Keweenaw Community Foundation News

January 6, 2011

Keweenaw Community Foundation to Host Seventh Annual Pure Gold Fund Raiser

Autographed Gordie Howe jersey expected to be the highlight of the event

HANCOCK, MICHIGAN – The Keweenaw Community Foundation (KCF) will host its annual Pure Gold event on January 24 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Isle Royale Ballroom on the campus of Michigan Technological University in Houghton. The event raises funds to support the operations of KCF. The theme is "Opening Doors," signifying the Foundation's role in supporting community organizations.

The evening begins with social hour, cash bar and live music, followed by a three-course dinner at 7:00 p.m. The main course includes red wine braised short ribs, Yukon gold mashed potatoes, roasted root vegetables and a dinner roll. Following dinner, a key donor will be recognized and other community awards will be presented.

This year, the event will wrap up with a live auction. The highlight of the auction is an authenticated Gordie Howe Detroit Red Wings jersey. In addition to the jersey, other auction items include a 24-karat gold half-carat diamond pendant on a gold slide and a four night stay at Crescent Ridge in Park City, Utah, including two round-trip tickets.

Anyone interested in attending this elegant and fun evening should call the Keweenaw Community Foundation at (906) 482-9673 or visit www.k-c-f.org (click on 'Giving' tab, then 'Make a Donation' and enter description as 'Pure Gold Tickets 2012'). The dinner is $75 per person or $500 per table. Various sponsorship levels, which include tickets and recognition, are also available. Business attire is appropriate.

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August 29, 2011

Brewfest satisfies

By Garrett Neese - gneese@mininggazette.com

HOUGHTON - After last year's successful kickoff, Brewfest returned for another triumphant year Saturday, bringing a variety of beer and food for a sizable crowd of 953 revelers at the East Houghton Waterfront Park Saturday.

On hand to meet with drinkers was Jason McKibben, brewmaster with Anheuser-Busch in Columbus, Ohio. McKibben was there as part of the company's ambassador program.

"People get to put a face to us and see how committed we are to our beer. ... It's a unique experience they can share with their friends and their family, and it goes a long way," he said.

McKibben said the people he'd talked with were most curious about trying new styles. He pointed to Goose Island's experiments at the vanguard of the Belgian field, using flavorings from hibiscus to peppercorn.

Anne Doulette of downstate Livonia found out about the Brewfest from a serendipitous visit to the Keweenaw Brewing Company.

"It's going to be a beautiful day, so I thought what the heck," she said.

Her favorite so far was Magic Hat's Wacko drink.

"This is really good," she said.

Steve Zutter was helping out in the Leinenkugel stand, pouring brews for a succession of thirsty customers. It had been a fantastic day, he said.

"The weather's good, the crowd's great," he said. "Good food, good beer."

Some of those pours went to Jake O'Donnell of Hancock. While he'd only heard about last year from friends, this time he got to experience the fun firsthand.

His favorite was Leinenkugel's Sunset Wheat.

"I've probably had four or five already," he said.

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August 23, 2011

Keweenaw Brewfest to benefit KCF

By Stephen Anderson - sanderson@mininggazette.com

HOUGHTON - The Keweenaw Brewfest Organization will be sponsoring the second annual Keweenaw Brewfest from 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday at the East Waterfront Park adjacent to Super 8 in Houghton, with all proceeds benefiting the Keweenaw Community Foundation.

"It's a great chance to support the community foundation, which has over 50 funds to support the community," organizer Mike Rose said. "It also allows people the opportunity to try different beers that they may not normally get as a six-pack, find a new beer to enjoy and meet new people. Ultimately, it's a great get-together and a great way to wind down the summer."

Last year, more than $10,000 was raised, with funds going to Camp 911, Omega House, Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly and the U.P. Wildlife Habitat Fund, among other organizations.

According to Rose, 28 breweries will be present, with each offering between two and four varieties on average, totaling more than 75 different beers for tasting.

