Dreams to Realities

Greetings to all!

It has been a few months since I last posted anything to this blog. Fortunately I can say it's because I have been insanely busy. Yet, instead of saying I've been busy with my normal day to day routine I can proudly say I've been busy chasing down a dream. That dream has been to release a book that I've written. If only releasing a book were as simple as it was to write that last sentence!  It has been years of work, and a roller coaster of emotions that has gotten me to where I am right now. Allow me to explain further.

This whole journey goes back to 2007, when I was a bright-eyed and bushy-tailed college student at Central Michigan University. OK, Let's be honest. That's nowhere near an accurate description of myself at that point in my life! Realistically, I was a 22 year old pursuing a degree in education, and my biggest concern was where the best parties were going to be that week. In one of my classes we were given an assignment to create an ABC book, which we would have to present in front of the class. The first place my brain went was to the Upper Peninsula. Mount Pleasant was a long way from home, so anything I could do to remind myself of it I craved.

That was really all it took. Once I sat down and got to work things just started flowing. I've always been good with words, and also enjoyed rap music, so it became a fun challenge to start rhyming all the pages together to make it flow. Within a few hours I had all of my wording down. Next came adding the photos to go with it, which was also super fun because another hobby of mine over the years has been playing in Photoshop and creating things. This didn't even feel like work to me! Truth be told I didn't do the entire book at that time. Our teacher gave us a minimum number of pages it had be, so I stopped at the letter T when I hit that minimum. Partially because I was having trouble finding words to rhyme together, and partially because I didn't want to do more work than I had to. If you're reading this, sorry mom, I wanted to go have fun with my friends!

About two weeks later the time came to present our books to the class, and mine was an absolute smash. My teacher totally loved it, and so did my class. There were a couple Yoopers in there with me, but for most of them the U.P. was this foreign/exotic thing, and they were fascinated at the brief look I gave them into our world. I ended up getting an A on my book, and when I shared with my family what I had done and my success the resounding response was "You should really finish this thing and publish it. I would totally buy something like this!" At the time I would smile and kind of shrug it off. I was just a young college student. Yes, I had dreams and ambitions, but the idea of publishing my book seemed like a monumental task. I just wanted to have some fun while working towards my degree, so I put the book aside and continued on with my college life.

By 2009 I had finished my degree and moved back to the U.P. and was teaching at a small class D school near Marquette. One day I got a Facebook message from a friend from my hometown who also was still going through school in an education related field. She was messaging me about my ABC book. We had been at a party together a few months prior, and in talking about our schooling I had mentioned the book I had made, as it was always fun to "what if" about it over a few beers. Well now, she wanted to know if I could send her a copy of it, so she could read it to some elementary students she was working with. I told her the book wasn't totally finished, but I would send her what I had. It ended up being a hit, so once again I had someone telling me I should really do something with this. It was at that point that I took to the task of actually finishing the book. I was in my first year of teaching so I was super busy, but in what little free time I had I ended up getting the book done. I nervously showed it to some of my co-workers and received what I'll call a "lukewarm" response. At the time I wasn't sure if it was because the book just wasn't very good, or if it was because I was the new guy at school who hadn't really established friendships yet. Whatever the case may be, I ended up shelfing the book again.

In January of 2010 my niece was born, and I could honestly write a novel about the journey she has been through. Long story short, she was a twin who was born a "micro premie" (google it if you need more info) who ended up losing her brother but beating the odds all at the same time. This was an extremely turbulent time for our family, but by the grace of God my niece was able to go home after 100+ days in the NICU. After playing a small role in her incredible story I found myself having a new sense of purpose. She had gone through so much already in her short time on this earth. The life lesson that every day is a gift slapped me right in the face. This motivated me to start working on my book again. I realized I wanted to tweak it and make it great. I wanted it to be a book I could sit down and read to my niece some day.

