Sawyer posts strong passenger totals again in September
Sawyer International Airport’s 2006 third quarter continued to be a pleasant surprise as approximately 37,105 passengers used the airport, noting an increase of 5,716 passengers, or approximately 18.25 percent compared to the third quarter of 2005.
During 2006, Sawyer has seen 100,543 passengers use the airport, and is 13,681 passengers ahead of the record pace of 2005, indicating a strong 15.75-percent increase. Year-to-date, and with three months remaining in 2006, Sawyer has nearly exceeded the passenger traffic numbers seen during calendar year 2003 (103,150).
Additionally, Sawyer’s achievements include setting another first for total passengers using the airport, recording more than 13,000 passengers during two of three busier months of the summer travel season (July and August). Additionally, and through the month of August, Sawyer is also one of only three airports in Michigan noting increases in passenger traffic.
American Eagle Airlines, providing regional jet service to Green Bay, Madison and Chicago, continues to record significant increases this year over the first nine months of 2005. American Eagle’s outbound passenger traffic totaled 12,578, and for inbound passengers totaled 11,907 reflecting increases on average of thirty percent.
Northwest Airlines regional affiliate, Mesaba Airlines, which provides service to both Detroit Metro and Minneapolis-St. Paul, continues to excel, and recorded 31,912 outbound and 30,809 inbound passengers, reflecting increases on average of sixteen percent.
With the return and continuation of air service to Minneapolis-St. Paul, non-stop jet service to Chicago, outstanding airfares to many business and leisure destinations, and a stable flight schedule going into the fall travel season, airport officials project that Sawyer is on track to easily surpass the 2005 record of 115,543 passengers, and the likelihood that the airport could anticipate between 125,000 and 130,000 passengers traveling to and from Sawyer.
For details, call 346-3308 or visit www.sawyerairport.com

Rabbi Kushner keynotes grief conference on November 2
Rabbi Harold S. Kushner, author of the international best seller When Bad Things Happen to Good People, will present the keynote address at this year’s grief conference, set for November 2 in the Great Lakes Rooms at NMU.
Kushner will highlight his heartfelt message that inspires people to become more involved with the world and their lives. He provides guidance for dealing with loss, grief, crises of faith and the moral and spiritual complications of day-to-day life. His message focuses on responding to heartbreak with understanding rather than bitterness and despair.
Joining Kushner as presenters are Mary Jane Tremethick, Ph.D. of NMU and Jeanne Coleman, Ed.D. of Columbia University.
This conference is co-sponsored by Canale-Tonella Funeral Home, Inc.; Lake Superior Hospice Association; Marquette General Health System and NMU. The fee of $60 includes lunch, refreshment breaks and handouts. MGHS retirees and students with valid I.D. may register for $30.
Continuing education credit hours will be offered for physicians, nurses, EMS personnel and patient care unit coordinators.
For details, call (800)562-9753 ext. 3470. The conference brochure can be downloaded at www.mgh.org/educa tion/brochur/grief06.pdf

Marquette Area Blues Society announces 2007 logo contest
The Marquette Area Blues Society will hold its annual logo contest for the 2007 Marquette Area Blues Fest, to be held Labor Day weekend 2007. Submissions will be accepted through January 1, 2007. 
All area graphic artists, students and notepad doodlers are encouraged to enter by designing one or several logos. One logo will be chosen, and will be used on T-shirts and other merchandise at the festival. All ages may enter.
The winner will receive two tickets to the 2007 Blues Fest and two T-shirts with the winning logo concept. For more information and entry forms, log on to www.marquetteareabluessociety.org or call 226-5451 with your name and address to request logo contest entry forms and info.

Athena program transformed in Marquette County
People have been asking, “What has happened to the Athena Program in Marquette County?” A lot has happened over the last few years in the world of the Athena Foundation (now known as Athena International) that has helped the organization focus their efforts in the international arena.
As the foundation grows and takes on new challenges, more energy and resources will be directed toward a global strategy. They also observed recent changes in national Athena underwriters, with whom the real program had shared sponsorship and support. These changes presented the opportunity to reconsider the direction of the local program and examine what the future would hold. The decision to create the local award program was a direct result of that review.
Members of the Athena of Marquette County steering committee approached Zonta of Marquette Area to see if there was an interest in developing a recognition program incorporating the Athena ideals, while retaining a strong local focus.
Zonta has created an award program that will recognize individuals, both men and women, who have helped mentor women and girls in reaching their leadership potential, have demonstrated excellence, creativity and initiative in their profession and have provided significant service to their communities through volunteerism.
The newly developed Evergreen Award will be presented at the annual Lake Superior Community Partnership Dinner in 2007. Nominations are being sought. Call 228-7500 for details.

