June 2024 Marquette Monthly

June 2024

No. 422

Publishers

Jane Hutchens

James Larsen II

Managing editor

Michael Murray

Calendar editors

Erin Elliott Bryan

Carrie Usher

graPhiC design

Jennifer Bell

Proofreader

Wendy Paul

CirCulation

Dick Armstrong

Chief PhotograPher

Tom Buchkoe

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

Copyright 2024 by Model Town Publishing. All rights reserved. Permission or use of editorial material in any manner must be obtained in writing from the publishers. Marquette Monthly is published 12 times a year. Subscriptions are $65 per year. Freelance material can be submitted for consideration to editor@marquettemonthly.com. Events can be submitted to calendar@marquettemonthly.com. Ad inquiries can be sent to james@marquettemonthly.com or jane@marquettemonthly.com.

About the Cover Artist

Karla Sunn of Rapid River offers artwork using pastels, oils, acrylics and watercolors in landscapes, portraits and, occasionally, dreamscapes. Her painting “Summer Swan” was the Bonifas Media Award winner in 2023.

5 City notes

HigHligHts of important Happenings in tHe area

16 New York Times Crossword Puzzle pixar Box set (answers on page 70)

18 then & now

Superior View

Marquette’s Holy FaMily orpHanage

20 feature erin elliott Bryan a restored steam locomotive returns to negaunee

27 the arts

KriSty BaSolo and Brad GiSchia marquette rockestra will feature tHe music of micHigan artists

30 baCk then larry chaBot a caMping trip witH Henry Ford and tHoMas edison

33 loCals

Jaymie depew BeauMier exHiBition reMeMBers extraordinary u p woMen

37 the arts

Brad GiSchia music on tHird street supplies tHe soundtrack of summer

40 in the outdoors

Scot Stewart sHoreBirds are migrants and summer companions

46 baCk then

KriSty BaSolo atHletic Field is part oF Moose lacoMBe’s legacy

49 loCals

Jennifer champaGne meet Joe tHiel, entrepreneur and mentor

52 the arts

Brad GiSchia tHe escanaBa city Band Marks its centennial

56 sPorting life Jim laJoie coacH kyle saari is Building negaunee tennis into a dynasty

60 baCk then Jennifer donoVan a group works to save Ford’s sawMill in alBerta village

63 in the outdoors pam chriStenSen national Forests in tHe u.p. oFFer aBundant recreation options

69 sPorting life tim durocher tHe u p all-star FootBall gaMe lives on

72 suPerior reads Victor r. VolKman searcHing For FatHer Marquette’s Final resting place

74 Poetry e m. Barry tHe caBin at Burns landing

75 on CaMPus

news FroM u p universities & colleges

79 out & about erin elliott Bryan & carrie uSher June events and music, art and museum guides

History center to host session on smart shopping

The Marquette Regional History Center will present Senior Support Series: Smart Shopping at 1:30 p.m. on June 5 at the museum at 145 W. Spring St.

Registered dietitian Amanda Latvala of the Marquette Food Co-op will share how to prepare easy, tasty meals with less waste. She will also address tips on thrifty shopping for one or two people, unravel food labels and discuss understanding a bulk food section.

The session will include free snacks and coffee from Dead River Coffee Roasters. Door prizes will include four $25 gift cards for groceries at the Marquette Food Co-op and one museum membership. All ages are welcome.

For information, call 906-226-3571 or visit marquettehistory.org.

Stock car racing begins June 9 at Sands Speedway

The 55th season of stock car racing at Sands Speedway north of Gwinn will begin on June 9. Gates open at 1 p.m., time trials begin at 2 p.m. and racing starts at 3 p.m.

Cars race on a quarter-mile asphalt-paved tri-oval track built into the base of a hill. Spectators should bring a blanket or chairs. Food, snacks and drinks are welcome, but no glass bottles are permitted.

After the races, attendees can visit the pits to get a closer look at their favorite car and meet the drivers. The environment is safe and family-friendly.

Races take place most Sundays through Aug. 25 with special events scheduled for each week. Tickets are free for kids 12 and younger, $10 for seniors and students and $15 for adults. For information, visit sandsspeedway.com.

Calumet Public Library hosts events in June

The Friends of the Calumet Public Library will host their annual meeting and potluck at 5:30 p.m. on June 11 in the library’s Community Room. The event is open to the public, and new members are welcome.

In addition to the election of this year’s board members, the annual meeting will recap programs and acquisitions and will help chart the course for another year, including programming ideas, volunteer opportunities, the Red Jacket Readers book

city notes

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

club and more. Following the meeting will be a potluck meal; attendees are requested to bring a place setting and a dish to pass.

Sue Leaf, author of Impermanence: Life and Loss on Superior’s South Shore, will speak and sign copies of her book at 6:30 p.m. on June 19 in the library’s Community Room. Leaf explores the natural and human histories that make the South Shore what it is — from the port city of Superior, Wisconsin, to the shipping locks at Sault Ste. Marie.

Impermanence is a journey through the South Shore’s story, from the early days of the Anishinaabe and fur traders through the heyday of commercial fishing, lumber camps and copper mining on the Keweenaw Peninsula to the awakening of the northland to the perils and consequences of plundering its natural splendor.

The annual used book sale will take place June 21 to 23 in the CLK Multi-Purpose Room to support efforts of the Friends of the Calumet Public Library. It will feature a wide variety of books, CDs and DVDs. The sale will be open to Friends members only from 3 to 6 p.m. on June 21. Annual memberships can be purchased at the event for $10.

The sale will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on June 22. From noon to 2 p.m. on June 23, all remaining books will be free in any quantity.

Proceeds from this fundraiser support library services and programs not provided for by the general library budget. Funding also helps support evening programs at the library throughout the year.

The library continues to accept donations of gently read books or other materials prior to June 20. For information, visit the library or call 906337-0311, ext. 1107.

League of Women Voters’ annual meeting is June 12

TheLeague of Women Voters of Marquette County will host its annual meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. on June 12 at the Ore Dock Brewing Co. A social meet and greet will follow the brief business meeting.

Anyone interested in learning more about the League of Women Voters is invited to attend. League leaders will be available to talk about voter guides, voter registration, observer corps, candidate forums, environmental activities and other League projects and volunteer opportunities. There will be prize baskets that can be won, and pizza and cookies will be served.

The LWV is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of public policy issues and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Membership is open to all women and men,

16 years of age and older. This year, the membership fee is being waived for students.

To register, email lwvmqtco@ gmail.com. For information, visit lwvmqt.org.

Superior

String Alliance Chamber Players to perform The Superior String Alliance Chamber Players will host a performance with Danielle Simandl and Barbara Rhyneer (violins), Eric Marta and Lauren Hall (viola) and Adam Hall (cello) at 7 p.m. on June 12 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marquette. The SSA Chamber Players will perform works by Bruch, Mozart and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson.

Admission is donation-based. For information, visit superiorstringalliance.org.

Author Rod Sadler to discuss true crime book

TheCrystal Falls Community District Library in partnership with the U.P. Publishers & Authors Association will host the next author event

with winners of the U.P. Notable Book List.

Author and retired career police officer Rod Sadler will discuss his new book, Grim Paradise: The Cold Case Search for the Mackinac Island Killer, at 7 p.m. (6 p.m. CDT) on June 13 via Zoom.

Sadler will take attendees through suspects, means, motives and opportunity in this unsolved case of the 1960 killing of a widow named Frances Lacey.

Contact Evelyn Gathu in advance at egathu@crystalfallslibrary.org or 906875-3344 for the Zoom information. It is recommended to borrow a copy of the book from a local library or purchase from a local bookseller in advance to get the most out of this event. For information, visit uppaa.org.

NMU to offer historic walking tours of campus

Tocommemorate the 125th anniversary of Northern Michigan University, Dan Truckey, director and curator of the Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center, will lead historic walking

Historic preservation projects honored

Michigan preservation projects received Governor’s Awards for Historic Preservation during a recent ceremony hosted by the State Historic Preservation Office. The Hiawatha National Forest, Round Island Lighthouse Preservation Society, Bay Mills Indian Community, Great Lakes Shipwreck Historical Society, HistoriCorps and Youth Work were honored for stewardship of lighthouses in the Hiawatha National Forest, including the Point Iroquois Lighthouse pictured above. The Keweenaw Time Traveler, which launched in 2017 as a digital online atlas of Michigan’s Copper Country, was also honored. The project digitally connects more than 2,000 archival maps with historical data sets, including building data, censuses, city directories and school and mining company employment records. For development of the project, awardees were the Michigan Technological University Department of Social Sciences and Geospatial Research Facility, MTU Archives, Monte Consulting, Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw, Keweenaw County Historical Society and Keweenaw National Historical Park Advisory Commission. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service)

tours of campus at 11 a.m. on June 14 and July 12.

The 60-minute walking tour will begin at the Carillon Towers next to the Northern Center parking lot. Tours take place rain or shine; participants are reminded to dress appropriately for the weather.

The tours are free, but advance registration is required; visit eventbrite. com to sign up.

Great Lakes Rodeo set for June 14 and 15

Great Lakes Rodeo is scheduled for June 14 and 15 at 150 W. Johnson Lake Rd. in Gwinn. Events on June 14 begin at noon and include a riding competition, a performance and a pop-up party. On June 15, activities start at 10 a.m. and include the rodeo parade, youth events, a performance and an after party at the Gwinn VFW. Proceeds help to fund grants available for youth programs in Marquette County. Tickets are $10 for seniors and children ages 6 to 12; adult tickets are $15. Call 906-360-7069 or visit greatlakesrodeo.com for more information.

Pine Mountain Music Festival is June 15 to 24

The Pine Mountain Music Festival, or PMMF, will present its season titled “Celebrating Our Roots” June 15 to 24 in Marquette, Houghton and Ontonagon.

The 2024 season will include performances by the Bergonzi Trio, made up of Scott Flavin (violin), Ross Harbaugh (cello) and Lindsay Garritson

Munising art students celebrate creativity in annual show

TheMunising Public Schools Annual Art Show has become a beloved tradition, drawing the community together to celebrate the artistic talents of students from kindergarten through 12th grade. This year’s show, the 11th curated by Kristen Sontag, the district’s dedicated art teacher, was a resounding success, filled with vibrant new projects and a renewed energy.

Sontag has been at the helm of the Art Show since 2013, guiding young artists and curating their work for public display. Reflecting on her decade-long journey, Sontag said, “I think what makes the Art Show so special is how we are able to all come together to celebrate our youth’s efforts and creative processes.”

The 2024 Art Show was particularly notable for the introduction of several new projects, showcasing the innovative spirit that Sontag encourages in her students. A

significant improvement this year was the enhanced vibrancy of ceramic pieces, thanks to the replacement of the kiln coils, a project funded by last year’s silent auction. One of the major highlights of the show was the Individual Art Portfolio showcase. This year, 15 advanced students presented their portfolios, each accompanied by a written artist statement. These statements offered insights into their creative processes and personal artistic journeys, adding depth and meaning to their works. While the exact number of attendees is not tracked, the show benefits from being open to the public for three days, with peak attendance during the two concert days. The elementary concerts, split by grade levels, draw large crowds who also visit the Art Show, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.

—Story and photos by Jennifer Champagne

(piano); and the UPstarts! artists, Darrius Morton (tenor), Grace Bergstrom (tuba) and Marlee Matthews (oboe), accompanied by pianist and UPstarts! director Susie Byykkonen.

Mezzo-soprano Lara Neves will join Morton, former UPstarts! soprano Maitri White, the Superior String Alliance Chamber Players and accompanist Jon Ensminger for a concert lecture experience titled “The History of Opera in the U.P.” They will explore U.P. history through the lens of opera, performing arias from operas that have graced local stages throughout the years.

The Bergonzi Trio children’s concerts, Bridgefest and Marquette Art Week’s PMMF performances are free. All ticketed PMMF performances are designated pay-as-you’re-able, starting at $10 per ticket.

For information and a schedule of events, visit pmmf.org.

Gwinn Fun Daze set for June 22

The

Gwinn Lions Club will host its annual Fun Daze event on June 22 centered around Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. The day’s activities begin with the Walk, Run, Roar 5K at 9 a.m. followed by a parade along Pine Street at 10 a.m. Events in the park will include a display of antique cars, trucks, tractors, snowmobiles and chainsaws; craft and food vendors; games for kids; and live music. Visit gwinnlionsclub.org for details.

Marquette Art Week kicks off June 24

The theme is “GROW” for Marquette Art Week, which will take place June 24 to 29, sponsored by the Marquette Arts and Culture Center. Art Week is an annual event that invites local artists, organizations and businesses to collaborate on a weeklong series of arts and cultural programming, including concerts, workshops, performances, exhibits, demonstrations and more.

All events are free and open to the public and take place at various locations throughout the city. The Art Week opening concert featuring Rachael Davis and Cloverland, hosted by the Hiawatha Music Co-op, will take place at 6 p.m. on June 24 at the Marquette Commons.

Some of the other headlining events will include the following: Four Stages of Growth, a small theater production by Troy Graham, at 6 p.m. on June 27 in the Peter White Public Library’s Community Room; Poetry on the Pier, featuring Russell Thorburn and friends, at 5:30 p.m. on June 28

Guts Frisbee exhibit on display

The Marquette Regional History Center is presenting the special exhibit “50 Years of Guts Frisbee in Marquette” through Sept. 7. The exhibit celebrates the origins, rich personalities and camaraderie of Guts Frisbee, a worldwide sport with origins in the U.P. Guts Frisbee had its beginnings in the Keweenaw Peninsula in the late 1950s when the Healy brothers played at a family picnic. They then started an annual tournament, the International Frisbee Tournament, and soon folks from Marquette were driving up to play or watch. In 1974, a Guts Frisbee tournament came to Marquette’s Cliffs Ridge Ski Area (now Marquette Mountain), and thousands of paying spectators lined the playing fields. This sport has spread around the world and is now part of the World Flying Disc Federation. Pictured above are the Queen City Flyers of Marquette (left to right) at Cliffs Ridge in 1978: Steve DesJardins, Dave DesJardins, Mark Libby, Scott Smith and Doug Weesen. (Team member Dave Schneider is not pictured.) For information on the exhibit, visit marquettehistory.org or call 906-226-3571. (Photo by Susan Brown)

on the new piers east of the Hampton Inn; Kivajat: Finnish Folk Dance Performance at 7 p.m. on June 28 at the Marquette Commons; the Presque Isle Art Fair from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 29 at Niik Creative Co. at Presque Isle Station; and an organic movement workshop and performance hosted by TaMaMa Dance Company with special guest Becca Hopson from 1 to 5 p.m. on June 29 at the Presque Isle gazebo.

The Art Week closing concert, featuring the Marquette City Band and friends, will take place at 7 p.m. on June 29 at the Presque Isle bandshell.

More information and a full schedule of events will be available at mqtcompass.com/artweek. For information, contact Tristan Luoma at 906225-8655.

Performances in the Park to take place in Copper Harbor

Thesixth season of Performances in the Park will begin at 7 p.m. on June 27 with Gail, Mike and Rob. The free concerts will take place every Thursday through Sept. 5 at Donny Kilpela Memorial Park in Copper Harbor.

The summer’s lineup will include John Snyder and Friends from 4 to 6 p.m. and Bling Crosby from 7 to 9

p.m. on July 4; Kevin Blackstone on July 11; the Stapletons on July 18; Wild Honey Collective on July 25; Uncle Floyd on Aug. 1; Heather Evans on Aug. 8; Jan Arnold on Aug. 15; Lily Behm on Aug. 22; Tapestry on Aug. 29; and Lena Maude and Friends on Sept. 5. Attendees should bring blankets or chairs. A farmer’s market is also on site.

109th District candidate forum to take place June 28

TheMarquette County League of Women Voters, in partnership with the American Association of University Women, will host a forum with the candidates for the 109th State House District at 6 p.m. on June 28 at the Marquette Charter Township Community Center. The doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

All six candidates — Margaret Brumm, Randy Girard, Jenn Hill (incumbent), Karl Bohnak, Burt Mason and Melody Wagner — have been invited to participate.

Each candidate will answer each question. There will be no debate or cross-talk, and the questions will come from the constituency. To submit a question ahead of time, email lwvmqtco@gmail.com. Audience

members can also submit questions at the event.

All questions are screened by League members for appropriateness, clarity and pertinence. Questions on the same topic will be batched so as many topics as possible can be covered. Admission is free. The forum will also be live-streamed to the League of Women Voters of Marquette County YouTube channel and recorded for later viewing. For information, visit lwvmqt.org.

Plein Air Painting Festival is June 28 to 30 in Marquette

The Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival will take place June 28 to 30 in Marquette. The event is sponsored by Lake Superior Art Association and is part of Art Week.

Artists can choose to paint during the Friday session from 5 to 10 p.m., the Saturday session from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or both. Both sessions are included in a one-time fee. Canvases must be stamped when artists register both Friday and Saturday at Marquette’s Presque Isle Pavilion and turned in each day.

The public is invited to the Presque Isle Pavilion beginning at 6 p.m. Saturday to vote for the people’s choice

award, enjoy the awards ceremony with light refreshments and view and purchase artwork from the competition.

On Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Provisions MQT, anyone wanting to paint en plein air or chat with artists is invited to the “Afterglow.” Light refreshments will be served.

Artists can preregister for the event by emailing posstroke@sbcglobal.net or visiting lakesuperiorartassociation. org. They can also register on the day of the event.

Ishpeming Area Historical Society plans events

TheIshpeming Area Historical Society’s Historic Places Home Tour Fundraiser will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on June 30. All sites will be in Cliff’s Eighth Addition.

The Koenig home (770 Mather Ave.) is a 4,500-square-foot mid-century home designed by Chicago architect Winton Elting that was built in 1963 by Dr. Harry and Debbie (Dubinsky) Koenig. The current owners, only the second family to reside in this home, have completed some careful and necessary restoration while maintaining the mid-century character.

Kids Fishing Day returns to Escanaba

The annual Kids Fishing Day will take place on June 8 at the Michigan DNR’s Pocket Park, located nearest Gate No. 1 on the U.P. State Fairgrounds in Escanaba. Registration begins at noon, and the event will run until 3 p.m. Activities, which are free and open to youth ages 16 and younger, will include bluegill fishing, minnow races, face painting, food and raffle prizes. Greg Karch, certified angler instructor and founder of the nonprofit organization Learn 2 Fish with Us, will teach kids how to cast a fishing line and tie fishing knots. In addition, Hiawatha National Forest staff will escort Smokey Bear around the grounds teaching visitors about wildfire prevention, and the DNR will have an animal furs display, a scavenger hunt and opportunities for kids to learn how to shoot at the Pocket Park’s archery and pellet gun ranges. This year’s Kids Fishing Day event will be held in conjunction with the DNR’s Free Fishing Weekend. Camping is available at the fairgrounds. For information, contact the Delta County Chamber of Commerce at 906786-2192 or deltami.org. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan DNR)

In celebration of renowned local artist Roger Junak, the Angelo and Priscilla (Manley) Tasson home (764 Mather Ave.) was built in the late 1950s. It features two colorful murals that have survived the four to five decades since being painted by Junak. It is also planned to have a selection of Junak’s original artwork on display during the tour.

The old Miner’s First National Bank and Trust building (1700 Ash St.) was built in 1967. After the bank moved out, it was remodeled and became a State Farm office. The third and current owner has recently completed renovations and renamed the building Artisan Studios where it serves as a creative workspace and recording studio. The original bank vault is still present.

Refreshments will be offered at the St. Joseph Catholic Church (1889 Prairie Ave.).

Tickets are a suggested $10 donation to the society. Advance tickets will be available by mid-June at the Main Street Antique Mall in Ishpeming. Tickets can also be obtained on the day of the event at the featured sites.

For information, call the Main Street Antique Mall at 906-486-8680 or check the society’s Facebook page.

The Ishpeming Area Historical Society will also host its popular Ishpeming Cemetery Tour beginning at 6:30 p.m. on July 2 at the sexton’s office. Tours, led by Ishpeming historian Karen Kasper, will take place every Tuesday through the end of August. This year’s featured citizens will include Al Quaal, caretaker of Al Quaal Recreation Area, who helped plan and oversaw development of the area in the 1930s; and two sisters and wartime nurses, Ethel Remer, who served as a nurse in World War I, and Helen Anderson, who served as a nurse in World War II.

The suggested donation is $10 for adults and $5 for students ages 12 to 17; children younger than 12 are free. For information, call the Main Street Antique Mall at 906-486-8680.

Proceeds from these events will benefit the Ishpeming Area Historical Society.

Marquette announces Fourth of July events

The Marquette Area Fourth of July Committee has announced the 2024 schedule of events. Food Fest, hosted by the Marquette Exchange Club, will be held from noon to 10 p.m. on July 3 and 4 at Mattson Lower Harbor Park.

The boat parade will begin organiz-

Keweenaw fishing event is June 7-8

The 2024 Keweenaw Bay Classic Fishing Tournament will take place June 7 and 8 in L’Anse. This is one of the largest 100-percent-payout fishing tournaments in Michigan. There is a 12-line maximum limit per boat. Anglers can register right up to the pre-tournament meeting on June 7. Local options for registering include Woodland Firearms and Wilkinson’s Store in Baraga; Indian Country Sports and the Baraga County Convention and Visitors Bureau in L’Anse; Northwood’s Sporting Goods in Hancock; and Marquette PowerSports in Marquette. Online registration can be found by searching for “2024 Keweenaw Bay Classic Fishing Tournament” on Eventbrite. For information, visit the Baraga County Next Gen Team Facebook page or Eventbrite. The weekend’s events will also include the Baraga County Lake Trout Festival on the L’Anse waterfront. For information, visit laketroutfestival.com. (Photo courtesy of the Keweenaw Bay Classic Fishing Tournament)

ing at the elbow of the breakwater in Lower Harbor at 9 p.m. on July 3. The parade will make two passes through Lower Harbor starting at 9:30 p.m.

The rain date is July 4.

The fireworks display will take place at dusk on July 3, with a rain date of July 4. The fireworks will be launched from the ore dock structure in Lower Harbor.

The Kiwanis Fourth of July Parade will begin at 2 p.m. on July 4 from the intersection of West Washington Street and McClellan Avenue. Floats will travel east on West Washington Street to Third Street, then turn right and head south on Third to Baraga Avenue.

Travel Marquette will present the Independence Day Laser Light Show on the Lower Harbor ore dock in what is the largest architectural laser show in North America. The two-night light show will start at dusk on July 3 and 4.

The lasers will accompany the fireworks on July 3 to create a multi-dimensional light show. The July 4 show will focus on accessibility with a silent laser-only show ensuring that all residents and visitors, including children, veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder and individuals with sensory disorders, can participate in the festivities.

Visit marquettefourth.com for information.

Historic bus tours offered in July and August

The Marquette Regional History Center will host historic Marquette bus tours at 1 p.m. Tuesdays, July 16 through Aug. 6, and 6 p.m. Wednesdays, July 17 through Aug. 14. Historical re-enactors will present local history through stories of the city and the people who lived in it. The 90-minute outing on an air-conditioned bus will allow attendees to travel through multiple eras on the journey through Marquette and experience the history of downtown, the historic homes district, the lakefront and NMU.

Tours depart from and return to the Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. Tickets are $25; visit marquettehistory.org/bus-tourtickets.html or call 906-226-3571.

Local authors, artists to appear at Lakenenland

The Lakenenland Sculpture Park on M-28 east of Marquette will host an in-person gathering of local authors and artists from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on July 21.

Confirmed writers from the Upper Peninsula Publishers & Authors Association who will appear at the festival are Marty Achatz, Larry Buege, Victoria Bullock, Adam Dompierre, Ronnie Ferguson, Ellen Lord, Roslyn McGrath, Nancy Barr and Tom Lakenen.

Additionally, a variety of artisans will exhibit their work, including Paul Bishop (knives), Annie Bishop (paintings), Sue Johnson (driftwood mosaics), Cindy Engle (fused glass art), Marcy Johnson (Tastefully Simple), Tami Heath St. Onge (oil paintings), Ron and Travis Aho (recycled art), John and Sherri Allen (artists), Teresa Bosh (drawings, paintings, folk furniture), Cassie Bullock (jewelry), Cindy Elliot (jewelry), Marlene Wood

Huron Mountain Outfitters expands

Huron Mountain Outfitters in Big Bay launched its second season on May 1 by highlighting the expansion of the company’s offerings and facilities. It is increasing its fleet of e-bikes, kayaks, paddleboards and boats and expanding its selection of outdoor gear, supplies and fishing bait. Additionally, Huron Mountain Outfitters introduced Murph’s Corner, a new feature providing a nostalgic gaming experience for visitors of all ages and expanded offerings from local artists. For more information, visit huronmtnoutfitters.com.

(Photo courtesy of Huron Mountain Outfitters)

(oil painting and decor), Joann Shelby (fiber art and clothing), Sandy Weber (fiber art), Chris Webber (linoleum printing), Alice Holcomb (recycled wool items) and more.

Admission is free and families are welcome.

U.P. State Fair announces more grandstand performers

The U.P. State Fair has announced some of the performers in this year’s lineup of entertainment, presented by Island Resort and Casino.

Country singer Hailey Whitters will take the stage on Aug. 15. Whitters’ “Everything She Ain’t” marked her first top 20 single on country radio, which debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in early 2023 and has been played more than 175 million times on TikTok. In May 2023, she took home the Academy of Country Music Award for New Female Artist of the Year.

On Aug. 16, fairgoers can enjoy two rock bands: Fuel and Dorothy. Grammy Award-nominated multiplatinum rock band Fuel is comprised of founder, guitarist and songwriter Carl Bell, drummer Kevin Miller and new members Aaron Scott (lead vocals, guitar), Mark Klotz (guitar, vocals) and Tommy Nat (bass, vocals). Their first album together in 18 years, Ånomåly, was released in 2021. For information, visit fuel-official.com.

Dorothy, comprised of lead singer Dorothy Martin and members Sam “Bam” Koltun, Eliot Lorango and

Jake Hayden, offers a repertoire that encompasses each of the musicians’ influences — from soulful swampy blues to hard rock. For information, visit dorothyonfire.com.

Parmalee, the most-played group on country radio in 2023, will take the stage on Aug. 17. Comprised of brothers Matt and Scott Thomas (lead vocals/guitar and drums, respectively), cousin Barry Knox (bass) and lifelong friend Josh McSwain (guitar/ keyboard), the North Carolina natives first topped the charts with “Carolina,” followed by their Platinum-certified No. 1 single with Blanco Brown, “Just the Way.” For information, visit parmaleemusic.com.

Gold Circle tickets can be purchased from Island Resort and Casino, at islandresortandcasino.com/ entertainment. General seating for all grandstand entertainment is free with admission to the fair.

For information and to purchase advance gate admission for the U.P. State Fair, visit upstatefair.net.

Alger Warden selected for MDOC Director’s Award

Warden

Catherine Bauman of the Alger Correctional Facility in Munising was selected as the recipient of the Michigan Department of Corrections’ Director’s Award at the department’s annual awards banquet in Lansing on May 13.

This award, which is selected by the director of the department from the Professional Excellence, Agent of

Ice cream store opens in Big Bay

Huron Mountain Ice Cream announces the grand opening of its store in Big Bay. Located at 303 Bensinger St., the business offers more than 16 Cedar Crest ice cream flavors, malts, shakes, branded merchandise and local gifts and souvenirs. Under owner Hayden Drury, the shop is dedicated to enriching the local community through high-quality products and active participation in local causes. For information, contact Drury at 906-360-5100 and follow the shop on social media @huronmountainicecream on Facebook and @huronmtnicecream on Instagram. (Photo courtesy of Huron Mountain Ice Cream)

the Year and Officer of the Year nominees, is the highest honor bestowed on an MDOC employee in recognition of their outstanding job performance and professionalism throughout the year.

Smolens’ latest novel named Michigan Notable Book

Every year, the Library of Michigan selects up to 20 of the most notable books, either written by a Michigan resident or about Michigan or the Great Lakes. Among the Notable Books for 2024 is A Cold, Hard Prayer by John Smolens, published by MSU Press.

The novel is set in 1924 when an orphan train passes through the Midwest and Mercy, a teenage girl of mixed race, and a boy nicknamed Rope, who lost fingers in a factory accident, become virtual prisoners of Harlan and Estelle Nau. After facing abuse, Mercy and Rope flee, making an arduous journey into sparsely populated northern Michigan, where Mercy believes she will find her aunt. Mercy and Rope develop a bond of mutual trust that helps them navigate a stark American landscape shaped by prejudice, hypocrisy and fear.

Smolens is professor emeritus at NMU and a Marquette Monthly contributing writer.

Keweenaw NHP selects commissioned artist

This summer, Keweenaw National Historical Park, Keweenaw NHP Advisory Commission and Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association will welcome Kasey Koski, an interdisciplinary artist, curator and

educator living in Wenatchee, Washington, as the first artist to participate in the park’s new Commissioned Artist Program.

Koski’s work will capture the workers and families who once crowded the Copper Country. The finished products will be installed near the Quincy Dry House Ruins along U.S. 41 in Hancock. Koski’s portfolio is available at kaseykoskiart.com.

Negaunee, Menominee

designations

earn Tree City USA

Negaunee and Menominee were among the newest group of Michigan cities to be certified as a Tree City USA for efforts to promote and care for public trees within the community. The Tree City USA program, part of the Arbor Day Foundation, has four standards that were created to allow communities of any size to participate. These include having a city department or tree board, a public tree care ordinance, an annual work plan and a budget of at least $2 per capita, and proclaiming and celebrating Arbor Day. For information, visit arborday.org/programs.

Take steps to avoid tick bites this season

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services encourages state residents to take steps to avoid tick bites while enjoying the outdoors. The risk of tick-borne diseases, particularly Lyme disease and anaplasmosis, increases across the state as weather warms.

Lyme disease is an emerging issue in Michigan being found in nearly

every county in the state. To protect against Lyme disease and other tickborne diseases, avoid tick-infested areas, use insect repellent, treat clothes with permethrin, perform daily tick checks and bathe or shower.

Michiganders who find a tick attached to their body should promptly remove the tick by grasping firmly with tweezers and pulling upwards, and submit a photo to MDHHS-Bugs@ michigan.gov for identification.

If the tick is identified as a deer tick and you suspect it was attached for more than 36 hours, speak to your health care provider about whether any additional measures are needed. You may also use the Centers for Disease Control tool “Tick Bite Bot” for additional guidance.

If you begin to experience fever, rash, muscle or joint aches or other symptoms within 30 days of a tick bite, you should consult a medical provider. Early treatment with appropriate antibiotics can decrease the risk of serious complications.

For information on ticks, visit michigan.gov/lyme.

Superior Health Foundation awards more than $205,000 The Superior Health Foundation awarded more than $205,000 in health-centered grant funding at its Spring Grants Celebration.

Spring grants totaling $123,895.17 were awarded to 11 nonprofit organizations in the U.P.: Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center ($24,948) for iRecord technology equipment, installation, training and technical support for its interview room and observation space; Women’s Center, Inc., ($15,028) for the purchase of an accessibility ramp that is ADA compliant for the Harbor House shelter; Special Olympics Michigan Area 36 ($15,000) for three years to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities; Trillium House ($13,776.82) to purchase two medical blanket warming stations to assist residents with thermoregulation and comfort; Gladstone Parks and Recreation ($10,000) for various upgrades and enhanced accessibility for the Gladstone Sail School; Marquette Chapter of National AMBUCS ($10,000) to complete its New Chapter 10-for-10 Program; Healthy Youth Coalition of Marinette and Menominee Counties ($9,080) to help support the organization’s school-based prevention strategies in Menominee County school districts; Negaunee Public Schools ($8,500) to purchase

DID YOU KNOW ...

why a state of Superior — a 51st state in the Union encompassing the U.P. — is impossible?

The idea of the Upper Peninsula becoming a separate state has been a subject of discussion and promotion going back to the 19th century. There are two obstacles: First, the U.S. Congress would not vote for the creation of such a small state, with a population of a little more than 300,000. In addition, there is not an adequate economic base to raise taxes to maintain such a state.

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

supplies for the Lakeview School Garden: Growing Gardeners project; Courage Incorporated ($7,572) to support the organization’s outdoor adventure excursions for 2024 and early 2025; Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp ($7,340.35) to create the new position of Mental Health Support Coordinator for the Fortune Lake summer staff, as well as mental health support training for staff and campers; and CASA of Menominee/Marinette ($2,650) to support the training and retention of volunteers.