Music will be provided by the Keweenaw Bluegrass Band and Captain Woody Boogie and the Pirates of Groove, and food will be available from the Pilgrim River Steakhouse, Carmelita's, Rock House Grill, Shelden Grill and Portage Health chef Mark Pittillo. Food is not included with the admission fee.

Attendees will exchange their tickets for a 6-ounce pilsner tasting glass and 15 wooden tokens, each good for a sample pour. Brewery representatives will be on hand to answer questions about showcased beers.

"Last year we had 625 people attend and turned away 125, so we made the event bigger this year," organizer Mike Rose said.
Tickets to the event cost $25 in advance and $30 at the gate if still available, but more than 700 of the 1,000 available tickets have already been purchased. People 21 and older can purchase tickets at the Keweenaw Brewing Company, Rock House Grill, Library Restaurant and Brew Pub, Dollar Bay Linoleum and Tile or the Keweenaw Community Foundation in Hancock. KCF board members will also be selling tickets, which can be accessed by calling 482-9673 or online at k-c-f.org.

"It's supposed to be a gorgeous day, and people have been really supportive," Rose said. "It will be a really nice get-together."

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Time is Running Out- Give More For Less

For individual donors:

Time is running out to give more for less to your favorite Keweenaw Community Foundation charitable endowment. Because of a change in Michigan tax law, you have until the end of this year to reduce your Michigan income tax by a hundred dollars, and get a Federal income tax deduction, when you give two hundred dollars. Married couples who donate four hundred dollars get a two hundred dollar tax credit. So now is the time to give more for less. For details call Barb Rose at 482-9673 or visit k-c-f.org.

For business donors:

If you’re a Copper Country business corporation, time is running out to give more for less to your favorite Keweenaw Community Foundation charitable endowment. Because of a change in Michigan tax law, you have until the end of this year to reduce your Michigan Business Tax by up to five thousand dollars when you give ten thousand dollars. And, you’ll also get the Federal tax deduction. So now is the time to give more for less. For details call Barb Rose at 482-9673 or visit k-c-f.org.

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Brewfest 2011 date set

Brewfest 2011 date set for Saturday, August 27th, 2011 from 1 to 5pm. (located next to the Super 8 motel in Houghton). Tickets are $25 in advance, which can be purchased online (paypal) at www.k-c-f.org under the giving tab (make a donation-please specify the purpose "brewfest tickets"). You can also reserve tickets by phone at (906) 482-9673. All advance purchase tickets can be picked up at the gate the day of the event. Tickets are $30 the day of the event. This year will include 25 different breweries and 70 beers, along with food available for purchase. There will also be live music. Must be 21 to attend- ID's required.

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May 13, 2011:

Foundation front to get a facelift

By Stacey Kukkonen - skukkonen@mininggazette.com

HANCOCK - The Keweenaw Community Foundation will soon have a modern facelift at its new location in Hancock.

Barb Rose, executive director of the Keweenaw Community Foundation, said a grant was approved for the facade, located at 236 Quincy St. in Hancock, across from Superior National Bank. The exterior space of the building currently features an older design reminiscent of the past. The idea to modernize the building will involve blending the throwback design with modern upgrades, including splashes of color and new signage.

"It's very important to have a professional look to be professional," she said.

Rose first approached Glenn Anderson about funding for the project and then approached the owner of the building, Mike Lahti. The final project was funded by the Downtown Development Authority with a 50 percent match by Lahti, Rose said, including a $10,000 commitment from each party.

Some of the improvements include a new door and lock system, because if the door is locked improperly now, it's hard to get into the building.

Using the KCF's trademark blue color, an awning will be established over the front window and logos will adorn the window as well as lettering, including KCF's motto, "For good. Forever." Lettering will also be put in place on the window for another person who has office space inside the building, she said.

"The window produces a huge glare," she said.

A vinyl piece will be put in place near the top of the window and the threshold will also be reconstructed, she said.

"We want to have signs in the window to let them know where we are," she said.

