by Melissa Newland
The time of year has come when little ones are out running about, learning how to live, learning how to survive and stay alive. In a world full of obstacles for these little ones, humans driving vehicles are probably the most difficult hurdle for them to overcome. Over the last weekend, this reporter and her husband and daughter, Jimmy and Kinsey, had the opportunity to help one of these little ones have a chance at life after its mother was hit by a vehicle near our home. We chose to help an orphaned fawn. The fawn and mother had been roaming around our area since the fawn was first born. On one occasion, the fawn even ventured up onto our deck to find safety while the mother was out foraging for food to nourish the young deer. Approximately a week after this incident, on Saturday, July 1, a passing vehicle accidentally hit a doe near our property, killing the doe instantly. Our hope was that it was not the mother to the fawn that had been recently spotted at our residence, but our hopes were soon dashed the next day when we heard a fawn calling out for its mother, obviously in distress. Jimmy and I went to investigate. When we arrived at the scene of the doe’s demise, we spotted the fawn a few yards away, crying to get the mother’s attention. We tried to corral the fawn, but our attempts were thwarted by the fawn running too far into the woods for us to catch. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Hanka–by Barry Drue-The fifth annual Heritage Day at the restored Hanka Homestead farm showcased the deep pride of the Finnish American community across the Copper Country region. And it’s not every year Hanka hosts the Finnish Ambassador to the United States! Friday, June 23, 2017, a crowd of 700 filed in to the restored farm, some parking up to a mile away in mowed fields, and shuttling and walking in. The event marked Juhannus, the traditional Finnish bonfire celebration of mid-summer. It also marked the 100th year of Finnish independence.

Michigamme–by Nancy Besonen– Traffic was bumper-to rumble seat Sunday at Michigamme’s annual Log Cabin Day and Antique Car Show. The event highlights the historic Dompierre House, Michigamme’s restored log cabin behind its museum. The car show is a natural fit for a day that celebrates the past with live music, refreshments, cabin and museum tours and more. Cars are displayed on a grassy lot across from the museum and along the street which is closed to traffic for the event. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

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.