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Wakefield, Michigan

Wakefield is a city in Gogebic County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,702 at the 2020 census.

Wakefield is located in the western Upper Peninsula about 10 mi east of the Wisconsin border. The city is mostly surrounded by Wakefield Township, but the two are administered autonomously. U.S. Route 2 passes through the city, and M-28 has its western terminus in the city.

It is home to Sunday Lake, Snow River Mountain Resort, Gogebic County Medical Care Facility, and Gogebic County Community Mental Health Authority. Once a mining town, the economy is now based upon the forest industry, goods and services, and tourism.

Founding
George Mix Wakefield, born February 6, 1839, in Henderson, New York, a son of James Patterson Wakefield and Hannah B. Hall, had the town site of Wakefield platted in May 1886; the general location was already being referred to as "Wakefield" as early as the fall of 1884. His parents moved their family to Waukesha County, Wisconsin in October 1844. Mr. Wakefield became interested in logging and real estate and acquired vast tracts of land in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan in the 1870s and 1880s. Together with various other capitalists he built sawmills and logged the pine forests of the area, and later became involved in mineral exploration. He was one of the parties who held interests in the mineral rights to the Sunday Lake mine, as well as a few nearby properties.

George M. Wakefield
Mr. Wakefield moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1879 and established a real estate business, dealing in timber and mineral lands in Michigan, Wisconsin, Texas, and Alaska. He was secretary-treasurer of the Ontonagon River Improvement and Boom Company, organized in 1880. They made it possible to float logs out to Lake Superior and built a sawmill on an island near the mouth of the Ontonagon River in Ontonagon, Michigan.

The G. M. Wakefield Mineral Land Company was formed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on September 18, 1899, for the purpose of dealing in mineral lands, timber, agricultural lands, and real estate. George M. Wakefield, his wife and their son Vernon T. Wakefield were the stockholders with a capital stock of $50,000 divided into 500 shares. Most of the land held was in Township 47 North, between Wakefield and Lake Gogebic. Mr. Wakefield was also a major stockholder in the Beacon, Continental, Cosmos, International, and Summit mineral land companies.

The Wakefield ancestry is traced back to John Wakefield, who was born about 1614, probably in Gravesend, County Kent, England and immigrated to Virginia aboard the "America" in June 1635, along with his brothers Richard Wakefield and Thomas Wakefield. John Wakefield eventually settled at Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts.

Incorporation
Wakefield was incorporated as a village by the Gogebic County Board of Supervisors on November 20, 1887. It became incorporated as a city in 1919.

Mining boom
The founding of Wakefield and much of its early history was based upon the discovery of iron ore on the east end of Sunday Lake by George A. Fay in 1881. Upon its discovery, several mining companies rushed to the area and many mines opened. Villages such as Plymouth, Pike, Castile, and Comet got their names from these iron mines. The first mines in Wakefield were the Sunday Lake, Iron Chief, and the Brotherton. According to the Gogebic Range Directory of 1888, the output of these mines in 1886 was as follows: Sunday Lake, 13,00 tons; Iron Chief, 9,584 tons, and the Brotherton, about 3,500 tons.

Wakefield's iron mines include:

 * MIKADO Captain John Lester did pioneering work on the MIKADO in 1886. Development occurred off and on for several years, until the first ore was shipped in 1895. The mine is credited with shipping over one million tons from 1895 to 1917.  Shipments from 1919 to 1952 were sent under the PLYMOUTH name.  The MIKADO mine was located on the northwest end of the open pit, in Verona location.
 * PILGRIM Explorations began on this location in the spring of 1886 under Captain Harry Letcher. Nothing was shipped until 1919–27 when the PILGRIM made shipments of twenty-two thousand tons.  The PILGRIM was located just east of the MIKADO.
 * PLYMOUTH The PLYMOUTH open-pit mine operated just to the west of the WAKEFIELD, but the PLYMOUTH was entirely an open pit operation, with the possible exception of a small amount of ore taken out of the No.3 shaft as it was being sunk. It began shipping in 1916 and closed on November 6, 1952, having shipped almost seventeen million tons.
 * WAKEFIELD Drill exploration began on the WAKEFIELD property in July 1912, and two shafts were down by the following summer. The first ore shipment was made on October 15, 1913.  The WAKEFIELD soon became an open-pit mine, shipping a total of almost fourteen million gross tons from 1913 to 1954.
 * CITY OF CHICAGO Exploration began in the latter part of 1886 at this location on the north shore of Sunday lake. The SPARTA operated on the same location in 1888 and the CITY OF CHICAGO returned in 1896, eventually producing shipments of almost one hundred thousand tons of ore between 1896 and 1915.  It was also called the SOUTH CHICAGO in 1915.
 * SPARTA The former CITY OF CHICAGO exploration became the SPARTA in 1888. It was developed and shipped almost ten thousand tons from 1891 to 1895.
 * ALPHA In the summer of 1886 the Alpha Iron Mining Company sank a shaft near the north shore of Sunday lake. By 1890 this location was taken over by the PIKE mine.
 * PIKE Captain Robinson D. Pike (1838–1906) of Bayfield, Wisconsin took over the former ALPHA option in 1889. Ten years later the PIKE made its first shipment, with total shipments of over one hundred five thousand tons from 1899 to 1910.  In 1927 the PIKE became part of the SUNDAY LAKE GROUP.
 * BROTHERTON Frank H. Brotherton began mineral explorations near Sunday lake in the summer of 1883. The first iron ore was shipped from the mine in 1886, with total shipments amounting to two million six hundred ninety thousand tons by the time the mine closed in 1923.
 * SUNDAY LAKE This location was first explored in 1881 by George Fay. Development picked up by 1884, and the first iron shipment left port at Ashland on November 19, 1885.  The SUNDAY LAKE mine later encompassed all of Section 10 and the former BROTHERTON mine.  Over seventeen million gross tons of ore went out from 1885 to 1961.  The mine closed on February 16, 1961.
 * IRON CHIEF Development of the IRON CHIEF mine began in 1884 under the Fink Mining Company. It was originally called the ASCHERMANN for Edward Aschermann (18341904) of Appleton, Wisconsin.  The mine shipped about twelve thousand tons of iron ore in 1886 and 1887.
 * CASTILE Captain Pentecost Mitchell (1861–1933) discovered iron ore on this location in 1886. The CASTILE began producing in 1906 and shipped almost nine hundred thousand tons of ore by the time it closed in 1923.
 * METEOR The METEOR started as an exploration in 1890, called the NORTON. It was developed into a mine by 1900 and operated until 1904, shipping one hundred thirty-two thousand tons between 1899 and 1904. Over six million tons of stockpile ore went under the name NORTH MIKADO.
 * COMET Captain Pentecost Mitchell found ore here and an exploration called the ECLlPSE was developed from 1886 to 1890. The COMET began in 1890 making its first ore shipment in August.  The COMET was shut down in 1893 reopening in 1900 and operating until 1902 as part of the METEOR mine.  It is credited with shipments of eighty-nine thousand tons in 1890–93.
 * MORGAN The MORGAN mine east of Wakefield was developed in 1918–23 and made its first ore shipment on January 30, 1923. It operated until 1925 and shipped over fifty-eight thousand tons.
 * VICAR The easternmost productive mine on the Gogebic Range covered most of Section 12, east of Wakefield. This location was once called the JONES & LAUGHLIN exploration and included the old PHOENIX exploration that dated back to 1887.  The VICAR shipped about one hundred two thousand tons in 1950–51.

Post-mining era

After the closure of the Sunday Lake Mine on February 16, 1961, the local economy shifted from one of mining to the forest industry, goods and services and tourism.

Logging had been a mainstay of the local economy since the early 1900s. In 1941, the county embarked upon a county forest project to demonstrate that with selective cutting, under proper management, forests could be perpetuated, of increasing value and quality. By 1956, the project included 45604 acre out of the total of 703102 acre in the county and Ottawa National Forest harvesting marked hardwoods, aspen, and conifer. In support of the local lumber industry, many successful lumber, trucking, equipment sales, and logging businesses have existed in Wakefield and many continue to do so today. They all support the larger industries of lumber and plywood mills located in Gogebic County and outlying areas.

After the local mining jobs were lost, many in the community began providing goods and services, which included restaurants, food markets, bakery, bars, gas stations, hardware stores, drug stores and other commerce that supports the needs of the community.

With an average of 156 – of annual snowfall, the city greatly benefits from winter tourism. Indianhead Mountain opened in 1959 and has grown to become a major tourist magnet in both winter and summer. Snowmobile trails, cross-country skiing trails, and ice fishing on Sunday Lake have also drawn many tourists to the city during the winter months. During the summer, hiking, camping, fishing, and on occasion American Power Boat Association boat races on Sunday Lake contribute to a growing local tourist industry. As a typical small town, many are drawn back to participate in the annual old-fashioned July 4 celebration. The week-long event includes softball tournaments, high school class reunions, homecoming church services, town picnic and concert at Eddy Park, a Sunday Lake run contest, Main Street parade, children's races, and fireworks display over Sunday Lake.

2016 storm
Severe storms struck the Gogebic Range during the late evening of July 11, 2016 and the early morning of July 12, 2016. The storm produced flash floods across the area and one confirmed EF0 tornado in nearby Bessemer Township. In particular, the city of Wakefield was struck with a thunderstorm with straight-line winds around 90 mph which downed numerous trees and power lines, turned over a camper trailer, and tore the roof off of a former ice rink along Sunday Lake. Following the storm, parts of the city remained without power for a considerable time before crews could restore power.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,851 people, 818 households, and 452 families residing in the city. The population density was 230.8 PD/sqmi. There were 994 housing units at an average density of 123.9 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% White, 0.1% African American, 1.1% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 818 households, of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.3% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.7% were non-families. 38.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.72.

