Lillian and Bea to represent Hawks at Spring Fling
by Peter Jakey
Managing Editor
Lifelong residents Lillian Wirgau and Bea Schalk have been honored as the 2013 Hawks Spring Fling grand marshals.
The parade remains a cornerstone of the village festival, and a great way to honor local residents.
Lillian and Bea are perfect reflections of the community, who have given so much to others over the years.
Wirgau was involved with Special Olympics and the Hawks Community Improvement Association for many years, while Bea has been an organist at Faith Lutheran Church nearly all of her life. She also was Bismarck Township clerk for 23 years.
Event organizer Carl “Preach” Altman said both are deserving of the honors.
“Both have been fixtures in the community their entire lives,” said Altman.
“I came to Hawks when I was a baby,” said Lillian, sitting on a bench with Bea, near the Hawks memorial stone. “I was only 10 months old when I came here.”
Lillian, who was raised by an aunt and an uncle on a farm, is now 76. She had a beauty shop in her home for 40 years.
“I like to hunt, I like to fish, I like to watch the Tigers ballgames, and I like to ride my four-wheeler,” Lillian added.
Bea came to Hawks in 1943, got married, and has been living in the same farmhouse for 70 years. She will be 90 in August.
Bea also enjoys watching the Tigers in her spare time.
When Bea got the call about being selected, she told Altman she would do it, but not alone.
So, Preach went with the obvious choice: Lillian. “It was nice,” said Bea. “She definitely deserved it.”
Initially, Lillian was reluctant. “Oh, boy, I don’t know if I want to do that,” said Lillian. “Do you know what Preach said – ‘that’s a yes.’ ”
The parade begins Sunday at 1 p.m.
Music will be a big part of the weekend starti
Saturday, the softball tournament gets underway in Hawks and Rogers City. The final game is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m.
Chicken dinners will be served at the Night Hawk Inn at noon Sunday. The horseshoe tournament sign-up starts at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Other bands include Wade Corpus, and Sub Zero.
The softball schedule is as follows:
Hawks bracket: McLean Pharmacy vs. Bud Light, 8:15 a.m.; Basil Hoof Trimming vs. Neumann’s Blind Pig, 9:30 a.m.; Five Star Detailing vs. 8:15 a.m. winner, 10:45 a.m.; Great Lakes Belt, winner of 9:30 a.m. game, noon.
The Hole bracket: Hit Men vs. Above All Construction, 8:15 a.m.; Chauncey’s Pub vs. Chuck’s Well, 9:30 a.m.; Bariliks vs. winner of 8:15 a.m. game, 10:45 a.m.; Greka’s vs. winner of 9:30 a.m. game, noon.