Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
ENJOYING SATURDAY's Yooperfest celebration at Big Snow Resort's Blackjack location are two shoppers admiring red and black plaid boot cuffs made by Deb Harvey of Wakefield. From left are cousins Ellen Eisch of Islamorda in the Florida Keys and Jody Baeseman of Wausau, Wis. According to Baeseman, the women were here to ski, but she added, "Today, we're shopping."
BESSEMER - A snowstorm that lingered through the weekend dropped a solid base on local ski hills, which also were busy with other activities such as live music and the annual Yooperfest at Big Snow Resort's Blackjack location in Bessemer.
The annual event on Saturday featured busy slopes outside, as well as an indoor art show.
Even the artists addressed the theme, dressing in plaid items and/or displaying Yooper crafts such as woodworking and handmade outerwear.
Deb Harvey of Wakefield was displaying boot cuffs in a variety of materials, ranging from fur to sports themes to yooper plaid. Some fancier versions even had decorative bling.
Barb Adams of Bessemer also was prepared to keep shoppers warm with a variety of accessories such as hats, ear warmers, scarves, etc.
"I've been knitting since the fourth grade," she said, explaining that she learned the craft from her grandmothers, with added support from her mom.
Adams also had handmade jewelry on display, including tile bead bracelets.
"As a crafter, you're always trying to look for something out of the ordinary," she said, adding moreover that it simply "keeps you busy."
In addition, her daughter, Jennifer Norden of Wakefield, was on hand with her own paintings. Her mom said that she had only recently begun her artistry.
The event was organized for the third year by Amy Ackley Anderson, who runs Amy's Art Studio and Gallery, which is within the lodge on the second floor.
"We try to support local artists," said Anderson, who has managed her shop for eight years.
Kristi Pikka of Bessemer was offering handmade wreaths, and Mike Salli of Wakefield had an array of woodworking.
"I cut this stuff out in the basement and bring it upstairs and carve while I watch TV," said Salli. "It makes the winter go faster."
He added, "I like to do a lot of fish and birds," but he also had several rustic canes, as well as novelty items that could serve more than one purpose, as with a lightweight wooden tray or wall hanging that he said was designed to look like "a fisherman's tattooed arm."
Salli said that, when he was nine years old, his dad taught him the craft. Decades later, he now has had longstanding membership with the Gogebic Range Woodcarvers.
