CAME TO TOWN- The Houghton Lake Playhouse was packed as they hosted the annual Santa’s Workshop on Sat., Nov. 23.
Brinley Powell, Karis Thompson, Charity Thompson, Becky Powell and Nami Norris represented Houghton Lake’s Wesleyan Church and had crafts for the kids. In preparation for the event, they anticipated at least 400 children would be attending the event. See pg. 8 for more photos.
Fitness pro honored with SilverSneakers award
By Donna Thoma-
donnathoma0@gmail.com
ROSCOMMON- The CRAF Center of Roscommon recognized SilverSneakers and Fitness Instructor, Kate Gammicchia on November 4 for being named to the top ten SilverSneakers and Fitness Instructors nationwide for 2025, by the SilverSneakers committee.
SilverSneakers is a national organization that is directly connected to and partners with private insurance agencies. The program is a benefit included with specific Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plans. If on Medicare, an individual’s insurance plan must cover it. SilverSneakers is a program owned
and operated by Tivity Health, Inc.
Gammicchia,began as SilverSneakers instructor at the CRAF Center eleven years ago.
Beginning with 12-16 individuals, the group originally did their workout in the dance area above the small gym. Currently 170 members belong to the group.
Jory Klumpp, Recreation director of Roscommon Area Recreation Authority (RARA), presented Gammicchia with a certificate of appreciation for her service.
Robert Benson, Pastor of the Seventh Day Adventist church of Houghton Lake, and member of the group, paid tribute to Gammicchia,
▪ See FITNESS PRO HONORED on page 6
Home for the holidays
Get ready to celebrate the season close to home! Our communities light up with festive cheer, and there’s no shortage of ways to join in. Here’s a roundup of hometown holiday events to make your December warm, merry, and bright.
CRAWFORD COUNTY- The Grayling Visitors Bureau and Uncommon Ranch are hosting a Winter Solstice Celebration & Christmas Open House at Uncommon Ranch on Saturday, Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at
▪ See HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS on page 5
Kate Gammicchia receives National Silver Sneakers honor.
NORTHEAST MICHIGAN – The magic of Christmas is returning to Northern Michigan as the Santa Train 2025 pulls into several communities on Dec. 6, bringing joy, laughter, and holiday spirit to families across the region.
Hosted by Lake State Railway and coordinated in part by UpNorthVoice. com, this beloved tradition invites children and families to visit historic railroad depots, meet Santa, and experience the wonder of the season.
Arrival: 2 p.m. • Line Ends: 3 p.m.
Grayling – Crawford County Building
Arrival: 4:30 p.m. • Line Ends: 5:30 p.m.
At each stop, families will be welcomed by the sound of the train’s whistle and the sight of Santa himself stepping off the festively decorated engine.
Children will have the chance to greet Santa, share their Christmas wishes, and enjoy the timeless holiday tradition of the Santa Train.
The Santa Train will make the following festive stops in Northeast Michigan on Dec. 6.
Standish – Historic Depot
Arrival: 9 a.m. • Line Ends: 10 a.m.
West Branch – Historic Depot Arrival: 11 a.m. • Line Ends: Noon
Roscommon – AuSable River Center
With historic depots as the backdrop and the snowy Michigan landscape all around, this event promises to capture the warmth and wonder of the season. Cookies and hot chocolate will be available at all stops.
Make lasting holiday memories with your loved ones — join us for the Santa Train and celebrate the spirit of Christmas on the rails!
Jeremy Shore Houghton Lake Distribution
Axel Jacobs Roscommon Distribution
Cody Jackson Mio Distribution
Micheala Wade West Branch Distribution
Warren Stutesman Reporter wstutesman@gmail.com
Kristi Major Reporter thankskristi@yahoo.com
BUCKS AND BASEBALL- Roscommon-St. Helen Little League held a bake sale at Fred's of Roscommon during the Buck Pole event November 15.
Matthew Barnes Grayling Distribution
LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY:
AuSable Media encourages all readers with a connection to the community to submit letters to the editor for possible publication. Please limit letters to 300 words. Author must include a daytime contact number. Letters are the individual opinion of the author and do not reflect the opinions of the staff, advertisers or contributors to the Voice. The Voice reserves the right to accept or reject any letter.
To submit a letter email it to: Alicia@UpNorthVoice.com, mail to P.O. Box 113, Roscommon, MI 48653, or stop by the office at 709 Lake Street in Roscommon.
Voice Staff
Pictured is Trina Hooks, Board Member and Greta Seelow.
~ Photo by Donna Thoma
CHRISTMAS MAGIC– Goodale’s Bakery held their annual Christmas Village and Model Train Open House on Sun., Nov 23. The event featured over 800 ceramic buildings and almost 1500 train cars. Funds from the event will help support the Graying Boy Scout Troop 979.
CRAWFORD COUNTY:
Grayling, Frederic, Lovells
6- Christmas Blessings Fundraiser, 6-8 p.m., $20 per hour of bingo for prizes, bring in a new toy ($10 value or more) and receive a bonus bingo card, Swamp II Bar & Grill, Frederic
7- Christmas Concert with the Denners, 6 p.m., Grayling Baptist Church
20- Christmas Play, 5 p.m., Grayling Baptist Church
24- Christmas Eve Service, 5 p.m., Grayling Baptist Church
31- New Year’s Eve Party, 8 p.m., Grayling Baptist Church
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 – 1-3 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
1st Sun. – American Legion Breakfast Buffet, at 9 a.m., American Legion Post 106
1st Tue.- Friends of a Feather- 9
Out & About - December 2025
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
6- Cookie Walk, 9 a.m.-12 p.m., select cookies for your cookie box, prices range from $5-$25, proceeds go to relief organizations, Good Shepherd UMC, 149 W Robinson Lake Rd, Roscommon
15- Kirtland Garden Club
Christmas Luncheon, 12 p.m., members only, call Nancy to RSVP: 989-422-6017, Cut River Grille, 1136 E Higgins Lake Dr, Roscommon
19- Home and Business
Christmas Decorating Contest
Judging, contest winner will be awarded $100 and their name placed on the traveling trophy, all residential contestants must register at the Minnow Bucket, Richfield Twp Building, or Sheffield Automotive
25- Free Christmas Dinner, 1-3 p.m., meals to-go or eat-in, donations accepted, V.F.W. Post 5680, 1914 Lake St, St. Helen
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 – 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 Anonymous- 3-7 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 Fit2:30 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
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 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- Fundraiser for Sunrise Side Animal Rescue, 3 p.m., raffle and prizes, Hilltop Bar & Grill, 431 W Mill St, Oscoda 5- Santa On the Shoreline, 5:307:30 p.m., visits and photos with Santa, Christmas carousel, caroling by the Tawas choir, and sweet treats, Shoreline Park, Tawas City 21- Community Christmas Caroling/ Sing-A-Long, 3-4 p.m., Hale Methodist Church 24- Christmas Eve Candlelight Service, 7-8 p.m., Hale Methodist Church, 179 S Church St, 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
▪ See OUT & ABOUT on page 5
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 $40. 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.
