The Munising Beacon asked community members to share about their hopes and goals for 2025. Here are some of the responses. More will be published next week.
Bill Carmody
Lawyer/consultant
Hopes or goals for 2025: “A less divisive country, a return to civil discourse and respect for individuality.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “Making sure we have a good vision for our community’s future through a strong Master Plan.”
Additional thoughts: “I’ve always been proud of our community and its citizens. We must continue to strive to be that friendly town that respects all walks of life and looks after its citizens like we have for so many years. We have to resist becoming single-minded and narrow in our thinking and take the time to educate ourselves on the issues instead of being self-absorbed in the social media barrage of misinformation thrust on the public 24 hours a day. And thank you for the opportunity to wish all a very Merry Christmas.”
Bill Duckwall
Business owner, Uncle Ducky Outdoors Hopes or goals for 2025: “We always hope for our businesses to have blue skies, light winds from the south and lots of tourists next summer and fall. We also would like to hire more local workers.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “The Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is the foundation that makes the surrounding area and Munising what it is. Without it, Munising would not be the destination community it has become. Motels, restaurants, cruises, tours, gift shops, etc., all depend on tourists who bring in dollars and tax revenues. So, anything that we can do or advertising dollars that can be spent benefit us all in the community, not to mention the jobs that are created. Not many people live in God’s country, so customers must come from the higher population centers in the country. Advertising will bring them here.”
Additional thoughts: “Our year 2024 was slightly above 2023, and we expect 2025 to be much the same.”
Bill Savage
Homeowner/resident (15 years), retired, amateur photographer, Moose trustee, volunteer at the Alger County Commission on Aging Hopes or goals for 2025: “To meet and photograph many more people, whether they are locals or visitors, it doesn’t matter. What to do, ultimately, with the photos I’ll take is something I’m working on at the moment.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “Attracting one or more large employers to the area would certainly change things up for the better. This one change would sprout many other changes. Change is good.”
Brenda Walther
Business owner, Alger Falls Motel Hopes or goals for 2025: “I plan on volunteering more. I did this a lot when my kids were in school but took a step away from it in 2024.”
Change or achievement for Munising: be involved in volunteering if they have the time. There are a lot of great organizations run by very few people.”
Chris Berry
Mayor of Munising; Munising Bay Trail Network, Friends of Valley Spur, Munising DDA, Greater Munising Bay Partnership
Hopes or goals for 2025: “A hope would be that progress could be made on the Munising Marketplace project.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “Seeing that the bike club gets the funding needed for trail expansion projects.”
Cori Ann Cearley
Business owner and tourism director, Munising Visitors Bureau Hopes or goals for 2025: “I hope to see continued growth in the tourism sector. We are working on bringing more events to town and would love to see our little town continue to expand and grow.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “I would love to see long-term housing be built.”
Additional thoughts: “I’m looking forward to 2025 with a grateful heart.”
Cully Trzeciak
Laborer, Mativ
Hopes or goals for 2025: “I plan to continue to work and save money for my future.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “I would like to see more housing and for the housing market to come down.”
Dan Malone
Fire chief (retired), Munising Volunteer Fire Department; chairperson, Alger Transit Authority Hopes or goals for 2025: “As one who has volunteered many years to my community, it is my hope that others will consider joining community organizations or working on special projects. Not only does it help our community, but it is also a fulfilling experience that earns recognition and respect from your fellow citizens.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “That everyone stays safe and healthy for 2025.”
David Horne
Superintendent of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, National
Park Service
Hopes or goals for 2025: “As we look toward 2025, our primary goals remain focused on serving and supporting our surrounding communities and the visiting public, while also conserving and protecting the park for both current and future generations. We are grateful for the support of our newly implemented fee program, which has allowed us to enhance services and improve infrastructure in meaningful ways. Our Pictured Rocks team takes great pride in serving as stewards of this incredible resource. We look forward to another year of providing ample opportunities for safe recreation in America’s first National Lakeshore.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “Our team looks forward to the continued strengthening of local community partners and organizations in several important areas, including facilitating educational field trips for Upper Peninsula schools, collaborating with other agencies for emergency operations, restoring wilderness in the park and fostering deeper connections to the year-round natural beauty of this area.”
Additional thoughts: “A few highlight projects and activities from this past year include the establishment of the Little Beaver Nature Trail, featuring informational displays, the construction of two new backcountry vault toilets at Chapel Beach and Mosquito Beach, and numerous successful interagency rescue operations. Additionally, at Grand Sable Lake, an accessible trail and fishing dock were added. The 150th anniversary of the Au Sable Light Station was also celebrated, honoring its rich history and significance, and providing a memorable experience for the community.”
Deidre Phillipson
President, Munising Hockey Association Hopes or goals for 2025: “Our season will begin in October 2025-2026. My goal is to increase awareness of the hockey program and also the community open skate program we support.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “I would like to see more kids on the ice and involved with hockey. MHA provides almost all the equipment needed to participate. Hockey is such a great family sport, and we are an association that will always put the kids first.”
