vessels dry a bit before Stearn carves them for added texture. He also ensures there’s a little touch of Negaunee history on many of his mugs.

“I like these iron-ore pellets,” he said, holding up a tiny, rounded piece.

He collects them by the train tracks near his studio, and pushes the pellet into the top of the handle.

In the next step, Stearn adds the slip.

“The slip gives them depth and texture,” Stearn explained.

Next, Stearn adds raised red dots, one of his signature designs. The vessels go into his back studio kiln for the first time for a “bisque firing.”

“So the red stays on and everything’s pretty hard,” he said. “It’s ceramic now, but it’s still really porous.”

That’s when the glazing starts and the vessels take on their distinct Miles Stearn look.

“I just layer it on, one by one,” he said. “I pour the insides and pour it out. So everything gets brushed on, and they’re layered.”

This layering effect is how Stearn achieves running, a hallmark of his style. Stearn said he has an idea about what the end product is going to look like, but there are many variables.

“Sometimes the dripping goes a lit-

tle too much, and I have to finish it off when it comes out,” Stearn explained.

The vessels go back into the kiln; 2050 degrees and several hours later, Stearn finally gets to see the end product, and the vessel is ready to become a part of someone’s collection.

In addition to selling the wares in various studio locations over the years, Stearn took to the summer art fair circuit, and that’s how he began to fall in love with the Upper Peninsula.

“I’d do 20 or 22 shows a year,” he said. He became a regular at Marquette’s Art on the Rocks.

Eventually, Stearn met some area artists who influenced his move to the Upper Peninsula. Marquette area potter Ryan Dalman was one of those artists, and the two have remained close.

“The first time he came and stayed by me was 2006,” Dalman said. “We’ve known each other for around 20 years. He’s been a great friend.” Dalman appreciates Stearn’s work for its use of color. “His utilization of glazing — it’s a very intense process — it’s so long and so methodical,” Dalman said.

Both artists have watched each other grow over the years.

“Our two worlds couldn’t be more different as far as how we work and where we work,” Dalman said.

While Dalman challenges his skill set by creating pottery within technological limitations (he said he could go completely off the grid and use

Stearn’s use of color sets his pieces apart; he uses modern practices and theory to create a vibrant look. (Photo courtesy of Danielle Pemble)

zero fossil fuels and still make work if he wanted to), Stearn harnesses modern ceramic practices and theory.

Stearn occasionally goes out to “make” in Dalman’s studio. Both Stearn and Dalman said that this switch teaches them new ways to create.

“I think those limitations help him understand what little you need to actually make,” Dalman said. “For me, his way of doing it showed me that I did need to come into the modern world a little bit.”

The biggest growth in Stearns’ work, Dalman said, is also what makes it stand out in the ceramic world.

“He’s just taken that glazing process much, much further over the years that I’ve known him,” Dalman said. “He was using two or three layers of glaze in the same way. Now he’s using many layers of glaze, and being able to control that from a technical aspect is really impressive.”

Initially, when Stearn moved to the Upper Peninsula, he wanted a spot in Marquette, but the space limitations and pricing made it difficult to find a place that suited him.

“I didn’t want to work in a basement,” he said.

Friends encouraged him to look outside of Marquette, to a little town with a big history and lots of space for growth.

“Someone said, ‘You should really check out Negaunee,’” he said. “And I love it here. It’s becoming quite the destination.”

Stearn lives above his studio, which he enjoys because he can run downstairs and create when he wants, without ever leaving his home. He made the move in 2019, right before the COVID-19 pandemic. Stearn said he was able to pivot to online sales, and the change made him realize that he wanted to stay closer to home in the summers. He still does a few art fairs, but mostly splits his time between his Negaunee studio and The Potter’s Daughter, a little shop in Copper Harbor.

Stearn said anyone who is interested in his work can check out his website, www.glazedimpressions.com, or stop by his studio, Glazed Impressions, on Division Street in Downtown Negaunee.

Stearn said the studio does not have set hours, so look for the open sign outside.

Alex Lehto-Clark is a poet and essayist who lives in Ishpeming, Michigan. He has called Upper Peninsula home for twelve years and graduated from Northern Michigan University with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English.

Raised red dots are one of Miles Stearn’s signature designs, featured in creative ways on many of his pieces. (Photo courtesy of Danielle Pemble)

Eating local with a seasonal flair

By Katherine Larson

In Anishinaabemowin, April is the month for Iskigamizige-giizis, the “maple sap boiling moon.”

Not spring greens moon, not any sort of gardening or harvesting moon — no, it’s way too early for that up here.

Next month, in May, we’ll be able to look for radishes, rhubarb, ramps, spinach, maybe even asparagus. But for now, the main local food source, the one that in pre-colonization times fended off starvation until May finally arrived, is maple syrup.

Maple syrup is wonderful, but it’s hard to build a whole menu from. So what can a person do if one is determined to eat local in the Upper Peninsula?

Alex Palzewicz, chef/owner of the Northern Test Kitchen within Barrel + Beam Brewery has some ideas. Palzewicz’s passion is local eating, and she is determined to make it work year-round.

“I call it dynamic marketing,” she said. Her menu is very much shaped by what is available, with plentiful additions from what she stored in more bountiful seasons.

So now, for example, she has access to lots of local maple syrup, plus local beef and Michigan-grown beans: “I really like the black beans in particular.”

Storage crops include potatoes, onions, beets, carrots, cabbage, and garlic, but even they grow thin by April; it was back in January that she bought the last of a local farmer’s storage beets.

She tries to offer vegetarian and vegan options, but adds that, in the U.P., following seasonality means that in April she has to have a higher proportion of meat on her menu.

Whatever the food, “it really helps to have mul-

Alex Palzewicz’s bánh mi, at left, and bao reflect her experience as chef at a French-Vietnamese restaurant in Seattle. Here in the U.P. both feature local ingredients, the bánh mi with local carrots, sausage and paté, and the bao, usually made with a soft yeasted wheat dough, with local flour plus local ingredients for the savory filling. (Photo by Katherine Larson)

tiple sources so, for example, if one farmer’s hens aren’t laying well there are options. I have two mushroom guys, two pork guys and so on.” Where do these sources come from?

Palzewicz worked for some time as local food coordinator throughout the U.P. for Taste the Local Difference magazine, and in that capacity, she got to know many of the U.P.’s farmers.

The U.P. Food Exchange, now about a decade old, has been even more important. Palzewicz served on its food council.

“I’m a volunteer still, working on food policy,” she said.

The U.P. Food Exchange provides an online ordering hub for U.P. farmers and U.P. institutional food buyers — restaurants, grocery stores, schools, nursing homes, all sorts of institutions that need food in quantity — with deliveries made and picked up through the Marquette Food Co-op. “It’s very convenient,” Palzewicz said. “I just go to the co-op and fill up my truck.”

Still more important to her deep relationship with U.P. farmers was her stint as catering manager for Rock River Farms.

“That was hugely beneficial for developing connections for sourcing and building relationships,” she said. “But it also gave me an intimate understanding of our growing season and what we can realistically do up here.”

What we can realistically do up here is a lot. Put together ham ends and pork bones, potatoes, maple syrup: “That’s a great soup.” Boil some local eggs and quick-pickle them overnight in apple cider vinegar, maple syrup, peppercorns, clove of garlic: “They’re perfect with beer.” Shred kohlrabi and carrots and toss them with sesame oil, lime juice and maple syrup: “That’s a great salad.”

Palzewicz makes her own crackers from Barrel + Beam’s spent barley and uses local flour from Liberty Farms to make the dough for bao buns.

For bánh mi, she compromises, buying the rolls but using the middle (which has to be removed to construct the sandwich) for bread pudding along with all-local maple syrup, milk, eggs and perhaps some pumpkin purée or applesauce put up last fall, topped with DeBacker Family Dairy’s whipped cream.

Both the bao and the bánh mi hearken back to Palzewicz’s stint as a chef in a French-Vietnamese restaurant in Seattle. Bao are Asian buns, usually made with a soft yeasted wheat dough, filled with a savory mixture — in her case, ground pork and green onions — and steamed; she serves them with a cilantro-lime sauce. Bánh mi represent culinary fusion from the

long connection between France and Vietnam; they are typically made by filling a hollowed-out French roll with a combination of French- and Asianstyle ingredients.

Palzewicz creates hers using Case Country Farm’s sausage, whitefish paté from Menominee and a fresh pickle combining downstate daikon with local carrots.

Serving local is not always cheap, so she is careful.

“I work at getting as much as I can out of every ingredient,” she said. “Every scrap of onion that isn’t eaten goes into the stock pot. When I need to peel carrots, I put the peel in that stock pot; I use the peeler to make very thin slices for spring rolls; and I cut the middle into carrot sticks for dip or dice it up into soup.”

Palzewicz also asks farmers what they are having a hard time selling or what they have in over-abundant quantities and “I try to work with

that.” That is how she came to focus on Case Country Farms’ ham ends and Guindon Farms’ short ribs.

“Last fall, Little Parsley Farms had a great apple year, and we’re still enjoying them,” she said.

Serving local also means accepting limitations.

“Chicken is hard. I know only one source I can purchase from,” she said. “They have to be processed, and there is only one USDA-certified processor in the U.P., which focuses on larger animals.”

But she was able to procure bison from Open Rock Valley Ranch, and was thrilled to buy a lamb at the U.P. State Fair.

Then there’s storage. Palzewicz got the permit for Northwoods Test Kitchen late last August, and immediately put up frozen puréed fresh local peppers, puréed fresh local squash, puréed fresh local tomatoes to last through April. Come summer, she plans to put

Alex Palzewicz shows off some quick-pickled eggs, beet & black bean dip and carrot-daikon. (Photo by Katherine Larson)

up vegetables all summer long; she has also purchased a dehydrator and is planning two garden beds full of peppers, cherry tomatoes and herbs. Looking ahead, she is working with the Marquette County Conservation District, planting grapes, elderberries, plums and even apricots for future harvests.

It can be hard to source locally, but for Palzewicz, it is emphatically worth it. “I always say that you don’t eat a recipe,” she said. “Go see what’s seasonally available, buy that, then do what you can with it. Be flexible, and get to know your local food commu-

nity.”

It’s personal for her.

“This is the system I want to support,” Palzewicz said. “These are the people who will feed us if something bad happens. And the more local the food, the higher the quality and the better the taste.”

Katherine Larson is grateful to be living, cooking, and eating in Marquette, within the ancestral homelands of the Anishinaabe Three Fires Confederacy; Gichi-namebini Ziibing is the traditional name of the Marquette area.

By April, the freezer, with magnets above, is not as full as it used to be, and awaits the next season for refilling. (Photo by Katherine Larson)

U.P. native not down for the count Pro wrestling comes to Marquette for big event

By Brad Gischia

Ladies and Gentlemen, prepare to be astounded as Upper Peninsula native Peter Sischo brings a one-of-a-kind show to Marquette. You’ll see heroes and villains clash in the ring on the 22nd of April, 2023 with the first ever appearance of UPW Pro Wrestling at the Lakeview Arena.

Whether it’s as Peter or his wrestling alter-ego Peter B. Beautiful, Sischo has spent the last 25 years working in and around the wrestling ring.

Sischo began his wrestling career in the Escanaba area in the late ’90s. Along with two friends, Rick McCarty and Brett Webber, Sischo trained to be a pro wrestler.

“We did one or two shows in Detroit and Elkhart, Indiana,” Sischo said, “and we decided that we wanted to run an event by ourselves in Escanaba.”

At the time, Sischo was working as a bouncer at the Delft Nightclub, now closed, in Escanaba. He talked to the owners. “They were cool with it,” he said.

In February of 1999, Peter B. Beautiful wrestled former WWE superstar and Skandia native Bastion Booger (Mike Shaw) at the Delft nightclub, in which he defeated Booger by disqualification.

“We ran a couple of shows in 1999 and then went on hiatus,” Sischo said. “A short time later a promoter from Freedom Productions contacted us and told us he wanted to bring UPW

back.”

That influx of interest made it possible for Sischo to bring big name talent to the U.P.

“We got X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws, and Sabu and Rhino from the ECW,” he said. Those shows

would bring in 300 to 400 people, although the size of the crown doesn’t matter.

“We always put on a good, hard-hitting independent wrestling show,” Sischo said. “UPW is Upper Michigan’s best kept secret in entertainment.”

The Delft Nightclub closed and Sischo and company moved their show to Gladstone.

“We had our own building that we called the UPW theater,” Sischo said. The building had once been the Rialto Theater. “After a while we started to see a drop in attendance. Maybe it was too small a geographic area, maybe people were getting burnt out.”

The UPW went on extended break until just before the COVID-19 pandemic, when they put on a show in Norway. “We got shut down right after that,” Sischo said.

When the world opened back up, Sischo decided it was time for wrestling to return.

“We’ve gone to the Iron Mountain Rec Center, now The Maxx Entertainment Center,” he said. “We do five or six shows a year in Iron Mountain.”

The Maxx is happy to have them in the southern U.P.

“We’ve been hosting them for quite awhile now,” said Dave Fraser, owner/operator of the Maxx. “The events got so big that the city said we didn’t have enough parking, so we moved to a new location.” That location, 2202 Aragorn Street in Iron Mountain, has a larger capacity as well. “We can fit 300 people in here, so the events have grown under that, but I think our lowest attended wrestling event still had 150 to 200 people. Wrestling has been tied to our biggest events,” Fraser said.

The upcoming UPW event in Marquette is a big deal for the group.

Sampson DeVille grew up with pro wrestling; his father trained with Mike Shaw (Bastion Booger) in the mid-’90s. A battle royale in honor Shaw will take place during the Marquette event. (Photo courtesy of Bill Baker)

“This is the biggest undertaking we’ve ever done,” Sischo said. “Marquette Mania will bring some of the biggest pro wrestling talent ever to come to the U.P.”

The list of scheduled wrestlers includes EC3, Big Con, Alan Angles, Mad Man Soltan, Eugene, Tatanka, Silus Young and Rick and Scott, the Stiener Brothers. The event is set to raise money for Bay Cliff Health Camp and the Marquette Youth Football League.

If the big names aren’t enough to draw fans in, maybe supporting local boys Sampson and Malachi DeVille will do it.

Sampson comes to wrestling very naturally.

“I grew up in the golden era of professional wrestling,” he said. “From Hulk Hogan and Macho Man to the Rock and Stone Cold Steve Austin, I was into it from a young age. If you had asked me what I wanted to be when I was five, I would have said ‘a professional wrestler.’”

Sampson’s father trained with Mike Shaw, the aforementioned Bastion Booger, in the mid-’90s and wrestled one match as “the Yooper.” He told his son that to be a pro, first you had to be an amateur.

Sampson continued to follow the sport on television as he moved through school, wrestling his way to two back-to-back championships in Las Vegas. He played football at NMU in college, then moved to Indianapolis to pursue a career in mixed martial arts.

“I moved back to the U.P. in 2012 and got a message from Peter asking me if I was ‘the Yooper,’” Sampson said. “He had been at my dad’s show and got something signed by him.”

The two kept in touch. He kept his dreams of wrestling alive and went to a wrestling school in Green Bay, but tore his pectoral muscle and was out for surgery and nine months of rehab.

When he returned, Sischo invited him to a show and Sampson began to build his character, wrestling in Battle Royales before moving on to one-onone matches.

“The thing that surprised me most was how comfortable I felt in the ring for how green I was,” Sampson said.

Sischo has spent the last 25 years making connections in the wrestling business, learning to write and choreograph matches, and learning to produce high-quality shows.

“They’re a lot of work, but worth it,” he said.

He says that finding talent isn’t hard at all.

“We have maybe 20 or 30 guys that we book on a regular basis, but there are literally thousands of wrestlers that I can get in touch with if I need to,” he said. “If I don’t know them personally; there’s a chance that I know someone who does, and as a last resort social media is a miracle.”

There is a mix of full and part time wrestlers working.

“There’s not a ton of money on the independent wrestling circuit,” Sischo said. “Some guys have to supplement by holding a ‘real job’ as well.”

Peter B. Beautiful gets thrown through a table during a recent UPW match. (Photo courtesy of Bill Baker)

Wrestling for a living is not easy. At 44, Sischo is still looking forward to wrestling in Marquette.

“My body has been broken up over the years, but I’m looking forward to wrestling in Marquette,” he said. “My family is originally from the Trenary and Skandia area.”

The UPW, originally Ultimate Pro Wrestling, now rebranded as UPW Pro Wrestling, puts on events around the Upper Peninsula. They’ve had shows in Iron Mountain, Skandia, Norway and in Aurora, Wis. Sischo himself has wrestled all around the world, including a trip to Japan. “That was a long walk,” he joked.

“Injuries happen,” Sischo said. “This is a combat sport.” But he en-

sures that all equipment is up to date, including a new ring and guard rails.

“It’s more about keeping the fans safe,” he said. “Every wrestler is a trained professional, most of whom have been doing it for years. Normally they don’t get hurt.”

With safe fans, they can concentrate on enjoying the spectacle.

“We run a great show,” Sampson said. “It’s very entertaining. I really feel like it’s an unknown gem that the U.P. has to offer. It’s high production value stuff.”

To contact the UPW go to their Facebook page www.facebook.com/ upwprowrestling or UPW on Instagram. Tickets for the Marquette Mania event can be purchased through

NMU’s online ticketing outlet at nmu. universitytickets.com.

“It’s like a circus,” Sischo said. “We have a little bit for everyone. If you don’t like the guy getting shot out of the cannon per se, the clowns are coming out next. There’s always something for people to enjoy — comedy, action, drama and violence.”

Crowd interaction fuels the event.

