Alastar Dimitrie, coordinator, Marketing and Events, GINCC

ISHPEMING — I’m trying to avoid writing this article, so I pour another cup of coffee and then grab a handful of nuts. I’m procrastinating because this is the article in which I bid farewell to the GINCC.

The reasons behind my departure are wholly positive, but goodbyes rarely come without a twinge of melancholy and this one is no exception.

I’m going to miss working with Bob and the board of directors. Getting better acquainted with Western Marquette County over the past 12 months has been my privilege.

I’ve relished the opportunities to meet a lot of interesting people and to explore some of the ruggedly beautiful landscapes that the West End has to offer.

Sometimes change seems to happen slowly, especially in small, rural communities, but looking back over the past year, there’s been a lot of it on the West End.

A slew of new businesses opened in Ishpeming. Negaunee got a beautiful new pavilion. The downtown areas of both cities were designated as historic by the National Register of Historic Places.

Sadly, a few businesses shut their doors. A lot more businesses stayed open, despite a uniquely harrowing couple of years.

As is always the case in life, I’ve learned the most from my blunders and omissions. In my last article on West End museums, I neglected to mention the museum operated by the Republic Area Historical Society.

We received a phone call from a member of the Republic Historical Society, which prompted me to visit to the Pascoe House Museum, which also led to me finding out about other developments in Republic such as the beautiful and ever-expanding Heritage Garden.

The Pascoe House Museum is located at 183 Cedar St., South Republic Location. The two-story house is packed with artifacts, documents and photographs that provide fascinating glimpses into the region’s history.

Olga, the volunteer who had called the chamber, graciously gave me a tour of the museum. The Republic Area Historical Society has been around since 1992, its exhibits doors kept open and exhibits curated by a dedicated group of volunteers.

The nonprofit organization hopes to expand its collection into the place next door, which is known as the Beulah House.

To find out more about the Republic Area Historical Society, follow them on Facebook or visit republicmichigan.com/historical-society/.

Heritage Garden has been around for sixteen years, but it looks like a very different place today thanks to the work of a handful of volunteers who have neglected their own gardens at home so that this one can flourish.

As I walked amongst the carefully tended garden beds, I saw one of the West End’s very best qualities on display: people take care of each other and they are willing to put in a lot of hard work to make their communities better places to live.