Thank you for stopping by to see what the Friends have been up to. We will work to add news, events, and volunteer opportunities to this page. Read below for the latest Friends happenings.

Saturday, May 17, 2008
Highway Trash Pick-Up

The Friends of the Porkies, in conjunction with the MDOT Adopt-A-Highway program and with support from the Porcupine Mountains WSP staff, will host the road pick-up of trash on Saturday, May 17, 2008. We pick up 16 miles (8 miles up, 8 miles back) of scenic M-107 from the MDOT Adopt-A-Highway sign to Lake of the Clouds permit booth.

Call Barb at 906.884.4474 or e-mail braithb@jamadots.com for details on time and staging area. You must sign a waiver and participate in safety training just before we set out on our routes.

June 22, 2007
Volunteers Make Major Headway on Artist-in-Residence Cabin!

Friends volunteers have been working tirelessly this June, in heat, bugs, and rain, to finish the Artist-in-Residence Cabin in time for the first artist, who arrives July 12. Work has started on the upper level, windows, siding, and insulation have been put up. A roof was installed last week by former Timber Framing participant, Joe Turpeinen, his assistant, and a handful of volunteers. See photos below.

A small crew has been working on building a deluxe outhouse and woodshed building. Below, left to right are Sherrie McCabe, Carol Huntoon, Bruce Ruutila, and Karen Berg. The outhouse will contain a composting toilet, which the park has donated.

We still need lots of help to put down hardwood flooring, clean up the cabin, install the toilet, clean up the site, and move in furniture. If you would like to volunteer between June 22 and July 11, please contact Jim Bradley at youper@charter.net.

Artist-in-Residence Jury Selects artists for 2007

The Porcupine Mountains' Artist-in-Residence program (AIRP) committee has selected six artists from a field of 39 to participate in the inaugural year of the Artist-in-Residence program.

The artists selected this year include writer Leslie Askwith of Sault Ste. Marie, filmmaker George Desort of Chassell, pastel artist Susan Henshaw of Union Pier, watercolor artist Clyde Mikkola of Calumet, photographer Ron Strong of Cedar, and musician and composer Dave McCormick, of Washburn, Wis. Honorable mentions went to oil painter Michael Breakiron of Grand Rapids and acrylic painter Kelly Meredith of Butternut, Wis.

Begining in July, each artist will spend two weeks living, working and being inspired in the Porkies. Public presentations for the AIRP are scheduled for July 21, August 11, August 25, September 15, October 6, and October 27. Times and locations will be announced soon.

The dates of residency for each artist are as follows:
Pastel artist Susan Henshaw, July 12 – July 25
Filmmaker George Desort, August 2 – August 15
Musician Dave McCormick, August 18 – August 31
Watercolor artist Clyde Mikkola, September 6 – September 19
Photographer Ron Strong, September 27 – October 10
Writer Leslie Askwith, October 18 – October 31

"We were extremely pleased with the quality and number of artists who applied for our first year," said Sherrie McCabe, AIRP director. "This made the jurors' task very challenging, but also very rewarding."

M-107 Roadside pickup
May 19th, 2007

Just a reminder that road pickup will occur Saturday, May 19 this year. Typically, we've been doing this the weekend before Memorial Day; and typically, we've been meeting at Park HQ around 8:30 for sign-in and orientation. We'll doing road pickup along M-107.

Lake Superior Magazine features Porcupine Mountains Folk School in their Travel and Events section!

In the May 2007 issue of Lake Superior Magazine, Porcupine Mountains Folk School was one of three schools featured in Bob Berg's article "When It's Cool to Go to School". Porcupine Mountains Folk School was highlighted with a picture of the winter skijoring class. Pick yourself up a copy to read more!

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Artist-in-Residence Cabin Update
April 2007

Exterior siding was hauled out to the cabin in early March while snow still covered the cross country trails. A metal roof was generously donated this spring, and work weeks are being planned for warmer and drier weather in mid-May (13-26th) and early June (10-23rd). If you would like to volunteer, please give Jim a call at 884-4274.

Our hardworking volunteers and Pisten Bully moving siding! Steve and Sherrie load the trailer. Bruce unloading at the cabin. Sherrie and Carol working hard to move siding.

