and you can help to save Champion #4
|
Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc.
and you can help to save Champion #4 |
        
Copyright © 1996-2007 Member of the
WESTERN UPPER PENINSULA OF MICHIGAN HERITAGE TRAIL NETWORK Painesale begins Phase II restoration Today begins phase two in the restoration of the old Champion
number 4 shafthouse in Yalmer Mattila Contracting of Houghton is putting up some 90
metal sheets that will complete "It's another happy day in my life", said Jim Katalin,
president of Painesdale Mine & Shaft, Inc. Katalin was recently awarded the prestigious John B. Swainson
Award for a public employee Gov. John Engler presented the award to Katalin during a recent
trip to Lansing. Katalin is PM&S is scheduling each phase of the restoration after money
is raised to pay for it rather than |
Spring / Summer 2007 If you are interested in joining our
group or just helping out, join us at one of our regular scheduled meetings which occur: Winter 2007 If you are interested in joining our
group or just helping out, join us at our next meeting: If you are interested in joining our
group or just helping out, join us at our next meeting: Fall 2006 If you are interested in joining our
group or just helping out, join us at our next meeting: Photos from our open house held on 10/29/06
PM&S Reorganization Meeting After a number of years of little activity at Painesdale Mine & Shaft a meeting was held on September 27, 2006 to attempt to put some new life back into this orginization. The results of this meeting generated a new committee to start again to continue the restoration efforts here in Painesdale. Sherri Brandt - President Spring/Summer 2002 Highlights Letter from the President: Well, here we are in the new year and the Painesdale Mine & Shaft is moving along. Currently we are in Phase III of the restoration of the #4 Shafthouse. We are very excited to tell you that with the hard and diligent work of volunteers we have finally obtained the Hoist Building. Work is in progress and we have had a few tours. We have taken down the interior walls and opened up the hoist so that you can enjoy the beauty of the building. The PM&S has changed officers. I believe that the insight of these people can move us toward our goal. Vice President Rudy Gregorich, lifetime resident of Painesdale and past employee of Copper Range. Rudy has been a pillar in helping obtaining the buildings and for his stories. He resides in Painesdale with wife, Anne. Secretary is Debbie Pindral, what a person! She is phenomenal in keeping the records for this organization. Debbie and husband Chester have two sons, and they were instrumental in the creation of our mine shaft float. Treasurer Bill Cowling and wife Julie, do a fabulous job in keeping track of the finances and helping with the cleaning of the grounds around the property. Trustee Anton Pintar was born and raised in Painesdale and has been a wonderful resource for the history of Copper Range. Trustee Jim Katalin born and raised here and the past President of PM&S, lives in Atlantic Mine. His family history that dates back 80 years in Copper Range mining. Trustee Lori Bastain is the new comer to our group. Her husband Todd and their three children reside in Painesdale. Then there is the PResident, Annette Burtina. I have been in the community now for over 22 years with my husband Stephen and our four children. We have family history that goes backs 100 years and at least 51 years of family history in Copper Range. I would like to thank you for supporting the Painesdale Mine Shaft, because if it was not for your support we couldn't have come this far towards the achievement of our goals. Mattila's receive a Plaque: Painesdale Mine & Shaft wanted to honor Pearl and Yalmer Mattila for their ongoing support throughout the years in the restoration efforts of the Champion #4 shaft. This past year they were presented with a plaque from PM&S and we wanted to take the time to thank them for their donations. Sadly Yalmer passed away in 1999, but Pearl resides in their home in Toivola. The Robert B. Bergdahl Award given to PM&S: The Robert Bergdahl award was given to PM&S for the year 2001. This award is given to a group or person that is outstanding in preserving the local history. This award is given by the Copper Range Historical Society, which is located in South Range. Thank you to Copper Range Historical Society for honoring our group. Thank you for your support during our 6th annual Spaghetti Dinner: We raised over $1200.00 in April during our dinner. Thank you to everyone who came out and enjoyed good food and friends. Mark us on your calender for next year. Other News: Video Project We are starting to work on a documentary video project to record the thoughts and images of past employees of Champion Mine, their experiences working in the mine and living in Painesdale. In order for us to get really serious about this project we would like to get some idea of the kind of iinterest this project might generate. If you might be interested in purchasing a documentary video like this please email us with your thoughts.
|
Join us for our annual Spaghetti Dinner in the spring.
Good food and good friends!
Many thanks to all who helped support our cause.
| Old News | PM&S Obtains the keys to Champion Hoisthouse
For many years now we have been able to access the Champion Hoisthouse for tours, only by
arranging it through Adams Township. This summer we were officially given the keys to the
Hoisthouse so we will be able to have it open at any time. This adds another structure to
our growing list of buildings, cared for and maintained by Painesdale Mine & Shaft
volunteers. Your donations have made it possible and it is all of you we have to thank. James Katalin, President PM&S, Honored with Preservation Award. Click here to read the Associated Press article. Congratulations Jim on all your hard work. Photos from the Centennial celebration of Painesdale July 3rd, 1999 Congressman Bart Stupak visited the shafthouse in July 1999. Over 100 people attended our open house on July 2nd and 3rd. 1999 marks the 100th year of the town of Painesdale and the Copper Range Railroad. Look for special events around the 4th of July. PM&S was saddened to hear of the death of Fred Cole, an original trustee and a long-time supporter of the organization. He will be greatly missed by all. Would you be interested in joining us? For those of you who are visiting or live in the area, our meetings are the third Wednesday each month at Jeffers High School in Painesdale, at 6:30pm. Election of officers was held at the August meeting: Jim Katalin, President |
  |
1997 SIA Annual Meeting included a tour of Champion #4. The PM&S group was decked out in their new PM&S teeshirts and hats which were hot off the press the day before. I was very happy to get mine. John Katalin was a wealth of information regarding hismany
days hoisting men to and from the depths of #4. My favorite story is one about the
first day John worked the #4 hoist. He hoisted his first crew into the Rockhouse. After
a half an hour he got a call from one of the men who had managed to climb down the
skiproad, 100 ft. or so, to the ground to tell him to let the car down a bit so the rest
of them could get out. He almost went home in fear, except the Captain promised to stay
with him and watch over him.Turned out a week later John discovered the Captain
didn't know a thing about hoists.Good fortunes were with John that week.
A picture of me working out the final dimensions of #4 for my model. |
Restoration Activities
  |
Phase I Completed
Phase I of the restoration project
was completed in October 1996. This included installing corrugated metal on the North and
West walls of the shafthouse by Yalmer Mattila Contracting, Inc. at a total cost of
$11,570.00. This construction has enhanced considerably the apperance of the building. We
are pleased with all the work that was done. We are looking forward to Phase II which
would include metal on the South and East walls. As funds become available future plans
include new windows, frames, doors, etc. Please help us on our way by becoming a member
today. Please see our main page for our membership form and we now are offering gifts to
support our project. Thank you for you help and support.
|
