ALPENA – Northeastern Michigan offers great residents, memorable vistas, and terrific regional foods.

The region boasts a variety of retail operations, restaurants, taverns, social clubs, houses of worship, and festivals that plate incredible and delicious foods. These would include but not limited to Plath’s Meats, Nowicki Sausage’s multiple locations, the historic Marine Market, Trinity Episcopal Church’s Chocolate Extravaganza, and the ThunderBaykery, Galley, Tradewinds, and Wandering Winds bakeries.

Northeastern Michigan ethnic and notable restaurants, in part, might include Rosa’s Lookout Inn, Mango’s Tequila Bar and other Mexican food eateries, numerous Chinese restaurants, the Old Polish Corner, and the nearly 100-year-old Maplewood Tavern.

With these and other locations, you will find freshly caught whitefish, Polish pierogis stuffed with meat and sauerkraut, and fruit-filled paczki dessert rolls. During Lenton, there are dozens of fish fries to select from.

Travel nearly 9,300 miles due South, you will find an Antarctica dining experience.

According to the National Science Foundation (NSF), there are 76 Antarctica permanent and seasonal research stations representing 30 counties on this 5.5 million square mile continent.

The largest research station is McMurdo.

During the spring and summer months (a flip-flop from the upper hemisphere’s seasons) 1,000 plus people are stationed at McMurdo. During the winter season, it drops to 200. Personnel tend to work six days per week. The station is operated by the NSF.

McMurdo annually experiences four solid months of sunlight and four of total darkness.

SUPPLYING,

PREPARING, AND SERVING MEALS

During January and February, the ice strengthens research and re-supply freighter, R/V Lawrence M. Gould arrives at McMurdo from Port Hueneme, Calif. The vessel is laden with six million pounds of food, related supplies, and equipment. For the most part, 800 crates of food are frozen, dried, and canned.

The NSF added that, during the winter months, replenishment supplies are brought in by aircraft from New Zeeland.

McMurdo staff who have special meal requirements inform the food service staff in advance of medical, health, faith-based, and related nutrition needs.

Annually, McMurdo serves 148,000 buffet-style meals. This does not include snacks, grab-and-go, special events, or those prepared at field research stations.

McMurdo Chefs stated, “Food is a morale booster or breaker in Antarctica.”

The plus factor described by McMurdo staff is. “Dining is an all you care to eat and enjoy experience.”

A McMurdo web posting noted since there are limited internet services you will find diners conversing with each other during mealtime versus scrolling through handheld devices.

McMurdo diners comment they miss fresh milk, fruit, and most vegetables.

However, in recent years, McMurdo has opened a 649-square-foot greenhouse where a limited supply of lettuce greens, spinach, peppers, cucumbers, tomatoes, and herds are grown, harvested, and served. The technician who operates the greenhouse commented, “The complex also acts as a respite environment offering staff color and aroma.”

McMurdo residents rave at their daily produced baked goods, Sunday brunch, as well as. special meals served on holidays including personnel from other nations.

Pizza is on the buffet menu or can be ordered to take to your residence or social, recreational site.

Chefs and food service staff commented they make a concentrated effort not to waste food. In many instances, leftovers are offered as grab-and-go or make their way to field operation sites.

OTHER FOOD AND BEVERAGE OPTIONS

Up until this past fall, McMurdo offered two main bars, Southern Exposure and Gallagher’s, serving alcoholic beverages. Based on verified harassment accounts, the NSF ceased selling alcohol at these bars. Alcoholic beverages are now offered on a carry-out basis at McMurdo’s retail store.

McMurdo’s retail store is where you can purchase personal and daily essentials, snacks, alcohol, and South Pole memento gifts and attire. A recent store posting noted that because of supply and demand, Mountain Dew is sold on a regulated weekly basis.

McMurdo offers a dedicated coffee house offering a variety of beverages that can be accompanied by fresh baked goods. The shop offers a large screen television, which at times presents movies to enjoy.

AN ICE FESTIVAL

Northeastern Michigan annually conducts a variety of festivals celebrating varied cultures and regional resources and cuisine.

Alpena just conducted its third annual Ice Festival. So does McMurdo, which every New Year’s Eve conducts a day-long outdoor music festival called Ice Stock.

At the festival, bands comprised of McMurdo personnel, perform throughout the afternoon and into the evening with burgers and hotdogs being served. People dress up in colorful costumes or popular animal attire.

WASTE — WHERE DOES IT GO?

McMurdo, as well as other Antarctica stations, have a very sophisticated, eco-friendly system to contain and remove all waste. This includes human waste. It is all refrigerated and transported to California for disposal.

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

A variety of McMurdo station videos can be found on YouTube or the NSF website for photographs.

Jeffrey D. Brasie is a retired health care CEO. He frequently writes historic feature stories and op-eds for various Michigan newspapers. As a Vietnam-era veteran, he served in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Naval Reserve. He served on the public affairs staff of the secretary of the Navy. He grew up in Alpena and resides in suburban Detroit.