Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Summer’s officially here this week…and HOT
Officially, or unofficially, hot summer weather has arrived and our air conditioner – and the generator—are getting a real workout today (Tuesday). I’m looking at the calendar and the June, or Summer Solstice arrives Thursday. That is “officially” the end…
May I Walk with You? FATHER’S DAY THOUGHTS
When I think of Father’s Day, I think about a number of things. My first thoughts are about my spouse, without whom I would not be a father, and the fantastic mother she is and always has been. I must…
Grant Township Hall and parking lot projects are completed
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent At the regular meeting June 11, the Grant Township Board approved the close out payment of $192,783.44 to MDL Construction of Bay City for the parking lot project at the township hall. The total parking lot project…
Windover Lake vacationers donate AED for emergencies
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A family from Salt Lake City, Utah that has vacationed at a family cabin on Windover Lake for many generations, are giving back to others around the lake.The Rob Benda family has donated an AED (Automatic External…
Another successful year for Marion Fair
Story and Photosby Steve Landon All the key elements needed to have a perfect hometown fair, great weather, a nice midway, grandstand entertainment and the all important livestock shows and competitions came together last week for the 2024 edition of…
Mike’s Musings: Make peace with Russia, align against China
Don’t condemn me before I lay out my logic. Don’t call me a Putin lover or a Russian agent, I’m neither, but do have an opinion that differs from many in power these days.I’m not concerned with Russia. I don’t…
Obituary: Mary Linn Reindel
Mary Linn Parkhurst Reindel died May 11, 2024. Mary was born to Ted and Rose Mary Parkhurst in Cadillac, Michigan on August 5, 1953.As a child growing up in Marion Mary excelled in school and enjoyed participating in Band,…
Obituary: George Paul Zemke
George Paul Zemke (aka Papa), age 86 of Clare passed away on Sunday, June 9, 2024 in Midland Hospital surrounded by family. He was born to George H. and Eva (Rogan) Zemke on February 22, 1938 in Glenwood Minnesota. He attended Luther…
Obituary: Brent W. DeGeer
Brent W. DeGeer, age 47 of Lake, passed away Saturday, June 8, 2024 at the MyMichigan Medical Center in Midland. Brent was born the son of George H. and Nancy A. (Henry) DeGeer on January 5, 1977 in Reed City.…
May I Walk with You? Catholic
What does it mean when we say that the Church is “catholic”? Automatically, we think of the Roman Catholic Church as one of several denominations of Christians, but what is meant by that descriptor. The United States Catholic Catechism for…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Don’t Bring those babies home!
Watching the wildlife has always been one of my favorite things about living in Michigan, and it is a hobby that can be pursued just about anywhere, even in town, where, one spring, a deer trotted past the windows of…
Postcard from the Pines: Huckleberry Days
There will be a bumper wild huckleberry crop this year, weather and Mom Nature permitting. This is an unexpected treat and long overdue. For several seasons, Mom Nature has not been overly generous with these little back woods sweet treats.…
Back to the Bricks makes pit stop in Clare
by Steve Landon One sure sign it’s spring and summer time in Clare County is the arrival of antique, vintage and ultra-sleek modern cars and trucks. This past Monday afternoon and evening over 250 plus vehicles from across the State of Michigan…
32nd Clare Summerfest starts Tuesday
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Clare Summerfest 2024 is almost here again.The 32nd annual holiday celebration will take place from Tuesday, June 18 through Saturday, June 22. Festivities will include concerts, a citywide garage sale, craft show, bike parade, mountain bike race and…
2024 Marion Fair wraps up Saturday June 15
By Steve LandonCorrespondent Mother Nature must be a true lover of old fashion hometown fairs. After one week of soaking the region with hit and miss storms the old lady brought out the sun just in time for the 2024 edition of…
Resident worries about alternative trucking route on 6th Street
By Genine Hopkins Connie Marr brought to attention at the June 3rd Village of Marion meeting her concerns regarding the truck traffic on 6th Street due to the alternative truck route from 20 Mile (Main Street). Her concern was for…
Chamber of Commerce gears up for Marion Old Fashioned Days
By Genine Hopkins The Marion Chamber of Commerce held its regular meeting on Tuesday, June 11, and the topic on everyone’s mind was the August Marion Old Fashioned Days rapidly approaching! From the Treasurer Sherry Jackson’s report of what was in the…
Marion baseball players earn honors
By John RaffelCorrespondent MARION – It was another championship seaosn for the Marion baseball team with some excellent players.The Eagles, coached by Chad Roy, won both West Michigan D League and district titles. The West Michigan D all-conference team was…
Clare boys take second at state meet
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE – Pewamo-Westphalia edged Clare on Saturday June 1 at Kent City to win the boys Division 3 title.“On the guys side, it was one of the greatest finishes in school history with our Division 3 state…
Mike’s Musings: My Father, MY Hero
(I wrote this a year ago but wanted share it again. Heck I might share this column over and over for years to come. The man meant so much to me) This week I give pause to reflect on my…