Nativity Scenes
at Holy Family Catholic Church
As part of Ontonagon's Hometown Christmas the Annual Creche exhibit was displayed  at the Holy Family Catholic Church
The creche pictured above is a 15 piece Native American set made by Doreen Parker from Ontonagon. Doreen made this set in 1992 when she was taking ceramic classes.
 

More From Ontonagon's
Hometown Christmas
 
Ontonagon - December 10, 2008

The Ontonagon High School was the scene of the annual Christmas Craft Fair and Gingerbread decorating contest this past Saturday.  Both the craft fair and gingerbread decorating contest were part of the annual Hometown Christmas celabration.

In the photo above is Award winning Gingerbread House created by Tiffany Store daughter of Ron and Tara Store of Ontonagon
 
photo above -  Lori Silver of Ontonagon Christmas Craft Show
Guineviere Whitman, Owner (on left) of UP Candle and Mineral during their open house Saturday at Ontonagon's Hometown Christmas

below - is the Nativity Scene outside the UP Candle and Mineral
 

Santa's Headquarters Ready to Go
 
Ironwood - December 10th, 2008

Today the memorial building in Ironwood will serve as this year's headquarters for Santa. The event will again provide presents for 500 of the area's children. Each child will receive hats, mittens and blankets. They will also receive one major toy and two or three stocking stuffers. The children's family will also receive a $20. food certificate. The major sponsors of the event are the Kawanis Club and St. Vinnies. According to volunteer, Jim Mildren this is a community wide event with all churches participating. Jim also told us of one gentleman who came and donated 5 twenty dollar bills. It takes all year to bring the event to fruition.
 
When we visited the Memorial Building Auditorium we found Jim and co volunteer Garson Ross. They told us that a third volunteer, Pat Niksich was out out for a while. Monday, the kids from A.D. Johnson and the ROTC were on hand to help get things ready for today. The doors to Santa's Headquarters open at noon.

photo above Garson Ross  and Jim Mildren
 

City Pursues Website Upgrade
TO: Members of Boards and Commissions of the City of Ironwood
FROM: Dan Petersen, Community Development Director
DATE: Tuesday, December 09, 2008
RE: Meeting to discuss website upgrade and enhancement


On October 21, 2008, the City held a meeting to which all members of the various boards and commission were invited to discuss initiatives and goals of the different entities in the city. One of the issues that was raised at that meeting was the need to embellish the City’s presence on the Internet. As a follow up to this meeting, the city is inviting all interested members of boards and commissions to come together for a meeting on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 at 5:30 PM in the Women’s Club Room of
the Ironwood Memorial/Municipal Building (213 S. Marquette St.).
 

The meeting will be held for the purpose of gathering input for the purpose of putting together a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the enhancement and upgrading of the City of Ironwood’s website. At this time we will discuss the needs of the various boards and discuss what type of content, features and functions we would like to see incorporated into a new website design.
 

If you have examples of other websites, or features of other websites, that would enhance the city’s web presence, there will be a computer and projection screen set up so that those ideas can be shared with all in attendance. If you cannot attend, but would like to pass along a website for the group to look at –or provide other input –please feel free to pass along your information to me.

 I can be reached at  (906) 932-5050 or e-mail  www.petersend@cityofironwood.org.

 
 

