Rudyard
By Kerry Fountain 495-5533 kerrymariet@yahoo.com

Enjoying the rewards of a classroom project to make hot chocolate and doughnuts are (from left) Jared Besteman, Elizabeth Firack, and Nina Alpers, who are in Jamie Curtis' kindergarten class at Turner Howson Elementary School in Rudyard. (Photographs courtesy of Turner Howson Elementary School)

When the International 500 Snowmobile Race takes place in Sault Ste. Marie Saturday, February 2, two Rudyard teams will be hoping to bring home the prize. Anthony Mayer and Mike Babcok, who just finished racing in Lincoln, near Alpena, are looking forward to the I-500. According to Mr. Mayer, there has been a Mayer in every I-500 for the last 40 years. He has been racing for 13 years. He races full time for Hunts Polar Power race team, owned by Kenny Hunt and Dwayne Piche.

Mr. Mayer will be driving his #31 Polaris 600 against Mr. Babcok, a Rudyard native.

Mr. Babcok has been driving for Bad Frog Racing for the last four years. He races for Jim Kirts.

His #8 Polaris snowmobile will receive assistance in the pit from his crew, which Mr. Babcok considers family. They are hoping this will be the year for a big win.

Making hot chocolate at school are (from left) Ethan MacDowell, Joey Hershman, and Bradley Hall. They are in Jamie Curtis' kindergarten class at Turner Howson Elementary School in Rudyard.

Kyle Row, 14, will not be racing this Saturday, but he will be racing on Drummond Island Saturday, February 16, and Sunday, February 17. Mr. Row drives for Per4mance Racing.

He recently raced in Lincoln. Mr. Row sprint races using an Arctic Cat, and has done so for the last five years.

We wish all of the racers from Rudyard good luck this weekend.

Casey Roedig has recently taken a job at Dr. John Scherer's dental office in Cedarville. She will be learning all aspects of his practice.