Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
FROM LEFT, Don Dugan of Mercer gratefully accepts a cup of hot chocolate from volunteer Peggy Bronsberg at MECCA Trails' annual Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe Hike on Saturday evening. Located at MECCA's main chalet in Mercer, the annual fundraising event featured a one-mile, dog-friendly trail, bonfire and treats.
MERCER - Skiers, hikers and dogs with happily wagging tails gathered at the main chalet of MECCA Trails on Saturday night for the group's annual Candlelight Ski and Snowshoe Hike in Mercer.
Lanterns and ice luminaries lit up a beautiful, one-mile trail through the snowy forest while volunteers inside offered supporters chili, cornbread, hot chocolate and cookies.
MECCA Trails is a volunteer-led, non-profit organization now in its 50th year. The group provides 13 miles of dog-friendly, groomed classic and skating cross country ski trails and three and one-half miles of snowshoe trails.
Fundraiser proceeds will be used to maintain and groom the trails and to sponsor community skiing events and outdoor education classes.
The group also hopes to fund and complete a heated 30-foot by 36-foot storage building that will protect grooming equipment and keep volunteers warm when they make needed repairs on machinery.
MECCA's next event will be an Owl Prowl Snowshoe with a naturalist from Lakeland, Wisconsin, on Feb. 14 from 6 to 8 p.m. More information is available at the group's website at meccatrails.com.
The main chalet for Mecca Trails is at at 4686 N. Fierick Road in Mercer.
- BRENDA MOSELEY
