PWPL Presents: Writers on Writing
2026-03-10 18:00 - 20:00 UTC | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Tuesday, March 10, 2026.
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.,
Peter White Public Library Shiras Room.
Adults, Seniors, Teens. In this new programming series, seasoned published authors of various genres lead participants through writing exercises and workshops to hone their writerly talents. March’s Writer: Natalie Colby and Sara Daniels. Explore place-based writing, using your genre of choice (poetry, creative nonfiction, or fiction). Space is limited to 15 participants, so register early. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

YooperCON 2026 at NMU March 11
2026-03-11 00:00 - 23:59 | Northern Center, NMU, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, Michigan, 49855
The fifth annual YooperCON event at Northern Michigan University will be held on Wednesday, March 11, at the Northern Center. Hundreds of high school students from across the Upper Peninsula will converge on NMU’s campus for a day of cybersecurity education and career exploration.
Students will have the opportunity to connect with industry professionals and learn about internet safety, scam detection and the role of artificial intelligence in the digital landscape.
YooperCON 2026 will feature 10 unique cybersecurity education sessions: Ask AI Right; Career Q&A; Cyber Bingo; Metadata Mayhem; Gamer’s Challenge; Network Topo; Digital Vapor Trails; Teachable Machines; Hack A House; and KC-7. The breakout sessions are scheduled from 9:20-11:25 a.m. and noon to 1:55 p.m., with lunch in between.
Registration is free and all registered students and teachers receive lunch and a t-shirt. YooperCON 2026 is sponsored by the NMU Upper Peninsula Cybersecurity Institute (UPCI), a Marshall Plan for Talent Grant, NMU’s Seaborg Center for Math and Science, and the MiSTEM Network.
For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/YC2026.

PWPL Presents: Baby Storytime
2026-03-11 10:00 - 10:30 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
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.

PWPL Presents: unTITLEd Teens
2026-03-11 15:00 - 18:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Wednesday, March 11, 2026.
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Teen Zone.
Teens in grades 6-12 join in on the fun with unTITLEd Teens, a monthly program that will be a different activity each month. This month local felting artist Jody Trost will be here to teach teens how to needle felt. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of this program, call 906-226-4321, email Amanda at apierce@pwpl.info, and visit pwpl.info.

Marquette County League of Women Voters
2026-03-11 18:30 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
The League of Women Voters of Marquette County will hold its next general membership meeting on Wednesday, March 11th at 6:45 p.m. Social time begins at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held in the Shiras Room on the 2nd floor of Peter White Public Library, 217 N. Front St., Marquette. Come learn about the League’s Observer Corps. Volunteer observers will describe the local governmental groups they opted to observe and share what they’ve recently learned.

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

All interested community members are welcome to attend. For more information, email lwvmqtco@gmail.com or visit the website lwvmqt.org. In case of inclement weather, library or school closures, visit our website or Facebook page for the meeting location or Zoom link.

Meet the Candidates Forum for the MI01 Congressional Seat
2026-03-11 19:00 - 21:00 | Hancock Community Hub Gym, 417 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI, 49930, United States
Keweenaw Indivisible and Voters Not Politicians are hosting a non-partisan meet the candidates forum for the MI01 Congressional seat on the evening of Wednesday, March 11th, 2026. This event aims to inform and educate local voters on the candidates’ platforms.

EVENT DETAILS:
WHO: Keweenaw Indivisible
WHAT: MI-01 Meet the Candidates Forum
WHEN: March 11th from 7–9 pm
WHERE: Hancock Community Hub, 417 Quincy St., Hancock, MI
Event link: https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/912803/

Rich Canevez, the local organizer of Keweenaw Indivisible will be available on site for interviews starting at 6:00 PM.

