TRAINING WITH NEW BOAT
     Roscommon County Sheriff's marine deputies pull Undersheriff Ed Stern aboard the department's new rescue pontoon boat during training on Higgins Lake June 25. The boat was donated by Box 21 Rescue Squad, Dayton, OH. Frank Borschke, part owner of Crown & Associates garage condos, said he alerted Sheriff Randy Stevenson and Deputy Donielle Bannon, supervisor of the department's marine patrol to the boat's availability. Borschke, whose son, a boat racer who was once rescued by the unit, said he learned the pontoon became available when Box 21 obtained a new one. The pontoon features a platform that can be lowered into the water to retrieve accident victims. (Courtesy photo)
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Side scan sonar helps recover boat from bottom of Higgins
By Glenn Schicker
      A boat which sank in Higgins Lake June 20 was recovered and returned to its owner three days later. Laurie Smith Tudor, a volunteer member of the Roscommon County Sheriff's Department's dive team, located the boat using the sheriff's department's side scan sonar.
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Making the lakes safer
Photos and text by Thomas Reznich
      Making Since its inception in 1973 by former Sheriff Garth Meyer, the Roscommon County Sheriff Marine Patrol has been helping to make the county's lakes safer for both visitors and residents. Thirty-six years later, the service still plays a key roll with a crew of 16 seasonal officers.
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When it comes to swimmer's itch, think before you swim
By Cheryl Holladay
      On a hot day, like those we experienced last week, one's first inclination might be to take a dip in the lake. However, here are a few considerations before swimming, especially off the south or east shore of a lake due to prevailing winds.
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BLUEGILL STRINGER
     These 16 bluegill are just some of the more than 30 bluegill John Pavlik (left) of St. Louis and Prudenville and Lon "L.B." Busch of Prudenville caught the morning of June 25. The friends were in Houghton Lake's east bay, and used leaf worms and leaches to bring in their haul. (CHP)
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Noted researcher to conduct seminar on shooting sports
      The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is inviting the public to attend a seminar conducted by renowned researcher, speaker and writer Mark Damian Duda. The seminar will be held July 9 at the Ralph A. McMullan Conference Center, 104 Conservation Dr., Roscommon.
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River Center seeks boats for show
      A wooden boat show has been added to the July 18 schedule for the second annual Roscommon River Festival. Wooden boats, canoes and kayaks may be entered at no charge. Awards will be presented for best of show in each category at 4 p.m.
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DNR proposes closing some roads to ORV's
      While Roscommon County has expanded opportunities for ORV travel on county roads, Department of Natural Resources division chiefs are proposing that forest roads in three townships be closed.
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BIG OLE' CARP
     Gus Zobel landed this carp June 20th while fishing on Houghton Lake near Sucker Creek. Zobel was using a crawler harness on a bobber with a Fleuger light action rod with 6 pound test when he caught the 38" long fish. Zobel fought the fish for about an hour before landing it. He did not get an accurate weight as he said he "didn't have a scale big enough to weigh it." (Courtesy photo)
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Coast Guard Auxiliary offers free vessel safety checks
      Before hitting the water this boating season, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 1603, urges recreational boaters to make sure they have the required safety equipment, and that it is in working order, by taking advantage of a free Vessel Safety Check.
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Protecting Michigan's hardwood forests from the Asian longhorned beetle
      A serious threat to North American hardwood forests has resurfaced in a big way in Massachusetts, grabbing the attention of forest health managers tasked with protecting Michigan's valuable hardwood stands. The Asian longhorned beetle (ALB) is an invasive species that poses a serious risk to hardwood trees, including maples, horse chestnut, elms and aspen.
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OLD BEAUTY
     Mark Tucker of Brighton screws in the bow flag on his 1954 Chris Craft before launching it at the Department of Natural Resources West Shore access at Houghton Lake recently. Tucker said the 18-foot mahogany utility, powered by a 120 hp Chris Craft inboard marine engine, had just won best in class at the Presque Isle Harbor Boat Show. He said he's owned the boat for 18 years and that he refinished it six years ago, including 25 coats of varnish. (Photo by Thomas Reznich)
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