October 1960
As autumn began to paint Presque Isle County in brilliant shades of crimson, gold, and orange, excitement filled the halls of Rogers City High School. Homecoming week had arrived, bringing with it a tradition that united students, families, and the entire community.
Each afternoon, groups of students gathered after classes to build floats for the annual Homecoming parade. Laughter, friendly competition, and school spirit echoed through workshops and garages as the creations slowly took shape. Soon they would make their way down Main Street before being proudly displayed at halftime of the varsity football game.
At the center of the celebration were the students chosen to represent their classes. Selected as Homecoming King and Queen were Lynwood Luebke and Ida Hodgetts. Joining them on the royal court were juniors Tom Stafford and Geri Torno, sophomores John Robarge and Georgann Strzelecki, and freshmen Richard Brietzke and Chris Haneckow.
That Friday evening, a large crowd packed the stands as the Rogers City Hurons welcomed their longtime cross-county rivals, the Onaway Cardinals. The contest began slowly for the Hurons, but the second half told a different story. With county pride on the line, emotions ran high and penalties mounted as tempers flared on both sidelines, keeping officials busy throughout the game. When the dust settled, Rogers City had delivered a commanding 34-9 victory. The exclamation point came on a thrilling 81-yard touchdown run by John Paulus, a play that sent the home crowd into a frenzy and sealed an unforgettable win.
The celebration continued long after the final whistle. Students dressed in their finest attire gathered at the high school for a semi-formal dance. Members of the football team formed an honor guard as the King, Queen, and their court were presented before their classmates. In one of the evening’s most memorable moments, Coach Oarie Lemanski crowned Ida Hodgetts as Homecoming Queen, completing a night that many would remember for years to come.
As the excitement of Homecoming faded, the busy rhythm of school life continued. Students cast their votes for the classmates who would guide their activities throughout the year. Elected to lead the senior class were President Bob Quinn, Vice President Milli Raymond, Secretary Karen Joppich, and Treasurer Judy Karsten.
Beyond the classroom, students eagerly became involved in the many activities that gave school life its energy and character. Young people signed up for Student Council, Pep Club, Varsity Club, Hall Monitors, Girls’ Athletic Association, Future Homemakers of America, Student Librarians, Audio-Visual Club, Science Club, Ski Club, National Honor Society, American Field Service Club, Art Club, School Static, Choir, Chorus, and the Girls Sextet. Together, these organizations provided countless opportunities for friendship, leadership, service, and personal growth.
October also brought a moment of local history that reached beyond the school grounds. Margaret Radka, wife of Presque Isle County Prosecutor Elmer Radka, earned her pilot’s license, becoming the only woman in the county to hold that distinction. It was the culmination of a dream that began in 1958 when she and her husband developed an interest in aviation and started taking lessons from Alpena pilot Robert Welch.
Their enthusiasm quickly grew. Before long, the couple purchased a four-seat Piper Cub of their own and took to the skies above northeastern Michigan. From their unique vantage point, forests, shoreline, farms, and towns stretched out below in breathtaking detail. What began as a new hobby became a shared adventure, offering them a fresh perspective on the region they proudly called home.
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