Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchreist answer questions that members of 8-18 Media have prepared for the duo during the Whitmer Winter Warm-Up party at the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum in Marquette on Saturday. This free event was open to the public, included refreshments and special activities. Whitmer, who was in town for the U.P. 200, commented that her and the Lt. Governor wanted to organize a relaxed family friendly event where they could get close with communities members. “The U.P. is very important to our state economy, they people of the U.P. are very important to me personally, so we are just here to make sure that people know how that the U.P. has a seat at the table,” said Whitmer. (Journal photo by Corey Kelly)

Above: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist answer questions that members of 8-18 Media have prepared for the duo during the Whitmer Winter Warm-Up party at the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum in Marquette on Saturday. This free event was open to the public, included refreshments and special activities. Whitmer, who was in town for the U.P. 200, commented that she and the Gilchrist wanted to organize a relaxed family friendly event where they could get close with community members. “The U.P. is very important to our state economy, the people of the U.P. are very important to me personally, so we are just here to make sure that people know that the U.P. has a seat at the table,” said Whitmer. (Journal photo by Corey Kelly) Right: Whitmer, right, shakes hands with Lily Beaton, a 15-year-old with Down syndrome, at the children’s museum event. Accompanying Lily are her sister Lydia Beaton, 13, left, and their father, Dan Beaton. (Photo courtesy of Dan Beaton)