Above: Brianna Hanert of Newberry and Nick Kutsoginis of White Lake were winners of the last two cakes left at the cake walk. At the 11th Annual Curtis Winter Carnival Saturday, February 19, the peaks of sunshine, mixed with a few snow flurries, attracted hundreds of children and adults. More than 1,200 buttons were made and sold.

“It was a great day,” said Chairperson Bonnie Goulette. She and her husband, John, credited the success to the many volunteers who work for weeks to ensure everyone has a good time.

The 4th Annual Curtis Fish Coop was the largest attraction. With 1,100 Rainbow Trout in a holding area under the ice, every child went away with a fish and a prize. Ron Beaudoin, using his aucioneering skills, and Dan Duberville announced each round.

At left: Danny Beals of McMillan with the largest catch of the day, a 23-inch rainbow trout. Near the end of the day, the crowd was donating prize money for the child with the largest or the smallest catch. Shaena Blakely, age 9, of Newberry, was one of the children receiving $25 for her 13.5-inch trout. Alexandrea Artino, age 15, who is a new resident of Naubinway and a student at Engadine High School, went away with a big smile and her 20-inch trout. Rumor was there were fish up to 30 inches long in the holding area and Danny Beals, age 13, of McMillan, was close with a 23-inch trout.

Grand Prize winners of the Curtis Fish Coop children’s fish-off were: 1st place, Kim Mattson of Germfask, who won a boat, motor, trailer, and tackle; 2nd place, Brett Burton of Curtis, who won a kayak; 3rd place, Dale Mattson of Germfask, who won a Clam Fish Trap ice fishing sled, and 4th place, Aaron Leafers of Germfask, who won an ice fishing equipment package. In the adult fish-off, winners were: 1st place. Greg Rutherford of Germfask, who won a $200 Gander Mountain gift certificate, 2nd place, Cassie Bowler of Marquette, who won a power ice auger, 3rd place, Steve Hartwig of St. Clair Shores, who won a Yooper entertainment package, and 4th place winner, Alexandrea Artino of Naubinway, who won a hand auger.

The Fish Coop committee worked for two weeks preparing the site, and the Luce County Dive Team, as it has for the past four years, inspected the underwater fence for holes before the fish were added to the holding area. This year they found an opening and fixed it.

Turkey bowling is always a fun annual game at the winter carnival. Bowling pins are set up and a frozen wrapped turkey is the bowling ball. Participating this year were John and Julie Gipson of Kansas.

“This is my first time here and I’m having a great time,” said Mr. Gipson.

A children’s golf game was held in the Ladies Aid Tent, where the women offered a table of baked goods for sale.

Another fun game was the cake walk. Several cakes were donated and awarded to winners. This game is played like musical chairs and the last person in the game wins the cake. The last two cakes were won by Brianna Hanert, age 13, of Newberry, and Nick Kutsoginis, age 14, of White Lake. Nick is the nephew of Susie Jacobson of Curtis.

In the Mini Sled Challenge, children race their mini snowmobile around a groomed track. Winners included Andrew Plomer and Tineah Blank, who won first place in the modified races.

Zach Abram, a first grade student, and fifth grader Abbi Hayes, both Curtis Elementary students, displayed their drawings in the Curtis Winter Carnival booklet. All the students at Curtis Elementary School and their teachers helped the Curtis Area Chamber of Commerce design this year’s program booklet. The remaining pictures will be on display around town for everyone to see.

The Sixth Annual Great Northern Chili Bowl Chili Cook-Off was won by 3-D Chili of White Fish Lake. Participants were to bring their own gear and ingredients and prepared their chilin on site.

Bill and Sheri Pew made all the buttons again this year and all 1,200 of them were sold by 1:30 p.m. Ten of the buttons were worth $20 each. They were printed with Kim’s Tally Ho and, if you have one, you can contact the Curtis Chamber of Commerce.

Tim Pittenger won the 2005 Ski-Doo GSX 500 SS Sport Snow sled, which included a single-place trailer, purchased from the Fish and Hunt Shop in Curtis.

Among some of the food tents set up on the ice were the Feneley-McNeil-Nesbit American Legion Post 290. John Matchinske, Louie Oberle, Wayne Flatt Sr. Wayne Flatt Jr. (father and son), Pat Abram, Tom Bowler, and Tim Mast and his son, Mike Mast, served food all day.

Newberry’s radio station WNBY, with on-air personality Mike Stanley, was on the ice announcing from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

The Sixth Annual Radar Run was held Sunday, February 20, on South Manistique Lake. The event started at 11 a.m. and was forced to shut down at 1:30 p.m. owing to deteriorating weather conditions. Snow and high winds forced the shutdown. The following results were posted by Watson’s Marina with winning speeds in each category: Stock (non-studded) - 500 class, Luke Martin; 600 class, Robert Metcalf; 700 and 800 class, Frank Chase III; 1000 class, Frank Chase II. Stock (studded) - 500 class, Todd Lesat; 600 class, Nathan Petrich; 700 class, Sean Nagy; 800 class, Derek Pastell. The 1000 class winner was Bob Weber. Matt Petrich won the Open (mods) R. Martel won the Oldies class.

Saturday evening ended in a big bang, with fabulous fireworks over the South Manistique Lake.

“The fireworks were just beautiful over the frozen lake,” said Nancy Watson of Watson’s marina.

Anyone who would like to lend a helping hand in next year’s carnival may contact the Curtis Chamber of Commerce.