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Up North
Voice Vol. 12, Issue 4
Strengthening the communities of Northeast Michigan
Rosco lifter takes first in state meet IN THIS ISSUE:
Out and About A 2 Mio craft show A-4 Winter sports pics A-6 Grayling ‘Spotlight’ A-9 Eagle Voice B-1 Wetlands Matter B-5 Maple sap flowing B-8
To submit photos or stories for the May issue of Up North Voice, please email mconstance@upnorthvoice.com by May 20 at 5 p.m.
ROCHESTER HILLS - Shawna Butler of Roscommon took first place in her division at the Michigan American Powerlifting Federation State Meet held March 14 in Rochester Hills, Michigan. Shawna and her trainer, Jim VonDoloski, also of Roscommon, have been preparing for the meet for the past ▪ See POWERLIFTING on page 4
April 2021
'Catch Us If You Can' drawing site changed By Theresa Ekdom
HOUGHTON LAKE - Michigan’s largest fishing contest, the Houghton Lake Area Tourism Bureau’s (HLATB) Catch Us If You Can, will be holding its Grand Prize drawing April 25, 2021 at Blodgett Memorial Airport, 5218 E Houghton Lake Dr, Houghton Lake at 1 p.m. Six lucky anglers, four adults and two kids, caught tagged fish this season. There will be separate drawings for adults and children. Kids will enter a raffle for a kayak drawing and $250. ▪ See FISHING CONTEST on page 4
Old roads can revitalize a town By Theresa Ekdom Theresa@upnorthvoice.com
town and bring interest, and visitors, back to Route 66. In reality, it took New Mexico Senator Pete Domenici, ROUTE-66 – I grew up near who drove a stretch of the original M-66, which was just a road headed route in the late 1980s, to introduce out of town to me. It was the only a bill to preserve the highway. The ‘route’ 66 I knew. Sure, I had heard Route 66 Corridor Preservation of “get your kicks on Route-66” but Program was authorized in 1999, didn’t know its significance. funding the restoration of some of the In 2006 that changed when buildings along the route. Lightning McQueen sped across the What takes drivers off the movie screen. Lightning, Mater, Doc Hudson, and other animated vehicles highway onto the stretches of Route 66 that still exist? The history? introduced Route 66 to a number of Nostalgia? The desire new generations. to slow down and see 'What takes Route 66, the Main sights? Whatever Street of America, drivers off the the the reason, some of or the Mother Road, highway onto the small towns are was established in advantage of 1926, one of the the stretches of taking the re-interest in the original highways in Route 66 that route. the United States. It During our still exist?' originally ran from recent cross country Chicago, Illinois to trip, when weather Santa Monica, California and was allowed, we exited I-40, hit Route a main route to cross the country. 66 and enjoyed some of the sights. Then the International Highway Winslow, Arizona., the famed System was established and the location of Eagles’ song “Take it four-lane highways began bypassing Easy” was one stop. Yes, we stood on small towns along the old routes. the corner, by the flat bed Ford. In 1985, Route 66 was officially The towns and cities transected by decommissioned. Many of the towns, Route 66 are varied. diners, tourist shops, gas stations, Some, like Oatman, look worn and motels became rundown, much and as old or older than the original like Radiator Springs, the small town route. Oatman embraces its heritage Lightning found himself in. In the movie, Lightning, a famous – once a mining town which almost race car, was able to revitalize the
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▪ See ROUTE 66 on page 3
Above: Dale and Theresa Ekdom standing on the corner of Winslow, AZ. Right: Anna and Don Sylvester stand near one of the more colorful Route 66 signs.