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i think i love you michigan

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Forty-one years ago this week, one of the most painful chapters in Michigan and American history unfolded in Detroit, the 12th street riot. By the end, forty-three people were dead, 467 injured, and over 7,200 arrested. More than 2,000 buildings burned down. It is a tragedy from which Detroit has never fully recovered. Take a look at the following video by KeylaBb entitled "Detroit Race Riot 1967/ Mr. Jacobs," featuring the once banned Gordon Lightfoot song, "Black Day in July."

Absolute Michigan has also done a feature on the history of the riots. And check out Wikipedia's 12th Street Riot entry for more information, including a brief bio of all those killed in the riot, as well as links.

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Favorite Ludington Beach: First Curve

About Me:: i grew up in ludington and have just returned after having lived all over the world. i write a blog about michigan (http://ithinkiloveyoumichigan.blogspot.com) but i am also an intinerant teacher, a poet, a crafter, and an environmentalist. this summer i will be out at the state park as a piping plover steward. and my name's brenna.

Website:: http://ithinkiloveyoumichigan.blogspot.com/

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At 9:11pm on June 1st, 2008, Terry Murphy said…: Hi Brenna,
Thanks for checking in...I do plan to write something, but you know how it is!

We feature a couple of writers on DowntownLudington.com whose stuff you might want to post. I've contacted them to see if they're interested. You might hear from one of them directly.

Terry

At 10:41am on May 14th, 2008, John J said…: Hi Brenna, Edit anything you wish..especially form and style. ;-) One other thing it added..the name of his boat was the 'jolly dutchman.'.they even had a post card of his boat up there at Port Austin at one time. For bio. just as soon for now no real names..I am not really a writer looking for acknowledgment..it's just one of those stories from Michigan folk that I hoped would bring back memories from others about their experience..and just maybe they would share some too.

So in that regard you now own the story..and I think it is in good hands.

Hugs,
John

At 8:51pm on May 5th, 2008, John J said…: Hi Brenna,
Have been reading your blog and that is what prompted me to write that..the story has never been told outside my family and I not email it to you since it was not fiction as you requested. Yes.. by all means if you can use it ..go for it gal. BTW I traveled all over the world also in my job at one time. Hope you get a chance to do more..have a great evening and good luck on your blog.

At 9:01pm on May 4th, 2008, John J said…: It was the summer of 52 at Port Austin Michgian. Our family camped in a Higgins popup Camper at the park and it was alway light jacket weather but we loved the lake the rocky shore line and the beach. My grandparent were always there from Detroit. My grandfather, being a painter by trade, did his work on those red and white checker water towers by the Airport, but up at Port Austin he was a fisherman extrodinaire with an wooden Cabin Crusier and a knowledge of all the best fishing spots in the area on Lake Huron. I was eight and this old Dutch Sea Captain was my Hero.
Storms on that Lake were frequent and came up on you like a thief in the night..but we were always home safe in port with grandpa. About a 2.5 miles off shore is the Port Austin Reef Light. A lighthouse sitting on a rocky reef at the tip of the Thumb. It was one of our favorite fishing places for yellow perch where one could drop a line with two hooked minnows on leaders and seldom bring it up without the same quantity of 14-16 inch fat fish. One pulling on the line before the sinker dropped to the bottom, the other jumping on when you had it cranked half way up and still seemed yards to go before they were in the boat.

This year it was particulary stormy so we spent more time picking berries and walking the shoreline for driftwood and things all 8 year olds know are treasures he will keep a lifetime. One morning by the shore rocks there was a wooden door washed up bouncing in the high waves on those rocks. As I climbed down with my cousin we noticed someone had carved words on the door. I recognized it as being off the lighthouse..it was dated the day before and screamed out to us that two men were stranded on that lighthouse with their names and pleas for help.
We rushed to grandpa who called the Coast Guard.

As I recall now they said it was just too rough out there right now but were on to the rescue. Grandpa did not know these men..but that was not good enough for him. With my dad they went out in that old wooden Cabin Crusier and brought them back to shore..wet..cold and hungry. My grandmother was so mad at him I could still feel the heat next to her for the rest of the day. We never spoke of it much that week..things happen that way when you are young and the grownups do not want you to know just how bad thing really are.

I remember years later my mom told me a story about all that camping they did when she was young. They lived in those lovely row houses in Detroit with the small back alleys..and a basement store on almost every corner of the block. Summers they would take off in tents and later trailers and spend all summer in the campgrounds. Mostly Port Austin. When they returned, all her friends thought she was so lucky to be able to go camping all summer while they had to stay in that hot city. Mom told me they had to go camping..it was a matter of survival and the cheapest way to live back then.
His name was Hoekstra..he stood less than five feet tall..he had paint underneath his fingernails..skin like golden brown leather..and large hands that held the dreams of a young boy.

At 3:02pm on April 19th, 2008, Terry Murphy said…: Yes, I am the owner of the Mermaid's Perch and sure, I'd be happy to...maybe be a few weeks thought, okay?

At 11:37am on April 19th, 2008, Terry Murphy said…: Hi Brenna,

Love your blog. Thanks for adding DowntownLudington.com as a link.

Look forward to meeting you at some point.

At 1:56pm on April 11th, 2008, Eun Hae Oh said…: Wow, you went to Korea?
I'm fron Ansan City, Korea. may be you don't know there it's far away from Daegu.
It's nice to know you :)

At 9:06am on April 11th, 2008, Eirann said…: i think i love YOU brenna!!!
when will you be home sweet home?

At 3:16pm on April 8th, 2008, Georgia Makowicki said…: Hey Brenna.... I coached you in softball when you were in OJ ... You were always such a sweet girl. Hope you enjoy your summer watching those piping plovers... you sure will have a good tan!! :)