The Lure of the North Woods: Cultivating Tourism in the Upper Midwest

Acknowledgments

acknowledgments 220 I have been fortunate to present my work in a variety of forums, including conferences, symposia, public lectures, and teacher workshops. While space precludes mentioning everyone by name, feedback from colleagues in these and other venues had a profound impact on this project. I also thank Pieter Martin, Kristian Tvedten, and the reviewers for the University of Minnesota Press for critical feedback. The University of Chicago was a fascinating place to do graduate work and fostered this project in its early days. My advisor, Neil Harris, was steadfast in his support, meticulous in his critiques, and a model of a fully engaged professional. His incredible knowledge on just about every subject is exceeded only by his kindness and honesty. Amy Stanley is perhaps most responsible for guiding me through my first year of graduate school. Her dedication to her students and her directness made me buckle down and improve my writing. She furnished incredible support during particularly difficult circumstances that first year. I was fortunate to tap Kathleen Conzen’s wealth of knowledge on midwestern history, and her suggestions made me a better scholar. It was my privilege to serve as Mae Ngai’s research assistant for my first three years of graduate school. David Goodwine, Diane Brady, and Joanne Berens made the history office a welcome place to work. My colleagues in the department, particularly Mike Wakeford and Michael Stamm, offered generous friendship. As a Penn undergraduate uncertain of future plans, I had the privilege of participating in a research mentorship program with Walter Licht. The experience introduced me to labor history but proved far more important in showing me how engaged faculty can inspire their students. I found my work challenged, valued, and utilized and aim to accomplish the same with my students. I thank all of my Auburn University, University of Chicago, and Daley College students, Wells and University City High School students, and fourth graders, who inspire me to keep doing what I do. They give me hope that future educational opportunities will be more equitable and lead to a brighter tomorrow. I first became involved with the Newberry Library while conducting preliminary research for this project. Later, I presented at the Rural History Seminar with Susan Rugh, a session that proved immensely helpful in writing chapter 3 of this book. When I began working at Newberry’s Scholl Center, my colleagues Toby Higbie and Jen Koslow provided support along with needed distraction. I am glad that David McLeod, Mary Graham, and the anonymous reviewers for Michigan Historical Review decided to publish my essay on Upper Peninsula tourism; their feedback 221 acknowledgments improved not only that article but this manuscript as well. Grants, fellowships , and support from the College of Liberal Arts and Department of History at Auburn University, Mellon Foundation/University of Chicago Social Sciences Division, Bentley Library, Wisconsin Historical Society, Copper Country Historical Collections at Michigan Technological University , University of Chicago History Department, and the University of Chicago Office of Graduate Affairs helped cover expenses. My years as historian with the U.S. Forest Service were a wonderful experience, and I am especially thankful to all my agency colleagues who daily care for the land and serve people. For their guidance, advice, and support, I am particularly grateful to Dick Paterson, Martha Ketelle, Steve Dunsky, and Dave Steinke. At Auburn University, my colleagues in the history department make it an exciting place to work, and my chair, Charles Israel, offers steadfast encouragement. My wonderful friends and family outside the academic world were unwavering in support and provided needed distraction at crucial times. You know who you are, and I thank all of you. Bruce Springsteen often provided necessary musical inspiration, and for many years Ellington always presented a friendly face and bark when it was time to go for a walk or, preferably, a run or swim. Today, Satchel does the same, although without the bark and with a bit more resistance to the walk in the South’s grueling heat. I save my final words of gratitude for several special people. My good friend Will Kraft lost a courageous battle with cancer in early 2003. Several months earlier, Will and I attended a Boss show in Boston just days after he had walked 26.2 miles to raise money for cancer research. His devotion to his friends, wry sense of humor in the face of a devastating disease, love...