When I say the word "pioneer," most of you are likely envisioning something similar: covered wagons heading west, bold folks who are forging a new path through unknown-to-them terrain. But the term "pioneer" covers much more than just that. Today we're talking about different kinds of pioneers—first, about a group of immigrants who found their way to Northern Michigan and made an everlasting impact on the culture of the region, and, then, about a teacher who reshaped the educational opportunities in a growing lumber town.

We spoke with Larry Hains and Marty MacLeod, members of the Board of Directors of the Traverse Area Historical Society.