2017 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Program Book

PORTAGE 1 MIO HYDRO CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF OPERATION (1916 – 2016)

W

ITH A CAPACITY of 4,900 kilowatts, the hydro was built between 1914 – 16 and is the company’s hydro furthest upstream (west) on the Au Sable River. Named after the nearby city, Mio was the first hydroelectric plant to use a conduit or under-sluice spillway. Before this, all dams had included a massive above-ground concrete spillway that typically included a system of gates to pass excess flows.

ConsumersEnergy.com/hydro

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70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Little exemplifies history and heritage like 70 years of canoe racing OSCODA — Seventy years ago two regular guys, Howard Brubaker and Frank Davis, sat down at a 24-hour truck stop in Oscoda and brainstormed about a tourism idea.

It was from that meeting that the idea for the AuSable River Canoe Marathon was born.

Unable to get any volunteers to check the viability of that idea, Brubaker and Percy Jocks piled into a 17-foot Old Town canoe and launched into a trip that would test the wills of both men.

With a goal to see if it could be done, how long it would take and if it could happen overnight, the men launched from Grayling around 9 a.m. on a Monday and did not arrive in Oscoda until Wednesday afternoon.

A series of unfortunate, but not all uncommon events tested the men in ways that hundreds of racers in the 70 years since have been tested.

Jocks and Brubaker ran into a heavy thunderstorm. The tent they slept in collapsed on them. They were tipped over by a sweeper — a limb from a tree.

The adventure is said to have taken them a full week to recuperate from.

It is with the same tenacity, determination and iron will that the Marathon was formed and has continued ever since.

As the second leg of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing, competing in the Marathon is essential to wrap up the trifecta of canoe racing that many dedicated paddlers compete in.

Canoe racers from around the world plunge into the AuSable River from the banks of Grayling to paddle 120-miles overnight.

Relying on flashlights and memory these racers face numerous seen and unseen challenges during their journey.

Meanwhile, thousands of spectators start their evening on the banks of the river in Grayling and then weave along the AuSable River to follow the racers 120 miles to

Oscoda.

Spectators have several opportunities to see their favorite racing teams at different locations, including six dams from which the teams must exit the river and hoist their canoes and race on foot uphill or down to the next section of the river.

The Marathon is believed by many to be the oldest canoe race in the history of the United States and is the longest, non-stop, canoe-only race in North America.

Hundreds of volunteers have come and gone over the past 70 years, but all have set out to accomplish the same goal: to organize and host what has been billed as “The World's Toughest Spectator Race.”

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon celebrates the AuSable River, a world-renowned trout stream that is one of Northeast Michigan’s greatest natural resources. the Marathon also celebrates the heritage of the region and the communities that were born from and continue to exist by the banks of the river.

From Grayling to Lovells, Mio to Oscoda, the towns along the AuSable River have a heritage and history as rich as the Marathon.

Volunteers gather year-round and dedicate numerous hours to organize and promote the race, the athletes, the sponsors and supporters and the communities along the river.

It is with that same dedication that Sunrise Printing and Publishing, Inc., the parent company of the Arenac County Independent, Ogemaw County Herald and Oscoda County Herald present you with this year’s 70th anniversary issue of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon’s Program Guide.

This guide features the businesses and organizations that support and sponsor the Marathon, the racers who gather from around the world to compete and the history and heritage of the Marathon and the AuSable River.

Al’s Electric Serving you for three generations

Good Luck Paddlers!

1113 Old US-23 Oscoda (989) 739-7333

Riverside Bed & Breakfast Day & Overnight River Trips

www.CanoeBorchers.com

AuSable Collision and Glass Auto Glass Replacement • Car & Truck Accessories

Dan Stewart & Todd Williams, Owners FREE ESTIMATES

989-569-6600

Program Book

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Table of Contents

A note from the publisher 2016 Marathon results ACRM Scholarship Fund ARCM Radio Network Iron Paddler Award Grayling Calendar of Events Winners list Icebergs & alligators Welcome visitors and unwelcome invasives Hall of Fame Career Points Ranking - Top 50 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Map The Bissonette Bros Award Helping a historic species swim again Oscoda Calendar of Events Most Consecutive Finishes Get to know and enjoy our dams Da$h for Ca$h River Festival and AuSable River Canoe Marathon Schedule of Events A paddler's insight A memorial meeting

3 5-6 8 9 10 12 15-19 20 22 23 24-25 30-31 33 34 36 38 42-43 46-47 48 56 58-59

Racing Statistics are located throughout the book.

Michael Taggert sponsored the Point to Point records for 2016-2017.

Writers: Bryan Bearrs, Justin Griffith, Ryan Matthews, Jennifer Muladore Photographers: Brian Connon Layout & Design: Scott Nunn Publisher: Sunrise Printing & Publishing, Inc. Publishers of the Arenac County Independent, Ogemaw County Herald and Oscoda County Herald.

215 W. Houghton Ave. P.O. Box 247 West Branch, MI 48661 Phone: 989-345-0044 4

70th AuSable River Canoe Marathon

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to organize and promote the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, generate public exposure to the communities in the AuSable River Valley and increase awareness of the unique natural resource, the AuSable River.

2017 Volunteer Race Committee

Grayling

Cheryl Lucey Phil Weiler Suzanne Schlachter Rich Kimmel Steve Southard Joe Wakeley John Lucey Ernie Balch Mark Sloan Andy Moore Mary Luke Tim Weismiller Angie Ellis Dana Anderson Jack Richards Wayne Koppa Marcia Koppa Heather Tait Christina Schlitt Bruce Schlitt John Cherven Toni Stephan Jordan Stephan Jamie L-Bulley

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Oscoda

Rod Matthews Justin Griffith Lisa Denney Sylvia Harmon-Curley Ryan Matthews Sherry Kimsel Marie Matthews Sam Harmon Chris Scully Keith Wojahn Kathy Erickson Sarah McLeod Penny Wojahn Justin Collier Rebecca Collier Melissa Hill

AUSABLE MARKET

2016 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Results Place 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40

No. 02 01 20 13 55 98 63 08 97 91 71 30 83 93 68 14 28 80 57 31 11 39 37 18 89 50 64 10 05 12 56 74 84 41 43 40 34 25 16 47

Paddlers (Ages) Christophe Proulx (21) & Ryan Halstead (29) Andrew Triebold (40) & Jacob DuBois (30) Mathieu Pellerin (26) & Guillaume Blais (30) Nick Walton (43) & Tad Hill (38) Mike Davis (25) & Weston Willoughby (25) Michael Schlimmer (30) & Ben Schlimmer (27) Trevor LeFever (37) & Matt Meersman (39) Shane MacDowell (28) & Pete Mead (35) Kyle Mynar (31) & Logan Mynar (25) Graham Smith (39) & Mike Vincent (51) Adam Gelinas (34) & Pierre-Olivier Quesnel (37) Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51) Patrick Madden (36) & Philip Millspaugh (31) Trevor Robinson (44) & Edith MacHattie (42) Jason Hatfield (38) & Matt Gabriel, Jr. (32) Wesley Dean (21) & Bill Torongo (54) Réal Carrière (32) & Solomon Carrière (59) Richard Lauth (43) & Zach Mack (20) Daniel Medina (22) & Jon Webb (56) Andrew Condie (31) & Ian Rolls (38) Tom Pellerin (28) & Jim Pellerin (24) Sean Casey (38) & Austin Weiler (24) Hailey Halstead (25) & Rebecca Davis (26) Chris Issendorf (34) & Clay Wyatt (32) Joseph Schlimmer (31) & Larry Harrison (57) Steve Drew (50) & Tom Ellsworth (51) Mary Schlimmer (25) & Sarah Lessard (28) Joe Leusby (32) & Mike Hale (32) Tim Chapple (42) & Gabriel La Rose (20) Eric Batway (53) & Doug Gillin (57) René Joly (61) & Patrick Armstrong (38) Seth Miller (49) & Stephen Miller (51) Joel Lacroix (25) & Charlotte Proulx (23) Mike Packard (52) & Jeff Shultis (61) Mike Hartman (40) & Nick D'Amour (32) Fred Mills (62) & Tim McClure (58) Charles Darchen (23) & Julianne Morin-Nolet (25) Jérémie Fortin (22) & Noémie Pelletier Lavallée (24) Naomi Kolka (20) & Ted Kolka (50) Priscilla Thellend (28) & Emma Ellsworth (40)

Your “Grab & Go” place to go!

Time 14:29:26 14:29:27 14:48:16 14:49:52 14:51:15 15:00:48 15:03:51 15:10:21 15:12:54 15:15:30 15:21:45 15:24:29 15:25:17 15:26:45 15:29:24 15:38:38 15:39:35 15:40:12 15:43:59 15:46:27 15:51:57 15:52:54 15:53:40 15:54:57 15:58:00 15:58:39 15:58:43 16:01:45 16:03:09 16:10:33 16:13:14 16:14:57 16:14:57 16:22:56 16:23:07 16:25:25 16:27:00 16:32:03 16:33:25 16:42:01

Liquor, Beer, Wine & 150 Varieties of Micro-Brews Subs, Smoked Jerky’s & Hunter Sticks Salamis, Sausages & Lunch Meats

402 S. State, Oscoda PH: (989) 739-5171

Continued on page 6

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2016 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Results (continued) Place 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

No. 54 92 21 85 78 09 29 58 73 46 96 53 36 35 69 48 23 94 15 81

Paddlers (Ages) Drew Compau (25) & Lynne Witte (62) Nate Winkler (44) & Gwen Hills (32) Brandon Gerardy (36) & Stephen Leppard (41) Gary Aprea (73) & Gloria Wesley (56) Ryan Bennett (21) & Todd Bennett (52) Don Brooks (47) & Al Widing, Jr. (63) Michael Matthews (36) & Rodney Matthews (61) Mark Koenig (58) & Nick Lyesiuk (72) Levi Korneli (21) & Carson Burmeister (19) John Lucey (52) & Joseph Somero (24) Nathan Tate (30) & Adam Fujita (33) Sean Brabant (26) & Yves Cartier (60) Michael Garon (58) & Chris Hewitt (26) Jeff Janish (53) & Tyler Janish (21) Ryan Harris (25) & Mathieu St. Pierre (28) Lucas Hanson (27) & Julie Hanson (25) Joel Mack (43) & Sylvie Nadeau (41) Dominic Chamberland (35) & Daniel St. Arnaud (37) Rock Pagé (51) & Ginette Tourangeau (51) Gary McLain (50) & Neal Sand (51)

Time 16:46:16 16:47:26 16:50:18 16:53:59 16:55:07 16:56:21 16:58:08 17:01:49 17:03:40 17:04:19 17:04:35 17:09:34 17:12:46 17:16:11 17:16:46 17:24:40 17:28:36 17:30:52 17:33:34 17:42:09

Ausable Hardware 119 N. State St., Downtown Oscoda • (989) 739-3439

Place 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95

No. 65 72 38 33 82 86 67 49 51 87 70 99 66 59 17 27 24 26 60 61 00 42 19 45 32 75 77 07 88 95 76 52 62 90 44

Paddlers (Ages) Jeff DeFeo (61) & Amy Solak (51) Robby Kimsel (44) & Joey Kimsel (35) Christopher Krey (25) & Kyle Stonehouse (22) Debbie Brax (54) & Ken Streb (58) Io Harberts (57) & Emily Johnson (38) Geoff Waters (48) & Joe Geisinger (49) Mike Taylor (61) & Roy Sowersby (55) Mandee Mlcek (39) & Bryan Bearss (39) Phil Armstrong (29) & Adam Malone (29) Nicole Rice Owens (38) & Rodney Elliott (49) Todd Kaems (45) & John Zacharski (45) L.J. Bourgeois (39) & Bill Mahaffy, Jr. (35) Nathan Widing (55) & Amber Widing (28) Greg Zophy (59) & Jim Braig (72) Chris Scully (56) & Darin Nicholas (19) Jon Thompson (59) & Dwight Walker (62) Kristi Treston (22) & Katie Treston (27) Andrew Weeks (52) & Paddi Thornburg (53) Alec Davis (76) & Roger Henry (74) Robert Bash (46) & Chuck Hewitt (57) David Phelps (29) & Janet Bradford (71) Lee Scheffler (23) & Gary Gage (54) Bradley Thompson (26) & Erin Thompson (27) Paul Seibert (57) & Steve Skillman (59) Justin Griffith (44) & Susan Williams (52) Rod McLain (55) & Chip Loring (68) Ray Wonders (55) & Hunter Wonders (17) Tyler Sika (29) & Rick Sika (53) Eric Dittenber (39) & Ty Jensen (21) Rick Gillings (58) & Peggy English (57) Brian Krantz (64) & Dale Thompson (60) Brandon Barnes (28) & Brian Jacobs (50) Matt Smith (43) & Brad Doane (50) James Terry (39) & Kate Terry (38) Jacob Roetter (28) & Alex Lulias (22)

Time 17:45:14 17:47:24 17:48:19 17:50:13 17:56:04 17:56:12 18:04:17 18:06:45 18:10:39 18:18:44 18:26:36 18:34:05 18:34:59 18:37:14 18:41:19 18:45:41 18:51:18 18:52:27 18:54:13 18:54:38 DQ Drop DQ DQ DQ Drop Drop Drop Drop Drop Drop Drop DQ DQ DQ

Continued on page 8

GOOD LUCK PADDLERS! SEE YOU AT THE FINISH! 6

Did you know?

The 2016 Marathon had the largest field of teams in Marathon history...

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

95 teams entered the race.

CARROLL BROADCASTING “YOU CAN HEAR THE DIFFERENCE”

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103.3 FM T AWAS 94.9 FM A LPENA

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OFFICIAL RADIO STATION T A T

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AuSable River Canoe Marathon Scholarship Fund Recreation Area • Mountain Biking • Hiking • Terrain Park • Cross Country Skiing • Downhill Skiing • Disc Golf Course • Playground • Kids Programs • 3-D Archery Course • Facility Rental • Softball Field • Picnic Area

7601 Old Lake Rd. Grayling (989) 348-9266 www.HansonHills.org

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In January of 2017, a scholarship fund was created by the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Committee. With the fund’s creation, three scholarships will be awarded annually to one graduating senior from both Grayling High School and Oscoda High School, with the third awarded to the child or grandchild of a Marathon paddler.