Now Enrolling For Fall 2025:
Out & About
OGEMAW COUNTY:
West Branch, Rose City, Lupton, Prescott
6- West Branch Rose City Music Boosters Christmas Bazaar, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Ogemaw Heights High School
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
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 1st Wed.- Ogemaw County Veterans Coffee Hour- 9-10 a.m.
2nd Wed. – Aktion Club, Noon, First United Methodist Church, 2490 State Rd
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
3rd Thurs. – Ogemaw Area Swim Boosters 6 p.m., Ogemaw Heights High School Room 210
3rd Mon. – Disabled American Veterans & Auxiliary meeting,
Continued from page 4 ▪ See OUT & ABOUT on page 6
Home for the holidays
Continued from page 1
Uncommon Ranch Lavender & Herb Farm, 6410 Chase Bridge Road in Grayling.
Ring in the new year in style at the Artisan Village Performing Arts Center in downtown Grayling. There will be live music, dancing, and the canoe drop! The event begins at 8 p.m.
ROSCOMMON COUNTY-
Our Lady of the Lake Christmas Festival runs Dec. 13 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1037 W Houghton Lake Dr. in Prudenville. Pics with Santa, ornament and craft making table, coloring contest, food trucks and much more. Tree lighting at 5:30 p.m.
Houghton Lake’s historic village complex. FREE Christmas Craft Show – Christmas Market Craft/ Vendor Show at The Village in Houghton Lake on Dec. 13 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Christmas Walk at The Village in Houghton Lake, an evening stroll through decorated historical buildings, Dec. 19–21, nightly from 6-8 p.m.
Don’t feel like cooking? On Dec. 25, the St. Helen V.F.W. Post 5680 is offering a Free Christmas Dinner from 1-3 p.m. Meals available to go as well and donations are accepted.
1st & 3rd Thurs. – Newborn
OSCODA COUNTY: Mio, Fairview, Luzerne, Comins 1- Public Meeting on Alcona and Mio Dams, 6-7:30 p.m., Consumers Energy is sharing updates on the proposed sale of their dams to Confluence Hydro, Mio High School 4- Christmas Tea, 6:30-8 p.m., tea and snacks, Crislyn Bowling missionary from Ethiopia will be sharing briefly about her work, Tri
A decade of Christmas cheer
By Sarah Novaksarah.upnorthv@gmail.com
LUPTON - ‘Tis the season for giving, and owners Margie and Jean Peterson of Lovewell’s Corner Store in Lupton are beacons of the Christmas Spirit. This will be their 10th year facilitating a gift giving “Santa support system” for local children and passing out “fill your pantry” food boxes to families in need during the holidays.
Every year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, the Peterson’s hold a customer appreciation day filled with free food, games, and a visit from Santa. Children and teens are welcome to write a letter to Santa and register to be a part of the support system. There are around 250 participants every year and each child receives about 8-10 gifts all catered around items on their list.
brings me so much joy to contribute to our community in such an impactful way.”
These incredible programs are entirely funded by generous donations and ran by a handful of volunteers. One of the primary fundraisers for the Santa support system is a witches’ night out event held annually at Kenyon’s Lakeside Resort in Lupton. Over $750 and 109 toys and teen gifts were donated this year.
The Peterson’s also help around 100 families fill their pantries for Thanksgiving and Christmas with their holiday food boxes.
“This year we have had the highest demand for our seasonal food boxes, but also the highest amount of food donations from the community, “said Jean Peterson. “It
If you are interested in contributing to these incredible programs, donations of nonperishable and frozen/meat items, toys, toiletry items, socks, blankets, clothes, and gift certificates for teen activities are currently being accepted at Lovewell’s. They are always accepting volunteers looking to help sort and wrap gifts and organize food boxes. You can also donate directly to them via PayPal and Venmo under @ LovewellsCorner.
Lovewell’s Corner Store is located at 1005 Wiltse Rd. in Lupton, their current winter hours are 7 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily. They carry a wide selection of liquor and are known for their 300 mini shot wall. You can follow them on Facebook to learn more about the food boxes and Santa support system.
Jean and Margie Peterson, owners of Lovewell's Corner Store.
~ Photo courtesy of credit Abandoned-Lens Photography.
Out & About
Chili showdown
OGEMAW COUNTY- The first annual Clear Lake Fire Department Chili Cook-Off was held on Sat., Nov. 8 at the Fire Hall. The event was a blazing success, drawing a packed crowd and plenty of community spirit.
Fifteen chili entries, from mild and savory, to full-on five-alarm creations, filled the hall with mouthwatering aromas as attendees sampled, judged, and celebrated local culinary creativity.
The family-friendly event also offered a variety of activities, including the lively “Bail Out / Free Local Members from Jail” fundraiser, a classic cake walk, face painting, and more, keeping visitors of all ages entertained throughout the day.
In addition to the fun, the event provided a valuable opportunity for residents to tour the Fire Department and Emergency Medical Services’ recent improvements and upgrades. Volunteers were on hand to answer
& 7 p. m. - Living Water Lutheran Church, Mio
questions and showcase the enhanced equipment and facilities made possible through community support.
The festivities continued into the evening as The Clear Lake Bar hosted the official Awards Ceremony, complete with live music by local favorite Michael Schulz. With so many outstanding chili entries, judges said choosing winners was no easy task—yet three cooks ultimately earned top honors:
• Kid’s Choice: Sheri
• Chief’s Choice: Josh
• People’s Choice: Julie
Julie’s celebrated recipe even earned a special place of honor, featured at The Clear Lake Bar on the opening day of rifle season.
Organizers extended heartfelt gratitude to all who contributed including participants, tasters, donors, and especially the dedicated volunteers who made the event possible.
w ww.fultzinsurance.net fultzinsurance@yahoo.com
I NSURANCE AGENCY
1499 N. St. Helen Rd. St. Helen • 989-389-4948 112 E. Main St. P.O. Box 190 - Rose City
Fitness pro honored
Continued from page 1
presenting her with a gift of $500 collected from the members. Benson remarked on the uncanny ability of Gammicchia to recognize when an individual in the class “may be ailing.” He also commented that Gammicchia is “compassionate, and visits with any new members.”
