Not only did Chase S. Osborn serve as Michigan’s 27th governor (1911-1913) but he had a variety of skills and occupations: newspaper publisher, world traveler, naturalist, prospector, postmaster, railroad commissioner, fish and game warden, a member of the board of Regents for University of Michigan, and an author of many […]
History and Culture
107 posts
During prohibition, there were thousands of illegal runs across the Canadian border to Michigan. They brought whiskey into the United States, which was illegal because of the Volstead Act. While organized crime gets much of the credit, there were also average Americans that risked life and limb to bring in [...]
Can you imagine teaching a group ranging from pre kindergarten to eighth grade? (Some of you probably can with our virtual learning this past spring.) Wendy Spray has taught on the remote island of Bois Blanc for over 15 years. One year her one room school had a population of […]
In the quaint village of Gergei, Sardina is Mario Cesare’s cottage tucked between stone walls, which was our housing for one night. Mario had been an artist who painted and drew portraits of locals capturing their character. His scenes were of village life. He didn’t reach for fame, but rather […]
The Discovery The bones of Sister Mary Janina (Ya-nina) were unearthed from the basement cellar of Holy Rosary Catholic church in late 1918. It had been 11 years since the nun had gone missing. Father Edward Podlaszewski was the new priest who wanted to build a stylish church on the […]
Deberio, Ivo’s friend, welcomed us into his winery and art gallery. The clay brick walls and dirt floor made it much cooler than the outdoors. There were a variety paintings hung. He brought us to the side room where the table was adored with a hand stitched cloth. There was […]
We visit the Champion Mill Ruins at the Freda, Michigan ghost town. The ruins are situated on the shores of Lake Superior with lots of dispersed camping available with a couple of miles. The mill started operation in 1901 and was the last producing mill in Copper Country in [...]
As we hiked around the Keweenaw peninsula in upper Michigan we came across copper mining ruins. How did they mine copper? When did this industry cease production? How rustic were the mining towns? It was fascinating discovering the secrets of copper mining! 40,000 years ago two mile thick ice sheets […]
We explore a timber crib dam that is over 120 years old and a unique steel dam. Only three steel dams were ever constructed in the United States. One of those dams failed soon after it was built. This dam is one of many engineering marvels left over from industrial [...]
Spectators, I learned, are discouraged from looking straight into the face of a masked rider. This can bring bad luck. Here’s an example of the direct “look” frozen in this photograph. Don’t stare too long! The three horses stepped out of formation, so I clicked a pic. So far I […]