Keweenaw Heritage Center to present ethnic music variety show Aug. 31

CALUMET -- A variety show with an ethnic theme will be presented at 7 p. m. on Monday, Aug. 31, at the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s in Calumet. The show will offer musical favorites of many of the ethnic groups that settled in Calumet and the surrounding area during the mining boom, including Croatian, Finnish, French-Canadian, Irish, Italian, Norwegian, Slovenian, Swedish and more, performed by local singers and musicians ranging in age from seven to seventy-plus. This is the last performance of the summer "Musical Mondays" series.

Several members of the Maple Sugar Folk, pictured here at a previous Calumet Heritage celebration, will perform in the last of the "Musical Mondays" series, an ethnic music variety show, at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, at the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne's in Calumet. Pictured here, from left, are Barry Pegg, Marcia Goodrich, Janet Wieber, Amanda Binoniemi (behind Wieber), Barbara Lide (seated), Dave Bezotte (at keyboard), Karin Schlenker and Deb McDowell. (File photo by Keweenaw Now)

Admission is free. A free-will offering will be taken for the center’s universal accessibility project, and refreshments will be available for purchase following the performance. Come and celebrate the rich blend of cultures that contribute to our own unique culture of the Keweenaw.

Tentatively, the program will include the following ethnic music and performers:

Scottish -- Bagpipers
American -- Calumet Players members: Selections from Music Man
French-Canadian -- Kora Johnson and Christian Pereira, fiddles accompanied by their fathers, Adam and Wellesley: "Les Fraises et les Framboises"; also the Crist Family, fiddles and guitar: "St. Anne’s Reel"
Irish -- Crist Family, fiddles and guitar: "Fisher’s Hornpipe"
Finnish -- Kantele Group with Kay Seppala
German -- Tim Jaska, vocal -- "Du, du, legist mir im Herzen"
Slovenian -- Kiko, Slovenian-style button accordion
Swedish -- Barbara Lide, vocal -- "Calle Schewens vals"
Italian -- Deb MacDowell, mandolin, and Oren Tikkanen, guitar: "Baciame Forte Mazurka" and "Margaret’s Polka"
Finnish -- Oren Tikkanen, vocal; Deb MacDowell, mandolin; Libby Meyer, fiddle

Some members of the Thimbleberry Band who performed at the July 6 ethnic music event at the Keweenaw Heritage Center will perform again Monday, Aug. 31. Pictured here are, from left, Oren Tikkanen, Libby Meyer and Matt Durocher of Thimbleberry, playing with Dave Bezotte on keyboard during the July 6 concert. (File photo by Keweenaw Now)

Norwegian -- Mike Adler, violin, and Luke Dedo, guitar: "Brudmarsj fra Telemark" and "Pete Peterson’s Schottische"
Hungarian -- Mike Adler, violin, and Deb Zei, piano: "Czardas" (Monti)
Cornish -- Barry Pegg, vocal: "Fish, Tin and Copper"
Israeli -- David Owens, piano or accordion and vocal: "Dana, dana, dana"

David Owens of Eagle Harbor will perform both Croatian and Israeli tunes and sing them in the original languages during Monday's ethnic music variety show at the Keweenaw Heritage Center in Calumet. (File photo by Keweenaw Now)

Croatian -- David Owens, accordion and vocal: "Hopa, hopa."

Dave Bezotte, organizer of this event, says more great performers may be added to the final program. Don't miss it!

Photographer Brian Parmeter to exhibit at Reflection Gallery Aug. 28 to Sept. 23

HANCOCK -- The Finlandia University Reflection Gallery will host an exhibit of photography by artist Brian Parmeter from Aug. 28 to Sept. 23, 2009.

"Shards." Photography by Brian Parmeter. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

An opening reception and artist talk will take place from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, at the Reflection Gallery. The reception is open to the public and all are welcome. The Reflection Gallery is located on the 2nd level of Finlandia’s Jutila Center campus. Refreshments will be served.

Brian Parmeter has 26 years experience in fine-art landscape photography and professional experience in all formats of digital and film capture and location/studio lighting. He has worked extensively with corporate and higher education clients.

