Safety first, service always
By Kristi Major
HALE- Long Lake resident
Scott Henson starts his day early, arriving at the Hale school bus barn by 5:30 a.m. On cold mornings, he spends about 30 minutes warming up the bus while completing a required safety inspection.
Henson has been driving for Hale Area Schools since 2021. His one-way route stretches 69 miles with 21 stops, serving between 20 and 30 K–12 students this year. Along the way, he travels through areas including Jose Lake, Chain Lake, South Branch,
and down County Line and Powerline Roads.
There are seven cameras inside and out of the bus to monitor the kids and traffic.
“These kids are more valuable than anything.” says Henson.
Besides daily routes to and from school, Henson also drives special trips like to sporting events, band retreats, and robotics team competitions.
Henson has been the designated driver for the yearend Senior Class Trip since
▪ See SAFETY FIRST, SERVICE ALWAYS on back page
Scott Henson (3rd from left) and his fellow bus drivers ( from l-r) Claudia Struble, Debanie Gobeski and Chris Behm. ~ Photo by Kristi Major
Eagle Athletes!
Building future athletes
HALE- Each year, the school hosts a dynamic basketball program for students in grades K–5, offering an engaging introduction to winter sports. Participants develop fundamental skills while working alongside high school athletes, gaining hands-on practice experience and participating in
scrimmages with league schools. The program focuses on fostering leadership, teamwork, athleticism, and motivational in a fun, supportive environment. We look forward to watching these young athletes grow, develop, and shine!
Hale Superintendent interviews approaching
Hale Area Schools is announcing its first round of interview schedule for its next Superintendent. Candidates were chosen from applications
that include current and past Superintendents, Central Office Administrators, and Building Level Administrators. Four applicants have been selected for the first round of interviews.
Interviews will take place as part of an open Board of Education Meeting in the Hale Area Schools Library according to the following schedule:
April 13 - 7:15 p.m.
Dr. David Harwood, Superintendent, Vanderbilt Community Schools
April 14 - 6:00 p.m.
Dr. Christopher Carlson, Assistant Principal, Lakeland High School
April 14 - 7:30 p.m.
Alexis Shaver, Carson CityCrystal Upper Elementary and Middle School Principal
CONGRATS! – These students’ hard work, dedication, and positive attitudes has paid off and named them the March Students of the Month! Pictured: Back (l-r) Ciara Kesler, Alesandra Beebe, Chloee Culhane, Connor Runyan, Keston Shick, Emmett Prince, and Kailey Hainley. Middle (l-r) George Watts, Naomi Kibbe, Aubrey McMurry, Azalia Doll, and Haiydn Forshee. Front (l-r) Silas Johnson, Grant Michalski, Mary Barber, and Ryker Cote-Martineau. Not Pictured; Grayson Alakson.
Little Eagles Boys Team with some of the members of the High School team.
Lady
Long Lake Bar lost
LONG LAKE- The Long Lake Bar was lost in a fire March 16. Plainfield Township Fire Chief Ed Lauria said crews put out the fire without damage to nearby buildings and that all firefighters and emergency personnel were safe. Lauria said his crew was already exhausted after working with utility companies on more than 40 downed power lines starting about 2 a.m. that morning. Crews used 25,000 gallons of water to put out the blaze, with help from several other departments including Goodar Township, Hill-Rose Township, Whittemore Fire Department and Grant Township. Reilly Construction also assisted at the scene by bringing an excavator.
“I was 7 years old. I danced with my father to “Angel Baby.” On that dance floor.”
- Sarah Willard
“I started going there in the 80s. First time with girlfriends and my recently widowed father-in-law. We made a train around the bar and then jumped mud puddles in the parking lot at 2 am. This is my grandson 40 years later.”
- Kimberly Oliver Poag
“Partied there in the 70’s. What a great time with bands playing. Dancing. One fight, well maybe two. Beer, booze, and testosterone. Sorry for the loss of a Hale landmark.”
