Tuesday Norrie Park was abuzz with activity generated
through the energy of nearly 60 Ironwood fourth grade
students.
The day began early and this year, for the first time
students boarded their buses from their new school at
Luther L. for the trip to Norrie Park.
At the park, Principal Bruce Kerkove, Master Gardeners,
Forester Susan Trull, Artist Connie Kerkove and 4H
Coordinator Viki Nelson waited for the arrival of the
fourth grade students. Also waiting for their arrival
were several upper classman - LLW Sophomores and Juniors
who had volunteered to help where needed.
Once at the park the kids gathered under the Kiwanis
Pavilion, where they were greeted by Jim Mildren
(pictured above) representing the local Kiwanis
organization. The Kiwanis adopted the park 80 plus years
ago, Mildren informed the kids. Today the organization
still sponsors the Norrie Park Field Day, as well as
other amenities at the park.
The threatening weather was a concern, but the predicted
deluge failed to materialize.
A full day of activity had been planned for the students
by their teachers, Mrs Kangas and Mrs. Kamarainen who
was substituting for Mrs. Quigley who was recovering
from knee surgery.
The students are divided up into small groups of seven.
Each group receives a bandana of a different color and
has a dedicated time slot for each event, a simple plan
that works very smoothly.
During the day each group gets to participate in several
events including a nature walk, a fish casting game,
tree identification class, art instruction, and plant
flowers at several locations.
Artist Connie Kerkove
pictured above, provides professional instruction to the
students.
The Norrie Park entrance was spruced up by the Norrie
School students who planted flowers around the park sign
post. Betsy Pecuri, a Master Gardener oversees the
planting. Betsy, who also teaches at the college,
brought some of high school students to help with the
many of the day's projects and events.
Master Gardener Diane Fontechhio, help students
plant flowers at the site of the old Civilian
Conservation Corps encampment. The site is marked with a
small sign.
Viki Nelson the County 4-H Coordinator, directs
the kids in a fish casting game, where the students
attempt to cast inside a hula hoop. As usual several of
the kids appear to have some experience fishing here in
the beautiful north woods.
Norrie School Principal, Bruce Kerkove, describes
invasive species and other notable items along the
nature walk.
Master Gardener Gordon Frase, planted flowers with
the kids at the park's Historical Marker. The marker is
located where the park drive divides.
The students planted flowers around the perimeter
of the pine trees. At one time a flag pole and an
American Flag once occupied this spot. The electric box
that once powered the flag's spot light still remains.
Assisting the students at this site were Master
Gardeners Lynn Adams and Diane Fontecchio.
Ironwood teacher Paulette Niemi, instructs the
students who planted flowers around the park's outhouse.
While the building may not be the most glamorous place
in the park, it is one of the most visible. The kids did
a great job on this and all the park's planting
projects.
Below: In between projects the kids enjoy time on the
park's playground equipment.
Polar Bear
Cookbook
Thank you
to everyone who submitted
recipes for the Polar Bear
Hockey Cookbook. The cookbooks
are now available. The cost for
the cookbooks are $10.00 so make
sure to grab one for yourself
and maybe one or two as a gift.
They can be purchased at the Pat
O'Donnel Civic Center concession
stand or by contacting Kerry
Roehm or Micki Sorensen.
