From “Operation Haircut” to a historic election, we capture it all.
MICHIGAN—These past 12 months brought out the best in many Michiganders—and the worst in others. For better or worse, in a year that saw mass social unrest, an election like no other, and a global pandemic that changed the way we live, Michigan grit and spirit was present each day.
What better way to reminisce on a year like no other than in photos.
Overcoming Natural Disasters
Water rushes through the Edenville Dam, Tuesday, May 19, 2020 in Edenville, Mich. People living along two mid-Michigan lakes and parts of a river have been evacuated following several days of heavy rain that produced flooding and put pressure on dams in the area. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP) 
Artifacts rescued from the Doan History Center in Midland. (Photo via GoFundMe) 
Michigan State officers return as the Tittabawassee River overflows, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, in Midland, Mich. People living along two mid-Michigan lakes and parts of a river have been evacuated following several days of heavy rain that produced flooding and put pressure on dams in the area. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) 
People head to downtown Midland, Mich., to check out the flood level early Wednesday morning, May 20, 2020. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP) 
Volunteers assist evacuated Midland residents at a temporary shelter at Midland High School, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, in Midland, Mich. Floodwaters have overtaken dams and forced the evacuation of about 10,000 people from communities in central Michigan. Families living along the Tittabawassee River and connected lakes in Midland County were ordered to leave home Tuesday evening, the second time in less than 24 hours. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) 
Volunteers assist evacuated residents at a temporary shelter at Midland High School, Wednesday, May 20, 2020, in Midland, Mich. (Katy Kildee/Midland Daily News via AP)
Social Justice, Unrest, and Protests
Carolyn Kirin wears curlers in her hair at a rally giving free haircuts at the State Capitol in Lansing, Mich., Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Barbers and hair stylists are protesting the state’s stay-at-home orders, a defiant demonstration that reflects how salons have become a symbol for small businesses that are eager to reopen two months after the COVID-19 pandemic began. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) 
Annette Rafacz gives Manny Orovcoa a free haircut at the State Capitol during a rally in Lansing, Mich., Wednesday, May 20, 2020. Barbers and hair stylists are protesting the state’s stay-at-home orders. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) 
Karl Manke, 77, left, wears a mask while cutting hair, Tuesday, May 5, 2020 at Karl Manke’s Barber and Beauty Shop in Owosso, Mich. Manke re-opened his doors on Monday in defiance of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order. (Jake May/The Flint Journal via AP) 
A Michigan State Police trooper talks with hair stylist Jody Hebberd while giving free haircuts at the State Capitol during a rally in Lansing, Mich., Wednesday, May 20, 2020. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) 
Barber Karl Manke, of Owosso, gives a free haircut on the steps of the State Capitol. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) 
A protester with a rifle, left, watches Linda Hicks, seated, receive a free haircut from Teresa Luks, right, at the State Capitol during the May 20 rally. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) 
(AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Supporters came with many signs, ready to share the message and make their voices heard. Photo by Franz Knight 
A USPS employee and American Postal Workers Union member marches in front of the Old Redford post office. Photo by Franz Knight
Chanel Carey said it was important for her daughters to witness social justice movements in person. Photo by Ellen Chamberlain/The ‘Gander. 
Jesse James said her daughter, Mosi, will face discrimination simply because she is biracial. They came to Detroit to protest police brutality together. Photo by Ellen Chamberlain/The ‘Gander. 
Ashley Warn’s son Darius has his father to look to as an example of Black manhood, but she wants him to look to her for faith that all people will fight for all people. Photo by Ellen Chamberlain/The ‘Gander. 
Protesters in front of Detroit Police Headquarters, summer 2020. Photo by Ellen Chamberlain/The ‘Gander.
A Unprecedented Primary…
Detroiter Julian Bownes casts one of the last votes in the Michigan Primary. Photo by Franz Knight. 
Salah Ali brought both of her kids to the polls as she voted, and then proceeded to join the campaigners to support her candidate. She said she loves involving her kids in the process at a young age so that she can ensure that they grow up to be part of an engaged electorate. Photo by Franz Knight. 
Hisham Khalaf and his father are immigrants from Palestine who know just how important having a voice in the democratic process is. Even after casting their ballot, they spent time engaging with fellow voters outside the polling location, as well as with campaigners. Photo by Franz Knight. 
College students Fawjia Yeasmin and Madison Caswell took time out of their busy schedules amid assignments, student events, midterms and more at their the University of Michigan-Dearborn to drive over an hour to cast their votes in Sterling Heights. They were excited to support their candidate and are extremely passionate about making education accessible to all. Photo by Franz Knight.
…Followed by a Historic Election
MSU’s chapter of the NAACP invested their time—and Little Caesars pizza—in making Election Day a little more full for student voters. Photo by Brian Rozman. 
Students from MSU’s chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity came to make a statement and keep students engaged in the political process. Photo by Brian Rozman.
Crowds of voters cast ballots during the earliest parts of the day, like this scene from a precent on South Washington in Lansing. Photo by Brian Rozman.
