KUUF to host "Eating Green" potluck and forum on growing and eating local food Sept. 15

HOUGHTON -- The Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will host a potluck and forum, "Eating Green," from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. TOMORROW, Sunday, Sept. 15, at BHK Center Conference Room (1 block off M-26 -- turn at Hilltop Restaurant) in west Houghton. The presenters will be Barb Hardy, Western UP Food Hub, and Mark Pittillo, Portage Health Nutritional Services Director.

This forum will focus on the topic of growing and eating local foods and why we should care about our food sources. Learn about the goals of the Western UP Food Hub from Barb Hardy. Mark Piettillo will describe Portage Health's project with the Hancock schools and provide some ideas for how you can prepare your food once you've grown or bought "local."

The forum will be followed by a potluck meal of locally grown foods. (Please bring a card with the name of your dish and a list of locally grown ingredients in the dish.)

For hundreds of years gardens have been an American tradition. They provided people with sustenance and a more reliable means of survival than hunting or fishing. They often engaged all of the family members -- from working the soil in the spring to planting, weeding, and -- ultimately -- the fall harvest. The meals shared with others from the fruits of their labors helped to foster a sense of community. As we became more urbanized, and frozen and canned produce became plentiful, gardens were left behind, until "victory gardens" sprang up in response to the shortages of WW II. Gardens again provided a sense of community and a way to provide for families. Today, with concerns of food contamination by pesticides -- and the large environmental footprint of foods that travel sometimes thousands of miles across the country or around the world before arriving at our tables -- gardens have again become a popular activity. Gardens can be found not only in rural areas, but in many urban areas where community gardens, backyard gardens, window gardens, and rooftop gardens have increased in popularity.

Along with the desire to know where our food comes from, there is a growing awareness that diets which primarily depend upon plants are healthier and use less energy. Americans can save fossil fuels and make more plant protein available for human consumption by simply reducing the number of meals they eat containing meat.

With all of this in mind, the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship would like to encourage "growing our own" and sharing meals together. In that spirit, we have invited these two guest speakers and will host a congregational potluck made from local foods from individual and community gardens.

This event is open to all.

2013 Canal Run draws more than 800 participants

2013 Canal Run participants and fans gather on the Quincy Green in Hancock to hear announcements of winners in this year's races: half marathon, 10-mile run, 5-mile run, 10-mile walk and 5-mile walk. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

HANCOCK -- A record number of runners and walkers -- more than 800 -- participated in this year's Canal Run on Saturday, July 20. The weather cooperated with sunshine and somewhat cooler temperatures for the annual event, sponsored by Portage Health, Finlandia University and FirstMerit Bank (formerly Citizens Bank) -- with additional support from local businesses, law enforcement and many volunteers.

Marquette and Hancock can boast winners of this year's new race -- the half marathon. Keweenaw Now captured photos of the half-marathon winners near the finish line:

Tracey Lokken of Marquette heads for the finish line in front of the FirstMerit Bank (formerly Citizens Bank) in Hancock to win the men's half-marathon race in the 2013 Canal Run. Lokken, in the 45-49 age group, finished first overall in the longest race with a time of 1:11:44.5 (and a pace of 5:28 min./mile).

Half-marathon winner Tracey Lokken of Marquette is interviewed by a local radio station announcer. The race was broadcast on Mix 93 FM and online at TheMix93.com.

Amy Aldrich of Hancock heads for the finish line to take first overall in the women's half marathon. Aldrich, in the 30-34 age group, finished with a time of 1:32:20 (and a pace of 7:02 min./mile).

Before the races, participants line up for the shuttle bus that takes them to the starting point of each race. The Canal Run follows the Portage Lake Shipping Canal along Highway M-203 in Hancock.

Near the Hancock Tori farmers' market, runners and walkers gather after the race on the Quincy Green.

For more details about the race visit the Canal Run Web site news page.

Click here for links to the 2013 Canal Run Results.

