special section/progress-k

2012

ALSOINSIDE

Northern TrailsDental CenterOpens new state-of-the-artdental center in Gwinn

PAGE 2K

Kountry KornerCelebrating 30 years in2012

PAGE 3K

Mutt CutzStarting with 10 years ofexperience

PAGE 3K

renewaFUELMaking a comeback

PAGE 4K

SunsationsNow open in Gwinn

PAGE 5K

Anytime FitnessFilling a need in Gwinn

PAGE 6K

West Branchplaygrounddedicated to Charles Hohman

PAGE 7K

Sawyer HeritageAir MuseumHappy with renovationsand new location

PAGE 8K

GWINN — SECTION KMONdAy, MARCH 26

PROGRESSA SPECIAL SECTION OF THE MINING JOURNAL

By RENEE PRUSIJournal Staff Writer

GWINN — Kylie Kangas has put her ownspecial touch on her business in down-town Gwinn.

All the artwork on the walls of MuttScrubbers was painted by Kangas.

“We opened the weekend of the U.P. 200(Sled Dog Race) in 2011,” she said. "Sowe’re just past a year being here.”

Here is along Highway M-35 in the mainpart of Gwinn.

The pet grooming business Kangas runsis full service.

“Everything you can do for any size dogup to Great Pyrenees, I do,” she said. “Ihave a couple of 200-pounders who come

in. I like large breed dogs.”Kangas doesn’t discriminate, however.“We take cats, too,” she said with a

smile.And she has an office dog, her pet, 1-

year-old Copper.“He’s very smart, People like Copper a

lot,” Kangas said.Closed on Monday and Sunday, Pet

Scrubbers is open Tuesday through Satur-day by appointment. Kangas has a Face-book page — facebook.com/MuttScrub-bers?ref=ts — for those who want to learnmore about her business.

“I really like it here. The shop doesn’thave to be large,” Kangas said. “Workingwith animals can be unpredictable, but I

enjoy doing it.”One special feature in the shop is a large

walk-in tub for larger dogs.“That way, they don’t have to be lifted.

It’s easier on them,” she said. “And it’seasier on me and the owner.”

Kangas is one of the youngest businessowners in Gwinn, having opened the shopwhen she was just 19.

“I got my license the summer after I grad-uated,” she said. “I started working out ofour house until the building was ready.Now we’re good to go.”

Renee Prusi can be contacted at 906-228-2500, ext. 253. Her email address [email protected].

Mutt ScrubbersPutting an artistic touch on dog grooming

Kylie Kangas’s dog, Copper, spends a great dealof time at her business, Mutt Scrubbers, in Gwinn.It has been open for a year now and takes all sizesof dogs, as well as other furry creatures, asgrooming clients. (Journal photo by Renee Prusi)


MARQUETTE — Bornin the Copper Countryand raised in Marquette,Gwendolyn Buck earnedher undergraduate de-gree at Northern Michi-gan University and wentto dental school at theUniversity of Michigan.

“But I knew I wasn’t acity girl,” she said. “Ispent one year in Jack-sonville, Fla., for my res-idency and it was beau-tiful. But Christmas isn’tright without snow, so Iwas looking for an open-ing in this area.”

Now Dr. Buck, she wasopen to working in anyof the communities inMarquette County, sowhen a dentist, Dr. MarkBreit, in Gwinn was sell-ing his practice, it wastime to launch her ca-reer here.

“I bought the practicein 2008 and spent threeyears there,” Buck saidof the building where theformer dentist worked.“On June 13, 2011, weopened our new build-ing.”

Northern Trails DentalCenter’s new facility isat the busiest intersec-tion in the community,where Michigan High-way 553 meets MichiganHighway 35. Buck andher seven employees(not counting herself orher husband, Aaron) arebusy in the new, state-of-the art dental center.

“I am so thrilled at howkind our patients are,”Buck said. “This is agreat community. I get towork with nice people allthe time. I know I amvery fortunate.

The name for the prac-tice was her husband’sbrainstorm.

“Aaron came up withit,” she said. “He wrote iton a drawing and itseemed perfect. And hehelped with the designas well.”

Touring the center, onefinds clean, convenientrooms set up with pa-tient comfort in mind.

