By Visit Keweenaw

Last year, Houghton’s Plaidurday celebration made a bold attempt to break a world record by gathering over 1,700 plaid-clad participants on the Houghton High School Football Field. The community rallied together in true UP spirit, proving that plaid isn’t just a pattern – in the Keweenaw, it’s a way of life!

Building on that momentum, Plaidurday 2024 is expanding to include a new event that promises to keep the good times rolling. This year’s photo will be at 1 p.m. with a call time of 12:30 for attendees at the Houghton High School football field. Join for the photo and hang around town for the afternoon. In the evening, folks can head down to Brew Street (Lakeshore Drive), where a lively beer garden with music and food trucks will be set up. Friends and neighbors can unwind together wearing their flannels on the pier. Expect great beer pours, regional food trucks from across the UP and a brief history lesson about the Lakeshore’s development over the years by the Carnegie Museum. Brew Street is a fundraiser for the Carnegie Museum, a Keweenaw National Historical Park Heritage Site.

Brew Street opens from 5-10 p.m. and will allow all ages to enjoy the bands, history presentation and food trucks on the Houghton Pier. The adult beverage area will be 21+ for purchasing and consuming alcohol on Brew Street.

The history and idea behind Brew Street originated from Houghton’s original lakeshore layout. Brew Street ran from Dodge to Isle Royale Street, between the railroad track and Shelden Avenue. It was located behind what used to be Haas brewery. The City of Houghton has never lost touch with its resilient spirit, and Plaidurday’s Brew Street is a perfect opportunity to stake your claim in the Keweenaw’s fall festivities. Follow up Friday’s fun with a Plaid Color Run on Saturday and Houghton’s Fall Fest. Brew Street is put on by Visit Keweenaw, the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce, City of Houghton and the Carnegie Museum.

Our WAKE UP KEWEENAW Breakfast & Speaker series will be held Thursday, September 26th, 2024, at the Bonfire in Houghton. Doors open at 7:00 a.m. Breakfast is served by 7:15 a.m. The program starts at 7:30 a.m.

Presentation:

Small Business Association of Michigan, President & CEO Brian Calley will be in the Upper Peninsula for networking and will discuss the current small business climate in Michigan, advocacy efforts in Lansing and how the Strategic Partnership between the Small Business Association of Michigan and Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce align with each other to make communities stronger and more vibrant for those that choose to call Michigan home.

Bio:

Brian Calley is the President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan. Calley serves as a director of a community bank and Trustee of Oakland University. He sits on various boards, including Special Olympics Michigan, Sparrow Health System, Disability Rights Michigan, and the Autism Alliance of Michigan. Calley was Michigan’s Lieutenant Governor from 2011-2018. Before that, Calley served in the Michigan House of Representatives, on the Ionia County Commission, and worked over a decade in community banking. He holds a BA from Michigan State University, an MBA from Grand Valley State University, and an MPA from Harvard University.

Thank you to our breakfast sponsor, Small Business Association of Michigan!

Other information of interest:

Please join SBAM, Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at The Observatory Lounge, 7th Floor of Houghton’s Hampton Inn & Suites, from 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. for an SBAM Owner2Owner Event! These O2O Regional Events are for small business owners only. They allow small business owners to build a sense of community in their region and gather together with other small business owners. 

Register HERE: https://www.sbam.org/event/upper-peninsula-houghton-region-owner2owner-event/

Immediately following the breakfast, 1 Million Cups of Coffee will be held at the Bonfire starting at 8:30 a.m. 1 Million Cups of Coffee is a free, national program designed to educate, engage, and connect entrepreneurs. Developed by the Kauffman Foundation, 1MC is based on the notion that entrepreneurs discover solutions and network over a million cups of coffee. This is a team effort led by the MTEC SmartZone. 

RSVP is required to attend - please contact the

Keweenaw Chamber to reserve your seat TODAY!

906-482-5240

 info@keweenaw.org

As we enter the spooky season, why not celebrate with a cemetery tour?

The Keweenaw Green Burial Alliance is sponsoring its third annual cemetery tour on Saturday, September 21. This year, the tour will visit the historic Kargi Cemetery in Portage Township and offer an optional tour of the nearby Hanka Homestead Finnish Museum. The scenic cemetery, also known as Old Askel Cemetery, is situated above Otter Lake, adjacent to a serene waterfall and idyllic gorge.

Oscar Heikkinen, known for his years of volunteer service leading historic tours and telling entertaining stories at the Hanka Homestead Finnish Museum, has also offered to give a special tour of Hanka Homestead after leading the cemetery tour. The Hanka Homestead Museum highlights pioneer life in this area in the 1920s.

Access to Kargi Cemetery is limited due to road conditions and limited parking space, so attendees will meet at the nearby Hanka Homestead at 1 p.m., where carpooling to the cemetery will be arranged. 

