March 1951
- charliebunton
- Sep 26, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 27, 2025
A powerful blizzard turned Rogers City into a stunning crystalline landscape, engaging every sense with its intense beauty. The fierce wind carried the crisp scent of fresh snow, while ice crystals stung faces and glittered like diamonds in the soft winter light. Children's joyful cries broke the muffled silence as they discovered towering snowdrifts perfect for tunneling and sledding, their mittened hands forming snowballs that burst into powder against makeshift forts. The Boy Scouts embraced the Arctic conditions for their Klondike Derby, their boots crunching through knee-deep snow as they maneuvered their sleds between snow-laden pine branches, the cold air burning their lungs and their eyes watering from the dazzling white scenery. Hot chocolate never tasted better than when sipped with numb fingers after hours of winter fun, and the warmth of wood stoves felt like pure luxury against storm-chilled skin. What began as a school-closing storm turned into a surprising gift, transforming an ordinary March into an unforgettable chapter of childhood wonder.
The Rogers City Huron basketball team concluded their season with a 44-48 loss to Traverse City in the Class B Regional Tournament. Bill Kuhlman ended his high school basketball career on a high note, delivering an impressive performance with 20 points. Over the course of three years, Kuhlman accumulated over 500 points, distinguishing himself as one of the most accomplished players from the local school.
Rogers City Hospital, having been operational for only a few months, is encountering several challenges. A financial audit conducted by a representative from the Kellogg Foundation revealed insufficient funds for proper operations, a rapidly increasing deficit, inadequate bookkeeping practices, and overstaffing issues. As a result, the board has decided to restructure the hospital's management. Helen Wilsey from West Branch has been appointed to replace Richard Thomas as manager, effective April 1. Additionally, the board has accepted the resignation of Ethel Hein, the supervisor of nurses.
St. Patrick's Day was celebrated by the Rogers City Golf Club with a vibrant dance party at the Brooks Hotel, attracting club members, local residents, and visitors. Don Greenwell and His Orchestra highlighted the event with captivating Irish folk songs and lively jigs. The festively decorated venue and guests in green attire enhanced the visual splendor. Traditional Irish fare, like stew and soda bread, complemented the celebration, uniting the community in a joyful cultural festivity and leaving participants eager for next year.
Easter Sunday was celebrated across the community with enthusiasm. Children donned new spring attire, including dresses, suits, jackets with ties, Easter bonnets, light coats, and gloves. Local churches hosted special Easter services, which included performances by members of the congregation. Following the services, families came together to enjoy Easter dinner, featuring local meats, side dishes, and spring desserts crafted from family recipes.
A female bear and her three cubs were removed from a local swamp by a Cornell University field team for a scientific research project on black bears. This initiative, led by Dr. William J. Hamilton Jr., a nationally acclaimed mammalogist, was conducted under a scientific collector's permit issued by the conservation department. The cubs will be raised at the Cornell laboratory until they reach two years of age. During this period, they will undergo x-rays, have their diet monitored, and be subject to various observations. Upon completion of the study, they will be released back into the wild. The research aims to investigate the processes involved in bear hibernation, including how the mother bear sustains herself through winter, gives birth, nurses her cubs in spring, and maintains her condition. The institution assures residents that the bears will not be harmed during these studies.
In Korea, the intensity of action continues to rise as United Nations forces, predominantly led by the U.S. Eighth Army under the command of Lieutenant General Matthew B. Ridgway, have executed successful counter-offensive operations, reclaiming Seoul on the night of March 14-15. This event marked the fourth and final occasion the city changed hands during the conflict. Local soldier Sgt. Lewis Mayes sustained injuries in battle on March 15, with his most severe injury being a broken leg. This incident marks the second time Mayes has been wounded in the war, having previously been injured last summer. He is currently recuperating at the Tokyo Army Hospital in Japan.
The commencement of the quarrying operation season at Calcite experienced a temporary delay due to a picket line formed by employees of the Bradley Transportation Company at the gates of the Michigan Limestone & Chemical Company plant. This resulted in vehicular congestion extending from the plant gates to Woodward Avenue. While some employees crossed the picket line to enter the plant, the majority chose to turn back. During a meeting held at the Presque Isle County Courthouse, 90% of the attendees voted to return to work, expressing their preference for representation by the United Limestone Workers, an independent union established last year by Howard Warwick, as their future bargaining agent. Despite this setback and adverse weather conditions, navigation from the port of Calcite commenced on March 23, marking one of the earliest start dates in recent memory. The Str. LaGonda was the first vessel to arrive, followed by the Bradley Transportation Company's Str. B.H. Taylor, as they once again departed the icy waters of Lake Huron.
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