Share the Sault

Masters Walleye Circuit Tournament

2011-08-25T21:11:00.000-04:00

The Masters Walleye Circuit has come to Sault Ste. Marie for August 25 - 28. The tournament opened today with sign-ups and registration and fishing begins on Friday, August 26 and ends on Saturday at 3 pm.

Cabelas is sponsoring the tournament that will bring fishermen and women from the United States and Canada. There are 7 states represented and one province, Ontario.

The group gathered at Kewadin Casino late this afternoon to get their official packets from the MWC personnel.

Dan Palmer of Rockford, Illinois is tournament director and welcomed the group to the Soo.

The event was opened with the singing of the national anthems of both Canada & the US.

Linda Hoath, Sault Visitors and Convention Bureau, welcomed the group and accepted a plague honoring the city for their work to secure the tournament.

You can get in on the action at Aune-Osborn Park on Friday & Saturday, August 26-27. The boats leave early in the morning but return around 3 pm for official weigh-in.

2011-07-31T21:50:00.000-04:00

7 Best Spots for Boat Watching around the Soo

Sault Ste. Marie has to be the best spot in Michigan for boat watching because it offers such a variety of places to watch from and most of them are never crowded or busy. Here is a list of my top 5 favorites.

1. My cabin-we're located between Six and Seven Mile Road. Although the St. Marys River is wide at this spot, we still get a good view. If we want a picture of a boat, we must take our wave runners out to get close. This is a little dicey because you are doing two things at once-hanging on the wave runner and also operating the camera. My worst experience at this was when one of the tall ships passed by. Tom drove me out there for pictures and I took many. Even got close enough for the crew to wave. Once we got back to shore, I found I had the lens cap on for the whole time. Not fun. I never told Tom what I had done!

2. Sugar Island Ferry Dock-The ships slow down for the turn in the river plus the river is narrow at this point. There are great parking spots plus Clyde's Drive-in which is located here has the best hamburgers in town.

3. 4 Mile Park-at the end of 4 Mile, there is a small public park where the ships come very close. In fact, if you are swimming there, you must get out of the water when the ships pass because of the current and wave created that will pull you out to deep water.

4. West Pier-the west end of the Locks used to offer a great boat watching spot before the condos were built there. It is still a good spot plus there is West Pier Drive-In with great burgers. Some people think the best in town but I have another favorite. See #2 above.

5. Soo Locks Boat Tour-I took the above picture while on the Soo Locks Boat Tour. You get up close and personal on the tour. I like to take the tour once a summer. We usually wait for friends to come visit from out of town.

6. The Locks-This is where you will get the closest to the boats and you can even chat with the crew while they lock through. We always take guests there plus we often go just to walk through the park. The Visitor's Center is a must see for guests too.

7. The Rock Cut/Neebish Island area-This location just south of the Soo has a good eating spot as well as a close up look at boats.

Now I want to hear from you. What do you think is the best boat watching spot in the Sault? I'd like to learn a few new ones for this summer.

Kuhl's Koffee House

2011-06-11T19:25:00.000-04:00

Tom and I were very pleased this afternoon to find a new spot in the Soo for a great cup of coffee. Kuhl's Koffee House opened recently on Portage Avenue in the Soo.

Allen & Angela Kuhl opened this shop recently after relocating to the Soo two years ago. We met Angela and their son Jeff who made our delicious drinks. We both had flavored lattes with whip. Wonderful.

I saw a post on Facebook this week that asked if anyone had tried the new coffee shop on Portage Avenue. So I had to go find it. It was a rainy day in town and a hot latte sounded wonderful to me. I found the Koffee House is an inviting coffee shop and a great spot for boat watching located right across from the Locks.

The cozy atmosphere of Koffee House will make it a popular stop for both visitors and locals. The website states that they will be hosting special nights such as open mic night.

The free wireless internet is great for visitors who need a place to catch up on email and Facebook.

Jeff and Angela working to prepare our drinks.

Angela with my turtle latte.

After we got our coffee, we walked across to the Locks and watched the Stewart J. Cort get ready to enter the Locks for her trip downstream.

The Sault on Facebook

2011-02-21T19:23:00.002-05:00

Are you using Facebook? I know that not everyone is a Facebook fan. I love Facebook because it has allowed me to keep up with family and friends that I normally would not be able to follow. I also have reconnected with several friends from my past. Last summer, I meet with two friends from high school days and I loved it.

If you are on FB or are considering it, you could follow Sault Ste. Marie. There is a fan page called I Love Sault Ste. Marie. The old-time pictures are wonderful. People have been very generous in sharing their photo collection.

Events are also showcased so you can also keep track of what is happening up there. So even when I'm hundreds of miles away in the winter, I feel like part of me is up in the eastern EUP.

Too Cold for Ice Cream

2010-12-12T20:12:00.002-05:00

We recently visited the Soo on a rare winter time trip. It is sad to see our favorite spots closed up for the winter. You can see that no one will be enjoying a blizzard at the Dairy Queen. I saw a sign at Dairy Queen once that said, "Blizzard courtesy of Mother Nature until spring." That is what is happening in the Soo now too.

Merry Christmas to all my readers. I hope you enjoy a blessed holiday season.

Chippewa County Fair

2010-09-04T07:56:00.002-04:00

If you are anywhere near Chippewa County for the Labor Day weekend, you will want to stop by the Chippewa County Fair which is held near Kinross. I'm going to use my post from last summer so you can see the fair pictures. There won't be any blue skies there today but maybe tomorrow.

We went to the fair this morning to watch our friends, the Bell Family, show their draft horses. We ended up spending the whole day.
The Chippewa County Fair at Kinross, Michigan is open through Labor Day. It was a wonderful time. The fair has lots of attractions but is small enough that you can see the entire place in one day. We saw lots of old friends and even made some new ones. While standing in line for the Kinross Lions Club hamburger trailer, we met a nice couple from Cheboygan, Michigan. We saw them again while in the commercial exhibition building looking for ice cream -which we found by the way. The ice cream was sold by the Rudyard Christian School so gave me an excuse to eat ice cream-I was helping a fund raiser for a worthy local school.
The tractors are always a must to view for my husband and I enjoy the 4-H exhibits. When our children were young, I was their 4-H leader and after seeing the wonderful work by the 4-Hers today, I wished I could be a leader for our grandchildren.

July Days in the Soo

2010-07-26T09:45:00.002-04:00

July has been busy here. With wonderful weather that includes warm days and cool nights, all the outdoor activities have been great.

Concert in the Park is held on Wednesday evenings in the Locks Park. We really enjoy the free concerts with a variety of music. Plus, while you are listening, you can observe boats locking through the Soo Locks. Last Wednesday night the Saline Fiddlers serenaded us while the John J. Boland locked upbound.

On our way home, we stopped by the Carbide Dock to get a close up look at a tall ship which had tied up there for the night on her way to the Tall Ships Festival in Duluth. The crew seemed very young and very anxious to head to town for the evening.