Gammicchia lamented the fact that insurances are making some changes, and some may be dropping the program, as she recognizes the benefit it provides to seniors. She suggested that those on Medicare check with their providers to ensure they will have that option in the new
Continued from page 5
Point Church, Mio
13-14- Christmas Cantata, Friday 6 p.m., Saturday 1:30 p.m., performing “The Greatest Story Ever Told”, drinks and refreshments to follow, Mio Baptist Church, 357 S Mount Tom Rd, 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.
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.
OTHER REGIONS: 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
Send your photos, calendar items, announcements and club events to: info@UpNorthVoice.com
year. For more information regarding
the program, contact Jory at 989-2754975 or stop by the CRAF Center.
Above: Seniors gathered for class and to celebrate Gammicchia on Nov. 4.
Winners of the chili cookoff, Sheri, Josh, and Julie.
Roscommon students honor Veterans
By Donna Thoma –donnathoma0@gmail.com
ROSCOMMON- Nearly 30 Veterans were honored by Roscommon High School and Middle School students and staff on November 11. Breakfast was provided by food service staff. Veterans in attendance represented the Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, and National Guard. Veterans present included both men and women.
Students interacted with the veterans, asking questions about their service experiences. When one vet was asked what service in Vietnam was like, that veteran struggled as he answered, “it was rough.”
Following breakfast, the Veterans and students moved to the auditorium for a ZOOM call with US Senator, Elissa Slotkin, who spoke about her service especially with the CIA.
Slotkin spoke of the importance of the “ethos” of “leaving no man behind.” She also stated, to members of the military, the welfare of our
country is more important than their own welfare.
Slotkin works on policy and legislation and offered the idea that “the greatest love letter you can give your country, is your service.”
The Roscommon High School band and Choir both performed for event.
Students spent time talking with veterans, learning about their service and experiences.
Dan Benson and Lilly (Service dog). Those in attendance were happy to see and interact with Lilly.
Santa came to town
Top: Nora Razdik of Houghton Lake is all smiles at the Cookie Decorating Table during Santa’s Workshop while Payton Nicholson or Harrison creates her delicious treat.
Right: Tressa, Bailey, and Rainee Hacker dressed in their holiday best during Santa’s Workshop. The three girls enjoyed the crafts and treats the event had to offer.
~ Photos by Alicia Noragon
HALE STUDENTS OF THE MONTH- Congratulations to the November Students of the Month. This month these students were picked based on their character and academic performance. Back (l-r): Candice Streeter, Noah Koepeke, Sean Bernard, Mara Cambedo, and Harper Riley. Middle (l-r) Alexis Hollis, Jaxon Tinker, Lucas Gilbert, Emma Brown, Emrick Culton, and Wyatt Hart. Front (l-r) Nevaeh Defoe, Atley Culton, Emara Hobson, Julianna Thayer, and Ashlynn Hewitt.
REUNITED AT THE LAKE- Back in the fall of 1962, Tom Harmon and his cousin Gary D. Moore posed for a final photo in front of his parent’s cabin in Artesia Beach on Lake St. Helen. After graduating that spring, they visited for one last summer of fun in the sun before heading to USAF boot camp in Texas. The two got together for another photo 63 years later, reminiscing of two old tracks, sand trails, stories, and campfires. The two got together for another photo 63 years later, reminiscing of two-tracks, sand trails, stories, and campfires. Memories that will last for a lifetime.
Attendees enjoyed
food, and
MISTLETOE MARKET - Fairview Schools held their annual Mistletoe Market on Nov. 22.
shopping, delicious
music. Pictured is Bailey Eiland with Santa and Griffin Watrous (8).
~ Photos by Sarah Novak
Seniors Faith Payton and Joel Kauffman selling gourmet dips with funds going to Fairview Track & Field.
Jones of
HONORING
had an assortment of goodies on display for sale.
DOES’ DAY OUT- The event, formerly known as "Girls Night Out" or "Ladies Day Out," was designed for women to enjoy shopping and dining while many hunters were out for the opening day of firearm deer season. The Higgins Lake-Roscommon Chamber of Commerce promoted the event in downtown Roscommon.
~ Photos by Donna Thoma Patty Dennis and Marty Barta participating in the event.
Calling All Writers!
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.
THOSE WHO SERVED- A Veteran's Day Ceremony was held at the Oscoda County Veterans Affairs Office on November 11. Mrs. Mason and Mrs. Sutton's 4th grade class of Mio-Ausable Schools came out to present the Christmas wreath at the Veterans Memorial.
Right: Veteran Brandon Anderson spoke at the ceremony.
~ Photos by Sarah Novak
Mio family rebrands parts store
MIO – Mio Auto Value is changing their name and supplier, but not the same small town service Oscoda County residents have been accustomed to.
The company is now partnered with Parts City Auto Parts, and will be renamed, “Mio Parts City.”
The new brand of Ozark Automotive Distributors was developed specifically for supplying parts and business support to independently owned auto parts businesses. Currently, Ozark Automotive services over 5,000 O’Reilly Auto Parts stores and independent Parts City Auto Parts locations from coast-to-coast.
He added the new partnership allows the store to tap into a larger inventory network. But customer service has always been the Morse family’s mainstay.
“Our family’s goal has always been to give local Oscoda County residents the kind of dependable, friendly service they can’t find just anywhere — and the new Parts City affiliation strengthens our ability to do that.”
Mio Parts City will continue to be locally owned and operated by the Morse Family as it has been for the last 38 years.
Owner Cliff Morse said, “We switched to Parts City to provide the community with a better coverage and availability of parts.
In addition to selling auto parts, Mio Parts City also offers battery recycling and testing, custom hydraulic hoses, engine code checks, oil recycling, automotive paint mixing, starter and alternator testing and wiper blade installation.
Mio Parts City is located at 508 Morenci and is open Mon- Fri from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Sat., from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Sun., from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
For parts information call 989826-3800 or visit PartsCityAuto.com.
Tiffany
Moonlit Farms
See answer on page 34
What do you give a snowman with a fever?
A chill pill
Which of Santa’s reindeer has the best moves?
Dancer
How does Santa avoid getting sick before Christmas? He uses hand Santa-tizer
A nine-year-old had heard some rumors at school that Santa wasn’t real. He approached his dad with the big question: “Dad, tell me the truth, is Santa real?”
He decided to tell him it was him and his mom who had bought his latest Nintendo Wii game for Christmas.
“Really?” the boy replied. “You should have let Santa bring it. That way, it would have been free.”