The design work was created by OHM of Hancock and the project is expected to start in a month or a month and a half.

Lahti said he is excited to begin the project which will include new paint over the existing painted areas. He's also excited to see the new awning.

"The awning makes a lot of sense," he said. "There's a glare in there."

The building was once an appliance store before becoming a church for several years.

"The front is going to be brightened up," Lahti said.

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May 12, 2011:

Youth learn bullying avoidance

By Stacey Kukkonen skukkonen@mininggazette.com

HOUGHTON - How can one recognize if someone is being a bully?

Students in the fourth-grade class at Houghton Elementary School know all the signs, and know how to put an end to bullying if needed.

In an effort to relay the message of how bullying is hurtful, the Keweenaw Community Foundation's Youth Advisory Council set up a special game for the kids to play Wednesday.

"Bully Backfire" is a game much like the board game "Sorry," where students stepped from box to box after answering a series of questions. A handful of Houghton High School and Middle School students were on hand to run the game and help the elementary school students form answers.

So, how can one recognize is someone is being a bully? They joke around about someone in a mean, degrading way. Some of the other questions asked "How can you stop a bully from bullying?" and "How do you know if you're being a bully?"

"We just started (the YAC) in January," said Lois Jambekar, of YAC.

The idea to talk to the younger students about bullying was an idea formed by the Youth Advisory Council in an effort to teach kids at a younger age about bullying.

"The kids are human chess pieces," she said. "The students (involved with YAC) wanted to design a game so the children were actively involved."

The game consists of a canvas game board, several dozen "Bully Backfire" situation cards and a dozen "Do Good" cards. The "Bully Backfire" game is designed to guide younger students in recognizing bullying behavior and to learn some things that they can do to stop bullying of themselves, friends, or anyone, when they see it happening, said Joan Chadde of the YAC.

"The students had to brainstorm how they would address bullying," she said. "That's how they came up with the game."

During the afternoon Wednesday, and elementary students had fun jumping from space to space and using the "Do Good" cards to say something nice about one another.

"These high school and middle school students are role models," Chadde said.

Hopefully, Chadde said, the students take away an understanding of the harms of bullying.

The game will also be played at Lake Linden-Hubbell Schools, she said.

"The purpose of the Youth Advisory Council is to address youth's needs," Chadde said.

YAC is a collection of Copper Country students in grades eight through 12 from Houghton High and Middle Schools, Lake Linden-Hubbell High School, Dollar Bay High School and several home school students, she said. YAC strives to strengthen the leadership and charitable commitment of youth in the community by providing opportunities for them to develop solutions to serious problems, she said.

"YAC has three goals," she said. "To engage youth in philanthropy, address the needs of local youth and engage in community service."

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November 29, 2010:

The Keweenaw Community Foundation has moved office locations.

We are now located at 236 Quincy Street in Hancock. Our office phone and fax and mailing address remain the same. Stop in and check out our new office; Hancock, It’s all here!

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February 17, 2011:

Updates given to Hancock City Council

By Kurt Hauglie, khauglie@mininggazette.com

HANCOCK - Representatives of two organizations in downtown Hancock presented updates on their operations to the Hancock City Council Wednesday.

Barb Rose, executive director of the Keweenaw Community Foundation, said the organization recently moved from downtown Houghton to Quincy Street across from Superior National Bank.

Rose said some work has been done to the interior of the building, and eventually the facade will be reworked.

The KCF annual report and a brochure about the organization was given to council members by Rose. Rose said the KCF has 62 funds with net assets of $4 million. Due in part to the poor national and local economies, she expects the KCF will play a greater funding role locally.

"We will, I'm sure, be granting this year," she said.

The mission of the KCF is to build up its funds and encourage philanthropy, Rose said.

Rose said the KCF Youth Advisory Council membership is very active and concerned about their purpose in finding possible youth-oriented issues to fund.

"All the (local) schools are represented," she said.

