Part 2 The Munising Beacon continues the tradition of recapping the major stories of the year for public review. We are excited to beable to review our first full year! Look for the conclusion of the 2023 Year in Review in the next issues of The Munising Beacon.
March 3 Damron receives life-saving award
Shalynn Damron was recognized by the City of Munising for actions she took to save another local resident at the Munising City Commission meeting on Wednesday, March 1. “Shalynn put herself in harms way to save another human life, and for these reasons I would like to present her with this Life Saving Award,” Munising City Police Chief John Nelson said. Damron was recognized for her actions on February 13 on Elm Avenue between Superior and Onota Streets. According to the presentation, at approximately 9:20 a.m., an elderly Munising man was run over and pinned under his own vehicle near the Munising Post office. Prior to the arrival of first responders, she witnessed the incident while driving in her personal Vehicle. “Without hesitation, Shalynn got out of her vehicle, ran up and put the now unoccupied vehicle in park, and directed an on-scene witness to call 911. Shalynn stayed on scene until my arrival, quickly briefed me on what happened, and left the scene so arriving first responders could get to work,” Nelson said.
Inaugural ice fishing derby a success
Munising hosted its first ice fishing tournament on Saturday, Feb. 24, with over 200 registrations signing up for the first year. The tournament structure was organized by South Shore Fishing Association SSFA, a group that helps set up different fishing derbies across the central Upper Peninsula. Based out of Marquette, the group was looking for ways to get to the Munising area for a while. “The turnout was really good. We had about 200 registered with another 150 registered in the big fish categories,” SSFA President Joe Hansen said. “We’ve also sold a bunch of raffles, the weather’s cooperated and we’re expecting the weigh-ins to be pretty busy.”
Records set at Outhouse Classic
The 30th annual Trenary Outhouse Classic entertained hundreds of people with fast times and low-brow humor on Saturday, February 25. There was a record number of teams pushing various outhouses down the snow-covered street in downtown Trenary in front of an even larger crowd, but no one could have expected what happened at the end of the races. The first-ever tie for first place occurred when the Turdy Toaster, pushed by Corey Purttula and Andrew Heidacker, and the Dirty Turdy, pushed by defending champs Mutti Timonen and Wyatt Fink, both completed the course in 34 seconds. With the snow pack torn up from earlier competitions, officials made the daring decision to shed the poop sheds and fight for the title in a classic foot race. Heidacker and Fink went head to head, racing from the children’s starting line to the finish. Twelve steps in and Heidacker stumbled, clearing a way for Fink to repeat as the fastest entry at the Outhouse Classic.
March 10
Taste & Glide
Annual fundraiser brings hundreds to Valley Spur It was a beautiful Saturday for the annual Taste & Glide event at Valley Spur, as over 200 cross country skiers dined their way through the trail network fundraiser. “It’s a good event, and it’s been a good event for people that want to socialize,” Mary Vaisanen of Forest Lake said.
Anytime Fitness closing
Anytime Fitness of Munising announced Wednesday, March 8 that they will be closing. The doors to the 24-hour fitness location will close for good on Wednesday, April 5. The announcement was sent out through email to the approximately 103 local members of the gym. No specific reason was given for why the business was closing, with two employees losing their positions in the closure. People with existing memberships can either transfer to the Gwinn, Escanaba or Harvey locations, which are the closest remaining gyms in the chain. If a member doesn’t transfer, then the membership will be canceled on April 19, 2023. Anytime Fitness was one of two gyms in Munising, so the only workout facility remaining would be Alger Parks and Recreation. The location was popular with tourists who had memberships at other locations across the country.
March 17 Moose Bingo jackpot record high
The Munising Moose Lodge progressive bingo jackpot has hit a record high, eclipsing $1,700 for the first time. The pot is currently at $1,716 with the possibility of adding more depending on how many players show up on Monday. The previous record payout was $1,699. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. on Monday.
A historical playoff victory For the first time in 69 years, the Munising Mustangs are regional champions.
