Keep It In The UP!

Calumet - Red Jacket Readers Book Club
2025-07-09 18:30 - 19:30 UTC | Calumet Public LIbrary, 57070 Mine Street, Calumet, Michigan, 49913
Wednesday, July 9th
Red Jacket Readers book club discussion of The Frozen River, by Ariel Lawhon
6:30 – 7:30 pm
Calumet Public Library – Community Room
Open to the Public
The Frozen River In Maine, 1789, when the Kennebec River freezes, entombing a man in the ice, Martha Ballard is summoned to examine the body and determine cause of death. As a midwife and healer, she is privy to much of what goes on behind closed doors in Hallowell. Her diary is a record of every birth and death, crime and debacle that unfolds in the close-knit community. Clever, layered, and subversive, Ariel Lawhon’s newest offering introduces an unsung heroine who refused to accept anything less than justice at a time when women were considered best seen and not heard. The Frozen River is a thrilling, tense, and tender story about a remarkable woman who left an unparalleled legacy yet remains nearly forgotten to this day.

Join the Red Jacket Readers as we discuss The Frozen River. The book club is open to everyone! The library has multiple copies of the book to check out, and it is also available for purchase in independent bookstores.

This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Calumet Public Library.
For more information, visit the library or call 337-0311 ext. 1107
(In case of bad weather, when school is cancelled, all library programs are cancelled.)

South Range - Copper Range Historical Society Annual Member Dinner
2025-07-09 17:30 | Grace Lutheran Church, 45476 State Hwy M-26, South Range, Michigan, MI
Copper Range Historical Society is having its 36th Annual Member Dinner & Meeting on Wednesday, July 9, at Grace Lutheran, Hwy M-26, South Range. Program by Jim Kurtti titled “Sauna: Everything Old is New Again.” Meal features Krupps pasties, coleslaw, and dessert. Tickets $10.00. Available at the museum during open hours or from Janet Kokko at 906-482-2368. Doors open at 5:30 pm. Members and public invited.

Wednesday Night Market
2025-07-09 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-07-02 17:00 - 20:00 | MI
The Downtown Marquette Farmers Market will be turning the 100 block of W. Washington St. into a festive Night Market where you will find over 60 vendors gathered to exhibit their locally grown, collected, and crafted products. Stop by every Wednesday night from 5 pm – 8 pm to enjoy the local farmers, bakers, artisans, musicians, and more!

Bruce Crossing - MI-TRALE Meeting
2025-07-07 19:00 | Stannard Township Hall, 14927 State Hwy M-28 East, Bruce Crossing, Michigan, 49912
Our July Monthly Meeting will be held at 7:00pm, (Eastern Time), in person at the Stannard Township Hall on 7/07/2025. For virtual attendance, we now have ZOOM available, along with the strictly audio/phone method. If you would like to attend virtually, please email me at this address and I will get you the connection information.

Saturday Farmers Market
2025-07-05 09:00 - 13:00 | MI
At the Downtown Marquette Farmers Market, you will find over 70 vendors gathered to exhibit their locally grown, collected, and crafted products. Stop by the Marquette Commons every Saturday from 9 am – 1 pm to enjoy the local farmers, bakers, artisans, musicians, and more!

Marquette 4th of July Parade
2025-07-04 14:00 - 16:00 | MI
The Marquette Kiwanis Club invites the community to celebrate Independence Day in the heart of Downtown Marquette at the annual Kiwanis Fourth of July Parade—a tradition that goes back more than a century.
The Parade starts at 2 pm on Friday July 4th And look up, you might see an F-16 Air Force jet flyover.
at McClelland & W. Washington. This year, the theme will be “United We Stand.” Plenty of candy for the kids.
We still have 25 float spots left for businesses and nonprofits. To register go online to marquettefourth.com to the form. Deadline is June 6 at 5:00 PM
We need more volunteer crossing guards to keep the kids safe. You can go to our website to volunteer as well. And look up, you might see an F-16 Air Force jet flyover.
If you would like more information, please email directormqtparade@gmail.com or call Robert Anderson at (906) 373-6047.

