In Da Woods
by Melanie B. Fullman, US Forest Service
Evolutionary Branching  – Part 1 Walking in the woods with a forester friend the other day, our conversation eventually turned to the falling of leaves – specifically that species drop their leaves at different times. When I asked if he knew why, he said it had something to do with evolution – that more recently evolved trees sprout leaves later in the spring and drop them earlier in autumn. I was intrigued. When Conifers were King The first plants to invade the land did so about 430 million years ago, long before vertebrates. The first trees showed up about 360 million years ago. Some of these first ‘trees’ were lycopods, known today as small mosses. Lycopods  reproduce by spores, not seeds. The evolution of seeds enabled plants, and specifically trees, to colonize non-wet land. Given a chance to move freely across the Earth, trees quickly (relatively speaking) populated the planet with the first vast forests. By the end of the Permian (280 million years ago; the first reptiles, but not yet dinosaurs), gymnosperms – conifers – had taken over the land of the Earth. Gymnosperms have naked seeds, like those of modern hemlocks tucked inside cones. And with the exception of pine trees, all modern conifer families were present 245 million years ago. Spruces, hemlocks, cypress, cedars, and firs have been around a LONG time! Pine trees are the Johnny-come-lately amongst conifers, showing up in the fossil record during the Cretaceous Period, 65-144 million years ago. The Cretaceous was the age of the dinosaurs, and when the great land mass Pangaea broke into fragments creating continents, and when mammals appeared. Through the middle of the Cretaceous, conifers were the dominant trees. Flower Power ‘Survival of the Fittest’, means the newest version of any plant or animal is inherently better (faster, taller, or shorter, more colorful, etc.) than its predecessor. About 100 million years ago, flowering plants – angiosperms – arrived on the scene. One of the very first was the gingko; the only remaining species of gingko originated 60 million years ago. Unlike their gymnosperm predecessors, the diversification of angiosperms was fast and furious. This success appears to be due to three main factors: 1) that they give their seed more nutrition, 2) they are able to spread seeds and pollen by insects, and 3) they have more efficient vascular tissue. Better Nutrition: The seeds of angiosperms are far more protected than those of cone-bearers. Think of acorns or apples, for example which have thick protection and a bit of built-in nutrition to help them get started. In addition, conifers have reproductive cycles of 18 months, while flowering trees grow and produce seeds at least once a year. These two improvements on seeds enable angiosperms to colonize barren land much quicker and at greater densities. Better Networking: The ability of angiosperms to disperse pollen by insects allows genetic exchange between widely spaced individuals and populations. This accelerates their adaptation to different environments, which, in turn, leads to further evolution of different species. Indeed, angiosperms have radiated into 200,000+ species while conifers are still limited to a few hundred. Better Design: The xylem vessels of angiosperms allow very rapid movement of water through the plant. This means that flowering trees can achieve higher rates of photosynthesis than gymnosperms. In addition to growing faster, spare energy fosters the ability to produce more seeds, and thus, more descendants. Branching Out Fossil evidence suggests the first angiosperms originated in warm, moist climates (the paleotropics) then colonized higher latitudes 20-30 million years later. Everything from leaf shape and size, the timing of leaf-out and leaf fall, method of seed dispersal, growth pattern of the wood, rooting structure, overall shape and height, and bark thickness influenced the evolutionary success of the new angiosperms. What that means to us today will be discussed next week. In the meantime, take a look at the trees in your yard or neighborhood. Which species “wood” you guess have been here the longest???

ALL-UP football Teams Announced 2011 UPSSA ALL UP FOOTBALL TEAMS

Dream Team C  Ty Thomann, Iron Mountain, Sr. G  Kyle LeFebvre, Kingsford, Sr. G  Nate Montie, St. Ignace, Sr. T  Kyle Desotell, Menominee, Sr. T  Zach Hautala, Forest Park, Sr. E  Kane Rasner, Stephenson, Sr. E  John Grayvold, Jr., Norway, Jr. QB Austin Young, Escanaba, Sr. RB Kasaim Koonnala, Marquette, Sr. RB Tanner Maccoux, Menominee, Sr. RB Jacob Siler, Forest Park, Sr. K  Connor Wilson, Ironwood, Sr. RS Nik Flood, Iron Mountain, Sr.  L  Dan Anderson, Stephenson, Sr. L  Jim Pepin, Escanaba, Sr. L  Ben Bjorn, Calumet, Sr. DE Ben Storm, Calumet, Sr. DE Joe Ostman, St. Ignace, Jr. LB Derek Slone, Ishpeming, Sr. LB Tyler Roberts, Ontonagon, Sr. LB Cole Grenier, Iron Mountain, Sr. DB Jeff Gregory, Kingsford, Sr. DB Andrew Kelto, Munising, Sr. DB Curtis St. Louis, St. Ignace, Jr. P  Dustin Brown, Newberry, Jr.  DIVISION 2-7 First Team C  Tanner Delpier, Marquette, Sr. G  Joe Iwnaicki, Marquette, Jr. G  Chris Lynch, Escanaba, Sr. T  Evan Kleikamp, Iron Mountain, Sr. T  Kevin Noel, Escanaba, Sr. E  Bobby Olson, Menominee, Sr. E Caleb Pellizzer, West Iron County, Sr. QB Alex Herman, Iron Mountain, Sr. RB Tyler Beaumont, Negaunee, Sr. RB Reed Larson, Kingsford, Jr. RB Tyler Froberg, Calumet, Sr. K  Nik Flood, Iron Mountain, Sr. RS Austin Young, Escanaba, Sr.  L  Andrew Barley, Newberry, Sr. L  Jim Spicer, West Iron County, Sr. L  Jordan Windahl, Ishpeming, Sr. DE Jacob Finegan, Ishpeming, Sr. DE Jacob Henes, Menominee, Sr. LB Jared Vuksan, Gladstone, Jr. LB Adam Mackey, Ironwood, Soph. LB Brian Meyers, Marquette, Sr. DB Kyle Tiglas, Manistique, Sr. DB Brett Rushford, Newberry, Sr. DB David Falish, Escanaba, Jr. P  Ben Storm, Calumet Sr.

DIVISION 8 First Team C  Dane Mortensen, St. Ignace, Jr. G  Corbin Fuller, Ontonagon, Sr. G  Zach LeVeque, Munising, Sr. T  Brent Marcusen, Stephenson, Sr. T  Dan Domitrovich, Ontonagon, Sr. E  Lester Livermore, Engadine, Sr. E Jacob Ludtke, Bessemer, Sr. QB Kenya Oas, Munising, Sr. RB  Jacob Kleiman, Bark River-Harris, Sr. RB Jordan LaVigne, Pickford, Sr. RB Dominic Christian, North Dickinson, Jr. K  Kane Rasner, Stephenson, Sr. RS Dylan Kirkley, Ontonagon, Sr.  L  Jake Devine, Forest Park Sr. L  Tyler Fountain, Rudyard, Sr. L  Nathanael Miller, Engadine, Sr. DE  Shane Testini, Lake Linden-Hubbell, Sr. DE Jake Yaklyvich, Ontonagon, Sr. LB Tyler Wilson, Rudyard, Sr. LB Cory Johnson, North Dickinson, Sr. LB Dillon Wilczynski, Stephenson, Sr. DB  Matt Hill, Cedarville, Sr. DB Alex VanWagner, L’Anse, Sr. DB Robert Laverty, Engadine, Sr. P  Eric Lane, Bessemer, Jr.  PLAYERS OF THE YEAR Offense 2-7 Austin Young, Escanaba, Sr. Defense 2-7 Ben Storm, Calumet, Sr. Offense 8 Jacob Siler, Forest Park, Sr. Defense 8 Tyler Roberts, Ontonagon, Sr  COACHES OF THE YEAR 2-7 Robin Marttila, Iron Mountain 8    Joe Reddinger, North Dickinson   TEAMS OF THE YEAR AB  Menominee C  Iron Mountain D  St. Ignace

Huskies Net Seven Goals in Win over No. 2 Denver HOUGHTON, Mich. — Sophomore Milos Gordic tallied a hat trick in his first game of the season to help the Michigan Tech hockey team upend No. 2-ranked Denver 7-2 tonight at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Five different Huskies had multi-point nights and goaltender Josh Robinson made 38 saves to keep Tech undefeated at home at 5-0-0. Tech (5-2-0, 3-2-0 WCHA) jumped out of the gates with a strong first period. The hosts recorded a 11-4 advantage in shots and led 3-1 after 20 minutes. Freshman Tanner Kero broke the ice with an even-strength goal just 1:53 into the game. Denver (3-2-0, 2-1-0 WCHA) answered less than three minutes later to tie the game at 1-all. Gordic then scored the first of his three goals by driving home a rebound of a Jordan Baker shot on the power play. The marker came at the 10:06 mark of the first. Just 16 seconds later, Ryan Furne made it a 3-1 score by capitalizing on a nice passing sequence from linemates Brett Olson and Blake Pietila. Furne ran into DU goalie Adam Murray after the puck had crossed the goal line. Murray was injured on the play and did not return to action. Juho Olkinuora replaced Murray in net for the Pioneers. It was Huskies’ goalie Robinson sparking in net in the second period, making 21 of his 38 saves to keep the talented Pioneers off the scoreboard. At least two of the saves came on point-blank chances for the visitors. Gordic expanded Tech’s lead with his second power play marker of the game. This one was a deflection of a Daniel Sova shot from the left point at the 3:17 mark of the middle frame. The teams skated hard through the first 13 minutes of the third period scoreless. Denver coach George Gwozdecky elected to pull Olkinuora with 6:54 remaining in the contest. Gordic completed his three-goal hat trick with an empty net tally less than a minute later. Olkinuora remained on the bench while Tech added two more empty net goals—one from Olson and another from Dennis Rix. Denver finished scoring with 56 seconds left to make it a five-goal margin. “We had a really good first period and played well for the first half of the game,” said head coach Mel Pearson. “They took it to us a little bit for the final 30 minutes or so, but I thought Robinson had a heck of a game. “It’s also nice to see our top two goal scorers from last year (Gordic and Furne) get their first goals of the season.” Tech converted 2-of-5 power play chances while holding DU scoreless on three opportunities. The final shot tally showed a 40-28 advantage for the Pioneers. Robinson is now 4-1-0 on the season with a .922 saves percentage. The two teams will wrap up their WCHA series tomorrow. Faceoff is set for 7:07 p.m. at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena. Notes: Tech has won two of its last three games with Denver … The seven-goal output was the Huskies’ most since Oct. 20, 2007, in a 7-1 win vs. Minnesota State … Tech’s last hat trick came from Brett Olson on Oct. 9, 2009, vs. Northern Michigan. -- Wes Frahm Director of Athletic Communications and Marketing Michigan Technological University

