text: In this May 25 photo, Joseph Antoniazzi, 10, of Oak Lawn, helps sort clothing with his mother Bridget Gallegos, right, in Cedar Lake, Ind. Joseph started the organization, Never Alone, which works to help feed and provide clothing, blankets toiletries and other items to the homeless in Chicago. (AP photo)
  CEDAR LAKE, Ind. — What started with a pot of chili for a dozen homeless people on Lower Wacker Drive has mushroomed into an effort to feed more than 300, thanks to the generosity of a 10-year-old boy and his family.
  MARQUETTE – Tickets are now on sale for the Women’s Center’s Annual Evening of Elegance which is from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Landmark Inn’s Harbor Room.
  The gala marks the end of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year the event honors Unsung Heroes. These are heretofore unrecognized individuals who have worked for the betterment of the lives of survivors of domestic and sexual violence, The Women’s Center and its program Harbor House.
  The evening features silent and live auctions, a remarkable gourmet dinner of several delicious courses introduced by the chefs who created them, and unsung hero awards. Emcees for the evening are Matt Wiese, Marquette County prosecuting attorney and Beth Casady, executive director of the Women’s Center. Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Judd Spray will be the auctioneer.
  Sponsors of the Event included The Landmark Inn, Radio Results Network, The Mining Journal, WLUC-TV6, Professional Women in Building and VAST Insurance. Tickets are $100 and are available at the Women’s Center, 1310 S. Front St., in Marquette. Proceeds from ticket sales and the auctioned items go to the Women’s Center and Harbor House.
  In the first three-quarters of its fiscal year, Harbor House has provided 2,078 shelter nights for 53 women, 24 children and one man. In addition, Harbor House provided outreach services to domestic violence clients reaching 133 women, 19 children and two men.
  Sexual assault outreach clients thus far this year numbered 60 women, eight children and two men. Harbor House had 993 Domestic Violence crisis calls. 95 calls for sexual assault information.
  The community has long recognized the need for services the Women’s Center provides survivors of domestic and sexual violence in Marquette and Alger Counties. Community support helps the Women’s Center cover the costs of food, utilities, mortgage, diapers, and special programming.
  The Evening of Elegance helps chip away at the $250,000 per year needed to cover operational costs not covered by grants.
  If people are not able to attend the Evening of Elegance event, they are asked to consider contributions payable to the Women’s Center.
  MARQUETTE — There will be an organized walk from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, beginning at the Marquette Commons.
  From the commons, at 112 S. Third St., the walk will proceed west on the multi-use path to Seventh Street, then north on the multi-use path spur to Washington Street, then east on the Washington Street sidewalk to the multi-use path at Lakeshore Boulevard, looping around Mattson Lower Harbor Park before heading south on the multi-use path to Spring Street, and west on the multi-use path returning to the Marquette Commons.
  Participants will follow the rules of the road; however, motorists are asked to be alert to walkers crossing all the streets along the route.
  MARQUETTE — Kelly Specker and Anna Mendelin, with respective victories over Jan Hrsuska and Darlene Meyers, advanced Sunday to play in the championship flight title match of the annual Marquette Golf and Country Club Women’s Championship. Specker, the defending champion of the event, downed Hruska with a 4 and 3 matchplay victory. Mendelin, meanwhile, defeated Meyers, 8 and 7. Specker and Mendelin were scheduled to face each other at 2 p.m. today for the championship. Also scheduled to compete for championships today were Kay Anderson and Mary Lou Luke in the first flight; Donna Laurich and Rosalie Weiss, second flight; Chris Pesola, whod had to go one extra hole Sunday to defeat Wendy Pesola, and Mary Bourdeau, third flight.
  MARQUETTE — Forty inmates of the Marquette State Prison were granted paroles by the Michigan Parole Board in hearings which were concluded yesterday afternoon. In all, 75 cases were disposed of by the board in the hearings, which lasted three days. This included four public hearings held in lifer cases, and conducted at the courthouse here. The other sessions took place in the prison. Cases of eight inmates were referred to an executive session of the board, which means a meeting of the entire board. Fourteen other applicants for paroles were granted interviews and applications of nine inmates were passed, or rejected, for various reasons, and they will serve more time in prison. John H. Trudell and Fred Sanborn, board members, conducted the sessions. Miss Marion Nichols served as the reporter. John Spencer, assistant director of the Michigan Department of Corrections in charge of prisons, and Donald Thurston, parole eligibility examiner, also were here for the meetings. All are from Lansing.
