To the editor:
On Sept. 2-3, The Celtic Quarter hosted its first Celtic Festival and Copper Hammer Highland Games at the Fair grounds in Hancock. The Celtic Quarter wishes to express its thanks to those who participated in and supported this event. All proceeds from the festival go to the renovation of the historic Celtic House at 222 Hancock Street in Hancock.
Special thanks to the pipers, drummers and Highland dancers from the Superior Pipes and Drums, especially to Doug McKenzie for piping for the Highland Dance Competition. The Ceilidh on Friday evening featured many wonderful performers. Our heartfelt thanks to you for entertaining us: Dave Morehouse, Chuck Young, Dave Bezotte, Oren Tikkanen, Libby Meyer, Sidney Butler and Courtney Clisch. And to our sponsors: Superior Graphics, Magnuson Hotel Franklin Square Inn, Portage Health, Superior National Bank, UPPCo, McGann Building Supply, Great Lakes Mutual, Hancock Bottling, Bay Insurance Inc., Sew Sisters and Jim's Pizza of Calumet, we are indebted to all of you for helping us establish this wonderful event. To those who advertised in our program: Kaleva, Northern Auto, O'Neil-Dennis Funeral Home, Copper Island Beach Club, Keweenaw Automotive, Superior Service Towing, Wickley Agency, Dejavu and Daily Brew, U.P. Laser Engraving, 5th and Elm, Kirkish Furniture, Copper Range Abstract and Title, Jim's Pizza of Hancock, Tervo Agency, Fine Line Tire, Pat's Foods, Chopp-Kallio Agency, Lakes Dairyland, Darrin Beiring and the Loading Zone II. Plus the many groups who assisted us at the festival and during many other occasions: the City of Hancock, Hancock Fire Department, Chassell Public Schools, MTU Public Safety and Police Services EMS Group, Wells Fargo, Blast from the Past Resale Shop, Keweenaw Bay Shriners and the Copper Country Masons. To those who staffed our gate: Joey Juntunen, Brenda and Celia DeMarois, Jeannie LaBonte, Erin and Molly McKenzie and Kiera the border collie, thank you.
To the athletes: you were all tremendous. Jerry Bowersox again officiated the games with his experience and skill. To Jen Murphy, we appreciated you stepping in and helping to announce the games and events going on. The Celtic Quarter is open to anyone of Celtic heritage or anyone interested in the traditional Celtic traditions and arts. For more information go to www.thecelticquarter.com.
LISA McKENZIE
Hancock