Pure Lewiston

Pure Lewiston Welcome, we’re glad you found us. Our page is more to inspire than to inform, to make proud those who share this zip code and make envious those who don’t.

It began in a conversation. Over breakfast. In a local restaurant. In 2018. It began small, with the thought of making ...
08/31/2026

It began in a conversation. Over breakfast. In a local restaurant. In 2018. It began small, with the thought of making sure every child in Lewiston had a pumpkin. Their very own, Free—a gift from the town where they live. From there, the dream grew and Fall Fest was born in the hearts and minds of Gary Bopp and Lori Haas. They began by asking for support from area businesses. They were overwhelmed with the response. They longed to provide something very special for area families. The first year saw horse drawn hay rides, The Pumpkin Patch, games and crafts, soup, donuts, cider and more! Everything was free. Everything except for the donuts and cider. And then, they saw her—a sweet grandmother with five adoring grandchildren, who saw the donuts and cider and pled, “Please, Grandma.” They could see the pain on her face when she sadly declined, “Grandma can’t afford that right now.” A volunteer who overheard, invited them to the counter and covered their cost. “We need to make everything free—this can’t happen here,” Lori and Gary agreed. So, the next year, everything was free. Businesses and individuals supported joyfully, and Fall Fest was offered for Lewiston families free of charge. When Covid closed all public gatherings, the event was adapted to a “Fall Crawl” with folks visiting sites all over town to safely pick up free treats and goodies. This year, the downtown festival returns, even bigger and better. There’ll be hot dogs and cider and donuts and Kettle Corn and caramel apples and daffodil bulbs and crafts and kids fireman hats and fun activities, contests and so much more! There’ll be a Witches Dance, a Guess The Weight of Giant Pumpkins contest, a free pumpkin for every child, horse and tractor drawn hay rides, bounce houses, a petting zoo and things still being confirmed. Remember, it began with a simple conversation, a shared dream and a community’s desire to bring magic to those who call Lewiston home. Sunday, October 4th, Noon until 3:00 p.m. We hope you plan to join the fun! While the event is free, the very businesses who made it possible are open every day—stop, shop, enjoy a meal and say Thank You!

Beginning this Saturday, we’re collecting candy for Fall Fest 2026 at The Lewiston Farmers Market! The “candy corner” i...
08/30/2026

Beginning this Saturday, we’re collecting candy for Fall Fest 2026 at The Lewiston Farmers Market! The “candy corner” is always a popular stop for children at our annual Fall Fest. Volunteers place wrapped candy in convenient bags for the children to enjoy. A bag is given to every child at the event. Thank you in advance for your generous donations. Remember, Fall Fest is Sunday, October 4th., Noon—3:00 p.m. It’s fun, it’s for families and it’s free to all!

There’s a chill in the night and the bracken ferns are showing the first blush of light amber. Hummingbirds empty feeder...
08/29/2026

There’s a chill in the night and the bracken ferns are showing the first blush of light amber. Hummingbirds empty feeders fast and squirrels gather acorns for their pantries. There will be ample sunshine and summery days to enjoy, but fall is coming up the path and it won’t be long before long docks are stacked on shorelines and bonfires are built for heat, not just for the ambience. We celebrate the changes here, and find the best in every season. We don’t endure, we embrace with energy the slow turn of the kaleidoscope of colors and crystals that signature our seasons. There is a beauty that continues, with her wardrobe of rich, regal hues and sparkling whites. We live in the grandeur of four vibrant seasons—each a favorite to someone. Beneath our sky, the scenery may change, but life’s grand story goes on, with tender moments and touching scenes. This is home. This is Lewiston, Pure Lewiston.

(Photo by Darlene Switzenbuerg.)

Our community is considered small—less than one thousand residents. Each one is a cherished treasure, bringing their own...
08/27/2026

Our community is considered small—less than one thousand residents. Each one is a cherished treasure, bringing their own gifts and graces, like colorful fabric pieces in a beautiful patchwork quilt. One left us, quietly this week, doing what she loved to do, in the community she loved to call home. Susie Mathewson was taking photographs of our youth athletes at JLHS when she suffered a major health crisis, was transported to a hospital and passed away a few days later, with the family she so loved near her.