The median age in the city was 50.1 years. 17.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.5% were from 25 to 44; 30% were from 45 to 64; and 26.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,085 people, 883 households, and 535 families residing in the city. The population density was 261.5 PD/sqmi. There were 1,035 housing units at an average density of 129.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 98.23% White, 0.48% Native American, 0.05% Asian, and 1.25% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.19% of the population.

There were 883 households, out of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 7.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.3% were non-families. 35.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 21.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.76.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 16.1% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 22.4% from 25 to 44, 24.1% from 45 to 64, and 30.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 48 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $25,368, and the median income for a family was $36,810. Males had a median income of $31,406 versus $21,278 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,036. About 6.3% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Population
The population peaked in 1920 with the mining boom and has been in steady decline since.

City Hall
The City Hall is located at 509 Sunday Lake Street (Formerly the Father Daniel Hall). City departments include Water and Electric, Public Works, and Finance. The City Staff operate from the building and Department of Public Works garage which include:

 * Building Inspector
 * City Assessor
 * City Manager
 * City Clerk
 * City Treasurer
 * Utilities
 * Department of Public Works Working Foreman
 * Assistant DPW
 * Electric/Water Department Working Foreman

On September 17, 2014, the City Council voted unanimously to approve a one-year Lease with Option to Purchase Agreement with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Marquette for Father Daniel Hall (FDH). That fall the old City Hall closed and the City government moved into FDH. Plans to repair or replace the old City Hall had been discussed for decades. The boilers and some bathrooms were not functioning, the exterior required extensive tuck-pointing and repair, and the building did not meet ADA standards. Many of the offices were in need of rewiring and required structural repairs. Many of the other areas were no longer utilized. As conditions deteriorated the cost of keeping the doors open increased year after year. Conversely, FDH had seen significant improvements. In 2013, the roof was replaced, and the boilers are functioning. All of the rooms are on one floor, and the entrance is handicap accessible, offering access to all residents. The new City Hall, now called the municipal building, was purchased in October 2015 for $101,899 using general funds.

City Council
The City Council consists of the Mayor, Mayor Pro Tem, and three council members who are elected for two-year terms.

City commissions
Active commissions include:
 * Civil Service
 * Planning
 * Housing Commission

Development projects
Current projects are:
 * Walking trail and lights along the southwest shoreline of Sunday Lake.
 * New playground equipment at Eddy Park.
 * Memorial Building demolition project.
 * Renaissance Tax-Free Zone through the Michigan Renaissance Zone Act of 1996 created for both economically distressed urban and rural areas alike. Renaissance Zones are a powerful market-based program designed to spur new jobs, investment, and redevelopment in designated areas. The City of Wakefield renaissance zone is 47 acres in size and provides participating companies the advantage of tax-free incentives until 2017.

Memorial Building

Completed in 1924 on the south shore of Sunday Lake, the 52000 sqft Wakefield Memorial Building was the center of the community. At a cost of $400,000 it was dedicated to the youth who fought in World War I. It housed a banquet area, meeting rooms, an olympic size swimming pool, and a 1,200 seat movie theater with main floor and balcony seating. By the late 1950s after the local iron mines closed, the major tax base was lost and the city no longer had adequate funds to operate the Memorial Building. During the ensuing decades, other entities owned the building but little was done to sustain it. The harsh winters soon destroyed the roof and the building was soon structurally unsound and in a dilapidated state.

In July 2004, Marvin Suomi, a 1965 graduate of Wakefield High School purchased the Wakefield Memorial Building. Headed by Mr. Suomi, the Wakefield Memorial Building Foundation was established as a 501(c)(3) organization with the goal of constructing a new, smaller, energy efficient/sustainable building. Federal and state funding were dependent upon a series of environmental reviews and assessments by both the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. The State Historic Preservation Office did not want the old building torn down but after lengthy negotiations a consensus was reached by the project coordinator and shortly thereafter the City Council approved the demolition. By late spring 2010 the Michigan State Historic Preservation Office approved the archival records compiled of the memorial building and Wakefield City Hall. HUD then released $147,000 in federal funds that were used to pay for the demolition. Demolition of the old Memorial Building began on July 6, 2010, and was complete on August 28, 2010. Twelve stained-glass windows from the theater auditorium were salvaged for restoration and use in the new building design. In July 2011 the City Council in conjunction with the Wakefield Memorial Building Foundation, decided to remove a roughly 9600 sqft theater from the plans for a 34000 sqft building. The new building will function as a community center and house city offices, the city library, and a swimming pool. When the project is complete, the new building will be operated by the city and utilized by the entire community. It is currently unknown if or when the project will proceed.

Education

 * The Wakefield-Marenisco School is located on the southeast shore of Sunday Lake. The first building on site was erected in 1890, and the first high school (Mary McDonald) in 1909. By 2003–2004 the renovated high school building housed 4 year olds through grade 12.  The 2004–2005 school year saw the consolidation of the Wakefield-Marenisco School District.  The merging of the two communities ended the existence of the respective districts individual schools.  The combined districts have approximately 300 students.
 * Central School Elementary closed in 2000. In 2001 the elementary students moved into the high school building.
 * Mary McDonald School established in 1909. It was demolished in 1974.

Wakefield Public Library
The Wakefield Public Library was opened to the public on February 4, 1935. It was originally located on the second floor of the City Hall building on Sunday Lake Street. It is now located at 401 Hancock Street. The dream for the library dates back to Oct 17, 1934 when a group of local citizens concerned about the literary heritage of their community decided to take action. They felt that a measurement of the cultural concerns of a community could be made through the literary pursuits of its citizens. The city of Wakefield made its first appropriation of $1,000 to lay the groundwork of the fine community facility we enjoy today. The Wakefield Public Library serves the City and Township of Wakefield. With help from the "Friends of the Library" it has received some needed renovations. In 2005, the children's section was totally remodeled followed by the "teen section" in 2006.

Public safety

 * Wakefield Volunteer Fire Department.
 * Gogebic County Sheriff's Department at 100 Iron Street, Bessemer, Michigan.
 * Michigan State Police Post No. 87 at 100 Sunday Lake Street.

Healthcare facilities & nursing homes

 * Gogebic County Medical Care Facility at 402 North Street is a 109-bed Nursing Home facility which provides extended-stay nursing care to seniors with varying levels of disabilities. It is owned and operated by the county government.
 * Gogebic County Community Mental Health Authority at 103 West US 2 provides a complete range of services for all residents of Gogebic County. These services are for people with emotional disturbance or mental illness.  In addition, services are available for persons with developmental disabilities and co-occurring substance abuse issues.
 * KeenAgers Corporation at 303 Brotherton Street is a non-profit organization that offers assisted living and independent living to the elderly. The facility offers all meals and laundry service.  KeenAgers was founded by the late Reverend Wilbert Staudenmaier.
 * Sunset Manor at 200 East Pierce Street is a one-story independent living facility for the elderly and low income housing and operates on 30% of income for flat rate/rent and includes all utilities. It consists of 30 efficiency apartments and 1 bedrooms.  It is run by the Wakefield Housing Commission under the Federal Housing Department (HUD).

Religion

 * Grace Baptist Church at 512 Sunday Lake Street.
 * Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 407 Ascherman Street.
 * All Saints Lutheran Church at 1202 Putnam Street.
 * Wakefield Methodist Church at 706 Putnam Street.
 * Calvary Baptist Church at 1201 Peters Street.

Community and Veterans Groups

 * Wakefield Senior Citizen Center at 900 Pierce Street was established in the early 1950s. It was a church before it was utilized in its current role.  Programs include senior issues such as healthcare, Medicare, eye care, diabetes, and nutrition.  The Senior Center is involved in the Meals on Wheels program sponsored by Gogebic County.
 * Rotary Club of Bessemer and Wakefield meets every Thursday at noon at the Keenager's facility.
 * Wakefield Historical Society at 306 Sunday Lake Street. Collections include a "turn-of-the-century" collection, specializing in mining and lumbering.
 * Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9084 at 107 East US 2, on the south shore of Sunday Lake.
 * American Legion Post 11 at 605 River Street.

Recreation and tourism

 * Eddy Park & Campground is located on the north-northeastern shore of Sunday Lake. The park provides picnic, playground, and swimming areas and has two pavilions for gatherings.  The park and campground is opened from Memorial Day weekend to the end of September.  The modern campground has water, electric (20, 30, and 50 Amp), and sewer services.
 * Indianhead Mountain Ski Resort is located west of the city at 500 Indianhead Mountain Road. The mountain provides a vertical drop of 638 ft on 29 runs with 196 skiable acres and several trails up to a mile long.  Summer activities include hiking, golf, and wildlife watching.
 * American Power Boat Association (APBA) boat races. The City of Wakefield has hosted APBA boat races on several occasions.  Badger State Outboard Association boat races were held on Sunday Lake from July 31, 2011, through August 8, 2011.  Advertised by the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce as "Speed Week on Sunday Lake", APBA Outboard Nationals were held on Sunday Lake from July 27 through August 1, 2015.  Nation Stock & J Class Boat Races were held July 22–26, 2019.

