Cranberries by argusmaniac

Red Beauties in Lake Magazine's 2006 Holiday Issue is an engaging look at cranberry farming in Michigan. Although Michigan only has a small number of cranberry farms in the northeast, Upper Peninsula, and the southwestern corner of the state along Lake Michigan totaling about 250 acres - compared to more than 18,000 acres in nation-leading Wisconsin - the state does have all the requirements to grow a cranberry industry. The feature also provides a look at what's involved in cranberry farming, and I have to say I learned a thing or two!

For more about the official fruit of Thanksgiving, you can go to the Cranberry Institute, which features tons of information about the purported health benefits of cranberries. Although it's probably not what you'll put on your table next Thursday, Locavorious has a tasty Michigan Cranberries in Cranberry Apple Pork Loin Roast along with some information about Michigan cranberry farms. You can get a nice recipe for cranberry pie from Michigan-based Kitchen Chick. Michigan's leading producer is  Centennial Cranberry Farm way up on Whitefish Point (near Paradise, MI), and their site is loaded with cranberry information & recipes. In closing, here's a simple recipe that you can make with 100% Michigan ingredients. We'll  try out in the Absolute Michigan kitchen next week and report back!

Baked Cranberry Acorn Squash

4 small acorn squash
1 cup chopped apple
1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
1/4 cup Michigan maple syrup
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine, melted

Cut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds. Place cut side down in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Turn cut side up. Combine remaining ingredients; fill squash with fruit mixture. Continue baking for 25 minutes or till squash is tender. Makes 8 servings.

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at Mackinac :: a composite from -3 and -43 by Emery Co Photo

Sea Monster of the Straits

The authorities tried hard to convince the public what they saw were only giant catfish, but even the oldest, orneriest cats would be hard-pressed to attain a length of forty-five feet! The owner of a resort along the Cheboygan lakefront reported seeing something of just that size, and two of them, frolicking in the Mackinac Straits on Lake Huron in front of his property, about 600 feet from shore, according to an article in the June 25, 1976 Grand Rapids Press. The day after the resort owner called authorities about it, Cheboygan County Sheriff Stanley McKervey stopped by to have a look for himself. To his surprise, he also was able to observe one of the creatures. "I went down to the beach, and sure enough, I'm looking at something 20, maybe 30 feet long, swimming just below the surface," he said in the article. "I was amazed. I didn't know what it was, but it sure wasn't a publicity stunt."

The sheriff continued watching the creature through binoculars. It only rose about an inch above water level, he said, but any disturbance on shore would cause it to dive deeper again. And that's exactly what happened when the sheriff ordered a couple of deputies to surveil the thing in a canoe. It was gone long before the pair got there. Unfortunately, rough water conditions set in the next few days and no one could go out for another look. It wasn't observed again, and other experts theorized that perhaps it was a giant eel or carp. But neither of those sound like what the sheriff and the resort owner saw!

Lake Leelanau Monster

The story of an early 20th Century sea monster sighting was sent to The Shadowlands Web site by a reader whose great-grandfather was the witness. The boy was fishing for perch one day in 1910 in the shallows of Lake Leelanau in Leelanau County. The lake had been dammed in the late 1800's to provide water power for the local mill and to enable logging. The dam also flooded much surrounding area, turning it into swamps and bogs punctuated by dead, standing trees.

On that particular day, the young great-grandfather, William Gauthier, rowed out to a new fishing spot near the town of Lake Leelanau. Looking for good perch habitat, he paddled up close to a tree that he estimated to stand about five feet tall above the water, with a six-inch trunk. He was in about seven feet of water, and after deciding this would be a good place to stop and cast a line, began tying the boat to the tree.

That's when young William discovered the tree had eyes. They were staring him dead in the face at about four feet above water level. The boy and serpent exchanged a long gaze, then the creature went, "Bloop" into the water. Gauthier said later that the creature's head passed one end of the boat while the tail was still at the other end, though it was undulating very quickly through the water. The writer noted that Gauthier always admitted to having been thoroughly frightened by his encounter, and that the event caused him to stay off that lake for many years.

The writer added that his great-grandfather came from a prominent area family and was very well-educated, and that he knew others who would admit privately but not publicly that they, too, had seen the creature. No sightings have been reported in recent times, but who knows how many people have believed they were passing by a rotting old cedar when in fact they had just grazed the Leelanau lake monster?

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Expanse by g. s. george

You don't have to travel far when you live in Michigan to find a whole lot of fun. We encourage you to support the festivals, events, cities and businesses that are making all the cool things happen around the state. So get out this summer and have some fun and create some great memories in the process. Carpe diem!!

As usual we by no means have listed all the events happening around Michigan. Add ones we missed (with links) in the comments below!

July Quotes

"Many public-school children seem to know only two dates: 1492 and 4th of July; and as a rule they don't know what happened on either occasion. - Mark Twain

"Patriotism is the last refuge of scoundrels." - Mark Twain

"Live in each season as it passes: breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit." Henry David Thoreau

"You know, when you get your first asparagus, or your first acorn squash, or your first really good tomato of the season, those are the moments that define the cook's year. I get more excited by that than anything else." - Mario Batali

"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a homegrown tomato." - Lewis Grizzard

Fast Facts - via Wikipedia's July entry

• The second half of the year commences in July
• The birthstone for July is a red ruby
• July was renamed for Julius Caesar... Previously, it was called Quintilis...

Also be sure to check out Pure Michigan's July Event Round-up and our Absolute Michigan Event Calendar for more great Michigan events!

July 2 - 9
National Cherry Festival Traverse City
The National Cherry Festival features over 150 events including free air shows over the Bay, colorful parades & marching bands, music shows, sporting events, rides & carnival games on the midway, pie-eating contests, clean blue skies, warm sunshine, crowds of smiling faces, and loads of luscious cherries prepared every way you can imagine!

