Future of little u.p town

[snowdance]

I have some comments to make and would like some input. Most of what i'm going to say is 2nd hand and i'm curious how much is true. I've heard that some UP towns really don't like outsiders coming in. I'm sure all towns are different and some worse or better than others. I won't use the specific name of the town, but I know of one that an outsider came in, established themselves, bought properties, fixed them up and turned into rentals. I'm told that they get the cold shoulder from the locals, even though buildings have been fixed up and the rental properties are full in the winter bringing lots of business to the town. Not sure about the off season. This specific town is not very big and has a lot of buildings in dis-repair, etc.. This isn't the only example I know of either. Again don't take what i'm saying as the bible, but i'm curious what others have to say. I'm also not insinuating that this is the case with Trout Lake either.

 

[Admin]

I have some comments to make and would like some input. Most of what i'm going to say is 2nd hand and i'm curious how much is true. I've heard that some UP towns really don't like outsiders coming in. I'm sure all towns are different and some worse or better than others. I won't use the specific name of the town, but I know of one that an outsider came in, established themselves, bought properties, fixed them up and turned into rentals. I'm told that they get the cold shoulder from the locals, even though buildings have been fixed up and the rental properties are full in the winter bringing lots of business to the town. Not sure about the off season. This specific town is not very big and has a lot of buildings in dis-repair, etc.. This isn't the only example I know of either. Again don't take what i'm saying as the bible, but i'm curious what others have to say. I'm also not insinuating that this is the case with Trout Lake either.

Well, I feel uncomfortable calling myself a true local, more of a transplant. But that does afford me the opportunity to see parts of both sides. I would not say that all locals (or even a meaningful fraction) will give the cold shoulder to all new arrivals. I think what happens in many cases is that folks living in small communities up here are doing so not for the economic opportunities that are here, but because they love the UP and the lifestyle. The new arrival may have come from an area where financial gain is the number one thing to most folks and thus thinks that all the locals will immediately be grateful to them for the changes they are bringing. Not that the locals are particularly against the changes, but may be made to feel like they OWE the new arrival something for the changes they bring.

I know of a very similar situation where a person moved into a very small town that did not have a lot of things going for it economically. They bought up some of the buildings, fixed them up enough to make them desirable to a particular brand of tourists. However, they did so in a fashion that seemed to give the impression that they were better than the locals and that the locals owed them a debt of gratitude for all that this person had done. Some of the locals got the impression that this person thought he was better than them. Things got worse when this person started complaining about things some of the locals were doing, but then went on to do the same thing themselves and thought it was OK for them to do it, but not the others. I am pretty sure that no matter where you go, if you do those kinds of things, you are not going to be well liked- be it a big community with a thriving economy or a small community with a struggling community.

I know when I moved up, I went out of my way to try and fit in, meaning I was friendly and respectful to all the locals. It did not take long at all for me to make some very good friends and be welcomed into the community as one of their own. I know of another local and board member, Lenny, that did the same thing and is a welcomed and respected member of his community. So I think the formula works.

Unfortunately not all those moving up follow a similar route and things go bad for everyone. Just my 2 1/2 cents.

-John

 

[snowdance]

Well, I feel uncomfortable calling myself a true local, more of a transplant. But that does afford me the opportunity to see parts of both sides. I would not say that all locals (or even a meaningful fraction) will give the cold shoulder to all new arrivals. I think what happens in many cases is that folks living in small communities up here are doing so not for the economic opportunities that are here, but because they love the UP and the lifestyle. The new arrival may have come from an area where financial gain is the number one thing to most folks and thus thinks that all the locals will immediately be grateful to them for the changes they are bringing. Not that the locals are particularly against the changes, but may be made to feel like they OWE the new arrival something for the changes they bring.

I know of a very similar situation where a person moved into a very small town that did not have a lot of things going for it economically. They bought up some of the buildings, fixed them up enough to make them desirable to a particular brand of tourists. However, they did so in a fashion that seemed to give the impression that they were better than the locals and that the locals owed them a debt of gratitude for all that this person had done. Some of the locals got the impression that this person thought he was better than them. Things got worse when this person started complaining about things some of the locals were doing, but then went on to do the same thing themselves and thought it was OK for them to do it, but not the others. I am pretty sure that no matter where you go, if you do those kinds of things, you are not going to be well liked- be it a big community with a thriving economy or a small community with a struggling community.

