As we say our final goodbyes to the summer sun, we look forward to our favorite fall traditions here on campus. Though Pride Month, a celebration of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community, is celebrated each June in the United States, Michigan Tech hosts its own Pride Week each September, to celebrate and raise awareness for the local LGBTQIA+ community. This year’s Pride Week starts on Sunday, Sept. 19 and ends Saturday, Sept. 25 with the annual drag show, a beloved tradition in and of itself at Michigan Tech. 

Hosted by Keweenaw Pride, the event boasts a week filled with activities celebrating the LGBTQIA+ community. Keweenaw Pride (KP) is a student organization at Michigan Tech “for LGBTQIA+ people, their straight allies and friends who seek to provide a safe place for those in need of support,” according to their Involvement Link page. 

“Having organizations like KP is super important on college campuses because it helps make people feel like they are wanted and included,” says Jordan Zais, Vice President of the organization. “It already can be pretty intimidating to attend college, so having organizations like KP is a great way to help students feel more comfortable and included.”

Pride Week kicks off on Sunday, Sep. 19 with ribbons displayed across campus. Students will not be able to participate in this event, but they will be able to enjoy it after the decorating has been done. KP members will hang brightly-colored ribbons patterned with the different color pairings that represent different identities found within the LGBTQIA+ community.

On Monday, Sep. 20, Keweenaw Pride will be hosting a game night at 7 p.m. in Fisher 129.  In addition to board games, activities like charades and the popular party game Mafia will be available for enjoyment. If you’re feeling crafty, join KP in front of the Hamar House (Center for Diversity and Inclusion) for some rock painting on Tuesday, Sep. 21 at 3:30 p.m. Bring your thinking cap and competitive edge to Trivia Night Wednesday, Sep. 22 at 7 p.m. in Fisher 129. LGBTQIA+ jeopardy and various Kahoot challenges will be available for participants. 

On Thursday, Sep. 23, Stefani Vargas Krause will speak on queer relationships at 6 p.m. in Fisher 138. Vargas Krause, who is currently employed at Northern Michigan University as coordinator of their Student Equity and Engagement Center (similar to MTU’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion), previously worked in Michigan Tech’s Student Leadership and Involvement office. 

On Friday, Sep. 24, an ally pledge will take place at 12 p.m. near the Husky Statue. This is an opportunity for allies of the LGBTQIA+ community to sign a banner showing their pledge of support. 

A fan-favorite event for over 20 years, the annual Michigan Tech Drag Show returns in-person this year on Saturday, Sep. 25 at 8 p.m. in the SDC Wood Gym. Last year, the show was held virtually, but it’s back on-campus this year, with all of its usual glory and splendor as the energetic ending to Pride Week. “Drag shows are a truly unique piece of LGBTQIA+ culture,” Zais says. “We hope to be able to share the experience with as many people as possible!” 

For students familiar with the drag show, there will be a few notable changes. “After 20 years of putting on drag shows, we wanted to change things up in new and exciting ways,” Zais says. Instead of the show’s usual Rozsa Center location, this year the event will be held at the SDC, in the Wood Gym. “We think that this location change will allow the performers to interact with the audience a little more,” Zais explains. 

There will also be some new performers at this year’s drag show from the Chicago area. Queens Sasha Love, Aurora Gozmic, Doja Thee Kiki, Luc Ami, Siichele, and Vanda LaRose will take center stage this year! Some took part in the virtual drag show Keweenaw Pride held last year, but 2021 will be their first year performing live and in-person at Michigan Tech. Drag queens bring a contagious sense of energy to the stage each time they perform. It’s difficult to keep from dancing along in your seat as they perform! A common tradition at drag shows is to tip the performers, so bring cash if you would like to do so!

The drag show is free to all Michigan Tech students with their Husky Card. Otherwise, the cost is $3 for students that do not attend MTU (with a valid non-MTU ID) and $7 for all non-students (this includes community members, faculty and staff). 

Events like Pride Week are especially important in smaller communities like Houghton. “Small communities often are more isolated from the outside world, so having events like Pride Week and the drag show that help highlight minority communities are super important to help broaden people’s perspectives,” Zais says. “Houghton has the advantage of bringing in thousands of people from different places since it’s a college town, but it still is a different community than communities surrounding universities in larger cities.”

To contact Keweenaw Pride, email them at pride@mtu.edu or attend one of their general meetings on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. in Fisher 129. You can also visit their Involvement Link page, where you can see more information about the organization and find contact information for their E-Board members. For more resources concerning the LGBTQIA+ community at Michigan Tech, contact the Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) by email (diversitycenter@mtu.edu) or visit their office in the Hamar House on campus. 

