HDT - Thumbprints - March 2022

S T N I R P B M U TH l a c o l h t i w s e s s e n i s u b l a Loc B M U H T e ties to th

Thumbprints

2 | March 19, 2022

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The Ubly Dragway has been drawing racers and spectators for decades. (David Clabuesch/Contributed Photo)

Ubly Dragway proud to be veteran and family owned Connor Veenstra Staff Writer From the outside looking in, Ubly seems like a strange place to have a drag race track. The village doesn't seem like the type to attract racers from across the country, but for decades now the Ubly Dragway has done just that.

The property on which the track was built was originally farmland, according to current owner and operator Dennis Janowiak. He was 9 or 10 years old at the time it was built, and from what he recalls, his father was approached

by a group of men with a proposition.

"Next thing I know, they're working on a half-mile drag strip," he recalled.

Janowiak worked at the track on weekends throughout his childhood, through which he met many racers and townsfolk. In 20082009, he took over operation and ownership of the track from his father.

The business has been a great source of summer income for the community, as racers looking for a meal and a drink after the meet will go into the village to fill their stomachs and

quench their thirst.

"The community has always been very supportive of it," Janowiak said. "Once it opens in

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added.

The track has attracted racers from across the country, but mostly from Michigan, Canada,

June.

The track also puts on a burnout contest during Ubly Homecoming, Harley motorcycle

The community has always been very supportive of it. Once it opens in April, we get a lot more business, from the bar to the restaurants to the gas stations.

April, we get a lot more business, from the bar to the restaurants to the gas stations."

"We do two-, sometimes three-day events, and they're here for the whole weekend," he

Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. They come either to race on their own or to be part of the many events the dragway hosts, including an annual memorial race for Dennis' father in

racing, and a side-byside event in June, which has attracted the attention of side-by-side racers in Colorado and Florida. The track has even hosted a National Hotrod Association race

in the past.

On the Ubly Dragway website's homepage, it proudly proclaims that it's veteran owned.

Janowiak, like his father, is a veteran and he carries the pride of running a family-owned, veteran-owned business that brings business and attention to the Village of Ubly.

For more information about Ubly Dragway, visit http://ublydragwaymi.com.

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Dog-sitter will be your pooch’s best friend when you can’t Mark Birdsall Staff Writer With many people back working in an office as the pandemic winds down, they may feel pangs of guilt or longing for those friends left behind at home.

If you're worried your pooch isn't getting all the human interaction it needs now that you've returned to your cubicle, Makayla Phillips might be able to help.

Phillips is the entrepreneur behind Kridder Sitters, her Pigeon-based business that's all about pets.

Serving the Caseville-Pigeon-Bay Port-Elkton area, Kridder Sitters will provide your pet with companionship, feed them and let them outside to take care of business while you’re out there earning money to pay for those treats and toys you shower upon your K-9 cohorts.

Phillips, a native of Pigeon, relocated to the Upper Thumb from up north toward the end of last year and brought her successful pet-oriented business with her.

She initially pursued a career as a veterinary technician, and even earned a degree, but

found it difficult to constantly see so many suffering animals. She's found dog-sitting to be much more gratifying as she deals with happy, healthy animals that are usually pleased to see her.

"It's absolutely so rewarding," she said.

And Phillips doesn't just care for dogs. She'll sit for cats, birds, chickens and even hamsters, and she plans to eventually branch out and care for larger animals like cows and hobby horses. She's always

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Dakota, a 10-year-old collie-Australian shepherd mix, poses for a photo with one of his favorite toys. Dakota’s owner, Makayla Phillips of Pigeon, is offering dog-sitting services in northwest Huron County.

(Makayla Phillips/Courtesy Photo)

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come into their home, give their pet food and water, let them outside, bring them back in and spend a certain amount of time with them for play and socializing.

She'll also check up on the house and make sure everything is OK. Her service is intended for those who can’t make it home from work during the day to care for their pet or as an alternative to boarding in a kennel for those clients who are on vacation or otherwise out of town.

(The pets) get to stay in their environment. They still get the same amount of care. They get playtime. They get that one-on-one attention. I’m there.

been an animal lover, "driving her mom nuts" by bringing home sick animals and nursing them back to health.

She currently owns a 10-year-old collie-Australian shepherd mix named Dakota.

"He's like the love of my life," she said.

"There's not much that we do without taking him with us."

Kridder Sitter clients can expect Phillips to

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"(The pets) get to stay in their environment," she said. "They still get the same amount of care. They get playtime.

They get that oneon-one attention. I’m there."

Phillips is insured to care for small animals and can provide references upon request.

Those interested in her services can contact her through the Kridder Sitters Facebook page.

