Year in Review part two. A look back at the second half of 2010

by Angie Asam, Staff Writer

The New Year has begun and with that the books on 2010 come to a close. Many events, queens, sports and all things community headlined the news in the second half of the year. Here is a look back at some of the important events highlighted in the Advance:

JULY Kelleigh Lamb earned the title of Presque Isle County Fair Queen as she won the evening gown and talent awards. For talent Lamb danced to the Beatles ?Here comes the Sun.? Meagan Koss earned the title of first runner-up as well as the coordination award. Koss also shared the poise and appearance award with Lamb, was co-winner of the congeniality award and won the ticket sales award. Second runner-up was Kari Ataman while Cari Stricker was third runner-up. For the 26th time the Huron Doublehanded Challenge sailboat race finished in Rogers City. More than 40 sailboats participated in the race, which were delayed by a Monday morning storm in Rogers City.

An effort had began in Presque Isle Township to recall township supervisor Patrick Pokorski as the wording was filed with the county clerk to collect petition signatures. Postseason awards were handed out in high school baseball as Rogers City landed three players on the all-state teams. Ben Tulgestke earned first-team all-state as an outfielder while Tyler Szumila was a first-team selection at first base. Matt Mertz earned all-state second-team honors as an infielder. Jesse Wilbert was named to the all-region team as a catcher. Pat Quaine, Levi Ellenberger, Alex Jozwiak, Sidney Marx and Erik Meharg earned all-district honors for the Hurons.

Baseball players in Posen also earned postseason honors as Luke Bruski was named academic all-state for the second consecutive year. Justin LaPointe earned all-region honors. Scott Couture was academic all-region and all-district. Shane Hentkowski earned all-district and all-conference honors. Travis Hirchman earned academic all-district honors and Jerome Ciarkowski was honorable mention all-conference. The Rogers City Area Zonta Club named Eileen Ries as the 2010 Honoree of the Year. The Presque Isle County Historical Museum honored the memory of Grace Grambau King. King, an ardent supporter of the museum, would always be linked to ?the lady? a 5-foot metal sculpture on the front lawn of the museum.

The election commission approved the wording on the recall petition for the recall of Presque Isle Township supervisor Pokorski. Bearinger Township supervisor Karen Silver, who was subject of a recall herself, spoke out against the recall effort in Presque Isle Township at the clarity hearing saying the efforts were ?out of hand.? Tom Gross, senior employee at the Rogers City Department of Public Works (DPW) announced his retirement after 26 years and four months on the job. The retirement took the DPW crew down one more member as they were already operating one short. Bids on the United States Department of Agriculture ? Rural Development water and sewer project in Rogers City were awarded with Meridian Contracting of Alpena earning the job at the wastewater treatment plant while Chicago Bridge and Iron would be in charge of the new water storage tank and McArthur Construction would be working on the new mains for both water and sewer.

Little League all-star season was beginning as the major girls were the first to play and started with a 10-0 win. Alexa Quaine struck out 12 in the five-inning game and allowed just one hit. Other teams were preparing to begin their all-star seasons. Sister Rita Epple was honored at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Metz for 50 years as a Sister of Mercy. The historic tall ship Madeline made a stop in the Rogers City marina on its way to the Bay City Tall Ship Festival. The ship docked overnight as captain Ken Stepnitz of Traverse City was familiar with the marina having captained the armed sloop Welcome when it docked there as a part of the 2009 Nautical City Festival.

Donald Kromer was officially sworn in as a member of the Rogers City Area Schools (RCAS) board of education while Mike Marx was elected president of the board for his sixth term. RCAS began the interview process to replace many retiring teachers as 150 resumes were received for four vacant positions in the elementary school while one vacancy in the middle school/high school brought 16 applications. Sarah LaFleche joined the staff of 53rd Circuit Court working as a probation and parole officer.

Katie Tulgestke of Rogers City and Allie Nave of Onaway were selected to play in the Michigan High School Softball Coaches Association senior all-star game in Lansing. The major girls? all-star team went a perfect 4-0 in the district tournament in Cheboygan to take the title and earn a spot in the state finals in Clinton. The major boys? team went 0-2 and dropped out of the tournament while other teams were still awaiting the start to the all-star season. Six contestants were poised to run for the title of Miss Rogers City 2010. Contestants were Stephanie Crocker, Emily Marx, Tara Smith, Rachel Lewandowski, Leilani Kortman and Erika Kuznicki.

