Whitman to coach U.S. Luge Naturbahn Team

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IN UNIFORM–Keith Whitman shows his colors while sister, Fran, coaxes a smile from outside the camera range. Whitman will travel to Europe this Christmas to coach the U.S. Luge Naturbahn Team.

by Nancy Besonen
Keith Whitman will be flying high this Christmas, en route to Europe to coach the U.S. Luge Naturbahn Team as it trains and competes in Italy, Austria and St. Sebastian. And he gives the credit to a L’Anse High School coach. Whitman of Escanaba grew up in L’Anse, where his family owned and operated the Whirl-I-Gig bowling alley and dance hall. One of eight siblings, most all of them ranging to tall and lanky, he struggled with both coordination and others’ poor judgement. “A phys ed teacher told me I couldn’t walk and chew gum at the same time,” Whitman said. “Teachers don’t understand the impact and influence they have on a young man or woman. Then Jim Mattson, the track coach, took me under his wing.” And Whitman, who had once driven his knee into his front teeth and required stitches from a assigned somersault, soared. “He told me, ‘I believe in you, I think you’re worth something, and I care about you,’” Whitman said. “He worked with me from my freshman through senior year. As a senior in 1969, I held the state record in the mile run.” Whitman was on the run again in the early 1980’s, this time exercising in the woods near Negaunee, when he met a man working on a luge run. The man invited him to come back and try out the track. Whitman returned, and a passion was born. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

L’Anse High finds its voice

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CHOIR COHORTS–Choir members are, back row l-r, Associate Director Courtney Jones, pianist Les Elmblad, Shelby Harrison, Tristyn Aleo, Kyle Usimaki, Logan LeClaire, Greg Dowd, Reeyce Fish, and Associate Director Carol Mattson. Front row l-r are Kayla Hoffman, Sienna Stein, Mikala Hererra, Maya Dove, Brianna Hoffman. Front and center is Alexis Aleo. The group will perform Sunday, Dec. 3.

by Melissa Newland

L’Anse Area School (LAS) has some new voices in its midst with the creation of the L’Anse High School (LHS) Choir, led by Associate Directors Courtney (Clisch) Jones and Carol Mattson, and accompanied on piano by Les Elmblad. Jones and Mattson, along with Elmblad, have had many years’ experience in the musical field and bring much knowledge to pass on to the students at LAS. LHS Choir students are Greg Dowd-Bass, Logan LeClaire- Bass, Kyle Usimaki- Bass, Donnie Paquette-Tenor, Tristyn Aleo-Alto, Shelby Harrison- Alto, Mikala Herrera- Alto, Hollynd Makela-Alto, Alexis Aleo-Alto/ Soprano, Maya Dove-Soprano, Reeyce Fish-Soprano, Brianna Hoffman-Soprano, Kayla Hoffman-Soprano, Sienna Stein-Soprano. According to Jones, the L’Anse High School Choir was created when a few musically-inclined students pushed for a new after-school program geared toward encouraging young adults to get together and increase their musical knowledge. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

‘Village 104 Collective’ a community effort; L’Anse independent artists collective puts talent on display

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L’ANSE COLLECTIVE–Area artists are sought for the newly opening collective to sell their unique products and projects. Welder Payne Chassen, left, and carver Keith Almli, right, are among those who have jumped in to the renovation of a storefront to serve as home for the collective.

by Barry Drue
“Building community” is the cornerstone of the Village 104 Collective on Main Street in L’Anse. And the artists’ collective has already involved a big community effort. “This is a collective of independent artists,” said Coordinator Payne Chassen, herself a multi-talented artist and welder. Her L’Anse-based metal fabrication business is called Peninsula Hotworks. “We have a lot of talented people and we’re trying to pull them out of the woodwork and give them a place to sell the beautiful things they make.” The ten or twelve vendors already on board have volunteered their time as the collective in the old Sunshine Cafe storefront has taken shape over the past three months or so. Organizers are also very appreciative of support from the Village of L’Anse and a $2,500 Downtown Development Authority facade grant to spruce up the front of the building. It is owned by Alyn Bell who is investing in properties here since discovering L’Anse through his property manager, Pennie Halpin. “This is a bay front village. We’re trying to build commerce,” Halpin added. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

L’Anse pays tribute to veterans

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STANDING TALL–Staff and students at L’Anse Area School stand tall as the colors were presented at the Veteran’s Day assembly held on Friday. K-12 students participated in the event this year, which was a first for LAS. Superintendant Susan Tollefson stated the event went very well and everyone seemed to enjoy it, especially the youngest elementary students.

