First boat arrives to a warm welcome

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

Busting throu

gh some thick ice in the Port of Calcite, and overcoming some technical issues on the dock, the Cason J. Callaway became the first boat to be loaded at Carmeuse Lime & Stone, signaling the beginning of the 2011 shipping season. Not wanting to navigate the icy water in the dark, captain Mike Merrick waited until daylight to navigate the icy waters and bring the 767-foot self-unloader into the south dock. And for the first time since in anyone can remember, a welcoming committee consisting of mayor Beach Hall and clerk/treasurer Terri Koss presented a plaque and a city coffee mug to second mate David Mathie.

On bringing the Callaway through the ice, Mathie said ?she came in pretty good, it wasn?t as bad as we anticipated.? Hall heard about other port communities that were greeting crewmembers from the first arriving boat and wanted to start the practice in Rogers City. It had everything except for a red carpet, which actually would have been nice for wiping all the mud on. ?It?s a small start, but an acknowledgment that we are glad they are here,? said Hall, who saw the Callaway arrive from his home earlier in the day. The coffee mug was from the Painted Lady. The Callaway sailed on her maiden voyage Sept. 16, 1952. She was lengthened 120 feet in 1974,