Friends of the Porkies

06/20/2026

Two more days until our Summer Solstice Celebration!

☀️ SUMMER SOLSTICE ☀️

Join us on June 21, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Folk School building in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park for our Summer Solstice Celebration. Celebrate the longest day of the year at this free community event featuring games, performances by the Finnish Kivajat Dancers, a letting-go ceremony and s'mores around the bonfire.

06/20/2026

Porcupine Mountains Folk School - Watercolor Abstract Flowers with Donna Lenard

Class Description:

Use luscious colors of watercolors to create loose, flowing flowers.

Class Details:

Date/Time: Saturday, July 11th, 2026 @ 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST

Minimum Students: 3

Maximum Students: 10

Registration Deadline: July 4th, 2026

NOTE: Registration closes when maximum is reached, or on the deadline to ensure time for class preparations, whichever comes first. If the class minimum is not reached by the deadline the class may be cancelled.

Meet Your Instructor:

Donna Lenard:

Donna is a self-taught watercolor artist with over 25 years of experience. Raised north of Chicago, she moved to Rockland, MI in 1997 to enjoy Lake Superior and began painting in 2000. In 2003, she relocated to Alaska, where she gained guidance from the Watercolor Society in Fairbanks and became active in the Fairbanks, Ester, and Denali art communities, selling hundreds of paintings and supporting many causes. Now based in Hancock, MI, Donna exhibits widely across the Upper Peninsula and teaches at regional art centers and workshops. She was named Featured Artist at the Eagle Harbor Art Fair in 2024 and loves sharing her passion with aspiring artists.

Prerequisites/Skill Level/Age Requirements:

All adult students are welcome.
No previous experience is necessary.

Visit www.porkies.org for more information.

06/16/2026

Fascinating mining information in the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - the Porkies!

06/16/2026

Looking for a unique quilting experience? Last year's Mini Songbird Quilt class introduced students to sewing on hand-crank machines, and this year we're making Mini Butterfly Quilts! 🦋 September seats are going fast, but there's still room in August. Come enjoy a slower pace of stitching and leave with a finished quilt you'll be proud to display. Register now at www.porkies.org/folk-school

06/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Artist-in-Residence Caroline Meehean’s presentation at the Folk School!

Caroline shared an entertaining and informative program about her materials, methods, and finished artwork with an enthusiastic group of attendees. She also provided watercolor materials for participants to explore their own creativity and create original artwork.

The atmosphere was casual, comfortable, and creative, making for a wonderful afternoon of learning, inspiration, and hands-on artistic expression.

We are grateful to Caroline for sharing her talents and insights and to everyone who attended. If you missed this event, there’s plenty of room to join us at the next Artist-in-Residence program at the Folk School!

06/16/2026

06/16/2026

New Birding Bags Available!

The Friends of the Porkies recently purchased six birding bags to help visitors explore the park's bird life. Each embroidered bag contains a pair of binoculars and a bird identification guide, making it easy for visitors to learn more about the birds they encounter along the trails.


The birding bags are available to borrow at the Visitor Center. We hope these new birding kits encourage visitors of all ages to slow down, observe, and enjoy the incredible variety of birds found throughout the Porcupine Mountains.

06/16/2026

Porcupine Mountains Folk School Open House!

July 5, 2026 | 3:00–5:00 PM EST


Join us for an afternoon of discovery at the Folk School Open House!

Visitors can expect hands-on activities that offer a taste of what the Folk School is all about. This is a great opportunity to explore traditional skills, creative learning, and community-based education in a welcoming outdoor setting. This free event is open to all ages—families, visitors, and community members are all encouraged to attend.

You’ll find us in the Folk School building near the Union Bay Campground within the beautiful Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park:

107th Engineers Memorial Hwy
Ontonagon, MI 49953

06/15/2026

The Friends of the Porkies are working to improve the Lost Lake Trail in the Porkies with partners Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan and their Conservation Corps, -Miikanaake (Western U.P. North Country Trail Chapter) the North Country Trail Association , and the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - the Porkies. This trail is also a segment of the North Country Trail, which is designated as a National Scenic Trail. The work primarily includes replacing several stretches of aging boardwalk, and will create an improved hiking experience that better protects natural resources along the route. Many thanks to the partners, YouthWork crew members and volunteers for their work on this project!