Photography by Brian Parmeter. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

Parmeter received a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications at St. Cloud (Minn.) State University. He studied digital media at St. Paul (Minn.) Technical College and color photography printing (traditional silver-based technology) at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. He also attended Michigan Technological University, where he currently instructs photography courses.

Parmeter’s connection with landscapes is that of respect, wonder and amazement. While wandering to find a good shot, he says he feels as if he is "trespassing" in a majestic land and his footprints taint the natural surrounding beauty -- a beauty which he captures in color or black and white.

Most amazingly, Parmeter says, capturing nature in a shot is like capturing a glimpse of eternity, something "never to be seen again, but to be repeated forever."

For additional information, please contact Yueh-mei Cheng, associate professor of studio arts, at 906-487-7375 or yueh-mei.cheng@finlandia.edu.

Stupak to hold call-in town hall meetings Sept. 2, 3

WASHINGTON, D. C. -- U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) announced he will hold two televised call-in town hall meetings across the vast First District focusing on health care and the economy. The programs will air live on WNMU-TV on Wednesday, Sept. 2, and on WCMU-TV on Thursday, Sept. 3.

"These call-in town halls are an opportunity for me to address the questions and concerns of people across Northern Michigan on a number of critical issues, including health care reform and the economy," Stupak said. "No matter how many communities across the First Congressional District I have visited over the past few weeks, I cannot physically reach every one. With the help of our area’s public broadcasters, these events will reach the homes of nearly every resident in the First District."

Program information is as follows:

8 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (EDT), Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009 -- WNMU-TV

WHAT: Congressman Stupak will respond to questions about health care reform and the economy submitted by telephone and e-mail. WNMU-TV newsman Bill Hart will serve as the moderator for the program, which will be available to most residents of the Upper Peninsula and Northeastern Wisconsin and will originate from the WNMU-TV studios on the campus of Northern Michigan University in Marquette.

WHERE: This program will air live on WMNU-TV (Channel 13.1) with simulcast on WNMU-FM Public Radio 90 (90.1).

HOW: Individuals will be able to call the program toll-free at a number that will be provided during the program. An email address will also be provided for those who wish to submit their question by email. The phone bank will be staffed by NMU political science students.

WEBCAST: The program will also be streamed live on the Internet. The video stream can be found by visiting www.nmu.edu/wnmutv. WNMU-FM (90.1) will provide streaming audio of the live program from its Web site as well. Listeners can access the streaming audio from the Public Radio 90 web site at www.wnmufm.org.

8 p.m. – 9 p.m. (EDT), Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009 –- WCMU-TV

WHAT: Congressman Stupak will respond to questions about health care reform and the economy submitted by telephone and e-mail. WCMU-TV news director David Nicholas will serve as the moderator for the program, which will be available to most residents of Northern Michigan and will originate from the WCMU-TV studios on the campus of Central Michigan University in Mount Pleasant.

WHERE: This program will air live on WCML DT 24 in Alpena, WCMV Channel 17 in Cadillac, WCMW DT 21 in Manistee and WCMU DT 26 in Mount Pleasant. It will also be simulcast on WCMU-FM 89.5 in Mount Pleasant, WUCX-FM 90.1 in Bay City, WCML-FM 91.7 in Alpena, WCMB-FM 95.7 in Oscoda, WWCM-FM 96.9 in Standish, WCMZ-FM 98.3 in Sault Ste. Marie and WCMW-FM 103.9 in Harbor Springs.

HOW: Individuals will be able to call the program toll-free at number that will be provided during the program. An email address will also be provided for those who wish to submit their question by email. The phone bank will be staffed by individuals chosen by CMU Public Broadcasting.

Cultural Landscape Report on Quincy Unit available for public review through Sept. 11, 2009

CALUMET -- Keweenaw National Historical Park (NHP) invites public review of a Cultural Landscape Report and Environmental Assessment (CLR/EA) for the Quincy Unit. The report features historic research and documentation of the Quincy landscape; inventory and mapping of existing conditions; an analysis of landscape character and integrity. It proposes landscape treatment alternatives, assesses environmental impacts of the landscape treatment alternatives and proposes a recommended landscape treatment alternative.

