The Pine Mountain ski slide was at one time was the highest artificial ski jump in the world and is still known throughout the world as one of the best jumping hills. At the first Pine Mountain Tournament, Bob Roecker, riding for the Duluth Ski Club, shattered the American jumping record with a leap of 257 feet.

For questions regarding tickets, please contact the Kiwanis Ski Club (906) 779-1110 or (800) 236-2447.  This video from Pine Mountain 2008 is a little bright, but it gives you a good sense of this exciting event. Here's another video with lots more jumps from the Continental Cup, but we have to give you this great newsreel from the 1950s voiced by Mel Allen. It was shot in Iron Mountain, and features several local jumpers including then 9-year-old Willie Erickson, a two-time Olympian and FIS World Championship competitor. Also don't miss the jumping videos from the Kiwanis club!

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Yooper Steez isn’t a skateboard company, but has always drawn inspiration from the skateboarding and snowboarding culture. This is just one product (of many more to come) that offers a way for Yoopers to show their love for the Upper Peninsula. Lumberjack Jack wears wool plaid shirts, spends lots of time in the woods, has one mean looking beard, loves the UP and represents the Yooper in all of us!

All decks are seven-ply quality maple, and you can choose from either Lumberjack Jack or the Steez deck (trucks and hardware sold separately).

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Cadeau Creations was born and bred in the wild Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In addition to complete catering services, they have created specially-designed baskets of gourmet goodness from the people, places and soil of the U.P. using the freshest local ingredients and select organic and Fair Trade ingredients. They make a great gift for homesick Yoopers and also your friends, family, employees, co-workers and relatives. Connect with them on Facebook or Twitter!

This week's winner will receive their locally grown & crafted Northern Winter Wonders Basket. It features chocolates, caramels, game meat sausage, smoked Lake Superior fish, Keweenaw jam, and local crafts - all fashioned with Yooper flair. It's a $100 value and all you need to do to be eligible to win is to have your address on our email list - sign up in the blue box above!

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Yooper Steez was founded in 2008 by Justin Sailor and is dedicated to providing original Upper Peninsula products and fresh stories of the UP through their engaging blog to people who appreciate what the Upper Peninsula has to offer. They connect Yoopers across the world and give them a way to express and share their love for the Upper Peninsula.

Justin explains:

I had recently finished a 50-state tour across the country where I collected a t-shirt from nearly every state. As I collected one and later wore it in another state I realized how many conversations were generated. People would approach me and ask me if I was from said place, had been there, or simply say it was one of their favorite places. If I had been wearing a generic shirt those conversations would have never happened.

After returning to my hometown of Baraga, I thought the Upper Peninsula needed an iconic but simple shirt that would allow people to present their love for the Upper Peninsula. The simplest way to do that was to show the silhouette of the Upper Peninsula. People who love the Upper Peninsula recognize it immediately and those who don't often ask what the shape is.

To help you get in shape, Yooper Steez is offering a UP Hoodie, a T-shirt and a few stickers! All you need to do to have a shot to win is to be on our email list - use the blue box above.

...and FYI, Absolute Michigan had a little feature about Justin's journey in 2006 that links to a podcast you can check out!

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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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Graveyard Coast II by Michigan Nut

michiganpreserves.org explains that although the vast inland waterway of the Great Lakes provided natural highway, there were also dangerous, fraught with sudden storms, fog, heavy traffic and shipping companies who cared more about the bottom line than the thousands of schooners, steamers and barges that ended up on the bottom. One generations loss can be another ones treasure, and the Michigan underwater preserve system was created in 1980 to preserve Michigan's shipwrecks. It's a felony to remove or disturb artifacts in Michigan's Great Lakes, and Michigan's underwater preserve system has grown to include over 2300 square miles of Great Lakes bottomland in twelve underwater preserves.

The first preserve established was the Alger Underwater Diving Preserve:

For ships in trouble on the long southern coast of Lake Superior, harbors of refuge are few. Munising is one of them. The waters off Munising are sheltered by Grand Island and have been the final destination of many ships seeking safe harbor from the fury of the big lake.

The area stretching from just west of Munising to Au Sable Point and including the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is the home of the Alger Underwater Preserve. Several major shipwrecks lying within recreational diving limits are found inside its boundaries.

Read on for some of the best wrecks to dive and also check out the state's underwater preserve pages. We found some nice videos of diving in the Alger Preserve. You can get an excellent overview of Diving the Alger Preserve from Saginaw Underwater Explorers, but this video of a dive on the wreck of the Bermuda is a really immersive treat!