Me Siirtolaiset | We Immigrants on display March 12-April 16
2026-03-12 00:00 - 2026-04-16 23:59 | Finlandia Art Gallery, 435 Quincy Street, Hancock, Michigan, 49930
America Beckons by Aura Jylhä-Vuorio

Finlandia Art Gallery
presents

ME SIIRTOLAISET | WE IMMIGRANTS

Selections from our art + archival collections

March 12 – April 16, 2026
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 12, 7-8:30pm

HANCOCK, Mich. – Art, artifacts, and oral histories come together to tell stories of Finnish migration to the United States in the new exhibit “Me Siirtolaiset | We Immigrants,” which opens March 12 at Finlandia Art Gallery.
The artwork in the exhibit is from the gallery’s permanent collection and includes the work of nine Finnish-American and Finnish artists – Ariadna Donner, Gerald Immonen, Aura Jylha-Vuorio, Gladys Koski Holmes, Desiree Koslin, Jan Manniko, Mabel Mustonen, Onni Nordman and Tatu Vuorio. Joanna Chopp, Finnish American Heritage Center archivist, and Phyllis Fredendall, a former director of the Finlandia Art Gallery, will speak at the opening reception and contextualize the exhibit.
“It’s wonderful to tie the archival collection and the art collection together in an exhibition that reflects the ways that art and objects tell a story of our time and the time they were made,” Fredendall said.

Detail of Infrared View Ryiji #2 by Desiree Koslin

Highlighted alongside the art and archival artifacts of immigration are excerpts of oral history interviews from the FAHC Oral History Collection. These histories, digitized and available to researchers through the Finnish American Historical Archive website, allow visitors to immerse themselves in the firsthand experiences of immigrants and their descendants. Interim Gallery Director Clare Zuraw sees these stories as an important part of this exhibit.
“Oral histories offer us perspective on the experiences of the past while also helping us to understand the present. Art tells a visual story, while recordings and transcripts of stories preserve the words and experiences of our ancestors,” she said.

An opening reception will take place at Finlandia Art Gallery in Hancock on Thursday, March 12 from 7-8:30 p.m. with remarks by Phyllis Fredendall and Joanna Chopp beginning at 7:20 p.m. “Me Siirtolaiset | We Immigrants” will be on display through April 16 at the Finnish American Heritage Center, located at 435 Quincy St. in Hancock. The gallery is open to the public from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays. For more information, call 906-370-3722 or visit www.finlandiaartgallery.com.

gallery@finlandiafoundation.org

Finlandia Art Gallery
Finnish American Heritage Center
Finlandia Foundation National
435 Quincy St.
Hancock, MI 49930

Feeding America Mobile Food Pantry
2026-03-12 10:00 - 11:30 | Silver Creek Church, 219 Silver Creek Rd, Marquette, MI, 49855, United States
Marquette -Silver Creek Church and Silver Creek Thrift are partnering with Feeding America West Michigan to host a Mobile Food Pantry. Taking place on Thursday, March 12. Food distribution will begin at 10:00am and continue while supplies last or until 11:30am. Food will be available for approximately 550 families. Due to changes with Feeding America West Michigan, proxy pickup will be limited. This will be a drive-thru event with directions given by parking lot attendants. Guests are asked to remain in their cars and have adequate space prepared in their trunk or back seat in advance to allow the distribution team to place food boxes directly in the vehicle. Silver Creek Church and Silver Creek Thrift are located at 219 Silver Creek Road in Harvey. Businesses or organizations that are interested in supporting these monthly mobile food pantries are encouraged to call 906.249.1715 for more information.

PWPL Presents: School’s Out, Library’s In: Drop-In LEGO
2026-03-12 12:00 - 17:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Thursday, March 12, 2026.
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Youth Services Room.
Kids of all ages are welcome to come and hang out at the library during this MAPS halfday! Come read, check out materials, play and drop-in for some special half-day activities! It’s going to be a LEGO all day with LEGO building challenges in the Great Room and LEGO Stamping in the Makerspace. 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 pwpl.info.

Pop into Spring!
2026-03-12 17:00 | KBIC Health System, 102 N. Superior Avenue, Baraga, Michigan, 49908
Pop into Spring! A popcorn party for little learners!

