Author: Michael Hardy

Michael is the owner of Thumbwind Publications LLC. It started in 2009 covering Michigan and the Upper Thumb. Today, his Michigan Moments series has established a loyal base of 110,000 followers.

1881 Michigan Fire Forever Changed the Thumb

Posted on September 4, 2021January 30, 2025 by Michael Hardy

The fires of September 4th though the 6th 1881, commonly known as the Thumb Fire, took hundreds of lives and burned well over one million acres.

This Labor Day Weekend Explore Art in the Park in Port Austin

Posted on September 3, 2021October 30, 2021 by Michael Hardy

Its an end of Summer Tradition. The Thumb Arts Guild’s Annual Juried Art Fair occurs each Labor Day weekend at Gallup Park in Port Austin

Marlette Train Depot – Beautifully Restored History

Posted on September 2, 2021October 30, 2021 by Michael Hardy

The Marlette Train Depot is a beautiful and well-restored example of a late 1800s rural Michigan railway train station. Today its a historical marker and museum.

Michigan Monday – Ernest Hemingway

Posted on August 23, 2021November 2, 2021 by Michael Hardy

Ernest Hemingway was born in Illinois, but his family bought land on Walloon Lake near Petoskey Michigan. Is is a noted author of the 1900s.

This is the last post of a series inspired by fellow blogger Catherine Beeman.

WCAG Compliance and SEO – Do Both Now to Benefit Later

Posted on August 23, 2021November 2, 2021 by Michael Hardy

The interesting twist is that WCAG and SEO conventions and standards are intertwined in many key areas. Thus blogs and small website owners can be compliant and benefit from both.

A Great Summer in Michigan’s Thumb – 6 Bucket List Ideas

Posted on August 21, 2021July 30, 2025 by Michael Hardy

The calendar on your desk indicates that summer officially ends in about a week, but deep down you not quite ready to ditch the shorts and flip-flops for sweatshirts and football. It only really ends when you’ve done these 6 things in Michigan’s Upper Thumb.