Curtis: Winter Carnival Brings Les Cheneaux: Snowsfest, St. Ignace: City Approves EUP: Fans Cheer on Red Wings Community Together, pg. 11 Blizzard Race Are Highlights, pg. 13 Brownfield Plan, pg. 2 Alumni at St. Ignace Arena, pg. 4 The St. Ignace News $1 and Les Cheneaux Islands Weekly Wave

Vol. 135, No. 47 www.stignacenews.com Published Weekly News of the EUP and the Straits of Mackinac Thursday, February 19, 2015 Snowmobile Show Set at Naubinway By Erich T. Doerr Naubinway’s Top of the Lake Antique and Vintage Snowmobile Show and Ride will be Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21. The annual event’s 23rd incarnation will hit the trails for a classic snowmobile ride out to Cranberry Lake Friday before the main snowmobile display of an anticipated 150 to 200 classic snowmobiles in Naubin- way Saturday. Admission is free. “This helps support all the businesses in town,” said Charlie Vallier, the chair of Naubinway’s Top of the Lake Snowmobile Museum. “It’s not just a help for Naubinway, because we don’t have a motel. People stay in St. Ignace, Brevort, Curtis, Gould City, U.P. Pond Hockey 2015 Turn to page 7: Snowmobiles More Hockey Coming Up 201 Teams Bring Their Game to Moran Bay On Moran Bay This Week On the ice of Lake Huron, the Beerhawks and Timmy Lee’s Yaks teams compete in the 21-and-older lead division finals of the U.P. Pond Hockey Tournament at St. Ignace Sunday, February 15. Pond Hockey teams and spectators say they enjoy competing in the scenic setting of Moran Bay. Mackinac Island can be seen in the distance. Youth Will By Tory Cooney “It’s pretty wicked weather, but you can’t beat a weekend on the Play Next ice with the boys,” said Max By Erich T. Doerr Bluestein of Highland, who The Frozen U.P. 4 on 4 Youth Pond played hockey with the Fighting Hockey Championship will take place on Mullets in the U.P. Pond Hockey Moran Bay in St. Ignace Friday, February Tournament this past weekend. 20, through Sunday, February 22, on the “You just can’t beat this,” he re- same rinks that were used last week for the peated, gesturing at the frozen adult Pond Hockey tournament. This is the landscape of Moran Bay, the St. first year for the youth pond hockey tourna- Ignace shoreline, and the back- ment as a three-day event instead of two. drop of Mackinac Island, before Admission is free for spectators. rejoining his team. The tournament offers youth a rare chance They were one of 201 hockey to play hockey outdoors on natural ice in- teams, joined by spectators and community volunteers, who took Turn to page 10: Youth to the ice in St. Ignace for the ninth annual tournament Friday, February 13, through Sunday, February 15. Teams from across EUP Feels a Michigan and the nation gathered to compete on Lake Huron. The tournament not only offers Deep Freeze hockey players a chance to play a game they love in an incredible By Erich T. Doerr setting, but it also gives them a Michigan residents expect it to be cold chance to come together and in the winter, but rarely does it get as cold as it did last weekend, when temperatures Turn to page 3: Pond Hockey overnight Saturday, February 14, into Sun- day, February 15, reached down into the - Players watch their team- 20 to -30 degrees Fahrenheit range. The mates on the ice of Moran coldest temperature recorded in Michigan Bay Sunday, February 15. Sunday morning was -31 degrees in Downtown St. Ignace is vis- Baraga Plains at the base of the Keweenaw ible in the distance. Turn to page 2: Freeze Winter Celebrations Mark February Weekend in Eastern Upper Peninsula Curtis Snowsfest Community Offers Fun at Turns Out for Les Cheneaux Carnival Businesses in Curtis took At left: Audrey Pear- part in the macaroni and son (left) and Cassidy cheese cook-off Saturday, Barr shoot hoops dur- February 14, and each pre- ing the Snowsfest pared the dish in their own games at Cedarville. style. Nancy and Randy The winter carnival Kister (at right) of Lake- featured a slate of ac- side Grocery and Liquor tivities at Cedarville made these fried macaroni and Hessel Thursday, and cheese balls and a cus- February 12, through tom dipping sauce to ac- Sunday, February 15. company them. See story See story and more pho- and more photographs, tographs, page 13. page 11.

