Omega House 2013 All Souls Benefit Concert is Oct. 26; videos from July Omega House benefit recital

HOUGHTON -- The Omega House and The Continental Fire Company in Houghton are teaming up for the second year in a row to bring you an evening of wonderful music, remembrance and friendship on Saturday, Oct. 26. Doors open at 6 p.m.; music begins at 7 p.m.

Poster for All Souls Benefit Concert to support Omega House hospice. (Poster courtesy Mike Abbott)

Local talent Steve Jones and The Garden City Hot Club will be the opening act, followed by Samuel Seth Bernard and May Erlewine Bernard (Seth and May) along with Michael Shimmin on percussion and Max Lockwood on bass.*

The Omega House is a hospice in Houghton whose mission is to provide "a residential, homelike environment where terminally ill people may live fully during their final days, free from pain and isolation and supported physically, emotionally, and spiritually by professional and volunteer caregivers, along with family and friends."  The All Souls Benefit Concert will offer an opportunity to do something special to remember individually and collectively those we love who have passed away. Come take part in this special evening and support a great cause.

Tickets are available for purchase at the door: $20 for adults, $15 for seniors and students with ID.

The event will include a silent auction in the Lounge with items from artisans and local businesses. All proceeds from ticket sales and the silent auction benefit the Omega House. This event is 21+.

The Continental Fire Company is located at 408 E Montezuma Avenue, Houghton. The main entrance is around the corner (down the hill) on Huron Street.

* Check out these Links to the bands' websites: http://www.gardencityhotclub.com/ and http://sethandmay.com/

Videos: Highlights from Omega House "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" benefit recital July 2013

Steve Brimm and Erika Vye were the featured performers:

At the 7th Annual "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" benefit recital for Omega House hospice on July 30, 2013, featured performers Erika Vye and Steve Brimm of Copper Harbor, Mich., perform folk music in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Hancock. Here they offer their renditions of "Feelin' Groovy," "The Crawdad Song," and "Summertime." (Videos by Keweenaw Now)

Ann Campbell and Lara Neves, sopranos, sing a lively duet:

Ann Campbell and Lara Neves, sopranos, sing "The Stepsisters' Lament" from Cinderella at the Omega House benefit recital on July 30, 2013. Maggie Kieckhafer accompanies on piano.

David Owens leads the audience in singing:

Musician and vocalist David Owens leads the audience in singing the old favorite, "In the Good Old Summertime."

Roger and Maggie Kieckhafer have fun with a father-daughter duet/duel:

In a father-daughter duet, Roger and Maggie Kieckhafer perform "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better," with Dan Fuhrmann accompanying on piano, during the July 30, 2013, Omega House (hospice) benefit recital.

Karin Schlenker sings "The Man I Love":

Karin Schlenker, soprano, sings George and Ira Gershwin's "The Man I Love," accompanied by Trisha Kuzmic on piano.

Mark Oliver offers a medley of three favorites:

Mark Oliver, baritone, brings to a conclusion the 7th Annual "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" benefit recital for Omega House (hospice) with a medley of old favorites: "Stardust," "I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter," and "I'll Be Seeing You." Jared Anderson accompanies on piano.

Performers take a curtain call at the 7th Annual "Summertime and the Livin' Is Easy" Omega House benefit on July 30, 2013, in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

[Editor's Note: We regret that we were not able to post as many videos as we wished because of some copyright restrictions on YouTube which arose unexpectedly.]

Paige Wiard Gallery accepting fiber art for November show, "Fiber on Fifth"

An example of fiber art is this Poppy by Bill and Linda Sumner. (Photos courtesy Paige Wiard Gallery)

CALUMET -- "Fiber on Fifth" will be the November Show at The Paige Wiard Gallery in Calumet. The art work of fiber artists from across Michigan and the country will be featured in the show. This show reflects all forms of natural fiber, including fiber, paper and wood. Artwork for this show can be submitted up to Monday, Oct. 28.

