—Michael C. Jestila
Houghton

Schools' report card

Marquette Area Public Schools Citizens' Advisory Committee has completed their study of the school district and presented their report to the Board of Education. The report includes a look at the changes that the district has faced in the last ten years, how the district has responded to those changes, and the challenges the district faces in the coming years.
  The Committee made seven major recommendations. The recommendations included both short and long term strategies for addressing the challenges facing the district and the Marquette community. Marquette Monthly will be publishing a special report on the committee's findings beginning with the next issue.

Wildlife Summit

The National Wildlife Federation has chosen Marquette as its host site for this year's NWF Nature Link Summit, which will be held July 29 through August 4. "Keep the Wild Alive: Water for Life" is the theme of the program, dubbed the Lake Superior Family Summit.
  According to Rah Trost of Mar-quette's Great Northern Adven-tures, which is coordinating and implementing the recreation programs for participants, this is the 30th year for the summit and the first time it's been in our area. It's also the first time in a number of years that the program has sold out, with an expected 500 people attending.
  Participants will have chances to explore Presque Isle, Hog-back, Sugarloaf, Van Riper State Park, Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Pictured Rocks and the Iron Industry Museum; hike, mountain bike, kayak, and get acquainted with our beautiful U.P.

"This Decisive Season"

NMU has launched its first-ever fund-raising campaign:"This Decisive Season: The Campaign for Northern Michigan University," with the goal of raising $30 million in private giving over the next several years.
  Of that, $12 million will be allocated for student success and access, $8 million for campus facilities projects, $6 million for faculty and staff opportunities and $4 million for enhancing NMU's outreach and partnership programs.
  Since the "quiet phase" of the campaign began on June 1, 1996, gifts totalling more than $25 million have already been given to Northern.

www.teach

A Time to Teach, an NMUbooklet celebrating K-12 educators, is now available on the Web, at www.nmu.edu/ timetoteach
  The book, written by Suzan Travis-Robyns, emphasized the impact of teachers who graduated from Northern, and the university's continuing commitment to training K-12 educators. It profiles thirty-eight teachers, highlights the legacy of more than one hundred others and chronicles the changes in the School of Education over the last one hundred years. Printed versions of the book also are available at U.P. libraries or by calling 227-6602.

Look at the pretty flowers

This summer plan to take a mini-vacation in your neighbors' backyards. Go on the Marquette Beautification Garden Tour and be transported to gardener's paradise. Prolific plantings at seven spots are featured this year. The garden hosts are Barb and Peter Kelly, 430 E. Arch St., Sally and Bill Birch, 455 E. Ridge, Ann and Mike Dianich, 313 E. Hewitt, Connie and Eric Lincke, 410 E. Ohio, Patty Beyers, 766 Lakewood Lane, Bettey and George Tomasi, 685 Lakewood Lane, and Jim Somers and Mike Wirtanen at Carp River Gardens, 73 Heritage Drive, Negaunee.
  Tickets are $10 and will be available at the end of June at area florists, Recycled Arts and the Summer Cottage and at the gardens on July 27 from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. when the tour takes place. Children under twelve are free. Tea will be served at the Kelly's.

Excellence in Education

The Excellence in Education Endow-ment of the Marquette Community Foundation recently got three shots in the arm from contributors. The Ishpeming Credit Union, Peninsula Bank and Negaunee Community Federal Credit Union each pledged $10,000 to the endowment. The pledges will be matched by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

Miner for a day

County residents and tourists will once again have the unique opportunity to tour a working iron ore mine and processing plant again this summer as the Tilden Mine will be open to visitors for the ninth year.
  The guided tours begin on June 13 and continue through August 26. One tour per day is offered, Tuesday through Saturday, and lasts approximately three hours.
  The cost is $6, which includes tour bus transportation from the Marquette Chamber at noon or from the Ski Hall of Fame in Ishpeming at 12:30 p.m. Advance reservations are recommended. The minimum age for the tour is ten years old; all children under age eighteen must be accompanied by an adult.