Zonta accepting grant requests from nonprofits
The Zonta Club of Marquette area will be accepting grant requests from local nonprofit organizations through January 12, 2007.
In determining awards, high priority is given to programs that improve the status of women by addressing the issues of economic self-sufficiency, legislative equality, access to education, health and nutrition. Proceeds from the Club’s annual sale of Koeze nuts have been used to award grants to a wide variety of programs and agencies since 1972. Grants will be awarded in increments of $250. Past grants have ranged from $250 to $1,000.
To secure an application form, visit www.zontamqt.org or write to the Zonta Club Grant Committee, 89 North Basin Drive, Negaunee, MI 49866, call 475-9965 or e-mail Mpace8@aol.com Include your mailing address and/or fax number in your request for information.

U.P. receives nearly $5 million in improvement grants
State Senator Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming) announced that the Upper Peninsula will be the recipient of nearly $5 million in grants approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund Board. Governor Jennifer Granholm and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation were instrumental in moving these project dollars forward.
As approved, the grants will fund public infrastructure projects as part of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Infrastructure Capacity Enhancement (ICE) program.
Community Development Block Grant Funding was approved for local communities who had proposed upgrades to existing public infrastructure systems either by replacing deteriorating or obsolete systems or by adding needed capacity to existing, but burdened systems. More than $15.3 million was awarded to thirty-seven Michigan communities, including twelve municipalities in the Upper Peninsula.
The Village of Newberry received $700,000, the largest amount awarded in the U.P.
The ICE program benefits small cities, villages and townships. The cities of Crystal Falls, Iron River, Manistique and Stephenson were among the communities in the U.P. that received funding. They received awards of more than $500,000 each.

The Ninety-Nines creates Northwoods Charter
The International Organization of Women Pilots, The Ninety-Nines, has a Northwoods Charter as of September 2006.
Cynthia Madsen of Illinois, governor of the North Central Section of the Ninety-Nines, flew her airplane to Houghton to present a plaque to Marcelaine Lewis, chairman of the Northwoods Ninety-Nines Chapter at the U.P. Wilderness Tour Banquet.
The sixteen charter members of the new Ninety-Nines chapter are: Cynthia Brew of Rapid River; Darlene Basto of Calumet; Jeffrey Dohrenwend of Pelkie; Rose Dorcey of Wisconsin Rapids (Wisconsin); Eloise Greenlee of Houghton; Ann Joyal of Marquette; Marcelaine Lewis of Houghton; Chrysande Levesque of Marquette; Jennifer Nykanen (FWP) of White Pine; Sheryl Rains of Bark River; Helen Ryan of Eagle River; Kathy Swanson of Wells; Lynn Sykes of Gwinn; Angela Tomasi of Houghton; Pam Trask of Iron Mountain; and Elizabeth VanHeusden of Macomb.

Waiting for Orson planned for November 3 through 5
A new play by local business owner Ian Leahy, Waiting for Orson is the story of Tristan who, once on the fast-track to success, finds himself derailed and waiting for a mystical visitor society would insist does not even exist. If he does exist, he certainly would not request a meeting with someone in the middle of Manhattan’s crowded Penn Station. But, he did.
Inspired by actual events, Waiting for Orson is a love story that dances between visceral human relationships and the thin line between a person’s psychological sanity and the quest for spiritual enlightenment.
Described by many as an entirely unique theatre experience, Waiting for Orson runs from November 3 through 5 at 231 House of Muses at 231 West Washington Street in Marquette.
Performances are at 7:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday. Seating is limited. Call 225-5061 for details. Proceeds will be donated to Chip and Leslie Davis of Marquette for medical care of their infant daughter, Livia.

Cancer Center and Marquette hospital to collaborate
The Karmanos Cancer Center and the Marquette General Cancer Center recently signed an affiliation agreement to collaborate on cancer care and research.
As an affiliate of the Karmanos Cancer Center, the Marquette General Cancer Center will continue to offer unique cancer treatment options and provide access to higher-level clinical trials to patients.
As part of the agreement, physicians at the Marquette General Cancer Center will be a part of the Karmanos Multidisciplinary Team structure. This means cancer patients at the Center in Marquette who need a second opinion may have a built-in review by Karmanos Cancer Center physicians, who will provide input on proposed treatment plans.
The affiliation agreement will provide the Marquette General Cancer Center access to the Karmanos Cancer Center’s advanced clinical research and additional educational opportunities for Upper Michigan Cancer Center physicians and staff.

