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

Michigan in the spring has to be one of the most beautiful seasons in the state. But then we say that about all of the different seasons. Flowers are blooming everywhere; even the dandelions add a lovely hue to the fields. Not so lovely this time of year are the black flies and ticks. Check your pets constantly for the bugs.

Spring is especially meaningful to the high school seniors, as it's graduation time.

Graduation day for the DeTour High School seniors is Saturday, May 26, at 2 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center in the school.

There were many smiling faces of our athletes last week as the coaches presented awards to those who worked hard and showed real progress. For girls varsity basketball, Coach Dave Miller presented awards to those who earned the title "Most Valuable Player": Elizabeth Lehman, Krystal Bosley, Erin Worden, Amber Burton, and Kelley Tomlinson. Most Improved Player: Morgan Fierek. All Conference Honorable Mention: Kelley Tomlinson and Amber Burton. All Area All Defensive Team: Amber Burton. All Area Second Team: Kelley Tomlinson. All Area Special Mention: Krystal Bosley, Elizabeth Lehman, Morgan Fierek. Receiving the Kelly Calleghan Memorial: Amber Burton (Defensive Player of the Year).

For girls junior varsity basketball, Most Valuable Player awards went to Kiah Barbeaux and Nicole Melcer from Coach Sarah Adams. Most Improved Player: Abby Stocking.

For varsity volleyball, Coach Sara Galarowic presented the Coach's Award to Kelley Tomlinson, Amber Burton, and Missy Ellis. Top Server: Elizabeth Lehman. All Conference First Team: Amber Burton. All Conference Second Team: Kelley Tomlinson. All Conference Honorable Mention: Missy Ellis. All Area Dream Team: Amber Burton. All Area Second Team: Kelley Tomlinson. All Area Special Mention: Missy Ellis, Brianna Kuiper, Elizabeth Lehman.

For junior varsity volleyball, Coach Misty Barbeaux presented the Most Valuable Player award to Jessica Bouwma and Kiah Barbeaux. Most Improved Player: Brooke Tiefenbach.

Rob Anderson, Craig Miller, and Alex Fisher, coaches for varsity boys basketball, presented the Most Valuable Player award to Craig Wasnich. Most Improved Player: Andy Dyal. Richard D. Roan, Hard Nosed Player of the Year: Thomas Worden. Positive Attitude Award: Cody Marcoux and Kyle Messenger. Utility Award: Nathan Klamerus. All Conference Second Team: Craig Wasnich. All Area Third Team: Craig Wasnich. All Area Special Mention: Nathan Klamerus and Andrew Dyal.

Coach Dan Galarowic for junior varsity boys basketball presented the award for Most Valuable Player to Josh Wilson. Most Improved Player: Kaleb Barbeaux. Defensive Player of the Year: Tyler Anderson.

Coach Jody Peterson and Coach Matt Peterson had several meets to complete in varsity track. Awards were to be distributed at the end of the season.

For cross country, the recipients of the Most Valuable Runner awards are Teryn Miller (also All State) and Laura Fussman. Most Improved: Max Peterson.

Tom Worden and Laura Fussman received the Cross Country All State Academic Award; they were the only boy and girl to receive this award in the Upper Peninsula.

Golf coach Mike Wasnich awarded the Most Valuable Player award to Zack Melvin and Craig Wasnich. Most Improved Player: J.D. Aldridge. Golf Sportsmanship of the Year Award: Tom Worden. Coach's Award for outstanding work ethics: T.J. Geisler.

In girls golf: Most Valuable Player: Erin Worden. Most Improved Player: Ashley LaPointe. Golf Sportsmanship of the Year Award: Missy Ellis.

Shula Giddens Award (scholastic and athletic ability): Erin Worden. Milton Gross Award (scholastic and athletic ability): Chris Fussman. The Army Scholar Athlete Award was presented to two seniors: Chris Fussman and Kelley Tomlinson.

Coach Dave Miller announced his retirement as girls basketball coach. Five seniors, Krystal Bosley, Elizabeth Lehman, Kelley Tomlinson, Erin Worden, and Amber Burton, presented Coach Miller with a plaque with their photographs.

Helen Claus was named Employee of the Year at the school. She will retire after spending 30 years in the school system. Helen served as a teacher's aide, bus driver, and at times a lunch aide. Married for 38 years, Helen and her husband, Dennis, have three children, who, with their families, are Kathleen and Kevin Hamel, Pat and Chris Claus, and Matthew; two grandchildren, Anthony and Tristen Hamel, and another expected in July. Helen looks forward to spending time with her grandchildren.

The annual birthday banquet at DeTour Union Presbyterian Church was a great success. The food was delicious and plentiful. Dave and Susie Rhinard and Pastor Judy and Pat Kemp (at the piano) provided wonderful entertainment. Many women worked hard behind the scenes preparing salads and desserts.

Residents in the area have spotted five white pelicans flying around DeTour. Pelicans? Isn't that a Florida bird? Have you spotted the pelicans? If so, let us know.

The DeTour Marina will soon open. The Department of Natural Resources will manage our harbor this year.

Food for thought: The measure of life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.