400: Marquette’s Water Filtration Plant
Date/Time: Tuesday, Sept 9, 4-6pm
Location: 320 Lake Shore Blvd., Marquette
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Mark O’Neill, Director of Municipal Utilities
Event Size: 25
Liaison: Sue Holliday, 906-235-8532,
susanholliday83@gmail.com
Did you know our water filtration plant produces an average of 3 million gallons of pure Lake Superior water a day and actually has the capacity to produce 7 million gallons per day? In addition, the plant’s laboratory tests the water in all public swimming pools and hot tubs, including hotels and schools, as well as ensuring that the water at public beaches is safe for swimming. Learn about the history of the Marquette Water Filtration Plant, what is in your water and what needs to be filtered out! Mark, the supervisor of this facility, will explain the necessity of the ‘pit’ and what it does for you. We’ll tour the plant and the ‘pit’ and surrounding grounds so you’ll be able to see this operation in action to further your understanding of the safety measures taken for clean water.
401: U.P. Military Museum and/or The Webster Marble Museum This event is cancelled!
Date/Time: Wednesday, Sept 17, 10:30am-5pm
Location: 1001 N Lincoln Rd, Escanaba
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members,
pay for your own lunch, donation @ museum
Presenter: Sue Holliday
Event Size: 20
Liaison: Susan Holliday, 906-235-8532,
susanholliday83@gmail.com
Learn about the Upper Peninsula men and women who served in our military from the Civil War through the present by touring the artifacts on display in the extensive collection at the Military Museum. You can also choose to tour the Marble Museum which is housed at the same location. The Marble Museum is named after Webster Marble who was an inventor and outdoor enthusiast. Webster designed tools for assisting in the lumber industry when logging was king. Learn about the rich history of logging in the UP.
We will carpool at 10:30am from the Crossroads Restaurant parking lot (because of the detour on 41S) and drive directly to the Swedish Pantry for lunch for those who want to participate. We’ll then proceed to the Military/Marble Museums. If you do not want lunch, meet us at the Museum by 12:45pm. (see address above) Please allow at least 2 hours for touring either museum. We plan on being back in Marquette approximately at 5:00pm.
402: Wild Mushroom Foray – Medicinal Uses & Ecological Benefits
Date/Time: Monday, Sept 22, 1-3pm
Location: Pavilion by the Ice Cream Store, Presque Isle
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Joe Lane and Ryan Iacovacci,
cofounders of MycoNaut
Event Size: 30
Liaison: Carol Margrif, 906-249-9975, margrifs@gmail.com
Did you know that fungi are being studied for cancer treatments, neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, and immune support? As one of nature’s most remarkable organisms, fungi may hold the key to the future of human and environmental health. Join MycoNaut founders Joe and Ryan for a guided mushroom foray at Presque Isle Pavilion. Together, we will take a short hike and discuss the medicinal properties of fungi and their applications in human health and the essential ecological roles fungi play in maintaining healthy ecosystems and how fungi contribute to environmental sustainability.
403: Adventures in Tutoring Overseas
Date/Time: Tuesday, Sept 23, 6:30-8:30pm
Location: Messiah Lutheran Church,
305 W Magnetic St, Mqt
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Sheryl Carlisle
Event Size: 20
Liaison: Boli Soderberg, 906-226-9350,
mdsbgs2013@gmail.com
Come listen to the gripping adventures and experiences of Sheryl who became a private tutor for a family that was living in Cambodia in 2001. Some years later she taught English as a second language in Laos and then tutored a special needs child in India. Now back in the U.P., Sheryl has many fond memories of this time period in her life. This is sure to be an absorbing evening of her impressions and observations of teaching and living in these countries.
404: Closing Bay Cliff for the Season
Date/Time: Thursday, Sept 25, 9am-3pm
Location: Bay Cliff – N4175 County Road, KCA, Big Bay, MI
Cost: N/A
Presenter: N/A
Event Size: N/A
Liaison: Susan Holliday, 906-235-8532,
susanholliday83@gmail.com
Bay Cliff is a wonderful facility that relies on volunteer work. This is your opportunity to give back to this worthy cause. Some tasks might include painting, cleaning cabins, raking the grounds, and laundering, sorting, and packing clothes. You’ll be given a break mid-day to enjoy lunch in the ‘Big House’ free of charge. We will carpool from the Dairy Queen/Target parking lot at 9am.
