Traverse City Record-Eagle

2009 Cherry Festival

May 15, 2009

Cherry Queen candidates announced

TRAVERSE CITY -- The National Cherry Festival announced its applicants for National Cherry Queen. Five finalists will be chosen Saturday at the Great Wolf Lodge.

-- Franki Janessa Price, 19, of Elk Rapids, is the daughter of Ken and Marcia Price. She's a 2008 graduate of Elk Rapids High School, attends Michigan State University, and studies journalism with a specialization in design. She is sponsored by Ken Price and family.

-- Brooke Ann Keiser, 21, of Bellaire, is the daughter of Kevin and Jean Keiser. She's a 2006 graduate of Bellaire High School, attends Davenport University, and studies business administration with a concentration in accounting. She is sponsored by the Steiner Agency, Farm Bureau Insurance.

-- Ayriel Mawby, 20, of Traverse City, is the daughter of Roger and Maureen Mawby. She graduated from St. Francis High School in 2007, attends Central Michigan University, and studies elementary education with a language arts focus. She is sponsored by Peterson Farms, Arthritis & Osteoporosis Center, Kilcherman's Christmas Cove Farm and Roger Mawby, fruit broker.

-- Angela Ruth Sayler, 24, of Williamsburg, is the daughter of Richard and Donna Sayler. She is a 2003 graduate of Elk Rapids High School, and majors in hospitality and tourism management with a business minor at Grand Valley State University. She is sponsored by Smeltzer Orchard Co.

-- Stephanie Lynn Paulosky, 22, of Williamsburg, is the daughter of Karen Paulosky and the late Don Paulosky. She is a 2004 graduate of Elk Rapids High School. She expects to graduate from Aquinas College this year with a degree in communications and business administration. She is sponsored by Dr. Vincent P. Mack, D.D.S.

-- Amanda Sue Morlock, 23, of Watervliet, is the daughter of Jeffrey and Debra Morlock. She is a 2004 graduate of Watervliet High School. She graduated from Western Michigan University in 2007 with a degree in organizational communications and is studying for a certificate in food safety at Michigan State University. She is sponsored by JW Morlock & Girls.

-- Marie Lynne DeRuiter, 22, of Hart, is the daughter of Richard and Laura DeRuiter. She is a 2005 graduate of Hart High School, attends Grand Valley State University, and studies marketing with an emphasis on sales. She is sponsored by DeRuiter Farms, Golden Hart Fruit Farms, Peterson Farms, Oceana Foods and Chase Farms.

-- Sarah M. Daniels, 24, of Traverse City, is the daughter of Vickie Daniels and the late Paul Daniels. She is a 2003 graduate of Traverse City West Senior High School and a 2007 graduate of Grand Valley State University with a degree in psychology and a minor in criminology. She is sponsored by SkyBox Design, Scott Nelles/Kathryn Schmidt, ProWeb Marketing, BlueSky Rentals and PDQ Accounting and Tax Service.

-- Megan Lajko, 22, of Kingsley, is the daughter of Rob and Beth Lajko. She is a 2005 graduate of Kingsley High School, and studies secondary education at Central Michigan University. She is sponsored by Graceland Fruit and The Garland Co.

-- Kelly K. Sitek, 22, of Traverse City, is the daughter of James and Shannon Sitek. She is a 2005 graduate of Traverse City Central High School, and studies art and art history at Albion College. She is sponsored by Hospitalists of Northwest Michigan.

-- Katrina Maria Graves, 20, of Traverse City, is the daughter of Roger and Sherry Graves. She is a 2006 graduate of Traverse City Central High School and studies radiology at Mid Michigan Community College. She is sponsored by East Bay Family Dentistry, Patricia Wiseman at Escape Salon, Bert's Decor, DWE Group and the Grand Traverse Area Snowmobile Council.

-- Beverley Anne Fryer, 20, of Williamsburg, is the daughter of Steve and Colleen Fryer. She is a 2007 Interlochen Arts Academy graduate and is studying art and design at the University of Michigan. She is sponsored by The Cedars Rehabilitation Center.

