weekly choice - january 12, 2012

8/3/2019 Weekly Choice - January 12, 2012

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Page 2 Choice Publications ... The Best Choice! January 12, 2012

CALL (989) 732-8160 FAX (888) 854-7441

EMAIL [email protected] NEWS FROM NORTHERN MICHIGAN

Local NewsThrsda, Janar 12, 2012 Lcal News Line (989) 732-8160

Mackinaw City

Winterfest is an outdoorand indoor adventure

G R A Y L I N G

Caelan Jack Lane, the first baby born atMercy Hospital in Grayling is held by mom, Lindsay Lane, and Nicholas Warunkek.

Caelan Jack Lane was definitely worth the

wait - arriving on January 4, 2012 and mark-

ing Mercy Hospital Graylings first baby of

the New Year.

Caelan was born at 4:59 pm weighing in at

7 pounds, 9.2 ounces and measuring 19

inches long. He was welcomed by mom

Lindsay Lane and the Mercy Hospital

Grayling Maternal and Newborn Center.

In 2011, Mercy Hospital Grayling delivered

a total of 369 babies, an average of approxi-

mately one per day.

Welcome to the New Year Caelan Jack

Lane!

By Jim Akans

A celebration of the winter season is aboutto get underway in Mackinaw City, as the19th annual Winterfest will kick off next

weekend, from Thursday, January 19ththrough Saturday the 21st. Its three days of

outdoor and indoor winter adventure alongthe beautiful and historic Straits ofMackinac, featuring lots of great food, excit-ing and zany games, indoor ice-skating, icefishing, hockey and card tournaments, an art

exhibit, chili cook off, karaoke, wagon rides

and more.A signature Winterfest event is the

Mackinaw Pepsi International Outhouse

Race event that takes place at the SheplerLot next Saturday afternoon. After a uniqueParade of Outhouses, five-person teamscompete with two people pulling, two push-ing, and one person riding the outhouse

along the designated course. Prizes areawarded at the completion of the event,including fastest time and Best of Showrecognizing outhouse design and dcor andteam theme. Total prize money awarded this

year is $1,750 and includes a $1,000 Grand

Prize!

There is still time to build your outhouse

and register for the event, notes Dawn

Edwards, Executive Director for the

Mackinaw City Chamber of Commerce.

Last years winning team was OReillys Irish

Pub, completing the course loop in just 12.8

seconds.

Audies Black Tie Scholarship Polar

Nights Ball, which features live music, gour-

met hors doeuvres and a silent auction, is a

highly anticipated wrap up event during

Winterfest, and will be held next Saturday

evening, January 21st, from 8 pm until mid-

night at Audies.

Most Winterfest activities are free with the

purchase of a $2 Winterfest button, available

at the Chamber of Commerce new location

at 226 E. Central Avenue, and at the Candy

Corner, Dixie Saloon, Audies restaurant, and

other downtown businesses.

To register and obtain rules for the

Outhouse Race, visit www.mackinawout-

houserace.com and a complete schedule of

Winterfest events, visit www.mackinaw-

chamber.com or call (231) 436-5574.

Courtesy Photo

The OReillys Irish Pub team won the best time award at the 2011 WinterfestOuthouse Race. There is still time to build an outhouse and register for this years

race, taking place next Saturday afternoon, January 21st.

Local.Service-Minded.

Call today for a FREEEstimate.

Arrow Sanitation

(989) 732-4243

PATRICK

KWIATKOWSKI

& HESSELINK PLLC

AppealsCriminalFamily Law

Personal InjuryReal Estate LawEstate Planning

CorporateGovernment

1262 S. Otsego Ave. Gaylord989-732-5952

www.pklawfirm.com

\\\N

PKHLaw Firm

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Worth the Wait...Mercy Hospital

GraylingWelcomes

first baby of 2012


3/16

January 12, 2012 Choice Publications ... The Best Choice! Page 3

WEATHER:

ThursdayHigh 30

Low 18

Friday

High 20

Low 13

Saturday

High 21

Low 17

Sunday

High 22

Low 13

Monday

High 26

Low 20

Tuesday

High 25

Low 15

Records and NormalsRecord Normal Record Normal Record Record

Month Day High High Low Low Precip. Snowvall

Januar y 12 45 F 2005 24 F -13 F 1966 10 F 1.1 in. 2005 6 in. 1990



January 15 47 F 1952 24 F -31 F 1984 10 F 0.69 in. 1998 9 in. 1997

January 16 49 F 1973 24 F -16 F 1983 10 F 0.29 in. 1975 6.5 in. 1975



January 19 47 F 1996 24 F -22 F 1983 9 F 0.77 in.1949 4.5 in. 1999



January 22 47 F 2002 24 F -17 F 1954 9 F 0.38 in. 1952 5.2 in. 1950

LOCAL NEWSOn-line at www.weeklychoice.com

2010 Amount 2011 Amount 2011-12 Amount

Atlanta 1/11/2010 22.7 1/10/2011 13.5 1/9/2012 5.5

Charlevoix 1/11/2010 53 1/10/2011 43.2 1/9/2012 6.3

East Jordan 1/11/2010 59.1 1/10/2011 51.2 1/9/2012 16.9

Gaylord 1/11/2010 60.2 1/10/2011 51.8 1/9/2012 35.5

Mio 1/11/2010 20.2 1/10/2011 7.3 1/9/2012 7.7

Onaway 1/11/2010 47.9 1/10/2011 33.2 1/9/2012 8.9

Petoskey 1/11/2010 65.2 1/10/2011 48.8 1/9/2012 19.1

Snowfall

totals

989-370-3378 or

989-370-0951

Old Fashioned

Family Fun Horse Drawn

Sleighrides

Rustic Cabin Dinners

Reservations Required

Gaylord

CALL SLEIGHRIDE CENTRAL

Honoring Women

of Otsego County

Sno-BlaSt has arrived!

G A Y L O R D

Have you noticed a woman in Otsego

County who goes above and beyond to make

a positive impact in our community? Has

she been a pioneer, boldly striding ahead

even if there was no one who had gone

before her to show her the way? Do you see

her legacy lasting far into the future? Do you

think that she does not get the recognition

that she deserves for her accomplishments?

If so, here is your chance to show her that

her hard work has not gone un-noticed or

un-appreciated. Nominate her for the 2012

Woman Making History award, sponsored

by the American Association of University

Women Gaylord Area Branch (AAUW).

Traditionally, the award has gone to awoman first in her field and who also con-

tinues to make a difference in Otsego

County.

Last years recipient was Bea Kelly, a

recently retired nurse who worked for 42

years at Otsego Memorial Hospital where she

was a driving force behind the development

of the ICU and EMS. Other past recipients

include the late Cynthia Sparks, the late

Marjorie Ward, the late Duane Weiss, Betty

Crook, Patricia Nelson, Shirley Bates,

Margaret Albert, Phyllis Kelly-Gill, Gladys

Solokis, Mary Seger, Bonnie Vance, Sharon

Wyrembelski, Alma Harrison, Judy Estelle,

Judge Patricia Morse, Sharon Regan Brown,

and Marjorie Leonard.

The woman selected this year will be hon-

ored at AAUWs 20th annual Woman

Making History luncheon that celebrates

March as Women in History month. To

nominate a woman making history in Otsego

County, submit a letter of recommendation

to AAUW Gaylord Area Branch, Attn: Renee

Elias, P.O. Box 1455, Gaylord, MI 49734 oremail your letter to [email protected].

The deadline for nominations is Friday, Jan.

20, 2012.

AAUW advances equity for women and

girls through advocacy, education, philan-

thropy, and research. Membership informa-

tion is available f rom Mary Tomaski at 732-

4981.

By Jim Akans

There is nothing quite like a good Sno-Blast to liven up the winter here innorthern Michigan. Perhaps that is why, for the past 31 years, East Jordansannual Sno-Blast winter festival has brought so much fun and excitementto the area in mid January. It doesnt matter if there is snow on the ground;Sno-Blast is guaranteed to bring excitement and adventure in celebratingand embracing the winter season.

The 31st Annual Sno-Blast will begin this Friday, January 13th, with a ChiliSupper at the Senior Center from 4:30 to 7 pm and Friday Night on Mainfrom 5 to 7 pm. There will be a Bean Pot at the Jordan Inn, hayrides aroundtown to view holiday lights and sno-sculptures, and a grand parade, in mem-ory of the late Ron Klooster, down Main Street at 6 pm. After the parade, thecrowning of the Bell of the Blizzard and Winter Knight will take place at theCommunity Center. From 6 to 10 pm, adults can enjoy skating at the HarvestBarn for just $7 per person, and that includes skate rental. There will also belive music at the Jordan Inn Friday starting at 9 pm.

