Perfect night, great ride
Mary Niemela (left, seated) with riders and other supporters of the local women’s shelter in their work against domestic violence.
Mary Niemela, the executive director of the Barbara Kettle Gundlach Shelter Home, said October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and they usually plan an awareness event on the national day of unity.
“We used to have candlelight vigils, and now we’ve upped it and decided to make some noise,” Niemela said.
This was the eighth annual Ride Against Domestic Violence event in the Keweenaw area. Starting from a brief ceremony at the AmericInn in Calumet, the 29 bikes (and at least as many riders) traveled through Hancock and across the Portage Lake Lift Bridge, led by Sheriff Joshua Saaranen in a Houghton County Sheriff patrol vehicle, although he does have a Harley.
“Next year I’m going to get it all cleaned up and hopefully jump in the ride myself,” he said.
Saaranen said the local women’s shelter is a great resource for the community and a partner with law enforcement. The event is a chance to show public support for the work that they do each day.
“It gives everybody a chance to come out and support the shelter,” he said. “This is my first time leading the parade of course, but I’ve worked with the shelter for many years now.”
The riders looped through Houghton, before heading to Ray Kestner Waterfront Park.
Police held traffic briefly so the motorcycles could pass quickly and safely through the Yooper Loop.
Riders could claim an “Against Domestic Violence” patch for their participation. Here, Mary Niemela is holding one up to a rider’s new jacket.
As the clouds cleared Monday, it turned into a truly beautiful evening to be outdoors.