HONORING OUR VETERANS See pages 13-22
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IN THIS ISSUE:
Fairview Eagle Voice 3-5 Out & About 4-6 Mio Harvest fest 8 Roscommon’s Giving season 10 Grayling feeding future 12 Honoring our vets 14-22 ‘Sportage’ 23-24 Laughing Back 31
TRICKS AND TREATS – Halloween and Trunk or Treat events because across the region the past few weeks, including the “Feral Forest” in Higgins Lake. Pictured are Romee and Boyd Aldrich. See more Halloween event photos on pages 8 and 34. Photo by Mark Constance
November 2023
Lights, trains, action!
REGION- We all know Goodale’s Bakery in Grayling is the place to go for an amazing donut. What you may not know is they will be having their model train and Christmas Village open house on Sun. Nov 19 from 12to 4 p.m. at 1629 Industrial Dr. This event takes donations to help support Boy Scout Troop 979. Be sure to attend the annual light parade to kick off the holiday season in Mio Sat., Nov. 25 at 6 p.m. Want to join the fun? Enter your float into the parade. ▪ See GOODALE TRAINS on page 2
Women celebrate successful hunt By Mark Constance ROSE CITY – Wildcard Outdoor Adventures recently held its 5th Annual Ladies Grouse and Woodcock Hunt Oct. 14. The Commerce Township organization had 16 women, led by five guides with their dogs, participate in a hunt for Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock across Ogemaw, Oscoda and Iosco counties. Although the organization is based downstate, it’s operated by a pair of Ogemaw County natives, Lori Card, and Brian Stroik. Both ▪ See WOMEN CELEBRATE HUNTING on page 2
Wildcard Outdoor Adventures recently held its 5th Annual Ladies Grouse and Woodcock Hunt Oct. 14
Voice Staff Alicia Noragon Copy Editor
Alicia@UpNorthVoice.com
Tracy Constance
Tracy@UpNorthVoice.com M: 419.236.0359
Nicole Mygrants Reporter
thegiftwellnesscommunity @gmail.com
Women celebrate hunting Warren Stutesman Reporter wstutesman@gmail.com
Donna Thoma Writer donnathoma0@ gmail.com
Axel Jacobs Roscommon Distribution
Continued from page 1 graduated from Ogemaw Heights High School. “We hold the event here because we’re from Ogemaw County,” Card said. “And it gives us the opportunity to bring some business back up into the area. “ The event was Card’s brainchild in 2014 after some bad experiences in outdoor stores, which can be intimidating for women, as they traditionally cater to men. She grew up in a hunting family and wanted to share her positive experiences. “We did it to empower women
and children who want to participate in the outdoor sports,” she said. “I wanted to show moms a way to feel more self-sufficient. And help them to be more confident when they walk into an outdoor store looking for something they need.” Card is pleased with the support of the local community, including the Rose City Café, where the event begins with breakfast with the guides and hunters; and the Faull Inn, where it ends with a celebration of the hunt. Card said guides took five groups of hunters to wherever their “honey holes” were, and three women
Letter to the Editor Matthew Barnes Grayling Distribution
Cody Jackson Mio Distribution
Micheala Wade Distribution
Family, festivals, and firearms? Recently there was an annual "family festival" in Roscommon meant for all of Michigan. I visited this festival several times over the years, and again last year. I didn't go this year because of the bad behavior of many there last year. I saw nasty political flags flying with vulgar language at this "family festival." I also saw many wearing guns on their hips very openly; some seemed drunk as they were dancing and stumbling with a cup in their hand. The committee of this "family festival" told me they voted to not allow any political vendors or booths. That's great, we are not all in one political party. However, they told me they would not trample anyone's rights when it came to guns. I grew up having guns in the home, and learned how to shoot guns, as did my husband. I still have my great uncle's gun in the cabin he built and lived in. We both had military and hunters in our families and my parents were bikers too (as were all their friends). We don't tremble at the mere sight of a gun, but some people do. We have respect
and are responsible with our guns, some people are not. A woman asked this "family festival" committee if guns were allowed. She said she planned on bringing a group of special needs students who might be traumatized by the sight of a gun (school/mass shootings). The committee stated that they would not trample anyone's constitutional rights. What about the kids? If this is a "family festival" shouldn't it be open and safe for all to enjoy? Is it really safe (or smart) to allow guns along with a beer tent? Does this seem respectful and responsible? It certainly doesn't to me, and many others. Donna Russell, Roscommon
harvested Woodcock. “But we had lots of flushes, and everyone saw birds,” Card said. Woman can register to participate in the 2024 hunt next September by registering at Wild Card Outdoor Adventures on Facebook when the hunt date is announced, or at www. wildcardoutdoors.com. The number of women who can participate is based on the number of guides who are available to volunteer. Next year’s hunt is scheduled for Sept. 28 or Oct. 19. The event was sponsored in part by Safari Club International, The Robert J. Lyle Chapter of the Ruffed Grouse Society, American Woodcock Society, Rose City Cafe, Faull Inn, Mid-Michigan Safari Club International and the West Branch Visitors Bureau.
Send your photos, calendar items, announcements and club events to: info@UpNorthVoice.com
Goodale trains Continued from page 1
Don’t forget to visit Mr. and Mrs. Clause prior to the parade at the Chamber of Commerce starting at 4 p.m. for tasty treats. Kids will have a chance to write their letter to the big guy himself.
Letter to the editor policy: AuSable Media 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
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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
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or reject any letter. To submit a letter email it to: alicia@UpNorthVoice.com, mail to P.O. Box 113, Roscommon, MI 48653, or stop by the office at 709 Lake Street in Roscommon.
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Out & About - November 2023 CRAWFORD COUNTY:
Grayling, Frederic, Lovells 7- Commission on Aging 50th Anniversary Open House, 4 -7 p.m. 10- Afghans for Veterans, CCOA, 11:30-12:30 p.m. 16- Thanksgiving Dinner, CCOA, 4- 6 p.m. 27- Hanging of the Greens, CCOA, 9:30 a.m. Crawford County Extras Mon-Fri- Council on Aging Lunch- 11a.m.-12 p.m. Mon-Fri- Council on Aging Dinner- 4:30-5:30 p.m. Tues- Bible Study – 10 a.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Tues- Euchre – 1-4 p.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Tues- Diamond Dancers – 6 p.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Wed- Mahjong – 1-3 p.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Wed - Bike Night, at 7 p.m., Gallagher's Sports Bar & Grill, 3997 E. M-72 Thurs- Craft & Chat – 10 a.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Thurs- Penny Bingo – 1-3 p.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Fri- Pantry Bingo – 1-3 p.m. Crawford County Commission on
Aging & Senior Center Tues- Diamond Dancers – 6 p.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Mon & Wed- Pickleball 9-11 a.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Mon & Wed- SilverSneakers – 10-11 a.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Tues & Thurs – Pickleball, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Tues & Thurs- Zumba Gold – 10-11 a.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Tues & Thurs- Walk off the Winter Blues- Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center Fri. - Trivia, at 7:30p.m., MI Brew 1st Sun. - American Legion Breakfast Buffet, at 9 a.m., American Legion Post 106 1st Tue.- Friends of a Feather- 9 a.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging 2nd Mon. - Post meeting, 7 p.m., American Legion Post 106 2nd Tues - Grayling American Legion Aux Post meeting, at 5:30 p.m., Grayling 2nd Thurs- Veterans Coffee hour, 10 a.m., Grayling American Legion 2nd Thurs - Families against Narcotics, 6:30 p.m., St. Francis Episcopal Church 2nd Sat. - Euchre Tournament, 6 p.m., American Legion
ROSCOMMON COUNTY:
Roscommon, Higgins Lake, Prudenville, Houghton Lake, St. Helen 4- Roscommon Animal Shelter Shot Clinic, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. 4- Annual Toy Ride, 1343 N. St. Helen Rd, 11 a.m. 10 & 11- Adams Family Musical, Roscommon High School, 7 p.m. 18- Holiday Craft Fair, American Legion St. Helen, 12-5 p.m. 18- Annual Toy Ride, 1343 N.
