News Photo by Darby Hinkley Barry Schatz, pictured above right, was named Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer of the Year at a special event held honoring all the sanctuary volunteers on Thursday at Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center. Pictured above left is Phil Hartmeyer, TBNMS maritime archaeologist, who spoke about working closely with Schatz and presented him with an Outstanding Volunteer Service plaque.

ALPENA — This guy is crazy about Halloween, and he loves helping others. That’s why Barry Schatz has been named Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Volunteer of the Year.

He has been putting his creativity into action for the past six years, working on the annual Haunted Ship trick-or-treating event at Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center.

TBNMS Maritime Archaeologist Phil Hartmeyer coordinates the Halloween event. He has worked closely with Schatz ever since they met six years ago at a recruiting event at the Black Sheep Pub.

“Little did I know that we were both embarking on a journey that would put so many smiles on so many faces,” Hartmeyer said, adding, “The biggest being our own.”

He said Schatz has been involved in organizing the Presque Isle Haunted Trail in the Grand Lake area for many years, and he brought in friends to help turn his elaborate visions into reality.

“I was meeting folks like Brad and Jill Van Assche, whose jaw-dropping set design and prop building rivals anybody in Hollywood,” Hartmeyer said. “I was bringing utility trailers to Bob and Linda Doyle’s house, loading fake doors, the infamous Doyle doors and false walls.”

Countless more people have helped with the event.

“Barry is a connector, and he’s a spark,” Hartmeyer said. “He has made so many things possible here at the sanctuary, with his natural gift to bring people together.”

TBNMS Superintendent Jeff Gray said sanctuary volunteers are essential to the success of many programs, from the Fourth of July Maritime Festival to the Thunder Bay International Film Festival in January.

“We have an amazing corps of volunteers that help us do just about every program we put on, from maritime fest to the film festival, to working with our artifacts, to our education programs,” Gray said at the reception. “So, we’re incredibly lucky to have so many people helping us with our mission. It’s always tough to pick one out, but we’re honoring Barry tonight for the incredible work he’s done.”

Gray said this year’s Halloween event had 60 volunteers and a total of 382 hours of work involved. The event brings in more than 2,000 each year.

“Barry has been instrumental in the sanctuary’s Halloween event for the last six years,” Hartmeyer said on Thursday. “His ability to recruit, share and excite the public and his friends to help us build a bigger and better event each year has brought hundreds more of Alpena’s community members to enjoy the event. He’s got an endless source of creativity and imagination. He’s helped take this event to the next level. So we’re forever grateful for the time and effort that he’s put into this, and it’s an honor to have him be our volunteer of the year.”

Gray said this year, volunteers have contributed more than 1,300 hours, a value of about $32,000.

He said the advisory board and the Friends of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary are essential too.

“We’re planning some big things for 2020,” Gray added, noting that it will be the 20th anniversary of the TBNMS. “Looking forward to expanding our programs, having a bigger impact on the community, and … not forgetting about our core mission of protecting the Great Lakes and their rich history.”