“I think it’s a special group of kids right here that really wanted this,” Munising Head Coach Terry Kienitz said. “It’s kind of a nice little monkey to get off your back, making history like this in a big game like this. It means a lot.”
The Mustangs won after a dominant 60-32 victory over the Mackinaw City Comets in Newberry on Wednesday, March 15.
March 24
Supporting the Stangs
The Munising community is rallying behind the Munising Mustangs after their regional victory and state quarterfinal win on Tuesday. Signs are up all over town, supporting Munising boys basketball on the team’s first trip to the Breslin Center for the MHSAA semifinals and finals.
Pair split biggest bingo pot yet
Two players were able to black out their cards and split the Michigan Progressive Bingo jackpot at the Munising Moose Lodge on Monday, March 20. Julie Goings (left) and Diane Vista (right) were presented a check for $1,030 each by Moose Lodge member Victoria Wus. The jackpot was the biggest in Moose Lodge history, with a record 67 players, with many able to walk away a winner in at least one of the games that night. The progressive jackpot restarts Monday at $250.
March 31 Munising Mustangs 2022-23 MHSAA Division 4 State Champs
In what has been nicknamed ‘The Shot’, Munising senior Cully Trzeciak put the Munising Mustangs back on top in the fourth quarter of the MHSAA Division 4 state championship game. “As soon as I released it, it felt like it was going in,” he said. “In warmups, my shot was feeling pretty good. I was ready all game to hit a shot and it was at a big moment.” It was as big of a moment as possible for the Mustangs, as it was the final lead change in the contest, and put Munising up for good in their 39-37 victory against the Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian Defenders at the Breslin Center in East Lansing on Saturday, March 25.
April 7
Nebel is Mr. U.P. Basketball
The celebrations continue for Munising Mustang basketball, as Kane Nebel has been named the 2023 Mr. U.P. Basketball by the Upper Peninsula Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, naming him the best basketball player on the court for the entire region. He is the first Mr. U.P. Basketball winner from Munising. “It’s pretty sweet. It shows how much work I’ve put in and now I’ve got the recognition for it. It’s not the awards I’m playing for, but it’s good to see,” he said.
Lindquist wins prestigious prosecutorial staff award
Kathleen Lindquist has won the Frances A. Smith Prosecutor Staff Achievement Award from the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (PAAM). “We could not be prouder of Kathleen and her accomplishments. Over the course of her career Kathleen has become the lifeblood of prosecution in Alger County: simply put, our community would not be the same safe place to live, work and grow without Kathleen’s dedication to law enforcement and her indefatigable efforts to improve the lives of her fellow citizens,” Alger County Prosecutor Rob Steinhoff said.
April 14 Mustangs return to the diamond
Munising has not fielded a softball team for a full season since 2019. With the pandemic and lack of numbers, getting a team together for 2023 was the first challenge. Now goals of improvement, sportsmanship and winning are achievable. “Love to win and play as a team and hope that everyone has a great year,” Ireland Anderson, one of the two seniors on the roster and few to have played softball in a Munising High School uniform. “I feel like everyone is responsible and confident that their teammate has their back. It’s been great so far.”
Attendance returns to prepandemic trends at PRNL
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (PRNL) and surrounding communities welcomed 925,685 visitors to the park in 2022. This was a decrease from 2021, but showed an upward trend from pre-pandemic numbers of 7.23 percent. Although the 2022 financial impact to surrounding communities is not available yet, in 2021 visitors to PRNL spent an estimated $64.2 million in local gateway regions while visiting the park. These expenditures supported a total of 773 jobs, $21.1 million in labor income, $36.8 million in value added, and $68.3 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore during that year.
