Traveler Guide 2023

Glossy Pages

It’s that time of the year once again in Huron County

This is my fourth year working on this section for the Huron Daily Tribune. And it’s also the first normal year of working on it.

My first Traveler was put together in 2020, just as the COVID pandemic was canceling events around the world and confining us to our homes. I actually finished the section from my home, as we were locked out of the office.

The next year was full of uncertainty. It seemed like things were getting back to normal in the spring of 2021, but all events carried the stipulation that they could change based on health restrictions. And early that year, some events were still canceled, or had an entirely different feel to them. Those that went on as “normal” still saw reduced attendance.

Last year was a “normal” year. All of our regular events were back, attendance was higher than ever, but in putting together this section, we were still referring back to the COVID years, pointing out how events had returned last year or were returning this year.

I’m happy to say that the only place COVID will be mentioned in this book this year is right here in this welcome column. And boy what a relief it is!

And after a long (but rather mild) winter, it’s nice to be looking at the many great events and festivals that are on the calendar over the next several months.

If you can’t find something to do

in the summer in Huron County, you’re not trying. Almost every weekend there is another great event, and each community holds at least one festival you can enjoy.

I’ve had a chance to attend many great festivals in the four years I’ve worked here in Huron County. My first Cheeseburger a couple years ago lived up to expectations — the smell of cheeseburgers throughout the town was wonderful.

I’m not a big polka fan, but I’ve had the chance to enjoy the Kinde Polka Fest twice now. If you haven’t been out there for that, I highly recommend it. The last two years I’ve covered the Freedom Festival in Cass City, which always has a terrific turnout. The parade is massive, and one of the best in the Thumb.

Ubly’s Homecoming has also been on my agenda twice — I requested to cover it last year again because the mud volleyball game is so much fun to watch — I could hang out there all day. I covered my first Harbor Beach Maritime Festival last year, and enjoyed watching the competitors during the Battle on the Beach strongman competition.

Summer unofficially kicks off with Memorial Day, and there are so many great ceremonies around the county to remember those who have served. Port Austin puts on an amazing ceremony, which I was able to attend once, and my absolute favorite was the super small and intimate Memorial Day

Eric Young

ceremony in Port Hope.

I haven’t had the chance to check out all the festivals that I want to, however. On my list this year is definitely Port Austin’s Porch Fest, which looks like an absolute blast to be a part of. It ranks high on list of potential events. And while I’ve attended Cheeseburger once, I didn’t get to witness the Tropical Parade of Fools, so I’m hoping to make it out to that one too. And we’re only scratching the surface. So much happens around Huron County and beyond over the summer months that it takes an entire book to contain it all. Check out the calendar of events located inside and plan out your summer in the Upper Thumb.

Eric Young has been the editor of the Huron Daily Tribune since August 2019.

Many Huron County residents know how Bad Axe got its name, but what happened to the original axe that inspired it?

Welcome to Huron County

Huron County is located in the Upper Thumb of Michigan. It is surrounded on three sides by water — Saginaw Bay and Lake Huron. The county has a land area of 824 square miles, which is 139 square miles greater than the average for the other 82 counties in the state. Of the 28 townships in the county, only 15 are about 36 square miles.

The irregular shore, 93 miles long, makes the other 13 townships irregular in size, ranging from one square mile (Pointe aux Barques Township) to 44 square miles (Sherman Township).

Bad Axe is the county seat and the

largest city, and has a population of just over 3,050 people. Harbor Beach and Caseville are the other cities in the county.

The villages are Elkton, Kinde, Owendale, Pigeon, Port Austin, Port Hope, Sebewaing and Ubly.

Huron County ranks as one of the top agricultural counties in Michigan based on agricultural farm income. Major crops grown in the county are corn, dry edible beans, sugar beets, wheat and oats. Major enterprises include dairy, livestock and poultry production.

Because of the natural beauty, ideal topography and sandy beaches,

Huron County has an ideal setting for the tourism industry.

The shoreline offers numerous opportunities for vacationers. There are two state parks — Sleeper State Park and Port Crescent State Park and two roadside parks — Jenks Park and Brown Park.

Also, Huron County maintains nine county parks along the shoreline, including Caseville Park, Lighthouse Park, Stafford Park, Wagener Park and Sebewaing Park, all of which offer overnight camping. Others are Philp Park, Port Austin Bird Creek Park, McGraw Park and Oak Beach Park, which are day use only parks.

Turnip Rock in Port Austin is always one of the major attractions in Huron County. Here it is pictured at night with a comet in the background.

Photo by Tyler Leipprandt/Michigan Sky Media

Bad Axe: The hub of the Thumb

From unique shopping to a great tour of Huron County’s past, Bad Axe offers visitors a wide range of entertainment.

With attractions like the Pioneer Log Cabin Village in City Park to the Huron Community Fair, a week-long celebration in July through August, there’s always something happening in the heart of the Thumb.

Bad Axe got its unique name from Capt. Rudolph Pabst, a surveyor who mapped several trails between Harbor Beach and Sebewaing. Those trails would later become M-53 and M-142, which intersect Huron County vertically and horizontally, respectively.

The intersection where they meet was dubbed “Bad Axe,” and

the name took. Pabst, the story goes, established headquarters at an abandoned hunter’s camp where he found a broken axe. Bad Axe became the county seat of Huron County in 1873 and was incorporated as a village in 1885. Twenty years later, in 1905, it achieved city status.

Bad Axe plays host to the Huron Community Fair from July 31 through Aug. 6. The fairgrounds are abuzz with action and a wide array of activities for all ages. The fair returned in full last year after having a non-public event in 2020 due to the pandemic. Things are expected to feel a lot more normal as the fair takes place in 2022.

But the fun doesn’t end with summer. There’s always something to do in Bad Axe, just

ask Santa Claus. He visits this city each November for the annual Christmas parade, which draws thousands into town.

A popular spot all year long is The Pioneer Log Village, 205 S. Hanselman St., which is the largest collection of authentically restored pioneer log buildings in Michigan.

The six individual museums include a pioneer home, general store, one-room school house, chapel, barn and a blacksmith shop. They were originally built between 1875 and 1900, and moved to this site from elsewhere around Huron County in the 1980s. All of the buildings are fully furnished to show what 19th Century pioneer life was like. And the chapel is available for weddings.

The Bad Axe choir sings Christmas songs before last year’s lighted parade.

How Bad Axe got its name

By: Mark Birdsall Assistant Editor

Huron County residents may not be familiar with the name “Berne Junction,” but residents of Pigeon should be: It was the town’s original name before its habitants gave it its present moniker because of the nearby Pigeon River, named after the large flocks of passenger pigeons that lived near the river.

Most everyone in the community knows that Bad Axe, once known as Bad Axe Corners and founded in 1885, got its name from a broken axe left at an abandoned Native American camp by men named George Martin and Kentucky Sharpe.

Known as a great hunter, Martin was one of the original white settlers of the region known as the Upper Thumb. His son, William, helped Septimus Irwin build his inn, the Hotel Irwin, close to the site of the abandoned camp near the current location of the Bad Axe railroad depot.

The broken axe left behind at the camp by George Martin was likely used to butcher game, such as elk or deer, Huron County historians say. In the spring of 1861, two surveyors looking to establish a road from Sebewaing to Sand Beach, now known as Harbor Beach and then the county seat, decided to set up their headquarters at the camp.

One of the surveyors, a man named Rudolph Papst, was suffering from a sore knee and wanted to rest, according to historical accounts. Papst was accompanied by a fellow surveyor, George Pack.

In a statement written by Papst and later published in the

Huron County Tribune‚‘s Bad Axe Golden Jubilee publication in 1935, the surveyor recounted how it had been the crew’s custom to name each of their camps and record it on a map. While gathering firewood in the area, Papst found the axe near the current location of the intersection of Huron Avenue and Port Crescent Street. On returning to the camp, he remarked to Pack “I’ve found an axe, but it‚‘s an awfully bad axe.”

Pack replied, “Well, that’s a good name for our camp.”

While passing the time nursing his injured knee, Papst said he carved the words “Bad Axe Corners” on a slab of wood and nailed it to a tree at the intersection of the trails.

When Papst returned to Sand Beach a few weeks later, he was asked about a place known as “Bad Axe,” which some hunters reported finding while searching for game in the middle of Huron County.

Papst told the man, “It’s a new town. Pack and I have founded it at the center of the county.”

Papst also wrote that the name was meant as a joke and that the surveyors never thought a town would be established in that part of Huron County.

The name “Bad Axe” was not a favorable one to may many residents of the area. Attempts

Continued on pg. 10

A photo from the Huron Daily Tribune’s Bad Axe Golden Jubilee Publication published in 1935 shows an axe blade some claimed was from the original axe that inspired the town’s unusual name. (Tribune File Photo)

were made to change the town’s name to “Huron,” while others suggested the names “Colona” or “Axona,” derived from nearby Verona and Colfax townships.

But the name stuck, and

those who liked the moniker “Bad Axe” would prevail. The town would later become the county seat and Huron County’s most populated city. At least three axe blades have been purported to be the original. One is in the hands of a private collector, who

offered to sell it to the Bad Axe Historical Society, which declined the offer.

Another resides, wedged in a hunk of wood, in a glass case inside the Bad Axe Area District Library. A card inside the case reads:

“Believed by many to be the ‘original bad axe’ which gave the city its name, this broken axe was found embedded in a pine tree at what is now the intersection of Huron and Port Crescent streets. When the road was first developed, the contractor, a Mr. Crawford from Gagetown, cut down the tree and cut out the burl containing the axe.

“In 1884 he gave it to his brother-in-law, Dr. M.R. Goldman, a sister-in-law and

his office nurse. She died in 1967. Her son, Robert Golding, presented the axe to the library in 1972. Historians agree that Bad Axe got its name from a broken axe found by two early surveyors. The ‘Crawford’ axe is closely associated with Bad Axe, but no effort was ever made to establish it as the original axe. In fact, the axe does not fit the description of the original axe as set down by Rudolph Pabst, one of the surveyors who found the axe in 1861.”

Note: Special thanks to local historians Ken Guza, David McDonald and Robin Zurek, as well as Bad Axe Area District Library Director Briynne McCrea, for their assistance with the research for this article.

was packed Wednesday for the annual Parade of Tropical Fools.

Caseville: The Thumb’s Key North

Caseville has celebrated more than 100 summers on the beautiful Saginaw Bay, but the fun is just beginning. The city is famous for its sandy beaches, marina facilities, breathtaking beauty, and of course, its fishing.

The city was settled in 1836 by Reuben Dodge. Lumbering was an important early industry with the first sawmill constructed in 1852. Other important early industries were shipbuilding and salt mining. Famous visitors include President William McKinley, who vacationed in Caseville as a young man.

Caseville boasts one of Michigan’s most popular beaches. A harbor of refuge and great boating facilities bring anglers to the area in search of walleye, perch, trout, salmon and more.

Caseville also plans a number of events throughout the year for the enjoyment of visitors and local residents. Some of the annual events include Cheeseburger in

Caseville, Shanty Days, Country RibStock, the Caseville Walleye Tournament, a spectacular fireworks display, Pumpkin Festival and the Holly Berry Fair.

Cheeseburger has proven to be wildly popular as thousands flock to the city as it transforms itself into “Key North,” complete with wacky events, cool tunes, tasty burgers and tropical attire.

Caseville also features a park east of Clay Street. It has a twocourt tennis court, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, a ball diamond and restrooms.

There’s also a ball field and playground equipment at Caseville Public School.

Go karts, a giant slide, miniature golf and bumper boats also are available in the community.

Caseville Municipal Harbor on Dock Street has spaces for boats as long as 70 feet. Slips are rented on a first-come, first-serve basis. More than 60 slips are available. The harbor is within walking distance of the business district. The marina has diesel gas pumpout, launch ramp and laundry facilities.

Filion Road Public Access, located four miles west of Caseville on Wild Fowl Bay, has a class-one boat ramp, suitable for small trailer-able boats. The access has channel markers, and the area can handle boats up to 16 feet in length.

A skid pier for the handicapped and concrete ramp are located at this site. The area has two handicappedaccessible vault toilets and handicapped-accessible parking.

Caseville’s Inner Bay alone contains 300,000 shallow sandy acres — truly an angler’s paradise.

Its Outer Bay, however, with depths to 90 feet and countless reefs, offers excellent walleye, salmon and lake trout fishing.

The Charity Islands located in the Outer Bay have a reputation of producing limitcatches from the surrounding deep water reefs.

For more information about Caseville, visit www. casevillechamber.com.

It was all about the ribs last year during Caseville’s annual Ribstock event.

Paradegoers enjoy the 2022 Tropical Parade of Fools during the annual Cheeseburger in Caseville festival.

Caseville transforms into Key North for this 10 day festival that celebrates the lifestyle & music made popular by Jimmy Buffett. Music by dozens of performers & bands. Fun events for all ages: Kiddie Parade, Free Kids Day, Row-Row-Row Your Cardboard Boat, Beach Volleyball, Sand Castles, Golf Scrambles, Car Show & Much More!

White Rock School Museum - White Rock

10 miles south of Harbor Beach on M-25, then 1/4 mile west on White Rock Rd 989-864-3817. Free admission by appointment. Built in 1909 and is maintained to original decor with authentic maps and other period relics.

Ten Cent Horse Barn Museum - Ubly Longuski Lane off M-19 at south village limit, nor thwest of Ubly Dragway 989-551-0532. Open Sundays Memorial Day through Labor Day, 1-3 pm. Free admission; donations appreciated

Frank Murphy Museum - Harbor Beach

142 S. Huron Ave Open Memorial Day through Labor Day: Mon.-Sat., 8:30-4 pm; Sun., noon-4 pm. The bir thplace of the U.S. Supreme Cour t Justice Frank Murphy consists of five buildings; three are open for tours Free admission - donations are gratefully accepted. For information, call 989-712-0909 or 989-551-3817.

Harbor Beach Lighthouse

- Harbor Beach

Guided tours of 1885 offshore lighthouse leave from Harbor Beach Marina on a licensed commercial boat mid-June to the first Saturday in September (weather permitting). See the replica Four th Order Fresnel lens and the reconstruc ted fog signal building. Tours are $25 per person. Reser vations (strongly recommended) can be made at harborbeachlighthouse.org Call 989-470-9707 for more information. The lighthouse is not handicap accessible.

Harbor Beach Woman’s Club

- Harbor Beach

The organization was formed in 1885 and County Federated in 1919 and is responsible for a large por tion of histor y preser vation in the local area.

Grice House Museum - Harbor Beach

864 N. Lakeshore Rd - 989-479-3363. Open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, Wed through Fri., 1 - 5 pm; Sat., 10 - 4 pm; closed Sun. through Tues. Open County wide Museum Weekend, Saturday only Call for private tours

Admission: Adults - $5. Complex includes the original Fresnel lens of the Harbor Beach Lighthouse, one -room schoolhouse, and agricultural antiques display. Member of the USLHS Passpor t Program.