Funding for the scholarships will only be provided through donations and activities within the communities, including an indoor garage sale at the Grayling Mini Mall Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend, a pop can drive at Grayling Family Fare Saturday July 15, a raffle of autographed copy of the “First 50 Years” yearbook donated in memory of AI Cherven (winner will be drawn on Marathon Saturday; $1.00 each or six for $5), and “Coin Change Jars” in area businesses (donation jars are available at Spike’s Keg-o-Nails, Grayling 7-11, Moore’s Automotive, Grayling Restaurant, Old Dam Party Store and Dead Bear Brewing.) The committee has also

earmarked five percent of the net profit from the annual Pledge Relay and the Grayling Raffle on Race Day. Scholarship applicants must be enrolled to attend a two or four-year college or university program or be enrolled in an approved trade school.

The success of the committee’s fundraising will determine the amount of the scholarships but will be no less than $250 each. The scholarship selection will be based on a combination of academic performance and community service. The financial income or assets of the recipient’s family will not be a factor.

The scholarship winners will be announced within the communities through school activities and with an announcement published in the Marathon Spectator Guide in July.

In addition, the recipients will be invited to attend the Grayling and Oscoda VIP areas during the Marathon and will be invited to be acknowledged in front of the crowd by the emcee as part of the pre-race program shortly before the start of the race, and also during the Post-Race Awards Dinner after the conclusion of the race.

While volunteering is not a condition of the scholarship, the committee kindly requests the recipient offer to volunteer three hours of his/her time in putting together this great race in 2017.

For more information and the scholarship application, please visit the AuSable River Canoe Marathon website: www.ausablecanoemarathon. org/marathon/scholarship-fund/

Donations may be dropped off to John Cherven’s office in the Grayling Mini Mall, or mailed to: ARICM Scholarship Fund ARICM Scholarship Fund P.O. Box 911 P.O. Box 652 Grayling, MI 49738 Oscoda, MI 48750

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

2017 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Radio Network

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon Volunteer Organizing Committee is pleased to continue our partnership with 98.5 UPS [Black Diamond Broadcasting] with the expansion of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Radio Network (ARCM Radio Network). The radio network was highly successful in its first year, and that momentum will continue into 2017.

Our Flagship Station, 98.5 UPS – The Station That Delivers, and in cooperation with the AuSable Marathon’s other Official Station, Carroll Broadcasting’s Hits-FM 94.9 & 103.3, a record number of ARCM Radio Network affiliate stations around the state of Michigan, including newly acquired Black Diamond Broadcasting stations

The Bear, Big Country, and Rock 105 & 95.5, will carry AuSable Canoe Marathon race updates for 19-hours, from 6:00 p.m. Saturday night, July 29, through 1:00 p.m. Sunday, July 30. Black Diamond Broadcasting and Carroll Broadcasting stations, with signals covering all of northern and central Michigan, will continue to carry live race reports through Sunday’s 4:00 p.m. official conclusion of the AuSable Marathon.

Larry Roberts, the Hall of Fame 24-year “Voice of the Marathon”, will work with the volunteer organizing committee to cover the race for the network and also on other audio and video promotional projects for the event.

"We were very pleased with the results of

Program Book

this project last summer, and are excited to see the progress we're making in 2017," ARCM CoChairman Heather Tait said. "These connections we're making with stations and the communities they're in are vital to the growth of the Marathon, and we're excited to see where this partnership takes us."

“We are excited and proud to continue our partnership with the AuSable River Canoe Marathon," Mike Chires owner of Black Diamond Broadcasting said. "We’re looking forward to expanding radio coverage of one of the most exciting events in our state each year to fans throughout Michigan, other U.S. states and abroad.

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C

reated by Hall of Fame Historian John B. Cook, the Iron Paddler Award is given to paddlers who have finished ten or more AuSable River Canoe Marathons in the Professional Division. To put ten finishes into perspective, it is 1,200 miles of intense hardcore paddling; it is a minimum of 500,000 relentless paddle strokes; it is a minimum of 140 hours of grueling canoe racing.

These paddlers are diehard and dedicated. These paddlers are iron-willed and incredible. These paddlers are the Toughest of the Tough!!

Iron Paddler Award Recipients “The Toughest of the Tough!”

No.

Paddler

1 Bernie Fowler 2 Steven Kolonich 3 Ralph Sawyer 4 Jack Kent 5 Al Widing, Sr. 6 Irvin "Buzz" Peterson 7 Jack Kolka 8 Jerry Kellogg 9 Verlen Kruger 10 John Baker 11 Bob Welsch 12 Butch Stockton 13 Brett Stockton 14 Tony Short 15 Rick Joy 16 Jeff Kellogg 17 Al Robinson 18 Dave Shepherd 19 Ken Kolonich 20 Serge Corbin 21 Lynne Witte 22 Jeff Kolka 23 Jim Harwood 24 Bill Torongo 25 Steve Kolonich 26 Randy Drake 27 Ted Kolka 28 Al Rudquist 29 Blaise St. Pierre 30 Bill DuBois 31 Robert Bradford 32 Clark Kent 33 Steve Landick 34 Bruce Barton 35 Carrie Montgomery 10

Year Age

No.

1956 1961 1962 1965 1968 1971 1972 1977 1978 1980 1980 1983 1987 1987 1987 1989 1989 1991 1992 1993 1993 1994 1994 1996 1997 1997 1997 1998 2000 2002 2002 2003 2003 2003 2003

36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70

30 41 25 34 43 47 38 33 56 38 38 34 24 23 28 44 46 35 46 36 39 35 30 34 25 43 31 38 60 44 59 43 50 46 33

Paddler

Michael Garon Jon Webb John Sullivan Tom Trudgeon Joe Shaw Connie Cannon Dwight Walker Steve Krantz Solomon Carrière Joseph Seifert Fred Mills Ted Smutek Frank Smutek Mo Harwood, Jr. Ray Bauer Tom Cannon Peter Heed Ray Quick Joe Johnson Andrew Triebold Steve Lajoie Mike Bradford Allen Limberg Greg Nelson Brian Royce Chuck Hewitt Colin Hunter Tim Sheldon David Teddy Amy Solak Sean Casey Mike Hartman Jeff DeFeo Nate Winkler Robert Smith

Year Age

No.

2004 2004 2006 2006 2006 2006 2006 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2008 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2009 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2010 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2011 2012

71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93

47 44 36 47 51 45 52 53 51 56 53 40 74 30 52 53 59 54 59 34 34 45 52 53 38 51 30 46 37 46 33 35 56 39 38

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Paddler

Jon Thompson Don Brooks Matt Streib Pete Mead Tad Hill Rodney Matthews Dick Kloss Nick Walton Gloria Wesley Jason Hatfield Flash Marsh Joey Kimsel Brad Wilson Gary Aprea Tom Ackemyer Chris Hewitt Ellen Thompson Ryan Halstead Matt Meersman Russ Reker Mike Packard Tim McClure John Lucey

Year Age 2012 2012 2013 2013 2013 2013 2013 2014 2014 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2015 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016 2016

55 43 49 32 35 58 71 41 54 37 38 34 33 72 50 25 58 29 39 52 52 58 52

Paddlers On the Cusp (9 Pro Finishes) Barb Bradley Ben Schlimmer Don Burklund Doug Moggo Fritz Hansen Matthew Rimer Michael Montgomery

Michael Schlimmer Steve Watson Tim Chapple Tim Triebold Tim Valko

July 15 & 16 th

th

Proudly Presented By:

Saturday July 15 - C-2 race from Cooke Dam to the finish line of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, at the AuSable Inn. Registration begins at 7:00am at Cooke Dam, with the race starting at 9:00 a.m. The winning time is about 2.5 hrs.

There is an MCRA picnic following the C-2 race at the American Legion Pavilion. Donation proceeds go to benefit the MCRA Canoers Memorial on River Rd. Eating begins around 12:30 p.m. with awards following.

Sunday July 16 - C-1 Race. Registration at Childrens Park in AuSable starts at 8:00 a.m. The race starts at 10:00 a.m. at Childrens Park. The Race Course: Paddlers will race 2 laps from Childrens Park to round a buoy just downstream of the railroad trestle bridge and back. Winning time is about 1 hr.

Curley Family Contributing Sponsors:

Adam Curley

Brandon Curley

First Federal of Northern Michigan Welcome to Banking with a Personal Approach

• Mortgage Loans • Checking Accounts • Savings Accounts • Online Banking Alpena-Main 100 S. Second Ave. Alpena-Ripley 468 N. RIpley Ave. Alanson 6232 River St. Cheboygan 350 Main St.

• Personal Loans • Business Banking • Construction Loans • Local Lending & Service

Gaylord 1000 Wisconsin Ave. Lewiston 2885 S. County Rd. 489 Mio 308 N. Morenci St. Oscoda 201 N. State St.

www.first-federal.com

Tim Kellstrom

OSCODA SEPTIC · PORTA POTTIES · LINE AUGERING · DRAIN FIELD WE WOULD LOVE TO SUCK UP YOUR BUSINESS (989) 739-0000 OR (989) 739-9631 Program Book

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Crawford County

2017 Au Sable River Canoe Marathon From the Crawford County Elected Officials: and the

Joe Wakeley

David Stephenson

Sandra Moore

Shelly Pinkelman

Kirk Wakefield

Rick Anderson

Sierra Koch

Jamie McClain

County Treasurer

Clerk/Register

County Sheriff

Commissioner

Circuit Court Judge

Commissioner

Circuit Court Judge

Commissioner

Judge of Probate

Commissioner

Monte Burmeister

presented by:

Commissioner

Commissioner

George Mertz

for Grayling and Crawford County

Commissioner

Prosecuting Attorney

Colin Hunter

Calendar of Events

Sharon Priebe

Laurie Jamison Phil Lewis

1-2 4 8 9 15 17 17

17 22 22 23-24 23-25 24

24 24-25 28 29 30

JUNE AARP Driver Safety at Grayling Free Methodist Church, 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. (hosted by CC Commission on Aging) Hanson Hills Challenge Mt. Bike Race at Hanson Hills Recreation Area Father’s Day Dinner at Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center, 4-6 p.m.

Grayling Chamber Golf Outing at Grayling Country Club, 9 a.m. Shotgun Start Dave Dickerson Concert at Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center, 5:45 p.m.

Militants Half Trail Marathon at Hanson Hills Recreation Area Wellington Farm Park Opens 7 Days a Week (Sun-Sat 9-5) Summer Programming & Daily Tours begin at Hartwick Pines State Park Schnitzel Dinner at Grayling Eagle’s Club, 4 p.m. until gone. Public welcome Business After Hours at Fox Run Country Club, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Frederic Music Festival & Craft Show in Frederic, MI Michigan Traditional Bow Hunters Jamboree at Hanson Hills Recreation Area Music Concert at Wellington Farm Park Paddle Battle in downtown Grayling (times TBA) Sticky Buns Days at Wellington Farm Park, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Blood Drive at Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center, 12:30-5 p.m.

Patriotic Sing-A-Long at Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center, 5:45 p.m.

Metal Maker Creator Challenge on display Jun 30 - Oct 7 in downtown Grayling (auctioned off at Harvest Fest-Oct 7)

JULY Firecracker 1 Mile Fun Run (hosted by Grayling Recreation Authority) start/finish at Huntington Nat’l Bank, 10:45 a.m.

8 Black Bear Gran Fondo, beginning at Hanson Hills Recreation Area, 8 a.m.

Brian Ashton Concert at Crawford County 13 Commission on Aging & Senior Center, 5:45 p.m.

15-16 Quilt Show at Wellington Farm Park, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

4

12

15-16 Wood Shaving Days at Hartwick Pines State Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

22 Music Concert at Wellington Farm Park 22-23 Historic Cannon Firing Event at Range 35 at Camp Grayling, Sat 9 a.m.-4 p.m. / Sun 9 a.m.Noon 22-30 AuSable River Festival & Canoe Marathon (SEE FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS ON PAGE 48) 25 Schnitzel Dinner at Grayling Eagle’s Club, 4 p.m. until gone. Public welcome 27 Chicken BBQ Dinner at Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center, 4-6 p.m.

29 GRA 10K/5K at Hanson Hills Recreation Area, 9 a.m. start

AUGUST 11-13 Tractor Show at Wellington Farm Park, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

12 Music Concert at Wellington Farm Park 12 Forest Fest at Hartwick Pines State Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

18-19 Rummage Sale at old Fred Bear Building, 9 a.m.4 p.m. (hosted by CC Commission on Aging) Schnitzel Dinner at Grayling Eagle’s Club, 4 p.m.

24 until gone. Public welcome 24 Hog Roast Dinner at Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center, 4-6 p.m.

Business After Hours at Hanson House Bed & 24 Breakfast, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

26-27 Black Iron Days at Hartwick Pines State Park, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

SEPTEMBER GPA Junque in the Trunk at Grayling Mini Mall & parking lot, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

2-3 12 & 24 Hours of Hanson Hills Mt. Bike Race at Hanson Hills Recreation Area 9-10 Fall Fest - Artists, Authors & Musicians at Wellington Farm Park, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

9 Music Concert at Wellington Farm Park 18 Fall Schedule Begins (Wed-Sat) at Wellington Farm Park (Wed-Sat 9-5 / Sun 11-4) 21 Grandparent’s Dinner at Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center, 4-6 p.m.

Schnitzel Dinner at Grayling Eagle’s Club, 4 p.m.

28 until gone. Public welcome 28 Business After Hours at Sorenson Lockwood Funeral Home, 5:30-7:30 p.m.

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70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

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We're proud to be the Official Station of the

2017 AuSable River Canoe Marathon

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, and Flagship of the ARCM Radio Network: t路, ' featuring ARCM legend Larry Roberts an 路" more than 20 radio stations throu ho 路路 Michigan broadcasting the AR.

Program Book

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PORTAGE 2 ALCONA HYDRO

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APABLE OF PRODUCING 8,000 kilowatts, the hydro was originally named for a nearby road called Bamfield. Work began on Bamfield Dam in 1917, but the project stalled due to unstable sand and World War I. Construction resumed in 1923, and Alcona Hydro, named after the county where it is located, began commercial operation in 1924.