Association recognizes local maritime historian
The Association for Great Lakes Maritime History, a regional association of more than 100 maritime museums and historical societies, recently recognized the efforts of a leading maritime historian and a dedicated historic preservationist.
At the association’s recent annual meeting in Alpena, maritime historian and author Frederick Stonehouse of Marquette was awarded the association’s 2006 Award for Historic Interpretation.
Stonehouse has authored twenty-seven books on Great Lakes maritime history including regional bestsellers, such as The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald and Great Lakes Lighthouse Tales. In addition to popular history books, he has published several leading publications, such as the recently re-released book, Wreck Ashore, The U.S. Life-Saving Service on the Great Lakes.
Stonehouse also has developed and taught several university courses on Great Lakes maritime history as ad hoc instructor at Northern Michigan University. Each year, he makes room in his schedule to make presentations at conferences throughout the region and is an active consultant for numerous Great Lakes maritime history projects and programs.
In addition to serving as a consultant for both the U.S. National Park Service and Parks Canada, Stonehouse has been an on-air expert for National Geographic and History Channel. He is a past president of the National Board of Directors of the U.S. Life-Saving Service Heritage Association and the Marquette Maritime Museum

Hiawatha Music Co-op Annual Members Meeting
The annual Hiawatha Music Co-op members meeting will be held at 6:00 p.m. on November 4.
The meeting will include dinner, business, election of board members and swing dancing. All members are welcome, and new members can join at the meeting.
Visit www.hiawathamusic.org or call 226-8575 for details.

MCAC celebrates five years of service to community
The Medical Care Access Coalition (MCAC)—a local nonprofit, United Way member agency, that coordinates volunteered and donated healthcare to low income, uninsured county residents—recently celebrated five years of service.
In September 2000, MCAC incorporated as a 501(c)3 organization. In the summer of 2000, MCAC hired its first staff member, signed up dozens of volunteer physicians and by September 1, 2001, had secured a federal Community Access Program grant (CAP Grant). It began enrolling patients on October 1, 2001.
Through the years, MCAC has been able to help coordinate healthcare for more than 3,000 resident.
Since MCAC began, the agency has worked closely with community partners to obtain nearly 100-percent participation by primary care providers and most specialists in Marquette County for donated services. Every Marquette County pharmacy participates in the program, in addition to numerous pharmaceutical companies whose representatives provide much needed medications and supplies.
In five years, the equivalent of more than $845,000 has been donated by primary and specialty care offices. In response to a growing number of patients and lack of available primary care, MCAC created its own Volunteer Clinic in 2003. Since then, more than $68,000 worth of primary care services have been donated in the Clinic. More than $1 million worth of medications has been donated by pharmaceutical manufacturers through samples and patient assistant programs.

Northern Options moves office, offers same services
Northern Options Energy Center has opened their new office at 205 South Front Street, Suite 2F. Visit during their open house from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. on November 10.
Northern Options Energy Center has brought exciting programs to the Upper Peninsula since its formation in 2004. The Biodiesel Student Research Group at Marquette Senior High School is an example of the type of community programming Northern Options aims to offer. They also worked this summer to provide green commuting options around the city of Marquette. Look for signs along the bike paths.
Their phone number will remain the same at 226-1136.
Through its Home Energy Check-Up Service, Northern Options, a Marquette-based energy education center, helps Michigan residents answer the burning question of how to implement energy efficiency into their homes.
For a fee of $150, an Northern Options trained energy specialist will examine homes from the basement to the attic, and make energy saving recommendations to the homeowner regarding insulation levels, windows and doors, heating and cooling systems, lighting and appliances, and other needed improvements.
The Home Energy Check-Up is a great step consumers can take in making energy efficient improvements in their home because it gives them a personalized report—a “cookie-cutter” plan for energy efficiency does not exist because every home is different and unique. For details or to make an appointment, call 226-1136.