How does a snowman get around town?
By icicle
STAY CONNECTED: Those with little money should not seek jewelry. Buy food, not bling. You’re not a king. Gems, chains are foolery. – TOM FOBBE
Fresh support for seniors
ROSCOMMON COUNTYNMCAA’s Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) offers nutritious USDA foods to support seniors aged 60 and older. Eligible households include those earning up to $23,475 ($1,957/month) for one person, $31,725 ($2,644/month) for two, and $39,975 ($3,332/month) for three.
Monthly distribution sites include: St. Helen Senior Center, 10493
Airport Rd., St. Helen (3rd Wed., 9–10 a.m.)
Roscommon Community Center, 510 South St., Roscommon (3rd Wed., 10:30–11:30 a.m)
Houghton Lake Community Center, Townline Road, Houghton Lake (3rd Thurs. 9:30–10:30 a.m.).
Visit https://nmcaa.net/ commodity-supplemental-foodprogram/ for more information.
Winter birds and warm wishes
Toad's Stool By Warren "Toad" Stutesman
Hello my friends! Christmas will soon be here. What a wonderful time of year it is. I just love Christmas and all that it means. I can play my favorite music without too many sideways glances from those Grinch's out there.
First, of course, is the plan of salvation which started with the birth of Christ. What a tremendous gift offered to us all.
I also enjoy the gathering of family and friends that I love so much. Then there are the presents that we share with our loved ones. I especially like it when a grandchild gets that special something that just makes them light up. I have been blessed by God with so much that there is truly not much I could want.
But if someone wants to get me a little something this year, I wear a size 160-acre farm, but I can squeeze into an 80-acre woodlot.
My feathered friends are sure hungry with the chilly weather we are having. The Blue Jays have been
filling their gular pouches and taking away seeds almost as fast as I can reload the feeders. Some people get upset with Blue Jays taking so much away, I try to remember that they are hiding it away throughout the woods for later and that other birds that may never venture to my yard may find these seeds and have a better winter. By doing such feeding I feel that I am enhancing the whole ecology around me not just my small patch of it.
I recently read a report that this will be an irruptive year for birds from the north. That means that because of a lack of food in their native range they will be coming south. For “Birders” an irruption can mean the sighting of birds not normally seen and it could bring several of them. One year a while back we had a few hundred Pine Siskins in the yard. What a treat that was.
This irruption is expected to bring Pine Siskins, Redpolls, Evening Grosbeaks and Red Bellied Nuthatches just to name a few. Of the finches to come I am hoping to see more Pine Grosbeaks.
Well, that's it for this month and that also means the end of another year. I wish you all many more years to come and great health to go along.
Merry Christmas to you all and please help keep our woods and waters clean.
Schall joins Up North Voice
HOUGHTON LAKE — Up
North Voice has welcomed a new face to its growing team.
Danielle Schall, a longtime Houghton Lake resident with deep ties to the community, is joining the Voice as a marketing consultant serving the Houghton Lake and Prudenville areas.
Schall moved to Houghton Lake at age 10 and has spent most of her life in the region. CEO and Publisher Mark Constance said Danielle's connection to the community made her a natural fit for the role.
“Danielle understands the area, the people who live here and the challenges and opportunities local businesses face,” Constance said. “Her experience, combined with her passion for the Houghton Lake area, will be a tremendous benefit to our customers.”
Schall brings more than a decade of customer service experience to the table. Constance said that mix of communication, organization and problemsolving skills will help her serve businesses looking to reach readers
STUFF
A BLUE GOOSE - The Michigan State Police
Alpena Post hosted a Stuff a Blue Goose Event at the Family Fare in Mio on November 14. All food and toy donations went to the food pantry at Tri Point Church of God.
Pictured is Food Pantry Secretary Mary Ulrich with MSP Trooper Jason Kunath.
~ Photo by Sarah Novak
across the five-county Up North Voice coverage area.
As a mother of five, Schall said family is at the center of her life. She spends much of her time at her children’s events or enjoying the outdoors, during northern Michigan’s warmer months.
“I really care about this community and the people who live here,” Schall said. “I’m looking forward to helping local businesses grow and connecting with people who share the same love for this area.”
She can be reached at danielle@ upnorthvoice.com or 989-614-0312 for consultations or inquiries.
Danielle Schall
Hunters hit the woods
REGION- The opening day for the regular firearm deer season in northern Michigan was November 15. Many local counties hosted “buck pole’s” to show off hunter’s trophy bucks and has become a local tradition.
~ Photos by Sarah Novak and Donna Thoma
NEW SIGNAGE AT MOOSE –Volunteers from the Mio Moose Lodge #1035 recently installed a new sign in front of the club on M-72. Pictured (l-r) are Brian Atchison, Dean Emming, Mark “Diesel” Wilson, Mark Hammerle. They are nicknamed “The over the hill game”. Not pictured is George Hammerle. For information on joining the Moose call 989-826-5800.
John Kelsey of Saginaw elated with his 9- point weighing in at 146 lbs.
Merrick Hedrich (16) of Livonia shot this 8-point on private land.
Ryan Bauer of Grayling with his 6-point buck.
David Fritz of Mio shot this 8-point on public land.
Patrick Destefanis brought in the first buck to the pole held at Fred's Restaurant in Roscommon. Destefanis' 4-point buck weighed 108 lbs.
Over 300 gift baskets were displayed for sale. Organizers spend all year gathering hundreds of items to assemble these delightful, themed baskets.
photos,
CHRISTMAS BAZAAR IN HALE- Patty Troy and Janet Pearson fill the ornament stand at St Paul Lutheran Church's Christmas Bazaar held In November. It’s their largest fundraiser of the year.
~ Photos by Kristi Major
At the Hale Senior Centers Christmas Bazaar, Mrs. Claus (Hale resident Lucille Lauria) reads to young Emerick Lincoln of Flushing.
Tina Biggs of South Branch manned the food table that generates funds for the food banks. Biggs is the Operations Coordinator for ICCOA which provides food for four centers.
TOAST
TO COMMUNITY SPIRIT- The Oscoda Chamber of Commerce held their 16th annual wine tasting on Sat., Nov. 8 at the Mio Community Center. There was wine sampling, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction. Proceeds went to fund Oscoda County Chamber of Commerce and the Mio 4th of July fireworks.
won
HUNTING AND TRAPPING STORE OPENS IN OSCODA- For all your trapping and predator hunting needs this winter check out PCS Outdoors. Their new storefront opened October 25 and will cater to the needs of the Northern Michigan outdoorsman. PCS Outdoors is located at 5227 N US Hwy 23 in Oscoda and is open Mon- Fri from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Sat., 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and is on Sundays. You can explore their inventory at www.pcsoutdoors. com and check out their Facebook and YouTube channel for product tutorials and expert tips. Pictured is Executive Vice President of PCS Outdoors, Evan Story.