That fall is when I met my wife, and in the process of our courtship I ended up showing her my book too. From the first time she laid eyes on it she has been my biggest cheerleader in this process. She has pushed me, and at times even challenged me to make this come to fruition. I slowly but surely began to again tweak my book and its artwork, and by the fall of 2011 I felt like it was officially done. Then life decided to pump the brakes on me.

2012 was a complete whirlwind to say the least. I changed careers when I was blessed with an amazing job opportunity ( I still work there today), I got engaged, and I bought a house. My book was the absolute last thing on my mind. I somehow managed to get the copyrighted that year, and to this day I'm amazed that it happened. 2013 was all about our wedding and saving for our subsequent honeymoon. 2014 showed up and my book was still where I had last left it. Why not just put it out then?

At this point that's where the fears and the doubts set it. How would I get it out to the masses? Would people even like it? How could I afford something like this? What if it flops? What if it's so big I can't handle it? I let all of these questions get the better of me, and I literally just let everything sit untouched. Then I hit a turning point from the unlikeliest of places. I meet with my boss on a quarterly basis to discuss how I'm doing with things at work, but we also discuss aspects of personal life. She asked me if I had any big goals or dreams outside of work I was passionate about. I hesitantly brought up my book and was pleasantly surprised to find that she was genuinely interested in the whole thing. We decided together that it would go on my checklist of things to discuss at our quarterly meetings.

This ended up being the kick in the pants that I needed to actually get some results done. I went and spoke to a printing company. I met with a friend who works locally to help small businesses get off the ground, and I had lunches with a good friend who helped me plot out my plan of attack. It was at one of these lunches that things really hit home when he said to me "I don't think you realize how close you are. You basically have a product that's ready for the world. That's like 90% of the battle. You just need to go that extra 10% and you can make this happen." It was exciting and terrifying all the same time to hear someone tell me this. It was so amazing to have these people help me. My boss and my two friends had literally nothing to gain by pushing me on this. They merely wanted to see me succeed in pursing a dream of mine. Let me tell you, even though I'm not going to name those people, I can assure you that they are the types of people you want/need in your life!

That basically leads me up to where I sit currently. I am literally on the cusp of making my dream a reality, and it is still both exciting and terrifying at the same time. I created the Facebook page for the book in hopes of building some hype, and the response was stunning to say the very least. The next thing I know TV6 is reaching out to me, and everything was catapulted into fast forward.

This is a beautiful thing, because it has once again pushed me to go the last few miles in what has been a long and strange journey. At the end of the day it's just an ABC book. I'm not a Hemmingway or Shakespeare or anything even close to it, but this is something I'm proud of that I can't wait to share with the world. Whether this book takes off or not really doesn't matter. What matters to me is that I saw this dream through all the way to end. I've completed a goal. I've taken a chance and put my voice out there into the void, which is an accomplishment in and of itself. I just hope you all end up loving and enjoying it as much as I have creating it.

My publishing company logo

I'm a Yooper born and raised, and if anything I just hope that this book can leave a small mark on my heritage that I love and cherish. Cheers everyone...

Näkemiin Good Sir

Picture in your head an old oak tree sitting in the middle of an Upper Peninsula forest. Large, powerful, and wise; this tree has stood the test of time. It has seen many things over the years, and weathered countless storms. It has survived by having deep roots, and as time has moved on its branches have grown and extended to great lengths. Now, imagine if that tree were a person. It is this writers opinion that the tree would be named Carl Pellonpaa.

Carl on set. Photo courtesey of "this is FINLAND" website.

Mr. Carl Pellonpaa's roots are in Ishpeming, Michigan, where he still lives there to this day. His roots, like many other Yoopers out there, are also just as deep in the country of Finland. Yet Carl stands tall like the tree I had mentioned, because he has been the UP symbol of that heritage. This is because, as many of you know, Mr. Pellonpaa has been the host of the TV show "Suomi Kutsuu, Finland Calling" for the last 53 years. Those 53 years translates to an astounding 2,650 straight weekly episodes, according to this Wall Street Journal article honoring him. Sadly, that run comes to an end this Sunday, with the final episode set to air that morning.

