Out & About

Editor’s Note: Out and about is a free public service for non-profits and community groups. Please email your calendar events to info@ upnorthvoice.com by the 15th of each month. Please do not include prices.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY - Roscommon, Higgins Lake, Prudenville, St. Helen, Houghton Lake.

January 2 – George Frye Live on the Sun Deck, 8 – Winter Trail Days, Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd., Roscommon, 10 a.m. 8 – Saturday Movie, Joey and Ella, Houghton Lake Public Library, 4431 W. Houghton Lake Dr., Houghton Lake, 1:30 p.m. 9-12 – Mark Martin’s Ice Fishing School, Houghton Lake 22-23 and 29 – Tip Up Town Fun, Houghton Lake Roscommon extra

Mons: Reserve Tech Help, Houghton Lake Public Library, 4431 W Houghton Lake Dr, Houghton Lake, sign-up online or by phone to reserve a time.

Thurs: Sit and Get Fit, Roscommon Area District Library, 106 Lake St., Roscommon, 2:30 p.m.

Fris: Storytime Fridays, Roscommon Area District Library, 10:30 am

Fris: Open Tech Hour, Roscommon Area District Library, 2 p.m.

Out & About - January 2022

1st Weds: Michigan Fireman’s Memorial Festival planning, Roscommon Fire Training Grounds, 290 Ballenger St., 6:30 p.m. 1st Thurs: Veterans Coffee Hour, The Roscommon County Airport. 5218 E. Houghton Lake Drive. 9-10 a.m.

Sats: Free Beginner Ski Lessons, Cross Country Ski Headquarters, Roscommon, 10:30 a.m. 2nd Suns: VFW Country Breakfast, VFW Post 4159, Roscommon, 8 a.m. -12 p.m.

IOSCO COUNTY - Hale, Whittemore, Sand Lake January 15 – Hale Winterfest. See Hale Winterfest at Facebook for complete schedule of events. Iosco Extras

Weds: Bingo at Whittemore Chamber of Commerce Hall, 405 E. Sherman St., 6:30-9:30 p.m.

CRAWFORD COUNTY - Grayling, Frederic, Lovells

January 1 – Michigan Cup Nordic Ski Race, Hanson Hills, Grayling, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 8 – Group XC Ski – Blue or Green Trail, Hanson Hills, Grayling, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 15 – Cote Dame, Hanson Hills, Grayling, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. 17 – Wolf Moon Snowshoe Hike, Hanson Hills, Grayling, 5 p.m. Crawford extras

1st Suns: Breakfast Buffet, American Legion Post 106, 106 S. James St., Grayling, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Call 989-348-7232 for details.

Suns & Weds: Open Skeet & Trap, 11 a.m. (excluding holidays) at the Grayling Sportsman's Club, located at 6990 Old Lake Road in Grayling.

Mons: Tai Chi, 12-1pm at The Gift-A Wellness Community, 4304 W M 72 Hwy, Grayling.

Mons: Genealogy Group, Devereaux Memorial Library, 9 a.m.12 p.m.

Mons: Eat Healthy, Be Active Class, CC Commission on Aging, 7-8 p.m. 10/25-11/22 2nd Mons: Post Meeting, American Legion Post 106, 106 S. James St., Grayling, 7 p.m. 4th Mons: Foot Care Clinic, FUTURE CC Commission on Aging, 4388 M-72 E, Grayling, 1-4 p.m.

Tues: Bible Study, Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center, 10 a.m.

Tues: Zumba Gold, FUTURE Commission on Aging, Grayling, 10 a.m.

Tues: Pistol Shooting, Grayling Sportsman’s Club, 1 p.m. (excluding holidays)

Tues & Thurs: Adult Seniors Exercise Program, Devereaux Memorial Library, 1 p.m. 2nd Tues: Auxiliary Meeting, American Legion Post 106, 106 S. James St., Grayling, 5:30 p.m.

Weds: Bingo Night at Rolling Oak, Grayling, 7-9 p.m.

Weds: Wii Bowling Team, Crawford County Commission on Aging, Grayling, 1-2 p.m.

Weds, Thurs, Sats: Free COVID19 Testing, Kirtland Community College

Weds: Basic Photography for Adults, AuSable Artisan Village, 5-6:30 p.m. (through Oct. 20)

Weds & Fris: Geri-Fit exercise class, Crawford County Commission on Aging, 4388 M-72 East, Grayling, 10 a.m. 1st Weds: NEMSCA Senior Commodities Food Truck at St. Mary’s Catholic Church parking lot, 708 Peninsular Ave., Grayling, 9:3010:30 a.m. 1st Weds: Monthly Meeting, Grayling Sportsman’s Club, 3 p.m. 3rd Weds: Alzheimer’s Support Group at The Brook of Grayling, 503 Rose St., 11 a.m.

