Outpouring of support in tragedy; Communities reach out to Beartown crew

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BEARTOWN CREW–Photos of Beartown Firefighters were provided by Melissa LaFernier. Lr are Cameron Aten, Alan (AJ) Swartz, James (Jimmy) Shelifoe, Mike Dakota, Gaven Loonsfoot, Jesse Ekdahl, Dave Varline and Joey Jossens. Swartz and Shelifoe were killed in an accident in Minnesota Aug. 27. Loonsfoot, Varline and Jossens were among passengers in the vehicle that crashed.

by Melissa Lehto
Following a catastrophic double-fatality crash of a Beartown Firefighters truck Saturday, Aug 27, 2016, in Blaine, MN, the community once again stands strong to help support grieving family members. A total of nine firefighters were in the vehicle at the time of the accident: Alan J Swartz Jr, James F. Shelifoe, Dave R. Varline, Tyler J. Tolonen, Shashaywin D. Sandman Shelifoe, Ross J. Jaukkuri, Gavin C. Loonsfoot, Joseph Jossens and Michael A. Johnson. Fatally injured in the crash were Alan (AJ) Swartz Jr, son of David (Lebs) Swartz and Maureen Van Abel; and James (Jimmy) Shelifoe, son of James Shelifoe and Sherrie Sliger (Kantola). To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Despite rain some cruised; ‘Cue Crew’ considering another event

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DETERMINED–An all-day rain didn’t keep everybody away from the Cue Master’s annual Cue Cruise last Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016. With no plans for a rain date, the show with only 16 enthusiastic participants went on anyway. Jack Fish, rode in his 1929 Ford Model A with his driver, Dave Whitman, right. Twelve of the vehicles that showed went on the annual Baraga-L’Anse cruise with stops at the Frostie Freeze in L’Anse and the Baraga Drive-In for free treats. Another cruise or event is in the talking stages for upcoming weeks.

by Barry Drue

The diehards wanted to cruise!  In the midst of a record-setting rain across the UP last Saturday, Aug. 20, 2016, 16 hardcore car-nuts brought their machines to the Cue Master’s fourth annual Cue Cruise. Normal turn-out has been in the 70-90 vehicle range as clubs and individuals from across the region flock to Baraga. The unique event includes a loop around Baraga, jaunt around the head of the Keweenaw Bay to L’Anse and stops at the Frostie Freeze and Baraga Drive-In.  “We had 16 vehicles that came out in the weather, and 12 of them went on the cruise. We talked about cancelling it but they wanted to go! We had some windshield wiper problems and foggy windshields so some of them couldn’t cruise,” said one of the volunteer organizers, Tom LaTendresse. He led the parade with his 1973 Plymouth Road Runner. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

County Fair full of fun!

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PONY PULL–On Saturday evening at the Baraga County Fair the Pony Pull took place. With less than great conditions inside the horse arena for the event, competition was organized between the small animal barn and the horse arena on the grass. Shown above is Milt Hudson of Vulcan and his 51” team showing the spectators how it’s done.

 

by Nancy Besonen

The Baraga County Fair in Pelkie delivered up a full serving of fun this past weekend to participants and fair-goers alike. “Everything ran really smooth, and attendance was up from last year,” said Fair Manager Mindy Lantz. “We didn’t have any problems with the weather. It was nice to have some cloudiness, and not too much sun.” Lantz took the reins as Fair Director just two weeks before the event which played out Friday through Sunday at the Pelkie Fairgrounds. A host of new features helped keep things extra lively, including a “Country Mudder” in which she had a direct hand. “We had 13 teams and 10 obstacles on the course–big round hay bales, mud pits–everyone seemed to enjoy it,” said Lantz, who created the course with Groundskeeper Raymond Niemi. “Sponsors were Jerry’s Auto Repair and the Pelkie Fire Department, and we hope to have an even bigger one next year.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Students trigger teacher’s quest for truth; Coleman revisits Cambodian Genocide

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POPULAR SPEAKER–Cindy Coleman’s lectures at Tuol Sleng Prison in Cambodia attracted crowds of Cambodian students eager to hear her account of the Cambodian Genocide.

by Nancy Besonen

Reporter’s note: I was sitting outside the Michigamme Museum this past summer, enjoying a hot dog during the town’s Log Cabin Day celebration, when the woman beside me said “Hi!” It was retired L’Anse High School teacher and friend Cindy Coleman, age 74, of Michigamme. I see her way too seldom, and after wiping the mustard from my face I asked, “Whatcha’ been up to?” She smiled wryly and replied, “I just got back from helping document the Cambodian Genocide.”  The story that follows is as far removed from anything I have ever written for the Sentinel as, well, Cambodia. But more than most anything else I write, Cindy’s story bears telling.
Sixteen years ago, a handful of L’Anse High School (LHS) students had a hand in setting history straight over half a world away. And they didn’t even know they were in the game. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Relay a time for hope

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A THEME–Relay for Life is a time of mixed emotions, from sadness at loss of loved ones to happiness for survivors of cancer. But through it all is the theme of hope, both for those battling cancer, and for hope of a cure for cancer. More than $33,000 was raised in last Friday’s Baraga County Relay for Life. That money, and more still to come in, will be donated to the American Cancer Society for research projects.