If for some reason you are reading this and not in the know, Finland Calling was a show on TV6, which is our local television channel. It is a show for all things Finnish: history, travel, music, politics, etc. I mean if it had to do with Finland, Carl was covering it! This show was on religiously Sunday mornings, and I say that with pun intended, because for many people it was a part of their routine, the same as going to church and watching football is on Sundays. It hasn't been flashy or anything even close to cutting edge. But it has been honest, heart-felt, and consistent. No matter what, people have been able to count on Carl and his show, like a trusty and sturdy oak, no matter what.

This is what makes Carl a true Yooper legend. For 53 years he has carried the torch left by our ancestors. This has been done by keeping tradition alive and well through his television show. I applaud him for having both the foresight and fortitude to realize that the traditions from our Yooper heritage are important and need to be preserved. Even though the show is ending the torch has already been passed. This was done through the reach his TV program had, much like tree branches casting shade, into the homes of Yoopers far and wide for literally generations of families. Not only that, but his reach has extended globally, having sat with the prime minister of Finland, as well as two of their presidents. Not bad for a born and raised Ishpeming boy!

I have many fond memories of watching his show through the years of my youth. I may be aging myself a little, but it brings me back to the days when satellite TV was in its infancy, and channels were still somewhat limited, especially if we headed out to camp! Truth be told, my biggest memories of Mr. Pellonpaa come from the event I touched on in my last blog post, Pine Mountain Ski Jumps. You see, Carl was the announcer of the ski jumps for many years. He would announce the jump distances in both English and in Finnish, to the delight of everyone. I remember then trying to mimic what he had just said, and failing quite humorously. Not only that, but he popularized these phrases that people associate with ski jumps:

"Keep your eyes on the hill folks, this guy's a flyer!"
"Ring those bells and honk those car horns folks!"
"Springer Come!"
"Hooooly Wah!" (after a really far jump)

Think about how many times you've heard or said these phrases. In my eyes, Carl is responsible for that. When you combine this with everything his show has done, you have the true makings of an icon in the Upper Peninsula. He belongs in the history books, right next to Voelker, White, Van Riper, and the rest of them. For the last 53 years he has embodied all that is Yooper, and because of him our pride, heritage, and culture will live on for decades to come. He is the SISU oak tree that has grown a UP forest. I hope he enjoys his official retirement, because he's damn sure earned it! With that being said, we bid your show farewell Mr. Pellonpaa, or as you might say in Finnish; Näkemiin good sir...

Yooper Event Spotlight: Continental Cup Ski Jumping

Greetings to all! As I'm writing this we are on the tail end of an actual blizzard across much of the Upper Peninsula. I'm talking 50 mph winds, roads shut down, and civil emergencies announced! I figured writing a new blog would be the perfect way to kill some of the cabin fever I've had from being hunkered down the last two days. Right now I have my fingers and toes crossed that next weekend doesn't bring the same kind of weather, because I don't want anything to interfere with the greatest winter event in the Upper Peninsula. That event is known by two simple words: Ski Jumps.

Every February, ski jumpers from all over the world descend on the sleepy little town of Iron Mountain, Michigan, which also happens to be my hometown. These athletes/daredevils are there for the FIS Continental Cup Ski Jumping Competition, an event put on by the Kiwanis Ski Club, which was founded in 1939. This wonderful organization is the heart and soul of the tournament. Without their hard work and dedication this tradition would never continue. I say tradition because for the local people it truly is one. Competitions in one form or another have been happening here since the jump was first built. I can't say they have happened every single year, but I personally am going to be 30 years old, and there have been competitions held there every year I have been alive. That alone is an impressive feat in my eyes.

The jumping starts Friday afternoon with practice rounds, although in recent years they have started holding a competition on Friday too. Saturday and Sunday are where you really get your money's worth, and $20 a button (students 11-17 $15, 10-under free) gets you in all weekend ($25 at the gate, students 11-17 $20). They hold competitions each day, with the top 6 jumpers making the podium. If you don't know what ski jumping is just keep reading. I'll get to the specifics in a bit!