City Council holds 3½ Hour Marathon
Owners of outdoor wood burning stoves got a reprieve last night when the Ironwood City Council voted down the new ordinance regulating the furnaces. John Wyssling, chairman of the Planning and Zoning board cried foul, stating that many hours were spent on the ordinance that the P & Z sent to the City Council. However, the council found that there was evidence to the fact that the stack heights proposed in the ordinance may in fact increase the risk of fire. As the height of the chimney increases the smoke temperature decreases, which in turn creates more creosote build up in the stack. The council also believes that a time period for burning be incorporated into the ordinance that would eliminate summer burning.
On hand were several current owners of outdoor furnaces who believed that the
P & Z ignored their input when discussing the issues. According to one city council member there have been six complaints against existing outdoor furnaces. Burchell specifically alluded to one "old lady" on Houk Street. This writer was at that meeting. Mr. Burchell's remarks were not completely accurate. Yes the woman he spoke of did come to the meeting and spoke out against a neighbors outdoor furnace. However, he failed to tell the other members of the council that the woman purchased her home long after the furnace had been installed. This is akin to someone buying a house next to an airport then complaining about the aircraft noise. Furthermore, the P & Z when asked were unable to name or point to any other complaints received on the subject.
While it was alleged to be the goal of the ordinance to control future installations and not to subject current owners to any fees and hardships, the ordinance failed to do so as a few members of the P & Z were using the ordinance for self serving purposes. Somewhere between point A and point B, the current owners lost a lot of protection mainly because of those self serving members.

As a result of the P and Z foul up the ordinance will be revisited and the proper amendments being made. This is just one of several errors made by the P & Z recently including the approval of snowmobiles on the city streets.

The snowmobile proposal was passed by the P & Z against the wishes of many citizens that showed up at an informational meeting on the subject. At that meeting only one person was in favor of the proposal to allow snowmobiles on residential streets. As usual some of the members of the board ignored the wishes of the taxpayers and voted for what appears to be their own self-serving purposes.

Ironically, the members who  voted to ban outdoor furnaces based on health reasons are the same members who voted to allow 12 year olds to drive snowmobiles on the city's residential streets.
 
 

Township Authorizes Civil Action
Ironwood Township - December 9,2008

Yesterday afternoon the Township Board held a regularly scheduled meeting to discuss various issues.

At the request of newly appointed trustee, Steve Boyd, the board voted change the hour of the meeting from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. It was Steve's opinion that the change would allow people who work time to attend the meeting. The change according to Boyd would permit more qualified people to run for office. He didn't say if he meant "more qualified" or just more "qualified" . In any event the board accommodated him and changed the time on a test basis. The board had already tried this two years ago and it apparently had no effect on attendance.

For the record the following are boards and committees that meet  at times earlier than 5:00pm

Ironwood Public Library 3:00pm
Ironwood Downtown Development Authority 8:00am
Gogebic - Iron Wastewater Authority/Committee 8:00am
Ironwood Economic Development Committee 10:00am
Gogebic County Economic Development Comm. 4:00pm
Bessemer housing commission 7:30am
Gogebic Range solid waste management 4:00pm
Ontonagon Village board 4:00pm
Ontonagon County Board 4:00pm
Ontonagon Economic Development Comm. 4:00pm
Ontonagon Downtown Development Authority 4:00pm

There are more but the above are what immediately comes to mind.

The Board also took up the water and tax issue with regard to the Lake Road Mobile Home Park. Steve Boyd asked what could be done to keep the situation from occurring again. He was brought up to speed regarding the multiple sales that had occurred under a contract for deed. He was also advised by the Township Attorney, that the tenants in the park had paid the owners for the water bills. It was pointed out that to shut off the water amounted to an effective eviction, which is against the law. The board throughout this experience has learned what landlords go through year in and year out.

As you know IronwoodInfo reported this story last June you can read the article and become familiar with the background.

Yesterday the Board's Attorney, Mark McDonald advised the Trustees that the Gogebic County Prosecuting  Attorney, Richard Adams, had refused to pursue criminal charges against the owners who collected the water bills from the tenants and failed to pay the Township for the water. The Board earlier this year authorized Mc Donald to pursue criminal charges against Palmeri and or Stewart who collected water fees from the tenants
 
Read Earlier Story
 

Still Time for UPPCO to Match your
"We Care" Contribution and
Support your Area St. Vincent de Paul


Houghton, MI – There are still a few weeks left in 2008 if you're an UPPCO customer who has been meaning to contribute to UPPCO's We Care program and take advantage of the company’s 100% match. All funds collected are sent to St. Vincent de Paul along with a matching check from UPPCO.

