United Communities Foundation to honor Del Conley of Rogers City October 1
The United Communities Foundation will host its premiere Benefit Gourmet Dinner at the Presque Isle Harbor Association Clubhouse on Saturday, October 1. The organization will present the first Monarch Award to Delmar (Del) Conley at the event. The Monarch Award was established to recognize an individual who has had a significant influence on the community and enriched the lives of other people through his or her involvement with the arts, culture or education in Presque Isle County. Proceeds from the dinner will sponsor scholarships, support artists, arts organizations, and cultural programs in Presque Isle County.
Conley is a native of Rogers City. He was born March 10, 1929 to Lloyd and Meta Conley. He married Virginia (Grohowski) June 21, 1952, and they are the parents of Michelle, Laurie, Kay and Chris. They have two grand children, Erin and Sean McLain. He attended St. Ignatius elementary school and later graduated from Rogers City High School with the Class of 1947. He earned a Bachelor of Music Degree from Central Michigan University in 1951, and a Master of Arts Degree (Education) from the University of Michigan in 1959.
CONLEY BEGAN his teaching career in Shepherd and taught music at Rogers City High School before entering the United States Army in 1953, stationed at Ft. Knox, Kentucky. Conley returned to Rogers City in 1955, and taught high school band until 1963. From 1963 until 1966 he was a counselor and then became the school principal. He was named superintendent of the Rogers City Area Schools in 1979 where he continued to serve until his retirement in 1991.
Conley contributed a regular column to the Advance while he was superintendent, a feature that is sorely missed by parents and the general public today. He wrote on education subjects as well as other topics of the day. For example, in a piece dated May 9, 1985 Conley wrote about the need to give special attention to the needs of our gifted students. He was responding to a criticism of the concept by another local writer. ?I wish to comment about the recent words of my good friend and noted columnist Karl Vogelheim. Holy cow, Karl! You can?t know everything about everything,? Conley chided. Conley has been a member of the City Band since his high school days and served as director for 22 years. He is currently a member of the Mellow Fellows who perform for charitable benefits and other events throughout northern Michigan.
HE HAS BEEN an active member of the Presque Isle District Library Board serving as Chairman and he continues to serve the library through the Rogers City Friends of the Library for more than 30 years. During this time he has overseen the Brown Bag Series at the library bringing in guest speakers throughout northern Michigan. Conley is a 30-year member of the Kiwanis Club and has served as past President. He is also a member of the Rogers City Knights of Columbus. In 1985 Del and Virginia were honored as the Grand Marshals of the Nautical City Festival. Conley remains active in civic affairs, currently serving on the Rogers City Planni
As a young music student in 1950 Conley wrote: ?My purpose in life is to teach music so that my students may learn to enjoy it as much as I do. Along with teaching music, I hope to teach citizenship, cooperation, respect for others, tolerance of their ideas, and better way of life.? The UCF is a non-profit, tax-exempt organization. The evening program includes a live and silent auction, live music and plenty of take home items including a professional photograph of each guest.
The live auction will feature five signed, numbered lithographs by nationally acclaimed artists. Each lithograph is registered and indicates noted appraised value represented by Park West Gallery. The silent auction includes more than 50 selected items ranging from weekend getaways to other works of art that will be on display during the course of the evening. Advance tickets are $50 per person or groups may purchase a table of eight places for $350. Reception starts at 5:30 p.m. with dinner served at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 1 at the Presque Isle Harbor Association clubhouse.