SHF also announced the six award recipients for its Indigent Care grants: Cancer Care of Marquette County ($10,000) to provide patient care services to those with a cancer diagnosis who are unable to respond to the healthcare costs; Great Lakes Recovery Centers, Inc., ($10,000) to replenish the Compassionate Care Fund; Medical Care Access Coalition of Dickinson and Iron Counties ($10,000) to support the Here to Help Voucher Program, which provides emergency life-saving medications; Trillium House ($10,000) to support the Dan Mazzuchi Care Fund, which provides financial assistance to those at the end of life; Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital ($9,537.50) to support the Schoolcraft Memorial Homecare and Hospice Fund; and McLaren Northern Michigan Foundation ($7,783.19) to support the Patient Assistance Program.

The foundation further awarded pilot project and equipment grants to the following organizations: 906 Adventure Team, Alger County Commission on Aging, Dickinson Iron Community Services Agency, Doulas of Marquette, Faith Lutheran Church, Find Your Voice LLC, Gwinn Seed Library, Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, Marquette County Habitat for Humanity, Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center, U.P. Superior

Smiles and Vietnam Veterans of Alger County. SHF accepts grant proposals monthly for pilot project and equipment grants. Applications for the fall grants cycle will be accepted from June 1 to July 1. For information, visit superiorhealthfoundation.org.

Fairs awarded state grants for building improvements

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has announced the recipients of the 2024 grants to county fairs to make building and other capital improvements on their fairground facilities.

Among the recipients are the Marquette County Fair ($80,000) for Youth Building upgrades, the Dickinson County Fair ($100,000) for paving upgrades for fair and midway accessibility and the Upper Peninsula State Fair ($100,000) to rebuild the youth exhibitor arena.

Talvensaari named to Fire Safety Board

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has appointed Brian Talvensaari of Marquette to the State Fire Safety Board. Talvensaari is the battalion chief at the Marquette City Fire Department as well as a licensed residential builder and a licensed emergency medical technician. He is reappointed to represent organized fire departments in the U.P. for a term commencing July 16, 2024, and expiring July 15, 2028.

Local business news in brief • The Baraga County Chamber of Commerce has announced Woodland Firearms and Supply of Baraga as the Chamber Business of the Year for 2024. Woodland Firearms was recognized as a Chamber member business that demonstrates a “continued passion for excellence, while promot-

ing the advancement of responsible business leadership and harmony within our community,” according to a press release. Woodland Firearms and Supply is located at 508 U.S. 41 S. in Baraga. For information, call 906-353-1911 or email woodlandfirearms@gmail.com.

• UP Health System–Marquette has announced Brian Matthews, certified medical assistant with the Brain and Spine Center, has been recognized as its 2024 Mercy Award winner. The award recognizes one employee from each of Lifepoint Health’s facilities who touches the lives of others and best represents the spirit and values on which the company was founded, and is considered the highest honor a Lifepoint employee can receive. Matthews has been part of UPHS–Marquette since 2000, starting as a custodian and transitioning to patient transport before beginning his current role in 2017.

• Milano Smokehouse Meats recently celebrated the opening of its new smokehouse in Ishpeming. Led by Tim Milano, who has more than 20 years of experience processing meats, the smokehouse will serve a variety of high-quality brats, jerky, sausages, seafood and more with a wide range of flavors and seasoning. Milano’s daughter, Katelyn Milano, a recent culinary student from NMU, will join the smokehouse as well, offering sandwiches and soups later this year. Milano took over the former Glenn’s Smokehouse, which closed after the passing of its owner, Glenn Andrews, in March 2023. It is located at 1040 Country Lane, Unit 2, in Ishpeming’s Country Village. Follow Milano Smokehouse on Facebook, @ MilanoSmokehouse.

• Fresh Coast Smile recently hosted the grand opening of its laser cosmetic teeth whitening studio in Marquette. The company was founded by Jennifer Dahlstrom-Pla, a teeth whitening specialist with more than 17 years of dental experience. All products used at Fresh Coast Smile are FDA approved and contain plantbased vitamins. The studio is located at 706 Chippewa Square, Suite 202. For information or to schedule an appointment, visit freshcoastsmile.com.

• Paradise in Nature Wonderschool has announced the grand opening of its in-home daycare center in Negaunee. Daycare founder Theresa Higdon is a graduate of the Childcare SPARK program and a seasoned educator with more than 25 years of experience. She specializes in providing a nature-focused learning experience for children ages 3 and older. Paradise

in Nature Wonderschool is accepting enrollments for children ages 3 to 14. For information, visit wonderschool. com/ref/12736 or call 906-235-3071.

• Lyon Quality Assurance, an all-woman, remote-first company based in Marquette County, marked its grand opening on April 25. LyonQA is dedicated to empowering organizations to achieve excellence in software delivery through tailored quality assurance solutions, from integrated manual software testing to quality consulting. Cotopaxi Lyon founded LyonQA and is joined by Jes Solomon, QA director, and Yana Beeker, business development manager. For information, visit lyonqualityassurance.com.

• Motis LLC, dba Racer Ramps, founded in Escanaba in 2004, plans to bring its Southern California operations to Delta County and establish a specialty manufacturing center. Race Ramps was acquired by Motis, a producer of products for the powersport, medical, recreational, commercial, transportation, military and industry markets, in 2019. The new facility will use advanced polyurethane materials to form various hoses and cords that are used to protect equipment that transports liquids and electricity. The materials used are domestically sourced, resulting in a 100-percent U.S.-produced product. The Delta County Economic Development Alliance has offered a property tax abatement in support of the project.

• Skipper’s Bar and Grill, located at 9 S. Front St. in L’Anse, across from Waterfront Park, opened under new ownership last fall and hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony in April. The establishment is owned by Courtney Klug. Call 906-524-5800 or visit Skipper’s Facebook page for details.

• Second Skin Shop recently opened its new location at 1034 N. Third St., Suite B, in the Third Street Marketplace in Marquette. Second Skin Shop, a family-owned business since 1976, is the largest dancewear shop in the U.P. Under owner Camilla Mingay, it has evolved into a global brand with its online store, offering a variety of dancewear for recreational and professional dancers. Visit secondskinshop.com for information. MM

How to submit to City Notes

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

ACROSS

1 Depicts unfairly

6 Monitor

11 Fruits exchanged on Chinese New Year

18 ‘‘Moo, Baa, ____!’’ (classic children’s book)

20 Egg, in Spanish

21 Where to find signs with circles, squares and diamonds

22 ‘‘My only request . ’’

24 Young’s partner in accounting

25 Original host of MTV’s ‘‘Total Request Live’’

26 Stay cool

28 Bit of body art

30 They come in twice a day

31 Metal ring that holds a pencil’s eraser

32 Title Disney character of 1998

34 Overhaul

35 Tourist destination in Baja California Sur

38 Band shirts?

40 Letter-shaped construction piece

41 Zoomed, perhaps

42 Beam at a bar

43 Dr. ____, talk-show host with the catchphrase ‘‘Get some’’

44 Test for an M.A. seeker

47 Hit the gas

49 Lady Gaga vis-à-vis Billie Eilish, e.g.

52 Multipurpose tool for a mountaineer

54 Fixed

56 Dal ingredients

57 Note in the B major scale

58 Programming language used in government and banking

60 Triple ____

61 Cloud nine, so to speak

62 No more than

66 Formula 1 tour stop since 2023, informally

68 O.C.’s region

70 Negative contraction

71 ‘‘Sounds right to me’’

73 Boy band that went on hiatus in 2023 for army service

75 No fan

77 ‘‘____ in the Rain’’

78 Camper’s vessel

80 Struck

85 Fried chicken, cornbread, collard greens, etc.

86 Property at an intersection

88 Actor Pascal of ‘‘The Last of Us’’

89 Author Rand

90 Pulitzer-winning author Jennifer

92 Fair-hiring inits.

93 Like some kisses

95 Wart-covered critter

96 Digital ‘‘container’’ associated with Bitcoin

98 Dystopian classic whose title comes from ‘‘The Tempest’’

100 Metonym for the U.S. Congress, with ‘‘the’’ 103 Stuck

104 Tarot card featuring a howling wolf 105 Mountain nymph 107 Waterproofing material

32 They’re kept under wraps

33 ‘‘Kidding!’’

35 Things to stub out, for short

36 Have a side in common

37 Actor Eric

38 Starts to fall

39 Trawl for personal information

42 _____ O’Malley Dillon of the Biden White House

44 Clock innards

45 ____ to go

46 Many an attendee of Gertrude Stein’s Paris salons

48 Start of a winning row

50 Go on and on about

51 ‘‘The cause of, and solution to, all of life’s problems,’’ per Homer Simpson

53 Celebrity chef Roy

55 Group of witches

57 Two-family dwelling

59 Frequent antagonist of Winniethe-Pooh

61 Have something

62 Home to the University of Montana

63 Enlighten

64 Kept going and going

65 Breakfast brand with a rhyming slogan

67 Refused to answer questions

69 One buying a stuffed mouse, perhaps

72 Van Halen’s contract once had one that specified no brown M&M’s

74 Olympic event since 1968

76 Good or bad name, for short

78 Against

79 Not against

81 It might come with a plunger

Part of a princess costume

Nike and others

108 Picture book with characters like Odlaw, Wizard Whitebeard and Woof 112 Batter-fried bento dish

Palm-tree product used in skin care

Statistical calculation

Safe investment options, informally

82 What squiggly lines can represent

83 Russia’s ____ Mountains

84 Maiden name of an 1860s first lady

86 What can symbolize 50

87 Was thick (with)

91 Spot for recess on a rainy day

94 Like some short tennis matches

96 Keep rhythm with, in a way

97 Al ____, discus thrower in the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame

98 1995 blockbuster with numerous historical inaccuracies

99 Blowing away

100 Drink often served with marshmallows

101 ____ Joliot-Curie, chemist daughter of Marie

102 Primate that exists only on the world’s fifth-largest island

104 Pang

106 Daft Punk and Outkast, for two

108 Polemology is the study of them

109 Word on some yogurt labels

110 Bug-bite preventer

111 Greek peak

113 Where Simone Biles won four golds

115 Source of much U.S. immigration in the 1840s: Abbr.

Holy Family Orphanage opened on Altamont Street in Marquette in 1915. At its peak, it housed about 200 orphans from across the U.P. It closed in 1967 and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015. This image is of a postcard from around the time of the facility’s opening.

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

The orphanage was abandoned in the early 1980s and sat vacant for decades until its redevelopment in 2017. Now known as Grandview Marquette, the 75,000-square-foot building features more than 50 apartments.

Restored locomotive, an artifact of

the U.P.’s place

in the Industrial Revolution, completes

its

journey back to Negaunee

The Yankee comes home

By Erin Elliott Bryan

In 2004, the Michigan Iron Industry Museum built a 4,000-square-foot addition to its facility in Negaunee to house a single artifact: a steam locomotive that had been used at the Jackson Mine in the late 1800s. Now, 20 years later and after an extensive restoration, the Yankee is finally home.

“It’s front and center. You can’t miss it when you walk in,” said Barry James, a U.P. historian for the Michigan History Center, an agency of the Depart-

ment of Natural Resources, who works with the Iron Industry Museum and Fort Wilkins State Park.

The museum is now raising additional funds to hire an exhibits design firm to complete the indoor, climate-controlled space.

“The Yankee really represents the coming of steam to Michigan’s iron ranges,” James said. “Besides its rarity, it represents ingenuity and a change in the way mining took place in the mid-1800s.”

The origins of the Yankee began with Henry Merry, the manager of the Jackson Iron Co. and a

native of England. Shortly after the American Civil War, Merry traveled to Europe to study the local mining methods and technology and was particularly impressed with the use of steam-powered locomotives.

Merry arranged to purchase a small locomotive about 12 feet long and nine feet high — a vertical boiler model — from the Alexander Chaplin Co. in Glasgow, Scotland, and it was shipped to Negaunee in the late 1860s. Tracks were laid inside the Jackson Mine, and James said the locomotive, known

B.R. Howard & Associates in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, took on the task of restoring the Yankee, a steam locomotive that served the Jackson Mine from 1868 to 1895. Members of the B.R. Howard team pay homage to the photo on page 23 in this issue. (Photo courtesy of B.R. Howard & Associates)

as a “dinky engine” or “puffer,” was uniquely suited to the mine’s tunnels and terrain. “It saved the company a lot of money. They didn’t have to feed horses or worry about their wear and tear,” James said. “It was a machine that could go 24/7.”

James said the Yankee could move at a rate of about 10 miles an hour, similar to a modern lawnmower, and required only two men to operate — a stoker to fuel it and an engineer to run it. It could haul six to 10 small, fourwheeled ore cars, each capable of carrying five or six tons of ore, which improved and increased production.

The locomotive worked so well that the Jackson Iron Co. commissioned a nearly identical machine that was built in Ohio and became known as the John Bull. Both steam locomotives were employed at the Jackson Mine from 1868 to 1895 and signified the coming of the industrial revolution to the iron mines in the Lake Superior region. “It really illustrates the transition from animal and human

power to when machines started to do the hauling [of ore],” James said.

With the advent of large steam shovels and the open pit method of mining, however, the steam locomotives became obsolete and both the Yankee and the John Bull were abandoned in a field. Throughout the early years of the 20th century, the locomotives were a bit of a local attraction even as they deteriorated in the elements. Children climbed aboard and families took photos, and many parts were scavenged and removed as souvenirs.

But with the centennial of the discovery of iron ore coming in 1944, an amateur restoration project of one of the locomotives was undertaken by Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co., or CCI, in the 1930s. Because the maker’s marks had been removed and parts from one locomotive were used to repair the other, it’s unclear which locomotive was ultimately restored; however, it’s traditionally been known as the Yankee.

At the B.R. Howard workshop, the restoration crew used torches to cut through corrosion while disassembling the Yankee. (Photo courtesy of B.R. Howard & Associates)

It is one of the oldest surviving steam locomotives in the United States, one of two industrial-geared vertical boiler locomotives in America and one of three surviving Chaplin locomotives in the world, according to James. “It’s unique and very rare,” he said.

The Yankee was eventually moved to the CCI offices in Ishpeming, where it was displayed outside until the 1980s. When the Michigan Iron Industry Museum opened in 1987, CCI donated the locomotive to the state with the intention that it be displayed on the grounds of the new museum.

Tobi Voigt is the director of museums for the Michigan History Center. Based in Lansing, she leads the division that manages the cultural resources of the agency’s 12 historic sites and museums, including the Michigan Iron Industry Museum.

She said the restoration of the Yankee “has been on their wish list as long as the museum had it,” adding that the project was “an incredibly ambitious and expensive restoration.”

The Michigan History Center was awarded a federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services in 2020 with matching funds from the state as well as the Friends of the Michigan Iron Industry Museum.

“The Yankee has always been a symbol of the importance of the mining industry to the U.P. and to Michigan,” Voigt said. “We always knew we wanted to save and restore it.”

‘It was quite intimidating’

OnSept. 3, 2020, the Yankee, which weighed about 8,000 pounds, was loaded onto a transport

truck and shipped 900 miles to B.R. Howard & Associates in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. At the time, B.R. Howard said the project will be “combining the practices of conservation and selective restoration and replications to return the locomotive to an appearance where visitors can appreciate the construction technologies used in its fabrication.”

In its initial report on the Yankee, B.R. Howard noted that the locomotive “is in poor and unstable condition having actively corroding iron, fungal decay of all wooden components, and actively flaking paint in areas which still retain paint.” Further, its unprotected outdoor display caused “continued deterioration of the 1930s restoration and all remaining original components.”

Brian Howard, the principal conservator at B.R. Howard, had traveled to Negaunee in 2019 and wrote the project’s initial report. “This was a mixture of two different locomotives. We had to ask ourselves what was original, what should be there, what is missing and what can we replicate,” he said. “Our primary focus is on preservation, but this was a step beyond preservation. … We wanted it to be accurate.”

It took more than two months to completely disassemble the Yankee, and each part was meticulously separated, labeled, bagged and photographed. It was determined at this time that there had been parts added, either during its service or during the 1930s restoration, that were not authentic to the original design.

The B.R. Howard team, led by Howard’s son Collin, had few histor-

The restoration team painted all surfaces and clad the boiler in white oak and mahogany as part of the final steps in the Yankee’s restoration process. (Photo courtesy of B.R. Howard & Associates)

ic photos of the Yankee with which to work. They enlarged the photos when possible to examine shadows and count rivets. But to identify and fabricate the missing pieces as close as possible to the original, they consulted with Michigan History Center historians, researched similar locomotives and visited the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania and the B&O Railroad Museum in Baltimore.

“This project is quite extensive,” Collin said. “There was not much left. It was quite intimidating.” Some elements, including the original wheels, were able to be repaired, but others were simply gone.

Collin said the Yankee was missing “so many major engine components,” such as steam boxes, pistons, fly wheels and connecting rods. About 20 large engine components were eventually fabricated using extensive machining work. “Our machinist was enthralled with steam locomotives,” Collin noted, adding that the engine components could turn over. The boiler, however, is not functional, so the Yankee is not operable.

Brian did much of the wood work, including the sheeting on the boiler, and about six to eight B.R. Howard

employees, including Howard’s other son, Braeden, worked on the project over its duration. Pennsylvania blacksmith Ty Zimmerman crafted additional elements such as handrails, and the company partnered with the Cattail Foundry in Lancaster County, the heart of Pennsylvania’s Amish community, to cast new iron pieces from wooden patterns created by the team.

Milling and lathe work was required on all new metal components that came back from the foundry, so B.R. Howard purchased its own milling machine and lathe to avoid significant delays.

Brian said the team’s “primary skill set is problem solving,” and they used a common-sense approach to determine how the Yankee needed to be put back together. “Some components don’t exist anymore,” he said. “But the artifact began to tell us what needed to be there.”

Among the additional components that had to be fabricated include the smokestack, steam plumbing and water pipes, replacement mounting bolts, water tank, a gear selector latch (which was attached to the original handle) and a pressure release valve. A water pump was located and pur-

chased, then customized to match the pump seen in the original photograph.

“Historic images were used when possible, and some physical evidence which remained on the artifact were used to assist with design,” the project’s final report notes. Collin added, “There was a whole lot of learning. We would make stuff, put it on and remake stuff.”

Once the Yankee was fully reassembled, its metal surfaces were treated with two coats of acrylic paint and the mahogany surfaces were stained to project the appearance of age.

Brian said his company is not a typical art conservation business, as its employees have extensive experience in architectural and objects conservation, sculpture restoration, textile repair and historic vehicle preservation. The Yankee was one of six major projects the company was working on at the time.

The entire restoration project took nearly three years to complete at an estimated cost of $225,000. “It challenged us,” Brian said. “Collin kept asking, ‘Why did we do this?’ But we were determined to get it done as correctly as we could.”

While Collin acknowledges the

Miners pose with the Yankee locomotive at the Jackson Mine in Negaunee, circa 1880. The Yankee helped to usher the Marquette County iron range into the Industrial Revolution. (Photo courtesy of the Michigan History Center/Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

team used “some imaginative re-creation,” he fully stands by the work. “I can validate why I put things on it. Anything that’s added, there’s a reason for it being there,” he said. “I think it’s the best we could have done. I’m proud of how it came together.”

Brian added, “It became part of us, part of our history.”

‘It isn’t just a train’ Collin accompanied the Yankee back to Negaunee when it returned on Oct. 6, 2023 — weighing nearly 3,000 pounds heavier because of the newly fabricated components.

“[The Yankee] gave the U.P. a better chance for their industry. I know it’s a big deal to the area museum,” Collin said. “Everyone in the area will appreciate how it looks now versus how they saw it for decades.”

Voigt was also on site to see the Yankee’s return. “When they pulled up and pulled back the cover, it took my breath away. It’s really a beautiful piece of equipment,” she said. “It isn’t just a train; it’s a piece of art.”

To move the Yankee inside the museum, its smokestack and upper plumbing components were removed to allow it to clear the height of the

“

WHEN THEY PULLED BACK THE COVER, IT TOOK MY BREATH AWAY. IT’S A PIECE OF ART.

facility’s doors. Once inside, those items were reinstalled and portions were partially repainted to correct minor abrasions that occurred during transport.

Prior to its arrival at the museum, Voigt said plans had been made for the overall exhibit, including situating the Yankee so that it appeared to be

emerging from a tunnel at the Jackson Mine. Plans changed, however, when it was delivered. “We now want to keep it open so people can walk all around it,” she said. “Its physical presence has changed how its story gets told.”

Voigt said the Michigan History Center has never undertaken a project of this scale before, a complete restoration of a historical artifact. “This is a window into a very specific time period in the history of industry and steam. The technology moved on quickly afterwards,” she said. “It set the United States up to become a major manufacturing giant in the 20th century and shows how important the U.P. iron industry has been as a whole.”

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum, at 73 Forge Road in Negaunee, is located on the Carp River at the site of the first iron forge in the U.P. Admission is free, but a Recreation Passport is required for vehicle entry to the grounds. Visit michigan.gov/ironindustrymuseum for more information. MM

Erin Elliott Bryan is a native of Ishpeming. She is a freelance writer and an MM calendar editor.

The Yankee and John Bull were put out to pasture when steam locomotives became obsolete at the end of the 19th century.

(Photo courtesy of the Michigan History Center/Michigan Department of Natural Resources)

the arts

Rockestra will honor Michigan artists over two nights at Forest Roberts Theatre

‘Something for everyone’ Marquette

By Kristy Basolo and Brad Gischia

Aconcert idea to celebrate the anniversary of an iconic album has blossomed into a regular event that gives back to the community in many ways — monetarily, educationally and socially.

The Marquette Rockestra will offer a two-night production this year honoring the music of Michigan artists, June 6 and 7 at Forest Roberts Theatre on the NMU campus.

“A couple of us came up with the idea of doing an anniversary show for the 50th anniversary for [the Beatles’] ‘Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,’ so we started just asking musicians around town if they were interested in doing this,” Marquette Rockestra coordinator Dan Truckey said. “We thought of it as a one-off kind of thing, with no intention of it being more than once.”

The first production, held in 2017, raised money for the Marquette Area Public Schools music program. It offered local musicians who don’t usually collaborate an opportunity to do so, and student musicians got a chance to be mentored by seasoned local talent. “It went so well, and everyone had so much fun doing it — and we raised a bunch of money for a cause — so we thought we’d do it again,” Truckey said.

Themed shows have continued over the years, such as “Songs of the Summer” and celebrations of albums and eras of music. All the performances have benefited local programs or charities. “We played a benefit at Ore Dock for Room at the Inn,” Truckey said. “Then we did a benefit for NMU’s Green & Gold Gala, which raised thousands and thousands of dollars for emergency funds for students — which came in very handy for COVID, as it was just before then that it took place.”

The pandemic interrupted the Rockestra’s regular concerts, which returned in 2023 with a production in

Marquette Rockestra performances bring dozens of local musicians to the stage. Past participants include (above from left) Kerry Yost, Paul Heinonen on guitar, Jeff Krebs and Mark Hamari, backed by an orchestra made up of local students. At right are Michael Waite and Caitlin Wright. (Photos courtesy of Marquette Rockestra)

honor of an important album in music history. “Last year, we did ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ [by Pink Floyd] for its 50th anniversary, and other songs from 1973, which was one incredible year for music,” Truckey said. “When we started looking at the songs that came out that year, we were just boggled by how many great songs there were — probably one of the greatest years in music history.”

The Rockestra does all the arrangements of the music in the production, going back to the original recordings

and trying to stay true to them, but also adding flare from the local talent performing. “We try to play as close to the originals as we can, but some-

times change the key to fit the singer’s voice,” Truckey said. “We want it to have life, too, so it’s not too perfect.”

The Marquette Rockestra will feature the state’s artists during its upcoming “Michigan Rocks” production. “This year we decided to go back to an old idea, which is doing songs by Michigan artists,” Truckey said. “There will be one song by each artist and a couple of medleys, representing about 20 Michigan artists.”

From the shores of Lake Erie to Lake Superior, Michigan has produced some of the greatest rock and pop music legends of all time, said Rockestra member Jon Teichman. This old idea will be performed in a new venue. “This is the Rockestra’s first year at Forest Roberts,” Teichman said. “We’ve always been at Kaufman Auditorium.”

The planning committee, of which Teichman is a member, is excited to

work with the new venue. “Kaufman is a great place, but Forest Roberts Theatre has a better set-up as the sound system is already there,” he said.

It was a lot of work for the volunteers to bring all that equipment into Kaufman, Truckey said. “Forest Roberts is turnkey,” he said. “Kaufman is made for classical music. Rock ’n’ roll is sometimes hard in that venue because of the way the sound bounces. Every year we had complaints that we were too loud. We tried to turn it down, but we didn’t want to take all the energy out of the performances by playing more softly.”

The energy from combinations of great local talent and enthusiastic students getting to perform next to local legends is the heart of the event. “We have at least 30 musicians playing,” Truckey said. “It changes from song

to song who will be on stage. That’s one of the great things about it — nobody plays on every song.”

This year, the production will be put on over two nights, which also is new. “We thought if we could do a second night, we’d probably get a lot more people, because the buzz afterward is, ‘I wish I had gone to see it,’” Truckey said.

In addition, there are a lot of events in the Marquette area, and sometimes schedule conflicts prevent people from attending, Teichman said.

The set list will be the same for both nights, which will feature original songs by various members of the Rockestra, including Noah Bauer, Jeff Krebs, John Mallo, Michael Waite and Truckey himself. This year’s concert will feature music from a wide variety of genres including Motown, ’60s pop, ’70s acid rock, new wave,

rock and ’80s pop.

“There will be a wide variety of styles in the show this year,” Teichman said. “There’s going to be something for everyone.”

And amidst the fun, money is being raised for a worthy cause. With six concerts in the books, Truckey said the group has generated more than $25,000 to donate to programs in the local community, mostly in support of fostering the talent of young local musicians.

“The first three years, we raised funds for the Marquette High School music program,” Truckey said. “We wanted it to have a little broader impact after COVID, so last year we did the production to benefit the United Way; but then this year Music for All Kids was brought up as an idea. This brings us back to where we started.”

Music for All Kids, or MFAK, has

The Marquette Rockestra event will feature at least 30 musicians who donate their time to help support a worthy cause. This year’s performances will benefit Music for All Kids. (Photo courtesy of Marquette Rockestra)

a mission to provide musical training and opportunities for all kids in the community. MFAK helps children grow, showing them the importance of doing good things for others and themselves, and believes that no child should go without music. They encourage all families, no matter their financial situation, to pursue their program.

“Music for All Kids provides music instruction to kids — especially at-risk kids — but even kids who just aren’t in a position that they can be in a school band,” Truckey said. “Or maybe they’re not interested in band music, but want to play rock ’n’ roll music.”

MFAK has instructors that offer music education at the alternative high school and Great Lakes Recovery Center, he said. “It’s really looked at as a way of using music to encourage self-esteem and creativity among young people, especially those who are falling through the cracks,” Truckey said. “For all of us who are musicians, many of us didn’t start playing rock music and songwriting until we were in college. This program gives the kids a chance to learn hands-on. It’s a really cool thing.”

To learn more about MFAK, visit musicforallkids.org or email Nicklas Johnson at nick@musicforallkids.org.

All the time and effort that volunteers put in to the Marquette Rockestra is a labor of love. While Truckey originally had the idea, the music community ultimately had to come together to make it a go. “To get the Rockestra started, it was a good six months of pulling people together on Truckey’s part,” Teichman said. “It was one of those things where everyone was tak-

punk

ing a healthy risk to do this. It was really different than anything else I’ve been a part of before.”

He said Marquette is the right place for such a thing to come together. “When you put on a show in Marquette, people show up,” Teichman said. “We have people who want to give their time and their talents once we put it out there. Marquette is a really cool community in that way.”

Teichman said the support of the community and the people who have been willing to help has been amazing. “The real gift has been building relationships through this,” he said. “I’ve met people I wouldn’t have gotten to know without this. When you put a band together, it’s usually people who know each other. This is different, and it’s a very receptive, supportive environment.”

He also loves the intergenerational part of the equation, bringing high school and college students on stage

with musicians who are established.

“My favorite moment so far has been to take the high school kids out the side door at Graveraet to see the people waiting to come in for the show,”

Teichman said. “I told them, ‘They are lined up to see you.’ That’s what makes Marquette a special place.”

Advance tickets for the show are $20 for adults and $10 for students younger than 18. Admission at the door is $22 for adults and $12 for students. Tickets can be purchased at tickets.nmu.edu.

MM

Kristy Basolo has a master’s degree in writing from NMU and has worked for Marquette Monthly for almost two decades. Her day job is as senior center director in Negaunee. 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.

Mark Hamari plays the harmonica during a Marquette Rockestra performance at Kaufman Auditorium. This year’s event will take place on June 6 and 7 at Forest Roberts Theatre on the campus of Northern Michigan University. (Photo courtesy of Marquette Rockestra)

back then

Celebrity camping trip

The year Henry Ford toured the U.P. with Thomas Edison

By Larry Chabot

It was mid-August 1923 in little Paris, Michigan, just north of Big Rapids, when Sarah Bisbee answered a knock on her front door to find arguably the most famous man in the country: Henry Ford. At his elbow was tire maker Harvey Firestone, also a famous guy. Mrs. Bisbee peered around them to spot super-famous inventor Thomas Edison, slumped miserably in the back seat of the fancy car parked in front of her house.

Is Jep at home? Why, yes he is. Won’t you come in? From that moment on, the Bisbees’ lives would never be the same.

Two days earlier, the three luminaries had led a party of campers out of Dearborn in the eight-vehicle convoy now parked out front. Curious neighbors circled the vehicles, which contained chauffeurs, a Japanese cook and reporters who were stalking Ford because of buzz that he was a possible presidential candidate. Edison was the crew boss, responsible for the itinerary, despite suffering from a nasty cold. Other parts of the motorcade had driven to the Straits of Mackinac for the ferry ride to St. Ignace.

But the big shots had detoured to look for Jep Bisbee, whom Firestone had heard fiddling somewhere, and wanted to pay him a call on their way to camping in the Upper Peninsula. The locals spotted Edison as he got out of the car and shuffled inside. They pointed and shouted, “It’s him! It’s Edison!” In the parlor, Ford tapped his foot in tune with Jep’s fiddling as Edison — notoriously hard of hearing — held his head directly over the instrument to listen to the music.

Ford was so charmed that he handed Jep a $100 bill (about $1,800 in today’s money), and Edison offered to record and market Jep’s music at his

“

FORD

PREFERRED ROUGHING

IT IN STYLE INSTEAD

OF SPENDING $3 ON HOTEL ROOMS.

New Jersey studio. As a bonus, all eight vehicles gassed up in town at a cost of $100, the biggest day ever for the station.

U.P. invasion

Ford happened to own a 300-foot yacht (christened the Sialia, or bluebird), manned by 30 crewmen of his private navy. After leaving the Bisbees, the Ford party motored north to Traverse City to board the Sialia for a sail across Lake Michigan to Escanaba, where a large crowd awaited. Because Edison was feeling poorly, the party spent the night on the boat.

A U.P. trip had been planned for two years earlier but was canceled in favor of an outing in West Virginia with President Warren Harding. In August 1923, the Fords and Edisons were among the mourners at Harding’s funeral in Marion, Ohio, just before the rescheduled U.P. sendoff.

At Escanaba, the motorcade reformed with vehicles full of people, food, tents, cots, chairs, tables, a

Before heading to the Upper Peninsula, Henry Ford, left, Harvey Firestone and Thomas Edison paid

Bisbee in Paris, Michigan. (Illustration by Mike McKinney) kitchen and trunks full of clothing. Ford preferred roughing it in style instead of spending $3 on hotel rooms. Media reporters interviewed Ford about his presidential prospects as the crowd shouted “Ford for president!”

The first stop found the group in Iron Mountain, where Ford employed 3,000 workers in a lumber mill and whose local Ford dealer was Edward Kingsford, husband of Ford’s cousin Mary Flaherty. The vagabonds camped for two nights on Ford land and toured his various properties. (Ford’s workforce in the area eventually numbered 8,000.)

Next it was off to Michigamme in a driving rain for a reception in a tea room stuffed with admirers. While Ford enjoyed a stroll through town in better weather, Edison was besieged by autograph seekers wielding papers, books, postcards, magazines and even a chunk of birch bark for him to sign. Wherever they went in town, a jolly crowd followed along, and so witnessed Ford discovering a fire in an abandoned building and dousing it himself, thus earning him an honorary membership in the Michigamme Fire Department.

