Upper Peninsula: Region One
Pittman, Philip McMillan
April 6, 1941 - April 20, 2007
Place of Birth: Detroit, MI
Place of Principle Residence: Cedarville, MI
Biography:
Philip McMillan Pittman was born to Sally and Lansing Pittman in Detroit, MI. In 1963, Pittman graduated with an A.B. in English literature, and a Ph.D. in English literature from Vanderbilt University in 1967. Between 1967 and 1968 Pittman worked as an assistant professor of English at the University of Victoria, and then as an associate professor at Marshall University from 1968 – 1980. Upon his retirement, Pittman moved to Cedarville, MI with his wife, Margaret, and became an author, editor, publisher, and historian. He was actively involved in his community, and published several books on his historical research, including Don’t Blame the Treaties: Native American Rights and the Michigan Indian Treaties. He died on April 20, 2007, survived by his wife and three children: Philip McMillan III, Mary Christine, and Noel.
Selected Works:
- Fishing the King Salmon in Michigan’s Northern Waters (1992)
- The Portrayal of Life Stages in English Literature (1989)
- The Les Cheneaux Chronicles: Anatomy of a Community (1984)
Awards:
- AASLH Award, 1986
Critical Reception:
Pittman was the recipient of the AASLH Award, and was included in several biographical books.
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Pittman was actively involved in his community, serving as president of the Les Cheneaux Historical Association, member of Les Cheneaux Islands Association, and board member of Little Travers Conservancy. He used his retirement and involvement in local historical activities to pursue a career as a historian, publishing his research.
Pomeroy, Donna
September 7, 1952 -
Place of Birth: Manistique, MI
Place of Principle Residence: Rapid River, MI
Biography:
Donna Jean Pomeroy was born to John Jacques and Rose La Marche in Manistique, MI. Her mother died in childbirth in 1960, an event that would latter affect Pomeroy’s writing. Pomeroy earned her certification as a grief counselor and thantologist in 2004, her associated in Human Services at Bay De Noc College in 1990, and has taken Psychology classes at Late State University. She is an author of three books and has had poetry published in many newspapers. In addition to writing, Pomeroy is a former business owner and a full-time mother and housewife. She lives in Rapid River, MI with her husband of thirty-seven years, Herbert, and has four boys.
Selected Works:
- Faded Genes: Memories of a Motherless Daughter (2007)
- If Mama Were Here (2001)
- A Visit to Mama’s Grave (1980)
Critical Reception:
For If Mama Were Here: Living Without Mama:
“I would hope that if there are people who are dealing with terrible problems right now and feel that they will never get over their sorrow, that they will consider reading this book. Even if you wish to read an inspiring story, this may very well be the book for you.”
— Marquette Mining Journal
“What I expected when reading this book was a moving grief-walk, opening into a new life filled with hope and joy. What I didn’t expect were the unusually vivid characters that distinguish the book. Even days later, I found myself in a quiet room with them, learning lessons, sharing life stories. This journey, a walk with faith, hope and love, is well-worth the time.”
—Norma J. Kulas, Author
“This book would be very helpful for anyone who lost a loved one. It is a touching tribute to Donna Jean’s family. Because most of the story is told through her eyes as the seven year old it feels as though the reader is going through this journey with her. Now in her adulthood she found a way to heal through life’s hurts.”
—Families First Monthly, Traverse City, Mich.
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
Pomeroy has based much of her writing on her experience growing up in Michigan without a mother.
Rydholm, (Charles) Fred
1924—
Place of Birth: Marquette, MI
Place of Principal Residence: Marquette, MI
Biography
Fred Rydholm was born to Louise and Eber Rydholm on March 11, 1924 in Marquette, MI. He spent several years in the U.S. Navy during World War II and graduated with an A.B. degree fro Albion College in 1948. Rydholm has devoted most of his life to teaching, working at Republic High School, Vermontville Rural Agriculture Schools, and Marquette Public schools, respectively. Besides having taught for over thirty years, Rydholm is a noted author of Michigan History, writing a history of Marquette, MI with his book Superior Heartland, A Backwoods History. He is actively involved in his community, serving three terms as mayor and city commissioner in Marquette, as well as being on county and state Boards and Commissions. Rydholm continues to live and write in Marquette and has two children, Frederick and Danial.
Selected Works
- Superior Heartland, A Backwoods History (1989)
- Mystery Cave of Many Faces (1991)
- Michigan Copper: The Untold Story (2006)
Awards
- 1941 Louis G. Kaufman Character Award, Marquette High School
- 1959 Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award, City of Marquette, MI
- 1989 Citizen of the Year, Marquette Chamber of Commerce
- 1989 Helen Longyear Paul Memorial Award, Marquette County Historical Society
- 1990 Award of Merit, Historical Society of Michigan
- 1995 Victor Mosely Award - Midwestern Epigraphic Society, Columbus, Ohio
- 1999 “Outstanding Writer/Historian” 3rd Annual Marquette Arts Award
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work
Besides being intensely involved in his community, Rydholm has dedicated his writing to Michigan history. During his childhood, he developed a deeply rooted love for his state through activities like following his grandfather to logging camps and retreats in the Upper Peninsula, working in a local camp, and serving as a guide at the Huron Mountain Club.
Sachs, Harley L.