“The crowd is always awesome,” Fraser said. “I was never a wrestling fan, never stopped when I was flipping between channels, but when you see it live, it’s a whole different experience.”

After the Marquette Mania event the UPW will be hosted again at the

Maxx Entertainment Complex on May 20. “We do presale tickets and the first two rows sell out almost right away,” Fraser said.

A big crowd is hoped for and helps to create the atmosphere for a good show.

“You feel the energy of the crowd,” Sampson said. “It’s all about the crowd. The more they’re into it, the more you feel it in the ring.”

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.

Wrestlers feed off the energy of the hometown crowd during the UPW Pro Wrestling events. (Photo courtesy of Bill Baker)

Alex Van Zant gets choke-slammed by Sampson in a recent UPW event; the next one will be held on April 22 at Lakeview Arena in Marquette. (Photo courtesy of Kimm Buchmann)

the arts

Being Excellent

By Brad Gischia

As high school students enter the last two years of schooling, there exists heavy pressure on the big questions, such as “what are you going to do next?” Often the focus is higher education with extra work during their senior year going towards writing college and scholarship applications while keeping their grades up and leaning heavily on math and the sciences.

“There are advanced or extracurricular things for most things outside of school,” said Jacob Fether, art teacher at Marquette Senior High School. “Especially the visual arts, which tend to be a solitary thing; this takes care of those extracurricular options.”

This was the birth of the Artists in Excellence program, an effort to bring high school art students into

contact with working artists in the area. Through these connections, they can learn what it’s like to work as an Upper Peninsula artist and how these creatives can thrive while staying in the U.P.

Fether has been on board with the Artists in Excellence program since the beginning, along with Kimberly Shefchik and Alex Trotter, from the Negaunee and Ishpeming art programs.

“The biggest thing for me is that the arts need to be seen to be as important as the other academics in schools and in other sectors of our economy,” said Tiina Morin, director of the Arts and Culture office in Marquette.

Morin said she based the structure of AIE on the Lake Superior Community Partnership.

“I’ve been doing art tours with that

Beverly Matherne hosted Artists in Excellence students in her home for Christmas tea and reading from her new book of poetry. Students learned collaborations across disciplines. (Photo courtesy of Tiina Morin)

group for years,” she said. “It takes a professional in the community and exposes them to all of the different arts, health, education, industry, and it encourages them to become leaders in their community. What if we did that with art students?”

The program is part of the city’s Arts and Culture Master Plan, in its ninth of 10 years, and part of that plan focused on working with public schools to create an arts program that connected art students with actual working artists in the area as well as showing those students paths forward in which they could use their artistic talents.

In 2022, after the high school art show in Marquette, local teachers were asking about collaborative support of current students and how to provide them with artistic opportunities. Morin worked with local high school art teachers from Marquette, Negaunee and Ishpeming. They in turn told students that were enrolled in art classes in their junior or senior years about the Artists in Excellence program that was just starting up.

“I’ve never submitted a program plan before where people were offering to fund it before hearing what it was about,” Morin said. Upper Peninsula Health Plan offered immediately, and their funds were matched by the Marquette Community Foundation through a youth development fund.

“Each time we reached out to artists or businesses, asked them if we could bring 15 art students by to talk to them, everyone always said yes,” Morin said. “Everyone sees the value in this program.”

They’re also invigorating the people in charge of the program.

“I get a lot of enjoyment out of seeing the kids connect,” Fether said.

Morin echoed that statement. “I don’t mind using my weekends up with this kind of program. It’s inspiring to see the kids working together to make our community more beautiful.”

A total of 15 students enrolled, and soon the Artists in Excellence program was moving them through the local art community.

“We wanted these students to be at the top of their classes and to see the types of careers available to them, to show them that their imagination, their original thinking matters,” Morin said.

The students get together three times a month, two weekend meetups and one during an evening weekday. “We basically have field trips to expose them to careers in creative fields,” Morin said.

Thus far the group has checked out the SmartZone in Marquette, where they saw a 3D printing demonstration by Ben Van Den Broekd, president of Artlab.

The Innovate Marquette Smartzone

Artists in Excellence students met with artist Diana Magnuson, in the back row, at Strega Nona, the new Italian restaurant in Negaunee, to talk about the mural she painted. They also got to meet food artist Rachel Grossman, at front, the business owner. (Photo courtesy of Tiina Morin)

is funded by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and is one of about 20 such smartzones in the state.

“It’s open to anyone with an idea, product, or venture in high tech and provides expertise, networking and resources to help these individuals get up and running,” said Dave Kronberg, director of Invent and service and outreach for the Smartzone. “Because of our focus on high tech ventures and entrepreneurship we don’t often interact with kids of high school age. Their visit taught me that we probably should. All of the kids we spoke to had creative abilities but most didn’t characterize themselves as art students. They were musicians, digital artists and writers.”

The experiences the student artists have had are varied. They had a Christmas party with poet and NMU Professor Beverly Matherne.

“She writes poetry inspired by art, which is called ekphrastic poetry,” Morin said. “It was a way for the students to see how literary art and visual art can come together.”

That holiday party was also a time when the students were able to exchange gifts. They blind-drew names and created art for each other.

“Seeing what everyone made for each other was really neat,” Fether said.

The group has spoken with local muralist Hannah Milke, who has since become a mentor to the program. They’ve visited with studio artists and poets.

“They get to see how art impacts their community, and how that changes their perspective about their community,” Morin said.

Marquette native Diana Magnuson met the students at Strega Nona, the new Italian restaurant in Negaunee, and spoke to them about the mural she did there. As a bonus, the kids had a chance to talk with Rachel Grossman, owner of Strega.

“She’s a food artist,” Morin said. “She talked about her inspiration, the colors in her place, how arts play a huge role in the environment of her business and how that contributes to the ambiance.”

As students have worked through the program Morin has seen changes in them.

“None of the students knew each other,” she said. “They all sort of sat in their little pods based on where they were from, but now it’s become relationship-building, and it’s cool to see them form those friendships.”

Friendships aren’t the only things the students are forming. They are actually helping to develop the program.

“This is the first year for the Artists in Excellence Program, so part of that is developing it as we go,” Morin said. “We asked the students what they wanted to do.”

The students asked to get information about animation, high tech art, graphic design and expressed interest in just meeting other kids with similar interests. They designed the program logo in black and white with the idea that later students could add color.

Artists in Excellence participant Jayden Raymond of Marquette shows off some of her artwork. (Photo courtesy of Tiina Morin)

“They all agreed that they wanted to do a mural,” Morin said.

It was decided amongst the group that they would approach Birchview Elementary in Ishpeming. They came up with a design and presented it to the principal and school board.

These kinds of projects can help the students realize they can stay in the community once they graduate.

“It’s hard to make a living here as a creative person,” Morin said. “People want to stay for the quality of life, and with the internet and online sales that can be possible.”

While only a handful of the kids in the program want to study art formally after high school, the importance of investing in their artistic endeavors is only beginning.

“They all want to create,” Morin said. “They’re going to add their artistic vision to any of their fields of choice, they’ll approach it from a different perspective with out-of-the-box, imaginative thinking. This skill will add to every part of their life.”

As students learn those skills they’re also learning what it’s like to be part of a group all working towards similar goals.

“It gives them their own community,” Fether said. “They take ownership of the group and explore the art potential of the community as a group, they build confidence in themselves.”

And to the life of the community around them. “We’re lucky in Marquette, because the city sees it as a thing that deserves investment,” Morin said. There is an entire office dedicated to the arts in the City of Marquette, and Morin sees the trend spreading outwards.

“You see support of the arts everywhere,” she said. “There’s a big focus on the creative economy and that shows up in murals, public art commissions, and grant money that was never available before. They’ll be advocating for their own arts programs and teachers, and set up to encourage the next group of young artists.”

The Artists in Excellence program is only in its first year, but looks like it will continue for the foreseeable future.

“We learned that we can start cultivating that mindset during high school so they start thinking not as employees but as entrepreneurs,” Kronberg said. “That way they can forge their own paths ahead.”

“These students and this program will nurture and focus our future leaders,” Morin said. “They’re not just artists, they’re future mayors and city planners. We want them to have an appreciation for

beauty and ensure that our communities stay beautiful and unique. It’s more than a painting. More than kids building things with clay. I hope this program will make a difference for them.”

For more information about the Artists in Excellence program, visit www.MQTCompass.com and click on the Office of Arts and Culture tab.

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.

Students in the Artists in Excellence program took a tech arts field trip, hosted by Smart Zone/ Innovate MQT. They learned about product design and 3D printing. (Photo courtesy of Tiina Morin)

Right in your back yard

By Deborah K. Frontiera

Back in 1952, a woman named Bertha Daubendiek got together with a few fellow birdwatchers and formed a group that would become the Michigan Nature Association (MNA). It is the largest network of preserved natural areas maintained by a state-level nonprofit.

MNA now manages 180 nature preserves, about 60 of which are in the U.P., and MNA partners with other organizations for “conservation easements” on a few of these. Keweenaw County has the most — about 18. Chippewa County at the east end of the U.P. comes in next with approximately 12, some of which are not yet open to the public. Others are scattered through Alger, Baraga, Delta, Houghton, Luce, Mackinac, Marquette, Ontonagon and Schoolcraft counties.

Major highlights of MNA’s history include setting up the first properties during the 1960s; the “Save the Pines” effort for Estivant Pines in the ’70s; Waterfalls in Munising became the 100th property during the 1980s; and a “record” of 40 new properties during the ’90s. Their mission is to acquire, protect and maintain natural areas on which endangered or threatened flora and fauna are found, preserve habitat

and study natural history, engage in conservation and education.

Lauren Ross, Communications and Events Coordinator for MNA, said there are many considerations when deciding to establish a new sanctuary. These include, but are not limited to, areas containing endangered wildlife or rare plant species, the quality of the habitat, unique geologic features (sinkholes — not typical in Michigan — or tilt geology), nearby land that affects the area to be preserved, funding available (some land is donated) and partnerships with other organizations.

The largest, and the newest, is the Fox River Wetlands in Schoolcraft County. Its 3,436 acres are a wild, inaccessible area (not open at this time) with some of the rarest patterned fen marshland filled with large mammals and many plant species near the east branch of the Fox River.

The smallest, a mere 1.7 acres, is the Mariner’s Preserve at Silver River Falls along M-26 in Keweenaw County. That tiny piece of land contains unique tilt geology found in the Keweenaw and is part of a larger system of sanctuaries in the Brockway Mountain area and along that west coast of the Keweenaw.

Some of the U.P. sanctuaries do not allow visitors unless people contact

MNA first.

“There may be no official roads, no developed trails or no places to park,” Ross said. “It may be difficult to describe how to get there, and we don’t want people getting lost in the wilderness in an area with no cell phone reception. Plans can go awry quickly if people don’t plan well.”

In planning to visit any MNA sanctuary, people should be aware that MNA allows only foot traffic and people should always stay on trails. There is no picking, digging, collecting of plants, flowers or seeds.

In some sanctuaries, pets and domestic animals are not allowed, so always check signs at the entrance and keep them on a leash. No camping, swimming, fishing, hunting or trapping (unless by special MNA permission).

Also, respect any neighboring privately owned land, take out everything you brought in, and do not disturb animals or plants. Check for any sanctuary-specific rules usually included on signs at the entrance.

Each sanctuary has a voluntary steward, and there are conservation coordinators (also volunteers) for larger areas. Nancy Leonard manages Keweenaw County — a big job since there are so many sanctuaries.

Creeks meet to form a lagoon in Black Creek Nature Sanctuary in Keweenaw County. (Photo by Peter Pietila)

“First and foremost, my job is to care for the sanctuaries,” Leonard said. “By that, I mean the land and its boundaries. It might include monitoring for illegal logging or other encroachments, managing invasive species, and my favorite, the cataloging of expected and rare species.”

She also works with volunteers and sanctuary stewards who maintain trails. She reports to MNA’s main offices. Her husband works with her much of the time. Currently, she has 20 active stewards and often calls on additional volunteers for special projects.

“Each sanctuary has its highpoints. Some of the smaller ones, like Keweenaw Shores (located along M-26 next to and across from Esrey Park), offer a lot in a little package,” Leonard said. “Hiking the trail, which includes a boardwalk, traverses four distinct plant communities, including a tiny bog.” (This writer has a special connection to that area because she and her husband became engaged at Esrey Park 54 years ago.)

“Redwin’s Dunes, located on M-26 between Eagle River and Eagle Harbor, offers a chance to roam wood-

ed dunes and enjoy vernal ponds,” Leonard said. “Sanctuaries along Brockway Mountain Drive offer a completely different landscape and a chance to enjoy the spring raptor migration. A trail there connects three sanctuaries: Kippel, Helstrom and Johnson Memorial.”

Estivant Pines Sanctuary celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

“I’m happy to announce that major professional trail work will be done on the central part of the trail this summer,” Leonard said. “Thanks to the many hikers who have made donations and especially the volunteers and stewards, past and present, that have continued to work so hard to make the trail fun and safe for hikers of all ages. Unfortunately, there are not any sanctuary trails in the Keweenaw considered handicap accessible.”

Snowfall and road access generally determine when any sanctuary is opened or closed. Those along plowed roads are open for snowshoeing, and in a few places, cross-country skiing. For example, Cy Clark, Dean Webster and EH Red Pine Dunes in Keweenaw County are located along the Ea-

Nancy Leonard croches inside a tree skeleton in Estivant Pines to provide perspective on the size of the trees. (Photo by Deborah K. Frontiera)

gle Harbor Township Ski Trails and are open in winter when the trail is groomed.

Hiker and cross-country skier Mark Roberts leads an informal group in the Copper Country area.

“Any person can begin a hiking group by starting with a couple of friends,” Roberts said. “One person takes the lead in deciding where to go and how often.”

Friends tell other friends. There is safety in a group as well as comradery. Such groups can ski or snowshoe in winter and hike during the other months.

“In general, my favorite preserves are those with decently long hiking trails, including Black Creek, Bare Bluff and Estivant Pines,” Roberts said. “My favorite is Bare Bluff (formal name: Grinnell Memorial at Bare Bluff) because of the more rugged nature of the full loop hike and the fantastic view. All the MNA preserves could be snowshoed, and I know

Black Creek is a favorite.”

People who are new to hiking, and perhaps not up to three to five miles, can easily enjoy the smaller sanctuaries with trails under one mile.

“I was born out-of-state, but have lived here the major part of my life,” Ross said. “There is something about Michigan — so many unique variations of lake, forest and shoreline. Nature offers much and it is important to protect it and educate others. The work we do at MNA is to make these areas accessible to people and inspire future generations.”

For details, visit www.michigannature.org or call 866-223-2231.

Deborah K. Frontiera is a Copper Country native who enjoys hiking. She has written many articles for Marquette Monthly in the past and has published several books. Visit www. authorsden.com/deborahkfrontiera for details.

Geologic formations, such as Mariner‘s Preserve Sanctuary, are on MNA‘s radar to be preserved. (Photo courtesy of Michigan Nature Association)

the arts Library hosts poetry festival

By Pam Christensen

Poetry lovers know that April is National Poetry Month, and once again the Great Lakes Poetry Festival (GLPF) has a stellar lineup of poets and programming centered around poetry. The GLPF was inaugurated in 2022 with a monthlong celebration of poetry reflecting themes related to the Great Lakes and poets with a connection to the Great Lakes region.

The 2023 GLPF activities will be offered April 23 through 29 and will include poetry readings, poetry workshops, an art exhibit, film viewing and concert.

Marty Achatz, programing coordinator at the Peter White Public Library, is also an acclaimed poet. He is the only two-time recipient of the U.P. Poet Laureate award. He has served as a contingent professor in the English Department at Northern Michigan University and previously at Western Michigan University. He appears regularly on the radio variety show The Red Jacket Jamboree. He is also the author of the blog, Saint Marty, which receives almost 10,000 views per month. He was raised in Ishpeming and received his master’s degree in fiction and MFA in poetry at NMU.

“Our celebration in 2022 kicked off the GLPF and we had a variety of events that spanned the entire month of April,” Achatz said. “This year’s festival is not as expansive as last year’s, but that doesn’t mean it is not filled with quality events and poets. As I thought about what we could do in 2023, I considered what poet from the Great Lakes region would appeal to U.P. audiences.”

Achatz was aware that Diane Se-

uss was the 2022 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry; she was raised in Lower Michigan and was writer-in-residence and taught at Kalamazoo College for many years.

“I really didn’t expect that she would be willing to travel to the U.P. for our festival, but decided to contact her anyway,” he said.

“I was surprised when she replied she would come for our festival.”

Seuss has received many honors for her poetry. She was a 2020 Guggenheim Fellow. In 2021, she received the John Updike Award from the American Academy of Art and Letters. Her book FourLegged Girl was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Still Life with Two Dead Peacocks and a Girl was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award in Poetry and a Los Angeles Times Book Prize in Poetry. In addition to the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 2022, her latest work, frank: sonnets was recognized with the 2022 PEN/ Voelcker Award for Poetry Collection, winner of the 2021 National Book Critics Circle Award for Poetry, was a finalist for the 2021 L.A. Times Book Prize for Poetry and the 2022 Kingsley Tufts Poetry Award.

“Bird on a Wire” by Scott Fabian is part of the Prison Creative Arts Project (PCAP) traveling exhibit that will be on display during the festival. PCAP gives a platform for incarcerated people to share their voices through art; it is based at the University of Michigan. (Photo courtesy of Peter White Public Library)

sity of Michigan’s Helen Zell Writer’s Program.

frank: sonnets is a collection of 128 sonnets that confront some of the most difficult topics of contemporary life. It is a realistic look at the difficulty of living in the Rust Belt from a working-class perspective. The sonnets expound on the difficulties wrought by poverty, loneliness, addiction, divorce, unemployment, abortion and death. The Pulitzer Prize committee described frank: sonnets as “a virtuosic collection that inventively expands the sonnet form to confront the messy contradictions of contemporary America.”