Final Finlandia Women’s Hockey: Finlandia Ties Augsburg 4-4 in OT                    Augsburg College   (0-0-1)          4                 Finlandia University (0-0-1)          4                                                                                                 F/OT Read Box Scores

COLLEGE HOCKEY MICHIGAN TECH 7 - #2 Denver 2 WESTERN MICHIGAN 4 - Northern Michigan 2 Lake Superior St. 5 - MIAMI 3 NHL San Jose 4 - DETROIT 2 GLIAC VOLLEYBALL NMU 3 - Lake Superior St. 0 Northwood 3 - MTU 1 GLIAC WOMEN'S SOCCER NMU 2 - Michigan Tech 1  2ot WORLD SERIES - Game Seven ST. LOUIS 6 - Texas 2  (Cardinals are champs 4-3)

Grand Valley Beats Tech 24-20 in Football Thriller ALLENDALE, Mich. — Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011 Grand Valley State scored 14 unanswered points in the second half to come away with a 24-20 victory over Michigan Tech in an exciting GLIAC football game at Lubbers Stadium tonight. Michigan Tech drove the football inside the GVSU 30 in the final minute but couldn’t get into the endzone for the go-ahead score. The game was a tale of two halves. Michigan Tech (5-4 overall, 4-4 GLIAC) controlled play in the opening 30 minutes, outgaining the Lakers 225-to-149 in total offense. GVSU (6-3, 5-3) posted a 213-to-112 advantage in total offense in the second half. “We played hard in a tough environment,” said head coach Tom Kearly. “It was a roller coaster ride. For a game with only one turnover, there were a lot of big plays. We had our chances to win, it just didn’t happen for us tonight.” Quarterback Tyler Scarlett and wide receiver Steve Worthy accounted for all of Tech’s points, and they all came in the first half. The two hooked up on an eight-yard slant to open the game’s scoring with 5:18 left in the opening quarter. GVSU’s Ryan Stokes put the hosts on the board with a 40-yard field goal at the 13:11 mark of the second quarter. The Huskies answered back less than two minutes later as Worthy got in the clear behind the Laker defense and Scarlett placed a perfect pass in his hands for a 42-yard strike. The extra point was blocked, leaving the score 13-3. Grand Valley’s offense kicked into high gear on the next possession. The Lakers drove 74 yards in just seven plays to pull within 13-10 with 8:31 remaining in the half. Tech drove the field and had first and goal at the GVSU eight before turning the ball over on downs. The defense held the hosts to a three-and-out, allowing Scarlett enough time to work the ball back into the red zone. Scarlett again found Worthy in the endzone for a 20-10 lead at the intermission. The Lakers had a first-and-goal of their first drive of the third quarter, but Tech’s defense held them on downs including a stop on a fourth-and-inches run play. The momentum never shifted back to the offense, however. Grand Valley State wouldn’t be denied on their second possession, as Heath Parling tossed a 35-yard pass to Charles Johnson to make the score 20-17. Tech held GVSU to a punt on the first drive of the fourth quarter, but Scarlett committed the only turnover of the game on the next play. He was hit as he threw and picked off. It proved costly as the Lakers began the drive at the Tech 21 and scored five plays later. Javon Augustus out-jumped Quinn Parnell in the endzone for the go-ahead score 24-20. Michigan Tech had its ensuing drive stall at midfield. The Black and Gold elected to punt with 4:45 to play. The defense got the stop it needed, getting the offense the ball back at the Huskies’ 24 with 2:33 showing. Scarlett went to work with no timeouts and moved Tech into GVSU territory four plays later. Pat Carroll’s catch with 45 seconds showing set up the Huskies with a first-and-10 at the Laker’s 27. Scarlett threw three straight incompletions. Facing fourth-and-10, the freshman tried to pick up the first down with his feet and was tackled after a seven-yard gain. Grand Valley knelt out the final 20 seconds for the win. Worthy finished the game with nine catches for 165 yards and a school-record-tying three receiving touchdowns. Scarlett completed 22-of-39 passes for 278 yards. GVSU’s Parling went 16-of-25 for 232 yards and two scores. Hersey Jackson added 97 rushing yards on 21 carries. Tech’s leading rusher was Akeem Cason with 33 yards on 11 touches. Huskies’ linebacker Ian Coughlin notched a game-high 13 tackles including 3.0 for loss. Michigan Tech will return to Houghton for its final home game next Saturday (Nov. 5) vs. Ferris State. Opening kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. -- Wes Frahm Director of Athletic Communications and Marketing Michigan Technological University

