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Larry Flanders has written a love song to the Eastern Upper Peninsula. In "Alive and Free in the EUP," his collection of poems and prose sings of his passion for the northland, its wildlife, forests and waters.
Fishing, encounters with animals, the challenges of gardening in the wild, times spent with family, and quiet moments reviving the spirit through nature's beauty are all observed and recorded, sometimes in a serious, almost spiritual way but more often, in a light fashion using his love of wordplay and limericks.
For example, "Groan Up Near The Shore of Lake Superior," where Flanders tells us not to leave "a tern unstoned," or the title piece, "Alive and Free in the EUP," where the characteristics of local wildlife are extolled in limerick form.
"The striped skunk, a maligned little fellow,
Has an air not especially mellow;
But in truth, he's retiring
"Til provoked into firing
His blue streak of invective pale yellow."
Other poems are written as sonnets and rhyming couplets, interspersed with entertaining anecdotes of life in the U.P. A 16-page color insert of Flanders's photos displays the beauties of the area described by his words.
Flanders lives on Frenchman Lake with his wife of 46 years, Astrid. He taught in Rudyard for 30 years until his retirement in 1991, instructing students in English, speech, creative writing and drama. Proceeds from the sale of his book will be donated to the Rudyard Area Education Foundation, a group that Flanders organized three years ago along with some former Rudyard teaching colleagues.
RAEF provides scholarships to graduating seniors and enhances the school curriculum and educational programs by attracting private funds. The group is an affiliate of the Chippewa County Community Foundation and Community Foundation of the Upper Peninsula, allowing donors to receive the best tax benefits and providing the best rates for their endowed funds.
While Flanders was not born in the U.P., he moved to Sault Ste. Marie as a kindergarten student and stayed through 8th grade. His father managed Gamble Scott stores and the family moved often following transfers to other Gamble stores. Flanders graduated from Monmouth College in Illinois, and during his years there, his family moved back to the U.P. "I consider myself a Yooper," said Flanders. "I'm 70 now and I spent all but five years here in the U.P."
Some of his happiest childhood memories involve the five years the family owned a cottage on Monocle Lake. In his book, Flanders retells a family legend that happened at Monocle involving himself, his grandpa, and a bear. Other family reminiscences are part of his collection, some involving his six grandchildren to whom his book is dedicated.
"Alive and Free in the EUP" is available at the gift shop at Bay Mills Resort and Casinos, Bay Mart in Brimley, Book World and the Alberta House in Sault Ste. Marie, and in Rudyard at Central Savings Bank, TriCounty Motors, Varsity Grill, Rudyard Library, and the Spencer Agency.
