The “Veteran of the Month” for June 2010 is Karl Lewis Mueller. Born Paul Henry Taylor on Jan. 30th, 1927 in Miami, Florida, he with his mother moved in May of 1927 to Petoskey, Mich. to be closer to her family. His mother met and married Emil Max Mueller and on April 11th, 1942 Mueller signed his own adoption papers legally changing his name to Karl Lewis Mueller. In 1943 he was employed by Gidley & Brudy Drug Store of Petoskey working as a sales clerk, waiting on customers, wrapping packages and stocking shelves.

Karl Mueller of Boyne City is American Legion Post #228's Veteran of the Month for June.

In July of 1945 Mueller qualified with the M1 Garande Rifle and was awarded the Sharpshooter Badge. On Nov. 18th, 1945 he departed the USA arriving in the European Theater of Operations on Nov. 26th, 1945 and was assigned to the 25th Base Post Office working as a Postal Clerk where he received, distributed and inspected letters, managed the Post Exchange taking inventory and ordering supplies, managed the snack bar and kept accurate records of transactions.

On Oct. 17th, 1946 Mueller departed the European Theater of Operations arriving in the USA on Oct. 27th, 1946 and on Nov. 16th, 1946, at The Separation Center, Fort Dix, New Jersey, he received an Honorable Discharge having attained the rank of Private and was awarded the following decorations and citations: The Army of Occupation Medal (Europe) and The World War II Victory Medal.

Returning to Petoskey and Gidley & Brudy Drug Store, Mueller later moved to Grand Rapids, Mich. where he worked in a factory on production. On Jan. 15th, 1949 Mueller married Lylamae Weinrich in Petoskey and in 1950 moved to Muskegon, Mich. working on production for Continental Motors Incorporated until 1954 when he moved back to Petoskey, and later to Boyne City, Mich., going to work at Courters Products in Boyne City in the tool and die department and later in quality control.

In 1956 he went to work as an engineer designing plastic injection molds for Lexalite International Corporation in Charlevoix, Mich. where he worked until retirement in the spring of 1991 and in October of 1998, to be closer to their children, he and his wife moved to Crooked Lake, Texas Township, Barry County northeast of Kalamazoo, Mich. Mueller enjoyed bowling, hunting, golf, reading, skiing, classical and big band music, singing in a barbershop quartet and woodworking. On Nov. 22, 2008 Karl Lewis Mueller answered the final call and is being honored by his wife Lyla, children and families.

To honor a veteran, call the program chairman at (231) 536-2447 or on Saturdays call (231) 582-7811 between 3-8 p.m. The ceremony may be witnessed on the first Thursday of each month in front of The American Legion Post located on the corner of Lake and Main in Boyne City, Mich. at 6:15 p.m.

Thank you from the Howie family….

This past Memorial Day weekend was the annual Turtle Ridge Rock Crawling contest held on Drummond Island. Our son, Jesse Howie lowed participating in that competition, and had spend hours working on his jeep the past couple of months, getting it ready for this weekend.
He competed in 2008 for the first time, and placed 3rd, which meant he was automatically invited to compete in 2009, which he did, and took 2nd place.

His spotter (team mate) both years was Jesse’s good friend AJ Spaay, and they were an awesome team.
When Jess passed away unexpectedly on May 5 of this year, just three weeks before the competition, AJ and their friends decided they’d like to take on the challenge of running Jesse’s Jeep in that race.
AJ was the natural choice to drive, and we all chose Jesse’s close friend Josh LaCombe to spot him. They too were an awesome team, putting on a very exciting show and taking a very proud 2nd place in Jesse’s honor.
Jess loved Drummond Island for the off-roading experiences it provided.The deeper the mud, the higher the cliffs to climb or drop off of, and the more friends around to share it with, the happier he was.

But what really made this weekend special for Joe, Lea, and myself was the number of friends who made the drive and spent the money to share in that emotional roller coaster weekend.
It meant the world to us, guys, every moment, every hug, every tear, every belly laugh…. Each of you helped us heal the hurt of losing Jess, and we hope it helped you too.
We’d like to thank so many people, it’s just impossible to know where to start, but we’re going to try…

Tony Amato, thank you for welding the things on the jeep that Jess didn’t get to and for making those welds as beautiful as Jess would have wanted. (He was such an artist when it came to his welding). Mobert Markillie, Josh LaCombe, and AJ Spaay for tweaking the mechanical work.

Crystal LaCombe – those t-shirts were awesome and absolutely perfect!
And thank you to Logo Pros for getting them out so quickly, even though we drove you nuts with pressure, it meant the world to us to wear them at the event.

