Festivals, pageants and elections highlight second half of 2013
by Angie Asam–Staff Writer
As we usher in the New Year and prepare for what is to come in 2014, we are certain new items will headline the news in the pages of the Advance. Before we start a new chapter we take a look back at the news that dominated the pages in the second half of 2013.
JULY
The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners approved its 2013-14 budget. The budget was balanced at $5,097,508.48, a bit lower than the 2012-13 budget.
For the 29th year the Huron Doublehanded Challenge sailboat race finished in Rogers City. Boats came in with good wind and sunny skies.
Just in time for the nations 237th birthday, the Rev. Arthur Duchnowicz, who became a United States Citizen May 30, was featured in the regional edition of The Catholic Weekly.
Union Adworks obtained a permit from the Michigan Department of Transportation to close a section of U.S.-23 North to conduct a photo shoot for Chrysler’s redesigned 2014 Jeep Cherokee.
Rogers City High School (RCHS) baseball players Paul Wilbert, Evan Lamb and Jacob Malocha earned postseason awards. Wilbert, who earned the teams most valuable player award, was named second-team all-conference, all-district and all-region. Lamb was second-team all-conference and second-team all-district. Malocha was second-team all-conference and first-team all-district.
Posen High School (PHS) baseball players Nick Hincka and Travis Sharpe earned postseason honors. Nick Hincka was first-team all North Star League while Travis Sharpe was an all-district selection.
Rogers City mayor Beach Hall, 82, announced that he would not be seeking another term in office. Hall served as mayor for 12 years and was stepping down at the completion of his sixth term.
Gary Bisson was hired as the RCHS varsity girls’ basketball coach.
The Waters Edge Restaurant reopened after Peter Dewey purchased it.
The RCHS gym floor was completed after being sanded down, repainted and refinished.
Dr. Mary Ann Heidemann of Rogers City was appointed as an associate professor in the College of Architecture and Planning at Ball State University. Heidemann would also be directing the Ball State graduate program in historic preservation.
The Rogers City Little League major girls’ all-star team won the district 13 title and advanced to the state tournament in Essexville.
Eleven young ladies were busy preparing to compete for the title of Miss Rogers City 2013. Contestants were Jillian Flanagan, Cynthia Kerr, Autumn Blanchard, Nikki Radke, Megan Quaine, Tiffani Lepkowski, Nicole Bannasch, Ali Haselhuhn, Sara Quaine, Jessica Butera and Rebecca Myers.
Tough times got a little tougher for the Presque Isle County Council on Aging (PICCOA) with the suspension of meals in Posen and layoff of three kitchen staff members. State and federal cuts created a budget shortfall for the organization.
The Rogers City major girls’ all-star team finished third at the state tournament in Essexville.
Longtime council member Deb Greene announced that she would be running for mayor. Greene had been on the council for 22 years and was acting as mayor pro tem.
The Fourth annual Presque Isle Girls’ Softball tournament was held in Rogers City. The Moran Iron Works (MIW) Vulcans, featuring local players, won an extra-inning thriller of the Northern Heat, coached by Karl Grambau in the 16 and under finals. The 18 and under Presque Isle Panthers finished second.
AUGUST
Rebecca Myers earned the title of Miss Rogers City 2013. The daughter of Mike and Cindy Myers prepared to reign over the Nautical City Festival. Bannasch was the first runner-up and won the talent award. Kerr was second runner-up. Butera won the congeniality and coordination awards and Megan Quaine won the ticket sales award.
The Presque Isle County Board of Commissioners passed a resolution, which included language for the ballot for the Nov. 5 election asking voters to approve a millage for .524 mills for 15 years that would fund renovations of the courthouse building.
Four contestants would be competing for the title of Miss Posen 2013. Contestants were Korynn Hincka, Kendall Hirschman, Michelle Montgomery and Sierra Zdybel.
RCHS seniors Rebecca Meredith and Nikkie Jo LaLonde and PHS senior Anna Couture participated in the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association senior all-star game in East Lansing.