A 92-foot aluminum hydrofoil boat found save haven in the Rogers City marina along the breakwall rocks after strong winds prevented the captain from navigating into the harbor. Fred and Cheryl Price of Texas had purchased the former ferry boat in an ebay auction from Canada and were on the journey home to Texas when they were forced to stop in Rogers City and stayed a few days. The junior girls? all-star team qualified for the state tournament. The major girls went 1-2 at the state finals and the minor girls finished third at districts. The minor boys were one win away from the state tournament as they were in the district championship. Hosting their first ever tournament the Presque Isle Panthers 18U traveling softball team made up of players from Rogers City, Posen and Onaway fell in their first game of the tournament under the lights at the hole Friday night but came back posting a 6-0 record on Saturday and Sunday to win the tournament, the first they had won in their three-year existence. The minor boys? all-star team fell to Petoskey in the district championship to end their season.

AUGUST Lewandowski earned the title of Miss Rogers City 2010 as she won the evening gown and talent portions of the pageant. Emily Marx earned the title of first runner-up as she won the coordination award, ticket sales award and congeniality award. Kortman was named second runner-up. Nine contestants would be competing for the title of Miss Posen 2010. Contestants were Lindsey Bartz, Leanne Buczkowski, Kirby Klecha, Gina Krawczak, April Miller, Tracy Mulka, Lindsay Ponik, LeAnn Strzelecki and Lisa Zaborney. Carmeuse Lime & Stone celebrated their 150th birthday with a celebration held at Lakeside Park for the employees of the Calcite plant in Rogers City. The junior girls? all-star team went 0-2 at the state tournament with losses to Pinery Park and Mattawan to end their season. Rogers City?s Katie Tulgestke was on base three times during the senior all-star game as she helped her team win 7-2.

New teachers Sarah Simmons, Amanda Polaski, Rebecca O?Bryant, Kristin Tebo and David O?Bryant were eager to join the staff in Rogers City. Theresa Heinzel, city clerk/treasurer in Rogers City announced that she would be retiring Jan. 1, 2011 after 30 years with the city. Twenty year-old James Hughes set a new course record at the 29th Annual Nautical City Run/Walk at 18:18 to be the overall champion in the 6k event. Paige Hoog, 17 was the overall female champion as she was 13th overall at 22:53. Maxx Paull won the mile at 6:41 while Greta Grambau was the first female at 6:46, third overall. GAP 77 a team in memory of Mike Gapczynski Jr. won the Nautical Festival Men?s softball title while the women?s tournament was won by BMV Mizuno. Fred Weber Jr. won the Nautical Festival Texas Hold?em Tournament and took home a sterling silver engraved winners bracelet as well as cash. Winners of the euchre tournament were Jim Kollien, Harry Wheaton and Eric Downey.

Bartz was crowned Miss Posen 2010 as she won the talent portion with a juggling routine and shared the poise and appearance award with first runner-up Miller. Krawczak earned second runner-up honors as she won the coordination award. Jeff and Rose Prell were honored with a Michigan State Police Distinguished Citizen Award for their life saving actions during a cold night in March. The Prell?s helped save Thomas Hulway of Armada who had ventured onto the ice on Lake May to save his dog that had fallen through the ice. After retrieving the dog Hulway was unable to get back onto the ice.

Rogers City native Kyle Viegelahn became a member of the Secret Service as he graduated from the James J. Rowley Training Center near Washington, D.C. Michael Kroll was named the new Rogers City fire chief, replacing Tim Luebke who had resigned in early April. Rev. Clarence Smolinski passed away just a week after his 84th birthday and was remembered for his optimism and dedication to the priesthood as he was known for his cheerful disposition, love of the priesthood and faithful ministry. ?Honk, JR? was set to open at the Rogers City Theater as the Rogers City Community Theatre?s annual children?s production. Cast members were Kyley LaFleche, Brooke Ciarkowski, Jenae LaFleche, Linnea Hentkowski, Andrea Madison, Ava Kelly, Alissa Bowden, Emily Nowicki, Kayli Witulski, Brooke Thornton, Brooklyn Bober, Salena Heidemann, Jacob Bruski, Ben Sedwick, Brandi Chojnacki, Cheyenne Bober, Chloe Hentkowski, Elle Bredow, Grace Darga, Ashley Bunton, Ashley Nowicki, Bradley Heidemann, Emilee Madison, Kaylee Fenstermaker, Elaina Madison, Seth Darga and Sami Bober.

