Thumb Resorter - August 2020

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August 14, 2020

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IN THIS ISSUE:

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Cheeseburger fest isn’t happening ........2 Cass City hospital celebrating 60 years..................................................3 Showcasing the DNR ............................. 7 ‘Bad Axe Meijer Mom’ takes social media by storm ............................9 Ubly Pharmacy open for business ....... 13 Tribune Throwback to 1936 ................ 15

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020

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Chamber: Cheeseburger fest isn’t happening MARK BIRDSALL mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com

CASEVILLE — Despite any rumors to the contrary, Caseville Area Chamber of Commerce President Steve Louwers wants to remind fans of the Cheeseburger in Caseville that the festival is still canceled, and no officially sponsored events will take place in 2020.

For reasons of safety and liability, the chamber was forced to cancel this year’s festival in June. Since then, some Caseville businesses have made plans to hold their own unofficial events during the time the festival was originally scheduled.

They’ve dubbed their unofficial observance of Caseville’s wildly popular, 10-day festival “A Slice of Cheeseburger.”

“It’s not going to be anything big,” Louwers said. “If they can help recoup some of their losses from a dismal summer, hopefully they can.

In no way are the businesses doing anything to jeopardize the people.”

Chamber officials posted a notice to their Facebook page Wednesday morning emphasizing the official festival will not take place this summer, in any form.

The Caseville Area Chamber Commerce is working to dispel rumors that some form of the official Cheeseburger in Caseville Festival is still taking place. (Tribune File Photo) Louwers said business owners have every right to make individual plans, and he’s confident they will all follow all state-issued guidelines and observe all safety precautions.

The chamber’s official statement read as follows: “There seems to be some bad info floating around that

we want to clear up.

Cheeseburger in Caseville 2020 is a no-go.

“We’re not having a mini version or trying to sneak something in under the radar. The Festival is organized by the Caseville Chamber of Commerce and due to funding, insurance, safety, and restrictions we

are unable to hold any Chamber Sponsored Cheeseburger Events.

“Some local businesses have chosen to keep the spirit of the festival alive and feature festival-themed food and entertainment.

“Our recommendation and understanding is that they are doing so within the cur-

rent Michigan Guidelines.

We are supportive of our member businesses doing this and working hard to salvage a devastating summer season.”

Louwers added that Caseville has been filled with visitors since Memorial Day weekend, and the weekly Market on Main Street has been very successful. Area businesses have been doing well considering the current circumstances, he said, though nothing can make up for what the festival would have provided in terms of revenue. He went out his way to praise them for taking all necessary safety precautions since they were allowed to reopen.

“They’re doing an absolutely fabulous job of complying with the governor’s rules on social distancing and wearing masks,” Louwers said.

The chamber has ordered commemorative 2020 T-shirts and buttons for long-time collectors, and Louwers said he’s already hard at work organizing the 2021 festival.

He reiterated the top priority of all involved is the health and safety of festivalgoers and Caseville residents.

Kinde Polka Fest canceled due to pandemic restrictions MARK BIRDSALL mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com KINDE — Organizers of the Kinde Polka Fest have announced the cancellation of this year’s festival.

Helen Wiley, secretary/ treasurer of the Friends of Kinde, said the decision

was a tough one to make but knew it was inevitable because of restrictions on the size of public gatherings due to the coronavirus pandemic. She added that the economic downturn caused by the lengthy shutdown also led to the cancellation, and organizers held off making a

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final decision until the very last minute.

“To go out and get sponsors this year would have been difficult because everyone has been hit financially by the situation we’re in,” Wiley said. “It might even be difficult for us next year, but we’re still going to pull off the festival regardless, as long as we’re healthy enough to have it.”

This year’s event, originally scheduled for Sept.

19-20, would have been the festival’s 15th anniversary, and organizers had been planning something special

to mark the milestone and its significance to the community.

Wiley said the festival usually draws thousands of people to Kinde, and money raised by events like the Sunday breakfast are directed to help North Huron students, but the safety of festival goers and volunteers is their top priority.

“It’s been hard for everyone, but we just have to stick together and for the next year to be better for us,” she said. “It’s almost like a death in the family, in a sense.”

Wiley is encouraging polka

fans to share their photos, memories and anything else associated with Kinde Polka Fest to the festival Facebook page.

“It’s been an interesting journey for us all, and this just adds a different type of chapter to it,” she said. “We will come back bigger and better, and we look forward to people returning to Kinde next year to enjoy all of the fun that goes with Kinde Polka Fest.”

Polka fans can check for news and updates on the festival’s official website, kindepolkafest.org.

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Organizers of the Kinde Polka Fest say the festival will return bigger and better than ever in 2021 after they made the decision to cancel this year’s festival due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Tribune File Photo)

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Hills & Dales General Hospital in Cass City is celebrating its 60th anniversary this month. The hospital will mark the occasion with a special “Roll and Stroll” event on Friday, Aug. 14. (Submitted Photo)

Cass City hospital celebrating 60th anniversary MARK BIRDSALL mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com

CASS CITY – In the mid-1940s, the people of Cass City decided they needed a hospital for their growing community, so the effort to build one in town became the focus of a postwar project.

Over the next several years, the community worked to raise funds to achieve that goal. Construction on the hospital began in the late 1950s, and on Aug. 15, 1960, Hills & Dales

General Hospital opened its doors to patients for the first time.

Now, 60 years later, the facility has grown and expanded to meet the needs its patients as health care has evolved and has become a vital part of the community.

To mark its 60th anniversary, the hospital held a special celebration on Friday, Aug. 14. Originally planned as an open house and luncheon, hospital officials have instead changed their plans to an outdoor “roll and stroll” event where those attending

can still meet staff while social distancing (see sidebar).

Hills & Dales President and CEO Jean Anthony said in a statement that hospital staff are grateful for the continued support of the Cass City community and are committed to serving their health care needs.

