Shiras Institute supports Playground For All

Shiras Institute supports Playground For All

On Wednesday, October 20, representatives from the Shiras Institute presented a check to the Marquette Playground for All Committee for $15,000.  This donation will help fund the playground that will be built as an enhanced replacement of the current Kids Cove playground in Mattson Lower Harbor Park.

Playgrounds for All is raising money for an all-inclusive playground at Mattson Lower Harbor Park called Kids Cove, a playground for all. The committee is looking to raise an additional $850k to reach their fundraising goal of $1.3M. They’ve been collecting public input and detailed designs are being worked on now, which will be available in November.

“This community is pretty amazing, I’ve been in fundraising pretty much all my adult life here and I am blown away with how kind people are and when a community comes together each individual benefits,” said Nheena Weyer Ittner, Chair of the Playgrounds for All Committee.

Construction on the playground is anticipated to begin in the spring and be finished in summer of 2022. The Playground for All Committee and City of Marquette have partnered with the Community Foundation of Marquette County to raise funds for this project. The Community Foundation of Marquette County is the fiscal agent for this project.

For more information visit kidscovemqt.com

Left to right: Ward Rantala, Andrew Wallner, Laura Katers Reilly, Jim Reevs, Cheryl Hill (all board members of the Shiras Institute) Nheena Weyer Ittner, Rick Orr, Zosia Eppensteiner (CFMC CEO), Jon Swenson (City of Marquette), Alice Reynolds, Susan Anderson and Bob Chapman, members of the Playground for All committee. Photo taken by Michaela Zuzula from the LSCP.

2021 Catalyst Award Recipients Announced

2021 Catalyst Award Recipients Announced

Each year, the Foundation Board of Trustees nominates individuals, organizations, and businesses to receive Catalyst Awards. A Catalyst Award recognizes the efforts of those that build community through volunteerism or philanthropy and inspire others to do the same – those that go “above and beyond” for our community. The CFMC Board of Trustees is proud to announce the 2021 Catalyst Award recipients.

Double Trouble Entertainment received the Catalyst Award in the Business category. Bill and Pat Digneit moved to Marquette to attend NMU and have called the U.P. home ever since. “If you take care of your community, your community will take care of you.” is the Digneits motto. It is evident, by the way that Bill and Pat run their businesses, that they are committed not only to their own success but also to the success of local nonprofits. Board Secretary, Maura Davenport, had this to say: “They have given countless hours and in-kind support to Lake Superior Hospice, NMU, Beacon House, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts to name just a few. These efforts plus their business philosophy serves to inspire others by example through tireless and selfless efforts to volunteer and be benefactors to the Marquette County community.”

Spread Goodness Day received the Catalyst Award in the Service Club/Organization category. Inspired by her love of volunteerism, Founder Anna Dravland wanted to encourage others to find their purpose in supporting their communities in their own unique ways. Spread Goodness Day inspires countless individuals, groups, businesses, and organizations to make positive change at the level they are capable of and comfortable doing so.  Proclaimed an official annual holiday by the City of Marquette and State of Michigan in 2021, Spread Goodness Day encourages us to do just that: “Spread goodness. To whoever you want, however you want and to whatever extreme you want.”

Jesie Melchiori received the Catalyst Award for in the Individual category. Jesie wears many hats; President of the Great Lake Rodeo, owner of Cold Springs Livery, board member of the Haunted Hayride, board member of the Alger County Fair, Campaign Chairperson of Gwinn School’s Booster Club, as well as a wife, a mother, sister, and the list goes on. Many know Jesie as the General Manager of the Up North Lodge. Foundation Trustee, Lisa Jahnke had this to say: “Her smiling face is one you will see behind the bar, in the kitchen, delivering food, organizing parties, and coordinating Bike Nights benefiting local charities each week. Each Christmas season, Jesie takes on ‘Operation Great Christmas’ providing holiday meals to hundreds of families. Jesie believes that it takes a village to accomplish all she’s done, she’s proud to be a part of the Gwinn Community and the Gwinn Community is so thrilled that’s she’s part of theirs.”

