Great turnout for powwow

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GRAND ENTRY–at the 44th annual Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s (KBIC) Maawanj’iding (Powwow) where the crowd was asked to rise to its feet as Host Drum Midnite Express began the beat and Head Male and Female Dancers Joseph and Rebecca Mousseau and Head Veteran Dancer Ken Funmaker Jr. led the brightly and beautifully clad dancers into the arena.

by Melissa Newland
Being welcomed onto the grounds of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community’s (KBIC) Ojibwa Campgrounds during its annual  Maawanj’iding (Powwow) to join in on the celebration is always an honor and a moving experience for those attending and the 44th annual this past weekend was no exception. With beautiful weather
all three days, 608 registered dancers colorfully dressed in detailed handmade regalia, 11 drums, and more than 40 craft and food vendors, there was much to take in during the festive gathering.
“To learn about the Native American culture is wonderful,” said attendee Rene’ Lehto. “It is always very emotional watching the Grand Entry and an honor to be welcome into the celebration and be involved.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Dakota vs. Koskinen for District 2 commissioner

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by John Raffel
The District 2 race for the Baraga County Commissioners will have a
contested race for the Republican nomination in the Aug. 2 primary.
It will feature the incumbent Brad Dakota, of Baraga, against former
long-time commissioner Michael Koskinen, of Baraga. The winner will face no Democratic opposition in the November general election. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Aura Jamboree returns this weekend

ORIGINAL GLORY–The 44th annual Aura Jamboree will take place this weekend, back in full swing. This year will have more than 50 musicians, ensembles and individuals taking the stage with a variety of bluegrass, traditional folk, ethnic, classical and country western sounds to entertain those in attendance.

by Melissa Newland
Many return performers, along with some firsttimers, will be on stage and around the grounds playing tunes at the 44th annual Aura  Jamboree this coming weekend. The event will take place at the Aura Community Hall, which has been home to the Aura Jamboree since 1976, and will be held Friday, July 15 from 5 p.m. to midnight and
Saturday, July 16 from 10 a.m. until midnight. Cost of admission this
year will be $15 for adults, $5 for teens ages 13-17 and children 12 and under for free with the cost covering both days of festivities. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Miss Michigan visits Baraga

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LUNCH STOP–Newly crowned Miss Michigan, Melissa Beyrand, visited the UP this week. On her way to Copper Harbor, she stopped for lunch at The Drive In on Wednesday, June 29. Beyrand is a graduate of the University of Michigan Ann Arbor with a degree in Bio-medical Engineering.

by Teri Rowe
Miss Michigan, Melissa Beyrand formerly Miss Oakland County, visited the Upper Peninsula this week. On Wednesday June 29, she stopped for lunch in Baraga at The Drive In. She visited with owners, Rob and Beth Reynolds, as well as with the wait staff. Beyrand, 22 and of Milford MI, is originally from the Grand Rapids area downstate. She was crowned Miss Michigan on June 18, 2022, during the scholarship competition at Orchard View High School in Muskegon. “This is an opportunity to promote my social impact initiative in a way I’ve never had the platform to do before,” she said after winning her Miss Michigan title. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Alberta Fest proves popular

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ALBERTA FEST–Artists and their booths were spread across the village of Alberta Saturday, June 25 for the third annual Alberta Fest. Lasting from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. many enjoyed a warm summer day of browsing and visiting amongst local vendors and artists.

by Teri Rowe
The rain held off for visitors and vendors at the third Annual Alberta Fest Saturday, June 25. Local artists from around the area set up their booths along the sidewalk leading to the old school, and offered  everything from baked goods, tie-dyed clothing, musical instruments, jewelry, and cedar laser cut ornaments. Among the many venders and booths was Jim Leppala of ‘Jim-N-E’s Woodcrafts. He brought split maple baskets for sale. He even pulled out a template and showed a
customer just how he made it. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Juvenile caseworker tackling heavy agenda

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GIRLS ON THE MOVE–Dawn Howe, Juvenile Probate Case-worker for Baraga County, said she and the Probate Register wrapped up their first session of a program they started called Girls on the Move. “This is something we decided to pilot independently, but will become an official Family Court program in the near future,” Howe said.

