An application for Michigan State Housing Development Authority’s Neighborhood Enhancement Grant was approved for submission. If selected, Houghton receives $75,000 for general repairs on housing. The council proposed properties in midwest Houghton receive funds first due to older homes. This could include rentals used by students.

Construction projects on Shelden Avenue and Townsend Drive are complete for 2021.

Police Chief John Donnally confirmed Houghton’s parking ban, effective Nov. 1. Between 2:00  and 7:00 a.m., no cars can be parked streetside. 

Finally, public restrooms in Kestner Park, under the Lift Bridge, and East Houghton Waterpark are closed for winter, effective Oct. 26.

 This coming Saturday (Sep. 18), the 32nd annual Parade of Nations occurs once again! It starts at 11:00 a.m. by the Chamber of Commerce office downtown. Due to construction on the roads and Lift Bridge, the parade will head down the hill to Lakeshore Drive, past Dee Stadium and follow Lakeshore Drive past Bridgeview Park, ending at Kestner Park. Unlike previous years, the parade won’t go through downtown this year.

Over fifty countries and organizations have already confirmed their participation for this Saturday, with some wiggle room for more people to join. Countries like Argentina, Denmark, Ghana, India, Mexico, Nigeria, and the Philippines will be represented through student involvement. Other organizations like the Huskies Pep Band, Bangladeshi Student Association, and Keweenaw Faiths United will walk in the parade, along with mascots Blizzard T. Husky of Michigan Tech and Riku F. Lion of Finlandia University.

Usually, the Multicultural Festival would occur after the parade, but COVID-19 precautions forced the cancellation of the festival this year. However, they plan to be back in 2022. The festival typically showcases foods from numerous cultures, along with live acts performing music. In the past, there was a smorgasbord  of Thai, Scottish, Indian, Chinese, Finnish, and Anishinaabe dishes for festival attendees to enjoy. 

As always, First Nation people (Native Americans) lead the procession to remind our community about who first lived in the Keweenaw and the cultures initially oppressed by the United States government. Additionally, the Keweenaw is still First Nation territory, under the Treaty of 1842. Featuring First Nations, such as the Anishinaabe, in the beginning of the parade validates their rightful existence in the Copper Country.

Events like Parade of Nations highlight the variety of campus and local culture. It’s not a single, homogenous bubble that’s often assumed from population statistics. Instead, nationalities bring their cultures to create and strengthen customs to celebrate the Keweenaw’s multiculturalism. First Nations like the Anishinaabe aren’t acknowledged as often in our campus culture as they should be. Their cultures were among the first to define what the Keweenaw is about, valuing the land and its resources for hunting and fishing. With more people arriving for either education, work,or residence, it’s crucial to acknowledge how diversity shaped the current climates of the area. Events like Parade of Nations reinforce these concepts of diversity.

For more information on the weekend’s festivities, you can visit the Parade of Nations website.

Most of us have at least one hobby we enjoy. Interests dictate what hobbies we invest in, whether that’s collecting Pokémon cards or scuba diving. Money and time also affect what we can do. If you’re stacked with 18 credits in a semester, then learning how to play guitar might not work out for you. Same goes for the money aspect; you don’t want to buy the most expensive camera for photography if you’re just starting out as a student. One that’s grown in popularity over the last twenty years is gaming. Video game players not only spend hundreds of dollars on consoles and games, but they also invest hundreds of hours in understanding the game and enjoying the content. It’s a matter of balancing your work and school lives with what your hobby demands.

So, if some hobbies need time, money, and heavy compromises to your schedule, are they still worth the investment? Yes.

In a world ravaged by COVID-19 variants and fake news, it’s almost become essential to have escapism in our lives. It’s a way to avoid the heavier and politicized topics creating anger amongst people. Some escape through work while others have their families for support. There are also students who dig their noses into books and campus activities to immerse themselves in another world. Working on one’s image and skillset is a valid way of spending time and money. Hobbies are another way of distancing oneself from the perpetual cycle of negative media. 

There’s also room for expression in hobbies. Artistic ones are easy to express creativity in, but other ones like reading, collecting things, and walking have room for expression. Collections can be arranged based on numerous factors; the collector can arrange their things as deemed fit to them. Walking requires planning where to go, who to go with (if anyone joins), what to bring, and what to do along the way. No walk is identical to another one for this reason, allowing for expression to occur with one’s choices. Reading may not directly allow one to express themselves, but it leaves ideas and suggestions to carry creative thought into other aspects of life. For example, a novel’s description of a sandy beach could inspire one to go out and observe a nearby beach for writing inspiration. What matters is the ability of choice within a hobby, meaning there’s room for expression. 

