by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor

It’s been a busy year at the senior centers in Posen and Onaway.

The taxpayer-supported Presque Isle County Council on Aging (PICCOA) wrapped up two building projects at both facilities and continues to look at ways to enrich the lives of the county’s elderly residents.

In Onaway, there is a new $24,000 metal roof on the building that was completed a month ago. Shutters need a second coat of paint and ceiling tiles in the dining hall are being targeted for replacement.

“We have started receiving bids for driveway repairs,” said co-director Sue Flewelling, who also serves as transportation coordinator.

If the project is not completed before winter, she is hopeful it will be in the spring.

The PICCOA board also is working on upgrades to its restroom facilities to meet the standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2010.

Staff at the Presque Isle Count Council on Aging in Onaway includes (from left) Allison Frost, Jera Wreggeslworth, Sue Flewelling and Gene Debeust. (Photo by Peter Jakey)

“We were grandfathered in because they had not changed since the time the buildings were constructed,” said Flewelling.

The other major project this last year was the re-paving of the Posen parking area at a cost of $10,000. That involved complete reconstruction.

“These are things we are beginning to do,” said Flewelling. “We are so grateful for the millage dollars and these are some of the improvements we are making. We know there are things in the kitchens that need to be addressed, but those will be ongoing projects.”

Taxpayers approved a millage extension of a half-mill in August 2015, as well as an additional quarter-of-a-mill to stave off stagnant funding. Ten months before, a transportation millage was given the green light at one-quarter-of-a-mill. It helped prevent kitchen closures and waiting lists for services.

“We got transportation dollars and that freed up other dollars,” said Flewelling. “It allows us to do other things. These are things that need to be done. We are pleased with the way things are progressing forward.”

Congregate and home delivered meals have increased significantly this year.

In September for congregate meals, Onaway served 593 meals and Posen served 429.

Congregate meals are served Sunday through Thursday at both centers.

Home delivered meals are served Monday through Thursday with most clients receiving seven meals per week (four hot meals and three cold/frozen meals).

Home delivered meals for Onaway were 1,066, which consists of one route.

Posen has two home delivered meal routes and the total delivered was 1,938.

“We are very encouraged that the client list for home delivered meals is currently on the rise continuing to prove that there are many more folks that are in need of this service,” said Flewelling.

In-home services is a growing area as well, said Flewelling.

It involves three areas, including homemaker, personal care and respite care.

“Workers go in for two to three hours and sit with someone who is ill or handicapped to allow the caregiver to take a nap, read a book or run some errands,” said Flewelling. “It gives them a break.”

Denise Parrott is the other co-director and works out of the Posen facility.

A portion of the operating millage is allocated to the Rogers City Area Senior & Community Center.

The first ferry ever built in Northern Michigan and the newest addition to the Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry fleet – the $3.8 million, 85-foot “Miss Margy” – carried her first passengers to Michigan’s premier tourist destination today.

The Miss Margy departs on her maiden journey Oct. 14. (Photo courtesy Sharon Emery, Truscott Rossman)

More than 100 people were on the maiden voyage to Mackinac Island, on a partly cloudy morning with temperatures in the high-40s.

Miss Margy was christened by Gov. Rick Snyder in July and underwent final detailing in the weeks leading up to U.S. Coast Guard testing, which started in late August. Shepler’s just received word Tuesday afternoon that she had passed with flying colors.

The 281-passenger ferry, Shepler’s largest, was built at Moran Iron Works in Onaway, where construction kept a crew of 13 working for more than four months. Products and services of 20 companies in Michigan were used in the construction of Miss Margy.

“This really demonstrated the commitment of the Shepler family. This is really all about sacrifice and commitment. I think that sums it up. Anybody else would, if they were going to spend $4 million, have just sent the check off to the Gulf of Mexico and took on a new vessel. My hat is off to them,” said Tom Moran, founder and CEO of Moran Iron Works at the July dedication.

Moran said the project took the first four months of the year requiring 12,000 man-hours on Moran’s shop floor.

“We have done bigger projects, but they all make you proud. This is a special one and really part of northern Michigan, which will be here for decades. In our community, we don’t do enough heavy industry and we are not enough into the marine industry so this helps plant a seed. This isn’t the last high-speed ferry that will be launched in Rogers City,” Moran said.

CEO Bill Shepler was determined to keep work on the company’s new ferry in Michigan.

