Cedar Tree Institute partnering with Marquette Choral Society and Yellowdog Watershed Preserve to plant trees

ThisSpring Marquette Choral Society found two ways to “Celebrate the Earth” with its April Earth Day theme concerts, and by announcing the intention to plant 1,000 white cedar trees.

MCS partnered with the grassroots Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve and the initiatives of the Cedar Tree Institute as a way to continue their shared interest in giving back to the local community. Potted Cedar seedlings were presented and placed on the Kaufman stage by youth choir members from Ishpeming Schools to honor the music and initiate the “Music Needs Trees” endeavor.

Theodore Roosevelt said “Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” When Rochelle Dale of the YDWP was asked to participate, her response was immediate that she would be “delighted.”

The tree plantings will occur in the public forest in the Yellow Dog Wa- concerts in the Besse Center on the Escanaba campus, starting at 7 p.m., on select Tuesdays each month. Paul Lundin, violinist and director of the series, will be joined by pianist Robert Conway of Wayne State University for a program entitled “Encore! Music of Stage, Screen and Radio” tershed in Big Bay. A knowledgeable local forester will guide the planting effort, with donations of planting labor and money from the concert audience, members of the community and these three non-profit groups. A local non-profit organization, the Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, works to keep the Yellow Dog Watershed wild. The Cedar Tree Institute has focused its years of effort on mental, environmental and spiritual health and has been part of many collaborations. Marquette Choral Society has served the Greater Upper Peninsula as an ambassador of symphonic choral music since 1971.

The white cedar was chosen specifically because it is essential for the Upper Peninsula’s biodiversity, as well as for its beauty. Once established, this high quality, slow growing forest can provide many decades of joy for animals and humans alike. The Native American people revered the Arborvitae, “The Tree of Life,” and the white cedar played important sacred medicinal and symbolic roles. Ancient specimens of these attractive shaggy barked trees can be found on Presque Isle.

There are three ways the public can help the “Music Needs Trees” initiative. First, arrive (rain or shine) for fellowship and tree planting, at 9 a.m. to noon on June 3 at the Big Bay Township Hall. Call YDWP to get information, directions and confirm attendance at 906-345-9223. Shovels provided.

Second, consider joining one of these three non-profits.

The third way to help the “Music Needs Trees” effort is to sponsor a tree and its planting, for $10 per sapling, by mailing a check to Cedar Tree Institute at 403 E. Michigan St, Marquette, MI 49849. Memorials and remembrances, and larger donations are also encouraged.

Tuesday June 27. The program will feature light classical music by Fritz Kreisler, novelty works, selections from Disney movies and from the film, Somewhere in Time. On Tuesday July 11, flutist Emily Olson and classical guitarist Brad DeRoche will perform in a program they have en- titled “Dream Travels.” This features music from Japan, the native American Southwest, Columbia and Romania. The summer series concludes with the True North Quartet, Tuesday August 8. This group, founded by Lundin, has been performing in Strings on the Bay since 2010. This year the

DiD You Know...

what community was considered the “most ethnic” in the UP?

Calumet fit the role. Just about every European ethnic group was found in the community. It had a proliferation of ethnic churches and societies, and newspapers in languages other than English were found on the streets and in homes. Non-English speaking immigrants could easily find their way around the community. English was truly a minority language. In February, 1917, the National Geographic magazine said that traveling from Houghton to Calumet was like going to a foreign country.

program is titled “Czech it Out.” The biographical quartet “From My Life” by Bedrich Smetana is paired with “The Cypresses Quartet,” a set of love songs by Antonin Dvorak transcribed by the composer. Tickets are available through the Bay college website at baycollege.tix.com, in-person at the Besse Center box office, or at the door prior to each concert. Admission is $15, K-Bay $7, or all three concerts for $35. Visit www.baycollege. tix.com, add each concert to the cart, and enter the discount code ‘3for30’ at checkout. Sponsorship opportunities are available for $130 and include two tickets to each concert, name(s) in the program, and a tax donation receipt. For more information or to become a sponsor, visit baycollege.com or a check can be sent to: Bay College Foundation, 2001 N. Lincoln Rd. Escanaba, MI 49829.

