"Sweet Land "
Showing Thursday April 16th
HANCOCK -

The Finlandia University Nordic Film Series continues Thursday, April 16, with the 2005 film, "Sweet Land." Showings are at 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the Finnish American Heritage Center, Hancock.

"Sweet Land," filmed on location in southern Minnesota, is a poignant and lyrical celebration of land, love, and the American immigrant experience. It was written and directed by Minnesota native Ali Selim, and is based on the short story, "A Gravestone Made of Wheat" by Minnesotan Will Weaver.

Inge (Elizabeth Reaser), who grew up in Norway but speaks only German, arrives in Minnesota toting a Victrola but without her papers, so when she connects with Olaf (Tim Guinee), the dour, strapping Norwegian farmer it has been arranged for her to marry, the two aren't allowed to go through with the ceremony.

Instead, they coexist in an awkward limbo as Inge stays with a neighboring family where she learns the English language, American ways, and a hard-won independence.

Inge and Olaf slowly come to know each other, and against the backdrop of endless farmland and cathedral skies they fall in love, a man and woman united by the elemental forces of nature.

Still unable to marry, they live together openly, despite the scorn of the neighbors and the disapproval of the local minister. But when his friend Frandsen's farm is threatened by foreclosure, Olaf takes a stand, and the community unites around the young couple, finally accepting Inge as one of their own.

"Sweet Land" won the Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature at the 2005 Hamptons International Film Festival.

For additional information, please contact James Kurtti at 906-487-7302 or james.kurtti@finlandia.edu.
 
 

 

Wakefield-Marenisco Class of 2011
Make Donation to Coles Foundation
Wakefield - April 9, 2009

The Wakefield-Marenisco School District Class of 2011 donated $100.00 to Coles Foundation!!!!!

Left to right - Mr. Aaron Ruotsala (Coles Dad), Dakota Easley, Travis Boetto, Michael Dalbec, & Ms. Georgana Lake (sophomore class adviser).
 
 

Polka Kings Perform at Konteka
April 8, 2009 - White Pine

story and photos by Linda Graham

Last Saturday evening, the Konteka Black Bear Lounge and Restaurant hosted not one... but two special birthday parties! The first one began at 5:30PM with music provided by the Polka Kings. The first party was a surprise party for a special lady celebrating her 75th birthday. The second birthday celebration was for a "big Five-Oh".....and that celebration began with a delicious buffet and was followed by karaoke music.
A fun time and great memories for both birthday celebrations. The Konteka in White Pine has a bowling alley, motel, restaurant, lounge, convenience store and gas. A great place to hold an event such as Birthdays and Anniversaries.
 

 

Bessemer Lane Reduction To Be Rehashed
The Bessemer City Council will once again take up the matter of the reduction of  two traffic lanes on  U.S. It has been almost been a year since state politicos from MDOT convinced the council of the need for the lane reduction. The one year trial period is almost over and a decision must be made as to keep the current road configuration. There will be a public hearing at city hall April 20th for citizens to voice their opinion(s). Last year the majority of citizens speaking to the council opposed the project and the council chose none-the-less to buy into the plan.
The proposal to eliminate two lanes  was is not a new one one. It originated over 6 years ago and was presented to both Ironwood and Bessemer at that time. Ironwood rejected the proposal immediately and the concept seemed to die with the Ironwood rejection. At last year's special hearing many people asked how did this idea reincarnate itself?

No one on the city council would take credit for the proposal, and the MDOT representatives would not provide an answer to the question. Jokingly, the audience proposed that it arrived as a lightning bolt from God. To this day no one at City Hall will admit responsibility for resurrecting the program. To date Ironwood has rejected the idea.
In the year since the change the beautification program that was to be part of the lane reduction has gone nowhere. Further, the Mark Johnson administrator of the Bessemer School District stated that the lane reduction has created a problem for drivers coming to the school. He stated that it appeared that there was a need for additional traffic controls near the school. It is not known what if anything has been done in that regard.
 We do know that the same political division (MDOT) has turned down a request for traffic controls at the Wal-Mart intersection. Citing "not enough deaths to warrant the expense"  Yet, MDOT has enough money to throw away million dollar communication towers.
The opponents of the road plan will get to have their say on April 20th. Just one week later on April 27th. the city council will have its say.
 

Gogebic Seeks to Move 911 Dispatch
Gogebic County - April 9, 2009

The Gogebic 911 Committee met yesterday to discuss the direction 911 service will go over the next 5 years. The county has placed a phone surcharge request on the May ballot. Gogebic County residents are in real peril of losing the enhanced 911 phone service.

