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October 2006 Happenings

Author of Death's Door to lecture, sign books at Finlandia Nov. 1

Posted 10/29/2006 

HANCOCK -- Steve Lehto, author of Death’s Door: The Truth Behind Michigan’s Largest Mass Murder, will present two public lectures and conduct a book signing at Finlandia University on Wednesday, Nov. 1. The lectures will take place at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. at Finlandia’s Finnish American Heritage Center. The book signing will begin at 4 p.m. at North Wind Books, where refreshments will be served. In his book, Lehto examines conflicting news reports, court transcripts and other documentation about the Italian Hall Tragedy of 1913. Lehto is a practicing attorney and an adjunct professor of law at University of Detroit Law School. His grandfather, Waino “Pops” Lehto, was a professor, administrator and dean of Suomi College from 1926 to 1961. These events are free and open to the public. For more information call 906-487-7505.

“Canwegian” to perform Oct. 26 at Finnish American Heritage Center

Posted 10/25/2006 

HANCOCK -- Canadian-Norwegians Sarah Granskou and Sarah Nagell, or  “Canwegian,” will  take listeners on a contemporary journey of Scandinavian culture through fiddle, song and story beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, at the Finlandia University Finnish American Heritage Center Theatre. Granskou is a modern skald (Nordic bard). Although she draws on ancient art forms, Granskou’s humorous and moving stories are contemporary and accessible. She has lived among the Sami and Inuit people and has grown deep roots in her ancestors' traditions. She sings, composes and plays the eight-string Hardanger fiddle. Sarah Nagell complements Granskou’s talents with her own deep knowledge of world folk traditions, from bluegrass to Celtic. Nagell, who has studied both classical and folk voice at St. Olaf College and the New England Conservatory, recently returned from a year at the Telemark University College in rural Norway, where she studied voice and Hardanger fiddle and competed in local and national folk music festivals. Tickets are available in advance or at the door. Cost is $10 for adults, $5 for students. For information, or advance tickets, call 906-487-7505.

Earl Hoagland to talk on Anishinabe Oral History Oct. 26

Posted 10/25/2006 

HOUGHTON -- Earl Hoagland of the White Earth Indian Nation will give a talk, "Aawechige: Anishinabe Oral History," from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, in Memorial Union 105 on the Michigan Tech campus. Hoagland will discuss the teachings passed down through Anishinabe (Ojibway) oral history related to legends and stories. The Ojibway word "Aawechige" means "teach by telling a story." Hoagland and his wife, Kathy, practice their traditional way of life by making birch bark baskets and quill boxes out of their home. Hoagland's visit is sponsored by Educational Opportunity and the Michigan Tech American Indian Science and Engineering Society. For more information, contact Lori Sherman, Michigan Tech Native American outreach coordinator, at 487-3692 or lasherma@mtu.edu.

Candidates for 110th District, Michigan House of Representatives, to debate at forum Oct. 25

Posted 10/24/2006 

HOUGHTON -- The Copper Country League of Women Voters (LWV) will sponsor a forum for candidates running for the 110th District, Michigan House of Representatives, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 25, at the Houghton High School Auditorium. Candidates Mike Lahti, Democrat; James Niemel, U.S. Taxpayers Party; and Dave Schmidt, Republican, will participate. League member Jill Burkland will moderate the forum, and Charter Communications will videotape it for broadcast on the public access channel 19 at 3 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 3, and Sunday, Nov. 5. The LWV of Michigan's online Voter Guide has pro-con discussions of each of the Michigan ballot proposals and the effects of voting yes or no on each. See their Web site: http://www.lwvmi.org/VG06BallotProposals.htm. For more information email rruehr@chartermi.net.

FOLK to sponsor update on sulfide mining issue at meeting Oct. 24

Posted 10/23/2006 

BARAGA -- Cynthia Pryor, executive director, Yellow Dog Watershed Preserve, Inc., will give an update presentation on the Sulfide Mining Issue at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Senior Center in Baraga, following the General Membership Meeting of FOLK (Friends of the Land of Keweenaw), which will begin at 6 p.m. Directions: Going South from Houghton on US-41, turn right (West) onto M-38 at the light in Baraga. Then turn right on the first street across the railroad tracks, about a half block, onto Main Street. Go about a half mile, and the Ojibwa Senior Citizen Center is on the left at the big BINGO sign. The meeting is free and open to the public; snacks and coffee will be served. 

MTU to show documentary, An Inconvenient Truth, Oct. 29, 30, with free admission

Posted 10/17/2006 

HOUGHTON-- An Inconvenient Truth, the popular documentary movie about global warming and climate change, will be shown at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29, and Monday, Oct. 30, in room 135 of Fisher Hall on the Michigan Tech campus. Both showings are free and open to the public. In this film, former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore shares his concerns on global warming and catastrophic climate change. In a multi-media presentation Gore discusses the scientific facts behind global warming, explains how it has already begun to affect our environment, talks about the disastrous consequences if the world's governments and citizens do not act, and shares what each individual can do to help protect the Earth for this and future generations. The free film showings are sponsored by MTU's Sustainable Futures Institute, Environmental Sustainability Committee, Center for Water and Society, Students for Environmental Sustainability, College Democrats, the Houghton County Democrats and a private donor. See Joe Kirkish's review of this film.