Celebrate November as National Diabetes Month
November is National Diabetes Month. From 1980 through 2000, the number of people across the nation living with diabetes more than doubled from 5.8 million to 14.7 million.
In the Upper Peninsula more than 23,600 people are living with diabetes. Diabetes can be disabling and deadly but it doesn’t have to be. Controlling blood glucose (blood sugar) in people with diabetes is not easy, but it can be done. Proper blood sugar control can eliminate or delay the risks of complications. A recent study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) shows that tight control of blood glucose can reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes—the number one killer of people with diabetes—by more than half.
For most people with diabetes, keeping blood glucose under tight control isn’t effortless. The latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that fewer than forty-five percent of Americans with diabetes are reaching the level of control seen in the NIH study. But it can be done, and the National Diabetes Education Program has materials that can help.
Control Your Diabetes. For Life. campaign materials teach people with diabetes how to know their ABCs—what their A1C (a test of blood glucose), blood pressure and cholesterol numbers are, what they should be, and how to work with a health care team to reach those goals.
These materials also offer ideas for sticking to a healthy eating plan, ways to stay active with regular physical activity, and other tips for feeling better and staying healthy. NDEP materials are easy to read. They have been tailored for groups at high risk for diabetes, including American Indians and Alaska Natives, African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos. All materials are based on science, backed by the federal government and copyright free.
For people with diabetes, controlling blood glucose—along with blood pressure and cholesterol—can save their sight, their limbs, and their lives. For details, visit www.ndep.nih.gov or call (800)369-9522 and ask for a free copy of the NDEP brochure Tips to Help You Feel Better and Stay Healthy.

Substance abuse services to be addressed at forum
Due to community reports of individuals being unable to access much needed substance abuse services, Great Lakes Recovery Centers is hosting a community forum on the types of substance abuse services available. The community forum will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. on November 7 at the Peter White Public Library.
This brown bag luncheon will include a panel from Great Lakes Recovery Centers, Pathways, Bell Hospital, Marquette General Hospital, Catholic Charities and Lutheran Social Services. Those seeking information on substance abuse services are encouraged to attend.
In addition, the panel will take questions from the audience in an effort to provide better education on the opportunity for treatment that exists in the area. Attendees are welcome to bring their own lunch, beverages will be provided. For details, call 228-9699.

MGHS awarded monies through grant program
U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) and Carl Levin (D-Michigan) announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded Marquette General Hospital System $259,955 through the Telehealth Resource Center Grant Program.
The funds will establish the Midwest Alliance for Telehealth and Technology Resources, and will be used to build and expand telecommunication networks between health care researchers, providers and patients to improve continuity of care. 
Telehealth networks utilize technology such as video conferencing, streaming media and wireless communications to allow specialists to share information and provide patient care over long distances. 

Hospital earns continued accreditation from JCAHO
By demonstrating its compliance with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organization’s national standards, Marquette General Health System has earned the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval. The award of accreditation is for three years.
JCAHO accreditation covers all entities of Marquette General Health System throughout the Upper Peninsula, comprising Marquette General Hospital, its clinics and offices in thirteen communities, the U.P. Surgery Center at Peninsula Medical Center, Home Health, laboratory services and behavioral health.
The Joint Commission evaluates and accredits more than 15,000 health care organizations and programs in the United States, including more than 7,800 hospitals and home care organizations, and more than 7,300 other health care organizations that provide long term care, assisted living, behavioral health care, laboratory and ambulatory care services.

Planned Parenthood takes part in Plan First! program
Planned Parenthood Northern Michigan is now enrolling women in a new state program called Plan First! It’s designed to expand subsidized family planning services to about 200,000 more women statewide.
In order to fund the program, Michigan sought a Medicaid waiver from the federal government. The waiver covers family planning services for women ages nineteen to forty-four who are at or below 185 percent of poverty and not pregnant. Participants must reside in Michigan and meet Medicaid citizenship requirements.
Since every public dollar spent on family planning saves at least three dollars in Medicaid costs, this new program will save the state money. In fact, the Department of Community Health estimates it could save Michigan as much as $27 million a year if unintended pregnancies are reduced by just ten percent. If all pregnancies were planned, the state would see significant reductions in infant mortality, child abuse, child neglect and abortion.
To find out if you qualify, call 225-5070.

Celebrity art auction benefits U.P. Children’s Museum
Original works by more than thirty-five of the community’s most unexpected artists will be featured in the third annual Marquette Jaycees Celebrity Art Auction on December 7 at the Upper Peninsula Children’s Museum in Marquette. The auction is a benefit for the museum.
Viewing of items begins at 5:30 p.m. followed by Dr. Alan Hunter, auctioneer, taking opening bids at 7:00 p.m. Spectators are invited to sample a fine array of cheeses, wine and a delectable chocolate fountain. Entry is free.
In addition, the museum is having a raffle with proceeds supporting exhibits and programs at the museum. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20 and may be purchased at the museum at 123 West Baraga Avenue in Marquette.
Prizes include a loose five-carat heart-shaped pink sapphire donated by Glenda Folker; a $1,000 shopping spree donated by Jandron Fine Jewelry; one night’s stay for two donated by the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island; two matching cedar Adirondack chairs donated by John B. Frick; Odyssey White Hot 2 putter donated by OnLine Today—Sold Tomorrow; a Bill Hamilton framed lighthouse print donated by Steven Nelson; a HotPlate gift basket donated by HotPlate; a U.P. Children’s Museum annual family membership donated by the museum; a load of top soil or gravel donated by Smith Paving; a Starbuck gift basket donated by NMU Starbucks, and a Babycakes gift certificate donated by Babycakes.
Tickets will be drawn at 7:00 p.m. on December 7 at the museum. Ticket holders need not be present to win. For details, call 226-3911.

