Investors and everyday people were hit hard when the loathsome Bernard Madoff and his Ponzi scheme encompassing 15,000 clients and $65 billion — a massive scam outdone only by the Social Security Administration — was exposed. Financial futures, retirement savings and education funds were wiped out as the victims felt their worlds slipping away.
Public fury soared last summer as gas prices peaked over the $4 mark and Americans were forced to cut back on driving habits as the price of oil restricted their summer travel. Exxon-Mobil collected immense, record-setting profits, became a prime target of populist rage and transformed into politician’s favorite whipping boy that exemplified corporate greed.
AIG executives were given a firsthand experience with populist rage. Protesters visited their private homes to express disdain with the “greedy executives” for accepting bonuses that were contractually promised. If protesters had their way, the contracts would have been fed into the shredder.
Health insurance companies and doctors are being derided as Congress and the president attempt to pass health care legislation. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called the insurance companies “villains” and “immoral” for the way they treat their customers as Pelosi assumed the companies were trying to derail her public option health care.
President Obama joined in the pile on top of doctors as he accused them of causing pain and suffering and excess cost by performing dreaded tonsillectomies on children for profit. In February, Obama changed his job description and decided he was CEO-in-Chief as he expressed his desire to deny the CEO’s of America large bonuses, corporate jets and trips to Vegas and the Super Bowl.
In the middle of the recession it is becoming fashionable to hide one’s affluence and wealth. Wealthy shoppers still drop the same amount of cash at high-end retail stores, but prefer to come home with white, unmarked bags or have their purchases shipped home. Others are downsizing their extravagance, not because their finances have tanked, but because they assume it is the right thing to do, such as flying commercial airlines rather than private jets. Other affluent people define “stealth wealth” by being “covert” with their wealth.
In the middle of the same recession where the wealthy are hiding their extravagance, a Toledo organization is shoving its extravagance in the public’s face. This institution had the gall to brag about their expansion and run commercials letting Toledoans know that in the midst of double digit unemployment and home foreclosures, their remodeling efforts were successful.
The boasting is disgraceful and compounded by their dependence on tax dollars. Not one bit of shame has emanated from the tax-dollar sucking organization. Funded by property taxes in part, they provide part of the consistent rude awakening to first-time home buyers who get water in the face after escrow is explained, as the question “We have to pay how much extra?” follows the shocked silence.
The tax levies that were not going to be that much extra cash per month add that much disrespect to the homeowners who have suffered foreclosure. Those who voted against the tax levies this organization brought to the ballot are still being extorted as the money is pried out of their white-knuckled grasp with the threat of government breathing down their necks, ready to seize the dissident’s property.
The greedy extortionists have one up on Madoff. Madoff never had the force of law to squeeze his clients and take money from those who weren’t his clients.
The HGTV wannabe’s extravagance comes from the taxpayer who is suffering financially, but that burdened taxpayer should feel bad for the leeches because property values are falling.  Perhaps declining home values will be incentive to earn income like the taxpayers it pilfers from.
After examining the greed and extravagance on public display, obvious redundancy delivers an unsuspected whack in the mouth. Toledo already has a tax-funded zoo, located at One Government Center.

E-mail columnist Tom Morrissey at letters@toledofreepress.com.

