Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
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BESSEMER - Marty's Goldenaires Drum and Bugle Corps held its annual fundraising picnic at Bluff Valley Park Saturday. "The corps started in 1950," said assistant musical director Dustin Pitrone, "And we've been having our picnic every year, consecutively, since 1980." The event was open to the public, free of charge. Activities included kids' games and face painting, a bake sale, raffles, live music, concessions and a cookout. "We hold this event to support us functioning as an organization,"...
HURLEY - Little Finland held its annual potluck Sunday afternoon. "This is our membership picnic," president Sonja Luoma said, "We've had this at least every year since 1980." Average attendance is about 40 people. "Our membership is large, about 250, but they're kind of scattered all over the place, so not everyone is able attend," Luoma said. Dishes included bratwurst, potato salad and various casseroles and salads. "It's not necessarily Finnish food," Luoma said, "It's just whatever anybody...
IRONWOOD - A new game, the "commodity carnival", was available at the Gogebic County Fair this past weekend. The activity is designed to walk fairgoers through the steps of bringing steer and cattle to market. "It's a great way to introduce kids to how they get food on the table," Gogebic County 4-H coordinator Anne Newcombe said. As part of the activity, participants are given an empty egg and encouraged to fill it with small stones and "feed," to reach a specific weight. The stones represented...
ROCKLAND - The Society for Old Victoria held its 32nd annual craft fair and museum tour at Old Victoria Sunday. "It's our annual fundraiser," tour guide Lynette Webber said. "At least one-third of our annual income comes from this fair." The fair included 22 exhibitors, including the Keweenaw National Park Service. Items for sale included quilts, soaps, jams and jellies, duck calls and homemade jewelry. Other activities included kids games, live music and refreshments. Popular items at the event...
WAKEFIELD - The Wakefield City Council authorized a tire collection event for Sept. 17 at its meeting Monday evening. The event is aimed to address the blight and safety issues scrap tires create on residential property, said City Manager Margot Rusinek. "Each homeowner would have the opportunity to place standard size automotive tires curbside with a ticket attached," she added. Tickets will be sold at city hall for $2. This price is indicated for rimless tires only. The Krist Oil Company is...
BESSEMER - Gogebic County's Relay for Life wrapped up Saturday morning with a fundraising pancake breakfast at the Bessemer VFW. With a menu of pancakes, French toast, eggs, baked goods, orange juice and coffee, the Bessemer and Wakefield VFWs helped raise some money for the fight against cancer. The 2014 Relay for Life was centered around Massie Field in Bessemer, from noon to midnight. There were games, music, food and luminaria in honor and memory of those with cancer. "We've been kids...
SAXON, Wis. - The White Thunder Riders Snowmobile Club held its third annual vintage grass drags at the Iron County Fairgrounds Saturday. "We just decided to do a racing event and there are a lot of vintage competitions throughout the Midwest," said member Joe Olson. Besides the snowmobile races on grass, other events included an ATV pull, live music and a 50/50 raffle. Refreshments were served by the Iron County Fire Department and 4-H Club. "Fifty-nine machines competed in 16 different classes...
HURLEY - The "Show Your Colors" 5-kilometer fun run starting and ending at the Hurley K-12 School Friday raised money for the volleyball team. A total of 115 runners ran around the school track and continued off school property westward down Range View Drive, turning south on County D, east on Division Street and north on 10th Avenue, and back onto Range View to the finish line at the school. About every kilometer, the runners ran through a gauntlet of volunteers, many of them volleyball...
BERGLAND - More than 40 people attended the fourth annual kid's fishing clinic at Bergland Centennial Park Saturday morning. The event was hosted by the Lake Gogebic chapter of Walleyes for Tomorrow, and featured a variety of activities for kids, ages 5-15. "We usually get 40-60 kids," Sandy Piencikowski, local club member, said. "I think we need to have kids knowledgeable about fishing. It's where we live." The clinic consisted of several 20-minute stations, including casting, bait and fish ide...
IRONWOOD - U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow held a meet and greet at the Ironwood Memorial Building Sunday afternoon. Stabenow, a Democrat, is not up for reelection in Michigan until 2018, but decided to make a stop in Ironwood to meet with community members to discuss different political topics. Around 25 people attended the event, including Ironwood mayor Kim Corcoran, city manager Scott Erickson and Wakefield city manager Margot Rusinek. During the event, Stabenow commented on a variety of topics,...
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield-Marenisco School Board authorized a ballot proposal to renew the 1 mill building site sinking fund Monday. The proposal will appear on the November ballot. The board heard federal Impact Aid money not paid to the district since the consolidation between Wakefield and Marenisco 10 years ago was authorized in the last federal budget. The district has so far received three payments for retroactive impact aid and plans to receive two more, for a total of $214,000. “As a result of increased revenue,” said super...
WAKEFIELD - The Wakefield city council held a hearing for the condemnation of two structures at its meeting Monday evening. It decided to proceed with condemnation of the buildings at 111 Bedell Ave. and 502 Sunday Lake St. The building owners have until Sept. 26 to remove the structures. The city was notified of a resolution to set aside $6 million in Community Development Block Grant Funds for eligible projects impacted by extreme cold last winter. City manager Margot Rusinek is currently...