ConsumersEnergy.com/hydro

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70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

AuSable River Canoe Marathon Official Winners List Year 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969

Winning Team Allen Carr & Delbert Case Frank Bissonette & Hugh Bissonette Frank Bissonette & Hugh Bissonette Jay Stephan, Sr. & Ted Engel Jay Stephan, Sr. & Ted Engel Jay Stephan, Sr. & Ted Engel Don Feldhauser & Bernie Fowler Don Feldhauser & Bernie Fowler Don Feldhauser & Bernie Fowler Ralph Sawyer & Tom Gildersleeve Ralph Sawyer & Jerry Wagner Steve Kolonich & Larry Kindell Ralph Sawyer & Jerry Wagner Ed Wojahn & Sanford McGuire Victor Kindell & Larry Kindell Ralph Sawyer & Ron Hohman Ron Hohman & Irvin Peterson Ralph Sawyer & Irvin Peterson Ralph Sawyer & Irvin Peterson Ron Hohman & Gerald Lauwers Ralph Sawyer & Stan Hall Ralph Sawyer & Stan Hall

Time 21:03:00 19:58:00 18:57:00 18:32:00 17:36:55 17:48:00 17:33:00 17:33:00 17:38:30 16:58:00 17:19:45 16:41:00 16:56:00 16:11:55 9:49:25* 15:25:17** 15:09:04** 15:06:05** 16:11:54 16:00:49 15:40:29** 15:31:43**

Margin of Second Place Team Victory Jack Davis 24:00 & Jay Stephan, Sr. Ted Engel 13:00 & Jay Stephan, Sr. Gerald DeFour 28:00 & Claude Gobiel Frank Bissonette 20:00 & Hugh Bissonette Robert Fullerton 42:00 & Hugh Bissonette Don Feldhauser 6:00 & Bernie Fowler Ralph W. Sawyer 38:00 & Eugene Roy Steve Kolonich 39:00 & Larry Kindell Steve Kolonich 15:00 & Larry Kindell Bernie Fowler 12:00 & John Stephan Irvin Peterson 14:00 & Tom Estes Ralph Sawyer 27:00 & Tom Gildersleeve Gary Kolonich 10:30 & Ed Wojahn Ralph Sawyer 10:30 & Irvin McGuire Ralph Sawyer 1:55 & Ed Wojahn Gerald Lauwers 17:08 & Stan Hall Gerald Lauwers 10:53 & Stan Hall Pat Widing 21:12 & Al Widing, Sr. Stan Hall 13:04 & Al Widing, Sr. LeRoy Widing 10:12 & Al Widing, Sr. Irvin Peterson 6:17 & Steve Peterson Norm Crerar 8:25 & Gib McEachron

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NO RACE WAS HELD

John Baker Luc Robillard & 15:42:00 4:00 Claude Corbin & Jack Kolka Jerry Kellogg Irvin Peterson & 15:36:40 3:20 1971 Steve Peterson & Jack Kolka John Baker Jerry Kellogg & 15:20:50 32:34 1972 Luc Robillard & Jack Kolka John Buckley & Jerry Kellogg & 14:56:20 31:19 1973 Luc Robillard Stan Hall * Race was held from Camp Ten to Oscoda in 1961 ** Two day race in 1962-63-64-67-68 (Day 1: Grayling to Mio. Day 2: Mio to Oscoda) *** Race won as a result of a 10 minute penalty to Steve Landick & Solomon Carrière (14:37:28) 1970

Continued on page 16

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15

AuSable River Canoe Marathon Official Winners List

Margin of Second Place Team Victory Jerry Kellogg & Claude Corbin & 1974 14:40:09 35:08 Jeff Kellogg Serge Corbin Jay Stephan, Jr. & Jerry Kellogg & 14:59:07 6:59 1975 Jeff Kellogg Bob Welsch Terry Jackman & John Baker & 15:14:10 13:10 1976 John Schwartz Ken Brown Claude Corbin & Jerry Kellogg & 1977 15:17:42 5:00 Serge Corbin Jeff Kellogg Claude Corbin & John Baker & 15:06:26 10:55 1978 Jay Stephan, Jr. Serge Corbin John Baker & Claude Corbin & 14:40:29 0:06 1979 Serge Corbin Ken Brown Terry Jackman & John Baker & 14:48:31 20:23 1980 Ron Williams Ken Brown Al Rudquist & John Baker & 14:29:01 21:14 1981 Ken Brown Brett Stockton Butch Stockton & John Baker & 1982 14:38:27 5:01 Brett Stockton Tony Short John Baker & Butch Stockton & 14:38:36 23:23 1983 Brett Stockton Tony Short Tony Short & Butch Stockton & 14:20:40 16:11 1984 Solomon Carrière Brett Stockton Tony Short & Butch Stockton & 14:35:53 7:23 1985 Brett Stockton Steve Peterson Randy Drake & Butch Stockton & 14:30:38 5:12 1986 Brett Stockton Eric McNett Tony Short & Serge Corbin & 14:34:32 9:03 1987 Brett Stockton Eric McNett Randy Drake & Serge Corbin & 14:20:00 4:01 1988 Brett Stockton Tim Triebold Jeff Kolka & Randy Drake & 14:38:18*** 3:09 1989 Al Rudquist Bill Torongo Bruce Barton & Serge Corbin & 14:43:35 1:31 1990 Brett Stockton Solomon Carrière Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin & 14:33:30 1:33 1991 Brett Stockton Bill Torongo Bruce Barton & Serge Corbin & 14:51:46 1:24 1992 Brett Stockton Tim Triebold Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin & 14:23:03 1:50 1993 Solomon Carrière Bill Torongo Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin & 13:58:08 9:52 1994 Solomon Carrière Bill Torongo Jeff Kolka & Patrick Lynch & 14:20:40 4:02 1995 Jim Harwood Bruce Barton Patrick Lynch & Jeff Kolka & 14:04:05 37:34 1996 Serge Corbin Jim Harwood Al Rudquist & Jeff Kolka & 14:19:36 6:18 1997 Serge Corbin Mike Vincent Jeff Kolka & Patrick Lynch & 1998 14:15:47 35:27 Serge Corbin Denis Marcouiller Jeff Kolka & Ken Kolonich & 1999 14:08:18 18:00 Serge Corbin Steve Kolonich Jeff Kolka & John Sullivan & 2000 14:48:00 14:32 Serge Corbin Louis Berthiaume * Race was held from Camp Ten to Oscoda in 1961 ** Two day race in 1962-63-64-67-68 (Day 1: Grayling to Mio. Day 2: Mio to Oscoda) *** Race won as a result of a 10 minute penalty to Steve Landick & Solomon Carrière (14:37:28) Year

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Winning Team

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Time

Continued on page 19

North America’s Richest Canoe Marathon Race!

Over $50,000 CASH & PRIZES!

Cash Purse: 1. $5,000

11. $950

21. $550

31. $320

2. $3,500

12. $900

22. $530

32. $310

3. $2,500

13. $850

23. $500

33. $300

4. $2,000

14. $800

24. $480

34. $290

5. $1,500

15. $750

25. $450

35. $280

6. $1,400

16. $700

26. $430

36. $270

7. $1,300

17. $650

27. $400

37. $260

8. $1,200

18. $630

28. $380

38. $250

9. $1,100

19. $600

29. $350

39. $240

10. $1,000

20. $580

30. $330

40. $230

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Program Book

17

CHALLENGE WEEKEND

ANNUALLY IN MARCH EVENTS INCLUDE CANOE/KAYAK & RUN/WALK

Oscoda, Michigan Sponsored By:

18

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

AuSable River Canoe Marathon Official Winners List

Margin of Year Winning Team Time Second Place Team Victory Jeff Kolka & Tony Short & 2001 15:06:48 8:58 Denis Berthiaume Serge Corbin Jeff Kolka & Mo Harwood, Jr. & 2002 15:04:56 5:26 Serge Corbin Matthew Rimer Jeff Kolka & Andrew Triebold & 2003 14:55:03 1:48 Serge Corbin Steve Lajoie Andrew Triebold & Jeff Kolka 2004 14:59:46 0:13 Steve Lajoie & Serge Corbin Matthew Rimer & Jeff Kolka & 0:01 2005 14:56:11 Andrew Triebold Serge Corbin Jim Harwood & Rodney Halstead & 2006 14:33:50 14:35 Allen Limberg Ryan Halstead Andrew Triebold & Matt Streib & 2007 14:48:55 0:38 Matthew Rimer Steve Corlew Andrew Triebold & Matt Streib & 2008 14:09:06 23:25 Steve Lajoie Steve Kolonich * Race was held from Camp Ten to Oscoda in 1961 ** Two day race in 1962-63-64-67-68 (Day 1: Grayling to Mio. Day 2: Mio to Oscoda) *** Race won as a result of a 10 minute penalty to Steve Landick & Solomon Carrière (14:37:28)

AuSable River Canoe Marathon Official Winners List

Margin of Second Place Team Victory Matt Streib & Andrew Triebold & 2009 14:17:42 11:36 Steve Corlew Steve Lajoie Andrew Triebold & Steve Corlew & 2010 14:17:29 14:08 Steve Lajoie Bill Torongo Andrew Triebold & Rodney Halstead & 2011 14:41:00 17:32 Steve Lajoie Ryan Halstead Andrew Triebold & Josh Sheldon & 2012 14:42:43 15:53 Steve Lajoie Ryan Halstead Andrew Triebold & Nick Walton & 2013 14:20:24 12:08 Steve Lajoie Christophe Proulx Andrew Triebold & Nick Walton & 2014 14:36:18 8:06 Steve Lajoie Christophe Proulx Andrew Triebold & Mathieu Pellerin & 2015 14:31.56 8.57 Steve Lajoie Guillaume Blais Christophe Proulx & Andrew Triebold & 2016 14:29:26 0:01 Jacob DuBois Ryan Halstead * Race was held from Camp Ten to Oscoda in 1961 ** Two day race in 1962-63-64-67-68 (Day 1: Grayling to Mio. Day 2: Mio to Oscoda) *** Race won as a result of a 10 minute penalty to Steve Landick & Solomon Carrière (14:37:28) Year

Winning Team

Program Book

Time

19

Icebergs & Alligators: Canoe Racing’s Offseason

By Ryan Matthews ARICM Historian Almost every major professional sport has offseason training.

Baseball has spring training, football has organized team activities and minicamps. Professional canoe racing is no different. Each year, usually in February, many of this sport’s finest athletes travel to “unofficial training camps” around the country. Whether they are an established veteran, an upand-coming competitor, or an inexperienced rookie, they visit these training camps to fine-tune their skills, make connections within the paddling community, and prepare for the upcoming canoe racing season.

So, where are these “unofficial training camps” held anyway? Some of the more popular ones are hosted in New York and Florida. Yes, that’s right: they paddle in the cold weather on the icy water in New York, or paddle with the alligators and the manatees in the waters of Florida.

Many of the training camps are open for anyone to join, as long as a spot in a campground, cabin, or motel in the surrounding area can be found. However, some of the training camps are invite-only.

The format of each training camp tends to be casual and cooperative.

As veteran paddler Susan Williams states, “The faster, stronger, better paddlers are paired with newer, slower, weaker paddlers, and we draft and wake ride each other continually. The whole point is to learn boat control skills along with all your other paddling skills. We learn to read currents at the same time. The river is narrow and twisty.

We go upstream and downstream in currents so we learn how to work together on all sorts of turns. Or we 20

work against each other when we sprint at the end of each practice, and playfully try to run each other into the banks by using wakes and current. Basically, the whole idea is to all stay together as a group and learn together. It's a hard workout for everyone, but also filled with humor, learning, and friendship.

Top paddlers are encouraging and, importantly, actually paddling with those of us who aren't anywhere

close to top paddlers.”

The benefits of the training camps vary from paddler to paddler, as it largely depends on what the individual paddler is looking to achieve. Rising star Daniel Medina, who visited Gary McLain’s training camp in New York this winter, said he focused mostly on “riding and working with other boats, and focused on technique over speed, as I always do this time of year. I paddled 2 1/2 hours the first day and three hours the second day with Charles Darchen, so that got me used to paddling with someone whose first language is not English.

It was very cold, especially on the first day, so that is good for the mental toughness (at least that's what I tell myself).” Daniel plans on racing two of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing events this season

with paddlers from Quebec.

2013 Mixed Division Champion Sarah Lessard said she learned more about how to place herself around other boats at the training camp she attended this winter.

“Since I almost always train alone, it was a real opportunity for me to be surrounded by other boats. I also had the opportunity to paddle with many different people who have different knowledge and views on how to paddle. Many of them gave tips on how to become a better paddler. It also helped me to see what my strengths are and what my weaknesses are.”

Three-time Mixed Division Champion and 2016 Women’s Division Champion Rebecca Davis said, “Training camp is a great time to get into race condition simulation: lots of wakes, fast

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

boats, and technical elements. You can make mistakes, learn, recover, and implement new strategies right away and get feedback. You can paddle with multiple paddlers and find what things do and don't work for you, and how to adjust as a partner. I can push hard and see what improvements I have made thus far in the offseason, and where I still need work. I was able to paddle with my partners for this year against other teams and see what I can do to continue training and help our success. I paddled 13 hours in the bow during camp (probably more than I have in the last 2 years) and really increased my skills in a short amount of time. Camp also allows me to fine-tune my race and training plans for the next few months.”

This is but a glimpse of the training and preparation these dedicated paddlers put into their craft each offseason. For those interested in improving themselves as canoe racers, these “unofficial training camps” are certainly a fun and helpful way to help accomplish their season goals. Best of luck to Susan, Daniel, Sarah, and Rebecca, and all paddlers for this upcoming canoe racing season!

WEYERHAEUSER IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 70TH AUSABLE RIVER CANOE MARATHON FOR POSITION TIME TRIALS.

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21

Welcome Visitors and Unwelcome Invasives

By Jennifer Muladore, Ecologist, Huron Pines Northern Michigan in the summer is the place to be, especially if you are spending time near one of our hundreds of crystal-clear lakes or icy flowing rivers. Residents of the region are just as excited as visitors to get outside and enjoy the sunshine and fun—and the Grayling area is no different. We want visitors to come and fall in love with the Au Sable River and the fresh-scented jack pine forests, and then return to enjoy all of the seasons of fun we have to offer.

However, there are a few visitors we would rather you leave at home: invasive species.

