gjaehnig@mininggazette.com
CALUMET During a public presentation via the internet last Thursday, the chairwoman of the Downtown Development Authority (DDA), and executive director of Main Street Calumet, Leah Polzien, defined a downtown district from the angle of a community rather than a business cluster, then discussed the role and function of a DDA, and its contributions to a downtown district as well as to that district’s community. She then went on to explain the purpose and function of Main Street Calumet.
Main Street Calumet is a non-profit organization formed in 2003 to support the downtown, encourage historic preservation, and economic development in the community. Governance consists of a volunteer board, using volunteer committees. Polzien, she said, is a paid, part-time staff person of the organization.
gneese@mininggazette.com
Garrett Neese/Daily Mining Gazette
Skiers including Benjamin Hiller of Houghton and Sage Resh Chimner of Houghton climb the hill at the start of the 10K freestyle race during the Great Bear Chase at the Swedetown Ski Trails Saturday.
CALUMET TOWNSHIP Though scaled down for COVID safety, this year’s Great Bear Chase was still a highlight for skiers from across the Midwest.
The annual ski race at the Swedetown Ski Trails in Calumet Township was capped at 550 racers this year, versus nearly 900 last year, said race director Angela Luskin.
Skiers set off in 25-person groups to reduce crowding, and were asked to wear masks until the races started. Bib pickup was done via drive-through; so was the customary post-race pasty and cinnamon roll.
Canal Run proceeds to go to Omega House | News, Sports, Jobs miningjournal.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from miningjournal.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
gneese@mininggazette.com
Daver Karnosky/Daily Mining Gazette
Houghton native Clayton Sayen closes on the finish line during the 10-mile Bob Olson Memorial Run as part of the Canal Run in Hancock in 2019.
HOUGHTON For the first time, proceeds from this year’s Canal Run will be earmarked for one local non-profit.
Funds from this year’s race will go to Omega House in Houghton through the Canal Run Gives Back program.
As more runners started participating in the 2010s, the Canal Run had more money than anticipated, leading it to form the Canal Run Gives back program in 2017. Since then, it has given $10,000 to nonprofits in Baraga, Houghton, Keweenaw and Ontonagon counties.