-- Emily Hubbell, 19, of Cedar, is the daughter of Joseph and Amy Hubbell. She is a 2008 graduate of Glen Lake High School, and studies pre-health/biology with a minor in Spanish at the University of Michigan. She is sponsored by Peninsula Title Services of Suttons Bay.

-- Kassie Mulder, 19, of Williamsburg, is the daughter of Ted and Joanne Mulder. She is a 2008 home-school graduate studying education at Northwestern Michigan College. She is sponsored by Jet X, Bill Marsh, Anspaugh Law and the Pregnancy Care Center.

-- Samantha Dunn, 20, of Gaylord, is the daughter of Scott and Theresa Dunn. She is a 2007 graduate of Gaylord St. Mary's Cathedral School, and studies communications at Michigan State University. She is sponsored by mBank and Powerhouse Gym of Gaylord.

-- Maureen Stych, 20, of Traverse City, is the daughter of William and Peggy Stych. She is a 2007 graduate of Traverse City Central High School and studies art history and biology at the University of Michigan. She is sponsored by the Grand Traverse Pie Co.

Text Only
  • Festival numbers show event was a success

    The early returns from the National Cherry Festival are in, and the consensus is it was better than many expected.

    Continued ...
    Jul 14, 2009 10:45 pm 1 Photo
  • Sun sets on 83rd Cherry Festival

    That's a wrap, as they say in show business. The 83rd National Cherry Festival concluded Saturday with record crowds, warm temperatures and good vibes shared by festival-goers and officials.

    Continued ...
    Jul 11, 2009 8:35 pm 1 Photo
  • Clapping Kleppers carry on tradition

    Ray and Cindy Klepper's 812 S. Union St. home sits near the end of the National Cherry Festival's famed Cherry Royale Parade. They've boisterously supported high school bands for about 30 years, and each year one downstate band returns the favor by playing the Kleppers a special tune.

    Continued ...
    Jul 11, 2009 8:35 pm 1 Photo
  • Farmer's daughter named Cherry Queen

    Continued ...
    Jul 10, 2009 10:55 pm 2 Photos
  • Volunteers keep fest going

    This year, the National Cherry Festival recruited close to 1,300 volunteers who covered over 3,000 shifts.

    Continued ...
    Jul 10, 2009 10:50 pm 1 Photo
  • Kids get creative at sand sculpture contest

    Color, creativity and good design. That's what Junior Ambassador-in-training Will Schlosser, 8, looked for as he helped judge the Kid's Sand Sculpture Contest.

    Continued ...
    Jul 10, 2009 10:50 pm
  • Cherry Festival schedule: 07/11/2009

    Continued ...
    Jul 10, 2009 10:50 pm
  • Man's best friend makes a splash in contest

    Most dogs at Thursday's Ultimate Air Dog competition -- a popular event at the National Cherry Festival -- jumped between 11 and 18 feet.

    Continued ...
    Jul 10, 2009 7:48 am 1 Photo
  • Economy a heavy festival backdrop

    The sluggish economy wasn't far from the minds of George and Sue Bunker as they enjoyed the bustle of the National Cherry Festival this week. Sue lost her manufacturing job when her plant shuttered its doors without notice in 2007, and George retired from his contracting job 14 years ago. Insurance costs, food prices, taxes and more are on the rise, and it's enough to knot their stomachs.

    Continued ...
    Jul 10, 2009 7:10 am 1 Photo
  • Shuffleboard tourney 'great family event'

    The senior shuffleboard tournament held at the Traverse City Senior Center is a National Cherry Festival constant. This year it was chock-full at 32 participants.

    Continued ...
    Jul 10, 2009 7:10 am 1 Photo
  • Cherry Festival Queen to be crowned tonight

    The 83rd National Cherry Festival is in its final days. But the festivities are far from over for one young woman. She'll spend the next year as queen of the National Cherry Festival, busied, like current queen Megan Umulis, at myriad Cherry Festival events. Tonight, one of the four finalists will be crowned 2009-2010 National Cherry Festival Queen.