Invasive species are defined as plants or animals that cause harm to the environment, to the economy, and to human health.

Usually they are not native to an area—for instance, species invasive to North America often come from other countries and continents.

Invasive species can be spread consciously or accidentally through travel and trade, and in the time it takes for them to be noticed by a community they can already have done widespread damage to land and waterways. Aquatic invasive species like zebra mussels or Eurasian water-milfoil can clog boat engines and drinking water intakes or change the structure of the local food web. Plants like invasive phragmites are often found in roadside ditches and along shorelines where they block visibility and access. They can even grow through concrete surfaces like roads and house foundations, making them dangerous around buildings.

Insects like the emerald ash borer can destroy tree species regionally in a very short time, changing forests forever.

Many groups in Michigan are fighting invasive species, which can cause expensive damage if they are left to multiply in backyards and natural areas. It is much less costly 22

Each May, ARCM sponsor Consumers Energy and the U.S. Forest Service sponsor an invasive garlic mustard pull and wildflower walk near Foote Dam in Oscoda. Students from the local school help pull several hundred pounds of garlic mustard from the forest to protect special flowers like trilliums and wild ginger.

to prevent the spread of invasive plants and animals through raising awareness than to use chemicals to kill established species. Below are a few steps you can take to keep Northern Michigan beautiful and invasive-species free: Start with what you value: Do you enjoy the outdoors for hunting or fishing? What about kayaking or canoeing or hiking? Are there rare plants or animals or beautiful views that draw to visit the area? These are all unique places and uses that should be first on your list to protect from invasive species.

Prioritize sites and species: Invasive species often spread from large source populations to smaller outlying sites. Given limited budgets and manpower, local organizations like Huron Pines have to prioritize what sites are most important to protect and what invasive species are most important to fight against.

Ecologically, it makes sense to remove outlying populations first, then work on the larger sources to stop further spread. Check the sidebar list of priority species for the Au Sable River Watershed.

Use technology to your advantage: There are several websites that serve as go-to

resources for people of all invasive species knowledge and activity levels. Start with www. michiganinvasives.org, www. michigan.gov/invasivespecies, and www.misin.msu.edu. Each of these have basic fact sheets, watch lists, people to contact for help and even interactive maps.

Use the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network (MISIN) app (free download) to identify and map invasive species you find throughout the watershed. These apps and websites provide for up-to-date location information to get out to people who are planning removal projects. There are also apps that provide information on native alternatives for landscaping. Put those smartphones and tablets to work for nature while you’re waiting for the racers to go by!

Prevention is key: Once an invasive species occurs in high enough populations that people

start to complain about it, it is often expensive and time-consuming to remove it. A 5-minute effort to look at and remove invasive species parts from your clothing, vehicle, and equipment when you leave a trail or river access site is all that is needed to prevent almost 90% of invasive species transfer! And please, don’t ever move firewood.

Invasive insects have the potential to destroy our beautiful tree species that feed and shelter wildlife and keep the river cool and clean—help the local economy by buying wood from sources near your cabin or campground, and ask where the wood comes from first.

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon has seen 70 years of racers and spectators along the length of this amazing river. With a little effort to prevent invasive species, we can help keep the pristine natural setting available for another 70 years or more!

Huron Pines is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization with the mission to protect the Great Lakes by conserving the forests, lakes and streams of Northeast Michigan. We do this by connecting people and the outdoors through on-the-ground habitat restoration projects and community outreach. Learn more about invasive species and other conservation topics by visiting our website at huronpines.org.

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

AuSable River Canoe Marathon

2006 Marilyn Wagner & Jay Stephan, Sr. 2007 Hugh Bissonette & Bernie Fowler

2008 Butch Stockton & Harry Curley 2009 Ralph Sawyer & Al Widing, Sr. 2010 Frank and Peggy Smutek & Oscoda/AuSable Fire Dept. Water Rescue 2011 Stan Hall & John B. Cook 2012 John Baker & Ed Wojahn 2013 Serge Corbin & Bruce Myles 2014 Lynne Witte & Jack Kolka 2015 Larry Kindell & Larry Roberts 2016 Howard Brubaker & RĂŠjean Huard

Good Luck Paddlers! www.AuSableValleyTrailriders.com

Canoe Statistics

S

ince 2014, the canoe manufacturer and canoe model of each canoe raced in the Marathon has been recorded.

These tables show the tallies of the canoe data that was collected. For a more detailed view of the information, please visit the Stats & Records section of the Marathon website; www.ausablecanoemarathon.org

Manufacturer Corbin Crozier Gillies Rimer Savage River Wenonah Unknown

Total 2014 2015 2016 47 17 11 19 49 16 14 19 3 1 0 2 17 6 5 6 123 37 44 42 18 4 8 6 4 1 2 1

Model Bullet Corbin Corbin 1995 Corbin 2010 Diller 16 Gillies Hassel JD Pro JD Pro 2 JD Pro 2X RCS Pro V-1 V-1A

Total 1 45 8 6 2 19 10 45 53 1 1 54 6

V-1M

10

2014 2015 2016 0 0 1 12 20 13 0 1 7 3 0 3 0 0 2 7 5 7 4 5 1 15 14 16 18 19 16 0 0 1 0 0 1 18 15 21 1 2 3 4

Program Book

3

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Official Marathon Career Points Ranking - Top 40 Rank

Name

Points

Best Finish

Last Year of Points

1 2 3 4 5 6(t) 6(t) 8 9(t) 9(t) 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20(t) 20(t) 20(t) 20(t) 24 25(t) 25(t) 27 28(t) 28(t) 30 31 32 33 34 35(t) 35(t) 37 38 39 40

Serge Corbin Jeff Kolka Rick Joy Andrew Triebold Ralph Sawyer Bill Torongo Steve Lajoie Brett Stockton John Baker Jim Harwood Tony Short Jerry Kellogg Ken Kolonich Jack Kolka Butch Stockton Steve Kolonich Irvin Peterson Bernie Fowler Al Widing, Sr. Steven Kolonich Jack Kent Jeff Kellogg Randy Drake Solomon Carrière Dave Shepherd Al Rudquist Ted Kolka Bruce Barton Ryan Halstead John Sullivan Bob Welsch Stan Hall Matthew Rimer Nick Walton Jay Stephan, Sr. Matt Streib Larry Kindell Tim Triebold Steve Krantz Luc Robillard

2150 1810 1620 1380 1290 1260 1260 1230 1220 1220 1150 1120 1050 1030 1010 1000 890 810 770 740 740 740 740 700 690 690 660 650 650 640 630 620 600 570 550 550 540 530 520 510

1st 1st 3rd 1st 1st 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 1st 3rd 1st 1st 1st 3rd 1st 3rd 2nd 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 2nd 3rd 1st

2005 2005 2008 2016 1968 2012 2015 1992 1990 2006 2009 1982 2015 1981 1987 2011 1971 1956 1988 1965 1968 1990 1998 2000 1992 1998 2007 2007 2016 2007 1981 1973 2010 2016 1957 2014 1961 1999 1990 1978

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Mixed Division Split Time Records

Checkpoints

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

2014

0:45:59

Rebecca Davis (24) & Mike Davis (23)

Stephan Bridge

1994

1:20:45

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

Wakeley Bridge

1994

1:51:04

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

McMasters Bridge

1994

2:50:38

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

Parmalee Bridge

1994

3:56:07

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

Camp Ten Bridge

1994

5:03:26

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

Mio Dam

1994

5:30:11

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

McKinley

1994

7:21:08

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

4001 Bridge

1994

8:15:22

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

Alcona Dam

1994

8:57:10

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

2014 10:55:37

Rebecca Davis (24) & Mike Davis (23)

Loud Dam

Five Channels Dam 1988 11:23:08

Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)

Cooke Dam

1988 12:26:25

Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)

Foote Dam

1988 13:43:15

Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)

Oscoda

1988 15:05:26

Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)

2nd Half

2009

7:26:08

Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)

Did you know?

Lynne Witte has started every Marathon since 1980; 37 Continuous Years!

AND The only paddler to win the Mixed, Masters, Seniors and Pro Divisions is Allen Limberg.

HOW CAN WE HELP YOU SUCCEED?

Mixed Division Point-to-Point Records Checkpoints

Year Time

Burton's Landing

2014 0:45:59

Rebecca Davis (24) & Mike Davis (23)

Stephan Bridge

1994 0:34:14

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

Wakeley Bridge

1994 0:30:19

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

McMasters Bridge

1994 0:59:34

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

Parmalee Bridge

1994 1:05:29

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

Camp Ten Bridge

1994 1:07:19

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

Mio Dam

2014 0:25:15

Rebecca Davis (24) & Mike Davis (23)

McKinley

1994 1:50:57

Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

4001 Bridge

1993 0:53:27

Connie Cannon (32) & Tom Cannon (37)

Alcona Dam

2009 0:37:36

Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)

Loud Dam

1988 1:51:21

Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)

Five Channels Dam 2015 0:25:17

Team (Ages)

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2009 1:00:33

Holly Reynolds (29) & Jeff Rankinen (45)

Foote Dam

2009 1:12:07

Holly Reynolds (29) & Jeff Rankinen (45)

Oscoda

2009 1:18:21

Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)

Register for Work Tuition Assistance On-the-Job Training Classroom Training

To find your nearest Michigan Works! call:

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Cooke Dam

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Program Book

25

Masters Division Split Time Records Checkpoints

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

1999

0:42:41

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Stephan Bridge

1999

1:14:53

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Wakeley Bridge

1999

1:43:20

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Family Dining • Cocktails

McMasters Bridge

1999

2:39:04

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Parmalee Bridge

1999

3:42:22

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

GOOD LUCK PADDLERS!!

Camp Ten Bridge

1999

4:47:10

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Mio Dam

1999

5:11:14

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

McKinley

1999

6:55:10

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

4001 Bridge

1999

7:45:49

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Alcona Dam

1999

8:22:12

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

1999 10:11:47

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Five Channels Dam 1999 10:35:44

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

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Loud Dam Cooke Dam

1999 11:36:10

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Foote Dam

1999 12:47:57

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Oscoda

1999 14:08:18

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

2nd Half

1999

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

7:13:08

Did you know?

The 2016 Marathon featured 44 first-time paddlers.

Masters Division Point-to-Point Time Records

26

Checkpoints

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

1999

0:42:41

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Stephan Bridge

1999

0:32:12

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Wakeley Bridge

1999

0:28:27

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

McMasters Bridge

1999

0:55:44

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Parmalee Bridge

1999

1:03:18

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Camp Ten Bridge

1999

1:04:48

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Mio Dam

1999

0:24:04

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

McKinley

1999

1:43:56

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

4001 Bridge

1999

0:50:39

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Alcona Dam

1999

0:36:23

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Loud Dam

1990

1:49:13

John Baker (48) & Jeff Kellogg (45)

Five Channels Dam 1999

0:23:57

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Cooke Dam

1999

1:00:26

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Foote Dam

1999

1:11:47

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Oscoda

2009

1:18:21

Bruce Barton (52) & Connie Cannon (48)

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Women's Division Split Time Records

Checkpoints

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

1994

0:48:24

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Stephan Bridge

1994

1:24:51

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Wakeley Bridge

1994

1:57:38

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

McMasters Bridge

1994

2:58:36

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Parmalee Bridge

1994

4:04:40

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Camp Ten Bridge

1994

5:12:24

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Mio Dam

1994

5:39:18

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

McKinley

1994

7:31:30

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

4001 Bridge

1994

8:25:29

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Alcona Dam

1994

9:05:48

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

1994 11:02:15

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Five Channels Dam 1994 11:29:33

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Loud Dam Cooke Dam

1994 12:36:41

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Foote Dam

1994 13:58:00

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Oscoda

1994 15:26:14

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

2nd Half

2013

7:43:48

Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53)

Did you know?

The 2016 Marathon featured a record number of female paddlers with 32 hitting the water.

Women’s Division Point-to-Point Records Checkpoints

Year Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

1994 0:48:24 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Stephan Bridge

1994 0:36:27 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Wakeley Bridge

1994 0:32:47 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

McMasters Bridge

1994 1:00:58 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Parmalee Bridge

1994 1:06:04 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Camp Ten Bridge

1994 1:07:44 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Mio Dam

2016 0:26:31

McKinley

1994 1:52:12 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

403 N. State St. Oscoda (989) 739-8559

AUSABLE RIVER QUEEN

a beautiful 2 hour cruise on the mighty AuSable River.

Enjoy-featuring a liquor bar, snack bar, and gift shop

GOOD LUCK PADDLERS!!

Open Memorial Weekend thru October

Hailey Halstead (25) & Rebecca Davis (26)

4001 Bridge

2013 0:53:29

Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53)

Alcona Dam

2011 0:39:08

Holly Reynolds (31) & Gloria Wesley (51)

Loud Dam

1994 1:56:27 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24) 2013 Jennifer Parke (31) & Judy-Ann Parke (34) Five Channels Dam 0:26:54 2016 Hailey Halstead (25) & Rebecca Davis (26) Cooke Dam 2013 1:03:00 Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53) Foote Dam

2013 1:17:10

Jennifer Parke (31) & Judy-Ann Parke (34)

Oscoda

2013 1:25:28

Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53)

Call for Reservations: 1775 E. River Rd, Oscoda - (989) 739-7351 www.AuSableRiverQueen.net

Program Book

27

Seniors Division Split Time Records

GOTT’S LANDING Let us help plan your river, canoe or camping experience.

Ask about our group bus service from camp site to river.

Checkpoints

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

2016

0:46:46

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Stephan Bridge

2016

1:21:55

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Wakeley Bridge

2016

1:52:46

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

McMasters Bridge

2016

2:54:18

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Parmalee Bridge

2016

4:01:53

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Camp Ten Bridge

2016

5:10:48

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Mio Dam

2016

5:37:09

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

McKinley

2016

7:30:04

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

4001 Bridge

1999

8:25:48

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Alcona Dam

1999

9:04:51

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

1999 11:02:22

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Five Channels Dam 1999 11:30:40

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Loud Dam Cooke Dam

1999 12:37:04

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Foote Dam

1999 13:55:01

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Oscoda

1999 15:21:22

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

2nd Half

2010

Tom Trudgeon (51) & Phil Trudgeon (50)

7:42:43

Did you know?

