* * 2025 * *

We're happy to be returning for our third year at the Escanaba Farmers Market, Saturday mornings starting June 7, from 9:00 to 12:00, providing our mix of old-time tunes and (mostly) old songs for vendors and customers alike. This is always a fun event. It's the place to be on Saturday mornings so come on down to the beautiful Market Place pavilion on 1501 Ludington Street to browse and shop and enjoy the good-feeling atmosphere. We'll be there (weather permitting) through September!

Starting May 28 (weather permitting!) we are playing Wednesdays at the lively Manistique Farmers Market, from 5:00-6:30, located downtown south Cedar Street between Lake Effect Community Art Center and Triangle Park. There are plenty of vendors with an array of produce and products, along with artisans with their wares. Come on down and check it out - it's an active market! And we're glad to be a part of the Market for our 12th season!

December 6, Saturday 3:00-5:00 -- Village Artisans of Garden annual Silent Auction and celebration. Our fun and wonderful start to the holiday season! We'll be in the back room (with the deserts!) playing music, chatting with friends, and leading the sing-a-long. This is a happy friendly party open to all - a great way to help fund the Artisans' activities (like children's art classes) and take home some special surprise(s) if you are a successful bidder!

PREVIOUS EVENTS  ~ ~ ~ Good Memories and Good Times!

Gladstone Farmers Market, 911 Delta Ave. -- Monday, 3:00-6:00. This is a new addition for us and we're looking forward to playing for customers and vendors at this small downtown farmers market in their special market alley space. They have a small, short stage just for the performers. We will be playing once a month for the 2024 Market season.

Fayette State Park Historical Townsite -- "Int'l Play Music on the Porch Day".  The last Saturday in August is the official day for PMOTPD but with high north winds off the Lake in the forecast in 2023 we decided to move our day to play to Sunday (with a calmer, sunnier forecast). It will be a fun celebration of sharing music, and we're looking forward to doing that on the wonderful porch of the historic hotel at Fayette. We had a great time last year (2022) with also a strong wind but it was thankfully from the opposite direction so we were nicely protected on the porch.

Play Music on the Porch Day - "Smaller Peaces - What if for just one day everything stopped, and we all just listened to the music." A wonderful idea, began in 2013 and continuing to grow since.

Christmas in the Village - 4:00-6:30 pm - U.P. Steam & Gas Engine Village, U.P. State Fair Grounds, Escanaba, the first weekend in December. "Wild Cherry Wine" is back (2022) to spice up the evening with holiday songs and old time fiddle tunes Friday from 4:00-6:30 pm in the Chapel Building (which is warm and has seating!). This popular annual event is full of old-fashioned festive atmosphere, with a wide variety of shops, demonstrations, handicrafts, wagon rides, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and goodies galore. There is no charge but they ask that you bring non-perishable food items or new unwrapped toys to be donated to local charities. The event runs Friday 12:00n-7:00pm and Saturday 10:00 am-7:00 pm. Fun for all and so much to see you'll want to plan to spend many hours. Hope to see you there!

Annual Aura Jamboree, the third full weekend in July. The old Jamboree is back (2022) for the 45th time, with their usual schedule of 15 minute performances, inside on the stage, by a wide array of musicians, Friday evening and Saturday starting at 10:00 am, with dances to follow. We're on the schedule for the 9th year at our preferred 10:30 Saturday morning slot. We like that time since when we're done we can kick back and jam and listen to other musicians the rest of the day. A great time to look forward to!

* * 2020 * * How nice it will be when we are all getting out and about, enjoying gathering in natural, healthy, and happy ways with other people -  shaking hands, hugging, smiling, laughing, talking - in person, in public or private, playing music, listening to others making music. But it won't look like last year's schedule no matter how the year unfolds, things will be different, as they always are, but this year more so. But the music goes on, live where it begins. In our case, here on the homestead, and we decided to share as we've shared so many other things - digitally over the internet. So we've added weekly (or monthly) music videos to our lives, and hopefully to yours. Click HERE for a link to our 'Video & Audio' page where you'll find a list of our videos as well as some audio tracks from Wild Cherry Wine's last live appearance in December 2019 (see below). Also check out our Blog page (link above) for other odds and ends of happenings on the homestead. We look forward to seeing you down the road!