 Henry Chittle received the Catalyst Award in the Youth category. At just nine-years old, Henry is already an asset to his community. He looks for opportunities to help others, and he does so in creative and effective ways. From selling his own artwork to support UPAWS, to running a lemonade stand to raise funds for the Care Clinic, Henry uses his time and talent to benefit others. “I’m just 9 and I didn’t think I’d get picked at all,” Henry said in his acceptance speech. “I didn’t know there was an award for this… I just like doing fundraisers and raising money for things that need money, like food banks and stuff. So, thank you so much for the award!”

Paul F. Blewett Legacy Funds Distribute Over $75,000

Paul F. Blewett Legacy Funds Distribute Over $75,000

The Paul F. Blewett Legacy Funds were established at the Community Foundation of Marquette County in 2010, to provide support to multiple local and regional organizations that Paul cared most about. This year, a total of $ 76,192.65 was distributed. Following the wishes of the donor, the fund supported eighteen organizations this year, including: Bethany Lutheran Church, Michigan Education Association, National Education Association Foundation, National Planned Parenthood, Ishpeming High School, Ishpeming Skiers Training Facilities, Inc., Bark River Harris School District, The American Civil Liberties Union, WNMU FM 90 Radio, National Public Radio, American Cancer Society, National Alzheimer’s Association, American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association, Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp, Salvation Army & Salvation Army – Ishpeming, and American Red Cross.

Amanda Rasner, Camp Director at Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp, had the following to say: “Fortune Lake Lutheran Camp is honored to receive money through the disbursement from the Paul F. Blewett Fund through the Community Foundation of Marquette County.  These funds have been earmarked for a Young Adult Retreat emphasizing self-care that will take place in February of 2022 at Fortune Lake…. The main hurdle for hosting this event had been funding, as young adults may not have the financial resources to attend a full weekend retreat.  With the reception of the Blewett funds, this hurdle has been removed, and we can continue to prepare for what we hope will be a first annual retreat.  The money will provide sponsorships for up to 23 young adult participants from throughout the U. P. and Northern WI.”

Born in Ishpeming in 1940, Paul Blewett studied at Michigan Technological University and Northern Michigan University, where he received a master’s degree in mathematics. He enjoyed a nearly 43-year career as a math teacher at Bark River-Harris High School. He also gave back as a volunteer and officer in many different education associations, most notably as a member of the Board of Directors for the Michigan Education Association for 24 years. His biggest fulfillment came from seeing the students he taught excel at school and in life. Paul was a lifetime member of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Ishpeming, where he enjoyed taking photographs for weddings and church functions. He died in 2009, leaving behind his legacy of giving back to the community and organizations he loved and respected.

2021 Annual Celebration Honors Community Who Make a Difference

2021 Annual Celebration Honors Community Who Make a Difference

The 2021 Annual Celebration took place at NMU on Wednesday, September 22. The evening included Catalyst Awards presentations, prize drawings from Donckers and the Delft, the first Range Bank Clean Energy Grant award, and a special announcement for the Jumpstart a Heart project.

“The Annual Celebration is a way for the Community Foundation staff and Board of Trustees to say thank you,” says CEO Zosia Eppensteiner. “We thank the donors, businesses and funders who invest in our community, and the people and organizations who work tirelessly to make Marquette County a place that helps all citizens thrive.”

Each year, the Board of Trustees nominate individuals, organizations, and businesses to receive Catalyst Awards. These awards recognize the efforts of those that help build community through volunteerism or philanthropy and inspire others to do the same. Four awards were presented at this year’s Annual Celebration.

The Range Bank Clean Energy grant, which was established this year to assist non-profits with investing in energy saving projects and education, was presented to Lake Superior Lifecare & Hospice. The grant will help the organization complete an energy saving insulation project. Range Bank President and CEO Roxanne Daust presented the grant to Lake Superior Lifecare & Hospice CEO Jennifer Voegtline.

Earlier this year, the Community Foundation partnered with the Marquette County Law Enforcement Administrator’s Association (MCLEAA) with the goal to raise over $81,000 to replace outdated lifesaving equipment carried by law enforcement. The effort, called Jumpstart a Heart, will allow MCLEAA to purchase 38 Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) for law enforcement across the county.

