National Park Service advances plans to relocate Chequamegon Point Light Tower
(Apostle Islands National Lakeshore News Release) BAYFIELD, Wis. — Apostle Islands National Lakeshore has awarded a...
It was a magical night for guests on the sold-out Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore cruise. Magical because Canadian wildfire smoke that had shrouded northern Wisconsin for weeks disappeared just in time. Magical because nearly glass-calm conditions made it easy to dine on catered delicacies and home-made treats. Magical because many guests were able to cool off by wading in the clear waters of Julian Bay, then cap off the evening with a beautiful sunset. And magical because a shared love of the Lakeshore brought all of these like-minded people together for an evening of fun and commitment to the Lakeshore we love.
Jeff Rennicke welcomes guests aboard the Superior Princess – Jon Okerstrom photo
Watch the video to hear Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Executive Director Jeff Rennicke’s message to 60 of our good Friends.
Executive Director Rennicke told the crowd gathered in Stockton Island’s accessible amphitheater, “We talk a lot about a park’s recreation potential. We talk a lot about its wildlife. We talk about its scenery. Let’s talk about its magic too. Because this place has that magic, particularly when you step off the boat with so many great Friends. We have often billed this trip as a ‘thank you,’ so let me say, thank you.”
He said, “Our job is to work with the park to figure out how we can help to make this park even better than what it is. We raise awareness, we raise volunteers, and we raise funds for projects like this (the accessible ampitheater on Stockton Island) to help make the park better.
Rennicke thanked the current and former members of the National Park Service who joined us on the trip, including trip sponsor Wickcraft Boardwalks, Acting Superintent Tucker Blythe and Communications and Education Director Lucas Westcott, retired Superintendent Lynne Dominy, and retired ranger Neil Howk who now serves on the Friends board.
Rennicke also thanked Friends board members and outgoing board member John Boyle. Rennicke presented Boyle with an inscribed compass for his eight years of service. He said Boyle has been a “quiet, solid, insightfull force for our organization.”
Rennicke also thanked our business members and donors. “If you are a donor, a member, a former board member or a volunteer to friends, raise you hands. And please give yourselves. a big hand.”
He then invited guests to make the short hike to Julian Bay to enjoy the singing sand beach, cool water and beautiful view. And he jokingly cautioned that anyone not back to the Superior Princess by eight, might just be left on the island. Thank you, Friends, for making the 2025 cruise as magical as it was. And a special thanks to Co-executive Director Jill Rennicke, and everyone who helped to make it happen, including Island City Kombucha, Bodin Fisheries and Apostle 22. We’ll see you on next year’s cruise.
Guests enjoy the sunset on the upper deck – Greg Lais photo
Sunset over the upper deck bow of the Superior Princess – Jon Okerstrom photo

Written by Jon Okerstrom, a Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore board member and digital and social media volunteer with a background in digital and television journalism, photography and graphic design.
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