Old Mission Hosts 10th Annual Patriotic Walk Around the Block – Photos & Video

The annual “Patriotic Walk Around the Block’ in the village of Old Mission gets better every year, and this year was no exception.

It was a lovely day for the 10th Annual Walk, which took place on July 4th, starting on Grand Street, circling the block to Bay Street and ending back at the Old Mission Legion Hall, where a short ceremony took place with Dave Baumann at the microphone, the Pledge of Allegiance led by Dan Dyer (past post commander of the Legion) and remarks by new post commander Rudy Rudolph. Everyone sang along with the Star-Spangled Banner.

As organizer Connie Sargent said, “The weather was perfect, the crowds were great, the lemonade was refreshing, and the cookies were delicious.” It was definitely a team effort, with organizers including Connie, Joe Heagany, Rudy and Patti Rudolph, Pam and Dave Baumann, Jerry Ostlund, Janet Kidd and Mike Norton.

Three Jeeps participated – one red, one white and one blue – as a memorial to OMP resident John Scarbrough, who recently passed away. Cory Reamer and his dog Piper were in the red jeep; Chris and Karen Rieser drove the blue jeep; and Sarah and Garvie Crane were in the white jeep. Thanks to all for this lovely way to honor John.

After the Walk, folks gathered outside the Legion Hall for refreshing lemonade and delicious cookies provided by Karen Norton, Janet Kidd, Rudy Rudolph, Connie Sargent and Deanna Couture.

Jerry Ostlund was proud and honored to serve as the Grand Marshall of the Walk. Other entries included kids on bikes, trucks, cars, golf carts and lots of walkers and dogs adorned in patriotic gear. Marie Cornell met someone earlier in the day with a McLaren, and she encourage him to participate with it, which he did! Onlookers at Haserot Beach smiled and took pictures as the participants passed by.

Fire Chief Fred Gilstorff and his team from the Peninsula Township Fire Department led the group with their trucks; Police Deputy Sean Mugerian was on hand with his patrol car; Bill Hyslop drove his wooden truck, Dean and Laura Johnson drove our dad’s 1952 Chevy Stake Truck, and Dave Warne rode along on a golf cart playing his drum. Lots of kids participated, with some having fun throwing candy into the crowd lining the roads.

“What a wonderful community we have,” said Connie. “Aren’t we blessed?”

We truly are, Connie! Thanks to everyone who made the Walk happen this year.

Below is a video taken by Mary Morgan (thanks, Mary!) and a few photos of the fun event.

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