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July 2006 Happenings

Author to exhibit photographs for upcoming book on Italian Hall tragedy

Posted 07/22/2006 

HOUGHTON -- Steve Lehto, author and attorney, will introduce his upcoming book, Death's Door: The Truth Behind Michigan's Largest Mass Murder, during the Copper Country Homecoming July 27-29 in Dee Stadium, with a display of the historic photographs included in his book. Lehto's history, to be published this fall by Momentum Books, will be the first book-length treatment of the events surrounding the Italian Hall tragedy on Christmas Eve, 1913, in Calumet, when a holiday party for the children of mine workers was interrupted by a reportedly false or accidental cry of "Fire" and about 73 people, mostly children, died trying to exit the building. Lehto examines news reports, transcripts and other documents in an effort to find the answers to questions surrounding the tragedy. Lehto is  formerly of Hancock and the grandson of Waino "Pops" Lehto, a former dean of Suomi College (now Finlandia University). See also http://italianhall.blog.com. Photo: This historic photo, taken in a Finnish Apostolic Lutheran Church in Calumet, depicts one of several funeral services held in the aftermath of the Italian Hall tragedy. The white coffins held children; the black coffins held adults. Funerals were held for 73 victims over a period of three days. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo courtesy Steve Lehto. Reprinted with permission.)

Walk Against Violence to include pets July 19

Posted 07/18/2006 

HOUGHTON -- For the first time, the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home and the Copper Country Humane Society are collaborating on a special project to raise awareness about family violence. They are pleased to invite the community, including friendly pets that are under their owner’s control, to their Walk Against Violence event, beginning at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 19, 2006. The walk will begin and end at Bridgeview Park on the Houghton waterfront, behind the Ambassador Restaurant. more

Keweenaw Krayons to hold Thimbleberry Jam Fest July 22

Posted 07/17/2006 

MOHAWK -- Keweenaw Krayons' Thimbleberry Jam Fest 2006 will feature a variety of thimbleberry products, including chocolate-covered thimbleberry candies; brats, hot dogs, ice cream cones and thimbleberry sundaes; fresh roasted, freshly brewed coffee; art to do as well as art to purchase; and a wide variety of music, including performers Erin Smith, deeperstill, Lake Effect’s Graham Parsons and Dan Schmitt, Crawfish Moiakka, Fiddlehead and the Polka Kings. The event, which will take place from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, July 22, in Allouez Township's Mohawk Park, is the non-profit art organization's summer fundraiser. more

Finlandia to present Sibelius Academy Music Festival July 19-21 at Calumet Theatre

Posted 07/14/2006 

HANCOCK -- Finlandia University will present the 8th Annual Sibelius Academy Music Festival July 19–21, 2006, at the Calumet Theatre. Gifted classical student musicians from the Sibelius Academy of Helsinki, Finland, travel annually to Finlandia University present these outstanding North American performances. This year’s featured performers are as follows: Wednesday, July 19 – Emil Holmström, piano; Thursday, July 20 – Lied Duet featuring Lisbet Klockars, soprano, with Jari Tyni, piano; Friday, July 21 – Trio Fugu and Tenpura. This Friday concert features Emma Anttila, flute; Timo Jäntti, bassoon; and Elisa Järvi, piano. To purchase tickets contact the theatre at 906-337-2610, email calumettheatre@calumettheatre.com or visit their Web site. For additional information, please contact Finlandia University Director of Special Events Tami Anderson, at 906-487-7314 or tami.anderson@finlandia.edu.
Photo: Solo pianist Emil Holmström, who studies in Paris with French pianist Marie-Françoise Bucquet, a specialist in 20th-century music, will perform the works of Bach, Beethoven, Busoni, Mozart and Sibelius on Wednesday, July 19, at the Calumet Theatre. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo courtesy Finlandia University)

North Wind Books to hold book signings by children's authors, artist July 6, 7.

Posted 07/06/2006 

HANCOCK -- Finlandia University’s North Wind Books will host two book signing events this week with local children's authors. At 2 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, Lois Jean Woodworth will sign copies of her children’s book, Shadrach and Meshach and How They Grew, the true story of how she and her family rescued two baby raccoons. On Friday, July 7, also at 2 p.m., author Lesley A. DuTemple of Eagle River, Mich., and artist Susan Robinson of Hancock will sign copies of One Little Balsam Fir, A Northwoods Counting Book, written by DuTemple and illustrated by Robinson. DuTemple has written and published more than 20 children’s books, many of them award-winning. Susan Robinson is a self-taught artist with a lifelong interest in art and the natural world. All are invited, and refreshments will be served at both events. North Wind Books is located on Quincy Street in downtown Hancock. For additional information, please contact the bookstore at 906-487-7217.

