New 5th and Elm Coffee House opens in Hancock

5th and Elm Coffee House owner Frank Fiala helps Barrista Lisa Erickson keep the floor spotless in his new business, the second 5th and Elm Coffee House, located near the Scott Hotel in Hancock, on the site of the former Spice of Life bakery and lunch shop. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos © 2009 Keweenaw Now)

By Michele Bourdieu

HANCOCK, CALUMET --Calumet's 5th and Elm Coffee House now has a second location. The new café, bearing the same name, opened on June 15, 2009, on the site of the former Spice of Life bakery, near the Scott Hotel in Hancock.

Frank Fiala of Hancock calls the 5th and Elm a family business, including also his wife, Emily Fiala, and Boone Fiala, their son, in the ownership and management of the two shops.

A day before Father's Day, Emily Fiala, co-owner of the Hancock 5th and Elm Coffee House, chats with customer Michael Bowler of Hancock and admires his three-month-old daughter, Susan Marie, one of the youngest visitors to the shop. Pictured at far right is Matt Sanford, barrista.

"After my retirement from the National Park Service, I decided I wanted to do something in business," Fiala said. "Boone was in California at the time and wanted to come back to the area. We've always been interested in coffee, so we decided to open up a coffee shop in Calumet."

The original 5th and Elm opened in Calumet in March 8, 2008, for the Great Bear Chase cross-country ski races.* Fiala noted he and his family have been encouraged by that business the last 16 months and by the potential growth in Calumet.

The original 5th and Elm Coffee House opened March 8, 2008, for the Great Bear Chase ski races at Swedetown Trails in Calumet.*

"When this one became available, we decided it was a good opportunity to grow the business," he explained.

Fiala noted the former Spice of Life was primarily a lunch business with take-out, which he is continuing with the addition of a wide variety of coffee drinks, including espresso.

"With our coffee here we're trying to expand the hours," he added.

Presently the Hancock 5th and Elm is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

Hancock 5th and Elm Barrista Lisa Erickson rings up lunch orders for customers Marti Rashleigh of Painesdale and Phillip Shanahan of Hancock. Both work at Miller's Jewelry in Hancock, a short walk from the new café.

Former Spice of Life customers still come to the new 5th and Elm for sandwiches at lunchtime.

One of those, Marti Rashleigh of Painesdale, whose favorite is the turkey sandwich, seemed pleased with the addition of the coffee selections.

"I drink coffee every day," she said.

Frank Fiala noted the sandwiches are mostly the same type formerly served at the Spice of Life, but he has added ham and turkey from Nueski's Smoke House in Wisconsin.

Barrista Lisa Erickson commutes six days a week from Toivola to her new job at the Hancock 5th and Elm.

"I have an espresso maker at home, but it's nowhere near the caliber of this 'Italiano' espresso maker," Erickson noted. "I'm learning how to make new concoctions every day!"

Calumet, Hancock 5th and Elm cafés have similar menus

Boone Fiala, who does double duty as manager and barrista at the Calumet 5th and Elm, said the coffee in both shops (Ancora Coffee) comes from Madison, Wis., and the beans are imported from various countries all over the world, but especially from South America.

Boone Fiala, manager and barrista, prepares a Capuccino at the Calumet 5th and Elm Coffee House.

"Black and Tan is our house coffee," Boone said. "It's a 50-50 mix of a medium roast and a dark roast."

While the original 5th and Elm has been mostly a Coffee House (complete with occasional poetry readings and art exhibits), sandwiches are now being added to the menu to match those at the Hancock shop.

One 5th and Elm barrista with a familiar face -- Matt Sanford, raised in Toivola and now of Hancock -- is proud of his coffee-making experience. Local coffee lovers will recognize him as a barrista of the former Motherlode Café, where he worked until it closed a few years ago. He worked at the Calumet 5th and Elm Coffee House and recently moved to Hancock. Now it's convenient for him to be making coffee at the new shop near his home.

Matt Sanford, barrista, worked at the former Motherlode in Houghton, at the Calumet 5th and Elm and is now at the Hancock 5th and Elm. Sanford said he also had coffee-making experience at exclusive cafés in Chicago.

"I'm just happy to have good coffee here for my own selfish purposes," Sanford said. "I moved down here because Calumet has a lot of snow."

Sanford said he's neither a skier nor a snowmobiler.

"I'm a shoveler," he quipped.

He's also an artist and hopes to have an exhibit of his paintings eventually in one of the two cafés.

The Calumet 5th and Elm exhibits works by local artists as well as hosting poetry readings. Pictured here are photos by Brockit Photography.

Two new employees at the Hancock 5th and Elm were busy in the kitchen on Wednesday, June 24. Mike Laitila of Hancock, son of Hancock Mayor William Laitila and Daryl Laitila of PastyNet (who is working on creating the new 5th and Elm Web site), was making sandwiches, while La Naeh Holmbo of Boston Location was cleaning shelves.

Mike Laitila of Hancock, sandwich expert, learns his way around the kitchen on his first day of work (June 24) at the new 5th and Elm shop in Hancock.

"This is our first day," Holmbo said. "So far it's fantastic!"

La Naeh Holmbo of Boston Location, who formerly worked in an espresso shop in California, puts a shine on the Hancock café's kitchen shelves.

Both 5th and Elm shops now serve Jilbert's ice cream -- great on these hot days!

Boone Fiala noted while the Calumet café is adding sandwiches from the Hancock 5th and Elm's menu, the Hancock shop is offering "pretty much everything we do up here -- coffee (including espresso drinks), bakery, ice cream, wireless Internet."

Katie Jo Wright and Julie DePaul Johnson make the baked goods for both shops.

As Boone spoke, a Calumet customer, Hunter Watson, closed his laptop and finished his chicken artichoke florentine soup.

"Everything was excellent," Watson said. "The atmosphere is very nice. The Internet access is very convenient. The food and the soup are invariably good."

Dave Freeman of Calumet and John Westerinen of Mohawk, regular customers at the Calumet 5th and Elm, sat at a table outside, where Westerinen had parked his 1929 Model A Ford, which seemed to fit the historic atmosphere of Calumet's Fifth Street. Both were drinking a strong-looking brew.

Regular customers at the Calumet 5th and Elm, Dave Freeman, left (background) and John Westerinen take a coffee break on the terrace, sheltered from the rain, before taking a ride in Westerinen's 1929 Model A Ford.

Westerinen said of the house coffee, "It's a little stronger than what I'm used to, but I like the kick."

Freeman was enthusiastic about his espresso decaf: "It's out of sight!" he said.

Hours at the Calumet 5th and Elm are still Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.; and Sunday, 12 Noon - 6 p.m. Check them out during Pasty Fest this weekend!

* Editor's Note: Keweenaw Now posted photos of the Calumet 5th and Elm when it opened in March 2008. See our March 15, 2008 photo essay.

Couple to present talk on Peace Corps experience in Tanzania June 28

HOUGHTON -- Anna and Justin Wild will present "Three Years in the Peace Corps," slides and a talk on central Tanzania, at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at Portage Lake United Church in Houghton.

Anna's site was in Kigwe, the desert area in central Tanzania west of Dodoma, the capital city. Justin's post was in Southern Tanzania, but after they first met during their training sessions they knew they would end up together. After each completed the required 2-year tour, they petitioned the Peace Corps to spend a third year in Tanzania at Anna's site and as a married couple. When this was approved, the two returned for three weeks to the U.S. to get acquainted with each other's family and to marry. Two days after their wedding they journeyed back to Kigwe, where they taught math and science, completing their third year in December 2008.

Their talk will include slides, demonstrations and humor! Everyone is invited.

Anna is Jan Dalquist's granddaughter, Dan and Bobbie Dalquist's niece and Marthe Dalquist Kuhn's daughter.

