Dear Editor:

Peter Embley—seen as both a "thorn in the side" by his relentless challenging of the status-quo of various institutions, and as a gentle warrior, mentor, visionary—passed away Friday, November 19.
  Whatever one's view, Peter was clearly a community servant whose keen interest was enriching the quality of life for Marquette-area residents. Toward this goal, he did ruffle more than a few feathers.
  However, Peter's greatest vision and most noble pursuit, I believe, was working toward the establishment of a Peace Academy at NMU; the primary purpose being the promotion of world peace through cultural understanding and conflict resolution. The making of citizen diplomats, so to speak, with the ability to transform this ideal into reality. He believed the potential domino effect of the world nuclear capability has, in essence, made war obsolete and no longer a viable solution for resolving conflicts.
  Peter leaves behind three wonderful daughters and one grand daughter. He was blessed to have two daughters later in life, now seventeen and fifteen. They embrace, with their daily interactions with people, their dad's fundamental belief that there is no room in the world for prejudice of any kind. I know this to be true; I have the honor of being their mother.
  So, Peter, there you go. Your legacy lives on.
  On behalf of Peter's family, I'd like to extend my deepest gratitude to those individuals at the Jacobetti Home for Veterans for their loving help and support.
  Memorial contributions may be directed to Peter White Public Library in Peter's name. If you have any personal remembrances of Peter you would like to share, they may be sent to: The Weiner Family, "Remembering Peter," 17 Snowfield Road, Negaunee, 49866.

—Connie Weiner
Negaunee

Dear Editor:

Just a short note to say "well done" on [Rebecca Tavernini's] winter safety article published in the December 1999 Marquette Monthly.ˆIt sure was well written and very interesting. You have an excellent writing style to convey this important community and family safety message.
  Thank you for your efforts in helping keep Marquette County a safe place to live and play. If we can be of any assistance in the future, please do not hesitate to contact us.

—Michael E. Zorza, PEM
County Emergency Manager
Gwinn

Little fellow and fawn

We'd like to add some information about a photo that appeared in our December feature article, "Time of the Starving Moon." The photo of the boy feeding the fawn was taken in 1935 by Ben Heath at a family picnic at Presque Isle, across from the new pavilion. The little boy was three-year-old Charles Heath, son of Ben and his wife Sylvia. The photo is from the Heath family photo collection.

Colossal quilters

Regarding our article in the November issue, "Life's a Stitch When Quilting, Spinning a Good Yarn, or Threading Lightly on a Loom," we wanted to mention all the wonderful things that members of the Marquette County Quilters do. The club, which has been around since the 1970s, has 116 members. For the twelfth year, they are donating more than fifty teddy bears with quilts to charity, alternating between the Salvation Army, St. Vincent DePaul's and the Cheer Club. They also annually make quilts for the children that pass through Harbor House and angel quilts which are given to parents of stillborn babies. The Marquette County Quilters sponsor a Public Television quilting show which airs Saturday mornings. They host a biannual quilt show which features hundreds of quilts, vendors and special exhibits. Their members have exhibited nationally and have garnered many state awards. The Quilters meet on the first Wednesday of each month at the Marquette Township Hall at 7:00 p.m. and welcome visitors and new members. To learn more, call Jane Van Denburg at 346-7576.

Ski jump

Plans are in progress for the annual ski jumping tournament that will be held the weekend of February 19th and 20th. For 113 consecutive years, the Ishpeming Ski Club, which is the oldest continually active ski club in the United States, has hosted and preserved this historical event for the Upper Peninsula. Each year skiers from an average of twelve countries participate in the tournament. Countries such as Finland, Norway, Austria, Germany, Italy and Japan, to name a few.
  Throughout the years, the U.P. has produced many ski jumpers who qualified for the U.S. Olympic Ski Team and went on to win several medals. Recently, Rhys Hecox of Marquette, who is a member of the Ishpeming Ski Club, was the only ski jumper in the U.S. to qualify for the World Cup. In fact, Hecox is the only American to win a major tournament in Europe. Two other promising members of the Club are Ray Hocking and Ty Jacobson. All three had the opportunity to attend training camps in Europe this past summer.
  The Continental Cup Ski Tourna-ment will be held, once again, at Suicide Bowl in Ishpeming.