“Each room is namedfor a trail in the UpperPeninsula,” Buck said asshe guided a tour of thebuilding. “For instance,this room is called Mack-inac Trail and it has anaerial picture of Mack-inac Island on the wall.”

Each treatment roomhas cable TV for the pa-tient to watch as well.

“That keeps a lot ofpeople distracted whenthey are having workdone,” Buck said with alaugh.

The technology atNorthern Trails is thor-oughly modern, includ-ing digital imaging; aporcelain mill in whichteeth are made; andsoon, laser filling whichcan mean no numbing tothe patient’s mouth.

“It’s just amazing, thethings we can do now,”she said.

Buck does most everyprocedure possible andis taking new patients asshe is also looking foranother doctor to work inthe growing practice.

Renee Prusi can becontacted at 906-228-2500, ext. 253. Her emailaddress is [email protected].

2K -— The Mining Journal, Monday, March 26 PROGRESS2012

I am so thrilled athow kind our patientsare. This is a greatcommunity. I get towork with nice peopleall the time. I know Iam very fortunate.

“

- GWENDOLYN BUCK

Dentist

”

Northern Trails Dental Center opens state-of-the-art dental center in Gwinn

Northern Trails Dental Center271 E M-35 Gwinn, MI 49841www.northerntrailsdentalcare.com346-6349Open Monday through Thursday and alter-nating Fridays

Top right, Dr. Gwendolyn Buck takes a break from lunch at her desk in her office at Northern Trails Dental Center. Stacy Saari, left, and Trudy Gray are two of the workersat Northern Trails Dental Center, which is located right near the intersection of M-553 and M-35 in Gwinn. (Journal photos by Renee Prusi)


GWINN — The KountryKorner in Gwinn is cele-brating its 30th anniver-sary in 2012.

Located at the intersec-tion of state highways 553and 35, the gas station-convenience store hasbeen affiliated with ShellOil for the last year and ahalf, said owner ScottNyquist.

“We’re very satisfiedwith that,” Nyquist said.“Shell is a well-knownname and along with thatgoes a quality product.”

Kountry Korner has adeli, featuring fried chick-en, hand-dipped ice

cream cones and Ridge-line coffee roasters. It car-ries beer, wine and liquorand has an ATM on site aswell.

Department of NaturalResources licenses arefor sale at the station aswell.

Nyquist said KountryKorner is opend from 6a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 6 a.m. to mid-night Friday and Satur-day; and from 7 a.m. to 10p.m. Sunday.

Nyquist also owns andoperates the CrossroadsMini Mart at the intersec-tion of County Roads 480and 553.

“Both stores carry the

same things. They havethat great Shell image,” hesaid. “We are proud ofthat.”

Nyquist’s father startedthe business in 1982 andran it until 2000 whenScott took over.

“I am catching up to him.I am really proud of that,”he said. “We are blessedwith good customers, forsure.

“This is a tough industryand I am proud we havesurvived.”



GWINN — Born andraised in Gwinn, BrigetteVallier wanted to comehome after living awayfor a number of years.

Combining the busi-ness management de-gree she earned atNorthern Michigan Uni-versity with the school-ing she had at the Con-necticut Canine Educa-tion Center and addingin her 10 years experi-ence as a dog groomer,Vallier launched her ownbusiness, Mutt Cutz.

She has worked inmany settings in heryears as a dog groomerand knew what kind ofatmosphere she wantedto create.

“I wanted to create aquiet, cozy environmentfor the pets who comehere,” Vallier said.

That desire came to beas she put her shop inan out-building on herproperty.

“It’s so great,” shesaid. “My parents liveright across the streetso I get to see family allthe time now.”

The shop is set up soVallier can groom anytype of dog or cat.

“Really all furriedfriends are welcome,”she said. “I have alwaysloved animals so it’swonderful I can do this.

“I love to do breed spe-

cialty cuts, like forschnauzers and high-land terriers,” she said.“But I also enjoy the cre-ativity of giving othercuts.”

In addition to bathingand styling the animals,Vallier will trim the pet’snails, clean its ears orgive whatever other at-tention it might need.

“I provide lots of tenderloving care,” she said.

Mutt Cutz is open byappointment.