Joe Libby resigned as the director of the Presque Isle County Development Commission/county resource officer to take a position with MIW.
The Getzinger family was mourning the loss of 10-year-old Andrew Getzinger who had lost his life in an off-road vehicle accident in Rogers Township.
The Kickstarter campaign. to raise money to upgrade the projection equipment at the Rogers City Theater, officially began. The goal of the campaign was to raise $100,000 in six weeks. After the first week the campaign had raised nearly $24,000.
Many great events were enjoyed as part of the Nautical City Festival, which brought many visitors to town. Great Lakes Belt won the 2013 men’s softball tournament while Glaza Farms took the women’s title. The run/walk drew 264 participants with Gary Yarnell as the overall champion and Taylor Kloha winning the women’s title.
Carmeuse Lime & Stone’s Calcite Quarry was being used for training for the Michigan Air National Guard.
Hirschmann was crowned Miss Posen 2013. She won the coordination, poise and appearance and talent awards as well as the congeniality award. Korynn Hincka was the first runner-up.
Four candidates filed to run for Rogers City Mayor. Greene, Dana LaBar, Tom Sobeck and Jerry Wagner were running in the November election. Three people filed for two open seats on the council with A.J. Przybyla, Bill Stypick and Ken Bielas running in that election.
John Curtis and Don Malocha were inducted into the Presque Isle County Men’s Softball Association Hall of Fame.
Roger Wenzel, veteran umpire, umpired games in Cooperstown, New York, the birthplace of baseball as he umpired a 12-year-old travel ball tournament.
“Little Mermaid Jr.” the summer youth production of Rogers City Community Theatre was ready to hit the stage at the Rogers City Theater. Cast members were Patrick Dunn, Emilee Madison, Jacob Bruski, Brandi Chojnacki, Linnea Hentkowski, Chloe Schultz, Salena Heidemann, Chloe Hentkowski, Elaina Madison, Ashley Nowicki, Caitlynn Shadbolt, Madison Tulgestka, Kyrsten Altman, Ashley Bunton, Brielle Kulik, Baylee Lijewski, Bradley Heidemann, Emma Bade, Morgan Baller, Mackenzie Bruning, Jadyn Hanson, Mataya Hanson, Hayden Hentkowski, Luke Jakey, Erica Jumper, Dylan LaFleche, Kyley LaFleche, Sierra Loveless, Shelby Michalak, Kaitlin Neff, Rebecca Neff, Madison Thornton, Ella Williams and Mackenzie Williams.
Ericka Pauly was crowned Presque Isle County Fair Queen 2013. Bethany Collins was the first runner-up and Amber Pilarski was second runner-up. Other contestants were Chelsea Marx, Kayla Pardike and Chojnacki.
Desiree Smillie was crowned Junior Miss Presque Isle County Fair 2013. First runner-up was Mackenzie Zydbel and second runner-up was Heather Hentkowski. Other contestants were Roxanne Kortman and Andrea Stalker.
Contestants in the 2013 Little Miss Presque Isle County Fair pageant were Abby Muller, Vivianna Austin, Sierra Sanders, Natalie Grulke, Alexis Bacon, Rosalie Mucciante, Emily Grulke, Aislinn Schalk and Kaitlyn Neff.
Contestants in the 2013 Princess Pageant at the Presque Isle County Fair were Cali Hambleton, Samantha Neff, Sierra Grulke, Isabelle Tucker, Cheyanne Bober, Adisyn Fenstermaker, Natalie Domke, Haily Corey, Emma Wickersham, Rebecca Neff, Ella Sobeck, Hanna Corey and Kayde Corey.
The Rogers City Area Schools board of education hired Lisa Richmond as the new elementary special education teacher.
The RCHS class of 1994 announced that they would be bringing the Harlem Ambassadors to town in October. In observance of their 20th class reunion, they chose to do something to give back to the district.