Por t Hope Railroad Depot Museum

- Por t Hope

Renovated 1904 Pere Marquette Railroad Depot, Stafford County Park, 8046 Por tland St., Por t Hope, 48468. Open Memorial Day through September Museum Weekend, Sat., 10-4 pm; Sun., 1-4 pm. Phone: 517-420-4147. (Museum, model railroad, walking trail, interac tive exhibits, kid friendly) http://por thopedepot.org or Facebook: FriendsOfThePor tHopeDepot

Por t Hope Area Historical Society

- Por t Hope

Located at the Lumber Yard Museum building at 8016 Por tland Ave Museum features genealogy research center, displays of local ar tifac ts, and grounds for community ac tivities. Events for 4th of July celebration and ABC Day on third Saturday of August For information, call 989-553-4342. Facebook: Por t HopeAreaHistor y.

Pointe aux Barques Lighthouse Museum

- Por t Hope

7320 Lighthouse Road - inside Lighthouse County Park586-243-1838. Museum open Memorial Day weekend through September. Check website for hours. Group tours welcome with advance notice. $5 adults/$3 kids admission for tours of museum and keeper ’s quar ters with shipwreck ar tifac ts, lighthouse, and life -saving station histor y.

Bad Axe Museum of Local Histor y

303 N. Por t Crescent St. (Allen House). Exhibits of photos, ar tifac ts, memorabilia with “Ever ything Bad Axe ” See information at Pioneer Log Village for contac t numbers and open dates.

Por t Austin Area Histor y Center

1424 Pointe aux Barques Rd., 1 mile east of Por t Austin - 989551-5532. Exhibits in six historic buildings, gardens, woodland walking trail Open 1 - 4 pm Sat & Sun. April, May, September, & Oc tober; daily June, July, & August Free admission. w w w por taustinhistor ycenter.com. Find us on Facebook: Por t Austin Area Historical Societ

y

Caseville Historical Museum

6733 Prospec t St. - 989-856-9090 - w w w.casevillemuseum. org - chscm@comcast.net. Open year ’round Wed. thru Sat., noon - 4:30 pm. Caseville Historical Museum is located in the Old Maccabee Hall, built in the 1890s.

Elkton Area Historical Society

Elkton Heritage Center located on corner of York and Mullen St. The Log Cabin complex is located in Ackerman Park. Large collec tion of local memorabilia. Open on Log Cabin Day, the 4th Sun. in June; Autumnfest on Labor Day weekend; and Museum Weekend last full weekend in September. For information, call 989-550-2603.

Pigeon Depot Museum

59 S. Main St. - Open June, July, and August: Fri., 10 - 3 pm. Ar tifac ts from Pigeon and the surrounding area. Free admission; donations accepted Visit our Facebook page or website: w w w.pigeonhistoricalsociety.com.

Woelke Research Center

Nex t to Farmers’ Market - open year ’round June, July, & August: Thurs - Fri., 10 - 3 pm. September through May: Fri. only, 10 - 3 pm. Leave message at 989-453-3242. For appointment, call 989-553-1944. Historical documentation of Pigeon, surrounding area, businesses, and families Free admission; donations accepted. See Pigeon Depot Museum for Facebook and website.

Bay Por t Museum

1100 Kuhl Rd - 989-453-3638 - baypor thistoricalsociety@ gmail.com. Bay Por t Historical Society is located 3 miles south of Bay Por t on M-25, 1 mile west on Geiger on corner of Geiger and Kuhl. Call for open times throughout summer. Open Bay Por t Fish Sandwich weekend in August Visit us at w w w.baypor thistoricalsociety.com or Facebook: BayPor t HistoricalSociety.

Charles W. Liken House -

Sebewaing Historic River Distric t:

325 N. Center - Downtown Historic River Distric t Open the first Sat., and Sun. of Ever y Month June -September from 1-3 pm. Other dates by appointment - 989-883-2753; 989-883-2391

Special Ac tivities:

JUNE, Michigan Sugar Festival; AUGUST, Countr y Market &Music Festival; OCTOBER, Moonlight Madness; NOVEMBER, Spirit of Christmas, along withother annual Chamber events

Old Sebewaing Township Hall -

Sebewaing Historic River Distric t

92 S. Center, Downtown Historic River Distric t See information at Charles W. Liken House in above listing for contac t numbers and open dates For information, call 989-883-2753; 989-883-2391.

Huron Count y Historical Societ y Presents: Count y wide Museum Weekend!

The Huron Count y Historical Societ y kindly invites one and all to Huron Count y ’s Count y wide Museum Weekend on the last weekend in September. Most museums in Huron Count y will be open on the:

Last Full Weekend in September Saturday & Sunday: Noon – 4 p.m.

Gagetown: Home of the Octagon Barn

Gagetown is a small town with a great claim to fame — the Thumb Octagon Barn.

The Thumb Octagon Barn, a truly unique historical site, was built in 1923-24 for James and Cora Purdy by builders George and John Munro. The Purdys lived in an elegant 12-room home built in 1919-22.

The Octagon Barn stands about four stories tall and boasts an enclosed space of about 8,600 square feet. There’s a large loft on six sides of the barn, which provides 6,200 square feet of storage space above in addition to stables, tack rooms and grain storage areas below.

The barn originally featured an overhead

tramway as well as a sophisticated ventilation system.

Friends of the Thumb Octagon Barn is a group of area volunteers who have diligently committed

themselves to the restoration and preservation of the barn complex for the community.

The group’s vision is to, “develop the Thumb Octagon Barn complex

for the community as an agricultural museum and educational center open to individuals, families and student groups to educate and stimulate awareness of our agricultural heritage.”

The barn is located one mile east of Gagetown and one mile north on Richie Road in Tuscola County, just south of the Huron County border.

September brings fall to the Upper Thumb and Fall Family Days to the Octagon Barn. Proceeds go toward efforts to preserve the historical gem.

For more information about the Thumb Octagon Barn, visit www. thumboctagonbarn.org/.

Blacksmith Lew Martin has volunteered at the Family Fall Days in Gagetown for the last 18 years.

People enjoy the tractor parade at the Thumb Octagon barn during last year’s Family Fall Days.

Freedom celebrated in Cass City

By: Eric Young Editor

A huge crowd enjoyed spectacular weather Saturday as they celebrated their freedom in Cass City. The annual Cass City Freedom Festival was in full swing, as people

lined the street for the Grand Parade Saturday morning. Then everyone migrated to the city park to enjoy arts and crafts, kids games, a petting zoo, food, a 3-on-3 basketball tournament and much more.

People packed Cass City Saturday for the annual Freedom Festival, as they enjoyed the Grand Parade, plenty of activities and beautiful weather.

More Photos on Pg. 25

Cass City has something for everyone

Wonderful lodging accommodations, public golf courses, great fishing — think Cass River — state game hunting areas, and a scenic walking trail are just some of the hallmarks of this charming village.

Home to an outstanding library, a classic movie theater, fantastic playscape, bowling facilities, assorted eateries, unique retail shopping, and an excellent community hospital, Cass City truly offers something for everyone — residents and visitors alike.

Cass City, home of astronaut Brewster Shaw, sports an impressive recreation area, complete with baseball diamonds, lighted tennis and basketball courts, playground equipment, picnic facilities and a community swimming pool that hosts

classes and open swimming. It’s a hub of activity in the spring and summer months.

Speaking of summer activity, this village is typically home to one of the biggest and most action-packed Fourth of July festivals around. The annual event draws thousands from around the Upper Thumb and state to this tiny haven which exudes friendliness and hospitality. People line the streets of Cass City for the monster parade before heading to the park for various activities.

Games for kids of all ages, arts and crafts and the flea market are big draws. Dozens of teams enter the 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and the festival wouldn’t be complete without the antique cars and renowned fireworks that light up the sky.

With the winter months comes Christmas in the Village with a craft show, carriage rides and Santa’s arrival, to keep the fun rolling throughout the year.

Two golf courses and a firstrate library round out the various recreational gems.

And anglers will find great fishing at the Cass River while hunters set out at the state game hunting areas. The downtown is home to an abundant amount of specialty shops, perfect for a day of shopping.

So whether it’s the high-energy action that the town’s festivals supply or a more relaxing pace on the golf course or strolling through the downtown shops, Cass City truly is home to “something for everyone.”

Parade attendees enjoy a cool splash of water during the 2022 Freedom Festival.

Deckerville welcomes visitors to Homecoming festival

Named for the man who created a lumber business here in the late 1800s, Charles Decker, Deckerville is nestled in the northeastern corner of Sanilac County.

With a history intense in pioneer and Indian lore, Deckerville has seen many industries, including wool and flax mills, fur trading, brick making and even sauerkraut and cheese factories.

With a population just over 800, the community sports its own school district, hospital and even a village newspaper, the Deckerville Recorder, which has been in business since 1892.

The summer highlight is the Deckerville Homecoming festival,

which occurs in August, complete with sidewalk sales, garage sales, tractor pulls and other activities at Wilson Park in town and the

Sportsmen’s Club located on Goetz Road, about five miles east of town.

The Deckerville Library is built on a historical site which originally was an

Episcopal Church built in 1880, and then converted to a library in 1923.

The original church structure still is part of the library today.

Area residents enjoy the 2019 Deckerville Homecoming festival, one of summer highlights for the Deckerville area.

Pirate’s Cove at Lake Street Local a hidden treasure for lunch

By: Mark Birdsall Assistant Editor

Last Friday was one of those days, and it also happened to be the day I was scheduled to go out to lunch with Tribune staff writer Connor Veenstra for my bi-weekly food column. When our original destination closed early, we decided to head to Lake Street Local in Port Austin.

The tavern had recently brought back pirate-themed décor for its patio area, known as The Pirate’s Cove, complete with the skeletal Captain Austin hanging out at the bar. The patio was the perfect place to have lunch on such a nice day, the sunshine

and slight breeze offering an early taste of summer, and the plastic skeletons adorning the wrought-iron fence at the front of the patio area were a nice touch.

Captain Austin stands at the bar, silently welcoming patrons to the Pirate’s Cove. He’s the perfect mascot, unlikely to ever get “MeToo’d” and be party to a high-profile legal circus. And he harkens back to the days of Port Austin High School when the Port Austin Pirates roamed the courts and ballfields of the Thumb.

Connor had the good sense to order something called the “house chips,” freshly deepfried, thick-cut homemade potato chips. The generous

Lake Street Local in Port Austin has a pirate-themed bar and patio area called The Pirate’s Cove that is open during the summer. This year will feature a new pirate statue Captain Austin, right.

portion was more than we could eat, and we ate quite a few of them because they were so good. Salt and a light seasoning gave them a whole lot of flavor, and they made a perfect appetizer as we looked over the lunch menu. The house chips are a must-order item.

I ordered a half-pound cheeseburger, and Connor went with a Coney dog. Even though he’s from the greater Detroit area, he wasn’t exactly sure what a Coney dog was. He knew what a chili dog was and ordered it with everything. Here’s what he had to say about his food:

“Lake Street Local has the honor of being the site of my first Coney (Island) hot dog. Breaking new ground there, since my distaste for mustard

and aversion of food that just straight-up looks messy has kept me from it so far.

This one didn’t convert me, unfortunately, though I don’t think it was anything unique to the restaurant; mustard continues to be a sticking point and the fact that I need five napkins to keep my fingers and face clean to get through half of it didn’t persuade me to get one if I see a stand selling them in Chicago or something.

You might like it if you like Coneys, but I’m the wrong person the ask. The rest of it tasted fine, though, and the potato dishes more than made up for it.

The chips are homemade, covered in salt and something else savory I couldn’t put my finger on. Might’ve been grill

powder you put on burgers or something. The fries were also good, and I wolfed them down before I’d gotten two bites into the Coney.”

Birdsall here. Those fries Connor mentioned also accompanied my burger, and they were just as delicious as he said they were.

Have you ever made your own French fries at home? Sliced your own potatoes and deep-fried them in a pot of oil on your stove (or a Fry Daddy)? They’re awesome, right? Well, if you’re craving homemade French fries but don’t want to make a mess in your kitchen, head to Lake Street Local. Ketchup is optional but not required.

My cheeseburger (with everything on it) was huge,

and I had to power through the last couple of bites, but as far as burgers go, it was among the best I’ve had in the Upper Thumb. It held its own against the Verona Tavern’s and the Blue Water Inn’s awardwinning cheeseburgers, and it’s a safe yet delicious choice for the most finicky eaters.

If you’re heading to the lakeshore this summer and need a place to grab lunch, Lake Street Local is sure to satisfy the scurviest sea dog this side of the Sargasso.

Mark Birdsall is assistant editor of the Huron Daily Tribune. Email him at mark. birdsall@hearstnp.com. If you know of a great place to grab lunch, let us know.

Hur on C oun t y

Bad Axe Area Distric t Librar y 200 S. Hanselman St., Bad Axe. Call 989-269-8538 or visit w w w.badaxelibrar y.org

Columbia Township Librar y

Libr aries

6456 Center St., Unionville. Call 989-674-2651or visit w w w.columbiatwplibrar y.org

Decker ville Public Librar y

3542 N. Main St. in the village of Decker ville. Call 810-376-8015 or visit w w w.decker ville.lib.mi.us

Harbor Beach Area Distric t Librar y 105 N. Huron Ave. Call 989-479-3417 or visit w w w.hbadl.org

Pigeon Distric t Librar y 7236 N itz St., Pigeon. Call 989-453-2341 or visit w w w.pigeondistric tlibrar y.com

Por t Austin Township Librar y 114 R ailroad St., Por t Austin. Call 989-738-7212 or visit w w w.por taustinlibrar y.org

Rawson Memorial Librar y

6495 Pine St., Cass City. Call 989-872-2856 or visit w w w.rawson.lib.mi.us.

S andusky Distric t Librar y 55 E. Sanilac Road. Call 810-648-2644 or visit http://sandusk y.lib.mi.us/

Sebewaing Township Librar y 41 N. Center St., Sebewaing. Call 989-883-3520 or visit w w w.sebewainglibrar y.org.

Sleeper Public Librar y 2236 Main St., Ubly. Call 989-658-8901 or visit w w w.sleeper.michlibrar y.org

Harbor Beach has enjoyment for all

Nestled on the shores of Lake Huron is Harbor Beach, a close-knit community noted for its local businesses and friendly atmosphere.

Harbor Beach has the world’s greatest man-made fresh water harbor. It’s picturesque lighthouse built in the 19th Century is the focal point for breathtaking natural beauty of the harbor, located on the sunrise side of the Upper Thumb.

Originally founded in 1836 as Sand Beach, the town’s livelihood has always revolved around the lake. It’s also home to large industrial leaders as well as a U.S. Coast Guard Station.

