A Big-Hearted Little Community
Sherman Township in eastern Keweenaw County holds a wealth of history about when copper was king, but within its borders today resides a small community with amazing civic engagement. The residents, all 93 full-timers and a few seasonal residents, have a high level of volunteerism that they use to support their community in Sherman Township and throughout Copper Country.
Sherman Township government has paid positions, but the hours that each officer invests far exceeds the pay. Only recently has the township raised pay to reflect the incumbents' investment into running a government. For the most part, the government relied on volunteers that kept things going and cared for the grounds and buildings.
“We are required to pay township officers, trustees, election workers, and board of review members, but our pay rate was minimum wage and didn't include compensation for training time or mileage. Slowly, we have increased the pay, but the township roles are still largely volunteer positions,” according to Rob Middlemis-Brown, township supervisor.
“In a small place like this, it's always a struggle to get a lot of people involved,” clarified JT Reno, township clerk. “I was surprised by how many people came forward to help with elections. There's a small core group of folks in our community that help out with just about everything.”
The volunteer Fire and Rescue Department has 13 members, including two Medical First Responders and several more members awaiting MFR training. The department members keep the station and equipment in tip-top condition, supplementing their older model, affordable fire trucks with modern equipment, made possible through grants and generous donations from the community. The firefighters also participate in training far beyond the 12 hours per year required by the state. Their diligence has resulted in the highest possible rating from the Insurance Services Office, which in turn benefits residents through lower insurance premiums.
“We hold monthly training sessions on a rotating schedule where our members lead discussions on a variety of topics, helping to keep us informed on current best practices,” according to Chief Sandra Loy. “In the summer, we do most of our practical training with apparatus and large equipment. We also do cooperative training with other departments, and we participate in regional fire classes throughout the year.”
The fire and rescue department also offers a community breakfast twice a year as a way of showing appreciation for community support.
“Our breakfast is free, but donations are gratefully accepted. It is our way of saying thank you for supporting the fire millage and just being part of our community. The Auxiliary pays for the food and the firefighters cook it. We offer eggs, French toast, pancakes, sausage, and fruit. It's all freshly cooked,” adds Ed Burger, who oversees the event.
The next breakfast is on Saturday, May 20.
Many people in Copper Country are aware of the Gay Auxiliary Sale and Bazaar each summer. This bi-weekly event, which began in the early 1980s, includes collectibles, antiques, crafts, and rummage, and supports the fire and rescue department as well as community projects. Sherman Township residents and others from nearby contribute to the sales. Approximately a dozen people, mostly women, work together on Mondays in preparation for the three-hour sales every other Saturday.
“It's a lot of work, but we have a great time together on Monday morning and again in the evening. The Saturday sales can be hectic with the on-rush of shoppers when we open at 12. We also provide beverages, baked goods, and light snacks for people to sit and visit during the sale.” Sherry Middlemis-Brown, auxiliary officer, explained. “We support the fire department's equipment purchases, but we've also helped with the park across the street, renovation of the Community Hall and events like the Christmas party. Our first sale in 2023 will occur June 17 at the Community Hall in Gay.”
Gay has even more than the Auxiliary Sale and Bazaar to offer on Saturday afternoons throughout the summer. The Keweenaw County Historical Society renovated the Gay Schoolhouse to provide an example of daily life in Copper Country. Volunteer docents guide visitors though a classroom, a display of the church altar that once resided in Gay's only church, a room with rug looms and volunteers often working the looms, work implements and modes of travel in everyday life, display panels telling the story of Gay's stamp sands, and records and photographs depicting the early residents of Sherman Township. The schoolhouse is a partner of the Keweenaw National Historical Park, National Park Service. Local residents staff and help care for the building, grounds, and collections.
Many locals and visitors attend the famous, or perhaps infamous, Gay Parade on July 4 each year. This unplanned event has become a tradition that resembles a homegrown Carnival Parade more than it fits as a formal July 4th parade. Thousands of spectators line the streets for the impromptu display as it snakes through Gay. Both the Auxiliary Sale and Bazaar and Gay Schoolhouse are open in the afternoon and the fire and rescue department usually sells hot dogs, brats, and beverages to spectators.
This small community in Keweenaw County offers much more than its share of events, services, and activities, extending its sense of community far beyond the Sherman Township borders. Much of what it offers is an act of civic pride on the part of its residents. The Sherman Township Fire and Rescue, Gay Auxiliary, and Gay Schoolhouse welcome volunteers from outside of Sherman Township to join the comradery and pride of being part of a little community with a big civic engagement.
