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April 10, 2005 Record-Eagle/Lara Neel Kate Wickstrom listens to Mike Waugh as he wishes her well. The Sugarfoot Saloon was packed with residents and former employees curious about Wickstrom's plan for Sugar Loaf Resort. Residents hope for a rebirthByRecord-Eagle staff writer CEDAR - Folks packed into the Sugarfoot Saloon Saturday to get a glimpse of the woman they hope will be the savior of Sugar Loaf. As champagne and cake were served, Kate Wickstrom, who closed on a deal to purchase the resort last month, took questions from an eager crowd. When will Sugar Loaf start hiring employees? Will she get a liquor license? Will she hire locals? Will she change the name? Soon; an application has been filed; yes; and no, Wickstrom said Saturday, standing atop a bar in a room so filled with people it was difficult to move. One guest asked the question that seemed to be on the top of everyone's mind - "On a scale of one to 10, how would you rate the certainty of skiing returning to Sugar Loaf?" "The certainty of it?" Wickstrom said, pausing for a moment. "Ten," she said finally, causing the room to erupt in applause. Many expressed optimism that Wickstrom, a Leelanau County native, could bring a bright future to a resort that has in the recent past been so disappointing, shuttered since it's previous owner closed it amid financial troubles in 2000. "It's been a strong part of this area for so long, when the place shut down it was like a relative died," said Karl Kitchen, who worked at Sugar Loaf for eight years. Kitchen said he believes Wickstrom will turn around the resort's fate because she's from the area and because she's taking a hands-on approach to getting the resort going. Wickstrom said skiing will not likely return this winter because of the state of the ski lift equipment. Her first priority, she said, is to open the resort for dining and entertainment. She said she was gratified by the show of support. "My purpose for doing this is to give this land, Sugar Loaf, back to Leelanau County," she said. Marlo Behne, who said he was the resort's first ski patrol director, asked several questions, including whether Wickstrom planned to hire people from the area. "We're just interested in what kind of job alignment they're going to have for the people that are locals around here," Behne said afterward. Behne said he, too, is hopeful the resort will return to its former glory, but he remains cautious. "I want to hope it is, but you always have reason for doubt, because they have turned around so many times over there," Behne said.
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