MOHAWK -- Not only is Monday, September 10th, the 65th birthday of Carol Rose, Keweenaw Krayons founder and current Director of Marketing, but it’s also the birthday of the non-profit arts agency’s director, Susan Hallwachs. And the two are throwing a huge birthday party/fundraiser!
"Because of the State’s current budget problems, Keweenaw Krayons is in financial trouble," said Rose.
A sign on the blackboard in the Renee’ Stemler Memorial Art Room testifies to that. "No more drop in ‘til further notice!" it reads.
"Drop in is probably our most important program," Rose said. "It gives kids of all ages a place to come -- to do just that -- drop in -- do art, homework, visit with their peers in a mentoring environment."
It’s also how Keweenaw Krayons began. Kids began dropping in at the Ramblin’ Rose Garden Gallery in Mohawk and one thing led to another and Keweenaw Krayons was born. For more than nine years, the non-profit arts organization has offered free or low cost art and education activities to the area.
"What we’d both like as a birthday gift is the knowledge that Keweenaw Krayons will indeed stay open and stay affordable," said Hallwachs. "So we decided to throw a Birthday Party Fundraiser."
As a result, on Monday, Sept. 10, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Mohawk School will be the scene of a potluck, art sale, sweepstakes, music, flower bulb sale, photos with Oreo the Skunk and membership drive. The event will be held in the gym and the Keweenaw Krayons’ classrooms.
Rose said musicians have offered their time and talents for the event.
Don Rupp will play the harmonica, with Len Novak on drum, at 6:30 p.m.; and Gail English and Rob Fritz will offer an hour’s worth of their gentle listening music from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fiddlehead musicians Oren Tikkanen, Matt Durocher and Libby Meyer will entertain from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m.
If you can't make the event and still want to give Carol, Susan AND Keweenaw Krayons a wonderful gift, you can send your tax-deductible donation to Keweenaw Krayons, PO Box 191, Mohawk, MI 49950.
Much of the Drop-in costs had been paid by the Strong Families/Safe Children Program. However due to the State of Michigan budget problems, decisions were made, at the state level, to change eligibility factors for spending this money. Contracts across the state have been terminated where the Michigan Department of Human Services is not the referral source for state-funded programs. The Keweenaw Krayons Youth Program, which included the Drop-in aspect as well as a Teen Graphic Arts and Marketing Training Program, was terminated as a result of the funding decision.
The funding ended in June but Keweenaw Krayons was able to keep the Drop in program open throughout the summer months with monies raised in various fundraisers, including a photo shoot at the Copper Harbor Art Fair, with Delaware Mine’s Oreo the Skunk, and face painting at both the Eagle Harbor and Copper Harbor Art Fairs. Several Mohawk residents also hosted garage sales, donating a percentage of the sales to Keweenaw Krayons and Calumet’s AmericInn has hosted a couple fundraisers.
Plans are also in the making for a weekly "coffee house" at the AmericInn. These will include music, art, art classes and possibly catered food.
Pablo "Pig" Casso, the agency’s traveling paper mache piggy bank, continues to generate some income. He recently arrived back in Mohawk from his stay at the Berry Patch in Copper Harbor and will be at Monday’s birthday party fundraiser.
"And money continues to arrive in the mail," said Hallwachs. "A little here -- a little there. It all helps."
The agency is hoping to raise more than a little money on Monday and urges the community to come have a good time and show their support.
"One thing we want the public to know is that we serve the entire area -- not just Keweenaw County," said Rose. We have people coming from Baraga, Atlantic Mine and South Range; and in the summer we serve the tourist population as well.
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