There are several reasons for the need for a rate increase. First, the current dispatch service is delivered through the State Police Headquarters in Negaunee. The costs of the service has been increased unilaterally by the State. The negotiations were simply "take it or leave it". Under the current take it or leave it contract the Gogebic E911 service will be broke in the very near future. Yesterday the committee chose to leave it.

The other item putting pressure on our local service is AT&T and their partner the Michigan Public Service Commission. Boy is that a marriage that needs serious investigation, but that will be a subject for another IronwoodInfo Day. The long and the short of it is that the MPSC has forgotten who they serve and is allowing the Corporate Giant AT&T to charge unconscionable rates for E911 service. Right now Gogebic residents are caught by rising costs brought about by the two state agencies. The State Police whose own budget has been destroyed by our state representatives and by the Michigan Public Service Commission's lack of commitment to the public that they are to serve.
The Gogebic 911 Committee has not been sitting on its hands in this matter. They have and are continuing to explore ways to reduce the costs of the service. Yesterday the committee approved a resolution to start negotiations with Iron County (MI) for dispatch service. The move from Negaunee is expected to reduce E911 costs significantly. The Committee is also seeking to bring those dispatch services back to Gogebic in an affordable way. While bringing the service home will create additional jobs it will be costly. The equipment costs will have a significant upfront cost.


While there are choices the problem remains that no matter what we choose to do, the current 30 cent monthly surcharge will not cut it. The county can "without voter approval" raise the monthly surcharge to 42 cents. Neither 30 cents or 42 cents will allow us to continue the E911 service.

So as the saying goes "the ball is in our court". Next month we get to choose between a $1.65 monthly telephone surcharge each month or lose the E911 service. The choice is really that simple.

Another item that the surcharge hopes to solve is the upcoming switch to narrow band communication devices. Another government mandate will require all local emergency communications to be distributed by narrow band equipment. The costs are very significant. Very! The proposed surcharge will handle the costs of purchasing and installing the new equipment in Gogebic County.
 

Car Wash Anyone?
Ironwood Township  April 10, 2009

Yes, it's that time of year again. Time to clean up the family Oldsmobile and get ready for the spring and summer months ahead.

If you're looking for a great car wash we have just the place for you. The Ironwood Township Volunteer Firefighters are holding a fundraising car wash event this Saturday Morning.

Tomorrow is going to just the perfect day to get your car washed. The Vols will be on duty from 9:00 am until  4:00 pm. at the Township Fire Hall on Lake Road.
According to Chief Peite, there will be wieners, soda and coffee available. If your not hungry or thirsty donations will be greatly appreciated.

The proceeds from the day's event will go towards purchasing Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus, the air tank firefighters wear to enter a burning buildings. New certified units are needed to replace the out of date units currently being used.

Enjoy the day, your car will love you for it and so will you local firemen!

 

911 Enhanced Service at Risk!
Bessemer - February 11, 2009

The Gogebic 911 Committee met Wednesday afternoon to discuss future funding of the counties emergency notification system.

We've all come to realize that the economy is poor in general and the forces that threaten all aspects of our lifestyles now also threatens the existence of Gogebic's 911 service.
The problem is a multi-faceted one. AT&T, is charging the county exorbitant fees and the State Public Service Commission does nothing to evaluate the situation even though lives are literally at stake.

On another front, the Gogebic 911 calls go to the Negaunee State Police Dispatch and then forwarded to local emergency services. From time to time there's a glitch when the Negaunee Dispatch doesn't recognize a local location. However, complaints are few and far between. The problem Gogebic faces is the rising costs of the Negaunee Dispatch. These costs are driven by the Negaunee operation, but, through the politicos in Lansing. The state is dire straits and they are seeking higher revenues to cover their overall expenditures not just 911.
Now the burden of these rising costs must be dealt with locally.
The current phone fee of 30 cents per phone will never cover the continuation of Enhanced 911 service. The cap for the service can be raised without voter approval, but only to 42 cents. That figure is also too low! Gogebic's enhanced service is in real jeopardy. The current fund balances may be enough to carry it through December of this year.
The 911 committee must decide to put a rate increase into effect that will save the system. There are alternatives. Gogebic could start its own dispatch. This would be the most expensive way to go. However, there are advantages to this choice. There would be 5 new jobs created. Jobs filled locally. Salaries spent locally and taxes paid locally. A second choice would be to join with another county going it alone. The combination of two or more joint ventures could present some savings.
The third alternative is to go to basic service and hope for the best.

