Men, Women, Couples, and Singles Dinner

“NORTH TO ALASKA” DINNER EVENT FEATURING ROB NORTON


The Iron Mountain Area Christian Women's Connection is sponsoring a special evening event and inviting men, women, couples, and singles. Please join us at the Pine Grove Country Club, 1520 W. Hughitt, on Tuesday, May 12 at 6:00 pm for dinner and an evening filled with fun and inspiration.

The program will feature Rob Norton, a former bush pilot and registered Alaskan fishing guide. Rob will share some of his adventures as a bush pilot and give a broad overview of fly fishing techniques. Rob's position as a contract pilot for Fed Ex brought him and his wife Patsy to Iron Mountain 15 years ago. He has since become the President and Director of Operations for CSA Air, which employs approximately 50 people and is headquartered in Iron Mountain. Prior to that, Norton spent 14 years in Alaska – flying for five years in the most remote parts of Alaska, five years for an Alaskan airline commuter, and four years for Chelatna Lake Lodge.

Rob has had a passion for flying since he was a young boy growing up in Hinsdale, Illinois. His parents fueled this passion by buying him a radio so he could listen to the O'Hare ATC, which he did for hours. He took his first flying lesson at the age of 15. He ultimately joined the Marines, became a pilot and proudly served in Viet Nam.

While living in Alaska during the 1980s and 1990s, Norton tied two world records for fly fishing and broke a world record for catching a Chinook salmon weighing 52 pounds on a fly rod. We're certain you'll want to hear some of his tricks of the trade!

Our speaker for the evening is Erv Smith, of Moline, Illinois. Erv presents his life and biography -- “Used, Abused, & Renewed: A Story of Recovery” -- uniquely by singing country songs and playing “Name that Tune” with the audience. He tells how he was once held captive by alcohol and the night life of a musician, until God worked through people to bring him to the saving grace of Jesus Christ and a new life. His is truly a story of restoration.

Erv is a graduate of Western Illinois University and Moody Graduate School. He worked for many years for Navistar (formerly International Harvester) and took an early retirement in 1993. He and his wife Dorothy worked as volunteers at the Stonecroft Conference Center near Branson, Missouri. From 1998 through 2002 Erv taught GED and Parenting classes to inmates at the Rock Island County Jail. Erv and Dorothy travel for Stonecroft Ministries speaking and singing about what God has done in their lives. Erv specializes in helping churches transition between pastors and is the founder and director of a ministry entitled “Chaplain on Call.” We are very pleased to have Erv here to share his story with us.

Tickets for the evening may be purchased at three locations in Iron Mountain: First National Bank, Storheim's, and The Hopehouse. Tickets are $17 per person, inclusive, and must be purchased in advance by Friday, May 8.

The menu for the evening will include Beef Tenderloin Tips with Burgundy Wine Sauce over Pasta, Fresh Sautéed Vegetables, Salad, Rolls, Coffee, Milk, and Ice Cream for dessert.