Central UP Events

Northern Michigan University’s longstanding UNITED Conference has been transformed for 2026 into a three-day event March 25-27. It weaves together NMU initiatives- Campus Sustainability Summit, Common Reader Program, Poetry Without Borders and Wildcat WellBeing Fair-and a partnership with the PEAK26 professional development conference into one cohesive experience.  UNITED 2026 revolves around the theme “Rest: Reclaiming Power Through Resilience and Resistance.” It is free and open to the public, but pre-registration is required for all attendees. Sessions will take place across campus, with a continuous shuttle loop connecting key locations. The schedule for the three-day conference follows (visit the detailed event

Wednesday, March 25, 2026.  9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.  WLUC TV 6 Studios. Adults, Teens, Seniors. Join Upper Michigan Today’s John Redfield, along with PWPL staff, for an on-air, in person book discussion. This month’s book: Marsha: The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson by: Tourmaline. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.  

Wednesdays, March (4, 11, 18, 25), 2026.  10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays for newborns to 17 months with a loving adult. Older siblings are welcome. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.  

The Barnes-Hecker Mine Disaster occurred on November 3, 1926. Fifty-one men lost their lives; forty-one of them are still buried at the site of the cave in. To commemorate the 100th anniversary, the Marquette Regional History Center will host Digitization Days, where community members can receive free digital scans of their documents and photographs pertaining to the mine, employees, family members, and friends. These scans will be added to the Longyear Research Library’s digital collections for future generations to learn from.   Digitization Days will be held at the Marquette Regional History Center on Saturday, March 7 from 10-3, at

every Wednesday 1:00 p.m.  The library knitting group meets at 1:00 p.m. every Wednesday at the Negaunee Public Library. Crocheters, knitters, and others interested in fiber arts are welcome to bring their projects and enjoy fellowship. Coffee is provided, and lessons are available. This program is free. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary/ or call 906-475-7700 ext. 18.  

Wednesday, March 25, 2026.  1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Teen Zone.  Home School Teens, Ages 11 & up, are welcome to join Amanda in the Teen Zone for bi-weekly book discussions. We will be discussing Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate. For youth ages 11 & up. No admission charge. For more information or to check the status of this program, call 906-226-4321, email Amanda at pierce@pwpl.info, visitpwpl.info, or find Peter White Public Library Teen Services on Instagram or Facebook  

Wednesday March 25, 2026.  Family Day 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Family Night 4:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Youth Services Room.  Families with youth of all ages, welcome to our brand-new monthly family themed drop-in library days! This month it’s all about animals! There will be animal-themed stations with activities for kids of varying ages and families to interact with and explore together. Children under the age of 8 must have an adult in the program with them. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit

Wednesday, March 25, 2026.  2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library. Peter White Conference Room.  Adult Nonfiction Book Group at the Peter White Public Library focuses on narrative nonfiction book picks that tell stories of our past, present, and future. This book group is for people who enjoy reading nonfiction that read like fiction. Join us as we explore this month’s book (which is also the Great Michigan Read this year) Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant by Curtis Chin. No registration or admission charge. For more information call 906-226-4311 or email refdesk@pwpl.info.  

Wednesdays 3 p.m.  The after-school library club, a group for middle school students and their homeschool peers ages 10-14, will meet at 3 p.m. Wednesdays at the Negaunee Public Library, except for days the Negaunee Public Schools are closed due to inclement weather. Snacks will be provided. This program is free. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary/ or call 906-475-7700 ext. 18.  

Press Release Negaunee Ice Arena Tours City Manager Nate Heffron is announcing two tours of the Negaunee Ice Area for both the public and media to attend. The purpose of the tours will be to reveal designs for the proposed ice arena overhaul, which is needed to keep the facility operational to facilitate updates and repairs. Additionally, those that attend the tours will learn firsthand what is proposed, why, and be able to ask questions concerning the project. The tour will be offered twice on March 25th. The first tour will start at 3:00 p.m. and the second will commence