The History of Great Lakes Lighthouses (Art Photography)

 

(Illustrative Only)

Visualizing the picture on the wall.

Lighthouses have played an essential role in navigation for centuries. Even before the construction of permanent lighthouses in the 1800s, people lit fires along shorelines to help guide ships safely to their destinations. As maritime commerce expanded, lighthouses became critical infrastructure—not only in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, but along coastlines around the world, from the Great Lakes to California and beyond.

Although the era of the traditional lighthouse keeper has largely passed, modern lighthouses, navigation lights, and electronic aids continue to guide ships safely through busy waterways. Before these systems were widely established, vessels frequently struck rocky shorelines, reefs, and islands. This was especially true on the Great Lakes, where changing weather, limited visibility, and vast stretches of open water made navigation extremely dangerous.

Here in Delta County, shipwrecks remain an important part of local history. I used to enjoy shipwreck diving, and I'd like to do it again someday. Many people continue searching for famous lost vessels, including the legendary Griffin and stories of Civil War-era gold that may have been lost beneath the Great Lakes. Whether those legends are ever proven or not, the shipwrecks themselves remind us of how challenging navigation once was.

The broader lesson is how technological innovation transforms commerce. Lighthouses dramatically improved maritime safety, reduced shipping losses, and made trade more reliable. Today, we are experiencing another period of rapid technological advancement. While the technologies themselves are far more sophisticated, the process remains familiar: new innovations are developed, adopted, and eventually become essential infrastructure that supports economic growth and everyday life.

As you explore the history of Great Lakes lighthouses, consider not only their architectural beauty but also their tremendous contribution to commerce, transportation, and regional development.

And if you happen to like the artwork featured in this presentation, feel free to purchase a print—it would make a great addition to your wall. Thank you for watching.

History of Michigan Lighthouses

• Michigan's first lighthouse, the Fort Gratiot Light, was built in 1825 on Lake Huron, marking the beginning of a lighthouse system that expanded over the next 170 years to support safe navigation and commercial shipping throughout the Great Lakes.

• 

  
  

  Marquette MI.

  I can print most pictures up to

  poster size for $50

  Frame or Unframed. I do

  this as a hobby so 50% for charity

  and 50% for me.

  Send me a message to the right

  or my email.

  You may check out My Gallery

  and Art Page

  Responsibility for America's lighthouses evolved from the U.S. Treasury's Fifth Auditor to the Lighthouse Board in 1852, the Bureau of Lighthouses in 1910, and finally the U.S. Coast Guard in 1939, reflecting improvements in management, technology, and navigational safety.
• Lighthouse design advanced from small towers attached to keepers' homes to tall brick and steel towers, with specialized offshore structures built on reefs and shoals to improve safety in hazardous Great Lakes waters.
• Technological innovations, including the adoption of the Fresnel lens, kerosene lighting, electricity, and automated systems, significantly increased lighthouse effectiveness while reducing the need for resident lighthouse keepers.
• By 1983, Michigan's last staffed lighthouse had been automated, and today the U.S. Coast Guard maintains the state's remaining lighthouses and other navigational aids through periodic inspections and maintenance.

Central Michigan University. (n.d.). History of Michigan lighthouses. Clarke Historical Library. https://www.cmich.edu/research/clarke-historical-library/explore-collection/explore-online/michigan-material/lighthouses/history-of-michigan-lighthouses

Amvets Golf Outing at Woody's: Consistency and Fitness Helps in Golf

Golf is often as much about consistency as it is about power. The other day, we participated in AMVETS' local golf outing at Woody's Run Golf Course, where approximately five teams competed in a friendly tournament. We teed off around 10:30 a.m. and wrapped up around 2:30 p.m. It was a great day of golf, camaraderie, and good-natured competition.

The winning team was Team Sunshine, led by the golfer affectionately known as "Sunshine," someone I occasionally golf with. My team, Team Studly Awesome, finished fourth out of the five teams. While our placement wasn't what we had hoped for, we still had an enjoyable day on the course.

One of the interesting conversations during the outing centered on the golf swing. Many golfers, especially beginners, try to hit the ball as hard as possible. While that approach can occasionally produce a long drive, it often sends the ball into the rough or the trees. Several experienced golfers argued that developing a smooth, controlled, and repeatable swing is far more important than simply swinging harder.