“As we prepare to celebrate our 60th anniversary, I am incredibly thankful to be a part of Hills & Dales,” Anthony said. “I have the distinct pleasure of leading a team that is dedicated to our patients and

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This year’s Relay for Life will be a drive-thru event MARK BIRDSALL mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com BAD AXE – After being scaled back and postponed from June to August, organizers of the Huron County 2020 Relay for Life have decided to hold a drive-thru only event.

Loretta Kuhn, fundraising lead for Huron County Relay for Life, said the steady number of new coronavirus cases in the Thumb led to the decision.

The American Cancer Society’s annual fundraiser in Huron County was originally scheduled for Friday, June 12. Earlier this summer, event planners announced the event would be scaled back and moved to Sunday, Aug. 23, at Bad Axe City Park due to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s slated to take place from 2 to 4 p.m.

“It’s the same date, the same time and the same place, but instead of trying to have people bring chairs and sit around and have a luminaria ceremony and a survivors’ ceremony, we just felt that with the numbers in the county going in the wrong direction for COVID, that we would be better off going to a drive-thru event,” Kuhn said.

She said organizers checked with

The 2020 Huron County Relay for Life, originally scheduled for Friday, June 12, will now take place on Sunday, Aug. 23, at Bad Axe City Park as a drive-thru event.

(Tribune File Photo) the city of Bad Axe and obtained permission to utilize the paved drive that runs through the park.

Volunteers will set up tribute signs and luminaria along the path, and they will post a 5 mile per hour speed limit. Survivors will still be able to pick up their event pin as usual, Kuhn said.

Those who attend are encouraged to ride in a vehicle, but individuals

may walk along the side of the path if they choose to do so, and everyone who participates will be asked to wear a mask. A health care professional has been advising organizers on how to ensure the health and safety of all who participate, Kuhn added.

Tribute signs and luminaria purchased by sponsors will also be used in next year’s event, Kuhn

said, adding that even though fundraising efforts have been hampered this year, organizers are still hard at work to make this year’s Relay for Life the very best it can be.

Kuhn mentioned one person who will be remembered at this year’s event. Rita Depcinski was a 51-year survivor who participated in Relay for Life since its inception. Depcinski passed away recently, Kuhn said, and her family have purchased a tribute sign to honor her memory.

“She was always so proud, because she was the longest (participating) survivor,” Kuhn said.

The organization is also seeking volunteers for the 2020 and 2021 events, and Kuhn urges anyone who wants to get involved in any capacity to email her at quilterlap@yahoo. com.

She said volunteers are needed for roles such as event promotion and committee chair.

She said between cancer survivors and Relay team members, about 200 people typically participate in the event. Kuhn said anyone who would like to attend is encouraged to do so, especially those who’ve been impacted by the disease.

“We just want them to know we are there for them,” Kuhn said.

New Cricket Wireless store opens in Bad Axe ROBERT CREENAN robert.creenan@hearst.com BAD AXE — A new Cricket Wireless cell phone store opened in Bad Axe earlier this month at the intersection of Huron Avenue and Port Crescent Street.

The store is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday to Friday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

Cricket Wireless sells prepaid phones that use AT&T’s network, with the plans having taxes and fees included.

The store also sells various phone accessories inside like phone cases, chargers, earphones, and Bluetooth speakers.

Rodger Handley, a district manager for Thanks Management, which operates this store along with Cricket’s Caro location, said he scouted out the Bad Axe area for a new Cricket store, which they and AT&T had to approve.

It took about 20 days to set everything up on the inside.

“The stores that do the best are the ones not in urban areas,” Handley said.

“We noticed people have to go to Walmart for pre-paid phones.”

The Cricket store currently has two employees and are looking to fill another sales associate position.

Despite using the same wireless network as AT&T, Handley said this Cricket store will operate independently from the AT&T store located a block away,

as Cricket does not offer contracts for its phones.

Handley did say that AT&T customers can get their same data plans with Cricket for less.

The store also has social distancing measures in place to have customers feeling safe, with the employees wearing masks, tape on the floor to keep the six-foot distance, and a plane of plexiglass to separate the employees from customers when they are working on computers.

“I think we’ll still be fine here,” Handley said. “The Caro store is still doing well, and we’re expecting the same kind of output in this store.”

The Cricket store will be giving out a variety of swag items for customers, such as water bottles, T-shirts, hacky sacks, selfie sticks, and sunglasses.

The new Cricket cell phone store in Bad Axe, which opened recently. (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune)

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020

Tribune Throwback

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This is the cover of the July 24, 1936, edition of the Huron County Tribune Vacation in the Thumb O’ Michigan. Take a trip back in time beginning on Page 15.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020

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Showcasing the DNR: Herbicide helpful in managing state’s forests

BY KATHLEEN LAVEY Michigan Department of Natural Resources MICHIGAN — From now through fall, people who visit or live near state forests may find signs posted that say herbicide spraying has taken place. They may occasionally find a road closed to off-road vehicle traffic or even see a helicopter flying above, trailing a mist of herbicide.

“Herbicide is an important tool for forest management, especially when preparing to plant red pine,” said Scott Throop, timber management specialist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. The DNR’s Forest Resources Division manages more than 4 million acres of state forest land with practices that are certified as sustainable by third-party organizations.

Herbicides can be used to prepare for planting new trees or to remove invasive species.

“Safety is my number one concern after the decision is made to spray a site,” Throop said. “We spend a lot of time trying to mitigate the risk.

We know that people use all of our state forest land, and we want to do our best to protect them.”

Keeping people safe starts with information to help them understand the process and the precautions being taken, said Jeff Stampfly, acting Forest Resources Division chief.

“We want to be open and informative with people about the various treatments we are using to manage the forests,” he said.

