Lego Club at Forsyth Township Public Library


The Forsyth Township Public Library received a grant to fund their Lego Club program. The grant helped them purchase a variety of building clocks and idea books in preparation for the launch of Lego Clubs for children of varying ages in the Gwinn Community. The Lego Clubs launched during the Summer Reading Program at the Library. A total of 82 children and 34 adults attended the twice-weekly clubs during the six-week program. They began offering After School Lego Clubs in September twice per month serving 52 children to date. They are now able to provide children with snacks as well. They also offer Duplo building once per month at our weekly Story Times for our younger patrons to enjoy. Children are learning to share and work together. They are excited about reading the Lego books that have been added to their collection, which strengthens literacy and promotes a love of reading.

Second Annual Blind Groundhog Beer Sampling – February 2, 2018

Will we have six more weeks of winter or an early spring? Who knows? Punxsutawney Phil is a groundhog, not a meteorologist! This year Phil and all other craft beer lovers will be invited to the Community Foundation of Marquette County’s second annual Blind Groundhog Beer Sampling. The event will be hosted by the Marquette Area Community Fund (“MAC”), an affiliate fund of the Community Foundation of Marquette County, on February 2, 2018, at the Marquette Regional History Center from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m.

During the event, guests will enjoy “blind” samples of brews selected by UP brewers. At the end of the evening, each of the brews will be revealed. Border Grill food, great beers, wine and lots of fun!

The event is intended to help to raise money for the  Community Foundation Grants Program, which provides grants to many local charities.

Must be 21 or older to participate in sampling. Valid ID is required at the door.

Healthy Living continues in Marquette County – MI Health Endowment

Healthy living will continue in Marquette County schools, preschools and day cares this year all thanks to a 100,000 grant from The Michigan Health Endowment Fund.

Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency (MARESA), and The Superior Health Foundation and the Community Foundation will be using the money to ensure the continuation of the PE-Nut Expansion Project (P.E.P).

The program is targeted at increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity of students in nine local elementary school and Early Childhood Programs in Marquette and Alger Counties.

As part of an in classroom component of the program a health educator visits the schools several times a year to ensure simple consistent messaging to motivate students. Students also get the chance to build their own healthy meals in those classroom settings.

The foundation’s CEO, Gail Anthony, is confident the lessons will provide a unique spin on health education.

“They introduce them in a fun way, hands-on activities, it is increasing the use of healthy foods in the home,” said Anthony. “It’s a fun activity and it’s a good outcome for the families.”

A new feature of P.E.P. is the addition of a new target audience of four-year-olds and their parents, along with an increased role for area grocers and produce departments. They are calling it the “Healthy Heroes” component of the grant. Pre-schools will start distributing punch cards that entitles each child to one free fresh fruit or vegetable per month for six months at participating grocers.

Families of the pre-schoolers will have access to a P.E.P. web page that links the fruit or vegetable of the month with recipes, resources and fitness/activity ideas. Cards will be punched for all 6 months and turned in for one of five “Healthy Heroes” grocery store gift certificates in the amount of $100.00.

Five major grocers have committed to partnering with MARESA. Participating grocers include Tadych’s Econofoods, Marquette, Super One, Negaunee, Jubilee Foods, Ishpeming, Larry’s Foods, Gwinn and Family Fare Supermarket, in Munising.

Night at the Diner – November 2, 2017

Join us on November 2nd at 6:00 PM for an entertaining evening as the River Rock Banquet Center is transformed into a 1950’s diner. Enjoy burgers, fries, soda pop and ice cream served by some of the spunkiest, sassiest and down right hilarious local actors and actresses you’ve ever seen! Musical entertainment provided by members of the Negaunee Male Chorus. Tickets are $30 each and are available at: TruNorth Credit Union Ishpeming branch, Community Foundation of Marquette County office at 250 N. McClellan, Stewared & Sheridan, 205 S. Main St. Ishpeming, and Crock & Rocker in Michigamme and on Eventbrite.

Negaunee library installs dropbox

The Negaunee Public Library has installed a remote dropbox at the Negaunee Township Hall along M-35. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Friday. The dropbox was made possible by grants from the Community Foundation of Marquette County, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Phyllis & Max Reynolds Foundation, as well as the hard work of the Friends of the Negaunee Public Library and the Negaunee Township staff. Patrons will be able to drop off their books and other materials at the new dropbox, which will be emptied on a weekly basis.

In the above photo, Library Director Jessica Holman cuts the ribbon on the new dropbox while Negaunee Township Supervisor William Carlson, Negaunee Township staff, Friends of the Negaunee Public Library, and Deb Biggs of the Library of Michigan look on.