During a walking tour of some ruins of the No. 6 site at the Quincy Mine in June 2008, Scott See, left foreground, and Erik Nordberg, on See's left, both Quincy Mine Hoist Association Board members, give some details of the miners' lives and how they used the Dry House, pictured in the background. Second from right, in the foreground, is Steve DeLong, landscape architect for Keweenaw National Historical Park. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Public involvement is important to the success of this project and is welcomed during the review period which ends Sept. 11, 2009.

The document may be reviewed on-line. Click here and then click on the desired chapter. Reviewers may also view printed hard copies at the public libraries located in Houghton, Hancock and Calumet or at Park Headquarters.

This report is the result of a collaborative effort by park staff and a consulting team from Quinn Evans | Architects and Woolpert, LLC that involved working closely with stakeholders and public meetings.

Kim Hoagland, left, Michigan Tech University professor of history and historic preservation, and Erik Nordberg, Quincy Mine Hoist Association Board member, lead visitors on a tour of Company Housing at the Quincy Mine in July 2008. (Keweenaw Now file photo)*

The project team welcomes discussion and comments from all interested parties. Please contact Keweenaw NHP Landscape Architect Steve DeLong, at 337-1104 x 122 if you wish to know more about the CLR/EA effort.

*Editor's Note: See our July 8, 2008, article on walking tours last summer during the Quincy Anniversary events, including some historic photos.

Stupak: Statement on the passing of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy

WASHINGTON, D. C. -- U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak (D-Menominee) released the following statement on the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy:

"We have lost a great champion of the American people with the passing of Senator Edward M. Kennedy. He was a powerful voice and advocate for millions of people across this nation who, throughout the years, have struggled to be heard in their fight for equal treatment under the law. He was not one to back down from a cause he believed in; yet he was also an experienced negotiator who earned the respect of those he worked with, regardless of party or politics. To the very end he was committed to advancing the cause of the common man; and his experience and passion will be greatly missed in Congress as we continue to work toward health care reform -- a long-standing priority for the Senator. My thoughts and prayers go out to Senator Kennedy’s family, and especially to his son, and my colleague, Patrick."

Editor's Note: Read President Obama's speech on Sen. Kennedy given this morning, Aug. 26, 2009, in Massachusetts.

PasiCats to perform on Keweenaw Star Sept. 1

HOUGHTON -- The PasiCats will play on the Keweenaw Star -- Round II, on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Cruise will depart at 7 p.m. and return around 9 p.m. This is the last chance to enjoy a cruise on the Star, as it will be heading out of Houghton.....so, don't miss the chance.

Tickets are $20 (only $10 for kids under 12). A cash bar and PasiCats door prices will also be available. Call 482-0884 for tickets.

Read more about the Keweenaw Star cruises at http://www.keweenawexcursions.com.

Juggling unicyclists to perform at Portage Library Aug. 26

HOUGHTON -- A trio of athlete-artists will return to the Portage Lake District Library to present their unique form of entertainment at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 26.

Juggling unicyclists Bob Evans, Jason Cattelino and Ben Bachran will demonstrate unicycle riding techniques outside the library’s main door at 6:30 p.m. Afterwards, follow them into the community room at 7 p.m. for the "Bob, Jason, and Ben Juggling Show," where participants will be involved in an interactive comedy juggling performance. Children will play juggling games with the trio and watch as they toss balls, rings, clubs and everything else into the air. New tricks will be performed; and, after the show, participants will have time to learn and practice juggling techniques.

Everyone is invited to attend library programs and presentations are free. For more information, please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.

Keweenaw Heritage Center to present Gospel Concert, Hymn Sing Aug. 24

CALUMET -- Musical Mondays continue in Calumet with a Gospel Concert and Hymn Sing at 7 p.m. this Monday evening, Aug. 24, at the Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne’s.

Lots of local talent will be sharing their Gospel tunes, and the audience will enjoy joining the great pipe organ for a sing-a-long of favorite hymns. Don’t miss this heartwarming concert.

No admission, but an opportunity to donate. This is a benefit concert for the universal accessibility project at the Keweenaw Heritage Center.

Next Monday will be the last event in the Musical Mondays summer music series -- "Celebrating Keweenaw’s Musical Roots" -- featuring ethnic music with lots of local talent again. The concert begins at 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 31, in the Keweenaw Heritage Center.