Parcels scheduled to be sprayed this year range from a 5-acre plot in Roscommon County to a parcel of about 1,000 acres of timber land in Kalkaska County. Roughly 9,000 acres of land in about 20 counties were scheduled for herbicide treatment this year; those plans normally are made two years in advance and are available for the public to review at Michigan.gov/ForestInput.

To put that in perspective, if the DNR sprays all 9,000 acres, that represents only two-tenths of one percent of Michigan’s state forest land base. It is likely that workers will be able to spray only about half of that acreage this spraying season. But even though the area is small in terms of acreage, it represents a huge investment that will ensure quality timber into the 22nd century.

This year, spraying began in June at research sites in conjunction with Michigan State University researchers, who are studying hardwood regeneration. Removing competition from other plants with herbicide helps researchers evaluate various tree-growing methods equally.

A herbicide application project is photographed from the Gwinn Forest Management in south Marquette County, in August 2019. The application was taking place to prepare the landscape for jack and red pine planting. (Michigan DNR/Courtesy Photo) The spraying season, from July through September, usually takes place to prepare the ground for planting red pine the following spring or, in a few cases in the Upper Peninsula, jack pine trees. Spraying later in the fall kills hardwood saplings and grass while leaving the pines unharmed as they have gone dormant for the winter.

Several different herbicide products are used, depending on the site and the desired result. In every case, Throop said the goal is to use the lightest concentration of the herbicide product possible.

“Our chemical mixes are designed to work at the low A herbicide application project is photographed from the Gwinn Forest Management in south end of the concentration Marquette County, in August 2019. The application was taking place to prepare the landscape for jack range,” Throop said. “We’re and red pine planting. (Michigan DNR/Courtesy Photo) typically far from the high end of permitted use.”

Herbicide is usually All DNR herbicide applica- applied from a large piece of tors are licensed and trained all-terrain equipment known in the safe use of these prod- as a skidder or sometimes, a ucts, and all herbicides used helicopter is used. by the DNR are approved by “One of our major conthe U.S. Environmental Pro- cerns when spraying from a tection Agency. helicopter is drift,” Throop When an area is to be said. “If winds are such that sprayed, signs are posted drift becomes unacceptable, beforehand at every access we’ll stop aerial spraying for point to the property, includ- that day.” ing roads and trail heads.

After an area is sprayed, The signs specify what is signs are left in place for at being done and give a conleast 48 hours and sometact number people can call times longer. Out of an abunif they want to talk to DNR dance of caution, people are staff about the spraying. advised not to pick berries Nearby landowners also from sites that have been are notified, although somesprayed recently. times it is difficult to reach Herbicide spraying owners of seasonal homes. becomes obvious in subseDNR staff and contractors quent days as plants begin to are careful to try to accomturn brown. modate neighbors’ concerns.

“People notice something “We sprayed an area in was done, and they can call Kalkaska County where us at any time with questhere were lots of neighbors,” tions,” Throop said.

Throop said. “In order to To learn more about how mitigate potential conflicts, and why the DNR manages we moved spraying to the almost 4 million acres of middle of the week to lessen state forest, visit Michigan. impacts in the area.” gov/ForestManagement.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020

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Ubly’s Nicole Franzel returns to ‘Big Brother’ ERIC YOUNG eric.young@hearstnp.com LOS ANGELES — Ubly Native Nicole Franzel was revealed to be one of the latest contestants on CBS’ “Big Brother” during the premiere of its “All-Stars” season Wednesday, Aug. 5.

This is Franzel’s third appearance as a contestant on the show.

She won the show’s 18th season in 2016.

Most recently, Franzel was a contestant on “The Amazing Race” with her fiance, Victor Arroyo. The two met as contestants on “Big Brother.”

Nicole They finished Franzel fourth on “The Amazing Race.”

Franzel first appeared on Big Brother during its 16th season in 2014, where she was evicted twice on Day 56 and Day 77, finishing in 10th place.

“The first time I played I was so excited to be on the show,” she told the Tribune after winning Season 18. “I didn’t really play the game.

This time, I went in and wanted to win, so every day I strategized.”

During her appearance in 2016, Franzel was nominated for eviction three times, including during the first eviction on Day 2.

However, she was able to escape eviction to win the $500,000 prize after spending 99 days in the “Big Brother” house.

In addition to being a contestant on Big Brother, Franzel also appeared a competition host in the 19th season in 2017.

This year’s season is unique as it takes place

HOSPITAL Continued from Page 3 mammography. Danielle Blaine, director of Hills & Dales public relations, marketing and foundation, said the hospital is constantly looking to expand

Ubly’s Nicole Franzel (right) pumps her fists in the air after host Julie Chen (center) announces that Nicole made Big Brother history by becoming the first woman to beat a man, Paul Abrahamian (far left), in the finals. Nicole outlasted 15 other houseguests and on Sept. 21 was crowned this season’s Big Brother champion. (CBS photo) during the coronavirus pandemic.

“All of this season’s houseguests have been individually quarantined for the past two weeks,” said host Julie Chen Moonves in the premiere episode, according to an article in Variety.

“You’ve all been tested multiple times for COVID-19, as have I, and you are all clear to play this game.”

This season includes 16 previous houseguests. In addition to Franzel, they include Christmas Abbott

“The first time I played I was so excited to be on the show. I didn’t really play the game. This time, I went in and wanted to win, so every day I strategized.” from Big Brother 19; David Alexander from Big Brother 21; Nicole Anthony from Big Brother 21; Dani Briones from Big Brother 8 and 13; Cody Calafiore from Big Brother 16; Kevin Campbell

from Big Brother 11; Tyler Crispen from Big Brother 20; Bayleigh Dayton from Big Brother 20, Memphis Garrett from Big Brother 10, Enzo Palumbo from Big Brother 12, Janelle Pierzina

from Big Brother 6, 7 and 14; Kaysar Ridha from Big Brother 6 and 7; Da;Vonne Rogers from Big Brother 17 and 18; Keesha Smith from Big Brother 10; and Ian Terry from Big Brother 14.