Christmas wreath sale to benefit local boy scout troop
Boy Scout troop 360 of Harvey it having its annual Christmas wreath sale. Locally crafted wreaths from five to twenty-two inches in diameter can be ordered by calling 249-9173 to place an order from November 1 through 13.

Region looks to repeat best communities award
In 2005, the Marquette-Alger county area was designated as one of the 100 Best Communities for Young People in the entire United States. The effort is underway to keep that designation.
The 2007 100 Best Communities for Young People competition is sponsored by America’s Promise. The competition invites communities from throughout the country to tell their story and why they should be recognized as a great place to grow up. Through the competition, America’s Promise showcases communities doing an outstanding job of fostering safe and caring environments that effectively educate young people and help them become productive citizens.
America’s Promise is a broad-based alliance whose members work together to ensure that young people can realize their full potential. Alliance partners focus attention and resources to help every child receive the Five Promises essential to success.
Communities have until November 3 to enter. Winners will be announced in late January 2007. Anyone interested in participating can call at 228-8919 or e-mail kwilliams@glcyd.org

Partnership Announces new mentoring program
The Lake Superior Community Partnership (LSCP) is looking for business owners and managers to take part in the new Mentor’s Circle program, a program designed to match entrepreneurs with experience.
The Mentor’s Circle provides an opportunity to become involved in economic development without placing a heavy burden on anyone.
Entrepreneurs often look for help when they are starting a business, experiencing difficulties managing growth opportunities or in need of financing. Often there is an unfounded fear that professional assistance will “cost too much” so they often struggle on their own.
The Partnership plans to maintain a database of resources offered by business professionals that will be used to support entrepreneurs in need of support. If you are willing to share your knowledge and/or services to mentor a new start-up company in Marquette County contact Lois Ellis or Gregg Nominelli at 226-6591.

United Way campaign in full swing toward 2006-07 goal
Numerous individuals and businesses are stepping up to the plate to help the United Way of Marquette County raise money for local organizations. This year’s campaign goal is a half-million dollars.
These funds help support thirty-four Marquette County agencies, such as Red Cross, Alzheimers Association, Child & Family Services, Teaching Family Homes, Catholic Social Services and U.P. Library for the Blind, to name a few.
This year, these agencies need financial help more than ever as they face funding cuts at local, state and federal levels. The United Way exists to efficiently provide a fundraising campaign, so these agencies can spend more of their time providing important programs in the community and less time trying to raise money.
Currently, the United Way has reached twenty percent of its goal. This has been done through mailings to individuals and generous businesses which run campaigns that allow their employees to make donations through payroll deduction. This year’s campaign co-chairs, Vicky Crystal and Bill Nemacheck have been visiting businesses to educate about United Way, and asking for their participation. To inquire about a co-chair presentation at your business, call the United Way office at 226-8171. The video features three Marquette County residents who share their personal stories of how they were helped by a United Way agency. You can see the co-chairs in this year’s campaign video by visiting www.uwmqt.org

Munising schools seeks help from local community
The Munising Public Schools Music Department is seeking old and unused band instruments and music equipment. Anyone who donate items will receive a receipt for tax purposes if a name and address is included with the donated items.
The department also is seeking accompanist pianists for several festivals, concerts, and solo and ensemble performances. For details, call director Jeff Ingraham at 297-2103 or e-mail jeff@jamadots.com

National Ski Hall of Fame announces Class of 2006
The U.S. National Ski Hall of Fame and Museum has announced that three former members of the U.S. Ski Team have been elected to the Class of 2006.
Freestyle skiers Jonny Moseley and Trace Worthington and alpine ski team member Julie Parisien will have their names added to the honor roll of the Hall of Fame at induction ceremonies in January 2007. In a move from tradition, the ceremony will take place at the Snowsports Industries America (SIA) annual tradeshow in Las Vegas from January 22 through 24.

