By ldemers@pioneertribune.com | on November 15, 2023

In 1955, this stone and engraved plaque were placed by members of the Manistique Lions Club to honor John Ira Bellaire who was instrumental in protecting Kitchi-iti-kipi from commercial development by helping to make it a public park. Courtesy photo

MANISTIQUE – In 2022, Manistique Lions Club members, Dick Ketcik and Jim Hooker, noticed the John I. Bellaire memorial plaque and large boulder at Palms Book State Park had become overgrown with brush, deadfalls, and moss. It was to the point where it was almost unnoticeable to the public along the walkway to the Big Spring.

The boulder and engraved plaque were placed there in 1955 by the Lions Club to honor the then 84-year-old Bellaire for his untiring efforts in promoting the spring. He convinced the State of Michigan to acquire the land in 1929 around the spring to protect it as a State Park for the public to enjoy. Mr. Bellaire was a charter member of the Manistique Lions Club.

Club members first contacted the current Indian Lake State Park Manager, Dennis Green. They received approval to clean up the site and the boulder to make it more visible. A couple of work bees were performed by various club members – removing deadfalls, cutting tag alders, pressure washing the boulder, etc. The next idea was to evaluate if the boulder could be moved to a better location. However, it became clear that due to wetland conditions, heavy equipment needed to move the large boulder would not be feasible. The next logical option was to create an interpretive panel with larger letters and install it near the boulder. This would make things more readable.

The installation crew for the interpretive sign at Big Springs from left to right are, Jim Hooker, Theresa Neal, Paul Wood, and Paul Bosen. Courtesy photo

Tahquamenon Falls State Park Interpreter, Theresa Neal, was contacted to see what was possible and gave suggestions for panel wording. Neal condensed the language and submitted it to the club for approval. Once the panel was complete, Neal and three club members installed it on Nov. 6.

The following background information on John Ira Bellaire was taken from an article written by the Schoolcraft County Historical Society.

John Ira Bellaire was born in Indiana in November of 1871. His family moved to White Pigeon in northern Lower Michigan when John was still a young child. There his parents, John and Agnes Bellaire purchased a small farm and struggled to support a growing family. John worked on the farm helping his father until he reached his eighteenth birthday, when he went out on his own.

In the spring of 1893, Bellaire answered a “help wanted” ad for a clerk’s position in a general store at Seney, Mich., with a salary of 35 dollars per month. In 1895 he was promoted to general manager. On Sept. 24, 1896, Bellaire married Sarah Boynton, who was to be his devoted companion for over 60 years. One year later Bellaire was appointed Postmaster at Seney and by 1899 he had saved enough money to buy the store.

With the end of the big pine era, Bellaire relocated to Manistique where he opened a five and dime variety store. His first store opened for business in 1927. By 1938 he was able to open a second store on the west side of Manistique.

It was in the early 1920’s that Bellaire became a devoted fan of the Big Spring. At that time the area was remote and undeveloped. Surrounded by fallen timber and debris left over from the lumber companies, Bellaire immediately recognized the unique beauty of the spring and the need to preserve it for future generations. Though Bellaire could easily have purchased the property, he felt it could only be protected through public ownership. In 1926, in cooperation with Frank Book, who was a partner in the Palms Book Land Company of Detroit, Bellaire arranged for the sale of 90 acres of land including the spring to the State of Michigan for $10. The land was to be forever designated as a state park bearing the name, Palms Book State Park.

Throughout the years, Bellaire worked tirelessly to promote the park. It became known unofficially as Kitch-iti-kipi, from an old Indian legend which Bellaire created out of his imagination for the sole purpose of luring tourists to the area.

CONTACT:
Kurt Kipling, President
Ishpeming Lions Club
PHONE: (906) 250-9672

The Ishpeming Lions Club and the Ishpeming Elks Club are partnering to bring awareness to human trafficking in the U.P. They will be jointly hosting a series of public events in February. On February 10, 2024 from 3:00 pm until 5:00 PM, Stephanie Graef, President of the Upper Peninsula Human Trafficking Task Force (UPHTTF) will present with members of state and local law enforcement providing data and details regarding the nature and extent of trafficking in the region. On February 24, 2024 from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM, training will be provided by UPHTTF in identifying and reporting potential human trafficking events. Both sessions will be held at the Ishpeming Elks Club located on Lakeshore Drive in downtown Ishpeming. The events are free and open to the public.

