A Michigan Thing

A Michigan Thing A Michigan Thing is a Michigan lifestyle page. A Michigan Thing, LLC was founded February 17, 2005.

Sharing the spirit and people of Michigan one story and picture at a time.

Cougars, once native to Michigan but wiped out by the early 1900s, have been verified again in the state through more th...
11/13/2025

Cougars, once native to Michigan but wiped out by the early 1900s, have been verified again in the state through more than 150 confirmed sightings since 2008, nearly all in the Upper Peninsula. According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), 2025 has seen around 20 to 22 confirmed sightings involving roughly the same number of individual cougars, most documented by trail cameras or tracks in the western U.P., especially Ontonagon and Houghton counties. In March 2025, two cougar cubs were verified on private land in Ontonagon County—the first confirmed cubs in over a century—raising the possibility of local reproduction. However, the DNR emphasizes that these reports do not confirm an established breeding population; most cougars in Michigan are believed to be transient males dispersing from western states. Sightings in the Lower Peninsula remain extremely rare. Cougars are protected as an endangered species in Michigan, and the DNR continues to collect public reports through its “Eyes in the Field” system to track future activity and assess whether the species is making a natural return.

Pay attention to the green areas on the map. It's a little unsettling.

The Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway System is a vital international trade corridor connecting the heart of North America...
11/12/2025

The Great Lakes–St. Lawrence Seaway System is a vital international trade corridor connecting the heart of North America to the world. More than 50 countries ship goods through this 2,300-mile waterway, linking ports on the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean via the St. Lawrence River. Most foreign vessels come from Europe, especially nations like the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Norway, which send or receive bulk materials such as steel, grain, and machinery. Trade partners from Asia—including China, Japan, and South Korea—ship manufactured goods and receive commodities like iron ore and coal.

African and South American countries also participate on a smaller scale, importing grain and exporting fertilizers or raw materials. Altogether, this shipping network carries over 135 million metric tons of cargo annually, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs across both the U.S. and Canada.

George Nelson's Michigan contribution primarily stems from his 20+ years as Design Director at the Zeeland-based furnitu...
11/12/2025

George Nelson's Michigan contribution primarily stems from his 20+ years as Design Director at the Zeeland-based furniture manufacturer H*rman M*ller, where he was a pivotal figure in American modern design. He also designed the Kirkpatrick house in Kalamazoo, a testament to his focus on improving "livability" through design.

Additionally, Michigan hosted a major exhibition of his work at the Cranbrook Art Museum, highlighting his influence on the state's connection to modernism.

George Nelson was a key figure in shaping Herm*n Mill*r's identity and product line. He was hired by D.J. De Pree, Herman Miller's president, in 1945 after De Pree was impressed by Nelson's ideas on modern living and storage.

Design Director: Nelson served as the second design director where he was responsible for product design and the company's graphic identity.

Recruitment of Talent: He was instrumental in bringing other influential designers, such as Charles and Ray Eames, Alexander Girard, and Isamu Noguchi, into the H*rman Miller fold.

Design Philosophy: Nelson viewed design as a response to social change, focusing on creating solutions for real human needs rather than just aesthetics.

George Nelson Associates, Inc.: Nelson established his own design firm, which produced numerous iconic designs.

The history of the Eames chair is rooted in Charles and Ray Eames's pioneering use of bent plywood, which began with the...
11/12/2025

The history of the Eames chair is rooted in Charles and Ray Eames's pioneering use of bent plywood, which began with their 1940s experiments and led to the launch of their most famous design, the Lounge Chair and Ottoman, in 1956. They aimed to create a modern version of a classic club chair that was both comfortable and luxurious, making it an heirloom-quality piece for the high-end market. The chair debuted on NBC's "Home" show, solidifying its iconic status and bringing it into the mainstream, a status it retains today through its production by Herman Miller and its presence in museums and popular culture.
Early work with plywood: Charles and Ray Eames began working with molded plywood in the 1940s, initially for military applications like leg splints during World War II. Their experiments with this material, first explored at Cranbrook Academy of Art, were foundational for later furniture designs.
The Lounge Chair's creation (1956): The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman were officially launched in 1956 as the Eames Lounge (670) and Ottoman (671). The design was intended to be a luxurious, modern alternative to the traditional English club chair. The goal was to capture the look and feel of a "well-used first baseman's mitt," providing a welcoming sense of comfort and relaxation.
A national debut: The chair made its national debut in 1956 on the NBC television show "Home," hosted by Arlene Francis. The appearance introduced the chair and the Eames name to a wider public, cementing its iconic status beyond the design world.