MARENISCO - The Fire Brigade Band of Kropp, Germany, held a concert Saturday evening as part of the fourth annual Marenisco "Milltown" Heritage Days. The band played various styles of music, ranging from German folk songs such as "Trompetenecho" to modern pop songs like "Africa." The band consisted of 29 members, with ages ranging from 14 to 74. "Back in Germany, we have 48 people," said band leader Johannes Rasmussen. "But we couldn't all stay here for many reasons." It is the fifth...
IRONWOOD - The Ironwood Area Schools Board of Education heard the city and IAS were awarded the Safe Routes to School Grant of $386,614 at its meeting Monday evening. The grant is intended to cover renovation costs regarding school routes, i.e. sidewalks and administrative costs. It will be used to replace the Curry Street and Lake Street sidewalks and also to build three spur trails plus a school path to connect LLW with the Gateway Trail and nearby neighborhoods. The board also made three new...
IRONWOOD - The Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce drew tourists from the Midwest for a 50th birthday celebration for the Hiawatha Indian statue Saturday morning. "We didn't know what to expect," said Ironwood Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sandy Harden, regarding attendance at the ceremony. Originally from Minnesota, Hiawatha is the world's tallest Indian statue at 52 feet. "Over the last 50 years, he's endured the Upper Peninsula weather," said Ironwood Mayor Kim Corcoran, "He also, unfo...
WAKEFIELD - The Wakefield City Council approved a proclamation to name July 3 as "John Siira Day" and rename the renovated pavilion as the "John Siira Pavilion." The proclamation was presented to former City Manager John Siira during a surprise ceremony on July 3. It appointed GEI Consultant Jeff Bal as Prime Professional to oversee the Michigan Department of Natural Resources trust fund project. The project includes a $150,000 grant to renovate the restrooms and pier at Sunday Lake. "The restro...
MERCER, Wis. - The Mercer Loons Motorcycle Club held its 16th annual memorial run bike ride Saturday afternoon. "We hold it in memory of all our passed club members," said member Dave Riegler. Member Scott Tomek led the group in a few moments of silence before heading out on the road at noon. "Be safe and let's ride," he said. Beginning at the Dear Lodge in Mercer, the ride included a 130-mile trip through Park Falls, Clam Lake, Butternut and Mellen. The ride was also a poker run. "At every...
MERRIWEATHER - The Hoop 'N Holler Tavern held its 13th annual cardboard boat race on Lake Gogebic Sunday afternoon. The race consisted of five different age groups, including children up to age 5, ages 6-10, ages 11-16, ages 17-40 and seniors. One winner was crowned from each age group. First place prize was $25. Prizes also included toy giveaways for children, the "most patriotic" award and the "Titanic" award. "It's become a real family affair," tavern owner Carolyn Maves, said. Those of all...
WAKEFIELD - The Wakefield-Marenisco School Board approved the 2014-15 budget at its meeting Monday evening. "The projected fund balance for June 30, 2015, is $72,237," said business manager Tina Trevarthen said. "We plan to end this year with a balance of $13,164." Superintendent Cathy Shamion presented the student growth model to the board. "As a school, we were at 93 percent passing," she said, "Our goal has always been 95 percent and this is the highest we've ever been." The board heard repor...
IRONWOOD - Local residents got some exercise and viewed eco-friendly art pieces during the "Art in the Park" exhibition in Ironwood on Saturday. The event was sponsored by the Friends of the Miners Memorial Heritage Park. Attendees started near Lorenson Baseball Field, and trekked 1 mile around the Aurora Loop to view the art pieces. Each piece was environmentally-friendly and attendees were able to vote for their favorite pieces. Pieces will be on display until July 26, and people can vote...
BESSEMER - Axes were flying during the first ever lumberjack show on Massie Field over the weekend, as part of Bessemer Blast 2014. According to Linda Nelson, chair of the Bessemer Blast Committee, the committee had been trying to get this event on the schedule for quite some time. "We've been look at having an event like this for a couple years and we finally made a connection," Nelson said. The show included various lumberjack-inspired competitions, including axe-throwing and the standing...
WAKEFIELD - The Wakefield City Council adopted a "resolution supporting local community stabilization and personal property tax without raising taxes" at its meeting Monday evening. The resolution urges local residents to vote "yes" on the proposal to eliminate the personal property tax, which many businesses consider an unfair double tax, city manager John Siira, said. On March 28, the city received $8,600 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help cover flood costs for 2013. A total...
MERCER, Wis. - The Mercer Education Foundation held a Taste of the Northwoods event at the Mercer Community Center Saturday afternoon. "It's an opportunity for the community to experience the great culinary professionals around here," said foundation trustee Jama Boes. Eleven local businesses hosted stands, offering appetizers, entrees and desserts. Tickets were $20. There was also a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. All proceeds will benefit the foundation. "In the past, event proceeds have...
MARENISCO - Field ornithologist Allen Chartier, of Detroit, banded several hummingbirds at a local residence in Marenisco Saturday morning. "It's a project I've been doing with hummingbirds since 2001," Chartier said, "It's a very specialized form of banding." According to Chartier, banding hummingbirds takes "a federal and state permit, steady hands, patience and a lot of training." The banding process includes taking measurements for each individual bird then marking the beaks with a bit of...
MERCER, Wis. - Bicycle enthusiasts grabbed their bikes and headed out to the eighth annual Lupine Junefest Saturday in Mercer. The event pays homage to the lupines which grow along the roadside throughout the area. To help attendees view the flowers, the event includes bike tours. Bike tours included lengths suitable for any rider, ranging from 10-50 miles. More than 160 bicyclists registered for the tours, including residents of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Florida. All participants were given...