Date: March 12, 2026
Time: 5:00pm
Location: KBIC Health System Second Floor

What’s popping at the event:
Popcorn sensory bin
Popcorn story time
Live popcorn popping
Popcorn craft

Free event for families with children ages 0-5! come pop into spring with us! For more information, please call 906-353-4540.

Second Thursday Creativity Series at the Upper Peninsula Children's Museum: "Magical Mindfulness and Me!"
2026-03-12 17:30 - 19:30 | Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum, 123 W Baraga Ave, Marquette, MI, 49855, United States
Join us for our Second Thursday Creativity Series at the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum: “Magical Mindfulness and Me!”
Thursday, March 12, 2026, 5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Experience hands-on craft activities, music, and FREE Culver’s Frozen Custard.

FREE to participate.

PWPL Presents: Marquette Poets Circle
2026-03-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Thursday, March 12, 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.

9th Annual Spread Goodness Day
2026-03-13 00:00 - 23:59
I am excited to invite your participation in the 9th Annual Spread Goodness Day on Friday, March 13th, 2026.

Over the last eight years, this event has inspired millions of acts of goodness throughout Michigan & across the United States as individuals, schools, and organizations spread goodness in their communities.

For 2026, our mission is clear: Make the future so bright, we all need shades!

While every day is a good day to spread goodness, by celebrating together, our individual efforts, multiplied by hundreds, thousands, even millions, have the power to change the world. Think of it like Valentine’s Day or Mother’s Day but, goodness!

Did you know that performing acts of kindness, or simply witnessing kindness, creates oxytocin, endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine? We can provide literal healing, happiness, and love to everyone around us. We’re not just changing the world together, we are healing it!

How to participate in Spread Goodness Day:

Participate: Join the movement by engaging in acts of spreading goodness & sunshine on March 13, 2026. Volunteer, buy a coffee, donate a car, host an event. Anything good, goes! (Decorate with sunshine & wear your favorite shades.)

Sponsor: We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a variety of levels of sponsorship and return benefits to your business or organization. See attached sponsor levels or visit: http://www.spreadgoodnessday.com/donate

Gift Cards: Donate a gift card for our random giveaways (We request gift cards to ensure the recipient goes to your business and learns about you.)

Upper Peninsula–wide Grief Support Conference
2026-03-13 09:00 - 15:00 | Northern Center, NMU, 1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, Michigan, 49855
The U.P. Hospice Foundation has been awarded a Community Pilot Grant to host an Upper Peninsula–wide Grief Support Conference designed to equip professionals with practical tools to better support grieving children and youth across the region. The U.P. Hospice Foundation serves as the fiduciary and project manager for the grant, with the conference developed through a collaborative partnership with U.P. Home Health & Hospice, Lake Superior Life Care & Hospice, and Dr. Yan Ciupak, co-founder of the Grief Support Specialist Program at Northern Michigan University.
Grief Support Training: Bridging Theory and Practice in Supporting Children and Youth is a one-day, interactive conference created for professionals who work directly with children, youth, and families experiencing grief. Participants will gain exposure to current grief theory alongside evidence-informed, practical strategies that can be immediately applied in real-world settings. The conference will include expert-led presentations, hands-on expressive art activities, and mindfulness-based, embodied experiential practices that promote mindful, holistic, and individualized approaches to grief support.
The conference is open to professionals and agencies throughout the Upper Peninsula, including school districts, Intermediate School Districts (ISDs) and Regional Educational Service Agencies (RESAs), hospice and healthcare organizations, social work departments, counselors, other community-based providers and caregivers. Organizers encourage agencies to share this opportunity widely within their networks to strengthen regional capacity for compassionate grief care.
The conference will offer Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for nurses and social workers. The inclusion of CEUs allows the training to count toward professional development requirements, making participation both accessible and valuable while laying the groundwork for future regional offerings.
The conference will take place on March 13, 2026 from 9:00am-3:00pm, at the Northern Center at Northern Michigan University. Professionals and agencies interested in attending are encouraged to visit https://www.uphomehealth.org/event/upgriefsupport2026/ to register and learn more about speakers, session content, and CEU opportunities. Early interest and registration are encouraged to ensure broad regional participation.