…And speaking of the Suicide Ski Jump…Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company is opposing efforts by a local committee to have the Suicide Ski Jump area designated as a National Historic Site, an action that could prevent the Empire Mine from pursuing development plans in the Suicide Hill/SUNTRAC area, according to a news release from CCI.
  Don Ryan, district manager-public affairs for Cliffs, said the company is disappointed by the actions taken by the group. Ryan said, "Although we are the property owner and we've made these lands available to the community at no cost for nearly seventy-five years, we were not invited to participate in the meetings, nor were we advised this action was being considered. We find this especially disappointing since we have been very open with the community about future Em-pire Mine planning that could impact the Suicide Hill ski jumping area."
  The historic designation could impact future mine development that would be necessary to improve Em-pire's competitive position and extend the life of the mine, the company said. It has not been determined that the ski jump and cross-country ski trails will be impacted, but this decision will be made when the planning process is completed. Empire currently employs about 1,000 people.
  Ryan noted that CCI has been a major financial supporter of ski activities in the area—including contributions of about $150,000 in the last three years to SUNTRAC and in support of ski jumping activities. The company has offered to provide additional, alternative lands and a $250,000 grant to relocate the trails.
  The SUNTRAC Advisory Committee recently asked if Cliffs would be willing to consider a plan to relocate the trail system to the north side of Ishpeming at the Al Quaal Recreation Area and on land north of Teal Lake that was jointly acquired by the cities of Ishpeming and Negaunee. This would allow the use of facilities presently in place at Al Quaal to become part of the project.
  CCI said they are willing to see the $250,000 grant used to relocate the trails to Al Quaal and to consider making company-owned lands in that area available for the project.

Icy Predictions of Future Conditions

That's the theme of the 79th annual Winter Carnival which will be held on the campus of Michigan Technological University February 2nd through 6th.
  Every year thousands of people enjoy this week-long event that offers a variety of activities for both students and visitors. Go and see the famous snow statues, watch the action-packed student special events, judge for yourself who should reign supreme over Winter Carnival at the Queen Competition, witness the grace, speed and power of Division I hockey, catch an excellent theatre production and more. Call 487-2818 for details and watch the February MM.

RSVP:Wow!

During 1999, more than 41,000 hours of service were contributed to the community by almost 300 Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) volunteers, ranging in age from fifty-five to ninety-five.
  "It is nothing short of amazing what these caring senior volunteers accomplish on a daily basis," stated RSVP Director Kathy Herrala. "Providing frail seniors with rides to doctors, making ‘Hats with Hugs' for hair loss patients or baby layettes for new teen moms, writing a grant for a struggling non-profit organization, or reading a story to an elementary classroom." They also volunteer in many situations, from the U.P. Children's Museum to schools and more.
  Focusing on the growing senior population and to help them remain living independently in their own home, RSVPvolunteers also have provided friendly visits, volunteer respite and rides to medical appointments.
  To find out how you can become involved as an RSVPvolunteer, call the Commission on Aging office at 226-4180.

Funding for arts projects

What projects will happen in your community this summer and how can you use $2,000 to help fund them? The Copper Country Community Arts Council (CCCAC) is the regional ad-ministrator for the regranting program of the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA), funding visual and performing arts projects in the six counties of the western U.P.: Houghton, Keweenaw, Baraga, Onton-agon, Gogebic and Iron.
  The grants can be used for many types of activities, including exhibits, readings, performances, workshops, broadcasts, artist residencies, commissions, restorations, festivals, publications and more. Any non-profit organization of government body may apply. Contact Community Arts Center, 126 Quincy Street, Han-cock, 49930 or Susan Burack at 482-2333.

Check before writing a check

Telephone and mail solicitations seeking donations for charitable causes tend to pick up at this time of year. Many are legitimate, however, there are those who are out to make a buck
off the sympathies of others.
  "We believe that the key to giving wisely is being well informed,"said Marquette County TRIAD president Yvonne Clark. "Take the time to learn about the charity you are giving to before you take out your check book."
  TRIAD is a cooperative effort be-tween Marquette County's law en-forcement agencies, Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) and senior citizens. Seniors are often the targets of these scams because they are seen as more vulnerable.
  "We aren't trying to discourage people from giving, there are a lot of charities that can use your help," said Ishpeming Police Officer Bob Sibley. "But if you aren't sure if a charity is legitimate, don't hesitate to contact your local police agency." You also can contact the Charitable Trust Division of the Attorney General's Office at (517) 373-1152 or the Better Business Bureau.
  "They're asking you to donate, so you have the right to ask some questions, too,"said Clark. "Find out where the charity is located. If you get a phone call, ask them to send you information through the mail. Ask what percentage of your contribution will go to the cause and how much covers administration costs, and ask if your donation is tax deductible."
  Never feel pressured into giving; if someone refuses to answer the questions you ask, it is a sign that the charity may not be legitimate. And never send cash or give your credit card or bank account information unless you initiate the call. If you do write a check, be sure to write out the full name of the charity.

