Skip Jones, folksinger and storyteller, to give concert in Van Riper State Park Aug. 25

Skip Jones, folksinger and storyteller, performs at Baraga State Park earlier this month as part of his "Water is Life" Summer 2012 Tour. He will give a free concert again this Saturday, Aug. 25, at Van Riper State Park near Champion, Mich. The concert will include a Wild Blueberry Shortcake Social. (Photos © and courtesy Margaret Comfort unless otherwise indicated.)

CHAMPION -- Skip Jones, Wisconsin folksinger and storyteller, will give a free concert, accompanied by a Wild Blueberry Shortcake Social from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, at Van Riper State Park near Champion, Mich. The concert is part of his "Water is Life" Summer 2012 Tour.

Tara Melleen, Department of Natural Resources hostess at Baraga State Park, welcomes visitors to Skip Jones's Aug. 10 concert.

Sing along with the traveling troubador. Words of Wisdom for all. Rain or shine. No charge for the event, but to enter the park for free, you must possess a Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) Recreation Passport.

At the concert he gave in Baraga State Park on August 10, 2012, Jones talked about his concerns for the water and the environmental threats to rivers, lakes and streams -- especially from the mining industry.

"When you look at water -- at some point you realize it's who we are," Jones said.

Margaret Comfort of Save the Wild UP, who helped organize Skip Jones's "Water is Life" Summer 2012 Tour, introduces Jones to the audience at Baraga State Park. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Jones said he worked with groups who fought the Crandon Mine (that threatened the Wolf River in Wisconsin) for 27 years.

His wife, Judy Gosz, who accompanied Skip on the tour, said, "I think it's some kind of a sadistic joke that we have to fight for clean water and clean air -- resources that should belong to all the people."

Jones, who is a Navy veteran, is a member of Veterans for Peace and Guitars for Vets. He teaches veterans to play guitar, and they teach others to play.

"I also sit with vets that are dying and sing with them," he said.

Jones also works with the homeless and food pantries.

"The needs are so incredibly enormous," he said.

Jones will also give concerts in Big Bay, Marquette and Munising in September. Dates will be announced.

More photos of the Aug. 10 concert in Baraga State Park:

Participants in the Baraga State Park Rendezvous event attend the concert by Skip Jones in Baraga State Park. (Photos © and courtesy Margaret Comfort)

Linda and Dave Rulison of Friends of the Land of Keweenaw joined the audience at the Skip Jones concert in Baraga.

A young visitor listens intently as Skip tells stories for young and old.

Skip sings a special birthday song to a young fan.

Updated: Protect the Earth Great Lakes Community Gathering to be held Aug. 6 in Champion

MARQUETTE -- The 4th Protect the Earth Great Lakes Community Gathering will be held Saturday, Aug. 6, at Van Riper State Park in Champion, Michigan. This year’s theme is "Coming Together: Uniting for Strength and Success."

The purpose of the gathering is to seek ways in which the citizens of the Upper Great Lakes Region can work together more effectively to defend their water resources against the threat of new extraction projects.

According to conference organizer Margaret Comfort, speakers will focus on proposed activity that threatens the health of the region, including the controversial Eagle Project on the Yellow Dog Plains and Hud Bay’s proposed Front 40 Project for zinc and gold takings in Menominee County.

Also on the program are "Fracking" of gas wells in lower Michigan, proposed extractive resource projects in the Penokee Hills of Wisconsin, and proposed copper-nickel sulfide projects in NE Minnesota, plus a special presentation on environmental justice and indigenous cultural issues.

The gathering is free to interested participants. It will begin with an optional walk at 9 a.m. from Koski’s Corner (intersection of US-41 and M-95) to the proposed Humboldt processing facility, approximately 2.5 miles round trip. The focus of the walk is to raise awareness of the importance of defending local water resources. Rides back to the cars will be available.

The main conference will be held in the Van Riper Park Pavillion beginning with lunch at 11:30 a.m. Al Gedicks (WI), Frank Koehn (WI), Bob Tammen (MN) are among the highlighted speakers scheduled from 1 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. A round-table discussion from 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. will involve threats to health due to heavy metals, sustainable alternatives to dead-end industries, and recent Michigan legislation limiting townships’ zoning authority over extractive industries. Participants will address ways of working more effectively together.

Update: Here is the schedule of featured speakers for the event:

11:30 a.m. -- LUNCH and Introduction (Kristi Mills of SWUP and WAVE)
12 noon -- Frank Koehn - Penokee
12:30 p.m. -- Bob Tammen - Minnesota
1 p.m. -- Jessica Koski - KBIC
1:30 p.m. -- Al Gedicks - Wisconsin

2 p.m. -- Strawberry Shortcake Break

2:30 p.m. -- Kristi Mills (Eagle Project)
3 p.m. -- Marla Tuinstra (Front 40)
3:30 p.m. -- Lee Sprague (Little River Band of Odawa)
4 p.m. -- Reflections on Activism - Scott Rutherford (FOLK, WAVE)

4:15 - 4:30 p.m. -- Break

4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. -- Open Round-Table Discussion (moderated by Martha Bush)

6 p.m. Supper and Entertainment

The day will close with a catered supper and an 'open mic' session. While there is no charge, seating is limited to 100 people. Reservations are not required, but are helpful to the organizers preparing the food. Attendees can e-mail info@savethewildup.org, or call 906-228-4444 to reserve a place at the gathering or arrange for carpooling from Marquette, Big Bay, or Houghton.

This event is sponsored by WAVE -- Water Action Vital Earth -- working for clean water and a sustainable future, and Save the Wild UP, protecting the Upper Peninsula from environmental degradation and dangerous contamination.

Click here for information on camping, lodging and other details.

Please bring lawn or folding chairs -- thanks!