Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties

Depot Dash acts as pint-sized cross country skiing race

By P.J. GLISSON

[email protected]

Ironwood - A Jan. 6 Depot Dash was a big success last Friday, drawing several dozen kids to a track circling a pavilion at the Historic Ironwood Depot Park.

The kids - who delightedly called out to friends as they arrived - had the choice of using cross-country skis or snowshoes, which were available as needed for anyone who did not arrive with their own.

A Snowshoe Book Walk was held in conjunction with the cross-country race, which wasn't really a competition and merely encouraged kids to circle the track as many times as they wished, starting and stopping as they saw fit.

Hannah Panci of Ironwood was in charge of the free event, which was part of First Friday festivities on the day before Saturday's Sisu Ski Fest, which also took place in Gogebic County. Other volunteers also were available.

Panci, who was busy fastening skis or passing out medals, estimated that at least 45 kids participated, "which is the biggest turnout we've had," she added. At least that many parents or other family, friends and spectators also attended.

Among them were Michael and Rachelle McPherson of Ironwood, whose daughter, Madeline, 4, gamely tackled the track in skis.

"She had a lot of fun," said her father. "She has a whole bunch of friends here. She did this last year, and she's been talking about it all year. It's really a nice event."

He added that Madeline also liked the hot chocolate and cookies that were served afterward.

Many of the kids and parents collected their treats and then enjoyed them while standing or sitting next to a small bonfire near the pavilion.

Justina Wiesen of Wakefield was there, holding her baby, Theo, three months, while watching her older children, Jessa, 10, and Adam, 9, circle the track.

Jonathon Rulseh of Ironwood walked the track with his son, Per, one year old, on his back.

Like many other parents, Michael and Caitlin Pawlak of Ironwood guided their son, Will, 2, as he happily explored the track.

Dan and Amanda Krznarich and their kids, Lucy, 8, and Jack, 4, traveled from Iron Mountain.

Asked what brought them to the region, Amanda assured, "We came for the race."

Other folks showed up just for the fun of providing an audience.

Fitz - a Mercer area resident who said he goes by only one name - was occasionally ringing a bell that he said he'd won in a previous Noquemanon Ski Marathon, a Midwest event. He has a history with the Sisu Ski Fest and has participated in 24 American Birkebeiner races.

Moreover, he added, "I know some of the kids."

Also there to cheer were Mickie and Dave Zisler of Ironwood. Mickie said they had decided to attend on the spur of the moment. "The little ones crack us up," noted Dave.

The Snowshoe Book Walk featured pages of "The Frog Prince" by the Brothers Grimm.

It was the seventh year for the event that Panci started with the help of Marianne Andresen of Ironwood and Crystal Suzik of Ramsay. "We took a break in 2021 because of COVID," said Panci.

The dual event was sponsored by the Ironwood Kiwanis, Ironwood/Hurley Rotary and the Great Start Collaborative.

 
 
Rendered 03/24/2024 08:57