On Saturday, the East Jordan Sno-Mobilers, in conjunction with theSnomobilers Club of

America, will be holding

their annual snowmobileshow at their clubhousefrom 9 am until 4 pm. Inaddition to a cool collectionof vintage sleds, this yearthere will also be somesouped-up outlaw sleds atthe show. Several events areplanned, including a RadarRuns (clocking your sledspeed) from 9 am to 11 am,Snowmobile Drag Racingfrom 11 am until 3 pm, and aFrozen Pancake Toss at 11am.

There is plenty of Sno-Blast activity planned in andaround East Jordan onSaturday as well. TheMallard Golf Course wel-comes snowshoers andcross-country skiers to enjoythe trails, the Harvest Barn

will be open for roller skat-ing from noon until 3 pm,

and those who simply cant wait for spring can play some softball in thesnow at Murphy Field starting at 2 pm. Saturday evening Wagbo Farm willhost the 3rd annual Wild Game Potluck starting at 6 pm, followed by a freefilm celebrating the joy of fly fishing; The Complete Angler, starting at 7 pm.

Back in town, East Jordans Got Talent, a variety show featuring local tal-ent, will get underway at the Community Auditorium starting at 7 pm onSaturday, and the Jordan Inn will present local live music beginning at 9 pm.

On Sunday morning, dont miss the Sno Lovers Breakfast at the East JordanSno-Mobilers Club starting at 7 am. A delicious spread including pancakes,bacon, sausage, potatoes and eggs is just $6 for adults, $3 for kids 5 to 10

years old, and under 4 years of age is free. The Jordan Valley District Librarywill present a free family movie; Dolphin Tale, in the librarys communityroom starting at 1:30 pm on Sunday.

Whether or not there is snow on the ground, there is a whole lot of fun pil-ing up this coming weekend for the 31st annual Sno-Blast. For more infor-mation and a complete schedule, contact the East Jordan Chamber at 231-536-7351 or visit ejchamber.org.

Published Weekly on Thursday.Afton, Alanson, Alba, Atlanta, Black Lake, Bliss, Brutus, Burt Lake, Carp Lake,Cheboygan, Comins, Conway, Cross Village, Elmira, Fairview, Frederic, Gaylord,

Good Hart, Grayling, Harbor Point, Indian River, Johannesburg, Lakes of the

North, Levering, Lewiston, Lovells, Luzerne, Mackinaw City, Mancelona, Mio,

Oden, Onaway, Pellston, Petoskey, Topinabee, Tower, Vanderbilt, Vienna Corners,

Waters, Wolverine

Deadline Monday Noon.

Place Classified ads on-line at

www.WeeklyChoice.com20 cents/word, $2 minimum.

Notice to Readers: Typically, most advertising is honest and clear about special offers, however, pleasebe sure to read the contents thoroughly to avoid misrepresentation. Choice Publications does not war-ranty the accuracy or reliability of content and does not accept any liability for injuries or damagescaused to the reader or advertiser that may result from content contained in this publication. Errors in

advertising should be reported immediately. Damage fromerrors will not exceed the cost of the advertisement for oneissue. Choice Publication employees and family membersand listed advertisers employees and family members arenot eligible to win. Choice Publications reserves the right topublish or refuse ads at their discretion.

IFPA AWARDWINNING PAPER!

Associationof Free CommunityPapers

Published by:

Choice Publications, Inc.112 East Sixth Street, PO Box 382, Gaylord, MI 49734-0382

Phone: 989-732-8160 Fax: 888-854-7441

Publisher:

Dave Baragrey [email protected]

General Manager:

Dave Baragrey [email protected] Phone: 989-350-9233

Web Master:

Chad [email protected]

Sports Editor:

Mike [email protected]:

Jeff [email protected]

News Editor:

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SALES:

Phone: 989-732-8160

Terry [email protected]

Charles [email protected]

Joan [email protected]

Barbara [email protected]

Rob [email protected]

Sharon [email protected]

Liz HardingSalesWe offer...Residential Commercial

Carpet Vinyl Rugs Hardwood

Ceramic Laminate Window Fashions

QUALITY EXPERIENCE EXCELLENCE

(989) 731-2003 FX (989) 731-9949

[email protected]

www.hickersonfloor.com

2234 M-32 West,Gaylord, MI 49735

Snow or no snow, the 31st Annual Sno-Blast will bring a flurry of activities and eventsto the East Jordan area this coming weekend, a wonderful celebration of season.

2011 award-winner, Bea Kelly (on left), receiving heraward from AAUW member and Woman MakingHistory Committee Chair Renee Elias (on right).

Courtesy Photo

Courtesy Photo

31st annual winter festival takes place in East Jordan this weekend

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There will also be aerial snowboard and ski acrobatic

show performances on Saturday by Absolute Zero begin-

ning at noon. Dont forget to bring an appetite, becausethere will be a Pro-Am Chili Challenge in the warming tent

on the Village Lawn Panel on Saturday from 1 to 3 pm, pre-

sented by the Village Merchants. The Chili Challenge is a

benefit event for the Bay Harbor Foundation, and proceeds

will go to the Manna Food Project and Brother Dans

Pantry. Contestants will also vie for a 1st place prize in

both the professional and amateur categories of $500 each.

The KNOTJust a Bar and the Chill Lounge at Cava will

open on Friday at 4 pm as well as throughout the weekend

festivities.

This is a sp ectacular event and weekend, relates

Michelle Denise. The Village at Bay Harbor is a beautiful

place to hold a winter extravaganza, and it would not be

possible without the support of our generous sponsors and

the support of the greater community. It keeps growing

every yearthere is truly something fun to enjoy for those

of every age.

For a full schedule of events, visit; www.villageatbayhar-

bor.com

Alpenfrost continued...Bay Harbor continued...

It is absolutely amazing to see, states Michelle

Denise, Marketing Coordinator for Bay Harbor,

as demonstrated by the very realistic looking ice

statue created at last years Ice Festival event.

exciting winter celebration in downtown Gaylord. TheAlpenfrost committee was initially organized by JenniCaverson and Jim Akans, and quickly grew to include Cindy

Akans, Allen Ballard, Ken Mattei and Gayla Fitzgerald, whohave been joined by several local individuals, businesses andorganizations graciously supporting this new mid-winter fes-tival.

Events during Alpenfrost will include the bone-chillingbravery of the Polar Plunge participants, who will dive intoicy cold water near the downtown Pavilion dressed in zanycostumes in support of Summer Olympics Michigan.Treetops Resort, in conjunction with the Wertz WarriorsSnowmobile Endurance Riders will feature both a Craft Beerand a Wine Festival during the weekend, with fabulous food,beverages and entertainment on Friday and Saturdayevenings.

Downtown will be a flurry of activity during Alpenfrost,with special warm-up stations located at merchant venuesthroughout town that will include crafting activities, enter-tainment and refreshments. Participating merchants willalso be offering fantastic Alpenfrost in-store specials onSaturday, February 11th. A most-delicious Alpenfrost event

will be a Soup Cook-off under the Pavilion, with free tastingsavailable for those wearing a 1st Annual Alpenfrost pin. The

will also be a snowmobile Family Fun Run, and Frosty 5KRun/Walk for those looking to get out and enjoy some exhil-arating outdoor adventure during Alpenfrost.

Worthy of vintage Norman Rockwell painting, the AlpineVillage will unveil an open air ice skating rink on theCourthouse lawn during Alpenfrost, and kids of all ages can

enjoy specially-created Alpenfrost games on Saturday after-noon on the lawn next to the Pavilion. Adults can partake ofa leisurely carriage ride through historic Gaylord neighbor-hoods on Saturday, offered by Cook Family Farms.

Alpenfrost Pins will be available for $2 each at the GaylordInformation Center starting at the end of January. Pleasevisit www.gaylordalpenfrost.com for further information.

MKX Sno X Continued...sleds through the course, to amateur, Semi-

Pro and seasoned Pro race veterans yielding

powerhouse machines, earn points at each

event, leading up to a championship race

and banquet held at Treetops Resort on

March 24th.Tommy Gouin, who established MXR

along with business partners Fred Grove and

Rob Mason, states, We take the total points

from the top six or seven races the riders

participate in to determine the champions in

each category. After the Michigan Sno X

Championship race on March 24th, we hold

an awards ceremony at Treetops that

evening.

The event this coming weekend at the

Otsego County Fairgrounds is Round #4 in

the Michigan Sno X Championship Series.

This is the first season MXR has organized

the Sno X Series of events, and their mission

is focused on providing professional, fun,

family centered events for participants and

spectators alike. Working with sponsor part-

ners MXR has secured a list of exceptional

race locations for this season, and are firmly

committed to their motto; We Build

Champions!

