Heritage Trail wants your story
NORTHERN MICHIGAN A new segment of Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail currently under development will add about 20 miles to the trail’s planned 828-mile biking route, but project managers also plan to add layers of story to this stretch that connects Higgins Lake Nursery and the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum at North Higgins Lake State Park with Hartwick Pines State Park – and you can help. Led by the Michigan History Center, this heritage trail project in Crawford County – unofficially dubbed the Forest Heritage Trail – is welcoming local history stories. The Center is partnering with Central Michigan University and local stakeholders to identify the unique and critical history of the area and plan for a series of interpretive informational signs for people to enjoy while exploring the trail. Dan Spegel coordinates Michigan’s Heritage Trails program. He said the right stories can help trail visitors connect with an area’s history
and better understand a region’s development, character, and place in the state’s bigger history. He pointed to the Kal-Haven Trail, in southwest Michigan, as an example. “When we put the call out for the Kal-Haven, the community came forward with some great stories,” he said. “For example, in 1948 Joe Louis spent a month training at Great Bear Lake to get ready for a fight with Jersey Joe Walcott. We found out that in 1901, A.M. Todd started a mintoil operation that grew and revolutionized the global industry. We also learned about Julia Schelske, who in 1916 became one of the earliest female car dealers for Ford Motor Company in the town of Grand Junction,” Spegel said. “Bringing those stories into the trail makes for an experience that immerses visitors into the area’s natural and cultural history.” For more information, contact Dan Spegel at SpegelD@Michigan. gov or call 517-420-6029.
People at work: Prudenville By Lindy Peterson
PRUDENVILLE - Dawn Myas has been a licensed childcare provider for more than 25 years in the Prudenville and Houghton Lake area. She provides daycare for babies from about 5 weeks old to children up to age 12 for working parents. "I've always loved kids," Myas said. "I grew up in Saginaw where there were lots of kids in our neighborhood. Everyone knew each other and we all played together. My grandparents lived next door to us and there were cousins visiting all the time. “I started babysitting my little cousins and the younger neighborkids when I was 8 years old," she added. After moving "up north" and having two sons of her own, Myas wanted to be a stay-at-home mom. She trained and got licensed as a daycare provider. Her basic job description includes monitoring the safety of children, planning, preparing, and feeding meals, and assisting youth in routine hygiene
UpNorthVoice.com
Dawn Myas
throughout the day. She also provides age appropriate educational and fun activities for them. In her spare time Myas volunteers for the Houghton Lake Historical Society and several animal rescue groups. She also enjoys collecting vintage Pryrex dishes. "I have hundreds of pieces in my collection," Myas said.
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