405: ‘Whatsamatta Lu?’ – Beethoven’s Deafness, Health, and DNA
Date/Time: Monday, Sept 29, 6:30-8:30pm
Location: PWPL Community Room
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Dr. Gregory Sulik, Medical Acne and
Skin Care Physician
Event Size: 50
Liaison: Carole Margrif, 906-249-9975,
margrifs@gmail.com
This class is about how Ludwig van Beethoven’s deafness, health, and DNA impacted his music and legacy. The presentation will be in 2 parts: A deep dive into the recent decoding of his DNA – where, how, why, when, and then discovering how we hear Beethoven’s deafness in his music. Included will be a timeline into his creative world and rise to fame. Finally, we’ll bring it all to life in a finale in which you’ll enjoy a live piano rendition of his Ninth Symphony played by Dr. Sulik. This promises to be an educational and entertaining class!
406: History of the Stained Glass Windows at St. Paul’s
Date/Time: Wednesday, Oct 1, 4:30-6pm
Location: St Paul’s, 201 E Ridge St
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Ann Fisher
Event Size: 25
Liaison: Lisa Stasiuk, 906-361-1919,
lisajstasiuk@gmail.com
Marquette is fortunate to have a beautiful stained glass window created by the famous Tiffany Studios in New York. The window was commissioned for St. Paul’s Episcopal Church by Peter White in 1887 in memory of his son Morgan, who died at age 12. Ann Fisher, our presenter, was formerly a docent at Historic Second Church in Chicago, a National Historic Landmark with ten Tiffany windows. She will discuss the history of the window in the Morgan Chapel, the craftsmanship that made Tiffany windows so unique and desirable, and a bit about the workers, many of them women, who worked for the Tiffany studios.
407: Clay Hand Sculpting: Art Series #1
Date/Time: Tuesday, Oct 7, 2-5pm
Location: Hot Plate, 130 W Washington St, Suite L
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Melissa, artist
Event Size: 15
Liaison: Sue Holliday, 906-235-8532,
susanholliday83@gmail.com
Let’s play with clay! Learn all about clay, it’s properties and limitations, how to handle and sculpt it at this workshop. It’s fun getting your hands dirty! This is the 1st of 4 art learning opportunities; you may choose any number of classes to attend. A materials fee of $20 will be collected at class.
408: Growing Up in the Big House: My Childhood in the Slammer!
Date/Time: Thursday, Oct 9, 1-3pm
Location: Shiras Room-PWPL
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Robert Buchko
Event Size: 40
Liaison: Lisa Stasiuk, 906-361-1919,
lisajstasiuk@gmail.com
Bob Buchko, from ages 1 to 18, lived and grew up in the warden’s residence at the Marquette Branch Prison. He’ll tell us about his first hand experiences with inmates, guards, and employees. Along with very dramatic moments, there also existed many funny ones too! All of it adds up to a fascinating account of a very unique childhood.
409: Glass Fusion – Making 4 Glass Ornaments: Art Series #2
Date/Time: Tuesday, Oct 14, 2-5pm
Location: Hot Plate, 130 W Washington St, Suite L
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Justine
Event Size: 12
Liaison: Sue Holliday, 906-235-8532,
susanholliday83@gmail.com
In this class, we’ll learn safety basics of handling and cutting glass and fusion techniques while making four, individually unique glass ornaments. If you’ve admired fused glass and always wanted to learn how this is done, then this class is for you! You’ll be surprised how easy it is to create beautiful pieces. This is the 2nd of 4 art learning opportunities. You may choose any number of classes to attend. A materials fee of $45 dollars will be collected at the class which is far below what HotPlate usually charges for a glass fusion class.
410: Cutting the Cord and Understanding Fake Ads & Fake Information
Date/Time: Wednesday, Oct 15, 2-4pm
Location: Shiras Room-PWPL
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Brian Maki, Maki Consulting
Event Size: 40
Liaison: Lisa Stasiuk, 906-361-1919,
lisajstasiuk@gmail.com
Cutting the Cord: Today’s users are considering two platforms for entertainment: traditional TV and streaming services. What is the difference? Both offer somewhat fair prices, availability, and plenty of programming choices. But overall, it’s the price of these services that drives many users to actually “cut the cord” from traditional TV. By switching, users can watch unique shows on various platforms like YouTube TV, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and others. In this session, we explore the differences between the two platforms, allowing audience members to decide, once and for all, what their future might hold.
Understanding Fake Ads and Fake Information: One of the latest threats in the digital world is screen-locking adware. Users are misunderstanding how fake ads, like ones posted on social media, are putting them at risk for malware and scams. Spotting a fake ad or fake information is a mandatory skill to survive today’s digital madness. In this session, we shall see examples of fake ads, fake emails, fake text messages, and other fake information, leading us to identify what makes them fake in the first place. Common sense tactics are introduced to audience members to build a better foundation of skills for future attempts by hackers.
