A CONVERSATION WITH CONGRESSMAN BART STUPAK.

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE BART STUPAK (D-MENOMINEE)

U.S. Congressman Bart Stupak joined Mark & Walt in the Morning today to discuss the hot-button issue of his stance on abortion funding language in the health care reform package under discussion in Washington, D.C..  The Menominee Democrat explained his reasons for why he is holding to his convictions on the issue as well as his outlook on reaching a reasonable compromise to secure his vote for health care reform.  He also commented on the recently announced campaign by Democratic challenger Connie Saltonstall of downstate Charlevoix County.  To listen to the complete interview with Congressman Stupak, please click “HERE“.

COMMENTS FROM MICHIGAN’S SENIOR U.S. SENATOR.

U.S. SENATOR CARL LEVIN (D-DETROIT)

Here are some excerpts from a conversation with United States Senator Carl Levin concerning HIRE legislation currently making it’s way through Congress.  The legislation is in at least two parts with one section moving through the U.S. Senate and the other being considered in the House of Representatives.  The legislation is a combination of incentives and funding programs to get unemployed workers back on the job.  Please click “HERE” to listen to the comments of U.S. Senator Carl Levin.

HEY FOLKS!  A QUICK EVENT UPDATE FOR YOU!

There is a great amount of things that are going on around Marquette County this weekend and we wanted to make sure that you had the information you needed to know to be able to check them all out.  From theater to comedy to the NMU Student Pow Wow, it’s a packed up weekend for you to enjoy.  AND, the weather looks like it’s going to be relatively decent, so get on out and take it in!

MSHS THEATER DOES A CLASSIC.

FOLKS FROM OUR TOWN DO "OUR TOWN!"

Jeff Spencer, Marquette Senior High School Theater instructor and cast members Hilary Severn and Zoe Spencer joined us this week to tell us about their special production of Thornton Wilder’s classic, “Our Town”.  You can listen in to their interview “HERE” to find out more about the production, ticket availability and what it was like for the students to mount such a well-known yet dense piece of theater.

NMU NATIVE STUDENTS PRESENT A SPECIAL WEEKEND.

NMU CNAS DIRECTOR AND ALL AROUND GREAT GAL, APRIL LINDALA.

April Lindala, Director of the Center For Native American Studies at Northern Michigan University joined us to give us an update on events and activities going on this weekend at NMU being put on by the Native American Student Association.  Comedian Don Burnstick, a Canadian First Nations comic is performing at NMU on Friday evening and the 18th Annual ‘Learning to Walk Together’ Traditional Pow Wow is being held on Saturday.  Both events are being held at the Vandament Arena on Campus.  To listen to April’s interview, please click “HERE“, and to find out more about the Center For Native American Studies. please click “HERE“.

LOTS OF STUFF ON THE DOCKET.

Be sure to take it all in this weekend!

CHEERS!

-Walt

GOOD WEATHER…AN O.K. WEEK.

SUNRISE TODAY IN MARQUETTE.

O.K., so what’s kind of tripping me out is that the weather is great again today, but I feel less than upbeat.  Usually this kind of weather gets me in a better mood, but it ain’t happenin’, kids.  Yesterday was a mess of a Monday, and today has been pretty blah as well.  I should feel better….I mean, look how the day started today.  A glorious sunrise!  It’s been a nice day, too!  Oh well, maybe tomorrow will have a better run!   Let’s try it then and see what happens!

CHEERS!

-Walt

SHAZAM!!  IT’S FRIDAY EVERYBODY!  WOOOHOOOOO!

THE WEEKEND KNOCKS OUT THE WORK WEEK!

Hey gang!  We made it through another long week and it’s Friday!  Time to kick the work week to the curb and have a little fun over the next couple of days!  It’s been so busy around here over the last few weeks that I am looking forward to a couple of days off.  After all, it’s going to be sunny and in the 40’s and there’s a ton of things going on around Marquette County.  Get on out and take it all in!  Why not?  What have you got to lose, except for maybe a couple of pounds by getting out and walking around this weekend!  Do it!

BELL HOSPITAL WOMEN’S HEALTH EXPO ON TAP FOR THIS WEEKEND!

MARIE PEASLEY FROM BELL HOSPITAL.

