Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
AFTER A FEW days of temperatures in the 40s, soggy ice and patches of open water render Sunday Lake unsuitable for ice fishing on Thursday. Despite cooler temperatures and snow in the forecast, the lake will remain vulnerable this weekend, so organizers are hoping attendance will be good at two indoor fundraisers on Saturday at the Wakefield VFW.
By P.J. GLISSON
Wakefield - The first-ever St. Urho's Day Beanbag Tournament will take place at Wakefield's VFW Post 9084 on Saturday.
It will be held in conjunction with a 4 the Kids fundraiser based on a pulled pork meal with side dishes and desserts.
According to Chad Carlson, a VFW member who organized the tournament, the whole idea started with "some people talking about having an event."
"We're hoping we can get at least a good 300 to 400 people," said Carlson on Thursday, with all planning in place.
"If it turns out good, we'll continue to offer it as an annual event," he added.
With Sunday Lake in slushy condition, Carlson said, "There're no fishing tournaments. If people can't go ice fishing or snowmobiling, they can come here."
Amy Tarro, one of the lead people in 4 the Kids, said it made sense to hold the two events together. She said the luncheon will start at 11 a.m., with the day's overall festivities running until whenever.
The Wakefield municipal building now has a new gym floor in its community room, thanks to about $20,000 raised last year by 4 the Kids. Students from the Wakefield-Marenisco K-12 School regularly use the room as a back-up for practice when their own school gym is occupied by conflicting sports interests.
"They've done the floor, but we're trying to raise money, so they can purchase a batting cage," said Carlson regarding Saturday's fundraising.
Carlson said any money taken in Saturday also will cover costs of setting up the events, as well as ongoing renovation work within the VFW.
He said the charge to participate in the tournament will be $25 per person or $50 per two-person teams.
According to Carlson, half of the VFW's main area will be dedicated to beanbag boards, while the other half will be used as a place to sit down and eat.
Persons buying meals also can choose the "takeout" option. A meal and beverage combined will cost about $10.
Carlson said participants also may sit in the VFW bar if they wish.
St. Urho's Day, a Finnish holiday, always takes place on March 16, the day before St. Patrick's Day. In ancient times, the real patron St. Patrick was said to have driven snakes out of Ireland. St. Urho is a faux saint, said to have driven grasshoppers out of Finland.
The Irish holiday is associated with green, and the Finnish holiday is associated with purple.
VFW Post 9084 is on U.S. 2 next to Sunday Lake.