Here are a few tips on making sure your husband will never forget how beautiful you looked on your wedding day.
Many salons offer wedding packages that typically include a practice for your up-do, makeup and a manicure and pedicure. A great day to schedule your practice hair and makeup would be the day of your wedding shower or bachelorette party.
Low buns are a classic style that are an elegant look.  In the past, brides have slicked their hair back as tight and smooth as it would go, this will result in a harsh eye slanting look, so modernize your lower bun by adding some teasing.  You will want some volume in the crown to soften your look, and this is the perfect way to do that.
If you are a bride who prefers her hair down and curly, be sure to stay away from tight ringlet curls, similar to Shirley Temple’s curly locks. I can promise you that if you have a head full of tight curls, all eyes will focus on your hair and not your glamorous dress and makeup.
Try having your hair curled looser — creating twisty tendrils your new husband will want to run his fingers through.  By sporting these free-flowing waves, it will make you look more like a goddess and less like Medusa.
Tousled up-dos are great for the more casual bride. For this look, have your stylist loosely pin up your waves.
A latch hook will be the best tool for this look, by weaving the hair throughout the up-do. It is a tool used for crafts, but a tool that has become my No. 1 for creating gorgeous styles.
You can wear this tousled style going down the middle of your head or off to the side, either will look stunning.
To get the look you want, take pictures from magazines of different makeup styles you like. This will help your makeup artist. On your wedding day, you want to look beautiful — but not totally different then you would normally look.
To start, you want to find a foundation that best matches your skin tone. Use a sheer loose powder to set your foundation. Avoid glittery or dewy products or you will end up looking greasy in photographs. Use a sheer loose powder to set your foundation and ensure your skin stays matte for pictures. To get a glow, use a bronzer on the apple of your cheeks.
You also want to keep your eyes soft, but defined, for pictures.  It’s best to stick with natural rich tones. I suggest using colors like brown, burgundy and corals. A soft brown liner smudged with a brown shadow will define your eye with no harsh lines.
Finish with the lashes by using waterproof mascara to last through tears of joy.
Your lips will be ready to kiss the groom with just a few tips. I suggest going a shade or two brighter than usual to show up in pictures. Now, you can pucker up when you hear, “You may kiss the bride.”
If you have any facial waxing to be done, do this a week in advance to make sure you have no skin irritations. Don’t add any new skin routines or products to your skin care or makeup routine in case of any allergic reactions. I guarantee you don’t want to take Benadryl on your wedding day.
Oil-free blotting pads are a great thing to have on hand to blot any oil from your skin that day.
Men should get a haircut a week before the wedding day; this will make the groom look worthy of his beautiful bride.  If you get a hair cut too soon before the wedding it will look like too fresh of a cut.
Men’s haircuts look best a week after the cut.
Be the most beautiful bride in 2009 by taking our advice.  You will have your wedding pictures forever, so make sure you are comfortable with your look on your special day!

Ali and Alli are beauty experts at NRGIE Salon & Spa in Rossford, Ohio. To contact them or ask them a fashion or beauty question, write them at letters@toledofreepress.com.

Tim Beckman brings enthusiasm and a positive attitude to the field for his first season as head coach of the UT Rockets.
“We need to change the attitude and move forward. It’s a process that starts with making the kids accountable,” Beckman said.
There’s a new mission at UT that is displayed with the Rocket logo and six words: “accountability and attitude” at the rear to give the rocket a boost, “trust and consistency” at the sides to keep it going and “team and conquer” at the point to accomplish its goal.
“We have to play more consistently and perform better each time we step on the field for practice or games. We’ve got to learn to win on the road if we’re going to be champions,” Beckman said, citing games at Ball State, Central Michigan, Purdue and OSU in Cleveland on Sept. 19, “which is really a road game,” he said.
Beckman has coached in seven straight bowl games at Oklahoma State, Ohio State and BGSU, but faces a challenging task to make it eight straight this year.