You may have one in your house right now. It's worth around $6,000. Go check it out!

Lucy Hill in Negaunee, Michigan, is home to the only full-length natural luge track in the United States, making it a st...
11/11/2025

Lucy Hill in Negaunee, Michigan, is home to the only full-length natural luge track in the United States, making it a standout winter destination in the Upper Peninsula. Operated by the Upper Peninsula Luge Club, the Lucy Hill Naturbahn follows the natural contours of the hill instead of using artificial refrigeration, creating an authentic alpine-style sliding experience.

The track stretches about a half-mile (roughly 810 meters) with a vertical drop of around 280 feet and an average slope of 11%, attracting both recreational riders and competitive lugers. The bottom portion of the track p*s open to the public during the winter, offering equipment, helmets, and instruction for those eager to try this rare sport.

Volunteers maintain the track, and public sliding sessions are typically held on weekends, weather permitting. Known as the only competition-grade natural luge track in the nation, Lucy Hill offers visitors a thrilling and uniquely Michigan winter adventure.

Happy Veterans Day. We honor you!
11/11/2025

Happy Veterans Day. We honor you!

Gordon Lightfoot (1938–2023) was one of Canada’s most beloved singer-songwriters, celebrated for his poetic storytelling...
11/10/2025

Gordon Lightfoot (1938–2023) was one of Canada’s most beloved singer-songwriters, celebrated for his poetic storytelling and rich baritone voice that defined the folk-rock sound of the 1960s and ’70s. His music often reflected themes of nature, love, regret, and history—especially the rugged landscapes and waterways of the Great Lakes.
Lightfoot was born in Orillia, Ontario, and began performing in church choirs and local events as a child. After studying music in California, he returned to Canada and became a key figure in Toronto’s folk scene. His breakthrough came in the mid-1960s when artists like Peter, Paul and Mary, and Marty Robbins began recording his songs.
He gained international fame with hits such as:
“If You Could Read My Mind” (1970) – a haunting ballad inspired by his divorce.
“Sundown” (1974) – a darker, more rock-infused song that became a No. 1 hit in the U.S.
“Carefree Highway” (1974) – an ode to freedom and reflection.
“The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976) – his epic ballad memorializing the tragic 1975 sinking of the freighter on Lake Superior, cementing his deep connection with Great Lakes history.
Lightfoot was known for his meticulous craftsmanship—he wrote every lyric and melody himself and often revised songs even after release. His influence stretched across generations, inspiring artists from Bob Dylan to Dan Fogelberg.
He received numerous honors, including induction into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame, the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Order of Canada. Despite health setbacks later in life, he continued touring well into his 80s, maintaining his reputation as a humble, quietly powerful performer.
Lightfoot passed away in May 2023, but his legacy endures in the timeless quality of his songs—each one a story, a memory, and a piece of North American folk history.


11/10/2025

The snow is so pretty! Then....

The sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, served as a crucial turning point for maritime safety on t...
11/10/2025

The sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald on November 10, 1975, served as a crucial turning point for maritime safety on the Great Lakes, leading to a host of new regulations and practices designed to prevent future disasters. Regulatory bodies implemented mandatory equipment requirements, including the provision of immersion survival suits for all crew members to combat hypothermia, the installation of Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) for automatic location tracking, and the required use of depth finders on larger vessels.

Navigation was also improved with the widespread adoption of GPS and better charting of hazardous areas. A significant change involved the U.S. Coast Guard rescinding previous load line regulation amendments, effectively increasing the required freeboard so that ships ride higher in the water and are less susceptible to being overwhelmed by large waves.

Beyond equipment mandates, operational procedures underwent a major overhaul. The failure of hatch covers was a likely factor in the Fitzgerald's demise, prompting the Coast Guard to initiate stricter, fall-season specific inspections of hatches, vents, and other closures.

Furthermore, there have been substantial improvements in weather forecasting and communication technology, providing captains with more accurate, real-time data to make informed decisions. This access to information, combined with enhanced search and rescue capabilities by the Coast Guard, has fostered a vital cultural shift within the shipping industry. The previous norm of "pressing on" through severe weather has largely been replaced by a prioritized culture of safety, where vessels routinely seek protected harbors during major storms, a collective effort that has ensured no major commercial vessel has been lost on the Great Lakes since that fateful night in 1975.

Nothing is going to bring the crew back, but thess changes have honored their memory.

11/10/2025

Lions 44
Commanders 22
Final

11/10/2025

In the 4th
Lions 42
Commanders 22

11/09/2025

Commanders 10
Lions 25
At the half Thoughts?

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