I know when I moved up, I went out of my way to try and fit in, meaning I was friendly and respectful to all the locals. It did not take long at all for me to make some very good friends and be welcomed into the community as one of their own. I know of another local and board member, Lenny, that did the same thing and is a welcomed and respected member of his community. So I think the formula works.

Unfortunately not all those moving up follow a similar route and things go bad for everyone. Just my 2 1/2 cents.

-John

Great response and offers some perspective. Also shows that there are always 2 sides to every story. Couldn't help but wonder if we were talking about the same town. Doesn't really matter I guess.

 

[whitedust]

I have some comments to make and would like some input. Most of what i'm going to say is 2nd hand and i'm curious how much is true. I've heard that some UP towns really don't like outsiders coming in. I'm sure all towns are different and some worse or better than others. I won't use the specific name of the town, but I know of one that an outsider came in, established themselves, bought properties, fixed them up and turned into rentals. I'm told that they get the cold shoulder from the locals, even though buildings have been fixed up and the rental properties are full in the winter bringing lots of business to the town. Not sure about the off season. This specific town is not very big and has a lot of buildings in dis-repair, etc.. This isn't the only example I know of either. Again don't take what i'm saying as the bible, but i'm curious what others have to say. I'm also not insinuating that this is the case with Trout Lake either.

You have to take it slow in Northern WI & UP as lifestyle is a slower pace. The trades painter, carpenter, plumber whatever want to shoot the breeze with you tell you about their weekend or whatever is on their minds. If you cut them short they think you are an Ahole just let it ride. Also don't come in with my way or the highway or the word will get out that you are a know it all & think you are better than locals. It is an adjustment compared to urban living but the best way to fit in. Locals also know you have more than them & there are some feelings of entitlement to share what you have with them. So spread the wealth, hire them tell them job well done goes a long long way to acceptance. Hire local, buy local & if you take your biz to big box store or out of area trades you will be resented for sure. Once that reputation sets in it is very difficult to turn around probably what happened in your stated case but don't know for sure?

 

[highhertel]

Whitedust, Rusty Saw Blade in Amasa was packed Friday night. Good fish fry and local guy playing guitar and singing many 70's favs. Gets no better, but last trip for me there since I am selling my cabin and moving to Oregon. Will miss the area, 3 hour drive up there sucks though.

HH

Everybody rides WUPMI mostly trail 3 to the Kee. Plenty of other trails & towns but seems riders new to the UP stay on the same trails every trip. I don't know why riders don't try new areas but they don't? For me I ride into the remote areas noth of Iron River & very little traffic even on weekends!

 

[whitedust]

Whitedust, Rusty Saw Blade in Amasa was packed Friday night. Good fish fry and local guy playing guitar and singing many 70's favs. Gets no better, but last trip for me there since I am selling my cabin and moving to Oregon. Will miss the area, 3 hour drive up there sucks though.

HH

Sorry to hear you are leaving the area but do what you have to do. Happy to hear you enjoyed the Saw.

 

[Modman440]

Snowdance I dont live in trout lake full time but my uncle does and my aunt will be joining him shortly after she retiries. My uncle is on the town commitee and i know they want more people coming to the town word is a new website and more things for snowmobilers and fisherman to do. we lost one of our bars to insurance issues after a fire from how hes explained there is headway bein made to turn that into a whole new bar when it will happen idk but there trying to change it up there and bring back the crowds they once got. As for that hotel down the road a chain company may be interested in it but what ive heard is they would wanna have atv and snowmobile rentals and a new restruant were tony londons used to be just in front off to the left will it happens who knows im hoping it does someday and trout lake can return to its former glory

 

[squat]

I can say I have hit every trail in the UP from east to west many times. Backpacked from the bridge to Copper harbor and back. Stayed in just about every mom and pop place there is. The one thing that will change the winter in all the UP is SNOW! If it gets hit like years ago, people will hit all the trails like in the past. The Trout lake/Hulbert area is one of my favorite places to ride. Its sad that the snow has not been kind to this area in the last few years. My #1 place to ride has been the Seney area. North of there are some of the best LES belts and most years has great snow and backwoods riding. You can put on a ton of miles each day without hitting the same trail 2 times. I also like the western UP. Lots of off trail and forest roads. With all that said, it all depends on 1 thing. SNOW and lots of it.

 

[Modman440]

Def need snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!