July 2019 - Issue #83
Dear Friends,

On behalf of the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Staff, we would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all of the businesses, organizations, and individuals who supported Bridgefest 2019, and the community for coming out and enjoying a wonderful weekend! With support like yours, we are able to provide one of the areas favorite summer festivals.

We are looking forward to Bridgefest 2020!

Sincerely,

Karin Van Dyke
Board President
Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce
Top Chamber Supporters
Please Welcome Our New Chamber Members
Please support our Chamber Member Businesses!

"Chickadees is a gift store that offers fun and fashionable products from everywhere and for everyone. Our customers love Chickadees because we strive to give the very best customer service while offering a really interesting selection of merchandise.We work hard to have the newest gift and fashion apparel products in stock at reasonable prices. We a small family business. We greatly appreciate all efforts to shop local."

To learn more visit their website: https://www.chickadees.biz

"The LLDDA is charged with making the Village and its Park a great place to live, to play, to eat, or to run a business. Take a drive on the east side of the Keweenaw. It's beautiful here!"

Visit their website here: http://www.lakelinden.net/
Thank you for renewing your membership
Ace Hardware of Calumet, Inc.
Aire Care
Brent Peterson, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones- Hancock
Calumet Electronics Corporation
Charter Township of Portage
Chassell Carpentry & Woodwork, Inc.
Copper Country Veterinary Clinic
Country Inn & Suites
Crampton Surveying, Inc.
Cross Country Sports
Daily Mining Gazette
Dave's BP
Edochi, LLC 
Gogebic Community College
Gogebic Lodge
Great Lakes Accounting, PC
Holombo Masonry
InSight EyeCare
Keweenaw Brewing Company
Keweenaw Gem & Gift, Inc.
Keweenaw Overhead Door, Inc.
Keweenaw Title Agency
Koppers, Inc.
Magic Kiln Studio
Mattila Rock and Dock, LLC
Northern Light Cottages
Omega House
Pilgrim River Steak House
Pine Mountain Music Festival
Quincy Mine Hoist Association
Rukkila, Negro & Associates
Siirtola Well Drilling, Inc.
Superior Screed Service
Tadych's Econo Foods
The Office Planning Group
Torch Lake Area Sewage Authority
UP Health System - Portage
Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center
VAST
World of Wood
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Mark Your Calendars!
Upcoming Chamber Events
Bridgefest 2019 THANK YOU!
THANK YOU TO OUR BRIDGEFEST
2019 SUPPORTERS


Presenting Sponsor
Keweenaw Chevrolet in Houghton and Keweenaw BUICK GMC in Hancock

Bridgefest Partners
City of Houghton
City of Hancock
TV6 and FoxUP
The Wolf 97.7
The Mix 93.5
Superior Equipment and Events
Eagle Radio
Hancock Rotary
Valley View Med Flight and Air Med Care Network
Opus Web

Wi-Fi Sponsor
Shorewaves Internet

Fireworks Level Sponsors
Keweenaw Brewing Company
The Lighthouse of Hancock
Massie MFG
Portage Health Foundation
Ojibwa Casino
Superior National Bank
Peterlin Distributing Co
UPPCO
Nitro Consulting
Michigan Technological University
Brockit, Inc.
Walmart

American Flag Sponsor
Houghton Rotary

Bridge Level Sponsors
Advance America
IR Telemetrics
Lake Superior Helicopters
Keweenaw Co-op Natural Foods
Michigan Tech Employees Federal Credit Union
RC Mechanical
RE/MAX Douglass Real Estate
Superior Graphics

Parade Level Sponsors
Copper Country Food
Diamond House International
Gardenview Assisted Living & Memory Care
Gartners Gallery
Keweenaw Automotive
Papa Murphy's
Pat's Foods and Festival Foods
Range Bank
River Valley Bank
Suomi Restaurant
Superior School of Dance
UP Engineer's & Architects, Inc.
UP Health System - Portage
Upper Great Lakes Family Health Center
Wickley Agency, Inc.

Friends of Bridgefest
Aire Care, LLC
Bucko's Party Store
Century 21 North Country Agency
Copper Country Veterinary Clinic
Copper Range Abstract & Title Agency
Dave's BP
Kirkish Furniture
Memorial Chapel & Plowe Funeral Homes
Sharon Avenue Convenience (Mobil)
Superior Service Towing
Interested in seeing all the fun from Bridgefest weekend? Check out our photo gallery here .

