Two ATS students advance in ‘I Voted’ contest

I VOTED–Your vote could help advance two local area students’ artworks which made it to the semifinals in the Michigan Department of State’s ‘I Voted’ sticker contest and every vote counts to move their designs through the polls and hopefully into the winner’s circle. Avery Kahkonen (third grade) and Araminta Widby (sixth grade) were named as semifinalists in the elementary/middle school division of the contest. after submitting their creations. Avery’s is the fireworks and Araminta’s is the Statue of Liberty

 

by Melissa Newland
Your vote could help advance two local area students’ artworks which made it to the semifinals in the Michigan Department of State’s ‘I Voted’ sticker contest and every vote
counts to move their designs through the polls and hopefully into the winner’s circle. Arvon Township School (ATS) students Avery Kahkonen (third grade) and Araminta Widby (sixth
grade) were named as semifinalists in the elementary/middle school division of the contest after submitting their creations. Teacher Jane VanBuren noted after announcement of the contest on local news in late May, she and the students went over the rules and the design template found on the state’s website. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Community enjoys festivities during 4th of July holiday

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FIRST PLACE–Results are in for the float contest at the Lumberjack Days parade. Homestead Graphics took first place, keeping with the theme of “Every Era holds good memories”, with its Back to the 80’s float.

by Kris Kyro
Dancing in the streets to candy at your feet. Lumberjack Days and the 4th of July festivities in Baraga County had something for everyone. The twoday extravaganza began Wednesday and ended Thursday night with a bang. Superior Avenue was closed both days for the protection of participants and parade goers. Festive banners hung above Superior Avenue providing a patriotic backdrop to the ever-changing clouds. Overcast skies before the parade started didn’t deter people from enjoying the day. The sun broke through just before the parade began and the crowd settled in for a patriotic afternoon. Nicole Ross held her granddaughter Adley Mattson. The baby was decked from top to bottom in red, white
and blue. Ross and Adley were celebrating the day together. “It’s her first 4th of July and she’s enjoying it so much.” Ross stated. Adley just smiled. One-year olds don’t say much. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Alberta Fest draws crowd

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SWEET RIDE–Peter Dove, of L’Anse, shows off his 1969 Dodge Coronet during the Alberta Fest Car Show on Saturday. Multiple other classic cars were there being shown off.

by John Raffel
Henry Ford would have loved it. Alberta Fest took center stage at the Ford Forestry Center on Saturday. There were crafts and music. There was food, games and raffles and the very popular auto show featuring Model Ts and various types of older car models. Linda and Bob Treso from Clio were among the attendees who were visiting the Baraga County Museum display. “We have a cabin up here by Watton,” Linda Treso said. “We come up three or four times a year.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Camp 911 a success

LITTLE FIREMEN–Three of the Camp 911 attendees bravely made their way into the fire house as instructors looked on. The tiny and determined kids were eager to take their skills to a new level by entering the trailer. They were prepared to get everyone out safely during the drill. The children proved successful, and exited quickly. Some wanted to wear their special gear all day but followed the golden rule of sharing.

by Kris Kyro
Camp 911 teams ran the show, as the kids ran circles around them during the two-day event June 19 and 20 at the Baraga Village office. Gary Wadaga, director of Bay ambulance, kept the show going. Volunteers shared their expertise and talents. With the precision of a finely tuned clock, events continued throughout the two days of  entertainment and information. The first day of Camp 911 featured lectures, videos and demonstrations which included The Jaws of Life. Members of the police department, fire department and ambulance were on hand. The fifth and sixth grade students asked questions and learned plenty from all of the volunteers. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

L’Anse native making waves in the Navy

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Lieutenant Jordan Dix

by Kris Kyro
The Dix family is making waves in the best of ways, and it all started with David and Beth Dix. Jordan Dix is the oldest of 7 children and his mother said, “He (Jordan) paved the way for his siblings and was a great role model for them.” In the 7th grade, Jordan announced his desire to get into the Naval Academy. He knew getting good grades was important
to reach his goal. Having learned that getting into the Naval Academy was a series of steps, he got involved in as many things as possible, which included studying hard in school. As a high school student, he traveled to Tok, Alaska, embarking on an adventure shared with other young people at a Christian camp. His mother Beth said, “it was a very
remote place, and they were roughing it.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Keweenaw Classic, Lake Trout Fest success despite tragedy

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CARNIVAL FUN–Youngsters were out in full force at the Baraga County Lake Trout Festival this past weekend. At the L’Anse Waterfront, there was an Art & Crafts Fair, Coin Toss (sponsored by Baraga County Federal Credit Union), a kid’s fishing pond, kid’s carnival (sponsored by Ojibwa Casino), and a pie eating contest (sponsored by Nite Owl Restaurant). The Kid’s Carnival was a big hit with the bounce houses throughout the waterfront lawn.