Gouin, Grove and Mason are all longtime

snocross racing participants, as are their

children. My son has been racing since he

was four, and he is ten years old now, Gouin

states. This is very much a family orientedevent, both for participants who can com-

pete at virtually every skill and age level, and

for spectators who enjoy the excitement of

watching the competitions

For the upcoming races at Otsego County

Fairgrounds this Saturday and Sunday, pits

will open at 6 am and races will begin

around 9 am and continue through late

afternoon each day.

Gouin relates, We have lowered our gen-

eral admission price to just $5, and students

receive two for one ticket pricing. We

encourage those who may have never

attended a snocross event to come out and

see what all the excitement is about.

Race participants can register on line at

www.mxracing.com, and the host hotel for

this weekends event is the Gaylord Quality

Inn.

John Cherwinski, owner of J&N Construction in Gaylord, leaves the packbehind in the dusting of snow during a recent race.

Photo Courtesy of sPeedPunksimages.Com

Photo Courtesy of Weber PhotograPhy

Be sure to pick up a 1st Annual Alpenfrost Pin,

available at the Gaylord Information Center

starting late January.

Courtesy Photo

Miss Pride of the Peninsulas Pageantcoming to Northern Michigan

Grayling The Miss Pride of the Peninsulas Scholarship

Programs Board of Directors announced the third annual

Miss Pride of the Peninsulas pageant will be held on January

22nd, 2012 at 3 PM at the Joseph Stripe Auditorium in

Grayling High School. The Miss Pride of the Peninsulas

Organization is proud to welcome 20 contestants from

around the state to the pageant. Miss Pride of the Peninsulas

has historically been held in Bad Axe, MI, but has been

moved to this northern Michigan this year and is under new

direction.

Miss Pride of the Peninsulas Executive Director, Jillian

Tremonti, said she is impressed with the caliber of this years

contestants. We are very excited about the number of intel-ligent, ambitious and talented young women who have

applied as contestants, Tremonti states. With the number

of outstanding young women, it will be a challenging task for

the judges to choose the next Miss Pride of the Peninsulas.

Contestants will compete in five phases of competition at

the pageant, including a 10 minute personal interview,

lifestyle and fitness in the form of swimsuit, talent, on-stage

question, and evening wear. During the competition, each

contestant will also discuss her chosen platform, a social or

community issue of concern to herself and our society at

large.

The winner of the Miss Pride of the Peninsulas

Competition will be awarded scholarship funds for her col-

lege or graduate school education. In addition, scholarships

will also be awarded to preliminary competition winners,

runners-up and special award winners, such as the winner of

Talent, Evening Wear, Miss Congeniality, and the Peoples

Choice Winner.During her year of service, Miss Pride of the Peninsulas

will travel around northern Michigan, speaking to govern-

ment officials, busi-

ness leaders, com-

munity groups and

all types of citizens

about her platform

issue and encourag-

ing them to become

involved in her

cause. She will also

be eligible to com-

pete for the Miss

Michigan title in

Muskegon, MI inJune.

I have truly

enjoyed my year of

service as Miss Pride

of the Peninsulas

2011 and am looking

forward to crowning

my successor, states Nichole Smith, Miss Pride of the

Peninsulas 2011. I know that the leadership skills I have

gained from this experience will help me as I continue work-

ing with Pomegranate Studios, a business incubator focusing

on web-enabled business and social entrepreneurship, as

their Office Manager. We coordinate large projects like

ArtPrize, Sprout.com, and 5x5 Night.

Miss Pride of the Peninsulas 2012 will not only serve as a

role model for young women and as an ambassador for the

Miss America Organization, she will also urge girls and

young women to develop their leadership skills and to take

an active role in their communities, said Tremonti.

Established in 2009, the Miss Pride of the Peninsulas

Scholarship Program pro-

vides opportunities for

young women to achieve

their personal and profes-

sional ambitions.

Contestants also participate

in community service activi-

ties and develop leadership

skills that help them excel in

their chosen career and life

goals. A not-for-profit affili-

ate of the Miss America

Organization, the Miss Pride

of the Peninsulas

Scholarship Program has

provided scholarships and

in-kind funds to many youngwomen throughout

Michigan. For more informa-

tion about the pageant, you

can find Miss Pride of the

Peninsulas on Facebook or

email [email protected].

Ace HardwareOld 27 South

Gaylord

Johnson Tire Center502 S. Otsego Ave.Gaylord 732-2451

Vanderbilt BP8371 Mill St.Vanderbilt


5/16



989-732-9501

Toll Free 877-407-4446

Where your pet is treated with respect and dignity.

By Jim Akans

Many Northern Michigan residents are familiar with theoutstanding opportunities provided by the ongoing workof the Bergmann Center in Charlevoix. The staff at the

non-profit Center assists in building life skills for individu-als with developmental disabilities, with programs that include on-site

job training and employment opportunities, volunteer opportunities,community awareness, daily living skills and enrichment classes.

What many may not be aware of is that starting in August of 2010,The Bergmann Center opened a fantastic Resale Shop located right

next to their main facility on Ance Road, offering terrific bargains onresale goods ranging from clothing, furniture and other householditems, to one-of-a-kind new products created by local individuals.

Aimee Vander Ark, Administrative Assistant at the Bergmann Centerand Resale Shop Supervisor, notes, We have many exciting products

made by individuals at the Bergmann Center; such as f ire starters fromrecycled material, furniture painted by a local woman artist, gazingballs made from recycled bowing balls adorned with donated stainedglass, items from clay, handmade jewelry, love lights made with clear

stained glass and candles, and much more. Our customers regularlytell us they absolutely love this merchandise, and because they are

hand-crafted, each is unique.In addition to a lot of great merchandise, the Bergmann Center

Resale Shop also offers a great place f or individuals in the Centers pro-gram to learn skills on the job, such as running a cash register and pro-cessing inventory. These are valuable skills that will continue to pro-vide rewards for these individuals for years to come.

We are very excited about the success of the Resale Shop, affirmsVander Ark. We have a great staff and core of volunteers, and arealways looking for more individuals who would like to join our team.

The Bergmann Center Resale Shop is located at 8888 Ance Road in

Charlevoix, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm,and the staff accepts item donations during those hours as well. Foradditional information call (231) 547- 9624 or visit www.bergmanncen-

ter.org and follow the Resale Shop link.

Find resale

bargains andone-of-kind itemsat the Bergmann

Center ResaleShop

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In the Rough, Professionally Paintedor Completely Restored

Over 7,000 sq. ft. of Furniture, Ant iques & Goodies

06176 Old U.S. 31 South, Charlevoix, MI 49720

E-Mail: [email protected]

FURNITURE BARN

(231) 547-0133 Cell (231) 8 81-0353

Web: dkellyantiques.com

CUSTOM & ANTIQUEFURNITURE

J and RSnowplowing

989-983-4590Gaylord, Wolverine &Vanderbilt areas 24/7 Service

H I D D E N T R E A S U R E S

TERRIFIC KIDS

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ific

kid f

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1-5-12

Back row: judy (Kiwanis), Judy Gaskins, Colby Sokoloski, Kane Sacker, Elyssa Flinn,

Raven Boadway, McKayla Rook, Camrin Gambino, Fred (Kiwanis).Middle row: Anika Blazic, Haley Morris, Sebastien Connolly, Zack Randall, Darryn Dakers,

Rylie Smith.

Front row: Caitlynn Pratt, Astrid LeJuene, Morgan Coffell

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Front Row: Emily Kwapis; Jaelynn Grody; Ryder Winiger; Kevin Zaremba; Haily Case;Max Muzio; Caleb Irish; Danica Marchlewski; Isabella Burrell; Isabelle Ketchum

Back Row: Kiwanian, Eric Clink; Bradin Falkenhagen; Justin Ross; Julian Asposito;

Mikayla Taylor; Dominick Flanders; Riley Houghland; Lucas Coan;Kiwanian, Chuck Bump and his Terrific Dog, Roxi

The Michigan Department of

Transportation's (MDOT) Grayling

Transportation Service Center ( TSC) is

scheduled to be relocated to Gaylord

later this month and be renamed the

Gaylord TSC. All Grayling TSC staff

members are being transferred to the

MDOT North Region office in Gaylord,

which will house both operations.The TSC relocation is part of a

department-wide consolidation

announced in June 2011 that resulted

in the closure of eight MDOT facilities

statewide, and a 15-percent workforce

reduction since 2009. In total, MDOT is

closing, consolidating or eliminating

eight MDOT facilities, saving an esti-

mated $300,000 annually on rent and

utilities.

"These changes demonstrate

MDOT's commitment to working bet-

ter, faster, cheaper, safer and smarter

for Michigan," said Scott Thayer, MDOT

North Region Engineer.

The Gaylord TSC will serve the same

counties previously served by the

Grayling TSC: Emmet, Cheboygan,Crawford, Ogemaw, Otsego, and

Roscommon counties.

Customers can contact Gaylord TSC

and North Region staff toll-free at 888-

304-6368.