This summer is the 20th anniversary of Big Brother, which premiered in July 2000.

This is the second all-star season.

The show will air weekly episodes on Wednesdays and Sundays and live evictions on Thursdays.

and improve the services it offers. She said there is a lot of training that goes along with technology like the hospital’s new 3D mammography machine, and the work to provide their patients with the best care available is a continual process.

In 2018, Hills & Dales

had around 7,000 ER visits, performed about 1,000 surgeries, saw about 50,000 outpatient visits and provided about 1,900 inpatient days of care.

Hills & Dales medical staff includes 12 physicians encompassing the areas of emergency medicine, family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, general surgery and orthopedics. Additionally, there are 12 nurse practitioners who work beside

physicians in caring for their patients. Hills & Dales also has clinics in Cass City, Caro, Kingston and Ubly and two rehab centers located in Cass City and Caro.

The hospital grew with the completion of expansion projects in 1972, 1980, 2017 and 2019. Hills & Dales was also instrumental in bringing renal dialysis and MRI services to the community.

In 2017, Hills & Dales earned a Level IV Trauma

Facility designation, making it the first facility in Michigan to do so. As a Level IV Trauma Facility, the hospital became a designated part of the statewide trauma system; endeavoring to help improve the care and outcomes provided to all trauma patients.

Hills & Dales provides evaluation, stabilization, and diagnostic capabilities for injured patients and when needed, will transfer a patient onto a Level I, II or III facility.

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Shar Mohr, poses for a photo as she receives a birthday surprise from members of management at the Bad Axe Meijer store. Mohr is something of a Meijer superfan, and she decided to share her enthusiasm by starting social media pages dubbed “The Bad Axe Meijer Mom.” (Courtesy Photo)

‘Bad Axe Meijer Mom’ takes social media by storm MARK BIRDSALL mark.birdsall@hearstnp.com BAD AXE — Shar Mohr likes Meijer. She really likes Meijer.

The Bad Axe wife and mother of five likes Meijer so much she’s taken to social media to share her enthusiasm for the Michigan-based retailer.

Known on Facebook and Instagram as “The Bad Axe Meijer Mom,” Mohr has chronicled her trips to the new Huron County store since it opened in early July.

Her page is filled with photos of quirky items, recipes, short videos and advertised specials. She’s even created a special shopping list based on the store’s aisles that her fellow Meijer fans can use to shop more efficiently.

Recently diagnosed with autism, Mohr said one of the effects of her condition prevents her from navigating long distances, so having the new store just a few minutes away from her home has been a godsend. She said she loves the exotic and unusual foods the store has to offer.

“I love to cook, I love to eat, I love other cultures, and we’re just kind of very vanilla here in Huron County,” Mohr said. “It’s opened up my world exponentially, and I just love it. It’s been like finding a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.”

Mohr, who grew up in Huron County and considers herself “a lifer,” owned a small business that she closed “to take a breather” and because of the slowdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic. She’s a self-described “nerd” who enjoys things like Star Trek and Godzilla, so the notion of fandom is not foreign to

her. Meijer is now one of her newest passions, and it’s one she indulges almost every chance she gets.

“I’m there, like, every day, even if it’s just to grab something to eat I’ve never eaten before,” she said.

Mohr said she’s gained about 700 followers since she started her social media pages just a few weeks ago.

She tries to update her page at least once a day to keep her posts appearing regularly in her followers’ feeds. She said her sense of humor has help spread the word and inspired fellow fans to share her posts, which has led to more followers.

She said she discovered she had a knack for social media because she’s not the most social person in the real world and found that something like Facebook provided an outlet for to connect with others who share her interests.

“It just kind of came natural for me,” Mohr said.

“I feel it’s just a matter of timing. Meijer is here, times are tough, it’s a positive, light-hearted thing in a time that is not.”

Store management has taken notice of their top Huron County fan. A casual acquaintance of Mohr’s who works at the store and was aware of her social media page mentioned it in passing during a conversation with fellow employees, which led the store director to reach out and invite her to come in and meet him. She was treated to a birthday surprise, complete with treats, sushi, and cake and ice cream.

Mohr said one of the benefits of the store and her social media pages for her personally is that it has provided an outlet for what she describes

as a “hyperfocus.” She described her recent autism diagnosis to a light bulb going on above her head and that it explained some the experiences she had growing up.

“It actually makes a lot

of sense,” Mohr said of her diagnosis. “It’s been pretty amazing to find out. I feel relief.”

Mohr has continued to grow her pages by offering gift card giveaways and

hopes to it keep it growing.

She’s added a link to her pages so her followers can donate a few bucks to buy her a cup of coffee if they want to show their appreciation for her efforts.

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FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020

Two marvels meet

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Comet Neowise kept photographers and astronomers — both professional and amateur — busy over the last several weeks, appearing during the early evening hours in the skies over Michigan. Pictured here, the comet can be seen above Turnip Rock in Port Austin toward the end of its “visit.” (Tyler Leipprandt/Michigan Sky Media)

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Guiding light

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020

11

The Neowise comet shines brightly over the Pointe Aux Barques Lighthouse on the night of July 13 about an hour after sunset. The comet has been a popular sight for stargazers for the last several days, and should still be visible in the night sky just after sunset.

(Tyler Leipprandt/Michigan Sky Media)

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Scheurer FastCare provides convenience and affordability PAIGE WITHEY paige.withey@hearstnp.com BAD AXE – The July 9 grand opening of Meijer provided not only a wonderful shopping alternative, but it also a one-stop location for many of the community’s healthcare needs with the addition of a pharmacy and the Scheurer Health FastCare clinic.