SEPTEMBER
Posen prepared to roll out the red carpet for the Posen Potato Festival.
The Fat Hogs Fishing Frenzy drew 49 boats to the Rogers City Marina. Wasted Dayz II of Hillman won the tournament as they caught 101.88 pounds of fish during the two-day tournament.
Football season began with Rogers City winning its opener over AuGres 30-20 while Posen lost a heartbreaker to Cedarville 42-40.
Louis and Marian Urban led the Posen Potato Festival grand parade as the grand marshals. The parade went down as one of the best festival finale’s ever.
Melissa Fleis was announced as one of the 11 former “Project Runway” contestants that would appear in “Project Runway All-Stars” which would premiere in October.
Mark Slown, Rogers City manager, had conditionally accepted the city manager position in Ishpeming.
The RCHS football team improved to 2-0 with a 22-7 win over county rival Onaway.
The second annual Spud Run drew 107 participants with overall winner Nathan Peters and female champion Jade Olds. The run was put on by the Posen Citizens Academic Council to raise money for textbooks.
MIW purchased the Onaway Art Van building with plans to possibly establish a welding school.
The Michigan Aviation Association stopped at the Presque Isle County Airport as part of the Michigan Air Tour.
Members of the PICCOA approved the 2013-14 budget, which included the re-opening of the Posen kitchen. PICCOA was trying to overcome serious federal and state cuts that affected its budget.
Army veteran Nick Filipiak received an all-terrain wheelchair as a gift. The device would make it easier for him to hunt, fish and enjoy the outdoors. A fellow group of Vietnam veterans held a fundraiser downstate to make the gift possible.
Ray Forester, 94, stepped down as president of PICCOA but planned to stay involved with the organization.
RCHS alumni Paul LeVeck was honored at Northern Michigan University’s homecoming with a civic leadership award from the alumni association.
The RCHS alumni team that would take on the Harlem Ambassadors in October was announced. Team members were Brent Muckle, John Selke, Melissa Orr, Scott Orr, Sarah LaFleche, Joel Idalski, Nancy Tulgestka, Jesse Streich, Scott Grulke, Erik Nadolsky, Przybyla, Tom Catalano, Andy Myers, Brian Hanson, Erik Meharg, Chris Shay, Grambau, Paul Blair, Austin Brege and Chelsie Brege.
The RCHS volleyball team started the North Star League (NSL) season with a sweep of Whittemore Prescott.
Officials from Extendicare Health Services Incorporated located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin met with employees of the Rogers City Rehabilitation Hospital to say that the facility would “discontinue its hospital inpatient services on Nov. 1.”
The Rogers City Theater Kickstarter campaign reached its goal of $100,000 for a new digital projector. Extra money pledged over the goal was going to be used to purchase new seats for the theater.
PHS celebrated homecoming with king John Zaborney and queen Austin Sharpe reigning over the events. Other representatives on the court were seniors Taylor Wong and Leon Baccard; juniors Elizabeth Mulka and Jordan Jakubcin; sophomores Kyle Knopf and Kayla Lenard; freshman Darren Dubie and Lindsey Randall; junior high representatives Taylor Peters and Levi Romel; and elementary representatives Eli Chojnacki and Brooklyn Talaska.
Slown’s contract was approved by the Ishpeming city council and he submitted his letter of resignation to the Rogers City council.
The RCHS volleyball team was 3-0 in the NSL with sweeps of Oscoda and Fairview.
OCTOBER
Drop off times at local post offices were changing at the end of the month. Mail from boxes along the avenue of flags in Rogers City would be collected at 2:50 p.m. instead of 4:45 p.m.
Jeff Kuznicki, a RCHS graduate and young man of many musical talents, was ready to begin a new chapter as a film and arts student at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.
The Rogers City council hired the Michigan Municipal League to conduct a city manager search for them.
The PHS football team defeated Bellaire 62-14 on homecoming night. It was the biggest win for the Vikings since they began playing 8-man football.
