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Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Delta County MI Board of Commissioners Meeting (1/6/2026)-Board Appointments, Trade Zones, Victims, and Commercial Fishing (Don't forget optimism!)

(Illustrative Only)
This couple thinks  
they can work with local
commercial fishing
entities they can brand
fish sticks and export
fish products to the
domestic and international
markets that need fish protein.
Local stores might 
like to buy their
products and tourists
might love to learn about
the local fishing industry
starting as far back as Native American
fishing
so they visit regularly.
Online sales have grown
creating more local
wealth and tax revenue.
Wait for the
invention of the
Perch Pastie!
They are hoping
others see the value
of local investment. 
(Free idea!)

The Value of Optimism 
for Economics


This meeting provided interesting discussion on the following topics. The transcripts below are provided by YouTube. Keep paying attention because important changes occured a few years ago and the area is on an upward trajectory for corporate and start-up investment. Significant infrastructure improvements. Good things to come.... 

A few key topics, 

-Lots of discussion on board appointments
-Some discussion on victims rights. 
-Commercial fishing access (One might think the need for fish protein is not going away and there are all types of fish jockeying between countries. The Great Lakes are enclosed and long standing treaties. It would be nice if State and Federal government would send less of our taxpayer money overseas and instead use a fraction of it to enhance the economic and social value of the Great Lakes. Might be bigger benefit as
stewards of public resources. A local hatchery to spur more commercial and hobby fishing would be nice. Just a thought. Maybe or maybe not? Make your own opinion. Priorities and choices lead to outcomes.)

 Transcripts are auto generated.

December 2025 Job Report: Stability on the Surface, Shifts Beneath (Jack's Horse Ride Share and Delivery Service)

 

(Illustrative, meant to be silly)
Jack has been watching the 
labor reports and knows rural
people need more than firewood delivery
so he built an app for grocery delivery
and transport.

Horse Hooves Delivery Service.
Slogan: We will get it to you within
a week (or a month)! It takes
a while to deliver to those
in Rock, MI.

His great idea is that if someone orders
food like on Uber Eats he can just
hunt and fish on the way and bring
it fresh. 🙃

Technology changes everything!

btw horses get better gas mileage
than hybrid or electric. Slow
but steady

The December 2025 job report suggests that while headline unemployment has remained relatively stable, important changes are still occurring beneath the surface. The overall unemployment rate may not have shifted significantly, but the types of jobs available are changing. Examining where jobs are growing and where they are declining over longer periods provides insight into broader, long-term societal trends.

As new technologies—such as artificial intelligence—continue to emerge, the labor market naturally adjusts. Jobs related to technology and AI-enabled functions are expanding, while some roles in other sectors are declining. This pattern is not new. Similar shifts occurred with the rise of the internet, the railroad, and even the printing press during the Renaissance. Technological change almost always brings corresponding social and economic change (In theory Economic Sociological Platforms).

I’ve included a few links below that may be helpful. One links to the official government report, and the other provides an independent analysis. I’m intentionally holding back strong conclusions, as it’s often best to watch trends develop over time rather than overreact to short-term data.

What can be said with confidence is that the labor market is in motion. Where it ultimately settles will depend on a range of factors, many tied to broader economic conditions. Technology-driven change is unlikely to slow anytime soon, so adaptation will be key. At present, healthcare and social assistance appear to be strong areas for job growth, which may offer useful clues about where the market is heading.

Going forward, it will be important to continue monitoring labor force participation rates alongside employment trends. It may be possible at some point to bring more people into the market through the use of technology but that depends on how we adapt and what type of jobs are created or lost. 

BLS Dec. 2025 Job Report

Business Insider Winners and Loosers Dec. Job Report

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Polo Tournaments in 2026: Staying in the Saddle: Learning, Fitness, and the Joy of Polo

(Illustrative)
Jacob is practicing his skills.

Polo has been introduced
 to the Escanaba area and is
occasionally played by western
riders at a local arena as a way to
 improve riding skills
 and coordination. There
has also been discussion
about hosting a western saddle
(mostly western riders 
so no point in buying new equipment
just for people to play a
every once in a while.)
polo charity match,
with proceeds
 benefiting a local charity.
Polo is a fascinating game—and a lot more complicated than it looks (don't cause a hazard and hit the ball). As we head into 2026, it’s worth keeping an eye on upcoming tournaments and matches (see below), especially if you’re new to the sport. Practicing and having fun is great, but watching games—on YouTube or live if you can—will teach you a ton. You’ll pick up strategy, positioning, and timing just by observing… all without falling off a horse. 🐎

I’m an amateur polo player, meaning I’m decent and enthusiastic, but definitely not getting paid for it. I help out at a local polo club, which is always a good time. Over the years, I’ve met a few professionals who play at much higher levels, and of course we all secretly want to play like them. That said, I’m perfectly happy with amateur scrimmages—there’s nothing wrong with local chukkers and a good post-game laugh.

Polo requires a surprising amount of coordination and skill. When you first start, having some riding experience helps a lot, and you’ll mostly play at the walk and trot. As you improve and learn the rules, you’ll get more comfortable getting out of the saddle, taking cleaner swings, and eventually moving up to a full gallop—while still trying to hit a small ball with a stick. No pressure.

Fitness is also a big part of the game. You need core and upper-body strength to stay balanced, plus strong stabilizer muscles to keep you secure in the saddle. Flexibility matters too, since polo involves a lot of twisting, leaning, and reaching in ways your body may not be used to—especially at speed.

Strength training combined with yoga can make a huge difference in your game by improving balance, flexibility, and overall control. Understanding how your body moves is key, so having an off-horse training routine really helps. I’m a licensed fitness trainer and yoga instructor, and I’ve been involved in polo and other sports for years. If you want help building a routine or basic nutrition plan that fits your goals, feel free to message me to the right and we’ll put something together.

One final note: you don’t have to be great at a sport to enjoy it. Just stay involved, keep playing, and have fun. Skill comes with time. If you get too serious too fast, you might lose interest—especially since polo isn’t exactly a budget-friendly hobby, and yes, you will be sore when you first start.

If you’d like to watch some professional matches and see how it’s really done, check out the link below.

National Polo Center 2026 Tournaments