Election of officers, plans for Festivus and the Reel Fun Ice Fishing Tournament, and donations received were among many items of business at the December and January meetings of the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary Board.

Elected unanimously to continue were Terry Gougeon as board chairman and Judy Kalmanek as secretary.

Plans were reported for Festivus, the lively fundraising dinner the night before the Reel Fun Ice Fishing Tournament. Festivus will be held Friday, Feb. 21, at the APlex, with JJ’s pasta buffet and a multi-item auction. The ice fishing tournament at Grand Lake will be held the next day, on Saturday, Feb. 22.

Two donations were received by the Wildlife Sanctuary Board. One was a $1,700 grant from Presque Isle Electric & Gas for propane gas augers for drilling the 1200 holes in the ice for the fishing tournament. (Previously the Walleye Club members had used their own augers.)

Also a yearly funding for the River Rats summer science program for children was given by Mike Mandrick in memory of his wife Julie Smith-Mandrick.

Several update reports were given. Over 100 children and adults attended a very successful wonder-filled “Magic in our Midst” evening at Island Park in December. Plans are to offer the “sold-out” event again next year.

Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) has requested 1,650 copies of the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary/Island Park pamphlets for distribution at the state Welcome Centers.

Plans are proceeding for the kayak/canoe storage structure near the kayak/canoe launch at Duck Park. Included will be a flat roof observation deck.

Complaints about discouraging sledding were again discussed, with suggestions as to how to help the community understand that Island Park, unlike other city-owned parks, is a nature preserve and protection of the natural plant growth and abundant animal life is a top priority.