Future of St. Lawrence Seaway -- 50 years old today -- hinges on sustainability

BUFFALO, NY -- To mark the 50th anniversary of the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway -- today, June 26, 2009 -- over 50 public interest groups from across the region are outlining seven principles to guide an environmentally sustainable future for shipping on the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

Lake Superior at McLain State Park, between Hancock and Calumet. The health of our beaches depends on environmental stewardship of the Great Lakes - St. Lawrence Seaway ecosystem. (Photo © 2009 Keweenaw Now)

"The opening of the Seaway took a devastating toll on the health of the Great Lakes ecosystem," said Jennifer Nalbone, director of Navigation and Invasive Species at Great Lakes United and lead author of the report. "If the shipping industry wants to be truly sustainable it needs to rethink how it operates on the Great Lakes. These seven principles provide the goal posts by which to measure that future."

Outlined in "A Better Seaway: Seven Principles to Guide Sustainable Shipping on The Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River," the principles address a broad range of environmental impacts, associated with shipping on the Great Lakes and with domestic operations -- from invasive species to ice-breaking to air emissions.

The principles to guide a better Seaway are as follows:
1. Ships must not introduce or spread aquatic invasive species.
2. Climate change is a real threat, and proactive steps must be taken to meet this challenge head on.
3. Unnecessary and costly system expansion proposals must be abandoned.
4. Air emissions should be cleaned up for shipping to truly be the cleanest mode of transportation in regards to air pollution.
5. Work towards the elimination of all pollutants into the Great Lakes.
6. Minimize ice-breaking, especially in sensitive areas.
7. Citizen engagement and industry transparency should become the norm in Seaway governance.

Since the Seaway opened on June 26th, 1959, the environmental and economic damage brought on by opening the Great Lakes to international ships has been significant. Construction of the Seaway itself resulted in irreversible environmental loss as new channels were dug in the riverbed, shallow sections were flooded, islands blasted away, six villages displaced and a series of locks constructed. International ships have become the primary source of new non-native aquatic invasive species such as the zebra and quagga mussels. Invaders like these have caused tremendous damage to Great Lakes ecosystem. The University of Notre Dame estimates that the species that gained access to the region through the Seaway cost citizens, businesses and cities in the eight Great Lakes states alone at least $200 million per year in damage to the commercial and recreational fishery, wildlife watching and water infrastructure. While exact economic data does not exist for the Great Lakes region in Canada, similar damages can be expected.

More organizations are endorsing the principles every day. To read more information and sign yours up go to www.abetterseaway.com. Citizens are also invited to sign a petition supporting these principles.

Read more on the Great Lakes United Web site.
See also: "An Action Plan on Invasive Species for President Obama and the 111th Congress."

"Musical Mondays" summer series to begin June 29 in Calumet

CALUMET -- The Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne's and the Calumet Theatre present "Musical Mondays," a summer music series at 7 p.m. on Monday evenings this summer. The first three of these events will be held at the Heritage Center:

June 29: "Learn to Play the Kantele" -- Finnish Kantele workshop with Kay Seppala. Cost $5. To pre-register call 337-2704.

July 6: "Hear Your Heritage -- Ethnic Bands":

• Thimbleberry Band - Oren Tikkanen (Finnish)
• Maple Sugar Folk Band - Dave Bezotte (French Canadian)
• Bob Norden's Band (German)

July 13: "This Land is My Land - Patriotic Memories" -- Community Singers

Also, on Friday, July 3, "First Fridays in Calumet" will include "Harp music with Sidney Butler" from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Keweenaw Heritage Center.

Editor's Note: Watch for more announcements of later performances (July and August).

Relay for Life cancer fundraiser to be at Fairgrounds in Hancock June 26-27

HOUGHTON -- The 14th Annual Copper Country Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society will take place Friday-Saturday, June 26-27, in a new location this year: the Houghton County Fairgrounds in Hancock. The new time schedule will begin at 12 Noon on Friday and continue until 12 Noon on Saturday. The Exhibit Building will be the new site for fundraising activity.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society. During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

In the past the Copper Country Relay for Life has been held at the Houghton High School track. Construction at the high school is the reason for the new Fairgrounds location this year.

The Copper Country Relay for Life raised $141,006 Net Income in 2008. A highlight of the event is the Luminaria Ceremony, to be held at 9:30 p.m. Friday evening. Participants are invited to light a candle to honor or remember someone special. Luminaria candles will be on sale in the Market Place area from 12 Noon to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 26. Art materials will be available to decorate your Luminaria bags (pictured here). The cost is $10.00.

The Relay for Life has become an international movement. International Relay For Life (IRFL) events are now held in more than 600 communities spanning 21 countries. This unique activity, designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for life-saving research and programs, unites and mobilizes community members committed to eliminating cancer.

For information contact any of the following:
Carl Fulsher, 906-282-4657 or Carl.Fulsher@cancer.org; Kathy Archambeau, 906-482-3550 or framedbykathy@chargermi.net; Barb Banfield, 906-482-2096 or bdbanfield@charter.net.

For more information on the Relay for Life, visit their Web site.

Photo: During a previous Copper Country Relay for Life event, bags decorated with tributes to victims and survivors of cancer line the track at Houghton High School in preparation for the candlelight Luminaria Ceremony. (File photo © Keweenaw Now)

Copper Country Habitat for Humanity ReStore Grand Opening to be June 27

CALUMET -- A Grand Opening celebration of the Copper Country Habitat for Humanity ReStore will take place during regular store hours, 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., on Saturday, June 27. The Copper Country Restore is located at 25971 Pine St. in Calumet.

The Copper Country Habitat for Humanity ReStore, located in a remodeled former church at 25971 Pine St., Calumet, will welcome the public to its Grand Opening celebration from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 27, during Pasty Fest. (Photos © 2009 Keweenaw Now)

Offering a variety of new and gently used building materials and home furnishings for sale, the Copper Country ReStore has been open for business since November 2008, but delayed its Grand Opening in order to coincide with warmer weather and the June 27 Pasty Fest.

"This is a thank you for the people who have supported the store," said Manager Joseph Mihal.

The community will have an opportunity to tour the store and enter a drawing for a $50 gift certificate to the Copper Country ReStore. It is not necessary to be present to win.

"We'll also have musical entertainment in the afternoon," Mihal said.

ReStore Manager Joseph Mihal points out the features of a donated stove to regular customer Heidi Carney of Laurium.

Copper Country ReStore receives donations of home furnishings, appliances and building and renovation supplies. Cabinets, desks, doors, windows, sinks and even a car are just some of the items to be found at Copper Country ReStore. The donated items are sold in order to promote reusing and repurposing materials and to raise funds that enable Copper Country Habitat for Humanity to build affordable housing in the area.*

"It also helps keep things out of the landfill," Mihal noted. "For every $1 in sales, 1.3 lb. is kept out of the landfill."

Donated items available at the Copper Country ReStore range from small household items to furniture, windows, building materials and an occasional car.

Nearly all items are donated, Mihal added. Since the money earned goes to the non-profit Copper Country Habitat for Humanity, receipts are provided for tax deduction purposes.

"There's always a need for continued donations," he said.

The ReStore offers very usable items, and some treasures, at affordable prices.

Regular Copper Country Restore hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Copper Country ReStore would like to thank community members for their continued support in providing the store with donated items and for utilizing the Copper Country ReStore for building and household needs.

For more information, please contact Joseph Mihal at the Copper Country ReStore at 906-337-0020 or visit the ReStore page on the Habitat for Humanity Web site for a list of items acceptable for donation.

*Copper Country Habitat for Humanity is presently building a house in Hancock, and volunteers are needed. Call the office, located in Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock, at 906-482-5376 or visit their Web site for more information.