If you have a hobby already, you might realize how much it’s taught you about time management (hopefully)! For me, I plan out how much time I have each day to practice playing my guitar. I play about fifteen minutes a day, working on picking and fretting techniques for more songs in the future. I also schedule time for writing, so I can hone in on my craft without worrying about other assignments. It’s about balance, and it’s certainly not something easily accomplished overnight. Investing in a hobby is certainly worth doing, especially when life gets rough and you need a cathartic outlet.

Due to the Keweenaw’s prolific mining history, which drew many mixed European immigrants to the area during the previous century, the Keweenaw is predominantly white. In addition, the area is traditionally Native American, specifically the Anishinaabeg tribe. However, their tradition hasn’t been acknowledged compared to Western cultures settled here. European cultures, from Finnish to Italian, call the peninsula their home, yet Michigan Tech’s expansion has led to greater diversity within the area’s cultural demographics. Over the years, new ethnic groups have moved in and brought with them their cultural practices. Unfortunately, the greater community has not responded to this increase in diversity and all of the exciting opportunities it offers with an equal increase in acceptance. The recent years show demand for Michigan Tech to adapt to these changes so that new students from various cultures and racial identities will feel welcome. In celebration of this year’s most diverse incoming class, I want to explore the areas in which Michigan Tech has encouraged diversity while also considering the areas in which the university still struggles.

Race is still a heavy topic for universities, especially considering police brutalities for black college students, portes The Michigan Tech Archives provides a summation of the fight for racial equality within our university, spanning from the 1930s up to today’s African Student Association. 

In 2021, a prominent group for students of Asian heritage formed on campus. A branch of the Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE) was developed to build confidence and community for Asian cultures on campus. The chapter was founded this past June by student Isaac Fong. After arriving at Tech, he noticed the numerous societies for cultures, but none directly addressing students of Asian heritage. He’s stated that anyone invested in the cause can join, whether they’re of Asian descent or not. Today, Fong leads the society with the support of founding member Fiona Chow. The SASE chapter aims to connect and support all students interested in the well-being of Asian culture students. 

The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) is perhaps the best-known resource on campus. Situated in the former Hamar House, the CDI encourages open discussion between cultures, race, and other differing identities. It’s meant to be a “safe space” for open discussion without fear of prejudice, harassment, or hostility. Earlier this year the CDI was featured in an article in The Lode’s Pulse section, highlighting its significance to campus culture. 

The presence of these various support organizations shows progress not only for our fellow Huskies but for the university as a whole. With this year’s largest class being touted as the most diverse in the history of our university, it appears Michigan Tech embraces variety in its programs. However, the school body isn’t perfect and is still susceptible to creating hostile environments, whether intentionally or not. . 

Women are still ostracized in engineering classes dominated by men. One friend told me how she’s often overlooked by even the professor in one of her mechanics classes. She expressed her loneliness and feelings of worthlessness as the men pretend she’s a doll that doesn’t know a thing about engineering. Another friend from the Computer Science department described her own struggles at Tech. Some of her male classmates often claimed she got her coding competition awards and internships just because she was a woman. 

Other times, a student or professor will make statements regarding diversity that don’t reflect the diverse agenda of the school. Earlier this year, the Tech community was outraged when Professor Jeffery Burl responded to the school senate’s anti-racism resolution. Burl’s letter claims that he never witnessed any discrimination for women or African-American students, but he felt discriminated against as a white man. A majority of the student body rightfully called out his ignorance of the social climate, but the school administration defended their tenured professor’s letter under “freedom of speech.” While he certainly holds the right to argue these statements, it actively hurts the minorities fighting for acceptance. Some students even declared how unsafe and unsupported they felt, despite being on similar academic and social levels to their peers. 

On a happier note, the fact the student body acknowledges the harmful nature of these types of actions shows social progress. Events like Parade of Nations and the Amateur Drag Show celebrate the diversity of nationalities and gender identities. Campus generally feels more inclusive than it was even five years ago. However, there’s still a long way to go before Tech can consider itself as being fully inclusive of all types of students. It’s worth celebrating the progress but also acknowledging our remaining shortcomings.