We’ve all been there — the calculus problem you don’t quite understand, the physics concept you’re having a hard time grasping, organic chemistry (all of it) — sometimes, certain classes at Michigan Tech prove more challenging than others. Especially for students who have always known success, it can be difficult to reach out for help. Thankfully for Michigan Tech students, the university has learning centers in just about every subject offered. Whether you’re struggling with biology, engineering, or an essay, MTU has a learning center for you. 

Many first-year students are required to take some form of entry-level chemistry course at Michigan Tech. Often described as “weeder courses,” these classes truly put new students through the ringer. The Chemistry Learning Center (CLC) offers great resources that can help students succeed in these difficult courses. Students can schedule one-on-one or group appointments, which can be recurring or one-time. Whether you’re struggling with one concept or many things throughout the course, the coaches at the CLC are there to help. They are currently offering both in-person and virtual services. Click here to make an individual appointment. They have specialized hours for first-year chemistry classes and organic chemistry, but feel free to stop in during their walk-in hours for help in other courses as well. 

The Engineering Fundamentals Learning Center serves as a helpful spot for first-year engineering students, who are all required to take specific, entry-level courses as they begin their academic career at MTU. They serve to help with projects, homework, and other concepts learned in the class. They currently have in-person walk-in hours, and you can also get help through Zoom drop-ins. 

If math is the subject you struggle with most, then the Math Learning Center is for you! Their team of dedicated coaches can help you learn the difficult concepts covered in your calculus classes. You can sign up for an appointment with them here, and if those times do not fit your schedule, you can also email them at mlc@mtu.edu to find a different time. They also offer walk-in hours, if that fits your schedule better. 

The Michigan Tech Writing Center, previously known as the Michigan Tech Multiliteracies Center, offers help to students of all disciplines with writing assistance. Whether you are creating a cover letter, drafting a research paper, or dabbling in some creative storytelling, the coaches at the Writing Center can help you with many aspects of writing. They currently offer online and in-person meetings, which you can schedule on their website.

The university even has a Career Services Learning Center, where students can get help crafting a resume, work on building networking skills, and even run through a mock interview. As Career Fair approaches and many students start applying for full-time positions and internships, a meeting with a career services counselor may be just what they need. Currently, the Career Services Learning Center is operating on a digital basis. A virtual appointment can be scheduled on Handshake. You can also contact them by email at career@mtu.edu with any questions. 

If you’re looking for help in areas of college life other than academics, Michigan Tech has Success Coaches available to all students through the Waino Wahtera Center for Student Success. These peer mentors (yes, they are also MTU students!) can help with things like time management, study habits, social interactions, and other skills that are useful during a person’s time at Michigan Tech. You can schedule an appointment by emailing success@mtu.edu, and they also offer walk-in hours throughout the week.  

As the new semester begins, it’s important to take advantage of tools like the learning centers to start your classes off well. Learning centers are great to utilize if you’re falling behind in classes, don’t understand a topic, or are just looking to improve your grades. For a full list of Michigan Tech’s learning centers and all of their resources, click here. 

Earth Day, while overlooked by many, is an important holiday that comes around every April with the same goals in mind: celebrating the wonders of our planet, and protecting and preserving it for future generations. April 22 was indoctrinated as Earth Day in 1970, and the holiday has grown worldwide since then. To celebrate such an important occasion, Michigan Tech’s Sustainability Demonstration House (SDH) and Dining Services have joined together for a special, one-night event in the McNair Dining Hall: Michigan Tech’s First-Ever Earth Day Dinner!

“Environmental issues are some of the most pressing, if not the most pressing, issues facing society at the moment,” says Kendra Lachcik, a SDH tenant and the main organizer of the Earth Day Dinner project. You may be wondering how an Earth Day dinner could be beneficial to promoting sustainability and environmentalism. According to data provided by the SDH team from a University of Michigan study, plant-based foods have reduced greenhouse gas emissions and require less water than meat-based foods. For example, the production of 400 beef patties creates 1480 kg CO2 eq of greenhouse gas emissions, compared to the same production of veggie patties at 160 kg CO2 eq. Those same 400 beef patties also require 87,360 liters of water for their cultivation and production, compared to 440 liters for veggie patties. 

While many people might be wary about eating a meal that is 90% plant-based, trust me when I say that there will be numerous delicious options! Trade in your traditional beef burger for a black bean or portobello mushroom option. Ditch the normal and bland marinara and alfredo sauces for a homemade marinara and a rich cauliflower cream sauce. Vegan pizzas will replace the greasy dining hall options. Buddha bowls, packed with delicious and nutritious couscous and quinoa, offer a healthy and filling meal that one could easily make on their own. International cuisine will also be offered in the form of red lentil curry and palak paneer. Of course, one can’t forget about dessert, and the SDH certainly did not! Try a slice of vegan cookie cake or a bowl of chia seed pudding. Step out of your comfort zone and try something new, something healthier, something more environmentally friendly, and, not to mention, something absolutely delicious! 