“This beautiful, state-of-the-art ferry is a tribute to my mother, Margaret, Miss Margy’s namesake, who started this business with my father 70 years ago,” Shepler said. “But Miss Margy is also a tribute to the workers, companies and leaders of this great state who have worked with us to make this spectacular vessel a reality – thank you.”

The new ferry features an air-conditioned cabin, as well as a ventilation system to remove interior condensation from windows during inclement weather. It has a top speed of about 40 mph.

Capt. Bill Shepler greeted passengers aboard the maiden journey of Miss Margy. (Photo courtesy Sharon Emery, Truscott

“Putting Miss Margy into service for our guests is the most gratifying achievement my brother, Billy, my sister, Patty, and I have experienced as the third generation to lead this business,” said Chris Shepler, president. “It’s our pleasure to work hard every day to honor what our father, and his parents before him, created – Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry.”

Ferries are usually constructed in ship-building centers such as Louisiana and Wisconsin, and Moran Iron Works faced challenges along the way. Among them was getting the 135,000-pound ferry from the shop in Onaway to Moran’s Port Calcite Collaborative, a deep-water port in Rogers City. The ferry was loaded onto a semi-trailer for the 21-mile journey along “high-wire corridor” from Onaway to Rogers City back roads in late May. Miss Margy was then lifted by crane into the water and piloted by Bill Shepler and his son, Billy, Shepler’s fleet captain, the 50 miles to Mackinaw City for final detailing.

A waterspout was spotted in Lake Huron off the shores of Huron Beach Thursday afternoon. (Photo by Heidi Witucki)

Weird weather day in Presque Isle County on this Thursday afternoon. The weatherman is predicting rain, thunderstorms and possible hail. This image of a waterspout in Lake Huron was captured in the Huron Beach area off U.S.-North by Heidi Witucki, advertising representative for the Advance, on her way back from Cheboygan.… Read Full Story

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor

The search is over in Posen as the board of education unanimously hired Michelle Wesner of Bellevue Community Schools to become its new superintendent.

Pending approval of the contract, Wesner will take over for interim superintendent John Palmer, Nov. 30, the Monday following Thanksgiving break. She will be handling the duties of superintendent and K-12 principal.

Wesner had been waiting for the right opportunity to come along and when she found the opening in Posen she applied. It was the only job she applied with this year.

“I am elated to become a part of the Posen family and community,” stated Wesner in an E-mail reply, a few hours after being hired. “Originally from a small town, I have been very selective in my superintendency search.”

Michelle Wesner was named as superintendent of schools for Posen

Wesner believes Posen is a perfect fit.

“I enjoy being a part of a caring community where families work together with the school to ensure our children are successful individuals both academically and socially,” she stated. “I look forward to the opportunity to be a part of such a wonderful small town.”

Palmer, who has been with the district for two-and-a-half years, had his resignation accepted “with regret.”

Board president Ken Wozniak, along with board members Anna Soik and Brian Konieczny, traveled to Bellevue and conducted a site visit, Oct. 13. “It went very well,” said Wozniak. “We did not hear anything at all that set off any bells, so we ended our search at that point.”

Wozniak said a face-to-face meeting was planned toward the weekend in Posen. “That’s when we will meet in person …to work out all the details,” said Wozniak. “She interviewed very, very well. If she does her job as she interviewed, we expect her to do a very good job for us.”

Mary Vratanina, superintendent of the Cheboygan-Otsego-Presque Isle Educational Service District, provided the board with additional information about Wesner.

“I heard Michelle had gone through the ‘Courageous Journey,’ which is an administrative credentialing program,” said Vratanina, who was at Monday’s meeting for her annual visit before the board. It is the only state approved endorsement program in Michigan.

Vratanina contacted the person in charge of running the program and was told      “‘(Wesner) is absolutely marvelous.’ She did an excellent job at the credentialing classes and will be a great asset to the district.”

“We want to thank everyone for all their time and effort,” said Wozniak. “We are hopeful it will turn out as well as we think it will turn out.”

Prior to the vote, Wozniak read Palmer’s resignation letter. “It’s hard for me to believe two-and-a-half years are behind us. It truly went so quickly,” stated Palmer. “I want to thank the board for putting up with me. It’s been a tremendous experience working with the students, staff and parents of this supportive school district. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your outstanding school district.”

“Thank you, John,” said board member Dennis Budnick. That was echoed by other board members.