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michigansthumb.com

March 19, 2022 | 3

Grindstone General Store opened in 1886 as the general store for the Grindstone City area, selling flour and canned goods. It added the ice cream it is known for in the late 1940’s. (Tribune FIle Photo)

Grindstone General Store has generations coming back for more Robert Creenan Staff Writer If there is one thing Huron County residents have figured out, its where to go to get their ice cream fix when summer comes around.

This year will mark the 136th year of operation for the ever-popular Grindstone General Store, a place well-known throughout Huron County for its massive ice cream scoops.

Brian Fransen, the

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into the city.”

Fransen said there are always 36 flavors of ice cream on hand, with the store producing 286 different flavors and rotating them throughout the year, depending on what’s in season. All those flavors get served at some point in the year.

The newest flavors they added were for the Christmas season, called Christmas cookies, chocolate peppermint, and Bailey’s Irish cream.

The two most popular

One of my favorite stories is that customers will say, ‘Hey, we met you last year,’ in line and strike up a conversation.

It’s more community than just the ice cream.

store’s current owner, said the establishment first opened as a regular general store, selling flour and canned goods when Grindstone City was the only place in the United States that mined for and produced the grindstones used for sharpening tools and grinding wheat into flour in windmills. The most well-known grindstone produced from the area was used in the original 1931 Frankenstein film starring Boris Karloff.

The store added more touristy offerings in the early 1900s, while in the late 1940s it added the ice cream offerings its known for today.

“When carborundum was invented, that spelled the end for grindstones, since it required no miners and was a man-made product,” Fransen said.

“When that happened, the store switched to be 100% tourism-based, and switched to ice cream to draw people

the price,” Fransen said.

For an average season, the store will sell 90,000 ice cream cones, excluding the shakes, sundaes, and melts it also sells.

While the general store is primarily an ice cream parlor, the rest of the building is a gift shop that sells made in Michigan items. They range from simple postcards to handmade items from local artisans like chessboards, wood vases, plaque signs, domino sets, embroidered ornaments, potholders, and even items made in the store like hats, T-shirts, and coffee mugs.

Fransen said that most of the people who make these products live mostly above the knuckle of the Thumb.

This year marks Fransen’s 12th year of owning the store, with his reason for purchasing the store being the same reason that people keep coming back to it year after year.

“I was here when I was a little boy, my mother was here when she was a little girl, and my grandfather was here when he was a boy,” Fransen said. “It’s a generational thing, along with most of the customers. The majority that have come up here, even when they come from out of state, they come back as adults.

They would bring their children, grandchildren with them. Five or six generations come up here for ice cream.”

Thanks to its enduring popularity, hundreds of people will line outside the store to get their ice cream on holidays like the Fourth of July.

“One of my favorite stories is that customers will say, ‘Hey, we met you last year,’ in line and strike up a conver-

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flavors the general store sells are Reese's peanut butter and banana Oreo cookie. Fransen said those two flavors that no one else around makes, with the Reese's peanut butter made with actual Dutch chocolate. The banana Oreo cookie flavor was made by accident, when some banana pieces fell into a batch for a different flavor, the makers tasted it, and said, “Oh my god.”

“That started 11 years ago and it sold like hotcakes,” Fransen said. “We were told, ‘You have to make this again.’”

The large scoops that Grindstone General Store is known for have been done since it started as a way to draw customers in. According to Fransen, the national average for an ice cream scoop is 4 ounces for $5 or $6, while the general store does 14-ounce scoops for $4.

“It’s basically three times the size for half

The Grindstone General Store will be open for its 136th season later this year, with generations of families coming out to try the many ice cream flavors and gigantic servings. (Robert Creenan/HuronDailyTribune) sation,” Fransen said.

“It’s more community than just the ice cream.”

The fact that the general store is still able to sell as much ice cream as it does despite being located, as Fransen said, "out in the middle of nowhere" is a testament

to how much people enjoy coming back across generations.

“We are an end destination,” Fransen said.

“That’s one of the places people go to when doing everything else.”

The store plans on its regular operating season

from Mother’s Day until the weekend before Halloween. This year it will add a three-foot long pavilion so that customers can stand under it when there is inclement or hot weather, along with additional umbrella tables for sitting at.

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4 | March 19, 2022

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An exterior shot of the 85ten hotel grounds. The hotel will be able to accommodate small and large events that can be done inside and outside. (85ten/Courtesy Photo)

85ten boutique hotel to open in Port Austin Robert Creenan Staff Writer Port Austin’s list of accommodations for guests in the upcoming season is going to get a bit bigger.

85ten, a new luxury hotel and event space at 8510 Lake St. in Port Austin, is scheduled to open in late April, with ownership planning on having it open yearround.