The difference between the two services is that an emergency call made through Enhanced 911 tells the dispatcher where you are located, Basic Service does not. If you call 911 and then are unable to speak or tell the dispatcher your location - lots of luck. On the other hand if you use the current Enhanced Service the dispatcher will know your location and will be able to send help without you providing the address.
So, in an era where parents pay $30 - $50 a month for a cell phone for their kids, the question is how much is saving your life worth? Forty-two cents a month, a dollar a month or a dollar and sixty two cents a month?
 
 
Ironwood to
Honor Native
Sgt. Ervin Romans
Ironwood - April 2, 2009

The city of Ironwood is making plans to honor Sgt. Ervin Romans who was killed in the line of duty in Oakland, CA . Sergeant Romans was the eldest son of Mr. & Mrs. Chet Romans of Ironwood Township.  Chet owns Romans Electric and is a long time member of the Ironwood Township Vol. Fire Dept.

Sgt. Romans will be buried at the Ironwood Township Cemetery following the Funeral Services which will be held at the Ironwood Memorial Building.

The following information has been released by the Ironwood Public Safety Director, Robert  Erspamer.


Date: UPDATE: The procession on Saturday morning will be at 8:00 a.m.

Funeral Information (processions, street closing, transportation)

On Friday afternoon at 3 p.m., law enforcement will provide a funeral escort for Sergeant Ervin Romans from the McKevitt-Patrick Funeral Home to the Trinity Lutheran Church.

The procession will travel south on Lowell Street from the Funeral Home to Ayer Street. It will travel east on Ayer Street to Lake Street. The procession will end at the church on the corner of Lake Street and Margaret Street.

On Saturday morning, the funeral procession will leave Trinity Lutheran Church at approx. 8:00 a.m. The procession will travel north on Lake Street to Ayer Street. It will turn west on Ayer Street and turn south on Marquette Street. The procession will end at the Ironwood Memorial Building.

Visitation will be at 9:00 a.m. at the Memorial Building followed by the funeral service at 11:00 a.m.

After the funeral services on Saturday, (approx. 1:00 p.m.) the procession will leave the Memorial Building and travel east on McLeod Avenue and turn north on Lake Street. The procession will end at the Ironwood Township Fire Hall. The family and honor guard will continue to the cemetery for a private ceremony.
The services at the Ironwood Township Cemetery will not be open to the public.

STREET CLOSURES-
The following streets will be closed from 6 a.m. Saturday until approx. 3 p.m. Saturday.
Marquette Street from Ayer Street to Vaughn Street.
McLeod Avenue between Norfolk Street and Mansfield Street.
Aurora Street between Norfolk Street and Marquette Street.

SPECIAL NOTE- Parking in the area around the Memorial Building will be very limited due to the large amount of law enforcement vehicles. People attending the service should park at the LLW High School parking lot on Curry Street. The Gogebic County Transit (Little Blue Bus) will be providing transportation to and from the Memorial Building from the High School lot beginning at 9 a.m. Saturday and again immediately following the ceremony. Everyone is encouraged to attend this ceremony to honor our fallen brother. People are also encouraged to come out and view any of the processions as they pass by.
 

Local Winners of K of C
Free Throw Contest!
Greenland - Rick and Cheryl Saari parents of Taylor pictured above sent us these photos and information on the Free Throw Contest held March 15th in Negaunee. 

Cheryl would like to share the information and photos with our readers. She would also like to thank the Knights of Columbus for holding the event. Our thanks go out with Cheryl's and our congratulations to all the winners!
Pictured above are the local winners  of the Knights of Columbus Marquette Diocesan Level - free throw contest  and competed in the U.P. finals held in Negaunee on March 15, 2009.  The winners went on to compete in the State Championship.

Top Row left to right Sarah Trudgeon of Bessemer, Chelsea Truscott from Greenland, Andrew Olesak from Gladstone, Kenya Oas from Munising, Ryan LeBerge from Houghton, Bottom Row left to right: Cody Kunnari from Lake Linden. Jason Sutherland from Ontonagon, Taylor Sheapheard from Calumet, Aspen Hood from Naubinway, Taylor Saari from Greenland and Darien Nichols from Manistique. Congratulations to the Winners.
 
Pictured above - Michigan State Champions of the Knights of Columbus free throw contest held in Negaunee on March 15th. On the left is Cody Kunnari from Lake Linden and on the right is Kenya Oas from Munising. Congratulations Champs!
 

 

"Beautiful Northwoods Adventure"
Ironwood Township - March 30, 2009

Last Wednesday the promotion committee of the Next Generation Group met at Gogebic Community College. This committee is delegated to promote the assets of the community in a way that is consistent with those assets found to attract young people to the area. The committee chairman is Dan Paterson, who is pictured below  on the right. Dan, is the community development director for the city of Ironwood.