“I do appointments justabout every day,” Valliersaid. “We can work out atime if they call me.”

In the past, Vallierworked at shops whereshe was one of five orsix groomers working ata time.

“I love being on myown. It’s less stressful, Ithink, for both thegroomers and the petsthis way.”

As the snow fadesfrom memory, this is theperfect time to get a petready for the warmermonths.

“This time of year, ev-eryone thinks of springcleaning,” Vallier said. “Ican help people withthat as far as their petsgo. It will put spring intheir step, too.”

Mutt Cutz is located at720 N. Maple HillsDrive, Gwinn. Thephone number is 235-2767.

Renee Prusi can becontacted at 906-228-2500, ext. 253. Heremail address [email protected].

Kountry Kornercelebrates 30 years

Muttz Cutz startingwith 10 years ofgrooming experience

The Mining Journal, Monday, March 26 — 3KPROGRESS2012

Above, a recent image of Kountry Korner in Gwinn which is celebrating its 30thanniversary in 2012. (Journal photo by Renee Prusi)

Golden retrievers Dirk and Crosby get a bath in the large-size tub at Mutt Cutz,Bridgette Vallier’s grooming shop in Gwinn. (Photo courtesy of Bridgette Vallier)

4K — The Mining Journal, Monday, March 26 PROGRESS2012

By JOHN PEPINJournal Staff Writer

SAWYER — Reactionwas positive to an an-nouncement in Januarythat terms were reachedto sell the renewaFUELbiofuel plant at K.I.Sawyer.

Cliffs Natural Re-sources Inc. officialssaid in a news releasethat the assets of theoperation had been soldto RNFL AcquisitionLLC, an investor groupthat includes renewaFU-EL’s minority partners.

Terms of the deal werenot disclosed.

The new owners saidthe Minnesota basedcompany will retain therenewaFUEL brandname and hope to havethe plant retooled andup and running withinthe next four to sixmonths.

“We’re really pleasedto have closed the trans-action with renewaFUELand we’re excited aboutgetting in there and get-ting the plant opera-tional,” said Jim Men-nell, chief executive offi-cer of RNFL Acquisi-tions.

County officials werealso happy about thenews the deal hadclosed.

Marquette County In-terim AdministratorScott Erbisch said Mar-quette County ispleased to see that thedeal has been finalizedto sell the renewaFUEL

assets and operations.“Once fully opera-

tional, RNFL Acquisition,LLC will employ over 20direct employees, andcreate additional spin offjobs in the Upper Penin-sula’s trucking and bio-mass industry,” Erbischsaid. “This is very impor-tant economically toMarquette and the re-gion.”

The county board re-cently approved reas-signing leases at K.I.Sawyer for two buildingsand associated parkingareas to the new com-pany. The board also

approved a six-monthrent waiver for the com-pany.

The board voted to ap-prove some minor lan-guage revisions in thelease reassignmentdocuments, whichhelped clear the way forthe deal to close.

In September, after re-newaFUEL’s inability togenerate products at de-signed capacity, parentcompany Cliffs NaturalResources suspendedoperations and later be-gan looking for potentialbuyers.

The $19 million facilityopened in 2010 and wasexpected to produce150,000 tons of biomasscubes per year, usingsustainably collectedwood and agriculturalfeedstocks, for Cliffs’Michigan operationsand other entities, in-cluding the MarquetteBoard of Light and Pow-er.

Mennell said the newcompany currently doesnot have any contractsin place for sales of therenewaFUEL biomassproduct. He said thecompany will focus onsales, potentially toCliffs, the BLP and oth-ers, after efforts to getthe plant operating havebeen completed.

John Pepin can bereached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. His emailaddress is [email protected].

renewaFUELmaking a comeback

Once fully oper-ational, RNFL Ac-quisition, LLC willemploy over 20direct employees,and create addi-tional spin off jobsin the UpperPeninsula’s truck-ing and bio-massindustry. This isvery importanteconomically toMarquette and theregion.

“

- SCOTT ERBISCHMarquette County Interim

Administrator

”

The biofuel process takes sawdust, grasses and other plant matter and turns it intoa block that when burned gives off as much energy as coal, but with far less pollu-tants. (Journal file photo)


GWINN — ShawnaHillock and her hus-band, Myron, saw aneed in their community,Gwinn.

