HELPING HANDS–Students at Sacred Heart School (SHS) in L’Anse celebrated National Catholic Schools week Jan. 28 through Feb. 3, with fun activities for students and faculty alike, including a school-wide service project and giving appreciation for the work teachers do every day. The week ended with a celebration on Friday of the school’s teachers, with the Home and School Association providing coffee and goodies for the teachers in the morning and an afternoon free of lesson plans with the entire school spending the afternoon skating at Meadowbrook Arena. Pictured are (l-r) hockey player Roman Brennan (grade 6) assisting classmate John Holcomb (grade 5) with his skates.
by Christy Miron Sacred Heart School Principal
National Catholic Schools Week was celebrated by staff and students at Sacred Heart
School (SHS) in L’Anse who participated as part of the nationwide celebration of Catholic education. The event took place Jan. 28 through Feb. 3, with fun activities for students and faculty alike, including a school-wide service project and giving appreciation for the work teachers do every day. “Catholic Schools Week is a favorite for all each year,” said SHS Principal Christy Miron. “Students had the opportunity to put aside their uniforms for the
week and dress according to each day’s theme.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
ICE FISHING WINNER–Robert Aho of Tapiola caught the biggest fish at the Otter Lake Fishing Derby on Jan. 27, 2024. His fish was 34 and 3/4 inches long, garnering him $360. The fishing derby saw 76 contestants out on the ice, which stayed solid despite the warm temperatures.
by Porter Davis
The Otter Lake Fishing Derby has been going on in Tapiola for many years now, bringing people from all over the western Upper Peninsula to go out on the ice. The fishing derby is a day of ice fishing on Otter Lake, where fisherman and kids compete to catch the biggest fish. Beginning at sunrise, fisherman haul in fish all day long using poles and tip-ups. Some people sat around the drilled holes with friends or family, while others drilled multiple holes and waited to see the flags from their tip-ups swing up across the lake. Regardless of method, most fished in groups and enjoyed the warmer weather. The derby took place on
Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024. This year, the only fish measured for the contest were Northern Pike. Fisherman had until the morning of the derby to sign up and were allowed to fish until 4 p.m. Afterwards, a weigh in took place at 5 p.m. Most people came in a little early and
fish measurements were submitted throughout the day. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
QUILT OF VALOR–Clyde Elmblad was presented with a Quilt of Valor at the L’Anse American Legion on Jan. 16, 2024, honoring his service in the Korean War. The quilt is a way of comforting veterans and giving thanks for their sacrifices. Elmblad was nominated by his niece Lynn Kubit, and the evening was organized by Jim Sullivan and Kristina Waara of the L’Anse and Alston VFWs. Kristina Waara presented the quilt to Elmblad, who afterward enjoyed pics and a pleasant evening with his friends and family. Pictured with Clyde above are Matt Elmblad, Gwen Elmblad, and David Elmblad.
by Porter Davis
A Quilt of Valor was recently presented to local man and Korean War veteran Clyde Elmblad. The quilt that Elmblad was given was hand-made and specially embroidered with
his name. These quilts aim to provide comfort and peace to those touched by war. Presented with his quilt at the L’Anse Legion on Jan. 16, 2024, Elmblad enjoyed an evening of appreciation for his service and time with friends and family. The legion was filled with chatter and laughter while everyone ate dinner with Clyde, showing their appreciation by simply being present. The hosting of the presentation was done by the L’Anse Legion alongside the Alston and L’Anse VFWs. Kristina Waara, L’Anse VFW Commander, presented Elmblad with the quilt itself, alongside Jim Sullivan of the Alston VFW, who helped to get the evening set up. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
CANINE SAVIOR–Mariah Dunham, a teacher at Baraga Area Schools, pictured with her own furry friends, was walking her dog on Jan. 3, 2024, when suddenly another walker’s dog fell through the ice near the pow wow grounds. Braving the cold water, she smashed a path through the ice to get to the animal and brought it to safety.
by Porter Davis
“I considered it just an act of human kindness”. That was the very first thing that Baraga Area Schools’ Teacher Mariah Dunham said when she was asked to share her daring rescue of a dog trapped on the ice. Risking life and limb (literally) to save another, Dunham attributed her actions to just being in the right place at the right time, but her story proves otherwise. Wednesday, Jan. 3, was just any other day for Dunham, a walk by the pow wow grounds with her dog, enjoying the decent weather before last weekend’s snowstorm. A friend had suggested Dunham go on the road towards the beach, and she met some people walking their own dogs along the path. The dogs all greeted each other, and the walkers went on their way. Dunham kept on walking and was nearly to her vehicle when she heard
screaming from behind and felt a compulsion to run back. Before she did, she secured her dog in a vehicle and spotted a tow strap. Dunham felt an intuition that she couldn’t entirely explain, saying it was, “Just some divine intervention. We never go down that path and we just happened to be there, and something told me to grab that tow strap and put my dog away.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
A LITTLE GAME–of duck/duck/goose is going on here and Keweenaw Bay Indian Community College’s (KBOCC) Little Eagles, Migiziinsag, students are enjoying the fun time, though are also learning while playing.