Ishpeming Lions Club President, Kurt Kipling, was inspired to create the event series by his experience as an over the road truck driver. He was aware of human trafficking as part of his work, but didn’t realize the extent of it taking place throughout the UP until meeting Stephanie and hearing her story first-hand. He believes every person has the power to identify and stop victimization of those trapped in trafficking by being informed and alert, which is the goal of these important sessions.

Please share this article with your fellow Lions, friends, family, and neighbors!
We look forward to seeing YOU there!

> click here to download registration form

     Our U.P. growing season was affected by the abundance of smoke from the Canadian fires. Smoke contributed to cooler days and less overall sunny days. Crops which were affected most include tomatoes, watermelon, and melon varieties. 2023 was the season to have tested a wide range of tomatoes in multiple gardens in Gwinn. Thankfully, a greenhouse was completed in spring of 2023 allowing more heat control to stimulate tomato growth. Gladly too, tomatoes were abundant in the greenhouse for seed saving.

The Gwinn Seed Library: has been supported by MANY generous individuals and several businesses in the area. Client use of the GSL grew by 15%. Spring 2023, 13 volunteers filled 2500 seed packets. We had seed packets from 2022 in cold storage (to preserve viability) to add to the 2023 stores. We thank the Lions, community members, and businesses who have contributed their time, effort, and funds to make this project an overwhelming success. We’ve accomplished a great deal!

Gwinn Grace Lutheran Church: Approval of, building, equipping, and seeding a 20 X 50-foot garden was achieved. The entire fencing system, soil, compost, chips, and hoses for watering were purchased through generous gifts and grants. Six volunteers from Grace Lutheran did an incredible job of maintaining the garden throughout the growing season. Results: several family dinners were generated from the harvests. Food was provided to families in need, and some of the harvested produce was given out through the Feeding America program. It was agreed that Grace Lutheran Church would receive 90% of the harvested food, Gwinn Seed Library 10% for seed saving. To date, 9000 seeds have been harvested.

Forsyth Experimental Garden: Formerly known as the Forsyth Community Garden.  The township board approved the name change and intention of the garden to allow us to grow food for seed saving. Excess food harvested from the garden has been provided to seniors in the community. The Gwinn Lions provided funding to enclose the garden. The result has been fantastic protection for plants and crops from animal damage. Total seeds harvested are over 15,000.

Gwinn United Methodist Church: The church was gracious in providing space and treats for 6 workshops and a well-attended seed swap in the spring. Area experts provided excellent hands-on programs. Take-home projects were provided to up to 20 in attendance per event. All events were free to the attendees! Three of the programs were in collaboration with Let’s Grow KI and Jordan Russell, director of LGKI.

Peter Nordeen Park, Gwinn: A free event and site of the June plant swap. Several hundred plant starts were “swapped” with members of the community to enhance garden varieties. 

Finley Gardens: Seeds from the Gwinn Seed Library were tested for viability, yield, and flavor. Unique cantaloupe, tomato varieties and basil were grown in the greenhouse in protected, controlled conditions to minimize weather conditions and pest damage. Seed harvested: 5000.

Lakeview Elementary School, Negaunee: 60 community members, school staff, and Lions from several clubs built a 20 raised box garden system in an inner courtyard. Lion Steve Finley worked with 520 students and staff to educate and plant seeds provided from the Gwinn Seed Library. The site was visited in early August for a deep weeding and start of “black bag composting” that breaks down weeds and crop plant residue which becomes a beautiful compost. In September, Lion Steve and Lion Gary Perala visited the school to train over 400 students how to harvest seeds. Over 3000 seeds were saved by the students. Lion Steve returned in October to harvest seeds for the Gwinn Seed Library. Over 8000 seed were harvested. 

Let’s Seed U.P.!  (LSUP) A program launched through the UP Lions Serve Foundation and the district Hunger initiative. This program provides approximately 20 varieties of U.P. Smart™ seeds for use in farm to school or community garden projects through Lions Clubs in the U.P. This was started as an outreach based on the success of the Gwinn Seed Library. By spring of 2024, we hope there will be five to 10 clubs participating in LSUP. Funds for buying the seeds comes from a District 10 (U.P. Lions) grant. The first recipient of a seed bundle was Lakeview Elementary. An expectation is going forward, every participating club be responsible for returning seeds to the Gwinn Seed Library into what will be called the Gwinn Seed Bank. This is VERY exciting for the entire U.P. What we can achieve to support local food production through seed saving, collection and distribution will make a difference.