April 21
Sold and Consolidated
Both of Munising’s grocery stores — Bob’s IGA in Downtown Munising and Family Fare on the Eastern side of M-28 — have sold to Houghton-based grocery store Pat’s Foods. Terms of the sales were not released, but none of the roughly 45 employees at the grocery stores will be laid off as a result of the sale. “We’re super excited,” said Ben Campioni, co-owner of Pat’s Foods. “We’re planning a bunch of improvements in the next year and serving the Munising community.” The dual purchase means that the Bob’s IGA location will be closed with both stores consolidating into the Family Fare location.
Timber Products wins business of the year
Alger County Chamber of Commerce has announced that Timber Products, a family-owned business producing a wide range of wood products, has been selected as the 2022 Business of the Year. The announcement was made ahead of the annual dinner, set to take place on May 2 at The Bear Trap Inn. With its commitment to environmental sustainability and fully integrated manufacturing approach, Timber Products is recognized as one of the largest suppliers of materials to the kitchen/bathroom, furniture, shop fit-out/ exhibition, and construction plant industries in the country. Established in 1918, the company operates nine manufacturing plants, an import department, and a national logistics and transportation department.
Students and educators from Alger County public schools were recognized across the region at the Excellence in Education Awards on Monday, April 24 in Marquette. The 30th annual Excellence in Education Week (EEW) program acknowledged the academic achievements of 47 high school seniors and awarded 25 educators with professional development awards. The students were selected from the top five percent of their graduating classes in Marquette and Alger counties and each received a scholarship of $1,500 to further their post-secondary education. The professional development awards of $500 were given to educators to enhance their academic training or classroom Activities.
May 5 SC welders take top spots at Upper Peninsula Skills Challenge
Adair Porter, Logan Silta, and Jacob Charlebois competed in the Upper Peninsula Skills Challenge at the Union Carpenters and Millwrights Skilled Training Center in Negaunee last week. Porter placed first in Advanced Welding, repeating as champion in the division. Adair placed first in Stick Welding, and Charlebois placed second in Wire Welding. The competition showcased different high school students from various intermediate school districts as it gives the chance for students to compete in valuable learning environments.
Hiawatha Forest’s Thompson named MUCC Conservationist of the Year
US Forest Service Terrestrial Ecologist Paul Thompson (right) was recently awarded the Michigan United Conservation Clubs’(MUCC) Forest & Park Conservationist of the Year award. Thompson was nominated by the Straits Area Sportsmen’s Club for his work across both the east and west units of Hiawatha National Forest. Acting Forest Supervisor Shannon Rische expressed her appreciation for the Club’s recognition.
Munising All-Veterans
Memorial renovated Volunteer groups remove sections of the brick wall that once surrounded the All-Veterans Memorial at Bayshore Park in Munising on Monday, May 8. Local veterans groups fundraised to replace the wall due to disrepair and buckling and replace it with a new aluminum fencing. Fundraising efforts provided over $20,000 to the project, which meets the low end of the overall estimated costs, however fundraising is still continuing through the Vietnam Veterans of America for further upkeep and installation costs. Volunteers and fundraisers said the goal was to replace the fence by Fourth of July.
New visitor center begins construction in Seney National Wildlife Refuge
The Seney National Wildlife Refuge had a groundbreaking ceremony and open house on May 10th, 2023 to celebrate a new visitor center for the area. “We’re thrilled to invite the public to join us for this exciting event,” said Seney National Wildlife Refuge Manager, Sara Siekierski. “The groundbreaking ceremony and open house provide an excellent opportunity for the community to learn about the Seney National Wildlife Refuge and our ongoing efforts to preserve and protect our natural Resources.”
May 19
Road Commission Chair
Jack Hubbard dies at 67 Jack Hubbard, former Burt Township supervisor and current chair of the Alger County Road Commission, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, May 15. He was 67 years old. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family. We recognize Jack for his service and was a very valuable member of the Alger County Road Commission,” ACRC Engineer Bob Lindbeck said. “Jack was a good man and cared about the county and Grand Marais.”