That was the genesisof Sunsations, a tanningsalon that opened inFebruary 2011 alongHighway M-35.

“I was tired of not hav-ing a good professionaltanning salon in Gwinn,”Shawna Hillock said.“We offer tanning, spraytanning and incrediblelotions.”

The shop has hadmany clients year round,but has been gettingeven more busy recent-ly.

"It’s getting closer toprom time,” she said.

Sunsations carries allthe top names in tanningsupplies, Hillock said.

“What’s really nice isthat we store stuff forour clients right here.They don’t have to wor-ry about carrying it withthem when they come into tan,” she said.

Open seven days aweek, Sunsations hasfive employees. It’sopen from 11 a.m. to 7p.m. weekdays; 9 a.m.to 4 p.m. Saturdays; andfrom 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Sundays.

“We’re located rightacross from the (Gwinn)high school,” she said.

Hillock said UpperPeninsula residents,who live through a longwinter season, shouldconsider tanning.

“One tanning sessionprovides the sameamount of VItamin D as100 glasses of milk,”she said.

And then there’s theesthetic effect.

“To me, tanning is al-most as enjoyable asgetting a massage,”Hillock said. “After a 12-minute tanning session,I feel so refreshed and Ihave so much energy.”

Each of the shop’s tan-ning beds have built-inradio/CD players and

central air conditioning.“I say it’s like having a

20-minute vacation. Ihave to wake clients upall the time,” she saidwith a smile. “For ourclients, it’s a relaxingmoment in a busy day.”

Sunsations can bereached at 346-2700. Itswebsite is www.sunsa-

tions-tan.com and itsFacebook page is face-book.com/profile.php?id=100001977230610&ref=ts.



GWINN — MikeJakubowski is goinggreen.

Well, his business,Mike’s Auto Center inGwinn, is.

He has been in busi-ness since 1978 but ismaking some changesright now.

“We’ve added a newbody shop. We’re mak-ing it ecofriendly in whatwe’re doing,” Jakubows-ki said. “We’re phasinginto that.”

The center can serviceany kind of vehicle andaccepts all insurancecompanies, he said,with state-of-the-artequipment.

“We have a new spraybooth in there thatmeets all new EPArules,” Jakubowski said.

In 2009, the govern-ment relaxed some envi-ronmental rules due tothe recession, he said,but now rules are beingstrengthened.

Because his shopdoes such a wide varietyof work, he has kept go-ing strong, regardless ofthe changes in the com-munity.

“We are a complete re-pair shop, mechanical-ly,” Jakubowski said.“Anything automotive,we can handle.”

His wife, Beth, is the

shop’s co-owner. Thereare five people em-ployed there countingthe couple.

“My son Steven will betaking over the busi-ness. He’s kind of run-ning the place now,”Jakubowski said.

Mike’s Auto Center,which is open from 8a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondaythrough Friday, also of-fers towing service.

“We have continued towork while the additionis being finished,” hesaid. “Hopefully we willbe opening June 12.”

Mike’s Auto Centercan be reached at 346-9444.


Tanning salon nowopen in Gwinn

Mike’s auto is takingsteps to protect theenvironment

The Mining Journal, Monday, March 26 — 5KPROGRESS2012

Top, are various lotions for sale at Sunsations which opened in Gwinn last Febru-ary along Highway M-35. (Journal photos by Renee Prusi)

Mike Jakubowski, left, and his son, Steve, run Mike’s Autoin Gwinn. An addition to the business is currently being built.The senior Jakubowski will be turning the business over tohis son in the coming years. (Journal photo by Renee Prusi)


GWINN — They didn’twant to see a vacant build-ing in their community.

So Beth and MikeJakubowski started abusiness called YooperScoop in Gwinn last year.

Yooper Scoop is an icecream shop along High-way M-35 in downtownGwinn that’s open duringthe warm-weathermonths.

“It was our first year lastyear and it went reallywell,” Mike Jakubowskisaid. “We will reopen forthe season on May 1.”

In its first season, Yoop-er Scoop featured 20 fla-vors of hand-dipped icecream as well as softserve.