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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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jen526 ( Jenn Adams) says that she loves the outdoors, and photography is a great reason to go exploring, little kid style, in the woods or around a lake or through a meadow - the two are synergistic.

She asks: Does it detract anything from this photo to know that I took this on a tour boat? I'm always torn between keeping a photo simple and abstract; and telling some of the story behind it, which I enjoy when other people do and hopefully people can relate to some of the things that I do share ... At Pictured Rocks, we took the typical tourist boat ride. My brother, sister and I insisted on being on the top level on the way out. There was thick fog that almost turned the boat back. People were complaining about the fog. I love fog myself, I was cheering inside. Partway out, the sun started to break through, yielding this. (you gotta see that photo!)

You can see this bigger and in her Michigan slideshow. Her other sets include Creatures, Night and Nature.

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adonyvan (Jiqing Fan) took this shot in September on Lake Superior.

Check it out big as the Big Lake and see more photos from the region in his Houghton & UP MI set (slideshow).

Dive into his Flickriver.

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Featuring: BUCKWHEAT ZYDECO, That 1 Guy, Po Girl, Danny Barnes, The Ragbirds, John Doe, Frontier Ruckus, Dangermuffin, Krista Detor, Seth Bernard and May Erlewine, Hymn For Her, Sam Corbin, Jen Sygit, Everett Smithson Band, Charlie Parr, Lonesome Dan Kase, Doris & the Day Dreams, Dave Boutette, Rory and Dale Miller, Yvonne Blake, Bathtub Mothers, Cornbread Harris, Javier Matos and Hurricane Harold, Michael “Laughing Fox” Charette, & Children of the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival!

Porcupine Mountains Music Festival August 2009

"Like" the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival facebook page. See pics, vids, comments and connect with others attending this year's festival!

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PhotoYoop took this refreshing shot from this position in February. I felt that we could all use a break from summer 2010's heat!

His sets include HDR, Ice, Ore Boats and Top Shots (slideshow).

Dive into his Flickriver.

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posthumus_cake took this photo in the Porcupine Mountains.

You can see it bigger in his Porcupine Mountains slideshow and check out other sets including Keewenaw Peninsula, Copper Falls/Lake Superior, Portraits and Personal Favorites (slideshow).

Dive into his Flickriver.

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Shadows in Reflection (Michael Seabrook) says that he loves to photograph beautiful nature and spooky creepy things. Stars, waterfalls, flowers and trees are some of my favorite things to shoot. Cemeteries, old churches or any old building that looks haunted.

His sets include Ghosts, Star Trails and the one that contains this: Waterfalls (slideshow).

Dive into his Flickriver.

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Nina posted this video from Upper Falls Tahquamenon Falls State Park - check out her full slideshow. Read all about it on her blog, Black Coffee at Sunrise.

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Acid Mine Drainage by savethewildup

In an article on ABC news, John Flesher wites:

Michigan regulators gave final approval Thursday to a nickel and copper mine for the Upper Peninsula, despite opponents' fears it would pollute streams that feed Lake Superior and provide habitat for a rare type of trout.

Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co. said it hoped to begin construction this year on what would be the nation's only mine where nickel is the primary target, not just a byproduct from extraction of other minerals.

But foes were planning court appeals, insisting the project would violate environmental standards set in recent years as mining companies stepped up explorations of deposits in the state's mineral-rich northlands.

"Strong Michigan laws were written specifically to protect Michigan's waters, including the Great Lakes, from toxic byproducts this mining will create," said Hugh McDiarmid Jr., spokesman for the Michigan Environmental Council.

The state Department of Environmental Quality granted two permits — one to build and operate the mine in the remote Yellow Dog Plains region of Marquette County, and the other to discharge treated wastewater underground.

Read the release from mining company Kennecott Eagle and reaction at Save the Wild UP.

We at Absolute Michigan have long been advocating against opening up Michigan to sulfide mining, a chemical process that has killed numerous rivers in the West. Read about acid mine drainage from the EPA.

The National Wildlife Federation plans an appeal, but it appears that Michigan's best hope is a 2010 Ballot Measure. As this video says, there's no Pure Michigan without Pure Water:

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Michigan is truly a winter state. The snow brings much beauty and allows us to enjoy seasonal activities such as skiing, ice skating and snowmobiling. Of course, along with this comes some occasional extra work.

The photo to the right depicts Negaunee's Iron Street on March 13, 1899. These men have partially completed a Herculean shoveling task. You can see the “J. Trathen Saloon” in the background, so perhaps that was their eventual stop.