Research supports this perspective. Lower-body strength, balance, and efficient swing mechanics contribute significantly to club head speed and driving distance. As golfers develop a consistent swing and make solid contact with the ball, accuracy improves, and distance often increases naturally over time. Rather than forcing power, golfers benefit from building sound mechanics first and then gradually adding speed as their technique becomes more efficient.

The lesson from the day was simple: keeping the ball in the fairway with a repeatable swing generally leads to lower scores and better long-term improvement than trying to overpower every shot. In golf, consistency often beats raw power.

I'm a certified fitness trainer and yoga instructure so if you need a little virtual help send me a message to the right. 

The Scores:

Team Sunshine 42

Team Cowboy 43

Team Kenny South Park 44

Team Studly Awesome 50

Team Orange Crush 56

Physical Determinants of Golf Swing Performance: A Review

• The review found that physical attributes such as lower-body strength, muscular power, balance, and muscle-tendon stiffness are strongly associated with increased club head speed and greater carry distance, both of which are key indicators of golf performance.
• Lower-body strength and explosive power appear to have a greater influence on swing performance than flexibility alone, suggesting that resistance and power training should be priorities for golfers seeking more distance.
• Good balance improves weight transfer and stability throughout the golf swing, allowing golfers to generate force more efficiently while maintaining control during different swing phases.
• Flexibility remains beneficial because it increases range of motion and contributes to a larger "X-factor" (the separation between shoulder and hip rotation), although its contribution to club head speed is generally less significant than strength and power.
• The authors concluded that comprehensive strength and conditioning programs—including resistance training, power exercises, and sport-specific warm-ups—can improve golf swing performance, though additional research is needed to isolate which training methods produce the greatest benefits.

Sheehan, W. B., Bower, R. G., & Watsford, M. L. (2022). Physical determinants of golf swing performance: A review. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 36(1), 289–297. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000003411

Global Business Perspectives on Sustainability, Climate and Overall Competitiveness

(Illustrative Only)

Around here we live a little longer. 

79.8 vs. 79 years of life.
Is another .8 years worth
more fresh food?
Investing in one of
our small farms in 
Delta County?

Left: Localy produced 
vs.
Right: Food Inc.

Our environment is changing in many ways. Some developments are positive, such as improvements in fuel efficiency, renewable energy technologies, and innovation that can reduce resource consumption. At the same time, many regions are experiencing greater challenges, including more frequent wildfires, rising temperatures, and other impacts often associated with a changing climate. Food systems also present opportunities for improvement. Increasing access to fresh, locally produced foods and reducing reliance on highly processed foods can benefit both public health and local economies.

Sustainability continues to be an important topic for businesses, governments, and communities. The report below from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development provides a recent perspective on how business leaders view these issues. According to the report, 92% of business leaders believe sustainability will provide a competitive advantage over the next five to ten years. The study also found growing concern about climate-related risks and strong support for stable, predictable policies that encourage investment in clean energy and other sustainable technologies.

Regardless of your personal perspective on sustainability or climate policy, it is valuable to review current literature and understand the range of viewpoints and trends shaping business decision-making around the world.

Business Breakthrough Barometer 2026: Global Business Perspectives on Sustainability, Climate Transition, and Competitiveness

• Business leaders increasingly view sustainability as a competitive advantage, with 92% expecting it to strengthen resilience, reduce risk, and create long-term growth opportunities over the next 5–10 years.
• Nearly 89% of surveyed organizations maintained or increased investments in climate mitigation, adaptation, and resilience despite economic and geopolitical uncertainty, demonstrating continued corporate commitment to sustainability.
• A majority (68%) of business leaders believe a disorderly climate transition is becoming more likely, citing policy instability, supply chain disruptions, rising climate-related costs, and geopolitical tensions as major risks.
• Business leaders strongly favor stable and predictable government policies, with 85% supporting strengthened climate policies rather than delayed action, emphasizing that policy certainty encourages long-term investment.
• Companies identified clean energy, electrification, regenerative agriculture, circular economy practices, and resilient infrastructure as the most promising strategies for improving competitiveness while reducing environmental and operational risks.

