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Spring is here!
Check out what’s going on in your area
ST. HELEN- The Bluegill Pinewood Derby is set for April 11 from 12–4 p.m. at the Charlton Heston Academy High School Gym. Open to all ages, the event features exciting races, with prizes and trophies. Concessions will be offered for purchase. Sponsored by Shredder Monster Ride Truck, this familyfriendly event promises fun for racers and spectators alike.
GRAYLING- Get ready to laugh for a great cause at the Comedy for a Cause fundraiser benefiting Meals on Wheels, happening April 9 from 5–7 p.m. Enjoy an evening of comedy featuring Michigan funnyman Joel Tacey, plus delicious food from local
▪ See SPRING IS HERE on page 2
and are advancing to state level competition.
Thunderbotz charge towards state finals
By Sarah Novak
sarah.upnorthv@gmail.com
MIO- The Mio Thunderbotz #9650 robotics team is proving that determination, teamwork, and a passion for learning can lead to big victories. From March 13–15, the team went undefeated at the Lake City District Regionals, competing alongside their alliance partners from Hopkins and Reed City. Their dominant performance has secured them a strong position as they advance to the Michigan State-level competition, set to take place April 16–18 at Saginaw Valley State University.
Despite being a small team of just seven students ranging from
sixth through twelfth grade in the Mio-AuSable School District, the Thunderbotz have made a big impact. Each season begins with a basic starter kit of raw materials, challenging students to design and build a fully functional robot from the ground up. With only eight weeks to complete the task, the team must also program their robot to perform specific competition objectives. This year’s challenge included a unique twist, robot basketball, where teams collected and launched foam balls into a basket to score points. Behind the scenes, the students dedicate countless hours to problem-
▪ See THUNDERBOTZ STATE FINALS on page 2
Welcome Bernard Bailey – 2
Fairview sports schedules – 3
Egg hunts near you – 6
Youth fishing success in Grayling – 10
Cooking for community – 12
Luzerne predator roundup – 14
West Branch vintage sleds displayed – 16
Oasis of Hope fundraiser – 17
Rosco dentist retires –20
Camels cause clamor at K of C
By Douglas P. Marsh WEST BRANCH-
Over 200 participants attended the West Branch Optimist Club’s annual camel races at the Knights of Columbus Hall on March 21. Three dozen local businesses and organizations sponsored and decorated camelid silhouettes.
Attendees voted for their favorites and were invited to place wagers with “camel bucks” as event volunteers used large, multicolored cubes* to determine the camels’ progress down long tracks of corresponding colors.
Kirtland Community College, a newcomer to the races this year, took the prize for the overall winner. Common Grounds Ladies Fellowship and North Land Federal Credit Union’s camels won the trophies for Best Dressed and Most Popular, respectively.
“We do this every year,” said Lawrence Clason, as he took stock of this year’s entries before the races. “It’s a lot of fun.”
The races have been held for
The Mio Robotics Team won their playoff
Suzette Smith accepts the trophy for Best Dressed Camel on behalf of the Common Grounds Ladies Fellowship of Rose City and West Branch.
~ Photo by Chuck Snyder
Attendees at the 2026 West Branch Optimist Club Camel Races at the Knights of Columbus Hall in West Branch discuss and vote which entries are best dressed as anticipation builds for the races to begin.
Up North Voice A Division of AuSable Media, LLC
A veteran-owned business located at 709 LAKE STREET, PO BOX 113, ROSCOMMON MI 48653 • 989-275-1170
“Friend, guide and companion of all good people”
Up North Voice is published monthly and distributed in Roscommon, St. Helen, Houghton Lake, Higgins Lake, Grayling, Lovells, Waters, Gaylord, Johannesburg, Lewiston, Comins, Atlanta, Mio, Fairview, McKinley, Rose City, Luzerne, Lupton, West Branch, Skidway Lake, Hale, Glennie, Curran, Tawas City, East Tawas, National City, Whittemore, Prescott, AuSable and Oscoda.
It is available at newsstands or annually for $50. Stories, advertisements and photos are copyrighted and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the publisher. UpNorthVoice.com is updated daily with breaking news and photos.
Voice Staff
Alicia Noragon Copy Editor Alicia@UpNorthVoice.com
Mark Constance MConstance@ UpNorthVoice.com
Donna Thoma Writer donnathoma0@gmail.com
Billie Moore Writer Billie.Moore@comcast.net
Tracy Constance Tracy@UpNorthVoice.com M: 419.236.0359
Danielle Schall Danielle@UpNorthVoice.com M: 989.614.0312
Bernard Bailey Bernard@UpNorthVoice.com
M: 989.510.8792
Sarah Novak Reporter snova.kaye@gmail.com
Up North Voice welcomes Bernard Bailey as Marketing Consultant
WEST BRANCH- Up North Voice welcomes Bernard Bailey as marketing representative for Ogemaw and Iosco counties.
Bailey, who lives in West Branch, moved to the area about four years ago from Flushing, where he attended Hill McCoy High School. He quickly found a connection to the region.
"I don't really plan on leaving. I like it up here,” he said.
In his new role, Bailey will work directly with local business owners to develop successful advertising strategies across Up North Voice’s print and digital platforms, including its weekly newsletter, the Up North Voice Mail.
a local HVAC company.
Outside of work, Bailey enjoys spending time outdoors, but has an affinity for the tech side of things
"I fish and mountain bike. If the weather’s decent, I’m probably outside somewhere. If it’s not, I’m probably reading or messing with some project at home,” he said.
Bernard Bailey, Up North Voice’s new Marketing Consultant
Bailey brings a diverse background that blends marketing experience with a strong interest in technology. He's worked behind the scenes at a large retail store, and with
Spring is here
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“I also play around with computers, networking and servers,” Bailey said. "I like figuring out how things work and putting systems together.”
Publisher Mark Constance said Bailey's addition strengthens the organization’s ability to serve local businesses.
“We’re pleased to have Bernard join the Up North Voice family,” Constance said. “He brings some unique skill sets that will be helpful to our customers."
Bailey can be reached at Bernard@UpNorthVoice.com.
kids’ crafts and more!
Jessie Wade Distribution Manager
Jeremy Shore Houghton Lake Distribution
Warren Stutesman Reporter wstutesman@gmail.com
Kristi Major Reporter thankskristi@yahoo.com
favorites. Tickets are $20 in-county and $25 out-of-county, with a 50/50 drawing and raffle adding to the fun. This 17+ event will be held at the Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center in Grayling. Don’t miss a night of laughs, food, and community support!
PRESCOTT- Don’t miss the Craft Show at the Skiway Lake Branch Library on April 11 from 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., free, $10 spot fee for vendors,
MIO- Check out the Lydia’s Gate Spring Auction on April 11, beginning at 10 a.m. Games, live auction, live music, food and drinks! Located at the Mio AuSable Schools Gymnasium.
ROSCOMMON- Bingo for Books will take place April 28 from 12:301:30 p.m. Play and win books and enjoy complimentary beverages and snacks. Located at the Roscommon Area District Library community room.
Thunderbotz state finals
Axel Jacobs Roscommon Distribution
Cody Jackson Mio Distribution
Matthew Barnes Grayling Distribution
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solving, testing, and refining their designs. Along the way, they gain hands-on experience in engineering, coding, and teamwork, skills that extend far beyond the competition field.
robot, but also a strong foundation for future success.