Because of the great need, several months ago UPPCO announced it would renew its pledge to match all dollars customers contribute to the "We Care" program from January through December 2008. UPPCO collects the money through customer bill payments and sends it to St. Vincent de Paul in the donor's area. St. Vincent de Paul uses it to help needy families pay their electric bills, which frees up other St. Vincent de Paul funds for food and other aid to the needy.

UPPCO customers who want to support this effort can sign up for a one-time contribution or an ongoing contribution, which will be added to their electric bills. Every dollar is turned over to St. Vincent de Paul locations in the Upper Peninsula – there are no administrative fees, and contributions remain in the donor's own area to help their friends and neighbors.

To take advantage of the company's matching dollars, UPPCO needs to have your pledge by December 31, 2008. To participate, simply e-mail customerservice@uppco.com or call 800-562-7680. Even a small amount, when added to the contributions of others, can make a tremendous difference in people's lives.

For More Information, Contact:

* Janet Wolfe, Communications Manager
906-483-4528
jwolfe@uppco.com

* UPPCO Customer Service
800-562-7680
 

2008 Gingerbread Competition
River Valley Bank is hosting the  2008 Gingerbread house contest. There are many wonderful  entries for you to see. We have included just a few here in this column.

Photo above - Stewart Bentley, from Ironwood won blue ribbon for most creative in category 6

 
First Place catagory 1 - child 7 years old and under won by Rauson Plonsky,Wakefield MI
Rachael Hendges age 14 from Wakefield won first place in category 3
First place category 5 winner, Susan Trull, from Ironwood
 

White Pine Continues Tradition
White Pine - December 8, 2008

John Strasser is once again icing down the Ice Arena in White Pine. John can expect many nights and hours of flooding the rink before the ice is ready for use. John begins each season by towing a wheel barrow behind his ATV filled with snow to be used around the perimeter of the rink where it's packed up along the edge off the wall. It takes many trips to complete this process. When the snow freezes up the rink is ready for flooding. The frozen snow along the wall keeps the water from leaking out of the rink and onto the floor. Ingenuity wins every time!
Unlike some ice arenas the White Pine Ice Rink has no costly refrigeration units to operate or maintain. The ice remains frozen by the ambient air temperature. The ice rink began life as an open outdoor rink, home to HS Hockey. John remembers coming to White Pine to play when he skated for Wakefield.
He told us that originally the rink was completely open to the elements. Then a frame and roof were added. Skating took place under a roof, but was opened on all sides. Later, the sides were closed in and skating was completely contained in a closed building.
No Zambonis here, the Ice is kept clean by volunteers using manual scrappers, The Township pays the rink's utilities. An all volunteer rink adds up to free skating. There is no charge to skate at White Pine, nor is there a skate rental fee. Refreshments and drinks are also available for the kids. The only charge is for skate sharpening.

There is open skating on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday Afternoon.
 

Ontonagon Hometown Christmas

Ontonogan - December 7th, 2008
story and photos by Linda Graham

Friday evening entered in the 2008 Ontonagon Hometown Christmas celebrations. The weekend long festivities began Friday evening with the downtown tree trimming took place. Santa and Mrs. Claus are shown above at the downtown tree lighting ceremony in downtown Ontonagon.

