Calling all entrants for Ovid Carriage Days, September 8th, 9th and 10th events...If you are planning on entering in the following events, we MUST here from you.

BBQ Rib Contest: Saturday: Deadline to enter is Monday, August 21st. Your entry fee can be paid later ($100 team) but we need to have all teams signed up by the deadline so that we can order the needed supplies. Call Eric at 989-666-2337 or email him at eristarn@gmail.com.

Lip Sync Battle, Saturday: No fee to enter...Cash Prizes... Come show us your favorite artist and don't forget to dress the part... Deadline to enter August 31st. Call Estrella at 989-666-3058

Arts/Crafts, Fri-Sat-Sun: 10x10 booth size only $25 for all three days ($5 additional for electricity). Deadline August 31st. Call Estrella at 989-666-3058.

Co-Ed Softball, Sat (make-up day Sun) $200 per team. Deadline September 2nd. Call Holly 989-666-2215.

Chili Tailgate Cook-Off, Sun: $25 per team entry, 7am start time, award ceremony 1pm. Cash Prizes .Deadline August 31st. Call Rick at 989-666-1675

Bubble Soccer, Sat: 10am-5pm, $100 team, Deadline for guaranteed registration, Friday, September 1st.

Parade, Sat: No cost to enter, deadline to enter August 31st. Call Jodi at 989-307-3981.

All of the above applications are available at the Meridian Weekly office in downtown Ovid or online at www.ovidcarriagedays.com

ELSIE - The Monthly meeting of DuPlain Township was held Wednesday, August 9, 2017, 145 W. Main Str., Elsie. The evening was highlighted by project updates.

 

Dawn D. Levey, Chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee, updated the Board on the first meeting of the committee. Mr. Wright from the Spicer Group outlined the process with the first step is the completion of a community survey which will be available in the next week. The committee discussed the priorities of the Parks and Recreation committee, the first priority being the bridge repair followed by park development. More information in the near future.

 

Mr. Richard Bates, DuPlain Township Clerk, presented the audit update. During the month of August, the audit process will begin and updates will be given at the regular meetings.

 

The Elsie Fire Department addition is underway. Construction started Tuesday, August 8, with impressive progress being made. In addition, the Elsie Fire Department responded to seven calls during the month of July, one was in DuPlain Township.

 

Dan Dickenson presented a petition for change of zoning/map amendments PC-32-17 MA to OR 132-17. It should be noted that it is a change from mining to residential. Officials unanimously approved the request. The next step is the Clinton County Zoning board.

 

The township has received information on the 2020 census, in preparation for the event. There will be periodic updates.

 

Bruce Levey, supervisor, reported that there are horizontal cracks in the south back wall of the library that need to be addressed. In addition, there is moss growing on the wall that also needs to be removed. The immediate concern is the cause of the damage, followed by repair.

 

Amy Bowen, DuPlain Township Treasurer, presented two policies regarding a township authorized credit card. Officials directed Amy to combine the policies to create the policy that fits DuPlain Township. Action will be taken at the next meeting.

 

Monthly action was taken to approve the agenda with the addition of the library back wall, the minutes of the July 12 minutes and the financial statements. Officials approved expenditures totaling $23,440.02.

The cider mill has awakened from its 40 year plus hibernation. The 1880 Dunning & Boschert Cider Mill produced millions of gallons of cider in Laingsburg before it's retirement in 1976. MMOGTA (Mid-Michigan Old Gas Tractor Association) acquired it in 2017 and has relocated it to a new building on the showgrounds in Oakley.

 

 

The original mill was just a shack, built in September of 1912 by Homer B. Atwood. Carl was too young to have known Homer but he did know Fred (Freddy) his son who eventually took over the business. In 1938 Fred and his father built a new structure which was larger and with more modern machinery. Freddy needed a new, catchy name for his mill. Carl's father, Fred, the owner of the Laingsburg Press, suggested "Cidertorium", Freddy like it and the name stuck and the business continued to operate for more more than fifty years.

 

The Cidertorium had a capicity of 50 barrels a day. About 50,000 gallons a year was produced and in the 50 years of business an estimated 2,5000,000 gallons of cider was produced.

 

The mill now sits in a new building on the showgrounds in Oakley and can be seen during the Mid-Michigan Old Gas Tractor Show August 17th-20th. The showgrounds are located at 17180 W. Ferden Road in Oakley (Corner of Ferden & Brennan Rds). For more information vivit their website at www.mmogta.org.