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"We
Care" Program
Nets Over $17,000 for Area Needy |
 |
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Houghton MI – February 19, 2009 Between January
2008 and February 2009, the "We Care" program, a partnership
of Upper Peninsula Power Company, UPPCO customers, and St.
Vincent de Paul, resulted in nearly $17,000.00 in
contributions to area St. Vincent de Paul conferences to be
used for the electric bills of needy families.
Concerned about the growing need, last fall UPPCO
announced it would match all dollars its customers
contributed to the "We Care" program from January through
December 2008. The company issued the matching checks in
January 2009 after all pledges were accounted for. In the
"We Care" program, UPPCO collects pledges through customer
bill payments and sends the funds to the St. Vincent de Paul
in the donor’s area. St. Vincent de Paul uses the donations
to help needy families pay their electric bills. Although
St. Vincent de Paul receives more requests for utility
assistance than the "We Care" funding can cover, the program
does help free up other St. Vincent de Paul funds for food
and other aid.
The 2008 "We Care" program netted the following:
| St. Vincent de Paul |
Customer Donations |
UPPCO Match |
Total |
| Escanaba |
$755.00 |
$755.00 |
$1,510.00 |
| Hancock |
$2,333.85 |
$2,333.85 |
$4,667.70 |
| Ishpeming |
$1,852.00 |
$1,852.00 |
$3,704.00 |
| Munising |
$3,382.00 |
$3,382.00 |
$6,764.00 |
| Ontonagon |
$230.00 |
$230.00 |
$460.00 |
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$17,105.70 |
"Our customers are caring people," said Janet Wolfe,
UPPCO Communications Manager, "and the 'We Care' program
gives them an easy way to help people in their own areas.
When UPPCO matches their contributions, it can really add
up," she added. "For example, one Munising customer - who
wishes to be known only as "a member of Sacred Heart
Catholic Church" - contributed $3,000.00, which helped
leverage over $6,000.00 to their area St. Vincent de Paul
with the UPPCO match."
To contribute to "We Care," UPPCO customers simply call
the toll-free number (800-562-7680) and tell the customer
service representative how much to add to their electric
bills. They can pledge for one month or make an ongoing
commitment, and UPPCO and St. Vincent de Paul handle the
rest. UPPCO funding for the program comes from shareholders
and does not affect customers' rates. The company has not
yet determined if it can match pledges again in 2009.
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Wednesday Morning Fire Destroys Ontonagon
Apartment |
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| Wednesday morning around 8:30 a fire
alarm went off, calling the volunteer fire
fighters to 307/309 Minnesota Avenue in
Ontonagon. A 2-apartment building caught
fire, either in the attic or the upstairs
apartment. A family of 4 (which includes 2
younger children) occupied the downstairs
apartment. The upstairs tenants said no one
was hurt. As you can see in the pictures the
wind is blowing the smoke toward the front
of the building. Firefighters are working to
keep the neighboring homes from the fire.
Read More |
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Ironwood
Student
Receives
Scholarship |
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|
above
-
Linda
Graham
driving
the
Kaleva
Ladies
in
Mass
City
Parade
Right
-
GCC
Student
Cory
Torni |
On
Monday,
February
16,
2009,
Gogebic
Community
College
Student,
Cory
Torni
of
Ironwood,
Michigan
received
a
$500
scholarship
check
presented
to
him
by
his
aunt
Linda
Graham
of
Ontonagon.
The
scholarship
funds
are
from
the
Kaleva
Grand
Lodge
Scholarship
Fund.
Linda
Graham
is
the
Junior
Matron
of
Ainon
Tupa
#13
of
Mass
City,
Michigan
and
she
informed
Cory
of
the
available
scholarship.
Cory
filled
out
the
application
along
with
information
about
his
accomplishments/achievements
with
church,
school,
and
community.
The
applications
were
due
in
November
of
2008.
The
Knights
and
Ladies
of
Kaleva
is
an
ethnic
organization
dedication
to
the
preservation
of
the
Finnish
heritage
and
consists
of
members
in
the
United
States
and
Canada.
Cory
Torni
is
attending
Gogebic
Community
College
with
studies
in
sports
science
and
physical
therapy.
After
two
years
at
Gogebic
Community
College,
Cory
will
be
transferring
to a
four-year
University.
Cory
has
2
brothers
and
a
sister
and
his
parents
are
Dale
and
Sandy
(Tapio)
Torni
of
Ironwood,
Michigan.
