The Art of Invention
THOUGH THE AGE OF RETIREMENT has come and gone, it doesn’t look like local artist/inventor Earl Senchuk plans on slowing down anytime soon. When he’s not on the golf course, he’s still arting and inventing, currently finishing up his latest creation… the Crown FireTent, seen above with the inventor.
You may already know about some of Earl’s work. He’s been written about here previously with references to earlier creations including downtown’s Phil Niemisto statue as well as his “Lady of the Lake” memorial statue at Picnic Rocks.
His work is more than just a delight for the visual senses. “Art and inventing are interconnected. Rendering original art is inventing a new way to see our world in a different light,” he says. And with that he turns his appreciation for art into inventions for the rest of us.
The Crown FireTent is a great example. Accommodating the urge to spend more time outside, the FireTent will allow your group to sit around the fire, while still being protected by a tent. Working with Jacquart Fabrics in Ironwood, and Innovate Marquette SmartZone, Senchuk hopes to have the tent ready for distribution early next year.
Challenged by his mom and dad at an early age, Senchuk discovered his artistic abilities, which ultimately led to his talent for inventions. “At age 15, I was told to rebuild the family’s car engine,” because his dad was going out of town and “your Mom’s gonna need the car!”
Kind of sink or swim approach to parenting, but it’s paid off in Earl’s case. He sees a need and he fills it. Winter anglers know him for his SuperShak ice fishing shanty, but that’s only one of dozens of patents to his name. Next summer you can watch for the reappearance around town of his Living Tree Art… those small trees festooned with live flower arrangements that make you ask… “is that real?”
So what’s next? He’s currently working on a home efficiency item called the DIY Window Insert Kit which he says is “so effective at heat retention and sound dampening that the U.P. could be an example to the rest of the country on collectively cutting our carbon footprint.”
Earl proves it doesn’t take a big research and development department to come up with winning ideas. Just a big imagination.
Finally… Camp County!
This is probably the first you’ve heard of Camp County. That’s because it’s a term I came up with about 20 years ago with the hope Marquette County landowners and entrepreneurs would come together and build enough campgrounds that we’d be known as the place to go for camping. Camp County.
The name never caught on, but it seems the movement has. As more and more people discover the great outdoors of Marquette County, more campgrounds are appearing across the landscape, and our camping mecca is finally taking shape.
And why not? All you need for campgrounds is land and lakes, and we’re overflowing with both. Throw in Marquette County’s steady stream of year ‘round visitors, and you’ve got the makings of a robust campground industry.
Newest to the scene is Mark Curran’s Raging River Resort and Campground. It’s a sister facility to the Rippling River Resort and Campground which opened back in 2018, just a mile closer to town on M-553.
Building on the success of Rippling River and its similar proximity to the Carp River, Raging River offers a polished wilderness experience splashed with plenty of amenities and easy access to area trails. Well-designed sites are cut out of the rugged terrain and spaced to give campers a little elbow room as they enjoy the outdoor life, close to town.
Also joining the local campground craze (my words) is Kona Hills Campground, spread out 200 feet above Lake Superior on top of the rock cut, across from the MDOT Welcome Center in Harvey.
After a few delays getting the necessary approvals for their exit and entrance infrastructure onto busy US-41/M-28, the campground is scheduled to open next spring. It’s a true rustic experience offering “a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway.”
The development is owned by The Preserve, LLC which consists of Jeremy Johnson, Devin Mahoney, and Timothy Piirala… all 3 MSHS grads. Nice to see local kids finding ways to create their own careers in order to stay in the area.
Another campground offering the rustic experience is the Forestville Campground, located just north of the Noquemanon Trail Network’s Forestville Trailhead. Forestville Campground offers 15 sites tucked closely around a narrow circular drive with firepits and picnic tables at all sites.
Also new to the area is Ishpeming’s Brasswire Campground. Located on Malton Road just east of downtown, this 50 site facility offers direct access to the RAMBA trails network, as well as plenty of other recreational opportunities.
As new facilities are added to the list of already established campgrounds, like Marquette’s Tourist Park, it’s nice to see our area offering a variety of options and experiences. With even more than we’ve cited here, it’s just what you’d expect from a vacation destination “narrowly” known as Camp County!
The Sky’s the Limit
Regular readers may remember the name Kall Morris Inc. (KMI). They were written about here a few years ago when they were launching their effort to take on the issue of space junk, and how to get rid of it.
Well, “launching” has taken on a whole new meaning for Kall Morris. The company’s work passed a significant milepost in their commitment to orbital sustainability with the successful launch of its REACCH capture end effector, now docked with the International Space Station (ISS) via the SpaceX-31 Cargo Resupply Mission.
REACCH, or Responsive Engaging Arms for Captive Care and Handling, is now in position to showcase its role in orbital sustainability, with applications spanning relocation of satellites, space asset maintenance, and future debris removal missions.
Designed as a mechanically articulated end effector, REACCH utilizes gecko-inspired adhesion to secure objects in space without causing damage. This allows it to safely capture and release a variety of objects of nearly any shape, size, or surface condition, providing an essential solution for orbital debris removal.
You’re probably not surprised that those words are theirs… not mine, taken from a press release announcing the development and what it means to the smart folks at KMI, who’ve been working on this since 2019 from their lab/office in downtown’s Masonic Square Mall.
“This mission is a culmination of years of determination, countless hours, and a vision that started as a dream,” said Austin Morris, Co-Founder & Director of Engineering from KMI.
“Seeing REACCH launch to the ISS is beyond words – it’s proof that with hard work and relentless commitment to innovation, what once seemed impossible is now within reach. To me, REACCH represents more than just a technological advancement; it’s a beacon of what can be achieved when passion meets purpose, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space.”
From the invention of the FireTent, to campgrounds popping up just when we need them, to garbage collection in space… people are getting things done around here.
It’s nice to share a community with people who’ve got their feet on the ground and their eyes on the sky.