Hand-dyed silk scarves by Linda Phillips.

Each artist puts a unique spin on the natural elements of fiber to create pieces of art that express his or her passions. An open reception for the the show will be held from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on First Friday, Nov. 1.

Wood work by Steve Schlumpf.

The Paige Wiard Gallery is at 109 Fifth St, Calumet. For more information email paigewiardgallery@gmail.com or call the gallery at 337-5970.

Sen. Levin sees positive changes in Afghanistan

WASHINGTON, D. C. -- Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin, D-Mich., made the following statement today on his way back to the United States following his trip to Afghanistan this week:

"I was struck by the very positive changes in Afghanistan since I first started visiting the country about 12 years ago and how the improvement has accelerated in the last three years," Levin said. "Afghanistan is more secure, and -- of greatest importance perhaps -- it is the Afghan Army and police who now have responsibility for preserving security and they are doing so far more successfully and quickly than many predicted. You see streets full of cars, new buildings going up, new universities (including the American University of Afghanistan, which we visited), and a high level of energy and engagement from the people of Afghanistan -- including women, who had been completely excluded from public life by the Taliban. I believe that the continued assistance and engagement of the United States and other countries is warranted and will help preserve these achievements. I told President Karzai that we will not able to provide such assistance unless an acceptable Bilateral Security Agreement is reached in the near future and also stressed that his words have too often not been helpful to promote confidence between our countries."

Khana Khazana to offer cuisine from India, Korea, Cameroon Oct. 25

HOUGHTON -- Khana Khazana, a weekly international lunch cooked and served by international students at Michigan Tech, will offer a tour of the world TODAY, Friday, Oct. 25. with entrees from India and Korea and dessert from Cameroon.

Rohit Bhute and Jaswanth Kalavagadda will cook chicken butter masala, with paneer (Indian cheese) instead of chicken as a vegetarian alternative. Young Bin Na will make bul-go-gi, a sweet, Korean-style stir-fried beef dish, with potato instead of chicken for vegetarians; and Carine Netcha-Tokam will bake gâteau marbre, a Cameroonian adaptation of a French cake made with yogurt and chocolate, often eaten with yogurt in the afternoon in Cameroon.

Lunch is served from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Memorial Union Food Court on the Michigan Tech campus. A full meal costs $6.95 and includes a fountain beverage. Individual items are available for $2.50 each.

Khana Khazana is a collaboration between international students and Michigan Tech Dining Services.

Saturday, Oct. 26, in Hancock: Enjoy Firemen's Pancake Breakfast; volunteer for Make a Difference Day

HANCOCK -- The Hancock Fire Department will host their 20th Annual Firemen's Pancake and French Toast Breakfast from 7 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013, at the Hancock American Legion, 1320 Quincy St., Hancock.

Tickets are $5 for adults. Children under 6 are free.

Make a Difference Day: Saturday, Oct. 26

Saturday, Oct. 26, is also Make a Difference Day, the largest national day of volunteerism. The City of Hancock offers residents a chance to volunteer from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday for a cleanup project. Meet at 417 Quincy St., site of the Hancock Tori -- in front of Finlandia's building (former Middle School) on the Quincy Green.

Bring your work gloves and rakes. Trash bags and recycle bags provided. For more information contact Deb Mann at damannpa@yahoo.com.

UPDATE: Volunteers who can help with trail work at Maasto should also meet at the Quincy Green at 10 a.m.

Gromit the Trail Mutt supervises volunteers doing recent bridge work at Maasto Hiihto's Swedetown gorge. (Photo © and courtesy Trail Mutt Reports)

"From there we'll venture into Swedetown gorge to fill cribbing at the middle bridge and at the Dam meadow one," says Arlyn Aronson, Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club chief of bottle washing. "Of course you can come later if you know where these are. If enough people show up we'll do both at the same time."