Owner Jill Babcock Meeks, a sales associate for Babcock Realty, said the building was a childhood home of hers, with her parents Gary and Lori Babcock purchasing it in the early 1980s from Gary and Gale Reginer, when Babcock Meeks was in the seventh grade. The building was also a bed and breakfast, so Babcock Meeks is no stranger to the hotel business.

In 2015, Meeks bought the building from her parents and turned it into the Questover assisted living home. The announcement that 85ten would be coming soon was made on its Facebook page in January.

“We want to provide a unique and intimate experiences for guests, whether its an overnight stay, weekend getaway, or group retreat,” Babcock Meeks said.

The hotel will offer six rooms in the main building for its first year of operation, with a king-sized bed, flat screen TV, a private bathroom, concierge service, and compli-

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The 85ten hotel will have six rooms in its main building for rent, along with a three bedroom and bathroom carriage house. (85ten/Courtesy Photo) mentary breakfast.

There will be no minimum night stay for these rooms except for holidays like Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Labor Day. There will also be a three-bedroom, three-bathroom carriage house on the grounds that requires a threenight minimum stay.

All the bedrooms and bathrooms have been completely remodeled from top to bottom, with interior designer Kristin Smith and her husband’s contracting firm FC Construction handling the remodeling.

The main building originally had three stories and nine bedrooms total. Babcock Meeks said it is a goal to

The new 85ten hotel in Port Austin is planned to open in late April, providing luxury accommodations to those who stay. The building was a childhood home of owner Jill Babcock Meeks, which was also a bed and breakfast and a senior assisted living home before becoming a hotel.. (85ten/Courtesy Photo)

eventually transform the amazing porches plus with other future plans home so that more gues- an acre of land in the include adding a plunge trooms can be created village, courtyards, and pool. in the second and third mature trees. The ambiBabcock Meeks, along floors. ance is beyond anything with her family, has also Babcock Meeks also plans There’s not anything of the kind in on having the county like it. The property has the hotel amazing porches plus an acre of land be rented out as in the village, courtyards, and mature an event trees. The ambiance is beyond space, accomanything I’m aware of close-by. modating events of up to 150 guests, I’m aware of close-by.” run the Beachcomber which could be either There are also plans Motel since 2015, locatindoor or outdoor depending on their size. to refresh the exteried along Spring Street in “There’s not anything or of the building and Port Austin with its own of the kind in the county work on additional private beach along the like it,” Babcock Meeks landscaping once the Lake Huron shoreline. said. “The property has winter weather breaks, Babcock Meeks hopes

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for a successful first season when 85ten opens, though she understands that people may be hesitant to book their stay until they see the full transformation of the property and the amenities it has to offer.

“Our upscale accommodations and concierge services, along with its historic charm and modern venues, will set us apart from any of the other wonderful properties that are also available in Port Austin,” Babcock Meeks said. “Guests who choose to stay at 85ten will love the luxurious spaces inside and out as we’re looking forward to the grand opening in April.”

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March 19, 2022 | 5

The new Lewisville Smoke Food & Spirits will continue working on its building until its grand opening in April. (Mike Frank/Courtesy Photo)

Lewisville Smoke plans grand opening in April Robert Creenan Staff Writer Lewisville Smoke Food & Spirit is aiming to put Lewsiville on the map with its barbecue cuisine.

After holding a soft opening earlier this year, Lewisville Smoke Food & Spirits is tweaking its operation before its grand opening scheduled for April.

Restaurant owner Mike Frank, a North Huron graduate, has been in the restaurant business for over 35 years, first working at the Bank 1884 and Farm restaurants, then opening the Boathouse restaurant in Caseville, working at the FireKeepers and Gun Lake casinos in the southwestern part of Michigan, and spending the last 10 years in Texas.

“I came home mainly because as you get older, your priorities change,” said Frank, who will run the restaurant with his daughter.

“I have a granddaughter now who lives up here and my family is here. I decided to be closer with my family.

Its great to work with my daughter again.”

The location, 4711 Kinde Road about 10 minutes west of Port Hope, has been a bar since 1944, with Frank saying it was a

the soft opening period, “I’m fearful because of as other spaces will be staffing and the kitchen used for staging and need to be adjusted, but construction. we’ll get through it. I’ve While the whole opened over 15 restaumenu is available for rants.” viewing on Lewisville Along with food and Smoke’s website, some drinks, there will be a of the items will not be available during the soft We’re just opening period, trying to put as Frank Lewisville said they on the map, will be testing putting on great portions service and of the menu great food. and equipment.

