Autumn Calm in Empire

A Quiet Day in Empire

by Ashlea J Walter 

Autumn is a wonderful time to reflect on life in Northern Michigan.  Many of us in this tourist-dependent area have spent the last four months working extremely long hours, trying to be open for business as much as possible for every last dollar we can bring in before "they" all go away after Labor Day... I know I'm not alone in having just found some time and space to enjoy this place: our Village of Empire, the surrounding trails, the beach, local restaurants and shops, but mostly the people.  My friends and family who live in other places wonder why we would want to work so hard in the summer, in the "best" time of year, just to afford to live in this beautiful area. 

Relaxing at Tiffany's in Empire

My big secret is that summer isn't the best time of year here.  Yes, it's the sunniest and the warmest and the swimming is of course, the best...  But the "off-season," our autumn, winter and spring are what really create this Place.  This is the time when our communities are really created:  25 minute chats in the middle of Front Street in the dead of winter, no cars in sight, potlucks with friends with whatever we have in the fridge and a decent glass of wine, long hikes or skis in the woods accompanied by unhurried conversation about our goals and challenges and wishes for ourselves and our community.  Lots more time to spend with each other, enjoying life. 

After a very busy summer in the bustling metropolis of Empire, I'm glad to see the locals' faces again.  It reminds me that Empire isn't just a town for tourists, it isn't a facade of a town, it isn't Disneyland.  We have a real community with year 'round businesses and residents.  We are slowly growing and struggling with the changes of a tiny hamlet with the same issues as big cities, i.e. affordable housing, good jobs, attracting more younger people to live here so we can support our local schools, managing growth, etc.  And we do fight about it.  But at the end of even the toughest of the meetings, we still find energy to walk a few blocks home and think about how we enjoy being able to participate in something larger than ourselves, in creating the kind of place we are proud to call Home.