~ By Sarah Novak
Right: Stephanie Hall
a cozy basket in the silent auction.
Below: Libby Marsh, Stacey Karkutt, and Michelle Knepp enjoyed the event.
~ Photos by Sarah Novak
Oscoda County Chamber members Sierra Koch, Clifford Morse, and Nick Custance served up the drinks for the evening.
Restoring a rare habitat
By Sarah Novaksarah.upnorthv@gmail.com
OSCODA COUNTY- In October, HeadWaters Land Conservancy completed a 2-year long project of planting thousands of trees on the Luneack Nature Preserve in Comins.
This massive restoration project focused on restoring 45 acres of oakpine barren habitat that is becoming increasingly rare.
This unique natural feature faces threats from deer overbrowsing, invasive bugs like spongey moths, and stress from extreme weather. A wide variety of wildlife reside in this oak-pine savanna landscape and rely on it for food and shelter.
Bird, owl, and bat boxes were also placed in designated areas around the preserve as part of this project.
“I don’t know if we will be around long enough to see any of these oaks with acorns on them but they will be there for future generations,” said HeadWaters Deputy Director Dianne Farner. “We are in it for the long haul and will be monitoring these trees for years to come.”
The main focus was to restore and expand this critical habitat by planting a mix of white and burr oaks, white and red pine, along with native shrubs like chokeberry and hazelnut. Around 10 volunteers and 2 seasonal stewardship technicians were able to hand plant 10,800 native trees and shrubs over the past 2 years. Every oak planted was caged for protection and fencing around natural regeneration areas was installed.
Christmas in the Village
ROSCOMMON- On Sat., Dec. 6, be sure to attend full day of village holiday fun! Santa visits, wagon rides, cocoa bars, contests, food trucks, the Electric Light Parade, and more! Enjoy Breakfast with Santa, a
gingerbread contest, the Santa Train, a petting zoo, and the “Baby It’s Cold Outside” after-party. Visit www. roscommonchristmasinthevillage. com or find them on Facebook for a full schedule of events.
Warmth beyond the flames
Funding for this restoration project came from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Habitat Grant Program with the American Bird Conservancy managing the grant. HeadWaters received support from the Woollam Foundation to meet the 50% match required for the grant, in total this project cost $36,000.
Luneack Nature Preserve is open to the public year-round and offers close to 5 miles of trails for hiking, birdwatching, and nature exploration. Little Ward Lake is located inside the preserve where you will often find blue herons and sandhill cranes during the summer months.
▪ See RESTORING HABITAT on page 17
Home Country By Slim Randles
It’s natural to mumble nasty things about the cold weather. We all do it from time to time. But even the cold has its merits.
One big plus is that it makes fireplaces a reasonable addition to our lives. In cold weather, we can build a fire in our home with a clear conscience. This is something that doesn’t translate well to summer heat, but when it’s cold, here comes the fire.
Strange, isn’t it, our love affair with a fireplace? Makes absolutely no sense. Today, we can make houses so impervious to cold that every time we light a candle, the temperature goes up ten degrees. So what do we do? We cut a hole in this sealed anti-cold unit so we can sit and look
at the flames, the way our ancestors have done since they learned to walk upright and invented kindling.
But we don’t care. We’ll spend a lot of extra money to buy a house with a fireplace, and not think a thing about it. Because this fireplace is the spiritual center of a home, as it’s always been. It’s the gathering place. It’s the place to read, to learn, to meet and tell stories. It’s the core of our universe. The fireplace –and those waiting for us there – is what we dream about when we’re miles from home in the woods or desert. It warms us, inside and out, occasionally cooks our food, and answers our questions.
Questions? Sure.
When the fire’s burning low, and you can just see the little blue lickem flames curling around the glowing embers late at night, and when we’ve about talked out the day’s adventures, we can look at those embers and find answers to questions we didn’t even know we had. And we feel sorry for people who don’t have these advantages.
Community, giving, and holiday cheer!
By Suzanne Barker, Director of the Oscoda County Council on Aging.
Welcome December! To those of you who came out to our Thanksgiving meal, we hope you enjoyed it and had a nice time sharing with friends and other community members. It is so nice to see neighbors enjoying an event together.
We would like to give a huge THANK YOU to all organizations, businesses, and every individual or family that has donated Christmas gifts for the seniors this year. We live in a wonderfully generous and giving community. We will be accepting donations until December 11. We will need the time left to get the gifts ready and to deliver them before we close for Christmas.
The Senior Center will be having a Christmas lunch buffet on Wed., Dec. 17, from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Come in and join us to celebrate the season!
There will be gift giveaways and Santa will be here to spread holiday cheer too. The meal will be the usual lunch price of a $4 suggested donation for 60 yrs and older. If you are under the age of 60, the meal cost will be $7 per person. It is always a great meal and a good time.
The Senior Center will be closing at noon on December 23, and we will reopen on January 5. We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas! Look for every reason, big or small, to be grateful this season.
The food boxes happening this month are the CSFP (Senior Cheese
Restoring habitat
Continued from page 16
Founded in 1993 HeadWaters is a nonprofit land trust dedicated to land stewardship through protecting and preserving natural areas in Michigan. To learn more about the Luneack
Box) at the Tri-Pointe Church of God in Mio on Dec. 12, at 12 p.m. This food box does require an application first and approval from the Food Bank of Eastern Michigan before your name will be added to the list for pick up of the box.
The Together We Can Food Pantry will be handing out boxes on Dec. 18 from 11:30 a.m.– 2:30 p.m. at the fairgrounds. They ask that you bring ID to show you live in the county and a banana box if you have one. If they run out of food boxes, they will be gone before 2:30.
The Council on Aging for the month of October delivered 2,820 meals to our Home Delivered Meal clients and served 672 meals to congregate diners that come in for lunch Monday through Friday.
The monthly Board meeting will be on Mon., Dec. 8 at 10 a.m. Members of the public are welcome to attend the meetings.
Don’t forget exercise class is on Tuesday mornings at 10:30 a.m. There will be no classes on Dec. 23 or 30.
Euchre is played on Wednesday afternoons at 12:45 p.m. There will be no euchre on December 17, 24, or 30.
December’s full moon, also called the Cold Moon, will be beautifully shining on the 4th. It will reach its peak at 6:14 pm. It will be the third and final supermoon of the year and will appear higher in the sky than any other full moon, hope you get to see it!