July 8 - 9
Michigan Elvisfest Ypsilanti
The world-renowned Michigan Elvisfest began in 2000 in Ypsilanti, Michigan's Historic Depot Town. Beautiful Riverside Park is the place where Elvis fans flock by the thousands every July to pay homage to the King of Rock & Roll and to hear the most award-winning professional Elvis Tribute Artists in North America, as well as other talented Legend Tribute Artists.

July 8 - 10
Blissfest Cross Village
The 30th Blissfest Music Festival will be a celebration of music, culture, art and community featuring a world of diverse and innovative folk and roots music and dance at the Festival Farm in picturesque rural northern Michigan. It is truly a blissful musical weekend to be shared with families, friends and music-lovers of all ages. The annual event is a showcase of the many musical styles that define American roots and world music. Bluegrass, Blues, Cajun, Celtic, Folk, Jazz, Latin, Ethnic, World music and dance all share the stage.

July 9 - Aug 7
Silver Leaf Renaissance Faire Battle Creek
Neither heat, rain nor scary beast will shut their gates that hold jousting and performances and all manner of medieval fun. The Faire is also West Michigan's premier Artisan Marketplace with over 100 vendors selling their wares and crafts, you will find everything from turkey legs to wood-carving, leather to silks, and blacksmiths to fairy wings.

July 14 - Aug 7
The Michigan Shakespeare Festival Jackson
The Michigan Shakespeare Festival has been presenting the timeless themes and glorious language of William Shakespeare since 1995, growing each year into a premier regional event that draws respected actors from across the nation, and satisfied audiences from throughout the Midwest.

July 14 - 17
Venetian Festival St. Joseph
The name implies gracious glides on a glowing river and the gentle sounds of water rippling as gondoliers pole their slender boats and sing soft love songs to couples snuggled in the bows. Such were the hot days and long nights in Venice, Italy, where Venetian Festivals started so many years ago. In St. Joseph, they still celebrate hot July days and long summer nights with boat rides and love songs and couples holding hands. The Venetian Festival on the St. Joseph River is all of that plus music, fine food and fun for all ages!

July 14 - 17
Concert of Colors Detroit
The Concert of Colors is metro Detroit's free annual diversity music festival. It is presented by ACCESS/Arab American National Museum, New Detroit Inc. and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra (DSO) with the goal of bringing together metro Detroit's diverse communities and ethnic groups by presenting musical acts from around the world. Over its 17-year history, the festival has become a beloved highlight of metro Detroit's summer festival season.

July 15 - 16
Michigan Storytellers Festival Flint
It’s free fun for all INSIDE the Flint Public Library. Don’t miss our master storytellers who bring the oral tradition to life. As always there will be several workshops and storytelling concerts during the day on Saturday with storytellers in concert beginning at 7PM on Friday and Saturday.

July 16 - 17
Quake on the Lake Waterford
Over the past 10 years, the "Quake" has become on of Oakland County's must-attend events and is the North American Inboard Hydroplane Championship. The event is the proud holder of 17 American Power Boat Association (APBA) world speed records being set in 5 different racing classes making Pontiac Lake one of the fastest one-mile race courses in the country! There's also music from Rare Earth, the Verve Pipe and others.

July 16 - 17
Ragtime Street Fair Dearborn
Savor an American original -Ragtime music. You'll hear Scott Joplin rags like "Maple Leaf Rag" and "The Entertainer" along with  much, much more as scores of other musicians travel from all over the country to perform on nearly a dozen stages throughout Greenfield Village. It's syncopated, jazzy, hot and live. Fresh summer food, too, and dancing in the streets!

July 20 - 23
Ann Arbor Street Art Fair Ann Arbor
Established in 1960, the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair is the Original of the now four award-winning Ann Arbor Art Fairs: The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, the Original, The State Street Area Art Fair, The Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair and the Ann Arbor's South University Art Fair. Together, the fairs attract over a half a million attendees from across the nation. The Original Fair was named the Number One Art Fair in the country by AmericanStyle magazine readers survey (October 2004) and has made the Top Ten Fairs and Festivals list every year since.

July 22 - 23
Michigan Brewers Guild Summer Beer Festival Ypsilanti
The Summer Beer Festival is the Michigan Brewers Guild's oldest and largest of our four annual festivals. The festival takes place outside in a lovely riverside setting and will feature more than 300 different beers from more than 50 different Michigan breweries. A variety of tasty food items are available for purchase from independent food vendors inside the festival and there will be a diverse selection live music from a variety of local bands.

July 26 - 31
Traverse City Film Festival Traverse City
The Traverse City Film Festival has grown to become one of the largest film festivals in the Midwest, and one of the most respected in the country. Last year, there were over 80,000 admissions to nearly 100 screenings, a number of them U.S. or world premieres. A special emphasis is given to foreign films, American independents, documentaries, and films which have been overlooked but deserve the attention of a public starved to see a good movie.

July 29 - 31
Yale Bologna Festival Yale
Every July Yale plays host to the Yale Bologna Festival, a 3 day weekend event that closes the streets and transforms this small community of just under 2,000 to a gathering of over 20,000 Bologna starved party-goers! A tradition in Yale since 1989, this festival has grown considerably since its humble beginnings. The festival draws people from all around Michigan as well as other states, eager to see who will be the next King and Queen of Bologna. The Bologna Festival includes such events as the famed outhouses races, a street dance, fireworks and a parade down Main Street that continues to grow each year.

July 29 - Aug 7
Coast Guard Festival Grand Haven
The United States Coast Guard has a long and prestigious history in Grand Haven and around the world. Celebrate the Coasties with activities, events, and attractions for all ages. Many are free, and you will find plenty of fun and choices from Kid's Day to the Street Dance and Cruise-In Car Show, to carnival rides, picnics, parades, fireworks and ship tours.