Negaunee, located in Marquette County, is a renowned Upper Peninsula mining town. According to Walter Romig's book Michigan Place Names (Detroit: Wayne State University Press, 1986), the Jackson Iron Company first settled the town in 1846. It was given a post office in 1858. It incorporated as a village in 1865 and as a city in 1873. Romig also notes that “Negaunee” is a Chippewa word meaning “pioneer.” The 2003-2004 Michigan Department of Transportation map provides a recent population figure of 4,576.

Play the video below to see footage of an Armstead Snow Motors Company concept snow vehicle. The original film, completed in 1924, is permanently stored within the Archives of Michigan collections. It represents further proof that Michiganians have found inventive ways to deal with the snow!

Armstead Snow Motors from Seeking Michigan on Vimeo.

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Not the Upper Peninsula, but the Northern Peninsula. by Jenna Belle

NPR ran a special series a few weeks back exploring the culture, traditions and economy of Michigan's Upper Peninsula that we felt was worth bubbling back up. In addition to the articles there are also audio pieces worth checking out in - Michigan's Upper Peninsula: A Trip U.P. North.

Articles

Often Left Out, U.P. Ducks Michigan's Worst Woes

If there's a Michigan map in your mind, it probably looks like a mitten. The Upper Peninsula — separated from the rest of the state by the Great Lakes — often gets left off the map entirely. While that can be irksome, the remote nature of Michigan's northern section can also insulate it from the rest of the state's economic distress.

Initially, Michigan's Upper Peninsula

This week's puzzle is in honor of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. Because U.P. is short for Upper Peninsula, each answer has "U" and "P" in it. The first clue is: "U" and "P" are the initials of a common two-word phrase naming something holding a street lamp. What is it?

Pasties: The Meaty Center Of 'Yooper' Food

The meat turnovers were brought to Michigan's Upper Peninsula by immigrant miners from Cornwall, England. "Yoopers" — the local population — are very opinionated about them. A pasty isn't just a meal — it's a heritage. Here's the recipe, too.

In Michigan's U.P., Visitors Welcome, Just Don't Stay

Folks from Michigan's Upper Peninsula — or "Yoopers," as they call themselves — want you to know how lucky they are to live in such a beautiful place, how hard it is to do that, how their jokes about themselves are funnier than anything you've heard — and why you shouldn't move there.

Audio and transcripts from the series

What's A Yooper? [5 min 20 sec]

The people of Michigan's Upper Peninsula are nicknamed Yoopers. Weekend Edition Host Liane Hansen explores what defines the Yooper identity.

U.P. TV Anchor Moonlights At Target [4 min 39 sec]

Host Liane Hansen profiles TV Anchor Vicki Crystal of Marquette, Michigan. Crystal not only works as a full time anchor and reporter, but she also works part-time at Target.

Iron Mine At Core Of U.P. History, Culture [7 min 52 sec]

Host Liane Hansen visits the Cliffs Natural Resources iron ore mining operation near Ishpeming Michigan. Mining has long been a part of the U.P. economy, and Cliffs has been operating there since 1847.

U.P. County Tops State Unemployment Rate [3 min 56 sec]

Michigan's Baraga County has the state's highest unemployment rate, and at around 25 percent it's the third highest in the nation. Host Liane Hansen speaks with Baraga Village Manager Roy Kemppainin.

The Civil War That You Never Heard About [2 min 15 sec]

Stories about war are common. Unusual is the true story of an American war with no casualties. One of the spoils of the Toledo War was the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. And the early 19th century combatants were the Michigan and Ohio militias. Host Liane Hansen talks to State Representative Mike Lahti about the often-forgotten war.

In Contrast, This U.P. Town Is Thriving [6 min 30 sec]

In a country that's seen its share of downtown decay, central Marquette seems to be thriving. There's a bustling farmer's market, and along Washington Street there are coffee shops and quirky businesses including hockey and bingo supply stores. Host Liane Hansen pays a visit to Getz's Clothiers, a business dating from the 1880's that now draws 80 percent of its sales from online business.

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Luminous Light Huntress (Tamara Jacobs) says that she loves landscape photography, especially waterfalls. Also that she's a tree hugger* in a major way and aims to merge her passion for the environment with her love of landscape photography.

Judging by the photo above, she seems to be well on her way. You can see this photo bigger in her incredible Waterfalls set (slideshow). Her other sets include Natural Landscapes, Man Made Scenics, My Favorites and Porcupine Mountains.

Dive into her Flickriver.

*I know that "tree hugger" has become some sort of dirty word or smear, but what in the heck is really wrong with having a deep love and respect for the natural world?