August 7, 2019, Saturday (rain date August 14):  Schoolcraft Historical Society Living History Event, 1:00 - 4:00 pm at the Lakeview Cemetery. There will be a number of appropriately costumed reinactors portraying some of Manistique's early residents, each giving short talks about their lives and sharing some history of the area. We will be providing time appropriate background music for the event. It should be an interesting and fun program and we're looking forward to it. It should be an interesting and fun program and we're looking forward to it. More information at: https://schs.cityofmanistique.org/voices-on-cemetery-hill-coming-august-7th/.

Thursdays at Heritage House Apartments, Manistique. For many years, from 12:00-2:00 pm, we enjoyed gathering with residents and friends much of the year to play and sing a variety of songs and tunes in the Community Room for a friendly group of people. A special time and special people!

August 10, 2019, Saturday, 6:00 pm: Lake Effect Community Arts "An Evening with the Arts", at the St Francis Parish Center in Manistique. A fun annual fundraiser with a Live Auction, and Silent Auction, Art Demonstrations, really great hors d'oeuvres, beverages, AND Live Music (by Steve and Sue, of course). Proceeds will go toward renovation and repairs of the new Community Arts Center. A good time and a good cause. More information at: www.lakeeffectarts.org/special-events.html

Wednesday, July 10, 2019, 11:30-1:30: "Lunch on Ludington" with music by Wild Cherry Wine. A new series has begun in Escanaba at the new Marketplace pavilion and we're happy to be a part of it! Every Wednesday different musicians will be playing on the stage for the enjoyment of people eating their lunch or just enjoying the music in the large open pavilion. There will be picnic tables and seating available and the playground will be open for children to enjoy as well. The Farmers Market follows at 3:00. Thanks to Wendy Pepin for this great addition to the music scene in Escanaba.

Saturday, 10:00 - 1:00: "Fur & Feather Swap & Bazaar", at Holmquist Feed Mill in Trenary, sponsored by the Great Lakes Poultry and Livestock Connection. For three years (2017, 2018, 2019) in May  Wild Cherry Wine (Steve, Sue, Sharon Vierk and Tom Caron) added to the lively mix with our old time (and not so old) music for all things furred and feathered, and people, too. There was bake sale, raffle, silent auction, concessions, and lots and lots of wonderful critters. We had a great time playing at this popular annual family event. People are surprised at what they walk out with (be sure to bring an extra crate when you come, just in case). Sadly 2019 was the final year but a very BIG Hug to Holmquist Feed Mill for sponsoring this event for so many years. Check out this Detroit Free Press article/photos/video of the June F&F: www.freep.com/story/news/columnists/john-carlisle/2017/07/02/upper-peninsula-animal-swap-traditions/381317001/

May 17, Friday, 10:00 am: 'Wild Cherry Wine' gathered for a "Pre-season Warm-up" at the Rapid River Riverside Manor apartments Community Room, for a few hours of informal music. Residents and their friends, were invited to stop in and enjoy the music and we had a good time. 

March 11, 2019, Monday: Schoolcraft County Soil Conservation Service Meeting and Dinner -  We're joining our friend, Heidi Troyer to provide musical entertainment for the social hour starting at 5:30 pm, prior to the meeting and dinner, at the First Baptist Church, Manistique. For tickets and information contact the SCSCS at 906.341.8215 or schoolcraftcd@macd.org.

August 12, 2018, Sunday:  "Wild Cherry Wine" were fortunate to play for a beautiful, outdoor in the orchard wedding. It was especially fun since we had played four years earlier (2014) in the same beautiful setting for the bride's older sister's wedding!

