Houghton Lake Resorter

07/23/2025

July 24, 2025 Resorter headlines:

Driver crashes into Cut River Grille

ARCM to feature "tough field" of top contenders

Kirtland Garden Tour Saturday

Sensor addresses water level concerns on Muskegon River

Family FunFest Saturday, bobber drop this weekend

On newsstands now!

07/22/2025

Houghton-Higgins Lake Elks Lodge No. 1982 member John Macon recently took to the open road on his motorcycle and raised some money for the lodge at the same time.

The 82-year-old took a cross-country trip in May, while back at the lodge volunteer coordinator Lydia Ging was collecting pledges. The 4,400-mile trip raised $575 for the Elks lodge from 16 Elks members.

Macon said he has been a member of the Elks for about a year and a half. He said he enjoys being a member of the Elks because it feels “like family.”

Houghton-Higgins Lake Elks member John Macon left Houghton Lake May 17 on a cross-country trip on his 2018 Indian motorcycle, pulling a trailer filled with camping gear. He raised more than $500 for the Elks on the trip. By Cheryl Holladay Houghton-Higgins Lake Elks Lodge No. 1982 member John Macon....

07/21/2025

In honor of its 70th anniversary, Houghton-Higgins Lake Elks Lodge No. 1982 hosted a members-only pig roast and chicken dinner July 12.

Led by 70th Anniversary Committee Chair B.J. Sizemore (assisted by Co-Chair Terri Prindle), the party was decorated with black, silver and white decor.

More than 100 people attended.

Helping to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Houghton-Higgins Lake Elks Lodge 1982 were (left to right) member Marcia McGee, Elks historian Deborah Gouin, Chaplain Lloyd Bonzo and 70th Anniversary Committee Chair B.J. Sizemore. Not pictured is Exalted Ruler Wilbert M. Hines III. By Cheryl Holladay I...

07/20/2025

Paddlers with long histories of success, like Serge Corbin, Andy Triebold and Jeff Kolka, as well as those with more recent prowess, like Mike Davis, Danny Medina, Ryan Halstead, Christophe Proulx, Carson Burmeister and Wes Dean, are all looked up to by the next generation of paddlers, who are known as “the young guns.”

ARCM Statistician and Historian Ryan Matthews said today’s teenage paddlers or “young guns,” could “very well be the next superstars of the marathon.”

Travis Mecklenburg (left) and Matt Gabriel Jr. traverse the portage at Five Channels Dam during the 2024 AuSable River Canoe Marathon. Mecklenburg, 22, who is a student at Ohio State University, said paddling has provided him friends as well as a way to better himself. He said paddling as allowed hi...

07/19/2025

Camp Westminster has seen generations of campers sleep in its cabins, hike through its woods, and swim and canoe in Higgins Lake for 100 years.

The summer camp celebrated its centennial this past weekend with a three-day party, inviting alumni of all ages to return to camp to reminisce, reunite with old friends and relive the camp days through canoeing, swimming, campfires, songs and more.

Former and current campers, counselors, staff members and their families gather for a group photo at Camp Westminster’s centennial celebration, held July 11-13. More than 100 camp alumni came from near and far to revisit and relive their camp days. (Photo by Ashley Patti) By Ashley Patti Camp West...

07/18/2025

The Roscommon Art Festival July 12 offered many different types of art, including jewelry, paintings, fabric art and yard and home decor.

Joan Wilkins, a painter, received the 2025 Artist of the Year Award at the 56th annual Roscommon Art Festival.

Donn Angel Pérez instructs Sage Grabbe, 10, where and how to paint on a canvas during the Roscommon Art Festival July 12. Pérez paintedthroughout the day, inviting passersby to join in the creation of the art. Sage’s younger sister, Lily, 8, and their mother, Sara, were also able toparticipate i...

07/17/2025

Blues guitarist and singer Larry McCray will be returning to Houghton Lake this weekend to headline the Houghton Lake Blues Festival.

The eighth annual outdoor festival July 18 and 19 brings performers and blues enthusiasts from far and wide to Festival Field for two nights of music.

Festival Field is located behind the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce, 1625 West Houghton Lake Dr. (M-55).

https://www.houghtonlakeresorter.com/articles/mccray-headlining-eighth-annual-houghton-lake-blues-fest/

07/16/2025

July 17, 2025 Resorter headlines:

Miko sentenced for murder of his mother

McCray headlining eighth annual Houghton Lake Blues Fest

Nearly 350 acres treated for milfoil on Houghton Lake

"Rich in Lore, 100 More" Camp Westminster celebrates 100 years

Plus the AuSable River Canoe Marathon Spectator Guide, on newsstands now!

07/15/2025

Classic car owners from the Houghton Lake area gather on Wednesdays, from about 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Great Lakes Family Restaurant, 9435 W. Lake City Rd. (M-55), Houghton Lake.

The second Wednesday of the month, the Houghton Lake Community Jazz Band plays outside the restaurant.

Classic car owners from the Houghton Lake area gather on Wednesdays, from about 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., at Great Lakes Family Restaurant, 9435 W. Lake City Rd. (M-55), Houghton Lake. Pictured are (from right to left) a 1998 Mustang GT owned by Jim Fortin, a 1996 Mustang Cobra owned by Delores McMurtry, a...

07/14/2025

The paddlers of the AuSable River Canoe Marathon are often in great physical condition and have mentally prepared to traverse the AuSable River from Grayling to Oscoda, but they can’t make the 120-mile journey without support.

They need what are known as feeders, or people who provide paddlers with hydration, nutrition, medication, extra clothing or replacement equipment. These are the people who react to emergencies and update the paddlers on their progress.

“They need support. They can’t take everything with them,” Josie Swander Krupp said.

McMasters Bridge served as the first place paddlers could get food, water, extra paddles, medication, clothing or anything else they might need as they made their way along the AuSable River during the 2024 AuSable River Canoe Marathon. Along the river, feeders could be seen in bright clothing or ho...

07/13/2025

Decades after losing her father in the Vietnam War, Julie Hose Peters of Houghton Lake had a chance recently to connect and spend time with other Gold Star children.

Through the organization Sons and Daughters in Touch, Peters traveled to Nashville June 25-28 and spent time with 21 Gold Star children and nine of their spouses.

“They just honored us, because we never got that,” Peters said. “The experience was very moving.”

As part of a trip to Nashville through the Sons and Daughters in Touch Organization, Houghton Lake’s Julie Hose Peters went to the Grand Ole Opry. Peters said the group saw Crystal Gayle perform. “She was awesome,” Peters said. (Courtesy photo) Decades after losing her father in the Vietnam W...

07/12/2025

Law enforcement officers in Roscommon County were kept busy over the Fourth of July weekend.

Roscommon County Sheriff Ed Stern said nothing “extreme” happened and there were no drownings or other deaths.

County-wide, he said there were seven traffic crashes on July 3, alone, and 12 total between July 3 and 6.

https://www.houghtonlakeresorter.com/articles/police-busy-during-holiday-weekend/