Man High events are August attractions

The schedule of events for the 50th Anniversary celebration of the Man High series of balloon flights has something for everyone.

The annual Heritage Days celebration will be in full swing in Crosby the weekend of Friday, August 17 to Sunday, August 19 with events almost around the clock.

This is a happy coincidence for the Man High 50th anniversary celebration. The Man High II balloon was launched from the Portsmouth Mine pit on August 19 of 1957 and came to earth in a South Dakota flax field on August 20 of that year to launch the Space Age.

That means that between Heritage Days and Man High, there will be a lot to celebrate in three short days the weekend of August 17—19, 2007, so mark your calendars now if you haven’t already.

Work is still being done on the Heritage Days events, but it is already known they will include lots of fine food vendors in Serpent Park in Crosby as well as in the Croft Mine Historical Park, plus fine arts and crafts at Crosby Memorial Park and crafts and entertainment at the Croft. There will be music to listen to and music to dance to, and downtown food feasts on Friday. More on Heritage Days in this website, including the schedule, once it is firmed up.

As for the Man High Celebration, there is still work to do, but the calendar of events is shaping up like this:

MAN HIGH CELEBRATION SCHEDULE

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 2007

MAN HIGH GUESTS ARRIVE THURSDAY, AUGUST 16 AND FRIDAY, AUGUST 17. THEY WILL REGISTER AT RUTTGER’S BAY LAKE LODGE BEFORE A SMALL WELCOME DINNER AT ZIGS ON BAY LAKE.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 18, 2007

“Defeating Pain” seminar

Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby

9 a.m.—Session 1—Dr. Simons will speak on Trigger Point Therapy.

10:30 a.m.—Session 1—Carolyn McMakin will speak on Microcurrent Therapy.

Noon—Lunch catered by CRMC. Post session informal discussion.

1:30 p.m.—Caravan to space presentations at the C-I High School Auditorium.

Space symposium at the C-I High School Auditorium

2 p.m.—Dr. Simons, the pilot of Man High II and medical researcher; former Apollo Scientist Astronaut Duane Graveline and Dr. Marcello Vasquez, NASA liaison scientist with the Medical Department of Brookhaven NationaLaboratory, Upton, New York, will present a three-part symposium on cosmic radiation and other hazards to humans of space travel. The discussion will range from what Man High II achieved to the future challenges of space travel, which now includes Mars. It’s a once-in-lifetime chance to hear a pioneer who launched the Space Age on the same program with an Apollo astronaut and a young space scientist who is mentoring students of space to provide talent for the future. Master or ceremonies for the program and leaders of the question and answer session will be Kevin Taylor, Summerfield, Florida, who is webmaster of national sites on space interests.

3:30 p.m—Guests return to Ruttger’s for down time before evening activities.

5 p.m.—Pontoon ride on Bay Lake for the Man High guests, circling the island where Ruttger’s had its start. Guide for the short tour will be Lansin Hamilton of the Cuyuna Country Heritage Network.

6:30 p.m.—Pre-banquet social “meet and greet”, on the deck over the lake, weather permitting. Cash drinks bar.

7 to 9 p.m.—Dinner open to the public in the second floor banquet area at Ruttger’s . Pre-dinner presentation of “Man High Day” on the Cuyuna Range proclamation by Crosby Mayor Dave Sova. Short talks by two M.H. guest to end the evening.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 2007

11 a.m.—Picnic lunch at the Croft Mine Park. (Public invited.)

11:30 a.m.—Short celebration ceremony at the Portsmouth Overlook. Man High II was launched from the deep Portsmoluth Mine Pit, now one of many mineland lakes.

11:45 a.m.—Unveiling of the Department of Natural Resources Man High II kiosk at the overlook.

12:15 p.m—Welcome and introductions of dignitaries and guests.

12:30 p.m.—Presentation of colors by Ironton and Deerwood Legion Posts.

12:35 p.m.—Star Spangled Banner

12:50—Introduction of Dr. Simons, others.

1 p.m.—Dr. Simons gives keynote address on The Messenger is Not the Message.

1:28 p.m.—Keynote address by Congressman Jim Oberstar

1:40 p.m.—Introduction and remarks from Air Force General Bruce Carlson, now at Wright-Patterson Åir Force Base, Ohio.

2:25 p,m. Retiring of the colors.

2:30 p.m.—Send off and invitation for remaining guests and dignitaries to tour the Croft Mine Historical Park.