The long days of sunshine and the cool evenings have made for beautiful, colorful flower gardens around town. Flowers are more brilliant here than you will find downstate. My theory is that the increased sunshine contributes to that. The sun comes up about 20 minutes earlier and sets about 20 minutes later that at our home near Grand Rapids. This really affects the flowers. Also, the temperatures never get blistering hot either. Flowers and people both do better in these conditions!

River of History Museum

2010-06-18T13:49:00.003-04:00

The River of History Museum moved to a new location last summer. Yesterday I was finally able to go and see the new digs.

It is very much improved and a treat to visit. We took our 11 year old granddaughter. She especially enjoyed the videos and the life-size models of early settlers.

Sault Ste. Marie has a long history starting with the first people who came here for the abundant white fish. The abundance of wild life also attracted the French and English to obtain furs for the markets in Europe.

In the early 1800's this area became part of the American frontier. In this period, industrialization reached the Soo.

All of these elements are represented in the River of History.

The River of History Museum moved to a new location last summer. Yesterday I was finally able to go and see the new digs.

It is very much improved and a treat to visit. We took our 11 year old granddaughter. She especially enjoyed the videos and the life-size models of early settlers.

Opening Day at Locks

2010-03-26T22:17:00.002-04:00

Last Sunday the Soo Locks opened for the 2010 season. The opening came early this year because the shipping companies needed to get transporting goods and spring came early which allowed shipping to resume with minimal difficulty from ice.

A good group of devoted boat watchers arrived in the Soo Saturday evening and Sunday morning to witness this annual rite of spring. The Locks generally open at midnight but this year the official opening came at 7 am much to the delight and comfort of boatwatchers.

The first boat was the Lee A. Tregurtha. This boat has a wonderful story of its past including time in World War II where she saw battle time. When she returned from the Pacific theatre, she was refitted for life on the Great Lakes by lengthening and getting ready to carry peace time supplies.

The Edwin H. Gott was one of several other boats to take advantage of the early opening day as she came up the river later in the morning.

So boat watching is in season now and the Soo is a great place to get up really close and see the boats.

From Asia to Michigan

2010-01-09T17:41:00.003-05:00

My parents attended a presentation at the Bayliss Library on Thursday night about the Karen immigration to Michigan. My mother said it was very interesting. The Karen people have suffered greatly and have moved from several regions. A group of them have settled in Sault Ste. Marie. You can read a short story from the Soo Evening News at From Asia to Michigan.

A more detailed article can be found at Karen refugees describe their lives in Burma.

I can't wait to read more of these people and I welcome them to the Soo.

Winter Day in the Soo

2009-12-17T19:29:00.003-05:00

The latest report from the Soo states that there is lots of snow. That's from my mother and father. My father is working hard to keep the driveway cleared and the Christmas decorations uncovered from the heavy snow.

I found an interesting picture of the Soo in the winter on-line today and you might find it interesting. The Soo in Winter. Enjoy

Sault Tribal Chairman Heading to Washington

2009-11-05T07:43:00.002-05:00

Sault Tribal Chairman, Joe McCoy, has been invited to the White House by President Obama. He will be attending a Tribal Nations Conference today. There are 564 Federally recognized tribes in our country and the Sault tribe is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River.

That is amazing to think our Sault Tribe is that large and now the Chairman is bringing the concerns of the Tribe, which seem to be mainly financial, to the attention of the President.

The Tribe is one of the largest private employers in the area as well with over 1700 employees. I'd like to read more about the effect of the Tribe and its operations on the economy of the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

Salmon Fishing that Rivals Alaska

2009-10-14T05:15:00.004-04:00

I read an article on-line this morning detailing the glory of salmon fishing in the St. Marys River. Pink-chinook salmon says that salmon fishing near the Sault rivals fishing in Alaska.

Here is a description of river fishing from a guide. Even describing a new hybrid species called the pinooks.

Happy fishing to all of you. I'd love to hear your best 'fish story'.

"When pinks first showed up 30 here years ago, they ran every other year, like they do out west," said John Giuliani, a St. Marys River guide. "Now they run every year. One year there are huge numbers of them. The next there aren't as many, but they're bigger. This is a year for the smaller run, but they're just pouring in right now, and we're seeing a lot that go 4 to 6 pounds."

In the past week, anglers also have caught several fish that look like pink salmon but weighed 8 to 12 pounds. Fish that size almost certainly are pinooks, the hybrid that looks like a pink on steroids.

"They're amazing," Giuliani said. "They get their size from the chinook side, but they look just like a pink. We're really doing well on them on flies right now, mostly caddis larvae, and there's hardly anybody on the river. We're out here today and there are, what, two other anglers?"

Gershwin Program

2009-09-04T08:22:00.002-04:00

Last night I spend a wonderful evening enjoying the music of George Gershwin at the Soo Theater in the Sault. The program was performed at the theater which is being renovated by community activists who are restoring the building to its former glory. It was built in 1930 as a vaudeville and silent movie venue. You can read about the project and also the many events held there at Soo Theater Project.

The entire show was well-done with high quality performances by some local singers who were joined by some very strong voices with Soo connections. The program was written by Mike Dempsey who grew up here. His skill on the piano was the highlight of the evening for me.

Freighter's Restaurant

2009-08-03T11:47:00.003-04:00

Yesterday we took our family which includes my parents and our son, his wife and four grandchildren, to Freighter's Restaurant which is on Portage Avenue right across from the Locks. It is in the Ojibway Motel which is also the Ramada.

The view from the restaurant is beautiful and we could see boats entering and leaving the Locks.

This summer Freighter's has breakfast specials. There was a choice of french toast, pancakes or 2 eggs with either eggs, bacon or sausage to accompany it. It also included some fresh fruit. It was plenty of food and a great bargain for only $2.99. I recommend it for a relaxing, delicious breakfast.

The dining room was not crowded and our waitress encouraged us to sit and relax as long as we wanted.

New Grocery Stores in Sault

2009-07-25T19:39:00.005-04:00

This summer has seen the upgrades of two Sault stores that offer groceries. Walmart closed their one store to open a Super Walmart that is open 24/7. They have been so busy that I haven't wanted to shop there. I did once and found it overwhelming.

Another pleasant surprise was the upgraded Soo SuperValu located on the corner of Easterday and Ashmun. That site has a great tradition of grocery shopping. It is the location of the Soo A & P which dominated Soo shopping for decades.

We shopped SuperValu tonight and found it clean, well-laid out and with very helpful staff. They had many special deals including watermelon for $2.99. We are getting ready for an invasion of grandkids for the week and got stocked up. I definitely will be returning there for their weekly specials. You can click here for their Weekly Ad. I'll add specials as I find out about them.

What's your favorite place for groceries in the Sault?

New Walmart Opens Today

2009-07-15T07:50:00.003-04:00

Sault Ste. Marie will host the ribbon cutting of a brand new Walmart Supercenter this morning. The store is located on the I-75 Business Loop and can also be entered off of 3 Mile Road. The new store is much larger than the previous store and will be open 24 hours a day.

