Central UP Events

Press Release 2026.5.11 – Bingo Fundraiser at the The Mather

Monday, May 11, 2026,  6:00 p.m.- 7:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room. Adults, Seniors, Family Friendly. Toothless in Michigan, a music and storytelling performance about loss and recovery by musician/poet/filmmaker Ronnie Ferguson. The evening will include a special opening act.  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

Tuesday, May 12, 2026.  12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Shiras Room.  A book group for readers, who love to cook. With a focus on food-themed literature, the group explores a variety of books from cookbooks to culinary memoirs. Participants can enjoy tasty treats inspired by the book of the month while sharing their thoughts and connecting with others who share their passion for both literature and food. This month’s book is Ruffage, Grist, or Pulp by Abra Berens.  No admission charge.  For more information call 906-226-4303 or visit pwpl.info.  

Tuesdays, May (5, 12, 19, 26) 2026.  6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Heritage Room. Mediate Marquette and PWPL have collaborated to offer a weekly, in-person mindfulness meditation program. The sessions begin at 6:00 pm followed by a period of fellowship. Dr. Debra Smith, a Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher and psychologist, will deliver brief talks exploring various aspects of meditation and its impact on our lives. These talks will take place on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, while longer meditation sessions are scheduled for the remaining Tuesdays. All individuals, regardless of skill level or spiritual affiliation, are

Tuesday, May 12, 2026.  6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room. Adults, Seniors, Family Friendly. In celebration of National Mental Health Awareness Month, join singer/songwriter/performer Phil Lynch for an evening of music from his new album Growing, Older. Guaranteed to touch your heart and tickle your funny bone. This event will also be livestreamed. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

Wednesday, May 13, 2026,  5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room. Adults, Seniors. In partnership with Michigan Humanities, Peter White Public Library hosts the Great Michigan Read! Join us for an evening with Curtis Chin, author of Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with an opening reception featuring light cuisine from the Rice Paddy. At 6:30 p.m., former WLUC TV 6 personality Elizabeth Peterson sits down for a moderated conversation with Curtis Chin. Books will be available for sale from Snowbound Books. This is a ticketed

The Marquette County Planning Division is hosting a series of Map the Future events across the county to gather community input, providing an opportunity to guide the Division’s update of the Marquette County 2040 Master Plan at four regional meetings. Residents are encouraged to attend the meeting in their region. At each event, attendees can expect to hear from county planners on local demographics and trends, learn about related planning processes underway, including Materials Management and Hazard Mitigation, and connect with fellow community members. Participants will also be invited to share their thoughts on key topics including Economy, Health and

Thursday, May 14, 2026,  6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Heritage Room. Adults, Seniors, Family Friendly. Join local poets, writers, and poetry enthusiasts for an evening of poetry. Starting at 6:30 p.m., participants gather to workshop their current work, followed by an Open Mic at 7:15 p.m. New and experienced poets are welcome for either or both events.  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

Friday, May 15, 2026.  12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room. Adults, Seniors. In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, PWPL screens this award-winning biopic about David Helfgott, a virtuoso pianist who spent years in mental institutions. Geoffrey Rush won the Best Actor Oscar for playing the title role in this inspiring movie. Rated PG-13.  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

Be a Part of U.P. History  What makes The Big Bay Relay different from any other relay? It is the Upper Peninsula’s most esteemed and historic race relay event. Join the Noquemanon Trail Network in celebrating the 48th annual Big Bay Relay kicking off at the Kaufman Sports Complex Saturday, May 16th 2026!  The relay welcomes runners of all levels and we cannot wait to see what creative team names our runners come up with for the 2026 race! Teams are composed of five runners for adults and up to seven for youth teams. The relay spans the twenty-six mile