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St. Helen Rd., 6 p.m. Roscommon County Extras Mon - Reserve Tech HelpHoughton Lake Public Library Mon- Zumba Class- 4:45- 5:45 p.m. Mon, Thurs, Fri- St. Helen Baptist Church Food Closet, 12-3 p.m. Mon, Thurs, Fri- AA Meeting, St Helen Baptist Church, 10-11a.m. Tues – Ski Club 4H, Starting Jan 7, 3:30-5:30 p.m. Cross Country Ski Headquarters, 9435 N. Cut Rd, Roscommon. 5-19 30 student limit, must be registered, more info 989275-5043 $15 Tues – AA Meeting, St Helen Baptist Church 7-8p.m. Weds- Make Shop at Made Up North- Craft workshops during the day- call for more information 989281-1250 Thurs – Roscommon Ukes Strum and Sing, 1 p.m., Roscommon Area District Library Thurs - Sit & Get Fit, 2:30 p.m., Roscommon Area District Library Fri - Story-time Fridays, 10:30 a.m., Houghton Lake Public Library Fri- C.A.I.R (Christians Associated in Recovery), 7 p.m. St Helen Baptist Church Sat- Zumba Class- 10-11 a.m. CRAF Center $20 1st Thurs- Veteran's Coffee Hour- 9 a.m., Blogett Airport Houghton Lake 2nd Sun. – VFW Country Breakfast, 8 a.m., VFW Post 4159 2nd Thurs. – B2B Breakfast, 8 a.m., Village of Roscommon 3rd Wed. – Michigan Fireman’s Memorial Festival Meeting 6:30 p.m. Check the MSU Extension Webpage for their list of upcoming classes at http://bit.ly/MSUEevents or call 989-275-5043
IOSCO COUNTY:
Hale, Whittemore, Tawas Iosco County Extras Mon - BINGO, 6:30 p.m., Whittemore Chamber of Commerce 3rd Tues. - Whittemore Chamber Meeting, 7 p.m., 405 E. Sherman Street 3rd Thurs- Veteran's Coffee
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Hour- 9 a.m. American Legion Post 211 900 E. Lincoln, East Tawas 2nd Sat. - Vintage Market, from 9 a.m.-2pm, Brugger Plaza, 324 W. Lake Street, Tawas City
OGEMAW COUNTY:
West Branch, Rose City, Lupton Ogemaw County Extra Tues. – Kiwanis Club of West Branch, at Noon, Buccilli’s of West Branch Weds. – BINGO, Early Birds at 6:30 p.m., Regular 7:45 p.m., Knights of Columbus off M-30 Weds. – AL-ANON meeting, 8 p.m., 12 Step-Up Club, 236 First Street Weds. – Culvers Cruise In, 6 – 8 p.m., Culvers West Branch Thurs. – Optimist Club, 7 a.m., Loggers Depot, 314 Houghton Avenue 1st Sun. – Adult Children of ▪ See OUT & ABOUT on page 6
Up North Voice A Division of AuSable Media, 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
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Out & About Continued from page 4
Alcoholics, 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church, 2490 State Road 1st & 2nd Mon. – City Council meeting, 6 p.m., West Branch City Hall, 121 N. Fourth Street 1st & 3rd Tues. – Rose City Council meeting, 6 p.m., Council Chambers, 310 N. Williams Street 1st Tues. – West Branch Retail Merchants meeting, 6 p.m., City Police Station, 130 Page Street 1st Wed.- Ogemaw County Veterans Coffee Hour- 9-10 a.m. 1st & 3rd Thurs. - Newborn Parent Support Group, 6 p.m., MyMichigan Health West Branch in the Executive Dining Room 1st Thurs. – Ogemaw County Fair Board meeting, 7 p.m., meets in main building 2nd Mon. - Kiwanis Young Professional Club, 6 p.m., Highway Brewing Company 2nd Tues – Parkinson's Disease Support Group, 2:00 p.m., MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch Executive Dining Room 2nd Wed. – Aktion Club, 9:30 a.m., United Methodist Church 2nd Wed. - Business Professional Women’s group, 5 p.m. 2nd Wed. - Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementia Support Group, 2- 3:30 p.m. MyMichigan Medical Center West Branch Executive Dining Room 2nd & 4th Thurs. - Healing Together – Compasus Hospice, 10 a.m., Ogemaw Commission on Aging, 1508 M-33 3rd Mon. - Disabled American Veterans & Auxiliary meeting, 5 p.m., VFW Post 3775 3rd Tues.- OCGHS General Membership Board meeting, 2:30 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 E. Houghton Avenue 3rd Thurs. – Vet2Vet Peer Support Group 6 p.m., First United Methodist Church corner of Fairview and State Road, for more info call 989-873-6088 3rd Thurs. - Ogemaw Area Swim Boosters 6 p.m., Ogemaw Heights High School Room 210 2nd Sat. - Ogemaw Hills Snowmobile club meeting, 9 a.m., Club House
p.m.- Luzerne American Legion. For info call 989-826-5950 2nd Mon- Mio Methodist Meeting 2nd and 4th Fri- Clothes Closet for Adults- 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.- Comins Community Church- 4263 W. First St. Comins 4th Weds- Cheboygan Co Veteran's Coffee Hour- 9 a.m. -Cheboygan VFW 3rd Thurs- Craft Day- 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.- TriPoint Church of God- 831 W. Miller, Mio 4th Thurs- Alpena Veteran's Coffee Hour- 9 a.m. Art in the Loft Every Mon- Bible Study- 10 a.m. & 7 p. m. - Living Water Luthern Church behind Dollar General, Mio Every Tues- Women's Group6:30 p.m.- TriPoint Church of God- 831 W. Miller, Mio- for more info call Deb 989-390-2708 Every Tues- Pickleball- 1 p.m.TriPoint Church of God for more info call Pastor Jody 989-390-9150 Every Weds- Men's Fellowship10 a.m.- Living Water Lutheran Church Every Weds- Women's Bible Study- 10 a.m. Living Water's Luthern Church Every Weds- Burgers Grilled on the Patio- 4:30-7pm - Luzerne American Legion Every Thurs- Men's Group- 7 p.m.-TriPoint Church of God- for more info call Gene 989-350-0638 Every Sun- Pickleball- 3 p.m.TriPoint Church of God for more info call Pastor Jody 989-390-9150 1st Fri- Fish Fry Dinner, Luzerne American Legion, 4:30-7 p.m. 2nd & 4th Sundays – Live Music Open Mic Productions, 2-4 p.m., Seymore Avenue at First Street, Comins. For more info call 989-3906977
OTHER REGIONS:
Weds-Patio Grilling and Horseshoe League-5-7 p.m. -Mio Moose Lodge 631 Ryno Road for more info call 989-826-5800 1st and 3rd Thurs- Alcona County Veteran's Coffee Hour- 9 a.m.- Westminster Presbyterian Church 201 M 2nd St. Harrisville 1st Fri- Fish Fry- 4 p.m. - 7
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GLADWIN- Francis Hand from Gladwin, previously from Roscommon, takes this big buck down!
Send your photos, announcements and club events to: info@ UpNorthVoice. com
ROSCOMMON- Rocktoberfest brought the village to life Sat. Oct 14, with live music, delicious food, and great company! Some of the volunteers of the event included (l-r) Jan, Thomasa, LeBeth, Joanne, Jennifer, Jaci, and Julia.
HALE- A vacant lot is being cleared prepped for construction to begin of a new Dollar General on M65 in Hale. ~ Photo by Kristi Major
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HALLOWEEN FUN – The Oscoda County Park in Mio held its annual Harvest Festival the weekend of Oct. 15. The event, which was geared toward children, featured face painting, bouncy houses, coin searches in saw dust and much more. The event, which was highly successful despite a drizzly rain most of the day, was followed by a “Trunk or Treat” for campers at the facility, which borders the AuSable River. The trunk or treat is one of many across northeast Michigan to be held at the end of October. ▪ See other photos on pages 25 and 34
~ Photos by Sarah Vance
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Sudoku sponsored by:
Sudoku Printed using Brain Bashers Sudoku Puzzle Copyright © Kevin Stone
See answer on page 12
ST. HELEN- Chad Meadows of St. Helen with his first deer or the year.