 With lessened restrictions due to lower COVID-19 numbers in the Keweenaw, Keweenaw Day returns to Chassell’s Centennial Park this Friday. For those unaware, Keweenaw Day (or K-Day) is where student organizations gather to discuss their groups and speak to the student body. It’s also a day to celebrate the outdoor wonders and activities offered on campus.    For the event itself, it’s a way for people to easily get involved with groups on campus, some of which offer free merchandise or food! 

Michigan Tech has over 200 registered student organizations, with several new ones forming each year. Almost every interest is represented, from board games to rowing, theme park engineering to economics, even fishing and mushing dog sleds! If there’s a club you feel should exist, you can register at Involvement Link, gather ten prospective members and a faculty advisor, and complete the necessary paperwork. In the meantime, you can attend events like K-Day to understand how these clubs function.

The Lode will also be attending K-Day. Stop by to chat with our editors and writers about our newspaper and student organization. At the Lode booth, you’ll also have the chance to take home a K-Day memory in the form of a photograph with our Polaroid photo booth! 

Celebrate K-Day at Chassell Centennial Park on Friday, Sep. 10 from 12 to 2 p.m. For more information about student organizations, Involvement Link connects students directly to the organizations. Make sure to get out and enjoy this beautiful peninsula that we are lucky enough to call home, and if you get the chance, stop by our booth on K-Day!  

This Friday, the Michigan-based rock band Greta Van Fleet is releasing their second studio album “The Battle at Garden’s Gate.” To coincide with the new album’s release, Michigan Tech’s student-run radio station WMTU is hosting a virtual listening party on the album’s launch day, April 16, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Greta Van Fleet was founded in 2012 by the Kiszka brothers: Josh (vocals), Jake (guitar), and Sam (bass). Danny Wagner joined them as their drummer soon after the band formed. The group would remain tied to local gigs until 2017, when they signed to Lava Records and released their debut EP (Extended Play) Black Smoke Rising. From there, the band has released numerous EPs, and their first full album Anthem of the Peaceful Army was released in October 2018. 

Since Black Smoke Rising, the group has received critical praise and positive feedback from fans. Their music style is hard rock, with hints of blues, jazz, and folk sprinkled in. The best way I can personally describe Josh Kiszka’s vocals is astronomical: this guy truly knows how to project and sustain notes while soaring with his band. The guitars (lead and bass) mesh well and layer over one another with their gritty tones. Songs like “Highway Tune” show off their playing abilities, like when the rest of the band drops off after the chorus, and Jake Kiszka carries the riff to the chorus. It’s satisfying to listen to and hear the band jump right back in without pause, like a gymnast twirling through the air and landing perfectly on their feet. 

Of course, Greta Van Fleet has been criticized for sounding pretty close to Led Zeppelin. Both bands have similar instrument tones, rhythms, and even vocals. They’re by no means a cover band, as they perform their own original songs. However, there are some common themes the songs share with Led Zeppelin’s, such as mysticism, cars, and women. It’s certainly eyebrow-raising how Greta Van Fleet sounds so close to the original rock band, but plenty of bands have copied Led Zeppelin in the past, such as Rush. Rush started out with a harder edge to their songs before transforming into a progressive rock band.  Legendary rock bands, like Led Zeppelin, often act as great sources of musical inspiration for other rock artists as they discover their own sound.

Beyond their great music, Greta Van Fleet is especially inspiring, given as it is made up of  young men from a small Michigan town who bonded together over rock. In a time when musicians and other artists are struggling to find a way to make a living, it’s especially important that radio stations, like WMTU, give a platform to their work.

Once again, WMTU’s listening party for the new Greta Van Fleet album will take place on Friday, April 16 at 6 p.m. You can see more information and access the Zoom link via Involvement Link. The band has both Instagram and Facebook pages for those interested in following them.

As a guitarist, I have a collection of riffs I practice with. They allow me to practice certain skills, like alternate picking with “Thunderstruck” or tapping with “Eruption”. One song that’s always been enjoyable for me is “Stairway to Heaven”, the 1971 classic rock tune by Led Zeppelin. What I enjoy the most is how I glide over the arpeggios, especially when two or three notes chime in together to produce harmonies. I also enjoy replaying the solos of the guitarist Jimmy Page, who’s a complete legend with his guitar playing style. However, that intro riff has always fascinated me with its simple composition. 

 Yet I’ve heard that “Stairway to Heaven” is banned in music stores. If I were to go to Goodtimes Music downtown and play the intro riff, would the staff glare at me? Why can’t I play this incredible song without fearing my guitar playing will be banned? 