Read More and view parade photos
 

2008 Jack Frost Parade
A Storybook Christmas
 
Ironwood - December 5, 2008

No surprise that this year's Jack Frost Parade once again took place on a very frost evening.  No surprise either that parade participants, organizers and parade onlookers ignored the near zero temperatures and had another great night in downtown Ironwood. The theme for this year's parade was "A Storybook Christmas"

Photos by Robert Severin,  Arvo Toolanen and Lou Bonagura
Frigid cold isn't discouraging these kids. Everyone knows Polar Bears Love this weather.
Members of the Ironwood-Bessemer ROTC keep out of the strong winds awaiting the start of the parade.
above - members of the VFW contingency waiting for the parade to begin.
Ottawa Forestry was at full strength for this year's parade. In addition to their parade float they brought along Smokey.
Click for More Photos
 

Church Treasurer Arraigned
Ontonagon -Friday, December 5, 2008

On Friday morning, December 5, 2008, former Ontonagon United Methodist Church Treasurer Gerhardt (Gary) Gollakner of Ontonagon was arraigned on felony charges and bail was set at $500,000.00. Charges included forgery and misuse of church funds.

The next date of appearance for preliminary examination has been set for Tuesday, December 16, 2008, at 10:30AM Eastern Standard Time. Mr. Gollakner had been the church's treasurer for many years and alleged discrepancies go back more than seven years. Signatures on church annual audit forms were also forged for many years. Mr. Gollakner is employed in the accounting department at Smurfitt-Stone Container in Ontonagon.
 

"HarHarHar"

Opens at Reflection Gallery
HANCOCK - December 4, 2008

A reception for artist Liz Folk was held this afternoon at the Reflection Gallery at Finlandia University. Her exhibit "Harharhar" opened Tuesday  and will be open through January 15th.

The exhibit is quite extensive. It includes two complete children's books she authored and illustrated; "Mouse and Lizard's Stormy Morning" and "Iggy's Big Idea". The photo above is an illustration from "Mouse and Lizard's Bad Day. Liz came up with  the idea  for the  sweater from the cut off cuff from a sweater. 
 Liz gets her inspiration for her illustrations and books from many sources. In the  photos above and below Liz's inspiration came from an eccentric old aunt who became a spying gossip in  a chowder cooking contest.
 Liz  states that "Children's picture books are my favorite type of book, and I have collected over 1400 of them," Folk says in her artist statement, "I appreciate clever, funny ideas and attention to detail, and I strive to have these qualities in my work."

"I've been drawing characters all my life," she adds. "And in the last few years I've come up with many story ideas for children's picture books. My inspiration comes from anything from the cutoff cuff of a sweater (which became the sweater for a mouse) to an eccentric aunt (who became a spying gossip in a chowder cooking contest)."

"The delight and humor involved in these projects gives me more satisfaction than any other type of work. My show in the Reflection Gallery is called 'Harharhar' and I hope viewers get a good chuckle from this exhibit."
Photo above Liz Folk with Reflection Gallery Student Curator, Sarah Anderson. Each year a student is chosen to be the "Student Curator of the Year"
 
Saturday, Liz, a resident of Hancock for the last 4½ years, will be selling her artistic creations at the "Poor Artist Sale"  in Calumet. The Sale is being held in the Calumet High School Gymnasium.
Read More and view  more of Liz's great work.
Ontonagon Area School District Announces

 Fall Honor Roll

Congratulations  on a job well done!

Click to View Fall Honor Roll

Ewen Trout Creek School District

Announces Fall Honor Roll

Congratulations  on a job well done!

Click to View Fall Honor Roll
 

Ironwood Area School District
Announces Fall Honor Roll
  Congratulations  on a job well done!  
 

LUTHER L. WRIGHT MIDDLE SCHOOL 2008-2009
FIRST QUARTER HONOR ROLL

Bradley Torni (right)  and Ellen Hagstrom obtained Highest Honors  8th Grade Class.

Adam Macky 7th Grade also earned Highest Honors. 

 

Click to View  Fall Honor Roll

More
Great Alternatives for
Christmas Shopping !
above - the Gogebic Area Thrift Store now opened in downtown Ironwood
Gail and Keith are on hand to help shoppers at the new downtown thrift store.
Lots of items suitable for Christmas giving are available at the Gogebic Area Thrift store located in the old Senior Citizen and MSU building.
 
above - Melissa and her mom MaryJo  check out the great bargains at the recently re-opened St.Vinnies in downtown Ironwood. Store volunteer Mariann behind the counter

Don't forget to checkout the "Gogebic Area Thrift Store" now open in the former MSU building., another source for bargain hunters.

below  - Christmas decorations were still available at the time of our visit.

above Jackie another St. Vinny volunteer.

