And welcome back to mix 93 it is time for the bulldog bite Chris Lani is here in the studios with us.
How you doing today?
Good morning, Sam.
I'm doing well.
Thank you for always asking on these Wednesday mornings, particularly when we talk about the weather to start things off usually, you know, it's a little damp out there.
But I'll tell you, I think most of us, I guess I'll speak for myself, obviously, the milder temperatures right now have been very enjoyable, even though it's been what the last several days, but just, you know, keeping some humidity and some, some temperature where you don't have to
Button up, you know put the truck on extra coat things like that in November I tell you I'll take it for sure.
So
yeah, it's not that it's nice to not have to start up my car early.
Yep, exactly, right?
So this morning we we got we got some things to talk about first and foremost we're gonna lead off with with Athletics and then one of our sports programs were fortunate this morning To have with us head varsity hockey coach Joe Burkar.
How you doing coach?
Good morning, Chris.
Thanks for having me.
Yeah, absolutely.
So we're talking about here the first week in November.
It wasn't that long ago.
We were wrapping up the fall season with football across country.
Volleyball still going.
We'll talk about that a little bit later with Coach Lampa in the program.
But here it is.
We're in the first full week of November and you've been on the ice now with the program.
Let's talk about your thoughts going into this season.
Coming off last season, all in all, great effort, great year of performance and some achievements there.
But going into this year, some of your thoughts about where you want to see the program head, some of the highlights that we might look forward to, some of the athletes in particular, your leadership, and some of the other nuggets that go into the start of the hockey season.
Yeah, for sure.
To start with, you know, last year we ended up 14-11 and 3-8.
I thought it was a good year.
I think there was a lot of improvement from a new coaching standpoint for myself, getting to know the players.
We were extremely young.
We only graduated four seniors.
I'm sorry, six seniors.
Three of them, unfortunately, were goalies.
So we're starting this year with two freshman goalies.
The outlook for this year is good.
You know, the goals are to
You know, we always want to win the last game of the year.
We want to win that regional championship and watching what Houghton did last year was incredible.
Those kind of helped set the goals for this year, even still in our players' minds, but at the same time, you know, we're starting off the year slow.
We have Lakeland and football, obviously, in the football playoffs.
That's four guys that were on our team last year.
And unfortunately, we have some major injuries from returning players.
So we're starting off a little slow with a lot of players on the sidelines, whether it's injuries or good luck to Lake Linden this weekend in high school football playoffs.
Returning players, we've got Ben Karenin that's been here for a few years.
We've got Luciano Piolli.
We've got Connor Hellman.
We've got Nolan Hanner.
So we've got some good veterans returning along with Jax Pernier, Chase Karenin.
There's a solid core, but with eight guys out, that's a tough start.
We're going to be asking a lot of young guys to step in and fill those roles until we get some of these players back.
Right and so with that you know going into this this year you know we had the quick turnaround from the football season as you're referencing still with like Lynn and the student athletes so part of the program still competing this week and again as you reference good great good luck to them and then certainly hopefully they continue on on a great run.
That's okay.
So we had tryouts last week and then you know, you were into the full slate.
Obviously we have some of those players with Lakeland and not participating and talked about the injury.
You know, you're gonna have some young players coming up.
I'd have to put in some time.
You know, we have our annual scramble this week.
Do you want to talk a little bit about
that?
We look forward to that.
It's a good setup.
You know, it's us, it's Houghton, it's Caliment and Jeffers and we each play a period, a 20 minute period, take a break, play another opponent.
We play each other, play all three schools locally.
It's a good measuring stick where we're at, what our opponents have.
And also where we're at, we've got a lot of young players that have to step in and fill some roles until we get some of these players back from football and from injuries.
So it's a good format.
The format starts on Friday at three o'clock.
We play at 345 and then I think it's 445 and 530 if my my times are correct, but it's a we're looking forward to it It's like I said, it's a great measuring stick for us And we'll start off the season with a good opponent.
