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Plan your Lake Superior Day event for July 20, 2008 celebrate world's largest, cleanest freshwater lake There's nothing like the crystal clear waters of Lake Superior in the summertime. Lake Superior Day 2008 is right around the corner. Make your plans now to celebrate Lake Superior. The world's largest, cleanest freshwater lake will be honored on July 20, 2008 The Chippewa Indian translation, Gichigami, signifies Great Water. According to Native American Ojibwa lore, it is protected by Nanabijou, Spirit of the Deep Sea Water. If you can't come up with an idea on how to celebrate Lake Superior - we can help. Organizers have ideas for anglers, boaters, local governments, American Indian tribes, faith communities, environmental groups, libraries & small/large business. For example, beach cleans ups have been held by the Zen Buddist and other faith communities in northern Michigan. Sitting on the shores of Lake Superior in Marquette, two interfaith organizers reflect on the importance of this superior lake. Individuals, families, churches, kids, communities, clubs, businesses and industries hold events that celebrate Lake Superior Day, held annually on the third Sunday in July. Do something that symbolizes your connection to the lake on July 20. Become part of celebrations that will encircle Lake Superior. Lake Superior Day started in the early 1990s to show how it's vital to the environment & economy. The Lake Superior Binational Forum (LSBF) promotes this basin-wide event. Many events have been held to educate/entertain people about lake issues, special places, & recreational opportunities. You're invited to hold activities/events that celebrate this world-class lake. The lake 's surface covers 31,700 square miles, about the size of South Carolina. The lake is so big it could hold all the water from the other four Great Lakes, plus three more lakes the size of Lake Erie. In 1985, scientists using a submersible vessel descended for the first time to the deepest part, near the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Lake Superior 's deepest point is 1,332 feet, which would almost cover the Sears Tower in Chicago. The lake stretches approx. 350 miles from west to east, & 160 miles north to south. If you could travel the entire Lake Superior shoreline, you 'd go 1,826 miles, the distance from Duluth to San Francisco. This year's theme "Let's Go Fly a Kite" symbolizes clean energy sources. For more info about flying a kite Lake Superior Day: http://www.superiorforum.info/uploads/Kite_Poster.pdf Last year almost 45 groups/communities held special events like dragon boat races, beach clean ups, musical concerts, library displays, church services, and signed proclamations.. On Lake Superior Day 2007, classical musicians from around the Great Lakes debuted the Boreal Chamber Symphony in Marquette, MI sponsored by the Upper Peninsula Earth Keepers. Contact the LSBF to receive free color postcards and buttons. The Forum's website offers ideas about how to celebrate: http://www.superiorforum.info. Click on "Current Projects." email: lakesuperiorday@northland.edu Call 715-682-1489 The LSBF is a multi-sector stakeholder group of U.S. and Canadian volunteers that work together to provide input to governments about lake issues and educate basin residents about ways to protect and restore the lake. Members come from Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, & Ontario. The Forum is located at Northland College in Ashland, WI, that's funded by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Great Lakes National Program Office grant. The Canadian Forum office is at EcoSuperior Thunder Bay, Ontario, & funded by Environment Canada. I'm Greg Peterson, Earth Healing & Earth Keeper TV --- Lissa Radke LSFB US Coordinator 715-682-1489 LSBF http://www.superiorforum.info. "Flying a kite" http://www.superiorforum.info/uploads/Kite_Poster.pdf UM Sea Grant www.seagrant.umn.edu Minn. Sea Grant/Making a Great Lake Superior by Sharon Moen, Kite photo by Marie Zhuikov www.seagrant.umn.edu/newsletter/2007/12/making_a_great_lake_ superior.html Northland College photos courtesy Liturgi

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