The PHS volleyball team won five-straight matches.
The Harlem Ambassadors drew around 750 people for a night of laughs, fun and basketball. The RCHS class of 1994 was hosting the event to raise money to give back to the district. The ambassadors also held an assembly for the students earlier in the day.
PHS English teacher Mary Misiak was teaching a music history/appreciation class.
The Rogers City Women’s Civic League hosted a meet-the-candidates night for Rogers City mayor and council candidates.
The Posen Pub was razed to make room for a Family Dollar Store to be built in the village.
The RCHS volleyball team improved to 5-0 in the NSL with a sweep of Posen.
Injuries forced the PHS football team to concede its game to Engadine with 2:04 left in the third quarter.
As the election neared, the Advance profiled the candidates and outlined the issues facing voters.
Charlie Bunton, RCHS alumni, authored a two-volume history of Rogers City. Volume one was set to be released in November.
The PHS volleyball team defeated Atlanta and Hillman to improve to 6-4 in the NSL.
The RCHS volleyball team swept Hillman to improve to 7-0 in the NSL and still had not lost a single set in league play.
The Rogers City Community Theatre presented “Harvey.” Cast members were Drew Rose, Theresa Gibson, Wes Eagleson, Bob Starnes III, Val Schalk, Andrew Hoffmeyer, Celestine Petoskey, Bob Starnes IV, Karen Maher, Karl W. Heidemann, Jodi Collins and Ed Perrault.
RCHS celebrated homecoming. Court members were king Jack Ryan and queen Cassie Brege; seniors Ashley Hilla, Whittnie Smillie, Andrew Selke and Nick Centala; juniors Jacky Hart and Jacob Malocha; sophomores Bailey Budnik, Alana Wirgau and Ryley Schalk; and freshman Destanae Smillie and Max Kowalewsky.
Nick Hincka rushed for 229 yards and had 25 tackles in a PHS football loss to Brimley.
Plath’s Meats celebrated 100 years of rich history and quality products.
“Project Runway All-stars” featuring Rogers City’s own Fleis premiered and she had survived the first challenge.
The RCHS volleyball team swept AuGres on senior night and Mio to finish the NSL season 10-0 without losing a single set.
The RCHS girls’ cross country team led by freshman Emily Malocha, who finished fourth, qualified for the state finals.
NOVEMBER
Election results were in. Tom Sobeck won the race for Rogers City mayor as he received 375 votes. Wagner was second with 200 votes followed by Greene 197 and LaBar 149. Przybyla (652) and Bielas (618) won the two open seats on the Rogers City council. The millage to fund renovations to the county courthouse failed.
Becky O’Bryant was named teacher of the year in the Rogers City Area Schools district.
Fleis survived a close call on “Project Runway All-stars” and advanced to the third week of the show.
Paige Lewandowski, 19, the daughter of Mark and Denise Lewandowski of Posen won the title of Miss Sunrise Side 2013.
The Rogers City council approved a contract with Dean Marine and Excavation to perform dredging at the marina.
The RCHS volleyball team completed a perfect NSL season as they swept Whittemore Prescott, Posen and Mio to win the conference tournament.
Emily Malocha was the top finisher for the RCHS girls’ cross country team at the state finals as she finished 84th.
District volleyball action began with Posen defeating Hillman to advance to the semifinals.
Mikel Schepke, 47, went missing north of Rogers City off Birchwood Drive and law enforcement officials and volunteers braved bitter cold temperatures to search for him.
The run was over for Fleis as she was eliminated from “Project Runway All-Stars” after three shows.
Rogers City engineering assistant Toby Kuznicki was honored with an individual achievement award by the Michigan Transportation Asset Management Council at its fall conference.
The season came to an end for the RCHS volleyball team after a thrilling district title match between the Hurons and the Onaway Cardinals. Rogers City fell in four sets. The season ended for the PHS volleyball team in the district semifinals when they were swept by the Hurons.
