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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!
Anyone who
would like further information or have questions concerning this year or next
years Winter Carnival can call the friendly folks at the Curtis Area Chamber of
Commerce at (906) 586-3700.
