December 1948
- charliebunton
- Jul 14
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 15
As December's harsh winds swept over the gray, choppy waters of Lake Huron, the booming sound of machinery at the Calcite operation gradually quieted, marking the end of a bustling season. The large industrial complex, which had proudly dominated the skyline south of town, was preparing for its annual seasonal pause. Crews diligently worked to secure heavy equipment, ensuring that everything was in order before the icy grip of winter closed in. The last freighters, their hulls laden with valuable cargo of high-calcium limestone, maneuvered carefully into the harbor, eager to complete their final deliveries before the ice would inevitably close the Great Lakes shipping routes.
For the hardworking men who had spent the year extracting stone from what was already recognized as the world's largest limestone quarry, this winter closure meant a bittersweet temporary goodbye to the massive moonscape that had become the economic heart of their community. The silence that settled over the Calcite plant would last until spring's thaw reopened the waterways, allowing the crucial flow of limestone to resume its vital journey to steel mills and chemical plants scattered across the industrial Midwest, where it played an essential role in manufacturing and production.
The Huron varsity basketball team, under the guidance of coaches Mason Evans and Jim Quinn, kicked off their 1948-49 season with a nail-biting 26-24 victory against their rivals, the Canadian Soo. This year's squad was particularly promising, led by six returning lettermen who brought experience and skill to the court: Bill Kuhlman, Leonard Parsons, Ivan Schaedig, John McLean, Bill Patchkowski, and Charley Horn. They were joined by a fresh roster of enthusiastic players, including Norm Smith, Elroy Selke, Bernard Bader, Jim Friedrich, Leo Parsons, Ervin Gross, and Art Getzinger. The team was filled with a sense of camaraderie and determination, as each player aimed to contribute to the team's success, rallying the community around them as they sought to make their mark in the season ahead.
In an exciting event that drew interest from both young and old, Fred Bear, the famed archer and outdoor enthusiast, was the guest speaker at the annual banquet of the Presque Isle County Sportsmen's Club. His presence sparked a renewed enthusiasm for archery and the outdoors among the attendees. The following week, a group of passionate archery enthusiasts, inspired by Bear's visit, came together to form the Rogers City Archery Club. Led by the dedicated Ed Schultz, this new club aimed to promote the sport within the community, offering a space for both novice and experienced archers to hone their skills and share their love for archery, fostering a sense of community and camaraderie among its members.
As the month progressed, citizens bundled up against the biting Michigan winds, their breath visible in the frosty air, as the holiday season unfolded with three memorable celebrations. Christmas arrived, transforming the town into a winter wonderland with snow-covered streets that sparkled under the glow of festive lights. Warm church services filled with hymns and laughter brought families together as they exchanged modest gifts, each wrapped with care, and shared hearty meals crafted from preserved foods and winter staples.
Just days later, the high school's senior prom turned the local high school gymnasium into an enchanting ballroom, adorned with hand-strung lights and crepe paper decorations that created a magical atmosphere. Young couples, dressed in their finest formal wear, danced gracefully to the popular tunes provided by Dolly Gray's Orchestra, the theme "Tinsel Caper" perfectly capturing the spirit of the night. Their elegant attire stood in stark contrast to the everyday wool coats and boots that had become the norm during the harsh winter months.
The festivities culminated on New Year's Eve, when the entire town seemed to gather at local establishments, raising glasses filled with punch and champagne as they welcomed 1949. Their voices joined together in a heartfelt rendition of "Auld Lang Syne," while the Great Lakes wind howled outside, carrying their hopes and resolutions into the promising unknown of the new year, creating a sense of unity and shared optimism for what lay ahead.
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