Please wear work type shoes or rubber boots if you have them and work gloves.

Gromit hopes to see you there!

Michigan Tech opportunities for Make a Difference Day

Want to make a contribution to Make a Difference Day, Saturday, Oct. 26, but too busy? Help the Phi Sigma Biological Honors Society by dropping off needed items, which will be delivered to the Copper Country Humane Society.

Drop-off locations are the Hamar House (next to Fisher) and Biological Sciences Office (Dow 740) from now until Friday, Oct. 25.

Needed items are non-clumping litter, cat toys and treats, durable dog toys, leashes, towels and blankets, pet beds, dish soap, laundry soap, bleach and office paper.

More opportunities:

Michigan Tech students, faculty and staff will lend a hand within the local community during the annual Make A Difference Day event on Saturday, Oct. 26.

Volunteer opportunities range from raking and trail clearing to wood splitting and dog walking. Last year, more than 400 Michigan Tech students volunteered for an event, and more are expected to participate this year.

The event focuses on students, but there are a number of Make a Difference Day events being hosted by the community that are open to everyone. Students can register online at Involvement Link.

Local alumni and friends are invited to register for an Alumni Relations volunteer event.

Finnish artist Mikko Kallio to exhibit "The Magician" at Finlandia Gallery, opening Oct. 24

Mikko Kallio. The Red Shirt, 2012. Drawing, watercolor, collage. (Photos courtesy Finlandia University)

HANCOCK -- "Mikko Kallio: The Magician" is featured at the Finlandia University Gallery, located in the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock, from Oct. 24 to Nov. 22, 2013.

An opening reception will take place from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. TONIGHT, Thursday, Oct. 24, at the gallery. Mikko Kallio will present an artist talk beginning at 7:15 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

"The Magician" exhibit is a collection of letter-size mixed media works on paper, accompanied by some larger works on paper. Kallio’s work examines humanity and spirituality through exploration of the playful world of a child's imagination and the wondrous world of the magician, who can make the impossible possible.

Kallio builds his detailed work in layers, over a long period of time, using ink, watercolor, pencil, and collage. Fantastical beings, wandering ascetics, clowns, and high-spirited acrobats -- floating between earth and sky -- inhabit the Finnish artist’s work. His characters create a world not found in reality.

"The humanlike characters in my work are imaginary and I never use models," he notes. "The figures interlace with very detailed abstraction: painted and drawn stripes, dots and color. The striped structures have a resemblance to the textile design and clothes that are carved into my memory since my early childhood in Finland."

Mikko Kallio. Magician.

Born in Espoo, Finland, Kallio now lives and works in Tampere, Finland. From 2008 to 2011, he worked as the Regional Artist in Visual Arts at the Arts Council of Pirkanmaa, Tampere. He spent the year 2012 living in New York City. His work can be viewed in the flat files of Pierogi Gallery, Brooklyn, online at http://flatfiles.pierogi2000.com/artist/mikko-kallio/.

Kallio’s work is included in the permanent collections of the State of Finland, the Helsinki Art Museum, and the City of Tampere, and has been exhibited in galleries and museums in Finland and internationally. He has received numerous grants, including grants from the Finnish Cultural Foundation. He collaborates with the international artist group, Le Dernier Cri, based in Marseille, France.

Mikko Kallio. Drawing, 2013.

The exhibition of "The Magician" at the Finlandia University Gallery is sponsored by Finlandia University, the Arts Promotion Centre Finland, the Arts Council of Pirkanmaa (Finland), and the Frame Visual Art Finland foundation.

The Finlandia University Gallery is in the Finnish American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy Street, Hancock. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 4 p.m.; and by appointment.

For more information, call 906-487-7500.

