HOLIDAY NEWS SERVICE PERSONNELBecause the first The Holiday News Service was in 1965, some clear information about all the people who took part in the news services for the summer holidays has been lost; some members who took part in the early years have died, such as Bill Banks, Bob Boelio, and Bill Poirier. Since this "portrait" does not have a totally clear picture of who worked the holidays, this section is divided up into two main parts--"Holiday News Services (General Information)" and "Holiday News Services (Detailed Information)." The first part--"Holiday News Services (General Information)"--gives general information about who very likely worked The Holiday News Services from Memorial Day 1965 through Labor Day 1980. "The Holiday News Services (Detailed Information)" provides information--holiday by holiday--about who worked The Holiday News Services, covering Memorial Day 1965 through Labor Day 2001, which was the last holiday during which a Holiday News Service was run. Some information contained in the two parts will overlap, of course.
Holiday News Services (General Information):
This part of the section entitled "HOLIDAY NEWS SERVICE PERSONNEL" will break down the topic of who worked on The Holiday News Services into three periods of years--the 1960s, the first half of the 1970s, and the second half of the 1970s. The three periods coincide fairly well with large changes in the history of The Holiday News Service--and even the other news services. This part also contains general information about who were "main staff" members (those who were broadcasters, field reporters, and writers) and who were "clerical staff" members in the Motor News department during the three periods, offering general times when the persons were with the department. Also, the part identifies persons from other departments within the company or non-full-time employees who worked holidays during the three periods.
The 1960s covers 1965 to about 1970. Len Barnes was the guiding force behind The Holiday News Services. The other "main staff" members of the department during the period were Bob Boelio, Thomas Freel, Bill Poirier, Ron Church, and Stan Meretsky; Freel and Poirier were usually airborne, while Meretsky was on the road or in the air. Bob Lewis (of the Safety and Traffic department in the 1960s and later other departments over the next two decades) was a regular field reporter on the road. Jim Drury (of the Touring department) worked as a reporter, such as in the summer of 1967, and Dick Chapman (of Touring) worked as a broadcaster during holidays of 1967 and 1968. Bob Berg and Mike Casanova were employees of the World Travel department ("tour escorts") who took on duties as broadcasters for some holidays. And David Schmeiser, who was once the Employment Manager at the company, worked as a broadcaster for every holiday during the summers of 1968, 1969, and 1970. And Jim Tretheway, who was a non-employee of the Auto Club, provided information about Upper Michigan.
The early 1970s covers the years from about 1970 to 1976. Len Barnes was more of a supervisor than a person directly producing copy and information; Len Barnes had fairly recently taken over the job of editor of "Motor News" from Wm. J. Trepagnier. The other "main staff" members were Thomas Freel, Bill Poirier, Bill Banks, Stan Meretsky, Nancy Ricke, Jerry Cheske (who had joined the department very late in the 1960s), Len Bokuniewicz (who appeared late in the middle of period and was called "Len Buck" on the radio), and Bill Semion (who had joined the department in May 1975); Len Bokuniewicz and Stan Meretsky were field reporters. Again Bob Lewis was a regular field reporter--mostly watching for problems on I-75 in the Bay City/Saginaw corridor. And Gordon Charles--a non-employee--was a regular field reporter.
The late 1970s ushered in a new phase for the Holiday News Service. The regular members of the Motor News department who were involved were Len Barnes, who was yet supervising, Tom Freel (who was the head writer and the coordinator of the service, as he had been for a few years), Jerry Cheske, Bill Banks, Bob Boelio (who was reducing his role in the services), Bill Poirier, Len Bokuniewicz, William Semion, and Evelyn August (also known as Evelyn August Digon), the latter three of whom were either on the roads or in the air. Three of the clerical staffers who did some broadcasting during the period were Carol Wilkie, JoAnn Harman, and Eve LaPorte (later known as Eve Soltesz and then Eve Howell), the last of whom, for example, worked as a broadcaster during the summer of 1975. Bob Lewis, Gordon Charles, and Dixie Franklin were the regular field reporters; Dixie Franklin provided special information about Upper Michigan, as she would for many years beyond the late 1970s.