“I just appreciate everybody,” said Palmer during the meeting. “Above all, I love my kids here. Parents and a board of education that is second to none around. It’s the best I ever had.”

Wesner is an elementary school teacher in Bellevue, a town between Lansing and Battle Creek.

CLARIFICATION:  “In your article you state that I said that Courageous Journey is the only state approved endorsement program in Michigan. That is incorrect. There are several universities that are approved for administrative certificates that has been the typical avenue for certification over the years. MAISA (Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators) is approved for the Courageous Journey certification,” said Mary Vratanina COPESD Superintendent.—The Advance appreciates the clarification. 

by Angie Asam–Staff Writer

Students at Rogers City High School are celebrating spirit week gearing up for homecoming festivities this Friday and Saturday.

MEMBERS OF the 2015 Rogers City High School fall homecoming court are front from left seniors Kelly Ellenberger, Casey Szatkowski, Jennie Luetzow, Alex Hincka, Quintin Kelly and Ally Streich. Back from left are sophomores Jacob Pilarski and Sydney Purgiel; juniors Saige Wagner and Juan Beltran and freshmen Kaleb Budnick and Linnea Hentkowski. (Photo by Angie Asam)

Monday students wore college gear to school before putting on their Halloween costumes early for costume day. Wednesday was greaser vs. classy day. With no school Friday students will be decked out in orange and black a day early today (Thursday) with a pep assembly at 10:30 a.m. Following the pep assembly the seniors and sophomores will take on the juniors and freshmen in powderpuff express football action.

The homecoming parade will be held at 6:30 p.m. Friday starting at the Grambau Center and proceeding down Huron Avenue to Third Street and up to Gilpin Memorial Field. The parade will feature each class’ float, the cheerleaders and representatives.

The Hurons will take on the Atlanta Huskies in the final football game of the season with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.

At halftime of the game the class’ floats will take a tour in front of the crowd before the winning float is announced. Court members will be introduced before Mr. Football and the queen are named.

Saturday the sophomore class is putting on the homecoming dance which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the high school gym. Crowning of the queen will be at 8:30 p.m. and the Haunted Halloween Ball will run until 11:30 p.m. The dance will also feature a taco bar, dessert bar and candy bar as well as some carnival games which are free of charge with the cost of admission.

The student council is putting on the spirit week activities and the pep assembly.

RC school board president John Krajenta (at left) and interim superintendent Lee Sandy.

by Angie Asam–Staff Writer

Rogers City Area Schools will soon have a posting ready commencing the search for a superintendent/principal.

According to a phone conversation Thursday morning (Oct. 22, 2015) with Rogers City Area Schools board of education president John Krajenta, the district will be advertising for a principal/superintendent position, however, it will not be specifying if that is an elementary or secondary principal.

The story that ran in Thursday’s Advance stated the district was going to begin a search for a new superintendent/”elementary” principal, but that is not necessarily the case, Krajenta said.

Katy Makowski resigned from the superintendent/elementary principal position in July and the district hired Lee Sandy as interim superintendent and Tammy Kuntz as interim elementary principal for the 2015-16 school year.

Last Monday Krajenta announced that the district would be advertising for a superintendent/principal in the near future. “We are setting up a posting for a superintendent/principal position. We will give the details of that a little bit later. We hope to complete the task by the end of January with interviews being held in January,” said Krajenta.

Sandy is a retired superintendent who formerly served school districts in Kalkaska, Vestaburg, Montabella, Pine River, Fife Lake and Waldron. He previously served in interim positions in AuGre-Sims, Saginaw, Leland, Gladwin, Beal City, Baldwin and Onekama. He retired from Kalkaska in July 2014 after starting with the district in 2006.

“I appreciate being here. Things have gone really well. I appreciate the board’s involvement and your frankness in talking to me, that’s appreciated. Hopefully I can help where needed,” said Sandy last week.

Kuntz came to the district from Kansas where she had spent 23 years with Topeka Public Schools where she taught for 22 years and was a literacy coach for one year. Kuntz came to Rogers City knowing that it was an interim position for the 2015-16 school year.

David O’Bryant currently serves as high school/middle school principal and is the district’s athletic director. He was hired as a secondary teacher of math and science in 2010 while also coaching girls’ varsity basketball (6-57 in three seasons). The board chose him as secondary principal for the 2011-12 school year, after the resignation of superintendent/secondary principal Jamie Huber in June 2011.  O’Bryant assumed the athletic director’s role for the 2013-14 school year replacing longtime athletic director and current wrestling coach Pat Lamb.