July 30 - 31
Art On The Rocks Marquette
Located in a beautiful wooded area on the shore of Lake Superior in north Marquette, the annual Art On The Rocks at Presque Isle Park features a huge variety of artwork in all media for show & sale.

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Morganshev (morgan shevett) took this long exposure shot near Oscoda.

You can see it bigger in his slideshow, and check out other sets including Winter, Beach, B/W and Oscoda.

Dive into his Flickriver.

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167|365 ride the wind by nicole st. john

The Huron Daily Tribune noted last week in Final report: Wind potential high that the final report issued Thursday by the Michigan Wind Energy Resource Zone Board (view PDF) identified key regions for wind energy generation and a potential annual energy output of an eye-popping 17,720,522 megawatts! The report found that major region in Michigan for wind power generation is:

... the Thumb Region — which includes Huron County and portions of Bay, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties — has the potential of having a minimum of 1,578 and maximum of 2,824 turbines. The wind board derived this figure with the assumption there were no turbines placed within the boundaries of the villages and cities, as well as three townships.

In addition to the Thumb Region (Region 4), other areas included as having the highest level of wind energy harvest potential in the wind board's final report include portions of Allegan County (Region 1), portions of Antrim and Charlevoix counties (Region 2), and portions of Benzie, Leelanau and Manistee counties (Region 3).

Yesterday, in GVSU Lake Michigan wind energy test project gets $1.4 million federal grant, the Grand Haven Tribune reported that:

Grand Valley State University's efforts to launch a wind turbine testing project on Lake Michigan will receive a $1.4 million federal grant.

The school's Michigan Alternative and Renewable Energy Center (MAREC), based in Muskegon, is planning to put a turbine on a floating platform to test how it works on the Great Lakes. Researchers hope to have the platform installed by fall 2010.

MAREC notes that the wind potential of Lake Michigan is in the range of 4 to 6 wind class with 7 being the highest possible. A tenth of the wind power potential of Lake Michigan alone is equivalent to some 20 nuclear power plants and when you look at that and at the state's overall potential for wind power, it seems to make a ton of sense for Michigan to support wind energy development as aggressively as we once pushed the auto industry.

Speaking of industry & wind, check out this video of Dr. Soji Adelaja from the Michigan Land Policy Institute (the organization that produced the map to the right) talking about wind energy generation at industrial brownfield sites:

See absolutemichigan.com/wind for much more about wind power, windmills and wind energy generation in Michigan.

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The finest Chef teams from Northern & Southern Michigan will again compete in the 2nd Annual event at Shanty Creek Resort in Bellaire on April 24-26. The event celebrates Springtime Splendor Week in Michigan, and highlights Michigan's great Agricultural diversity and growing wine & micro-brew industries.

The North vs. South competition on Saturday will again feature fantastic entrée samplings by twelve Chef teams, complimented by fine Michigan wine and micro-brew tastings. North & South winning teams will be chosen by the public and several professional culinary judges, and face off in an “Iron Chef” competition dinner that evening. Chef Eric Villegas of “Fork in the Road” TV fame, and Chef Michelle Bommarito, frequent participant on Food Channel competitions, are among the judges at the Iron Chef show-down.

hazelnut-chocolate pastries by Ledio

Proceeds from the Chef's Challenge benefit Challenge Mountain, an organization dedicated to providing adaptive outdoor recreational equipment to persons with developmental challenges.

Complete details are available at www.chefs-challenge.com or call (231) 535-2227.

You might also want to check out the Chef Challenge promo featuring event organizer and local food promoter Joe Breidenstein.

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Heart Windows Art (Katie) says she's a retired art teacher who still has classes in her home and her new art center. She lives in Indian River and grew up in the Upper Peninsula.

Be sure and check the above photo out bigger. Some of her sets include Indian River, Michigan (to which this photo belongs), Easter, Mackinac Island, Mackinac Island Butterfly House and Michigan Outdoors (slideshow) or you can just dive into her Flickriver.

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Drummond Island, Michigan by Odalaigh

In order to defend against American attacks and protect British trade with Indians, Lieutenant Colonel Robert McDouall moved his garrison from Fort Michilimackinac closer to Canada in 1815. He named the island after Lieutenant General Gordon Drummond, commander of all British forces in Canada.

In November 1828, Fort Drummond, the last outpost of British occupation in America, was turned over to the U.S. For the next twenty-five years, only Native Americans inhabited Drummond Island.

In 1853 Canadian Daniel Murray Seaman and his family left the Mormon community on Beaver Island (more) and made their home on Drummond. Joined by two other Mormon families, they established a settlement. Daniel Seaman died in 1863, leaving his wife Betsy to take care of the sixteen children. As a former schoolteacher, Betsy gave her children a sound education and a strong sense of morality and tradition. The Seaman family thrived under the nurturing manner and watchful eye of the island's matriarch.

George Warren Bailey brought his wife and six children to Drummond Island in 1880 to make his living from the huge tracts of hardwoods and pine trees. If the Seamans were viewed as being restrictive, reserved and austere (consistent with their Mormon beliefs), the Baileys would be seen as their opposites─boisterous, demonstrative in their behavior, fun-loving, and well acquainted with the bottle and tobacco.

MaxtonPlains4506 by ETCphoto

While these two clans intertwined in commerce and family, a woman on a mission stormed ashore in 1902. Her Finnish name was Kreeta Kontra, but she was known as the spinster Maggie Waltz. Waltz wanted to create a utopian community safe from the dangers of mine disasters, alcohol and brawling. By 1913, there were hundreds of Finnish settlers in three communities living in comfortable dwellings, successfully farming the thin soil and lumbering the forests. Waltz improved their lives with a post office, schools, a community hall and a cooperative grocery store.