Gay - VFD Auxiliary Bazaar and Sales
2025-07-04 12:00 - 15:00 | Gay Community Hall, 8878 Second Street, Gay, Michigan
Join us on Friday, July 4th, for the VFD Auxiliary Bazaar and Sales. We have new items arriving every week, so many great items have been added. Special Feature this sale: Men’s Items. Also, we will have new auction items to bid on. Everything is now on the main floor of the Community Hall. Desserts will be available inside and the Fire Department will be having a Food Sale outside. While in Gay take advantage of touring the historical Gay Schoolhouse. Come join us and support the firefighters and the community of Gay/Sherman Township.

Friday, July4th from 12:00 -3:00 p.m.
Gay Community Hall
8878 Second Street, Gay, MI 49945

Eagle Harbor 4th of July Celebration
2025-07-04 00:00 - 23:59 | Eagle Harbor, Eagle Harbor, Michigan
Eagle Harbor
Date: July 4th, 2025
This quaint harbor town hosts an early morning parade at 9:30AM to kick-off your 4th of July celebrations. Head to the Ball Yard at 10:30AM for games and contests, then get your toes in the sand at the beloved Eagle Harbor beach at 12PM. Enjoy lighthouse views or dip your toes in the harbor before enjoying fun games and food in the park. This town serves at a great hopping off point for plenty of outdoor adventures. From here, head to Great Sand Bay for a 4th of July Beach Day or check out the festivities taking place in nearby communities.

Mohawk 4th of July Celebration
2025-07-04 00:00 - 23:59 | Mohawk, Mohawk, Michigan
Mohawk
Date: July 4th, 2025
Mohawk-Fulton celebrations are all about the kids! Let your little ones get creative for the Kid’s Bike Parade at 10AM beginning at the Firehall. Then, kick back and relax while the kids enjoy fun games in Mohawk Park afterwards. Of course, 4th of July wouldn’t be 4th of July without some hot dogs or burgers. Make sure to grab a bite to eat before your next Independence Day adventure.

Tapiola 4th of July Celebration
2025-07-04 00:00 - 23:59 | Tapiola, Tapiola, Michigan
Tapiola
Date: July 4th, 2025
Tapiola is a is a small community south of Houghton that was founded by Finnish Americans. Although the community only spans an area of about 8 miles, the parade on July 4th at 10:30AM draws in quite a crowd! The first 4th of July parade in Tapiola was organized by local resident, Robert Olson, in 2016. Since then, the parade has continued to grow, with a unique focus on the people and culture of the community. The parade ends at the community baseball field, where there are kid’s games and free hot dogs for all to enjoy. Put in for the Quilt Raffle for a chance to take home a true U.P. one-of-a-kind family heirloom!

Gay 4th of July Celebration
2025-07-04 00:00 - 23:59 | Gay, Gay, Michigan
Gay
Date: July 4th, 2025
Gay, Michigan is a great place to celebrate the 4th of July! From 12-3PM, The Auxiliary hosts its huge July Bazaar and Sale at the Community Hall. At 2PM, people line the streets to catch the crazy, goofy fun of the Gay Parade! Grab a drink at the iconic Gay Bar or explore the historic ruins of the Mohawk Mining Company Stamp Mill before heading to one of the neighboring communities for fireworks in the evening.

Hubbell 4th of July Celebration
2025-07-04 00:00 - 23:59 | Hubbell
Hubbell-Tamarack
Date: July 4th, 2025
The Hubbell Fire Department hosts family-friendly action on the 4th of July! The annual Hubbell parade starts at 10:30AM, starting at Koppers to the south end of Tamarack. Make sure to catch the sports program at 1PM and purchase your 50/50 raffle ticket before the big drawing. If you have some time to kill in the afternoon, a hike at Hungarian Falls may be the perfect activity to fill your day with a solid mix of celebration and nature experiences.

Copper Harbor 4th of July Celebration
2025-07-04 00:00 - 23:59 | Copper Harbor, Michigan
Copper Harbor
Date: July 4th, 2025
Spend 4th of July in Michigan’s northernmost town of Copper Harbor, MI! Copper Harbor is well-known for its beautiful lights display over the water, and this year’s epic aerial drone display is no exception! This charming small town features a parade at 10AM, followed by kid’s games in the park at 1PM. This leaves ample time to grill out or explore the great outdoors before the drone show at dusk (typically around 10-11PM).