Micheala Wade West Branch Distribution
Coaches Shannon and Rod Mason, who have guided the team for the past three years, expressed immense pride in their students. They noted the group’s exceptional teamwork and the remarkable growth they’ve seen in both confidence and technical ability. The Thunderbotz have not only built a competitive
Community support continues to play a vital role in the team’s journey. Those interested in following their progress can visit the team’s Facebook group, Mio Thunderbotz #9650 Social. As the team looks ahead to future seasons, they are also seeking sponsors to help fund materials and expand opportunities for students. Interested supporters can reach out to Rod Mason via email, rodmasonr@mio.k12.us. With momentum on their side and eyes set on the state competition, the Thunderbotz are just getting started.
APRIL Sports Schedule
Varsity Track
Tuesday, April 7 4:00 p.m. NSL High School Jamboree #1 (Fairview)
Friday, April 10 3:00 p.m. Sunrise Classic Invitational (Standish)
Tuesday, April 14 4:00 p.m. NSL High School Jamboree #2 (Fairview)
Friday, April 17 3:30 p.m. Mancelona HS Invitational (Mancelona)
Tuesday, April 21 4:00 p.m. NSL High School Jamboree #3 (Oscoda)
Friday, April 24 TBD Knights of Columbus Co-ed Relays (Posen)
Tuesday, April 28 TBD Whittemore-Prescott Invitational (Whitemore-Prescott)
Note: all home meets are bold
Middle School Track
Thursday, April 9 4:00 p.m. MS Opener (Fairview)
Thursday, April 16 4:00 p.m.
MS, NSL Jamboree #1 (Fairview)
Monday, April 20 4:00 p.m. MS, NSL Jamboree #2 (Fairview)
Friday, April 24 TBD KOC Co-ed Relay (Posen)
Monday, April 27 4:00 p.m.
MS, NSL Jamboree #3 (Fairview)
Thursday, April 30 4:00 p.m. Fairview Invite (Fairview)
Out & About - April 2026
CRAWFORD COUNTY:
Grayling, Frederic, Lovells
4- 6th Annual Veterans Fundraiser, 12-4 p.m., $5 entry fee, psychic fair, artisans, vendors, proceeds buy local gift cards to Crawford County Veterans, American Legion Post 106, 106 S James St, Grayling
9- Hot Stove Speaker Series, 6 p.m., guest speaker: Dr. Mark Luttenton, GVSU Fisheries Biologist, free, coffee served, Lovells Twp Hall, 8405 Twin Bridge Rd, Grayling
9- Gits & Shiggles 8-Year Anniversary Show, 7-9 p.m., free with “pass the hat” donations going to 2026 Grayling High School Project Graduation, AuSable Artisan Village Original Gallery, 219 Michigan Avenue, Grayling
12- River House Inc. Bingo Fundraiser, 2-5 p.m., first sheet $5, additional sheets $3, great prizes, must be 18 to play, Tinker’s Junction, 6811 W M72 Hwy, Grayling
18- One Love Reggae Band Live in Concert, 7-9 p.m., AuSable
Artisan Village Performing Arts Center, 122 Michigan Avenue in downtown Grayling; $30 advance tickets on sale at artisanvillage.org/ events/
23- Hot Stove Speaker Series, 6 p.m., guest speaker: Scott Smith DVM, President, and Jim Foote Chapter Ruffed Grouse Society, free, coffee served, Lovells Twp Hall, 8405 Twin Bridge Rd, Grayling
Crawford County Extras
Mon-Fri- Council on Aging Lunch- 11:30a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Mon-Fri- Council on Aging Dinner- 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Mon- Chess Club-1-4 p.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center
Mon- Women’s Group- 6 p.m., Grayling Baptist Church
Wed- Mahjong – 12:30 p.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center
Wed- Bible Study, Youth Group, Group Share, and Grief Share, 6 p.m., Grayling Baptist Church
Thurs- Penny Bingo – 1-3 p.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center
Thurs- Pokeno- 9:30 a.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center
Thurs- Celebrate Recovery, 6 p.m., Grayling Baptist Church
Fri- Pantry Bingo – 1-3 p.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center
Mon & Wed- SilverSneakers – 10-11 a.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center
Tues & Thurs- Zumba Gold – 10-11 a.m., Crawford County Commission on Aging & Senior Center
Sun- 9:30 a.m. Free Breakfast, 10 a.m. Sunday School, 11 a.m. Worship Service, Grayling Baptist
Church
1st Sun – American Legion Breakfast Buffet, at 9 a.m., American Legion Post 106
1st Sun- ABATE Region 23 Monthly Meeting, 1 p.m., Ray’s BBQ, 204 Ingham St, Grayling
1st Tue- Friends of a Feather- 9 a.m. Crawford County Commission on Aging
2nd Mon – Post meeting, 7 p.m., American Legion Post 106
2nd Thurs- Veterans Coffee hour, 10 a.m., Grayling American Legion
2nd Thurs – Families against Narcotics, 6:30 p.m., St. Francis Episcopal Church
2nd Sat – Euchre Tournament, 6 p.m., American Legion
3rd Tues – Grayling American Legion Aux Post meeting, 5:30 p.m., Grayling
ROSCOMMON COUNTY: Roscommon, Higgins Lake, Prudenville, Houghton Lake, St. Helen
4- Easter Egg Hunt, 1 p.m. Easter bunny arrives, 1:30 p.m. hunts begin, grouped by ages: toddler-4 yrs, 5-8 yrs, and 9-12 yrs, pavilion at Richfield Twp Park, 10571 E. Airport Rd, St. Helen
5- Easter Dinner, 1-3 p.m., free, donations accepted, V.F.W. Post 5680, 1914 Lake St., St. Helen
11- Bluegill Pinewood Derby, 12-4 p.m., all ages welcome, ages 3-15: prizes and trophies, 16+ trophy, car kits available for future races, Charlton Heston Academy High School Gym, 1350 N St. Helen Rd 20- Kirtland Garden Club, 10 a.m., Wolf Songs presentation, Gahagan Nature Preserve, 585 Southline, Roscommon
28- Bingo For Books, 12:30-1:30 p.m., play and win books, beverages
and snacks provided, Roscommon Area District Library community room, 106 Lake St, Roscommon Roscommon County Extras Mon – Reserve Tech HelpHoughton Lake Public Library
Mon- AA Meeting, 7 a.m., River Center, 211 N Main St, Roscommon Mon, Thurs, Fri- AA Meeting, St Helen Baptist Church, 10-11a.m.
Mon, Thurs, Fri- St. Helen Baptist Church Food Closet, 12-3 p.m.
