MOUNTAIN IRON — Area residents are invited to the Minnesota Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener at the Community Center in Mountain Iron on Thursday, Nov. 5 to tackle some trivia and hit some bull’s-eyes to compete for the Bad Axe Award.

The Bad Axe Competition encompasses outdoor and wildlife trivia, Mountain Iron-area trivia and shooting skills that will be a challenge for any outdoor enthusiast or area expert.

“It’s an opportunity for folks to demonstrate their knowledge and show off their shooting skills while celebrating the state’s deer hunting tradition,” said Mike Kurre, DNR mentoring coordinator. 

The competition will be held in conjunction with the Minnesota Governor’s Deer Hunting Expo at the Mountain Iron Community Center. Starting at 4 p.m., there will be a variety of deer hunting-related booths and activities. 

At 5 p.m., everyone is invited to wear blaze orange and gather in front of the community center to take part in the opening ceremony with world-class teen archer Breanna Theodore and then help make Mountain Iron’s “Sea of Blaze Orange” selfie photo.

Air rifle ranges, a laser rifle range, National Archery in the School competition, music, chainsaw carving, raffles and a silent auction are among the other free, on-site activities. 

Additional local flair will include a smoked meats competition. F & D Meats, Fraboni's, Koshar's Sausage Kitchen, and Paul's Italian Market will participate.

There will also be kids' games with prizes: Plinko; puck shoot with Minnesota Iron Rangers junior league players; Minnesota Museum of Mining, Soudan Underground Mine State Park and Hull Rust Mine View games; a foam-topped arrow shooting game; and ring toss. 

An iron pour by Iron on the Range is also planned. A limited number of commemorative pieces will be given away. 

Learn more about the Minnesota Governor’s Deer Hunting Opener.

EVELETH — Can you walk on water? Make ice cream in 60 seconds? Or make a magnet float in mid-air with no strings attached?

Visitors to the family-friendly, second annual 2015 Iron Range Mind Trekkers STEM Showcase will be able to take part in all of these activities and a lot more!

The gigantic, free, and open-to-the-public science, technology, engineering, and mathematics showcase is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 24, at the Range Recreation Civic Center in Eveleth.

More than 100 hands-on STEM activities geared for all ages will be presented by Michigan Technological University’s Mind Trekkers, Iron Range Engineering, Itasca Community College Engineering, University of Minnesota Duluth Engineering, and area organizations.

It’s a day of science and fun for all ages!

View pictures from last year's event.

Chisholm Tribune Press

CHISHOLM — Mourners gathered to pay their respects to Veda Ponikvar, newspaper founder and outstanding woman of the Chisholm community, Monday at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Chisholm.

Revs. Fred Method and Frank Perkovich officiated the Mass of Christian Burial and military honors were accorded by the Mid-Range Honor Guard.

Ponikvar, who founded the Free Press, now known as the Chisholm Tribune Press, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 13, at age 96.

For more than 50 years, Ponikvar owned and published the bi-weekly Free Press-Tribune Press.

The Mass began with members of American Legion Post 247 saluting her while “Taps” rang through the church. Past Post Cmdr. Dave Pessenda paid tribute to Ponikvar, who had been a legion member for 69 years.

Ponikvar was remembered as an outstanding newspaper publisher and for her commitment to the community and St. Joseph’s Church, where she was a lifelong parishioner.

Read the full article.

BIWABIK — The annual ski swap will be held in the Giants Ridge Chalet in Biwabik on Oct. 30 and 31. 

Sale Hours:

• Friday, Oct. 30: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Saturday, Oct. 31: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Got equipment to sell? Equipment Check-in Hours:

• Thursday, Oct. 29: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 30: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. 

Equipment Pick-Up Hours:

• Saturday, Oct. 31: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

Those who bring in two non-perishable food items will receive a "2 for 1" snow tubing coupon. 

In other news, it's not too late to take advantage of the Giants Ridge season pass sale. Passes can be purchased online or by calling 218-865-8005. Alpine passes are $25 off during the month of October. 

Learn more about the season pass sale and ski swap. 

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