Posen Consolidated Schools hired a new administrator this week after John Palmer served as the interim superintendent for the district for two and one-half years. Michelle Wesner will take over as the superintendent and principal for the district after Thanksgiving break.

Rogers City Community Theatre presents its final production of the 2015 season beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Rogers City Theater. “Leaving Iowa” is a touching and hilarious show about family trips, family dynamics and family memories.

The story centers on Don Browning, a writer from Boston, who has come home to Winterset, Iowa to celebrate his young nephew’s birthday and ends up on a road trip to bury his late father’s ashes.

LOOKOUT! The comedy “Leaving Iowa” is set to entertain during six shows which begin Friday, Oct. 30 at the Rogers City Theater. (Photo by Richard Lamb)

In a memory play that shifts between past and present, Don recalls family vacations from his childhood while he drives around the state searching for the proper resting place for his father. Comedy comes in the form of sibling rivalry in the back seat of the family car, mom and dad steering the adventures from the front seat and a host of interesting characters they meet along the way.

Everyone will recognize themselves, their parents or their children in this play. We’ve all been in that car driving long stretches of road. We’ve all been to that less-than-promised roadside attraction. And we’ve all wondered, “Are we there yet?”

There is a great cast of newcomers and veterans in “Leaving Iowa.” Fresh faces to meet and faces you’ve come to love come to the Rogers City Community Theatre stage.  Three high schoolers join the cast and bring with them youthful enthusiasm.

Portraying the Browning family are veterans Karl W. Heidemann as the dad and Charlotte Heidemann as the mom. Salena Heidemann plays sis and newcomer, Nolan Ryan, takes the role of the young Don Browning. Zack Weber, another new face to the theatre group, brings the lead role of the older Don Browning to life.

The cast of zany characters is made complete by Julie Riddle, Lawrence Anderson, Bob Starnes III, Baylee Lijewski, Robert Starnes IV and Mary Parsons.

Riconda Lamb and Mike Marx co-direct the production. Handling lighting is Donna Klein; sound, Mike Marx; and spotlight, Ed Perrault. Stage crew includes Karen Maher, Mary Parsons and Denise Perrault.

The public is invited to join the Browning family on an unpredictable summer road trip where you come for the laughter and stay to be moved. This show is fun for the whole family.

Show dates are Oct. 30,31, Nov. 1,6,7 and 8. Fridays and Saturdays the play begins at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Doors open a half hour before the show.

October 31 is come-in-costume night. Door prizes will be given away to some of those who dare to come incognito.

Ticket prices for adults are $12, seniors $10 and students $6. Tickets are available at the Presque Isle County Advance office and, as always, at the door. For more information see the theatre’s Web site at www.rcctheatre.org.

Posen quarterback Travis Sharpe led the Vikings to a 48-38 win over Pickford to advance to the round of eight in the MHSAA 8-man football playoffs. (Photo by Peter Jakey)

Posen moved on to the round of eight with a 48-38 win over Pickford Friday. The Vikings (10-0) now face Cedarville (8-2) after they defeated previously unbeaten Owendale-Gagetown 48-28.

The winner of Friday’s game, again to be played in Posen, will face the winner of the Powers North Central (10-0) vs Rapid River (7-3) contest for the right to play in the 8-man state semifinals Nov. 14. The state 8-man finals are set for Nov. 20.

Cedarville gave Posen its toughest game resulting in a 28-26 win for the Vikings in week six. Cedarville’s other loss came to Rapid River, 28-14, in the third game of the season.

Rapid River defeated Engadine 36-29 while Powers North Central blasted Stephenson 70-22. Other scores from 8-man were Battle Creek St. Phillip 55, Portland St. Patrick 18; Lawrence 54-Waldron 52; Morrice 76, New Haven Merritt Academy 36; and Deckerville 30, Peck 6.

Playoff brackets for 8-man football

(More details from the game will be featured in the next edition of the Advance)

The county enjoyed another warm day as temperatures reached 70 in some parts of Presque Isle County. Forecasters call for more pleasant weather for the next few days with temperatures in the 60s. A sunrise scene showed the stillness of Lake Huron as residents enjoyed at least one more day of mild weather before the certainty of winter.… Read Full Story

FOR THE first time in school history, Posen will host back-to-back playoff games with Cedarville in town Friday at 7 p.m. It will be for a regional championship and a berth in the eight-player state semifinal game.