One of Michigan’s most famous statesmen, Frank Murphy, was a native of Harbor Beach. His birthplace, now the Frank Murphy Museum on Huron Avenue, is set up to tell the world about one of our former U.S. Supreme Court justices,

ambassadors and governors.

As you drive downtown, you’ll want to take a closer look at the Community House, which is decorated with a two-story mural depicting the history of Harbor Beach.

With a gymnasium, meeting rooms and movie theater, the Community House is the center of many events in Harbor Beach.

The city’s Maritime Festival has made a big splash among area events. This year’s event will feature free music and other free events.

Several city parks offer a variety activities. Davidson Park, off Court Street, has tennis and basketball courts. Judge James H. Lincoln Park is home to volleyball nets, beach, pier, playground and

more. Adjacent to the Harbor Beach Marina, Water Works Park, and it offers a pavilion and cottages that are available for rent. Nearby is North Park Campground, which offers all modern amenities.

The city is also home to the Harbor View Trail, as well as the PFC Brian Backus Nature Trail, with access points at North Park Campground and Pierce Road.

Launch your boat at the Harbor Beach Marina for great fishing and water sports. The marina features more than 100 boat slips, six boat ramps, restrooms and shower facilities, a fish cleaning station, diesel and gasoline fuel, and pump-out facilities.

Other sites to see include the city’s farmers market and the Harbor Beach Lighthouse. Tours of the lighthouse are held regularly throughout the tourist season, and more information is available at harborbeachlighthouse.org.

The annual Harbor Beach Truck Show and convoy brings more than 100 trucks to the area each year.

A Battle on the Beach participant attempts to move a set of heavy weights during last year’s Maritime Festival.

Elkton is the town with a smile

Elkton is a friendly community known for its many activities, including Autumnfest, which welcomes people from all over Michigan on Labor Day weekend. Games and activities keep the kids busy, and there are a host of attractions for the adults too. Good food, musical entertainment, tractor pulls, and one of the largest car shows in the Thumb are other amenities. The grand parade kicks off Autumnfest in spectacular tradition and fireworks cap off a non-stop busy day.

The fourth weekend in September has the town going all out for Museum Weekend, where the historical society’s Heritage Center, log cabin and blacksmith’s barn are open with displays of the past.

There are bouncy houses, games, a petting zoo, and carriage rides around town to see some of the historical sites. Added to this is a street fair with vendors, music, family activities and more.

This concludes on Sunday with an antique baseball game.

The town rolls out the red carpet for Halloween night for trunk-or-treating, with cars lining up and down Main

Street. This is in addition to trick-or-treating around town, and other kids activities.

The gazebo in the center of town lights the way for the Christmas holidays. As Santa and Mrs. Santa cruise through town on a horse drawn carriage, the streets come alive with the annual holiday celebration, which includes a cookie walk, dinners, giveaways, cookie decorating, and a craft sale. Children’s laughter can be heard all over town.

Elkton Parks and Recreation have activities all year long, either monthly or bi-monthly, from movies and music in the park, free ice cream and popcorn, to other outdoor entertainment.

The town with a smile welcomes you.

Elkton residents enjoy the parade during last year’s Autumnfest.

A little rain didn’t stop people from coming out to enjoy last year’s Elkton Country Street Fair.

Hot dog! Coney Guys jazzing up lunches, events around the Thumb

By: Mark Birdsall Assistant Editor

The men and women who make up the club gather twice a month to plan and discuss the many good works they’ll do throughout the year to make their community a better place, volunteering their time at events like bingo at the Huron Community Fair, the annual Kids Day in Ackerman Park and the numerous “popup pantry” free food giveaways that have taken place throughout the Upper Thumb since COVID hit in

early 2020. The list is long.

I joined the club in late 2021 after one of its members suggested it when I told him Elkton was one of the beats I covered for the Tribune. When another reporter took over the beat, I remained as a member. It felt good to volunteer, and I met some awfully nice people in the process.

The club meets on Wednesdays twice a month. Meetings start with social hour, and I’ll usually sit with longtime members Don, Marty and Dave. Peggy will come around selling 50/50 tickets. Don

DJ Toilets & Septic Services, LLC

will tell us how his latest trip to the casino went over some ginger ales as we try to tune out the club’s president, who sits at the front of the room, usually

droning on and on about one thing or another as club officers Janet and Agnes pat him on the

Continued on pg. 39

aches

• Bird Creek Park is a day-use area, 7-acre park located just east of the Por t Austin Harbor It features a large sandy beach, boardwalk, pavilion, fishing, rest rooms and showers.

• Caseville Public Beach is a large, ac tive public beach located at the nor th end of Caseville It has a bathhouse, breakwall, shelters, running water and picnicking facilities.

• Eagle Bay Public Access is t wo miles east of Por t Austin on Pointe aux Barques Road and has picnicking facilities.

• Harbor Beach Public Bathing

Beach is an ac tive public beach in downtown Harbor Beach. It is staffed with lifeguards from mid-June through Labor Day. It features a picnic and playground area. Picnic tables and grills are located in the shaded por tion of the park There are t wo sand volleyball cour ts and a restroom building.

• Jenks Park is a moderately ac tive public beach located four miles southwest of Por t Austin on M-25. Pit toilets, running water, hand pump and picnicking facilities are available. Day use only, no camping

T• Lighthouse County Park is located nine miles east of Por t Austin on M-25. There isn’t a bathing beach, but there is secluded sunbathing in the park. Featured are a lighthouse, museum, shelters, running water and picnicking facilities.

• McGraw Park is a moderately ac tive, public beach located seven miles southwest of Por t Austin on M-25. It has a day-use area, offers swimming, hiking trails, fishing, playground, flush toilets, running water and picnicking.

• ROADSIDE PARK

• STATE PARK

• COUNTY PARK

• Oak Beach County Park is a moderately ac tive public beach located eight miles southwest of Por t Austin on M-25. Restroom facilities and pavilions for picnics are available. Swimming, fishing and camping are offered.

• Philp Park is a small, secluded beach and roadside park located five miles nor theast of Caseville on M-25. It has picnicking facilities and swimming.

• Por t Crescent State Park is located five miles southwest of Por t Austin on M-25 and is a large, ac tive public beach. The beach at the campgrounds is for campers only The dayuse beach is located seven miles southwest of Por t Austin. A vehicle permit is required to get into the beach which has a boardwalk, bathhouse, running water, shelter and picnicking facilities.

• Sleeper State Park is located five miles nor theast of Caseville on M-25. The shoreline features a half mile of Lake Huron beach, including an inland area with nature trails. A campground is located across M-25 from the beach area and features a pedestrian overpass. Entrance to the park requires a motor vehicle permit The day-use area is open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Beach area has bathhouse, picnic shelter, running water and picnicking facilities.

• Thompson Scenic Outlook is a small secluded beach and roadside park located five miles nor theast of Caseville on M-25. It has picnicking facilities

• Wagener County Park is located five miles south of Harbor Beach on M-25. A small, secluded beach is at the east end of the park. It has shower and rest room facilities. The park has launch facilities, a picnic area, playground and a wooded hiking trail. Pets are allowed

Huron County features 93 miles of shoreline and some of the finest beaches in the state.

Pigeon ushers in Farmer’s Summerfest

Located between Bay Port and Elkton is Pigeon, one of the Thumb’s most proud communities.

One of the highlights this summer is the Pigeon Summerfest, which includes community events and games for kids. Summerfest returned last year after a year off due to the pandemic.

A drive through Pigeon reveals mile after mile of picturesque fields that produce corn, sugar beets, wheat and a variety of beans. The Cooperative Elevator Co.’s grain elevator in Pigeon is the largest in the state, and supplies commodities to major food producers all over the world.

If it’s entertainment you crave, Pigeon’s got it. The Pigeon Band Shell, located in Pigeon Recreational Park,

is known for its summer concerts.

Pigeon Recreational Park, located at the corner of Park Street and Rollie Smith Drive, features a

picnic pavilion, playground area, ball fields, tennis courts, horseshoe pits and basketball hoops. South Park, on Main Street, has a picnic area and swings.

On Main Street, amid the local shops and businesses, is the elegant yet modern Pigeon District Library. It offers story hours for children, senior citizen activities and quilt shows.

Not far from the library is the Pigeon Historical Depot Museum. The Depot Museum is alongside the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad tracks that run through the middle of the village. Adjacent to the Museum is Pigeon’s farmer’s market.

The Christmas Town Lighting rings in the holiday season at the end of November, and the Pigeon Chamber of Commerce is active in promoting the town and its businesses with special events throughout the year.

Farmers make their way through downtown Pigeon for the tractor parade during last year’s Summerfest

Kids cross blades with plastic lightsabers during last year’s Pigeon Farmers Summerfest.

hand and assure him that, yes, his overgrown, Burt Reynolds-like mustache is still in style. (The club’s president has also steadfastly refused to sit down for an interview with this reporter, which begs the question, what’s he trying to hide?)

The actual meeting starts with the Pledge of Allegiance, a prayer and singing of the classic patriotic tune, “America.” Then we eat.

Serving up dinner on a recent night was Elkton’s Nick Johnson, also known as one of “The Coney Guys.” Nick loves chili dogs, and when he found canned sauces found at grocery stores lacking, he decided to make his own using a special family recipe he got from his mother.

His brother, Lee, loved the sauce, got the recipe from Nick. One thing led to another, and Lee bought a food cart, which he takes all around the Midland area and usually sells out of his coneys. Nick was inspired to buy his own cart and made plans to supplement his income with its proceeds when he retires later this year from Gascho Furniture.

On this night, Nick’s wife, Cindy, and grandson, Roman, lent a hand serving dinner to about 30 hungry Lions. The Coney Guys offer plain hot dogs, their signature coneys,

something Nick referred to as “Nachoneys,” Walking Tacos, fries both loaded and unloaded, onion rings, chips and drinks like sodas and water. Nick offers up a boatload of toppings, like cheese, onions, dill pickles, sweet relish, sliced banana peppers and jalapeno, plus ketchup and mustard, if that’s your thing.

The coney sauce is very tasty, with a little bit of heat that sneaks up on you but isn’t overpowering. Nick takes great pride in his sauce, and he should. You can get a burger just about anyplace, but a good hot dog is tough to find and a great coney dog is even tougher. The Coney Guys use highquailty beef hot dogs and fresh ingredients, and the formula has proven to be a successful one.

Nick has taken his cart to events like Elkton’s Summer “Music in the Park” series as well as numerous businesses to serve workers on their lunch breaks. Since he can take his cart just about any place, he’s considering branching out to other places in the Upper Thumb later this year.

If you’d like The Coney Guys to serve up dogs at your event or business, give Nick a call at 989-5536620. You can also reach them on their Facebook page, on the web at www. theconeyguys.com or by email at theconeyguys@ gmail.com.

Elkton’s Nick Johnson, left, has a passion for chili dogs, and he’s turned that passion into a small business, The Coney Guys. Above, Nick poses for a photo with his wife, Cindy, and grandson, Roman.

Bad Axe

Bad Axe City Park: 210 S. Hanselman Street

989-269-6479

w w w.cit yofbadaxe.com

Wilcox Community Park: 650 Whitelam Street

989-269-6479

w w w.cit yofbadaxe.com

Bay Por t

B. C. McLeish Memorial Park: Promenade Street

Brown Park: M-25, state highway rest area, 2 miles south of Bay Por t

Caseville

Philip County Park: M-25, between Caseville & Oak Beach.

989-269-6404

huroncount yparks.com

Sleeper State Park: day use area, M-25 east of Caseville

Caseville County Park: village nor th edge, open Apr. 15 -Oc t. 31.

989-269-6404

huroncount yparks.com

Cass City

S anilac Petroglyphs Historic State Park: 4 miles east of M-53 on Bay City-Forestville Rd & 1 mile south on Germania Rd.

Evergreen Park:

4731 Van Dyke (picnic, hiking, fishing, pavilion & camping)

989-872-6600

Decker ville

Delaware Park: 6301 N. Lakeshore Road (19 rustic sites, nature trails, swimming beach, fishing and hiking)

810-622-8715

Harbor Beach

Bathing Beach Park: east end of Trescott Street

Davidson Park: off Cour t Street, east of M-25

Water works Park: adjacent to Harbor Beach Municipal Marina

White Rock Park: “Scenic Turnout,” with viewing platform & access to beach (facilities, walking trail)

Por t Austin

Bird Creek County Park: just east of Por t Austin Harbor. 989-269-6404

huroncount yparks.com

Gallup Park: M-25 in the village

Jenks Park: state highway rest area, about 4 miles southwest of Por t Austin on M-25

McGraw Park: along M-25 between Oak Beach & Por t Austin. 989-269-6404

huroncount yparks.com

Por t Crescent State Park: day use, 2 miles west on M-25 south of Por t Austin

Sebewaing

Sebewaing County Park: 759 Union Street 989-269-6404

huroncount yparks.com

Bay Shore Camp: just nor th of Sebewaing, nor theast side of Saginaw Bay. 989-883-2501