MDOT reminds drivers: Snowplows

need room to groom.

www.michigan.gov/drive,

www.twitter.com/MichiganDOT,

www.facebook.com/MichiganDOT.

MDOTGraylingTSC staff

andservices to

move toGaylord

All kids are terrific and here at South Maple Elementary and North Ohio Elementary we are acknowledging kids for good character. The Kiwanis club of Otsego County is helping us with this endeavor. Students whoexhibit good behavior by following our school rules will be recognized by staff for doing so. One student per class will be selected to receive a Terrific Kid award, button, and pencil. The student names will be announcedon our morning announcements. They will also have their picture taken to hang on our Terrific Kid bulletin board. This is an excellent opportunity for staff, students, parents and the community to connect on asocial/emotional level because good character is just as important as good grades!

The Bergmann Center Resale Shop offers terrific bargains on resalegoods ranging from clothing, furniture and other household items, to

one-of-a-kind new products created by local individuals.

The Bergmann Center Resale Shop is located at 8888

Ance Road in Charlevoix, and is open Tuesday through

Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm.

Courtesy Photo

Courtesy Photo


6/16


LOCAL NEWSNew stories updated daily on-line at www.weeklychoice.com

GAYLORDBusiness after hoursStart 2012 off right with aBusiness After Hours. Ourfirst Business After Hours of

2012 is sponsored by AlpineTavern & Eatery and theGaylord Regional Airport(Otsego County). This net-

working event will be held atthe Gaylord Regional Airporton Wednesday, January 11from 5-7pm. Come network-ing with other business pro-fessionals while samplingappetizers provided by the

Alpine Tavern & Eatery; youcan also take a tour of theGaylord Regional Airport.The cost is $5 for ChamberMembers, $10 for Non-Members.

GAYLORD

Weight loss challengeFour Star Nutrition's newweight loss challenge is start-ing on Wednesday, January11 at 5:30. This is an 8 weeksession. Come and join ourChallenge and get group sup-port, personal coaching,helpful tips and informationon good nutrition and long-term health. You can even

win a cash prize if you areone of the top achievers. Ourlast Challenge we gave out$543 to our top losers. Firstplace loser lost 6.3% body

weight and 18.3 inches.Register before Jan 6th and

win a prize. Space is limited.Call 989-448-8618 to register

or get additional informa-tion. Located at 604 W. MainSt, next to Holiday Station.

GRAYLINGFolk ConcertThe Crawford CountyCommission on Aging &Senior Center presents Liveand in person, folk singers

Ann Rowland and KellyShively. You are invited to anhour of delightful music froma fabulous pair ofsinger/songwriters. Thesetwo great friends put togeth-er words and music that willmake you glad you chose tocome. The concert will be

Thursday, January 12th from1pm-2pm at the SeniorCenter located at 308Lawndale St. There is noadmission charge for theconcert, but join us for lunchat noon. Cost of the lunch is$4.75 for under 60 and a sug-gested donation for over 60.

PETOSKEYSafe at homeComfort Keepers of NorthernMichigan has joined forces

with local senior centers, firedepartments and libraries tohost free "Safe at Home"seminars. The events will fea-ture hands-on demonstra-

tions and information fromsafety experts. A seminartakes place at 1:15 pm Jan. 12at Petoskey FriendshipCenter

CHEBOYGANBusiness After HoursJoin the Cheboygan AreaChamber of Commerce at

the new Moran Iron WorksNorth facility in theCheboygan Industrial Parkon Jan. 12th from 5:30 - 7:30PM for a Business After

Hours and Ribbon Cutting.Please RSVP by calling theChamber at 231-627-7183.

EAST JORDANSNO-BLASTSNO-BLAST 2012 is daysaway! January 13-14-15 arethe dates for the 31st AnnualSno-Blast Winter Festival.Check out the fun scheduleof events for all ages to enjoy.Back by popular demand isthe Sno-Blast Parade sched-uled for Friday night as partof the Friday Night on MainStreet activities along withthe Rotary Chili Supper,hayrides with Tom Sheridan

and his awesome Ford trac-tor and lighted wagon,Twister Joe sponsored by Bay

Winds Federal Credit Union,Crowing ceremonies for Belleof the Blizzard and WinterKnight, merchant sidewalk(indoor) sales and more. Getinto the fun- build a float,dress in costume - promote

your business or organiza-tion - join the parade!

GRAYLINGSnowshoe HikeHike on the Mertz Grade Trail(2 miles) January 12, 19, 26 at1pm / February 2, 9, 16, 23 at1pm / March 1 at 1pm atHartwick Pines State Park

GRAYLINGCold SweatCompetitionCome out and watch as com-petitors from around thestate throw down awesometricks and jumps.Competitors have a chanceto win new Elan Skis andSnowboards along with

weekly prize packs. The ColdSweat Competition schedule:Friday, January 13th Obstacle Course: FreakyFriday the 13th / Saturday,February 4th Big Air:Launching into Winter Fun

Days / Friday, February 17th Slope style: Noon to Ninespecial Dollar Day / Saturday,March 10th Get Lifted 2Shredfest: Shredfest andSeries Finale.

PETOSKEYConcertBearfoot at Crooked Tree ArtsCenter, Jan. 14, 8pm. Showsare $15 advance / $10 mem-bers advance, $20/$15 door,$20/$15 reserved, students price. Advanced tickets avail-able at Crooked Tree, GrainTrain and Blissfest.

GRAYLING

Learn to Ski ProgramSundays at 12:30 pm onJanuary 15, 22, 29 andFebruary 12, 19 at HansonHills. A 6 week program spe-cially designed for childrenfrom ages 4-7 years old. Thisprogram is animated andcolorful in order to keep theattention of our young stu-

dents. Class fee: $120 whichincludes rental equipment,helmet and lift ticket for day.Limited equipment so regis-ter early!

GRAYLINGSnowboard AcademySundays at 2:30 pm January15, 22, 29 and February 12, 19at Hanson Hills. For snow-boarders 8 years and up! This6 week program is speciallydesigned for children 8 yearsand up, and teaches begin-ning to advanced levels ofSnowboard riding and safety.Class fee: $120 whichincludes rental equipment,helmet and lift ticket for day.Limited equipment so regis-ter early!

GRAYLING

Guided SnowshoeHikesJanuary 21 at 10am & 1pm,February 4 & 18 at 10am &1pm and March 3 at 10am &1pm at Hartwick Pines StatePark (Recreation Passportneeded for entry into park).For more information call(989) 348-2537.

VANDERBILTSenior DanceThe Lucky Stars are playingat the Elkland Senior Center,7910 Arthur St, Jan. 21 from7-11pm. Bring a dish to passand $4 admission.

GAYLORDTea Party meetThe Otsego County Tea Party(OCTP) will meet January 23,6pm at Marsh Ridge ResortBergen Room 4815 Old 27S.Meet and Greet 2012 U.S.Senatorial RepublicanPrimary candidates will bethe agenda.

GAYLORDCard Trick Quilt ClassDelphines Quilt Shop willhave a Card Trick Quilt ClassJanuary 31 from 10am-1pm;call 989-732-1252 to register.

BAY HARBORIce & Snow FestivalCome to Bay Harbor for thistwo day event extravaganzaJan. 13 & 14 and watch icecarvers create works of art

with ice in both professionaland amateur divisions whilecompeting for cash prizes.This event is sanctioned bythe National Ice Carving

Association with Bay Harborbeing one of the stops on theNCIA Tour of Champions,

which is the largest ice carv-ing competition in the world!

Also enjoy winter activitiesthroughout the weekend forthe entire family.

CHEBOYGANMoscow FestivalBalletUnder the direction of leg-endary former Bolshoidancer Sergei Radchenko,the Ballet performsProkofievs masterpiece bal-let. With a company of 50dancers, including a largecorps de ballet, the MoscowFestival Ballet is focused onupholding the grand tradi-tion of major Russian ballet

works. January 13, 7:30pm.Reserved Seating: Adults:$38; Students: $12.50. Formore information or tickets,

please call the Opera Houseat (231) 627-5841.

CHARLEVOIXFiddlers & PickersJamboree9th annual music fest featur-ing area violinists, fiddlers,guitarists and other stringinstrument artists. Any stringinstrument artist is invited! Amusical hoe down for funand laughs. Food and bever-ages available. Proceeds fundarea youth music scholar-

ships. Jan 14, 3pm - 10pm. atVFW hall, 12735 US N 31

CHEBOYGANSteak fry

While the Rusty Stud 150snowmobile race is can-celled, there will still be abanquet at Eagles Club onJan. 14, 2pm on Main Streetin Cheboygan open to public,featuring a steak fry, 50/50raffles, and live entertain-ment Jan. 14 starting at 2pm.For information, call Bruce atBrandts Sports Center (231)625-2567.

