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Dear Editor:
I just want to let you know how much I enjoy your magazine online. Being a Yooper who really longs for home (and who will be back within the next two years or so), this bit of reading is something I look forward to. Articles describing the "old days," personal reflections, activities, etc., all are interesting.
  I especially enjoy Don Curto's articles. I met Don when I worked for Dan
Mazzuchi at the U.P. Medical Education Program. We would lunch at Don's restaurant when it was behind Doncker's Flower Shop. He is really a great person with great talent with food. Hope he keeps his hand in there until I
can get back.
  Keep up the good work!

—Betty Hutchinson
Currently in Frankenmuth

Dear Editor:
I saw the little story concerning marquettetoday.com in MM.
  Tom Tourville and I are hard at work developing the system. Our live weather station and updated weather data is working very well and seems to
be very popular.
  We are going to be promoting the URL http://marquettetoday.org  Our goal is to be a community service, not a for-profit group. We will cover events via photos and links to organizers and viosport.com videos to provide a quality presentation of the goings on in the Marquette County region.
  We are receiving 100,000 hits a month, with a proven track record of sending local merchants new Internet driven customers. We are planning the
Internet Future for the Marquette area.

—Daniel J. Kiefer
Marquette
Spring Thaw quilt show

Quilters across Upper Michigan will be guests of Michigan Quilt Network for a special "Spring Thaw 2001" Quilt Workshop featuring experienced and recognized U.P. teachers. The event will take place in Marquette on Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7 at St. Louis the King Church on Silver Creek Road in Harvey.
  Teachers include Carol Armstrong, bird appliqué and quilting techniques; Molly Glouacki, stenciled table runner, Barbara Clishe, celtic quilting; Maureen Lapinski, magic tiles; and Ann Pillote, machine appliqué/fusible wall hanging. The registration deadline is March 15. Classes will be limited to 20 students. Michigan Quilt Network sponsors the workshop; thus, the cost is minimal at $35 for two classes and lunch on Saturday. The Friday dinner featuring Rose Plunkard on "Recycled Treasures" is $10. Details and registration forms are available by sending a SASE to B. Adler, 400 Shot Point, Marquette (daadlers@tds.net), or E. Johnson, 571 Lakewood Lane, Marquette (quilt24day@aol.com) or from fabric stores and quilt guilds.

A painter's dream come true

Imagine this: For three days nationally renowned watercolorist Nita Engle will paint alongside you, demonstrating her unusual technique and discussing your work with you as you progress under her care. On one evening she invites you to dine with her at her studio home along the shores of Lake Superior and get the chance to look over some of her work in progress. Then she shares some of her favorite painting spots with you.
  It's not just a dream, but will actually take place June 15th, 16th and 17th and August 3rd, 4th and 5th. The workshops will run from 9:00 a.m to 4:00 p.m. each day. However, the classroom will be available from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. if you feel you'd like to spend some extra time on your work. Cost for the workshop is $500 (materials and dinner are extra). The workshop is connected to the Convent, a bed & breakfast available for workshop participants. For details, contact the Depot at 475-4067.

Recreating in Republic

The Republic Township Parks & Recreation Committee has received a $500 grant from the Greater Ishpeming Area Community Fund, which is a part of the Marquette Community Found-ation. The township is exploring ways to enhance the natural beauty of the area with recreational activities for summer visitors of all ages. To start with, they are improving existing campsites and are developing a golf driving range near the motocross racetrack, "a small step towards golfing."

MTU Archives give research travel awards

Two projects were selected for the annual Michigan Technological University and Copper Country Historical Collections Research Travel Awards of $600 this year. Roger Burt, professor of mining history at the University of Exeter in Devon, England will travel to Houghton to support his research examining the role of fraternal organizations in international socio-economic networking during the nineteenth century. In particular, Burt hopes to focus on the Copper Country's Masonic groups and the International Order of Odd-Fellows, examining how they have supported local community structures, created networks for the promotion of business, and aided the diffusion of business information. Fraternal organizations also were important support networks for immigrants relocating to the Copper Country, providing an international referral service for housing, employment and social fraternity.
  Timothy O'Neil, an assistant professor in the department of history at Central Michigan University in Mt. Pleasant, will look into the legal and political career of Copper Country lawyer and judge Patrick H. O'Brien. The son of an Irish miner, O'Brien was born near the Phoenix mine in Keweenaw County and eventually left the area to obtain a law degree. He returned to Laurium in 1899 and became one of the region's pioneer personal injury lawyers, confronting unsafe working practices in the local mining industry. Enjoying great personal popularity locally, O'Brien was elected to the Houghton County Circuit Court bench in 1911, a post he held for more than a decade. His sympathies for workers' rights and dedication to the rule of law were challenged severely during the district's bitter labor strike of 1913-1914.

