Planning a summer road trip? Check this out

Museum staff announces 2015 summer events

Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee has posted its summer calendar of events, which includes music, historic bike tours, afternoon programs and classic cars.

Through exhibits, outdoor interpretive trails and scenic overlooks the Michigan Iron Industry Museum tells the story of Michigan’s three iron ranges and the people who helped build modern America.

The 22-minute film “Iron Spirits – Life on the Michigan Iron Range,” shown seven times daily, presents the colorful story of immigrant and community life in the Upper Peninsula.

Located eight miles west of Marquette, the museum overlooks the Carp River and the site of the region’s first iron forge. Between 1848 and 1855, the Jackson Iron Company and its successors wrought iron from Negaunee’s Jackson mine. From that seed grew an industry that flourished for more than 125 years. It continues today at the Empire and Tilden open pit mines.

The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Scheduled programs and events include:

• May 17 – Museum Open House featuring White Water in concert at 1 and 2:30 p.m., new exhibits about the forge, and the rededication of the William G. Mather Auditorium and the Cliffs Gallery. Light refreshments will be served.  The open house is from noon to 4 p.m.
• June 21 – “Iron, Steel and the Automobile: 26th Annual Antique Auto Exhibit” featuring more than 50 vintage vehicles and light trucks from the 1910s to 1969; live jazz and swing performances by the Keweenaw Bluffs Orchestra; music from the 1950s; and food concession.
• July 10, 17 and 24 – Iron Ore Heritage Bike Tours begin at 10 a.m.; preregistration and fee required.
• July 7 – “The Kawbawgam Cases: Native Claims and the Discovery of Iron Ore in the Upper Peninsula” with Rebecca Mead, Ph.D., Northern Michigan University.
• July 14 – “The Ongoing Quest for the Wreck of the Griffon” with Dean Anderson, Ph.D., state archaeologist, Lansing.
• July 21 – “Making Waves: Michigan’s Boat-Building Industry, 1865-2000” with Scott Peters, Michigan Historical Center, Lansing. Book signing to follow program.
• July 28 – “Decolonizing Diet Project: A Transformative Relationship with Food One Bite at a Time” with April Lindala, director, Center for Native American Studies, Northern Michigan University.
• Aug. 4 – “Marble Arms: A History of the Company and its Innovative Outdoor Products” with Craig Lauerman, president, Marble Arms, Gladstone.
• Aug. 11 – “Michigan’s Raptors: Birds of Prey” with Jerome Maynard, Chocolay Raptor Center, Marquette.
• Aug. 18 – “Beer in the Upper Peninsula: A History of Brewing Above the Bridge” with Russell Magnaghi, Ph.D., Northern Michigan University. Book signing to follow program.
• Oct. 3 – “Iron Ore and the Civil War” featuring Civil War artillery encampment, cannon and small arms demonstrations, costumed interpreters, and children’s games and activities.

The museum entrance is located on U.S. 41 E, 1 mile west of Junction M-35, in Negaunee Township.

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan Historical Center, an agency within the Department of Natural Resources.  For more information about events or programs call 906-475-7857 or visit www.michigan.gov/ironindustrymuseum.

Renewables, waste reduction keys to state's future

Adaptability, affordability, reliability and environmental protection focus of Snyder energy plan Gov. Rick Snyder today outlined aggressive goals to ensure an energy future for Michigan that protects against dramatic cost increases and widespread outages through a cost-based goal that, over the next ten years, moves the state to 30-40 percent use of renewable energy and waste reduction. The state faces an energy capacity issue with 10 coal power plants expected to be retired in the next ten years. As Michigan’s surging economy continues to grow, demand is expected to increase, challenging our infrastructure and natural assets unless we take new approaches, he said. Energy costs and availability are a major concern for expanding businesses that will bring new jobs to Michigan’s economy. Snyder’s plan will see the state through at least the next ten years during which Michigan must meet the shortage of electric generation while complying with new federal regulations on carbon emissions. Snyder said the energy policy centers around the four pillars of affordability, reliability, adaptability and environmental protection. A key challenge will be to dramatically reduce wasted energy, an effort that will save money for families and businesses as well as lessen the demand on the state’s power grid. We need to eliminate energy waste to meet an additional 15 percent of our energy needs by 2025. Snyder encourages a discussion with the Legislature about programs that help people replace older, wasteful items like furnaces, such as on-bill financing. Power can be made more reliable through plans to deploy “smart” meters that help utilities locate outages and restore power more quickly. The state also needs to give our regulators the ability to determine that when we may face a shortage, we have the tools to address it and ensure fair choices for customers. We’ve made progress in this area. Our goal is to have residents average less than one power outage a year, and have those outages last less than two and a half hours. We’re getting closer to hitting that mark. Michigan has been one of the 10 states most-dependent on coal. We must continue to focus on adaptability, with Michiganders determining how we will replace outdated coal plants and expand the use of newer, cleaner technologies such as natural gas and renewables. Our state can reach a goal of 30 to 40 percent renewables plus waste reduction within a decade. Michigan’s energy generation need to be part of a healthier future, with plans to reduce mercury emissions, pollution that creates acid rain and cut down on airborne particles. Our state already is a leader in terms of safety measures tied to high-volume hydraulic fracturing.  We will remain vigilant, and also continue exploring ways to promote and adopt alternative transportation fuels and autonomous vehicle technology. To read Snyder's full Energy Special Message, visit here.

Walk for Diabetes - 2014 Edition

Were you one of the walkers who braved the chilly weather to walk for diabetes? If so, check out these photographs to see if your commitment to the cause was captured on camera.

Lynn Kihm, center, and her co-chairmen.

Signing up for the walk.

Our sister website, NewberryFreePress.com, sponsored the walk.

Setting up a glucose meter for walk participants.

Even dobermans participate.

Nice ride in a wagon for a great cause.

Wee ones take the easy stroll.

Walkers make it to the turnaround point.

Largest crowd of the walk converges on Snyder's.

Water or juice?

Sweatshirts were the most popular garb.

Everyone is smiling.

Mad dash across M-123.

Hoofin' it.

My kind of vantage point.

Wavin' right back at ya.

This wee one enjoyed some attention from a walk volunteer.