PWPL Presents: Preschool Storytime
2026-03-13 10:00 - 10:30 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Tuesdays & Fridays March (3, 6, 10, 13, 17, 20, 24, 27), 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.

Digitization Days
2026-03-13 11:00 - 15:00 | Ishpeming Carnegie Library, 317 N Main St, Ishpeming, MI, 49849, United States
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 the Ishpeming Carnegie Public Library on Friday, March 13 from 11-3, and at the Marquette Regional History Center on Wednesday, March 25 from 10-8. Appointments are required. To schedule, call (906) 226-3571 or email mrhc@marquettehistory.org.
Barnes-Hecker Digitization Days poster

PWPL Presents: Cultivating Care, Compassion, and Connection
2026-03-13 12:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Fridays, March (6, 13, 20, 27) 2026.
Noon – 1:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library, Heritage Room.
In partnership with several area organizations, this hour-long event offers a safe space to pause, reflect, and build meaningful connections with others who are committed to cultivating kindness in our world. Each week, a different organization takes the lead, with experienced educators and leaders facilitating. This rotating format ensures diverse perspectives and practices while maintaining a shared commitment to the Charter for Compassion and the Circle of Trust principles. For more information and to check on the status of the program, call 906-226-4303 or visit pwpl.info.

PWPL Presents: CRP Docu Cinema: Stonewall Uprising
2026-03-13 12:00 - 14:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Friday, March 13, 2026.
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Shiras Room.
Adults, Seniors. In conjunction with NMU’s Common Reader Program, PWPL screens this documentary detailing the events surrounding June 28, 1969, that kicked off the modern gay civil rights movement. Rated R. No admission charge. For more information, contact Marty at 226-4322, machatz@pwpl.info, or visit pwpl.info.

PWPL Presents: School’s Out, Library’s In: Drop-In LEGO
2026-03-13 12:00 - 17:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Friday, March 13, 2026.
12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Youth Services Room.
Kids of all ages are welcome to come and hang out at the library during this MAPS halfday! Come read, check out materials, play and drop-in for some special half-day activities! In case you missed Thursday or didn’t get enough LEGO time in – we are doubling down with a second LEGO all day! There will be LEGO building challenges in the Great Room and LEGO Stamping in the Makerspace. 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 pwpl.info.

Upper Michigan Ice Races
2026-03-14 00:00 - 23:59
150 West Johnson Lake Road, Gwinn, MI 49841

Dates: January 3, 2026 – March 14, 2026

Recurrence: Recurring weekly on Saturday

Get Ready For This Winter’s Biggest Adrenaline Rush: The Upper Michigan Ice Races

Are you ready to take your thrill-seeking to the next level? Join the Upper Michigan Ice Racing Association for an action-packed series of Weekly Ice Races held on Saturdays, where dirt bikes and quads tear up the ice in a battle of speed, skill, and sheer power!

The Upper Michigan Ice Races are open to the public for spectating or bring your best ORV to join the competition and race to the top! The raceway is conveniently located off Snowmobile Trail 8, making Saturdays the best day to come and experience the races and explore the trails in Gwinn and Marquette County.

Saturday Schedule: Day Races

8:00 AM – 10:00 AM: Gates open for Registration & for Pre-Registered Participants

10:00 AM: Spectator Gates Open

10:15 AM – 11:15 AM: Practice & warm-up runs

11:30 AM – 6:00 PM: Ice Races

January 31 & February 28: Night Races

11:00 AM: Registration Opens

4:00 PM: Youth Races

6:00 PM – Midnight: Adult Races

Whether you’re on the track or in the stands, the roar of engines, the spray of ice, and the fierce competition will have you coming back week after week. Invite your friends, family, and fellow racers for the coolest race event in town! Be sure to check the Michigan Ice Races website for updates and more details!

