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Friday, September 29, 2023

Yoopers for Ukraine welcome supporters with Art for Peace projects, Bridge Walks for Ukraine, community events, more

By Michele Bourdieu

Yoopers for Ukraine display their signs and flags near the Portage Lift Bridge following their Walk for Ukraine on August 30, 2023. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photo © and courtesy Yoopers for Ukraine)

HOUGHTON -- If you drive across the Portage Lift Bridge between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on a Wednesday, you'll notice a group of people displaying flags and signs showing support for Ukraine to oncoming traffic. If you happened to be at the Houghton beach recently you may have noticed kids making art about Peace to be sent to Ukraine. Art from Ukrainian children was on exhibit at a new bookstore Houghton. And you can learn about Ukraine from Yoopers for Ukraine, a local group that promotes activities like these to support Ukraine in the U.P.*

Ukraine supporters walk toward the Portage Lift Bridge from Houghton on August 30, 2023. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)

Yoopers for Ukraine continue their weekly Walk for Ukraine every Wednesday from Houghton to Hancock and back on the Portage Lift Bridge to call attention to Ukraine's struggle against Russian aggression. Meanwhile the group has joined with Keweenaw Faiths United and The Well Read Raccoon bookstore in Houghton in a children's Art for Peace project involving art work done by children in Ukraine as well as local children and visitors to the U.P.

Art for Peace project

Art done by children in Ukraine and sent to the U.P. was on exhibit recently at The Well Read Raccoon bookstore, 220 Shelden Avenue, Houghton. (Poster courtesy Yoopers for Ukraine)  

"From Ukraine with Love," an exhibit of art by Ukrainian children, was sent to the U.P. to share Ukrainian children's perspective on the war.

During July and August Yoopers for Ukraine and Keweenaw Faiths United joined efforts to collect art from children in the U.P., which has been exhibited at the Copper Country Community Arts Center since Sept. 21, 2023 -- the International Day of Peace.

September 21, the International Day of Peace, is a day dedicated to fostering the ideals of non-violence globally. In 2021, Houghton and Hancock were established as International Cities of Peace, spearheaded by an Interfaith group called Keweenaw Faiths United, and living into that designation means doing projects locally that promote peace.

 
Artist Miriam Pickens (at head of table), a member of Keweenaw Faiths United, helps local children create Art for Peace at the Chutes and Ladders park in Houghton on Sept. 1, 2023. Children ages 3-18 participated in the project during July and August. (Photo © and courtesy Nadija Packauskas)
 
"During July and August, children around the Copper Country in schools, homes, libraries and faith communities, have been thinking about what peace means to them, using a lesson plan developed by Keweenaw CAPE, the Community Alliance for Progressive Education, and Keweenaw Faiths United," Miriam Pickens of Keweenaw Faiths United told Keweenaw Now. "And they have been drawing pictures related to the theme of Peace." 
 
The exhibit of these pictures at the Copper Country Community Arts Center in Hancock continues through Sept. 30.

"At the end of the show, the pictures will be sent to Ukraine, to let children in that country know that the hope for world peace is universal," Pickens added.
 
A young participant in the Art for Peace event at Chutes and Ladders in Houghton adds finishing touches to her drawing. (Photo © and courtesy Nadija Packauskas)

Children's Art for Peace is exhibited in the children's gallery at the Copper Country Community Arts Center in Hancock. (Photos courtesy Nadija Packauskas) 

Art in the Park, Copper Harbor

The Art for Peace project was also present at Art in the Park in Copper Harbor, Aug. 19-20, where Yoopers for Ukraine welcomed visitors to their booth and also invited children to create Art for Peace for Ukraine in a neighboring booth they sponsored with Keweenaw Faiths United.

At Copper Harbor's Art in the Park on Aug. 20, 2023, Nadija Packauskas, co-founder of Yoopers for Ukraine, is pictured here with a display of Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs), sent from Ukraine. Sales of these will help support an orphanage in Ukraine. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Nadija Packauskas, co-founder of Yoopers for Ukraine, spoke to Keweenaw Now in Copper Harbor on the most important actions needed to keep support for Ukraine in the minds of American citizens.