by John Raffel
Dawn M. Howe is the juvenile caseworker for Baraga County probate and family court and has a heavy agenda. “As the Juvenile Probate caseworker, I do probation work for juveniles involved in delinquency cases in our court as well as other prevention/intervention  programs in the community,” she said. “I’m wrapping up my first year in this position and
have some new and interesting programs I’d like people to know about. I am currently collaborating with local schools and truancy professionals from the ISD on a Truancy Prevention Program. “The probate register and I are also wrapping up our first session of a program we started called Girls on the Move. This is something we decided to pilot  independently, but will become an official Family Court program in the near future.” To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

BAS exchange student wins parade logo contest

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WINNING LOGO–Baraga exchange student Chiara Rapacci won the Parade of Nations logo contest. The theme this year is “The World is One”. Rapacci is a 17-year-old junior exchange student from Italy. Gina and Irv Smith of Baraga have been Rapacci’s host family.

by Melissa Newland
Each year, Michigan Technological University’s (MTU) Parade of Nations Committee invites students from middle and high schools of surrounding districts to design and submit logos appropriate to the theme for the event. “The World is One” is this year’s theme and those entering were tasked with making an original logo to go with it on a plain white background, using solid colors (but no more than 5 colors) and with no shading. The Parade of Nations logo contest deadline was May 15 and many students throughout the area participated including Chiara Rapacci, a 17-year-old junior exchange student from
Italy at Baraga High School, who was the winner of this year’s logo contest. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

Parade starts LAS graduation

LEADING GRADUATES–for L’Anse High School class of 2022 were (l-r) Salutatorian Kayla Hoffman and Valedictorian DySean Allen, who led their classmates into the L’Anse gymnasium for the commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 2.

by Melissa Newland
The streets were lined with well wishes and good cheers from family, friends and community members as the L’Anse High School (LHS) graduating class of 2022 wove their way through downtown L’Anse last week during its Senior Parade, afterwards gathering in the school gymnasium to receive their diplomas. The evening was warm and beautiful on Thursday, June 2 as the LAS gym bleachers filled up with guests and 50 graduating students lined up by the gym doors waiting for the ceremony to being 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.

Memorial Day services honor fallen heroes

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FLYING FLAGS–can be seen at many cemeteries throughout Baraga County after Memorial Day services were held on Sunday, May 29, and Monday, May 30. Many community members came out to honor, remember and pay tribute.

by Melissa Newland
Memorial Day services were held at local cemeteries throughout Baraga County this past weekend to commemorate “all departed warriors, men and women, who so proudly served their country, valiantly defending the principles of justice, freedom and democracy in all of our country’s conflicts and wars.” Cemetery Military Honors for Herman, Pequaming, Aura and Skanee were all done Sunday, May 29, 2022 starting at 10 a.m. in Herman, 10:45 in Pequaming, 11:15 in Aura and at 12:15 a.m. in Skanee by the Foucault Funke Post 444 Baraga American Legion. Many community members were out and about paying tribute to those fallen and hearing the history of what Memorial Day means and its origins by Joseph O’Leary. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.

CJ performs ‘A World of Music’

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FIRST GRADERS–during their performance at L’Anse Area School CJ Sullivan Elementary concert entitled “A World of Music.” Director Aaron Poniatowski led the K-5 students in their performances, with recorders being played by the Fourth and Fifth grade students.

by Melissa Newland

The joint was hopping as “A World of Music” was celebrated at L’Anse Area School (LAS) during the CJ Sullivan student Spring Concert last week. The event was held Friday, May 20, 2022 at 1:45 p.m. with Band Director Aaron Poniatowski leading the well-dressed and wellbehaved students. A number of pieces were sung by the K-5 grade groups, with the performance starting with, “Listen to the Children,” by Teresa Jennings with all CJ
Sullivan Elementary students participating. To read more, subscribe to the L’Anse Sentinel online, or buy a print copy at our local retailers.