Original dance-drama to depict 1913 Strike and Italian Hall disaster Oct. 25, 27 at Calumet Theatre

By Michele Bourdieu 

Poster announcing For They Are Women's Children, an original dance-drama about the 1913 Copper Miners' Strike to be performed Oct. 25 and 27 at the Calumet Theatre. (Poster courtesy Donna Armistead)

CALUMET -- Keweenaw lovers of dance may remember Donna Armistead as the former director of the Superior School of Dance and as choreographer for several dance performances at Michigan Tech. Although she is "retired," Armistead decided to offer her talent as choreographer for an original dance-drama about the 1913 Copper Miners' Strike and the Italian Hall disaster -- For They Are Women's Children, a collaboration with Robin Oye, musician and composer, who created the original musical score for the production.

The Calumet Theatre will host For They Are Women's Children at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 25, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 27.

Choreographer Donna Armistead has been a dance educator and choreographer for over thirty years. She was employed many times as an artist-in-residence by high schools, other dance companies and theatre groups as well as directing her own ballet school and company.

"This is my gift to the community," Armistead said. "I hope they enjoy it. I hope they come away inspired and entertained by both the tragedy and the triumph that's depicted in the work."

Rehearsing a scene from For They Are Women's Children in Lake Linden's Little Gem Theater last week are Anna Daavettila of Houghton as 1913 Strike heroine Big Annie Clemenc, center, and, acting as "goons" (strikebreakers) threatening Annie, from left, Erik Berryman of Calumet, Michigan Tech students Josh Stuempges and Anthony Nordman, and Joe Daavettila of Houghton. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

The cast includes dancers and actors ranging in age from 6 to adult. Some are Armistead's former dance students and some are new recruits for the performance.

"I have a great cast. It's a wide cross section of the community," Armistead noted. "It's great to be working with some new faces."

Anna Daavettila of Houghton is proud to play the role of "Big Annie" Clemenc, who carried the American flag during parades of striking miners. Her Dad, Joe Daavettila, plays multiple roles, including a "goon" (strikebreaker or scab) in one scene and a miner in another.

"This is my second time ever on stage," Joe said, noting he is participating at his daughter's request.

"How could you refuse?" he adds.

In this video clip taken during a rehearsal of the show, a miner is killed by a falling rock as young dancers enact an abstract representation of the treatment of miners by the mining company:

Michigan Tech student Josh Stuempges, who plays multiple roles as actor and dancer in the production, explains this abstract dance from For They Are Women's Children: "It symbolizes how the workers were not human but merely cogs in the machine as far as the mine owners were concerned." (Video clip by Keweenaw Now)

Another Dad in the show is Erik Berryman of Calumet, whose daughter, Abby, is a member of the children's chorus. Erik also plays both "goon" and miner roles.

Two Michigan Tech students, Josh Stuempges and Anthony Nordman, have experience as dancers and actors. Both have appeared in Michigan Tech productions. Stuempges is studying Scientific and Technical Communication, while Nordman is in computer science and acting.

This original contemporary dance-drama explores the events surrounding the Michigan Copper Strike of 1913, culminating in the Italian Hall tragedy and its aftermath. The presentation of this work is especially timely in this centennial year.

"The events of 1913 still strike a chord in the hearts of residents of the Copper Country, many of whom are descendants of miners," Armistead notes. "Memorialized by Woody Guthrie, presented in dramatic and operatic idioms, this subject has never been treated in a pure dance format."

For tickets call the Calumet Theatre at 906-337-2610 if you wish to reserve tickets with a credit card (no extra charge). Tickets are general admission: $14 for adults and $8 for children or students ages 3 through high school. Tickets will be available at the door before each performance.

Update: New fundraiser to help support For They Are Women's Children

Donna Armistead and her cast and crew need your support to help fund musician stipends, simple sets and costuming, and rental of rehearsal space for this project.

The present goal on Kickstarter is $1,000. This project will only be funded if at least $1,000 is pledged by 11:05 a.m. EST Wednesday, Nov 20, 2013.

Click here to see a video about the project and to learn how you can help by pledging even a small amount (Minimum pledge is $1) to help support this worthy community production.