Summary:  By the final 2023 seed harvest, over 30,000 seeds were harvested for the Gwinn Seed Library. This includes watermelon, cantaloupe, melon, tomatoes, and new squash varieties with a storage life of up to two years.

Food Production for Distribution: It’s difficult to weigh all produce at the time of harvest. Much of the produce from the Grace Lutheran Church garden was harvested from late spring into fall. Hundreds of pounds of food were harvested. The Forsyth Garden provided over 150 tomatoes to seniors through the Forsyth Senior Center as well as other crops harvested by area families with need.

The Future : A Gwinn Community Fund grant was awarded in mid-November. This will provide needed materials for Forsyth Garden improvement. Season extension will be added to some Gwinn area gardens to increase longevity and success of food production. In 2024, an Arnold teacher and Gwinn teacher will collaborate to engage students in gardening supported by equipment and materials from the grant, expanding the reach of the Gwinn Seed Library and local gardens into Gwinn and Arnold schools.

Grace Lutheran realized value and success in 2023, they have increased the size of the Grace Garden to 20 X 60 feet with a 2024 focus on 5 crops to increase food availability.

Gwinn Community Church: (downtown Gwinn) will house all Gwinn Seed Library workshops in 2024.  

Funding through the Gwinn Lions increased significantly allowing the Gwinn Seed Library to acquire more unique and expensive seed varieties for 2024 that are specifically designed for short season, cool climate growing. 2024 will be a solid growing season with great seed varieties for 2025!

The Gwinn Seed Bank: Initially, it was thought the timing to reach 50,000 seeds in storage would take a few years however, in adding up the remaining seed packets from the 2023 GSL season plus seeds in storage in 2023 plus the now nearly complete seed harvest (there remains 20 squash, broccoli, and basil for a possible total of an additional 7000 seeds), the GSL has reached 50,000 seeds in storage! 2024 will be the beginning of a U.P.-wide initiative to centralize seed collection and storage in a single location – GWINN! From the marvelously supportive community of Gwinn, we will have the ability to work with communities throughout the U.P. with what we are calling U.P. Smart™ seeds. These are seed varieties tested in the Gwinn area gardens for viability in our short growing, cool climate conditions (and for 2024, Skandia based on a landowner’s willingness to turn over a completely enclosed 60 X 60 garden). As varieties are proven, they will be added to an existing and in development online seed information library and educational resource for growers. This is very exciting!

The Gwinn Seed Library is supported by the Forsyth Township Public Library, Argonics Inc, Larry’s Grocery, Transition Marquette, Marquette Co-op, Gwinn Lion’s Club, UP Lions Serve Foundation, Gwinn Community Church, Gwinn Community Fund, and gifts from the community. We invest in organic, heirloom, non-GMO, non-hybrid seeds as much as possible. The Gwinn Seed Library is a FREE service to the community. To learn more visit us on Facebook. Email: Stevefgrower@gmail.com for more information. Donations are gladly accepted and greatly appreciated! Make your checks payable to: Gwinn Seed Library, mail to 395 N South Point Lane, Gwinn, MI. 49841.

Teaching Family Homes has requested your help in providing holiday gifts to their young residents. Please shop from their Wish List below or send a cash donation by December 11th. Please send unwrapped gifts, wrapping supplies, or your check to: Holiday Wish List, c/o Teaching Family Homes, 1000 Silver Creek Road, Marquette, MI 49855.
Call 906 249 5437 x0 for questions.

WISH LIST ITEMS

Pop Fidget toys
Mindfulness games
Tabletop Zen Garden
LED Therapy lamp
Inside Out (movie) Plush Toys
Giant Memory Foam Bean Bag Chairs
Tupperware
G and PG DVDs
Board Games
Sketch Pads
Coloring Books
Construction Paper
Crayons
Colored Pencils
Cards/Stationary
Bracelet Making Crafts
Alarm Clocks
Water Bottles
Sleds
Kick Balls
Portable DVD players
MP3 players without cameras
Ear Buds
Twin Size Bed in a Bag
Socks
Kitchen Towels
Bathroom Towels
Magnetic 5mm Balls

THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING A CHILD WITH A SPECIAL HOLIDAY!
Together We Serve!

In honor of Melvin Jones’ 145th birthday, be part of the Lions Clubs International Foundation’s Melvin Jones Photo Contest and show us your pride!