The descendants of the Seaman, Bailey and early Finnish families are well represented on Drummond Island. Today, approximately twelve hundred residents call Drummond home and welcome visitors to enjoy the fantastic wilderness still offered by the island.

For more Michigan summer destinations, look for the current issue of Michigan History magazine. For information call (800) 366-3703 or visit www.michiganhistorymagazine.com.

If you'd like to visit Drummond Island, start planning at absolutemichigan.com/Drummond!

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Rainbow of Color by Patti

Summer has officially arrived and festival season is kicking into full gear! Events for this week include the Detroit Windsor International Film Festival, the Muskegon Summer Celebration kicks off with 11 days of concerts, events, fireworks, arts & crafts and carnival rides, the Alpena Blues Festival, now in it's 5th year is looking like a premiere blues event in Michigan and the Michigan Challenge Balloonfest in Howell offers entertainment for the whole family.

Our featured event this week is the Michigan Energy Fair.

The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association (GLREA) is presenting the 3rd Annual Michigan Energy Fair. This three-day event will unite people from throughout Michigan and the Great Lakes region to learn about energy issues and sustainable living. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend educational workshops; meet vendors offering valuable goods, services, and information; eat local food; and hear great live music.

< The Week for June 16-22, 2008 | The Week for June 30 - July 6, 2008 >

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Detroit Riverwalk at Sunset #2 by epeoples

The Sweet 16 of Detroit's Development Scene

Model D got into the March Madness Mood with 16 Sweet Developments in Detroit. The feature lists some great projects like RiverWalk, Hatch HQ, Dequindre Cut and the Tiger Stadium redevelopment and also general trends like better food, a facelift for the arts and Open City, an informal networking group in which business ownders share tips about real estate, start-up financing, marketing and other thorny issues with folks starting businesses. One thing is clear - there's an energy in the D that can't help but benefit the city and the rest of the state.

Mortgage Crisis Hits Hard in Michigan...

It's probably a surprise to nobody that Michigan is near the top (#6, see Freep article) in real estate foreclosures. While 75% of foreclosed homes are located in southeast Michigan (according to WZZM, Grand Rapids), the effects of the mortgage crisis are dropping home values statewide (Gaylord Herald Times, WOOD-TV Grand Rapids), making it difficult to sell even "dream homes" up north (Detroit News) and even tightening commercial credit (mLive).

Commercial Real Estate Hit too ... by the Legislature

When residential markets collapse, commercial buyers often move in and soften the impact by buying foreclosed properties. The Kalamazoo Gazette's business writer Alex Nixon has an informative (though depressing) look at how Michigan's new business tax is imposing 200% or greater tax increases on commercial real estate. While it makes some sense due to the fact that the old SBT was payroll based, it is proving challenging to many in the industry. (thanks to Real Estate Bloggers for the tip)

So Where's the Silver Lining?

One of the things that we always try to do is find the good in the news. While the whole homes & real estate picture is pretty gloomy, here's a couple of thoughts. One is that while the drop in real estate value is bad for home owners, those who are seeking to buy are - when they can get credit - finding good value in Michigan. Many of those are young families, something that might help stem our population loss over the long haul. A second is that the difficulties are forcing Michigan to take the lead in confronting the foreclosure tide that is rising all across the nation. Whether our political leaders and institutions can rise to the challenge is an open question, but it seems to me that items like this bill aimed at providing transition loans for ARM holders through the Michigan Housing Development Authority are a step in the right direction.

Detroit Riverwalk at Sunset

Detroit Riverwalk at Sunset #2 by epeoples is one of a number found in a search for riverwalk in the Absolute Michigan pool on Flickr. Many are from the Detroit Riverwalk, and all show something that is another amazing thing about making Michigan your home: the magic of our water.

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Spinners 2 by n8xd

John Deere Wind Energy is now producing energy at Harvest, the state's first commercial wind farm. The 3,200 acre installation has 32 windmills in Huron County's Oliver and Chandler townships. According to Windmill farm starts to generate power in Huron County from mLive:

A total of 32 windmills were installed last year on 3,200 acres in Huron County's Oliver and Chandler townships, representing an investment of more than $90 million, local planners say. Farmers who leased their land for windmill plots will share in the sale of power generated by the 1.65-megawatt turbines....

Harvest has a total capacity of about 53 megawatts, enough to power more than 15,000 homes.

Red Tape Blog says that this project moved Michigan from 30th to 22nd in the nation in wind power generation. Here is a video from John Deere touting their wind energy investment. If you're wondering why a tractor company is becoming a big player in wind, read John Deere's renewable energy harvest from CNN.

Over on Michigan in Pictures today we have another cool photo by Keith DeLong (n8xd).

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Saturn Booksellers, Gaylord
Gaylord's hometown bookstore right in the heart of the Alpine Village, is a general, independent shop for readers of all ages. An eclectic atmosphere (think chalkboard walls and log cabin built right into the store...), a friendly, knowledgeable staff composed of true bibliophiles, a wide selection of books and related goodies, a full calendar of events and a real sense of fun make Saturn Booksellers a destination for locals and tourists alike.

Island Bookstore, Mackinac Island and Mackinaw City
The Island Bookstore is a full service book store that specializes in Mackinac Island, Mackinac Bridge and Straits area history along with a great collection of historical fiction, lighthouse and shipwreck books, coffee table books, children's reading and video and CDs. They may be a summertime stop for many, but now you can visit them online all year long for new Mackinac and Michigan releases that your local shop might not get as excited about as they do.

Photo:   Island Bookstore, Mackinac City Location (the car is a dead giveaway!)

Explore more of Michigan's great books, bookstores, authors and publishers at Absolute Michigan keyword Michigan Books!

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The Otsego Ski Club - Gaylord, MI

As a winter destination, the Otsego Ski Club provides families with the midwests only full service private ski facility with 27 runs, 5 chairlifts and outstanding terrain for all levels of skier and snowboarder.

