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’Tis the season of new plans for cottage renovations, labors of love like landscaping and anticipation of seeing seasonal neighbors in lake communities.

According to Stiles Kennedy, M.D. the first magnetic spring was discovered in St. Louis, Mich., when “some fellow discovered that his knife blade stuck to the iron tubing.”

Manistee. Deriving its name from an Ojibwe word meaning either “river with islands at its mouth” or “spirit of the woods,” Manistee owes its growth to logging, farming and the railroad. Starting out with just a population of about 200 in 1852, the burgeoning port became home to more millionaires per capita than anywhere in the U.S. during the 1880s. 

While the start of the year may be the standard time we plant our best intentions for personal renewal, spring is the season they often really take root.

Widely known for his collectible images of “dunesmobiles” on Sleeping Bear Dunes, beachgoers at Clinch Park and waterfront villages during the 1950s and ’60s, 101-year-old Phil Balyeat’s life started out with success in sports, not photography.

Muskegon. In 1857, when New Yorker Wesley Wood stopped in Muskegon, he discovered a seemingly lawless frontier community. Although “saloons, dram shops and gambling places abounded,” Wood “very firmly” believed Muskegon was destined to become “a very important” business and population center. He was right. As present-day Muskegon transitions into a high-tech manufacturing, tourism, healthcare and maritime-based economy, this history-steeped city is also home to a winter sports complex, state-of-the-art planetarium, trolley rides, state parks, the Lake Express and assorted thrills at Michigan’s Adventure.

From the inevitable driftwood, Petoskey stones and beach glass — all treasures for the taking — assemblages of fishing reels, local maps, canoe paddles and vintage signs bloom in cottage getaways across the state.

Beach towns preserve Old West Michigan Pike’s rich history of motor touring

Michigan’s oldest steam-powered passenger ship has since returned to her home port. She no longer crosses Lake Michigan but does again welcome guests.

From a relaxing stay at an Upper Peninsula lodge to a pickle barrel-shaped museum that once sold food products and souvenirs, here are the top 10 most-read stories of 2020.