Mon- AA Meeting, 7 p.m., Women’s Meeting Call for address 231-886-0694
Tues, Wed, Thurs- AA Meeting, 11 a.m., Methodist Church, 1515 M-18, Roscommon
Tues – Roscommon Ukes Strum and Sing, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Ages 8-80, Roscommon Area District Library
Tues – AA Meeting, 7-8 p.m., St Helen Baptist Church
Tues & Thurs- AstroDurance12-1 p.m., CRAF Center, Roscommon
Tues, Wed, Sat- AA Meeting, 7 p.m., River Center, 211 N Main St, Roscommon
Wed- Dance Workout- 2:30-3:30 p.m., all ages welcome, Roscommon Area District Library
Weds- Hookers Anonymous3-7 p.m., bring your own knitting or crocheting project and socialize, Made Up North, 704 Lake St, Roscommon
Thurs- AA Meeting, 11 a.m., Methodist Church, 1515 M-18, Roscommon
Thurs – Sit & Get Fit-2:30 p.m., Roscommon Area District Library
Thurs, Fri- AA Meeting, 7 p.m., Methodist Church, 1515 M-18, Roscommon Fri – Story-time Fridays- 10:30 a.m., Houghton Lake Public Library
▪ See OUT & ABOUT on page 5
Out & About
Continued from page 4
Fri- Narcotics Anonymous- 7 p.m. St. Helen Community Baptist Church, 1494 N St. Helen Rd
Sat- Roscommon Historical Building, open 10 a.m.-2 p.m. through Labor Day, 404 Lake St. (M-18), Roscommon
Sun- AA Meeting, 4 p.m., Methodist Church, 1515 M-18, Roscommon
2nd Thurs- Veteran’s Coffee Hour- 9-11 a.m., Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, 149 Robinson Lake Rd, Roscommon
2nd Sun – VFW Country Breakfast- 8 a.m., VFW Post 4159
4th Wed- Roscommon County Democratic Party Meeting, 6 p.m., Denton Twp. Hall, 2565 S Gladwin Rd, Prudenville
Check the MSU Extension Webpage for their list of upcoming classes at http://bit.ly/MSUEevents or call 989-275-5043
IOSCO COUNTY:
Hale, Whittemore, Tawas, Oscoda
5- Easter Egg Hunt, breakfast 9-10:15 a.m., service 10:30 a.m., easter egg hunt to follow, ages 2-12, Hale Assembly of God, 3716 M-65, Hale
Iosco County Extras
Mon – BINGO, 6:30 p.m., Whittemore Chamber of Commerce
3rd Tues. – Whittemore Chamber Meeting, 7 p.m., 405 E. Sherman Street
3rd Thurs- Veteran’s Coffee Hour- 9 a.m. American Legion Post 211 900 E. Lincoln, East Tawas 2nd Thurs- I Can Literacy Project Read Aloud, 10:30-11 a.m., Plainfield Twp Library, Hale
OGEMAW COUNTY: West Branch, Rose City, Lupton, Prescott
1- Natural Easter Egg Dying, 2
p.m., $6/person, all ages welcome, to register contact: prescottlibrary200@ gmail.com, Rose City Branch Library, 107 W. Main St., Rose City
4- Spring Market, 11 a.m.- 3 p.m., artisan vendors and much more, Safe Haven Doula & Events, 322 W Houghton Ave, West Branch
11- Craft Show at the Library, 10 a.m.- 3 p.m., free, $10 spot fee for vendors, kids crafts, Skidway Lake Branch Library, 2196 Greenwood Rd, Prescott
11- A Nite at the Races, doors at 5:30 p.m., racing starts at 6:30 p.m., individual tickets $50/person, includes 10 races, funny money for betting, food and drink, Maxwell Therapy Center, 1795 Peach Lake Rd, West Branch
18- Aloha! Dinner Dance, doors at 5:30 p.m., dinner served at 6:30 p.m., $30 adults, $10 child 12 and under, tickets include dinner, refreshments, music and dancing, cash bar, prize for best Hawaiian attire, Ogemaw County Fairgrounds, 2300 Rifle River Trail, West Branch
Ogemaw County Extras
Weds. – Preschool Story Time, 11 a.m., Community Room of West Branch District Library
Weds. – BINGO, Early Birds at 6:30 p.m., Regular 7:45 p.m., Knights of Columbus off M-30
Weds. – AL-ANON meeting, 8 p.m., 12 Step-Up Club, 236 First Street
Weds. – Preschool Storytime, 11 a.m., West Branch District Library
Thurs. – Optimist Club, 7 a.m., Loggers Depot, 314 Houghton Avenue
1st & 2nd Mon. – City Council meeting, 6 p.m., West Branch City Hall, 121 N. Fourth Street
2nd Mon. – Kiwanis Young Professional Club, 6 p.m., Highway Brewing Company
3rd Mon. – Disabled American Veterans & Auxiliary meeting, 5 p.m., VFW Post 3775
1st & 3rd Tues. – Rose City Council meeting, 6 p.m., Council Chambers, 310 N. Williams Street
1st Tues. – West Branch Retail Merchants meeting, 6 p.m., Chamber building
1st Tues – Book Lover’s Lunch, 12- 1 p.m., West Branch District Library
1st & 3rd Tues. – Kiwanis Club of West Branch, at Noon, China Inn
4th Tues- Ogemaw County Democratic Party Meeting, 5 p.m., Ogemaw County Annex Building, 205 S 8th St, West Branch
1st Weds. – Women’s Support Group, 5:30 p.m., Safe Haven Doula, 322 W Houghton Ave
▪ See OUT & ABOUT on page 6
Hop into Easter fun
REGION- Grab your baskets and get ready! On Saturday, April 4, Easter events are popping up all over, packed with candy, surprises, and even a few golden eggs!
HOUGHTON LAKE- Free Easter Egg Hunt 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Northern Center Houghton Lake, hosted by Navigators USA Troop 447. Kids can enjoy visits with the Easter Bunny, games, and face painting. Popcorn and cocoa will be available for purchase to support troop activities.
ROSCOMMON- Beacon Church in Roscommon invites kids’ 5th grade and under to a free Community Easter Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza at
11 a.m. The event features plenty of candy, a coloring contest, and prizes, with all families welcome to join the fun.
ST. HELEN- An Easter Egg Hunt will be held - at Richfield Township Park in St. Helen, with the Easter Bunny arriving at 1 p.m. and hunts starting at 1:30 p.m. Children will be grouped by ages: toddler–4, 5–8, and 9–12.
MIO- The 3rd Annual Easter Egg Drop will take place at 1 p.m. at Dennis Kauffman Memorial Airport in Mio. This free event is open to children 12 and under and includes refreshments and treats.
Send your photos, calendar items, announcements and club events to: info@UpNorthVoice.com
Out & About
Continued from page 5
1st Wed.- Ogemaw County Veterans Coffee Hour- 9-10 a.m.
2nd Wed. – Aktion Club, Noon, First United Methodist Church, 2490 State Rd
1st & 3rd Thurs. – Newborn Parent Support Group, 6 p.m., MyMichigan Health West Branch in the Executive Dining Room
1st Thurs. – Ogemaw County Fair Board meeting, 7 p.m., meets in main building
3rd Tues.- OCGHS General Membership Board meeting, 2:30 p.m., Trinity Episcopal Church, 100 E. Houghton Avenue
OSCODA COUNTY: Mio, Fairview, Luzerne, Comins
4- 3rd Annual Easter Egg Drop, 1:00 p.m., free, children 12 years old and under, refreshments and treats provided, Dennis Kauffman Memorial Airport, 245 S Mount Tom Rd, Mio
10- Comins Michigan Social Event, 6-10 p.m., $10 cover includes food ticket, taco dinner, and refreshments, live music, Open Mike Productions, 4331 W 1st St, Comins
11- Lydia’s Gate Spring Auction, 10 a.m., games, live auction, live music, food and drinks, Mio AuSable Schools Gymnasium, 1110 E 8th St, Mio
Oscoda County Extras 2nd and 4th Fri- Clothes Closet for Adults- 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.- Comins Community Church- 4263 W. First St. Comins
Every Mon- Bible Study- 10 a.m.
