Congratulations to the Copper Country for another year of accomplishing so much good in the community. Last night the Keweenaw Peninsula took a minute to slow down and recognize incredible people, projects, and organizations. The annual event hands out eight awards each year. Not least of which includes the project of the year, the Keweenaw co-op’s move to Quincy Street.
An effort that involved a lot of the community, a lot of community support, a lot of planning, a lot of sweat and tears. And honestly for me, nearly the loss of my life. But yeah, it feels great. And it’s been, I mean, since we opened on opening day, just kind of the response to day one, the celebrations we’ve had since. The interactions we have in the aisles every day. I mean, it’s all a reward, or award, if you will. But it is nice to be recognized by this part of the community and to be able to share our story. – Curt Webb, general manager, Keweenaw co-op
Curt Webb was an essential cog in the machine that kept the co-op’s move going over the past couple of years. While the community-centered grocer raised funds as part of a capital campaign, Webb and the co-op’s leaders were working hard. Even to the point that Denise Hansen 2025’s Hometown Hero winner, stepped up to fill Curt’s role while he recovered from a heart attack.
So we were in water safety class, life-saving. We all had to learn CPR, life-saving skills. And I thankfully had never had to use it up until that point. And I saw Curt down and I just sprang into action. Like I said earlier, it was very much a selfish moment. I needed him to be around. And I just started saying it out loud. I started pumping and counting and breathing. And it’s very mechanical, and I don’t know where it came from if you want to know the truth. – Denise Hansen, interim general manager, Keweenaw co-op
Hansen stopped by Webb’s office, as she always had, and saw Curt on the floor. She immediately had an employee called 9-1-1 and began CPR. Training she learned at summer camp when she was 16.
Everybody has opinions about how it’s morphed since I was 16 and 40 some-odd years ago. And it was very interesting. I am very thankful for the first responders that came and did the job. My job was just to get Curt to the point where the first responders came. They were fabulous. Again, I mentioned Officer Lusky specifically because he was calming effect for me. When you’re heightened awareness and everything is just in the key of G, I needed that presence. They are the professionals. My job is just to get him to stay alive until the professionals come. – Denise Hansen, interim general manager, Keweenaw co-op
The Keweenaw co-op’s Project of the Year award was not the only major honor announced last evening. Before naming Hancock DDA coordinator Todd Gast as a contributor of the year. The community honored the late David Crowley, who was one of the best at bringing people together any time of the year. Find a full list of winners in 2025 below.
Growth:
Steelhead Technologies
Keweenaw Boat Tours and Keweenaw Pedal Trolley
Loukus Technologies
Level Up Branded Apparel Specialists
Keweeanw Co+op Market and Deli
Superior Land Improvements
Customer Service:
Monte Consulting
The Michigan House Café and Brew Pub
Amber Mickalich – NV Hair
Red Jacket Boutique
Gillian Whitatker – Love Inc.
Keweenaw Jiu Jitsu
G&J Site Solutions Inc.
Finnish American Heritage Center
Jacob Moilanen – The Ambassador
Keweenaw Co+op Market and Deli
Northern Michigan Land Brokers
Portage Lake Golf Course
Auto Pro Glass and Tire
Black Ice Comics
Douglas Hodges UP Health Systems
Keweenaw Boat Tours and Keweenaw Pedal Trolley
Innovation/Transformation:
Revex Technologies
Keweenaw Jiu Jitsu
Keweenaw Solutions
River Trails LLC
Keweenaw Co+op Market and Deli
Takka Saunas
Alison Kirksey – Red hen and Foods and Goods, LLC
Dr. Meredith LeBeau Calumet Electronics
Bridges Program – Copper Shores Community Health Foundation
Project of the Year:
Abbey Carlson Tree House Family Resource Center (formerly the Keweenaw Family Resource Center)
Ahmeek Ice Rink
Sarah Scarlett – Vernacular Architecture Forum
Mrs. Laakonen – Hancock Public Schools
Hancock Trails Club Bridges and Boardwalk Project
The Keweenaw Co+op Relocation Proejct
Upper Peninsula Accessibility Summit
Right Start U.P.
Queen Bee’s LLC (Houghton Community Broadcasting)
Michael Babcock – Giving Tuesday Event
Sarah Lahti – Hancock Community Hub
Young Professional of the Year:
Micah Erickson
Lexi Aho
Devin Leonaduzzi
Amanda Crane Deyaert
Jordan Craven
Rachel Pressley
Carolyn Yarina
Cassandra Reed-VanDam
Nikki L’Esperance
Michael Babcock
Bailey Patrick
Community Contributor of the Year:
Neighbor’s Table at Faith Lutheran Church
Ron Rea
Kathy and Jeff Ihde
Shana Porteen
David Crowley (honored)
Gillian Whitaker
Sorona Hodges
Julia Waara
Dolores Kilpela
Robin Menguzzo
Iola Brubaker
Shelby Turnquist
Jim Kurtti
Susan Mattila
Todd Gast
Jim Tervo
Curt Webb and Denise Hansen
Dayna Browning and Emily Geiger
Julia and Eric Waara
Elena Busova
Copper Country Angel Mission
Hometown Hero of the Year:
Tami Sleeman
Joe Panijan
Denise Hansen
Youth Contributor of the Year:
Cassie Kujansuu
Lukas Axford
Cecilia Butler
Daniel Sturos
Ethan Perrault-Fill
Mallory Sporalski
Callie Knuuttila
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