ANTHONY WILLIAMS

ESCANABA — The Escanaba Public Library will host an informational seminar, “Picking with the Champ,”presented by morel mushroom hunting expert, Anthony Williams at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday, May 1.

During the seminar he will provide tips for when, where and how to pick the mushrooms, as well as stories from over 70 years of picking.

“This is the perfect time for hunting for morels in the U.P. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time picker, you’re bound to find a new perspective to gathering the elusive morel,” says Williams. A question and answer will follow the presentation.

The Williams family has been picking morels in Northern Michigan since the 1890s.

After winning the National Morel Hunting Championship five years in a row, Williams retired undefeated from competitive picking to become the “Expert in Residence” for the National Morel Festival.

For the last 20 years he has continued to share his “Picking with the Champ” seminar at festivals all over Michigan.

No registration is required, and all ages are welcome. This project is funded in part by the Michigan Humanities, an affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Michigan Arts & Culture Council and the Friends of the Escanaba Public Library.