At Art in the Park in Copper Harbor on Aug. 20, 2023, Nadija Packauskas explains why it is important to continue to talk about Ukraine and its struggle for democracy and to contact legislators to encourage support for Ukraine. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

In addition to selling art to raise funds for Ukraine, Nadija and her Dad, Vytautas Packauskas, spoke at length with visitors to the Yoopers for Ukraine booth at Copper Harbor's Art in the Park.

During Art in the Park in Copper Harbor Nadija Packauskas speaks with Karen Koelzer and her husband, Dan Koelzer, of Grosse Point, Mich., about the Pysanky (Ukrainian Easter Eggs) made in Ukraine and displayed at the Yoopers for Ukraine booth. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Nadija also offered face painting for all ages at Art in the Park. Copper Harbor resident and artist Cherri Allen took advantage of the offer.

Nadija creates a face painting design for Cherri Allen of Copper Harbor to match Cherri's colorful shirt. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

"I love face painting," Allen told Keweenaw Now. "Any chance I get I do it."

Allen said she's lived in Copper Harbor for 12 years and attends Art in the Park every year. She likes making rugs, place mats and knitted items. 

"That's what winter's for up here -- doing all your crafts," Allen noted.

Cherri Allen of Copper Harbor is pleased with Nadija's completed face painting. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Yoopers for Ukraine also displayed photos of a school in Chernihiv, Ukraine, they have helped rebuild with funds they raised for Ukraine Trust Chain.

"We partnered with the Ukrainian-American Crisis Response Committee of Michigan. More accurately the Government Committee," Nadija explained.

Vytautas Packauskas is pictured here at the Yoopers for Ukraine booth at Art in the Park on August 20, 2023, in Copper Harbor. Behind him is an exhibit of photos of the war-damaged school in Chernihiv, Ukraine, that funds raised by Yoopers for Ukraine helped rebuild. The school re-opened early in September. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

During Art in the Park, Afton and Aila Staley of Traverse City create some drawings for the Art for Peace Project -- children's art about peace to be sent to Ukraine. These drawings by local children are now on exhibit at the Copper Country Community Arts Center in Hancock. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Wolfgang Lohrer of Marquette met with Yoopers for Ukraine at their Art in the Park booth and discussed working with them on joint events for Ukraine. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Ukrainian Independence picnic

Nadija and her Dad are in communication with several groups supporting Ukraine, including some in Marquette, and share events with them. On August 26, they celebrated Ukrainian Independence Day at a picnic in Marquette, joining other Yoopers for Ukraine and members of the group Yoopers Love Ukrainians. They invited Wolfgang Lohrer, pictured above, to join them.

Nadija Packauskas, right, is joined at the Marquette Ukrainian Independence picnic by Tiffany Wade Ampe, left, founder of Yoopers Love Ukrainians, and Yevheniia Bilan from Ukraine, who is living in Marquette. (Photo courtesy Nadija Packauskas)
 
Ukraine supporters in Marquette celebrate Ukrainian Independence Day at a picnic in Marquette August 26, 2023. Nadija's Dad is standing behind the banner. (The actual date of Independence is August 24.) (Photo courtesy Nadija Packauskas)

Parade of Nations Float winner

For the second year in a row, the Yoopers for Ukraine float won first place at the Parade of Nations on Sept. 16, 2023. (Photo © and courtesy John Peiffer)

The Yoopers for Ukraine float passes the judges during the September 16, 2023, Parade of Nations in Houghton. Following the theme of "Fairy Tales from Around the World," it depicts a scene from Ukrainian folklore about Mavka, a Ukrainian forest character. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

Walks for Ukraine continue

During the May 17, 2023, Walk for Ukraine, Ted Stuart, right, local resident, and members of the Loosemore family of Hancock display signs and flags on the Hancock side of the Lift Bridge to passing traffic. Pictured with their Dad, John Loosemore, are Jethro, second from right, Kaitlyn and Jacob. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

In just about any weather, Yoopers for Ukraine continue their weekly Walk for Ukraine on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. -- meeting on the Houghton side of the Portage Lift Bridge, crossing the bridge to Hancock and returning. While the group is reduced in numbers lately, the most dedicated continue the Walks every week, calling to mind the words of Margaret Mead:

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world: Indeed it's the only thing that ever has."