Treetops Resort – Gaylord, MI

High elevations, abundant snowfall and scenic beauty provide ideal conditions for downhill skiing at Treetops. They offer 23 picturesque ski runs, complete with three chairlifts and two tow ropes and also a terrain park filled with tabletops and rails for skiers and snowboarders.

Photo credit: Treetops Resort, with thanks to the Michigan Snowsports Industry Association.

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Exploring the wreck of the Grecian
Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary

Most information provided by the DEQ's Michigan Underwater Preserves page.

The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Lake Huron off Alpena was designated in 2000 as one of only 13 national marine sanctuaries in the United States. The designation created the first Great Lakes national marine sanctuary, building upon the existing state underwater preserve designated in 1981. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the State of Michigan jointly manage the sanctuary and underwater preserve.

In 1679, LaSalle's Griffin became the first major European vessel to pass by Thunder Bay, with many more in its wake. Not all made the journey safely, and with nearly 200 wrecks the 488 square mile sanctuary and underwater preserve has one of the highest densities of shipwrecks per square mile of any point on the Great Lakes. Divers will find many shipwrecks in a protected bay as well as many fascinating sites just beyond the bay itself. Great visibility makes underwater photography especially popular in this preserve.

The Nordmeer is one of the most popular dive sites of the sanctuary and underwater preserve. It has been described as 550 feet of "pure delight" This German steel steamer stranded on the rocks of Thunder Bay Shoal in November 1966. Because the maximum depth at this site is only 40 feet, this is a great place for those who have little or no shipwreck diving experience. The hull of the Nordmeer is intact and large cargo hatches provide easy access and permit sunlight to penetrate the interior. Next to the wreck of the Nordmeer is a steel barge that also provides exploration opportunities.

The Montana was a 235 foot steamer that burned and sank in 1914. The wreck lies in 70 feet of water and rises 30 feet from the bottom. Some of the hull of the Montana remains and divers enjoy inspecting many of the artifacts that are associated with this wreck, including the machinery. This site usually hosts many fish and it is a good place for underwater photography. Divers with basic skills can view the engine at 40 feet. Intermediate divers will enjoy exploring other portions of the wreck.

East of the Montana lies the wreck of the Grecian (pictured above), a steamer that sank in 1906. Several salvage attempts failed and the remains of the steam engine offer divers a fascinating experience. The deck of the Grecian lies in 75 feet of water.

The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve offers many shallow shipwrecks perfect for those new to the Great Lakes shipwrecks diving. Many dive sites have been buoyed by the local dive club. Dive charter services are available. Shore diving is very limited because of the shallows and beaches.

As part of its focus on cultural resource protection, education, research and recreation, the Sanctuary includes the 20,000 square foot Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. The Center features state-of-the-art shipwreck and Great Lakes exhibits, an auditorium and research facilities. You can even explore shipwrecks in real time via live video feeds.

Get travel, business & dive shop information for Alpena from Absolute Michigan and view more great diving photos from some of the shipwrecks mentioned in the Thunder Bay Sanctuary's 2007 Fieldwork Gallery.

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Upper Tahquanemon Falls by JohnnyRR

A sampling of Michigan festivals & events for the month of October. As usual, there's no way we'll get them all, so please add links and information about those we've missed (or reviews of ones we have here) in the comments below.

October 6
The Red Flannel Festival - Cedar Springs
This will is our 68th Annual Celebration of Red Flannel Day since 1939. Our festival is held each year on the First Saturday of October. Located just north of Grand Rapids, Michigan...Cedar Springs is a city with small-town charm and home-grown characteristics.

October 11 - 14
Great Lakes Lighthouse Festival - Alpena
Now in it's 12th year, the four day event provides activities for the young and old including lighthouse tours (aerial, boat or personal vehicle), entertainment, and vendors. The festival boasts over 100 maritime related vendors including lighthouse preservation groups, artists, authors and more.

October 19 - 20
The Michigan Story Festival - Mt. Pleasant
The two-day Michigan Story Festival offers a complete showcase of the power of storytelling in all its art forms. Michigan Story Festival is one of the only storytelling festivals to integrate the stories of many cultures and traditions. With the exception of the opening and closing performances, there is no charge to experience the magic of Michigan Story Festival events and presentations.

October 26 - November 26
C. S. Lewis Festival - Petoskey
The Northern Michigan C. S. Lewis Festival welcomes you to our annual month-long celebration. Events take place from late October to mid-November in the Petoskey area on Little Traverse Bay, including music & theater performances, school & library programs, scholarly lectures, community discussion groups, and more.

October 1 - 31
October "GO Get Outdoors" Events - Statewide
GO-Get Outdoors celebrates outdoor recreation and the role it plays with improving the quality of life in Michigan. Whether biking, hiking, trail running, camping, swimming, boating, fishing, hunting or simply exploring nature, park and recreation facilities provide opportunities for every one of all ages and all backgrounds to enjoy the state's diverse natural resources. Participants can improve their health while supporting recreation opportunities.

October 1 - 31
Colorfall - Grand Rapids
This October, you're guaranteed to fall under our spell, because there's a magic to Meijer Gardens this time of year. Enchantments of scarlet and yellow and gold. Trees so brilliant they can seem to have burst into flames--wonders of light and energy. We offer one of the largest mum displays in Michigan, with vivid colors everywhere.

October 12-14, 19-21 & 26-28
Hallowe'en in Greenfield Village - Dearborn
It's Frightfully Fun for the Whole Family!
Step back in time to a turn-of-the-20th century Hallowe'en. Follow an endless path of hand-carved jack-o-lanterns and meet colorful characters along the way. Feel the whoosh as the headless horseman rides by, banter with a clever witch, and make stops at several treat stations spread throughout Greenfield Village.