& 7 p. m. - Living Water Lutheran Church, Mio
Every Weds- Men's Fellowship10 a.m.- Living Water Lutheran Church
Every Weds- Women's Bible Study- 10 a.m. Living Water's Lutheran Church
Every Weds- Sit and Stitch12:30 p.m., Oscoda County District Library: Fairview Branch
Every Sun- Sunday Service-10 a.m. Tri-Point Church of God, 831 W Miller Rd, Mio
1st Fri- Fish Fry Dinner, Luzerne American Legion, 4:30-7 p.m.
3rd Tues- Veteran Coffee Social, call 989-826-9500 for time, Oscoda County Veterans Affairs, 205 E 11th St, Mio
OTHER REGIONS:
12- Ancient Native Trail Research Presentation, 2 p.m., free, learn about Michigan’s ancient historical past including 2 trails near Gaylord, Otsego County Library, 700 S Otsego Ave, Gaylord
25- Community Garage Sale, 9 a.m.-6 p.m., general admission $3, kids under 12 free, all items donated by to community, Gaylord E-Free Church, 1649 M-32, Gaylord
1st Mon-Tot Time- 10 a.m., Fife Lake Library
4th Weds- Cheboygan Co
Veteran's Coffee Hour- 9 a.m. -Cheboygan VFW 4th Thurs- Alpena Veteran's Coffee Hour- 9 a.m. Art in the Loft Every Friday- Yoga- 9 a.m., video led, contact cwilcox@tadl.org, Fife Lake Library
See answer on page 13
Legacy of hope
Home Country
By Slim Randles
When old Joe Gilliam began digging that hole in his front yard, out there close to the street, neighbors watched and wondered. When he got his grandson to help him carry the shade tree sapling from his pickup to the hole, people nodded.
Mystery solved. Old Joe’s planting a tree.
After removing the root mass from the five-gallon pot, the grandson disappeared and Old Joe
was left to care for the baby tree. He carefully spread the tiny feeder roots out and tucked them in with soil. Then he packed more dirt around the tree’s base and soaked it well with the hose.
No one else saw anything odd in Joe planting that tree, either, but Joe’s been retired now going on 20 years. He’s old and getting more frail each year. By the time that sapling gets large enough to give homes to squirrels and birds and shade to neighbors and a resting place for dogs, Joe will have been long gone.
Planting a tree is an affirmation of faith in the future. It is a gift to those yet unborn. It is a legacy of goodness, an old man’s prayer.
Brought to you by “The Long Dark,” a novel of Alaska by Slim Randles.
Free library programs
OGEMAW COUNTY- The Ogemaw District Library is bringing learning beyond its walls with two new community programs following the success of “The Snowman.”
The first, “Spring Has Sprung,” is designed for preschool through first grade and features STEM activities, stories, and a hands-on project. It runs April 13–May 1, and is free for Ogemaw County groups of 10 or more.
The second program, “The Pioneer Way: Celebrating America’s
250th Birthday,” explores where clothing came from 250 years ago. Participants in second grade and up will learn about natural fibers, fiberproducing plants and animals, and try hands-on spinning and weaving activities with librarian and master spinner/weaver Colleen Boyd. This program is available April 1–July 1, free for Ogemaw County groups of 10 or more, with a small travel fee outside the county.
For reservations, email prescottlibrary200@gmail.com
Camels cause clamor
Continued from page 1
the past 17 years and serve as the club’s sole annual fundraising event. Raffle prizes this year included Detroit Lions and Tigers merchandise packages, tool and cookware sets and more.
Optimist Clubs emerged in the United States after the turn of the 20th century, establishing an international organization in 1919. Now composed of over a thousand clubs in the U.S. and tens of thousands of members worldwide, the organization’s mission is to benefit community youth.
“The Optimist Club is all about kids,” said Alan Doss, a longtime club member. “We put on the Halloween Party at the school; we also do an Easter Egg Hunt.”
The West Branch Optimist Club works regularly with five local area schools providing tissues through charity drives, conducting oratorical and essay contests, pencils and papers drives, and awarding scholarships and grants to students.
This year the club had a surplus of tissue which they donated to Ogemaw Heights High School. WBOC also initiated a new program with COOR ISD, organizing an ice cream social and visual essay contest
for special needs students, said Camel Race Chair Charles Snyder.
In the summer, the club holds a Trout Derby, seed spitting contest, and a frog jumping contest in Irons Park. WBOC also sponsors West Branch Little League.
The West Branch Optimist Club meets weekly on Thursdays at 7 a.m. in West Branch at Logger’s Depot. The group is always looking for new members.
that tell meaningful stories about the world around
Whether behind the lens or editing her images, she brings a deep appreciation for nature and emotion into every piece she creates.
Miss Caramel-Latté, second from left, was awarded Best Dressed at the West Branch Optimist Club's 2026 Camel Races. ~ Photo by Chuck Snyder
Cube thrower Lynn Madison readies for a test toss.
OSCODA COUNTY ARTIST OF THE MONTH- Vicki Lorraine (Irelan) is a photographer who pursues the beauty found in life’s fleeting moments. Her work focuses on capturing sunsets, wildlife, and candid scenes
her.
Volunteers packing up food at the Roscommon County Sheriff's Department for delivery.
Delivery of hope during ice storm
By Donna Thoma ROSCOMMON- Working
with Mid-Michigan Community Health Services Food Program, the Roscommon County Sheriff's Department, Victim Service Unit, Richfield Township Public Safety, Gerrish Township Police, and volunteers packed boxes of food, milk and water on March 19.
Food and water were distributed to warming stations in St. Helen, the Gerrish Fire Department, and the Houghton Lake area, for those without power or heat due to the ice
storm. Some individuals who couldn't leave their homes because of trees or snow blocking driveways had food delivered to their homes.
The Congregational Church and Lion's Den also received quantities of food, water, and milk for distribution.
One St. Helen mom was surprised when a Richfield police officer was able to get into her driveway and brought food. She and the family were very thankful for the delivery and wished she could have gotten his picture. Their electricity came on the next day.
SHOP LOCAL!
Spring or winter? Stay ready!
By Suzanne Barker, Director of the Oscoda
County Council on Aging.
By Suzanne Barker
Hello April! We’d love to welcome spring, but Michigan weather isn’t quite ready to cooperate. Chilly days remind us that winter isn’t fully gone and unpredictable storms can still bring strong winds, heavy rain, and even power outages. Now is a good time to check your emergency supplies. Make sure you have fresh batteries, flashlights, or safely stored candles, along with extra blankets, bottled water, and shelf-stable food. Being prepared can make unexpected outages much easier to manage.
Here are a few important dates and updates for the month:
The CSFP (cheese box) distribution will take place Friday, April 10 at 12 p.m. at Tri-Pointe Church of God in Mio. Please note that this program requires application and approval through the Food Bank
of Eastern Michigan before you can receive a box. Applications are available at the Senior Center.
The Together We Can Food Pantry will hold its pickup on Thursday, April 23 from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds. Be sure to bring identification showing county residency and a banana box if you have one. Supplies are limited, so distribution may end early if boxes run out.
In February, the Council on Aging delivered 2,354 meals to homebound clients and served 494 meals to congregate diners. This was an incredible effort supporting our community.