C oun t y

Parks Hur on

B A D AX E

Bad Axe Par ty Store

690 S. Van Dyke 989-269-4133

Bad Axe Steakhouse 113 S. Por t Crescent 989-269-6888

Big Boy Restaurant 900 N. Van Dyke Road 989-269-9515

Cafe 53 721 N. Van Dyke 989-975-8413

China King 162 E Huron Ave 989-269-2900

East Side Par ty Store Deli 706 E Huron Ave 989-269-8831

Emma’s Coffee Shop 123 N. Por t Crescent 989-975-6006

The Gathering Place 898 N. Van Dyke 989-269-8888

The Franklin Inn 1070 E Huron Ave 989-269-9951

Bottom’s Up 809 E Huron 989-269-5041

Hungr y Howie’s 843 N. Van Dyke Road 989-269-3500

Little Caesars Pizza 897 N. Van Dyke Road, 989-269-9733

Longshot Lanes 845 N. Van Dyke Road 989-269-9581

Lugo’s Street Tacos 801 N. Van Dyke 989-269-8000

Murphy ’s Baker y 110 W. Huron Ave 989-269-8291

Peppermill Restaurant

685 N. Por t Crescent St

989-269-9347

Pete’s Bar

269 E. Huron Ave. 989-269-9107

Pizza Hut

790 N. Van Dyke Road

989-269-2291

Rachel’s Menu

754 N. Van Dyke Road

989-269-5000

S ubway

885 N. Van Dyke Road

989-269-2000

Taco Bell

852 N. Van Dyke Road

989-269-9492

Verona Tavern

12 N. Verona Road 989-269-2493

Wendy ’s

787 N. Van Dyke Road

989-269-6984

B AY P O R T

Bay Por t Inn

827 Promenade St

989-656-9911

Lefty ’s Drive-in

Seasonal

9505 Por t Austin Road

989-656-9950

C ASE VILLE

Bay watch on the Beach Grill

6626 Beachway

989-856-4764

Blue Water Inn

6584 Main St

989-856-3400

Beachy ’s Bar & Grill

6567 Main St.

989-856-9210

Brew Moon Coffee House & Galler y

6815 Michigan Street

Chuck ’s Drive Thru Diner

6966 Main Street 989-856-1230

Dair y Q ueen

Seasonal

6395 Main St 989-856-2534

Giuseppe’s Pizzeria

6562 Main St. 989-856-2035

Hersel’s on the Bay Grill & Lounge

6024 Por t Austin Road 989-856-2500 or 989-856-2650

Lefty ’s Diner and Drive-in

6937 Main St. 989-856-8899

MQs Pizza Express (Mainsail Quick Stop) 6631 Main St 989-856-1645

Pizza on the Bay 6409 Main St 989-856-2242

S ubway (Clark Station) 7095 Main St. 989-856-8484

Thumb Brewer y 6758 Pine St 989-856-1228

Walt ’s Restaurant 6618 Main St. 989-856-4020

Wooded Island

Spor ts Grill 6868 Michigan St. 989-856-1240

C ASS CITY

Cass Tavern 6448 Main St 989-872-4838 The Charmont 6138 E Cass City 989-872-4321

Crossroads Junc tion 8510 Van Dyke Rd 810-404-5323

Gilligan’s 6444 Main St. 989-872-4488

Little Caesars Pizza 4518 Leach St 989-872-4884

McDonald’s 6180 Main St. 989-872-4841

Nick ’s Countr y Oven 6209 Main St. 989-872-4500

Parkway Pizza 6703 Main St 989-872-5448

Petal N Bean Co. 6450 Main Street 989-912-2244

S ubway 6144 E. Cass City 989-872-4373

Village Grill & Chill 6628 Main Street 989-872-4711

DECKERVILLE

Brown’s Pizza & S ubs

2010 Black River St. 810-376-2141

Corner Cafe 3452 Main St. 810-376-8450

Silver Tavern Black River St 810-376-8563

ELKTON

Hitching Post 79 N. Main St 989-375-2496

Phil’s Diner 4975 Railroad St 989-375-2600

S ubway (Clark Station) 5083 Whalen St 989-375-2027

GAGETOWN

Sher wood on the Hill 6625 Third St 989-665-9971

Gagetown S aloon

4773 State St.

989-850-5008

GRINDSTONE

Days on the Lake

3337 Pointe Aux

Barques Road

989-738-7665

Grindstone General Store

3206 Copeland Road

989-738-6410

Rybek ’s Ice Cream Store

3090 Copeland Road

989-768-0071

Shelley ’s Bar & Grill

8743 Pearson St. 989-738-5105

OWENDALE

HolliJays Place 7296 Main St.

989-373-5005

Stack ’s

7297 Main St.

989-678-4500

HARBOR BEACH

Chester ’s Chicken

8974 Sand Beach Road

989-479-6800

Eighteen 87 118 State Street

989-479-2956

Ernesto’s Pizza 129 State St

989-479-9013

Little Caesars Pizza

135 S. Huron Ave.

989-479-3222

Smalley ’s Bar

130 S. Huron Ave. 989-479-3477

Varney ’s Coney Island

190 Ritchie Dr. 989-479-6197

Williams Inn

129 State St

989-479-9013

MINDEN CITY

John’s Stumble Inn 1500 Main St

989-864-5541

KINDE

Biffs Bar & Grill 4680 N Van Dyke

989-874-3034

Heck ’s Bar

2990 W Kinde Road 989-874-4868

Kinde One Stop Shop 25 West Kinde Road 989-874-4500

The Pasta House 337 Main St. 989-874-4070

PIGEON

Cottage Inn Pizza 15 N Caseville Road 989-453-2015

Little Caesars Pizza 27 N. Caseville Road 989-453-2722

Main Street Family Restaurant 15 S. Main St

989-453-3663

Pigeon Inn 66 S. Main St. (989) 453-2327

Pigeon Loc al 7232 Michigan Ave

989-453-3434

Scenic Golf and Countr y Club 8364 W. Filion Road

989-453-2233

POR T AUSTIN

The Bank 1884 8646 Lake St

989-738-5353

Blue Moon (Seasonal)

Ice Cream Parlor 427 W Spring St

The Dark Sky Lodge & Tavern 1884 Por t Austin Road

The Farm Restaurant 699 Por t Crescent Road 989-874-5700

The Tap Room at Bird Creek Farms 282 Grindstone Road 989-738-0218

Fireside Inn 1146 Por t Austin Road 989-738-8232

Green Clean Bean 124 E Spring St 989-738-0112

Lake Street Emporium 8687 Lake Street 989-738-8412

Lake Street Loc al 8724 Lake St 989-738-9750

The Landing 8724 Lake St 989-738-9750

Anna B’s Café 42 W Spring St 989-738-5239

Pak ’s Backyard Café and River Garden 119 E. Spring St. Por t Austin

The White Elephant 8637 Lake St 989-738-0947

POR T HOPE

Buck ’s Por t Hope Diner 4411 Main Street 989-428-0940

Lewisville Smoke 4711 Kinde Rd 989-428-3056

Por t Hope Hotel 4405 Main St 989-428-4808

R UTH

Farmer ’s Tavern 4522 S. Ruth Road 989-864-3714

UBLY

Angelina’s 2212 E. Main St. 989-658-2643

Fast Freddies 2245 E. Main St. 989-658-8172

S ubway 4497 N. Washington 989-658-8500

Ubly Pub 2211 E Main St 989-658-8811

SEBE WAING

Beeter ’s Brew Pub 902 E. Pine Street 989-883-2170

Dair y Barn (Seasonal) 634 Unionville Road 989-883-2421

The Lamplighter 8850 S. Unionville Road 989-883-9224

McDonald’s 599 S. Unionville Road 989-883-9898

Peking City 747 N. Beck 989-704-1087

S ubway 614 S. Unionville Road 989-883-9125

Village Pizzeria 638 N. Center St 989-883-2091

Kretzschy ’s Smokey BBQ 604 Unionville Road 989-975-1373

Bad Axe

Camper ’s Haven: 2326 S. Van Dyke Road

989-269-7989

w w w.campershavenonline.com

Caseville

Caseville County Park: nor th edge of village

989-856-2080

huroncount yparks.com

Sleeper State Park: M-25 east of Caseville

989-856-4411

Lakeshore Pines RV Park:

3193 Por t Austin Road on M-25, bet ween Por t Austin & Caseville

Cass City

Evergreen Park:

9 miles nor th of M-46 along M-53

989-872-6600

Grindstone City

Whalen’s Grindstone Shores: 3373 Pointe aux Barques, 5 miles east of Por t Austin

989-738-7664

whalensgrindstoneshores.com

Harbor Beach

Nor th Park:

1 mile nor th of Harbor Beach on Huron Avenue.

989-479-9554H

O ff Shore Marina: 5 Lytle Street.

989-479-6064

Wagener County Park: M-25, 5 miles south of Harbor Beach.

989-479-9131

huroncount yparks.com

Oak Beach

Oak Beach County Park: M-25 bet ween Por t Austin & Caseville. 989-856-2344

huroncount yparks.com

Por t Austin

D uggan’s Campground: 2941 Por t Austin Road, bet ween Por t Austin & Caseville. 989-738-5160

Por t Crescent State Park: M-25, approximately 5 miles southwest of Por t Austin. 800-447-2757

Por t Hope

Lighthouse County Park: 9 miles east of Por t Austin 989-428-4749

huroncount yparks.com

Stafford County Park: Por t Hope 989-428-4213

huroncount yparks.com

Sand Point

Beadle Bay Marina & Campground: 4375 Lone Eagle Trail off Crescent Beach Road. 989-856-4911

Sebewaing

Sebe nor th village

ebewaing County Park: limits est side of the .

7 questions with... Explorer Charters with Tom Carriveau

By: Dominic Sevilla Staff writer

Tom Carriveau runs Explorer

Charters out of Caseville, which takes patrons out onto Lake Huron, around Charity Island, and even around Saginaw Bay. He has been taking charters out since 1990, has a 100-

ton masters license and has operated everything from tugboats to 100-passenger tour boats. His current boat, the Lady of the Lake, is a 50-foot by 14-foot U.S. Coast Guardinspected passenger boat and he has had it for the last five seasons.

“The boat is liscnend for 56 passengers and has three decks,” said Carriveau. “An upper viewing deck that is lovely, then an open back deck, and then a protected forward deck. My specialty is two and half hour sunset trips that depart out of Caseville Municipal Harbor.”

He also offers private groups for company events, weddings, family reunions, and more. Trips range from two to six hours depending on what they want to do and like to see.

In addition to his cruises, which he has run out of Caseville for the last 10 years, he works for HAGLE Real Estate with his wife.

Q: What drew you to operating boats, particularly larger passenger vessels?

A: I started with a great

interest in scuba diving in the great lakes on shipwrecks. I’ve surveyed and discovered two wrecks and dove them. I started taking scuba charters out for technical diving up to 200 feet deep with 35-degree water.

I have positions of some wrecks that very few people know exist. I still do some scuba charters when I have qualified people who call me and arrange it.

Q: What are your favorite groups to take out on the tours?

A: We enjoy private groups because everyone knows everyone so it is relaxing and fun. Our goal is to have fun and be safe and to discover things and share history.

We have had some really lovely weddings. It’s fun for me

Kinde: The Thumb’s capital for Polka

Kinde is a cozy community nestled between the picturesque lakeshore and the hustle of the county seat of Bad Axe.

About nine miles north of Bad Axe, Kinde is steadily growing as a choice bedroom community. Close to the shopping, medical and county services Bad Axe offers, Kinde is even closer to the luxurious lakeshore view, quaint shops and fine dining of Port Austin.

Originally settled as Dwight Crossing, the town’s name changed when the Kinde family moved to town. They established the Kinde General Store, a hub for any supply you could think of.

At the heart of activity in Kinde is North Huron Schools. The recreational

park in town is a center of activity, boasting plenty of softball games in the summer. It’s also a place for youngsters to play.

There’s yet another place for family fun as the Wiley Coyote’s Waterjet Slide splashes into summer.

And don’t miss out on a game of putt putt golf, or try your hand at rock climbing.

The town’s Polka Fest has been a huge hit and organizers again are tapping top-notch polka bands from across the country to perform at the festival. The festival will also feature a softball tournament and 5K.

Food, drink, and dancing will be plentiful as people of all ages gather downtown for this annual festival, packed with friends, family and fun.

Kinde residents get their Polka on during last year’s Kinde Polka Fest.

One of the acts performs during the 2022 Kinde Polka Fest.

Continued

from

because I get to meet everyone in the wedding party and they get married and I become friends with them on Facebook and I build lifetime friends with this business.

For private events, I’ve had investment companies, hospitals, landscaping companies; People that have few employees and want to get them together. It’s a special time because it’s outside their normal environment. Sometimes they have strategic meetings about company business where they can think out on a boat and in private. It is a unique experience for (businesses) to show their employees appreciation. That is primarily what I

Tom Carriveau offers groups trips out on the Saginaw Bay, exploring the waters and shoreline of Caseville and the Surrounding area

enjoy most about this. We have a lot of local people as well as vacationers who come out with us.

Q: What is your favorite part of your day when you are out on the boat with these groups of people?

A: It’s probably sharing this

beautiful area that we boat in and sharing the interesting history of Caseville. Back in the days of the railroad and commercial fishing. I spent a lot of time explaining to the people the history of the area.

Even when we go up this river it’s unique. I show people

the beautiful parts of Charity Island, the surrounding area, and the shoreline and things like that.

A lot of our clients also enjoy historic lighthouses. One of my trips I go in front of the Charity Island light (by the way, Abraham Lincoln signed the order to build that two weeks before he was ...). Some of our trips also include Gravelly Shoals light which is pretty cool because you can come right up next to it and it has a big fog horn up there. You can’t see it with anything other than by boat. So I have lighthouse enthusiasts that like to see those two lighthouses.

c c om mod at ion s

Bad Axe

Ameriway Inn & S uites

898 N. Van D yke Road

989-269-3200

w w w.ameriwayinnandsuites.com

Bad Axe Motel

1595 S. Van D yke Road

989-975-2203

989-269-6997

Franklin Inn

1070 E. Huron Ave.

989-269-9951 or 800-645-0211

w w w.franklininnbadaxe.com

Frank ’s Plaza

809 E. Huron Ave.

989-269-5041

Holiday Inn Express

55 Rapson Road

989-269-5293

w w w.hiexpress.com

Caseville

A Great Getaway Cottage

7708 Por t Austin Road

989-550-5348

Bella Vista Inn

6024 Por t Austin Road

989-856-2500

Aw w w.bella- caseville.com

Cabins of Caseville

5949 & 5953 Por t Austin Road

989-621-6458

cabins@snlprop.com

w w w.snlprop.com

Caseville Lakefront Homes

5602 and 5923 Por t Austin Road, 9080

Crescent Beach Road

248-421-4086

Crews’ Lakeside Resor t

4750 Por t Austin Road

989-856-2786

w w w.crewslakesideresor t.com

Lake View Motel

7348 Por t Austin Road

989-856-2303

w w w.michigan.org/proper t y/lake-viewmotel/

Fox ’s Lodge at Oak Pointe

5857 Por t Austin Road

989-856-3055

foxslodgeatoakpointe.com

Purple Mar tin Rentals

8038 Crescent Beach Rd

989-551-9463

Harbor Beach

Harbor Beach Inn

722 State St.

989-479-9424

Motel Huron

1115 S. Lakeshore Road

989-479-9162

State Street Inn

646 State St.

989-479-3388

w w w.thestatestreetinn.com

Por t Austin

85ten Hotel & Event Center 8510 Lake Street MI 989-738-8510

Beachcomber Motel

158 W. Spring St. 989-738-8354

w w w.beachcomberpa.com

Blue Spruce Motel

8527 Lake St. 989-738-8650

w w w.bluesprucemotelpor taustin.com or bluesprucemotelpor taustin@msn.com

Harbor View Cottages

60 W. Spring St. 989-738-5277 or 586-337-1923

w w w.parksharbor view.com

Krebs Lane Cottages

2966 Por t Austin Road 989-738-8548 or 313-886-5752

w w w.sites.google.com/site/krebslanecottages or krebslane@gmail.com

Lake Vista Motel & Cottages 168 W. Spring St. 989-738-8612

w w w.lakevistaresor t.com

Lakeside Motor Lodge 8654 Lake St. 989-738-5201

Lucky Horseshoe Motel and Cabins

8527 Lake St. 989-738-8650

w w w.bluesprucemotelpor taustin.com or bluesprucemotelpor taustin@msn.com

Por t Austin Bed & Breakfast 8526 Lake St. 989-738-0361

w w w.por taustinbedandbreakfast.com Sun & S and Motel

891 Por t Austin Road 989-738-7513

S andcastles on the Beach

1368 Por t Austin Road 989-738-4200

w w w.sandcastlesonthebeach.com

sandcastleresor t@gmail.com

Por t Hope

Forest Bay Cottages

2888 N. Lakeshore 989-428-4335

Forestbay1@hotmail.com

Sebewaing

Airpor t Motel 647 W Sebewaing St 989-883-3320

facebook.com/Airpor t Motel

The Downtown Loft LLC 14 N Center St 810-577-8526

facebook.com/thedowntownloftsebewaing

Unionville

Fish Point Lodge 4130 Miller Ave. 989-674-2631

w w w.fishpointlodge.com or fplodge@speednetllc.com

A: It’s so beautiful around the mouth of the Pigeon River.