Tim Beckman

“There’s not an easy game on the schedule this season,” he admitted. The Rockets open at Purdue, play Colorado at home and Ohio State in Cleveland.
Offensively, Toledo will use multiple formations and play up-tempo football with 50-50 run and pass. Defensively, they will attack the football and disrupt the opposing quarterback, and “the MAC has some great QBs,” Beckman said.
He has coached under some outstanding head coaches, starting with Pat Dye at Auburn, where he was a graduate assistant, Urban Meyer, Gary Blackney and Gregg Brandon at BGSU, Jim Tressel at Ohio State and Mike Gundy at Oklahoma State.
“I’ve been blessed to be around football and football coaches all my life and to learn from successful coaches like them,” Beckman said.
“It’s a dream to coach against one of your mentors and to challenge him on the field,” he said about facing Tressel.
He coached against Meyer under Tressel when Ohio State lost to Florida in the national championship game in 2006.
“We’re still good friends and talk often,” Beckman said about Meyer. “We almost went to Utah with Urban, but my father-in-law died at that time, so we decided to stay at BG.”
Beckman, a Berea native, played college football at Findlay under Dick Strahm, former UT assistant and the “winningest coach in NAIA history,” he said.
Frank X. Lauterbur, former UT head coach and athletic director, visits practice often and spoke to the team recently. Former Rocket greats, Chuck Ealey and Mel Long, have also talked to the team about the winning tradition at UT.
His father Dave Beckman, who coached football at the high school, college and pro levels, and former Cleveland Browns head coach Sam Rutigliano met with the team recently.
Beckman said that he “was happy to return home to the Buckeye State” when he became the 25th head football coach at UT in December.
Being from Ohio and having coached in the MAC, Beckman said he’s always had a lot of respect for the tradition and success of the Toledo football program, which he considers the best in the MAC.
Since Beckman has coached at both schools, he understands the rivalry between BG and Toledo well.
“The rivalry game is what college football is all about. It’s the most important game you play,” he said.
Beckman met his wife, Kim Rooney, the daughter of a former CEO at Cooper Tire, while playing football at Findlay. Her father was a great supporter of the football program there, Beckman said.
“She gives every player a birthday cake on their birthday because she wants them to feel like family.”
Their entire family loves football, he said. Their oldest son, Tyler, plays quarterback and will attend the University of Findlay as a freshman this fall. Their daughter, Lindsay, will attend Anthony Wayne High School and is an athletic trainer. The youngest, Alex, is in the sixth grade and plays football.
“We’re really into football. That’s our life,” Beckman said. “My initials, my brother’s and my son Tyler’s are all T.D. for touchdown. My other son, named Patrick Alexander by his mother, is “P.A.” for “point after.” Her dad was named Patrick and my mother was Patricia, so I was OK with it.”
“I grew up with a football in my arms. I love football and being around it. It’s an important part of my life.

Getting to know Tim Beckman

• Favorite food: Spaghetti
• Favorite music: Top 40
• Favorite vacation: Florida or coasts, to visit family
• Favorite movie: “Remember the Titans,” starring Denzel Washington
• Most admired athlete: Michael Jordan for his great leadership with the Chicago Bulls
• Most admired coach: “I have been around too many to name one.”
• Favorite hobby outside football: Watching his kids play sports

Summer wouldn’t feel complete without a good old-fashioned family road trip. I’m not sure how old-fashioned our road trips are anymore with two TVs simultaneously blaring whichever kids’ video was reluctantly agreed upon, but according to the intermittent arguing coming from the backseat, it is no doubt still family.
Determined to make it the quintessential family road trip, our children peppered the journey with annoying back-of-the-seat kicking and inappropriately-spaced utterings of “How much longer?” Elaine, our middle child, even felt compelled to make the obligatory just-past-the-exit-even-though-dad-asked-her-before-the-exit bathroom request. Oh, the humanity.
Fortunately, our trip was not defined by the irritations associated with five people traveling along at 65 mph in a small metal box. Giddy from the fun family wedding we had attended, we even decided to extend our little vacation by stopping in Lansing, Mich. on the way home to show our children the place where my husband and I took up residence as a newly married couple. I know how thrilled I was as a child when my parents would drag me from street to street in Bowling Green to stare at all of the places that meant so much to them and not a bit to me.
We navigated around town surprisingly well after 10 years of absence. After some quick brainstorming about what was where, we located my former place of employment and our second apartment. Then, it was onto our first apartment together located at Spartan Village university housing, aka the apartment with the ants and the all-vinyl flooring, that prompted the move to apartment No. 2.
I could have sworn it had a dull greenish/grayish/bluish facade, but as we drove onto the Michigan State University campus all we could see were uniformly red brick apartment buildings. We combined the “32” in my memory and the “15” in my husband’s to decide that we were looking for 1532 Spartan Village, apartment E. Even after attempting to recreate our daily drives home, the closest we could come was 1538. So, I snapped a picture and we threw in the towel.
Elaine again announced that she had to find a bathroom immediately, so she and I darted into the complex’s community building. Although it was Sunday, I noticed that the housing assignments department just happened to be open for business. Knowing we would not likely be passing through again anytime soon and still half-convinced that we had lived at 1532 instead of 1538, I couldn’t help but ask if they could kindly look up our old address, just to see.
When they asked when we had resided there, I sheepishly answered “10 years ago.” From the looks on their baby faces, I think I might as well have told them we were from the class of 1923. Their computer system didn’t date back to such a distant era, so it seemed that we would have to dig out an old piece of mail when we arrived home to know if 1538 was indeed the magic number.
As we turned to walk away, I hesitantly turned back and pulled out one last ditch effort. “Is there a 1532 somewhere?” I asked. “Oh, was it one of the blue buildings?” was the reply. “They knocked those down earlier this year.”
I did not see that coming.
It’s hard to believe Mike and I started our life together long enough ago that our first apartment no longer exists. It’s hard to believe there was ever a time that “us” meant two instead of five. It’s hard to believe we’re no longer just a couple of crazy kids.
Nothing whispers, “you’re not young anymore” like the imagined ghosts of a demolished building in which you once lived your life. Nothing makes you happier that you’re not young anymore than three beautiful seat-kicking, arguing kids accompanying you on your trip back to who you were.

