Category: News

Site announcements of changes that affect the Thumbwind website are highlighted.

News and events of Michigan’s Upper Thumb that are worth knowing in the region.

Here are some of the top stories.

Unearthing Hidden Gems: Exploring Untold Stories of Bay City, Mid-Michigan, Flint, and the Thumb

Posted on March 21, 2023March 21, 2023 by Michael Hardy

The Great Lakes Bay Region of Michigan is a vibrant and beautiful area filled with small towns, picturesque lakeshores, thick woods, and beautiful agrarian scenery. Yet, this area is often overlooked and its rich history remains untold. A team of over 40 local writers, app developers, and GIS professionals have come together to change this narrative. Through a state-funded effort, they are creating a series of city narratives, tours, story maps, and photos showcasing the key role this area played in creating Michigan. This project, modeled on 1930s Works Project Administration (WPA) efforts, seeks to unearth hidden gems and untold stories of Bay City, Mid-Michigan, Flint, and the Thumb.

DTE Outage Map & CMS Energy Outage Map

Posted on February 23, 2023February 23, 2023 by Michael Hardy

Each summer there is the potential of rapid moving storms and record setting heat which stresses the energy grid to cause a blackout.

Here is what to prepare for a power outage and outage maps for DTE Energy and Consumers Energy.

U.S. Shoots Down 3rd UFO Over Lake Huron

Posted on February 12, 2023December 22, 2024 by Michael Hardy

On February 12, the US military shot down a third unidentified flying object over Lake Huron. The operation, instructed by President Biden, involved an F-16 firing an AIM-9x missile due to concerns over the object’s altitude posing a risk to civil aviation. This coincided with reports of restricted airspace for national defense.

Uncovering the Rich History of 8 Native American Settlements of the Great Lakes Region

Posted on February 7, 2023April 23, 2026 by Michael Hardy

The Great Lakes region of North America was home to numerous Native American settlements before European explorers and settlers arrived. These settlements were established by various indigenous tribes and served as centers of trade, culture, and community life.

Outside Lab Vindicates Vintage Corelle Dishes – Determines Dishware Is OK For Everyday use

Posted on July 26, 2022August 20, 2025 by Michael Hardy

The vintage Corelle dishes I had been using were found to contain lead in the decorative patterns on the outside. Despite efforts to seek clarification from Corelle and Instant Brands, no confirmation of safety was provided. However, following additional testing, Corelle assured that vintage products comply with current lead-safety regulations, allowing for everyday use. This positive update means we can once again enjoy our vintage Corelle dishes without worry, and even consider expanding our collection.

Corelle Agrees to Start Testing Pre-2000 Vintage Dishes in Response to New Hampshire Lead Warning

Posted on May 30, 2022April 19, 2025 by Michael Hardy

After years of testing conducted by Lead Safe Mama on the high lead levels in vintage Corelle dishes and cookware, the company now holding reign on this vintage brand, Instant Brands, indicated that it will begin a testing program on their “pre-2000 Corelle products”

Thumbwind Publications is in the Classroom (Nation Wide!)

Posted on May 11, 2022May 12, 2022 by Michael Hardy

Our history and social studies posts have attracted the attention of schools across the country. As new technology is being

The Restored 1890 Marlette Railway Depot Faces Uncertain Future

Posted on March 1, 2022January 28, 2026 by Michael Hardy

By 1910 Marlette Railway depot was a twice a day stop for passengers and freight between Port Huron and Saginaw. During World War I, the depot saw service by sending freight and troops to fight in the Great War. However, will it survive the pandemic?