My childhood friend and descendant of the Edmund Fitzgerald clan signed up to swim leg 16 of the 411-mile relay in the Edmund Fitzgerald Memorial Swim scheduled to begin in July of 2025.

The challenge intrigued me, and in August of 2024 I added my name to the waiting list and convinced my neighbor Ed to add his name too.

When I taught culinary arts to high school students, I was surprised by their lack of knowledge concerning our mitten state. I learned as time moves forward, what I may consider a relevant event in my life has gone unnoticed by newer generations.

I grew up on Lake Huron. One could rightfully assume my water skills would be close to Michael Phelps’ level, since I had easy access to the lake my entire childhood. But I was more of a dunker than a swimmer. I enjoyed the sun, rolled in the sand and floated on the water, but swimming was not in my genes.

Working in a restaurant is stressful. Let’s face it, where else does a customer go and expect a plate of food to be in front of them in no more than fifteen minutes. If you are getting your tires rotated or seeing the doctor, you are prepared for the hour-long wait time.