Shannon and her husband Michael are raising three children in Sylvania. E-mail her at letters@toledofreepress.com.

The 2009 City League football season kicks off Aug.27 as St. John’s takes on Findlay at BGSU with rumors swirling about who could be joining the league and who wants to leave. For me, it’s the start of a wild season with no clear-cut favorite.
Findlay, Lima Senior and Fremont Ross have all reportedly expressed interest in joining the 12-team City League, while Clay has been looking for a way to exit the league for awhile. Whether the bigger gates would offset the cost of increased traveling distance will surely be a topic of internal discussions among schools, but the possibility of adding as many as three terrific schools into an already great league is exciting for high school fans.
But that is for the future.
The upcoming football season has three City League teams with legitimate shots to take the 2009 crown with three more that could have a lot to say about what happens at the top and solid chances to make the race chaotic. Let’s give the preseason pick wheel a spin and No. 1 comes up:
1. Whitmer (5-2, 6-5 overall)
With a big senior class, a lot of players back on defense and a returning starting quarterback, Joe Palka’s Panthers could finally hurdle to the top of the league. Quarterback Joe Missler returns, but will have to find new weapons after losing speedy running back Julian Nash and record-breaking wide receiver Jordan Brown. Wide receiver Mike Pfaff and tight end Tevin Boykin could do the trick, although offensive line depth could be an issue. The defense should be strong, led by linebackers Corey Compton and Shane Brown and hard-hitting safety Jake Noon. The schedule favors Whitmer as the Panthers get Central Catholic and St. Francis at home and St. John’s in their backyard at Start.
2. Central Catholic (7-0, 10-1 overall)
While Whitmer is the pick here, no one would be mildly surprised if Greg Dempsey’s gang won “One for the Thumb” and made it five straight City League titles. Quarterback Dave Walender returns, but Central has to replace running back/linebacker Brad Rogers who went to Iowa and Mike Marrow left for Alabama. The Irish offense needs to get the ball into the hands of game-breaker Nate Hobbs who is the X-factor. The schedule does not favor Central this year as they must play Whitmer and St. John’s on the road.
3. St. John’s Jesuit (6-1, 7-3 overall)
Doug Pearson’s Titans are 81 strong, but only 14 of them are seniors and only seven of those started last season. St. John’s might be a year away, at least that’s what other City League teams hope.  Replacing offensive lineman Jack Mewhort (Ohio State), defensive end Tim Kynard (Illinois) and two-way threat Hunter Lent won’t be easy, but 6-foot-3-inches, 245-pound defensive end and outside tackle Jack Miller transferred in from Lakewood St. Edward, where he started as a sophomore and has Division-I ability. Running back Nate White should get lots of carries as St. John’s could start a sophomore at quarterback in Kent Kern.
4. St. Francis (4-3, 5-5 overall)
Dick Cromwell doesn’t like to start sophomores, but he will this year, including possibly three on the offensive line. While the Knights will be young, they will have something that they haven’t had for a while on the offensive line: size. When Cromwell has a good offensive line (this year’s should average more than 260 pounds), St. Francis is dangerous. Two newcomers are twin sophomore offensive tackles Cam Stanley and Hunter Stanley, brothers of 6-foot-11-inch basketball center Storm Stanley.
5. Rogers (2-5, 3-7 overall)
Could the Rams go undefeated in the City League this year? The improbable answer is “yes” if they upset Whitmer in week 4. The Rams have the easiest league schedule as they do not face Central Catholic, St. John’s, St. Francis or Start this season.  Returning quarterback E.J. Tucker has terrific receivers in wide receivers Der Juan Gambrell and Damon Powell, as well as tight end Ray Bush as the Rams may no longer be a season away.
6. Start (4-3, 4-6 overall)
Thirty-three seniors, along with nine starters, back on each side of the ball make the Spartans intriguing, but coach Pat Gucciardo must figure out how to beat the top tier of the City League, and Start plays all four of them.
7. Clay (5-2, 7-3 overall)
Mike Donnelly’s crew must find a way to replace one of the area’s best quarterbacks in Drew Kuns. The Eagles have a brutal schedule and must play the six best teams in the league.
Running back/middle linebacker Mike Ackerman must have a big year.
8. Bowsher (4-3, 4-6 overall)
The Rebels won their final three games last year, including an upset of Rogers. Coach Wendell Hills hopes it is a preview of good things to come.
9. Libbey (3-4, 4-6 overall)
Coach Sean Wesolowski takes over the hard-working Cowboys. Losing 18 seniors may make things more challenging this year.
10. Waite (1-6, 1-9 overall)
Coach Gardner Howard moves over from Scott, replacing longtime City League coach J.J. Johnson.
11. Scott (1-6, 2-8 overall)
New Coach Mike Daniels takes over the Bulldog team challenged by small roster numbers.
12. Woodward (0-7, 0-10 overall)
Coach Rob Costigan hopes he has a gem in quarterback Diamond Mitchell.

