By the time Rick Soder is done with his work for the Curtis Centennial, it probably will seem to him that he has been working on it since 1905, the year the town’s post office opened.

Mr. Soder has found himself not only the chairman of the committee organizing celebratory events that will reach a peak this weekend, but as an editor-in-chief (or “visionary,” as he is referred to, tongue-in-cheek) for a 68-page newspaper published in time for the town’s July 4 events. The newspaper was full of a vast array of historical accounts of the town and the area. In his introductory article, Mr. Soder said he and his staff now “have a deeper respect for those who put out the news on a weekly basis.”

The newspaper will be part of the cache of items placed in a time capsule during the main event at the Curtis Library Friday, September 2 at 4 p.m. At that time, a Centennial Plaque will also be dedicated.

A weekend full of activities (see sidebar schedule) begins earlier that afternoon with a history tour, history displays, and an all-class reunion. It will continue into the night at the Curtis Park with music, food and drink, and fireworks. The Art on the Lake festival at the park, with art exhibitors, a children’s art tent, and more food and music, will take up most of Saturday. Sunday will feature a Lions Club brunch most of the morning and early afternoon at the town hall, and a worship service at the park,

The work of Mr. Soder, and other organizers, work will hardly be done after this weekend. “It’s been amazing how many people have come out of the woodwork with stories, even since we put the newspaper together. These things will be put in a book we’re doing. We kind of rushed the paper, but the book will be an all-winter project.”

It’s likely the help of Lyle Painter will be similarly enlisted. In addition to serving as the Portage Township Supervisor and owning a pest extermination service since he retired to Curtis 10 years ago, he is a crack photographer and was drafted into service as one of the editors.

Mr. Painter’s grandfather was one of the pioneers in the area.

“I never dreamed I’d be living on the land my grandfather bought,” he said.

He also participated in another one of the events that celebrated the centennial earlier this summer, a production by the Curtis Players of “The Ransom of Redchief.” That taught him something about the spirit of the area.

“There was lots of cooperation during that play,” he said. “It was a great experience. It started out like a “Bad News Bears” operation, but turned into a pretty professional production. We had a director from Cleveland State University (Claude File).

“The Tuesday before we opened (Thursday, August 11),” he continued, “we had a huge windstorm that made a mess of the tent we were performing in, the lights, and everything else. But all kinds of people come out and helped fix everything in time.”

Mr. Painter has been surprised by all of the history he has learned during this endeavor. “When you’re young, and your dad tells you stories, you don’t always listen like you should.” Between what he was told and what he’s learned, Mr. Painter managed to write for the newspaper about the history of the town dump, an infamous local hangout, and the “bake lady.” The latter is the story of his great aunt, whose baking skills were legendary for decades before she died in 1963.

“This project has done a great job of bringing generations together,” Mr. Painter concluded. “But Rick told me not to put away my editorial pen yet.”

Friday, September 2

Centennial Activities

1 p.m.: History tours (start from Curtis Park).

2 p.m.: Food vendors, and beer and wine tent open.

Also, history displays open and all-class reunion sign-up begins. All at Curtis Park.

4 p.m.: Dedication of the Centennial Plaque and time capsule, Curtis Library

9 p.m.: Fireworks; view from park or around

South Manistique Lake.

Music at Curtis Park

3 p.m.-7 p.m.: Music - Tommy Vale and the Torpedos

- Oldies rock.

7 p.m.-8:30 p.m.: Music - Bill Haley’s Comets - Oldies rock.

Saturday, September 3

Art on the Lake at Curtis Park

10 a.m.-7 p.m.: Art exhibitors, A Taste of Curtis food tent, “100” silent auction, beer and wine tent, and children’s art tent.

Music at Curtis Park

11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Doc Woodward Trio - blues.

1:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m.: Chasin’ Steel - bluegrass.

4 p.m.-7 p.m.: Tommy Vale and the Torpedos - Oldies rock.

Various times: Strolling fiddler Jeff Guenther.

Sunday, September 4

Centennial Activities at Curtis Park

7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.: Lions Brunch (at Town Hall).

10 a.m.-11 a.m.: Coffee and donuts by Fireworks Council.

11 a.m.: Curtis Community Worship Service (music, message, and recognition of service people).

12:15 p.m.: Food vendors open for lunch.

12:15 p.m.-4 p.m.: Children’s games.

Music at Curtis Park

1 p.m.-1:45 p.m.: Marty Miller - contemporary Christian.

1:45 p.m.-2:45: Master’s Touch Quartet - Southern gospel.