October 1 - 31
Michigan's Upper Peninsula Calendar of Events - UP
Comprehensive listing of events in the Upper Peninsula provided via the Upper Peninsula Travel & Recreation Association.

October 26
Food, Wine and All That Jazz - Grand Rapids
West Michigan's premier wine tasting event at The Public Museum in Grand Rapids. During the evening, choose from more than 35 tables filled with over 300 domestic wine and beer selections from throughout North America, as well as over 25 tables of select gourmet foods. Enjoy these tastes against a backdrop of live jazz by The Steve Talaga Trio and Edye Evans Hyde.

October 21
Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon - Detroit
Get down to Motown for the 2007 Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Marathon! We're celebrating our 30th anniversary with an exhilarating, world-class, international marathon. With a unique course crossing the U.S./Canadian border twice and great musical entertainment along the way, there's no end to the excitement of running this race!

October 27
International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum Induction and Awards - Detroit
Mark your calendars! Do not miss the 11th Annual Induction and Awards Celebration for the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

Also be sure to check out this feature on Michigan wine harvest events from Michigan in Pictures and Absolute Michigan keywords "haunted", "maze", "apple" and "harvest"!

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You can't buy online, but if you're in Rogers City, at an event they're at or if you have a phone that can dial (989) 734-4100, try Nowicki's Trademark Original Potato Brat, made with %25 potato and %75 lean pork.

You can read more about Nowicki's Sausage Shoppe in the August issue of Traverse Magazine.

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Ready to start the Au Sable Canoe Marathon by JeffOYB

The 60th annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon will be held next weekend (July 28 - 29, 2007). The race is billed as the longest non-stop canoe race in North America.

Wikipedia's Au Sable River Canoe Marathon entry says:

The Au Sable River Canoe Marathon is an annual 120 mile canoe race in Michigan from Grayling to Oscoda. It first ran in 1947 and is the longest, non-stop, canoe-only race in North America...

The event starts at 9pm in Grayling with the competitors carrying their canoes in a footrace 4 blocks through town. Once they reach the Au Sable River, they start paddling throughout the night. In addition to paddling for 14-15 hours straight, competitors must also make a number of portages around dams on the river.

While last year's race was won by Jim Harwood of Grayling and Allen Limberg (Wausau, WI), the team of Serge Corbin of Quebec and Grayling's Jeff Kolka have dominated the event for almost 20 years.

You can get more info on places to stay and things to do at Absolute Michigan keyword Grayling (check Oscoda as well) and get more about the Au Sable River (one of America's legendary trout streams) from teh Au Sable River Association and Au Sable River Valley Online.

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Louis Stepman was lucky. His desperate hold on thin strands of metal was the only thing keeping him from a 400-foot plunge to a watery grave. Two other men who were with him were not so lucky.On the afternoon of June 6, 1956, Louis "Big Louie" Stepman and three other workers were stringing a catwalk from the north tower of the Mackinac Bridge. The catwalk - a bundle of chain link fencing to be strung on steel cables from the north tower to the south tower - would provide a temporary walking surface for workers installing the cables that held up the bridge's roadway. The bundles of chain link were folded like an accordion in 100-foot sections. As the four men readied a bundle at 552 feet above the Straits of Mackinac, it snapped free and began a rapid descent down the cables.

One man's ankle caught in one of the folds, pinning him in place on top of the fencing. His ankle had been crushed, but he was alive. The other three workers were jolted and fell from their narrow platform. Two men fell to their death, but Stepman fell 70 feet before he grabbed hold of the wire mesh and held on as it raced down the cable. It slowed when it reached the bottom arc. Dangling 400 feet above the water, Stepman thought about dropping to the water and taking his chances. Instead, he climbed 70 vertical feet up the wire mesh to safety.

For the two workers who perished, it had been their first day on the job.

Three other men lost their lives building the Mackinac Bridge. The names of all five men are remembered in a bronze plaque at the foot of the bridge in Mackinaw City.

For more on the history of the Mackinac Bridge, including the full story on five who died while building the bridge, look for Michigan History magazine's "50 Years of the Mighty Mac" issue, available in July. Visit www.michiganhistorymagazine.com or call toll free, 1-800-366-3703.

Photo credit: Mackinac Bridge cables during construction, Image courtesy of MDOT's Photography Unit (www.michigan.gov/mdot)

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Mackinac Bridge | 1957 - 2007

Celebrate the Mackinac Bridge's 50th birthday with this Mackinac Bridge 50th Anniversary puzzle from Barn House Puzzle.
Report on the 2007 Mackinac Bridge Walk - an estimated 57,000 people walked (or ran, wheeled or swam) the Mackinac Bridge in 2007. That's short of the 85,000 that traversed the span in 1992, but still a whole lot of folks!
The Annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk at Michigan in Pictures has all you need to know - and lots of photos - about this Michigan Labor Day tradition!
Making money at the Straits BEFORE the Bridge recalls how the car ferry across the Straits of Mackinac provided an economic bonanza for local residents.
Michigan History: The Mackinac Bridge Opens relates how the November 1, 1957 opening of the Mackinac Bridge was cause for great celebration
50th Birthday party for the Mackinac Bridge a celebration of the Mighty Mac with events including parades in both St. Ignace & Mackinaw City, bridge building demonstrations, Great Lakes folk music, food vendors, fireworks and much more.
Michigan History: Soaring Beneath the Bridge follows U.S. Air Force Captain John S. Lappo on a costly flight under the Mackinac Bridge. Kids - don't try this at home!!
Michigan History: They Paid the Highest Price looks at the danger involved in the construction of the Mackinac Bridge.
Michigan History: Bridging the Straits provides a broad overview of the political challenges involved in the linking Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
Mackinac Bridge Tower on Michigan in Pictures is a cool photo of one of the massive towers on the bridge (this job isn't really all that hard, is it).
Michigan Video: On top of the Mackinac Bridge from Wild Weekend TV features a tour of some sights most people will never see on the Mackinac Bridge. Be sure to check this one out!
Photo Friday: Mackinac Bridge by maproomsystems is a cool riff on yesterday & today at the Mackinac Bridge.
"Mackinac Bridge" photos on Michigan in Pictures will give you all the photos and links that have appeared here. Many of these are suitable as wallpaper for your computer.
You can get stories and links at Absolute Michigan keyword "Mackinac Bridge" including the story of the 1958 Mackinac Bridge commemorative stamp.
The Mackinac Bridge: Making Michigan, Michigan on Michigan in Pictures is where we introduced this whole idea and has some cool links. It also explores the whole "Mackinac or Mackinaw" issue.