About this time, as he toured with Ford and Firestone, Edison hurt his finger in a minor accident. Blown out of all proportion, the story ran in a Chicago paper as a major car wreck,

and an Indiana journal reported his death in the accident.

Mrs. Ford, meanwhile, visited a girls camp on Lake Michigamme but refused to sign autographs because she was appalled by the campers’ cutoff overalls and rolled-down stockings. Her outrage was even reported in The New York Times. The same camp was attended a few years later by a teenaged Jean Harlow, later known as the “Blonde Bombshell” of movie fame. She contracted scarlet fever at the camp, and this illness was believed to contribute to her death 10 years later.

More poking around

AfterMichigamme’s exciting events, the motorcade proceeded to Sidnaw in southern Houghton County to inspect Ford’s properties there. His lumber camp quarters were state-of-the-art with modern bunkhouses and other housing subject to the owner’s strict rules on cleanliness. (He personally inspected the housing and was known to evict those who did not comply with his rules.)

From there, the campers visited the L’Anse area, where Ford had a business presence, and then went north to inspect Calumet & Hecla’s copper operations in the Keweenaw Peninsula. Back in L’Anse, they toured a Native American reservation, camped overnight and reboarded the big yacht

for Detroit. At the Soo Locks, a large crowd was delighted as Ford shook hands with everyone within reach, then oohed as the 60-year-old leaped onto his yacht before it sailed off without him.

The celebrity camping cavalcades, begun in 1914 in Florida and continuing mostly in the eastern U.S. and Midwest with only two missed years, were discontinued after 1924 because the famous participants had become irritated by crowds of curiosity seekers.

So, whatever happened to Jep Bisbee after the Ford party left his house? Henry not only gave Jep a new Model T, which he delivered personally, but helped him rebuild a door so the auto could fit in Jep’s barn. Ford also paid for the Bisbees’ trip to Edison’s studio in New Jersey, where his recordings made him both famous and wealthy. Already aged 80 at the time of the Ford visit, Jep performed steadily until passing away at age 92.

MM

Larry Chabot is an Ontonagon native who has written nearly 200 articles for Marquette Monthly. For readers interested in more entertaining stories about the Ford and Edison camping expeditions, Chabot recommends The Vagabonds: The Story of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison’s Ten-Year Road Trip by Jeff Guinn.

a visit to fiddler Jep

Honoring extraordinary women

Exhibition features icons with ties to the Upper Peninsula

By Jaymie Depew

From the first woman in the country to jump with a parachute to the first Native American to be elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, the Beaumier Heritage Center’s “Extraordinary Women of the U.P.” exhibition at Northern Michigan University showcases the successes and talents of more than 60 icons with ties to the region.

The exhibit features the stories of women who affected the area in varying categories, including the arts, education, politics, medicine, activism and public service. While many nominees were born and raised in the

Upper Peninsula, others moved to the area later in their lives.

“We have a neat variety of people, some with national exposure and some that were known locally but made a big impact in their communities,” said Dan Truckey, director and curator at the Beaumier Heritage Center. “My idea was to have this for Women’s History Month, which we were, fortunately, able to pull off, but I hope that it continues to inspire people, especially younger kids from the U.P. Just because you come from a small hometown doesn’t mean you can’t do amazing things in the world.”

The exhibition opened with a well-attended public event at the

“Another cool thing is that there’s life beyond here. This is a traveling exhibit,” Truckey said. “In the fall, the

Beaumier Heritage Center in Gries Hall on March 23 and will be displayed in the gallery until Aug. 3.

Viola Turpeinen’s accordion occupies a prominent place among the displays in the “Extraordinary Women of the U.P.” exhibition. (Photo by Jaymie Depew)

displays will be set up at local libraries, historical societies and schools in every county throughout the U.P. so people can see it in their communities.”

The stories of the women featured are shared on large panels with photos and descriptions of each of them while videos of some are played on a projector screen. Several display cases in the gallery also hold some of their belongings.

The accordion of Viola Turpeinen, a Finnish American born in Champion in 1909 but raised in Iron River, is a piece that stands out. Turpeinen, known for her Italian-influenced playing style, started traveling across the country as a performer at age 18 and was soon considered the best female accordion player in the United States.

Fascinating artwork and books created by Turpeinen’s cousin Jenny “Jingo” (Viitala) Vachon of Toivola are also on display. Vachon, a self-

taught artist and writer known for sharing stories of her family who were first-generation Finnish Americans, was a talented musician as well. She’d play harmonica and sing with Turpeinen when she was visiting the family. Vachon was awarded the prestigious Michigan State Heritage Award in 1988. She died in 2009.

At the exhibit, visitors will also discover the story of Cora Reynolds Anderson of L’Anse, the first woman elected to the Michigan House of Representatives and the first Native American to serve in the state Legislature.

There’s also Dr. Kathleen Shingler Weston of Kenton, who was part of the research team that developed the Salk polio vaccine in the 1950s. She was recognized by President Lyndon B. Johnson as one of the nation’s “Outstanding Medical Women.”

Another fascinating tale includes that of Sarah “Sadie” Kalishek, born

The exhibition’s displays and panels are organized by theme. The case above honors women who achieved success in the military. The panel in the foreground below recognizes women of letters, including author Beatrice Blomquist of Iron Mountain. (Photos by Jaymie Depew)

in 1902 in Menominee, who left home in her teens to become a performer in a traveling vaudeville act. Kalishek then worked as an acrobat in a circus and learned how to fly airplanes by age 19. She was the first woman to transfer planes without a ladder and the first woman to jump with a parachute — “a feat that earned her top billing in a show over Amelia Earhart,” according to the writeup on her panel.

Munising native Rita B. Pond Hedglin, born in 1920, is someone who might not be recognized immediately, but upon further inspection it becomes apparent why she’s included in the group. After working for a department store in Munising to earn money for college, Pond Hedglin attended St. Lawrence School of Nursing in Lansing and in 1945 enlisted in the Army Nurses Corps, where she performed nursing duties in the Philippines and Japan during World War II.

and family interactions. She was a huge advocate for women’s rights throughout her entire life. In some respect, she was outgoing, enthusiastic and gregarious. I think she was driven by her own need to accomplish different goals within the community to make life better than it was when she grew up. The ’20s and ’30s were a particularly difficult time, especially for women during the Depression.”

When Patrick Pond enlisted in the Marine Corps and went to Vietnam, his mother went to church every day and put up an American flag until he returned 14 months later.

Upon her return from service, Pond Hedglin worked a short stint at the St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing before returning to her hometown, where she worked at Munising Memorial Hospital until becoming employed by the LMAS Health Department as a school nurse in 1971.

A member of the Roderick F. Prato American Legion Post 131 in Munising, Pond Hedglin was the first woman in Michigan to serve as Post Commander. She also served as 5th Zone Commander at the state level and was eventually bestowed the 11th District Meritorious Service Award and Loyal Cooperation Award.

While Pond Hedglin was known for serving fellow veterans, she was also a community advocate and sup-

portive of her family, according to her twin sons, Patrick and Michael Pond, who claimed she never missed sports games or school events that her five sons were involved in.

“She was a strong woman and a Catholic, but she was practical too,” said Patrick “Fish” Pond, 75, who lives in Portage. “Being a public health nurse, she was involved with so many different aspects of health care, but especially with young girls

Pond Hedglin was also an avid volunteer, serving as a Cub Scout den mother, a St. Bridget Circle member for over 40 years, a member of the Munising Hospital Nurses Club and a board member of the Munising Housing Commission, the United Commercial Travelers of America and the Munising Community Credit Union. She was a lifelong member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was involved with the local dance club with her husband, Francis.

“If there’s one thing I’d want to tell you about my mother, it’s that she was one of the most compassionate people

Dan Truckey is director and curator at the Beaumier Heritage Center at Northern Michigan University.

(Photo by Jaymie Depew)

Rita Pond Hedglin of Munising was the first woman in Michigan to serve as an American Legion Post Commander. (Photo courtesy of the Munising School Public Library)

“SHE WAS A HUGE ADVOCATE FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS. ... SHE WAS DRIVEN TO MAKE LIFE BETTER THAN IT WAS WHEN SHE GREW UP.

Student researchers

Besides Truckey’s work on the project, a lot of the research was also conducted by NMU students in Dr. Emily Romeo’s women’s history course last fall.

“Dan reached out to me last summer and asked if I wanted to collaborate, and I, of course, was on board immediately,” Romeo said. “Since I started teaching this class at NMU two years ago, my students have had a research project every semester. I generally let them choose whatever topic they want, but this one was very specific.”

Instead, students in Romeo’s class were each assigned women of the U.P. to research at the beginning of the semester. They were responsible for finding primary and secondary sources, with her assistance.

When they were wrapping up, Truckey conducted a tutorial for the class on how they could turn their research into narratives for the exhibition. “So, some of the narratives you’ll see on the panels are written by the students themselves,” Romeo said.

So far, the exhibit has received a positive response with several media outlets highlighting the project in the local news. “I love that the women are getting recognized because many of them hadn’t gotten the attention and exposure they deserved for their achievements when they were alive,” Romeo said.

Along with Truckey and Romeo, a committee helped with research and determining the final nominees. The committee consisted of Lisa Cromell, director of the Munising School Public Library; Kathlene Long, director of the Iron County Historical and Museum Society; and Elise Nelson, director of the Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw.

you’d ever run into,” said Michael “Bull” Pond, 75, of Marquette. “She was always trying to take care of people. Looking back, we were never the richest kids, but we didn’t know that. We always thought we were well off. We always had food to eat, beds to sleep in, we always had enough — but we were never pampered. My mother was always helping others who needed help; everyone else always came first.”

Pond Hedglin was admitted to the D.J. Jacobetti Veterans Home in Marquette in 2000 and passed away in 2003.

“This is such an important project,” said Cromell, who anticipates having the display in Munising’s library. “It’s nice that a small institution like ours can get something like this here that focuses on the stories of these incredible women.”

The “Extraordinary Women of the U.P.” exhibition at NMU’s Beaumier Heritage Center was partly funded by a Michigan Humanities Grant. For more information, contact the center via email at heritage@nmu.edu or call 906-227-3212.

MM

Jaymie Depew is a freelance writer from Alger County. Her work can be found in both print and online publications throughout Michigan.

The sounds of summer

Music on Third Street benefits performers, local businesses and fans new and old

By Brad Gischia

There are few things as pleasant as going for an early-evening stroll through Marquette during the summer. On warm days, the breeze coming off the lake cools temperatures nicely and the aromas from multiple restaurants mingle to create a pleasing bouquet with fresh-cut grass and blooming flowers.

Summer has its own sound as well. The City of Marquette is again offering its Music on Third Street event throughout the summer, with live music happening on the third Thursday of each month starting in June and running through September.

The program has grown and matured through the years. “It started as sort of a busking event on Third Street,” said Mike Bradford, the business outreach and promotion director for the Marquette Downtown Development Authority. “Musicians would come out and just start playing. The DDA picked it up a few years ago and helped to streamline it and elevate it to what it’s become.”

What it has become is two hours of music at 18 locations up and down

John Beere performs outside BODEGA as part of Music on Third Street in 2023. Band members are, from left, Rachael Popko, Drake Sundberg, Evan Murray and Katie Popko. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette Downtown Development Authority)

Third Street, an opportunity for people to experience just a little bit of what the community music scene has to offer. Everything is organized through the DDA office, from booking musicians to coordinating venues to arranging marketing.

“Last year in particular was pretty amazing,” said Bradford, who has been in his current role since August 2022. “It gets a little traction year after year, but with the addition of the Social District, that had a huge impact on the event.”

The Marquette Social District is an area in downtown Marquette designated by the city where people may consume alcohol in a common area. The Social District, Bradford said, encompasses Third Street from Fair Avenue on the north end to Baraga Avenue on the south; and Washington Street from Seventh Street on the west to the lakeshore on the east. “Being able to walk the street with your favorite beverage,” Bradford said, “makes it a whole different experience.”

“I think it promotes more of a festival-like atmosphere,” said Andy Langlois, one of the owners of Blackrocks Brewery on Third Street. “It shouts out, ‘Hey, there’s something going on here.’ If you can walk in the street, it gives you more of a perspective of what’s going on down there.”

Blackrocks has been participating in Music on Third since it started.

“Every year it grew,” Langlois said. “I can’t recall what year it was, but one Thursday came around and we were like, ‘Whoa, it’s really busy.’ We have music all of the time regardless,

but that influx of foot traffic kind of caught us off guard.”

Those sentiments were echoed by Sarah Saead, the general manager of The Crib. “It definitely increased our sales in the evenings,” Saead said. “Being a coffee shop, most of our sales happen earlier in the day, but on those nights we would typically need [additional staff] working.” The Crib also has a full bar, selling spirits and beer on tap.

Keeping the event low key and comfortable is important to the DDA.

“It’s a free event,” Bradford said. “It’s laid out sensibly so it’s easy to navigate both for attendees and musicians.”

Bradford’s office is working with up to 50 musicians and 18 venues this year. Some acts are soloists, while others can number up to seven people. Selecting which artists will play

on which dates can be a trying task.

“It’s a balancing act for sure,” Bradford said. “We don’t want it to end up being a battle of the bands situation, so when we schedule we try to pair the business with the band.”

The groups that apply state on their application which of the dates they’re able or willing to play. The DDA office then gives them some but not all of the dates. “We have so many musicians that we can’t have everyone play each date,” Bradford said. “But we try to give everyone at least two Thursdays.”

Mark Hamari, a Marquette native, has played every year that Music on Third Street has been happening. Most recently he’s been performing with the Union Suits. “We like to call ourselves a bluegrass band that doesn’t play bluegrass,” Hamari said. For the past several years, the Union Suits

have been set up outside of Yooptone Music in the Village Shopping Center.

Hamari said the location has served both musicians and listeners well. “We set up in the parking lot of the mini mall there, and there’s usually a band in front of the Hiawatha [Music Co-op] office as well. People can set up their chairs and hang out and listen or just sit in their cars.”

Hamari said it’s not a problem to have two bands in close proximity: “We’re both facing out, and generally we’re not amplified too much, so there’s no competition on the sound.”

Generations Jazz played Music on Third for the first time in 2023. The father-daughter act is a guitar and singing duo made up by Ryan and Shanti Dart, who play directly out of the American songbook — music by George Gershwin and Peggy Lee and the like.

“We loved it,” Ryan Dart said. “There was a ton of foot traffic.” He said the event helped them secure a few gigs at later dates. “We booked a wedding off of that,” he said, “and the funny thing was that it was away from town, booked by people that were just in for the Music on Third event.”

The movement of people — coming through the parking lot, sitting for one song or staying for an entire set — is one of the things that Hamari said makes the event so fun. “I get a chance to see a bunch of people that I don’t see all of the time,” he said.

And the fact that his band doesn’t play every Thursday for the summer means that Hamari can see some of the other groups that are performing. “When we’re not playing, I make it a

Music on Third Street acts range from solo performers to large groups. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette Downtown Development Authority)

point to get out and catch all the live music,” he said. “It’s a chance for me to get out and see all the musician friends I have that I don’t get to see perform.”

He added, “Playing outside as opposed to in a bar is great. It’s nice to be outside, and it’s such a great community event. If the weather is nice, you get this huge crowd that’s constantly changing. … You see a lot of different people.”

The benefit to the community is not lost on anyone who participates.“There’s a grassroots influence coming out of the downtown area,” Langlois said. “We’re seeing a lot of progressive ideas on how to grow businesses in the area. I can’t say enough about the importance of music in general. Fostering any venue or outlet for musicians to get together to play is a good thing. It’s pretty incredible for the size of the town we have to have the number of talented people who are here.”

The relatively early time slot of the event — from 6 to 8 p.m. — allows people to see bands they might not otherwise have the opportunity to see.

“There’s a different demographic there,” Hamari said. “A lot of younger folks who can’t go to the bars or older folks who might not stay out that late get to see a lot of different types of groups. There’s a drumming group who don’t necessarily book gigs, but they get out there and do it for this event.”

Music on Third is a good avenue for new acts to gain exposure, and for more established bands to reach new fans. “We’ve gotten booked by people who just happened to be walking by and heard us,” Hamari said.

From the perspective of participating businesses, increased foot traffic is always a positive. “It’s definitely more lively than it would typically be on a regular Thursday night,” Saead said.

“Aside from the drinks that are sold, there is a fair bit of window shopping that happens on those nights.

“It’s helpful to have as many community events as possible. The benefits to the businesses are really important, because we can encourage tourists to spend their money here and it helps the local economy in the offseason as well, by reminding the people what they can miss.”

Sometimes that foot traffic comes from the musicians themselves. “We got to cruise around a bit last year,” Dart said. “It was really incredible to see a bunch of musicians that I didn’t know were out there. It’s a good time to come out and support the local artists and businesses. I don’t think I could think of a better way to get people out.”

Aside from the monetary benefit for the businesses, there is the arguably more important benefit to the community. “Here we are, in this relatively small town, with this pretty booming music scene,” Langlois said. “We’re darn lucky. For the city to get behind it shows that they have an interest in supporting the culture of it, and that’s fantastic.”

Hamari said there’s nothing like the experience of all that live music in the midst of a big crowd. “I encourage people to come out. It’s a great event, and you’ll see a lot of people and a wide variety of music. You’ll realize how much talent there is in the city of Marquette.”

The best place to find information about Music on Third is the DDA’s website (downtownmarquette.org) or Facebook page.

MM

Brad Gischia is a writer and artist native to Upper Michigan. He has published two children’s books and done illustrations for both comic books and novels.

The Reveal plays at Cruisin’ Coffee during a Music on Third Street event. (Photo courtesy of the Marquette Downtown Development Authority)

in the outdoors

Shorebirds in the U.P.: Migrants and summer companions

Story and photos by Scot Stewart

“Fly silly sea bird, no dreams can possess you, no voices can blame you for sun on your wings.”

—Joni Mitchell

Sandpipers and plovers feeding along the shore follow fairly strict guidelines for patterns along the water’s edge as threats to their safety come into play. Most play tag with the waves,

working to stay dry. Some, like sanderlings, seem unfazed by small waves rising at their feet. When they forage in flocks, it is possible to see at least one member of the group with its head turned to watch the sky for a falcon. Both merlins and peregrines hunt shorebirds in the Upper Peninsula. At Whitefish Point, harriers and sharp-shinned hawks keep the sandpipers and plovers vigilant. At the first sign of danger, shorebirds can flatten themselves out, hugging the earth below them to avoid detection

This is the second article in a two-part series about shorebirds. The first appeared in the May 2024 issue of Marquette Monthly.

until the danger passes.

One of the best beaches to watch shorebirds is Whitefish Point in Chippewa County, on Lake Superior. Like much of the lake’s shoreline, it is sub-

This Hudsonian godwit was spotted in Chocolay Township. (Photo by Scot Stewart)

ject to changes in water levels and often big storms, like the one that claimed the Edmund Fitzgerald 17 miles off the point in November 1975. The point is lined with sand and beautifully rounded pebbles, but it also contains ever-changing shallow pools of water near the tip. The combination of beaches and pools has created a high-quality stopping point for shorebirds crossing the lake during fall migration.

Unfortunately, recent storms have altered the tip of Whitefish Point drastically, wiping out a bird counter’s shack near the tip and causing major changes to the pond structure near the beach. A warming climate has created other changes to the shoreline of the entire Great Lakes. With warmer winters, there is far less lake ice. This can ratchet up the force of winter waves hitting and eroding beaches; and with less lake ice washing up on beaches

in springtime, there is less scraping of newer vegetation along the shore, permitting a heavier cover of plants closer to the water. This allows hunting predators, such as hawks, merlins, common ravens and foxes more cover to reach shorebirds, particularly young ones.

Sandpipers can put on some amazing shows. American woodcocks started arriving during the treacherous warm spells in March this year, a dangerous habit for birds in need of thawed wetlands to probe for invertebrates in the mud with their nearly three-inch-long bills. Males stake out their summer range by performing a twittering, spiraling upward flight at dusk made by their flapping wings, and a syrupy chirping call as they quickly descend, landing exactly where they started. They rise and dive for up to a half-hour during the early spring evenings to attract a mate and

A sanderling, above, eats a moth at the Presque Isle breakwater, where the spotted sandpiper below was also seen. (Photos by Scot Stewart)

defend their territory. One was heard in mid-March near the athletic fields in Beaver Grove south of Marquette. Wilson’s snipes have a similar display, with their specially shaped tails making a winnowing or fast whooping sound as they rise. They are masters of deception, able to seemingly

misdirect the display sound to make location of the males difficult in the air. On the ground, their protective coloration of brown, tan and buff

stripes help them to blend in so perfectly they are usually not seen until they are nearly stepped on, whereupon they let out a rusty-gate screech as they flutter off. Seney National Wildlife Refuge is a great place to hear their displays in spring, but they can be found along berms and wood edges close to water, like at the Presque Isle bog walk during spring and fall migration.

Wilson’s snipes are currently named for Alexander Wilson, a prominent ornithologist of the 19th century, but will be renamed this year as the American Ornithological Society gives birds named for individuals new monikers. Four other birds are named for him, including the Wilson’s phalarope, another sandpiper occasionally found in the Upper Peninsula. This small bird has several unusual behaviors that make it stand out. There are three species of phalaropes: Wilson’s, red and red-necked.

Only Wilson’s are seen with much regularity, usually during spring migration. A pair was observed on a Chocolay Township pond several years ago in May. A pair with four

Marbled godwits gather at the mouth of the Dead River. (Photo by Scot Stewart)

chicks was seen in Delta County in 2006. It is the only sighting to suggest they have nested in the U.P. Red and red-necked phalaropes migrate along the ocean coasts, and just a few have been seen in northern Michigan, usually during fall migration.

Female phalaropes are the most colorful of the pair for reasons that involve egg incubation. For most species, the females are more likely to have cryptic coloration to help them avoid detection by predators when sitting on their nests. After female phalaropes lay their eggs, they leave the parenting responsibilities, including incubation, entirely to the males and may look for other males to produce eggs with before again moving on for the summer. Nearly all phalarope nests have four eggs.

The behavior that makes Wilson’s phalaropes so interesting to watch is their practice of swimming into very shallow waters where they believe invertebrates might be living. They then begin swimming in circles until they produce small whirlpools, pulling loose debris and invertebrates closer to the surface where they snatch them up to eat. They also swim or stand in muddy straits and peck at the surface of mud like a small sewing machine to

pick up animals.

Plovers are a third group of shorebirds frequently seen in northern Michigan from April until October. The most frequently seen and most adaptable is the killdeer. Known by its namesake call, it is one of two plovers nesting in Michigan during the summer. Confirmed nests were found in all U.P. counties except Iron County in the most recent Michigan Breeding Bird Atlas Survey held from 2002 to 2008. They can be found in a wide variety of habitats: from the edges of beaches to fields to playgrounds and parking lots. Boisterous birds with a double necklace of black feathers, they can be easily located as they announce the arrival of any presumed danger. They are also well known for their “broken wing act” to draw potential predators and danger away from nesting activity.

A second, much rarer piping plover is the only other plover found in northern Michigan nesting in the summertime. Once found nesting across numerous sites around the Great Lakes and the Atlantic on loose sandy beaches, the nesting pair numbers dropped to just a handful of sites in the 1980s before aggressive conservation measures were put into place

to protect nesting sites. The number of piping plovers has risen, but they are still endangered. Fencing is now erected around a wide area surrounding identified nests to protect the birds from disturbances created by vehicles, walkers and dogs and provide additional protection from animals like raccoons, foxes, skunks and some birds. Volunteers also provide extra watches to help protect the birds. Protection has come even to plovers nesting on busy public beaches in Chicago to help them successfully raise their young.

Because they faithfully return to the same beaches each year to nest, the plovers do face additional threats from receding shorelines, beach development and stronger summer storms, especially those with large hail. Several years ago, a nesting female was killed in a hailstorm as she incubated her eggs. The male did find another female that year.

Piping plovers are tiny — some are just 5.5 inches long — and pale, which helps them blend into the light-colored sand. They nest above the high-water line in sandy areas close to clumps of plants and often line their nests with very small pebbles. Since the piping plover is an endangered species, indi-

A marbled godwit stretches at the mouth of the Dead River. (Photo by Scot Stewart)

viduals who find a nest are requested to contact the Michigan DNR. Just seeing these rare birds is a thrill, but being part of the conservation effort to protect amazing threatened birds is a true honor and a rewarding experience.

Three other plovers are regular visitors to the U.P. during migration. Semipalmated plovers are by far the most common plover migrants. They are miniature versions of killdeer with single neck rings. They use both beaches and breakwaters as forage areas. Black-bellied and American golden plovers are rare in northern Michigan in the springtime. Many spring migrants move quickly to reach their summer ranges to claim the better territories for nesting. In the autumn, though, these two species and semipalmated sandpipers are among the last to head south, often traveling slowly with several young in tow. They can be found on the beaches but are more likely to be discovered on wet days in grassy and weedy openings looking for flies, beetles, true bugs, grasshoppers or worms.

Yet another Wilson’s shorebird, the Wilson’s plover, is a species with a normal range of the southeastern states. At least one off-course member in its ranks has made it to the Upper Peninsula, in Alger County in May 2018. Birders have put the mouth of the AuTrain River on a year-round watch for waterbirds, and it has yielded a vast amount of data about bird migration and has turned up a number of exciting observations like the Wilson’s plover.

Two of the most impressively feathered sandpipers visiting the Upper Peninsula are the dunlin and

another unusual migrant, the ruddy turnstone. Both have tricolored plumage with the colors of a calico cat: black, white and orange. The dunlins are more typical sandpipers with their long, narrow bills. Ruddy turnstones look more like plovers than sandpipers with short bills and stockier bodies than most sandpipers. They get their name from their habit of flipping stones and shells with their bills to look for invertebrates hiding underneath. Both dunlin and turnstones feed on midges on the breakwater and a wide array of insects and other small animals on the beaches. Here in the U.P., flocks of each may be seen flying along the shores, especially at spots like Whitefish Point, but usually only single individuals are seen feeding or resting when they stop.

“The fleeing sandpipers turn about suddenly and chased back the sea.”

—J.W. Hackett

Shorebirds are among the most exhilarating birds to watch as they work along the shorelines of lakes and wetlands. They look for the nourishment they need to recharge as they work their way north and south on their amazing migrations in spring and fall or simply take care of a summer family here.

Starting in May, “upstream” shorebird migration to the north officially continues in Michigan until July 1. Shorebirds nesting in the Arctic need the remainder of summer to ensure they can manage a brood of young before cold autumn conditions begin limiting the vast amount of insect food needed to raise a brood strong enough

This buff-breasted sandpiper was viewed at Whitefish Point on the shore of Lake Superior. (Photo by Scot Stewart)

to make the trip back south. For most, it will be a brief window in May and June to see flocks of shorebirds making their way literally across the planet as they head to the tundra of Canada and Alaska to tend to their nesting duties. After July 1, best guesses assume shorebirds here are headed back south again for the fall migration and won’t

be back until next spring. Some shorebirds arriving in late spring find the state of the tundra or their own health too poor to start nesting; knowing the odds of raising a successful brood are slim, they simply turn around and head back south.

In the fields and wetlands, the woodcocks, snipes, killdeers, upland

sandpipers and maybe a Wilson’s phalarope or two will provide both sights and sounds to delight here in the U.P. For those remaining near the shores of the Great Lakes, the sights of the bobbing spotted sandpipers and the delicate presence of piping plovers at the water’s edge will provide the opportunity to enjoy the energy

and beauty of wonderful companions sharing beaches for the summer. MM

Scot Stewart is an educator, writer and photographer with an inherent love of the natural world. He is active with the MooseWood Nature Center at Presque Isle Park in Marquette.

American avocets congregate at the AuTrain River in Alger County, a popular location among birders. (Photo by Scot Stewart)

back then

The legacy of Moose LaCombe

Negaunee field honors longtime community leader

Editor’s note: This article is part of a series called The Story Behind the Name, which looks at the namesakes of local sports venues.

By Kristy Basolo

Community involvement often defines the success of small towns. In Negaunee, generations of community-minded people have helped the town thrive, especially under great leaders.

One example of such a leader was Oral Joseph “Moose” LaCombe, a man who could simply have been content to be the neighborhood mailman. Although he was born in another time — 1896, to be exact — his efforts to grow a community continue to be built upon, and his name lives on.

This summer, LaCombe Field on Baldwin Avenue will have a grand opening of sorts after a season of renovations to help “the old ball diamond” better serve its community.

The field was built on an old dumping grounds, according to Roland “Foo” Koski, a volunteer at the Negaunee Historical Society who specializes in local sports history. He said it was named many things over the years, including Simo’s Field and the Legion Diamond.

Koski wrote an article for the Negaunee Historical Society newsletter about the origins of the field: “First named Simo’s Field, the first softball field was obtained from [Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Co.] and later leased to the Negaunee Public Schools on November 7, 1934.” Koski said the original namesake was the man with the only house on the block of Mitchell Avenue behind the current field, Oscor Simo.

ball Association was formed. Koski’s father, Leonard “Cookie” Koski, was named president. With the league in place, it was time to upgrade the playing facility.

The Legion manager, LaCombe led work by club members over long hours to convert the land into a field “suitable for practice and game purposes,” Koski wrote in the historical society newsletter. “The original diamond had a base consisting of an 18inch fill of cinders, of which drained the area quickly after each rain.”

The field was used by the American Legion for its “kitten ball” league, which was the term used for a version of today’s game of softball. Koski said the baselines were 45 feet long, but as the rules of the game changed, the mound was moved and baselines were extended.

In June 1954, the Negaunee Soft-

“Mr. American Legion,” LaCombe rallied the troops for a grassroots renovation of the Legion Diamond. He got help from Tony Baratono, Frank Campain, Bill Conway, “Mundo” Johnson, Everett Reichel, Les Roberts and many others, Koski wrote. “Together, these men and other volunteers made some major improvements that included leveling and grading … installing portable bleachers, lighting the field for night (games) and enclos-

Negaunee Postmaster Agnes Regan bids farewell to Oral J. “Moose” LaCombe after his final rural route shift out of the Negaunee office. (Photo courtesy of the Negaunee Historical Society)

Recent upgrades at LaCombe Field include a new ramp and dugouts. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place during Pioneer Days in July. (Photos courtesy of the City of Negaunee)

ing the ballfield with a fence.”

On Aug. 25, 1954, a dedication was held and the field was renamed in honor of the “father of softball in Negaunee,” Koski wrote. During the dedication ceremony, George Maholick Jr., the city manager at the time, drew attention to key accomplishments by LaCombe over the years.

“That in the building of this field, the idea of helping one another, and with getting nothing without some measure of sacrifice, points out that the youth of today are willing and eager to work to accomplish a worthwhile goal,” he said. “Too often we heard remarks that the youth of today are spoiled, that they take everything and give nothing in return.”

“The father of softball in Negaunee” was so connected with the baseball community that he even received letters from Major League teams seeking prospects. In 1952, he got a letter from Maurice De Loof of the Boston American League Baseball Co. requesting he make them aware of “any boy who you think has a chance in Organized Baseball.” The letter is preserved at the Negaunee Historical Society.

Moose was recognized for many things over the years, not just softball. LaCombe was well known, well connected to his community and no stranger to service. He was a World War I veteran, having enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917; founder of the

Negaunee Social Cribbage League in 1937; owner of a wholesale doughnut bakery in the ’20s; and even had a bit part in Anatomy of a Murder, portraying a jurist sitting in the front row with a bandage on his head, Koski wrote.

And that nickname? According to Koski, LaCombe got it when he was born. The doctor delivering him turned to Oral’s dad and said, “He is a big moose.”

The Negaunee Iron Herald on Oct. 12, 1957, featured LaCombe when he completed his last run over the rural mail route emanating from the Negaunee Post Office after 30 years of service to his routes. He served the Suomi location in Richmond Township for many years, according to Virginia Paulson of the Negaunee Historical Society.

“I grew up in that area, and he delivered our mail for many years,” she said. “No matter the weather, he was

there. He grew a beard in the winter months to protect his face from the wind. He also brought groceries and sometimes medicine out that way.”

LaCombe eventually delivered to 519 businesses and households, a route spanning 67 miles, she said. According to Koski, the farmers on his mail route gauged the incoming weather on what time they received their mail from LaCombe.

Moose was notable right up to his death in 1993, at which time he was the last surviving member of the World War I Drum & Bugle Corps out

His years of service to the community paved the way for future generations to build on the foundation.