Photos courtesy of Brockit, Inc.
Event Recaps
June 12th: Thank you to Marlin Lee, Executive Director of the Calumet Theatre for presenting at our Keweenaw Alliance Breakfast.

Attendees had a chance to learn more about the Calumet Theatre and what Marlin has planned for the future of the Theatre.

Next scheduled breakfast will be on September 4th, 2019 (one week earlier than usual). More information to come.
June 20th: Big thank you to the   Keweenaw Adventure Company  for hosting our Chamber Members and Chamber staff for a sea kayak tour on Lake Superior! The weather was perfect, and we could not have asked for better hospitality!

If you're looking for fun this summer, take a drive to Copper Harbor and stop in and see Sam, Shelby and the crew to schedule your outdoor Keweenaw Adventure!
June 21st: Gino's Restaurant had a wonderful ribbon cutting ceremony and celebrated their Grandest Grand Opening following the ceremony throughout the weekend!

Congratulations Gino's!
Member Spotlight:
Give us some background on your organization.
Following the rolling hills along the Portage Lake Shipping Canal, the Canal Run offers four distances for runners and walkers of all levels, including a half marathon, 10-mile run, 10-mile walk, five-mile run, five-mile walk and two-mile fun run/walk. The event brings more than 1,000 people to downtown Hancock each July with people flying from across the country to come up and enjoy the event.
The race is self-sustaining, bringing in enough money in registration fees and sponsorships to cover all the costs. Since 2011, the organizing committee has been able to donate $10,000 to area non-profit organizations as part of its  Canal Run Gives Back program.

What’s the history of the Canal Run?
The Canal Run was started in 1975 and is the premier running event in  Michigan’s Keweenaw Peninsula . Bob Olson founded the run in 1975. Olson, who was recently named to the U.P. Sports Hall of Fame, was an avid runner and owned WMPL radio at the time. For several years he ran the event with his family and a couple volunteers. For his tireless effort to make the Canal Run a premier event, the race committee named the 10-mile run the 10-Mile Bob Olson Memorial Run and started a scholarship following his death in early 2018. The well-ran race continued to grow, and after a few years, Olson contacted Ken Seaton, president of D&N Bank, which signed on to sponsor and support the event.
With the support of D&N Bank, the race continued to grow. In the early 2000s,  Portage Health  (2007) and  Finlandia University  (2010) signed on to help the event, which has grown to more than 800 participants a year. Keweenaw Co-op is also a primary sponsor now.
Each of the sponsoring organizations commits to having employees volunteer. It takes more than 150 volunteers to make this event possible.

How can people get involved?
Registration is currently open for all events at www.canal.run . The event is only a few weeks away, so be sure to register soon! If being a participant isn’t something you’re interested in, we are also in need of volunteers for a wide variety of things. It takes about 100 volunteers to make this event a go each year. Visit www.canal.run/volunteer to learn more about volunteering.

Who put this event on?
The all-volunteer committee for the Canal Run includes Angela Luskin, Mary Myers, Michael H. Babcock, Kendra Coppo, Kelsae Fitzpatrick, Susan Rosemurgy, Jim Tervo, Todd Gast, Christopher VanArsdale and Cathy Lucchesi. 
Is your business/organization interested in being in our member spotlight? Contact us for more details!
Utilize this Chamber Member Only Benefit
Your Opportunity to Learn More
Contact the Chamber for free access to Skillshare
Skillshare is an online learning platform with thousands of classes in dozens of disciplines — including marketing, design, productivity, software training and more. Classes are suitable for a range of skill levels and are taught in an approachable way with a focus on practical application.

Additionally, many of the classes are taught by some of the best-known practitioners in their respective field (e.g. renowned designer Aaron Draplin teaches logo design, entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk teaches social media strategy, TED Talk sensation, Simon Sinek teaches presentation skills, etc.) or in conjunction with some of the leading companies in a particular discipline (Mailchimp teaches email marketing, Atlassian teaches how to build a high performing team).