In addition to her accolades for poetry, she has served as the MacLean Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Department of English at Colorado College and at Washington University in St. Louis, and for the Univer-

A poetry reading by Seuss will be held in the Peter White Public Library (PWPL) Community Room at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25.

Jonathan Johnson’s name and works are familiar to residents of the Upper Peninsula. Raised in Marquette, Johnson’s poems have been anthologized in Best American Poetry and in the Michigan State University Press publication And Here: 100 Years of Upper Peninsula Writing 1917-2017.

Poet Jonathan Johnson will offer a two-session poetry workshop focused on grief on April 26 and 27. (Photo courtesy of Peter White Public Library)

Matherne named U.P. Poet Laureate

The U.P. Poet Laureate Foundation announced the selection of Beverly Matherne to serve as the 2023-24 U.P. Poet Laureate.

Matherne is professor emerita of English at NMU, where she served as director of the Master of Fine Arts program in creative writing and poetry editor of Passages North literary magazine.

The author of seven books of poetry, she lives in Ishpeming, far from Grand Point, her birthplace on the Mississippi near New Orleans. She is inspired by both the wealth of her Cajun and Creole heritage and the natural and cultural bounty of the Upper Peninsula.

The recipient of seven first-place prizes, including the Hackney Literary Award for Poetry, she has done more than 350 poetry readings across the United States, Canada, and France, and in Belgium, Ger-

He is currently a Professor at Eastern Washington University in Cheney, Washington. His works include the poetry collections May is an Island, In the Land We imagined Ourselves, and Mastodon 80% Complete in addition to memoirs The Desk on the Sea and Hannah and the Mountain Johnson will be offering a two-session poetry workshop focused on grief on Wednesday, April 26 and Thursday, April 27. He will also be featured in a poetry reading in the PWPL Community Room at 7 p.m. on Monday, April 24.

Another area poet of note is Beverly Matherne, who will be holding a book launch and poetry reading at PWPL

many, Spain and Wales. She holds a Ph.D. in drama from Saint Louis University and master’s and bachelor’s degrees in English from Uni-

at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 28 in the Community Room. She will be reading from her newly released work potions d’amour, thes, incantations/ Love Potions, Teas, Incantations, a bilingual work including poems and short stories published by Les Editions Tintamarres in 2023. Matherne was born in River Cajun Country just west of New Orleans. Her writing includes poems and stories set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in addition to her beloved Cajun Country. She speaks English and French.

In addition to her own writing, she is a literary translator. She has translated poetry by two-time Poet Laureate Stanley Kunitz into French

versity of Louisiana at Lafayette. She did extensive work in French at the University of California at Berkeley.

Matherne was chosen by the U.P. Poet Laureate Selection Committee from a diverse pool of applicants.

As part of her duties, Matherne will implement her U.P. Poet Laureate project, which will include visits to high school and middle school classrooms throughout the U.P., promoting the art of poetry through interactive lessons and writing activities.

Matherne is available for readings and workshops at art centers and libraries. Any school, library or arts organization wishing to schedule an in-person or virtual reading or visit with Matherne can do so by sending a message to the U.P. Poet Laureate Foundation through their website at www.uppoetlaureate.org.

and poetry by Charles Baudelaire and Arthur Rimbaud into English. She is Professor Emerita at NMU. She directed NMU’s MFA program and Visiting Writers Series and served as poetry editor of Passages North literary magazine. She is also the owner of the Butler House, a Queen Anne Victorian home in Ishpeming.

The exhibit Voices and Art Unlocked will be featured in the PWPL’s lower gallery from Monday, April 3 through Friday, April 28. This exhibit has been developed using art created by individuals who are or have been incarcerated or in some way affected by incarceration. The organization responsible for the exhibit hopes to educate the audience about the talent of prisoners, advocate for prison arts programs and more humane treatment of incarcerated individuals.

Local poets have written poems in response to the artwork on display. The responses appear alongside each work of art. The poetry pieces will also be featured during a reception at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 28 in the Community Room.

The GLPF reception will also give local singer-songwriter, poet and musician Troy Graham the opportunity to perform some of his recently completed protest songs. Graham, who is also known as “Great Lakes Graham,” performs original and traditional songs for all ages. He was named Performer of the Year Award for the City of Marquette in 2022. In addition to his music, Graham’s works have been included in five literary collections as

Diane Seuss, the 2022 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, will offer a poetry reading on April 25. (Photo courtesy of Peter White Public Library)

well as his book titled Fresh Water Mermaids. The critically acclaimed film TAR will be shown at noon on Friday, April 28, in the Community Room. Starring Cate Blanchett, this psychological drama tells the fictional story of the first woman conductor of a major symphony orchestra. Blanchett skillfully fills the role of a woman accused of sexual abuse by the parents of her protégé. The film was selected as Best Film of the Year by the New York Film Critics Circle, Los Angeles Film Critics Association, London Film Critics Circle and the National Society of Film Critics.

TAR is the fourth film in history to receive four awards from the world’s top organizations representing film critics. The film also received numerous nominations for the 80th Golden Globe Awards, 28th Critics Choice Awards, and 95th Academy Awards.

The GLPF events begin with a 5 p.m. Sunday, April 23 poetry reading at Drifa Brewing Company. The festival will conclude with the Teen Poetry Contest Reading at 11 a.m. on Satur-

day, April 29 in the Shiras Room. The poetry contest is open to teens from the Great Lakes region and prizes will be awarded.

The diverse programming and va-

riety of poets featured during the Great Lakes Poetry Festival will capture the wide range of talent influenced by the Great Lakes.

The festival is supported by Travel Marquette, the Peter White Public Library, Carroll Paul Memorial Trust Fund of the PWPL, the Marquette Poets Circle and the U.P. Poet Laureate Foundation.

For details, visit www. pwpl.info.

MM

Pam Christensen moved to Marquette 30 years ago when she accepted the position of library director at Peter White Public Library. She served in that post for more than 24 years. Most recently, she was foundation manager for the West End Health Foundation, finally hanging up her formal work shoes in May 2021. She and her husband Ralph are in the process of making an off-grid cabin in Nisula their second home.

The winners of the 2022 Great Lakes Poetry Festival Teen Poetry Contest are shown above. The 2023 winners will offer a poetry reading on April 25. (Photo courtesy of Peter White Public Library)

WWII bomber over the Porkies back then

By Larry Chabot

Deep in the Porcupine Mountains in the western Upper Peninsula, the cook in the Keith Jesse lumber camp was laying out his pots and pans to make breakfast for a crew of hungry loggers.

Just after 2 a.m. on April 21, 1944, a thunderous roar drew him to a window to see a huge flaming object streak over the cook shack and disappear into the darkness, followed by the ground-shaking rumble of the mysterious object crashing into the forest, shattering trees and scattering debris. The cook was not alone in the sighting, as the Ontonagon Herald reported that several other people witnessed the fire in the sky.

So, what was it? The flying fireball was a war plane, a B-17 bomber designed to carry a crew of ten as it bombed enemy targets during World War II. But this aircraft was empty, on fire, far from any war zone and doomed. The plane was huge for its time — 74 feet long with a wingspan of 103 feet, weighing 30 tons or more — one of 12,731 B-17s produced for war.

Here’s the leadup to this fiery scene: on a training flight before assignment to the European theater of war, this craft had left Sioux City, Iowa, for a round trip to Marquette. It was cruising 7,000 feet over Lake Superior. The journal of the B-17’s engineer and gunner, Charles Sturgeon, described the subsequent events in detail.

As the craft neared Marquette over a solid cloud cover, he wrote, one of its four engines sprung an oil line leak on the right wing. Pilot Thomas Smith, Jr., was unable to control the propeller, causing the engine to overheat and burst into flames. Then the engine’s cylinders began to blow off, hitting the fuselage like bullets.

As the fire spread to a main fuel tank, Smith headed toward Duluth, Minnesota, looking for a place to land. Knowing they could be blown into pieces at any moment, he headed the craft to the nearest landfall — the Porkies — and ordered the crew to bail out.

None did, as Sturgeon noted, but this was fortunate because an earlier bailout would have dumped them all into icy Lake Superior. Sturgeon then started a bailout by jumping into the mostly roadless, 60,000-acre Porkies.

On the way down, he thought he saw a dim light far off but was more concerned about landing in the dark. He alit only 50 feet from the lake, dangling in the middle of three trees, which had entangled his parachute. He was able to swing to a tree trunk and climb down to look for others.

Although he found one injured crewmate not far away, the other nine were somewhere in the predawn darkness.

Chin-High Snow

Sturgeon described their long walk through the dark forest “sometimes with snow up to our chins.”

They stumbled upon a small hut containing hay bales; they cut one in half and set it on fire for warmth, then got directions to the nearest road from loggers in the hut. The two men found the road and a small store in Silver

City (gateway to the eastern end of the Porkies), whose owner drove them to Ontonagon to report the crash. The store owner was not identified.

More than 100 people turned up to begin searching for the other crewmen. According to Jim Spolarich, whose family owned a tavern in Silver City, there were 19 state police cars in front of the tavern at one time.

After a Civil Air Patrol plane out of Ironwood had spotted and reported the wreckage site, the U.S. Army was able to block off the area to search for classified material, some of which they burned. The remote site was accessed by borrowing a bulldozer from Penegor & Ruutila logging firm that logged in the Porkies, according to Bruce Ruutila, whose father was a partner in the company. Meanwhile, Army officials bunked at the Quig-

Illustration by Mike McKinney

ley Lumber camp, a few miles from the crash scene. This property is now owned by Mickey Hoefferle of Ontonagon. Hoefferle stated that his grandfather bankrolled some of the area’s lumber ventures.

The widely scattered crewmen were rounded up one by one; tail gunner Leonard Rogers was missing for three days, eluding bears with only a nail file for a weapon. Sturgeon reported that the men stayed in Ontonagon for several days because of bad weather, but noted happily that “the people of Ontonagon gave us a big welcome and we were invited to a party almost every night. Each crewman had Ontonagon stories to tell.” When the weather cleared, they returned to Iowa by automobile and train.

Jim Spolarich was a major player in the drama for many years. “I heard about it when I woke up,” he told an interviewer. “The army had already blocked off the area…After the snow was gone, I and two of my buddies — Dick Westrick and Whitey Rickwalder — borrowed some horses, found a machine gun and a propeller and brought them out. I mounted the machine gun on a stump, but it disappeared. We mounted the prop near the beach, then put it behind the tavern and then by our gift shop where it stayed for many years.”

Deadly Aftermath

The same Charles Sturgeon whose journal detailed the crash was one of seven Porkies survivors who transferred to bombing operations in Europe, all flying in a B-17 named “Fifinella” and piloted by Thomas Smith, Jr. (who was also chief pilot on the Porkies plane).

On August 13, 1944, four months after the Porkies experience, the plane was hit by an anti-aircraft shell which started a fire and seriously wounded Smith. Despite his wounds, he ensured his crew’s safety, then circled the area until all of them could bail out. Unable to escape himself, he went down with the plane. He was only 22.

Diarest Sturgeon, who broke a leg on landing and was captured by German troops, spent nine miserable months as a prisoner of war. After being freed by Allied troops and awaiting passage back home, he encountered General (later President) Dwight Eisenhower, who ordered fresh clothes and a hot meal for Sturgeon. The ex-POW was wearing the same clothes all during captivity. One other crewman was captured, but the rest were hidden by partisans and led to safety.

Over the years, Jim Spolarich was often asked about the

propeller beside his gift shop.

“They asked what boat it was from,” he said. “In 1988, a couple came into the gift shop to look around. The wife hollered ‘Del, your picture is on the wall!’” She spotted a news clipping there about the crash. So after 44 years, Spolarich again met Del Spears, the radio operator from the B-17.

“Other flyers came back now and then,” Spolarich said. “A few years ago, one came to look for the prop.” During a 1991 reunion in Silver City and nearby White Pine, the five remaining survivors scratched their names on the propeller, which the Spolarich family recently donated to the Ontonagon County Historical Society for mounting in their museum.

Michael Neiger and Dennis Waite, backpackers who visited the site in 2008, discovered countless pieces of the B-17. Much of it had been buried under thick layers of leaves and forest debris.

“We hit upon numerous plane pieces scattered when the plane hit the trees with enormous force,” wrote Neiger. “We found [another] debris field about 100 meters away, and were able to speculate the path of the flaming, pilot-less plane. Some distance away lay the motherload of crash wreckage and debris. likely hundreds if not thousands, of shattered, torn, bent or burned airplane components.”

Historian John Doyle visited the site several years ago and was able to determine the angle of descent from the clipped trees which, he observed, had mysteriously grown double tops. Bruce Ruutila, whose father loaned the bulldozer to the Army, was able to retrieve machine gun parts from the scattered debris. He also attended the 1991 survivor’s reunion.

The Ontonagon County Historical Society will have the propeller on display with other crash memorabilia, including a video.

Author’s Note: Although he has never visited the crash site, the author spent many hours in what is now a wilderness state park. His son Chris, age eleven at the time, was lost overnight in the forest with two pals and their dog, whose constant barking helped narrow the search.

Larry Chabot, an Ontonagon native, worked his way through Georgetown University and was then employed at White Pine Copper Company for 32 years, before moving to Marquette with his wife, Betty. He is a freelance writer who has written for several publications, including more than 180 articles for Marquette Monthly.

How

Story & Photos By Scot Stewart

Author’s Note: Last month’s story was an attempt by a non-physicist to explain light’s role in producing colors and how people see those colors. This is Part II, which looks at the colors of Nature and much more.

“Color! What a deep and mysterious language, the language of dreams.”

—Paul Gauguin

Spring skies seem so foreign in early March. After months filled with many shades of gray, it is almost shocking to gaze upward into a deep, embracing indigo sky. It’s not blue, but a saturated, rich indigo. Blue jays, northern cardinals, pine and evening grosbeaks have provided the most dominant breaks in the white snow and lake ice, gray skies, dull brown tree trunks and the ever faded green of cedars, pines, spruces and firs. The caps of the paint tubes are loosening up as Nature begins to paint its way across the days building up to the start of spring.

Beginnings of color on Earth most likely began with its early atmosphere above molten seas of lava. As things cooled, it set up a layer of minerals, mostly browns and grays, found in and on the Earth’s crust. The early sky on Earth is thought to look similar to Venus’s — filled with carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide and maintained a yellowish cast. With its cooling, water begin to form on its surface and the cooling molten rock trapped gases in that early crust called peridotite that help today in determining what those early gases in the air were.

The production of water on the planet’s surface led to the addition of more water in the atmosphere. Rainbows would have been some of the brightest colors in those early skies as the water molecules produced

prismatic effects of sunlight passing though those skies.

That was 4.5 billion years ago, following the collision of Earth with the asteroid that helped create our moon. The atmosphere then reflected the cooling planet that needed about 800 million years to produce life. Some of the earliest new colors of rocks are thought to be found in the Sahara Desert today. Pink rocks found there are believed to have been created by alteration of ancient chlorophyll from fossilized one-cell organisms.

The colors of other minerals have added to the wide array of visually stunning forms in the Earth’s crust. Iron adds yellows, oranges and reds to quartz, agate (actually another form of quartz), jasper, hematite and limonite. Copper adds its blues and greens to malachite, azurite, chalcanthite, callaghanite, cornetite, cuprite and rosasite. Vanadium and lead add to many orange and yellow minerals. While there are many white, tan and brown minerals, there are more than 4,000 minerals and many different colors and hues.

In 1852, George Gabriel Stokes discovered an entirely different property of minerals, and amazingly, many of those with this property are plain white, tan and brown minerals. When some minerals are exposed to ultraviolet light, they glow in the dark. The property, known as fluorescence, was given by Stokes because he discovered it studying the properties of light with the mineral fluorite, a mineral important at the time as a flux for smelting iron ore. The fluorite helped melt the iron ore at a lower temperature and separate it from impurities.

The ultraviolet light excites electrons in some minerals containing elements called exciters, like tungsten, uranium, molybdenum, lead, titanium

Color can be found in many places in nature. (Photo by Scot Stewart)

and boron. When the electrons are exposed to the energy from this light, they move to a higher orbit in an atom, farther away from the nucleus. When these electrons jump back to their original orbits, they release energy in the form of visible light. Copper and iron tend to reduce or eliminate the possibility of a mineral to fluoresce. Different wavelengths of UV light can also affect this trait. Shortwave UV light in the range of 100-200um works well on zinc and calcium-based minerals. Sodalite and other minerals with sodium bases are often excited by long-wave light, especially 365um. Most importantly, though, are the excitors found in these minerals, often impurities found at those locations.

Some minerals are so strongly fluorescent they can be taken outside to be exposed to sunlight, then be viewed in darkness to see them glow. Others will continue to fluoresce for a longer time after being exposed to UV light. That property is called phosphorescence. Some fluoresce when they are heated. This characteristic is called thermoluminescence. One other characteristic is triboluminescence, which refers to the glowing property created when the mineral is struck or crushed.

Fluorescence is a characteristic of the minerals that seems to offer no

particular value or purpose, but still provides a wonderful experience to those seeing them react to the ultraviolet light. Quick checks of minerals can be made by using UV lights to test for some minerals by geologists. Several locations with historic mining

operations like Franklin, New Jersey and Langban, Sweden, have large numbers of different minerals displaying a wide variety of colors when they fluoresce.

