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By Julie Freeman
Additional Photos by Julie    7th Annual Winter Carnival Article

It was a full house, or I should say a full lake, at the Curtis Winter Carnival on the ice February 19, where a good time was had by all. Nine hundred buttons were made and all sold, putting the attendance for this years carnival over 900 hundred people! Jessica Puchala and Ryan Tate of WLUC TV 6 Marquette was even there reporting. It was truly an exciting day with something for everyone to do! Everyone enjoyed Strahl’s Sleigh and Wagon Rides. Drivers, Don Strahl and Bert Kanine continuously gave hayrides through town on a wagon pulled by horses. Teresa Evans of Curtis brought her nigerians and lamanchas goats for the children to pet. Julie Wiegand along with her mother Sue Fleischmann and Rhonda Blank were among those who helped with the children’s games. Len Johnson has helped with the Chamber’s snowmachine raffle for the past 10 years, along with the boat raffle, in the summer, for 6 years. He said, even though his hands became cold he always enjoys helping very much! John and Coleen Colestock were appreciated for their generous donation of 20 gallons of chili for the Radar Run. Chair persons, Linda Sodar, Peppy Martin and Ron Rushford greatly appreciate everyone who attended and participated in this years winter carnival and to all the volunteers, school children, businesses and the people of the community for their help and support.

John Ketcher II came back to defend his last years victory in the hilarious and fun lawnmower race, but he just couldn’t get pass Gerald Blank of Curtis who took first place this year with his Ford mower. Jeff Burton came in second.

Rick Sodar, of Curtis Service was the official timer of the fun and zany bed race. First place winners went to the IGA team with Chris Martin, Josh Morrison, Jason Nicholson, James Wanden and Josh Westfall.

Second place bed winners was the Curtis Baptist Church and third went to the North Shore Gift Shop and Cottages.

Five-year-old Samatha Burton with her 2-year-old black lab named Logan, took first place in the kiddy mutt races in 4.69 seconds. Samatha a kindergartner at Curtis Elementary school said she was having a fun time at the carnival, her parents Pete and Marnie Burton are very proud of her.

Another fun event for children and for the on lookers, was the mini snowmobile race.

Six year old Tineah Blank of Curtis won first place on her skidoo mini Z snowsled. Her dad, Rich Blank explained this was her second year riding.

Doug Justice, nine years old from Curtis, came in second also riding a skidoo mini Z. His parents are John and Marcy Justice.

Four years old, Jared Hundey of Grand Rapids, came in third and fourth place went to three and a half year old Trenton Marhofer of Farwell Michigan.

The first place raffle winner of a ski-doo snowmobile and trailer was won by Amie VanHorn of Hale Michigan.

Second place winner of a fishing tent was Beth Gowan of Okemos, Michigan.  

Third place went to Dave Fleischmann of Curtis, who won the shotgun.

Dotty Bays and Christyne Kihm of Curtis, were among the volunteers with the Curtis Ladies Aid Bake Sale, where there was a wonderful large amount of homemade baked goods.

Jail and Bail volunteers, Bill Pew and John Goulette said there had been over one hundred jailers between 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Rachel Mcangus of Battle Creek Michigan wanted to be thrown in jail, but her friend found mercy on her. Rachel was happy to pose for a picture with the wooden jailer prop painted by Sandi Schuch.

The Third Annual Great Northern Chili Bowl Chili Cook Off Competition participants were having a great time at this years Curtis Winter Carnival. This is an open class competition, everyone is invited to compete and enjoy. There are no rules on ingredients, style or clothing! Enter as many chilies as you wish. Further rules apply, anyone interested in participating in next years competition can call the Curtis Area Chamber of Commerce at (906) 586-3700 for more information.

First place co-winners was the “Rockwood Backwoods” Chili team with Rodney Hundey, Tom Grabmeyer, Kevin Jones, Tim Gallagher and Jim Jones from Clare and Farwell Michigan. They’ve been here every year and like every year are having a great and enjoying time.

First place also went to “Trimmers Timbers” a husband and wife team from Temperance Michigan, which is 390 miles away. Pat and Jerry Trimmer have made this their third year preparing chili for the cook off.

Third place winners was the “3-D” team of Doug Gowan, Dennis Younce and Dick, Doug and Mark Gordon, of Curtis, who came in second last year. This year they were putting together a very unique chili which included anasaza beans right from Texas, where the Texans say are the best chili beans in the world. Among some of the other ingredients were ostrich, morel mushrooms, pork tenderloin, and prime rib.

Having fun in their first year of participating in the chili cook off was another team called 3-D, Brian and Becky Dowan was enjoying preparing their special chili.

Last years first place winner was the team called “Dad and the Gang” from Haslett Michigan. Wesley, Allie, James and their dad, Chuck said they are glad their friends invited them to Curtis, where they are having a nice time and have met lots of good friends. This is their second year participating in the contest, this year they are trying a new recipe.

The “Twin City House of Fire” chili cook off team have been attending every year, except the first. David Melek and Jeff Sells, of Minneapolis, expressed they were having a lot of fun. Jeff, originally of Curtis, said the events seem to be getting larger every year.

Three business people in the area donated prize money for the chili cook off. Chamberlin’s Ole Forest Inn, Seasons Lodging and another person who ask to remain anonymous.

A panel of five judges made the final decision of the winners, but this year a box was available for the public to add their input on what they thought the best chili was.

At dusk everyone enjoyed the fabulous fireworks display over the ice by the Three Lakes Area Fireworks Council, which lasted well over a half an hour. Many expressed they were better then ever!

The following day, Sunday, Curtis kept the festivities going with their First Annual Radar Run from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There was whopping 104 entrees, which was great for the first year!

Radar run winners in the studded class was; first place Shannon Williams of Lakefield at 100 mile per hour. Her husband, Darrell came in second at 99 mph and Greg Reefer of Germfask was third at 97 mph.

In the non-studded class was first place winner Dereck Pastell of Curtis who ran at 86 mph. Wade Brow of McMillan came in second at 81 mph and Michael Flemming was third at 80 mph.

The Curtis Winter Carnival has become bigger and better each year, many people have donated many hours of their time, along with money. If your name was missed in this article please be assure that you weren’t. Everyone is greatly appreciated, you are what makes the carnival become better each year!