GRAYLINGFamily Movie MatineeSaturday, January 14th at1:30pm at DevereauxMemorial Library -Join allthe animals at the library for

the newly released filmZookeeper starring KevinJames. Sign up for this familyevent by stopping in or call-ing (989) 348-9214. We will beserving popcorn too!

NORTHERN MICHIGANAdvertising funds theWeekly Choice

We love to run communityannouncements and newsreleases about all the thingshappening in NorthernMichigan in the WeeklyChoice. We help publicizehundreds of events andactivities all across our area.Readers love the fact that the

Weekly Choice is distributedfree to hundreds of locations.However, it is expensive topublish this newspaper each

week filled with positivenews and sports. Our onlysource of revenue comesfrom advertising. If yourbusiness or organization hasan advertising budget, besure to include the WeeklyChoice in your plans. Ouradvertising rates are far lessthan most other papers and

your message will reachreaders all across NorthernMichigan. The Weekly Choiceis distributed free of chargeon news stands to 40 towns

including Gaylord, Petoskey,Cheboygan, Grayling, IndianRiver, Onaway, Mio,Lewiston, Mancelona and allsurrounding towns. Contactus at [email protected] call 989-732-8160.

CHEBOYGANSpa afternoonOn January 14 from 1 to 4pm,Bishop Baraga CatholicSchool will host a spa after-noon. The event will featuremassages, facials, and nailtreatments. Guests will enjoyrelaxing music, delicioustreats and prizes. Admissionto the Spa Afternoon is $15.

The event is sponsored bythe Schools 5th and 6thgrade students to raisemoney for their class trips inthe spring of 2012.

ATLANTASled Dog RaceSled Dog Race for amateurracers January 15 & 16.

PETOSKEYSafe at homeComfort Keepers of NorthernMichigan has joined forces

with local senior centers, firedepartments and libraries tohost free "Safe at Home"seminars. The events will fea-

ture hands-on demonstra-tions and information fromsafety experts. A seminartakes place at 7:30pm Jan. 18at Independence Village

GRAYLINGS.A.F.E. SeriesThe Crawford CountyCommission on Aging andSenior Center is introducinga new series of presentationsfor 2012. It is the S.A.F.ESeries (Smart. Alert. Focused.Education). Each presenta-

tion is designed to communi-cate safety information toseniors on a variety of topics.The first presentation will beon Winter Storm Safety. Jim

Keysor from the National Weather Service will be thepresenter on Thursday,January 19th at 11am. Comeand hear vital winter safetyinformation, then join us forlunch afterward. Those 60 orolder can eat for a $2.50 sug-gested donation. The cost forthose under 60 is $4.75. TheCommission on Aging &Senior Center is located at308 Lawndale Street.

GAYLORDFree Divorce ClinicThe 46th Judicial Circuit Bar

Association, Legal Services ofNorthern Michigan and RiverHouse Womens Shelter will

hold free monthly divorceclinics open to communitymembers who cannot affordto hire an attorney and arerepresenting themselves.Clinic locations will alternatebetween Otsego andCrawford Counties. The clin-ics in Otsego County are heldat the United Way Building,116 East Fifth St, Jan. 19,5:30pm.

GRAYLINGBaby to Toddler ClosetOpen 1st and 3rd Thursday ofeach Month for distributionand donations. This monthdate is Jan. 19. Open 11 am to

3pm. Sorry no clients accept-ed after 2:30pm. The BabyCloset is located at 400Michigan Ave. Contact RoseMary Nelson 989-348-2985

Volunteers Needed

GAYLORDEscanaba in DaMoonlightJanuary 19, 20, 21 & January26, 27, 28th. Time: 6:30pmDinner, 7:30pm show atMichaywe Clubhouse.Tickets Available at JaysSporting Goods and SaturnBooksellers. Dinner Theaterfeaturing a special menufrom Executive Chef John

Kaye fit for hunters! $25 perperson

MACKINAW CITYWinterfestCome celebrate winter inMackinaw City during this

year's 19th annualWinterfest. This winter eventis scheduled for the 3rd

weekend in January 19-22.Enjoy amateur snow carving,Mackinaw PepsiInternational OuthouseRace, sleigh rides, poker

walk, chili cook-off, indoorice skating, euchre tourna-ment, free hot cocoa, 3 on 3hockey tournament, newMackinaw City Art Exhibit,ice fishing tournament from8am to 2pm at Carp LakeMarina and many more fun

winter activities includinggames for kids, and adultsbeginning at 12:30 pm at theMackinaw City Marina openspace.

GRAYLINGWinter Picnic DinnerThe Community is invited toattend a Winter PicnicDinner on Thursday, January19 from 4-6pm. Menuincludes BBQ Ribs, MacaroniSalad, Baked Beans,

Watermelon and Rocky RoadPudding. The meal is only

$4.75 per person with a sug-gested donation of $2.50 forpeople over 60. Dinner isopen to the public and noreservations are required.The Commission on Aging &Senior Center is located at308 Lawndale Street inGrayling. For more informa-tion contact the SeniorCenter at (989) 348-7123.

GRAYLINGFree vision screeningThe Grayling Lions Club willhold a free vision screening

for children in conjunctionwith Project Kidsight, in part-nership with ChildrensHospital of Michigan. Thescreening provides instant

photographs of a childs eyesto determine the presence ofdisorders including far andnearsightedness, astigma-tism, strabismus (misalignedeyes), anisometropia(unequal refractive power),and media opacities (i.e.cataracts). This screening isover 90% effective in detect-ing problems that can causevision problems. The target-ed age group is 1 through 6

year olds but older childrenmay be screened if parentshave a concern. The informa-tion obtained from thisvision screening is prelimi-nary only and does not con-stitute a diagnosis of vision

problems. This is not thesame as an eye exam. Thescreening will be held at theCrawford County DevereauxMemorial Library on Friday,January 20 from 10am to5pm. Appointments are notnecessary and parents mayaccompany the child duringthe screening.

GRAYLINGCote Dame Marie SkiLoppetJanuary 20th & 21st atHanson Hills Recreation Area-This exciting Nordic Skiing

Adventure will take youthrough the scenic hardwood

trails of Hanson HillsRecreation Area, located inGrayling. Race Features:Rolling Course with out-standing grooming. ChipTiming-immediate and accu-rate results. Michigan CupDivision30km freestyleMichigan Cup points event.Free Friday Night Kids Race -1-3km lighted course @Northbound Outfitters.Citizens Race Division -Forthose new to racing, an 8 kmcourse with both freestyleand classic categories.Custom Gift to the first 250entrants. Post Race AwardsBanquet/Buffet dinner

included in entry fee. To reg-ister, visithttps://www.skireg.com/net/registration/register.aspx?EventID=3248. OnlineRegistration closes Saturday,January 14th at 9pm ET.

GAYLORDAlpenfest pin designcontest

Alpenfest is now seekingpin designs for the 2012

Alpenfest with a theme ofSwiss Dressed at Alpenfest.For more information, go to

www.gaylordalpenfest.comor call Gayla FitzGerald at732-6333 for more informa-

tion. Deadline for entries isJan. 13.

GAYLORDFree Tea TastingSaturn Booksellers in down-town Gaylord will be hostinga tea tasting and tea talksfrom 11am until 2pm on Jan.21 in their Coffee Cabin. Theevent will feature all-new fineregional teas from the GreatLakes Tea and SpiceCompany and be hosted bythe tea companys founderand owner, Chris Sack.

GRAYLINGStatewide PageantMiss Pride of the Peninsulaspageant will be held onJanuary 22 at 3 PM at theJoseph Stripe Auditorium inGrayling High School. TheMiss Pride of the PeninsulasOrganization is proud to wel-come 20 contestants fromaround the state to the pag-eant.

GRAYLINGFires in NorthernMichigan

Winter Lecture Series at

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7/16



Hartwick Pines State Park -Fire: Logging & Fires inNorthern Michigan. January22nd at 2pm at HartwickPines Logging Museum -

Historian Rob Burg will pres-ent this program on themany large fires that followedthe lumber industry, includ-ing the Great Fire of 1871, theThumb Fire of 1881, the 1908Metz Fire and the 1911

AuSable-Oscoda Fire. Freeadmission and refreshments

will be served. For moreinformation, please call thepark at 989-348-7068.

PETOSKEYHarlem GlobetrottersThe world Famous HarlemGlobetrotters have thrilledaudiences around the worldfor 86 years and will be at the

Petoskey High School GymJan. 23. Game starts at 7pm.