I remember when the F. W. Woolworths opened their new store around 1964 in Sault Ste. Marie. I was one of the first customers after the ribbon cutting. My grandmother worked at the store as the cook and I was very excited about the new store. Several years later, I began working at the Woolworth's lunch counter as a waitress. I worked there for 2 summers. Never had a day as a waitress that I liked. But it did teach me that I had better pursue another career.

Dancing Crane Coffee House

2009-06-22T21:50:00.004-04:00

I discovered a real jewel of a coffee house today while visiting Bay Mills which is west of the Soo. The Dancing Crane Coffee House is on Lakeshore Drive and is really worth the drive.

Dancing Crane has bagels, muffins and rolls as well as many games to encourage you to sit and enjoy. There are interesting articles for sale which makes it a comfortable spot to sit and sip.

There is a place for live music and some is scheduled in August. However, anyone is welcome to pick up an instrument and share their talents.

Cathy, whose husband cut the logs and build the coffee house, owns the Dancing Crane. She has a wide selection of fair trade and organic coffees and teas that she hand-picked for their taste. This means you will have a great cup of coffee no matter what flavor you order. And get this-a cup of brewed coffee is only $1.
The drive-up window offers convenience and even some good-natured kidding from the customers.
I'll definitely be returning to the Dancing Crane to try a latte and browse the assortment of things for sale.

Important Day is Sault History Passes Without Notice

2009-06-19T07:44:00.002-04:00

Yesterday was an important day in the history of Sault Ste. Marie and I didn't hear anything about it all day. June 18 is the anniversary of the opening of the Soo Locks in 1855. I read the following piece this morning.

Today in Michigan history:

1855 - The Soo Locks open. The steamship Illinois became the first ship to pass through the Soo Locks, connecting Lakes Huron and Superior via the St. Mary's River at Sault Ste. Marie. Laborers worked two years building two 350-foot locks, arranged in tandem to overcome the rapids caused by the twenty-one-foot difference between the lakes. The state of Michigan operated the locks until 1881 when they were transferred to the control of the federal government. Today, the locks remain one of the world's busiest navigation routes. Via Michigan History Magazine

So it has been 154 years since the opening of the Soo Locks.

What are we going to do to celebrate?

Summer in the Soo

2009-06-17T21:34:00.002-04:00

Today was the perfect summer day. The temperature was in the mid to high 70's with a soft breeze off the St. Marys River. The shipping traffic was moderate. I saw 9 boats pass out front. Between 11 and 1, I saw three 1,000 footers. This will help make up for the slow traffic the last week days.

The Soo is gearing up for summer. I'd like to hear what activities you enjoy here.

Next week is the Annual Engineer's Day at the Locks. This is the day when the Locks are open to the public and it draws a great deal of attention as it should.

Please send me your ideas for summer activities here. Comment on this blog or send me an email. Thanks for your help,
Brenda
saultboatwatcher@gmail.com

Whitefish

2009-05-30T15:27:00.002-04:00

The whitefish in the Sault area is unparalled. If you have tried whitefish down state, it doesn't compare-even if the restaurant advertised it as 'fresh'. The whitefish is really fresh here.

We usually get our first whitefish meal of the year at Lockview in the Sault. But this year we stopped in Mackinaw City at Darrow's and I had a whitefish sandwich that was delicious.

What is your favorite spot for whitefish in the Eastern Upper Peninsula? Send me you favorites at saultboatwatcher@gmail.com.

Thanks

Famous People from Sault Ste. Marie

2009-05-02T08:45:00.003-04:00

I came across a startling story last night. The news source was talking about possible candidates for nomination to the United States Supreme Court. Jennifer Granholm was the first mentioned (it was from a Michigan newspaper) but also listed was Kathleen Sullivan. It stated Ms. Sullivan was born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.

Kathleen Sullivan is currently professor of law and former dean at Stanford Law School.

She was born in Sault Ste. Marie in 1955. I have not been able to track down any further information on her early years.

Do any of you have any memory of Ms. Sullivan or her family living in SSM?

I'll keep you updated on what I hear. I emailed Ms. Sullivan last night and asked a few questions. She is probably a little busy right now.

Sault Tea Party

2009-04-16T10:07:00.003-04:00

Yesterday, April 15, tea parties were held all across the United States to bring light to the discontent that abounds concerning the direction the country is moving. The Sault was not left out of this party-time. I found this picture on Facebook of many Saulties dumping their tea into the Power Canal off the Ashmun Street bridge. I looks like a fun time to me.

What really impresses me is that there is no snow and not a cloud in the sky. It appears that spring has arrived in Sault Ste. Marie.

Lake Monster

2009-04-15T22:04:00.003-04:00

Now that is not a photograph that I took but rather I got it off the Monster Quest file. But I watched Monster Quest tonight and saw an episode about a lake monster in western Canada. The story of the Ogopogo monster was eerily similar to a sighting my sister had in Lake Superior at Birch Point several years ago. I'm going to talk to her about it again and get all the details. I will share what I learn with my readers.

Have any of you had sightings of anything unusual like this in the Great Lakes or adjoining waters? I'd love to hear you stories. I know there are Native American legends that talk about these kinds of animals. I would appreciate any sharing you can do. Thanks, Brenda

7 Best Spots for Boat Watching around the Soo

2009-04-07T09:39:00.010-04:00

Spring Break

2009-04-07T08:36:00.000-04:00

This picture is from our arrival at The Cabin last June. We're looking forward to the day this year when our cabin life begins.

As I sit here today, drinking my morning coffee, I'm watching the snow flakes fall gently to the ground. Thankfully the snow is melting on the green grass. This would be a pretty picture if it was December but not April.

This reminds me of our first spring that we owned the cabin. It was 2000 and we arrived there the first week of April. We were very excited to have our cabin to get away and relax for the whole week. Things didn't go like that. First, there was still lots of snow there. We had to shovel to get in the driveway and then shovel the snow away from the door to allow us to open it.

Things went from bad to worse when we went to light the furnace. Our fuel oil space heater was full of soot and we had the 'bright' idea to use the shop vac to clean it out. Our plan was working well. We were both focused on looking into the opening into the fire space. I happened to turn around and saw the room was hazy. Further investigation-the soot was leaving the furnace and being propelled into the air through the vac. Our entire cabin became covered with a thin layer of greasy, dirty soot.

This required professional help and we had to have the whole cabin cleaned. Everything-curtains, furniture, walls, ceiling and floors. Our entire week was spend coordinating workers in and out to get the cleaning done.

I think that may have been the year we burnt out the heating element in the water heater by connecting the power before it was filled with water but that may have happened the next year. Those memories blur in my mind for good reason.

We are now pros at opening The Cabin but those memories hang close and we always do the opening in a step by step fashion. Oh, also we never vacuum out the furnace either without venting it outdoors.

High Wages in the Soo? In 1909-Yes!