Even though this project is a great way to introduce Dining Services and on-campus students to environmentally conscious dining practices, there is still a lot of work that could be done in Michigan Tech’s dining halls, according to Lachcik. “Right now, virtually all food waste from the dining halls ends up in a landfill. It would be ideal if some or all of this waste could be composted instead, either on campus, in the community, or at a commercial facility.” Other problem areas include the disposable utensils and containers provided to students that take their meals outside of the dining hall, due to the COVID pandemic. Most of this is not recyclable, so it ends up being thrown away and ending up in landfills. Plastic bags used to carry these items are also an unnecessary waste, according to Lachcik. 

Beyond the sustainable food options, compostable utensils will be available to students during this special meal. The utensils are alternatives to the plastic options offered by the dining halls that must be thrown away and sent to the landfill. These single-use utensils (like these) are often made of plant-based materials, meaning that they can be composted, unlike their plastic counterparts. 

If you are interested in attending the SDH’s Earth Day Dinner, head over to the McNair Dining Hall from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday, April 22. Everyone is encouraged to attend, and if you do not live on-campus or have a meal plan through the university, individual meal passes can be purchased at the McNair Hall front desk for $12.95. For more information, you can contact the SDH at sdh@mtu.edu. See the full menu and additional details below on the event flyer. 

“The least we can do is celebrate Earth Day and raise awareness about environmental causes and do our best to educate others on how to be better stewards of the earth,” Lachcik says. “But really, every day is Earth Day.”

EarthDayDinner2021_Flyer

Don’t get me wrong, I love my housemates! They are all wonderful, incredible human beings. They are smart, funny, kind, and they are great people to share a house with. But … sometimes, I truly wonder why I live with them. Not in a bad way — not when they don’t do their dishes, or when they yell while playing video games at 3 a.m. — those things don’t actually bother me. Sometimes, they just do weird things, and I truly wonder, “Why do I live with these people?” Interested in a day-in-the-life of me and my wonderfully strange housemates? Keep reading.

Sarah

Sarah is awesome. She’s creative, she’s smart, and she is literally the glue that holds our house together. She is the mom-friend. She’s cool and trendy (she has purple hair and a nose ring, that’s all you need to know) and she’s a ton of fun. But sometimes, Sarah can be a bit extreme. Not in a bad way — she’s not doing death-defying stunts or anything, she just gets angry when our other housemate, Tyler, doesn’t eat his vegetables. Tyler is 21, he can feed himself, right? Wrong. Tyler doesn’t like vegetables. It gets so bad that we once had to pay him to eat a piece of lettuce. He threatens to vomit if we try and get him to eat a green bean. Sarah gets upset about this, because as the mom friend, she just wants to look out for him. She wants him to be healthy. One time, she got so worked up that she decided to pull a prank on Tyler, and dumped a box of Cheez-It crumbs in his bed. Yes, in his bed. It was funny, yes, but also extreme. It also made me think, “Who even is this person? And why do I live with her?”

Nik

Nik, like his girlfriend Sarah, is also awesome. He’s smart, fun to be around, and can always be relied on as a comic relief. He makes lots of jokes, even if they don’t always make sense. He’s obsessed with coffee and is very good at video games that I don’t even pretend to understand. Seems like a normal dude, right? Wrong. Nik is, with peace and love, one of the strangest people I have ever met. He just does little things that are absolutely weird yet hilarious at the same time. He poses the most ridiculous dinnertime discussion questions (“If you had to be murdered, how would you want to be murdered?”) and sprays himself in the face with the cat water spray bottle (which we have because our cat is a jerk). He sings the alphabet loudly in the shower and somehow can make almost every Minecraft sound effect known to humanity. He also swears that an imaginary drink by the name of modka (milk + vodka) would be appetizing. I don’t have a specific example for Nik, because I just can’t recall one specific event that makes me question why I live with him. The truth is, I question why I live with him every day. 

Sophie

Ahh yes, Sophie. Dear, dear Sophie. A great student, a phenomenal friend, and all around a joy to be around. She can always make us laugh (even when she’s not trying) and knows how to be the life of any party. We have a ton of shared interests (mainly Harry Styles and Pride and Prejudice) and I enjoy bonding over those. However … Sophie is a strange soul. We have a digital quote book that we keep between us friends, and Sophie has the longest list. So, instead of describing a strange Sophie scenario, I’m going to take you through some of my favorite Sophie quotes. One time we were in Marquette, at Jilbert Dairy getting ice cream, and Sophie spotted a container of sour cream. This, for some reason, was incredibly perplexing to her. She couldn’t figure out why cream would be sour. “Sour cream?” she said, her eyebrows furrowed. “Oh. Sour cream!” Sophie also gets frustrated with men sometimes —  I don’t blame her, who doesn’t? But one time she so eloquently said, “All the men you ever know are men.” You know, Sophie? You’re right! How philosophical. Sophie also loves horses, and I think she sometimes wishes to be one. She one time said, “Juicy grass,” as if it would be the most enjoyable food ever. There are more that are probably not Lode appropriate, so I won’t share them. Just use your imagination. These quotes and more have me questioning why we allow Sophie to live here. Oh and also, she turns 21 on Saturday, so if you see her, make sure to wish her a happy birthday.