Don’t forget to be grateful for at least one thing daily. Have a joyful month and keep smiling!
Suzanne Barker is the Director of the Oscoda County Council on Aging. To contact her please call 989-826-3025.
project, volunteer opportunities, or other conservation work in the region, contact HeadWaters Land Conservancy at 989-731-0573 or Land@HeadWatersConservancy.org.
HOLIDAY BAZAAR- The Holiday Church Bazaar was held at New Hope Assembly of God Church in Mio on November 8-9. Pictured is Shirley Clark and Toni Hawkins served up hot food and baked goods with proceeds going toward the New Hope women’s ministry and community outreach. ~ Photos by Sarah Novak
Fall treats delivered
By Donna Thoma
ROSCOMMON COUNTYResidents of the Brook of Houghton Lake and Roscommon, Kings Nursing Home of Houghton Lake, and Intersect Healthcare (Hill Top) of Roscommon received Thanksgiving treats, delivered by members of the Roscommon County Sheriff's Victim Service Unit (VSU) and county sheriff's officers.
VSU members and sheriff's officers delivered individual pumpkin or banana breads and Thanksgiving cards, to nearly 200 residents of the homes the week of November 17.
Robert Rousselo, a graduate of Roscommon High School, the Great Lakes Culinary Institute, and local firefighter with Gerrish Township Fire Department, baked and individually wrapped all the treats.
Canine handlers Cheryl Dean with dog Xena and Chris Moe-Herlick with dog Bentley from Michigan's All-County Search and Rescue.
Victim Service Unit and Roscommon County Sheriff' Department deliver goodies to local nursing homes. Pictured is Roscommon County Sheriff's Deputy Emilie Pellerin and VSU member Ed Thoma dropping off treats.
Fall leaf apocalypse
View From the Comfy Chair
By Joel Vernier
I was enjoying a well-deserved nap when I began to shrug off the post-nap grogginess and open my eyes. I looked out on the deck and the lawn and was shocked and horrified by the sight of the destruction, mayhem, and debris that is fondly referred to as Fall. It is obvious why the season is called "Fall." Everywhere I looked, things had fallen.
The debris included an extinctionlevel quantity of leaves, pine needles & branches of every size due to the early snow and sleet that hung on the leaves. Then the wind picked up, causing an overnight dump of leaves! The garden looks like a postapocalypse scene from a sci-fi movie. "Oh, the humanity!" Once an organic garden producing wonderful fruits & vegetables was now laid to waste. At the top of this, with the earlier warm temperatures, the grass has grown and is sticking up amid the debris.
My biggest complaint is that Fall cleanup is not one-and-done. Fall cleanup is an ongoing process, a journey from summer fun to fall exhaustion, truly, this is summer's revenge! It reminds me of the movie "Groundhog Day!" You work in the yard raking, picking up, and bagging leaves, looking around feeling satisfaction at a job well done, put
the tools up in the shed, and head into the house for a hot shower, dinner, and bed. Accomplishing a job is a great feeling. I revealed my feelings all night and before going to bed.
You wake up a little sore from the manual labor the day before, open the blinds, and look out into the yard, and your eyes are shocked to see there are more leaves on the ground today than yesterday. The work starts all over again: a full day of raking, picking up, and bagging leaves, a hot shower, dinner, then bed. The next day, you wake up, look out at the yard, and start all over again. Yep, "Groundhog Day!" This repeats until the first significant snowfall. Snow covers up any additional leaves that may have fallen, except for the Oak tree leaves that hang on and drop a little at a time until spring.
One year, I wanted to beat "Mother Nature" at her own game. I decided to not do any fall cleanup until everything had fallen. Then I will have only one cleanup time. I learned that "Mother Nature" has a sense of humor. Generally, we may get a bit of snow before December, but it usually melts off. I planned to do my cleanup in the last week of November. The night before the cleanup day, it began to snow. It snowed all night and into the next day, 6 inches. Then a cold front hit, so the snow couldn't melt. The snow lasted until the following spring.
So, it turned my "Spring Cleanup" into a nightmare, with all the Fall debris soggy and soppy sitting on the ground. It was the worst spring cleanup ever. My Fall cleanup is now done multiple times each year. It does make my naps feel better!
STUFF THE AMBULANCE- Gerrish Township Fire/Rescue held their 12th Annual Stuff the Ambulance event on November 16. This year the department chose to support the Roscommon County Food Pantry. They have supported many other groups over the years, including the Coster Closet, Women's Shelter, Veteran's, local families, Children’s Assessment Center and others. By 1:15 p.m. that day, the ambulance was about half full. Pictured (l-r) Josh Thompson, Matt Wooten, Kristi Gilliam, Brandon Rodgers, and Neal Dopp. ~ By Donna Thoma
Create your holiday wreath
By Kalsa Parker Browning, Education DirectorMarguerite Gahagan Nature Preserve
ROSCOMMON- The Gahagan Nature Preserve invites community members to ring in the holiday season at our upcoming Wreath Making Workshops on December 6. Choose from two workshop sessions, from 10 a.m. to noon, or 1-3 p.m. This hands-on event offers participants a chance to explore the beauty of evergreens, learn about the health benefits of live plants in the home, and craft a personalized holiday wreath.
During the workshop, attendees
will learn to identify common evergreen trees found in northern Michigan and then will work with them hands-on to create their holiday wreath. The program also highlights an important connection between plants and wellbeing. Instructors will share research on how greenery inside the home can enhance mood, purify the air, and promote relaxation. By bringing nature indoors, participants can enjoy a more peaceful and healthy living space during the often-busy holiday season.
All materials will be provided, though guests are welcome to bring additional décor, and no prior experience is necessary. Space is limited for this special seasonal workshop. Register early at www. gahagannature.org/calendar.
AND FRIENDS GATHER- The
every Friday from 5 – 7 p.m.
Last year had a great turnout for the Wreath Workshop!
NEIGHBORS
Comins Twp Hall in Fairview hosts a Community Potluck
Nancy Bugg, Karen Cameron, Remi Swartzendruber, and Syrena Troyer are helping prep the meal. ~Photo by Bryana Fortier- Lewis Aubry Stoner, Nova Swartzendruber, and Autumn Lewis enjoying the event.
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!
A 'bag' from Normandy
Roots and Remnants
By Donnie Boursaw
Ever heard about the idea “six degrees of separation”? This theory suggests that despite geographical and cultural distances, we are all part of a vast, interconnected social network, implying any two individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, can be linked by a small number of relationships. Genealogy isn’t just about connecting with dead relatives, it’s also about relationships, family, and otherwise.