2009-04-01T18:58:00.003-04:00

Did you know there was a time when the average worker's wage of a Soo was the second highest in Michigan? It was exceeded only by the wages paid in Marquette. I found the following piece in the Battle Creek Enquirer. The section was telling what happened on today's date in past years.

100 Years Ago Today, 1909:

The profound fallacy of many of the ridiculous charges made against industrial conditions in Battle Creek by a few disgruntled parties here and elsewhere is apparent in a list of statistics received this morning from the state labor bureau. The average daily wage paid in Battle Creek is the highest of any manufacturing city in Michigan and the third largest in the state. The average wage paid in Battle Creek is $2.34. It is exceeded only by Marquette and Sault Ste. Marie, both of which are smaller and one of which is a mining town. In Marquette the rate is $2.41 and in the Sault $2.35.

Annual Burning of the Snowman

2009-03-22T08:53:00.003-04:00

Friday marked the first day of spring and because of that LSSU held their 39th annual burning of the snowman. This event marks the end of winter with a hopeful coming of spring. The Upper Peninsula doesn't look very spring-like right now but Yooper Yarns caught some beautiful pics on Friday outside her place near Newberry.

Once spring comes the snow disappears very quickly. I've always found that early spring seems to be the time of year when there is the most difference in weather between the UP and the rest of the state. We are very spring-like here in Caledonia. People are working hard in their yards, the early spring bulbs are emerging and the wind has a warmth to it we haven't felt in many months.

Wednesday is the opening of the Locks and the shipping season. That is the real sign of spring to me. Anyone know what ship may be the first to lock through this year? I don't know but would appreciate hearing from readers who may go to the Soo for the big day or have a source to know about what ships are out there. Thanks, Brenda

Chippew County Courthouse

2009-03-17T08:34:00.002-04:00

The Chippewa County Courthouse is one of the most outstanding buildings in the Sault. I came across this blog written about the building. A great site-Michigan Exposures.

Outhouse Races

2009-03-17T08:29:00.001-04:00

I was in the Sault on Saturday but wasn't able to attend the outhouse races on Portage Avenue. I found this story at SooToday and it looks like it was a fun event. A great way to welcome the coming spring.

Winter is Still in the Soo

2009-03-16T07:01:00.003-04:00

I spent this past weekend in the Sault visiting my parents and celebrating my mother's 79th birthday. I took these pictures to show you how much snow there still is there. The first picture was taken as we crossed the Mackinac Bridge where there is a crack in the ice but it has a long way to go before the opening of the shipping season on March 26th. It was a beautiful day Saturday with a blue sky and the snow is still very white.

Jane Johnston Schoolcraft

2009-03-10T21:20:00.003-04:00

I have been working all winter on a children's book about Jane Johnston Schoolcraft who was from Sault Ste. Marie. She lived in the early 1800's and was quite a remarkable person. She was recently installed in the Michigan Women's Hall of Fame.

My question-are there others out there with an interest in Michigan history specifically of Sault Ste. Marie. I would love to hear from you and if you know of any interesting events coming up in the next year concerning Sault history.

Progress toward a new lock

2009-03-05T10:10:00.000-05:00

News Flash from TV 9 & 10 web site.

NEW BILL COULD BRING FEDERAL DOLLARS TO THE SOO LOCKS

This week, the Senate is expected to consider a bill that could bring some
federal dollars to the Soo Locks. The House of Representatives approved
$17-million to go toward building a new lock in Sault Saint Marie. With
the money, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers can begin to build the Coffer
Dams necessary to prevent water flow into the aging Sabin and Davis Locks.
The new lock will replace them.

Birding in the Upper Peninsula

2009-02-26T09:13:00.003-05:00

I found a blog this morning with an absolutely amazing story of birding in the Eastern Upper Peninsula. Unfortunately the pictures wouldn't copy and paste. It would be worth your time to look at the blog. The last line of the blog is great-Before I knew it, we had to start heading home from an awesome weekend of boreal birding. If you haven't been up to the upper peninsula yet, I highly recommend it.

http://nomadicbirder.blogspot.com/

UP Birding
Saturday morning, Ben Warner, Andy Newman, Heather Raymond and I ventured out of our motel in Sault Ste. Marie to begin a fantastic weekend in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. After cruising some back roads we eventually arrived at the Dunbar Forest feeders which hosted hundreds, maybe thousands of redpolls and siskins. After a few minutes of scanning we eventually found this Hoary Redpoll resting above the feeders.

There are two subspecies of Hoary Redpoll and there is no doubt this is the Greenland form, C. h. hornemanni.

They breed in the very high arctic of Greenland and Canada and differ from C. h. exilpes by being extremely pale.

When we were done scanning through the hoards of redpolls, siskins and Pine Grosbeaks we headed to Pickford to find one of the Northern Hawk-Owls that have been present. It didn’t take long until we found one along M-48 in someone’s front yard.

I wonder if the home owners have any idea just how lucky they are to have a Northern Hawk-Owl hanging around their yard.

After loads of pictures, we headed west to Hulbert Bog to look for Gray Jays and Boreal Chickadees. Among the dozen or so Black-capped Chickadees that came into our pishing, a single Boreal Chickadee came in briefly and vanished just as fast. No Gray Jays were found but constant flocks of White-winged Crossbills and a single Red Crossbill entertained us instead.

We headed back east to Rudyard where a few Snowy Owls have been present for most of the winter. Luck was still with us as we watched three Snowy’s from one spot including this one.

The rest of day was spent driving around adding a few more trip birds such as Northern Shrike and Merlin among others. At 5:30pm we drove to Hay Lake Road where a Great Gray Owl was recently discovered. Through moderate snow, Ben spotted the owl off in the distance just before it flew towards the road. Here is Ben’s shot of ‘the ghost’.

Sunday was spent birding the feeders at Dunbar Forest again. Besides two more Hoary Redpolls of the C. h. exilpes form we had this leucistic Pine Siskin:

Before I knew it, we had to start heading home from an awesome weekend of boreal birding. If you haven't been up to the upper peninsula yet, I highly recommend it.

Bird Watching Near the Sault Ste. Marie

2009-02-06T22:34:00.004-05:00

I read the following information in the Gennessee Audobon Newsletter. Have any of you seen snowy owls this winter in Chippewa County?

Currently, there are between 5 & 10 different Snowy Owls and 2 different Northern Hawk Owls which are being seen regularly south of the Soo. There have also been irregular reports of one or two Great Grey Owls, and even one brief report of a Boreal Owl near someone's feeder one day. A Gyrfalcon has been reported a couple times south of the city as well. Northern Shrikes appear to be in a number of locations. Rough-legged Hawks appear to be in lower numbers than usual, however. Redpolls are in good numbers, but most of the other winter finches are in average or below average numbers. Several different Glaucous and Iceland Gulls have been reported at the Dafter Dump, though this (like everything else) could change. It might be worth our while to try birding over to Whitefish Point, or even Grand Marais (Bohemian Waxwings).