Keweenaw Heritage Center to begin summer programs with music, reception June 24

CALUMET -- The Keweenaw Heritage Center at St. Anne's in Calumet opens its summer performance program with a reception and program at 7 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, June 24, with a presentation by Jan Dalquist and Dan Maki -- "Singers and Songs of the Copper Country." Refreshments will be served.

At 7 p.m. on Friday, June 26, the Center will host the Community Service Awards Program of the Pasty Fest.*

Beginning Monday, June 29, the Keweenaw Heritage Center will present a series of "Musical Mondays" in keeping with the music theme now seen in the window displays in Calumet businesses. Stop by the Center between 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday during July and August to enjoy their great photo display, "Musical Heritage of the Keweenaw."

The 1899 Barckhoff Pipe Organ restoration project is now complete, and the "Celebration Concert" will be held at 7 p.m. on August 5 with guest artists.

Visit the Keweenaw Heritage Center Web site for information on its history and restoration.

* For the schedule of this weekend's Pasty Fest, June 26-27, (parade, live music, vendors, family fun) in Calumet, visit the Main Street Calumet Web site.

Mosaic workshops begin June 24 at Keweenaw Krayons

MOHAWK -- Keweenaw Krayons recycled art program will continue with a series of Mosaic workshops. The workshops, facilitated by ceramic and glass artist Colleen Carroll, will take place Wednesday, June 24; Friday, June 26; and Wednesday, July 1, at the Keweenaw Krayons studio, located in the Mohawk School.

Ceramic and glass artist Colleen Carroll exhibits some of her work at the Houghton Art and Music Festival June 13, 2009. (Photo © 2009 Keweenaw Now)

Colleen Carroll is a ceramic and glass artist living in Calumet. Prior to earning her BFA from Finlandia University, Colleen earned a BS degree in Education and taught grades 4 and 5. She has been making and teaching art locally and will be directing the summer arts camp at the Copper Country Community Art Center in Hancock this August.

The sessions are as follows:

Day 1: Wednesday, June 24, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Class time with open studio from 4 p.m. - 5 p.m. Participants must attend this class.

Day 2: Friday, June 26, 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Class time with open studio from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Day 3: Wednesday, July 1, 2 p.m. - 5 p.m. Open studio to catch up, make up, or seal grout.

Participants can create a mosaic using one of Keweenaw Krayons flower pots or they are welcome to bring something small from home to use as a base. Ceramic, glass or wood are acceptable materials as long as the piece is not flexible. (No metal or plastic). Wood should be water proofed (commercial sealer or 4 parts water to 1 part white glue, 4 coats).

Some possible ideas of items to bring are: candle holders, picture frame, vase, stepping stone, mirror frame, light fixture, wood box, soap dish, tissue box, cup, etc.

There will be ceramic and glass pieces available to choose from, but participants may want to bring some treasures of their own including: broken tiles of dishes, beads, shells, stones, marbles, stained glass, pebbles, mirror, jewelry, trinkets, figurines, broken bottles, coins, etc.

There is no charge for the class but donations of cash, pop cans, time, supplies and/or plants are appreciated.

Class size is limited and registration is required. To register participants can call 337-4706 or email staff@keweenawkrayons.com.

The summer recycled art project is funded in part through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, Copper Country Community Arts Council and the Denise Marth Memorial grant through the Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council.

Uptown Swingsters to perform June 24 at Ontonagon Theater

The Uptown Swingsters -- from left, Bob Norden, Brian Parmeter, Oren Tikkanen (in hat), Greg Wright, John Munson and Lucas Lagos on drums -- will perform tonight, Wednesday, June 24, in Ontonagon. (Photo courtesy Uptown Swingsters)

HOUGHTON --The Ontonagon Theater of Performing Arts will present the Uptown Swingsters (Easy Listening, Soft Jazz and Standards with a little sauce) at 7 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, June 24. Tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door and $5 for students at the door only. Advance Tickets are available at The Ontonagon County Telephone Company, Ontonagon Herald, Citizens State Bank, M Bank, Ontonagon County Historical Museum, Plutchak’s in Mass City and Settlers Federal Credit Union in Bruce Crossing.

Updated: Author Steve Lehto to discuss, sign new book June 25

HANCOCK -- Finlandia University ’s North Wind Books, Hancock, will host a book signing with author Steve Lehto from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 25. Lehto will sign copies of his new book, Michigan ’s Columbus, The Life of Douglass Houghton, a chronicle of Dr. Houghton’s life and tragic death.

At 7 p.m. the same evening, June 25, Lehto will recount the life and times of Douglass Houghton and sign more copies of his book at the Keweenaw County Courthouse, located at 5095 Fourth Street in Eagle River, Michigan. This presentation is part of the Fourth Thursday in History speaker series, sponsored by Keweenaw National Historical Park. Attendees will be able to purchase copies of Lehto’s books from the Isle Royale and Keweenaw Parks Association.

The name "Houghton" is well-known to Michiganians as a city, a county, a lake, waterfalls, schools and more. But how did Douglass Houghton become such a "star?"

As its first state geologist, Houghton found more natural resources in Michigan than any explorer before him, from salt springs to gypsum. His discoveries helped begin the "rush" to the Keweenaw Peninsula’s Copper Country. Douglass Houghton was also a medical doctor, a mayor of Detroit and a professor at the University of Michigan. When Houghton drowned in 1845, at the age of 36, he was one of the best-known people in Michigan.

During his presentation in Eagle River, Lehto will discuss these and other aspects of Houghton’s life that he researched in writing his book

Lehto, an attorney, is also the author of At Death’s Door, an account of the 1913 Italian Hall disaster in Calumet, Mich., which won the 2007 Michigan Notable Book Award. His grandfather Waino "Pops" Lehto was a dean and professor at Finlandia University (then Suomi College) for 40 years.

For additional information about the book signings, please contact North Wind Books at 906-487-7217 or call Keweenaw National Historical Park at (906) 337-3168.

"Living in the Landscape" art, natural history trips begin June 27

GRATIOT LAKE -- "Living in the Landscape," the Summer 2009 Reading the Landscape series of art and natural history field trips for adults, will begin with a session on Sustainable Living, to be held from 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 27. Using as illustrations the work being done at the Keweenaw Land Trust’s Marsin Nature Retreat Center and at Churning Rapids, a Keweenaw Land Trust easement property, participants will learn about the many ways in which we can all live making less environmental impact.

During a 2008 Reading the Landscape session in Central, artist Linden Dahlstrom, right, explains the purpose and possibilities of using objects found in Nature for making art. In addition to doing an art project, participants visited the historic Central Mine site and learned about the coming Stamp Sand Stabilization Project and the unnatural and natural history of stamp sands. Watch for an article on this project, coming soon. (Photo © 2008 Keweenaw Now)

The Reading the Landscape program, which is in its seventh year, is co-sponsored by Copper Country Audubon, Gratiot Lake Conservancy, Houghton Keweenaw Conservation District, Keweenaw County Historical Society, Keweenaw Land Trust, Michigan Nature Association and Copper Country Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Additional sessions on diverse topics will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on July 18, August 22 and September 19 at a variety of places in the Keweenaw. The fee per session is $15. Teachers interested in attending any of the field trips may apply to the Gratiot Lake Conservancy (contact: 337-5476) for a Janet Avery Scholarship that will cover the fee. Reservations for the trips are necessary and group size is limited.

The following are the July, August and September sessions:

July 18 -- Sustainable Farming: The how, why and what of sustainable, local farming. We will visit the Hughes commercial farm. We will talk with the staff at Keweenaw Co-op that markets local produce, and we will collect an organic picnic lunch from the Co-op to eat at the Weglarz homestead where Viki and Ray have been no-till organic gardening for many years.

