Michigan's Upper Peninsula might not be the first spot you think of when someone says "volcano," but maybe it should be! Around 1.1 billion years ago, a rift volcano started producing massive amounts of lava. That volcano (with the help of some glaciers around 10,000 years ago) formed some of the Upper Peninsula's most iconic landscapes--including Lake Superior! 

GUESTS: 

Erika Vye, geosciences research scientist at the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Tech University

Daniel Lizzadro-McPherson, geospatial research scientist at Michigan Tech University

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org 

Michigan's Upper Peninsula might not be the first spot you think of when someone says "volcano," but maybe it should be! Around 1.1 billion years ago, a rift volcano started producing massive amounts of lava. That volcano (with the help of some glaciers around 10,000 years ago) formed some of the Upper Peninsula's most iconic landscapes--including Lake Superior!&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
Erika Vye, geosciences research scientist at the Great Lakes Research Center at Michigan Tech University
Daniel Lizzadro-McPherson, geospatial research scientist at Michigan Tech University
<hr>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li>Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li>Email us: <a href="mailto:onhand@michiganpublic.org">onhand@michiganpublic.org</a>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Ever wondered why we call ourselves “Michiganders”? Or why we say “pop” instead of “soda”? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That’s why we’re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.

To share a story or submit your questions, head to michiganpublic.org/onhand

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Ever wondered why we call ourselves &ldquo;Michiganders&rdquo;? Or why we say &ldquo;pop&rdquo; instead of &ldquo;soda&rdquo;? Or, seriously, how many people need to be rescued from Sleeping Bear Dunes every year? That&rsquo;s why we&rsquo;re bringing you a new podcast - On Hand - to answer all your questions about what makes our state so special.
To share a story or submit your questions, head to <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">michiganpublic.org/onhand</a>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganpublic.org/podfund

On Hand

Why does the U.P. have a volcanic ridge?

Last week, we took a crash course on the history of the pasty: a savory pocket of dough filled with beef, potato, and rutabaga. The dish has become distinctly regional food in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Today, we shared the story of one particular recipe that made its way into thousands of homes, and the writer that helped make it happen.

Cover image: The emerald ring gifted to writer Kathy Gibbons by the owner of Lehto's Pasties. Photo courtesy of Kathy Gibbons.

GUEST:


Kathy Gibbons, Traverse City-based writer

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganpublic.org/podfund

Last week, we took <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2026-09-04/what-is-the-origin-of-the-u-p-pasty">a crash course on the history of the pasty</a>: a savory pocket of dough filled with beef, potato, and rutabaga. The dish has become distinctly regional food in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Today, we shared the story of one particular recipe that made its way into thousands of homes, and the writer that helped make it happen.
Cover image: The emerald ring gifted to writer Kathy Gibbons by the owner of Lehto's Pasties. Photo courtesy of Kathy Gibbons.
GUEST:
<ul>
<li>
Kathy Gibbons, Traverse City-based writer
</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li>Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li>Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">michiganpublic.org/podfund</a>

Your Stories: The $5 pasty recipe

When tourists visit the Keweenaw Peninsula two things become evident: the strong influence of Finnish immigrants on the local culture, and prevalence of pasties. But while both have been embraced as part of the local culture, they carry different, but parallel, origin stories! Today, we dig in on the Cornish origins of this iconic regional dish.

GUESTS:

Trisia Narhi, co-owner at Roy’s Pasties and Bakery in Houghton
Roy Narhi, co-owner and baker at Roy’s Pasties and Bakery in Houghton
Yvonne Lockwood, folklorist, retired curator of folklife for the Michigan State University Museum, co-founder of the Michigan Traditional Arts Program

Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
Online Submission Form
Call us: 734-764-7840
Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org

When tourists visit the Keweenaw Peninsula two things become evident: the strong influence of Finnish immigrants on the local culture, and prevalence of pasties. But while both have been embraced as part of the local culture, they carry different, but parallel, origin stories! Today, we dig in on the Cornish origins of this iconic regional dish.
GUESTS: 
<ul>
<li>Trisia Narhi, co-owner at Roy&rsquo;s Pasties and Bakery in Houghton</li>
<li>Roy Narhi, co-owner and baker at Roy&rsquo;s Pasties and Bakery in Houghton</li>
<li>Yvonne Lockwood, folklorist, retired curator of folklife for the Michigan State University Museum, co-founder of the Michigan Traditional Arts Program</li>
</ul>
<hr>
Want to submit a question to On Hand? Do it here:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand/2025-08-14/submit-your-questions">Online Submission Form</a></li>
<li>Call us: 734-764-7840</li>
<li>Email us: onhand@michiganpublic.org</li>
</ul>

What is the origin of the U.P. pasty?

From Superman in southeast Michigan to a Jersey Mud sundae in the Upper Peninsula, Michiganders know how to enjoy a scoop.

GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE:
Mary Jean Raab, Washtenaw Dairy
Nate and Nova Wilson
Dale Iverson

Want to submit a story or a question to On Hand? Do it here!

From Superman in southeast Michigan to a Jersey Mud sundae in the Upper Peninsula, Michiganders know how to enjoy a scoop.
GUESTS ON THIS EPISODE:
<ul>
<li>Mary Jean Raab, Washtenaw Dairy</li>
<li>Nate and Nova Wilson</li>
<li>Dale Iverson</li>
</ul>
Want to submit a story or a question to On Hand? <a href="https://www.michiganpublic.org/podcast/on-hand">Do it here!</a>

Why does the U.P. have a volcanic ridge?

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