In 2023, the City of Negaunee, the Negaunee Little League and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) partnered to start a crowdfunding campaign titled “LaCombe Field for All.” Not much had changed since Rep. Dominic Jacobetti received a grant of $16,640 from the state in 1971 to help make renovations to the field. It was time.

The crowdfunding campaign raised

the $50,000 necessary to receive matching funds from the MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places grant program. The project’s aim is to update the fields to offer universal access, offering both spectators and players accessibility to the field, dugouts, bathrooms and concession stand, said David Nelson, City of Negaunee planning and zoning administrator.

“The whole project is focused on accessibility,” Nelson said. “We also were able to raise the fence to eight feet to help with safety.”

Although bids for the upgrades

Negaunee Little League is one of the organizations that uses LaCombe Field. (Photo courtesy of the City of Negaunee/Melissa Kostamo)

came in higher than expected, the Little League stepped in and offered volunteers to offset the labor — echoing the spirit with which Moose LaCombe originally helped renovate the field. The upgrades should be done in time for a ribbon cutting during Pioneer Days, set for July 5 to 13 this year.

Maholick summed it up best in his speech at the dedication of LaCombe Field back in 1954:

“In my attempt to find an appropriate tribute to Oral J. LaCombe Jr., I searched through literary writing to discover something that would suit this occasion and camp upon a short verse by an unknown author. … ‘When he built, he built forever, with the thought that it was not for present delight, nor for his present use alone. But he did such work that his descendants will thank him for it. Let us all think back, as he laid stone upon stone, that a time will come when these stones will be held sacred because his hands touched them; and that all men will see as they look upon his labor, the wrought substance of them.’”

MM

Kristy Basolo has a master’s degree in writing from NMU and has worked for MM for almost two decades. Her day job is as senior center director in Negaunee.

of Sault Ste. Marie.

locals

SmartZone CEO drives innovation and growth

By Jennifer Champagne

In the tech world, brilliant minds effortlessly crunch complex algorithms, while in the artist’s realm, imaginative intellects conjure visuals that captivate even the most analytical thinkers. Both domains are playgrounds for those who think outside the box, molding their creations from inception to fruition. Every so often, we stumble upon a rare gem — a mind that excels in both the logical and the creative, navigating the uncharted, drafting blueprints and steering the course through unexplored territories. These individuals are wise enough to assemble teams of collaborative revolutionaries who embrace grand ideas and high energy. They are not threatened by the unique talents of their team members but are empowered by them, balancing their collective strengths to harness brilliance and ride the wave of innovation together.

Enter Joe Thiel. A 44-year-old creative force with a boundless vision and infectious enthusiasm, Thiel excels at recognizing and championing the genius in others, orchestrating teams that rally around ideas and guiding each member toward success. What sets him apart is his ability to cheerlead for his team, making each person feel integral to the process, igniting their enthusiasm and aligning it with the group’s vision. As a team captain, Thiel transforms every challenge into a compelling, achievable goal, emanating vibrant energy and joy that keeps others motivated and pushing forward.

Thiel grew up in a middle-class household in Traverse City where his parents cultivated his innate creativity. From a young age, Thiel was always inventing things, like full suspension mountain bikes, and his parents never suppressed his inventive spirit. His athletic prowess earned him a scholarship to St. Francis, a private high school, where his football success opened up options for college.

“My upbringing in Traverse City shaped me,” Thiel said. “My parents were great people, and they nurtured my creativity. However, it was my mentors in Traverse City that taught me about life skills and financial management.” By 14, Thiel had his own small business, Lakeside Maintenance, which introduced him to financially savvy older individuals and inspired him through their conversations.

“After a standout season in football my senior year, Northern Michigan University called me to come play,” Thiel said. “I’m very grateful for that because my parents couldn’t afford college or private school.” Thiel was accepted into the Navy SEALs training program and said he would have gone into the military if he hadn’t received a football scholarship.

Thiel attended NMU from 1998 to 2002, where his academic pursuits were concentrated in the Jacobetti Center, known for its focus on skilled trades and technology. Despite the rigorous demands on student-athletes, Thiel worked multiple jobs while earning as many credits as possible. He juggled roles at Menards, remodeled houses and delved into robotics, dis-

Innovate Marquette SmartZone CEO Joe Thiel, right, is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and sparking innovation. (Photo courtesy of Joe Thiel)

crete semiconductors and 3D modeling and design. “I was inventing things the whole time in college,” he said.

His high school football coach and his professors at NMU were instrumental in his development, he said: “My high school student-athlete experience was like something from a storybook. My coach, Larry Sellers, taught me work ethics, teamwork and caring for your teammates. In college, the professors at Northern were amazing. They took me under their wing and had a personal impact on me.”

His background in football influenced his approach to leadership and teamwork, teaching him how to manage high-intensity situations and foster team dynamics.

Thiel furthered his education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he earned a master’s degree in engineering management. He continued his studies there, focusing on nonprofit/public/organizational management. This blend of technical and organizational education laid a robust foundation for a diverse career.

Thiel’s career showcases a remarkable range of roles. From 2004 to 2020, the companies he worked for included Northern Diecast Corp., Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, Centra Corp., Hybra Energy and Hybra Advance Technology (as CEO and founder), LecConnect LLC, Modus45, Springfield Commercial Roofing and LockOut USA (as vice president and founder).

LockOut USA developed a Bluetooth and LED technology solution for securing classroom doors, which has been implemented in hundreds of school districts. “Working with LockOut USA allowed me to combine the Bluetooth tracking tech I got the IP for with the lockdown system,” Thiel said. “I realized I could commercialize this, and it was my validation point that I could take an idea and turn it into a $60 million business in 2.5 years.”

His mentoring experience is a testament to his commitment to fostering the next generation of innovators. His approach to mentorship is grounded in transparency and the relentless pursuit of excellence. His style is direct and honest, emphasizing hard work, dedication and resilience.

Thiel’s personal life reflects his deep commitment to his family. Married in 2005 and uncoupled in 2018, he is currently in a relationship with a woman from Marquette that has lasted a little over a year. Thiel has four children and dedicates any moment he doesn’t have to work to them.

“My son, Sam [who is 10], is a genius and a super great athlete,” Thiel said proudly. “I also have three incredible

daughters, two of whom are twins; they are my life.”

Emily, 18, is pursuing a degree in environmental engineering at Michigan Tech. Alice, 18, will be attending NMU in the fall to study special education teaching. Lucy, 15, is a professional dancer who is on her way to Juilliard. Despite his demanding schedule, Thiel prioritizes his family, striving to be present and supportive in their lives.

In terms of spirituality and self-development, Thiel has embraced meditation as a core practice in his life. Introduced to speaker and author Esther Hicks in 2009, he learned to put himself into a subconscious state, combining this with Kelly Howell’s practices and his industrial engineering knowledge. This unique approach has allowed him to speed-read and absorb vast amounts of information quickly.

Thiel joined Innovate Marquette SmartZone as CEO in late 2020, bringing a fresh perspective and dynamic approach. His arrival marked a significant transition for the organization, which was initially a small startup. Thiel introduced a new level of vitality, future thinking and fastpaced decision making. Despite initial skepticism due to the stark contrast from previous leadership, his vision gained traction. Thiel’s ability to see long-term goals and his fast-paced approach required adjustments. But with the guidance of Paulette Perttunen, Innovate Marquette SmartZone’s chief operating officer, the transition ultimately strengthened the organization.

“I have the best work relationship with Paulette,” Thiel said. “She is the one that keeps things in check. My relationship with Paulette is the best work relationship I’ve ever had. She is the one that says, ‘OK, Joe, shut up and I will find a way.’ In our organization, I’m the destination setter and she clears the path.”

Joe Thiel initially moved to Marquette to attend Northern Michigan University. (Photo courtesy of Joe Thiel)

Innovate Marquette SmartZone is dedicated to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the Marquette region. It aims to stimulate economic growth and support local entrepreneurs by providing resources, mentorship and a collaborative environment for tech startups and other high-growth businesses. Perttunen is at the core of the organization’s success, ensuring that the operational and financial aspects are effectively managed to support its growth and strategic goals.

Perttunen helps ground Thiel’s visions and break things into individual components. “We do this really well together,” Thiel said. “I can go out and create this big vision, and she can take it back to our organization. We see it, but in the public space, I think people still see me as a dreamer.”

Perttunen echoes this sentiment: “I think that we both listen and trust and understand,” she said. “That’s the strength. I listen to him, he listens to me. We both understand each other. I am able to understand what he’s talking about moments before other people are.”

Thiel and Perttunen aim to counteract the economic impact of significant job losses in the Marquette region due to the closure of two power plants and the decline of land-based industries. Recognizing the region’s vulnerability, Innovate Marquette received the ORIAN grant from the Economic Development Administration, thanks to a special coal-community designation. “Our region could potentially face significant job losses,” Perttunen said. “To mitigate this, we’ve developed a strategic plan to foster new industries focused on outdoor innovation, sustainable technology and creative tech/tech art.”

Thiel elaborated: “Our goal is to create 1,000 new jobs over the next decade and support 30 to 40 tier 2 businesses — those with 10 to 100 employees and $10 million to $100 million in revenue — along with numerous smaller businesses. This initiative is a collaborative effort across the entire economic development community in our region to offset these losses and build a resilient future.”

Innovate Marquette offers a variety of services to support local entrepreneurs. One of these services is Invent@NMU, a partnership that gives real-life learning opportunities to students that also benefit the business community. Steve VandenAvond, an associate provost and dean at NMU who oversees Invent@NMU, said, “Joe’s work as the CEO of Innovate has taken the partnership to another level. Joe’s decades of experience as a successful entrepreneur has signifi-

cantly improved the culture of both organizations, improved the product innovation and design processes and made the services offered … seamless and accessible. Joe’s impact on local entrepreneurs and the culture of innovation throughout the region has been significant and immediate.”

One of Innovate’s clients is Dhruv Patel, cofounder of Syncurrent Inc., who originally attended NMU to study physics. However, he soon realized his passion lay in understanding how groups of people work together, leading him to create his own major in organizational science. His journey took a pivotal turn when he met Thiel during a guest lecture.

“To me, he was the real-life Tony Stark,” said Patel, who chased Thiel down for a meeting, which eventually led to the creation of his first company, HIVE. Through Invent@ NMU and Thiel’s mentorship, Patel later cofounded Syncurrent Inc. with Matthew Jaquez, focusing on guiding people in becoming entrepreneurs step by step. Reflecting on Thiel’s mentorship, Patel said, “Joe never treated it as a mentorship or an advisory position. He was just a person willing to help another person with a cool idea, always emphasizing collaboration and mutual respect.”

Outside of his professional pursuits, Thiel is passionate about outdoor activities, cooking and various arts including music, songwriting and woodworking. He makes time for these hobbies, finding balance and fulfillment in his diverse interests.

In the ever-evolving landscape of innovation and entrepreneurship, Thiel stands as an exemplar of relentless pursuit, visionary leadership and steadfast dedication to community and family. His journey, marked by diverse achievements and profound impact, sets a powerful example of what it means to harness one’s talents and passions to drive change, inspire others and leave an enduring legacy.

“My legacy will be that my kids can shake anyone’s hand, and every door in this community will open for them,” Thiel said. “I’m going to 10X myself until I’m gone. With Dhruv, Matthew and others — I’ve 10X’d my first level, and that 10X will continue to replicate. The legacy will be how many times that can replicate itself.”

MM

Jennifer Champagne is an accomplished entertainment and visual effects writer with a passion for storytelling. When she’s not crafting articles on industry giants, you’ll find her enjoying life with her family.

the arts

‘The soul of the community’

Escanaba City Band celebrates a century with a busy summer

By Brad Gischia

The year 1924 was filled with notable events. The first Olympic Winter Games was held in Chamonix, France. George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue made its premiere in New York City. J. Edgar Hoover was appointed head of the FBI. Robert Frost was awarded the first of his four Pulitzer Prizes, for New Hampshire: A Poem of Notes and Grace Notes.

And closer to home, the Escanaba City Band was formed. This development is not on the same global or national level as the historical events

The Escanaba City Band plays at the Ludington Park bandshell all summer. (Photo courtesy of the Escanaba City Band)

above, but it is still noteworthy for a small town in the Upper Peninsula, as the organization has stood the test of time. This year, the Escanaba City Band celebrates its centennial.

“The first meeting of the band was on March 18 of 1924,” said Amy Chown, a member of the band and chair of the 100th anniversary committee. “There were a lot of musical groups in the area, but we count that date as the official formation of the band.”

That date is confirmed in print. The Escanaba Daily Press in 1924 found it an event worth writing about.

Since 1924, the band has seen members come and go and come back again. Chown is one such musician. “I played in the band in the early 1980s when I was on summer break from NMU,” the Escanaba native said. “I played for four years, and then when I graduated I moved away. I returned after retirement.” She notes that playing with the band nicely bookends her career, which included time as the vice president of marketing for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Chown is a name that will be familiar to Escanaba natives of a certain age. Amy’s father, John Chown, has been an ambassador of music for most of his 93 years, especially in Delta County. He is currently the oldest member in the Escanaba City Band.

The band has not changed much in 100 years, and this is by design. The idea of having a city band could be considered integral to the popular idea of what a small town is.

“It wouldn’t be the same [without the band]. There would be a huge hole,” Chown said. “We know we have

the support of the city, and they’re thrilled that we’re celebrating our 100th. Both the city manager and the mayor, they’re all very supportive.”

The Escanaba City Band, members declare, is a welcoming place to play. It doesn’t matter if a musician is just out of high school or hasn’t touched a horn in 20 years.

“I left the band at 21 and rejoined at 60,” Chown said. “I didn’t play for all those years in between. It was a little intimidating the first week. I’d kind of forgotten how to read music. I listened to my stand partner, and by the end of rehearsal it had all come back. My lip hadn’t come back,” she added with a laugh, “but it just reminded me how much fun it is to play in a band.”

While Chown and her father share an obvious family connection in the band, many of the people who pull up a chair in the clarinet or trombone section consider John Chown to be something of a musical father to them. “My dad was the high school band director for 32 years in Escanaba,” Chown said. “Most of the people [in the band] are former students of my dad.”

Chown said Escanaba had an exceptional fine arts program, which inspired a lifelong love of music throughout the community. “It’s the quality and love they got for the arts growing up that keeps them here and brings them back,” she said.

There are others, of course, transplants from elsewhere who have moved to the Delta County area, who have been hauling a saxophone case from house to house or have stacked comic books on their snare drum in a back room. Those people are welcome as well.

The Escanaba City Band will receive the Centennial Award from the John Philip Sousa Foundation this year. (Photo courtesy of the Escanaba City Band)

“There are a lot of new people coming to the Escanaba area,” Chown said. “This is one of the ways they’ve found a home and a community of friends.” There are two Lutheran pastors in the group — one in the tuba section and one in the trombone section — who met in the band. “It’s a wonderful fabric of long-time Escanaba musicians, as well as a place for new residents to get involved,” Chown said.

That fabric has been woven into a quilt 100 years long with countless musicians who have added to it. The span of ages, from 18 to 93, makes the experience unlike any other, with high school seniors sitting alongside people who are older than their grandparents.

Bruce Cassell played with the band in the 1970s when he was at Gladstone High School. When he returned to the band, he played for a few years and then became assistant director. He took over the directorship about 15 years ago.

“As a director, you get to see everybody’s ability levels and how they approach music,” he said. “We have a music library we’re pretty familiar with, so when we rehearse, the musicians have seen a lot of the music before.”

Cassell said he likes to add a few new pieces each year, and this is where Amy Chown’s work as a marketer shows its value. She has written several grant proposals since her return to the band, and the resulting funding has allowed the group not only to purchase new music on occasion but also to expand its operations. “Our offseason is also becoming our ‘on-season,’” she said.

“I really can’t say enough for what Amy has done for the band,” said Andrea Sullivan, who estimates she has been with the city band for about 55 years. “She really does a lot to keep us getting out there.”

The grants Chown has helped to secure supplement the band’s major source of funding: the City of Escanaba. She said, “The money from the city really does pay for our core program — our core concerts — but we’ve begun to reach out for grants so that we can become available for the number of requests that come our way.”

In addition to concerts every Wednesday at the bandshell in Ludington Park, the band plays at the library and at senior citizen homes. The group has welcomed back U.P. Honor Flight participants and was invited to play for the Special Olympics opening ceremonies this past year.

“THERE ARE MEMBERS OF THE BAND TODAY THAT WERE MEMBERS WHEN I STARTED. THAT’S THE CONSTANT.

“These are members of our community that really benefit from having music in their lives, and we decided that if they can’t come to us we’re going to go to them,” Chown said. “Instead of having music played over a loudspeaker, we were able to provide a live band. We were able to do that because we’ve been working hard to find additional funds. It helps us to say ‘yes’ far more often than we could before.”

The number of times the band says “yes” to these invitations is adding up, which increases its visibility throughout the county. As its reach expands, so does its meaning within the community. “It brings the community together,” Cassell said. “The band is everywhere. It’s a nice thing to see for the community. It’s been here for a

hundred years, and it will keep going for another hundred.”

Those feelings are not unique to the director. Instead, this seems to be the sentiment of members of the band. “Arts and culture are a really important anchor for a community,” Chown said. “It’s part of the way we identify and express ourselves, how we bring people together — and that’s more important than ever in today’s world.”

A summer of celebration

The values of heritage and history are strong in small towns. This summer, the Escanaba City Band is continuing that history with a 100th anniversary celebration.

“We start … practicing in early May,” Chown said. “Concerts will begin in mid-June and go through mid-August, depending on the weather and the attendance of the band.” The city band, like most similar community music groups, depends on college students to bolster its sections in the summertime.

The centennial is meant not only to celebrate the band but also to bring additional awareness to the community. “I think sometimes the town takes for granted the musical abilities of their residents,” Cassell said. “Your neighbor, people you see at the store — these are regular people sharing their talents and love of music.”

Chown said that like a ceremonial first pitch in baseball, the band will be inviting community leaders and recognized individuals to conduct the first song after the national anthem at its concerts. “The three people I’ve already asked to direct are just thrilled with the idea,” she said.

Members of the Escanaba City Band range in age from 18 to 93. (Photo courtesy of the Escanaba City Band)

There are several dates of note this summer. On June 22, a reception for current members and alumni of the band and their families will be held at Leigh’s Garden Winery in Escanaba. The winery will unveil 100 bottles of a limited edition blend named in honor of the band. “It will be an opportunity to toast our future and toast our past,” Chown said, “and a chance to meet each other’s families without it being tied to a concert.”

After the July 24 concert, there will be a community reception and picnic. Escanaba’s mayor will proclaim that day to be Escanaba City Band Day. There will also be a rededication of the Frank Harris bandshell, which was built in the 1950s and has been the site of the band’s concerts since its construction.

The band is slated to receive the Centennial Award from the John Philip Sousa Foundation at some point in the summer. The Sousa Foundation — named for the composer known as “America’s March King” — is a nonprofit that is dedicated to “the promotion of international understanding through the medium of band music.”

The band has been invited to play for the governor’s luncheon during the U.P. State Fair; and at the Delta County Chamber of Commerce dinner in October, it will receive the Century Award from the chamber’s tourism arm.

On top of all of that are the regular gigs: the Flag Day celebration, Fourth of July parade in Gladstone, Labor Day in Escanaba and the Christmas parade. And don’t forget the concerts in the park — the heart and soul of the band.

“The band is the soul of the community,” Cassell said. “People can relate to it. It’s a nice thing for the community to have, for their entertainment and a good outlet for the people in the band as well.”

Cassell said musicians who happen to have a dusty French horn in the hall closet and a desire to play again should not feel hesitant to join. “There’s no pressure at all,” he said. “Get ahold of us, and we’ll take it from there. We’ll help you get back into playing condition.”

Chown recalls her return to the band. “There are members of the band today that were members of the band when I started,” she said. “That’s the constant. When I walked back into rehearsal after all that time, there were all these familiar faces of people who had been in the band for decades.”

She said it was as if the time hadn’t passed at all: “We just picked up conversations we’d been having 30 years before.”

For Chown and Cassell and the other members of the band who spend their summers entertaining the crowds at Ludington Park, those are conversations they plan on having for another hundred years.

“We are there for the entire community,” Chown said. “The band really is a source of tremendous community pride.”

MM

Brad Gischia is a writer and artist native to Upper Michigan. He has published two children’s books and done illustrations for both comic books and novels.

Concerts at Ludington Park form the backbone of the Escanaba City Band’s activities, but the group also performs at a wide variety of other civic events. (Photo courtesy of the Escanaba City Band)

sporting life

going to get our best’ Negaunee tennis coach

leads a dynasty in progress

‘You’re

By Jim LaJoie

Mention the word dynasty, and several familiar teams pop into the minds of sports aficionados.

Just to name a few: the NBA’s Chicago Bulls with Michael Jordan in the 1990s; the NFL’s New England Patriots under coach Bill Belichick in the 2000s; the University of Connecticut women’s basketball team with coach Geno Auriemma.

Locally, another dynasty is arguably in the making. And the body of work is incredibly impressive.

Kyle Saari took over the Negaunee High School varsity boys program in 2007 and the girls program in 2009. Since those beginnings, the teams’ accomplishments and Saari’s imprint on them have been nothing short of sensational. He has compiled a 156-1211 record (87.2 winning percentage) with the boys and a 163-15-15 record (84.4 percent) with the girls.

Even more impressive is this: Since 2014, the Miner boys have gone 92-47 (89.3 percent) while the girls have gone 134-3-6 (93.7 percent).

Under Saari’s leadership, the teams have combined for an eye-popping 24 Mid-Peninsula Conference titles and an astounding 18 Upper Peninsula championships. His overall record is 319-27-26 (85.8 percent).

A dynasty, dare we say? At the age of 36, Saari has established a perennial juggernaut on the county’s west end, a dynasty-type program not seen in Marquette County since legendary Marquette Senior High School coach Milton “Mickey” Johnson had the Redmen and Redettes at the top of the tennis heap for decades.

For Saari, he knew his program had to walk before it could run. It began with baby steps on a journey to build a powerhouse. “The first thing we did

Kyle Saari

was … to expand tennis beyond high school. We wanted to tap into the primary grades,” said Saari, who was hired as a second-grade teacher in the district around that time. “We thought that was a good place to start. As we began to expand our camps from second through 12th grades, we thought if we could put a racket in someone’s hands earlier, we would see the fruits of that.”

Saari realized tennis had a perception problem. Many viewed tennis as a secondary sport, one to play to get in shape for football, basketball or hockey. Creating the mindset that tennis was now going to be a primary sport at NHS proved to be a game changer in building a consistent, sustainable and winning program.

“To be successful, we wanted people to look at it as a primary sport,” said Saari, a 2005 Negaunee graduate who holds the school record for victories at No. 1 singles, with 53. “We’re not only going to use this to prepare for another season. … We wanted to develop a passion for this so they want to play it after high school. If

you have athletes and you set the bar, they’ll jump. Thankfully, they were willing to, and they have passed it on to the next group.”

This attitude set the tone for establishing a winning culture in the tennis program. “If you have a vision in mind of where you want to take it, the players feel value in the program. You build that camaraderie,” he said. “Then, suddenly, it’s more of an experience and the players do it because they love to do it.”

He added, “Our first goal was to compete with Marquette. Then it transitioned into, ‘Can we win a dual meet against them?’ Then, ‘Can we win a conference title over Iron Mountain?’ When those things started to come to fruition, we started to expand and I said, ‘Let’s chase everything.’ The goal each season is to win a U.P. title. In 2010, when we won our first U.P. title, we finally accomplished our goal. From there, our program has evolved.”

Lilly Nelson played three years at No. 1 singles and was an All-U.P. and All-State selection for the Miners. A sophomore on the University of Minnesota-Duluth’s women’s tennis team, Nelson said Saari and assistant coach Cody Scanlon create an environment conducive to achieving success.

“It is productive, yet also fun and inviting. They hold you to a high standard without being degrading and doubtful,” said Nelson, who was named Upper Peninsula Division 1 Player of the Year at NHS. “They give you the tools to get better, and most importantly, they believe in you. … In joining Negaunee’s tennis program, greatness is not only an expectation, but a standard. It is an honor to suit up in a Negaunee tennis uniform because it means that you worked hard to get there.”

Saari lives by the adage that “practice makes permanent.” “Every practice, we want our players to start out with confidence,” he said. “If you attend a college basketball or NBA game, the players are out two hours before the game starts. They are working on fundamentals. That’s what we do. We hit the ball eight to 10 feet and then 14 to 16 feet. We tell our players that when you come out on the court, many of you want to go to the baseline and start ripping shots. We’re at our best when we hit volleys for two or three minutes. We want our players to see success before tackling a bigger goal of moving onto a challenge match. Practice instills confidence.”

He added, “The coolest thing for me when I look back is how many different kids have established friendships and life-long careers in tennis,” he said. “It can bring so much. … It teaches them how to overcome adversity in so many ways. Life is not perfect. We want to make their experiences as rewarding as possible. We constantly say the score is zero-zero. It could be zero-five, and we’ve had players come back from that deficit because they had a zero-zero mentality.”

Coaching in a district that has a solid athletic tradition and supports its coaches also helps. “When I took over,” he said, “I was thankful that there was always an athletic base there. Negaunee always had a good crop of athletics. We needed kids who were going to compete and be passionate. You need that to be successful, to do something special with our program.”

So, where does Negaunee’s tennis program go from here? How can it sustain its dominance in Upper Peninsula prep tennis circles? Saari admits that as the program evolves, goals will change.

Coach Kyle Saari’s teams at Negaunee High School have combined for 24 conference and 18 Upper Peninsula championships. (Photo courtesy of Kyle Saari)

“We’re blessed to have a number of people who want to continue the success we have built here,” he said. “The toughest challenge is maintaining the success you envisioned. When you are there, you think of all those nipping at your heels and trying to knock you off the pedestal. If you start measuring yourself with other programs, you lose that edge; and once you lose that, it’s tough to get it back.”

Saari is more interested in the here and now. “It truly is a challenge to get better every single day,” he said. “The older I get, it becomes more of a personal challenge. It was easier back then for me to instill that energy. There are moments when it’s difficult. My wife and I have two kids of our own, and we want to be around them as often as possible. Yet, I tell our kids that as long as you sign up for this, you’re going to get my best every day.”

Nelson believes Saari’s unwavering confidence in his players is undoubtedly a key to the team’s success. “I can confidently say that I would not have seen the success that I did in my four years and beyond if it weren’t for the trust my coach had in me,” she said. “Coach always says, ‘You have three seconds to be upset, and then forget about it.’ I think about this ev-

ery time an inconvenience happens in my life. How am I going to respond to it? From Coach Saari, I learned to never let what has happened in the past dictate what happens in the future.”

David Terzaghi, another for-

mer No. 1 player for NHS, said, “Negaunee tennis would not have had the success it has in the past 14 years without Coach Saari. He has an unbelievable ability to motivate his players to always dig deeper and find a way to win.”

Terzaghi, who strings rackets for the Negaunee teams, added, “He focuses on the mental aspect of the game more so than most coaches. This shows in the team’s consistency of winning. Most good teams will often lose focus and lose a match they shouldn’t. Negaunee tennis does not lose focus or lose sight of the end goal. His coaching translates to everyday life. He just happens to be using tennis as the means of his delivery.”

Years from now, when Saari steps away from the courts and hands the coaching baton to his successor, he hopes Negaunee tennis will be fondly remembered. “We would like our program to be remembered as a community and a culture that was inclusive for players who want to win championships and find a connection and niche they may not otherwise have had,” he said.

The formula is clear: “You’re going to get our best. It may not be perfect, but we’re going to run down every single ball, we’re going to support our partner and we’re not going to make excuses.” MM

Jim LaJoie is a freelance writer living in Marquette. He welcomes reactions to his stories at jlajoie@charter.net.

One former player said this about coach Kyle Saari’s leadership: “His coaching translates to everyday life. He just happens to be using tennis as the means of his delivery.” (Photo courtesy of Kyle Saari)

back then

Local group works to save a key piece of Alberta Village’s history

Preserving Ford’s sawmill

By Jennifer Donovan

There’s an old sawmill at historic Alberta Village on U.S. Highway 41 just south of L’Anse. It was state-of-the-art when it was built by Henry Ford in 1936. The mill is still standing — closed, deteriorating, a relic of the past. But a dedicated group of community residents is trying to resurrect it.

Michigan Technological University owns Alberta Village now and operates it and the surrounding 3,700 acres of forest as a field site for teaching and research. For a while, the university kept the mill open as a museum, with the help of a donation from Ford.

But the museum was never self-sus-

taining, and after a safety inspector noted the need for expensive repairs, Michigan Tech closed the mill in 2017. Five years later, in 2022, Tech started to talk about tearing it down.

When the residents of nearby Baraga and L’Anse read a L’Anse Sentinel story about the university’s plans to demolish the sawmill, some of them were so concerned that they called a community meeting and asked a representative of Michigan Tech to be there. “We gave him both barrels for about 20 minutes,” L’Anse resident Mike DesRochers said. “It was not what you’d call a friendly meeting.”

Some of those at the meeting then formed a committee to work on preserving and restoring the mill and opening it again as a museum.

The preservation committee DesRochers, chair of the preservation committee, said, “Many of us have family ties to Ford and deep roots in the history of Alberta. We did not want to see this part of our local history destroyed.”

Born in the area, DesRochers is a collector of old Ford vehicles and a volunteer at the Baraga County Historical Society’s museum, where an exhibit traces the history of efforts to preserve the sawmill.

The Alberta Sawmill Preservation Committee consists of four people: DesRochers, Jim Dougovito, Mark Bevins and Glen Tolksdorf. As chair of the committee, DesRochers develops plans and monitors progress.

Bevins has a strong connection to

the history of Ford’s presence in the Upper Peninsula. He owns the Thunder Bay Inn in Big Bay. Built in 1911, the structure was converted to an inn by Henry Ford in the 1940s. Scenes in the classic 1959 film Anatomy of a Murder were filmed there. Bevins’ son owns an old Ford sawmill in Big Bay.

“Henry Ford was a philanthropist for the working man,” said Bevins, who wrote the business plan for preservation of the Alberta sawmill. “The sawmill pays homage to the working man. It is the finest example of Ford’s values. It needs to be preserved so the history is not lost. If Ford’s spirit is still lingering in the U.P., he would be tickled about our preservation efforts.”

The sawmill at left was state-of-the-art when it was built in 1936 by Ford Motor Co. A local group is working to preserve the historic structure. (Photo by Wayne Abba)

Tolksdorf is a Michigan Tech forestry alumnus who lived at Alberta while studying forest technology and working as a student research assistant. After he graduated, he continued working there as a research associate. Tolksdorf now lives in Marquette and runs a forest consulting, real estate and appraisal company. DesRochers said Tolksdorf is trying to help find funding for the sawmill preservation project. “I want to help preserve the sawmill because of its important place in the long-term history of the region,” Tolksdorf said.

L’Anse resident Dougovito managed the Alberta sawmill and surrounding forest for Michigan Tech. He also provided safety training to the forest products industry across the state. Before becoming manager of the Ford Center at Alberta Village, he taught in the forest technology pro-

gram at Michigan Tech.

“Preservation of the mill is very important,” Dougovito said. “Ford made a super donation of Alberta to the university during the 1950s, which is still enabling research and education to take place there. After the mill stopped operating, Ford also made a donation towards keeping it open as a museum. Alberta Village, along with the sawmill, is the last fully intact vision of Henry Ford.”

Wayne Abba is an outreach volunteer for the preservation team. Like so many area residents, his family is directly linked to local Ford history. His grandfather moved his family to Pequaming to work at the Ford sawmill there. “Preservation of the sawmill is very important,” Abba said. “It will preserve the vision of Henry Ford and his positive impact on the lives of Americans.”

Wayne Abba, left, and Mike DesRochers have been actively involved in the sawmill preservation project. They stand in front of their informational poster about the mill. (Photo courtesy of Wayne Abba)

The sawmill was the centerpiece of Alberta Village, Ford’s company town in Baraga County. Michigan Technological University later ran the mill for research purposes. (Photo courtesy of The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation)

Next steps

The first thing the committee needed to do was raise public awareness about their project. They approached the Baraga County Commission, which expressed its support for the preservation effort, although it said it had no funds to contribute.

The committee participated in Alberta Fest, an annual celebration of the historic Ford operation. They held an open house at the old sawmill and a public program where Ford historian Keith Whitman, who is originally from L’Anse himself, gave a presentation about the Ford legacy in Baraga County. Both events were well attended.