August 22 -- Living With Our Wildlife: Explore the love/hate relationship we often have with wild animals such as beaver, wolves, bats and deer. We will look for signs of wildlife, begin to understand our complex relationship with our wild neighbors and examine ways that we can live in the landscape amicably.

September 19 -- Heritage Apples: This session will take place at Central, the historic mining town owned and operated by the Keweenaw County Historical Society. We will explore the history and development of these ancient apple orchards, discuss and try to identify some varieties and learn how to care for them for the future.

Call 906-482-0160 or 906-289-4930 to request a brochure or visit the Gratiot Lake Conservancy website to download brochure and registration information.

Bergonzi Quartet to perform in Pine Mountain concerts June 22, 24, 25, 27

HANCOCK -- The Bergonzi String Quartet of Miami, Florida, is returning to the U.P. for the 15th year as part of Pine Mountain Music Festival’s season of classical and jazz music events. They will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. on June 27 at the Rozsa Center in Houghton. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Rozsa Center Box Office and at the door.

Members of the Bergonzi Quartet are, from left, Glenn Basham and Scott Flavin, violins; Ross Harbaugh, cello; and Pamela McConnell, viola. (Photo courtesy Pine Mountain Music Festival)

This year the Bergonzi Quartet will be joined by clarinetist Margaret Donaghue Flavin for the playing of Brahms’s beautiful and haunting Clarinet Quintet in B Minor, Opus 115. They will also perform Schubert’s String Quartet No. 14, called "Death and the Maiden," as well as several arrangements by Scott Flavin.*

The Bergonzi String Quartet hosts a free children’s concert at 1 p.m. on June 27 at Portage Lake District Library. Students of the Copper Country Suzuki Association will attend with their instruments, and audience members are invited to stay after the concert to see and talk about the instruments. The Bergonzi String Quartet will also perform at 7:30 p.m. this week in each of the following locations: on Monday, June 22, at Immaculate Conception Church in Iron Mountain; on Wednesday, June 24, at Reynolds Recital Hall in Marquette; and on Thursday, June 25, at Ely Memorial Church in Land O’Lakes, Wisconsin.

The Festival’s theme for the 2009 season is "Anything Goes," which is a good clue for how to enjoy the Bergonzi concerts. Peter Van Pelt, executive director of the Festival, has referred to "the exciting world of chamber music," and he says that the Bergonzi Quartet is responsible for this unusual characterization of chamber music.

The Bergonzi Quartet is a perennial favorite for many concert-goers, partly for their consummate professionalism and partly for their low-key, relaxed approach. The audience is as likely to get a good laugh as to get a thrill from the lovely music.

The Pine Mountain Music Festival presents a season of opera, classical and jazz music in June-July in the Dickinson County area, the Marquette area, the Keweenaw Peninsula and other towns in the Upper Peninsula and northeastern Wisconsin. Headquartered in Hancock, Michigan, it is supported by donations, ticket sales and grants. Visit the web at pmmf.org, or call 1-877-746-3999 for tickets or 888-309-7861 for more information.

* For more information about the Bergonzi Quartet, visit their Web site.

They're off! 2009 Chain Drive bike race begins!

Following their police escort, cyclists cross the Portage Lake Lift Bridge on their way to the Maasto Hiihto /Churning Rapids trails in Hancock for the 16- and 32-mile Portage Health Chain Drive races today, June 20. (Video clip © 2009 Keweenaw Now)

Hancock to defend championship title in Pirates of the Keweenaw boat race June 21

Crew members of Boy Scout Troop 208 (right) struggle against the Hancock team during the final heat of the 2008 Pirates of the Keweenaw Cardboard Boat Regatta. (File photo © 2008 Keweenaw Now*)

HOUGHTON -- The City of Hancock is prepared to defend its title as defending champion in the Pirates of the Caribbean Cardboard Boat Regatta, beginning at 10 a.m. on Sunday, June 21, Father's Day. This highlight of the 2009 Bridgefest will take place again at the Houghton Waterfront Park. Registration and check-in are from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.

Hancock City Manager Glenn Anderson said Friday that the Hancock boat would have a crew of nine this year -- reduced from the 12 of 2008.

"We will give it our all," he said.

Hancock has won first place in the adult (age 12 and above) division for the last two years. In 2008 they defeated Boy Scout Troop 208 and the City of Houghton in the final heat of a close race.* They were also the winners in 2007, defeating the Smart Park.

Boats must be made of corrugated cardboard and should be decorated. Official rules can be found at www.cityofhoughton.com. Age divisions are 11 and under and 12 to adult. Prizes will be awarded for the Best Decorated, Best Costumes, Best Design, Best Sinking, Most People in the Boat and Fastest Boat.

The Pirates of the Keweenaw race is sponsored by Keweenaw Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. Questions -- Email scott@cityofhoughton.com.

This weekend's Bridgefest 2009 celebrates the 50th Birthday of the Portage Lake Lift Bridge. Click here for the schedule.

* See Keweenaw Now's June 16, 2008, article with photos and a video clip of last year's Pirates of the Keweenaw race.

Lahti's Plan to combine DNR, DEQ passes Michigan House

LANSING -- A plan introduced by State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock) appropriates for a combined Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) -- cutting state spending by creating one entity called the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. The plan, which passed the House on Thursday, June 18, could save up to $2 million.

"This is the first step toward a more efficient government," said Lahti , chair of the Natural Resources House Appropriations Subcommittee. "This is a bare bones budget with some tough cuts, but it is a budget based on today's reality."

The DNR and DEQ were made into separate departments by former Governor John Engler in 1995, and Lahti said the appropriations subcommittees of both the DNR and the DEQ have been working to recombine the two departments. The budget for the combined department would be $626 million.

"Combining these two agencies will allow for better communication and enforcement of laws that safeguard our air, land and water," Lahti said. "This move will streamline government and generate much-needed savings to help turn Michigan 's economy around while protecting our great outdoors. Consolidating these two departments is in the best interest of the taxpayers and the environment."

Organist Christina Harmon to perform in Calumet, Marquette churches

HANCOCK -- Upper Peninsula organs in local churches will feature in Pine Mountain Music Festival’s 2009 season. Internationally known organist Christina Harmon will play at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 21, in St. Paul the Apostle Church, Calumet. Her concert can also be enjoyed at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Marquette. Tickets are $16 and are available at the Rozsa Center Box Office and at the door.

Internationally known organist Christina Harmon will play a variety of organ music on local church organs during the Pine Mountain Music Festival this month. (Photo courtesy Pine Mountain Music Festival)

Christina Harmon is a U.P. native, born in Menominee, but is now a resident of Dallas, Texas. In between she has traveled extensively and has played many outstanding organs in the U.S. and elsewhere including Westminster Abbey in London, Notre Dame in Paris and Chartres Cathedral. She is a graduate of Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Southern Methodist University and has studied at the Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria.

In her concerts, Ms. Harmon will play works by Bach, Moussorgsky, Bolcom and others as well as a work of her own composition. The theme of the Festival’s 2009 season is "Anything Goes," and the range of composers in the organ concert reflects that theme admirably.

Often referred to as "the king of instruments," the organ has a range of sounds unlike that of any other instrument and has attracted world-class composers from centuries ago to the present. Organs vary greatly from one to another; and the Upper Peninsula, thanks to the protracted mining boom and the much larger population at that time, is fortunate to have many organs that are exceptionally "worth the trip."

The Pine Mountain Music Festival presents a season of opera, classical and jazz music in June-July in the Dickinson County area, the Marquette area, the Keweenaw Peninsula and other smaller towns in the Upper Peninsula and northeastern Wisconsin. Headquartered in Hancock, Michigan, it is supported by donations, ticket sales and grants. Visit the web site at pmmf.org, or call 1-877-746-3999 for tickets or 888-309-7861 for more information.

