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The following are some of those stories we covered in the second half of the year:

JUNE

n Creativity was the focus as Lapeer celebrated art with a festival. The festival included food, art, auctions and more.

n The eight seniors The County Press followed in a year-long series graduated. Those eight seniors were: Bianca Beebe of Quest High School, Jacob Durant of North Branch High School, Shawna Hanson of Woodside Community High School, Kirk Marchwinski of Dryden High School, Paige Onweller of Lapeer East High School, Ravi Sharma of Lapeer West High School, Eric Vasquez of Imlay City High School, and Andrea Walker of Almont High School.

n Legendary band directors Steve Burns of Lapeer West High School and Andy Schmid of LakeVille High School both called it a career and retired.

n Brittany Charnley won Detroit country radio station WYCD's Backstage Insider contest. For her win, Charnley got to interview country music sensation Brad Paisley.

n The inaugural Paradise Animal Rescue Pooch Prance was held at Rowden Park. Contests for the pets included pet sitting, best pet trick, costume, and pet and owner look-a-like.

n Festivities during North Branch Days included a beer tent, music, a chalk drawing contest, parade, pedal pull, clowns, and a demolition derby.

n Landscape paintings and sculptured vessels led an art exhibit at Gallery 194. Works were featured by Mollie Jones of Flushing, Jacquie Piechowski of North Branch, and Caren Huizenga of Metamora.

n In a County Press feature, according to 2006 data, there were 583 cats and dogs that were euthanized out of 5,000 brought in to the Lapeer County Animal Shelter.

n Alaina Fitzpatrick, a Central Michigan University student, along with some of her fellow classmates, collected $10,000 worth of unwanted items for charity.

n Twenty-three campers participated in the Muscular Dystrophy Association's 52nd annual camp. Kids ages 6-21 got to partake in activities such as tree climbing, canoeing, hockey, soccer, and fishing. Ernie and Jacob Binder of Mayville participated in the camp.

JULY

n On the 30th anniversary of the king of rock 'n' roll's death, some Lapeer County fans shared their memories of Elvis Presley with The County Press.

n Along with Lapeer, farmer's markets were held throughout the summer in Imlay City, Dryden, and Almont. The markets allowed the sale of fresh vegetables, baked goods, flowers, spices, and in some cases antiques.

n The 13th annual Family Fun Day was held in downtown Lapeer. The day gave local businesses and organizations the chance to show off their services.

n In a photo that appeared in The County Press, 100 years and five generations separated Bertha Wohlfrom and her infant great-great-great-great-granddaughter, Reiley Dunlap.

n The Orr family of North Branch shared their 1907 Waterous horse drawn gasoline pumper with Frankenmuth's Muster exhibit. The Orr family towed the pumper to Frankenmuth.

n Banbury Cross Therapeutic Equestrian Center in Oxford allowed those with special needs the chance to receive joy from horseback riding.

n Duane and Janet Dodd lost two previous barns to fires. A large group of family and friends raised a new barn for the couple.

n Leilani Ward was chosen Little Miss Blueberry in honor of Imlay City's annual festival held in August.

n Five LAPEER County graduating seniors were chosen for WXYZ—TV Channel 7's 28th annual "Brightest and Best" picnic. Those chosen for the honors include Jason Pittenger, Jennifer Cronlin, David Hollyfield, Benjamin Kohler, and Rachel Long.

n Lapeer's own acoustic guitarist Jamie Marvin gave a performance on the courthouse's lawn. The performance was during the annual concert series.

n Students in the migrant program in the Imlay City Community Schools took part in a six-week summer program that started at the end of June and ran through the first week of August.

n For the first time in many years a parade was held during the 150th anniversary of Capac Days. "Capac Through the Decades" was the theme of the annual summer festival.

n Bryan Cloutier left his position as director of Ruth Hughes Memorial District Library to assume a similar position in Oxford.

n Lindsay Wagner, a 21-year-old Lapeer resident, was one of 30 students in the Alma Percussion Ensemble to perform at the Centrum Jazz Festival in Washington.