Please report any interesting bird sightings.

Out of Work in Michigan

2009-01-26T19:28:00.002-05:00

Here is an interesting blog from NPR with a Sault connection, Out of Work in Michigan.

It details a meeting held in the Sault to begin a series of people who are losing their jobs. I've been watching the news here in Arizona and the job situation isn't good. NBC calls it 'Pink Slip Blues' as the world economy continues to slide.

It's Cold in the Soo

2009-01-15T10:18:00.005-05:00

I took this photo last week at my parent's house in the Soo.

I just talked to my mom who wouldn't leave the Soo in the winter for anything. It is -10 degrees right now.

I'm sitting in Phoenix, Arizona watching the sun come up over the mountains and the high temperature today will be in the high 70's.

It is all in what you like. I feel that I have the best of both worlds. In May I will be back on our St. Marys River home watching the sun come up over Sugar Island and loving that.

I took this photo at the Phoenix Zoo last year but it gives you an idea what the blue sky looks like.

Until then, I love the warm weather so I can get outside to exercise. But there is plenty of opportunity for that in the Sault too.

Let me know what you are doing to get through the winter months.

Picture Story from the Soo this week

2009-01-10T21:15:00.002-05:00

My husband and I were in the Soo this past week for my grandmother's funeral. Here are a few pictures that I took. You can see there is lots of snow but everything looks beautiful.

The Official Ten Best Events in the Sault in 2008

2008-12-27T08:04:00.010-05:00

The Official Ten Best Events in the Sault in 2008-At Least According to Me!
These are not in any particular order. They were all great fun.

1. Class Reunions-Every year many classes from Sault Area High School hold reunions in the Sault drawing classmates from all over the country. This year was my 40^th reunion (1968-best class ever!) and we had a great time renewing old friendships, finding classmates who live close to us and just having fun.

2. Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service My husband and I attended the service to commemorate the sinking of the Fitz in 1975. It was very moving. You can read an account of this at Edmund Fitzgerald Mem orial Service.

3. LSSU Fish Hatchery Visit-Taking my grandchildren to visit on the Open House Day during Engineer’s Day wasn’t enough for our family. My son called the manager of the hatchery and set up a personal tour for our family. A LSSU student explained the process they use to raise salmon and release them in the St. Marys River. My son and his family are still talking about it.

4. Engineer’s Day at the Locks- The last Friday in June is always open house at the Locks. This free event is great fun for boat enthusiast because you get an up-close look at how the Locks work.

5. EUP Learning Center Grand Opening & Reading Club-The Brimley-based business opened a Sault location this past summer. I also read a favorite book to their reading club. There is nothing I like better than reading and sharing with other people who like to read.

6. Professional Walleye Tournament-What I liked about the tournament was the evening the fishing teams brought their boats onto Ashmun Street. They then stood around and talked about fishing. Their passion for fishing was evident and made this so enjoyable.

7. Chippewa County Fair-I love going to the fair for the food, the friends we always see, and watching the Bell’s Belgium & Clydesdale horses.

8. Summer Concert in the Park-The weekly free concerts at the Locks Park qualify as ‘the perfect summer evening.” Can’t beat this for relaxing and seeing friends from town.

9. Susan & David-Susan Askwith and Dave Stanaway perform at the John Johnston house every Tuesday and Thursday during the summer. Being in the Johnston’s house while hearing their great music is an experience I repeat several times every summer, especially whenever we have out-of-town guests.

10. Blizzard of Jan. 29-I was scheduled to leave after a winter visit and that had to be delayed because of the weather. It was great fun spending the time with my parents but I struggled with being completely cut off with my Internet world.

2008-12-14T15:36:00.001-05:00

I found the following article on-line at www.freep.com. If any of you have pictures of snowmobiles on the streets, I would appreciate you sending them to me so I can post them. Thanks,
saultboatwatcher@gmail.com

Soo welcomes snowmobiles

A new ordinance in Sault Ste. Marie allows snowmobilers to drive downtown.

That should benefit the city and tourists. Many visitors use the extensive snowmobile trails right outside of town, and the new rule allows them to drive in on most city streets for shopping and dining, says Linda Hoath of the Soo's visitors bureau.

The Soo hosts the International 500 snowmobile race every February, so the town has been identified with snowmobiling for a long time. Still, even snowmobile lovers need their sleep -- there's a curfew from 1 a.m. to 6 a.m. every day. Shhh. (www.saultstemarie.com)

Ten Best Events in the Sault in 2008

2008-12-13T14:20:00.002-05:00

I'm starting to read year-end lists that look at the events during the past year. It got me to thinking about the best events that happened in the Sault during the past year. I have a few things to put on the list such as Engineer's Day at the Locks, 4th of July fireworks and the blizzard of January 2008. But I would like to hear from you. I'll compile a list plus publish all your comments.

Let It Snow

2008-12-12T17:29:00.002-05:00

I'm away from the Sault right now but with the Internet I am able to keep up with some facets of life there. I love to see what I am missing or avoiding.

I just found a new web address to keep up with the snowfall and the amount of snow on the ground.

Sault Weather Data

Please share any web resources you use to keep up with life in the Sault. I'm sure there are many other great websites.

Brenda bbenedict07@gmail.com

Aerial Photography of the Great Lakes

2008-12-04T20:09:00.002-05:00

I discovered a wonderful website where you can see outstanding photos of the Great Lakes shoreline. The photos can be seen at: Great Lakes Aerial Photos.

I do not know the photographer but he/she does wonderful work. Take time to click on the photos that say 'Click to See' to see additional photos.

If any of you have photos of the Eastern Upper Peninsula, please send them to me and I will post them here.

Thanks,
Brenda
saultboatwatcher@gmail.com

Santa Arrives in the Sault

2008-12-02T18:33:00.003-05:00

Santa Claus arrived in the Sault last Friday night in the Annual Santa Parade. The beautiful winter weather makes it a great place for Santa because he can land his reindeer on the snow. Also, the Sault city streets are open for snowmobilers, so I'm sure that means that Santa can drive his sleigh right down Ashmun Street!

Snow in the Sault

2008-11-19T18:47:00.001-05:00

November 19, 2008 The Soo received several inches of beautiful snow today. Thought you would like to see the pictures. What a winter wonderland.

St. Marys River is a Fish Boutique

2008-11-15T07:40:00.004-05:00

Technology helps me keep up with what is going on in the Sault. I use Google News Alert. Everyday, Google sends me an email with all the news articles where Sault Ste. Marie is mentioned. You can have any subject sent to you as often as you would like. I really like it.

I found the following article this morning, Fishing in the Sault.

The article is about fishing on the St. Marys River right now. The author tells how the St. Marys River is such a great place to fish. "our boutique fishery, and I wish we could get more people to take advantage of it."

"If you'd like a preview of the kind of fishing that is available on the St. Marys, take a look at Lake Superior State University's underwater Webcam at the school's aquatics research laboratory in the Soo Edison electric generating plant.

