NONPROFIT AIMS TO EDUCATION MINNESOTA ON MINING’S IMPORTANCE
When Cindy Stene drives across the Iron Range these days, she becomes rather emotional. During a recent trip from Grand Rapids to Ely to Gilbert and back, “I had tears in my eyes — seeing all the signs that have sprung up,” she said.
She’s talking about “Iron Range Proud” yard signs. Displayed prominently under the word “PROUD” is the hashtag: #fight4miningMN. Stene and 12,000 of her closest friends have been fighting that fight together now for a good year and a half.
Though she lives in Grand Rapids, Stene’s family has called the Ely and Babbitt areas home. And she, along with Joe Baltich, owner of Red Rock Wilderness Store and Northwind Lodge near Ely, joined forces to get the ball rolling on a fight that’s improtant to so many.
They formed a nonprofit group dedicated to fighting for mining and educating the public on its importance to Minnesota, the nation and the rest of the world.
What started as a Twitter campaign and social media group has extended beyond, with board members encouraging those who may or may not be vocal on the Fight For Mining Minnesota Facebook page to get involved — in some way.
Currently, the group is seeking volunteers to walk or ride in Fourth of July parades in Ely, Nashwauk-Keewatin, and Aurora, and then possibly during Grand Rapids’ Tall Timber Days parade in early-August.
For the rest of this article: http://www.virginiamn.com/mine/taking-the-fight-outside/article_0daf3730-797d-11e8-b3a6-9385fa650b96.html