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News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted February 20, 2004 Text © 2004 Michele Anderson

Vandals break into Maasto Hiihto Chalet

Pam Schmidt of the Western Upper Peninsula Center for Science, Math and Environmental Education, who was leading a snowshoe expedition of elementary school children at Maasto Hiihto the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 18, discovered some damage to doors as evidence of the break-in.

"On the way back to my car I noticed that four candy bars were strewn about," Schmidt said. "I am assuming that whoever broke in dropped a few candy bars as they fled the scene. It appeared that the groomer had been there before the candy bars were dropped. The incident was immediately reported to the Hancock police, who were on the scene within 20 minutes."

Schmidt added she provided police with a written statement on what she had observed.

"As of 2:30 p.m., when I was finishing up with the field trip, there was a person from Hancock Public Works on the scene making sure the building was secure for the night," she noted.

Valorie Troesch, speaking for the ski club, estimated the vandals stole possibly as much as $30 - $50.

"As a result, money will no longer be stored on the premises," Troesch said.

Hancock Police Chief Michael Beaudoin confirmed on Friday, Feb. 20, that the incident is still under investigation but no suspects have been found.

Schmidt said the Western U.P. Center and the children from area schools participating in ecology-based field trips have very much appreciated and benefited from having access to the chalet during the winter months.

"So far this winter, three classes have participated in snowshoeing field trips around the Maasto Hiihto trails (we do try to stay off the ski trails!)," she explained. "The third-grade children who observed the police on the scene were a bit disturbed at the fact that this beautiful, relatively new place that people care about had been broken into. We can only hope that this unfortunate event will not affect everyone's ability to continue enjoying it in the future."

Hancock City Council Member Mary Tuisku said City Manager Glenn Anderson and Hancock Public Works Director Doug Hayrynen both mentioned the incident at the Council meeting Wednesday evening, Feb. 18.

"It's really sad when nothing is safe anymore," Tuisku commented.

The Maasto Hiihto Chalet building, a property of the City of Hancock, is about two years old and serves community groups that use the Maasto Hiihto cross-country ski/hiking/biking trails. It is also used for the City of Hancock's Heikinpäivä Hiihto cross-country ski races.

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