by Melissa Newland
With the year almost halfway over, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community College’s (KBOCC) Little Eagles, Migiziinsag, staff, students and their families continue to prepare for next year when the students attend kindergarten. “It’s crazy that our year is almost at the halfway
mark,” noted teacher Melissa Paulson. She stated the Little Eagles program continues
to partner with each family to help their child prepare for kindergarten, with social/emotional skills being a crucial element of a child’s growth. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
From the smile on her face, Briella Lytikainen had a good visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus during the Baraga Fire Department’s (BFD) Baraga Area Children’s Christmas Party held Saturday, Dec. 16, 2023 at the BFD, and is definitely on the ‘nice’ list this year, so no coal in her stocking. According to the department, approximately 190 children attended the party where kids were able to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, get a candy bag, register for gifts, have a fire truck ride, and cook smores.
FESTIVE FLOATS–Businesses from the area compete in a float contest during the Light Up Baraga County parade. Starting on top of the North Main Street hill, people handed out candy and wished spectators happy holidays. In first place was the Baraga Community Memorial Hospital, Abbey Pine in second, and in third was a float by the Roys, Lindgrens, Doves, and Baril families.
by Porter Davis
The annual celebration of the holiday season known as ‘Light Up Baraga County’ turned into another great night in town. Nearly the entire afternoon was devoted to Christmas festivities. Businesses from all over the county took part in building floats and walking in the parade, passing out candy to kids along their route. The Light Up Baraga County events ran from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, covering the skating show at Meadowbrook Arena, a visit from Santa at the American Legion in L’Anse, and the parade
from the skating rink to the intersection at North Main and Broad Street. After the parade, the Christmas tree was lit up by Mr. and Mrs. Claus. The weather was unseasonably warm, with many remarking on the previous years’ snowy weather as the norm, when it had in fact rained early in the morning. Several cautious people brought umbrellas instead of winter boots this time, though the rain held off all evening. Regardless of the conditions, yoopers are famously ready for anything, and still showed up in droves to watch the parade. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
FREE MEALS–Giving out free turkey dinners on Thanksgiving Day were the volunteers at L’Anse Methodist Church. According to coordinator Sally Klaasen, approximatlely 380 out of the 400 prepared-for meals went to those in need, either picked up or dropped off, with about 20-30 volunteers giving up their time to help out. Pastor Terry Langston of Bethel United Pentecostal Church started the community event along with his small congregation over 20 years previous for anyone alone, shut-in or in need at Thanksgiving, with Klaasen taking over the organization of the event four years ago noting she felt there was a need.
by Melissa Newland
Giving never gets old for the volunteers who planned, prepared, and presented the free
Thanksgiving meals at the L’Anse Methodist Church (LMC) on Thanksgiving Day. The dinner takes many months of preparation beforehand by volunteers, along with generous donations given by businesses, organizations and individuals, and organizer Sally Klaasen stated 380 fullcourse turkey dinner meals went out to those in need this year. “Operations commenced at 7 a.m., and with a crew of about twenty wonderful people from the church and the community, meals were cooked, boxed, bagged, and picked up from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.,” said Klaasen about the operation. “Meals were also delivered to area businesses and organizations such as law enforcement, gas
stations, and hospital ER, to provide meals to working employees who might otherwise miss a holiday meal.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
TURNED 100–Elizabeth “Betty” Mae Adams Hansel celebrated her 100th birthday on Nov. 18.
by John Raffel
Elizabeth “Betty” Mae Adams Hansel celebrated 100 years of life on Nov. 18, Bayside Activites director Deb Merrill announced. Hansel is from downstate Michigan. Her early years were spent in Midland and Detroit area, but her adult married life, she spent living in her beloved Port Hope Michigan, “the little town with the BIG welcome,” according to Bayside’s announcement. Hansel now resides at Bayside Village in L’Anse for the past 10 and a half years to be near her daughter Marie Stiebe and family. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
A HAPPY ENDING–Enjoying the trip to Walt Disney World in Florida through the generosity of the Make-A-Wish Michigan program are (l-r) Kristy Laramore, Kaylee Ollila, Natalie Laramore, and Mary Lynne Usimaki, all celebrating Natalie’s last PET scan which showed “no active disease throughout her whole body” of Stage II Hodgkin Lymphoma.
by Melissa Newland
“It was a surreal experience” was the response from local teen Natalie Laramore as a tear slid down her cheek when she was asked what she thought about her recent trip to Walt Disney World in Florida through the MakeA-Wish Michigan program. But it was a tear of joy
and thankfulness-not only for the fully paid luxurious trip of a lifetime, but also because she was given the news after 22 different chemotherapy cocktails and 17 specific radiation
located treatments that she has now been declared to have “no active disease throughout her whole body” after her last PET scan for any recurrence of Stage II Hodgkin Lymphoma.
Mom Kristy Laramore also had some tears in her eyes during the interview when speaking about the Make-A-Wish program and all the local Baraga County support the family has
received during this difficult time. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