Upcoming activities include the Board of Directors meeting on Monday, April 13 at 10 a.m., which is open to the public. Exercise class meets on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m., and Euchre is played Wednesdays at 12:45 p.m.
Take a moment this month to enjoy the beauty around you, including April’s full “Pink Moon.” Most importantly, share kindness, gratitude, and a smile, you never know how much it can brighten someone’s day.
Now Enrolling For Fall 2025:
Reach out to Grayling Schools if you are interested in volunteering with Trout Unlimited for an unforgettable experience!
Youth Fishing Program reels in success
GRAYLING- The Mason-Griffith Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited recently concluded its winter youth programming with a series of engaging fly-tying sessions and a well-attended ice fishing outing— while preparations are already underway for the upcoming Youth Fishing Club season.
This winter’s program featured five fly-tying instructional sessions hosted at Old Au Sable Fly Shop, where enthusiasm remained strong throughout. Organizer Jim Wilkinson noted that attendance reached as many as 14 students per session. As part of the chapter’s commitment to accessibility, 10 Grayling Middle School students were provided with their own fly-tying vises. “All who needed one got one,” Wilkinson said.
The sessions were made possible through the support of volunteers, including Andy Partlo, who opened the shop and assisted with instruction, along with Mason-
Griffith Founders Chapter Board President Karen Harrison and others. The nonprofit chapter supplied all necessary tools and materials, many generously donated from private collections, ensuring each student had hands-on experience. During the 90-minute sessions, held semi-weekly beginning in January, participants tied a variety of patterns, including wooly buggers, foam terrestrials like ants and beetles, pheasant tail nymphs, and colorful egg patterns. Students also received materials such as marabou, chenille, hackle, and hooks to continue practicing on their own.
The winter program concluded with a successful ice fishing event at Lake Margrethe. Held on a mild Saturday in February, the outing brought together two dozen middle school students for a day on the ice.
Equipped with gear provided by the chapter, students managed tip-up lines and tried jigging through freshly
WWII Veteran receives long-awaited marker
OSCODA COUNTY- After more than 17 years without proper recognition, World War II Army veteran Raymond H. “Butch” Majeski will be honored with a grave marker dedication ceremony on Thursday, April 16 at 2 p.m. at Clinton Township Cemetery.
Organized by the Oscoda County Veterans Affairs, the ceremony will include military honors, a veteran’s
salute, and the playing of Taps, marking a long-overdue tribute to Majeski’s service from 1942 to 1945. The public is invited to attend and help ensure his legacy is properly remembered.
For more information, please contact the Oscoda County Veterans Affairs at 989-826-9500 or veterans@oscodacountymi.com.
drilled holes. The group caught nine pike and a few bluegill, making for an exciting and memorable experience. “It was a beautiful day, we didn’t need shanties,” Wilkinson said. Students accessed the lake via McIntyre Landing, bundled for the conditions and eager to fish, with many capturing the day’s highlights in photos.
These activities are part of the broader Youth Fishing Club, which engages approximately 30 Grayling Middle School students throughout the year with seasonal outings. The chapter supports each event with transportation through Crawford County Dial-A-Ride and provides a pizza dinner for participants.
The club is set to resume in April, with plans for a mid-month outing at Howe’s Lake. Students interested in participating can contact Assistant Principal Jeremy Carr, while those interested in volunteering with Trout Unlimited are encouraged to reach out to the school to complete a background check.
The Up North Voice is looking for freelance writers. 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.
Shifting gears
By Donna Thoma donnathoma0@gmail.com
HOUGHTON LAKE- In the forty plus years since he began working in the automobile industry, Mike Jurkovich, owner of Top Tire of Houghton Lake, has seen a host of changes. Tires and cars back in the 1980's, when he first began, were simpler and straight forward. Vehicles have become more technical along with the equipment needed to work on them. Additionally, “people’s needs have changed, people are different.”
Twenty-eight years ago, when he was beginning his own business, payment methods were cash or check, receipts were handwritten. Now, payments are mostly by credit card, with receipts generated by computers.
Jurkovich grew up in Grayling, graduating from Grayling High School, and attending Kirtland Community College for one year. He went to automotive trade school, Motec, becoming a Certified Automotive Technician Master Mechanic.
Jurkovich's career began when he got a job at a shop in Traverse City. The company eventually opened a shop in Alma, Michigan. Jurkovich moved to the Alma location, until the company opened a store in Mt.
Pleasant, where he and wife Marey settled and began their family.
Chuckling, Jurkovich stated, “An assistant position opened up, and after that, it was out of my control, it just kept going!” He opened his own business at Houghton Lake, Top Tire, in November of 1998.
Mike and Marey have three adult children. Their daughter works for a medical laboratory out of state, one son is a police officer in Alma, their eldest son Joe, is already taking on the day-to-day work at the shop.
Mike is shifting to learning the “paperwork, figuring out taxes and has already learned why it’s good to have an accountant” when you own your own business. He is “sort of retiring,” but not really. He and Marey both enjoy fishing, and love traveling. Goals include going to visit their daughter and family in California and to “go the Bahama's again.”
Even if he may not be at the shop as much, he will find work to do at home. Marey has some “honey do” jobs lined up for him like painting and fixing. Things that are difficult to get done while working full time.
Mike will still be around to see old friends and help at the shop, however, he is looking forward to a lighter schedule.
Why was the Easter Bunny so upset?
He was having a bad hare day!
What’s the best way to send a letter to the Easter Bunny? By hare mail!
When do monkeys fall from the sky?
During Ape-ril showers!
Knock, knock!
Who’s there?
Heidi.
Heidi who?
Heidi the eggs around the house.
What did the seed say to the flower?
Ok bloomer…
What did the dirt say to the rain?
If you keep this up, my name will be mud!
Mike Jurkovich, owner of Top Tire in Houghton Lake.
MERCY CHEFS COOK FOR COMMUNITY - During the March 14-16 ice storm when more than 90 percent of Roscommon County households were without power, helpers turned out across the community. St. John’s Lutheran Church in Houghton Lake teamed up with Mercy Chefs to provide means during the storm, serving about 1,250 on March 21.
~ Photos courtesy of Maddie Hiller
LONG LAKE BAR LOST - 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, HillRose Township, Whittemore Fire Department and Grant Township. Reilly Construction also assisted at the scene by bringing an excavator.
St. Vincent DePaul volunteer Vickie Atallah was mixing cornbread for the event.
Craig (left) and Olivia flank Houghton Lake Volunteer Maddie Hiller.
Below: Chef Lisa Saylor is the director of disaster relief and longterm recovery.
Warranty expired YouTube to the rescue
View From the Comfy Chair
By Joel Vernier
I just returned from the grocery store and was beginning to unload the items on the shopping list. Suddenly, my wife yelled out, “Joel! The washing machine just broke!”
I ran down to the basement and got the paperwork for the extra warranty that we purchased when we bought it.