Aidan

Aidan is the youngest of the bunch. He sleeps in the tiniest bedroom upstairs and never complains about it. He does all his chores, he does his homework, and he drives a Jeep. (Yes, driving a Jeep is a personality trait, especially when you’re Aidan). He keeps us laughing and knows how to have a good time. But, Aidan has a strange obsession. No, not with his Jeep (that’s a whole different story). Instead, his obsession is But with monkeys. Yes, monkeys. The animal. He’s obsessed. Any time monkeys are brought up in conversation (which shouldn’t be that many times, but with Aidan, it’s pretty much daily) a new level is unlocked in Aidan’s brain. He makes monkey noises. He talks about all the different monkey types (his favorite of which is the golden monkey, apparently.) The worst part is, however, Monkey Mode. Yes, Monkey Mode. Aidan has an Amazon Alexa, and for Christmas, Nik (see above) bought him a monkey-shaped Alexa holder (similar to this one). Aidan lost it, and ascended to a new level of monkeyness. Thus, Monkey Mode was formed. Using his Alexa, he set up a new mode in his room. The lights turn red and monkey noises start coming from his Alexa. It’s this crazy behavior that makes me question why we let him live here. 

Tyler

Tyler. Yes, the one that wouldn’t eat his vegetables. Besides this, Tyler is pretty fun. He likes to play video games and hide away in his room all day, but he cracks some good jokes and is fun to be around. I would say that the weird thing about Tyler is that he’s 21 years old and he refuses to eat any vegetables but carrots, but to be honest, that’s not so strange. His diet mostly consists of macaroni and cheese and ramen noodles, though not in the way that you would think. Even though we have a hot water kettle downstairs that boils water with the push of a button, Tyler does not use it. Do you know how he enjoys his ramen noodles? In the most psychotic method ever. DRY. Yes, Tyler eats DRY RAMEN. I discovered this by accident one day when I knocked on his door, trying to pawn off leftover food that for some reason we had to get rid of, and no one else wanted to eat. When he opened the door, he was standing there with a dry block of ramen in his hands. No seasoning, no water, just noodle. Hard, crusty ramen noodle. I was so incredibly perplexed, I didn’t really know what to say. Tyler does a lot of weird stuff, but that took the cake. 

Casper

Casper is our beloved cat. He’s the cutest little dude, and when he’s sleepy and cuddly, he’s an angel. However, most of the time Casper is not an angel. I could use today as an example alone of how much of a jerk he can be. Earlier this evening, as I was working on other Lode stuff, I had a drink and a plate sitting by my laptop. Casper jumped up on my desk and I turned around for a second. When I looked back, he was standing over my drink and licking the can! That was the start of an evening of terror. I took the can and immediately went to wash it off. When I returned, Casper was seated on my laptop. He had pushed random buttons in doing so, and my computer screen was magnified to 200%. I didn’t even know how to fix it, and one of my housemates had to do it for me. Then, while he was seated on my laptop, he decided to help myself to the plate of food I had next to my computer. So, that was no longer edible either. Later in the evening, I heard a loud meow outside of my door. This is nothing new, as Casper meows all the time. I opened the door, expecting that he wanted to be let in. Well, I was wrong. The little rat ding dong ditched me! As soon as I opened the door, he took off, running down the hallway in a full sprint. We are never short on entertainment with Casper, that’s for sure. 

I mean this all with peace and love of course, and I wouldn’t trade any of my housemates for the world. Despite our oddities, we’re a cohesive bunch, and for a household of six (plus Casper, seven) we make things work rather well! 

Sometimes, we need a break from reality, and you know what? That’s okay! We’re all stressed, we’re all burned out, and we’re all not-so-patiently ready for this semester to be over. What better way to escape reality than with a magic show? This Friday, join MUB Board as they virtually welcome magician Trent James to Michigan Tech! 

If you’re like me, you might not be so easily convinced of magic. After all, we study science at Michigan Tech, and that academic field that has been putting magic out of business for its entire life. So, as MUB Board brings Trent James to campus (or to Zoom, actually) why should you even watch? 

We’ve seen magicians in the past on campus, and while some have wowed, some have flopped. James brings a fresh energy to his shows that is unparalleled to other magicians of similar nature. He brings audience members up for his tricks, creating a sense of engagement with viewers that make it a little more lively, even in a Zoom setting. 