The Atlantic salmon fishery in the St. Marys is the result of a decades-long effort by LSSU, and an online visit to www.lssu.edu/arl/fishcam offers proof of its success.

Our family enjoys watching the webcam. It is even possible to observe lamprey on salmon which is a concern.

This is where the webcam is located.

My family learning about the LSSU Fisheries hatchery last summer.

Shipwreck Victim from Sault Honored

2008-11-13T07:30:00.003-05:00

Harold Mullen, from Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, lost his life on November 11, 1940 in the sinking of the William B. Davock. He was one of 33 men lost in the terrible November storm. His son, Harold, commemorates the occasion every year. You can read the story at Son Honors Father.

Do any of you have remember this man or this ship?

November in the Sault

2008-11-12T10:35:00.004-05:00

Closed for the Season

Many places in the Upper Peninsula do close for the winter for one of two reasons. Either the upcoming weather will make the activities impossible such as Four Mile Beach shown in the above photo. Or there may not be enough customers to sustain the business when people tend to travel less.

There is lots going on in the Sault however. The Locks are still in operation. The Pullar has a new sign, shown here, and there is lots of hockey there as well as at LSSU.

I attended a lecture last Friday at the Chippewa County Historical Society. Dr. Karl Hele from Sault, Ontario told us about the early church missions here and especially the work of Charlotte Johnston McMurray. Charlotte, daughter of John & Susan Johnston, is not as well-known as her older sister Jane Schoolcraft, but she was equally as gifted and used her gifts to minister in the Anglican Church.

There are several annual crafts shows going on, including Pickford this weekend. I'm not much for that as I'm trying to downsize my belongings to fit into my little cabin on the river full-time. It will be quite a big job since my home nowo has 4 bedrooms and many rooms full of my 'stuff.'

This was the view on Scenic Drive yesterday. There is such beauty in winter. The first two pictures were taken last Thursday and this snow-globe scene was just taken 6 days later.

Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Service

2008-11-04T18:46:00.002-05:00

Next Monday, November 10, is the 33rd anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald. I remember that night because my husband and I were returning from a trip downstate. We got to the Mackinac Bridge and found it closed because of the high wind.

There is an Annual Fitzgerald Memorial Service on Monday at 7 PM at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum at Whitefish Point. It is open to the public and free to attend.

You can see more details at Annual Fitzgerald Memorial Service.

Share with us if you have memories about the time the Fitzgerald sunk.

Are any of you planning to attend?

Famous Visitor & Early Boat Tour

2008-10-28T06:31:00.005-04:00

Last summer, we took our family on the Soo Locks Boat Tours and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Yesterday I read of an earlier visitor on a sight-seeing trip.

In 1832, Sault Ste. Marie had a visit from the French writer Alexis Tocqueville. His reactions to the Great Lakes shows his amazement at this wonderful area.

According to the itinerary for Tocqueville's trip, "While in Detroit, they visited the nearby Michigan territory's prison. Changing their plans, Tocqueville and Beaumont turned around heading once again for the northwest. As they boarded the ten-year old touring steamboat,, the "Superior". The vessel was taking on the first sight-seeing cruise to Ssault Sainte Marie so passengers could view Lake Superior.

I learned about this as I am reading an interesting book by Jerry Dennis called The Living Great Lakes. Dennis is a Michigan author who writes eloquently about our area and the Great Lakes.

I wonder if there was someone in the Sault to make fudge for the visitors in 1832?

Marion Strahl Boyer Exhibit

2008-09-30T08:42:00.002-04:00

The month of October features an exhibit of the photographs of a Soo resident, Marion Strahl Boyer. A story of her work recently ran in the Grand Rapids Press, U.P. Photo Pioneer.

Marion Boyer's work offers a look at the UP during Great Depression but it has much more than that. She was hired by Life Magazine as one of the magazine's first women photographers. She was assigned to Life's Hollywood bureau and then transferred to New York. This gave her an opportunity to photograph some of the biggest stars and political figures of the time.

Soo residents will remember Mrs. Boyer as a English teacher at Sault High but she had an exciting career before coming to the Soo.

There will be a Meet-the-artist Reception at the Alberta House on October 11.

Studebakers Restaurant

2008-09-30T07:59:00.003-04:00

You won't miss Studebaker's Restaurant if you drive down the I-75 Business Spur. The yellow Studebaker out front will easily catch your eye.

Our family has a tradition of Sunday morning breakfast there. Often after our church services, we head to Studebaker's. Their breakfast buffet is a favorite of my husband. I like to order off the menu and my favorite is the Heavy Chevy. The menu items names are automobile related. Studebaker's is clean with good food reasonably priced. Their move to smoke-free makes the entire restaurant open for seating.

I recommend Studebaker's for dining at any meal. I believe they have a buffet for lunch and dinner as well.

Wind Farm on the St. Marys River?

2008-09-26T09:00:00.001-04:00

Wind Farm on Lake Superior at Gros Cap

I am down in Grand Rapids right now and found the St. Marys River mentioned on the front page of the Grand Rapids Press on Thursday, Sept. 25. In a story titled "That's one long extension cord" the Press tells about a Holland-area business man who owns 1,500 acres of property on the banks of the St. Marys River in DeTour and Raber townships.

The property could be home to a $140 million wind farm to generate energy for the Holland Board of Public Works.

The article goes on to say that Holland Mayor Al McGeehan and other city leaders could meet with Chippewa County officials next week to discuss the project while they are up north for a Michigan Municipal League convention.

With the Gros Cap wind farm fresh in our minds, it is important for Chippewa County residents to be aware of what is being proposed.

Historical Gems

2008-09-25T07:46:00.004-04:00

John Johnston's Burial Site-Riverside Cemetery-Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

The Sault has a rich history that rivals that of any other community. But sometimes you just have to seek it out on your own. The Sault sometimes doesn't brag enough about the importance this area has played in the history of our state and country.

One such story is the John Johnston family. Their home is open during the summer with programs to introduce you to their story. Recently, I took my granddaughters to see the burial spot of John & Susan Johnston. They are buried in Riverside Cemetery. Take the first driveway and go to the back-in the northwest corner.

Burial site of Susan Johnston-Riverside Cemetery-Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan

Sugar Island Ferry Ride to School

2008-09-19T21:30:00.003-04:00

I took my granddaughters to Rotary Island to play today. They are visiting us from down state. While there, we watched a school bus from Sault Area Schools load onto the Sugar Island ferry.
The Sault Schools run a bus to Sugar Island daily.

The thought of having a ferry ride every day to get to and from school was very exciting to a Kindergarten and 4th grader.

It even looks fun to me. Think of it-seeing what's going on in the river and having the excitement of a ferry ride.

Did any of you readers have a bus ride from Sugar Island? We'd like to hear about it.