Twenty-two new members were inducted into the Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum at the 20th Annual Lake Lore Celebration. Mike Myers, local leader was honored with an Everyday Hero Award at the annual ?Night of Heroes? event at the Palladium Theater in Birmingham. Sara Dimick, a 2010 graduate of Rogers City High School (RCHS) wrote a scholarship essay about Myers, which was selected as one of six winning submissions in Michigan. High School football season was set to begin with Rogers City set to play Hillman and Posen set to host a tripleheader in eight-man football where they would play against the Michigan School of the Deaf. New members were inducted into the local softball Hall of Fame as a part of the Nautical City Festival. New inductees were Kay and Chuck Rhode, Denny Schultz, Doc Brege, Jim LaLonde and Tom Olsen.

SEPTEMBER ?November Requiem? earned an award for the best documentary at the Grand Rapids Film Festival. The search was on for Andrew Haight, 70, of North Allis Township. Haight who had dementia and Alzheimer?s disease had been missing three days as he wandered away from his home on North Allis Highway. The effort in Presque Isle Township to recall supervisor Pokorski would appear on the November ballot as enough valid signatures were put on petition to send the matter to a vote of the people.

St. Ignatius Catholic Church business manager Kristie Kelley was arrested and charged with embezzlement and placed on administrative leave. The warrant she was arrested on charged her with one count of embezzlement $100,000 or more while being an agent, servant or employee of the church. The crew of Goby Slayer won the Fat Hogs Fishing Frenzy tournament with 53.81 pounds of fish. Crew members were Scott Hollabaugh, John Blair, David Haselhuhn and Matt Hollabaugh.

The Presque Isle Post Office celebrated 50 years of operation. An increase in students in Rogers City forced the school board to post another job. A tragic accident on East Grand Lake Road claimed the life of 5-year-old Kory J. Dault after he was missing and found dead in a septic tank at his residence. Nine new teachers officially started on the job in Rogers City. New teachers were Tricia Schell, Amy Jones, David O?Bryant, Rebecca O?Bryant, Simmons, Polaski, Tebo, Stephanie Onstwedder and Cristin Cunningham.

RCHS sophomore Caleb Pommerenke was injured in a junior varsity football game in Rogers City and couldn?t feel anything from his neck down when he was taken to Alpena Regional Medical Center and later transferred to Saginaw St. Mary where he spent a few days. In nothing short of a miracle according to the family Caleb returned to RCHS the following Tuesday. Posen High School (PHS) celebrated fall homecoming with king and queen Travis Hirchman and Kirby Klecha, respectively. Other court members were seniors Sara Hunt and Corey Hentkowski; juniors Gabrielle Werth and Tyler Kuffel; sophomores Alexandria Werth and Eric Rice; freshmen John Zaborney and Kendall Hirschman; junior high representatives Monica Bartz and Devin Street; and elementary representatives Jillian Pilarski and Aden Sobeck.

Crews from Moran Iron Works came to Rogers City and took the boats out of the harbor for the summer. Zoning amendments proposed by the Presque Isle County planning commission raised a lot of attention at both a planning commission meeting and a meeting of the board of commissioners as local residents questioned the legality of the amendments. Dawn Skerski was hired as a middle school math and English teacher in Rogers City to fill a position found needed with an increase in students after the start of the school year.

