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Dianna Stampfler

Legendary Female Lighthouse Keeper Elizabeth Whitney Williams Inducted into Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame

Michigan has more lighthouses than any other state (129) and over the course of the last two hundred years since the first was erected, nearly 50 women have served as keepers of these iconic beacons. Chief among those is Elizabeth (Whitney) VanRiper Williams who was inducted into the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at ceremonies at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in downtown Detroit.

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News Releases
Dianna Stampfler

12th Annual Thunder Bay International Film Festival Focuses on the Global Importance of Protecting Water Resources

Each January, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary brings the world of cinema to northeast Michigan with some of the most impressive ocean and Great Lakes films from around the world. This year’s event kicks off Wednesday, January 24 and runs through Sunday, January 28 and encompasses three cities—Alpena, Rogers City and Harrisville—along Michigan’s sunrise coast. Film screenings are complemented by social events, educational activities, and opportunities to meet filmmakers. The complete film schedule is attached.

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News Releases
Dianna Stampfler

Hop Growers of Michigan Awarded USDA Marketing Grant to Enhance Sales Competitiveness within the Great Lakes Region

Hop Growers of Michigan (HGM), the non-profit organization representing the hop industry in the Great Lakes State, has recently been awarded a $105,549 U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant. This funding will allow HGM to launch a 2-year marketing, sales and product awareness campaign within the Midwest—specifically targeting Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Wisconsin.

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Featured Destination
Dianna Stampfler

Great Lakes Lighthouses & Keepers the Focus of September 13-17 Manitou Windjammer Cruise

One of the most unique hands-on Pure Michigan experiences is to spend several days sailing the freshwaters aboard a dual-masted tall ship. You’re invited to board one of the largest sailing vessels in the Great Lakes during one of these autumn windjammer cruises aboard the Tall Ship Manitou with the Traverse Tall Ship Company. Coming up September 13-17 is a four-day excursion focused on the hundreds of historic lighthouses throughout the Great Lakes region with best-selling author and freelance travel writer, Dianna Stampfler.

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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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