Bob Hendrickson, IOHT

ISHPEMING — We’ve been getting several calls at the GINCC about the current state of the autumn color change.

Even though the leaves are still primarily green, it’s only a matter of days before the switch flips and the kaleidoscope of color dazzles the eyes.

Your last chance to shop at the Negaunee Market is on September 28 from 4-7 p.m.

This will be the final market of the year. Just a reminder the market has moved downtown Negaunee to the pocket park on the corner of Iron and Silver streets.

With nights getting colder, even the most-hardy Yoopers are starting to get their home heating systems online and ready for the months ahead.

This would be a great time to schedule a check-up on your furnace. If you need a reference, check our GINCC Business Directory to get started.

But before September ends, the GINCC will be holding a Business After Hours on Sept. 29, from 5-7 p.m. with the Women’s Center of Marquette County in the Gossard Building downtown Ishpeming.

It will be a great opportunity to learn what the Women’s Center has to offer to the community.

In addition, there will be tours of the Gossard Building at 4 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. to learn about this building’s impact on historic Ishpeming.

Next weekend, Oct. 1, Strut Your Mutt will take place in Negaunee for the first time.

This is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter.

The event will assemble at Jackson Mine Park, downtown Negaunee. The 1.5-mile walk will follow the Iron Ore Heritage Trail before looping through Old Town back the park.

For more information go to www.upaws.org.

There is no better way to embrace autumn than having an Octoberfest celebration and the GINCC is doing just that.

The GINCC will be hosting its 12th Annual Gala on Oct. 26 from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Upper Peninsula Brewing Company, at 342 Rail St., Negaunee.

This evening is dedicated to celebrating and bringing together the GINCC membership.

The highlight of the evening is a special award ceremony to recognize those in our community who work so hard to make it great.

With the Octoberfest theme suggested attire will be semi-casual, but we encourage guests to dress in Bavarian-style if so enticed.

There will be plenty of beer festival activities and will feature heavy hors d’oeuvres, cash bar and dessert.

A silent auction, 50/50 and bucket raffle will be part of the fundraising. Tickets are now available online at gincc.org.

For more information on these events and more check out our website at www.gincc.org or call 906-486-1111.

To learn more give us a call 906-486-1111 or go to our website www.gincc.org.

Our hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The office is located at 910 U.S. 41 West in front of Jubilee Foods & Fuel.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Bob Hendrickson is the executive director of the GINCC. He currently resides in Negaunee with his wife, Laura, and daughter, Sierra. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, fishing and hunting along with family time.