May 10, 2017, Wednesday, 1:00-1:30 pm: Mich. Assoc for Family & Community District Meeting, Rapid River Calvery Lutheran Church. With a theme of Chuck Wagon Picnic we'll don our best wagon train attire to entertainment the attendees at this annual gathering. This service group was formerly known as "Home Extension"

April 16, 2017, Easter Sunday:  Adding a special note to the Easter holiday with music for our friends at Woodland Manor made the day special for us, too! ~ ~ ~ ~ Nov. 21, Monday -- Woodland Assisted Living, Manistique, Thanksgiving Dinner, 5:30 pm. We'll be sharing the resident's special dinner with family and friends by providing background music while they eat and visit. ~ ~ ~ ~ December 22, Thursday:  Holiday Cheer via music with our friends at the Heritage House from noon till 2:00. Then at 6:00 we'll join in the party at Woodland Manor with more Christmas songs and tunes. It'll be a full and fun day!

Nov. 4, 2016, Friday -- Alger County Soil Conservation Annual Meeting/Dinner -- 5:30 - 9:00 at 387 (formerly Sydney's), Munising. Though we no longer play regularly with the Falling Rock Old Timer Jammers (which we were 2 of the 3 founding members!) we're happy to join them for this event, providing music for entertainment, and dancing, after the dinner and meeting. Should be a good time!

Sept. 4, Sunday -- We'll again be joining our friends "Lost Lake Effect, and Friends" playing for the occasionally annual Lost Lake lake party. Good food, friendly people, and lively music! The weather may be variable but the fun is always reliable.

August 4, 2016, Thursday: Schoolcraft Hospital Healing Garden Fundraiser -- Wine, cheese, silent auction of art, and music (that's us!) at the Mackinaw Trail Winery, US 2, Manistique, 6:00-9:00 pm.

June 25, Saturday: Schoolcraft County Pioneer Day, Manistique, 12:00-2:00 pm. We'll be entertaining folks for several hours at this annual event which this year is being held at the Marina, highlighting the history of local fishing with a special display inside the Marina building. This is an family-friendly fund-raiser for the Schoolcraft County Historical Society.

June 15, 2016, Wednesday: Schoolcraft Medical Care Facility Birthday Party, Manistique, 2:00-3:00 pm. The Heritage House Thursday Group (see above) will be playing for the monthly birthday party celebration for the residents. We'll add some musical cheer to the cake and ice cream.

Oct. 24, 2015, Saturday -- Schoolcraft County Health Fair, 8:30 am - 12:00 n, at the Schoolcraft Memorial Hospital. There will be displays, demonstrations, vendors and medical stations at this annual event. And when you're done, or in-between, come on down to the Cafeteria for some refreshments and food while you enjoy some old-time (and maybe some not so old) music. We'll be there with healthy music for healthy living, in a background sort of way. Even if you're not hungry, stop by and say Hi.

June 27, 2015, Saturday:  Munising Bay Arts Festival, at Bayshore Park and Marina in Munising. The Falling Rock Old-time Jam group, of which we are a part, will be playing lively old-time tunes from 3:00-4:00 pm for the enjoyment of visitors and artists alike. It's a great day to enjoy wonderful art from area artists and a variety of music as well.

Wednesdays at Falling Rock Cafe, Munising, 7:00-9:00 pm (in the summer), 2:00 - 4:00 (in the winter)-- with the "Falling Rock Old Time Jam Group" -- lively and fun. The core group expands in the summer with many visitors. Come enjoy the music while having a mocha and ice cream, or soup and sandwich. 