OCTOBER RCHS celebrated fall homecoming with king and queen Jesse Wilbert and Emily Marx, respectively. Other court members were seniors Tiffany Schaedig, Karlee Wilk, Levi Ellenberger and Zach Sobeck; juniors Lance Schaedig and Shelby Libby; sophomores Brittany Deal and John Belusar; and freshmen Nicole Bannasch and Andrew Selke. The United Communities Foundation handed out their monarch award to Peg Herring at their sixth annual benefit dinner and auction. A special showing of ?November Requiem? was sponsored by the Rogers City community development authority at the Rogers City Theater in honor of the awards won by the documentary. The Rogers City council moved forward with phase two of the downtown streetlight project as they approved an engineering contract with Fleis and Vandenbrink Engineering. The bid on the wayfinding signage project in Rogers City was officially awarded to Valley City Signs. The Rogers City school board hired Jonathan Hoydic as elementary physical education/technology teacher to fill a void created by the resignation of Matt Wozniak and round out the staff at the school.

Alpena Community College (ACC) president Olin Joynton began making presentations around the county regarding a proposal to expand the college?s district lines into Presque Isle County, which would provide savings for the new in-district students. Presque Isle County Historical Museum earned two state history awards as they were recognized as an outstanding local museum and for outstanding historical Web sites. Hopes fading? The window of opportunity may have been closing despite the best efforts to build a power plant as proposed said Wolverine Power CEO Eric Baker. Wolverine officials held a public meeting to discuss the reality faced by the company in the long process they were enduring.

The RCHS National Honor Society sponsored Pink-out day at the school. Students collected spare change and raised money to send gas cards to breast cancer patients undergoing treatment. More than 175 students gathered in the gym for a photo of the pink out day with students decked out in pink. Four candidates were ready to seek election as 106th District state representatives as Peter Pettalia, Casey Viegelahn, Nicholas Hein and Patrick Pokorski were outlined with the election nearing. Presque Isle Township supervisor Pokorski would not face any criminal charges related to the clearing of trees at the lighthouse parks and cemeteries or in the course of performing other duties in office.

Alleged St. Ignatius Catholic Church embezzler Kelley took responsibility for her actions. ?The Sound of Music? hit the stage at Rogers City Theater as the final production of the 2010 season by the Rogers City Community Theatre. Cast members were Ben Sedwick, Grace Darga, Ava Kelly, Salena Heidemann, Julie LaBar, Nicole Grulke, Karl Heidemann, Kayli Witulski, Quintin Kelly, Pennie Kelly, Janet Lamb, Bev Grulke, Jacki Poch, Brian Current, Val Schalk, Charlie Harp, Elaine Heidemann, Ed Perrault, David Miller, Dana LaBar, Steve Sedwick, Alison Marx, Rosemary Howell, Meg Bruning, Diane Wagner, Deanna Karsten, Denise Perrault, Mary Hazlett and Marilynn Ellenberger. John Malaski and Thaddeus Slawinski would be appearing on the November ballot as they were running for Bearinger Township supervisor.

Ray Spain was hired as the executive director of the Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce. Spain had been serving as interim director since July 23 and was officially hired by the board. Stephen Lang and Mike Grohowski would once again square off for the District 5 county commissioner seat. Lang had served as commissioner until Grohowski had defeated him in 2008 to take the seat.

NOVEMBER Election results were in as Lang regained his seat on the county board of commissioners as he defeated Grohowski 735-633, also returning to the board were Carl Altman, Michael Darga, Robert Schell and Kristin Sorgenfrei. In the race for Bearinger Township supervisor Slawinksi edged Malaski 113-112. The recall of Presque Isle Township supervisor Pokorski failed. Chad Coolman earned the title of teacher of the year in the Rogers City school district. Jeanette Tolan of PC Advantage was hired by Presque Isle County to redevelop their Web site. Council member Darrin Darga resigned as a member of the Rogers City council leaving the city with 30 days to fill the seat with a replacement member. The city council in Rogers City approved a contract with Sunrise Communications for the city?s PEG channel after more than a year of issues with the channel. Senator Carl Levin visited Rogers City as he toured the town to get a look at federally funded projects being worked on and also spent time visiting with the eighth graders at Rogers City Middle School.

