Community

Heating with wood is not only a passion, for some, but also environmentally smart and helps keep dollars local. Down to only a single winter’s worth of seasoned firewood, it was time to buy another truckload, which is around ten to twelve cords.

The 2024 Great Lakes Endurance trail running events in Munsing are now open for online registration (www.greatlakesendurance. com). The Rock River Canyon Trail Run will take place on Saturday, June 8. This event includes both 27K and 50K distances. The course features abundant single track on the North Country Trail in the Hiawatha National Forest south of Munising. Races start and finish at the Valley Spur Lodge. The 50K course travels westward to the Rock River Wilderness and back. The race had its inaugural in 2019 and has received top reviews from ultra runners from throughout the Midwest. “This course features highly runable single track through quiet, pristine forests - this is what runners tell us they like about the event,” noted race director Jeff Crumbaugh. The Grand Island Trail Run will take place on July 27. Now in its 24th year, the event features a 50K, a marathon and a half marathon. Every summer it attracts runners from nearly 40 states, Canada and Europe. The course treats runners to world class vistas from Grand Island’s cliffs and beaches. “The 50K has been growing and this year may become the most popular of the three distances, but what all runners enjoy is a swim in Lake Superior after finishing. Runners keep running the extra 50 yards to the beach and into the lake,” said Crumbaugh. Registration for the Grand Island Trail Run usually reaches its capacity in early May. Registration is available on the Great Lakes Endurance website: https:// greatlakesendurance.com.

The Alger County Community Chorus presented a Christmas Cantata entitled “The Road to Bethlehem” by Lloyd Larson on Sunday, December 10, at 3:00 pm, Mather Auditorium. The Cantata was narrated by Chuck Mannisto, Zach Peterson on drums, Joyce Kelto Oas accompanying/ directing. Also taking part in this concert was “Joyful Noise” kid’s choir, directed/accompanied by Julie LaFlamme & Grace Veneberg & featuring guitarist Brad Veneberg; “The Gospel Guys”; soloist Josh Farmer; and “Rejoice!” ladies group.

The Munising Beacon proudly presents, once a month, another “Artist Profile”, a series highlighting local artists and community members that have a passion for bringing beauty into Alger County. Have you ever ventured into the Gallery Coffee Company here in Munising and wondered who took the photographs that are displayed throughout the building? One of those artists, Patrick Hugener, owner of Head In The Clouds Photography, is the subject of this month’s “Artist Biography.”

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