Faces of Friends Articles

Articles about Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore member profiles

Faces of Friends: Ali and Aidan’s quest to be “kayak guides for life”

Faces of Friends: Ali and Aidan’s quest to be “kayak guides for life”

Ali Erickson and Aidan Lee met at Bayfield kayak outfitter Trek & Trail in 2016. They worked as sea kayak guides over several summers, saying they reveled in the opportunity work outside, surrounded by beautiful water. In 2019, their love for adventure brought them to Alaska where they worked and played with the outdoor community there, but they couldn't stop thinking about Lake Superior. Alaska was their playground, but they say the Apostle Islands were home. In 2022, they moved back to Bayfield where they now own and operate Trek & Trail and support Friends of the Apostle Islands...

Faces of Friends: watercolorist Dale Whittaker to join Friends cruise as Artist in Residence

Faces of Friends: watercolorist Dale Whittaker to join Friends cruise as Artist in Residence

Creative inspiration can happen anywhere in the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. On the sparkling water. On the singing sand beaches or near the rugged sandstone caves and cliffs. Or on a winding trail deep in the island forests. Watercolorist Dale Whittaker says he finds inspiration for his paintings in the islands; not in the grand vistas and postcard views but in the small moments in this special place. Friends is pleased to announce that Dale will be an Artist in Residence on the 2024 Friends of the Apostle Islands cruise on August 8th. He will speak informally about the role of art...

Faces of Friends: Photographer Mike DeWitt and boating for beauty

Faces of Friends: Photographer Mike DeWitt and boating for beauty

Mike DeWitt’s boat, the Compromise, is often the first one in and the last one out at the Apostle Islands Marina. His love of the Apostle Islands is captured in his beautiful photography which has graced many brochures and presentations of Friends of the Apostle Islands including the cover of the last three Annual Reports. His work, through his Apostle Islands Photography website has been widely admired and is prominently displayed in many Chequamegon Bay area businesses and now graces the cover of the 2024 Bayfield Chamber of Commerce Travel Guide. In this interview with Friends Board...

Faces of Friends: artisan Kate Clark supports starry skies

Faces of Friends: artisan Kate Clark supports starry skies

You don’t have to look far to enjoy the beauty of the night sky in the Apostle Islands, just look up. When Friends wanted a design to depict that beauty for our Starry Skies Initiative, we didn’t have to look far either. We turned to Penny Print Studio, a local boutique, print shop, artisan studio, and creative hub located right on Bayfield’s Manypenny Avenue established in 2022 by Friends supporters Kate and Abe Clark.Penny Print Studio in BayfieldWorking with local artist Kara Fleming and doing the printing by hand and right on site, Penny Print designed a unique, one-of-a-kind logo for...

Faces of Friends: Darcy Schwerin on mindful giving

Faces of Friends: Darcy Schwerin on mindful giving

The heart and strength of Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is people. People who love the islands and step up to support the national lakeshore with their time, talent and treasure. With that in mind, we're launching Faces of Friends, a new series where we introduce some of our Friends and explore their personal connections to the islands. So many of our Friends have great stories to tell, whether they're park lovers, volunteers, donors, business members or board members. During the coming weeks, we'll be sharing their stories. This week, meet Darcy Schwerin.The calming...

Introducing Faces of Friends: Sue Nelson

Introducing Faces of Friends: Sue Nelson

The heart and strength of Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore is people. People who love the islands and step up to support the national lakeshore with their time, talent and treasure. With that in mind, we're launching Faces of Friends, a new series where we introduce some of our Friends and explore their personal connections to the islands. So many of our Friends have great stories to tell, whether they're park lovers, volunteers, donors, business members or board members. During the coming weeks, we'll be sharing these stories, starting with charter boat captain Sue Nelson,...