Chamber of Commerce planning for future; NexGen members seek next generation’s input

Tammy
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EARLY ASSIGNMENT–The Baraga County Chamber of Commerce’s younger members, “NexGen”, stepped in to organize and coordinate the annual Beer Fest the last time it was held, in summer, 2019, at the L’Anse waterfront. The event is being planned to return this year.

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.

Pt. Abbaye conservancy expands

Tammy
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SHARING FOR FUTURE–Brothers-in-law Mike Davis, center, and Bill Hall, on steps at Point Abbaye, made a significant impact on environmental protection and wilderness preservation. FINLANDER BAY–Shoreline that protects fish spawning grounds in Huron Bay includes 59 acres and 3,000 feet of shoreline formerly owned by the Hertel family now in conservancy.

by Barry Drue
The Keweenaw Land Trust (KLT) continues working with willing land owners on key parcels of Pt. Abbaye to ensure permanent survival of wild lands and critical shoreline for access of future generations. While the COVID-19 pandemic altered personal contact, landowners and KLT officials headquartered in Hancock continued to work on parcels both on Pt. Abbaye and some newly acquired pristine shoreline areas on the Keweenaw Peninsula. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Hospital begins search for replacement CEO

Tammy
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FULL SCHEDULE–L-r, Interim Hospital CEO Jerry Worden, BCMH Secretary Deb Hockings and Executive Administrative Assistant Brehley Dewald review Worden’s schedule. He and HR Manager Janelle Beeler are beginning the process of interviewing CEO candidates. The hospital board will eventually meet and interview final candidates.

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.

Farm roots stay with Taurianen 100 years; Esther still owns Nulu family farm on Grist Mill Road

Tammy
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FRIENDS FOREVER–Taken last week, photo of Esther, center, on the brink of the century mark. At left is niece Betty Tollefson, right, niece Kathy Gilbert. Esther lives on her own at her home in Redford, MI.

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.

Early spring brings early start

Tammy
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TESTING?THE?WATERS–A fisherman at Big Erick’s Bridge in Skanee enjoys a day in the sun as he angles the Big Huron River for success. Pickings are reportedly slim so far, but outdoorsmen, women and kids are off to an early start on the season thanks to recent warm weather.

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.

Huge grant funds air packs for area fire departments

Tammy
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BREATH OF FRESH AIR–Eight local fire departments will share in a load of nearly $700,000 worth of new self contained breathing apparatuses. A federal FEMA grant paid for the equipment. Baraga Fire Department was the grant host for a total of eight departments. Chief Jeff Mayo displays an old yellow air pack and the new state-of-the-art Scott equipment.

by Barry Drue

It took three years and three separate, complex grant applications but a consortium of area fire departments finally has a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) grant for $677,738 for new self contained breathing aparatuses, commonly known as air packs. Baraga Fire Department served as the host department. Through Chief Jeff Mayo the department teamed up with L’Anse Fire Department and other smaller area departments to seek the grant regionally. “Baraga, L’Anse, Aura, Covington, Duncan Township, Pelkie, Keweenaw Bay and Tamarack City (Dollar Bay area) departments participated. We did it regionally because we had better odds. The grant is based on the number of calls we get,” Mayo said. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Ramp up support for Lamsons, Schjoth; School, community-wide effort assists family after crash

Tammy
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Popular visitor in L’Anse–The Easter Bunny made a guest appearance outside The Village Gift Store at 102 N. Main St. in L’Anse last week, providing candy for children and photo ops for parents. Above, Courtney Spencer and her husband, Jared, try to coax a smile from daughter, Scarlet, while their son, Sterling, keeps a social distance. Patricia Bakewell purchased the costume and volunteered her time as the bunny, and will return outside the store this Friday from 2-6 p.m. and Saturday from 1-4 p.m. to spread more Easter cheer. Photo courtesy of The Village Gift Store.

by Nancy Besonen

Baraga Area Schools (BAS) ninth grader Kayla Lamson is free-r wheeling these days thanks to a class assignment straight from the heart. Kayla, her sisters, BAS fifth-grader Vanessa and L’Anse High School junior Alexis, and their uncle, Richard Schjoth, were injured Feb. 24, 2021 when Schjoth’s pick-up truck slid across the snowy center line on US-41 in Baraga and was struck by an SUV. Schjoth, Vanessa and Alexis were taken to U.P. Health System in Marquette. Kayla was transferred to the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. The girls’ younger brother, Tyler, was also in the vehicle but was uninjured. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Honor seven for emergency lifesaving

Tammy
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LIFESAVERS—Seven people who had hands in lifesaving rescues in critical situations were honored at Baraga County Memorial Hospital on Monday, March 15, 2021. Honors were bestowed for responses to three separate incidents that would have likely resulted in fatalities, had these folks not intervened. Front, l-r, are Hunter Kanniainen, Gary Salli and Trevor Kanniainen. Back, l-r, are Frank Salli, Jason Headson, Daniel Peters and Gary Wadaga.

by Barry Drue

A bit late due to COVID complications, seven individuals were presented Lifesaving Awards at Baraga County Memorial Hospital’s conference room on Monday, March 15, 2021. Their heroic actions took place in connection with three separate emergency situations between January, 2020, and this past January, 2021. Lifesaving awards are presented periodically by the Baraga County Medical Control Authority. The state-mandated group is under the umbrella of Baraga County Memorial Hospital. Its mission is to oversee and review the medical aspects, protocols, record-keeping, etc. of the area’s emergency medical services. Participants of the authority represent BCMH, EMS, law enforcement and the 911 director. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

SHS honors Robillard’s life of service

Tammy
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SHS HONOREE–Judy Robillard, center, is the Sacred Heart School Distinguished Graduate of the Year. She is flanked by SHS Principal Christy Miron, left, and Fr. Corey Litzner at right.

L’Anse resident Judy Robillard was recently recognized by Sacred Heart School as their Distinguished Graduate of the Year. Robillard is the daughter of Joseph and Georgiana Robillard and has been a lifetime member of Sacred Heart Church in L’Anse. She is a graduate of Sacred Heart School and of L’Anse High School. Robillard’s life has been one of service. After graduation she babysat for Ed and Judy VanderZanden until all the children started school. She then was a nurse’s aide at Baraga County Memorial Hospital for many years. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

County pursues land purchase; 1,100 acres in Covington Township

Tammy
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WILD, SCENIC RIVERS–run through the land Baraga County is working toward purchasing. Application is being made for an MDNR Trust Fund Grant, and the seller is willing to pay the 25 percent match resulting in no purchase cost to the county.

The Baraga County Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 Monday, March 8, 2021, to put the wheels into motion for a grant-funded purchase of 1,100 acres of wild and scenic river land in Covington township. Offer to purchase and conserve the land on the Sturgeon and Rock rivers was made by the owner first to Covington Township, and now to Baraga County. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

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