Township Treasurer and Faulkner IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP Whether standing in front of students sparking their interest in literature or i standing front of her constituents explaining their latest tax statement, Jyl Olson is always eager to help those she serves.   Olson has been an adjunct English instructor since 1996 at Gogebic Community College, and since 1998 she has also been the treasurer of Ironwood Township. Olson was appointed to fill a vacant position and since that time she has been reelected several times by large pluralities. As township treasurer, Olson also has a seat on the Township Board of Trustees. ” I enjoy working for the people of Ironwood Township,” Olson said, “as that is where I grew up.  It is an excellent place to live.”  Olson’s father was also an educator, who taught at both Roosevelt School and Norrie School. Her mother was a self-employed cosmetologist, a profession that Olson herself considered at one point in her life. “Both of my parents have been incredibly supportive of my educational choices,” Olson said. While Olson did not have a clear vision of the degree she wanted to pursue, she always knew that she would have a career. After graduating from Luther L. Wright in 1988, Olson went on to GCC where she earned an associate ‘s degree in business administration, a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a minor in psychology at Northern Michigan University, and a master’s of arts degree in English literature, also from Northern Michigan University. Olson always loved to read.  “I love reading classic literature, especially the British Romantics.  Faulkner’s The Sound and The Fury is one of my favorite books ever,” she said “It is so beautiful and so tragic. “  Olson read Time weekly, as she didn’t like to watch the news on television.  She read a lot of animal rescue stories, another of her passions.    “I love music, so I read a lot of biographies on bands and individuals that I like.  And I love the Harry Potter series….very imaginative and so fun to read, even when it starts to get darker,” Olson said. Olson had several majors in college, but it does not surprise her that she ended up with a degree in English and a minor in psychology.  Her first two classes at GCC were English 101 taught by Pat O’Neill and psychology taught by Ted Brunelle.   “Both of these classes were hugely influential on me,” she said. “Even though I always did well in school, it was at that moment that I fell in love with college and learning.   They were not my intended courses of study at that time, but the impact was impossible to ignore,” she continued, “ I really loved those classes and how the college environment in general was less structured and more geared to individual success.” Olson is as professional and thorough in explaining to a resident why their water bill has been increased as she is explaining to her students why Anna in the Buchanan short story, “The Mother Who Never Was,” is going through so much pain after putting her daughter up for adoption. Olson teaches her students how Faulkner uses several narrative styles in writing the novel that now ranks sixth on the Modern Library’s 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.   For Olson each school year brings an opportunity to rekindle her love for The Sound and the Fury and to pass on that passion to another generation of young readers. Jyl Olson Profile reprinted with permission from the GCC Chieftain Civic Center Begins Skate Season The Pat O'Donnell Civic Center is now open for the season.  Open skating, Wednesday 1-3, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 6:30pm - 8:30pm. Halloween open skate on Saturday night Oct. 29, admission is $4 and $2 if dressed up in costume. we have music and door prizes, and full concession, all ages welcome. Margaret Parker’s “Shirts and Skins” at Reflection Gallery, November 2 to 27   HANCOCK, MI – The Finlandia University Reflection Gallery, Hancock, will host a sculpture and installation exhibit, “Shirts and Skins,” by artist Margaret Parker, November 2 to November 27, 2011.   An opening reception for the artist will take place at the Reflection Gallery Thursday, November 3, 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. The reception is free and open to the public; refreshments will be served.   Parker will also conduct a public workshop while she is on campus, working with students and community members to create a second installation in a first floor lounge at Finlandia Hall, the university’s residence hall on Summit Street.   The drop-in workshop, sponsored by the Finlandia Campus Enrichment Committee, will take place Tuesday and Wednesday, November 1 and November 2, on both days from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.   To make this installation activity possible, the Reflection Gallery needs t-shirts … lots of t-shirts … in any condition. Drop-off locations are in Finlandia Hall, Room 211, and at the Jutila Center campus. Shirts must be dropped off by November 1, or workshop participants can bring them the day of the first workshop.   The Finlandia Hall community installation will also be on display through November 27.   Parker’s Reflection Gallery space installation will reference the form of a human torso. The Finlandia Hall installation will create an archway.   An installation can be defined as a site-specific, three-dimensional work designed to transform the perception of a space, says Reflection Gallery director, Finlandia Art & Design student Shaela Morin.   Parker’s primary installation medium is the t-shirt, which she cuts, then weaves, to create her installation piece, Morin says. In her installations, Parker explores contemporary issues while also seeking to illustrate connections between ‘the personal and political, the historic and the spiritual.   “Margaret Parker strives to portray life as we live it today,” Morin notes. “Her installation will not only by eye-catching, it will be socially relevant.”   “Since 9/11, I've been exploring what it means to be human in a global age, and what kind of space can help us create an understanding of global humanity,” Parker writes in her artist statement. “What consumes me when I make art is how to express these themes that are so complex and so pressing. If art is not attempting to engage these themes, it is not reflecting our deepest lives.”   According to Parker, “Perfection in art doesn’t really interest me, I’m more interested in something that reaches for what’s hard to say, something more rough and more human. T-shirts have given me a way to show how individuals have been utterly altered by two wars in the Mideast and the era of terrorism.”   Viewer participation is very important to Parker’s intent. She explains, “Once the viewer sees the piece is made from a T-shirt, they must figure out how it was taken apart. I’m very interested in that spatial reasoning because it pulls the viewer backwards into the creative process, making an image that reverberates in the memory.”   Parker has a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Michigan School of Art, Ann Arbor. She has created sculptures and art installations in Michigan, New York, and Maine. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and is included in the collections of the United States Capitol, the State Department Art Bank, the Maine Maritime Academy, University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School, Chelsea Medical Center, and many private collections. Visit Parker’s website at www.margaretparkerstudio.com.   Parker helped found Art Pro Tem, a community-based non-profit organization established in 2004 that sponsors experimental art in non-traditional spaces. She is a founding member of the Women’s Caucus for Art, Michigan Chapter; a member of the Arts Alliance of Washtenaw County; and has served on the City of Ann Arbor Public Art Commission since 2004, chairing the commission from 2006 to 2010.   The Reflection Gallery is located on the second level of Finlandia’s Jutila Center campus, 200 Michigan St., Hancock.   For additional information, please contact Yueh-mei Cheng, professor of studio arts, at 906-487-7375 or e-mail Michigan Tech (5-3, 4-3 GLIAC) at Grand Valley State (5-3, 4-3 GLIAC)  THE MATCHUP Saturday, October 29, 2011 • 7:00 p.m. (EDT)  Radio Broadcast: WKMJ 93.5 FM (Wes Frahm, Rick Frahm) Video Webcast: gliac.org/scoreboard/index Audio Webcast: Pasty.net Live Stats: http://livestats.prestosports.com/michigantech/ DEFENSE HOLDS NORTHWOOD TO ZERO PASSING YARDS The Huskies held the Timberwolves to zero passing yards and 191 total yards (only 25 in the second half) last Saturday. The zero passing yards allowed was not a school record. Tech held Winona State to minus-four yards passing on Sept. 19, 1959. SCARLETT CONTINUES ON RECORD PACE Freshman quarterback Tyler Scarlett registered his fifth 200-yard passing game of the season at Northwood with 202 yards on 15-of-28 accuracy. The 6-1, 210-pound signal caller owns 1,725 passing yards on the season-469 short of the school record of 2,194 with three games to go. Scarlett ranks fifth in the GLIAC and 20th nationally in passing efficiency with a mark of 147.1. WORTHY SCORES AGAIN For the fifth time this season, Steve Worthy tallied a touchdown. Last Saturday (Oct. 22), the senior wide receiver hauled in a 45-yard pass to open the game's scoring. It was Worthy's fourth receiving touchdown of the season (his other TD was a blocked punt return). Worthy has a team-high 29 receptions for a team-high 491 yards this season. VANDERLIN SACKS ANOTHER Senior defensive end Drew Vanderlin pulled within 2.5 sacks of Tech's school record with one at Northwood last Saturday (Oct. 22). Vanderlin has 5.5 sacks on the season and 19.0 for his career. Michigan Tech Career Sack Leaders Games Played Sacks 1. Tony Roberson, 1999-2002 35 21.5 2. Drew Vanderlin, 2007-present 37 19.0 3. Todd Storm, 2008-present 36 16.0 4. Matt Wood, 1998-2001 39 14.5 VANDENBERG MOVES UP TO SIXTH ALL-TIME IN TACKLES Senior Jesse Vandenberg added six more tackles to his season and career totals during last week's 24-10 win over Northwood. The Kaukauna, Wis., native moved ahead of Chris Buday (1977-79, 278 tackles) to sixth on the list. With three games to go, Vandenberg needs 17 more tackles to rank among Tech's top five and 22 more to become just the fifth player in school history with 300 career tackles. Michigan Tech Career Tackle Leaders Solo Assist Total 1. Nick Sturm, 1995-99 214 191 405 2. Tyler Kunz, 1992-95 203 185 388 3. Mike Foltz, 1969-72 96 254 350 4. Robert Hunt, 1969-72 64 277 341 5. Tim Davey, 1981-84 87 208 295 6. Jesse Vandenberg, 2008-present 147 131 278 7. Chris Buday, 1977-79 141 134 275 MEAD CONTINUES ACCURACY; LEADS TEAM IN SCORING Freshman kicker Garrett Mead is 26-of-27 on extra points on the season and 7-of-10 on field goals. He leads the team in scoring with 47 points. SERIES HISTORY Michigan Tech and Grand Valley State have met 24 times since the series began in 1976. The Lakers have claimed 21 of the 24 meetings, but the Huskies have the last win in the series-a 20-17 victory over a then-No. 1-ranked GVSU team last year (Oct. 30, 2010).  UNSTOPPABLE FORCE VS. IMMOVABLE OBJECT Saturday's (Oct. 29) Michigan Tech at Grand Valley State game will feature the GLIAC's top defense vs. the GLIAC's top offense. The Huskies lead the league in total defense (281.3 yards per game allowed) and scoring defense (17.4 points allowed). The Lakers pace the conference in total offense (475.6 yards) and scoring offense (44.8 points). COACH KEARLY Michigan Tech head coach Tom Kearly is in his sixth season as head coach and 12th overall with the Huskies program. The skipper owns a 35-25 record (.583 winning percentage) and has coached Tech to two of the eight eight-win seasons in school history. Kearly, a Hancock native and 1979 Winona State graduate, coached at Central Michigan for 19 seasons before returning to the Copper Country in 2000. He was the GLIAC Coach of the Year in 2010. ALL-TIME RECORD ABOVE .500 Michigan Tech has an all-time .506 record with 338 wins, 330 losses, and 17 ties in 88 seasons of intercollegiate football. The Huskies were 8-2 last season and have won eight games two of the last three years. 2011 CAPTAINS The team captains for the 2011 season are senior free safety Ben Foelker, senior offensive lineman Matt Gaudard, senior defensive end Todd Storm and senior defensive end Drew Vanderlin. SUPERIOR PLAYERS OF THE GAME Superior National Bank sponsors the Superior Player of the Game. Following each football game, a player is chosen. A list of the 2011 Superior Players of the Game is below. Sept. 3 at Winona Todd Storm (8 tackles, 2.5 sacks) Sept. 10 vs. Lake Erie Tyler Scarlett (15-21, 216 yds, 3 TD) Sept. 17 at Wayne Steve Worthy (2 rec., 37 yds, 1 TD; 87 AP yards) Sept. 24 UIndy Tyler Scarlett (16-19, 178 yds, 2 TD) Oct. 1 at Ohio Dom. Bryan LaChapelle (4 rec., 79 yds, 2 TD) Oct. 8 vs. SVSU Steve Worthy (7 rec., 151 yds, 1 punt block TD) Oct. 15 vs. Hillsdale Ian Coughlin (15 tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss) Oct. 22 at Northwood Ben Foelker (9 tackles, 1 interception) -- Wes Frahm Director of Athletic Communications and Marketing Michigan Technological University Suddenly Sámi, Uncovering the Sámi Connection, Is November 3 HANCOCK, MI – The Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center will present a program titled “Uncovering the Sámi Connection” on Thursday, November 3, 2011, starting at 6:00 p.m.   The short film, “Suddenly Saami,” will be shown. The film is about a Norwegian woman who learns as an adult that her family is ethnic Sámi.   Informal discussion will follow, led by Becky Hoekstra, James Kurtti, and Eileen Sundquist. Discussion topics will include the ways in which Sámi heritage is forgotten, even hidden, among Nordic and Nordic-American families, and how this heritage is being rediscovered and reclaimed today.   The use of gakti, Sámi traditional clothing, will be a key focus of this group. Community members are encouraged to share their own stories of becoming “suddenly Sami,” as well as their own gakti, photos, and other related items.   The event is free and open to the public. The Finnish American Heritage Center is located on the campus of Finlandia University at 435 Quincy St., Hancock.   For additional information, contact Hilary Virtanen, programming coordinator for the Finnish American Heritage Center, at 906-487-7505.   Three Huskies Named All-GLIAC in Women's Tennis BAY CITY, Mich. — Three Michigan Tech women’s tennis players were honored with All-Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference accolades as the league announced its awards this week. Sophomore Natalia Lebedeva (Nakhodka, Russia) was named All-GLIAC First Team, senior Ploy Suthijindawong (Bangkok, Thailand) earned All-GLIAC Second Team and senior Chelsea Uganski (Muskegon, Mich./Whitehall) was selected as All-GLIAC Honorable Mention. Lebedeva played No. 1 singles for the Huskies in all but one match. She established herself as one of the top players in the GLIAC with an 8-4 slate in conference singles matches (7-4 at No. 1). Lebedeva also played No. 1 doubles, where she was 2-10 on the year. Suthijindawong closed out her GLIAC career with her third straight All-GLIAC award. The Huskies’ No. 2 player notched an 8-3 record at the position and an 8-4 slate in all conference matches. She also registered an 8-4 mark in doubles play at No. 2 doubles with Uganski. Uganski posted a 5-7 record at No. 4 singles in her final fall at Tech. The Michigan Tech women’s tennis team closed the fall season with a 3-9 record. Wes Frahm Director of Athletic Communications and Marketing Michigan Technological University   Men Strut in High Heels to Raise Awareness by Jonathan Clifton, student editor "Walk a Mile in Her Shoes," an international initiative raising awareness of domestic and sexual violence, gives men the opportunity to "put your feet in her shoes." The event will have men in high heels from 6 to 8 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 29, in the Memorial Union Ballroom. The local effort is headed by the Society of African American Men (SAAM). Starting off, a representative from the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home will talk about the initiative, and student Allen Beverly will give a demonstration in safety and walking in heels. Then five-man teams, sponsored by Michigan Tech student organizations, will compete in three main competitions: a fashion show, a dance off and "Strut your stuff," a contest in best walk in heels. Keynote speaker Kette Thomas, assistant professor in the Department of Humanities, will wrap up the evening with a presentation titled "Pleasure is Not A Privilege." All proceeds from sponsorships go to Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home. "This program is a great opportunity for men to become advocates and agents for change where domestic violence is concerned," said Shezwae Fleming, director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion and MC for the event. Fleming is also on the board of the shelter home. "This is a very thoughtful way to entice young men to participate in the conversations about rape, sexual assault and gender violence. These conversations cannot exist in a vacuum--we need young men to be thoughtful, active and engaged partners in these issues," added Fleming. The event is free. The shelter will also be accepting donations.