The first grandfather/grandson team was Robert Bradford and David Phelps in 2002. They finished in 37th place.

Seniors Division Point-to-Point Records Checkpoints

Good Luck Paddlers!

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

2016 0:46:46

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Stephan Bridge

2016 0:35:09

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

Wakeley Bridge

2016 0:30:51

Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51)

McMasters Bridge

1999 1:01:14

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Parmalee Bridge

1999 1:06:52

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Camp Ten Bridge

2010 1:08:44 2010

Ray Bauer (53) & Nick Bauer (50) Fred Mills (56) & Tim McClure (52)

Mio Dam

1997 0:25:53 Blaise St. Pierre (57) & Serge Rouleau (52)

McKinley

1999 1:50:55

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

4001 Bridge

1999 0:53:08

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Alcona Dam

2000 0:38:36 Blaise St. Pierre (60) & Pierre LaPointe (58)

Loud Dam

28

Year

2013 1:55:40

Tom Trudgeon (54) & Doug Gillin (54)

Five Channels Dam 2015 0:26:01

Clark Kent (55) & Mike Bradford (50)

Cooke Dam

2013 1:03:50

Tom Trudgeon (54) & Doug Gillin (54)

Foote Dam

2009 1:14:33

Michael Garon (51) & Doug Gillin (50)

Oscoda

2010 1:23:12

Tom Trudgeon (51) & Phil Trudgeon (50)

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

335 S. State St. Oscoda, MI

Real Estate and Property Management

GOOD LUCK PADDLERS!!!

www.LighthouseRealtyOscoda.com

Program Book

29

Course Map - Grayling to Oscoda Follow LIVE Results during race night at www.AuSableCanoeMarathon.org

Consumers Energy has requested that NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES be allowed on their property. Also, no loitering will be allowed when crossing dams. These implementations are due to strict Homeland Security Procedures.

Please be respectful of the people that are enforcing these rules and procedures.

Crawford County-Stephan, Wakeley and McMasters Bridges will be closed to all vehicle traffic during the race. Spectator vehicles will not be allowed to cross the river at these bridges.

Oscoda County-Parmalee Bridge will be closed to spectators but passable for vehicles. No portable lighting will be available. If you are viewing the race from here, there are good sites along the campground on the north side or at the public access site on the south.

Mio Dam-Spectators are not allowed on the spillway. There is a walkway from the MDOT parking area, south of M-72, under the bridge to the dam. You will not have to walk across the highway to get to the dam. Spectators must stay clear of the pathway and the put-in areas as the teams portage Mio Dam. 4001 Bridge-The U.S. Forest Service may issue tickets for parking in the lot at the boat launch site without the valid parking pass.

Alcona Dam-Only feeders and officials will be allowed into the dam parking lot. Spectators should park in the field on the north side of the river and walk across the bridge to the portage area.

Loud Dam-There will only be parking for feeders on one side of the road leading to the dam.

Only feeders and officials will be allowed into the dam parking lot.

Five Channels-Pedestrians and vehicles will not be permitted on the new bridge, but spectators are allowed on the old bridge. Parking in the dam parking lot is for feeders only. Spectators can park in a large field at the top of the hill on the south side of the river.

Whirlpool near Oscoda-Everyone must park in the parking lot-not at the boat launch. The U.S. Forest Service will issue tickets at this area.

Foote Dam-The dam will be closed to spectators but you can view the race from the new fishing platforms across the river.

Leader’s Arrival Time* Map Location 1. Burton’s Landing 9:40 p.m.

2. Stephan Bridge 10:15 p.m.

3. Wakeley Bridge 10:45 p.m.

4. McMasters Bridge 11:45 p.m.

5. Parmalee Bridge 12:45 a.m.

6. Camp 10 Bridge 1:55 a.m.

7. Mio Dam 3:15 a.m.

8. McKinley Bridge 4:00 a.m.

9. 4001 Bridge 5:00 a.m.

10. Alcona Dam 5:30 a.m.

11. Loud Dam 7:20 a.m.

12. Five Channels Dam 7:45 a.m.

13. Cooke Dam 8:45 a.m.

14. Foote Dam 10:00 a.m.

15. Oscoda (finish) 11:15 a.m. *All tmes are approximate

EMERGENCY NUMBERS - DIAL 911 Crawford County Sheriff Oscoda County Sheriff Alcona County Sheriff

photos by Brian Connon & Mark Bialek

(989) 348-6341 (989) 826-3214 (989) 724-6271

Hale Area Police Iosco County Sheriff Oscoda Area Police

(989) 469-8241 (989) 362-6164 (989) 739-9111

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO CONSUMERS ENERGY FOR THEIR SPONSORSHIPS, COOPERATION & USE OF THEIR FACILITIES.

Top Masters Pro Records Thru 2016

A bAnkNOLOC invested Seq1 thAn in more your bAlAnce.

Member FDIC. ¥® and Huntington® are federally registered service marks of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. Huntington.® Welcome.TM is a service mark of Huntington Bancshares Incorporated. ©2017 Huntington Bancshares Incorporated.

32

14:08:18 14:33:50 14:46:52 14:48:00 14:48:18 14:55:03 14:56:11 14:59:59 15:01:37 15:01:57

(Both paddlers 40 or more years old)

1999 2006 2009 2000 2014 2003 2005 2004 2013 1999

1st Place Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42) 1st Place Jim Harwood (42) & Allen Limberg (48) 7th Place Tony Short (45) & Brad Gross (40) 1st Place Jeff Kolka (41) & Serge Corbin (43) 3rd Place Ivan English (40) & Mike Vincent (49) 1st Place Jeff Kolka (44) & Serge Corbin (46) 1st Place Jeff Kolka (46) & Serge Corbin (48) 2nd Place Jeff Kolka (45) & Serge Corbin (47) 9th Place Russ Reker (49) & Mike Bradford (48) 8th Place Daniel Klinkhamer (48) & Bill DuBois (41)

Top Seniors Pro Records Thru 2016

15:21:22 15:22:04 15:24:29 15:26:37 15:28:16 15:31:18 15:32:48 15:36:28 15:38:26 15:40:19

(Both paddlers 50 or more years old)

1999 2010 2016 2010 2013 2015 2008 2010 2014 1997

15th Place 16th Place 12th Place 18th Place 13th Place 13th Place 16th Place 22nd Place 14th Place 13th Place

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74) Tom Trudgeon (51) & Phil Trudgeon (50) Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51) Allen Limberg (52) & Barbara Bradley (53) Tom Trudgeon (54) & Doug Gillin (54) Clark Kent (55) & Mike Bradford (50) Allen Limberg (50) & Barbara Bradley (51) Fred Mills (56) & Tim McClure (52) Marc Gillespie (61) & Dale Persons (50) Robert Bradford (54) & John Nemeth (55)

Hugh and Bud Bissonette at the finish of the 1948 AuSable River Canoe Marathon.

Bissonette Bros Award Highest Finishing All-Michigan Team

Year

Time

Finish

1989 14:41:27

2nd

1990 14:46:32

3rd

1991 14:35:03

2nd

1992 14:58:03

4th

1993 14:24:53

2nd

1994 14:08:00

2nd

1995 14:24:42

2nd

1996 14:55:48

5th

1997 14:32:16

3rd

1998 14:57:01

4th

1999 14:26:18

2nd

2000 15:07:10

3rd

2001 15:22:54

5th

2002 15:10:22

2nd

Paddlers (Ages) Jeff Kolka (30) & Bill Torongo (27) Jeff Kolka (31) & Bill Torongo (28) Jeff Kolka (32) & Bill Torongo (29) Ken Kolonich (46) & Steve Kolonich (20) Jeff Kolka (34) & Bill Torongo (31) Jeff Kolka (35) & Bill Torongo (32) Jeff Kolka (36) & Bruce Barton (38) Rick Joy (37) & Ted Kolka (30) Ken Kolonich (51) & Steve Kolonich (25) Rick Joy (39) & Jim Harwood (34) Ken Kolonich (53) & Steve Kolonich (27) Ken Kolonich (54) & Steve Kolonich (28) Ken Kolonich (55) & Steve Kolonich (29) Mo Harwood, Jr. (23) & Matthew Rimer (18)

Year

Time

Finish

2003 15:13:16

4th

2004 15:33:44

5th

2005 14:56:12

2nd

2006 14:48:25

2nd

2007 14:48:55

1st

2008 14:41:58

3rd

2009 14:35:12

3rd

2010 14:31:37

2nd

2011 14:58:32

2nd

2012 14:58:36

2nd

2013 14:36:56

3rd

2014 15:02:35

5th

2015 15:05:26

6th

2016 14:49:52

4th

Paddlers (Ages) Rick Joy (44) & Ted Kolka (37) Mo Harwood, Jr. (25) & Matthew Rimer (20) Andrew Triebold (29) & Matthew Rimer (21) Rodney Halstead (21) & Ryan Halstead (19) Andrew Triebold (31) & Matthew Rimer (23) Rodney Halstead (23) & Ryan Halstead (21) Mo Harwood, Jr. (30) & Matthew Ashton (30) Steve Corlew (29) & Bill Torongo (48) Rodney Halstead (26) & Ryan Halstead (24) Josh Sheldon (31) & Ryan Halstead (25) Josh Sheldon (32) & Matt Streib (49) Tim Sheldon (49) & Tad Hill (36) Tim Sheldon (50) & Tad Hill (37) Nick Walton (43) & Tad Hill (38)

Program Book

GOOD LUCK PADDLERS! Oscoda Press 311 S. State St, Oscoda (989) 739-2054 FAX (989) 739-3201

Iosco County News-Herald 110 W. State St, East Tawas (989) 362-3456 FAX (989) 362-6601

www.iosconews.com www.oscodapress.com

For a Day or a Lifetime www.OscodaChamber.com 33

Helping a Historic Species Swim Again in Michigan Grant from Consumers Energy Foundation Jumpstarts Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative

C

onsumers Energy is helping an initiative to restore an iconic fish to Michigan that lends its name to the town that hosts of start of the world class AuSable River Canoe Marathon.

A grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation of $117,175 is helping jumpstart the Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative, a joint project by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians

and Michigan Technological University.

Amazingly, the fish species that is a prevalent component of the state’s persona has not been present in Michigan since the 1930s.

Destruction of habitat, due largely to logging, and overfishing are to blame for the disappearance of the only abundant stream salmonid native to the Lower Peninsula.

Announced in June 2016,

the Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative consists of 32 organizations that are working together to reintroduce the culturally significant species.

“The contributions from Consumers Energy Foundation will be extremely helpful as we move forward with this unique initiative,” said DNR Fisheries Division Chief Jim Dexter.

The Consumers Energy Foundation grant is addressing two immediate

The once-flourishing Arctic Grayling was pushed near extinction due to overfishing and logging during the 1930s.

Michigan Department of Natural Resources./Courtesy Photo

34

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

needs to get arctic grayling once again swimming in Michigan waters: • Collection of habitat and fish community data in the upper Big Manistee River, once a premier home for the species.

• Creation of an outreach plan to engage Michigan citizens in the re-introduction.

Grayling, native only to Michigan and Montana in the continental United States, require a clean water environment, are slate blue and sport a distinctive saillike dorsal fin. Streams in northern Michigan were once so abundant with grayling that according to historical accounts, they “lay like cordwood in the Au Sable River.”

“As a company focused on leaving our state better than we found it, Consumers Energy is proud to be part of this public-private partnership to help bring native arctic grayling back to our home waters,” said David Mengebier, President of the Consumers Energy Foundation. “We are confident by combining forces with the other stewards of our land, air, water and wildlife involved in the Michigan Arctic Grayling Initiative that this swimming icon of clean waterways will again flourish in Michigan rivers.”

PORTAGE 3 LOUD HYDRO

C

APABLE OF PRODUCING 4,000 kilowatts, the hydro was completed in 1913.

It is named for Edward Loud, who had done extensive lumber business along the Au Sable and bought up most of the cut over Au Sable lands between 1900-06, then later worked with company founder William Foote and others to build the Au Sable hydros.

ConsumersEnergy.com/hydro 5562-E

Program Book

35

Your Michigan Vacation Getaway Awaits You!

OSCODA AREA convention & visitors bureau

OSCODA.COM

36

Oscoda Area Calendar of Events

June 24-25, 2017 34th Annual Art on the Beach This exciting show has been a favorite for over a quarter of a century, and the 2017 show promises to be the best yet! Slated for the last full weekend in June every year, this show gets bigger and better every year, and runs Saturday from 9am - 5pm and Sunday from 10am - 4pm. Over 100 Artisans display and sell their handmade arts, crafts, and hobbies near the shores of beautiful Lake Huron, at Oscoda Beach Park in Downtown Oscoda.

This awesome show fills the grassy shaded area along Lake Street, between River Rd and Michigan Ave, one block from US23. Artists from around the country come to sell a wide variety of handmade crafts and works of art.

No kit work or buy and sell items are allowed, making this a juried and true art show. Don’t miss pancake breakfast at the Oscoda Rotary tent! Call (989) 739-7322 or visit www.oscodachamber.com for more information.

July 4, 2017 Independence Day Parade Parade down US 23 beginning at Cedar Lake and heading south to Mill Street. at 11 am, and a picnic hosted by the Oscoda Rotary and Oscoda Lions Club prior to fireworks display at dusk at the Oscoda Beach Park. Call (989) 739-7322 or visit www.oscodachamber.com for more information.

July 26, 2017 6th Annual H.U.P. (Hurry Up & Paddle or Sink) Race Goal: To build a canoe which will stay afloat for the entire race course in the AuSable River at Oscoda Canoe Rental & The AuSable River Store. Teams may consist of any number of builders, however, each team may have

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

only one official paddler and one additional individual to help carry the canoe to the water. Teams may be businesses, organizations, family or friends. Group challenges are encouraged. Paddlers must be 14 years or older. To register and purchase your kit, please visit the OACC! Call (989) 739-7322 or visit www.oscodachamber.com for more information.

July 27, 2017 4th Annual Blind Canoe Race Oscoda Canoe Rental in conjunction with the OscodaAuSable Chamber of Commerce is proud to present the Blind Canoe Race! 3 person teams navigate a short obstacle course on the AuSable River with 2 of the team members blindfolded! Entry forms are available at Oscoda Canoe and the Oscoda AuSable Chamber of Commerce. Call (989) 739-7322 or visit www.oscodachamber.com for more information.

