DeTour senior citizens hold supplies collected during their “Back to School Party” Friday, September 4, at the nutrition center. (Photograph by Michele Traynor) Senior citizens at the DeTour nutrition center had a “back to school” lunch Friday, September 4. Each of the 34 ladies and gentlemen attending brought a school supply item for donation to the food bank at DeTour Christian Church on M-134. They filled four grocery bags with backpacks, crayons, pencils, glue, markers, and other items. After filling the bags, the seniors enjoyed playing school word scramble on their place mats, and a lunch.

Anyone age 60 and older interested in joining this lively group at noon Wednesdays and Fridays can do so by calling Michelle at the DeTour Village Hall at (906) 297- 5471 before 9:30 a.m. on lunch days. Spouses younger than age 60 are also invited to attend.

Many of these folks also belong to the DeTour Senior Citizens Club, which will meet for its monthly potluck supperThursday, September 10, at 5:30 p.m. at the Village Hall. The group meets the second Thursday of the month and anyone 60 and older, or retired and 55 and older, is welcome to attend. Only one member of a couple must meet age requirements. If you have questions, call club president Kathy Shiplett at (906) 297-6003.

Labor Day weekend was a busy time in DeTour Village and the surrounding area. The first Habitat for Humanity Flea Market Fun Day at Union Presbyterian Church seemed to be a success, with lots of merchandise for sale. Official figures on profits from the event are not yet available. A full report should be available at the regular Habitat meeting at the school Tuesday, September 15, at 7:30 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering with this new group is invited to attend.

Another event that seemed to be well attended was the 10th annual Raber Bay craft show Saturday, September 5, at Peterson’s Market. This is not a large show, but there are always interesting items created by area crafters.

Some of the crafters and vendors from the Habitat and Peterson’s show will also have items for sale at the Happy Apple Scarecrow Festival in DeTour Village Saturday, September 19. The pavilion area is full but there is still space on the tennis court for additional crafters and vendors, the space adjoining the tennis court for Farmers Market, and inside the school for antique and collectible sales. Antique appraisals, homemakers food and best apple pie and apple dessert contests, and the Friends of the Library book sale will also take place at the school.

Members of the Raber Area Sportmen’s Club have a full day planned at their Turkey Shoot and Fall Festival Saturday, September 12. The three-dimensional archery range will be open for a free fun shoot from 10 a.m. to noon. No new shooters will be allowed on the range after 11 a.m. From noon to 1:30 p.m. there will be an archery turkey shoot, and a “Grandpa’s rifle turkey shoot” using any caliber, open-sighted rifle will begin at 2 p.m. All turkey shoots are best 10 shots for men and best 14 for women and youth. Shots closest to the bull’s eye will win frozen turkeys, with a two-bird limit. After the turkey shoot, a sporting clays fun shoot is planned. Participants are to bring their own clays. Also planned is a BB gun shoot for youngsters, with the best shooter winning the gun. A boiled dinner potluck will begin at 6 p.m., with the club supplying vegetables. Diners should bring their own meat for the potluck and/or a dish to pass. Anyone with questions about the event may call Teri Woods at (906) 297-8085 or Andrea McDonald at (906) 647- 9000. All proceeds from the day will support the new clubhouse fund.

The last Author’s Series for the Friends of the Library will be Wednesday, September 16, at 6:30 p.m. with Bonni Mackintosh presenting a program on mushrooms. Bonni’s program was so popular last year she has been invited back.

While visiting from her new home in Georgia last week, former DeTour resident Frances Bach shared photographs from her local scarecrow festival. It’s time to think outside the box when we build scarecrows and do as the Georgia community does. They build entire scenes such as a lineman scarecrow on a pole, with fellow workers holding the ropes below, the actors from “Bonanza” standing in a row, or my personal favorite, two rival football scarecrow teams on the field with scarecrow onlookers. We may not get that elaborate this year, but we can certainly dress up the community if everyone builds something. The DeTour Area Chamber of Commerce is offering an incentive. The best individual or group scarecrows will win cash prizes, and the best business entry will win a traveling trophy. Call Candy at (906) 297- 5885 for contest details. You can also call Candy for information on the homemakers best apple pie and dessert contest at the Happy Apple Scarecrow Festival. Another activity that was popular last year is the antique appraisals. If you have an item you’ve wondered about, perhaps even thought about selling, bring it in for an appraisal Saturday, September 19. You can also support the museum and the festival by donating new or used items for the raffles and auction. To donate, call Judy at (906) 297-3231 or Ruth Ann at (906) 297-8051.