Thanks to the many generous donors that included several individuals and businesses, the fundraising goal was met. Grants from West End Health Foundation, Frazier Fund, Ray and Peg Hirvonen Foundation, Superior Health Foundation, Negaunee Area Community Fund, and Marquette Area Community Fund made a major impact helping the project reach its goal. Marquette County Sheriff Greg Zyburt and Corporal Jennifer Best represented MCLEAA at the Annual Celebration to accept the grant. 

Johanna Pohjala Fund for Weavers : Fund Spotlight

Johanna Pohjala Fund for Weavers : Fund Spotlight

A loom made by Matt Riihinen in Negaunee during the winter of 1945-1946.
Photo courtesy of Christine Simonen

This loom has a fascinating history, and helped inspire the Johanna Pohjala Fund for Weavers, a field of interest fund established at the Community Foundation of Marquette County in 2003.

Johanna Pohjala (1919 – 2003) was born on Case Street in Negaunee. Her parents, Anna (Kotka) and Matt Riihinen were Finnish immigrants who settled on the Riihinen farm in Negaunee. Like so many immigrants to the area at the time, Matt worked in the iron mines to supplement their income from the farm. During the Finnish-Russian War in 1939, Matt received numerous donations of secondhand clothing from customers along his dairy route. The Riihinen’s sent as much as they could to Finland, but much of it was of poor quality. Anna requested a loom to make rag rugs with the clothing. Matt, who was also a blacksmith and woodworker, built the loom almost entirely from lumber harvested on their property over the winter of 1945-1946.

Johanna was Matt and Anna’s only child, and she graduated from Negaunee High School in 1937. She married Sulo E.Pohjala in 1941, and ten years later they moved to the Riihinen farm to help care for her parents. Johanna began weaving on the loom in 1952, and this began a journey of over 50 years weaving rugs on this loom.


Johanna Pohjala on the loom in 1954. Photo courtesy of Christine Simonen

As a toddler, Johanna spent over a year traveling in Finland with her parents and stayed in contact with her Finnish cousins. Her Finnish background influenced her weaving, and the more she created, the more her craftsmanship was widely recognized. Orders for Johanna’s rugs came from all over the U.P. and the country. As a member of the local weaving guild, Yarnwinders, Johanna explored different techniques and patterns in her rugs. In September 2000, Johanna was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the U.P. Weavers Exchange annual conference.


Johanna Pohjala, Rosepath Rug, Collection Michigan State University Museum

In the 1990’s Michigan State University Professor Yvonne Lockwood travelled to the Upper Peninsula to interview rug weavers. Her research was published as a book titled, “Finnish American Rag Rugs: Art, Tradition & Ethnic Continuity”. MSU Press published the book in 2010. Johanna was one of eight weavers featured in the chapter titled, “Weavers”. The Michigan State University Museum holds some of Johanna’s rugs in their textile collection.

Johanna was also a poet, educator, and traveler. A charter member of the Finnish Language Class in Negaunee, Johanna served as a substitute for well-known Finnish language educator Tanya Stanaway. Three more trips to Finland allowed Johanna to stay close to her Finnish family and heritage. She was a translator of family histories and correspondence for several different Finnish families. She was also a published poet, writing in both English and Finnish.

Christine Simonen, Johanna’s daughter, established the Johanna Pohjala Fund for Weavers at the Community Foundation of Marquette County in 2003 after her mother’s passing. The purpose of the fund is to create opportunities, for fiber artists and fiber arts education in Marquette County. This fund has supported Yarnwinders and Lake Superior Art Association to create educational programs and exhibitions around the tradition of weaving.


Christine Simonen (bottom right) with her husband Fred after delivering the loom to The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum in 2017. At left are Karen Greenly (standing) and Robyn Sendelbach (sitting).

And what about the loom? Christine took up her mother’s interest in weaving but knew the loom needed a permanent home that would fully appreciate and care for this historically significant artifact. In 2017, the family donated the loom to The Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, in Vista, California. The Museum is a nonprofit that “collects, preserves and displays examples of mechanical ingenuity and crafts associated with the early days of the American farm and rural community”. The loom is on permanent display with over 50 other looms from all over the country. The loom is still fully operational, and is utilized for demonstrations by museum volunteer weavers.