 Obviously, the song isn’t truly banned, and anyone can play whatever they like when trying out guitars in a store. What makes me curious is why this song specifically has been singled out as a banned song for guitar stores. 

The anti-“Stairway to Heaven” movement seems to have originated in this scene from the classic movie “Wayne’s World”, based on the Saturday Night Live sketch with Mike Myers and Dana Carvey. What really made this scene great was the giant sign in the back, proclaiming those four cursed words. Now, the internet is full of no “Stairway to Heaven” memes, with guitarists shooting joke videos like this. Others have made serious arguments dissecting why “Stairway to Heaven” shouldn’t be played in music stores, such as this article. 

What’s made “Stairway to Heaven” such a guitar store joke is how famous the intro riff is. When those arpeggios kick in, listeners might know exactly what song’s coming up. So, when someone plays the beginning incorrectly, it sounds terrible. The fact the simple harmony is interrupted by notes a half step off might make anyone familiar with the tune wince. Perhaps that’s why the song was originally targeted for that one-off joke in “Wayne’s World”. 

Even with the possibility this song could be messed up by a beginner guitarist, it should be unbanned. We should even encourage players to play it in a music store! It’s valuable for beginners to detect harmonies with the arpeggio notes. The key transitions from A natural, to E natural, to C natural, then B minor, are natural chord progressions useful in original song writing. Dynamics can also be explored, going from loud fingerpicking to soft picking. There’s several things to play around with the opening riff alone.

“Stairway to Heaven” is such a masterpiece in itself, a rock song that’s unique in its instrumentation, vocals, and rhythm. It’s an icon of pop culture and rock music that’s inspired many musicians over decades. The song is incredible, with a mythical atmosphere throughout. No matter what skill level a guitarist is, they shouldn’t have to worry about being judged for playing that iconic riff. 

When students like me head home for break, they’ll most likely enjoy the change in pace. It’s a reunion with family and pets, as students embrace a temporary reprieve from the school/business schedule they’re used to. 

For me, it’s a chance to contemplate my place in life, where I’m heading and seeing my past. In the spirit of the upcoming spring break, I’m revisiting some nostalgic places in my mind and trying to answer the question: where is home for me? 

My childhood (and current) house downstate has always been home for me. After all, it’s where I grew up and learned about the world in a different perspective. It’s where I feel safe, in the comfort of my family and our pets. In recent years, I’ve become reserved at home due to the overwhelming chaos at times. I can stay upstairs for a little bit and join in my siblings’ and mom’s craziness, but then I’ll want to rest downstairs with my cat and put my mind in auto pilot. 

A city I’d travel to a lot was Grand Rapids. For me, it was where I went to buy large Lego sets for birthdays and to celebrate at restaurants like Chuck E. Cheese or Steak ‘n Shake. There was also the downtown area, which felt comforting to walk through amongst the towering skyscrapers. Its small shops and public squares gave a welcoming presence as I walked to the museums. It represented a getaway from the “mundane” farmland I was used to. For the longest time, I was convinced I would rent out an apartment and live downtown. It felt natural, because it was an integrated part of my childhood associated with celebration, education, and life. 

Recently, I’ve considered Houghton/Hancock as a home for me. This includes the MTU campus to the east, where I’m a proud student. It’s where I’m learning more about the world and its complexities. I’ve worked on finding my identity here, like other college students have. The Keweenaw is a place of growth amidst the ice and snow. It certainly helps that there’s also beautiful sunsets here, as I’ve talked about last week.  

Winding through my mind has led me to an answer: home is where I’m the most comfortable in life. It’s not stagnant like how I originally thought. All three of the examples I’ve provided reflect past/present identities I associated with. My house and hometown are the rural, country lifestyles I’m accustomed to. Grand Rapids is a desire to explore and learn about people, set within an urban, confined area. The Keweenaw and Houghton/Hancock are where I experience a rugged, worn society that combines heartiness with exploration. All three offer their own comforts that can satisfy me, yet the Keweenaw provides the strongest feeling of home currently. With this spring break, I wish everyone who’s traveling to their homes a safe trip.

People enjoy the Keweenaw for several reasons. The air is generally fresher and crisper, compared to other urban areas. Surrounding countryside feels more remote and rugged than the flat farmlands of the Lower Peninsula. A rich mining history draws in history buffs to drive past ruined shafthouses. No matter the time of year, outdoor sports can be played almost anywhere in the Keweenaw. There are several options to love this northwest wilderness.

