Have you noticed Halloween decorations going from spooky and scary about 20 years ago, to gory and downright terrifying nowadays? Corpses hanging from trees, pour souls being disemboweled on your neighbor’s front yard. Why has our PG holiday suddenly become rated R, and why are people so touchy when you bring it up? Plus, the ghost towns of the U.P. No, not the spooky kind, but the ruins of times gone by, and why it’s worth it to see them up close.

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O.W. reflects on Bruce Catton’s Waiting for the Morning Train and how plunging into Michigan’s cold lakes feels timeless. While technology constantly changes, the dilemma of charging in or wading slowly remains universal. Plus, an exploration into how the lumberjack has shifted from rugged worker to modern competitor, where skill and spectacle meet. These contests, like the ones held by the Jack Pine Lumberjacks in Mackinaw City, still embody values of strength, courage, and camaraderie that once defined the American spirit.

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What’s the smell of autumn? If you live up north, you know that spring has a distinct aroma, but what about fall? It has a lot to do with the falling leaves. Plus, would you rather live in a giant mansion surrounded by concrete and traffic or a trailer with a spectacular view of the lake? Both are options in our wonderful state, but which one speaks to your soul?

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What is an Indian summer anyway? O.W. gives the definitive answer, plus the key to enjoying every minute of it at the beach. Plus, have you ever heard of “gleaning?” It’s a tradition rooted in the Old Testament, but still very much alive today through the volunteer work of food gatherers, working with farmers to feed the hungry. And the best part, you can get in on the joy of serving and have fun doing it.

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With all of the darkness in the world (and especially social media), we can all use some time to unplug from it all. O.W. shares his thoughts on turning down the noise and turning up your senses to what may seem mundane, but can actually be fascinating. And have you been to a place that just looks too much like a postcard? Harbor Springs is kind of like that.

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Can you tell what time of the year it is in a photo just by looking at the sky? O.W. says if that season is fall, he’d believe you. Autumn has a distinct look, and the dead giveaway are its fluffy, white clouds. Plus, looking for an alternative that is the absolute hell of I-94 to Chicago? Perhaps you should consider taking the water route. There’s a ferry that’ll let you skip the highway in style. It’s not cheaper, but it’s definitely better.

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If you’ve ever wondered where you can get the best experience and value for your golfing dollar, it’s probably out in the sticks. The more rural the course is, the more peaceful and patient it can be. And is your fruit jam made by holy men? No? Then you’re missing out. O.W. takes you to the place where the monks make jam, and much more.

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Have you ever tried explaining the Great Lakes to someone who’s never seen them before? Sometimes they can’t comprehend how massive they actually are unless they actually make it to the shore. Plus, the legend of the Singing Sands of Bete Grise. Its ancient origins tell a tale of sorrow, and today the beach remains mysterious and unspoiled for curious visitors.

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O.W. makes a compelling case as to why September, not January is a more natural beginning to the year. It’s when everything begins again, making these last two weeks in August the end of the cycle. Plus, what kind of person takes a six hour ferry ride from Houghton to one of the most isolated places on Earth? O.W. finds out as he chats with passengers on their way to Isle Royale.

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O.W. makes it official - Canada’s failure to control its wildfires is an attack on our Summer, a season that is already unacceptably short in Michigan. They are a first world country, so perhaps they should act like it and mobilize some firefighters, eh! Plus, if you’re looking for the best sandwich in Harbor Springs, don’t go to a fancy restaurant, head to the liquor store. It’s a unique eatery reminiscent of times gone by.

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