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A season of giving By Donna Thoma As calendars are turned toward November and December, notices of food and coat drives, Toys for Tots boxes, Salvation Army bells and kettles, giving trees, and Christmas basket collections remind us of others less fortunate, and in those need of our help and support. This is often thought of as a “season of giving”. What about the other ten months? In Matthew 26:11, Jesus says “The poor you will always have with you.” Organizations such as the Food Bank, Salvation Army, OASIS, and St. Vincent DePaul help provide needed items and services to those individuals and families throughout the year. One of those is the St. Vincent DePaul and store, located within the village of Roscommon. Roughly 85 volunteers sort donations, and stock the store six days a week. Others work in client aid, assisting those in need of food, furniture, clothing, or financial assistance. The truck drivers for that facility, who are dispatched to pick up larger donated items, are the only two paid employees. Operation managers, Marvin and Martha Peplinski, oversee the general operation of the facility. Volunteers are ALWAYS needed, and do not need to be affiliated with a church to help. The Peplinski's shared that
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through August of this year, the Roscommon store client aid has assisted 334 families and 708 individuals, equaling 1302 individuals. Up to that time, clients had received 659 bags of food, with $2,232 paid toward utility bills, heating, mortgage and rent payments, car repairs and other needs, including clothing and furniture. As the weather turns colder, those needs and expenditures will increase. Anyone who comes for aid needs to meet certain criteria and federal guidelines. However, client aid personnel may also consider other situations such as medical bills, sudden job loss, or house fire. When a person comes in, they go through an interview process to determine the best way they may be assisted. When a need is beyond the scope of what St. Vincent's can provide, clients may be directed toward other agencies or churches. The Roscommon location “has been blessed” the past couple years to have processed and packaged beef cattle donated once a year to fill their freezer, and another local couple donates chicken and ground beef from Bob's Butcher shop. The store always has a supply of boxed and canned goods on hand that they purchase provided by the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan. They currently have boxed milk on hand, which is
Martha and Marvin Peplinski, Operation Managers of St. Vincent DePaul.
always needed, but generally in short supply. At the Roscommon store, monies generated from the sale of donated items and cash donations from churches and individuals, all go toward helping those in need. St. James, St. Hubert’s, and St. Michael's churches have monthly collections they give to St. Vincent's. The Roscommon St. Vincent DePaul also “twins” with two other St. Vincent locations, one in West Virginia and one in Alabama. Those locations are some of the poorer communities in our nation. Martha commented that while the Alabama location primarily provided financial and goods to clients, the West Virginia location, being more remote and mountainous, was able to provide clients with vegetable seeds, chickens
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and other livestock with funds shared from the Roscommon store. Thereby, allowing those clients to have a continued source of fresh eggs, meat, or other foods produced. While we tend to recognize the next couple months as a “season of giving”, the season of “need” is yearround. The impoverished, whether as a constant or due to medical issues, house fire, job loss, are always with us. If in Roscommon, and in need of a Christmas basket this year, please stop in the Roscommon St. Vincent DePaul to apply. Applications must be in prior to December 1. Those in the Prudenville/ Houghton Lake area, need to apply at the Prudenville St. Vincent DePaul store.
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HALE STUDENTS OF THE MONTH- Back (l-r) Madison Reilly, Maycee Culhane, Ali Beebe, Brady Barkholz, Avery Orr. Front (l-r) Rosi Orr, Brooklyn Lambert, Nevaeh Dafoe, Otto View, Adrianna Adkison Not Pictured: Alex Jimenez and Sopia McLaren
Zonta, a group which strives to empower women, held its annual meeting in Mt. Pleasant Oct. 21. Pictured (l—r) are Michelle Wojey (Roscommon), Anna Sylvester (Roscommon), Denise Sylvester (Washington, D.C.), Cherie Johnson (Roscommon), Cindy Post-Petkus (Roscommon) and Theresa Ekdom (Roscommon).
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Grayling Elementary School is awarded $2,000 to fight food uncertainty in the area.
Feeding the future in Grayling
Sudoku Answer
GRAYLING – Grayling Elementary School was recently awarded a $2,000 grant to fight food insecurity in the community by the Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan Agent Charitable Fund (ACF). Grant funds will be used to stock the shelves at the Grayling Elementary School pantry in time for the upcoming school year. Grayling Elementary School is one of 10 organizations throughout the state to receive a Feeding the Future Grant from the ACF in
Puzzle can be found on page 9
August. Organizations are nominated by a local Farm Bureau Insurance agent and selected by a committee of ACF donors based on the need of the organization, population being served, and overall goal of the program. In 2023, a total of $144,000 will be awarded through this grant program. Feeding the Future grants are reviewed every other month and grants are awarded up to $4,000. Farm Bureau agent Katie Olson nominated Grayling Elementary School for the grant and is passionate about raising awareness surrounding local food insecurity and supporting the ACF’s hunger-relief efforts in Michigan. As Olson says, “The ACF brings awareness to a problem that some people don’t even realize exists, and I am glad to be a part of that.” If you would like more information about the ACF, please contact Persis Sopariwala at 517323-6628 or psopari@michfb.com.
ROSCOMMON- The Roscommon boys soccer team are District champs! Front (l-r) Steven Alyas, Ben Hamina, Corbin Tyler, Josh Karoub, Rielly Cherven, Andrew Janisse, Alex Thiel, and Jacob Gee. Second row (l-r) Coach John Sinnaeve, Thomas Janisse, Hunter Randall, Mason Green, Jacob Ziebell, Josh Mayes, Owen Barns, Henry Stoyak, Owen Ostling, Caleb Mann, Jefferson Matheney, and Assistant Coach Daren Barns. Back (l-r) Ben Delinger, Ben Collins, and Matteo Rover.
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HONORING OUR VETERANS Taking service to new heights By Alicia Noragon
Honorable, brave, patriotic, and true leader are just a few words to describe Robert (Bob) C. Green. These words are just a glimpse into the character and qualities that make Bob not only a beloved member of the community, but a devoted hero for our county. Bob was born in Pontiac MI in the spring of 1962 to father, Charles L. Green and mother, Jacqueline J. Green. Growing up with three sisters, Bob was eager to follow in his father’s footsteps and sought out his duty into military service. Volunteering to join the US Army at just 17 years old, he reported for active duty on June 7, 1980. He was then sent to Fort McClellan, Alabama for Basic Training, and Military Police School. The following October he was stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas as an MP (Military Police) and then transferred to Pforzheim Germany and was stationed there as a Nuclear Missile Security Guard until his honorable discharge in June 1983. Bob was recalled to active duty in the summer of 1986 to work as an MP at Fort Dietrich Maryland. After leaving the Military, Bob worked at Tahquamenon Falls, Rahilly Motors, and Big Rock Nuclear Power Plant. In 1986 he was married and proceeded to have two children, Charles, and
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US Army at Fort McClellan in 1980.
Sarah. In February 1987, Bob joined the Michigan State Police as a State Trooper. In 1996 he was awarded the Trooper of the Year Award for the entire Upper Peninsula. He was stationed at the Newberry Post until 1997, when promoted to Sergeant at the Jackson Post. After marrying his
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current wife, Janet, he transferred to the Gaylord Post in 2000, and in 2003 transferred to the Houghton Lake Post, where he retired in 2016. Bob is a recipient of the Good Conduct Medal, Expert .45 Caliber Pistol, Expert M-16 Rifle, Expert M-60 Machine Gun and Expert Hand ▪ See TAKING SERVICE on page 14
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Taking service
Bob Green stands proud during Mid-Michigan Honor Flight ceremony. ~ Photo courtesy of Heather Green Continued from page 13
Grenade badges. For the past 3 years, Bob has been a bailiff for the Crawford County Sherrif’s Department. In his spare time, he takes pride in his Presidency of the Mid- Michigan Honor Flight. The honor flight program transports veterans to Washington D.C. to visit memorials dedicated to honor them. As President of the honor flight and a Crawford County Veterans Committee Member, Bob has participated on 12 flights to Washington D.C. Each flight carried between 55- 75 World War II era, Korean War era, and Vietnam War era veterans. The heroes on these flights are treated to a once in a lifetime Tour of Honor with an all expenses paid trip. These voyages consist of visiting the WWII Memorial, Korean War Memorial, Vietnam Wall, and the Lincoln Memorial. On some occasions they can lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown soldier and visit Arlington Cemetery and see the Changing of the Guard. Veterans
are welcomed home with a special ceremony at the airport. Dining and reminiscing with Pearl Harbor, Iwo Jima, and Omaha Beach survivors has been a humbling experience for Bob. “I was able to meet the oldest living Sentinel of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, who served there in 1938, 1939, and 1940. We took him back to the Tomb to see his name added to the list of Tomb Sentinels.” Bob said as he looks back on some of his fondest memories of his time with the Honor Flight. “The United States Military is the greatest fighting force in the world, as demonstrated by our involvement is wars and battles all around the globe. The men and women that went before you worked hard to preserve the rights and freedoms that you now protect, our future is in your hands”! Remember, it’s never too late to thank a veteran. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
Four Squad Leaders of the G Company 1st Platoon, 29th Regiment, Combat Team in Korea. (l-r) Bill Channing, R. Hester, Charles Green, and Robert Bergeron.