Media
Local newspapers and radio include:
 * The Wakefield News-Bessemer Pick & Axe is published weekly on Wednesday at 405 Sunday Lake Street.
 * The Ironwood Daily Globe is published Monday through Saturday and serves Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties in Michigan and Iron County, Wisconsin.
 * WJMS AM 590 from Ironwood, Michigan
 * WIMI FM 99.7 from Ironwood, Michigan
 * WUPM FM 106.9 from Ironwood, Michigan

Notable people

 * Walter S. Goodland, Governor of Wisconsin, practiced law in Wakefield.
 * Ernest J. Korpela, Wisconsin State Assemblyman, was born in Wakefield.
 * Betty Ren Wright, award-winning writer of children’s fiction, was born in Wakefield.

Bus service

 * Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service between St. Ignace and Ironwood, Michigan.

Trails

 * State Line Trail

Books

 * Cox, Bruce K., Pioneers of Wakefield Michigan 1884–1900, Agogeebic Press, LLC, 2007.
 * Cox, Bruce K., Headframes and Mine Shafts of the Gogebic Range, Volume 2, Bessemer-Ramsay-Wakefield, Agogeebic Press, LLC, 2000.

title: Wakefield, Michigan


text:
Hoogezand-Sappemeer

Hoogezand-Sappemeer is a former municipality in the Northeastern Netherlands. It was the third most-populous municipality in the province of Groningen, after Groningen and Oldambt. It was formed in 1949 by the merger of the former municipalities of Hoogezand (well-known for its ship building industry) and Sappemeer. On 1 January 2018, Hoogezand-Sappemeer merged with Slochteren and Menterwolde, forming the new municipality Midden-Groningen.

Geography
Population centres in the municipality were:

 * Achterdiep
 * Borgercompagnie
 * Borgweg
 * Foxham
 * Foxhol
 * Foxholsterbosch
 * Hoogezand
 * Jagerswijk
 * Kalkwijk
 * Kiel-Windeweer
 * Kleinemeer
 * Kropswolde
 * Lula
 * Martenshoek
 * Meerwijck
 * Nieuwe Compagnie
 * Sappemeer
 * Tripscompagnie
 * Waterhuizen
 * Westerbroek
 * Wolfsbarge

Transportation
The A7 motorway (European Highway E 22, Amsterdam-Groningen-Germany) crosses the municipality. There is also a railway line providing service to Groningen and Nieuweschans/Leer(Germany). Trains serve four stations in the municipality, Kropswolde, Martenshoek, Hoogezand-Sappemeer, and Sappemeer Oost. Since 2007, trains will stop 4 times an hour.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Hoogezand-Sappemeer


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Wakefield Township, Michigan

Wakefield Township is a civil township of Gogebic County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 301 in 2020.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 180.8 sqmi, of which 179.8 sqmi is land and 1.0 sqmi (0.54%) is water.

Communities

 * The City of Wakefield is situated within the township, but is administratively autonomous.
 * Duke was a lumbertown in this township with a station on the Duluth, South Shore and Atlantic Railroad. It had a post office from 1901 until 1906.
 * Thomaston is an unincorporated community in the township a few miles north of Wakefield at 46.51639°N, -89.9275°W. A post office opened November 7, 1891 and was discontinued July 31, 1923. The office reopened and operated from January 12, 1925, until August 14, 1926.
 * Connorville is an unincorporated community in the township a few miles north of Thomaston at 46.55194°N, -89.93111°W. It began as a lumber camp in 1925.
 * Tula was a lumbertown approximately 8 miles of the City of Wakefield east on M-28 at 46.54611°N, -89.81472°W. It had a post office from 1906 until 1916. There is a sign approximately $1 1/2$ miles east of the former town site that reads "Tula".

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 364 people, 161 households, and 110 families residing in the township. In 2020, there were 301 people residing in the township.

title: Wakefield Township, Michigan


text:
Leek, Netherlands

Leek (De Laik; De Like) is a village and former municipality in Groningen province in the northeastern Netherlands. The municipality, which bordered the Drenthe and Friesland provinces, was merged into the municipality of Westerkwartier on 1 January 2019.

The village of Leek is approximately 20 km west of Groningen (city) on the A7 (E22) highway.

The village grew around a fortification that was constructed during the Eighty Years' War with Spain. The name 'Leek' was derived from a brook, the "Leke". The town is sometimes also called "De Leek". In Dutch, the people from Leek are called "Leeksters".

Every year around Pentecost there is a fair (Pinkstermarkt), drawing thousands of people from the area.

Near the village is a shallow lake, the Leekstermeer (also known as Zulthermeer), with recreational facilities, but the lake is in another municipality and in another province.

Attractions in Leek
The main attraction in the village is the "Nienoord" estate. The estate was founded in 1508. After a destroying fire, a new manor-house was built in 1887. The gardens and the shell grotto were restored.

The National Carriage Museum is located in this manor-house. In 1958 the National Carriage Museum rented the house and gardens. The National Carriage Museum presents an overall view of the various types of carriages and sleighs from the 18th to the 20th century. The 250 coaches in the museum’s collection were used by farmers, the common man, noblemen and royalty.

In the estate is situated a recreation park (Family-park Nienoord) with model railways in several scales, including live steam.

In Tolbert and Midwolde are churches from the 12th century. The churches are built in the Romano-Gothic style. Typical for this style are the walls and gables of brick that are richly decorated with recesses and patterns of bricks.

In the church of Midwolde is a tomb monument sculpted by Rombout Verhulst. Rombout Verhulst also decorated the tomb of Michiel de Ruyter in the Nieuwe Kerk in Amsterdam.

Population centres
Enumatil, Leek, Lettelbert, Midwolde, Oostwold, Tolbert and Zevenhuizen, Leek.

title: Leek, Netherlands


text:
Loppersum

Loppersum (Loppersom ) is a village and former municipality in the province of Groningen in the northeast of the Netherlands.

Geography
Loppersum is located in the province of Groningen in the north of the Netherlands.

The former municipality was bordered by the municipalities of Eemsmond (north), Delfzijl (east), Appingedam (east), Slochteren (southeast), Ten Boer (south), and Bedum (southwest).

The population centres in the municipality were:

 * Eekwerd
 * Eekwerderdraai
 * Eenum
 * Fraamklap
 * Garrelsweer
 * Garsthuizen
 * Hoeksmeer
 * Honderd
 * Huizinge
 * Kolhol
 * Leermens
 * Loppersum
 * Lutjerijp
 * Lutjewijtwerd
 * Merum
 * Middelstum
 * Oosterwijtwerd
 * Startenhuizen
 * Stedum
 * Stork
 * Toornwerd
 * Westeremden
 * Westerwijtwerd
 * Wirdum
 * Wirdumerdraai
 * 't Zandt
 * Zeerijp
 * Zijldijk

Government
The second to last mayor of Loppersum was Albert Rodenboog of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA). He was chosen as best local administrator by the professional magazine Binnenlands Bestuur in 2013.

Monuments
The Petrus en Pauluskerk is a national heritage site (rijksmonument) in Loppersum.

Of the borg of Ewsum in Middelstum a single defense tower remains today.

Transportation
The Groningen–Delfzijl railway runs through the municipality from east to west with the railway stations of Stedum and Loppersum.

Notable residents

 * Titia van der Tuuk (1854 in 't Zandt – 1939) a Dutch feminist atheist and teetotal, vegetarian pacifist
 * Johannes de Groot (1914 in Garrelsweer – 1972) a Dutch mathematician and topologist
 * Jan Pesman (1931 in Stedum – 2014) a Dutch long-distance speed skater, bronze medallist at the 1960 Winter Olympics
 * Haijo Apotheker (born 1950 in Loppersum) a Dutch politician
 * Laurens W. Molenkamp (born 1956 in Garrelsweer) a Professor of physics, works on semiconductor structures and topological insulators

title: Loppersum


text:
Watersmeet Township, Michigan

Watersmeet Township is a civil township of Gogebic County in the Upper Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 1,456 in 2020.

The Lac Vieux Desert Indian Reservation is located in two small segments within Watersmeet Township.

History
The Lac Vieux Desert Indian Reservation was established by treaty under the United States in 1854. The Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, part of the Lake Superior Band of Chippewa Indians, have occupied this territory since the 17th century. The band owns and operates a resort on the reservation, which includes a casino and golf course.

The unincorporated community of Watersmeet is within the township on the middle branch of the Ontonagon River near the junction of U.S. Highway 2 and U.S. Highway 45 at 46.26778°N, -89.17778°W. The European-American community of Watersmeet was platted in 1884, designated as a station of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways.

The now-explained Lights of Paulding occur nearby.

Schools
In late 2003 and early 2004, the boys' high school basketball team of the K-12 Watersmeet Township School was featured in a series of commercials on ESPN. ESPN chose Watersmeet for the commercials in part because of the school's sport teams' unusual nickname of Nimrods. The tag line of the commercials was "Without sports, who would cheer for the Nimrods?" The ads were so popular that the team, its coach, and octogenarian fan Dale Jenkins, all of whom were featured on the commercials, appeared on The Tonight Show on March 15, 2004.

The township and the Nimrods are the focus of an 8-part documentary, Nimrod Nation, which aired on The Sundance Channel. Filming started in September 2005 and continued until June 2006. Actor Robert Redford, one of the channel's owners and a champion of Native American issues, was reported to have been inspired to make the documentary when he learned that Watersmeet Township School's student body (and varsity basketball team) was approximately 50 percent Native American. The documentary won a Peabody Award in 2007.

Since that time, the township has consolidated schools. At the time, 9-12 grade enrollment was 78; the school system absorbed 13 of neighboring Marenisco's 60 K-12 students. The Watersmeet township high school enrollment in 2005-2006 enrollment was a total of 96.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 277.8 sqmi, of which 254.8 sqmi is land and 23.0 sqmi (8.30%) is water.