The committee is continuing its efforts to inform the public about the sawmill and to scout for donors. The Baraga County Historical Society museum plans to have a booth at this year’s Alberta Fest on June 29, including information about the sawmill preservation project.

The next step was to get a lease for the sawmill from Michigan Tech. The committee developed a business plan and presented it to the university. They revised the plan time and time again in response to questions from Michigan Tech and finally met in person with university representatives to hammer out the details. Mark Rudnicki, who manages the Ford Center at Alberta for Tech’s College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, said he has submitted the plan to the provost’s office. As of press time, they had not received a response. The preservation committee is awaiting

action from the university.

Meanwhile, the committee has been doing outreach to potential donors, including timber companies that operate on Ford legacy lands, the Henry Ford Heritage Association, remnants of Ford’s northern Michigan operations such as the Glider Museum in Iron Mountain, and Michigan Tech forestry alumni.

“We can’t go ahead and actually ask people for donations until Michigan Tech has approved our business plan and agreed to lease the sawmill to us,” DesRochers said. He’s not sure what the restoration will cost, but he estimates “upwards of half a million dollars.”

The preservation committee is also working with Michigan Tech to prepare an application for historic preservation status for Alberta. “The village is eligible for National Register of Historic Places listing,” said Otie McKinley, national register coordinator for the State Historic Preservation Office. The SHPO is waiting to receive a nomination package from Michigan Tech.

Whatever the sawmill’s future, there’s a lot of work going on to preserve it.

Jennifer Donovan is a freelance writer based in Houghton. She has decades of experience as a newspaper reporter, magazine writer and university communications specialist, most recently as director of news and information at Michigan Technological University.

This Ford tractor sits inside the Alberta Village sawmill. (Photo by Wayne Abba)

in the outdoors

National Forests in our backyard

Hiawatha and Ottawa offer abundant, diverse recreation opportunities

By Pam Christensen

Michigan encompasses 36 million acres, and of those, 10.5 million are located in the Upper Peninsula. A further breakdown of these figures reveals that 8.8 million acres of the U.P. are forested. It is not hard to believe that forests cover 84 percent of the peninsula.

Large swaths of the Upper Peninsula are owned by timber companies, the State of Michigan and various agencies of the U.S. government. Many of these lands are open to public access and use, making the U.P. a recreation paradise.

Included in these blocks of forestland are the U.P.’s two National Forests — the Ottawa National Forest and the Hiawatha National Forest. The Ottawa National Forest is the larger of the two, topping out at just over 1 million acres. The Hiawatha con-

National Forest waterways are accessible by canoe and kayak. (Photo courtesy of Al and Marsha Fairfield)

tains just under 1 million acres.

The National Forest System falls under the U.S. Department of Agriculture and was established to preserve lands for recreation, ecosystems, wilderness and transportation. Forests are also managed to harvest resources and to address fire danger.

As one travels across the U.P., it is not unusual to see signs informing motorists that they are now entering the Ottawa or the Hiawatha, but many people do not venture beyond the signs to take advantage of all that these gems provide.

The Hiawatha National Forest is comprised of two noncontiguous areas, one on the eastern end of the peninsula and a second section in the central U.P. The Hiawatha headquarters are located in Gladstone, and there are ranger stations in Munising, Rapid River and St. Ignace.

“The forest boundaries follow a checkerboard pattern,” said Chelsea Kallery, public affairs officer for the Hiawatha. “Both zones of the forest are next to lands managed by other state or local agencies or are privately owned, which is why it is not uncommon to find privately owned cabins or sections of land within the National Forest.” She urges people who use these lands to consult maps, forest

staff and other methods to identify areas held by private landowners.

Charly Loper, business operations and public affairs staff officer for the Ottawa National Forest, which is located in the western U.P., encourages potential visitors to first peruse the appropriate Forest Service websites.

“All of the National Forests have websites that can be useful for plan-

ning a visit,” she said. “The websites contain basic information about each forest, highlight what is special or unique about the forest and provide rules and regulations governing use of the forest. I encourage anyone who is interested in exploring a forest to start with the website. It is the most comprehensive source of information about each forest.”

Kallery added, “It is hard to tell someone … the best or most significant thing to do in the forests. Each of them is so unique, and personal tastes are so varied. What one person wants to see or do is completely different than what the next person is looking for.”

Websites for the National Forests — fs.usda.gov/hiawatha and fs.usda. gov/ottawa — also list scheduled special events. For example, the Ottawa will be presenting special activities in 2024 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Smokey Bear.

Loper and Kallery say that the National Forests offer peacefulness, solitude, escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and beauty that cannot be found in many other places. They also agree that adequate preparation is critical for a successful visit to any National Forest. In addition to printed maps, most of the forests have downloadable and interactive maps detailing trails, recreation sites, wilderness areas, geospatial data and topography. These maps provide information on motor vehicle use including roads open to ORVs, ATVs, electric bikes and motorcycles. Maps identify accessibility for sites within the forest, rivers and lakes, picnic areas, campgrounds and camping sites,

National Forest staff members and volunteers are limited to nonmotorized hand tools when working in wilderness areas. (Photo courtesy of the U.S. Forest Service)

National Forests offer recreation opportunities throughout the year. (Photo courtesy of the Hiawatha National Forest/Chelsea Kallery)

boating and fishing, waterfalls, lighthouses and equestrian trails.

Specialized maps and site-specific guides are also available depending on the forest. The Hiawatha has three blueberry picking maps, and the Ottawa has a grouse hunting map and waterfalls map.

Avenza maps can also be used for both forests. Maps and guides are generally listed on the website, and information for download, printing or purchasing is also included. The websites also contain information about the types of permits required in each forest.

The Ottawa supervisor’s office is located in Ironwood, and ranger stations are in Kenton, Ontonagon and Watersmeet. The Visitor Center in Watersmeet offers a variety of amenities and educational exhibits. Their displays of plants, birds and animals found in the National Forest are second to none. They are a must-see for children of all ages and a wonderful way to work on identification skills.

Staff at any of these offices can be contacted in person or by phone for information. Select maps and publications are also available at these locations. Depending on the season and availability, there may be limitations on what is available at each site. Most offices are generally open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Permits can be obtained from the of-

fices, but it is best to contact the office you plan to visit to verify permit availability and hours.

While the National Forests in the U.P. have their own identity and unique features, there are many similarities.

The Hiawatha touches three of the Great Lakes — Huron, Michigan and Superior. In addition to shoreline, the Hiawatha includes six lighthouses and five islands along with multiple lakes and rivers. It is a water lover’s paradise.

Lighthouse aficionados will enjoy learning about the five publicly owned lighthouses: Christmas/Grand Island West Channel Front and Rear Range Lights; Grand Island East Channel Lighthouse; Peninsula Point Lighthouse; Point Iroquois Lighthouse; and Round Island Lighthouse. The Grand Island North Lighthouse is privately owned and not accessible to the public.

Grand Island Recreation Area is one of the most visible and visited attractions in the Hiawatha National Forest. Located a half-mile off Munising in Lake Superior, this area can only be reached by boat. The island is known for its towering sandstone cliffs and caves as well as scenic overlooks. It is a popular destination for bicyclists, but electric bikes are not allowed on Grand Island.

The Ottawa National Forest stretch-

es from the shore of Lake Superior to the Wisconsin border. It is known for the many waterfalls located within the forest and close proximity. It also has an equestrian trail.

Another popular feature of both forests is the variety of camping opportunities. Each offers developed campgrounds, rustic campgrounds and dispersed camping. Those wishing to camp in the forest should research the types of camping available and the permits required.

Reservations for campsites can be obtained six months or less in advance from recreation.gov. Each forest sets aside a small percentage of campsites for reservations made within two weeks of the requested date. This allows for last-minute planning and walk-ins as permits are available. A comprehensive listing of campgrounds and campsites is featured on each National Forest website. A description of each campground or site, special conditions for each, permit requirements and reservation links are included.

Designated wilderness areas are found in both the Hiawatha and the Ottawa. Jacob Bowman serves as the South Zone recreation planner with the Forest Service in the Ottawa. He is proud of the three wilderness areas found within the forest’s borders. “Most people are familiar with the Sylvania Wilderness Area,” he said, “but I like to point out that the McCormick and Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Areas lie within our borders. Each of these designated areas has unique features that make them great for recreation.”

Wilderness areas remain as free from human intervention as possible. Motorized vehicles are prohibited as are any mechanical transport devices such as portage wheels or carts. Users of National Forests and wilderness areas should follow “Leave No Trace” principles. This means all litter, food stuffs and waste should be packed out after use. Loper and Kallery both stress the importance of visitors following the regulations for each area they visit and to camp only in designated campsites.

Marquette area residents might be familiar with the McCormick Wilderness Area and the opportunities it offers for hiking. This extensive area contains only two developed hiking trails and no designated camping spots; however, camping is allowed. The Yellow Dog, Huron, Dead and Peshekee rivers all have part of their headwaters within the tract.

The Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness Area is located near Sidnaw in

southern Houghton County and takes advantage of the beautiful Sturgeon River, which flows over the Sturgeon Falls. The Sturgeon River Campground is located outside of the wilderness area and includes designated campsites and a pit toilet. Water and restroom facilities are not available.

The most famous of the three wilderness areas is Sylvania Wilderness Area. Sylvania is often called a mini-Boundary Waters. While much smaller than its counterpart in Minnesota, it too has a wealth of beautiful rivers and lakes perfect for canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Lady Bird Johnson, wife of President Lyndon B. Johnson, presided over the ceremony when Sylvania was dedicated in the fall of 1967.

Al and Marsha Fairfield of Marenisco have made it their mission to preserve and protect Sylvania in addition to educating people about this unique area. Popular speakers at Canoecopia — the annual paddlesports symposium sponsored by Rutabaga Sports in Madison, Wisconsin, each March — the couple are zealous promoters of Sylvania, the Ottawa National Forest and tourism in the western U.P.

Marsha’s love of kayaking, birdwatching and plant identification leads her to explore less-traveled areas of Sylvania to observe the unique flora and fauna of the area. “I find kayaking allows me to travel almost anywhere, and I can get close to the shore, so I can observe the small native plants that grow there,” she said. “A kayak gives me an opportunity to observe birds and animals too. I like to compare the plants and animals I see from year to year.”

The Visitor Center for the Ottawa National Forest is in Watersmeet. (Photo courtesy of the Ottawa National Forest/ Karl Hildebrandt)

Marsha also reminds visitors that paddlers are restricted from using Sylvania’s islands until July 15 in order to protect the loons that nest on their shores. She asks visitors to respect the wildlife and plants in the area no matter the season, and this is good advice for visitors in any National Forest or wilderness area.

Al is an avid fisherman and recommends people who fish in Sylvania become acquainted with its unique fishing regulations. “In order to fish at Sylvania, you need a Michigan DNR fishing license,” he said. “Regulations on seasons, catch-and-release rules and possession limits are unique to the Sylvania to preserve the species within. While the regulations may be confusing, it is important to know what you are catching and what you can keep or what needs to be released.”

There are six wilderness areas located in the Hiawatha. Each of these offers a unique recreational opportunity. Big Island Lake Wilderness

Area is another canoe paradise. The 23 lakes in the area are connected by portage trails. Big Island is located a half-mile northwest of Steuben, 22 miles northwest of Manistique and 18 miles southeast of Munising.

The other wilderness areas in the Hiawatha include Horseshoe Bay, Rock River Canyon, Delirium, Round Island and Mackinac.

Loper and Kallery both say that the Ottawa and the Hiawatha also offer many winter recreation opportunities for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowmobiling and hiking. There is no limit to the exploration possibilities found in these natural gems.

MM

Pam Christensen graduated from Western Michigan University with a major in English and later a master’s in the science of librarianship. She loves to write and do research about the people, places and events that make the U.P. a special place.

A variety of fish can be found in National Forest lakes and streams. Al Fairfield shows off his catch. (Photo courtesy of Al and Marsha Fairfield)

sporting life

Saving the game

Former player takes over all-star football event

By Tim Durocher

The U.P. All-Star Football Game came into existence in 2008. It was an opportunity for the best high school players from across the peninsula to get onto the field one final time, just weeks after graduating. The game showcased the talents of some players who would report for college training camps at the end of summer, as well as many others who would never again wear pads and helmets.

The game became a tradition over the years, an event high school players and their families looked forward to as a fitting reward for all of their hard work. But on Aug. 7 of last year, Todd Goldbeck, the game’s founder and operator, announced that he was closing up shop. The 2023 version of the event would be the last.

It didn’t take long, however, for someone to step up and save the game. Just a week after Goldbeck broke his regretful news, former Northern Michigan University football star Dustin Brancheau announced he was

When he heard the U.P. All-Star Football Game was coming to an end, Dustin

taking over. “I just didn’t want to see it go,” Brancheau said. “It would be a big loss for the players and the community.”

This year’s game is scheduled for 1 p.m. on June 22 at the Superior Dome on NMU’s campus.

Brancheau points out that the allstar event is much more than just a football game. Yes, the competition displays the best players in the Upper Peninsula: Team Red vs. Team Black, with both squads selected via a draft. And yes, the days on-site at NMU leading up to the game feature in-depth instruction from some of the most accomplished coaches in the U.P.

But the events leading up to and following the game are just as important because of the community involvement. Some of the proceeds from the game are designated to go back to local organizations, charities and schools.

Brancheau said one of his inspirations in organizing the game going forward was the work Goldbeck accomplished in establishing a culture around the event.

“It’s not just one game. It’s a yearlong process leading up to the week of the game, and Todd had the blueprint,” Brancheau said. “He did a really good job in years past, creating a very good weeklong itinerary for these kids, so I really want to make

Participants in the U.P. All-Star Football Game practice on NMU’s field near the Superior Dome. The game this year is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, June 22. (Photo courtesy of the U.P. All-Star Football Game)

Brancheau immediately stepped up to save it. (Photo by Tim Durocher)

sure I can do the same thing.” Previous all-star events have included can drives and other fundraisers that benefited organizations such as Bay Cliff Health Camp and Marquette County Youth Football.

Brancheau is an accomplished individual himself. He is a graduate of NMU with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and coaching. In his time playing football for the Wildcats, he was a two-year team captain and an all-conference selection as a receiver. He is the owner of AdvantEdge Sports Training in Marquette, which works with professional and amateur athletes, and holds numerous certifications in strength and conditioning.

In the process of taking over the U.P. All-Star Football Game, Brancheau received encouragement and inspiration from many coaches in the area, including two members of the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame: Jeff Olson, who was Brancheau’s coach at Ishpeming, and Negaunee’s Paul Jacobson.

Andy Crouch at Lake Linden-Hubbell and Mike Berutti at West Iron County have also been invaluable. “These are guys that I’ve been leaning on heavily,” Brancheau said. “I

wouldn’t have been able to do a lot of this without them.”

In addition to the support of local coaches, the players selected for the game also contribute to the cause through a variety of community-service projects. “There are 84 kids helping out, so whether we’re laying sod or planting trees, or whatever they have us do, we want to make sure these kids help and give back to the community in a certain way,” Brancheau said. “What we’re trying to do is tie it in with some of our pro athletes that we have here and are doing things with Habitat for Humanity. We’re going to Ishpeming and working on two houses. … It’s awesome to give back.”

Brancheau’s business, AdvantEdge, regularly works with collegiate football players from across the country who are training for a shot at the pros. As part of the athletes’ preparation for the NFL Draft, Brancheau’s team conducts specific training in the components of the draft combine. During the week of the All-Star Football Game, the players will take part in these drills.

Brancheau’s love of the game inspires him to stay involved with athletes who have the same passion. While growing up, he participated in

football, basketball, track and baseball.

“Football was one of those things I fell in love with in ninth grade and played all the way through the college level at Northern Michigan University,” he said. “It’s one of those things that’s always been a part of my life.”

As for the U.P. All-Star Football Game, Brancheau praised Goldbeck

Answers for the crossword puzzle on Page 16

for his 16 years of work on the event while acknowledging that change is inevitable.

“He’s been gracious to help with every step of the way and allowed us to have a smooth transition,” Brancheau said. “And I don’t want to reinvent that wheel, but there might be some wrinkles in the way we do the draft process. It might be a little bit different. We might eventually change the game as far as certain rules, different formations and that sort of thing. But for the most part, this year, I just want to get it going. … I want to see how it goes, and we’ll adjust. Noth-

ing is always going to be set in stone forever. I’m willing to adapt. For this first year, we want to keep it the same as Todd has done it.”

The tradition of the U.P. All-Star Football Game lives on. The game is set for 1 p.m. on June 22 at the Superior Dome in Marquette. Tickets are available at nmu.universitytickets. com. More information can be found on the event’s Facebook page.

MM

Tim Durocher is a freelance writer. He grew up in Ishpeming and taught English overseas for many years.

Some all-stars will go on to play at the collegiate level. For most, however, this is their last opportunity to wear helmets and pads in competition. (Photos courtesy of the U.P. All-Star Football Game)

superior reads

The search for Father Marquette’s final resting place

Review by Victor R. Volkman

In the interest of honesty to the reader, I will confess that prior to reading The Unsolved Mysteries of Father Marquette’s Many Graves by Jennifer S. McGraw, I had very little knowledge about the Jesuits in the Great Lakes in general and Father Jacques Marquette in particular. I was probably overly influenced by the 1991 film Black Robe, which is set in the 17th century, the era in which Father Marquette lived.

As McGraw acknowledges, an awful lot has already been written in the last century about Marquette’s activities, but she takes on the task of bringing it all up to date with contemporary findings in her short but in-depth and highly researched volume of 140 pages. McGraw’s book was honored as one of this year’s U.P. Notable Book award winners by the Upper Peninsula Publishers & Authors Association.

Unless you’ve only just landed your canoe in the U.P., you’ve probably heard about the 2022 effort to repatriate what were believed to be 19 bone fragments of Father Marquette from long-term storage at Marquette University, a private Jesuit school in Milwaukee. (This book concludes with a chapter about the reinterment ceremony.)

Of course, unless you have some background knowledge of Father Marquette, who was born almost 400 years ago, none of this obsession with his bones will make much sense to you. McGraw gives her readers this background by admirably covering as much as is known about Marquette’s life from his birth in 1637 to his untimely demise at the age of 37. Even at that relatively young age, he had been a Jesuit more than half his life since taking the black robes at the age of 17.

Each and every assertion in the book is scrupulously footnoted; in fact, there are more than 160 footnotes

throughout the volume. McGraw has made a serious study of The Jesuit Relations, the French-language annual published from 1632 to 1673 that comprised some 10,000 pages and chronicled the Jesuit missions in New France. As such, McGraw is pulling from primary sources covering Marquette’s entire career.

In all, the background section of the book amounts to nearly one-half of the text. We come to appreciate a man who was both kind and intelligent as well as revered by the Odawa. McGraw goes into detail about how Marquette hewed to church doctrine that contravened the Native Americans’ belief in the power of dreams, cohabitation before marriage and other customs not sanctioned by the Bible.

Interestingly, Father Marquette was able to foretell his own demise almost to the hour. He had suffered from severe dysentery for more than a year before his final attempt to return to St. Ignace. Marquette demanded that

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.

his party’s canoe go ashore at Ludington on the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, and he made himself ready for death through prayer and contemplation. Most sources agree that Ludington was his initial burial location on May 18, 1675, although sketchy claims are made for Frankfort and Manistee. His tomb was marked with a cross and laid undisturbed until two years later, May 19, 1677, when Odawa reverently exhumed his remains, scraped flesh from bone, dismembered him and placed perhaps some 20 pounds of remains into a birchbark box. This was not an unusual death custom for a person of great significance to the tribe, and McGraw describes many variations of this practice, such as hanging bags of bones on high scaffolds to prevent predation. Living a nomadic existence, it would have been unthinkable for the tribe to leave important people behind.

Here, McGraw’s Unsolved Mysteries begins in earnest, a case worthy of one presented by Robert Stack in the iconic TV series of that name. Even

if we assume that the bones and box were interred at St. Ignace, the problem of where in St. Ignace remains an enigma — particularly because the town was abandoned by both the French and Jesuits by 1705. Father Pierre Charlevoix attempted to find the grave in 1721 with no luck. His visit to St. Ignace showed the mission and Fort de Buade were still standing, but no traces of a burial site or marker for Marquette were found. Little of interest happened concerning the grave of Father Marquette until 150 years later, when the stone foundation of a building was discovered during the excavation of an area that had been reclaimed by wilderness. Peter D. Grondin was clearing a lot on property belonging to Patrick Murray, a wealthy landowner in St. Ignace. Shreds of birchbark, tiny bone fragments and various Jesuit paraphernalia were found, and soon the Catholic Church declared the site of its previous mission has been discovered. Seven of these bone fragments were buried in 1882, excavated in

“

WE COME TO APPRECIATE A MAN WHO WAS BOTH KIND AND INTELLIGENT AS WELL AS REVERED BY THE ODAWA.

1972 and found to belong to birds and mammals.

Rumors circulated of a treasure being buried with Father Marquette, and the site was soon plundered of artifacts, many of which disappeared into the hands of private collectors. Trash and even an outhouse were later found on the property; as an archeological site, it would be rendered useless.

Here is where McGraw’s book really shines a light on the controversy of the underlying issues: If the bones discovered are those of Marquette, then why has only one ounce out of 20 pounds been found (less than 1 percent)? Was that excavation actually the site of the mission, given that its location was never well recorded?

Father Edward Jacker in 1882 purported to find bone fragments in the area (either 35, 36, 37 or 39 pieces, depending on which account you read). Why do these figures vary? These and other related quandaries are explored in great detail in the latter chapters of the book, and I won’t spoil them here.

I highly recommend The Unsolved Mysteries of Father Marquette’s Many Graves by Jennifer S. McGraw to anyone interested in the history of the Straits of Mackinac or, above all, the story of a courageous, kind and humble priest who gave his body and soul to the 17th century frontier of the Upper Great Lakes.

MM

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

The Cabin at Burns Landing

By E.M. Barry

The summer grass spreads knee deep, broken only by deer ambling in silent procession to feed on the wild mustard growing along the trail. In the orchard, heavy with the scent of fallen sweetness hornets swarm aimlessly like half-drunk old men, stuttering and wheeling in the bronze tangled light. At the edge of the swamp the cabin waits quietly, leaning into a brace of jack pine and birch, tethered to earth with a snare of brambles and wild blackberries, its grey logs chinked with crumbling mud, a fringe of goldenrod and fern knotted along its spine. Its gaunt frame settles into the earth, rafters open to the sun and the nesting of swallows. The windows pull light from the day, small grey bones scatter the dirt floor. Squirrel and crow live here now its half hinged door turns no one away.

E.M. Barry (Marie Barry) is a Marquette native, having lived here most of her life, except for various sojourns into the outer world following her military husband to faraway places with strange-sounding names. She has always enjoyed writing, whether poetry, short stories or journaling. Writing is how she makes sense of her life. She is also an avid knitter and reader and loves hiking and being in the woods. Now she lives and writes happily here in the U.P. with a cat named Zelda, lots of yarn and too many books (if there is such a thing).

This poem is from the 10-year anthology, Superior Voyage, which is available for purchase.

All proceeds benefit Peter White Public Library.

Superior Voyage was selected as a 2023 U.P. Notable Book by the Upper Peninsula Publishers & Authors Association.

on campus

NMU social work students receive training in India

Northern Michigan University social work students recently traveled to India through a collaboration with the Delhi School of Social Work at Delhi University. They received real-world training in social audit processes and transparency mechanisms — skills that will prepare them to be better administrators and program managers in their careers after graduation.

“We aimed for students to gain a deep understanding of social audit processes and see the impact of transparency and accountability in governance and social welfare programs,” NMU professor Vikash Kumar said. “We hoped to inspire students with the workings of international organizations, preparing them for potential careers in global social work.”

Kumar said social audits promote a participatory process that can expose the decisions, processes and achievements often hidden by the official secrecy of resource allocation and decision making, without risking unjust retaliation. More importantly, they provide volunteers and beneficiaries with an up-close and enlightening education about their basic rights and entitlements and reveal how to rightfully claim community resources and manage community affairs alongside villagers and officials.

The effective use of social audits has significantly improved service

delivery and governance. By allowing everyone to have a say in how services are provided, social audits enable early identification and resolution of problems before they escalate. Feedback from social audits facilitates changes and improvements in operations to achieve better outcomes. This, in turn, helps policymakers and service providers perform their roles more effectively.

The students’ training in India consisted of learning principles of social accountability and the history of Indian social audits through field visits in Chandigarh, Punjab. They gained insights on the legal and institutional mechanisms of the audits and witnessed the steps in conducting them. These include planning, data collection, verification, reporting and follow-up actions.

In Punjab, students got to observe social audits under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act initiative and learned how to engage communities and better understand their issues.

Kumar said this trip was part of the NMU Social Work Department’s efforts to broaden the scope of learning opportunities for students. “Our department’s initiative is to prepare students for international social work by helping them understand global human rights issues and practices,” he said. MM

Northern Michigan University social work students visited the Taj Mahal as part of their cultural exploration. (Photo courtesy of Northern Michigan University)

Northern graduate Hiller named coach of L.A. Kings

Jim Hiller, a Northern Michigan University graduate and member of the school’s Sports Hall of Fame, has been named head coach of the National Hockey League’s Los Angeles Kings.

Hiller, 55, was originally elevated to Kings interim head coach on Feb. 2 after serving as an assistant coach over the past two seasons. Hiller made his head coaching debut on Feb. 10 to become the 18th different head coach in league history to make their coaching debut with the team that originally drafted them.

A native of Port Alberni, British Columbia, Hiller attended NMU from 1989 to 1992. He helped the Wildcats win the 1991 NCAA national championship. Hiller was inducted into NMU’s Sports Hall of Fame in 2007. At that time, he ranked third all-time in career assists (129), sixth in career points (205) and eighth in career goals (76).

After his playing days at NMU, Hiller appeared in 63 NHL games with the Kings, Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers. He recorded eight goals and 12 assists in his NHL career.

This season, as the Kings’ interim coach, Hiller led the team to a 21-12-1 record for 43 points and a .632 points percentage, the 10th best points percentage in the league during that time, en route to the club’s third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

Under Hiller’s guidance, the Kings

were statistically the best home team from the All-Star Break through the end of the regular season, accumulating a league-leading 14 wins (14-3-1), 29 points and .806 points percentage in 18 games at Crypto.com Arena. The club finished the regular season by winning nine of its last 10 home contests, which included eight consecutive victories on home ice from March 11 through April 13.

Hiller joined the Kings as an assistant coach on July 19, 2022, after spending the previous eight seasons in the same capacity with the New York Islanders (2019-22), Toronto Maple Leafs (2015-19) and Detroit Red Wings (2014-15).

Since Hiller joined the coaching staff, the Kings have scored 124 power-play goals, tied for the fifth most in the league during that span, while the team’s power-play percentage has averaged 24 percent to place seventh among all teams.

Under Hiller’s watch in his first season with the organization, the Kings tallied 68 power-play goals, the fourth most in the league, while their power-play percentage finished the year at 25.3 percent, tied for the second best in team history behind the 1979-80 team (26.8 percent).

Prior to his NHL coaching debut with Detroit, Hiller spent 12 seasons coaching junior hockey in Canada between the Western Hockey League and British Columbia Hockey League. MM

Northern Michigan University graduate Jim Hiller has been named head coach of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League. (Photo courtesy of NMU)

MTU pair honored with research award

For their work to ensure that information on mainstream mobile devices can be stored securely and deleted permanently, Bo Chen and Niusen Chen have been honored with Michigan Technological University’s 2024 Bhakta Rath Research Award.

Michigan Tech cybersecurity expert Bo Chen and his graduate student mentee Niusen Chen, as well as the researchers who collaborated with them, are the first to develop the capability for plausibly deniable encryption (PDE) for everyday computing devices.

The breakthrough was achieved through careful consideration of the unique software and hardware components in the electronic devices that many of us regularly use. These include flash storage and security architecture such as TrustZone, the latter of which is designed to isolate and protect sensitive information stored on a device.

Bo Chen is an associate professor of computer science in the Michigan Tech College of Computing. As the director of Tech’s Institute of Computing and Cybersystems Cybersecurity Center, he served as adviser to Niusen Chen, who completed his Ph.D. in computer science under a finishing fellowship in 2023 and is now a research assistant professor at MTU.

PDE goes beyond protecting data.

It hides the data’s existence, even in situations where the decryption key is leaked. PDE systems are considered increasingly important as more and more people store sensitive information on their mobile devices.

Researchers also confirmed and addressed the possibility that sensitive data remnants can exist within flash storage and be resistant to conventional secure deletion techniques. They created what they describe as a “fresh secure deletion capability for mobile devices that meticulously manages these remnants, guaranteeing the complete and irreversible removal of confidential information from mobile devices.”

In a letter of support for Bo Chen and Niusen Chen’s nomination, Weisong Shi, who has collaborated with the duo since 2019 on the National Science Foundation-funded project, said their research will “greatly contribute to national security efforts, given the high demand for secure data deletion in critical sectors, including federal agencies.”

“Its practical applications are extensive, ranging from safeguarding personal data to securing critical information for organizations and government agencies,” said Shi, who is a professor and chairs the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at the University of Delaware. MM

Michigan Technological University Associate Professor Bo Chen, left, and his graduate student mentee Niusen Chen are recipients of the Bhakta Rath Award for their work to ensure that information on mainstream mobile devices can be stored securely and deleted permanently. (Photo courtesy of MTU)

Michigan Tech announces artificial intelligence center

The Institute of Computing and Cybersystems at Michigan Tech is proud to announce the Center for Artificial Intelligence, hosted within the ICC and led by Vinh Nguyen. As the center’s director, Nguyen aims to cultivate cutting-edge research in AI development and application, prepare the next generation of AI professionals and establish external partnerships to address today’s problems.

“The accelerated advent of AI presents exciting opportunities and challenges for society,” Nguyen said. “The Center for AI is the culmination of Michigan Tech’s research and education in fields including computing, transportation, manufacturing, sustainability, humanities and health. Hence, Michigan Tech’s Center for AI is our premier research center to provide AI solutions for today’s evolving world.”

The Center for Artificial Intelligence is the evolution of the ICC’s Data Science Center, with a renewed focus on pioneering AI research across various domains. By leverag-

ing the university’s existing strength in engineering and computing, the center aims to achieve the following objectives:

Innovative research: Conducting cutting-edge research to challenge the boundaries of possibility by developing new AI algorithms, models and technologies to benefit not only Michigan Tech, but communities across the country.

Interdisciplinary collaboration: Fostering a multidisciplinary center in which AI experts from diverse disciplines across MTU’s campus can build highly collaborative research proposals and deliver groundbreaking research outcomes in AI.

External partnerships: Building strong and successful partnerships with local, regional and national entities to transform AI innovations into real-world applications.

AI education: Educating and training the next generation of AI experts and supporting opportunities for a strong AI education in Michigan and beyond. MM

MTU professor helps connect Detroit students to computing

While the tech sector rapidly expands, opportunities to enter the world of computing are limited to the technology and resources accessible to an individual. In Detroit, students in underserved communities are not afforded the opportunities that others entering computing might have. That’s where Michigan Technological University’s Dr. Charles Wallace and DAPCEP aim to help.

DAPCEP — the Detroit Area Pre-College Engineering Program — received a $250,000 donation from Ford in 2021 to accelerate STEM careers for underserved students in Detroit. Through this donation, students from underrepresented backgrounds can gain access to vital hands-on experience and internships. This is the third time participating for Wallace, an associate professor in MTU’s Computer Science Department.

Michigan Tech, Michigan State and the University of Michigan all provide

short courses under DAPCEP. Michigan Tech’s six-week, online course focuses on computer science and programming. A primary focus for Wallace throughout the course at MTU is providing hands-on experience.

Wallace emphasizes that failure is a natural part of learning to program, and his course aims to teach students to “fail better” to achieve the end goal by learning from mistakes. By providing an opportunity where students are able to pursue something complicated and maybe even scary like programming with essential guidance backing them along the way, their learning outcomes and motivation to learn more are greatly increased. The course is based on the Beauty and Joy of Computing curriculum, which Wallace puts his own spin on.

Wallace’s research is often rooted in developing accessible and assistive technologies with a human-centric approach.

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 July events by Monday, June 10 to: calendar@marquettemonthly.com.

end of may events

29 WEDNESDAY sunrise 6:02 a.m.; sunset 9:32 p.m.

• All Booked Up (Online). Upper Michigan Today’s Elizabeth Peterson and Tia Trudgeon, along with Peter White Public Library staff, will lead a discussion of Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride. 9 a.m. Via the TV6 Facebook page. 906-2264322, machatz@pwpl.info or pwpl. info.