Time for birds & bees?

Parents aren't always (ever?) comfortable talking with their kids about sexuality. But when parents and children can talk openly—about healthy relationships and sexuality—young people will be able to make responsible decisions now and in the future. To help ease those awkward moments and help parents assume their role as the primary sexuality educators of their children, Planned Parenthood Northern Michigan (PPNM) offers a variety of special age-appropriate kits, such as the award-winning Talking About Sex: A Guide for Families video kit, "There's No Place Like Home" Family Kit with books, videos and brochures, and "Parent Packs" for parents of teens. There is a nominal charge for some resources; others are available for loan at no charge. For more information stop at PPNM, 1219 N. Third St., or call 225-5070.

"Yesterday's Tomorrows"

This summer the Ironwood Theatre will be host to a traveling Smithsonian Institution exhibit: "Yesterday's Tomorrows: Past Visions of the American Future." The show presents an historical overview of popular expectations and beliefs about the future from the late 19th century to today, exploring past perceptions of the future of home, community and transportation and the media's role in creating them. For example, here are some past predictions about the future (from Michigan Humanities Council News):
  "The ‘telephone' has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication" (Western Union memo, 1876)
  "Computers may weigh no more than 1.5 tons" (Popular Mechanics, 1949)
  "Radio has no future. Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible. X-rays will prove to be a hoax" (William Thomson, Lord Kelvin, English scientist, 1899)
  "Who wants to hear actors talk?" (H.M. Warner, Warner Brothers, 1927).
  In conjunction with the exhibit, the Ironwood Theatre will offer a film and discussion series featuring such movies as Flash Gordon and 2001: Space Odyssey.
  The exhibit is part of the Museum on Main Street program, a partnership between state humanities councils and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. It will be in Ironwood June 20th through August 26th.

Culture Tour highlighted

Two national organizations are honoring Michigan's Great Outdoors Culture Tour, the six-week summer tour of live cultural programs in parks and forest and other community venues throughout the state. The Michigan Humanities Council program received the "Window on the Past" Award from the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and will be among twenty-five cultural tourism "success stories" in a book issued by the Heritage Tourism office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
  Michigan's Great Outdoors Culture Tour kicks off its fourth summer season July 1st, with ninety-four programs by twenty cultural presenters planned through August 14th.

Back to nature

The Seney National Wildlife Refuge hires four interns each season to help develop and present programs to refuge visitors, help with visitor center operations and the natural history bookstore, and assist the refuge biologist with wildlife surveys and monitoring. Interns live in a historic log cabin on the refuge and receive a $100 weekly food stipend. For more information visit www.fws.gov/r3pao/seney/ index.htm, call 586-9851, ext. 16, or e-mail marianne_kronk@fws.gov Phone interviews begin March 13th.

MAPS gets reading grant

Marquette Area Public Schools (MAPS) will receive a grant of $479,000 for the first year from the State of Michigan to help area elementary school students who are at-risk for not learning to read and help all students acquire better foundational skills for reading. The program will be funded for three years and begin with the current school year.
  Marquette's grant application was designed and written by Assistant Superintendent Deborah L. Veiht, who was assisted by her secretary Linda Derocher, and received the highest rating by reviewers.
  Negaunee Public Schools and Delta-Schoolcraft Intermediate School District also were awarded grant funds.

Bring out your books

Hey, are you really going to read your books again? Give them a new lease on life by donating them to the Marquette Branch of the Association of University Women annual used book sale. Collection barrels are now in four area locations and any contributions will be appreciated. The sale will take place April 26, 27 and 28, 2001. Collection sites are:
Wells Fargo Bank, University Branch; National City Bank, Third Street Branch; Marquette Community Federal Credit Union; and Peninsula Medical Center. For pick-up of books, call 225-0091 or 228-8028.

NMU news

Imagine yourself "chatting with Parisian artists on the famous St. Germaine des Pres or visiting cafés once frequented by famous writers such as Gertrude Stein and Ernest Hemingway,"says NMU French Pro-fessor Nell Kupper, who will lead a group of students and community members to France, the Netherlands and Belgium this summer. "Then create storybook memories along the channels of Amsterdam, and explore Belgium's beautiful old cities, steeped in history and known for high-quality restaurants."
  The tour is planned for June 19 through July 2 and will be conducted in English. The $2,575 cost includes travel from Marquette, lodging, daily breakfast and some dinners. Participants can earn four NMUcredits as part of the experience for an additional fee. Sound good?Contact Kupper at 227-2648.