Norm Wamer is program director of ESPN 106.5 “The Ticket” WLQR-FM and hosts “The Front Row” weekday afternoons from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

To the Editor:
“We build Strong Kids, Strong Families and Strong Communities.” Amidst all of the harsh statements and publications in recent days, let’s not forget what the YMCA of Greater Toledo stands for. Yes we must deal with the current issues, but also remember the way the YMCA cares for its community, staff, and patrons.
As a former Professional staff of the YMCA/JCC of Greater Toledo I can tell you that this organization does more good than one could imagine. From countless scholarships, family nights, youth sports, and aquatics, the YMCA touches lives of thousands, including my own. When I began employment at the Ft. Meigs YMCA, I was just as a lifeguard. Through the caring of the executive staff at Ft. Meigs and the corporate office I was able to further my training, and soon became the Aquatics Director.
Due to economic and social factors in our community, the YMCA made the choice to cut its professional staff by many, myself included. As you can imagine, this was a huge shock. After taking everything in, I have come to realize that this was the best choice for the corporation as a whole. I have since moved on, and continue my professional career with another association of the YMCA. I hold no hard feelings against the YMCA/JCC of Greater Toledo, and wish them well with all that the future holds.
Despite what recent articles have portrayed, the employees of the corporate office and other branches all deserve their jobs and do them well; regardless of whom they are related to. Many of these people were my mentors, and continue to be an active force in my career.  I am forever grateful.
Everyone please remember the good and positive things that the YMCA has accomplished, the people it has touched, and the lives it has changed. “We build Strong Kids, Strong Families, and Strong Communities.” Please continue to be a strong community and support one of the most amazing organizations in Toledo.
Christina Wackenheim
Former Aquatics Director for the Ft. Meigs YMCA
Current Aquatics Director Canton, Ohio

To the Editor,

I would like to assure every reader of Toledo Free Press that the YMCA Christian mission is alive and well. We are a Christian organization that seeks to love, care for and serve every person that comes through our doors regardless of their race, religion or economic status.  We will not “preach” at anyone but we will unashamedly care for them should they need our help spiritually.  We currently have 46 volunteer Chaplains available to minister to YMCA staff and members that desire our spiritual assistance, 7 Christian Emphasis Committees in YMCA branches across the community that help us build healthy spirit through our programs and active partnerships with over 80 local Churches, synagogues and ministries.

The YMCA is focused more now than ever on making a difference in our community – physically, mentally and spiritually.
Rev. Joshua Heaston
Director of Christian Emphasis
YMCA of Greater Toledo

To the Editor,

Dear President Obama,

On January 20, 2009 I had predicted on what I saw coming with your election as president of the United States of America. It is now six months later and I must say you have made me “The Great Prognosticator”.

