Rolling Thunder Band to perform

L’ANSE — Enjoy the traditional country music and more from the Rolling Thunder Band at the L’Anse Lakefront Concert at 7 p.m. Thursday. In the park at the foot of Broad Street.

Bring a chair or blanket and listen to the great tunes. Meadowbrook Arena will be the site if the weather is inclement.

Public meeting to be held by DNR

GOETZVILLE — The public is invited to provide input on a draft general management plan that will help guide the future of Lime Island State Recreation Area, located on the eastern tip of the Upper Peninsula.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host a public meeting from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the Raber Township Hall, 16315 E. M-48 in Goetzville.

General management plans are used to define long-range planning and management strategies that protect a state park’s resources while addressing recreation and educational needs and opportunities. Public input is a critical component of the planning process.

The meeting will begin with a short overview of the draft plan, followed by an open house during which the public is invited to review planning materials, provide feedback and talk to DNR staff. For those not able to attend, comments on the draft general management plan also may be sent through Aug. 9 via email to Debbie Jensen, DNR park management plan administrator, at JensenD1@Michigan.gov.

A link to Lime Island’s draft general management plan and information on DNR management planning can be found at Michigan.gov/ParkManagementPlans.

The park encompasses the 932-acre Lime Island, which sits in the St. Marys River, just over 2 miles from the eastern tip of the U.P., and 6.5 acres on the mainland in the community of Raber.

For more information, contact Debbie Jensen at 517-284-6105 (TTY/TDD711 Michigan Relay Center for the hearing impaired) or JensenD1@Michigan.gov, or Corey Butcher, park supervisor, at 906-248-3422 or ButcherC@Michigan.gov.

NCLL to present free program

MARQUETTE — The Northern Center for Lifelong Learning will present a free program on what’s new at the Marquette Senior Center at 2 p.m. Aug. 6.

Hosted by senior services manager Maureen McFadden at the facility, this event will address what has changed since McFadden assumed her management position.

To register, call 227-2979 or email at hoosieryooper80@gmail.com before Friday.

USDA funding applications available

EAST LANSING –The U.S. Department of Agriculture has funding available through a conservation initiative to improve forest wildlife habitat and water quality in the western Upper Peninsula.

Private forestland owners who submit applications by Friday may be eligible for conservation financial assistance through the Joint Chiefs’ Initiative for Watershed Restoration. The Joint Chiefs’ Initiative is targeted to Lake Superior watersheds in Marquette, Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Iron, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties.

Financial assistance is available for selected core conservation practices, including: forest management plans, forest stand improvement, tree and shrub planting, early successional habitat development and management.

Additional supporting practices include; herbaceous weed control, fire breaks, tree and shrub site preparation, and woody residue treatment. In addition to improving habitat for at-risk species, many of these practices also improve habitat for other wildlife such as ruffed grouse and white-tailed deer.

Landowners should make an appointment with their local NRCS office as soon as possible to begin the conservation planning process. More information about the Joint Chiefs’ Initiative is available on the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service website at www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov.

‘Keep Families Together!’ event

MARQUETTE –Marquette Citizens for Peace and Justice present “Keep Families Together!” from 11 a.m.-noon, Saturday at Peter White Public Library’s Shiras Room.

The press release for the event reads: “We are saddened and outraged at the way undocumented immigrants are being treated, in our name, in our country. Our hearts break for the children. Join us to discuss this issue and to find a way we can take action.” For more information, call Darlene at 226-3445 or Martha at 475-7582.

Graveraet Class of 1951 reunion

MARQUETTE — The Graveraet High School Class of 1951 will hold a 68-year reunion on Saturday.

The event will take place at 4 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Marquette. For more information, call 906-360-4178.

Italian Fest to be held Saturday

ISHPEMING — The St. Rocco-St. Anthony Society of Ishpeming announces the 120th annual Italian Fest.

The Italian Fest will take place on Saturday at Al Quaal Recreation Area in Ishpeming. Admission is free and the public is welcome. Italian and American food and drink will be served all day beginning at noon.

Daylong activities include: free pony rides, games of chance, ring toss, balloon darts, bingo, large glide slide, inflatable bounce castle, LaMora, and a greased pole with a $100 prize at the top.

The St. Rocco-St. Anthony Society and the Ishpeming 4th of July Committee have announced that there will be a firework display at dusk. The fireworks were originally set to go off at the 4th of July Community Picnic, however they were canceled due to the weather.

The schedule of events is as follows:

noon – Festivities begin

1:30 p.m. – Kids games (sawdust pile, sack race, egg toss, etc.)

2-4 p.m. – Soundz of Time

4 p.m. – Ishpeming Blue Notes

5-7 p.m. – Diamanti

Dusk – Fireworks