Scheurer Health FastCare, located inside the Home entrance of Bad Axe’s new Meijer, is not only meant to save customers time and money but also cut down on Emergency Room overcrowding due to the coronavirus. FastCare will combat minor ailments that aren’t serious enough to warrant the time and money of a trip to the ER or Walk-In Clinic.

According to Scheurer’s website, “FastCare is about getting help when you’re sick, without a big bill.” The clinic is an appropriate place to visit for relief from common ailments such as minor sunburns, allergies, and ear infections as well as flu shots and pre-employment physicals.

“Scheurer’s motto is ‘Better Health. Better Life.’ and something that makes that attainable for this community is convenience and accessibility,” said Clark Ramsey, Manager of Business and Marketing for Scheurer Hospital. “The goal is giving patients an all-in-one location for their healthcare needs, FastCare and the pharmacy located within Meijer.”

“No appointment is necessary at

Nurse practitioners Erika Mroz and Kristie Smith stand outside Scheurer Health FastCare in celebration of its opening along with the Bad Axe Meijer. (Scheurer Hospital/Courtesy Photo) FastCare and patients don’t need to titioners Erika Mroz and Kristie avoid this within the local commuprovide insurance,” Ramsey added.

Smith as the two main providers. nity.

“If a condition requires more immeWith the rise of the coronavirus For a list of ailments treated at diate advanced care, the patient pandemic in recent months, a focus FastCare and more on the difference would be referred to the local ER.” of many healthcare facilities has between FastCare, Walk-In, and Scheurer Health FastCare is open been to limit Emergency Room over- Emergency Care visit Scheurer.org/ 362 days a year with Nurse Praccrowding. FastCare will surely help fastcare/

Cass City splash pad almost ready for visitors MARY DRIER For the Tribune UPPER THUMB — With

temperatures forecast to continue being in the 90s, there will soon be a second way to cool off from the heat in the vil-

lage of Cass City.

“The splash pad is just about done,” said Tom Herron, who is a trustee on the Cass City

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Village Council. “The water needs to be connected to it.

That should be done this week or next. Then, it will be ready to go.”

A trip to Atlanta, Georgia, about a year ago was how the idea to build a splash pad in the village came about.

“I was there visiting my daughter last year,” Herron said.

“There was one there that I saw. We were doing renovations to the pool here, and I thought adding a splash park would be a good addition to the park and for the pool.”

The rest of the village council agreed with him.

Even though the village didn’t have all of the money in hand at the time to fund the entire project, it still moved forward.

The village had enough money to purchase the equipment while they sought grants and did fundraising for the money to install the splash pad.

“We need money for materials and labor to put the splash pad in place — like the cement and fencing,” explained village Manager Debbie Powell.

The project received a couple of financial boosts. In 2018, the Penny Foundation gave the village a $25,000 grant, and an anonymous source donated $40,000 toward the splash park.

Herron helped with fundraising for the project just like he did when money was needed

for the pool’s renovation.

The village has a designated fund, called the “water recreation fund.” The money in the fund is just for water recreation for the pool or for the splash park.

Grant and donations go into that fund. The anonymous donation along with some of the other money that is in the recreation fund was enough to go ahead and purchase the equipment.

Herron, who is a retired builder, was the project manager for the splash pad.

“Helping build the splash pad was a real challenge,” Herron said. “I had never done one before. It will be a nice asset for the park and pool.”

Herron’s right-hand man was Don Ball. He and Herron working on the splash pad.

“He was my muscle,” Herron said. “He has done construction work so he helped a lot with this project.”

Ball, who is also a village council trustee, was part owner of C. R. Hunt Construction Company.

He retired in 2007.

The two men worked tirelessly getting the project done.

According to Powell, everyone likes a splash park because it can be enjoyed by toddlers and grandparents as well.

Also, the splash pad offers diversity because older children can be in the pool and the younger ones in the splash park.

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Ubly Pharmacy is open for business ROBERT CREENAN robert.creenan@hearst.com UBLY — The chain of Harbor Drug pharmacies has opened a new location in Ubly, but not under the Harbor Drug name.

The new Ubly Pharmacy opened July 27, located at 2031 East Main Street in Ubly, next to the Veteran’s Memorial Park. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“I felt like I wanted to have a different name for the pharmacy in Ubly,” said Mike Delpiere, the owner of Harbor Drug. “It is basic and is representative of the town.”

The pharmacy has a retail area and a small over the counter section. It will provide immunizations, have a pharmacist and two technicians working there, and is accepting all insurances at the moment.

Delpiere bought the building, the location of many former businesses and restaurants, in February and had a contractor work on renovating it since then. He had thought about adding a new local pharmacy to his chain after Walgreen’s opened its location in Bad Axe. “I felt the importance to give people a choice, the big box store versus an independent pharmacy,” Delpiere said.

The spread of the coronavirus across Huron County did slow down the licensing process and the insurance process, since the people in charge of those are working from home. Still, Delpiere was able to get everything

Kara Gehring, left, and Michael Delpiere, right, work at the new Ubly Pharmacy on opening day. (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune) set up inside the store.

“If there was no virus, it would have opened a couple of weeks sooner,” Delpiere said. “It was not a detriment.

It posed a few challenges, like getting the contractors and the insurances.”

Delpiere said the other Harbor Drug locations, in Harbor Beach and Deckerville, are very patient-oriented, and that bringing a store to another small community in the Thumb is exciting.

“It keeps things closer to home,” Delpiere said. “I know a lot of people in the eastern side of the Thumb are excited to see a new business open, and the elderly patients don’t have to travel to the big box store.”

The pharmacy is accepting prescription transfers, which people can call 989-6583324 to do so.

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McLAREN THUMB REGION CONVENIENT CARE The recently opened Ubly Pharmacy along East Main Street in the Village of Ubly. The pharmacy is the new location of the Harbor Drug chain of local pharmacies. (Robert Creenan/Huron Daily Tribune)

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Cass City Farmers Market: This takes place from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. through Sept. 24 on Main Street (M-81) in front of Rotary Park. For more information, call 989-872-4311.