The purpose of the KCF is to maintain sustainability of the arts and education locally.

"That's what it's about," she said. "We're here for good and forever."

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February 3, 2011:

Scholarship Fund Started

By Stacy Kukkonen, skukkonen@mininggazette.com

HOUGHTON - With the intention to keep music alive among young people, two local residents have started a scholarship fund with the Keweenaw Community Foundation.

The Anthony and Patricia Stark Scholarship was started by the Starks in an effort to grant a yearly scholarship to a young person or persons either registered or desiring to be in the the Suzuki Strings program or other string programs.

As schools always debate cutting back funding for the arts, the Starks want to ensure any student has a chance to play a musical instrument.

"(The Starks) are (giving) a very generous amount for the next four years," said Barbara Rose, executive director of the KCF. "This will grow to quite a large fund."

Students from Baraga, Houghton or Keweenaw county schools are eligible to apply for the grant.

The Starks' children were all actively involved in music growing up. Their youngest son was able to start in the Suzuki Strings program, a worldwide method which enriches musical ability in students through a nurturing environment.

"They learn almost by memory, by rote, versus reading," Rose said. "It's a method."

Anthony said they were impressed with the program and it proved to be a perfect fit for their son, who had been playing for about 10 years. About a year ago, the Starks came up with the idea to approach the KCF to create a fund to help students who are interested in becoming a part of the Suzuki program. The program is open to all students who play classical stringed instruments, such as the violin, cello, viola or bass.

"We hope the students take from this the experience to be able to participate in music and maybe get into the youth orchestra," Patricia said.

The grants will be offered through counselors and principals at each of the schools in the three-county area.

The applications will be sent to the foundation and a committee of the Suzuki instructors, KCF board members and other school music teachers who may be pertinent and in the review of applicants and in selection of the scholarship recipients.

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January 20, 2011:

'People of Passion' Honored at Pure Gold

By Garrett Neese, gneese@mininggazette.com

HOUGHTON - The Keweenaw Community Foundation's "Pure Gold" event took place Wednesday night, honoring volunteers and contributors and spotlighting some of its newest endowment funds.

Representatives from four of the KCF's 62 endowments spoke about the fund at the dinner, held at the Michigan Technological University Memorial Union Building.

Bernadette Yeoman-Ouellette helped establish the Yeoman Family Fund, which benefits students from local alternative schools.

Yeoman-Ouellette had been touched by a story of some local students who had come to school for several days unwashed and in the same clothes because their power had been shut off. Yeoman Fund projects have included mentoring from Tech and Finlandia University students. They're now working to build a reading program, she said.

"Every day that they walk through the door of Bridge High School, or Horizons in Mohawk, they are making a choice to be there, they are making a choice to better their lives," she said.

Staci Gibson represented the Copper Harbor Improvement Association Fund.

The group's recent efforts have included the End of the Road Classic Car Show and Thunder in the Harbor. A recent attempt at a $10,000 Pepsi Improvement grant initially fell short; however, the Beaver Creek Fire Department in Grayling was so impressed by the community's tenacity that it donated a fully equipped life support ambulance.

The CLK Youth Hockey Fund is dedicated to providing equipment and support to young hockey players on the North End.

"It might take two years, it might take five years, it might take 20 years, but we're focused on keeping costs down across the board," said Glenn Patrick of the group.

Sam Raymond discussed the projects of the Copper Harbor Trails Club, which has helped build non-motorized trails and activities in the Copper Harbor area.

Raymond said the group has been active in working to preserve land for public access, including the remaining parcels between state land at Lake Manganese and the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.

Less than 8 percent of Keweenaw County is public land, he said, the lowest total of any Upper Peninsula county.

"There's a real sense of urgency to protect these lands while the opportunity exists," he said. "It's never going to be easier or more affordable than it is right now."

Finlandia University President Philip Johnson was scheduled as a surprise speaker - a surprise compounded when he was stuck in Chicago. His wife, Ren, filled in on short notice, drafting a speech on the back of a bridal shower invitation.

