Community

For the last 19 years, on the last Friday of July, the Vietnam Veterans of Alger County Chapter 237, along with the American Legion and the Munising City Band, have served up a fish fry lunch for the veterans of Michigan Veterans Home D.J. Jacobetti in Marquette. Each year, an anonymous donor purchases fish from Vanlandschoot and Sons Fishery. Altran donates a bus to transport some of the volunteers each year, and the driver, Don Wyatt, also donates his time to drive the bus. Next year will mark the Fish Fry’s 20th year! The event is a summer favorite for Jacobetti veterans, loved ones, and staff that the volunteers and sponsors also look forward to each year.

Tourism and the service industry have emerged as significant economic drivers in Munising, leading to substantial growth, especially in the downtown area, according to Katherine Reynolds, the CEO of Greater Munising Bay Partnership/ Alger Co. Chamber of Commerce & Executive Director of Munising Downtown Development Authority (DDA). “Tourism has been what has led to most of the growth, if not the majority of the growth, in the downtown as far as businesses opening,” said Reynolds. “This growth has created numerous job opportunities, benefiting both young residents and newcomers who have relocated to the area.” She emphasized the community’s fortune in having natural resources that support tourism and economic activities. However, she acknowledged the challenge of balancing the needs of local residents with the demands of the tourism economy. “There’s always a balance that you want to have between living here and the tourism economy,” states Reynolds. She expressed the desire for businesses to remain open year-round, recognizing the difficulties posed by factors such as online shopping and big-box stores impacting traffic.

The Upper Peninsula Inspired Winery, a beloved fixture in downtown Munising, has reached a significant milestone in its journey to offer a comprehensive and unparalleled tasting experience. Amy and Billy Jack Gramm, the dynamic duo behind the winery, have secured a specialized liquor license, marking a new chapter for their establishment. This new development, which was approved last week, allows them to expand their offerings and enhance their guests’ experiences like never before.

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Jennifer Champagne Hiawatha Development has breathed new life into the old NAPA Auto Parts building at 115 East Superior Street in Munising, transforming it into a vibrant hub of activity. Conveniently located on the main thoroughfare through Munising and offering stunning views of Lake Superior, the remodeled space now features Muldoon’s Pasties & Gifts, South Bay Deli, and Life on the Rocks.

Summer is here, which means the kids are out of school and ready to have a good time. Unfortunately, the excitement of summer doesn’t take too long to wear off, and once it does, the complaints of boredom are sure to set in.

Birdwatching is a favorite pastime of many people. It’s also helpful for research purposes if those birders are reporting which birds they’re seeing on eBird.org. Thanks to these kinds of reports, scientists have been able to follow the population trends of birds since the 1970’s. Unfortunately, the trends are not good. In 2019, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and other partners published a report in the journal Science that documents the decline of bird populations in North America.