Index Death Notices Susan Stelzer - 50 Ronald Lockhart - 83 Evelyn Kapp - 76 Calendar - page 4 Lead News Stories - pages 3, 13 Classifieds - pages 20, 21 Jeane Carnes - 92 Harry Smith - 87 Crossword - page 4 Obituaries - pages 8. 9 Looking Back - page 22, 23 Clara ‘Clara Belle’ Bruce - 75 Sports - pages 14 - 17 Correspondents - Section Two Thomas ‘Tom’ Fowler - 61 Thursday, February 19, 2015 THE ST. IGNACE NEWS Page 3 Hockey Action, Good Times With Friends Highlight Moran Bay Event

The Beerhawks cheer as their teammate scores a goal in the division finals of the U.P. Pond Hockey The Dangerous Divas Tonya Gentilcore (back, from left), Missy Rickley-LaCoy, Jenna Roland, Kelsy Tournament Sunday, February 15. Peabody; (front) Stephanie Sprecker; (not pictured) Wendy Bouschor, and Sammi Luttman played hockey together as girls in St. Ignace and reunite every year to play in the U.P. Pond Hockey Tournament. Pond Hockey: from page 1 share a special experience with friends and family. Spectators find themselves caught up in the event, as well, and also have memorable expe- riences worth sharing. Bobbie and Tim Glon came to St. Ignace and Mackinac Island for their honeymoon eight years ago and saw a poster advertising the second year of the event. The hockey-loving cou- ple wanted to attend, but because of work conflicts, were unable to do so until this year. To reach St. Ignace, they faced a 10-hour drive from Lima, Ohio, blinding snowstorms, interstate closures, and mixed-up Bobbie and Tim Glon first room reservations. heard about the U.P. Pond “The stories we have to tell!” Mrs. Hockey Tournament eight years Glon said. “Despite it all, this week- ago, when they honeymooned in end has just been incredible. We love St. Ignace and Mackinac Island. the cold, we love St. Ignace, and we Work commitments prevented love hockey.” them from attending until this “I’m only surprised there aren’t year. The event was everything more people here just to watch!” Mr. that they hoped for, and they Glon added. would like to return again. Jackson Stocking attended the tournament with his aunt and uncle. story,” said father Larry Curriston, In between watching matches with who has built an ice rink in his back them, the eight-year-old collected yard every winter for the last 26 pucks sent flying out of the rinks. He years. That’s where all of his children gathered and returned 22 during the learned to skate and where all division finals alone. Beyond getting learned the basics of hockey. to watch a sport he enjoys, Jackson “But we never played anywhere also got to see through the ice to the except the backyard before this,” said his daughter, Peggy Curriston. The bottom of the lake. On the drive to Saturday, February 14, hockey players faced off in harsh winter weather as faithful spectators took in the scene through small openings in St. Ignace, he crossed the Mackinac Pond Hockey competition is fun and they enjoy the challenge of playing their winter gear during the U.P. Pond Hockey Tournament in St. Ignace. Boats laid up for the winter at the Mill Slip, obscured by blowing Bridge for the first time, said his snow in the background, serve as subtle echoes of summertime. aunt, Courtney Guy. Turn to page 5: Pond Hockey “It was also his first time visiting the U.P., so it was a weekend full of firsts for him. We’ve all had a great time,” she said. “We love hockey and there’s so many teams to watch. You’re never bored.” A group of seven women calling themselves The Dangerous Divas began playing together as young girls in St. Ignace. Their all-girls team, Kewadin Storm, won the state cham- pionship in 2000, 2001, and 2003. The women now live throughout Michigan as well as in North Car- olina and Florida, and the St. Ignace tournament gives them a chance to come together and play again. “It doesn’t matter if we win or lose. It’s just about being back to- gether and playing the game,” said team member Missy Rickley-LaCoy, originally of St. Ignace. “I love pond hockey. I learned how to skate on the outdoor rink in St. Ignace and I think all kids should grow up playing on a pond. There’s no one yelling, just you and the ice and you can develop your skills.” The Canadian Jumping Beavers of Grayling are all members of or affil- iated with the Curriston family. None are Canadian, and the team time de- rives from a long-standing family joke that they don’t even attempt ex- plaining anymore. “It’s much, much too long a

