Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
PAUSING AFTER a walk along one of the paths by the Wolverine Trails chalet in Ironwood are, from left: Jeanne Matchefts of Mercer with her dog, Lunta, and Jeanean Santini of Ironwood with her dog, Chopper. They were participating in Wolverine's annual Land-Owner Appreciation Day.
By P.J. GLISSON
Ironwood - Members of the Wolverine Trails ski club gathered with guests Sunday at their annual Land Owner Appreciation Day, held in the club chalet in North Ironwood.
The group enjoyed fellowship, along with grilled picnic meats, potluck dishes, dessert and coffee. As an added attraction, food educator Deb Leonard, from the University of Wisconsin Extension, also brought a blender bike.
The bike includes a blender that works via the biker's foot power, which was provided by Bill Greiter of Madison, Wis. He pedaled the bike while Leonard poured ingredients for a pumpkin smoothie. After Greiter and the bike worked their magic, Leonard served the concoction to everyone present as an extra treat.
In what members assure is a "dog-friendly" environment, Nancy Yost of Eau Claire, Wis., stood cuddling her small pooch, Pippen, who was wrapped in a blanket. "She went swimming this morning," said Tom Zwaschka of Willard, Wis., who had taken a hike with Yost and his own dog, named Miss Kitty.
Jeanean Santini of Ironwood and Jeanne Matchefts of Mercer, with their respective dogs, Chopper and Lunta, also enjoyed a trail walk before lunch. Santini, who lives near the chalet, said she and Chopper use the trails so often that "he thinks he owns the place" and gets confused when a lot of other people are there.
Along with Santini, Mary Ahnen of Bessemer said the club has about 120 members, including 60 active volunteers, who work year-round under the direction of club president Dennis Spade and his wife, Sue, to cut wood and to keep the chalet and trails maintained.
For instance, Ahnen, who is the club treasurer, said at least 12 people worked Saturday to keep the trails safe. "We cut down quite a few trees on the trails," she said, adding they were not able to do planned culvert work because it was too wet. Despite Saturday's light snow and cold winds, Ahnen concluded, "It was a fun day."
The women said non-members also are welcome to use Wolverine trails, with $10 per day donations appreciated. Children 12 and under may ski free.
The club is looking forward to two winter events in 2019: the annual Yooperbeiner Snowshoe Race/Walk on Feb. 2 and the Mountains of the Midwest Winter Triathlon on March 3.