If the weather is bad on September 21, a rain day is scheduled for the following day, at 1 p.m. Sunday, September 22 at the same place.  

Pre-registration for the tour is requested so that rain day notices can be sent to participants. Pre-register by contacting Frann Grossman by email at fgrossma@mtu.edu or by text to 906- 370-9800.

To gain a deeper understanding of the area’s local culture and traditions, participants can head up to Askel for lunch or a snack before the tour, at three landmark food sites along Tapiola Road. For take-out or picnicking, try the hand-built roast beef or corned beef sandwiches and other delectables at 101-year-old Karvakko’s Market. A block away is breakfast or lunch fare at the Bosio Biscuit Company. Farther up the road is Kurt’s Korner, featuring handmade pizzas and deli foods.

Directions to the Hanka Homestead or any of the food establishments are available online. Those interested can also ask when they pre-register.

The Keweenaw Green Burial Alliance is a non-profit local group that promotes education about green/natural burial and green burial cemetery development.

The highly anticipated 2024 MTU Parade of Nations, a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity hosted by Michigan Technological University, is set to dazzle the community with a new and exciting parade route. This year’s parade will take participants and spectators on a journey through the heart of the MTU campus and into downtown Houghton, ending at the historic Dee Stadium with a grand celebration of food and entertainment.

2024 Parade Route: 

📍 Parade walkers will gather at the Rozsa Center to get their flags and prepare!
📍 Parade Floats will stage at the parking lot by the Admissions Building, accessible by Cliff Drive.
📍 Parade walkers will begin the official parade through the Michigan Technological University campus!
📍 Parade floats will line up at the stop sign Cliff Drive and College Ave while walkers approach.
📍 Parade walkers will flow through the new University Arch onto College Ave. Here Parade Guides will alternate walkers and floats.
📍 The full mixed parade will dazzle all along College Ave through Downtown City of Houghton!
📍 Parade will turn right at The Ambassador, and then another right onto Lakeshore Drive.
📍 End at the Dee Stadium for food and entertainment!

In light of recent changes in the local community, including the closure of Finlandia University, the City of Hancock has requested a re-routing of the parade from its traditional path. This shift allows the City to better manage resources while continuing to support the vibrant event.

Todd Gast, Community Development for the City of Hancock and the Downtown Development Authority and Parade of Nations volunteer committee member, commented on the change: “With the closure of Finlandia, we’ve had to rethink how we allocate our resources. The Parade of Nations is a cherished tradition for both cities, and by routing the parade from MTU through Houghton, we ensure that the event can continue to thrive without placing undue strain on our community resources.”

Though the route is new, the food and fun remains the same! Attendees can expect dishes from around the world and various entertainment. Here are some of the student and community orgs folks can expect:

• MTU Student Vendors:

• Indian Students Association

• Bangladeshi Student Association

• Iranian Community at Michigan Tech

• Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

• African Students Organization

• Nepalese Students Association

• Muslim Students Association

• Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers

• Local Booths:

• Gen X,Y&I Podcast

• MTU Study Abroad

• Local Vendors:

• Border Grill

• Sky Sushi

• Griffin Cafe

The Parade of Nations is more than just a parade; it’s a celebration of the rich tapestry of cultures that make up the MTU community and the greater Houghton-Hancock area. This year’s parade promises to be as spectacular as ever, with vibrant floats, colorful costumes, and a spirit of unity that brings people together from all walks of life.

For more information about the 2024 Parade of Nations, please visit the MTU website or contact the event organizers at paradeofnations@mtu.edu.

About the Parade of Nations: The Parade of Nations is an annual event organized by Michigan Technological University, celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of its students, faculty, and the surrounding community. The parade is followed by a multicultural festival, offering food, entertainment, and educational experiences from around the world.

Explore Local Agriculture: Six Farms in Houghton Area Open for Public Tours, Fresh Produce & Farm Animal Visits 

Residents and visitors in the Keweenaw Peninsula have a unique opportunity to explore six local farms in the Houghton area on Sunday September 15th from 12-4pm. This special event allows attendees to purchase fresh produce and value-added goods directly from the source, while also enjoying guided or self-guided tours of the farms. 

This is an excellent chance to connect with the land and learn about the sustainable practices that yield some of the freshest foods in Keweenaw. Each farm offers its own unique experience, from interacting with adorable farm animals to exploring lush gardens and specialized growing areas. 

