Promote Michigan

Author: Dianna Stampfler

Promote Michigan Blog
Dianna Stampfler

Tragedy on South Manitou Island

Lighthouse keeper Aaron Sheridan was a Civil War soldier who lost the use of his arm in battle and as such, he was able to get his wife — Julia — appointed his assistant keeper oft his important beacon in the norther part of Lake Michigan. Given his injuries, when he needed to make the trip across the waters to the mainland, Aaron would often hire a local fisherman named Christ Ancharson to man the 25-foot Mackinaw sailboat. During such a trip, on Friday, March 15, 1878, high waves and bad weather overturned the boat just as it was approaching the harbor on South Manitou Island. Sadly, the Sheridans — including their infant son, Robert — died that day.

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News Releases
Dianna Stampfler

WCMU Public Media to Showcase “Hemingway in Michigan: A Live Streaming Event” as Kickoff to Ken Burns Documentary HEMINGWAY

In anticipation of this series, and to explore Hemingway’s deep ties to Northern Michigan along with how they influenced his attitudes, passions and writings, WCMU Public Media is partnering with the Clarke Historical Library and noted Hemingway historian Michael Federspiel for “Hemingway in Michigan: A Live Streaming Event” Wednesday, March 31 at 6 p.m.

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Promote Michigan Blog
Dianna Stampfler

Detroit’s Lost Mamajuda Lighthouse

One of Michigan’s many lost lighthouses – which boasted a female keeper for 11 years – also has ties to one of the state’s most significant figures in American history. The Mamajuda Lighthouse was built in 1849 (and rebuilt in 1866) in the Detroit River. The last keeper served there in 1921 and by the 1950s, the light had toppled into the water (which today covers the island). All is lost to time…but the history remains!

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Promote Michigan Blog
Dianna Stampfler

Keweenaw Peninsula’s Unofficial Female Lighthouse Keeper, Henrietta Bergh

Over the past 170-plus years, women have been serving as lighthouse keepers in Michigan…sometimes officially recognized by the U.S. Lighthouse Service and sometimes not. Such is the case with Hansine Henrietta (Anderson) Bergh in Bete Gris. While she didn’t work at the official lighthouse she was known to hang a lantern in the window of her house so that her husband and other fishermen could find their way back home after dark. This story includes information gathered from her great great granddaughter, Nora Dee.

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News Releases
Dianna Stampfler

Raise a Glass to Grand Rapids Based Motu Viget Spirits During Black History Month

Motu Viget Spirits – the first Black owned wine and spirits company based in Grand Rapids, Michigan – has seen success in its first two years of operation. Founded by serial entrepreneurs Jamiel Robinson, Jonathan Jelks, Andrea Wallace and recording artist Willie ‘Willie the Kid’ Jackson in 2019, the company has grown from a local favorite to a nationally recognized brand practically overnight. 

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2021
Promote Michigan Blog
Dianna Stampfler

2021 Milestones for Pure Michigan Businesses

Michigan was founded on January 26, 1837 as the 26th state of the United States of America. Currently home to nearly 10 million people, spread out throughout two peninsulas, Michigan is the Great Lakes State – the Mitten of Plenty – the Wolverine State. Michigan’s early business history is centered in industries that benefited from its proximity to the Great Lakes: fishing, lumbering, mining, fur trapping and agriculture.

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News Releases
Dianna Stampfler

Equine-assisted Business Launched to Help Organizations and Businesses Strengthen Collaborations

Fred Bueltmann, an entrepreneur, former brewery executive and expert in company culture, has joined with leaders in equine-assisted experiential learning to launch Red Horse Center for Collaborative Leadership. Red Horse is established to serve the mission of strengthening collaborations for the greater good by working with humans and horses, through mindful experiential learning and considerate leadership models to discover and empower positive change in the world.

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Estate of Elegance
Featured Destination
Dianna Stampfler

Estate of Elegance

It isn’t often that a place can be regarded as opulent and intimate at the same time, but that is exactly the feeling one gets when visiting the 30,000-square-foot Ford House (fordhouse.org) along the shores of Lake St. Clair in Grosse Pointe Shores.The former home of Edsel Ford (the only child born to Henry and Clara Ford), his wife, Eleanor (Clay) and their four children, was completed in 1928. Inspired by England’s Cotswold storybook cottages, it features sandstone exterior walls adorned with ivy, along with a limestone shingled roof.

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