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Honoring our local heroes
▪ Austin Romancky, Jennifer, U.S. Navy, 1999-2003, St. Helen ▪ Balhorn. Kenneth M., U.S. Navy. 1971
Craig Carrick ▪ Dixon, Jack, U.S. Air Force, 1962 Jennifer Austin Romancky
▪ Bauman, Josh, U.S. Coast Guard, 2020 ▪ Bramer, Corey, Marine Corps, 2021 ▪ Brinn, Joseph A., U.S. Army, CW3, Vietnam 1968, A Trp, 7/17 Air Cavalry, Huey Crew Chief and Gunner, retired 1987, Oscoda
▪ Edwards, Dallas, Army National Guard, 1992 ▪ Elgert, Walter, U.S. Navy, 1975 ▪ Emry, Kenneth, U.S. Air Force, Civil Engineer, 1981-2004 ▪ Faust, Donald, U.S. Army, IHO, Sergeant, Honorably Discharged 1965
▪ Brinn, Joseph, Vietnam, 1968 ▪ Callahan, Isaac, U.S. Army, SPC, 2004-05, KFOR 4A, OIF ▪ Carrick, Craig, FRG in 80-84, Wurzburg HHC 3Rd ID
Mark Constance
▪ Foster, Larry, U.S. Army, 2005, 95B, Formerly Houghton Lake ▪ Frank, Dennis A., U.S. Army, Vietnam, 1970 ▪ Goodman, Gene N., U.S. Air Force, 1962 Joe Brinn
▪ Gordert-Jones, Tina, U.S. Navy, Hospital Corpsman, 1984
▪ Cole, Sean, U.S. Army, 2010 ▪ Constance, Mark, 82nd Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army, 12B, Bamberg, Fort Leonard Wood, 1982, Roscommon ▪ Crittenden, Michael L., Retired Air Force Master Sergeant E-7, Jan. 1975 – Oct. 1995, Mio
Michael L. Crittenden
▪ Harmon, Tom, U.S. Air Force, Jet Fighter Crew Chief, 1962-68 ▪ Headland, Ron, U.S. Army, 1983 Isaac Callahan
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▪ See LOCAL HEROES on page 16
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Local heroes Continued from page 15
▪ Hicks, Robert, 379th Bombardment ▪ Hock, J.D., U.S. Army, 26V Signal Corps, 1984-88, Oscoda
Donald Faust ▪ Hughes, Lillian, U.S. Navy, 1993
Darryl Johnson
▪ Hunt, Alan, U.S. Army, 1969, 11th CAV, Vietnam, ▪ Ingle, Barbara Ann, U.S. Navy, 1966-1969
Frank Dennis
▪ Herblet, Troy, U.S. Army, 2021, Germany, Georgia and North Carolina, from Grayling
Josh Johnson
Robert Hicks
Bradley Irwin
▪ Irwin, Bradley, U.S. Army, Vietnam Larry Foster
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J.D. Hock
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▪ Johnson, Darryl, U.S. Navy Seabees, retired, Hale
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Matthew Johnson ▪ See LOCAL HEROES on page 17
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Local heroes Continued from page 16
▪ Johnson, Josh, Active Duty, U.S. Navy, Hale ▪ Johnson, Matthew, U.S. Marine Corps, formerly of Hale ▪ Johnston, Alan, U.S. Air Force, 576th FLTS/30th MXS, 1992 – 1997
Ken Melvin
▪ McKuen, William, U.S. Marine Corps, 2020, Prescott ▪ McIsaac, Stacy, 2010-2012, U.S. Army, 14E Patriot Missile Operator and Maintainer, Fort Bliss, El Paso, TX Cecil Kirkendall
▪ Melvin, Ken, U.S. Air Force, 1967, Basic Training, Roscommon
▪ Jones, Kenny, 1976-1980, U.S. Air Force, 754th Radar Sq, Port Austin AFS, MI; 19831985, 1438th Engineer Det., Camp Grayling; 1985-1993, 127th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance, Weapons Branch, Selfridge ANG Base, MI; 20002017, Ammunition Supply Point, Camp Grayling, MI
Branden Peltier
▪ Nieman, Marilyn, U.S. Army, Journalist, 1973 ▪ Peltier, Branden R., U.S. Army, 2023 ▪ Plohg, James, U.S. Army, Honorable discharge 1977
David Luck
▪ Kirkendall, Cecil ▪ Luck, David, Missile Technician Second Class (E5), MT2/SS, U.S.S George C. Marshall, Discharge 1/20/94, Was Stationed at Groton, CT, Roscommon ▪ Mathews, Gerald, U.S. Army, 1967
James Phlog
Roger Priest
▪ Priest, Roger, 1st Marines, 3rd Division, Amphibious Amtrak Tractor Division, discharge date August 28, 1968. 2 tours; 2019 to current, Vol. Driver DAV for Crawford County William McKuen
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▪ See LOCAL HEROES on page 18
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Local heroes Continued from page 17
▪ Raymond, Daniel, U.S. Air Force, 1975 ▪ Robertson, Ralph, U.S. Army, 2007-13; Afghanistan, 201202013, Mio
▪ Robinson III, Steven, U.S. Marine Corps, 2020 ▪ Rollison, James C., U.S. Army, 101st Airborne, 1967 ▪ Serens, Michael A., U.S. Navy, 1986 ▪ Shay, Robert A., U.S. Navy Seabees, 1970 ▪ Shearer, Loren, U.S. Army, 2015, Navy, 1989, Houghton Lake
Ralph Robertson Loren Shearer
▪ Shilling, John, U.S Army, 1988 ▪ Shilling, Rachele, U.S Army 1986, U.S Navy, 1992 ▪ Shurtz, Jon, Specialist, U.S. Army, Active 2011-2014, 7th Engineer Battalion 642nd Engineer Support Company, Fort Drum, NY, Afghanistan 2012 ▪ Smith, Suzette, U.S. Air Force, MBT 1981, 190th ARW, KSANG, Communications, retired 2011 Steven Robinson III
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▪ See LOCAL HEROES on page 20
Northern Michigan veteran get-togethers
OTSEGO COUNTY 1st Wed– Otsego Co. Veterans Coffee hour Gaylord Regional Airport, located at 1100 Aero Drive, Gaylord, MI 49735. 9 a.m. Info: 989731-7575 OGEMAW COUNTY 1st Wednesday at West Branch Senior Center at 1528 S. M-33 at 9 a.m. Ogemaw County Veterans Commission members are in attendance and hold board meeting afterward. Info: 989345-5170 ROSCOMMON COUNTY 1st Thursday Roscommon County Veterans Coffee hour at Blodgett Airport, located at 5218 E Houghton Lake Drive. 989366-7660, 9 a.m. 2nd Wednesday, Roscommon Senior Center, 510 South Street, Roscommon, 9 a.m. 2nd Thursday, Good Shepherd Methodist Church, 149 West Robinson Lake Road, Roscommon, 9-11 a.m. Personal care pantry available. Info: 989-275-6047. ALCONA COUNTY 1st Sunday of month 2-4 p.m. at Lincoln-Alcona High School, 51
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North Varlow Road in Harrisville. Info: (989) 724-9510. CRAWFORD COUNTY 2nd Thursday - Crawford County Veterans Coffee, 9 a.m. at American Legion Post 106 in Grayling, located at 106 S James Street in Grayling, Info: (989) 344-3861 OSCODA COUNTY 3rd Monday – Oscoda County Veterans “get together” at Luzerne American Legion located at 202 Legion Street, 2 p.m., Info: 989-786-0355. CHEBOYGAN COUNTY 4th Wednesday - Veterans Coffee at American Legion at 450 West State Street in Cheboygan. 9 a.m. Info: (231) 627-8833
ALPENA COUNTY Fourth Thursday at Art in the Loft in the Center Building at 109 Second Ave, Third Floor. (LMM) IOSCO COUNTY 3rd Thursday —Iosco County Veterans Coffee, American Legion Post, 211 located 900 E. Lincoln St, East Tawas; Info: 989-362-2976 / 362-6571 rwhitney@ioscocounty.org.