South Range 4th of July Celebration
2025-07-04 00:00 - 23:59 | South Range, South Range
South Range Celebrations
Date: July 4th, 2025
South Range Independence Day kicks off bright and early the morning of 4th of July. Attend the Flag Raising Ceremony at the Community Building at 8AM before perusing the Flea Market until 1:30PM. The South Range Pub hosts an exciting Cornhole Tournament for adults, while children enjoy Fun in the Veteran’s Memorial Park from 11AM to 4PM. You’ll find live music from local acts SuperSuits and Tom Katalin starting at 3PM until late!
Each year, Keweenaw Brewing Company hosts an open house with tours of their South Range production facility and beer tastings from 12-2PM. Get to know the brewers who produce your favorite Keweenaw adult beverages, before heading out to catch the parade at 2PM. The day continues with horseshoe tournaments and live music, before concluding with one of the Keweenaw’s best fireworks displays starting at dusk. All this celebratory fun is sponsored by VFW Post 6165, and we guarantee South Range’s party is one that you will not want to miss.

Marquette - 4 Day Vinyl Record Show
2025-07-03 12:00 - 2025-07-06 12:00 | Ore Dock Brewing Company, 114 W. Spring Street, Marquette, Michigan, 49855
4-Day VINYL RECORD SHOW at Ore Dock Brewing Company

From 12 noon on Thursday, July 3rd through Sunday, July 6th, a four-day vinyl record show will be held on the 2nd floor community room of Ore Dock Brewing Company, at 114 W. Spring Street in downtown Marquette, Michigan, 49855.

Thousands of new & used vinyl records, CDs, posters, cassettes, books, and t-shirts will be available. Sunday’s events include a movie screening and six rounds of popular culture trivia!

Talk with Jon and Geoff about trading old records and tapes for new favorites, or finding an unused media collection a new home. For more information call 906-373-6183 or visit out Facebook Event Page: www.facebook.com/events/2129812604161375/2129812617494707/

All are welcome at this free, all-ages event, presented by the NMU Vinyl Record Club. (some ticketed event exceptions may apply)

Baraga County Lumberjack Days
2025-07-03 00:00 - 2025-07-04 23:59 | Baraga, Baraga, Michigan, 49908
Baraga County’s 2025 Lumberjack Days are two action-packed days that begin on Wednesday, July 3rd at 6:30pm with music, street dancing and the introduction of the honorees. July 4th celebrations begin at 8:00am with a 5k run; there is also a pancake breakfast at Baraga Area Schools from 8am-12pm. Following that is a flag raising ceremony, children’s parade and games. Beginning at 2:00pm is the parade line-up, with the main parade beginning at 3:30pm. Afterwards is live music at the American Legion post 444. Beginning at dusk are fireworks over Keweenaw Bay.

Lake Linden 4th of July Celebration
2025-07-03 00:00 - 2025-07-04 23:59 | Lake Linden, Michigan
Lake Linden
Date: July 3rd & 4th, 2025
Featuring two days full of events, the Village of Lake Linden takes Independence Day seriously! Festivities in the park begin around 5PM on July 3rd and continue until the fireworks display goes off over Torch Lake at dusk. The evening of the 3rd includes live music by local performers, park vendors, and a bar set up by the Lake Linden Volunteer Fire Department (LLVFD).
Best get a good night’s sleep after the fireworks because the Grand Patriotic Parade starts at 9:30AM sharp on the 4th of July. The lineup starts with the Lake Linden Police Department, Houghton County Sheriff’s Department, State Police Department, American Legion Color Guard, V.F.W, and the National Guard. Following the parade, festivities return to the Village Park. Vendors and the LLVFD Bar will again be set up at 10AM, as well as more live music, kid’s games, races in the park, and grand stand contests.
Make sure to stick around throughout the day, as the Veteran’s Memorial Service takes place at 1PM, a bicycle parade at 6:30PM, and a Street Dance at the Lake Lounge from 6-10PM.

