Planning a summer road trip? Check this out

Museum staff announces 2015 summer events

Michigan Iron Industry Museum in Negaunee has posted its summer calendar of events, which includes music, historic bike tours, afternoon programs and classic cars.

Through exhibits, outdoor interpretive trails and scenic overlooks the Michigan Iron Industry Museum tells the story of Michigan’s three iron ranges and the people who helped build modern America.

The 22-minute film “Iron Spirits – Life on the Michigan Iron Range,” shown seven times daily, presents the colorful story of immigrant and community life in the Upper Peninsula.

Located eight miles west of Marquette, the museum overlooks the Carp River and the site of the region’s first iron forge. Between 1848 and 1855, the Jackson Iron Company and its successors wrought iron from Negaunee’s Jackson mine. From that seed grew an industry that flourished for more than 125 years. It continues today at the Empire and Tilden open pit mines.

The museum is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Scheduled programs and events include:

• May 17 – Museum Open House featuring White Water in concert at 1 and 2:30 p.m., new exhibits about the forge, and the rededication of the William G. Mather Auditorium and the Cliffs Gallery. Light refreshments will be served.  The open house is from noon to 4 p.m.
• June 21 – “Iron, Steel and the Automobile: 26th Annual Antique Auto Exhibit” featuring more than 50 vintage vehicles and light trucks from the 1910s to 1969; live jazz and swing performances by the Keweenaw Bluffs Orchestra; music from the 1950s; and food concession.
• July 10, 17 and 24 – Iron Ore Heritage Bike Tours begin at 10 a.m.; preregistration and fee required.
• July 7 – “The Kawbawgam Cases: Native Claims and the Discovery of Iron Ore in the Upper Peninsula” with Rebecca Mead, Ph.D., Northern Michigan University.
• July 14 – “The Ongoing Quest for the Wreck of the Griffon” with Dean Anderson, Ph.D., state archaeologist, Lansing.
• July 21 – “Making Waves: Michigan’s Boat-Building Industry, 1865-2000” with Scott Peters, Michigan Historical Center, Lansing. Book signing to follow program.
• July 28 – “Decolonizing Diet Project: A Transformative Relationship with Food One Bite at a Time” with April Lindala, director, Center for Native American Studies, Northern Michigan University.
• Aug. 4 – “Marble Arms: A History of the Company and its Innovative Outdoor Products” with Craig Lauerman, president, Marble Arms, Gladstone.
• Aug. 11 – “Michigan’s Raptors: Birds of Prey” with Jerome Maynard, Chocolay Raptor Center, Marquette.
• Aug. 18 – “Beer in the Upper Peninsula: A History of Brewing Above the Bridge” with Russell Magnaghi, Ph.D., Northern Michigan University. Book signing to follow program.
• Oct. 3 – “Iron Ore and the Civil War” featuring Civil War artillery encampment, cannon and small arms demonstrations, costumed interpreters, and children’s games and activities.

The museum entrance is located on U.S. 41 E, 1 mile west of Junction M-35, in Negaunee Township.

The Michigan Iron Industry Museum is one of 11 nationally accredited museums administered by the Michigan Historical Center, an agency within the Department of Natural Resources.  For more information about events or programs call 906-475-7857 or visit www.michigan.gov/ironindustrymuseum.

BOW opportunity scheduled

DNR Becoming an Outdoors-Woman program set for June 5-7 in the Upper Peninsula

Women seeking to improve their outdoor skills can now register for the 18th annual Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) summer program, offered the weekend of June 5-7 at Bay Cliff Health Camp, in Big Bay, located approximately 30 miles north of Marquette, Michigan.

Sponsored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, this BOW program offers instruction in more than two dozen types of outdoor activities, including kayaking, wilderness first aid and survival, lake and fly-fishing, fly-tying, geocaching, shooting sports, boating and mountain biking – to name just a few.

“Volunteer instructors provide basic and advanced instruction that is uniquely tailored to each participant's individual ability, helping all Becoming an Outdoors-Woman participants learn the basics in a short amount of time,” said BOW coordinator Sharon Pitz.

Participants will be housed in a universally accessible, dorm-style facility with numerous amenities, including a pool, sauna, tennis courts, hiking and biking trails and easy access to Lake Superior, Pitz said. The BOW summer program also includes special evening programs, such as hikes, group bonfires and more.

The $185 registration fee includes all food and lodging, as well as most equipment and supplies.

Class information and registration materials are available online at www.michigan.gov/bow, and registration can be paid online at www.michigan.gov/estore. The summer program typically fills quickly – in fact, as of today half of the spots already are filled – so early registration is encouraged. The deadline for registration is May 15. A limited number of BOW scholarships are available to help low-income participants with the cost of registration; the scholarship deadline is May 1.