- Diane Kote
“Way too many to post.”
- Joe Adolph
“There was a group of us that use to go to long lake bar on Saturday nights back in the late 70's and early 80's to hear Ken Pincumbe and his band play, Jeff Gordon( Gordon's bait shop) would play his saxophone for one song, Turn the Page, he did a great job. I always had fun.”
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Friends pic by Kelly Hunt
Christmas photo by Mark Witek
A wedding shot by Jessica Boucher-Adamczyk
Richard Borts
Sarah Barber-Fowler said, “My bachelorette party was there. Been in this bar my whole life.”
Hale News
HALE
Corky’s Party Store
4997 E Main St, Long Lake
J & M County Fair Store
415 W Main St, Hale
Forward’s (Shell)
103 N Washington St, Hale
Forward’s (Marathon) 101 W Main St, Hale
Big Bob’s Restaurant & Pizzeria
306 S Washington St, Hale
Hale Flower Shop
201 North Washington , Hale Rogers 3195 M-65, Hale Bear Store
6787 M-65, Hale
Plainfield Twp Library M-65, Hale
Where to
Alwards Market
118 S. Washington PO Box 442, Hale
Dad’s Place Bakery 3112 M-65, Hale
Hale Creek Manor 3191 M-65, Hale
Main Street Pizza 3150 M-65, Hale
Scofield Real Estate
102 E Main St, Hale
Main Street Taco Express
118 E Main St, Hale
Mikey’s Pizza
221 N Washington St, Hale
Bob’s Auto 3590 N M-65, Hale
Eagle’s Club 5971 M-65, Hale
Safety first, service always
Continued from front page
2023. Last year, the trip was to Michigan Adventures in Muskegon, a 4.5-hour one way trip. Annually, Henson totals an average of 10-12,000 miles.
Drivers are expected to maintain control over their “cargo” and will issue a bus ticket to any child violating bus rules. Those tickets are reviewed by the School Bus Superintendent Lawrence
Thayer who will then decide what penalty, if any, to issue. Maximum penalty is suspension of bus privileges.
Henson said, “We are always looking for new drivers”. A CDL Class B license is required and must include an air brake endorsement. A Chauffeur license would also be needed to transport groups.
To inquire about becoming a school bus driver, call Hale High School at 989-728-3551.
Send your photos, calendar items, announcements and club events to: info@UpNorthVoice.com
SAND LAKE
Lake Breeze
3985 Saginaw St, National City
Nessy’s Marathon 1975 Indian Lake Rd, National City
SOUTH BRANCH
Jose Lake Store & Resort 7065 Jose Lake Rd, South Branch
South Branch General Store
6330 E County Line Rd, South Branch
WHITTEMORE
Crossroads Citgo 30 M-65, Whittemore
Whittemore Fire Department
508 S Bullock St, Whittemore
Whittemore Library
483 S Bullock St, Whittemore
Calvin and Nicole’s Pit Stop
302 S Bullock St, Whittemore
Lauria’s Hardware
220 S Bullock St, Whittemore
Sportsman’s Lounge 200 S Bullock St, Whittemore
Whittemore Chamber
405 E Sherman St, Whittemore
Farm & Pet Veterinary Care 1240 M-65, Whittemore
Sherrie’s Candies 35 M-65, Whittemore
Reilly Outdoors 106 M-65, Whittemore
Calling All Writers!
The Hale News is looking for writers in Hale, Long Lake, Whittemore and Sand Lake. If you have interest in local events, interviews with community members, and have a passion for writing, we want to talk to you!
Please email alicia@upnorthvoice.com for more information.
ICE STORM RECOVERY - Larry Reinhardt, owner of Reinhardt Tree Service, cuts away frozen branches from a large tree on Main Street in Hale. ~ Photo by Kristi Major
Bus #18-1 driven by Long Lake resident Scott Henson