HIGH SCHOOL SWEETHEARTS 65 YEARS WED

Donna Thoma

Saturday, October 29, 2022, a small group of family and friends gathered at the Charles M. Engel VFW Post #4159 to surprise Bruce and Janette Lorion, in honor of their 65th wedding anniversary.

Bruce and Janette (Siderman) became high school sweethearts while students of Gerrish - Higgins High School in Roscommon. They were married October 26, 1957 at the Congregational Church of Roscommon. Glenda Eastman served as Janette's Maid of Honor and the late Chuck Baker served as Best Man to Bruce. Bruce and Jan had two children, Deborah Donnelly and the late Charlie Lorion. They have five grandchildren and eleven great grandchildren. Bruce retired from Camp Grayling as Maintenance Supervisor, and Jan retired as AP Supervisor for the Department of State Social Services of Roscommon County. In addition, both they and their family have been active in many volunteer activities throughout the years. A former firefighter and Chief of Gerrish Fire Department, Bruce was instrumental in forming the first ambulance service in Roscommon County as well as the Michigan Firemen's Memorial Festival Committee. Janette is a past Director of the local Sweet Adeline's, and she and her sisters formed the “Sob Sisters,” singing many of the old “fun ” songs.

Over forty-four years ago, when presented with the question, “who would be willing to take on continuing entertainment the weekend of the Firemen's Memorial, ” it looked like no one would step up. Business members and the Roscommom County Firefighters Association who had done it since the beginning, felt they were no longer able to continue the effort. Bruce Lorion said “I will!” That was the beginning of the Michigan Firemen's Memorial Festival Committee, and the rest is history.

Bruce, Jan and their family have been wonderful supporters and volunteers, not only to the Committee, but to the Roscommon community as well.

Bruce expressed his appreciation to those who'd organized their anniversary celebration. Jan, upon being wished a happy anniversary said, “was nice to see so many family and friends. I don't get to do that much anymore. ”

BE FIRE SAFE!

Northern Michigan can have wild fire danger year round, unless we have several inches of snow on the ground. If you own a home or cabin in northern Michigan, there are certain precautions you should take to keep your lives and property safe from wildfire. Whether a permanent, part time resident, or part time camper, it is important to assess your property or camp area. Some important steps are as follows:

Step 1 - Assessing your property

* Do you border forested or brushy areas?

* Is there a substantial amount of tall, or leafy vegetation near your home or camp structure?

* Do tree limbs extend over your structures?

* Do you have a woodpile in close proximity to structures?

* Are fuel tanks nearby?

* Have you used wood chips or other dried vegetation in your landscaping?

* Is there clear access to your home for firefighters?

Step 2 - Create a defensible space by dividing your property into three zones:

* Clear debris, leaves and brush at least 30 feet out away from all structures on your property.

* Keep wood piles, storage sheds with fuel for mowers, gas powered tools, etc, 30-100 feet away, at minimum, from your main structures...home, cabin, garage.

* A good rule of thumb is to keep vegetative debris cleaned up at least 100-200 feet away if possible. (Keep leaves raked and removed)

Additional fire safe recommendations from the DNR are:

1. Keep campfires small and do not leave them unattended. Period!

2. Be sure to always have a bucket of water/garden hose and a shovel nearby to put the fire out.

3. Be certain all fires and barbeques are completely extinguished. Stir water into the embers, turning unburned pieces of wood/charcoal over to wet the underside. (Charcoal can stay hot for many hours, be sure to keep children away from expended coals.)

4. Be courteous and obey local ordinances for burn permits, & fireworks.

5. Avoid dropping sparkler wires into wooden garden mulch. Sparklers burn at 1200 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Putting used sparklers and spent fireworks into a bucket of water ensures that they are completely out.

7. Fireworks will easily ignite grass or wooded areas and should be used only in areas free of vegetation.

8. When improperly used, fireworks that explode or fly into the air are the cause of many wildfires each year.

9. Using fireworks on public property is prohibited without authorization

SEARCH AND RESCUE CHALLENGE

Saturday September 16, 2023

12:30 PM Finish

Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival

“Bright Light” Show -down

Registration Form

Friday September 15, 2023

Line-up 6:30 PM Judging begins 7:30PM

Owner’s

Name____________________________________________

Address _________________________________________

City _________________________State__ Zip__________

E-MAIL _________________________________________

Department Name _______________________________

Department e -mail _______________________________

Vehicle Description

Year______ Make __________

Car ____

RV/Pick-up _____ Other______

Commercial _______

(Check one)

Bright Light Competition Rules

Registration at the Command Post

Vehicle must be registered before line-up begins at 6:30

Contestant cannot have any affiliation with any company that sells Emergency Lights.