Today, many are familiar with a fluorescent mineral found on Upper Pen-

insula beaches called sodalite, which glows bright orange when exposed in the dark to long wave ultraviolet light. Some minerals from the area that fluoresce are hydrozincite and sphalerite associated with lead and silver deposits along the Dead River and calcite

The color of food sources for animals directly affects their desire to find and eat it. (Photo by Scot Stewart)

from the nickel deposits in northern Marquette County.

The Earth was not the only place where great colors were produced in the early times of the Earth. As the Earth’s atmosphere was developing with oxygen and nitrogen, the sun was working with the Earth to provide light, and color shows still seen today. The sun is a mass of hydrogen continually going through a fusion of the light gas into helium. Some activity on the sun, especially eruptions releasing large amounts of energy and particles called corona mass ejections causes the release of large amounts of electrons and protons, carried by the solar wind to Earth.

As these highly charged particles reach the atmosphere, most are deflected away by the Earth’s magnetic fields. But some are carried in toward the North and South Poles. These eruptions occur on the Sun and can make it to the Earth causing dramatic results as the charged particles strike molecules of oxygen and nitrogen. The resulting collisions create the aurora and australis borealis. When oxygen molecules less than 150 miles above the Earth’s surface are hit, the collision releases a small amount of energy creating green auroras. Oxygen above 150 miles, when struck, releases red light. Lower-level nitrogen struck by the particles releases blue light and nitrogen struck above 150 miles above the earth releases purple. The nighttime colors have created wonder and dozens of cultural stories and explanations over the millennia.

The aurora borealis is tied to sunspots and solar activity, and the Upper

Peninsula lies on the south edge of the best region to catch the light show. There have been several great showings of the aurora this year including an red display in early March.

“There’s a reason we don’t see the world in black and white.”

—Celerie Kemble

Colors seen by most animals comes from the light produced by the oldest form of light, the sun. That light comes to Earth in packets of electromagnetic energy in waves called photons. The waves come in a spectrum of wavelengths from the longest, radio, to microwave, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet light, X-ray to gamma, the shortest. Absorption and reflection of this energy determines the colors of objects the energy hits.

Early life on the planet probably did not see colors. Living in places with limited light in both fresh and salt water, did create a need to differentiate different parts of the environment identifiable by chemical and other simple cues. As organisms became larger and developed sensory organs, early eyes developed two different types of structures in the retinas, rods and cones. Rods are the more common structures. They are sensitive to changes in light and assist with vision in low-light conditions. Humans have about 100 million rods in a retina.

It is thought greater skills were needed to identify surrounding factors as larger predators stalked the waters requiring quicker reactions that helped lead to the development of cones, structures capable of distin-

guishing colors. Humans have more than six million cones in each retina. Cones could assist in distinguishing the differences between shadows in the water from waves and clouds above in early animals.

“If one could only catch that true color of nature — the very thought of it drives me mad.”

—Andrew Wyeth

Whenit comes to true colors, it depends on who is looking. For some smaller animals like insects, their eyes are made of a composite of many smaller units called ommatidia. These optical units make up a compound eye, with less acuity than more advanced animals.

In some cases, insects like dragonflies can contain up to 30,000 ommatidia and each contain a lens and several parts to recognize color, including UV bands. Insect eyes have a much shorter range of vision, usually less than 100 feet, but some, like bees and dragonflies have a greater ability to focus with greater acuity.

Many insects use their greater range of vision in the UV range of the spectrum to navigate around flowers. Flowers may be the ultimate home of color for many terrestrial animals. It is thought the development of more intricate cones and color-detecting systems in insects developed “soon” after the evolution of flowers, while many simpler plants depended on the wind for pollination. With pollination by insects, flowers became more efficient as they needed to make less protein.

Some flowers have developed

Molecules colliding release energy into the atmosphere causing the Northern Lights. (Photo by Scot Stewart)

pathways on their petals to guide insects toward nectar sources, and along a route, insects use past anthers containing pollen and pistils where flowers can be pollinated. This system has often evolved with specific insects and can use fragrances and flower colors to improve the attractive abilities of the flower to draw those insects.

The UV patterns can also encourage predatory mimicry, too. Crab spiders can copy the color of the flowers to camouflage themselves in spots like irises and goldenrod, but also can reflect UV light to improve the chances of attracting a pollinator it can catch.

Animals with more advanced eyes have two different kinds of structures to gather light of different wavelengths to interpret in their brains. In his book “An Immense World,” Ed Yong does an amazing job of explaining color vision in animals. It depends on how many sets of cones they have in their retinas. Cones help the eye distinguish different frequencies of light and the colors they produce. Among the larger animals, armadillos, sloths and skates, cartilaginous fish related to rays and sharks, lack cones in their eyes. Some animals living in very dark places have one set of cones like whales and seals. They, like animals without cones, have no color vision. These animals often live in areas with low levels of light and rely on shapes and other information to navigate, look for food and find mates.

The sets of cones animals have in their eyes send their collected information to the brain to distinguish different colors. Integrating that information between different sets of cones in the brain is how actual colors are determined. Dogs and horses have two sets of cones and a limited range of color vision comparing the information collected for yellow-green and blue-violet. Their vision has a very limited range of color discrimination.

Humans have three sets of cones — red, green and blue — resulting in the

ability to distinguish about a million different colors by integrating the information from the three. Because the lenses of human eyes filter out ultraviolet wavelengths, humans are not able to detect UV light unless disease or accidents damage or eliminate them. Because of Monet’s loss of an eye lens, he was able to see those lily pads differently and paint them with more added blue.

Some animals have four sets of cones. This multiplies their ability to distinguish colors a hundred-fold as their brains integrated the added information. At first, this would seem to be a great advantage to seeing more and using that information to better interact with the surrounding environment. Imagine seeing an exponentially larger range of colors beyond what humans see today.

“There are colors we can’t see, but they’re connected to the ones we can. There’s a connection between everything.” —Wayne Shorter

The wavelengths of light reflected back from an object determine how their color can be interpreted. As light strikes an object some wavelengths are absorbed as the light strikes its molecules. The energy from certain wavelengths of light are absorbed as the energy shifts the electrons and converts the energy into heat. Wavelengths not absorbed may be reflected back out and the color or colors of those are visible. Cones in the eye receive wavelengths and interpret the combinations and interference.

Knowing about the eyes of birds and reptiles today helps to know more about the past. Early drawings influenced how scientists perceived the dinosaurs looked. It is now believed dinosaurs probably had very colorful scales and were not the drab monochromes species they were once thought to be.

Colors matter in other places, like

Cones in animals’ eyes help distinguish colors. (Photo by Scot Stewart)

fruit. Humans know when fruits like bananas, blueberries and strawberries are ripe, but don’t always think about why they are actually yellow, blue or red. Many fruits have evolved to develop certain colors when they ripen to attract the animals usually responsible for eating them and dispersing their seeds.

A number of studies looked at the preferences of birds for certain colors of fruits. Their favorites? Not surprisingly, red was first and black was second. Green fruits were not popular among birds, but are often eaten by insects and others like bats and other mammals. Their job, once attracted to the fruits is to eat, then carry away the seeds.

Some mammals see things quite differently from birds, and even from each other. Studies in South America found squirrel monkeys with a variable genetic condition affecting the cones in their retinas. Some had a double set of long cones for seeing red colors. This condition would seem to favor them over monkeys with a single set.

Two sets are needed to compare the information they collect that produces the color vision. Essentially the monkeys with single set could not see the red shades and red fruits, creating a visual disadvantage for them. Researchers were surprised that both had feeding success — of different kinds.

The individuals with color discrimination were better at locating ripe red fruits, but the ones with black and white vision were not distracted by other objects of color in the trees and were particularly adept at finding insects and other foods using basic form discrimination to find foods that blended into the green leaves with good camouflaging patterns.

Fungi also provide a brilliant array of colors, often for the same reasons flowers colorfully paint the ground of the forest, herbaceous plants and trees. Mushrooms and other fungi are interested in attracting animals to visit, collect spores and carry them off to new places. Red and pink mushrooms attract flies,

fooling them into believing they are smelly, rotting flesh. The flies wander around on them, picking up the spores on their feet, only to deposit them elsewhere in the woods where they land, like on nutrient rich, rotting materials. Beetles, flies, other insects, squirrels, chipmunks and slugs eat mushrooms and deposit their undigested spores across the forest floor.

The color of tree leaves is another marvel of nature. Many oak and maple leaves in the U.P. start out with deep red or brick red colors. They contain anthocyanins, pigments that protect leaves as antioxidants able to protect the leaves from some diseases and damaging agents like fungi and ultraviolet rays from the sun.

They may also help disguise the leaves to appear less desirable to herbivores looking for the tree’s tender new growth. As the leaves begin producing chloroplasts, helping them to turn green and make food, they also produce salicylic acid (the same basic chemical used to make aspirin). Salicylic acid is

responsible for making the bitter tannins in the leaves that make the leaves less desirable to eat.

In the autumn, processes reverse. Chlorophyll begins to breakdown in leaves’ chloroplasts and leaves begin to lose their summer color. Through the summer though, the red, anthocyanin pigment and an orange and yellow, carotenoid pigments were overshadowed by the green chlorophyll but still there. With the chlorophyll breaking down, the reds, yellows and oranges become apparent painting the forest canopy in its brilliant fall splendor.

“Life is a train of moods like a string of beads and as we pass through them they prove to be many-colored lenses which paint the world their own hue, and each shows only what lies in its focus.” —Ralph

Waldo Emerson

Color is a true gift. It provides added dimensions to sensory experiences, and enhances our understanding of the diversity of life. It provides

cues as to why we can be attracted to flowers, fruit, and leaves in the same ways other animals are. It can help us appreciate the wonders of the world sitting right at our feet or high in the air above us.

Color also helps us appreciate all our senses. When one is missing, all the others seem so much more acute and valuable. Color makes our time anywhere just more pleasurable, whether it is at the dinner table, atop Sugarloaf on a bright fall day or just looking into the center of a bouquet of flowers.

On late winter days, color seems all the more important, as spring seeps into everything around us in the outdoors. Color brings us joy. It should not be taken for granted!

Scot Stewart has lived in Marquette long enough to be considered a true Yooper even though he was born in Illinois. He is a teacher and loves to be outdoors photographing and enjoying nature.

Birds prefer certain colors of fruits, with red and black being the top choices of hues. (Photo by Scot Stewart)

del Toro offers different spin on classic

By Leonard Heldreth

The films this month include a high-tech comedy mystery, an action vampire thriller and a new stop-motion version of a classic family film.

The Glass Onion

Like Agatha Christie’s Hercule Periot mysteries, it now looks as if the Knives Out series will be free-standing films with a continuing detective who solves the crimes, in this case Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig, now retired from his James Bond role of Blanc, is revealed in this film to be gay with Hugh Grant as his domestic partner).

Instead of the country estate used in the first film, Glass Onion is set on a posh Greek island owned by Miles Bron (Edward Norton), an Elon Musk or other hi-tech billionaire stand-in. Bron invites a group of friends to visit (some of whom turn out to be enemies), murder occurs and Benoit Blanc is expected to solve the crime.

How the plot twists until it all works out is something not to be revealed in a review, any more than revealing what happens to a famous de Vinci painting. Supporting characters are played by Janelle Monáe as Helen and Andi Brand, twin sisters, with the latter being Miles’s ex-business partner; Kathryn Hahn as Claire Debella, the governor of Connecticut, now running for the United States Senate; Leslie Odom Jr. as Lionel Toussaint, the head scientist for Miles’s company; Kate Hudson as Birdie Jay, a hedonistic, politically incorrect former supermodel turned fashion designer in Manhattan; Dave Bautista as Duke Cody, a video game streamer and men’s rights activist on Twitch and YouTube; Jessica Henwick as Peg, Birdie’s assistant; Madelyn Cline as Whiskey, Duke’s girlfriend and Twitch channel assistant; Noah Segan as Derol, a slacker who lives on Miles’ island; Jackie Hoffman as Duke’s mother; and Dallas Roberts as Devon Debella, Claire’s husband. Yes, it’s a large cast, but it is, after all, a murder mystery, and the more suspects, the merrier.

Some of the fun is identifying the walk-on parts who are uncredited and appear as themselves, including Stephen Sondheim and Angela Lansbury, both of whom died before the film was released (it’s dedicated to them);

Natasha Lyonne; Kareem Abdul-Jabbar;Yo-Yo Ma; Jake Tapper; and Serena Williams. The likenesses of Jared Leto and Jeremy Renner appear on bottles. The editors must have had a lot of fun putting the pieces together.

Anyone who enjoyed the first Knives Out will want to see this one, for as a prominent critic said, The Glass Onion is “a bigger, showier, even more elaborately multi-faceted shell-game mystery” than the first film. A third entry is already in the planning stage.

Day Shift

In Day Shift, J.J. Perry is directing his first feature film after 30 years as a stuntman, so no one should be surprised that action scenes take up most of this Netflix entry.

Jamie Foxx plays Bud Jablonski, who theoretically cleans swimming pools in San Fernando Valley for a living, but his main occupation is as a vampire hunter. After pulling a drowned possum from a pool he is cleaning, Bud sneaks into the house, where he is attacked by the resident vampire, a woman who looks to be a few hundred years old.

The ensuing fight is nicely choreographed (Perry did some of the work on the John Wicke films), and after decapitating the old but still deadly woman, Bud pulls her vampire fangs. It seems that Bud works for a vampire-hunters’ union complete with union card, and he manages to eke out a living pulling teeth from the vampires of California — the older the vampire, the better the price. As humor fights horror for dominance in this film, additional characters make

appearances. Bud’s union card verifies his blue collar identity: he has a wife who doesn’t trust him, a too-cute young daughter who needs expensive dental work (fangs to pay for braces, one might say), and tuition money for her expensive high school.

Bud has also broken too many union rules while hunting blood-suckers, and must beg the union to readmit him. To vouch for his good intentions to the union boss, he enlists his cool friend in the cowboy hat, Big John (Snoop Dogg), and he finds he must accept an uptight young man named Seth (Dave Franco) as his sidekick to observe and verify that he breaks no more union rules.

To cap it off, he finds that the ancient vampire he killed in the opening scene was the mother of the local vampire boss, Audrey (Karla Souza), who makes her blood money from real estate development, but is now looking for any way to take out the man who killed her mother.

As in most “buddy” movies, the older, more professional Bud finds he can learn from the younger Seth, who has memorized the union’s rule book and comes to Bud’s help when he errs. Seth, on the other hand, develops some grit and learns to stand up for himself. With lots of fights, stabbings, decapitations and one-line jokes, all of these plot twists become untangled, and Bud succeeds in raising the necessary $10,000 in seven days.

Day Shift sometimes can’t seem to decide whether it wants to be a horror film, a dark comedy or a buddy film, but the action is so unrelenting that it probably doesn’t matter. A sequel is probably already in the works.

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio

Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio is not Disney’s version redone in stop-motion animation, nor is it like the other adaptations (e.g., the new Disney/Tom Hanks version, etc.) now cluttering the streaming channels. Rather, it combines elements of Carlo Collodi’s classic 19th-century fable with illustrations inspired by the artist Gris Grimly for a 2003 edition of the Collodi book. Then it presents the results in stop-motion photography. Instead of having the soft features of Disney’s Pinocchio, the main character here is unequivocally wooden, with rough arms and legs, a pointy nose and an aspherical head.

Del Toro draws from Grimly’s book and adds elements from his own previous films — The Devil’s Backbone, Pan’s Labyrinth and his AcademyAward-winning The Shape of Water. The result is a darker, more realistic story that is not afraid to confront Death and the negative sides of human existence (such as dealing with war and Fascism) as well as the positive aspects of human life that sometimes seem to be sandwiched in between the negative episodes. These changes make the narrative richer, but it remains a moving story about the puppet who wanted to become a boy.

The film starts with a different and more compelling father-son relationship. The woodcarver Geppetto (David Bradley) lives happily in the Italian countryside with his ten-year-old son Carlo (Gregory Mann), a well-behaved child. But the time is during World War I, and a stray bomb hits the village, echoing the bomb in The

Devil’s Backbone, and kills Carlo.

Destitute over his loss, Geppetto turns to alcohol. One night, in a drunken rage, he chops down the tree that he planted by Carlo’s grave, drags it to his woodshop, and hacks out a crude figure of the boy who is to become Pinocchio. A magical wood sprite (Tilda Swinton) brings the boy to life, but this rambunctious creature who tears around the woodshop has little resemblance to the Carlo that Geppetto loved, and it is clear that father and son have to work on their relationship and anger management.

Del Toro uses the puppet to ask questions about why the world is the way it is, e.g., why do the villagers accept the partially finished wooden Jesus in the church but reject the puppet as demonic for being a wooden boy? This theme of the father and son learning to accept each other continues through the story.

Sebastian J. Cricket, a somewhat pompous variation on Disney’s Jiminy Cricket, tells the life-bringing wood sprite that he will do the best he can on guiding the young puppet but he’s not perfect, a point del Toro repeats in several variations: “I try my best, and that’s the best anyone can do.”

The best he can do is often not good enough for the Fascists, and del Toro introduces pairs of characters to make that point: Podesta (Ron Perlman), a government official is disciplining his son, Candlewick (Finn Wolfhard), into a good Fascist; Count Volpe

(Christoph Waltz) similarly mistreats his baboon sidekick Spazzatura (Cate Blanchett); and there’s even a ridiculed Mussolini (Tom Kenny), who, as Il Duce, asserts for an entire nation: “These puppets, I do not like.”