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Local heroes Continued from page 18
▪ Vittitow, Ron, U.S. Marine Corps, 1969, West Branch
Jon Shurtz
▪ Stanaway, Logan, Active-duty U.S. Army, Fort Sil, Oklahoma, Roscommon ▪ Stutesman, Warren, U.S. Marine Corps, E-4, 1980-84, Mio ▪ Sutter, John, 1974, Vietnam, U.S.M.C., St. Helen
Warren Stutesman
▪ Witherspoon, Calvin R., U.S. Army, 1974-1976, Michigan Army National Guard 1982-2009, SFC Retired Deployed Iraq/ Kuwait 2004-05, Roscommon
▪ Venable, Robert D., U.S. Marine Corps, 1958
Suzette Smith
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Calvin Witherspoon
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I knew a man among men By Mark Constance
With another Veteran’s Day approaching, I’m reminded of a man I knew while serving in the U.S. Army. It was 1982 and I was trying to hustle a few extra bucks to supplement my Spec. 4 pay. So I took a part-time job bailing hay near Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri (or ‘Lost in the Woods’ for the initiated). Four of us bounced a few miles down an overgrown two-track in the back of an old Chevy pickup. I met with a grizzled old farmer dressed in weathered bib overalls and a white t-shirt. He lived a simple life. His home was modest. It had one large room and was heated with a wood stove. He had electricity, but didn’t use it for lights, preferring gas lamps. He told us he had the power turned on a few years earlier to operate a hay elevator because his knees bothered him “a bit.” Some of the best water I ever drank was drawn from a hand well. His only other modern convenience was a small, black and white TV with aluminum foil on the antennae. After a brief discussion. We agreed on a rate of three cents a bale, shook hands and went to work. Over the course of a few days, I could tell this farmer was the kind of guy who had good friends and a solid reputation. He was the guy who would give you the shirt off his back if he thought you needed it.
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He didn’t speak much. But when he did, people listened. Everything he said had a purpose. After the first cutting was finished, I sat at a wood picnic table in a buddy’s yard with him and a few other guys. It was a stifling, muggy day. The air smelled like a thunderstorm was coming. We grilled burgers and had a few beers and talked about our experiences in the service – Where we had been. What we had done. He told us a few stories about his sergeant in basic training, and we all laughed. Every vet has a story about “that bastard.” He also said the only thing he ever regretted about being in the service was that he never got to have a family. A young man without kids, I didn’t think anything of it at the moment. After the farmer left, one of the older men explained he’d been in the “Bataan Death March” during WWII. After American troops were surrendered by Major General Edward P. King in the Philippines, Japanese troops marched 76,0000 prisoners of war from Mariveles, on the southern tip of the Bataan Peninsula, to San Fernando, 55 miles away, and ultimately to “Camp O’Donnel” in Mukden. If prisoners couldn’t make the trek and fell down, they were dragged to the side of the road and shot, bayonetted or beheaded. Others were made to dig their own graves and buried alive. Just 54,000 men reached O’Donnel, and thousands more died afterward from malnutrition and disease before the camp was finally liberated in August 1945. He survived the march itself. But while in captivity at O’Donnel, in what we might call a war crime today, his Japanese captors cut off his testicles. I’m still humbled and honored by the experience of having met him. He asked for nothing from any man. He accepted no pity from anyone. And he lived life on his terms. So, whenever I hear “Taps” being played, I think of this man and what he gave for his county. And the many veterans who were just glad to make it back home – alive.
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Sports Highlights Read us online at UpNorthVoice.com!
Roscommon Bucks and the Grayling Vikings going head-to-head. Photo by Susan Moy
Volleyball match with the Grayling Vikings vs. the Houghton Lake Bobcats Oct. 5.
Fall athletes take the field REGION- As fall sports come to an end in Northern Michigan, students from local schools have been putting their best feet forward for the community to see. Soccer, golf, cross country, and football fans
cheered no matter the weather to support their neighborhood schools. ~ Photos by Mark Constance and courtesy photos
Carter Toensfeldt staying one step ahead during a Cross Country meet. Left: Charlton Heston Academy players thrilled the homecoming crowd Oct. 13 when they brought down this Hillman runner in a driving rainstorm.
SHOP LOCAL
Several Mio volunteers kept warm at the Oct. 20 football game by selling Thunderbolts merchandise. Pictured l-r are Mia McGregor, Meagan Hoffman, Cyndi Hoffman and Rich Hoffman.
Houghton Lake’s girls cross country team at the Grayling Invitational.
Brianna Kitchen and Jason Dodson were elected the Charlton Heston Academy queen and king in a halftime ceremony on Oct. 13.
Congratulations to Houghton Lake Homecoming King Hunter Bailey and Queen Mariah Thompson.
Kings and Queens receive their crowns
REGION- The tradition of “Homecoming” took place in the last few weeks with teens enjoying football, spirit week, and of course the excitement of crowning a King and Queen.
Jacob Eisenhardt with his fancy footwork!
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Savanna Spangle from Fairview getting air!
Right: Roscommon High School students selected their homecoming king and queen for 2023. The honorees were Brian Kilbourn and Joey Janisse.
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Sports Highlights Read us online at UpNorthVoice.com!
The Roscommon faithful turned out for the rivalry game against Houghton Lake. A pair of Roscommon defenders bring down the Manton running back in action on homecoming. The Bucks dropped Manton 55-28. Right: Mariah Thompson, the first ever Houghton Lake girl’s golfer to qualify for the state finals with teammates Elizabeth Simpson and MaKenna Raden.
Harley Hancock of St. Helen (right) was the umpire at the Heston Academy football game Friday 13.
Below: Roscommon cheerleaders supporting their team!
Above: The last Mio home game of the season. Left: Mio fans Ngellaya Burden (left) and Rebecca Moser dressed up as construction workers to celebrate the last game of the season.
A Houghton Lake runner follows a blocker through the line in a win over Roscommon. Right: Tiernan Hinmon of the Heston Academy scrambles after taking a handoff during the Patriots game against Mio Oct. 20 Below: Jamison Cooper of Mio lines up near the end of the first half in the ‘Bolt’s win over the Heston Academy. Working the chains at the Houghton Lake-Roscommon football game Sept. 29 were (l-r) Jason Girardin, Alan Blackney, Justin McNeill, and Big Mac.
Grayling Vikings take on the Kalkaska Blazers.
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Emma Holberton from Fairview spiking down the competition
Mio’s Max Raymond turns the corner on a run against the Heston academy in the Thunderbolts’ season-ending win.
November 2023
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Maggie Alchin from Fairview making a breakaway!
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Spooky fun at the Feral Forest
ROSCOMMON- Got Your Six Veterans - Roscommon Chapter, and Blended Lines Salon held their first “Feral Forest” and Trunk or Treat Sat. Oct 21. In addition to the
ghostly entertainment, there was a cake walk, face painting, music and more. Donations were accepted to aid in hosting future events for veterans, first responders, and their families.
Pictured (front, left) are Leo, Violet and Sarah Lloyd, (back, l-r) Dan Lloyd, Tylor Quintel (Big Dinosaur, Stacy Charania and Grayson Estes.
Chuck Gay (left) and Zach Stachurski of the Gerrish Township Police Department kept an eye on the area.
Tristan Stachurski was trying to stay warm. ~Photos by Mark Constance Left: Matthew Beckett, Rebecca Kauffman and Reagan Smith passed out candy from the back of their truck.
Above: Jamie L-Bulley passed out candy at Trunk or Treat.
Right: Missy Jackson and Annie Hill were warm in the back of their vehicle. Far-Right: Kristine Wright (left) and Angela Sampier pass out candy to the little monsters and super heros.
ROSCOMMON- Brian Polishak of West Branch shot this eight-point buck on opening day of archery season. The buck had eight points, fourteen-inch spread, and weight 170 lbs. He was shot in Iosco County in Turner.
GRAYLING- Amelia and Violet Gross from Grayling launch a pumpkin at Wellington Farms.
