• Wednesday-What'sUP November 30 - 03:13 am

With the colder temperatures fast approaching, it might be a good time to check out the new library on the Houghton waterfront, the Portage Lake District Library, located at 58 Huron Street. After finding this photo of the exterior of the building in Craig Jordan's album, I decided to look inside by taking a virtual tour of their photo gallery online, too! Sure looks like a great place to while away the cold winter months, while honing up on some of the local history and maybe slipping in a few good mysteries, too. Better head there and stock up before the snow starts piling up.

What a nice building! How about those houghton Gremlins winning the state quarterfinals against Kingsley last night. Sounded like an exciting game.

There's the picture. Very nice, but where'd my other post go?

That is such a nice library. And what an awesome view from there.

Oh, so many books, so little time and that thing called work that gets in the way of my reading. Has anyone read any good ones lately? Any recommendations for the long winter nights?

What does the librarian say when she has to leave?
Time to book

Joanie: I was voted "wittiest" in high school long, long ago, but I think you've got me beat!

vhen vill it snow? I vant to be at Swedetown.

In the days of my youth, the local library was the center of my life. Wish I had a dollar for every book I read in those days! The world is at your beck and call. How sad too many kids are so wrapped up in electronic toys today. Altho the internet has opened up for me more learning, and I'm just doing baby-steps there so far.

My oldest daughter (25) always had her nose in a book; but my younger, who is 14, is not the least bit interested in reading. I keep trying to get her to read because it's a fabulous window to the world, it improves your vocabulary and it's most often free. She has to do some required reading for her English class so maybe that will trigger a lifelong love for it. We can only hope....

Down here in Motown area, we're predicted to get "heavy" snow Thursday nite and in to Friday. this warm is nice (I guess) but kinda creepy. I'm with Pete!

There are even greater books these days for the young ones, as I'm sure our educators here can attest. Like Cindy, I applaud the English teachers who require reading and may perhaps open a door.

Last year, the Portage Lake District Library Director, Jim Curtis, told me that the Library would be placing my three pictures (Smelter, Plow Storage Yard, Lift Bridge) on a wall of the library since all three sites are viewable from the canal windows in the Library. You can see my pictures in the Guest Photo Gallery under "Dennis Valade".

Love to read. The library is a great place. I remember in fifth grade Mrs. Jacka got us to read by having a contest....who could get the most stars(one star for each book read). I didn't but I got hooked on reading.

Getting hooked on reading! When our son was at he right age, we offered him a dollar for every book he read. He could not believe it."Even the small ones?" Yup. I think I paid out $5 but by that time he was hooked. He is now an MD. Love the libraries, especially now with Internet. Makes a vacation so much better when you can check emails. Minnesota has a system where you can return a book at any library in the state. Let's all hug a librarian!

SNOW REPORT FOR CALUMET:

The NWS says that the snow should start in Calumet
this afternoon, and end sometime in May. However, the
clouds out my window are very light and I can even see
blue sky! But, it is very cold and it "feels" like snow
today. Those people who actually want snow should
get their wishes soon enough. Isn't this the "second
week of deer camp" when we always get the snow that
finally stays?

My scoops are waxed, (I also bought one of those new
plastic ones... boy, are they great!) The oil is changed
in our snow blower. The shovels are in the front porch,
ready for action! Bring it on!!! Get the groomer ready.

Hug a librarian? Well, my wife is a librarian. But she is baking
cookies now. Better wait till she is past the flour stage. Good
idea tho!

Cindy/Gone2long, I agree about work getting in the way of reading. But I sometimes inadvertently go into what I call a "reading frenzy": lay down on the bed with a book and the next thing I know it's 2AM. Anybody else do that?

Knock knock.
Who's there?
Snow.
Snow who?
Snow better place to hang out during the winter than the library

Hey - Weather guys are predicting snow all the way down here in Dallas, Texas tonight....

You all in the UP better get cracking. It would be pretty bad if Dallas had more snow than the UP.

Cindy - try anything by Donald Westlake - always a good read

MusicTeacher: thanks for reminding me to wax my scoop!

Gone2long, if you like mysteries try Steve Hamilton's collection of UP based mysteries :) I got a few of Hamilton's books this summer...and of course haven't had a chance to read them, but my daughter and her fiance' seem to have enjoyed reading them, because the books are no longer on my shelf in my office ;)

Looks like the last day Maija and I can where shorts and a T-shirt here in Commerce Twp., back to reality tomorrow, oh well, it was great the last 4 days or so,,,,,,,,

Why did the librarian slip and fall on the library floor?
Because she was in the non-friction section
Sorry, I just had to do one more!

I lied:
Do you know how many librarians it takes to screw in a light bulb?
A. No, but I know where you can look it up!

agree steve hamiltons books are very enjoyable. they are fictional and take place in the soo.

good reading

so what happened to the old, awesome looking library ?

