by Barry Drue
More than 20 area kids picked up a ton of safety lessons and hands-on experience at the Camp 911 program last week. The two-day event took place at the Baraga Village Office and fire department facility last Wednesday and Thursday, June 14-15, 2017. This was the 19th annual safety camp. As always the fifth and sixth graders are thoroughly entertained as they learn how to cope with everything from fire safety to avoiding live electrical wires to boating safety. The event involves a big group of organizations and presenters. Numerous people from Bay Ambulance work to coordinate the camp. Involved this year, along with Bay Ambulance were Baraga Fire Department, various EMTs, the L’Anse firemen with the Jaws of Life demonstration, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, UPPCO, the U.S. Coast Guard, the Houghton/Keweenaw/Baraga county fire smokehouse, Keweenaw Bay Tribal Police and its K-9 unit, Baraga County Search and Rescue, the Michigan State Police, the DNR and United States Forest Service from the Ottawa National Forest. The camp opened Wednesday, June 14, with tours of ambulance, police, fire, Jaws of Life, DNR, HazMat, and Baraga County Search and Rescue. The crew took in videos on texting and bullying. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Van Straten Brothers, Inc. has been recognized as one of the 2017 “Michigan Companies to Watch,” an awards program presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. Co-Owners, George and Peter Van Straten were honored at the awards ceremony during the 13th Annual Awards Celebration – Michigan Celebrates Small Business gala event, May 4, 2017 in Lansing, MI. Van Straten Brothers, Inc. prevailed along with 49 other companies to receive this distinction from out of over 400 nominees. The Van Straten business was established in the early 1960’s by Pete and Lil Van Straten (Van Straten & Sons). George and Peter purchased the business from their parents over 20 years ago and the company (Van Straten Brothers, Inc.) is currently being operated by the second and third generations of the Van Straten family. Van Straten is an experienced and well-known metal fabrication shop specializing in custom machining, welding and fabrication of high quality products to customer specifications. Services include the fabrication of machined steel weldments, scaffolding, bridges (permanent and portable), capital equipment, heavy equipment chassis, booms, buckets, cranes, frames, lift arms, grapples, snow plows, log truck trailers, boat cradles and power systems. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Barry Drue
The community and neighbors of the proposed 55 megawatt natural gas electrical generating station in Pelkie were set for an update on the project at the Ojibwa Casino as this paper went to press on Tuesday, May 23, 2017. Upper Michigan Energy Resources Corporation (UMERC) spokesperson Amy Jahns and Project Manager Terry Carroll addressed the progress of the planning process Tuesday evening. “We’re holding an open house for residents living near the generating station, and the community,” Jahns said. The company purchased 40 acres on Sarya Road to site the plant. “We do constantly call those neighbors,” Jahns said. “We sent invitations to neighbors within two miles of the site—and the community is invited too.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

GOOD TIMES–Sue and Gar Hood taking it easy at
Bridgefest, 2009. When they retired to Florida Gar
loved his boat and the beach. He died on April 21,
2017, after battling illness in recent years.

by Barry Drue
Longtime area attorney and judge Garfield Hood is remembered by many bar association colleagues and friends for his dedication to his craft, his openness and friendly personality, and certainly for his humor. “Gar”, as he was known to everyone, died at his retirement home in Englewood, FL, after battling several illnesses in recent years. Gar died peacefully in Englewood on April 21, 2017. He was 71. Following his wishes, wife Sue and children Sarah, Lauren and Kristin made the decision to place their husband and dad in hospice following a stroke. Mercifully, Gar was there only one night before the end. Gar wanted to be remembered this way, in his own words: “I loved my family, I tried to be fair, I did the best I could”. As the news arrived in the Copper Country any were saddened and surprised. Sue said she and her daughters and their families had time to adjust. “I’m fine,” Sue said Monday, May 1, a week and a half after her husband’s passing. “It was not a real shock. He was ill for about four years.” Sue noted that she and Gar had owned a place in Florida since 1996 and very much enjoyed time there. When Gar retired after an 18- year career as 12th Circuit Judge in September, 2008, the Hoods purchased a condo in Englewood and spent more and more time there. Those years have proven a godsend to Sue who has developed many friendships to help her through difficult times. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

by Barry Drue
Spc. Sara Cerne has been recognized by the United States Army for her role as a firefighter. She was one of the women soldiers who were profiled in honor of Women’s History Month in the base newspaper, the Fort Polk Guardian, at Fort Polk, LA. Cerne is a 12M Army firefighter assigned to the Fort Polk fire station. She serves with six other Army firefighters and several civilian firefighters. She is the only woman. Cerne is a 2013 L’Anse High School graduate who has shown plenty of determination and drive in her life and purpose. She is remembered for having brought together area cancer survivors and raising cancer awareness in her Girl Scout Gold Award project in L’Anse in her senior year. That project earned her an automatic advancement step when she joined the Army. She has gone on to be a leader among her peers in the Army, and is building her skills. The Specialist recently attended Leadership Training. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.