Travis Sharpe (above) rushed for 222 yards and four touchdowns and had 192 passing yards in last week’s win over Pickford. He was sidelined for a short time against Pickford, but came back to lead the Vikings to their first playoff win since 2004. (Photo by Peter Jakey)

Rogers City Community Theatre presents its final production of the 2015 season beginning Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Rogers City Theater. “Leaving Iowa” is a touching and hilarious show about family trips, family dynamics and family memories. (View a clip from the play here) https://youtu.be/36as0JawKu4

The story centers on Don Browning, a writer from Boston, who has come home to Winterset, Iowa to celebrate his young nephew’s birthday and ends up on a road trip to bury his late father’s ashes.

In a memory play that shifts between past and present, Don recalls family vacations from his childhood while he drives around the state searching for the proper resting place for his father. Comedy comes in the form of sibling rivalry in the back seat of the family car, mom and dad steering the adventures from the front seat and a host of interesting characters they meet along the way.

Everyone will recognize themselves, their parents or their children in this play. We’ve all been in that car driving long stretches of road. We’ve all been to that less-than-promised roadside attraction. And we’ve all wondered, “Are we there yet?”

There is a great cast of newcomers and veterans in “Leaving Iowa.” Fresh faces to meet and faces you’ve come to love come to the Rogers City Community Theatre stage. Three high schoolers join the cast and bring with them youthful enthusiasm.

Portraying the Browning family are veterans Karl W. Heidemann as the dad and Charlotte Heidemann as the mom. Salena Heidemann plays sis and newcomer, Nolan Ryan, takes the role of the young Don Browning. Zack Weber, another new face to the theatre group, brings the lead role of the older Don Browning to life.

The cast of zany characters is made complete by Julie Riddle, Lawrence Anderson, Bob Starnes III, Baylee Lijewski, Robert Starnes IV and Mary Parsons.

Riconda Lamb and Mike Marx co-direct the production. Handling lighting is Donna Klein; sound, Mike Marx; and spotlight, Ed Perrault. Stage crew includes Karen Maher, Mary Parsons and Denise Perrault.

The public is invited to join the Browning family on an unpredictable summer road trip where you come for the laughter and stay to be moved. This show is fun for the whole family.

Show dates Nov. ,6,7 and 8. Friday and Saturday the play begins at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. Doors open a half hour before the show.

Tickets are available at the Presque Isle County Advance office and, as always, at the door. For more information see the theatre’s Web site at www.rcctheatre.org.

Both Rogers City and Onaway fans represented their schools well at the district finals. Here the Huron fans storm the court after Rogers City won the match. (Photos by Richard Lamb)

The fans ‘s got what they were hoping for as the Hurons and Cards gave their all on the volleyball court Friday in Hillman. Rogers City won the match 19-25, 25-9, 23-25, 25-19, 15-11 to take the district title.

Needing to with the last two set, after falling down 2-1, coach Jackie t  team did just that, coming from behind in both the fourth and fifth set. Rogers City trailed 10-9 in the fourth, but  set before rallying for five straight points. The play at the net of freshman Taylor Fleming and senior Sarah Meredith gave coach Steve Watson’s team trouble.

Taylor Ehrke slips a shot by the outstretched hands of Taylor Fleming and Sarah Meredith.

In the deciding set, the Cards went up 9-5 on an ace from Taylor Ehrke, but that would be their last lead. A tip from Ally Streich and a missed attack from Onaway came before two kills from Fleming tied the score. Then Streich set up Meredith for a smash down the middle to take the lead. Freshman Jayna Hance’s continued at the service line, delivering two aces forcing Onaway coach Steve Watson to call time out.

Sarah Meredith drilled the winning point through the Onaway defense. The Cards, which advanced to the Class C final four last season, had their season come to an end.

Streich’s block of an attack got point 13 for the Hurons and Streich set up Fleming’s kill for point 14. Hance’s next serve went wide, but Meredith’s kill from left hitter on the ensuing Onaway serve iced the set and match for Rogers City. The Hurons now play in Tuesday’s regional at Mackinaw City. The regional final is Thursday at Mackinaw City. The regional winner plays the following Tuesday at Manistique.

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor

Walter Szymoniak was 21-years-old when he joined the Army. The year was 1942. He was working at the Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn when he enlisted on his birthday.

