2016 AuSable Canoe Marathon Program Book

1Program Book 1Program Book

July 26-31, 2016

AuSable River Canoe Marathon69th

Annual

2016 Program Guide

#HUPAN

© 2016 Kim Diment

2 69th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

It isn’t winning a Marathon but it is close.

Being invited to stay on as the publisher of the 69th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon Program Book was a great honor.

Late in 2014, in addition to producing The Guide, my father, Jerry Nunn and I approached the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Committee to publish the book.

Arrogant perhaps, but we had approached the committee with so many changes that they had to be written down, discussed and mulled over.

It was shortly after Christmas of 2014, that we learned the committee liked our ideas and they were willing to embark on an adventure as our partners, to deliver the public a package that was worthy to bear the name AuSable River Canoe Marathon.

Nearing its 70th year, the Marathon is more than just a race ¬– it is THE race. It is THE race that celebrates Northeast Michigan’s heritage, resources and people. It is THE race that once began as a local challenge and have evolved into a world-class competition. It is THE race that towns and communities can build festivals around.

This journey, that we and the committee began, meant large changes. We moved the book to a full color publication, asking supporters to provide us with higher quality images and join us as we think outside the box. We ripped apart the statistics, to deliver tables that are easier to read, and were meaningful beyond the organizers and racers. And we stuffed in content that went beyond patting the backs of the Marathon, but delivered the greater message that the AuSable River Basin and the communities around it are something to behold.

This Marathon means different things to different people.

Unlike myself, my father Jerry followed the marathon several times. He loved to share the stories and the excitement to anyone who would listen. As he would use his words to paint the

WITH A CAPACITY of 4,900 kilo-watts, the hydro was built between

1914 – 16 and is the company’s hydro furthest upstream (west) on the Au Sable River. Named after the nearby city, Mio was the first hydroelectric plant to use a conduit or under-sluice spillway. Before this, all dams had included a massive above-ground concrete spillway that typically included a system of gates to pass excess flows.

ConsumersEnergy.com/hydro5562-E

PORTAGE 1MIO HYDROCELEBRATING 100 YEARS OF OPERATION (1916 – 2016)

3Program Book

It isn’t winning a Marathon but it is close.

Being invited to stay on as the publisher of the 69th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon Program Book was a great honor.

Late in 2014, in addition to producing The Guide, my father, Jerry Nunn and I approached the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Committee to publish the book.

Arrogant perhaps, but we had approached the committee with so many changes that they had to be written down, discussed and mulled over.

It was shortly after Christmas of 2014, that we learned the committee liked our ideas and they were willing to embark on an adventure as our partners, to deliver the public a package that was worthy to bear the name AuSable River Canoe Marathon.

Nearing its 70th year, the Marathon is more than just a race ¬– it is THE race. It is THE race that celebrates Northeast Michigan’s heritage, resources and people. It is THE race that once began as a local challenge and have evolved into a world-class competition. It is THE race that towns and communities can build festivals around.

This journey, that we and the committee began, meant large changes. We moved the book to a full color publication, asking supporters to provide us with higher quality images and join us as we think outside the box. We ripped apart the statistics, to deliver tables that are easier to read, and were meaningful beyond the organizers and racers. And we stuffed in content that went beyond patting the backs of the Marathon, but delivered the greater message that the AuSable River Basin and the communities around it are something to behold.

This Marathon means different things to different people.

Unlike myself, my father Jerry followed the marathon several times. He loved to share the stories and the excitement to anyone who would listen. As he would use his words to paint the

pictures in your mind, you would notice the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and your arms would light up with goosebumps.

He never oversold it. It was just that exciting.

As we began to publish the 2015 book, we learned that dad had terminal cancer.

Here I was left to take our dreams for the book, and make them a reality without my best friend by my side, as he was beginning his battle with that nasty disease.

His battle didn’t last long. Quickly he went from perfectly healthy to bed-ridden, and not long after we lost him and Northeast Michigan lost its greatest voice.

Jerry Nunn passed away July 29, 2015, at the age of 55 years old, leaving behind his family, friends and his love for Northeast Michigan.

Before dad passed, he was able to see our dreams become a reality as he thumbed through the greatest Canoe Marathon book ever published. Although he was unable to speak, I knew exactly what he wanted to say as the tear ran down his cheek and he gave a thumbs up.

And while it doesn’t compare to competing in a world-renowned Canoe Marathon, words cannot describe how victorious I felt.

I hope you will agree, that this year’s book is better than the last and as you read this book and as you follow or paddle the race, I hope that you think of my dad and those in your own life who have passed.

Thank you,Scott Nunn

IT ISN’T WINNING A MARATHON BUT IT’S CLOSE

By SCOTT NUNNpublisher

To read more about Jerry Nunn visit: www.issuu.com/infonortheast/docs/august_

september_15_guidesmor http://www.ogemawherald.

com/stories/Nunn-better,102104


A note from the publisher 32015 Marathon results 6-8Spectator Tips 8AuSable River Canoe Marathon Radio Network 9Iron Paddler Award 10Grayling Calendar of Events 12-13Winners list 14 & 18Anglers of the Au Sable 16Career Points Ranking - Top 50 22-23Inaugural Rabaska Race 24-25Huron Pines: Paddling to successs 26-27 The Good, The Bad and The Ugly 28-29Hall of Fame 30Meet the Six Dams 32-33Cleaning up the AuSable 36-37Exploring the History of The Rabaska 38-39The Bissonette Bros Award 41Funding Habitat Improvements 42-43Oscoda Calendar of Events 44-45Most Consecutive Finishes 46Guardians of the River 48-49AuSable River Canoe Marathon Map 50-51World Class Paddling 52-53Team Pride 54Da$h for Ca$h 56-57River Festival and AuSable River Canoe Marathon Schedule of Events 59-60Follow the Race LIVE 61Grueling, Intense and Emotional 64-65State Water Trail 67-68Blast from the Past 68-69The Triple Crown 70-71How to become a canoe marathoner 72-73The AuSable River 74-76Take Care of the AuSable Valley Forest Resources 80-82The Race 84-85Grayling Youth Paddling Club 86-87The Artic Clacier Mini Marathon 88-89Sweating for the Wedding 90-91Partners with the River 93-95The Final State of the Triple Crown 97

Racing Statistics are located throughout the book.Michael Taggert sponsored the Point to Point records

for 2015-2016.

GraylingCheryl LuceyPhil WeilerSuzanne SchlachterJames L-BulleyRich KimmelToni StephanSteve SouthardJoe WakeleyJohn LuceyErnie BalchMark SloanAndy MooreMary LukeTim WeismillerAngie EllisDana AndersonJack RichardsJessica AdkisonWayne KoppaJordan Stephan

OscodaRod MatthewsJustin Griffi thLisa DenneySylvia Harmon-CurleyRyan MatthewsSherry KimselMarie MatthewsSam HarmonChris LovelacePeggy EnglishKeith WojahnKathy EricksonSarah McLeodPenny WojahnJustin CollierRebecca Collier

69th AuSable River Canoe Marathon

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon is a non-profi t organization whose purpose is to organize and promote the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, generate public exposure to the communities in the AuSable River Valley and increase awareness of the unique natural resource, the AuSable River.

2016 Volunteer Race Committee

Table of Contents

Writers: Tom Baird, Thomas Buhr, Rob Burg, Bernie Eng, Emma Fojtik, Art Furtaw, Josh Greenburg, Calvin Hoogerhyde, Yvon Laplante, Dennis Mansfi eld, Scott Nunn, Lona O'Connor/Detroit Free Press, Steve Southard, Susan Theil, Susan Williams

Photographers:Mark Bialek, Bissonette Family, Brian Connon, Scott Nunn, Cyrille Farre

Editors: Scott Nunn

Layout & Design: Scott NunnPublisher:

Scott Nunn(989) 245-7140 or [email protected]

*Patients are seen in the order of arrival, however priority care may be provided based on the severity of the complaint or injury. Talk to a staff member to learn more.

ALWAYS ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS • NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY*When you need quick, convenient care for non-life threatening illnesses and injuries, Grayling Physician Network’s Walk-In Care services will have you feeling better faster than ever. With dedicated access to trained providers and staff, our Walk-In Care services include diagnosis and treatment of a full range of medical conditions including:

• Back strains• Earaches or infections• Fever or flu-like symptoms• Mild allergic reactions

• Minor burns and cuts• Minor trauma, such as an

ankle sprain• Minor eye injuries,

infections, or irritations• Muscle aches and pains• Upset stomach• Seasonal allergies

• Severe sore throats, cough and colds

• Sprains and minor fractures

Walk-In Care services for minor injuries and illnesses.

GRAYLING ROSCOMMON

PRUDENVILLE

Monday: 11 am - 7 pmTuesday: 11 am - 7 pm

Wednesday: 11 am - 7 pmThursday: 11 am - 7 pm

Friday: 11 am - 7 pmSaturday: NEW SUMMER 2016 HOURS! 8 AM - 12 PM FROM JULY 2 TO SEP. 3 Saturday: 9 am - 3 pm

Monday: 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pmTuesday: 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pm

Wednesday: 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pmThursday: 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pm

AuSable Marathon Websiteausablecanoemarathon.org

AuSable Marathon Facebook pagefacebook.com/AuSableCanoeMarathon.org

AuSable Marathon on Instagram@AuSableMarathon

AuSable Marathon on Twitter@AuSable Marathon

AuSable Canoe Marathon on Snapchat

AuSable Marathon YouTube ChannelYouTube.com/AuSableCanoeMarathon

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*Patients are seen in the order of arrival, however priority care may be provided based on the severity of the complaint or injury. Talk to a staff member to learn more.

ALWAYS ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS • NO APPOINTMENT NECESSARY*When you need quick, convenient care for non-life threatening illnesses and injuries, Grayling Physician Network’s Walk-In Care services will have you feeling better faster than ever. With dedicated access to trained providers and staff, our Walk-In Care services include diagnosis and treatment of a full range of medical conditions including:

• Back strains• Earaches or infections• Fever or flu-like symptoms• Mild allergic reactions

• Minor burns and cuts• Minor trauma, such as an

ankle sprain• Minor eye injuries,

infections, or irritations• Muscle aches and pains• Upset stomach• Seasonal allergies

• Severe sore throats, cough and colds

• Sprains and minor fractures

Walk-In Care services for minor injuries and illnesses.

GRAYLING ROSCOMMON

PRUDENVILLE

Monday: 11 am - 7 pmTuesday: 11 am - 7 pm

Wednesday: 11 am - 7 pmThursday: 11 am - 7 pm

Friday: 11 am - 7 pmSaturday: NEW SUMMER 2016 HOURS! 8 AM - 12 PM FROM JULY 2 TO SEP. 3 Saturday: 9 am - 3 pm

Monday: 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pmTuesday: 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pm

Wednesday: 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pmThursday: 9 am - 12 pm & 1 pm - 3 pm


AuSable Marathon YouTube ChannelYouTube.com/AuSableCanoeMarathon Gold Paddle Partner


Place No. Paddlers (Ages) Time1 01 Andrew Triebold (39) & Steve Lajoie (39) 14:31:562 66 Mathieu Pellerin (25) & Guillaume Blais (29) 14:40:533 98 Michael Schlimmer (29) & Ben Schlimmer (26) 14:49:214 13 Nick Walton (42) & Christophe Proulx (20) 14:53:215 08 Shane MacDowell (27) & Pete Mead (34) 14:59:536 20 Tim Sheldon (50) & Tad Hill (37) 15:05:267 02 Ken Kolonich (69) & Ryan Halstead (28) 15:06:448 22 Richard Lauth (42) & Colin Hunter (34) 15:08:179 80 Weston Willoughby (24) & Zach Mack (19) 15:10:20

10 97 Kyle Mynar (30) & Logan Mynar (24) 15:12:4011 68 Jason Hatfi eld (37) & Patrick Armstrong (37) 15:17:4512 55 Mike Davis (24) & Rebecca Davis (25) 15:25:1713 30 Clark Kent (55) & Mike Bradford (50) 15:31:1814 14 Cameron McClain (32) & Bill Torongo (53) 15:39:0215 89 David Teddy (41) & Mandy Streib (34) 15:40:2016 39 Sean Casey (37) & Austin Weiler (23) 15:41:5717 64 Adam Gelinas (33) & Sarah Lessard (27) 15:43:5618 44 Flash Marsh (38) & Matt Gabriel, Jr. (31) 15:46:3719 85 Bruce Barton (58) & Gloria Wesley (55) 15:48:4220 94 Ted Smutek (47) & Holly Reynolds (35) 15:50:3821 11 Rick Joy (56) & Hailey McMahon (24) 15:55:0122 07 Wesley Dean (20) & Daniel Medina (21) 15:59:0023 57 Drew Compau (24) & Jon Webb (55) 15:59:4324 28 Eric Batway (52) & Chris Kucharek (37) 16:01:4025 72 Allen Limberg (57) & Barb Bradley (58) 16:07:4826 40 Fred Mills (61) & Tim McClure (57) 16:09:5227 88 Eric Dittenber (38) & Philip Millspaugh (30) 16:11:5228 36 Joe Leusby (31) & Michael Garon (57) 16:12:5729 34 Phil Trudgeon (55) & Carrie Montgomery (45) 16:16:0630 06 Don Brooks (46) & Mike Hale (31) 16:17:5431 15 Kevin Olson (28) & Rick Olson (59) 16:20:1532 60 Patrick Madden (35) & Roger Henry (73) 16:20:5033 76 Seth Miller (48) & Stephen Miller (50) 16:27:0734 33 Shawn Spallinger (38) & Joey Kimsel (34) 16:32:0735 45 Joseph Schlimmer (30) & Rebecca Sutter (46) 16:33:0036 31 Sylvie Nadeau (40) & Edith MacHattie (42) 16:34:1937 50 Joel Mack (42) & Kyle Stonehouse (21) 16:42:3338 43 Mike Hartman (39) & Brad Wilson (33) 16:47:2739 84 Neil Wiesner-Hanks (56) & Nate Winkler (43) 16:49:1140 96 Nathan Tate (29) & Eldon Barclay (24) 16:52:37

2015 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Results

69th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon

photos by Brian Connon

CARROLL BROADCASTING“YOU CAN HEAR THE DIFFERENCE”

OFFICIAL RADIO STATION

OFFICIAL FINISH LINE RADIO STATIO

N103.3 FM T AWAS94.9 FM A LPENA

Continued on page 8

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

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CARROLL BROADCASTING“YOU CAN HEAR THE DIFFERENCE”

OFFICIAL RADIO STATION

OFFICIAL FINISH LINE RADIO STATIO

N103.3 FM T AWAS94.9 FM A LPENA


Arrive earlY:Festivities begin along the riverbank and throughout downtown Grayling a few hours before the race and are well worth attending.

Prepare for anything:Weather can vary, so maybe have a spare outfi t in a bag or backpack. Include a sweatshirt and jeans, as well as rain gear. Throw in some bug dope and even sun block. And don’t forget to have a copy or two of the race program, which has a map of the river and possible sites to see the event.

Pack a cooler:Don’t load it just with snacks. The race is long and you’ll want something more substantial than chips. So throw in some sandwiches and even fruit. Go easy on the adult beverages, too, and please have a designated driver. Not only is it illegal to drive under the infl uence, it’s dangerous, especially on Northeast Michigan’s country roads at night.

Set a limit:It’s silly to think you can hit every timing spot. That’s too much driving and parking, driving and parking. Again, much of this is at night and you’re bound to get tired. The best way to both watch and enjoy the Marathon is to pick maybe fi ve or six stops, out of the 15 timing stations, along the race. This not only allows

you to enjoy the moment without having to rush from stop to stop, but you can also fi t in a cat nap or two along the way.Some of my favorite stops are at Parmalee Bridge, Mio Dam and especially Alcona Dam, since it’s the fi rst portage of the morning where there’s daylight as the sun peaks out about 5:30 a.m.Joe Wakeley of Grayling, longtime race committee member, said the ponds before the dams allow spectators to get a longer view of their team, as they approach the dams. “Even at night, at the Mio Dam, you can see the lights taped to the canoes coming down the river,” says Wakeley.

Pass by Foote Dam:If you want to see the race-winning paddlers cross the fi nish line, it’s probably best to skip the stop just before that at Foote Dam.

Relax:After the race is done, go to the beaches along Lake Huron in Oscoda and enjoy some down time, lunch, maybe a nap. It’s a long race, even for spectators. You’ve completed it now. Kick back and enjoy. completed it now. Kick back and

For complete details and schedules visit these websites:

www.AuSableCanoeMarathon.orgwww.GraylingChamber.com www.OscodaChamber.com

By DENNIS MANSFIELD

There is a reason that the AuSable River Marathon is billed as the toughest spectator sport in the world.

Here is some advice to make your spectator experience all the better.

AuSable River Canoe Marathon

spectator tipsspectator tips

GRAYLING – The AuSable River Canoe Marathon ranks as one of the more unusual sporting events in North America. Each year, teams of paddlers hoist their canoes to their shoulders at the starting line in downtown Grayling and run to the banks of the famous trout stream, then paddle 120 miles – mostly at night – to the fi nish line in Oscoda.

While extremely tough on competitors, it’s a rare sporting event that has a playing fi eld spanning 120 miles and the Marathon is equally tough on the spectators.

Race fans who choose to follow the AuSable River Marathon, trying to get a glimpse of their favorite team at bridges, dams and feeding stops along the route, especially fi rst-time spectators, would be well served to follow a bit of advice.

Trust me, I know.I’ve followed the Marathon from start to fi nish, both for fun with friends and

professionally for various publications. After traipsing river-side across four counties, I feel qualifi ed to pass along a few tips to those traveling to Grayling for the 9 p.m. start of this year’s July 30 race, who plan to follow the racers to the Iosco County fi nish some 14 hours later.

Place No. Paddlers (Ages) Time41 41 Mike Packard (51) & Melissa Swislosky (43) 16:54:2142 05 Pascal Lampron (21) & Simon-Pier Lacombe (25) 16:55:0143 21 Brandon Gerardy (35) & Stephen Leppard (40) 16:57:2744 18 Gary Aprea (72) & Peter Heed (65) 16:59:3045 78 Tyler Sika (28) & Rick Sika (52) 16:59:3646 54 Ryan Bennett (20) & Lynne Witte (61) 17:03:5847 83 Ray Bauer (58) & Tom Ackemyer (50) 17:05:0848 67 Todd Bennett (51) & Roy Sowersby (54) 17:05:2849 19 Sean Brabant (25) & Chris Hewitt (25) 17:08:4650 46 Joseph Somero (23) & John Lucey (51) 17:10:5551 61 Ross Teeple (24) & Chuck Hewitt (56) 17:13:1452 59 Fritz Hansen (74) & Jaya Elleson (55) 17:13:1653 17 André Gagné (65) & Yves Greffard (57) 17:13:4454 92 Joseph Seifert (63) & Gwen Hills (31) 17:15:0055 47 Jeff DeFeo (60) & Jo Hamlin (20) 17:15:0556 73 Levi Korneli (20) & Ty Jensen (20) 17:16:4357 27 Ann Armstrong (21) & Dwight Walker (61) 17:19:1858 52 Gary McLain (49) & Rusty McLain (56) 17:27:0959 77 Ray Wonders (54) & Hunter Wonders (16) 17:31:0260 29 Peggy English (56) & Rodney Matthews (60) 17:35:3661 16 Naomi Kolka (19) & Adrienne Gillespie (27) 17:38:1462 86 Chase Matthews (17) & Michael Matthews (35) 17:50:4363 58 David Dahl (66) & Greg Zophy (58) 17:58:5964 69 Ryan Harris (24) & Robert Smith (41) 18:03:0365 87 Kevin Murphy (52) & Scott Doederlein (44) 18:20:3566 51 Ed Lipinski (45) & Bill Mahaffy, Jr. (34) 18:23:2767 24 Kristi Treston (21) & Katie Treston (26) 18:24:3468 26 Andrew Weeks (51) & Paddi Thornburg (52) 18:26:5269 12 Bradley Thompson (25) & Erin Fluke (26) 18:29:2070 49 Lauren Fry (37) & Mark Rowe (41) 18:29:5071 42 Jon Thompson (58) & Ellen Thompson (58) 18:32:4972 70 Ted Cramer (61) & Tommy Cramer (36) Drop73 35 Todd Kaems (44) & Jerry Killingbeck (46) Drop74 10 Chris Scully (55) & Jeff Matthews (58) Drop75 95 Rick Gillings (57) & Susan Williams (51) Drop76 75 Jim Anderson (60) & Bernie Tuszynski (58) Drop77 63 Tom Pellerin (27) & Jim Pellerin (23) Drop78 53 Kris Kalbfl eisch (31) & Matt Gonyea (24) DQ79 56 Jason Ziegler (40) & Shane Barber (39) DQ80 03 Mo Harwood, Jr. (36) & Matthew Ashton (36) Drop81 93 Christopher Krey (24) & Katie Lange (22) Drop82 62 Joe Pollock (56) & Dale Thompson (59) Drop83 82 Deb Dehoff (41) & Aaron Mead (32) DQ84 90 James Terry (38) & Katie Terry (37) DQ

2015 AuSable River Canoe Marathon Results (continued)

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon Volunteer Organizing Committee is pleased to announce the creation of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Radio Network (ARCM Radio Network). The radio network was developed in partnership with our Flagship Station, Black Diamond Broadcasting’s 98.5 UPS – The Station That Delivers, and in cooperation with the AuSable Marathon’s other Offi cial Station, Carroll Broadcasting’s Hits-FM 94.9 & 103.3.

More than twenty (20) ARCM Radio Network affi liate stations around the state of Michigan will carry AuSable Canoe

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spectator tips

The AuSable River Canoe Marathon Volunteer Organizing Committee is pleased to announce the creation of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Radio Network (ARCM Radio Network). The radio network was developed in partnership with our Flagship Station, Black Diamond Broadcasting’s 98.5 UPS – The Station That Delivers, and in cooperation with the AuSable Marathon’s other Official Station, Carroll Broadcasting’s Hits-FM 94.9 & 103.3.

More than twenty (20) ARCM Radio Network affiliate stations around the state of Michigan will carry AuSable Canoe

Marathon race updates for 19-hours, from 6:00 p.m. Saturday night, July 30, through 1:00 p.m. Sunday, July 31. Black Diamond Broadcasting and Carroll Broadcasting stations, with signals covering all of northern and central Michigan, will continue to carry live race reports through Sunday’s 4:00 p.m. official conclusion of the AuSable Marathon.

Larry Roberts, the Hall of Fame 23-year “Voice of the Marathon”, will work with the volunteer organizing committee to cover the race for the network and, also on other audio and video promotional projects for the event.

“We are excited about being able to bring

coverage of the AuSable Marathon to folks across a much broader area of the State of Michigan," ARCM Vice-Chairman Phil Weiler said. "This will help to fulfill one of the Marathon’s missions – to create positive exposure of our region and to attract more visitors to the AuSable River Valley, boosting our year-round tourism economy.”

“We are excited and proud of our new partnership with the AuSable River Canoe Marathon," Mike Chires owner of BDBG said. "We’re looking forward to bringing coverage of one of the most exciting events in our state each year to fans throughout Michigan, other U.S. states and abroad”.


Created by Hall of Fame Historian John B. Cook, the Iron Paddler Award is given to paddlers who have fi nished ten or more AuSable River Canoe Marathons in the Professional Division. To put

ten fi nishes into perspective, it is 1,200 miles of intense hardcore paddling; it is a minimum of 500,000 relentless paddle strokes; it is a minimum of 140 hours of grueling canoe racing.

Th ese paddlers are diehard and dedicated. Th ese paddlers are iron-willed and incredible. Th ese paddlers are the Toughest of the Tough!!

No. Paddler Year Age

1 Bernie Fowler 1956 302 Steven Kolonich 1961 413 Ralph Sawyer 1962 254 Jack Kent 1965 345 Al Widing, Sr. 1968 436 Irvin “Buzz” Peterson 1971 477 Jack Kolka 1972 388 Jerry Kellogg 1977 339 Verlen Kruger 1978 5610 John Baker 1980 3811 Bob Welsch 1980 3812 Butch Stockton 1983 3413 Brett Stockton 1987 2414 Tony Short 1987 2315 Rick Joy 1987 2816 Jeff Kellogg 1989 4417 Al Robinson 1989 4618 Dave Shepherd 1991 3519 Ken Kolonich 1992 4620 Serge Corbin 1993 3621 Lynne Witte 1993 3922 Jeff Kolka 1994 3523 Jim Harwood 1994 3024 Bill Torongo 1996 3425 Steve Kolonich 1997 2526 Randy Drake 1997 4327 Ted Kolka 1997 3128 Al Rudquist 1998 38

29 Blaise St. Pierre 2000 6030 Bill DuBois 2002 4431 Robert Bradford 2002 5932 Clark Kent 2003 4333 Steve Landick 2003 5034 Bruce Barton 2003 4635 Carrie Montgomery 2003 3336 Michael Garon 2004 4737 Jon Webb 2004 4438 John Sullivan 2006 3639 Tom Trudgeon 2006 4740 Joe Shaw 2006 5141 Connie Cannon 2006 4542 Dwight Walker 2006 5243 Steve Krantz 2008 5344 Solomon Carrière 2008 5145 Joseph Seifert 2008 5646 Fred Mills 2008 5347 Ted Smutek 2008 4048 Frank Smutek 2008 7449 Mo Harwood, Jr. 2009 3050 Ray Bauer 2009 5251 Tom Cannon 2009 5352 Peter Heed 2009 5953 Ray Quick 2009 5454 Joe Johnson 2009 5955 Andrew Triebold 2010 3456 Steve Lajoie 2010 3457 Mike Bradford 2010 4558 Allen Limberg 2010 52

59 Greg Nelson 2010 5360 Brian Royce 2010 3861 Chuck Hewitt 2010 5162 Colin Hunter 2011 3063 Tim Sheldon 2011 4664 David Teddy 2011 3765 Amy Solak 2011 4666 Sean Casey 2011 3367 Mike Hartman 2011 3568 Jeff DeFeo 2011 5669 Nate Winkler 2011 3970 Robert Smith 2012 3871 Jon Thompson 2012 5572 Don Brooks 2012 4373 Matt Streib 2013 4974 Pete Mead 2013 3275 Tad Hill 2013 3576 Rodney Matthews 2013 5877 Dick Kloss 2013 7178 Nick Walton 2014 4179 Gloria Wesley 2014 5480 Jason Hatfi eld 2015 3781 Flash Marsh 2015 3882 Joey Kimsel 2015 3483 Brad Wilson 2015 3384 Gary Aprea 2015 7285 Tom Ackemyer 2015 5086 Chris Hewitt 2015 2587 Ellen Thompson 2015 58

Iron Paddler Award Recipients“The Toughest of the Tough!”

Barb BradleyDon BurklundRyan HalsteadFritz HansenJohn LuceyTim McClure

Matt MeersmanDoug Moggo

Michael MontgomeryMike PackardRuss Reker

Matthew RimerTim Triebold

Tim ValkoSteve Watson

Ryan Halstead

Paddlers On the Cusp(9 Pro Finishes)

photos by Brian Connon

11Program Book


July2: Nature Discovery-Giant Silk Moths, Hartwick Pines State Park 3: Nature Discovery-Meet the Michigan Constrictors, Hartwick Pines State Park 4: Independence Day festivities4: Hanson Hills Firecracker Run, Downtown Grayling 4: 4th of July Parade, Downtown Grayling 4: Grayling Main Street Paddle Battle, Downtown Grayling 7&21: Baby-to-Toddler Closet open, Michelson Memorial Church 8: Campground Christmas in July, Hartwick Pines State Park Campground 8: Swing Away for MDA Golf Scramble, Grayling Country Club 9: Relay for Life of Crawford. County, Grayling City Park 9: Grayling Rotary Black Bear GranFondo, Hanson Hills 14: Chicken BBQ, Grayling Senior Center 11-17: Michigan Mammals Week, Hartwick Pines State Park 16: Garden Tractor Pull, Wellington Farm Park 16-17: Wood Shaving Days, Hartwick Pines State Park16-17: Quilt Show, Wellington Farm23: Beaver, Beer, and Banjos, Lovells Township Historical Society

30: Historic Canon Firing, Range 35 Camp Grayling

August4&18: Baby-to-Toddler Closet open, Michelson Memorial Church1-7: Invasive Species Week, Hartwick Pines State Park 6: Nature Discovery-Turtles in Trouble, Hartwick Pines State Park 6: Grayling Street Market 7: Nature Discovery- Seldom seen Herps, Hartwick Pines State Park 11: Hog Roast, Grayling Senior Center

11-14: Tractor Show, Wellington Farm Park 13: Forest Fest, Hartwick Pines State Park12-14: Tractor Show, Wellington Farm20: Lovells Bridge Walk and Log Drive all day20: Garden Tractor Pull, Wellington Farm Park 25: Business After Hours ~ Diamond Broadcasting and Grayling Eagles, Grayling Eagles 27-28: Black Iron Days, Hartwick Pines State ParkHooverville Reenactment, Wellington Farm Park

September1&15: Baby-to-Toddler Closet, Michelson Memorial Church1&15: An Evening at the Logging Camp, Hartwick Pines State Park8: Grandparents Day Dinner, Grayling Senior Center 10-11: Fall Fest, Wellington Farm10-11: 12 & 24 Hours of Hanson Hills Mt.Bike Race, Hanson Hills 10: “You’ve Got a Friend” The music of Carole King & James Taylor, Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts 10&11: Artists, Authors, and Musicians, Wellington Farm Park 11: Concert TBA, Wellington Farm10: 12 & 24 Hours of Hanson Hills Mt.Bike Race, Hanson Hills17: Garden Tractor Pull, Wellington Farm Park 24: Funky Fish Brew HaHa, Downtown Grayling

October1: GPA Arts & Crafts Show, Grayling Elementary5: Acting up Theatre Co- Anti Bullying and Personal Empowerment, Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts 7: A Temptations Revue with Barrington “BO” Henderson, Kirtland Center for the Performing Arts 7&8: Forest of Fear, 1316 S. Stephan Bridge Rd.8: Girls Night out, Downtown Grayling 6&20: Baby-to-Toddler Closet open, Michelson Memorial Church 13: Harvest Dinner, Grayling Senior Center 14&15: Forest of Fear, 1316 S. Stephan Bridge Rd.15,16,22&23: Punkin’ Chunkin’, Wellington Farm21&22: Forest of Fear, 1316 S. Stephan Bridge Rd.27: Business after Hours, Tip’n the Mitten28&29: Forest of Fear, 1316 S. Stephan Bridge Rd.

Calendar of Eventsfor Grayling and

Crawford County

23-31: AuSable River Festival & Canoe Marathon See Full Events Schedule on page 58

G raylingAutoRepairYour alternativefor auto repair

Foreign & Domestic

Monday - Friday7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

50 N. I-75 BLGrayling

(989) 348-8123

13Program Book

The Grayling area is a sanctuary for those who seek the great outdoors. When you’re here you enter “River Time Zone”, where time has no meaning.

Grayling’s Downtown District offers unique shopping opportunities, and numerous original restaurants and bars are located throughout the county. Two art galleries, souvenir shops and dining options are located in the heart of downtown. Dining in the Grayling area is casual with many options. From donuts to pizza, down-home cooking to locally-made craft beer, you will be sure to please your taste buds.

Visitors should spend some time at Hartwick Pines State Park. With its thousands of undeveloped acres and 49 acres of “Old Growth Forest”, The Pines is a refuge from the hustle and bustle of daily life with a visitor’s center, rustic chapel, museums, hiking, mountain biking, and cross country ski trails, and a short, paved trail.

A variety of terrain and numerous scenic trails for the novice to expert rider are making Crawford County an increasingly popular mountain biker’s destination. Many visitors also enjoy walking and hiking. Trails range from a one-and-a-half-hour leisurely stroll on several paved pathways, to many miles of unpaved biking and hiking trails.

Birding is excellent throughout the county because of the heavy and varied forest growth and many bodies of water. Endangered Kirtland’s warbler tours are available during the spring for a limited time. During the early spring, morel mushrooming is a popular activity. Geocaching and disc golfing are growing in popularity. The golfing opportunities in the area have something to offer for any ability, from beginners to pros, with four courses available.

There are numerous lakes that offer a variety of freshwater fish, with many public access sites for swimming and boating. For ice fishing, many lakes have high quality ice. The AuSable and Manistee Rivers, premier, world-famous trout streams with their numerous tributaries, make Grayling famous. These rivers are favorites for fly fishers, canoeists and kayakers. Both rivers are fairly shallow with a sandy bottom, clear water, and a slow current. There are no rapids or whitewater in the Grayling area, so these rivers

are “user friendly” for even novices. The beauty and serenity that visitors find on both the AuSable and Manistee Rivers makes this area a unique vacation spot, and keeps them returning year after year.

With 70 percent of the county owned by the state and federal government and open to the public, the area is a hunter’s dream. Various types of terrain yield trophy sized bucks, snowshoe hares, squirrels, turkey, grouse, woodcock and waterfowl hunting.

When you’re on a motorcycle, half the fun of the trip is getting there! There are dozens of beautiful rides within two hours of your Grayling area home base. For off-roading, ride a scenic, wooded trail, perfect for the novice and intermediate ORV rider. Crawford County’s ORV trail system is approximately 26 miles long with many county road shoulders also open to ORV traffic. The contrasting evergreen and hardwood forests of Northern Michigan are spectacular in Autumn. Enjoy the scenery with a leisurely drive, cycling, or canoeing.

For those interested in history, Crawford County has several unique attractions—Wellington Farm, USA, a Depression Era working farm, and the Lovells Museums that feature the Lone Pine Schoolhouse and Trout Fishing History Museum. Also be sure to visit the Grayling Historical Society’s restored railroad depot, which offers a trip to the 19th and 20th centuries.

For visitors who love snowsports, Grayling is a popular vacation spot. With an annual average snowfall of over 100 inches, and a range in winter temperatures from below zero to the mid-thirties, there is usually plenty of the white stuff around with the cold temperatures that go along with it. Snowmobiling is very popular in the Grayling area. There are well-groomed trails that connect to trails in other counties—literally hundreds and hundreds of miles to ride. Cross country (xc) skiing is the most popular winter “silent sport.” There are several xc ski areas that are groomed, both for classic and skate-style skiing. Downhill and xc skiing and snow tubing at Hanson Hills Winter Sports Park are both family friendly and inexpensive. Snowshoeing and skiwalking are sports growing in popularity. Both need a minimal amount of equipment, and neither requires a

lot of experience or training. The Grayling area offers miles of exceptionally well-groomed cross country ski trails for the novice to the expert, and ungroomed, pristine trails for snowshoeing or back-country skiing.

There are many events held annually—Maple Syrup Day at Hartwick Pines State Park in the Spring, mountain bike races at Hanson Hills, Dairy Days at Wellington Farm, USA, Christmas Walk in Downtown Grayling, and the world–famous AuSable River Festival and Canoe Marathon. Grayling hosts the AuSable River Festival leading up to the Marathon, held annually the last full weekend in July, which includes events such as a classic car show, arts & crafts show, food vendors, parade, 5k/10k, 1-mile fun run, and much more. During the Marathon, two-person canoe teams race in North America’s toughest, richest, non-stop canoe race. These teams paddle the fourteen to nineteen hour, 120-mile race finishing in Oscoda at Lake Huron. Considered to be the world’s toughest spectator sport, approximately 50,000 fans will cheer on the competitors at various points throughout the race.

Grayling houses Camp Grayling Joint Maneuver Training Center, a premier, full-spectrum, four-season joint training center. Camp Grayling provides year-round, customer-focused training support and high quality facilities.

There are so many positive things going on in Grayling with the Industrial Park growing, Grayling Main Street Program thriving, and the local economy on the rise. Major new and exciting developments are on the horizon.

GraylinGExperience

Nestled away in Northern Michigan’s Crawford County, Grayling offers a casual, friendly and relaxed lifestyle. Reminescent of the days past, it is still common

to see residents wave at each other as they pass and stop to chat in the stores.

For more inFo:GraylinG reGional Chamber oF

CommerCe(989) 348-2921

www.GraylinGChamber.Com

GraylinG Visitors bureauwww.GraylinG-mi.Com

(800) 937-8837 FaCebook – GraylinGChamber or

GraylinGVisitorsbureau

Calendar of Eventsfor Grayling and

Crawford County


AuSable River Canoe Marathon Official Winners ListYear Winning Team Time Margin of

Victory Second Place Team

1947 Allen Carr & Delbert Case 21:03:00 24:00 Jack Davis

& Jay Stephan, Sr.1948 Frank Bissonette

& Hugh Bissonette 19:58:00 13:00 Ted Engel & Jay Stephan, Sr.

1949 Frank Bissonette & Hugh Bissonette 18:57:00 28:00 Gerald DeFour

& Claude Gobiel1950 Jay Stephan, Sr.

& Ted Engel 18:32:00 20:00 Frank Bissonette & Hugh Bissonette

1951 Jay Stephan, Sr. & Ted Engel 17:36:55 42:00 Robert Fullerton

& Hugh Bissonette1952 Jay Stephan, Sr.

& Ted Engel 17:48:00 6:00 Don Feldhauser & Bernie Fowler

1953 Don Feldhauser & Bernie Fowler 17:33:00 38:00 Ralph W. Sawyer

& Eugene Roy1954 Don Feldhauser

& Bernie Fowler 17:33:00 39:00 Steve Kolonich & Larry Kindell

1955 Don Feldhauser & Bernie Fowler 17:38:30 15:00 Steve Kolonich

& Larry Kindell1956 Ralph Sawyer

& Tom Gildersleeve 16:58:00 12:00 Bernie Fowler & John Stephan

1957 Ralph Sawyer & Jerry Wagner 17:19:45 14:00 Irvin Peterson

& Tom Estes

1958 Steve Kolonich & Larry Kindell 16:41:00 27:00 Ralph Sawyer

& Tom Gildersleeve

1959 Ralph Sawyer & Jerry Wagner 16:56:00 10:30 Gary Kolonich

& Ed Wojahn1960 Ed Wojahn

& Sanford McGuire 16:11:55 10:30 Ralph Sawyer & Irvin McGuire

1961 Victor Kindell & Larry Kindell 9:49:25* 1:55 Ralph Sawyer

& Ed Wojahn1962 Ralph Sawyer

& Ron Hohman 15:25:17** 17:08 Gerald Lauwers & Stan Hall

1963 Ron Hohman & Irvin Peterson 15:09:04** 10:53 Gerald Lauwers

& Stan Hall1964 Ralph Sawyer

& Irvin Peterson 15:06:05** 21:12 Pat Widing & Al Widing, Sr.

1965 Ralph Sawyer & Irvin Peterson 16:11:54 13:04 Stan Hall

& Al Widing, Sr.1966 Ron Hohman

& Gerald Lauwers 16:00:49 10:12 LeRoy Widing & Al Widing, Sr.

1967 Ralph Sawyer & Stan Hall 15:40:29** 6:17 Irvin Peterson

& Steve Peterson1968 Ralph Sawyer

& Stan Hall 15:31:43** 8:25 Norm Crerar & Gib McEachron

1969 NO RACE WAS HELD

1970 Luc Robillard & Claude Corbin 15:42:00 4:00 John Baker

& Jack Kolka1971 Irvin Peterson &

Steve Peterson 15:36:40 3:20 Jerry Kellogg & Jack Kolka

1972 Jerry Kellogg & Luc Robillard 15:20:50 32:34 John Baker

& Jack Kolka1973 Jerry Kellogg & Luc

Robillard 14:56:20 31:19 John Buckley & Stan Hall

* Race was held from Camp Ten to Oscoda in 1961** Two day race in 1962-63-64-67-68 (Day 1: Grayling to Mio. Day 2: Mio to Oscoda)*** Race won as a result of a 10 minute penalty to Steve Landick & Solomon Carrière (14:37:28)

AuSable River Canoe Marathon Official Winners ListYear Winning Team Time Margin of


1974 Jerry Kellogg & Jeff Kellogg 14:40:09 35:08 Claude Corbin

& Serge Corbin1975 Jerry Kellogg & Jeff

Kellogg 14:59:07 6:59 Jay Stephan, Jr. & Bob Welsch

1976 John Baker & John Schwartz

15:14:10 13:10 Terry Jackman & Ken Brown

1977 Claude Corbin & Serge Corbin 15:17:42 5:00 Jerry Kellogg

& Jeff Kellogg1978 John Baker & Jay

Stephan, Jr. 15:06:26 10:55 Claude Corbin & Serge Corbin

1979 Claude Corbin & Serge Corbin 14:40:29 0:06 John Baker

& Ken Brown1980 John Baker & Ron

Williams 14:48:31 20:23 Terry Jackman & Ken Brown

1981 John Baker & Ken Brown 14:29:01 21:14 Al Rudquist

& Brett Stockton1982 Butch Stockton &

Brett Stockton 14:38:27 5:01 John Baker & Tony Short

1983 Butch Stockton & Brett Stockton 14:38:36 23:23 John Baker

& Tony Short1984 Butch Stockton &

Solomon Carrière 14:20:40 16:11 Tony Short & Brett Stockton

1985 Butch Stockton & Brett Stockton 14:35:53 7:23 Tony Short

& Steve Peterson1986 Butch Stockton &

Brett Stockton 14:30:38 5:12 Randy Drake & Eric McNett

1987 Serge Corbin & Brett Stockton 14:34:32 9:03 Tony Short

& Eric McNett1988 Serge Corbin & Brett

Stockton 14:20:00 4:01 Randy Drake & Tim Triebold

1989 Randy Drake & Al Rudquist 14:38:18*** 3:09 Jeff Kolka

& Bill Torongo1990 Serge Corbin & Brett

Stockton 14:43:35 1:31 Bruce Barton & Solomon Carrière

1991 Serge Corbin & Brett Stockton 14:33:30 1:33 Jeff Kolka

& Bill Torongo1992 Serge Corbin & Brett

Stockton 14:51:46 1:24 Bruce Barton & Tim Triebold

1993 Serge Corbin & Solomon Carrière 14:23:03 1:50 Jeff Kolka

& Bill Torongo1994 Serge Corbin &

Solomon Carrière 13:58:08 9:52 Jeff Kolka & Bill Torongo

1995 Patrick Lynch & Jim Harwood 14:20:40 4:02 Jeff Kolka

& Bruce Barton1996 Jeff Kolka & Serge

Corbin 14:04:05 37:34 Patrick Lynch & Jim Harwood

1997 Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin 14:19:36 6:18 Al Rudquist & Mike

Vincent1998 Jeff Kolka & Serge

Corbin 14:15:47 35:27 Patrick Lynch & Denis Marcouiller

1999 Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin 14:08:18 18:00 Ken Kolonich & Steve

Kolonich2000 Jeff Kolka & Serge

Corbin 14:48:00 14:32 John Sullivan & Louis Berthiaume

* Race was held from Camp Ten to Oscoda in 1961** Two day race in 1962-63-64-67-68 (Day 1: Grayling to Mio. Day 2: Mio to Oscoda)*** Race won as a result of a 10 minute penalty to Steve Landick & Solomon Carrière (14:37:28)

CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 8,000 kilo- watts, the hydro was originally named

for a nearby road called Bamfield. Work began on Bamfield Dam in 1917, but the project stalled due to unstable sand and World War I. Construction resumed in 1923, and Alcona Hydro, named after the county where it is located, began commercial operation in 1924.

ConsumersEnergy.com/hydro

5562-E

PORTAGE 2ALCONA HYDRO

Continues on page 18

15Program Book

CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 8,000 kilo- watts, the hydro was originally named

for a nearby road called Bamfield. Work began on Bamfield Dam in 1917, but the project stalled due to unstable sand and World War I. Construction resumed in 1923, and Alcona Hydro, named after the county where it is located, began commercial operation in 1924.


5562-E

PORTAGE 2ALCONA HYDRO


The Anglers of the Au Sable has been a fi xture in the community for almost 30 years. It has served the

river and surrounding area in a number of ways, and 2016 will be a banner year.

We were formed on the banks of the Au Sable River in 1987, in the heart of the Holy Waters, known world wide as the premier fl y fi shing destination east of the Mississippi. At the time, we felt the river needed a strong advocate for sound, science based habitat and fi sheries management. Th e river had seen many destructive events, including habitat destruction from the timber era, pollution from waste water and industrial sources, fragmentation and degradation from dams, and heavy pressure from fi shing, canoeing and related uses. Progress was being made, but more needed to be done.

So “the Anglers” was formed. With almost 900 members and contributors, it is the largest affi liate of the International Federation of Fly Fishers in the world. A few of our activities are described here.

Usually the Anglers most ambitious activities revolve around habitat restoration and related work. Th is year we will be restoring fi sh habitat on the North Branch of the Au Sable, as well as partnering with MGFCTU on the West Branch of Big Creek. We will also be cooperating with the DNR and Forestry Service to repair an access site and replace some signage on the “Big Water” below Mio. For over 20 years, we have been the driving force behind the Michigan Hydro Relicensing coalition, which participated in relicensing of the hydropower dams on the river, and continues to monitor implementation of the agreements with Consumer Energy regarding operation of those dams to maximize the fi shery and minimize degradation of the environment.

We are also heavily involved in educational activities. Th ese include two collegiate scholarships at LSSC and MSU, an essay contest for local students, and a variety of on stream learning activities, including the very popular Kids One Fly (Box) “Contest”, which provides instruction in fl y fi shing and a fi shing experience on the river.

Our conservation work has required us to

very popular Kids One Fly (Box) “Contest”,

17Program Book

The Anglers of the Au Sable has been a fi xture in the community for almost 30 years. It has served the

river and surrounding area in a number of ways, and 2016 will be a banner year.

We were formed on the banks of the Au Sable River in 1987, in the heart of the Holy Waters, known world wide as the premier fl y fi shing destination east of the Mississippi. At the time, we felt the river needed a strong advocate for sound, science based habitat and fi sheries management. Th e river had seen many destructive events, including habitat destruction from the timber era, pollution from waste water and industrial sources, fragmentation and degradation from dams, and heavy pressure from fi shing, canoeing and related uses. Progress was being made, but more needed to be done.

So “the Anglers” was formed. With almost 900 members and contributors, it is the largest affi liate of the International Federation of Fly Fishers in the world. A few of our activities are described here.

Usually the Anglers most ambitious activities revolve around habitat restoration and related work. Th is year we will be restoring fi sh habitat on the North Branch of the Au Sable, as well as partnering with MGFCTU on the West Branch of Big Creek. We will also be cooperating with the DNR and Forestry Service to repair an access site and replace some signage on the “Big Water” below Mio. For over 20 years, we have been the driving force behind the Michigan Hydro Relicensing coalition, which participated in relicensing of the hydropower dams on the river, and continues to monitor implementation of the agreements with Consumer Energy regarding operation of those dams to maximize the fi shery and minimize degradation of the environment.

We are also heavily involved in educational activities. Th ese include two collegiate scholarships at LSSC and MSU, an essay contest for local students, and a variety of on stream learning activities, including the very popular Kids One Fly (Box) “Contest”, which provides instruction in fl y fi shing and a fi shing experience on the river.

Our conservation work has required us to

deal with numerous governmental agencies, including the DNR fi sheries and forestry divisions; the Department of Environmental Quality water permit personnel, as well as the oil and gas division; and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s aquaculture programs. At the federal level, we work with the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Forestry Service, especially down river below Mio.

Th e organization carries on a number of advocacy activities related to the river. Th ese involve oil and gas drilling, water withdrawals, pollution and related clean up problems, land use issues, fi shing regulations, license fees, and a variety of practices deemed dangerous to the river.

Oil and gas issues have been of special concern lately, particularly due to the advent of high volume horizontal fracturing, or “fracking,” which has been focused in the area. Th e issues involve massive water withdrawals, pollution, and state mineral leases. Th e Anglers of the Au Sable was successful in keeping surface development leases from being granted by the DNR in the Holy Waters section of the river a few years ago. And a fl ow study we commissioned through MSU was used to prove that due to massive water withdrawals for fracking, Encana had essentially dried up a section of the North Branch of the Au Sable for a time in 2011.

Recently, the conversion of the old Grayling fi sh hatchery to an industrial type fi sh farm has resulted in a question of whether the permit issued to the operator to

pollute the waters of the Au Sable River is suffi cient to protect the river, the fi shery, and the economic activity they support. Th at matter is in litigation as this article is written.

We are pleased to be working with canoe liveries and racers to help make sure that the river remains available for everyone. Th e liveries have been most helpful in teaching their patrons about river stewardship. Our annual river cleanup aft er labor day continues to collect less and less trash every year. And we have started a special cleanup aft er the race for kids doing public service, where they have an opportunity to contribute by picking up trash, receive some education about river conservation, get a fl y fi shing lesson, and receive a complimentary beginners fl y fi shing kit.

We wish everyone the best for the race. Good luck to the racers. Please have a fun, be safe, and keep the river clean.

Serving the River Community

ANGLERS OF THE AU SABLE:

deal with numerous governmental agencies,

divisions; the Department of Environmental

the oil and gas division; and the Department

aquaculture programs. At the federal level, we work with the Fish and Wildlife Service and

problems, land use issues, fi shing regulations, pollute the waters of the Au Sable River is

deal with numerous governmental agencies, deal with numerous governmental agencies,

BY TOM BAIRD, ANGLERS OF THE AU SABLE PRESIDENT

www.AuSableAnglers.org


AuSable River Canoe Marathon Offi cial Winners ListYear Winning Team Time Margin of


2001 Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin 15:06:48 8:58 Tony Short & Denis

Berthiaume2002 Jeff Kolka & Serge

Corbin 15:04:56 5:26 Mo Harwood, Jr. & Matthew Rimer

2003 Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin 14:55:03 1:48 Andrew Triebold &

Steve Lajoie

2004 Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie 14:59:46 0:13 Jeff Kolka

& Serge Corbin

2005 Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin 14:56:11 0:01 Matthew Rimer &

Andrew Triebold2006 Jim Harwood & Allen

Limberg 14:33:50 14:35 Rodney Halstead & Ryan Halstead

2007 Andrew Triebold & Matthew Rimer 14:48:55 0:38 Matt Streib & Steve

Corlew 2008 Andrew Triebold &

Steve Lajoie 14:09:06 23:25 Matt Streib & Steve Kolonich

2009 Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie 14:17:42 11:36 Matt Streib & Steve

Corlew2010 Andrew Triebold &

Steve Lajoie 14:17:29 14:08 Steve Corlew & Bill Torongo

2011 Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie 14:41:00 17:32 Rodney Halstead &

Ryan Halstead2012 Andrew Triebold &

Steve Lajoie 14:42:43 15:53 Josh Sheldon & Ryan Halstead

2013 Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie 14:20:24 12:08 Nick Walton &

Christophe Proulx2014 Andrew Triebold &

Steve Lajoie 14:36:18 8:06 Nick Walton & Christophe Proulx

2015 Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie 14:31.56 8.57 Mathieu Pellerin &

Guillaume Blais* Race was held from Camp Ten to Oscoda in 1961** Two day race in 1962-63-64-67-68 (Day 1: Grayling to Mio. Day 2: Mio to Oscoda)*** Race won as a result of a 10 minute penalty to Steve Landick & Solomon Carrière (14:37:28)

?Did you Know

Talk about dedication

Jim Harwood holds the most attempts before victory record at 13.

Frank Smutek holds the longest paddling career at

62 years.

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19Program Book

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Mixed Division Split Time RecordsCheckpoints Year Time Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing 2014 0:45:59 Rebecca Davis (24) & Mike Davis (23)Stephan Bridge 1994 1:20:45 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)Wakeley Bridge 1994 1:51:04 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

McMasters Bridge 1994 2:50:38 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)Parmalee Bridge 1994 3:56:07 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)Camp Ten Bridge 1994 5:03:26 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

Mio Dam 1994 5:30:11 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)McKinley 1994 7:21:08 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

4001 Bridge 1994 8:15:22 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)Alcona Dam 1994 8:57:10 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)Loud Dam 2014 10:55:37 Rebecca Davis (24) & Mike Davis (23)

Five Channels Dam 1988 11:23:08 Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)Cooke Dam 1988 12:26:25 Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)Foote Dam 1988 13:43:15 Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)

Oscoda 1988 15:05:26 Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)2nd Half 2009 7:26:08 Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)

Mixed Division Point-to-Point RecordsCheckpoints Year Time Team (Ages)



Mio Dam 2014 0:25:15 Rebecca Davis (24) & Mike Davis (23)McKinley 1994 1:50:57 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

4001 Bridge 1993 0:53:27 Connie Cannon (32) & Tom Cannon (37)Alcona Dam 2009 0:37:36 Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)Loud Dam 1988 1:51:21 Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)

Five Channels Dam 2015 0:25:17 Rebecca Davis (25) & Mike Davis (24)Cooke Dam 2009 1:00:33 Holly Reynolds (29) & Jeff Rankinen (45)Foote Dam 2009 1:12:07 Holly Reynolds (29) & Jeff Rankinen (45)

Oscoda 2009 1:18:21 Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)

?Did you KnowThe smallest margin of victorywas 1 second:

Jeff Kolka and Serge Corbin narrowlybeat Matthew Rimer and Andrew Triebold

in 2005.

Master Division Point-to-Point Time RecordsCheckpoints Year Time Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing 1999 0:42:41 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Stephan Bridge 1999 0:32:12 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Wakeley Bridge 1999 0:28:27 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

McMasters Bridge 1999 0:55:44 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Parmalee Bridge 1999 1:03:18 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Camp Ten Bridge 1999 1:04:48 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Mio Dam 1999 0:24:04 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)McKinley 1999 1:43:56 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

4001 Bridge 1999 0:50:39 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Alcona Dam 1999 0:36:23 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Loud Dam 1990 1:49:13 John Baker (48) & Jeff Kellogg (45)

Five Channels Dam 1999 0:23:57 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Cooke Dam 1999 1:00:26 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Foote Dam 1999 1:11:47 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Oscoda 2009 1:18:21 Bruce Barton (52) & Connie Cannon (48)

Master Division Split Time RecordsCheckpoints Year Time Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing 1999 0:42:41 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Stephan Bridge 1999 1:14:53 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Wakeley Bridge 1999 1:43:20 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

McMasters Bridge 1999 2:39:04 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Parmalee Bridge 1999 3:42:22 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Camp Ten Bridge 1999 4:47:10 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Mio Dam 1999 5:11:14 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)McKinley 1999 6:55:10 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

4001 Bridge 1999 7:45:49 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Alcona Dam 1999 8:22:12 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Loud Dam 1999 10:11:47 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Five Channels Dam 1999 10:35:44 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Cooke Dam 1999 11:36:10 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)Foote Dam 1999 12:47:57 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Oscoda 1999 14:08:18 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)2nd Half 1999 7:13:08 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

21Program Book

Mixed Division Split Time RecordsCheckpoints Year Time Team (Ages)



Mio Dam 1994 5:30:11 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)McKinley 1994 7:21:08 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

4001 Bridge 1994 8:15:22 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)Alcona Dam 1994 8:57:10 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)Loud Dam 2014 10:55:37 Rebecca Davis (24) & Mike Davis (23)

Five Channels Dam 1988 11:23:08 Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)Cooke Dam 1988 12:26:25 Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)Foote Dam 1988 13:43:15 Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)

Oscoda 1988 15:05:26 Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)2nd Half 2009 7:26:08 Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)

Mixed Division Point-to-Point RecordsCheckpoints Year Time Team (Ages)



Mio Dam 2014 0:25:15 Rebecca Davis (24) & Mike Davis (23)McKinley 1994 1:50:57 Lynne Witte (40) & Scott McKenzie (36)

4001 Bridge 1993 0:53:27 Connie Cannon (32) & Tom Cannon (37)Alcona Dam 2009 0:37:36 Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)Loud Dam 1988 1:51:21 Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)

Five Channels Dam 2015 0:25:17 Rebecca Davis (25) & Mike Davis (24)Cooke Dam 2009 1:00:33 Holly Reynolds (29) & Jeff Rankinen (45)Foote Dam 2009 1:12:07 Holly Reynolds (29) & Jeff Rankinen (45)

Oscoda 2009 1:18:21 Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)

CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 4,000 kilo-watts, the hydro was completed in 1913.

It is named for Edward Loud, who had done extensive lumber business along the Au Sable and bought up most of the cut over Au Sable lands between 1900-06, then later worked with company founder William Foote and others to build the Au Sable hydros.


5562-E

PORTAGE 3LOUD HYDRO


WEYERHAEUSER IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 69TH AUSABLE RIVER CANOE MARATHON FOR POSITION TIME TRIALS.

23Program Book

WEYERHAEUSER IS A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE 69TH AUSABLE RIVER CANOE MARATHON FOR POSITION TIME TRIALS. Rank Name Points Best Finish Last Year of

Points1 Serge Corbin 2150 1st 20052 Jeff Kolka 1810 1st 20053 Rick Joy 1620 3rd 2008

4(t) Ralph Sawyer 1290 1st 19684(t) Andrew Triebold 1290 1st 20156(t) Bill Torongo 1260 2nd 20126(t) Steve Lajoie 1260 1st 20158 Brett Stockton 1230 1st 1992

9(t) John Baker 1220 1st 19909(t) Jim Harwood 1220 1st 200611 Tony Short 1150 2nd 200912 Jerry Kellogg 1120 1st 198213 Ken Kolonich 1050 2nd 201514 Jack Kolka 1030 2nd 198115 Butch Stockton 1010 1st 198716 Steve Kolonich 1000 2nd 201117 Irvin Peterson 890 1st 197118 Bernie Fowler 810 1st 195619 Al Widing, Sr. 770 2nd 1988

20(t) Steven Kolonich 740 1st 196520(t) Jack Kent 740 3rd 196820(t) Jeff Kellogg 740 1st 199020(t) Randy Drake 740 1st 199824 Solomon Carrière 700 1st 2000

25(t) Dave Shepherd 690 3rd 199225(t) Al Rudquist 690 1st 199827 Ted Kolka 660 3rd 200728 Bruce Barton 650 2nd 200729 John Sullivan 640 2nd 200730 Bob Welsch 630 2nd 198131 Stan Hall 620 1st 197332 Matthew Rimer 600 1st 2010

33(t) Jay Stephan, Sr. 550 1st 195733(t) Matt Streib 550 2nd 201433(t) Ryan Halstead 550 2nd 201536 Larry Kindell 540 1st 196137 Tim Triebold 530 2nd 199938 Steve Krantz 520 3rd 1990

39 Luc Robillard 510 1st 197840 Nick Walton 500 2nd 201541 Mo Harwood, Jr. 490 2nd 201042 Claude Corbin 480 1st 1979

43(t) Don Feldhauser 470 1st 195543(t) Louis Berthiaume 470 2nd 200445(t) Hugh Bissonette 440 1st 195145(t) Ken Brown 440 1st 198147 Verlen Kruger 420 4th 1980

48(t) Ron Hohman 410 1st 196648(t) Jay Stephan, Jr. 410 1st 197848(t) Terry Jackman 410 2nd 198148(t) Al Robinson 410 3rd 1988

Official Marathon CareerPoints Ranking - Top 50

Active Paddlers With MoreThan 100 Career Points

Name Points Best Finish Last Year of PointsSteve Corlew 390 2nd 2012Josh Sheldon 380 2nd 2013

Matt Rudnitsky 360 4th 2013Rodney Halstead 350 2nd 2011

Steve Landick 330 4th 2003Michael Schlimmer 320 3rd 2015

Josh Taylor 300 4th 2011Benedict Schlimmer 300 3rd 2015

Brian Krantz 290 3rd 1992Clark Kent 250 5th 2012

Christophe Proulx 250 2nd 2015Lynne Witte 230 4th 1992

Matt Meersman 230 4th 2014Tad Hill 210 5th 2015

Steve Watson 190 6th 2005Pete Mead 190 5th 2015

Allen Limberg 180 1st 2006Marc Gillespie 170 4th 2011Mike Vincent 170 2nd 2014Tim Sheldon 170 5th 2015

Mike Bradford 160 6th 2013Shane MacDowell 130 4th 2015

Brad Bauer 120 5th 2008Tim Sheldon 120 5th 2014

Mathieu St. Pierre 110 4th 2014Patrick Armstrong 110 4th 2014

Samuel Frigon 100 5th 2013


Alcona & Iosco Counties...World Class

BirdingDestinations

www.TawasBirdFest.comwww.AuSableValleyAudubon.org Voyager canoes, known in Quebec as Rabaska, are

very large “freighter canoes” generally about 25 feet long, originally utilized in the upper Great Lakes region by traders and settlers as early as the 1600’s. Another article in this program book – Exploring the History of the Rabaska – recounts the history of these dramatically impressive canoes.

Beginning more than 30 years ago, Rabaska racing has become a fi xture on the St-Maurice River in Quebec, the setting for la Classique Internationale de canots de la Mauricie – The Classic – the third stage of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing. In the early 1990’s, Rabaska racing was integrated into the festivities of la Classique, which is staged over the three-day Labor Day weekend in September. The Rabaska races have been an integral part of the weekend-long celebration and a fan favorite ever since.

This year, Rabaska racing is making its debut at the AuSable River Canoe Marathon! Rabaska competitors from Quebec are travelling to Michigan with their big canoes for the Inaugural Rabaska Race at the AuSable Canoe Marathon. For 2016, the AuSable Marathon Rabaska Race is being staged as a “demonstration project”, an opportunity for Marathon fans to learn about Rabaska racing and for the competitors to learn about the AuSable River. The race is being organized in partnership with Association des coureurs en rabaska du Québec (ACRQ), the Rabaska marathon canoe racing association in Quebec.

The Rabaska Race will start at 6:30 a.m., Sunday morning, July 31, at Consumers Energy’s Five Channels Dam (south of Glennie on M-65). Following the start, in the Five Channels dam pond, the big canoes will paddle one long buoy-turn loop in the pond before portaging the dam and heading downstream to Oscoda. Fans will also have excellent viewing opportunities at Consumer Energy’s Cooke and Foote Dams and at the Oscoda Finish Line, where the Rabaskas are expected to arrive at approximately 11:00 a.m. Sunday.

The Rabaska race can also be followed and tracked on the GPS online mapping that is being utilized for the AuSable Canoe Marathon, which can be accessed on the Marathon website at www.ausablecanoemarathon.org/2016-gps-tracking-map

For more information about Rabaska racing:

• ACRQ (Association des coureurs en rabaska du Québec)

• Website - www.acrq.ca/acrq.html• Facebook - www.facebook.com/Rabaska

By Steve Southard

INAUGURAL RABASKA / R-9 RACE AT THE AUSABLE CANOE MARATHON

25Program Book

Joe WakeleyCounty Treasurer

Sandra MooreClerk/Register

Kirk WakefieldCounty Sheriff

Everett “Trey” AyersProsecuting Attorney

Janet AllenCircuit Court Judge

George MertzCircuit Court Judge

Monte BurmeisterJudge of Probate

David StephensonCounty Commissioner

Shelly PinkelmanCounty Commissioner

Rick AndersonCounty Commissioner

Jamie McClainCounty Commissioner

Sharon PriebeCounty Commissioner

Laurie JamisonCounty Commissioner

Phil LewisCounty Commissioner

From the Crawford County Elected Officials:

Crawford Countyand the 2016 Au Sable

River Canoe Marathon

shopfamilyfare.com

The Rabaska Race will start at 6:30 a.m., Sunday morning, July 31, at Consumers Energy’s Five Channels Dam (south of Glennie on M-65). Following the start, in the Five Channels dam pond, the big canoes will paddle one long buoy-turn loop in the pond before portaging the dam and heading downstream to Oscoda. Fans will also have excellent viewing opportunities at Consumer Energy’s Cooke and Foote Dams and at the Oscoda Finish Line, where the Rabaskas are expected to arrive at approximately 11:00 a.m. Sunday.

The Rabaska race can also be followed and tracked on the GPS online mapping that is being utilized for the AuSable Canoe Marathon, which can be accessed on the Marathon website at www.ausablecanoemarathon.org/2016-gps-tracking-map

For more information about Rabaska racing:

• ACRQ (Association des coureurs en rabaska du Québec)

• Website - www.acrq.ca/acrq.html• Facebook - www.facebook.com/Rabaska


By Emma FojtikHuron Pines AmeriCorps Member

Paddling to Success

Huron Pines is a 501(c)(3) nonprofi t organization and an equal opportunity provider with a mission to conserve the forests, lakes and

streams of Northeast Michigan. Huron Pines believes that through active leadership and coordination of conservation projects, we make

the region a better place to live, work, and enjoy.

GRAYLING, MI—Exhaustion, fatigue, weariness, and a searing consumption of every bit of energy you have. The Au Sable River Canoe Marathon encompasses all of those characteristics and much more for the participating teams. Beginning in 1947, the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon has become more than just a race to the community and teams that participate. With 120 miles from start to fi nish, many different factors must come together seamlessly to enable the success of each participant in the Marathon.

The Marathon is a time for community to come together in appreciation of the amazing Great Lakes natural resources that connect us all together. It is a time to celebrate the coldwater river systems that shape our identity here in Northeast Michigan. A landscape of natural history presents itself around every turn on the Au Sable—from the rocks and stones that settled in 10,000 years ago, to the Kirtland’s Warbler singing its alluring song, “chip-chip-che-way-o”.

Although the river itself may be the center of attention during the Marathon’s 24 hours of action, it is important to remember that activities on the land in the Au Sable River Watershed are directly tied to the river’s health. Huron Pines is a nonprofi t organization working to conserve the forests, lakes and streams of Northeast Michigan. Located in the center of our planet’s most iconic freshwater chain, Huron Pines brings people together to shape strong nature-based communities, conserve our treasured lands teeming with wildlife and protect the Great Lakes—Earth’s most important source of fresh water.

One of the most important aspects of the Marathon is the feed teams or support teams that keep a close watch of their paddlers. Feed teams not only provide nourishment

and encouragement to their teams, they also inspire and strengthen community ties to the Marathon. Just as feed teams are an integral part of the paddler’s success, Huron Pines can be considered the feed team of natural resource restoration and conservation success in Northeast Michigan. At Huron Pines, we use a science-based approach and strong long-term planning to identify local needs and challenges, allowing us to prioritize projects that will most benefi t the health of our amazing forests, lakes and streams.

When a paddler’s needs must be met, the feed team is there to help by providing supplies and encouragement. The feed teams are ambassadors for paddlers and the event itself. Working with local landowners and businesses, feed teams are responsible for the many community partnerships made between teams and the public. Similarly, Huron Pines actively connects with community leaders, public and private landowners, volunteers and community members to keep a pulse on the health of our water and land resources.

The Marathon’s teams and Huron Pines share values that drive us to protect water, wildlife and communities of Northeast Michigan. To ensure that the wild places we know and love continue to be healthy, productive systems, we complete a huge amount of on-the-ground work across the region each year.

One example is our work to reconnect river systems by improving road/stream crossing infrastructure. Projects like the new timber bridge at West Karen Lake Road improve the overall quality of the river which in turn improves the health of the Great Lakes. West Karen Lake Road crosses the East Branch Au Sable River and scored as a high priority site during inventories because of its extreme impacts to the river channel. Excessive erosion, the risk of fl ooding during high water events

and fragmentation of the stream led Huron Pines to seek a solution for this poorly designed crossing.

In 2015, the old culverts at West Karen Lake Road were removed and replaced with a single-span timber bridge. This project reconnected 16 miles of river and will prevent 3.33 tons of sediment from entering the river annually. Restoring river connectivity through projects like this opens up important river habitat for fi sh and other wildlife. Not only do projects like this benefi t wildlife, they also improve quality of life in our communities by improving our public infrastructure. This means healthier rivers, better roads and bridges at stream crossings, and safer public crossings for residents and visitors to access and enjoy the rivers.

The success of events like the Marathon can be measured by watching the organizers, participants, visitors, community leaders, businesses, volunteers and residents come together to complete a task. The Marathon creates a cycle of community engagement that uses the river as a platform for strong stewardship of our treasured natural resources. Similarly, Huron Pines’ projects would not be possible without active community involvement and strong partnerships with natural resource professionals at the local,

state and federal level.As exhaustion comes over the

racing teams, they continue to plunge their paddles into the Au Sable throughout the night with class and sportsmanship. As each team rounds the bend, they are counting on their feeder teams to be waiting, equipped and at the ready. Feed teams are at the right place at the right time because they have done the legwork necessary to understand the river and its conditions. They have upheld their commitment to the team and to the landowners that have allowed their presence. They have provided the nourishment and positive energy necessary for the paddler’s success and the success of the Marathon as a whole. Inspired by the dedicated paddlers and feed teams of the Marathon, Huron Pines will continue to fulfi l our mission to conserve the forests, lakes and streams of Northeast Michigan. In doing so we will keep Northeast Michigan’s communities paddling toward success.

Before and after photo of road/stream crossing located at West Karen Lake Road over East Branch Au Sable River. The before photo shows the risk of fl ooding and washout because of the undersized culvert and road crossing. The after photo shows the timber bridge built to replace the culvert and the river returning to a more natural fl ow.

27Program Book

CAPABLE OF PRODUCING 6,000 kilo-watts, the hydro was completed in 1912.

This hydro is named for the nearby location on the Au Sable River where there were once five distinct river channels. The site of the workers’ camp built to support construction of the dam was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on March 13, 2002.


5562-E

PORTAGE 4FIVE CHANNELS HYDRO


The good news? No one died. The bad? I could have.

The 2016 General Clinton 70-Miler started off well and we headed out toward the offi cial turn pontoon boat in Lake Otsego. As we got there we had plenty of room to go around it and make our turn back to shore. What happened next is a mystery.

All I know is that the pontoon boat moved and the next thing I hear is the horrible crunching sound carbon fi ber makes when it breaks. I see the pointy metal part of the pontoon spear our canoe dead on the center right side, tear a huge hole in it, tear all the rear ribs from the right side of the boat, and slice the side clear down into the foam core under the canoe.

After that, things went black for a moment.

When I opened my eyes, it was dark and wet. I was under water, I couldn’t breathe, and I couldn’t see anything. I reached my hands up and felt metal. I instantly knew I was under the pontoon boat and I had no idea how to get out.

Still under the water, I literally clawed my way along the bottom of the boat, increasingly feeling very desperate to be able to breathe. I saw light, and reached my hand toward it.

Now I know why they call it the “Hand of God” rescue. When I reached my hand into the light, I felt someone take hold of it and pull hard. I came up to the surface gasping and coughing. I had swallowed a lot of water. I was thankful to see my partner, Justin Griffi th of Harrisville, Michigan, hanging onto the pontoon. I coughed and sputtered and asked “Are you ok?” I was relieved when he said yes.

Several men grabbed me and pulled me onto the pontoon boat. Oddly, I didn’t feel cold, even though

I know the water was cold. I didn’t feel much of anything but shock, I was still coughing and feeling like I was going to throw up the water I had swallowed.

The men on the pontoon boat pulled my canoe up. I quickly looked at the damage. All I could think was, no, we trained for this, I’m not quitting 5 minutes into the race, bring on the duct tape.

The pontoon boat slowly brought us to shore. Cliff Roach, our pit crew, was waiting there. We yelled for duct tape, he went running to the car.

Cliff took his shirt and dried the boat as best he could. Carol Rabuck was also there offering help. One of the men from the pontoon boat helped too. We took piece after piece of duct tape and covered the hull and sides as best we could. All I could think of was how long this was taking. We had wanted to do an under 10-hour race.

Once we taped all that we could tape, we got back on the water and began our race again. We agreed we would go as far as we could go, as far as the duct tape would allow us to go.

We came to the fi rst portage, a mile into the race, and found that we had a cheering section. Enough time had passed that people already knew what happened and were cheering for us.

Into the “Swamp” we go. It’s twisty and has it share of hazards and swift current. On the fi rst turn we instinctually leaned the canoe to make the turn. “Don’t lean! Don’t lean!” I screamed, “The boat is torqueing, it’s twisting!”

Unable to lean, fearing the boat would fully break in half, we went to plan B, and hoped that draw strokes, sweeps, and rudders would get us through.

The creaking and cracking was loud. When Justin spoke, I could not

hear him because of the noise the boat was making. I now had time to more fully assess the damage. I realized that the center thwart was no longer connected

to the gunnel. This is because the gunnel was broken in 4 places, and two sections were fully removed from the boat. I watched the duct tape through the big hole in the deck cover. It was stretched as far as it could stretch. The damage was more extensive than I thought, and the bow and stern were hanging down low. It felt like the boat would fold in half.

I was a bit spooked and was fearful of hitting the right side of the boat on anything knowing there was no way we could sustain another hit and stay afl oat. I said to Justin, “If we fi nish this it will be because of the greatest teamwork ever and we’ll have an awesome story to tell.”

Carol, Dick Leone, and Cliff were waiting for us at Index. They looked at the damage again, also realized the extent of it, and seemed surprised that we wanted to continue. Creaking and cracking, on we went.

Things were loud, but as uneventful as things could be with a canoe held together by duct tape, rainbows, and unicorns. Goodyear portage was our next challenge. We were playing tag with a

Schlimmer team, Teresa and Francis. We fi rst saw them under the Milford Bridge, on shore. We were surprised to see them and asked if they were ok. They said yes. At Portlandville they passed us, we watched them run like gazelles over Goodyear Dam.

The portage is steep, rocky, and a bit long when you’re carrying a canoe that fl exes every time you move. I didn’t want the tape to dislodge, given the swift water that awaited us after the portage.

At Emmons I commented that we were half way there. We were surprised and excited that we made it this far. A few more challenges were ahead. The turn with the concrete block before Oneonta Dam, Oneonta Dam portage with the boat fl exing even more this time, then the 205 ledge.

The Oteogo suckwaters only served to exacerbate the sound of the boat straining not to come apart

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly

The canoe was no match against the mighty pontoon boat, fortunately the racers were.

29Program Book

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Things were loud, but as uneventful as things could be with a canoe held together by duct tape, rainbows, and unicorns. Goodyear portage was our next challenge. We were playing tag with a

Schlimmer team, Teresa and Francis. We fi rst saw them under the Milford Bridge, on shore. We were surprised to see them and asked if they were ok. They said yes. At Portlandville they passed us, we watched them run like gazelles over Goodyear Dam.

The portage is steep, rocky, and a bit long when you’re carrying a canoe that fl exes every time you move. I didn’t want the tape to dislodge, given the swift water that awaited us after the portage.

At Emmons I commented that we were half way there. We were surprised and excited that we made it this far. A few more challenges were ahead. The turn with the concrete block before Oneonta Dam, Oneonta Dam portage with the boat fl exing even more this time, then the 205 ledge.

The Oteogo suckwaters only served to exacerbate the sound of the boat straining not to come apart

with each stroke. The sound seemed to echo down the river. We were still playing tag with the Schlimmer canoe. We drafted each other for several miles and chatted each time one passed the other. It helped to pass the time for all of us.

Each set of riffl es, each rocky ledge, each shallow area, they all had us concerned with whether or not the boat would hold together. The closer we got to the fi nish, the more we wanted the fi nish.

“It’s the concrete steps,” I said, “about 18 miles to go!” We took a pit stop at Wells Bridge and fl ipped the boat over to empty out the water. This began a series of stops to empty the boat. The break was getting worse, and we were taking on water. We alternated running with the bailer open as much as possible and stopping to turn the boat over to empty it. The rain that was now pouring down in buckets wasn’t helping the bailing situation either.

Each time I’d get back in, I was reminded just how fragile the canoe was and how precarious our situation was. We decided at Sydney that if we had to carry the boat in pieces and walk down the riverbed, we were going to fi nish.

All along the river, many people

seemed to know us and know of the situation. They cheered us loudly as we went by. This gave us a boost each time.

I was curious as to what time it was. I wondered if we’d make it in less than 11 or 12 hours. I was sure we didn’t make our 10-hour goal.

Rounding the corner to the fi nish line, we heard our names on the loudspeaker. The announcer was telling everyone our story, telling people how much duct tape was on the boat, and we heard him say how remarkable it was that we fi nished. He asked everyone to applaud us and they did! We were very excited to hear the cheers and clapping.

Our total time? 10:14:43. But ... our moving time ... 9:44. Despite being in a canoe that should have been sponsored by the good people at 3M Duct Tape, our moving time was below our 10-hour goal!

It could have been a disaster, but instead it was a good day.

With the odds suddenly stacked against them, Susan Williams and her partner Justin Griffi th narrowly fi nish the 70-mile General Clinton Regatta.

This story is a personal narrative of Susan Williams. The damages that Susan and Justin’s canoe sustained are one of the many dangers that paddlers face when racing an event.


2006Marilyn Wagner & Jay Stephan, Sr.

2007Hugh Bissonette & Bernie Fowler

2008Butch Stockton & Harry Curley

2009Ralph Sawyer & Al Widing, Sr.

2010Frank and Peggy Smutek &

Oscoda/AuSable Fire Dept. Water Rescue2011

Stan Hall & John B. Cook2012

John Baker & Ed Wojahn2013

Serge Corbin & Bruce Myles2014

Lynne Witte & Jack Kolka2015

Larry Kindell & Larry Roberts

AuSable RiverCanoe Marathon

CHALLENGE WEEKENDANNUALLY IN MARCH

EVENTS INCLUDE CANOE/KAYAK & RUN/WALK

Oscoda, MichiganSponsored By:GOOD LUCK

PADDLERS!OscodaPress

311 S. State St., Oscoda(989) 739-2054Fax 739-3201

Iosco County News-Herald110 W. State, East Tawas

(989) 362-3456Fax 362-6601

www.oscodapress.comwww.iosconews.com

Model Total 2014 2015Corbin 32 12 20

Corbin 1995 1 0 1Corbin 2010 3 3 0

Gillies 12 7 5Hassel 9 4 5JD Pro 29 15 14

JD Pro 2 37 18 19V-1 33 18 15

V-1A 3 1 2V-1M 7 4 3

Manufacturer Total 2014 2015Corbin 28 17 11Crozier 30 16 14Gillies 1 1 0Rimer 11 6 5

Savage River 81 37 44We-no-nah 12 4 8Unknown 3 1 2

Since 2014, the canoe manufacturer and canoe model of each canoe raced in the Marathon has been recorded. Th ese tables show the tallies of the canoe data that was collected. For a more

detailed view of the information, please visit the Stats & Records section of the Marathon website; www.ausablecanoemarathon.org

Canoe Statistics

31Program Book

CHALLENGE WEEKENDANNUALLY IN MARCH

EVENTS INCLUDE CANOE/KAYAK & RUN/WALK

Oscoda, MichiganSponsored By:


Forest Products, LP

Serving the Great Lakes since 19744440 W. 4 Mile Rd,

Grayling, MI(989) 348-5412

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Consumers Energy river hydro dams have been integral to each AuSable River Canoe Marathon the last 69 years. In fact the oldest dam along the race course began providing renewable, water-generated electricity to Michigan residents 36 years before the � rst Marathon champions crossed the � nish line.

To AuSable River Canoe Marathon fans, the dams provide convenient locations along the river to view the action and cheer on the competitors.

To the competitors, the dams equal destinations to mark their progress, stretch their legs and accept much-needed snacks and drinks from friendly volunteers. Top racers also recognize each dam has unique characteristics that in� uence their paddling strategies that can make or break their � nishing times.

Mio DamWith the downhill sprint and splashy launch of their

canoes in Grayling during daylight a fading memory that has given way to a cadence of powerful paddle strokes and eyes accustomed to darkness, Canoe Marathoners are relieved to reach Mio Dam. At this � rst portage, they get the welcomed opportunity to walk, run, stretch their legs and get energized to continue their trek from the roaring greetings from appreciative fans. Mio Dam recreation sites located on both sides of the river immediately downstream of the dam provide spectators multiple locations to view the race.

Mio Dam construction was completed in 1916 and has a 4 megawa� capacity. � e plant, recognized as a State Historical Site, was the � rst dam to utilize a conduit, or under sluice spillway. Race teams begin arriving at the site at approximately 2:15 a.m.

Alcona DamRace teams begin arriving at Alcona Dam, the second

portage along the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, about 5:30 a.m. � e reservoir behind Alcona Dam is known for its thick fog, and the sun rising about the time the racers reach this destination is a welcome sight to them, as it begins burning o� the fog and it signals the end of a long night of paddling. � e Alcona Tailwater or le� side recreation site provides spectators the best opportunity to view the race as well as park safely.

Alcona Dam construction was completed in 1924 and has an 8 megawa� capacity. � e plant was originally named Bam� eld Dam a� er a nearby road.

Loud DamLoud Dam is the third portage along the Marathon route. Race teams begin arriving at this site about 7:20 a.m. � e

river hydro plant is named a� er Ed Loud, a local lumber baron who owned much of the land along the AuSable River from Grayling to Oscoda. Consumers Energy purchased the property directly from Mr. Loud. Entry to Loud Dam and parking is limited to team feeders and race o� cials who have o� cial Marathon parking passes at Loud Dam. Fans should look to utilize the Five Channels Dam site which is located a short distance downriver, where highway M-65 crosses over the AuSable River.

Loud Dam construction was completed in 1913 and has a 4 megawa� capacity.

Meet the Six Dams That Help Form the Character of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon

renewable, water-generated electricity to Michigan residents

To AuSable River Canoe Marathon fans, the dams provide

recognize each dam has unique characteristics that in� uence

sides of the river immediately downstream of the dam provide

under sluice spillway. Race teams begin arriving at the site at

5:30 a.m. � e reservoir behind Alcona Dam is known for its thick fog, and the sun rising about the time the racers reach

provides spectators the best opportunity to view the race as

has an 8 megawa� capacity. � e plant was originally named

33Program Book

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Consumers Energy river hydro dams have been integral to each AuSable River Canoe Marathon the last 69 years. In fact the oldest dam along the race course began providing renewable, water-generated electricity to Michigan residents 36 years before the � rst Marathon champions crossed the � nish line.

To AuSable River Canoe Marathon fans, the dams provide convenient locations along the river to view the action and cheer on the competitors.

To the competitors, the dams equal destinations to mark their progress, stretch their legs and accept much-needed snacks and drinks from friendly volunteers. Top racers also recognize each dam has unique characteristics that in� uence their paddling strategies that can make or break their � nishing times.

Mio DamWith the downhill sprint and splashy launch of their

canoes in Grayling during daylight a fading memory that has given way to a cadence of powerful paddle strokes and eyes accustomed to darkness, Canoe Marathoners are relieved to reach Mio Dam. At this � rst portage, they get the welcomed opportunity to walk, run, stretch their legs and get energized to continue their trek from the roaring greetings from appreciative fans. Mio Dam recreation sites located on both sides of the river immediately downstream of the dam provide spectators multiple locations to view the race.

Mio Dam construction was completed in 1916 and has a 4 megawa� capacity. � e plant, recognized as a State Historical Site, was the � rst dam to utilize a conduit, or under sluice spillway. Race teams begin arriving at the site at approximately 2:15 a.m.

Alcona DamRace teams begin arriving at Alcona Dam, the second

portage along the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, about 5:30 a.m. � e reservoir behind Alcona Dam is known for its thick fog, and the sun rising about the time the racers reach this destination is a welcome sight to them, as it begins burning o� the fog and it signals the end of a long night of paddling. � e Alcona Tailwater or le� side recreation site provides spectators the best opportunity to view the race as well as park safely.

Alcona Dam construction was completed in 1924 and has an 8 megawa� capacity. � e plant was originally named Bam� eld Dam a� er a nearby road.

Loud DamLoud Dam is the third portage along the Marathon route. Race teams begin arriving at this site about 7:20 a.m. � e

river hydro plant is named a� er Ed Loud, a local lumber baron who owned much of the land along the AuSable River from Grayling to Oscoda. Consumers Energy purchased the property directly from Mr. Loud. Entry to Loud Dam and parking is limited to team feeders and race o� cials who have o� cial Marathon parking passes at Loud Dam. Fans should look to utilize the Five Channels Dam site which is located a short distance downriver, where highway M-65 crosses over the AuSable River.

Loud Dam construction was completed in 1913 and has a 4 megawa� capacity.

Five Channels

Not far below Loud Dam is the fourth portage on the route of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, Five Channels – so named because the

AuSable River contained � ve distinct channels where the dam was built. Race teams begin arriving at this site about 7:45 a.m. Five Channels is listed on the National Register of Historical Places because the camp used by workers building the facility served as a model for worker camps during construction of the Panama Canal. Five Channels provides signi� cant race viewing opportunities either at the canoe portage or the old M-65 bridge. Parking and standing on the new M-65 bridge is not allowed. Parking for spectators is possible on both the south side and north side of the river and a li� le walking may be required. � is is also where the Rabaska (R-9) race will start this year at approximately 6:30 a.m.

Five Channels Dam construction was completed in 1912 and has a 6 megawa� capacity.

Cooke DamCooke Dam is listed on the National Register of Historical Places for

holding the world record at the time for voltage and distance transmission, as it transmi� ed 140,000 volts for 125 miles to Flint, Mich. Named for the banker who assisted in � nancing the project, Andrew Cooke, it is the � � h of six portages along the Marathon route. Race teams begin arriving at this site about 8:45 a.m. Cooke Dam provides ample race viewing opportunities either at the various upstream recreation sites or at the downstream recreation site.

Cooke Dam construction was completed in 1911 and has a 6 megawa� capacity.

Foote DamSavvy paddlers aiming for a strong � nish at the AuSable River Canoe

Marathon incorporate strategies to deal with sti� winds and waves that are o� en encountered in the water behind Foote Dam, the sixth and � nal portage along the Marathon route. � is project is named for William A. Foote, founder of present day Consumers Energy. Race teams begin arriving at this site about 10 a.m. Foote Dam provides spectators a great opportunity to view the race from the recently renovated Foote Tailwater recreation site. Spectators are not allowed access to the dam and retaining wall.

Foote Dam construction was completed in 1918 and has a 9 megawa� capacity.

Fastest TimesIn 1996, Je� Kolka and Serge Corbin set the record for fastest times to � ve

of the six dams along the Marathon. � ey reached Mio Dam in 5 hours, six minutes, 31 seconds; Alcona Dam in 8 hours, 17 minutes, 21 seconds; Loud Dam in 10 hours, six minutes, 47 seconds; Five Channels in 10 hours, 30 minutes, 37 seconds; and Cooke Dam in 11 hours, 31 minutes, 7 seconds.

� e fastest time to Foote Dam was recorded in 1994 by the team of Serge Corbin and Solomon Carriere. � eir time: 12 hours, 41 minutes, 2 seconds.

AuSable River contained � ve distinct channels where the dam was built. Race teams begin arriving at this site about 7:45 a.m. Five Channels is listed on the National Register of Historical Places because the camp used by workers building the facility served as a model for worker camps during construction of the Panama Canal. Five Channels provides signi� cant race viewing opportunities either at the canoe portage or the old M-65 bridge. Parking and standing on the new M-65 bridge is not allowed. Parking for spectators is possible on both the south side and north side of the river and a li� le walking may be required. � is is also where the Rabaska (R-9) race will start this year at approximately 6:30 a.m.

megawa� capacity.

holding the world record at the time for voltage and distance transmission, as it transmi� ed 140,000 volts for 125 miles to Flint, Mich. Named for the banker who assisted in � nancing the project, Andrew Cooke, it is the � � h of six portages along the Marathon route. Race teams begin arriving at this site about 8:45 a.m. Cooke Dam provides ample race viewing opportunities either at the various upstream recreation sites or at the downstream recreation site.

opportunities either at the canoe portage or the old M-65 bridge. Parking and standing on the new M-65 bridge is not allowed. Parking for spectators is

below Loud

because the

site.

capacity.

Marathon incorporate strategies to deal with sti� winds and waves that are o� en encountered in the water behind Foote Dam, the sixth and � nal portage along the Marathon route. � is project is named for William A. Foote, founder of present day Consumers Energy. Race teams begin arriving at this site about 10 a.m. Foote Dam provides spectators a great opportunity to view the race from the recently renovated Foote Tailwater recreation site. Spectators are not allowed access to the dam and retaining wall.

capacity.

site about 8:45 a.m. Cooke Dam provides ample race viewing opportunities either at the various upstream recreation sites or at the downstream recreation site.

Contributing Sponsor


Senior Division Split Time RecordsCheckpoints Year Time Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing 2014 0:48:30 Ken Kolonich (68) & Tom Trudgeon (55)Stephan Bridge 2013 1:24:22 Tom Trudgeon (54) & Doug Gillin (54)Wakeley Bridge 2015 1:56:42 Clark Kent (55) & Mike Bradford (50)

McMasters Bridge 2015 2:57:59 Clark Kent (55) & Mike Bradford (50)Parmalee Bridge 2015 4:05:42 Clark Kent (55) & Mike Bradford (50)Camp Ten Bridge 2015 5:15:34 Clark Kent (55) & Mike Bradford (50)

Mio Dam 2015 5:40:50 Clark Kent (55) & Mike Bradford (50)McKinley 1999 7:32:40 Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

4001 Bridge 1999 8:25:48 Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)Alcona Dam 1999 9:04:51 Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)Loud Dam 1999 11:02:22 Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Five Channels Dam 1999 11:30:40 Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)Cooke Dam 1999 12:37:04 Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)Foote Dam 1999 13:55:01 Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Oscoda 1999 15:21:22 Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)2nd Half 2010 7:42:43 Tom Trudgeon (51) & Phil Trudgeon (50)

Senior Division Point-to-Point RecordsCheckpoints Year Time Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing 2014 0:48:30 Ken Kolonich (68) & Tom Trudgeon (55)Stephan Bridge 2013 0:35:40 Tom Trudgeon (54) & Doug Gillin (54)Wakeley Bridge 2015 0:31:38 Clark Kent (55) & Mike Bradford (50)

McMasters Bridge 1999 1:01:14 Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)Parmalee Bridge 1999 1:06:52 Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

Camp Ten Bridge 20102010 1:08:44 Ray Bauer (53) & Nick Bauer (50)

Fred Mills (56) & Tim McClure (52)

Mio Dam 1997 0:25:53 Blaise St. Pierre (57) & Serge Rouleau (52)McKinley 1999 1:50:55 Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)

4001 Bridge 1999 0:53:08 Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)Alcona Dam 2000 0:38:36 Blaise St. Pierre (60) & Pierre LaPointe (58)Loud Dam 2013 1:55:40 Tom Trudgeon (54) & Doug Gillin (54)

Five Channels Dam 2015 0:26:01 Clark Kent (55) & Mike Bradford (50)Cooke Dam 2013 1:03:50 Tom Trudgeon (54) & Doug Gillin (54)Foote Dam 2009 1:14:33 Michael Garon (51) & Doug Gillin (50)

Oscoda 2010 1:23:12 Tom Trudgeon (51) & Phil Trudgeon (50)

?Did you KnowThe oldest winners of theMarathon were:

Serge Corbin in 2005 & Allen Limberg

in 2006. Both at 48 years old.

Women's Division Split Time RecordsCheckpoints Year Time Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing 1994 0:48:24 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)Stephan Bridge 1994 1:24:51 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)Wakeley Bridge 1994 1:57:38 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

McMasters Bridge 1994 2:58:36 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)Parmalee Bridge 1994 4:04:40 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)Camp Ten Bridge 1994 5:12:24 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Mio Dam 1994 5:39:18 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)McKinley 1994 7:31:30 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

4001 Bridge 1994 8:25:29 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)Alcona Dam 1994 9:05:48 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)Loud Dam 1994 11:02:15 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Five Channels Dam 1994 11:29:33 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)Cooke Dam 1994 12:36:41 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)Foote Dam 1994 13:58:00 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Oscoda 1994 15:26:14 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)2nd Half 2013 7:43:48 Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53)

Women’s Division Point-to-Point RecordsCheckpoints Year Time Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing 1994 0:48:24 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)Stephan Bridge 1994 0:36:27 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)Wakeley Bridge 1994 0:32:47 Connie Cannon (33)& Carrie Trudgeon (24)

McMasters Bridge 1994 1:00:58 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)Parmalee Bridge 1994 1:06:04 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)Camp Ten Bridge 1994 1:07:44 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Mio Dam 2013 0:26:35 Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53)McKinley 1994 1:52:12 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

4001 Bridge 2013 0:53:29 Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53)Alcona Dam 2011 0:39:08 Holly Reynolds (31) & Gloria Wesley (51)Loud Dam 1994 1:56:27 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24)

Five Channels Dam 2013 0:26:54 Jennifer Parke (31) & Judy-Ann Parke (34)Cooke Dam 2013 1:03:00 Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53)Foote Dam 2013 1:17:10 Jennifer Parke (31) & Judy-Ann Parke (34)

Oscoda 2013 1:25:28 Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53)

?Did you Know

Lynne Witte:...holds 8 records! Mixed Record

(4th Place), Most Consecutive Marathons Entered (35), Professional Consecutive Entries (31) &

Finishes (18), Highest Finish by a Woman (4th) & Most Professional Finishes by a woman (30)

& Most total Pro && Most total Pro & Am finishes by any paddler (34) & Most Marathon Partners (28)

A place for iends to meet & families to gatherwhere the food is as great as the AuSable is beautiful; the service

is as strong as the river is long!

35Program Book

A place for iends to meet & families to gatherwhere the food is as great as the AuSable is beautiful; the service

is as strong as the river is long!


PLACED ON THE National Register of Historic Places on Aug. 2, 1996, the honor recognizes

the hydro’s transmission of 140,000 volts, 125 miles to Flint, establishing a world record. Cooke Hydro is also part of the River Road Scenic Byway and listed in the National Scenic Byways Program. Lumberman’s Monument, a 14-foot bronze statue dedicated to Michigan lumbermen, is the centerpiece of a major Forest service visitor Center located on the Cooke Hydro pond.


5562-E

PORTAGE 5COOKE HYDRO

Cleaning the AuSable River

The Anglers of the Au Sable will conduct their annual AuSable River Cleanup on Saturday, September 10. The cleanup typically draws

over 200 volunteers from across the Midwest and beyond, and is one of the hallmark events on Northern Michigan’s conservation calendar.

The purpose of the cleanup is implicit: to remove as much trash from the many miles of the AuSable as possible. To do this, volunteers grab poking sticks and trash bags, and head to the river to assigned beats. Teams spot cars and wade from one point to the next.

“The cleanup goes back to the beginning of the Anglers of the Au Sable, and is symbolic of our commitment to the river,” said Tom Baird, president of Anglers of the Au Sable. “It has evolved from a few anglers cleaning up trash to a huge event, now including the Mainstream, North Branch, South Branch and in recent years the Big Water area below Mio.”

The AuSable River Cleanup is held at Gates AuSable Lodge. Folks meet and form into teams typically consisting of four to six people, allowing them to clean the high water mark as well as the main channel. Most of the trash comes from the sweepers for which the AuSable is famous. The AuSable consists of three very popular branches of river with many miles to cover.

On the same day, another set of volunteers meet in Mio, Michigan to clean the lower river, popularly known as the Big Water Cleanup. This heavily traffi cked section is a popular destination for trout anglers and canoeists alike. It is a larger river, often requiring volunteers to use watercraft to effectively clean the river. The Big Water Cleanup started out of necessity by the AuSable Big Water Preservation Association and has since been adopted by the Anglers of the Au Sable.

Many cubic yards of junk are gathered on these Saturdays, and volunteers are needed to make these events work.

To learn more:AuSable River Cleanup and Big Water Cleanup: [email protected] River Cleanup:[email protected]

37Program Book

5445-E

PLACED ON THE National Register of Historic Places on Aug. 2, 1996, the honor recognizes

the hydro’s transmission of 140,000 volts, 125 miles to Flint, establishing a world record. Cooke Hydro is also part of the River Road Scenic Byway and listed in the National Scenic Byways Program. Lumberman’s Monument, a 14-foot bronze statue dedicated to Michigan lumbermen, is the centerpiece of a major Forest service visitor Center located on the Cooke Hydro pond.


5562-E

PORTAGE 5COOKE HYDRO


Voyager/Rabaska canoes date back well into the early 1600s when French traders and British settlers first started to make their way across the Canadian Provinces and the Great Lakes here in Michigan and Upper Michigan.

Even though these were very large canoes that were typically made of birch bark and tended to be very heavy they were ideal for the trappers and settlers heading west, or going to out post such as Fort Mackinac in the lower peninsula. Voyager canoes were used until late 1800s by fur traders taking their hides to trading posts throughout Canada and Michigan. Voyager canoes were used in the St. Lawrence seaway also for same purposes and as far west as Montreal, Canada to transport cargo and people to outposts throughout the Canadian Provinces and North America.

A new mold was created to build ten 25-feet voyageur canoes to race over 3,330 miles around Canada to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the country in 1967. The competitors, representing eight provinces and two territories, were tracing a route through rushing rivers, along windswept lakes and across gruelling portages. It was a way of paying homage to the fur-trading voyageurs and explorers who opened up the country. The race stopped in about 90 towns and cities during 104 days. Hundreds of spectators watched the race. At that time, there were six paddlers into the canoe and nine to 10 paddlers in the team. Six-paddler voyageur canoes were (and still are) the norm in the other provinces of Canada.

Voyageur/Rabaska canoes became popular in the recreational centers and

youth camps after 1967. In Quebec, the sport evolved as a social sport with 11 paddlers in the Rabaskas. Identical voyageur/Rabaska molds are still being used today, the traditional shape of the canoes didn’t evolve since then, except the part that is outside the water in the front and in the back of the Rabaskas.

Towards 1984, Rabaskas have started to be used on the St-Maurice river at the Classique internationale de canots de la Mauricie. Brave paddlers were taking up the challenge into those big boats, like in the C2 pro race. Outside the Classique, unofficial races were organised.

In the begining of the 90’s, there was the first official timed race at the Classique. Big industries and some schools were sponsors of the teams. A lot of money was involved at that time, but there was not a lot teams.

The Rabaska Canoe Racing Association (ACRA) in Quebec in 1967, now known as The Quebec Rabaska Racing Association (ACRQ). There were still 11 paddlers into the Rabaska canoes at that time. The sport was present only in the Mauricie region, except for one team in Montreal area. There has been up to 12 teams towards 2009. Then, the number of

teams dropped to 7 in 2013. The association took the decision of having

only one mixed category, in 2012. It helped the sport to stabilise and to have more teams racing against each other. Two new teams by year joined the association since 2013. In 2015, the ACRQ took another important decision which was to reduce the number of paddlers to nine by Rabaska to help create more teams and the term R9 was born. In the begining of 2016, there are 13 official Rabaska teams and there are a few other teams that are building up.

Rabaska is great for people who want to be part of a team, while practicing an exterior sport and pushing their limits. Now, the goal of the ACRQ is to continue gaining two new teams by year, without losing any.The executive of the ACRQ is also looking to make the sport grow outside Quebec. This is why a first demo race will occur on July 31st at the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, the second stage of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing. Quebec Rabaska racers are looking forward for this race and are very thrilled about coming to Michigan for this prestigious race.

Exploring the history of

the Rabaska

This birch bark voyager canoe hangs in the Visitor's Center at Colonial Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City.

By Calvin Hoogerhyde

39Program Book


(989) 926-3161WWW.P ERMAL OG. NET

CELEBRATING

80 YEARS

F REE E STIMATES

41Program Book

(989) 926-3161WWW.P ERMAL OG. NET

CELEBRATING

80 YEARS

F REE E STIMATES

Bissonette Bros AwardHighest Finishing All-Michigan Team

Year Time Finish Paddlers (Ages)1989 14:41:27 2nd Jeff Kolka (30) & Bill Torongo (27)1990 14:46:32 3rd Jeff Kolka (31) & Bill Torongo (28)1991 14:35:03 2nd Jeff Kolka (32) & Bill Torongo (29)1992 14:58:03 4th Ken Kolonich (46) & Steve Kolonich (20)1993 14:24:53 2nd Jeff Kolka (34) & Bill Torongo (31)1994 14:08:00 2nd Jeff Kolka (35) & Bill Torongo (32)1995 14:24:42 2nd Jeff Kolka (36) & Bruce Barton (38)1996 14:55:48 5th Rick Joy (37) & Ted Kolka (30)1997 14:32:16 3rd Ken Kolonich (51) & Steve Kolonich (25)1998 14:57:01 4th Rick Joy (39) & Jim Harwood (34)1999 14:26:18 2nd Ken Kolonich (53) & Steve Kolonich (27)2000 15:07:10 3rd Ken Kolonich (54) & Steve Kolonich (28)2001 15:22:54 5th Ken Kolonich (55) & Steve Kolonich (29)2002 15:10:22 2nd Mo Harwood, Jr. (23) & Matthew Rimer (18)2003 15:13:16 4th Rick Joy (44) & Ted Kolka (37)2004 15:33:44 5th Mo Harwood, Jr. (25) & Matthew Rimer (20)2005 14:56:12 2nd Andrew Triebold (29) & Matthew Rimer (21)2006 14:48:25 2nd Rodney Halstead (21) & Ryan Halstead (19)2007 14:48:55 1st Andrew Triebold (31) & Matthew Rimer (23)2008 14:41:58 3rd Rodney Halstead (23) & Ryan Halstead (21)2009 14:35:12 3rd Mo Harwood, Jr. (30) & Matthew Ashton (30)2010 14:31:37 2nd Steve Corlew (29) & Bill Torongo (48)2011 14:58:32 2nd Rodney Halstead (26) & Ryan Halstead (24)2012 14:58:36 2nd Josh Sheldon (31) & Ryan Halstead (25)2013 14:36:56 3rd Josh Sheldon (32) & Matt Streib (49)2014 15:02:35 5th Tim Sheldon (49) & Tad Hill (36)2015 15:05:26 6th Tim Sheldon (50) & Tad Hill (37)


VISIT YOUR LOCAL STORE OR ONE OF OUR MIXPERIENCE ROOMS: Au Gres, Harrisville or West Branch

403 N. State St.Oscoda

(989) 739-8559

CONTRIBUTING SPONSOR

Financial Security Is Not A SprintIt’s A Marathon!

505 Clyde Street Grayling, MI

(989) 910-5135www.ncacu.org

Good Luck Paddlers!

GRAYLING — Work begins in earnest this week on a Consumers Energy-funded project to enhance five miles of an Au Sable River tributary to improve trout habitat.

The Mason-Griffith Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited received a two-year $165,085 grant from the Habitat Improvement Account that is funded by Consumers Energy and administered by Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources.

The local Trout Unlimited chapter is using the funds to improve the fish habitat on five miles of the West Branch of Big Creek, a brook trout stream and Au Sable River tributary. Mainly college students will spend about 13 weeks during the summer doing the work, which will include adding in-stream structures such as log jams along the banks and clearing or moving in-stream obstructions.

“It’s gratifying to see how responsibly the funds are applied and to experience how they are used for improving the environment and increasing recreational opportunities for Michigan residents and visitors to our Great Lakes State,” said William Schoenlein, Consumers Energy’s manager of hydro and renewable generation.

“The funds from Consumers Energy have helped organizations like ours do a lot to improve Michigan’s rivers,” said Karen Harrison, president of the Mason-Griffith Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited. “We’re confident this project on the West Branch of Big Creek will significantly increase the ability for trout to thrive in the improved stretch of water.”

“We’re getting busy with the ‘waders-in-the-water’ effort today after the work crews spent last week in safety training and getting familiar with their equipment and the stream,” Harrison said.

Kyle Kruger, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources fisheries biologist, said the MDNR fisheries division management team reviews the proposals to determine the positive impact a proposed project may produce when deciding which initiatives to fund through the Habitat Improvement Account. Consumers Energy provides that funding as part of its license agreement with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to operate its 11 hydro generating facilities on the Au Sable, Manistee and Muskegon rivers.

Consumers Energy Funds Habitat Improvement Project to Enhance Five Miles of Northern Michigan Trout StreamFour Additional Michigan Projects Also Begin in 2016


43Program Book

VISIT YOUR LOCAL STORE OR ONE OF OUR MIXPERIENCE ROOMS: Au Gres, Harrisville or West Branch

GRAYLING — Work begins in earnest this week on a Consumers Energy-funded project to enhance fi ve miles of an Au Sable River tributary to improve trout habitat.

Th e Mason-Griffi th Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited received a two-year $165,085 grant from the Habitat Improvement Account that is funded by Consumers Energy and administered by Michigan’s Department of Natural Resources.

Th e local Trout Unlimited chapter is using the funds to improve the fi sh habitat on fi ve miles of the West Branch of Big Creek, a brook trout stream and Au Sable River tributary. Mainly college students will spend about 13 weeks during the summer doing the work, which will include adding in-stream structures such as log jams along the banks and clearing or moving in-stream obstructions.

“It’s gratifying to see how responsibly the funds are applied and to experience how they are used for improving the environment and increasing recreational opportunities for Michigan residents and visitors to our Great Lakes State,” said William Schoenlein, Consumers Energy’s manager of hydro and renewable generation.

“Th e funds from Consumers Energy have helped organizations like ours do a lot to improve Michigan’s rivers,” said Karen Harrison, president of the Mason-Griffi th Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited. “We’re confi dent this project on the West Branch of Big Creek will signifi cantly increase the ability for trout to thrive in the improved stretch of water.”

“We’re getting busy with the ‘waders-in-the-water’ eff ort today aft er the work crews spent last week in safety training and getting familiar with their equipment and the stream,” Harrison said.

Kyle Kruger, a Michigan Department of Natural Resources fi sheries biologist, said the MDNR fi sheries division management team reviews the proposals to determine the positive impact a proposed project may produce when deciding which initiatives to fund through the Habitat Improvement Account. Consumers Energy provides that funding as part of its license agreement with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to operate its 11 hydro generating facilities on the Au Sable, Manistee and Muskegon rivers.

Since being implemented into the hydro project licenses in 1994, Consumers Energy has contributed more than $8.5 million to the account.

In 2015, funds supported $278,000 for � sheries research, habitat improvement and stream restoration. Other projects are:

• $20,000 to the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly to continue inventory of its dams and road crossings over the Muskegon River and its tributaries.

• $13,295 to the Upper Manistee River Restoration Committee for � shing access improvements on the upper Manistee River.

• $47,520 over two years for the Buhl Dam removal project on the Pine River, a tributary of the lower Au Sable River, as the dam no longer functions and limits � sh passage.

• $32,100 to Old Orchard Park/Oscoda Township for boat launch upgrades.

Consumers Energy, Michigan’s largest utility, is the principal subsidiary of CMS Energy (NYSE: CMS), providing natural gas and electricity to 6.7 million of the

state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties.Media Contacts: Terry DeDoes, 517-374-2159, or Brian Wheeler, 517-788-2394For more information about Consumers Energy, go to www.ConsumersEnergy.

com.Check out Consumers Energy on Social Media


Proceeds go to the Crawford County

Commission on Aging & Senior Center

of Michigan Cakes

Chris o

C isisis

Catch a Pancake for the Crawford County Commission on Aging…AND EAT IT TOO!

All-You-Can-Eat Pancakes - Served w/Sausage, Orange Drink & Coffee

Date: Saturday, July 30th Time: 7am - 11am Where: Lawn of Michelson

Memorial United Methodist Church 400 E. Michigan Ave.

Cost: $7.00


July 4th Independence Day Parade, Community Picnic &

Fireworks Show Downtown Oscoda

Chamber of Commerce email [email protected]

July 7th Rotary Concert Series, recurring each Thursday

evening through AugustOscoda Beach Park Band Shell

Oscoda Rotary Club email [email protected] July 8-10th

Independence Day Parade, Community Picnic & Fireworks Show

Oscoda, Wurtsmith Airport MuseumRose Mary Nentwig phone 989-820-9747

July 23th Reunion of Oscoda High All-Class Dinner

Oscoda American Legion HallJan Johnson phone 989-739-2516

July 26thDash for Cash Canoe Race,Racing begins at 5:30 p.m.

July 27th H.U.P (Hurry Up & Paddle) Race

Oscoda Canoe Rental Chamber of Commerce email director@

oscodachamber.comJuly 28th

“BLIND”folded Canoe Race & Kayak Raffl e Oscoda Canoe Rental

Chamber of Commerce email [email protected]

August 21th Annual Scholarship Golf Outing

Red Hawk Golf ClubChamber of Commerce email director@

oscodachamber.comAugust 13-14th

Wurtsmith Air Museum Fly-In and Pancake Breakfast Oscoda, Wurtsmith Air Museum

Wurtsmith Air Museum email [email protected]

September 23-25th Annual Paul Bunyan Festival & Carnival

Downtown Oscoda, Furtaw FieldChamber of Commerce email director@

oscodachamber.com

Oscoda Area Calendar of Events

PACK IT IN - PACK IT OUT!

New Name.All the Same Faces You’ve Come to Know and Trust.

335 S. State St.Oscoda, MI

www.LighthouseRealtyOscoda.com

45Program Book

Adventure awaits youin Oscoda Michigan

Great adventures begin when the sun rises over Lake Huron onto Oscoda’s unspoiled natural surroundings.

It shines on the area’s year-round opportunities for exciting outdoor activities, artistic pleasures and educational adventures.

Area trails inspire and challenge in every season. Proposed trails promise to expand the array of options.

The Oscoda-AuSable Chamber is launching a geocache trail, capturing the popularity of Iosco County’s existing 380 geocaches.

A planned 37-mile segment of the 774-mile statewide Iron Belle bike trail will run through Oscoda, AuSable, Wilber and Plainfi eld Townships. The 10-foot-wide paved pathway will traverse Huron National Forest and follow scenic River Road. This $8.5 million connector is expected to spawn economic benefi ts for area communities as the Iron Belle grows in national standing as a biking attraction. Oscoda County’s 1.3 mile Phase One is slated for completion in 2017.

The 2015 dedication of the Sunrise Coast Birding Trail heightened Oscoda’s reputation as a premier birdwatching destination. The 145-mile trail follows U.S. 23 from the mouth of the AuSable River at Shoreline Park to Mackinaw City. It encompasses 27 inland, coastal and woodland birding sites for observing common, threatened and endangered species. Compelling birding experiences have long attracted people from far and wide to AuSable River Valley marshes, coasts and woodlands. The nationally-recognized birders paradise sits along a vital bird migration fl yway

that attracts 300 species each spring. Every May, the four-day Tawas Point Birding Festival, a Michigan Audubon signature event, celebrates the migration. Area birding hot spots include the AuSable River corridor, Clark’s Marsh and the 5,000-acre Tuttle Marsh National Wildlife Area.

The popular groomed Corsair Trails and Highbanks Trail provide space for hiking, biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Snowmobilers enjoy 94 miles of groomed trails and connections to a statewide trail network, while Huron ORV trails unleash wheeled adventures.

Oscoda’s waterways offer unparalleled recreation options. The annual AuSable International Canoe Marathon, a Michigan summer classic, draws 50,000 spectators to witness the 120-mile competition along the AuSable River from Grayling to the fi nish line in Oscoda. Oscoda Beach Park spans more than 1,000 feet of prime Lake Huron shoreline. It’s a community hub for outdoor play and is connected to the central business district by a lighted boardwalk. A 300-square-foot splash pad with seven water features was unveiled at the park in the summer of 2015, thanks to a funding partnership between Oscoda Township and Oscoda Lion’s Club. The skateboard park at the beach was also enhanced with new steel ramps.

Enjoying the artistic beauty. Oscoda’s pristine natural beauty inspires an active art and cultural scene.

For more than 30 years, Oscoda Beach Park has hosted Art on the Beach, showcasing the work of more than 150 artisans. Oscoda-AuSable is a proud member of ARTown, the U.S. 23 Heritage Route trail linking

more than 80 Sunrise Coast organizations and artists from Standish to Mackinaw City.

Since 1997, professional dancers Scott Heinrich and Giuseppe Canale have trained dancers at their Northeast Academy of Dance in Oscoda, a premier academy attracting dancers from around the world. Innovative grassroots events fuel artistic passions. They

include Oscoda Art Drop where artists hide original works across the community. Participants follow clues to the concealed locations—and its fi nders keepers.

Travel back in time, witness nature at its best and dive into local culture along the 22-mile U.S. 23 River Road National Scenic Byway. The byway follows

Canoer's Memorial, located along the River Road National Scenic Byway, memorializes the canoe racers from 1953 forward. It was dedicated in 1968, initially honoring Jerry Curley, Henry Feldhauser, Arthur Furtaw Jr. and Jerry Lauwers. The original monument, at it's original location, was detroyed following an automobile accident and was later rebuilt at it's current location.

Continued on page 46


Paddler Consec. YearsLynne Witte 18 1995-2012

Michael Garon 17 1999-2015Al Widing, Sr. 16 1988-2003Serge Corbin 16 1990-2005

Rick Joy 16 1991-2006Lynne Witte 14 1980-1993*

Ken Kolonich 14 1988-2001Steve Kolonich 14 1988-2001

Jack Kolka 13 1964-1977+Jeff Kolka 13 1993-2005

Andrew Triebold 13 2003-2015Nate Winkler 13 2003-2015Colin Hunter 12 1996-2007*

Jon Thompson 12 2004-2015Rodney Matthews 12 2004-2015

Brett Stockton 11 1978-1988Nick Walton 11 2005-2015

Bernie Fowler 10 1947-1956Ralph Sawyer 10 1953-1962

Tony Short 10 1978-1987Rick Joy 10 1980-1989

Brian Royce 10 2001-2010Joe Shaw 10 2001-2010

Ray Bauer 10 2001-2010Ted Smutek 10 2004-2013

Ellen Thompson 10 2006-2015Jason Hatfi eld 10 2006-2015

Most Consecutive Finishes

* Includes Four Amateur Finishes+ No Race In 1969

?Did you Know

1994

the AuSable River showcasing top sightseeing spots, including Iargo Springs, the Canoer’s Memorial, Lumberman’s Monument, Foote Pond, Wurtsmith Airport and the restaurants and shops of downtown Oscoda.

Each Wednesday from May through October, growers from a fi ve-county region bring the cream of the crop to Northeast Michigan Regional Farm Market. As many as 2,500 shoppers and 20 vendors participate. Stalls overfl ow with heirloom varieties and organics, herbs, fl owers, honey, eggs, free-range meats and a growing array of home-baked goods. Master Gardeners are on hand each week to offer information and aid home gardeners. The effort is supported by SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) where users may purchase Michigan-grown produce and take home twice as much wholesome food with eligibility in the Double Up Food Bucks program.

Learning together. A visible synergy between the Oscoda-AuSable community, businesses and schools builds a strong and vibrant future. Oscoda Area Schools educate 1,250 pre-K-12 students. The district’s aggressive technology initiative expanded in 2015-16 with computers for each student and Wi-Fi service in all buildings. All student textbooks were purchased within the last fi ve years providing vital up-to-date resources.

For two consecutive years, the State of Michigan has identifi ed Oscoda Schools as Reward Schools for outperforming schools with similar risk factors and demographic makeup.

From education to recreation to inspiration the Sunrise Coast’s future has never been brighter, opportunities more exciting or life more promising.

Reel experiencesOscoda’s rivers, inland lakes and Lake Huron provide exciting

year-round sport fi shing experiences. From casting for walleye in the rivers in springtime to reeling in a catch over a frozen lake in the thick of winter, there’s a great fi sh tale waiting.

There are 29 inland lakes and 58 streams in Iosco County. The AuSable River, a designated Blue Ribbon trout stream, offers prime angling opportunities. Inland waters and the Lake Huron fi sheries produce perch, walleye, pike, bluegill, steelhead, salmon and lake trout. Local charter excursions lead anglers into the big waters for the best catch of the day. They provide gear and offer know-how and fi sh-cleaning service. Area river guides share fl yfi shing expertise amidst some of the best brown trout fi sheries east of the Rockies.

Continued from page 45

47Program Book

Paddler Consec. YearsLynne Witte 18 1995-2012

Michael Garon 17 1999-2015Al Widing, Sr. 16 1988-2003Serge Corbin 16 1990-2005

Rick Joy 16 1991-2006Lynne Witte 14 1980-1993*

Ken Kolonich 14 1988-2001Steve Kolonich 14 1988-2001

Jack Kolka 13 1964-1977+Jeff Kolka 13 1993-2005

Andrew Triebold 13 2003-2015Nate Winkler 13 2003-2015Colin Hunter 12 1996-2007*

Jon Thompson 12 2004-2015Rodney Matthews 12 2004-2015

Brett Stockton 11 1978-1988Nick Walton 11 2005-2015

Bernie Fowler 10 1947-1956Ralph Sawyer 10 1953-1962

Tony Short 10 1978-1987Rick Joy 10 1980-1989

Brian Royce 10 2001-2010Joe Shaw 10 2001-2010

Ray Bauer 10 2001-2010Ted Smutek 10 2004-2013

Ellen Thompson 10 2006-2015Jason Hatfield 10 2006-2015

Top Mixed Team Pro Records Thru 2015(One female and one male paddler)

15:05:26 1988 4th Place Lynne Witte (34) & Jim Myers (26)

15:07:39 2009 13th Place Connie Cannon (48) & Bruce Barton (52)

15:12:58 2009 15th Place Holly Reynolds (29) & Jeff Rankinen (45)

15:15:14 2014 9th Place Rebecca Barton Davis (24) & Mike Davis (23)

15:15:32 2010 14th Place Connie Cannon (49)& Tom Cannon (54)

15:18:48 1993 10th Place Connie Cannon (32) & Tom Cannon (37)

15:19:31 1992 9th Place Lynne Witte (38) & Solomon Carrière (35)

15:23:32 1996 12th Place Lynn Capen (41) & Steve Landick (43)15:25:17 2015 12th Place Rebecca Davis (25) & Mike Davis (24)15:25:30 1984 5th Place Lynne Witte (30) & Steve Landick (31)Top Women’s Team Pro Records Thru 2015

(Two female paddlers)

15:26:14 1994 17th Place Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon Montgomery (24)

15:37:07 2013 17th Place Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53)

15:58:10 2013 27th Place Hailey McMahon (22) & Rebecca Barton Davis (23)

16:01:44 2008 28th Place Connie Cannon (47) & Lynne Witte (54)

16:03:05 2009 38th Place Emily Peterson (29) & Carrie Trudgeon Montgomery (39)

16:03:54 2010 34th Place Christina Wilson (41) & Kate Ellis (54)16:04:59 1991 15th Place Connie Cannon (30) & Lynne Witte (37)16:09:52 2006 30th Place Connie Cannon (45) & Lynne Witte (52)16:11:32 2011 20th Place Holly Reynolds (31) & Gloria Wesley (51)16:12:58 2014 28th Place Holly Reynolds (34) & Amy Solak (49)

Top Masters Pro Records Thru 2015(Both paddlers 40 or more years old)

14:08:18 1999 1st Place Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)14:33:50 2006 1st Place Jim Harwood (42) & Allen Limberg (48)14:46:52 2009 7th Place Tony Short (45) & Brad Gross (40)14:48:00 2000 1st Place Jeff Kolka (41) & Serge Corbin (43)14:48:18 2014 3rd Place Ivan English (40) & Mike Vincent (49)14:55:03 2003 1st Place Jeff Kolka (44) & Serge Corbin (46)14:56:11 2005 1st Place Jeff Kolka (46) & Serge Corbin (48)14:59:59 2004 2nd Place Jeff Kolka (45) & Serge Corbin (47)15:01:37 2013 9th Place Russ Reker (49) & Mike Bradford (48)15:01:57 1999 8th Place Daniel Klinkhamer (48) & Bill DuBois (41)

13:58:08 1994 1st Place Serge Corbin & Solomon Carrière14:04:05 1996 1st Place Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin14:08:00 1994 2nd Place Jeff Kolka & Bill Torongo14:08:18 1999 1st Place Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin14:09:06 2008 1st Place Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie14:10:25 1994 3rd Place Rick Joy & John Hollands14:12:03 1994 4th Place Patrick Lynch & Jim Harwood14:15:47 1998 1st Place Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin14:17:29 2010 1st Place Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie14:17:42 2009 1st Place Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie 14:19:36 1997 1st Place Jeff Kolka & Serge Corbin14:20:00 1988 1st Place Serge Corbin & Brett Stockton14:20:24 2013 1st Place Andrew Triebold & Steve Lajoie14:20:40 1984 1st Place Butch Stockton & Solomon Carrière14:20:40 1995 1st Place Patrick Lynch & Jim Harwood14:23:03 1993 1st Place Serge Corbin & Solomon Carrière14:24:01 1988 2nd Place Randy Drake & Tim Triebold14:24:42 1995 2nd Place Jeff Kolka & Bruce Barton14:24:53 1993 2nd Place Jeff Kolka & Bill Torongo14:25:04 1994 5th Place Randy Drake & Al Rudquist14:25:54 1997 2nd Place Al Rudquist & Mike Vincent14:26:11 1994 6th Place Corey VanLoon & Denis Marcouiller14:26:18 1999 2nd Place Ken Kolonich & Steve Kolonich14:29:01 1981 1st Place John Baker & Ken Brown14:29:01 1994 7th Place Tony Short & John Sullivan

Top 25 Fastest Marathons

Thru 2015

Top Seniors Pro Records Thru 2015

(Both paddlers 50 or more years old)

15:21:22 1999 15th Place Robert Bradford (56) & Al Widing, Sr. (74)15:22:04 2010 16th Place Tom Trudgeon (51) & Phil Trudgeon (50)15:26:37 2010 18th Place Allen Limberg (52) & Barbara Bradley (53)15:28:16 2013 13th Place Tom Trudgeon (54) & Doug Gillin (54)15:31:18 2015 13th Place Clark Kent (55) & Mike Bradford (50)15:32:48 2008 16th Place Allen Limberg (50) & Barbara Bradley (51)15:36:28 2010 22nd Place Fred Mills (56) & Tim McClure (52)15:38:26 2014 14th Place Marc Gillespie (61) & Dale Persons (50)15:40:19 1997 13th Place Robert Bradford (54) & John Nemeth (55)15:41:07 2010 23rd Place Ray Bauer (53) & Nick Bauer (50)


Here are just few of the accomplishments of Mason-Griffi th Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

• Refurbished and constructed over 1,200 fi sh habitat improvement structures on the mainstream of the Au Sable.

• Taken the initiative and assisted other river groups, including the DNR, in the repair and maintenance of over a dozen access sites on the Au Sable and Manistee Rivers.

• Conducted or assisted with the habitat mapping of over 10 miles of the North Branch Au Sable and mainstream Au Sable Rivers.

• Conducted spring and fall Mi Corp benthic macro invertebrate studies on two locations of the headwaters of the Au Sable River, and two locations on the West Branch of Big Creek.

• Conducted fall trout spawning surveys (REDD surveys) on the headwaters, mainstream and South Branch of the Au Sable River.

• Conducted and assisted the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fish Division with fi sh population survey on the mainstream of the Au Sable River.

• Monitored water temperatures in the headwaters, mainstream, South and East Branches of the Au Sable, and their tributaries for multiple years.

• Monitored water quality on the East Branch of the Au Sable River.

• Participated in the control of the invasive species purple loosestrife.

• Participated in the Cedars for the Au Sable program by building cages and planting cedar trees in the Deward Tract on the Upper Manistee River. Also, nurtured previously planted cedar trees at fi ve Au

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July 16th & 17th

Proudly Presented By:

Curley Family Contributing Sponsors:

Adam Curley Tim KellstromBrandon Curley

Saturday July 16 - C-2 race from Cooke Dam to the finish line of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, at the AuSable Inn. Registration begins at 7:00am at Cooke Dam, with the race starting at 9:00 a.m. The winning time is about 2.5 hrs. There is a MCRA picnic following the C-2 race at the American Legion Pavilion. Donation proceeds go to benefit the MCRA Canoers Memorial on River Rd. Eating begins around 12:30 p.m. with awards following. Sunday July 17 - C-1 Race. Registration at Childrens Park inSunday July 17 - C-1 Race. Registration at Childrens Park in AuSable starts at 8:00 a.m. The race starts at 10:00 a.m. at Childrens Park. The Race Course: Paddlers will race 2 laps from Childrens Park to round a buoy just downstream of the railroad trestle bridge and back. Winning time is about 1 hr.

49Program Book

Guardians

Here are just few of the accomplishments of Mason-Griffi th Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

• Refurbished and constructed over 1,200 fi sh habitat improvement structures on the mainstream of the Au Sable.

• Taken the initiative and assisted other river groups, including the DNR, in the repair and maintenance of over a dozen access sites on the Au Sable and Manistee Rivers.

• Conducted or assisted with the habitat mapping of over 10 miles of the North Branch Au Sable and mainstream Au Sable Rivers.

• Conducted spring and fall Mi Corp benthic macro invertebrate studies on two locations of the headwaters of the Au Sable River, and two locations on the West Branch of Big Creek.

• Conducted fall trout spawning surveys (REDD surveys) on the headwaters, mainstream and South Branch of the Au Sable River.

• Conducted and assisted the Michigan Department of Natural Resources Fish Division with fi sh population survey on the mainstream of the Au Sable River.

• Monitored water temperatures in the headwaters, mainstream, South and East Branches of the Au Sable, and their tributaries for multiple years.

• Monitored water quality on the East Branch of the Au Sable River.

• Participated in the control of the invasive species purple loosestrife.

• Participated in the Cedars for the Au Sable program by building cages and planting cedar trees in the Deward Tract on the Upper Manistee River. Also, nurtured previously planted cedar trees at fi ve Au

Sable River access sites: Burton’s Landing, Louie’s Landing, Keystone, Thendara, and Townline road ends.

• Sponsored and participated in youth programs including the Trout in the Classroom project at the Grayling Middle School. Held an eight-week middle school fl y tying class and assisted with the Middle School Fishing Club. MGFTU sent two youth to the Michigan TU Youth Camp, and along with partners sent a youth to Trout Unlimited Youth Summit in NC.

• Participated in the MITU and Illinois Youth Trout Camps, and provided an opportunity for the youth to learn about a river restoration project and obtain hands on experience. MGFTU members volunteered riverboat trips for the youth.

• Conducted an eight-week fl y tying class attended by community members. The instructor and all assistants were MGFTU BOD members. Also conducted two free fl y fi shing schools at Gates Lodge in Grayling.

• Worked with wounded veterans through Bamboo Bend. Bamboo Bend brings six veterans identifi ed through Project Healing Waters to Grayling in May. They build a bamboo fl y rod and are able to share experiences, whether making a rod, fi shing, or just swapping stories. There are members of MGFTU that serve as instructors for this class. Other MGFTU members would stop for an hour or two just to meet these veterans and make them feel welcome. These veterans were afforded opportunities to fi sh out of an Au Sable riverboat or a drift boat, and many of the volunteers for these fi shing opportunities were MGFTU members. At the end of the week of building a bamboo rod, fi shing and enjoying Northern Michigan, there was a celebration that was attended by both members of MGFTU and others from

the fl y fi shing community.A few of the grants received from the MDNR

Habitat Improvement Account for stream restoration projects on the Au Sable River system are:

• Williams Tract Fisheries Habitat Improvement Project (2013-2014)

• Pollack Bridge Fisheries Habitat Improvement Project (2015-2016)

• Mainstream Fisheries Habitat Structure Repair (2013-2015)

• West Branch of Big Creek – Lovells Fisheries Habitat Improvement Project (2016)

MGFTU has partnered with many organizations in this project including: the Upper Manistee River Association; Au Sable River Property Owners Association; the Au Sable North Branch Area Foundation; Michigan Trout Unlimited; Michigan DNR; Au Sable River Watershed Committee; Gahagan Nature Preserve; Anglers of the Au Sable; Headwaters Chapter of TU; the Great Lakes Council of IFFF; Perrin-Lansing Chapter of TU; and Friends of the Mason Tract.

GuardiansGuardiansGuardiansGuardiansGuardiansof the Rivers

Since the inception of Trout Unlimited on the banks of the Au Sable River in 1959, Mason-Griffi th Founders Chapter of Trout Unlimited has been a proud contributing member of the Au Sable and Manistee River communities. During the past three years MGFTU volunteers have contributed

nearly 9,000 volunteer hours and has raised over $400,000 in grants, contributions, and donations to improve our treasured Au Sable and Manistee Rivers and to better the Grayling Community.

Partnerships and involvement are essential to preserving the resources we have in Northeast Michigan.

If you would like to volunteer or donate to these and future efforts visit our website: www.MasonGriffi thTU.org

Course Map - Grayling to Oscoda

Crawford County-Stephan, Wakeley and McMasters Bridges will be closed to all vehicle tra� c during the race. Spectator vehicles will not be allowed to cross the river at these bridges.

Oscoda County-Parmalee Bridge will be closed to spectators but passable for vehicles. No portable lighting will be available. If you are viewing the race from here, there are good sites along the campground on the north side or at the public access site on the south.

Mio Dam-Spectators are not allowed on the spillway. There is a walkway from the MDOT parking area, south of M-72, under the bridge to the dam. You will not have to walk across the highway to get to the dam. Spectators must stay clear of the pathway and the put-in areas as the teams portage Mio Dam.

4001 Bridge-The U.S. Forest Service may issue tickets for parking in the lot at the boat launch site without the valid parking pass.

Alcona Dam-Only feeders and o� cials will be allowed into the dam parking lot. Spectators should park in the � eld on the north side of the river and walk across the bridge to the portage area.

Loud Dam-There will only be parking for feeders on one side of the road leading to the dam. Only feeders and o� cials will be allowed into the dam parking lot.

Five Channels-Pedestrians and vehicles will not be permitted on the new bridge, but spectators are allowed on the old bridge. Parking in the dam parking lot is for feeders only. Spectators can park in a large � eld at the top of the hill on the south side of the river.

Whirlpool near Oscoda-Everyone must park in the parking lot-not at the boat launch. The U.S. Forest Service will issue tickets at this area.

Foote Dam-The dam will be closed to spectators but you can view the race from the new � shing platforms across the river.

Leader’s Arrival Time*Map Location

1. Burton’s Landing 9:40 p.m.2. Stephan Bridge 10:15 p.m.3. Wakeley Bridge 10:45 p.m.4. McMasters Bridge 11:45 p.m.5. Parmalee Bridge 12:45 a.m.6. Camp 10 Bridge 1:55 a.m.7. Mio Dam 2:15 a.m.8. McKinley Bridge 4:00 a.m.9. 4001 Bridge 5:00 a.m.10. Alcona Dam 5:30 a.m.11. Loud Dam 7:20 a.m.12. Five Channels Dam 7:45 a.m.13. Cooke Dam 8:45 a.m.14. Foote Dam 10:00 a.m.15. Oscoda (� nish) 11:15 a.m.*All tmes are approximate

CRAWFORD COUNTY SHERIFF (989) 348-6341OSCODA COUNTY SHERIFF (989) 826-3214ALCONA COUNTY SHERIFF (989) 724-6271

HALE AREA POLICE (989) 469-8241IOSCO COUNTY SHERIFF (989) 362-6164OSCODA AREA POLICE (989) 739-9111

EMERGENCY NUMBERS - DIAL 911

SPECIAL THANK YOU TO CONSUMERS ENERGY FOR THEIR SPONSORSHIPS, COOPERATION

& USE OF THEIR FACILITIES.

Follow LIVE Results during race night at www.AuSableCanoeMarathon.org

Consumers Energy has requested that NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES be allowed on their property. Also, no loitering will be allowed when crossing dams. These implementations are due to strict Homeland Security Procedures. Please be respectful of the people that are enforcing these rules and procedures.

photos by Brian Connon & Mark Bialek


The athletes competing in the 69th annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon highlight the world-class paddling opportunities available along Consumers Energy property on one of the most beautiful, renowned rivers in the country.

In addition, outdoor enthusiasts can fi nd fun activities at Consumers Energy river hydro properties year-round. The energy company owns and operates 13 river hydro facilities, with about 12,000 acres open to the public in popular recreational areas in Michigan along the Muskegon, AuSable, Kalamazoo, and Manistee Rivers.

This August, Marathon fans can help celebrate the 100th Anniversary of Mio Dam, the fi rst portage along the Marathon and popular location to cheer on the competitors. Mio Dam began operating in 1916 and featured a spillway that was invented to reduce tailwater erosion during spill operation by a Consumers Energy civil engineer and vice president. A centennial celebration is planned for the last weekend of August, and will include a public tour of the historic dam

on Saturday, August 27.The entire river stretch

of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, from downtown Grayling to Lake Huron in Oscoda, offers rewarding paddling experiences for canoers and kayakers of all skill levels. There are plenty of access points along the way to experience different stretches of water without having to paddle the entire 120 miles that make up the Marathon. There’s no need to limit paddling on the AuSable River, however. Quality paddling can be found along all the rivers where Consumers Energy has hydro property, with many points to access the water including at Consumers Energy hydro dams.

While the weather is warm, outdoor enthusiasts enjoy pursuing water sports in the reservoirs behind dams such as fi shing for walleye, bass and panfi sh. There is also plenty of tacking space on the reservoirs for those who sail, and room for motor boaters to roam and explore secluded coves. Hodenpyl and Tippy dams on the Manistee River have available nearby boat rentals and launches. Trout anglers

World Class Paddling and More Available for Outdoor Enthusiasts at Consumers Energy River Hydro Properties Across Michigan

Twelve Thousand Acres Open for Public Recreation

Consumers Energy Providing more than energy

53Program Book

enjoy success drawing strikes from rainbows, brookies and brown trout in pools, riffles and eddies below dams on the Muskegon, AuSable and Manistee Rivers.

Camping is an option at Consumers Energy hydro facilities. More than 2,800 campsites are associated with Foote, Alcona, Mio, Hardy, Tippy and Hodenpyl dams, including the AuSable River campgrounds: Oscoda County Park, Alcona Campground, and Old Orchard Campground.

Hiking and bird watching are also attractions. Numerous trails are established at hydro properties, most of which have been recognized by the Wildlife Habitat Council. These properties’ secluded, picturesque landscapes attract bald eagles, numerous waterfowl, and many birders’ life list species such as pileated woodpeckers. Experienced birders come to Loud, Foote and Cooke ponds on the AuSable River for one of the best chances in Michigan to view rare, native trumpeter swans where Consumers Energy re-established them in the late 1990s. The Sunrise Coast Birding Trail includes Foote Dam especially because of the prospect it offers for viewing the graceful swans.

As the temperature drops in Autumn, a great way to experience Michigan’s fall color is to hike through the brilliantly colorful landscape

on Consumers Energy hydro property. Along the AuSable River, make stops at the Mio Scenic Overlook, the USFS Westgate Scenic Overlook, USFS Iargo Springs, USFS Lumberman’s Monument, the USFS Foote Pond Overlook, and the AuSable River Queen Excursions. On the Muskegon River, walk the Hardy Rustic

Trail, and the Edge Trail near Croton Dam. Along the Manistee River, try the MDOT M-37 Roadside Park and the MDOT M-55 Roadside Park.

Hard-fighting king salmon enter Michigan’s rivers from the Great Lakes in the

fall and provide rod-bending action. Steelhead begin their upriver migration in late fall and hardy anglers cast for them through the winter and spring. Tippy, Foote, Croton and Calkins Bridge dams provide world-class fishing opportunities for these large, visiting salmon and steelhead.

on Saturday, August 27.The entire river stretch

of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon, from downtown Grayling to Lake Huron in Oscoda, offers rewarding paddling experiences for canoers and kayakers of all skill levels. There are plenty of access points along the way to experience different stretches of water without having to paddle the entire 120 miles that make up the Marathon. There’s no need to limit paddling on the AuSable River, however. Quality paddling can be found along all the rivers where Consumers Energy has hydro property, with many points to access the water including at Consumers Energy hydro dams.

While the weather is warm, outdoor enthusiasts enjoy pursuing water sports in the reservoirs behind dams such as fishing for walleye, bass and panfish. There is also plenty of tacking space on the reservoirs for those who sail, and room for motor boaters to roam and explore secluded coves. Hodenpyl and Tippy dams on the Manistee River have available nearby boat rentals and launches. Trout anglers

Twelve Thousand Acres Open for Public Recreation

To find out more about these year-round outdoor activities at Consumers Energy hydro facilities in Michigan, including locations of campgrounds and other amenities, download a free brochure called “Getting Close to Nature” at www.ConsumersEnergy.com/hydro.

GOODLUCK

CANOERS!5707 US 23 • OSCODA

(989) 569-65002697 I-75 BL • WEST BRANCH

(989) 345-86901850 US 23 • EAST TAWAS

(989) 362-7520

GOOD LUCK PADDLERS!


First Federal of Northern MichiganWelcome to Banking with a Personal Approach

• Mortgage Loans• Checking Accounts• Savings Accounts• Online Banking

• Personal Loans• Business Banking• Construction Loans• Local Lending & Service

www.first-federal.com

Alpena-Main100 S. Second Ave.Alpena-Ripley468 N. RIpley Ave.Alanson6232 River St.Cheboygan350 Main St.

Gaylord1000 Wisconsin Ave.Lewiston2885 S. County Rd. 489Mio308 N. Morenci St.Oscoda201 N. State St.


Team PrideImagine this:

Crowds of spectators, organizers and team members. You have to tend to your racer day and night. How do you make yourself stand out in the crowd?Show a little team pride. Here is a selection of some shirts from past Marathons.

55Program Book

Most Top Ten Finishes

Paddler Wins Top 3's Top 5's

Top 10's Last

Rick Joy 0 7 19 26 2008Serge Corbin 18 22 22 22 2005Ken Kolonich 0 3 9 21 2015

Jeff Kolka 9 18 20 20 2005Jim Harwood 2 5 14 19 2006

Tony Short 0 8 11 19 2009Bill Torongo 0 9 14 19 2012

Steve Kolonich 0 5 9 18 2011Jack Kolka 0 5 11 16 1981John Baker 4 12 13 15 1990Ted Kolka 0 1 6 15 2007

Ralph Sawyer 8 12 14 14 1968Jerry Kellogg 4 8 13 14 1982

Andrew Triebold 10 13 13 14 2015Steve Lajoie 9 10 14 14 2015

Steven Kolonich 1 5 8 13 1965Butch Stockton 5 8 11 13 1987Brett Stockton 9 12 13 13 1992

Paddler Wins Top 3's Top 5's

Top 10's Last

Jack Kent 0 3 8 12 1968Bob Welsch 0 3 6 11 1981

Al Widing, Sr. 0 5 9 11 1988Jeff Kellogg 2 4 7 11 1990

Randy Drake 1 4 7 11 1998Bruce Barton 0 3 7 11 2007John Sullivan 0 3 7 11 2007Bernie Fowler 3 6 9 10 1956Irvin Peterson 4 9 10 10 1971Verlen Kruger 0 0 3 10 1980Dave Shepherd 0 5 9 10 1992

?Did you Know

Record Finish

In 1994, Serge Corbin and Solomon Carriereat 37 years old, set the record time for the

AuSable River Canoe MarathonProfessional Division with a time of

13:58:08.


The Da$h for Ca$h is a 64 team bracket style, single elimination event.

Teams will compete for a part of the $5,000+ prize pool.

JULY 26, 2016Registration starts at 3:00 p.m.

Race starts at 5:30 p.m.

57Program Book





Place Paddlers Fastest Time Time Rank1st Nick Walton & Christophe Proulx 1:10.88 12nd Mathieu Pellerin & Guillaume Blais 1:10.90 23rd Cameron McClain & Bill Torongo 1:13.04 44th Pascal Lampron & Simon-Pier Lacombe 1:17.44 95th Weston Willoughby & Matt Meersman 1:13.88 56th Adam Gelinas & Sarah Lessard 1:16.00 77th Gloria Wesley & Zach Thiem 1:16.77 88th Seth Miller & Stephen Miller 1:23.19 229th Tom Pellerin & Jim Pellerin 1:11.53 3

10th Ted Smutek & Colin Hunter 1:15.82 611th Drew Compau & Jon Webb 1:17.66 1012th Todd Kaems & Jerry Killingbeck 1:17.68 1113th Dan Gary & Shawn Spallinger 1:20.44 1414th Tim Sheldon & Sylvie Nadeau 1:20.79 1515th Fred Mills & Tim McClure 1:24.57 2316th Jeff DeFeo & Jo Hamlin 1:25.65 2417th Patrick Madden & Roger Henry 1:18.71 1218th Eric Dittenber & Phil Millspaugh 1:20.11 1319th Kevin Olson & Rick Olson 1:21.00 1620th Carrie Montgomery & Neil Wiesner-Hanks 1:22.34 1721st Ted Cramer & Tommy Cramer 1:22.35 1822nd Mary Schlimmer & Holly Reynolds 1:22.82 1923rd Michael Matthews & Chase Matthews 1:22.94 2024th Matt Gonyea & Buddy Landrum 1:23.15 2125th John Lucey & Joe Somero 1:26.54 2526th Rusty McLain & Gary McLain 1:27.26 2627th Peggy English & Rod Matthews 1:27.28 2728th Gary Aprea & Peter Heed 1:27.33 2829th Jaya Elleson & Jim Braig 1:29.29 2930th Andrew Weeks & Paddi Thornburg 1:29.67 3031st Rick Gillings & Susan Williams 1:33.42 3132nd ~BYE~ -





2015 Results


?Did you Know

The most consecutive entered & won record stands at 8 races.Serge Corbin 1979, 87-88,90-94 & 96-03

Jeff Kolka 1996-03

Andrew Triebold 2007-15Keep an eye out to see if Triebold

pulls off #10 this year!

RAMADA INN 2650 I-75 BUSINESS LOOP. GRAYLING MI 49738CALL FOR RESERVATION 989-348-7611

OR VISIT US AT WYNDHAM HOTELS

WELCOME TO THE WORLD FAMOUS AUSABLE CANOE MARATHON. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE PADDLERS AND THEIR SUPPORT TEAMS.

Saturday, July 23rdSprints for C-2 Race in Grayling City Park, 9:00 a.m.Meet the Artists Day at Main Branch Gallery, 10:00 a.m.-4:00p.m.AuSable Dance Boosters Duck Race in Grayling City Park, approximately 1:30p.m. (following sprints)AuSable Dance Boosters Concessions under City Park Pavilion during Sprints/Duck RaceKid’s Mentor Race in Grayling City Park, 2:00 p.m.Start of C-2 Youth Race at Joe Wakeley’s House (going to Burton’s Landing), 5:30 p.m.Start of C-1 Race at Joe Wakeley’s House (going to Burton’s Landing), 6:00 p.m.

Sunday, July 24thSpike’s Challenge Race at Old AuSable Fly Shop, 9:00 a.m.

Tuesday, July 26thKid’s Day in Grayling City Park, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.Rock & Rest at Grayling Nature Center (City Park), 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.Da$h for Ca$h Sprints in Oscoda, 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday, July 27thTime Trials for AuSable River Canoe Marathon at Penrod’s Canoe Livery, 3:00–6:00 p.m.H.U.P. (“Hurry Up & Paddle”) Race in Grayling City Park, 5:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 28thMarathon Coffee Break at FirstMerit Bank, 9:00–11:00 a.m.Time Trials for AuSable River Canoe Marathon at Penrod’s Canoe Livery, 3:00–8:00 p.m.Business Relay Races at Penrod’s Canoe Livery, 4:30–8:00 p.m.AuSable River C-1 Express Race at Penrod’s Canoe Livery (goes to Burton’s Landing), 7:15 p.m.

Friday, July 29thArts & Crafts Show in Grayling City Park, 10:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.Rock & Rest at Grayling Nature Center (City Park), 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.Grayling Eagles #3465 Steak Out (4-7 p.m.), Live Music (7 p.m.), and Beer Tent (11 a.m.-Close) at Grayling Eagles’ ClubTime Trials for AuSable River Canoe Marathon at Penrod’s Canoe Livery, 2:00–4:30 p.m.Special Olympics’ Canoe Races at Penrod’s Canoe Livery, 2:45 p.m.6th Annual Cruise Night at Northstar Auto Wash, 6:30 p.m.Paddler’s Pre-Race Briefing at R a.m.ada Inn of Grayling, 5:30 p.m.Paddler’s Dinner at R a.m.ada Inn of Grayling (OPEN TO PUBLIC), immediately following the briefing (approx 7 p.m.)

Saturday, July 30thChris Cakes F a.m.ous Flapjack Breakfast at Michelson Memorial United Methodist Church, 7:00-11:00 a.m.31st Annual Classic Car Show on Michigan Ave, 8:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. (Registration 6–8 a.m., Trophies 2 p.m.)GRA’s 5K, 10K & 1 Mile Fun Run–starts at Hanson Hills Recreation Area (new location during construction), 9:00 a.m. (Registration 7:30–8:30 a.m.)Arts & Crafts Show at Grayling City Park, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.Food Court on Michigan Avenue, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m.Q100.3 Michigan Music Uncovered Showcase, Michigan Avenue (in front of Shoppenagons), Noon–6:00 p.m.Grayling Eagles Horseshoe Tourn a.m.ent (10 a.m.), Breakfast Burritos/Burgers/Dogs (11 a.m.-6 p.m.), Beer Tent/Music (11 a.m.–Close) at Eagles’ ClubMichelson Memorial United Methodist Church’s Ice Cre a.m. Social, Noon–4:00 p.m.Beer Tent & Food at Grayling a.m.erican Legion, Noon–10:00 p.m.AuSable River Festival Parade, 3:00 p.m. (NEW ROUTE–Attendees line up along Lake St. - Visit www.q100-fm.com for new parade route)4th Annual Arctic Glacier Mini-Marathon Youth Canoe Race at Old AuSable Fly Shop, 4:00 p.m.Pre-Race Progr a.m. at Old AuSable Fly Shop, 6:00 p.m.Introduction of Paddlers at Old AuSable Fly Shop, 7:00 p.m.Posting of the Colors at Old AuSable Fly Shop, 7:45 p.m.Start of the 69th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon at the Old AuSable Fly Shop, 9:00 p.m. (paddling from Grayling to Oscoda)

Sunday, July 31stEnd of 69th Annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon (ends on the shores of Lake Huron in Oscoda Leaders 11:30 a.m. to Finishers 4:00 p.m.)For details, visit www.graylingchamber.com or call 989-348-2921

2016 AuSable River Festival & Canoe Marathon Schedule

July 23 – 31, 2016 in Grayling

59Program Book

RAMADA INN 2650 I-75 BUSINESS LOOP. GRAYLING MI 49738CALL FOR RESERVATION 989-348-7611

OR VISIT US AT WYNDHAM HOTELS

WELCOME TO THE WORLD FAMOUS AUSABLE CANOE MARATHON. GOOD LUCK TO ALL THE PADDLERS AND THEIR SUPPORT TEAMS.

2016 AuSable River Festival & Canoe Marathon Schedule

July 23 – 31, 2016 in Grayling


Fastest Mixed Division Sprints (1989-2015)

Rank Paddlers (Ages) Year Sprint Time

Speed Phase

Power Phase

1 Todd Ellison (45) & Kate Ellis (50) 2006 5:56.59 2:19 3:38

2 Mike Davis (23) & Rebecca Davis (24) 2014 5:58.49 2:20 3:38

3 Mike Davis (24) & Rebecca Davis (25) 2015 6:01.00 2:18 3:43

4 Scott McKenzie (36) & Lynne Witte (40) 1994 6:02.19 2:24 3:38

5 Tom Cannon (37) & Connie Cannon (32) 1993 6:06.43 2:23 3:43

6 Solomon Carrière (35) & Lynne Witte (38) 1992 6:06.46 n/a n/a

7 Matt Streib (40) & Mandy Trudgeon (23) 2004 6:07.98 2:28 3:40

8 Todd Ellison (44) & Kate Ellis (49) 2005 6:09.70 2:26 3:44

9 Adam Gelinas (33) & Sarah Lessard (27) 2015 6:10.25 2:18 3:52

10 Steve Landick (43) & Lynn Capen (41) 1996 6:13.40 2:28 3:45

11 Blaine Toni (38) & Lynne Witte (39) 1993 6:13.43 2:25 3:48

12 Adam Gelinas (32) & Sarah Lessard (26) 2014 6:13.87 2:22 3:52

13 Ray Yehl (41) & Deborah Graham (33) 1993 6:14.18 2:30 3:44

14 Dwayne Barnes (41) & Amy Solak (38) 2003 6:15.93 n/a n/a

15 Tom Cannon (41) & Connie Cannon (36) 1997 6:16.11 2:26 3:50

Fastest Women’s Division Sprints (1989-2015)


Speed Phase

Power Phase

1 Connie Cannon (33) & Carrie Trudgeon (24) 1994 6:16.00 2:29 3:47

2 Roxanne Barton (38) & Carrie Trudgeon (25) 1995 6:29.06 2:32 3:57

3 Roxanne Barton (39) & Carrie Trudgeon (26) 1996 6:36.00 2:36 4:00

4 Lynne Witte (37) & Connie Cannon (30) 1991 6:41.72 n/a n/a

5 Sylvie Nadeau (40) & Edith MacHattie (42) 2015 6:45.01 2:35 4:10

6 Hailey McMahon (22) & Rebecca Barton (23) 2013 6:47.58 2:34 4:14

7 Holly Reynolds (31) & Gloria Wesley (51) 2011 6:47.60 2:34 4:14

8 Holly Reynolds (33) & Gloria Wesley (53) 2013 6:50.04 2:32 4:18

9 Holly Reynolds (34) & Amy Solak (49) 2014 6:53.94 2:33 4:21

10 Lynne Witte (52) & Connie Cannon (45) 2006 6:55.09 2:33 4:22

11 Christina Wilson (41) & Kate Ellis (54) 2010 6:55.17 2:34 4:21

12 Mary Schlimmer (23) & Theresa Schlimmer (22) 2014 6:58.11 2:31 4:27

13 Brenda Carlson (32) & Carrie Trudgeon (23) 1993 6:59.59 2:40 4:20

14 Mary Schlimmer (21) & Theresa Schlimmer (20) 2012 7:02.34 2:34 4:28

15 Amy Solak (40) & Connie Cannon (44) 2005 7:03.06 2:41 4:22

Fastest Masters Division Sprints (1989-2015)


Speed Phase

Power Phase

1 Jeff Kolka (45) & Serge Corbin (47) 2004 5:29.57 2:14 3:16


3 Jeff Kolka (44) & Serge Corbin (46) 2003 5:34.04 n/a n/a


5 Calvin Hassel (43) & Bill Torongo (45) 2007 5:37.53 2:19 3:19

6 Allen Limberg (48) & Jim Harwood (42) 2006 5:37.79 2:12 3:26



9 Tom Cannon (50) & Matt Streib (42) 2006 5:44.64 2:16 3:29

10 Rick Joy (47) & Bill Torongo (44) 2006 5:46.47 2:25 3:21

11 Bruce Barton (41) & Tim Triebold (45) 1998 5:49.99 2:24 3:26



14 Bruce Barton (46) & Bill Torongo (41) 2003 5:50.61 n/a n/a

15 Steve Krantz (40) & Brian Krantz (43) 1995 5:51.10 n/a n/a

?Did you Know

holds the record for the most professional Marathons entered

without a Did Not Finish at 21 races!

Jeff Kolka...

61Program Book

Fastest Masters Division Sprints (1989-2015)


Speed Phase

Power Phase





5 Calvin Hassel (43) & Bill Torongo (45) 2007 5:37.53 2:19 3:19




9 Tom Cannon (50) & Matt Streib (42) 2006 5:44.64 2:16 3:29


11 Bruce Barton (41) & Tim Triebold (45) 1998 5:49.99 2:24 3:26



14 Bruce Barton (46) & Bill Torongo (41) 2003 5:50.61 n/a n/a

15 Steve Krantz (40) & Brian Krantz (43) 1995 5:51.10 n/a n/a

GPS MAPGPS MAP


Fastest Seniors Division Sprints (1989-2015)


Speed Phase

Power Phase

1 Clark Kent (55)& Mike Bradford (50) 2015 6:05.00 2:17 3:48

2 Tom Trudgeon (54)& Doug Gillin (54) 2013 6:14.13 2:24 3:50

3 Ken Kolonich (68)& Tom Trudgeon (55) 2014 6:15.89 2:25 3:51

4 Robert Bradford (54)& John Nemeth (55) 1997 6:19.14 2:31 3:48

5 Marc Gillespie (61)& Dale Persons (50) 2014 6:21.74 2:27 3:55

6 Robert Bradford (56)& Al Widing, Sr. (74) 1999 6:21.79 2:31 3:51

7 Tom Trudgeon (51)& Phil Trudgeon (50) 2010 6:21.81 2:23 3:59

8 Allen Limberg (50)& Barb Bradley (51) 2008 6:23.16 2:30 3:53

9 Fred Mills (51)& Joseph Seifert (53) 2005 6:26.45 2:28 3:58

10 Bruce Barton (58)& Gloria Wesley (55) 2015 6:26.45 2:30 3:56

11 Michael Garon (51)& Doug Gillin (50) 2009 6:26.79 2:29 3:58

12 Jim Anderson (60)& Bernie Tuszynski (58) 2015 6:29.21 2:25 4:04

13 Kevin Ornatowski (53)& Steve Krantz (56) 2011 6:30.48 2:32 3:58

14 Fred Mills (54)& Joseph Seifert (56) 2008 6:32.31 2:30 4:02

15 Michael Fairchild (60)& Peter Heed (61) 2011 6:32.37 2:28 4:04

Fastest Professional Division Sprints (1989-2015)


Speed Phase

Power Phase

1 Andrew Triebold (30)& Matthew Rimer (22) 2006 5:22.17 2:06 3:16

2 Andrew Triebold (39)& Steve Lajoie (39) 2015 5:23.04 2:08 3:15


4 Serge Corbin (37)& Solomon Carrière (37) 1994 5:24.55 2:14 3:11

5 Jeff Kolka (37)& Serge Corbin (39) 1996 5:24.98 2:15 3:10

6 Mo Harwood, Jr. (25)& Matthew Rimer (20) 2004 5:25.44 2:11 3:14


8 Mathieu Pellerin (25)& Guillaume Blais (29) 2015 5:26.93 2:09 3:18



11 Rodney Halstead (21)& Ryan Halstead (19) 2006 5:28.41 2:09 3:19


13 Patrick Lynch (30)& Jim Harwood (30) 1994 5:28.85 2:15 3:14







20 Mathieu St. Pierre (25)& Ryan Halstead (26) 2013 5:31.86 2:08 3:24

21 Andrew Triebold (21)& Tim Triebold (44) 1997 5:31.95 2:14 3:18



24 Patrick Lynch (35)& Bill Torongo (37) 1999 5:32.42 2:12 3:20

25 Tim Triebold (43)& Al Rudquist (36) 1996 5:32.77 2:16 3:17

AuSable Marathon Websiteausablecanoemarathon.org

AuSable Marathon Facebook pagefacebook.com/AuSableCanoeMarathon.org

AuSable Marathon on Instagram@AuSableMarathon

AuSable Marathon on Twitter@AuSable Marathon


AuSable Marathon YouTube ChannelYouTube.com/AuSableCanoeMarathon

63Program Book

Fastest Professional Division Sprints (1989-2015)


Speed Phase

Power Phase




4 Serge Corbin (37)& Solomon Carrière (37) 1994 5:24.55 2:14 3:11


6 Mo Harwood, Jr. (25)& Matthew Rimer (20) 2004 5:25.44 2:11 3:14


8 Mathieu Pellerin (25)& Guillaume Blais (29) 2015 5:26.93 2:09 3:18



11 Rodney Halstead (21)& Ryan Halstead (19) 2006 5:28.41 2:09 3:19


13 Patrick Lynch (30)& Jim Harwood (30) 1994 5:28.85 2:15 3:14








21 Andrew Triebold (21)& Tim Triebold (44) 1997 5:31.95 2:14 3:18



24 Patrick Lynch (35)& Bill Torongo (37) 1999 5:32.42 2:12 3:20

25 Tim Triebold (43)& Al Rudquist (36) 1996 5:32.77 2:16 3:17

Kayaks - CanoesTubes - Rafts

& CabinsOvernight Canoe Trips

are available!(overnight parking is available)

Hinchman AcresAuSable River Canoe Rental702 N. Morenci (M33), Mio

(989) 826-3267www.Hinchman.com

on The Majestic AuSable River

FEENY - (989) 348-3242QTA- (989) 745-6127

208 S. JAMES ST., GRAYLINGwww.Feeny.com



photos by Mark Bialekgrueling, adj.–extremely tiring and demanding

emotional, adj.-characterized by intense feelingintense, adj.–of extreme force, degree, or strength

Leading Supplier of Window Blinds & Shutters

SpringsWindowFashions.com

Good Luck Paddlers!

2669 Industrial St., Grayling, MI

Contributing Sponsor & Official C-1 Race Title Sponsor

Paddling 120 miles, mostly at night, the emotions run high leading up to, during and following the AuSable River Canoe Marathon for the competitors, their crews and their friends and family.

65Program Book

Leading Supplier of Window Blinds & Shutters

SpringsWindowFashions.com

Good Luck Paddlers!

2669 Industrial St., Grayling, MI

Contributing Sponsor & Official C-1 Race Title Sponsor


• Custom Framing• Custom Maaing• Art Gallery

and more!

GoodLuck

Paddlers!116 N. State St., Oscoda, MI

(989) [email protected]

Thank you to all the racers, spectators, supporters and

volunteers!Without you, none of this

would be possible.

Professional Division Point-to-Point RecordsCheckpoints Year Time Team (Ages)

Burton’s Landing 2014 0:41:26 Andrew Triebold (38) & Steve Lajoie (38)

Stephan Bridge 1994 0:31:27 Serge Corbin (37) & Solomon Carrière (37)Wakeley Bridge 1993 0:28:21 Tony Short (29) & Scott McKenzie (35)

McMasters Bridge 1999 0:55:44 Jeff Kolka (40) & Serge Corbin (42)

Parmalee Bridge 1996 1:01:43 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Camp Ten Bridge 1996 1:02:55 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Mio Dam 1975 0:22:05 Jerry Kellogg (31) & Jeff Kellogg (30)McKinley 1996 1:43:42 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

4001 Bridge 2014 0:48:55 Andrew Triebold (38) & Steve Lajoie (38)Alcona Dam 1984 0:35:37 Butch Stockton (35) & Solomon Carrière (27)Loud Dam 1987 1:43:10 Serge Corbin (30) & Brett Stockton (24)

Five Channels Dam 2010 0:23:06 Josh Taylor (31) & Matt Meersman (33)

Cooke Dam 1986 0:57:13 Randy Drake (32) & Eric McNett (31)Foote Dam 1987 1:08:11 Serge Corbin (30) & Brett Stockton (24)

Oscoda 1991 1:15:32 Serge Corbin (34) & Brett Stockton (28)

Professional Division Split Time RecordsCheckpoints Year Time Team (Ages)

Burton's Landing 2014 0:41:26 Andrew Triebold (38) & Steve Lajoie (38)

Stephan Bridge 1993 1:12:56 Jeff Kolka (34) & Bill Torongo (31)Wakeley Bridge 1993 1:41:29 Jeff Kolka (34) & Bill Torongo (31)

McMasters Bridge 1996 2:38:17 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Parmalee Bridge 1996 3:40:00 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Camp Ten Bridge 1996 4:42:55 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Mio Dam 1996 5:06:31 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

McKinley 1996 6:50:13 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)4001 Bridge 1996 7:40:49 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)Alcona Dam 1996 8:17:21 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)Loud Dam 1996 10:06:47 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Five Channels Dam 1996 10:30:37 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)

Cooke Dam 1996 11:31:07 Jeff Kolka (37) & Serge Corbin (39)Foote Dam 1994 12:41:02 Serge Corbin (37) & Solomon Carrière (37)

Oscoda 1994 13:58:08 Serge Corbin (37) & Solomon Carrière (37)2nd Half 1994 7:01:54 Serge Corbin (37) & Solomon Carrière (37)


Michigan has over 10,000 miles of shoreline varying from on the Great Lakes, inland lakes and rivers providing ample opportunities to canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Water trails feature well-developed access and launch points; are near signifi cant historical, environmental or cultural points of interest; and oft en include nearby amenities such as restaurants, hotels and campgrounds. Th ey can present great opportunities to grow local economies, strengthen regional identity, attract out-of-state tourists and knowledge workers, promote healthy lifestyles and showcase Michigan’s incredible water resources. A water trail is a designated route along a lake, river, canal or bay specifi cally designed for people using small boats like kayaks, canoes, single sailboats or rowboats. Th e trails, sometimes called “blueways,” are the aquatic equivalent of a hiking trail or “greenway”.

In July 2015 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources invited residents to vote for their favorite water trails via social media and online voting contest. Participants were provided a list of 10 already designated water trails with the option of providing a write-in water trail. Th e Au Sable River won fi rst place as a write-in candidate for the water trails.

State Water Trail

67Program Book

Our conference rooms offer seating from 6 to 250. Conveniently attached to the Quality Inn, with an indoor swimming pool and hot

tub, 3 whirlpool suites, a family suite, 80 guest rooms, banquet, meeting and reception services, golf packages, group and

corporate rates for guests. The up-north theme of this venue makes it the perfect place to hold a wedding your guests will not forget.

2980 Cook Rd. West Branch, Michigan989 345 3503989 345 3503

www.VisitTheLumberjack.com

“Open Air Praise”with

David Paul Britton

during theAuSable River Festival

SaturdaSaturday, July 30 in

Uptown Grayling

905 I-75 Business Loop • Grayling(989) 348-5921

Mt. Hope Lutheran Church LCMS

Proudly Presents:Michigan has over 10,000

miles of shoreline varying from on the Great Lakes, inland lakes and rivers providing ample opportunities to canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Water trails feature well-developed access and launch points; are near signifi cant historical, environmental or cultural points of interest; and oft en include nearby amenities such as restaurants, hotels and campgrounds. Th ey can present great opportunities to grow local economies, strengthen regional identity, attract out-of-state tourists and knowledge workers, promote healthy lifestyles and showcase Michigan’s incredible water resources. A water trail is a designated route along a lake, river, canal or bay specifi cally designed for people using small boats like kayaks, canoes, single sailboats or rowboats. Th e trails, sometimes called “blueways,” are the aquatic equivalent of a hiking trail or “greenway”.

In July 2015 the Michigan Department of Natural Resources invited residents to vote for their favorite water trails via social media and online voting contest. Participants were provided a list of 10 already designated water trails with the option of providing a write-in water trail. Th e Au Sable River won fi rst place as a write-in candidate for the water trails.

Th e Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, DNR-Managed Public Land Strategy (Land Strategy), the Comprehensive Trail Plan (Trail Plan), and the Parks and Recreation Division Strategic Plan all call for the establishment of a statewide system of designated water trails. Much of the framework for such a system already exists. For example, there is signifi cant infrastructure in place to support a water trail system, including many access sites, harbors of refuge, waterside campsites, paddling guides and boat liveries. What is missing is an accepted statewide criterion for designating a trail so that a water trail user can know what to expect on a trail, including level of diffi culty, distance between access sites and trail amenities such as campgrounds, restaurants, or restrooms.

Th e goal of the State Water Trail designation program is to develop and maintain a geographically dispersed, locally supported, sustainable system of water trails that off er a diversity of experiences, including lengths, scenery, heritage exploration, paddler challenges (or diffi culty levels) and amenities that become a catalyst for improved recreational opportunity, healthy lifestyles and local prosperity.

Th e key component of considering a river to become a designated water trail are to providing a quality experience for users that will reduce confl ict, one that is supported by the public, and most of all, permission from the land owners for utilizing their access points.

Th e Department of Natural Resources is working on developing a comprehensive plan for establishing water trails program within the DNR, supported by partners in the public and private sectors. Th ere will likely be diff erent levels of water trail designations from novice to advance paddlers. Th e next step for the Au Sable River would be to connect with a citizen participation usually in the form of a “local planning group.”

State Water Trail



Here is a small selection of photos from previous AuSable

River Canoe Marathons.

Pastfrom theBlast

69Program Book

Fick & Sons, Inc. has been providing the Grayling area with home heating fuel delivery service since 1958. Over the course of those

58 years, it has become a Fick & Sons tradition to be a proud contributing sponsor of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon either through direct donations to the ARCM, its competitors or the radio stations broadcasting the race coverage.

Just as the AuSable River Canoe Marathon has

grown by leaps and bounds through the years, so has Fick & Sons. From it’s humble beginnings delivering fuel oil to primarily Crawford County residents, Fick & Sons has expanded their fuel oil and propane delivery routes to include homes and businesses from Grayling to Oscoda, and beyond.

In 1995, Charlie Fick’s vision of providing a conveniently located travel center off of I-75 at Exit 251, for passenger vehicles and commercial semi-

trucks alike, came to life when Charlie’s Country Corner Travel Center opened for business just south of Grayling.

In 2013, Charlie and Marilyn Fick retired and sold their family business to seven employee partners who are equally motivated to continue the tradition of supporting the ARCM and its amazing competitors. Congratulations to ARCM for 69 years of paddling excitement!

58 years, it has become a Fick & Sons tradition to be a proud contributing sponsor of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon either through direct donations to the ARCM, its competitors or the radio stations broadcasting the race coverage.


For AnyOccasion

5137 N. US-23Oscoda

(989) 739-7242

Kohler’sFlowers

The Triple Crown of Canoe Racing - la Triple Couronne de Canots Long Parcours - was

established in 1992 & recognizes the top performances by marathon canoe racers who compete at all three of North America's most prestigious marathon canoe races:

The Triple Crown

� e General Clinton Canoe RegattaStaged Memorial Day on New York's

Susquehanna River. A one-day, non-stop 70 mile race from

Cooperstown, home of the Baseball Hall of Fame, to Bainbridge, New York.

www.canoeregatta.org

� e AuSable River Canoe MarathonTh e granddaddy of U.S. marathon canoe

racing one of toughest canoe races in North America. A 120 mile non-stop overnight

race from Grayling to Oscoda on Northern Michigan's fabled AuSable River during the

last weekend of July. www.ausablecanoemarathon.org

La Classique Internationale de Canots de la Mauricie

Th e Classic, the granddaddy of North American marathon canoe racing. Staged Labor Day weekend on central Quebec's majestic St. Maurice River - a three-day, three-stage race from La-Tuque to Trois-

Rivieres, Quebec. www.classiquedecanots.com


71Program Book

• RIVER TUBES• FISHING LICENSES• MINNOWS • WORMS • CRAWLERS• ORV PERMITS• BIRD FEEDING SUPPLIES• MOSQUITO & TICK REPELLENTS

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Marathon canoe racing on the grand scale of the Triple Crown races is an action-packed spectator favorite, with the competitors maintaining a torrid pace of 50 to 80 paddle strokes per minute and featuring pitched competition, frenzied running portages and spills, which all take their toll on the contestants.

Th ese world-class canoe racing events generate national and international media interest and exposure. Triple Crown news reports have been carried worldwide by cable and satellite TV sports and news services. National print media have recognized the unique interest and appeal of these canoe racing spectacles.

For more information about the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing: www.facebook.com/TripleCrownOfCanoeRacing


It’s perhaps easier now than ever before to join the ranks of those hearty souls making their way down the AuSable River on the last full weekend in July. The challenges on race day haven’t changed much in recent years since carbon fi ber and Kevlar boats and paddles made the scene. And most certainly the physical fi tness requirements to make the 120-mile journey are just as tough today as when the race started almost 70 years ago.

But most new marathoners will tell you how important it is to talk to other paddlers about their experiences with the Au Sable River Canoe Marathon. And the evolution of social media now puts such information right at your fi ngertips.

In fact, Stephen Skillman makes that his top advice for new racers. Skillman, 59, completed the race for his 50th birthday in 2007, and will partner with fi rst-timer Paul Seibert for this year’s race. Skillman maintains new racers should suck up all the experience and knowledge they can from other paddlers. Skillman and his partner rely on ARCM veterans Chuck Hewitt and Chris Hewitt for support and initial learning. “Having that can save you a whole lot of pain and anguish along the way,” he said.

During his 2007 race, Skillman said he and his partner tipped over fi ve times before

Stephan’s Bridge. So his next advice is to keep an optimistic, open mind. “Tell yourself that no matter what, you’ll never quit,” he said. “Don’t allow yourself to get into a mental state to allow the quit to come in.” Skillman said he didn’t want to let his teammate down, and looked out for him as much as for himself.

Nowadays, paddlers can hook up for practice, chat with other like-minded racers, fi nd folks to train with and view videos of past ARCM events right from their living room or smartphone.

So your fi rst stop on the information river should be the offi cial — and newly redesigned — Au Sable River Canoe Marathon website, www.ausablecanoemarathon.org.

There, paddlers can fi nd everything from the Marathon rules to paddler etiquette to spectator tips for the “toughest spectator sport”. The site shows previous race results and links to a plethora of canoe racing-related web pages, including the ARCM Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/AuSableCanoeMarathon.org, that is updated frequently with the latest racing news.

And while you’re on Facebook, after you “Like” that page, the next logical step is to search out other paddlers from your area. Seek out and join online groups like the “Michigan marathon canoe training plans” group on Facebook. Daily posts there announce training trips,

SO HOW DO YOU BECOME A CANOE MARATHONER?By Bernie EngGood Luck

Paddlers!


73Program Book

6041 W. M-72, Grayling • (989) 348-8558 • www.NorthboundOutfittersMI.com

Make Northbound Outfitters your

Adventure Headquarters!

Canoes • KayaksPaddle Boards

Bikes • ClothingFootwear • Accessories

needs for paddling partners and general racing-related conversation.

Then join the Michigan Canoe Racing Association. Find it online at http://www.miracing.com/. You’ll fi nd the annual statewide race schedule there, as well as valuable local racing information — race rules, the handbook of racing and more handy links.

Of course, all this knowledge you are gaining will lead you to make two key purchases for the race — your boat and paddles. Those racing links on the ARCM website will lead you to brand new merchandise made by experienced and helpful equipment manufacturers. But there is at least one more Facebook page that will help save a little cash. It’s a group called “Marathon Canoe Racing For Sale.” Join it for some lower-priced used options to get you started in the sport, and perhaps hooked for a lifetime.

There’s another newbie thing to know about the 69th ARCM: While you are cheering on Stephen Skillman and his partner, Paul Seibert, remember the Bay City/Saginaw/Midland area is home to at least three other teams with rookie paddlers this year:

--Race veteran Chuck Hewitt teamed up with fi rst-timer Robert Bash.

--Erin and Brad Thompson

are giving it a go for the second time – this time as wife and husband.

--Matthew Smith and Brad Doane are teaming up to raise funds for the Fallen & Wounded Soldiers Fund. It’s their fi rst race.

Hope to see you out there giving a shout of encouragement as they try to keep the smooth side down and the dry side (relatively) dry.

How to become a Marathoner:• Michigan Canoe Racing Association• Website: www.miracing.com• Facebook: www.facebook.com/Michigan-Canoe-

Racing-Association-163919537755• Training Tips on the AuSable River Canoe Marathon

Website: www.ausablecanoemarathon.org/articles-tips

• Great book to buy: Canoe Racing: The Competitor's Guide to Marathon and Downriver Canoe Racing (PB), by Peter Heed & Dick Mansfi eld


Northeast Michigan is home to one of North America’s most famous trout waters, the AuSable River. The AuSable was home to the Michigan grayling before logging and overfi shing brought it to extinction at the end of the nineteenth century. It was then that brook, brown, and rainbow trout were planted and it became the blue-ribbon trout stream in Michigan.

The AuSable begins a few miles north of Frederic, where Kolka and Bradford Creeks form the headwaters. It fl ows south to Grayling where it turns east, adding the water of the East Branch of the AuSable, and further downstream the South Branch of the AuSable and the North Branch of the AuSable. The river then fl ows through Oscoda County, passing Mio and McKinley, Alcona County, and Iosco County, all where several tributary streams add their water. The river then enters Lake Huron at Oscoda.

At the turn of the twentieth century, fl y fi shing was a popular sport with the elite. Many took the train to Grayling and hired local fi shing guides, such as the Stephan and Wakely families, Rube Babbitt, and maybe the most famous of them all, David Shoppenagon, a chief of the Saginaw Ojibway who lived in Grayling. These men would pole the locally built AuSable River Boat to take the fi shermen down river. Grayling has always been the center of the AuSable fl y fi shing, but Lovells on the North Branch, and Roscommon on the South Branch, would also be destinations.

Many of the fi shermen built or purchased their own fi shing lodges. One of the grandest, Wa-Wa-Sum, was built by the Stranahan family of Toledo. The Stranahan’s owned

Champion Spark Plug Company. They were just one of several auto families to fi sh the AuSable. Charles Nash, of GM and Nash automobile fame, built “Nash Camp” on the North Branch below Lovells. On the South Branch, George Mason of American Motors had his lodge. Mason bought out his neighbors, including Cliff Durant, son of GM founder William Durant, and gave his land, “the Mason Tract”, to the State of Michigan. It was an undeveloped section of river between Chase Bridge and M-72. Other automobile giants who fi shed the AuSable included Henry and Edsel Ford, who were members of the “Dam Four Club” on the North Branch, John and Horace Dodge, Walter Chrysler, Harvey Firestone, and Frank Sieberling, founder of Goodyear Tire.

For many, the Douglas Hotel and North Branch Outing Club in Lovells would be their headquarters while fi shing the AuSable.

Besides these auto barons, others fi shed the AuSable waters, including one of the great names in Michigan conservation, William B. Mershon. A Saginaw lumberman, Mershon began fi shing the North Branch of the AuSable in the 1890s before the disappearance of the grayling. Mershon was an early advocate for the protection of the grayling, and became a member of the Michigan Conservation Commission. It was the voices of such men as William Mershon and George Mason that led to the protection of Michigan’s cold

water fi sheries, and to the birth of Trout Unlimited.

George Griffi th hosted a meeting of interested people at his home “the Barbless Hook” on the Holy Waters between Stephan Bridge and Wakely Bridge in 1959 to create an organization that would protect Michigan’s trout waters. It was this meeting that launched Trout Unlimited, now the best known trout and cold water conservation organization in the world.

Others have followed as leaders in the fi shing and conservation communities. Grayling has been

The AuSable RiverA World-Class Trout Destination

David Shoppenagon (marked with an ‘x’) and other fi shing guides and fi shermen on the AuSable River.

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE DEVEREAUX MEMORIAL LIBRARY, GRAYLING.

By Rob BurgDirector of the Lovells

Historical Museums

Northeast Michigan is home to one of North America’s most famous trout waters, the AuSable River. The AuSable was home to the Michigan grayling before logging and overfi shing brought it to extinction at the end of the nineteenth century. It was then that brook, brown, and rainbow trout were planted and it became the blue-ribbon trout stream in Michigan.

The AuSable begins a few miles north of Frederic, where Kolka and Bradford Creeks form the headwaters. It fl ows south to Grayling where it turns east, adding the water of the East Branch of the AuSable, and further downstream the South Branch of the AuSable and the North Branch of the AuSable. The river then fl ows through Oscoda County, passing Mio and McKinley, Alcona County, and Iosco County, all where several tributary streams add their water. The river then enters Lake Huron at Oscoda.

At the turn of the twentieth century, fl y fi shing was a popular sport with the elite. Many took the train to Grayling and hired local fi shing guides, such as the Stephan and Wakely families, Rube Babbitt, and maybe the most famous of them all, David Shoppenagon, a chief of the Saginaw Ojibway who lived in Grayling. These men would pole the locally built AuSable River Boat to take the fi shermen down river. Grayling has always been the center of the AuSable fl y fi shing, but Lovells on the North Branch, and Roscommon on the South Branch, would also be destinations.

Many of the fi shermen built or purchased their own fi shing lodges. One of the grandest, Wa-Wa-Sum, was built by the Stranahan family of Toledo. The Stranahan’s owned

Champion Spark Plug Company. They were just one of several auto families to fi sh the AuSable. Charles Nash, of GM and Nash automobile fame, built “Nash Camp” on the North Branch below Lovells. On the South Branch, George Mason of American Motors had his lodge. Mason bought out his neighbors, including Cliff Durant, son of GM founder William Durant, and gave his land, “the Mason Tract”, to the State of Michigan. It was an undeveloped section of river between Chase Bridge and M-72. Other automobile giants who fi shed the AuSable included Henry and Edsel Ford, who were members of the “Dam Four Club” on the North Branch, John and Horace Dodge, Walter Chrysler, Harvey Firestone, and Frank Sieberling, founder of Goodyear Tire.

For many, the Douglas Hotel and North Branch Outing Club in Lovells would be their headquarters while fi shing the AuSable.

Besides these auto barons, others fi shed the AuSable waters, including one of the great names in Michigan conservation, William B. Mershon. A Saginaw lumberman, Mershon began fi shing the North Branch of the AuSable in the 1890s before the disappearance of the grayling. Mershon was an early advocate for the protection of the grayling, and became a member of the Michigan Conservation Commission. It was the voices of such men as William Mershon and George Mason that led to the protection of Michigan’s cold

water fi sheries, and to the birth of Trout Unlimited.

George Griffi th hosted a meeting of interested people at his home “the Barbless Hook” on the Holy Waters between Stephan Bridge and Wakely Bridge in 1959 to create an organization that would protect Michigan’s trout waters. It was this meeting that launched Trout Unlimited, now the best known trout and cold water conservation organization in the world.

Others have followed as leaders in the fi shing and conservation communities. Grayling has been

The AuSable RiverA World-Class Trout Destination

David Shoppenagon (marked with an ‘x’) and other fi shing guides and fi shermen on the AuSable River.


By Rob BurgDirector of the Lovells

Historical Museums


75Program Book


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the home of popular fl y tyers and guides Ernie Borcher, Earl Madsen, Clarence Roberts, and Bob Smock, Sr. Jay Stephan, Sr. continued his family history of constructing the AuSable River Boat. Calvin “Rusty” Gates took up the mantle of conservation with the Anglers of the AuSable, by fi ghting the Michigan National Guard, the oil and gas industry, and other opponents to protect the AuSable.

Trout fi shing remains popular on the AuSable, though not just for the elite. But challenges remain, such as the concern of water pollution. Trout Unlimited, the Anglers of the AuSable, and other organizations and agencies continue to fi ght for the health of the AuSable River. Thanks to them, the AuSable remains one of the great trout rivers in the country.

� e AuSable River continued from page 74

Wa-Wa-Sum, the fi shing lodge owned by the Stranahan family of Toledo, Ohio; now owned by Michigan State University as a research and conference center.


The history of trout fi shing on the AuSable River is preserved and presented at the Lovells Historical Museums. In 1991 the Lone Pine School was moved to the grounds of the Lovells Township Hall, restored, and opened as a local history museum by the Lovells Township Historical Society. In 2001 the Lovells Museum of Trout Fishing History was added. This is Michigan’s ONLY museum dedicated to trout fi shing, and has exhibits on the history of trout fi shing along the AuSable River and throughout Michigan.

This year’s annual exhibit is “Anatomy of a Fisherman: John Voelker—Lawyer, Author, Fisherman.” The museums are open from April 30 to September 30, Wednesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. and on holiday weekend Sundays and Mondays. You can learn more about the museums at lovellsmuseum.com or fi nd us on Facebook under Lovells Township Historical Society.

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77Program Book

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A typical summer on the Au Sable River between Mio Dam and Alcona Pond features

everything from big trout to quiet contemplation, but this year there’s another welcome attraction.

Trees, Wonderful, Trees! The Forest Service, through a

Habitat Improvement Grant (HIA) from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR), has endeavored on a ten-year project to place Large Woody Debris (LWD) on this nationally known stretch of trout water.

“The first leg of the LWD project will be finished late fall, east of Louds Rest Stop Overlook,” explained Eric O’Neil, the Forest Service coordinator for the activity. “We have NEPA’d the river all the way to McKinley for LWD placement.”

This is not the first time trees have been planted below Mio. A major effort was conducted in the late 1990s, and other smaller attempts have occurred since then. When properly placed the wood provides cover for trout, especially juveniles, and offers thermal refuge during times of warm water – a chronic summer problem in this section (see www.70degreepledge.org for more information).

The biggest concern involving tree placement has always been the major spring crests common to this stretch. The river often raises two or three feet above its banks, and the powerful force of the current displaces the LWD sending it on a journey toward Alcona Pond.

“Some of those logs find new homes on another bank for a season or two before ending up smallmouth structures in the pond,” said Art Thomas, a fisher and conservationist who focuses on the river below Mio.

While it is natural for woody debris to lodge in spots and then move along the river from bank to flat to bank

during high water, ideally, some trees or branches should become established. In other words, these pieces of LWD stay in place for years or decades. A big problem on the Mio stretch is a lack of this type of structure, especially in-stream where they can do the most good for the fish.

The old Au Sable Big Water Preservation Association (ASBWPA), absorbed by Anglers of the Au Sable in 2014, advocated for years to anchor LWD, and put some structure well off the riverbank where it would still be in the water during periods of low water.

Under the direction of District Ranger Steve Goldman, Fishery Biologist Bob Stuber (since retired), and Hydrologist Rich Corner, the Forest Service listened, conducted a 22-mile tour of the river, and then went thru all the necessary preliminary steps required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) before securing HIA funding.

They are trying to make sure a large percentage of the LWD remains place.

“The trees are being anchored with oak posts that are jetted into the substrate,” O’Neil said. “Some are hinge cut and pinned with the same post jet system.”

Thomas met some of the workers on the river in April, and has inspected the work done to date.

“I couldn’t have picked better spots,

or placed it so well myself, a great job so far,” he said.

