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Wednesday, July 23, 2025 at 2:56 AM
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St. Patrick’s Day Parade attendance drops

The O’Mena St. Patrick’s Day parade this year was one of quality, not quantity. The poor quality of the weather resulted in only the hardiest, highest quality paraders turning out. It was the smallest parade since the tradition began in Omena – six people and one dog. But a good time was had by all. The temperature was in the upper 20’s, the wind was gusty, and the parade route was snowy and slippery, but the band of marchers forged on, not wanting to disappoint the on-lookers, which I’m pretty sure numbered two – Mary Woessner on Isthmus and Marcus Stowe, representing his family at their usual viewing spot by Omena Beach.

The participants were Debby Disch, Judy Fowler, Diane Joyce, Mary Smart, and Susan Krusel, her son William, and their dog, Roxy, a Wirehaired Pointing Griffon, representing the canine population of Omena.

It had seemed like a good idea to have the parade on Sunday instead of Monday, but that decision was made long before any weather forecasts. Who could have guessed that one day would be the worst, dropping almost 20 degrees from the day before, with a snowfall of around 4 inches. It didn’t help that the Big Ten Basketball Tournament final game, Michigan versus Wisconsin, was at the same time.

Speaking of the Big Ten Tourney, Brian and Sally Shapiro had a surprise at their Indianapolis deli over the weekend when they met four visitors with roots in the Glen Lake area. Four Dutmers brothers – Tim, Tom, Chad and Jim - were there with two friends, Don Miller and Bill Witler, to attend the tournament. Some were UM fans, some MSU, but all big college football fans. In fact, Don Miller was the basketball coach at Glen Lake High School for over 30 years, and received the National High School Basketball Coaches Association’s John Wooden Lifetime Achievement Award last fall.

According to Chad Dutmers, Shapiro’s Deli is a regular stop for the group whenever they are in Indy for the tournament, but they had never met Brian and Sally before. It was fun for everyone getting to know fellow Leelanau County residents.

Hallstedt Homestead Cherries is again sponsoring the roadside clean-up in the Omena stretch of M-22. It is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8 at 4 p.m. Everyone should meet at the Omena Historical Society in downtown Omena. It takes about an hour and a half, even less if there are more people. Dress for the weather that day, and wear good walking shoes. If you can let Sarah and Phil Hallstedt know at [email protected], that would be great, but it’s OK to just show up.

It appears that I missed two days of birthdays last week, so belated birthday wishes to Sarah Viskochil Lichtel and to Astrid Lingaur, who turned 7 yesterday, and Eliam Groot, who turned 4. Astrid and Eliam are cousins who share the same birth day.

Happy Birthday this week to Jackie Bojarski, Kris Sommavilla, Sarah Chenault, Agnes Cromartie, and Amy Smart Oosterhouse. Happy Anniversary to Mike and Laurie Adelson.

Happy First Day of Spring! The Vernal Equinox officially occurred at 5:01 am today.


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