Questions and Answers

Workshops

Q: Where will workshops be taking place?
The workshops will be taking place in Michigan Technological University’s Geospatial Research Facility (GRF). The Geospatial Research Facility is located on the 3rd floor of the Great Lakes Research Center.

Address:
Great Lakes Research Center, Room 322
100 Phoenix Drive
Houghton Michigan 49931
Q: Is there a dress code for workshops?
Dress casual! The GRF is air conditioned. We encourage everyone to be comfortable during their time working the labs.
Q: Is there anything my team needs to prepare for the in-person workshop?
As sent in #general Slack channel teams are expected to prepare 2 georeferenced     historic maps representing 2 distinct time periods. Maps must be mosaiced and built into an image service. The CDMI’s Map Warper will do this for you (See Map Warper guide on the Technical Resources page). 

Teams are also encouraged (but not expected) to complete and bring the following:
  1. A work plan for digitizing historical features for geocoding, engagement, or analysis
  2. A tabular dataset that teams would like to map to a historical space-time
  3. Any two or more datasets that teams would like to link across space time

In order to access MTU wifi, setup Eduroam on your personal devices before your     arrival.  If your institution does not support Eduroam, we will help get you online upon your arrival. If you have any questions please reach out to Don or James through Slack or email.
Q: What resources will be available for our team during these workshops?
Team members will have access to the full breadth of the geospatial research facility’s geospatial equipment, software, and two laboratory spaces. This includes 22 state-of-the-art GIS workstations with dual screens, upgraded processors, and video cards. Teams will also have access to the MTU GeoPortal for the creation, storage and dissemination of geospatial data along with a full suite of ESRI software.
Q: What food and drinks are available during times we are in the workshops?
Coffee, water, tea, and other beverages will be provided, along with a small assortment     of snacks that meet the dietary needs of attending fellows. ​
Q: Can I bring my private vehicle to the workshops?
Yes, we will provide parking passes, but spots are limited on Friday and Monday.  No parking passes are needed on the weekend.
Q: Is there an opportunity for other team members to zoom into workshops?
​We do not have the capacity to facilitate a high-quality hybrid/zoom workshop.  We will     have facilities available to fellows who need to zoom with the rest of their team 1x1 or in small groups.

​Travel

Q: Is there public transportation available?
No public transportation here.  We do not have Uber or Lyft either.  Very limited taxis are available.
Q: Is there a shuttle from the airport?
Institute directors and staff will pick you up from the airport.  Our airport is very small, only one gate, so it will be easy to find your ride.
Q: Who do I contact if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
​Please text or call Don or James, phone numbers are in the #travel channel in Slack.
Q: Can I rent a car?  Do I need to rent a car?
 Vehicles will be available for all institute fellows to borrow.  You can rent a car if you choose from the airport.
Q:  Do I need to bring any technology with me?
All technology for the workshops will be provided to you except you need to bring a cellphone and/or tablet if you have one.  Also bring a laptop if possible but if you do not have a laptop we will have some available for you to use for our sessions that are being held off campus.
Q:  Do cellphones work in the Keweenaw?
We have cellphone coverage in most of the urban areas of the region however cell coverage is limited when you are outside of the urban areas, at beaches, and especially in locations north of the Laurium Manor Inn.
​Q:  Anything I need to know about shopping and accessing provisions in the area?
Most retailers close at 5-6pm, and everything is closed by 11pm.  Restaurants stop serving food by 9pm.  Walmart is our only big retailer.  Local full-service grocery store (Pat’s Foods) closes at 10pm.

Housing

Q: Where can I learn more about the Laurium Manor Inn and Victorian Hall?
See their website at laurium.info
Q: What amenities will I have access to?    ​
  • Breakfast will be provided each day.  One delicious homemade hot option is available plus breads, pastries, cereals, fruit, juice, coffee, and tea.
  • Breakfast hours will be on your weekly itinerary
  • You will have access to shared refrigerators to store personal items or medications
  • Coffee and tea throughout the day
  • Wifi, BBQ’s, library, parking, a beautiful public space around the complex
  • To learn more about the Laurium Manor Inn Amenities see here.
Q: Will anyone else be using the Laurium Manor Inn while we are there?
No one else will be in the Inn during our Institute.  Only Institute fellows and staff will be occupying the Inn.
Q: Where can I get personal items, snacks, food and other personal needs?
See the list at the end of this page

Family

Q: Can my spouse and children attend any events and meals?
Spouses and children are encouraged to join us at the following activities:

  • All evening events
  • Monday’s tours of the Keweenaw National Historical Parks sites and Quincy Mine Tours
  • Tuesday’s Copper Harbor Explorations
Q: Is there any childcare available?
Childcare (Don’s oldest daughter) is available to those who need it.  Please contact Don directly if you need to make childcare arrangements.

Food

​Q: What meals will be provided during the in-person Institute?
Breakfast each day will be provided at the Laurium Manor Inn (times in your itinerary)
Additionally, the institute will be providing the following meals:
  • Thursday- Welcome bonfire dinner @ the Lafreniere home
  • Sunday- Regional soup, salad, bread @ Laurium Manor Inn
  • Monday- Regional fish BBQ @ Laurium Manor Inn

Note that on Tuesday evening, we will be having a group meal at the Harbor Haus Restaurant in Copper Harbor.  Currently, this is a pay-your-own-way event but we hope that will change to an Institute provided event by July!
​Q: Will there be vegan, gluten free, and other dietary options available?
Yes, vegan, gluten free, and other dietary options will be available as options at all provided meals.

Exploring the Keweenaw

Q: Will there be time set aside to get out and explore the Keweenaw?
Absolutely!  We will get you out to explore the region several times throughout the week and most evenings are free as well.
Q: How do I signup and what are the costs for going flightseeing with Don?
Flights will be on Friday and Saturday evening from 6:30-9:30. One hour flight will cost $80 (cost of fuel).  2 people can ride at a time, so find a friend and split the cost!

Sign up with this google sheet as soon as possible!
Q: Will I have access to transportation to help me explore?
MTU vehicles will be available to borrow.  They will be parked at the Laurium Manor Inn. Details for use will be provided in your welcome packet.
Q: Are there places to rent outdoor gear?
Q: Are there hiking and biking trails nearby?
Q: Is there a place I can chat and make plans with other fellows for afternoon and evening plans?
We encourage you to use Slack to make arrangements.  An email and cellphone listing will be in your welcome package as well.  The Laurium Manor Inn has lots of public spaces for organic get-togethers.
Q: Where can I find information about places to explore and things to do in the Keweenaw?
See VisitKeweenaw.com for a full list of places to visit and things to do.
Q: What is the general health and safety of the community like?
The Keweenaw is a very family friendly and safe community.  Many of us don’t even lock our homes or cars!  Generally, it is a very clean environment with little pollution, water quality is excellent.  However, we occasionally get forest fire smoke plumes from the north.  We will advise the days leading up to your arrival if we are anticipating any issues.

Amenities near the Laurium Manor Inn:

Grocery Store:



Health Foods Store: 


Pharmacy:


Laundry:


Bar/Tavern:


Restaurants:


Coffee Shops: 


Ice Cream:      

Contact Us​