411: Canvas Painting – Art Series #3
Date/Time: Tuesday, Oct 21, 2-5pm
Location: HotPlate, 130 W Washington St, Suite L
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Melissa Sprouse, artist
Event Size: 15
Liaison: Sue Holliday, 906-235-8532,
susanholliday83@gmail.com
Learn basic techniques for painting a 12 x 12 canvas. This is the 3rd of 4 art learning opportunities, but you may choose any classes you wish to attend. A $20 material charge will be collected.
412: Being An Inventor
Date/Time: Wednesday, Oct 22, 4-5:30pm
Location: Shiras Room, PWPL
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-Members
Presenter: Earl Senchuk, Self-taught multi-media artist
forty years specializing in metal art sculpture,
inventor of more than thirty products.
Event Size: 40
Liaison: Lisa Stasiuk, 906-361-1919,
lisajstasiuk@gmail.com
An inventor sees the world not just as it is, but as it could be. They are driven by curiosity, persistence, and the thrill of solving problems in new ways. Earl will share how he transforms his ideas into useful and fun products.
413: Election Education
Date/Time: Thursday, Oct 23, 10am-12pm
Location: Commission Chamber, City Hall, 300 W
Baraga Ave
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Kyle Whitney, Marquette City Clerk
Event Size: 60
Liaison: Lisa Stasiuk, 906-361-1919,
lisajstasiuk@gmail.com
Elections are the foundation of democracy. For many voters, though, the process feels increasingly confusing and opaque. In this presentation, Marquette City Clerk Kyle Whitney will offer a clear and practical look inside Michigan’s elections.
Attendees will learn:
- How elections in Michigan are structured from start to finish
- What makes Michigan’s election system unique compared to other states
- An overview of election security
- How the public can observe, participate in, and even help run elections
- Where to turn for accurate, trustworthy information
- Whether you’re a curious voter, a news follower, or simply someone who wants to better understand how democracy functions in Michigan, this session will help demystify the process.
414: Mandala Painting: Art Series #4
Date/Time: Tuesday, Oct 28, 2-5pm
Location: HotPlate, 130 W Washington St, Suite L
Cost: $5 Member, $10 Non-member
Presenter: Melissa Sprouse, artist
Event Size: 15
Liaison: Sue Holliday, 906-235-8532,
susanholliday83@gmail.com
Mandala art, derived from the Sanskrit word for ‘circle,’ originated in India and is a geometric design used in various spiritual and cultural contexts to represent the universe and the interconnectedness of all things. It’s history is deeply intertwined with Buddhism and Hinduism, but it has also influenced art and spiritual practices in other cultures, including Mesoamerica and the modern era.
Learn how to paint a mandala print on a flat plate surface. This is the 4th of 4 art learning opportunities. You may choose any number of classes to attend. A $20 materials fee will be collected in class.
415: Science 101: Understanding How Science Actually Works This event is cancelled!
Date/Time: Wednesday, Oct 29, 4-5:30pm
Location: Shiras Room, PWPL
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-Members
Presenter: Mike Stoolmiller, Professor Michigan State
University
Event Size: 40
Liaison: Lisa Stasiuk, 906-361-1919,
lisajstasiuk@gmail.com
In this talk, we’ll explore how the process of science is actually carried out, and it’s far more fascinating than the 8th grade textbook version we all learned in school. The goals of the talk, however, are practical and are geared to help non-scientists ferret out and use high quality, peer-reviewed science to their advantage and avoid the pitfalls of popular media science, conflicted science and science denial.
416: Cruising the Baltic Sea: Bornholm Island and Copenhagen
Date/Time: Thursday, Oct 30, 6:30-8:30pm
Location: NMU Superior Dome Room 101B
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Carol Margrif, longtime NCLL Member and
Frequent Traveler
Event Size: 72
Liaison: Carol Bard, 616-328-7802,
upbard@gmail.com
This class is part 3 of the Baltic Sea Cruise but stands alone, so you did not have to have attended the first 2 lectures to enjoy it. We’ll start with the Leah Wallach Resistance Museum in Poland to finish that segment. Next it’s on to Bornholm, an amazing island with a king and queen and major smoke fishhouses. From there, we’ll explore the beauty of Copenhagen. You’ll experience “a day in the life on an organic farm” on The Sunshine Island. This program will run approximately 1.5 hours.