Mostly, this paragraph provides a more detailed look at who were staffers in the Motor News department, the department related to the news services from Memorial Day 1965 to about 1981. However, since staffers were also involved with being writers for The Icicle News Services from about 1981 to the time Caren Collins became the "broadcast supervisor" in early 1988, information is provided about full-time staff writers or contributing editors from 1981 to early 1988. The list is as follows: Len Barnes (from late 1940s to at least late 1996, though he was done working the holidays by the start of the 1980s); Bob Boelio (from at least 1965 till about late 1976), Bill Poirier (from about 1961 to at least 1982, though he was done working the holidays by the late 1970s); Thomas (Tom) Freel (from about 1964 to at least 1996, though he was, in essence, done working the holidays by the middle 1980s); Stan Meretsky (from about 1965 to early 1978); Bill Banks (from 1969 to about 1980); Ron Church (from at least 1965 to fall 1969); Jerry Cheske (from at least 1969 to at least 1988); Len Bokuniewicz (at least 1972 to at least late 1979); Nancy Ricke (the first female writer on staff, about 1973 till late 1975); Bill Semion (May 1975 to at least early 1983, when he moved to "Michigan Living" as associate editor); Marcia Danner (editorial staffer at first and did a little work for the holidays, from late 1975 till becoming an editor for "Michigan Living" a few years later); Evelyn August or Evelyn August Digon (about fall 1975 to at least late 1982, though she was on hiatus for a short while because of illness); Jim Karshner (spring 1979 to about 1982, when he became an editor based at Lansing, which he held till mid-1984); Donna Bakun (about 1980 to an unknown date, but the time period was short); Linda Lyles or Linda Lyles Daniels (from about late 1980 till late 1985); Nancy Cain (late 1982 to 1994); Bobb M. Vergiels (very early 1985 till summer 1987); Greg Gibson (late summer 1984 to an unknown date, but the time period was fairly short); Megan Swoyer (from spring 1987 to at least 1988); Alvin Hayes (late 1988 to late 1990); Caren Collins (early 1988 to 1994); Neal Haldane (early 1989 to late 1991); Renee Monforton (late 1989 to 1994); Jim Rink (late 1991 to 1995); and Debbie Keith (spring 1994 to 1995).
During the 1960s and 1970s, secretaries or clerical staffers of Motor News were involved with The Holiday News Service--mostly as researchers and sometimes as broadcasters; of course, clerks--such as media clerks and public relations clerks--would work the holidays from 1980 to 2001, though only as researchers. The next paragraph that follows provides information about secretaries or clerks who most likely worked The Holiday News Services while they were employees of the Motor News department.
Researchers and sometimes broadcasters during the 1960s and 1970s were very likely to have been members of the group that will follow. The people listed in this paragraph were secretaries or clerical staff members in the Motor News department (such as in the magazine section or publicity section, et cetera), and some were promoted to positions above clerical over the years, such as Linda Smith (who would ultimately become be the advertising manager of "Michigan Living") and Jo-Ann Harmon (who would become the editor of "Michigan Living"). The staffers were: Kathy Anderson (circa spring 1969 till middle 1971); Mary Jane Balogh (late 1974 to at least summer 1979); Laurie Berjeski and later Laurie Burger (summer 1976 till past 1981); Regina Booker (at least 1971 till very late 1973); Pat Churchill (circa 1969-70); De Contway (summer 1976 till early 1979); Kathy Cosgro (late 1980 till past 1981); Sara Cramer (late 1969 till fall 1971); Ruth Crites (1975 to an unknown date, but the time period was probably short); Carrol Ann Deans, who also did some broadcasting early in the period, and later known as Carrol Pollock (start date unknown and was around in 1967, and was office supervisor from late 1969 to August 1971); Louise Erb (very late 1971 till fall 1972); Kathy Fisher (late 1973 to an unknown date, but the time period was probably short); Marie Ford (late 1975 to at least early 1976); Ethel Gaines (the first librarian, 1972 till early 1977); Deborah Gluck (early 1969 to at least late spring 1969); Carol Greenspan (middle 1971 to unknown, but the time period was probably short); Marci