Szymoniak was part of what former news anchor Tom Brokaw described as the greatest generation. Those that grew up during the Great Depression had to go off and to fight for the country in World War II, the deadliest military conflict in history.

Walter Szymoniak

More than 100,000 American military personnel died in the Pacific War.

Szymoniak was right there, serving in India and helping to supply Merrill’s Marauder’s in South Asia.

He delivered supplies over the Ledo Road built by the Western Allies to supply the Chinese as an alternative to the Burma Road that had been cut off by the Japanese in 1942. It was later renamed the Stillwell Road after Gen. Joseph Stillwell. He was in India for the two years of his service time.

He came home and eventually settled back in his hometown, Millersburg. It’s where he was born and raised, and then raised a family of his own.

After the war, he did not get enough work at the auto plants, so he came home and started working on the Great Lakes in June 1946. Following 35 years on the lakes, he retired as captain of the Irvin L. Clymer in 1981.

Today, in a modest home along Szymoniak Highway out in the country west of the village, the 94-year-old native son is living a content life.

Even though he cannot see very well and is considered legally blind, he is still active, being part of a local liars club in Millersburg.

“There are four or five of us and we tell lies for an hour or so and have a sandwich,” said Walter.

Because of his age and failing eyesight, Szymoniak was bumped up the list of World War II veterans to go on the next Honor Flight to Washington, D.C.

It was a quick one-day trip to the nation’s capital to allow World War II veterans to see the national monument built in their honor.

Szymoniak went Oct. 13 out of Traverse City. “I still tingle when I think of it,” said Walter, reflecting back on the visit last month. “What a wonderful experience that was. It was out of this world.”

Szymoniak said the people he encountered really impressed him.

“Just ordinary people,” he said at his kitchen table this week. “The politicians, they were are all out of sight. When we go in, there were 25 soldiers saluting. There were people lined up two and three deep saying ‘thank you for serving. Thank you for serving’ — shaking our hands and giving us hugs. It was that way all day long.”

Szymoniak said the words are hard to come by to express what it all meant. “I never, ever had anything like that in my lifetime,” said Walter. It was not only his first trip to the National World War II monument, but his first visit to Washington, D.C.

His daughter Denise Rawlins in Texas found out about Honor Flight and got him on the Oct. 13 flight, and out of the blue, told him he was going. “I thanked her a thousand times for what she did,” said Walter.

Veteran’s Day 2015 observed in Rogers City (Photo by Richard Lamb)

Rogers City honored those who served their country with a Veteran’s Day observance at the Courthouse Wednesday.… Read Full Story

The Huron volleyball team gets set to accept the trophy as regional champs. (Photo by Richard Lamb)

The Hurons (31-10-1) play Crystal Falls Forest Park in the Manistique quarterfinal Tuesday. Rogers City defeated Posen and Onaway in the district tournament and topped Engadine and Pellston to claim the regional title in Mackinaw City.

Forest Park topped Wakefield-Marenisco 3-0 and Bessemer 3-0 in districts and Munising 3-1 and Stephenson 3-1 in the regional.

Playing in Class C last season, the Huron lost in the districts. The Hurons’ last district win came in the 2010 season when they defeated Gaylord St. Mary in Onaway. They lost to Mio in the regional semifinal round that season. Rogers City won the Class C state championship in 1988 after a runner-up finish in 1987.

Forest Park lost to Stephenson in the regional finals last season. They lost to 19-time state champion Battle Creek St. Philip 3-0 in the 2013 Class D state finals. They lost to Onaway (3-0) in the 2012 quarterfinals played in Manistique.

OPTIMIST CLUB member Kevin Wickersham was involved in the setting up of the Christmas trees for the annual tree lighting event at Westminster Park Wednesday at 6 p.m. Here he cuts a little off the bottom of the tree that was being set up in the gazebo.  … Read Full Story

To give our valued employees an extended holiday, the Advance will be closed until Monday, November 30. We thank our loyal readers and wonderful advertisers for all they do for us all year long. Enjoy your Thanksgiving Day.… Read Full Story

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor

Residents of Lynn Street Manor of Onaway have teamed up with local businesses to provide a better Thanksgiving for those in need this holiday.

There are 10 families that will benefit.