The old Library had so much character. Why couldn't Houghton carry that on to represent the present day?

This discussion about books prompted to me include a post of my own which I very seldom do... My 10-year-old son's class has a reading program in school (5th grade), and he has to log reading minutes. Last weekend I went shopping with him for some books (hopefully some that would keep him motivated to chalk up those minutes), and we found "Dragon Rider" by Cornelia Funke. Exceptional story! He loves dragons, and there are a lot of other interesting characters in it as well. He's reading it out loud to me (in case he had problems with vocabulary which hasn't turned out to be much of a problem), and we both can't wait to get back into the book each night! This author has a few other books as well that look just as good. I highly recommend this author as a good read-out-loud book or one to keep the not-so-interested-in-reading kids interested! And it would be a great Christmas gift, too!

Anyone going outside tonight check out the "Ring around the Moon"

Twenty years ago when I took the job of media clerk at Mishawaka High School I couldn't have found a better job. I have loved to read since a child and continue to read as many books as possible. I now keep a notebook with title and author of every book I read. Over the past 10 years I have averaged 40 books a year. I have a tee shirt that says "so many books, so little time". That is fits me perfectly. I have so many books that I want to read, some I already own and some are on my list. The list grows nearly every day.

At school my boss, the head librarian, and I always argue over who gets to read what new books we get in for the kids. This being high school age we get lots of great books.

I have read all of Steve Hamilton's books except the newest. I wait until it comes our in paperback and then I buy it. The last one of his I bought and saved for our time in Paridise. I really enjoy his books.

Here in IN we are under a winter storm watch for later tomorrow and on into Friday. Just no snow day, please.

It's good to see that reading isn't a lost art. We need to get rid of some furniture to make room for more bookshelves. Charlotte, what's snow?
Mr. Deb

Deb, I'm not sure I remember what snow is. It's been a while since we've seen it. Maybe I should start the snow dance but right now I'm to tired. Maybe tomorrow.

When I was 9 years old (1948) we lived in Houghton. I had a library card even then. Spent lots of time in the old library and loved it! When my oldest daughter was in her 'cos' class, I spent more time at the State Library in Esky.
I got off work at 3 and she was finished at 5, so I had almost 2 hrs a day to explore. I was sad when it was closed.

Reading you say! Oh my gosh EVERYTHING gets in the way of reading. I have so many books, ones I've read, ones I haven't read and ones I need. I could read all day if my eyes would allow it. Right now I'm into Thomas Kinkade's Cape Light series. Anybody into inspirational books with a very good story should read these. They start with "Cape Light". Very good indeed. But mostly I like suspense. Just thought I'd try something new and so far I just love them. I now have them all. You can never read too much.

Charlotte, Thought of you doing your snow dance as I listened to the weather reports for Thursday and Friday. Sorry I can't help you with the snow dance this time...took an unexpected trip down the stairs the hard way today and hurt my leg, so I will have to cheer you on from the sidelines, as you do the snow dance ;)

Go Charlotte...Go Charlotte...Gooooooooo Charlotte :)

Kathyl - oh, yes. Happened first to me with, of all books, "It" by Stephen King. Still happens, though, especially with Dorothy L. Sayers.

Joannniemerg: Thieflord (same author). Maybe a children's book, but that never kept me from reading!
Considering how many people here speak german, why not try the original? More often than not, nuances are lost in translation.
Come to think of it, while not a book, that was a good one, too.

My wife is a media center director in an elem. school and loves to read. Can anyone give me info. on Chistopher Knight so I can order her some books for Christmas? Also any links to other UP authors would be great. Thanks.

David Soumis (Davesou):
"so what happened to the old, awesome looking library ?"

Kelly Belly (Smileyface):
"The old Library had so much character. Why couldn't Houghton carry that on to represent the present day?"

You folks just haven't been keeping up with the news!
The good news, (Smileyface: They did, They did!!)

See The Daily Mining Gazette, Thursday, November 16, 2006:
Click ® Historical museum opens in Houghton’s Carnegie building

Those looking for another good book to read this winter; COLD, by John Smolens. Really good book, set in Marquette/Ishpeming area. I think John Smolens is the creative writing department chairperson at NMU... Good book nonetheless.

Yes, Terry. He writes well. I discovered his books last summer. So
far I've read three.

Now that my report cards, etc. are finished, I'm free to do what I
love to do so much--READ, READ, READ.

The Sweater Letter by David Distel is a true murder mystery that took place in Ontonagon. The suspect was a student in my brother's graduating class of 1973. I was always afraid of this guy. Now I know why.

Thanks, Danbury. We did also pick up Thief Lord, Inkheart, and Inkspell by Cornelia Funke. They look as good as Dragon Rider! If anyone knows of any other great chapter books that would keep a 10-year-old boy with his nose in the book, I would appreciate an email! Thanks!