Mackinac Island comes to Morenci this week with Michigan Notable Books author visit
MORENCI — Mackinac Island will make its way to Morenci this week through a fudge-making program, historical events, book talks and other activities planned for Thursday, May 12, and Saturday, May 14, at Morenci’s Stair District Library, 228 W. Main St.
This year, the library is one of 50 libraries in Michigan — including the Adrian District Library — that is part of the 2022 Michigan Notable Books Author Tour. With its selection into the statewide literature tour, Jim Balone, co-author of “The Dockporter: A Mackinac Island Novel” will visit the library in person at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, to discuss the book. Balone’s co-author, Dave McVeigh, will also speak with the public about the book in a virtual format. McVeigh currently resides in the Philippines.
The book talk is open to the public and registration is recommended. To register, email stairstaff@gmail.com or call 517-458-6510.
The novel is set in the summer of 1989 and follows the adventures of Jack McGuinn, a dockporter who is transporting tourists’ luggage in the basket of his bike on Mackinac Island, a news release from the library said.
“He’s got the season wired tight, a family cottage on the bluff, a dream job, and a loyal crew of hell-raising, tip-hustling buddies. When his old friend-turned bitter rival challenges him to ride a record-setting load, he takes the bet and soon realizes he's not just carrying suitcases, he's carrying the future of the island, which is about to be paved over for profit,” a synopsis of the book provided by the library said.
“Anyone who has ever been to Mackinac Island will be able to relate to the book,” Colleen Leddy, director of the Stair District Library, said in the release.
Balone lives in Toledo with his wife and three children. He was born and raised in Detroit and earned his Bachelor of Arts in English from Wayne State University. He teaches English in Whitehouse, Ohio.
McVeigh is a writer/director and creative director who has worked with studios like Disney, Fox and Universal Studios and brands like Nike, PayPal and Ford. He spent his summers on Mackinac Island as a dockporter. He lives in Cebu, Philippines with his wife and daughter.
In conjunction with Saturday’s Michigan Notable book discussion, the library plans to bring a taste and feel of Mackinac Island to Morenci from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, May 12. A variety of activities including fudge-making, a suitcase packing contest, art studio time for a Mackinac Island-themed tiny art show and a 6:30 p.m. basic bicycle maintenance clinic featuring Amanda Harsh of C&W Cycle are on tap. The public is invited to bring their bikes with them to the clinic.
Registration for Thursday’s slate of programming is also recommended.
The 2022 Michigan Notable Books Author Tour is sponsored by Michigan Humanities and is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Library of Michigan and the Michigan Center for the Book.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: Mackinac Island comes to Morenci with Michigan Notable Books author