As I said earlier this is the greatest winter event in the Upper Peninsula, and I said that for a good reason. Except, ski jumps is more than just an event. It is an experience for you and 10,000+ of your new best friends. No, I'm not joking about that number. Last year 11,000 people showed up! The best I can do is try and walk you through it, so let's get started!

You are going to get up around 7:30 or 8am Saturday morning, and get on all of your warm clothes. Be sure to eat a big breakfast too, because you need a good base layer in your stomach before the day starts. Layers of clothing are important, because you are going to be outside all day long! You have to decide on fashion or function as well, because as my dad likes to say "You can't look cool and stay warm at the same time." Before you head to the hill you need to do a checklist and make sure you have your essentials. It's a little different for everyone, but I will show you what mine looks like:

Hat & Gloves - Check
Admission Button - Check
Cowbell - Check
Wood Mug - Check
Beer/Alcohol - Check
Snacks - Check

Okay, by now it's around 9 or 9:30 so you're ready to head to the hill. As you get closer they have road blocks set up. Volunteers will stop your vehicle and ask to see your buttons. If you don't have one you can purchase one at that time. They usually will give you some free hand warmers too, so that's a plus! It's now time to make your way into the huge lot at the bottom of the hill.

Speaking of the hill, here are some more specifics.You know that the tournament is in Iron Mountain, but the competition takes place at the world famous "Giant Pine Mountain Ski Slide." This jump was built in 1937, with the first competition being held in 1938. It is one of the largest artificial ski slides in the entire world, and is the largest pure ski jumping hill in the United States (not counting ski-flying hills). It truly is an impressive site to behold, with the wood and metal scaffold reaching 174 feet above the ground.

The Ski Slide

If you've never seen ski jumping before I can explain it like this. Skiers start at the top of the jump and sit on a bar with their skis in a set of tracks. From there, they look out to the hill's edge where a coach holds a flag from their country. When the coach feels the wind conditions are optimal they will wave the flag telling the jumper it's time to go. The jumper takes off down the slide with their knees bent, and they reach speeds of 55 to 65 mph by the time they reach the end of the slide. When they reach the end they jump and lean their upper body out over top their skis. They then literally fly down the hill as far as they can. The resistance from the air going up the hill underneath their skis is what keeps them floating, which is actually pretty cool from a scientific standpoint, but it also looks really bad ass! The jumpers can soar as far as 471 feet (current hill record) or longer! They are judged on multiple factors including both their distance and their form. At first glance it just seems like crazy people flying down a hill, but it is actually a very technical sport that requires a lot of calculation to go with their athletic ability. It truly is a thrill to watch, just check out this video I took two years ago!

There are really two types of spectators at Ski Jumps. There are those who just park their vehicles way in the back of the lot or they just park on the highway and walk in. Then there are those who get a "spot", which would be the category me and my family fall into. For $50 you can reserve a spot for you and your crew. You have the option to keep your same spot every year, and if you don't take it for whatever reason, it is open for someone else to take. Typically, you see people in the same spot every single year, just like season ticket holders at other sporting events. You tend to get to know everyone around you. These "spots" almost always get set up on Friday, and they consist of an area where you throw out a bunch of hay to get you up off the ice and snow. Many people also put up a shelter or a wind block to keep the elements at bay. Just about everyone has a wood stove of some sort as well. From there you see all sorts of differences in how people like to set things up. Each spot has it's own personality and vibe to it, but the two constants you will see are food and drink in massive quantities! I'm talking everything from chips and dip all the way to chili or fresh porketta sandwiches. I'm talking anything from a can Busch Light to drink all the way to jello shots or homemade apple pie moonshine. If you choose not to carry in your own goods they do have a massive heated pole building where you can get food, drink, and merchandise. Basically, just picture it looking like a Packers tailgate party, but rows of big snowbanks you walk up and down.