Credit Union seeks students for Financially Made program
U.P. Catholic Credit Union is launching “Financially Made,” a financial education and saving program aimed at turning teens ages thirteen to seventeen into financially-savvy consumers. The program combines matching deposits with financial education in hopes of encouraging students to begin—and continue—practicing good financial habits.
U.P. Catholic Credit Union will select ten students to be Financially Made and will meet with a budget counselor and attend a financial literacy course that will cover saving, credit, budgeting and goal setting. In return, U.P. Catholic Credit Union will establish a savings account for the students and provide matching deposits of up to $200 per student.
The savings phase of the Financially Made program will begin January 1, 2007. To apply to be Financially Made, students must complete an application and submit a 250-word essay explaining what they’re saving for and why. Application materials and official rules are available at www.upccu.com by clicking on the Financially Made Web banner. Essays must be received by November 20.

U.P. Rodeo changes dates, seeks sponsors, volunteers
The U.P. Championship Rodeo board is actively seeking sponsors and volunteers to help its organizing efforts. The board is planning new specialty acts, along with added activities for family night. The rodeo will be held on June 7, 8 and 9, 2007 in Iron River.
Anyone interested in helping with this community event, or who has ideas to offer can call 265-5954.

USOEC News & Notes
• Boxing—Boxer Walter Sarnoi (Monterey Park, California) finished second in the 125-pound weight class at the Police Athletic League National Championships in Oxnard (California). David Clark (San Diego, California) won his first bout at 119 pounds against Oved Pamatz (California), 12-6. In the second preliminary bout, Jessy Cruz (Miami) overpowered Clark, 3-2. Teammate DeRae Crane (Rock Island, Illinois) was defeated in the preliminary round by Yathomas Riley (San Diego, California) at 178 pounds. The referee stopped the contest at 1:50 in Round 3.
• Speedskating—Head coach Jimmy Jang is leading the U.S. World Cup Team at World Cup II in Seoul (Korea). At the World Cup I in Changchun (China), Shani Davis (Chicago) won a silver medal in the 1,000-meters B final. Jeff Simon (Long Beach) earned a silver medal in the 1,500-meter B final. Simon also qualified for the 500-meter A final, placing fourth. Anthony Lobello (Tallahassee) was stopped in the quarterfinals of the 500-meter and disqualified in the 1,500 meter heats. The men’s relay team earned a silver medal in the 5,000-meter B finals. Cherise Wilkins (Syracuse, New York) skated in the semi-finals of the 1,500-meter, placing sixth. Wilkins placed fourth in her first heat in the 500-meter. Kimberly Derrick (Caledonia) was unable to advance past the quarterfinals in the 1,000-meter. Katherine Reutter (Champaign, Illinois) was stopped in the 1,500-meter heats, and she was also unable to advance out of the preliminaries of the 1,000-meter. The women’s relay team took third place in the 3,000-meter B final with a time of 4:28.985.
• Weightlifting—The weightlifting team is preparing for their first event of the 2006-07 season, the American Open from December 1 through 3 in Birmingham (Alabama).
• Women’s Freestyle Wrestling—Freestyle wrestlers competed at Sunkist Kids International Open in Tempe (Arizona). Liz Short (Lombard, Illinois) took third place in the 48 kilogram women’s freestyle wrestling competition, winning by technical fall over Ingrid Santos (El Savador). The following USOEC team members placed fifth in their respective weight division: Sadie Kaneda (Honolulu, Hawaii), 48 kg; Dany Hedin (Kailua, Hawaii), 55 kg; and Stefanie Shaw (Waterford, Connecticut), 63 kg. The freestyle team hosted the University of the Cumberlands in its first ever home dual match. Cumberlands defeated the USOEC squad four matches to three. Winning individual bouts were Liz Short at 105.5 pounds, Alyssa Lampe (Tomahawk, Wisconsin) at 112 pounds, and Erin Clodgo (Richmond, Vermont) at 147.5 pounds.
• Men’s Greco-Roman Wrestling—Greco-Roman wrestlers competed at Sunkist Kids International Open in Tempe. Spenser Mango (Flourissant, Missouri) took first in the men’s 55 kg weight class, pinning Michael Santos (Arrowhead). Mango was named the competition’s Outstanding Wrestler. Also, placing first in their weight divisions for Greco-Roman wrestling were Jacob Curby (LaGrange, Illinois) at 66 kg and Cheney Haight (Drem, Utah) at 74 kg. Other USOEC Greco-Roman wrestlers placing at Sunkist were Christopher Iorio (Holbrook, New York), third; Kerry Regner (Darlington, Pennsylvania), second; and Jake Swensen (Moroni, Utah), sixth, at 60 kg; Marco Lara (Long Beach), fifth, at 66 kg; Jake Fisher (Platte City, Missouri), third, at 74 kg; Jake Plamann (Appleton), fourth; and Chas Betts (St. Michael, Minnesota), fifth, at 84 kg; and Jacob Marquardt (Blair, Nebraska) who took third in the120 kg weight division.
• Miscellaneous—USOEC director Jeff Kleinschmidt and USOEC weightlifting coach Ma Jianping were a part of NMU’s delegation to China, which explored educational and exchange opportunities for NMU students and USOEC athletes. Two boxers and two Greco-Roman wrestlers and Doug Reese will participate in Caring House’s annual Celebrity Waiters Dinner in Iron Mountain for Domestic Violence Awareness month.

