IronwoodInfo News Magazine

Scouting Out Alaska

Two years after summer camp in Hawaii, the Boy Scouts of Troop 337 Wakefield, Bessemer, and of Troop 209 Ontonagon departed for another great adventure flying to Alaska for summer camp. There were 21 of us in total.
Needless to say there was a great deal of fund raising and without the support of many local people, this trip would never have happened. We would like to thank all of you who purchased popcorn, wreaths, candles, pancake breakfasts, and donated cans to our collection bin at Ramme’s Auto and Salvage in Bessemer. Also Black Dog Candles, Waninks Sales and Service, Wakefield VFW, St. SebastianChurch, Noel Wreaths, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, Thrivent Insurance, Keenagers, and to anyone we missed–we all thank you for all your help and support.
We left from Bessemer at 4:30 in the afternoon on July 17. We proceeded in a four car caravan to Minneapolis. Everything went perfect until we got to the cities. As we came in, one car took a wrong exit. We all watched as he disappeared, wondering when we were going to see them again. We were doing fine until we suffered the same fate as we followed the lead car off the wrong exit too. You know there are a few more road there then in the UP. Anyway we got back on the freeway and found our motel and drove right by it. After a few more turns we all made it and settled in for a few hours sleep before we departed the next day.

Scouting isn't as I Remember it. Read this exciting Boy Scout adventure. Written by Scout Master Bruce Jendrusina

Bird Ross's "Speaking Volumes"
Opens at Finlandia University

photo above - The artist Bird Ross

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Karen Johnson, Exec. Director of Communications, 906-487-7348

Bird Ross: Speaking Volumes

September 18 to October 16, 2008

Opening Reception: Thursday, September 18, 2008, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Artist Talk Beginning at 7:30 pm

HANCOCK, MI – An exhibit of work by Madison, Wisconsin, artist Bird Ross is featured at the Finlandia University Gallery, Hancock, September 18 to October 16, 2008.
An opening reception for the artist will take place at the Finlandia University Gallery, Thursday, September 18, 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., with an artist talk beginning at 7:30 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Ross will work with Finlandia University art and design students from September 16 to September 18, 2008.

In the exhibit, “Speaking Volumes,” Ross uses books as raw material to create art. “Books are a magical material and I will present the results of a collaboration I'm having with books in ‘Speaking Volumes,’” states Ross.

“Books are made for one thing (to be read) and are very often used for something else (to help you reach your peas at the table or to help you walk straighter and balance better). I would like to exhaust the book’s possibilities as a non-book. (Is a book still a book when it’s not a book?)”

Over 30 artworks comprise the exhibit, each containing some element of a book. Books are opened or stacked, pages are folded, cut or sewn, covers break free from their pages and are transformed with images attached to their surfaces. Through Ross’s manipulations, the books are transformed into objects of sculpture.

Using materials in novel and inventive ways is not a new quality of Ross’s work. In her earlier series, “The ‘6,000 Project,’” she responded to the September 11 tragedy by creating a memorial project that visually translated the loss of life into physical and measurable terms. How did she accomplish this? She says it started with a pile of lentils.

According to Ross, after listening to the radio for days after the attacks she began to look for a way to address the then-estimated 6,000 deaths. “I kept hearing the number 6,000,” she says, recalling her reaction to the estimated death toll in the World Trade Center collapse. “I sat glued to the radio, and I just started counting out 6,000 lentils. The project expanded to other art: 6,000 knots, 6,000 holes punched in a map, 6,000 leaves collected, and ultimately an exhibit entitled “Addition = Subtraction” at the Overture Center for the Arts, Madison, Wisconsin.

Ross is also known for her work with textiles. Her fiber art ranges from wearable art to whimsical sculptural objects made from cloth, paper, and even fruit skins. “I really like playing with things that aren’t necessarily precious, hopefully making their value seem greater through the process they’ve been taken through,” she explains. “Rather than starting with a blank piece of paper, I start with a piece that already has something on it.”

Her wearable art has been featured in prominent journals such as Threads, Fiberarts Magazine, Surface Design Journal, and American Craft Magazine.

Ross received her master of fine arts in sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1992. She has exhibited her work across the nation. Ross is a frequent instructor and lecturer at arts and craft schools, art guilds, and colleges. She is the recipient of many awards and grants, including grants from the Wisconsin Arts Board.

Ross lives in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband, a furniture designer who heads the woodworking program at University of Wisconsin, and their three children.