Noquemanon next Birkie?

The Noquemanon Ski Marathon has been selected to become the 11th member of the American Ski Marathon Series (ASM). The ASM is comprised of the most prestigious cross country ski races in the country. The Noquemanon, a 53K and 23K point-to-point race organized by the Superiorland Ski Club, debuted in January 1999. The 53K race starts in Ishpeming and ends at the Superior Dome.
  Registration forms for the January 27, 2001 race will be available in mid-June and early registration fees will be in place until August 1. Contact Bob Mahaney at 228-5564 for more info.

Pooch couture

This Fourth of July, when pooch entrants in the Marquette Mile Dog Dash promenade down Washington Street at 1:50 p.m., just before the parade, they'll be wearing "Y2K9" neckerchiefs crafted by Retired Senior Volunteer Program volunteers Dorothy Grimes (pictured with Reba) and Marilyn Koshorek. In keeping with the Parade Committee's "Star Wars" theme—"May the fourth be with you"—the neckerchiefs are of a deep blue fabric with silver metallic stars and the year 2000 scattered across it.
  Event organizers were pleased with the enthusiastic cooperation they received from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). "The neckerchiefs are of excellent quality this year — the best ever," said race director Jackie Winkowski. "I must admit to making last year's, and I'm not the best seamstress. We think that even the dogs will notice the difference."
  Each year for the past three years, from 80 to 100 people and their dogs have participated in the Dog Dash, a one-mile run or walk. The event also includes a costume contest, prizes and awards, and tee shirts for all human participants. Water for the dogs is provided at the start, finish, and at two locations on the one-mile course. Registration forms are available at Marquette pet and sport shops or by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope to: 275 Flodin Road, Gwinn, MI 49841. People may register in person and pick up packets from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Monday, July 3, at the Marquette Public Schools Superinten-dent's Office, 1201 West Fair Avenue.
  For more information on the Marquette Mile Dog Dash phone 906-249-1011 or email jjwinkows@aol.com

Outdoor culture

Get caught up in the colorful legends, lore and lifestyles of the U.P. through music, stories, arts and historical characterizations presented by Michigan's Great Outdoors Culture Tour. These one-hour evening presentations take place in casual outdoor settings around the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan July 1 through August 14.
  The ninety-four family-friendly programs offered are listed in a brochure available from the Michigan Human-ities Council (789-9471) and on the council's Web site: http://mihumanities.h-net.msu.edu

Manual for Older Adults

The 4th edition of Information and Referral Manual for Older Adults published by the Commission on Aging is available at area senior centers and housing units and from the Commis-sion on Aging office at 200 W. Spring Street, 226-4180. Those aged sixty and over are entitled to one free copy of the manual. Extra copies or those requested by other individuals are $5 each.

Language of the Lakes

The William Bonifas Fine Arts Center is accepting entries for its "Language of the Lakes" exhibit to be featured in July and August. This is a call for creations depicting in all fashion and form the lakeshores' urban and rural moods and lifestyles. Any artwork depicting or related to the Great Lakes is welcome for submission. Pieces will be accepted for consideration between June 12 and 16. For details contact the arts center at 700 First Avenue South, Escanaba 49829.

Hee Haw! Hiawatha!

The lineup for Hiawatha Festival 2000 showcases an interesting mix of dynamic traditional performers in a variety of musical styles. The festival will feature: Norman Blake, Connie Kaldor, Pat Donohue, Scruj MacDuhk, New Five Cents String Band, Les Ross, Sr., Rhonda Vincent and the Rage, The Freight Hoppers, Malkum Gibson and Chris Kleeman, Mike Waite and the Rhythmeanies. It all starts on July 21.
  Day passes are available at MacDonald's Music Store, Marquette Organic Food Co-op, Superior Music, U.P. Children's Museum and Da Yoopers Tourist Trap. Weekend passes, camping and and parking permits can be purchased at 131 E. Michigan Street.

