COMING EVENTS AT WATERSMEET, MICHIGAN

May 15, 2013 - Opening Day for Walleye and Northern and Musky

May 25, 2013 - Opening Day for Bass

June 8 and 9, 2013 - Michigan FREE Fishing Weekend - No license required

June 22, 2013 - Rogers Bar 9th Annual Spring ATV Run - Rescheduled from the April 27 date due to unsafe weather conditions.  Come and enjoy a day of fun with this ATV poker run to seven different businesses.  Your $25 entry fee includes a t-shirt, the ATV run, and an awesome chicken dinner at the end of the day.  We'll have a large tent and music.  There's great food and super prizes as well.  The event will be held from 9 to 4.  Don't miss this fun event!  For more information, call Rogers Bar at 9066-358-4435.  See you there!!!

July 5, 2013 - Watersmeet Fourth of July Fireworks - Stay tuned for details... 

July 6, 2013 - Watersmeet Parade and Picnic - Stay tuned for details...

July 18, 2013 - Cisco Chain Riparian Owners Association Business Meeting.  Meet us this Thursday at 9:30 a.m. at the Cisco Lake Resort Pavilion

July 21, 2013 - Cisco Chain Riparian Owners Assocation Annual Picnic - Come and join us for a fun Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Vacationland Resort.

September 10, 2013 - Opening Day for Black Bear

September 15, 2013 - Opening of Ruffled Grouse and Small Game Season (Ends November 14 and reopens December 1 to January 1)

September 22, 2013 - Youth and Disabled Veterans Deer Hunting

September 27 and 28, 2013 - Log Jamboree in Ewen - Friday:  craft sale and Log Jam Variety Show at Ewen-Trout Creek- Saturday:  parade at 11 a.m. - Kids' games - 8 p.m. dance with Borderline - for more info, call Raemie Kaare at 906-988-2424

October 1, 2013 - Opening Day of Deer Bow and Arrow Season

November 15, 2013 - Opening Day of Firearm Deer Season

December 1, 2013 - Upper Peninsula Michigan Snowmobile Trails open

December 7, 2013 - Opening Day of Muzzleloading Season 

  Lac Vieux Desert Casino Events - Stay tuned for more events or call Guest Services at 906-358-4226

OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST VISITOR CENTER

Ottawa Visitor Center
US 2 and 45, Watersmeet, Michigan
(906) 358-4724 Visitor Center and (906) 358-4127 Bear's Den Gift Shop
Website: www.ottawainterpretive.org

The winter programs are coming back from December 1 through April 27, 2012.  Thank you for visiting our summer programs, and we hope you'll join in the fun of all upcoming programs and movies.

All programs will begin at 2 p.m. CST, but the staff is happy to show any production at any time upon requset from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily as well.

WINTER PROGRAM SCHEDULE

December 1, 2012 - Whitetails of Michigan - Explore the glory of the legendary whitetail deer of Michigan.  40 minutes

December 8, 2012 - Wolves - Return of Legend - Explore the myths and legends of the wolf.  50 minutes

December 15, 2012 - Medicine Fiddle (M. Loukinen) - This is a documentary on the history of the fiddle in the upper Midwest including Native American culture.  81 minutes

Deember 22, 2012 - Spring and Summer Song Birds of the Backyard - Catch an intimate glimpse of bird life in a typial suburban backyard.  60 minutes

December 29, 2012 - Camp Forgotten - Historic information on the CCCs and the CCC camps in Michigan.  58 minutes

January 5, 2013 - Tracking Animals in the Snow - Learn how to identify animals by looking at their prints in the snow. An instructional video featuring Ottawa Nataional Forest Employees.  53 minutes

January 12, 2013 - Eagles - Watch a family of bald eagles as they change with the seasons.  40 minutes  and Bears of Michigan - View up close encounters with black bears including research.  30 minutes

January 19, 201 - Smokey Bear Children's Story - Explore the exciting story of Smokey Bear, his animal friends, and a Forest Ranger.  12 minutes  Creepy Crawly Animals - Get up close with insects and other creepy crawly animals.  30 minutes

January 26, 2013 - Good Man in the Woods - Take a look at life through the eyes of a logger, trapper, or a commercial fisherman's eyes.  90 minutes

February 2, 2013 - Nighttime Animals - Discover the hidden world of night-time animals.  30 minutes  Bats, the True Story - The true story behind these often misunderstood yet beneficial animals is revealed.  35 minutes

February 9, 2013 - Fire on the Mountain - Examine the true story of the South Canyon fire where fourteen firefighters lost their lives.  90 minutes

