Chasing the Milky Way: The Lights of the Apostle Islands

All amateur photographers Mark Weller and John Rummel wanted was to capture a killer shot of the Milky Way.  After all, how hard can that be?  Yet that simple quest lead them on an eight year adventure in search of Wisconsin’s darkest skies in a tale filled with fascinating characters, scientific inquiry, bear attacks, a cabinet level secretary and ultimately to the farthest reaches of Wisconsin: Lake Superior’s Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.  In the end, not only did they get their shot, they also created an iconic series of lighthouse photographs draped with the magic of the night skies.

CoPA Schmoozes take place monthly at Libiamo Restaurant, 221 W. Galena St., Milwaukee. Dinner, 6:30 p.m.; Announcements and Presentation, 6:45 p.m.