I walked down the stairway to the basement. I was almost knocked over by my dog, who wanted to greet me as I reached the basement floor. I went to my desk, opened the drawer, and retrieved the thick file marked warranties. I opened the file and began reviewing warranties that had expired on some products ten to fifteen years ago. I found the warranty for the washer we had before the one that is broken. I found out that paperwork and realized the warranty period ended last month. I have always been leery when the salesperson who just sold you on the item you’re purchasing, on the quality you are buying, the good low return rate on this brand,
Violin visionary hits Mio stage
OSCODA COUNTY- Worldrenowned performer Dixon’s Violin brings his one-man symphony to the Mio Community Center on April 10, blending classical skill with live looping, improvisation, and powerful storytelling. A former symphony musician turned genre-defying artist, Dixon creates an immersive, soulstirring experience as part of his HUMANKINDness tour. Show starts at 7 p.m., with doors at 6:30 p.m.; advance tickets are $29.
and as you sign for the item, they ask, “Do you want to buy the 5-year extended warranty”? I ask why I need it, given the product's strong track record and low return rate. They respond to how much it costs to get a repair person out to your house, almost the cost of buying the 5-year warranty!
Is it just bad luck that several items I have bought with the 5-year add-on warranty break down shortly after the 5-year period is exceeded? The typical lifespan of a washing machine is 10-15 years. I want to know the name of that machine; mine has not lasted that long. They say that repairing a unit may be worth it if the cost is 50% of a new unit. That’s questionable to me. I tried that once, and the first trip from the repair company was charged, and the second trip, parts, and labor came close to the cost of buying a new unit on sale.
I asked her to show me what was broken, and she showed me a plastic part on the door with a broken spring that had fallen on the floor. I took a pic with my phone of the model number, typed it into my search engine, and it showed up with the order number and a cost of $4.98 for a broken plastic door part. I switched to YouTube and typed in the part number to ask how to install it. Several videos came up, I selected one to view, and it looked easy. I ordered the part; it arrived 2 days later. I installed it, and the washer was fixed! I guess I do not need the five-year warranty, I have YouTube videos!
I was told I might need a heart valve replaced in a few years. I went on YouTube and typed in the valve name…… Just kidding!
Dive into history
PLAINFIELD TOWNSHIPMichigan native Jene Quirin (featured on Deep Sea Detectives and published in National Geographic) brings a gripping firsthand account of recovering the bell from the legendary Edmund Fitzgerald. Join the Plainfield Township Historical Commission on April 16 at 6 p.m. at Eagle Pointe Plaza for an unforgettable evening exploring one of the Great Lakes’ most powerful maritime stories.
Jene Quirin (left) experienced diver and photographer with Tom Farnquist (right) director of the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum.
EXPIRES 4/30/2026
PREDATOR ROUNDUP -
The 14th Annual Luzerne Predator Round Up was held on the weekend of February 20-22. This statewide contest began on Friday and ended on Sunday with all predators checked in at the Luzerne Hardware, an award ceremony and banquet at the Luzerne American Legion followed.
Top: The youth squirrel competition held on Saturday brought in 13 young hunters and 34 squirrels harvested.
Upper-Right: Prize for the oldest hunter went to Marv Sterns at 85 years old.
Right: Raffle winner and the only female participant Josie Frank (8) with her brother Francis Frank (9) of Mio ~ Photos courtesy of Nick Custance
Big impact, new name A West Branch mission grows stronger
By Alicia Noragon
OGEMAW COUNTY- For years, locals in West Branch have known the little shop at 116 S. 5th Street as the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. While the name has changed, the heart behind it hasn’t. Now operating under the Fuller Center, the organization is building on its roots with a renewed focus, keeping more help right here at home.
Founded by the same visionaries as Habitat for Humanity, the Fuller Center is designed to put communities first, sending about 90% of its funds directly into local projects. That shift has already made a difference in West Branch, where the team is expanding its “Greater Blessings” program to bring critical home improvements to those in need.
One recent project speaks volumes, helping install a handicapaccessible bathtub for a local woman whose husband had become wheelchair-bound. This was turning a daily struggle into a safe, manageable routine.
The Fuller Center is located at 116 S. 5th Street in West Branch.
Fueled by donated furniture, tools, and household goods, the resale shop continues to power these lifechanging efforts. It also supports local artists and offers delivery services, an essential lifeline for many older adults and residents with mobility challenges. With strong leadership and growing community support, the goal is to expand services, increase impact, and one day build homes for low-income families right here in the community. Same place. Same mission. Even greater blessings.
Spencer’s Candy and snack products are packaged by R.O.O.C., Inc., a non-profit organization with a mission to provide both community based engagement and employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
• ROSCOMMON & CRAWFORD COUNTY •
If you are interested in purchasing our product to sell at your business or for a special event, please give us a call! (989) 275-9534
We can personalize the label specific to your business or event!
Adam Schmucker serving up fresh, hot maple syrup at their open house event on March 28. Behind him is the 4x14 evaporator where the sap is processed in maple syrup and filtered.
Schmucker's cooking syrup
By Sarah Novak sarah.upnorthv@gmail.com
MIO- The days are getting longer and it’s warming up in Northern Michigan, awakening the maple trees and getting the sap flowing. This means it’s a busy time of year for maple syrup producers Abe and Ruth Schmucker, owners of Sweet Success Sugarbush in Mio.
The Schmuckers’ maple syrup season begins the first week of March where they hand tap around 6,500 maple trees across 80 acres of their land. With the help from their 5 children and 6 grandchildren they run about 7,000 spouts in total.
“Ruth’s side of the family has tapped maple trees for 4 generations.
When we married in 1994, we began with 15 taps and boiled the sap in a copper syrup pan on cinder blocks out in the woods- it was a lot of fun,” said Schmucker.
Each tap spout is connected to tubing that gravity and vacuum feeds a large tank for holding the unprocessed sap. The sap is then put through a reverse osmosis system that eliminates about 85% of the water. Next, the remaining syrup is processed again in a 4x14 evaporator to create a golden, naturally sweet maple syrup. From there the syrup goes through a final filtration, poured into jars, and canned in a 30-gallon
▪ See COOKING SYRUP on page 18
New beginnings at Roscommon Baptist Church
ROSCOMMON- Roscommon Baptist Church has welcomed Matthew Dunkelberger as its new lead pastor.
Dunkelberger and his wife, Katie, recently moved to Roscommon. Katie is a registered nurse, graduate of Pensacola Christian College and native of Lake Odessa.
Dunkelberger said he and his wife came to Roscommon after a prayerful search for the right church.
“We found Roscommon Baptist,” he said. “Their beliefs aligned with ours and we are happy to be here.”
minister while earning a master’s degree in applied theology from Midwestern Baptist University. He later pastored a Southern Baptist Convention church in Oklahoma.
The couple recently celebrated the birth of their daughter, Carrie Grace.
Before coming to Roscommon, Dunkelberger served as a youth
Prior to entering ministry, Dunkelberger served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army, including a tour in Iraq. He also earned the Expert Infantry Badge and completed Ranger School, Airborne School and Air Assault School. Roscommon Baptist Church is located at 1201 W. Sunset Dr. in Roscommon. Sunday School for all ages begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by worship at 10:50 a.m. Nursery care is provided.
For more information, call 989281-1449.
Roscommon Baptist Church has welcomed Matthew Dunkelberger as its new lead pastor.
Seniors Owen Ostling, Jack Erickson, and Hayden Nester with Junior Hunter Randall. These boys put on their cowboy boots and gave an impressive performance!
DENIM AND DIAMONDS- Roscommon High School lit up the stage on March 7 with its country-themed music revue, Denim and Diamonds. The high-energy show featured more than 30 musical numbers, highlighting local student talent through solo performances, small groups, and full ensemble dance routines.
~ Photos courtesy of Jessica Shephard
The cast performs a line dance while others sing on stage during dinner show prior to the event.
