Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
Serving Gogebic, Iron and Ontonagon Counties
By P.J. GLISSON
Ewen — People were mad for plaid on Saturday during the height of the three-day 43rd annual Log Jamboree in Ewen.
Flannel in all colors and styles was the uniform of choice for participants from babies to senior citizens, with some folks also wearing fashionable “work boots” or matching hats or tennies and others featuring trendy braids or suspenders.
Some kids used scooters to get around, while adults led barking dogs, pushed baby carriages, or chased excited toddlers in and around the McMillan Township Centennial Hall.
The cool, pleasant day included games such as beanbag competitions, a concession stand, raffles, and other activities. Great Lakes Timber Show of Escanaba demonstrated log-rolling in a small pool of water, and apples and pumpkins also were for sale.
“Weather is nice!” said Adrien Livingston of Ewen. “Great day for it. Lots of things for the kids to do and the adults.”
Livingston, who is a member of the Ewen Civic Association, whose members organized the event, added, “The log jam is the biggest thing we do here every year.”
One colorful aspect of the event was the “Bikes for Kids” program by the McMillan Township Fire Department, where Dan Staff Jr. is the chief.
Former fire chief Dan Staff Sr. explained the history of the program.
“We’ve been doing this for 21 years, and it’s just grown bigger and better every year,” said Staff, who added that the drive began back when former President Bill Clinton was pushing for more physical activity in the late 1990s.
“When we first started, the fire department paid for most of the bikes,” said Staff, who said that, over the years, the donations came increasingly from various other entities and individuals.
“We’re giving away 17 bikes this year,” said Staff. “The parent has to be here, and the kid has to be here to win the bike.”
A solid supporter of the bike program is the Ottawa Lions Club, which also had members providing free hay rides, along with raffle tickets for more than a face cord of firewood.
Dressed like full-fledged lumberjacks, Lions members Art Juntunen and Don Goeser, both of Bruce Crossing, were happily manning the face cord and mingling with the crowd.
“This is one of our bigger fundraisers,” said Goeser, who added, “We try to spend as much as we can locally.”
He and Juntunen said the funds they raise go to causes such as scholarships, eyeglasses, and local participation in America’s Honor Band. The club also has donated supplies for local ambulance, fire and school needs. In addition, they prepare a chicken dinner for each year’s Fourth of July celebration in Bruce Crossing.
Another big Lions cause is support for local participants in the Boys and Girls State citizenship program.
Howard Seid, American Legion Post 92 commander in Rockland, said the program began three years ago in Ontonagon and now also is starting at the Ewen-Trout Creek School in Ewen.
Seid said the opportunity, which allows selected students to visit Lansing and Washington, D.C., has kids lining up for a chance in the program, which can lead to higher-education scholarships.
This year’s jamboree consisted of a long weekend of activities, including a parade, a logger’s fun run, a craft and bake sale, a pole-decorating contest, basketball, and live music.
Juntunen also applauded the weather for this year’s celebration. He added, chuckling, “I’ve seen it so cold you have snowsuits.”
