by Barry Drue
Locally sourced, grown and produced food is becoming increasingly popular as more consumers reach out for local, organic and humanely produced food. Food networks have become established around Marquette and Houghton, which both offer popular food co-operatives with many products from the UP and area. An effort is taking shape to provide consumers in and around Baraga County with more organized information about sources for local food and homemade products. For now the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce is providing space on its site for a list of producers and products that can be accessed through baragacounty.org. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland
If lakefront property is something you are interested in purchasing, looking into the old church property located at 15456 Pequaming Road., L’Anse, MI may be for you. The now closed “Most Holy Name of Jesus—Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Church” is up for auction, with online bidding through Sheridan Realty & Auction Company. The bidding will go through June 16, 2021 and will end at 1 p.m. on that day. The highest bidder of the auction will go home with approximately 300 feet of water frontage on 0.8 acres of property, with the now dilapidated approximately 1565 square feet of
buildings in tow. Sheridan Realty & Auction Company has been commissioned by the seller, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), to auction the property at public auction. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Barry Drue
Baraga’s Class of 2021 stepped from the Viking football field to its future on Friday, May 28, 2021. Graduation finally arrived after a difficult but successful battle through the COVID pandemic that initially began with remote education in March of 2020. “It’s been a tough year, guys,” Superintendent Rich Sarau noted before presentation of special administrative and faculty awards for outstanding seniors. Sarau addressed students, staff, parents, families and friends seated before him from the stage on the 50 yard line. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of you. It says a lot for your character, your moxie, your dedication,” Sarau told the graduates. “And my staff this year has been amazing (working through) the obstacles.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland

L’Anse Area School (LAS) recognized students who were awarded medals for the 2020-21 school year for Honor’s Convocation. The presentation was held May 19, 2021 at the LAS gymnasium, starting off with the processional “Celebration March” by Bob Cotter, played by the 7-12 grade band and directed by Aaron Poniatowski. The processional was led by Valedictorian Alayna Waara and Salutatorian Daniel Williams, with a welcome speech given by Superintendent Susan Tollefson. Tollefson gave the introduction of the speaker, Dr. Daniel Cavanaugh, a 2005 L’Anse High School graduate. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Barry Drue

Dr. Scott Pynnonen and his wife Dee have a unique perspective on the evolution of health care services in this area over the last 36 years. The Pynnonens set up shop in L’Anse as an independent provider in 1985, selling the practice to Baraga County Memorial Hospital and becoming part of the BCMH Physicians Group in 2004. At the height of the independent practice in a twice-enlarged former house on N. Main Street the Pynnonens had around 23 employees, full and part-time, and four providers over the years seeing local patients. It was very much a family affair and a labor of love for the Pynnonens, who raised two children, David and Katie, through those times. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Nancy Besonen

Baraga County NexGen is pointing the way toward the bay, and the future. NexGen is a branch of the Baraga County Chamber of Commerce (BCCOC) made up of young and dynamic local business people. Entrepre-neurs and leaders all, their main focus is engaging the next generation in the future of its community. The group includes Jake Ostermeyer, Dan Cavanaugh, Kristin Kahler, Jessica Schwab, Melissa Pellow, Nicole Acciacca and Brenda Hoffman. Most are members of the BCCOC, but it’s not a requirement of others interested in becoming involved. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Barry Drue

Baraga County Mem-orial Hospital’s board of directors has brought a veteran health care official on board to lead the search for a replacement for former CEO Margie Hale. Hale left BCMH for a regional chief nursing officer position with Aspirus Health. (See related story.) Jerry Worden, 67, of Marquette, has joined the hospital administration in an interim role to coordinate the search for a new Chief Executive Officer. He brings a wealth of experience to the task, including 40 years in health care. Worden is already scheduling initial interviews with candidates this week. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Barry Drue

Esther Elizabeth Nulu Taurianen will mark her 100th birthday at her downstate home in Redford, MI, on Monday, May 3, 2021. She is quite independent, living by herself in her own home with daughter Virginia Miruzzi living nearby in Livonia. But Esther remains deeply rooted in her childhood on the Nulu farm on Grist Mill Road west of Baraga off M-38. She and family visit the old homestead and Esther still pays the bills and keeps up with the place. “People ask her what her secret to longevity is,” daughter Ginny said. “Living on the farm she hated to hear about animals were slaughtered. She ate very little meat and is mostly vegetarian. And she likes a beer!” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Melissa Newland

As the fish start making their way up river, local campgrounds have been packed to the gills with fishermen wanting to wet a line and catch some rainbow trout (steelhead). Though most note the fishing has been pretty slow going so far this season, they are happy to get out and enjoy what nature has to offer. Big Eric’s Bridge State Forest Campground in Skanee has seen its fair share of campers and day trippers this season already, along with the other popular rivers in the area; Falls, Ravine, Slate and Silver. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.