• 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. 906228-0456.

• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn how to make your electronic devices work with the help of retired teacher and librarian Christine Ault. Ensure your device is charged and bring passwords with you. 1 to 3:30 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-226-4311.

Negaunee

• Knitting Group. Those interested in crocheting, knitting and other fiber

Marquette

on the town

Baraga

• Ojibwa Casino–The Press Box.

- Saturday, June 1: Millennial’s Falcon. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

- Saturday, the 8th: Superior Sound DJ. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. 16449 Michigan Ave. 906-353-6333.

Escanaba

• Upper Hand Brewery.

- Tuesday, June 4: Dwayne Meeker.

- Friday, 7th: Jeff McNiven.

- Sunday, the 9th: The Make-Believe Spurs.

- Tuesday, the 11th: Jack Neumann.

- Friday, the 14th: Anna p.s.

- Sunday, the 16th: Stu Seleski.

- Tuesday, the 18th: Ben Traverse.

- Friday, the 21st: A Place to Land.

- Sunday, the 23rd: Dwayne Meeker.

- Tuesday, the 25th: Cory and Chasey Williams.

- Friday, the 28th: Ethan Bott.

- Sunday, the 30th: Jack Neumann.

- Tuesday music, 6 to 9 p.m.; Friday music, 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday music, 4 to 7 p.m.

3525 Airport Rd. 906-233-5005 or upperhandbrewery.com.

Gladstone

• Dewdrop Family Restaurant.

- Saturday, June 1: Reflections Band. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Saturday, the 8th: Wingin It. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Saturday, the 15th: Reflection Band. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Saturday, the 22nd: George Sailer. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Saturday, the 29th: Reflections Band. 6 to 9 p.m.

916 Delta Ave. 906-420-8578.

Gwinn

• Hideaway Bar.

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

741 M-35. 906-346-3178.

• The Up North Lodge.

- Sunday, June 2: Neo Lives.

- Sunday, the 9th: Shot Gun Kelly.

- Sunday, the 16th: DayDreamers.

- Sunday, the 23rd: Flat Broke Blues Band.

- Sunday, the 30th: Sky Pilots.

Music is from 4 to 8 p.m. 215 S. CR-557. 906-346-9815.

Marquette

• 906 Sports Bar and Grill.

- Wednesdays: Trivia. 6:30 p.m.145 W. Washington St. 906-273-0706 or 906barandgrill.com.

• Blackrocks Brewery.

- Mondays: Trivia. 7 to 9 p.m.

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

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

• Drifa Brewing Company.

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

- Thursdays: Trivia. 7 p.m.

501 S. Lake St. 906-273-1300.

• Flanigan’s.

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

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

• Kognisjon Bryggeri.

- Saturday, June 1: Pride Celebration.

- Saturday, the 8th: Casper Fight Scene and Summerbruise. 7 to 11 p.m.

- Saturday, the 15th: Alex Teller. 7 to 10 p.m.

- Saturday, the 22nd: The Union Suits. 7 to 10 p.m.

- Saturday, the 29th: Rat King Cult and John Beere. 6 to 10 p.m.

- Mondays: Beer Study Hall. 2 to 7 p.m.

- Tuesdays: Trivia. 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

- Wednesdays: CraftWorks Brewery Bazaar. 6 to 8 p.m.

- Thursdays: Game Night. 6 to 11 p.m.

- Sundays: Open Mic Night. 6 to 10 p.m. 1034 N. Third St. 906-273-2727.

• Lake Superior Smokehouse.

- Saturday, June 1: Derrell Syria Project. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Friday, the 7th: The Make-Believe Spurs. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Saturday, the 8th: Big Lake. 6 to 9 p.m.

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

- Saturday, the 15th: Eddie and The Bluesers. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Friday, the 21st: Delta Duo. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Saturday, the 22nd: The MakeBelieve Spurs. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Friday, the 28the: Derrell Syria Project. 6 to 9 p.m.

- Saturday, the 29th: Chris Valenti. 6 to 9 p.m. 200 W. Main St. 906-273-0952.

• Ojibwa Casino.

- Saturday, June 1: Vinyl Tap. 8 p.m. to midnight.

- Friday, the 7th and Saturday, the 8th: Marshall Star Band. 8 p.m. to midnight.

- Friday, the 14th: DayDreamers. 8 p.m. to midnight.

- Saturday, the 22nd: Eddie and the Bluesers. 8 p.m. to midnight.

- Saturday, the 29th: Superior Sound DJ. 8 p.m. to midnight.

105 Acre Trail. 906-249-4200.

• Ore Dock Brewing Company.

- Thursday, June 6: Charlie Parr. $25. 7 p.m.

- Friday, the 7th: Jeffrey Foucault Band and Erik Koskinen Band. In advance, $20; day of show, $25. 8 p.m.

- Friday, the 14th: The Jimmys, presented by the Marquette Blues Society. Suggested donation, $10. 7 p.m.

- Saturday, the 15th: Millenial’s Falcon. $5. Ages 21 and older. 9 p.m.

- Sunday, the 16th: Liquid Mike. $10. Ages 18 and older. 9:30 p.m.

- Friday, the 21st: ’90s Night with

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The Make-Believe Spurs

June 7 and 22 | Lake Superior Smokehouse and June 9 | Upper Hand Brewery, Escanaba

on the town

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DJ Slurk. Time to be announced.

- Friday, the 28th and Saturday, the 29th: Stonefolk. 8 p.m.

- Sunday, the 30th: Steve Leaf (taproom show). 4 p.m.

- Sunday, the 30th: Trivia. 6 p.m. All shows are free unless noted. 114 W. Spring St. 906-228-8888 or oredockbrewing.com.

• Superior Culture.

- Tuesdays: Open Mic night. 8 to 10 p.m. 717 Third Street. 906-273-0927 or superiorculturemqt.com.

Republic

• Pine Grove Bar.

- Saturday, June 1: TBA. 3 to 6 p.m.

- Saturday, the 1st: Diversion. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

- Friday, the 7th: Drewpalooza 2. 6 p.m. to 1 a.m.

- Saturday, the 8th: Drewpalooza 2. 1 p.m. to 1 a.m.

- Friday, the 14th: Money Shot

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, ext. 18.

• Wings of Fire Interest Group. Youth ages 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, ext. 18.

30 THURSDAY

Calumet

• Preschool Story Time. 10:15 a.m. Calumet Public Library. 906-3370311, ext. 1107, or clklibrary.org.

Escanaba

• Krusin’ Klassics Fun Run Parade. View classic cars during this annual parade. 7 p.m. Ludington St. krusinklassics.net.

Ishpeming

• Registration Deadline: Iron Range Roll. connectmarquette.org.

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.

• Powerful Tools for Caregivers. This six-week in-person workshop will help caregivers focus on how to take care of themselves. Offered by Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP) in partnership with Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice. 1:30 p.m. Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice,

Acoustic. 8 to 11 p.m.

- Saturday, the 15th: Pink Violin Band. 3 to 6 p.m.

- Saturday, the 15th: John Beere. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

- Sunday, the 16th: Iron Daisy Acoustic. 2 to 5 p.m.

- Friday, the 21st: Jakey Thomas. 8 to 11 p.m.

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

- Saturday, the 22nd: Money 2 Burn. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

- Sunday, the 23rd: Luke Ogea. 3 to 6 p.m.

- Friday, the 28th: Jackson Taylor. 8 to 11 p.m.

- Saturday, the 29th: TBA. 3 to 6 p.m.

- Saturday, the 29th: Sky Pilots. 8 p.m. to midnight.

286 Front St. 906-376-2234. MM

914 W. Baraga Ave. To register, 906225-7760 or dial 2-1-1, or upcap.org.

• Drag Cabaret. Presented by NMU Theatre and Dance to kick off Pride Month. NMU students, $5; student 18 and younger, $13; military, seniors and NMU faculty and staff, $15; general public, $20. 7:30 p.m. Panowski Black Box Theatre, NMU. nmu.universitytickets.com.

Negaunee

• Building Club. Youth ages five and older will discuss a topic that will be the focus of their creations and then have time to build with blocks such as LEGO bricks. Participants can have their creations displayed in the library until the following meeting. 4:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

31 FRIDAY

sunrise 6:01 a.m.; sunset 9:34 p.m.

Calumet

• Timothy James Concert. Georgia singer/songwriter Timothy James will perform. Ticket prices vary. 7:30 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.

Escanaba

• Krusin’ Klassics Fun Run Parade. View classic cars during this annual parade. $5. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. U.P. State Fairgrounds, 2401 12th Ave. N. krusinklassics.net.

Marquette

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Mar-

quette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.

• Drag Cabaret. Presented by NMU Theatre and Dance to kick off Pride Month. NMU students, $5; student 18 and younger, $13; military, seniors and NMU faculty and staff, $15; general public, $20. 7:30 p.m. Panowski Black Box Theatre, NMU. nmu.universitytickets.com.

june events

01 SATURDAY

sunrise 6:00 a.m.; sunset 9:35 p.m.

Curtis

• Michael Waite. Presented in partnership with the Friends of Seney Wildlife Refuge. Ticket prices vary. 7 p.m. The Pine Performance Center, N9224 SawWa-Quato St. mynorthtickets.com.

Escanaba

• Farmers Market. 9 a.m. to noon. 1501 Ludington St.

• Ink Society Local Writers’ Group. Free for ages 16 and older. 10:30 a.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.

• NSDAR Meeting. This is the monthly meeting of the Onagomingkway Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR). Lunch is on your own. Noon. Hereford and Hops Restaurant, 624 Ludington St. 906-226-7836.

Gwinn

• Plant Swap. Those who bring plants and volunteers will be allowed to browse first. 11 a.m. Pavilion at Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. gwinnseedlibary@gmail.com.

Hancock

• Health and Safety Fair. This annual event highlights services and programs offered within the community. It will include free screenings, healthy food, giveaways, hands-on demonstrations and more. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. UP Health System – Portage, 500 Campus Dr. 906-483-1187.

• Keweenaw Pridefest. This all-ages LGBTQ+ pride event will feature live music from Keweenaw artists Mr. Cesar, Deep Fried Butterfly, and Bees! Bees! Bees! Bees! Bees!, as well as Rat Bath, from Milwaukee, Wisc. Local organizations will host community tables and food trucks will be available. 1 to 5 p.m. Hancock Beach, 2000 Jasberg St. keweenawpridefest.org.

• Author J.D. Austin Visit. Local author J.D. Austin will read from his recently released book, The Last Huck 2 p.m. Sunflower Books and Coffee, 528 Quincy St. 906-523-7511.

Ishpeming

• Iron Range Roll. This annual fund-

raiser will have riders bike the Iron Ore Heritage Trail from Ishpeming to Marquette Township. Proceeds benefit the YMCA of Marquette County. $40. 1 p.m. Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum, 501 W. Euclid St. connectmarquette.org

Marquette

• Farmers Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. mqtfarmersmarket. com.

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

• Swing Dance. A free one-hour swing dancing lesson will be followed by a social dance. 7 p.m. Dance Zone, 1113 Lincoln Ave. 602-358-6839 or yooperswing.com/dance.

Negaunee

• Pokémon Club. Youth ages 7 and older can play Pokémon card games, discuss their favorite Pokémon, trade cards, make friends and have fun. 10 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

Skandia

• Plants, Pies and Summer Buys! There will be vegetable and flower seedlings, perennials, handmade crafts, a quilt raffle and homemade pies. Proceeds will support an indoor accessible ramp to the church’s sanctuary. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Emanuel Lutheran Church, 9812 U.S. Hwy. 41. 906-942-7245.

02 SUNDAY

sunrise 6:00 a.m.; sunset 9:36 p.m.

Ishpeming

• Bingo. Doors open at noon. Ishpeming VFW, 310 Bank St. 906-486-4856.

Marquette

• Story Time at MooseWood. A reading of Otters Love to Play by Jonathan London will explore animal behavior and adaptations, and an activity or craft will follow. Suggested donation, $5 per child; $10 per family. 11 a.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Shiras Pool Building at Presque Isle Park. To register, moosewoodnc@gmail.com.

03 MONDAY

sunrise 5:59 a.m.; sunset 9:36 p.m.

Escanaba

• Music Mondays. Featuring Chris Powell Chicago Lounge Act. 7 to 9 p.m. Karas Bandshell, Ludington Park, Lake Shore Drive.

Marquette

• Senior Theatre Experience: Month-

ly Theatre Workshop and Discussion. Intended for ages 55 and older. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents. 4 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-225-8655.

• Craft Magic Series: Felt Magic with Jody Trost. Participants will learn basic needle felting and leave with a handmade felted flower magnet. Felting starter kits and wool will be provided; bring a small pair of scissors. 6:30 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-226-4322 or machatz@ pwpl.info.

Negaunee

• All-Ages Online Storytime. Miss Jessica will lead stories, songs and rhymes on Facebook Live. 11 a.m. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

• Outdoor concert. Local musician Troy Graham will perform. Bring chairs or a blanket to sit on. 6 p.m. Outdoor lawn, Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. 906-475-7700, ext. 18

Presented by Snowbound Books. 7 p.m. Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. 906-228-8888 or oredockbrewing.com.

Negaunee

• Art Fair Interest Meeting. Aspiring artists ages 10 to 18 are invited to learn about the library’s plans for an art fair in August. 1:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-4757700, ext.18.

05

WEDNESDAY

sunrise 5:58 a.m.; sunset 9:38 p.m.

Baraga

• Estate Planning Seminar. “Estate Planning for Everyone,” a free seminar presented by elder law attorneys Scott Brogan, John Yonkers and Eryka Symington, will cover topics and considerations for U.P. families. 6 p.m. Baraga Lakeside Inn, 900 U.S. 41. To register, 906-228-6212.

Escanaba

• Farmers Market. 3 to 6 p.m. 1501 Ludington St.

Escanaba

• Tech Tuesday. Appointments or walk-ins are welcome. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.

Little Lake

• Bingo. A concession stand will be available. Doors open, 5 p.m.; early bird games, 6:30 p.m. American Legion Post 349, 1835 E. M-35. 906-3466000.

Marquette

• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn how to make your electronic devices work with the help of retired teacher and librarian Christine Ault. Ensure your device is charged and bring passwords with you. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-226-4311.

• Director Chat. Stop in to chat with Library Director Andrea Ingmire. 11 a.m. to noon, and 5 to 6 p.m. Circulation Lobby, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4303 or pwpl. info.

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.

• Oil Painting, Pastels and Drawing Classes with Marlene Wood. Bring your own supplies. $20. 1 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, Lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-8655.

• Old Time Hawkey Meet and Greet.

• Author Talk. Michigan Notable Author Abra Berens will discuss her book, Pulp: A Practical Guide to Cooking With Fruit 5 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.

• Sean Rowe Concert. Sean Rowe, a New York-based singer, songwriter and forager, will perform. Pay What You Can ticketing. 7 p.m. Bonifas Arts Center, 700 First Ave. S. 906-786-6420 or wendypepin@gmail.com.

Ishpeming

• Crochet Club. This is a time to gather with fellow crafters to socialize. Supplies and instruction will be provided for those who are interested in learning how to crochet. 5:30 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

Marquette

• Smartphone Basics. Careena Eggelston from AARP Michigan will help attendees use their smartphone for more than just calls. Participants should charge their device and bring passwords. 10 a.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4311.

• 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. 906228-0456.

• Senior Visual Art Classes: Interpreting ‘Grow’ with Alesia Braund. Intended for ages 50 and older. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents. 1 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower

art galleries

Calumet

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

• Copper Country Associated Artist. Works by members and workshop participants in watercolor and oil, drawings, photography, sculpture, quilting, wood, textile, clay, glass and other media. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 205 Fifth St. 906-337-1252 or ccaartists.org.

• Gallery on 5th. Featuring works by local and regional artists. Call or visit Facebook for up-to-date store hours. 906-299-0118 or galleryon5th.com.

Curtis

• Erickson Center for the Arts–Waterfront Gallery.

- Visions between the Lakes, featuring work by two featured artists of this year’s Bonifas Art Center Northern Exposure Contest, will be on display June 17 through Sept. 1. The gallery also features unique work from local artists, including photography, pottery, jewelry, woodworking, paintings and more. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906-586-9974 or ericksoncenter. org.

Copper Harbor

• EarthWorks Gallery. Featuring Lake Superior-inspired photography by Steve Brimm. Daily, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 216 First St. 906-231-6318.

Escanaba

• Besse Gallery.

- Celebration of Student Success: Winter 2024 Student Art Exhibition is on display through Aug. 31. Days and hours vary. Bay College, 2001 N. Lincoln Rd. baycollege.edu.

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

• William Bonifas Fine Arts Gallery.

- NMU Art and Design Student Biennial, featuring work from NMU’s upper class art students, is on display through June 20th in the Powers Gallery.

- Bonifas Membership Show, which displays work by professional and emerging artists, will be on display June 27 through Aug. 7 in the Powers Gallery with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. on the 27th.

- Wildlife photography by Joshua Parrott is on display through June 20th in the Studio Gallery. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

700 First Avenue South. 906-7863833 or bonifasarts.org.

Garden

• Village Artisans/Garden Gallery. The gallery has approximately 50 consignors each year featuring paintings, photography, quilting, stained glass, woodwork, pottery, jewelry and more. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, noon to 5 p.m. 6367 State St. 906-644-2025 or villageartisansofgarden.org.

Hancock

• Finandia Art Gallery.

- Evolution, a retrospective of art textiles for the wall by Finnish American artist Heather Allen Hietala, is on display through June 5th. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Located in the Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy St. 906487-7500 or gallery@finlandiafoundation.org.

• Kerredge Gallery.

- Forest Spirits, featuring work by Joyce Koskenmaki, is on display through June 1st. Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Copper Country Community Arts Center, 126 Quincy St. 906-482-2333 or coppercountryarts.com.

• Youth Gallery. Featuring works by local students. Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Community Arts Center, 126 Quincy St. 906-482-2333 or coppercountryarts.com.

Houghton

• The Rozsa Galleries. Works by local and regional artists. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sat-

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.

- By Design: Looking at Living, an exhibition that considers our relationship to design using objects from the gallery’s permanent collection, is on display through June 1st.

- North of the 45th, an annual juried exhibition featuring works by artists living North of the 45th parallel, will be on display June 13 through July 12, with a closing reception at 6 p.m. on the 12th.

Monday through Wednesday and Friday through Saturday, noon to 5 p.m.; Thursday, noon to 8 p.m. Corner of Seventh and Tracy streets. NMU. 906227-1481 or nmu.edu/devos.

• Graci Gallery. A solo show by Linda King Ferguson will be on display through June 30th. Wednesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 110 N. Third St. gracigallery.com.

• Huron Mountain Club Gallery.

- thread. by Lisa Colwell is on display through July 31 with an opening reception from 6 to 8 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.

• Lake Superior Photo and Gallery. The studio features landscape photographic art by Shawn Malone, includ-

urdays, 1 to 8 p.m. Rozsa Center, 1400 Townsend Dr. mtu.edu/rozsa

Kay Johnson | Kitchitikipi Springs Boat | Zero Degrees Gallery, Marquette

art galleries

ing naturescapes of the Lake Superior region. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 211 S. Front St. 906228-3686 or lakesuperiorphoto.com.

• Marquette Arts and Culture Center Deo Gallery.

- Bee Oracle Project by Ona Christie Martin and Jackie Rushton will be on display June 13 through July 31 with an opening reception from 6 to 8 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. Lower level, 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 Marquette. 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 5 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

level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-225-8655.

• Senior Support Series: Smart Shopping. Registered dietitian Amanda Latvala, of the Marquette Food Co-op, will discuss preparing easy meals with less waste. She will also offer tips on thrifty shopping for one or two people, unraveling food labels, and understanding a bulk food section. Light snacks and coffee will be provided, and door prizes will be available. 1:30 p.m. Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. 906-226-3571 or marquettehistory. org.

• Marquette County Quilters Association 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.

• Concert on the Steps: Troy Graham. Troy Graham will present an evening of indie folk music and spirituals. 7 p.m. Front Street Steps, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info or pwpl.info.

Negaunee

• Drop-in Storytime. Children of all ages can listen to a story or two at this casual drop-in program hosted by Negaunee Public Library staff. 9 a.m. Miner’s Park, Maas Street and U.S.-41. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

• Teen Brunch. Teens ages 13-18 can drop in and stay as long as they wish. An optional activity will be available.

U7, 130 W. Washington St. thegallerymqt.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. 906-3604453.

• Wintergreen Hill Gallery and Gifts. Paintings by Todd Carter will be on display through June 30th with a reception from 5 to 8 p.m. on the 7th. Wintergreen Hill Gallery strives to create an immersive art experience for visitors who are looking to buy or just looking for inspiration. Local art by local artists. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 810 N. Third St. 906-273-1374 or wintergreenhill.com.

• Zero Degrees Gallery. Work by Guest Artist Cathy Uhazie is on display through June 30th with a public reception from 1 to 4 p.m. on the 8th. The gallery features works by various artists in oils, watercolors, mixed media, jewelry, photography, metals, woods, recycled and fiber arts

Coffee and tea will be provided by the library; food donations will be accepted with the library’s coordination. 10 a.m. to noon. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-4757700, ext.18.

• 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, ext. 18.

• Wings of Fire Interest Group. Youth ages 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, ext. 18.

06

THURSDAY

sunrise 5:58 a.m.; sunset 9:39 p.m.

Calumet

• Preschool Story Time. 10:15 a.m. Calumet Public Library. 906-3370311, ext. 1107, or clklibrary.org.

Gwinn

• Modeltown Farmers and Artisans Market. Featuring live music by the Delta Duo. 3 to 7 p.m. Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-361-4843 or modeltownmarket@gmail.com.

Ishpeming

• Feeding America Food Distribution Drive-Thru Site. 8:30 to 10 a.m. North Iron Church, 910 Palms Ave.

and more. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 525 N. Third St. 906-228-3058 or zerodegreesgallery.org.

Munising

• UP-Scale Art. Featuring works by local and regional artists. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment. 109 W. Superior Ave. 906-387-3300 or upscaleart.org.

Rapid River

• Ritch Branstrom’s adhocWORKshop. Specializing in award-winning found object sculpture. By appointment or chance. 10495 S. Main St. 906-399-1572 or adhocworkshop. com.

Sand River

• Aurelia Studio Pottery. Featuring high fire stoneware, along with functional and sculptural pieces inspired by nature, created by potter and owner Paula Neville. Open by appointment or chance. 3050 E. M-28. 906-3436592.

MM

feedwm.org.

• Feeding America Food Distribution Walk-up Site. 9 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. VFW parking lot, 310 Bank St. feedwm.org.

Marquette

• NCLL: Lakeshore Depot. Staff from Lakeshore Depot will discuss the company’s plan to provide an outlet for customers seeking to purchase local foods. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 11 a.m. Lakeshore Depot, 560 Fern Place. lisajstasiuk@gmail. com or 906-361-1919.

• 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.

• Powerful Tools for Caregivers. This six-week in-person workshop will help caregivers focus on how to take care of themselves. Offered by Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP) in partnership with Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice. 1:30 p.m. Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, 914 W. Baraga Ave. To register, 906225-7760 or dial 2-1-1, or upcap.org.

• Michigan Notable Book Author: Abra Berens. Chef Abra Berens, author of the Michigan Notable Book Pulp: A Practical Guide to Cooking with Fruit, will discuss the art of seasonal, locally sourced cooking. 7 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-2264322, machatz@pwpl.info or pwpl. info.

• Marquette City Band Concert. 7:30 p.m. Band Shell at Presque Isle Park.

marquettecityband.com.

• Michigan Rocks. Hosted by Marquette Rockestra, this concert will celebrate some of Michigan’s rock and pop music legends. There will also be original music by members of the Rockestra, including Michael Waite, Kerry Yost, Jeff Krebs, John Mallo, Noah Bauer and Daniel Truckey. Proceeds will support Music For All Kids (MFAK), which provides musical training and opportunities for local students. Students younger than 18, $10 in advance or $12 at the door; adults, $20 in advance or $22 at the door. 7:30 p.m. Forest Roberts Theatre, 1401 Presque Isle Ave. tickets.nmu.edu.

Negaunee

• Walk and Read. This walking group will meet at the Negaunee Public Library and walk through Old Town while enjoying bookish conversations with other enthusiasts. Takes place pending weather conditions. 5 p.m. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

07 FRIDAY

Crystal Falls

p.m.

• Timothy James Concert. Georgia singer/songwriter Timothy James will perform. Students, $5; adults, $23. 7 p.m CDT. The Crystal Theatre, 304

Superior Ave. 906-875-3208 or thecrystaltheatre.org.

Ishpeming

• Pollinator Program with Superior Watershed Partnership. Staff from the Superior Watershed Partnership will offer a presentation about pollinators and pollinator gardening. This program is geared towards kids with a read aloud book segment. 2 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

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.

• Anne of Green Gables. SAY Theater will present the 2024 Playwriting Project, a new one-act adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, the classic novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, written by local youth. In advance, $12; at the door, $14. 7 p.m. Masonic Theater, 128 W. Washington St. saytheater.org.

• Michigan Rocks. Hosted by Marquette Rockestra, this concert will celebrate some of Michigan’s rock and pop music legends. There will also be original music by members of the Rockestra, including Michael Waite, Kerry Yost, Jeff Krebs, John Mallo, Noah Bauer and Daniel Truckey. Proceeds will support Music For All

Kids (MFAK), which provides musical training and opportunities for local students. Students younger than 18, $10 in advance or $12 at the door; adults, $20 in advance or $22 at the door. 7:30 p.m. Forest Roberts Theatre, 1401 Presque Isle Ave. tickets.nmu.edu.

Negaunee

• Building Storytime. Children ages three and older can listen to a story or two and be inspired to build with LEGOs and other blocks. Older youth are welcome to hang out quietly and build. 10:30 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-4757700, ext. 18.

08 SATURDAY

sunrise 5:57 a.m.; sunset 9:40 p.m.

Chatham

• Storytime. The storytime will also include songs and crafts. 10 a.m. Rock River Township Library, E3667 State Hwy. M-94. 906-439-5360 or rrtlibrary@gmail.com.

Escanaba

• Farmers Market. 9 a.m. to noon. 1501 Ludington St.

• LEGO Club. This month’s theme is “Summer at the Beach.” 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.

Gwinn

• Coffee and Conversation. Participants will discuss household management and create meal plans. Coffee and treats will be provided; bring your own mug for refills. 10 a.m. Forsyth Township Library, 180 W. Flint St. 906-3463433 or forsythtwplibrary.org.

Hancock

• Copper Country Farm Bureau Farm on the Town Day. Youth can participate in a farm hand activity, plant a flower, see baby farm animals and more. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parking lot, Sunflower Books and Coffee, 528 Quincy St. 906-523-7511.

Marquette

• Farmers Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. mqtfarmersmarket. com.

• Kids Read! Summer Reading KickOff. Kids can register online for the Kids Read! program, then stop in to pick up their reading log and take part in a LEGO build. There will be a marble maze, timed LEGO challenges, a one-day LEGO scavenger hunt and more. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lower level, Peter White Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.

• Teens Read! Summer Reading Kick-Off. Youth in and entering sixth through 12th grades can register online

for the Teens Read! program, then stop by the Teen Zone for activities and to pick up their reading log. 10 a.m. to noon. Teen Zone, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-2264321, apierce@pwpl.info or pwpl.info.

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

• Cello Vibes and Violin Improvisations. This outdoor spring recital of classical solos and improvised composition will feature the violin and cello students of Marquette Youth Volume and local guest artists. 11 a.m. Still Point North, 6044 Hwy. 41 S., Suite 4, Harvey. 906-201-0915 or youthvolume.org.

• Pride Fest 2024. This day-long event will include food, merchandise, activities, nonprofit resources, drag shows and more. 1 to 10:30 p.m. Ellwood Mattson Lower Harbor Park, 200 N. Lakeshore Blvd. uprainbowpride.org.

• Anne of Green Gables. SAY Theater will present the 2024 Playwriting Project, a new one-act adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, the classic novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, written by local youth. In advance, $12; at the door, $14. 7 p.m. Masonic Theater, 128 W. Washington St. saytheater.org.

Negaunee

• Pokémon Club. Youth ages 7 and older can play Pokémon card games, discuss their favorite Pokémon, trade cards, make friends and have fun. 10 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

Skandia

• Craft Bazaar and Yard Sale. Outdoor yard sale space is free and open to all. There will also be craft vendors, a pie sale and lunch. Sponsored by South County Fund Committee “Women Who Care.” 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (pie sale begins at 9 a.m.). West Branch Township Hall, 1016 Co. Rd. 545.

09 SUNDAY

Ishpeming

• Bingo. Doors open at noon. Ishpeming VFW, 310 Bank St. 906-486-4856.

Marquette

• Meet A Beekeeper. Local beekeeper Sue Payant will share her love of honey bees and attendees can see beekeepers’ tools. There will be a reading of If I Could Sit on a Bee’s Knees by Charlotte Hubbard, a honey bee craft and live honey bees in a demonstration hive. Suggested donation, $5 per child or $10 per family. 11 a.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Shiras Pool Building at Presque Isle Park. To register, moosewoodnc@gmail.com.

• Anne of Green Gables. SAY Theater will present the 2024 Playwriting Project, a new one-act adaptation of Anne of Green Gables, the classic novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, written by local youth. In advance, $12; at the door, $14. 1 p.m. Masonic Theater, 128 W. Washington St. saytheater.org.

Rock

• Senior Dance. Music will be provided by John Roman and the High Graders. The event will raise money for the Rock Senior Corporation. 1 to 4 p m. Rock Senior Center, 3892 W. Mapleridge 37 Rd.

Sands

• Stock Car Racing. Cars race on a quarter-mile asphalt-paved tri-oval track built into the base of a hill. Bring a blanket or chairs. Kids 12 and younger, free; seniors and students, $10; adults, $15. Gates open, 1 p.m.; time trials, 2 p.m.; races, 3 p.m. Sands Speedway, 675 Old Co. Rd. 553. sandsspeedway.com.

10 MONDAY

Escanaba

• Music Mondays. Featuring Polar Blues Band. 7 to 9 p.m. Karas Bandshell, Ludington Park, Lake Shore Drive.

Marquette

• Northwords and Music: Imperfection Show. B.G. Bradley and his friends will present an evening of music, stories, poetry and skits. The show will feature poet Marty Achatz, musicians Linda Smith and Seamus Collins (Big Lake Acoustic), actress Jacque Love and special guest Nicole Walton of WMNU. This event will also be livestreamed. 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.

Negaunee

• All-Ages Online Storytime. Miss Jessica will lead stories, songs and rhymes on Facebook Live. 11 a.m. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

• Textile Mending Workshop. Local sewist “Dumpster Slayer” Madie Loebig will lead this hands-on workshop. Participants can bring articles of clothing they wish to repair, though practice pieces will be available. Part of the library’s “So You Want to Learn About…” series. 5:30 p.m. Reading room, Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

• Registration Deadline: Teens’ Cupcake Wars.See Wednesday the 12th.

11 TUESDAY sunrise 5:56 a.m.; sunset 9:42 p.m.

Calumet

• Annual Meeting and Potluck. The Friends of the Calumet Public Library will celebrate the election of this year’s board members, recap programs and acquisitions, and plan for the next year. This is an open meeting and new members are welcome. A potluck will follow the meeting; bring a place setting and a dish to pass. 5:30 p.m. Community Room, Calumet Public Library. 906337-0311, ext. 1107, or clklibrary.org.

Escanaba

• Tech Tuesday. Appointments or walk-ins are welcome. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.

Gwinn

• Literature at the Lodge. This month’s selection will be The Women by Kristin Hannah. 7 p.m. Up North Lodge, 215 S. Co. Rd. 557. 906-3463433 or forsythtwplibrary.org.

Ishpeming

• Summer Reading Kick-Off. All ages (kids and adults) can register for the library’s Summer Reading Program and choose a free book. Refreshments will be available. Program registration will continue through the week. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

Little Lake

• Bingo. A concession stand will be available. Doors open, 5 p.m.; early bird games, 6:30 p.m. American Legion Post 349, 1835 E. M-35. 906-3466000.

Marquette

• Storytime in the Park. Families can enjoy books, songs, action songs, bubbles and parachute play, and more. 9:30 a.m. Williams Park, East Ohio Street. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.

• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn how to make your electronic devices work with the help of retired teacher and librarian Christine Ault. Ensure your device is charged and bring passwords with you. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-226-4311.