She quoted Indian poet Rabindrath Tagore on service: "I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy."

"To be fully human, to be fully alive, to be passionate people, is to be those people who have that servant's heart," she said.

After the speakers, KCF members presented awards.

Volunteer of the Year Award went to Mike Rose, who organized the Keweenaw Brewfest. The inaugural event, held in August in Houghton, drew 650 people; 250 people were turned away.

Rose thanked the city of Houghton for its help, as well as Michigan Technological University, distributors and volunteers.

"We had great fun," he said. "We could not have done this without all the people in the community."

The Mortar of the Year award went to Keweenaw Community Foundation board member Paul Freshwater.

"He truly exemplifies what it means to be a servant leader, and we're lucky to have him in our community," said fellow board member Les Cook.

Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital received the Winks Gundlach Award, given for consistent support and sponsorship of Pure Gold and the Keweenaw Community Foundation.

"We certainly look forward to supporting the foundation in years to come, and hope you all the best in the coming year," said Aspirus Keweenaw CEO Chuck Nelson.

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January 5, 2011:

Gifts to Keep Kids Active

By Stacey Kukkonen, skukkonen@mininggazette.com

HANCOCK - The Hancock Coca-Cola Bottling Company committed $36,900 to endowments in a partnership with the Keweenaw Community Foundation in an effort to keep kids in the Copper Country active.

Rob Scholie, who co-manages the bottling company with his brother Gary, said the Portage Lake Little League Endowment Fund is to promote and support youth baseball programs through Little League and to expand opportunities for players to further develop skills necessary for playing baseball.

They allocated a bulk of the money to the Little League fund.

"It's about helping kids to play in whatever way needed," said Barb Rose, executive director of the KCF.

In addition, the Scholies have allocated $5,000 to the Copper Country youth hockey program, $5,000 to the Copper Country Community Arts Center, $2,000 to the CLK youth hockey program, $2,000 to the Copper Country Suzuki Association and $2,900 to the Calumet Theatre.

Another $10,000 will be allocated to another endowment in the works, Rose said.

Rob Scholie said the idea behind the endowment is to get kids out and moving while preserving kids' sports in the local area.

"Back in the day, everyone played baseball," he said. "That's what you did. I don't know what has caused the kids to become less active."

In an age of technology, video games and TV, Scholie said kids have shifted interest from outdoor sports to computer and handheld games.

"The numbers have dwindled over the years," he said. "I know it's making a comeback on its own but we'll find any way we can to help it."

Scholie, who was active in sports as a child, said the best part of the day as a kid was getting home from school and playing baseball until the sun went down. Now, all grown up and a part of a family-owned company in Hancock, Scholie would like to see others get involved with America's favorite pasttime, baseball.

When thinking of ways to preserve and set aside money for local sports programs, Scholie said it was best to turn to an endowment.

"An endowment will be here forever," he said.

Reflecting on sports from the past, Scholie said he'd like to see Little League become more established, where kids would be able to participate in games and purchase necessities such as uniforms and supplies.

Scholie hopes the donation to the Calumet Theatre and the local arts will generate an interest, as well.

"I love the Calumet Theatre," he said. "And community arts have been needing support for many years."

To learn more about the endowments, call Rose at the Keweenaw Community Foundation at 482-9673.

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December 13, 2010:

Assisting Alternative Education

By Stacey Kukkonen, skukkonen@mininggazette.com

HANCOCK - The Keweenaw Community Foundation has established a fund and program to assist alternative education.

Bernadette Yeoman-Ouellette, with the help of Barb Rose, executive director of the KCF, has established the Yeoman Family Fund and has been working with Trish Sherman, coordinator at the BRIDGE School in Hancock, to acquire various mentors to aid students at the school as well as Horizons Alternative High School in Mohawk and home school students.

"We're a small enough community where we have the opportunity to enable every single child in our community to graduate from high school," Yeoman-Ouellette said. "To me, that is of utmost importance."

