CALUMET - The projects that grew out of Still Waters Community Elders Home are committed to continuing community service, even though the home is slated for closing October 1. According to general manager Charlie Hopper, Pasty Central and Pasty.NET will expand their support to non-profit service organizations in the Copper Country, such as Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, which is assisting Still Waters residents in their move.

"Pasty Central started as an online fundraiser to support elder care at Still Waters in Calumet," Hopper said. "Even after the enterprise became independent of the home, a portion of the proceeds continued to support it. Our staff is saddened to learn of Still Waters closing, but remains committed to support non-profits who make a difference in our community."

Since 1996 Pasty Central has operated the popular pasty.com web site and sold more than 300,000 pasties via the Internet. In 1999 Pasty.NET was established, first with dial-up service, later adding high-speed wireless and DSL across the 906 area code.

Changes in state regulation almost forced the 70 bed Home for the Aged to close in 2001. At that time, the employees raised capital to buy the pasty projects outright. This provided enough reserve funding to help Still Waters continue in operation another five years.

Earlier this year the Internet service relocated to an expanded network center in Kearsarge, at the Hut Inn, adjacent to Pasty Central's new USDA-approved kitchen, scheduled to come online later this month. The newly remodeled Hut Inn is also re-opening as a family restaurant, with a menu featuring old favorites and , as well as a selection of new items.

"All of the residents in the original Pasty Central crew have passed on," Hopper added, "and now Still Waters itself is winding down. The enterprises which were born there will continue to carry on the unique traditions of the Copper Country and actively support care for the elderly in Michigan's Upper Peninsula."