Library welcomes artists, bug enthusiasts June 20, 22

HOUGHTON -- The Portage Lake District Library’s Summer Reading Program continues with indoor-outdoor community programs that invite both children and adults to "Be Creative at Your Library."

Library volunteer Michael Martin of Hancock shares creative bubbles with Debbie Mues, CLK art teacher, and her granddaughter Nevin during the opening of the Portage Lake District Library's Summer Reading Program on June 13. (Watch for a slide show of this community event, coming soon.) (Photo © 2009 Keweenaw Now)

Everyone is invited to participate in an outdoor community art project at the library on Saturday, June 20. Large canvas panels that will be on permanent display in the children’s area will be painted under the guidance of local artist Illa Garver. People are welcome to stop by the library and add their creative touch to the art pieces. Art aprons for kids will be provided. Painting will begin outdoors at 10:00 a.m. if the weather is nice, and it will begin indoors at 1:30 p.m. if it is raining.

On Monday, June 22, at 6:30 p.m., amateur entomologist Tim Eisele will share his passion for bugs and arachnids in his program "Insect Zoo in My Yard." Participants will examine insects, spiders and other crawling things that are found around the house and yard and learn what they are doing there. There will be magnifying lenses for examining live specimens -- including a Giant Water Bug, Wolf Spider and Ant Lions. The program will conclude with an outdoor bug hunt at the west end of the library where participants will identify and photograph what is found.

This event will be enjoyed by bug enthusiasts of all ages. To learn more about Eisele’s work with bugs, see his Backyard Arthropod Project at http://somethingscrawlinginmyhair.com/.

Watch for more announcements of upcoming library programs.

Finlandia's Upward Bound students to hold Car Wash, Hot Dog Sale June 20 in Hancock

HANCOCK -- Area high school students participating in this year’s Finlandia University Upward Bound summer residential program will conduct a Car Wash and Hot Dog sale from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. this Saturday, June 20.

Both will take place in the parking lot behind Finlandia’s Old Main on Quincy Street, Hancock. (NOT at Wal Mart, Houghton, as previously announced.)

The car wash and hot dog sale will help fund a one-week trip to Cleveland, Ohio, at the conclusion of this year’s Upward Bound experience. The trip itinerary includes tours of Notre Dame and John Carroll Universities and visits to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Cleveland Zoo and Rainforest and the Museum of Natural History .

The annual Finlandia University Upward Bound summer residential program gives area high school students the opportunity to experience the daily routines of college freshmen. It takes place this year from June 17 to July 16.

For information, please call 487-7343.

Chain Drive bike race update

HANCOCK -- The start of the Saturday, June 20, Portage Health Chain Drive mountain bike race will be only slightly altered by the construction in Houghton.

The start of the race will be at 10 a.m. at the usual spot -- Best Western-Franklin Square Inn, Houghton. Roll-out will proceed downhill on Lakeshore Drive, not Shelden Avenue. Cyclists will turn up Quincy Street (near the Ambassador) and roll-out across the bridge.

The roll-out will be led by a police car, which cyclists cannot pass.

Online registration closes tonight, Thursday, June 18, at 11:59 p.m.

Otherwise registration will be held from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, June 19, and from 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 20, at Best Western-Franklin Square Inn.

The 16-mile and 32-mile cross-country races traverse the Maasto Hiihto / Churning Rapids trail system in Hancock. The course includes miles of singletrack and lots of elevation change. The finish will be at the Portage Health System hospital parking lot in Hancock. Visit the Chain Drive Web site for details and a four-minute action video.

The Junior Chain Drive starts at 3:30 p.m. Saturday, June 20. The race will be on a single-track trail in a wooded area east of the hospital and will end at the Portage Health campus. The event includes timed races for youth ages 8-13 above and non-timed races for those age 7 and under. Click here for details.

Great Lakes Schooner S/V Denis Sullivan returns for Keweenaw cruises June 27-30

The S/V Denis Sullivan travels over 18,000 nautical miles a year from her summer home at Discovery World at Pier Wisconsin, Milwaukee, along the east coast to her winter home in Southern Florida. Here she heads up the Portage from Hancock in 2005. (Photo © Roland Burgan. Reprinted with permission.)

HOUGHTON -- The Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) will host the Great Lakes Schooner S/V Denis Sullivan when it returns to the Keweenaw Peninsula later this month for two events: Portage Lake Daysails of 2-3 hours on Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28, and a two-day Lake Superior Expedition Monday, June 29, through Tuesday, June 30.

Daysails to cruise the Portage from Houghton

Wisconsin's flagship, the S/V Denis Sullivan, is the world’s only re-creation of a 19th century three-masted Great Lakes schooner. Once the lines are cast off, the crew will explain the construction of this tall ship and share stories about Great Lakes maritime history. These Keweenaw Land Trust fundraising Daysail events will depart from the Houghton waterfront at 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. on both Saturday, June 27, and Sunday, June 28.

The Daysail cost is $50 for adults and $35 for children 12 and under.

Early bird special: All tickets purchased by June 22 receive a $5 discount. Additional group discounts are also available: Treat your group of four or more people in your family, company or organization to a Daysail and save an additional $5 per ticket.

To find out more or reserve tickets for the Portage Lake Daysails, call the Keweenaw Land Trust at 906-482-0820 or email info@keweenawlandtrust.org.

Two-day Lake Superior Expedition: "Sail Away from Bay to Bay"

This year’s tall ship expedition is now within reach of more people and more wallets. The original 2009 program was planned before the economy hit some rough seas. A course correction was in order so KLT, working with Michigan Tech University, created an intensive but affordable two-day expedition to Keweenaw Bay, Huron Bay and Bete Grise Bay. It will start and end in Houghton.

Participants in the 2005 research trip, also sponsored by the Keweenaw Land Trust and MTU, prepare for a hands-on experience on the Great Lakes Schooner S/V Denis Sullivan. (Photo © Roland Burgan. Reprinted with permission.)

For educators looking for a Continuing Education opportunity, Michigan Tech University offers one credit for an additional fee. This is not a pleasure cruise but a hands-on experience where participants will learn the rigging and traditional sailing techniques of a three-masted Great Lakes schooner and USCG certified sailing school vessel. Everyone raises sail and takes a turn at the wheel! This adventure will take the S/V Denis Sullivan past several of the region’s historic lighthouses, the backdrop for learning about Lake Superior’s maritime history and aquatic ecology -- the Keweenaw’s past, present and future.

The three-masted S/V Denis Sullivan has traditional rigging. Participants in the Expedition learn traditional sailing techniques and explore land and water conservation. Here the Schooner makes its way up the Portage from Hancock in 2005. (Photo © Roland Burgan. Reprinted with permission.)

Participants will be challenged to work aboard the traditionally rigged Great Lakes Schooner, S/V Denis Sullivan while exploring important links between land and water conservation. Lake Superior has a special place in the hearts of those who live on the Great Lakes and want to keep her waters clean and protected. The health of Lake Superior, and all of the Great Lakes, depends on careful and appropriate management of the surrounding lands.

Learn about and participate in all ship’s operations while investigating the different features of terrestrial and lake ecology. Explore the positive impacts of conservation and study history and culture through a maritime lens.

The Expedition cost is $400/person, plus $125 for MTU tuition/registration if participating for credit. The limit is 15 participants so register now!

To register for the expedition contact Jeff Phillips: 414-765-8641, jphillips@discoveryworld.org

For more info on the S/V Denis Sullivan click here.

To learn more about the Keweenaw Land Trust, visit their Web Site.

Keweenaw Krayons to hold "Found Object" Garden Sculptures workshop June 16

MOHAWK -- Work began on the Keweenaw Krayons "Found Object" Garden Sculptures in the fall of 2008 and will continue with a workshop, led by artist Darlene Basto, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16.