GRAYLINGNew to Medicare

Are you turning age 65 in2012? Are you confused byMedicare? How doesMedicare work if you have aretiree health plan? WhatMedicare services do youneed to sign up for? Join us atthe Crawford CountyCommission on Aging andSenior Center, 308 LawndaleStreet in Grayling on Tuesday,January 24th for a presenta-tion that will help de-mystifythe issues surroundingMedicare. The time will be6pm. Prior to the presenta-tion you can enjoy dinner atthe Center. Those 60 andolder eat for a suggested

donation of $2.50. Thoseunder 60 can eat a cost of$4.75.

GRAYLING

KaraokeThe Crawford CountyCommission on Aging &Senior Center will be hostingan evening of Karaoke on

Wednesday, January 25 at5:30pm. Bob Jorgenson willbe our emcee for theevening. This is a free eventopen to all who want to havefun and lots of laughs. We arelocated at 308 Lawndale.

GRAYLINGFree Tax AideAssistanceThe Crawford CountyCommission on Aging &Senior Center in conjunction

with IRS Volunteer IncomeTax Assistance program(VITA) helps low and moder-ate income taxpayers (lessthan $60,000 annually), with

special attention to those 60and older, file their personalincome tax returns.

Volunteers are trained toassist in filing tax forms andbasic schedules, includingthe 1040, 1040A and 1040EZ.

Assistance with filing theHome Heating Credit,Earned Income Tax Creditand Property Tax Credit isalso available. Appointmentsfor credits only will be onJanuary 25 and January 26.

You may call the SeniorCenter at (989) 348-7123 afterJanuary 16th to schedule

your appointment to fileyour taxes.

GAYLORDBring a bottle of wineJanuary 26. Join the OtsegoCounty United Way atTreetops Resort from 6-

9:30pm. Bring a bottle ofwine or a 6 pack of craft beer(microbrew), purchase raffletickets at the event and youmay go home with enough

wine to fill a cellar!

CHEBOYGANBusiness After HoursJoin us at Fernelius ToyotaChrysler Dodge inCheboygan for a Business

After Hours on Thursday,January 26th from 5:30 - 7:30PM. See the new facility andshowroom and enjoy horsd'oeuvres, drinks, a 50/50,door prizes, and networking!

Admission is $5 for Chamber

members, $7 for non-mem-bers. For more informationor to RSVP, please call theChamber at 231-627-7183.

GAYLORDBus trip to Detroit ArtsInstituteThe Gaylord Area Council forthe Arts will be sponsoring aone day bus trip to theDetroit Arts Institute onJanuary 26. The latest exhibitat the Detroit Arts Institute is"Rembrandt and the Face ofJesus" The cost is $75, whichincludes the bus, a lecturefrom a museum curator andlunch at the arts institute. Formore information or to signup, call 989-732-3242 or stopinto the GACA building locat-ed at 125 E. Main Street.Space is limited.

Following their joint appearance at the CrookedTree Arts Center New Year's Eve Gala, EmmetCounty Recycling's Carton Crane and CartonHeron have again parted ways. The crane is cur-rently at the Petoskey South Drop Site (behindDunham's) and the heron at the Glen's North DropSite.

On Monday, January 9 the crane will beginmigrating north, stopping at the Pellston Drop Sitethrough January 15, then continuing on to the

Mackinaw City Public Schools where it is expectedto rest until Monday January 23.

The heron is expected to continue circling thePetoskey area, stopping at Lincoln School January9-15 and then landing at the Petoskey News-Review Drop Site January 16-23.

The Carton Crane and Carton Heron are part ofEmmet County Recycling's campaign to raiseawareness that paper cartons are recyclable by col-lecting "10,000 Pounds in 10 Weeks." Paper car-tons--like milk cartons and juice boxes-- can berecycled in the Containers bin curbside and at allEmmet, Cheboygan, Charlevoix and Presque Islecounty Recycling Drop Sites. The recycling pro-grams began collecting cartons in June of 2010 and

will continue to collect them after the January 22challenge deadline. Both sculptures are the work ofPetoskey artist Walker VanWagoner.

For more information on carton recycling, visitwww.EmmetRecycling.org.

Carton Crane and HeronObservation Opportunities

LetTom Kuch

(formerly from Norandex)

help you find thebest siding, windows, & doors

for your home.

Simonton VinylReplacement Windows

Certainteed RoofingNorandex Vinyl SidingCall Tom at J-N-J Construction to getyour free estimate for professional

installation of quality products foryour home or business.

989-370-5738

FREEESTIMATES

If youre of a certain age, the new year

means youre that much closer to a day

you may have anticipated with a combi-

nation of humor and resignation

specifically, the day youre eligible forSocial Security. But just because you can

take Social Security, it doesnt mean you

must take it. So, should you?

Before we get to that question, lets

review the basic rules governing Social

Security payments. You can typically

start collecting benefits at age 62, but

youll get only about 75% of what youd

receive if you waited until your full

retirement age, which varies according

to your birth year but is most likely 66.

Youll get even bigger monthly checks if

you delay collecting them until youre

past 66, and youll max out on your

payments once you reach 70.

So, the question boils down to this:

Should you start collecting Social

Security early thereby receivingsmaller, but more numerous, checks

or later, when your checks will be bigger

but fewer?

If you really need the money once you

reach 62, youve already got your

answer. But if you could potentially

afford to wait, we recommend you view

your decision through a LENS:

* L: Your projected lifespan You

cant see into the future, but given your

family history and general health, you

can make an educated guess about your

projected longevity. If youre fairly confi-

dent that, once you reach 66, youve still

got another two or more decades in

front of you, you may want to consider

delaying taking Social Security past age

62.* E: Your employment status If

youre under full retirement age

between 62 and 66 then for every two

dollars you earn over $14,640 (in 2012),

youll lose one dollar in Social Security

benefits. In the months before you reach

your full retirement age, for every three

dollars you earn over $38,880 (again, f or

2012), youll lose one dollar in benefits.

But starting in the month you reach

your full retirement age, you can earn as

much as you want without losing any

benefits.* N: Your need, including your other

sources of retirement income If you

have a pension, or youve built substan-

tial resources in your IRA, your 401(k) or

other employer-sponsored retirement

plan, and you can support your income

needs with modest withdrawals from

these accounts, you might decide its

worthwhile to delay taking Social

Security to maximize your benefits.

Remember that regardless of your Social

Security decision, you typically would

have to pay a 10% early withdrawal

penalty if you started taking with-

drawals from these accounts before you

reach age 59.

* S: Your spouse/

marital status If youre single, you

basically just need

to think of yourself

when making this

decision. But its a

different story if

youre married. If

you die first, your

spouse can keep

receiving his or her

own Social Security

benefit or receive

yours whichever

is larger.

Consequently, you

and your spouse

will want to coordi-

nate when you takeSocial Security

benefits so that you

can maximize the

benefit for the

spouse likeliest to

live longer.

The choice of

when to start tak-

ing Social Security can affect your

lifestyle throughout your retirement

years so weigh all the factors and

make the choice thats right for you.

This article was written by EdwardJones for use by your local Edward Jones

Financial Advisor.

Philip Hofweber is a Financial

Advisor with Edward Jones Investments

located at 100 West Main Street in

Gaylord. He can be reached at (989)731-

1851, or email him at

[email protected]. Tune

in Friday Mornings 8:30 am to Eagle

101.5 for Phil Hofweber to hear his week-

ly Financial Focus Topic. Edward Jones,

its financial advisors and employees do

not provide tax or legal advice. You

should consult with a qualified tax or

legal professional for advice on your spe-

cific situation.

www.edwardjones.com Member SIPC

Leaving a 401(k) with a previous employer could mean

leaving it alone with no one to watch over it.

At Edward Jones, we can explain options for your 401(k)

and help you select the one thats best for you. If youd

like to roll it over to an Edward Jones Individual Retire-

ment Account (IRA), we can help you do it without

paying taxes or penalties. And you can feel confident

that someone is looking out for you and your 401(k).

To find out why it makes sense to talk with EdwardJones about your 401(k) options, call or visit yourlocal financial advisor today.

If You Arent at Your Last Job,Why Is Your 401(k)?

!"#$#%&'&()*+,-,.!"#$#%"$&'()*"+,-./00'1'2$"#'345$6&,-)7'28'9:;:?;=/

FINANCIAL FOCUS

WHEN SHOULD YOU START

TAKING SOCIAL SECURITY

Philip Hofweber, Financial Advisor with Edward JonesGAYLORD, (989) 731-1851

1928 S. Otsego Ave.Gaylord

www.gaylordfordlincoln.com

(989) 732-67371-800-732-6710

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Left: Part of Emmet

County Recyclings

campaign to raise

carton recycling

awareness, the

Carton Heron has

left the Crooked Tree

Arts Center (shown

here) and can now

be found at the

Glens North drop

site.