Yeah,
and just to kind of qualify the format so one period of play against each opponent And that's over at the D Stadium
And so, you know, the opponents obviously are our local teams.
The four of us, I believe, Wright, Houghton, Ken, I met Jeffers and ourselves.
And so that's kind of a round robin one period format So everybody gets to look at each other for a period and see how things kind of play out at least at the start front end of the season And so like you mentioned, it's a great measuring stick kind of the from an opening perspective of looking at where you know Your athletes are going to be at and where you know, they fill their roles within the program And so let's talk about going in after the scramble.
Let's talk about the schedule You know, I think part of this too is we've had some modifications of our schedule last couple
years and you want to talk about kind of the front end of where we're at with hosting or going on the road and then some of our traditional opponents that we're looking forward to.
Well after the scramble we kick off next week right away Wednesday we played Jeffers on Wednesday at our ranked the Houghton County Arena.
Friday we have Houghton at the Houghton County Arena and then Saturday we have Kingsford so it's really
coming out of the gate uh... heavy but uh... that there are three home games but uh... with the heavy part of i'd say that just because we've got a lot of young guys that's gotta fill some roles uh... you know depending on our injuries and uh... like when the football of course we want to be like when the football do well uh... and that's a lot to them this weekend uh... some of the other formats we have of course we've got the christmas uh... tournament at the john beginning to say serena that again that was changed last year uh...
I think Micah and Rob Ray had a lot to do with that, getting from four team format to an 18 format.
That'll be, again, this year with an 18 format.
Another showcase.
We'll have the Trenton showcase at the end of January.
We did that last year.
That was a very good exposure for our players.
Good competition that we don't see during the regular season.
And another highlight is we have the Wingding game.
last year we obviously did win that at the whole column this year will be at the D stadium just before high school playoffs for us so there's a lot of good uh... games on our schedule and of course the u p p's we have marquette we have a skinaba negati and of course i did mention kinkford so we've got a we've got a good schedule and then we have three different teams from a scott traveling here uh... to play we've got eagle river wisconsin that won the state championship last year
We played them at their place.
We have them returning this year.
We also have Bayport coming up.
They'll be playing us in, I believe it's December.
So we've got some very good opponents from Wisconsin coming up to play.
And just one more.
I'd be remiss if I didn't throw it out there.
Alumnus of the Hancock Bulldog Hagi family and a current head coach down in Traverse City Chris Givens, you know, we have TC Central coming up on the on a non-typical or traditional date that they would come up typically they'd come up in the first week of December And compete against us and another team locally that date has changed.
It's actually gonna be before Thanksgiving this year.
I believe it's on the 20th.
Correct
Correct is Friday the November 20th, and yeah, you're right
I think Chris has been bringing Traverse City here for close to 20 years now.
They play off on Friday night.
They play Houghton on Saturday afternoon.
And of course, like you said, he's a Hancock alumni, well-known name in the community.
He does a great job with Traverse City.
It's always a good competition for us to start off the season.
Early as he were rat, but we look forward to that weekend also.
Yep.
Absolutely.
So always look forward to Coach Givens and his program come up just a, you know, a well balanced.
Obviously, coach is extremely well.
They are very respectful of their time when they come up here.
They know the history and tradition behind competing against Hancock and Houghton on these weekends.
And so always fortunate to have them travel up and certainly it allows us to again gain those home dates for us, right?
You reference next week.
with the start of the season.
Obviously, being in our own barn, so to speak, and having those home dates, that should be beneficial to the program.
Obviously, our kids play there every single day with practice and then they see games.
Most of them growing up in the Hoco, and so it's just that the venue itself always lends to the proper and appropriate and wonderful support by our Bulldog community when the kids run the ice.
Yeah, it really is.
You know, the Hoco over the years, they've done a lot of improvements to the rink.
We moved into a new locker room last fall, which is very beneficial for the program.
JV got their own locker room.
So there's a lot of great things that have been happening along with the rink.
I mean, over the years, we both know that they've done great improvements to the rink.
Of course, players love the new locker room atmosphere.
