  It’s time to get excited about curling! Every four years, during the Winter Olympics there is an increased level of interest in the sport - ranging from mere curiosity to ambitious plans on making the next US Olympic Curling team. If either of those descriptions fit somewhere in your wheelhouse you have the opportunity to learn more about the sport with the Copper Country Curling Club (CCCC) right here in Calumet. Gary Lassila (President of the CCCC) met with Main Street Calumet crew to show us the facility and talk a little bit about this upcoming season. Gary explained that there is a noticeable “Olympic Bump” every four years, and this year should prove no different. For those interested in taking up the sport, you should know that everything you will need will be provided, but those more experienced curlers will eventually end up purchasing their own equipment. The curling facility itself is outstanding. Aside from the incredible work done to install the curling lanes, or “sheets” into the old C & H Drill House, there is a fantastic warming room that even includes video monitors of the far end sheets, so observers can follow the action comfortably from within the warming facility. According to Gary, the "natural ice" housed in a permanent facility, such as it is in the old C & H Drill House, is the only one of its kind in the U.S. What follows here is excerpted from the Copper Country Curling Club - and do not hesitate to contact Gary Lassila should you have any questions (gplassila@gmail.com). The Open Houses are coming fast, and if you want to learn the sport, or join a league as a skilled player, it is time to move into action. And with the Olympics coming, Gary does expect to hold an additional “learners” open house at some point during Olympics. “December is here and the Copper Country Curling Club is preparing for another great season. We hope that everyone who curled last year will return and of course, we are always looking for new curlers. Feel free to forward this to anyone you think might be interested. Please e-mail me if you do not plan to curl this year. Good news everyone...we have reduced membership dues! 1st year players and students = $60 (last year $70) 2nd year players = $80 (last year $120) 3 or more years = $120 (last year $160) These memberships allow you to play in either Tuesday or Thursday league if you wish to. An additional $20 is required if you want to play both nights. If you plan to curl this upcoming season, please submit a membership form or e-mail me that you plan to play. Link to membership form: https://sites.google.com/site/coppercountrycurlingclub/membership (scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the 2nd blue arrow) Dues will not be required until late January. League play is tentatively set to begin on Tuesday January 2nd and Thursday January 4th. Learn to Curl will begin on Wednesday, January 10th. The weekly schedule remains the same: Monday – college curling night (MTU & Finlandia students) Tuesday – League curling, games at 7pm and 9pm Wednesday – Learn to Curl from 7pm-9pm Thursday – League curling, games at 7pm and 9pm The Learn to Curl program is for people with very little or no prior curling experience. It will take place on Wednesday evenings from 7-9pm and will run throughout the curling season (about 10 weeks) beginning January 10th. We now have a “Social membership” for people who would like to join the Copper Country Curling Club, but do not want to curl. The social membership is aimed at people who will be visiting the club to watch family/friends curl. The cost is $30. (a social membership is NOT required to visit the club to watch curling) We are planning two Open Houses – Wednesday evening Jan. 3rd, 6-9pm and Saturday afternoon January 6th, noon-3pm. The open houses are a good opportunity for people to visit the club and throw a few rocks. We may have additional Open Houses during the 2018 Olympics in February. Feel free to visit our website and/or contact me or if you have any questions. https://sites.google.com/site/coppercountrycurlingclub/ Good Curling! Gary Lassila - Copper Country Curling Club gplassila@gmail.com 
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  Becky Koivu started collecting clothing for those in need in her basement closet 15 years ago. Her daughter, Ann Roberts, took over when Becky passed away. "The New Beginnings Free Store" has evolved into a real store located at 119 5th Street, Calumet. Anyone can shop there and no money is ever required. Donations are accepted. Those donations can be used at Christmas for the Angel Tree Mission, to help people with utility shut off notices, or even helping people with medical appointments outside of the local area. Throughout the year the volunteers regularly reserve the best items and then present them in a display for children who want to select (at no cost) presents for their parents on Mothers Day, Fathers Day, and Christmas. New Beginnings accepts donations of all working and clean items (with the exception of out-dated electronics). Their greatest ongoing need is for strong volunteers who help keep the store and basement storage organized. The yearly Angel Tree campaign matches childrens' gift requests to local residents who would like to purchase and drop off an unwrapped gift at the store. As of today there are still 100 remaining children requests to be matched. However, no child is ever turned away. If necessary the store will take funds from the operating capital to provide the gifts matching that child's request. If you would like to fill a Calumet child's wish list there is still time. Drop by the store today, message the store on Facebook, or call Terry at (906) 370-9240 or Lynn at (906) 934-3602.   Open for business since late September, Off Shore Fish & Chips is delivering on their name - producing some of the finest fish and chips this side of the Atlantic. Howard Blake, along with his daughter Emily, have worked hard to continuously refine the menu and have hit upon several items that are sure to satisfy your cravings. Howard says he wants to keep the menu simple to allow them to "bring fresh, affordable food to everybody." Howard has several years of experience in the kitchen, having honed his craft in Florida, the Carolinas, as well as a run at The Hut. He and his partner Rod Chapman bring over 80 years of cooking knowledge to the table. Rod and Howard had the idea to open a new location after finding success in Lake Linden (which also does some catering and events), Howard and Emily pitched the former gallery Omphale in Calumet, at 431 Fifth Street. Howard and Emily both feel there are good things happening in Calumet, with good people, and they are excited to be part of it. Off Shore Fish & Chips has appetizers, family size offerings, and dinner baskets for your options. Emily recommends trying the Buckets, as you'll get an order for 4 people for the price of three. They get lots of pick up orders for the buckets, for people and families getting out of hockey practice, or after a long day of school or work. Come in, give them a try, and I assure you that you'll be happy. And don't forget, they are open through the Copper Dog - they're just at the other end of the street!  |
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