Farms on the tour include:

Apple Acres Farm - 46797 Lahti Rd, Houghton, MI 49931
Big Goat Farm - 21327 Lahti Rd, Houghton, MI 49931
Ghosthouse Farm - 22294 Boston Location Rd, Hancock, MI 49930
North Harvest CSA - 26262 Tikkanen Rd, Calumet, MI 49913
Troemner Family Farm - 48649 Larson Rd, Atlantic Mine, MI 49905
Whispering Wild - 3184 Misery Bay Rd, Toilvola, MI 49965

This event not only supports local farmers but also offers an educational experience, shedding light on the processes behind the food we eat. Whether you're a local resident or just passing through, this is a must-see opportunity to enjoy the best of what Keweenaw agriculture has to offer. 

Date: Sunday September 15th 

Time: 12pm-4pm

Copper Shores Community Health Foundation is honored to be hosting the eighth annual Suicide Prevention Walk on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Ray Kestner Waterfront Park in Houghton, from 1 to 4 p.m. Join Copper Shores and the Houghton Keweenaw Suicide Prevention Coalition to promote awareness, provide support and highlight valuable local resources dedicated to suicide prevention.

The Suicide Prevention Walk will feature an inspiring guest speaker, whose insights and experiences shed light on the crucial work being done in our community. Before stepping out together in a display of solidarity, attendees will have the opportunity to meet and talk to a variety of local suicide prevention resources brought together by the coalition, while enjoying complimentary snacks, and connecting with others who share a commitment to suicide prevention and mental health advocacy.  

The Houghton Keweenaw Suicide Prevention Coalition is made up of mental health leaders, experts, and advocates from across the Copper Country, including members from organizations such as Copper Country Intermediate School District, Keweenaw Support 4 Healthy Minds, Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home, Copper Country Community Mental Health, Western Upper Peninsula Health Department and Copper Shores Outreach & Education.  

This event is free to attend and open to all community members interested in promoting mental health. Children are a welcome addition at this family friendly event, where they can find games and activities, and build confidence talking about mental health. In addition to the activities and resources available, there will be a chance to win exciting raffle prizes before hearing from the speaker.

More details about the Suicide Prevention Walk will be released as the event draws nearer. To learn more about the programming provided by Copper Shores Outreach & Education, including mental health training and after school programming, visit coppershores.org/outreach-and-education.

Stop in to view Krissy Sundstrom's latest artwork in person and a chance to talk with her about her work and process. Her artwork will be on display through the month of September. Light refreshments will be served. 

Krissy is a mixed media artist, incorporating textiles into artwork; often utilizing canvas, paper, paint, and freemotion machine stitching for dimension. 

BlackberryArtStudio@gmail.com | www.BlackberryArtStudio.com

Opening Artist Reception

What: Superior Shores - a study of the water's edge

Where: The Well Read Raccoon Books & Curiosities, 314 Shelden Avenue, Houghton, MI 49931

When: Wednesday, August 28th 5pm - 7pm

Details: Free event 

The Friends of the Portage Lake District Library will be hosting a two-day Used Book Sale at the Hancock School Public Library. The sale will be held Friday Aug 9 from 2:00-6:00pm and Saturday Aug 10 from 10am-1:00pm at the Hancock High School at 501 Campus Drive in Hancock. You can enter through the Library door and the sale will be held in the school atrium hallway.

The sale will be by donation, meaning you can pay what you want or can for the items you select. All proceeds will benefit the Hancock School Public Library, and will be used toward our ongoing collection update.

The sale is a great opportunity to support your Library, to come sign up for a Library card (if you don’t already have one), and to see all the changes and improvements made to the Library over the last year. There’s even still time to sign up for our Summer Reading Program, which runs through the end of August.

All library events are free and everyone is welcome. For more information about the sale, please call the library at 906-487-5925, ext 8005.

Jim Bess has completed Butterfly Surveys at Black Creek for a number of seasons. Recently, he has added the occurrence of bees to his collected data.  Jim has discovered lots of expected pollinators and more than a few unexpected.  On our walk on Saturday, July 27th, he’ll introduce to us some of them and who knows what surprises we might find?!

Our survey of the pollinators won’t cover a lot of ground but for those of you who are yearning for an extended hike, you’ll be welcomed to continue self-guided on the well-marked trails. If you aren’t familiar with the trails, a map will be provided.

Bring along sunscreen, water, a hat, bug spray, snacks or lunch.  Long pants are recommended because of the abundant blackberries we will be walking through.  The ground should be dry for the most part as the lake level is down, so regular boots/shoes should be fine.

Meet at the trailhead at Black Creek Nature Sanctuary on Cedar Bay Road at 10 am.  From US 41 on the north end of Calumet, turn west onto M-203 and travel about 1.25 miles to Tamarack Waterworks Rd. and turn right.  Travel 2.5 miles on Tamarack Waterworks Rd. to Cedar Bay Rd. and turn right again.  Follow Cedar Bay Rd. approximately 2.5 miles until reaching the Black Creek NS parking area and trailhead on the right.

