Flashbacks: Wind Symphony charms Rogers City, struggles to leave harbor
10 years ago– August 26, 1993
Promising to make the road rally even more difficult, Scott Neslund was busy planning a fundraiser event for the Presque Isle Children?s House. Scott and his wife Jackie organized the event, which drew around 70 participants as a first-time event. The event was a scavenger hunt, where teams rode around the county, attempting to solve puzzles and answer questions at different locations. A group consisting of Norma and Terry Flewelling, Judy and Larry Wissner, and Darlene Nowicki won the first challenge and split a $100 pot. Parents who had children attending Rogers City?s elementary and/or high school were made aware of major changes in the procedures for drop-offs and pick-ups. A new plan was to be in place when students began school, September 1. A major factor in the new plan was the elimination of individual vehicle pick-ups in front of each building. Those areas will be reserved for bus traffic and faculty parking only. Parents were being asked instead to pick up their children in the large area off Huron Avenue between the two buildings.
Judge Joseph Swallow presented his opinion on General Electric Capital Corporation?s lawsuit against the Rogers City Municipal Health Facilities Corporation and the Rogers City Hospital Affiliation Corporation, and granted the defendant?s motion for summary disposition.
Bishop Patrick R. Cooney announced the appointment of Sister Rita Epple, RSM, formerly director of religious education at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Cathedral, Gaylord, to the position of pastoral administrator at St. Dominic in Metz.
20 years ago– August 30, 1983
When Robert Boudreau, music director for the American Wind Symphony Orchestra, told some Rogers Cityans during the winter that a floating arts center was a ?happening ? in the finest sense of the word,? some were skeptical. By Sunday evening, when the orchestra?s residency in Rogers City was complete, nobody needed any convincing. It was a happening, the likes of which Rogers City had never seen before. >From chamber concerts, poetry and visual arts symposiums and vessel tours to participation in church services and two free concerts from the floating stage of the Point Counterpoint II, the orchestra charmed Rogers City and northern Michigan.
The home port for the 195-foot long Point Counterpoint II, the American Wind Symphony Orchestra?s self-propelled floating arts vessel is Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Rogers City Yacht Harbor almost became its new home as the vessel had a difficult time leaving. For about two hours the vessel maneuvered around the mouth of the harbor, struggling to make it out into Lake Huron and coming dangerously close to the shore. Finally, the flat-bottomed barge completed the turn around the breakwall and headed for open seas.
The United States Steel Corporation said it intended to indefinitely suspend its Cedarville dolomite quarrying operation due to unfavorable economic conditions attributable to h
30 years ago– August 30, 1973
The 21st annual Posen Potato Festival was to feature a schedule chock full of interesting and exciting events, but a queen still hadn?t been selected. Six girls entered the 1973 pageant. They were: Kathy Schuch, Darlene Klaft, Debbie Elowski, Julie Krawczak, Denyse Darga and Vicki Burns. The pageant director was Nancy Green.
A van reported stolen from the Builder?s Mart on US-23 south of Rogers City was recovered the next day by police in Duluth, Minnesota. Two juveniles were apprehended in connection with the theft.
Lou Gordon, TV talk show host and radio personality, was to highlight the Rogers City Chamber of Commerce annual banquet in October. Gordon made himself known for his stimulating Saturday and Sunday evening television shows on which he often brought unusual and interesting guests who would speak on a multitude of topics. — (Compiled by Peter Jakey)