L’Anse Lakefront Concert series set for summer

L’Anse Lakefront Concerts start June 15 and run every Thursday through September 14. June performances include Chad Borgen & The Collective on June 15, Uncle Pete’s All-Star Blues Band on June 22 and Chasin’ Steel on June 29. Concerts will take place at Lakefront Park on Broad Street, and at Meadowbrook Arena in the case of inclement weather. All concerts begin at 7 p.m.

New SHF grant cycle opens

The Superior Health Foundation (SHF) in Marquette awarded more than $155,000 in health-centered grant funding at its Spring Grants Celebration at the Holiday Inn in Marquette. The event was proudly presented by 44 North. The Superior Health Foundation awarded

$102,557.91 in spring grants, $35,000 in indigent care grants and $18,011.59 in pilot-project and equipment grants In its 11-year history, the Upper Peninsula-wide, non-profit organization has awarded more than $5.5 million in grant dollars to health-centered, non-profits in the U.P. The Superior Health Foundation’s mission is to “assist with unmet healthcare needs, with health education, and with programs and research on preventing illness and promoting health throughout the Upper Peninsula.” SHF accepts grant proposals monthly for pilot project and equipment grants. Applications for the fall grants cycle will be accepted through July 3. Visit superiorhealthfoundation.org to learn more and apply for funding.

Forest Roberts Theatre hosting full June schedule

NMU Theatre and Dance will perform a drag cabaret to start Pride Month. Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in Marquette and beyond on June 1 and 2. Next will be a performance of Rock of Ages, a musical set in the ’80s, featuring a young hopeful rock star who faces the destruction of his town. Rock of Ages will grace the FRT stage from June 14 to 17, and again from June 21 to 24. Rounding out the month will be Out of the Window, an evening of performances from June 28 to 30 by Broadway performer and former Marquette resident Leah Hocking. Visit nmu.edu/theatreanddance/theatre for more information or to purchase tickets.

UP Notable Book Club presents Q&A with author

Hilton Everett Moore’s debut short story collection “North of Nelson: Stories of Michigan’s Upper

Peninsula - Volume 1” will be the focal point of a UP Notable Book Club

Q&A at 7 p.m. On June 8 via Zoom. Those interested can contact Evelyn Gathu via email at egathu@crystalfallslibrary.org in advance of the event.

Registration Open for UP Rowing Learn to Row

Registration is now open for UP Rowing summer 2023 Adult and Youth Learn to Row. UP Rowing programs operate out of Founders Landing beach at the Marquette Lower Harbor. Adult Learn to Row will be offered July 6 to August 1. Adult Learn to Row is for novices with no experience, or those returning to the sport who want a full review. Participants can choose morning or evening sessions: Tuesday and Thursday 8 to 9:30 a.m., or 5:30 to 7 p.m. Youth rowing will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesday from June 26 to August 30. Rowing is a full-body low impact activity emphasizing teamwork and camaraderie, which is suitable for all ages 18 and over for adults, and 13 to 18 for youth (must have completed 8th grade). UP Rowing memberships include instruction for new rowers, recreational and competitive rowing, and dryland and winter fitness. Season events include the “Bro Row” just for men, U40 rows, Crew and Brew, regattas, fun races and outdoor social outings. For past members and those with prior experience, coached Return to Row review sessions will be held in June. Preregistration is required for Adult and Youth Learn to Row. Registration is open until the June 30 deadline (June 19 for youth). For membership information and to get a registration packet, see uprowing.com, or email Gail Brayden, gbrayden@charter.net.

TruNorth announces grant program

Community non-profit organizations can apply for grants through TruNorth Federal Credit Union. Grants will be provided to organizations that are working to improve the quality of life for local residents and to build strong communities within TruNorth Federal Credit Union’s field of membership (Marquette, Alger, Baraga, Dickinson and Iron counties). The projects that contribute to community improvement in arts and culture, the local environment, health and safety, basic human needs, recreation, and support for seniors and youth will be considered by the grant committee. Visit trunorthcu.org for an