The Sisu Ski Marathon failed to provide
Ironwood with an economic boost. Information received from the Western
U.P. Convention & Visitor's Bureau confirms our earlier report on
low Motel occupancies.
ABR
Americinn
Budget Host
Classic Motor
Comfort Inn
Crestview
Davey's Motel
Indianhead
Ironwood
Quinn
Pioneer Lodging
Royal
America's Best Value
(formerly Super 8)
According to other business authorities, downtown businesses actually
did poorer on the Sisu weekend as compared to normal weekends. This was
largely due to the downtown being closed to traffic.
The Downtown
Ironwood Development Authority was a big booster for the ski event.
According to the information available more than $50,000 in
sponsorship money was raised for the event. That does not include
manpower and equipment costs expended by the City of Ironwood.
3rd Annual Barneløpet
Youth Cross Country Ski Race
From:
Wayne Stordahl, President, Ulseth Lodge (906) 482-0292
Press Release Sons of
Norway Ulseth Lodge 5-670
HANCOCK, MI – January 18, 2010
The Sons of Norway Ulseth Lodge 5-670 invites area youth and their
families to the 3rd annual Barneløpet Cross-Country Ski race
Sunday, February 7, 2010, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Maasto Hiihto
cross country ski trails, Hancock.
The Barneløpet, a Norwegian word meaning, “the children’s race,” is open
to youth ages three through 17, and their families. The event is
sponsored by Sons of Norway, Portage Health, the City of Hancock, and
the Keweenaw Nordic Ski Club (KNSC).
The non-competitive family ski race is free this year, with a suggested
free-will donation of $3.00 per skier or $5.00 per family. Registration
begins at 12:00 noon at the ski chalet.
“This is a special day for youth and their families to spend some time
skiing and having fun together,” says Wayne Stordahl, president of the
local chapter of Sons of Norway. “Cross country skiing is a popular
family activity in Norway and we want to encourage that here, too.”
Stordahl adds that a second reason for hosting the Barneløpet is to
spotlight the great cross country trails in Hancock. He says that the
KNSC maintains and grooms over 26 kilometers of “striding” ski trails,
with financial assistance from the City of Hancock.
The KNSC will groom four courses for the event. Relatively easy one-,
two-, and four-kilometer courses will be open, as well as a more
difficult six-kilometer course, which descends into the gorge and
follows the stream. Skiers can ‘stride’ any of the four courses, and a
large time clock will be running for those who wish to time themselves.
All youth who finish their course will be awarded a colorful Norwegian
Olympic-style enameled medallion. Skiers will also be treated to cookies
and hot chocolate or coffee.
A
Barneløpet registration form can be downloaded at www.keweenawtrails.com/events.html.
For additional information, contact Wayne Stordahl at 906-482-0292.
Visit
www.nlc-calumet.org/SON for more
information about the local chapter of Sons of Norway.
Pronunciation guide: Barneløpet = bar NEE lop it
Sons of Norway is an international organization promoting Norwegian
traditions, fraternal fellowship, and cultural learning in the United
States, Canada, and Norway. Local Sons of Norway lodge activities may
include language camps, scholarships, handcrafts, cooking and cultural
classes, heritage and sports awards programs, travel opportunities, and
the monthly
Viking Magazine. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., Sons of Norway
was founded in 1895.
Finlandia
University Fall 2009
Dean’s
4.0, Dean’s, and Honors Lists
HANCOCK, MI –Finlandia University is
pleased to recognize its students who, in the Fall 2009
semester, earned grade point averages from 3.50 to 4.0. The
Dean’s 4.0, Dean’s, and Honors Lists include students who
completed at least 12 credit hours in the Fall 2009 semester.
Finlandia University faculty and staff congratulate these
students on their academic achievements!
The Dean’s List 4.0 recognizes Finlandia
University students who, in the Fall 2009 semester, completed 12
or more credit hours and earned a perfect 4.0 grade point
average. The following students are on the Fall 2009 Dean’s List
4.0 (First Name, Last Name, GPA, Hometown):
I hope you'll post this clarification of your report on my
letter to the editor. My disdain was NOT for the city crew,
they always do a good job under usually adverse conditions.
My remarks were directed at city management who once again
dropped the ball on the downtown and it's business
owners/taxpayers who deserve at least as good as Hurley
gets. As I noted, Hurley looked open for business and
Ironwood looked closed, with the need for a pich-up truck
to park on the half a foot or more of snow that mangement
chose to leave downtown the day after Christmas. The crew
can only do what they're told. Obviously the problem is at
the top. That being said, after the "Boxing Day Debacle"
things seem to have gotten better downtown.
Ken Jacobson, Ironwood
Letter To Editor
Read at Hurley Council Meeting
Hurley - January 14, 2010
A recent letter to the Editor written by
Ironwood Resident, Ken Jacobson was brought to the attention of the
Hurley City Council. In the letter, Mr. Jacobson praised the City of
Hurley and admonishes the City of Ironwood on their snow removal
efforts.
At the Monday night Ironwood City Commission Meeting, City Manager
Scott Erickson defended the city's snow removal performance, advising
the commissioners that the city had a full compliment of snow removal
equipment out on the roads.
The Ironwood removal plan gives priority
to emergency routes, followed by commercial and residential streets.
