lake superior – Promote Michigan

The Power of the Gales of November

November 9, 2020November 12, 2020 Dianna Stampfler carl d. bradley, christmas tree ship, diving, edmund fitzgerald, Francisco Morazan, freshwater, gales of november, great lakes, inland seas, islands, lake erie, lake huron, lake michigan, lake ontario, lake superior, pure michigan, rouse simmons, shipwrecks, storms, underwater preserve, upper peninsula, whitefish point

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.

Throughout the history of the Great Lakes, November has been a prime month for shipwrecks. According to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point (Paradise, Lake Superior), there are over 6,000 shipwrecks throughout the five Great Lakes – with an estimated loss of 30,000 lives. More than 60 of these ships have met their demise during the month of November – the most notably, the Edmund Fitzgerald which sank on November 10, 1975.

News Releases

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

February 3, 2019 Dianna Stampfler dianna stampfler, ghost stories, ghosts, great lakes, heritage, history, islands, lake huron, lake michigan, lake superior, lighthouse, maritime, michigan, national parks, nautical, paranormal, pure michigan, spirits, state parks, upper peninsula, west michigan tourist association

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

News Releases

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

September 25, 2018October 17, 2018 Dianna Stampfler beacons, ghost, great lakes, haunted, lake huron, lake michigan, lake superior, lighthouse, michigan, michigan history, pure michigan, spirits, upper peninsula

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.

Promote Michigan Blog

Getting Out of My Comfort Zone (& into the Woods)

August 9, 2018August 12, 2018 Dianna Stampfler camping, ccc, frank lloyd wright, lake michigan, lake superior, michigan history, north manitou island, point iroquois, pure michigan, sleeping bear dunes, upper peninsula, whitefish

My earliest travel memory was at about age three, when my family went camping at Leelanau State Park in Northport.

Promote Michigan Blog

Shedding Light on Michigan’s Historic Female Keepers

March 7, 2018July 30, 2020 Dianna Stampfler great lakes, lake huron, lake michigan, lake superior, lighthouse, michigan coastline, michigan islands, michigan lighthouse, michigan maritime, michigan nautical, michigan shoreline, womens history month

Serving as a lighthouse keeper was the only “non-clerical” government job that women were allowed to have in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Michigan had more than 60 women documented as lighthouse keepers at these historic beacons, often serving as assistant keepers with their husbands, fathers or brothers—and in the case of tragedy, many were promoted to the role of head keeper.

Promote Michigan Blog

Great Lakes, Great Times – in Pure Michigan

May 29, 2017May 30, 2017 Dianna Stampfler best beaches, freshwater, great lakes, lake erie, lake huron, lake michigan, lake superior, michigan beaches, michigan tourism, pure michigan, upper peninsula, west michigan

Michigan has been welcoming travelers since the 1800s who arrived by steamer ships, trains and later personal automobiles to escape the city heat in Chicago, St. Louis and other locales. They were drawn to the sugar sand beaches, the cool waters and the often allergy-free environment.