Sisters, Sarah (foreground) and Brook Nordstrom of Mohawk work on the Keweenaw Krayons Found Object Garden Sculpture in the fall 2008. Sarah Nordstrom was one of the original four young people who first came to the Ramblin’ Rose 12 years ago and who helped form and name the non-profit, Keweenaw Krayons. (Photo courtesy Keweenaw Krayons)

"The sculptures held up very well through the winter," said Carol Rose, Keweenaw Krayons interim director. "We thought by beginning work on this form of recycled art early in the season it would give participants a chance to continue to add objects all summer."

While driftwood and other weather-worthy objects will be available, participants are invited to bring their own special "found objects" to add to the piece.

"There is no charge for attending the workshop; but donations of cash, supplies, time, pop cans, plants, etc., are always welcome," Rose added.

Keweenaw Krayons received two grants for the summer recycled-art programs; and the combination of both, plus Michigan Works Youth Employment workers, will make for a full-time summer recycled art program.

"We’ll be doing gardening, too, where we’ll add rich compost to the dirt from our worm bin where we recycle our food," Rose said.

For an updated schedule of recycled art classes and open studio time, Rose invites people to call Keweenaw Krayons at 337-4706 or check the Keweenaw Krayons Web site frequently for an up-to-date schedule of events.

Registrations for the Found Object Garden Sculpture Workshop can be made by calling the above phone number or emailing staff@keweenawkrayons.com. While all ages are welcome, youth younger than six are asked to bring an older teen or an adult along.

The Recycled Art Project is funded in part through the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Copper Country Community Arts Council and the Denise Marth Memorial Grant through the Superior Child Abuse Prevention Council.

Keweenaw National Historical Park entrance sign unveiled

CALUMET -- The National Park Service at Keweenaw National Historical Park (Keweenaw NHP) unveiled the first park entrance sign Monday morning, June 15, with park movement organizers, Keweenaw Heritage Sites representatives, community supporters and local dignitaries on hand to participate in the occasion.

The construction fence at the new Keweenaw NHP entrance sign is removed with the assistance of, from left, Calumet Township Supervisor Paul Lehto, Advisory Commissioner Ed Jenich, State Representative Mike Lahti, Coppertown’s Stuart Baird, Advisory Commissioner Steve Albee, park supporter Judy Albee, Main Street Calumet Director Tom Tikkanen and Keweenaw County Commissioner Don Keith. (NPS Photo © 2009 Dan Johnson)

All in attendance, including the park’s first superintendent Bill Fink and present superintendent Jim Corless, joined forces to roll up the construction fence, symbolizing the beginning of the transformative period when this unique partnership park starts to offer visitors and the Copper Country community a more traditional national park experience.

Superintendent Corless emphasized that the various elements that comprise Keweenaw NHP, including community organizations, private businesses, homeowners, local governments, the Keweenaw Heritage Sites, the Keweenaw NHP Advisory Commission and the National Park Service are working together to provide a cohesive national park experience, and that all are part of this unique national park.

Corless noted, "This park has been a grass roots movement from its conception and continues to depend on local energy for its success."

Corless recognized the efforts of Landscape Architect Steve DeLong and Stonemason Steve D’Agostino respectively for the design and crafting of the sign structure, which mirrors the construction methods of the C and H craftsmen that built the adjacent structures. He also recognized the great support that Keweenaw NHP has received from its congressional delegation and the support of State Representative Mike Lahti, who was in attendance.

Each of the twenty or so park principals in attendance assisted in removing the construction fence to "unveil" the new entrance sign, indicative of the active partnership involvement in Keweenaw National Historical Park.

Michigan candidate stresses important role of Secretary of State

By Michele Bourdieu

HOUGHTON -- Relating a story about her own experience as a poll worker in Detroit during the historic November 2008 election -- trying to assist a young woman unable to vote for the first time because she was registered in a different precinct on the other side of the city, when polls were about to close -- Jocelyn Benson, author and law professor, introduced herself to Houghton County Democrats at their June 3 meeting as a 2010 candidate for Michigan Secretary of State.

Jocelyn Benson, professor of law at Wayne State University and candidate for Michigan Secretary of State, addresses Houghton County Democrats at their June meeting in the Super 8 Motel in Houghton. (Photo © 2009 Keweenaw Now.)

"The laws should not be set up to block people from voting, period," Benson said. "That's what that young woman experienced."

"If we don't have access to the vote, then nothing else matters," Benson said. "If we can't choose who's making the laws, then what is democracy?"

Houghton was the last stop on Benson's statewide, 83-county, grassroots tour to announce her campaign to run for an office that, though statewide, is not included in the state primary elections (Candidates for Michigan Secretary of State are nominated at party conventions). After a long drive from below the Mackinac Bridge, Benson arrived just in time for a taste of the potluck dinner before giving an energetic talk that immediately captured the attention and admiration of Democrats attending the meeting in the Super 8 Motel.

"I'm impressed," said Anton Pintar, Houghton County Commissioner for District 3. "She has the perfect background for Secretary of State."

A Professor of Law at Wayne State University, Benson became a Marshall Scholar at Oxford University and received her law degree from Harvard University, where she became the Voting Rights Policy Coordinator of the Harvard Civil Rights Project and worked on passage of the federal Help America Vote Act.

Benson mentioned her experience working for the Southern Poverty Law Center as an investigative journalist studying hate groups. Living in Alabama, Benson said, she developed a commitment to continuing the work that had been done to defend our democracy and a commitment to do whatever she could to assure that the vote was accessible to everyone.

After that experience, Benson decided to work on legislation that would protect access to the vote.

"And then the 2000 election happened," she said.

Secretary of State decisions affect election results

Benson recalled how Florida's Secretary of State made small decisions, like removing people from the rolls and certifying an election before a full recount had happened. Benson said these were decisions that led to the election of George W. Bush in a way that many people believed was inaccurate.

"In my view it's the Secretary of State's job to make sure that that election reflects the will of the voters," Benson noted, "but in Florida we didn't see that."

In 2004 Benson worked with the Democratic National Committee to set up a national voter protection program -- putting about 17,000 people in the polls on election day to make sure the law was followed. Then Ohio happened, she said.

Ohio's Secretary of State put more electronic voting machines in rural areas than in Cleveland, where most voters vote Democratic, causing the city voters to wait in long lines. Again, she explained, small decisions by the Secretary of State affected the outcome, which many people still think may not have reflected the will of Ohio voters.

Benson contrasted these decisions with the positive innovation made by a former Michigan Secretary of State, Richard Austin -- the "motor voter" law that allows voter registration through the Michigan driver's license.

"That was his idea," she said, "and it became a national policy. So Michigan historically has been a state that's led the way. It's been a state that people have looked to for ideas."

Benson said Michigan is at a turning point where it needs to be an innovator again.

"And so I'm running for Secretary of State so we that we can make that office an innovator again," Benson said.

For her new book, Democracy and the Secretary: the Crucial Role of State Secretaries of State in Promoting Democracy, Benson said she interviewed innovative, inspiring secretaries of state -- both Democrats and Republicans -- around the country, learning much about how they used their office to improve elections. Benson began writing the book, she said, because she wanted to show how important the office of Secretary of State is for democracy.

Benson mentioned how Ohio's Secretary of State spoke out in September 2008 against false rumors that people facing foreclosure would be blocked from voting (which would be illegal), while Michigan's Secretary of State failed to do the same to cancel similar rumors in Michigan. Benson noted this incident was a turning point in her decision to run for the office.

"Voters need to know that their Secretary of State is a friend, is an ally, is on their side and is fighting for them," Benson said. "I'm running because I want to make sure that that office is accessible to everyone across the state, is responsive to everyone across the state and is accountable to every single voter and citizen in the state."