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Tech Scored Big at
Wisconsin Science Expo |
 |
Houghton - February 18, 2009
Michigan Tech had its eyes on the graduating classes of 2013 through 2022 over the weekend.
Tech representatives participated in the Foth Einstein Project Science Expo last Saturday at Shopko Hall in Green Bay. More than 3,000 youngsters in grades K-8 and their parents visited the event, which strives to get youth excited about science and engineering.
Cody Kangas, coordinator of Youth Programs, attended the event and described it as a small version of the YES! Expo in Detroit--but with a younger audience.
Tech's exhibit, one of 60, featured liquid nitrogen--think frozen marshmellows--a video display and a pool of "Oobleck," of Dr. Seuss fame, a concoction of water and cornstarch that has both solid and liquid properties. Running across it is like running on water; stand still and you'll sink.
Kangas said the exhibit had people standing in line for seven hours, "nonstop." "It seemed like we were the talk of the show," he said.
Julie Paavola, executive director of the Einstein Project, which organized the affair, agreed. "They deserve a medal of honor," she said of Tech's contingent. "They did a fabulous job. It was a big draw."
Kangas, who also tried to get the word out about Tech's Youth Programs, was accompanied by two colleagues and a representative of Admissions.
He said the fun was infectious. "There wasn't a single kid that wasn't smiling," he said. "That was the best part."
Tech's participation started months ago with an email that Paavola sent to Allison Carter, director of Admissions. It ended up involving not only Admissions and Youth Programs, but also Alumni Relations, Enrollment Services, the materials science and engineering department and students in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers. As well, the Iowa-based Grain Processing Corp. donated and shipped 400 pounds of cornstarch for the Oobleck.
Kangas also talked to a lot of adults throughout the day Saturday. Many alumni stopped by to visit, he said, and three other sponsors of similar activities in Wisconsin told Kangas they would like Tech to participates in their events, too.
"We had a great time," Kangas said. "Who knows where this will lead."
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Range
Master
Gardeners
Begin
2009
Season |
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|
Ironwood
-
February
16, 2009
Members
of the
Range
Master
Gardeners
met
tonight
to begin
the 2009
gardening
year.
The
Range
Master
Gardener
membership
is made
up of
both
Michigan
and
Wisconsin
Master
Gardeners.
Tonight
the
members
discussed
plans
for
three
local
projects
which
they
pursue
this
coming
season.
The
committee
responsible
for the
Community
Garden
Project
will be
meeting
this
week set
up its
schedule
for the
year.
|
In
2000 The
Range
Master
Gardeners
in
partnership
with the
MSU
Extension
and WSU
Extension
services,
the City
of
Ironwood
, GO-CAA,
and a
grant
received
from
Michigan
FIA's
Community
Food and
Nutrition
program,
started
developing
a
community
garden
for use
by the
general
public.
This
year the
garden
produced
an
abundance
of
vegetables
in spite
of the
wet cold
season.
Click
to view
garden
images.
|
Dates
were set
for
preparing
the
Grandview
Hospital
flower
beds for
spring
planting
and a
date was
set for
the
actual
planting.
The
Range
Master
Gardeners
are
responsible
for the
massive
flower
plantings
in front
of the
hospital
and
clinic.
|
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|
above
left -
Larry
Hopkins,
President
of the
RMG |
For
the past
several
years
the
Master
Gardeners
have
been
responsible
for the
planting
and care
of the
Ironwood
Pocket
Park.
Last
fall the
RMG
members
began a
massive
renovation
of the
park's
north
side
flower
beds.
This
year the
last
phase of
that
project
will be
completed.
The park
is
located
in the
center
of
Downtown
Ironwood
on the
site of
the
demolished
Seamen's
building,
the
Pocket
Park is
a
relaxing
spot for
strolling
or
lunch.
It is a
favorite
spot for
wedding
party
photos. Click
to view
garden
images.
|
| In
addition
to the
three
previously
described
projects
the
Master
Gardeners
also do
a great
deal of
instructional
work
with the
local
schools.
Each
year the
Master
Gardeners
train
local
school
children
to plant
seeds
and how
to
transplant
them
into the
flower
beds.
These
efforts
not only
result
in
plantings
around
the
schools
but also
provide
area
beautification
along
Silver
Street,
Sophie
Street
and
Norrie
Park.
Last
year the
flower
boxes
planted
by the
Washington
School
students
were
used to
decorate
the
Moving
Viet Nam
Memorial
in
Bessemer. |
| This
year the
Master
Gardeners
are also
presenting
it
bi-annual
"Fall
Garden
Conference"
which
will be
held at
Gogebic
Community
College
this
fall.
