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Letters to the Editor

Striking up conversations

To the editor: The 2018 Father’s Day flood was a traumatic event, as we all know. We’re used to challenging weather in the Copper Country, but this was something else. The water came down and down. Streets became raging rivers that then ran through houses. Houses moved across the road. Precious life was lost. The flood recovery was slow and is ongoing. We were warmed by the helpfulness of neighbors and the helpfulness of the neighborly who came from far away. Somehow, it did not matter what the political opinions of the injured or the helping were. Our human spirit lifted us up ...

A little jääräpää

To the editor: For almost a year, I’ve watched the Copper Country, like every other corner of our vast world, suffer through COVID-19. Most of our folks have risen to the challenge with ingenuity, a dollop of grace, and a pinch of good will for their neighbors. We’ve donned our masks, social-distanced, and sacrificed in small and not so small ways our sacred ceremonies and cherished celebrations, sometimes our livelihoods, and oftentimes our sanity. These folks overflow with that special brand of Copper Country chutzpah we might know better by the Finnish, sisu.  Sadly, we’ve ...

Open letter to Bergman

To the editor: In my career as a pilot and serving with the military, I have spent a lot of lonely moments in different parts of the globe. As an officer with relatively down to earth beliefs, media news from home can sometimes be troubling. Americans are a diverse bunch and sometimes things are said, and things are done in America that go against the grain. In those times, a long way from home, I took pride we have a democracy which gives us the right to say and do and live just about any way we wish, even if I did not agree. That is why I proudly served. You recently signed on to ...

Successful toy drive

To the editor: I would like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who helped make the St. Joseph Lake Linden Knights of Columbus annual Toy Drive a resounding success. American Legion posts 90 & 291, Roger LaCasse, Darrell Sever, Dan Judnich and many other people and organizations donated money and toys. We are blessed to have such a giving community. 

Christmas Event in Hancock

To the editor: The Hancock Business Professionals Association with the City of Hancock would like to thank the following for contributing and participating in our annual Christmas Event on Nov. 27: Hancock Fire Department, Hancock Police Department, Hancock Transit, Bill LaBissoniere, Dave’s BP, Houghton JROTC, Ron Olson, Keith Koski Signs, Deb Mann. Thanks to OHM-Advisors for the creation of printing flyers, posters, etc. Thank you to Jason Dart, Steve Patching, RuthAnn Smith and Karen Scholie for judging our decorated windows and MaryAnn and Samantha Boatman for the live ...

Here and there

To the editor: Taiwan’s population (23.7 million) is just over that of the state of Florida (21.5 million). To date, Taiwan has experienced seven total COVID-19 deaths, while Florida’s COVID-19 death count is nearly 19,000. Why this startling discrepancy? You might guess that Taiwan must be tightly locked down with shuttered businesses and oppressive stay-at-home orders; but you’d be wrong. Business is booming in Taiwan. Restaurants and bars are open. Sporting venues are full of cheering fans. As word of a new potentially-deadly virus reached Taiwan, borders were ...