The purpose of Wednesday's meeting was to move forward in developing a theme for the project. The committee had submitted possible themes in advance of the meeting. The members then chose among the 51 possible themes submitted.

The top six themes chosen were:

  1. Four Season Adventure (6 votes)
  2. Your Vacation My Life (4 votes)
  3. Beautiful Northwoods Life (4 votes)
  4. Beautiful Northwoods Experience (3 votes)
  5. Adventure North (3 votes)
  6. Live Up North (2 votes)

 
The group reviewed the results and identified two primary themes: "beautiful northwoods" and "adventure", Putting the two primary themes together, the group agreed on the theme of "Beautiful Northwoods Adventure".
After the theme was narrowed down the committee then moved on to discuss elements to be included in a Web-Site.

General agreement was herd for combining both "wants" (what young people are looking for in a place to live - e.g. the Michigan Cool Cities Survey) and "needs" (what they win need in order to live here - e.g. jobs, affordable housing). Mark Stephens suggested that we keep the web-site free of clutter and limit the number of tabs to six.
 
The group agreed to ask representatives from the Go-In' Forward group to the next meeting to ask them what type of information they believe would be important for the site.
The next meeting will be hefd on Wednesday, April 29, 6:00 PM, Room B-22, Jacob Solin Business Center, Gogebic Community College.

A week from tomorrow (April 8th) the four groups that are working on the Next Generation project will be holding the first “Next Generation Initiative” update to hear what each of the four work-groups have been up to since December. 

Will Andresen, who heads up the project will be sharing the results of a second suvey that went to people who grew up here, moved away and have not returned.  It’s interesting to note that 55% of these people would like to return and 45% would not – what’s really interesting is what distinguishes these two groups of people.
This article is based on the meeting notes provided by Will Andresen.
 

Local Scouts Compete in Pinewood Derby
Wakefield - March 28, 2009

The Cub Scouts from Cub Packs 300 and 337, their friends and families gathered today to compete in the annual Pinewood Derby. This year's event took place in the Wakefield-Marenisco School gymnasium.  A large number of racers and race fans showed up for what has become Cub Scouting's most popular event.
Pinewood derby cars pictured above, are small wooden models that the scouts make with help from their families and then race in competition.
 The cars are powered by gravity and run down a regulation track as shown above. The pinewood derby is an annual event and it can be run indoors or outdoors. Every boy can design and build his own "grand prix" car to enter in the race.
 
The purpose of the Pinewood Derby is to help the Cub Scout build a team relationship with their parent or helper, experience the sense of accomplishment and the excitement of competition, learn Win/Lose good sportsmanship, and to have fun. The model cars are made of wood to specified dimensions, created, carved, assembled, and decorated by Cub Scouts under the guidance of the parents or helpers. The cars are gravity powered and run down a special track.
Like all successful events, it requires some planning and preparation, but the payoff in fun and strengthening family relationships has been proven over the years. By following a plan and distributing responsibility among several Cub Scout parents and leaders, ya successful Pinewood Derby can be achieved.
Read More
 
The Boy Scouts of America is the nation's foremost youth-serving organization. More than 4.7 million young people participated in Scouting programs last year 1.9 million of those are Cub Scouts.

For more information see www.scouting.org.
 

Wetlands Bank Project Faces Setback
Ironwood Township -March 28, 2009

The Gogebic Economic Development Commission met Thursday afternoon. On the agenda was a report from Lily Palmer, a Coleman Engineering employee who has been working on a Wetlands Bank Program for the EDC. Unfortunately, the news would not be optimistic this day. According to Lily the Michigan Governor has made budget cuts that will all but got the MDEQ. According to information received by Palmer, the DEQ will no longer administer the Wetlands Mitigation Program. This of course will throw the administration of the program into federal control. Lily also told the commissioners that 30 Michigan DEQ staff will be terminated. This is a thirty percent reduction.
Dona Scorse, EDC Administrator advised the commissioners that there hasn't been any updates from Kelly Drake with regards to the County's Comprehensive Plan. Commission Chairman Ray Brown said that he would contact Kelly in an effort to move the project along. He stated that it was taking too long.
In other news Ms. Scorse advised the board of several businesses that were interested in moving to the area or relocating within the area. She advised that Burton Industries had just closed its loan through the Revolving Loan Fund.

The disposition of the Armory building is still up in the air. There is Interest in the building including the possible use as a business incubator.

The commission also discussed the recent revelation that the commissioners re not covered under the county's D&O insurance coverage. Several  commissioners disagreed with the opinion and will seek further investigation.

 

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