Marie Peasley from Bell Hospital joined us today to let us know about the Bell Hospital Women’s Health Expo that is going on this Saturday at Bell Hospital in Ishpeming.  She gave us a run-down of scheduled physician lectures and activities planned for the day for interested folks to take part in.  While the event is focused on women’s health, it is open to both men and women.  Contact Marie at Bell Hospital to get pre-registered, or simply head to Bell Hospital Saturday morning to take part in this special event.  To find out more about the expo, please log on to the Bell Hospital website by clicking “HERE“.  To listen to Marie’s interview, please click “HERE“.

A BUSY WEEK WRAPS UP WITH A BUSY WEEKEND.

It’s looking like it’s going to be a fantastic weekend around Marquette County with a ton of fun activities going on and great spring-like weather!  You might as well get out of the house and take it all in, because when the annual St. Patty’s Day storm hits, you’ll be missing this weekend!  Just be safe when you are out and about, and don’t be a news story for Monday!

Don’t take it for granted…just take it in!

CHEERS!

-Walt

WE WELCOMED THE LATEST COMMUNITY LEADERS!

THE 2010 LSCP LEADERSHIP ACADEMY STOPS BY.

Thanks to the latest class of the Lake Superior Community Partnership’s Leadership Academy for starting their day off with us this morning.  As part of the program, the group visits several businesses in Marquette County to find out more about what goes on behind the “storefront”.  They have been kicking off Media Day with us for several years, and it was great to see the latest batch of Marquette County’s business and community leaders beginning to develop!  They spent the morning touring several other media outlets around the county including television and other radio stations.  But we like to start them off with a laugh and some truth about broadcasting here in the Upper Peninsula.  If you would like to find out more about the program, log on to the LSCP website by clicking “HERE“.

GOOD CONSERVATION CONVERSATION WITH DUCKS UNLIMITED!

SCOTT MCFARREN WITH DUCKS UNLIMITED.

Scott McFarren, the Area Chair for Marquette for Ducks Unlimited, joined us this morning to tell us about the upcoming Spring Banquet for Ducks Unlimited.  The event is scheduled for March 25th at 5:30pm at the Ramada Inn in Marquette.  Scott let us know that tickets are limited and if you want to go, you need to get them as soon as possible!  To find out more about the group and how you can get tickets for this annual fundraising banquet for Ducks Unlimited, please click “HERE‘.  To listen to the interview with Scott, please click “HERE“.

GOOD THINGS ARE GOING ON!

It seems like there is a lot of positive energy out there right now across Marquette County.  Perhaps it’s the spring time break in the weather, maybe people feel the economic troubles are settling down, maybe it’s…well, who knows?  let’s just make it keep happening, and be sure to get out to take it all in!

CHEERS!

-Walt

DNRE Conservation Officers Investigate Illegal Deer Killing in Delta County

UHHH-DUHHH!

Conservation officers from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment are pursuing charges with the Delta County Prosecutor’s Office against suspects who allegedly killed a deer on Saturday, Feb. 27, over a large bait pile at a deer camp so the deer could be used as bait to lure bald eagles to the property for viewing.

On Saturday, DNRE conservation officers responded to a citizen complaint in Delta County about a large bait pile in a remote area near an inland lake. Upon investigation, officers discovered a bait pile estimated at more than 100 gallons at a deer camp with a blood trail leading to a freshly killed deer on the ice.

The conservation officers set up surveillance on the camp and made contact with the owner and other suspects upon their return from snowmobiling. According to statements from the suspects, they admitted to shooting the deer to bait eagles so they could view them.

Conservation officers seized the deer and the rifle used, and are seeking charges with the Delta County Prosecutor’s Office. Backstraps from the deer had been removed and were located by officers in the suspects’ camp.

Citizens are encouraged to contact the DNRE’s Report All Poaching Hotline at 800-292-7800 with any information regarding any wildlife or fish violations. A monetary reward is often given for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of a violator.

IT’S ANOTHER “Y” WEDNESDAY AND A CHANCE FOR YOU TO GET INVOLVED!

KAREN KASPERZAK AND SAM CROWLEY.

Sam Crowley, kayak instructor for the YMCA of Marquette County joined us for “Y” Wednesday to tell us about a special opportunity for the public to help out the YMCA win a competitive grant from Pepsi to assist them with funding with the kayak program at the Y.  The program is set to award money to the programs in the competition that gather the most votes through online voting.  Karen Kasperzak, Youth Center Supervisor from the Lake Superior Village in Marquette, joined us as well to tell us about how the kayaking education program has been a big hit with the kids at the village and why it’s important for the community to step up and vote for the program at the YMCA.