• Director Chat. Stop in to chat with Library Director Andrea Ingmire. 11 a.m. to noon and 5 to 6 p.m. Circulation Lobby, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4303 or pwpl. info.

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.

• Lake Superior Knitters. Knitters and those who crochet can expand their knowledge, mentor others in the fiber arts and learn to make something for

the Marquette County Fair in August. Open to all age groups and skill levels. If new to knitting, bring a skein of light colored yarn and a Size 7, 24-inch circular needle. Suggested donation of $1 to $5 to the MRHC for the study and preservation of the fiber arts. 1 p.m. Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. beedhive47@yahoo. com.

• Oil Painting, Pastels and Drawing Classes with Marlene Wood. Bring your own supplies. $20. 1 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, Lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-8655.

• Senior Dance Class. Intended for ages 55 and older. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents. 4 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-225-8655.

• League of Women Voters of Marquette County Annual Meeting. This meet and greet will allow interested community members to learn what the League is about. Prizes and pizza will be available. 6 to 8 p.m. Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. To make a reservation, lwvmqtco@ gmail.com.

• Superiorland Woodturners Monthly Meeting. 6 p.m. Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-3611296.

Negaunee

• Social Media Safety Presentation. School Resource Officer Josh Myers will discuss social media safety for families. 10:30 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-4757700, ext.18.

• Superiorland Pet Partners. Youth of all ages can read to friendly therapy dogs who are great listeners. 4 to 5:30 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-475-7700, ext.18.

12 WEDNESDAY

sunrise 5:56 a.m.; sunset 9:43 p.m.

Curtis

• Music in the Park. Featuring American and folk music by The Union Suits. 6:30 p.m. Erickson Center for the Arts, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906-5869974 or ericksoncenter.org.

Escanaba

• Farmers Market. 3 to 6 p.m. 1501 Ludington St.

• Friends of the Library Ice Cream Social and City Band Concert. 6 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.

Gwinn

• Forsyth Township Public Library Board Meeting. The public is wel-

come. 5:30 p.m. Community Room, Forsyth Township Library, 180 W. Flint St. 906-346-3433 or forsythtwplibrary. org.

Marquette

• Digital Parking in Downtown MQT. Attendees will learn how to download the Passport Parking app to their phone to park downtown. Bring a fully charged phone, vehicle license number and a credit card for the app. 10 a.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4311.

• NCLL: Yard Care and Landscaping 101. Andy Smith, NMU grounds supervisor, will discuss proper maintenance practices and explore renovative options. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 11 a.m. Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1700 W. Fair Ave. 906-225-1004 or hoosieryooper80@ gmail.com.

• 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. 906228-0456.

• Community Knit/Crochet Club. 5:30 p.m. Alley Kat’s Quilt Shop, 1010 W. Washington St. 906-315-0050.

• Concert on the Steps: Flagship Romance. Music will be presented by alternative-folk duo Flagship Romance. 7 p.m. Front Street Steps, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4322 or pwpl.info.

• Superior String Alliance Chamber Players Concert. Danielle Simandl, Barbara Rhyneer, Eric Marta, Lauren Hall and Adam Hall will be performing works by Bruch, Mozart and Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson. 7 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 201 E. Ridge St. superiorstringalliance.org.

Negaunee

• Drop-in Storytime. Children of all

ages can listen to a story or two at this casual drop-in program hosted by Negaunee Public Library staff. 9 a.m. Miner’s Park, Maas Street and U.S.-41. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

• 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, ext. 18.

• Wings of Fire Interest Group. Youth ages 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, ext. 18.

• Kids’ Cupcake Wars. Children ages six to 12 will receive two cupcakes and a variety of decorating options. They will then judge the cupcakes and vote for their favorite, which must not be their own. Gluten-free cupcakes can be available; contact the library for information. 6 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. To register by June 10, call 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

• Negaunee Beautification Committee Meeting. No gloves or green thumbs are needed and everyone is welcome. Participants do not need to be residents of Negaunee to join. 6:30 p.m. For location, 906-362-8160.

• Negaunee City Band Concert. Seating is limited; bring a chair. 7:30 p.m. Negaunee Outdoor Performing Arts Center, east end of Iron Street.

13 THURSDAY

sunrise 5:56 a.m.; sunset 9:43 p.m.

Calumet

• Preschool Story Time. 10:15 a.m. Calumet Public Library. 906-3370311, ext. 1107, or clklibrary.org.

• Kids Movie Magic. The film selection will be Queen of Katwe. $1 7 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-

Photo by Brockit, Inc.

museums

Big Bay

• Big Bay Lighthouse. Big Bay Lighthouse is an active aid to navigation monitored by the U.S. Coast Guard. The light is the brightest on Lake Superior and provides a beam that is visible 20 nautical miles. Guided tours offered Sundays at noon and 2 p.m. $12. 3 Lighthouse Rd. 906-345-9957.

Calumet

• Coppertown USA Mining Museum. View exhibits relative to the copper mining industry and community life. The museum is a Keweenaw National Historical Park Heritage Site. Children five and younger, free; children ages six to 15, $2; adults, $4. Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 25815 Red Jacket Rd. 906-337-4354 or uppermichigan. com/coppertown.

• International Frisbee/USA Guts Hall of Fame and Museum. Learn about the history of Guts Frisbee. Days and hours vary. Open when events are held. Second floor ballroom, Calumet Colosseum, 110 Red Jacket Rd. 906-281-7625.

Caspian

• Iron County Historical Museum. The Iron County Museum is one of the largest outdoor museum complexes in the U.P. and is the designated “Log Cabin Capital of Michigan” with more historic log structures than any place in the state. Exhibits include the Carrie Jacobs-Bond House, Stager Depot, St. Mary’s Church, Toti’s Tavern, Pioneer School House, Giovanelli Studio and Gallery and Lee LeBlanc Memorial Art Gallery. Children five and younger, free; students. $10; adults, $15. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 100 Brady Ave. 906-265-2617 or ironcountymuseum.org.

Copper Harbor

• Fort Wilkins State Park. Built in 1844, this fort is a well-preserved 19th-century military post and lighthouse complex. Through museum exhibits, audio-visual programs and costumed interpretation, visitors can explore the daily routine of military service, experience the hardships of frontier isolation and discover another era. Park store, bookstore, concession stand and campsites are on site. $17 per car, per day for Michigan residents, $9 for nonresidents. 8:30 a.m. to dusk. US-41 (one mile east of Copper Harbor). 906-2894215.

Covington

• Covington Historical Museum. Located in the historic 1905 Town-

ship Hall, a Michigan Historic Site, the museum houses exhibits, photographs and artifacts focusing on the life of early Finnish residents of Covington Township. The museum contains the township’s only jail cell. The Genealogy Room has family history files and early township records. Saturdays, 1 to 3 p.m. Center Street. 906-355-2169.

Eagle Harbor

• Eagle Harbor Life Saving Museum. View displays of early wooden rescue boats, surfboats, life-cars and more. Opens June 16. Daily, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. End of Marina Road. keweenawhistory.org.

• Eagle Harbor Light Station Museum and Lighthouse. The original lighthouse was built in 1851, which was replaced by the present red brick structure in 1871. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to operate the light at the top of the tower as an active navigational aid. Opens June 16. Children 16 and younger and KCHS members, free; adults, $8. Daily, noon to 5 p.m. 670 Lighthouse Rd. keweenawhistory.org.

Eagle River

• Eagle River Museum. The museum focuses on four themes: the Cliff Mine, the town of Eagle River, the town and mine of Phoenix, and the Crestview amusement area. Opens June 19. Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. M-26. keweenawhistory.org

Escanaba

• Upper Peninsula Military Museum and Honor Flight Legacy Museum. The museum honors Upper Peninsula veterans, and features

exhibits and dioramas portraying the Upper Peninsula’s contribution to U.S. war efforts from the Civil War through the Afghanistan wars. Learn the history of the honor flight trips. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and by request. Inside the Delta County Chamber of Commerce, 1001 N. Lincoln Rd.

Garden

• Fayette Historic Townsite. This site was once one of the Upper Peninsula’s most productive iron-smelting operations. A town of nearly 500 residents grew up around two blast furnaces, a large dock and several charcoal kilns. It now includes a visitor center, museum exhibits, a 26-station walking tour and a scale model of the original townsite. $17 per car, per day for Michigan residents, $9 for nonresidents. Until June 13, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; after June 13, 9 a.m. to dusk. 14785 II Road. 906-644-2603 or michigan. gov/mhc/museums/fayette.

Grand Marais

• Lightkeeper’s House Museum. Step back in time to the early 1900s and discover the life of the early lightkeepers. Operated by the Grand Marais Historical Society. Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. On Coast Guard Point next to the inner range light. grandmaraismichigan.com/historicalsociety.

• Old Post Office Museum. The history of Grand Marais is on display, from the earliest peoples to the present day. A memorial rose garden is at the rear of the museum overlooking the water. Operated by the Grand Marais Historical Society. Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Lake Avenue. grandmaraismichigan.com/historicalsociety.

• Pickle Barrel House Museum. This 16-foot-high barrel has been restored to its condition as a cottage, built for author and illustrator William Donahey, who created the Teenie Weenie characters. Operated by the Grand Marais Historical Society. Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. Northeast corner of Lake and Randolph streets. grandmaraismichigan.com/historicalsociety.

Greenland

• Adventure Mining Company. The mine opened in 1850 and remains one of the best-preserved sites of its time. Although the mine closed in 1920, many of the shafts are still open for touring. Tours range from surface walking tours to underground rappelling down a mineshaft. Prices vary. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 200 Adventure Ave. 906-883-3371 or adventureminetours.com.

Hancock

• Quincy Mine Hoist and Underground Mine. There are two options for touring the site. On both the surface tour and the full tour, visitors will see the museum, inside the No. 2 Shaft House and the Nordberg Steam Hoist and ride the cog rail tram car to the mine entrance. On the full tour, visitors will take a tractor-pulled wagon into the mine, seven levels underground. Prices vary. Daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. 49750 US-41. 906-482-3101 or quincymine.com.

Houghton

• A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum. New exhibit on Yooperlites, sodalite-bearing syenites that possess

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Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum | Ishpeming

Photo by Carrie Usher

(continued from page 90)

fluorescent properties. View the largest collection of minerals from the Great Lakes region and the world’s finest collection of Michigan minerals. Prices vary. Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. 1404 E. Sharon Ave. museum.mtu.edu or 906487-2572.

• Carnegie Museum of the Keweenaw. New exhibits are Message in a Bottle, featuring artifacts long buried beneath Houghton’s streets that were found during excavations in 2021; and Celebrate the Lift Bridge, which includes building activities and the 1960s-era video about building the Lift Bridge. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. 105 Huron St. 906-482-7140 or carnegiekeweenaw.org.

• MTU Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections. Features a variety of historical memorabilia, highlighting life in the Copper Country. Open by appointment. Lower level of the J.R. Van Pelt Library, MTU. 906-487-3209.

Iron Mountain

• Cornish Pumping Engine and Mining Museum. The 725-ton Cornish Pumping Engine, the largest steam-driven pumping engine ever built in the United States, is famous for dewatering Iron Mountain’s Chapin Mine, one of the wettest mines ever worked and the largest producer of iron ore on the Menominee Iron Range. The museum also displays underground mining equipment. Opens June 10. Children five and younger, free; students, $5; seniors and veterans, $7; adults, $8. 300 Kent St. 906774-1086 or menomineemuseum.com.

• World War II Glider and Military Museum. During World War II, the Ford Motor Company’s Kingsford plant built the CG-4A gliders for the U.S. Army. View one of seven fully restored CG-4A G World War II gliders, military uniforms from the Civil War through the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, memorabilia, restored military vehicles and more. Prices vary. Opens June 10. Children five and younger, free; students, $5; seniors and veterans, $7; adults, $8. 302 Kent St. 906-774-1086 or menomineemuseum.com.

Ishpeming

• Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum. View local historical artifacts of miners and mines, past and present, safety equipment, blasting and diamond drilling equipment and more. Guided tours of the tunnels are available. Prices vary. Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday and Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 501 W. Euclid St. 906-485-

1882 or cliffsshaftminemuseum.com.

• Ishpeming Area Historical Society Museum. Information and displays about the legends of Ishpeming–John Voelker, Kelly Johnson and Glenn Seaborg–early city documents, Anatomy of a Murder, Gossard artifacts, military uniforms, VASA and other organizations, the Blue Notes Drum and Bugle Corps and more. Fridays, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Gossard Building, Suite 303, 308 Cleveland Ave. ishpeminghistory.org.

• U.S. National Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and Museum. The museum features more than 300 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 Street. 906485-6323 or skihall.com.

K.I. Sawyer

• K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum. The museum promotes and preserves the aviation history the air base brought to the area. Air Force-related materials are on display, including photographs, flags, medals and more. Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. or by appointment. 402 Third St. (906) 236-3502 or kisawyerheritageairmuseum.org.

Lake Linden

• Houghton County Historical Museum. Exhibits include local Copper Country mining, logging and cultural history. Outdoor exhibits include a working Calumet & Hecla Mining Company train. Admission by donation. Daily, noon to 4 p.m. 53102 M-26. 906-296-4121 or houghtonhistory.org.

Marquette

• Baraga Educational Center and Museum. View artifacts and tools used by Venerable Bishop Baraga. Monday through Friday, noon to 5 p.m. and by appointment. 615 S. Fourth St. 906-227-9117.

• Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center. Extraordinary Women of the U.P., which commemorates 60 influential women native to the U.P. or who settled in the area later in life and their significant contributions in the fields of education, the arts, politics, medicine, activism and public service, is on display through July 27. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 12 to 4 p.m. Corner of Seventh and Tracy streets. NMU. 906-227-1219 or nmu.edu/beaumier.

• Marquette Maritime Museum. Ex-

hibits on shipwrecks in Marquette and Lake Superior, early life-saving and U.S. Coast Guard, the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and the Henry B. Smith, and more. Guided tours of the Marquette Lighthouse are available. Prices vary. Tuesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 300 N. Lakeshore Blvd. 906-226-2006 or mqtmaritimemuseum.com.

• Marquette Regional History Center. 50 Years of Guts Frisbee in Marquette, which tells the story of Guts Frisbee from its origins in the Keweenaw Peninsula in the late 1950s to its inclusion in the World Flying Disc Federation, is on display through Sept. 7. The museum also includes interactive displays as well as regional history exhibits. Youth 12 and younger, $2; students, $3; seniors, $6; adults, $7. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Wednesday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. 145 W. Spring St. 906-226-3571 or marquettehistory.org.

• Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum. A variety of interactive exhibits offer learning through investigation and creativity. Prices vary. Tuesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 123 W. Baraga Ave. 906-226-3911 or upchildrensmuseum.org.

Michigamme

• Michigamme Historical Museum. The museum has a collection of more than 125 years of history through artifacts, antiques and memorabilia, including the Anatomy of a Murder display. The museum also has an exhibit devoted to the Ford story and a 1900 steamer on display. Guided tours or special showings by appointment. Noon to 5 p.m. 110 W. Main St. 906-323-9016 or 906-3236608, or michigammetownship.com/ michigamme-museum.

Menominee

• West Shore Fishing Museum. Experience the life of an early 20th century pioneer fishing family at this stop on the Great Lakes Fisheries Heritage Trail. Tour the home and surrounding gardens. Walk the expanded woodland and shoreline trails. View exhibits of boats, equipment and practices of commercial fishermen and Native Americans who lived on the west shore of Green Bay waters. Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 4 p.m. 15 miles north of Menominee or 8 miles south of Cedar River on M-35. Turn at Bailey Park entrance. 715-923-3511.

Mohawk

• The Delaware Mine. Self-guided tours of veins of copper exposed in the walls of the mine, as well as in-

door and outdoor train displays. Daily, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 7804 Delaware Rd. 906-289-4688.

Munising

• Alger County Historical Society Heritage Center. Exhibits include the Grand Island Recreation Area, Munising Woodenware Company, barn building, homemaking, sauna and more. Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1496 Washington St. 906-387-4308.

Negaunee

• Michigan Iron Industry Museum. In the forested ravines of the Marquette Iron Range, the museum overlooks the Carp River and the site of the first iron forge in the Lake Superior region. Museum exhibits, audio-visual programs and outdoor interpretive paths depict the large-scale capital and human investment that made Michigan an industrial leader. The museum is one of 10 museums and historic sites administered by the Michigan Historical Center. Michigan Recreation Passport required for parking. Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 73 Forge Rd. 906-475-7857.

Painesdale

• Painesdale Mine and Shaft Inc. Tours of the ground level are free and visitors can see the hoist house, the captain’s office and the ground levels of the shaft house. Guide can provide interpretive information. Private tours can be arranged online. Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. 42634 Second St. 906-3695358 or painesdalemineshaft.com.

Phoenix

• Phoenix Church. Originally built in 1858 and locaed in the town of Cliff, the museum was dismantled and reassembled in its current location in 1899. The last mass was held in 1957. Opens June 16. Daily, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Junction of US-41 and M-26. keweenawhistory.org.

South Range

• Copper Range Historical Museum. Exhibits recreate life from the early 1900s to the mid-1950s of the immigrants who built the towns and villages of the area. Collections include photographs, books and artifacts. This museum is a Keweenaw National Park Heritage Site. Open house will be from noon to 3 p.m. on June 1. Official opening is June 7. Tuesday through Friday, noon to 3 p.m. 44 Trimountain Ave. 906-4826125 or 906-487-9412 or pasty.com/ crhm.

MM

337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.

Crystal Falls

• U.P. Notable Books Club (Zoom). The guest will be Rod Sadler, author of Grim Paradise: The Cold Case Search for the Mackinac Island Killer. 7 p.m. Eastern, 6 p.m. Central. Via Zoom. 906-875-3344 or upnotable.com.

Gwinn

• Modeltown Farmers and Artisans Market. Featuring live music by Anna p.s. 3 to 7 p.m. Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-361-4843 or modeltownmarket@gmail.com.

Escanaba

• Live on the Lawn at Lunch! This live music series will feature Flagship Romance. Lunch will be available from the Grateful Cheese food truck. 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.

Houghton/Hancock

• Bridgefest. This weekend of events commemorates the 64th anniversary of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge and celebrates the communities it connects. Helicopter rides will be available all day. Ray Kestner Waterfront Park. bridgefestfun.com.

Ishpeming

• Book Club. This month’s selection will be The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise by Colleen Oakley. 11 a.m. Ishpeming Senior Center, 121 Greenwood St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

• Read with the NMU Wildpups. Youth can drop in and read with certified therapy dogs from the NMU Wildpups Program. 4 to 5:30 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

• Foraging 101 Panel. Mary Antonia Andronis from Partridge Creek Farm, Ray Bush and Joe Lane from MycoNaut will discuss foraging basics, sustainable foraging practices, and plant and fungi identification. 5:30 p.m. Margaret Dundon Reading Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

L’Anse

• Lakefront Concert. Featuring blues and Cajun music by UP Gumbo. 7 p.m. Lakefront Park, Broad Street at the lake (rain location is Meadowbrook Arena, 204 Division St.).

Marquette

• Downtown Development Authority Board Meeting. 8 a.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. downtownmarquette.org.

• 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.

• Powerful Tools for Caregivers. This six week in-person workshop will help caregivers focus on how to take care of themselves. Offered by Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress (UPCAP) in partnership with Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice. 1:30 p.m. Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, 914 W. Baraga Ave. To register, 906225-7760 or dial 2-1-1, or upcap.org.

• Second Thursday Creativity Series. This month’s theme is “School’s Out!” Guests can enjoy hands-on craft activities and free Culver’s frozen custard. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, 123 W. Baraga Ave. 906-226-3911 or upchildrensmuseum.org.

• Marquette Art Muses Meeting. Open to the public. 5:30 p.m. The Courtyards, 1110 Champion St. lbuckmar2@yahoo.com or 906-399-9824.

• Yarn Winders Fiber Guild of Marquette. 6 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St.

• Marquette Poets Circle. Local poets, writers and poetry enthusiasts gather to workshop their current work, followed by an open mic. New and experienced poets are welcome for either or both events. Workshop, 6:30 p.m.; open mic, 7:15 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front

and seniors, $10; adults, $15. Events begin at noon. 150 W. Johnson Lake Rd., Forsyth Township. 906-360-7069 or greatlakesrodeo.com.

Houghton/Hancock

• Bridgefest. The day’s activities will feature vendors, live music, the Thatcher Markham Memorial Run and BridgeFest parade. Events begin at 3 p.m. Ray Kestner Waterfront Park. bridgefestfun.com.

Marquette

• Docu Cinema: A Road to Home: Stories of Homeless LGBTQ Youth of New York City. This documentary follows six LGBTQ homeless youths as they learn to survive on the streets and struggle to find shelter, jobs, purpose and direction. Noon. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl. info.

• NCLL Lunch. This social time will precede the group’s tour of UPAWS. Cost of lunch is on your own. Noon. Crossroads Restaurant, 900 Co. Rd. 480. 906-458-5408 or csteinha@nmu. edu.

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.

St. (906) 226-4322, machatz@pwpl. info, or pwpl.info.

Negaunee

• Walk and Read. This walking group will meet at the Negaunee Public Library and walk through Old Town while enjoying bookish conversations with other enthusiasts. Takes place pending weather conditions. 5 p.m. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

14 FRIDAY sunrise 5:56 a.m.; sunset 9:44 p.m.

Crystal Falls

• The Pied Piper. This original adaptation of the classic children’s tale will be performed by local youth as part of the week-long workshop presented by Missoula Children’s Theatre. Students, $5; adults, $10. 7 p.m CDT.The Crystal Theatre, 304 Superior Ave. 906875-3208 or thecrystaltheatre.org.

Gwinn

• Great Lakes Rodeo. The day’s activities include the rodeo riding competition, performance and pop-up party. Monies raised are used to fund grants available for youth programs in Marquette County. Children ages six to 12

• NCLL: All About UPAWS. Ann Brownell, UPAWS volunteer coordinator, will provide an overview of the shelter’s mission, activities and challenges, and lead a tour of the shelter and its outdoor runs. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 2 p.m. Upper Peninsula Animal Shelter, 815 S. M-553. 906-458-5408 or csteinha@ nmu.

• LEGO Club. Youth of all ages are welcome to build with the library’s LEGO bricks. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl. info.

Negaunee

• Building Storytime. Children ages three and older can listen to a story or two and be inspired to build with LEGOs and other blocks. Older youth are welcome to hang out quietly and build. 10:30 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-4757700, ext. 18.

15 SATURDAY sunrise 5:56 a.m.; sunset 9:44 p.m.

Crystal Falls

• The Pied Piper. This original adaptation of the classic children’s tale will be performed by local youth as part of the week-long workshop presented by Missoula Children’s Theatre. Students, $5; adults, $10. 2 p.m. CDT The Crystal Theatre, 304 Superior Ave.

Great Lakes Rodeo | June 14 and 15 | Gwinn

Photo by Christine Benton via unsplash

906-875-3208 or thecrystaltheatre.org.

Escanaba

• Farmers Market. 9 a.m. to noon. 1501 Ludington St.

Gladstone

• Outdoor Open Mic. Hosted by Master of Ceremonies Christopher Wolf, all genres of music are welcome as long as the lyrics are family-friendly. Performers are encouraged to play two songs and have a third song ready. Comedians are welcome. Sponsored by the City of Gladstone and The Music Co-op of Delta County. 5 to 7 p.m. Gladstone Beach House, 1224 Lake Shore Dr. To register, lois.corcoran57@gmail.com or 906-428-2843.

Gwinn

• Great Lakes Rodeo. The day’s activities include the rodeo parade, youth events, performance and after party at the VFW. Monies raised are used to fund grants available for youth programs in Marquette County. Children ages six to 12 and seniors, $10; adults, $15. Events begin at 10 a.m. 150 W. Johnson Lake Rd., Forsyth Township. 906-360-7069 or greatlakesrodeo.com.

• Summer Reading Kick-Off Party. Children of all ages can register for the program and choose a free book. There will also be food, games and a bounce house. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-346-3433 or forsythtwplibrary.org.

Houghton/Hancock

• Bridgefest. The day’s activities will feature paddle tours, pickleball, tennis and cribbage tournaments, Touch-aTruck, the Keweenaw Classic Car and Vintage Motorcycle Show, Kids Day, vendors, live music, water ski show, lighted boat parade and Jon Davis Memorial Fireworks. Events begin at 9 a.m. Ray Kestner Waterfront Park. bridgefestfun.com.

L’Anse

• Baraga County Farmers Market. Shop from local farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to noon. Meadowbrook Pavilion.

Marquette

• Farmers Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. mqtfarmersmarket. com.

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

• Fish Boil and Auction. Hosted by the Marquette Breakfast Rotary, guests can enjoy a fish boil dinner and one of the area’s largest silent and live auctions. Proceeds are donated back into the community for programs, projects and organizations that support youth and

community improvement. 5 to 10 p.m. Lake Superior Theatre, 270 N. Lakeshore Blvd. For tickets, eventbrite.com.

Negaunee • Pokémon Club. Youth ages 7 and older can play Pokémon card games, discuss their favorite Pokémon, trade cards, make friends and have fun. 10 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

16 SUNDAY

sunrise 5:56 a.m.; sunset 9:45 p.m.

Houghton/Hancock

• Bridgefest. The day’s activities will feature a Father’s Day ice cream special and pancake breakfast fundraiser for the Copper Country Humane Society. Events begin at 9 a.m. Ray Kestner Waterfront Park. bridgefestfun.com.

Sands

• Stock Car Racing. Cars race on a quarter-mile asphalt-paved tri-oval track built into the base of a hill. Bring a blanket or chairs. Kids 12 and younger, free; seniors and students, $10; adults, $15. Gates open, 1 p.m.; time trials, 2 p.m.; races, 3 p.m. Sands Speedway, 675 Old Co. Rd. 553. sandsspeedway.com.

17 MONDAY

sunrise 5:56 a.m.; sunset 9:45 p.m.

Escanaba

• Music Mondays. Featuring Cosmic Exposure. 7 to 9 p.m. Karas Bandshell, Ludington Park, Lake Shore Drive.

Hancock

• Buellwood Weavers and Fiber Arts Guild Meeting. All fiber artists are welcome and can bring their show-andtell projects. 1 p.m. Fiber Arts Studio (Room 105), Finnish American Folk School, lower level, Skyline Commons, 200 Michigan St. jegale@att.net or 906-221-5306.

Houghton

• PMMF Bergonzi Piano Trio Children’s Concert. 10 a.m. Portage Lake United Church, 1400 E. Houghton Ave. pmmf.org.

• PMMF Bergonzi Piano Trio Concert. Pay as you are able. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. pmmf.org.

Marquette

• D&D Junior: Adventure At Your Library. Youth going into fourth and fifth grade can take part in an epic Dungeons and Dragons adventure. Players who are new to the game are welcome. Registration required. 2 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, pwpl.info. 906226-4323.

• Senior Theatre Experience: Monthly Theatre Workshop and Discussion. Intended for ages 55 and older. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents. 4 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-225-8655.

• Concert on the Steps: Cicada. Music will be presented by local indie folk band Cicada. 7 p.m. Front Street Steps, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.

Negaunee

• All-Ages Online Storytime. Miss Jessica will lead stories, songs and rhymes on Facebook Live. 11 a.m. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

18 TUESDAY

sunrise 5:56 a.m.; sunset 9:46 p.m.

Escanaba

• Tech Tuesday. Appointments or walk-ins are welcome. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.

Ishpeming

• Solstice Storytime with Kelsey Gross. Author Kelsey Gross will host a storytime about the summer solstice featuring her recently published children’s book Summer: A Solstice Story 11 a.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

• Adult Book Club. This month’s selection is Stars in an Italian Sky by Jill Santopolo. 2 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

Little Lake

• Bingo. A concession stand will be available. Doors open, 5 p.m.; early bird games, 6:30 p.m. American Legion Post 349, 1835 E. M-35. 906-3466000.

Marquette

• Storytime in the Park. Families can enjoy books, songs, action songs, bubbles and parachute play, and more. 9:30 a.m. Williams Park, East Ohio Street. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.

• Tech Coaching for Seniors. Learn how to make your electronic devices work with the help of retired teacher and librarian Christine Ault. Ensure your device is charged and bring passwords with you. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Heritage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-226-4311.

• Bergonzi String Trio Concert. Families and youth of all ages can listen to and participate in the interactive Bergonzi String Trio Children’s Concert. Noon. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-

226-4323 or pwpl.info.

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.

• Oil Painting, Pastels and Drawing Classes with Marlene Wood. Bring your own supplies. $20. 1 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, Lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-8655.

• Teen Tuesday: Create with HotPlate. Melissa from HotPlate will guide youth entering sixth through 12th grades to hand build a clay creation. Choose one session; registration is required. 2 or 4 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4321 or pwpl.info.

• Senior Dance Class. Intended for ages 55 and older. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents. 4 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-225-8655.

• Business After Hours with United Way. 5 p.m. Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. 906-228-8888 or oredockbrewing.com.

• PWPL Board of Trustees Meeting. This monthly meeting of the board of trustees of the Peter White Public Library is open to all. 5 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. pwpl.info.

• Three Authors/Three Books. Poets Ronnie Feguson, Beth Roberts and Gala Mahlerbe will host a book launch reading from their recently published poetry collections, When I was a Fire, On Natural Things and This Bird Way of Being. 7 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.

Negaunee

• ‘Reading to Victory.’ Youth of all ages can read to Victory, a service dogin-training. 10 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. To register, call 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

• NCLL: Carp River Gardens Tour. Jim Somers, who has co-owned Carp River Gardens with Mike Wirtanen for 34 years, will explain the various flowers and their unique needs for thriving in the U.P. during a tour of the grounds. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 1 p.m. Carp River Gardens, 73 Heritage Dr. 248-303-3543 or stilessds@gmail.com.

19 WEDNESDAY

sunrise 5:56 a.m.; sunset 9:46 p.m.

Calumet

• Sue Leaf Author Talk and Book

Signing. Sue Leaf, author of Impermanence: Life and Loss on Superior’s South Shore, will speak about her book, which explores the natural and human histories that make the South

Shore what it is. 6:30 p.m. Community Room, Calumet Public Library. 906337-0311, ext. 1107, or clklibrary.org.

• Adrienne Newman. Part of the Summer Concert Series 7:30 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.

Curtis

• Music in the Park. Featuring rock music by No BS. 6:30 p.m. Erickson Center for the Arts, N9224 Saw-WaQuato St. 906-586-9974 or ericksoncenter.org.

Escanaba

• Farmers Market. 3 to 6 p.m. 1501 Ludington St.

Ishpeming

• YA Book Tasting. Youth in eighth through 12th grades can explore new literary flavors and sample a variety of genres from the library’s menu of books. At 3 p.m., there will be Summer Book Spin Bingo where attendees can win prizes. 2 to 3:30 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.

• Adult Book Club. This month’s selection is Stars in an Italian Sky by Jill Santopolo. 6 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

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. 906228-0456.

• Senior Visual Art Classes: Interpreting ‘Grow’ with Alesia Braund. Intended for ages 50 and older. Free for City of Marquette and neighboring township residents. 1 p.m. City of Marquette Arts and Culture Center, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. To register, 906-225-8655.

• Mindful Art (Show). 4 p.m. Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. 906-228-8888 or oredockbrewing. com.

• Wednesday Night Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers, and artisans. 5 to 8 p.m. 100 Block of Washington Street. mqtfarmersmarket.com.

• Walk on the Wild Side: The Very Historical (Yet Occasionally Sketchy) Story of Founder’s Landing. Jim Koski will lead a one mile walking tour and discuss the history of Founder’s Landing. $5. 6:30 p.m. Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. (906) 226-3571 or marquettehistory.org.

• PMMF Bergonzi Piano Trio Concert. $10. 7:30 p.m. Reynolds Rectial Hall, NMU. pmmf.org.

Negaunee

• Drop-in Storytime. Children of all ages can listen to a story or two at

this casual drop-in program hosted by Negaunee Public Library staff. 9 a.m. Miner’s Park, Maas Street and U.S.-41. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

• Teen Brunch. Teens ages 13-18 can drop in and stay as long as they wish. An optional activity will be available. Coffee and tea will be provided by the library; food donations will be accepted with the library’s coordination. 10 a.m. to noon. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-4757700, ext.18.

• 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, ext. 18.

• Wings of Fire Interest Group. Youth ages 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, ext. 18.

• Negaunee City Band Concert. Seating is limited; bring a chair. 7:30 p.m. Negaunee Outdoor Performing Arts Center, east end of Iron Street.

20 THURSDAY

sunrise 5:56 a.m.; sunset 9:46 p.m.