Volunteers have been working to secure furnishings and basic supplies for the cabin. If you have any items to donate, please contact Sherrie McCabe by .

or call her at 884-2345 to arrange pick up. Because Friends of the Porkies is a non-profit organization, your donation is tax-deductible. Monetary donations (by check made payable to Friends of the Porkies) to purchase items are also appreciated and may be sent to AIRP, P.O. Box 221, Ontonagon, MI 49953.

The Artist in Residence Jury will meet in April to select the first series of artists. They've received many high quality applications and plan to announce their selections in early May. We plan to have our first artist "in residence" by the beginning of July.

Friends Win Community Service Award

In January, President James Bradley journeyed to the land below the bridge to receive a community service award from the Michigan Recreation and Parks Association. The MRPA works to "creat community through people, parks, and programs". The Friends were nominated by Assistant to the Director of State Parks, George Cameron. In regards to the recent Friends projects including the Porcupine Mountains Music Festival, the Porcupine Mountains Folk School, and the Dan Urbanski Artist-in-Residence Program, Cameron wrote,
"These three programs would be major undertakings for a large organization. The Friends of the Porkies has only a couple dozen deicated members, making the implementation of these programs a remarkable accomplishment. The Friends of the Porkies are a small group of wonderful people who are devoted to protecting the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park while providing the public a better opportunity to understand its' wonderful natural riches. These folks do not operate to attatct glory; however their hard work and innovation deserve recognition. It is a great honor to recognize the friends of the Porkies, with this Community Service Award, as a leading organization in the recreation field."

Thanks George and MRPA! We appreciate the recognition. Below, Friends President, Jim Bradley (center), receives the award from State Parks Director, Ron Olson (on right).

Porkie Tracks by Carol Huntoon
February 23, 2007

Published in the Ontonagon Herald and the Ironwood Globe

Dan’s Cabin Needs Donations ? The Artist-In-Residence Program is receiving applications from highly qualified artists and many more are expected prior to the March 30 deadline. Placement of the first artist will be in July, with additional artists expected in August -October. Each artist will reside in the Artist-In-Residence Program cabin, which has been named Dan?s Cabin in memory of Dan Urbanski, noted naturalist photographer and FOP?s founder and first president. Work will proceed to complete the cabin as soon as spring weather arrives.

In anticipation of these residencies, procurement of furnishings and amenities for the cabin has begun with a call for donations. Specifically, the following items are needed: kitchen table with 2-4 chairs, 2 comfortable wooden chairs with removable cushions, a small desk/writing surface, end table, bookcase, full size bed, small chest with 2-4 drawers and a 4-5 drawer chest, wal1 mirror, toolbox, basic hand tools, assorted board games, books about the area (wildlife, wildflower guides, history, etc.), large wash tub/basin, woodstove tools, canvas wood carrier, ash bucket with shovel, splitting maul, bow saw, shovel, hatchet, large tea kettle, dishes, silverware, pots with lids and pans, cooking utensils, garbage can, cleaning supplies and tools, smoke alarm, fire extinguisher, Co2 alarm, flashlights, first aid kit, clothesline reel and bag of clothespins. All items should be in good condition. Furniture needs to be wooden and fit a north woods setting. If you have any of these items to donate, please contact Sherrie McCabe by .

or call her at 884-2345 to arrange pick up. Because Friends of the Porkies is a non-profit organization, your donation is tax-deductible. Monetary donations (by check made payable to Friends of the Porkies) to purchase items are also appreciated and may be sent to AIRP, P.O. Box 221, Ontonagon, MI 49953.

Porkie Tracks by Carol Huntoon
February 3, 2007

Published in the Ontonagon Herald and the Ironwood Globe

January Board Meeting – The treasurer (Rita Owsiak) provided the financial report and indicated that there has been an increase in Lifetime and Canine memberships in the past 3 months. In addition, the Artist-In-Residence Program has received $1600 more in donations and another $1000 is forthcoming. Sherrie McCabe has accepted the Director’s position for AIRP and reported that the committee hopes to place the first artist in July. Linda Kermeen reported that the Music Festival Committee is now meeting the third Sunday of each month at 5:00 p.m. at the Ski Chalet.

Folk School –Upcoming classes are: Snowshoe making, Spoon carving, Black ash baskets,Organic gardening, Glass Bead making, Watercolor painting, Felt making, Fly tying, Shaker Box Making basics, Advanced Shaker box making, Paddle making and a Writer’s workshop. For details, go to Porcupine Mountains Folk School

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Snowburst – The committee is still working out how to finance this program due to the high costs of liability insurance. Tentatively scheduled for February 24, the Spaghetti dinner meal tickets might be raised to $5 and $7 to help defray costs.