Finlandia Welcomes Mentor Michigan AmeriCorps Member Kevin Korte   HANCOCK, MI – AmeriCorps member Kevin Korte is working with Finlandia University and a number of local, regional, state, and federal agencies to accelerate a college-positive culture in the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan counties of Houghton, Keweenaw, and Ontonagon.   To help accomplish this, Korte is recruiting and training Finlandia University and Michigan Tech students, as well as BHK AmeriCorps members and volunteer-mentors from Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Western U.P., as College Positive Volunteers, or “Navigators.”   “The Navigators are college students and other community volunteers who believe the completion of post-secondary education is an attainable goal for area students,” Korte says, stressing that post-secondary opportunities include four-year colleges and universities, two-year community and junior colleges, vocational, technical, and business schools, and military service opportunities.   Read More... Sen. Casperson comments on Gov. Snyder’s special message on infrastructure LANSING, Mich.—State Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, released the following statement Wednesday following Gov. Rick Snyder’s special message to the Legislature on infrastructure.   “I appreciate Governor Snyder’s commitment to building and maintaining a strong infrastructure in Michigan. We share the belief that a healthy infrastructure is essential to the long-term growth and success of our state and its people. Safe, quality roads are vital to keeping and attracting businesses and jobs, as well as the tens of thousands of tourists who enjoy a Pure Michigan holiday every year. Read More... Michigan Tech (4-2-0, 2-2-0 WCHA) hosts No. 2 Denver (3-1-0, 2-0-0 WCHA) Wes Frahm, Director of Athletic Communications and Marketing, Michigan Technological University THE MATCHUP Friday/Saturday, October 28/29, 2011 • 7:07 p.m. (EDT) • John MacInnes Student Ice Arena (4,128) Michigan Tech (4-2-0, 2-2-0 WCHA) hosts No. 2 Denver (3-1-0, 2-0-0 WCHA) Radio Broadcast: WKMJ 93.5 FM (Dirk Hembroff, Randy Heinonen) Video Webcast: MichiganTechHuskies.com Audio Webcast: Pasty.net Live Stats: CollegeHockeyStats.net SEIGO SEVENTH NATIONALLY AMONG DEFENSEMEN Junior defenseman Steven Seigo is tied for seventh in the nation in points per game among defensemen. He had a goal and an assist last weekend-both points coming even strength in Friday's third period. Seigo owns 2-4--6 on the season and 10-32--42 for his career. Read More... GCC October Board of Trustees Meeting IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP - October 26, 2011 The Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees heard a presentation by Mike Hansen, the President of the Michigan Community College Association, and Matt Kurta, who is the college’s lobbyist from Karoub and Associates from Lansing. Hansen and Kurta, both from Lansing, provided a legislative update to the Board. The Board accepted the resignation of Kari Luoma, Director of Allied Heath at the college to pursue other professional opportunities. Authorization was also granted to initiate a search to fill the position.   Because the Michigan State Board of Nursing and the National League of Nursing standards require that college nursing programs be overseen by a director, the Board approved the temporary appointment of Kit Malloy as the Interim Director of Allied Health Programs on a part time basis. In addition, due to the college’s accreditation efforts of the nursing programs and other responsibilities, additional hours were granted to Allied Health Admissions Coordinator Cindy Franck, Adjunct Instructor Nicole Rowe, and Department Assistant Karen Tingstad. All rates at Mt. Zion will remain the same for the upcoming year; this recommendation was unanimously approved by the Board of Trustees. The Board will meet two additional times in November besides the regular November 29 meeting. On Tuesday, November 22, a strategic planning retreat has been scheduled with the college’s Fiscal and Strategic Planning Committee beginning at 4:30. No business will be transacted during this working session. Also, a special meeting will be held on a date to be determined for the purpose of receiving and accepting the annual audit of the college. It must be forwarded to the State of Michigan Department of Management and Budget no later than November 15, 2011. Storytime with a Senator Ironwood – State Senator Tom Casperon, R-Escanaba shared the “Five Little Pumpkins” story with toddlers last week. Casperson visited the Ironwood CarnegieLibrary to read during story hour, a monthly event open to the public. “It’s a great event for young kids,” Casperson said.” I think that they have a great thing going here. We certainly need our young kids getting all of the support they can, at this point. I just really appreciate the invitation. It was really nice.” The event was sponsored by the library and the Gogebic-Ontonagon Great Start Collaborative. The event also highlighted the edition of a family resource library in the children’s section of the library. The resource library contains a laptop for parents to search for early childhood resources, educational games, books, and toys for children of all ages.“We’ve got little children, toddlers, who may not be reading yet, but parents are coming in, looking at, the educational games and toys and the library becomes a very positive experience for both the parents and the child,” said Lynne Wiercinski assistant director of the library. Allison Liddle, coordinator for the Great Start Collaborative said Casperson has been supportive of early childhood in Gogebic and Ontonagon Counties. The Collaborative is working to create a coordinated system of early childhood programs and services. To learn more visit www.gogreatstart.org.  GCC XC Ends on Positive Note The Gogebic men's cross-country team ended their season on a positive note on Friday at the UW-Eau Claire Wissota Invitational. Four runners set season records including another school record by Gogebic's Nathan Foster.  Eau Claire won the meet, followed by Viterbo College, UW-River Falls and Gogebic. "Facing tough four year schools makes for a great challenge for our runners and pulls them to great times," said Coach Will Andresen.   Nathan Foster established a new school record in a time of 29:26. Kyle Weber finished in 30:43, Lucas Scherer in 32:14, Sam Kolesar in 32:51 and Ross Williams also in 32:51.    "We had a great season," said Andresen, "competing in three states against excellent competition, beating some four-year colleges and constantly improving."   The program will now focus on preparing for the Nordic Ski season, with rollerskiing, hill-work, strength training and more running. Skiers for Gogebic this year include Nathan Foster from St. Paul Minnesota, Leif Gilsvik from Two Harbors Minnesota, Ross Williams from Traverse City Michigan, Kyle Weber from Drummond Wisconsin and Sam Kolesar from Bessemer.

In Da Woods by Melanie B. Fullman, US Forest Service

The Final Touches Against my better judgment (northern Minnesota in late October ?? BRRR!), I accepted a fire assignment to the Pagami Creek wildfire on the Superior NF last week. While I sorta knew what to expect, I wasn’t too thrilled when very light snowflakes appeared on Day 1 – the thought of freezing to death on a fire just seems wrong to me! If, by now, you are wondering why ANY fire fighters are needed to ‘put out’ a fire that Nature is doing its best to smother with snow?? There are lots of reasons: Read More...

Top News of the Week by Wes Frahm, director, athletic communications and marketing Football Back in Win Column Tech's football team earned a 24-10 victory at Northwood last Saturday, Oct. 22, to improve to 5-3. The Huskies defense held the Timberwolves to zero passing yards in the contest. Tech continues to own the best defense in the GLIAC by allowing teams just 17.4 points and 281 yards per game. Read More...

Boardman Nets GLIAC Honors MTU Forward Katie Boardman earned GLIAC Soccer Player of the Week honors after leading the Huskies to a pair of wins over the weekend. The Fond du Lac, Wis., native scored a school record six points (two goals and two assists) in a 5-1 win over Northwood. The five goals set a school record for most goals in a game. Tech also posted a 3-0 shutout over Saginaw Valley State. Boardman currently leads the team in goals (seven), assists (six) and points (20).

Visitors to the GCC Reception Thursday had an opportunity to visit with Ramsey artist Carol Bohn. Bohn currently has a solo exhibit at the Lindquist Center "Art Space". Bohn will be at the gallery on Wednesdays and Fridays from 1:00pm to 3:00pm. Stop by and meet Carol and enjoy her beautiful art creations. Read Related Story

Gogebic Community College Foundation's 16th Annual Recognition Banquet

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP – October 21, 2011 The Gogebic Community College Foundation held its 16th Annual Celebration of Achievements Banquet Thursday evening. The event was hosted at the GCC Lindquist Center. Preceding the Banquet there was a Reception that was also held at GCC Courtside.   Each year, the GCC Foundation Board of Directors chooses several individuals to honor who have exemplified their commitment to the College. This year’s honorees included Margaret “Peggy” Malovrh, Distinguished Alumnus Class of 1977; James Milakovich and Donald Fortune, Distinguished Foundation Board Members; and David Coleman, Outstanding College Employee. Read More...

Pictured above (L-R) are Foundation President Charlene Newhouse, David Coleman, Donald Fortune, Margaret Malovrh, James Milakovich, and GCC President James A. Lorenson.

New Life for Welcome Center ?

HURLEY - October 21, 2011 There are unconfirmed reports that the  Wisconsin Welcome Center on route 51 in Hurley will soon be used for motorist renewing their Driver's Licenses. The change if it happens will be great news for Iron County residents. The center will function two days a week from 7:00am to 5:00pm. Currently Licenses can only be renewed one day every two months.

