Marco Dossena and Brianna Wynsma, Northern Michigan University alumni and owners of Trenary Home Bakery, dunk the toast while wearing the company's apparel. (Photo courtesy of NMU)

MARQUETTE — Tucked in the remote heart of the Upper Peninsula, Trenary Home Bakery is known for its staple toast that’s perfect for a coffee dunk. And the business is even getting some Emmy attention for it.

During a virtual award ceremony on June 20, Central Michigan University’s WCMU Public Media received multiple Emmys from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan Chapter.

One of the Emmys was awarded to WCMU in the TV magazine program category for an episode of its show “Destination Michigan” that featured a segment on Trenary Home Bakery in Alger County.

Trenary Home Bakery co-owner Brianna Wynsma said she felt the segment was well put together and it showcased the people of Trenary, which is important because not everyone knows about the central U.P. town.

This award shout-out for the program is just the butter on top of the toast.

“It’s super exciting to be associated with a show that has high quality and that kind of standing, so it’s exciting for us and for them too,” Wynsma said.

The Trenary Home Bakery, established in 1928, still carries on its tradition of the Finnish Trenary Toast.

It’s one of the few places left that continues to carry on the legacy, Wynsma said.

“The biggest thing, for us … is the history (and) the tradition of the fact that people have a lot of nostalgic (memories) because it’s something people ate with their grandma,” she said.

Everything is made by hand at Trenary Home Bakery and the shop is getting ready to launch a new seasonal flavor, Tart Cherry Trenary Toast, along with Mini-Trenary Toast, which is a perfect snack size, Wynsma added.

Beyond Trenary, the Thursday night weekly show highlights stories throughout Michigan and is not limited to just one region.

“Destination Michigan” covers stories “from every corner of the mitten,” WCMU Public Media Executive Producer Chris Ogozaly said.

Airing on seven PBS affiliates in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois, this is the third consecutive year the show has won an Emmy Award from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Michigan Chapter and it reaffirms that the production team is producing quality work that keeps viewers entertained, educated and informed by spotlighting Michigander stories, he said.

However, this year’s competition for the magazine program category was “impressive,” Ogozaly remarked.

“It’s extremely exciting to be nominated for a Michigan Regional Emmy Award especially when you see the outstanding work of the other nominees,” he said. “I’m proud of the work our team does to be part of the nomination conversation with so many other outstanding content producers,” he said. “It truly is an honor to receive a nomination.”

Two members of the WCMU production team, Adam Miedema and Steve Smith, traveled to Trenary “in the heart of winter to learn more about the toast that Michiganders rave about,” Ogozaly said.

“Of course, we were able to sample the treat from Trenary, but we gave our viewers a chance (to) tease their taste buds and to learn a bit about the history and tradition of the store,” Ogozaly said, adding, “Those watching also get to learn about the new owners, Bri and Marco, who employ nearly 9% of the town of Trenary.”

The show shares stories that will make people want to travel and see the places the production team highlights, he said.

“Each ‘Destination Michigan’ story is unique. In the taste of Trenary segment, viewers discover the pride taken in producing this Upper Peninsula product. We were able to let our viewers know that people from all over the country order the tasty treats from Trenary,” Ogozaly noted. “There’s a pride that beams from owners Bri and Marco that’s palpable as you watch them tell their story.”

To view the Trenary Home Bakery segment featured on “Destination Michigan” season 10, episode 5, visit video.wcmu.org/video/trenary-home-bakery-2gjfxv/.

For more information on Trenary Home Bakery, visit trenaryhomebakery.com.

Jackie Jahfetson can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 248. Her email address is jjahfetson@miningjournal.net.