Horsetail Scramble trail run, fitness walk to be held at Churning Rapids July 4.

Posted 07/01/2006 

HANCOCK -- The Ninth Annual Horsetail Scramble 10k trail run and 5k fitness walk will be held at 1 p.m. at Churning Rapids on Tuesday, July 4. This year those 18 and under may participate in a Junior 5k Trail Run. Donations are welcome and will support the Keweenaw Land Trust’s most recent project -- expanding the Paavola Wetlands Preserve. Those donating $15 or more will receive a Guatemalan wallet or purse. The Scramble is held in conjunction with the 14th Annual Fourth of July Celebration at Churning Rapids. Scramblers are invited to join the music, feast and festivities. If you stay for the celebration, please bring a dish to share and your own place setting. The Heart and Hands Award will be announced at 2:30 p.m., to be followed by the feast at 3 p.m. and games for children. The Indiana band Double Barrel Darrel will provide live music. Churning Rapids is 4-5 miles past Hancock Beach on M-203 towards McLain State Park.
Photo: Double Barrel Darrel, from Indiana, entertains at the 2005 Churning Rapids July 4th Celebration. The band will return this year by popular demand. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo courtesy Sue Ellen Kingsley)

Fort Wilkins to begin July evening programs, Future Historians interpreters

Posted 06/30/2006 

COPPER HARBOR -- Fort Wilkins Historic State Park in Copper Harbor begins its 2006 Summer Evening Programs at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, and its Future Historians program on Wednesday, July 12. All evening programs are held at 7:30 p.m., indoors at the Fort Wilkins West Barracks. They include both local and guest presenters on such subjects as “Firearms at the Fort” – From Flintlock Musket to Breech-Loaders; “Visiting Isle Royale”; and “Boys in Blue – Union Army Uniforms and Equipment.” Future Historians will hold their first three-day camp from noon to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, July 12, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, July 13-14. Sponsored and trained by the Michigan Historical Center, students become costumed interpreters and role play as if it is the summer of 1870 at the Fort. Their portrayals are based on actual girls and boys who lived at Fort Wilkins at that time. While in costume they perform daily chores, play historic games and talk to visitors about life at this remote outpost. Future Historians will also be at the Fort July 26-28, Aug. 2-4 and Aug. 16-18. “Fort Wilkins by Candlelight” will be held from 7:30 until dusk on Saturday, July 15. Barry James, Education Specialist of the Michigan Historical Center will present “What They Wore: Soldiers’ Equipment At Fort Wilkins.” See the Copper Harbor Web site for the schedule of Fort Wilkins July programs and special events.
Photo: Future Historians perform 1870 laundry chores during their role-playing at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park, Copper Harbor. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo © 2006 and courtesy Fort Wilkins Historic State Park. Reprinted with permission.)

Reading the Landscape of the Keweenaw to focus on forest studies

Posted 06/19/2006 

GRATIOT LAKE -- The Summer 2006 Reading the Landscape of the Keweenaw will focus on "The Forested Landscape" -- a series of six (9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) Saturday sessions of art and natural history field trips in various Keweenaw forest locations with forest experts and Michigan artists. The program will begin July 1 with a woodland hike near Eagle Harbor to study diverse species in the landscape. On July 8, participants will study the ecology and history of the Estivant Pines and their impact on the local community. On July 15 participants will hike through recently logged and recovering forests and study sustainable forest practices. The program will also offer forest management on July 22, orienteering skills on July 29 and edible berries on Aug. 5. At each of these sessions participants will work with a local artist on a creative project, from sketches to ornaments. Finally, Dave Dempsey, author of Ruin and Recovery, will present a slide lecture and discussion from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 12 at the Eagle Harbor Community Building. Registration and advance payment of $15 per session are required. Visit the Gratiot Lake Conservancy Web site for details.
Photo: Charlies Eshbach, Keweenaw photographer and conservationist, in the Estivant Pines Sanctuary, where, along with artist Bonnie Loukus, he will lead the July 8 Reading the Landscape session on old growth forest. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo © 2006 and courtesy Charles Eshbach.)

Finlandia to exhibit "Progressions," wood-fired pottery 

Posted 06/01/2006 

HANCOCK -- Finlandia University's Finnish American Heritage Center (FAHC) Gallery will host "Progressions," an exhibition of wood-fired pottery by artists Kenyon Hansen and Simon Levin June 2 through July 7, 2006. Featuring over 100 pieces of clay work, "Progressions" gives viewers a rare glimpse into the process and progressions of creating wood-fired pottery. An opening reception for the artists will be held from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Friday evening, June 2. The reception is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. more

June 2006 Happenings -- August 2006 Happenings