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President Taft was the first - but not the last - president to decline an invitation to summer on Mackinac Island.

In the mid-1920s, President Coolidge received invitations to summer at Mackinac. Although Mrs. Coolidge reportedly "was very enthusiastic about the idea," her husband was noncommittal. Instead, the First Family summered in South Dakota's Black Hills. Presidents Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt also turned down offers to summer on Mackinac Island. At about the same time, the installation of air-conditioning in the White House reduced the need for the president to escape Washington during the summer months.

The last known official effort to recommend Mackinac Island to a sitting president occurred in the 1950s. As with his predecessors, President Dwight Eisenhower turned down the invitation. The final rebuff came in 1957 when Ike responded by saying that "if" he got away that summer, he planned to visit the U.S. Naval base at Newport, Virginia.

On the "too cool" front, here's the caption for the above photo from the Library of Congress (LC-USZ62-51613): Pres. Coolidge receiving a book containing oil paintings of scenes in Mackinac Island and a complete history of the island, on which he is being invited to spend the summer, from Mrs. W.W. Wittinghill of Detroit, as official representative of Gov. Green of Michigan.

For more the full story of Michigan's efforts to entice presidents to summer on Mackinac Island, see "Summer White House?" in the May/June 2007 issue of Michigan History magazine. To subscribe, go to www.michiganhistorymagazine.com or call 1-800-366-3703.

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* For those reading this in the future, or far from Michigan:
a) Lucky you.
b) We have a temperature of 23 degrees and winds whipping around at 40+ MPH!

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We Love Detroit by Devo(lutio)n

In their Valentine's feature Detroit is for Lovers, Model D takes you on a sort of romantic and definitely whirlwind tour of the Motor City that takes you to the bar (then from the bar), around the city, moving in, moving out.

If you're in the Mid-Michigan area, think about stopping by the BoarsHead Theater in Lansing between now and Feb. 25th for some romantic laughs with "The People vs. Friar Laurence, The Man Who Killed Romeo and Juliet". The Lansing State Journal's Entertainment Guide, The Hub, bills it as a farce that pokes fun of the classics, theater, TV and just about everything else you can think of.

If you're looking for fun a little farther north, Ski Cadillac reports plenty of good snow at Caberfae Peaks, and if you stay with them today, you can ski or snowboard for free!

This weekend the folks at Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association are offering Taste the Passion/Snowshoe Stomp for an opportunity to taste some truly excellent Michigan wines and race thru the beautiful North Country on snowshoes. If beer's more your thing, Timber Ridge in Traverse City is offering their first annual Suds and Snow, a chance to sample some truly delicious Michigan microbrews.

For those who like a little science with their sweeties, consider that University of Michigan psychology researchers have found that natural chemicals in the brain's pleasure hot spots not only make people want to eat more sweets, they also make them taste better. In the interests of balance, take your Valentine's flower questions to FlowerMD and MSU Horticulture Professor Bridget Behe.

Much more Valentine's Day goodness from Absolute Michigan.

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The current version of Introduce Your Michigan Business or Organization is right there.

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Trout by Josh Leo

Wandering West Michigan is a weekly video blog hosted by Josh Leo. It features videos highlighting the events, businesses, people, attractions and everything else that makes the west side of the Great Lakes State unique. It's pretty new, but it's the best Michigan video blog I've yet seen!
Watch Michigan's Big Things from Wandering West Michigan (Josh actually goes to the UP in this one, but that's where all the big stuff is). Also take a look at the Grand Rapids Fish Ladder.

Anybody have other big things that Josh missed?

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Every Labor Day the Mighty Mac opens to pedestrian traffic for the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk. Below is a slew of information about the walk and the bridge itself.

50th Anniversary Mackinac Bridge Walk of 2007

Check out Get moving, Michigan with the annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge Walk   on Absolute Michigan, a report on the 2007 Bridge Walk with pictures and also see the Mackinac Bridge Walk on Michigan in Pictures.

Information from Wikipedia:
Mackinac Bridge Walk
Mackinac Bridge information
Mackinac Bridge designer David B. Steinman

Other Sites:
DOT Mackinac Bridge Website
Official Website of the Mackinac Bridge
Straits of Mackinac & Mackinac Bridge
Building the Mackinac Bridge
The breathtaking Mackinac Bridge from the Detroit News
The Mackinac Bridge - Background Reading

Video:
Cool old film footage of a drive across the bridge
Various YouTube videos of the bridge

Have a great Labor Day weekend and be sure to check out an interesting shot of the bridge over at Michigan in Pictures.

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Mackinac Bridge all lit up at dusk by Johnny RR

"Let it be such work that our descendents will thank us -- that men will says as they look upon the labor and raw substance: SEE THIS, our fathers did for us." -John Ruskin (1819-1900), writer as quoted by Dr. David B. Steinman Mackinac Bridge Designer

It's tough to do that if we're jealously clinging to Republican and Democrat, Northeast and Southwest, black and white and our other differences as reasons not to come together instead of traits that define us and make us unique. Every single day, hundreds of Michigan bloggers talk about every facet of our state and lives. Michigan is beautiful, rich and vibrant. We have so much going for us that it's hard to imagine us being kept down by anything if we give it our all. To quote former Governor Bill Milliken, "God doesn't ask us to give till it hurts -- he simply asks us to give it all."