Courtesy Photo


8/16


Dine In, Carry Out & Delivery!1361 M-32 West, Gaylord

989-705-7332Featuring our Family Sampler:

1 Large 16

3-topping pizza1/2 Grinder 1 order of Garlic

Cheese BreadOur pizzas are extra large

and feature generous portions

of our toppings, special

cheese blend and have a

garlic crust

We bake our bread daily, top

it with hearty portions of meat

and cheese, then oven bake it

We start with our fresh

grinder bread, then top it with

our special garlic butter &

cheese, then oven bake it

and serve it with our home-

made pizza sauce

All for $16.99!

+ +

MancinosPizza & Grinders

By Jim Akans

The tantalizing aromas meandering

throughout Mancinos Pizza & Grinders dur-

ing the early morning hours are simply

incredible. Thats because the dine-in/take-

out eatery, with locations in Gaylord, Alpena

and Petoskey, begins each day making the

breads for their famous grinders and crust

for their delicious pizzas from scratch, using

a secret recipe that bring customers back

time and time again to enjoy that magical

homemade texture and flavor.

In addition to homemade breads, our

grinders and pizzas include the best quality

Hormel brand meats, states Jane Ludlow

Towne, CEO of the establishments parent

company; Ludlow Enterprises. We slice

fresh vegetables daily, and always provide

generous portions of meats and cheeses in

our salads, pastas, pizzas, and grinders.

A quick scan of a Mancinos beverage cup

reveals that the term Grinder originated on

the East Coast where Italian immigrants

established sandwich shops during WWI.

They prepared super-sized baked sandwich-

es stuffed with meats, cheeses, lettuce and

tomatoes. These were a big hit among shipworkers, who were known as grinders

because they ground rivets on the warships.

Mancinos carries on that the tradition of

offering grinders that will satisfy the hearti-

est of appetites, at an exceptionally afford-

able value,

We always have daily specials and fea-

tures, notes Towne, and because Mancinos

is not a traditional franchise, we are able to

create menu offerings that fit what our cus-

tomers want. I like to say that quality and

value truly meet here at Mancinos.

Towne is well seasoned in the northern

Michigan restaurant industry. Her father

established Luds Hamburgers in Alpena

back in 1964, and the family went on to build

and operate the Big Boy restaurants in

Alpena, Gaylord, Cheboygan and Petoskey.

I have been working in the restaurant

business since I was a teenager, recalls

Towne. We sold all of our Big Boy opera-

tions except the one in Alpena about five

years ago. We opened our first Mancinos in

Alpena in 1996, and our Gaylord and

Petoskey locations a f ew years later.

Jane became interested in operating a

Mancinos after being introduced to the

eatery by her daughter, Annette (Roznowski)

Kowatch. She was attending college in the

Lansing area at the time and took h er mom

out to eat.

We loved the food, Towne recalls, and

after some research, we began the process of

opening Mancinos locations here in north-

ern Michigan.

After gaining years of experience growing

up in a restaurant family, Annette Kowatch

now oversees the Gaylord Mancinos loca-tion, and also runs a part time interior

design service and assists at JLK

Engineering, a Gaylord-based firm founded

by her husband, Justin Kowatch.

Sally Stefanko, who has seven years of

restaurant experience, manages the Gaylord

Mancinos location. She notes, We have a

fantast ic team here at Mancinos. I especially

enjoy serving our customers; that is the best

part of my job.

Mancinos is very active in supporting

community organizations and events, a tra-

dition that began back in the 1960s when

the Luds Foodwagon provide sandwiches

and beverages for many of the original

Alpenfest celebrations. Today, Mancinos

sponsors several carwash events, high-ener-

gy celebrity serving events, and the estab-

lishments coupon books and gift cards make

great promotional items for community

group fundraisers.

Above all, it is the mouth-watering, heart-

warming aromas of the made from scratch

pizzas, grinders, salads and pasta dishes at

Mancinos that bring customers back over

and over again.

We see a lot of repeat customers,

Annette Kowatch observes. That includes

families who may have designated that spe-

cial night out during the week, seniors who

come in before taking in an afternoon movie,

or business people who stop by regularly for

lunch. We also make deliveries to area busi-

nesses for special occasions or for just a

great lunch alternative.

People truly enjoy the quality of our

food, adds Jane Ludlow Towne. We also

offer very good value. Though we do have a

$5.99 pizza like our competitors, we dontmake our pizzas ahead of time. Like each of

our menu items, we want to ensure that

every product we serve to our customers is

freshly made. Whether someone is dining in

or calling for a delivery, our team takes pride

in doing their best job possible providing

fast, friendly service to every customer.

Mancinos Pizza & Grinders has a new

website; www.mancinosnorth.com, where

customers can sign up to receive emails fea-

turing coupons and special offers. The

eatery is located at 1361 M-32 West in

Gaylord (989) 705-7332 and at 109 W.Mitchell Street in Petoskey (231) 348-3700.

Photo by Jim akans

Photo by Jim akans

Mancinos locations in Gaylord, Alpena and Petoskey, begin each day making the breads for their famous grinders andcrust for their delicious pizzas from scratch, using a secret recipe that bring customers back time and time again.

The food is always fresh and inviting at Mancinos, such as their $5,99 mediumpizza made to order with one topping of choice made, and a new menu item; cin-namon sticks. Picture are (from left), Jane Ludlow Towne, CEO of the establish-

ments owner; Ludlow Enterprises, Annette (Roznowski) Kowatch, and SallyStefanko, manager of the Gaylord Mancinos location.

WhereExceptionalQuality and

OutstandingValue Meet


9/16


By Dave Baragrey

As we begin a new year you canmake a difference in our local econo-my. Make a commitment to shop atstores owned and operated by yourneighbors.

The benefits of shopping at storesowned by locals are well documentedby research. Studies done by econo-mists show that:

When you spend $100 at a locallyowned business $62 stays in our com-munity.

When you spend $100 at a nationalchain $42 stays in our community.

When you spend $100 on-line $0stays in our community.

These figures alone should convince

you of the benefit of shopping at inde-pendently owned local businesses butthere is so much more. Spending at alocally owned business leads to betterschools, better roads and local sup-port of community charities andfundraisers.

Studies also show that local, inde-pendently owned businesses paidhigher wages and used more localgoods and services stretching thatlocal dollar even further.

In yet another reason for consumersto consider shopping locally, newresearch reveals that successful smallbusinesses are helping bolster saggingreal estate markets in some communi-ties.

That's the finding of the AmericanExpress Open Independent RetailIndex, which found that neighbor-hoods with thriving independentbusinesses saw home values outper-form citywide markets by 50 percentover the last 14 years.

The report specifically studied 27neighborhoods where small business-es have thrived in 15 major U.S. cities,concluding that home values thereoutperformed their broader markets.

In addition, when you shop at inde-pendently owned businesses you willoften deal with the owner of the busi-ness. Their knowledge of the productor service and their concern to see

you leave as a happy customer willusually result in a very pleasant shop-

ping experience.

If consumers would simply look for

the opportunity to shift a portion of

their spending from on-line business-

es to locally owned businesses it could

make a difference in our region of

Northern Michigan.

Make 2012 the year you make the

effort to make a difference. Make the

decision to move 10% of your spend-

ing to independently owned business-

es. The elegance of the 10 percent shift

right now is that it doesnt ask people

to expand their budgets and spend

more. It asks people to be more con-

scious about where they spend what

theyve already budgeted for.

Support LocalBusinesses in 2012

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Shop local.Buy local. Bank local.

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We Pay Cash for Clean Used Furniture

Dine In, Carry Out & Delivery!

1361 M-32 West, Gaylord

989-705-7332Featuring our Family Sampler:

1 Large 163-topping pizza

1/2 Grinder 1 order of GarlicCheese Bread

Our pizzas are extra large

and feature generous portions

of our toppings, special

cheese blend and have a

garlic crust

We bake our bread daily, top

it with hearty portions of meat

and cheese, then oven bake it

We start with our fresh

grinder bread, then top it with

our special garlic butter &

cheese, then oven bake it

and serve it with our

homemade pizza sauce

All for $16.99!

+ +

4815 Old 27 South,Gaylord

Open for Dinner 7 Nights a Week!!!

Enjoy the Daily Happy Hour, Incredible Dinners,the best Pizza around and much, much more.....

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If you or your business are interested in sponsoring your favoritenon-profit organization, call our office at 989-732-8160 or e-mail us at [email protected].

We have a number of Non-Profit Groups who are waiting for a

sponsor to be a part of the 20/20 Project. Cost to sponsor aNon-Profit Group is just $25 a month.

Bowl for Kids' SakeCall to register your team

today(989) 732-7780

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The Friendship Shelter, Inc.We are a homeless shelter serving the Gaylord area.

In addition to providing food and shelter, a major focus ofThe Friendship Shelter's program is training and education designedto ensure continued success for our clients once they transition to

independent living.