“The Apron Show” at the Reflection Gallery
January 11 to February 3
Hancock -
January 13, 2010
The Finlandia University
Reflection Gallery, Hancock, will host an exhibition of altered
and handmade aprons from January 11 to February 3, 2010.
An opening reception and artist
talk will take place Thursday, January 21, from 12:00 to 1:00
p.m., at the Reflection Gallery. The reception is open to the
public and all are welcome.
HANCOCK, MI – “Remnants and Residual Memories,”
an exhibition of artwork by Philadelphia artist Melinda Steffy,
is featured at the Finlandia University Gallery, located in the
Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock, from January 11 to
February 11, 2010.
A reception for the artist will take place at
the gallery Thursday, January 21, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. An
artist talk will begin at 7:15 p.m. The reception is free and
open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Steffy’s current painting/textile/objects draw inspiration from
her interests in memory, mythology, alchemy, geology, family
history, and music.
The Gogebic County Commissioners met
Wednesday evening in the County Courthouse for their regularly scheduled
meeting. The scene looked more like a trial was taking place than a
civic meeting. One after another people came before the Commissioners to
bring the Commission up-to-date on their latest accomplishments. This is
the time of year when everyone that receives funding from the county
makes an appearance, hoping that their funding will at least stay in
place.
The County Treasurer has released the
Delinquent Tax Roll. Property parcels on this list are in danger of
being sold of at auction. The Treasurer, Sue Pertilie, has provided us
with an electronic copy of a brochure relevant to your rights and
obligations with respect to the Property Tax Law.
Last week the Executive Director, of
WUPPDR, Kim Stoker, told a group of Ontonagon Volunteers "that
the Government doesn't give credence to volunteers in grant
application"
Perhaps Mr. Stoker and the MEDC should have
been in Ironwood thais past Saturday.
The SISU Marathon was a success largely due
to the nearly 200 volunteers working on the event. Race
organizers were looking for volunteers just a week prior to the
race. Like the marathon skiers, the volunteers signed up
just before the weekend. By race time Saturday all the volunteer
positions had been filled.
Also the City Manager and the city staff
and workers all did a great job in preparing the streets and
other city facilities for the racers and their fans.
Happy Birthday Joe
Hurley - January 13, 2010
An unexpected visitor appeared at the Hurley
Finance Committee meeting last night. We're sure that when they asked
for any public comments that they didn't have this in mind.
Mayor Joe Pinardi is celebrating his 60th Birthday today and Joe's
grandchildren sent Joe a birthday surprise along with their love and
best wishes.
Happy Birthday Joe!
Superintendent
Search Moves Forward
Ironwood - January 12, 2010
The Ironwood School Board met
in Special meeting last night. It was the school board’s first
meeting of the new year. The meeting was not a quick one. Much
of the time the board met in closed session for the purpose of
reviewing two applications for School Superintendent. The search
for Jim Rayner’s replacement could have both begun and ended
last night with the board selecting one of the two inside
applicants. That was not to be. After returning from "closed
session" the board voted 4-3 to look elsewhere for a
superintendent. In a carefully worded motion the board voted to
"ask for the MASB for assistance in an applicant search".
Last night the City of
Ironwood also held its first meeting of the year. Not to be out
done by their peers, the City Commissioners, concluded their
business in a record setting time of twenty minutes.
The Ironwood Township held its
first meeting of the new year last night. A large audience
assembled expecting m to witness a visit from the Ironwood
Librarian, Elaine Erickson or a confrontation by Tom Schneller
relative to his failed bid on the upcoming sewer project.
The
Ironwood City Commission held one more workshop last week. The
workshop was convened for the purpose of bringing the city government out of
the dark ages and into the digital age.
In every corner of America,
villages, cities, counties and state are attempting to find a
way to economic recovery. First Northern U.S. Jobs were shipped
south of the Mason-Dixon Line. They went south for the sunshine,
but mostly they moved south seeking lower payrolls and lower
taxes.
There was an opening
reception and artist's talk last Thursday evening for Marquette artist
and poet Steven Wahlstrom.
Wahlstrom is a U.S. Marine Veteran, who served his country in Viet
Nam. Wahlstrom and other veterans still live with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
After running out of words he has turned to art as a means of
dealing with his PTSD.
His Art exhibit at the Community Art Center includes his portrait
series "Heroes" that serves to
honor his comrades.
MSU Researcher links diabetic complication, nerve damage in
bone marrow
Researcher links diabetic complication, nerve damage in bone
marrow
Julia Busik, associate professor in MSU's Department of
Physiology. Photo by Harley Seeley.
EAST LANSING, Mich. - January 10, 2010
A research team led by
a Michigan State University professor has discovered a link
between diabetes and bone marrow nerve damage that may help
treat one of the disease's most common and potentially
blindness-causing complications.
The key to better treating retinopathy - damage to blood vessels
in the retina that affects up to 80 percent of diabetic patients
- lies not in the retina but in damage to the nerves found in
bone marrow that leads to the abnormal release of stem cells,
said Julia Busik, an associate professor in MSU's Department of
Physiology.
Read More...
Heikinpäivä
2010 Schedule Set
Heikinpäivä is set for January 30, 2010, with events throughout the week
leading up to the primary festival day. Committee members are currently
arranging the festival events. Check back periodically for updates; a
tentative schedule is shown below.
Read More...