“We’re working day-by-day to pool table located inimprove the property,” side as well, with plans Frank said. “In April, to have an outdoor the grand opening will patio with cornhole, be a 100% menu, have jenga, connect four, entertainment, and our and other outdoor staff will be lined up.” games available. The A local two-piece 5,200 square feet of the band called Huron Out building will also allow will be providing enter- it to host parties and do tainment at the restauwedding catering, both rant on Saturdays, with onsite and offsite. their announcement on Lunch specials are Facebook stirring up also planned, with plenty of local interest Frank planning on in the new establishbeing capable to deliver ment. Because of the specials to area dairy response so far, Frank farmers. feels the first day could “We’re just trying to be standing room only. put Lewisville on the “Even when I go to map, putting on great the hardware store in service and great food,” Bad Axe, I get tons of feedback,” Frank said.

Frank said.

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Mike Frank, left, with his daughter and floor manager, Alexa, center, and bartender/ server Reagan Gembarski, right. A North Huron graduate, Mike Frank has over 35 years of restaurant experience working in places in Michigan and Texas.

(Mike Frank/Courtesy Photo) rowdy biker bar in the 1970s and 1980s. The new name, Lewisville Smoke Food & Spirits, comes from the area it is located in bordering Bloomfield and Huron townships, as Frank hopes this restaurant will put Lewisville back on the map.

“There is a void in this area for food, be-

tween here, Kinde, and Harbor Beach,” Frank said.

He said he purchased the property in December. Renovation work was done on the bar area and the one dining room on the lower level. Accessible bathrooms will also be installed on the lower level. There is still work

being done on resetting the kitchen, though the smoker being used can hold 500 pounds of meat. The exterior will also get a new spray in the spring.

Although it will have a planned capacity of 300 patrons when finished, Lewisville Smoke will have a limited capacity of 150 during

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Thumbprints

6 | March 19, 2022

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Left Photo: Merrick and Colleen Maris, pictured with their four children, bought the Blue Sky Resort in Hume Township back in December.

Top & Bottom Right Photo: Blue Sky Resort in Hume Township is under new ownership, with the Maris family hiring local contractors to renovate the on-site cabins for the upcoming season.

(Robert Creenan/ Huron Daily Tribune)

Blue Sky Resort under new ownership Robert Creenan Staff Writer The Blue Sky Resort in Hume Township is under new ownership, who look to bring the resort’s cabins up to date when it reopens later this year.

Merrick and Colleen Maris are the new owners as of Dec. 17, 2021. They hail from the Romeo area, have been married for 21 years, and have four children together. Merrick owns

his own Farm Bureau Insurance Agency in Romeo while Colleen is mostly a stay-at-home mom.

Merrick said they have been coming up to the Port Austin-Caseville area for the past 15 years, with Colleen’s father owning a place in Port Austin. They would either rent homes in the area for the summer or stay at hotels.

“We had seen it over

the years traveling in the area and saw it was for sale,” Merrick said about Blue Sky Resort, which consists of seven cabins in Hume Township between McGraw and Oak Beach County Parks. “We did our due diligence and ended up purchasing it.”

The seven cabins feature five that are one-bedroom that can sleep up to four people, one two-bedroom

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cabin that can sleep up tion work is completed, picnic table, patio chairs, to six people, and one the Maris’ plan on havand designated parking three-bedroom cabin ing the cabins available for each unit. that can sleep up to nine for rent through Airbnb, The listed weekly people.

Vrbo, and HomeAway. rental rates vary for each “We wanted to get an They plan to be open for cabin, with one of the Airbnb and we thought the season starting May this was perfect,” Mer1 and plan on being open one-bedroom cabins gorick said. “We wanted year-round, with at least ing for $1,000 a week to something to use as a three cabins open during the three-bedroom cabin going for $1,795 a week. family and rent it out. the winter.

Renters are encourThis checked both box“We do weekly rentals es.”

The Maris’ We do weekly rentals or longer have hired during peak season. We do plan to local conkeep open a few cabins during the tractors winter as well to be rented. to help with renovations, which is a five-month long projor longer during peak aged to bring beach towect. The work includes season,” Merrick said. els, extra paper towels remodeling the bath“We do plan to keep and toilet paper, coffee, rooms, updating all open a few cabins during ice, bottled water, beach the kitchens with new the winter as well to be chairs and sand toys. fixtures and counterrented.”

Pets are not allowed. tops, redoing most of The completed cabins The Maris’ can be the flooring, and all new will have a full kitchcontacted either through furniture. Some cosmet- en with utensils and Blue Sky Resort’s Faceic landscaping changes appliances, their own book page or by email at will also take place on bathroom, free Wi-Fi, a blueskyresortpa@gmail. outdoor property.

Smart TV, a private fire Once all the renovapit, a charcoal grill, a com.

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