A Doctor Transitioning, Marquette Monthly Resuming, Weddings Popularizing, Population Declining, and Marquette’s Best Kept Secret

The latest from Marquette, MI by Brian Cabell

THE TIMES, THEY are a-changing. Former TV6 journalist Alyssa Barker made this surprise announcement via Facebook last week: “I’m happy to introduce you all to my wife! Ellie James Barker.” Formerly William Barker. Dr. William Barker….” She is the most amazing trans-woman, father, wife, and doctor I know,” Alyssa continued in her message.

And what followed on Facebook were more than 160 Likes and nearly 100 Comments of congratulations to the family of four. No uproar, no apparent shock….Some folks may be a little uncomfortable with the rapid changes in American life, but they’re happening, nevertheless, and we’re all adjusting.

And from Dr. Barker, herself, this comment: “I’m thankful to be visible in a time and place where I’ve received so much support from the community. It’s important to be visible. I think people who are transgender should be able to be seen in the community at any time in their transition and for it to be normal.”

Marquette Monthly is coming back! Yep, after an absence of a year-and-a-half, the arts and culture magazine resumes publication next month….New ownership, but no major changes in the format. “It’s amazing how supportive people have been,” says James Larsen, one of the new owners (with Jane Hutchens). “There’s an abundance of talent here.”

Hard to believe, but the city of Marquette actually lost population in the last decade. Down more than 700 residents, according to the census. The county lost more than 1000…

Aren’t we supposed to be the nation’s next hot spot? A mecca for young, outdoorsy folks? Apparently not. At least, not yet.

But people do want to get married here. Two brand new wedding venues this year. Nagelkirk Gardens in Harvey has hosted six weddings so far this summer, six more are on the docket in the next two months. And six more scheduled already for next year…So we assume these are locals getting married in their hometown? Nope, according to event manager Samantha Evans. “They’re mostly destination weddings,” she says.

The other new spot is just off of US 41, two miles south of downtown Marquette. Park Place. Back amid the trees, with a large tent, alongside a classy, modern house that can be used for small groups, food preparation, even as a wedding night stay for the bride and groom…Two weddings so far this summer, more next year. “And it would be great for a New Year’s party!” events manager Nicole Lasich tells us.

The venue and the adjacent Birchmont Motel, along with more than 30 surrounding acres, were bought by developer Derek Parker. You gotta think he has further plans for the acreage…Lasich will only smile when she’s asked about it.

Those four new condos being built in the 150-year-old Customs House on Lakeshore Boulevard should be ready for occupancy this fall. Cross General Contracting working hard to get it done despite the pandemic delays and inflated material costs….The condos will range from $520,000 to $836,000. One reserved so far, three still available.

It appears the market for used cars is finally cooling off. “We’ve managed to keep our lot pretty full,” says Jon’s Autos owner Mike Guenette, “but we’ve had to pay more for the cars.”…The tight market resulted when car companies couldn’t build enough new cars because microchip production and distribution had slowed down because of the pandemic….As a result, we started buying a lot more used cars, driving the prices sky high.

So we’re told that face coverings will be “strongly recommended” in Marquette’s schools this fall. But not required….Doesn’t take much to imagine what might go wrong with the policy. Peer pressure, disputes, mocking, along with angry parents on both sides of the issue, teachers concerned for their own health…Stand by. The policy is ever-evolving.

It might be one of the best kept secrets in Marquette. The bar at the Rippling River Resort, next to Marquette Mountain. Three tiers of decks and tables outside, set alongside a rippling (and noisy) Carp River, under a canopy of tall trees…A bonfire at the bottom, live music on the weekends, wine and beers and pizza available. A remarkably relaxing and scenic setting….”I honestly don’t want a lot of publicity about this,” Rippling River owner Mark Curran tells us. “I don’t want the place to be overrun.”

Okay, forget it. Please ignore the previous paragraph.

(A brief word about Man About Town. Dozens of people have told us, “We’ve heard about you but we don’t know how to get you.” We’re not a website technically, we’re a “newsletter” that arrives by email. You can find us under Marquette Today’s Facebook site, but if you’re not a Facebooker, you can simply go to subscribetomat.com and subscribe there for free. Easy peasy. And if you’re reading this now, you simply have to tap the Subscribe button.)