Winter Activities Draw Hundreds to Snowsfest

Alex McCready, 6, of Sault Ste. Marie, (from left) Whitaker Knox, 9, Tanner Knox, 4, and Reid Knox, 8, all of Northville, enjoy sliding, playing, and rolling on the Cedarville Bay ice during Snowsfest Saturday, February 17, in Cedarville.

Sunny skies and bright smiles warmed the 2007 Les Cheneaux Snowsfest in Cedarville last weekend, Friday, February 16, through Sunday, February 18, when hundreds of people met on the ice and in downtown Cedarville to enjoy an old-fashioned horse sleigh ride, children's games, to taste chili, play golf, and participate in the other activities offered throughout the weekend.

Judy McLean of Cedarville took home the Snowsfest 50/50 raffle prize of $275. Tom Mertaugh of Hessel won the Snowsfest Clue Hunt by finding the hidden prize at Pickle Point in Hessel. He won $75 in cash and a $25 gift certificate to the store.

Snow Statue,

Decorating Contests:

This year the Snowsfest Committee introduced its first Snowbuddy contest, which allowed participants to purchase a snowman form and decorate it. Snowbuddy and window decorating contests were offered as options to making snow sculptures. The relatively new contests were designed to get businesses and homes decorated for the festival, by making it easier to participate.

Jay Altmaier (left) of Cedarville and Mark Clymer of Hessel demonstrate some of the winter head gear Snowsfest patrons donned to make festivities more comfortable.

Thirty-five businesses and residents participated in the Snowbuddy contest. Coldwell Banker Real Estate of Cedarville won first place, with group of eight snowmen individually decorated by each of the employees of the office. The business will have its name engraved on a new traveling plaque shaped like a snowman. First National Bank of St. Ignace, Les Cheneaux Branch in Cedarville took second place with its bikini-clad snow lady in a sailboat that invites people to "Support Our Troops." Taylor Lumber's tribute to the band "The Village People," with costumed snowmen, took third place. Snows Bar and Grill of Cedarville won fourth place for its dog snowman dressed in cold weather gear. Everyone in second through fourth places will receive an award certificate.

At right: Chip Autore of Cedarville takes his best shot in the Snow Golf contest during Snowsfest in Cedarville Saturday, February 17, while his granddaughter, Zoe Autore, looks on.

Pammi's Restaurant in Cedarville won first place in the office statue contest and will have the restaurant's name engraved on a traveling plaque. Cedarville Inn took second place in the contest, and received an award certificate. The on-ice snow statue winner was Cedarville Middle School's Student Council, which created an ice fishing scene, with a pond holding colored fish that were planted in the ice.

In the window decorating contest, Cedarville Inn won first place, and will have its name engraved on a traveling plaque. Autore Oil of Cedarville took second place, and will receive an award certificate.

Snow Golf Contest

The first snow golf putting contest attracted many more participants than in past contests, where players tried to hit the ball closest to the pin. Coordinators John Torsky and Tommy Bires moved the event off the ice, and gave participants the opportunity to sink a shot. Ten people accomplished the task in spite of brisk winds and a bumpy green. Their names were entered in a drawing for two rounds of 18 holes at local golf courses. Five prizes were given away. Dave Urka of Fowlerville won golf at the Les Cheneaux Club in Cedarville. Bill Furest of Hessel won golf at Hessel Ridge Golf Course in Hessel. Tony Lee of Ohio won golf at Wild Bluff Golf Course in Brimley. Jim Messenger of Hessel won golf at The Rock on Drummond Island. Kevin Hill of Cedarville won golf at St. Ignace Golf and Country Club of St. Ignace.

Loreena Huffman and her brother, James, both of Hessel, pile into his truck sled, "Little J." at the Snowsfest Cardboard Box Sled Races in Cedarville Sunday at Les Cheneaux Community Schools sledding hill. Both won first place in the races, in their respective age categories.