Student Counts Firm Up, But Vary The school districts within the Gogebic-Ontonagon Intermediate School District showed mixed results with respect to this semester’s student population counts.   While some districts showed gains other districts lost student population. However, the ISP student counts overall lost just two students. When reading these counts one must remember that these were the counts as of the official count day. Student population varies almost by the hour within some districts, and you need to keep the counts within perspective. Basically, the population drop is very slight when compared to the 2009-2010 school year. Bessemer school district was down five students since last year; however the count still exceeds that of two years ago. Ironwood gained three students from a year ago. Wakefield Marenisco has a student count of 295 a gain of 13 students. Watersmeet lost 5 students; however, this year’s count of 166 students is just one shy of its count two years ago. In Ontonagon County the Ewen-Trout Creek School District actually gained six students. This year the Ontonagon School District lost 28 students. Last year the Ontonagon District lost 36 students.   Oct 2011 Sept 2010 Sept 2009 Bessemer 460     465  448 Ewen-Trout Creek 244   238   257 Ironwood 861 (885*)  844 972 Ontonagon 411 439 475 Wakefield-Marenisco 295 282 281 Watersmeet 166 171 167 GOISD TOTAL 2437 2439 2600 * includes alternative school count Tech Bucks National Trend in Graduate Enrollment by Dennis Walikainen, senior editor Across the United States, enrollment of new graduate students has declined somewhat, while the overall graduate school enrollment has increased only slightly (1.1 percent). However, those newest numbers, reported by the Council of Graduate Schools, are not reflected at Tech. Bucking the national trend, graduate student enrollment here has increased nearly everywhere on campus. Total graduate enrollment sits at a new record of 1,303, while new master's students have increased 6.9 percent, and new doctoral students have increased 4.3 percent. So, why the difference? Read More... Men's Basketball Adds Exhibition vs. Finlandia HOUGHTON, Mich. — Thursday, Oct. 20, 2011 The Michigan Tech men’s basketball team has added an exhibition game vs. Finlandia to its 2011-12 schedule. The Huskies will host FU on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 7 p.m. at the SDC Gym. Admission to the game for the general public will cost $2 plus a canned good (or other non-perishable food item). If no canned good is presented, tickets will be at the regular season price of $12 for reserved or $9 for general admission. Paid 2011-12 season ticket holders will be admitted free with a canned good. Michigan Tech students will be admitted free (as all home athletic events) and are encouraged to participate in the food drive. All food items collected will be donated to local food banks. With the addition of the Nov. 2 game, the Michigan Tech men’s basketball team will have 16 home dates in 2011-12. -- Wes Frahm Director of Athletic Communications and Marketing Michigan Technological University Bears Holding "Try Hockey Day" The Ironwood Polar Bears are holding a "Try Hockey for Free Day" Saturday Nov 5th from 2pm to 5pm for ages 4-9 years.  Adult and Current Bear Volunteers  are needed for the day. Copper Country Youth Can Try Hockey for the First Time-- Free Recreational Programs invites youngsters to participate in "Try Hockey for Free Day," which will be held from 12:30 to 3 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Student Ice Arena. The clinic exposes youth to ice hockey for the first time; is a chance to learn the basics of the sport in a fun, safe environment; and encourages youth to lead healthier and more active lives through hockey. The program is part of "Come Play Hockey Month" and is a joint effort among USA Hockey, the National Hockey League, NHL member clubs and OneGoal. "Try Hockey for Free Day" also is a component of USA Hockey and the NHL's collaboration with the Let's Move! initiative to encourage the nation's youth to lead healthier, more active lives through hockey. Participants need hockey skates, gloves (hockey or winter) and helmets (hockey or bicycle). Basic skating skills are essential; no organized hockey experience is permitted. To register, see Free Hockey. This event is limited to the first 40 registrants. For more information or questions, contact Jada Gullstrand, recreational programs manager, at 487-2227 or jmgullst@mtu.edu . FOIA Documents from FBI Show Unconstitutional Racial Profiling Government Linking Various Criminal Behaviors to Certain Racial and Ethnic Groups, Documents Obtained by ACLU Reveal    NEW YORK – October 20, 2011 The FBI has been targeting American communities for investigation based on race, ethnicity, national origin and religion according to documents released today by the American Civil Liberties Union and its affiliates that were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act. Read More... Anti-Domestic Partner Benefits Bills are Illegal, Harmful to Economy, ACLU Testifies Before Senate Committee LANSING, Mich. – October 19, 2011  At a Senate committee hearing today, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan testified against two bills, which, if successful, would prohibit public employers from providing domestic partner health benefits and forbid the discussion of partnership benefits during all collective bargaining.   “Given the lack of economic soundness behind these proposals, one is left to believe that the true motivation behind these bills is a cynical, mean-spirited attempt to attack and harm people that certain members of this legislature do not like,” said Jay Kaplan, ACLU of Michigan LGBT Project staff attorney during his testimony. “House Bills 4770 and 4771 are wrong. They are unfair. They are unconstitutional and they will be challenged in court should they become law.” Read More... Hurley Art Students Contribute to Weekend Fundraiser HURLEY – October 19, 2011   The Hurley High School Art Department has four High School Art Students painting chairs for the "Chair Affair", an auction fundraiser being held Saturday, Oct 22 at the Ironwood Memorial Building. The young artist are arty students of Terri Davis, Hurley School Art Instructor. Students involved with the project are:                                  Becca Meade- Hurley Midget Chair                                  Sam Recla- Cancer Ribbon Chair                                  Rachel Peters + Maya Strand- Hand Flower Chair (striped legs) Lake Road Closed IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP – October 19, 2011 Adding to road closings already in effect, one more Ironwood Township road has been closed to traffic. Lake Road, between Slade Road and North Star will be closed several weeks. According to UPI workers at the scene, the closing will be between three to four weeks in duration. United Piping, Inc, Mechanical Contractors & Pipe Fabricators a Duluth Minnesota corporation is installing an oil pipeline across Lake Road. The Pipeline is owned by Enbridge, Inc., a Canadian energy company. The workers at the sight are from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Motorist will be redirected to Vanderhagen via Slade and North star Roads. En Route motorist can get a first hand look at the proposed gravel pit. Friends of the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park Annual Meeting Members, new members and future members are welcome Our annual meeting is scheduled for Saturday, October 22 at 6:00pm at the Porcupine Mountains Folk School. Bring a dish to pass for our potluck. Hear about our year in review and what our future holds for us. Membership Renewal It's that time of year again to show your support for the Porkies Membership renewals will be in the mailed Quill and you can go on-line to renew your membership via PayPal. Annual memberships start January 1 of each year and end December 31 of the same year. First-time memberships submitted after June 1 will be granted membership through December 31 of the following year. Membership includes: • Subscription to the Quill, the Friends’ newsletter, featuring Park news, weather data, history, events, and more. • A collective voice with other Park users to express your concerns and ideas to key State Park policy makers. • Invitation to the annual membership meeting and Park improvement projects.   There are many other ways to show your support for our organization and the park. Here's how: §  Give a membership as a gift to someone special §  Join us as a Lifetime Member §  Attend our Annual Meeting §  E-mail us your ideas §  Attend one of our folk school classes §  Be a Folk School Instructor §  Join us at the Porcupine Mountain Music Festival §  Buy your tickets early for the Music Fest and don't forget to purchase an extra set of tickets for some friends §  Attend an Artist-in-Residence-Program §  Check-out our great merchandise- Apparel, Art and Books and buy some (they make great gifts) §  Make a donation to the Mini-grant fund for our youth to experience the park §  Make a donation to the Artist-in-Residence-Program, the Folk School or the Music Festival Through the Donors’ Club we are able to recognize financial contributions from our members and others who are able to gift our organization to support our programs and projects. The Donors’ Club is listed in our annual print edition of our newsletter (Quill) which is mailed to all members late each fall. The following categories of giving are suggested donation levels: Be a Chickadee - $25 Donation Be a River Otter - $50 Donation Be a Loon - $100 Donation Be a Porcupine - $250 Donation Be a Gray Wolf - $500 Donation Be a Peregrine Falcon - $750 Donation Be a Bald Eagle - $1,000 Donation > Thank you for your support and We'll see you at the Park!

Bohn Exhibit Opens At GCC Art Space

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP - October 18, 2011 The Courtside Gallery “Art Space” a t Gogebic Community College opened Friday with a solo exhibit by local artist Carol Bohn. Bohn’s prints are bold colorful abstracts that are simply beautiful and were well chosen to mark the gallery’s long awaited grand opening. Since 1984 Bohn has shown her work in more than twenty juried art exhibits from New York to Iowa. She has received awards in several of those exhibits. In her artist statement Bohn said  “The designs and colors in my prints come from what I have seen or experienced. The first large print that i did is entitled, Monches Metamorphosis. This reflects an abstract, not only of the yellow tiger swallowtail butterfly, but it also represents the metamorphosis of the change in my art, in the specific medium and style that I now work with. And as with all art, creating it takes a great deal of focus, time and patience, but the end result lifts my spirits, unless it ends up in the collage bin." The Art Space Gallery is located on the GCC Lindquist Center second floor courtside. The Exhibit will be open for a month.

Pictured above Bohn Print "Poppy Aura"

Collage "Waiting"

Print "Katzenjammer Kids"

Print "The Harp Guy"

Tech Goalie Honored  OCTOBER 19, 2011 - MTU goaltender Josh Robinson, who yielded just two even-strength goals last weekend while backstopping the host Huskies to a two-game sweep over conference rival Wisconsin, is the Red Baron, WCHA Defensive Player of the Week for October 18. A 6-0, 185-pound senior from Frankenmuth, Robinson was in nets both nights as Michigan Tech skated to a 2-1 overtime victory over the Badgers at the Student ice Arena last Friday (Oct. 14) and a 3-2 overtime win last Saturday (Oct. 15), giving the Huskies their first sweep over the UW since 2007. Robinson stopped 23 of 24 shots on goal in the series opener and 21 of 23 in game two, compiling a .936 saves percentage, posting five shutout periods (including two overtimes) and holding Wisconsin to just one power-play goal in seven man-advantage opportunities. Through three outings this season, Robinson stands 3-0-0 with a 1.31 goals-against average and a .950 saves percentage. Michigan Tech, under first-year coach Mel Pearson, is 4-0-0 for the first time since its last national championship season of 1974-75. The Huskies continue WCHA play this weekend (Oct. 21-22) with a two-game series at Bemidji State.