February 16, 2013 - Stranger in the Woods - The story of two snowdrifts who remember a time when a mysterious stranger came to visit.  A magical tale of animals reacting to a snowman that appears after a snowstorm.  40 minutes

February 23, 2013 - Green Fire - Explore the life and legacy of famed conservationist, Aldo Leopold.  See how his land ethic philosophy lives on through people throughout the country today.  73 minutes

March 2, 2013 - Weather - Take a tour of the earth's turbulent atmosphere.  57 minutes

March 9, 2013 - Tradition Bearer (M. Loukinen) - Share in the wonders of Finnish American history and folk art.  Includes recorded live interview of oral history including interview and historical pictures.  47 minutes

March 16,2013 - Loons - This is the story of a family of common loons from when adults return to their traditional nesting island to the day they lead their chicks away.  31 minutes  Pond and River - Take a twisting journey down the great rivers of the world pausing to visit the thriving realm of the fresh water pond.  35 minutes

March 23, 2013 - Manoomin (Wild Rice) - Learn about the wild ricing traditions and the teaching of these traditions to the Ojibwe children.  1 hour 20 minutes

March 30, 2013 - Hooked on Hummingbirds - View spectacular footage of hummingbirds and other birds filmed in slow motion.  53 minutes

April 6, 2013 - Dragonflies and Damselflies - Get a close-up glimpse into the fascinating and bizarre lives of the Eastern Northern American Dragonlies and Damselflies.  40 minutes  Kirtland's Warbler -  Follow the rare bird as it lives in the jack pine ecosystem.  15 minutes

April 13, 2013 -  On the Wings of the Monarch - This film provides an in-depth look at the life cycle, habitats, and migration of the monrch butterfly. 47 minutes

April 20, 2013 - Seasonal Wildflowers of Eastern Forests - Learn about colorful wildflowers.  52 minutes

April 27, 2013 - Seasons in the Woodlands - Explore the woodlands of the eastern half of the United States and the lower half of the Canadian Provinces.  20 minutes  and Amphibians - Leap in to the fascinating world of frogs, toads, and salamanders.  Get a look at the amazing variety of colors, shapes, and sizes in the amphibian family.  35 minutes

Beginning on 11/15/12, our new Visitor Centers hours will be Monday to Saturday from 8 to 4 cst for the winter.  We will be closed on Sundays.  Thank you.

The Ottawa Visitor Center provides an excellent source of information about the local area and recreation opportunities including snowmobiling, hunting, fall color tours, hiking, maps, and brochures.  This year the Visitor Center will be serving all of your customer service needs by offering fuelwood permits, bough permits, and Christmas tree permits.  This expanded service allows for "one-stop shopping" making it convenient for the public to take care of all their business needs in one loation.  You will no longer have to visit the District Office for these services.  Just stop by the Visitor Center on the corner of Highway 45 and US 2 in Watersmeet and enjoy all we have to offer! 

Don't forget to stop on Saturday afternoons at 2 p.m. cst to view our weekly videos on wildlife of the U. P., history,and culture in our area and more.  Programs are listed above.

Operated jointly by the USDA Forest Service and the Ottawa Interpretive Assocation (OIA), the "Bear's Den" Gift Shop offers many environmental books, unique gifts, and other nature-related items for purchase.  Proceeds from these sales (after expenses) go back to the Ottawa National Forest in the form of grants for interpretive projects around the Ottawa.  To learn about future events and sales at the Bears's Den, please call the OIA directly at 906-358-4127. 

For additional information about the Visitor Center, please call 906-358-4724 or visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/ottawa. 

2012 IS THE 81st ANNIVERSARY OF THE OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST

  The Visitor Center provides an excellent source of information about local area and recreation for hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, camping, snowmobiling, hunting, fall color tours, hiking, and maps, etc.  Call 906-358-4724 if you have any questions or visit their website at www.fs.fed.us/r9/ottawa.  v

ADMISSION IS FREE FOR ALL PROGRAMS - COME AND ENJOY

Programs are sponsored by USDA Forest Service, Ottawa National Forest in cooperation with The Ottawa Interpretive Association

The Ottawa Visitor Center is located on the corner of U. S. Highway 2 and Highway 45 in Watersmeet.  It's been open since 1971.  Hours from June to September are daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  From October to May, Monday to Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (no holidays).  Come and watch some great videos!  We have snowshoeing on the premises in the winter, too. 

COMING EVENTS CLOSE BY IN ADJOINING TOWNS INCLUDING LAND O' LAKES

May 1, 2013 - Wisconsin Fishing Season opens

May 9, 2013 - Skin Cancer Prevention at the Northstar Health System Cafe in Iron River, Michigan from 6 to 8 p.m. at 1400 West Ice Lake Road. 