n Classic car cruises continued to grow in popularity in Lapeer County. Cruises were held in Lapeer, Imlay City, Otter Lake, Ortonville, and Capac, in addition to the annual Woodward Dream Cruise.

n The final chapter of the Harry Potter saga, "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" was released to much fanfare. Many fans dressed up to await the book's 12:01 a.m. summer release. Fans also lined up for the release of "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix."

n Fun was the focus of the annual Otter Lake Days. Such activities were held including a fishing contest, pancake breakfast, parade, the Turtle Olympics for kids, a hula hoop contest, magic show, Teddy Bear walk, pie eating contest and 50/50 contest. Music was provided by the Happy Wanderers, and Rev. Right Time & the First Cuzins of Funk.

n Columbiaville Days focused on thrills. The annual event was highlighted by the annual water ski show presented by the Silver Lake Ski Club and Kids Fright Factor.

n The Goodland Township Country Fair focused on good old fashioned fun. The fair's theme was "Country Schools" to coincide with the release of township resident Deborah Rubenstein's book, "Goodland Township: Our Country Schools 1861-1975."

AUGUST

n Imlay City held free movies and summer concerts in the Lamb-Steele Park. Imlay City Downtown Development Authority Director Brad Barrett reported good attendance at both events.

n The 10th Gear Christian Youth Cyclists rolled into town as part of their nine-week trip. They were crossing the country by bicycle as part of the 10th Gear JetRide. Proceeds from the ride go to those with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

n Clifford's Heritage Days were held. The festivities kicked off with community-wide yard sales, a teen dance, craft show, and car show.

n The Lapeer County Community Corrections and Lapeer County Sheriff's Department oversaw the community garden, the Garden of New Flavors, on Suncrest Drive. What is grown helps low-income residents.

n Katie Whitis-Brady won second-place in the first Millington Idol contest. For her efforts, she won $100.

n Ruth Fox Elementary School science teacher Cindy Mitchell penned three different books: "Write to the Outer Limits," "Eros's Encounter," and "Demeter's Dilemma." The teacher/author held book signings around the county.

n The three-day annual event, Lapeer Days, was jam packed with entertainment. Activities included the Skerbeck Carnival, wood carving demonstrations by Chips A Flying, Laser Tag, a parade, the library's book sale, craft sale, Box City, the Flint Mastersingers, Lapeer Days Superstar, beef roast, Lapeer Superstar competition, and performances by Cash O'Riley and the Downright Daddies, Pete and the Parrotheads, Daniel's Window, the Fairlanes and Devilles, Doug Stone, One Neo Eon, Liz Larin, Skid Row, Big Bucks and the Loose Change Blues Band, and Genesee Ramblers.

n The Moving Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial was brought to town for Lapeer Days. The wall was displayed at the American Legion Hall.

n Alexandra Gould was crowned queen of Metamora Days.

SEPTEMBER

n Local artists Linda Deming, Marguerite Fix, and Nancy O'Dell decorated bras for an exhibit at Studio 1219 in Port Huron. The trio decorated the bras to raise awareness of breast cancer.

n Spencer Dudley achieved his Eagle Scout status by building and installing park benches along the pathway at Rowden Park.

n "Late Bloomer" was the brain child of Lapeer filmmaker Danny Grinnell. The horror film starred local residents Eric Eilersen, Jim Kennedy, Devon Compton, and Katie Compton.

n Lum resident R.C. Hellebuyck had the lead role in the 1943 love story "Oklahoma" put on at the PIX Theatre.

n The County Press did a series in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month. Topics covered included business people in the community, religion, and education.

n Howell author Lilli Babits signed copies of her book "Northern Destinies" at The Book Shelf in Lapeer. The book dealt with the concept that kindness makes a difference.

n The second annual Celebration of the Horse was held in Metamora. The event dealt with equine lectures and demonstrations.

n Taste of Lapeer was held as a fundraiser for Lapeer Area Citizens Against Domestic Assault. The event is the biggest fundraiser for LACADA.

n World Trade Day was held for a second time on Sept. 11. The day that commemorates the concept of peace was held by Bruce and Catherine Alberts. The concept was the idea of the late child poet Mattie Stepanek.