Below retro kitchen dinette set - great shape - great price
Remember that revenues from sales made in our community stay in our community. Most importantly they stay here to help those who live here!
Below - lots of everything is available at Ontonagon's St.Vinnies. A real super sized thrift store, located in downtown Ontonagon
below - visitors at the Ontonagan St. Vinnies are welcomed by Donna Flye at the checkout counter
above - workers at St.Vinnies sorting through the many donations to be recycled back through the community.
 

Great Alternatives for
Christmas Shopping
White Pine - November  23, 2008

photo above - Julie Anderson at the Konteka Christmas Bazaar held Saturday. Julie was on hand to sell her homemade handicrafts and jewelry ... Julie's jewelry was made from fresh water pearls

Seventeen other crafters were at the sale offering great hand crafted items. As nice as these one-of-a-kind items were they were being sold at outrageously low pricing. When asked how long many items took to make it didn't take a calculator to figure out that these items were produced at minimum wage. But, that being said the crafters all said  that it was the joy of the crafting that inspired them. Not the financial reward. 

Click to view the many other crafters and their wares.  
 

photo above Christmas Tree at Konteka, White Pine
 

Bessemer Students
Spread Christmas Joy
The students in the Bessemer School Districts are participating in several programs designed to spread Christmas Tidings and Joy both locally and around the world.

The board was advised of three Christmas projects that the district students will be participating in.
The students have completed their participation in the Channel 6 Can-a-thon and will participate in two more programs for the season. Students from the A.D. Johnson will participate in the Red Cross program to send 1 million Christmas Cards to our soldiers over seas. Locally, the students will participate in the Memorial Building Christmas Party. In this Party students assist parents select gifts maintained on two tables. One table will hold brand new gifts. Parents will be selecting one gift from that table. A second table will hold used gifts. Each family may select as many gifts from that table as they so choose. The Bessemer students will escort the families to the tables and help them select their gifts.

READ MORE

Tis' the Season
Pictured below are Kay Johnson and Dawn Gresham two of the five volunteers who began lighting the award winning Ironwood Downtown pocket Park. Kay and Dawn were joined by Louise Dimasi, Arvo Toolanen and Lou Bonagura. The Park will be redecorated this year with new Energy Saving LED lights. Read More

Ironwood School Board
Meets in Regular Session

above board meets one week late due to Hunting Season
Ironwood School Board November 23, 2008

The Ironwood School Board met in regular session Monday evening. The meeting had been scheduled a week earlier but was postponed due to HUNTING SEASON.

There was a full agenda of items to be discussed and as usual most items pertained to money and not curriculum.

One of the first items on the agenda was a request to send a sports team on a trip to Calumet . Mr. Rayner explained that the team is not an official school sport and should not receive the money. Mr.Thomas seized the moment to state that Mr. Boyd opened a can of worms by receiving similar money for the band. In fact Thomas went on to say that he (Thomas) found little excitement in a band trip to play for the Michigan Governor! WOW. As you might expect sports trumps curriculum and culture every time. The motion to support the non school sport passed 4-1 with only Dr. Edwards abstaining.

The board went on to pass the summer tax resolution. This gives the board the right to collect the summer taxes, a routine measure passed unanimously.

READ MORE
 

Carp Lake Township Board Holds Special Meeting
White Pine - November 20, 2008

The Carp Lake Township held a special session last night. The agenda addressed spending issues associated with the Shilmer Plumbing and Heating Contract for the lagoon and lift stations. Mr. Shilman was on hand to address the issue and explain why additional funds were necessary during the winter months. The additional costs associated with this item will run $60.00 per hour which includes labor and equipment.

