Islands of snow and structures set the scenes for Almost, Maine.
The Tech Theatre Company took us to Maine in their latest production, but it all looked eerily familiar.
Almost, Maine was a village with snowmobiles, a friendly tavern, northern lights, camping, ice fishing, plenty of snow, and, in the end, we discover that everybody knows everybody else.
There were many metaphors for love and loss along the way on a small-town Friday night.
A young couple has a dalliance under the northern lights and shooting stars. Another woman camps out in someone's yard, trying to make amends and mend a broken heart. Another couple is splitting up in the Moose Patty Cafe, but they both land on their feet.
Apartment dwellers get entangled in a laundry room and ruminate on pain and love and painful love. Young lovers seem to be splitting up, with lots of literal baggage being returned, only to be united and engaged.
Two ice fisherman fall in love, literally on the ice, and by the end of the play must crawl off the set. Another couple argues about a missing boot and a skating date that goes bad. (The boot appears out of the sky.)
A woman named Hope returns to Almost to finally say "yes" to a marriage proposal (too late?). And, finally, a snowmobiling couple finds romance after a trail ride and the tomboy's epiphany.
The set was the usual astounding assembly: islands of snow set off each scene. Wooden cabins, bar, houses, and apartments surrounded an icy lake (shaped like a heart). And a Polaris and an Arctic Cat graced stage right.
The northern lights ran through the room. Lighting brought us from scene to scene as did the space music that was also a nice intro, transition, and finale.
What was revealed at the end was the power of love, up-north style, and the talent of our students, faculty, staff, and community, who never disappoint on the other side of campus.
Snowfall Totals
Total to date: 118.5"
On the ground: 26"
In the last week: 18.5"
Total last year: 148"
On the ground: 18"
Recently I read from the Email bag from which someone commented on the
demise of the great Bosch brewery and the loss of the Gilt
Edge premium beer. The statement read like this - the loss " had to be in the late
60's or early 70's." First, anyone interested in the history of the
Houghton area, such as I am, must read the book, Joseph Bosch and the Bosch
Brewery Company by local resident and historian Clarence J. Monette. This
book is available through the Houghton County Historical society and local
stores. 
Briefly, the end of the Bosch brewery formerly and officially came to
an end on Friday Sept. 28, 1973 where festivities were held
at the brewery at the Canal Road location. This was after 99
years of successful beer production. The end came mainly due
to cheaper beer and certainly not better tasting beer coming
into the area for distribution and sale. The festivities at
the brewery began early in the day on Friday and continued well after 6:00
pm that night on Sept.28. After the initial plant festivities and speeches
in the afternoon, a number of horses pulling a wagon from the 1800's and
hauling a one-half barrel of beer (brewed the old time way) marched 4 miles
to Schmidt's Corner bar (the bar still exists today) and more celebration
took place and so well deserved. As much as I myself enjoyed
beer (thanks to my German background) and love of local history, what a
sight this must have been!! 
Dorothy
(Daavettila) Ruohonen