March 1958
- charliebunton
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
Snow fell over Presque Isle County in gentle, steady sheets, the kind that quiet the world and make every light seem a little cozier. Yet inside barns, schoolrooms, kitchens, and community halls, nearly 900 young boys and girls were anything but quiet. It was National 4‑H Club Week, and this year’s theme “4‑H Salute to Parents” seemed to shine through every project, every lesson, every proud smile.
Across the county, children tugged on mittens and boots to head out for gun safety classes or forestry hikes, learning responsibility with each step. Others gathered around sewing machines, knitting needles, or mixing bowls, discovering the satisfaction of creating something with their own hands. Some learned tractor maintenance, others wired simple circuits in electrical workshops, while still more explored conservation and the stewardship of the land that shaped their families’ lives.
What they were really building, though, went far beyond projects. They were learning the quiet, steady values that form the backbone of a community—responsibility, cooperation, pride in work, and an understanding of the freedoms and democratic spirit that define the American way of life. The 4‑H motto, “To Make the Best Better,” wasn’t just a slogan pinned to a banner. It was alive in every child who showed up eager to learn, eager to grow, eager to become the kind of citizen tomorrow would be proud to claim.
None of this happened by accident. Nearly 100 adults—farmers, teachers, parents, neighbors—gave their time throughout the week, each one a reminder that communities thrive when people step forward. At the helm was Presque Isle County 4‑H Club President Dean Rhoads, a Fairview High School and Michigan State University graduate who had spent the past two years teaching at Onaway High School. His leadership helped weave together the efforts of volunteers and the enthusiasm of youth into something truly memorable.
The week culminated in a warm, spirited recognition banquet in the St. Ignatius auditorium, sponsored by the Rogers City Kiwanis Club. Families gathered, coats dusted with snow, cheeks pink from the cold, to celebrate the accomplishments of their children. Laughter echoed, awards were handed out, and pride filled the room like a rising tide.
Meanwhile, across Rogers City, another season was drawing to a close. The junior high basketball teams—both Rogers City Junior High and St. Ignatius Catholic School—wrapped up winning seasons, their final games marked by the familiar squeak of sneakers and the roar of small but mighty crowds. To honor the players, coaches, and supporters, a Junior High Athletic Dinner was held in the Rogers City Elementary School gymnasium. Long tables were set, folding chairs filled quickly, and the gym that usually rang with whistles and bouncing balls instead hummed with conversation and celebration.
Speakers for the evening included Superintendent Harry Grambau, Elementary Principal Henry Asikainen, Coach Donald Belland, and Lewis Patterson, Northern District Manager of Michigan Limestone. Each offered words of encouragement—reminders that sports shape character as much as skill.
And as winter slowly loosened its grip, Rogers City High School Athletic Director James Quinn shared news that promised fresh excitement: the school would be joining the newly formed Huron‑Straits Conference, alongside Alpena Catholic Central, Alcona, Cheboygan, and La Salle High School in St. Ignace. The first event—a conference track meet in Alpena—was already set for May, a beacon of spring on the horizon.
Comments