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.

above and below - Book Art by Bird Johnson

Giant 5 foot Moles Chased off By City Crews

Ironwood September 10th. NO NO JUST KIDDING!
Wednesday, Ironwood workers once again tackled the repairs to the aging city water supply lines. It' easy to dismiss this by saying "Oh well, what's new?" But first of all the water leaking from these lines measure in the hundreds of thousands of gallons of water. Water, that's costing the city thousands of dollars to produce. Costs, which come out of the tax revenue that the highest taxed residents in the U.P. fork over to the most expensive government around. While Mayor Brucie Noren thinks that the leaks don't cost his serfs anything, he's incorrect as usual. The water which flowed down the street for days had to be pumped up from the wells, aerated, chlorinated, and pumped on through the system. All of which costs thousands of dollars. Because of the "Negative ", anti-union, attitude at city hall, there are no longer enough city workers to fix leaks "and" rescue the scab contractors hired by the city manager to replace our own workers. Yes, yes, the same $100,000 plus, plus, plus per year city manager, Scott Erickson.

Wednesday, still not repaired , a dangerous pot hole on Pine Street. This killer of car front ends and/or your bones, has been sitting there begging for repair. Of course the hole would have been fixed promptly had it been in front of 304 Frederick Street. . Now we know who lives there, don't we Brucie?
	Man Eating Pot Hole Definitely Not located at 304 Frederick Street! photos by Arvo Toolanen
According to a Superior Chronicle reporter, "a yellow bucket with a rock on top warns passing motorists of a sinkhole in the middle of Pine Street. The hole resulted from the installation of a fire hydrant on the street. Recent heavy downpours have washed away the gravel that once filled the hole."

Barb Allen Named I.V.F.D. Captain

above - Captain Barb Allen heads to the top of the ladder at U.P. Firemfighter's Tourney held last July in Houghton.

Barb Allen was selected by IVFD Chief, Ken Jacobson as the department's newest Captain. She became eligible for the position when a vacancy arose due to the resignation of the previous Captain who moved away from the Ironwood area.. Barb is the first female Captain in the 121 year history of the Ironwood department.

Barb has been a member of the I.V.F.D. for seven years and has been the group's Administrative President for the past three years. Congratulations Barb on your appointment and congratulations Ken on your wise choice.

Wakefield Firemen
Host Chimney Fire Seminar

WAKEFIELD - September 10, 2008

The Wakefield Fire Hall was the scene of the latest training session presented by members of the Gogebic County Firefighter's Council. The topic for the evening was "Chimney Fire Prevention"
The topic was certainly appropriate for both the season and the nation's economical downturn. With the sharp rise in oil prices it is expected that more people will be burning wood this winter.

above - Fred Chamberlain explains to the class what must be done to avoid chimney fires and what needs to be done if one occurs.

Benefit for Fire Victims
a Great Success

SILVER CITY - September 11, 2008

More than 175 people attended the benefit dinner for the victims of the Labor Day weekend fire in Ontonagon. Paul's Restaurant at AmericInn, of Silver City Michigan hosted the fundraiser.

Read Full Story

Township Board Discusses
Property Appraisal Procedures

September 8, 2008 - Ironwood Township

The Trustees of Ironwood Township held its regular meeting this afternoon. The meeting was a short one with much of the discussion evolving around the state's informational notice of random audits of property appraisals . The notice was address to townships in general and not specific to the Charter Township of Ironwood. The state provided criteria for appraisal evaluation. The board discussed what if anything would need to be done for 100+% compliance. Supervisor advised that the property rolls were in order and that the fourteen point state program should be gone over and make sure all the i are dotted and t's crossed, such as making sure that the tax maps have full and accurate descriptions.

In other matters, Jyl Olson requested authorization to move two Certificates of Deposits to different savings institutions. Her concern was that there was too much at one bank for the deposits to be adequately insured. The board gave unanimous support.

Members of the media present: Arvo Toolanen and Lou Bonagura


	Cynthia Coté at Reflection Gallery this Month
Date: September 5, 2008 HANCOCK – An exhibit of work by artist Cynthia Coté is featured at Finlandia University’s Reflection Gallery September 8 to September 30, 2008. An opening reception for the artist will take place Thursday, September 11, 2008, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. at the gallery. The reception is open to the public. The exhibit, titled “Dwelling,” includes several of series of works created by Coté over the past 10 years: Dom, Lost Relatives, Where the Relatives Live, Card Catalogs, Sails (kinetic books), and Constructions. Coté says the goal of the exhibit is to show the progression of where the concept of “dwelling,” in both its meanings (noun and verb), has taken her as an artist. “I often ponder just when it was that I became an artist,” Coté writes in her artist’s statement. “I’ve always been a maker. I think some of the early constructions that I made as a kid out of cardboard, glue, and fabric were really good. I have always been inspired to make things that honor a sense of place.” Coté adds that the work she creates today gives her familiar feelings and pleasure in much the same way that it did when she was a child. “I am still using the same kinds of materials: cardboard, paper, glue, fabric, string, and found objects,” she explains. “The only difference is now I get to hang it on the wall and talk about it. Bear with me as I ruminate over where life as an artist/maker has taken me.” Coté has been a studio artist since 1988. She is the executive director of the Copper Country Community Arts Center, Hancock, and has instructed art classes widely in the Upper Peninsula. Her teaching experience includes Finlandia University, the MTU Summer Youth Program, and time as a visiting artist at Jeffers High School and South Range Elementary. She has been active in community projects such as the Main Street Calumet Design Committee and festival coordinator for the Houghton Spring Art and Music Festival.