Aquila's "Fahrenheit 451" TONIGHT, Oct. 23, at Rozsa: Show plus dinner deal plus book discount!

HOUGHTON -- Aquila Theatre -- much-loved Broadway company known for their inventive, entertaining, and modern takes on Shakespeare -- return to Houghton with their interpretation of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 -- a literary classic, a tale of a bleak future in which fire fighters burn books and technology and an oppressive society have placed knowledge and literature on the edge of extinction.

Fahrenheit 451 will be presented at 7:30 p.m., TONIGHT, Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts. The night will be complete with a discount at local restaurant Habañeros, and a $5 off coupon for a copy of the book, available the night of the show and through the Michigan Tech Campus Bookstore.

Written in 1953, Fahrenheit 451 has been reprinted dozens of times since its initial publication and has achieved the rare distinction of being both a literary classic and a perennial bestseller. It was adapted for the stage by Ray Bradbury, and in 1966, Fahrenheit 451 was directed by Francois Truffaut for the screen.

The New Yorker describes Aquila’s productions as "The classics made relevant with superb acting and clever staging," and according to The New York Times, "The excellent Aquila Theatre [is] an extraordinarily inventive and disciplined outfit."

And, if you’re in the mood for dinner to go with your Fahrenheit 451 show, Habañeros Restaurant in Hancock has a Fahrenheit 451 dinner and drinks special for anyone with tickets to the show. Habañeros is offering a 20 percent discount for anyone with tickets to the show, on Wednesday, Oct. 23. And finally, for everyone who buys tickets to Fahrenheit 451, you will receive a coupon for $5 off Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 at the Campus bookstore, good from Oct. 23, through Nov. 6. The bookstore will have books available for sale the night of the show, in the Rozsa lobby.

Tickets are still available: $19 for adults, $8 for youth tickets (17 and under), and $5 for Michigan Tech students. For tickets, go online, or call Ticketing Operations at the Student Development Complex, 7–2073, or visit in person. SDC box office hours are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Please note the Rozsa Box Office is closed during regular business hours, and will only open two hours prior to show times.

Northern Lights Film Festival to feature George Desort's new Isle Royale wilderness film, more films by independent filmmakers Oct. 25-27 in Rozsa Center

HOUGHTON --In 2011, Chicago filmmaker George Desort spent eighty days and nights on Isle Royale. Traveling alone with his camera equipment and as much food as he could fit into his kayak, Desort explored the rugged terrain of the wilderness Lake Superior island, filming himself each difficult step of the way. Desort's breathtaking footage paired with his personal, unvarnished storytelling result in a new film that will spur viewers to consider the significance of wilderness to our sense of identity and experience of the world. (Inset photo of George Desort © and courtesy George Desort. Reprinted with permission.)

The film, Fifty Lakes One Island, will be featured at the Ninth Annual Northern Lights Film Festival -- to be held  Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 25-27, in the Rozsa Center on the Michigan Tech campus. Admission is free.

Here is a preview of Fifty Lakes One Island:

This trailer for Fifty Lakes One Island © and courtesy George Desort. Reprinted with permission.

George Desort is an independent filmmaker who has done extensive filming on Isle Royale. His work from the island has appeared in The New York Times, National Geographic Television, Audubon Magazine, Backpacker, as well as on PBS.

During the Northern Lights Film Festival, Fifty Lakes One Island will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, in the Rozsa Center. A question-answer session with George Desort will follow. Desort is also scheduled for a Discussion and Demo at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, in the Rozsa.

In addition to Desort's film, the festival will offer a weekend of a dozen independent films, including Joshua Oppenheimer's acclaimed documentary, The Act Of Killing, Sarah Polley's Stories We Tell, and Andrew Bujalski's Computer Chess. On Saturday, two documentaries produced locally will also screen: Suzanne Jurva and Erin Smith's Yoopera!, which tells the story of the Rockland Opera and Mary Wright's Storylines project, and Matt Monte's film, Everything At Once, about artist Greg Green.