Pitz said that Becoming an Outdoors-Woman is a noncompetitive program that encourages each individual to learn at her own pace.

“The emphasis is on the enjoyment, fun and camaraderie of outdoor activities,” she said. “Everyone shares in each other’s successes and supports each other in efforts to master skills. Having these life-changing and empowering experiences in Michigan’s beautiful woods and water is just icing on the cake.”

For more information about this or other BOW programs offered in Michigan, go online to www.michigan.gov/bow or contact Sharon Pitz at 906-228-6561 or e-mail pitzs@michigan.gov. 

Renewables, waste reduction keys to state's future

Adaptability, affordability, reliability and environmental protection focus of Snyder energy plan Gov. Rick Snyder today outlined aggressive goals to ensure an energy future for Michigan that protects against dramatic cost increases and widespread outages through a cost-based goal that, over the next ten years, moves the state to 30-40 percent use of renewable energy and waste reduction. The state faces an energy capacity issue with 10 coal power plants expected to be retired in the next ten years. As Michigan’s surging economy continues to grow, demand is expected to increase, challenging our infrastructure and natural assets unless we take new approaches, he said. Energy costs and availability are a major concern for expanding businesses that will bring new jobs to Michigan’s economy. Snyder’s plan will see the state through at least the next ten years during which Michigan must meet the shortage of electric generation while complying with new federal regulations on carbon emissions. Snyder said the energy policy centers around the four pillars of affordability, reliability, adaptability and environmental protection. A key challenge will be to dramatically reduce wasted energy, an effort that will save money for families and businesses as well as lessen the demand on the state’s power grid. We need to eliminate energy waste to meet an additional 15 percent of our energy needs by 2025. Snyder encourages a discussion with the Legislature about programs that help people replace older, wasteful items like furnaces, such as on-bill financing. Power can be made more reliable through plans to deploy “smart” meters that help utilities locate outages and restore power more quickly. The state also needs to give our regulators the ability to determine that when we may face a shortage, we have the tools to address it and ensure fair choices for customers. We’ve made progress in this area. Our goal is to have residents average less than one power outage a year, and have those outages last less than two and a half hours. We’re getting closer to hitting that mark. Michigan has been one of the 10 states most-dependent on coal. We must continue to focus on adaptability, with Michiganders determining how we will replace outdated coal plants and expand the use of newer, cleaner technologies such as natural gas and renewables. Our state can reach a goal of 30 to 40 percent renewables plus waste reduction within a decade. Michigan’s energy generation need to be part of a healthier future, with plans to reduce mercury emissions, pollution that creates acid rain and cut down on airborne particles. Our state already is a leader in terms of safety measures tied to high-volume hydraulic fracturing.  We will remain vigilant, and also continue exploring ways to promote and adopt alternative transportation fuels and autonomous vehicle technology. To read Snyder's full Energy Special Message, visit here.

Graymont responds to DNR concerns

Officials with Graymont, Inc. have submitted a revised Land Transaction Application (LTA) to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a limestone mining operation in northern Mackinac County near the town of Rexton. The March 6 proposal, which amends a January 2015 LTA, is unchanged in the total amount and location of public land under consideration.

Revisions in the March LTA address DNR concerns with the previous proposal. Based on these revisions, department officials have recommended that the March 6 Graymont application be approved by DNR Director Keith Creagh. The LTA will be before Creagh for action at the March 19 Natural Resources Commission meeting in Roscommon. More information about the proposal, including a map of tracts under consideration, can be found at www.michigan.gov/graymontproposal.

Following is a summary of items of significant concern to the department in the company’s previous proposals and how those concerns have been addressed in the most recent application:

• Royalty rate on limestone mined and minimum annual royalty payment: Graymont has increased the proposed royalty rate for limestone from 18.75 cents per ton to 30 cents per ton. The company has proposed a minimum annual royalty to begin in 2020 and has committed to creating a regional economic development fund that will provide $100,000 a year for five years starting in 2015. Department officials find the royalty rate and minimum royalty acceptable.

• Consideration of timber and mineral values: Graymont has now included timber value in the purchase price of Tracts A and E. Lands to be offered in exchange for Tracts B and C will include equal or greater forest values in addition to land value. Non-royalty minerals were valued at $10 an acre. Department officials find the language acceptable.

• Final decision authority on land use and infrastructure such as roads, trails, mining structures, etc. on all parcels: Graymont has addressed this concern by including consultation, mediation and arbitration language to recognize public and DNR input in land use decisions. Department officials find the language acceptable.

• Effects on a neighboring facility: Graymont has included language to address potential impacts to a facility adjacent to Tract C. Department officials find the language acceptable.

• Adequate wetland protection and trail easement assurances in Tract E: Graymont has included language to ensure impacts to wetlands in Tract E are minimized and trail easements for public use are provided. Department officials find the offered wetland concept and trail easements acceptable.  