At right: The tidy grid of ice rinks on Moran Bay waits for the U.P. Pond Hockey Tournament to begin Friday morning, February 13, as seen from Great Lakes Air’s Piper Cherokee Six. Teams com- peted from all over Michigan and across the country on ice rinks set up and maintained by volunteers. North State Street curves along the shore, and St. Ignace City Hall is seen at the corner of Goudreau to- ward the lower left photograph corner. Thursday, February 19, 2015 THE ST. IGNACE NEWS Page 5 At St. Ignace’s Winter Tournament on the Bay, the Hockey Is Only Part of the Fun

St. Ignace Hockey Associa- tion volunteers Michael Collins, (from left) Bruce Dyck, Keith George, Kent Wagner, and John Patterson of St. Louis, Missouri (from left) attended the U.P. Pond Hockey Tournament for the sixth time this year. “Nothing’s better than this,” said Mr. Mariah Horn, Wagner. Chris Helms, Amy Gustafson, and Amy Metz work at the con- cession stand at the U.P. Pond Hockey Tourna- ment.

Jim North (left) and Bob Brandstrom of St. Ignace Kiwanis Club work as pin setters at the ice bowling alley on Moran Bay Saturday, February 14. The service organization took over the game’s operation this year. Bitter cold kept some bowlers away, but the ones who did brave the cold for a chance at the leaderboard said that they enjoyed changes to the activity, which allowed anyone to bowl as many times as they wanted.

Pond Hockey: from page 3 have fun. “It’s been wonderful. We don’t get against other teams, she said. The Chidester family came from to see him often since he’s in the mil- The Jumping Beavers lost every three states to meet in St. Ignace for itary, so this is good,” she said. “It’s game their first year at the tourna- the tournament. Curran and Liza cold, but it’s fun. This is a beautiful ment four years ago, but have added Chidester play on a team from Ken- place.” one victory each year. This year, they tucky, where Mr. Chidester is sta- The members of Dangle Snipe competed against Depth Charge in tioned at Fort Knox. Mr. Chidester’s Celly of Metro Detroit played the Novice Bronze championship. If brother, niece, and mother came hockey together in high school and the trend continues, they’re bound to from Michigan and Ohio to meet the come together again to prepare for Chris Roblas bowls as teammate Mike Perini (back, from left), volunteer Bob Brandstrom, and team- win next year, Miss Curriston said, couple here and share the once-in-a- and play at Pond Hockey in St. mate Cody Holland watch. “This was a huge surprise. This and the pulled pork. Both are awesome,” said but even if they don’t, they’ll still lifetime experience, said his mother, Ignace. Mr. Roblas of features offered at the U.P. Pond Hockey Tournament on Moran Bay. The team joked that Robin Chidester. “Just look around you! Look at all they might skip the hockey portion of the tournament next year, so they’d have more time to bowl. of this,” said team member Chris Clement of the scenic setting. “This could do this every day, I would.” The hockey players and their fam- here,” she said. “It’s amazing to think etS t ve e TTaassier Memorial is the best weekend of the year. If I h Annual ilies and friends fill downtown St. this started with four teams. I was 5th5t Annual PIKE & PER HC Ignace and the town’s restaurants and volunteering then, too. It’s kind of LES CHENEAUX LIONS CLUB 4TH ANNUAL motels. Community volunteers put fun to see how it’s grown.” more than a thousand hours into or- The sprawl of the tournament even FISHFISHING DERBYG ganizing and carrying out the annual evokes memories of long-past win- AAllll Les Cheneaux Islands Area! event. ters when Moran Bay was crowded Many volunteers and St. Ignace with ice fishing shanties, St. Ignace business owners have befriended Kiwanis Club volunteer Jim North FUNDRAISING AUCTION Pond Hockey participants over the said. “It’s different, but similar in that years and the visitors and their hosts there’s this whole community out are glad to see each other again. Even there on the ice,” he said. at the concession stands, returning Players and spectators dispersed players recognize some of the long- after the division finals Sunday, Feb- time volunteers and greet them ruary 15, when the activity on wind- warmly, St. Ignace Hockey Associa- swept Moran Bay dwindled to a few tion volunteer Amy Metz said. young local skaters eager to take ad- DIG OUT YOUR “You meet some nice people vantage of the still-smooth ice. Sat y y March 7tth & 8th POODLE SKIRTS AND Ca\kYf\CCaa\kYf\ gf VARSITY JACKETS The St. Ignace Hockey Association 9\mdl