Karen Kelly who is in charge of marketing for Explorer Charters added that the water levels are ideal for a boat the size that Carriveau operates.

Q: Are there any challenges you face on a regular basis or any challenges that arrived out of the pandemic that made things harder to run?

A: Well the Pandemic was a difficult time. How I addressed it was I limited the amount of people on the boat trips to allow for social distancing. We of course disinfected everything better and we were very cautious to not create an environment where COVID could be spread.

That was a challenging time no doubt. Being on the boat and in fresh air allowed for an easier

time. When people are out on the upper sun deck, there is a nice breeze, which allowed for proper social distancing, so we felt comfortable that we weren’t putting anyone in unsafe conditions.

It’s wonderful again to see everyone out having fun and getting over COVID. I am getting a lot of phone calls already because people want to get out and have fun.

Q: Is there anything you are looking forward to in Caseville or with your cruises this season or in the next couple of seasons?

A: We have some new adventures in the works. It’s not finalized yet because it’s early in the season. We are contemplating on taking people out to Charity Island and to the lighthouse again. We got away from that due to COVID.

The plans are in the works

to get what we call picnic trips where we go out to Charity Island. There are restrooms out there and a pavilion where we are going to cook some burgers and have a little lunch. People can explore the lighthouse and the surrounding area.

We are also contemplating taking people’s kayaks out on the big boat and letting them paddle around the Charity Island area and have lunch on the way back into Caseville.

We are looking to further the outdoor experiences for people and provide unique opportunities.

Q: What motivates you to keep taking people out on the water?

A: Meeting my clients and becoming friends. They are strangers when they come on board and they are friends when they leave.

My wife and I are also real

Huron County Nature Center

estate agents so sometimes we meet visitors who come up who are thinking about moving here. It comes around full circle sometimes.

Explorer Charters can be found online at www. explorercharters.com where soon you will be able to book your private or group trips online. For more information visit the website, email Carriveau at tcarriveau1234@gmail.com, or call 989-550-1234

If you or someone you know is a business owner, group organizer, or even just a person of interest and want to be featured for the next “7 questions with...” contact Dominic Sevilla at dominic. sevill@hearstnp.com with contact information and a brief summary of what you or someone you know does.

is located in Michigan’s Thumb, east of Caseville and west of Por t Austin just off of M-25. Take Oak Beach Road to Loosemore Road. The center is open 365 days a year, it’s free to the public, and trails are open from dawn to dusk. Workshops and demonstrations take place frequently. Visit huronnaturecenter.org for a list of events.

Sleeper State Park

6573 State Park Road, 989-856-4411. Located five miles west of Caseville, this has more than four miles of maintained trails available to those who wish to hike or ski. The trails also have access to 2,200 acres of the Rush Lake State Game Area.

S and Point Nature Preser ve Huron Count y (M-25 nor th of Dunn Road in Caseville Township). The Saginaw Basin Land Conser vanc y owns seven nature preser ves that are open to the public They are natural areas in need of protec tion and management for the ecological benefits they provide to people and the environment They are open to the public for enjoyment, recreation and education.

Por t Crescent State Park 1775 Por t Austin Road (M-25), 989-738-8663. It is located five miles southwest of Por t Austin on M-25.

S anilac Petroglyphs

Are located near Cass Cit y. Take M-53 to Bay Cit y Forest ville Road, proceed east to Germania Road and turn south. Travel a half mile to the parking lot located on the west side of Germania Road. Admission is free. It is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Sunday, usually from late May to early September. Call 989-856-4411 to confirm hours and dates. Please allow t wo hours to tour the Petroglyphs.

Wagener County Park

2671 S. Lakeshore Road, 989-479-9131. This park is five miles south of Harbor Beach.

Port Austin is a shoreline gem

Port Austin has a rich history that can be traced back to 1837 and its first settler, Jonathon Bird. Located on the shores of Lake Huron at the tip of the Thumb, Port Austin and its surrounding area are well known throughout Michigan for their historic sites, bountiful recreation opportunities and scenic views that continue to draw thousands of visitors each year.

The greater Port Austin area is recognized for its superior dining establishments and its unique shops. Downtown Port Austin also boasts an extended boardwalk and pier, home to some of Lake Huron’s finest fishing.

On Saturdays, starting in May and running through most of October, the downtown is bursting with energy as the Port Austin Farmer’s Market brings a variety of wares and

entertainment to the village and its visitors. Port Austin also has a large Fourth of July festival, which made its return last year after a year off due to the pandemic.

Nearby Grindstone City, a popular destination for anglers, still draws visitors to where the grindstone industry used to flourish.

Off the shore of Port Austin is the historic Port Austin Reef Lighthouse.

This port offers outstanding fishing for salmon, lake trout, walleye, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, brown trout and steelhead. Often overlooked is the opportunity for deep-water jigging for whitefish. The state harbor in town offers dockage for middle- to large-size vessels and launches for smaller boats. Grindstone City is home to state-maintained ramps. Several other private marinas also serve boaters. Regarding recreation

opportunities, variety is the key here. Three public parks are located in the village: Gallup Park, Waterfront Park and four-acre Bird Creek Park.

Port Austin also is home to the Port Austin

Community Players, which presents plays and musicals throughout the year at their playhouse.

Whether your love is golf, theater or the beach, the greater Port Austin area is sure to serve it up.

Around 35 musical acts played at 24 venues throughout Port Austin during last year’s Porch Fest.

Veterans march into the Port Austin Memorial Day ceremony last year.

A history of Port Austin schools

By: Robert Creenan Staff writer

The old Port Austin Gymnasium is one of the last remaining structures indicating that not only Port Austin had its own school district, but it was in the center of the village.

Plans to create a new all-season space in Port Austin moving forward would require demolishing the old gym, though when that would happen is unknown as village leaders are waiting to hear whether it gets a Public Gathering Spaces Initiative grant.

With the help of materials provided by the Port Austin History Center, along with old newspaper archives, the Tribune looks back at the old Port Austin School District, and its gymnasium, and why it eventually merged with North Huron Schools.

The Port Austin School District’s beginnings

The first school in Port Austin was a one-room schoolhouse believed to be constructed in

1853 by J.W. Kimball, where the current village hall is located. The students soon outgrew the building, and in September 1868, the residents voted to spend $300 for the purpose of building a new schoolhouse.

The two-story schoolhouse was completed in February 1870 with a final cost of $5,000 and an initial attendance of less than 100 students.

In June 1938, Port Austin voters voted to waive a 15-mill limitation and approved a $14,000 bond issue to construct a new gymnasium. The vote needed a two-thirds margin to pass, which at the time was 116 votes. It passed with 117 yes votes and 57 no votes.

The project cost was estimated at the time to be $25,000, with the remaining funds being obtained through the Works Progress Administration, an American agency that carried out public works projects during the Great

The Port Austin School as photographed in 1885.

Depression. Aside from hosting Port Austin’s basketball games, the site was expected to host other community gatherings and school activities.

The gymnasiumauditorium was completed in March 1939, now costing $30,000 and with several hundreds in attendance for its dedication. The ceremony had baseball umpire and one-time Detroit Tigers Manager George Moriarty as a guest speaker. The first event held at the gym was a basketball game between the Port Austin Pirates and the Port Hope Blue Stars, with the bleachers having a capacity for 400 spectators.

A new place to call

home

In February 1949, Port Austin voters approved measures allowing for the construction of a new school, which would be located south of town along M-53, have nine rooms, and hold grade school and high school students, with groundbreaking taking place in May 1949.

Classes were first held in the new building starting February 1950. At the time that classes moved to the new school, the old Port Austin school building was the oldest school structure in the county.

Talks of a merger

The earliest recorded instance of the Port Austin School District wanting to consolidate

with Kinde-based schools was in May of 1953, where a presentation took place at the Port Austin gymnasium led by Superintendent Joseph Talarsky.

Talarsky explained that most small school districts are limited due to inadequate financing, which leads to restricted course selections, overcrowding, and an inability to hire the best teachers for the job. Positives for annexation included being a larger district, receiving more state aid, and having more and better teachers.

Port Austin at the time had four grade teachers and five high school teachers. Kinde had six grade teachers and six high school teachers.

The first discussion of a vote to annex took place in June 1954, with Kinde since joining eight other school districts to form the North Huron Rural Agricultural School. The first vote on annexation took place in July 1955, with residents rejecting it with 286 no votes to 62 yes votes.

Another proposal was discussed in April 1961, this one entailing a combined enrollment of 832 students and five fewer teachers. While each school would still have grades K-6, the junior high students, numbering 106 at the time, would learn at Port Austin while the high school grades, numbering 273 at the time, would be

Continued on pg. 56

A Port Austin schools class photo from 1940.

F i Ho t Spo ts

BAD AXE

Bad Axe Public Librar y 200 S. Hanselman 989.269.8538

w w w.badaxelibrar y.org

Emma’s Coffee House 123 N. Van Dyke Road 989-975-6006

McDonald’s 871 N. Van Dyke Road 989-269-9331

Wilcox Park 650 Whitelam St. 989-269-2630

C ASEVILLE

Caseville County Park 6400 Por t Austin Rd 989-856-2080

Caseville Municipal Harbor 6632 Main St., Caseville 989-856-3632

Brew Moon Coffee House 6815 Michigan St 989-856-8779

Lemon Tree Marketplace 6604 Main St.5 989-856-8733

HARBOR BEACH

Harbor Beach Area

Distric t Librar y 105 N. Huron Ave. 989-479-3417

w w w.hbadl.org

Harbor Beach Marina 1 Ritchie Drive 989-479-9707

PIGEON

Pigeon Distric t Librar y 7236 Nitz St 989-453-2341

w w w.pigeondistric tlibrar y.com/

PORT AUSTIN

Green Clean Bean 124 E Spring St 989-738-0112

Por t Austin State Dock Bay St.

Por t Austin State Harbor 8795 Lake Street, Por t Austin 989-738-8712

Por t Austin Township Librar y 114 Railroad St. 989-738-7212

w w w.por taustinlibrar y.org

PORT HOPE

Inn Between S aloon 4711 Kinde Road 989-428-3522

SEBEWAING

Sebewaing Township Librar y 41 N. Center St 989-883-3520

w w w.sebewainglibrar y.org

UBLY

Sleeper Public Librar y 2236 Main St 989-658-8901

w w w.sleeperlibrar y.org

CHARIT Y ISL AND LIGHTHOUSE

Charit y Island Lighthouse was established in 1857, and c urrently is privately owned.

It stands in ruins at the nor thwest tip of B ig Charit y Island. Visit w w w.charit yisland.net for more information.

HARBOR BEACH LIGHTHOUSE

The Harbor B each Lighthouse is loc ated at the end of the nor th breakwater entrance to the harbor of refuge. The Harbor B each Lighthouse Preser vation S ociet y has been working with cit y officials to preser ve the historic landmark .

PORT AUSTIN REEF LIGHT

Por t Austin Reef Light is loc ated in Lake Huron, 2 1/2 miles nor th of the Village of Por t Austin. Construc tion was completed in 1878.

POINTE AUX BARQUES LIGHTHOUSE

The original Pointe aux B arques Lighthouse was construc ted of stone taken from the shore of Lake Huron in 1848. The keeper ’s house and separate tower were loc ated on a three acre clearing hacked out of the dense wilderness. By 1857, the ravages of shoreline weather and a fire in the interior of the house created the need for a new struc ture. The new keeper ’s house and attached 89-foot tower were built of the finest brick available. The light is still an ac tive aid to navigation, making Pointe aux B arques one of the oldest continuously operating Lights on the G reat Lakes.

In 1875, a Class A lifesaving station was construc ted 300 yards south of the lighthouse.

It was the first lifesaving station opened on the G reat Lakes. The 62 year histor y of the station credits over 200 resc ues to this station and its brave crews.

The Thumb B ottomland Preser ve surrounding Pointe aux B arques contains 105 known wrecks, reflec ting the danger posed by shoals surrounding Pointe aux B arques. The Pointe aux B arques keeper ’s house and tower have been completely restored and contain historic al ar tifac ts from a bygone era. The museum is open to the public free of charge and donations are appreciated to help fund the societ y ’s projec ts. The Pointe aux B arques Lighthouse is loc ated six miles nor th of Por t Hope off M-25 on Lighthouse Road in Lighthouse Count y Park . Visit w w w.pointeauxbarqueslighthouse.org

in Kinde.

The Port Austin School District also reportedly spoke with Caseville and Port Hope about merging with those school districts.

In August of 1970, Port Austin schools met with local parents to discuss financial issues including supplying textbooks to students free of charge, less revenue coming in due to declining enrollment, and what possible alternatives were open if an upcoming millage proposal was defeated.

Superintendent Paul Keene said that in the event of insufficient funds for the upcoming year, three alternatives were available.

• The district could borrow money from the state, if approved by auditors, with the stipulation that the millage would be raised to 20 mills.

• The school board could resign, in which a special election would take place. If no one were to step forward, the district would be dissolved and the state would place it in the new school district.

• They could decide to send the pupils to another district and pay tuition from the funds that they have. The merger happens In March 1979, the North Huron School Board accepted an

annexation proposal from the Port Austin School District, which needed approval from the state board of education and from Port Austin district residents.

During that school board meeting, there were questions asked about the old Port Austin gym, including one asking if it was condemned. Elwood Kirkpatrick, the North Huron board vicepresident at the time, said that water was seeping through the walls in the locker room just as it does in a basement.

On May 21, 1979, Port Austin voters approved the merger with North Huron, closing the book on the Port Austin School District. The final vote

was 424 yes, 305 no. Port Austin school officials supported this annexation because of what they claimed were more diverse class offerings along with the cheaper costs of operating a school.

Kirkpatrick said that both districts had been suffering from declining enrollment.

Beginning with the following school year, kindergarten through fourth grades attended North Huron Elementary School, fifth through eighth graders attended the Port Austin school, and ninth through twelfth grades attended North Huron High School. The combined enrollment at the time was 953 students.

