Hei everybody,

Toivo here, learning the ropes as substitute Pasty Cam editor while Charlie takes a few days off. He left me with a whole bushel basket of neat pictures to use during the rest of August, but I just had to show one more from his son's wedding over the weekend. It was Friday night, after the rehearsal, aboard the Keweenaw Star. The families got acquainted over dinner on a cruise up the Portage Canal to the north entry and a beautiful sunset.

If you are new to Pasty Central, the regular editor is Charlie Hopper, who started this website for Still Waters Elders Home in Calumet, back in 1996 with his son Jonathan, who had just graduated from high school at the time. You can here the story about it by clicking the Real Audio link on this page.

In the early years Jonathan took most of the pictures ('a glimpse of life in the U.P.' they called it), and gradually other area photographers joined in with guest pictures. Now each day the shots come from many friends and contributors, mostly from this area known as the 'Copper Country' out here on the Keweenaw Peninsula.

In case you missed it, over this past weekend little Jon-boy got married to Katriina, a nice young lady from the Marquette area. While the newly weds whisk away on their honeymoon, Charlie also is taking a few vacation days, so I'll be yer Cam editor awhile. Have a good week, keep in touch.

By the way, the online order form for ordering pasties will be back available later this week. The folks in Calumet were busy making the pasties for the Minnesota State Fair this month, but are almost done. You will soon again be able to order genuine U.P. pasties for home delivery beginning after Labor Day.

Thank you for your support.

GO TOIVO....Good job, eh!!!

Yah, hey! He's just like a regular Web Guru ;)

Great job. Best wishes to the beautiful young couple.

Toivo just a note to say way to go, this is the first time that a real U.P. guy has had control of this great site! I am sure that Charlie left some great pictures, but lets see some of your choice shots. One little problem that I saw is that the Monday picture is not on the opening page. Good luck, we are all looking foreward to your leadership.

Toivo! How's it going, eh? What hidden talents you have! What a guy to give Charlie (and Edie!) a much needed vacation -- and thanks for showing us another wonderful wedding weekend shot. Congratulations to the newlyweds; may God richly bless your union!

Hello Toivo and Folks, just a couple of questions. Jean Mi mentioned this is the first time a "real U.P. guy has had control of this great site". #1: what is a "real U.P. guy" and #2: if Charlie isn't a real U.P. guy, what is he? I married a Mississippi guy, but he is not a "real Mississippi guy" so I think I can convert him to a "real U.P. guy". A list would be nice, I don't want to leave anything out. Thanks for the help.

In answer to your questions Beverly Toivo was born here and that makes him a yooper (prononced Youper) aka a "real U.P. guy. I think Charlie would be an adopted yooper because he has been up here for quite some time and after 20 years you become a yooper. (Help me out Toivo if I'm off track). I myself am(unfortunatly) a troll (I was born below the Mackinaw Bridge) but am gaining on yooper status. It has been agreed upon that I am a yooper trapped in a troll's body. Hope that helps. I'm sure that any additional comments from anyone else on this subject would be helpful.

After posting the above comments aI realized that I may be appearing a bit smug. I just meant that I am so condusive to the UP it's almost like I should've been born here and in talking with people that were born here or have lived here for over 20 years they have agreed that I am a yooper trapped in a troll's body. Of course I won't be an offical yooper for quite some time (17 years, 11 in a half months) but I can wait.

I know how you feel. I've been trying to move up to the yoop for about 20 years. I don't like "Troll Land" I understand exactly what you have said in both postings. At least you are living up in "Gods Country".

Toivo, good job. Charlie deserves a few days off. To comment on those not "born yoop", being a yooper is sort of in your blood - like icicles or something. You learn how to count by counting trees not cars. You need to feel the wind off the big pond to know everythings okay. To get away from the hubbub of the city you move to the townships, not the suburbs. You can be spun around in any direction and still be able to point UP NORTH and probably drive there with your eyes closed. Must be the iron ore or copper in our veins. I've been living in cheesehead land for 26+ years but I'm still a yooper and dream of my favorite spots - sort of like remembering where you got those stains on the shirt. Anyway, I'm lonesome for the neverending forest in multi-shades of green. It might not be "God's country" but you sure can see it from there.

At ease, Charlie! Nice job, Toivo! and congratulations to Jon and Katriina!! Don't let this get around, I was born in Detroit, but after living UP here for the last 57 or so years I consider myself a yooper t'rough and true. Would not want to be anywhere else! The gold phone up here doesn't have a toll. It's a local call to talk to God. HIS area code is 906. :o)

I think that longing for a place and loving a place whether your there or not, brings out the poet in people. So to all the happy Yoopers, disefranchised Yoopers, Yooper wanabes, Yoopers once were, Yoopers who plan to be again, I bid you good night and sweet dreams.

sorry 'Yooper' is a status acquired at birth in the bounderies of the U.P. and cant be gained otherwise,moreover it is my opinion that all these new folks looming about should be the ones who pay for the water which is plentiful yet the true yoopers pay the same rates on water as these wannabes.its time we establish our rights before we are the minority.mina rakastan usisuomi

I agree with "vekuu' you have to be born there to be a Yooper you got-a-be born one. I'm kind of wondering when this term came into being. Back in the 30s 40s and 50s people from the L.P. were apple knockers(at least in Iron Mountain).In Houghton The Tech guys( only 20 some coeds in my days) were "Toots" and the locals something not worth repeating here.

But the ones who respect the land and the ways need some kind of recognition.