DNR to hold state park events

By TOM STANKARD

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As summer comes to an end and fall colors begin to appear, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources wants to invite people to enjoy the outdoors by attending upcoming events at state parks in the Upper Peninsula.

In Gogebic County, Lake Gogebic State Park is hosting Fall Fest on Friday, Sept. 23, and continuing that Saturday.

At the event, people can partake in fun fall activities, including pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating and a potluck dinner. For more information, call 906-842-3341.

There are several events scheduled at the Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon County over the upcoming weeks.

On Saturday, Poppy Hatinger will host a willow tension tray making class. During the class, students will use U.P. cultivated and hedgerow wild willow to construct a pair of simplistic willow tension trays. The class runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ET.

People can make their own wooden journals during a class led by Karen Tembreull. The class on Sunday runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. ET. Then on Monday, the class runs from 9 to 11 a.m. ET. During the class, students will use pieces of birch wood to create the front and back covers of journals. Students will also design and stitch an initial onto the cover using spruce roots and waxed linen.

Folks can create their own cutting board with David Rasmussen. Classes take place Tuesday, Sept. 20, though Thursday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. ET.

Photographer Tim Feathers will teach people the basics of taking landscape and waterfall photographs on Saturday, Sept. 24.

The class is designed for those beginning in photography who would like to learn more about available settings on their cameras. The class runs from 12:30 to 5 p.m. ET.

For more information about classes at the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, call 906-884-7663, or email [email protected].