AJ and Josh, you couldn’t have done a finer job tackling those courses and working as a team, giving the crowd such an exciting show. We are so proud of you both, and so thankful that you wanted to do this for Jess!

Jeremy Loper, how can we possibly thank you and all the people who helped you for one of the most beautiful gifts of the weekend – that plaque just took our breath away.

And for your guys to pick Jesse’s favorite spot on the island (Marblehead) to present it to us, well, it couldn’t have been any sweeter. Thank you.

Not to mention all the work the entire group went to providing a buffet for that hungry crowd!
Angie and Wayne Sobleski (and family), thank you for keeping our precious grand daughter/daughter overnight and all weekend so we didn’t have to worry about her for a moment, knowing she was in the best of hands.
Carlton and Shirley Howie, same goes for keeping Jesse’s precious Ada, for all the same reasons.
We hope the people on Drummond Island read this and know that we are so thankful for their hospitality and tolerance every time we invade their town – the Drummond Island Resort (LOVE your camp fire area, we sat for hours watching the stars, singing while the guys played guitar, and no one complained that we know of. That’s huge!) No wonder Jess loved that place.

The Bear Track Restaurant – you guys went above and beyond to accommodate the Boyne City crowd, and your staff treated us to the best service and pancakes – again, Jess always raved about you and your food!
Thank you to all the volunteers who work their butts off every year to put on the Turtle Ridge Rock Crawl and who acknowledges our love for Jess in so many ways, and so many times…

You guys from Unemployed Films who introduced yourselves t us and presented us with DVD’s of the YouTube video you put together…. That means so much to Jesse’s family and friends, to have those memories to watch forever of his smiling face.

And the guy who presented all the competitors with “In memory of” stickers for everyone to stick on their Jeeps… Just incredible that you would even think to make them someone you’d only met and jeeped with a couple times… Thank you for that.

Honestly, the list could go on and on, but please know that each and every one of you are special to us and you gave us a weekend to remember, to rejoice, to heal and to celebrate 25 years of having Jess in our lives. Like the t-shirts say, ‘This ride’s for you, Jess Howie’… And it was, Sweetie. It really was.

Joe, Lisa and Lea Howie (Soltis)

STANDARDS of RESPECT
The Flag Code, which formalizes and unifies the traditional ways in which we give respect to the flag, also contains specific instructions on how the flag is not to be used. They are:
The flag should never be dipped to any person or thing. It is flown upside down only as a distress signal.
The flag should not be used as a drapery, or for covering a speakers desk, draping a platform, or for any decoration in general. Bunting of blue, white and red stripes is available for these purposes. The blue stripe of the bunting should be on the top.

The flag should never be used for any advertising purpose. It should not be embroidered, printed or otherwise impressed on such articles as cushions, handkerchiefs, napkins, boxes, or anything intended to be discarded after temporary use. Advertising signs should not be attached to the staff or halyard

The flag should not be used as part of a costume or athletic uniform, except that a flag patch may be used on the uniform of military personnel, fireman, policeman and members of patriotic organizations.
The flag should never have placed on it, or attached to it, any mark, insignia, letter, word, number, figure, or drawing of any kind.

The flag should never be used as a receptacle for receiving, holding, carrying, or delivering anything.
When the flag is lowered, no part of it should touch the ground or any other object; it should be received by waiting hands and arms. To store the flag it should be folded neatly and ceremoniously.
The flag should be cleaned and mended when necessary.
When a flag is so worn it is no longer fit to serve as a symbol of our country, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner.

Note: Most American Legion Posts regularly conduct a dignified flag burning ceremony, often on Flag Day, June 14th. Many Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, and Girl Scout Troops retire flags regularly as well. Contact your local American Legion Hall or Scout Troop to inquire about the availability of this service.

Displaying the Flag Outdoors
When the flag is displayed from a staff projecting from a window, balcony, or a building, the union should be at the peak of the staff unless the flag is at half staff.

When it is displayed from the same flagpole with another flag – of a state, community, society or Scout unit – the flag of the United States must always be at the top except that the church pennant may be flown above the flag during church services for Navy personnel when conducted by a Naval chaplain on a ship at sea.
When the flag is displayed over a street, it should be hung vertically, with the union to the north or east. If the flag is suspended over a sidewalk, the flag’s union should be farthest from the building.
When flown with flags of states, communities, or societies on separate flag poles which are of the same height and in a straight line, the flag of the United States is always placed in the position of honor – to its own right.

The other flags may be smaller but none may be larger.

No other flag ever should be placed above it.

The flag of the United States is always the first flag raised and the last to be lowered.