PRNL second for Midwest camping
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has been named one of the top camping destinations by one of the most well known camping apps in North America. The 2023 Best Places To Camp lists from The Dyrt was released in May, containing the most highly rated, celebrated and sought-after camping locales in the region. The Dyrt is the top-rated and downloaded camping application through both the Google Play and Apple stores combined, with the list compiled from user comments and ratings.
May 26
Records fall at Trout & Salmon Derby
The 2023 Munising Trout & Salmon Classic, with teams bringing in more fish and more weight than ever before. Even with that taken into consideration, the team of Double Trouble took first place in the Classic for the third year in a row, after the weigh-in on Sunday, May 21 at the American Legion. Teammates Randy Tyner, Andy Aho, William Platt and Captain Jon Tyner took the prize with over 100 pounds of trout
Fairgrounds awarded grant to upgrade horse arena
The Alger County Fair received a grant to help renovate the horse arena on the western side of the fairgrounds. The grant will help pay for $24,388 worth of resetting the arena’s surface. According to Mary Artress, who organizes the horse events at the Alger County Fair, the renovations were needed for additional safety and speed. “It’s definitely a safety thing. A lot of horses last year had issues, so it became a necessity,” she said. “A lot of this grant application has to do with safety.” The construction will dig down the sand and dirt at the top of the arena and reinstall layers of various sediment for proper racing. It’s the first time in over 12 years since a major renovation project was done at the Alger County Fairgrounds horse arena.
June 2
Wildfire burns Lost Lake
Two federal agencies continue to deal with a forest fire near Lost Lake in Munising Township. Roughly a dozen firefighters from the U.S. Forest System and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are finishing extinguishing the three-acre fire on both public and private land. As of Wednesday afternoon, officials are happy with the progress made by the firefighting teams. “(It’s) not contained, but what we would say is mopping up. They’re looking for smoke or anything warm and putting it out,” said Janel Crooks, Public Affairs Officer for the Hiawatha National Forest. “You can do that by mixing coals with dirt or they might use water to mop up any hot spots.” The burn area near Lost Lake is primarily pine trees and shrub swamp with no structures impacted by the blaze.
Mustangs take third at tennis finals
Munising had a strong performance at the MHSAA U.P. Division 2 State Finals on Tuesday, May 30 in Westwood, finishing tied for third. Three Mustangs took individual state championships for winning their respective flights. The pair of Kane Nebel and Carson Kienitz was the top seed in the No. 1 doubles bracket. After defeating Matthew Dutcher and Colton Holm of West Iron County 7-5, 6-1, the Mustang duo advanced to the finals to take on Ishpeming pair Hayden Hares and Hunter Smith. Fresh off their own semifinal win over Menominee, the Hematites won the first set 7-6 over Nebel and Kienitz.. Also winning an individual title was Ashton Wymer, who took home the No. 3 singles flight. Wymer advanced by default to the finals before dispatching top seed Drew Alexa 6-2, 6-7, 6-3. Wymer was the only singles player to advance to the finals for Munising.
June 9 State Champs Mustangs win third state title of the year in boys track and field
The Munising Mustangs boys track and field team is the 2023 MHSAA U.P. Division 3 Champions after defeating roughly 30 schools in Kingsford on Saturday, June 3. The championship gives Munising High School its third state championship of the school year, winning the girls cross country finals in the fall, boys basketball in the winter and now boys track and field in the spring. “It feels good to win,” Munising Head Coach Matt Mattson said. “I’ve been here a long time and had some real good years, but 2023 is going to be tough to beat.”
A long run to victory
Goss, Nolan shine in championship-clinching race The 3200m run is nobody’s favorite event. It’s the longest event at a track meet, taking eight laps to complete the two miles of competition. But for the Munising Mustangs boys track and field team, it was a slow appreciation and realization that they were the 2023 MHSAA U.P. Division 3 state champions. A competitive field of 16 runners, Munising qualified two racers to compete in the event, Danny Goss and Trevor Nolan. Both are accomplished cross country runners, but the pair are more known for their success in other sports as the No. 1 singles player in tennis and the sharpshooter from the basketball team.