May 10 and 11, 2013 - Boulder Junction Birding Festival at the North Lakeland Discovery Center 

May 11, 2013 - 5th Annual Women's Expo in White Pine Mall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. - www.superioreventsandexpos.com or call 906-884-4886 for more info

May 14, 2013 - Land O' Lakes Fish and Game Club presents "Getting from Lost to Found".  Tony Campion from Eagle River Search and Rescue will be the speaker.  Open to the public at the Fellowship Hall at Ely Memorial Church in Land O' Lakes following a short business meeting.

May 18 and 19, 2013 - 8th Annual Spring Walleye Fishing Tournament - sponsored by the Lake Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce - see www.lakegogebicarea.com for more info

May 25 and 26, 2013 - Boulder Junction  Town-Wide Rummage Sale

May 25, 2013 - Wisconsin musky season opens

May 24 to 26, 2013 - Boulder Junction Town Wide Rummage Sale.  Call their chamber office at 715-385-2400 for more information.

May 30, 2013 to Labor Day Weekend - Land O' Lakes Flea Market opens on the Town Hall Grounds -  Visit each Thursday throughout the summer

June 1 and 2, 2013 - Wisconsin Free Fishing Weekend

June 4 to Labor Day, 2013 - Boulder Junction Flea Market - Every Tuesday throughout the summer

June 6 to Labor Day - 2013 - Lake O' Lakes Farmers Market - Every Thursday throughout the summer

June 9 and on - LOLA is hosting 100 Days of Art in the Land O' Lakes area.  Events will be partnered in conjunction with the LOLA.  Stop in to see their exhibits and get more information in downtown Land O' Lakes across the street from the Tackle Box.

June 12, 2013 - Wine Tasting Benefit for the Land O' Lakes Artisans (LOLA) being held at Forest Lake Country Store.

June 11, 2013 - Land O' Lakes Fish and Game Club presents "Woods and Wildlife in a Changing Climate" with speaker, Maria Janowiak from the Northern Institue for Applied Climate Science.  Open to the public at the Fellowship Hall at Ely Memorial Church in Land O' Lakes following a short meeting.

June 18, 2013 - Northstar Health System, 1400 Ice Lake Road Iron River, Michigan 49935 will host Total Woman in the Outdoors at Bewabic State Park from 4 to 7 p.m.  Rain date is June 25th.   

June 22 to 23, 2013 - Land O' Lakes will host the kickoff of the GRABAAWR bicycle adventure ride along the route of the Wisconsin River throughout the state of Wisconsin.  200 to 400 participants will attend.  Call the Land O' Lakes Chamber for more info at 715-547-3432.

July 3, 2013 - Land O' Lakes Fireworks

July 4, 2013 - Land O' Lakes Parade and Picnic in the Park

July 13, 2013 - Boulder Junction Blue Breakdown - Blue Music Festival - Noon to 10 p.m.

July 27, 2013 - Land O' Lakes Art Impressions; Library Used-Book Sale; Airport Days

July 25 to 28, 2013 - Ontonagon County Fair - Exhibits, stock car races, motocross, horse games, old-fashioned kids' games, antique tractor show, and more

August 3, 2013 - Land O' Lakes Community Rummage Sale

August 8 to 11, 2013 - Gogebic County Fair in Ironwood

August 9 to 11, 2013 - Boulder Junction Musky Jamboree

August 9 to 11, 2013 - 4th Annual Marenisco "Milltown"  Heritage Days - Street dance - flea market - classic car show - Marenisco strongest man contest - food vendors - concert - Gogebic Range Dance Band - Classic Big Band Sound!

August 10, 2013 - Ride with Leinie Fund Raiser for the Wilderness Lakes Trails sponsored by the Forest Lake Country Store.  Over 250 attended this event last year and more than 300 are expected this year to enjoy this day of fun. 

August 13, 2013 - Land O' Lakes Fish and Game Club present an Ice Cream Social and Roger Labine, speaker from Lac Vieux Desert, with his presentation on "Wild Rice Harvesting".  Open to the public at the Fellowship Hall at Ely Memorial Church in Land O' Lakes following a short business meeting.

August 18, 2013 - Annual Old Victoria Craft Fair - see www.oldvictoria.net for more information

August 23, 2013 - Porcupine Mountain Music Fest - see www.porkiesfestival.org for more information

September 6, 7, and 8, 2013 - 36th Annual Fall Walleye Tournament at Lake Gogebic - sponsored by the Lake Gogebic Area Chamber of Commerce - For more info, see www.lakegogebicarea.com

September 7, 2013 - OVSC Annual Turkey Shoot at Sucker Creek Range in Paulding - Everyone welcome!

