What a beautiful day to celebrate the work of the Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. The Lake Superior Achievement Award has honored artists, authors, photographers, government agencies, museums, tribal governments, and now Friends of the Apostle Islands. Konnie LeMay, publisher of Lake Superior Magazine, presented the award on a perfect November afternoon in Bayfield, on Tuesday, November 9th, with the islands and the lake in the background.
Earlier coverage
(News Release) The Friends of the Apostles Islands National Lakeshore based in Bayfield, Wisconsin, has achieved many milestones recently. The 19-year-old group dedicated to promoting an appreciation for, and preservation of, the natural environment and cultural heritage of the lakeshore recently grew enough to hire its first paid staff. It also hit the $500,000 mark for funds raised for projects within the lakeshore.
On 1:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Washington Avenue Beach, it will officially add one more accolade when it receives Lake Superior Magazine’s 2021 Achievement Award.
Lake Superior Magazine has given out its annual Achievement Award since 1994 to individuals and groups who have contributed signifi cantly to the well being of Lake Superior and its peoples. That made the Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore an easy choice for the honor, said editor Konnie LeMay.
“The Friends provides a can-do role model for others, and even more, it has connected a national treasure to its local community in a way that energizes commitments and communication. Because of that work – and its milestones this year of fundraising and organizational growth – we are honored to give the Friends of the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore the 2021 Lake Superior Magazine Achievement Award,” she said in making the award announcement.
“Working with a community of people … it preserves something that I hold special about this park,” said Erica Peterson, chair of the Friends’ board of directors. Peterson and Jeff and Jill Rennicke, co-executive directors for the Friends, will receive the award from LeMay and magazine publisher Beth Bily at the Tuesday presentation. Lynne Dominy, superintendent for the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, also plans to attend, as well as some Friends board members.
“Friends helps people help the park; we help people stay in touch with the place that they love,” Jeff Rennicke said of the group. “This award is recognition of all the hard work that our organization and its members have put into the 50th anniversary year for the park and helps set the stage for the future. There
is much left to do, but with this kind of support, we are well on our way. Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this success.”