The JV has her own home.
So beneficial as far as home ice advantage.
And we're definitely looking forward to that.
A slew of good home games this year.
Absolutely.
Coach, anything else you want to add just with regard from your own perspective from the head bench seat over the program and looking ahead or any other outcomes you're thinking about?
Yeah, with this year, we keep our coaching staff in place.
Kyle Hosworth, of course, alumni of Hancock, he's been with the program for a long time.
He'll be an assistant.
Matt Marshall will be an assistant.
And Ken Bergerby will be our goalie coach.
So we're looking forward to that.
We worked well together last year.
We did a lot of good things, improved the players as far as development and as a team.
And we're excited for the season to start.
Absolutely.
I think we all are.
You know, you're on to start and we talk about the weather.
And of course, you know, with hockey comes the change of the weather and the anticipation of snow and ice, obviously.
So it's nice.
And we always talk about that whether it be fall or spring or summer hockey being able to go to the rink without having to put those layers on.
So we'll take advantage of it for the short time.
And we'll certainly look forward to watching you and the program take shape this season.
Certainly get through this front end here with perhaps those injuries you talk about.
the young players getting some excellent time to help mature and develop.
And as we always say in the locker room, you know, you're only a rookie up until your first game.
After that, you become a veteran.
So we're looking forward to it, coach.
I'm not sure if we lost him.
Coach is still there.
Here we are for sorry, traveling this morning.
I thought I was in a good area and timing it for the phone call this morning.
There we are.
I lost you for about 30 seconds.
Okay, so that's okay.
You missed a long jaunt by myself, which again, I got in my soapbox a little bit, but...
No, just going back to looking forward to the season here coming up, certainly with your mentorship of the team and the program.
Certainly, we're looking towards that excitement, the build up too.
And yeah, we'll watch you guys on the ice, even though we're still not snowing and icing outside.
We'll let that be for a little bit and enjoy the time frame and look for excitement for Bulldog Hockey.
Appreciate the time, Chris.
And Sam and we're looking forward to the season.
Thanks again.
All right.
We'll talk to you soon coach.
Thanks.
That's right.
Thank you for
coming
on.
All right.
That was a wonderful conversation.
Even though I, you know, I think Joe missed half of what I was saying.
It's okay, you know, for the, for our listening community out there, obviously, you know, trying to regroup a little bit and get the information we want and just the comments from coach is important.
So I appreciate Joe being on with us this morning.
Other pieces that we want to get to Athletically still staying involved.
So we referenced there with with coach Joe Bulldog volleyball is still happening coach Lampa and the Lady Spikers here for us.
They play tonight So this is the district semi-final match.
They're gonna be playing dollar Bay at the HCH gym here in Hancock tip off
tip off that's basketball, but opening serve, 6 p.m.
sharp.
And so looking forward to tonight's contest with Dollar Bay.
The other semifinal is Barraga in Lake Linden in Barraga.
And so the winner of the two contests will compete tomorrow night.
If we're fortunate enough tonight to win, then...
If Lake Linden beats Barraga, then we will host tomorrow night Thursday at 6 p.m.
as well at the HCH gym.
If we win tonight and Barraga wins, then we will be traveling to Barraga tomorrow.
So just for the district context, Barraga was the host school this year.
So any contest they compete in they will be the host irregardless within the bracket setup If the host loses then it goes down who's on the top of the bracket on down and so we were at the top because we were the first seed and so ultimately By default then if Berrigan doesn't host we automatically host so hopefully tonight We'll have a good contest and look forward to tomorrow evening
And if we're fortunate to host again, we'll look forward to having all of our Bulldog community come out and support the Lady Bulldog volleyball players.
And in Coach Lampa, they've been doing an exceptional job.
They are ranked first here in the UP and certainly do an exceptional job, have an exceptional season.
And hopefully they can continue that run as they did last year.
And so we'll just wait and see.
And perhaps next week, we'll have an opportunity to talk with Coach Lampa before they make another trip.
so to speak.
So just we'll stay in tune to that piece.