Preceding the May 17, 2023, Walk for Ukraine, Kaitlin Loosemore arranges flags and signs on the Houghton end of the Portage Lift Bridge. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Jethro Loosemore proudly displays his sign and Ukrainian flag during the May 17 Walk for Ukraine. At far right are his Dad, John Loosemore, and his brother, Jacob. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

Hancock resident John Loosemore, an Army veteran, told Keweenaw Now his reasons for attending nearly every Yoopers for Ukraine Walk, with his three children.

During the June 14 Walk for Ukraine in Houghton, John Loosemore comments on Ukraine's counter offensive against Russia. He points out the influence of Russian misinformation on Americans' attitudes toward this war. (Videos by Keweenaw Now)

Loosemore continues, citing historical events and what he considers the responsibility of the United States to support Ukraine because of past commitments.

John Loosemore explains why he believes the US has a responsibility to support Ukraine against Russian aggression.

Following the Yoopers for Ukraine July 12 Walk, Loosemore commented on Ukraine's President Zelensky's words during the NATO conference.

"I think Zelensky got backed into a corner (by the US and NATO allies)," Loosemore told Keweenaw Now. "We have given him a lot of weapons, but those same countries wouldn't want to go to war with Russia without superior air power. I imagine it's very frustrating for the Ukrainians now because they're dying every day. It's like we're sending them into battle with one hand tied behind their back."

Beth and Tom Maki of Lake Linden are also regular attendees at the Walks for Ukraine. They display their flags and signs in solidarity with their son, Matt, who has been living and teaching in Ukraine for several years and has stayed there in spite of the war. He lives in Kyiv, and sometimes travels to nearby countries, assisting students who wish to come to the U.S. to study. 

During the August 30 Walk for Ukraine, Tom and Beth Maki are pictured with Nadija Packauskas near the Yoopers for Ukraine banners on the Houghton side of the Portage Lift Bridge. (Photo by Keweenaw Now)

On a chilly March 5, 2023, participants in the Walk for Ukraine head toward the Portage Lift Bridge to walk from Houghton to Hancock and back. Beth and Tom Maki display flags, signs and sunflowers for traffic passing the Houghton end of the Lift Bridge. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

The Makis are very proud of their son, Matt. Here Beth Maki speaks to Keweenaw Now about his work, not only his teaching but his volunteer work to help Ukrainian soldiers and civilians.

Beth Maki tells Keweenaw Now why she is proud of her son and the Ukrainian people, who are fighting for democracy. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

On another occasion, a visitor from the U.K., Alistaire, noticed the Makis standing near the bridge and stopped to chat with them.

During the June 21 Walk for Ukraine visitor Alistaire, from the UK and now living in Washington, DC, stops to chat with Beth and Tom Maki of Lake Linden, whose son is a teacher in Ukraine. (Video by Keweenaw Now)

At the most recent Walk for Ukraine, on September 27, Yoopers for Ukraine welcomed Ruth Wisti of Hancock.

 

Ruth Wisti of Hancock joins Beth and Tom Maki at the Houghton end of the Portage Lift Bridge during the Sept. 27, 2023, Walk for Ukraine.

Nadija and her Dad (Papa) have been invited to give a presentation on Ukraine at the next meeting of the Houghton County Democratic Party. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023, at the Super 8 Motel in Houghton. It is open to the public.

* The Walks for Ukraine continue every Wednesday from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Meet on the Houghton side of the Portage Lift Bridge. Signs and flags are provided. To learn more about Yoopers for Ukraine visit their Facebook page.

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