Photo bySteven LibralononUnsplash

In the wild and adventurous state of Michigan, where the lakes glow like sapphire gems and the trees sway like gentle giants, a peculiar, enchanting phenomenon takes place. A merry band of children, with eyes as sharp as an eagle's, gather from the farthest corners of the state - from Detroit's bustling streets, Traverse City's cherry orchards, to the quiet, picturesque towns of the Upper Peninsula. Their mission? Archery - but not your everyday, run-of-the-mill, hit-the-bullseye kind of archery, oh no! This is a spectacle watched by the bemused deer, the chattering squirrels, and the chirping birds, for these Michigan kids have a coach quite unlike any other - a cool and zany character known as Sir Squinty Quivers. Now, Sir Squinty Quivers, named aptly for his signature squint and the quiver full of arrows he carries, is a character to behold. With a belly that jiggles like jell-o with each laugh and a mustache that twitches whenever an arrow sails straight, he's a sight that would tickle your funny bone. He's a tale-teller, a riddle-master, and a joker, all rolled into one. But, he's also the best darned archery instructor this side of the Mississippi! Under his watchful, albeit slightly squinted eyes, the kids of Michigan are transformed into superb archers. They aim, they laugh, they miss, and they try again, their faces lit up brighter than the Mackinac Bridge at sunset. Michigan may be known for its lakes and automobiles, but among the playful whispers that rustle through the state's forests, everyone knows who the true heroes are - the unflinching, unstoppable, uproariously funny kids of Sir Squinty Quivers' archery brigade!