Fireworks a St. Helen community tradition

By Donna Thoma

If you have ever enjoyed the fireworks in July at St. Helen, there are two brothers whose names are synonymous with the event, Brian Beltz and his brother Barry.

Growing up in East Pointe in the 70's, the Beltz family enjoyed coming up north to their grandmother's cabin in St. Helen. Over the years, as the Beltz families gathered for reunions and picnics in July, the young men became quite competitive in family fireworks displays. Brian, Barry and two other friends would try to see who could come up with the bigger and better display. Barry always won.

According to Brian, his brother Barry, enjoyed demolition. “He liked to blow things up!” The brothers also realized their displays may be getting a bit large for family events. Barry, who owned a demolition company, began the process to become a pyrotechnician. Barry and company co-owner, Bruce Tyree, became certified and formed Great Lakes Fireworks Company in 1994.

Licensed pyrotechnicians need to be approved by ATF, take approved fireworks/pyrotechnic safety courses, and have a Federal Explosives License (FEL). In Michigan, no certification is currently required. Some other states do require certification. He would like to see Michigan make it a requirement.

Brian, also a licensed pyrotechnician, his wife Karen, and several community members organized the fireworks committee and began to raise funds in 1996, hosting the first firework display at the Airport, in July 1997.

Thirty to forty committee members and volunteers work yearround to raise the $30,000 in funds the 28–32-minute event costs.

Annually in May, they serve a meatloaf dinner, June 4 is their

Collecting annual Golf Scramble, and Memorial and Labor Day weekends the committee sells hotdogs and Polish dogs. They also collect pop and other returnable cans throughout the year. Cans are collected behind the Township Hall. Fireworks donation cards are distributed to stores around St. Helen as another means of donating.

Sorting beverage cans and bottles is hard work. Eight crews come in

▪ See ST. HELEN FIREWORKS on page 10

Musician joins Artisan Village

GRAYLING- Local musician Radel Rosin recently joined the AuSable Artisan Village staff as assistant director.

Rosin, a Grayling High School graduate, brings a variety of experience to his new role: He has performed at the Williamsburg Dinner Theater, was formerly a brew master and manager at Rolling Oak Brewing Company and is one-half of the popular local duo, Oh Brother Big Sister.

Rosin’s musical roots run deep. He is a fifth generation Crawford County resident who was raised in a family of very talented musicians.

Radel Rosin recently assumed the position of AuSable Artisan Village assistant director. In that role, he works closely with executive director Terry Dickinson to build an evenstronger connection between AAV and the Northern Michigan community.

Rosin said at AAV he has found a perfect place to cultivate his creativity and his “passion for artistic purpose.”

St. Helen fireworks

Continued from page 7 one week at a time year-round, to sort cans at the Beltz family home. The bottle and can collection are the primary fundraiser for the committee. Any non-returnable items are recycled. Brian and Karen had air conditioning and a furnace installed in their pole barn, so that volunteers always have a comfortable work environment.

Great Lakes Fireworks does the display electronically. None of the fireworks are hand lit. Communities around the country are moving toward electronically generated displays and away from hand lit, due to safety. Brian stated, “fireworks are very unforgiving in an accident.”

According to Brian, the best location to enjoy St. Helen fireworks, is on the Airport grounds, as the entire show is choreographed to music, and is very precise. Genessee Audio provides the choreography, and the music is broadcast on an FM station, so that anyone outside the grounds may also be able to enjoy the full experience. Generally, it's broadcast on 88.7 unless the fireworks are on a Saturday, when some of the religious programs may take over.

It is estimated that 5,000-6,000 have watched from the Airport grounds, and approximately 10,00015,000 from the perimeter. St. Helen's fireworks display is best seen close up according to Brian, as they are designed to stay lower, slightly above the trees, for better affect.

Committee members are: President – Brian Beltz; VicePresident – Mary Beth Barber; Secretary – Lynn Boc, and Treasurer Sherrie Kempfer. The three Trustees serving the committee are, Dave Kuehnle; Linda Olschefski, and Karen Beltz.

Volunteers are always needed for sorting or at any of the events. For more information or to volunteer, contact – Brian at 989-389-1135.

St. Helen Fireworks will take place July 1, Come join the fun!

Birds en route, flowers in bloom

Toad's Stool

By Warren "Toad" Stutesman

Hello friends and what a beautiful month May was. I sure hope that June can measure up to the beauty that has been afforded us thus far this year.

My Blue Jays are back and are they ever making up for lost time. I don't think that they ate the four months that they were away. I am blessed with seven different kinds of woodpeckers now. I even got a visit from two White Crowned Sparrows; they don't come by here that often, so it was a treat.

I also have a hen turkey coming into the feeder each day and between her and my wife's chickens they are keeping the ground clear of sunflower droppings. I am hoping that she hatches out several young and brings them by for a visit.