And yeah, we'll be looking good there.
Some other notes.
And I know we're kind of time here.
You're doing good.
Yeah, I know.
You're doing good with me, Sam.
Thanks.
So, you know, outside of athletics and outside of our daily operations within the buildings, you know, yesterday was a pretty big day, right?
Not only locally, obviously state as well as the
the entire country with regard to the election.
And so we had a couple of things on there locally that have a major impact on our school operations.
And so I just want to touch base on those real briefly.
So thank you to the supporters out there.
The Copper Country Intermediate School District special education village did pass.
And that was really important.
You know, from a standpoint of trying to promote different initiatives out there, you know, the ISD, Superintendent Radiola, his staff, they were getting out, they were getting information, but yet it wasn't really understood and known the importance of that.
And so the ISD houses our special education services for all of our local districts, basically.
And so we rely heavily on the supports that the ISD provides.
And if this mill didn't pass, then
all those costs and all those things that go into supporting our special education students would have been then back on the school districts themselves.
So that was hugely important.
So that's a tremendous benefit.
Each of our districts has a significant population of special education students that are housed within the resource rooms and the teachers and faculty within those programs, which rely heavily on a lot of the support.
So very important.
So thank you there.
The city recreation millage passed.
That's an indirect benefit, obviously, to the schools with regard to operations, whether it be at the whole co as an example, at the ball fields, at the, you know, we'll call it the dog park, we'll call it the.
the disc golf area, all those spaces and other initiatives where, you know, we have a tied partnership with the community within the city.
And so very important there, just with regard to what we want to help sustain in operations with our students and the families or community.
So great, great effort there with the rec village, the library village.
the Hancock area district library.
So this has been you know on the docket a significant early push not early I shouldn't say that late push in August to get this all done and you know through the benefit of the city the school district and then our communities put together an autonomous group to help organize and run this prospective area district library and this will sustain operations for the library in turn taking
the expense away for the district.
So both direct and indirect benefit because we're getting services as we are having as we have them now for our students directly during the day.
And then those services now are going to be afforded a cost outside of our general fund obligations.
So.
You know, we've been operating with a partnership through with PLDL that that type of operation will continue.
We'll continue to have those services provided with the library and the staff, the resources available to our students.
And by and large, the community, you know, it's located in our high school, middle school building.
And so we have a lot of visitors from that for that purpose.
And so just by and large, wasn't sure where that was going to go.
But the fact that the community said that is an important feature, an important piece to be able to have our community go into our building and have that resource both to the members of the community, the families, the district, and then the students themselves is really important.
So thank you to those voters out there as well.
And then we do have a new slate, not a new slate, we have a...
An incumbent slate and a couple new members to our board that I just have been elected.
So on a rotation we had our current president and vice president Michael Angkor and Charlie Klein were We're on the ballot this year for renewal and they they got full terms We also had a new member
in a full term capacity, Mike Nealetskola, and I believe a writing candidate as well, Dustin Mitchell, and then our partial term.
placement in Rob Jeannotte.
And so we're looking forward to those members coming on in January and helping support the district.
With that, we are going to be losing, you know, with this ballot, we are going to be losing some members of the board who've been exceptional members in working with and helping support and drive the initiatives and direction of the district.
We're going to be losing Ms.
Catherine Jordan.
She's been a long-standing member of the board.
She's a former president.
Taylor Paul, Ms.
Taylor Paul, she's going to be stepping aside.
And Mr. Rod Pavla as well has also been a longstanding member of the board.
And so we just want to thank them for their time.
They're going to have another month, obviously this month, November and then December as well being active, but certainly want to recognize all the.
time, effort, commitment, and dedication of being Bulldogs.
And so that's been hugely important.
And I just want to, you know, from my seat, thank them for their time and then also just recognize our newer members coming in in January.
All right.
Anything else you want to mention?
You know, I appreciate the extra five minutes this morning.
That's been great and certainly getting a lot of information out there having coach Joe on and talking about some of the election pieces that are important to the district.