Guenther (fall 1971 to spring 1979, working as office supervisor from 1972 to spring 1979); Jo-Ann Harmon or Jo-Ann Harman or Jo-Anne Harman and later Jo-Anne Budzen (late 1974 till past 1981); Clara Hetherington (late 1970 till middle 1971); Betty Herstek (start date unknown but was office supervisor in 1967 to late 1969); Brenda Hughes (middle 1971 to at least spring 1973, with nine months leave in 1972); Jackie Jardine (start date unknown and stayed till late summer 1968); Susan Katarzis (spring 1978 to at least spring 1979); Elaine Kay (late 1970 till middle 1971); Vicki King (summer 1978 to spring 1979); Barb Kisch (after July 4th Holiday 1971 to at least spring 1979); Carol Koss (middle 1971 till very late 1975); Pat LaCroix (circa 1973 till spring 1974); Linda Lange (fall 1977 to at least spring 1978); Eve LaPorte and later Eve Soltesz and Eve Howell (early 1975 to at least summer 1979, which covers the first of two periods during which she was an employee); Sandra Lee (summer 1978 till very late 1978); Kathie Legg (circa 1974); Sharon Mahone (late 1973 to an unknown date, but the time period was probably short); Frances Lewis (early 1975 till fall 1975); Vi Madej (circa 1980 till past 1981); Sheryl Marini and later Sheryl Klotz (summer 1975 to at least summer 1977); April Mohrmann (at least November 1968 to late spring 1969); Elaine Moore or Elaine Kowalski (staffer from late winter 1966 to at least late spring 1969); Julie Meier (early 1977 to at least late 1979); Carolyn Moreno and later Carolyn LeClerc (late 1974 till early 1977); Sandy Morneau (fall 1971 to an unknown date, but the time period was probably short); April O'Dale (late 1969 till fall 1971); Gail Oakes (early 1977 to at least fall 1977); Colleen Orris (circa 1966 till fall 1971); Angela (Angie) Palmeri (spring 1979 to at least fall 1979); Gayle Paradowski (at least around November 1968 to at least late spring 1969); Lydia Pfahler (late 1973 to an unknown date, but the time period was probably short); Judi Ponds (late summer 1968 till very late 1968); Debbie Quesenberry (early 1975 till summer 1977); Ellen Simmons and later Ellen Simmons-Matzke (librarian, spring 1977 till past 1981); Caroline Smilinski (early 1981 to till past 1981); Linda (Lyn) Smith (middle 1976 to at least summer 1977); Ann Steffes (circa 1980 to at least early 1981); Arlene Stern, who did some broadcasting (start date unknown, but was around at least in 1967); Mae Tansil (office supervisor, late summer 1971 to at least middle 1972); Shirley Tischbein (late 1969 to October 1970); Sandi Wilkerson (late 1974 till very late 1975); Carol Wilkie (spring 1972 to at least very late 1973); Val Wolshon (fall 1971 to an unknown date, but the time period was probably short); Soncha Woods and later Soncha Barthwell (middle 1972 till past 1981); and Carol Zimmerman (early 1979 till very late 1981).
Around the time of the 60th birthday of the Automobile Club of Michigan--on June 28, 1976--and for several years, many students from Wayne State University were hired to be broadcasters. By the start of the 1980s, many of the part-time broadcasters who were hired to work the holidays were present students or recent students of Specs Howard School of Broadcasting. Of course, the regular staff members of the Weekend News Service also did broadcasting, as did--for each holiday--one or two regular Motor News or Public Relations non-clerical staff members.Holiday News Services (Detailed Information):
Note: The word "staff" in this part indicates those persons who were writers of some type in the department (such at the Motor News or Media Relations, et cetera), often referred to as "contributing editors"; they were very likely to write during The Holiday News Services, and if they were doing some writing, for example, in the in the 1960s and 1970s, they were very likely used as field reporters in southeastern Lower Michigan. Also in the 1960s and in the 1970s (at least through the early late-1970s), clerical staffers did some broadcasting, too, but clerical staffers are only listed in "research staff" headings.
Memorial Day 1965 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes (who was the head writer), Field reporters: Bob Lewis (of the Safety and Traffic department was on I-75 near Bay City); Stan Meretsky (of Motor News was on I-94 in southwestern Lower Michigan); and Thomas Freel (of Motor News was in southeastern Lower Michigan).