“We make bananasplits, sundaes and allthose sort of things,” hesaid. “Plus we have goodold-fashioned homemadechocolate chip cookies.”

The menu also includeshot dogs, nachos andhomemade potatowedges. There are alsothings like strawberriesdipped in chocolate,rhubarb crunch and de-lights made with blueber-ries.

“We also feature some-thing we call Wild Bill’sRoot Beer Float,” he said.

While the school year isstill in session, the shopwill be open from 3 to 9p.m.

“But when the kids areout of school, we are openfrom noon to 10 p.m. Mon-

day through Friday andfrom noon to 9 p.m. Satur-day and Sunday,”Jakubowski said.

They will be open untilright after Labor Day thisyear.

“The community sup-ported it and that’s good,”he said.

This year, a patio will of-fer outside seating and adrive-thru window will al-low older folks to get atreat without having to getout of their vehicles.

“There’s even a bubble-gum machine for thekids,” he said.



GWINN — AndyBeauchamp was alreadypart of a business in Gwinnand new there was a needin that community.

So he opened AnytimeFitness on June 16, 2011.

“There was definitely aneed in the community,” hesaid. “We had looked atother businesses we couldbring to the area. We werelooking to replace theshowroom for our plumb-ing business and talkedabout what we could bringin.”

Beauchamp’s parentsare members of the Any-time Fitness out in Harveyand really enjoy it.

“So I started makingsome calls and found outwe fit exactly what AnytimeFitness wanted,”Beauchamp said. “The lo-cation was perfect. Any-time Fitness is a goodbusiness model for peo-ple.”

In less than a year, theGwinn Anytime Fitnesshas 529 members whocan use the facility, as thename says, any time.

“It has been well re-ceived by people,” he said.“We’re adding a group ex-ercise room upstairs. Werecently received the ap-proval for that.”

The facility is staffed from10 in the morning until 8 atnight.

“But members, of course,can come in any time. Andthere generally are morepeople here at midnightthan at noon,” he said.

Having that openness al-lows members come andgo as they please.

“We have many peoplewho come here early, get-ting in and out, then head-ing to work,” Beauchampsaid. “We’re big withschool personnel whencome in before they go toclass.”

Three trainers are onstaff, two part time and onepart time, Tim Brandt.

“Tim focuses on trainingduring the day,”Beauchamp said.

One of the special fea-tures of the Anytime Fit-ness franchise is thatmembers can go to anyAnytime Fitness to workout.

“If you join, you have ac-cess to 1,600 gyms world-wide,” he said. “When trav-eling, you don’t have tomiss your workout.”

In addition to the HarveyAnytime Fitness, another

location is planned to openin Ishpeming Township lat-er this spring and theremay be another coming tothe city of Marquette.

Log on to anytimefit-

ness.com and put in a zipcode to find where fran-chises are located.

To reach the Gwinn Any-time Fitness, call 346-2525.

Anytime Fitness filling aneed in the community

Yooper Scoop re-opening May 1


Connie Gohl of Gwinn works out under the supervision of trainer Tim Brandt atAnytime Fitness in Gwinn. The business has been open since mid-June and alreadyhas more than 500 members. (Journal photos by Renee Prusi)

Yooper Scoop is scheduled to re-open May 1. (Journal photo by Renee Prusi)


SKANDIA — WestBranch Township recentlyhonored former Mar-quette County AirportManager Charles “Char-lie” Hohman with a play-ground dedication on thegrounds of the townshiphall.

Hohman, who died inOctober 2010 at age 78,was a retired U.S. AirForce officer and father toseven children and fourstepchildren. He was re-membered at the July2011 dedication for hissense of humor and beingwell-known in the area.

“It’s an honor that thecommunity was willing todedicate the playgroundin memory of my dad,”said Terry Havens, adaughter of Hohman fromOak Hill, Va. “He was ahuge family man and heloved children.”

The playground wasconstructed last year andis situated along Mar-quette County Road 545(West Branch Road). Thegrounds also include apavilion.

“I think it’s wonderful,”said Hohman’s widow,Verla Hohman, of Mar-quette. “This is evidentlya very popular place tocome and picnic.”

Numerous members ofthe Hohman family trav-eled to the township forthe dedication.