Cass City Farmers Market:

Thursdays, May 18-September. Cass Cit y Farmers Market, 2:30-5:30 p.m., on Main Street in front of Rotar y Park. For more information, call 989-872-4311.

Market on Main, Caseville:

Saturdays, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. May 24-Oc t. 7. Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

Harbor Beach Farmers Market:

Fridays May 26-Oc t. 13. Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon-5 p.m., Murphy Museum. For more information, call Barb at 989-553-3317 or email tupperbarb1@yahoo.com

Pigeon Farmers Market: May-Oc tober Fridays 9 a.m.-2 p.m. May 19-Oc t. 27. Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit w w w.pigeonfarmersmarket.com or tex t 989-545-5240.

Por t Austin Farmers Market: Ever y Saturday May 20-Oc t. 7. Por t Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., downtown Por t Austin. For more information, call 989-551-8100 or email farmersmarket@por taustinarea.com.

Sweet Sebewaing hosts Sugar Festival

Sebewaing has become well known throughout Michigan for its annual Sugar Festival. Last year’s event was smaller in scale after being canceled the year before due to the pandemic, but this year it expected to be back to normal. The event has been going strong for more than 50 years, and has featured events such as a road race, musical performances, a parade, carnival rides, softball games, a car show and a chicken barbecue.

Sebewaing is the Chippewa Indian name for “Little Crooked River.” The name was derived from the Sebewaing River which winds its way through the area. The village was founded in 1845 by the Rev. J.J.F. Auch, a Lutheran

missionary, who came to the area to convert Indians to Christianity.

Historic sites in town include the Charles W. Liken House and Old Township

Hall.

The Sebewaing County Park comprises 20 acres and offers 64 sites. Fishing, trailer and tent camping are available, or folks can take a

stroll along the hiking trails.

For boating enthusiasts, a public boat launch is located off Davis Street. It has two class-one ramps and fishing access, as well as restrooms, a picnic area, playground, dump station and overnight recreational vehicle parking.

The Sebewaing area also is home to other marinas.

Because of its location on the Bay and the river, Sebewaing is a popular fishing spot. Walleye, perch and bass are popular with anglers, and the weed beds in the Bay offer a wide variety of game fish. Many small islands north of Sebewaing, including Middle Ground Island, Manisou Island and Heisterman Island, feature secluded coves that also make for great fishing.

The food trucks were a popular stop during last year’s Michigan Sugar Festival.

Kids enjoy a foam party inside one of the tents at last year’s Michigan Sugar Festival.

Cass City: 989-872-2248

Caro 989-673-2555

7 questions with ... owner of Thumb Brewery Lauren Formicola

By: Dominic Sevilla Staff writer

Lauren Formicola is the owner and operator of Thumb Brewery in Caseville, a seasonally operated brew pub just off Main Street. Opening the space up in July 2020, there have been

many changes to the space, including a brand new brew barn with a three-barrel system, tripling the output of what they can make for patrons of the brewery.

During the winter months, she is closed with occasional weekend openings throughout late

winter and early spring before opening back up regular hours during late spring to mid-fall.

“I come in every day just to get the system going and get the operation moving,” said Formicola. “We have, like, 33 employees during the summer and I get them trained and get them to know their jobs and get them to like their work.”

Formicola is from Seattle and went to school in Texas and has been a part of the Caseville community since early to mid-2020.

Q: Why Caseville?

A: The opportunity presented itself. We found out that the brewery was for sale and we put together some numbers. It was right in the middle of the discovery of the pandemic. I came out in February

2020 and there was an ice storm and we toured the downtown area. It was completely isolated and covered in ice.

We went into the building and it was all beige and really needed a lot of TLC and I started to visualize, “Can I possibly do this?” Walking up the steps to this old family house I said, “It’s got good bones and it has good love.”

I could see myself here because of the beautiful bay. Even though it was frozen over, we did see a spectacular sunset that night and that sort of sealed the deal. We brought in some good partners to help us get the financial package put together (with) TriCounty Bank, my brother and I formed a partnership

Continued on pg. 60

and ever since then, we started sailing along.

Q: What motivates you on the day-to-day operations of the brewery?

A: My staff will tell you something that they remember something I say to them every season, “We are not a restaurant, we are a place that is making memories.”

What I like to do is connect to people. The staff are making connections that will last them a lifetime with other staff and crew members because they’re young and forming their life goals. They will meet friends here that will have forever because they used to work in the restaurant business. When I was in college, some of my

Lauren Formicola is the owner of Thumb Brewery and is getting ready for the next season of business.

oldest friends are from that experience working in restaurants in Texas. When our customers

for the place. This is their patio, this is where they want to meet friends. We have probably

introduced over 20 couples to one another. They all hang out, they have dinner at each other’s houses, they plan to play shuffleboard together, and they come to our events to see if they can help.

My goal was to be a part of this community and to create a community in the brewery. We have successfully planted that seed and now it’s my job to give it the nurturing that it needs so it grows beyond me. That’s my goal to bring people together and make a safe space for everybody.

Q: What are challenges that you have faced, COVIDrelated or business-related?

A: On the pandemic front, it was tough getting up and going because a lot of the government licensing permits we needed were on

furlough so it took longer that expected to get open. We opened in July 2020, even though we were geared up to go for Memorial weekend. We lost a span of revenue that year but we managed to recover and triple the business from that year.

One of the challenges is just the amount of deliveries that come in, the amount of contractors that come in, the amount of things that can go wrong in an old farmhouse. Just trying to stay a few steps ahead.

Sometimes I’m facing down 92 cartons of inventory that need to be put away before we open the restaurant or sometimes you are looking at a patio where the wind just blew in and now you have an entire patio full of debris of leaves

and trees. Sometimes you don’t have enough staff. Just the other day I was doing dishwashing, bartending, cooking, and serving; that’s not a place you want to be. It’s the challenges of running a restaurant and I think that’s all a part of it. It’s a living and breathing thing and sometimes you’re not a victim of it, but you want to ride the wave but you don’t want to get sucked under. I think some restaurant owners work too much.

Q: What is your favorite part about your day working at Thumb Brewery or in Caseville?

A: What I love most in the morning is sitting outside with the beautiful sunshine that Caseville provides, and having a cup of coffee with

my cats. We call it coffee cat chat. We have a few rescues around here and we adopted a brewery cat.

Then it’s about seeing all the servers and the cooks file through and they all know their jobs because we have a lot of repeat employees and crew people come back. They know what they’re doing and they can get the kitchen going, they can get the patio going.

Then just seeing people who just want to be here. They come and they go, “Hey Lauren what’s on tap, what’s on tap? Is Nick here? Do we have a new beer?” So we do some exciting things. We have some brewery festivals, which I love. We have a new release coming up after Pink Floyd called

Continued on pg. 63

Continued from pg.

“Lunatic in My Brew” for the 50th anniversary of “Dark Side of the Moon.”

We’re able to have these creative moments here and what really fuels me is the creativity that you can build into a brewery. We don’t have to just be a brewery with taps. We did a paint and sip the other day, we have a crazy cat lady event coming up, we had a women in beer event the other day. We have a huge music bingo that my brother built up, it’s super fun.

Q: If there was one seasonal beer you could do all season long what would it be?

A: We brewed Beacon Babe Double Hazy IPA for Women in Beer in 2023 and its a really great beer. Its very tropical, it has some citrus notes. It promotes Women in Beer and we’re giving a dollar of every beer to Safe Place in Bad Axe. I love that, if I could

Bay Por t

Bay Por t DNR Access S ite

D owntown B ay Por t B ay Por t, MI 989.856.4411

Bayshore Marina 2612 Wallace Cut B ay Por t, MI 989.656.7191

Brush Marina & Campground

137 N Unionville Rd B ay Por t, MI

Sumca Island Access DNR Site

W End of Pigeon Rd B ay Por t, MI 989.856.4411

w w w.michigan.gov/dnr

Pigeon

Beadle Bay Marina & Campground 4375 Lone Eagle Trail Pigeon, MI 989.856.4911

w w w.beadlebay.net

Caseville Caseville Dock DNR Access Site

D owntown Caseville Caseville, MI 989.856.4411

Caseville Marina & Resor t

6545 R iver view Lane Caseville, MI 989.856.2323

w w w.casevilleresor tmarina.com

Caseville Municipal Harbor

6632 Main St P.O B ox 1533 Caseville, MI 989.856.4590

Filion Road DNR Access

W End of Fillion Rd Caseville, MI 989.856.4411

w w w.michigan.gov/dnr

donate a dollar of every beer to Thumb Animal Shelter or Safe Place year round I would. I like the feeling of collaboration.

My go-to beer is definitely an IPA and I definitely love the Double Hazy’s

Q: What do you see happening next for the Thumb Brewery?

A: The next project is going to be working on the farmhouse itself. It needs a facelift, we need an awning, we need paint, we need to sand it down. We need to capture some of the historic elements of the building and bring them back. Sort of like a historical renovation so that the building is like the shining star that it was maybe back in the 1900s.

Q: What is something you want to try and do for Thumb Brewery or for Caseville that you haven’t seen done yet?

A: I want to do a big music festival up here. I know we

Hoy ’s Saginaw Bay Marina, Inc.

6437 D uft y St P.O B ox 1157 Caseville, MI

989.856.4475

Mariner ’s Cove Marina

6635 R iver St Caseville, MI

989.856.8077

w w w.marinerscovemarina.net

Riverside Marina D owntown Caseville Caseville, MI (989) 551-3002

w w w.whoisjimmymoore.com/

casevillelocation/riversidemarina.html

Por t Austin

Days on the Lake

3337 P te. Aux B arques Rd. Por t Austin, MI 989.738.7665

w w w.daysonthelake.com

Eagle Bay Acces DNR Site

2 Miles E of Por t Austin Por t Austin, MI

989.856.4411

w w w.michigan.gov/dnr

Grindstone City DNR Access Site

D ock Rd Por t Austin, MI

989.856.4411

w w w.michigan.gov/dnr

M&D Marine

P.O B ox 313 Por t Austin, MI 48467

989.738.5001

w w w.andpiperchar ter.com

Por t Austin Marina 119 E Spring St Por t Austin, MI 989.550.6651

w w w.por taustinmarina.com

have Rib Stock, but I want a music festival where there are musicians or buskers on every corner, at every business like a big weekend, and do a social districting area outside our brewery or off of M-25 or behind the harbor. Just bring the city together with outdoor food, music, and beer.

Really put a lot of makers into it like artisans and just have it as a big celebration and it’s outside of Cheeseburger. Events that are vibrant with food trucks and I think that this town can thrive with more music more regularly.

Por t Austin State Dock DNR Access Site D owntown Por t Austin Por t Austin, MI 989.856.4411

w w w.michigan.gov/dnr

Whalen’s Grindstone Shores

3373 P te Aux B arques Rd Por t Austin, MI 989.738.7664 whalensgrindstoneshores.com

Harbor Beach

Harbor Beach Marina

1 R itchie D r Harbor B each, MI 989.479.3343

w w w.harborbeach.com

Off Shore Marina

5 Lytle Ave Harbor B each, MI 989.479.6064

Wagener County Park 2671 S. Lakeshore Rd. Harbor B each, MI 989.479.9131

w w w.huroncount yparks.com

Por t Hope

Lighthouse County Park

7320 Lighthouse Rd Por t Hope, MI 989.428.4749

w w w.huroncount yparks.com

Sebewaing

Sebewaing Harboe Marina

700 W S ebewaing St S ebewaing, MI 989.883.9024

w w w.sebewaingharbor.com

Little Port Hope boasts a big welcome

Once a bustling logging, milling and shipping port, Port Hope still has many of its landmarks and memories.

Port Hope was founded in 1855 and legally incorporated as a village in 1887. It began as a lumbering community, but after a few years, salt production grew in importance. Later, Port Hope became known as a shipping port.

After two fires in the late 1800s, the land was cleared and today agriculture and tourism are the primary industries.

The town features a number of historic sites. The sawmill chimney, constructed in 1858, in Stafford Park is listed in the National Historic Register. And a number of downtown business buildings, the gristmill and the home of village founder William

Stafford also are listed in the register.

Once a year, visitors to downtown Port Hope can step back into the past during ABC Day (antiques, beans and collectables). In addition to entertainment downtown, there are several yard sales scattered throughout town. Come early to ensure you get your bean soup and donuts — they sell out fast!

The town’s biggest event is its Fourth of July Festival, featuring fireworks, a flea market, delicious barbecue chicken, and fun for all ages.

Boat ramps are located at the small ports of Grindstone City, Lighthouse Park and Port Hope. The fishing through this area has been phenomenal. Salmon, lake trout, brown trout, steelhead, walleye, yellow perch and smallmouth bass

abound here and offer a variety of opportunities. For the avid bass angler, Eagle Bay is the hot spot for smallmouths. Grindstone Shores also is excellent for fishing.

Stafford Park is a must stop for visitors to Port Hope. The park offers camping and lighted tennis courts, softball diamonds and horseshoe pits. In prior years, the softball diamonds have been the site of several tournaments. Waterfront access for swimming, boating and jet skiing is available, including a free boat launch.

In 2012, a group, Friends of the Port Hope Depot, was formed to move the Pere Marquette Railroad Depot to a new site in Stafford County Park. It was officially dedicated on Sept. 15, 2015, as a historic landmark.

In a flash back to the past, a vintage baseball game is played during last year’s ABC Day.

A man enjoys some ice cream during last year’s Port Hope ABC Days.

Great lunch, breakfast options abound at Café 53

By: Mark Birdsall Assistant Editor

When Tribune reporter Connor Veenstra and I arrived at Cafe 53 in Bad Axe for lunch last week, the place was packed.

We had waited until almost 1 p.m., hoping we’d miss the lunch rush at the new eatery located in the former home of McDonald’s Restaurant in the Northgate Shopping Center on North Van Dyke Road.

Cafe 53 had just opened the day before, and a Sept. 24 Tribune story about the new breakfast-and-lunch spot and its owner, Jessica Brade, had been among the most-read stories on our website the entire month. The curiosity factor was high.

Working our way past the throng of diners waiting to

pay their lunch tabs, Connor and I seated ourselves in a booth. After a minute or two our server, a very nice person named Emily brought us our

Por t Hop e L aundromat

menus. We ordered a couple of “starters” — onion rings, mozzarella sticks and fries loaded with cheese and bacon — and then looked over the

menu.

Among the choices for lunch were burgers, Reubens, wraps, salads and ciabatta bread sandwiches. I went with a cheeseburger and fries. Connor, who was feeling a little more adventurous, ordered a Havarti grilled cheese sandwich, which according to the menu was served with bacon and pickle.

Neither one of us was familiar with Havarti cheese, so I took out my phone and googled it. Wikipedia isn’t always to be trusted, but when it comes to cheese, I’ll take its word for it. Wikipedia describes Harvati cheese as “a semi-soft Danish cow’s milk cheese.” Huh.

