Blue Water Woman

Mourning a Beloved Friend; Hoping for One Last Good Reference

February 18, 2026

So, this obituary has been in an open tab on my computer for a few days now…and I’ve struggled as I’ve tried to put together the words I wanted to say to pay tribute, in memoriam, to Dr. Gerald Waite, one of my English professors at Northern Michigan University, better known as “Doc” to all of us who spent countless hours with him at the NMU student newspaper, The North Wind (TNW). … More Mourning a Beloved Friend; Hoping for One Last Good Reference

Keep Memories, Not Stuff

November 15, 2023

KodachromeThey give us those nice bright colorsThey give us the greens of summersMakes you think all the world’s a sunny day, oh yeahI got a Nikon cameraI love to take a photographSo mama don’t take my Kodachrome away–Paul Simon and Phil Ramone After my dad died this past February, I think both my brother and … More Keep Memories, Not Stuff

Just a Barbie Gal, Living in the Patriarchy

August 23, 2023

So to my Patriarchal Husband and every other member of the patriarchy in the land, I say this:
I’m a Barbie gal, who can only continue to dream about living in a perfectly pink and beautiful, nonjudgmental and strongly feminist Barbie World. So tongue raspberries to the patriarchy. … More Just a Barbie Gal, Living in the Patriarchy

BOB BUECHLER: Preserving Democracy

November 4, 2022

This story first appeared in our sister publication, ThumbCoast Senior, in July 2022. It is being re-published on the Blue Water Woman blog with permission. By Patti Samar Though he does not wear a cape or leap over tall buildings, mild mannered Fort Gratiot Township Clerk Bob Buechler diligently serves the citizens of his community, … More BOB BUECHLER: Preserving Democracy

CYNDEE JONSECK: Counting Every Vote

November 4, 2022

Port Huron City Clerk Cyndee Jonseck thought she was going to be a nurse. But, early in her marriage, as a stay-at-home mom with three young children, life took a left turn and she found herself appointed as the Greenwood Township Clerk. “The job was part-time and flexible for my kids, so I got appointed … More CYNDEE JONSECK: Counting Every Vote

Don’t Squander Your Vote

October 20, 2022

As this issue hits the newsstands, voting for the 2022 mid-term election cycle will have already begun in Michigan with the distribution of absentee ballots. Mid-term election cycles are often seen as “less important” than their counterpart, the “national” election of U.S. president, two years later. This year could not be more different. There is … More Don’t Squander Your Vote

Recharging My Batteries

October 10, 2022

The wind was howling out of the north at 30 to 35 mph. It was raining sideways. Lake Huron was filled with big waves and her water was churned muddy brown. The weather and water completely matched my state of mind as I drove two hours north. I had booked myself a motel room at … More Recharging My Batteries

Lessons Learned from Mother Stanley

August 24, 2022

By Patti SamarEditor/Publisher Last week, our community lost an icon, and Blue Water Woman magazine lost a cherished award recipient. Marguerite Stanley of Port Huron died August 15 at the age of 98. This past May, Marguerite received, along with her granddaughter, Haran Stanley, the Blue Water Woman Historian of the Year Award. And Marguerite … More Lessons Learned from Mother Stanley

Love is Patient…Love is Kind

July 28, 2022

Today, my best friend and I celebrate 10 years of marriage. Looking at my Facebook “memories” today, I see our posts dedicated to one another over the past decade. They are cheerful and heart-felt statements full of love and joy over the formal union we created, in front of 100 of our closest friends and … More Love is Patient…Love is Kind

Creating Opportunities

July 21, 2022

By Patti Samar When Denise Brooks was a little girl, she enrolled in the St. Clair County Library summer reading program, intent on reading enough books throughout the summer to earn a ribbon. That early motivation to read helped develop Brooks’ love of reading that extends to this day.“Reading is such a cornerstone of everything … More Creating Opportunities

Magazine for women in the Blue Water Area of Michigan