"Celebrate the UP" with Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition Mar. 18-19

HANCOCK -- The Upper Peninsula Environmental Coalition (UPEC) will hold its third annual "Celebrate the UP" event in Houghton and Hancock this Friday and Saturday, March 18-19. The event is held to celebrate what's special about the Upper Peninsula, in terms of its natural setting, recreational opportunities, and unique culture.

The event will begin with a free concert by popular string band White Water singing/playing "Songs of the North Country" from 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. in Michigan Tech's Noblet Forestry Building, Atrium-room G002, in Houghton with a reception to follow.

White Water musicians Dean and Betty Premo will be joined by local musicians Emma and Carrie Dlutkowski.

"Celebrate the UP!" continues on Saturday, March 19, at Finlandia University's Jutila Center in Hancock.

Speakers will give free presentations on 12 areas of interest from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a reception to follow. These include such topics as: Isle Royale, The Trap Hills, Paddling the Western UP, Loons, Bats, Birds, Moose, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Fisheries, Sustainable Living, Sustainable Forestry, Wildlife Filmmaking and Photography, and Native Indian historical uses of Copper and Minerals. These talks will be followed by a Panel Discussion of "The UP's Role in our Energy Future" with pros and cons of wind power and biofuels.

UP Environmental groups will have a number of display tables set up in the Jutila Center Lobby all day for your information.

The celebration will conclude with refreshments and music by the Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra Woodwind Players, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the Jutila Center Room 323.

Something for everyone!

For more details click here for the detailed schedule and visit the UPEC Spring Newsletter to learn about the presenters.

DIRECTIONS:

Friday, 7 p.m. Concert in Houghton: Follow US-41 to MacInnes Drive to 7th Street, park around back of the Michigan Tech Forestry Building, enter through the Gene Hesterberg Hall doors and walk down the big stairway (elevator on the right).

Saturday, 10 a.m. -5 p.m. Presentations in Hancock: From the bridge, follow the main street (U.S.-41) past Citgo, turn South on Michigan Street to the Jutila Center which is the old Hospital building. Parking is available on all sides of the Center.