Although some reviewers objected to the injection of Fascism into the story, it seemed to this reviewer consistent with the rest of the plot and with del Toro’s political positions in his other films: he has always been against totalitarianism. As the cricket says, it is what it is, and that’s perfectly imperfect. If there’s one negative, it’s the pointless and forgettable songs that would have been better left out.

Pinocchio is traditionally a fable about how a disobedient boy learns to be well-behaved, but in Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio with its fascist backdrop, his disobedience is a virtue that has to be learned by everyone else. With this rebellious spirit, in spite of its seriousness, the film ends up as a life-affirming pleasure, and the puppet who wants to become a real boy finds happiness with his father.

Leonard Heldreth became interested in films in high school and worked as a movie projectionist in college. His short “Cinema Comment” aired for some years on WNMU-FM. In 1987, he started writing reviews for Marquette Monthly. He taught English and film studies at NMU for more than 30 years.

Answers for the New York Times crossword puzzle, located on Page 16.

McCarty’s Cove

If my grandfather had never left Kiel, I would have learned to cook apple kugel and sauerbraten as my father liked them. I would have enjoyed Heinrich Böll’s stories without struggling over words like Abschied or gräßlichen, though, perhaps, every farewell would still have felt terrible. Walking daily down crowded streets, I might have trained as an interpreter, learned wood carving, or worked on the docks, loading ships with lumber, or hand-carved clocks, or emigrants to America.

Inhaling salt air, I would have become one of those people who misunderstands lakes, small or great as seas, calling them insufficient. I would never have purchased a laminated guide, or driven the entire tour, Superior’s breadth stretched always to my right.

This afternoon, as winter shifts finally toward spring, I wouldn’t have imagined myself, still barely believing my luck, kneeling in sand between the lighthouse keeper’s red house and the cove surely meant for swimming, filling my cupped hands with fresh water, remembering here, I live here.

Lynn Domina is the author of two collections of poetry, Corporal Works and Framed in Silence, and the editor of a collection of essays, Poets on the Psalms. Her most recent book is Devotions from HERstory: 31 Days with Women of Faith She teaches English at Northern Michigan University and lives with her family in Marquette.

This poem is from the 10-year anthology, Superior Voyage, which is now 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.

Anthology offers voyage through poetry superior reads

Superior Voyage marks the jour ney of the second anthology of the Marquette Poet’s Cir cle. The circle was formed in 2012 by Matt Maki, Claudia Drosen and Janeen Pergrin Rastall to celebrate poetry and guide each member in finding his or her inner poet.

In a true spirit of community, the circle has held workshops, Open Mic nights, and readings for more than a decade. The first five years of their collaboration resulted in the release of the aptly named Maiden Voyage in 2017. This inaugural volume featured a to tal of 33 poets, with each poet bringing three to five poems to the collection.

At the time, Tyler R. Tichelaar, one of Marquette’s most prolific and learned writers, succinctly wrote in this very magazine that “Maiden Voyage may be the most significant volume of poetry ever published in Upper Michigan.” Much as I am loathe to contradict my friend of many years, I might argue that the all new 10-year anthol ogy Superior Voyage now claims the mantle of the most significant volume of U.P. poetry.

Superior Voyage includes the work of no less than 42 poets, with each contributor offering two to six entries. During the decade-long construction of this volume, contributors Genean Granger and Bert Riesterer passed away, and so the book is fittingly dedicated to their memory. Because of its long association with the Peter White Public Library, the circle is donating all profits from the sale of the book to this bulwark of the literary community.

The list of contributors reads like a Who’s Who of the U.P. poetry scene including two former U.P. Poet Laureates, three winners of Marquette’s Writer of the Year award, among many other honors. Many of the works have previously appeared in other chapbooks and notable journals including Cloudbank, Peninsula Poets, Waters Deep, Gettysburg Review and others. Even so, Superior Voyage reminds me a bit of the venerable Norton Anthology of English Literature in that it is the one place where you can find all of these great U.P. poetic works together. At this point, you might ask your-

self, “But what is U.P. poetry?” You wouldn’t be wrong to expect many of the typical themes to revolve around the majesty of Mother Superior, the fleeting glories of springtime and the striking characteristics of the abundant wildlife of the region. You’ll also find traditional poetry topics including the celebration of love, laments of loss and meditations on the universal human conditions. However, anything and everything is fair game for poetry, including dinosaurs, bigfoot, Marilyn Monroe and current events like the war in Ukraine, and the continuing scars from COVID-19. Sprinkled amongst the poems are also a number of short story vignettes, which I found haunting and evocative like musical tone poems.

Since the scope of what I write must be brief, I will limit my remarks to the poems that made the biggest impression on me. Poetry being that most subjective of all literary forms, I am sure each reader will discover their own cadre of favorites. I’m a fan of industrial poetry so I enjoyed Kathleen M. Heidman’s evocative “Areas of Induced Subsidence” which speaks to the horror of cave-ins of abandoned shafts:

At midnight, an old board yields to And drops, a small throat opens under grass, An unmarked shaft parts the grass with parched lips. The dog goes to investigate the hole

And it swallows: barking, compost pile, Stacked terracotta pots, patio slab.

Nobody sees nothing. Nobody hears.

Near dawn, a puff of fog drifts from the lawn’s little nostril.

One of the old gods, remembering how to breathe.

In a much lighter vein, M.E. Kilpatrick’s “The Mooching Moose” details an early morning visit by a moose to the family cabin. With a spare number of words, he brings us inexorably right into the picture: He circled the family cabin staring in As if he wanted to make friends, While also feasting maple leaves again, my guest did not want his meal to end.

Matt Maki, trapped in Kyiv for the duration of the war, delivers an excoriating view of the civilian experience, that weird combination of dull drudgery and mindless moments of panic that living in a warzone entails. The third poem of his Kyiv cycle entitled “The Selfishness of War: Ukraine 20 March 2022, 8th year and 25th day of war” highlights the insidious nature of survivor guilt that is familiar to anyone who has studied Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Maki explores “The worst part of war is not being able to complain,” wherein each stanza spirals to ever more terrible suffering.

If your children are struggling to eat

gummy pasta simply soaked in cold water, another parent watches her children waste away and die after a week of no food.

As anyone who was ever exposed

to Edgar Allan Poe’s poetry in high school can tell you, there is something insidious about this art form that lends itself to horror.

Robert Polzin does a credible job of providing a unique U.P. spin on horror-poetry with the tense and hair-raising “Chute 13.” This poem posits the existence of ghouls trapped in Marquette’s abandoned iron ore dock, which is an irresistible temptation to a teenage thrill seeker, much to his chagrin:

Poor, lost souls, as red as the rust came writing out the chute!

They flung themselves with all abandon and reached for my boots!

Their limbs were long and tipped with claws—

no! Fingers worn to the bone from scraping, clawing against their fate, ground down by steel and stone

In my opinion, poetry is most effective when it can provoke a reaction with a minim of words. Superior Voyage succeeds very well in that metric and should be imbibed slowly, like a fine draught of whiskey.

Whether your tastes lean toward celebration of the natural world, a humorous or ironic look at human foibles or a deeper glimpse into a land that has formed its people as hard as the people have tried to form the land, there’s an enjoyable read for you in Superior Voyage

For live poetry events, workshops and readings, visit https://marquettepoetscircle.wordpress.com.

To find out where you can get your own copy of Superior Voyage, email Rick Rastall at r_rastall@yahoo.com MM

Victor R. Volkman is a graduate of Michigan Tech (Class of ’86) and is the current president of the U.P. Publishers & Authors Association. He is senior editor at Modern History Press and publisher of the U.P. Reader.

How to submit a book

Send Upper Peninsula-related book review suggestions to victor@LHPress.com. Books submitted for review can be sent to: MM Book Reviews, 5145 Pontiac Trail, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

Out & About

Out & About is a free listing of Upper Peninsula events. Events included must cost $25 or less (except fundraisers).

All events are free and in Eastern time unless noted. We print information sent to us by a wide variety of people and organizations. It pays to double check the date, time, place and cost before heading out.

E-mail your May events by Monday, April 10 to: calendar@marquettemonthly.com

Index

on the town …………………………………………………… 62 art galleries …………………………………………………65-66 museums ……………………………………………………… 68 support groups…………………………………………………74

end of march events

29 WEDNESDAY sunrise 7:36 a.m.; sunset 8:13 p.m.

Ishpeming

• Open Crafts Night. 6:30 p.m. Makers Marketplace, 113 Cleveland Ave. (906) 458-0626.

Marquette

• Congregate Meals for Seniors–Dine in or Curbside Pickup. Meals available to those age 60 and older. Call to reserve a meal. $3.50 suggested donation. Noon to 1 p.m. Marquette

Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. (906) 228-0456.

• Sea Lamprey Control in the Great Lakes. Chad Andresen will discuss the history of the invasive Sea Lamprey into the Great Lakes, effects on fishery and efforts to control the invasive species. NCLL members, $5; nonmembers, $10. 1:30 p.m. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Office, 1095 Cornerstone Dr. (906) 458-5408.

• La Table Française. French speakers of all abilities are invited for informal conversation and discussions. 7 p.m. NMU Library. (906) 227-2940.

• NMU Music Performance Competition. The concert will feature music majors performing a variety of instruments and voice ranges. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU.

Easter Egg Hunt | April 1 | Gwinn

Gabe Pierce via unsplash

on the town

Baraga

• Ojibwa Casino Pressbox.

- Saturday, April 1: The Reveal. 9 p.m.

164449 Michigan Avenue. (906) 353-6333.

Gwinn

• Hideaway Bar.

- Mondays: The Hideaway All-Stars. 7 p.m.

741 M-35. (906) 346-3178.

Hancock

• The Orpheum Theater.

- Thursday, April 6: The Slamming Doors. 8 p.m. $10.

- Friday, the 21st: The Lavendar Lions. $10. 7 p.m.

426 Quincy St. (906) 483-2294.

Houghton

• Continental Fire Company.

- Saturday, April 22: Wayouts. 7 p.m.

408 E. Montezuma Ave. (906) 523-5428.

Marquette

• Barrel + Beam.

- Sunday: April 16: Swing Dancing. 6 p.m..

- Sunday, the 30th: Swing Dancing. 6 p.m.

260 Northwoods Rd. barrelandbeam.com or (906) 273-2559.

• Blackrocks Brewery.

- Mondays: Trivia. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Wednesdays: Open mic. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Thursday, March 30: Jakey Thomas.

- Friday, March 31st: Soulshine.

- Saturday, April 1: Timekeepers. 7 p.m.

- Thursday, the 6th: Jim and Ray.

- Friday, the 14th: Daydreamers.

- Thursday, the 20th: Jim and Ray. Music begins at 6 p.m.

- Saturday, the 22nd: The Lavender Lions. 7 p.m.

424 N. Third St. (906) 273-1333 or blackrocksbrewery.com

• Drifa Brewing Company.

- Mondays: Musicians’ Open Mic. 6 to 8 p.m.

- Thursdays: Trivia. 7 p.m.- Sunday, April 23: Poetry Night. 5 p.m.

501 S. Lake St. 273-1300.

• Flanigan’s.

- Tuesday through Thursday: Karaoke. 9:30 p.m.

Cover charge on weekends only. 429 W. Washington St. (906) 228-8865.

• Lake Superior Smokehouse.

- Saturday, April 8: Daydreamers.6 p.m.

- Friday, the 14th: Jim and Ray. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Saturday, the 29th: Daydreamers acoustic. 6 p.m.

200 W. Main St. (906) 273-0952.

• Ore Dock Brewing Company.

- Friday, March 31: Anna p.s.

- Saturday, April 1: Ethan Bott.

- Monday, the 3rd: Comedy with Billy Reno. Ages 18 and older. $10. 8 p.m.

- Friday, the 7th: Erik Koskinen Band. 7 p.m.

- Saturday, the 8th: The Slamming Doors.

- Thursday, the 13th: Open Brewsic.

- Saturday, the 15th: Festival of the Angry Bear. 3 p.m.

- Wednesday, the 19th: Hiawatha on TAAP. Hiwatha members, $4; nonmembers, $10. 6 to 8 p.m.

- Friday, the 21st: Choir Practice.

- Saturday, the 29th: Fridge Buzz + Ladoga. All shows are free and begin at 8 p.m. unless noted.

114 W. Spring St. 228-8888.

• Rippling River Resort.

- Thursdays through Sundays: Fireside music by various musicians. 6 to 9 p.m.

4321 M-553. (906) 273-2259 or ripplingriverresort.com

• Superior Culture.

- Wednesday, April 5: Electric Words & Music. 7 p.m. 717 Third Street. superiorculturemqt. com (906) 273-0927.

Negaunee

• Pasquali’s Pub.

- Friday, March 31: Comedy night with Phil Kolas and Jeff Pfoser.

- Friday, April 14: Comedy night with

Bennett Brown and Adam McShane.

- Friday, the 28th: Brett Mercer and Mike Cronin. Comedy night,$10. 8 p.m. 100 Cliff St. (906) 475-4466.

Republic

• Pine Grove Bar.

- Friday, March 31: Matt Byce. 7 to 10 p.m.

- Saturday, April 1: Lillian Manceau. 3 to 6 p.m.

- Saturday, April 1: The Degens. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

- Friday, the 7th: The Pink Violin Band. 7 to 10 p.m.

- Saturday, the 8th: Polar Blues Band. 8 p.m. to midnight.

- Friday, the 14th: The Eons. 7 to 10 p.m.

- Saturday, the 15th: Adam Carpenter & the Upper Hand. 7 to 11 p.m.

- Friday, the 21st: Money Shot Acoustic. 8 to 11 p.m.

- Saturday, the 22nd: Toni Saari. 3 to 6 p.m.

- Saturday, the 22nd: Spun. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

- Friday, the 28th: Troy Graham. 7 to 10 p.m.

- Saturday, the 29th: Swampberry Moonshine. 8 pm. to midnight. 286 Front St. (906) 376-2234. MM

The Lavendar Lions | April 21, The Orpheum Theater, Hancock | April 22, Blackrocks Brewery, Marquette

Negaunee

• Knitting Group. Those interested in crocheting, knitting and other fiber arts are welcome to bring their projects and share with others. Coffee provided. 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

• Wings of Fire Interest Group. Youth age eight and older are invited to discuss the series, write fanfiction, make crafts and other activities. 3 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

30 THURSDAY

sunrise 7:34 a.m.; sunset 8:14 p.m.

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

Negaunee

• Music, Movement and More. This parent-led story time is for all ages. 10:30 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

31 FRIDAY

sunrise 7:32 a.m.; sunset 8:16 p.m.

Crystal Falls

• Gem of a Season Concert: The Way Down Wanderers. Enjoy a night of music performed by the quintet Way Down Wanderers. Students, $5; adults, $23. 7 p.m. The Crystal Theatre, 304 Superior Avenue. thecrystaltheatre.org or (906) 875-3208.

Gwinn

• Story Time. This story time is geared towards preschool-age children with stories, crafts and a light snack. 10:30 a.m. Forsyth Township Library, 180 W. Flint St. (906) 346-3433.

Marquette

• LEGO Club. Meet other LEGO enthusiasts and build LEGO projects using the library’s LEGO blocks. Youth age 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. 4 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• 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

• Viewing and Reviewing Aishiteru: Letter As a Vista at the Crossroads of Doll and War. Dr. Mitsutoshi Oba will explore the visuality of background scenery in the animation series Violet Evergarden 2 p.m. Room 165, Devos Art Museum, NMU. nmu.edu/devos

Negaunee

• The Next Chapter Book Club. This community-based book program is for adolescents and adults with Down Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Reading materials provided. 1 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

april events

01 SATURDAY sunrise 7:30 a.m.; sunset 8:17 p.m.

Calumet

• Winter Markets. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Calumet Art Center, 57055 Fifth St. (906) 934-2228.

Escanaba

• Ink Society Writers’ Group. 10:30 a.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. (906) 789-7323.

• Multicultural Story Hour. Explore the world through different cultures during this story hour. 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. (906) 789-7323.

Gwinn

• Seed Swap and Seed Workshop. Swap seeds with like growers and seed savers. Learn about companion planting, flower and vegetable planting and other planting tips. 10 a.m. to noon. Gwinn United Methodist Church, 251 W. Jasper St. gwinnseedlibrary@ gmail.com

• Easter Egg Hunt. Youth ages 10 and younger are invited for an Easter Egg hunt. Easter baskets, food, snacks and drinks will be provided. Noon to 3 p.m. Up North Lodge Event Center, 215 S. CR-557. (906) 361-3319

Marquette

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. Lessons, 10 a.m. Games, 11:30 a.m. Citizens Forum, Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Pine St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com

• Saturday Storytime. Stories, songs, rhymes, finger-plays and activities for babies and toddlers with an adult. Older siblings welcome. 10:30 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• NMU Percussion Ensemble Concert. 3 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. events.nmu.edu

02 SUNDAY sunrise 7:28 a.m.; sunset 8:18 p.m.

Ishpeming

• Bingo. Noon. Ishpeming VFW, 310 Bank St. (906) 486-4856.

Marquette

• Story Time at MooseWood: Turtles. This story time will have an animal-themed nature story, a craft or activity and a chance to meet the resident animals. Recommended for ages 3 to 8 but all ages welcome. Adults, $5; families, $10. 11 a.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Peter White Dr. Presque Isle. moosewood. org or (906) 228-6250.

03

MONDAY

sunrise 7:26 a.m.; sunset 8:20 p.m.