Local Dems "very impressed" by Benson

Benson answered several questions from the audience on such topics as registration laws, potential registration on election day, student voting, electronic voting and poll-worker training.

Jocelyn Benson chats with members of the audience after her presentation at the Houghton County Democrats' June meeting. Pictured with her are, from left, Brian Hoduski, Houghton County Democrats co-chair; Rick Kasprzak, newly appointed office manager for the Houghton County Democrats; and Joanne Kyle, seasonal visitor, visiting her sister, Janet Gregorich, in Painesdale. (Photo © 2009 Keweenaw Now.)

Brian Hoduski, Houghton County Democrats co-chair, mentioned the lack of poll-worker training that led to local voters being turned away during the last election for not having an I.D. (Some poll workers were unaware that the I.D. was not a requirement).

Rick Kasprzak of Calumet confirmed that a sign about an I.D. requirement in Calumet on the last election day led to voters being turned away. He asked what could be done in such an instance on election day.

Benson said the Secretary of State's office would have a hotline people could call and comment cards in every precinct to report violations of the law. She would also insist on a uniform standard of training to inform all poll workers of the law.

Several people attending the meeting echoed Anton Pintar's positive reaction to Benson's talk.

"I was very impressed," said Ann Pace of Hancock. "When she was asked a question she gave very detailed, direct and thoughtful answers."

Janet Gregorich of Painesdale described Benson as "extremely enthusiastic" and having "great ideas."

Gregorich's sister, Joanne Kyle, a seasonal visitor to the area, mentioned Benson's emphasis on the importance of the office of Secretary of State.

"I think it's as important as every other elected official in every state, especially because of the voting issues we've had," Kyle said. "We lost Ohio and Florida because of the Secretary of State's incompetence."

Benson's talk was "excellent," according to Barbara Manninen of Hancock.

"She made that office come alive," Manninen said. "It was like a tree full of ripe fruit. She has such a commitment."

Huduski said he was excited to hear Benson was coming to Houghton because he had seen her on the T.V. program, "Off the Record" and was impressed.

"It's important that we send someone to the State Democratic Convention to nominate her," he added.

Hoduski pointed out that Secretary of State is one of only four statewide offices. Of the other three -- Attorney General, Governor and Lieutenant Governor, only the latter two are listed on the primary ballot. Both Secretary of State and Attorney General are nominated in state party conventions.

For more information about Jocelyn Benson and her campaign, visit her Web site.

"River of Words" art on exhibit at Youth Gallery, Community Arts Center

HANCOCK -- Environmental and nature art by K-12 students from around Michigan is currently on display in the Youth Gallery of the Copper Country Community Art Center (CCCAC) in Hancock.

"River of Beavers" by John Xuecheng Fan from Wines Elementary in Ann Arbor, Mich. Click on photo for larger version. (Photos courtesy Copper Country Community Arts Center)

The art in this exhibit represents a wide range of entries to the River of Words Poetry and Art contest, a national Library of Congress and River of Words project coordinated at the state level by the CCCAC staff. Each year, in affiliation with The Library of Congress Center for the Book, River of Words conducts a free international poetry and art contest for youth on the theme of watersheds. The contest is designed to help youth explore the natural and cultural history of the place they live and to express, through poetry and art, what they discover.

"Fish" by Annie Huang of Wines Elementary, Ann Arbor, Mich.

According to Cynthia Coté, CCCAC director, "The entries hanging in the gallery demonstrate the creativity and natural aspirations of young people toward an integrated life with nature."

The River of Words exhibit will be on display though July 3. The Community Arts Center is located at 126 Quincy Street, Hancock. For more information call 482-2333 or e-mail ccarts@chartermi.net.

MTU partners with IBM in Global Rail Innovation Center, Beijing

By Jennifer Donovan, MTU public relations director

HOUGHTON -- When IBM set its sights on becoming an international rail transportation leader, one of the first university partners they turned to was Michigan Tech. Michigan Tech's Rail Transportation Program is an emerging player educating future leaders for the rail industry.

On Friday, June 12, 2009, as IBM unveils plans for its Global Rail Innovation Center in Beijing, Pasi Lautala, director of the Rail Transportation Program, and graduate student Shane Ferrell will represent Michigan Tech.

"Countries worldwide are recognizing the importance of rail transportation and are accelerating their efforts to develop 21st-century rail systems," said Lautala. "With its Global Rail Innovation Center, IBM is modeling a new way of thinking, one that is not bound by national borders. Michigan Tech is honored that IBM has recognized our leadership in rail-related research and education and has invited us to participate in such a groundbreaking effort."

Read the rest of this article in the June 12, 2009, issue of Tech Today ...

Pine Mountain Festival to present "Cole Porter Revue" June 19 at Calumet Theatre

HANCOCK -- "Suave, urbane, risqué, a carnation in the lapel and a wry grin" -- that’s Cole Porter, according to Jerry DePuit, the director of Pine Mountain Music Festival’s "Cole Porter Revue" which will play at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19, at the Calumet Theatre in Calumet. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Calumet Theatre Box Office, the Rozsa Center Box Office and at the door.

Jerry DePuit, director of Pine Mountain Music Festival’s "Cole Porter Revue," to be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 19, at the Calumet Theatre. (Photo courtesy Pine Mountain Music Festival)

This will be one of the first events in the Festival’s 2009 season and promises to be a crowd-pleaser.

"Bursting out of the Roaring 20s, Cole Porter took Broadway by storm and elevated musical theater to new heights of sophistication for three decades," says DePuit.

The audience will be treated to 40 of Porter’s greatest hits in an evening that is elegant, fun and maybe a bit naughty -- and definitely very social.

The singers will be the six Resident Opera Artists hired for this season by the Festival. They were selected through nationwide auditions from a pool of over 400 applicants. Joshua Major, artistic director of the Festival, says, "This year’s artists are among the most talented we have ever had, and should bring a lot of pleasure to everyone."

The Pine Mountain Music Festival presents a season of opera, classical and jazz music in June-July in the Dickinson County area, the Marquette area, the Keweenaw Peninsula and other smaller towns in the Upper Peninsula and northeastern Wisconsin. Headquartered in Hancock, Michigan, it is supported by donations, ticket sales and grants. Visit the web at pmmf.org, or call 1-877-746-3999 for tickets or 888-309-7861 for more information.

MTU physicists make a splash with rain discovery

By Jennifer Donovan, MTU public relations director

HOUGHTON -- It's conventional wisdom in atmospheric science circles: large raindrops fall faster than smaller drops because they're bigger and heavier. And no raindrop can fall faster than its "terminal speed"-- its speed when the downward force of gravity is exactly the same as the upward air resistance.

Now two physicists from Michigan Tech University and colleagues at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (National University of Mexico) have discovered that it ain't necessarily so.

Some smaller raindrops can fall faster than bigger ones. In fact, they can fall faster than their terminal speed. In other words, they can fall faster than drops of that size and weight are supposed to be able to fall.

And that could mean that the weatherman has been overestimating how much it rains.

Read more in the June 11, 2009, issue of Tech Today ...

Household "Electronics Recycling" to be available June 13 in Hancock

HANCOCK -- The public will have an opportunity to recycle outdated or non-working household electronics from 9 a.m. to noon this Saturday, June 13, at the Western Upper Peninsula Health Department (540 Depot St., a block south of eastbound US 41) in Hancock.

The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) will collect unwanted household items such as the following: computers and accessories, microwave ovens, stereos, TVs and monitors, DVD players, VCRs, cordless phones and electronic ballasts (all 10 cents/lb.), fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs (50 cents each), alkaline batteries (85 cents/lb.), rechargeable batteries and cell phones with batteries (free).

