May I Walk with You? MORAL CONFUSION
Recently, I’ve been talking about morality with some people who are confused. They tell me that the advice they get depends on the educated opinion of the person they are seeking advice from. They complained that even ministers, clergy, offer…
Pat’s Bits and Pieces: Summer Nights – I’m missing living on the Tobacco
This time of year the newspaper business is pretty hectic.Even though I do all of my work out of this “home office” now, some weeks it seems like I am just about glued to this computer chair.I find I have…
Postcard from the Pines: A chip off the old Block
It’s no secret that I am fond of old things and have, through the years, gathered a rather unusual collection of bits and pieces of Marion memorabilia. For example, I have a galvanized piece from a windmill ‘tail’ with Morton’s…
Man rescued after falling into corn storage bin
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent A man who fell into a corn storage bin Wednesday was safely rescued by emergency personnel.The Mt. Pleasant Fire Department got the call to assist in the rescue in northeast Isabella County at 7:31 am June 26…
4th of July celebrations, events all over area
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent Farwell Figure 8 and moreFarwell has some big plans in the works for the holiday weekend this year.TNT will present a Figure 8 Derby, Bump & Run, Gut n’ Go and a front wheel drive Demo Derby…
Payment issues, lack of attendance scar Marion Fair
By Genine Hopkins After this year’s Marion Fair ended on Saturday, June 15, 2024, concerned citizens and some concerned Fair Board members brought up serious concerns about how the finances were handled for the fair. This included a cancellation of…
Monday storm knocks power out to more than a thousand homes
By Pat MaurerCorrespondent According to reports from Consumer’s, downed trees Monday caused a power outage for 1,266 customers in Clare, Gladwin and northern Isabella Counties, with the most outages (749) listed in Clare County and 198 in Isabella County. Gladwin…
Area July 4thcelebrations and events plentiful around Marion
By Genine HopkinsArea communities will be holding numerous, family fun events. Below are just some of the incredible things to do in our area (Fireworks events are bolded and red): Saturday, June 29, 2024Fireworks in Houghton Lake at dusk. The show will…
Mike’s Musings: Lawmakers misbehavior goes unpunished
Nobody knows who, nobody knows why, but $17 million of our money (taxpayers) has been paid out to federal lawmakers accused of sexual (as well as other types of discrimination) misdeeds from 1997 to 2017.Personally, I think this is despicable.…
Russell posts solid season for Clare soccer
By John RaffelCorrespondent CLARE – Ivy Russell had a solid year for a Clare soccer team which finished as runners-up this season in the Divison 3 district tournament.“The key is communication and talking to each other,” Russell said, adding after…
Marion finishes at 14-15
By John Raffel MARION – Coach Ryan Raymond’s Eagles finishes the season recently at 14-15.“We had a lot of good players on the team,” he said. “We didn’t have that dominant pitching that we’re used to. We had some girls…
Outdoor Experiences: Three ways to summer panfish
I got one yelled eight year old Caleb. Indeed he did, another double of bluegill ended up in the livewell. For the second week in roll young Caleb was putting a hurt on the bluegills and showing us adults up.During…
Obituary: Ann Marguerite Coon
Marion – Ann Marguerite Coon, lifelong resident of the Marion area passed away on Wednesday, June 12, 2024 at Pioneer Golden Estates in Clare. She was 90.Ann was born on April 25, 1934, at home in Middle Branch Township to…
Obituary: Ronald Devere Chapman
Ronald Devere Chapman, age 89 of Clare, passed away Friday, June 14, 2024 at Medilodge of Clare. Ronald was born the son of the late Muril J. and Dorothy (Brooks) Chapman on April 4, 1935 in Pontiac. He was united…
Postcard from the Pines: The Old Swimmin’ Hole
Summer has settled right in and no one can dispute that it is just plain hot. The temperature has topped 90 for three days now and leaves hang in want of water. It is oddly quiet and there is next…
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…
