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Happenings in the Keweenaw Peninsula June 23, 2002 Press Release © 2002 Keweenaw Land Trust Photos © 2001 Michele Anderson

Keweenaw Land Trust to hold meeting, fundraising Walk/Run

HANCOCK -- The Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) will hold its annual meeting at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Hancock. KLT members are also planning their fifth annual HorseTail Scramble Trail Run and Fitness Walk fundraising event for July 4 at Churning Rapids in Hancock.

At Tuesday's meeting, Renee Kivikko, Midwest Director of the Land Trust Alliance, will facilitate discussion of a land protection strategy KLT is developing. All who are interested in sharing their vision and priorities for future protection efforts are welcome to attend. The business portion of the annual meeting will include presentation of the annual report and election of board members.

The July 4th HorseTail Scramble is a fundraising 5K Fitness Walk and a 10K Trail Run over woodland trails following the tail of Jim the Belgian draft horse. The event is held in conjunction with the Heart & Hands Award presentation. 

Terry Kinzel, right, Keweenaw Land Trust co-founder and past president, presents the 2001 Heart & Hands Award to Bob Linn, membership coordinator of the George Wright Society, during the July 4, 2001, HorseTail Scramble celebration at Churning Rapids. (File photo by Michele Anderson)

"The Heart & Hands award was conceived as a way to recognize and honor those of our community who have given of themselves working for peace, justice or the environment -- especially those whose efforts are unlikely to be recognized in more traditional ways," said Terry Kinzel, KLT co-founder and past president.

An endowment has been set up through the Keweenaw Community Foundation that provides $250 each year for the Heart & Hands award. The awardee does not personally receive this money, but designates a local nonprofit to receive it in his/her name.

Past recipients of the award include Robert Linn of Hancock, membership coordinator of the George Wright Society (2001), Robert Brown and Viola Brown of Houghton (2000) and Dana Richter of Hancock (1999). The nominations for this year have been received and the recipient selected. The recipient will be announced at the July 4th celebration at Churning Rapids.

Kinzel and his wife Sue Ellen Kingsley, both KLT members, host the annual event, which also includes swimming in their pond, music (provided by Finn Street), games for children of all ages and a pot luck picnic. Guests are asked to bring a dish to share and their own place setting. Beverages will be provided, including water for the Scramblers during their Walk or Run.

Sue Ellen Kingsley and Jim's horse trainer, Heikki Kansa, see the Scramblers off on the start of their Walk/Run during the 2001 event at the rugged woodland trails of Churning Rapids. (File photo by Michele Anderson)

There will be a sign-up board so an adult will always be available to keep an eye on children in the pond.

The events will unfold roughly as follows:

• 1 p.m. -- HorseTail Scramble
• 2:30 p.m. -- Awards Ceremony: Scramble awards followed by Heart & Hands Award
• 3 p.m. -- Feast and Games and Music

Michelle Morgan, Keweenaw Land Trust co-founder and past president, serves lemonade to Scrambler Larry Sutter and other thirsty walkers and runners during the 2001 HorseTail Scramble at Churning Rapids. (File photo by Michele Anderson)

Proceeds from the Scramble will go to the Keweenaw Land Trust Endowment Fund.

"We have received pledges to match the first $1,500 so we really want to try to take advantage of the whole match," Kinzel noted.

While there is no entry fee, Scramblers who donate $15 will receive a colorful, hand-woven or embroidered Guatemalan shirt. The top finishers are entitled to receive a portrait of themselves next to the horse's tail. Donation checks can be made out to Keweenaw Community Foundation with KLT Endowment Fund on the memo line.

Donations may also be mailed to Terry Kinzel, 53044 Hwy M203, Hancock, MI 49930. Call 482-6827 for more information.

The Keweenaw Land Trust is a community partner dedicated to preserving the quality of life in the Keweenaw through land conservation.

Churning Rapids is at 53044 Hwy M203, Hancock. From Hancock it is 4.5 miles past Hancock Beach on M203 towards McLain State Park.

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