Many years ago, Saint Irenaus is recorded as saying, “The glory of God is a person, fully alive!” Susie Mathewson was fully alive. She saw and celebrated life’s smallest details. She never lost the sense of awe—in her garden, with her family or exploring a world she found exquisite. She was humble and preferred holding the spotlight on others, standing in the shadows, rather than being the focus. She preferred her side of the camera lens. She was so incredibly creative, from her artistic handwriting on thoughtful cards sent to friends to her innate sense of style in everything she did. Her friendship was deep, loyal and supportive. Her kindness knew no boundary. She looked for and found the very best in others. She shielded the vulnerable and honored those in need. Her first focus was always her family—her husband, Scott, and her children, McKenzie and McGwire…oh, and her three very pampered dogs. She leaves her world more beautiful—by the gardens she created, the good she accomplished and the loving memories she leaves. She truly lived until she left us. As difficult as the suddenness is, she was never diminished in energy nor sidelined in activity. She never had to surrender her dreams or lay down her plans. She was doing what she loved to do, with hopes intact and plans secure. And she merely awakened, in a garden more beautiful than she could imagine, with a light and love that whispered, “Welcome Home.”

See those around you in a new light. Cherish neighbors in a new love. Life is more fragile than we know. Rest in peace, Susie. We are better because you stopped by.

Per Susie’s request, no formal services are planned. Instead, in Susie’s words: “Do a little good.”

The family suggests donations to The Lewiston Garden Club or Elk County Animal Shelter.

A few more…some may be duplicates already posted. All are cherished champions. Lewiston on the move!
08/10/2026

A few more…some may be duplicates already posted. All are cherished champions. Lewiston on the move!

Here are a bundle of photos from today’s Timberfest 5K Walk/Run. It was a fantastic event. Again.
08/08/2026

Here are a bundle of photos from today’s Timberfest 5K Walk/Run. It was a fantastic event. Again.

A beautiful day for the annual Timberfest 5K Walk/Run! Lewiston showed up—over 300 participants. The first man to finis...
08/08/2026

A beautiful day for the annual Timberfest 5K Walk/Run! Lewiston showed up—over 300 participants. The first man to finish was Daniel Smith, with a time of 17 minutes! The first woman to finish has held this honor for five consecutive years. Allie Nowak’s time was 18 minutes, 19 seconds. Congratulations to all who participated!

Every year, the Lewiston Farmers Market invites our patrons and vendors to remember our local school and the families pr...
08/04/2026

Every year, the Lewiston Farmers Market invites our patrons and vendors to remember our local school and the families preparing their students to return. The burden of buying school clothes and shoes, coats and school supplies is heavy for our young families. We can help them by purchasing and providing school supplies. Here are some items suggested by our school and teachers:

#2 pencils
Highlighters
Glue sticks
Colored pencils
Notebooks
Composition books
Pencil/pen pouch
Back packs
16 pack crayons
Kleenex boxes
Hand sanitizer
Lined paper

There will be a table and container to drop off your donations. We will deliver them to the school for distribution. This is the spirit of Pure Lewiston.

The evolution of residential architecture reveals much in culture and connection. We once built front porches, with spa...
08/02/2026

The evolution of residential architecture reveals much in culture and connection. We once built front porches, with space for rocking chairs, settees and small tables. They weren’t for decoration. They were used, on summer evenings when Thelmas and Leonards called to neighbors across the street and spoke of the need for rain, the weariness of laborers and how fast time speeds by. There was lemonade and sometimes, the faint echo of music. Neighbors knew neighbors. They were like the family you gained by real estate not relation. Neighbor moms were sometimes called aunts, though not related, and any one of them might s***k your behind with their own kids, if you ran into the street. Slowly, front porches were decor trim only, and folks discovered patios, decks and privacy walls. With garages and automatic door openers, it became possible to come home without engaging with neighbors. I wonder if our world might be different, if we sat on our front porch, maybe in one of those lazy porch swings, and we played a little Peggy Lee or Patsy Cline, and hollered over to the neighbors across the street, “I’ve got a full pitcher of iced lemonade and a couple chairs needing warming—C’mon over!” Yes, ours is a community of front porch hearts in a back patio world. This is Pure Lewiston, connected and kind.

For cottage owners planning your weekends up north and residents welcoming guests and music aficionados searching the ne...
07/16/2026

For cottage owners planning your weekends up north and residents welcoming guests and music aficionados searching the next great concert, you’ll want to mark these coming weekends as Lewiston welcomes Steve Spracklen back home! The echoes of his ragtime melodies still echo at The Redwood where he played for more years than we’re willing to admit to. He brought his keyboard magic up and down the Mississippi on riverboats to toe tapping fans and followers. He’ll be providing two great performances in Lewiston, the first weekend paired with protege, Fred Dodd, “Mr. Banjo.” These musicians do this for the love of music and the lure of Lewiston. Make plans now, to garner some very special memories and some stellar magical music and experience Pure Lewiston.

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Lewiston, MI
49756

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