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Birch Bliss

Outdoors

Walking amid a brilliant paper birch stand remains an iconic memory for many folks who have wandered into the northwoods. The autumn season swaps out the green canopy for one of gold. Then, blankets of white snow complement the gently sloughing white bark. I suspect that if Lake States residents were polled about their favorite trees, paper birch would fall among the top five. Many learned about birch bark canoes in grade school, lit a campfire with birch bark for tinder, or even wrote a love note on a strip of bark. While prominent among the most popular species, the ...

Braves fall in regional championship to Boyne City

Local Sports

CHEBOYGAN — A late comeback came up a little short for the Gladstone Braves here Saturday as they dropped a 5-4 softball decision to the Boyne City Ramblers in a Division 3 regional final. The Ramblers (29-10), who earned their first regional title in their school’s history, advance to the state quarterfinal game at Ferris State University in Big Rapids where they’ll face undefeated Evart (40-0) Tuesday at 6 p.m.. The Braves finished 28-11. Gladstone, which has no seniors, trailed 5-2 in the fourth frame before Lauren Pare’s single to rightfield trimmed their deficit to two ...

Escanaba baseball closes final chapter on the 2026 season

Local Sports

ESCANABA — The Final chapter of a very good season for the Eskymos came to an end Saturday morning as they fell 1-0 to Grand Rapids Kenowa Hills in the Michigan High School Athletic Association, (MHSAA) Division 2 Regional Final. The two teams combined for six hits and the Eskymos left nine runners on base during the course of the contest. “We were just a few plays away from moving on to state,” Eskymos coach Scott Hanson said. “It is a shame someone had to lose this game because it was a very good game.” Both pitchers played phenomenal as the Knights started Andrew Lake. ...

Sports Flashback May31-June 6

Local Sports

May 31, 1966 — The Holy Name Crusaders earned the Upper Peninsula Class A-B golf championship with 337 strokes in the rain, snow and wind at the Newberry Country Club. Escanaba and Crystal Falls Forest Park shot 349 with Eskymos gaining runner-up honors on a tie-breaker. Holy Name’s Bill Peltier and Sault Ste. Marie’s George Vinu shared medalist honors at 79. Gladstone’s Mark Goodman shot 83 and Esky’s Don Coope finished at 85. June 1, 1966 — Bero Motors unleashed a 21-hit attack in a 16-8 softball triumph over Michigan Hotel. J.C. Miller and Bill Curtis led the winners ...

Skyline Central Conference softball teams released

Local Sports

ESCANABA — The Skyline Central Conference released its All-Conference Teams and awards for the 2026 softball season. Norway sophomore Kendall Burklund was named Player of the Year and Kaet Erickson, a senior from Bark River-Harris, was Offensive Player of the Year. Khole Roberts, a sophomore from North Dickinson was named Defensive Player of the Year. Here is a complete list of teams and awards. Player of the Year: Kendall Burklund, Sophomore, Norway Offensive Player of the Year: Kaet Erickson, Senior, Bark River-Harris Defensive Player of the Year: Khole Roberts, ...

Skyline Central Conference releases All-Conference Teams

Local Sports

ESCANABA — The Skyline Central Conference released its All-Conference Teams and awards for the 2026 baseball season. Norway seniors Owen Baij and Cameron Varda were named Co-Players of the Year and Trent Kramer from North Dickinson was named offensive Player of the Year, while Jaykob Dahm, a ...