THINK SNOW MANCELONA !

Winter wonderland has arrived early this season. The first significant snow fell October 12th...enough accumulated on the ground to build pre-Halloween snowmen! That is a first. No one recalls building any snowmen before October 30th around here.

Last night we had thunder, lightning and yes...more snow. This is the really wet heavy snow too. I'm not sure if it will stick around for the start of deer firearms season, but I suspect the hunters are hoping it does. In any case I have heard more than one snowmobile running so far. I know some folks are just as anxious to get out on the trails as I am.

Something else extraordinary happened recently. The Manceona Ironmen football team had their strongest season since 1977! In case you missed it or hadn't heard, the team was escorted out of town on their way to the playoff game by the marching band. The sidewalks were lined with all the elementary and middle school students as well as the downtown business community and their patrons cheering them on. It was an amazing sight to see! Way to go Mancelona!

Have a GREAT Turkey Day,

Mancelona Bass Festival June 1 - 4, 2006. See the schedule at the Bass Festival website.

The leaves have recently appeared and it is almost time for the first lawn cut here in Starvation Lake. It is extremely dry up north so far this year.

UPDATE 5/13/06: The Michigan Department of Natural Resources completed a probe into the cause and culpability of a wildfire that this month scorched 6,000 acres of the Huron National Forest and destroyed three homes in the Luzerne area.

Carol Nilsson, of the U.S. Forest Service, said the fire southeast of Luzerne was sparked by an out-of-control campfire.

The estimated cost to fight the blaze is upwards of $800,000 and growing, Nilsson said.

The fire has been contained since May 5.

Big Creek Township Hall
2195 Deeter Rd
Luzerne, MI 48636
(989) 826-5992

You probably noticed this bear picture next to the Bass Festival icon and were wondering if Tiger Dave lost his mind. Think Spring? As disappointing as it is to see the snow melt away here in Starvation Lake, it's time to finally let go and do as the Bass Lady says... Think Spring!

While you and I were enjoying the winter, Mama bear and the cubs were snoozing away comfortably in their den. But Ole Frosty made the mistake of waking this bear family up late last month and let me tell you - Mama Bear was none too pleased!

Frosty decided it was best for him to slip out of town - pronto. He sure regretted missing the Race up Face snowmobile runs. The good news is he will be able to see all the live action shot photos at the Mancelona Chamber of Commerce website

Now you might be concerned to know if Ole Frosty crossed the frozen Straits of Mackinac before the Coast Guard ice cutter broke his ice bridge. Well Friends, we just have to hope he drops us a hello in the Message board soon. Keep an eye out for it.

Until then, you can enjoy April showers up north just as well as you can anywhere else so we hope to see you soon.

" A remarkable winter...." - The late magician Carnac the Magnificent couldn't have called this season any better!

Have you seen this much accumulated snow since the big storm of '95-'96? The measurement sign in downtown Mancelona reads 14 feet has fallen so far!

Join me in praising two local weatherman, Dave Barrons and Greg MacMaster, who really came through for us in February 2006! You didn't really think winter was over after one of the warmest January's on record did you?

It just goes to show the improbable is probable when you THINK SNOW MANCELONA!

Recently the Bass Lady asked where we might put any further snow - well I'm not sure I have the answer but I have a feeling it will all work out somehow. Wasn't it wonderful to see everyone at Tim's snowmobile drag race? Visit the Mancelona Chamber website for some excellent photos!

Get up north soon and join us for all the adventure.

Things are really looking up...for a remarkable winter!

Hopefully you also survived the goblin invasion last month. Only two of them managed to thwart all my defenses and get close enough to cause alarm. I was fully prepared for the zombie armada, so you are more than welcome to help me whittle down this snack pile.

As I walk around I notice just a few lingering leaves remain high up in the branches. They'll be down soon enough and it won't be much longer before the ground is blanketed in layers of snow. Think Snow Mancelona!

Start running down your checklist and be ready to hit the sled trails as soon as you can. Extra spark plugs? Check! Trail permit? Check! Full tank? Check! Might not be a bad idea to fill your spare gas cans while the prices are dropping either.

Keep the little ones busy coloring this image while you are doing all your checks. I just know the Bass Lady at the Mancelona Chamber of Commerce would love to decorate her walls with your splendid art, so e-mail your completed colorings to info@mancelonachamber.org

Enjoy your Turkey Day and get up north soon.

There is a message posted on a community bulletin board in downtown Mancelona that says it best:

"Take a moment to enjoy the scenery...in color"

Have you taken your own color tour yet? The fall colors are peaking fast. Somedays it looks as if it is raining leaves. Don't miss out and end up waiting another 12 months to see such spectacular sights in and around Starvation Lake!

As far as I can tell, the bow hunters are being outsmarted so far this season. I've asked around hither and yonder but have yet to hear a great hunting tale. If the trend continues this way, the forests should be primed for firearms season.

Take extra care to be on the lookout for the short goblins walking about near the end of the month. All it takes to rid yourself of the pesky rascals is to drop a sugar coated sweet into them oversized plastic bags they're hauling around.

Finally, if you find yourself in need of some simple entertainment, call the Bass Lady at the Mancelona Chamber of Commerce 231-587-5500, and tell her to....

THINK SNOW MANCELONA!

If you've been taking note of the destruction following Hurricane Katrina, you're probably thinking how little we can predict what is coming our way next.

This has got me motivated to start a letter campaign to friends and family. If you don't remind them how much they mean to you every now and then, you may miss just such a chance to do so.

While you are thinking about those who mean the most to you, why don't you have them up for a visit?

Read the sample letter of invitation, and invite your close ones up north today!

GOODBYE SANDBOX....HELLO STARVATION LAKE!

Mercy sakes alive, it's great to be home. An incredible feeling of bliss!

From what I'm learning, it was quite a year here in Starvation Lake I missed too...Team Bud-man winning the plastic bucket race, the 50th annual Mancelona Bass Festival, and new owners at the Hide-A-Way! Well I'll get caught up soon enough.

I hope those gas prices aren't keeping you from being up north. Summer is slipping away. Come enjoy a dip in the warm lakes for as long as you can. Sure hope to be visiting with you soon!

Photo courtesy of Joanie Moore

> Friends I've learned that Santa was in Mancelona for a pre-Christmas visit recently. Always knew Santa had good taste. Can't think of a better place to be before the big holiday either, can you? Well allegedly after Santa returned to the tall snow measurement sign downtown, his reindeer were no where in site. They probably didn't feel to comfortable being so close to the buck pole and scattered on down yonder to Starvation Lake. But without his reindeer to power that big 'ol sleigh, Santa found himself in need of a ride back to the north pole. Evidently he started out having to hitch hike north...but you know, I suspect a friendly sled driver must have picked him up somewhere along the way. So when you're out gliding around on your snowmobile keep a sharp eye out for the Reindeer crossing the trails. Don't think the DNR would react to kindly if you happened to clip one of 'em. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to my family and friends. I'll be home next year. Tiger Dave