Climate
The climate is described as Humid Continental by the Köppen Climate System, abbreviated as Dfb.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,472 people, 552 households, and 385 families residing in the township. In 2020, its population was 1,456.

Transportation
Indian Trails provides daily intercity bus service between St. Ignace and Ironwood, Michigan.

title: Watersmeet Township, Michigan


text:
Marum

Marum is a town and a former municipality in the northeastern Netherlands. The municipality was merged into the municipality of Westerkwartier on 1 January 2019.

History
Marum is located in the peat area, and was an agricultural village. It was first mentioned in 1385 and probably means village near the lake. In 1795, it was home to 351 people.

Marum started to industrialise in the early 20th century, the tram from Groningen to Drachten resulted in further growth. The construction of the A7 motorway has resulted in the development of a suburban town. In 2019, it ceased to be an independent municipality and was merged into Westerkwartier.

Former population centres
Boerakker, Jonkersvaart, Lucaswolde, Marum, Niebert, Noordwijk, Nuis, De Wilp.

Notable people

 * Tjeerd van Dekken (born 1967), politician
 * Aafje Looijenga-Vos (1928–2018), crystallographer

title: Marum


text:
Menterwolde

Menterwolde is a former municipality in the province of Groningen in the Netherlands. On January 1, 2018, Menterwolde merged with Hoogezand-Sappemeer and Slochteren, forming the municipality Midden-Groningen.

History
On 1 January 1990, the municipalities of Meeden, Muntendam, and Oosterbroek merged to form Menterwolde.

Geography

Menterwolde is located in the province of Groningen in the northeast of the Netherlands. It is situated in the west of the region of Oldambt.

Menterwolde is bordered by the municipalities of Slochteren in the northwest and north, Oldambt in the east, Pekela in the southeast, Veendam in the south, and Hoogezand-Sappemeer in the southwest and west.

The population centres in Menterwolde are the villages of Borgercompagnie, Meeden, Muntendam, Noordbroek, Tripscompagnie, and Zuidbroek.

The municipality has a total area of undefined km2 of which undefined km2 is land and undefined km2 is water.

Transportation
The Zuidbroek railway station is located on the Harlingen–Nieuweschans railway and the Stadskanaal–Zuidbroek railway.

title: Menterwolde


text:
Pekela

Pekela is a municipality in the province of Groningen in the Netherlands. It was created in 1990 when Oude Pekela and Nieuwe Pekela were merged.

Geography

Pekela is located at in the southeast of the province of Groningen in the northeast of the Netherlands. It is bordered by the municipalities of: • Oldambt (in the north)

• Bellingwedde (east)

• Stadskanaal (south)

• Veendam (west)

• Menterwolde (northwest). The river Pekel Aa crosses the municipality from north to south. The main population centres in the municipality are the villages of Boven Pekela (Upper Pekela), Nieuwe Pekela (New Pekela), and Oude Pekela (Old Pekela). Part of the village of Alteveer and the hamlets of Bronsveen and Hoetmansmeer are also in the municipality.

The municipality has a total area of undefined km2, of which undefined km2 is land and undefined km2 is water.

Governance
The mayor (burgemeester) of Pekela is Jaap Kuin of the Labour Party. The municipal council consists of 15 seats, which are divided as follows:

Demographics
In, the municipality had a total population of 0, a population density of undefined /km2.

Notable people

 * Jan de Boer (1859 in Nieuwe Pekela – 1941) a Dutch gymnast who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics
 * Fré Meis (1921–1992), communist politician
 * Janneke Snijder-Hazelhoff (born 1952 in Nieuwe Pekela) a Dutch farmer and politician
 * Gerard Wiekens (born 1973 in Oude Pekela) a Dutch former footballer with 518 club caps who played for SC Veendam and Manchester City F.C.

title: Pekela


text:
Acme Township, Michigan

Acme Township is a civil township of Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 4,456, a slight increase from 4,375 at the 2010 census. The southwestern portion of the township is largely urbanized, due to its proximity to Traverse City. Much of the rest of the township is agricultural, with the area being a cherry growing hotspot. The township lies upon the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, a bay of Lake Michigan. A portion of the township is within the Grand Traverse Reservation.

Acme Township takes its name from the Greek word, acme, meaning "summit".

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 25.3 sqmi, of which 25.2 sqmi is land and 0.2 sqmi (0.63%) is water.

The township has a shore on the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, a bay of Lake Michigan.

Adjacent townships

 * Elk Rapids Township, Antrim County (north)
 * Whitewater Township (east)
 * East Bay Township (south)
 * Peninsula Township (west; water boundary)

Climate
This climatic region has large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Acme Township has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

Major highways

 * runs south–north through the township. To the south, the highway runs through Traverse City, and further west into Benzie County.
 * runs primarily west–east through the township. It exits the township to the east into Whitewater Township, and runs further east into Kalkaska County.

Communities

 * Acme is an unincorporated community in the southwest of the township, situated at the junction of US 31 and M-72 on the East Arm of the Grand Traverse Bay of Lake Michigan.
 * Bates is an ghost town in the township situated on M-72 three miles (5 km) east of Acme at 44.77278°N, -85.44417°W. It was established in 1891.
 * Fivemile Corner is an unincorporated community at a former junction of US 31/M-72 with Five Mile Road and Holiday Road (°N, °W).
 * Holiday Hills is a sprawling suburban community located in the southwest of the township, immediately adjacent to Fivemile Corner. It is shared to the south with East Bay Township.
 * Yuba is an unincorporated community in the northern section of the township, situated on US 31 between Acme and Elk Rapids.

History
The 1891 Acts of the Legislature of the State of Michigan include the following. Application to the board of supervisors of Grand Traverse County was made November 10, 1890 to separate from East Bay Township and form Acme Township. Signatories included residents A.C. Hoxie, Milton Beck, W.A. Lee, J.W. Green, E.B. Arnold, L.P. Fox, Walter Mull, J.H. Fife, Isaac Love, John McDonald, John Rogers, Eddy Newcomb, W.H. Fife, C.V. Hill, Joseph Taylor, C.J. Liddell, Andrew Newcomb, H.F. Allen, L.W. Lackey, George Smith, H.L. Allen. Notices were posted by Charles H. Estes throughout the townships and published in the Grand Traverse Herald newspaper. The January 5th to January 7 meeting of the Grand Traverse County board of supervisors approved this application submitted by John Pulcipher.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,332 people, 1,667 households, and 1,231 families residing in the township. The population density was 172.1 PD/sqmi. There were 2,215 housing units at an average density of 88.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.30% White, 0.23% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 1.06% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.10% of the population.

There were 1,667 households, out of which 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.3% were married couples living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.1% were non-families. 21.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the township the population was spread out, with 25.5% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 27.4% from 45 to 64, and 13.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $50,425, and the median income for a family was $58,886. Males had a median income of $36,201 versus $26,607 for females. The per capita income for the township was $24,219. About 4.5% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.

Recreation
The Grand Traverse Resort & Spa which is owned by the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians has a hotel, condominiums and three 18-hole championship golf courses.

title: Acme Township, Michigan


text:
Reiderland

Reiderland is a former municipality in the province Groningen in the northeastern Netherlands, which was founded in 1990 during a large municipal reorganisation. The former municipalities Finsterwolde and Bad Nieuweschans were abolished and added to Beerta. In 1992, the new municipality was given its current name. In 2010 it joined in the municipality Oldambt.

Politics
Reiderland was one of the few municipalities in the Netherlands that still had communist councillors after the dissolution of the Communist Party of the Netherlands in 1989. (As of 2006, it was one of only four Dutch municipalities to have any, the other three being Heiloo, Scheemda and Lemsterland.) The New Communist Party of the Netherlands was in fact the largest party in Reiderland from 1990 to 1998 and again from 2002 to 2006. Finsterwolde and Beerta, which was the only town in the Netherlands that ever had a communist mayor, had long been communist strongholds.

In the 1998 municipal election, the New Communist Party of the Netherlands received 35.7% of the votes, behind the Labour Party's 40.3%, but in 2002 it received 34.1%, ahead of the Labour Party's 24.7%. It won five of the thirteen seats on the local council and formed the Court of Mayor and the Aldermen in alliance with local party Gemeentebelangen, although the two parties were traditionally foes. In the 2006 election, however, the NCPN lost 3 of its 5 seats, getting only 18.3% of the vote, behind the Labour Party's 38.1%, Gemeentebelangen's 20.4%, and the Socialist Party's 19.0%, and consequently lost its positions on the Court of Mayor and Aldermen. For the remaining years of the municipality's existence, the Labour Party's had 5 seats on the local council, the Socialist Party 3 seats, local party Gemeentebelangen 3 seats as well, and the NCPN 2 seats.

Reiderland also drew some attention in the 2002 general election, when the Pim Fortuyn List received 22.9% of the vote in the municipality, the party's best result in the province of Groningen.