PICTURED ARE, front from left, Eleanor Freel, Elaine Wenzel, Ellen McGuire, Sandra Wilson, Thoms McDonald, Sharon Kindt and Dorothy Brooks. (Photo by Peter Jakey)

This is Lynn Street Manor administrative assistant Sharon Kindt’s first year with the apartment complex, located in the southeast corner of the city. She came up with the idea; and with the assistance of several generous Onaway businesses, it’s all come together really well.

The businesses have made the monetary donations to purchase the food, including 10 turkeys from Tom’s Family Market.

Lynn Street Manor residents put the items together before they are placed in the hands of Onaway High School students.

“We partnered with Onaway schools who will distribute the baskets to the local families,” said Kindt.

“It’s a way of our community to give back to the community,” said property manager Bev Brougham. “(Sharon) pulled it off. She pulled it all together and got the businesses to donate and the school to pick out the families. Everybody is having fun packing the boxes. We are hopeful that there will be full stomachs on Thanksgiving.”

There were lots of faces around the table for those involved in putting the items in the boxes.

“We have turkeys, potatoes, carrots, stuffing, cranberries, gravy and green beans for casserole, and we have yams and pumpkin pie and Cool Whip topping,” said Thomas McDonald.

“I think it is good,” said fellow resident Sandra Wilson “We should always give to others, always.”

Along with the food was a Lynn Street Manor carrying tote and an aluminum pan to cook the turkey in.

Other businesses involved were Awakon Federal Credit Union, Family Dollar of Onaway, Presque Isle Electric and Gas Cooperative and ShopOnaway.com.

Lynn Street Manor is an independent living center with one-bedroom apartments.

Santa, assisted by Miss Rogers City Heather Hentkowski and court member Salena Hiedemann, get ready to light the Christmas trees in Westminster Park. (Photos by Richard Lamb)

With the touch of magic candy canes, Santa Claus flipped the switch on the Optimist Club’s annual Christmas Tree display in Rogers City. With more than 130 decorated trees wired and ready to be lit, Optimist Club president Mike Peltz welcomed Santa to the stage Wednesday at Westminster Park.

The children’s choir at St. Ignatius Catholic School, under the direction of Amy Rabeau, offered a few Christmas carols, assisted by several area queens and their courts. Among the royalty was 2015 Miss Rogers City Heather Hentkowski, 2015 Junior Queen Linnea Hentkowski and Miss Sunrise Side Outstanding Teen Mikaela Bannon.

The event is the unofficial kickoff to the Christmas season in Rogers City.

Amber Clement

by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor

The Presque Isle District Library (PIDL) has its first full-time library director in 2 ane-half years.

Amber Clement took over Tuesday in Rogers City for Mike Grulke, who had been serving as interim director since 2013.

Clement was meeting staff and getting comfortable with her new corner office.

She was born and raised in Sault Ste. Marie and had been working at Bayliss Public Library, which is now part of Superior District Library, for 10 years.

“I started off as a part-time library clerk and moved into the reference position when the person retired,” said Clement, who graduated from Lake Superior State University with a bachelor’s degree in 2003.

She earned a master of library science degree from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee in December 2014.

“I have been the genealogist, cataloger,” said Clement. “I had a slew of different jobs.”

An opportunity to move up was not going to present itself in the foreseeable future, so she explored other opportunities.

“I have been there for 35 years and have family that goes back to the 1870s. We’re ready for the move, ready for a new adventure,” she said.

Clement and her fiancé Kevin are raising four children. She has two daughters, Lily, 11, and Alisa, 7. He has two sons, Kyle, 14, and Erik, 11.

“They are going to stay in the Soo until the end of the school year,” she said. “Kevin and I enjoy the outdoors, camping, hiking, trailing.”

PIDL has five branches in Rogers City, Grand Lake, Posen, Onaway and Millersburg. She has been to all of them and says they “Are all special in their own way.

“We needed to have someone by the end of the year,” said Beach Hall, library board chairman. They needed to have someone in place in order to continue receiving state aid. The position was posted in June.

Some candidates did not work out before Clement came into the picture in September.

Mike Grulke had been serving as interim director since Stevenson left. He said it would have been a substantial investment to get the required degree. He would have needed a master of library science degree from an American Library Association Approved Institution by the end of the year, but it not something he wanted to pursue at this point in his career.

“I am enjoying what I am doing,” said Grulke. He serves as reference librarian and has been with PIDL since 2010.

“I look forward to meeting everyone in the community and melting into the rest of daily life here,” she added.