Entrepreneurship

Seeing the Upper Peninsula Overland style--one unbeaten trail at a time

Sam Eggleston Wednesday, August 31, 2011

There is more than one way to skin a cat--a saying that holds true with almost every aspect of life, even touring the Upper Peninsula. Sure, you can stick to the highways and city streets, but you're going to miss so much that you're not even aware existed up here. That's where ecotourism comes in, and groups like U.P. Overland, which hosts an annual trip for folks to see the wild side of the U.P.

UPside of Life: Celebrating Labor Day and a week away from publishing

Sam Eggleston Wednesday, August 31, 2011

It's almost hard to believe it's already the week before Labor Day, isn't it? We here at U.P. Second Wave are planning on celebrating in style--with a visit to a U.P. parade to celebrate and by taking a week away from publishing. Don't worry, we'll be back Sept. 14 with a new edition. Until then, feel free to read this week's stories or dive into our archives for some great reading.

Keweenaw Adventure Company and Fitzgerald's: Making a go in Copper Country

Claire Abent Wednesday, August 24, 2011

In a beautiful place where year-round residents are few and far between, two businesses are making it work in their own way. Second Wave writer Claire Abent sat down and discussed how the owners are keeping their dreams alive and well in the U.P.'s Copper Country.

U.P. North Life: Buy local first

Candis Collick Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Having community members who are dedicated to shopping local is always important, especially in some of the small areas that are known to populate the U.P. In this week's guest blog, U.P. North Life's Candis Collick discusses why the residents of Drummond Island (and all Upper Peninsula communities) should keep their money local.

Boat building school provides economic stimulus to tourist town of Cedarville

Neil Moran Wednesday, August 17, 2011

A unique school in an eastern U.P. town draws in students and visitors from far and wide, and builds on the area's boating heritage while providing an economic stimulus for Cedarville. Second Wave feature writer Neil Moran sits down and talks with the owners of this boat-building institution.

UPside of Life: Don't miss out on a stop in DeTour Village

Sam Eggleston Wednesday, August 17, 2011

There are places, like the Upper Peninsula, where people go to "get away from it all." And then there are places where Yoopers go to do the same. Sam Eggleston talks about one of those gems right here in the U.P.--DeTour Village.

Family-owned farms find new ways of connecting online

Victoria Mullen Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Jena Van Wagner is the executive director of Michigan Family Farms. Those who have joined her online community have focused on promoting those farms and getting the word out about great, local food that is grown and can be bought right in your town. Victoria Mullen reports on what that means locally.

Diamonds and dreams: a family business

Deb Pascoe Wednesday, August 03, 2011

The children of Wattsson and Wattsson Jewelry Store owner Ron Wattsson stepped in to shoulder their father's business and legacy following his untimely death. Second Wave writer Deb Pascoe sat down with the family to discuss the challenges, and successes, that have come since.

UPside of Life: Finnish squeaky cheese is a Yooper treat

Sam Eggleston Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Take a quick bite and you'll learn immediately why Finnish squeaky cheese--also called juustoa--earned its name. But beyond the noise it makes against your teeth, the main reason to sit down and enjoy a slice of this Yooper treat is because is just tastes so darn good.

Not your grandmother's milk--Well, yeah, it kind of is

Kim Hoyum Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Tracy and Terry DeBacker are combining generations of dairy experience with the local-food trend to succeed in a family dairy business in the western Upper Peninsula. That cream-top milk you've been seeing in the grocery store? These are the people that make it, and how they do it.