Population centres
Towns and villages in the municipality include:
 * Beersterhoogen
 * Beerta
 * Booneschans
 * Drieborg
 * Ekamp
 * Finsterwolde
 * Finsterwolderhamrik
 * Ganzedijk
 * Goldhoorn
 * Hamdijk
 * Hongerige Wolf
 * Kostverloren
 * Kromme-Elleboog
 * Nieuw-Beerta
 * Nieuwe Statenzijl
 * Bad Nieuweschans
 * Oude Statenzijl
 * Oudedijk
 * Oudezijl
 * Ulsda

The old Reiderland
Reiderland is also the name of an area of land in the Netherlands and Germany that was drowned with 33 villages and a town in 1277 when the Dollart inlet formed. Much of the area has been re-empoldered since. See List of settlements lost to floods in the Netherlands.

title: Reiderland


text:
Scheemda

Scheemda is a village with a population of 2,445 in the municipality of Oldambt in the province of Groningen in the Netherlands. Scheemda was a separate municipality until 2010, when it merged with Reiderland and Winschoten to form the municipality of Oldambt.

History
Until 2010, Scheemda was a separate municipality with the population centers Heiligerlee, Midwolda, Nieuw-Scheemda, Nieuwolda, Oostwold, Scheemda, 't Waar and Westerlee. On 1 January 2010, the municipality merged into Oldambt.

Transportation
The Scheemda railway station was opened in 1868 and has train services to Zuidbroek and Groningen in the west, and Winschoten, Bad Nieuweschans, and Leer (Germany) in the east.

Notable people

 * Pieter Smit (1963–2018), mayor of Oldambt (2010–2018), lived and died here

title: Scheemda


text:
Blair Township, Michigan

Blair Township is a civil township of Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township had a population of 8,994, an increase from 8,209 at the 2010 census. The township lies about 4 mi south of Traverse City, the largest city in Northern Michigan. Because of this proximity, much of the north of Blair Township is developed, especially within the township-administered communities of Chums Corner and Grawn, while much of the south of the township is rural in nature.

Blair Township is the location of Turtle Creek Stadium, the home stadium for the Traverse City Pit Spitters, a collegiate summer baseball team.

History
The territory of Blair Township has historically been part of territory under the Council of Three Fires (Odawa, Ojibwe, and Potawatomi).

In 1853, Traverse Township was organized, and comprised all of Grand Traverse County excluding the Old Mission Peninsula. In April 1867, Blair Township was organized from the section of Traverse Township at 26 north, range 11 west. The township is named for Austin Blair, who served as Governor of Michigan during the American Civil War.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.0 sqmi, of which 35.6 sqmi is land and 0.3 sqmi (0.95%) is water.

The township's largest lake is Silver Lake, which it shares with Garfield Township. The Boardman River briefly flows through the northeast of the township.

Adjacent townships

 * Garfield Township (north)
 * East Bay Township (northeast)
 * Paradise Township (southeast)
 * Mayfield Township (south)
 * Grant Township (southwest)
 * Green Lake Township (west)
 * Long Lake Township (northwest)

Major highways

 * runs north–south and east–west through the northwest of the township. The highway continues west toward Interlochen and Benzie County, and runs north to Traverse City.
 * runs north–south through the township. To the south, M-37 continues toward Buckley and Mesick, and to the north with US 31 to Traverse City.

Communities

 * Beitner is a ghost town located at 44.67197°N, -85.63719°W. Beitner, founded in 1878, was the location of a lumber mill west of the Boardman River, and was given a station on the Chicago and West Michigan Railway the same year. A post office opened at Beitner in 1880, however it was transferred to nearby Keystone in 1883. The Beitner office was re-established in 1893, only to be closed again in 1895.
 * Chums Corner is a census-designated place where US 31 meets M-37.
 * Grawn is a census-designated place where US 31 meets Silver Lake Road.
 * Hilltop is an unincorporated community at 44.61167°N, -85.65611°W.
 * Keystone is a ghost town at 44.67989°N, -85.63019°W. Keystone was established in 1874 as a station on the Chicago and West Michigan Railway, east of the Boardman River. Keystone was given a post office in 1883, upon the relocation of the post office from Beitner. The office lasted until 1894, until another post office, from Slights, relocated in 1901, lasting until 1908.
 * Monroe Center is an unincorporated community located on the border with Green Lake Township at 44.61358°N, -85.6965°W. Monroe Center was established by William and Pauline Monroe, who purchased 400 acre in the area in 1859, making it Blair Township's oldest settlement. A post office at Monroe Center lasted from 1866 until 1910.
 * Slights (occasionally spelled Sleights, as is spelled on a nearby road) is a ghost town located at 44.65783°N, -85.59358°W. Slights was founded as a station on the Chicago and West Michigan Railway south of Traverse City, near the Boardman River. A post office was open at Slights from 1893 until 1895, and briefly again in 1898.
 * The downtown district of Traverse City lies about 6 mi north of Blair Township.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,448 people, 2,295 households, and 1,684 families residing in the township. The population density was 181.0 PD/sqmi. There were 2,482 housing units at an average density of 69.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 94.70% White, 0.25% African American, 1.64% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.52% from other races, and 1.46% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.48% of the population.

There were 2,295 households, out of which 39.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 18.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.18.

In the township the population was spread out, with 30.1% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 35.5% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 6.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.1 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $40,125, and the median income for a family was $42,740. Males had a median income of $30,020 versus $19,885 for females. The per capita income for the township was $14,745. About 7.2% of families and 11.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.

Notable person

 * Chasten Buttigieg, former first gentleman of South Bend, Indiana, and husband of United States Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, was raised in Chums Corner.

title: Blair Township, Michigan


text:
Slochteren

Slochteren is a village and former municipality with a population of 15,546 in the province of Groningen in the northeast of the Netherlands. On 1 January 2018, Slochteren merged with Hoogezand-Sappemeer and Menterwolde, forming the municipality Midden-Groningen.

The former municipality can be characterized as a chain of small villages dividing a mostly agricultural landscape. Having an agricultural background for at least a thousand years, the community houses for the most part commuters to nearby towns like Hoogezand, Groningen and Delfzijl. The mansion Fraeylemaborg (a small 'castle', the oldest parts of which are dated in the Middle Ages) is located in Slochteren.

Geography
The population centres in the former municipality are:

 * Denemarken
 * Froombosch
 * Harkstede
 * Hellum
 * Kolham
 * Lageland
 * Luddeweer
 * Overschild
 * Schaaphok
 * Scharmer
 * Schildwolde
 * Siddeburen
 * Slochteren
 * Steendam
 * Tjuchem
 * Woudbloem

Topographic map of the municipality of Slochteren, June 2015

Natural gas field
Slochteren is in the center of the giant Groningen gas field, discovered in 1959, ensuring the position of the Netherlands as a major energy exporting country. The estimated gas reserves in 2009 was 2700 km3.

title: Slochteren


text:
Stadskanaal

Stadskanaal is a town and municipality with a population of 32,715 in the province of Groningen in the northeast of the Netherlands. It was named after the canal Stadskanaal.

From 1800 until 1900 this area was ideal for its peat mining, and so the canal came to ship all the peat to Groningen, the capital of the province.

In the Gronings dialect the town is called "Knoal" and the locals are called "Knoalsters".

Geography

The population centres in the municipality are:

 * Alteveer
 * Barlage
 * Blekslage
 * Braamberg
 * Ceresdorp
 * Höchte
 * Holte
 * Horsten
 * Kopstukken
 * Mussel
 * Musselkanaal
 * Onstwedde
 * Oomsberg
 * Smeerling
 * Stadskanaal
 * Sterenborg
 * Ter Maarsch
 * Ter Wupping
 * Veenhuizen
 * Vledderhuizen
 * Vledderveen
 * Vosseberg
 * Wessinghuizen

International relations
Stadskanaal is twinned with
 * 🇵🇱 Bielsko-Biała in Poland

Notable people

 * Cornelis Dopper (1870 in Stadskanaal – 1939) a Dutch composer, conductor and teacher
 * Charles de Wolff (1932 in Mussel – 2011) a Dutch organist and conductor
 * Henk Wijngaard (born 1946 in Stadskanaal) a Dutch country singer
 * Henk Bleker (born 1953 in Onstwedde) a retired Dutch politician and jurist

Sport

 * Jannes Munneke (born 1949 in Musselkanaal) a retired Dutch rower, competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics
 * Sylvia Smit (born 1986 in Stadskanaal) a Dutch female footballer

title: Stadskanaal


text:
East Bay Township, Michigan

East Bay Charter Township is a charter township of Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 11,589 at the 2020 census, up from 10,663 at the 2010 census. It is one of three charter townships in Grand Traverse County, and is the second-most populous township in Northern Michigan, behind neighboring Garfield Township. The northern portion of the township is adjacent to Traverse City and is part of that city's urban area. The southern portion remains largely rural, with many small lakes. East Bay Township is the location of Traverse City State Park.

History
East Bay Township was organized in January 1867.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 42.3 sqmi, of which 39.9 sqmi is land and 2.4 sqmi (5.76%) is water.

The township lies at the head of the East Arm of Grand Traverse Bay, from which the township takes its name. The north of East Bay Township is heavily urbanized, while the south remains more rural, with rolling hills, dense forests, and kettle lakes. Traverse City State Park is located in the northwest of the township, along the shore of East Bay.

The Boardman River flows through the south of the township. The township is home to many lakes that are part of its watershed, including Arbutus Lake and Spider Lake.

Adjacent townships

 * Acme Township (north)
 * Whitewater Township (northeast)
 * Union Township (southeast)
 * Paradise Township (south)
 * Blair Township (southwest)
 * Garfield Township (west)
 * Traverse City (northwest)

Major highways
US Highway 31 and M-72 share a concurrency in the north of the township, paralleling the Grand Traverse Bay shoreline as a major east–west thoroughfare. Grand Traverse County Road 660 (Hammond Road) serves as another east-west local thoroughfare, primarily used to bypass Traverse City to the south.