Each Skillshare class has an associated project to allow students to practice what they learn, and customized class recommendations based on individual interests and engagement will help give each participant a personalized experience tailored to their specific needs.
Upcoming Independence Day Celebrations
Ahmeek - Thursday, July 4th
 - 11:00 am - Kids bicycle parade
 - Noon to 6:00 pm - Children’s games, with food and beverages in Gabe Chopp Park. The Wingnuts will perform from 2:00 until 6:00, with Bingo from 2:00 until 5:00.

Calumet - Thursday, July 4th
 - 2:00 - Children's Bike Parade on Fifth Street. Kids may bring their bicycles to the Colosseum at 1:00 to decorate them, or decorate at home and meet at the Colosseum just before the parade begins.
 - After the parade, kids can enjoy a free lunch (hot dogs, chips and a beverage) at Agassiz Park (adults can also have lunch for $5.00). Kids games, a bounce house, a foam pit and other fun activities will follow. See full details here .

Copper Harbor  - Thursday, July 4th
 - 10:00 am - Parade, followed by games and a cookout in Grant Township Park. 
 - 2:00 to 5:00 - Role players at Fort Wilkins Historic State Park will read the Declaration of Independence at the flagpole. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required to get into the park.
 - Dusk - Fireworks over the bay.

Dollar Bay - Wednesday, July 3rd
 - 6:00 pm - Free horse-drawn wagon rides.
 - 7:00 pm - Free children's tickets given out at the Fire Hall.
 - 7:00 pm - Dollar Bay Fire Department refreshment stand opens.
 - 8:00 pm to midnight - Street dance with Night Screamer.
Thursday, July 4th
 - 10:00 am - Dollar Bay Fire Department refreshment stand opens.
 - 10:30 am to 2:00 pm - Firefighters chicken barbecue at the baseball field. Tickets are available in advance from any D.B. first responder, or at Richie's Market, Dollar Bay Linoleum and Tile, and Tranquility Hair and Massage.
 - 11:00 am - Bake sale at the Fire Hall.
 - 11:00 am - Veterans program at the Veterans Park Ballfield.
 - Noon - the parade starts at the school, and travels down Main Street.
 - 1:00 pm - Children's games at Pioneer Park.

Eagle Harbor - Thursday, July 4th
 - 9:30 am - Parade, followed by festivities in the park until 2:00.

Gay - Thursday, July 4th
 - Noon to 3:00 - Bazaar, Rummage Sale and Social at the Gay Community Hall - noon to 3 PM
- Noon to 3:00 - Gay Fire Department serves hot dogs and refreshments on the Gay School grounds.
 - 2:00 - Parade.

Hubbell - Thursday, July 4th - Link to the full flyer here .
 - 9:00 am to 9:30 am - Ticket distribution at the VFW Hall.
 - 10:30 am - Parade begins at Koppers, and proceeds to the south end of Tamarack City.
 - 1:00 pm - Races for kids and adults begin at Hubbell Park.

Lake Linden - Wednesday, July 3rd - Link to the full flyer here .
 - 6:00 pm - Park vendors open, refreshments served, live music by Mohawk Bozo
 - Dusk - Fireworks.
Thursday, July 4th 
 - 7:30 am - Lions Club Pancake Breakfast at the school
 - 9:30am - Grand Patriotic Parade 
 - Following the Parade - live music by Tom and Dirk, kids games, refreshments.
 - 1:00 pm - Veterans Memorial Service 
 - 2:00 pm - Grand Stand Contests
 - 3:00 pm - Park Vendors Close
 - 6:30 pm - Decorated Bicycle Parade
 - 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Street Dance at the Lakes Lounge, with live Music by Sound Waves

Mohawk - Thursday, July 4th
 - 9:30 am to 12:30 pm - Refreshments at the Allouez Township Park.
 - 10:30 am - Children's bike parade, followed by children's games at the Allouez Township Park.

