AWARD ACCEPTED–L’Anse Village Manager Bob LaFave presents retired L’Anse Village Police Officer Dave Seavoy with a plaque for his 37 years of service to the L’Anse Police Department.
by Breanna Hoffman and
Melissa Newland
After 37 years of service, L’Anse Village Patrol Officer, and former Chief of Police, David Seavoy completed his last official day on the job at the L’Anse Village Police Department June 4, 2021 when he officially hung up his badge in lieu of retirement. His career, and commitment to the Baraga County community, has spanned many years and Baraga County residents have much to thank him for. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
Bass brothers–Brothers Will Knisely, age 4, (left) and Charlie Knisely, age 6, went fishing with dad Rick Knisely on Saturday, June 14, 2021, at Big Lake. Both caught a lot of bass and photographer and mom, Jennifer Knisely, was able to capture the memories as the two reeled them in.
by John Raffel
The Baraga County Road Commission has released some highlight of road activity in the county this year: • US41 – Reconstruction of the M28/US41 is underway and being completed by Bacco Construction. This is a $5.2 million project reconstruction of about 4.5 miles of US-41 from Pine Street in Three Lakes to east of Tioga Creek, Baraga County. • 2.0 miles of paving is underway on Ford Road from M28 southerly in Covington Township. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.
FOOD PRODUCERS–The annual pre-season meeting of participants in the local farmers market was held June 1. Farmers markets take place at the L’Anse Waterfront Park on Saturday mornings from 9- noon, and at the Baraga County Museum grounds, U.S. 41 in Baraga, Wednesday afternoons from 3-5 p.m. Getting organized for the 2021 season are, l-r, Joyce Budreau, Patsy Keyes, Charles Hildenbrand, Cheryl and Mark Braun and UP Local Food Coordinator Alex Palzewicz.
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.
BESSED KATERI–left, Tekakwitha church on Bayshore Road, now closed, is for sale. OVERVIEW–right, Property boundary lines are indicted for Tekakwitha church site sale.
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.
SPECIAL AWARDS—The Baraga graduation tradition of honoring students who had quietly stood out with their accomplishments and service continued last Friday. Earning special recognition and plaques were, l-r, Richard Geroux, Haley Schjoth, Matthew Tangen, Jaylyne Lindemann, Steven Maki and Bailey Harden.
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.
HONORS CONVOCATION–L’Anse Area Schools annual awards program took place last Wednesday, in person. William Jarvey Memorial Award nominees include l-r, Alayna Waara, DySean Allen, Kayla Kujansuu, Mara Grentz, Maija Rice, Natalie Swanson and Kathleen Tollefson. The Jarvey award was presented to Swanson.
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.
RETIREMENT—Dr. Scott and Dee Pynnonen at the home they purchased four years ago near Gwinn. The Pynnonens opened their independent family practice in L’Anse in 1985 and sold to Baraga County Memorial Hospital in 2004. Scott retired after a 36-year career a couple months ago and is enjoying a busy, full retirement.
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.
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.
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.
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.
