The Boy Scouts float took first place in the Independence Day parade in DeTour. (Photograph by Cathy Cooper) All winners have been notified and the official results are in from the Fourth of July activities. It seems the big winners may have been the Fountain family, who hosted a reunion that boosted the population by 140 to 150 people. That is a lot of Fountains in one place.

Winners of the parade float contest were as follows: Boy Scouts, first place; Disney float, second place, and EUP Fine Arts Council, third place. The Chamber of Commerce money raffle was won by Vernon Fountain, first; Robert Brown, second, and Larry Cross Sr., third. The list of prizes and winners for the mini raffle is too long to publish here, but will be available at Lighthouse Insurance. Congratulations to all the winners. Many businesses donated prizes and many people purchased tickets.

The DeTour 5K had 93 participants, down about six runners from last year. First place winners in the female classes were Sara Taylor, Wendy Snyder, Jeanine Usher, Mary Raymer, Kelley Stahley, Jordan Cooper, Jessie Grant, and Nelda Vaught. Men’s first place winners included John Munro, Jeff Siler, Adam Stefanski, Ted Merkel, Mark Rice, Ryan Wudkewych, Wyatt Galarowic, and Norm Usher. Congratulations to all of the runners.

At left: John Munro took first place overall in the DeTour 5K that was part of the Fourth of July festivities. (Photograph by Gretchen Postula) If you have not yet purchased your ticket for the Botanical Garden’s annual Home and Garden Walk and Luncheon featuring nine locations with the work of area artists on display, it’s not too late. The Saturday, July 17, walk will begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 4 p.m., with luncheon seating at Union Presbyterian Church from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition to visiting the homes, gardens, and businesses, master gardener Norma Andree will be available at an information table in the Botanical Garden to answer questions. Call Julie Rucker at (906) 297-2596 to reserve a ticket. Both $20 combination tickets for the walk and luncheon and $10 home and garden walk only tickets are available.

Winners of the 5K run in DeTour in the up-to-10 age division are (from left) Luke Fountain second, Emma Fountain third, and Jordan Cooper first. (Photograph by Gretchen Postula) Director David Rhinard has announced that casting is complete for the August 12 to August 15 Fine Arts Council’s production of “Give My Regards To Broadway,” featuring the music of George M. Cohen. Mr. Rhinard will play the role of Dick Foster, with Lyle Juracek as Eddie Cowles, Jody Skinner as Trixie, Sherry Bailey as Betty, Allyson Mrozek as Flossie, Lisa MacDonald as Susie, Emily and Paula Bosley as Connie and Hilda, Janelle Dudeck as Mona Monroe, Heather VanDaele as Mary Collins, Bob Zahara as Legs Ruby, Kegan Fountain as Millie, Susie Rhinard as Babs, and James Bailey as Donald Harper. The role of Mugsy will be announced at a later date. If you attended last year’s performance of “Chicago,” you may recognize some of these names, and you know the singing and dancing will be worth the ticket price.

Work is progressing well at the Habitat for Humanity home on South Caribou Lake Road. If you have some time, volunteer help is needed. For more information, call Bill Mordecai at (906) 297-5021.

Plans will now begin in earnest for the annual Happy Apple Scarecrow Festival Saturday, September 18, and Sunday, September 19. If you would like to have an arts, crafts, or vendor’s booth, you may call me at the above number.

The Friends of the Library Authors Series continues Wednesday, July 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the school and public library with a presentation by Audrey Hutchison, from Hessel, who will speak about her first published work, a novel titled "Corruption at Jamestown Prison." Although the novel is based on real life events in the prison system, said Mrs. Hutchison, it has a fictional setting and is a "thrilling mystery." She says she hopes her first book will encourage others to follow their instincts and believe in themselves, much like the heroine does.