Send your photos, calendar items, announcements and club events to: info@UpNorthVoice.com
Sleds, from homemade to exceptionally altered for racing speed, were on display, as well as hundreds of unaltered sleds from vintage to present day models.
Vintage sleds on display
By LuAnn Zettle
OGEMAW COUNTY- The 14th
Annual Ogemaw Hills Snowmobile Club (OHSC) Vintage Snowmobile Show was held on Saturday, February 28 with over 350 sleds on display. An estimated 1,000 spectators came out to enjoy the day's activities. To embrace the beautiful day, the guided trail tours were filled with riders excited to experience the Ogemaw Hills groomed trails.
Celebrating their 58th Anniversary, the OHSC meets on the third Saturday of the month from August through May, at their
clubhouse at Frank Alley Park on North Fairview Road in West Branch. The OHSC currently maintains over a hundred miles of trails.
The Club also produces and sells trail maps for Ogemaw, Oscoda, Alcona and Iosco Counties as well as Club involvement in community activities, such as Scholarships, and promoting the beauty of up north. The Club works with Ogemaw Heights High School presenting "Rachel's Closet" and with the MyMichigan Health to host the annual Sasquatch Bike Chase. Contact www.ohsconline.com for more information.
FREE MOVIE AND CAUSE - Ashley Boals of NextHome Up North hosted a free community screening of A League of Their Own at The Pines Theatre in Houghton Lake on February 15 with support from My City Home Loans, Inc. and Transnation Title Agency. Attendees enjoyed popcorn and soda in exchange for donations from the River House Needs List. Thanks to the generous community, River House received a truckload of donations to support survivors of intimate partner violence and sexual abuse. A classic movie, a historic theatre, and a meaningful cause made for a perfect afternoon during River House’s 40th Anniversary celebration. Pictured (l-r) Karen Lewandowski, Development Coordinator, River House, Michelle Burkett, River House Board Vice President, Ashley Boals, NextHome Up North Realtor & Organizer of the event, Cammie Bugenske, Transnation Title, and Colin Quiney, Benchmark Mortgage.
Pasta with a purpose
By Billie Moore
HOUGHTON LAKE- Oasis of Hope held their 5th annual Pasta with a Purpose event at the Artesian Youth Park on Feb 27.
The evening started out with live music by the Crazy Sock Jazz Band, followed by a pasta dinner, complete with salad and dessert. After dinner, guest speakers provided encouraging updates, impact stories, and addressed future goals.
A notable celebration this past year was that the shelter served over 71 families and assisted in finding stable homes for over half of the families. A continued need is the “Bags to Beds” program that funds $50,000 for guest case management, security, housing, and food at the shelter. In addressing future needs, the shelter is looking to retire their mortgage by the end of summer.
Oasis of Hope is the only shelter for crisis housing in Roscommon County, and the event showcased the growing need to expand services and to celebrate all that Oasis has done for the community.
To see a complete list of events, you can visit their Facebook page or website at https://oasisofhopehouse. wixsite.com/website.
Right: Oasis of Hope volunteers Louise Halliday and Debbie Kolmodin.
The Crazy Sock Jazz Band provided entertainment for the Oasis of Hope fundraiser event.
Roots and Remnants
The power of tradition
By Donnie Boursaw
One of my favorite movies, Fiddler on the Roof, opens at daybreak with a scene that sticks with you. The soft sounds of morning, a quiet village waking up, and a lone fiddler balanced on a rooftop. Below him, Tevye, the milkman prepares for his day, then turns and delivers a line that says it all; “We are all like that fiddler, trying to scratch out a simple tune in life without losing our balance. And what keeps us steady? Tradition.”
Traditions are the glue that holds life together. They shape who we are, connect us to those who came before us, and offer a sense of stability when everything else feels uncertain. They live in our celebrations, our values, our language, and even in the small, everyday habits we don’t think twice about, but would feel lost without. They also bring people together. Traditions create a shared understanding that crosses generations and backgrounds. They foster respect, strengthen communities, and give us a sense of belonging, something we all need, whether we realize it or not. From
honoring sacrifice to celebrating milestones, traditions remind us of what matters most.
Think about your own life for a moment. What traditions have been handed down to you? Which ones are you passing along? How do they shape your children and grandchildren? In many ways, traditions quietly define us.
I grew up with my own set of them, mom, apple pie, and John Wayne. In the South, it was always “yes ma’am” and “no sir,” and you never called an elder by their first name. Respect wasn’t optional, it was expected. My mother never once called her mother-in-law anything but “Miz Campbell”. That wasn’t written in any rulebook; it was simply the way things were done.
That’s the beauty of tradition. We may not always know where it started, but we know it carries meaning. As Tevye reminds us, traditions give us direction. They help us understand who we are and what’s expected of us.
And maybe, just maybe, they’re what keep us from falling off the roof.
SPORTSDOME DEBUT - Statewide Sportsdome Resort has opened in Houghton Lake, bringing new energy to the former Holiday Inn at 9285 W. Lake City Road. The expansive complex features 38 pool tables, the Red Circle restaurant with a full-service bar, Red’s Pro Shop, and 100 guest rooms, 52 of which are currently available. Designed for both pros and casual players, the venue hosts tournaments, leagues, and special events, while also offering public table rentals on event days. The Sportsdome is open daily from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., with the kitchen serving from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Learn more at www.statewidesportsdome.com or on Facebook. Pictured is Jen White, Vice President of the Sportsdome. –By Billie Moore
Cooking syrup
Continued from page 15
canner in their sugar house kitchen. Between March and April, the Schmuckers produce around 3-4,000 gallons of maple syrup every year. When the sap slows down and the season comes to a close, every one of the 7,000 taps spouts are pulled from the maple trees.
Along with maple syrup, The Schmucker’s sell maple sugar, mustard, cream and candy.
Sweet Success Sugarbush is located at 1442 N Galbraith in Mio where they sell maple syrup equipment, their maple syrup, and other maple products they produce including maple sugar, cream, candy, and mustard. You can contact them at 989-826-3160.