South Range  - Thursday, July 4th
 - 8:00 am - Flag Raising Ceremony (Community building) 
 - 10:00 am to 4:00 pm - Old South Range Photo Gallery (Kaleva Building)
 - 11:00 am to 4:00 pm - Fun in the Park Kids Blowups and Slide (Veteran’s Memorial Park)
 - 11:30 am - Children’s Races (Veteran’s Memorial Park)
 - 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm - Keweenaw Brewing Company Tours and Sampling
 - 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm - Elvis Presley Impersonator (Tina's Katalina Restaurant)
 - 11:00 am - 4:00 pm - Copper Range Historical Museum Visitation
 - 1:00 pm - Parade Line-up (South Range Elementary School) (Prizes - 1st place $200.00; 2nd place $150.00; 3rd place $100.00; Most Patriotic $150.00)
 - 2:00 pm - Parade and Children’s Parade (Main Street) (Parade Marshall: Mrs. Casandra Mattila)
 - 3:30 pm - Chris Hiltunen Memorial Horseshoe Tournament (Main Street)
 - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm - Outlaw'd Band (Veteran’s Memorial Park or Community Hall)
 - 9:00 pm - South Range 4th of July Raffle Drawing (Range Lounge/VFW)
 - Dusk - Fireworks (Veterans Memorial Park)
Food and refreshments will be served throughout the village, including the chicken barbecue at the Range VFW Post, and hot dogs and brats from the Range Lions Club at the Miner’s State Bank parking lot.

Twin Lakes - Thursday, July 4th
 - 10:00 pm - The annual lighted boat parade on Lake Roland begins.

Information courtesy of Keweenaw Report
Upcoming Events
Is your business or organization having an upcoming event? Send us your flyer and we will include it in our newsletter - Email: [email protected] . Also - be sure to post your events on our community calendar!
Keweenaw Cash
The Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce is pleased to offer Keweenaw Cash: a gift certificate program that can be used at more than 300 Chamber member businesses. Since its launch, the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce has issued over $341,000 worth of Keweenaw Cash. That money goes right back into local businesses!

Keweenaw Cash can be purchased in any denomination, allowing the recipient more flexibility and enabling them to use the certificates at numerous businesses.

In addition to making great gifts, businesses can purchase Keweenaw Cash as bonuses, prizes, at fundraising events, as employee incentives or awards, retirement gifts, to mark a milestone, or as part of a welcome package for new hires.

Certificates come with an envelope and a list of all the participating businesses.
Please note we require at least a 24 hour notice when placing orders. We are not responsible for any lost or stolen certificates.

If you are a business and would be interested in being able to redeem Keweenaw Cash, please look into a   becoming a member   with the Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce.

For additional information about Keweenaw Cash, to purchase certificates, or how you can accept Keweenaw Cash, call  906-482-5240  or email  [email protected]
We need your Business Cards/Brochures
Board of Directors
Karin Van Dyke, President
Vice President for Advancement
Finlandia University

Mary Myers, Vice President
Account Executive
WLUC TV6

Angela Luskin, Secretary
Health and Fitness Manager
UP Health System-Portage

James Desrochers - Treasurer
Director of Advancement
Michigan Technological University

Morgan Impola
Regional Engineer
UPPCO

Brad Barnett
Owner
Apple Blossom Mercantile
Carrie Richards
Partner Engagement Program Manager
Michigan Technological University

Jan Cole
Managing Partner
Edochi, LLC

Todd Gast
Marketing Manager
Keweenaw Co-op

Brian Donnelly
VP Director of Retail Banking
Superior National Bank

Mary Sears, KEDA Representative
Supervisor
Franklin Township
Your Lansing Contacts
Do you have questions, comments, or concerns? Contact your legislators! 
 
Governor 
 
U.S. Senators
 
U.S. Representative
 
State Senate District: 38
 
House of Representative District: 110 
Our roots run deep in the Keweenaw
Upper Peninsula Power Company was created in 1947 through a merger of three utilities. One of them, the Houghton County Electric Light Company, earlier acquired the interests of Peninsula Electric Light and Power, which began operating in the Keweenaw in 1884 – just five years after Edison invented the light bulb.
From the Edison bulb to high-tech electronics of today, you might say UPPCO has been providing “ U.P. Power ” for more than 130 years. 
Customer Service
( 800-562-7680 )
24-Hour Electric Emergencies/Outages
1-800-562-7809
Outage Updates
@UPPCOstorm
News @uppcopower
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• Renewable Hydroelectric Generation
With Public Recreational Opportunities
• Proud Community Supporter



Learn more at
Keweenaw Chamber of Commerce
902 College Ave, Houghton, MI 49931