James has won over twenty awards for his magic skills, including the renown Milbourne Christopher Award, of which he is the youngest ever winner. Other famous Milbourne Christopher winners include David Copperfield and Penn and Teller, undoubtedly some of the most famous modern magicians. 

Still not convinced that this is a good way to spend your Friday night? Take a look at some of James’s work here and see for yourself! 

To learn more about Trent James before his performance on Friday, you can visit his website or check out his social media accounts on Instagram and Facebook. 

If you wish to get in on the fun that is Trent James’s magic, register here to attend the virtual performance at 9 p.m. on Friday, April 9. For more information, please visit Involvement Link. 

We are fortunate to have a great selection of restaurants at our disposal, especially for a small community like the Copper Country! While all of these dining establishments pride themselves on featuring delicious foods, locally-sourced foods and options for those with dietary restrictions can be hard to come by. In a rural area with a climate like the Keweenaw’s, sustainable options for small businesses, like family-owned restaurants, can also be difficult to procure. Students from Michigan Tech’s Sustainability Demonstration House (SDH) and Students for Sustainability (SFS) group have started an initiative to measure the sustainability of our local restaurants, and they need your help to implement this project!

According to Rose Turner, SDH Coordinator, “The purpose of this project is to educate the Keweenaw community and our local restaurants on the importance of sustainable dining.” This includes prompting restaurant owners and customers alike to think about the impact on the earth of eating out at certain restaurants. Turner hopes sustainable practices will become common knowledge following the SDH’s project. Maybe restaurant owners will think twice before sending their food wastes directly to the landfill, and maybe restaurant patrons will consider whether or not they really need to use a plastic straw. 

Their mission for sustainability is broken down into three phases. Phase One requires the public’s help, and gives you a great excuse to treat yourself to a delicious meal from one of our local restaurants. After eating in-restaurant or at home via takeout, the SDH is asking that participants fill out this Google Form to rate their dining experience in terms of sustainability. The form questions are specific to your dining experience, like what type of food you ate, whether you ate at the restaurant or got takeout, and more. 

Phase Two involves the SDH and SFS teams analyzing the menus of local restaurants to see how many vegetarian and vegan options they offer. Besides allowing for a wider range of customers, like those with dietary restrictions, vegetarian and vegan options often pose a smaller impact on the environment than those that include meat and animal products. Food wastes from vegetarian and vegan options can also often be composted, which lowers the amount of waste from these restaurants that is being sent directly to the landfill. According to Turner, some local restaurants, like B. Well Cafe, are already doing a great job in offering such options. 

Phase Three brings the SDH students in direct contact with local restaurant owners as they interview them on what sustainability practices they have already incorporated into their businesses, and what they could be doing better. This includes things like where they source their foods, what they do with their waste, and the type of materials they offer to customers during their dining experience.

“We hope that this initiative results in restaurants prioritizing their sustainability,” Turner says. “We really want restaurants to learn from each other and share their sustainability tips and practices.” Turner is happy that many local restaurants are already incorporating these sustainable practices into their businesses. Examples include B. Well Cafe’s use of compostable utensils and the Library sending their used cooking oil to Sanimax to be turned into biofuels. 

When the initiative is complete, the SDH and SFS will be compiling their results and sharing them with the public. They will also be sharing sustainability tips and best practices with local restaurants, and also examples of what some neighboring restaurants are already doing. “We want this to be a really positive initiative,” Turner says. “It doesn’t help to bash any restaurants for not being as sustainable as they could be. Just like the members of our community, all of our restaurants are at different points in their sustainability journey.” She says that it’s crucial for sustainability groups like the SDH and SFS to meet the restaurants in the middle, and provide support and guidance as they find their way to sustainability. The groups are hoping that the results produce a ripple effect in the Keweenaw, and that once business owners see what others are doing to improve their environmental footprint, they will, too. 

For more information on the Keweenaw Restaurant Sustainability Initiative, you can contact the Sustainability Demonstration house by email at sdh@mtu.edu. You can consult the posters on campus, which is included below. 

Keweenaw Restaurant Sustainability Initiative Flyer

It’s hard to believe it, but we are approaching the one year marker on the Coronavirus pandemic. As people found themselves routinely staying home in an attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, many turned to new hobbies to prevent quarantine boredom from settling in. People got creative in finding ways to have fun from the safety of their homes. Some people taught themselves to bake bread while others learned new languages. As the pandemic continued further and further into 2021, Michigan Tech’s Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being decided to create a new initiative meant to help Michigan Tech students alleviate cabin fever and quarantine boredom: Husky Hobbies.