Visit: http://www.thefriendshipshelter.org/needs.htmlTo find out how you can help

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Give online a:

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The Gaylord Area Council for the Arts 2012 Calendar is a majorfundraiser for the Arts Council. The theme for this years calendar is

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Calendars are available for $10.00 at the Community Arts Center,125 E.Main St., Gaylord, MI,

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10/16

By Jim Akans

Somehow, now matter how much you try not to notice, theprice of gas is something that simply will not be ignored.

Just five years ago, drivers began 2007 facing an averageprice for regular gas of about $2.20 per gallon. That trans-lates to around $33.00 when filling up a 15-gallon vehicletank, so the kids could still pick up a candy bar or two at thegas station without crimping the weekly food budget toobadly.

Fast forward to early January 2012, and that average priceper gallon of gas is at $3.34 nationally, and around $3.50 herein Michigan. It now takes over $50 to fill that same 15-gallontank, and price of groceries, like just about everything else inlife, keeps going up. Thank goodness for those 2 for 1 candybar specials.

So whats up with the indicators regarding gas prices inthe coming year?"In three of the last seven years, the spread between the

yearly starting price and the peak (price during the year)exceeded $1 per gallon and only once in the past seven years

was the spread below .82 cents per gallon, said PatrickDeHaan, Petroleum Analyst with GasBuddy.com. While wetypically anticipate "peak" prices to occur in the midst of thesummer driving season, sometimes the peak can even comeafter summer has concluded, as was the case nationally dur-ing 2006 and 2009. While past performance is no indicationof future prices, based on the starting price of gas this year,

we could be paying over $4 per gallon by spring,"Actually, when looking through Michigans average start

price for a gallon of gas over the last five years, there areonly two years that starting price exceeded $3 per gallon;$3.08 in 2008 and $3.12 in 2011. So we have already set anew and rather dubious record by beginning the New Yearspending about.40 cents more for a gallon of gas than anyprevious January. With an average seven-year spreadbetween start price and peak price hovering around the $1mark, could we be flirting with a 2012 peak price per gallonof $4.50or more?

The smallest spread over the last seven years was .45cents, DeHaan observes, and the largest was $1.30. So hav-ing prices reach $4 per gallon this coming year is less of aquestion and more of a certainty. The big question is will wehit a new record high.

The latest Middle Eastern developments regarding theStrait of Hormuz could have a significant impact on the price

of a barrel of oil. According to the U.S. Energy InformationAdministration, approximately 20 percent of oil tradedworldwide ships through the Straits.

"Gas prices are rising across much of the nation as Iranhas continued to threaten closing the Strait of Hormuz, avital waterway for global oil shipments," said DeHaan."Think back to the days following the start of the crisis inLibya- an event that also rattled energy markets- we're see-ing similar emotions play out even though there hasn't yetbeen a disruption to supply. I would blame emotion for therecent uptick in gasoline prices, nothing else.

The good news? Well, domestically, North Dakota has

tripled their oil output in the last few years, and Utah has

also increased output. While the Midwest is seeing a record

high start for gas prices in 2012, Californians are facing

prices at the pump that are typically 20 cents per gallon

higher than we see in Michigan. Thats because gas taxes are

higher on the West Coast, and oil supplied to the region is

more expensive as pipelines across the Rockies are virtually

non-existent.

About those groceries; the U.S. Department of

Agricultures Economic Research Service reported that over-

all food prices were up 4.6 percent between November 2010

and November 2011, and the 2012 forecasted increase is hov-

ering in the three percent range. So not all indicators are as

disheartening.

Of course, predicting future prices is a bit like forecastingthe weather; trends often stray well off the best analyzed and

anticipated paths. As author John Sladek appropriately

observed, The future, according to some scientists, will be

exactly like the past, only far more expensive.

Lets hope those scientists have it wrong.

GasBuddy.com is a group of local websites which offers an

online method for website visitors to post and view the most

up-to-date retail gasoline price information. The GasBuddy

collection of websites has rapidly grown into North Americas

premiere fuel prices information source.

Rentals

PRO SERVICES

AUTO & TRUCK REPAIR

Gaylord 989-731-4447Atlanta 989-785-4647

!


Gas price trends point to new levels in 2012


Last Baby of 2011Grayling - H&R Block of Grayling and

Mercy Hospital Grayling celebrate the last

baby born at Mercy Hospital Grayling in

2011.

Kaydence Kage, a beautiful baby girl, made

her debut on December 31, 2011 at 5:27 am

weighing in at 7 pounds, 5.5 ounces and

measuring 20 inches long. She was wel-

comed by mom Elise Serwa, dad Jeffrey Kage

and big brother Conner Kage, 11 months.

The family resides in Houghton Lake.

Everyone makes a big deal out of the first

baby of the year but we at H&R Block know

it's the last baby that really counts!

Having a baby before the end of the year

means the parents may qualify for a depend-

ency exemption and credits on their 2011 tax

return. The difference of minutes on the

time of birth could mean thousands of dol-

lars in exemptions and credits.

H&R Block of Grayling celebrated the last

baby born in 2011 at Mercy Hospital

Grayling by presenting a beautiful, full dia-

per bag along with a musical vibrations

bouncer to the lucky family on January 4 at

Mercy Hospital Grayling.

H&R Block would like to congratulate the

parents by offering this lovely gift, free tax

advice and free tax preparation for the 2011

taxes.

As a new parent, you could be eligible to

receive many child-related tax benefits. You

can claim the dependency exemption. You

could qualify for several credits: Child Tax

Credit, up to $1000 per child; Earned Income

Credit; and Child Care Credit.

ANGER MONUMENTS & MARKERS

(231)587-8433

(906)484-1202Roger Anger, Owner

Mancelona, MI 49659

Cedarville, MI 49719

In home appointments available.

Serving the E.U.P. area & the Northern Lower.

Monumental Sales, Est. 1917

Sunburst Memorials TM

Email: [email protected]

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY

ASSESSING TALENTDOESN'T HAVE TO BE

CRUEL EXERCISE

with Jim Daly and Dr. Juli Slattery

Q: I have a 17-year-old daughterwho dreams of a career as a singer,but she isn't very good. I know thatsounds bad coming from her mom,but it's true. What do you recom-mend we do?

Juli: Let's face it. Very few kidshave the talent to be the next"American Idol" or Heisman Trophywinner. But we live in a society that

consistently spotlights performanceand celebrity.Too many young adults dream of

stardom and fame that are out oftheir reach. Yet, as a parent, it'stough to tell the truth to our kids without feeling like we're killingtheir dream.

My advice to you is to speak truth,lovingly. You don't have to come outand say, "You can't sing." At 17,she's going to be running into natu-ral roadblocks that will help hergauge her ability compared to oth-ers. Your job is to cast a picture forher of a different dream: "You have alove for singing and music. I'll betyou use that in your life, even if youdon't become a performing artist.Maybe you'll teach music or lead a

church choir."One of the great gifts my parents

gave me my senior year of highschool was career testing. Local uni-versities often have counseling orcareer development departmentsthat offer tests measuring ability,aptitude, interests and personality.When you put the results together, a young adult can get some solid,objective feedback about whichcareer paths may be the best fit. Although it may cost several hun-dred dollars up front, it can savethousands of dollars and years ofwasted college classes.

What your daughter most needsto know is that she doesn't have tobe a star to earn your love and sup-port.

** ** **

Q: I played the trumpet in highschool, and it helped give me a life-long appreciation for music. I wantmy son to experience the samething, but he refuses to pick up aninstrument. What should this frus-trated dad do?

Jim: I can certainly understand yourdesire. What dad doesn't want his son tobe a "chip off the old block"? I definitely

enjoy watching my own two boys devel-oping an interest in some of the samethings that interest me.

A recent study from Canada, though,reveals that parents who want their chil-dren to discover a passion for music orsports need to take a hands-offapproach. There's nothing wrong withencouraging your son to take up thetrumpet, but don't push him into it. Ifhe does end up deciding to play aninstrument, it might not be for the joy ofmusic. He might just be doing it out of a

sense of obligation, or the fear of disap-pointing you.

The Canadian study revealed anotherdanger with parents forcing their kids topursue only the hobbies that mom anddad think they should. Some kids withhigh-pressure parents will embrace thehobbies their folks pick out for them,but they'll become obsessed with thosepursuits later on. Their hobby will con-sume them. Their entire identity canbecome wrapped up in being a quarter-back or a clarinet player. But when theythrow an interception or make a mis-take in the orchestra, their self-esteemplummets.

Certainly, parents need to be persist-ent about impressing morals and valueson their kids. We don't want them todraw their own conclusions about whatis right and wrong. But research sug-gests that when it comes to hobbies,

sports and other pastimes,we need to grant them someautonomy, and allow them todevelop the unique gifts andtalents God gave them.

** ** **Jim Daly is president of Focus on

the Family, host of the Focus on theF

weekly choice - january 12, 2012

Documents