Perchville 2009 Photos

What does Scooby Doo, a nurse and a woopie cushion have in common? The frigid waters of Tawas Bay. I give much credit to all who braved the icy waters but these three looked the best, in my opinion.

Kevin and Jennifer pause momentarily for a photo op!

Angie and Linda from Lansing and Eaton Rapids respectively enjoy a fistful of beers. Visitors such as these two find time to make the 3 hour drive for fun on the beach of Tawas Bay. Angie approached me very apprehensively, inquiring what was under my coat. I explained and showed my camera (covered for clumsy drinkers) and we were friends for only a moment. Here's the photo! It was a pleasure to make your acquaintance.The photographer and author, Jeremy, finally convinced a security guard that my forehead needed stamped rather than my wrist. He obliged and I was inked for the entire evening, drawing questions from strangers and friends alike.

Perchville 2009

East Tawas and Tawas City, MI, known as "The Tawases" host the annual Perchville USA each year in February. This year marked the 59th Perchville. Perchville began as a way to attract fishermen to the area and exploit the abundance of Perch in Tawas Bay. Some 59 years later, the tradition lives on but with less Perch and more Walleye and Pike being caught. Today's activities include a "Polar Bear" swim where people, young and old, pay $15 to brave the icy water of Tawas Bay and make the plunge. Oh yeah, for that $15 you get a one of a kind T-Shirt that says you were brave enough to hit the water. The event is overseen by the US Coast Guard. After swimming many can be found in the hospitality tent on the beach. A circus sized tent with live music, libations, beads and funny hats finish up the day. People from all over Michigan and the mid-west come for this fun filled event.

If you find yourself or someone you know in the photos below or just like the photograph and wish to order a print, please feel free to contact me at jeremyschrader@charter.net or
(989) 484-3401 to order your prints. For the month of February, a Perchville discount will be applied. 8 x10 prints for only $10 each plus $5 shipping cost. Order three 8 x10's and get free shipping. Smaller prints are also available;
4 x6 for $2 each and 5 x 7 for $6. Shipping for 4 x6 and 5 x 7 are $4. Order now! Check the post below this one for additional photos of Perchville 2009.

(Top Left and Top Right photo) A personal friend Christine Bean (left) makes the best of an icy situation.

WHERE IS THE LOVE?

WHERE IS THE LOVE?

Where has the romance gone? Are we all in such a hurry with phones, IPOD's, and MP3's that we forgot to love someone? Valentines Day is celebrated on the 14th day of February each year. Many use the day to share their love with a special someone. Affection is shown by giving gifts of flowers, candlelit dinner and candies. Children share candies with their school mates; be mine was a common theme when I was in school. This year, it appears as if we have lost touch and instead we should simply email instead. I may send an email or two this year on Valentines Day, but rest assured, I am going to tell my special someone, in person, the old fashioned way.

Jack Rabbit Beans

Neon signs are among us everywhere we go; bars, restaurants and stores to name a few. The last place I thought I would see one is on top of an active bean elevator. Jack Rabbit Beans, located in downtown Saginaw, MI is a favorite sight for locals and visitors alike. Some call it "Houdini's Bunny" which dates back to the 1920's when Houdini himself was performing a magic act at the Jeffers-Strand Theater in Saginaw. Some years later, an inspired entrepreneur was so amazed by the rabbit in the hat show that he used the rabbit as the symbol for his new bean elevator. It is said that the neon sign is the largest in the world. I can not confirm this, but it sure looks nice after dark. The letters "BEANS" are illuminated green and the jumping rabbit is a light red. A portion of the rabbit is out now and many wonder if this spells the end of a favorite icon in Saginaw. Only time will tell.

It's a Boy

After much anticipation and many sleepless nights, the babies ultrasound was a success. The pregnancy is progressing well and Sonya is also doing well. It still looks as if the the June 15th due date will be a close guess. Oh yeah, we are pleased to announce that we are having a BOY! Photos coming soon.

Silence is Golden

The daylight has departed me and the night sky has joined me. The snow whips around outside my window and the wind makes sharp crackling sounds on the building. Nary a switch engine or local roams the rails tonight, only a lonely freight. No phone is ringing, no Trainmaster calling, no gunfire from hostile neighborhoods, not even a lone trespassing citizen of the city. Silent for the moment. Soon a crew will call, a customer will inquire about a lost shipment of flour, but for now, I cherish the silence while working the lonely job of a Yardmaster. How peaceful silence is.

Jeremy (2nd shift Saginaw Bay Southern Rwy Yardmaster)

Merry Christmas from the Schraders

Merry Christmas from Jeremy and Sonya!
We’re ecstatic to share some big news with our family, friends, and colleagues: our first child is on the way. The baby is progressing well thus far - in fact, a faint heartbeat was detected during the latest doctor’s appointment - and Sonya’s projected due date is June 15, 2009. Indeed, we are truly blessed and look forward to being parents.
Sonya and I busied ourselves this year with travelling, on-going home renovation, and fishing. We spent a frigid week in Minnesota and Wisconsin in February. Day time temperatures did not break 0 degrees and night time lows plunged to near -20 degrees. Throw in wind chills of approximately -50 and you find yourself asking why any sane person would spend time in the tundra. Our answer came in the form of crisp blue skies and beautiful photographs.
The month of May took us to the Dallas / Fort Worth area to attend a railroad conference. While in the Lone Star State, we visited the President Kennedy assassination site in Dallas, attended a rodeo in aptly named Muleshoe, and dined at the legendary Big Texan Steak House in Amarillo (where one can get a 72 oz. top sirloin steak and the trimmings for free if it is eaten in an hour or less). We also explored and photographed rural eastern New Mexico and the Texas Panhandle.
We returned to nature this year and spent a few weekends and holidays camping in northern Ohio. Roughing it with a tent and campfire was a fantastic experience made all the more unforgettable by the folks we met along the way.
Jeremy got back into fishing this year and Sonya joined in on the action. We relished numerous summer and fall evenings together fishing for perch and bass off the dock on Tawas Bay. Much to his surprise, Jeremy caught a 24-inch walleye and a 27-inch catfish one afternoon while simply waiting for a few perch and mosquitoes to take the bait.
The front of our house received attention in August. Precarious cement steps and an aged wooden door were replaced with a decked porch and a modern entry. We are now in the process of converting the guest room for the baby.
We just returned from our last major vacation before the baby is born: a weeklong roadtrip to Florida. Not only were we treated to record high temperatures, but we also went deep sea fishing in the Atlantic Ocean 20 miles off of Cape Canaveral, visited the Fountain of Youth in St. Augustine, and spent a day with friends from Tawas who have a home in Arcadia. We wish you and your family and happy and healthy 2009 and hope to connect with you soon!
May God bless you …
Jeremy and Sonya Schrader