HAVE YOU BEEN FOLLOWING the story of the local swim club itching to get back in the pool? The Wildcat Aquatics Club has traditionally used the MSHS pool for training and a limited schedule of competitions, but staffing issues… yes, staffing issues, have resulted in the club being denied their time. Pool activities are ongoing for school programs, but the extra hours needed by the club can’t be accommodated.
Though you would think a swim club using the name “Wildcat” could use the NMU pool, it seems pools are different, and the one at the PEIF won’t work for these young swimmers.
Club leaders are working with school officials to identify a remedy, and the school board, largely supportive of the club, has encouraged MAPS superintendent Zack Sedgwick to find a way to get the kids back in the pool.
Apparently they’re close to a solution, which may be some combination of volunteers or at-large employees handling supervisory and custodial duties. Let’s hope it happens before the club loses an important part of the season.
The real tragedy would be to see a valuable resource in our community… the high school pool, sit empty, while aspirant swimmers sit at home.
A New Sandwich Shop
No, it’s not the reincarnation of Jean Kay’s Pasties, but it might be something you find you like just as much. Now open in the site formerly home to Jean Kay’s, it’s Matt’s on Presque, or, in acronym form… MOP. I think I’ll just call it Matt’s.
The Matt of Matt’s on Presque is owner Matt Lucas. You may know him and his work if you’ve ever had any of his Smelted Pizza… a product of one of the many food trucks found in the area. Matt says the truck will still be out there from time to time, but for now the focus is on this new grab and go deli.
A look at the menu offerings on their website shows a mouth-watering selection of soups and sandwiches, plus 8” pizzas, salads, chips and drinks.
Prices are about what you’d expect these days from meals prepped by someone else, but price becomes secondary when the product exceeds expectations.
There is one holdover from the Jean Kay’s days, and that’s the popular potato salad. Apparently the public outcry was enough for the former owner to bequeath the recipe to MOP… er, Matt’s, and Matt was glad to oblige.
A Taste of Texas… with Plenty of Help
Recent news reports indicate Texas Roadhouse in Marquette Township is planning on a late February opening. No surprise there, as progress on the building looks to be coming along without delay. The surprise, if you want to call it that, is they’ve said they’re looking to hire a staff of 240 people.
I am not, nor have ever been, a restaurateur, but 240 people sounds like one heckuva staff. 240? If they can find 240 qualified applicants it will put the lie to the argument made by other businesses that “we can’t find people who want to work.” Unless all positions are part-time or seasonal, other than bumping into each other, exactly what will 240 people do?
Pizza… or what?
One more from the restaurant scene… Although we haven’t seen any activity, we hear something’s in the works at the former Little Caesar’s location downtown. No official word, but wouldn’t it make sense to open a business there? Downtown seems to be thriving, and I don’t see any end in sight. Though parking is limited, it’s still a great location for something quick and simple. We’ll keep an eye on it.
Lions vs Packers
I know… they’ve already played their two head-to-head regular season games. But this battle is off the gridiron and on the flatscreen.
Central U.P. Detroit Lions’ fans have stressed for years about the local TV station’s decision to carry the Packers of Wisconsin rather than the Michigan based Lions, when the two play at the same time. But this Sunday, with the Lions looking to make the playoffs, and the Packers looking to next year, FOX UP will air Detroit vs Minnesota at 1pm.
I was under the impression that such decisions were made either by the network or the NFL, but, according to Rick Rhoades, Vice President/General Manager of TV6/FOX UP, that’s not the case. “The NFL allows us to pick our primary and secondary teams of choice for our market before the season starts. #1 are the Packers and #2 are the Lions in our TV market. But yes, we do have autonomy to select which games we want to broadcast and we do that from time to time during the season.”
And next year? “Green Bay will still be our primary team next year,” Rhoades says. “We won’t know until May what the schedule will look like, but I do anticipate the Lions will have more 4:25pm and primetime games, which helps eliminate any weekly conflicts.”
To be sure, Rhoades fully understands the divide between fans of both teams. “I appreciate the kind words from Packer fans who understand why we’ll be airing Detroit vs Minnesota. I’m also extremely excited for my fellow Lions fans who get to have what we hope is a great Christmas Eve.”