Barbara A. Coleman, 66, West Branch, passed Feb 18
James P. Clark Sr., 59, West Branch, passed Feb 18
Gretchen M. Cummings, 57 Whittemore, passed Feb 16
Robert E. Weisend, 87, East Tawas, passed Feb 17
Stephen M. Yager, 77, Houghton Lake, passed Feb 17
William E. Dunn, 72, St. Helen, passed Feb 15
Gary W. Sheldon, 69, Roscommon, passed Feb 24
Katherine "Kathy" A. Chambers, 74, West Branch, passed Feb 18
Colene J. Nichols, 79, Prescott, passed Feb 19
Russell R. Warren, 60, West Branch, passed Feb 24
Phyllis M. (Pastor) Zemore, 87, Tawas City, passed Feb 19
Anna "Marie" ProperSmyczynski, 96, Tawas City, passed Feb 20
Leslie H. Hall, 81, Grayling, passed Feb 23
Laurel J. Neal, 79, Tawas City, passed Feb 23
Tiffany “Nikki” Kage, 30, Roscommon, passed Feb 23
Thomas J. Beaudoin, 78, Higgins Lake, passed Feb 26
Marilyn K. Gulick, 89, Roscommon, passed Feb 27
Catherine R. Aisthorpe, 73, Prudenville passed Feb 25
Obituaries & Death Notices
Susan L. Phelps, 63, Houghton Lake, passed Feb 26
Daniel D. (Tray) Pearsall, 67, Oscoda, passed Feb 23
Charles W. Carey, 86, Oscoda, passed Feb 25
Danny D. Tremble, 73, East Tawas, passed Feb 28
Barbara J. Renaud, 74, Prescott, passed Mar 2
Janet Cochran, 85, Prescott, passed Mar 2
Phillip R. Jenniches, 59, Grayling, passed Feb 28
Marian L. Krasa, 101, Hale, passed Mar 4
Clarence H "Hank" Webster, 86, Lovells, passed Mar 4
Rose M. Kisser, 94, Lupton passed Mar 6
JoAnn Greene, 84, Prescott, passed Mar 5
Beatrice E. Good, 99, Hale, passed Mar 4
Janet P. Mishler, 77, Hale, passed Mar 4
Marjorie A. Birkenbach, 90, East Tawas, passed Mar 5
Dale E. Wood, 84, Tawas City, passed Mar 8
John L. Brown, 85, Mio, passed Mar 9
Julieanna Sabatino, 74, Roscommon, passed Mar 3
Rodney J. Stender, 57, Houghton Lake, passed Mar 5
James A. Johnson, 85, Houghton Lake, passed Mar 6
Peggy L. Harrison, 67, Roscommon, passed Mar 12
Janet E. Gooch, 95, Frederic, passed Mar 9
Alan M. Etson, 84, Grayling, passed Mar 9
Caroline M. Hall, 90, Grayling, passed Mar 10
Amber I. Meech, 95, Grayling, passed Mar 12
Richard G. Healy, 83, West Branch, passed Mar 16
Owen D. King, 75, Tawas City, passed Mar 14
Ronald C. Dane, 91, Hale, passed Mar 16
John “Dan” D. Roiter, 80, Oscoda, passed Mar 17
Russell L. Tappan Jr., 72, Mio, passed Mar 14
LeRoy "Twig" Yoder, 81, Fairview, passed Mar 15
Sharon R. Tooker, 84, Houghton Lake, passed Mar 15
Brian R. Hush, 69, West Branch, passed Mar 18
Terry L. Benjamin, 78, West Branch, passed Mar 19
Robert W. Roe, 66, St. Helen, passed Mar 12
Clifford G. Parent, 91, Rose City, passed Mar 9
Sondra L. Bortle, 82, Hale, passed Mar 11
James K. Russo, 74, Oscoda, passed Mar 10
Hildegard E. (Riske) Enzenberger, 90, East Tawas, passed Mar 11
Maurice “Maury” R. Rhoads, 94, Oscoda, passed Mar 11
Hazel F. Hess, 0, Houghton Lake, passed Mar 21
Kynlea A. Robson, 14, Houghton Lake, passed Mar 20
Elizabeth "Becky" M. Christensen, 86, Higgins Lake, passed Mar 20
Cheryl A. Schley, 79, Tawas City, passed Mar 19
Helen M. (Ackerman) Spence, 87, Hale, passed Mar 22
Thomas A. Liss, 80, Mio, passed Mar 24
A place that was always there — until it wasn’t
By Mark Constance, Across County Lines
There are some old places you never expect to lose. Ma Deeters in Luzerne. Lakeside Bar in East Tawas. The Oscoda County Courthouse in Mio. And now, the Long Lake Bar. When the old pine building burned, it felt like more than just a fire. It felt like losing a piece of the community. This was not just a business. It was a place where people gathered for generations.
My first memory of it goes back to the early 1970s. My dad took me over that way to look at an engine as a favor to my grandfather. I don’t remember much about the engine. But I remember the building. Even then, it felt old. As if it had always been there.
And in many ways, it had.
Most people knew it as the Long Lake Bar starting around 1962. Before that it was known by several other names including Hutch’s Hut and Kate’s Place.
The history goes back even further. In the 1880s, the site was used as a cattle yard for the Detroit & Mackinac Railroad during the lumber days. In a way, it helped shape the
early settlement around Long Lake.
Even then, it was already a stop for locals and visitors.
But what people remember most about these places is not the early history. They remember what it felt like.
For many, it was a stop for french fries before heading to the lake to swim. For others, it was a place for parties, celebrations, or just a regular night out. Parents went there, then brought their kids years later.
That kind of place is hard to replace.
In northern Michigan, we value places that last. We take comfort in
the familiar — the old buildings, the worn floors, the stories attached to them. They become part of the backdrop of our lives, so steady and so constant that we begin to believe they will outlast us all.
That’s why losses like these cut so deeply. They were not just old wood buildings lost to fire. They were places tied to childhood memories, summer nights, family traditions, and the passage of time. It held pieces of people’s lives that can never be rebuilt the way walls and roofs can.
For a long time, we felt like they would always be there. Until they weren't.
From the dental chair to the river chair
By Donna Thoma donnathoma0@gmail.com
ROSCOMMON- After more than 25 years in dentistry, Dr. Cheryl Mitchell is preparing to trade her clinical coat for quiet mornings by the river with a good book in hand. With plans to kayak the AuSable, travel widely, and spend more time outdoors, she’s stepping into a longawaited retirement, one she set as a goal before age 55 and is now achieving ahead of schedule.
Mitchell and her husband of 21 years, Tim McCarthy, are ready to embrace the change. McCarthy retired in 2025 from the Crawford County Road Commission, and together they’re planning a spring trip to Hawaii, along with future visits to national parks, the Swiss Alps, and destinations across the U.S. and Europe. After purchasing a home in Roscommon last year, the couple has been busy putting on the finishing touches, including
McCarthy’s “man cave” garage. Once winter fades, landscaping and gardening projects await, along with a growing “honey-do” list, Mitchell jokes the list is already well past 100 items.
Originally from Hadley, Michigan, Mitchell knew early on she wanted to pursue dentistry. She studied at the University of Michigan-Flint and Lake Superior State University before earning her degree from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry in 1998, where she was the youngest female in her class. She soon joined Woodland Family Dental, building a career defined by long-standing patient relationships and community care.
The couple has four children, Dylan, Carter, Brandon, and Gracie. Their youngest, Gracie, will graduate from Roscommon High School this year and plans to attend Michigan State University in the fall. Mitchell credits her ability to retire early to finding the right successor in Dr. Curtis Edens, who officially purchased Woodland Family Dental on January 9, 2026. Originally from rural Oklahoma, Edens has been practicing dentistry since graduating from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry five years ago. His passion for small-town
care was inspired by a hometown dentist who mentored youth and gave back generously to the community. Edens plans to expand services at the practice, including root canals and extractions, and hopes to introduce advanced technology such as panoramic X-ray imaging and digitally designed dental restorations. He and his wife, Ashlee, were drawn to the area’s natural beauty and strong sense of community. The couple, along with their four young daughters, enjoy outdoor
activities like camping, fishing, and paddleboarding, and quickly embraced life in Roscommon.
For the next few months, Mitchell and Edens will work side by side as patients transition to the new ownership. Though she looks forward to retirement, Mitchell says it’s less about stepping away and more about stepping into something new. Still, she admits she’ll deeply miss the patients and staff who have become like family over the years.
Dr. Cheryl Mitchell (left) retires after 25 years in the dental industry. Dr. Curtis Edens (right) is now the new owner of Woodland Family Dental in Roscommon.