Public invited to Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association events Oct. 4-6

[Editor's Update: The Keweenaw cruise mentioned below is unaffected by the government shutdown. Kristine Bradof will try to answer questions directed to the 482-7860 number. You may also leave a voice message at that number. One possible change might be the need to move the Friday, Oct. 4, geo-heritage program across the street to the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne's.]

HOUGHTON -- The Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association (IRKPA) invites the public to three Annual Membership Meeting events this week.

Friday to Sunday, Oct. 4-6, Calumet:

View from Brockway Mountain. (Photos courtesy Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association)

The Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association Keweenaw Photography Workshop will be led by Master Photographer Bob Guiliani. Registration is $350, which includes a scenic, narrated, historical boat cruise on the Keweenaw Waterway and opportunities to photograph Lake Superior shorelines, historic mine structures, lighthouses, views from Brockway Mountain Drive, sunrises, and sunsets. The workshop begins with an introduction and overview of basic photography techniques at 12:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, and concludes Sunday, Oct. 6, with discussions and critiques from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Click here for more information or call 906-482-7860.

Friday, Oct. 4, Calumet:

Houghton Geo-Walk sign near Keweenaw Waterway.

Michigan Tech Professor Emeritus Bill Rose will present "Growing Geo-heritage Tourism in the Keweenaw" at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, in the Keweenaw National Historical Park's Calumet Visitor Center, 98 Fifth St. If you've ever wondered how visitors (and residents!) can learn more about what's at the bottom of all that beautiful -- and historic -- scenery, this presentation is for you! Sponsored by the Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association, this event is free and open to the public.

Saturday, Oct. 5, Houghton:

The Isle Royale Queen IV, docked at the Houghton waterfront near the Portage Lift Bridge.

Take in the Keweenaw’s famous fall colors on a narrated cruise aboard the Isle Royale Queen IV as Michigan Tech Professors Emeriti Larry Lankton and Bill Rose present "The Life of a Lake: the Geologic and Human History of the Keweenaw Waterway" from 2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. Check in at 1:30 p.m. at the Houghton waterfront west of the Lift Bridge across from Aspirus Keweenaw Medical Arts. This is a fundraiser for the Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association. Tickets are $25 ($20 for IRKPA members). Reservations are recommended: space is limited, and these speakers are popular! Purchase tickets online at www.irkpa.org or print registration form and mail check. Any unsold tickets will go on sale at the dock at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5. Call 482-7860 for information.