I don’t have a lot to share with you this week, but that might be a good thing. I’ve been quarantined in my apartment with my first case of COVID-19.
It hasn’t been too bad, likely because I’m vaccinated and boosted, but it hasn’t been a smooth ride, either. For instance, this morning I woke up and sneezed every few seconds until I couldn’t think straight enough to count. And that took a while.
I’ve simply been treating myself with my usual cold remedies; lots of hot drinks and water, bed rest, and vitamin C. No visits to the doctor or hospital yet, and I’ve kept my sense of taste, and that’s good enough for me.
My dad also came down with his first case of COVID-19 at the same time (unconnected, we haven’t seen each other in more than a year now). We’ve been checking in on each other to see how each other is handling it, so at least I have something of a quarantine buddy.
Other than the sneezing, I’m feeling nearly symptom-free today, so hopefully, I’ll be returning to my regular work schedule soon. Just need a little more rest.
In more Copper Beacon-focused news, we’re done with internships for the semester, but I’m very interested to hear what you thought of our first two student-created stories. I wouldn’t call either of them perfect (and the authors know that), but I liked both, too. Please respond to this email (or write to me@joshuavissers.com) with any comments or suggestions.
My hope is to be able to involve enough people to bring at least one story like that to you every week before the end of 2022. It’s ambitious, and recruiting authors may actually be the least of my worries (bureaucracy is a morass), but setting easy goals has always bored me. I’m in it for the challenge.
On that note, I’d also like to say I’m still working on my FOIA challenge of Houghton County. Just gathering resources right now, they’ll hear more from me before the end of election season.
I’m still not 100%, so I’ve got a couple of things to share, and then it’s back to bed for me.
Keweenaw Co-op purchases former home of Keweenaw Buick | GMC
Press release - Keweenaw Co-op
EDITOR’S NOTE: I wouldn’t normally share a press release verbatim quite like this, but it’s pretty big news and you’re not going to find a lot of original information on the other news sites, either. I’m also a former employee of the Co-op, and the Co-op’s Marketing and Outreach Manager, Todd Gast, is one of Copper Beacon’s board members, so any further reporting or editing on my part would just run aground of more conflict of interest than simply sharing what Todd has written and adding this note. I mainly just wanted to make sure you got to see the pictures, as most of the rest of this has been expected for some time now.
The Keweenaw Co-op is the Copper Country’s only community-owned grocery store — a place where neighbors can come together for fresh, whole, real food as well as community and food-centric education. The Co-op has purchased the former home of Keweenaw Buick | GMC property at 612 Quincy Street in downtown Hancock, and it will take $7 million to transform the empty space into a fully stocked grocery store.
“Our Keweenaw Co-op implements a business philosophy that values much more than just the bottom line,” says Jacobsville resident Lisa Reitz. “It’s one that focuses on healthy people, food and community”.
Adds Deborah Mann, Hancock Downtown Development Coordinator: “We are thrilled that the Keweenaw Co-op is committed to the city of Hancock, and the new store will be a welcome addition, bringing renewed vitality to our downtown community.” The Co-op is owned by over 2000 members of the community and currently employs a staff of over 40 people, with over $4.8M in sales annually. In addition, it has provided over $20,000 in annual donations to the community and the Western UP Food Bank. The Co-op sold over $300K in local products last year. “Not only does the Co-op have the best selection of local produce, but they also have knowledgeable staff that educates me on how to use it,” says Margaret Hanson, cooking instructor from Teach to Taste in Hancock. “Their commitment to food education makes a difference!”
Keweenaw Co-op plans to raise over $1 million to finance equipment, inventory and other expenses within the new location. Michigan residents and entities can invest via Non-Voting Investment Certificates. Investors will receive a respectable return and the satisfaction of knowing their investment resonates with their values and remains in our Copper Country community. “Local investors’ participation in financing the new store will increase the quality of life for our entire community,” said Curt Webb, General Manager of the Co-op. “The community response to the project plans so far has been overwhelmingly positive. We already have $100,000 in pledges to invest,” said Curt. The minimum investment is $2,000 but to meet the goal The Co-op needs some community members to invest $10,000, $20,000, $50,000 or even more.
“I am inspired every day by people in our area choosing to keep their dollars locally and invest in our community-owned store,” says Cynthia Hodges, Capital Campaign Organizer. “It’s truly a way to support Main Street, not Wall Street. An expanded Co-op means more local jobs and an increased market for locally grown and produced goods. When you invest in our co-op, your money works so hard it sweats!”
South side rendering of the building.
For more information about investing, please email invest@keweenaw.coop or call (906) 482-2030 and ask for Cynthia Hodges or Curt Webb. The above information does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase securities and any such offer or solicitation can only be made via the Co-op’s Offering Memorandum.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Another press release, but an important one. I know this is really awkward, and that’s what the perpetrators are taking advantage of. Talk to your kids (or encourage your adult kids to talk to their kids) and let them know to be careful who they trust online, and that it’s okay to ask for help if they’ve made a mistake. Overcoming your discomfort is the first step to protecting them from online exploitation.
And while sextortion schemes typically target young boys, adult males have been victimized as well.
After 2 long years the American Society of Civil Engineers will finally dedicate the Portage Lake Lift Bridge as a national historic engineering landmark.
Hancock residents will be asked to approve an extra property tax levy to support the police department. The .8 mil increase for 15 years will appear on the November ballot.
Ten Republicans filed petitions to run for Michigan governor by Tuesday’s deadline, a record number in recent history, creating a huge field for a primary electorate that will decide who challenges Democrat Gretchen Whitmer.