INDA Woods by Melanie B. Fullman, US Forest Service ONLY US I just returned from the annual National Fallen Fire Fighters memorial weekend in Maryland. This year, we memorialized 89 fire fighters that lost their lives in the line of duty in 2010. While some were full-time, career fire fighters, more than half were volunteers – just like in our communities. And while some were killed in a burning building, like most of us probably assumed, many more died in accidents en route to fires or were struck and killed at the scene of another accident by an inattentive driver. Fires and accidents happen in all communities; tragic loss of fire fighters doesn’t have to. more... Statement about the passing of Dan Wheldon Alzheimer’s Association staff, volunteers and constituents were sad to learn today of the tragic passing of Indy Car driver, Dan Wheldon, following a crash at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Dan was a true champion in every sense including for the Alzheimer’s cause. Earlier this year Dan announced his alliance with the Alzheimer’s Association at the Indianapolis 500 where he won the race for the second time in his career. His mother is living with Alzheimer’s disease and he was determined to raise awareness for the cause and educate people about the importance of early diagnosis.   The Alzheimer’s Association has been honored to work with Dan and his team. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife Susie, his two sons, Sebastian and Oliver, his parents, Susie and Clive, his siblings, teammates and the entire racing community.   The Alzheimer's Association is the world’s leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Our mission is to eliminate Alzheimer’s disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer’s. For more information, visit www.alz.org.   City and County Cleanup Effort IRONWOOD – October 17, 2011   Ironwood’s fall cleanup day took place Saturday morning. City employees as well as members of the LLW ROTC volunteered once again to unload trash brought to the pickup site on Ayer street. Above SSGT Raven Krugger was the first volunteer at the scene early Saturday morning. Raven is a Junior at Luther L Wright High School. This is her second year to volunteer for the cleanup effort. There were fewer cars lined up as compared to previous cleanup days. Perhaps it was a sign that the city is finally ridding itself of litter and blight. HMMMMM! Also occurring on Saturday morning was the Gogebic County Annual Hazardous Waste pickup day held at the county transfer station. At the transfer station county residents could safely dispose of their hazardous waste including pharmaceuticals free of charge, with a few exceptions.   There will be a permanent Hazardous Waste facility at the Waste Management Site. A grant has been approved that will allow for a building to be built at the site in the near future. Nightmare on Aurora Street IRONWOOD - October 17, 2011 Yet another waste of taxpayer’s money can be found at the Downtown Ironwood Pocket Park. A $50,000 face job on the Pines Building wall has all but destroyed the beauty of the pocket park.   Once an award winning park the downtown pocket park now looks like a bad case of Exemia or a very bad a Halloween trick. The bad paint job is the result of DIDA Chairperson Eve Smith Furgeson refusing to take advice from the Master Gardeners who take care of the park. Furgason a candidate for the Ironwood City Commission also wanted to turn the Norrie School into boarding house. It’s hard to tell which is a more ridiculous waste of taxpayer revenues; the ugly pocket park wall or the stupid parking lots. Obviously someone needs to put some controls on the Downtown Ironwood Development Authority. Finlandia Downs Elliot Lake in Men's Hockey Sunday the Finlandia Lions defeated Elliot Lake for the second time in two days Men’s Hockey. The score for the game played in the Houghton County Arena was  Finlandia 4,   Elliot Lake  1 Saturday night the Lions also defeated the Bobcats 11 - 0 in another exhibition game played at the Calumet Coliseum. View Box Score for Game 1 View Box score for Game 2   MTU Sports Brief Sunday, Oct. 16, 2011 What’s Happening This Week Monday, Oct. 17, 2011 Mel Pearson Show, 8:45-9 a.m. on WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011 Huskies Drive Time, 7:30-8 a.m. on WKMJ Mix 93.5 FM Friday, Oct. 21, 2011 Women’s Soccer hosts Northwood, 7 p.m. Volleyball at Grand Valley State, 7 p.m. Hockey at Bemidji State, 8:37 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM) Saturday, Oct. 22, 2011 Cross Country at GLIAC Championships, TBA (at Ashland, Ohio) Football at Northwood, 12 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM) Volleyball at Ferris State, 2 p.m. Hockey at Bemidji State, 8:07 p.m. (Live Radio, Mix 93.5 FM) Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011 Women’s Soccer hosts Saginaw Valley State, 12 p.m. Volleyball at Saginaw Valley State, 2 p.m. All times Eastern • Home events in bold Last Week’s Results Hockey (4-0-0, 2-0-0 WCHA) 10/14 — at Michigan Tech 2, No. 18 Wisconsin 1, OT 10/15 — at Michigan Tech 3, No. 18 Wisconsin 2, OT Football (4-3, 3-3 GLIAC) 10/15 — Hillsdale 13, at Michigan Tech 7 Women’s Soccer (5-8-1, 3-8-1 GLIAC) 10/14 — at Michigan Tech 2, Ferris State 1 10/16 — No. 3 Grand Valley State 3, at Michigan Tech 0 Volleyball (2-17, 0-11 GLIAC) 10/11 — at Northern Michigan 3, Michigan Tech 0 10/14 — Drury 3, Michigan Tech 1 (at Aurora, Ill.) 10/15 — Maryville 3, Michigan Tech 0 (at Aurora, Ill.) 10/15 — Illinois-Springfield 3, Michigan Tech 2 (at Aurora, Ill.) Women’s Tennis (3-9, 3-9 GLIAC) 10/15 — at Lake Superior State 6, Michigan Tech 3 Cross Country Did not compete Top News of the Week Hockey Off to Best Start Since 1974-75 Michigan Tech won two overtime games vs. Wisconsin last weekend by scores of 2-1 and 3-2. The Huskies are now 4-0-0 for the first time since their national championship campaign of 1974-75. Senior Jordan Baker currently has a team-high five points including two goals—the game winner in both Friday games this season. Tech will look to add to its WCHA-leading four points in the standings during a two-game series at Bemidji State this weekend (Oct. 21-22). Soccer Hosts Final Home Games This Weekend The Michigan Tech soccer team will be playing its final two home games of the season this weekend. Tech hosts Northwood Friday (Oct. 21) and Saginaw Valley State Sunday (Oct. 23). Katie Boardman leads the team in points (14) and assists (four). She is also tied with McKenzie Hengesh for the team-lead in goals with five. -- Wes Frahm Director of Athletic Communications and Marketing Michigan Technological Universit Young Women Artists Seeking Silent Auction Donations HANCOCK, MI – October 14, 2011 The Finlandia University Young Women’s Caucus is seeking donations of original artwork and/or services for “Art on Parade,” a fundraiser that will take place November 19, 2011.   The YWC is raising funds to attend the 40th anniversary Women’s Caucus for the Arts (WCA) national conference, which is February 23-27, 2012, in Los Angeles. The conference provides multiple visibility and networking opportunities for Finlandia University Art & Design students.   Please e-mail YoungWomensCaucus@gmail.com before November 6 if you would like to donate. Donors will receive free admission to “Art on Parade.”   The November 9 “Art on Parade” event will be from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., at the Finnish American Heritage Center. It will feature music by several the local bands, including Pioneer Parade, and a silent auction.   The Young Women’s Caucus (YWC) is an internal caucus of the WCA. Its mission is to provide opportunities, resources, and support to young women artists.   For more information, contact the YWC by e-mail at youngwomenscaucus@gmail.com or call Yueh-mei Cheng, Finlandia University professor of studio arts, at 906-487-7375.   ACLU Pleased By Executive Order Announcing Commission to Fix Michigan’s Public Defense System October 14, 2011   CONTACT: Rana Elmir, ACLU of Michigan, at 313.578.6816   DETROIT – The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan welcomes Governor Rick Snyder’s executive order establishing a commission to improve Michigan’s system for providing defense to poor people in criminal cases.   “Today’s executive order takes a step forward in addressing a serious constitutional problem involving the state’s system for providing attorneys to poor people accused of crimes,” said Kary L. Moss, ACLU of Michigan executive director. “We look forward to working with the governor and the commission to ensure that our criminal justice system works for all Michiganders regardless of their economic status.”   According to the Governor’s Executive Order, the Indigent Defense Advisory Commission is charged with recommending improvements that will ensure qualified and consistent legal counsel is available for poor people accused of crimes throughout the state. Commission recommendations are due to the governor and legislature by July 15, 2012. For years, the ACLU of Michigan and its coalition partners have worked in the courts and the legislature to fix Michigan’s broken system. In 2007, the ACLU of Michigan and national ACLU filed a class action against the state on behalf of all indigent criminal defendants in Berrien, Muskegon and Genesee Counties. The lawsuit was filed in Ingham County Circuit Court and called on the court to declare the current public defense systems of the three counties unconstitutional and compel the state to assure representation consistent with national standards and constitutional norms. The case, Duncan v. Granholm, is pending in Ingham Circuit Court.   “For too long, Michigan has ignored the high cost of wrongful convictions,” said William Fleener, Cooley Innocence Project staff attorney. “Such convictions not only cost the state millions of dollars, but they also cost lives – the innocent men and women who are imprisoned, the families who suffer and the public that believes a crime has been solved.”   Earlier this year, the ACLU and Michigan Campaign for Justice released “Faces of Failing Public Defense Systems: Portraits of Michigan’s Constitutional Crisis,” a report documenting Michigan’s failure to ensure that public defense attorneys have the tools they need to provide constitutionally adequate legal representation and the devastating impact of this failure on the lives of 13 public defense clients. The report offers researched accounts of people accused of crimes across Michigan – people who were unable to afford an attorney, inadequately represented in court, imprisoned and later exonerated or are awaiting exoneration.   Read an overview of Duncan v. Granholm at www.aclumich.org/DuncanvGranholm Read Faces of Failing Public Defense Systems: Portraits of Michigan’s Constitutional Crisis at http://www.aclumich.org/sites/default/files/file/pdf/FacesofFailingPublicDefense.PDF

No Fear of Failure: Technology Entrepreneurs Implore Students to Go for It

by Dennis Walikainen, senior editor Start-ups are not easy to start, according to experts visiting campus, and success through failure happens. "If you are going to fail, fail fast," said Paul Fulton '84, a Silicon Valley investor and consultant, at Tuesday's Entrepreneur 2.0 panel on campus. "You learn from your mistakes, and it's like skiing at Mont Ripley, which is why I came to Tech. If you don't push yourself to the edges, you don't know how far you can go." Entrepreneur 2.0 sought to expose students, faculty, staff and community members to some of the sharpest minds from Silicon Valley and elsewhere, all of whom are alumni. more...

