Houghton Lake Resorter

12/08/2025

The Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce welcomed Santa Claus, accompanied by Sue Lockwood, to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony Nov. 29 at the chamber office, 1625 W. Houghton Lake Dr. (M-55).

Guests at the event also sang Christmas carols and could enjoy hot chocolate and cookies at the Houghton Lake Historical Playhouse during the evening.

(Above) The Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce welcomed Santa Claus, accompanied by Sue Lockwood, to the Christmas tree lighting ceremony Nov. 29 at the chamber office, 1625 W. Houghton Lake Dr. (M-55). Guests at the event also sang Christmas carols and could enjoy hot chocolate and cookies at the Ho...

12/07/2025

The Richfield Township Department of Public Safety poses for a photo with Santa at the annual “Breakfast with Santa.”

Sgt. Jason Hertzberg said the department served around 150 meals that morning.

The department also held a “Stuff the Truck” event to collect nonperishable food items for We Care We Feed, an organization that provides food assistance to local families.

The Richfield Township Department of Public Safety poses for a photo with Santa at the annual “Breakfast with Santa.” Sgt. Jason Hertzberg said the department served around 150 meals that morning. The department also held a “Stuff the Truck” event to collect nonperishable food items for We C...

12/06/2025

The Graham, Grover, Prindle Memorial Thanksgiving Dinner, held annually at Houghton-Higgins Lake Elks Lodge 1982, Houghton Lake, Nov. 27 served a total of about 600 meals. Of those meals, 450 were delivery or carry-out, organizer Jay Jacobs said.

(Above) Longtime volunteer Kent Straub brings out some more turkey to the serving line. Also pictured are Jane Farr and organizer Jay Jacobs, who said, “It was fun.” Referring to the homebound who received delivered meals, “I am so heartwarmed by the turnout of our community to help out those ...

12/05/2025

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new ice rink in Roscommon is planned for Dec. 6 at 2 p.m., as part of Christmas in the Village.

Upon exiting the Santa Train, Santa will cut the ribbon.

Volunteers, several from the Higgins Township Fire Department, installed the liner of the new ice rink, located under the AuSable River Center’s pavilion, Dec. 1.

(Above) Kris Suvada of K&D RV Center, Roscommon, works out the bubbles in the liner of the new ice rink installed under the AuSable River Center’s pavilion Dec. 1. Pictured assisting are (left to right) Joe Sopscak, Higgins Township Fire Chief Tim Mepham, firefighter Adrian Brooks and firefighter ...

12/04/2025

Santa and Mrs. Claus will feel right at home as the Village of Roscommon has been covered with a blanket of snow worthy of the North Pole – just in time for Christmas in the Village.

The 48th Annual Christmas in the Village will be held Saturday with a host of events for the whole family.

Over the course of the day, families will have several opportunities to get in the Christmas spirit with events like Breakfast with Santa, a craft show, cookie walks and the arrival of the Clauses by way of train and carriage.

https://www.houghtonlakeresorter.com/articles/christmas-coming-to-the-village/

12/03/2025

December 4, 2025 Resorter headlines:

"Cash prescription" to aid county mothers, children
CMDHD partnering with Rx Kids to expand program to Gladwin and Roscommon counties

Christmas Coming to the Village

NMCAC first-phase renovation is underway

12/03/2025

On an average day, Houghton Lake High School seniors Abbey Bosel and Ryleigh Foster estimate they receive more than 100 notifications on their phones.

Now, thanks to a bell-to-bell phone-free policy at Houghton Lake High School — meaning students are not allowed to use their phones at any point during the school day, including in classrooms, hallways, bathrooms and cafeterias — the two do not see those notifications during the school day.

The new no-cellphone policy across all schools means “I’m not being bothered,” Foster said. “The detachment, it feels good.”