The mentor program is "halfway there," Yeoman-Ouellette said, consisting of about 25 mentors who spend time with alternative high school students. Sherman, Yeoman-Ouellette said, jumped on board for the project.

"I knew Trish and I was so impressed with her absolute love for these kids," she said. "It really opened my eyes. It didn't occur to me that every kid doesn't just go through our public school system and just graduate."

For some time, Yeoman-Ouellette had practice teaching at the BRIDGE school and she said the experience was "eye-opening."

Some time later, she approached Rose about starting a fund and mentor program. The foundation is used to help fund the program, in order create future possibilities for mentors and students. Yeoman-Ouellette said they try to reimburse mentors who take the students out and about, like to movies or hockey games.

"There are things that cost money," Rose said.

As the project gets off the ground, Rose and Yeoman-Ouellette hope to enlist several individuals who are interested in mentoring these students. The program is especially in need of males and has availabilities for some females who want to dedicate a few hours a week as a mentor to a student.

"The success of the student is really enhanced by mentoring," Yeoman-Oullette said.

Yeoman-Ouellette and Rose have approached the president at Finlandia University and plan to foster a mentor program with Michigan Technological University to explore every option available.

"The long-term goal is that every student at BRIDGE has a mentor, to begin with," Yeoman-Ouellette said. "We desperately need young men who want to fulfill that goal."

Yeoman-Ouellette said they encourage mentors to "pattern success" for each student so the students will come to understand what it takes to graduate from high school and subsequently learn to be individually fulfilled, successful and a college applicant.

Rose, who used to teach as well, came to be involved with the program out of passion and praised the teaching staff at both local alternative high schools.

"It's incredible what they do," she said.

The mentoring program is open to anyone in the community.

To donate to the fund or become a part of the mentoring team, contact Rose at 482-9673.

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September 17, 2010:

Kew. Brewfest a Big Success

To the editor:

Thanks to all who played a part in the first Keweenaw Brewfest.

I want to express my thanks to the many people and businesses of the Keweenaw region who provided services in-kind, donations and volunteered their time to make the first Keweenaw Brewfest a great success. Without their assistance it could not have happened. This event brought together over 600 people from our region on a spectacular afternoon to sample 60 different styles of beers, enjoy Lions Club chicken barbecue, fantastic rib dinners and the wonderful waterfront scenery that is our area. Plans are already in place for the second event next year, Aug. 27, 2011.

Please patronize and thank those entities listed below for their support:

Keweenaw Bluegrass Band, Captain Woody Boogie and the Pirates of Groove, Favorite Silk Screening, Book Concern, Keweenaw Brewing Company, Marketing Department, McCabe Distributing, Peterlin Distributing, Pisani Distributing, Bruce Rukkila, CPA, Library Bar, City of Houghton, Fredrickson Agency, Dollar Bay Linoleum and Tile, UP Event Rentals, Super 8, Rhythm Skate Shop, Peterson's Total Lawn Care, Brilliant Consulting, Mich. Tech Employees Fed CU, Ambassador, SheldenGrill, Irish Times, Pilgrim River Steakhouse, Edward Jones-Hancock, Edward Jones-Calumet, Edward Jones-East Hancock, Frank A. Douglass Agency, Red Jacket Brewing, Quincy's, Harbor Haus , Wickley Agency, Jim's Foodmart, Pat's Foods, Festival Foods, Keweenaw Automotive, Surplus Outlet, Kirkish Furniture, Hancock Coca Cola, The Edge Tattoo Ink. And our orange shirted Brewfest volunteers.

The proceeds from this event will benefit funds within the Keweenaw Community Foundation. The mission of the Keweenaw Community Foundation is to promote philanthropy, develop and manage permanent endowments from a broad range of donors, and award charitable grants that enhance quality of life in the Keweenaw.

Thanks again to all who helped and participated.

Mike Rose

Event Organizer

Houghton