by Melissa Newland
Despite the tragic boating incident that happened on Lake Superior during the Keweenaw Classic Fishing Tournament (see seperate story on this page) this past weekend, the Baraga County Next Gen Team made the hard decision to push on, weighing in fish and handing out prize money to the top teams. “Despite the terrible boating incident for one of our teams, the 2024 Keweenaw Bay Classic Fishing Tournament was a success,” said  Shawnia Taisto, Baraga County Next Gen Team Member. “Our team offers our deepest condolences to the friends and families affected by the tragedy that occurred during the
tournament.” The annual Lake Trout Festival and Keweenaw Classic Fishing Tournament coincided with free fishing weekend and was cohosted by the Baraga County Convention & Visitors Bureau and the Baraga County Next Gen Team. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

LAS celebrates 31 grads

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A LAST HURRAH–was seen at L’Anse Area School last week during graduation on Thursday, May 30, as the 31 graduates tossed their caps in the air and received hugs and congratulations amongst falling balloons for having completed this milestone and start a new chapter in their lives.

by Melissa Newland

Though this year’s L’Anse High School (LHS) graduating class was small at 31 students, the celebration was huge and there was much joy and congratulations in the air as the class of 2024 gathered in the gymnasium for the last time to receive their diplomas last week. The evening was warm and beautiful on Thursday, May 30 as the L’Anse Area School (LAS) gym bleachers filled up with guests and the class of 2024 lined up by the gym doors waiting for the ceremony to begin at 7 p.m. LHS band members and Director Aaron Poniatowski started the program with James D. Ployhar’s “Fanfare & Processional,” announcing the
senior’s entrance. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Disaster drill takes place at state park

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DISASTER DRILL–The Baraga State Park was host and participant in a two and a half hour disaster drill on May 22. Guests of the park were made aware of the drill ahead of time.

by John Raffel
The Baraga State Park hosted and participated in a Baraga County disaster drill for 2 1/2 hours from, 5 to 7:30 p.m. on May 22. Ahead of time, park officials alerted guests that they could expect to see EMS, law enforcement and fire vehicles and staff in the park along with mock victims of a school bus accident. Park officials were set to practice its emergency
response and guests may have been contacted but were not to be alarmed as its only a drill to practice county-wide coordinated emergency response and planning. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Remembering, running for Denise Marth

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DENISE MARTH MEMORIAL RUN–The Denise Marth Memorial Fun Run is held once again on May 11, 2024, in memory of a community member who advocated for health and wellness. Her memory is alive and well in L’Anse as this year is the 18th annual event in her honor.

by Porter Davis
With a rainy start to the morning, the Denise Marth Fun Run had a dreary outlook this year, and organizers were worried no one would show up. Of course, though, there are members of the community that make a show no matter the weather conditions, because some  things are more important than a bit of discomfort. What is exercise after all if not a bit
of discomfort for the sake of body and wellness. The Denise Marth Memorial Fun Run was
held on Saturday, May 11, at the L’Anse Waterfront Park from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Denise Marth would no doubt be proud of everyone who attended this year if she were still here. In her memory, runners, cyclists, roller skaters, and all manner of exercise enthusiasts
owned the day and conquered the weather for Denise and for themselves. Making the trek along the bay shore, participants were rewarded with snacks, drinks, water bottles and prizes. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

KBOCC celebrates graduating class of 2024

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DEGREES IN HAND–Happy graduates thank their teachers and mentors for helping them to graduate and earn the knowledge that will undoubtedly serve them positively later in life. The colors are held above, making an arch for the graduates to symbolically move through onto the next step in their journey. There’s no telling what they’ll do now, the world is theirs.

by Porter Davis
As another semester comes to a close, the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College (KBOCC) celebrates the graduating class of 2024. The entire community showed their
pride and joy for the successes and graduates this year, as they on reflect what can be accomplished when one puts their mind to something. This year’s graduates and teachers
have been hard at work earning their degrees and certificates together. Although a  ceremony in the rain may have been unique, it probably wouldn’t have been the most comfortable for most of the graduates in their finest clothes and makeup. Originally planned for the powwow grounds, the graduation ceremony was moved into the Niiwin
Akeaa Center where it was dry and easily accessible for the supporting friends and families. At least with the indoor venue, the acoustics were good for the local Woodland Singers
drum group. The Honors and Commencement Ceremony took place on Saturday, May 4, 2024, at 5 p.m. The ceremony began with two songs from the Woodland Singers, as the colors were posted by the KBiC Honor Guard. Following the Honor Guard, graduates and staff were led into the gymnasium and took their seats before an introduction from Kathleen Smith, and an invocation by Donald Chosa. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.