AUGUST 7, 2026 TRAVEL TRIANGLE from last page including Fort Mackinac, built in 1780; Mackinac Art Museum, which once served several purposes including the Indian Boarding House and Indian School, currently housing a mixture of historical art examples, as well as a summer island art competition; Biddle House, which was cited as once belonging to a prominent married couple with blood ties to both the area’s Native and European trade culture. I also viewed the quaint McGilpin House, Blacksmith Shop and the American Fur Co. Store. After traversing the steep, challenging terrain using a free highlighted map courtesy of the visitor’s bureau (thanks to a friendly former island employee, not the state park employees in uniform) I made the mistake of rinsing my face with fountain water to ease the pain from unexpected food poisoning. By the time I boarded the ferry back to the mainland, I was sure the water was too contaminated from efforts to unclog pipes and jerk seasoning (which I'm also allergic to) from restaurants for me to feel well enough to backpack the island. According to the trail maps and employees, the water and food opportunities on the island were too high-risk. Plus, when I awoke that morning I realized I had forgotten the gear downstate to manage the weight of supplies necessary for a solo trek of the island, especially in July. Monday July 13th: I visited the St. Ignace Library, looking for a comfortable table to write. Instead, I found a former Fort Mackinac manager who introduced me to the library’s non-circulating historical collection, which includes the book “Historic Mackinac” by Edwin O. Wood, a two volume set which is over 100 years old. According to the former island Fort manager, the book is the primary reference source for the island’s historical exhibits. After the library, I made my way back to the Ojibwa Museum, which is down the street. The museum overlooks the water and is surrounded by a fountain, longhouse, a medicine circle and a garden walk. I spent the remainder of the afternoon reading about the history of the no-longer standing Fort de Buade built in 1683 by the French, as well as the museum’s ties to the Huron and founder of the Jesuit Mission, Father Marquette. The museum is very close to the site of the old mission, which was burned. With my head swirling with the oral stories from my childhood, and filled with the written reminders of my family's connections with the illustrated timelines, I opted to steady myself inside the circle. My face was feeling fierce when I opened my eyes to another local, who introduced themself as an island gardener. We didn’t say much, yet it was clear, regardless of our actions, that everyone I had encountered over the past few days shared the same love and appreciation of the island, Michigan, and everyone who has sacrificed to make experiencing the history of the Mackinac Triangle possible. HOUSING from page 8 Title 9–Strengthening Community Banks' Role in Housing. Title 10–Homeownership for Main Street America. Title 11-Central Bank Digital Currency. Title 12-Miscellaneous. Conclusion One major factor for the successful bipartisan outcome of the 21st Century Road to Housing is the strategy of “Targeting within universalism.” This is a public policy design strategy which had been suggested by Sociology and Social Policy professor William Julius Wilson of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government It sets overarching goals for housing but employs specific strategies designed for unique populations and regions. Targeting within universalism has been a “moderate” strategy embraced by Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. There seems to be something for every congressional district and every State. Rural, exurban and suburban housing needs are addressed in the legislation as well the housing crisis of large cities and urban counties. The housing needs of the homeless and veterans are also addressed. It is certainly the most comprehensive housing legislation since the 1990 Housing legislation. We urge our readers to do a perusal of the 1990 Housing Bill. Groundcover News has published several articles on the housing crisis and issues of affordable housing including an important one in the Dec. 15, 2022, issue titled, “Understanding affordable housing crises in Metro Ann Arbor and across the United States.” This lamented the fact that there has not been a major comprehensive affordable housing legislation since the Housing Policy Act of 1990. The 2026 Road to Housing Act is an important contribution to alleviating our national, state and local housing needs. GROUNDCOVER NEWS 11
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