Dollar Bay 4th of July Celebration
2025-07-03 00:00 - 2025-07-04 23:59 | Dollar Bay
Dollar Bay
Date: July 3rd & 4th, 2025
This year’s Dollar Bay 4th of July celebration is going to be a big one! Starting at 1PM on July 3rd, visitors can participate in family-friendly events throughout the day – carriage rides to almuni basketball to a community carnival! Once dusk hits at 8PM, boogie the night away during the annual Dollar Bay Street Dance Block Party. This year’s music will be provided by a fun local band playing all your favorite covers, Split Shyft. Join locals and visitors as they dance into the night across from Ritchie’s Store while enjoying food and snacks from the Fire Hall (all proceeds go to the cause). Don’t forget your camping chairs in case your dancing feet get tired.
On the 4th of July, the Dollar Bay Volunteer Fire Department hosts their World-Famous Chicken barbecue from 10:30AM to 2PM. And… they don’t call it a World-Famous Chicken BBQ for nothing! For just $16 you will be treated to the best chicken barbecue in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with sides of baked beans, coleslaw and a dinner roll! Tickets are cash-only and sold in advance at Ritchie’s, so be sure to swing by well beforehand! Make sure to catch the annual 4th of July Parade at 12PM, followed by family games at Pioneer Park and concessions.

Chassell - Community Blood Drive
2025-07-01 15:00 - 18:00 | Chassell VFW, 42103 Wilson Memorial Drive, Chassell, Michigan, 49916
UP Health System Regional Blood Center COMMUNITY BLOOD DRIVE

Proudly Hosted by Chassell VFW Post 6507
42103 Wilson Memorial Drive

Tuesday, July 1, 2025

Walk-Ins Welcome from 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Chance to win $50 in Keweenaw Cash!
Contact: 906-449-1450

Houghton - From the Ground Farmers Market
2025-07-01 15:00 - 18:00 | Houghton Waterfront Pier, Houghton, Michigan, 49931
From the Ground Farmers Market

Houghton Waterfront Pier

Tuesdays from 3pm – 6pm
June 10th to October 7th.

Ahmeek 4th of July Celebration
2025-06-30 11:00 - 20:00 | Gabe Chopp Park, Ahmeek, MI, 49901, United States
4th of July Celebration at Gabe Chopp Park in Ahmeek Village on July 4, 2025.

Kid’s parade at 11am, food & beverages noon til 8pm, kid’s games noon til 6pm, live music 2-7pm, bingo 2-5pm, raffle drawings at 6pm. NO CARRY INS PLEASE! For more info, see “Ahmeek Fire & Rescue Department” Facebook page.

Hancock - Pride Market
2025-06-29 13:00 - 18:00 | Orpheum Theatre, 426 Quincy Street, Hancock, Michigan, 49930
The 1st Annual Pride Market will be held at The Orpheum Theater in Hancock, MI, June 29th, 1pm-6pm. Market-goers will find things from the practical to the fanciful, such as soaps, fresh produce, stickers, crochet plushies, art prints, books, baskets, garments, and more. Everything at Pride Market was drawn, grown, sewn, crocheted, designed, written, or otherwise made by vendors, and features a full lineup of LGBTQIA+ makers and small businesses.

Pride Market is an expansion of successful past events organized by local artist Gray Kotila. Prior events, such as the 2021 Queer Artists Market held in the Rozsa Center on Michigan Tech University’s campus during the 41 North Film Festival and the Queer Pop-Up Shops held at Black Ice Comics & Books in Houghton each week during June of 2024, focused on uplifting and supporting queer creatives from the Upper Peninsula.

Organized this year by Gray Kotila and Sophie Hansen, Pride Market has expanded to nearly twenty vendors and welcomed many new creators, plus three farms, to the vendor lineup.

Kotila says of the event, “I’m so excited with the variety of what our amazing local vendors are bringing! Paired with the cool vibes of the Orpheum Theater and what 5th & Elm has to offer, this market feels like it’ll be a great outing for folks!” Hansen adds, “It’s exciting to see members of our community so ecstatic for Pride Market! It has been an absolute joy and honor to put together Pride Market with Gray, and I hope that everyone will have a great time! So what are you waiting for? Come say hi June 29th!”

All are invited to celebrate expressions of queer joy and experience what the local queer creators and small businesses bring to our community at large.