Tech's 2010-11 Major Award Winners To Be Honored Tomorrow HOUGHTON, Mich. — Friday, Oct. 14, 2011 Michigan Tech will honor its major award winners from the 2010-11 season at halftime of tomorrow’s football game. Tech’s major awards are the Raymond L. Smith Awards for the top senior male and female student-athletes, the Terry Wilson Awards for the outstanding freshman male and female student-athletes and the Rick Webster SISU Award. Football player Phil Milbrath (Norway, Mich.) and women’s basketball player Lucy Dernovsek (Holcombe, Wis.) earned the Raymond L. Smith Awards. Milbrath, a senior running back who was a national finalist for the Harlon Hill Award as the Division II player of the year, finished second in the nation in rushing (141.2 yards per game), fifth in all-purpose offense (178.7 yards per game) and ninth in scoring (9.6 points per game). The 5-9, 200-pound Milbrath racked up 1,412 rushing yards, 375 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns during his senior campaign. He was a unanimous first team All-American. Dernovsek led the women’s basketball team to a 31-3 record and national runner-up finish a year ago. She was an all-around force for the Huskies, averaging 11.9 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists. The 5-11 forward also set a school record for blocks with 73 en route to being named Daktronics All-America Third Team. The Terry Wilson Award winners were women’s cross country and track athlete Deedra Irwin (Pulaski, Wis.) and men’s basketball player Alex Culy (Rice Lake, Wis.). Irwin was the top finisher for the women’s cross country team at all seven meets in 2010. She earned GLIAC Freshman of the Year honors and was the overall champion in two meets. She also excelled on the track, earning all-GLIAC honors in the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Her times in both the steeplechase and 800-meters were each the third-fastest in school history. Culy averaged more than 11 points per game and recorded a team-high 76 3-pointers for the men’s basketball team. He ranked second on the team in both assists (68) and steals (27) while starting all 28 games. The 6-2 guard scored 20 or more points four times last season including a season-high 24 points at Northern Michigan that included eight three pointers. The Rick Webster SISU Award is a special honor bestowed upon an individual associated with athletics at Michigan Tech who has overcome adversity, exhibited courage through difficult situations, performed with pain/injury, or performed admirably after recovering from a severe injury. The word “SISU” comes from the Finnish language meaning “guts,” and was exemplified through the perseverance of Rick Webster, who was paralyzed during the spring football game on April 4, 1974. Webster’s bravery and determination allowed him to complete his degree and successfully find employment despite his handicap. This year’s SISU Award recipient is long-time hockey equipment manager Roy Britz, who battled and survived throat cancer for eight months in 2010. He started in the equipment room in 1989 and has been the hockey equipment supervisor since 1994. Other awards to be handed out during the short ceremony are the Ken Hamar Award and honorary blankets and letters. The Ken Hamar Award, a Huskies Club Award given to a “true supporter” of Michigan Tech Athletics, will go to Paul Kerttu. Kerttu is an avid fan and Huskies’ memorabilia collector. He has given over $75,000 in gifts to Michigan Tech hockey in his lifetime and has pledged to donate his collection back to the University. Honorary blankets will be awarded to Jim Meese, Jeff Parker and Jim Tervo. An honorary letter will be presented to Brian Rimpela. -- Wes Frahm Director of Athletic Communications and Marketing Michigan Technological University

City Considers Cross Contamination Survey

HURLEY – October 12, 2011 Gary McLaren appeared before the Hurley City Council last night to discuss the cross contamination survey required by the WDNR.  McLaren represented HydroDesigns a firm that specializes in making these cross contamination surveys. The purpose of the survey is to assure that plumbing codes have been followed with respect to non-residential water service. Codes require that check valves be installed on water lines entering all properties. “Not all plumbers comply with the code” McLaren said. Failure to have the check valves can result in water back flowing from the building into the city’s water supply.   Adequate protection varies depending on the complexity of the commercial establishment. A retail store would be a much simpler risk as compared to a car wash. The council took no action last night and will consider adding the survey into the 2012 budget. The Council will formally approve the matter at next month’s council meeting.

GCC  Cross Country Team Competes at Marquette

Gogebic's cross-country running team travelled to Marquette for the U.P. Collegiate Cross-country Finals on Friday. Michigan Tech University won the meet with 25 points, followed by Lake Superior State University with 36 and Gogebic with 82. Overall winner was LSSU's Taylor Heath in 26:44 for the 8k course. Top finisher for the Samsons was Nathan Foster in 30:26, followed by Kyle Weber in 30:56, Bryan Livingston in 31:10, Ross Williams in 33:48 and Sam Kolesar in 35:14. "Kyle Weber had a new personal record and everybody ran well, especially considering the hot and windy conditions," said Coach Will Andresen. Gogebic travels to UW-Eau Claire next week for the Lake Wissota Invitational. story submitted by Will Andressen

Hurley Junk to Treasure

HURLEY – October 12, 2011 One man’s junk is another man’s treasure so it said. In Hurley, the city’s junk can also be the city’s treasure. Last evening Hurley Public Works Director Mark Bluse told the city council that the city will be receiving nearly $5,000 for scrap iron that it has recently sold. The iron sold for scrap was collected by Bluse from the recent street project. Rather than leaving the old water and sewer lines in the street, Bluse collected it and sold it on the city’s behalf. Bluse also told the council members that the new city grader is being retro-fitted by the dealer, and that the city will be receiving the equipment soon. In the meantime Bluse is holding on to the old grader in the event of an October snowfall. Bluse told the council that the Public Works Department has completed flushing the hydrant system and has been preparing for the winter ahead.

In Da Woods by Melanie B. Fullman, US Forest Service

“You should write an article on these,” the Spouse said, holding up his fifth woolly worm in as many minutes. “They’re everywhere! Wonder if that means we’re gonna have a cold winter?” Wazzy Fuzzy? Yes. The woolly worm is actually the larva of the common Isabella Tiger Moth (Pyrrharctia isabella). Depending on where you live, the fuzzy youngsters are called woolly worms, fuzzy wuzzies, and/or woolly bears. You’ve probably seen them since childhood, with distinctive black-copper red-black bands of long, thick, furry bristles. The caterpillars emerge from eggs in the late summer or fall and spend most of their time looking for a place to hibernate. The best spots are under bark or inside the cavities of rocks or logs. They are able to survive extreme cold because of those bristly hairs covering their body and a unique ability to produce an antifreeze-like coating made up of glycerol and other chemicals. Scientists estimate that woolly worms can tolerate temperatures to -90. Some, found frozen in ice, resumed normal activity once the ice melted. more...

Blake Pietila Named WCHA Rookie of the Week MADISON, Wis. – Michigan Tech hockey player Blake Pietila (Brighton, Mich.) has been named the Red Baron Western Collegiate Hockey Association Rookie of the Week for Oct. 11. Pietila turned in a stunning debut with two goals and an assist in Michigan Tech’s 4-3 comeback win over visiting American International last Friday (Oct. 7). The rookie left wing put home two power-play goals to pull the Huskies within 3-2 early in the third period, then had the primary assist on Steven Seigo’s game-tying goal at the 17:47 mark. In addition to his three points in the series, Pietila fired nine shots on goal as the Huskies opened a new era under first-year coach Mel Pearson with back-to-back victories (Tech also won 3-1 over AIU last Saturday). The two-game sweep was Tech’s first since Dec. 19-20, 2008, in a home-and-home series vs Northern Michigan and was their first two-game home sweep since Oct. 19-20, 2007 vs. Minnesota State. Michigan Tech will open WCHA play this weekend (Oct. 14-15) with two-game series vs. Wisconsin at the John MacInnes Student Ice Arena.

Lame Duck Mayor To Push Through Park Scheme

IRONWOOD – October 10, 2011 The Ironwood City Commission will meet tonight to hold three Public Hearings and the first October regularly scheduled meeting. The commission will hold a hearing to consider the Complete Street Ordinance – “The City of Ironwood will plan for, design and construct all transportation improvement projects, both new and retrofit activities, to provide appropriate accommodation for bicyclist, pedestrian, transit users and motorists of all ages and abilities in accordance with City of Ironwood Pedestrian and bike plans.” A second ordinance will be considered to amend permitted dates of outdoor furnace operation to September 15th until May 15th. Finally, the lame duck mayor will push through his pet project that used an disproportionate amount of city funds and manpower during his reign. Create by Ordinance the Miner’s Memorial Park that is neither a memorial nor safe park. The city has yet to abide by safety standards as presented by the County Mine Inspector. The park is alleged to be built and cared for by volunteers; however, the Friends of the Miners Non-memorial Park are dwindling in numbers, especially those that volunteer to care for the caves. So far the city has spent many thousands of tax dollars preparing for this boondoggle. During the four years that Burchell and Lamb have controlled the City Commission not one minute of time has been spent bringing jobs to Ironwood. No wonder more than 500 residents have fled from the city during the past four years. View Complete Agenda

-- 
Wes Frahm
Director of Athletic Communications and Marketing
Michigan Technological University

Maggie Parr Exhibit Opens At Reflection Gallery

HANCOCK - October 7, 2011 Maggie Parr’s exhibit “Americana Distressed” opened at the Finlandia University’s Reflection Gallery yesterday.   The exhibit consists of thirteen beautiful collages that celebrate the golden era of illustration. Three oil paintings of Carousel Horses are also included in this great exhibit. Parr discussed her work  with the Finlandia art and design students and other members of the audience at the opening reception for the exhibit. more...

