Herbalists Without Borders to host organizing potluck event, Trauma Training Sept. 17 at Marsin Center

Herbalists Without Borders, Houghton and Keweenaw Chapter, will hold a potluck organizing event and a Trauma Training event on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013, at the Marsin Nature Retreat Center near Oskar, Mich. (Herbalists Without Borders post card courtesy HWB Organizer Jess Juntunen.) 

HOUGHTON -- Herbalists Without Borders (HWB), Houghton and Keweenaw Area Chapter, will host a Meet and Greet Organizing Potluck Kickoff Event from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2013, at the Marsin Nature Retreat Center near Oskar Bay, Red Brick Road, outside Houghton on the Canal Road. The event will include a Free Informal Talk with the Director of HWB, Gigi Stafne.

Herbalists Without Borders is an organization that promotes an agenda of health care social justice internationally, with numerous special focus projects including Violence Against Women models and a Veterans PTSD project. Please attend if you want to learn more, help or participate. There is no fee or registration required for the free presentation and potluck. Bring a dish to pass -- and please label ingredients. Contact HWB Organizer Jess Juntunen at jjuntune@mtu.edu for more information.

Herbalists Without Borders will also offer a Trauma Training event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at the Marsin Nature Retreat Center. The Trainer is Gigi Stafne, MH, ND, director of Herbalists Without Borders. Tuition: $75 (Sliding scale fee available for economic hardship; contact jjuntune@mtu.edu.)

Gigi Stafne, director of Herbalists Without Borders. (Photo courtesy Jess Juntunen of HWB)

Prior to her 20 years of experience in natural medicine, Stafne worked in domestic violence, sexual abuse and crisis intervention.

"The time is NOW, for alternative medicine and creative sustainable solutions to escalating levels of trauma and violence, locally and globally," Stafne says. "You can make a difference in one person's life...even an entire community's well being."

To register for the Trauma Training event email local chapter organizer Jess Juntunen, jjuntune@mtu.edu, or call her at 906-231-0755. More information about HWB can be found at http://herbalistswithoutborders.weebly.com/.

Keweenaw Land Trust to host free ice fishing Feb. 18

HANCOCK -- The Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) invites you to try some ice fishing from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, at the Marsin Nature Retreat.

This is an opportunity for you and your children to experience the joys of being out on the ice while learning just how it’s done. Scott Pugh, experienced angler, has generously volunteered to set up a couple of tents on the Portage and share his fishing skills. He assures KLT the ice is safe. It’s FREE FISHING weekend, so all ages can fish without a license. Some fishing equipment will be provided. Scott will bring tip-ups and jigging rods to share, but bring your own gear if you can. The KLT will have a couple small of pop-up tents.

They’ll have a fire going in the outdoor shelter and snacks and games will be available inside the beautifully renovated Marsin Retreat. Curtis Perala is making his famous and delectable booyah (hunter’s stew) to share. Feel free to stay and socialize as long as you like.

Check the KLT Website for any changes and updates. Driving directions: From M26, take the Canal Road past Oskar 6 miles to the Red Brick Road, turn right and drive 1/8 mile to the Marsin, where you turn left into the parking area.

Questions? Call Carol Pfefferkorn at 231-6447.

Keweenaw Land Trust to hold Open House at Marsin Nature Center Dec. 10

By Carol Johnson Pfeffercorn*

HANCOCK -- When Mary Sinish donated her acreage and homes to the Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT), her intent was to make it available to the public as an educational preserve. This past year, KLT has been busy remodeling the Sinish home into a nature center, which will accommodate community and educational groups, school gatherings, book clubs and discussion groups -- as well as outdoor activities such as canoeing, ice fishing, snowshoeing and native plant gardening.

The Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) is remodeling the Marsin Nature Center near Oskar Bay. KLT will hold an Open House at the Center from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 10. (Keweenaw Now file photo courtesy Keweenaw Land Trust)

The remodeling followed the combined recommendations of an architect and the Sustainable Design Systems course taught by Rick Loduha at Finlandia University.

This photo shows some of the remodeling being done at the Keweenaw Land Trust's Marsin Nature Center. (Photo © and courtesy Pat Toczydlowski, KLT land specialist)

To view the results of the remodeling and learn more about the Marsin Nature Center, attend the KLT Open House from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Marsin Center, located near Oskar Bay.

Directions: from Hwy 26, turn onto the Canal Road, drive 8 miles (1 mile past Oskar) to the big Red Brick Road sign. Turn right and drive approximately .8 mile to the Marsin Center, on the left.

* Keweenaw Now guest writer Carol Johnson Pfeffercorn recently moved to the Keweenaw from the Menominee area. In addition to writing, she is assisting Keweenaw Now with advertising and public relations.