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Speaking of ice, Z-Man also grabbed some great shots of the crazy folks at Heikinpäivä over the weekend :o)

Good Morning

Morning! Neat pics!

Good morning from Mishawaka IN. Check out the broom hockey at the Mich Tech webcams. Have a great day everyone.

A few weeks ago there was discussion on this site about sending money to help save Stillwaters (and the Pasty Cam). If every pasty cam fan would send $5.00, it would help a lot. Is there a place on the web site we can go to find out where to send our donation?

Thanks for a wonderful site. We don't miss a morning of the Pasty Cam.

Pam - here's the secure donation link... and we have received a number of donations after last week's mention of Still Water's challenges. Thanks to everyone.

Hey, I have an extra $5 and can send it. Letme know.

Thanks, Margaret. Anything to be mailed can be addressed to:

Still Waters
26096 Elm Street
Calumet, MI 49913

PEWABIC ALL SCHOOL REUNION:

Did you attend the old Pewabic School? If so, on Saturday, August 6, 2005, at the Quincy FireHall, there will be an "informal" reunion of ALL who attended the school. Right now the goal is to create a guest list of people we can contact about the event. Your part in this is to send along an e-mail to: hmchamber@webtv.net (Helen Aittama Chamberlain), with names and addresses, if you have any, of others you remember who attended the school when you did.

THANKS, and really looking forward to seeing you at the Pewabic School reunion.

Once again this year will someone submit the pronounciations of Heikinpaiva and Heikki Lunta, please? The caption for one of Z-man's photos of the girls in the polar bear swim should be "And for this I shaved my legs?"

Hay-kin-pie-i-vah with accent on the first syllable (almost always in Finnish) and Hay-key Lun-ta, again with accents on Hay and Lun.
On the Hays stretch out the a's.

I visited Helsinki (very briefly) last summer and tried to ask our local guide for an explanation of Heikki Lunta. I can't believe my pronunciation was THAT bad, but the local had no idea of what I was asking! According to the pronunciation guide from JAD (above) I think I was pretty close. So what's the real meaning? I always thought it was the Finnish equivalent of "old Man Winter".

I can remember when one of the Copper Country radio station (WHDF or WMPL) started playing the "Heikki Lunta's Snow Dance Song" in the sixties. We kids got a kick out of the silly song and I remember asking my mom what Heikki Lunta meant in Finn. Well, Heikki is a man's name, and often it would become Anglo-fied to Henry or Hank. Lunta means snow. Ah ha, I thought... that's just a little added joke, because there was a popular country singer named Hank Snow. Remember him?

Jeff M, Fl
Hereis the story of Heikki Lunta:

http://yooperalumni.com/WebPages/article_display.php?id=28

Never mind! I just read the legend of Heikki Lunta on the Hiekinpaiva web site.

Just found this great link to old (really old – 1800s old) issues of Houghton County newspapers.

Question: If Still Waters was built @ 50 years ago, many original donations as far as furniture and fixtures, as well as money, a low interest loan, land at that time cost next to nothing, and the building and construction so low in cost, why then has that loan not been paid off, and why is it so high? Will an answer be forthcoming?

<Charlie Hopper responds:>

Jack, first of all, Still Waters was built in 1982 in its present location. So many of your assumption are not correct (cost of land, construction, time for amortization, etc.) But there are several other factors which account for the continual need at all low-income Homes for the Aged (HFA).

An HFA is licensed for care at a level just below that of a nursing home. When Still Waters was built in 1982, the planners made certain assumptions about increases over time in the level of state aid (medicaid). However, in the last 23 years, while nursing home subsidies have increased over $1,500 per month per low-income resident, HFA subsidies have increased a whopping $93 per month! During the same time, the state has saddled HFA's with expensive new requirements (for which no support has been provided). It is hard to understand why the state has not contributed more toward keeping HFA's viable, because it saves the state a ton of money to provide care in a Home for the Aged as compared to a nursing home.

So the number #1 reason why it has been difficult for all HFA's to make ends meet is: the short-sightedness of the State of Michigan. Still Waters currently loses about $300 per month per low-income resident.

But there are several other more compelling reasons why HFA's are currently in an even deeper crisis. You can read an excellent discussion page back in the archives where this was detailed by clicking here.

Jack: I don't know the answers to your questions. All I can tell you is that both my parents were there. They were "paying customers," using the money they had scrimped and saved over a lifetime. Still Waters does not turn down people who cannot pay, and medicaid does not really meet the expenses.

The care there was exceptional, and much less expensive than any place my brother and I looked into here in SE lower MI. We made a 'no brainer' decision that we would not bring our parents down here. (no offense to hard workers and good places down here)

I think that you would have to go there to understand. I hope someone more knowledgeable will answer your questions.

I worked at the Laurium Elders Home while I was in high school nearly 35 years ago. The building was outdated then, but it still took more than a decade to get another facility.

Still Waters serves a community with an aging population on a very slim budget. While we baby boomers left for warmer climates and better career opportunities, most of our parents stayed "home." Still Waters fills the role of caretaker for many of them who can't live alone any longer.

While making pasties and providing internet cess are interesting jobs, I doubt they'd be in existence if the facility was making tons of money. I'm happy to add my voice (and checkbook) to support it!