Communities

 * Devils Elbow is an unincorporated community within the township at °N, °W.
 * East Bay is a ghost town near the mouth of Mitchell Creek, at °N, °W. The community was founded in 1868 as East Traverse Bay, renamed to Traverse Bay in 1873 and to East Bay in 1874. A post office at the location operated from 1868 to 1879. Today, the community is largely urbanized, and is located nearby Traverse City State Park.
 * Forest Lakes is a resort community in the south of the township (°N, °W).
 * Holiday Hills is another sprawling suburban community in the north of the township, shared with Acme Township.
 * Pine Grove is a suburban neighborhood immediately adjacent to the border with Traverse City. The neighborhood, which is also adjacent to Cherry Capital Airport, was identified as contaminated by PFAS in 2020. It is located at °N, °W.
 * The city of Traverse City is adjacent to the township, bordering it to the northwest.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 9,919 people, 3,694 households, and 2,737 families residing in the township. The population density was 248.6 PD/sqmi. There were 4,339 housing units at an average density of 108.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 97.31% White, 0.22% African American, 0.87% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.25% of the population.

There were 3,694 households, out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.9% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the township the population was spread out, with 28.4% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 32.0% from 25 to 44, 24.0% from 45 to 64, and 8.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.9 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $47,569, and the median income for a family was $54,250. Males had a median income of $34,118 versus $23,580 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,427. About 1.9% of families and 3.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.0% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

title: East Bay Township, Michigan


text:
Ten Boer

Ten Boer is a village and a former municipality in the northeastern Netherlands, in the province of Groningen. The municipality had a population of 0 in ; the village of Ten Boer has approximately 4,600 inhabitants. In 2019, it was merged into municipality of Groningen.

History
The village was first mentioned in 1301 as "conventum de Bure", and means "near the house". Ten Boer is a terp (artificial living hill) village on a grid structure. In 1301, a Benedictine monastery for nuns was established in Ten Boer. In 1485, it was incorporated into the monastery of Thesinge. Around 1425, the Damsterdiep, a canal from Groningen to Delfzijl, was dug and the village received its current shape.

The Dutch Reformed church is the former monastery church, and dates from the 13th century. The church was modified in 1565. The tower was demolished around 1800, and in 1810, a ridge turret was placed on the roof instead.

Ten Boer was home to 279 people in 1840. The former town hall is an L-shaped building with tower from 1911. It was influenced by Berlage and Jugendstil. Ten Boer was an independent municipality until 2019 when it was merged into Groningen.

Former population centres
Garmerwolde, Lellens, Sint Annen, Ten Boer, Ten Post, Thesinge, Winneweer, Wittewierum and Woltersum.

Notable people from Ten Boer

 * Dirk van der Borg (born 1955), mayor of Graafstroom and Molenwaard
 * Paul Drewes (born 1982), Olympic rower
 * Hendrik Nienhuis (1790-1862), jurist and parliament member
 * Remco van der Schaaf (born 1979), football player

title: Ten Boer


text:
Veendam

Veendam is a town and municipality with a population of 27,752 in the province of Groningen in the northeast of the Netherlands. Veendam was established in 1648 as a peat colony by Adriaan Geerts Wildervanck.

Holland America Line has named four ships Veendam after the town.

The municipality includes Westerdiepsterdallen, the smallest town in the Netherlands.

Geography
The population centres in the municipality are:

 * Bareveld
 * Borgercompagnie
 * Kibbelgaarn
 * Korte Akkers
 * Numero Dertien
 * Ommelanderwijk
 * Tripscompagnie
 * Veendam
 * Wildervank
 * Wildervanksterdallen
 * Zuidwending

International relations
Veendam has two sister cities:

Cycling
Veendam was the start place of stage 4b at the 2012 Energiewacht Tour and the finish place of stage 2 at the 2013 Energiewacht Tour.

Sport clubs

 * SC Veendam, former soccer club
 * Flash Veendam, volleyball club
 * NNZC Veendam, gliding club

Notable residents

 * Hendrik de Cock (1801–1842) a Dutch minister responsible for the 1834 Dutch Reformed Church split
 * Anthony Winkler Prins (1817 in Voorst – 1908) a Dutch writer, chief editor of the Winkler Prins encyclopedia.
 * Herman Mees (1880–1964) was a Dutch artist, portrait painter, watercolorist and academic
 * Herman Johannes Lam (1892–1977) a Dutch botanist
 * Addeke Hendrik Boerma (1912–1992) the first Executive Director of the World Food Programme 1962-1967
 * Gerda Geertens (born 1955 in Wildervank) a Dutch composer

Sport

 * Bert Romp (1958–2018) a Dutch equestrian, gold medallist at the 1992 Summer Olympics
 * Janette Bouman (born 1964) a Dutch-born Kazakhstani dressage rider
 * Rick Slor (born 1971) a retired professional footballer with 509 club caps
 * Anneke Venema (born 1971) a retired rower, silver medallist at the 2000 Summer Olympics
 * Linda Moes (born 1971) a former breaststroke swimmer, competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics
 * Peter Windt (born 1973) a Dutch former field hockey player
 * Renate Groenewold (born 1976) a Dutch former long track speed skater, silver medallist at both the 2002 and the 2006 Winter Olympics
 * Henk Grol (born 1985 in Winschoten) a Dutch judoka, bronze medallist at both the 2008 and the 2012 Summer Olympics
 * Jeroen Zoet (born 1991) a Dutch professional football goalkeeper with over 250 club caps

title: Veendam


text:
Fife Lake, Michigan

Fife Lake is a village in southeastern Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. Its population was 456 at the 2020 census, up from 443 at the 2010 census. The village is part of the Traverse City metropolitan area, and lies upon the shore of the lake of the same name.

History
In 1872, J.L. Shaw and others platted two small settlements on a lake on the new Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad. These were known as North Fife Lake and Fyfe Lake (a misspelling of Fife), which were on the north and west sides of Fife Lake, respectively. Later that year, Fife Lake Township was created. The first church in the village was established in 1884. In 1889, Fife Lake was incorporated as a village.

The village annually hosts the Fife Lake Ice Fishing Derby near the end of January.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.20 sqmi, of which 0.75 sqmi is land and 0.45 sqmi is water. The village is located in Fife Lake Township, and is adjacent to the eponymous lake.

The village is located immediately west of the Kalkaska County line. Fife Lake is the only community in Grand Traverse County to be located east of US Highway 131.

2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 443 people, 189 households, and 110 families residing in the village. The population density was 590.7 PD/sqmi. There were 265 housing units at an average density of 353.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 95.7% White, 0.7% African American, 1.6% Native American, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 189 households, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 41.8% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the village was 41.1 years. 22.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 29.3% were from 45 to 64; and 15.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 466 people, 185 households, and 120 families residing in the village. The population density was 632.1 PD/sqmi. There were 256 housing units at an average density of 347.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the village was 90.77% White, 0.64% African American, 3.22% Native American, and 5.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.21% of the population.

There were 185 households, out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 28.8% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 23.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.4 males.

The median income for a household in the village was $32,361, and the median income for a family was $42,188. Males had a median income of $32,083 versus $24,375 for females. The per capita income for the village was $19,024. About 9.4% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Climate
This climatic region has large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Fife Lake has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

Air travel
The nearest airport with commercial service is Cherry Capital Airport in Traverse City. Smaller landing strips are nearby, though, such as Kalkaska City Airport in Kalkaska.

Major highways

 * runs northeast–southwest just west of the village business district, providing access to Indiana, Grand Rapids, Cadillac, Kalkaska, and Petoskey
 * runs west from the town towards M-113, providing access to Kingsley and the Traverse City area.

Railroads
Fife Lake used to be a station on the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad. Today, it is served by the Great Lakes Central Railroad. However, Fife Lake is no longer a station.

Education
Fife Lake is served by the Forest Area Community Schools District. The district includes Fife Lake Elementary School and Forest Area Middle/High School, located in neighboring Springfield Township.

Notable people

 * Jerry Cannon - retired Brigadier General, U.S. Army

title: Fife Lake, Michigan


text:
North Woodbridge, California

North Woodbridge was a former census-designated place (CDP) in San Joaquin County, California, United States. The population was 1,320 at the 2000 census. For the 2010 census, the CDP's of South Woodbridge and North Woodbridge were merged into Woodbridge.

Geography
North Woodbridge is located at 38.16028°N, -121.30889°W (38.160369, -121.308981).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 2.8 sqmi, of which, 2.7 sqmi of it was land and 0.1 sqmi of it (3.58%) was water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,320 people, 492 households, and 417 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 490.4 PD/sqmi. There were 498 housing units at an average density of 185.0 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 92.05% White, 0.08% African American, 0.76% Native American, 3.11% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.53% from other races, and 3.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.74% of the population.

There were 492 households, out of which 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 78.9% were married couples living together, 3.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.2% were non-families. 11.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 4.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 4.7% from 18 to 24, 22.6% from 25 to 44, 33.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $79,417, and the median income for a family was $87,285. Males had a median income of $62,250 versus $50,500 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $45,693. About 2.8% of families and 3.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.2% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

title: North Woodbridge, California


text:
Vlagtwedde

Vlagtwedde is a village in the very southeast of Groningen province in the northeastern Netherlands. It lies on the Dutch border with the German state of Lower Saxony to the east.

History
The municipality of Vlagtwedde was created in December 1811.

On 1 January 2018, the municipality of Vlagtwedde was merged with Bellingwedde to form the new municipality of Westerwolde.