September 27 and 28, 2013 - Log Jamboree in Ewen - Friday: craft sale and Log Jam Variety Show at Ewen-Trout Creek- Saturday: parade at 11 a.m. - Kids' games - 8 p.m. dance with Borderline - for more info, call Raemie Kaare at 906-988-2424

September 28 and 29, 2013 - Land O' Lakes Colorama Weekend

October 8, 2013 - Land O' Lakes Fish and Game Club will present "Wisconsin's Northwoods - A Changing Landscape in Changing Times" with speakers Tom Steele, a senior scientist and Superintendent at UW Madison's Kemp Natural Resources Station in Woodruff, and Tim Katz, Senior Scientist at the UW Center for Limnology at the Trout Lake Center in Boulder Junction.  This event is open to the public and will be held at the Fellowship Hall at Ely Memorial Church in Land O' Lakes following a short business meeting. 

October 12 and 13, 2013 - Marenisco International Music Festival at the Historic Roosevelt School Auditorium -  featuring:  Concert Band of the Music School of the District Alzey-Worms; Germany and Symphony Orchestra of Lucie-Kolsch Music School of the city of Worms, Germany

December 6 to 8, 2013 - "Hometown Christmas" in Ontonagon -Parade, community tree trimming - mule-drawn wagon rides - light tours - dance - crafts - fireworks - see www.ont.hometownchristmas@yahoo.com or call 906-884-4837

If you're looking for a place to stay, Watersmeet has some great accomodations from a casino hotel to motels, cabins, cottages, resorts, and vacation homes.  Please see our Accomodation page for more info or call 906-358-9961 or e-mail us at visit@watersmeet.org.

2013 NORTHWOODS CHILDREN'S MUSEUM CALENDAR OF EVENTS - EAGLE RIVER, WISCON

If you haven't experienced the Northwoods Children's Museum with your children or grandchildren, please consider doing so.  It's a fun place for young and old!  The address is:  346 Division Street, Eagle River, Wisconsin   54521. 

Home of the Watersmeet Nimrods!

WATCH for reruns of "Nimrod Nation" previously aired
ON NOVEMBER 26, DECEMBER 3, 10, AND 17, 2007
ON THE SUNDANCE CHANNEL

There were eight episodes and Sundance says they will reair every so often.  They have been airing very often, so please check your TV guides.

There was more fun in the Watersmeet area this past winter with the Nimrods, since the Sundance Channel was here filming a reality show from December, 2005 through March, 2006.  They covered our team at the games, filmed what life in the U. P. is all about, and enjoyed the events that took place in Watersmeet and the surrounding area.  It was a great time, and the crew was wonderful with everyone.  What a special treat!  Brett Morgan of Sundance says that it's official.  The series aired on the Sundance Channel on November 26 and continue for the next three Mondays, December 3, 10, and 17, 2007.  Episodes 1 and 2 aired the opening night followed by Episodes 3, 4, 5, and 6 airing individually the following weeks.  Episodes 7 and 8 aired together on the last night.  Each episode is 30 minutes long.  Reruns have been running almost continuously on the Sundance Channel or order your own copy from the Nimrod Store (www.nimrodnationstore.com).

"Brett also said Robert Redford has labeleld the Nimrod Nation one of his 4 temple series for the year.  This allows the Sundance executives to advertise the series with the maximum amount of funds allotted to any series he promotes for this company.  If the series goes well, Morgen says he can see it being aired on other networks as well."  (Our thanks to the Watersmeet School newsletter for this update.)

"Nimrod Nation" made it's debut in L. A. in July and showed at the Grand Traverse Film Festival at the beginning of August.  Several of the local people in town that appeared in the series answered questions for the press and the public.  It has received a super response and we thank all of you that attended.

Nimrod apparel is now available on a new website at www.nimrodnationstore.com.

SOME FUN PAST EVENTS IN THE NORTHWOODS

We attend at least two sport shows each year.  We hope you'll visit our knowledgeable staff when we come to your area.  They can help you plan your upcoming visit to our area and will be happy to answer all questions that you might have.  We invite you to visit our website at www.watersmeet.org or call our chamber number, 906-358-9961, for more specific area information.  You can also e-mail us at visit@watersmeet.org.

     

 

Bent's Camp Annual Radar Run & Chili Benefit for the Land O' Lakes' Frosty Snowmobile Club.  There were several classes based on the various engine sizes, and trophies were given for each class including a vintage class.  The drawing for the $6000 was held after the Radar Run.  Sledders were welcome to check the speed of their sleds.  Even though it was a really cold day and weekend, it was a great day!

Thank you for visiting the
Watersmeet Chamber of Commerce website. 
We hope you'll come and visit soon!