World Business Council for Sustainable Development. (2026). Business Breakthrough Barometer 2026. https://www.wbcsd.org

Why Social Inequality Persists-The Unwritten Standards

 Let us continue our discussion of injustice through the hypothetical philosophical thought experiment called the Allegory of the Clan, modeled after Plato's Allegory of the Cave. Like Plato's allegory, this story explores the process of recognizing injustice, questioning accepted beliefs, and moving toward greater understanding and enlightenment.

In this hypothetical allegory, religious and racial minorities are treated with contempt. They are marginalized, their rights are violated, and they are dehumanized. Meanwhile, many of those responsible for these injustices are rewarded or protected, while the consequences are shifted onto the victims and, ultimately, onto society as a whole. The story also suggests that these patterns can persist across generations when institutions fail to hold certain values in high regard.

Within the allegory, some judges and leaders are portrayed as rewarding those who are most similar to themselves, most closely connected to existing power structures, or most willing to manipulate the system for personal gain. i.e. in-group members. Corruption was protected while witnesses and whistleblowers retaliated against. As a result, in our story there is little institutional resistance to unethical behavior, allowing injustice to become normalized.

Most people genuinely try to do the right thing because cooperation, fairness, and mutual respect benefit society as a whole. However, the allegory recognizes that there are times when individuals or rogue institutional actors ignore those principles. Some become unwilling to acknowledge wrongdoing, regardless of how many people are harmed or how long the injustice continues. Over time, these attitudes can contribute to persistent inequality and growing public frustration.

The allegory ultimately emphasizes that the most effective response to injustice is not to abandon our shared values but to strengthen them. We should double down on kindness, understanding, education, and a commitment to learning. We should remind ourselves why societies establish constitutions, oaths of office, pledges, and ethical standards—to affirm principles that are greater than any individual and that protect the rights and dignity of everyone. Even when open misbehaviors ae normalized.

By promoting positive values and supporting those who act with integrity, we strengthen our institutions and our communities. At the same time, lawful accountability for unethical or unconstitutional behavior helps discourage misconduct and reinforces the rule of law. In doing so, each generation contributes to preserving and improving the principles of justice, equality, and respect that democratic societies strive to uphold.

*The Allegory of the Clan is for learning purposes so take with a grain of salt. 

This piece seems interesting and it is important to understand whether or not we agree or disagree with their premisis. 

Injustice: Why Social Inequality Persists

• The article reviews Danny Dorling's book Injustice: Why Social Inequality Persists, arguing that social inequality is not inevitable but is sustained by political, economic, and social beliefs that justify unequal outcomes.
• Dorling challenges five common beliefs that reinforce inequality: elitism is efficient, exclusion is necessary, prejudice is natural, greed is good, and despair is inevitable.
• The book draws on extensive research and statistical evidence to demonstrate that greater inequality harms individuals and societies by reducing opportunity, increasing division, and limiting social mobility.
• The review highlights the book's strengths in explaining how dominant social and economic ideas help maintain inequality across class, race, gender, and national boundaries, while noting that it offers fewer practical strategies for creating systemic change.
• Overall, the reviewer concludes that the book is a valuable resource for understanding the causes of social inequality and for challenging assumptions that unequal outcomes are either natural or deserved.

Parkyn-Smith, H. (2010, October 1). Injustice: Why social inequality persists. Counterfire. https://www.counterfire.org/article/injustice-why-social-inequality-persists/

Photos of UP Islands and The Tropical Great Lakes

 If you are interested in any of these photos just send me a message to the right or send $50 to PayPal. My friend did the raised canvas prints and they looked great. These two pictures were taken while traveling toward downstate. You can drive the coastline on US2.

UP Islands

The Tropical Great Lakes

I can print most pictures up to

poster size for $50

Frame or Unframed. I do

this as a hobby so 50% for charity

and 50% for me.

Send me a message to the right

or my email.

You may check out My Gallery

and Art Page

Helping Small Businesses, Downtowns, and Communities Thrive

(Representative Only)

A little funny picture.

The very same patterns of
exchange are at
work since barter & trade
to bitcoin. 