August 20, 2017 Annual Battle for the Paddle Golf Challenge & Scholarship Fundraiser Get in on this four-person scramble. 18 holes with cart, followed by a savory luncheon, complete with prizes, cash prizes, giveaways, raffles, and an optional skins game for individuals or teams.

Many fine prizes given away and raffled off. Get in the game! Call (989) 739-7322 or visit www. oscodachamber.com for more information.

September 22-24, 2017 Annual Paul Bunyan Days Schmidt Amusements Carnival, Classic Car Show, Bunyan Village, Craft Vendors, Kids Activities, Chainsaw Carving, Pie Eating Contest, Great Food and much more for the whole family! Call (989) 7397322 or visit www.oscodachamber. com for more information.

Program Book

37

Most Consecutive Finishes Paddler

Lynne Witte Michael Garon Al Widing, Sr. Serge Corbin Rick Joy Lynne Witte Ken Kolonich Steve Kolonich Andrew Triebold Nate Winkler Jack Kolka Jeff Kolka Jon Thompson Rodney Matthews + No Race In 1969

Consec.

18 18 16 16 16 14 14 14 14 14 13 13 13 13

Years

1995-2012 1999-2016 1988-2003 1990-2005 1991-2006 1980-1993* 1988-2001 1988-2001 2003-2016 2003-2016 1964-1977+ 1993-2005 2004-2016 2004-2016

Paddler

Consec.

Colin Hunter 12 Nick Walton 12 Brett Stockton 11 Jason Hatfield 11 Bernie Fowler 10 Ralph Sawyer 10 Tony Short 10 Rick Joy 10 Brian Royce 10 Joe Shaw 10 Ray Bauer 10 Ted Smutek 10 Ellen Thompson 10 Fred Mills 10 * Includes Four Amateur Finishes

Years

1996-2007* 2005-2016 1978-1988 2006-2016 1947-1956 1953-1962 1978-1987 1980-1989 2001-2010 2001-2010 2001-2010 2004-2013 2006-2015 2007-2016

GOOD LUCK MARATHONERS! Matt LaFontaine Automotive, located in Grayling, is proud to support the Ausable River Canoe Marathon. From new, used and a state of the art collision center, we are your Northern Michigan automotive destination.

829 S. I-75 Business Loop, Grayling, MI 989-348-5451 Like us on Facebook! mattlafontaineautomotive.com

38

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Top Mixed Team Pro Records Thru 2016 (One female and one male paddler)

15:05:26 1988

4th Place

15:07:39 2009 13th Place 15:12:58 2009 15th Place 15:15:14 2014

9th Place

15:15:32 2010 14th Place 15:18:48 1993 10th Place 15:19:31 1992

9th Place

15:23:32 1996 12th Place 15:25:17 2015 12th Place 15:25:30 1984 5th Place

Did you know?

Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26) Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52) Holly Reynolds (29) & Jeff Rankinen (45) Rebecca Barton Davis (24) & Mike Davis (23) Connie Cannon (49) & Tom Cannon (54) Connie Cannon (32) & Tom Cannon (37) Lynne Witte (38) & Solomon Carrière (35) Lynn Capen (41) & Steve Landick (43) Rebecca Davis (25) & Mike Davis (24) Lynne Witte (30) & Steve Landick (31)

Top Women’s Team Pro Records Thru 2016 (Two female paddlers)

15:26:14 1994 17th Place 15:37:07 2013 17th Place 15:53:40 2016 23rd Place 15:58:10 2013 27th Place 15:58:43 2016 27th Place 16:01:44 2008 28th Place 16:03:05 2009 38th Place 16:03:54 2010 34th Place 16:04:59 1991 15th Place 16:09:52 2006 30th Place

Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon Montgomery (24) Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53) Hailey McMahon Halstead (25) & Rebecca Barton Davis (26) Hailey McMahon Halstead (22) & Rebecca Barton Davis (23) Mary Schlimmer (25) & Sarah Lessard (28) Connie Cannon (47) & Lynne Witte (54) Emily Peterson (29) & Carrie Trudgeon Montgomery (39) Christina Wilson (41) & Kate Ellis (54) Connie Cannon (30) & Lynne Witte (37) Connie Cannon (45) & Lynne Witte (52)

The first Mixed Division team to compete and finish the full length Marathon was Lynn Capen and Steve Landick in 1974.

They finished in ninth place with a time of 16:08:30.

2669 Industrial St., Grayling, MI

Leading Supplier of Window Blinds & Shutters

Good Luck Paddlers!

SpringsWindowFashions.com Program Book

39

• • • •

18’ Canoes for Families Single & Double Kayaks 2 1/2 & 4 hour river trips Mountain Bike Rentals

Tim Hickey Jayson Welser David Teddy Mitch McMillan Pete Mead Jim “The Legend” Laurent David Sabin Mike Hartman 40

Ray Trudgeon Fritz Lamm Isaac VanNuck Spencer Dean Wesley Dean Tyler Cragg Bo Brian Borchers Wes Willoughby Naomi Kolka

Au Sable Riverfront Cabins Quiet Family Atmosphere 1 & 2 Bedroom Cabins

Penrod’s is the Proud Sponsor of Lynne Witte TOLL FREE (888) 467-4837 or

(989) 348-2910 Penrod’s - 100 Maple St., Grayling, MI

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Top 25 Fastest Marathons Thru 2016

13:58:08 14:04:05 14:08:00 14:08:18 14:09:06 14:10:25 14:12:03 14:15:47 14:17:29 14:17:42 14:19:36 14:20:00 14:20:24 14:20:40 14:20:40

1994 1996 1994 1999 2008 1994 1994 1998 2010 2009 1997 1988 2013 1984 1995

1st Place 1st Place 2nd Place 1st Place 1st Place 3rd Place 4th Place 1st Place 1st Place 1st Place 1st Place 1st Place 1st Place 1st Place 1st Place

Serge Corbin & Solomon Carrière Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin Jeff Kolka & Bill Torongo Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie Rick Joy & John Hollands Patrick Lynch & Jim Harwood Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin Serge Corbin & Brett Stockton Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie Butch Stockton & Solomon Carrière Patrick Lynch & Jim Harwood

14:23:03 14:24:01 14:24:42 14:24:53 14:25:04 14:25:54 14:26:11 14:26:18 14:29:01 14:29:01

1993 1988 1995 1993 1994 1997 1994 1999 1981 1994

1st Place 2nd Place 2nd Place 2nd Place 5th Place 2nd Place 6th Place 2nd Place 1st Place 7th Place

Did you know?

Program Book

Serge Corbin & Solomon Carrière Randy Drake & Tim Triebold Jeff Kolka & Bruce Barton Jeff Kolka & Bill Torongo Randy Drake & Al Rudquist Al Rudquist & Mike Vincent Corey VanLoon & Denis Marcouiller Ken Kolonich & Steve Kolonich John Baker & Ken Brown Tony Short & John Sullivan

Since 1989, the leader at Mio Dam has won the Marathon 82% of the time.

41

®

6593 W. M72 HWY, Grayling, MI

Good Luck Paddlers!

Consumers Energy: Get to know and enjoy our dams Au Sable River features 6 hydro facilities that support energy provider’s commitment to sustainability

Offering a full line of building materials and our rental center offers a wide variety of contractor equipment.

Phone: (989) 348-4831 • Rental: (989) 348-9000

www.DuBoisLumber.DoItBest.com

TRAVIS

Most of the bald eagles soaring in Michigan to day trace their roots to nesting sites along the backw aters of Consumers Energy da ms.

Sanitation 739-5244 W

Locally Owned Personal Service Residential Commercial Use YOUR container Use YOUR bags Senior Discounts & In-Drive Services Available Transfer station open to the public

3522 Kings Corner Rd., Oscoda 42

elcome to the 70th AuSable River Canoe Marathon. As the title sponsor, Consumers Energy is honored to support this legendary northern Michigan event that highlights the Au Sable River, a natural resource we hold dear.

Like you, we appreciate the myriad recreational opportunities the river provides and have a vested interest in protecting this beautiful waterway.

We congratulate and applaud the volunteers who have worked to successfully run this world class race each year over seven decades.

Our Dams Support Environmental Sustainability Considering the history of Consumers Energy’s hydro

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

C n u S c c r r p

o facilities, the Marathon is a relative newcomer to the Au M Sable River. The six dams on S 1 the Au Sable River – Mio, Alcona, Loud, Five Channels, v Cooke and Foote – were built t between 1911 and 1924. That b means the youngest dam on fi the river was nearly a quarter p century when first Marathoners crossed the finish line 70 years s t ago. s Despite their historic distinction, the dams are today o w helping Consumers Energy i meet our environmental sustainability goals and fulfill fi p our motto: “Leave it better than we found it.” o Producing more than 10 C percent of the energy we a provide from renewable sources, such as river hydros, t F the sun and wind helped

A photo taken during the construction of Loud Dam, named for Edward Loud, a lumber baron who had done extensive lumber business along the AuSable River.

Consumers Energy to be named the most sustainable utility in the United States by Sustainalytics. We are fully committed to Michigan’s new comprehensive energy law and reaching the new, increased renewable energy level of 15 percent by 2021.

The property around our river hydros along the Muskegon, Manistee and Au Sable rivers provide about 12,000 acres for local and visiting outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy recreation such as boating, camping, hunting, fishing, birding, and of course paddle sports.

Most of the bald eagles soaring in Michigan today trace their roots to nesting sites along the backwaters of Consumers Energy dams, which provide valuable, isolated habitat and safe forage fish that allowed the birds of prey to thrive.

As part of an agreement to operate river hydro facilities, Consumers Energy contributes about $270,000 each year to the Habitat Improvement Fund, which is administered

by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The funds go to projects that enhance fish habitat and angler access here in Michigan, including many projects that keep the Au Sable River a world-class trout fishing destination.

Many Consumers Energy employees have helped uphold the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon tradition by serving as volunteers at the event over the years, helping organize the festivities and to make the sites as safe as possible for participants and spectators.

Visit Our Dams and Enjoy the Marathon!

Each of the dams on the Au Sable River offer the competitors waypoints to mark their progress, stretch their legs and accept muchneeded snacks and drinks from team feeders. The racers also develop paddling strategies to deal with each dam’s characteristics.

Spectators can access five of the six dams to cheer on the

The turbine room at Cooke Dam circa-1912.

competitors, starting early Sunday morning. Only Loud Dam is reserved exclusively for team feeders and race officials who have special passes.

• Mio Dam recreation sites offer viewing sites on both sides of the river immediately downstream of the dam, where race teams begin arriving about 3:14 a.m.

• The Alcona Dam tailwater and left side recreation site provide spectating opportunities, where race teams begin arriving about 5:30 a.m.

• Five Channels provides race viewing opportunities at the canoe portage or the Program Book

old M-65 bridge. Race teams begin arriving there about 7:45 a.m.

• Cookee Dam provides viewing at the upstream and downstream recreation sites, where race teams begin arriving about 8:45 a.m.

• Foote Dam has a recentlyrenovated tailwater recreation site which provides excellent Marathon viewing, where race teams begin arriving about 10 a.m.

We encourage you to enjoy this historic 70th race of the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon safely as we look forward to the next seven decades of exciting competition.

43

Most Top Ten Finishes

• Custom Framing • Custom Maaing • Art Gallery nd more!

Good Luck Paddlers!

a 116 N. State St., Oscoda, MI (989) 739-7060 sharon@tysigns.com

Good Luck Paddlers!

Paddler

Wins

Top 3's

Rick Joy Serge Corbin Ken Kolonich Jeff Kolka Jim Harwood Tony Short Bill Torongo Steve Kolonich Jack Kolka John Baker Ted Kolka Andrew Triebold Ralph Sawyer Jerry Kellogg Steve Lajoie Steven Kolonich Butch Stockton Brett Stockton Jack Kent Bob Welsch Al Widing, Sr. Jeff Kellogg Randy Drake Bruce Barton John Sullivan Bernie Fowler Irvin Peterson Verlen Kruger Dave Shepherd Nick Walton

0 18 0 9 2 0 0 0 0 4 0 10 8 4 9 1 5 9 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 3 4 0 0 0

7 22 3 18 5 8 9 5 5 12 1 14 12 8 10 5 8 12 3 3 5 4 4 3 3 6 9 0 5 3

Top 5's 19 22 9 20 14 11 14 9 11 13 6 14 14 13 14 8 11 13 8 6 9 7 7 7 7 9 10 3 9 5

Top 10's 26 22 21 20 19 19 19 18 16 15 15 15 14 14 14 13 13 13 12 11 11 11 11 11 11 10 10 10 10 10

Did you know?

505 Clyde Street (989) 910-5130 ncacu.org 44

Since 1989, 940 different paddlers from 31 U.S. states, 6 Canadian provinces, England & Belize have started the Marathon.

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Last 2008 2005 2015 2005 2006 2009 2012 2011 1981 1990 2007 2016 1968 1982 2015 1965 1987 1992 1968 1981 1988 1990 1998 2007 2007 1956 1971 1980 1992 2016

A place for iends to meet & families to gather where the food is as great as the AuSable is beautiful; the service is as strong as the river is long!

Program Book

45

JULY 25, 2017

Registration starts at 3:00 p.m.

Race starts at 5:30 p.m.

The Da$h for Ca$h is a 64 team bracket style, single elimination event.

Teams will compete for a part of the $5,000+ prize pool.

46

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

The Tradition Continues

2016 Results

30 M-55 Tawas City (989) 362-4449 Place

JULYFastest 26, 2016 Time

Registration starts 3:00 p.m.

JULYPaddlers 26, 2016 Time atRank

Race Registration starts at 3:00 p.m.starts at 5:30 p.m.

Mathieu Pellerinat & Guillaume 1:15.61 1 Race starts 5:30 p.m.Blais

1st The Willoughby Da$h for Ca$h 2nd Mike Davis & Weston 1:17.55 is 5a 64 team The Da$h for Ca$h is style, a 64 team bracket single elimination event.

3rd Chris single Proulx & Ryan Halstead will 1:17.08 3 for a bracket style, elimination event.

Teams compete Teams will compete a 4th & POprize Quesnel 1:20.22 6 part offor the $5,000+ prize pool. part ofAdam the Gelinas $5,000+ pool.