You have  traveled to foreign countries and publicly denounced the actions of prior administrations. You called America arrogant and said we are no longer a Christian nation. You actually bowed to the Saudi royals and announced you were closing Gitmo with no preparation or plans on how to do it. You called ” enhanced interrogation techniques” torture and dismantled the Bush administration policies on national security and intelligence gathering that has unarguably kept us safe for the last eight years.
With all of these indiscretions you have revealed a real weakness that emboldens countries like North Korea and Iran who no longer fear the United States.
You campaigned on “transparency” and “integrity” in government,to the chants of “hope and change”, but you  nominated a rogue gallery of tax evaders, Washington bureaucrats, Clinton insiders, and lobbyists to run your administration.
Your domestic and economics programs, authored by your team of liberals, have been able to pass the largest spending bill in our country’s 233 year history. You have repealed welfare reform and have the nation heading toward socialized healthcare that has never worked anywhere it’s been tried!Your followers  voted for change and this is what they are getting. America is heading towards a country that only politicians, unions, government bureaucrats, and their favored constituencies are able to thrive.
You have America heading toward a socialist government, full of czars, where the only “liberty” that remains is the governments unlimited freedom to control every aspect of our lives. By imposing high costs (taxes) on productive people and creating an expansion of governmental power to grant entitlements to the non-productive you have created a socialist utopia.
Mr. President, I don’t think this is the change your followers were expecting!
Gary Stechschulte, Perrysburg

NCAA Football 10 (Electronic Arts)

It gets better every year. This year, the latest EA college football game features several new options that enhance overall gameplay on the PlayStation 3. New features include TeamBuilder (http://teambuilder.easports.com), an online school creator, which allows unlimited custom designed teams. The Road to Glory mode (on PS3 and Xbox 360) features reporter Erin Andrews and Kirk Herbstreit recount your career highlights as a player, similar to the previous Campus Legend mode, complete with a highly detailed dorm room with trophies, news, and photos. The online dynasty mode expands gameplay into a maximum of 60 seasons.

NCAA Football 10

Diehard players can contribute towards real rewards for their favorite school in the Season Showdown mode, a four month credit accruing mode (beginning on August 31) where players earn credits playing against the CPU, trivia mode, and in online vs. nation mode. Players can also earn credits in Allies vs. Rivals and vs. Showdown Opponent beginning Aug. 31 plus extra credits in skills, strategy, sportsmanship, loyalty, underdog and ESPN Classics. Weekly credit leader boards display team and individual totals with the top 32 schools making a single elimination tournament (see seasonshowdown.easports.com). Other expanded elements include marching band formations, highlight visuals, statistics and ESPN sports alerts.
Brad Nessler and Lee Corso provide the main commentary and play-by-play, with back up from Andrews and Herbstriet. At key points, players must choose an aggressive, conservative or normal play style. Clipping issues still occur, especially when receivers drag their feet to stay inbounds, but the graphics still impress more than anything. Enjoy the amazing on-line capabilities and incredibly high amounts of gameplay/content (****, also available PlayStation 2, PSP, Xbox 360 – rated E).