Geography
The population centres in the municipality of Vlagtwedde were:

Abeltjeshuis, Bakovensmee, Barnflair, Borgertange, Borgerveld, Bourtange, Burgemeester Beinsdorp, De Bruil, Ellersinghuizen, Hanetange, Harpel, Hasseberg, Hebrecht, 't Heem, Jipsingboermussel, Jipsingboertange, Jipsinghuizen, Lammerweg, Laude, Lauderbeetse, Laudermarke, Lauderzwarteveen, Leemdobben, Maten, Munnekemoer, Over de Dijk, Overdiep, Pallert, Plaggenborg, Poldert, Renneborg, Rhederveld, Rijsdam, Roelage, 't Schot, Sellingen, Sellingerbeetse, Sellingerzwarteveen, Slegge, Stakenborg, Stobben, Ter Apel, Ter Apelkanaal, Ter Borg, Ter Haar, Ter Walslage, Ter Wisch, Veele, Veerste Veldhuis, Vlagtwedde, Vlagtwedder-Barlage, Vlagtwedder-Veldhuis, Weende, Weenderveld, Weite, Wessingtange, Wollingboermarke, Wollinghuizen, Zandberg and Zuidveld.

Because of the large number of official centres, the municipality had five postal codes:
 * 9541 Vlagtwedde
 * 9545 Bourtange
 * 9551 Sellingen
 * 9561 Ter Apel
 * 9563 Ter Apelkanaal

All 60 villages and hamlets in the municipality received their own town sign in 2008.

Politics
The municipal council of Vlagtwedde had 17 seats. The table below gives results since 2002.

There was an election in November 2017 for the council of the new merged Westerwolde municipality that commenced work on 1 January 2018, replacing Vlagtwedde council.

Public transport
Vlagtwedde is served by several bus lines:
 * line 14: Stadskanaal-Alteveer-Vlagtwedde-Veele-Blijham-Winschoten
 * line 42: Emmen-Emmer Compascuum-Ter Apel-Sellingen-Vlagtwedde
 * line 72: Vlagtwedde-Bourtange
 * line 73: Emmen-Nieuw Weerdinge-Ter Apel-Ter Apelkanaal-Zandberg-Musselkanaal-Stadskanaal-Hoogezand-Groningen
 * buurtbus (community volunteer-driven bus) 92: Stadskanaal-Mussel-Jipsingbourtange-Jipsinghuizen-Sellingen

International relations
Vlagtwedde is twinned with:

 * 🇵🇱 Międzyrzecz, Poland

title: Vlagtwedde


text:
Winschoten

Winschoten (Winschoot) is a city with a population of 18,518 in the municipality of Oldambt in the northeast of the Netherlands. It is the largest city in the region of Oldambt in the province of Groningen which has 38,213 inhabitants.

Winschoten received its city rights in 1825. It was a separate municipality until it was merged into Oldambt in 2010. The seat of government of Oldambt is in Winschoten.

There are three windmills and several churches in Winschoten. There is a railway station with direct connections to Groningen and Leer (Germany), although due to the reconstruction of the Friesenbrücke trains to Germany will stop at Weener until 2024. Winschoten has an important role as a shopping centre for the region of Oldambt. In the province of Groningen, it is the second-largest shopping destination and it attracts many consumers from nearby Germany.

Etymology

The origin of the name of Winschoten is not known but it has received nicknames. One of these is Molenstad (or Milltown). It has also been known, in living memory, as Sodom. This name arose out of the Jewish community who were scandalised by the immoral behaviour of their Gentile neighbours. The inhabitants are also called Tellerlikkers (plate lickers).

Geography
Winschoten was the capital of the Oldambt district, in a fertile agricultural region. Winschoten received city rights in 1825. It was the last town in the Netherlands to be granted such rights and it was more of a symbolic gesture. The town flag has three horizontal stripes of blue and white, in ratio 1:3:1, on the white stripe is a red outline plan of a fortress with nine embattlements. It was adopted 23 May 1973 by municipal resolution. The coat of arms is an image of Saint Vitus, whose name can also be recognized in many streetnames, schoolnames names of clubs, etc.

Winschoten is located at 53.15°N, 7.03333°W (53.15, 7.03) in the municipality of Oldambt, in the east of the province of Groningen, and in the northeast of the Netherlands. It is situated east of Groningen, Hoogezand, and Veendam, north of Stadskanaal, south of Delfzijl, and west of Leer and Papenburg (both in Germany). It is also south of the Dollart and the Oldambtmeer.

Windmills
There used to be 13 mills in Winschoten, today only three large, monumental windmills remain in the town. These mills are now owned by the local council and are run by volunteer millers. They form an important feature of the townscape and are well cared for by the local authorities for the benefit of the community and visitors.

Molen Berg, built in 1854 at the Grintweg, was designed to grind corn. Its first owner was J.D. Buurma. The unusual design of the sails with movable blades, akin to venetian blinds was in advance for its time. Traditionally Dutch windmills have tarpaulin covering the sails to control or catch the wind's power.

The Dijkstra Molen in the Nassaustraat was built in 1862 by D.E. Dijkstra. In 1953 the original owner's grandson sold it to the local government. It was restored 1982/1983 and further restoration work took place in 1995/-6 restoration.

Molen Edens, at Nassaustraat 14, was built in 1763 on the instructions of Jurrien Balles and Antje Gerbrands. Later owners were Jan Joesten and G. Eikema. Then from 1855 till 1960 various generations of the Edens family owned it. The local municipality bought it in 1960. It is the oldest mill in the entire province of Groningen.

Churches
There are numerous Protestant churches in Winschoten including an assembly of Plymouth Brethren. The oldest church dates back to the 13th century in style mingling Roman and Gothic features. There is a Dutch Reformed church on Marktplein. A free-standing 16th-century bell tower is one of the features of the Winschoten skyline.

There is a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Vitus, built by Alfred Tepe in 1880. It is a neo-gothic church with stained glass windows by Kocken and a sandstone highaltar from Freitag in Münster. This altar was formerly placed in the Saint Boniface church in Nieuwe Pekela. When this church was demolished it was brought to Winschoten to replace an old altar.

There used to be a thriving Jewish community. During the Second World War, Winschoten was a transit port to Germany for the Jew-transports. Of the 493 Jews that lived in Winschoten at the beginning of the war, only 20 survived.

Monuments
The name tellerlikker (mentioned above) was given on account of the local custom to voraciously devour their meals and conclude with licking the plate (teller - in the local dialect) clean. A monument to one of these plate lickers stands on the Oldambt Square, in front of an area where the theatre 'De Klinker', built on the site of a former brick factory, used to be. A dog in turn licks the feet of his greedy owner.

Language
The official language is Dutch, but many Winschoters especially of older generations speak the local dialect called Gronings. In addition, many inhabitants are able to speak German or English. The Winschoter version of the dialect Gronings has influences of Hebrew and Yiddish as a consequence of the once prominent Jewish community that had lived there since the 18th century.

Sports
Winschoten is host to the oldest Ultramarathon of the Netherlands since 1976 called De RUN. It is a race of 100 km run individually over a 10 km paved lap through the town. The current record of 06:16:41 is held by Jean-Paul Praet since 1992. During the event, that is usually held on the second Saturday of September, there is also the possibility to run a 50 km race or to compete with a group in a 10x10 km relay race.

Winschoten also hosted the start and finish of the first stage at the 2013 Energiewacht Tour.

Transportation

Winschoten has a railway station with train services towards Groningen and Leer (in Germany). The railway station was inaugurated 1 May 1868 to service the Groningen–Winschoten–Nieuweschans line. This was the second brought into use by the Company for the Exploitation of State Railways (Maatschappij tot Exploitatie van Staatsspoorwegen) and part of the Harlingen–Nieuweschans railway (built 1863–1868). Today this route is operated by Arriva.

Winschoten also has a road connection to the rest of the Netherlands and Germany via the A7 motorway (E22).

Notable people

 * Wiebbe Hayes (c. 1608), a Dutch soldier and national hero in the 17th century
 * Arnold Hendrik Koning (1860-1945), Dutch painter
 * Dirk Stikker (1897–1979), Dutch minister of Foreign Affairs (1948–1952) and NATO Secretary-General (1961–1964)
 * Bernard D. H. Tellegen (1900–1990), Dutch engineer and inventor
 * Jaap Meijer (1912–1993), Dutch historian and poet
 * Herman Makkink, (1937–2013), Dutch sculptor, graphic artist, and illustrator
 * Klaas Nuninga (1940) Dutch footballer and official
 * Bas Jan Ader (1942–lost at sea 1975), Dutch artist
 * Piet Hamberg (1954), Dutch footballer and football manager
 * Henriëtte Weersing (1965), Dutch volleyball player
 * Marcel Hensema (1970), Actor
 * Bert Zuurman (1973), Dutch footballer
 * Marnix Kolder (1981), Dutch footballer
 * Marcel Seip (1982), Dutch footballer

title: Winschoten


text:
Fife Lake Township, Michigan

Fife Lake Township is a civil township of Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 1,526, a slight increase from 1,517 at the 2000 census. The village of Fife Lake is located within the township.

Communities

 * Fife Lake is a village within the township at the junction of U.S. Route 131 and M-186.
 * Hodge, a ghost town (44.54118°N, -85.45591°W)
 * Holmes, a ghost town (44.53717°N, -85.44528°W)
 * McManus Corner, a ghost town (44.54118°N, -85.45591°W)
 * Walton is an unincorporated community in the township near the junction of US 131 and M-113 at 44.52083°N, -85.39944°W. Walton Junction is a place just north of the community, named for the junction of two railroad lines, and is now at the junction of US 131 and M-113.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.0 sqmi, of which 34.4 sqmi is land and 1.6 sqmi (4.34%) is water.