by Barry Drue

The second annual Baraga County Relay for Life cancer event proved as meaningful to participants as the first did last year. The event drew hundreds to the Baraga school track and field on Friday, July 29, 2016. Relay for Life events are held in many communities, all to raise funds for cancer research through the American Cancer Society. The weather was absolutely perfect as afternoon turned to evening and evening merged to dusk. Hundreds of luminary bags glowed with candles as personalized tributes to honor survivors and those who have been claimed by cancer. The bags completely encircled the track, and the word “HOPE” was spelled out with glowing luminaria in the bleachers for the ceremony. “I think it went very well,” said Baraga graduate and NMU student Christine Wilson. She and her volunteer committee organized the first two Relays. “Overall we had about the same number of people, just not at the same time. People were coming and going. “It was very powerful with all the emotions. There were many good remarks with all the support for survivors and caregivers,” Wilson said. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Pow Wow beats the heat

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GRAND ENTRY–Veterans present colors during Friday evening’s Grand Entry at the 38th annual KBIC Pow Wow in Baraga. High temperatures and humidity didn’t put a damper on the event which drew a large crowd of both participants and the viewing public.

by Nancy Besonen

Participants and visitors felt both the beat and the heat this past weekend at the 38th annual Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s (KBIC) Maawanji-iding Pow Wow at the Ojibwa Campground north of Baraga. Temperatures nudging 90 degrees didn’t put a damper on the popular event which draws a wide following from near and far. KBIC member Lauri Denomie said she was told that 609 dancers took to the arena Saturday. A full 24 drums registered for the weekend. “The heat was 100 percent better than rain,” Denomie observed, noting the skies opened Saturday after dancing was done, then cleared again Sunday morning. The Pow Wow begins earlier in the week with traditional teachings and activities, then opens to the public with Friday evening’s first Grand Entry at 7 p.m. Three more Grand Entries follow at 1 and 7 p.m. on Saturday and 1 p.m. on Sunday. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Jamboree marks 40 years, Honor Brinkman in Wall of Fame

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BLUEGRASS?TO?GOSPEL–This informal group of musicians drew a large group of listeners behind the Aura Hall at this year’s annual traditional music festival. Celebrating “40”, this year’s event included a wide variety of music and musicians from throughout the Upper Midwest.

The Aura Community Hall was the place to be for traditional music lovers on Friday and Saturday, July 15-16, 2016. The 40th annual Aura Jamboree included hours of great music both on stage and on the grounds and two nights of traditional dances lasting until midnight. “It was a wonderful time for a lot of people,” said Aura Community Hall Association President Glenda Hiltunen. “We didn’t get any complaints. One of the musicians, Don Rynholm, wasn’t going to be able to come. He surprised me and showed up late Friday. Afterward he said it was the best Jamboree he’s ever been to.” This year’s event was dedicated to the memory of Carol Brinkman, Penny Emery, Don Hawkin and Warren Brule. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Mural brightens L’Anse

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ARTISTIC?FLAIR–Those heading down Main Street to the Broad Street intersection may have noticed some added color to the Mercantile Exchange building. A freshly painted mural adorns the wall. L’Anse officials are hoping to expand this initial work with additional projects. Pictured are Aleah Maskew, left, and Brittany Brown putting detail into the picture.

 

by Chris Ford

Pedestrians, motorists, and others may have noticed a little more color at the intersection of Main and Broad Streets in downtown L’Anse. Several weeks ago, a large mural appeared on the rear of the Mercantile Exchange building. A joint effort between our two area high school art teachers—Viktoria Klein of Baraga and Linda Lohman of L’Anse, and a half-dozen BHS advanced art students, produced the final product. L’Anse Village Manager Bob LaFave said the village contacted Lohman about the idea last fall. Klein said Lohman asked her to assist and things took off from there. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Encourage drivers to SLOW DOWN

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REMINDER–Bruce LaPointe and Jody Pittsley prepare to install one of two radar signs that indicate vehicle speed, and can flash a “SLOW DOWN” message. Signs are installed at each end of the Baraga Village U.S. 41 corridor. KBIC and village officials have pushed for a 45 mph speed limit, although state MDOT officials insist on a 55 mph limit.

by Chris Ford

Those traversing US-41 through Baraga may have noticed a new road sign at each end of the Baraga village business corridor. The Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) installed two electronic signs June 28, 2016, that show vehicle speed and ask drivers to slow down if their vehicle is exceeding 45 miles per hour.
KBIC Project Manager-Director of Public Works Bruce LaPointe said the battery-operated devices, with radar and cameras on-board, were installed on the highway’s southbound lane near The Pines Convenience Center and northbound lane just south of Baraga Lakeside Inn. LaPointe sought, and received Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) approval to place the devices within the highway right-of-way for a one-year period. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Robotics teams intrigue young imaginations

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BUILDING INTEREST–School robotics teams through the FIRST program are intended to generate student interest in science and technology. Houghton’s team was represented at the Ojibwa Library Saturday, June 25, 2016. Catching the ball shooting from the high school team’s robot are Isaiah Mervar while sister Josephine jumps back, handling the controls. Houghton team member Chris Doig is overseeing the program Saturday.

by Barry Drue

Robots took over the Ojibwa Library in Baraga Saturday! Actually, they were invited guests. The Houghton High School “FIRST Robotics Team” 857 Superior Roboworks, visited on Saturday afternoon, June 25, 2016, to demonstrate skills and explain the concept of supporting science and technology through the non-profit FIRST organization. FIRST means “For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology”. Students of Houghton physics teacher and robotics advisor Tony Schwaller were among more than 300 Michigan school FIRST teams, and those invited to the Michigan State Championship. Houghton’s crew earned invites to the FIRST National Champion-ship in 2014 and 2015. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

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