OCTOBER

n Farmington Hills resident Jim Carmody brought his show, "The Adventures of Count Spooky" to the PIX Theatre in time for Halloween. The show was geared to entertain children.

n Capt. Jack Lewis and friends held the annual Lapeer County Intermediate School District's Dreams and Wings/Young Eagles event. Special needs children get to fly in airplanes with pilots for the program.

n The Lapeer County Historical Society held its fifth concert as a fundraiser that featured 1940s and 1950s musicians Steve Farley and January.

n The Laffing Gass Comedy Company, featuring PIX Theatre Director Craig Martin, performed around 30 games of improvisational comedy.

n Carolyn McCarter went from being Gallery 194's assistant director to being top director. Heather Frayer wasnamed her assistant.

n A non-profit organization was named in Katie Kirkpatrick Godwin's honor. Katie's Wings was established to support others coping with cancer.

n Sisters Mallory and Miranda Tanis, and sisters Lacey and Cassandra Thompson made a presentation at Gallery 194 on specially coded quilts that were part of the Underground Railroad.

n Forgotten Man Ministries, an organization where volunteers and chaplains strive to rehabilitate inmates, was profiled in The County Press. Currently, 30 county jails in the state have the ministry.

NOVEMBER

n The Hitch-n-Post hosted a benefit for Kay McClelland, manager and bartender for the past 25 years, who was having liver problems.

n The Maureen Schiffman and Coco show performed at the PIX Theatre. The show was part of the Kids Club Series.

n "A Salute to the USO," a show full of one liners, came to the PIX Theatre. The show was sponsored by the Lapeer Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4139.

n Students at the Lapeer County Education and Technology Center's public safety class were mock crime scene investigators. Students discovered what real life law enforcement officials do.

n Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse at West Goodland United Methodist Church, served as a relay center to send shoeboxes of gifts to impoverished people worldwide.

n In a round-up of fall theatrical productions from county high schools, area events were previewed for the following schools: Dryden—"Deck the Stage," Lapeer East and West—"Hood (A Comedy Version of Robin Hood)," Imlay City—"The Gift of the Magi and Stocking Stuffers," and North Branch— "Cinderella."

n As a continuation of National Veteran's Day, Imlay City High School students put together a continuation of the day by assembling an honor roll. The honor roll was open to both men and women.

DECEMBER

n Tony Monteleone and Ray Davis shared Santa Claus duties at the Christmas house on the courthouse's lawn. Ray Davis' wife, Karen, served as Mrs. Claus.

n The Lapeer Community Theatre presented the classic story "A Christmas Carol" at the PIX Theatre.

n The fourth annual Gloria Wegryzn Christmas for Lapeer County Kids Auction and Jamboree was held at the Hitch-n-Post in Lapeer. The auction was named for Gloria Wegryzn, who died in 1999 from pancreatic cancer. Hundreds of items were auctioned off with proceeds going to needy county children.

n The 25th showing of the Christmas Musicale was held by the First Baptist Church of Lapeer. Andy Burak, pastor of the church, was hoping people would attend the musical to receive the true meaning of Christmas.

n Two local entertainment organizations united to bring Christmas cheer to the county. The Lapeer County Concert Choir and Lapeer Symphony Orchestra joined forces for the concert.

n Officials at St. John's Episcopal Church in Dryden held their second annual "Longest Night Service." The service reflected on the winter solstice, which marked the shortest and longest days of the year.

n Ruth Fox Elementary School teacher Cindy Mitchell needed a fundraiser to send students to summer space camp. The school once again held "an old fashioned Christmas" with food, games, and a Chinese auction.

n Don McKay Towing Company made sure Lapeer County youth had a merry Christmas. Seventy toys from the towing company were donated to the Lapeer Chamber of Commerce. The toys went to several Lapeer County organizations.

n Like they did last year, Dave and Cheryl Gertcher decorated a Christmas tree themed around Old Glory and the U.S. Marine Corps to make sure their son, Cpl. Daniel Gertcher wasn't forgotten. He is currently on his second tour of duty in Iraq.