Note: Ten employees of the Auto Club made up the team.July 4th 1965 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes (who was the head writer),Labor Day 1965 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes (who was the head writer), Field reporters: Tom Freel (of Motor News flew over southeastern Lower Michigan), Bill Poirier (of Motor News flew over southwestern Lower Michigan),
Note: This holiday, 23 Auto Club employees took part, six of whom were field reporters.Memorial Day 1966 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Field reporters: Bob Lewis,July 4th 1966 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Field reporters: Bob Lewis,Labor Day 1966 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Field reporters: Bob Lewis,Memorial Day 1967 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Field reporters: Tom Freel (flying over the Detroit area with Barry Pope of the 3-A Fly Club),July 4th 1967 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Field reporters: Tom Freel (flying over the Detroit area with Barry Pope of the 3-A Fly Club),Labor Day 1967 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Field reporters: Tom Freel (flying over the Detroit area with Barry Pope of the 3-A Fly Club),
Note: Again this summer, staffers of Motor News who were flying in airplanes as reporters used "Skyphones," which could be used to dial directly to an Auto Club office, and the Skyphones had been used by the Auto Club during--at least--the holidays of Memorial Day 1967 and July 4th 1967. These devices had been developed by the AC Spark Plug Division of General Motors Corporation, had originally been loaned to the Auto Club of Michigan, and had recently been given to the Auto Club of Michigan; in late-August 1967, an article had appeared in "The Detroit News" noting that four Skyphones had been given as a permanent gift to the Auto Club. Each device cost about $3,500.
Extra note: "Skyphone" service was started in test-phase form in the country around September 1957, and it would lead to the real age of commercial telephone service (a form of radiotelephony) between air and ground; ship-to-shore radiotelephony had been commercial since December 8, 1929 (beginning with commercial service opened up in relation to a steamship called "Leviathan"). Essentially, the AC Spark Plug Division of General Motors Corporation and AT&T (the latter of which had set up ground stations in Detroit and Chicago) were allowed by the FCC to run a one-year test; 18 units, which had been developed by AC Spark Plug, were being used on one plane of Northwest Airlines, on one plane of United Airlines, and on sixteen other planes, and the coverage area for Skyphone covered much of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. The idea of Skyphone went nowhere in the late 1950s and much of the 1960s, and the main reason for that was related to channel spacing and frequencies. The FCC hinted through decisions, such as that of July 1, 1965, that Skyphone in the present form was not viable and would end around 1970. AC Spark Plug decided to get out of the business of Skyphone in spring 1968, and the idea of Skyphone was picked up by Litton Industries (which made a subsidiary called Skyphone). The Skyphone idea was reworked, giving it a channel spacing of 25 kilocycles (down from 50 kilocycles), and, finally, on August 28, 1968, the FCC allowed a new Skyphone format to begin; on August 15, 1968, the FCC had given temporary authorization for the use of Skyphones on the planes of President Richard Nixon and Vice President Spiro Agnew. The real commercial age of telephones in the air was finally underway!Memorial Day 1968 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Broadcasters: David E. Schmeiser,July 4th 1968 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Broadcasters: David E. Schmeiser,Labor Day 1968 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Broadcasters: David E. Schmeiser,Memorial Day 1969 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Broadcasters: David E. Schmeiser,July 4th 1969 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Broadcasters: David E. Schmeiser,Labor Day 1969 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Broadcasters: David E. Schmeiser,Memorial Day 1970 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Broadcasters: David E. Schmeiser,July 4th 1970 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Broadcasters: David E. Schmeiser,Labor Day 1970 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Broadcasters: David E. Schmeiser,Memorial Day 1971 -- [This part is incomplete.]
July 4th 1971 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Labor Day 1971 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Clerical or research staff: Carol Pollock (did her last Holiday News Service, though she had left the company before the holiday), Mae Tansil,Memorial Day 1972 -- [This part is incomplete.]