• Process for land exchanges: Graymont has revised the process for land it was offering in exchange for land it seeks to acquire in this proposal. If this LTA is approved, the state will immediately begin to work with the applicant to compete the exchanges. Department officials find the process acceptable. 

• The scope and timing of economic benefits to local communities: Graymont is developing a regional economic development fund to provide grants for local units of government, schools and/or small business. Department officials find this approach acceptable and expect further detail on the local economic benefits prior to director decision.

A memo detailing the recommendation from department officials to the director can be found on the DNR website.
 

There are multiple ways people can provide comments about this proposal. The public will have an opportunity to make comments at the March Natural Resources Commission meeting. The DNR continues to maintain an email address for the public to comment. Interested parties may send comments to DNRGraymontProposalComments@michigan.gov.

Mailed comments can be sent to the Roscommon Customer Service Center, ATTN: Kerry Wieber, 8717 N. Roscommon Road, Roscommon, MI 48653.
 

Comments will be accepted until a final decision is made.

Free Fishing Weekend coming Saturday and Sunday

On Saturday, Feb. 14, and Sunday, Feb. 15, everyone in Michigan – including residents and non-residents – can fish without a license, though all other fishing regulations still apply.

These two days make up the Winter Free Fishing Weekend – an annual effort to promote Michigan’s world-class fishing opportunities. While many individuals and families will bundle up and head out to fish for free on their own, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources points out there are many organized events scheduled throughout the state to celebrate the weekend as well. Some of these events include:

Pure Curtis Weekend at Big Manistique Lake (Mackinac County)Feb. 14, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.The town of Curtis will host an adult ice fishing tournament, a kids' ice fishing contest and outdoor events throughout the city. Tournament registration will be held at Mick’s Bait Shop at the cost of $15 per entry.

Winter Festival at Bay City Recreation Area (Bay County)Feb. 14, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.This event offers youth an opportunity to participate in an ice fishing clinic where they construct an ice fishing jig, design a lure and learn tips on ice fishing. The derby is held on Tobico Lagoon. Pre-drilled holes, free hot refreshments and warming fire, bait and loaner fishing rods will be provided. Please note a Recreation Passport is required for entry.

Free Ice Fishing Derby at Seven Lakes State Park (Oakland County)Feb. 14, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
This event will offer loaner equipment and instruction to participants. It will be held at the Fisherman’s Cove Shelter at the park. This event is assisted by members of the Izaak Walton League of America. Please note a Recreation Passport is required for entry.

Northland Sportsmen’s Club Winter Ice Fishing Derby at Otsego Lake State Park
(Otsego County) - Feb. 14, 8:30 a.m. to noonThis event is for kids age zero to 16. Participants must register at the lake prior to the 8:30 a.m. start time. Bait, tackle and ice holes will be provided. There will be hot beverages on the lake. Please note a Recreation Passport is required for entry.

Family Ice Fishing & Bonfire at Waterloo Recreation Area (Washtenaw County)Feb. 15, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Make your own ice fishing jig stick at the Eddy Discovery Center and then head to Mill Lake to try ice fishing. There will be ice fishing demonstrations as well as an area cleared for ice skating. Warm up afterwards around a bonfire with marshmallows and hot chocolate. Please note a Recreation Passport is required for entry.

Please note that all events are subject to weather conditions.

There are many other events scheduled in other locations throughout the state, including in the counties of Arenac, Baraga, Chippewa, Emmet, Gogebic, Huron, Ingham, Presque Isle, St. Clair and Van Buren. Information about these events, including those listed above, can be found at michigan.gov/freefishing.

Michigan has celebrated the Winter Free Fishing Weekend annually since 1994. With more than 3,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, tens of thousands of miles of rivers and streams, and 11,000 inland lakes, Michigan and fishing are a natural match.

DNR receives updated Graymont proposal for Upper Peninsula land transaction

Michigan Department of Natural Resources has received a revised land transaction application from Graymont, Inc. The company is proposing development of a limestone mining operation in northern Mackinac County near the town of Rexton. The land transaction application amends a January 2015 version of the proposal.

The revised land transaction application is unchanged in the total amount and location of public land under consideration. The new application proposes an increase in the offered royalty payment for the limestone to be mined.

Under the revised application, Graymont would pay the state 30 cents for each ton of extracted limestone, up from an earlier offer of 18.75 cents per ton.

Those royalties would be deposited into the State Parks Endowment Fund. In addition, Graymont is proposing to develop a regional economic development fund to provide grants for local units of government, schools and/or small businesses.

The company has proposed to pay a timber consideration fee on Tract A, limit wetland impacts on Tract E, and has suggested possible routes for the relocation of recreation trails on Tract E. The entire revised proposal, along with maps of tracts under consideration, can be found at www.michigan.gov/graymontproposal.

