Members of Wildlife Unlimited of Iron County met at Sommers Sausage Shop in Crystal Falls to donate 670 pounds of venison to area St. Vincent de Paul’s food pantries. For many years, Wildlife Unlimited has been providing venison to the community with assistance from Pat Sommers who processes the meat at a discount to the club. Pictured from left are Karen Hughes representing Crystal Falls’ St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, Wildlife Unlimited members Bob Gallup, Diane Grondin (secretary), Rick Commenator (president) and Larry Pifke, along with Sommers. The venison will be divided between the Iron River and Crystal Falls food pantries. Commenator extends the club’s appreciation to all hunters who donated to help feed area residents.

CRYSTAL FALLS—Have you harvested timber in the last year or are planning to this year?

IRON RIVER— The West iron District Library will host guest speaker Nancy Warren with a presentation entitled Coexisting With Wolves at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28 at the West Iron District Library.

CASPIAN—After two days of snowmobile racing in Caspian, Feb. 16-17, the results are in.

The West Iron County School Forest Club gathered at Sunset Lake on Feb. 16 for their annual ice fishing derby. Pictured are, from left, in front, Phylishia Sheldon, Aren Newby, Erin Angeli and Brianna Lambert; in back, Joel VanLanen Jr., club advisor Joel VanLanen Sr., Colton Pangrazzi, Bryson Heimerl, Gunther the dog, Ian Frailing, Casey Harrington, Sarah Penkivech, Meagan Miatech and Adam Newby.

Top professional hillclimbers from across the Midwest competed in the second Mid-America Championship Hillclimb held Feb. 16 in Caspian. Racers engaged in a thrilling show of skills and spills while vying for top cash prizes.Work on the Caspian Hill began before snow season. Bruce Rostagno and the crew from BAR Enterprises added height to the hill for the races.

IRON MOUNTAIN—The Boundary Waters Musky Club will be holding the 5th annual Expo and Annual Meeting on Saturday, Feb. 23 at the Econo Lodge in Iron Mountain. The event will feature a tackle swap, prize raffles and a number of guest speakers. The public is welcome to attend. Free door prizes, including a musky rod and tackle, will be given away.

Erich and Joyce Ziegler look at Afterglow Lake and Resort while skiing the trails. (Ziegler photo)
By Bill Ziegler for the Iron County Reporter
PHELPS, Wis.— Local Northern winters are much too long to stay inside, and one way to enjoy the winter is to get out and explore this area’s cross country ski trails.

Many volunteers helped on construction day. Group representatives that participated included the Boundary Waters Muskie Club, Wildlife Unlimited of Iron County, Guardian Angels Catholic Church of Crystal Falls, supportive anglers of the Michigamme Reservoir, Iron County Sheriff Department public works crew, Iron County Soil Conservation District, and Crystal Falls Fire Department.  Pictured, front  from left, are Larry Lorenz of Koski Corners, Dave Borsch, Floyd Dropps, Ted Sammond, Dave Grondin and Dennis Divoky all of Crystal Falls; back from left, are Matt Stachowicz, John Roberts, John Polich, Justin Gollakner, Derek Stroud, Cody Campbell, Dave Stanek, Ron Curnow, Jerry Weeks, and Dan Surface all of Iron County. Not pictured are Kim and Herb Nylund, Kevin and Heather Fritchie, Dennis Fabri, Duane Lorti, Tom Lesandrini, and Brian Carollo of Cyrstal Falls . (Ziegler photo)

CRYSTAL FALLS—The Michigan Department of Natural Resources will host two ice fishing classes in the western Upper Peninsula during the 2013 Winter Free Fishing Weekend, Feb. 16-17.