St. James Episcopal Church

2008-09-13T08:49:00.003-04:00

One of the most beautiful buildings in the Sault is the St. James Episcopal Church on Bingham Street. These pictures do not do it justice. I was focusing on the gardens when I took these pictures. The gardens are spectacular all summer. I don't know who maintains them but the gardens are certainly worth a visit.
There is a great description of the church on Hunt's Guide to the Upper Peninsula. This building is a significant architectural building. We attended a concert there where Bob Aldrich gave us a brief history of the church and its beautiful stained glass windows.
The tower contains a carillon. I was able to visit it in 1968 with a classmate who was learning to play it. It still operates daily and I enjoy listening while visiting my parents over on Hursley Street.

My daughter and I have made a hobby out of researching the architecture of the Sault. I wrote to Michigan architectural historian Kathryn Eckert who wrote Buildings of Michigan and asked her why there are so many stunning buildings in such a small town as Sault Ste. Marie. Eckert responded that at the turn of the century (1900) the logging industry was in full force. This meant there was lots of money in Sault Ste. Marie and that is reflected in the public buildings and private residences that were built during that time.

I would someday like to put together a tour of these architectural significant buildings in the Soo.

Penny's Kitchen

2008-09-12T08:27:00.003-04:00

Penny's Kitchen is one of my favorite spots to stop for lunch. But I also go there when meeting with a friend, or to have my book discussion group. But when I have a precious hour or two to sit by myself and write, Penny's Kitchen wi-fi and wonderful atmosphere make it a great place to be creative and get inspired.

The menu includes pasta, sandwiches and great desserts. You order at the counter but the food is then delivered to your table. They don't seem to mind when I sit there for several hours but I only do that if there are more tables available for other customers.
This is Penny, the owner, who kitchen is the source of the delicious food served there.

Professional Walleye Fishermen

2008-09-09T06:57:00.002-04:00

Last night we went into the Sault to see the boats on display from the Professional Walleye Tournament that is going to be held later this week.
Local fisherman Shawn & Stan Bowerman attended the fishing seminar to learn some tricks for bigger and better fish.
Several of the fishmen had fun license plates.
The boats were fantastic with huge outboard motors. We saw several 300 horsepower.
The tournament is going to be held this weekend with a kid's fishing day on Saturday. The boats were out in the river yesterday getting in some practice.

Professional Walleye Tournament

2008-09-08T12:06:00.002-04:00

There is lots of activity out in the St. Marys River this morning. I read in the Evening News that there is a professional walleye tournament in town this week starting Wednesday.

However, it looks like many of the fisherman are getting a few days of practice in here. It is fun to see their beautiful boats. They seem to be congregating down at 9 Mile Point on the river. Hope I'm not giving away any secrets!

Tonight, they are displaying the boats on Ashmun Street and I'll be there to see these big, fancy fishing boats.

I found a link for the Professional Walleye Tournament information.

Exploring the Sault

2008-09-07T10:34:00.003-04:00

While surfing the web for information on the Sault, I came across an interesting web site to share with you. It is Hunt's Guide to the Upper Peninsula-On-line Version. I have long enjoyed the Hunt's Guide print version and used it on a motorcycle trip across the Upper Peninsula and found many great stops because of Hunt's recommendations.

The on-line version gives you a good recap of local history and information but the best feature is the links to several web sites for more specific information.

I'm learning so much about blogging this summer and just discovered a new web feature this morning. Daylife is a compilation of web news. But the best feature was the Search where I found several interesting news articles about the Upper Peninsula. I registered for the site which allows me to personalize my page. Do any of you have experience with the type of site? Let us know what works for you. Thanks

Soo Institution Closes

2008-09-05T10:37:00.003-04:00

Antlers Restaurant has announced that it is closing after today. They have been in business for 60 years and they were a favorite of locals and visitors. The Antler's have been owned by the Kinney family since 1948 according to the newspaper.

The announcement came in an advertisement in the Sault Evening News.

The restaurant will be reopening in the future under new management.

This happened so quickly that many people did not get an opportunity to visit for one last time.

Please share with us your memories of Antlers either by commenting here or sending me an email at bbenedict07@gmail.com.

I will post all replies that I receive.

Farmer's Market

2008-09-03T07:51:00.004-04:00

Last Wednesday I shopped at the Farmer's Market and found some wonderful produce. But that wasn't all.
There was a sense of community as shoppers talked to vendors and all seemed to be having a good time. There was a lot of fresh produce, flowers and other related products.

Pleasant live music was provided which added to the atmosphere.

I purchased a tray of basil which is my favorite herb. With our busy summer, I never had time to plant any, so there hasn't been any pesto this summer. The tray of basil was $5 which is very reasonable plus it came with good advice on when to pick it and how to keep it growing all winter from the seller.

Farmer's Market is every Wednesday from 5:15 - 7:00 PM at the corner of Ashmun and Maple. It runs through October 21. I'll put a link for the information on this site.

First Day of School

2008-09-02T09:41:00.003-04:00

It is back to school for most Michigan school children today. As I was out for my morning's exercise, I was greeted by a new sight- a school bus. This is probably a welcome sight for some and an unwelcome morning greeting for others.

This is my first fall in the Soo in many years. Because I don't have to go back to school this year, I can stay and enjoy the beauty of fall here.

One thing I have already noticed. The Canada geese have moved out of the city. No geese on the golf course, at Clydes or Rotary Island this morning. It probably has something to do with the opening of goose season on September 1.

I would like to hear how the first day of school went for you.

Salmon Slam

2008-08-31T13:50:00.003-04:00

We live on the St. Marys River but neither my husband or I take advantage of the great fishing here. But it looks like we are in the minority right now. As I look out on the river, I can count 12 fishing boats. They are clustered around the edges of the channel with most of them down at 9 Mile Point.

I know that fishermen like to keep their favorite fishing sites secret, so I hope I'm not giving away some top secret information.

Some of these boats must be because of the 2008 Salmon Slam being held in the Soo.

You can see more information at the Sault web site. I will put a link in there for it.

Our perfect weather continues and there seems to be a lot of tourists in town for this final summer weekend.

Chippewa County Fair

2008-08-30T16:58:00.004-04:00

Labor Day Activities

2008-08-29T15:14:00.004-04:00

This weekend is looking like a perfect ending to a wonderful summer. Our temperatures will be in the 70's during the day, with nights in the 50's. No rain is forecast through Monday. So I'm just going to relax and enjoy myself.

I'm recently retired from public school teaching so my Labor Day this year is going to be more relaxed than in previous years. That has its good points but I will miss the excitement of the first day of school. Even teachers get excited.

School begins here Tuesday, Sept. 2 as it does for most public schools in Michigan. So for thousands of kids, the summer will be ending.

The flowers here are continuing to bloom beautifully. The Soo receives more sunshine early in the summer than they do downstate and the result is vibrant, colorful flowers all summer long. My hydrangea bush is blooming like never before and is so full of flowers this year.
My sweet peas are the best that I have had for years. I enjoy just driving around and looking at other people's gardens.