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Edward Vielmetti tipped us off to the Miner's Revenge bicycle race in Greenland (Michigan) which takes place July 11 & 12. He writes:

Here's a novel reuse of an old copper mine - the Miner's Revenge bicycle race is using a 1/3 mile long section of the mine no longer in active use as a part of the race course. Bring your own lights - it's dark in there.

The race is July 11-12, 2009, with free on-site camping for racers and a bonfire the night before. Greenland is near Ontonagon; the mine is owned by the Adventure Mining Company which also does walking tours as well as other more extreme mining adventures that involve rappelling down a mine shaft.

You can learn more about the Adventure Copper Mine and get details on the Miner's Revenge bike race.

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I solemnly swear that I didn't intend this photo by digital viking to be any kind of commentary on Valentine's Day when I picked it as our this week's Photo Friday. I will, however, roll with it!

Be sure to check out this shot larger. It's from his Cold as Ice set (slideshow), that includes some brilliant black & white work like this shot of some frozen piers. His other sets include Feathers and Fur and Planes, Trains and Automobiles.

I'm guessing from his Flickriver that he enjoys photographing the natural world and the things we have built as they fade away.

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Tim says that he's a resident of Northern Michigan who loves the area and all it has to offer. When he's not behind the camera, he's either working, writing, out on the water, on his bike or on a trail - or just relaxing and thinking of that next image.

This photo is part of his pictured rocks 2007 kayaking trip set (slideshow). Some of his other sets include ann arbor car show 2008, petoskey images and Kayaking Point Aux Barques.

Check out some of gorgeous winter photos from Tahquamenon Falls in his Flickriver.

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The Chick Inn Triptych by jnhkrawczyk

Brawn beats brains - Michigan's Headless Chicken

The small town of Fruita, Colorado, holds a yearly festival dedicated to a bird that defied the laws of biology by staying alive after being decapitated for a farmer's dinner. In 1945, 'Mike' the headless chicken lived for eighteen months with only a brain stem and one ear to guide him, and became the star of a national sideshow tour. But he wasn't the first headless chicken to survive the chopping block. Michigan's Sault St. Marie boasted a crowd-pleasing, black leghorn decades earlier, in 1903. The headless chicken of the 'Soo' didn't live as long as Mike, nor did she match Mike's dizzying heights of fame and glory (Mike even has his own web site - miketheheadlesschicken.org), but she caused plenty of amazement in her day.

The natural wonder was created by one of the cooks at the Belvidere Hotel, who removed the hen's noggin and tossed her body into a barrel to be prepared for that night's roast chicken special. But when the cook pulled the hen's body out to be plucked, she flew away and began strolling around the hotel's basement floor.

Too amused to end the hen's life again, the hotel employees began feeding her oatmeal gruel from a syringe and claimed that she seemed to enjoy her meals, although, as the Sault Ste. Marie Evening News noted, 'she has no brains and no tongue to taste it with.' Some of the Belvidere workers, in fact, made a small fortune by betting patrons a dollar that they had a live, headless chicken in the basement, then escorting their dupes to the basement to prove their claim and collect. The stalwart hen did make national newspaper headlines.

Unlike Colorado's Mike, however, the Soo's headless black leghorn was not awarded the dignity of a recorded name, and she lived only seventeen days before she finally succumbed. Rumor around town has it she was stuffed not with bread crumbs but a taxidermist's form, and was displayed at various places. No one seems to know where she ended up. But she was seen by hundreds during those seventeen amazing days, and is remembered now as a testimonial to life and its occasional ability to survive against all conceivable odds.

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Thistle Stop by photoshoparama

The 24th annual Silver Bells in the City takes place this Friday (Nov 21) in downtown Lansing. The event features a parade of lights, the lighting of Michigan's Christmas tree and (weather permitting) a fireworks show. It's also free and attracted more than 120,000 people last year! Click that link to learn more and see a cool video from 2007.

Yesterday we got our first snowstorm of the season, with up to a foot of snow falling in parts of the state. The Muskegon Chronicle breaks it down for west Michigan and shows a video of snow (in case you forgot what it looks like). Up in the UP, there's no need for that as they received a bunch overnight:

"Here at the office we had just about 6 inches," said Mike Dutter, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Negaunee Township. "We certainly had reports out towards Trenary of 19 inches since 10 p.m. last night."

Of course, they race outhouses in Trenary so you never know whether to believe them or not.