Husky Hobbies is a new program started for the Spring 2021 semester. Open to all Michigan Tech students, both those on and off campus, the program covers different activities each week in hopes of helping students discover new skills and hobbies. Past weeks’ events include cooking (watch the Easy Taco Pasta video here), knitting, and even a super cute DIY gnome activity. According to Whitney Boroski, the manager of the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being, the program was started to give students something fun to relax with after a stressful week of Zoom classes and limited in-person contact. 

Most of the events have offered supply pickup for students who are interested, and then participants can tune in via Zoom at 6 p.m. on the day of the event. If you’ve missed past events, fear not, as you can still watch the videos and see supplies lists here. In the meantime, here is an overview of the coming events.

In preparation for the Society of Intellectual Sisters’ (SIS) annual Bra Show, Husky Hobbies will be hosting a bra decorating event on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 6 p.m. SIS members will walk you through the process of selecting an idea and decorating the bra. The Bra Show’s overarching theme this year is Ancient Greece, so there are practically endless amounts of spectacular options! You can register for the Husky Hobbies event here, and to learn more information about the Bra Show, click here. 

On March 4, you can learn the basics of crocheting. Crocheting is a relaxing hobby enjoyed by many, and after you master it, the creation options are endless! To purchase your own supplies, you can view the supply list and purchase the items yourself, or you can register in advance here and pick up a bag of supplies on Tuesday, March 2 from the Student Leadership and Involvement office in MUB 112 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

If picking up a needle and thread sounds like a fun time, then make sure to check out the embroidery lesson on March 18. In this program, participants will walk through the basics of sewing (such as sewing up small holes in clothing) and will learn three simple embroidery techniques. Materials will again be provided the Tuesday beforehand, and a supplies list will be added to the Husky Hobbies page shortly. If you would like to attend, please RSVP beforehand.  

Video recordings of all of the Husky Hobbies events will be uploaded on the Center for Mental Health and Well-being’s website, so don’t fret if you can’t attend any of these events. However, if you do plan to attend, please RSVP in advance with the links provided by each activity on their website and in this article. More information is added weekly by Boroski, so make sure to check out the Husky Hobbies page frequently to stay up to date! 

You’ve seen them on campus — from little Rory greeting you with a friendly lick to Jack jumping around in the snow by McNair, the dogs of Michigan Tech’s Residence Education Coordinators (RECs) are practically famous among the student body. Pets, especially dogs, are an important part of Michigan Tech culture. I mean, our mascot is even a dog: Blizzard T. Husky! While many of us may be somewhat familiar with these tenacious pooches, there is still more to learn. Since we can’t get up and close with the pups due to COVID-19, the Lode has decided to take some time to interview the dogs (and their REC parents) to get to know them a little better.

Jack, East McNair Hall

Jack is an energetic Australian Shepherd of a year and a half in age, and he loves his time living on-campus. According to Danielle Meirow, Jack’s human companion and a Residence Education Coordinator in East McNair, Jack has made many friends in his time on-campus. These include students in the residence halls (aka built-in dog walkers) and the other canines on campus, mainly Rory and Yuppsie, who you can read about later in this article. A common destination amongst pooches and MTU students alike, Prince’s Point is one of Jack’s favorite places to take a walk. Jack is beloved by many students on campus, but none more than those in Meirow’s halls in McNair. Jack even had his own snow sculpture during Winter Carnival last year — “Sabertooth Jack!” If you keep your eye out, Meirow says you may see Jack sporting his new purple booties, a perfect accessory for Houghton’s snowy winters! See more of Jack’s adventures on his Instagram: @misuperiorjack. 

Fun Fact: Jack’s favorite snacks include popcorn and peanut butter! 

Porter, Wadsworth Hall

Porter is a year and a half year old miniature labradoodle (labrador and poodle mix) who lives on-campus with his human parent Stephen Krygier, a Residence Education Coordinator in Wadsworth Hall. Porter loves his time on-campus, and he especially enjoys his time in the snowy outdoors during winter. Beyond playing in the snow, it’s also one of his favorite snacks. According to Krygier, Porter has endless amounts of unconditional love, which he loves to share with everyone he meets. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Porter hasn’t been able to get up close with the friends he sees every day on campus, so he has to give his love from afar. He enjoys being Krygier’s running companion, and whenever he sees his favorite people, according to Porter himself (with a little help from Krygier) he loves to, “Jump! Jump! Jump around!” Porter doesn’t have a social media presence, but if you’re lucky enough you might be able to catch him in Wadsworth Hall.

Fun Fact: Porter is the half brother of Rory, who you can read more about below! 