When flown with the national banner of other countries, each flag must be displayed from a separate pole of the same height. Each flag should be the same size. They should be raised and lowered simultaneously. The flag of one nation may not be displayed above that of another nation.

Raising and Lowering the Flag
The flag should be raised briskly and lowered slowly and ceremoniously. Ordinarily it should be displayed only between sunrise and sunset. It should be illuminated if displayed at night.
The flag of the United States of America is saluted as it is hoisted and lowered. The salute is held until the flag is unsnapped from the halyard or through the last note of music, whichever is the longest.

Displaying the Flag Indoors
When on display, the flag is accorded the place of honor, always positioned to its own right. Place it to the right of the speaker or staging area or sanctuary. Other flags should be to the left.

The flag of the United States of America should be at the center and at the highest point of the group when a number of flags of states, localities, or societies are grouped for display.

When one flag is used with the flag of the United States of America and the staffs are crossed, the flag of the United States is placed on its own right with its staff in front of the other flag.
When displaying the flag against a wall, vertically or horizontally, the flag’s union (stars) should be at the top, to the flag’s own right, and to the observer’s left.

Parading and Saluting the Flag
When carried in a procession, the flag should be to the right of the marchers. When other flags are carried, the flag of the United States may be centered in front of the others or carried to their right. When the flag passes in a procession, or when it is hoisted or lowered, all should face the flag and salute.

The Salute
To salute, all persons come to attention. Those in uniform give the appropriate formal salute. Citizens not in uniform salute by placing their right hand over the heart and men with head cover should remove it and hold it to left shoulder, hand over the heart. Members of organizations in formation salute upon command of the person in charge.
The Pledge of Allegiance and National Anthem
The pledge of allegiance should be rendered by standing at attention, facing the flag, and saluting.
When the national anthem is played or sung, citizens should stand at attention and salute at the first note and hold the salute through the last note. The salute is directed to the flag, if displayed, otherwise to the music.

The Flag in Mourning
To place the flag at half staff, hoist it to the peak for an instant and lower it to a position half way between the top and bottom of the staff. The flag is to be raised again to the peak for a moment before it is lowered. On Memorial Day the flag is displayed at half staff until noon and at full staff from noon to sunset.

The flag is to be flown at half staff in mourning for designated, principal government leaders and upon presidential or gubernatorial order.

When used to cover a casket, the flag should be placed with the union at the head and over the left shoulder. It should not be lowered into the grave.
It is presented for your enlightenment and edification.

Edward May III
Proud American Veteran

In Arlington National Cemetery lies The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, one of Arlington’s most popular tourist sites.

The Tomb contains the remains of unknown American soldiers from World Wars I and II, the Korean Conflict and (until 1998) the Vietnam War. Each was presented with the Medal of Honor at the time of interment and the medals, as well as the flags which covered their caskets, are on display inside the Memorial Amphitheater, directly to the rear of the Tomb.

The Tomb is guarded 24-hours-per-day and 365-days-per year by specially trained members of the 3rd United States Infantry (The Old Guard).
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Combine seven waterfalls with master gardening, rolling landscapes and unique stonework and the result is Michigan's largest adventure golf center.

Combine seven waterfalls with master gardening, rolling landscapes and unique stonework and the result is Michigan’s largest adventure golf center.