The Canadian Jumping Beavers of Grayling prepare to return home after the U.P. Pond Hockey Tour- John Humphrey (from left), Joe Cottone, Ken McCarthy, and James Mollison of Light ‘Em Up display nament Sunday, February 15. Andy Curriston (from left), Nick Bartman, Nick Haman, Larry Curriston, their division trophy for the 30 and older bronze division of the U.P. Pond Hockey Tournament Sunday, Peggy Curriston, and Kyle Carter played in the novice bronze division finals. February 15.

This was the coldest U.P. Pond picked up and temperatures contin- division finals. Unable to replace the St. Ignace Events Committee’s Hockey Tournament weekend since ued to decline, however, the heaters malfunctioning part, volunteers budget. This year’s revenue total is the event began in 2006, with tem- had to be supplemented by smaller scraped the ice using snow plows, not yet available, but it is expected to peratures in some areas reportedly tabletop heaters brought by volun- snow blowers, and shovels. After at least match that. The funding helps dipping as low as -40 degrees teers and an additional two heaters that, they flooded the rinks them- cover expenses for free summer at- Fahrenheit after wind chill was fac- from nearby George’s Body Shop, selves. tractions, including Saturday night tored in. Extra heaters and shorter where they warm the garage. “Even with the cold weather, I fireworks, Sunday night Movies by shifts for officials on the ice were Adjustments also had to be made think all of the teams still had fun and the Bay, and paying for any city serv- among measures that organizers used for the safety of volunteers, said or- that most of them will return next ices required to host events. to compensate for the cold. ganizer Mark Sposito. Instead of ref- year,” Mr. Sposito said. This year, a shanty built near the The St. Ignace Events Committee ereeing a few games and then going The dedication of volunteers and heated locker rooms was auctioned rented four heaters for the tent on Ki- inside to warm up, referees alternated local business owners is a huge part off prior to the tournament for use as wanis Beach instead of the two that by the hour. of the tournament’s success, St. a private team locker room through- it has rented in the past. As the wind “The volunteers did a great job, as Ignace Visitors Bureau director out the weekend. It went for $700 to usual. They always come through. It Mindy Rutgers said. a team called Fifth Avenue. The pro- At left: St. Ignace Hockey Asso- doesn’t matter what problem turns “People keep coming back be- ceeds will go toward the tourna- ciation volunteers Bridgett out, there seems to be a way to over- cause of St. Ignace,” she said. “The ment’s total revenue. Sorenson (left) and Jennifer Mar- come it,” Mr. Sposito said. “This hospitality is overwhelming, the Ice bowling, which was organized shall sell tickets at the U.P. Pond year’s problem was the cold.” tournament is well-organized, and by the St. Ignace Kiwanis Club for Hockey Tournament Friday, Feb- Volunteers also faced a broken ice they really appreciate that.” the first time this year, had much less ruary 13, through Sunday, Feb- resurfacer Saturday, February 14, as This year drew 201 teams, beating participation than in past years owing ruary 15. they tried to prepare the ice for the last year’s record of 191. to the extreme cold Saturday. The Pond Hockey typically generates service organization expects a better between $20,000 and $25,000 of the turnout next year. 2015 U.P. Pond Hockey Tournament Division Results Novice Gold Division mazoo, defeated Dangle Snipe 21 & Over Rust Division from Grand Haven, by a score of 7- No Muff Too Tough, from Kala- Celly, from St. Clair Shores, by a Winberg Masonry Wizards, from 5. mazoo, defeated the TriPods, from score of 34-13. St. Ignace, defeated the Detroit Red 40 & Over Gold Division Holland, by a score of 11-4. 21 & Over Bronze Division Devils, from Holly, by a score of 8- Das Auto, from Fenton, defeated A Flurry of Novice Silver Division Dedoes Ice Lasers, from Com- 5. the Liquidators, from Bloomfield Cougar Punch, from Goodrich, stock Park, defeated Louie’s, from 30 & Over Gold Division Hills, by a score of 11-8. SAVINGS defeated Pha Q, from Blissfield, by Lapeer, by a score of 19-16. 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