DeTour Area
By Barbara Buschbacher 297-8075 bbann@sault.com

Congratulations to the winners of the 2006 Salmon Derby. At the close of the Derby, Saturday, August 5, all met at the Pavilion to receive their awards. The DeTour Boy Scouts prepared and served a fish dinner for all who attended.

The final standings are as follows: 1, weight 24.06, Bill Tackebury from Burt, receiving $1,500. 2, weight 23.025, Joe Seamon, from Chesaning receiving $700. 3, weight 22.125, Kathy Millin from Marquette receiving $400. Following in fourth place on down are Dave Hozeska, 21.01 pounds from DeTour. Lyndsie Beauchamp, 20.635 from Marquette. Jim Pelkola, 20.40 pounds from Marquette. Ivan Gable, 19.55 pounds from Drummond Island. Mike Courterier, 19.290 pounds from Lewiston. Trevor Barnes, 19.250 pounds from Burlington. Gary Zwolinski, 19.15 pounds from Goetzville. Dan Church, 18.125 pounds from Drummond Island. Art Stanton, 16.34 pounds from Turner. Dave Hozeska, 17.25 pounds from DeTour. Jerry Warner, 17.25 pounds from DeTour. Tom Bradley, 16.96 pounds from Mancelona. Dave Hozeska, 16.60 from DeTour. Jim Clegg, 16.550 pounds from Pickford. Art Stanton, 16.34 pounds from Turner. Bob Bucher, 16.155 pounds from Petoskey. Chuck Chrzan, 16.15 pounds from Drummond Island. Duanne Clegg, 16.100 pounds from Pickford. Ray Peters, 16.06 pounds from Birch Run. Brian Gross, 16.00 pounds from Oakley. Nancy Scales, 15.860 pounds from Pickford.

2006 Kids Division Top Three Standings: 1. 15.690 pounds Holly Skinner from Pickford, age 11. 2. 15.11 pounds Rod Hesselink Jr. from Rudyard, age 10. 3. 12.10 pounds Jalen Asperger from Grass Lake, age 13.

Many area businesses donated prizes.

It has been a busy summer here in the area and the activities are not over yet. Coming up, August 19, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. is the First Annual DeTour Passage Fine Art Festival. The festival will feature the works of local and regional artists, and in music and theatre. There will be something for everyone, adults and children.

Artists are to register August 19 at 8 a.m. at the Registration Booth on Ontario Street near Sune's Food Center. What a fun time this festival will be.

Coming up very soon is the summer theater production of "The Fantasticks", sponsored by the Eastern Upper Peninsula Fine Arts Council. There will be three evening shows at Sacred Heart Church Hall in DeTour from August 17 to August 19, with each performance at 7:30 p.m. The Friday and Saturday events will feature a preshow cocktail and hors d'oeuvres hour starting at 6 p.m. For tickets to "The Fantasticks," contact River Threads at (906) 297-6019. "The Fantasticks" is directed by David Rhinard, produced by Dawn Hamelink.

The DeTour Village Council held their regular meeting on July 17, 2006. Following are excerpts from that meeting.

Dennis Aubert presented his concern in having the entrance to the Industrial Park across from his property. He proposed that the entrance might possibly be moved to Newell Street. Mr. Aubert offered to clear the property at his own expense. He also offered to purchase that portion of Division Street and the Council could use the money toward beautifying the Industrial Park. Council will research and return to the August Council meeting with any information.

A"thank you" was given to Dick Newland for getting the prisoners on site and cleaning the park property. Also, thank you to Jason Fountain for being instrumental in having the park sign installed.

On the agenda was a problem with a decorated tree on Ontario Street. This was rectified prior to the meeting.

Two non-working freezers were brought to the Council's attention, one at the Fish Cleaning station and one in the parking lot at Sacred Heart Hall. These are potential hazards to children and need to be removed. Letters will be written asking the owners to dispose of these appliances.

The Water Board will meet before the next Council meeting and work out a possible water rate increase. This will be necessary in order for the Village to meet the bond payment requirements for the coming fiscal year.

Upon a motion made and supported, Bruce Glupker was appointed as the new member of the Planning Commission for a term to end in 2009.

Dennis Aubert asked what the Council's procedure is for making decisions. If an item is brought to the Village office to be placed on the agenda, the Council will move on it at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

Meta Geyer suggested to Council that some of the old trees along Ontario Street be replaced with new trees, also suggesting that an organizational chart be put up in the Village office stating who is on what committee and when their terms are up. No comments or decisions were made on this issue.

A motion was made and carried for Bob Konings to purchase the property adjacent to his home, which in the past had an easement for a 1.9 foot encroachment of the mobile home onto Village property. A full copy of the resolution is on file in the Village Office.

Elizabeth Crowley, who resides at the corner of Midway Plaisance and Division streets, turned in a complaint that her neighbors across the street were blocking her road with vehicles and she had trouble getting into her garage. President Terry Nelson said he would have a conversation with the parties responsible.

Edwin Fountain suggested to the Council that the Village is in need of public restrooms.

George Newell informed the Council that the fish cleaning station has not been kept as clean as it should be. He inquired as to who is supposed to be doing the upkeep. Mr. Nelson will look into this also.

The above excerpts are as recorded by Linda Fisher, Village Clerk.

A thought: Laughter is the spice of life.