  ELY TOWNSHIP, MI – Peter Lee Manty, 65, of Eagle St., Ely Township, passed away peacefully on Sunday evening, June 11, 2017 at the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans surrounded by his loving family.
  Pete was born January 21, 1952 in Ishpeming to Albert ‘Woody’ and Lorraine (Gauthier) Manty, graduated from National Mine High School, Class of ’70, and was a lifelong area resident. Following graduation he served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. Following his service to his country he was employed by Cliffs Natural Resources, working nearly 40 years with the company.
  Mr. Manty was a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Tilden Township. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved fishing and hunting. His favorite time of year was deer season, hunting with his grandson Jack. He also enjoyed biking and walking, which he did daily. Above all, Pete’s family came first, especially time spent with his beloved grandchildren.
  Surviving are his son, Dean (Heidi Hastings) Manty of Ishpeming; daughter, Kally Manty of Ishpeming; grandchildren: Jack Goldsworthy and Brenna and Beau Kaikkonen; brother, Bruce (Pat) Manty of Ishpeming; and ex-wife and best friend, Rita (Fred VanLuven) Culbert.
  Memorial services will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, June 23rd at Faith Lutheran Church, Tilden Township with Rev. Douglas Norquist officiating. The family will greet relatives and friends at a luncheon immediately following services at the church fellowship hall.
  Mr. Manty’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the staff of the DJ Jacobetti Home for Veterans for the loving and compassionate care provided.
  NFL still his dream: Ex-Northern Michigan University receiver, returner Marcus Tucker working for 3rd year to make NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers’ final roster | News, Sports, Jobs - The Mining Journal
  NFL still his dream: Ex-Northern Michigan University receiver, returner Marcus Tucker working for 3rd year to make NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers’ final roster
  Pittsburgh wide receiver Marcus Tucker works during practice at the Steelers’ training camp in Latrobe, Pa., on Aug. 7. (AP photo)
  Northern Michigan University’s Marcus Tucker, left, goes up for a reception against the tight coverage of a Findlay University defender during a game played at the Superior Dome in Marquette in September 2013. (NMU photo courtesy Cory Genovese/PhotoYoop)
  Northern Michigan University’s Marcus Tucker, left, makes a catch as Ohio Dominican University sophomore Billy Eakins tries to tackle him during a game played in September 2013 at the Superior Dome in Marquette. (Journal file photo)
  Marcus Tucker, a wide receiver for the Pittsburgh Steelers and former Northern Michigan University football player, talks to participants during the Marquette-Alger Regional Educational Service Agency’s Student-Athlete Leadership Workshop in March. A variety of speakers shared their experiences to help the local high schoolers. (Journal photo by Christie Bleck)
  “I’m going to have to make splash plays on special teams before I can make splash plays on offense.” — Marcus Tucker, former NMU football player, on making the Pittsburgh Steelers
  In his third season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, the former Northern Michigan University All-GLIAC wide receiver and return man is making the most of his opportunities at Steelers training camp, albeit taking none of it for granted.
  In a phone interview last week, Tucker said he’s enjoying himself as training camp progresses and he works to improve his game.
  Northern Michigan University's Marcus Tucker, left, goes up for a reception against the tight coverage of a Findlay University defender during a game played at the Superior Dome in Marquette in September 2013. (NMU photo courtesy Cory Genovese/PhotoYoop)
  “Things are going pretty good,” he said. “I’m just enjoying the process. Attacking every day with as much tenacity as I possibly can, learning as much as I possibly can and working on my technique and skill. I’m excited to try making this team.”
  Tucker, 26, has missed the cut the previous two seasons as teams are required to trim their active 90-man rosters down to 53 before the regular season begins.
  Local fans may get a chance to see him in action as soon at Thursday night as the Green Bay Packers host Pittsburgh in each team’s second exhibition game. The game will be televised on Fox-U.P., Channel 11 on Charter Communications.