Young cyclists 3-13 race in Junior Chain Drive at Portage Health

By Michele Bourdieu

Marc Norton (right in orange shirt), Junior Chain Drive organizer, explains to the youngest racers (under age 7) how to follow the course laid out for them at Portage Health. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)

HANCOCK -- The 2013 Junior Chain Drive attracted more than 65 young participants ages 3-13 -- as well as parents, grand-parents and other supporters and volunteers -- to the Portage Health campus on a cloudy Saturday afternoon, June 15. Despite a few raindrops, the races were a success.

Racers under 7 take off for their 0.5 mile untimed race.

"We have an untimed race for any aged kids who aren't ready for the 3/4 mile event," said Marc Norton, Junior Chain Drive organizer.

Parents, grand-parents and other family members and friends urge the youngest racers on. Among the spectators, at right, is Michigan Tech President Glenn Mroz, who came out to support some of his grandchildren participating in this Father's Day weekend race.

 Young racers head for the finish line ...

Biking on wet grass is a challenge. Young cyclists learn safety and courtesy riding in groups. 

"Push it, push it!" is the command this young fellow hears from the audience -- faster than trying to get back on the bike so close to the finish!

The second group of racers is lined up, waiting for the start ...

... and they're off!

Junior Chain Drive timed races include a 3/4 mile race for ages 8 and under, a 1.5 mile event (2 laps) for ages 10 and under and a 3 mile event (4 laps) for ages 14 and under.

"We hope the parents assess their child's ability as to which event they should participate. We do end up with some very competent 9 year olds doing the 3 mile race once in a while," Norton explained.

The more experienced racers are challenged by a single-track trail through the woods.

"Some places have gravel paths on which to hold a kids' race," Norton noted. "This one is a true mountain bike course with single track -- all the roots and rocks that one should expect in a mountain bike race. Those that finish have accomplished a pretty significant feat for ones so small and with such small tires."

Smaller tires do not roll over obstacles as easily as the big ones, he added.

Click here to find the results of the Junior Chain Drive race and the adult Chain Drive races held earlier on Saturday, June 15.

Bike prizes offered for kids who participate in Chain Drive races

HANCOCK -- Portage Health, sponsor of the Chain Drive Bike races scheduled for Saturday, June 16, is offering bike prizes for kids who participate.

Junior Chain Drive race participants head for the novice trail at Portage Health in Hancock. This year a TREK Mountain Bike will be given as a door prize for a participant, age 13 or under, in the Junior Chain Drive. Two bikes will be given to young participants in the Chain Drive 16-Mile race. (Keweenaw Now file photo)

"Portage Health wants kids on bikes," says Lori Hauswirth, race organizer. "Keweenaw Chain Drive Festival is one way we are going to get them riding. If you have/know someone under 18, this is the year for them to ride Chain Drive. Two bikes will be given randomly as door prizes to kids that ride the 16-Mile event. A Kona Kahuna Deluxe will go to a rider ages 14-18 and a Kona Fire Mountain will be given to a rider 13 or under. A TREK Mountain Bike will be given as a door prize for the Junior Chain Drive. Let's encourage the kids to get out there and ride!"

Junior Chain Drive

Registration for the Junior Chain Drive is from 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Saturday, June 16, in Portage Health Conference Room 5. Races start at 3:30 p.m.

Those who would like to fill out the paper work for the kids' race ahead of time can send Marc Norton, Junior Chain Drive director, an email request at gpc49913@charter.net and he'll send you a pdf that you can print and fill out ahead of time if you wish.

Price is $5 per racer.

Volunteers still needed:

Plenty of spots are still open to help with the Junior Chain drive.

Registration -- still need 2-3 more
Traffic Control -- 7 more needed
Lap Counters -- 2 needed
Rabbit -- 1 needed for 1-lap race
Sweeps -- 5 needed (or two who can ride 8 miles)
1st Responders -- 1 more desired
Emcee (race starter, awards announcer) -- 1 needed

Click here for the schedule of the Chain Drive Race events.

Click here for information on the Junior Chain Drive.