Breakfast and Business Series: Healthcare in Our Community
2026-03-14 07:30 - 09:30 | Holiday Inn of Marquette, 1951 Us 41 West, Marquette, MI, 49855, United States
Breakfast and Business Series: Healthcare in Our Community
Holiday Inn Marquette
1951 US-41, Marquette, MI
Friday, March 27 | 7:30 – 9:30 a.m.

Register Today!

Start your morning with coffee, breakfast, and time to connect before a conversation with regional leaders about the role healthcare plays in our community. Panelists will share high-level perspectives on what they are seeing locally, how needs are changing, and how organizations are working together to support residents and businesses.

This discussion will explore the connections between healthcare, quality of life, and a strong local economy, with time for questions and open dialogue.

Registration is encouraged, as space is limited. Breakfast and networking are included.

Panelists include:

Tonya Darner, UP Health System
Melissa Holmquist, Upper Peninsula Health Plan
Elise Bur, NMU Center for Rural Health

We’ll also be joined by special guests Lauren LaPine and Laura Appel from the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.

7:30 – 8:00 a.m. | Registration, Networking, and Breakfast
Start the day by connecting with peers over coffee and a light breakfast while checking in and settling into the event.
8:00 – 9:30 a.m. | Presentation

Admission is $25 for LSCP Partners and $35 for Non-Partners.

Thank you to our Sponsors:

Last chance to purchase your 2026 Breakfast and Business Pass!

Purchase the Breakfast & Business 2026 Series Pass to attend remaining Breakfast & Business events for 2026.

This pass includes automatic registration for all 2026 Breakfast & Business events, so there is no need to register individually for each session.

Learn more

4th Annual Superior MakerFest on Pi Day
2026-03-14 10:00 - 16:00 | Houghton High School, 1603 Gundlach Road, Houghton, Michigan, 49931
Superior Fab Lab Announces 4th Annual “Superior MakerFest” to Celebrate Infinite Creativity on Pi Day
Superior Fab Lab, a local 501(c)(3) non-profit, is proud to announce the return of the Superior MakerFest for its fourth consecutive year. In a nod to the ‘”infinite possibilities” of innovation, this year’s festival will take place on Pi Day—Saturday, March 14, 2026—from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Houghton High School.
The Superior MakerFest is the Copper Country’s premier celebration of the ‘Maker Movement, bringing together hobbyists, engineers, artists, and students to showcase their hands-on creations.
“This year’s MakerFest is more than an event; it’s a celebration of the infinite possibilities that emerge when creativity and community collide,” says Superior Fab Lab member Jason Mack. “By holding MakerFest on Pi Day, we’re highlighting the perfect circle of STEM, art, and innovation. We are thrilled to bring the Copper Country community together yet again for an immersive experience.”
Event Highlights:
● The Main Event: Located in the Houghton High School gym, attendees can explore interactive booths featuring “Featured Makers”, showcasing everything from high-tech robotics to traditional crafts.
● Maker Competitions: Local creators will compete for top honors in categories including Metal, Plastics, Textiles, Electronics, Wood, and a dedicated Youth Category for makers under 13.
● Hands-on Learning: Attendees of all ages can connect with local STEM clubs and participate in live demonstrations.
● Local Flavor: The event will feature food options from various local vendors, ensuring a full afternoon of fed-family-friendly fun.
“I brought my kids thinking we’d stay for an hour, and we ended up staying until the doors closed,” says Sarah J., a local parent and past attendee. “Seeing my daughter’s face light up when she realized she could actually build the technology she uses every day was incredible.”
Call for Participants:
Superior Fab Lab is currently seeking competitors, featured makers, and volunteers to help make this the biggest MakerFest yet. Registration is now open on the official website.