  In 2017, the Steelers had a strong receiving core in Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster, Martavis Bryant and Eli Rogers. However, Bryant was traded to the Oakland Raiders in April and Rogers is coming off of an ACL injury in the Steelers’ divisional playoff game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in January.
  Northern Michigan University's Marcus Tucker, left, makes a catch as Ohio Dominican University sophomore Billy Eakins tries to tackle him during a game played in September 2013 at the Superior Dome in Marquette. (Journal file photo)
  Unsure if Rogers, who primarily plays slot receiver, will be good to go for the regular season, Tucker now has a big opportunity to earn that fourth receiver position.
  It won’t come easy, though. Tucker spent his career at NMU playing outside receiver for the Wildcats. Learning the inside position is a process, he says.
  “It’s just a different feel for me,” he said. “You need to learn where the linebackers are, proper spacing and other things of that nature. It’s sort of a feel that has to come naturally to guys. For me, because I played outside (receiver) most of my career and life, it’s just been trying to get on the same page and possess the things that come naturally to others.”
  Tucker isn’t alone in the receiving battle. Aside from Brown, Smith-Schuster and Rogers, the Steelers had eight other receivers on the roster to open fall training camp who Tucker had to compete with. Most notable are Darrius Heyward-Bey and Justin Hunter, who each saw playing time for the Steelers last season.
  Despite competition at the position, Tucker said it’s all about helping his teammates out as they do the same for him.
  “I just want to help guys and help myself,” he said. “We’re all learning. We use one another to get better. I wouldn’t really call myself a leader, nor a follower. We’re all helping each other. It’s a team deal.”
  Outside of the receivers position, Tucker has also been getting some work on the Steelers’ special teams unit, which he believes is key if he wants to make the final cut. As a return man for the Wildcats, Tucker had a 1,618 yards bringing back kicks of various sorts in his career.
  “Special teams is key for me because that’s how I’m really going to make my mark,” he said. “I’m going to have to make splash plays on special teams before I can make splash plays on offense. When I’m back there, I get an opportunity to show some things in the return game and show these guys I can do it. It’ll definitely help and increase my chances.”
  Throughout his NFL journey, Tucker hasn’t forgotten about NMU or Marquette. In fact, he still loves it, coming back often to train, work with some players on the current Wildcat roster, or hold youth camps.
  “I come back every off-season,” he said since finishing his playing career at NMU in the fall of 2015. “I train at AdvantEdge, which is the best training you can possibly get, and that’s coming from a guy who’s been in the NFL for three years.
  “I’m going to continue to do that, I’m going to continue to be back in Marquette, work my butt off and give everything I have in this game until my body says I can’t do it anymore.
  “I want to keep coming back and pouring in and giving all I have. Kids and parents aren’t exposed to being around NFL players and the talent level that other communities are exposed to. I want to continue to represent NMU and Marquette and show some love on my NFL journey.”
  A prime example of a player from a small-town school trying to make it big, Tucker has a message for current NMU players.
  “One, dream big. Two, work hard. Three, keep on pushing,” he said. “It takes a lot of hard work and dedication. It’s a favor from God for doors to open up for you and get an opportunity. At a small school like Northern, it’s not about the caliber of talent, but the opportunity you have to display that talent.
  “Right there at NMU, we have the same caliber of talented players of some of those bigger schools. It comes down to opportunity and favor. Continue to work hard, believe and keep on pushing.”
  “Thank you guys for embarking on this journey with me,” he said. “Thank you for watching our club battle every Saturday in the (Superior) Dome. It was always an electric atmosphere. Thank you for believing in me and cheering us on. I’m appreciative of the support, both from NMU and the Marquette community. There’s no place like it.”
  And as far as making the final 53-man roster, Tucker has full confidence in himself, but also realizes that nothing is promised.
  “I believe in myself,” he said. “I’ve believed in myself since day one. I’ve received a lot of support from friends, family and loved ones. Even the coaching staff believes in me. I’m confident and I feel good, but nothing is for sure.
  “Making the 53-man roster is something all 90 of these guys are trying to accomplish. We all want to battle out there and display what we can do. They’re going to take the best 53 they can possibly get because we’re trying to win a championship.”