Market on Main, Caseville: Caseville’s Market on Main takes place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays through Sept. 5. For more information, call 989-856-3818.

Harbor Beach Farmers Market: This takes place from 2-6 p.m. every Friday on the Murphy Museum grounds every Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. through Oct. 11.

For more information, call 989-550-1662.

Pigeon Farmers Market: This takes place from 9 am. to 2 p.m. every Friday from June 19 through Oct. 30 in downtown Pigeon.

For more information, call 989-545-5240 Port Austin Farmers Market: This takes place from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday through Oct. 10 in downtown Port Austin.

For more information, call 989-738-7600

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Tribune Throwback

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14, 2020

Since 1876, the Huron Daily Tribune has been a key historian in the area by documenting the happenings in Huron County, the Upper Thumb and beyond.

The Tribune regularly delves into its extensive archives to share with its readers a

15

glimpse of the past to reminisce, and be mindful of history as they decide the future.

In this gallery, you will find photos, stories and advertisements from the Vacation in the Thumb O’ Michigan section published July 24, 1936.

How State Play Grounds Were Started

By Late Governor Albert E. Sleeper

Gov. Sleeper visions the resort advantages of Michigan in 1917

Ex-Governor Albert E. Sleeper is now generally credited with being the father of the county and state park system. In fact the writer was present at a meeting of the County Pioneer Society in the Episcopal church when Gov. Sleeper first proposed state and county parks. It seemed like a new thought to him but it struck a popular chord not only at home but throughout the state and he proposed it as a state matter in his inaugural message.

The editorial below in relation to the message is taken from the Grand Rapids Herald and was probably written by Senator Vandenberg: Among other subjects mentioned by Governor Sleeper in his inaugural message was one which in the past has been ignored despite its importance to the people of Michigan.

“The rapid development of the automobile and its almost universal use, our improved highways and our wonderful shore lines will soon make Michigan the Summer home of the middle west. We must make our laws regulating automobile

traffic and the development of Summer resorts and highways models for the nation,” said Mr. Sleeper.

Michigan has advantages as a Summer resort with no other state in the Union can equal. Wisconsin and Illinois, while having many miles of lake front, have not the delightful sandy beaches which attract compliments from tourists who visit Michigan and this state’s climate is tempered by the Great Lakes to a more considerable extent than that of any other so-called lake states.

The Summer resort business as proposition for consideration of state authorities seems a small and unimportant matter. We are apt to consider Summer resorts rather as loitering places for tanned youths in sports shirts and girls in risqué bathing suits than as assets to the community. In the past Michigan has tolerated its Summer resorts rather than approved them.

Until within a few years almost no effort was made except by scattered communities to seeing visitors to our beaches for the hot months. Yet resorters spend fortunes in Michigan each Summer.

The value of resort business as gradually forced itself upon our attention, but even now there is little record to show that Michi-

gan as a state has the “welcome” mat out all along its borders for summer visitors.

We have glanced at the constantly increasing number of auto licenses from other

states which we see along our highways in summer and casually wondered what in the world these tourists are doing in Michigan.

No special effort has been made by the community further than spasmodic road improvements to make the state more inviting for these visitors. In many districts, in fact, the visiting motorist is not welcome. He is looked upon merely as a slayer of the chickens and raiser of the dust. Strict speed laws have been made by these communities to hamper the foist.

Governor Sleeper is right.

“We make our laws regulating automobile traffic — models for the nation.” Let the tourist know that he is welcome; that Michigan not only offers him natural beauties and a healthful climate, but a gladly approval of his coming. Let us not hamper him wherever he asks to go by stringent speed laws, impassable highways, etc.

This matter of highway improvement is one that is being generally pushed in Michigan, but slowed by nature and because of its cost is slow in progress. On the other hand the legislature has the power now to establish general automobile laws which will be a distant invitation to tourist and will become as Governor Sleeper suggests, “models for the nation.”

Trailer tourists given warning

Attachments must be secure says law

With the exodus of vacationists beginning and with the thousands more to follow within a few weeks, the legal department of the Automobile Club of Michigan today warned tourists taking their vacations in trailers to

observe the state laws before departure.

Numerous complaints have been received by the legal department from irate tourists who did not study the state law before embarking on a ‘trailer tour.’ Predominant among

the complaints concerned attachment of the trailer to the automobile. The state law on this reads: “All trailers or semi-trailers hauled by any motor propelled vehicle must be attached to such vehicle and to each other, with such

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forms of coupling devices as will prevent such trailer or semi-trailer from being deflected more than six inches from the path of the towing vehicle’s wheels.

The trailers must also be connected to the towing vehicle or to each other by

suitable safety chains or devices, one on each side of the couplings and at the extreme outer edge of the vehicle and each such chain or device and connection so used shall be of sufficient strength to haul the trailer when loaded.”

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“Live Oaks” was Thumb’s first organized ball team

HURON

BY CHET HEY Horse racing may be the “sport of Kings” but baseball, the “Great American Game,” has been the sport of masses of America since the days of the Colonists. The Article following shows the important place baseball held in the lives of Huron County pioneers.

The first Bad Axe baseball team was the “Live Oaks,” organized by Billy Sills, in 1877, and named after the famous Live Oaks of Seaforth, Canada. This team used a horsehide ball and Spaulding bats as equipment.

The catcher stood about 20 feet behind the batter and caught the ball on its first rebound. He was required to catch only the third strike.

This he accomplished by moving up to a position on

a few feet behind the plate, similar to the location of the modern catcher.

All of the team caught bare-handed. The catcher wore no mast or breast protector and often a “ticked ball” was stopped by some tender part of his anatomy.

The catcher was considered the most important member of the team in the early days.