A view of the lot from the top of the hill

There is a little something for everyone at ski jumps, and you can stay as far away or as close as you'd like. There are stairs all the way up the side of the landing hill that you can take right to the top, which is where the last photo is from. The video from prior is from the side of the hill too. There aren't many sports that you can get that up close and personal to the action, but that's really the beauty of this event. You can party hard, make it family friendly, or anywhere in between. There's room for anyone and everyone.

Now, if you're the type that likes to drink I'm warning you now that you start early, and by early I mean when you get there at 9:30 or 10am you crack a beer right away. Another of my father's famous sayings is "You can't drink all day unless you start in the morning," and that phrase was basically coined at ski jumps. It is an all day affair of what I call LSD or Long Slow Drinking that goes until the jumping ends around 5 or 5:30pm, but I'm getting a bit ahead of myself, so back track with me a little bit!

The trial round of jumping starts at 11, and everyone is always excited to see jumpers start flying down the hill. The announcers tell everyone over the speakers who is on the bar and what country they are from. When the coach waves the flag as I mentioned earlier the announcers ring a large bell "DING DING DING!" and the skier makes their way down the slide. You will also hear the announcer say "Springer Come!" as they ring the bell. This is a term meaning "jumper come down the jump." I've done a Google search on the term to try and find it's origins and nothing really comes up except mentions of the ski jumps in Iron Mountain. I guess this is a local term that has just lasted through out the years. It's more of a theme than it is a term. Say these words to anyone who has been to ski jumps before and they are sure to give you a big grin and say it right back to you.

The main competition starts at 1, and that's when things really get going. You'll notice all day that after the jumper flies down the hill and lands you'll hear all sorts of applause, cow bells, and car horns going off. Farther jumps get more noise, but we cheer for everyone no matter what. That's part of the fun. It doesn't matter who they are or how good they do. We just appreciate that they have traveled from around the world to come and jump in front of us. These jumpers appreciate us too! I've had the chance to talk to many of them over the years, and they always say Iron Mountain is their favorite place to jump. They say it's because everyone is so friendly, and they love that we make it a huge party. In order for them to ride the chair lift back up the hill to jump again they actually have to walk by a few of the spots the spectators have, and you will routinely see these young jumpers chugging a beer and high-fiving with the fans. These jumpers are all young guys in their late teens and early 20's, so the atmosphere at jumps makes them feel like rock stars, and for that weekend it's totally true.

"Springer Come!"

I feel as though I could write on a novel on this event, and what it means to myself and the community. Yet I could never put into proper words just how wonderful it really is. It is a melting pot of different nations and different types of people, much like the Upper Peninsula was in the various mining towns that boomed back in the old days. This is a true Yooper event for Yooper people, that you will not find anywhere else. It is the people that make this event truly stand out. As you walk around you will run into so many friendly and smiling faces. People who will offer you a bite to eat, a beer to drink, or just a spot to stop and warm up by the fire. If you have yet to experience this event don't hesitate to make the trip next weekend to Iron Mountain. If you are a seasoned veteran I'm sure I will you see you at the hill. Don't be afraid to stop by and say hello. So with that my friends, I say cheers and springer come!

Yooper Food Spotlight - Bimbo's Wine Press

Greetings to all! It's been almost a month since I've written anything new. It would be easy for me to say it was because I've been busy since the start of the new year, but the more honest answer would be I've been a lazy ass, at least as far as writing is concerned. That being said, I'm back in the saddle and I'm coming out swinging!

On the legendary north side of Iron Mountain, Michigan lies a neighborhood tavern known as Bimbo's Wine Press. As you might guess from the name, it is an Italian establishment. You see, the north side is steeped in much Italian history and pride, dating back to the days the iron mines in Iron Mountain were started. Italian immigrants flocked to the area for work, and much like the boroughs of New York were divided up, the north side of Iron Mountain belonged to the Italians and in many ways still does. While its heyday may be long gone, Bimbo's still stands today as a reminder of those golden days, with it's bright red door as the beacon.

The front door to Bimbo's. L'vino torchio is Italian for wine press.  Photo credit goes to  Emily Betz Tyra.

