Water Tower Exterior Cleaning

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Water Tower Exterior Cleaning - October 6th & 7th

What a difference this has made to our water tower as evident from the photographs - much better impression from residents and visitors when they see this prevalent structure in the Roscommon sky!

Au Sable River Center Addition Grand Opening

This photo was taken at the Grand Opening of the Au Sable River Center Additions. The additions include a covered canopy, new restroom, and a new meeting room. The outside of the building was also re-done to resemble the old Train Depot which stood close to this location.

DPW Appreciation Day

(from left to right: DPW Seasonal Employee Andy McGregor, DPW Technician Mike Looney, Village President Jesse Carlson, DPW Specialist Jeff Burmester, DPW Director Dave Hodges, Village Manager Tom Gromek)

The Village Council honored the Department of Public Works' staff with a potluck lunch on September 3rd featuring many delicious homemade dishes. Certificates of appreciation were also given to each employee praising their hard work and willingness to go above and beyond their regular job duties for the benefit of the Village.

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.

Grand Opening of the Au Sable River Center Addition

VILLAGE OF ROSCOMMON
DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

Grand Opening of Au Sable River Center Addition

On Monday, August 31st at 1:00 p.m., the public is invited to the official grand opening of the Au Sable River Center Canopy/Meeting Room Addition. Members of the Roscommon Downtown Development Authority, Roscommon Metropolitan Recreational Authority, Au Sable River Center, Roscommon Historic Model Train Club, Roscommon Historical Society, and the Roscommon Village Council, will be present.

The addition includes a 2,126-square foot canopy on front of the River Center that was designed to resemble the railroad depot that once stood on the site. The Roscommon Farmer’s Market utilizes this space every Monday from 11am – 4pm.

A 686-square foot enclosed meeting room was also constructed on the southeast side of the River Center. It houses a conference room, restrooms, and is accessible from both the inside and outside.

A railroad/train garden is currently in the works on the north side of the property. This 400 square foot area will house a train display and garden from the Roscommon Historic Model Train Club.

The total cost of improvements to the facility was approximately $140,000. The Roscommon DDA contracted with Costello Construction to perform the work.

The Roscommon Farmer’s Market will provide free pop, water, coffee, and refreshments to the public along with plenty of vendors selling fresh produce. They will also be raffling off door prizes.

Come celebrate Roscommon’s newest gem!

The Au Sable River Center (211 N. Main) is located on North Main Street, between Brooks & Sheley St.
Please Contact Roscommon Village Hall for more information on the event - (989) 275-5743
www.roscommonvillage.com

Au Sable River Center Sign Honors History of Roscommon Train Depot

(Roscommon County Herald News - Article by Jeff Patrus)
ROSCOMMON — The AuSable River Center and the Roscommon Area Historical Society (RAHS) have joined forces to bring a bit of Roscommon’s history to life.

Recently, the RAHS installed a sign outside the River Center commemorating the history of railroad service and the depot in Roscommon. The sign contains some historical information about the depot and train service in the village. According to Carol Garlo of the RAHS, the sign was made and designed by Sean Bell and his staff at Thee Sign Shop of Higgins Lake, at a cost of $1,650, which was paid for by the RAHS.

Garlo said it is important for area residents to recognize the role the depot played in Roscommon’s development.

“The railroad played a large part in our history,” she said. “It came in here to service the logging industry, and the town was built around it.”

"The four by eight foot sign shows an enlargement of an early photograph of the depot, which was built in 1872. The red and gold stained glass portion of the windows is evident in the photograph. Original pieces of that glass are on display at the Gallimore Boarding House which the RAHS owns and which houses local artifacts and historical information," she said.

Garlo said Bell was able to emulate the ridgeline décor of the depot, as well as some of the end brackets on the roof of the sign. Cedar shake shingles from previous RAHS projects were also used on the sign’s roof.

According to information on the sign, the railroad “opened the way for the village of Roscommon to be settled and a booming logging industry to move in.” Around the turn of the century, under new ownership, the Michigan Central Railroad provided “rapid, dependable public service” for passengers and freight to Roscommon and north to Grayling, Gaylord, Cheboygan and Mackinaw City.

Garlo said RAHS member Ned Wickes was instrumental in compiling the historical information that is included on the sign. She said the RAHS had talked about putting together a sign “for quite a few years,” but that talk eventually died down. When Wickes said he would research the history of the depot, the society decided to put the sign together.

Wickes recalled how he and his parents traveled by train to visit Roscommon when he was a child. “It was the only way they could get here from Saginaw,” he said.
According to Garlo, the railroad continued to serve Roscommon until 1969, when the depot was torn down. She said she has talked to several residents who lived in the village at that time, and none of them understand why the depot was torn down. Nonetheless, she said she is glad the sign is now around so current residents can get a better understanding of the depot’s importance.

“It is an integral part of our history,” she said.

Miss Roscommon County / Miss Roscommon County Teen Pageant

New River Center Photos

Roscommon County Fair

Fair kicks off Thursday night, August 6th at 7:00 PM with the Miss Roscommon County Beauty Pageant at the CRAF Center in Roscommon. Tickets $5.00 person

Opens Friday August 7th at noon with formal flag raising ceremony by VFW Post and State Representative Joel Sheltrown. National Anthem sung by Tami Menghini. Coffee and donuts.

Friday - August 7th
Exhibit Display: buildings open till 6:00 PM each day throughout fair
Nascar Simulator: noon till 8:00 PM-experience the thrill of Jeff Gordon's vehicle
Exotic Animal Display: noon till 6:00 PM-have your picture taken with a baby roo, tiger, etc.
Public Safety Day: 1:00 PM till 6:00 PM-watch demos/gain info from many Fire/EMS/Law Enforcement agencies, USCG. See first hand what they do and how they do it.
Solarscape: See what Hubble Telescope sees in full color. Open during fair on the half hour till 6:30 PM.
Model Train Display: Roscommon's Own Train Club bringing you their display to view and enjoy.
Children's Inflatable Rides: open throughout fair
Family Movie Night: enjoy a free walk in movie, bring a chair/blanket, just like the old fashioned drive in.

Saturday - August 8th
Exhibit Display: open
Nascar Simulator: 10:00 AM till 6:00 PM
Exotic Animal Display: 10:00 AM till 6:00 PM (or until animals too tired)
Children's Inflatable Rides: open throughout fair
Solarscape: open throughout fair
Model Train Exhibit: open throughout fair
Roscommon Little Sweetheart Contest: 1:00 PM
Horseshoe Tournament: pre-register early, draw partners noon, play 1:00 PM
Mud Bog: register during day, mud flies at 1:00 PM
Roscommon Style Music: Free music show, bring your chairs, blankets, enjoy a night of entertainment.

Sunday - August 9th
Exhibit Display: open throughout fair till 6:00 PM
Horse show: registrations open 8:00 AM, show begins 9:00 AM-high point awards for 57 classes
Nascar Simulator 10:00 AM till 6:00 PM
Children's Inflatable Rides: open throughout fair
Solarscape: program on the half hour ending at 5:30 PM.
Beautiful Baby Contest: 1:00 PM register babies throughout fair, public voting (vote often).



No admission fee to fair grounds
Exhibit entries open to residents of any county in Michigan.
Vendors open during fair hours
Children's Games and other events throughout fair

AuSable River Center Expansion/Depot Project

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Photos of the construction of the AuSable River Center Expansion/Depot Project - the project is funded by the Roscommon Downtown Development Authority.