For more details, see www.wupdhd.org and click on the RSVP "Electronics Recycling" link or call Barb Maronen at the health department (482-7382). There will also be collections on July 11 in Baraga and Ontonagon Counties (details TBA) that are open to all western U.P. residents.

If you have still-usable electronic items to donate, check with local thrift shops (Goodwill, Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul). Reusing is even better than recycling!

While Michigan Tech's Center for Science and Environmental Outreach is helping to publicize this "Electronics Recycling," please note that Michigan Tech-owned electronics are recycled through the University's e-waste program.

Library Summer Reading Program begins June 13

HOUGHTON -- Opening day activities and registration for the Portage Lake District Library’s "Be Creative at Your Library" Summer Reading Program begin from noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 13.

Kids are invited to make art outdoors, weather permitting; and indoors everyone can create his or her own ice cream sundae in the community room. In addition, balloon artist John Gershenson will make balloon creations for kids.

Registration will continue throughout the eight week program. Participants will receive a book bag when they register, and prizes will be awarded as they progress through their reading lists. The Summer Reading Program is open to all ages, children through adults; and reading logs may include books, magazines, audio books, reading to young children or being read to. The Summer Reading Program ends on Saturday, August 8.

Throughout the summer, the library will host programs and offer weekly Storytimes and projects. Look for listings of programs and events in the library, in the media and at the library's Web site.

Everyone is invited to join the fun and be creative at the Portage Lake District Library!

Houghton's 8th Annual Spring Art, Music Festival to be June 13 on Shelden Ave.

Ceramic artists Dennis Sotala of Copper Harbor and his wife Leslie sell their pottery at the 2008 Art and Music Festival on the Houghton waterfront. This year the festival location is changed: Artists and organizations will have booths and musicians will perform in a two-block area of Shelden Avenue in downtown Houghton. (File photo © Keweenaw Now)

HOUGHTON -- The Copper Country Community Arts Center (CCCAC) and the City of Houghton present the 8th annual Houghton Spring Art and Music Festival from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday, June 13. This year the new location will be along Shelden Avenue, downtown Houghton.

Andrea Puzakulich of Distant Drum exhibits her unique fashion designs and her recent artwork at the 2008 Art and Music Festival in Houghton. (File photo © Keweenaw Now)

The festival’s outstanding features include about 30 artist booths and demos, free family art activities, CCCAC Extreme Bake Sale, prizes from downtown businesses and an awesome music line up. Food will be on site with T’s Taste of Chicago.

Rhythm 203 performs a variety of folk music and songs during the 2008 Art and Music Festival. Pictured, from left, are Norm Kendall, Randy Seppala, Sue Ellen Kingsley and Phyllis Fredendall. (Photo © Brockit.com and courtesy Adam Johnson. Reprinted with permission.)

The Music Line Up is as follows:
Noon -- The Outlaws
1:20 p.m. -- Uncle Pete's Allstar BBQ Blues Band
2:50 p.m. -- Orphans Torch
4:10 p.m. -- Joshua Davis and Joe Wilson from Steppin' In It
5:30 p.m. -- Squeaky Clean Cretins
7 p.m. -- P.J. Olsson and Rock Camp

This year also features a "Frog Hop" activity. We’ve received generous prizes and support from The Library, Down Wind Sports, Wicker and Willow, The Edge, The Lunch Bag, Good Times Music, The Blue Iris and Silver Rae Bead Studio. Stop by the Arts Center booth during the festival to pick up a Frog Hop card to take to our supporting businesses and receive a frog stamp. Fill up your card with all eight stamps and return it to the Arts Center booth to be placed in a drawing for prizes. Participants must be 18+ and present to win and will be announced before the final performance.

Photographer Harvey Desnick of Kearsarge exhibits his wildflower photos during the 2008 Art and Music Festival. Desnick recently published a book of his photos, Keweenaw Wildflowers Blooming Seasons. (File photo © Keweenaw Now)

Speaking of the final performance, this year's headlining act will be P.J. Olsson, who will be performing with over twelve young musicians ages fifteen and under as well as a hip-hop dance team. Participants are in P.J.'s "Rock Camp 2009." Visit their website for details.

During the 2008 Art and Music Festival, Rudiger Escobar, board member of the Copper Country Guatemala Accompaniment Project (CCGAP) provides information about the organization at one of several booths sponsored by local groups. This year also watch for a booth of the newly formed conservation group, Stewards of Bete Grise Preserve. Their volunteers will be selling t-shirts, hats and bags with the organization's logo. (File photo © Keweenaw Now)

Thank you to sponsors Brockit Inc., Brassard Media and MTEC Smart Zone!

Questions? Call the Copper Country Community Arts Center at 482-2333 or e-mail ccarts@chartermi.net.

Health Care forum to be June 13 in Houghton

HOUGHTON -- As Michigan's growing health care crisis continues to worsen, citizens are joining health care experts at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 13, at a forum on "Finding Solutions to the Health Care Crisis." The forum will be held at the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship in the BHK Child Development Center (Head Start building) in Houghton.

At the event, panelists will lay out national and statewide health care problems and solutions and then will call on citizens to take action for health care reform and to advocate for a public choice plan that would offer all Michigan families access to health care coverage. The forum is free and open to the public.

Panelists include the following: Dr. Richard Imm, Western U.P. Health Care Access Coalition; Rev. Robert White, United Methodist Church Keweenaw Parish; Dr. Fredi de Yampert, president, League of Women Voters of the Copper County and co- dean, Finlandia University College of Health Science; Barbara McLean, Finlandia University visiting assistant professor of Psychology/Human Services, who recently returned from a trip to study Finland’s health care system. Also attending will be State Representative Mike Lahti (D-Hancock).

The BHK Child Development Center is at 700 Park Ave., north of Econo Foods in Houghton. Use the Waterworks Drive entrance and parking lot on the north side of the building.

This event is sponsored by Catholic Charities of the Upper Peninsula, Child Care Providers Together Michigan, Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, League of Women Voters of the Copper Country, Michigan Unitarian Universalist Social Justice Network, Michigan Universal Health Care Access Network, Western Upper Peninsula Health Access Coalition and the United Methodist Church Keweenaw Parish.

Updated: Nominations sought for Heart and Hands award

HANCOCK -- Do you know anyone who has given of Heart and Hands in the service of peace, justice or the environment in our local community? Please consider nominating this person (or couple) for this year’s Heart and Hands of the Keweenaw Award. The nomination form only takes a moment to fill out, and the recognition will mean a lot to a deserving individual!

The winners of this award will be honored during a 4th of July Celebration in Hancock. They will have their names engraved on the beautiful wooden sculpture (pictured here) and will be given $1000 to be designated to the non-profit charity of their choice. Nominations are due June 22, 2009, so get your nomination in as soon as possible! Nomination forms can be obtained from Terry Kinzel at 482-6827 or via e-mail at tkinzel@pasty.net.

Nominations should include a description of how the candidate has had a significant impact on the Keweenaw community in the area of peace, justice, human needs and/or environmental stewardship. Please be specific about what form their contribution or involvement has taken. Again, for more information, contact Terry Kinzel at 482-6827 or tkinzel@pasty.net.

Editor's Note: Keweenaw Now's editor, Michele Bourdieu, was honored to receive the 2008 Heart and Hands of the Keweenaw Award. Save the Wild UP, a non-profit environmental group in Marquette, concerned with the potential dangers of sulfide and uranium mining proposals for the Upper Peninsula, was pleased to receive our $1000 designation.

Previous recipients of this award, whose names appear on the sculpture, are Dana Richter, 1999; Viola Brown and the late Robert Brown, 2000; the late Robert Linn, 2001; Chuck Harris, 2002; Linda Rulison, 2003; Carolyn Peterson, 2004; Vern Simula, 2005; Shalini Suryanarayana, 2006; Barbara Kendall, 2007.