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A decade-long struggle for the county seat peaked on April 4, 1882, when voters chose whether to leave the county seat in Manton or move it Cadillac. Twelve months earlier, the residents of those two communities worked together to remove the governmental center from Sherman and place it in Manton. Now, the much-larger town of Cadillac wanted to be the county seat. No surprise, voters overwhelmingly chose Cadillac.

The day after the election, a train left Cadillac with the sheriff and twenty deputies headed for Manton. Within a half hour, most of the county records and much of the courthouse furniture was aboard the train. Manton residents, however, prevented the sheriff and his men from taking several courthouse safes. The men from Cadillac, according to Manton residents, "fled back to Cadillac in fear."

When Cadillac residents learned that the sheriff's mission had not been a complete success, a second "invasion" of Manton was planned. This time, the Cadillac force numbered several hundred men, and they were armed-some with repeating rifles, others with clubs, poles, brooms and crowbars.

There are two versions to the "battle of Manton." Cadillac claims their men sought to avoid violence, but were confronted by "every able-bodied citizen of Manton." Even the town's women allegedly were involved, greasing the rails with lard and butter in an effort to halt the Cadillac train. Manton's version claims "a drunken mob of 500 to 600 men, led by a drunken sheriff and clerk" ordered the courthouse demolished and then turned his men onto Manton streets "like a pack of crazed hounds."

Whatever the truth, Cadillac won the battle, which left some men injured, but none fatally. To this day, Cadillac continues to serve Wexford County as the county seat.

For more great stories on Michigan's past, look to Michigan History magazine. For more information or a free trial issue, call (800) 366-3703 or visit http://www.michiganhistorymagazine.com/.

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In late 1778, Captain Richard Lernoult, the British commandant of Fort Detroit, realized his settlement needed a new fort. The fort was falling down and from the higher ground north of the fort the Americans could easily bombard the British fort. The new fort was built throughout the winter. By April 1779 the new fort was finished and named Lernoult in honor of the Detroit commander. The fort's earthen walls (called ramparts) were 26 feet thick at their base and narrowed to 12 feet wide at the top. The ramparts stood 11 feet high. Pickets (sharpened stakes) were placed along the exterior walls. A wide, deep ditch ran outside the ramparts. Tall pickets were placed in the ditch. The land surrounding the fort was cleared so an attacking enemy would have no cover to hide behind. Today, Fort Lernoult no longer exists.

At the same time much further to the north, Major Patrick Sinclair, the British commandant at Fort Michilimackinac, worried his fort at the northern tip of the Lower Peninsula could not withstand an American attack. Sinclair chose nearby Mackinac Island to build a new fort. The island's high limestone bluffs and deep harbor seemed perfect. The British bought the island from the local Ojibwas for a dozen canoes loaded with goods and merchandise. Then, the British took apart the mainland fort and shipped it to the island. Sinclair placed the fort on the bluff overlooking the harbor. The British burned what remained of Fort Michilimackinac when the transfer was completed in mid-1781. In the 1950s, the state of Michigan rebuilt Fort Michilimackinac at Mackinaw City. Today, both the mainland fort and the island fort are among Michigan's most popular tourist attractions.

For more great stories on Michigan's past, look to Michigan History magazine. For more information or a free trial issue, call (800) 366-3703 or visit http://www.michiganhistorymagazine.com/.

Photo Credit: The Library of Congress: Old fort, Mackinac Island, Mich.

Colonial Michilimackinac-Michigan State Historic Parks

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Born in France, the twenty-nine-year-old Marquette arrived in New France (Canada) in 1666. Trained as a Jesuit missionary, Marquette came to North America to introduce Native Americans to Catholicism.

After operating Indian missions at present-day Sault Ste. Marie and Ashland, Wisconsin, Marquette heard about a great river that he hoped might be the Northwest Passage - the elusive shortcut to the Pacific Ocean.

Marquette's opportunity to explore this river came after he opened a mission on Mackinac Island. On May 17, 1673, Marquette and Louis Jolliet, a Canadian-born fur trapper and explorer, along with five other men described as "simple, hardy, and unwashed," set out in two canoes from St. Ignace.

They traveled along the northern shore of Lake Michigan and paddled about thirty miles a day. Marquette wrote in his journal, "Our joy at being chosen for this expedition roused our courage and sweetened the labor of rowing."

In two weeks, they reached present-day Menominee, Michigan. The local Indians warned the Frenchmen if they went farther they would meet Indians "who never show mercy to strangers but break heads without any cause." The Indians also told Marquette and Jolliet that the great river "was full of horrible monsters, which devoured men and canoes one bite."

Despite these forewarnings, the Frenchmen pressed on. After crossing present-day Wisconsin, they paddled into the Mississippi River on June 17. Being the first Frenchmen to see the great river, Marquette claimed they felt a "joy" that he could not express.

Marquette and Jolliet followed the river, but near present-day Arkansas, they turned around after realizing the river flowed south, not west. By late summer, the Frenchmen reached the French mission at present-day Green, Bay, Wisconsin. They had traveled more than 2,500 miles since leaving St. Ignace.

Jolliet went back to Mackinac, but Marquette stayed among the Illinois Indians. In the spring of 1675, Marquette headed back to St. Ignace. He never made it. Weakened by dysentery, the thirty-eight-year-old priest died on May 18. He may have died near the mouth of the Marquette River (present-day Ludington), but the exact location remains a mystery. Marquette's remains were later removed to St. Ignace, but the exact site of his burial is unknown.

For more great stories on Michigan's past, look to Michigan History magazine. For more information or a free trial issue, call (800) 366-3703 or visit http://www.michiganhistorymagazine.com/.

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