For more
information
on the
Range
Master
Gardeners
visit
their
website.
www.rangemastergardeners.org |
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|
Children's
Books
on
the
Slate
for
this
Week's
Writer's
Journey
Seminar |
The
title
of
Martin's
seminar
is,
"Discovering
the
Writer's
Voice
Within."
|
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HANCOCK,
MI -
February
13,
2009
Local
children's
book
author
Terri
Martin
will
present
the
next
Finlandia
University
Writer's
Journey
seminar
Thursday,
February
19,
from
4:00
to
5:30
p.m.
at
the
university's
Chapel
of
St.
Matthew,
Hancock.
Through
discussion
and
group
participation,
Martin
will
cover
children's
book
writing,
and
fiction
writing
in
general,
giving
special
attention
to
discovering
the
writer's
voice.
She
will
also
share
tips
on
forming
a
critique
group
and
information
about
helpful
websites.
The
title
of
Martin's
seminar
is,
"Discovering
the
Writer's
Voice
Within."
Terri
Martin
has
published
a
middle-grade
children's
novel,
"A
Family
Trait"
(Holiday
House,
1999).
She
has
also
written
and
published
numerous
outdoor-related
and
humorous
articles
and
stories
which
have
appeared
in
publications
such
as
Michigan
Out-of-Doors,
Country
Living,
Backpacker,
and
Porcupine
Press.
Originally
from
Michigan's
Lower
Peninsula,
Terri
and
her
husband,
Wayne,
moved
to
the
Upper
Peninsula
in
2000.
Terri
is
employed
at
Finlandia
University
where
she
works
as
assistant
to
the
provost
and
teaches
a
freshman
orientation
class.
She
is
also
pursuing
a
masters
degree
in
English
at
Northern
Michigan
University.
Martin's
book
will
be
available
for
purchase
following
the
seminar.
The
seminar
is
free
and
open
to
the
public.
For
additional
information,
please
contact
Suzanne
Van
Dam,
Finlandia
assistant
professor
of
English,
at
906-487-7515
or
suzanne.vandam@finlandia.edu. |
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|
They're Ba-ack! |
 |
| Ontonagon County - February 16,
2009 There has been a definite
increase in the number of
snowmobiles observed in Ontonagon
County. For the past two weeks more
and more sleds have been seen
on the local trails and the tow
vehicles have been more evident at
the local motels.
The activity has been the busiest
from the Silver City to Watersmeet.
Some visitors may be here for the
Hill Climb at Copper Peak which was
rescheduled for February 21st or the
ISOC Snocross Competition in
Mercer, which has been cancelled.
Trails in Ontonagon remain in
good condition and are being enjoyed
by many snowmobile riders.
Pictured above AmericInn in
Silver City, Snowmobilers filled the
parking lot, rooms and
restaurant . A similar scene could e
found at Pineview Motel in Twin
Lakes where the snowmobiling
activity has been throughout most of
the winter. |
 |
| |
|
Three Student Artists Exhibit
at The Reflections Gallery |
 |
HANCOCK, MI - February 13, 2009
Three Student-Artists Featured at
Reflection Gallery February 18 to
March 16
The Finlandia University Reflection
Gallery, Hancock, will host a group
exhibit of work by junior-level
studio arts and illustration
students February 18 to March 16,
2009.
A reception for the artists will
take place at the gallery Thursday,
March 5, at 1:15 p.m. The reception
is free and open to the public.
Refreshments will be served.
The group exhibition includes an
installation by Laura Metcalf
(Gwinn, Mich.), photographs by
Stephanie Trevino (Hubbell, Mich.),
and comic book illustrations by
Sarah Anderson (Houghton, Mich.).
"Each exhibitor has used an
assortment of techniques and styles
to express their imaginative points
of view," says Reflection Gallery
director sophomore Rachel Reidenga
(Wetmore, Mich.). "All three artists
demonstrate their own unique talent
in each piece they have made."
Laura Metcalf describes her
installation called, "Home" as a
mixed media exploration of how
individuals are connected to certain
places and people. She says it
attempts to uncover the mysteries
and secrets that families guard,
sometimes even from each other.
Sarah Anderson sees her work as a
way to make people laugh. She points
out that comic pages are more than
just characters on a page, and that
the text is an important element of
her artwork.
"Titles should do more than simply
describe a piece; they should be as
much a part of the piece as the
composition and pallet," Anderson
says. "The story should be enhanced
by the image."