Marquette

• Marquette Playgroup. This weekly playgroup is led by an early childhood educator and geared toward newborns to age 5. Activities include free play, story time, a snack and other activities to promote social-emotional development. 9:30 to 11 a.m. Lake Superior Village Youth and Family Center, 1901 Longyear Ave. sjhobalia@greatstartma.org

• Book Babies. Newborns to age 17-months with an adult are invited for songs, rhymes and stories. 9:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Toddler Storytime. Toddlers age 18-months to age 3, with an adult, are invited for stories, songs and sensory-friendly activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Craft Magic Series: Felt Magic with Jody Trost. Join fiber artist Jody Trost for a beginner needle felted workshop. Space is limited. 6:30 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4322.

Negaunee

• All-Ages Online Storytime. Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes from the comfort of your own home. 11a.m. via Facebook Live. facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary

04 TUESDAY

sunrise 7:24 a.m.; sunset 8:21 p.m.

K.I. Sawyer

• Gwinn Area Community Playgroup. This weekly playgroup is led by an early childhood educator and geared toward newborns to age 5. Activities include free play, story time, a snack and other activities to promote social-emotional development. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Room 13, K.I. Sawyer Elementary School, 411 Scorpion St. sjhobalia@greatstartma.org

Marquette

• Book Babies. Newborns to age 17-months with an adult are invited for songs, rhymes and stories. 9:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn to customize your electronic devices with the help of Christine Ault. Bring your charged device and passwords. Sign up for a 15-minute timeslot. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4311.

• Preschool Storytime. Preschool age children are invited for stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• 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 to 3 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 225-8655.

• Opening the Doors to Dialogue. April Lindala will discuss a comprehensive art project led by Cayuga bead artist Samuel Thomas in response to Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation 94 calls to action. NCLL members, $5; nonmembers, $10. 3:30 p.m. Mead Auditorium, NMU. (906) 250-9492.

• Dumbledore’s Army. Students in grades 4 to 6 are invited for Harry Potter related crafts. 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Maritime History on Tap. Susan Hill and Trish Kautz will present Paranormal Activity in the Marquette Lighthouse. $5 suggested donation. 7 p.m. Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. (906) 226-2006.

• What’s Up? Astronomy Series. Scott Stobbelaar of the Marquette Astronomical Society will discuss what can be seen in the U.P. skies. 7 p.m. via Zoom. Visit pwpl.info for Zoom link.

05 WEDNESDAY

Escanaba

• Concert: Slamming Doors. Enjoy a night of music perform by Slamming Doors. Students in kindergarten through Bay College students, $10; nonstudents, $20. 7 p.m. Besse Theater, Bay College. baycollege.tix.com

Ishpeming

• Maple Sugar Demonstration Session One. Charlie Yeager will discuss maple syrup making from tapping trees to the finished syrup. Wear outdoor clothing suitable for the conditions. NCLL members, $5; nonmembers, $10. 2 p.m. 565 Cooper Lake Rd. (906) 458-5408.

• Open Crafts Night. 6:30 p.m.

art galleries

Calumet

• Calumet Art Center. Works by local and regional artists. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., 57055 Fifth St. (906) 934-2228.

• 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. Thursday 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. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed in April and summer hours begin May 1. 109 Fifth St. (906) 2990118 or galleryon5th.com

Copper Harbor

• EarthWorks Gallery. Featuring

Lake Superior-inspired photography by Steve Brimm. Daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 216 First St. (910) 319-1650.

Escanaba

• Besse Gallery.

- Celebration of Women’s History Month will be on display through March 31.

Days and hours vary. Bay College, 2001 N. Lincoln Rd. baycollege.edu

• East Ludington Art Gallery. Works by local artists. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 1007 Ludington St. (906) 786-0300 or eastludingtongallery.com

• Hartwig Gallery. Featuring works by local, regional and national artists. Days and hours vary. 2001 N. Lincoln Rd. baycollege.edu

• William Bonifas Fine Arts Gallery.

- Bonifas Membership Show, featuring works by Bonifas members, will be on display March 30 through May 18, with public receptions at 6 p.m. March 30.

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

Hancock

• Finlandia University Gallery.

- Faculty Exhibit, featuring works by Finlandia faculty members, will be on display through April 12.

Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. 435 Quincy St. (906) 487-7500.

• Kerredge Gallery.

- Youth Arts Month will be on display through April 1.

- Portraits and abstract paintings in mixed mediums, by Lynn Mazzoleni, will be on display April 6 to 29, with a public reception at 6 p.m. on the 6th.

Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Community Arts Center, 126 Quincy St. (906) 482-2333 or coppercountryarts.com

• Youth Gallery.

- Youth Arts Month, featuring works by students in kindergarten through grade 12, will be on display through April 1.

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

Houghton

• The Rozsa Galleries.

- Snowsports, featuring works by MTU faculty and staff, will be on display through April 29.

- Exhibition of Student Events, featuring works by MTU students, will be open April 17 at 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 to 8 p.m. Rozsa Center, 1400 Townsend Dr. mtu.edu/ rozsa

Marquette

• Art—U.P. Style. Art by Carol Papaleo, works by local artists, gifts, classes and more. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. 130 W. Washington St. (906) 225-1993.

• DeVos Art Museum.

- 2023 Faculty Biennial, featuring works by faculty in the School of Art and Design, will be on display through March 31.

- Snowdrift, an accumulation of artwork that examines the many expressions of snow, will be on

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(continued on page 66)

Lynn Mazzoleni | It’s Compliicated | Kerredge Gallery, Hancock

art galleries

(continued from page 65)

display through June 30.

- New Acquisitions, featuring works by Kinngait artists, Leon Lundmark and others, will be on display through June 30.

Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Corner of Seventh and Tracy streets. NMU. (906) 227-1481 or nmu.edu/devos

• Graci Gallery. Works by regional and national artists. Featuring fine craft, contemporary art, and jewelry. Thursday and Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday, by appointment or chance. 110 N. Third St. gracigallery.com

• Huron Mountain Club Gallery.

- Winter Charm, a mixed media exhibit, will be on display through March 31.

- PWPL Art Sale will be on display April 1 through 30.

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.

- Lake Superior Art Association Members’ Show will be on display through March 31.

- NMU Student Exhibit, featuring works by NMU students, will be on display April 1 through 30, with a public reception at 6 p.m. on the 13th.

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.

• Peter White Public Library Lower Level Reception Gallery.

- Seen and Unseen, featuring photography from the NMU Photography Program, will be on display through March 31.

- GLPF: Voices & Art Unlocked, a traveling exhibit of visual art from the Prison Creative Arts Project, will be on display April 3 through 30.

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.

• 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.

• The Gallery: A Marquette Artist Collective Project. Works by local and regional artists. Monday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 to 4 p.m. Suite U7, 130 W. Washington St. mqtartistcollective.com

• The Studio Gallery at Presque Isle. Works by local and internationally acclaimed artists. Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. 2905 Lakeshore Blvd. (906) 360-4453.

• Wintergreen Hill Gallery and Gifts.

- Works by Jacob Darner will be on display through March 31.

- Works by Amy Stephen will be on display April 1 throug 29, with a public reception at 5 p.m. on the 1st.

Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 810 N. Third St. (906) 273-1374.

• Zero Degrees Gallery.

- Mixed media collages by Renee Michaud will be on display through March 31.

The gallery features works in oils, watercolors, mixed media, jewelry, photography, metals, woods, recycled and fiber arts and much more. Tuesday 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. Thursday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by appointment. 109 W. Superior Ave. upscaleart.org or (906) 387-3300.

Rapid River

• The adhocWORKshop. Owner Ritch Branstrom creates sculptures with found objects inspired by the land in which the objects were found. By appointment or chance. 10495 South Main Street. (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

Makers Marketplace, 113 Cleveland Ave. (906) 458-0626.

Marquette

• Wiggle Worms STEM Storytime. Stories are intermixed with activities followed by STEM-related activities to stimulate senses. 9:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Congregate Meals for Seniors–Dine in or Curbside Pickup. Meals available to those age 60 and older. 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 with Colleen Maki. Bring your own supplies to this drawing class with a focus on optical illusions. Marquette residents, free; nonresidents, $5. 1 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 225-8655.

• Teens Game On. Youth in grades 6 to 12 are invited to play video games, board games and other games. 4 to 7 p.m. Teen Zone, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4321.

• Junior Graphic Novel Geeks. Youth in grades 1 to 3 will look at graphic novels that feature magical creatures and places and can draw their favorite characters. 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Marquette County Quilters Association Monthly Meeting. All skill levels are invited for socialization, program events and show and tell. Yearly membership fee, $20. 6:30 p.m., lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. marquettequilters.org

• League of Women Voters of Marquette County Meeting. All interested community members are welcome. Learn about the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, an agreement among several states and Washington D.C. to award their electoral votes to the presidential candidate with the most popular votes nationally. 6:45 p.m. lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. lwvmqt.org

• La Table Française. French speakers of all abilities are invited for informal conversation and discussions. 7 p.m. NMU Library. (906) 227-2940.

Negaunee

• Knitting Group. Those interested in crocheting, knitting and other fiber arts are welcome to bring their projects and share with others. Coffee provided. 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

• Wings of Fire Interest Group. Youth age eight and older are invited to discuss the series, write fanfiction, make crafts and other activities. 3 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

Houghton

THURSDAY

• MTU Music Trombone Choir. 6:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. events.mtu. edu

Ishpeming

• Seed Sorting Volunteer Event. Help prepare the seed library by sorting, labeling and preparing seeds. 4 to 7 p.m. Margaret Dundon Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. (906) 486-4381.

Marquette

• Toddler Storytime. Toddlers age 18-months to age 3, with an adult, are invited for stories, songs and sensory-friendly activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• 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

• Wings of Fire. Youth in grades 4 to 6 are invited to play games inspired from the series. 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Superior String Alliance Concert. Danielle Simandl, Dr. Barbara Rhyneer, Ria Hodgson, Eric Marta and Adam Hall will perform Antonín Dvořák’s Viola Quintet No. 3, Op. 97. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. superiorstringalliance.org

Negaunee

• Music, Movement and More. This parent-led story time is for all ages. 10:30 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

07 FRIDAY

sunrise 7:19 a.m.; sunset 8:25 p.m.

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.

Negaunee

• The Next Chapter Book Club. This community-based book program is for adolescents and adults with Down Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Reading materials provided. 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

Escanaba

• LEGO Club. Bring your LEGOs for an afternoon of LEGO fun with others. 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. (906) 789-7323.

Ishpeming

• Parent and Healthy Tot Living. All community members are invited to attend despite ability to pay. $15 fee if you are able to pay; $25 fee to pay it forward. 10:30 a.m. to noon. Partridge Creek Farm Office, 112 S. Main St. emily@partridgecreekfarm.org

Marquette

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. Lessons, 10 a.m. Games, 11:30 a.m. Citizens Forum, Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Pine St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com

• Easter Craft Show. Shop for

museums

Calumet

• International Frisbee 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 Coliseum, Red Jacket Rd. (906) 281-7625.

Escanaba

• Upper Peninsula Honor Flight Legacy Museum. The museum chronicles the history of the U.P. Honor Flights with the history of the trips. Donations appreciated. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by request. Inside the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, 1001 N. Lincoln Rd.

• Upper Peninsula Military 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. Donations appreciated. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by request. Inside the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, 1001 N. Lincoln Rd.

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, days and hours vary. (906) 482-3101 or quincymine. com

products from local crafters and visit with the Easter Bunny. Craft show, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Easter Bunny visit, noon to 3 p.m. Westwood Mall, 3020 US-41. 906beads@gmail.com

• Saturday Storytime. Stories, songs, rhymes, finger-plays and activities for babies and toddlers with an adult. Older siblings welcome. 10:30 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• MLC Pop-Up: Artfulness. Join Emily from MLC Education Engagement for free flowing art stations, including modeling clay, painting and drawing. 1 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

09

EASTER

10

Ishpeming

• Ishpeming Birthday Celebration. Celebrate Ishpeming’s official birthday with others, tour the historical museum and enjoy refreshments. 5 to 7 p.m. Ishpeming Area Historical Society Museum, third floor of Gossard Building, 308 Cleveland St. (906) 486-8680.

Marquette

• Marquette Playgroup. This weekly playgroup is led by an early childhood educator and geared toward newborns to age 5. Activities include free play, story time, a snack and other activities

Houghton

• A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum. View the largest collection of minerals from the Great Lakes region and the world’s finest collection of Michigan minerals. Exhibits educate visitors on how minerals are formed, fluorescent minerals and minerals from around the world. Prices vary. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1404 E. Sharon Ave. museum. mtu.edu or (906) 487-2572.

• Carnegie Museum. Features rotating displays of local history, natural science and culture. The Science Center is dedicated to interactive exhibits about science for kids. 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

• 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. Days and times vary. 302 Kent St. (906) 774-1086.

Ishpeming

• U.S. National Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame & Museum. The

museum features more than 300 Hall of Fame inductees, presented in photographs and biographies, and displays and exhibits of skiing history and equipment, an extensive library, video show, gift shop, special events and more. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. US-41 and Third St. (906) 485-6323 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. Donations appreciated. Wednesday through Sunday, 1 to 5 p.m. 402 Third St. (906) 236-3502 or kishamuseum.org

Marquette

• Baraga Educational Center and Museum. View artifacts and tools used by Venerable Bishop Baraga. Donations appreciated. Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment. 615 S. Fourth St. (906) 227-9117.

• Beaumier Upper Peninsula Heritage Center.

- It’s all Downhill: Alpine Skiing in the U.P., an exhibit featuring the skiing history in the U.P., will be on display through April 30. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. NMU, corner of Seventh Street and Tracy Avenue. (906) 227-3212 or nmu.edu/ beaumier

• Marquette Regional History Center.

- Exposing Photography: Anything but a Small Business, the exhibit featurs the works of U.P. photographers,

to promote social-emotional development. 9:30 to 11 a.m. Lake Superior Village Youth and Family Center, 1901 Longyear Ave. sjhobalia@greatstartma.org

• Book Babies. Newborns to age 17-months with an adult are invited for songs, rhymes and stories. 9:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Toddler Storytime. Toddlers age 18-months to age 3, with an adult, are invited for stories, songs and sensory-friendly activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Senior Theatre Experience: Monthly Workshop and Discussion. This workshop is for those age 55 and older. Register in advance. Marquette city and surrounding township residents, free; nonresidents, $5 donation. 5 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture

their studios and equipment, will be on display through January 13, 2024. The museum includes interactive displays as well as regional history exhibits. Youth 12 and younger, $2; students, $3; seniors, $6; adults, $7. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 145 W. Spring St. (906) 2263571 or marquettehistory.org

• Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum. A variety of interactive exhibits offer learning through investigation and creativity. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Prices vary. 123 W. Baraga Ave. (906) 226-3911 or upchildrensmuseum.org

Munising

• Alger County Historical Society Heritage Center. Exhibits include the Grand Island Recreation Area, Munising Woodenware Company, barn building, homemaking, sauna and more. Tuesday through Saturday, noon 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 Recration Passport required for parking. Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4p.m. 73 Forge Rd. (906) 475-7857. MM

Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 225-8655.

• Colony Necropsy: Why Did My Honey Bees Die? Ana Heck, Apiculture Extension Educator for MSU Extension, will discuss how to identify reasons for a colony’s death based on clues left by the bees and how to prevent colony loss in future beekeeping seasons. Sponsored by Superior Beekeeping Club. 6 to 8 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. superiorbeekeepingclub.weebly.com/events-and- meetings or superiorbeekeeping@gmail.com

Negaunee

• All-Ages Online Storytime. Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes from the comfort of your own home. 11a.m. via Facebook Live. facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary

• Poetry Readings. Local poets Troy Graham and Marty Achatz will read selections of their poetry. 5 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

11 TUESDAY

Calumet

• Friends of the Calumet Public Library Meeting. 5:30 p.m. Community Room, Calumet Public Library, 57070 Mine St. (906) 3370311 ext. 107.

Gwinn

• Literature at the Lodge. The group will discuss The Red Address Book by Sofia Lundberg. 7 p.m. Up North Lodge, 215 S. CR-557. (906) 346-3433.

Iron Mountain

• Evaluating Honey Bee Brood Frames. Ana Heck, Apiculture Extension Educator for MSU Extension, will discuss how to distinguish between healthy and sick brood and to recognize signs of European Foulbrood, American Foulbrood, chalkbrood, and varroa parasitic mite brood syndrome. Hosted by Northwoods Beekeepers Club. 6:30 to 8 p.m. CDT Bay College West Campus, 2801 U.S. Rte. 2. facebook.com/groups/1857730991152872 or borderlandbeeks@gmail.com

K.I. Sawyer

• Gwinn Area Community Playgroup. This weekly playgroup is led by an early childhood educator and geared toward newborns to age 5. Activities include free play, story time, a snack and other activities to promote social-emotional development. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Room 13, K.I. Sawyer Elementary School, 411 Scorpion St. sjhobalia@greatstartma.org

Marquette

• Book Babies. Newborns to age

17-months with an adult are invited for songs, rhymes and stories. 9:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn to customize your electronic devices with the help of Christine Ault. Bring your charged device and passwords. Sign up for a 15-minute timeslot. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4311.

• Preschool Storytime. Preschool age children are invited for stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Tasty Reads Book Group. The group will discuss Love and Saffron by Kim Fay. Noon. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4303.

• 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

Marquette Regional History Center. Knitters age 10 and older are invited to share knitting experiences and knowledge. $1 to $5 donation. 1 to 2:30 p.m. Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. beedhive47@yahoo. com

• Oil Painting, Pastels and Drawing Classes with Marlene Wood. Bring your own supplies. $20. 1 to 3 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 225-8655.

• Does the Library Have That? Part One. Amy Salminen will discuss the library’s online catalog, placing holds, renewing check out items and apps to

download. NCLL members, $5; nonmembers, $10. 2 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 458-5408.