Yuppsie, West McNair Hall and Hillside Place

Yuppsie, a mixed-breed bundle of love, has lived on-campus since July of 2019. Holly Lorenz, the Residence Education Coordinator for West McNair Hall and Hillside Place, and her husband Joe rescued Yuppsie from a shelter and have had her since their first day living in the residence halls. Like her other canine counterparts, Yuppsie enjoys her time on-campus. She loves hanging around the McNair courtyard and greeting everyone who passes through. While raising a pet on-campus requires a bit more training than normal, Lorenz says Yuppsie loves students and brings a lot of joy to people who are missing their pets back home. The RAs of West McNair and Hillside even have weekly “appointments” with Yuppsie in the courtyard to destress. Yuppsie has lots of personality, and is “ incredibly sassy,” according to Lorenz. Her favorite human snacks include soft-serve ice cream and French fries, and in the winter season she especially loves chasing snowballs. Catch more of Yuppsie on Instagram @yuppsiepup. 

Fun Fact: Yuppsie loves to burrow under blankets, and will steal your spot on the couch if you let her! 

Lt. Rory, Wadsworth Hall

Rory, a two-year-old miniature goldendoodle (not to be confused with an actual teddy bear) who calls Wadsworth Hall home, where he lives with his human companion Abby Moss, a residence education coordinator. According to Moss, Rory thinks everyone is his best friend and loves to say hello to all of the humans (and other dogs) that he sees daily on campus. He enjoys acting as a stress reliever to the many students on campus, and especially enjoys the pets they give him. He doesn’t really understand the odd hours Moss has to work, or why there are sometimes loud noises coming from the hallway, but beyond that he enjoys his time on campus. He loves snow, walks, especially hallway zoomies, and sniffing around, as well as playing with plastic soda bottle caps. Moss adds, “Rory also loves you, and believes in you.” You can see more of this “furry chicken tender” (as Moss puts it) on his Instagram: @ltroryslog or on his joint TikTok account with Moss: @rorypupandabbyfren. 

Fun Fact: Recently, Rory’s new favorite activity has been stealing gloves and tossing them around!

While this is just a fun article dedicated to introducing the dogs of Michigan Tech’s RECs, it’s important to highlight the significance pets have in our lives. Especially during a time when so many people are isolated from others, dogs (and other pets) are providing a much-needed social stimulus and metaphorical breath of fresh air. According to many studies, pets can boost moods and people with pets are less likely to suffer from depression. Playing with a pet is even said to increase levels of serotonin (a mood-boosting neurotransmitter) and decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) in the body. Beyond the mental benefits, there’s also signs that having a pet can benefit us physically, too. According to the CDC, some health benefits of having a pet include decreased blood pressure and decreased triglyceride and cholesterol levels. 

While not everyone can physically have pets, or may not want them, they provide an important service to Michigan Tech students and pet owners alike. If you see Jack, Porter, Yuppsie or Rory on-campus, feel free to say hi, but make sure you ask to pet or play with them. After all, we are in a pandemic, and it’s important to respect the boundaries of both the dogs and their humans. 

Photos provided by each dog’s respective owner. 

On Feb. 17, 1921, two Michigan Tech students published a novel idea: the university’s first student-run newspaper. At that time, Michigan Tech was known as the Michigan College of Mines (M.C.M.), and our prosperous university was a small, remote school which, 36 years earlier, had been formed out of necessity as the Keweenaw’s thriving copper industry required more mining engineers. 

Students Paul Van Orden and Charles Tate were the founding members of the Lode, with Van Orden acting as the editor-in-chief and Tate handling the business aspects of their new venture. Tate and Van Orden wanted to name the newspaper something to honor the Keweenaw’s mining heritage, and thus the M.C.M. Lode was born. The first issue of the Lode cost five cents, and it covered a variety of topics relevant to students, including a satisfactory report of the mess hall, news of the school’s basketball team, and mention of a new chemistry hall. Before the age of digital and social media, the Lode was a great way for students to communicate the campus happenings with friends or family back home. They could subscribe to the paper and send articles of interest home. 

In a letter from Tate, sent to the Lode’s 1971 staff as they planned a fifty-year anniversary celebration, the co-founder recalled the paper’s success. What initially began as a project fully-funded by Tate and Van Orden soon began to show a profit. This money was fueled back into campus as the student body took over operations. The funds from subscriptions and advertisements were used to fund the Lode and to support other student groups and organizations. 

The Lode continued to flourish, eventually being taken over by Michigan Tech’s Board of Student Publications (BSP). The BSP was a student group that handled the running of multiple Michigan Tech publications, including the Lode, the Bull Sheet, the Keweenawan yearbook. Beyond the paper, past Lode staff publications have included a magazine for Michigan Tech’s centennial anniversary in 1985 and the Winter Carnival Pictorial, a photographic guide to every Husky’s favorite winter celebration. A supplemental paper, called the Labyrinth, was also published by the Lode during the 1970s. This quarterly publication included poetry, art pieces, and photography, though unfortunately little remains to document this publication today. 