The board unanimously approved Jane Bowman and Cory Hilborn as library board members.

The board also unanimously approved to keep Arlene Olson on as needed to assist the newly elected Treasurer, Doreen Volmer. Mrs Olson will be paid $12 per hour.

The board voted to approve expenditures to send newly elected Township Supervisor Tim Rivera to a seminar in Marquette on December 10th. The cost of which is estimated to be $149-$239.

Finally, the board changed the date of the December meeting to December 17th at 7:00pm

Mr. Rivera advised IronwoodInfo that he did not learn of last night's meeting until 4:00pm yesterday, just 2 hours prior to the start of the meeting.
Listen to meeting
 

North American Finnish Literature
at Finlandia U.
Hnacock - November 20, 2008

This evening Dr. Beth Virtanen, Ph.D. (pictured above) delivered a lecture pertaining to generational attitudes expressed in Finnish North American Literature. Dr.Virtanen's lecture included a look into the generational differences in North American Finlanders and the continuance of those differences into the literature of those generational authors. Dr. Virtanen is currently writing an anthology on North American Finnish Literature and last night's lecture was a preview of that anthology. This was an exceptional lecture in that someone such as my self, an Italian-American, could enjoy and learn from. I found it very interesting in that what Dr. Virtanen describes as social changes in first second and third generation Finns also applied to immigrant Italians and their offspring. I am sure it would also hold true for other nationalities as well. We have reproduced the entire power point presentation along with an audio of the entire 1 hour lecture. The file is quite large and may take some time to download however, it will be well worthwhile to listen to the lecture.

above Journal of Finnish Studies which contain Virtanen writings
below are published books written by Dr. Virtanen
You may enjoy this lecture in its entirety as IronwoodInfo has recorded the entire lecture. Click to read more
 

An Evening of Music and Comedy
HANCOCK - An Evening of Finnish Comedy and Music will took place Friday, November 21st at the Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock. Event proceeds will go to help Finlandia nursing and human services students travel to Helsinki this spring to learn about health care and social services in Finland.

The benefit event featured the Finnish-American comedy trio, Nyt Naura (Now Laugh).   The Suomalainen Sisters: Upper Peninsula natives Linda Kyro,  and Kris Kyro.  The third member of the group Sherry Saarinen, was ill and was unable to perform.  Sherry was replaced by Kris's husband, Glen Johnson.  The group comes from Chassel.

The hilarious comedy, Finnish music, and poetry of Nyt Naura has been featured at many Finnish and Scandinavian festivals, including performances at several annual FinnFest events. Thes group share the funny side of growing up Finnish in the Upper Peninsula, while acknowledging that sorrow can sometimes be found nipping at the heels of happiness.

Local musician Melvin Kangas performed two wonderful musical numbers at the event playing the kantele.

Kangas was followed by music from Oren Tikkanen, Pasi Lautala, David Bezotte, Matthew Durocher and  Coleman Segal.

 Read More and enjoy video and audio of this performance

 

SoHo Artist  Exhibit
Opens in Hancock
HANCOCK -  November 20th, 2008

The opening of SoHo Fiber Artist Desiree Koslin took place tonight at the Finlandia University Gallery, located at the Finnish American Heritage Center in Hancock.

The exhibit which is entitled "InSight: Views of the Finnish Landscape" will be open from Novemebr 20th through January 6th, 2009.

The exhibit opened this evening with a reception for the artist which was followed by a talk and a question and answer session with the audience. There was a large audience presence this evening and many photographers on hand for this opening.  Koslin spoke highly of the Finlandia students that she worked with Wednesday and Thursday.
Koslin recently exhibited her work in several solo exhibits in New York City at the SOHO20 Chelsea Gallery and participated in the Annual Open Studios for SoHo Artist Studios in New York.

Read More and view the Artist's Exhibit
 

 

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