▪ See NEIGHBORS on

from Up North Voice August 2021 issue

▪ See AWARD on

Neighbors

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each client reach their full potential.

Clients volunteer in the community at A.R.K. (Association to Rescue Kritters), Habitat for Humanity, various churches, and River House Baby Pantry. They learn skills through employment training, such as in the packaging, selling and delivering Spencer's Candy.

“To have those individuals attain a sense of self worth, self esteem and the knowledge that they belong, and are part of something (special) is priceless,” Somer said.

Always looking toward the future, Somer hopes to one day offer an in-county employment opportunity such as the After 26 Depot Cafe in Cadillac, which is dedicated to employing adults with developmental disabilities and cognitive impairments in Wexford, Missaukee, and Osceola counties.

One thing she is particularly proud of is how ROOC has earned and maintained its Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) accreditation. CARF is a world wide and recognizes health and human service providers as having met specific standards for quality of service to clients.

Whether in their 20s, 80s and in between, the clients at ROOC hold a special place in her heart.

“It's a great organization and I'm fortunate to be a part of it.”

For information on ROOC visit rooc.org.

Out & about

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(Exit 259 off I-75). Trails: Aspen Trail, Deer Run Trail, and Weary Legs Trail. • Rayburn Estate Trail – family friendly paved 2-mile hike & bike pathway which crosses the AuSable River with a wooden foot bridge. Parking area is located a few miles east of town off N. Down River Rd. across from M.A.T.E.S.

OGEMAW COUNTY

7 – Sasquatch Gravel Chase. Info: bikereg.com/50308 14-15 – Victorian Art Fair at Irons Park in West Branch. Info: victorianartfair.com/. 17-22 – Ogemaw County Fair at fairgrounds on Rifle River Trail. Info: ogemawcountyfair.org. 24 – “Cruising the Classes from 6-8 p.m. at the Dairy Queen parking lot in West Branch.

OSCODA COUNTY

13-14 – Heritage Days at Oscoda County Fairgrounds. Info: Sandy at 734-788-3254. (See schedule on page A-1.)

SHOP LOCAL

Yvonne (left) and Olivia Schreiber of Grayling were responsible for entering data from the time trials on the web page. The trials were held at Penrod’s Canoe Livery in Grayling.

Sean Backus celebrates his successful race. Medals, shirts and hats were sponsored by Sylvester’s and Up North Voice.

Multiple volunteers helped keep racers at the Special Olympics event safe. Traci Cook helps secure the beer tent, which was located in downtown Grayling. Paddlers from across the nation attend the event. Pictured (l-r) are John Filler of Maryland, Chris Issendorf of Texas and Bill Torango of Roscommon, and Jerry (seated).

Marathon primer

The annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon was held the weekend of July 24-25, running from Grayling to Oscoda. A new first place record was established when Jorden Wakeley and Matt Meersman finished the course in 13 hours, 54 minutes, and nine seconds, breaking the previous record set back in 1994 by Serge Corbin and Solomon Carrière. Preceding the race itself is the AuSable River Festival, a series of competitions and events that includes sprint races, Paddle With a Professional, arts and craft shows, and much more.