Fourth of July Walk Around the Block and a Salute to Grand Marshal Patti Rudolph – Photos & Video

The 11th Annual Fourth of July Non-Parade in the village of Old Mission was a great success, as always. The “Patriotic Walk Around the Block” consisted of Peninsula Township Fire Department trucks (including Chief Fred Gilstorff in his truck), Deputy Virnell France in his car, vehicles of various vintages, and all manner of kids on bikes, people and pets walking.

The Grand Marshal of the non-parade was longtime Old Mission resident Patti Rudolph, and special guest Billie Frost rode along with Patti in the back of a vintage Ford truck.

After the Walk, the crowd gathered at the Garland Tompkins American Legion Post in Old Mission, where a short ceremony took place that included the Pledge of Allegiance led by lifelong Old Mission resident Bruce Thomas, everyone singing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” cookies and lemonade, and a salute to Patti Rudolph by Dave Baumann, who noted in his remarks that Patti is a third-generation resident of Old Mission.

More from Dave…

“Patti’s grandfather bought property in the Leffingwell resort (a.k.a. the Old Mission Resort) in 1897 and built a cottage for his family in the summers. Patti’s father bought another lot in 1948 and built a second cottage, as well. Patti still has many relatives among the summer residents of the Leffingwell community.

“Patti and her two daughters spent every summer at Old Mission. After the children left home, Patti continued to stay every summer, and was often the first to jump in the lake each year! In her teens, she and her best friend, Frannie Tompkins, used to steal cherries from Fran’s Dad’s orchard. Let’s just keep that quiet though, because we don’t know the statute of limitations.

“She also had a beer/ice cream float (NOT root beer) in the basement of Bardon’s Ice Cream stand with one of the cute boys who worked at Bardon’s in the summer. In fact, Patti will tell you she has probably had a beer in virtually every house in Old Mission.

“Patti is a long-time member of the Old Mission Congregational Church. Known as “The Bag Lady of Old Mission,” she would pick up the trash on Haserot Beach every Sunday evening during the summer. She helped with the restoration of the Dougherty House, and is a key member of the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society.

“For many years, she oversaw the opening of the Hessler Log Cabin at Lighthouse Park. Patti has always supported the Peninsula Library, and she is an established supporter of this American Legion, seldom missing a community dinner, always helping with the Pig Roast and making her famous “Frugal Soup” from the leftovers.”

Dave then introduced Patti’s husband, Rudy Rudolph, who is Post Commander of the Garland-Tompkins American Legion Post in Old Mission. Rudy graduated from Michigan State University in 1965 and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard, attending Officer Candidate School.

Rudy served on active duty from February 1966 through June 1969. He served two years as “Underway Officer of the Deck” and “Deck Division Officer” on a medium class icebreaker out of Kodiak, Alaska while performing Bering Sea Patrol duty. He finished his active-duty assignments as “OOD” and “Navigation Officer” on a Coast Guard Buoy Tender out of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin.

Thanks to everyone who organized the event, participated and cheered on the non-paraders! Here are a few videos and photos…

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