The series "Doll Dreams" by
Stephanie Trevino, is a photo-comic
about the lives and loves of a
motley group of dolls, toys, and
figurines.
The Reflection Gallery is on the
second level of Finlandia's Jutila
Center campus, Hancock. For
additional information, contact
Yueh-mei Cheng, associate professor
of studio arts, at 906-487-7375 or
yueh-mei.cheng@finlandia.edu.
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|
Planters Begin 2009 Season |
|
 |
| Ironwood -February 15, 2009 The
46th Parallel Planters held their first
meeting Thursday evening. Following a
short business meeting the club members
were joined by other garden enthusiast
to hear a presentation on turf grasses.
Jim Isleib, the M.S.U. Alger and
Marquette Extension Director made a
presentation on Lawns. The presentation
covered many aspects of lawn
maintenance, including proper
mowing, fertilizing and watering. Jim
also discussed weeding, insect control
and lawn renovation. The program
was suitable for anyone desiring a lawn
whether they would like a Golf Course
lawn or a minimal maintenance green
space. |
 |
|
Click to view the presentation. An
audio of the class is also available. |
|
2009
Finlandia University International School of Art
and Design Faculty Exhibit |
Exhibit Dates: February 19 to March 20, 2009
Opening reception: Thursday, February 19, 2009,
7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Pictured on right - Professor Rick Loduha (in
red shirt) setting the foundation of his
'experimental' LightFoot dwelling |
 |
HANCOCK, MI - February 13, 2009
Finlandia University's International School of Art and Design will present
a faculty exhibit at the Finlandia University Gallery,
located in the Finnish American Heritage Center,
Hancock, February 19 to March 20, 2009.
An opening reception for the artists will take place at
the gallery Thursday, February 19, from 7:00 to 8:30
p.m. The reception is free and open to the public.
Refreshments will be served.
This year's exhibit features the work of Jon Brookhouse,
Yueh-mei Cheng, Carrie Flaspohler, Phyllis Fredendall,
Greg Green, Ronda Jones, Rick Loduha, Jonathan Soper,
and Denise Vandeville. Ceramics, sustainable design,
painting and drawing, fiber art, interactive media, and
photography are several of the media represented in this
exhibit.
Denise Vandeville, dean of the International School of
Art and Design, recognizes the importance of faculty
artistic work, "Art and design faculty have a unique
place within academia, as our intellectual research
happens in the studio. The results of this creativity
not only inspires the individual, it serves to inspire
and instruct art and design students. We invite the
public to join us as we celebrate, evaluate, and discuss
this research."
The 2009 International School of Art and Design Faculty
Exhibit is on display at the Finlandia University
Gallery through March 20.
The Finlandia University Gallery is in the Finnish
American Heritage Center, 435 Quincy Street, Hancock.
Gallery hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., Wednesday, 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., or by
appointment. Please call 906-487-7500 for more
information.
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| |
|
Personal
History Writing Workshops |
 |
| HANCOCK, MI - Friday, February 13, 2009 |
Have you often wanted to write your personal
history?
Starting February 21, a series of free Life and Personal History
Writing workshops, led by Finlandia University professor and
Paloheimo Scholar Beth Virtanen, Ph.D., will help participants write
their own personal narratives. The writings may be poems,
descriptions of people or places, beginnings of short stories,
personal histories, or memoirs.
"I am hoping people from high school age to senior citizens will
attend one or more of the writing workshops," said Virtanen.
"Participants will be invited to explore the many perspectives of
their personal stories as part of a collaborative experience to
enrich what they write."
The series of six workshops take place Saturday afternoons from 1:00
to 4:00 p.m. at various locations in the western Upper Peninsula.
The first workshop will take place February 21 at the South Range
VFW on M 26, South Range.
Virtanen requests that participants bring pencils and paper,
photographs, and vivid memories of the times they wish to write
about. Laptops are welcome, but not required. Participants will
leave each workshop with something they have written.
Subsequent workshops will take place at the following locations:
February 28, Ontonagon Historical Museum, River Street, Ontonagon
March 7, Toivola Recreation Center, Church Road, Toivola
March 14, Calumet VFW, US 41, one mile North of M 203, Calumet
March 21, Ojibway Community College, Room 111, Beartown Rd., Baraga
March 28, Covington Multipurpose Building, Covington
The workshops are free and pre-registration is not required. For
additional information, please contact Beth Virtanen at 906-483-0274
or beth.virtanen@finlandia.edu.
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|
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|
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