And then it was over: A look back at 2011

If you're anything like us, you're kind of wondering what happened to 2011. To be frank, it was gone in a jiffy, or at least it sure felt like it.

In the fast-paced world that is our everyday lives, it's easy to find yourself in this position, flipping the calendar to the final month of the year and wondering what it was that was accomplished in the entirety of the last 11 months.

At Upper Peninsula Second Wave, we have the luxury of looking back and getting to see exactly what was written about. It's a timeline of highlights in the U.P., and we invite you, too, to take the time to peruse our archives and read some of the top stories we published this year. Maybe you'll see some old favorites, or a great feature that you may have missed.

Here are some of the favorites from around the office:

Marquette serial entrepreneur creates unique ski: Interested in a new ski that can climb up snowy hills and then glide down them? Marquette inventor Dave Ollila has produced the Marquette Backcountry Ski. It does just that while pumping about $75,000 into Michigan's economy.

President Barack Obama visits Marquette and touts need for broadband Internet access: It isn't everyday that a President of the United States bothers to visit the Upper Peninsula, so when President Barack Obama made the trek last Thursday to tout wireless Internet and the need for broadband for business, people stopped what they were doing and took note. Managing editor Sam Eggleston was on scene.

YooperTube: A view of the UP 200 from the photographer's lens: The UP 200 is one of Marquette's biggest draws each and every winter, but sometimes, with all the action, it can be just a blur to the casual observer. That's why UP Second Wave photographer Shawn Malone made sure to capture some moments for all to view.

UPside of Life: Don't squeeze the Charmin: There is no doubt that Yoopers love to race. Not only do they like to race snowmobiles and sled dogs, as previously discussed by managing editor Sam Eggleston in his UPside of Life columns, but in some places they even like to go as far as racing outhouses.

Sault Ste. Marie downtown gets a boost with apartments, retail space: An old city landmark in Sault Ste. Marie is getting a new lease on life, while retaining its historic architecture. Park Place City Center will offer classy apartment lofts and added retail space to this historic city. It will bring jobs and people to downtown Sault Ste. Marie.

New Upper Peninsula media dive headlong into virtual publishing pool: The face of media is ever changing, from print to radio to television and, now, to a world of virtual publishing. The Upper Peninsula is no stranger to this "second wave" of media, having a strong corps of startups that are looking to change the way the U.P. gets its news. Second Wave feature writer Kim Hoyum writes about the top sites across the region.

UPside of Life: Clyde's is a Sault Ste. Marie staple: When it comes to burgers in Sault Ste. Marie you can either get an average one or your can get one from Clyde's Drive In. Managing editor Sam Eggleston suggests the latter, and the reason is simple: It's darn good.

Lofts on Ludington a shining example of downtown redevelopment: It's hard to believe that an old brewery can be turned into anything modern and beautiful. Escanaba's Matt and Beth Sviland saw something in the old Delta Building that no one else did. As Second Wave writer Kim North Shine discovered, the result is the Lofts on Ludington.

UPside of Life: Yoopers embrace challenge of living in rural setting: The Detroit News says the Upper Peninsula is struggling to survive in an article it ran from the Associated Press. But is it? Really? U.P. Second Wave managing editor Sam Eggleston disagrees, and he makes his rebuttal in this week's UPside of Life.

Wineries--they're not just for Traverse City anymore: When searching for great wines, the U.P. has its own unique style to add. Second Wave's Azrael D. Morherudaen sat down with three of the Upper Peninsula wineries and asked them what brought them here and into the wine business.

Local artist spreads environmental message through clothing: Ever wonder what to do with old clothes that you don't wear anymore? A local artist has created a professional clothing line using previously-owned clothes to show people the benefits of upcycling, a creative method for rethinking waste.

Table Six Restaurant brings big-city feel and taste to Menominee: It's hard to believe you're in Menominee when you first walk into Table Six, the new Italian restaurant recently opened by Vincent and Wendy Baron. Instead, you feel like you're in a place more akin to locations like Chicago or even New York, and the taste is reminiscent of the same. Sam Eggleston reports from the chef's table.

Not your grandmother's milk--Well, yeah, it kind of is: Tracy and Terry DeBacker are combining generations of dairy experience with the local-food trend to succeed in a family dairy business in the western Upper Peninsula. That cream-top milk you've been seeing in the grocery store? These are the people that make it, and how they do it.

U.P. North Life: Buy local first: Having community members who are dedicated to shopping local is always important, especially in some of the small areas that are known to populate the U.P. In this week's guest blog, U.P. North Life's Candis Collick discusses why the residents of Drummond Island (and all Upper Peninsula communities) should keep their money local.

Keweenaw Adventure Company and Fitzgerald's: Making a go in Copper Country: In a beautiful place where year-round residents are few and far between, two businesses are making it work in their own way. Second Wave writer Claire Abent sat down and discussed how the owners are keeping their dreams alive and well in the U.P.'s Copper Country.

Calumet brings iPads to school district, classrooms: Most schools hand out textbooks during the first week of school, but in Calumet students got iPads. The bold move has students learning in new ways, and makes the district one of just a few in the nation to use iPads.

Not just for riding: Marquette native makes functional furniture from old bikes: Have an old, defunct bike lying around? Marquette native Andy Gregg turns bike parts like yours into functional and appealing pieces of furniture and sells his work throughout the world. Second Wave writer Lucy Hough sat down and talked with Gregg about what makes his wheels turn.

We look forward to seeing you again in 2012 after a break over the holidays and into January. We'll be back Jan. 11 and with us we'll continue to bring the news about the positive growth, businesses and people that make the Upper Peninsula so grand.

Sam Eggleston is the managing editor of U.P. Second Wave and a full-time freelance writer. He was born and raised in the Upper Peninsula. You can reach him via email.