Lights must be fused properly.

Wiring must be neat and properly placed as to not create a hazard.

Driver MUST remain in vehicle or it will be disqualified.

Driver MUST comply with Judge’s request to open area for visual judging.

A total of the judges scores will determine the winner.

In the event of a tie, the winner will be decided by the Audiences response.

Mailed to:

Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival Committee PO 672 Roscommon, MI 48653

MFMFC Water Ball Competition

Saturday September 16, 2023

Bring this form to Festival

Department __________________________________

Players

1. ___________________________________________

2.____________________________________________

3.______________________________________________

4. ____________________________________________

Address that you would like information and pictures sent to

ATT: Street Address__________________________________

City ______________________ State ___Zip__________

P hone # (_______) ___________________________

Contact Name __________________________________

Contact Ph. (_______) _____________________

Mail to:

MFMFC Waterball Competition P.O. Box 672

Roscommon, MI 48653

Trophy and Cash Prizes

WHAT IS A FIREFIGHTER?

A FIREFIGHTER IS:

T THE PERSON NEXT DOOR.

A MATURE PERSON WITH THE MEMORY OF A LITTLE CHILD WHO NEVER GOT OVER THE EXCITEMENT OF ENGINES AND SIRENS AND SMOKE AND DANGER.

A PERSON LIKE YOU AND ME WITH JOYS AND WORRIES AND UNFULFILLED DREAMS.

A PERSON WHO STANDS TALLER THAN MOST.

A PERSON THAT RUNS TO HELP OTHERS.

A PERSON WHO PUTS IT ALL ON THE LINE WHEN THE TONES DROP.

A PERSON THAT IS THE MOST FORTUNATE AND LEAST FORTUNATE OF PEOPLE, AT THE SAME TIME.

A PERSON WHO IS GENTILE FROM HAVING EXPERIENCED TOO MUCH OF THE AWESOME POWER OF VIOLENT FORCES OUT OF CONTROL.

A PERSON RESPONSIVE TO THE LAUGHTER OF CHILDREN FROM HAVING HELD SMALL BODIES THAT WILL NEVER KNOW LAUGHTER AGAIN.

A PERSON APPRECIATIVE OF THE SIMPLE PLEASURES...HOT COFFEE HELD IN NUMB, UNBENDING FINGERS...THE FLUSH OF FRESH AIR FILLING SMOKE -CONVULSED LUNGS … THE WARMTH OF A BED TO BONES AND MUSCLES TAXED BEYOND FEELING...

THE CAMARADERIE OF KINDRED SPIRITS...THE DEVINE PRACTICE OF SELFLESS SERVICE AND A JOB WELL DONE IN THE SERVICE OF ALL PEOPLE.

A PERSON WHO DOESN'T WEAR BUTTONS OR WAVE FLAGS OR SHOUT OBSCENITIES, BUT A PERSON WHO, WHEN THEY MARCH, MARCHES TO HONOR FALLEN COMRADES.

A PERSON WHO DOESN'T SIMPLY PREACH THE BROTHERHOOD OF MAN, BUT LIVES IT.

Author Unknown

MFMFC Membership 2023

Board Members

President -Fred Bradley Doug Hodges Trustee

V. P. - Cody Parr Ed Thoma Trustee

Secretary- Phil Smith Calvin Witherspoon Trustee

Treasurer -Dar Smith Jennie Stead Trustee

Past Pres -Ed Sedlacek

Active Members

Riley Davis

Debbie Emery

Phil Lumsden

Al Smith

Jim Bradley

Terry Gallagher

Jan Lorion

Tom Raymond

Shirley Reilly

Gerald Wall

Cody Doyle Jacob Edwards

George and Marilyn Fergusson

Don Nickel Patrick Parr

Donna Thoma Jason Biery

Associate Members

Ron Bradley Mark Constance

Brad Jackson Bruce Lorion

Faye Nickel Ed Pearen

Vickie Raymond Tim Schimmel

Mary Smith Roy Spangler

Mike Nau Leeanne Bradley

MFMFC Window DisplayAt John C. Mackie Center

When you Travel in Northern Michigan, especially with children and/or pets, it never fails that you need a potty stop. On the northeastern corner of the City of Clare, where US127 and US10 cross is the John C. Mackie Welcome Center. While you are stretching your legs, take a look around at the display cases to see if you can spot our display. This photograph is from August 2022. The display for 2023 will be set up August 1st through October 31, 2023. Thanks to the Center for promoting the Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival.