10 years ago: 2013
A new beach house at Hubscher County Park in Sumner Township is expected to be completed by the end of the month. The facility includes four separate restroom stalls and one shower. Another room is available for expansion.
A grant from the Saginaw Bay Watershed Initiative Network will support the site development, construction, and installation of a new universally accessible canoe/kayak launch along the Pine River in Gratiot County’s Arcada Township, near Alma. The $30,000 investment will support the development of the facility which is a key site along the new Pine River Canoe Trial.
Father Andrzej Boroch is the new priest at both St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Ithaca and St.. Martin dePorres Catholic Church in Perrinton.
20 years ago: 2003
More than two years of planning will culminate this weekend when St. Louis celebrates its sesquicentennial. Organizers have scheduled a variety of activities Friday and Saturday, ranging from steamboat rides to trolley tours.
A new law requires the state to issue vertically designed driver’s licenses and ID cards to those under age 21. The goal of the Vertical Identification Program is to keep minors from buying alcohol, tobacco and other age-restricted products.
30 years ago: 1993
These four young women will reign as royalty at the 1993 Gratiot County Fair for Youth August 26-30 in Alma: Junior Queen Linda Simcox, Senior Queen Lis Lombard, Junior Queen runner-up Tiffani Jo Apple and Senior Queen runner up Katie Shaull.
Mark K. Poff, D.O., a board certified specialist in Psychiatry has been appointed the Clinical Director of the Mental Health Unit at Carson City. Dr. Poff, a native of Ashley, recently completed his Psychiatric Training through Michigan State University and Pine Rest Christian Hospital in Grand Rapids.
Ruth Seals of Ashley was recently re-appointed Bylaws and Policy Chairpersons of the Michigan Association of Hospital Auxiliaries (M.A.H.H.) She has been a member of the Carson City Hospital Auxiliary for 11 years and has served as Historian, President, and secretary.
40 years ago: 1983
The weather was excellent, the crowds huge and the good time spirit was high as the village of Ashley celebrated its 100th birthday last week.
After leaving the scene for a number of years, the calf scramble will be returning to Ithaca as part of the Gratiot Frontier Festival and Fair.
Queens for the Gratiot County Fair for Youth are Melissa Pritchard of Sumner, junior queen, and Shelley Weburg of Breckenridge, senor queen. Named queen for the Gratiot Agricultural Society & Festival is Shirley Porubsky of Bannister.
50 years ago: 1973
A 10-ton limit bridge on Wilson Rd outside of Bannister, collapsed Tuesday after a 99,900-lb. semi truck attempted to cross it.
New Lions Club presidents in the county include Loren Pauling of St. Louis and Howard Rittenger of Alma.
The new swimming pool at the Ithaca High School is slated to open for the first time today and schedules for pool use and classes is announced.