Senator welcomes local national park rangers to Capitol

LANSING, Mich.—State Sen. Tom Casperson, R-Escanaba, (right) and state Rep. Steve Lindberg (left) welcomed Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore park rangers Jim Northrup (center right) and Tim Colyer (center left) to the Capitol on Thursday. Superintendent Northrup and Chief Ranger Colyer were in town to testify in support of Casperson’s Senate Bill 617, which establishes concurrent state-federal law enforcement jurisdiction on federally owned lands.

Finlandia University Business School Awarded Campus Compact Grant

HANCOCK, MI – The Finlandia University International School of Business (ISB) has announced that Michigan Campus Compact (MCC) has approved the ISB’s $2,400 grant proposal titled “Increasing Business Student Participation in Community Affairs.” The grant requires a 50% Finlandia match, which has been met.   “MCC believes in the importance of creating supportive campus environments for engagement in community service and civic education activities and is proud to provide you, along with 12 other applicants from MCC member institutions, funding to assist in these efforts,” said MCC’s assistant director of campus partnerships, Shannon Zoet, in the award letter.”   “I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Michigan Campus Compact awarded the ISB this small grant to encourage our students’ participation in community affairs,” said Terry Monson, dean of the ISB. “One of our goals at Finlandia is to become a fully connected and engaged partner with our community.”   To help achieve this goal, and with tools and resources provided by the grant, over the course of this academic year the ISB will engage four student teams in service activities at three local organizations. Monson anticipates that up to 16 Business program students and three ISB faculty supervisors will be involved in these endeavors.   Two of the teams will provide marketing and accounting assistance to the Copper Country Community Arts Center (CCCAC), Hancock, including updating the Art Center’s balance sheet and reviewing its QuickBooks accounting entry system.   “Participation at CCCAC will increase ISB students’ awareness of non-profit sector needs, and it will teach them how to apply their business education to areas outside of the private sector,” Monson explains.   Another student team will provide project assistance to the Hancock Business and Professional Association, and the fourth team will provide business consulting assistance at Findlandia’s Lily I. Jutila Center for Global Design and Business, a university-sponsored small business incubator.   In particular, the grant funds will fund an annual subscription fee for Quickbooks accounting software, purchase Microsoft Project Pro software, and provide partial funding for a statistical software license. The Venture Grant Cycle 40 grant period is from September 1, 2011 to August 31, 2012.   “We are grateful to the CCCAC, the Hancock Business and Professionals’ Association, and the Jutila Center for supporting this grant and for their willingness to work with our students,” Monson says. “I believe it is an undertaking that will benefit all of us.”   For additional information about the Finlandia University International School of Business, contact Dean Monson at 906-487-7338 or terry.monson@finlandia.edu.     Michigan Campus Compact (MCC) is a coalition of college and university presidents who are committed to fulfilling the public purposes of higher education. Campus Compact member presidents are joined together in their commitment to the development of personal and social responsibility as integral to the educational mission of their campuses. Currently MCC has 43 member campuses and Michigan members are part of national Campus Compact, a coalition of nearly 1,100 college and university presidents, representing some 6 million students.   Finlandia University, founded in 1896 as Suomi College, is the only private university in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and one of 24 colleges and universities affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is the only university in North America founded by Finnish immigrants. Located in the Upper Peninsula town of Hancock, Michigan, Finlandia University is a learning community dedicated to academic excellence, spiritual growth, and service. Bachelor and associate degrees are earned by students in two schools and two colleges serving the disciplines of art and design, business, liberal studies, and health sciences. Finlandia student-athletes compete in NCAA Division III sports. Please visit our website at www.finlandia.edu.

KLASSIC KRUISERS CAR CLUB & BESSEMER PUMPKINFEST

BESSEMER - October 5, 2011 Mother Nature shone down on the “Car Show in a Pumpkin Patch” again this year at the 33rd Annual Bessemer Pumpkinfest on Saturday.  Forty-five vehicles registered for the show putting on a great display on the old Bessemer Auto lot on the corner of US 2 and Sophie Street.  According to Linda Gustafson, car show chairman, “We had many first-time participants this year.  Great to see!”       more...

Finlandia Named 2012 Military Friendly School

HANCOCK, MI – G.I. Jobs, a magazine for military personnel transitioning into civilian life, has awarded Finlandia University designation as a 2012 Military Friendly School.   With extensive research and through a data-driven survey, G.I. Jobs gathered information from more than 8,000 schools nationwide, evaluating them on a number of military-friendly attributes and available services for those who have served. more...

UPPCO Storm Wrap Up! Safety Still A Concern

Ishpeming, MI - With power restoration efforts nearly completed following the recent windstorms on Thursday and Friday, the Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO) is asking all customers who may still be without power or witness potentially unsafe situations involving electrical equipment to contact the utility at 800-562-7809. "We believe we have nearly everyone's power restored at this point," said Jodi Pineau, Customer Service Manager at UPPCO. "But there may be some isolated areas where a few customers may still be without power, or there may be situations that may look potentially dangerous like tree limbs on power lines but the power is on." Pineau reminds that safety remains a concern as residents remove fallen tree branches or debris from areas near power lines. "Now that power is restored, electric lines are once again energized, so removing fallen tree branches or working in and around live wires must still be done with extreme caution and best left for professionals. We want to avoid all accidental contacts with live power lines." "If customers come across any situation that looks potentially unsafe, they should call us immediately and report the location and the situation," according to Pineau. Pineau also thanked UPPCO customers who were without power for the patience and safety while waiting to have power restored.

Bessemer 2011 Pumpkin Festival

BESSEMER - October 3, 2011 This weekend Bessemer celebrated its 33rd Annual Pumpkinfest. Saturday, pumpkins were everywhere in the city. At EJ Oas’ field a Trebuchet was catapulting pumpkins at a fort across the field. The device propels the pumpkins with a tremendous force when the trigger is released and a 900 pound weight cooperates with gravity. Pictured above is three year old, Owen Eli, selecting just the right ammunition. more...

U.S. 2 Automobile Accident Sends Four to Hospital

BESSEMER - October 2, 2011 A two car accident at the intersection of U.S. Highway 2 and Puritan Road occurred early Saturday morning. Four persons injured in the collision were transported to Grandview Hospital by Beacon Ambulance. At the scene were firefighters from the Bessemer Fire Department, Deputies from the Gogebic County Sheriffs Department, Michigan State Police and Ironwood Public Safety Department.

In Da Woods by Melanie B. Fullman, US Forest Service

Falling in Love Walking through the woods these days is amazing! The colors, the smell of the leaves, the crispness of the air!! Brilliant Survival Technique Perennial plants, including trees, must have some sort of protection to survive freezing temperatures and other harsh winter conditions. Stems, twigs, and buds are equipped to survive extreme cold but tender leaf tissues are not, so plants must either protect their leaves or dispose of them. more...

Wastewater Project Moves Forward

IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP – September 28, 2011 The Gogebic-Iron county Wastewater Authority held a public hearing tonight at Gogebic Community College. The Public Hearing was held to for the purpose of describing the $3,088,310 improvement program for the wastewater facility and to hear any public comment on the proposal. Randy Scott, from C2AE Engineering, introduced the project and the parameters of the plan. Scott gave a description of the water quality problems that would be addressed by the project; selected alternatives improvements; cost impacts; and social and environmental impacts by the project. The project will be funded in one of two ways, either through a loan from the state revolving loan fund or a loan from Rural Development. The Authority is applying for a 20 year loan from the MDEQ. It would most likely be a twenty year loan at 2 ½ % interest. Another source would be a 40 year loan from Rural Development. The difference to each customer between the two sources be around 10 cents per month. The additional cost for each residential customer will be $3.28 to $3.69 per month depending on the political subdivision in which a customer resides. No one appeared before the Authority to give evidence on the project. Following the Public Hearing the Authority met in a regularly scheduled meeting. During the meeting the Authority/Board approved moving forward with the project.   The board also approved going forward with a second S-2 Grant application that would if approved reimburse the Authority for Design Costs associated with the project. Scott has already submitted the first of the two S-2 applications. That application would reimburse the Authority for Planning Costs associated with the project. Earlier this year the Authority developed a master plan to deal with the plant assets. The Wastewater plant while new compared to the rest of Ironwood, is already middle aged. Due to the chemicals and processing that takes place at the plant portions of the system are old beyond their years. Many items have already been replaced through designated fund reserves.   As a result of the asset survey, a plan has been developed that will replace selected items through the loan. Other items will be replaced as needed through the designated fund reserves.

GCC October Board of Trustees Meeting

IRONWOOD - September 27, 2011   The fall enrollment report was given by Miranda Lawver, Assistant Registrar and Institutional Researcher, and Jeanne Graham, Dean of Students at last night’s meeting of the Gogebic Community College Board of Trustees. As of September 16, headcount at GCC is down by 79 total students over last year, with 727 full time students and 422 part time students. Credit hours taken by students also dipped, from 14,919 in 2010 to 13,466 this fall. “The decreases we are experiencing were expected,” said Graham. “With the increases we have seen over the past several years, we anticipated enrollment to level off this year. In comparison to even three years ago, our enrollment this year is still very strong.” more...

U.P. Ag Connections Table of Contents 2. -Market Report -For Sale/ Wanted -Raising Dairy Calves 3. -Corn Grazing Pasture walk -Cattle Prices Start High -Feeder Cattle Marketing Options 4. -Fall Horse Pasture Management 5. -FSA News   6. -Nitrate Toxicity in Forage Crops and Its Interpretation 7. -Sponsors 8. -Calendar Read October Report