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Obituaries & Death Notices Bernadine A. Dosch,
age 92, died Thursday, September 21, 2023, in Farmington Hills. Bernie was born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1931, to Ben and Ann (Pashakarnis) Loetz. In 1952, Bernadine graduated from Mundelein College in Chicago and married Dr. Paul A. Dosch. She was a resident of Grayling since 1956. Bernie was an active promoter of the Grayling community, served on the Crawford County Arts Council, helped establish the AuSable Artisan Village, and served on its board. Children’s education was near and dear to her heart. She recognized the importance of early childhood education, served on the boards of the Crawford-AuSable School District for 17 years and the C.O.O.R. Intermediate School District for 23 years. She traveled to Lansing and Washington D.C. to advocate for educational funding, and received the Master Platinum Award from the Michigan Association of School Boards, acknowledging her initiative in taking classes to become a more effective leader and board member. As a basketry artist, she traveled the country selling her baskets at juried art shows, attended basket making classes in England and Japan, taught basket and jewelry making in her studio, and received many awards including the Exceptional Merit for Art Award from the Association of Michigan Basketmakers, one of her four wins. She was invited to make an ornament for the White House Christmas tree that is now in the Smithsonian Museum’s permanent collection. She was featured in the Country Folk Art Magazine, the Crawford County Avalanche, and the Crawford County Commission on Aging Newsletter. Her tiny wax linen baskets were featured on Martha Stewart’s website. In 2021,
she received the Crawford County Avalanche Reader’s Choice Award for outstanding service in the Artist/ Artisan category. She was a member of St. John Lutheran Church and the Association of Michigan Basketmakers. A political activist and intrepid traveler to more than 32 countries, she was a proud Lithuanian and undisputed ten-time winner of the International Kugelis Grand Champion trophy. Friends and family will recall the good times sitting at the big round table telling stories and jokes. Bernie is survived by her son Michael (Chris) of Grosse Pointe Park, daughters Michelle Fisher (Bill Crow) of Bellingham WA, Ann Berglund of Seattle, Paula (Robert) Dosch-Haworth of Phoenixville PA, and Karla (Don) Fisher of Farmington Hills; sister Patricia Jensen of Atlanta GA; grandchildren Katie Barclay of Chicago, Mary (Tom) Smale of Royal Oak, Paul (Maria) Dosch of Madison Heights, Anthony (Parul Raj) Fisher of Redmond WA, Anya Persson of Bellingham WA, Luke, Alex, and Elizabeth Fisher of Farmington Hills; great grandchildren Henry, Michael, and Saachi; in-laws Lynn Loetz, Pat Dosch, George Dosch, and Monica (Joe) Tumeo, and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul, her parents, brother Donald Loetz, and son-in-law Dr. Vic Berglund. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Bernie’s life on October 7, 2023, at St. John Lutheran Church, 710 Spruce St, Grayling. Guests are welcome at 10 am with service at 11 am and luncheon following. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the AuSable Artisan Village at 219 Michigan Ave, Grayling 49738 or the C.O.O.R. ISD Bernadine Dosch Memorial Fund for scholarships to tuition-based pre-school programs (Attn: Kurt Loll, 11051 N Cut Rd, Roscommon 48653).
Martha Eleanor Ockerman, 94, West Branch, passed Sept. 15 Marlene June Hatchew, 88, West Branch, passed Sept. 16 David Allen Stehlik, 64, Prudenville, passed Sept. 16 William “Bill” Harvey Makowski, 85, Grayling, passed Sept. 15 Stephen Burr, 80, Beaverton, passed Sept. 14 Sally Whipple, 79, Beaverton, passed Sept. 16 Carman Laverne Bloss II, 35, Rose City, passed Sept. 16 Ronald Adrian Gassman, 58, West Branch, passed Sept. 17 Joseph A. Banny, 67, West Branch, passed Sept. 17 Michael Harman, 51, Au Gres, passed Sept. 16 Barbara Ann Nauman, 69, Fairview, passed Sept. 16 Charlene C. (Mrazik) Nowlin, 73, Mio, passed Sept. 19
Audrey Ann Babik, 89, Lewiston, passed Sept. 15 Frances Eloise Korte, 90, West Branch, passed Sept. 20 John Joseph Reminder “Junglebean”, 72, West Branch, passed Sept. 22 Janet Elsie Oaks, 84, Gladwin, passed Sept. 21 Lana Corrine Lavere, 69, South Branch, passed Sept. 19 Diana Lynn Lauria, 69, Whittemore, passed Sept. 20 Kathleen Kaiser, 97, East Tawas, previously of Beaverton, passed Sept. 21 Victoria Angeline (Caruana) Michaels, 90, Houghton Lake, passed Sept. 19 Steven Edward Diehl, 71, Rose City, passed Sept. 24 Charles Donald Bailey, 78, Frankenmuth, formerly of East Tawas, passed Sept. 23
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Wanda Lee Radcliffe (Apel)
of Ruth Radcliffe and Lynn (Karen) Radcliffe; also survived by her Godchild, Tammy Pasque and loving nieces and nephews; Barbara Aliotta, Nancy (Larry) Lefkof, Butch (Nancy) Smith, Rich Radcliffe, Michael Radcliffe and many caring family members. Wanda retired as an accounts payable clerk at Kirtland Community College, Roscommon. She enjoyed playing bingo, collecting Beanie Babies, taking photographs, bird watching and baking. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Assn. Please leave a memory or condolence at the online guestbook www.wintfuneralhome.com
James "Tip" Alvin Larson, 89, Oscoda, passed Sept. 24 Patricia Lee Harris, 84, Grayling, passed Sept. 24 Linda Sue (Eastman) Seder, 74, Sterling, passed Sept. 22 Cyril Richard “Dick” Gawne, 89, Sage Lake, passed Sept. 25, Sandra Watts, 72, Tawas City, passed Sept. 25 Lenny Lee Blair, 64, St. Helen, passed Sept. 22 Judith Kay Mieras Snedeker, 85, Gladwin, formerly of Indio CA, passed Sept. 25 Richard F. Diechman, 83, Gladwin, passed Sept. 28 Leroy Brown, 91, Beaverton, passed Sept. 26 Patricia “Pat” Ann Morris, 75, Oscoda, passed Sept. 27 Frank Lewis Colarossi, 83, Oscoda, formerly of Redford Township, passed Sept. 28 Donald Nelson Wright, 86, Au Gres, passed Sept. 24 Viola A. Parsons-Bailey, 68, Gladwin, passed Sept. 25 Michael James Manor, 59, West Branch, passed Sept. 30 Henry Drouillard, 80, Au Gres, passed Sept 27 Sandra Lynn Couckuyt, 62, Prudenville, passed Sept. 30 Ronald Lynn Ross, 61, Gladwin, passed Sept. 30
Florence M. Illig, 98, Gladwin, passed Sept. 30 Ellen Ethel McKenna, 87, West Branch, formerly of Sterling, passed Sept. 29 Joyce Elaine Walters, 84, West Branch, passed Oct. 3 Marion Lee Cunningham, 81, West Branch, passed Oct. 2 Darlene Adele Holland, 78, Au Gres, passed Oct. 1 Carole (Hoover) VanderVeen, 81, Tawas City, formerly of Grand Rapids, passed Oct. 3 Bobby Allen Christian, 77, Hale, formerly of Mio, passed Sept. 30 Carl J. Steinhurst, 88, Tawas, passed Oct. 6 Rosemary Speer, 98, Gladwin, passed Oct. 4 Walter "Wally" Robb, 80, Houghton Lake, passed Oct. 4 Margaret “Kathy” Kathleen Miller, 86, Rose City, passed Oct. 5 Betty Marie (Coppinger) Knoellinger, 96, Rose City, passed Oct. 5 Debra Jo McMurray, 68, East Tawas, passed Oct. 4 Roger Leroy Hose, 85, Houghton Lake, passed Oct. 6 James Dennis Valentino, 72, Higgins Lake, passed Oct. 9 Ralph "Ed" McManus, 84, Prudenville, passed Oct. 10
was born December 2, 1927, to Lloyd and Dorothy Linton in Okmulgee, OK; formerly of St. Helen; passed away September 30, 2023, at the age of 95. Wanda was preceded in death by her first husband Charles W. Apel and her second husband Richard W. Radcliffe; mother of Susan (Jack) Mihalko; grandmother of Marcus (Adela) Geiger, Jenna (Chad) Harter, Jason (Kelly) Mihalko and Kara (Eric) Stemmer; great grandma of Griffin, Ella, Makaela, Kate, Sophia, Breckyn, Connor, Levi and Sloan; step sister of Billodean Owens; sister in law
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▪ See Obituaries on page 27
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Obituaries June Marie McGregor, 88, Rose City, passed Oct. 10 Lowell Raymond Bailey Sr., 89, Lupton, passed Oct. 10 Lawrence Ray Knight, 60, Alger, passed Oct. 13 Michael Arthur Stuart, 53, St. Helen, passed Oct. 8 John C. Lawson, 70, Prudenville, passed Oct. 11 Richard S. "Dick" Pastula, 90, Houghton Lak, passed Oct. 11 Margaret "Maggie" Welch, 71, formerly of Mio, passed Oct. 10 Dennis Michael Lipa, 76, Houghton Lake, passed Oct. 10
Robert Alexander Krause Jr.