Economic development
is often about giving
pathways to motivated
people to achieve their
goals. Economic Needs

If you can 
attract such motivated people,
enhance them, 
and help them 
flourish locally
they will have a much
wider impact on 
local economies.

Economic and social
exchange are 
part of the micro
transactions that
lead to growth.

Let's continue to talk about community and economic development. As we continue exploring ways to strengthen and revitalize communities so they can compete in the global economy, research provides valuable insights into what works and why. There are many pathways to success but finding the path that is as unique as your local economy takes a little focused effort. 

Small businesses make up the vast majority of businesses in the United States, yet they are often underrepresented in economic policy discussions. This may be one reason many downtown areas have struggled over time, as economic development efforts have frequently focused on attracting large employers while giving less attention to the small businesses that form the backbone of local economies.

Successful community development requires a balance between large, medium-sized, and small businesses. Each plays a unique role in creating jobs, exchanging knowledge, adopting new technologies, and generating long-term economic value.

According to this Brookings study, many small business support programs are fragmented and difficult for entrepreneurs to navigate. The research suggests that local governments, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, and business leaders can improve outcomes by coordinating resources and creating stronger support systems for entrepreneurs. These efforts can increase business growth, expand the local tax base, improve economies of scale for infrastructure and utilities, and make communities more attractive to residents, investors, and visitors.

From the perspective of economic cluster theory, the findings also reinforce the importance of collaboration. Whether clusters develop organically or through intentional planning, businesses that work together often achieve better outcomes than those operating independently. Collaborative business networks can increase survival rates, boost revenues, strengthen Main Streets, and improve the overall vitality of a community.

This also highlights the relationship between anchor businesses and small businesses. Large employers attract customers, workers, and investment, while small businesses provide specialized products, services, innovation, and local character. When these businesses support one another, they create a stronger and more resilient local economy. Finding the right balance between businesses of all sizes can help revitalize downtowns and position communities for long-term, sustainable growth.

Time to Level Up: How to Help America's Small Businesses Survive and Thrive in Tumultuous Times

• Small businesses account for 99.9% of U.S. businesses and employ more than 59 million people, making them essential to job creation, innovation, community development, and local economic resilience.
• The authors argue that traditional small business support programs are often fragmented and difficult to navigate, recommending coordinated local business ecosystems that provide entrepreneurs with easier access to capital, training, workforce development, affordable space, and customer networks.
• County governments can play a key leadership role by bringing together public, private, educational, and nonprofit organizations to coordinate resources and strengthen regional entrepreneurship ecosystems.
• Recent investments in infrastructure, manufacturing, energy, domestic supply chains, and artificial intelligence present new opportunities for small businesses to expand by becoming suppliers and partners within growing regional industries.
• Communities that build collaborative, data-driven support systems for entrepreneurs are experiencing stronger business survival rates, increased local revenues, more resilient Main Streets, and broader economic growth than communities relying on disconnected assistance programs.

Brookings Institution. (2026, May 26). Johnson, C. C., & Briggs, X. de S. Time to level up: How to help America's small businesses survive and thrive in tumultuous times. https://www.brookings.edu/articles/level-up-small-businesses-survive-thrive/

Commodore's Dinner Escanaba Yacht Club 2026

The Escanaba Yacht Club recently hosted its Commodore's Dinner, bringing members together for an enjoyable evening of fellowship and community. Events like this strengthen local connections while providing opportunities for networking, friendship, and social engagement. Escanaba offers a wide variety of recreational and community activities that contribute to a high quality of life, making it an attractive place for residents, entrepreneurs, and professionals seeking a vibrant community with plenty of opportunities to relax, connect, and enjoy the natural beauty of Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Last Wednesday's sailboat races were challenged by rainy weather. Although I missed the event, a dedicated group of members still took to the water and kept the races going, demonstrating the enthusiasm and commitment that make the club such a great organization.

If you live in the Escanaba area, consider joining the Escanaba Yacht Club and getting involved. Whether you enjoy sailing, boating, or simply spending time with others who appreciate the waterfront, the club offers an excellent way to stay active, build friendships, and become part of a welcoming recreational community. Escanaba Yacht Club

Daily Press-Small Fleet and Big Hearts