Newspaper account of “Live Oaks” as reprinted from the Huron County News, July 5, 1878 “The game was called at 2:15 p.m. with E. C. Haywood of Port Hope as umpire, and was played on the Port Austin diamond.

The lineup for the Hurons of Port Austin was: Harry Winsor, catcher; George Hazen, pitcher; Ransom Cooper, first base; Andy Burrows, second base; Chas. Curtis,

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third base; Max Neill, short stop; Phil Winsor, left field; Darwin Patrick, center field; Wm. Brooks, right field.

For the “Live Oaks” of Bad Axe: J. O. Toole, third base; William Sills, catcher; Thomas Dodd, left fielder; Dr. Dale, pitcher; “By” Davis, first base; W. B. Irwin, second base; Thomas Elliott, short stop; C. G. Cole, right field.

The score ended 23 to 16 in favor of the “Live Oaks” of Bad Axe. Umpire Haywood handled the troubled waters throughout the game excellently. Bad Axe may well be proud of her “Live Oaks,” a more gentlemanly, more behaved club never visited our village.”

Live Oak Club has one survivor

W. B. Irwin, living near Bad Axe is said to be the only survivor of the Bad Axe Live Oaks. Cal Foster, Civil War veteran of Bad Axe tells that Thomas Elliott and family was massacred by the Cheyenne Indians, while enroute to the west, in the fall of 1878.

The Live Oaks played several hotly contested games with the famous Huron City ball team. Seven members of this club are living. They are: Prof. William Lyon Phelps, retired Lamson Professor of English, Yale College, still a summer resident of Huron City; Pater L. Richards, keeper of the Pointe aux Barques Government lighthouse. He has two sons who play ball; George Pease, barber of Port Hope; Capt.

Harry Ferris, now in Minnesota; James Scott, retired commander of the Crisp lifesaving station, now a resident of Port Huron; Andrew Shaw, retired lighthouse keeper of Erie, Penn.; Capt.

Robert Oliver, still living in Huron County at Pointe aux Barques Lifesaving Station.

Dr. Fleckenstein of Port Hope and George Brown of Harbor Beach are the members of the Huron City team who have answered the “Call of the Great Scorer.” Prof.

Phelps was captain of the Huron City team.

W. B. Irwin, Bad Axe, tells us that the Bad Axe Live Oaks won the fine Spaulding bat trophy given to the champions of Huron, Sanilac and Tuscola counties in 1878.

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What a difference only a short fifty years makes

1886

Fifty years ago women wore hoopskirts, bustles, petticoats, corsets, cotton stockings, high buttoned shoes, ruffled cotton drawers, flannel nightgowns, puffs in their hair — did their own cooking, baking, cleaning, washings, ironing, raised big families, went to church Sunday and were too busy to be sick.

Men wore whiskers, square hats, Ascot ties, red flannel underwear,

big watches and chains, chopped wood for the stoves, bathed once a week, drank ten-cent whiskey and five-cent beer, rode bicycles, buggies or sleighs, went in for politics, worked 12 hours a day and lived to a ripe old age.

Stores burned coal-oil lamps, carried everything from a needle to a plow, trusted everybody, never took an inventor, placed orders for goods a year in advance and always made money.

1936

Today women wear silk stockings, short skirts, low shoes, no corsets, an ounce of underwear, have bobbed hair, smoke, paint and powder, drink cocktails, play bridge, drive cars, have pet dogs and go in for politics.

Men have high blood pressure, wear no hats, and some no hair, shave their whiskers, shoot golf, play the stock market, ride in airplanes, never go to bed the same day they get up,

are misunderstood at home, work five hours a day, play ten and die younger.

Stores have electric lights, cash registers, elevators, never have what the customer wants, trusts nobody, take inventory daily, never buy in advance, have over-head, mark-upmark-down quota, budget-advertising-stock control, annual and semi-annual, end-of-month, dollar day, founder’s day, rummage, economy day sales, and never make any money.

Famed Harbor Beach Resort settled nearly century ago

Fishing popular sport of summer visitors

Harbor Beach — famed as a summer resort, a commercial fishing center, a haven for Great Lakes sailors and for its agricultural section, located on the shore of Lake Huron — annually entertains thousands of visitors, who come here either for pleasure or business.

Harbor Beach is within one year of the one hundredth anniversary of the first settlement here as history records that this community had its beginning in 1837.

Citizens of this community have had an important part in the development of the Thumb district as public officials and public spirited citizens.

Harbor Beach was the first county seat of Huron County from 1859 to 1864, when the county seat was moved to Port Austin.

One of the first summer resorts in Michigan was the Harbor Beach Resort, estab-

lished south of the city in 1896. Every summer since its organization, prominent citizens of Detroit, St. Louis, Cleveland, Chicago, Philadelphia and other cities have come here.

The summer colony

includes large and palatial homes, many of which are constructed of cedar logs. A spacious club house in the center of social activities.

Several years ago, a salt water swimming pool was built at the resort.

Haven of Safety The harbor of refuge here has been a haven of safety for Great Lakes mariners for 60 years and undoubtedly has been the means of saving countless lives. It was started in 1873. The long breakwater walls attract much interest from visitors.

A coast guard station in command of Capt. F. L. Beck and a lighthouse in charge of Otto Both are also interesting features within the harbor.

North Park at the north limits of the city provides excellent facilities for tourists and campers. It was

improved last year through repairs to the pavilion, installation of stoves and other equipment.

An outstanding feature of Harbor Beach is the modern Community House, built in 1927 to replace a similar structure destroyed by fire the previous year.

Numerous commercial fishing firms have their headquarters on the wharf in the harbor of refuge.

Hook and line fishing is a popular sport with local persons and visitors, either from the wharf or from small boats within the harbor.

The principal industry of Harbor Beach is the Huron Milling Company, which manufactures starch products in its large factory, opposite the harbor of refuge.

