Nautical Festival picks John Vogelheim as grand marshal
by Peter Jakey–Managing Editor
A longtime community activist and civic leader has accepted the honor of leading the 2014 Nautical Festival parade as its grand marshal.
John Vogelheim grew up in the lumber business with his father Karl and grandfather Charlie, better known as C.A. He owned and operated Vogelheim Lumber Company (VLC) from 1976 until its closing in 2001.
Behind the scenes, he helped to develop Rogers City’s Nautical Theme, the Isle of Flags, as well as the Presque Isle Wooden Boat Show, but humbly shying away from accepting full credit for the many local endeavors in which he has been involved.
He was twice president of the Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce and has been involved in the Rogers City Kiwanis Club for many years, including a stint as president. He also served on the festival committee for nearly 20 years and was its chairman three times.
Vogelheim has been involved in the process to select grand marshals in the past and has a great appreciation of what the honor means.
“I always knew why they were selected, but I don’t feel that way about myself,” said Vogelheim. “Everything I did was with other people. I did not take anything forward on my own.”
“It is the greatest affirmation that a person can get in their own community,” said Vogelheim. “Especially when it is put together by five service clubs.”
The Nautical City Festival consists of representatives of local civic organizations and the Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce.
Vogelheim graduated from St. Ignatius Catholic School in 1957 and Rogers City High School (RCHS) in 1961. He went on to attend North Texas State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in marketing. He was drafted into the Army in 1967 and served in Vietnam for two years, earning the rank of Specialist E5.
After his service obligation, Vogelheim worked for the Klipstine Lumber Company in Sidney, Ohio, which was the largest of 42 yards in Ohio and Indiana. After three years, he left as assistant maanger to join the family business back in Rogers City.
“I called my dad one day and said, ‘I am coming home to join you in the business.’ He said, ‘Geez, John, I don’t think the business can afford both of us.’ I said, ‘I guess we’ll have to make it work out,’ and we did.”
The Vogelheims had additional franchises in Onaway, Alpena and St. Ignace.
John married Phyllis Baker on March 27, 1967 at St. Paul Catholic Church of Onaway.
“Phyllis was always involved in the lumber and hardware business and raised our family,” he complimented his wife of 47 years.
His local involvement in the community would fill the entire front page of a resume.
He got involved with the Nautical Festival Committee starting in 1973 and continues to help out with lift trucks and equipment during the annual event. Being a lifelong member of the Kiwanis Club is something he is proud of and he is pleased to see his grandchildren involved in the Key Club at RCHS.
He is a member of the Rogers City Servicemen’s Club and past secretary; a member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 607; Knights of Columbus and St. Ignatius Parish.
Vogelheim remains active today. He is a current member of the Besser Museum Fisher
“Any project is only as good as the people that are on the committee,” said Vogelheim. “If a project starts to falter then you need to find the right people to help the project out.”
Currently, he delivers maintenance chemicals to ships of the Great Lakes for Wilhelmsen Ships Services, a delivery service he had when the VLC was still in operation.
The grand parade is Aug. 3. Last year’s grand marshals were Art and Beth Getzinger.