The community mourned the loss of 10-year-old Wyatt Saile after he was killed in a tragic firearm accident.
Greene filed a request to recount the results of the mayoral race in Rogers City.
The search for Schepke was suspended on the eve of opening day of firearm deer season after five and a half days of searching.
PHS senior Korynn Hincka signed her national Letter of Intent to play basketball for Grand Valley State University.
Seven RCHS volleyball players earned all-conference honors. Jena Tulgeske, Courtney Streich and Cassie Brege earned first-team honors while Sarah Meredith, Alexa Quaine, Cassidy Purgiel and Megan Quaine earned second-team honors.
Eight PHS football players earned all-conference honors. Nick Hincka was named the best defensive player in the conference and was a first-team choice at running back. Zaborney, Emil Cramon and Travis Sharpe earned first-team honors while Brandon Dietz, Matthew Wisniewski and Knopf were named to the second-team. Jakubcin was an honorable mention selection.
RCAS received $8,000 per year for three years from the Carmeuse Foundation to start an after-school program.
Noble Morris and his wife Teri had a lot to be thankful for after he was rescued from Grand Lake last April.
Fleis rode in the Detroit Thanksgiving Day parade.
The Presque Isle District Library had put old editions of the Advance into digital, searchable files.
DECEMBER
The number of deer taken in Presque Isle County that were checked at Department of Natural Resources check stations was 5 percent lower than the three-year average.
The Presque Isle County Sheriff’s Department was investigating the felony poaching of a bull elk in Bismarck Township. The elk was shot in the throat inside a fenced area. Department authorities believed it was done intentionally and were seeking information that would lead to the arrest of the subject or subjects.
Rogers City buzzed with two special Christmas events with the annual Optimist Club tree lighting in Westminster Park and the Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce parade of lights and lighting of the community tree at the Presque Isle County Historical Museum.
The Presque Isle County Board of Canvassers met and held a recount in the Rogers City mayor election. Greene requested the recount and she gained one vote in precinct one. No other candidates gained or lost votes and the final results were Tom Sobeck (375), Wagner (200), Greene (198) and LaBar (149).
Members of the RCHS class of 1994 delivered some financial gifts to enhance the learning experience in the district. Monies raised from the Harlem Ambassador’s basketball game were given to the industrial arts club, yearbook, for busing/field trips and new calculators.
Three RCHS volleyball players earned more postseason awards. Tulgestke was named third-team all-state and to the all-region dream team.
The Rev. Harold G. Molzan, 91, passed away. He was remembered as the area’s “minister of encouragement.”
Rogers City elementary school principal Katy Makowski was named the Region 13 principal of the year.
Abby Idalski, Miss Rogers City 2011, had traded her evening gowns for combat boots. She was serving as a field radio operator for the United States Marines and was on a 12-month deployment to Afghanistan.
Ray Zielinski, who served the Rogers City Planning Commission for more than 20 years, attended his last meeting as he chose to retire.
The RCHS girls’ basketball team started the season 3-0 with wins over Onaway, Fairview and Hale under new coach Bisson.
The PHS girls’ basketball team was 3-0 and earned its 50th consecutive conference win as they defeated Whittemore Prescott.
The PHS boys’ basketball team opened the season with a 63-55 win over Whittemore Prescott under new coach Matt Ponik.
Wolverine Power leaders officially pulled the plug on the Wolverine Clean Energy Project th
Hall was honored in his final council meeting. Hall had served as the mayor of Rogers City for 12 years and had conducted his final meeting.
PHS senior Nick Hincka notched his 1,000th career point as the boys’ basketball team improved to 4-0.
The RCHS girls’ basketball team defeated Oscoda 51-29 to erase the memory of a 54-14 loss to Posen days earlier.
The PHS girls’ basketball team improved to 5-0 and made it 52 consecutive league wins as they defeated Hale 61-10.
RCHS junior Jacob Sobeck earned his 100th career wrestling victory wih a pin over Alpena’s R.J. Centala.