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Some other links of recent interest to Pasty Cam watchers:
• Ancestors 2006  • New Arrivals 2006
•Progress Report: The Hut and Pasty Central Express
Eight years ago on the Pasty Cam: 9/14/98^{Printed on Recycled Internet}

Today's Pasty Cam shot from eight years ago features the Douglass Houghton monument in Eagle River.

Yesterday the board of directors of Still Waters announced that the assisted living home will close on October 1. You can read the full press release on the Still Waters web site.

Morning!

Sorry to hear the sad news of Still Waters!

With still Waters Closing; Are the pasty's still going to be available for purchase online?

Yes, Pasty Central will resume shipping pasties very soon. We are awaiting some final details from the USDA in regard to label changes.

Now more than ever the support provided by Pasty Central will play an important role. Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly is assisting Still Waters residents in their move, and Little Brothers is just one of several non-profit agencies which receive on-going support through the proceeds of the pasty sales.

I am so shocked and saddened to hear that Stillwaters will close. My parents and two aunts received wonderful care there. Where will the people go?

One of the reasons for the closing of Still Waters is excess capacity of assisted living beds in the area. This means many of the residents will simply move down the block, or in some cases, move into a nursing home, of which there are also available beds locally. Some of the folks will go home to live with their families. In a few cases, they will probably be leaving the area.

How very sad that Stillwaters is closing! It sounded like such a good place, and the fact that the residents were encouraged to make the pasties was a unique and very special touch. I'm sure the closing will leave a huge gap in the community.

It is truly sad but we know how hard Charlie and the rest worked to make it continue.

On to the future and GOD willing all will work out for everyone!

Thanks for the encouragement, Tim. We have a press release in response to the closing, posted over on Pasty.NET, which we'll repeat here:

Pasty Central Community Service to Continue
Company makes commitment in wake of Still Waters closing

CALUMET - The projects that grew out of Still Waters Community Elders Home are committed to continuing community service, even though the home is slated for closing October 1. According to general manager Charlie Hopper, Pasty Central and Pasty.NET will expand their support to non-profit service organizations in the Copper Country, such as Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, which is assisting Still Waters residents in their move.

"Pasty Central started as an online fundraiser to support elder care at Still Waters in Calumet," Hopper said. "Even after the enterprise became independent of the home, a portion of the proceeds continued to support it. Our staff is saddened to learn of Still Waters closing, but remains committed to support non-profits who make a difference in our community."

Since 1996 Pasty Central has operated the popular pasty.com web site and sold more than 300,000 pasties via the Internet. In 1999 Pasty.NET was established, first with dial-up service, later adding high-speed wireless and DSL across the 906 area code.

Changes in state regulation almost forced the 70 bed Home for the Aged to close in 2001. At that time, the employees raised capital to buy the pasty projects outright. This provided enough reserve funding to help Still Waters continue in operation another five years.

Earlier this year the Internet service relocated to an expanded network center in Kearsarge, at the Hut Inn, adjacent to Pasty Central's new USDA-approved kitchen, scheduled to come online later this month. The newly remodeled Hut Inn is re-opening as a family restaurant, with a menu featuring old favorites and a selection of new items.

"All of the residents in the original Pasty Central crew have passed on," Hopper added, "and now Still Waters itself is winding down. The enterprises which were born there will continue to carry on the unique traditions of the Copper Country and actively support care for the elderly in Michigan's Upper Peninsula."

Wow, an excess of beds! We have a shortage of such here.

Still Waters had 30 vacant beds when the closing was announced yesterday. A half dozen other local facilities for the elderly also have numerous openings. Quite a few of these have now been reserved for Still Waters residents.

how very sad to hear still waters is closing.
still though I am very happy to hear that the pasty cam will live on.
I would be lost without this wonderful site. my husband laughs at how many times in a day I revisit this site.

Boy, how things have changed over the years. I remember my great uncle having to go to a facility about 100 miles from here for several months before Still Waters had an opening for him. Boy, that was one nice place for our aged loved ones. Lots of love in that building.

Yes, lots of love in that building! I am so grateful my parents were able to go there.

I wonder: what will happen to the building? the garden?

I was so saddened to hear that Still Waters is closing on Oct. 1. I wish everyone well.

The Copper Country is truly fortunate to have enough facilities for
its elderly. Still Waters always sounded like such a special place.
Maija and Charlie said so, so I believe it. Lots of people certainly
tried their best to keep it going. Fundraising efforts were
impressive. Here's hoping that the move goes smoothly for all of
the Still Waters residents who will need to move. The association
between Pasty Cam and Still Waters was a fine one. I, for one,
enjoyed the pictures of residents and former residents.

Best wishes and good luck for the residents that have to move, and the people who now need a new job, but also a heartfelt halleluja that PastyCam is continuing! Thanks for keeping it UP! :)