NMU was awarded a $181,000 grant (and $67,000 in matching funds) to support job training programs at NMU for ACN, Inc., a telecommunications company at Sawyer, which will benefit eighty-nine existing employees and 116 new hires.
Students interested in advanced education in criminal justice or in training and development will find it at Northern. The university will now offer master's degrees in these fields.

Athena offers scholarships

High school seniors involved in community service and women needing financial assistance to begin or continue their college education are eligible to apply for two $1,000 scholarships from the Marquette County Athena Award program. For an application, contact Anita A. Johns at 228-6355. The application deadline is April 1.

Prime Time

Prime Time 2001, the expo for mature citizens organized by Lake Superior Community Partnership, will be taking place at the Superior Dome May 5th. Last year more than 2,000 people attended the show. Currently, vendors for the show are being solicited by the partnership. The fee is $75 for LSCPmembers; $85 for non-members. Registration forms are available by calling 486-4841 and are due by April 20.

WWIImemories

It's hard to believe, but the sixtieth anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor will take place this December. If you have memories of World War II, please consider jotting them down and sharing them with other Marquette Monthly readers. We would like to showcase and preserve your recollections in an article about those times in our December issue. Please feel free to drop off, mail or e-mail whatever you care to share, any length. We're at 810 N. Third St. and mmtoday@up.net

Power!Talk Radio named top talk show

An Upper Peninsula-based radio program that focuses on uplifting news has been named the top talk show in its market by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters. The show, Power!Talk Radio, hosted by John St. Augustine of Escanaba, beat nationally syndicated competitors such as Rush Limbaugh and Dr. Laura for the Best of Category Award for Special Programming.
  "I feel like a twelve-year-old that won the spelling bee!" says St. Augustine, who created the program in 1997. "We work very hard on producing a show that offsets the onslaught of negative programming that eats away at the human spirit. We try to bring evidence to our listeners that the circumstances in life have nothing to do with the outcomes."
  St. Augustine says that focusing on the positive and being proactive are what makes the show not only unique, but successful. "Most talk shows focus on debating issues and events that have no end. We don't debate, we create. Listeners come away with a sense that they have a responsibility to live their lives in a way that creates opportunity for themselves and others.
  "Every one of our guests has beaten the odds, overcome adversity or succeeded when they were told they couldn't," adds St. Augustine, whose guests have included singer Judy Collins, environmentalist Jean Michel Cousteau, CBS News host Charles Osgood, Chicken Soup series author Mark Victor Hansen, A&E anchor/producer Bill Kurtis, and New York Giant Tony Galbreath.
  Beginning March 5, Power!Talk Radio expands to three hours and will air in a new time slot on weekday afternoons. It airs on the Radio Results Network, News Talk 600 AM WCHT and can be heard in many parts of the U.P. and northern Wisconsin (but not in Marquette). In addition, producers are looking into broadcast syndication statewide and throughout Ohio, Illinois and Indiana.

Koski gets broadcasting honor

Jim Koski, Q107-WMQT/Marquette air personality, has been named as one of eight statewide winners of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters' "Broad-cast Personalities/Broadcast Teams" for 2000.
  Koski was the only award recipient from a small market and the only winner from the U.P. In addition, he was the only individual personality honored; all other winners were multi-person broadcast teams.

Stopping steel

A resolution asking the federal government to step up enforcement efforts on trade agreements to make sure foreign steel is not being illegally imported to the U.S. was introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives recently, written by Marquette area Rep. Stephen Adamini and co-sponsored by 30 House members.

Thanks SS11 writers

Ahuge thanks to all of you who entered our 11th annual short story contest! The judges are reading through your stories, choosing the one that will grace our April issue—not an easy task. Find out who won when the issue hits the stands on March 28th. Keep up the good writing...

Cover artists

Wouldn't it be great if thousands of people around the U.P., and even in Finland, Japan and Puerto Rico, could see and appreciate your artwork? That's what will happen if you submit (and we accept, of course) a painting, drawing or sketch for the cover of Marquette Monthly.Also, we'll pay you $45. Send or drop off appropriate artwork to 810 N. Third St.. Artists must reside in the U.P.

MMBOOKSHELF

The Child Who Loved Movies

L.E. Ward has recently published the third book in his poetry trilogy, The Child Who Loved Movies.The book contains poems about the U.P. in the 1940s and 1950s, Kevin Spacey, Marilyn Monroe, Michael Feinstein, bygone movie theatres and many other subjects—more than 250 poems. The volume joins the Iron River poet and film historian's other books, The Collected Poems of L.E.Wardand Portraits of Life/
  Ward's books are the only single-author poetry books about the movies published in history.
  The 336-page, illustrated The Child Who Loved Movies is available, postpaid, for $18.95, from i.universe.com or may be ordered at local bookstores through Ingram's.

MM

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