Ser ving
America’s
Beautiful
75¢
Place
Copyright 2012, Leelanau Enterprise, Inc., all rights reserved.
Vol. 135 — No. 36
Lake Leelanau, Michigan 49653
Cherry budget fallout
Thursday, June 7, 2012
Three Sections
56 Pages
Greatly missed
By Alan Campbell of the Enterprise staff
As the first official forecast for a disastrous Michigan cherry crop became official yesterday afternoon, the face of what is considered a highly effective public relations campaign to promote the fruit is concerned — but not frowning. “It’s a great crop, there are great people in the industry,” said Jeff Manning, whose Industry ability to sell combalances modity products was proven with the “Got promoting Milk” promotion that boosted milk sales cherries with across the country. little product “The media loves the story. It’s like sports, you get clobbered, you get injured, and you either quietly go away or you say, ‘I’m going to bounce back.’ And we are of the mind that we’re definitely going to bounce back.” Manning has led a team of media specialists
Fast-moving meningitis Vandalism claims life of 6th grader continues at Sugar Loaf (Concluded on Page 8)
By Amy Hubbell of the Enterprise staff
By Eric Carlson Of The Enterprise staff
Members of the Sugarloaf Townhouse Owners Association say they’re “absolutely furious” with the lack of action being taken by local officials to address ongoing problems at Sugar Loaf Resort, which has been closed for 12 years. Association president Tony Mattar said vandals last week apparently broke into a well house and water reservoir atop Sugar Loaf Mountain that provides water to the shuttered resort and 72 nearby townhouses. “Right now, there is absolutely no safeguard on (Concluded on Page 23)
Allee Romeo is being remembered as a shining star at Leland Public School and a leader on the Lake Leelanau Rowing Club. Today the school and community are mourning the loss of the Leland sixth–grader who died Sunday at Devos Children’s Hospital in Grand Rapids. The 12-year-old attended school, May 30, while taking medication to fight an Memorial ear infection. Her service set for symptoms perlast 11 a.m. Monday sisted Thursday and by Friday had grown in Leland gym to the point that for Allee Romeo her parents took
•
Bacteria common, but rarely causes severe illness
her to the emergency room. A spinal tap confirmed that the girl had bacterial meningitis, an inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal cord. Allee was flown to the Grand Rapids hospital where she died two days later. The daughter of Joe and Rheanna Romeo, Allee moved to Leelanau County from Ohio and began attending school at Leland midway through the fourth grade. “Allee loved flowers and fairies. She had only lived here two years, but she really made a mark on this community,” said Cindy Landers, who lives next door to the Romeo’s near Sugar Loaf. Allee appeared in plays, joined the Lake Leelanau Rowing team and talked often of her desire to become a doctor, because a former
“No precautions” are necessary for those who had contact with Allee Romeo, the Leland sixth grader who died Sunday as a result of bacterial meningitis, according to health officials. The meningitis was caused by a bacteria called Streptococcus pneumoniae, also called pneumococcus. In a letter to Leland families, Benzie-Leelanau Health Department nurse Michelle Klein explained that serious health problems from the bacteria, and that contact with someone who has
(Concluded on Page 23)
(Concluded on Page 23)
Trap shooters take state title; 52 mph ‘birds’ fall to pieces By Alan Campbell of the Enterprise staff
SUGARLOAF TOWNHOUSE Owners Association officials Tony Mattar, left, and Tom Jubb inspect damage done recently to a water reservoir atop Sugar Loaf Mountain that serves the townhouses and the resort.
ALLEE ROMEO is shown with her mother, Rheanna, posing for a picture taken by her father, Joe, last October after winning a medal in the Lake Leelanau Rowing Regatta.
The numbers speak of trap shooting in calculating terms. A 4 1/8-inch “bird,” orange on top and black inside, is propelled at 52 to 54 mph from 16 feet away. Shooters have about that same distance to make a good shot, putting the point of impact at 30-32 feet. All that sounds like a precise sport — until a gust of wind kicks up. “The big variable is the wind,” said Jess Reed of Maple City. “It can make it go higher, or bounce around, or even Sport for dance.” Under a calm wind and everyone: mostly sunny skies, five shooters representing the ‘There is Rod and Gun Club no barrier.’ Cedar have claimed a state title.
Reed joined team captain Jim Balesh of Cedar, Bruce Rosema of Maple City, Lance Morgan of Interlochen and Gerald Storrer from the Lansing area in knocking down 484 out of 500 birds at the Michigan Trapshooter Association spring shoot. Balesh, 72, said the team has won state titles before, but never at the Division A level. Team members were just two hits away from having the best record in the state. “I’m going to say over the years, we’ve won state titles eight to ten times with different guys,” Balesh said. Under team trap rules, each shooter fires at five birds from one of five stations, then the entire team rotates. Each round consists of 25 shots, and the team competes in four rounds to come up with a total score. The Cedar Rod and Gun Club team was one of (Concluded on Page 23)
INSIDE
Sign stolen, Pg. 2
In Section 2:
✓ Npt. president challenged, Pg. 5 ✓ Graduation Day, Pgs. 12, 13 & 24
In Section 3:
✓ Classified ads
Call 231-256-9827 for home delivery 8
38413 30065
9