Certainly when people have questions, if they have anything, anytime reach out, you know, I put out as much as I can and I don't always make it to every single...
communication formed for people to hear.
But if you're in and around the building, stop by.
My door's open.
If you ever need a call.
Call me if you want to send an email send an email and that's just not for people internal to the district that is by and large the community You know, I'm a bulldog.
I'm a Hancock native We have a high degree of pride and everything we do everything we want to do The priorities of the district priorities are the families of our communities and so that's that's always at the forefront and so that's that's important to me it will always be important to me and ensuring that if you want to have a voice and an opportunity to hatch at reach out
and have one because I'm there for that.
So I'll say that as always, Sam, appreciate your time.
All right.
Yeah.
It's a pleasure to have you as always.
This has been the Bulldog bite.
You're a mix 93.
And here we are welcome back to mix 93 and it's time for Hancock happenings Tom Gast is here.
How you doing Tom doing pretty good.
Good morning, Sam It's a balmy balmy November day out there and how often do I say that like never?
It's pretty warm
It is it's pretty warm out there.
I was thinking that yesterday just on the rain and Strangely hot.
Yeah, strangely like humid too or I guess
when it's cool enough, it's damp.
But it's obviously damp enough for a ton of rain.
We've been just getting so much.
But I guess let's hope that that takes care of some of that drought that we've been getting out there.
That's right.
It's watering the plants.
It's watering the plants.
Absolutely.
They need their water.
So guess what?
They're getting it for sure.
That's right.
Hey, but we've got a lot happening here in Hancock.
So let's jump right on in.
So we just had our last pickups of the fall cleanup pickups here in the city of Hancock with our DPW.
But if you still have your biodegradable bags, those green bags, and you have leaves and twigs and bundle branches, you may still bring those up to the DPW garage.
And that is at 1601 Tomasi Street.
And that is for City of Hancock residents only.
So if you still have some of those biodegradable bags and you didn't get into that free pickup that we do, that ended on Friday the 30th.
So if you still have a refuse and must be biodegradable in those green bags or bundled sticks and branches, you may bring that up to the DPW garage.
And that's at 1601 Tomasi Street.
And that's during operating hours during the week, weekdays.
So that is a great service for those that did not get into that pickup.
So we've got lots of fun happening Thursday night.
And that is every Thursday night here in downtown Hancock.
And it's a place to be for game night.
We've got Casey Bonkers at 119 Quincy Street.
Every Thursday they have game night.
Great idea.
to bring the family board games.
What a great way to have your coworkers.
You could have team work with games and great social time as well with your friends.
So that is every Thursday.
Casey Bonkers at 119 Quincy Street.
And then for you trivia heads out there, we've got the perfect thing for you.
New Teenies Supper Club at 321 Quincy Street hosts hosts.
Trivia night every Thursday and that begins at 8 30.
So what a wonderful way to start thinking of the weekend Get your friends again together all those who love trivia.
This is the place for you to be that is every Thursday new Teenies supper club We've got Friday evenings open skates at the Hoco arena and that's every Friday 6 45 to 8 p.m.
And you know, we've got the holidays coming up and if you have special birthdays special anniversaries a holiday
party that you'd like to throw, what a great idea to rent the ice sheet at the Hoco.
And it's really as easy as one, two, three.
All you have to do is email arena at cityofhancock.com.
And that's arena at cityofhancock.com.
They will help you with your reservation.
And like I said, what a wonderful, wonderful way to have a great party, a landmark birthday, a super awesome anniversary.
And again, those holiday parties, what a creative way to get your team.
building with a company or a corporate party right there at the Hoco.
We've got November Arts.
We turned that calendar as soon as Halloween came.
Well, guess what?
It was November.
We hope everybody was able, were able to handle that time change.
We went back to standard time and we've got arts in the city of Hancock, which we love.
And you can mark your calendars for the Copper Country Community Arts Center's party with the arts that's next Thursday.
November 12th from 6 until 8 p.m.
So this is also the Shaft reception, the Shaft artwork reception.