Telefest – has been rescheduled to February 10 – 11.

Membership News – Fifteen dogs now have 2007 canine memberships with Friends of the Porkies. Available only through purchases by members, each cost $10 and includes a “I’m a Friend of the Porkies” bandana. Four new Business Members have joined the FOP. They are Heidi Held (On the Noggin Hair Salon), Pat Pestka (Superior Sport and Rental) and Norman Pestka (Pestka Construction Company, Northern Land and Sales and M-64 Truck Stop). Overall, FOP currently has 150 individual, 35 Lifetime, 1 Junior and 14 Business Members. The members represent 17 states. Forty-six of the 200 members live in Ontonagon County.

Monthly meeting change – Effective in February, the monthly meeting of the Board will be on the 3rd Monday. The next meeting will be February 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Folk School building. The public is welcome.

Porcupine Mountains Artist-In-Residence Program is now accepting applications

The creation of the Porcupine Mountains Artist-In-Residence program will provide the opportunity for modern artists to awaken in all Americans the same passion that gripped John Muir, Ansel Adams, and our own Dan Urbanski. More info...

Porkie Tracks by Carol Huntoon
January 31, 2007

Published in the Ontonagon Herald and the Ironwood Globe

The Friends of the Porkies organization, like so many other service and community oriented groups, struggles to fund the projects they have taken on. In the next few months, Friends needs to purchase (or have donated) a sizable amount of building materials (windows, doors, roofing, insulation, stain, siding, fasteners, etc.) to finish Dan?s Cabin (for the Artist-In-Residence Program) and another good lump of money to furnish it in anticipation of the first artist?s arrival in July. The newly established Folk School has nearly a dozen classes and workshops scheduled through spring, summer and early fall. That program needs work benches and tables, lighting, cabinets and sundry items which, if not donated, will need to be purchased. Membership fees, donations and occasional grants fund these programs. A cadre of volunteers provides the labor.

Friends of the Porkies welcomes local business partners in its efforts to support these programs and services to visitors at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. This month, these folks have joined as Business Members: Todd Penegor (Carquest Auto Parts), Dave Blake (Blake Oil and Auto Service), Margaret Lee (Landmark Publishing Company-U.P. Wide Yellow Pages), Meredith Strong (Flower Garden), Bob Burrows (Peninsula Graphics), Edna Harbinson (Nonesuch Gallery) Aleiah L. Buzzo (Superior Business Services) and John Hawley (Hawley Lumber Company). Their membership fees, along with other memberships, will help the Friends to secure materials and supplies for the Porcupine Mountains Folk School and Artist-In-Residence program and several other sponsored activities at the park. Each Business Member receives a window decal identifying their affiliation with the organization. They join Business Members Linda and Don Kermeen (Superior Shores Resort), Chuck and Wendy Peterson (Peterson’s Chalet Cottages) and Rick and Martha McPherson (Rainbow Lodging) whose memberships were renewed in December.

Porkie Tracks by Carol Huntoon
November 16, 2006

Published in the Ontonagon Herald and the Ironwood Globe

Mini Grant Program — The FOP Mini-Grant Committee has issued a call for applications for projects that will create or enhance the activities at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park.

Individuals and groups (youth, church, service or other) are encouraged to apply. Depending on the quality of applications and funds available, monetary awards up to $500 may be made. The criteria that will be used in evaluating applications include how a project benefits youth, seniors, special needs individuals or the general public; and how it meets a historic, scientific and/or education purpose. In addition, the committee will look at how a proposed project benefits the general public, enhances a wilderness environment or how it links to other projects in the park.

All applications must be submitted on a Mini Grant Application Form and are due no later than March 15, 2007. Request an application by writing to:

Porcupine Mountains Folk School will be hosting a winter class schedule consisting of these classes and workshops: A Knitting Retreat, Skijoring, Snowshoe Making, Spoon Carving, and Black Ash Basketry. For details see Porcupine Mountains Folk School

Please note: In addition to the class fees, a Michigan State Parks motor vehicle permit to enter the park will be collected along with your class registration and fees. For more detailed information on any of these workshops go online to www.porkies.org or call 906-885-5545. All of the classes have a limited number of spaces and registrations are accepted on a first-come first serve basis.