'Love Letters' at NMU
2025-06-28 19:30 - 21:00 | MI
6/10/2025
Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney, a past nominee for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play features two characters—Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III—whose 50-year correspondence chronicles their evolving relationship and shared confidences. It has been described as “a tender, tragi-comic and nuanced examination of the shared nostalgia, missed opportunities and deep closeness of two lifelong, complicated friends.” Showtimes are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26 through Saturday, June 28, in Forest Roberts Theatre.
The play stars Amy Dolan-Malaney and Robert Ouellette, both seasoned actors who performed “Love Letters” together in Florida seven years ago. Because Dolan-Malaney and her husband, Dennis—an NMU alumnus—have called Big Bay their summer home for more than 35 years, she pitched the idea of the two actors reuniting for another production in Marquette, and NMU made it part of this year’s North Coast Theatre & Dance Festival.
While spanning five decades and numerous locations, the unique and imaginative piece is staged simply, as the playwright intended. Dolan-Malaney said the approach works because the play is so well-written.
“Gurney advised against wearing costumes, getting up and moving around, and even acting, really,” she said. “He wanted actors to just trust that by reading the letters and not over-rehearsing or memorizing, it will work. And sure enough, when we performed it that first time in Florida, people were very engaged and laughed in all the right places. It’s both funny and heartbreaking.
“We’ve been reading it back and forth via Zoom to reacquaint ourselves with all the words because you have to get them out clearly. But we’re very anxious to get this in front of audiences again. It’s hard to really listen in this very loud world we’re in right now, but I know that those who come to the show and listen to the words these characters share through their letters will have a really good experience.”
The characters are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years—where Andy goes on to excel at Yale and law school, while Melissa flunks out of a series of “good schools.”
While Andy is off at war Melissa marries, but her attachment to Andy remains strong and she continues to keep in touch as he marries, becomes a successful attorney, gets involved in politics and, eventually, is elected to the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, her marriage in tatters, Melissa dabbles in art and gigolos, drinks more than she should, and becomes estranged from her children. Eventually she and Andy do become involved in a brief affair, but it is really too late for both of them. However, Andy’s last letter, written to her mother after Melissa’s untimely death, makes it eloquently clear how much they really meant, and gave to, each other over the years—physically apart, perhaps, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be.
“At one point, around college age, they get very intimate in their letter writing,” Dolan-Malaney said. “And then they actually meet and it’s an unsuccessful meeting because they keep looking for the person from the letters. When you write, it’s easier to express your feelings and emotions openly. So the problem, as they discussed later, was that they kept looking for the person they had been writing to and the one they met in person didn’t live up to that, so the meeting crashed.”
Marquette audiences may recognize Dolan-Malaney from performances of “I Do, I Do,” “Little Women,” and her one-woman show “I’m Becoming My Mother” at Lake Superior Theatre. Other credits include the first national and Broadway cast recording of “Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?” She has also worked at Flint Repertory Theatre and others across the country. Her opera credits include a 21-year affiliation with the Michigan Opera Theatre at the Detroit Opera House.
Tickets are $25 for the general public, $22 for NMU employees, seniors and military, $15 for youth and $5 for NMU students. They are available at nmu.edu/tickets.

Art in the Park Grand Opening
2025-06-28 12:00 - 13:00 | MI
Art in the Park Grand Opening

Saturday, June 28, 2025
12:00 PM – 12:15 PM
Free Event
https://emberlight.org/event/art-in-the-park-grand-opening-2025/

Miners Memorial Heritage Park
771 E Ayer St.
Ironwood, MI 49938

Art in the Park is sponsored by the Gogebic Community College Foundation, in memory of Alex Marciniak
JOIN US AT THE STARTING LINE – ART IS CALLING!
Kick off Emberlight’s 2025 season in the heart of Miners Memorial Heritage Park with the Art in the Park Opening Ceremony on June 28 at noon! Join artists, performers, and fellow art lovers for a ribbon-cutting celebration, followed by an afternoon of festivities throughout the park.
As you explore this year’s stunning collection of outdoor installations – crafted by artists from across the Upper Midwest – you’ll experience firsthand how our 2025 theme “Cadences of Connection” comes to life through art. These works invite you to reflect on the rhythms that link us to one another and to the world around us.
And don’t forget to cast your vote for your favorite piece! The winner of the Audience Prize will be announced during our final concert on August 23, 2025.