Local authors corner
• Author and sled dog musher Jackie Winkowski of Gwinn has published a new book, Miki’s Race—Quest for the finish line, which picks up where her first book, Miki’s Challenge left off. The new full-color soft-cover book has a design similar to the first one but features a longer story told in three chapters. Books can be ordered from the author, Jackie Winkowski, 270 Flodin Road, Gwinn, MI 49841, for $14.95 including sales tax, postage and handling. Miki’s Race will be available November 20 at local bookstores.

Briefs of political interest
• State Senator Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming) and State Representative Joel Sheltrown (D-West Branch) are working on ORV legislation that would permit Northern Lower Michigan and U.P. counties to open county road shoulders to ORV use. The Michigan DNR recently recommended the closure of county roads to ORV use, much to the dismay of ORV enthusiasts and local governmental units throughout the U.P. Almost every county in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula already allows ORVs on county road shoulders at the discretion of county commissioners and road commissioners. A number of Northern Lower Michigan counties have opened their county roads to ORVs in recent years. Earlier this summer, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox issued a legally non-binding advisory opinion that indicated these county ordinances may not be valid. The legislation Sheltrown and Prusi have been working on throughout the year would resolve an ongoing legal dispute regarding the ability of counties to open public roads to ORV traffic.
• U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Michigan) announced that the Senate has passed her legislation to preserve and promote Michigan lighthouses. The Michigan Lighthouse and Maritime Heritage Act (S.1346) would create a federal, state and local partnership to restore lighthouses in Michigan and promote the maritime culture of the Great Lakes. U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-Michigan) is a cosponsor of the bill. Stabenow’s legislation would require the National Park Service to work with the State of Michigan and local communities to make recommendations to Congress on the best ways to protect Michigan’s lighthouses and increase tourism, including the creation of a Michigan Lighthouse Trail. The National Park Service is directed to identify sources of funding available to Michigan communities for preservation and restoration of their local lighthouses. 

Local business news...in brief
• The Women’s and Children’s Center at Marquette General Health System received $19,726 from the Kohl’s Cares for Kids Program at a ceremony held during a Safe and Healthy Families fair at Westwood Mall; Kohl’s supports the program through the sale of selected store items (books and plush toys) four times per year, with 100 percent of the program’s net sales profits being donated to community outreach programs for children.
• Superior Lighting, now located at 1021 West Washington Street in Marquette, offers a hands-on approach to all lighting needs, including indoor and outdoor fixtures for all commercial and residential properties and is owned and operated by Heather Carlson.
• The National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI) announced a significant aviation accomplishment on the part of John Lewis, owner of Agate Beach Aviation and Houghton resident; Lewis’ Master Certificate Flight Instructor accreditation was renewed by NAFI, the professional aviation education association.
• Bell Financial Services opened their new office at 312 North First Street in Ishpeming.

8-18 Media Book Review
The Thirteen-and-a-half Lives of Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers
The Overlook Press, 702 Pages
“There are some dimensions in which only thoughts can survive and others inhabited exclusively by unpleasant sensations like hunger or envy in the form of little red pretzels that can sing. Anything is possible!”
—Professor Abdullah Nightingale