Fife Lake Township forms the southeastern corner of Grand Traverse County. It shares boundaries with Kalkaska County, to the east, Missaukee County, to the southeast, and Wexford County, to the south.

Adjacent townships

 * Union Township, Grand Traverse County (north)
 * Boardman Township, Kalkaska County (northeast)
 * Springfield Township, Kalkaska County (east)
 * Bloomfield Township, Missaukee County (southeast)
 * Liberty Township, Wexford County (south)
 * Greenwood Township, Wexford County (southwest)
 * Paradise Township, Grand Traverse County (west)

Major highways

 * runs northeast–southwest through the township, skirting west of the village of Fife Lake. The highway exits east into Kalkaska County, and south into Wexford County. South of the Wexford County line, the highway converts to a freeway.
 * primarily runs north–south through Fife Lake Township, beginning at a junction with US 131 near Walton. However, in the northwest of the township, the highway makes a 90-degree curve, running due west through Kingsley, ending south of Traverse City at a junction with M-37
 * is a short highway between M-113 and US 131. The highway is located entirely within Fife Lake Township, serving as a connector between M-113 and the village of Fife Lake.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,517 people, 562 households, and 397 families residing in the township. The population density was 44.1 PD/sqmi. There were 779 housing units at an average density of 22.7 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 90.44% White, 4.88% African American, 1.71% Native American, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 2.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.92% of the population.

There were 562 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 7.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.2% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the township the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 33.9% from 25 to 44, 22.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 118.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 124.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $36,667, and the median income for a family was $42,813. Males had a median income of $28,977 versus $21,736 for females. The per capita income for the township was $18,739. About 6.5% of families and 8.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

title: Fife Lake Township, Michigan


text:
Winsum

Winsum (Wìnzum ) is a town and a former municipality in the northeastern Netherlands. On 1 January 2019 the municipality merged with the municipalities of Bedum, De Marne and Eemsmond to form the new municipality Het Hogeland.

The town of Winsum was officially established in 1057 as the fusion of three historic villages: Obergum (North), Winsum (center) and Bellingeweer (South). The majority of the town's 8,000 inhabitants commute to the nearby city Groningen.

The town boasts two traditional Dutch wind mills, two historic churches, two canals, and one of the Netherlands' oldest taverns. The two mills, "De Ster" ("The Star") and "De Vriendschap" ("The Friendship") were built in 1851 and 1801 respectively. The building that the tavern "De Gouden Karper" ("The Golden Carp") now occupies has been in use as a tavern since the 16th century, and is the oldest (unverified) in the Netherlands.

Twin town
Winsum is twinned with

Cycling
Winsum hosted the start and finish of stage 4a during the 2012 Energiewacht Tour and the individual time trial (stage 3a) at the 2013 Energiewacht Tour. Due to the success of the 2012 Energiewacht Tour the city became host city for the men's and women's 2013 Dutch National Time Trial Championships on 19 June 2013. The individual time trial at the 2013 Energiewacht Tour took place on the same course.

Notable people

 * Rodolphus Agricola (ca.1443–1485) a pre-Erasmian humanist, a Hebrew scholar, an educator, musician and builder of a church organ
 * Wigbolt, Baron Ripperda (ca.1535–1573) city governor of Haarlem when the city was under siege in the Eighty Years' War
 * Hermanus Numan (1744–1820) painter, draftsman, pastellist, etcher, engraver, watercolorist, art theorist and publisher
 * Gezina van der Molen (1892-1978) legal scholar and resistance fighter during the Second World War
 * Marcel Pannekoek (born 1986) Dutch footballer
 * Ranomi Kromowidjojo (born 1990) Dutch swimmer, triple Olympic champion, winning the gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics
 * Alieke Tuin (born 2001) Dutch footballer

title: Winsum


text:
Garfield Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan

Garfield Township, officially the Charter Township of Garfield, is a charter township of Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township had a total population of 19,499.

Garfield Township is the largest municipality in Northern Lower Michigan by population. Much of the township is suburban, due to its proximity to Traverse City. It is one of four charter townships in the Traverse City metropolitan area; the others being Elmwood Township in Leelanau County, and East Bay and Long Lake townships in Grand Traverse County.

History
The first two townships of Grand Traverse County were organized in 1853; the Old Mission Peninsula was assigned to Peninsula Township, with its present-day boundaries, and the rest of the county, including Traverse City, was assigned to Traverse Township. However, it was renamed in 1882 in honor of recently assassinated president James A. Garfield. In 1977, Garfield Township became a charter township.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 27.7 sqmi, of which 26.7 sqmi is land and 1.0 sqmi (3.54%) is water.

The Boardman River flows from south to north in the east of the township. The township's largest lake, Silver Lake is in the southwest of the township, and is shared to the south with Blair Township.

Two lines of the Great Lakes Central Railroad run through the east of the township, paralleling the Boardman River on either side.

Adjacent municipalities
All townships listed are part of Grand Traverse County, unless otherwise stated.

 * Elmwood Charter Township, Leelanau County (north)
 * Traverse City (northeast)
 * East Bay Charter Township (east)
 * Blair Township (south)
 * Green Lake Township (southwest)
 * Long Lake Charter Township (west)

Major highways

 * is a major north–south route in Michigan's Lower Peninsula that roughly parallels the shore of Lake Michigan. South of Grand Traverse County, US 31 runs through the cities of Muskegon, Grand Haven, Holland, and Benton Harbor. Within Garfield Township, the route is highly commercialized.
 * shares a concurrency with US 31 throughout its entire length within Garfield Township. South of Grand Traverse County, M-37 follows a north–south route further inland than US 31, and runs through the cities of Grand Rapids and Battle Creek.
 * is an east–west highway in the northern part of the township, largely forming the border between Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties. The highway is considered trans-peninsular, running across the Lower Peninsula from Lake Michigan at Empire to Lake Huron at Harrisville. East of Traverse City, M-72 runs through the communities of Kalkaska, Grayling, and Mio.

Bus Service

 * The Bay Area Transportation Authority (BETA) services Garfield Township and the larger Traverse City metropolitan area. There are currently 3 routes offered which connect Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties: the City Loop, Bayline, and Village Loop.

Air service

 * Airport Sign.svg Cherry Capital Airport is immediately adjacent Garfield Township within the city of Traverse City. The airport offers year-round service to destinations such as Detroit and Chicago O'Hare.

Communities

 * Brookside (°N, °W) is a small community outside Traverse City.
 * Kratochvil's Plat is a former resort community on the northwestern shore of Silver Lake. It was located at °N, °W.
 * The city of Traverse City is immediately adjacent Garfield Township (to the northeast), and, prior to incorporation, was part of Garfield Township.

Demographics
As of the census of 2010, there were 16,256 people, 7,367 households, and 4,040 families residing in the township. The population density was 609 /sqmi. There were 8,194 housing units at an average density of 307 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 93.87% White, 0.80% African American, 1.18% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 2.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.45% of the population.

There were 7,367 households, out of which 22.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.2% were non-families. 37.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the township the population was spread out, with 20.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 23.1% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.7 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $41,712, and the median income for a family was $55,977. Males had a median income of $30,167 versus $23,672 for females. The per capita income for the township was $26,390. About 10.1% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.

Education
Traverse City Area Public Schools (TCAPS) serves the entirety of Garfield Township. Secondary students within the east of the township are zoned to Traverse City Central High School, while secondary students within the west of the township are zoned to Traverse City West Senior High School. The latter is located within Garfield Township. TCAPS also operates Traverse City West Middle School and Silver Lake Elementary School within the township.


text:
Grant Township, Grand Traverse County, Michigan

Grant Township is a civil township of Grand Traverse County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2020 census, the township population was 1,212, a slight increase from 1,066 at the 2010 census. Grant Township is part of the Traverse City metropolitan area.

History
Grant Township was organized from Township 25 north, of Range 12 west, of old Traverse Township in October 1866. The township is named after Ulysses S. Grant.

Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 36.1 sqmi, of which 35.5 sqmi is land and 0.6 sqmi (1.77%) is water.

Grant Township forms the southwestern corner of Grand Traverse County, and has borders with Benzie, Manistee, and Wexford counties.

The primary source of the Betsie River, at Green Lake, is within Grant Township.

Grant Township contains no state trunkline highways.

Adjacent townships

 * Green Lake Township, Grand Traverse County (north)
 * Blair Township, Grand Traverse County (northeast)
 * Mayfield Township, Grand Traverse County (east)
 * Hanover Township, Wexford County (southeast)
 * Wexford Township, Wexford County (south)
 * Cleon Township, Manistee County (southwest)
 * Colfax Township, Benzie County (west)
 * Inland Township, Benzie County (northwest)

Communities

 * Karlin is an unincorporated community within the township.
 * Pavlovic Corner was a small community within the township. The community was located at °N, °W.
 * Twin Mountain was a railroad stop along the Manistee and North-Eastern Railroad, established in 1888.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 947 people, 369 households, and 274 families residing in the township. The population density was 26.7 PD/sqmi. There were 467 housing units at an average density of 13.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the township was 98.10% White, 0.63% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.95% from other races, and 0.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.16% of the population.

There were 369 households, out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.3% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the township the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 5.5% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 26.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $37,269, and the median income for a family was $42,000. Males had a median income of $34,196 versus $20,625 for females. The per capita income for the township was $17,282. About 3.1% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.3% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.