Paul Morand, a longtime Mio angler who has a cabin in the Evergreen Club, is also pleased with effort:

“I believe the Forest Service is moving in the right direction to improve the river habitat by placing and anchoring LWD. Hopefully this is the first of many steps to ensure the health and vitality of the Au Sable watershed.”

– Thomas Buhr was the President of the ASBWPA. In coordination with Anglers of the Au Sable, he will be holding a Big Water River Cleanup on Saturday September 10th at Comins Flats, 9 AM. Please contact him at 989.745.4957 or [email protected] for more information.

e Paddlers! 2016 Au Sable River Canoe Marathon

The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Au Sable River Realty

welcome all participants race fans to the 2016

Sable River Canoe Mara

Anchored Trees HighlightAnother Year on the Big Water

Water Temperature Woes: Come the end of June, or sometimes sooner, the water temperatures make catch-and-release fishing problematic below Mio. The www.70degreepledge.org site – sponsored by Anglers of the Au Sable – explains the problem, provides USGS links for real time water temperatures, and offers alternatives.

79Program Book

e Paddlers! 2016 Au Sable River Canoe Marathon

The Old Au Sable Fly Shop Au Sable River Realty

welcome all participants race fans to the 2016

Sable River Canoe Mara


Welcome to the AuSable Valley, a region known

for the AuSable River, blue-ribbon trout fi shing, its famous Canoe Marathon, and numerous opportunities for outdoor adventures. While tracking the racers this year, look around as you travel from site to site. The AuSable River meanders through 300,000 acres of the AuSable State Forest, a working forest. This state forest land is actively

managed by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to provide wildlife and fi sheries habitat, recreation opportunities, healthy diverse ecosystems, protection of our waterways, and to provide wood supply to support Michigan’s forest products industry.

DNR foresters work to conserve, protect and manage the state’s natural and cultural resources. A primary goal is to keep our state forests healthy and sustainable. An important tool in the sustainable

management of our forests is timber harvest.

Harvests are regularly used to maintain the health of forest stands, regenerate Michigan’s aging forests, provide browse and cover for wildlife, encourage landscape diversity,

and provide the resources for the wood products we rely on every day. Each harvest is designed around the specifi c needs and goals for each forest stand. Ecologically our forests naturally regenerate after disturbances by Mother

Nature, such as windstorms, fl oods and fi re. Many harvests are designed to simulate these disturbances to encourage natural regeneration while

By Susan Thiel, Unit Manager, MI DNR Grayling Forest Management Unit

Taking Care of the AuSable Valley Forest Resources

This view of Smith Bridge on the AuSable River today is a testament that nature is resilient. Our forests grew back after the extensive disturbances of the late 1800s and our rivers have healed. Today’s forest management practices protect these waterways while managing surrounding forests.

81Program Book

Nature, such as windstorms, fl oods and fi re. Many harvests are designed to simulate these disturbances to encourage natural regeneration while

utilizing the wood. To ensure the DNR is

making the right sustainable management decisions with on-the-ground forest practices,

foresters inventory the state forest and develop annual management plans that are reviewed by multiple resource managers with public input. All management activities are audited regularly by two third-party organizations, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Forest Stewardship Council. These audits are part of a forest certifi cation system which provides public assurance that our resources are being sustainably managed and properly protected.

When driving through the AuSable Valley, you may see a recent timber harvest. A common

question is: How can the ugly aftermath from harvesting be considered management and be healthy for our forests? In actuality, the “devastation” caused by logging provides needed disturbances to promote natural regeneration.

For example, shade-intolerant aspen trees are clear-cut, which encourages root sprouting to allow the site to regenerate naturally. Cut oak stumps sprout new baby oak trees, providing for our future forests. Soil disturbance from logging creates seedbeds promoting natural seeding of our pine species. The DNR often facilitates more rapid and dense regeneration of pine species through planting of seedlings in freshly cut areas that are open with full sun.

As our forests age, the trees become more susceptible to disease, insect infestation and environmental stresses. To keep our forests healthy and sustainable, forest managers identify aging and unhealthy stands of timber that need to be regenerated. Clear-cuts or fi nal harvests are often used to naturally regenerate

During the late 1800s, extensive logging and wildfi res resulted in a barren landscape across the AuSable Valley.



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Taking Care of the AuSable Valley Forest Resources continued from page 81

The historic logging era did not recognize the need to protect our waterways like the AuSable River. Trees were harvested along river banks and rivers were used to fl oat logs downstream. These practices caused erosion and allowed sedimentation of our streams and rivers.

forest stands or prepare a site for replanting, particularly for species like aspen, oak and pine that dominate the forests in the AuSable Valley. For example, many of the oak forests in the area are more than 100 years old, originating from the historic logging-era disturbance. These oak trees on sandy soils typically live 100-120 years. These old oak stands are in decline with increasing mortality. Disturbance, such as harvesting, helps successfully regenerate this oak resource. Salvage of dead oak will not provide regeneration needed to maintain oak on our landscape.

While timber harvests’ immediate effects may be unpleasant to the eye, keep in mind that active management is a winning solution to keeping our forests healthy and sustainable for current and future generations, for our wildlife, and for our local economy.

Learn more about how the DNR is working to manage your forests at

www.michigan.gov/forestry. The DNR Forest Resources Division manages, protects and provides for the sustainable use of

Michigan’s forest resources. Its vision is for vital, healthy and abundant forests that provide social,

economic and ecological benefi ts.


83Program Book

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It’s an hour before and the anxiety is great; that is, it’s an hour before your First Big Race.It’s just minutes before and now you’re frightened. The river looks cold and yet it’s all enlightened.The banks are lined; there is just an isle where the canoes pass in single fi le. Fifteen seconds is all the gap that’s left between the narrow craft. It’s the beginning of a long, hard fi ght; forty crafts shoot into the night. You’ve started out on your long hard grind, and your only goal - THE FINISH LINE!It’s this fi rst hour you really hate, for no matter if you are in shape, Your body aches and throbs with pain, and you know the others feel the same.You ride a wake a moment or so, they make a slip and there you go. You see their light drifting back, the other team that you’ve just passed.The fi rst bridge is far behind; the people there were most sublime. You are now canoe number eight. Who’s the team that’s setting the pace?You look back on Wakeley as you depart, then push on through the endless dark. Your hands are sore from burning skin, and your body aches from deep within.You see the next bridge and people; your body is weak and sort of feeble. You’re four hours gone, it’s started to rain; can you stand this strenuous pain?The last bridge you went by - it was McMasters; your mind keeps saying Faster---Faster! Your jaw is set and your body strains; you’re still enduring this biting rain.When you get to Mio, you’re almost halfway. How long can we last? No one can say. You haven’t spoke hardly at all, except for your switches, which you must call.You fi nally reach the lighted dam; you must stand up, if you possibly can.You’ve eaten twice in the last six hours; you must eat again to keep your power.The river has taken quite a score, twenty at least, and maybe more. Your fi rst break, the rain has quit; again you’re thankful your

RACElight is still lit.Now McKinley is just behind; this is really a grueling grind. The clouds are now taking shape; the endless night is about to break.The land around you is now all lighted, and Alcona Dam has just been sighted.You are now the fi fth canoe; can you hold it? --- It’s up to you!At the dam your legs are so cramped, you have to struggle to get on the ramp.You’re in your boat; it was hard to cross. You want to stop, but you slowly shove off.The sun has risen higher into the blue, you keep saying, “Come on, it’s up to you!”Your partner and you are a tired pair; the pain is what’s hard to bear.Your back is stiff from the night before; how can your body take any more?You know that you must keep up the fi ght, and now Loud Dam has come in sight.You see a boat, its color is RED; its number four, they’re just ahead!Something tells you, push on harder, Oscoda is not much farther.In front of the dam you are side by side; what have you done to the other team’s pride? Over the dam and down below, the-other-team sees you go.Now you are all alone in third place, this truly has been a great canoe race.Five Channels Dam is next in line; you waited for this one, a Very Long Time.Cooke Dam is the very next stop, from this to the last; it’s just but a hop.You’ve gone through the night and also some showers, you’ve been on the river for about 12 hours.As you cross Cooke, how the crowd cheers, it sounds like their yelling right in my ears! But this is the greatest of all prizes won, by paddling in darkness and also the sun.The next stop comes slower than ever before, and from Foote Dam to Oscoda is really a chore. Your lips and your hands begin to swell, as you pass through the water you know so well.As we round the last bend, we’re right in town; both of our bodies are about to set down. You see the Big Fifty Thousand or more; you no longer think of the burden bore.You fi nished in third place, that’s good enough, knowing your job was nothing but tough. And then you have a wonderful sensation, after fi nishing such a Huge TRIBULATION!

THE

85Program Book

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light is still lit.Now McKinley is just behind; this is really a grueling grind. The clouds are now taking shape; the endless night is about to break.The land around you is now all lighted, and Alcona Dam has just been sighted.You are now the fi fth canoe; can you hold it? --- It’s up to you!At the dam your legs are so cramped, you have to struggle to get on the ramp.You’re in your boat; it was hard to cross. You want to stop, but you slowly shove off.The sun has risen higher into the blue, you keep saying, “Come on, it’s up to you!”Your partner and you are a tired pair; the pain is what’s hard to bear.Your back is stiff from the night before; how can your body take any more?You know that you must keep up the fi ght, and now Loud Dam has come in sight.You see a boat, its color is RED; its number four, they’re just ahead!Something tells you, push on harder, Oscoda is not much farther.In front of the dam you are side by side; what have you done to the other team’s pride? Over the dam and down below, the-other-team sees you go.Now you are all alone in third place, this truly has been a great canoe race.Five Channels Dam is next in line; you waited for this one, a Very Long Time.Cooke Dam is the very next stop, from this to the last; it’s just but a hop.You’ve gone through the night and also some showers, you’ve been on the river for about 12 hours.As you cross Cooke, how the crowd cheers, it sounds like their yelling right in my ears! But this is the greatest of all prizes won, by paddling in darkness and also the sun.The next stop comes slower than ever before, and from Foote Dam to Oscoda is really a chore. Your lips and your hands begin to swell, as you pass through the water you know so well.As we round the last bend, we’re right in town; both of our bodies are about to set down. You see the Big Fifty Thousand or more; you no longer think of the burden bore.You fi nished in third place, that’s good enough, knowing your job was nothing but tough. And then you have a wonderful sensation, after fi nishing such a Huge TRIBULATION!

Words By: Art Furtaw (Canoe Marathoner in the 1960’s – Honored on the Canoer’s Memorial

Monument in 1968)


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This unique program was created in 2013 by the Grayling Recreation Authority and is available to boys or girls ages 7 to 18. At the time, Steve Corlew was the Programs Director for Grayling Recreation Authority and a professional paddler. Steve had a vision to build a program for the local youth that would give them the opportunity to learn to paddle or improve their paddling skills. With the support of GRA and the community, Grayling Youth Paddling Club was created. Steve encouraged local businesses and individuals to help start the program. They didn’t let him down! Several paddlers donated their old race boats and paddles. Local businesses donated boats, paddles, PFD’s or cash. Local paddlers volunteered to help teach the class. Although Steve has since moved to Petoskey, GRA has continued the program. Today the program is coached by Jeff Kolka, with help from GRA Programs Director, Wendy Kelso and local volunteers.

The club will have 16 children

in the Learn to Paddle program and around the same for their Competitive Paddle program in 2016. Both programs are five weeks long. The course fee includes class instruction, boats, paddles, PFD’s and a Paddle Club t-shirt. The classes are held on Lake Margrethe inside Camp Grayling National Guard base. Like all of GRA programs we believe our students should have fun all the while they are learning new skills. Once the students are comfortable with being on the water we will hold short races to encourage friendly competition between classmates. The youth in the Competitive course also has the opportunity to race on several rivers in Michigan.

The Learn to Paddle Class is an introductory course for boys and girls 7 to 15 years old. The students learn basic strokes, water safety and overall basic boat knowledge. This is a great course for youth that want to find out if they like paddling sports or they are wanting to paddle in their own boat, but do not have the skills to do so yet. We have also

found out that our course can help kids that are in the process of learning how to swim be more confident. Classes frequently have parents show up on the first day saying they are not sure if their child will participate because they are scared of the water. What we have found out that if you put a child in a boat that feels like it was made for them and give them the ability to become confident paddlers, it does not take long before they are loving every aspect of the water. Parents have been seen crying tears of joy when their child (who was scared of the water) purposely rolls out of his kayak and into the water face first. Then to ask if they can do it again and again.

The Competitive Course is geared towards students who are

GRAYLING YOUTH

PADDLING CLUB


87Program Book

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found out that our course can help kids that are in the process of learning how to swim be more confident. Classes frequently have parents show up on the first day saying they are not sure if their child will participate because they are scared of the water. What we have found out that if you put a child in a boat that feels like it was made for them and give them the ability to become confident paddlers, it does not take long before they are loving every aspect of the water. Parents have been seen crying tears of joy when their child (who was scared of the water) purposely rolls out of his kayak and into the water face first. Then to ask if they can do it again and again.

The Competitive Course is geared towards students who are

interested in becoming competitive paddlers or are competitively paddling and want to improve their skills. We have several Carbon fiber C2 boats that we use for this class. The opportunity for youth paddlers to participate in C2 youth races has diminished over the years so with the help of sponsors and the paddle club, GRA created a local race called the Arctic Glacier Mini Marathon Youth Canoe Race. Recently the club has been working with the Michigan Canoe Racing Association to have more competitive C2 youth races. Last year and again this year students have the opportunity to race at the Mini Marathon, 2 Mio’s Canoe Race, the Spikes Challenge Paddlers Tribute and on the Tahquamenon river. If you would like more information about these programs or other GRA programs contact Wendy Kelso at Hanson Hills Recreation Area, 989-348-9266 Ext 10, Email- [email protected] or visit our web page www.HansonHills.org.

Recreation Area

7601 Old Lake Rd.Grayling

(989) 348-9266www.HansonHills.org

• Mountain Biking• Hiking• Terrain Park• Cross Country Skiing• Downhill Skiing• Disc Golf Course• Playground• Playground• Kids Programs• 3-D Archery Course• Facility Rental• Softball Field• Picnic Area

Courtesy Photos


While carrying their C2 racing boat, youth paddlers will run 100 yards to the AuSable river. Once at the river, they will jump in their C2’s and race to Burtons Landing eight miles downstream.

This exciting race will be held on July 28, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. starting at the Old AuSable Fly Shop.

Call Wendy at 989-348-9266 Ext 10 for more information.

The Arctic Glacier Mini

Marathon Youth Canoe Race

89Program Book

Family Dining • Cocktails

Open Wednesday-MondayYear Round

Serving Breakfast,Lunch & Dinner

1945 W. River RoadOscoda, MI

(989) 739-7856

GOOD LUCKPADDLERS!!

Phone: (989) 348-4831 • Rental: (989) 348-9000

www.DuBoisLumber.DoItBest.com

Good Luck Paddlers!

®

6593 W. M72 HWY, Grayling, MI

Offering a full line of building materials and our rental center offers a wide variety of contractor equipment.

The Arctic Glacier Mini

Marathon Youth Canoe Race

The AuSable River Canoe Marathonand The Special Olympics

For nearly twenty years the Grayling Knights of Columbus has teamed up with the Marathon committee to conduct the Special Olympics race. In this heartwarming event, professional Marathon paddlers are paired up with area Special Olympians to paddle a short looped course upstream and back down in an aluminum canoe. It is not a long endurance race like the one held the next day, but to these 25 or so very special participants it is far more important. To them it is more than just a minute or two of fun; it is something they look forward to for a whole year. It is their time to be part of the action!

If you have never had the opportunity to watch Melinda Skagerberg soak Dwight Walker or see JP Ludwig drench Gary Aprea then you have missed out on a really neat experience. Sure they don’t run down Peninsular Avenue carrying their canoes, but I guarantee you they have a whole lot more fun. Seeing their huge smiles when they cross the fi nish line or when they receive their participation medal makes this a great event.

This event has created many long lasting friendships. These include Jimmy Roman paddling with Bill Torongo along with Wendy Allison paddling with Jeff DeFeo. Each year these Marathon paddlers present their partner with a t-shirt recognizing their participation. Wendy Allison even attends the Marathon start and fi nish line to cheer on her partner, Jeff DeFeo. Although the friendships all might not be as strong as these few, you never go a few steps without seeing pictures being taken, stories being told and memories being made.

Each year the Marathon Committee donates a portion of the Marathon entry fees to Michigan Special Olympics. To date such donations have totaled close to $20,000. The check is presented during the awards ceremony held at Penrod’s. This ceremony consists of a small cookout allowing the Special Olympian a greater opportunity to interact with the other paddlers.

� e Knights of Columbus Grayling

Council #1982 Proudly Sponsors

the Special Olympics canoe

race.


Erin’s top tip for anyone crazy enough to attempt the “world’s toughest spectator race,” is just that: Your goal is to fi nish. It’s an intense race, she says, and anything can happen at night, especially.

If you haven’t seen it, canoers sprint through the streets of Grayling at 9 p.m. on race day, each team running with their boat, jumping into the trout stream and in turn into the tippy watercraft. These aren’t your run-of-mill aluminum canoes, race boats are built for speed, not stability, and beginners may fl ip several times in the fi rst dozen or so miles. They head for Oscoda, paddling through the night on the twisting, turning and unforgiving AuSable River. Teams must cross the fi nish line by 4 p.m. the next day.

“It’s an accomplishment just to fi nish,” Erin said. “Last year quite a few teams had to drop. Defi nitely in the night there are so many things in the river you don’t see.”

Ironically, the 27-year-old Erin watched this annual race while growing up and said she, “always thought these people were nuts.

Then everyone thought we were nuts because we weren’t married.”

“Our wedding was a month after the 2015 Marathon,” she said, “we fi gured if we make the marathon and haven’t killed each other yet, then our marriage would be ok. ‘Sweating for the Wedding’ was the slogan on our shirts.”

Erin said she was surprised at how fast the time went by. Taking a half hour less than the 19-hour cutoff to fi nish meant it was a really

It may have taken more than 18 hours to fi nish the 68th annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon, but husband-and-wife-to-be Erin

Fluke and Brad Thompson fi nished.

Sweating for the

Wedding

Sporting their “Sweating for the Wedding” team shirts, Erin Fluke and Brad Thompson walked the deck before

the start of the marathon.

By Bernie Eng

91Program Book

Judge46TH CIRCUIT COURT

FRED

’SOF RO

SCOM

MON

430 N. FIFTH ST.ROSCOMMON

(989) 275-6565FREDSOFROSCOMMON.COM

long race for the husband-and-wife-to-be. But she said as the night went on, even a 2-hour stretch of paddling didn’t seem terrible.

Part of what helped is Erin’s Beginner Tip #2: Know the stretch from Graying to Mio. New paddlers should try to train in that stretch as much as possible. It’s the part that will get people in trouble. It’s “really twisty and turny,” she says.

Especially get to know the fi rst section of the race — at least to where the North Branch comes in, Erin said. “We would be going along, and suddenly you hear people fl ipping, then we’d see lights in the river on the bottom. You never know what’s going to happen in the night.”

Make sure your fl ashlights are tied down.

After Mio the fog rolled in over the duo. In the pre-dawn darkness, they looked to the treetops silhouetted against the sky to navigate. That’s when they received a bit of eerie guidance.

Surrounded by fog in the dark, her bow man and husband-to-be Brad said, “I’m not sure where we go.”

“Suddenly there was a voice from a guy who said, ‘you are going right.’”

“Any time you see or hear someone on the side of the river in the middle of the night, you really

appreciate that because it’s kinda lonely in the dark,” Erin said.

In a race that demands so much of its competitors, what’s Erin’s Beginner Tip #3?

Make sure your feeders know where they are going, what they are doing and they have whatever it is you need.

They should be in contact with experienced feeders, she says. “We wouldn’t have made it if it weren’t for Sue (Hewitt) feeding us last year. She was my lifesaver.”

As the race wore on, Erin was getting cold. While not part of the support plan, Erin said, Sue knew it and was ready, dropping a sweatshirt in the paddler’s lap at just the right time.

This year Sue is coaching a contingent of supporters feeding a group of 10 racers led by her husband, Iron Paddler Chuck Hewitt. That Iron Paddler designation is earned after fi nishing at least 10 years of marathons.

As Erin’s experience proves, cast iron support like Sue’s is crucial to a good race.

On Sunday afternoon, after Sweating for the Wedding for 18 hours and 29 minutes, the Thompsons of Frankenmuth fi nished in 69th place — the perfect segue to 2016 as they train for the 69th AuSable River Canoe Marathon.

A month before taking their vows, Erin and Brad cross the fi nish line of the 68th annual AuSable River Canoe Marathon 18 hours and 29 minutes after they began the day before.

Photos by Brian Connon

93Program Book

GoodLuck

Paddlers!

www.AuSableValleyTrailriders.com

Riverside Bed & Breakfast

Day & OvernightRiver Trips

www.CanoeBorchers.com

Copyright – Th e Detroit Free Press

See Pages 94-95


758 Isenhauer Rd.Grayling, MI 49738

Phone: (989) 344-7662Fax: (989) 344-7619

www.IMMMI.com

Inc.

Copyright – The Detroit Free Press

95Program Book

WeekendSteak-Out & Horse ShoeTournament

Friday: 12 oz. Steak Dinner from 3-7 p.m. or GONE! with all the fixins only $10Saturday: Horse Shoe Tournament, double elimination starts at 10 a.m. $10/person with CASH PRIZES Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Corn on the Cob and Breakfast Burritos at 9 a.m. 2-Person Horseshoe Tournament at 10 a.m. $5

Beer Tent all weekendFeaturing $1 Drafts

July 29th & 30th

Annual MarathonEagles

* PUBLIC WELCOME *

Grayling Eagles Aerie 3465602 Huron Street • Turn at Burger King (east)

(989) 348-5287

97Program Book

Each year since 1934, La Classique

Internationale de canots de la Mauricie (Québec, Canada) celebrates the stately Saint-Maurice River during Labor Day weekend. Over 200 paddlers (canoe, kayak and rabaska) take assault over the river through an indescribable 200 km course!

From La Tuque to Trois-Rives, from Trois-Rives to Shawinigan, and from Shawinigan to Trois-Rivières, the athletes from all over the world take on an exciting racing weekend. The oldest event of its kind is an extraordinary occasion to celebrate water sports, team spirit and personal accomplishment. Over the years, many paddlers were crowned “King of the Saint-Maurice.”

La Classique Internationale de canots de la Mauricie unites the communities from all over the Mauricie region. From year to year, from one edition of this great race to another, tourists from Quebec, Canada, and the United States follow the course to encourage the paddlers and share their passion through the multiple cultural activities that also take place during the

weekend. More than 150 volunteers take part in the event in a festive and community based ambiance.

La Classique Internationale de canots de la Mauricie is also an extraordinary platform to initiate the youngest athletes to marathon canoe racing. In fact, Ma Première Classique, a race created specifi cally for young people, gives the opportunity for kids to take up the paddle on a short run course. Finally, the Défi Réjean Huard gives the opportunity to young people dealing with intellectual disability to participate in a one km race on the river.

The 2016 edition will take place from September 2-5. On Friday, all paddlers

La Mauricie? Classical! La Classique Internationale de Canots de la Mauricie –

The Final Stage of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing

Bear PawCabins & Canoes

KAYAK & CANOE TRIPS$30.00

TUBE TRIPS$15.00

3744 W. PARK RD., LUZERNE

(989) 826-3313BEARPAWCABINSANDCANOES.COM

WEST OF MIO ON

THE QUIETER SIDE

OF THE RIVER

EdelweissTavern

107 S. State St.Oscoda

(989) 739-7796

Good LuckPaddlers!

By Yvon Laplante


Fog rises from the surface of the water as paddlers in the Classique Internationale race against the clock and each other.

Photos by Cyrille Farré

99Program Book

GOOD LUCK PADDLERS!SEE YOU AT THE FINISH!

119 N. State St., Downtown Oscoda • (989) 739-3439Ausable Hardware

GOOD LUCK PADDLERS!!

Call for Reservations:1775 E. River Rd, Oscoda - (989) 739-7351

www.AuSableRiverQueen.com

AUSABLERIVER QUEEN

Enjoy a beautiful 2 hour cruise on the mighty AuSable River. -featuring a liquor bar, snack bar, and gift shop

Open Memorial Weekend thru the

3rd weekend in October

la Classique – � ird stage of the Triple Crown of Canoe Racing

• Classique Intenationale de canots de la Mauricie

• Website: www.classiquedecanots.com/en• Facebook: www.facebook.com/

laClassiqueDeCanots• Tourism in the Mauricie Region of Quebec• Tourism throughout the Mauricie region: www.

mauricietourism.com/• Tourism in the Shawinigan area of Quebec:

www.tourismeshawinigan.com/home• La Mauricie National Park: pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/

qc/mauricie/index.aspx

take part in a sprint competition in La Tuque, before the Grand Departure, the start of the race, on Saturday morning. The fi rst stage is 75 km long, from La Tuque to Trois-Rives. On Sunday morning, the race goes from Trois-Rives to Shawinigan (70 km). And the last stage starts on Monday morning, from Shawinigan to Trois-Rivières (44km). At the fi nish line, the party overcomes the tiredness in a climax celebration of the sport!

La Classique Internationale de canots de la Mauricie is a major event in water sport international competition. Traditionally focused on C2 course, the Classique has now integrated K2 and R9. On Sunday morning, more than 200 amateurs take over the river on a “friendly” dragon boat competition. Over the years, athletes, feeders, volunteers, spectators, and all the management teams combine their effort to celebrate the Saint-Maurice River.

For more than 84 years, la Mauricie has been a leader in water sport competition. For more than 84 years, la Mauricie is Classical!



5445-E

WITH A CAPACITY of 9,000 kilowatts, the hydro was completed in 1918.

It is located nine miles upstream from Lake Huron and is named for William A. Foote, the founder of Consumers Power, which later became Consumers Energy.


5562-E

PORTAGE 6FOOTE HYDRO

2016 AuSable Canoe Marathon Program Book

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Transcript of 2016 AuSable Canoe Marathon Program Book