Trail 17 Bridge and Boardwalk Progress
The past week started with a 2,000 yard swim at MTU and then we dropped the truck off at Hanke Auto Body in Hancock to have new pins and bushings put in the driver’s side door. After ten days on the two antibiotics that were starting to take a toll on my GI, I was switched over to a new antibiotic in my ongoing battle to get over the bone infection in my foot. The first courses of antibiotics were effective in knocking out the cellulitis, but improvement with the underlying infection has been very incremental at best.
I would get a draft quarterly Spark Grant report prepared for our Township Clerk Lynn Gierke and our prime professional on the project Chris Holmes. I worked with Brad Barnett at Visit Keweenaw on a letter of commitment regarding our forthcoming discussions to incorporate the Sturgeon River and Sloughs into the Keweenaw Water Trail. I would also reach out to Matthew Randell at Smart Creative about a couple of updates we will need to make with data highlighted on the Remote Workforce Keweenaw website. Otherwise, the early part of the week was focused on keeping my foot elevated.
Wednesday would be an altogether different story as I went out to Maasto Hiihto that morning where Wuebben Construction would be out to excavate the holes for the bridge cribbing.
Nate from Wuebben Construction would do a masterful job of excavating the holes. Once the holes were excavated, our team would lay down the fabric and Nate would add the gravel.
Mark would successfully test the jig he put together for drilling the holes through the 6 x 6s. Rebar will be placed through these holes as the cribbing is assembled.
At 5:00 p.m. I attended the Chassell Recreation Committee meeting where we started planning for the upcoming transition involving the Chassell Ski Trails. After 43 years of incredible service to the community that has literally involved more than circling the Earth in grooming distance and countless hours performing maintenance, Jim Tervo is retiring from his role keeping up the Chassell Ski Trails. The community is grateful beyond words for Jim’s tireless effort to maintain these awesome trails for the community’s enjoyment, but now we are focused on moving a modified trail system forward under the existing non-profit organization and planning for the winter immediately ahead. We developed an agenda for the Recreation Committee meeting to be held at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 3rd, to discuss this transition. The committee also heard a proposal from Brett and Eric Palosaari regarding the development of skills bike trails for kids on the lower portion of the township property to the north of the ski trail. The committee responded favorably to this concept and we discussed potential funding strategies for this effort.
I then ran to pick up Julie from the Chassell Farmers Market and headed over to the Chassell Heritage Center. The Chassell Historical Organization was hosting the Chassell Lions Club for its monthly meeting at 6:00 p.m. The Lions Club board had just decided to increase its level of annual support to the CHO to $1,000 to support restoration/maintenance of the Chassell Heritage Center. In addition to this generous action, I also thanked the Lions Club for its support provided through the community breakfast earlier in the year. I also briefed the board on the facility, our collections, and the key roles performed by our working board. I was also able to cover the numerous projects we have implemented over the last several years including the multi-phased accessibility project (parking area, ramp, stair-climbing units), the exterior repair/painting, exterior foundation sealing, interior foundation repair, and wiring/re-lamping project. It was also a nice opportunity for me to encourage Lions Club members to consider taking out CHO memberships and to consider joining the CHO board.
I spent most of Thursday elevating my foot, but the Chassell DPW guys got our log book mailbox installed at the kayak launch along with a warning sign regarding no jumping or diving from the launch dock.
Cham Deschaine got the maple and yellow birch trees cut down without incident at Misslitz Field that were threatening the scoreboard, third base dugout, and storage shed. I have these arranged for the wood to be picked up by Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly to be cut into firewood at their woodlot for their clients.
We found out on Thursday that our friend Sue (who we had traveled to hike with the previous Sunday) had tested positive for Covid. I had been suffering with what I thought were strong seasonal allergy symptoms with an evening cough for awhile and then Julie started experiencing similar symptoms. Sure enough, we both tested positive for Covid as well.
I was starting to feel much better on Friday, but chose not to take any chances by going to the Team Peninsula meeting where the State Demographer would be presenting. I participated via Zoom. I did get out to Centennial Park by myself that afternoon to get a shot of the accessible sidewalk project looking toward the pavilion from the waterfront.
I also checked out DP Construction’s preparation for the construction of two pickleball courts toward the north end of the park that are being made possible by a contribution by an anonymous donor.
Saturday morning my Covid symptoms were completely gone so I headed over to Maasto Hiihto where my continuing issues with my bone infection in my foot kept me primarily in the role of observer and photographer. The team was focused on leveling the gravel, removing trees, measuring out the ends of the bridge spans, and drilling holes in the 6 x 6s for the cribbing.
Do you embrace winter and have the ability to work remotely? Consider locating in the Keweenaw where you will find ubiquitous natural beauty, no congestion, and lower crime! Not sure? Come UP for a workcation to check it out! Learn how at Visit Keweenaw at https://www.visitkeweenaw.com/plan/trip-ideas-itineraries/workcations/ Visit Remote Workforce Keweenaw at https://remoteworkforcekeweenaw.com. Learn about those making the decision to locate here by following the Remote Workforce Keweenaw Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RemoteWorkforceKeweenaw.