5th Nick Walton & Matt Meersman 1:16.42 2 6th Shane MacDowell & Pete Mead 1:17.41 4 7th Tommy Pellerin & Anthony Massicotte 1:20.24 7 8th Shawn Spallinger & Nate Tate 1:24.13 13 9th Joe Schlimmer & Larry Harrison 1:21.69 9 10th Joel Lacroix & Charlotte Proulx 1:23.88 10 11th Charles Darchen & Rosalie Frigon 1:23.89 11 12th Carson Burmeister & Levi Korneli 1:25.03 14 13th Todd Kaems & John Zacharski 1:25.50 15 14th Fred Mills & Tim McClure 1:26.09 16 15th Michael Matthews & Rod Matthews 1:26.70 18 16th Stephen Miller & Seth Miller 1:33.06 24 17th Patrick Madden & Phil Millspaugh 1:21.15 8 18th Jon Webb & Daniel Medina 1:24.07 12 19th Hailey Halstead & Rebecca Davis 1:27.39 19 20th Ken Streb & Debbie Brax 1:31.50 21 21st Gary McLain & Neal Sand 1:31.93 22 22nd Andrew Weeks & Paddi Thornburg 1:34.41 25 23rd Rick Gillings & Peggy English 1:36.37 28 24th Mary Schlimmer & Sarah Lessard 1:26.42 17 25th L.J. Bourgeois & Bill Mahaffy 1:29.07 20 26th Gary Aprea & Gloria Wesley 1:32.69 23 27th Alec Davis & Roger Henry 1:34.62 26 28th Justin Griffith & Susan Williams 1:35.57 27 29th Keith Wojahn & Joe Somero 1:38.15 29 30th ~BYE~ 31st ~BYE~ 32nd ~BYE~ -

Program Book

Good Luck Keith & Jerry!

See you Wojahn down the river!

47

GOOD LUCK

CANOERS! 5707 US 23 • OSCODA (989) 569-6500 2697 I-75 BL • WEST BRANCH (989) 345-8690 1850 US 23 • EAST TAWAS (989) 362-7520

Edelweiss Tavern

2017 AuSable River Festival & Canoe Marathon Schedule of Events July 22 – 30, 2017 in Grayling

Saturday, July 22nd

– Sprints for Spikes C-2 Race in Grayling City Park, 9 a.m.

– Meet the Artists Day at Main Branch Gallery, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

– AuSable Dance Boosters Duck Race in Grayling City Park, approximately 1:30 p.m. (following sprints) – Kid’s Mentor Race in Grayling City Park, 2 p.m.

– Start of C-2 Youth Race at Joe Wakeley’s House (going to Burton’s Landing), 5:30 p.m.

– Start of C-1 Race at Joe Wakeley’s House (going to Burton’s Landing), 6 p.m.

Sunday, July 23rd

– Spike’s Challenge Race at Old AuSable Fly Shop, 9 a.m.

Tuesday, July 25th

Good Luck Paddlers!

107 S. State St. Oscoda (989) 739-7796 48

– Kid’s Day in Grayling City Park, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

– Rock & Rest at Grayling Nature Center (City Park), 10 a.m.–2 p.m.

– Da$h for Ca$h Sprints in Oscoda, 5 p.m.

Wednesday, July 26th

– Time Trials for AuSable River Canoe Marathon at Penrod’s Canoe Livery, 3–6 p.m.

– H.U.P. (“Hurry Up & Paddle”) Race in Grayling City Park, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 27th

– Marathon Coffee Break at Huntington National Bank (new downtown location), 9–11 a.m.

– Time Trials for AuSable River Canoe Marathon at Penrod’s Canoe Livery, 3–8 p.m.

– Business Canoe Relays at Penrod’s Canoe Livery, 4:20 p.m.

– AuSable River C-1 Express Race at Penrod’s Canoe Livery (goes to Burton’s Landing), 7:15 p.m.

Friday, July 28th

– 40th Annual Arts & Crafts Show in Grayling City Park, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

– Concessions under City Park Pavilion (run by AuSable Dance Boosters), 10 a.m.–8 p.m.

– Rock & Rest at Grayling Nature Center (City Park), 10 a.m.–3 p.m.

– Grayling Eagles #3465 Steak Out (4-7 p.m.), Live Music (7 p.m.), and Beer Tent (11 a.m.-Close) at Grayling Eagles’ Club – Time Trials for AuSable River Canoe Marathon at Penrod’s Canoe Livery, 2:00–4:30 p.m.

– Special Olympics Canoe Races at Penrod’s Canoe Livery, 2:45 p.m.

– 7th Annual Cruise Night at Northstar Auto Wash, 6:30 p.m.

– Paddler’s Pre-Race Briefing at Ramada Inn of Grayling, 5:30 p.m.

Saturday, July 29th

– 32nd Annual Classic Car Show on Michigan Ave, 8 a.m.–3 p.m.

(Registration 6–10 a.m., Trophies 2 p.m.)

– GRA’s 5K, 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run–starts at Hanson Hills Recreation Area, 9 a.m.

(Registration 7:30–8:30 a.m.)

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

– 40th Annual Arts & Crafts Show at Grayling City Park, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

– Concessions under City Park Pavilion (run by AuSable Dance Boosters), 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

– Food Court in NEW LOCATION (parking lots behind Xpress Copy Center & in front of North Country Corner), 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

– Grayling Eagle’s Horseshoe Tournament, 10 a.m. / Breakfast Burritos/Burgers/Dogs, 11 a.m.–6 p.m. / Beer Tent/Music, 11 a.m.– Close – Beer & Food Tent at Grayling American Legion, 12–9 p.m.

– Q100 Michigan Music Uncovered in downtown Grayling (location to be announced), Noon-6 p.m.

– AuSable River Festival Parade in downtown Grayling, 4 p.m. (NEW TIME) – 5th Annual Arctic Glacier MiniMarathon Youth Canoe Race at Old AuSable Fly Shop, 4 p.m.

– Pre-Race Program at Old AuSable Fly Shop, 6 p.m.

– Introduction of Paddlers at Old AuSable Fly Shop, 7 p.m.

– Posting of the Colors at Old AuSable Fly Shop, 7:45 p.m.

– Start of the 70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon at the Old AuSable Fly Shop, 9 p.m. (paddling from Grayling to Oscoda)

Sunday, July 30th

– End of 70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon (ends in Oscoda – Leaders 11:30 a.m. to Finishers 4 p.m.)

e Paddlers!

2017 Au Sable River Canoe Marathon The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Au Sable River Realty welcome all participants race fans to the 2016 Sable River Canoe Mara

Program Book

49

Fastest Mixed Division Sprints (New Course - 2016) Rank

Paddlers (Ages)

Year

Sprint Time

Power Phase

Speed Phase

1

Trevor Robinson (44) & Edith MacHattie (42) Joel Lacroix (25) & Charlotte Proulx (23) Charles Darchen (23) & Julianne Morin-Nolet (25) Jérémie Fortin (22) & Noémie Pelletier Lavallée (24) Drew Compau (25) & Lynne Witte (62) Naomi Kolka (20) & Ted Kolka (50) Nate Winkler (44) & Gwen Hills (32) Joel Mack (43) & Sylvie Nadeau (41) Jeff DeFeo (61) & Amy Solak (51) David Phelps (29) & Janet Bradford (71) Debbie Brax (54) & Ken Streb (58) Gary Aprea (73) & Gloria Wesley (56) Lucas Hanson (27) & Julie Hanson (25) Andrew Weeks (52) & Paddi Thornburg (53) Rock Pagé (51) & Ginette Tourangeau (51)

2016

5:24.19

3:14

2:10

2016

5:35.07

3:17

2:18

2016

5:44.26

3:24

2:20

2016

5:50.91

3:30

2:21

2016

5:56.08

3:39

2:17

2016

6:02.71

3:41

2:22

2016

6:14.39

3:51

2:23

2016

6:19.14

3:49

2:30

2016

6:22.52

3:55

2:28

2016

6:34.05

3:55

2:39

2016

6:37.16

4:02

2:35

2016

6:37.99

4:06

2:32

2016

6:38.11

3:58

2:40

2016

6:46.30

4:13

2:33

2016

6:48.14

4:15

2:33

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

PRESCRIPTION

DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE Call Store For Details

13 14 15

Fastest Women’s Division Sprints (New Course - 2016) Rank 1 2

Proudly Serving Our Community Since 1999

500 N. James St. • Grayling (989) 348-2000 50

3 4 5

Paddlers (Ages) Hailey Halstead (25) & Rebecca Davis (26) Mary Schlimmer (25) & Sarah Lessard (28) Priscilla Thellend (28) & Emma Ellsworth (40) Kristi Treston (22) & Katie Treston (27) Io Harberts (57) & Emily Johnson (38)

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Year

Sprint Time

Power Phase

Speed Phase

2016

5:41.41

3:27

2:14

2016

5:47.15

3:27

2:20

2016

6:28.22

4:02

2:26

2016

6:42.86

4:08

2:35

2016

6:43.43

4:12

2:31

PORTAGE 4 FIVE CHANNELS HYDRO

C

APABLE OF PRODUCING 6,000 kilowatts, the hydro was completed in 1912.

This hydro is named for the nearby location on the Au Sable River where there were once five distinct river channels. The site of the workers’ camp built to support construction of the dam was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 13, 2002.

ConsumersEnergy.com/hydro 5445-E

5562-E

Program Book

51

Fastest Professional Division New Course - 2016 Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

52

Paddlers (Ages) Mathieu Pellerin (26) & Guillaume Blais (30) Andrew Triebold (40) & Jacob DuBois (30) Christophe Proulx (21) & Ryan Halstead (29) Michael Schlimmer (30) & Ben Schlimmer (27) Mike Davis (25) & Weston Willoughby (25) Nick Walton (43) & Tad Hill (38) Trevor LeFever (37) & Matt Meersman (39) Tom Pellerin (28) & Jim Pellerin (24) Russ Reker (52) & Mike Bradford (51) Graham Smith (39) & Mike Vincent (51) Shane MacDowell (28) & Pete Mead (35) Kyle Mynar (31) & Logan Mynar (25) Adam Gelinas (34) & Pierre-Olivier Quesnel (37) Richard Lauth (43) & Zach Mack (20) Patrick Madden (36) & Philip Millspaugh (31) Jason Hatfield (38) & Matt Gabriel, Jr. (32) Trevor Robinson (44) & Edith MacHattie (42) Eric Batway (53) & Doug Gillin (57) Tim Chapple (42) & Gabriel La Rose (20) Sean Casey (38) & Austin Weiler (24) Daniel Medina (22) & Jon Webb (56) Mike Hartman (40) & Nick D'Amour (32) Réal Carrière (32) & Solomon Carrière (59) Joel Lacroix (25) & Charlotte Proulx (23) Joseph Schlimmer (31) & Larry Harrison (57)

Fastest Seniors Division Sprints New Course - 2016

Year

Sprint Time

Power Phase

Speed Phase

Rank

2016

4:47.93

2:48

2:00

1

2016

4:49.03

2:45

2:04

2

2016

4:52.30

2:49

2:03

3

2016

4:54.36

2:46

2:08

4

2016

4:57.38

2:55

2:02

5

2016

5:00.47

2:55

2:05

6

2016

5:02.78

2:55

2:08

7

2016

5:05.55

2:57

2:09

8

2016

5:08.72

3:02

2:07

9

2016

5:09.32

3:03

2:06

10

2016

5:09.71

3:02

2:08

11

2016

5:10.92

3:02

2:09

12

2016

5:14.07

3:04

2:10

13

2016

5:15.91

3:07

2:09

14

2016

5:20.17

3:10

2:10

15

2016

5:20.96

3:11

2:10

2016

5:24.19

3:14

2:10

2016

5:26.00

3:17

2:09

2016

5:26.67

3:16

2:11

2016

5:28.91

3:17

2:12

2016

5:29.21

3:17

2:12

2016

5:32.37

3:19

2:13

2016

5:34.30

3:18

2:16

2016

5:35.07

3:17

2:18

2016

5:35.36

3:19

2:16

Paddlers (Ages) Russ Reker (52) Mike Bradford (51) Eric Batway (53) Doug Gillin (57) Steve Drew (50) Tom Ellsworth (51) Fred Mills (62) Tim McClure (58) Mike Packard (52) Jeff Shultis (61) Rod McLain (55) Chip Loring (69) Greg Zophy (59) Jim Braig (72) Jeff DeFeo (61) Amy Solak (51) Mark Koenig (58) Nick Lyesiuk (72) Mike Taylor (61) Roy Sowersby (55) Debbie Brax (54) Ken Streb (58) Gary Aprea (73) Gloria Wesley (56) Andrew Weeks (52) Paddi Thornburg (53) Rock Pagé (51) Ginette Tourangeau (51) Gary McLain (50) Neal Sand (51)

Year

Sprint Time

Power Phase

Speed Phase

2016

5:08.72

3:02

2:07

2016

5:26.00

3:17

2:09

2016

5:40.60

3:24

2:17

2016

5:56.86

3:35

2:22

2016

5:59.87

3:37

2:23

2016

6:15.08

3:49

2:26

2016

6:20.14

3:55

2:25

2016

6:22.52

3:55

2:28

2016

6:23.67

3:57

2:27

2016

6:29.61

4:01

2:29

2016

6:37.16

4:02

2:35

2016

6:37.99

4:06

2:32

2016

6:46.30

4:13

2:33

2016

6:48.14

4:15

2:33

2016

6:49.49

4:09

2:40

Did you know?

Talk about a competitive race...

The smallest margin of victory stands at 1 second and was set twice. First, by Jeff Kolka and Serge Corbin in 2005, over second place team Andrew Triebold & Matthew Rimer, and again in 2016 by Christophe Proulx & Ryan Halstead over second-place team Andrew Triebold & Jacob DuBois.

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Watch the race from your own campsite, rustic cabin or our newly constructed Yurts.

Reserve your site today at:

Good Luck Paddlers!