For instance, on June 6, 1944, the largest amphibious invasion in history took place on the beaches of Normandy, France.
World War II’s Operation Overlord involved a massive, coordinated assault under heavy fire by 24,000 men from all over the world against the German fortifications on the shores of France. On that day, those men became a part of history.
Wesley F. Kreis was in the file. He was born in 1919, which made him 25 years old when he hit that beach. He was born in Wayne County, worked as a machinist for the Auto industry, retired to Roscommon County, and he and his wife Irene (Rudolph) lived on Surf wood Court in Prudenville. Walter died in 1988, followed thirteen years later by his wife. Both are buried in the Roscommon Township Cemetery in Houghton Lake.
In March of 2024, an email sent to the Rose City Area Historical Society from French historian Mathieu Delamotte was forwarded to the RCGS. The email read as follows:
“I am a French historian from Normandie. I recently found a bag with the name Wesley F. Kreis written on it. He was in Normandy in 1944, and I like to find his family to have more information about that soldier. He died in 1988 and was from Michigan. His name is written on your website. Could you help me find his family?”
RCGS has a surname collection for the county, kept since its inception in 1999. There are over 7500 different surnames filed.
Send your
Walter’s son, Walter L. Kreis, born in 1948, served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Born in Wayne County, he worked for Ford Motor Company in Detroit until he retired and moved to Prudenville in 2005. He died in 2019. Walter L. had a son named Brian. After doing some sleuthing, I found Brian (bless the internet) living in Ray, Michigan. After talking to him on the phone, asking if he was interested in talking to the gentleman from France, I emailed him Mr. Delamotte’s request. Haven’t heard how it turned out but will let you all know when I do.
So, are there 6 degrees of separation between Mr. Kreis and his grandson, Brian? (1) Mr. Kreis in Normandy, (2) Mr. Delmotte contacts the (3) Rose City Society, contacts (4) RCGS, uses (5) Barbara West Surname File, (6) contacts Brian Kreis, back to Mr. Delmotte. Something to think about. What do you think?
Contact me at rootsandremnents1840@gmail.com and let me know.
New insight on Fitzgerald sinking
By Michael Busch
For Americans and Canadian residents living on or near the Great Lakes, the Edmund Fitzgerald evokes an emotional connection to its waterways and landscapes.
In the 50 years since the iron ore freighter sank in Lake Superior on Nov. 10, 1975, the ship has stayed in public memory thanks in large part to Gordon Lightfoot's 1976 song and news coverage of annual memorial ceremonies.
Many books, documentaries, and court cases have tried to explain the ship and 29 crew members' fateful end. Like other famous shipwrecks, such as the Essex or the Andrea Gail, the ship embodies the power of nature, human vulnerability, and mystery.
In a newly published book, Wrecked: The Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy, Thomas Nelson and Gerald Podair take a different perspective on the sinking that stands out from other accounts.
would meet its fate.
As with any large-scale manmade catastrophe, it is the case that determining a single cause for the sinking is problematic. The Fitzgerald sank due to a series of adverse events, which have been documented in numerous books. These include a winter storm with massive waves, ballast tanks full of dirt and sludge, structural failure, leaking hatches with a cargo of water absorbent taconite pellets, overloaded cargo capacity, and grounding the boat on a shoal.
Wrecked: The Edmund Fitzgerald and the Sinking of the American Economy is published by the Michigan State University Press and for sale on their website at https://msupress. org/9781611865417/ wrecked/
The book weaves the story of the Fitzgerald with the story of America’s industrial dominance in the 20th century. Rather than follow a timeline, the authors focus on causes of the sinking, the human toll on surviving family members, and a larger story of America’s once great industrial might in decline.
Nelson and Podair provide insight into the tragedy by arguing the Fitzgerald was doomed because of corporate negligence and weak regulatory oversight. Their underlying argument is the Fitzgerald tragedy coincided with the larger political and economic forces from the mid-1970s up to the present day. Like the ship, the 20th century US industrial manufacturing economy
In an interview with the Up North Voice, Nelson believed the ship should never have been allowed to operate.
"There are lots of proposed reasons why the Fitzgerald sank. But in my opinion, it was simply not seaworthy."
The book makes the case that the owner, Northwest Mutual, and the operating company, Ogilvy Norton, were negligent. Neither had an incentive to keep the ship in order. Northwest Mutual had an indemnification clause that shielded it from lawsuits. Ogilvy Norton did not perform adequate repairs and keep up with maintenance. For example, the ship’s ballast was full of sludge but not entirely removed prior to sailing.
The authors highlight a hairline fracture in the hull found in a photograph taken a few years before the Fitzgerald sank. During a 1978 lawsuit filed by some of the surviving family members, a former crew member gave testimony about poor construction when the ship was first built and subsequent inadequate repairs using tack welding on the hull. The ship was known to twist during strong winds and wave action.
▶ Read the complete article at UpNorthVoice.com
Walter E. Kreis, WWII bag 1944, found in Normandy, France
TRUNK OR TREAT- The Plainfield Fire Department held Trunk or Treat this year and had a great turnout!
Top: The Niederquells from Hale made the event a family affair!
Right: Besides candy, Friends of the Library members Kristi Major and Chris Constadine handed out free books!
Below: Long Lake residents Scott and Jennifer Henson had a front row seat for all the great costumes!
~ Photos by Kristi Major
HONORING MERCHANT MARINES – The Roscommon VFW Post #4159 held a get-together at the post after the Veteran’s Day Ceremony on Nov. 11 at the monument in front of the CRAF Center. The efforts of the Merchant Marines was acknowledged and honored at the event. Accepting a Merchant Marines flag (center) was David Werner. He is pictured with John Meyers (left) and Bob Aichele. The U.S. Merchant Marines are not a formal military branch, but they’ve served with courage in every major conflict since World War II, often facing the same dangers as armed forces, while ensuring America’s lifelines across the oceans remain open.
~ Photo by Mark Constance / UpNorthVoice.com
Peggy Rose, 95, of Higgins Lake
Peggy Marie Rose passed away on August 28, 2025, in Higgins Lake, Michigan, at the age of 95. Born on August 3, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, she lived a long and meaningful life.
Peggy’s legacy continues through her family. She is lovingly remembered by her daughter Ann Rose; Grandson RJ Bolzman; Sons Thomas Schoeneberger and his wife Sue; Paul Rose; six grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her daughter Susan O'Neil and son Harry Rose.
