Gould City
By Marilyn McNeil 477-6925 donmar@lighthouse.net

The Fourth of July celebrations are in the works, getting organized for the parades and events next Saturday.

At Curtis, the 33rd annual "Biggest Little Town Parade," will step off Sunday, July 1, at 12:30 p.m. Floats and bands will begin lining up on Sandtown Road at 11:30 a.m.

Musical groups will participate from Grand Traverse County, Neumann Navy Cadet Band, Newberry High School Band, Grand Traverse Pipes and Drums, Royal Canadian Legion, and the middle school Steel Drum Band from Petoskey. As parade organizer Captain Bill Kelly says, "They will knock your socks off."

After the bands march in the parade, they will play a short concert on the grounds of Curtis Park, located at the top of the hill. The Petoskey Steel Drum Band is scheduled to play for an hour.

Captain Kelly said more floats are needed to place between the bands. Plaques will be awarded for winner, runner-up, and honorable mention. The parade theme this year is "Music, music, music."

Things will start happening at 10 a.m. and continue all day. Don't forget the Lions Club chicken barbecue, Chamber of Commerce food tent, and Curtis Ladies Aid bake sale.

The 25th Annual Black Bear Run will be Wednesday, July 4. Registration is Tuesday, July 3, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and also 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. the morning of the race in the gymnasium at Engadine High School. Entry fee is $20, and all entrants will receive a T-shirt. There are 12 divisions, with medals for the first, second, and third place finishers in each division. All proceeds support Engadine High School sports programs. For more information, call Aaron Fulton at (906) 477-9019 or Cheryl Hood at (906) 595-7320.

There will be an art fair Saturday, July 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Manistique Marina. Everyone is welcome. This event is sponsored by the Manistique Art Club.

Newton Township will holds its annual meeting and public budget hearing Saturday, June 30, at 9 a.m. at Newton Township Hall. The township board will provide necessary, reasonable auxiliary aids and services, such as signers for the hearing impaired, and audio tapes to individuals with disabilities, upon 10 days notice before the meeting.

The special meeting to accept the proposed budget for fiscal year 2007-2008 for Newton Township will be held at the Newton Township Hall Saturday, June 30, following the annual meeting. A copy of the budget is available for inspection at the home of Newton Township Clerk Alice Zdebski at N6129 Milakokia Lake Road in Gould City. Her telephone number is (906) 477-6207.

There will be a fish fry and bake sale Saturday, June 30, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Naubinway Pavilion. An auction, starting at 1 p.m., will benefit the Fourth of July fireworks fund. This event is sponsored by the Naubinway-Engadine Merchants Association.

Crafters and vendors are needed for the Luce-Moose Fun Fest Friday, June 29, and Saturday, June 30, at the Newberry Fairgrounds. For more information, call (906) 293-8955.

Happy birthday to Jack Gribbell June 30 and Gretchen Grinnell July 2.

Don't forget the 32nd Annual St. Ignace Car Show Thursday, June 28, through Saturday, June 30.

Have a safe and happy holiday. See you next week.