(75) passed away quietly, with Frank Sinatra playing in the background, on September 7th, 2023, after wonderful family time with his daughters, son-in-laws and his grandson in Austin, TX. He was born April 12, 1948 to Robert and Esther (Suppes) Krause in Saginaw Michigan and was the oldest of four siblings; two brothers, John and Tim and one sister, Cathy. After graduating from Arthur Hill High School in 1966, he enrolled at the University of Michigan, with a scholarship for voice, while pursuing civil engineering and business management, but was quickly drafted to the Air Force during the Vietnam war. Though he didn’t speak much of his time whilst serving, one of his most memorable stories was how he brought back a husky / wolf mix puppy from Alaska tucked in his jacket as he was boarding his last flight home to Michigan. After the war, he was employed with “Ma Bell” in Marquette, Michigan and from there he would make his way to Karlin, Michigan, where he met Barbara DeLorme, his second wife, with whom he had his two daughters, Robin (Berthod) and Sarah (Duke). He was “Bob” to everyone that knew him, and Bob loved to sing! You would find him in church choir most Sundays at the Burt Lake Christian Church, alongside his daughters who shared his love of singing. He was also a member of SPEBSQSA, the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barbershop Quartet Singing in America, of which he was part of a quartet called Aire Force 1 and the Cereal City Chorus that competed nationally and won numerous
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James Mark (Jim) Pietruszka, 78, Prudenville, passed Oct. 15 Marilyn L. White, 90, East Tawas, passed Oct. 12 Herman Pertile, 76, Prescott, formerly of Metro Detroit, passed Oct, 15 Nancy L. Zeitz, 74, Gladwin, passed Oct. 14 Justin E. Sands, 75, Fairview, passed Oct. 15 Eliza Lumpkin, Rose City Wilhelmina Nickell, Twining
awards. Family deer camp with his father, brothers and nephews was the highlight of the winter season for him and held a fond place in his heart that he always spoke of. Bob was also a lover of animals, especially dogs and horses. He had his daughters on horseback before they could walk and encouraged them in 4-H, lovingly trailering horses and campers to horse shows and fairs. Bob worked for the state of Michigan, as a civil engineer for the State Department of Military Affairs at the Air Force National Guard Base in Battle Creek before transferring his family back up north where he was employed at Camp Pellston, a minimum security prison camp, as the Maintenance Supervisor, until his retirement. He forged life long friendships amongst his fellow co-workers and was greatly respected by his peers and inmates alike. He also served on the board of the MSEA (Michigan State Employees Association) / AFSCME local 5, for many years, notably as Secretary, and was very active with their union functions. Robert was preceded in death by both of his parents. He is survived by his 2 daughters and their husbands, Robin (Krause) and Brian Berthod, Sarah (Krause) and Lynn Duke, and grandchild Lincoln “Link” Duke, four nephews and four nieces, his two brothers, their wives, their children and grandchildren and his sister, her husband as well as their children and grandchildren. Above all he was a beloved father and grandfather. A private Veteran’s service and celebration of life will be held with immediate family, at a date yet to be determined. Donations to the DAV or Wounded Warrior Project, in his name, are warmly welcomed.
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Dream and create a 'fairy home' By Kalsa Parker Browning, Education Director Marguerite Gahagan Nature Preserve
ROSCOMMON- If you build them, they will come! Join us for our new seasonal event where we build and decorate nature “fairy homes” for these legendary woodland critters. This is an event for all ages, from youth and families to artistically inclined adults who have
some imagination! Our first offering is Tues., Nov. 14 from 6 -7:30 p.m., with seasonal offerings thereafter in winter, spring, and summer. Once we decorate these homes they will be placed on trails for the public to view, and of course for the woodland fairies of Gahagan to enjoy! Come be a part of this enjoyable event where we create a fun, artistic display for the Preserve. Please RSVP ahead of time on our website: www.gahagannature. org/calendar or by contacting info@ gahagannature.org. Catch this and other events this fall, like our Owl Prowl on Nov. 9,
where we learn all about Michigan Owls and then explore the preserve in search of these charismatic critters. Don’t miss our Wreath Making Workshop on Dec. 2. Learn about tree ID, the benefits of plants in your home, and of course leave our workshop with a beautiful wreath made of fresh greenery to display this holiday season.
4-H Legacy Award recognition ROSCOMMON- Schawna M. Thoma, daughter of Edward and Donna Thoma, Roscommon, was one of twelve individuals to receive the 4-H Legacy Award, in East Lansing. Thoma, represented Monroe County, where she'd spent her twelve years as a 4-H'er. Schawna M. Thoma
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Apocalypse now? View From the Comfy Chair By Joel Vernier My napping ability has been diminished lately with the current news cycle. Fires on a global basis, earthquakes, flooding, wars, and rumors of wars! What's next? Locust swarms? Rivers turning blood red? Famine? More diseases, more employment strikes, and Alien Invasions? How can we have alien invasions when the Government has denied they even exist? How can they invade when the flat Earth is covered by the Firmament? Wait… the Earth is flat? The Firmament is in the Bible; does that mean it's real? If we and aliens can't get past the Firmament, how did we land people on the moon? Sometimes, when I settle into my "Comfy Chair," instead of jumping into REM sleep, I jump in my "Comfy Chair" when I think about changing world events. Change is the only constant in the universe! Everything changes! Our bodies change daily, and our cells replace themselves every 6 months! Time also changes us: aches and pains, grey hair. Those changes are slow; they sneak up on us and steal our
youthful attributes. While we are used to change, rapid change is challenging. Gradual change is easier to adapt to than extreme changes forced upon us by natural disasters or crisis intervention. What is this change leading to? Is this the Apocalypse now? The Apocalypse is the complete final destruction of the world as described in the Book of Revelation. Have the Four Horsemen left the barn? Is this it? In Matthew 24:26, "No one knows about the day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son. But only the Father!" Are we at the Apocalypse or Armageddon? Are we facing the end of the world or an uncovering of evil that has tormented the world? While I cannot answer questions of this magnitude, I'm not a Theologian, and it's above my pay grade. I have some thoughts on how I deal with extreme changes. There have been so many dates of the end of the world that have come and gone! All put up by man, people who sincerely believed that the date they came up with was the end of the world date. But so far, they were wrong. "No one knows…." Does that mean we should do nothing? Just live our regular lives? I'm thinking that truly we should never just live our regular lives! "Every day is a gift!" I write this at the end of every column. We should strive to improve ourselves and how we interact with the world around us and grow spiritually or just as human beings. Improving ourselves is always a good thing. The more we improve ourselves, the more prepared we are for change. If the end of the world happens, we will feel more ready; if it does not, we will feel better about ourselves. We mustn't get ourselves lost in fear and anxiety of the end of the world! Fear anxiety never accomplishes anything other than making us lose sleep or our health. We cannot control the future or events at certain levels. We can pray, and we can elevate our thinking processes. We can treat our neighbors, friends, and family members better. We can live in a positive mindset and enjoy every day!" Remember, every day is a gift! Some are just a little more fun to open than others.