    Continued ...
    Jul 10, 2009 7:10 am 4 Photos
  • Cherry Festival schedule: 07/10/2009

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    Jul 10, 2009 7:10 am
  • Thursday, July 9, 2009
  • Special kids thrilled at Cherry Festival

    Rhonda Gates took the day off work to spend with her son. He wasn't sick; it wasn't his birthday, or a holiday. It was Special Kids' Day at the National Cherry Festival. "This is a day for him, and that's special for me," Gates said.

    Continued ...
    Jul 9, 2009 6:45 am 2 Photos
  • Pavilions hosts Intergenerational Picnic

    Mustard and ketchup stained Taven Medler's cheeks as he ripped into his second hot dog. His pace slowed as he buckled down and ignored questions from his uncle Steve and grandfather Caryl Tavener; the boy, 5, focused intently on the condiment-soaked bun before him, a nice family moment at the Intergenerational Picnic at the Grand Traverse Pavilions on Wednesday.

    Continued ...
    Jul 9, 2009 6:45 am 1 Photo
  • Cherry fest sponsors flock to Open Space

    The National Cherry Festival has more than 80 corporate sponsors, such as Verizon and Pepsi, and 17 promotional partners, like "The Other White Meat Campaign." Promotional partnerships raise displays at the Open Space during at least part of the festival. That's right, part.

    Continued ...
    Jul 9, 2009 6:45 am
  • Cherry Festival schedule: 07/09/2009

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    Jul 9, 2009 6:45 am
  • Wednesday, July 8, 2009
  • Heritage Day reflects region's history

    Rosemary Antoine considers Heritage Day an opportunity to celebrate ethnic backgrounds and gather for fellowship and a traditional pow-wow. "When I'm here, my heart is very touched," Antoine, of Peshawbestown, and a member of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians.

    Continued ...
    Jul 8, 2009 7:05 am 1 Photo
  • Cherry Connection touts industry

    Attendees learned about climate, environment, pesticides and aspects of cherry farming at a recent Cherry Connection event, held at Michigan State University's Horticultural Research Station in Leelanau County's Bingham Township.

    Continued ...
    Jul 8, 2009 7:05 am 2 Photos
  • 10 compete in hot dog-eating contest

    Traverse City restaurant Opa! Coney & Grill sponsored the contest that featured relatively simple rules: 10 contestants had 10 minutes to wolf down as many hot dogs as possible from a massive plate. Condiments were allowed, though competitors ignored them, and water available as a chaser.

    Continued ...
    Jul 8, 2009 7:05 am 1 Photo
  • Cherry Festival Schedule: 07/08/2009

    Continued ...
    Jul 8, 2009 7:05 am
  • Tuesday, July 7, 2009
  • Festival pays tribute to heroes

    Military veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics and other rescue personnel received medallions during this year's Heroes Day, good for discounts on Cherry Festival fare and at some downtown businesses.

    Continued ...
    Jul 7, 2009 6:45 am 3 Photos
  • Festival floats are a royal task

    Parents and students across the region have been up to their eyeballs in parade preparations since April. All their work will float down Front and Union streets on Thursday at the Junior Royale Parade and again Saturday at the Cherry Royale Parade during the National Cherry Festival.

    Continued ...
    Jul 7, 2009 6:45 am 2 Photos
  • Hungry kids make, bake and take pies

    Last year, the Grand Traverse Pie Company introduced make-and-bake pies for kids at the festival Open Space. About 800 kids are expected to make a pie this year.

    Continued ...
    Jul 7, 2009 6:45 am 1 Photo
  • Something for young and old at fest

    A long list of senior entertainment slated for the upcoming days began with a Very Cherry Distinguished Senior breakfast at the Traverse City Elks Lodge on Monday, and included the naming of the Rev. Edwin Thome as the Distinguished Senior of this year's Cherry Festival.

    Continued ...
    Jul 7, 2009 6:45 am 1 Photo
  • Cherry Festival Schedule: 07/07/2009

    Continued ...
    Jul 7, 2009 6:45 am