• Muggles for Potter. Youth in grades 2 and 3 are to make a Harry Potterrelated potion. 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Diversity Common Reader Program Film Screening. The film My Left Foot will be shown 6:30 p.m. Community Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4321.

12 WEDNESDAY sunrise 7:09 a.m.; sunset 8:32 p.m.

Escanaba

• Queen Issues and Events. Ana Heck, Apiculture Extension Educator for MSU Extension, will discuss how to decipher queen events like swarming, supersedure, and emergency queen loss; knowing the difference will help in deciding when and how to intervene. Hosted by the Bay de Noc Beekeeping Club. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Bay College, Besse Health and Technology Building, Room 408, 2001 N Lincoln Rd. facebook.com/ groups/482861615450098

Hancock

• Open Poetry Reading. 6 to 7 p.m. Copper Country Community Arts Center, 126 Quincy St. (906) 482-2333.

Houghton

• MTU Theatre: Chess. During this rock musical, the game becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super-power politics and international intrigue. MTU students, free; youth, $5; adults, $20. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. events.mtu.edu

Ishpeming

• Maple Sugar Demonstration Session Two. Charlie Yeager will discuss maple syrup making from tapping trees to the finished syrup. Wear outdoor clothing suitable for the conditions. NCLL members, $5; nonmembers, $10. 2 p.m. 565 Cooper Lake Rd. (906) 458-5408.

• Open Crafts Night. 6:30 p.m. Makers Marketplace, 113 Cleveland Ave. (906) 458-0626.

Marquette

• Wiggle Worms STEM Storytime. Stories are intermixed with activities followed by STEM-related activities to stimulate senses. 9:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Congregate Meals for Seniors–Dine in or Curbside Pickup. Meals available to those age 60 and older. Call to reserve a meal. $3.50 suggested donation. Noon to 1 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. (906) 228-0456.

• Junior Teen Advisory Board. Students in grades 5 to 8 are invited to meet new people, plan events and gain volunteer experience. 4:15 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4321.

• Clear the Clutter. Professional organizer Dar Shepherd will discuss how clutter affects your life, how to declutter and organize. 6:30 p.m. Lions Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 360-3000 or shepherdorganizing.com

• Authors Read Virtually: Rosalie Sanara Petrouske. Poet Rosalie Sanara Petrouske will read selections from her chapbook Tracking the Fox. 7 p.m. via Zoom. Visit pwpl.info for Zoom link.

Negaunee

• Knitting Group. Those interested in crocheting, knitting and other fiber arts are welcome to bring their projects and share with others. Coffee provided. 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

• Wings of Fire Interest Group. Youth age eight and older are invited to discuss the series, write fanfiction, make crafts and other activities. 3 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

• Basic Budgeting. Members of Embers Credit Union will discuss budgeting. 3:30 p.m. Reading Room, Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

13 THURSDAY sunrise 7:07a.m.; sunset 8:33 p.m.

Escanaba

• Bay Film Series: Women Talking. Kindergarten through Bay College students, $2; others, $5. 7 p.m. Besse Center, Bay College, 2001 N. Lincoln

Beekeeping Club Events | April 10, 11, 12 & 13 | Marquette, Iron Mountain, Escanaba & Houghton

•

Shelby Cohron via unsplash

Rd. baycollege.tix.com or (906) 217-4045.

Crystal Falls

• Virtual Q&A with U.P. Author Dorothy Paad. Author Dorothy Paad will discuss her book Dorothy is Moving Mountains. 7 p.m. Call or email to register and receive the Zoom link. (906) 875-3344 or egathu@uproc. lib.mi.us

Houghton

• Queen Issues and Events. Ana Heck, Apiculture Extension Educator for MSU Extension, will discuss how to decipher queen events like swarming, supersedure, and emergency queen loss; knowing the difference will help in deciding when and how to intervene. Hosted by the Copper Country Beekeeping Club. 6:30 to 8 p.m. Carnegie Museum, community room, lower entrance, 105 Huron St. or pjcattel@mtu.edu

• MTU Theatre: Chess. During this rock musical, the game becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super-power politics and international intrigue. MTU students, free; youth, $5; adults, $20. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. events.mtu.edu

Ishpeming

• Seed Sorting Volunteer Event. Help prepare the seed library by sorting, labeling and preparing seeds. 4 to 7 p.m. Margaret Dundon Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. (906) 486-4381.

Marquette

• Stormy Kromer Factory Tour. Tour the factory for an up close look at how Stormy Kromer hats are made. The group will carpool from Marquette to Ironwood. Bring extra money for gas, lunch and Stormy Kromer shopping. NCLL members, $5; nonmembers, $10. 8 a.m. Pizza Hut parking lot, US-41. (906) 360-2859.

• Toddler Storytime. Toddlers age 18-months to age 3, with an adult, are invited for stories, songs and sensory-friendly activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• 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

• Where Does Our Electricity

Come From. Tim Kopacz from the Marquette Board of Light and Power will discuss electricity and other possible sources of generating electricity. NCLL members, $5; nonmembers, $10. 1 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 249-1273.

• Art Sparks. Youth in grades 1 to 5 are invited to make a Faberge´ egg. Dress to get messy. 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217

N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Second Thursday Creativity Series: Everything Green. Youth are invited for hands-on activities, snacks, music, and free Culver’s frozen custard. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. U.P. Children’s Museum, 123 W. Baraga Ave. (906) 226-3911 or upchildrensmuseum.org

• We’re Banking On You. Visit Flagstar Bank afterhours, during this fundraising event for the Marquette Regional History Center. Learn about the history of the building, view collected coins belonging to L.G. Kaufman. Appetizers and wine will be available. Single tickets, $50. Two tickets, $85 p.m. Flagstar Bank, 101 W. Washington St. (906) 226-3571.

• Marquette Poet Circle. Join other poets, writers and listeners for an evening of poetry. 6:30 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4322.

Negaunee

• Music, Movement and More. This parent-led story time is for all ages.

10:30 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

14 FRIDAY

sunrise 7:06 a.m.; sunset 8:35 p.m.

Houghton

• MTU Theatre: Chess. During this rock musical, the game becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super-power politics and international intrigue. MTU students, free; youth, $5; adults, $20. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. events.mtu.edu

Marquette

• Preschool Storytime. Preschool age children are invited for stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Docu Cinema Matinee. The documentary film Poetry in Motion will be shown. Noon. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4322.

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com

• LEGO Club. Meet other LEGO enthusiasts and build LEGO projects using the library’s LEGO blocks. Youth age 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. 4 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Night of 1,000 Cranes. Color and design your own origami paper cranes. Enjoy tea, music and movies while folding origami. Donations appreciated. 5 to 10 p.m. The Art Drop Shop and Studio, lower level, 130 W. Washington St. theartdropshop@gmail.com

• Spring Pow Wow. National champion-level drummers and dancers will showcase their talents. Youth age 5 and younger, free; Elders age 62 and older, free; others, $5 per day or $10 for a weekend pass. 7 p.m. Ojibwa Casino, 105 Acre Trail. travelmarquette.com

• NMU Theatre and Dance: Grease. Celebrate the Rydell High class of 1959 in this iconic rock ‘n’ roll musical. Youth 17 and younger, $10; seniors, $12; adults, $17. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds

Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/tickets

Negaunee

• The Next Chapter Book Club. This community-based book program is for adolescents and adults with Down Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Reading materials provided. 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

15 SATURDAY

sunrise 7:04 a.m.; sunset 8:36 p.m.

Escanaba

• Story Hour. Youth ages 5 and older are invited for stories. 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. (906) 789-7323.

Gwinn

• Seed Packing Volunteer Opportunity. Volunteers are needed to help pack seed packets. Soup and sandwiches will be available. 10 a.m. Gwinn United Methodist Church, 251 W. Jasper St. gwinnseedlibrary@ gmail.com

Hancock

• Onagomingkway Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution. Members are invited for a potluck luncheon. Questions about genealogy and joining DAR will be answered following the meeting. Noon. 49582 Frenchtown Rd. (906) 226-7836.

Houghton

• MTU Theatre: Chess. During this rock musical, the game becomes a metaphor for romantic rivalries, competitive gamesmanship, super-power politics and international intrigue. MTU students, free; youth, $5; adults, $20. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. events.mtu.edu

Marquette

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. Lessons, 10 a.m. Games, 11:30 a.m. Citizens Forum, Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Pine St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com

• Saturday Storytime. Stories, songs, rhymes, finger-plays and activities for babies and toddlers with an adult. Older siblings welcome. 10:30 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• NMU Theatre and Dance Theatre for All: Grease. Celebrate the Rydell High class of 1959 in this iconic rock ‘n’ roll musical. Free ticket options available. Youth 17 and younger, $10; seniors, $12; adults, $17. 1 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/ tickets

• Spring Pow Wow. National champion-level drummers and dancers will showcase their talents. Youth age 5 and

Festival of the Angry Bear | April 15 | Marquette

•

Courtesy of Blaine McQuinn

younger, free; Elders age 62 and older, free; others, $5 per day or $10 for a weekend pass. 1 and 7 p.m. Ojibwa Casino, 105 Acre Trail. travelmarquette.com

• Creature Feature: Decomposers. Learn about the millipedes, springtrails, and pillbugs or “rollie pollies”. Recommended for ages 6 and older but all ages welcome. Adults, $5; families, $10. 3 p.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Peter White Dr. Presque Isle. moosewood.org or (906) 228-6250.

• Festival of the Angry Bear. Celebrate spring with a variety of musical performances, food, drinks and more. 3 p.m. Ore Dock Brewing Company, 112 W. Spring St. oredockbrewing.com

• Marquette Symphony Orchestra

Concert . Prices vary. 7:30 p.m. Kaufman Auditorium, 611 N. Front St. nmu.edu/tickets

• NMU Theatre and Dance: Grease. Celebrate the Rydell High class of 1959 in this iconic rock ‘n’ roll musical. Youth 17 and younger, $10; seniors, $12; adults, $17. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/tickets

16 SUNDAY

sunrise 7:02 a.m.; sunset 8:37 p.m.

Ishpeming

• Bingo. Noon. Ishpeming VFW, 310 Bank St. (906) 486-4856.

Marquette

• Spring Pow Wow. National champion-level drummers and dancers will showcase their talents. Youth age 5 and younger, free; Elders age 62 and older, free; others, $5 per day or $10 for a weekend pass. 7 p.m. Ojibwa Casino, 105 Acre Trail. travelmarquette.com

• South of the Border: A Benefit Concert. Local musicians will perform music from countries south of the U.S. Proceeds will support an asylum-seeking family from Central America living in the community. Donations appreciated. 4 p.m. Messiah Lutheran Church, 305 W. Magnetic St.

17 MONDAY

sunrise 7:00 a.m.; sunset 8:39 p.m.

Escanaba

• Jazz Band Concert. The Escanaba Junior and Senior High School jazz ensembles will perform. 4:30 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. (906) 789-7323.

Marquette

• Marquette Playgroup. This weekly playgroup is led by an early childhood educator and geared toward newborns to age 5. Activities include free play, story time, a snack and other activities to promote social-emotional development. 9:30 to 11 a.m. Lake Superior Village Youth and Family Center, 1901 Longyear Ave. sjhobalia@

greatstartma.org

• Book Babies. Newborns to age 17-months with an adult are invited for songs, rhymes and stories. 9:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Toddler Storytime. Toddlers age 18-months to age 3, with an adult, are invited for stories, songs and sensory-friendly activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Whitewater Associates Tour. The group will carpool from Marquette to Amasa to tour the water analysis labs of Whitewater Associates. Learn about surface water, drinking water, ground water, soil analysis and more. NCLL members, $5; nonmembers, $10. 12:15 p.m. Northeast corner of Tadych’s Marketplace, parking lot, 1401 O’Dovero Dr. (906) 475-4252.

• Quick Fics Book Club. The group will discuss The Dream-Quest of Vellitt Boe by Kij Johnson. 6 p.m. Dandelion Cottage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4321.

• Meet the Filmmaker. View local documentarian Dan Korhonen’s film Save Our Theatre. A Q&A will follow. 7 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4322.

Negaunee

• All-Ages Online Storytime. Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes from the comfort of your own home. 11a.m. via Facebook Live. facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary

18

Ishpeming

• ICPL Adult Book Club. The group will discuss Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng. 2 p.m. Ray Leverton Community Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. (906) 486-4381.

K.I. Sawyer

• Gwinn Area Community Playgroup. This weekly playgroup is led by an early childhood educator and geared toward newborns to age 5. Activities include free play, story time, a snack and other activities to promote social-emotional development. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Room 13, K.I. Sawyer Elementary School, 411 Scorpion St. sjhobalia@greatstartma.org

Marquette

• Book Babies. Newborns to age 17-months with an adult are invited for songs, rhymes and stories. 9:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn to customize your electronic devices

with the help of Christine Ault. Bring your charged device and passwords. Sign up for a 15-minute timeslot. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4311.

• Preschool Storytime. Preschool age children are invited for stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• 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 to 3 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 225-8655.

• Chemicals and Human Health: Cindy’s Story and the Effects of Chemicals on Human Health. Jim Duehring will discuss his wife Cindy Duehring and her efforts to campaign for the rights of those injured by chemicals 6:30 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. upwild.org

19 WEDNESDAY

sunrise 6:56 a.m.; sunset 8:41 p.m.

Ishpeming

• GINCC Business After Hours. 5 to 7 p.m. Partridge Creek Farm Office, 112 S. Main St. emily@partridgecreekfarm.org

• Open Crafts Night. 6:30 p.m. Makers Marketplace, 113 Cleveland Ave. (906) 458-0626.

Marquette

• Wiggle Worms STEM Storytime. Stories are intermixed with activities followed by STEM-related activities to stimulate senses. 9:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Congregate Meals for Seniors–Dine in or Curbside Pickup. Meals available to those age 60 and older. Call to reserve a meal. $3.50 suggested donation. Noon to 1 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. (906) 228-0456.

• Adult Non-Fiction Book Club. The group will discuss Lab Girl by Hope Jahren. 1 p.m. Conference Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4311.

• Senior Visual Art Classes with Colleen Maki. This drawing class with focus on optical illusions. Bring your own supplies. Marquette residents, free; nonresidents, $5. 1 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 225-8655.

• Outword. LGBTQIA youth and

allied students in grades 7 to 12 are invited. 4 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4321.

• I Was a War Child in Sweden. Boli Soderberg will discuss her time as a child in Sweden during World War II. NCLL members, $5; nonmembers, $10. 6:30 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 458-5408.

• MSHS Jazz Band Concert. The Marquette Senior High School Jazz Band will perform. 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4321.

• Interfaith Holocaust Memorial Service. Speaker Peter Simenauer will discuss how he and his family escaped Nazi Germany when he was five years old. A reception will follow across the street at Temple Beth Sholom. 7 p.m. St. Paul Episcopal Church, 201 E. Ridge St.

• La Table Française. French speakers of all abilities are invited for informal conversation and discussions. 7 p.m. NMU Library. (906) 227-2940.

• NMU Theatre and Dance: Grease. Celebrate the Rydell High class of 1959 in this iconic rock ‘n’ roll musical. Youth 17 and younger, $10; seniors, $12; adults, $17. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/tickets

• Drink & Draw. Those age 21 and older are invited for an evening of drawing while enjoying adult beverages or your drink of choice. Bring you own drawing supplies and drinks. 8 p.m. The Art Drop Shop and Studio, lower level, 130 W. Washington St. theartdropshop@gmail.com

Negaunee

• Knitting Group. Those interested in crocheting, knitting and other fiber arts are welcome to bring their projects and share with others. Coffee provided. 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

• Wings of Fire Interest Group. Youth age eight and older are invited to discuss the series, write fanfiction, make crafts and other activities. 3 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

20 THURSDAY

sunrise 6:55 a.m.; sunset 8:43 p.m.

Ishpeming

• Crochet Club. Gather with fellow crafters and bring along a project you are working on. Basic supplies and instruction is available to beginners. 2 p.m. Ray Leverton Community Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. (906) 486-4381.

• Seed Sorting Volunteer Event. Help prepare the seed library by sorting, labeling and preparing seeds. 4 to 7 p.m. Margaret Dundon Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. (906) 486-4381.

Marquette

• Toddler Storytime. Toddlers age 18-months to age 3, with an adult, are invited for stories, songs and sensory-friendly activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• 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

• PWPL Kindness Club. This club is for school-aged children to get involved and give back to the community. 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• NMU Theatre and Dance: Grease. Celebrate the Rydell High class of 1959 in this iconic rock ‘n’ roll musical. Youth 17 and younger, $10; seniors, $12; adults, $17. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/tickets

Negaunee

• Music, Movement and More. This parent-led story time is for all ages. 10:30 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

21 FRIDAY

sunrise 6:53 a.m.; sunset 8:44 p.m.

Calumet

• Dinner and a Movie. Enjoy dinner, dinner and a movie or just the movie. The 1936 film Reefer Madness will be shown. Dinner, $25. 6 p.m.; Movie, $5, 7 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. (906) 337-2610 or calumettheatre.com

Crystal Falls

• Gem of a Season: Comedy with Karen Morgan. Come out for a night of stand-up comedy with Karen Morgan. Students, $5; adults, $23. 7 p.m. The Crystal Theatre, 304 Superior Avenue. thecrystaltheatre.org or (906) 875-3208.

Houghton

• MTU Music: Charles Mingus and Ethel Smyth, For Starters. Enjoy a night of music by the Superior Wind Symphony. MTU students, free; youth, $5; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. events.mtu.edu

Marquette

• Preschool Storytime. Preschool age children are invited for stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Global Cinema. The film by French director Jean Luc-Godard, Breathless, will be shown. Noon. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4322.