Jack, just how long do you think a bed, stove, and frig lasts? I doubt yours is 50 years old. Additionally, where did you get your information (if it's true) you published on this site? If you choose not to donate, that's your right; however, there are several of us (myself included) who would love to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Pasty Cam gives us much pleasure and such a small price we have to pay to enjoy it.

I have two parents in a home and trust me, I do know the added costs! Now, for the rest of you folks, please do what you can to help Charlie/Assisted Living....every nichols counts.

Just sent my pittance of a donation. Wish I could donate more. I also challenge everyone who visits this sight to seek your hearts and pocket books. If nothing else we could donate the cost of what some OTHER web sights charge for just one month for their services. For example Classmates, E-Harmony etc.

Thanks for the address!

Just sent in my donation for Still Waters. Like Patt,I wish it could be more but if we all send what we can it will add up!

Maija, you were the first to respond, so let me ask you this: You had both your parents at Still Waters who received 'excellent' care, you also knew that it was less expensive by doing your homework, you also knew that people who could not pay were not turned down, yet after the demise of your parents, you had donations sent elsewhere. Why is that?

Jack: I can't find any mention in Maija's notes about donations. I'm not sure, but I think that HFA's rates are generally less than those of nursing homes. Correct me if I'm wrong, Charlie. It's the disparity in the medicaid subsidies that makes such a big difference - do the math. This is just another of the things this state does - mandate programs, but don't finance them. Schools are another group that are mandated to do, but not paid to do it.

Woo Jack from Coeur d' Alene...take a step back Jack. I think your comments on this site about Still Waters are a little out of hand, dontcha think?

Also, show a little respect for people and those that they have lost/passed on/passed away. Demise is such a harsh and cold word to describe the passing of someone's parents dontcha think?

Charlie and the people on this website are trying to do some good for the people at Still Waters...why are you making a federal case out of it?

Okay folks....Jack does not warrant any further discussion or our time. He's merely trying to crank everyone's gears. Let's not feed his ego. We need to help those less fortunate...that's the bottom line. Give and you shall receive.....I think that's what my 89 year old mother taught me.

Charli,

After reading Jack from Coeur d' Alene's comments about Still Waters, I mailed a check out to Still Waters this evening.

I hadn't been out and about since the snow storm...and the fact that hubby's semi was stuck in the driveway and blocked my truck in the garage for the past three days didn't help matters. But hubby finally left out of here at ten this evening...freeing his semi from the snow in the driveway...and thus allowing me to finally get my truck out of the garage, and run to the post office and send my donation to Still Waters.

Bless you for everything you do for the folks at Still Waters. Your efforts, good will and generosity are greatly appreciated by all. ;)

Charlie,

I tried calling the number you gave me to order
the calendars. It didn't work. What to do?
Is it safe to leave my e-mail address?

Yes, Kosk, just email me your address info and we can send the calendars. Or you can order them securely online by clicking here.

Before everyone gets excited, check out the Archives on what Maija said about donations, I will even give you a hint, Feb. 8, 2004. It seems to me that this call for help has come up once or twice before. When all those new units were being built and advertising campaigns and free rent were being marketed by the other Assisted Living units, did Still Waters match the other offers? You should not have relied on your past achievements if you expect to compete in today's market. If you are going to be in business in today's world, you need to be tough and knowledgeable in all aspects of business, if not, hire the people you need to get the job done, otherwise, someone is going to find your weak spot and use it to their advantage.

Jack: don't know if you will see this, cause the new day's page is up, but what donations elsewhere? Actually, I have tried to support Still Waters long after my parents went to a nursing home and then we lost both. I have bought calendars and pasties and donated part of the money kind friends left at the funerals, and another small amount from my retired-person's pension.

Seriously, WHAT DONATIIONS ELSEWHERE!?

Hey, Jack, I looked at Feb. 8, 2004. There is not even a msg from me on that day!

If you have a problem with me, why don't you email me and get off this site!?

You tell him, MaijaMI

Maija,

Sent you an email. ((((((((((((((HUGS))))))))

By maija MI on Sunday, February 8, 2004 - 03:27 pm:
I'm just scrolling thru the archives and have come to this. When my parents were there (Piv and Joy Huhta) I had no idea there were such monitary challenges. When Mom died, donations went to Copper Country Mental Health for group homes such as my sister lives in, but I wish my brother and I had designated Still Waters as well. It was a wonderful place for my parents, and all the workers were fantastic. There is nothing like that kind of care down here in the Detroit area! I sincerely hope the situation is better now.
How easy we forget. Check the posting on June 27, 2002, Last entry. (I do my homework)
Now, if each of those '2 million unique visits' on this website sent in $1.00, just think, the mortgage would be paid and maybe money left over. Ahhhh, what an advertising campaign, what would you do without me.

Jack, Give it a rest already.

I am one of the dedicated Pasty.com visitors. It is my favorite website. Sorry I don’t have more to send, but instead of indulging myself with lunch at McDonalds today, I am sending you the $5.00. I will try to do this on a much more regular basis. Thanks!!

Jeese Louise! Who is Jack that he has such a 'tude???
Lighten up!

Good people doing good things. The way it is supposed to be!! Thank you Charlie and all.