The Pinconning “Serving Northern Bay County Since 1892” pinconningjournal.com Pinconning, MI Wednesday, December 25, 2019 Volume 127, Number 52 Journal 2019 Year in Review January colored powder. Participants wear white at the starting line VFW Voice of Democracy and Patriot’s Pen Essay Con- and finish the race plastered in color. Approximately 50 test Winners Announced. Pinconning residents recently participated in a local Color PFC Alan R Blohm Memorial Highway Dedicated. The Run at Pinconning High School grounds. portion of highway M-13 in Kawkawlin Township shall be The CheeseTown Festival will add another CheeseMen- known as the “PFC Alan Robert Blohm Memorial High- dous event this year, the First Annual Saganing Eagles way”. Landing - CheeseTown Cruise! All classic or custom cars, City lays off employees due to budget shortfall. The Po- hot rod, truck,` or 4x4 are welcome to join in the fun! lice Chief, a Public Works Employee, and a temporary em- Brenton Morand was the winner of the $1,000 from Dean ployee were laid off at the end of the month Arbour Ford in their annual award to PHS Seniors. There February were five students eligible, and Brenton watched as, one- Pinconning and Linwood Chamber of Commerce an- by-one, they all opened their envelopes to find they’d won nounces Citizen of the Year Awarded to Carole Maida. $10, leaving him the big winner. Mason Vieau and Hunter McGillen sign with Olivet Naz- June arene University to play football. The Northern Bay County Fund, one of over 350 funds The Arbour family is back in charge of what was their that support arts and culture, community initiatives, educa- first dealership. Several months after the sale of the Pincon- tion and youth, environment, health and wellness, human ning location was announced, that transaction is off. services, and recreation administered through the Bay Area March Community Foundation, awarded grants totaling $11,535. Estey Market Closes after 43 years. In 1976, Dave and The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe announced their Joan Stark purchased the Estey Market. Fifteen years ago, Spring 2019 semi-annual 2% slot revenue grants to local TOM PETERSON AND JOHN ASPINAL (l - r) deliver their son, Gregg, took over the management. schools and units of government. The total payment for cases of food donated by Town & Country Supermar- Jeff Sanak, Pinconning Middle School teacher and Varsi- the Saganing Area of Arenac and Northern Bay Counties, ket to be placed in Christmas baskets distributed by the ty Baseball Coach, had been placed on Paid Administrative based on slot machine revenue at the Saganing Casino, to- PAEFP. --Journal Photo Leave in connection with an ongoing investigation by the taled $747,478.47. Pinconning Police Department (PPD). The investigation Wilson’s Cheese Shoppe does not relate to student safety concerns. Celebrates 80 Years in Busi- The Ascension Standish Hospital Development Fund ness. Since 1939, people Council hosts the 12th annual Living Legends Ball honor- have sought out Wilson’s ing Mr. David Ramsay of Pinconning. David is Fire Chief famous Pinconning Cheese and an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for Pincon- for nutritious and delicious ning/Fraser Fire Department. He also volunteers his time as cheese handcrafted from the an EMT for Northern Bay Ambulance and is a member of milk of grass-fed cows. the Pinconning Good Fellows and Bay Fire Chiefs. High School/Middle Sanak Charged. Pinconning Middle School teacher School Principal Brady and High School Varsity Baseball Coach Jeff Sanak was Palmer: read a letter of res- charged last Wednesday with one count of Embezzlement ignation to the Pinconning from a Charity or Nonprofit Organization between $1,000 Area Schools Board, thank- and $20,000. The charges are the result of an investigation ing them for the opportunity by the Pinconning Police Department (PPD) into fundrais- in Pinconning, and explain- ing for the baseball team. ing that he will return to his Two thieves broke into the Town & Country Supermarket alma mater, Ithaca High last Wednesday morning around 4:00 am, then forced their School, as principal. way into the Pinny Pharmacy and made off with a large Zachary Zvara won the amount of narcotics. The Bay County Sheriff’s Department CheeseTown Dad Contest responded and is handling the investigation. with his essay about his CHASE GUERIN AND PAUL POMAVILLE (l to r) deliver cases of food donated by April mother Connie. Northwoods Wholesale Outlet to the Pinconning Area Emergency Food Pantry to be Valley Meat Market, a Pinconning landmark for over 100 Longtime Pinconning used in Christmas Baskets that were distributed Dec. 18th. years, officially reopens next Monday, April 8th. Lou Val- resident, Joseph H. “Bud” --Journal Photo ley says he sold the store in late 2014. When the new owner Schultz, Sr, was recognized closed the business two years later he was