Yesterday, part of the Apostle Island’s commercial fishing fleet was breaking ice in order to leave the port of Bayfield, WI, on Lake Superior. It is attractive for the fishermen to be working right now, because of the substantially higher market prices for their products. At this time (April 4, 2013), the south shore of the western end of Lake Superior is still covered with heavy pack ice. The ice cover appears to extend about 20 miles from the shore. 

The current low water levels are raising considerable concern among north channel harbor communities. For an update from GLCC Honorary Member and Little Current Cruiser's Net Moderator Roy Eaton on actions currently underway to help mitigate the situation, click here.

The GLCC’s Annual Meeting of Members was held at the Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago, Oct. 12-13. Treasurer Tim and Becky Boehlke organized the event, and more than 60 members arrived by planes, trains, and automobiles at the historic hotel. TO READ THE FULL STORY, PLEASE CLICK ON THE HEADLINE.

    As a part of the harbour improvements ongoing in Meldrum Bay, the main dock, which is badly rotten, is going to be rebuilt. Sadly, this involves the demolition of the iconic freight shed, originally built in 1935.  Though considered by many as a heritage building, it was deemed too costly  a job to try to save it. Click heading to read full story.

The Great Lakes Cruising Club School today announced the start of its 2012-13 curriculum year. Eight classes are already open for registration, with over thirty more planned between now and May.
Also announced were new cooperative education agreements with both the United States Power Squadrons and the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons. The roughly 50,000 USPS and CPS members will now enjoy the same GLCCSchool discounts as GLCC members. Watch for upcoming information on reciprocal USPS and CPS course discounts for GLCC members.
Click here for details on these exciting new announcements. We hope to see you in class soon!

The weather gods shone brightly on the Lake Huron Rally held at the Algonac Harbor Club August 17 to 19th.  Beautiful sunny skies and great breezes blessed each day of this fun event. Twenty three couples attended the Rally with the majority arriving by boat. PLEASE CLICK ON THE HEADLINE ABOVE for full story.

The Lake Superior Rally, which was officially held Aug. 17-19, was attended by more than 60 GLCC members and Guests. It again grew to include several more days of fun and informative activities, beginning with a Wednesday visit to a Big Top Chautaugua concert. For detailed information about the Rally, please CLICK ON THE HEADLINE ABOVE.

The funding for construction of new breakwater at Grand Marais, Michigan
(Grand Marais, Michigan) July [11], 2012 - The Great Lakes Foundation today presented a check for $10,000 to Burt Township Supervisor Jack Hubbard. This grant by the Foundation represents partial funding for the construction of a new breakwater for the Grand Marais Harbor of Refuge. This much needed project has been in the planning and fundraising stages for over five years and construction will be completed this fall.

As one of our GLCC members traveled home from Parry Sound, at every lock they were reminded by park employees that Parks Canada is seriously considering closing the Trent-Severn waterway next year from September 1st to June 1st in an effort to save funds. Park employees as well as the local business people are very concerned about the financial impact this will have. If you also have concerns about this possible reduction in operations, click here for more information.

Wings was hit by lightening while underway on Lake St Clair on July 4th.   We got caught in one of those bad squalls that was not predicted, but came up very suddenly.  Do you know where your manual bilge pump handle is located on your boat?  Click on title above for the full story.