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NEGAUNEE -- It looks like Mother Nature has played another one of her pranks this April Fools' Day.
Everyone has their own way of citing the arrival of spring, and even the first robin or the year is not a guarantee.
However, here at the GINCC, there is one event that is a true sign of spring. That is when the replica headframe placed on Teal Lake breaks through the ice, known as the Teal Lake Melt-down.
It is a fundraiser for the Negaunee Lions Club and the GINCC and started by the Lions Club in 2017. The annual fundraiser is a fun community event to count down the days until Teal Lake melts and the glistening of water again sparkles on the surface.
Today is the last day to purchase a guess as to when the structure will sink. The game is to guess the exact day, hour and minute the headframe will break through the ice. Guesses are $5 each.
Past sinkings range from April 5 to May 3 and this year looks to be at the later part of the calendar, although everyone is hoping we don't extend that range this spring.
The winner is decided by whoever guesses closes to the sinking. In the event of a tie the person who purchased their guess first is the winner. The winner receives half of the net ticket proceeds and remaining proceeds are spilt 60/40 between the Lions and GINCC.
Last year the winner was on April 30. The winning guess was at 6:20. p.m. and the structure broke through the ice at 6:19 p.m. Yes, it was that close and the winner took home $2,400. To purchase a guess, go to www.negauneelions.com or www.gincc.org.
Spring is also Business After Hours season for the GINCC. We will be hosting two BAHs in April. The first will be celebrating Ishpeming's 150th Anniversary of the city charter. The Ishpeming Historical Society will be hosting at BAH on Monday, April 10 which is the day the charter was granted to Ishpeming back in 1873.
The celebration will take place at the Ishpeming Historical Museum on the third floor of the Gossard Building located at 308 Cleveland Avenue. The event will kick off a series of events celebrating the City of Ishpeming's sesquicentennial.
The second will be at Partridge Creek Farm's headquarters, 112 S. Main Street, Ishpeming on Wednesday, April 19. Join us to learn more about what PCF has in store for this year's growing season and find out how you can get involve with locally sourced food.
To learn more about the GINCC, visit www.gincc.org or give us a call 906-486-1111. Our hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday through Friday and the office is located at 910 U.S. 41 West in front Jubilee Foods & Fuel. Please call ahead as we are out of office from time to time.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Bob Hendrickson is the executive director of the GINCC. He resides in Negaunee with his wife, Laura, where they raised their daughter, Sierra. He enjoys mountain biking, skiing, fishing and hunting along with family time.