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January 2004 News

Heikinpäivä welcomes crowds to Hancock

Posted 01/19/2004  

HANCOCK -- Warmer temperatures (a reported 26º F), along with fresh snow for the Heikinpäivä Hiihto ski races, helped make the Jan. 17, 2004, Heikinpäivä events a success. The annual mid-winter celebration of ethnic identity created by the City of Hancock's Finnish Theme Committee attracted crowds to the Finnish-American Heritage Center tori (market), exhibits and new competitions in boot throwing and wife carrying. Nevertheless, strong winds that picked up in mid-afternoon for the kids' races made skiers -- young and old -- and parents grateful for the warmth of the new Maasto Hiihto Chalet, while 160 or so Polar Bear divers appreciated the chance to warm up in the jääsauna. Keweenaw Now brings you a photo essay of some of the highlights of Saturday's festivities and ski races. more
Photo: For the Jan. 17 Heikinpäivä festivities in front of Hancock Middle School, Kirsti Arko, left, of Laurium, is Louhi of the Kalevala and Vanessa Anderson of Hancock plays the role of Santa Lucia with her well known crown of candles. (Photo © 2004 by Michele Anderson)

City of Hancock seeks residents to serve on boards, commissions

Posted 01/13/2004 Updated 01/15/04 

HANCOCK -- In a Notice to City of Hancock Residents, Mayor Jim Martin says the City is requesting applications to serve on several boards and commissions. Incumbent members with terms expiring may also apply. Written requests for consideration will be received by the City Council until the (extended) deadline of Monday, Jan. 19, 2004. More than 13 positions are open. Requests should be sent or delivered to Jim Martin, Mayor, City of Hancock, 399 Quincy Street, Hancock, MI 49930. For the list of open positions, read the updated Public Notice.

Local birders record 45 species during Christmas Bird Count

Posted 01/07/2004  

HOUGHTON -- On a cool, overcast December 20, 2003, a group of 28 experienced birders spread out across a 15-mile-diameter circle in Houghton County and counted birds. This was part of the annual Christmas Bird Count (CBC), an event sponsored by the National Audubon Society and the local Copper Country Audubon Club. The birders counted 2549 individual birds of 45 species. Nancy Auer reports on the species counted, while Joe Kaplan and Michael J. Shupe offer us their great photos of birds. more
Photo: This Indigo Bunting in Hancock won a "most unusual" bird award for Joe Kaplan during the Dec. 20, 2003, Christmas Bird Count for Houghton County. (Photo by Joseph Kaplan, © 2003. Reprinted with permission.)

Severe weather hits Keweenaw

Posted 01/06/2004  

KEWEENAW PENINSULA -- The 12th Day of Christmas, Jan. 6, has brought blizzard conditions to the Keweenaw Peninsula. The National Weather Service reports a blizzard warning for northern Houghton and Keweenaw counties -- from Houghton to Copper Harbor -- in effect until 6 a.m. EST Wednesday, Jan. 7. Schools closed at 10 a.m. Tuesday morning as heavy lake effect snow showers and very cold temperatures hit the area. The Weather Service predicts snow showers will continue Tuesday night with west-to-northwest winds of 20 - 35 mph, visibility possibly dropping to zero in exposed areas and wind-chill values from 20 to 30 below zero. Snow accumulations may be from three to seven inches Tuesday night. Visit Weather.com for more details.
Photo: A school bus drops off children at a corner in Hancock at about 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2004. (Photo by Michele Anderson)

  December 2003 News -- February 2004 News