Karl's Cuisine

2008-08-28T14:52:00.001-04:00

Our travels around the Soo lead us to discover a restaurant on Tuesday that we both really enjoyed. Karl's Cuisine is located on West Portage Avenue right across from the Locks.

Our friendly waitress is the daughter of the owner, Karl Nelson, and she explained that this is truly a family operation. Her personal attention made for a relaxing dinner for us.

They serve a variety of sandwiches, soups and salads. I had the Karl's House Salad and beef barley soup. My husband had a BLT sandwich and broccoli soup. The soups were served hot and the sandwiches and soup were delicious.

The highlight of the meal, however, was the dessert. The dessert tray had a good variety of choices and we had trouble settling on just one. In the end, we decided to split an Italian wedding cake and we both were happy with that choice.

The building is shaped like a boat and features indoor and outdoor seating. There is a miniature golf business adjoining the restaurant which would make this a fun place for children too.
Karl's Cuisine has a web site for more information www.karlscuisine.com

Popcorn Day

2008-08-27T06:04:00.004-04:00

Every Tuesday we try to attend the Varsity Cinema here in the Sault. We call it Popcorn Day because Varsity has a special on popcorn. Bring your own bowl and have it filled for 50 cents. That includes butter too. They will even layer the butter in your bowl so it is evenly distributed. You can use any size bowl you want as long as it can sit on your lap.

We attend the afternoon movies when there are matinee prices so it makes a bargain afternoon outing. There is always lots of seating room in the afternoon showings as well.

Varsity Cinema is owned by Carmike Cinema and you can get show times at their web site. I will put a direct link to the Sault location in the Things to Do in the Soo on the right sidebar.

Chippewa County Fair

2008-08-26T20:27:00.003-04:00

Today marks the opening of the 2008 Chippewa County Fair. This annual event held near Kinross is a favorite of young and old in this area. There seems to be something of interest for everyone whether it is people watching, playing on the mid-way or eating that good fair food. The Fair has a glitzy web site that gives all the information you might want to plan your trip to the fair.

Please send comments about your time at the fair on this blog. I'll add more information once I make a trip to the fair.

http://www.chippewafair.com/

Dunbar Park

2008-08-24T14:41:00.007-04:00

Charlotte River as seen from Twelve Mile Road

Today we felt like going on a picnic and we chose Dunbar Park which sits where the Charlotte River flows into the St. Marys River just north of the Neebish Island Ferry.

This quiet drive spot has many beautiful views of the Charlotte River as it bends and twists its way to the larger St. Marys.

St Marys River & lake freighter from Dunbar Park

There is a picnic area with tables, grills and lots of parking. This is a great place to observe down bound shipping.

Canadian Leader at Dunbar Park

Dunbar Park can be reached by taking Riverside Drive out of the Sault until Twelve Mile. Go east, left on Twelve Mile, turn right on Lower Hay Lake and follow it right into the park. This way has gravel. For a paved road, take Riverside Drive to 15 Mile, turn left onto Scenic Drive and follow Scenic to Dunbar. The Park is marked with a Michigan State University sign.
If you want a quiet place to relax and enjoy the beauty of the UP, this is a great pace to spend a couple of hours. There is no charge to enter the park.

Whitefish Dinners

2008-08-23T10:38:00.001-04:00

I could do an entire week of blogs on good places to eat whitefish around the Soo. TV may have their shark week but I could have my whitefish week. The best part is that I have to eat at these places to be able to tell you about them.

Recently our family made a trip west of Brimley to visit one of our favorite places to eat fish. Each year when my son and his family visit, it is one of the 'have-to' activities.

Wilcox's Restaurant is part of Wilcox Fisheries and is located west of Brimley on Lakeshore Drive. Their phone number is (906) 437-5407. It is definitely worth the drive for the wonderful food. They have several fish varieties available daily.

The restaurant is decorated with mounted fish caught in the Lake Superior waters. The decor is simple but this is good eating. We took the whole family from great-grandparents right through the grand-children. The relaxed atmosphere makes it a good place for a large family.

Let me know if you have any places to recommend for whitefish.You can comment on this blog or reach me at saultboatwatcher@gmail.com

One big happy family after finishing our meal.

Class Reunions

2008-08-21T06:31:00.002-04:00

Sault High Class of 1946-8th Grade Photo

Summer is the season for class reunions in the Sault. The Sault has long enjoyed a high quality education system that prepared graduates for careers that sent them around the United States.

As my recent 40th class reunion, I counted 27 different states represented in the addresses of classmates.

My father, Class of 1946, meets every summer for a luncheon. Last week they had their annual reunion and enjoyed the fellowship of many classmates.

Many of my classmates are retiring from interesting careers. But was great to hear was that many of them are choosing the Soo as their home for retirement. This just confirms what I have found-the Soo has lots to offer. Many of these great qualities are not recognized and publicized. So that's my goal-let everyone know what is great about the Eastern Upper Peninsula.

Sault High Class of 1968 -40th Reunion-August 2, 2008

Soo Locks Boat Tours

2008-08-19T09:41:00.002-04:00

Soo Locks Boat Tours is one of the best ways to see the Soo Locks and waterfront for a family.

We recently took my son and his family on this 2 hour excursion. With four grandchildren ages 4 - 10, there are not many activities that will keep all their interest for 2 hours but the Boat Tour did.

The boat was roomy enough to allow everyone to have a railing seat. The children could move around freely. The best part was that they really got to see how the Locks operate as we locked through the American locks up bound and the Canadian Lock down bound.

The adults appreciated the narrated tour of the waterfront, including the Coast Guard Station, Edison Sault Hydroelectric Plant, Algoma Steel and many other points of interest.

We got to see the ship American Victory and she slipped out of the Locks and down the river.

The Soo Locks Boat Tours has long been a favorite of tourists and locals alike.

Music in the Sault

2008-08-16T17:14:00.001-04:00

Sault Ste. Marie is jumping with live music this summer and there is something for every taste.

My favorite is Susan Askwith and David Stanaway at the John Johnston house. The historic home of fur-trader John Johnston is located on Water Street, 3 blocks east of the Locks Park.

During July and August Susan and David present a program on each Tuesday and Thursday from 1 PM to 2 PM. The songs that they wrote tell the story the Johnston's family life here in Sault Ste. Marie from approximately 1797 - 1840. The program of folk-style music tells of life here when the Sault was the Northwest frontier and wilderness.

Another great live music opportunity is the Music in the Park which is held every Wednesday evening at the Locks Park. Each week a different group presents a concert that lasts 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Bring your own chair and possibly a sweater as it often gets cool as the sun goes down. The quality of the music has always been good.

Both of these music events are free of charge.

Share the Sault Begins

2008-08-11T14:42:00.000-04:00

The purpose of this blog is to highlight what is happening in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. This town in Michigan's Upper Peninsula has a wide variety of interesting stories, events and happenings.

This blog will tell these stories and show pictures so you can more fully enjoy our wonderful location.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment or email me at saultboatwatcher@gmail.com