Old Orchard Park Campground (989) 739-7814

Program Book

53

ZUBEK MOTOR SALES WWW.ZUBEKFORD.COM

WWW.ZUBEKCHRYSLER.COM

ZUBEK MOTOR SALES OSCODA, MI (989) 739-3261

Professional Division Point-to-Point Records

Checkpoints Burton’s Landing

Year

Time

2014 0:41:26

Team (Ages)

Andrew Triebold (38) & Steve Lajoie (38)

Stephan Bridge 1994 0:31:27

Serge Corbin (37) & Solomon Carrière (37)

Wakeley Bridge 1993 0:28:21

Tony Short (29) & Scott McKenzie (35)

McMasters Bridge

1999 0:55:44

Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Parmalee Bridge

1996 1:01:43

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Camp Ten Bridge

1996 1:02:55

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Mio Dam

1975 0:22:05

Jerry Kellogg (31) & Jeff Kellogg (30)

McKinley

1996 1:43:42

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

4001 Bridge

2014 0:48:55

Andrew Triebold (38) & Steve Lajoie (38)

Alcona Dam

1984 0:35:37

Butch Stockton (35) & Solomon Carrière (27)

Loud Dam

1987 1:43:10

Serge Corbin (30) & Brett Stockton (24)

Five Channels Dam

2010 0:23:06

Josh Taylor (31) & Matt Meersman (33)

Cooke Dam

1986 0:57:13

Randy Drake (32) & Eric McNett (31)

Foote Dam

1987 1:08:11

Serge Corbin (30) & Brett Stockton (24)

Oscoda

1991 1:15:32

Serge Corbin (34) & Brett Stockton (28)

Professional Division Split Time Records

Fastest Masters Division Sprints (New Course - 2016) Rank

Paddlers (Ages)

Year

Sprint Time

1

Trevor Robinson (44) & Edith MacHattie (42) Don Brooks (47) & Al Widing, Jr. (63) Seth Miller (49) & Stephen Miller (51) Todd Kaems (45) & John Zacharski (45) Joel Mack (43) & Sylvie Nadeau (41) Justin Griffith (44) & Susan Williams (52) Geoff Waters (48) & Joe Geisinger (49) Robert Bash (46) & Chuck Hewitt (57) Matt Smith (43) & Brad Doane (50)

2016

5:24.19

3:14

2:10

2016

5:58.76

3:40

2:19

2016

6:05.94

3:46

2:20

2016

6:07.23

3:39

2:28

2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

54

Power Speed Phase Phase

Checkpoints

Year

Time

Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing

2014

0:41:26

Andrew Triebold (38) & Steve Lajoie (38)

Stephan Bridge 1993

1:12:56

Jeff Kolka (34) & Bill Torongo (31)

Wakeley Bridge 1993

1:41:29

Jeff Kolka (34) & Bill Torongo (31)

McMasters Bridge

1996

2:38:17

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Parmalee Bridge

1996

3:40:00

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Camp Ten Bridge

1996

4:42:55

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Mio Dam

1996

5:06:31

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

McKinley

1996

6:50:13

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

4001 Bridge

1996

7:40:49

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Alcona Dam

1996

8:17:21

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Loud Dam

1996 10:06:47

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

2016

6:19.14

3:49

2:30

2016

7:14.27

4:35

2:39

2016

7:15.83

4:35

2:41

Five Channels Dam

1996 10:30:37

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

2016

7:15.92

4:21

2:55

Cooke Dam

1996 11:31:07

Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Foote Dam

1994 12:41:02

Serge Corbin (37) & Solomon Carrière (37)

2016

8:34.60

5:20

3:15

Oscoda

1994 13:58:08

Serge Corbin (37) & Solomon Carrière (37)

2nd Half

1994

Serge Corbin (37) & Solomon Carrière (37)

7:01:54

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

PORTAGE 5 COOKE HYDRO

P

LACED ON THE National Register of Historic Places on Aug. 2, 1996, the honor recognizes the hydro’s transmission of 140,000 volts, 125 miles to Flint, establishing a world record. Cooke Hydro is also part of the River Road Scenic Byway and listed in the National Scenic Byways Program.

Lumberman’s Monument, a 14-foot bronze statue dedicated to Michigan lumbermen, is the centerpiece of a major Forest service visitor Center located on the Cooke Hydro pond.

ConsumersEnergy.com/hydro

5445-E

5562-E

Program Book

55

A Paddler's Insight:

By Bryan Bearss If you had asked me three years ago, I would have introduced myself as an Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race musher and trainer. I’ve been mushing and training dogs since college in the late ’90s. During that time I was as much of an athlete as Stan Van Gundy is to the Detroit Pistons. I guided canoe trips professionally, I hiked the northern part of the Appalachian trail, but still wouldn’t consider any of that athletic.

In 2015 I competed in my last Iditarod and withdrew from the event after completing 800 miles and freezing to death while stranded alone on the Bering Sea ice for 24 hours. That event almost marked the end of my life, but also opened a new chapter and desire to complete the AuSable River Canoe Marathon.

I’m relatively new to the sport of canoe racing but quite familiar with the race, having grown up in Grayling.

In the late fall of 2015 a high school classmate and I made the commitment to train and race the 2016 Marathon.

Living in Alaska didn’t make the logistics of training and racing all that easy.

Getting a racing canoe up here took nearly six months, leaving us to begin our “training” in a borrowed Royalex tank of a canoe for the one month we had remaining before winter’s icy grasps claimed our training waters.

It wasn’t really training, more than motivating ourselves and jumpstarting our winter workouts. We went pretty solid early in the winter with P90X and lifting at the gym while hoping for snow — which never materialized — to cross country ski on. Come January, our schedules started misaligning, leading my partner to continue P90X, lifting and

running independently while I switched over to the A12 lifting program and running. That time really was about losing the extra pounds and building a muscle and cardio base. We had to wait until April 17 before the ice finally ceded to our need to paddle.

We researched all winter and spring long for waters that were safe to take the race canoe on to train. Unfortunately almost every stretch of river in Alaska seems to have whitewater and boat-crippling hazards. This left us with one lake where we put in 90 percent of our hours paddling in circles and one section of river that was safe. The lake training ended up being a tremendous benefit to us, as nightly we were battling winds and unpredictable wakes off jet skis and speedboats. For a couple novices, this really trained us in balance and built our endurance when we didn’t have the aid of the current. When we got to the ponds during the Marathon, we just put our heads down and cruised across like we were at home. A side benefit to thousands of laps around the same lake for hours on end was the ability to train our brains to the monotony of what turned out to be an 18-hour race.

We knew lake training wasn’t going to be enough, so we ventured out on a local river, the Little Susitna, about every other weekend. The Little Su is a nice, fun river for training; however, it presented a few surprises we knew we wouldn’t see during the canoe Marathon. While the width of the river and the trees on the banks looked quite similar, the Little Su was a ying to the AuSable’s yang. Glacial erratic boulders the size of smart cars protrude from the river’s surface, 34 degree water necessitated dry suits or wet suits to be worn until June, moose crossing the river

had to be dodged, jet boat wakes twice the depth of the canoe threatened to capsize us, and rapid currents with the constant twists and turns of a braided river honed our ability to steer.

But one of the most impactful things was the remoteness of the river. From where we put in to where we exited, the river was an 8- to 10-hour stretch of wilderness with no road or trail access, no cabins, absolutely no sign of civilization.

Once we put in, there was no safe exit.

It was always all or nothing. Our very first run on the river we estimated would take us up to six hours, but instead lasted nearly 10 hours.

In the end these runs were also tremendous training. We tested or bodies physically, tested our minds to push through sore muscles, sunburn and sore coccyx from sitting, and tested our water and food intake for such a sustained, intense paddle. We continued a routine of paddling five to six days a week rain or shine, wind or snow — yes, there were times we got snowed on — before we came back to Grayling just in time to do the Curley Memorial Canoe Race. From this point on, training was all about learning the river and minor technique tips as we paddled with vets like Lynne Witte, Jon and Ellen Thompson and Roy Sowersby.

By the time we were done with the training for the Marathon, we hit about 200 hours in a race canoe between Alaska and Michigan. It wasn’t always pretty and it wasn’t without pain, but it was 100 percent worth the experience.

Now it’s a new year, I have one race under my paddle, and there have been a few changes from last year.

My training and racing partner from 2016 is taking some time off from racing, opening the door to paddling

with an experienced racer this year, Jon Thompson. When I visited home over Christmas break, Jon and I spent about 12 hours paddling together, and just in that time he taught me more about reading the river, adjusting trim and paddling than I learned in more than 150 hours up in Alaska. If I were to advise new paddlers to one thing, it would be to spend time with vets of racing listening to what they have to say and ask questions.

This winter I ditched the heavy lifting routine and road running and replaced it with low-weight/high-rep lifting and five to six days a week of running up mountain peaks with ski poles. The use of the ski poles has been great for increasing the upper body involvement in the runs, and the elevation gain has really pushed my cardio limits further than I ever did while running on the road. Last week I maxed out at 18,000-plus feet for the week, and now I’m transitioning back to a marathon-running training routine — long runs, intervals and slow recovery runs — on the roads as the mountains are turning to slush and the bears are coming out of hibernation and patrolling for their first meal. While there were still a few diehard ice fishermen on the lake last night during my run, I suspect their time is coming to an end and I’ll be able to pull the C-1 out for some solo training.

After a week of regaining balance in the canoe, I’ll start mimicking my marathon-running training on the lake with a mix of interval training, long paddles — four to six hours — and short recovery paddles. This year I’ll also be expanding my time in Michigan, returning in late May so I can maximize my time training with Jon and learning from all the paddlers in the area.

Tips for new paddlers/aspiring racers: 1. Train in all conditions; seek out opportunities to train in adverse conditions. This is something I brought from dog mushing. We cannot control the elements during a race, but prior to the race we can train in those elements so we are in better control and excel during the race. Look to paddle when it is windy, rainy, snowy or there are other boats creating wakes. You will see these conditions during the race; it’s best to be prepared.

2. Be efficient in your training. If you have a lake 5 minutes from work or home train your butt off there instead of sacrificing hours just to get to a river all the time. You can do intervals, work on your stroke, and get long hours in on a lake just as easy during the week. Then spend the weekend,

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when you have more free hours, driving to a river to train with a current.

3. Find veteran racers. Paddle in a canoe with them, paddle next to them on the river. Listen to what they have to say, and ask questions. Have them watch you paddle and get advice on your technique.

4. Try everything in training; nothing should be new on race day.

This includes every piece of clothing (including underwear), your feeding systems, your food, headlamps, paddles, GPS, portage routines, feeding routines (drive to all the feed spots with your team and practice feeding!).

5. Keep it simple. Don’t overcomplicate things in training or racing.

6. This should be fun, and if it’s not you need to change something you are doing or bow out.

70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

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A Memorial Meeting

By Justin Griffith ARICM Volunteer & Paddler

FEENY - (989) 348-3242 QTA- (989) 745-6127 208 S. JAMES ST., GRAYLING www.Feeny.com

I often think the spirit of my ancestors somehow guides me to be in places to meet people who have a common background and interest.

September 2, 2016, couldn’t have solidified my beliefs any more.

That year, Susan Williams and I were attempting to do the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing in C-2 marathon canoes. After completing the first leg, the 70-mile General Clinton in New York, we ventured on to the AuSable River Canoe Marathon. It was a grueling race with headwinds in the last quarter of the race that derailed our official finish time of 19 hours, but we still crossed the finish line at 19 1/2 hours.

The third leg, la Classique Internationale de canots race in Quebec, was going to be our toughest race, due in part to the cutoff times and the unfamiliar river.

After we surveyed our situation going

into the race, we decided it would be better to see if one of the Rabaskas (nine-person canoes) would pick us up so we could participate and see the Maurice River. Luck would have it that a Rabaska team, the Avengers, was looking for a few paddlers to make a team. They signed up Susan Williams of Pennsylvania, Peggy English from Michigan, and myself.

We ended up being some of the first U.S. paddlers to paddle a Rabaska in Quebec.

It was day two of la Classique, a day I had been looking forward to for as long as I can remember, after a lifetime of hearing stories of “running the boulevard” in Shawinigan.

I found myself at the front of the line waiting for our team to arrive so we could run the boulevard. During that time, I was thinking of family members and friends who had run the same boulevard years ago. One is my late Grandpa Harry Curley, named Mr. AuSable Canoe Race by the Michigan state legislature in

AuSable River Canoe Marathon committee member and racer Justin Griffith poses for a photo with his kindred spirit, Pierre Luc Pronovost in 2016.

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70th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

the early ’70s. Another was Rejean Huard from Quebec, a great man who was very instrumental in the Triple Crown and canoe racing in general.

The upside-down 32 of my cousin Kevin Curley that I hold dear to my heart was dancing through my head.

He was a childhood hero to me and dedicated his life to the sport of canoe racing.

On my left was my newfound friend and teammate, Pierre Luc Pronovost. He was at the front line of the run next to me. I could sense that it was a very emotional day for him also, and it was bigger than this race.

I told him that this was going to be very emotional for me and how glad I was to be doing it.

Pierre opened up and said it meant a lot to him also, and that his uncle Michel Pronovost drowned practicing for the big race at 16 years of age and there was a trophy in his name to recognize the youngest paddler to finish la Classique de Canots.

Pierre pointed down the boulevard at his grandpa and told me how his

grandpa had paddled la Classique de Canots, his love for the race, and that he followed it every year. Pierre went on to tell me about his father, Robert Pronovost. His dad’s dream was to do la Classique with Pierre in memory of his brother, Pierre's uncle. That dream was cut short with the passing of Pierre's dad in 2007. Pierre looked at me, then looked up at the sky, and said, “I know they are watching me and they are proud.”

I was floored at how much we had in common and proceeded to tell Pierre that I too had an uncle who drowned practicing for the big race in Michigan when he was only 17 years old. I explained the Michigan Canoe Racing Association Canoers Memorial in Michigan, and that my uncle Jerry Curley’s passing was a catalyst to make the monument for all canoers past, present and future.

We looked at each other slightly puzzled in amazement of how parallel our lives were. At that moment our team came to the entrance of the boulevard. Pierre and I took off running, both looking up at the sky.

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PORTAGE 6 FOOTE HYDRO

W

ITH A CAPACITY of 9,000 kilowatts, the hydro was completed in 1918.

It is located nine miles upstream from Lake Huron and is named for William A. Foote, the founder of Consumers Power, which later became Consumers Energy.

ConsumersEnergy.com/hydro 5445-E

5562-E