Elijah Baker, news anchor/reporter for WBKB TV 11, spoke at the March 12 meeting of the Alpena Lions Club. Baker shared his personal history and his current objectives with the Lions. Program chair for the meeting was Florence Stibitz.

Baker grew up in Southfield and graduated from Wayne State University. During his education process, he first wanted to be a police officer. He served temporarily as a police officer and worked in a local district court. He then wanted to be an FBI agent and decided being a cop was not for him.

Next, he wanted to protect people and soon changed his major to journalism.

Upon graduation in 2017, he moved to Alpena and went to work for WBKB. He found Alpena to be a tiny market, but one where you’re close to people every day. He has enjoyed covering issues that matter to Alpena. He aims at covering stories people don’t see in the news. He aims at treating everyone with respect.

Baker’s address to the Lions was also probably a first in the club’s history, as his entire program, as well as all the other parts of the Lions meeting, was recorded by a WBKB cameraman.

Lion Camille Nerkowski, along with her husband Victor, were welcomed back. Camille Nerkowski was not able to attend Lions meetings for several years. She served many years ago as the City of Alpena’s first female mayor.

Al Guest announced that the club had raised $5,500 by selling Lions Mints in 2018. He also reported that Bernie Lamp Jr. was the lead salesman in 2018.

In the prior week’s meeting, the Lions heard from Rose Smith, who serves 12 counties with the Area Agency on Aging, part of the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency.