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Sean Irwin / Township of Terrace Bay
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Last year volunteers at Terrace Bay took time out for a “photo op” with Lake Superior.2 of 4
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Marge Green and Josephine Mandamin join in a Grandmothers Gathering featured in a documentary to be shown at Zinema 2 July 17, 2011.
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Julie O’Leary of Minnesota Environmental Partners and Darrell Gerber of Clean Water Action passed out information at the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Duluth.
Lake Superior Day Gives Us a Chance to Celebrate (2011)
Save the date: July 17. The third Sunday of July is Lake Superior Day, and our Big Lake is the only Great Lake with its own designated day, thanks to a group of Thunder Bay residents who started it in the 1990s and some folks in Superior who revived it several years ago.
This year is shaping up to be a full one for the Big Lake’s big day.
Lake Superior Binational Forum has partnered with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada to produce a placemat filled with facts about Lake Superior and ways to protect the Lake from spread of invasive species and pollution. The placemat will be unveiled for Lake Superior Day and may show up on the table of your local restaurant the weekend of July 15-17. It’s a 20th anniversary for the Binational Forum, a 24-member group with equal representation from the United States and Canada that champions restoration and protection of the Lake.
Here’s a sampler of events:
[Click on "Related" for a complete list of 2011 events]
For the third year, Terrace Bay, Ontario, will offer events 11 a.m to 3 p.m. July 17 at Terrace Bay Beach. The day will feature a beach cleanup followed by food, games and free boat charters and tandem kayaking. Participation for the event reached nearly 200 people last year in Terrace Bay with some visitors joining from as far away as Chicago.
July 17 in Thunder Bay, the theme will be “Immerse Yourself in Greatness!” The Binational Forum and EcoSuperior host Marina Park activities such as a fish fry, video festival and live entertainment. Many events are supported by Environment Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Environment. Lakehead Region Conservation Authority hosts a celebration in Mission Marsh Park.
In Wisconsin, the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland will focus on the lake July 17. Visitation is free at the center, where folks can enjoy a view of Chequamegon Bay atop its five-story tower. Its theater will show Lake Superior-related movies and materials will be distributed. In Superior, Barker’s Island will once again be a hub of activities for families.
In Duluth, events start July 14 through Lake Superior Day. At the Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center in Canal Park, volunteers from various organizations such as Minnesota Sea Grant mount displays and hand out materials. The Great Lakes Aquarium plans activities. A premiere of a film on the 2010 Grandmothers Gathering for Gitchigaaming at Madeline Island will be shown free at 5 p.m. July 17 at Zinema 2. The film features scenes at the gathering of 13 grandmothers and their thoughts on Lake Superior. The film was created by Erin Dewitt, Lorraine Norrgard and Dan Fitzpatrick of Duluth. Afterward, filmmakers and some grandmothers will be there for discussion.
Minnesota state parks along the shore will have lake-related programs during the Lake Superior Day weekend. Gooseberry Falls State Park features naturalist talks and guided activities. Area churches plan special activities. The Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd will show the documentaries “Flow” and “For The Love of Water” on July 17 and July 20.
Four days in July – 7, 13, 19, 27 – Michigan State University Extension in Alger County will host its 11th “Life of Lake Superior Youth Outdoor Education Program” with topics ranging from pleasure boating to the history of the voyageurs as well as issues about the health of the Lake. The events are at different venues.
This is just a sampler of Lake Superior Day events. To find out what’s up in your neighborhood or to see how you can help, find links and information at www.lakesuperior.com.