Harris - E-Waste Collection
2025-06-28 10:00 - 14:00 | MI
E-Waste Collection

Saturday, June 28th from 10am to 2pm EDT
Bark River-Harris Schools, Harris, MI
Back Parking Lot, W471 US Hwy 2/US 41

$5 Fee Per Car
*Businesses can be invoiced for materials (differing prices)

Keyboards, Cords, & Routers
DVD & VCR Players
Desktop Fax Machines
Computers, Phones & Tablets
TV’s, Monitors
Desktop Printers & Scanners
Gaming Consoles
NO KITCHEN APPLIANCES (COFFEE POTS, MICROWAVES, VACUUMS, LAMPS)

Pathways in Photography
2025-06-28 10:00 - 14:00 | MI
Pathways in Photography

Saturday, June 28, 2025
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Free Event
https://emberlight.org/event/pathways-in-photography/

Miners Memorial Heritage Park
771 E Ayer St.
Ironwood, MI 49938

FRAME THE WORLD IN A WHOLE NEW WAY
Pathways in Photography is an immersive, hands-on experience that invites participants to explore the art of photography through three unique workshops – all set within the natural beauty of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park. Led by experts from Emberlight’s photography team, these free workshops provide practical guidance, creative inspiration, and a deeper understanding of how to tell stories through images.
Choose your Pathway:
📸 Photojournalism – Learn to capture compelling visual stories as you take a guided tour through Art in the Park, discovering storytelling techniques, video integration, and the art of curating a powerful portfolio.
🌿 Nature Photography – Walk the Miners Trail with a professional photographer, uncovering the secrets of composition, lighting, and perspective to transform simple snapshots into breathtaking nature images.
👤 Portrait Photography – Explore the fundamentals of portraiture with hands-on instruction in natural lighting, framing, and camera settings, gaining skills to beautifully capture family, friends, and loved ones.
At the end of the workshop, participants will submit their favorite photo to be displayed in the Emberlight Photographers show for a special exhibition.
No experience? No problem! Fancy equipment is not required; just bring your phone or camera and a sense of curiosity. Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or just getting started with your phone’s camera, Pathways in Photography will sharpen your eye, ignite your creativity, and help you see the world in a whole new way.

Downtown Marquette Farmer's Market
2025-06-28 09:00 - 13:00 | MI

"Love Letters" at NMU
2025-06-27 19:30 - 21:00 | MI
Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present “Love Letters” by A.R. Gurney, a past nominee for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The play features two characters—Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III—whose 50-year correspondence chronicles their evolving relationship and shared confidences. It has been described as “a tender, tragi-comic and nuanced examination of the shared nostalgia, missed opportunities and deep closeness of two lifelong, complicated friends.” Showtimes are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26 through Saturday, June 28, in Forest Roberts Theatre.
The play stars Amy Dolan-Malaney and Robert Ouellette, both seasoned actors who performed “Love Letters” together in Florida seven years ago. Because Dolan-Malaney and her husband, Dennis—an NMU alumnus—have called Big Bay their summer home for more than 35 years, she pitched the idea of the two actors reuniting for another production in Marquette, and NMU made it part of this year’s North Coast Theatre & Dance Festival.
While spanning five decades and numerous locations, the unique and imaginative piece is staged simply, as the playwright intended. Dolan-Malaney said the approach works because the play is so well-written.
“Gurney advised against wearing costumes, getting up and moving around, and even acting, really,” she said. “He wanted actors to just trust that by reading the letters and not over-rehearsing or memorizing, it will work. And sure enough, when we performed it that first time in Florida, people were very engaged and laughed in all the right places. It’s both funny and heartbreaking.
“We’ve been reading it back and forth via Zoom to reacquaint ourselves with all the words because you have to get them out clearly. But we’re very anxious to get this in front of audiences again. It’s hard to really listen in this very loud world we’re in right now, but I know that those who come to the show and listen to the words these characters share through their letters will have a really good experience.”
The characters are childhood friends whose lifelong correspondence begins with birthday party thank-you notes and summer camp postcards. Romantically attached, they continue to exchange letters through the boarding school and college years—where Andy goes on to excel at Yale and law school, while Melissa flunks out of a series of “good schools.”
While Andy is off at war Melissa marries, but her attachment to Andy remains strong and she continues to keep in touch as he marries, becomes a successful attorney, gets involved in politics and, eventually, is elected to the U.S. Senate. Meanwhile, her marriage in tatters, Melissa dabbles in art and gigolos, drinks more than she should, and becomes estranged from her children. Eventually she and Andy do become involved in a brief affair, but it is really too late for both of them. However, Andy’s last letter, written to her mother after Melissa’s untimely death, makes it eloquently clear how much they really meant, and gave to, each other over the years—physically apart, perhaps, but spiritually as close as only true lovers can be.
“At one point, around college age, they get very intimate in their letter writing,” Dolan-Malaney said. “And then they actually meet and it’s an unsuccessful meeting because they keep looking for the person from the letters. When you write, it’s easier to express your feelings and emotions openly. So the problem, as they discussed later, was that they kept looking for the person they had been writing to and the one they met in person didn’t live up to that, so the meeting crashed.”
Marquette audiences may recognize Dolan-Malaney from performances of “I Do, I Do,” “Little Women,” and her one-woman show “I’m Becoming My Mother” at Lake Superior Theatre. Other credits include the first national and Broadway cast recording of “Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up?” She has also worked at Flint Repertory Theatre and others across the country. Her opera credits include a 21-year affiliation with the Michigan Opera Theatre at the Detroit Opera House.
Tickets are $25 for the general public, $22 for NMU employees, seniors and military, $15 for youth and $5 for NMU students. They are available at nmu.edu/tickets.

