May 23 - June 12, 2020 Covering the Positive Community News in the Area PAGE 13

“Have a special occasion coming up? We can help.”

Kathy Collinswww.mi-promoproducts.com

Order your customized imprinted items today!989-450-6163

or email kathy@mi-promoproducts.com

Large selection of imprinted promotional items perfect for: Fairs • Expos • Weddings • Sporting Events

& any Special Occasion

Pens • Sticky Notes • Pencils • Tote Bags Mugs • Coozies • Water Bottles • Wristbands

Business Cards • Posters • Raffle Tickets & More!

107 S. Third Street, West Branch

Hale Area

VOICE

Photo by Marlene Polishak

The American Legion Post 422 in Hale held a Birthday Parade through the Londo Lake area on May 16. Over 30 vehicles participated in the parade to wish two area residents, Gola Hendrickson and Milo Johnson, a happy birthday. Several of the vehicles were decorated with patriotic signs and all honking their horns and sirens. Many people on the lake were smiling and waving at the convoy. Pictured are the Plainfield Fire Department Fire Fighters, Legion Post Commander Doug Walter, and Post Finance Officer Dana Odifey.

Birthday Parade surpriseBy Dee Dee BrinkmanHome delivered meals are

served from the Hale Retiree and Activity Center in Hale, a division of the Iosco County Commission on Aging. There have been meal deliveries from this location for over 30 years.

There are currently six drivers delivering 90 meals over a distance of more than 240 miles a day, Monday through Friday. The drivers, Paul Hamblin delivers to the Sand Lake area, Lori Bershun, Debbie Tealander and Mick Mazeck delivering to the Hale area on alternating days, and MaryJo and Dan Rowan delivering to the Whittemore area. On Fridays frozen meals are delivered for use over the weekends and if there is a chance of inclement weather so people do not have to do without food.

Meal drivers (l-r) Mick Mazeck, Lori Bershun, and Paul Hamblin.

Courtesy photos

Cooks (l-r) Debbie Tunney, Joni McCla-nahan, and Crystal Ostrander.

Helping people who can’t help themselves

Another way of looking at our community - recycling on a large scale or repurposing. Checking the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, one definition for recycling is to “reuse or make a substance available for reuse” or to “alter.” Repurpose is to give a new purpose or use. Either term would be used for this article.

The first instance I have found in the township concerns the first township hall. On April 14, 1890, the building built by S.B. Yawger was dedicated. It was a one-story building, 14 feet high, 26 feet wide, and 50 feet long. Originally it stood next to the Yawger store. You can see it originally had a covered entrance. Over the years, it was decided to move the building, not a small feat. The building was relocated and turned around; eventually it was repurposed into a gas station before being torn down.

With one recycling project finished, the area would go on to more relocating of houses and buildings over the years.

The old Love School, located on the corner of Section 23 and 26, was moved into town next to the Hale School as seen in a 1942 photo and a later photo prior to 1950. The Assembly of God Church purchased the old Love School and moved it across the street where it was dedicated in December 1950. The new location was the current parking lot at the Methodist Church. Sometime after 2002, the Methodist Church purchased the church and property, tearing down the old Love School. (Assembly of God Church purchased the Free Methodist Church on M-65.) In my research the old Love School seems to have made the most moves over its lifetime.

In our collection is a photo of the Greve building moving down the road. It was once the telephone office in Hale. It was moved to Victoria Street.

You may remember the yellow Victorian style house in Hale that was a real estate office before it took a trip down M-65 to its new

location. That house was called Rose Lawn, part of a large farm and home to Stacy Yawger, an early builder and businessman in the township. The Victorian Café is modeled after the design of the

Rose Lawn house. Moving this house involved shutting off the electricity to many residents in town and the surrounding area the day the house was moved, while the electric company raised the

wires crossing M-65. More photos will be posted on

our Facebook page. I know other homes and probably buildings

See HELPING on Page 14 »

Plainfield Township Historical CommissionA glimpse into the past

See HISTORY on Page 15 »

Courtesy photo

Moving the Rose Lawn house.

Page 2 - Ogemaw COunty VOiCe may 23 - June 12, 2020

YOUR CHURCH AD HERE

CALL989-745-8355

TO DISCUSS YOURADVERTISING NEEDS

Faith and WorshipHale Baptist Church

Pastor Todd VossenSERVICES

Sunday School - 9:45 a.m., Church Service - 11:00 a.m

Prayer/Bible Study - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday Nights

Kids Club - K thru 6th Grade Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.

Contact the Church for More Information 989-728-3821 • 327 N. Washington, Hale

Hale United Methodist Church Everyone Welcome! Pastor: Mel Leach

Join us on Facebook during coronavirus concerns.

201 West Main/Esmond, Hale ~ 728-9522 Facebook: Hale United Methodist Church

In these trying times remember the character of Jesus!

Galatians 5:22-23

Never Forget The Cost Of Freedom

Needless to say, protecting our freedom has come at a great cost. President Franklin Roosevelt said: “Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ knew that we all have trouble remembering things, even important matters, so he gave the Lord’s Supper as a lasting memorial so that we might never forget his sacrifice for our spiritual freedom. He said: “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19)

On this Memorial Day weekend, may we never be guilty of forgetting those who gave all on behalf of our wonderful nation. We are free to worship our Savior this Sunday because of those who sacrificed their lives that we might enjoy this weekly privilege. I’m humbled by their sacrifice. I hope you are too.

– David Simpson, Sermon Central

989-728-5955 877-879-8726

LEADING THE WAY IN COMFORT• Furnaces• Air Conditioning• Boilers • Humidifiers• Purifiers • Generators• Geothermal Services• Ductless Heating and Cooling• Maintenance Agreements

24-Hour Emergency Service

Hale Area News

OngoingMonday,

Wednesday and Friday - Bingo 12:30 p.m. Hale Resource Center. Call 989-728-4251.

Monday-Friday – Cornhole games 9:30 a.m. At the Hale Resource

Center. Call 989-728-4251.

Wednesdays - X-live, Hale Baptist Church Youth Group 6 p.m. Faith, food and fun. Sixth through 12th graders. Call 989-728-3821.

Wednesdays – (Second of each month) Sunrise Side Beekeepers, 7 p.m. at Eagle Pointe Plaza in Hale. Anyone interested in honeybees is welcome. Call Gail 734-775-3703.

HALE HAPPENINGS

Even Mother Nature likes social distancing. In addition to delivering meals,

drivers do a wellness check on people making sure they are okay. Last year Hamblin saved two people in distress by doing the wellness check; both had recently had a stroke. He was able to get help immediately. In addition, Paul presented a cupcake to a resident who had recently turned 100.

There are three cooks preparing meals arriving at different times starting at 6:30 a.m., Joni

McClanahan, Debbie Tunney (on loan from the Sand Lake center until they reopen) and Crystal Ostrander.

The drivers and cooks provide a necessary service, especially during these uncertain times. If you are interested in becoming a driver to help out this worthwhile cause, contact 728-4251.

Thanks to Jeneane Frank, In-Home Coordinator, and Joni McClanahan, cook for assistance with this article.

Helping« Continued from page 13

Photos by Dee Dee Brinkman

Help Wanted in theHALE AREA

Part Time Salespersonfor the

• Set your own hours• 5-10 hours every two weeks• $200-$300 per month (potential of much more)

Call or email Grange Bell989-745-8355

gbell@OgemawCountyVoice.com

Home Delivered Meal Drivers Needed

The Iosco County Commission on Aging is looking for caring volunteers to deliver Home Delivered Meals to our home-bound clients in the Hale area. It usually takes one to two hours to run the meal route. You get to choose how often you would like to volunteer. You receive a mileage reim-bursement of .56 cents a mile and also receive a free meal on the days that you drive. Most important, you get to help the seniors that are homebound in our community. If you are interested, please call Karen at 728-4251.

may 23 - June 12, 2020 Page 3 - Ogemaw COunty VOiCe

Bill Ballard3149 W. HoughtonWest Branch, MI

(1/4 Mile West of M-30)989-345-4410

FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1962Auto Repair 7:30-5 M-F • Oil Change 8:30-5 M-F

• Tires • Interstate Batteries • Belts & Hoses • Fuel Injection

• Starters & Alternators • Minor Engine

• Motor Tune-Up • Shocks-Struts • ATF Automatic Transmission Fluid

• Exchanger • Check Engine Light • Engine Repair

COMPLETE AUTO REPAIR Computer Diagnostic Service

“It costs no more to have a specialist do the work.”FOREIGN & DOMESTIC AUTOMOBILE REPAIR

CERTIFIED MECHANICS AIR CONDITIONING • RADIATOR FLUSH • ALIGNMENT • BRAKES

MUFFLERS & EXHAUST SYSTEMS • GAS TANKS • AUTOMOBILE ELECTRIC SERVICE

COMPUTERIZED FRONT AND REAR ALIGNMENTS & TIRE BALANCING

GRASS HOPPER • NEW HOLLAND • KUBOTA

WILLARD’S EQUIPMENTSIMPLICITY • HUSQVARNA

PH. (989) 345-3128

JERRY WANGLER 255 S. M-33DAN WARNER WEST BRANCH, MI 48661

May*Take Out Only.

21 – Lasagna, tossed salad, Prince Charles blend vegetables, garlic toast and applesauce

22 – Orange chicken. Mashed potatoes, Normandy blend vegetables, dinner roll and fruit parfait

25 – Center closed,

Memorial Day26 – Swedish meatballs,

brown rice, Normandy blend vegetables and an orange

27 – Liver and onions, mashed potatoes, cauliflower and peaches

28 – Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, winter blend vegetables and a tropical fruit cup

29 – Lemon pepper fish,

macaroni and cheese, broccoli and ambrosia salad

All meals include coffee, tea or milk and bread, served at noon. Suggested donation, 60 plus is $3, under 60 is $7.50. Call one day in advance to make reservations, Hale 728-4251 or Sand Lake 469-9361.

Hale Senior Center Menu

By Dee Dee BrinkmanHistorically, Poppy Days are

commemorated on Veterans Day in countries around the world. Americans have worn poppies in observance of both Memorial Day and Veterans Day. The American Legion Family brought National Poppy Day to the United States by asking Congress to designate the Friday before Memorial Day as National Poppy Day, May 22 this year.

National Poppy Day is a strong renewal of our nation’s commitment to a powerful reminder of the cost of our freedom with 100 years of rich tradition. Millions of people worldwide wear the poppy as a call to honor living veterans and those who lost their lives.

The custom can be traced back to 1918 when Moina Michael popularized the idea of wearing a poppy flower in memory of the lives lost in WWI. She drew inspiration from the poem In Flanders Fields written by WWI Col. John McCrae in his sorrow at looking at rows and rows of graves where his comrades recently had been buried. In the decades that followed poppies have been worn, displayed and distributed for fundraising efforts by veterans’ service organizations around the world.

In 2017, American Legion Auxiliary members through the U.S. distributed nearly six million

poppies or poppy items and raised almost $4 million in donations that went directly to help veterans, military and their families in need. (Information from the Auxiliary magazine.) In the 2018-2019 administrative year $3.6 million was raised from the 3.1 million poppies distributed.

Because of COVID-19, the American Legion Family will not be distributing poppies on the traditional Poppy Day. The distribution date is still to be determined. In the past, the VFW offered the “Buddy Poppy” over Mother’s Day weekend and the American Legion Family offered the “in memoriam” poppies over Memorial Day weekend.

The American Legion Family consists of the American Legion Auxiliary and members of the American Legion. They always have members stationed at most

stores in town and for a small donation, or actually no donation at all, you get a “Buddy Poppy” or an “in memoriam” poppy to proudly display.

There is actually a difference between the two. The “Buddy Poppy” is an open flower and the “in memoriam” poppy is closed like a flower bud. All proceeds from both fundraisers go to help local veterans and their families in whatever way is possible.

Ron Green, one of the volunteers said he is disappointed the time frame needs to be changed but is ready to take to the streets as soon as a date is determined. He has been providing poppies for 10 years.

If you are interested in joining the VFW to be able to assist with this program and others, please call the post at 728-3247. For more information on the

poppy program, visit www.ALAforVeterans.org.

Donations collected on National Poppy Day are used to directly assist disabled and hospitalized veterans in our communities. The poppies are made by a vast variety of people. Anyone can purchase a poppy making kit through their local American Legion. In the past only military veterans were allowed to make the flowers, often as a form of physical or emotional rehabilitation and they were paid for their work. Veterans are still paid for their poppy making.

Based on personal life experiences of each poppy maker, creating these delicate flowers can take on additional meaning. For some people it evokes strong emotion, plus other intangibles, such as healing, appreciation and purposefulness. Or the task can conjure up being part of something greater than oneself and paying forward a good deed.

Quite a few posts have poppy

making times where veterans get together to make the flowers, having a feeling of camaraderie with fellow veterans. Virtually everyone who has a hand in making the flowers understands the power of the iconic flower and its important role in the American Legion’s longstanding mission of serving veterans, military and their families.

In Flanders Fields by Col. John McCrae: “In Flanders fields the poppies blow between the crosses row on row, that mark our place; and in the sky the larks, still bravely singing, fly scarce heard amid the guns below. We are the Dead. Short days ago we lived, felt dawn, saw sunsets glow, loved and were loved and now we lie, In Flanders fields. Take up our quarrel with the foe; to you from failing hands we throw the torch; be yours to hold it high. If ye break faith with us who die we shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.”

National Poppy Day, May 22

Hale Area News

were moved over the years. If you have a story to tell or photos to share, please visit the Facebook page.

Visit the online virtual museum: https://plainfieldtwpmi.com/. The township website has changed. Hale Area Voice articles are under Township News on the front page and are titled “A Glimpse into the Past.” The museum link is under the first red button “Plainfield Township.” There are also some local historical photos in a link under Township News on the front page.

Visit us on Facebook or email

us at: historicalcommission@plainfieldtwp.mi.com. The PTHC office is located in the west wing at Eagle Pointe Plaza. Winter hours are Tuesday from 10 a.m. until noon and 1 to 3 p.m. The museum will also be open on Friday. We welcome visitors. The first Saturday of each month the PTHC holds a Genealogy Support Group meeting at 2 p.m. in the Lecture Hall at Eagle Pointe Plaza.

History« Continued from page 13

Photos from Plainfield Township Historical Commission