► See OUT & ABOUT on page 3

Up North Voice

A Division of AuSable Media Group, LLC A veteran-owned business located at 709 Lake Street, PO Box 113, Roscommon MI 48653

“Friend, guide and companion of all good people” Up North Voice is published monthly and distributed in Roscommon, St. Helen, Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, Grayling, Lovells, Waters, Gaylord, Johannesburg, Lewiston, Comins, Atlanta, Mio, Fairview, McKinley, Rose City, Luzerne, Lupton, West Branch, Skidway Lake, Hale, Glennie, Curran, Tawas City, East Tawas, National City, Whittemore, Prescott, AuSable and Oscoda. It is available at newsstands or annually for $40. Stories, advertisements and photos are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the publisher. UpNorthVoice.com is updated daily with breaking news and photos. 989-275-1170

Out & About

Continued from page 2

2nd Thurs: FAN Forum, St. Francis Episcopal Church, M-72, Grayling, 6:30 p.m.

Fris: Pool, Crawford Country Commission on Aging & Senior Center, Grayling, 1 p.m.

Fris: Pantry Bingo, Crawford Country Commission on Aging & Senior Center, Grayling, 1-3 p.m.

OGEMAW COUNTY - West

Branch, Rose City, Lupton

January 2 – Stuff the Blue Goose, Northland Area Federal Credit Union, 2170 M-76, West Branch, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. 3 & 17 – City Council Meeting, West Branch City Hall, West Branch, 6-8 p.m. Ogemaw County Extras: 2nd Mons: Kiwanis Young Professional Club, The Highway Brewing Company, West Branch, 6 p.m. 3rd Mons: Disabled American Veterans and Auxiliary Meeting, VFW Post 3775, S. M-30, West Branch, 5 p.m.

Tues: Kiwanis Club meeting, China Inn, 601 W. Houghton Ave., West Branch, noon. Contact 989-7012507 1st Tues: West Branch Merchant Meeting, West Branch Police Station, 6 p.m. 3rd Tues: OCGHS General Membership/Board Meeting, Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 E. Houghton Ave., West Branch, 2:304:30 p.m.

Weds: Kids Craft Class, West Branch District Library, 119 N. 4th St., West Branch, 4-5 p.m., beginning January 26.

Weds: Bingo, Knights of Columbus Hall, West Branch, 6:45 p.m. Early Birds, 7 p.m. Regular Bingo.

Weds: Al-Anon meetings, 12-Step Club, 236 First Street, West Branch, 8 p.m. Call Susan at 989387-3440. 2nd Weds: Aktion Club, United Methodist Church, corner of Fairview & State Street, West Branch, 9:30 a.m.

Thurs: Optimist Club meeting, Logger’s Depot, 314 W. Houghton Ave., West Branch 7-8 a.m. 1st Thurs: Ogemaw County

Fair Board/Agricultural Society

Meeting, Main Building, Ogemaw County Fairgrounds, 7 p.m. 2nd & 4th Thurs: Healing Together – Compassus Hospice grief support group, Ogemaw Commission on Aging, 1508 M-33, 10-11a.m. Contact 989-343-2470. 3rd Thurs: Car Cruise and Show, ATC Auto & Truck Accessories, 2354 S. M-76, 5-8 p.m. 1st & 3rd Suns: Adult Children of Alcoholics, First United Methodist Church, 2490 State Rd, West Branch, 6-8 p.m.

OSCODA COUNTY – Comins, Fairview, Mio, Luzerne January Oscoda County extras 2nd Mons: Chamber of

Commerce for Oscoda County

meeting, 201 Morenci Ave., Mio, 6:30 p.m. 2nd & 4th Fris: FREE Community Clothing Closet, Comins Community Church, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

REGION - All other. Mostly Gladwin, Glennie, Oscoda, and Gaylord

January 5 – Ribbon Cutting, County Wide Adventures, 1050 S. Wisconsin Ave., Gaylord, 1 p.m. 12 – Business After Hours, Gaylord Regional Airport, 1100 Aero Dr., Gaylord, 5-7 p.m.

Tracy Constance Marketing

Tracy@UpNorthVoice.com

Alesia Willobee Marketing

Alesia@ UpNorthVoice.com

Warren Stutesman Reporter

wstutesman@gmail.com

Mike Salsbury Reporter

michaelallensalsbury@ gmail.com

Axel Jacobs Roscommon Distribution

Matthew Barnes Grayling Distribution

Cody Jackson Mio Distribution

Mark Constance Editor Emeritus

MConstance@ UpNorthVoice.com

Letter to the editor policy:

AuSable Media Group encourages all readers with a connection to the community to submit letters to the editor for possible publication.