This story begins when a tiny blue bear cub, floating in a walnut shell on the edge of a giant whirlpool, is rescued by some compassionate Minipirates. When Bluebear grows too large for their little boats, he journeys on a whale to a carnivorous island and ends up on the back of a reptilian rescuer named Mac. As Bluebear grows up, he encounters danger, adventure and a little romance.
The best part of this book is the description of the city of Atlantis because it is so culturally diverse. It is populated by so many different creatures with varying cultures that it puts any big city we know to shame. It also has an abundance of different architectures and foods. It is here that Bluebear superimposes two pizzas on top of one another and concocts a best-selling recipe, included in the book. The author, German cartoonist, painter and sculptor Walter Moers, also gives us amazing drawings of numerous creatures, including olfactil vampires that helpfully feed on bad smells. Many creatures are left to our own imaginations. What happens to the city in the end is very intriguing.
This book has a lot of interesting and imaginative ideas and philosophies, but doesn’t take much seriously. Most of the characters are petty, selfish and lack any sort of depth. Even the brilliant Professor Nightingale is portrayed as somewhat uncaring. I long for a good fantasy or science fiction story instead of this satire. Even a good Dr. Seuss book might be more worthwhile—and a lot shorter.
But I couldn’t help but laugh when reading this passage:
The Yetis, though, good-natured types at heart, had a regrettable tendency to sleepwalk when the moon was full. They would breeze into other people’s apartments and throw out any piece of furniture small enough to fit through the windows.
The book contains a couple obscenities, a couple brief mentions of homemade algae cigars, and a satire of the twelve commandments, which might offend readers of Judaic and Christian beliefs. Despite these questionable references, this book has a pretty healthy attitude in the end, as well as being full of stuff that kids love. So I wouldn’t deny it to pre-teens, especially on a rainy day.
—Thorin Burkhard-Horn, 17

A word to the wise
Verbum satis sapientibus: A word to the wise is sufficient
The language we speak and the language we write may be thought of as distinct dialects. In writing, our sentences tend to be longer and their structure more complex. Our diction is more precise and more varied.
But the most noticeable distinction between the written and spoken word has to lie in our peculiar spelling, which brings us back to last month’s subject. That column briefly traced the history of English spelling, which over a millennium ago actually did represent the sounds of Old English speech.
This month, we’ll look at attempts at spelling reform, most of which have been like smartly outfitted ships that did not sail too far from the harbor—and then sank. Witness the continued use of the –u in build, the –b in doubt, inconsistent plurals like mouse/mice and house/houses, and of course the ubiquitous silent –e, to name a mere few.
Various figures and groups have launched systems addressing these and many other absurdities. The National Education Association once sailed out with an ambitious program funded by Carnegie, and the American Philological Association made a similar effort.
Teddy Roosevelt once ordered the Government Printing Office to embark on reform. However, as H.L. Mencken has detailed richly in The American Language, only one individual has produced any lasting, if modest, reform—Noah Webster.
Let me elaborate on that statement. Another great dictionary maker, the Englishman Samuel Johnson, had even more influence on our spelling, but a reformer he was not, preferring the snug harbor of convention.
In fact, it was Johnson who, to a great degree, determined what that convention was. Before his time, spelling seemed to depend on the whim of the particular printer. However, as Johnson’s Dictionary of 1755 became the overwhelming standard for at least a century, so his choice of spellings became the norm.
His citations were drawn largely from writers before the Restoration of the British monarchy in 1660, writers he considered the classics. His use of revered old texts trumped any notion of phonetic logic.
It was in the new United States, just a few decades later, that Noah Webster developed a grand plan of reform: a sensible and (mostly) consistent orthography for a sensible, well ordered and new country. As with his fellow reformer, the printer Benjamin Franklin, for Webster this new system would be a patriotic Federal language, one more facet of the revolt against the corruptions of the Old World.
His early plan of 1789 would, first, omit superfluous letters, for example using bred for bread and frend for friend. Secondly, he would avoid unclear sounds, as by substituting speek for speak, greeve for grieve and tuff for tough.
Webster’s early productions, however, made few such sallies against the enemy. His American Spelling Book of 1783 largely used English conventions, as did his first dictionary of 1806. However, later editions of both mounted significant revolutionary campaigns like those mentioned above, beginning with the 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. Alas, not all of his many changes gained acceptance, and, especially after Webster’s death in 1843, later editions returned gradually to convention. Still, later editors supported his legacy in three areas:
• Often changing –our to –or (as in honor and labor) and –re to –er (as in theater and center);
• In some cases, substituting a phonetic –s for –c, as in defense;
• Maintaining an assortment of other usages that had become accepted Americanism, like plow for plough, ax for axe, and jail for the English gaol.
These reforms remain with us today. How did Webster do it when so many others failed? Two reasons: the revolutionary fervor that endured in the nation, and the fact that he published what remains easily the most accepted dictionary ever.

Word for the month
Amanuensis (uh-MAN-ye-WEN-sis), a noun derived from Latin referring to a slave or servant with secretarial or writing duties, especially in copying manuscripts.
Although otherwise working alone, Johnson used the term for those he employed as his sole assistants, to copy out the thousands of quotations he marked in old texts. He had another expression to signify his own lonesome “labours.”
His dictionary defines the lexicographer, or dictionary maker, as “a harmless drudge.”
—Gerald Waite

Editor’s Note: Questions or comments are welcome by writing MM or at marquettemonthly@marquettemonthly.com
MM

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