"Walking With Bears"

A children's video on black bears produced by On-Cue Productions in Marquette has been nominated for a prestigious Emmy Award from the Michigan Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
  "Walking With Bears: details the work of Wildlife Biologist Dr. Terry DeBruyn, who habituated two sows and followed them for nearly a decade through their home range in the central U.P. On-Cue's Frida Waara teamed with TV Host Buck LeVasseur and Elementary Teacher Sandy Bonsall to write and produce the program. VHS copies of "Walking With Bears" are available from Amazon.com

Be a part of the new Visitor Guide

The Lake Superior Community Partnership and Marquette Country Convention and Visitors Bureau are designing and printing a new Marquette Country Visitors Guide and are looking for photographs and information to include.
  Their amateur photo contest invites photos of Marquette County to be featured in the guide. Winners will receive $100. The deadline is June 30.
  For the guide to be inclusive of all the services visitors need, free listings are being offered to restaurants, recreational outfitters, lodging facilities and campgrounds.
  If your business hasn't received a form, or if you'd like more details about the photo contest contact LSCP or MCCVB at 486-4841 or 228-7749. Approximately 200,000 copies of the guide will be printed and distributed.

Speech therapy

Parents have until June 9 to register their children for the Easter Seals Summer Speech Therapy Program serving Marquette County. The six-week program, which will be held in Marquette, Munising and Ishpeming, is held twice a week with half-hour small-group sessions. There is a fee; scholarships are available. Contact Easter Seals at 228-5816.

MMBookshelf

Frost Dancing

Frost Dancing—Tips from a Northern Gardener" has just been issued in its third edition. It contains more than 240 gardening tips and ideas from popular writer, seed saver and long-time gardener Sue Robishaw. Frost Dancing is for gardeners anywhere, but particularly for those gardening where the season is short and the weather cool.
  The 40-page, illustrated book is available for $6 (postpaid) at bookstores or from ManyTracks Publishing, Rt 1 Box 52, Cooks 49817, (877) 644-2598, www.manytracks.com

Searching for Virginia

Searching for Virginia: A caregiving experience into Alzheimer's, where dreams and sleep are not always what they seem… by Vicki Lavi, LPN, helps caregivers through the trials of daily living with an Alzheimer's patient, daily care of the patient, treatments and legalities. There is also a chapter dedicated to the health of the caregiver, both emotionally and physically.
  Lavi says, "What makes this book special is that the format is simple and understandable to read for both the beginner and more knowledgeable caregiver. Most chapters begin with a heartwarming story that the caregiver can relate to."The book offers descriptions and explanations of items used, how to avoid situational problems with the patient and how to remain calm in a most difficult atmosphere.
  The 342-page book is available through local bookstores and senior centers or from the author at VickiLavi@aol.com, 485-1492.

Voices of Michigan II

Celebrating the fruits of labor. That is the purpose of the Voices of Michigan Gala on Mackinac Island June 18, whereat the authors in Voices of Michigan, An Anthology of Michigan Authors, Volume II will be signing their books for the first time. All are welcome to attend and meet the authors, readers and publishers. Local writers include Jennifer Marlow, whose poem entitled "From Far Away" is included, as well as Rebecca Tavernini (MMmanaging editor), whose non-fiction piece "The Zen of Hunting" is featured. The gala takes place between noon and 2:00 p.m. at the Island House on Mackinac Island. The writers will also be in the Lilac Parade at 4:00 p.m.
  Entries are being accepted until July 15 for Volume III. To obtain submission details contact MackinacJane's Pub-lishing Co., POBox 475, Mackinac Island, 49757; (213) 487-1098; macjanes@juno.com; or www.voicesofmi .com
  Voices is available for $15.95 at bookstores or from the publisher.

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