Snap a picture of what it means to be a Lion or Leo.

Register or Sign In

View Leaderboard

Prizes & Dates to Remember:

Winners, one from each constitutional area, will receive one complimentary individual registration and luncheon ticket to the 106th Lions Clubs International Convention in Melbourne.

The contest is open between October 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023. The deadline for voting and submission is December 31, 2023, at midnight Central Time Zone. Winners will be announced the week of January 15, 2024.

Leaderboard

Please register or log in to view the global leading submissions.

Choose RegionGlobalCA1 – USACA2 – CanadaCA3 – Latin AmericaCA4 – EuropaCA5 – OsealCA6 – IsameCA7 – AnziCA8 – AfricaPick Top51020

Rodrigo Mendizábal Villa

Official Rules

1. By entering this contest, entrants authorize the use of their photo and name by Lions Clubs International Foundation (“LCIF”) in printed, digital, or other mediums for the purposes of promotion and publicity for LCIF. The photo and its content shall be the property of LCIF for any and all use.
2. No purchase or donation is required to enter.
3. Photo and answering of a question must be submitted via the official entry form online to be included in contest.
4. One photo and question answered per person, per entry. 
5. Photos featuring individuals submitting them are accepted, including group photos such as service project pictures or photos with a Melvin Jones Fellow (MJF) or Melvin Jones Progressive Fellow (PMJF) plaque. By submitting a photo, the entrant takes responsibility for obtaining all necessary approvals for its use. Photos cannot contain material that violates or infringes another’s rights, including but not limited to material that violates privacy, publicity, or intellectual property rights, or that constitutes copyright infringement. 
6. Executive Officers, Past International Presidents, Board of Directors/Trustees, and International Directors (past or current) are encouraged to participate in and promote the Melvin Jones Photo Contest. However, to maintain fairness and impartiality, individuals holding these Lion leadership roles will automatically forfeit any prize they might win. This rule ensures that the contest remains open and equitable to all participants while recognizing the importance of their leadership contributions within the Lion community.
7. The winners will be announced the week of January 15, 2024, and each winner will receive a complimentary individual registration and a ticket for the Melvin Jones luncheon at the 106th convention. If the 106th convention is virtual or does not take place, there is no cash substitution for the prize.
8. Odds of winning are dependent upon the number of valid entries received and public voting. All submissions must be received by December 31, 2023 at midnight Central Time Zone to be eligible for the contest.
9. LCIF reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to prohibit any entrant from participating in the contest and/or to disqualify any individual for any reason, or an individual whom LCIF finds, in its sole determination, to be acting in violation of the official rules, or to be acting in a disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person.

October 21, 2023
Skandia Lions Annual Craft Show

This activity will be held on
October 21, 2023 from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM EST.

Location: Skandia Farmers Market – 9271 US Hwy 41, Skandia, MI 49885, USA.

We will be holding our annual craft show!!! All table proceeds will go to fund our local many projects through out the year like Bay Cliff, Leader Dog, and more!! Come out and support this great cause!

October 8, 2023
Skandia Lions Pancake Breakfast
West Branch Township Recreation Project

This activity will be held on
October 8, 2023 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM EST.

Location: Skandia Township Building – 224 Kreiger Dr, Skandia, MI 49885, USA.

Skandia Lions pancake breakfast to help raise funds for West Branch Township Recreation area improvements. Delicious home made buttermilk pancakes, sausage, and eggs!!

August 26 – Seed Saving Workshop
1030AM – 12noon
 

Gwinn Seed Library Event!
Location: Gwinn United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall

How do I save seeds?

Specific examples of saving seed types will be shared with techniques for different plants. Most seeds can be saved for up to five years if done correctly! We’ll talk about viability and how you can achieve the best storage for seeds. Then, you can share saved seeds with the Gwinn Seed Library! That is one of our critical missions – to save seeds to sustain the Gwinn Seed Library, grow stronger plants for UP growing and share our bounties!

Grace AaltoRosenbaum will be the guest speaker. If you’ve attended one of her workshops, you know it will be great! Come with lots of questions. AND maybe bring something you want to save seeds from?

These events as well as the Gwinn Seed Library are in part, sponsored / funded by the Gwinn Lions Club and UPLionsServe. Come join us, invite friends! Pass the word – last workshop. . . . . of the season!

Questions?

Steve Finley, seedbearer
Gwinn Seed Library located in Forsyth Township Library – a free service to the community!
920-573-0430