I drive a lot taking people to doctor appointments and the like and so I see a lot of roadsides. There has been a stretch from Fairview to Comins that has a lot of daffodils for several years. Lately I am seeing them more and more around the countryside and I wish to take this time to say thank you to those of you that are trying to brighten up our lives. “Thank You” and yes, some people do notice the little things.

We have started working the garden up, I know a bit late but I am old and slow now. Building the wife some garden boxes is so much easier than rototilling. Our asparagus is doing very well this year and is very mild and delicious. Kim sauteed some for supper with mushrooms and onion, oh yes I am a happy boy.

There are turtles out crossing the roads and it really is upsetting to see them hit. They are slow for sure, and

▪ See TOAD'S STOOL on page 12

The

Geocaching is a type of treasure hunt where seekers use global positioning system (GPS) devises to find hidden caches. There is an option after finding the caches to “take an item and leave an item” from the cache box, and a log to sign saying you have found it. People traveled from as far as Minnesota, Tennessee, and Toronto to participate in the event.

The new backyard grill I got for Memorial Day weekend is actually assembled in America.

The box of components are imported, but I had to put it together myself in my garage.

On the way to meet my husband at a restaurant, I realized that I didn’t have my phone and immediately panicked. I needn’t have worried. He saw my phone on the couch at home and brought it with him. When he arrived, I checked my texts. There was only one, and it was from him: “I’m on my way, and I have your phone.”

Knock! Knock! Who's there? Honeybee Honeybee who? Honeybee a dear and open the door, please.

“Has your son decided what he wants to be when he grows up?” I asked my friend. “He wants to be a garbageman,” he replied. “That’s an unusual ambition to have at such a young age.” “Not really. He thinks that garbagemen work only on Tuesdays.”

Toad's Stool

Continued from page 11 we are fast but if we can swerve to hit one then why can’t we swerve to miss one. I was raised to be a steward of the earth as was God's intention and taking care of the animals is one of those stewardships.

Our yard is always so far behind the others in our area for time of flowering. I see lilacs around in full bloom and ours are just starting the buds but at least the frost has not hurt them yet this year. My wife is

Why was the man at the cookout so happy?

He met the grill of his dreams.

“I would like vitamins for my son,” a mother said. “Vitamin A, B or C?” the pharmacist asked. “It doesn’t matter,” the mother replied. “He can’t read yet.” not happy with the deer as they have snipped at least half of the buds on her snowball bush. To help make the loss up for her I have got her a magnolia bush and a flowering dogwood. Hmm... maybe that will let me out of the doghouse.

A Canadian psychologist is selling a video that teaches you how to test your dog's IQ. Here’s how it works: If you spend $12.99 for the video, your dog is smarter than you.

Well, that's all for this visit I hope to see you all again next month. Please take a kid fishing and remember to help keep our woods and waters clean.

Mildred Irene Forrester, 90, Atlanta, passed Apr 22

Sharon Rose Truba, 77, Oscoda, formerly Ferndale, passed Apr 19

Virginia May (Bessey) Clement, 82, Tawas, passed Apr 19

Edward 'Ned' Dufort, 86, Standish, passed Apr 21

Robert E. Nagle, 100, Rose City, passed Apr 21

Joyce Rogers, 64, Alger, passed Apr 20

Gary E. Grantner, 75, Gladwin, passed Apr 22

Wilma Kempl, 92, Gladwin, passed Apr 21

John 'Jack' Franklin Leline, Jr., and Regina 'Gina' Marie Leline, both 73, Roscommon, passed Apr 21

Clifford 'Jake' Lewis Bortle, 85, West Branch, passed Apr 23

Sherry J. Miracle Brooks, 69, Lupton, passed Apr 25

Edward M. Kelly, 83, West Branch, passed April 22

Dennis James Thompson, 63, Wilber Township, passed Apr 20

Doris Mae

Tredinnick, 95, of Constantine, passed away Wed., Apr. 19, at home surrounded by her loving family.

She was born Apr. 18, 1928 in Detroit, and is the daughter of Knoefel and Mabel (Beaubien) Turner.

On Sept. 14, 1946, Doris married Douglas Tredinnick. They shared 54 years of marriage before his passing on Apr. 22, 2002. Following retirement, they loved traveling together.

She enjoyed hostessing at the Holiday Inn in Novi, ensuring a pleasant stay for their guests.

Doris remained active well into her later years, attending Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Three Rivers, and maintained a sharp wit and sense of humor.

Remaining to cherish her memory are her son, Mark Tredinnick; daughters, Sandy Mahon, Marsha Hocker, and Patty Cosman; 12 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and 12 greatgreat-grandchildren.

A memorial mass will be held Sat., June 10, at noon at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 645 S. Douglas Ave., Three Rivers, with Fr. R. Mathias officiating. Interment of cremains will be Mon., June 12, at 2 p.m. at Oakland Hills Memorial Gardens in Novi.

Donations in Doris’ memory may be directed to Immaculate Conception Church. Envelopes are available at Hohner Funeral Home. Online condolences may be shared at www.hohnerfh.com.