Gundlach Shelter to hold Candlelight Ceremony for Survivors of Domestic Violence Oct. 16

Posted 10/13/2006

CALUMET -- The Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter will sponsor a Candlelight Ceremony for Survivors of Domestic Violence at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 16, at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church, 411 MacInnes Drive, in Houghton. The public is invited to show support in mourning victims, celebrating survivors and reaffirming the struggle for a non-violent future. October is domestic violence awareness month. Listen to music, speakers and poetry. Bring a candle or flashlight to join a walk after the ceremony.
Photo: Alexandra Matiella Novak shares her experiences during the July 2006 Walk Against Violence, sponsored by both the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home and the Copper Country Humane Society. Over 95 people and 38 dogs marched through Houghton at the event to show support for victims of family violence, including pets. Novak will also speak at the Oct. 16 Candlelight Ceremony. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo © 2006 Michele Anderson)

Finlandia to present Lorca's Blood Wedding Oct. 12, 13, 14

Posted 10/11/2006

HANCOCK -- Love, lust, betrayal and revenge. The fall 2006 production of the Finlandia University Performing Arts Department has it all. Blood Wedding (Bodas de Sangre), by Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, will be presented at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 12, 13 and 14, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15, at Finlandia’s Finnish American Heritage Center Theatre in Hancock. Long-time Finlandia music professor Melvin Kangas directs the play. The cast and crew include community members and Finlandia students. "O.K., this is a play, but it's loaded with music," says local musician Randy Wakeham, noting that Kangas composed the music for the play. Wakeham will join musicians Robin Oye, Marjory Johnston and Pasi Lautala in performing it. Tickets for the play may be purchased prior to the performances. Admission is $5 per person. Finlandia students are admitted free with ID. For more information, contact Melvin Kangas at 906-487-7250.
Photo: In Lorca's story of forbidden love, the Bride (Terry Sayatovich) begs the Mother of 
the Bridegroom (Maija Stadius) for death while the Neighbor, right, (Rekha Ambardar) looks on. Click for larger version. (Photo © 2006 and courtesy Finlandia University.)

MTU students invite all to "Tour of Latin America" and dance events through Oct. 21

Posted 10/10/2006  Updated 10/11/2006

HOUGHTON -- Michigan Tech’s Nosotros / Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers is celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month with events through Saturday, Oct. 21. A "Tour of Latin America," free and open to all, is underway from Noon to 1 p.m. in the Red Metal Room 105 of the Memorial Union Building, including presentations on GUATEMALA, Land of Mountains, and PARAGUAY, Medicinal Secrets of Mate Tea on Tuesday, Oct. 10; ARGENTINA, Gauchos, Tango and More, and COLOMBIA, Emerald Paradise, on Wednesday, Oct. 11; MEXICO, Cradle of the Aztec Empire and Folklorist Dress and Dance Demonstrations on Thursday, Oct. 12. Free salsa classes will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Oct. 16-19, in the Memorial Union Commons. Free professional dance workshops are set for Friday, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Oct. 21, followed by a dance with live music from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday evening, Oct. 21, in the Memorial Union Ballroom 1. See the Nosotros Web site for details.
Photo: MTU student Idaliza Gomez of the Dominican Republic gives a presentation on her country Oct. 9, 2006, during the "Tour of Latin America," a week of celebration dedicated to understanding Hispanic cultures. Students present their countries in a variety of ways, from Power Point presentations to dances, music and food. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo © 2006 and courtesy Idaliza Gomez.)

Authors to hold forum on native voices Oct. 11 at Rosza Center

Posted 10/10/2006 

HOUGHTON -- Author Kent Nerburn and Ojibway educator and author Eddie Benton-Banai will speak at a public forum from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, at Michigan Tech's Rosza Center. They will address the topics of honoring the spiritual presence of the earth and the native voices that have much to teach and finding an authentic American spirituality. Nerburn's book Neither Wolf nor Dog: On Forgotten Roads with an Indian Elder won the 1995 Minnesota Book Award. Benton-Banai of Hayward, Wis., is a full-blood member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. A pioneer in culture-based curriculum, he promotes the retention of Anishinabe language and theology and has taught numerous courses, seminars and workshops throughout the United States and Canada. In 1979 Benton authored The Mishomis Book: The Voice of the Ojibway, which continues to be published and used in Aboriginal education programs in North America. MTU's American Indian Science and Engineering Society will serve fry bread at this event, which is free and open to the public. For more information, call Pastor Bucky Beach at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 482-5410.

Solar Tour to feature local energy-efficient buildings Oct. 7

Posted 10/06/2006 

HANCOCK --As part of a National Solar Tour, a local tour of buildings featuring a variety of energy-efficient building techniques and renewable energy production will take place between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7. The tour will begin at the Kinzel/Kingsley homestead, Churning Rapids. Take M203 out of Hancock towards McLain State Park, about 4 ½ miles from Hancock Beach, on the right. The address is 53044 M203. Cyclists are encouraged to ride their bikes to Churning Rapids on the bike trails. The tour will also visit the Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly building in Hancock and the Bach home in Houghton. Tour programs and directions to the other sites will be available at Churning Rapids. For more information contact Terry Kinzel at 482-6827 or email tkinzel@pasty.com and visit the National Solar Tour Web site.

September 2006 Happenings -- November 2006 Happenings