To listen to the interview with Sam and Karen, please click “HERE“.  For more information about the program and the YMCA of Marquette County, please click “HERE“, and to vote for the program online, please click “HERE“.

THIS IS GOOD CHANCE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO STEP UP!

The online voting for this grant is a great chance for Marquette County to step up and show their support for the YMCA and all of it’s programs.  Don’t hesitate to get involved!

CHEERS!

-Walt

FREEZIN’ FOR A REASON!  THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS POLAR PLUNGE!

The time has come for the serious preparation for the upcoming Special Olympics Polar Plunge!

THE VETERAN COACHES (OR COAXES) THE NEW GROUP!

WALT IN THE AIR!

As you can see from the photos posted here, I, Walt Lindala, was the guy doing the plunging last year.  As I said last year after the jump, that was it, and it was someone else’s turn.  My compatriot on the big program, Mark Evans, said he would take the plunge.  It appears that he is holding to his promise and is being joined by Chrissy Nichols (who also jumped last year) from Sunny 101.9 as well as Dr. Don from the FOX 103 Morning Show.  The jump will be on Saturday, March 20th at the Marquette Mountain Ski Area in Marquette.

ONE WET WALT!

It’s all part of the commitment Great Lakes Radio has for the State of Michigan Special Olympics POLAR PLUNGE. We have supported the plunge since it came to our neck of the woods and we will continue to do so as a station group.  I, on the other hand…may never plunge again!  In fact, as I look at these pictures again, it’s a pretty safe bet that I will not be doing this ever again!  All I can say now is, “Go get ‘em Mark!”  And best of luck to ya!

MORE ABOUT THIS YEAR’S POLAR PLUNGE AND HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED!

EVERYONE GATHERS AROUND THIS YEAR'S VICTIM, MARK EVANS.

Organizers with this year’s Polar Plunge, Heidi Swajanen and Mike Plourde (affectionately known as the Silver Fox) joined us recently for an interview to talk more about this year’s event and how you can get involved.  They also thanked Mark Evans for taking the plunge this year.  To listen to the interview with Heidi and the ever jocular Silver Fox, please click “HERE“, and for more information by logging on to the Special Olympics of Michigan Polar Plunge website, please click “HERE“.

Remember it may be cold, but it’s all for a great cause!

CHEERS!

-Walt

MARCH IS HERE.  TAKE THAT AS YOU WILL.

ONE MEAN LEPRECHAUN

It’s a new month and a new work week.  Monday, the first day of March.  I guess it looks like it’s coming in like a lamb, so I hope it doesn’t go out with the double-barreled roar of an angry lion!  Of course it’s been nice over the last day or so, and the next few days look pretty good, but don’t forget…we always seem to get a good wintry smackdown right around the time of St.Patrick’s Day.  Believe me, it’s not over yet!  Beware the Angry Leprechaun!  Don’t put the shovels and swampers away yet, my fellow Yoopers.  Winter has not released us from it’s wintry grip yet!

BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH!!!  Or something.

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS AND MORE.

MGH WOMEN'S & CHILDREN'S CENTER DIR. CINDY AMPE

The Marquette General Hospital Women’s and Children’s Center is offering a series of classes, activities and workshops for parents as well as grandparents, teachers and other guardians and caregivers.  The director of the center, Cindy Ampe, joined us today to give us an overview of the program and it’s activities during this Parenting Awareness Month.  The events planned for the month are being held in several areas around Marquette County and are free and open to the public.  For more about what’s happening and where, please click “HERE” to listen to Cindy’s interview.  To log on to the Marquette General Hospital website, please click “HERE“.

MAIN STREET PIZZA MAKES FOR A GREAT MAIN STREET MONDAY!

BUGS LOOKS OVER THE TITLE.

Thanks to Ryan W. of Negaunee who knew that the original animator who put pen to paper and created the world-famous Warner Brothers classic cartoon character ‘Bugs Bunny’ was the one and only Tex Avery.  Tex also put his stamp on the creation of ‘Daffy Duck” before jumping ship and heading over to M-G-M to make his name in cartoons ranging from Tom and Jerry to Droopy Dog.  For his knowledge, Ryan picked up 2 14-inch three-topping pizzas from Main Street Pizza.  Well done, sir!

THAT’S IT FOR TODAY!

Catch you all again here on the internetz, kids!  Have a good one!

CHEERS!

-Walt

zxxxxxxx