Snow Bound by siskokid

That chill wind we feel in Michigan isn't just from Mother Nature. The possible collapse of the Big Three and the US auto industry has been howling like a blizzard for the last week. Over on Michigan in Pictures we have a post that seeks to gather interesting articles and opinions on just what should be done regarding the collosal mess that is the US automotive industry. One of the links that we found is a web site that was created by GM called GM Facts & Fiction. It has a lot of information about the economic impact of the auto industry and we've included a video from the site below.

One person who spends a great deal of time on this is Michigan's Governor. In Economy Is Only Issue for Michigan Governor, the New York Times takes an in-depth look at Gov. Granholm, her job and her detractors - worth a read indeed.

One thing's for sure - winter is on the way. You can warm up (cool off?) with the Snow slideshow from the Absolute Michigan pool.

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Bat by reddeviltj

In Michigan bats - featuring the Iron Mountain Bat Mine, Edward Vielmetti introduces us to the Millie Mine, a critical hibernating and breeding location for up to 50,000 bats - one of the largest known concentrations of bats in the Midwest. He writes that the little brown bat is especially abundant throughout Michigan and is the most seen species. Bats are of course very beneficial due to their propensity for bug eating, but we can't blame folks for being a little wary. Click through to Edward's blog for more about bats and learn much more about bats including how to build a bat house from The Bat Zone at the Cranbrook Institute of Science.

On the last Wednesday of every month, Absolute Michigan has a "Weird Wednesday" - a celebration of the scary and the strange in Michigan. The woman who inspired us and who provides most of the content is Linda S. Godfrey, author of one of the best Michigan books ever: Weird Michigan. She's joined with Michigander Linda Shiel for a new book Strange Michigan: More Wolverine Weirdness - click that link for info on the book and upcoming signings!

High Ground by Ross Sandelius

Probably the scariest thing we have for you today is news that investor Kirk Kerkorian is starting to sell his $1 billion stake in Ford Motor Company. David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor observes "It's reaching a point where we'll have to decide if we're willing to let the U.S. auto industry fail. It depends on the urgency that the government feels to save these companies." With a total employment of 200,000, a web of many more businesses that they feed and retirment committments to over a million Americans, you have to wonder how the government could not come to their rescue. Still, there are limits to what the US will be able to spend on our economic woes.

That's a tough note to end on, so instead, how about we remind you of our massive Michigan Haunted Houses, Mazes & Attractions page that features all kinds of haunted houses, corn mazes and scary attractions from all across Michigan.

Have something spooky to share? Post it in the comments!

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Lakenenland Corporate Greed by Kristina_5

Found on the Absolute Michigan flickr pool, Kristina_5 has some interesting shots from an equally interesting sculpture park located 15 miles east of Marquette, Michigan on M-28. She writes:

This sculpture park was created by Tom LaKenen (pron. Lay-Kin-en) several years ago. He started creating these pieces as a hobby. Eventually his yard became full and he had a hard time finding places to display them. He thought about trying to sell some except he is kinda proud of them and has so many hours inot each sculpture that he would hate to see them go. This is when LaKenenland was born.

For more bizarre Michigan attractions check out her Michigan Oddities set on flickr!

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Daryl Ann writes:

Located at Copper Harbor, on the west side of the tip of the Keweenaw Peninsula, in Michigan's beautiful upper peninsula (aka the U.P.), Hunter's Park overlooks Lake Superior. Note the cool fissure in the black lava rock, with quartz crystals looking as if they're bursting out! This is one place I will certainly return to, and spend more time at in the future! It's one of those rare places that stir something deep inside you and makes you want to never leave the spot. (also check out the cool circle rocks she photographed there)

She's working on her web site at darylann.com and says that she's been doing portrait and wedding photography for almost 10 years, but her heart and passion is in outdoor photography. It shows in her photos from Lake Superior (slideshow) and other sets like Michigan, The Upper Peninsula, Animals, Insects, Bugs... and Light Fantastic.

Maybe the best way to get to know her work is through her Flickriver.

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The photo is Macro Mushroom & Child by yooperyakker, and it appears that she's seen some other strange sights in the woods.

Tread carefully!

More Weird Wednesday from Absolute Michigan.

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Carl TerHaar (yooper1949) says he's semi-retired and enjoys photography as a hobby (and that if he can sell a thing or two, that'd help by more photo gear).

This photo is part of his stunning Isle Royale National Park set (slideshow), one of my all-time favorite photosets. Many of his other sets are from national parks around the country, but as he's from Cedarville, he of course has some boats from the Hessel Boat Show!

And oh yeah, he puts photos up big enough to use as wallpaper. Right on.

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