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Michigan is rapidly becoming the center of camping in America That at least is the opinion of Lewis C. Reimann of Ann Arbor, president of the Great Lakes Inter-Camp council, affiliated with American Camping Association. And the statement probably comes as a surprise to large majority of Michigan citizens who have been unaware of the extent of the summer camp movement in their home state.

Growth of boys and girls summer camps throughout the state has been proceeding at a rapid rate in recent years, but all too little recognition has been given them in the commonwealth that

shelters them. A great deal has been heard about New England camps and camps in other sections of the country, but so far Michigan camps generally have lacked publicity and national advertising comparable to that given outside enterprises.

Not in the public eye

With a few exceptions, Michigan camps have not come before the public eye in proportion to their importance. In spite of this the natural advantages of the state, its situation near large

centers of population, its summer climate and its lakes and streams and woods have made it almost inevitable that this vacationland should become a center of camping.

“Boys and girls camps are becoming a major industry in Michigan,” Reinmann declares. “There are in the neighborhood of 350 camps of various types organized and conducted during the months of July and August.

There is in the neighborhood of $5,000,000 invested in property and equipment by these camps, a total between 45,000 and 50,000 boys and girls attend, and approxi-

mately $3,750,000 is spent annually in conducting these camps.

“About 5,000 men and women spend their summer conducting these camps as directors and counselors or members of the business staffs. Between 25 and 30 percent of the boys and girls come from out of the state to spend the summer in Michigan.

Many visitors

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camper in Michigan, two or three times that number of individuals are concerned in visiting the camps and spending their money for gasoline, railroad fare, hotels, meals and other expenses.

For every dollar spent for a child going to camp another dollar is spent by the parents and relatives on these visits to the children.”

Reimann further points out that children from all parts of the United States attend the camps here and, furthermore, he predicts that the number of campers will double or triple in the next five years.

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Southeastern Tourist Association advertises the Thumb’s facilities

To carry the message of the Southeastern Michigan’s enviable position as a tourist and resort paradise, public-spirited citizens in nine counties maintain the Southeastern Michigan Tourist and Publicity Association.

From its headquarters each year are sent thousands of folders, pamphlets and similar publicity material, profusely illustrated, telling the store of a summer Eden of fishing, swimming, boating, golf, tennis, camping, hiking, blue waters, sunny skies and ideal temperatures.

On main highway signs in many states, motorists

read about the advantages of Southeastern Michigan as a vacation mecca.

Chambers of Commerce and civic agencies in stores of cities on both sides of the United States-Canada border advertise the story by publicity pamphlets received from the association. Newspapers, magazines, other periodicals and the radio have been pressed into service in efforts to acquaint prospective tourists and resorters with Southeastern Michigan’s summer playground.

In the nine counties covered by the association are 600 inland lakes, hundreds of miles of sandy beaches,

modern inns and hotels, camping sites and resort centers.

Activities of the bureau this year are financed through $25,000 granted by the state and matching funds subscribed by residents of the area. It is one of four such agencies subsidized by the Michigan to inform the world about summer resort facilities and attractions within its boundaries.

At the last meeting of the association in Port Huron, delegates were told that 1935 tourist businesses in Southeastern Michigan was the best in five years and that the summer of 1936, because of economic recover, promis-

es even greater things.

The bureau re-elected H. A. Hopkins, St. Clair, new secretary-manager of the Port Huron Chamber of Commerce, president; Michael Meyer, Lexington, president of Thumb of Michigan Association; Dr. J. E. Wurm, Sebewaing; W. W. Crapo, Pointe aux Barques, and A. D. Brewer, Leslie Ulrich and Donald R. Westendorf, all of Mt. Clemens, vice-president; John A. Anderson, Port Huron, treasurer and J. Lee Barrett, Detroit, secretary. Directors are: St. Clair County - J. L. Ludlow, Fred W. Moore, J. F. Wilson, M. W. Tomlin, Clarence J. Reid, Angus

Smith, James Reid, Jesse J. Wolcott, Edwin. C. Hancock, Robert Farr, Harry G. Love, J. M. MacTaggart, A. B. Parfet, Leroy S. Wilson, Gar Wood, A. J. Needham and Mr. Hopkins. Huron County - L. C. Albertson, Theodore M. Shunk, Wallace Markle, John Neeb, Darius Mihlethaler, Theodore Schubel, George E. English, Howard W. Smith, Clair Ross, William Webber, John Pittwood, Carl Mizener, Mr. Crapo and Mr. Wurm. Sanilac County - William L. Sheldon, Lloyd Dummond, John Steckler, Thomas N. Graham, William Irwin, William Oldield, A. F. Decker, L. Patterson and Harry Smith.

“Port of Hope’ for two men in 1885, now cool summer village Port Hope, known as “The Little Town with the Big Welcome,” offers much for the enjoyment of the tourist and summer visitor.

The town is located on a high bluff of land, overlooking Lake Huron, and is always cool regardless of the high temperature elsewhere in the summer.

A well furnished county park affords visitors good camping facilities. The park is located on Lake Huron and has a good bathing beach.

Many prominent men have visited during the summer months in Port

Hope and vicinity.

Among the best known is Harry L. Hopkins, federal emergency relief administrator, who has come to Port Hope every summer for many years.

History records that the first settlement was made here in 1855.

Shortly thereafter, an interesting incident, which gave Port Hope its name, occurred.

Two men left steamer, opposite the present site of the village, in a small rowboat to come ashore.

After rowing many hours without reaching land, one

man remarked to the other that if they ever landed it would certainly be a port of hope.

They finally landed here and true to their word, named their landing place Port Hope.

Port Hope drew attention as an attractive village as early as 1871 when H. E. Baker, editor of the Detroit Tribune, referred to Port Hope as a “handsome village.”

A feature of the summer program of the village is the annual homecoming the first Sunday in September and Labor Day.

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