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge

Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod. com

• LEGO Club. Meet other LEGO enthusiasts and build LEGO projects using the library’s LEGO blocks. Youth age 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. 4 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• NMU Siril Concert Series. The German vocal group, Calmus, will perform. NMU students, free; nonstudents, $12. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.universitytickets.com

• NMU Theatre and Dance: Grease. Celebrate the Rydell High class of 1959 in this iconic rock ‘n’ roll musical. Youth 17 and younger, $10; seniors, $12; adults, $17. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/tickets

• Registration Deadline: Upcycling Workshop: No-Sew T-Shirt to Tote Bag. See Sunday the 23rd.

Negaunee

• The Next Chapter Book Club. This community-based book program is for adolescents and adults with Down Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Reading materials provided. 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700. 22

Calumet

• Winter Markets. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Calumet Art Center, 57055 Fifth St. (906) 934-2228.

• Kids Movie Magic. The 2015

animated film Home will be shown. The film is rated PG. $1. 6 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. (906) 337-2610 or calumettheatre.com

Escanaba

• Bay-Con Strikes Back. This pop culture event will include vinyl records, vintage toys, cosplay, video games, trivia music, food and more. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Room 952, JHUC, Bay College. baycollege.edu

• Junior Book Club. Youth ages 6 to 10 are invited. The theme is spring. Registration required. 1 p.m. Children’s Room, Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. (906) 789-7323.

Houghton

• MTU Music: Old World, New World. Enjoy a night of music by the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra. MTU students, free; youth, $10; adults, $19. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. events. mtu.edu

Ishpeming

• Earth Day Celebration. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ishpeming Middle School, 324 Pearl St. emily@partridgecreekfarm. org

• Seed Library Opening. Stop by to see the different types of seeds available. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. (906) 486-4381.

Marquette

• Sharing Nature with Children at Lakenenland. Celebrate Earth Day with nature-based family play stations, community connections, hot dogs and s’mores. The event is part of the Great Start Collaborative of Marquette-Alger Counties. 10 to noon. Lakenenland Sculpture Park, 2800 M-28 E. amillerporter@maresa.org

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge

Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. Lessons, 10 a.m. Games, 11:30 a.m. Citizens Forum, Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Pine St.

• Saturday Storytime. Stories, songs, rhymes, finger-plays and activities for babies and toddlers with an adult. Older siblings welcome. 10:30 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• A Night at the Ballet. The production will consist of three dance pieces, including, Degas, Life of a Dancer and Paradise. Dancers of all ages will perform. Advanced tickets: youth, $9; adults, $15. At the door: youth, $9; adults, $17. 1 and 7 p.m. Kaufman Auditorium, 611 N. Front St. tickets. nmu.edu

• NMU Theatre and Dance: Grease. Celebrate the Rydell High class of 1959 in this iconic rock ‘n’ roll musical. Youth 17 and younger, $10; seniors, $12; adults, $17. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. nmu.edu/tickets

• Open Mind (OM) Ensemble. A mixed instrument chamber ensemble will create music and sonic spaces formed out of improvisational techniques. 7:30 p.m. Panowski Black Box Theatre, NMU. events.nmu.edu

• UPW MarquetteMania. UPW Pro Wrestlers including EC3, Big Con, Alan Angles, Mad Man Soltan, Eugene, Tatanka, Silus Young and Rick and Scott Steiner will compete. Proceeds benefit Bay Cliff Health Camp and Marquette County Youth Football. Prices vary.. 7 p.m.. Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Fair Ave. nmu.edu/tickets.

23 SUNDAY

sunrise 6:49 a.m.; sunset 8:47 p.m.

Calumet

• Travelogue Series: Around the World on Skates. Social, 1 p.m.; presentation, 2 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. (906) 337-2610 or calumettheatre.com

Houghton

• MTU Music: Charles Singing is Life. Enjoy a night of music by the Michigan Tech Choirs and the Michigan Tech Choir Alumni. MTU students, free; youth, $5; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. events. mtu.edu

Marquette

• Brides and Bubbly Wedding Show. Meet with area vendors to see all things wedding. Fashion show at 1 p.m. $5. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Northern Center, NMU.

• Upcycling Workshop: No-Sew T-Shirt to Tote Bag. Celebrate Earth Day and learn to make your own tote bag from a t-shirt. Bring your own t-shirt. Youth younger than 12 need to be accompanied by an adult. Register by the 21st. Adults, $5; families, $10. 2 p.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Peter White Dr. Presque Isle. moosewoodnc@gmail.com or (906)

Calmus | April 21 | Marquette

228-6250.

• Poetry Reading Kick-off. Peter White Public Library launches the Great Lakes Poetry Festival with readings by Troy Graham, Beverly Matherne, Gala Malherbe and Marty Achatz. 5 p.m. Drifa Brewing Company, 501 S. Lake St. (906) 226-4322.

24 MONDAY

sunrise 6:48 a.m.; sunset 8:48 p.m.

Marquette

• Marquette Playgroup. This weekly playgroup is led by an early childhood educator and geared toward newborns to age 5. Activities include free play, story time, a snack and other activities to promote social-emotional development. 9:30 to 11 a.m. Lake Superior Village Youth and Family Center, 1901 Longyear Ave. sjhobalia@greatstartma.org

• Book Babies. Newborns to age 17-months with an adult are invited for songs, rhymes and stories. 9:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Toddler Storytime. Toddlers age 18-months to age 3, with an adult, are invited for stories, songs and sensory-friendly activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Meet the Author. Local author Dorothy Paad will discuss how she became a published author and answer audience questions. 4:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Senior Theatre Experience: Monthly Workshop and Discussion. This workshop is for those age 55 and older. Register in advance. Marquette city and surrounding township residents, free; nonresidents, $5 donation. 5 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 225-8655.

• Jonathan Johnson Reading. 7 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4322.

Negaunee

• All-Ages Online Storytime. Enjoy stories, songs and rhymes from the comfort of your own home. 11a.m. via Facebook Live. facebook.com/

25 TUESDAY

sunrise 6:46 a.m.; sunset 8:49 p.m.

K.I. Sawyer

• Gwinn Area Community Playgroup. This weekly playgroup is led by an early childhood educator and geared toward newborns to age 5. Activities include free play, story time,

a snack and other activities to promote social-emotional development. 10 to 11:30 a.m. Room 13, K.I. Sawyer Elementary School, 411 Scorpion St. Marquette

• Book Babies. Newborns to age 17-months with an adult are invited for songs, rhymes and stories. 9:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn to customize your electronic devices with the help of Christine Ault. Bring your charged device and passwords. Sign up for a 15-minute timeslot. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4311.

• Preschool Storytime. Preschool age children are invited for stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. Marquette Regional History Center. Knitters age 10 and older are invited to share knitting experiences and knowledge. $1 to $5 donation. 1 to 2:30 p.m. Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. beedhive47@yahoo. com

• Oil Painting, Pastels and Drawing Classes with Marlene Wood. Bring your own supplies. $20. 1 to 3 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 225-8655.

• Does the Library Have That? Part Two. Amy Salminen will give stepby-step instructions on using Hoopla, Kanopy, Mango, Weiss Financial Rating, MeL Databases and more. NCLL members, $5; nonmembers, $10. 2 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 458-54048.

• Dungeons and Dragons. Students in grades 6 to 12 are invited for a quest with this role-playing game. Registration required. 4 p.m. Teen Zone, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4321.

• Dungeons and Dragons Junior. Students in grades 4 to 5 are invited for a quest with this role-playing game. Registration required. 4 p.m. Teen Zone, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4321.

• Diane Seuss Reading. Poet Diane Seuss will read from her collection frank: sonnets . 7 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4321.

26 WEDNESDAY

Ishpeming

• Open Crafts Night. 6:30 p.m. Makers Marketplace, 113 Cleveland Ave. (906) 458-0626.

Marquette

• Wiggle Worms STEM Storytime. Stories are intermixed with activities followed by STEM-related activities to stimulate senses. 9:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Congregate Meals for Seniors–Dine in or Curbside Pickup. Meals available to those age 60 and older. Call to reserve a meal. $3.50 suggested donation. Noon to 1 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. (906) 228-0456.

• Writing Your Grief Workshop Part One. Poet Jonathan Johnson will lead a poetry workshop. 1:30 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Funeral Planning. Jeremy Hansen of Fassbender-Swanson-Hansen Funeral Home will discuss funeral planning, burials, green burials and cremation. NCLL members, $5; nonmembers, $10. 3 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 458-5408.

• Teens Get Crafty. Students in grades 6 to 12 are invited to make tiny libraries. 4 to 7 p.m. Teen Zone, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4321.

• Chemicals and Human Health: Cindy’s Story of Faith and Coping with Severe Chronic Illness. Jim Duehring will discuss his wife Cindy Duehring and her efforts to campaign for the rights of those injured by chemicals 6:30 p.m. Messiah Lutheran Church, 305 W. Magnetic Ave. upwild. org and rightliveihood.org

• Beverly Matherne Reading. Poet Beverly Matherne will read from her new book Love Potions, Teas, Incantations 7 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 4322.

• La Table Française. French speakers of all abilities are invited for informal conversation and discussions. 7 p.m. NMU Library. (906) 227-2940.

• NMU Orchestra Concert. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Recital Hall, NMU. events. nmu.edu

Negaunee

• Knitting Group. Those interested in crocheting, knitting and other fiber arts are welcome to bring their projects and share with others. Coffee provided. 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

• Wings of Fire Interest Group. Youth age eight and older are invited to discuss the series, write fanfiction, make crafts and other activities. 3 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

Marquette

• Toddler Storytime. Toddlers age 18-months to age 3, with an adult, are invited for stories, songs and sensory-friendly activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St.

• Writing Your Grief Workshop Part Two. Poet Jonathan Johnson will lead a poetry workshop. 1:30 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Project Publish. School-aged youth are invited to participate in writing, illustrating and publishing their own book. 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

Negaunee

• Music, Movement and More. This parent-led story time is for all ages. 10:30 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

28 FRIDAY

sunrise 6:41 a.m.; sunset 8:53 p.m.

Calumet

• The Calumet Players: The Miracle Worker The award-winning play will tell the story of Annie Sullivan and her student Helen Keller. Prices vary. 7:30 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. (906) 337-2610 or calumettheatre.com

Marquette

• Preschool Storytime. Preschool age children are invited for stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities. 10:45 a.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Blockbusting Cinema. The film Tar will be shown. Noon. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4322.

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St.

• LEGO Club. Meet other LEGO enthusiasts and build LEGO projects using the library’s LEGO blocks. Youth age 7 and younger must be accompanied by an adult. 4 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Artist Hours: Tattoos. Explore the world of tattoo, including the history, styles and cultural importance. $10. 6 to 8 p.m. The Art Drop Shop and Studio, lower level, 130 W. Washington St. theartdropshop@gmail.com

Negaunee

• The Next Chapter Book Club. This

community-based book program is for adolescents and adults with Down Syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other intellectual and developmental disabilities. Reading materials provided. 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. (906) 475-7700.

29 SATURDAY

sunrise 6:39 a.m.; sunset 8:55 p.m.

Arnold

• UP Pink Power 17-Mile Fundraising Walk. Walk, run or bike during this 17-mile annual event to raise money for UP Pink Power. Support vehicles travel along the route. Donations appreciated. Shuttles leave the Up North Lodge at 7:45 and 8:15 a.m. Walk, 10 a.m. Gary’s Knotty Pine, CR-426.

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. Monday through Saturday, noon and 8 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. and 8 p.m. 3020 US-41, Marquette.

• Al-Anon Family Groups. A fellowship offering strength and hope for friends and families of problem drinkers. al-alon.org or (888) 425-2666.

• Alcoholics Anonymous. Meetings throughout Marquette County, open daily, at many locations and times. Twenty-four-hour answering service, aa-marquettecounty.org or (800) 605-5043.

• ALZConnected. This is a free, online community for everyone affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other memory loss diseases. alzconnected.org

• American Legacy Foundation. Smoking quit line for expectant mothers and cessation information for women. (800) 668-8278.

• Amputee Social Group— Marquette. This peer support group is for amputees, friends and families to share resources, life experiences and create relationships. No April meeting. (906) 273-2444.

• Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Checks. Cholesterol checks are $5. Call for Marquette County schedule. (906) 225-4545.

• Divorce Care—Ishpeming. This non-denominational group is for people who are separated or divorced. New members are welcome. Tuesdays, 6 p.m. Northiron Church,

Calumet

• The Calumet Players: The Miracle Worker. The award-winning play will tell the story of Annie Sullivan and her student Helen Keller. Prices vary. 7:30 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. (906) 337-2610 or calumettheatre.com

Marquette

• Bike and Kayak Swap. Shop for used bikes and kayaks. Proceeds benefit youth ski programs. Drop off: 9 a.m. Superiorland Ski Club Members, 10:45 a.m. General public, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Fair Ave.

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. Lessons, 10 a.m. Games, 11:30 a.m. Citizens Forum, Lakeview Arena, 401 E. Pine St.

• Preschool Prom. Youth age 3 to 7 and their loving adult are invited for dancing, snacks, face painting and

DJ fun. 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4323.

• Teen Reading/Poetry Contest. Listen to the winners and participants from the Great Lakes Teen Poetry Contest. 11:30 a.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. (906) 226-4322.

• Story Time at MooseWood: Frogs. This story time will have an animalthemed nature story, a craft or activity and a chance to meet the resident animals. Recommended for ages 3 to 8 but all ages welcome. Adults, $5; families, $10. 3 p.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Peter White Dr. Presque Isle. moosewood.org or (906) 228-6250.

• Marquette Choral Society Concert. Youth 17 and younger, $15; adults, $15. 7:30 p.m. Kaufman Auditorium, 611 N. Front St. nmu.edu/tickets

Negaunee

• Courage Incorporated Fundraiser.

The fundraiser will include a pizza buffet, raffles, 50/50 drawing, door prizes and more. Proceeds help provide free all-inclusive outdoor excursions for physically disabled individuals and those living with chronic or terminal illnesses. Youth age 6 and younger, free; age 7 and older, $10. 5 to 9 p.m. Pasquali’s Pizza and Pub, 100 Cliff St.. courageincorporated.org

30 SUNDAY

sunrise 6:38 a.m.; sunset 8:56 p.m.

Marquette

• Marquette Choral Society Concert.

Youth 17 and younger, $5; adults, $15. 3 p.m. Kaufman Auditorium, 611 N. Front St. nmu.edu/tickets MM

910 Palms Ave. (northiron.church (906) 475-6032

• Grief Share—Ishpeming. This non-denominational group is for people dealing with grief and loss. Mondays, 2:30 p.m. Northiron Church, 910 Palms Ave. northiron. church or (906) 475-6032.

• 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. ITAAMQT@zohomail. com

• Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice Grief Support Group— Gwinn. People dealing with grief and loss are encouraged to attend. Individual grief counseling is available. April 12. 2 p.m. Forsyth Senior Center, 165 Maple St. (906) 225-7760 or lakesuperiorhospice.org

• Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice Grief Support Group— Marquette. People dealing with grief and loss are encouraged to attend. Individual grief counseling is available. April 19. 5:30 p.m. Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice, 914 W. Baraga Ave. (906) 225-7760 or lakesuperiorhospice.org

• Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice Grief Support Group— Negaunee. People dealing with grief and loss are encouraged to attend. Individual grief counseling is available. April 20. 3 p.m. Negaunee Senior Center, 410 Jackson St. lakesuperiorhospice.org or (906) 475-6266.

• Marquette Codependents Anonymous Meeting. Mondays, 7 p.m. LoveMarq Church, 728 W. Kaye Ave. coda.org

• Michigan Tobacco Quit Line. This

free quit smoking coaching hotline provides callers with a personal health coach. (800) 784-8669.

• Motherhood Support Group— Marquette. This free group meets the second Thursday of each month. 6 p.m. Suunta Integrative Health, 1209 N. Third St. (906) 273-0964.

• 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, Wednesdays and Sundays, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Closed meeting, Fridays, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Use the Ridge Street entrance. Downstairs Social Room, Marquette Hope First Campus, 111 E. Ridge St.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness—Support Group. Individuals living with mental illness and friends or families living with an individual with mental illness are welcome. April 10 and 20. 7 p.m. Superior Alliance for Independent Living, Suite A, 1200 Wright St. (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. April 24. 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.

• Nicotine Anonymous. (415) 7500328 or www.nicotine-anonymous.org

• Parkinson’s Support Group— Marquette. April 19. 1 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. (906)

228-0456.

• Senior Support Group— Marquette. Christine Ault will assist with your electronic device questions. April 20. 2 p.m. Mill Creek Clubhouse, 1728 Windstone Dr. (906) 225-7760 or lakesuperiorhospice.org

• Sexual Health and Addiction Therapy Group. Call Great Lakes Recovery Centers for more details. Dates, times and locations vary. (906) 228-9696.

• SMART Recovery—Calumet. A self-help group for alcohol and substance abuse and other addictive behaviors. Days and times vary. Zoom meeting. Visit smartrecovery.com for Zoom link.

• SMART Recovery—Hancock. Days and times vary. Zoom meeting. Visit smartrecovery.com for Zoom link.

• SMART Recovery—Marquette. Days and times vary. Zoom meeting. Visit smartrecovery.com for Zoom link.

• Take Off Pounds Sensibly. This is a non-commercial weight-control support group. Various places and times throughout the U.P. (800) 932-8677.

• 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 required. Advanced registration required. 2 p.m. Second Tuesday of the month. (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.