Central UP Events

Northern Michigan University’s Beaumier U.P. Heritage Center will unveil two exhibits in its new gallery space in 223 Harden Hall: “The Conservationists: George Shiras III, Theodore Roosevelt and the Migratory Bird Act”; and a permanent display of artifacts, photographs and stories about NMU. The opening reception begins at noon Saturday, Jan. 31. “The Conservationists” focuses on the relationship between Shiras and Roosevelt and how the two helped shape conservation and environmental policy in the United States during the early 1900s. The exhibit will feature actual correspondence between the two figures from the collection of the Central Upper Peninsula and NMU

February 23, 2026-January 2, 2027 This exhibit showcases two hundred and fifty artifacts, photographs, and documents from our permanent collections. These objects connect local history to the national story while commemorating the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Michigan’s Upper Peninsula has often seemed remote from the rest of the country. However, the themes and movements of U.S. history can be seen here as well, especially since the War of 1812. When the country braced for the Civil War, U.P. iron miners raced to uncover iron for the Union army’s railroads and ammunitions. When labor movements exploded following

Registration fees are $195 per team until May 8th and $215 May 9th until May 13th.  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

Deadline June 12, 2025.  The Marquette Kiwanis Club proudly announces our 31st year of sponsoring the Marquette July 4th Parade with the City of Marquette-starting at 2 pm on Saturday July 4th at McClelland & W. Washington. Online Application to enter Parade, click the link and fill out the application form at https://bit.ly/KiwanisMQTParadeApplication. Theme: One Nation Indivisible – Celebrating 250 Years!    To encourage youth participation, 10 grants of $150 to defray float costs along with fee waivers will be given to youth sports, dance and theater groups. Contact Pam Simmons to apply (see below). Also, we offer an accessible

What brings you joy? Whether it’s cozying up with a new story, learning a new skill, or gathering with community, you can find your joy at the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library (ICPL). First celebrated in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association. National Library Week, April 19–25, 2026, is a time to celebrate the many ways libraries bring people together, spark imagination, and support lifelong learning. From books and digital resources to job assistance and creative programming, libraries are essential to thriving communities. At the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library, we invite everyone to

Northern Michigan University’s 12th annual Anderton’s Earth Week will be held April 19-25. This year’s schedule has more than 30 events and activities to celebrate the arrival of spring. Gamma Theta Upsilon, NMU’s geographic honors society, is working with the Department of Earth, Environmental, and Geographic Sciences and the Sustainability Hub for Innovation and Environment (SHINE) to host an action-packed week of Earth-themed activities. Several of the events offer high-impact learning opportunities, such as gathering data for citizen science projects or learning about foraging and maple syrup-making on campus. Others are designed to foster belonging and well-being, from sipping tea to creating a house for

Tuesdays & Fridays April (7, 10, 14, 17, 21, 24, 28), 2026.  10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.  Peter White Public Library Great Room.  Preschool age children. Stories, songs, finger-plays, crafts and other school-readiness activities for preschool age children and a loving adult. Siblings welcome.  No admission charge.  For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.  

Tuesday, April (7, 14, 21, 28), 2026  10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Peter White Public Library Local History Research Room.  Need help with the settings on your phone or iPad? Want to download travel apps before you leave town? Learn how to make your electronic devices work the way you want, with the help of Christine Ault, retired teacher and librarian, Tuesday mornings from 10 AM – 1 PM during April and May in the Local History Research Room of the Peter White Public Library.  Call the Reference Desk at 906-226-4311 to schedule a 30-minute session.  Please charge your electronic

The Friends of the Negaunee Public Library are holding a reception from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, in the Negaunee Public Library’s Reading Room in honor of Al Sundine. Sundine, a retired Negaunee High School teacher, served on the Negaunee Public Library board from December 1980 to December 2025. He was president of the board from 2008 through the end of his tenure. The public is invited to attend this free event, enjoy refreshments, and thank Sundine for his service to the community and the library.  

Tuesdays, April (7, 14, 21, 28) 2026.  4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Heritage Room.  Teens join PWPL for four weeks of inspired writing in a supportive environment. Each week, a different local writer will engage with attendees to enhance and inspire creative expression.  For students in grades 6-12. Registration is required. Please visit pwpl.info to register.  For more information, please contact Amanda Pierce apierce@pwpl.info or (906)226-4321  

Tuesday, April 21, 2026.  Meeting begins at 5:00 p.m.  Peter White Public Library, George Shiras III Room.  Regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Peter White Public Library. The meeting is open to all. Meeting agenda and background materials are available on the library’s website: pwpl.info.  For more information call 906-226-4303.  

Tuesday, April 21 5:30 p.m.  The Negaunee Public Library is holding a “bring your own craft night” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 21, where the community is welcome to bring a craft they are working on or start a new one. This is an excellent way for the community to get together, share their hobbies, and have a dedicated place and time for creative flow. This program is free and all are welcome to attend; there is no age restriction but all children under 7 must be accompanied by an adult. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page at

Agenda & Minutes 4.21.26

Tuesdays, April (7, 14, 21, 28) 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

Tuesdays, April (7, 14, 21, 28) 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, April 21, 2021.  6:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.  Peter White Public Library Community Room. Adults, Seniors, Teens. The GLPF celebrates the latest book releases from U.P. poets Suzanne Sunshower and John Hilden. Sunshower’s Still Wild: Poems from the Bear Shack contains meditations from the poet, who, at the age of 60, moved to a remote hunting camp trailer in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to start a new adventure. Hilden’s The ABCs of Infatuation showcases what readers have come to expect from his work: crisp poetry, wry observation, and trademark wit.  No admission charge.  For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or

Shiras Planetarium to Host Nationally Recognized Astronomer Dr. Joel Weisberg for 61st Anniversary Celebration and Public Programs  Marquette, MI – April 2026 – The Shiras Planetarium is proud to welcome Dr. Joel Weisberg to Marquette this April as part of the American Astronomical Society’s prestigious Harlow Shapley Visiting Lectures Program.  Dr. Weisberg, Professor Emeritus of Physics and Astronomy at Carleton College, has dedicated his career to advancing astronomy education, public outreach, and research in areas including pulsars, relativity, and the interstellar medium. His visit brings a unique opportunity for the Marquette community to engage with a nationally respected astronomer whose