 

by Melissa Newland
The L’Anse Area School (LAS) Veteran’s Day program, sponsored by the LAS Student Council, was held Nov. 10, 2017 at 8:45 a.m. in the school gymnasium. Grades K-12 participated in the event together this year. “The Veteran’s Day assembly is always an impressive event. This year we included the entire K-12 student body and our youngest elementary students were in awe of the formality of the event. They may not fully understand the complete meaning of Veteran’s Day, but they left that gym knowing it was an event of important significance,” said Superintendent Susan Tollefson. Veterans were served a hot breakfast before the program, which was also organized by LAS Student Council. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Public defends right to vote

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FULL HOUSE–Baraga County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph O’Leary, standing, addresses a full house at the Baraga County Board of Commissioners’ meeting regarding a resolution he introduced that regulates voting rights. Approved last month, it was rescinded Monday night.

by Nancy Besonen
The Baraga County Board of Commissioners voted Monday, Nov. 6, 2017 to rescind a resolution that regulates voting rights. The action was taken before a packed house at the Baraga County  Courthouse during the board’s re-scheduled regularly monthly meeting. Commissioners Gale Eilola, Pat Reilley, William Rolof and Chairman Mike Koskinen all voted to rescind. Commissioner William Menge was absent. The same commissioners had voted last month in support of the resolution that inspired Monday night’s often impassioned pleas against it. Commissioner William Menge was absent from last month’s meeting, also. Baraga County Prosecuting Attorney Joseph O’Leary had introduced the resolution as a concerned taxpayer at the Oct. 10, 2017, meeting of the Board of Commissioners. It calls upon Congress to call a convention of the states to adopt Amendment XXVIII to the U.S. Constitution: Section 1 Notwithstanding any previous article of this  Constitution, no citizen shall be entitled to vote for a candidate seeking election to the House of Representatives unless said citizen shall have made a personal, net contribution to the United States Treasury in the years since the previous election for Representatives. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

KBOCC bringing ag program to Pelkie; College, Baraga schools signing purchase agreement

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CUTTING EDGE–The Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College construction crew is transitioning the former Pelkie School into its new role, with programs beginning as early as January, 2018.

by Barry Drue
The Pelkie School is returning to its roots. The 1930’s-era Pelkie Agricultural School will be turned over from the Baraga Area Schools to the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College at a formal document-signing on Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2017 at 2 p.m. at the Pelkie building. KBOCC is creating an agricultural program at the  school under its Native Food Pathways Program. The community school that began with an agricultural mission will return to that original emphasis. The building had been used by the Baraga Area Schools for elementary grades for decades. It closed housing kindergarten, first and second grades in June, 2015. Declining enrollment made the building too expensive for BAS to justify keeping open. Finding a new use for the Pelkie facility has been an on-going project. KBOCC and Baraga officials have worked for years to transfer the building. Wednesday, the KBOCC Board of Regents will accept ownership for $1. The building is in good condition as it was extensively remodeled with energy savings in mind several years ago. Energy-efficient doors and windows were installed and a geothermal heating system is in place. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Mount Arvon ‘Hiked in Spirit’

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COMMON GOAL–Getting ready to head to Mount Arvon to honor Fallen Veterans of Suicide Saturday, Oct. 21, are back, l-r, Jerry LaPlante, Les Yon, Fred Roberts, Lance Heikkinen, Paul Maki, John Hendrickson, Jerry Seretti, Francis Darcy, Rodney Loonsfoot, George DaCota, Rick Geroux, Mike Giddings. Front, l-r, Mary Paquette, Exandrea Paquette, Tristyn Aleo, Sienna Stein, Gordette Coté Leutz, Jediah Aleo, speaker George Eshleman, Alex Paquette, Donnie Paquette, Alexis Aleo, Caleb Sliger.

by Melissa Newland
The Baraga County Community Foundation (BCCF), along with the Unified Warrior Foundation (UWF), the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Wiikwedong Ogichidaa Veterans Society, and Baraga American Legion Post 444, hosted a memorial service honoring Fallen Veterans of Suicide Oct. 21, 2017 at noon. The Youth Advisory Committee of the BCCF partnered with Retired Army Sergeant and Executive Director of the UWF George Eshleman, to host the event in the Upper Peninsula in support of the work of Eshleman. The group honoring the fallen Veterans met first at The Finn’s in Skanee, where the Youth Advisory Committee of the BCCF presented gifts to the Veterans present for the service. The fleet of vehicles then made their way to the summit of Mount Arvon for the ceremony. Eshleman opened the ceremony with his story. After losing his best friend to suicide, he hiked a total of 3,545 miles, including 2,189 miles of the Appalachian Trail. The family of his friend asked him to carry his Army name tag with him to Mount Katahdin. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Community responds in ‘Eel’s’ time of need