above - Long Shadows by Cynthia Cote'
The director of the Reflection Gallery this semester is illustration senior Sarah Anderson (Houghton); the assistant director is illustration sophomore Rachel Reideinga (Wetmore). The gallery is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is located on the 2nd level of Finlandia’s Portage Campus, 200 Michigan St., Hancock. For additional information, please contact Yueh-mei Cheng, associate professor of studio arts, at 906-487-7375 or yueh-mei.cheng@finlandia.edu. Karen S. Johnson Exec. Director of Communications Finlandia University 601 Quincy St. Hancock, MI 49930 Ph: 906-487-7348 Fax: 906-487-7365 karen.johnson@finlandia.edu

Concerned Taxpayers Discuss
Proposed Low Income Hovey Project

The Low-Income Housing project proposed by Bruce Noren and Scott Erickson just may be the worst deal that the City of Ironwood has ever made! Taxpayers not yet born will be paying the price for this boondoggle.

HURLEY, WI - Saturday, September 06, 2008 - A group of citizens concerned about the proposed Towering Pines Low-Income Ayer Street Housing Project met at 6:30 PM yesterday evening at the Villa Maria Conference Room, Hurley, Wisconsin.

Read Full and Comprehensive Story in the Superior Chronicle

Memory Walk in Houghton - 2008

HOUGHTON - Saturday September 6, 2008

On the MOVE to end Alzheimer’s!

In spite of what looked like a potentially rainy morning The Memory Walk fundraiser event went on as scheduled.

The three mile walk began at 9:00am Walkers started at The Super 8 Motel and walked along Houghton's beautiful waterfront up to the City park and RV campgrounds on the north end. The walkers then walked south back to the motel.

Read More and View Photos

Wakefield Library Hosts
Toothbrush Rug Making Seminar

Wakefield - September 4th, 2008

Donna Brown gave a demonstration on how we can make what is referred to as a "Toothbrush Rug" The name toothbrush refers to the tool , the only tool required to make these terrific rugs. Originally rug makers would cut off the bristle end of a toothbrush, leaving the handle with the hole on the other end (used for hanging up the toothbrush on a hook). Today of course you can buy a small tool that serves the same purpose. Read Full Story with Photos

Laborfest Auto Show 2008

This year's show took place Saturday August 30th in Ontonagon. Trophies for first, second and third place winners were awarded in each of eleven classes. The winners were selected by the show participants. "Best of Show" trophy was awarded based on the voting by the show spectators. Approximately 60 cars, trucks and motorcycles were entered or on display at this years show.

Entries came from all over the area from Hurley to Atlantic Mine, and there was a great mix of vehicle manufacturers and vehicle styles.

Once again the weather perfect for the hundreds of spectators of who came to enjoy the show.

This years "Best of Show" was won by Don Peterson of Calumet for his 100 percent hand made vehicle called "TOY"

Photo above - close up car inspection is made by serious voters prior to casting their votes

Photo above Taylor Laabs receives plant for being the first female to register a vehicle

Read full coverage and and view photos

School's Open!

The sign says it all "Welcome Back" - Today classes began at 10:10 AM
Tomorrow it's a full day when classes begin at 8:15 AM

Full Bike Rack a sure sign that things are back to normal
time to reunite with friends not seen all summer

Moms makes sure kids get to school safe and on time

AT THE ONTONAGON HIGH SCHOOL

Under early morning light Ontonagon H.S. Students arrive by Buses

Across County At White Pine

above - White Pine students waiting for bus that will take them to school at Ewen - Trout Creek School. Even though the White Pine School District was annexed into the Ontonagon School Districts. Many students will attend E-TC under the state's schools of choice law.

Jamie, Katy, Coty, and Beverley get ready for the trip to Ewin

Below - dad makes sure that kids are settled in for the hour long trip to E-TC

In spite of the misleading stories that appeared in the western tabloid, Ewen Trout Creek School District is in fact still open and under new leadership. Principal Lee Lindberg is now the Interim Superintendent. It should be mentioned that the Ontonagon District will also start the new school year with a new interim school Superintendent, Gray Weber. With the acquisition of the White Pine District, Ontonagon is now the largest (land mass) school district in Michigan.

IronwoodInfo.com is a Michigan, Non-Profit Media Corporation

Contact IronwoodInfo.com

email: mail@ironwoodinfo.com
snail mail: P.O. Box 305 Ironwood, MI 49938
Telephone
Ironwood: 906-932-1402
Ontonagon: 906-885-5683
Fax
906-884-2544