And also the Northern Woods Youth exhibit.
So that party is going to be, again, on the 12th where you can enjoy food, live music, a silent art auction.
And that's all free and everyone is invited.
So this is also a great time to either become a member of
Copper Country Community Arts Center or renew your membership.
So that's all happening November 12th from 6 until 8 p.m.
We also have the Finlandia Art Gallery who presents the works of Joyce, Koskin, Mackie, Kayo, Miwa.
Maggie Parr, Randy Wakeham, and Kenyan Hansen.
These featured works are painting, printmaking, fiber, drawing, and clay works all throughout, almost all throughout the month of November.
November 20th is the last day that you can enjoy that show.
And it is a great show.
So get on over there, check that out.
So two great galleries here in the city of Hancock.
The Winter Parking Band is now in effect
that happened on November 1st.
So, we want to make sure everyone knows that it is unlawful for any person to park a vehicle on any city street between the hours of 2.30 a.m.
and 7 a.m.
from November 1st through April 30th.
So, and this is also strictly enforced.
So, we just want to make sure everyone knows that the Winter Parking Band is in effect.
We're also decorating the halls here in the City of Hancock.
Over the next couple of weeks, our City of Hancock DPW will deck
We will be decking Quincy Street all the way from Reservation down to M203 Junction.
So please give them a break.
Slow down when you see them in the cherry pickers.
They are doing the decorating and lighting of Quincy Street.
And we're getting ready for the 55th annual Christmas Walk, and that is presented
by the Hancock Business Association, the HBA.
This is 55 years of tradition here in the city of Hancock, and they kick off the holiday season here in the Copper Country.
That's the day after Thanksgiving, November 27th, and the Quincy Street will begin to be closed down at 5 p.m.
So make a mental note on that, get that on your calendars, because we wanna make sure we're gonna have a super safe and fun event in the city of Hancock.
to welcome Santa Claus.
Santa Claus will be here to light the Christmas tree.
So the Christmas parade kicks off the entire Christmas and holiday event at 6 p.m.
If you would like to be in the parade, we would love to have you in the parade.
What a wonderful way to advertise your business or just get your family together, work group together.
Awesome parade to get everyone together to kick off the holidays right here in Hancock.
So after the
Christmas tree lighting.
We've got dog sled rides on Quincy Green.
We've got Christmas cookie decorating at the Copper Country Community Art Center.
We've got hot cocoa stands, craft stations, hay rides, face painting, and so much more.
We've got the Kiviot dancers.
They'll be doing a Christmas dance.
We'll be kicking off the scavenger hunt for kids.
So that'll start on that evening.
Businesses are asked to
be open late.
We're going to be open.
We're going to be parting until 8 p.m.
So we'd love for everybody to be open.
Let's kick off the Christmas holiday season with local shopping right here in downtown Hancock.
So businesses, you want to be involved in the window decorating the
The theme for this year is joy to the world.
So how do you love the holidays?
How do you express joy during the holidays?
This is how you're going to want to decorate your windows.
And then also the theme for the parade is joy to the world.
So let's all get excited about the holidays right here in Hancock.
That's November 27th, six until 8 p.m.
Right here in downtown Hancock.
Also, there is a call for art.
Yes, call for artists.
at the Copper Country Community Art Center.
Haken Piva is coming back, and that is going to be January 23rd, and they're going to be hosting the Animal Life Art from the Kalevala show.
Artists are invited to delve into the Kalevala, which is the Finnish epic poem.
And to find their reference to one of the many animals that are integral to these stories.
Artists may submit up to three works in any medium and are asked to provide the passages from the Kalevala that inspired your work.
So there's no entry fees and the works must be submitted by December 23rd.
So if you want to be a part of the show, what a great way to be a part of Hagan
And we really hope everybody has a wonderful week out there and enjoy this warmth of fall that we're enjoying so far in November and everyone have a great week.
That's right.
I hope you have a great week as well.
Thank you.
This has been Hancock happenings.
You're a mix 93.