AmeriCorps, BHK sponsor Great Cardboard Boat Regattaˆí At a press conference Tuesday in the BHK Child Development Board Conference Room, Aaron Barrette, BHK administrative associate, prepares to introduce Houghton Mayor Tom Merz, seated second from left and engaged in conversation with Houghton Rotary Club representative Craig Kurtz, left, and Houghton City Police Chief Ralph Raffaelli, while Hancock Mayor Jim Martin, right, awaits his turn to challenge both Houghton groups in the City Official Challenge race of the Great Cardboard Boat Regattaˆí to be held on June 17 during Bridgefest.  HOUGHTON ’Äì The City of Hancock and the Houghton Rotary Club have officially challenged the City of Houghton for the title of fastest time (City Jug Award) in the coming Great Cardboard Boat Regattaˆí to be held on June 17 at the Houghton Waterfront ’Äì Chutes and Ladders in conjunction with Bridgefest 2001. Registration is at 10 a.m. and heats begin at noon.   ’ÄúThe Challenge,’Äù sponsored by Copper Country AmeriCorps and the BHK (Baraga-Houghton-Keweenaw) Child Development Board, is to design and build a person-powered, corrugated cardboard boat capable of racing a 200-yard course three times. Besides city officials, groups and individuals may enter the event as long as they follow the Rules. The event is open to the public.    Erick Laurila, Copper Country AmeriCorps program director  ’ÄúIt’Äôs a program that we do to strengthen communities by providing family and community events that encourage creative and friendly competition,’Äù said Erick Laurila, Copper Country AmeriCorps program director.   During a press conference at BHK Tuesday, Houghton and Hancock city officials demonstrated that their spirit of ’Äúfriendly’Äù competition was hot, poking jibes at each other all in fun, with Houghton Police Chief Ralph Raffaelli standing by just in case.   Laurila noted last year the City of Houghton crew won the City Challenge by default, since no one challenged them. So far this year two challengers appear ready to vie for the title.   ’ÄúWe’Äôll have a full crew,’Äù said Hancock Mayor Jim Martin. ’ÄúThe council members will be on the boat. We might even have the City Manager.’Äù   Hancock City Manager Glenn Anderson asked Houghton Mayor Tom Merz how much duct tape he used last year.   Said Merz, ’ÄúLast year, for the record, we used 1.3 miles of duct tape.’Äù   Hinting suspicions that Houghton had not completely followed the duct tape rules last year, Houghton Rotary representative Craig Kurtz quipped that he expected the City of Houghton to win the Titanic Award this year ’Äì the award for the most spectacular sinking. It requires salvaging the remains completely. The rules are very specific. Only seams and joints may be taped ’Äì not the whole boat, which must be made of corrugated cardboard.   Noted Merz, ’ÄúThis year I’Äôm wearing my glasses. I have full confidence that the boat won’Äôt sink ’Äì but if it does I have full confidence I can swim the Canal.’Äù    Lisa McKenzie, Hancock City councilor Hancock City Councilor Lisa McKenzie said her membership in the Houghton Rotary would not prevent her from legally competing on the Hancock crew. McKenzie, whose son Matthew Jackson is a member of the Hancock Junior R.O.T.C., said the Hancock boat will be built with the help of the R.O.T.C. members.   ’ÄúThey’Äôre taking the lead in the actual labor,’Äù McKenzie said. ’ÄúUnlike the City of Houghton (Councilors), most of the Hancock Councilors have to work for a living.’Äù   In addition to the City Jug Award for the winner of the City Official Challenge (quickest boat, fastest time, raced by city officials), awards include:   ¬…       Pride of the Regatta ’Äì most creative design, best use of corrugated cardboard. ¬…       Vogue Award ’Äì most attractive or spectacular-looking boat. The winner will be selected before races begin. ¬…       Best-Dressed Team ’Äì It may be funny, spiffy or elegant, but must be creative. ¬…       Team Spirit Award ’Äì most spirited and best organized (?) team. The looks of the boat don’Äôt count here! ¬…       Titanic Award ’Äì most spectacular sinking. You must salvage the remains completely. Plus first, second and third place in each boat class, assuming three in the class finish!   Since the event will occur on Fathers’Äô Day, a Legendary Family Award is available for a joint family effort that produces something not normally seen: Giant floating aardvarks, moving castles, the Packer boat or any legendary fantastic theme your family can muster.   To learn the Rules and to get started, contestants may attend one of the following informal boat-building clinics: 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, or 1 p. m. to 3 p.m. Friday, June 8, at the new BHK facility, located on Park Avenue off M-26 (Memorial Drive), behind Econo Foods, next to the General Store Gas Station. Just go in the front door and AmeriCorps or BHK staff will direct you to the clinic.  5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, June 8, at Baraga Elementary School. Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 2 outside Wal-Mart. Copies of the Rules are available at the clinics and at the BHK facility and are posted in various restaurants around the community.   Each of the three classes of boats has its own rules. Class I boats are made entirely of corrugated cardboard and propelled only by paddles or oars. Class II includes boats propelled by all other forms of muscle-powered devices (paddle-wheels, propellers, etc.) or by sails, but not by paddles or oars. Swimming or paddling with a cardboard surfboard is not permitted. Class III boats are built on the spot by spectators-turned-participants, using a Secret Kit available only at the Regatta.     Anyone with questions on the clinic or the contest can call AmeriCorps at (906) 482-3663 or 1-800-236-5657 or email ccac@up.net. For information or a copy of the Rules, you may also contact Chuck Palosaari, AmeriCorps member and local race coordinator, at (906) 482-7719 or email him at cpalosaa@ccisd.k12.mi.us.   Editor’Äôs Note: Keweenaw Today will provide moral support and maybe even some duct tape for any North End group (Calumet to Copper Harbor) that enters the Regatta. Depending on water temperature, the editor may help paddle the vessel but is not anxious to win the Titanic Award!   Click here for more information about the Regatta ’Ķ                                                ’Äì Michele Anderson                                                   May 30, 2001