The good folks at wisconsincheese.com, who I’m

Continued on pg. 66

Cafe 53’s sandwiches and burgers, like the cheeseburger shown above, are served with a large portion of fries.

Continued from pg. 65

sure are completely unbiased on the subject of cheeses, describe Havarti as “creamy, smooth, and supple in texture.” Whoa.

I was beginning to regret ordering a plain, old burger. This Havarti stuff sounded like manna from heaven.

Here’s what Connor had to say about his Havarti grilled

cheese:

“I ended up ordering a grilled cheese sandwich purely because I’d never heard of Havarti cheese before (and it had bacon on it). If you’ve never had Havarti cheese, it’s in the same camp as Swiss, where the flavor sits in the background providing a subtle foundation for all the other things on the sandwich.

Mine came topped with the

aforementioned bacon and pickle slices, which I’ll admit to only having on a grilled cheese sandwich once. I won’t complain if a bit of pickle juice gets on my sandwich, but whole pickles on it are usually too much for me. However, I liked this sandwich having pickles on it; I’m not sure if it was because of the proportion or if my taste buds decided to switch on me, but I’m not going to complain.”

Birdsall here. I trust Connor’s opinion, due in no small part to

the fact he’ll order something for the simple reason it has bacon on it. He seemed to enjoy his sandwich enough that I will consider ordering it next time.

As for my cheeseburger, it was good, as cheeseburgers go. It was also huge. As I’ve gotten older, my appetite has waned. It’s difficult for me to finish most entrees when I go out to eat, and I almost always go home or back to the office with

Continued on pg. 68

Ubly features numerous amenities

Ubly is named after an English town, called Ubley. But the American version of the town has become unique in its own right.

A village rich in history, Ubly originally was named Pagett Corners, in honor of village father Alfred Pagett, who operated the first store in the community.

Businessman Pagett, a native of Ubley, England, wanted to preserve the name of his hometown, so Pagett Corners eventually became Ubly, a slice of English history recreated right here in the Thumb.

Most visitors will tell you, while the downtown businesses serve up everything from great food

to quaint shopping, it’s the people that make Ubly a destination they can’t wait to visit again. Residents enjoy the slower pace and

comfortable feel of the Thumb that makes it a great place to do business and raise a family.

The home of Thumb

Electric Cooperative, a rural electric cooperative serving the Thumb area, Ubly has a kindergarten through 12th grade school and a small, but solid downtown.

The village’s park system is impressive. A park located in downtown features a baseball diamond, bathroom facilities and a covered pavilion for gatherings. It’s a favorite spot for people celebrating family reunions.

Golf is a popular reason for visiting Ubly, as is the Ubly Dragway. The dragway draws drivers and racing enthusiasts from throughout Michigan. The dragway, located along M-19, is a popular attraction.

Kids see who can reach the furthest on one of the inflatables at last year’s Ubly Homecoming.

No one is afraid to get dirty during the annual mud volleyball game at Ubly’s Homecoming event.

a takeout container with something halfeaten inside of it. I must admit I’ll take a loss of appetite over grey hair and thicker eyeglasses any day of the week.

Cafe 53’s breakfast menu features traditional fare like biscuits and gravy, omelets and pancakes as well as breakfast sandwiches and quesadillas. The restaurant also is home to a bakery that regularly sells out of popular items like muffins, danish and cookies.

As Connor and I prepared to settle up

the tab, Brade stopped by our table to chat and tells us how things had been going since the restaurant’s grand opening a few days earlier. There had been a few minor bumps with equipment and staffing that were in the process of being smoothed over. It was nice to see a friendly face from other restaurants in the area making good on her own.

Cafe 53 is located at 721 N. Van Dyke Road in Bad Axe and is open for breakfast and lunch until 3 p.m. For more information, call (989) 975-8413.

Cafe 53 owner Jessica Brade, left, and server Emily King pose for a photo

The loaded french fries, smothered in cheese and bacon bits, are among the appetizer options at Cafe 53 in Bad Axe.

Tribune reporter Connor Veenstra ordered the Harvati grilled cheese sandwich, served with bacon and pickle, at Cafe 53 in Bad Axe.

Bay Port: Where the fish caught the man

Located between Sebewaing and Caseville is the charming village of Bay Port. Best known as the village where the fish caught the man, it’s cited throughout the state for creating one of the most unique Michigan taste sensations since the pastie — its trademark fish sandwich.

The village opens its arms to the rest of the state for its annual Fish Sandwich Festival. Literally thousands of the unique creations are sold to people from around

the world.

Bay Port once was a world leader in the commercial freshwater fishing industry. The Bay Port Fish Co. still makes its home in Bay Port. The company runs a yearround fishing operation, and is a must-see for visitors to the area.

Some of the village’s attractions include the historical marker along Cedar Street, showing where the luxurious Bay Port Hotel used to stand. The site

was frequented by wealthy families looking for a lakeside respite from their hectic lives. They, too, enjoyed the quiet lifestyle and friendly community spirit that remain today.

Original Bay Port residents are descendants of the German religious village of Ora Labora.

The Wallace Stone Plant, known by locals as the Bay Port quarry, still is operating. The quarry, in its heyday, served as a company town and provided jobs and homes for hundreds of people.

A number of parks and access points are located in Bay Port for outdoor recreation. The village’s public access to the bay offers a great vantage point for fishing or just watching one of Michigan’s breathtaking sunsets.

Each August, thousands of visitors flock to Bay Port to have fun at its annual Fish Sandwich Festival. But surely one has to wonder — why fish sandwiches?

The tradition began one summer when the late Henry Engelhard and his wife decided they would try an innovative way to raise money to help put the couple’s three daughters through college.

Employed by the Bay Port Fish Co. and armed with a secret recipe from a restaurant owner and friend, Henry helped put Bay Port on the map with his taste sensation.

From a stand in their front yard near M-25, the couple sold fish sandwiches and wrote themselves into Thumb-area lore.

The sandwich sale became part of the village’s annual celebration several years ago. It now features games as well as other entertainment, but the sandwich is still the most popular thing on the menu.

Two things remain constant — the sandwiches still are so big you have to eat them with two hands, and Henry never did give up his friend’s secret recipe.

Volunteers show off their fish sandwiches at last year’s Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival.

Bad Axe

Verona Hills Golf Club

3175 Sand Beach Road

M-142

5 miles east of Bad Axe

Pro Shop: 989-269-8132

Clubhouse: 989-269-6380

Semi-private course.

Por t Austin

Bird Creek Golf Course

7850 N. Van Dyke Road (M-53) 989-738-GOLF (4653)

Public course.

Cass City

Mulligan’s Irish Links

4795 Hospital Drive

989-872-8002.

Public course.

Rolling Hills Golf Course

6586 Milligan Road

989-872-3569.

Public course.

Elkton

Centur y Oaks Golf Course

4570 Pigeon Road M-142

989-375-4419.

Public course.

Ubly

Ubly Heights Golf & Countr y Club

2409 E Atwater Road 989-658-2374

Public course.

Caseville

TCaseville Golf Course 5848 Griggs Road

989-856-2613

Public course.

Pigeon/Mud Creek

Scenic Golf and Countr y Club

8364 W. Filion Road

Pro Shop: 989-453-3350

Clubhouse: 989-453-2233

Semi-private course.

G

Sher wood on the Hill 6625 3rd St. 989-665-9971

Public course.

At the Thumb Brewery, you’ll be greeted by a large, comfortable outdoor patio, craft beer brewed on-site, and friendly staff to welcome you.

Relax with one of our delicious brews from Pilsner to Kona Coffee Stout. Enjoy charbroiled burgers, salads, and flatbread pizzas.

Feature events: Stand Up Comed y Sho ws with Hard G Comed y* 5/28, 7/8, 8/13 and 9/30

Thursdays-Music Bingo

Live music ever y weekend

Entertainment Highlights:

6/10 Huron Out

6/11 Devyn Mitchell

6/17 Pink Floyd Celebration Vinny Charles Band

7/28 Leah Downs with Mo Jones

7/30 Ben Traverse

CHEESEBURGER in Caseville Fest AUGUST 11-20

8/11 Riverside Dan band

8/12 Nick Thomasma, Uncle Brown & Me, & Huron Out

8/13 Ben Traverse, Comedy night*

8/14 Glennbrooke

8/15 Whiskey’s Paw Paw Dog Competition: Nick Thomasma Emcee

8/16 PARADE OF FOOLS on Main St. in Caseville

8/17 Hoola Hoop Happy Hour, Shawn Butzin*

8/18 Vinnie Charles Band

8/19 Devyn Mitchell afternoon: Karaoke with DJ Ken, Cheeseburger Jimmy Buffet Sing a long

8/20 Devyn Mitchell

*=please call for reservations

2023 Calendar of Events

Please note: Not all dates were set as of press time. Some events may have been finalized or added after press time. As always, be sure to call ahead to confirm dates and times prior to attending.

May

May 6 — 2nd Caro Farmers Market Modern Momma’s Market, 10 a.m.-4p.m., downtown Caro.

May 7 — Teaseburger in Caseville. Contact Caseville Chamber of Commerce 989-856-3818.

May 7 — Ubly Pancake Breakfast. For more information, call Steve Irvine at 989-315-1226.

May 10 — Spring Luncheon & Fashion Show Scheurer Hospital Aux. at Pigeon Event Center. Noon.

May 13 — Bingo at the Huron Youth Center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

May 14 — Mother’s Day Breakfast. Contact Eagles Club at 989-856-4104.

May 18-September — Cass City Chamber of Commerce Farmers Market.

May 19 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

May 20 — Port Austin Farmer’s Market Soft Opening, 9:00a.m.-1:00p.m., on Main Street. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

May 25 — Caro Parks and Rec 2nd annual Summer Kickoff and 3rd annual splash pad celebration, 5-7 p.m. at Bieth Park.

May 25-29 — Citywide garage sales in Harbor Beach. List of sales available morning of the 25th at the Visitor Center, City Hall, Brown’s Market, and Harbor Drug.

May 25-29 — Trash and Treasure Days townwide garage sales in Caseville. Contact Caseville Chamber of Commerce 989-856-3818.

May 26 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, 12:00p.m.5:00p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

May 26 – Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

May 27 — Port Austin Farmers Market Official Opening, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

May 27 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

May 27 — Chicken BBQ Dinner River’s Edge — Roller Arena 989-453-3435.

May 27 — Century Oaks Golf Course 2nd Annual Cornhole Tournament at 1 p.m.

May 28 — Ubly Memorial Day Parade, 10 a.m. For more information contact the village at 989-658-2141.

May 28 — Lady’s Slipper Festival, 10:30 a.m., at the Huron County Nature Center.

May 28 — Ice Cream Social in Caseville. Contact Caseville Historical Society at 989-856-9090.

May 29 — Harbor Beach Memorial Day Parade and Service, 10-11 a.m., at Memorial Park. For more information, visit harborbeach.com.

May 29 — Memorial Day Parade in Bad Axe 10 a.m.-noon.

May 29 — 22nd Annual Blessing of the Fleet at the Caseville Municipal Harbor. Contact 989-856-4590.

May 29 — Veterans Memorial Service at the Caseville Cemetery. Contact American Legion Jean Post No. 543, 989-856-2119.

June

June 2 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

2023 Calendar of Events

June 2 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5:00 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

June 2-3 — Caro Chamber of Commerce 32nd annual Cars and Crafts Show.

June 3 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

June 3 — Caro Farmers Market Grand Opening, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

June 3 — Bird Walk with Tom Beachy, 10:30 a.m., at the Huron County Nature Center.

June 3 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

June 3 — Caseville Cruise Night. Contact Caseville Chamber of Commerce 989-856-3818.

June 3-4 — 40th Great Lakes Bowfishing Championship. Contact Colleen Eastberbrook 248-583-4863.

June 8 — BBQ Fundraiser with Bay Port State Bank for Farmers Festival Bay Port State Bank 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

June 8-10 — Sebewaing Area Chamber of Commerce

Town-Wide Garage Sales, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

June 9 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

June 9 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

June 10 — Veterans Fishing Outing, 6 a.m.-2 p.m., at Harbor Beach Marina.

June 10 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

June 10 — Elkton Lions Kid’s Day at Ackerman Park. 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

June 10 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

June 10 — Harbor Beach Truck Convoy, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., starting at Harbor Beach City Hall. For more information, contact Robby at 989-550-2490.

June 10 — Heritage Hill 2nd annual Summer Carnival, noon to 3 p.m.

June 10 — 9th Annual Caseville Chamber Fireworks Gold Scramble. Contact Caseville Golf Course 989-8563818.

June 10 — Dog Adoption and Vaccine Clinic, 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m., at the Huron County Nature Center.

June 14 — Century Oaks Golf Course Euchre Night at 6 p.m. Contact 989-375-4419.

June 14 — Ladies Garden Luncheon. Contact Caseville Historical Society 989-856-9090.

June 15-16 — Sebewaing Area Chamber of Commerce Town-Wide Garage Sales, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

June 15-18 — Sebewaing 58th Michigan Sugar Festival. For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at sebewaingchamber@gmail.com.

June 16 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

June 16 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

June 17 — Port Austin Farmers Market Kids Day, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

June 17 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

June 18 — PA Firetruck Fundraiser, noon to 5 p.m., at Birdcreek Farms.

2023 Calendar of Events

June 18 — Father’s Day Breakfast. Contact Eagles Club 989-856-4104.

June 19 — Wildlife Safari at the Caro Farmers Market, Hosted by the Caro Area District Library, 11 a.m.

June 19-23 — Community Service Week at Tuscola Great Start Enrichment Center, 543 Columbia St. For more information, contact the center.

June 23 — Verona Hills Golf Scramble. For more information contact 989-269-8132.

June 23 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

June 23 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

June 23 — Music in the Park & Food Truck Friday at Veteran’s Park in Downtown Elkton at 5-8:30 p.m.

June 23 — Harbor Beach Music at the Beach, 7-10 p.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

June 23-25 — 15th Annual “Caseville Country Ribstock” Contact Caseville Chamber of Commerce 989-8563818.

June 24 — YFC Benefit Auction at the Laker Legacy Center 9 a.m.

June 24 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

June 24 — Harbor Beach Movie at the Beach, 9:30-11 p.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

June 24 — Michigan Reptiles & Amphibians, 10:30a.m.11:30a.m., at the Huron County Nature Center.

June 24 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

June 24 — Port Austin Porch Fest, 1-5 p.m., throughout Port Austin.

June 24 — 1st Laker Varsity Boys Soccer Golf Scramble at Century Oaks Golf Course. Contact Coach Boyd 231268-8157.

June 24-July 9 — Caseville Walleye Tournament. Contact Beadle Bay Marina & Campground 989-856-4911.

June 25 — Century Oaks Golf Course Euchre Night at 6 p.m. Contact 989-375-4419.