For more information, to register as a maker, or to sign up as a volunteer, please visit www.superiorfablab.com/makerfest2026 or contact superiorfablab@gmail.com.
About Superior Fab Lab:
Superior Fab Lab is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization located in Hancock, MI. Dedicated to fostering a culture of making, the lab provides the community with access to tools, technology, and knowledge to turn ideas into reality. Through workshops, events, and community collaboration, Superior Fab Lab empowers the next generation of problem-solvers in the Copper Country.

PWPL Presents: Saturday Storytime
2026-03-14 11:00 - 11:30 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Saturdays, March (7, 14, 21, 28), 2026.
11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Peter White Public Library Great Room.
Songs, rhymes, stories and finger-plays geared towards babies through preschool with a loving adult. Older siblings and older children welcome. No admission charge. For more information and to check the status of the program, call 906-226-4323 or visit pwpl.info.

PWPL Presents: Repair Cafe
2026-03-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Peter White Public Library, 217 N Front Street, Marquette, MI, 49855
Saturday, March 14, 2026.
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Peter White Public Library Huron Mountain Club Gallery.
Toss it? No way! The Repair Café is back thanks to a partnership with the Marquette Sustainability Coalition. Bring in broken household goods such as appliances, clothing, or bikes and skilled fixers will assist you in repairing them. This is a great way to save money, learn valuable repair skills, and reduce your environmental impact. No admission charge. For further information, please contact mqtsustainability@gmail.com or call 906-226-4311.

Scholastic Art & Writing Award Winners Honored
2026-03-14 14:00 - 16:00 | DeVos Art Museum, 401 Presque Isle Ave, Marquette, MI, 49855, United States
Saturday, March 14
2-4 p.m
NMU’s DeVos Art Museum
Upper Peninsula winners of the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards for grades 7-12 will be honored at a reception and awards presentation from 2-4 p.m. Saturday, March 14, in room 165 of the Art & Design Building. The event coincides with the final day of an exhibition of students’ works at NMU’s DeVos Art Museum.
Presented by the nonprofit organization, the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards are the country’s longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative middle school and high school students.
This year, there were 130 submissions from U.P. students. Forty-six teens received regional honors, including Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions, and American Visions & Voices nominations, from the local Scholastic Awards affiliate, the Northern Shores Storywork Writing Project based at NMU.
The featured visual artists in this year’s exhibition are Reese Collins, Eleanor Dohrenwend, Cat Ernsberger, Morgyn Hansen, Nynna Jarvi, Brooke Johnson, Hannah Josefsen, Natalie Joyal, Madeline Meilahn, Gabrielle Myers, Arianna Paananen, Isabelle Recollet, Savanna Rautio, Miles Spaulding, Lilia Skoglund, Addisyn Sundberg, Esme Ulland-Joy, Lila Witham, and Quinley Wonch.
For more information about the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, visit https://www.artandwriting.org/.

UP Wild in the Keweenaw Gathering
2026-03-14 15:00 | Nara Nature Park, 47375 US Hwy 41, Houghton, Michigan, 49931
UP Wild in the Keweenaw would like to announce its upcoming monthly event.

UP Wild Gathering – A Celtic Celebration
Led by: Pastor Bucky Beach (Ret.)
Saturday, March 14, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.
Nara Nature Park

The UP Wild Gatherings are opportunities to connect with God and each other within our natural world. Each Gathering has a leader who will guide the participants through readings and reflection. The Gathering will be indoors with an outdoor component. Snowshoes and cross-country skis are welcome. The Gatherings are appropriate for all ages, including families and children. Everyone is welcome, no religious affiliation is necessary. A potluck meal will follow the service.