Click here for the full Northern Lights Film Festival schedule.

For more information, contact Erin Smith at smitherin@mtu.edu or (906) 487-3263. The Northern Lights Film Festival is sponsored by the Michigan Tech Departments of Humanities and Visual and Performing Arts, the Rozsa Center for the Performing Arts, Cin/Optic Communication and Media Enterprise Team, and the Michigan Tech Film Board. Special thanks to Susanna Brent, Gary Brown and the Rosza staff for their generous support of the festival.

Michigan Tech's Writing Across the Peninsula Conference to honor 1913-14 Copper Miners' Strike Centennial and feature working class issues

The Italian Hall in Calumet, Michigan, photographed the day after the Dec. 24, 1913, Italian Hall disaster (flag is at half-mast to honor the victims (mostly striking miners' children enjoying a Christmas party) who perished in a stairwell when someone yelled "Fire!" -- a false alarm. A documentary on this event, 1913 Massacre, will be shown at Michigan Tech on Thursday, Oct. 24, as part of the Writing Across the Peninsula Conference. The event is open to the public. (Photo courtesy Michigan Tech Archives)

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Technological University's Humanities Department, which is hosting the 2013 Writing Across the Peninsula Conference Oct. 24-26, is proud to announce conference events related to Copper Country history and the 1913-14 Michigan Copper Strike that are open to the public.

On Thursday, Oct. 24, a Concert of "Working Class Songs" and a Film Screening of the documentary 1913 Massacre (about the Italian Hall disaster) will be held in the Isle Royale Ballroom at Michigan Tech's Memorial Union Building (MUB). From 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. the Thimbleberry Band will perform "Keweenaw Folk," and the 1913-14 Singers will present "1913-14 Michigan Copper Strike Songs." Screening of the documentary film 1913 Massacre will be from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Filmmakers Ken Ross and Louis Galdieri will be present at the screening. A $5 Entrance Fee will be requested at the door.

The Thimbleberry Band -- Oren Tikkanen and friends -- will offer a taste of Copper Country folk music. The band is an all-star group of performers who are preserving the working-class culture of Michigan via music. Tikkanen, a multi-instrumentalist, is and has been a member of a number of popular Upper Peninsula music groups and has assembled a group of accomplished musicians to highlight the strong immigrant inflection of Copper Country musical history.

The 1913-14 Singers will perform songs from the 1913-14 Michigan Copper Strike in period clothing. A can't miss, the 1913-14 Singers combine research and raw talent in performing songs from the strike era in an authentic manner. Alice Margerum, lead historian of the group, will also be presenting her research at the conference.

The 2013 Writing Across the Peninsula Conference celebrates and venerates the centennial of the 1913-14 Michigan Copper Strike and showcases scholarly inquiry into working-class issues.

On Friday, Oct. 25, the MUB will be the scene of presentations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as scholars and community members bring together some of the best topics, scholarship, and research on writing regarding the Upper Peninsula's working-class. Conference themes include the 1913-14 Michigan Copper Strike; working-class student writers, classrooms, and communities; new approaches to writing; women, writing, and the working-class; and writing and working across the disciplines.

The conference is open to the public, and registration is required for Friday's presentations. Register online at http://writingacrossthepeninsula2013.weebly.com or in person in the ISLE ROYALE BALLROOM in the MUB. Registration includes the Thursday night events and a pasty lunch on Friday. Registration is $30. Students, part-time faculty, and retirees will receive a discount.

UPDATE: Click here to download the conference schedule.

In conjunction with the conference, a special event will be offered from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26 -- Haunted Mine Tours at the  Quincy Mine Historical Site in Hancock.

The Quincy Tram prepares to start for an underground tour of the Quincy Mine in Hancock. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

Tickets: ages 13 and above, $10; 12 and under, $5. Tour capacity is limited so advance tickets are recommended and may be purchased by calling Quincy Mine Tours
at 906-482-3101.

