News and notes of interest in Marine City

By Barb Pert Templeton

Friendsgiving 5K in Marine City on Thanksgiving

The 8^th annual Friendsgiving 5K – Tyler Kreilter Memorial Run will be hosted in Marine City on the morning of Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 23. The walk will begin at 8:30 a.m. followed by the 5K at 9:00 a.m. from the Marine City Mariner Pavilion. Dubbed “a race to honor one runner and encourage many others,” the event is hosted by friends and family of Tyler Kreitler who died in a car accident in Nov. 2016 at the age of 19. A graduate of Marine City High School, Tyler was an avid cross-country runner at both high school and college. Registration taken right up to the morning of the event, is $30 per person. All proceeds from this event go to the Tyler Kreilter Memorial Fund. The Fund provides scholarships and other support for Blue Water area runners. For more information visit the event page on Facebook at Friendsgiving 5K – Tyler Kreilter Memorial Run. 

Mike Miller River Run

A festive 5k and 1.5 Mile Run/Walk on Saturday, December 2nd, will celebrate the opening of Marine City ‘Merry Time’ days as well as commemorate Mike Miller who was a huge supporter of Marine City, and one of the founders of this event. Participants are invited to come out dressed up in their best holiday costumes.  All proceeds to benefit the Marine City Rotary, Mike Miller Scholarship Fund and a local charities. Early race packet pickup available the night before the race and will be from 6 to 7pm at Gord’s bar located at: 514 S. Water St. Marine City, MI 48039.
Day of registration for the even will have a $5 increase in cost. Check-in will take place at beginning at 7:30 am.  The race starts at 9:00 a.m. at Rotary Park aka Nautical Mile Park. The 5K run starts at 9 a.m. and the 1.5 mile shortly afterwards. The 5K is two loops through all the parks along Water Street and through the public beach with a turn around on N. Market to Pearl Street. The race is mostly on the sidewalks so there will be very little road traffic. All participants will receive a goody bag and all finishers will be rewarded with a chili dog using Zimmerman’s hotdogs. Awards for top three male and females in the 5K race. Gord’s Bar is located at 514 S. Water Street in Marine City.

Washington Life Center seeks donations

The center, which is part of the Council on Aging, is looking for donations of toiletries, warm scarves, hats, mittens, socks and small stocking stuffer items. All items collected will be wrapped and delivered to seniors in need. There are donation boxes located at The Sweet Tooth, The Painted Toad and Fifth Third Bank and the Washington Life Center, all located in Marine City. Monetary donations can be dropped off at the center or mailed in. Please make checks out to The Council on Aging and put Blessing Boxes in the memo. Funds will be used to purchase items listed above for area seniors. To place a senior on the list for a holiday box sign them up by calling (810765-3523.

Early voting plans for Marine City residents

Marine City Clerk Jason Bell gave a brief report the city commission at a Nov. 2 meeting related to elections to be held next year. The presidential primary is set for February 27 but the state legislature said it could be moved to early March. Other possible elections would be set for May, August and November. Bell said there will be nine days of early voting prior to each election next year in the city with the passing of Proposal 2 in 2022. Bell said the city will be sending out pamphlets or flyers with the winter tax bills and quarterly city water bills to remind residents of those early opportunities to vote. The notices will also be on the city website and Facebook page.

“Internally with what we have now, election inspector wise and city staff I think it’s going to be all hands-on deck,” Bell said. “While we gauge that and decide who can do what if anyone is interested from the public or anybody that would like to help with elections please come and sign up and get an application from the city offices.”