Poor old Michigan can’t even get global warming right! It’s another wet and cold Saturday up here in the North Woods. One in a long succession of rainy, dreary weekends that are pretty disastrous for a state that relies so heavily on its short summer tourist season for its treasure.
The Mio Pine Acres, a campground some eight miles from our cabin, is a sloppy puddle of tents, RVs and sad-looking campers. The ladies of the farmers’ market that normally sets up on the courthouse lawn behind the supersized replica of the endangered Kirtland’s Warbler — don’t even manage to show. And any produce that they might have had for sale, has already been seriously delayed by the unseasonably cold weather.
So, with the rain beating down on our rustic cabin roof, we decide to go to a birthday party. The Huron National Forest turns 100 years old this year and is having a “knees-up” to celebrate.
Because we spend a good portion of our summers slap in the middle of this 437,000-acre wonderland, and have even preserved a parcel of it for posterity, we feel a kind of obligation to attend.
But first, breakfast.
Our regular egg and potato place, The Branch Cafe in Mio, has a line of frustrated campers and canoers outside the door. So, we head instead along the Au Sable River to the village of Glennie where the Chat and Chew Cafe has empty tables and eggs, hash browns and steaming hot coffee as good as anyplace.
We listen to a table of locals chattering about greyhound adoption. Another couple is chewing over last night’s losses at the casino slots. The waitress calls us “darlings,” and the gas station across the street is abandoned and for sale.
Further up the road at the Lumbermans Monument, however; the birthday bash is in full song when we arrive.
Center stage is a windblown tent with a guitar-strumming troubadour singing songs and telling stories about the CCC — the Civilian Conservation Corps — which was responsible for recreating much of the Huron Forest that two centuries of lumberjack’s axes and forest fires had decimated.
And quite a story it is, too.
President Theodore Roosevelt created the CCC in 1933 as a response to the Great Depression and some 100,000 young Michiganders living in 11 camps in the Huron Forest, reseeded 85,000 acres of forest with 484 million trees, built 504 bridges, 222 buildings, constructed 7,000 miles of tracks and fought hundreds of  forest fires before World War Two intervened and sent the men off to fight a completely different kind of war. (www.fs.fed.us/r9/hmnf/pages/About_Info/huron.htm).
Several exhibits tell more of this extraordinary saga. Someone is taking oral histories. A campfire sputters. Forest Service employees huddle, and birthday cake is handed out.
But it’s all a bit soggy. So we pick up some maps — and a brochure about Trumpeter Swans that are making a comeback on the Au Sable — and push on along the Scenic Byway to Oscoda where the Au Sable River tumbles into Lake Huron.
The town itself, once a thriving community because of its (now decommissioned)  Wurtsmith Air Force Base, is putting on a cheerful face. Flapping flags, neon signs and touristy shops all help a bit. But it’s a difficult to overcome a deeply depressed economy and a very rainy day!
The public beach, normally alive with swimmers and sunners, is sad and soggy, too. The car park’s deserted. And only a couple of very brave souls are out body-surfing among the whitecaps.
There’s still something most appealing about this “Sunrise Side” of the state. Something unpretentious. And ’50s. A marked contrast to the mega-mansions, the gated communities and the up-market shops of the Lake Michigan shore.
As we drive further up the coast, we can’t help but marvel at the vast and endless lake vistas. The waves beating on beaches. Seagulls soaring with the wind and an occasional freighter breaking up the far horizon.
In Harrisville, we buy just-dug potatoes and two quarts of Michigan sweet cherries from a roadside stall  — to help the local economy, of course. And then, before heading home, we stop off at The Cove where their line of yummy ice creams that include Moose Tracks, Cafe Latte Caramel and Lake Shore Cherry is dreamily unsurpassed.
Next week, when family arrives, we’ll do it all again. And more. Before returning to our cabin in the Huron Forest for barbecued burgers, a campfire with s’mores and tall tales beneath the white pines and the bright August moon.
This is, after all, “Pure Michigan!”

E-mail Roger Holliday and Claudia Fischer at letters@toledofreepress.com.

The Guild of Artists and Artisans will bring its work to the fifth annual Levis Commons Fine Art Fair on Aug. 22 and 23.
The Guild, a nonprofit membership organization of professional artists, produces four annual art shows, including the Ann Arbor Summer Art Fair. To be accepted into the fair, each artist is juried and processed separately.
“The artist must make all of the components or repurpose existing elements for their work to be considered true art,” said Paula Adam, account supervisor for Sheroian Associates, who handles The Guild.
More than 125 artists will display and sell their craft, including jewelry, ceramics, glass, photography, fiber, wood and more.
“The Guild does a good job of picking a balance of different kinds of art,” Adam said. “There is something for everyone.”
That includes children at the Fine Art Fair this year. The Perrysburg Area Arts Council will sponsor children’s art activities; including sand art and stamping projects. There are also crafts for a variety of budgets.
“The pieces range from less than $5 to hundreds of dollars,” Adam said. “Fine art gets misconstrued as only expensive pieces, but it really could be a $5 pair of clay earrings.”
Many of the artists in The Guild are full-time artists who travel to 40 or 50 shows each year. The artists at this year’s fair are representing 10 states, including Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Florida.
“These artists work tirelessly and travel the country doing what they truly love,” Debra “Max” Clayton, guild executive director said.
Greg Smith, glass artisan and co-founder of Pipe Dream Glass, said, “People buy (fine art) glass for different reasons. But the appreciation and satisfaction of knowing that each piece has been crafted as a reflection of the artist simply can’t be found in mass market retail artifacts.”
Glass blowing artist David Kolasky, owner of DK Glass and Glass City Putters, has been selling his pieces at the fair since its inception.
“The art fair is one of the best organized festivals,” Kolasky said. “The people at Levis have been extremely helpful and cooperative. The location attracts people because it is a nice regional center.”
Kolasky said he hopes people will come and support local artists. He also gives back to the community with his craft by donating pieces to about 12 charitable organizations a year. Kolasky, along with other artists, never gets tired of people coming to see their crafts.
“When people walk into my booth, I hear a giggle and see a smile. This is what I was meant to do.  And if my whimsical creatures make them happy and smile every day they see it in their home, I’ve done my job,” said clay artist Stephanie Hutson.
The Levis Commons Fine Art fair will be run from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Aug. 22 and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 23. Admission is free.
For more information, visit www.shopleviscommons.com.