BOYNE ADVENTURE GOLFCombine seven waterfalls with master gardening, rolling landscapes and unique stonework and the result is Michigan’s largest adventure golf center.When Brian Williams moved back to the Boyne City area in the late 1980s, he knew his dream was to build Boyne Rapids Adventure Golf.“We opened in July of ‘88, we put the batting cages in – both baseball and softball –in 1993, then we put the 18-hole par 3 in 1995 and opened in 1996,” Williams said. When most people think of mini golf, they imagine miniature windmills and cartoonish dutch houses, but Boyne Rapids Adventure Golf offers affordable family fun in a breathtaking, unique setting.Williams got his first taste of the business after graduating from Eastern Michigan University.“I was a recreation park design manager,” he said. “I had grown up with my father being director of Camp Michigania on Walloon Lake and I got to grow up every summer as a kid on such a beautiful lake.”Williams said he just knew he had to do whatever he could to head back north and live in the Boyne area.“I moved up here and worked jobs and saved up working capital to build the thing,” he said.With help from Williams’ father, a master gardener, the more than an acre-sized landscape at Boyne Rapids Adventure Golf is truly a site to behold.“It hasn’t really bloomed yet, but when it does it has been called a botanical paradise,” he said. “We even have an underground waterfall.”Williams said despite the dip in the economy over the last couple years, he remains steadfast in his mission to provide Northern Michiganders with a premier entertainment venue.“We’ve never really made the income we thought we would, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” he said. “I can’t imagine living anywhere else. We probably would have made more money if we had opened in a larger venue, but being self-employed and living in Boyne City definitely has its rewards.”Williams credits his staff with working tirelessly to maintain an immaculate place for families to play mini golf, practice their swings in the batting cages or for more serious golfers to work on their short game on the premium links.Brian’s partners in the business are his mother and father Linn and Glen Williams.“My dad always told me this business is like being a farmer: it all comes down to the weather and all comes down to the economy,” he said. “And it is our mission to be the best miniature golf course anywhere and to provide affordable family fun.”Boyne Rapids Adventure Golf offers the mini golf course for $3 for kids 5 and under.Kids 6 – 12 is $6.25People 13 – 64 is $6.75Seniors 65 and up is $6.25The Par 3, 18 hole rates are $12.95 and for seniors it costs $10.95The softball and baseball batting cages, which are totally adjustable for any age or skill level, cost $1 for a bucket of 17 balls or $12 per hour.Right now, the family season VIP passes are on sale for $225, a savings of $50.This allows unlimited play for the mini golf, par 3 golf and batting cages all summer. The sale is good until June 1st.For more information on Boyne Rapids Adventure Golf, call (231) 582-3505 or visit them on the web at www.boynerapidsgolf.comBoyne Rapids Adventure Golf’s summer hours are 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. Daily.Currently they are open Noon – 7 p.m. Daily and 11 a.m. To 8 p.m. On weekends.

Front row (L to R): Nichole App, Maggie (unit cat) and Sandy Pierce. Back row (L to R): Tina Aown, Debbie McCann, Kirk Swabash, Mike Morey, Kelly Juntunen, Dennis Nessel, Lisa Sewejkis, Environmental Services, and Cathy Queen.

Northern Michigan Hospital, one of three major hospitals covering the Boyne City area, has received an award for their commitment to mental heath in the area.  Focusing on recovery, the staff recognize that mental health problems are, as they put it, “Painful emotionally, spiritually, and socially.”  “There is still such a stigma about mental illness that people are often hesitant to seek treatment,” said Tina Aown, Nurse Manager of the Northern Michigan Regional Hospital Mental Health Unit. “If you are struggling with your feelings, mood, emotions, or thoughts, don’t hesitate – seek help.”

The National Institute of Mental Health reports that one in four adults – approximately 57.7 million Americans – experience a mental health disorder in a given year. Mental illnesses, which can affect persons of any age, race, religion, or income, are medical conditions that disrupt a person’s thinking, feeling, mood, ability to relate to others, and daily functioning. Serious mental illnesses include major depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and borderline personality disorder.

While the diagnosis of mental illness can seem overwhelming, it is treatable. Most people diagnosed with a serious mental illness can experience relief from their symptoms by actively participating in an individual treatment plan. “Mental illnesses are not the result of personal weakness, lack of character or poor upbringing. It’s important to recognize that metal illnesses are biological just like diabetes or heart disease,” Aown said. “Recognizing May as Mental Health Month is a great way to educate the public that having good mental health is a big part of a person’s overall health.”

Serving the needs of patients and their families across northern Michigan is the top priority for the Northern Michigan Regional Hospital Mental Health Unit – something that has not gone unnoticed. The Inpatient Mental Health Program recently received the PRC 2010 Excellence in Healthcare Award for scoring at or above the 100th percentile for excellent responses in a national database for Overall Quality of Care by Professional Research Consultants, Inc. (PRC), a nationally-known healthcare marketing research company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska.
“The Mental Health Unit staff is honored and very proud to be recognized in this way,” Aown said. “We work tirelessly to serve the needs of our patients and their families and it means so much that they appreciate and see value in the services we provide.”
About Northern Michigan Regional Hospital

Northern Michigan Regional Hospital is a 214-bed regional referral center located in Petoskey, serving residents in 22 counties across northern Lower Michigan and the eastern part of the Upper Peninsula. A medical staff of nearly 200 physicians represents nearly all medical and surgical specialties, enabling full-service care with an emphasis on heart, cancer, orthopaedics, and neuroscience services. Additional information can be found at northernhealth.org.

Charlevoix County has become a hotspot for natural gas and oil speculators since word came out of Missaukee County of fruitful test drilling.

Encana, a monolithic Canadian energy company purchased some 250,000 acres of land in Michigan with hopes of striking gas pockets in an underground formation of Utica Shale.

“It’s been crazy around here,” said Charlevoix County Registrar of Deeds Charlene Novotny. “I’ve had so many people in from the oil and gas companies I had to set up a table outside in the hall.”