The Lode started publishing virtually at its current domain, www.mtulode.com, in 2008, though a different website had existed earlier. Today the Lode publishes both in print and online, free of charge, though in print publications are currently suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Throughout the years, the Lode’s main focus has been providing campus-relevant news addressing what the students want to hear. Despite a lack of interest in writing and journalism from the mostly STEM-minded student body, the Lode has flourished for 100 years as Michigan Tech’s longest-running student publication. The Lode staff today remains a group of students with diverse educational backgrounds. Whether a student comes to Michigan Tech with a focus on engineering or English, psychology or biology, every Lode member comes together each week with one thing in common: to publish relevant news to the campus community. 

While many student publications and organizations have not survived throughout the ages at Michigan Tech, the Lode has. In the Lode’s 50th anniversary publication, past Special Anniversary Editor Neil Claflin spoke on the importance of the Lode’s success throughout the years: “The importance lies in the fact that this student newspaper was started by students, and effectively run by students without falling to a number of ills.” (Claflin, 1971, p. 2) He goes on to say that the Lode had maintained its autonomy in its first 50 years by running responsibility and efficiency, and it’s safe to say that those characteristics have carried it forward 50 more years to where it is today. 

Stay tuned for more information regarding the Lode’s centennial year. The Lode staff is currently planning a virtual banquet for April 9, 2021. More information will be posted on our website and advertised on-campus. We would like to give a special thanks to the Michigan Tech Archives and Copper Country Historical Collections for use of their resources in the compilation of this article, as well as the many Michigan Tech alumni that have passed through the Lode’s staff rankings throughout its 100 years. 

If you are interested in being a part of the Lode’s Centennial Celebration, please reach out to lodesubmit@mtu.edu. 

I’m no expert on romance by any means, but a lot of the general populous seems to find some significance in the holiday known as St. Valentine’s Day. Every Feb. 14, millions of people around the world put on their romance pants and plan extravagant (or not so extravagant — to each their own) scenarios and events for their significant others. I, myself, would prefer the tradition of Galentine’s Day as described in Parks and Recreation Season 2, Episode 16, where the main character creates her own holiday, dedicated to spending time with her gal pals.

However you decide to spend your approaching Sunday, I’ve put together this list of COVID-friendly Valentine’s Day activities for you to partake in any way you’d like, whether that’s with a significant other, friends or just you alone. All holidays are different in the age of the Coronavirus, but as we adapted with Thanksgiving and Christmas, we can adapt with Valentine’s Day, too. 

Go ice skating

Ice skating is romantic, right? Well, according to the plethora of romance movies out there that feature main characters hitting the skates, it’s got to be! The city of Houghton’s Kestner Park has a skating ribbon that recently opened, and the portage is always an option, too. If you and your valentine want to enjoy the thrills of winter in a romantic way, then taking advantage of our icy resources is a great way to do so.

Enjoy a meal in

Enjoy a romantic meal in from one of the fancier restaurants in town to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Order out from Gemignanis, the Den, the Library, or any other number of great restaurants that we are lucky to have in the Copper Country. This is a great way to support local businesses while still enjoying a special meal during the upcoming holiday at home safely.  

Send a gift

 Flowers have long been a symbol of romance, so why should that change because of COVID? Have some flowers delivered from the safety and comfort of your own home and reach out to a local flower shop, such as the Flower Shop in Hancock, or Flowers by Sleeman in Houghton. If flowers aren’t your thing, you can always pick up a different gift and drop it in the mail, if you can’t safely stop by in-person. 

Have a gamer date

It’s 2021 people: virtual dates are a thing. Create a Stardew Valley co-op, grab your significant other and create your own farm! Raise chickens, fish your heart away, or mine copper ore endlessly, all in the name of romance. Okay, if that doesn’t sound like your thing, you can always identify the imposter together (hopefully it’s not your significant other!) in Among Us, or build endlessly beautiful homes together in the cubular world of Minecraft. As long as you’ve got access to a voice channel like Discord and an online, multiplayer game, the world is truly your oyster in terms of virtual game dates. 

Virtual movie night

Many streaming services offer ways to watch your favorite movies or TV shows together. Services like Teleparty (formerly Netflix Party), Hulu Watch Party, GroupWatch (for Disney+) and Scener are great ways for you to enjoy a movie with someone else, if you can’t go to a movie theater or sit together on the couch. Enjoy a rom-com like Hulu’s Palm Springs, an action film like Captain America: The Winter Soldier on Disney+, or a good old-fashioned murder mystery like Knives Out on Amazon Prime. 

However you decide to celebrate your Valentine’s Day, please remember that we are in a pandemic, so do your best to keep yourself and everyone around you safe. Have fun, and have a great Valentine’s Day or Galentine’s Day, as you can do all of these activities with your friends, too.