Members of the South

County Fund Committeewere also on hand, asmall group of dedicatedvolunteers who had heldfundraisers to financepurchase of the play-ground, which was put to-gether at the site earlierthis year.

“This is nine thousanddollars we raised—a lot of

money for seven ladies intheir spare time and threemen,” said MichelleChristall, chairwoman ofthe committee. “There’sbeen a lot of pies madeand sold, a lot of spaghet-ti dinners.”

A dedication plaque for

Hohman was created tobe placed at the play-ground. Soon after thededication ceremony wasfinished, kids were play-ing on the equipment, en-joying the warm summerday.

“If he (Hohman) was still

here he’d sit here forhours and just watch thekids,” Havens said.


West Branch playground dedicated to honoring Charles Hohman

PROGRESS2012 The Mining Journal, Monday, March 26 — 7K

Kids play on playground equipment purchased through fundraising efforts of the South County Fund Committee in West Branch Township. (Journal photo by John Pepin)


K.I. SAWYER — TheK.I. Sawyer Heritage AirMuseum is getting com-fortable in its new loca-tion, with renovations,extended hours andcommunity meetingsheld at the former navalreserve building.

“We moved about ayear-and-a-half ago, butwe didn’t do much (ini-tially),” said Bob Vick,president and chief exec-utive officer of the muse-um board.

The museum, whichhas been in existencesince 1994, moved in theformer Silver WingsRecreation Center,which is located about ablock south of the WestBranch Community Cen-ter building, where themuseum used to behoused.

Beginning last May,renovations began.

“We’re fixing the placeup,” Vick said.

A group of four stu-dents from the local pip-efitters union worked torepair the heating sys-tem. Work will now bedone on the hot watersystem.

“Last summer, we hada pretty good visitorcount, people are return-ing to Sawyer,” Vick said.

With the closing of theTailwinds Restaurant

over recent months,many groups that for-merly held meetingsthere are now schedulingtime to use the museum.

“A lot of people arecoming to us for thatnow,” Vick said.

As a result, the muse-um —which had tradi-tionally been open fromMay 1 to Oct. 1— stayedopen throughout the win-ter. Hours at 1 to 5 p.m.Wednesdays throughSundays.

The museum includesfive restored aircraft, aswell as a variety of mem-orabilia from daily life atthe base.

In addition to raisingmoney for museum pro-jects through the facili-ty’s store, the museumhas some of the store’sitems for sale on its web-site. The website has al-so recently added a fo-rums section to aid com-munication about themuseum and also allowformer servicemen tokeep in contact via themuseum.

For more informationabout the efforts of themuseum, visit the web-site at: www.kishamuse-um.org



Sawyer HeritageAir Museumhappy with newrenovations andlocation

Last summer, we had apretty good visitor count,people are returning toSawyer.

“

- Bob VickPresident and chief executive officer of the museum

board

”

By Journal StaffMARQUETTE — Park-

ing revenue and air car-go figures reported in2011 for Sawyer Interna-tional Airport continuedto be favorable.

Sawyer Airport Manag-er Keith Kaspari said an-nual parking revenue

reached $256,235 for2011. In 2010, that figurewas $283,724, up 13percent over 2009.

Kaspari said that signif-icant increase can be at-tributed to Sawyer beingan all regional jet airportproviding service tothree major hub airports.

He said the result reaf-firms the county board’sdecision in 2007 to ex-pand the parking lot atSawyer, which includedinstalling a Parking Ac-cess and Revenue Con-trol System.

The total of air cargopounds carried by Amer-

ican Eagle Airlines lastyear was 7,158 pounds,down from 8,575 in 2010and 8,387 in 2009.

Delta Airlines air cargowas 19,924 pounds in2011, up from 19,839pounds in 2010 anddown from 27,569pounds in 2009.

Sawyer airport parkingrevenue looking up

Above is some of the collection memorabilia fromwhen K.I. Sawyer was in operation as an Air Force base.Below, Dan Benstrom, of the K.I. Sawyer Heritage AirMuseum looks at an FB-111 military plane at Sawyer.(Heritage Air Museum photos)

special section/progress-k

Documents

kangas doesnt

mainpart of gwinn

town gwinn

new building

copper countryand

yearold copper

copper alot

dog groomingkylie kangass