The Artfull Life

The former owners of North Wind Books, Patricia and Peter Van Pelt, are hosting residential art workshops during the summer where six to eight guests spend a week living and dining with the Van Pelts in their home in Eagle Harbor and working with a resident artist.
  "We've designed each workshop to be part art school, part shared joy of an extended family and part journey of inner discovery,"according to the Van Pelts.
  The upcoming workshops are: "Clay with the Ancestors" with Ed Gray, July 9th through 16th; "Boreal Sculpture: Sculpture Responding to Place" with Phyllis Fredendall McIntyre, July 30th through August 6th; "Drawing as Meditation" with Joyce Koskenmaki, August 20th through 27th; and "The Lost Art of Personal Writing" with Peter Blau, September 10th through 17th.
  The cost, which covers tuition, room, all meals and basic materials, is $1,050 per person. For more information contact the Artfull Life, HC1 Box 190, Eagle Harbor, 49950, (888) 464-8989, e-mail pvanpelt@up.net, www.artfulllife.com

YAC gets anti-smoking grant

The Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) of the Marquette Community Foundation received a $15,000 grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation for project related to smoking prevention and cessation among youth. The YAC will provide a matching $1,500 grant from the Youth Fund for Marquette.
  The grant will allow implementation of two programs: the Hazards of Tobacco (HOT) program at area high schools and middle schools and the Teens Against Tobacco (TATU) program at elementary schools, summer camps and scouting programs.

Heikinpäivä—a mid-
winter celebration

After the success of Heikinpäivä 1999 last January, the Finnish Theme Com-mittee (FTC) of Hancock felt compelled to host this new Finnish-American celebration again. This year's event is slated for January 22nd.
  The FTC desires to use the event as a catalyst for the transmission of Finnish culture, food ways, traditional crafts, history, music, genealogy and folklore. Traditional crafts and Finnish foods are slated to appear at a tori (market) while a Heikinpäivä konsertti (concert) will feature Finnish and Sami-American performers.
The uniqueness of Heikinpäivä is evident in the diverse and unusual ways community members are becoming involved. In October, Hancock teacher Maija Stadius and her second grade students joined FTC members and parent volunteers in scouring the for-ests around Toivola, collecting lichen to feed the special Heikinpäivä guests—reindeer. Likewise, area artisans and crafters are gathering maple, cedar and birch from the forests to create potkukelkkas (kick sleds), vipukelkkas (whip sleds), sauna implements, carved birds and birch baskets as their ancestors did, both here and in Finland.
The day-long celebration will begin with the Heikinpäivä parade down Hancock's main street. Finns and non-Finns alike are invited to participate in the parade, as well as other Heikin-päivä events.
Phase two of the Heikinpäivä event will be found at the parade's end, in front of the Hancock Middle School. The large, flat expanse of the school lawn will become the town square. This typically quiet place will be bright and alive with whirling vipukelkkas and potkukelkkas, while the Sami, in their colorful gakti (traditional costumes) mingle with the locals. The reindeer moss will be available to feed the reindeer. Equally exciting and colorful will be the tori inside the Finnish-American Heritage Center, with spinners, weav-ers, carvers, cooks and a variety of Finnish foods and imported items.
New to Heikinpäivä will be a series of winter games and sporting events. In addition to the popular appearance of the local polar bears, hosted by the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity in Hancock, new events will be snowshoe races, dog sledding, skijoring, and possibly Fin-nish baseball (on snowshoes)!
  As the winter sun sets, Hancock Middle School will host a Finnish buffet followed by the concert, featuring local and regional talent. After that, a Finn Hall-style dance will be held into the night.
To participate in any of these exciting events contact Jim Kurtti at 482-0248 or e-mail jkurtti@ccisd.k12.mi.us, the Hancock Community Arts Center at 482-2333 or any Finnish Theme Com-mittee member.

Signs of the Times

Did you know that we consume about 3,000 advertisements a day? How-ever, since we're conditioned to hearing and seeing them, we notice only eighty and react in some way to twelve.
  The Marquette County Historical Society is looking for examples of American advertising in print, signs and objects. If you have one example or a whole collection and would be willing to loan it to the museum for their next exhibit, "Signs of the Times: Advertising and Marketing in America," please call 226-3571.
  Incidentally, try to remember the twelve advertisements you noticed today.
Fame, fortune await you

Don't miss your chance to win the Marquette Monthly Short Story Con-test and begin the millennium with fame and fortune.
  We offer a $250 prize for the story our judges deem the best, and pubication in MM. Stories must be works of fiction, no longer than 2,500 words, never before published, typed and double-spaced. Include your name, address and phone number plus the story's word count on a cover sheet only. A $5 entry fee must accompany your submission and one submission per writer is permitted. Send it all to us at 810 N. Third by January 31st.

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