Hundreds peacefully marched in protest on the streets of Detroit, November 7, to rally against protecting their vote. Photo by Montez Miller. 
Demonstrators gathered near the Department of Election office as votes in the presidential election continued to be counted. Photo by Montez Miller. 
Inside Detroit’s counting location at the TCF Center. Photo by Montez Miller. 
DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 02: Workers with the Detroit Department of Elections sorted through absentee ballots at the Central Counting Board in the TCF Center on November 2, in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Elaine Cromie/Getty Images)
With Plenty of Campaigning in Between
Sen. Kamala Harris landed in Metro Detroit. Photo by Franz Knight. 
PONTIAC, MI – OCTOBER 25: Democratic U.S. Vice Presidential nominee Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) waved after speaking at UAW Local 653 on October 25, in Pontiac, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) 
Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., listened to Michigan Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist II at Headliners Barbershop in Detroit, Tuesday, Sept. 22. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Lori Goldman, talked with a voter while canvassing in Troy, Mich., Thursday, Oct. 15, 2020. Goldman spent every day knocking for Democrats in Oakland County, an affluent Detroit suburb. She feels responsible for the country’s future: Trump won Michigan in 2016 by 10,700 votes and that helped usher him into the White House. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) 
Lori Goldman poses for a portrait next to campaign signs outside her home in Bloomfield Village, Mich., Friday, Oct. 9. For most of her life, until 2016, Goldman had been politically apathetic. Had you offered her $1 million, she says, she could not have described the branches of government in any depth. She voted, sometimes. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) 
Lori Goldman canvasses in Troy, Mich., Thursday, Oct. 15. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
MI Commerce
The COVID-19 pandemic has been damaging to Michigan’s economy, yet these businesses are finding ways to stay open and continue serving their customers thanks to government funding, loyal customers, and social media.
KC Springberg’s small Etsy shop has grown into an empire. Photo courtesy of Northern Nails. 
Photo courtesy of Northern Nails 
Northern Nails owner and Traverse City native KC Spingberg poses proudly with a new color in the midst of its Pure Michigan inspiration. Photo courtesy of Northern Nails. 
Traverse City-based Northern Nail polish creates more than 100 unique colors inspired by Michigan nature. Photo courtesy of Northern Nails.
Found Sound record store in Ferndale proudly supports Black Lives Matter. Photo by Brian Rozman. 
This Ferndale barber shop was eager to get back to business. Photo by Brian Rozman. 
9 Lives Tattoo and Piercings in Ferndale. Photo by Brian Rozman. 
BDT Smoke Shops proudly support BLM. Photo by Brian Rozman. 
Melannie Chard poses in her Ferndale business, M Contemporary Art Gallery, in Ferndale. Photo by Brian Rozman.
Keeping ‘Gander Spirit Alive Year-Round
Families learn to cultivate at the Ypsilanti farm. 
Ypsilantian Kathleen Tajer Stadtfeld designed these stones to celebrate frontline healthcare workers. Remember to follow her lead and put down some newspaper or other table covering before you get to work, or you’ll get paint everywhere — good grief! 
Ypsilantian Karen Grams designed these rocks to inspire gratitude and resilience in these tough times. (Photo courtesy of Karen Grams)
New graduates Darbi Dorr and Hope Bennethum take to the top in their caps and gowns. (Photo courtesy of Amy Holscher) 
Sam Gorno and Regan Distel (Photo courtesy of Amy Holscher) 
Dan Stuglik and Amy Simonson are photographed Tuesday, March 31, 2020 in Pokagon, Mich. The two were expected to be joined by more than 100 cardboard cutouts of family and friends when they are married at The Old Rugged Cross Church in Pokagon. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the couple to change their original plan of inviting 150 people to one where only a handful will be present, but with the help and donation of the cutouts by Menasha Packaging, the two will be able to fill the pews. (Don Campbell/The Herald-Palladium via AP)
Mower Gang member Tim Wood gets to work cleaning up Berry Elementary School’s playground on June 24. (Photo by Adam Fox-Long)
Photo courtesy of Desiree Kelly 
Desiree Kelly poses in front of her artwork. Photo courtesy of Desiree Kelly. 
Photo courtesy of Desiree Kelly
Finding Holiday Cheer
Carmyn and her family read cards. Photo by Brian Rozman. 
The latest Christmas bounty, courtesy of Wes, the mail carrier. Photo by Brian Rozman. 
Carmyn cheerfully poses in front of her card wall. She’s rapidly—and happily—running out of space. Photo by Brian Rozman.
All Done Against a Pure Michigan Backdrop
Torch Lake. Photo by Franz Knight. 
Lake in the Clouds. Photo by Franz Knight. 
Torch Lake. Photo by Franz Knight. 
Boats anchored in Lake Michigan water at Power Island in west grand traverse by near Traverse City, Michigan. (AP)
Ellen Chamberlain is The 'Gander's multimedia content producer. She is a seeker and sharer of truth.