The researchers, known in the industry as “land men” are spending their days searching through land documents dating back to the 1800s.

Results of the State of Michigan’s recent oil and gas lease auction show just how serious the rush is to nab leases since the state made $178 million – compare to its previous record of $23.6 million set in the early 1980s.

“The future of oil and gas exploration in Michigan looks very bright,” said DNRE Director Rebecca Humphries. “The wise use and management of our natural resources, such as oil and natural gas, will help lead Michigan’s economic recovery, create jobs and provide diversity for our state’s economy. The spin-off impact of the proposed exploration of the formation could provide a significant economic lift to many communities.”

While it may seem to be a recent discovery, Encana had the foresight to buy its Michigan drilling rights years ago.

The Encana Corporation made it public last week that they had acquired the massive amount of drilling rights with little or no notice by using their shell corporation Petoskey Exploration L.L.C.

For more on this headline story, check the May 19th edition of The Boyne City Gazette.

There are many defining attributes of a hero; dedication, determination, loyalty, and courage. Heroes come in different genders, different races, different religions, and vary in ages; yet, there is one man who stands out as a hero in Boyne City and exemplifies these adjectives. George Thomas Lasater has given tremendously to the town of Boyne City. As a middle school teacher and JV football coach in the 60’s Lasater was respected gallantly by his students and athletes for the few years he was at Boyne City Middle School. Then from the community has received admiration as County Sheriff for the past 31 years. Now retired Lasater is more widely recognized for his tremendous efforts and commitment to the veterans of Charlevoix County, and particular to the veterans of Boyne City.

Lasater a veteran himself and Boyne City Veterans memorial committee member not only exuded his pride as a veteran by compiling a number of first person stories from WWI and WWII veterans into his book Charlevoix County’s Contribution to WW2. He then expanded his patriotism and devotion a step further by formulating and heading the project for constructing the memorial for local veterans. This plan did not happen over night. Funds were sought, support and labor was needed, and dedication was a must. However Lasater had plenty of that to offer.

For more on the generous contributions of George T. Lasater to the community, read the full text of this article in The Boyne City Gazette, coming out on May 12, 2010.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day and Boyne City’s Irish heritage, we present a look at The Boyne Valley, which is located in the northeast part of the Emerald Isle.

The Prehistoric inhabitants of the area built huge burial tombs on the banks of the river Boyne and on hilltop sites such as Loughcrew. Today, the Neolithic passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth which are older than the pyramids in Egypt and pre-date Stonhenge by 1000 years continue to attract huge numbers of visitors from all around the world. The area is believed to contain around 40 passage tombs in total.

The area was also hugely important in pre-Christian times when the Hill of Tara seated the High Kings of Ireland and the Feast of Samhain was celebrated by the druids on the Hill of Ward near the town of Athboy.

You might know the history of Boyne City and how John and Harriet Miller moved from New York to the area and named the Boyne River after a river in John’s home country, Ireland.

In honor of St. Patrick’s Day and Boyne City’s Irish heritage, we present a look at The Boyne Valley, which is located in the northeast part of the Emerald Isle.

The Prehistoric inhabitants of the area built huge burial tombs on the banks of the river Boyne and on hilltop sites such as Loughcrew. Today, the Neolithic passage tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth which are older than the pyramids in Egypt and pre-date Stonhenge by 1000 years continue to attract huge numbers of visitors from all around the world. The area is believed to contain around 40 passage tombs in total.

The area was also hugely important in pre-Christian times when the Hill of Tara seated the High Kings of Ireland and the Feast of Samhain was celebrated by the druids on the Hill of Ward near the town of Athboy.

Freshwater Studio, which has recently expanded from strictly visual art to becoming a concert venue, has expanded even further with the featuring of a fly-tying workshop “He saw it while watching outdoor programs on TV, and wanted to try it.” said Rece’s father, thinking back. He went on to describe how Rece had borrowed his fly tying kit and the hobby had taken off from there. Rece enjoys hunting and fishing, sometimes fishing for hours in nearby Fall Park close to his home. Also gracing the event were Al and Rosemary Wolff, showing their custom made fly rods.  Taking fifty hours to complete a single rod, Wolff has been making wooden fly rods for the past seventeen years of his life, along with ten years making graphite rods prior to this. “He has been doing these rods since before I knew him.” says Rosemary, his proud wife. Rosemary Wolff, showingtheir custom made fly rods. Taking fifty hours to completea single rod, Wolffhas been making woodenfly rods for the past seventeenyears of his life, alongwith ten years makinggraphite rods prior to this.“He has been doing theserods since before I knewhim.” says Rosemary, hisproud wife.