Houghton Lake seventh- and eighth-graders (left to right) Emmerson Hylton, Kara Elliott, Faythe Sherwood, Karis Thompson and Kinszie Briggs share a laugh during their lunch on Nov. 10. Houghton Lake Community Schools Superintendent Ben Williams said that, since the school’s no-cellphone policy beg...

12/02/2025

As venison burger was being bagged and skinned deer hung in a cooler, a hunter came in with a fresh deer ready for processing. Not long after, another hunter came in with another deer.

This is what it’s like for Ed Wojtan and his crew at JJ’s North Meats as firearm deer season is in full swing. The workflow is a constant stream of hunters arriving with deer, which eventually go through the stages of processing before the hunter comes back to pick up his cuts of venison.

As Ed Wojtan puts summer sausage and meat sticks on the shelves in the cooler, as a row of deer hang next to him ready for processing. Wojtan said the stream of deer coming into the shop for processing has been steady. By Krista Tacey-Cater [email protected] As venison burger was...

12/01/2025

Adalyn Sullivan talks with Santa Claus at Santa’s Workshop at the Houghton Lake Historical Playhouse Nov. 23.

She attended with her grandmother, Michelle Sciberras of Houghton Lake. “She’s excited,” Sciberras said. “I bring her every year.”

Santa and Mrs. Claus were brought from the North Pole by Andrea and W***y Feathers.

Adalyn Sullivan talks with Santa Claus at Santa’s Workshop at the Houghton Lake Historical Playhouse Nov. 23. She attended with her grandmother, Michelle Sciberras of Houghton Lake. “She’s excited,” Sciberras said. “I bring her every year.” Santa and Mrs. Claus were brought from the Nort...

12/01/2025

Odysseus, the son of Laërtes and Anticlea, faced many challenges in Homer’s “The Odyssey.”

In the Houghton Lake Junior/Senior High School drama department’s telling of “The Odyssey: A Comedy, Mostly,” the main elements were kept in tact, but this adaptation of the classic Greek poem provided comic relief and some peeks through the fourth wall.

The production was directed by Jennifer Booth, Catt Mucklow and Ashley Patti. The students performed the play Nov. 21 and 22.

Check out more photos: https://resorter-avalanche.smugmug.com/Resorter/November/HLHS-Odysseus

In the final scene of “The Odyssey: A Comedy, Mostly,” (standing, left to right) “Prince Telemachus,” played by Zayden Justice, “Princess Nausicaa,” played by Mackinszie Briggs, and queen “Penelope,” played by Avery Hubbell, welcome king “Odysseus,” played by Trevin Nagel, back h...

11/29/2025

For the 34th year, kids will be warmer this winter thanks to the work of Ed “UPS Ed” and Caren Piglowski and their crew of volunteers.

The group held the annual “Christmas for Kids” auction Nov. 22 at Lakeside Resort and Conference Center, Houghton Lake.

“The majority of it goes to winterizing kids,” Piglowski said of the funds raised. “When it’s over and done, it will be over 250 coats come January.”

As Rachel Kieft showcases a caricature of Ed “UPS Ed” Piglowski up for sale, auctioneer Bill Oliver (right) looks for a bid from the crowd during the “Christmas for Kids” auction Saturday at Lakeside Resort and Conference Center, Houghton Lake. Joey Chudzinski was the winning bidder on the p...

11/29/2025

The Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce will light up its Christmas tree Saturday (Nov. 29).

A Christmas tree-lighting ceremony is planned at 6:30 p.m., in front of the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce, 1625 W. Houghton Lake Dr. (M-55).

Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jay Jacobs said free hot cocoa and cookies will be served, starting at 5 p.m., at the Houghton Lake Historical Playhouse, where guests can sing Christmas carols.

Quinton Gasper of Gasper Electric unwraps a roll of lights as he helps string lights on the Houghton Lake Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas tree Saturday. Gasper and Ryan Reynolds of Man and Machine (left) teamed up to hang the lights using their bucket trucks. The two volunteered their time after t...