The other five contestants who sank shots include Dustin Wilcox of Cedarville, Liz Merchberger of Cedarville, Jayden Smith of Hessel, Jason Dunn of Ohio, and Melanie Hoddy of Owosso.

Dog Show

Snowfest Committee member John Torsky of Cedarville (far right) distributed awards to the Snowsfest Poker Run winners (from left) Lori Hatch in first place, Rob Eberts in second, and Noah Lindberg in third, as Gretchen (Torsky) Storey, Lora (Torsky) Brown, and Allison Torsky accepted Ricky Gill's Worst Hand award and plaque on his behalf.

Pennie Clymer of Hessel and Janet Cordova of Columbus, Ohio, organized and judged the annual canine contest. Michele Fiering, with her chocolate lab puppy "Cocoa," won the Best Dressed award. The puppy was dressed in winter gear and was towed into the contest on a sled. Joni Burger of Cedarville led her dog "Drake," dressed as a duck hunter, to a win in the obstacle course contest. Liz Merchberger of Cedarville repeated a best trick win with "Turner," who yawns on command. Lora and Marina Brown of St. Ignace won the best name contest for their brother and sister puppies, "Copper" and "Dezi."

Chili Cook-Off

Awards were given to Jonas Carpenter of Cedarville and Ang- Gio's Restaurant of Cedarville (Chili Number 24). The contest attracted 16 entries this year, including 11 homemade and five commercial. Contest coordinators estimate that about 100 people tasted chili Saturday. Chili recipes were judged by a blind taste test, and all tasters could vote on their favorite chili. Chili recipes mentioned here are followed by the number they were labeled with in the contest.

Mr. Carpenter's chicken chili recipe (Chili Number 12) won first place in the homemade division, and he received a gift basket and $50. Last year's champion, Curt Vaught of Kent, Ohio (Chili Number 9), was beaten this year by his brotherin law, Charlie Haske (Chili Number 4), who came one vote shy of Mr. Carpenter to land in second place. Kim (nee Reid) Wilderspin of Marquette Township's white chili with chicken (Chili Number 25) came in third place.

Poker Run

Poker Run attracted 84 participants, and the event was won by Lori Hatch of Cedarville with a straight flush, nine high. She took home $250. Rob Eberts of Hessel and Brighton won the second place prize of $150, with a hand of four aces. Noah Lindberg of Hessel won third place and $100 with a hand of four kings.

The Worst Hand plaque was awarded to Ricky Gill of Cedarville.

Cardboard Sled Races

Sunday's Cardboard Sled races attracted 11 homemade sleds.

The Best All-Cardboard Sled award went to Kayla Merchberger of Cedarville, who rode in the Big Blue Bass, a blue fish made from a single box. James Huffman of Hessel won the Best Commercial sled award for his truck sled decorated like a racing car to represent local businesses. Four first aid kits donated by the Les Cheneaux Ambulance Auxiliary were awarded for the best crashes to Gordie and Rob Burger, Rachael Rye, and Mindy Nordquist.

Sled Race Results:

Age 1-4: First Place - Loreena Huffman of Hessel in a "Bratz" mobile.

Age 5-7: First Place - James Huffman of Hessel in "Little J," Second Place - Evan Rye of Cedarville in "Iggy," Third Place - Kevin Reichlin in "Rocket," and Fourth Place Tie: Alyssa Cloud of Cedarville as "Deer Hunter Princess" and Gordie Burger of Cedarville on a cardboard snowboard.

Age 8-12: First Place - Kayla Merchberger of Cedarville in "Big Blue Bass," Second Place - Ashlee Mielke in "Tonka Toy," and Third Place Tie - Mindy Nordquist of Cedarville in "Sally" and Derek Burger of Cedarville in "Waaambulance."

Age 13-Adult: First Place - Rick Reichlin of Cedarville, Second Place - Sam Bohling of Cedarville, Third Place - Rob Burger of Cedarville.