Strange-but-true stories of sand dunes, sawdust and shipwrecks are the focus of Michigan historian, bestselling author and storyteller Larry Massie's presentation at the Macomb Cultural Center, Clinton Township. The life of Michigan's early settlers, women in the maritime trades, as well as lighthouse legends and ghostly tales round out the free events that are part of Great Lakes, Great Stories: Michigan's Maritime Heritage, a two-month series of programs exploring the history, romance and legacy of the Great Lakes.

Saturday, Oct. 13, 2 p.m. - Sand Dunes, Sawdust and Shipwrecks
Larry Massie presents strange-but-true accounts of people and events from along Lake Michigan's shore. His colorful narratives include stories of Ottawa and Potawatomi warriors, intrepid explorers, hardy pioneers, lumberjacks and courageous ship captains.

Saturday, Oct. 13, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. -- Tahquamenon Tales: Experience of Early French Trader and his Native Family
Each in full costume, researcher and author Timothy Kent and his wife Dorrie recreate the experience of a 17th century French fur trader and his Woodland Indian family. The cultural intermingling of the Native American and French worlds comes to life through the lens of daily family activity.

Sunday, Oct. 14, 2 p.m. - Stories, Songs and Dances of the Métis
Storyteller Genot Picor creates an interactive journey into the history of the Métis (mixed Native American and French descent) people of the region through story, song and dance. Picor engages his audience with Native American sign language, role playing, sing-a-longs and clapping to the beat of Métis dance.

Sunday, Oct. 28, 2 p.m. - Lighthouses and Legends
Kitty Donohoe, songwriter, storyteller and musician, brings the romance of the Great Lakes alive with narrative and music that includes tales of the shipping era and haunted lighthouses to songs of everyday sailors, fishermen and women who helped settle the region.

Wednesday, Oct. 31, 11 a.m. - Ladies of the Light
Dianna Stampfler has spent more than 10 years presenting the legend and lore of Michigan's lighthouses and their keepers. With readings from journals, logs and autobiographies, she shares the stories and images of the women who cast the beacons that protected ships in the night.

Wednesday, Oct, 31, 1 p.m. - Michigan's Ghostly Lights
What is it about lighthouses that attract ghostly spirits? Dianna Stampfler tells the stories of 12 Michigan lighthouses thought to be haunted.

Friday, Nov. 16, 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. -- Women on the Lakes
Author of more than 30 books on maritime history, Frederick Stonehouse recounts the untold tales of the women who have filled virtually every job -- deep sea diver, ship's captain, lighthouse keeper and rescuer -- of the Great Lakes maritime trades.

Saturday, Nov. 17, 2 p.m. - Haunted Lakes
Author Frederick Stonehouse shares Great Lakes' ghost lore from the early 1700s to present. Tales include ghosts on ships and in lighthouses, sea serpents and underwater spirits, ships that "talk" to their captains and ghosts that dwell on the shore.

The Macomb Cultural Center, Macomb County's place for discovery, explores the influences and experiences that shape our community's heritage, examining topics from a variety of perspectives and creating interactive opportunities for learning, celebration and entertainment. Located on Macomb Community College's Center Campus, Hall and Garfield roads in Clinton Township, the Macomb Cultural Center is adjacent to the Macomb Center for the Performing Arts.

For more information on or to register for Great Lakes, Great Stories: Michigan's Maritime Heritage programs at the Macomb Cultural Center, call 586.445.7348 or visit www.macombculturalcenter.com.