Spring Fling draws fun crowd for weekend

With 20 years of organizing the Hawks Spring Fling under his belt, Carl ?Preach? Altman, the owner of the Night Hawk Inn, is still finding satisfaction in the work. This past Memorial Day weekend was no different, as the Spring Fling celebration marked another year of softball, music, and fun. ?WE HAVE 20 years in now,? said Altman. ?The Spring Fling gets everyone community-minded; I?m really proud when I go through Hawks, it?s a nice little place.? Altman said this year the Night Hawk Inn was a little down from last year in business over the weekend, but he felt it might have been because this year he did not charge a fee to enter the tent. ?We were a little down from last year, but overall it was a big success,? said Altman.

This year the Community Improvement Association (CIA) worked diligently to plan several other supporting activities of the Spring Fling,

such as the grand parade, the hot dog sales at the softball tournament, and the kiddie games at the Centennial Park. The first place honors in the ?Red Neck Weekend? parade went to Prell?s Saw Mill for their red neck queen?s pageant float. The Red Hat Society placed second, while the patriotic float from Gordon Wirgau Excavating placed third. Rock-n-roll and country music could be heard from the tent throughout the weekend, and this year marked a first for mechanical bull riding, provided by Scott Thompson of Hawks. Rick and Dave Patchkowski won the horseshoe tournament, while Mike Kramer and Mike Peltz took second.

THE SOFTBALL tournament hosted 13 teams this year in its double elimination competition. Altman said it came down to the last game to determine the winner. When all was said and done, Concrete Pump sponsored by Mike Kleiber won the first place honors. Team members were awarded Budweiser sweatshirts and bragging rights. Northeast Excavation sponsored by Eric Brege took second place, while The Crew from Alpena placed third. Altman said that he is looking for more assistance with organizing the community celebration next year. ?I could use more help next year,? said Altman. ?We?ve been going for 20 years, and I?d like to see it continue as something that has the entire community involved.?