Sponsored by Michigan Nature Association

Email nancy@einerlei.com for more information.

Omega House is hosting the Third Thursday Community Grief Support Group Meeting:

You are welcome to participate in the Omega House's Third Thursday Community Grief Support Group from 5:00-6:00, Thursday, July 18, 2024. There will be options to participate in person or online/phone. We will be gathering in person at Omega House.  If you are unable or it is better for you not to come in person, we will also be having a zoom link to be online or on the phone at this meeting from the comfort of your own space.

This program of Omega House is open to anyone who wants to process grief together. Enter in person, online or via phone as you are and settle into a relaxed, safe environment of support and communication with each other. We grieve because we love and we do not have to be alone in our grief. 

This group is facilitated by Omega House Grief Support Educator, Cynthia Drake.

To rsvp coming or receive log in and phone information (for Zoom) request this by calling/ texting Cynthia at: 906-370-6686 or emailing: cynthia.drake@omega-house.org by Wednesday, July 17th.

This program of Omega House has no charge however if you feel lead to donate toward it, please feel free to support it by earmarking a donation for the Grief Support Program at Omega House (2211 Maureen Lane, Houghton, MI 49931).

“The song is ended but the melody lingers on.”

Irving Berlin

P.S. Here is the facebook link to this event:  https://fb.me/e/2eZ6us6bB

Why does the Enbridge pipeline need to be shut down?  On Sunday, July 14, the Keweenaw Unitarian Universalist Fellowship will sponsor a public forum about citizen efforts to shut down the Enbridge pipeline, known as Line 5, which runs through Michigan's Upper Peninsula and underneath the Straits of Mackinac. 

The forum will be at 10:30 a.m. on Zoom.

Among the groups attempting to have the pipeline shut down is Oil and Water Don't Mix, a campaign led by Sean McBrearty. He will speak at the forum about Enbridge’s poor safety record and the threat to the Great Lakes that Line 5 poses.

McBrearty is the state director of Clean Water Action, which organizes grassroots groups, coalitions and campaigns to elect environmental candidates and to solve environmental and community problems. 

The forum is free and open to the public. It will be on Zoom only, at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83975762265?pwd=TC9BcStaTDF4dFZOU2ZsUHhZTERoUT09

Meeting ID: 839 7576 2265
Passcode: KUUF

For more information, contact office@keweenawuu.org

From a Press Release:

The newly founded Keweenaw Friends of Palestine (KFOP) invite the Keweenaw

peninsula community to join them for a Candlelight Vigil in honor of those lost in Israel’s

ongoing siege of the Gaza strip on Thursday, July 11 at 9:30 PM. The vigil will take place at

Houghton’s Huron Street Waterfront Park and will feature poetry and comment by local

writers, organizers, and community members.

This vigil comes after the loss of nearly 38,000 Palestinian lives, the majority of whom were

women and children, during Israel’s current offensive in Gaza and a 75-year genocidal campaign

against Palestinian bodies, families, history, culture, language, and identity. The Keweenaw

Friends of Palestine was founded by local organizers this year in response to Israel’s reignited

aggression and the United States’ complicity in the ongoing genocide. With U.S. funding and in

line with U.S. interests in the region, Israel’s military has conducted a nine-month series of

airstrikes which, according to the UN has left more than half of Gaza’s homes, 267 places of

worship, 18 out of 39 hospitals, all 12 of its universities, and 130 ambulances either damaged

beyond function or completely destroyed. In the rubble that remains, Palestinians are left to

grieve more than 100 journalists, more than 15,000 children, and multiple generations of entire

families.

While much of the organization’s work is directed at holding weekly rallies for the Palestinian

cause and circulating a petition calling on local and state representatives to adopt resolutions in

support of a ceasefire, organizers hope that this vigil will place renewed emphasis on Palestinian

humanity and grief in the face of overwhelming violence and loss. “We want this to be a space of

communal healing for those in our area who may feel alienated by the US government’s active

role in aiding and abetting the genocide. We hope it can be an insightful event where speakers

and writers can express their emotions and experiences related to the conflict in a constructive

and empathetic light” shares Gabriel Ahrendt, a local organizer.

Keweenaw Friends of Palestine holds rallies in solidarity with Palestine every Tuesday at 5 PM

at Veterans Memorial Park in Houghton. To learn more about KFOP, receive updates and

information on the war in Palestine, and find ways to help, visit the organization’s Facebook

page and Instagram. To join KFOP’s mailing list or ask questions, email

keweenawfriendsofpalestine@lists.riseup.net .

Kathryn Remlinger, Professor Emerita of English at Grand Valley State University, speaks about the history and development of the Yooper dialect.

Keweenaw County Historical Society
The Eagle Harbor Community Center
Tuesday, July 9, 7:00pm