disappointed, by the Bay County Com- and when the property came up for sale at a bankruptcy mission for his contribu- auction in 2018, the family chose to buy it back. tions to the residents of the The Pinconning Area Schools Board held a Special Meet- Pinconning area over his ing to accept a Separation Agreement signed by Jeff Sanak, long life. Bud’s many con- resigning from his teaching position with the District. The tributions are listed in the Board read through the Agreement and voted unanimously formal proclamation signed to approve the agreement without discussion. by all of the commissioners. Michael Idzior, a 1999 PHS graduate, directed the Uni- The Pinconning Area versity of Virginia Band during the 2019 NCAA Tourna- School Board approved the ment Championship Game. He is the Assistant Director of hiring of Kyle Woodruff as the Cavalier Marching Band. Middle School/High School A“Blessing Box” has been installed at Pizza Dude, who Principal to replace Brady is open at 11am until 10 pm, at 326 S Kaiser St, in down- Palmer who resigned the town Pinconning. It is intended to fill a needed gap in food position to take a similar distribution in emergency situations. This Blessing Box is one in his hometown. sponsored by the Pinconning Emergency Food Pantry Pinconning City Council Two Pinconning Students, Blake Merino and Michelle approved the concept of a VOLUNTEERS AT THE PINCONNING FOOD PANTRY are seen organizing the Sequin, received the “Unsung Hero” award from the Bay new dog park to be devel- many cases of food that will be placed in boxes that will be distributed to many fam- City Noon Optimist Club. This award recognizes students oped by the Northern Bay ilies in our community helping to make their holiday a little brighter. who are the quiet heroes - those who do the right thing, County Fund committee. --Journal Photo make positive choices, model friendliness and kindness, The organization already and are optimistic. has an endowed fund in May place for the Pinconning PHS announces Top 10 graduates for 2019: Samantha Nature Trail which will Kowalczyk (Valedictorian), Lauren Hine (Salutatorian), continue to serve the trail Holly Dybas, Madeline Yanoski, Meagan Coutcher, Miran- along with the addition of da Santos, Michelle Sequin, Corbin Pilaske, Jaden Wojda, the dog park. and Mason Vieau. July The Color Run comes to Pinconning. The Color Run is The Pinconning Down- a five-kilometer, untimed event. At each kilometer mark, town Development Author- Color Runners are doused from head to toe in a different ity has leased the land with See YEAR page 2 OFFICE CLOSURE Food Pantry Notice & DEADLINES FOR By: Sandy Augustyniak NEW YEARS The Pinconning Area Food Pantry wants to make Holiday Deadlines: everyone aware that Client Coordinator, Archie Gittins, Noon Dec. 27th for the will not be available at the Jan. 2, 2020 edition. Our office will be Library on Thursday, De- BOXES OF FOOD, gifts and other items are ready for distribution through the ef- closed Wednesday, January 1st. cember 26th. forts of many volunteers at the Pinconning Area Emergency Food Pantry to assist families in the Pinconning area. --Journal Photo The Pinconning Journal 75¢ Pinny Journal 110 E. Third St. INSIDE QUOTE OF THE WEEK P.O. Box 626 Cheers to a new year and Pinconning, MI 48650 Phone 989-879-3811 Fax 989-879-5529 Tinsel Tree Challenge ... page 3 another chance for us email: Journal Sports ... page 7 to get it right. [email protected] ~Oprah Winfrey web: pinconningjournal.com Food Pantry News ... page 8 PAGE 2 - THE PINCONNING JOURNAL, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 25, 2019 Pinconning Cub Scout Pack 3139 Santa and Mrs. Claus Rotary Cub Ambassadors Pancake Breakfast January 5th By: Michael Stoner On December 19, 2019, The Pinconning Cub Scout Pack 3139 invites everyone Santa & Mrs. Claus, aka to their first Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser to be held on Dennis & Linda Whitney, Sunday, January 5, 2020. The Breakfast will be held at the shared their experiences American Legion John K. Fowler Post 239, 557 N. Gar- playing the Clauses with field Rd., Linwood, from 9 am to 2 pm. members of the Rotary Club All proceeds support the pack outings, activities and of Standish and Pinconning. award advancements. Contact Lori Weber with any ques- Up until a few years ago, tions 989-233-7628. the beautiful old train depot in Standish was not being The Pinconning Journal decorated for the holiday USPS 43310000 season. Dennis offered to Craig Barnt, Editor and Publisher lead an effort to decorate Published every Wednesday by Subscription Rates: the depot and create a Santa The Pinconning Journal, 110 E. Bay and Arenac Counties parade for the community. Third Street, Pinconning, Michi- OneYear..................$25.00 With assistance from the gan 48650. Periodicals postage Two Years ..............$48.00 DDA additional electrical paid at Pinconning, Michigan.