This month’s prose poem was crafted by Katy Derks, a middle school student who participated in the Elk Rapids Elders Project. She interviewed community elder Adam Schuler and captured the essence of his experiences. The poem relays the historical practice of gathering ice blocks during winter for summer cooling before the advent of modern appliances. Tragically, the lakes in the northern regions are scattered with horse bones from similar incidents that didn’t end well.

Terry Wooten, a poet and bard, has been engaging in performances and writing workshops in schools for over 30 years. He is also the mastermind behind Stone Circle, a remarkable installation featuring poetry, storytelling, and music, situated on his property north of Elk Rapids. More details can be found at Terry Wooten’s website.