February 1960
February arrived with a heaviness that settled over the town like a gray winter sky. Word spread quickly—first in quiet conversations, then in somber announcements—that Congressman Emil Peltz had died of a heart attack at Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. For a man who had served eight terms in the Michigan House of Representatives, who had carried the concerns of Presque Isle County with a steady hand and a familiar voice, the loss felt personal. In the State Capitol, his desk and chair were draped in black crepe, a vase of white carnations and lilies placed beside them. It was a simple gesture, but one that spoke volumes. Even in the bustle of Lansing, people paused to honor the man from Rogers City who had earned their respect through decades of service.
Back home, St. John Lutheran Church filled to the brim. Friends, neighbors, and colleagues crowded into the pews, their winter coats damp from the cold, their faces reflecting the weight of the moment. Governor G. Mennen Williams attended, as did Lieutenant Governor John B. Swainson and more than fifty representatives from business, industry, and government. They came not out of obligation, but out of genuine admiration. At Memorial Park Cemetery, an honor guard composed of officers from the Michigan Department of Conservation, Michigan State Police, and Rogers City Police stood at attention, their presence a final salute to a man who had given so much of himself to the state he loved.
Peltz’s story was woven tightly into the fabric of Presque Isle County. Born in Moltke in 1901, he came from one of the area’s oldest pioneer families. He studied at Ferris Institute and the Athenaeum Business College before returning to teach in rural schools, places where children learned their lessons from a man who believed deeply in community and opportunity. In 1935, he stepped into the hardware business, partnering with Carl Schultz to establish Rogers City Hardware. When he bought out Schultz in 1943, the store became a true family endeavor, with Wally and Mike Peltz and his brother‑in‑law Kenneth Tulgetske joining him. The shop was more than a business; it was a gathering place, a cornerstone of downtown, a spot where people traded stories as easily as they bought nails and paint.
His interest in government grew naturally from his life as a small business owner. He served on the village council, the city’s charter commission, the chamber of commerce, and even helped launch the Little League. Encouraged by friends and family, he ran for the Michigan House of Representatives in 1944, winning and serving faithfully for the rest of his life. His passing left an irreplaceable void, but his steady, enduring legacy lives on.
Even in a month marked by sorrow, Rogers City found ways to celebrate community. At St. Ignatius gymnasium, the Knights of Columbus Council 1705 hosted the largest banquet in its history, honoring thirteen past Grand Knights. The room buzzed with conversation and laughter as guests enjoyed a Plath’s smoked loin dinner, the kind of meal that warms both stomach and spirit. Names were read aloud—Philip Wisniewski, Edwin Mulka, Ferris Parsons, John Osborn, John Witulski, James Cook, Peter Gatzke, Frank Buza, Karl Vogelheim, Anthony Przybyla, John Blasky, and John Kinville—each one representing years of dedication to faith, fellowship, and service.
On West Third Street, a new sign of progress appeared: Rogers Laundromat, opened by Bud Rogers in a brand‑new cement block building. Inside, twenty gleaming washers and six dryers stood ready, offering wash cycles for twenty cents and dry cycles for a dime. For busy families, it was a welcome convenience; for the town, it was another sign that Rogers City was stepping confidently into the 1960s, embracing modern comforts while holding tight to its small‑town charm.
At Rogers City High School, students shook off winter’s chill with the annual King and Queen of Hearts dance, held after the varsity basketball game. The gym transformed into a scene of youthful excitement, with three large hearts pierced by a silver arrow forming the backdrop for the throne. King Nilo Tayag and Queen Sandra Robarge reigned over the evening, joined by Junior representatives Rogers Selke and Ruth Schalk, Sophomores Ray Idalski and Nancy Karsten, and Freshmen Leonard Chojnacki and Ruth Kierzek. Little crown bearers Kevin Przybyla and Jane Eldridge added a touch of sweetness as they presented the crowns to Coach George Noch, who performed the crowning with a smile and a bouquet of red roses for Sandra. It was the kind of night students would remember forever, filled with music, laughter, and a warmth that even winter couldn’t touch.
February also delivered one of the most thrilling basketball finishes Rogers City had ever seen. The Hurons closed their season with a remarkable 12‑4 record, claiming their first Huron Straits Conference Trophy. The final game was the stuff of legend: a 72‑70 sudden‑death overtime victory against Alpena Catholic Central. When the buzzer sounded, the gym erupted. Players hoisted Coach George Noch onto their shoulders and carried him off the court and straight into the locker room showers. He didn’t mind. In fact, he laughed, drenched and delighted, as his team celebrated a championship they had earned with grit and heart.
Their momentum carried into the postseason. Wins over Cheboygan and Petoskey secured the District Championship, and a first‑round victory against Standish Sterling kept their Regional Tournament hopes alive. But in Mount Pleasant, before a crowd of nearly 3,000, they faced Ludington—one of the top Class B teams in the state. The Hurons played hard, but Ludington prevailed 85‑48, ending one of the most exciting basketball runs in school history. Even in defeat, pride remained. Three Hurons earned All‑Conference honors: John Osborn on the first team, and Bob Quade and Dennis Schultz on the second. Their achievements were celebrated across town, proof that Rogers City’s spirit shone brightly on the court.
The month closed with a moment of pure triumph at Lucky Strike Lanes. Jim Settlemyre, a 30‑year‑old Huron Beach resident and member of Johnny’s Huron Beach Mobil team, rolled the community’s first‑ever 300 game. Carrying an average of 164, with a previous high of 268 from his days living in Detroit, Settlemyre bowled a 170 and 149 before stepping up for his third game of the night. Strike after strike after strike until the perfect score lit up the scoreboard. The previous record had been 299, bowled by Norman Hoeft in 1943 and Ivan Streich in 1957. Settlemyre’s accomplishment would stand unmatched for twenty‑eight years, until Al Schaudt rolled the next 300 in 1988. For now, though, the cheers at Lucky Strike echoed with pride. It was a moment that reminded everyone that even in the quiet corners of winter, greatness could appear in the most unexpected places.
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