The building in which Bimbo's stands has been a local tavern for many years, but it took it's current name in 1978, when the business was taken over by a local teacher named Bimbo Constantini. I didn't know Bimbo personally, but from what I've been told he was beloved in the community for his great food and his kindness. It's safe to say that these two things have been passed on, because they are in abundance at Bimbo's Wine Press.

From the minute you walk in the door you instantly are taken over by a feeling of comfort. I don't know if it's the lingering smells of homemade Italian food, but you can't help but feel at home. The tin ceiling is hand painted and the colors red, green, and white are in no short supply. Everywhere you look you find Italian memorabilia and photos of Tom Izzo and Steve Mariucci, Iron Mountain's prodigal sons. Of course it wouldn't be a tavern without an 8 foot pool table, complete with a wonderful stained glass light cover (Side note: I helped move the table one time in exchange for a pitcher of beer, but that's a story for another time.) The place has been well kept over the years, like a prized antique, with the soft lighting giving a classic feel that you can't help but appreciate.

Nostalgia, corner pocket.

Behind the bar you will find an incredible gentlemen by the name of Buzzy Olivanti, or Mr. Buzz as I prefer to call him. He is someone I hold in very high regard. I can tell you right now that he's exactly what you picture in your head when you think of what a friendly, old Italian man looks like. He's got white hair, olive oil skin, and a permanent smile that he always greets you with. I like to think of him as the "keeper of the fire" as far as what Bimbo's represents. He's polite and well kept, and he moves without a sense of urgency. He's a living reminder of a time before the world went and got itself in a big damn hurry. He's old school Italian in every sense of the word, and in all of the best ways!

Mr. Buzz

There are no menus at Bimbo's. Just a cardboard pizza circle tacked up behind the bar with writing on it. Your choices are as follows: A boat (Italian sausage in a bowl of gravy with a hard roll), a porketta sandwich, a hot Italian beef sandwich, or thin crust pizza. In all honesty any one these choices is phenomenal. It is homemade Italian food at the highest level! Everything made with a whole lot of TLC, which is apparent in each delicious bite. If you're a Yooper reading this you know what porketta is, but if you aren't in the know it is a boneless pork roast sandwich. The Bimbo's receipe is a secret, and they cook it in an oven specifically made for that purpose down in the basement. This oven is a bit of a mystery as well, as they really won't show it to anyone, at least as far as I know. My personal favorite is their thin crust pizza. I like it because it's cut into squares, and they put the toppings underneath the cheese. Everything else about it, from the flakiness of the crust to the amount of sauce that is used, is just pure perfection. I consider myself a pizza connoisseur, whether it's the Ambassador in Houghton or The Congress in Ishpeming I've had pizza just about everywhere in between. I can honestly say this is my favorite pizza out of any UP spot.

YUM!

Truthfully, as I finish this post I realize I am a bit biased. I grew up in the area, and Bimbo's has always been a staple for me and my family. Regardless of that, this place truly is what I consider a hidden gem of the Upper Peninsula. It is the quintessential "hole in the wall" establishment that travelers and foodies like myself try and seek out. A spot where locals and those who are in on the not-so-well-kept secret come together in fellowship. Make no mistake - it is not a young/hip, or even a busy place. In fact it is the exact opposite. Many times that you go there you may only see 5 or 6 people in the whole bar. Yet from the minute you sit down you are completely absorbed into "The Experience." The experience of loud and animated conversation that Italians are famously known for. The stories and laughter fill the air, and they combine with the food smells in what I can only describe as cacophony of goodness. This amazing food that covers every inch of your stomach, until it feels like it's creeping into your soul, the way only good Italian food can. You are but a stranger there only once, so the next time you're in Iron Mountain it truly is a must stop. Just be sure to send my regards to Mr. Buzz, and he'll greet you with that smile I know all too well. I'm not Italian, although I say all the time that I wish I was, so instead of saying cheers the way I normally end these posts I will close with "Salute!" my friends...