Penokee Range subject of storytelling event

February 18, 2013

Wisconsin legislation to revise mining law and a potential open-pit iron mine in northern Wisconsin have inspired much discussion around the environment, economy, public health and values of state and local residents. Now, the northern Wisconsin community seeks to highlight people's stories about one proposed mining site: the Penokee Range. People will share their stories in the public reading "Penokees Read" at StageNorth in Washburn at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 14.

"People have amazing stories to tell about the Penokee Range from a variety of perspectives," said Ros Nelson, an event organizer and owner of Little Big Bay Book Publishing. "This is a chance for people to tell the story they want to share about the Penokee Hills: fiction, nonfiction or poetry. This is not a political event, but stories may have political elements and all points of view are welcome."

Organizations sponsoring the event will publish the stories in print, online and broadcast them live on the radio.

"The idea is to bring the place alive in the mind's eye through the combined experiences of people living, working and recreating in the Penokee Range," said Danielle Kaeding, an event organizer and station manager of WRNC-LPFM (97.7).

The public reading is designed to give a voice to the people living in Iron, Ashland and Bayfield counties, but all are welcome to submit stories. A panel of area writers will choose entries that will be selected for the public reading. However, all submissions will be considered for print and online publications, as well as for an anthology of stories about the Penokees. In addition, all stories may be recorded for radio broadcast whether or not they are broadcast live at the time of the public reading. Submissions are due by Monday, March 4. Submissions that are accepted for a public reading will be announced Sunday, March 10.

Submission guidelines may be found online at www.honestdog.net, www.littlebigbay.com and www.wrnclp.org.

The event is sponsored by Honest Dog Blog, Little Big Bay Book Publishing, Northland College, WRNC-LPFM (97.7), Wisconsin Public Radio, the Ashland Daily Press, StageNorth, Moving Water Photography and SunRidge Moving Pictures.

Any media organizations that may be interested in publishing or broadcasting these stories may contact Danielle Kaeding for further information.