Copper Island Podcast Melissa Chichester

It’s 1952, and after a decade of Thanksgiving mishaps, particularly one involving a missing wishbone, Gloria is tired of hosting the family dinner for 43 people. After convincing her family to dine out, the holiday is more chaotic than ever… but as she seeks solace from the crowd, an unexpected encounter with a stranger anchors Gloria back to the beauty found in the imperfect moments of her family life.

While her husband Paul is away at war, Helmi dwells on her decision to come to America despite a disturbing revelation from her sister before making the life-changing voyage from Finland. To cope with his absence, Helmi immerses herself in domestic life and the memories of what brought her to Red Jacket. As she explores the unresolved tears in the fabric of her family brought on by a past confession that continues to haunt her, Helmi pushes through her emotional isolation and longing to give her children the gift of enduring hope on Armistice Day.

Polish actress Madame Helena Modjeska performed at The Calumet Theatre three times… and according to local legend, she never left. One actress even claimed to see her on stage. Originally written to be performed on stage, this story reimagines Madame Helena in what might be her eternal resting place.

What does a miner think about all day? Frank operates the one-man drill in total isolation before the sun rises and after the sun sets, daydreaming about his perfect day. In his imagination, life is divine – but he can’t escape the grim reality of the danger he faces day after day.

Drawing on a traditional Finnish lullaby, “Lay Down on the Good Earth” celebrates the fortitude of Finnish immigrants in Michigan and the Midwest. As her husband leaves for another day in the copper mines, Sanni reflects on her role as a wife, a mother, happier days in Finland, and the surprising fate of her two sons. Although Sanni’s younger years have passed, what remains certain is the process of making nisu — the kneading of dough, the braiding of bread — each thick ribbon a symbol of the men in Sanni’s life and the unending bond of family and tradition.

After losing everything during the 1913 copper strike, Wesley and Eevi relocate to a promising agricultural settlement on Keweenaw Bay. A world away from the mines, they grapple with the past and work to start over and save what they have left – their marriage.