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PICTURE PERFECT–The Eliason family, l-r, Bob, Debbie, Bobby, Krystal Larson, and Jerry making memories at Max and Melissa Miron’s wedding this past summer. The Eliason’s are very thankful for the community support they have received since Bob was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.

by Melissa Newland
“We make plans for the weekend, plans to go on vacation, plan for retirement, but nobody plans for cancer!”– Debbie Eliason. Nobody does plan for cancer, but Bob “Eel”and Debbie Eliason have had to do just that after Bob was recently diagnosed with T3 locally advanced esophageal cancer in August. Bob was at his physician’s office for his biannual checkup for Barrett’s disease, which he had been diagnosed with about eight years ago. Barret’s disease is caused by longstanding acid reflux disease that causes damage to the cells of the lower esophagus. Bob had been managing his Barrett’s disease by taking a proton pump inhibitor, Prilosec, that blocks the release of stomach acid. He had also been going in for scheduled upper endoscopy procedures. An endoscopy procedure involves the insertion of a flexible fiberoptic scope through the mouth, throat, and into the stomach. The frequency of this procedure is determined by how fast the cells are changing. On Aug. 17, Bob went in for a routine scope at Baraga County Memorial Hospital (BCMH) with Dr. Pat Bulinski. After the procedure Dr. Bulinski indicated he had biopsied a polyp, but all looked well and would let the Eliason’s know the following week the conclusive results. On Aug. 21, Bob received a phone call at work from Dr. Bulinski’s office letting him  know he needed to come to the hospital as soon as possible for the results of the biopsy. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

DNR gets jump on CWD with migration study

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BUILDERS–top, l-r are Zach Sackett, Kenny Rogers, Logan Shalifoe, Brent Waranka, Jerry Tembreull, Austin Pesonen, Tristan Stockton, Carson Holmquist, Cooper Parkila, Damon Paris, John Messer, Steele Jondreau, Joey Francois, Craig Mantila, Cody Roth, Jack Fish. Front, l-r are Rylie Koskinen, Steven Taylor, Caleb Hansen, Leeah Owens, Riley Koski, Makenna Miller, Erin Kamarainen, Jeri Ann Tervo, Jillian Mills, Caroline Herrala, Noah Treadeau, Josh Huhta, William Jondreau, Cooper Koskinen.

by Barry Drue
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is beginning a Deer Migration Study in the UP, and Baraga industrial education students are lending a hand. DNR Wildlife Technician Brad Johnson approached construction trades teacher John Filpus about building 14 eight-foot long deer trapping boxes. Filpus and students from Construction Trades, wood shop class and auto CAD jumped right in. The first five of the heavy-duty traps have just been completed. More are on the way. Johnson brought an existing treated plywood trap over to the school shop and students took the pattern from it and went to work. DNR Wildlife Research Biologist Dean Beyer of Marquette explained that the winter deer yard trapping will be done as an initial step to prepare in case the fatal neurological deer and elk disorder Chronic Wasting Disease slips over the border from Wisconsin where it has been confirmed. There are also confirmed deer CWD cases downstate in the East Lansing-Haslett area. The Deer Migration Study will use deer collared with GPS units to track their movements. Johnson noted that a collared deer from the ongoing Predator-Prey Study last winter showed movement between 40 and 50 miles, from Kenton to the Porkies. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Raising violence awareness

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WALKING STRONG–KBIC, in partnership with BCSH, hosted the National Domestic Violence Walk. Picture above, l-r, are Starr Dunleavy, Geneva Brennan, Isabelle Welsh and Jerry Mayo.

 

by Melissa Newland
The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Office of Violence Against Women (OVW), in partnership with the Baraga County Shelter Home, hosted the ninth annual community-wide Domestic Violence Awareness Walk event to “kick-off” October, which is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. This year’s event was titled “Niimigiimiwan,” Dancing In The Rain, and was held Sept. 30, 2017 at the Niiwin Akeaa Recreational Facility in Baraga. The event included a Domestic Violence Awareness Walk, small group workshops, a feast, a prize raffle, a 50/50 raffle and guest speaker Star Nayea. Preceding Saturday’s event, Nayea presented “Build Love From the Inside Out,” from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, also at the Niiwin Akeaa Recreation Facility in Baraga. The KBIC Youth Programs group extended a special invitation to surrounding communities, including Michigan Technological University students, staff, and faculty, to attend the two events. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

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