Send your photos, announcements and club events to: info@UpNorthVoice.com 989-275-1170
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INSURANCE AGENCY
1499 N. St. Helen Rd. St. Helen • 989-389-4948 fultzinsurance@yahoo.com www.fultzinsurance.net
KIRTLAND INSURANCE AGENCY
112 E. Main St. P.O. Box 190 - Rose City
(989) 685-2614
Let’s get fit! Activities at the Devereaux Memorial Library Check out some of the longtime running programs including Genealogy every Mon. from 9 a.m. to noon, Let's Get Fit every Tues. & Thurs. at 1 p.m., Coffee Klatch every Tues. at 11 a.m., Sit-N-Knit every Thurs. at 10 a.m. D&D (Dungeons and Dragons) sessions are now held on Thurs. at 4 p.m. Visit our Facebook page for more information. Space is limited, sign up at the Devereaux Memorial Library today! Bring your littles to Storytime. Every Wed. at 11 a.m. come enjoy stories, themed crafts, and snacks! Effective immediately, you can check out Stories with Sue out at our Frederic Branch Library, Monday’s at 11 a.m. Every Wed. after school they are hosting Flower Arrangements with Nancy. These programs run through the month of November. Need help with a device? Let one of the tech advisors help you oneon-one with your laptop, e-reader, or phone! Call 989-348-9214 to make
an appointment. Requests for 3D printing now available. If you need a conference room, stop at the desk and check-in using the Sign-in Notebooks. You can also find a link to our Meeting Room Request Form on our website under "Forms and Applications.” Board Meeting for November is Thurs., Nov. 9, at 8:30 a.m. Be sure to join Radiant Child Music and Movement on Tues., Nov. 14 at 3:30 p.m. Enjoy a relaxing yoga session which includes music, stretching, stories, movement, and meditation that is great for all ages! November's Book Club selection will be: "Upstairs at the Whitehouse: My Life with the First Ladies" by: J.B. West. This book will be available on our e-readers. Ask a circulation clerk for more details. This meeting will take place on Wed., November 29 at 1 p.m. If you have any questions, call 989-348-9214.
TEE IT UP - Gerald Dixon of The Tee Box in Houghton Lake recently announced the addition of adult beverages. Fans of Super Bowl bound Detroit Lions, the Tee Box gives golfers a chance to virtually play any golf course in the world in its state-of-the art facility, located at 3535 West Houghton Lake Drive, is open 12-10 p.m. MondayFriday, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Info: 989-2022894. ~ Photo by Mark Constance
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What kind of music did the Pilgrims like to listen to? Plymouth Rock Why was the apple grower sent to federal prison? In-cider trading
I exercised once, but found I was allergic to it. My skin flushed and my heart raced. I got sweaty and short of breath. Very dangerous. Don’t knock the weather. If it didn’t change once in a while, nine tenths of the people couldn’t start a conversation. Knock! Knock! Who's there? Needle. Needle who? Needle little help gettin' in the door. If money really did grow on trees, then what would everyone’s favorite season be? Fall. What is worse than finding a worm in your apple? Finding half of a worm! Why did the pumpkin lose the boxing match? He let his gourd down.
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Jasper heads to the forest for another season By Slim Randles, Home Country Old Jasper Blankenship went out to hunt deer the other day, the same way he’s done for decades now. He’s slower than he used to be, of course. Deer season has changed a lot for Jasper over the many years he’s been at it. As a kid, he couldn’t wait until he was old enough to get a license, because he wanted to bring a buck home to show his family. Not just any buck, either, but a big one. As a young man, he wanted to see how many hunting seasons he could have in one year: duck, goose, quail, pheasant, deer, about anything that moved. As a middle-aged man, he turned to the technology of hunting and wanted to learn about the newest gizmo that would make you quiet, make you invisible, make you irresistible to deer.
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But things are different these days. Oh, Jasper still enjoys going through all the outdoor magazines and orders catalogs, and each year he orders some new gizmo that guarantees to bring home the meat. But he just chuckles at them, even as he orders them. Hunting, to him, means a reattachment to nature, a return to his roots. It is time to see if his personal skills are still adequate. It is also a time to sit on a ridge and look around and appreciate what is there. And if what isn’t there happens to be a deer, well, that’s all right, too. Venison isn’t getting any easier to pack back to camp after all these many seasons, either. But there is something in the hunt, something in being allowed to silently stalk the nameless essence of fall, something in moving in near invisibility. There is something. Sometimes it’s just nice to go out there and see what happens.
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ROSCOMMON- RMS Students of the Month (l-r) Garrett Briggs, Jordan Dominy, Miranda Willis, Reece Joles, Brayden Traver, Zachary Hillier, Adam Grubbs, Riley Bearss, Alexis Jones, Christopher Worley, David Baker.
Send your photos, calendar items, announcements and club events to: info@UpNorthVoice.com
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ROSE CITY- The Daily Cup opened in May of this year and owners Joel and Marie Munn are waiting to see you! Try a delicious donut or order a breakfast sandwich with your coffee, freshly made every morning. The Daily Cup is ready to serve you 6 days a week with an opening time of 6 a.m., so be sure to grab a cup of coffee on your way to work and say hello! You can find them at 114 N. Williams St., Rose City across from the Faull Inn. Call 989-6851112 or email coffee@ thedailycup.net for more information.
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Goodwill and good food By Nicole Mygrants
Thirty-three years ago, when Skip and Theresa Kaiser had the idea to afford a thanksgiving meal to those without one, they served a hundred people by going door to door to give away meals. Surely those efforts have grown exponentially, through the commitment and attention of many who care about the people in Crawford County and who are dedicated to continuing what the Kaisers started. That original initiative has expanded and presently brings together hundreds of volunteers each year that serve over twelve hundred guests a complete hot meal free of charge on Thanksgiving Day. “You never know who will show up to help, but they always show up. There are kids, teens, and adults all working together in appreciation for each other, to do whatever needs to be done, it’s phenomenal to witness” Director Patty Crandall shares. Crandall stepped into the role of director twelve years ago and has been a key part of managing the planning, operation, and logistics of the Crawford AuSable Thanksgiving Dinner. The logistics of the meal are a mighty task, and planning begins in July and August for Patty with inventory, donor letters and preparing fliers at the top of the list. Sometime before Crandall came on board, the military got involved in supporting the demands of cooking the substantial number of meals. To this day all the food is prepared on base at the airfield kitchens- namely because multiple large ovens are needed to cook all of the turkeys that Family Fare faithfully donates each year. “It used to be that we could do the dine-in meal at the airfield as well, but we outgrew the space
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Serving up smiles and tasty turkey to those who may need a little help this Thanksgiving.
and Grayling High School stepped in to offer us the resource of their cafeteria, and that is where the dine in meal and take out pick up will be held this year,” Patty shares. Businesses and the Chamber of Commerce have made a tradition of their support for the dinner; The Grayling Restaurant and Lange Vending donate rolls every year, and Spikes donates the coleslaw that accompanies the meal. “I am blown away by how many people in this community reach out to help each other. The ability to pay for the amount of food we need with these donations is incredible and impactful” Crandall remarks earnestly. There are multiple ways to receive a meal this year. Dial A Ride is offering FREE rides to and from the meal that day and residents are encouraged to call 989-348-5409 to reserve a ride. To receive takeout or dine in community with others, residents simply show up at the high school between 12-3 p.m. For takeout orders, residents will have a table to come to in the cafeteria to request the number of meals needed for their household and within a few minutes will leave with a robust serving of turkey with all the sides as well as dessert. To have a meal delivered to a
home, please call 989-387-3672 and the information needed will be taken to bring hot food to the doorstep on Thanksgiving Day. If you want to volunteer to drive and deliver meals, please contact Patty at 989-745-3557. Businesses inspired to make a commitment of one time or annual sponsorship can contact Patty as well. Donations are also accepted via mail at CATD (Crawford AuSable Thanksgiving Dinner) PO Box 247 Grayling MI 49738. “You never know what someone is going through or how a hot meal showing up for them can impact their situation” Patty insightfully shares. “Sometimes a person doesn’t have the means for a meal, or they recently lost a spouse or other loss or have suffered illness in their home, you just never know, so we choose to show people we can show up for them.”
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The Marsh family dressed at “jailbirds” for the Harvest fest fun.
Getting in the Halloween spirit!
ROSCOMMON- Harvest fest returned to the Higgins Lake State Park this year! Families enjoyed the “spooky walk”, bounce house,
hayrides, pumpkin painting, and of course the infamous trick-or-treat among the campgrounds.
Below-Left: Elissa and Jeremiah Stewart dressed at Beauty and the Beast for Harvest fest. Below-Right: The Stewart family enjoying trick-or-treating as characters from Star Wars during Harvest fest.
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BLACK BEAR – The Alcona County community of Curran held its annual Black Bear Festival recently. Known as the “Black Bear Capitol of Michigan,” the event is held in Mitchell Township and features a car show, parade, arts and craft show and much more.
Above: The car show featured many Antique vehicles such as this old Jeep. Below: Winners of cake walk get some fabulous home-made cakes.
Makenzze Latrielle had her face painted.
Calling All Writers! The Up North Voice is looking for freelance writers. If you have interest in local events, interviews with community members, and have a passion for writing, we want to talk to you! Please email alicia@upnorthvoice.com for more information.
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