For questions on the conference contact Gary Kaunonen at gakaunon@mtu.edu.

Calumet Art Center's 2013 Empty Bowl Finale to coincide with Silent Auction Fundraiser Oct. 24

This Thursday, Oct. 24, the Calumet Art Center will conclude this year's Empty Bowls Project with a sale of the bowls created at the Center to fight hunger. Purchase a bowl and enjoy a warm supper of soup and bread as well as a chance to bid on art works at the Silent Auction Fundraiser. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

CALUMET -- The conclusion of this year’s Empty Bowls Project at the Calumet Art Center will coincide with a Silent Auction Fundraiser from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24.

The Empty Bowls Project is a year-round open project at the Calumet Art Center. Bowls of several sizes are still available in the studio, each with suggested donations of $10, $20 (average sized) to larger and more decorative bowls ($45 - $70). Any would make a colorful addition to your decor! Your donation will be reciprocated with a meal of savory soup and hearty bread at this event.

Join the Center in their community support of eliminating hunger. All donations will be distributed to a local food pantry.*

These birch bird feeders are among the silent auction items donated by local artists for sale during the Calumet Art Center's Oct. 24 fundraiser. (Photo courtesy Calumet Art Center)

The Calumet Art Center will also be holding their annual Silent Auction Fundraiser on the same night. A wonderful variety of pieces have been donated by area artists for auction. This annual Fall Fundraiser helps to support the Center's Traditional Arts classes. 

This lovely pot is just one of a variety of donated art works for sale at the Oct. 24 Silent Auction Fundraiser at the Calumet Art Center. (Photo courtesy Calumet Art Center)

The Center welcomes everyone to help with this community support of neighbors, relatives and friends! Relax and enjoy a warm, healthy meal and stay to bid on several of your favorite art pieces!

The Calumet Art Center is at 57055 Fifth Street in Calumet. For more information email info@calumetartcenter.com or call 906-934-2228 or 906-281-3494.

* Click here for nationwide information on the Empty Bowls Project.

Friends of Van Pelt and Opie Library to host Prof. Hugh Gorman on his new book Oct. 24

HOUGHTON -- The Friends of the Van Pelt and Opie Library invite the Michigan Tech campus and community to hear Professor Hugh Gorman (SS) speak about his new book, The Story of N: A Social History of the Nitrogen Cycle and the Challenge of Sustainability, at the Friends' annual meeting.

The presentation and (very short) meeting will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, in the East Reading Room of the Van Pelt and Opie Library on the Michigan Tech campus.

The Friends plan the Annual Book Sale (mark your calendars for April 1 and 2, 2014), and other events in support of the library's mission. To get involved or learn more, contact the chairman, Amy Hughes (alhughes@mtu.edu).

Peace Corps information session Oct. 23 at Michigan Tech

HOUGHTON -- Peace Corps Recruiter Brett Heimann will conduct an information session on Peace Corps overseas service at 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 23, in MUB Alumni Lounge A. He will be joined by Scott Hillard, Michigan Tech Peace Corps Master's International recruiter, who will also talk about how to serve in Peace Corps and complete a master's degree at the same time.

Michigan Tech, the nation's largest Master's International campus, offers Peace Corps Master’s International Programs (PCMI) in eight departments. Michigan Tech Master's International students have served in 45 countries around the world.

Click here for more information about PCMI programs at Michigan Tech.

Food Day Fest, Puppetry performance at Portage Library Oct. 24

HOUGHTON -- Portage Lake District Library will host two family events on Thursday, Oct. 24 -- the second annual Keweenaw Food Day and a performance by Michigan author, artist, poet, and musician Kevin Kammeraad and the Cooperfly Puppet Troupe.

