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July

July was proclaimed Recreation and Parks Month across Saginaw County, the first time the county has participated in the celebration to kick-off the summer programs. Operation Recreation volunteers then began a program to promote positive programs to youth. The summer months were marked with struggle inside the school districts to overcome anticipated budget shortfalls. A possible reduction in State Aid and increased expenses triggered voluntary severance agreements and cuts to local district budgets. The annual New Lothrop Car show cruised downtown on July 28 with the traditional favorite array of events from Classics to children's activities. Chesaning's newly renamed Showboat Music Festival remained loyal to their two-year slogan "Old Boat. New Attitude" by including the traditional favorites along with well-known performers such as The Beach Boys and The Bad Boys of Rock Tour directed towards younger fans of Hinder, Papa Roach, and Buckcherry. The new attitude also included pre-parade entertainment for the first time in the 66-year-old festival. Although the Shiawasse Queen was unable to make her traditional trip because of low water levels, the festivals attendance more than doubled from the 2006 event. Contracts for the 2007 Streetscape Rehabilitation projectówhich would include a new lighting system and trees in the Downtown Development Authority's regionówere finalized in July. The projects goal was to restore the boulevard and downtown to its former grandeur. Work was scheduled to begin by early October and be completed within four to six weeks from the start date. On the last day in July, the Saginaw County Fair opened once again, its 94th annual run of the event. The opening began with a dedication of the newly constructed fair office and reception center. The fair debuted a music festival in an effort to draw in younger crowds and introduced several new horse events. Jennie Carlton was unanimously elected the president of the Chesaning Board of Education. Also elected were Vice President Dave Eickholt, Secretary Kathy Wasmiller, and Treasurer Duane Ferry. Dr. Ron Gonzales was re-elected for the president's position for the St. Charles School Board. All the other officers were re-elected with him.

August

August welcomed an odd sort of show, with Mid Michigan Old Gas Tractor Association presenting their 33rd annual show featuring the "Orphans and Oddballs" tractor genre. The event focused on the early 1900's when the idea of the agricultural machinery was new and a "start from scratch" project. The Montrose Blueberry Festival donned western garb in the Wild Wild West themed 36th annual festival. New to the event was a Bargain Book Sale, a raffle for a Demolition Derby car and Fitness Demonstrations along with the traditional breakfasts, sports, parades and competitions. Dave Pappenheimer, 29-year memberóincluding 15 years as chiefóof the new Lothrop Police Department was dismissed from his position as the result of a dispute with Police Commissioner Julia Jenkins. Despite a record void of any prior disciplinary actions, the Village Council voted 4-2 to fire Pappenheimer, who was suspended in April when he was accused of insubordination by Jenkins.

September

Sewer-work along M-57 in Chesaning began in early September, separating storm sewers and sanitary sewers in an effort to improve drainage. Montrose Community School Districts began plans to sell the former kindergarten building after considering options for the Alfred Street building. Chesaning Union High School began the school year mourning the loss of eighteen-year-old Felicia Fowler, who was killed in a single-vehicle rollover on September 2. Both Superintendent Kathy Stewart and high school principal Duane Ellis remembered Fowler as a ray of sunshine to the school. Firefighters in Saginaw County remembered the heroes lost on September 11th 2001 with a Memorial Service honoring the 343 firefighters who lost their lives in the attacks. Over one hundred people attend the fourth annual ceremony.

Good Shepard Parish began construction on a new parish center September 30 to add space to the original facilities built in 1981. The Great Jack-O-Lantern Carnivale bridged September and October with carnival favorites at the Saginaw County Fairgrounds. The event celebrated its fourth year with four new contestsóAmateur Rib Cook-off, Largest Pumpkin Contest, Scarecrow Contest and Baked Goods Contest.

October

Seven days into October marked the official opening of the new Chesaning/Brady Fire Hall. The facilities, taking over 15 years of planning including a year of construction, encompass 9,750 square feet with four drive through bays, a training room, offices and a break room.

November

Brady Township residents faced the decision to remove or keep Board Trustee Sue Peterson in office. Peterson's recall petition stated that Peterson "willfully and with malice voted to pay the Green Creak Drain Bill without reading the written opinion of the Brady Township attorney at the May 13, 2006 meeting." Peterson took her usual seat in the November 7 meeting when the recall failed by 70 percent. Varsity Indian gridders took the district crown in a 29-28 win over Millington. Trailing behind the Cardinals most of the contest, the Tribe put 22 points on the board in the second half to take the District Championship. The district title marked 12-year head coach Jim Szappan's final season with the Tribe, as he announced his official resignation in December. Chesaning, New Lothrop and St. Charles all captured district titles in final volleyball competitions. Hornets tackled one of the toughest schedules to take their ninth district title in ten years before continuing to take the regional title and league championship. The Tribe captured a Class B district title, the first crown the team has held in 23 years. The Bulldogs seized their district title as well, their first in over 30 years. Sergeant Amanda Mikula was welcomed home with a Veteran's Day parade for the injured Iraq veteran. A Chesaning Union High School graduate, she was greeted by well-wishers lining downtown Chesaning. New Lothrop Teachers received a two-year contract in mid-November. "Both the Board and the Associations truly want what's best for the kids and school district," Superintendent John Strycker commented after the contract approval. "In that spirit, I believe we have reached an agreement that is fair to both the teachers and the budget."

December

Montrose State Bank merged with Community State Bank beginning in December. Robert M. Wolack, president and CEO of the parent company of CSB, said the move would be invisible to most, as no branches were closed and the employees remained. Remodeling of the Miller Elementary School into and assisted living center was completed towards the end of 2007. The building, once marked for demolition, was completely gutted and refurbished for a mid-January 2008 opening of Union Court Assisted Living. New Lothrop Area Schools was one of three out of the 54 area schools that received an A rating on the Adequate Yearly Progress requirement included in the federal No Child Left Behind act. The grade, according to district principal Mike Carmean, reflected a foundation of hard-working and caring students and conscientious staff. Bob Bell resigned from Chesaning's school board at the December meeting, after serving since 2003. Bell left on a positive measure, as Superintendent Kathy Stewart said that the district was sad to see him go. Toys for Tots, the Christmas toy drive run by the Marine Corps and Salvation Army, held its first toys distribution in Chesaning December 17. The organization overcame donation deficits and helped each of the families that applied. Additional Holiday giving was initiated by Erica's Kids, who assisted families remembering the late Erica Burtch, and the American Leigon's Toys for Kids campaign that gave gifts to children in need inside the Chesaning school district.