Tom's Two Cents - September Edition

Tom's Two Cents

New, Unique Event Set to Take Roscommon by Storm

We all know of the Michigan Firemen’s Memorial Festival, its continued success, and its importance to Roscommon. This year’s Firemen’s Memorial Festival will be held from Thursday, Sept. 17 to Sunday, Sept. 20.

The following weekend features a brand new event, the first annual Roscommon Oktoberfest, sponsored by the Roscommon Rotary Club and the Roscommon Knights of Columbus. This event will take place on Friday, Sept. 25 and Saturday, Sept. 26. This will be a unique, fun-filled event and a great follow-up to Firemen’s Memorial Weekend.

Here is a brief Q&A detailing the event:

What time will the event take place?

Festivities kick off at 4 p.m. on Friday, ending at 1 a.m. On Saturday, the event opens at 12 p.m. and closes at 1 a.m.

Where is the event located?

At the Knights of Columbus Hall, which is located at 165 W. Federal Highway (M-76) in Roscommon.

Do I have to purchase tickets in advance?

No. Feel free to attend the festivities at your convenience. There may be a small cover charge at the door both evenings.

What type of entertainment will be provided?

There will be four live bands performing throughout the two-day event. These bands are: Catch and Release Blues Band, Strawberry Jam Band, Virgil Baker and the Just 4 Fun Polka Band, and the Jim Gower Band.

What type of food/beverage will be provided?

A limited amount of Polish Dinners will be sold, along with plenty of hot dogs, bratwursts, perogies, beer, and soda.

Where can I obtain more information?

On the Roscommon Rotary Website, www.roscommonrotary.com

Tom’s Take

The Detroit Tigers are in great position to capture their first division championship since 1987 and their first-ever AL Central Division Championship. Baseball fans around the state are tickled to death at the possibility of the Detroit Tigers returning to the postseason for the first time since 2006. The excitement is about to build as September ends and October approaches. We all remember the joy, passion, and sheer giddiness that the Tigers’ 2006 postseason run brought to the state of Michigan. With all the state’s economic troubles, I can’t wait to see people let go of their problems for a few nights and celebrate together, as a state.

Even if you are not a baseball fan, you can certainly appreciate the charity work and generosity of two particular Detroit Tigers. Centerfielder Curtis Granderson and 3rd-baseman Brandon Inge, both all-stars on the field, donate their precious off time to various charities and organizations, making them all-stars off the field as well.

Curtis Granderson started his own charitable organization, The Grand Kids Foundation, in 2008 to help Michigan’s educational system. Donations to the Grand Kids Foundation go towards purchasing school supplies for needy families/kids, books and supplies for schools which do not get the funding they always need, establishing baseball programs as well as providing equipment and facilities in some of Michigan's inner cities and eventually a scholarship program for graduating high school seniors.

Granderson has hosted two celebrity basketball games, a wine tasting and bachelor auction, and has written a children’s book entitled “All You Can Be”. He even has served as an ambassador for Major League Baseball, traveling to several countries the past several off-seasons to promote, teach, and represent the game of baseball around the world. Granderson is one of the most classy, humble, and generous athletes in professional sports.

It is hard to mention Curtis Granderson without mentioning his teammate, slugger Brandon Inge. Inge, the longest-tenured Tiger, has had his shares of ups and downs in his big league career. However, whatever his struggles on the field may be, he doesn’t let that affect his charitable work.

In 2007, Brandon Inge, and wife Shani, agreed to donate $100,000 for a new playroom for the pediatric cancer infusion clinic at C.S. Mott’s Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor. Earlier this month, the hospital hosted “Brandon and Shani Inge Day,” and Brandon took time out of his busy schedule to visit with patients, sign autographs, and play outside with the children. In a really humble move, the Inge’s decided to not place their names on the room, but instead asked that a contest be held to name the facility. The winning name was “The Dugout.” Inge recently dedicated two home runs to pediatric patients he has recently visited at the hospital.

In today’s society, we seem to hear that professional athletes only care about money, fame, and themselves. Next time you hear about the Detroit Tigers or watch one of their games in the coming weeks, think of what this team and organization mean to Michigan. We are fortunate to have winners, such as Curtis Granderson and Brandon Inge, representing our state both on and off the field.