Keweenaw Food Day Fest

The Portage Lake District Library and the Keweenaw Co-op invite everyone to join them in celebrating the 2nd Annual Keweenaw Food Day from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, in the library. Food Day is a nationwide celebration and movement for healthy, affordable, and sustainable food.

Events for the whole family will be held in the library’s community room and in the children’s area. Cider pressing and sampling will take place outside the library next to the former train depot building (now U.P. Kids). Anyone who wants to bring some cider home needs to bring their own apples and container. 

Events will feature local and seasonal food samples, TED food talk screenings, educational displays and booths, fresh pressed apple cider to taste, harvest games and pumpkin decorating for kids, music, and more.

Special guest speaker Andrea Corpolongo Smith will present "Wintergreen Foods: A Regional Food Hub" at 5 p.m. Corpolongo Smith will describe the physical food hub she and her husband are starting near Ontonagon where they plan to aggregate, process, and distribute produce from local farms for use in school cafeterias and other commercial venues. She will also discuss the CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) they run from their Wintergreen Farm.

Click here for information about their food hub project.

You can also visit http://wintergreen-farm.blogspot.com for information about Wintergreen Farm.

This event is free and open to the public.

Michigan children’s author Kevin Kammeraad and Cooperfly Puppet Troupe

The Portage Lake District Library and the Copper Country Reading Council (CCRC) invite everyone to the "Can You Think It? Can You Dream It?" puppet performance at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, in the library’s community room.

Michigan author, artist, poet, and musician Kevin Kammeraad and the Cooperfly Puppet Troupe will present an entertaining and lively show that encourages imagination through a wide variety of interactive music, poetry, and fun. The audience should be prepared to sing, laugh, dance and dream up all sorts of ideas. This interactive show for all ages is designed to ignite the audience’s creativity and intrigue them to create and write on their own. Each show is a new adventure as Kammeraad leads everyone through many ideas, poems, and songs in which each is expanded with new twists and possibilities.

Kammeraad is an award-winning artist, performer, and children’s author who has written books and collaborated on the production of music CDs for children. He performs mainly in Michigan but his passion for the creative arts has taken him around the world. His programs are dynamic, educational, and down right fun.

Prior to his presentation, the Copper Country Reading Council will host a reception for the Kammeraads at 6:30 p.m. in the library’s Michigan Room. Gourmet desserts, beverages, and a taste of Copper Country Reading Council 2013-2014 activities will be served. This will be a convenient and fun opportunity to renew memberships or join the reading council. CCRC designs and conducts a range of innovative activities annually to foster literacy in the Copper Country. Memberships support those activities.

Library programs are free and everyone is welcome. For more information please call the library at 482-4570 or visit www.pldl.org.

Call for entries: Shaft and Junior Shaft exhibits at Community Arts Center

HANCOCK -- The Copper Country Community Arts Center announces "The Shaft" and "Junior Shaft," annual community exhibits on mining. Artists are invited to submit work inspired by mining in the Copper Country -- the physical signs of its presence or the effect it has had on the area and its people. This is a non-juried community exhibit. Deadline for entry is Saturday, Oct. 26.

Shaft entry fee: $5 per piece, limit three pieces; Junior Shaft (youth 18 and under) entry fee: $1 per piece, limit three pieces.

Pick up an entry form at the Copper Country Community Arts Center. The reception for the Shaft and Junior Shaft is from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 22.

The Copper Country Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street in Hancock. Call 482-2333 for more information and entry fee details.

Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club to hold board meeting Oct. 22

HANCOCK -- The Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC) will be holding its next board meeting at 7 p.m. this coming Tuesday, Oct. 22, at the Maasto Hiihto Chalet in Hancock. The public is welcome to attend.

Editor's Note: In case you missed it, see our photo essay via Gromit the Trail Mutt on recent trail work at Maasto Hiihto (and Gromit's other adventures!): http://keweenawnow.blogspot.com/2013/10/photos-gromit-trail-mutt-reports-on.html.