lake michigan

News Releases

Murder & Suicide of Lighthouse Keepers the Focus of New Book by Author Dianna Higgs Stampfler

Blending her long-time interest in maritime history and true crime, Death & Lighthouses on the Great Lakes is the latest title by Michigan author Dianna Higgs Stampfler and published by the History Press as part of its Murder & Mayhem series.

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Lost Love & Found Spirits in Nahma – the Heart of the Hiawatha

So we stayed at the haunted Nahma Inn in October of 2019 and met several locals who shared stories with us about Nellie Fleming and her spirit who resides within this 1908 building. Apparently there are as many as 5 ghosts here – maybe Charles Good who lived for a time in the room (#17) across from Nell (#16)…and an on-again-off-again affair was known within the town. At one point, Nell’s sisters also lived here (1930 census)…including Anne (pictured) who was a local boys high school basketball coach and school superintendent (and I suspect is actually a sister-in-law, married to Nell’s only brother, John).

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Promote Michigan Blog

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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Promote Michigan Blog

Holiday Classic “White Christmas” Was Likely Written in Charlevoix

Each holiday season, we are inundated with hour after hour of movies about Christmas airing on television and now streaming services. A handful have ties to Michigan, like Prancer (1989) and The Polar Express (2004). But did you know the beloved 1954 classic White Christmas is believed to have actually been written right here in the Great Lakes State?

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Promote Michigan Blog

The Power of the Gales of November

While tropical storms and hurricanes continue to attack the region in and around the Gulf of Mexico, the “Gales of November” are stirring up the Great Lakes region just as they have for centuries. This unique weather phenomenon is created when cold, dry air from northern Canada converges with moist air from the Gulf of Mexico, over the still warm summer waters of the Great Lakes.

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News Releases

The History Press Contracts with Dianna Stampfler of Promote Michigan for “Michigan’s Haunted Lighthouses” Book

Michigan is home to more lighthouses than any other state and some 30 of those are rumored to be haunted

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News Releases

“Michigan’s Ghostly Beacons” Scheduled Throughout the Fall Season at Libraries Statewide

For nearly 20 years, Dianna Stampfler has been speaking about Michigan’s lighthouses, their keepers and their ghosts. This fall, she will present a series of free programs called “Michigan’s Ghostly Beacons” at libraries around the state.

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Take Your Fall Color Tour Along West Michigan’s Lakeshore Harvest Country

As the fall color tour season begins to emerge, you’re invited to bring the family out to explore the back-country roads along the Lake Michigan shoreline stretching throughout Van Buren and Allegan Counties.

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News Releases

7th Annual Fall Bicycle Tour Planned for Saturday, September 15 Between Lakeshore Communities of South Haven-Fennville-Saugatuck

(FENNVILLE, Mich)—Lakeshore Harvest Country and Friends of the Blue Star Trail are gearing up for the 7th Annual Bicycle Tour

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