Throughout her years, Peggy found joy and purpose in supporting organizations close to her heart. She was actively involved with the Special Olympics and ROOC dedicating time and energy to causes that uplifted others and fostered inclusion. Her work was recognized with the Ralph Sperry Memorial Award—an honor bestowed for her outstanding services to persons with disabilities in the COOR/ROOC area.
Peggy remained deeply rooted in her faith. She was a devoted member of Good Shepherd United Methodist Church, where she found spiritual strength and fellowship.
Her presence touched many lives through her enduring spirit, sense of humor and midnight text messages.
In honor of Peggy’s love for animals and her compassionate spirit, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to ArkAssociation to Rescue Kritters, 3878 S Maple Valley Road, St. Helen, Michigan 48656.
May her memory bring comfort to all who knew her.
The family is planning a celebration of life in the Spring.
Obituaries & Death Notices
Lois M. Rohl, 81, Lupton, passed Oct 20
Joyce M. Winter, 86, West Branch, passed Oct 20
Shirley M. Briggs, 84, Oscoda, passed Oct 21
Susan C. Euler, 77, Prudenville, passed Oct 24
James Schroeder, 101, Houghton Lake, passed Oct 16
Artie A. Slade, 45, West Branch, passed Oct 2
Rebecca "Becki" L. Shore, 58, West Branch, passed Oct 27
Myra A. Lambert, 87, West Branch, passed Oct 27
Jerry L. Brown, 69, Tawas City formerly Flint, passed Oct 24
Lorine Benavides, 93, Oscoda, passed Oct 25
Louis R. Alverson, 83, Oscoda, passed Oct 25
Westine E. Lepper, 98, East Tawas, passed Oct 27
Melvin R. Moore, 83, Grayling, passed Oct 23
Roberta "Siss" L. Isenhauer, 64, Frederic, passed Oct 24
Doris J. Solecki, 88, Grayling, passed Oct 25
OSCODA COUNTY ARTIST OF THE MONTH- Laura RoeHadd is the November’s Artist of the Month. Laura has always had a great interest in fine arts. She finds watercolors and acrylics enjoyable and therapeutic.
Debra M. Lingle, 73, Grayling, passed Oct 25
Sandra I. Delmotte, 86, Lupton, passed Oct 28
Westine E. Lepper, 98, East Tawas, passed Oct 27
Shirley M. (Stone) Clauss, 85, Hale, passed Oct 28
Dawn C. Taormino, 70, Comins, passed Oct 28
John M. Quirk, 74, Houghton Lake, passed Oct 27
Donald L. Tieppo, 81, Roscommon, passed Oct 30
Rolland F. Honeywell, 87, St. Helen, passed Oct 31
Branch, passed Nov 3
Bryan R. Lee, 68, East Tawas, passed Nov 3
Richard “Dick” Brown, 90, South Branch, passed Nov 3
Patricia L. Minney, 69, East Tawas, passed Nov 5
Cammie L. Pennington, 62, Fairview, passed Nov 3
Dale M. Robinson, 72, East Tawas, passed Nov 9
Jane M. (Pahl), 94, Hale, passed Nov 12
Frederick T. Bridge, 75, Mio, passed Nov 11
Gregory "Greg" J. Sanders, 71, Houghton Lake, passed Nov 11
George F. Liddle Jr., 89, Roscommon, passed Nov 11
Elizabeth “Beth” A. Smith, 66, Houghton Lake, passed Nov 12
Susan E. Schlicker, 69, Roscommon, passed Nov 13
Mark W. Bartholomew, 59, St. Helen, passed Nov 15
Leonard F. Solecki Sr., 85, Higgins Lake, passed Nov 15
Robert G. Elwell, 80, Houghton Lake, passed Oct 29
Joseph D. Vohwinkle, 71, Hale, passed Nov 2
Celeste M. Hays, 63, Luzerne, passed Nov 1
Bruce L. Schroeder, 91, Grayling, passed Oct 29
Scott W. Thornton, 58, Grayling, passed Oct 29
Michelle L. Palmer, 62, Frederic, passed Oct 30
Donna “Sammie” Williams, 102, Grayling, passed Nov 1
Richard L. Pataky, 91, West
Betty J. Weber, 97, West Branch, passed Nov 15
Janine D. Allen, 75, West Branch, passed Nov 17
Sonna L. (Charters) Gawne, 85, Prescott, passed Nov 14
Olivia Wachocki, 87, Oscoda formerly Macomb, passed Nov 12
William F. Steele, 72, Tawas City, passed Nov 14
Gloria J. Green, 74, Mio, passed Nov 15
James "Jim" E. Harris, 90, Grayling, passed Nov 11
Pump Track transforms Village Park
work and plenty of local elbow grease, Roscommon now has a brand-new recreation area built for kids — and kids at heart.
The Roscommon Area Recreation Authority (RARA) recently held a grand opening for the Roscommon Community Park and Pump Track, transforming the old village park into a lively, modern space designed for year-round fun.
Thanks to an $820,000 grant from the state’s Land and Water Conservation Fund, the park now features a 21,000-square-foot asphalt pump track built for bikes, scooters, skateboards and even wheelchairs.
loop of rollers and banked turns that lets riders build momentum through body movement instead of pedaling — a simple design that creates bigtime fun. The new track is open to riders of all ages and skill levels, from little ones just learning balance to seasoned riders looking for a challenge.
Sue Jock of RARA and Navigator Wireline served as the master of ceremonies during the opening celebration. She praised the many volunteers, contractors and community partners who helped bring the project across
the finish line. She also credited the Roscommon Rotary Club for providing a significant portion of the matching funds required for the grant.
“We couldn’t have done any of this without them,” she said to a bundled-up crowd of about 100 people who gathered on a frigid Saturday morning to witness the ribbon cutting.
Metro Park also includes a BMX
library, offering bikes that anyone can borrow and use within the park at no charge. Local businesses pitched in to support the project, reflecting the strong community spirit behind the build. Additional improvements — including new lighting and a covered picnic pavilion — are underway.
More upgrades are expected in the coming months. Stay tuned to UpNorthVoice.com for updates.
'PINK OUT' MATCH UP - The Mio-Fairview Pink Out volleyball game and fundraiser was held Oct. 21. This annual event raised $10,000 this year for Oscoda County cancer patients. Pictured are both teams lined up with roses to pass out in honor of those with cancer. ~ Photos by Sarah Novak
Pictured are the ribbon cutting (l-r) are Hunter and Mason Mires, Cheri Hutek, Eric Hart and Sue Jock.
Jory Klumpp of the CRAF center oversaw a helmet raffle. Helmets donated by Northbound Outfitters of Grayling.