The Rogers City boys? cross country team took second at regionals to qualify for the state finals at Brooklyn motor speedway. The PHS volleyball team advanced to the district final where they fell to Mio. The RCHS volleyball team won the district title and advanced to regionals where they fell to Mio in the regional semifinals. RCHS senior Devin Pommerenke added another national title to his list of accomplishments as he was in Las Vegas, Nevada where he went undefeated. Builder and business man Ted Planck was honored by the Rogers City Area Chamber of Commerce for his lifetime of community service as he was credited with being a major force in the development the area over the past few decades. Mayor Beach Hall testified before the Senate finance committee on House bills 5550-5554 on behalf of the city and Michigan Municipal League. The RC school board voted in support of the ACC annexation resolution, which will go to the voters in Nov.

Nov. 16 was declared Shorty Nowak Day in Rogers City as Louis ?Shorty? Nowak celebrated his 100th birthday. RCHS football coach Mike Kosiara resigned as head coach as he felt his time had come and he was tired of the year round job. Students in Rogers City enjoyed some time off as they had three days off school to start deer season. Teachers however did not have the day off as they spent two days in professional development to learn about a new writing curriculum ?Step Up to Writing? which was being implemented district wide.

A traffic accident on Bradley Highway took the life of 19-year-old Sarah Erickson who had been crossing the highway on foot when a motorist struck her. The body of Andrew Haight who had been missing since August was believed to be found in Ocqueoc Township. In the search for the body an officer with the Michigan State Police lost his K-9 search and rescue partner Bane and the search was then on for the animal. A recount was requested by Democrat Malaski who lost on election night by one vote to Republican Slawinski in the race for Bearinger Township supervisor. Postseason football honors were handed out. For Rogers City Zach Sobeck was named first-team all conference as an offensive lineman and first-team as a linebacker on defense. Chase Grulke and Keegan Urban also earned first-team honors while Jordan Karsten, Lance Schaedig, Devin Hilla and Jesse Wilbert earned honorable mention all conference honors. Six Posen Vikings made the all-conference team as Travis Hirschman and Tyler Kuffel made first-team defense in the conference while Corey Hentkowski was a member of the first-team offensive team. Shane Hentkowski and Nathan Lenard were honorable mention selections.

The crew of the Carl D. Bradley was honored and remembered with an annual bell tolling ceremony held at the Great Lakes Lore Museum. Terri Koss officially began working as city clerk/treasurer in Rogers City. Koss was hired to replace Heinzel who retired at the years end after 30 years with the city. The Onaway Area Chamber of Commerce canceled the 2010 Sportsman?s show due to a lack of interest from vendors. Posen Viking volleyball players earned all-conference honors as Leanne Buczkowski earned first-team honors, Lindsay Ponik earned second-team honors and Tracy Mulka and Lindsey Bartz earned honorable mention honors.

DECEMBER A parade of lights added to the festivities at Westminster Park where 152 trees were lit by Santa Claus with the assistance of the Rogers City Optimist Club as Light up the City kicked off the holiday season in Rogers City. The Hawks Post Office announced that effective Dec. 27 the retail service counter would be open Monday-Friday from 10:30 a.m. ? 2:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., a reduction in hours of operation. Howard Barsen retired from the Posen Post Office after 21 years of service. Barsen spent 21 years as a rural carrier in Posen.

RCHS volleyball players earned postseason honors as Amanda Smolins

ki was third-team all-state as well as all-conference, all-district and all-region. Becca Peacock earned all-region honors as well as second-team all-conference honors while Emily Marx earned honorable mention honors in the conference. Attorney general Mike Cox filed a motion in support of Wolverine Power Supply?s motion in circuit court to reverse the state?s denial in May of its air quality permit. Cox joined forces with Wolverine agreeing that the denial was unauthorized by law. In the Bearinger Township recount Slawinski gained a vote to cement the win and officially earn the title of township supervisor.

Dana LaBar was chosen as the replacement for Darga on the Rogers City council. Other applicants for the position were Dick Bennett, Brian Chabot, Don Kromer, Wendy Martin and Ted Urban Jr. A storm that nearly paralyzed northern Michigan for 24 hours brought 9-20 inches of snow to Presque Isle County. A draft zoning ordinance was completed for Rogers City and was available for public comment and review. The PHS girls? basketball team ended 2010 with a win over Rogers City to improve to 7-0 entering 2011.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.