417: 20 Mule Team, Life Underground, and Joshua Tree National Park
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov 4, 6:30-8:30pm
Location: NMU Superior Dome, Room 101B
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Carol Magrif
Event Size: 72
Liaison: Paula McCormick, 906-228-5489, mccormpaula@gmail.com
The class is a continuation of the California National Parks tour and will include Joshua Tree NP with its varied plant life and rock formations, Borax mining operations in US Forest grounds, gardens and homes in Fresno, and the Palm Springs Art Gallery. The original 20 Mule Team Wagons, the vision of Baldassare Forestiere; an artist, architect, engineer, horticulturalist and environmentalist, are highlights along with hikng in the desert. You’ll enjoy this class even if you missed parts 1 and 2.
418: Seniors! Take a Class at NMU Tuition Free!
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov 6, 3-4pm
Location: Training Room across the hall from Reynolds
Recital Hall in Hedgecock
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Jon Teichman,
Assistant Director of Admissions
Event Size: 20
Liaison: Bonnie Bolz, 413-320-6182,
bonniebolz333@gmail.com
Did you know you can enjoy the full course offerings at NMU tuition free? This wonderful benefit is for anyone 62 years and older. If you think you might be interested in taking advantage of this amazing opportunity but have been too intimidated or overwhelmed by the process, then this class is for you! Join us to learn the steps of becoming an NMU student, how to register for classes and how to access the NMU Course Booklet online. There will be plenty of time to enroll in the Winter Semester which begins Jan 12, 2026. Why wait? Begin your learning adventure now and have your questions answered in person by the assistant director of admissions. What could be easier?
419: Window Transparency Stars
Date/Time: Thursday, Nov 13, 1-3pm
Location: Shiras Room, PWPL
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Bonnie Bolz
Event Size: 20
Liaison: Bonnie Bolz, 413-320-6182,
bonniebolz333@gmail.com
This craft activity is simple, beautiful, and inspiring. The stars are made with special, pre-cut kite paper that come in a rainbow of colors. We will learn three different folding techniques to make three different 8 pointed stars. Hang your finished stars in the window so light can filter through them and highlight the colors and design! Make them for yourself or as a gift. Precision folding makes for the best look so bring your reading glasses! A material fee of $10 will be collected.
420: “My Brother and I” – The Mayo Clinic Story
Date/Time: Tuesday, Nov 18, 6:30-8:30pm
Location: NMU Superior Dome, Room 101B
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Carol Margrif, Longtime Member NCLL
Event Size: 72
Liaison: Lisa Stasiuk, 906-361-1919,
lisajstasiuk@gmail.com
The simple figure of speech, “my brother and I,” reveals the values at the heart of the Mayo Clinic where teamwork and sharing diverse skills for a common goal is its’ essence. A powerpoint presentation will take you on a historical trip as depicted in its’ two museums and various rooms at the Rochester, MN Mayo Clinic. Since its’ inception, Mayo has used art, architecture, and beauty in its surroundings to address the spiritual aspects of medical care. Carol spent 3 days delving into the philosophy of what makes Mayo the #1 medical facility in the country as she explored all the ‘nooks and crannies’ while waiting for her son’s appointments and procedures. If you’ve never been a patient there but know family or friends who have, and wondered what makes it special, this talk should answer that question. Spectacular artworks and physicians working together in the best interest of the patient is a winning combo.
“If we excel at anything, it is our capacity for translating idealism into action.” Charles H. Mayo
421: A Travel Adventure to See Polar Bears
Date/Time: Wednesday, Dec 3, 1-3pm
Location: Heritage Room, PWPL
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Pam Christensen and Mark Petrie
Event Size: 40
Liaison: Lisa Stasiuk, 906-361-1919,
lisajstasiuk@gmail.com
In October of 2024, Mark and Laura Petrie, and Pam and Ralph Christensen traveled to Churchill, Manitoba, self-proclaimed ‘Polar Bear Capital of the World.’ They took a Road Scholar class to participate in the program, ‘Lords of the North: Ecology of Hudson Bay’s Polar Bears.’ Their presentation will trace the route of this nine day adventure from Winnipeg to Churchill and includes information about the Churchill Northern Studies Center, museums visited during the program, Churchill landmarks and the tundra. The group was thrilled to observe polar bears and other arctic wildlife and you will be too!
422: Shipping on the Great Lakes
Date/Time: Tuesday, Dec 9, 1-3pm
Location: Heritage Room, PWPL
Cost: $5 Members, $10 Non-members
Presenter: Christian Leathers, Ceramacist, Printmaker
and Author
Event Size: 40
Liaison: Sue Holliday, 906-8532, susanholliday83@gmail.com
Learn about the history and perils of shipping and working on the Great Lakes! Christian, who authored the book ‘Wreck of the Steamer Superior,’ will have a fascinating powerpoint presentation to accompany the captivating tales and tragedies of navigating our own “Big Lake” and the other four Great Lakes.