It all started in the fall of 2008. Steve had recently taken up the fiddle and with me on guitar we were diving into and learning the "new" world of old-time tunes. Through a mutual acquaintance we met Don Snitgen who had been playing wonderful older (20's, 30's) songs on his flute at noon at the fairly new Falling Rock Cafe in Munising. He had just started playing ukelele and wanted to play old-time tunes. He talked us into joining him at the then quiet (thankfully) (we were very new to this music!) after lunch time at FR. A few months later the "Lost Lake Effect" straing band members Chelle Schuster (hammered dulcimer), and Marilyn (banjo and mandolin) and Barney (upright bass) Ouellette from Lost Lake (south of Munising) heard about it and (tripley thankfully) joined us. They'd been playing for ten years and actually knew these tunes. We owe them so much!! That's when the jam really started. Slowly at first but over time it grew as musicians came and went and stayed around for the long haul.

Steve and I attended regularly for about 8 years. So many great memories, and music. Then we backed off as schedule conflicts arose, and we got a bit tired of the 50 mile drive in winter snowstorms! For years we attended sporadically, always enjoying the wonderful family of musicians. Now, as I update this note in 2025, so many years later, none of our original six are involved in the jam, some have passed on, some moved and no longer playing, But the jam is still active, alive, and jamming on with a whole new set of wonderful musicians!

Third Tuesdays at the Medical Care Facility -- ManyTracks plays for the residents from 2:00-2:45 in the Special Needs area, then 3:00-3:45 in the main area Dining Room.  If you have friends or family at Medicare come on in and enjoy the music with them. We have a good time.

May 1, 2015, Friday - "Night of Hope & Joy" at the Cooks Congregational Church. Larry, Steve and I will be providing suitable background music from 5:45-6:30 during the potluck meal at this annual inspirational evening with a special speaker, physical therapist Lisa Jones.

Dance! 2013-15 -- Steve takes up his fiddle to provide toe-tapping lively music with guitarist friend Larry Daasch for the twice a month Lake Effect Arts Old-time Dances, Sept.-May. I'm the caller for the dances and we have a great time. You're welcome to come join us! For more information go to www.LakeEffectArts.org (or give me a call).

February 23-26, 2015 -- Manistique Library "Geek the Library" week, with "Geek Night" Thursday, Feb. 26, 5:00-7:00 pm -- ManyTracks will be there with a display -- Old-time Music, Dance, and Making and Repairing Musical Instruments -- and will be playing a set of old-time tunes in the entertainment line-up. This is sure to be a fun event as community members and businesses gather at the Library to share their many and varied passions.

August 31, 2015, Sunday -- We'll again be joining our friends "Lost Lake Effect" playing for the occasionally annual Lost Lake party. Good food, friendly people, and lively music! The weather may be variable but the fun is always reliable.

July 12, 2015, Saturday:  "Wild Cherry Wine" will be playing a few after dinner tunes for a private wedding, then the guitarist from 'Steppin' In It' will step in and I'll switch to calling dances for the reception. A great way to celebrate a wonderful wedding!

Saturday, July 5: Manistique Art & Craft Fair, 10:00-4:00 at Manistique's Central Park, in conjunction with the annual Independence Day celebration. "Wild Cherry Wine" will be providing entertainment throughout the day. Listen for the fiddles and guitar and look for Sharon's booth (with wonderful woodburning and painting of birds and wildlife on specially selected driftwood pieces), and stop by and say Hi!

June 28, 2014, Saturday:  Munising Bay Arts Festival, at Bayshore Park and Marina in Munising. The Falling Rock Old-time Jam group, of which we are a part, will be playing lively old-time tunes from 1:00-2:00 pm for the enjoyment of visitors and artists alike. It's a great day to enjoy wonderful art from area artists and a variety of music as well.

June 20, 2014, Friday, 7:00 pm: Wild Cherry Wine will be at Indian Lake State Park providing some suitably Old-time entertainment for the annual Upper Peninsula History Conference attendees. They have a fully packed weekend of interesting events, presentations, tours, and fun. For information and registration forms visit www.hsmichigan.org, or call the Historical Society of Michigan, 800-692-1828.