June 28 — CAN Council Goldsit at Verona Hills Golf Club. Register online at cancouncil.org/golfsit Contact 989623-0257.

June 29-July 1 — Cass City Chamber of Commerce Freedom Festival. For more information contact Kayla Klco at 989-872-4618.

June 30 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

June 30 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

June 30 — Harbor Beach Music at the Beach, 7-10 p.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

June 30-July 2 — Port Hope Fourth of July Festival. For more information, check porthopemich.com.

July

July 1 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

July 1 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

July 1 — Caseville Spectacular Fireworks Display & entertainment at the Beach. Contact 989-856-3818.

July 2 — Harbor Beach Music at the Beach, 7-10 p.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

2023 Calendar of Events

July 4 — Port Austin Fourth of July Parade, noon to 1 p.m., in downtown Port Austin.

July 4 — Food Truck Rally and Market Kids Club Kick Off at The Caro Farmers Market, 3 p.m.-7 p.m.

July 5-9 — Harbor Beach Maritime Festival on Trescott Street in Harbor Beach.

July 5 — Harbor Beach Maritime 5K Run/Walk, 5 p.m.6:30 p.m., at Lincoln Memorial Park in Harbor Beach. For more information, contact Joann at 989-4795023.

July 6-9 — Ubly Homecoming and Garage Sales. For more information contact Steve Irvine at 989-315-1226.

July 7 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

July 7 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

July 7 — Music in the Park & Food Truck Friday at Veteran’s Park in Downtown Elkton at 5-8:30 p.m.

July 8 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

July 8 — Harbor Beach Maritime Craft Show, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Murphy Museum. For more information, contact Karen Gull at 810-639-5388.

July 8 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

July 8 — Harbor Beach Maritime Fireworks, 10-10:30 p.m., at the James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

July 8 — Century Oaks 50th Celebration. Contact 989375-4419.

July 9 — Harbor Beach Maritime Car Show, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., on the Murphy Museum lawn. For more information, contact Rachel at 989-315-4087.

July 9 — Harbor Beach Maritime Craft Show, 10:00 a.m.4 p.m., at the Murphy Museum. For more information, contact Karen Gull at 810-639-5388.

July 10 — Magician at The Caro Farmers Market, 3 p.m., Hosted by the Caro Area District Library.

July 12 — Lion’s Safari & Dinner at the Pigeon Event Center 6 p.m.

July 12 — Century Oaks Golf Course Euchre Night at 6 p.m. Contact 989-375-4419.

July 14 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

July 14 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

July 14 — Harbor Beach Music at the Beach, 7-10 p.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

July 15 — Harbor Beach Cart Derby Race, 8 a.m. to noon, at the American Legion Hall in Harbor Beach.

July 15 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

July 15 — Harbor Beach Movie at the Beach, 9:30-11 p.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

July 15 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

July 15 — Unionville Summer Fest and Car Show. For more information 989-670-8600.

July 20 — Ladies’ SummerFest Golf Outing Scenic Golf Course. Contact 989-453-3350.

July 20-22 — Pigeon Town Wide Garage Sales.

July 20-23 — Pigeon Farmers’ SummerFest (Event list to come) Contact Pigeon Chamber of Commerce at info@ pigeonchamber.com.

2023 Calendar of Events

July 21 — Men’s SummerFest Golf Outing Scenic Golf Course. Contact 989-453-3350.

July 21 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

July 21 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

July 21 — Music in the Park & Food Truck Friday at Veteran’s Park in Downtown Elkton at 5-8:30 p.m.

July 21 — Harbor Beach Music at the Beach, 7-10 p.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

July 22 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

July 22 — 9th Annual Charity Island Raft Off. More information on Facebook at facebook.com/ CharityIslandRaftOff.

July 22 — Pigeon Farmers’ SummerFest Grand Parade 11 a.m.

July 22 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

July 23-29 — Tuscola County Fair at Tuscola County Fairgrounds. For more information visit www. tuscolacountyfair.org to see all the fair has to offer.

July 26 — Century Oaks Golf Course Euchre Night at 6 p.m. Contact 989-375-4419.

July 28 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

July 28 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

July 28 — Harbor Beach Music at the Beach, 7-10 p.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

July 29 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

July 29 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

July 29 — Harbor Beach Movie at the Beach, 9:30-11 p.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

July 30-Aug. 5 — Huron Community Fair. For more information visit huroncommunityfair.com.

August

Aug. 1 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

Aug. 4 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

Aug. 4 — Harbor Beach Music at the Beach, 7-10 p.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

Aug. 4 — Caro Chamber of Commerce 5th annual Chamburger golf outing at Arrowhead Golf and Grill.

Aug. 4-5 — Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival. For more information visit Bay Port Chamber of Commerce on Facebook.

Aug. 5 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

Aug. 5 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

Aug. 5 — Bay Port Fish Sandwich Festival Fireworks at Dusk

2023 Calendar of Events

Aug. 8 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

Aug. 9 — Drummunity at The Caro Farmers Market, 2 p.m., hosted by the Caro Area District Library.

Aug. 9 — Century Oaks Golf Course Euchre Night at 6 p.m. Contact 989-375-4419

Aug. 11-20 — 25th Aunnual Cheeseburger in Caseville. Schedule to come. Contact Caseville Chamber of Commerce at 989-856-3818.

Aug. 11-20 — Cheeseburger Museum — Free “What is it Contest.”

Aug. 11 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

Aug. 11 — Music in the Park & Food Truck Friday at Veteran’s Park in Downtown Elkton at 5-8:30 p.m.

Aug. 11 — Harbor Beach Music at the Beach, 7-10 p.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

Aug. 12 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

Aug. 12 — Harbor Beach Storm the Beach 5K, 8 a.m.10:30 a.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park. For more information, contact Debby at 313-400-0913.

Aug. 13 — BBQ Dinner — Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish. Contact 989-856-4933.

Aug.15 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

Aug. 16 — Parade of Tropical Fools 5:30 p.m. Contact the Caseville Chamber of Commerce 989-856-3818.

Aug. 17 — BBQ Benefit-Winsor Fire Department and Pigeon Police Department at Bay Port State Bank in Pigeon 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Aug. 18 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

Aug. 19 — Caro Exchange Club Forest Trail walk, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., located on corner of M-24 and Gun Club Road.

Aug. 19 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

Aug. 19 — Port Hope ABC Day, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information, check porthopemich.com.

Aug. 19 — Harbor Beach Movie at the Beach, 9:30-11 p.m., at James H. Lincoln Memorial Park.

Aug. 22 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

Aug. 23 — Century Oaks Golf Course Euchre Night at 6 p.m. Contact 989-375-4419.

Aug. 24 — Scheurer Health Aux. Golf Scramble 9 a.m. Contact Scenic Gold Course 989-453-5213.

Aug. 25 — Music in the Park & Food Truck Friday at Veteran’s Park in Downtown Elkton at 5-8:30 p.m.

Aug. 25 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

Aug. 25 — Century Oaks Golf Course Glow Golf @ Dark. Contact 989-375-4419.

Aug. 25-27 — Sebewaing Lions and Rotary Club Ball Tournament. For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at sebewaingchamber@gmail. com.

Aug. 26 — Sebewaing Area Chamber of Commerce Country Market. For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at sebewaingchamber@gmail.com.

2023 Calendar of Events

Aug. 26 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

Aug. 26 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

Aug. 27 — Harbor Beach Citywide Church Picnic, 5-8 p.m., at North Park Campground Pavilion. For more information, call Sam Ingram at 989-550-5680.

Aug. 29 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

Aug. 31-Sept. 3 — Elkton Autumnfest. For more info contact elktonhappenings@gmail.com.

September

Sept. 1 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

Sept. 1 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, 12:00p.m.5:00p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com. September 1-3 – Art in the Park at Gallup Park in Port Austin. For more information, visit www. thumbartsguild.org.

Sept. 2 — 3rd Annual Bocce Ball Tournamet at 1 p.m. Contact 989-375-4419.

Sept. 2 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

Sept. 2 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

Sept. 8 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

Sept. 8 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

Sept. 9 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

Sept. 9 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

Sept. 13 — Century Oaks Golf Course Euchre Night at 6 p.m. Contact 989-375-4419.

Sept. 15 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

Sept. 15 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

Sept. 15-17 — Halloween Weekend in Caseville.

Sept. 16 — MSU Extension Master Gardeners Plant Swap at The Caro Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Sept. 16 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

Sept. 16 — Murphy Meseum Craft Expo, 10 a.m-4 p.m., on the Murphy Museum Lawn in Harbor Beach.

Sept. 16 — Harbor Beach Harvest Pie & Dessert Contest, 10 a.m.-11 a.m., at the Visitor Center and downtown Harbor Beach.

Sept. 16 — Market on Main, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. on Main Street in Caseville. For more information, call 989-856-3818 or email email@casevillechamber.com.

Sept. 16 — Historical Society Classic Car & Tractor Show.

2023 Calendar of Events

Contact Caseville Historical Society 989-856-9090.

Sept. 16 — 11th Annual “PumpkinFest” Lighted Parade on Main Street. Contact Caseville Chamber of Commerce 989-856-3818

Sept. 16-17 — 21st Annual PumpkinFest. Contact Caseville Chamber of Commerce 989-856-3818.

Sept. 22 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

Sept. 22 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

Sept. 23 — Tuscola County Relay For Life, Tuscola County Fairgrounds, noon to 9 p.m.

Sept. 23 — Bad Axe Fall Frenzy put on by the Bad Axe Chamber of Commerce. Contact badaxechamberofcommerce@gmail.com or call 989269-6369.

Sept. 23 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

Sept. 23-24 — Huron County Historical Society Presents Museum Weekend. Contact 989-856-9090.

Sept. 27 — Century Oaks Golf Course Euchre Night at 6 p.m. Contact 989-375-4419.

Sept. 29 — Pigeon Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., downtown Pigeon. For more information, email pigeonfarmersmarket@gmail.com, visit www. pigeonfarmersmarket.com or text 989-545-5240.

Sept. 29 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

Sept. 29-Oct.1 — Harvest Festival Weekens. Contact Sleeper State Park 989-856-4411.

Sept. 30 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call

989-738-7600.

Sept. 30 – Heritage Hill 3rd annual fall festival, noon to 3 p.m.

October

Oct. 5 — Sebewaing Moonlight Madness and RiverFire. For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at sebewaingchamber@gmail.com.

Oct. 5-8 — Tuscola County Pumpkin Festival, Downtown Caro. For more information contact Caro Chamber of Commerce at 989-=673-5211.

Oct. 6 — BBQ Benefit-Winsor Fire Department and Pigeon Police Department at Bay Port State Bank in Pigeon 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Oct. 6 — Pigeon Fall Harvest Celebration. Retailer’s Sales, Bake Sale, and Business Decoration Contest

Oct. 6 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

Oct. 6-8 — Harvest Festival Weekend. Contact Sleeper State Park 989-856-4411.

Oct. 7 — Port Austin Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

Oct. 8 — Scheurer Auxiliary Fall Fashion Show.

Oct. 12 — Cass City Chamber Pink-or-Treat. For more information contact Kayla Klco at 989-872-4618.

Oct. 13 — BBQ Benefit-Winsor Fire Department and Pigeon Police Department at Bay Port State Bank in Pigeon 10 a.m.-3 p.m

Oct. 13 — Harbor Beach Farmers Market, noon to 5 p.m., on the Murphy Museum grounds in Harbor Beach. For more information, check harborbeach.com.

Oct. 14 — Final Port Austin Farmers Market for the season, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. in downtown Port Austin. For more information, call 989-738-7600.

2023 Calendar of Events

Oct. 14 — Port Austin Pumpkin Palooza & Pumpkin Roll, noon to 1 p.m., in downtown Port Austin.

Oct. 14 — Bingo at the Huron Youth Center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Oct. 20 — BBQ Benefit-Winsor Fire Department and Pigeon Police Department at Bay Port State Bank in Pigeon 10 a.m.-3 p.m

Oct. 27 — BBQ Benefit-Winsor Fire Department and Pigeon Police Department at Bay Port State Bank in Pigeon 10 a.m.-3 p.m

Oct 28 — 16th Annual Benefit Auction at Rivers Edge Church.

Oct. 28 — 3rd Annual Caseville Withces Walk. Contact 989856-8733.

Oct. 28 — Nightmare on Prospect Street. Contact Caseville Historical Society 989-856-9090.

Oct. 31 — Pigeon Halloween Trunk of Treat & Winsor Fire Department Hot Dog Roast downtown 5:30-7 p.m.

Oct. 31 — Trunk or Treat at Caro Rental, 466 Ellington St., 3-5 p.m. For more information contact Caro Chamber of Commerce at 989-673-5211.

November

Nov. TBD — Laker Giving Tree

Nov. 4 — 55th Annual “Holly berry Fair” at Caseville Public Schools.

Nov. 5 — Fall Feast & Auction. Contact Caseville Public School 989-856-9090.

Nov. 11 — Bingo at the Huron Youth Center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Nov. 18 — Sebewaing Chamber Spirit of Christmas Festival. For more information contact the Chamber of Commerce at sebewaingchamber@gmail.com.

Nov. 24 — Pigeon Kickoff to Christmas Downtown Business & Residential Business Holiday Lighting Contest.

Nov. 24 — Pigeon Christmas Town Lighting, Santa Visit by Thumb National Bank Centennial Park.

Nov. 25 — Small Business Saturday, Downtown Caro, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. For more information contact Caro Chamber at 989-673-5211.

Nov. 25 — Santa Dash 5k Race in Bad Axe.

Nov. 25 — Bad Axe Christmas Parade 7:30-9 p.m.

Nov. 29 — GFWC — Pigeon Area Woman’s Club Gingerbread Brunch.

December

Dec. TBD — Huron County Toys for Tots

Dec. 1 — Scheurer Auxiliary Lights of Love. More info at Scheurer.org/lights.

Dec. 1-2 — Caro Chamber of Commerce Annual Gingerbread Village. For more information contact 989-673-5211.

Dec. 2 — Cass City Christmas in the Village, Cass City Chamber of Commerce

Dec. 2 — Lunch with Santa. Contact Caseville Chamber of Commerce 989-856-3818..

Dec. 2 — Harbor Beach Christmas Parade, 5:30-6:30 p.m., in downtown Harbor Beach. For more information, contact Debbie at 989-670-8639.

Dec. 2 — Elkton Christmas Celebration.

Dec. 3 — Port Hope Christmas Sing-Along. For more information, check porthopemich.com.

Dec. 8 — Residential & Business Holiday Lighting Contest judging.

Dec. 9 — Bingo at the Huron Youth Center. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Dece. 10 — Harbor Beach Community Christmas Sing, 2-3 p.m., location to be determined. For more information, contact Sam at 989-550-5680.

Dec. 16 — Pigeon Holiday Marketplace at the Pigeon Event Center 9 a.m.-4 p.m.