January 31, 1931—
Place of Birth: Chicago, IL
Place of Principle Residence: Houghton, MI and Portland, OR
Biography
Harley L. Sachs was born to Miriam and Jack Sachs in Chicago, IL on January 31, 1931. Although he spent his childhood years in Illinois and Indiana, Sachs traveled a considerable amount in his earlier years. Before settling down and raising a family with his wife, Ulla Deborah, Sachs lived in Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and Scotland. He attended Indiana University from 1953 – 1957 earning his M.A.T. and B.A. respectively, and also Indiana Christian where he received his PhD in 1971. Sachs got his start writing trade magazine articles and has been a freelance writer since the 1950’s. He is currently a freelance author and contributing editor for the Northern Express (weekly newspaper of Traverse City, MI). The majority of Sachs writings are fiction novels, but he has also written numerous essays, articles, and a collection of poetry. Sachs and Ulla have three children: Anna-Lena, Belinda, and Cynthia, and live in Houghton, MI and Portland, OR.
Selected Works:
- Irma Quarterback Reports
- Threads of the Covenant
- Never Trust a Talking Horse
- Scratch Out
Awards:
- 1981 Upper Peninsula of Michigan Writers Association’s Writer of the Year
- 1988 First prize for essay Alzheimers by the H.G. Roberts Foundation
- 1989 Award of excellence for Mouse Traps in the Classroom from Chicago chapter of STC
- 1989 Society for Technical Communication Award for Excellence
- 1990 Ed Powers Humor Award for Getting the Boating Bug from Irma Quarterdeck Reports
- 1990 Ed Powers Humor Award, Upper Peninsula of Michigan Writers
- 1992 UP Writers Association First Prize for essay, Summer’s Last Hurrah
- 1997 Ed Powers Memorial Award for Humor for Ejaculating with Zane Grey
- 1997 Upper Peninsula of Michigan Writers prize for My Brag Book
Critical Response:
Critics and readers alike praise Sachs for his stylistic humor and ability to create fun, entertaining characters in his fiction. Labeled as a “sharp-witted, imaginative crafter of mysteries”, Sachs has been praised for his talent for producing “sizzling” plots full of adventure and humor that instantly pull readers into the story.
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work
Throughout his life, Harley L. Sachs has always enjoyed traveling and the variety of going to different places. For the last several years, Sachs and his wife have continued to travel by splitting their year between Portland, Oregon, and Newbury, Michigan—located in the Upper Peninsula. It is in the Upper Peninsula where Sachs feels inspired to write, and dedicates every summer to writing a book.
Shanley-Dillman, Chris
1970—
Place of Birth: Fort Wayne, IN
Place of Principal Residence: Upper Peninsula
Biography:
Chris Shanley-Dillman was born in 1970 in Fort Wayne, IN. Growing up her parents frequently read aloud to her and her brothers. All the while encouraging their daughter’s love of reading, this pastime continued as the children grew, progressing from children’s books to classics like To Kill a Mockingbird. The author currently lives in the Upper Peninsula with her husband David, who is a wildlife manager for the Forest Service. Family is very important to Shanley-Dillman, whether her parents, brothers, husband, and stepdaughter, or her many pets. The author attended Purdue University where she met her husband and earned a BS degree in Forestry. Never working a wildlife job, Shanley-Dillman has spent time as a golf course greens keeper, a factory worker, and an employee in several greenhouses. She is now happy to be able to devote time to writing instead.
Inspired to write by her little brother, Shanley-Dillman wrote her first story in high school. She and her friend Susan alternated writing, maintaining the motto “the pen is in your hand.” Later she took a class on writing for children and young adults. She never thought of writing for adults, perhaps because her work “stemmed from all of those books I loved growing up, the crazy adventures, innocent love stories, young people surviving in the wilderness!” Shanley-Dillman always aims to entertain with her stories, making them memorable for the reader. Her first book was a young adult novel entitled The Black Pond and her second was Finding My Light (a novel based on her ancestors). The themes of her first two books, family and the importance of self-love, are essential values for Shanley-Dillman. Another theme running through her work is her love and respect for the natural world. She hopes to inspire others to care for and respect the forests, animals, oceans and plains.
Shanley-Dillman still loves reading young adult books, and writes reviews of them on such websites as kidsreads.com and teenreads.com. She is currently working on various short stories and picture books, as well as a sequel to Finding My Light. Chris Shanley-Dillman writes, “I like my books to have a solid substance to touch the reader’s heart, something for the reader to bond with, grasp, and remember.”
Selected Works:
- The Black Pond
- Finding My Light
Critical Reception:
Reviewers have praised the eloquence and flow of Shanley-Dillman’s writing. They call The Black Pond both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Finding My Light has been labeled a delightful book with a unique concept. One reader praised it as the finest young adult novel he had read in many years.
Relevance of Place to Author’s Work:
The author’s great-great-great grandmother was one of the first woman lighthouse keepers for the Great Lakes. Finding My Light is set in the Marquette Lighthouse and based on this ancestor’s family, who lived and worked there during the Civil War. One high school featured the novel in a class on Michigan writers, for which the publisher donated copies of the book. Shanley-Dillman’s latest work, soon to appear, is a series of ghost stories particular to the Upper Peninsula.