August 11, 2012, Saturday:  Fayette Heritage Day - 11:00-4:00, Fayette State Park. The historic iron smelting town of Fayette is a great visit most any time but this day is especially fun with 19th century music, blacksmith demonstration, children's game of the era, baseball game, an 1875 Great Lakes Schooner Captain performance by Michael Deren, and the popular pie sale. And to add to the festivities Wild Cherry Wine will be here and there around the townsite during the day from 12:00 - 3:00 providing lively traditional music that might likely have been heard when the town was active, and is still heard and enjoyed today! AND at 11:00 the Falling Rock Jammers (of which we are a part) will be playing in the Hotel. At 3:00 Wild Cherry Wine will help launch the traditional old-time baseball game at the ball field with the national anthem.

March 23, 2013, Friday: "Traditional Country Dance" at the "Dance Zone", 1113 Lincoln Ave, Marquette. Dance from 7:30 - 10:00 pm, with live music by "All Strings Considered"  with Steve and Sue sitting in this month for Jamie and Phil. Come on out for a family fun evening of music and called dances with Marge Sklar.

March 2012: 'Tip a glass for the Irish' -- And celebrate Saint Patricks Day with a special leisurely dinner at the Rock River Cafe in Chatham while enjoying the Celtic tint of the music by "Wild Cherry Wine" (Steve, Sharon Vierk, Sue), from 6:00 - 8:00 pm. The food is delicious and the music will have you tapping and sighing with a smile while you wait and while you eat. Reservations recommended (906-439-5509). Cover charge by donation.

And again in November!

2012 "Traditional Country Dance" at the "Dance Zone", 1113 Lincoln Ave, Marquette. Monthly Dance from 7:30 - 10:00 pm, with live music by "All Strings Considered"  with Steve and Sue. Come on out for a family fun evening of music and called dances with Marge Sklar.

We will also be playing at the Father Marquette School in Marquette Dec. 16 at 1:00, and at the Marquette County Medical Care Facility in Negaunee Nov. 18 at 2:00.

October 15, Saturday: "New Lost Lake Ramblers" concert at Falling Rock Cafe, Munising, 7:00 pm. Old-time music in tune and song to get you tapping your feet and humming along. We have fun playing and we trust you'll have fun listening! Falling Rock Cafe suggested donation $5 at the door. www.fallingrockcafe.com

Sept 2, 2012, Friday & Sept 5, Monday:  ManyTracks at Fayette Historic State Park. Steve and Sue (ManyTracks) will be roaming the beautiful reconstructed historic iron smelting townsite of Fayette with fiddle and guitar providing old time music as it might have been heard during the late 1800's time that Fayette was active.

August 13, 2012, Saturday:  Fayette Heritage Day - 11:00-4:00, Fayette State Park. The historic iron smelting town of Fayette is a great visit most any time but this day will be especially fun with 19th century music, blacksmith demonstration, children's game of the era, baseball game, and the popular pie sale and fish boil. The New Lost Lake Ramblers will help get you into the time period with great toe-tapping traditional tunes and acoustic music from 1:00-3:00 at the renovated casting house down by the harbor.

July 30, 2012, Saturday:  Flannel Jack Fest - Bay Shore Park, Munising. A fun community summer festival celebrating the romance of the logging days, with music, demonstrations, and wonderful smells and tastes from the Community Bread Oven. The New Lost Lake Rambers will be adding to the spirit of the day with plenty of traditional tunes of the era (acoustic, of course! Our specialty.), from 12:00-1:00, and from 2:00-3:00. So come out for this family and community event and enjoy the music and the fun.

July 29, 2012, Friday:  Marquette  Blueberry Festival, downtown Marquette, 12:00 - 2:00 pm under the canopy near Pocket Park: The New Lost Lake Ramblers will once again be providing foot-stamping lively old-time dance music for the enjoyment of those coming downtown to take part in this annual, busy event, which runs from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm. The NLLR are Steve and Sue, Rochelle Schuster, Marilyn & Barney Ouellette.

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updated 02/01/2017