Soo Locks to host Engineers Day 2025
2025-06-27 09:00 - 17:30 | MI
SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in conjunction with the City of Sault Ste. Marie, the Sault Ste. Marie Convention & Visitors Bureau, the United States Coast Guard, the Lake Superior State University Center for Freshwater Research and Education, Hospice of the Eastern Upper Peninsula, and Superior Health Systems are hosting open house events for the 2025 Soo Locks Engineers Day on June 27.

Visitors are welcome into the Soo Locks facility and across the MacArthur Lock from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Friday, June 27.

Engineers Day honors the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ June 16, 1775, birthday. The Corps of Engineers is proud to celebrate 250 years of service to the nation. Since the beginning, the Corps of Engineers has been at the forefront of engineering excellence, responding to the nation’s most complex challenges with unmatched expertise and dedication..

“The Soo Locks are a vital part of our community’s history. Engineers Day lets us celebrate the history and ingenuity behind the Soo Locks,” said Linda Hoath, executive director of the Sault Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Over the past few years, we’ve helped grow Engineers Day into an event that involves the whole downtown. We look forward to welcoming visitors and residents alike to downtown for Engineers Day.”

“We are continuing the requirement for all bags coming into the Soo Locks to be clear,” Jason Wojnaroski Soo Project Office Assistant Operations Manager said.. “Clear bags will allow park security to quickly inspect bags and assist with making this a fun and safe event for everyone..”

For our visitors bringing bags, the Engineers Day policy for the Soo Locks follows:

Clear bags cannot be larger than 12 inches long, 6 inches deep and 12 inches wide.
Diaper bags are not allowed.
Medical bags are exempt.
Wallets must not have a strap and cannot exceed 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.

All people entering the Soo Locks are subject to a security search. Firearms, weapons including knives of any size, drugs, pets (except service animals) and bicycles are not permitted.

“Visitors will not be able to cross the Poe Lock again this year, due to ongoing construction for the New Lock at the Soo project,” said LeighAnn Ryckeghem, Soo Project Office Operations Manager. “Visitors will be able to cross the MacArthur Lock and tour the first floor of the historic Administration Building.”

Visitors should enter the Soo Locks facility at the east end, crossing the downstream gate of the MacArthur Lock, and exiting the west end, crossing back on the upstream gate. This path equals about a half mile (.5 miles) of walking.

Along with welcoming visitors into the Soo Locks complex, Canal Park and the viewing platform will be open to the public from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and the Soo Locks Visitor Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

The Sault Ste. Marie Convention and Visitors Bureau is closing a portion of Portage Avenue to focus on downtown city merchants and vendors. Downtown Portage Avenue will close to vehicle traffic and open for pedestrians and vendors between Ferris Street and Osborn Boulevard from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., June 28.

Along with allowing visitors into the Soo Locks facility, several other events will take place:

United States Coast Guard open house from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Hospice of the Eastern Upper Peninsula and Superior Health Systems Arts, Crafts and Family Fun Fair at the City Hall grounds from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Lake Superior State University Center for Freshwater Research and Education will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