Sometimes, I think we live in Bizarro World, the old Superman place where everything is the opposite of what it seems. Everyone agrees that rising health costs are not only a real problem, but one of the major problems affecting our economy across the board. So what, with our American can-do spirit, are we going to do about it?
Probably not near-enough to rationally face the problem in a pragmatic way. By pragmatic, I’m talking about common sense, not killing off our elderly parents and grandparents. The Conservative movement, for the most part, seems to be more fixated on making sure that Barack Obama does not succeed in any form, and will do or say anything to keep him from succeeding. The insurance industry is pouring millions upon millions into making sure that health care remains motivated by profit, rather than any type of moral imperative. The kid gloves are off and it’s going to be a fight to the death, no pun intended.
Sarah Palin recently stated on her Facebook page that she didn’t want her parents and Down syndrome baby subjected to the Obama “death squads.” Unbelievably, these ravings actually gained traction by being repeated by the mainstream media and various right wing members who either have no shame or don’t deserve to be in the positions they’re in.
The section of a bill they are referring to was introduced by a Georgia Republican, Johnny Isakson, and would provide paid-for voluntary counseling on end-of-life matters like living wills, palliative care and choices that should be made while not under the turbulent, emotional setting of a crisis.
“Keep the government out of our health decisions!” they cry. (At this point in Bizarro World, I’d refer them back to the Terry Schiavo debacle. Wasn’t that what they meant, or did I miss something?) Isakson called the Palin comments “nuts,” and even fellow Alaskan Republican Lisa Murkowski called these statements reprehensible. Thanks to the uproar created by interest groups shilling for the insurance industry, and members of Congress who care more for politics than good policy, they have succeeded in getting it dropped from the Senate bill. What a shame. This could have done a lot of good for a lot of families. I should also point out that on April 16, 2008, Palin signed a proclamation supporting end-of-life counseling. Maybe she should take her own advice and “stop making things up!”
Another point that needs to be made is we already have “death squads.” They are the private insurance industry. The insurance company decides whether your treatment is effective, experimental or whether it’s “covered” under the 1,400 reasons they can use to deny you coverage.
In a recent Congressional hearing, under the chairmanship of Rep. Bart Stupak, it was pointed out that three insurance companies alone had denied 20,000 claims between 2003-07, for such things as typos on the application, the wrong weight or unknown previously existing conditions. A 59-year-old nurse, Robin Batin, who had invasive breast cancer, was denied because she had a previously undisclosed condition. It was acne. By the time she went through all the appeals and legal maneuverings, her tumor had doubled in size.
Their panels of unknown and unnamed “experts” make the decisions that should be made by the attending physicians. Wait a sec, isn’t that what the Bizarros are fighting for? Nope, afraid not. On the flip side, they did save their stockholders $300 million by
rationing health care.
Another myth is that we have the greatest health system in the world, and we shouldn’t mess with success. According to the World Health Organization, last ranked health care in 2000, we were No. 37, not No. 1. We’re right behind Costa Rica and just ahead of Slovenia. Who is No. 1? That “socialist” system they have in France, a single-payer plan.
It’s time to stop listening to fat drug addicts and FOX News and other outlets who are paid millions to scare you. Go to reputable sites and sources. Check out whitehouse.gov.  For you nonconspiracy theorists out there, you might just learn something. The truth shall set you free.

E-mail columnist Don Burnard at letters@toledofreepress.com.