Triathlon a success

Dear Editor,

I am writing to thank all the amazing people who took part in our 5th annual Verna Mize Triathlon. The participants, volunteers, and law enforcement personnel made for another safe and enjoyable day. Coupled with an absolutely beautiful morning; all the people taking pictures that day have an award winning photo for sure.

The youngest racer was 11 years old, and the farthest travelled was from West Virginia — unless if we consider volunteers — then it’s Vancouver BC.

Our numbers were down but the exuberance was as high as ever.

The volunteers are many and deserve recognition: Sandra Cooney, Nancy Cameron, Craig Waddell, Tia Eck, James Mertens, Bob Jackson, Jan Cole, Betty MacInnes, Dave Bach, Kent Klausner, Jim Quinlan, Mike Axford, Adam and Ginny Hemmer, Eric and Julie Waara, Kat, Paul and Taylor Burke, Pat and Bruce Rukkila.

Additionally, thanks to Melissa Lewis, Verna’s relative, who is there every year to hand out awards. A mere thank you seems insufficient for the work these people put it for this event.

Our safety crews include the City Police, Sheriff’s Department, Coast Guard and life guards, these being Ian Evans, Nora Sullivan and Eva Filippi. We also want to thank Ryan Avendt and the Public Works Department for their constant involvement, and Angela Luskin for loaning us signage again this year.

We are grateful to the media outlets who are instrumental in spreading the word: K-BEAR, WKMJ and the Daily Mining Gazette.

Lastly, our gratitude to Verna Mize who literally makes this event possible. Her tireless determination years ago is why we have this wonderful lake to worship today. Let’s continue her message to always respect Lake Superior. Keep it Superior!

Thank you,

Mary Kaminski