25 Western U.P. Businesses Unite for 3rd Annual Yooper Poker Run & Groomer Benefit
2026-03-14 21:00 | AJ’s Lodge and Oven, 35131 M-28, Bergland, Michigan, 49910
Twenty-five businesses across Michigan’s Western Upper Peninsula have joined forces to host the 3rd Annual Yooper Poker Run, taking place March 13–14, with the final draw and celebration held at AJ’s Lodge and Oven on Saturday, March 14 at 9:00 p.m. EST.
This two-day event is more than just a poker run — it is a powerful demonstration of community partnership and regional pride. Proceeds from the event benefit several local snowmobile grooming clubs who work year-round to maintain and enhance the trail systems that make the Western U.P. one of the premier snowmobiling destinations in the country.
For just $20, participants receive entry into the poker run, a commemorative event t-shirt, and a chance to win cash prizes:

🥇 1st Place: $1,000
🥈 2nd Place: $500
🥉 3rd Place: $200

The event encourages riders to explore the region while supporting local establishments and the final card draw takes place at 9:00 p.m. EST at AJ’s Lodge and Oven, featuring live music by local favorite Tom Katalin, a 50/50 raffle, and prize giveaways generously donated by participating businesses.
Last year’s Yooper Poker Run raised over $2,000 for local grooming clubs, and organizers are aiming even higher this year.
“This event represents what makes the Western U.P. special — businesses coming together to support the volunteers who make our winter tourism possible,” organizers shared. “When we invest in our trails, we invest in our communities.”
Community members and visitors alike are encouraged to participate, support local businesses, and help sustain the sport of snowmobiling for generations to come.
For more information and a complete list of participating sponsors, visit www.ajslodgeandoven.com and follow on Facebook.

Fundraiser for the Vista/PAAC/Iron Arts on March 15 at Strega Nonna in Negaunee.
2026-03-15 00:00 - 23:59 | Strega Nonna, 432 Iron St, Negaunee, MI, 49866
LEADING LADY: Stories from the Stage…and Life is a theatrical journey that blends storytelling, musical theater, and razor-sharp humor to explore ambition, identity, love, loss, and the courage it takes to keep showing up when life goes off book.
Through iconic Broadway songs and deeply personal anecdotes, Leading Lady traces one performer’s path from an unapologetically loud, spotlight-hungry child to a woman shaped by Tourette’s, heartbreak, motherhood, divorce, and reinvention. With warmth and wit, she pulls back the curtain on the realities behind the applause-missed cues, failed relationships, bodies that don’t always cooperate, and dreams that refuse to die quietly.
This is not a nostalgia act or a greatest-hits revue. It’s a raw, funny, and fiercely honest meditation on what it means to lose the roles you thought defined you-and to discover that the most powerful part you’ll ever play is the one where you choose yourself.
By the final bow, Leading Lady reminds us that the ingénue may fade, but the woman who survives, leads, and stands center stage anyway?
She’s the real star.
Accompanied by Marcia Hicks, Allyse Belanger, and Claire Decker.

Thank you for supporting community theatre and local businesses,
Best,
Leslie Parkkonen

Negaunee Public Library Presents: quiet storytime
2026-03-16 11:00 | Negaunee Public Library, 319 W Case St, Negaunee, MI, 49866, United States
Mondays
11 a.m.
The Negaunee Public Library is offering a weekly “quiet storytime” for younger children at 11 a.m. Mondays. There will be short stories accompanied by soft voices and sounds, sensory-friendly movements, and a fidget-friendly area. April 13 and 20 will incorporate special programs. This storytime is free and all are welcome to attend. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary/ or call 906-475-7700 ext.18.

Negaunee Public Library Presents: homeschool hangout
2026-03-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Negaunee Public Library, 319 W Case St, Negaunee, MI, 49866, United States
Mondays
1-3 p.m.
The Negaunee Public Library is hosting a homeschool hangout from 1-3 p.m. Mondays. The program is for all youth and their families who do not attend traditional school. Homeschool students, online students through programs such as Link Learning, and others are welcome to participate. Attendees will meet other youth and families and enjoy an activity. This program is free, and designed for homeschool and nontraditionally schooling families. For more information, visit the library’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NegauneePublicLibrary/ or call 906-475-7700 ext.18.