Please limit letters to 300 words. Author must include a daytime contact number.

Letters are the individual opinion of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the staff, advertisers or contributors to the Voice.

The Voice reserves the right to accept or reject any letter.

To submit a letter email it to: mconstance@upnorthvoice. com, mail to P.O. Box 113, Roscommon, MI 48653, or stop by the office at 709 Lake Street in Roscommon.

Tip-Up Town

Continued from page 1

- Polar Bear Dip - Lyman's Fishing Contest - Kid's Day (Jan. 23)

New events for this year include a fun Kayak event, and live entertainment in the Family Fun Tent.

The Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce Director Jay Jacobs announced that Grand Marshal for 2022 will be Tammy Thompson of Houghton Lake.

The only Mayor and Marshall candidates who have stepped up so far are Mayor "Tip-Up Tony" and "Jigging Jason," representing the Old School Party. But the community is asking: “Where are the Poor People and The Goldfish Party Candidates”” The Tip Up Town 2022 badge.

Jacobs also said that Jerry Timmons of the Houghton Lake VFW has been named the Hometown Hero for 2022.

There are currently four candidates who have applied to be Tip Up Town queen, each vying for a $1,000 prize for their favorite charity. Jacobs said candidates will be announced next week.

For more information contact the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce at 989-366-5644.

Polar Bear Jumpers in 2022 will feel the same at this pair did in 2015.

Kids helping kids

ROSCOMMON COUNTY - It looked a lot like Christmas with the “Kids Helping Kids Christmas Program” being a huge success this year!

The program is a collaborative effort organized, and funded in part, by the ACT NOW Kids Helping Kids Committee of Roscommon County. The project helps deliver gifts and gift cards to children and their foster care families in Roscommon County.

Students from Charlton Heston Academy, Houghton Lake High School and Roscommon High School, representing Houghton Lake Rotary Interact Club, Roscommon Rotary Interact Club, and the Roscommon County Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council to provide the helping hands for the Christmas Program.

The shopping was held Nov. 29 and Dec. 9 at the Houghton Lake Walmart Store. The student volunteers met with the program coordinator Jody Perkola, Roscommon & Ogemaw County Department of Human Health Services, and adult chaperones to assist with the shopping event where they shopped for gifts purchased from grants from the Houghton Lake and Roscommon Rotary and Rotary Interact Clubs and a RCCF Donor Advised Fund.

The students met at the Gerrish Township Police Department later to wrap the gifts. The Roscommon County Department of Human Health Services will deliver the gifts and gift cards to the children and their foster families to help make Christmas special this year.

Pictured (no order) are Will Oster, Jenna Houserman, Jorden Bangert, Tyler Chludil, Raegan Blackwell, Gabe Oster, Josh Fairbanks, Avery Smitz, Hailey Brown, Hailey Watson, Ireland Selfridge, Riley Carter, and Tessa Bunn.

Spalding Award winner announced

ROSCOMMON - The COOR ISD Lyle Spalding Award for Leadership in Educational Technology was presented at the COOR ISD Board of Education meeting earlier this year.

Lyle Spalding was a former Superintendent of COOR ISD from 1990-1999 who recognized the importance of technology to enhance education. Nominations for this award are sought throughout all educational entities within the COOR ISD service area.

The 2021 award recipient is Rebekah Seelow, Early Childhood Specialist with COOR Intermediate School District. Early Childhood Supervisor Katie Keith nominated Seelow and commended her on the enormous task of creating and implementing a Google Classroom used by 19 rooms for 70 users.

Additionally, Seelow worked with the Michigan Department of Education to create the website which provides one-stop access to support early childhood specialists assigned to Great Start Readiness programs across the state. She was chosen for her innovative use of technology to enhance learning for students and parents, and developed resources for parents to better understand the digital platforms that schools used during remote learning when schools closed for the COVID-19 pandemic.

COOR President Mangutz said, “This year wouldn't have gone as smoothly as it did through the pandemic without the dedicated staff members throughout our ISD who put in extra efforts.”

Rebekah Seelow earned the Lyle Spalding Award for Leadership in Educational Technology. Rebekah is married to Adam Seelow and they have three children: Greta, Henry, and Gabriel.

For advertising information call: 989-275-1170

BREAKFAST WITH SANTA IN HALE

– The Hale American Legion Post #422 held its annual Christmas event earlier this month. Pictured is Ava Stevens with Santa. For information on joining the Hale American Legion post, email legion422@centurytel.net, call (989) 728-5055, or just stop into the post, located at 429 W Main Street in Hale. - Photo courtesy of Dana Ferguson