The transaction had been slated for a decision by DNR Director Keith Creagh at the Feb. 12 Natural Resources Commission meeting in Lansing. However, in order to allow the public and the DNR to thoroughly review this revised proposal, the director will now make a decision on the land transaction no earlier than the March 19 NRC meeting in Roscommon.The company has a second proposal pending – a mineral exchange application – which remains unchanged from a Jan. 15 application.

This proposal seeks to exchange more than 1,700 acres of state-owned minerals under the Hiawatha National Forest in Chippewa County for 1,700 acres of Graymont-owned minerals under state-owned lands in northern Mackinac County. The mineral exchange application will go before Creagh for a decision at the Feb. 12 NRC meeting. The mineral exchange proposal can be found on the DNR website at www.michigan.gov/graymontproposal.

There are multiple ways people can provide comments about these proposals. The public will have an opportunity to make comments at upcoming NRC meetings.

DNR continues to maintain an email address for the public to comment. Interested parties may send comments to DNRGraymontProposalComments@michigan.gov. Mailed comments can be sent to the Roscommon Customer Service Center, ATTN: Kerry Wieber, 8717 N. Roscommon Road, Roscommon, MI 48653.

Comments will be accepted until a final decision is made.

Read this op-ed from our congressman

Veterans issues too important to wait

Rep. Dan Benishek

Home to more than 70,000 veterans, Northern Michigan understands how important it is to support those who have fought for our freedom.  We line up to cheer our vets in parades, and we volunteer throughout the year to help meet their basic needs. 

As the proud father of a veteran, I’ve seen firsthand the incredible support offered by our communities.

As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Veterans Health, I believe we can do even more for those who have put their lives on the line to protect our freedom.  Our veterans have done so much for our country, and I believe even more can be done to embrace that selfless spirit that our nation’s heroes have bravely displayed.

To help achieve that goal, I’m announcing the Veterans Action Initiative, a comprehensive program and legislative agenda to provide wide-ranging services to veterans and to find solutions to the challenges they face.

Our veterans have questions, and I’m devoted to making sure that they get the information and the help they need. That’s why I’ll be holding a series of Veteran’s Benefit Fairs throughout Northern Michigan in the coming months. I’ll be bringing experts and representatives of various veterans’ organizations to talk through issues, answer questions, and connect veterans with the help that they’ve earned.

I’m also proud to announce the expansion of the Michigan’s First District Veterans Advisory Council, a group of veterans from all age groups and service branches that meet with me regularly.  The council allows me to stay connected with the needs of the veterans on the ground and to develop innovative new solutions to the problems they face.

Over the next two years, I’ll visit all VA facilities and major veteran service organizations in Michigan’s First District and will maintain regular contact with all local VA officials.  In addition, I will hold a series of “Hearing from our Heroes” roundtables to give local vets an opportunity to express their concerns about what’s happening in Washington and to provide me with their solutions.

Last year, as Michigan’s only member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, I was honored to play a role in the important progress that was made on getting veterans off waiting lists and into exam rooms. However, there is so much work left to be done.

The legislation we wrote to end long waits for VA care was only the first step towards my ultimate goal of allowing every veteran to choose whether to receive healthcare within the VA or from a local provider. 

As a doctor who worked both at the VA and in the private sector, I’m certain that the VA will only be improved by competition.

Bureaucratic incompetence is unacceptable, especially when it comes to veterans’ health, which is why I’ll be reintroducing my legislation to institute real accountability at the VA. 

My bill applies to the VA a commonsense principle that every worker already knows: if you don’t do your job, you are going to get fired, and I’m committed to seeing that this legislation is signed into law.

If you’re a veteran and you’d like to be involved in my Veterans Action Initiative please reach out to my office in Washington at (202) 225-4735. Our veterans deserve our steadfast support, and I’m looking forward to making real progress on the issues that matter to our returning heroes in the 114th Congress.

Walk for Diabetes - 2014 Edition

Were you one of the walkers who braved the chilly weather to walk for diabetes? If so, check out these photographs to see if your commitment to the cause was captured on camera.

Lynn Kihm, center, and her co-chairmen.

Signing up for the walk.

Our sister website, NewberryFreePress.com, sponsored the walk.

Setting up a glucose meter for walk participants.

Even dobermans participate.

Nice ride in a wagon for a great cause.

Wee ones take the easy stroll.

Walkers make it to the turnaround point.

Largest crowd of the walk converges on Snyder's.

Water or juice?

Sweatshirts were the most popular garb.

Everyone is smiling.

Mad dash across M-123.

Hoofin' it.

My kind of vantage point.

Wavin' right back at ya.

This wee one enjoyed some attention from a walk volunteer.