    I love the Keweenaw for all the reasons I mentioned above. Since first seeing the area in tenth grade, the small-town charm of Houghton/Hancock welcomes me. I don’t want to limit my reasons for loving the Keweenaw to obvious, tourist catered bullet points. Instead, I want to share a personal reason for why I love this area so much: its sunsets.

    Sunsets themselves are far from unique to the Keweenaw. Hell, I have excellent ones in my backyard back in my hometown downstate. These sunsets paint the yard in auburn colors, the surrounding fields allowing for a clear view. What makes a Keweenaw sunset different is the intensity and surroundings.

Last night was simply gorgeous. The afternoon was filled with clear, blue skies and bright, glowing sunshine. It’s certainly a welcoming sight after weeks of gray clouds filled with snow. When these days happen, I love to go out and walk downtown to the shoreline. Sometimes, I’ll pause in town and take a picture if the lighting strikes the buildings at an appealing angle. Despite not taking any photography classes, I’m satisfied with how I frame shots. 

When sitting on a bench facing the waterway, I become lost in a peaceful state of mind. I focus on how the canal’s waters lap the shorelines and under the dock I sit on. To my right, the bright blue of the Portage Lift Bridge blends with the sky. To my left, the city of Hancock reflects the sun off its buildings. A mix of old and new structures dot the Hancock skyline, with it reflecting off the canal’s choppy waters. Colors ranging from a bright copper hue to a blinding gold drip from a focal point near the river. 

As the sun sets, the skies to the east darken as the west glows. This process of the sun slowly retreating below gives comfort to me. The recurrence of such an event provides hope that the next day may end just as gorgeously. If the day was awful before the sunset, then that moment of watching the sun sink is cathartic. There’s a release of tension as I imagine my troubles sinking with that sun, hoping they don’t show up again. 

Some may not think too much about sunsets. After all, they seem to occur fairly often. For me, a sunset marks the glorious end of a day. It symbolizes a celebration of success, a triumph over the day’s challenges. A sunset is always a special occurrence. However, the peace of the Portage Canal, the pines and deciduous trees, the old brick and concrete buildings with mining houses in between, and the crisp air with distant traffic brings a charm to a Keweenaw sunset that I’ve yet to experience elsewhere.

In these times of social distancing and limited gatherings, it can be difficult to find activities to do with others. Fortunately, the Memorial Union Board has an upcoming event on Zoom. On March 2, the Board will be hosting a Dungeons and Dragons Game Night for everyone starting at 8:00 p.m. The first thirty minutes will consist of building characters. Then, there’ll be breakout rooms for various sessions with different dungeon masters. 

Dungeons and Dragons is a fantasy, role-playing game that’s been around since 1974. It consists of playing as a character through a customized adventure. Players “travel” in a group, with a dungeon master dictating the events based on a pre-written campaign. Based on your ‘race,’ (elf, ogre, human, mage, etc.) the player’s character can vary in Strength, Constitution, Dexterity, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma. These also change based on events, equipment, and armor.

  Here at Michigan Tech, there’s a Dungeons and Dragons Club that usually meets to play sessions. Unfortunately, not much has been heard from them (most likely due to COVID-19). Because their page is still up, there’s a possibility the group will re-emerge once restrictions relax. For those interested, contact information with the group’s advisor is linked on the group page. 

For quick resources, D&D Beyond provides an excellent basic player guide for those starting out or needing a refresher. Races, classes, player mechanics, weaponry, etc. are all covered for the base game. It’s also an app for iPhone and Android devices, as well as a separate app: D&D Beyond Player Tools. The app is extremely useful for storing character sheets, rolling dice, and changing stats for events. All of these resources allow anyone to pick up and learn the game quickly. Of course, expansions for more complex scenarios are available for additional fees.

Those who are interested in playing small sessions can easily find stores in Houghton/Hancock that can cater to one’s Dungeons and Dragons needs. Sportscard Connection and Black Ice Comics sell dice and miniatures in Houghton, and K.C. Bonker’s in Hancock offers a good selection of dice, sheets, and miniatures. For the Michigan Tech event, dice sets are currently handed out on a first-come, first-serve in the Memorial Union Building, room 106. The dice will only be offered this week Monday through Friday, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. These are good quality dice, durable for many play sessions.

As one who’s experienced the magic of Dungeons and Dragons, I’m excited the university offers events like this for those without close friends to play with. Information on the event can be found across campus on posters and on MUB Board’s Facebook page.