Dylan Koenig
Physician assistant, Munising Memorial Hospital Hopes or goals for 2025: “Re-develop healthy habits — I definitely fell from them a bit in 2024.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “Can’t think of anything specific. I love our little community.”
Gale Rodgers
President, Kiwanis Club of Alger County Hopes or goals for 2025: “I hope to increase benefits to our children, seniors and veterans of Alger County by taking action in the organizations I belong to.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “I’d like to see more younger people (ages 30 to 50) get involved in community civic groups so our current organizations can continue to provide resources to our children, seniors and veterans.”
Additional thoughts: “This is an amazing community, one I’m very happy to retire into. I look forward to enjoying the benefits of the natural resources it provides and the people who live here.”
Jason LaFlamme
Pastor, Munising Baptist Hopes or goals for 2025: “To connect with more people about
our hope in Jesus and his resurrection.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “To be sure that all of our community families are being loved and provided for.”
Additional thoughts: “I thank God for the privilege of living in this great community.”
Jaymie Depew
Alger Advocate, Women’s Center; community volunteer, Munising Lions Club; trustee, Munising School Public Library Board Hopes or goals for 2025: “In 2025, I plan to host more outreach events throughout Alger County with the Women’s Center, specifically in Grand Marais and Chatham. I’m hoping to partner with other community members and businesses to set up monthly events to raise awareness of the resources that are available to domestic and sexual assault survivors locally. Ideally, it’d be great if I could get something set up two to four times a month since everyone can’t always get to Munising, where my office is located.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “It’d be great to have another grocery store in Munising and more affordable housing county-wide. I know far too many hardworking individuals, families and seniors on fixed incomes who are barely making ends meet.”
John
Sherman-Jones
Pantry manager, Alger Community
Food Pantry
Hopes or goals for 2025: “We live in a challenging world — it’s easier to throw rocks of cynicism on Facebook posts than step out on the thin ice of hope with small acts. It’s easier to judge or blame others than take real action to help someone in need. But to see a better world, we must be willing to plant seeds for trees we will never see. A better world starts with each one of us and what’s within our reach now, and it starts with actions and doesn’t stop with just thoughts.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “Let’s try to bring more kindness, tolerance and compassion into our lives.”
Additional thoughts: “I worked 42 years for the Alger County DHHS, 20 years managing the Community Giving Christmas Program and 13 years managing the Alger Community Food Pantry. I am always inspired and amazed at the generosity and support this community gives to their neighbors in need. It’s really amazing and inspiring. Well done!”
John Trzeciak
Retired machine tender, Kimberly-
Clark
Hopes or goals for 2025: “I am focused on staying healthy. Keep exercising and working at home.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “I’d like to see better housing for both older and younger people. We don’t have enough housing. I’d also like to see more industry. We are lucky that we still have the paper mill.”
Justin White
Business owner, Falling Rock
Cafe & Bookstore
Hopes or goals for 2025: “We are looking to offer more events for local residents as well as improving our menu and offerings. We are also developing a plan to increase our community involvement.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “More housing to bring more long-term residents. This will, in turn, help support the amazing small businesses in Munising.”
Additional thoughts: “We are looking forward to another year with the community. Stop in and let us know how we can better serve.”
Kathy Reynolds
CEO, Greater Munising Bay Partnership, Alger County Chamber and Munising DDA Hopes or goals for 2025: “Helping make the community a better place to live, work and play.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “The people, organizations and businesses of Munising and Alger County have always looked out for one another, worked together and helped others out. I see that as one of our area’s biggest strengths. Getting more people of all ages and abilities involved in these efforts would be great.”
Additional thoughts: “This is a beautiful place to live. Whether I’m looking out my windows at home or at the office, I have to pinch myself and say how lucky I am. My hopes for the coming year, of course, include the health and happiness of my family and friends. Happy New Year, everyone!”
Katy Matson
Business owner, Matson Fisheries
Hopes or goals for 2025: “To continue to help the community feed their families.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “A bigger push for ecotourism.”
Additional thoughts: “I think it would be great to have one free recycling day for the community that is advertised well in advance to get people to try recycling more. Businesses and community members can be asked to donate toward this expense.”
Mary Walther Johnson
Township clerk, Au Train Township Hopes or goals for 2025: “Organization. As I enter another term, I want to focus on organizational development so when I am ready to retire, the township will be left in good hands.”
Change or achievement for Munising: “Housing solutions for our residents. So much focus is on the tourism industry that it’s important to have safe, affordable and adequate housing options for those who work in those industries as well. Without their support, the industry that fuels our economy will suffer.”
Additional thoughts: “Hopeful for continued growth within our community and working partnerships with surrounding townships and the city. We are stronger together.”