Calumet

• Preschool Story Time. 10:15 a.m. Calumet Public Library. 906-3370311, ext. 1107, or clklibrary.org.

• Kids Movie Magic. The film selection will be 101 Dalmations. $1 7 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.

Curtis

• The Great Fire of Seney. Gregory Lusk will discuss his recently self-published book, The Great Seney Fire: A History of the Walsh Ditch Fire of

1976. Presented in partnership with the Friends of Seney Wildlife Refuge. 7 p.m. The Pine Performance Center, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906-5869974 or ericksoncenter.org.

Gwinn

• Modeltown Farmers and Artisans Market. Featuring live music by Chris Valenti. 3 to 7 p.m. Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-361-4843 or modeltownmarket@gmail.com.

Ishpeming

• Crochet Club. This is a time to gather with fellow crafters to socialize. Supplies and instruction will be provided for those who are interested in learning how to crochet. 2 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

• Graphic Novel Book Club. Students in fourth through eighth grades will discuss Camp by Kayla Miller. 4 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

• Great Lakes Great Books Club. Students in fourth and fifth grade will discuss the middle grade vampire novel Camp Sylvania by Julie Murphy. 5 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

L’Anse

• Lakefront Concert. Featuring bluegrass and western swing music by Keweenaw Brewgrass. 7 p.m. Lakefront Park, Broad Street at the lake (rain location is Meadowbrook Arena, 204 Division St.).

Marquette

• 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.

• Mill Creek Live and Learn. The im-

portance of having advance healthcare directives will be discussed and the most popular advance directive, Five Wishes, will be reviewed. Presented by Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice. 2 p.m. Mill Creek Clubhouse, 1728 Windstone Dr. 906-225-7760.

• Dungeons and Dragons. Jordan from Iron Golem Games will lead a group of teens in sixth through 12th grades on a quest with this role-playing game. Registration is required. 4 p.m. Teen Zone, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4321 or pwpl. info.

• Pokémon Adventure. Youth Pokémon fans can enjoy gaming, trading, a scavenger hunt, crafts and more. 3 p.m. Lower level, Peter White Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.

• Music on Third. Local musicians will perform along the sidewalks of Third Street. 6 to 8 p.m. downtownmarquette.org.

• NCLL: Longyear Building Tour. Longyear historian Jason Povey will provide the history of the Longyears in Marquette and the Longyear Building, which was built in 1917. This is a repeat of the April event for those who were not able to attend. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 6:30 p.m. Longyear Building, 210 N. Front St. 906-250-3883 or mlichtmallo@charter.net.

• Marquette City Band Concert. 7:30 p.m. Band Shell at Presque Isle Park. marquettecityband.com.

• PMMF History of the Opera in the U.P. Concert. $10. 7:30 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 201 E. Ridge St. pmmf.org.

• Summer Solstice Drum Circle. Everyone is welcome to celebrate the longest day of the year. Some percussion instruments will be available to use; bring a chair. 9 p.m. to sunset. Parking lot, Presque Isle Pavilion (drum circle will take place on the nearby beach). 906-399-9824.

Negaunee

• Walk and Read. This walking group will meet at the Negaunee Public Library and walk through Old Town while enjoying bookish conversations with other enthusiasts. Takes place pending weather conditions. 5 p.m. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

21 FRIDAY sunrise 5:56 a.m.; sunset 9:46 p.m.

Calumet

• Used Book Presale. This evening is open to Friends of the Library members only; annual memberships can be purchased for $10. The sale will include gently used books, CDs and DVDs, and is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Calumet Public Library. 3 to 6 p.m. CLK Multi-Purpose Room. 906-337-

Music on Third | June 20 | Marquette

Photo by Matheus Ferrero via Unsplash

0311, ext. 1107, or clklibrary.org.

• ‘SixtiesMania.’ This 1960s tribute band covers everything from the Beatles to the music of Woodstock and everything in between, including the Rolling Stones, Creedence Clearwater Revival, the Doors, the Monkees, the Beach Boys, the Vietnam anthem songs, Summer of Love and more. Ticket prices vary. 7:30 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.

Caspian

• History Happy Hour. Bill Jamerson will speak on the history of ski jumping in the U.P. 6:45 p.m. Iron County Historical and Museum Society, 100 Brady Ave. 906-265-2617 or info@ ironcountymuseum.org.

Gwinn

• Storytime in the Park. Preschool-age kids can enjoy stories, crafts and light snacks. This week’s guest reader will be Steve Finley of the Gwinn Seed Library. 10:30 a.m. Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-346-3433 or forsythtwplibrary.org.

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.

• LEGO Club. Youth of all ages are welcome to build with the library’s LEGO bricks. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl. info.

Negaunee

• Building Storytime. Children ages three and older can listen to a story or two and be inspired to build with LEGOs and other blocks. Older youth are welcome to hang out quietly and build. 10:30 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-4757700, ext. 18.

22 SATURDAY

sunrise 5:57 a.m.; sunset 9:47 p.m.

Calumet

• Used Book Sale. The sale will include gently used books, CDs and DVDs, and is a fundraiser for the Friends of the Calumet Public Library. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. CLK Multi-Purpose Room. 906337-0311, ext. 1107, or clklibrary.org.

• Big Annie Gala. This gala dinner celebrating “Big Annie” Clemenc will include music from the Keweenaw Brewgrass band, silent auction, speakers and a performance of the original song “Annie” by Penny Menze. Proceeds will help to build a statue of “Big Annie” in downtown Calumet. 1913 attire is suggested. Ticket prices vary. 7:30 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth

St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre. com.

Escanaba

• Farmers Market. 9 a.m. to noon. 1501 Ludington St.

Gwinn

• Fun Daze. Hosted by the Gwinn Lions Club, the day’s activities will kick off with the Walk, Run, Roar 5K followed by the parade along Pine Street. Events in the park will include a display of antique cars, trucks, tractors, snowmobiles and chainsaws, craft and food vendors, kids games and live music. 5K begins at 9 a.m.; parade begins at 10 a.m. with activities to follow. Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. gwinnlionsclub.org.

Hancock

• Midsummer Dance with White Water. White Water, featuring Dean and Bette Premo, Carrie and Susan Dlutkowski, and Dave Harmon, will perform traditional Finnish dance tunes at the Midsummer/Juhannus Dance.

Pay What You Can ticketing. 6 to 8:30 p.m. Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy St. fahc.finlandiafoundation.org.

Houghton

• PMMF History of the Opera in the U.P. Concert. Pay as your able. 7:30 p.m. Rozsa Center, MTU. pmmf.org.

Ishpeming

• Silent Book Club. Guests can bring their own book or pick out something at the library to read silently for one hour, followed by time to socialize and talk about books. Pajamas or loungewear are welcome and snacks will be provided. 2 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-

Calumet

• Used Book Sale. The sale will include gently used books, CDs and DVDs. All remaining books will be free in any quantity. Noon to 2 p.m. CLK Multi-Purpose Room. 906-3370311, ext. 1107, or clklibrary.org.

Houghton

• PMMF UPstarts Concert. Pay as your able. 7:30 p.m. Portage Lake United Church, 1400 E. Houghton Ave. pmmf.org.

Ishpeming

• Bingo. Doors open at noon. Ishpeming VFW, 310 Bank St. 906-486-4856.

K.I. Sawyer

• Dance. Entertainment is TBD. All are welcome. Admission will be charged. 1 to 4 p.m. K.I. Sawyer Heritage Air Museum, 402 Third St. (906) 346-2251.

Marquette

L’Anse

• Baraga County Farmers Market. Shop from local farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to noon. Meadowbrook Pavilion.

Marquette

• Farmers Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. mqtfarmersmarket. com.

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

Michigamme

• Michigamme DDA Artisans Market. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Michigamme Historical Museum, Library grounds, 220 W. Main St.

• Car Show. The event will include live music by Black Pearl from noon to 3 p.m., food concessions, raffles and the Peoples Car Choice. Registration begins at 11 a.m. Noon to 4 p.m. Michigamme Historical Museum, 110 W. Main St. 908-418-2535.

Negaunee

• Pokémon Club. Youth ages 7 and older can play Pokémon card games, discuss their favorite Pokémon, trade cards, make friends and have fun. 10 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

23 SUNDAY sunrise 5:57 a.m.; sunset 9:47 p.m.

• Story Time at MooseWood. Do Turtles Sleep in Tree Tops? A Book About Animal Homes by Laura Purdie Salas will be read followed by an activity. Suggested donation, $5 per child or $10 per family. 11 a.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Shiras Pool Building at Presque Isle Park. To register, moosewoodnc@gmail.com.

Sands

• Stock Car Racing. Cars race on a quarter-mile asphalt-paved tri-oval track built into the base of a hill. Bring a blanket or chairs. Kids 12 and younger, free; seniors and students, $10; adults, $15. Gates open, 1 p.m.; time trials, 2 p.m.; races, 3 p.m. Sands Speedway, 675 Old Co. Rd. 553. sandsspeedway.com.

Escanaba

• Music Mondays. Featuring Wingin’ It. 7 to 9 p.m. Karas Bandshell, Ludington Park, Lake Shore Drive.

Marquette

• Book Fair No. 1. Youth who are registered for the library’s Summer Reading program who have been tracking their reading can stop in to choose their first free book of the summer. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.

• Art Week Opening Concert featuring Rachael Davis and Cloverland. Hosted by the Hiawatha Music Co-op. A kids’ craft will be available. 6 p.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. 906-225-8655 or mqtcompass.com/ artweek.

• Artists and Their Art: Donatello (Zoom). Art historian Ellen Longsworth hosts this virtual series focused

Car Show | June 22 | Michigamme

Photo by Frankie Lopez via unsplash

on famous artists, artistic movements and art. This month, she will highlight Renaissance innovator and sculptor Donatello. 7 p.m. Via Zoom. 906-2264322 or pwpl.info.

• PMMF UPstarts Concert. $10. 7:30 p.m. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 201 E. Ridge St. pmmf.org.

Negaunee

• All-Ages Online Storytime. Miss Jessica will lead stories, songs and rhymes on Facebook Live. 11 a.m. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

• Aging UP. Attendees will learn the benefits of positive attitudes toward aging and ways to improve decision making and memory. Presented by Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice. 12:30 p.m. Negaunee Senior Center, 410 Jackson St. 906-225-7760.

• Registration Deadline: Teens’ Cupcake Wars.See Wednesday the 26th.

25 TUESDAY

Curtis

• ‘Briny Depths.’ Shipwreck historian Ric Mixter will explore the recent underwater discovery of a steamer loaded with salt brought to the surface and the importance of Great Lakes brine production to the world. 7 p.m. The Pine Performance Center, N9224 Saw-WaQuato St. 906-586-9974 or ericksoncenter.org.

Escanaba

• Tech Tuesday. Appointments or walk-ins are welcome. 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.

• Summer Reading Program: Lunch with the Munch Bunch. 11:30 a.m. Children’s Room Patio, Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-7897323 or escanabalibrary.org.

Ishpeming

• Let the Dinosaur Adventure Begin with PaleoJoe. Paleontologist PaleoJoe will take attendees on an adventure to learn all about dinosaurs and fossils. 11 a.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

Little Lake

• Bingo. A concession stand will be available. Doors open, 5 p.m.; early bird games, 6:30 p.m. American Legion Post 349, 1835 E. M-35. 906-3466000.

Marquette

• Storytime in the Park. Families can enjoy books, songs, action songs, bubbles and parachute play, and more. 9:30 a.m. Williams Park, East Ohio Street. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.

• Book Fair No. 1. Youth who are registered for the library’s Summer Read-

ing program who have been tracking their reading can stop in to choose their first free book of the summer. 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.

• Lake Superior Knitters. Knitters and those who crochet can expand their knowledge, mentor others in the fiber arts and learn to make something for the Marquette County Fair in August. Open to all age groups and skill levels. If new to knitting, bring a skein of light colored yarn and a Size 7, 24-inch circular needle. Suggested donation of $1 to $5 to the MRHC for the study and preservation of the fiber arts. 1 p.m. Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. beedhive47@yahoo. com.

• NCLL: Living with PTSD. Alie Kubichek, disability advocate/program manager at SAIL, will explore the causation, symptoms and treatment options for individuals living with PTSD. 1 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. lisajstasiuk@gmail.com or 906-361-1919.

• Oil Painting, Pastels and Drawing Classes with Marlene Wood. Bring your own supplies. $20. 1 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center, Lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-8655.

• Teen Tuesday: Escape Marquette. Youth entering sixth through 12th grades can solve riddles and games to escape one of two rooms: Yooper Camp or Submerged. Choose one session; registration is required. 2 or 2:30 p.m. Escape Marquette, lower level, Masonic Center, 130 W. Washington St. 906-226-4321 or pwpl.info.

• Youth Services: Prism Art. Youth of all ages can design and make a unique suncatcher to add to the library’s window art installation. 4 to 7 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl. info.

• MRHC Campaign Kickoff Open House. Attendees can enjoy complimentary appetizers, wine and music by All Strings Considered while learning how to help keep Marquette’s history alive. Guests can also see the Longyear Research Library’s map display for Marquette Art Week. 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Marquette Regional History Center, 145 W. Spring St. 906-226-3571 or marquettehistory.org

• Bluesday Tuesday. Eddie and the Bluesers will perform a concert sponsored by the Marquette Blues Society. 7 p.m. Front Street Steps, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4322 or pwpl.info.

• PaleoJoe Dinosaur Presentation. Paleontologist PaleoJoe will offer information on dinosaurs. 1 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLi-

brary or 906-475-7700, ext.18.

26 WEDNESDAY

sunrise 5:58 a.m.; sunset 9:47 p.m.

Calumet

• Gail English and Friends. Part of the Summer Concert Series 7:30 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.

Curtis

• Music in the Park. Featuring rock and country music by Angels and Outlaws. 6:30 p.m. Erickson Center for the Arts, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. 906586-9974 or ericksoncenter.org.

Escanaba

• Summer Reading Program: Dinosaurs with PaleoJoe. 1:30 p.m. City Hall Council Chambers, 410 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.

• Farmers Market. 3 to 6 p.m. 1501 Ludington St. Ishpeming

• First Day of Farm Stand. 4:30 to 6 p.m. PCF Intergenerational Farm, 550 Cleveland Ave. 906-376-4171 or partridgecreekfarm.org/contact.

• Playgroup and Storytime at the Park. Playgroup 10 a.m. to noon, Storytime, 11 a.m. National Mine Recreational Area, 7455 Co. Rd. PB. 906486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

• Adult Popcorn and a Movie: The Marsh King’s Daughter . Popcorn will be provided; bring a beverage. The movie is Rated R. 4:30 p.m. Ray Leverton Community Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary. info.

• Skill Share: Working with Herbs with Keia Lewis (Botanica Quetzalli). 5:30 p.m. PCF Intergenerational Farm, 550 Cleveland Ave. 906-3764171 or partridgecreekfarm.org/contact.

Marquette

• All Booked Up. Upper Michigan Today’s Elizabeth Peterson and Tia Trudgeon, along with library staff, will host an on-air, in-person book discussion of Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. 9 a.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322 or pwpl.info.

• Youth Services: Prism Art. Youth of all ages can design and make a unique suncatcher to add to the library’s window art installation. 10 to 11 a.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4323 or pwpl.info.

• 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. 906228-0456.

• NCLL: Marquette Coast Guard Station Tour. Petty Officer D.K. Seguin will share the history and missions of the Marquette Coast Guard Station and lead a tour. NCLL members, $5; non-members, $10. 1 p.m. Marquette Coast Guard Station, 294 N. Lakeshore Blvd. 248-303-3543 or stilessds@ gmail.com.

• Gifts of the Hive. In conjunction with the Bee Oracle Project exhibit on display in the Deo Gallery, the bee mistresses will discuss the gifts of the hive, including honey, pollen, wax, royal jelly, propolis and venom. 2 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4303 or pwpl.info.

• Wednesday Night Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers, and artisans. 5 to 8 p.m. 100 Block of Washington Street. mqtfarmersmarket.com.

• Concert on the Step: Lillian Pressnell. Alternative folk singer-songwriter Lillian Pressnell will deliver an evening of voice, guitar and original tunes. 7 p.m. Front Street Steps, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4322 or pwpl.info.

Negaunee

• Drop-in Storytime. Children of all ages can listen to a story or two at this casual drop-in program hosted by Negaunee Public Library staff. 9 a.m. Miner’s Park, Maas Street and U.S.-41. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

• 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, ext. 18.

• Wings of Fire Interest Group. Youth ages 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, ext. 18.

• Teens’ Cupcake Wars. Teens ages 13 to 18 will receive two cupcakes and a variety of decorating options. They will then judge the cupcakes and vote for their favorite, which must not be their own. Gluten-free cupcakes can be available; contact the library for information. 6 p.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. To register by June 24, call 906-475-7700, ext 18.

• Negaunee City Band Concert. Seating is limited; bring a chair. 7:30 p.m. Negaunee Outdoor Performing Arts Center, east end of Iron Street.

27 THURSDAY

Calumet

• Preschool Story Time. 10:15 a.m. Calumet Public Library. 906-3370311, ext. 1107, or clklibrary.org.

• Kids Movie Magic. The film selection will be Peter Pan. $1 7 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-

or calumettheatre.com.

Copper Harbor

• Performances in the Park. Featuring Gail, Mike and Rob. A farmer’s market is also on site. 7 to 9 p.m. Donny Kilpela Memorial Park, 240 Gratiot St. 906-289-4020.

Curtis

• Sue Huber Evening of Piano with Neil Donato and Ken Pesick. The program will feature the piano on a variety of improvised selections from the American jazz, popular and songbook repertoire. Ticket prices vary. 7 p.m. The Pine Performance Center, N9224 Saw-Wa-Quato St. mynorthtickets.com.

Escanaba

• Live on the Lawn at Lunch! This live music series will feature Carolyn Martin. Lunch will be available from Wildmans food truck. 11:45 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Escanaba Public Library, 400 Ludington St. 906-789-7323 or escanabalibrary.org.

Gwinn

• Modeltown Farmers and Artisans Market. Featuring live music by Kirby. 3 to 7 p.m. Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-361-4843 or modeltownmarket@gmail.com.

• Live Music. Following the farmers market, the Make Believe Spurs and CarMA Quartet will perform. 7 to 10 p.m. Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-361-4843.

Hancock

• ‘Follow the Piper’ Author Visit. Amy Piper, author of Secret Michigan: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure, will host a book talk and offer local places to explore. 6 p.m. Sunflower Books and Coffee, 528 Quincy St. 906-523-7511.

Ishpeming

• Geocaching 101. Members of the Michigan Geocaching Organization will share how families, teens and adults can get started in the sport. Noon. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

• First Weekly Volunteer Day. Volunteers will engage in various tasks to maintain the farm and support its growing season. 2 to 4 p.m. PCF Intergenerational Farm, 550 Cleveland Ave. 906-376-4171 or partridgecreekfarm.org/contact.

L’Anse

• Lakefront Concert. Featuring Caribbean and reggae music by the Derrell Syria Project. 7 p.m. Lakefront Park, Broad Street at the lake (rain location is Meadowbrook Arena, 204 Division St.).

Marquette

• Youth Services: Prism Art. Youth

of all ages can design and make a unique suncatcher to add to the library’s window art installation. 10 a.m. to 1 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.

• Marquette Rug Hookers Meeting. Anyone interested in the art of rug and art hooking can gather for technique and resource sharing, instruction, show and tell, and fellowship. Participants may bring dinner. 4 p.m. Marquette Arts and Culture Center Studio Room 2, lower level, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-360-8700.

• Four Stages of Growth. As part of Marquette Art Week, Troy Graham will present this small theatre production. 6 p.m. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-8655 or mqtcompass.com/ artweek.

• Pub Run with Queen City Running Co. 6 p.m. Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring St. 906-228-8888 or oredockbrewing.com.

• Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body. A representative from the Alzheimer’s Association will present information about lifestyle choices that may help keep your brain and body healthy as you age. 6:30 p.m. Shiras Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4322.

Negaunee

• Walk and Read. This walking group will meet at the Negaunee Public Library and walk through Old Town while enjoying bookish conversations with other enthusiasts. Takes place pending weather conditions. 5 p.m. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

28 FRIDAY sunrise 5:59 a.m.; sunset 9:47 p.m.

Calumet

• Kaleidoscope. This original adaptation will be performed by local youth as part of the week-long workshop presented by Missoula Children’s Theatre. Ticket prices vary. 6 p.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.

Gwinn

• Storytime in the Park. Preschool-age kids can enjoy stories, crafts and light snacks. This week’s guest reader will be Connie Sather, a retired teacher and local children’s author. 10:30 a.m. Peter Nordeen Park, 115 N. Pine St. 906-346-3433 or forsythtwplibrary.org.

Ishpeming

• Learn to Play with Iron Golem Games: Dungeons and Dragons. Youth ages 10 and older can learn what they need to know to start playing Dungeons and Dragons. 2 p.m. Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-486-4381 or ishpeminglibrary.info.

Marquette

• A Spielberg Summer: Raiders of the Lost Ark. Indiana Jones is featured in the film that started it all, Steven Spielberg’s classic homage to movie serials of the early cinema. Rated PG. Noon. Community Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906226-4322 or pwpl.info.

• Superiorland Duplicate Bridge Club. Games open to all interested players. $5 for games. 12:30 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. superiorland_bridge.tripod.com.

• LEGO Club. Youth of all ages are welcome to build with the library’s LEGO bricks. 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Great Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-226-4323 or pwpl.info.

• Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival. Artists can participate in the Dusk to Dark painting session to compete for $2,500 in awards. 5 to 10 p.m. Pavilion at Presque Isle Park. posstroke@sbcglobal.net or lakesuperiorartassociation.org.

• Poetry on the Pier. Part of Marquette Art Week, this evening will feature Russell Thorburn and friends. 5:30 p.m. Piers behind the Hampton Inn, 461 S. Lakeshore Blvd. 906-2258655 or mqtcompass.com/artweek.

• Candidate Forum: 109th State House Representative. All six candidates for Michigan’s 109th State House Representative seat have been invited to participate in this forum hosted by the League of Women Voters of Marquette County in partnership with the AAUW. To send a question for the candidates in advance, email lwvmqtco@gmail.com. 6 p.m. Marquette Charter Township Community Center, 1000 Commerce Dr. lwvmqt. org.

• Kivajat: Finnish Folk Dance Performance. Part of Marquette Art Week. 7 p.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. 906-225-8655 or mqtcompass.com/artweek.

Negaunee

• Building Storytime. Children ages three and older can listen to a story or two and be inspired to build with LEGOs and other blocks. Older youth are welcome to hang out quietly and build. 10:30 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/ NegauneePublicLibrary or 906-4757700, ext. 18.

29 SATURDAY

sunrise 5:59 a.m.; sunset 9:47 p.m.

Calumet

• Kaleidoscope. This original adaptation will be performed by local youth as part of the week-long workshop presented by Missoula Children’s Theatre. Ticket prices vary. 9 a.m. Calumet Theatre, 340 Sixth St. 906-337-2610 or calumettheatre.com.

Escanaba

• Farmers Market. 9 a.m. to noon. 1501 Ludington St.

L’Anse

• Baraga County Farmers Market. Shop from local farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to noon. Meadowbrook Pavilion.

Marquette

• Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival. Artists are invited to participate in the Paint the Daylight painting session to compete for $2,500 in awards. 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Pavilion at Presque Isle Park. posstroke@sbcglobal.net or lakesuperiorartassociation.org.

• Farmers Market. Includes farmers, growers, food producers and artisans. 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Marquette Commons, 112 S. Third St. mqtfarmersmarket. com.

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

• Presque Isle Art Fair. Part of Marquette Art Week. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Niik Creative Co. at Presque Isle Station, 2901 Lakeshore Blvd. 906-225-8655 or mqtcompass.com/artweek.

• Pottery Demonstration. As part of Marquette Art Week, there will be a pottery demonstration and the opportunity to test your skill at bowl making. Pinch pots can be made by younger visitors and pottery will be available for sale. Noon to 3:30 p.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Shiras Pool Building at Presque Isle Park. moosewoodnc@gmail.com.

• Organic Movement Workshop and Performance. Hosted by TaMaMa Dance Company with special guest Becca Hopson. Part of Marquette Art Week. 1 to 5 p.m. Gazebo at Presque Isle Park. 906-225-8655 or mqtcompass.com/artweek.

• Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival Public Reception and Award Ceremony. The public is invited to vote for their favorite painting, chat with the plein air artists and enjoy refreshments. 6 p.m. Pavilion at Presque Isle Park. lakesuperiorartassociation. org. • Art Week Closing Concert. Part of Marquette Art Week, the concert will feature the Marquette City Band and friends. 7 p.m. Band Shell at Presque Isle Park. 906-225-8655 or mqtcompass.com/artweek.

Negaunee

• Pokémon Club. Youth ages 7 and older can play Pokémon card games, discuss their favorite Pokémon, trade cards, make friends and have fun. 10 a.m. Negaunee Public Library, 319 W. Case St. facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary. 906-475-7700, ext. 18.

30 SUNDAY

sunrise 6:00 a.m.; sunset 9:47 p.m.

Ishpeming

• Historic Places Home Tour Fund-

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 7:30 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. 3000 US-41 (back side of mall).

• Al-Anon/Alateen Family Groups. A fellowship offering strength and hope for friends and families of problem drinkers. al-alon.org or 888-425-2666.

• Al-Anon—Ishpeming. Friends and family who have loved ones dealing with alcohol issues are invited. Mondays, 6 p.m. Wesley United Methodist Church, 801 Hemlock St. 906-361-9524.

• Alcoholics Anonymous. Meetings throughout Marquette County, open daily, at many locations and times. Twenty-four-hour answering service. aa-marquettecounty.org or 800-605-5043.

• Open AA Meeting—Gwinn. Tuesdays, 7 p.m. Basement, Gwinn Community Building, 165 N. Maple St.

• Open AA Meeting—K.I. Sawyer. Fridays, 8 p.m. 906 Community Church, 315 Explorer St.

• Men’s AA Meeting—Gwinn. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Saint Anthony’s Catholic Church, 280 Boulder St. (entrance to the right of main entrance).

• ALZConnected. This is a free, online community for everyone affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other memory loss diseases. alzconnected.org.

• American Legacy Foundation. Smoking quit line for expectant mothers and cessation information for women. 800-668-8278.

• Blood Pressure, Blood Sugar and Cholesterol Checks. Cholesterol checks are $5. Call for Marquette County schedule. 906-225-4545.

• Caregiver Support Group— Gwinn. June 11. 1:30 p.m. Forsyth

raiser. Visitors can tour mid-century homes at 770 and 764 Mather Ave., the old bank building at 1700 Ash St. and St. Joseph Catholic Church at 1889 Prairie Ave. Proceeds benefit the Ishpeming Area Historical Society. Advance tickets will be available by midJune at the Main Street Antique Mall or at each location on the day of the tour. Suggested donation, $10. Noon to 4 p.m. 906-486-8680.

Marquette

• Fresh Coast Plein Air Painting Festival Afterglow. Artists and the

public are invited to participate in an afterglow event to wind up Marquette Art Week. 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ProvisionsMQT, 401 S. Lakeshore Blvd. posstroke@sbcglobal.net or lakesuperiorartassociation.org.

• Recycled Papermaking. Participants can bring their own paper (printer paper, paper bags, junk mail pages, comic books, gift wrap, etc.) and add other elements or natural materials to make recycled paper. Suggested donation, $5 per child or $10 per family. 11:30 a.m. MooseWood Nature Center, Shiras Pool Building at Presque Isle Park. To

register by June 28, moosewoodnc@ gmail.com.

Sands

• Stock Car Racing. Cars race on a quarter-mile asphalt-paved tri-oval track built into the base of a hill. Bring a blanket or chairs. Kids 12 and younger, free; seniors and students, $10; adults, $15. Gates open, 1 p.m.; time trials, 2 p.m.; races, 3 p.m. Sands Speedway, 675 Old Co. Rd. 553. sandsspeedway.com.

Senior Center, 165 Maple St. 906225-7760 or lakesuperiorhospice.org.

• Caregiver Support Group— Ishpeming. June 18. 2 p.m. Ishpeming Multi-Purpose Senior Center, 121 Greenwood St. 906-225-7760 or lakesuperiorhospice.org.

• Caregiver Support Group— Marquette. June 12. 2 p.m. Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, 914 W. Baraga Ave. 906-225-7760 or lakesuperiorhospice.org.

• Celebrate Recovery—Gwinn. Wednesdays. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. First Baptist Church of Gwinn, 195 N. Billings St.

• 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, 910 Palms Ave. 906-475-6032 or northiron.church.

• Gamblers Anonymous. This group is for those who have or think they have a problem with gambling. Thursdays, 7 p.m. Library Room, First Presbyterian Church, 120 N. Front St., Marquette.

• Grief 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.

• Grief Support Group—Ishpeming. U.P. Home Health and Hospice offers support for those caring for a loved one with a life-limiting diagnosis or who recently experienced the loss of a loved one. Second and fourth Thursdays. 2 p.m. Ray Leverton Room, Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, 317 N. Main St. 906-225-4545.

• Grief Support Group—Gwinn. People dealing with grief and loss are encouraged to attend. Individual grief counseling is available. June 12. 2 p.m. Forsyth Senior Center, 165 Maple St. 906-225-7760 or lakesuperiorhospice.org.

• Grief Support Group—Marquette. People dealing with grief and loss are encouraged to attend. Individual grief counseling is available. June 19. 5:30

p.m. Lake Superior Life Care and Hospice, 914 W. Baraga Ave. 906225-7760 or lakesuperiorhospice.org.

• Grief Support Group—Marquette. U.P. Home Health and Hospice will offer support for those caring for a loved one with a life-limiting diagnosis or who recently experienced the loss of a loved one. First and third Thursdays. 3 p.m. Dandelion Cottage Room, Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St. 906-225-4545.

• iCanQuit. Smokers are invited to learn more about quitting with the help of a quitting coach. 800-480-7848.

• Internet and Technology Addicts Anonymous. Tuesdays, 12:05 p.m. Upstairs, The Crib Coffee House, 401 N. Third St., Marquette. ITAAMQT@ zohomail.com.

• 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.

• Nar-Anon Meetings—Ishpeming. Family and friends who have addicted loved ones are invited. Thursdays, 6:30 p.m. Mission Covenant Church, 1001 N. Second St. 906-361-9524.

• Narcotics Anonymous Meetings— Marquette. Family and friends who have addicted loved ones are invited. Open meetings on Wednesdays and Sundays, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Closed meeting on Fridays, 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Downstairs Social Room, Marquette Hope First Campus, 111 E. Ridge St. (use Ridge Street entrance).

• National Alliance on Mental Illness—In-Person Support Group. Individuals living with mental illness and friends or families living with an individual with mental illness are welcome. June 10 and 20 (email ckbertucci58@charter.net to confirm meeting). 7 p.m. 1025 W. Washington St., Suite C, Marquette. 906-360-7107 or namimqt.com.

• National Alliance on Mental Illness—Zoom Support Group. Individuals living with mental illness

and friends or families living with an individual with mental illness are welcome. June 6 (Zoom date may be subject to change). 7 p.m. Email ckbertucci58@charter.net or call or text 906-360-7107 before 6:45 p.m. the day of the meeting to receive the Zoom invitation. namimqt.com.

• Nicotine Anonymous. 415-7500328 or nicotine-anonymous.org.

• Parkinson’s Support Group. Open to people living with Parkinson’s and their caregivers. June 19. 2 p.m. Marquette Senior Center, 300 W. Spring St. 906-228-0456.

• 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. Mondays, 7 p.m. Copper Country Mental Health, 56938 Calumet Ave. smartrecovery.org.

• SMART Recovery—Hancock. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 p.m. Conference Room No. 5, U.P. Health Systems–Portage Hospital, 500 Campus Dr. smartrecovery.org.

• SMART Recovery—Marquette (Zoom). Mondays. Noon. Via Zoom. smartrecovery.org.

• Take Off Pounds Sensibly. This is a non-commercial weight-control support group. Various places and times throughout the U.P. 800-932-8677 or TOPS.org.

• Virtual Caregiver Support Group. U.P. family caregivers are welcome to join. A device with an internet connection, webcam, microphone and an email address are required. Advanced registration required. Second Tuesday of each month. 2 p.m. 906-217-3019 or caregivers@upcap.org.

• Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Supplemental Food Progra m. Clinics include nutritional counseling and coupon pick-up. Appointments required. Call for Marquette County schedule. mqthealth.org or 906-475-7846. MM