Pickford
By Audrey Hutchison 595-7283

A group of Pickford hockey players who enjoyed the tournament are (back row, from left) Bryse Sanderson, Nick McKenzie, Sam Eberts, Blake Mastaw, Chris Skinner, Chase Portlock, Chris Hazen, Nick Bently; (front)Will Gauthier, Steven Hillock, Cody Ten Eyke, Aston Coller, Matt Sirk, Brendan Miller, and Andy Glezen.

After 30 years, Pickford's mail carrier, John Bennin, will retire. To celebrate, there will be coffee and cake at the Pickford Post Office Friday, February 29, from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The public is invited.

Postmaster Harry Smith hired Mr. Bennin in July 1977. When he first started work, he substituted for Don Nettleton, who was the mail carrier in 1977. Since John's day of hire, there has been three other postmasters, Theora Hamilton, Brenda Stein, and Marsha Leach, who will retire in approximately four years. They all were great people to work for, John said, and he will miss his customers, and all of the wonderful gifts of cookies and other goodies at Christmas.

When he started, the route was 78 miles with 220 customers. Now it is 119 miles with 415 customers, as it picked up Stalwart when that Post Office closed a few years ago. His routine day started at 8 a.m. sorting the mail.

After 30 years, Pickford's mail carrier, John Bennin, will retire.

He was on the route by 9:30 a.m., driving his own vehicle. He reminisced how he loved to travel the route and watch the seasons develop from one to the next, also the activities of the wildlife.

Before working for the Postal System, John worked for 18 years at Slater's Gas Station; in the interim, was a track coach for the Pickford Schools for 24 years, and added basketball coaching 12 years later.

John married Jeanne Slater, and they have three children. Amy lives in Ely, Nevada, Lynn is in Boyne City, and Patrick is in Sault Ste. Marie. Patrick teaches special education there and coaches, while John Bennin is assistant coach in Sault Ste. Marie for girls basketball.

Now Mr. and Mrs. Benniin are planning a cruise in April and look forward to a trip to Branson, Missouri, soon.

Presbyterian minister Ron Bown has reported that there was a dedication during Sunday morning service for blinds for the Sanctuary. The dedication was in memory of Edna Bawks, Albert Crawford, Almeda Mease, Cecil Portice, Louise Rye, Tom Smith, and Norma Stirling.

The Pickford Lions Club is sponsoring a spaghetti benefit dinner for Wilfred Libby of Pickford Monday, February 25, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Pickford Township Hall. The dinner will help defray medical expenses arising from a recent hospitalization. Admission will be by donation. For more information, call Marlene or Stan Kennedy at 647-8034.

Hocky Day in Michigan was celebrated Saturday, February 16, in Pickford.

Spectators and players were jammed to the rafters in the cold pavilion at the Township Park for the third annual Hockey Day threeon three tournament. Nineteen teams in three age divisions participated in the day-long event.

In the youngest division, the team of Jacob Hubbard, Bobby Price, and Justin Portlock prevailed over Lance Batho, Jaykob Soeltner, and Kurtis Reich. Tournament director Dr. Richard Morrison said he was worried that it would be too cold for this youngest group, which began play at 10 a.m.

"When I got up it was 10 below, but the sun came out and it finally got near 20 degrees by noon. All the kids showed up eager to play. The two small heated rooms were packed with parents and hockey players," he said.

In the second division, which consisted of 10 to 12 year old players, the team of Chase Portlock, Chris Hazen, and Nick Beatty defeated the team of Robbie Miller, Bryce Sanderson, and Will Gauthier. In the adult division, the team of Alf Hoglund, Mike Russo, and Marty Gurnoe topped Mike Gordon's team in the finals in an overtime shootout. Goalie Jesse Gordon was named Most Valuable Player of this successful event.

"Hockey Day in Pickford was made possible by the many parents who helped out and the players who love the game of hockey," said Dr. Morrison. "We have a great little rink in Pickford and it's nice to see it being used to its potential."

Rob and Kay Batho signed up teams and handled the finances, Stan Helms provided comforts such as snacks and heat, and Dylan Rye and Dave Mastaw volunteered to referee. It is difficult to get goaltenders for tournaments, he said, and Blake Mastaw, Nick McKenzie, and Jesse Gordon spent long cold hours in net and their talents were greatly appreciated.

"I was a little disappointed that no girls participated this year," Dr. Morrison said. "Next year, perhaps we will have a girls division."