July 4th 1972 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Labor Day 1972 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Memorial Day 1973 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Research staff: Marci Guenther (office supervisor), Barb Kisch, Regina Booker, and Carol Koss Broadcasters: Carol Wilkie,July 4th 1973 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes, Stan Meretsky, Bob Boelio, Tom Freel,
Research staff: Marci Guenther (office supervisor), Barb Kisch, Carol Koss, Jo Ann Harmon, Soncha Woods, Other staffers: Len Bokuniewicz, Pat LaCroix
Broadcasters: Carol Wilkie (a Motor News staffer), Allen Wolf,Labor Day 1973 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Research staff: Marci Guenther (office supervisor), Barb Kisch, and Carol KossMemorial Day 1974 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes, Tom Freel, Bill Banks,
Research staff: Marci Guenther (office supervisor), Barb Kisch, and Carol Koss
Field reporters: Bob Lewis (as a "AAA ground observer" in the Zilwaukee Bridge area), Jerry Cheske (aerial observer, such as above I-75 between Flint and about Bay City), Nancy Ricke (aerial observer over the Detroit area), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer over southwestern Lower Michigan), Don Aune (in northeastern Lower Michigan, especially in the Oscoda area), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan)
Providing information about Upper Michigan: Jim Tretheway
Broadcasters: Bob Stevens,
Statistics: May 24-27, 1974 Note:
This was the first holiday done from offices at 1 Auto Club Drive, Dearborn.July 4th 1974 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes,
Research staff: Marci Guenther (office supervisor) and Barb Kisch
Field reporters: Don Aune (northeastern Lower Michigan, especially in the Oscoda area), Nancy Rickie (aerial reporter in southeastern Lower Michigan), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in western Lower Michigan), Bob Lewis (on I-75, near the Zilwaukee Bridge, as a "AAA ground observer"), Jerry Cheske (aerial observer at Bay City, Flint, Pontiac, et cetera), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Tom Freel (some work as aerial observer over the Detroit area on Sunday),
Providing information about Upper Michigan: Jim Tretheway
Providing additional information as--at least one report--as a "Tipster": Bert Emanuele (photographer for Motor News), who was at Manistee.
Broadcasters: Bob Stevens,
Statistics: July 3-7, 1974Labor Day 1974 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff:
Research staff: Marci Guenther (office supervisor) and Barb Kisch
Field reporters: Bob Lewis (in the Zilwaukee Bridge area), Jerry Cheske (aerial observer mostly above I-75 in the Bay City/Saginaw area), Don Aune (in northeastern Lower Michigan, especially in the Oscoda area), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Nancy Ricke (aerial observer over the southeastern Lower Michigan, especially the Detroit area)
Providing information about Upper Michigan: Jim Tretheway
Broadcasters: Bob Stevens,
Statistics: August 30-31, 1974 and September 1-2, 1974
Note: Early Sunday morning, a woman from Sarnia jumped off the Blue Water Bridge and died. AAA Michigan had an estimate that about 21,000 persons took part in the walk on the Mackinac Bridge.Memorial Day 1975 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes, Tom Freel, Bill Banks,
Research staff: Marci Guenther (office supervisor) and Barb Kisch
Field reporters: Nancy Ricke (aerial observer over southeastern Lower Michigan), Jerry Cheske (aerial observer over I-75 in the mid part of Lower Michigan), Don Aune (in northeastern Lower Michigan, especially in the Oscoda area), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer over southwestern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Bill Semion (on I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area), Tom Freel (who did some flying over the Detroit area on Sunday)
Providing information about Upper Michigan: Jim Tretheway
Broadcasters: Bob Stevens,
Statistics: May 23-26, 1975July 4th 1975 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes, Tom Freel,
Research staff: Marci Guenther (office supervisor) and Barb Kisch
Field reporters: Don Aune (aerial reporter in northeastern Lower Michigan), Bob Lewis (in the Zilwaukee Bridge area), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Jerry Cheske (aerial observer along I-75 in the mid part of Lower Michigan), Tom Freel (who did some flying over the Detroit area on Saturday)
Providing information about Upper Michigan: Jim Tretheway
Providing additional information as--at least one report--as a "Tipster": Bert Emanuele (photographer for Motor News)
Broadcasters: Bob Stevens,
Statistics: July 3-6, 1975Labor Day 1975 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes,
Research staff: Marci Guenther (office supervisor) and Barb Kisch
Field reporters: Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer over southwestern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Don Aune (aerial observer in northeastern Lower Michigan), Bill Semion (on I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area and also in the air late in the holiday), Jerry Cheske (in southeastern Lower Michigan), Evelyn August (aerial observer)
Providing information about Upper Michigan: Jim Tretheway
Statistics: August 29-31, 1975, and September 1, 1975
Note: On this holiday, heavy rains and flooding were a problem for motorists in several parts of Lower Michigan; the worst problems were in central Lower Michigan and in western Lower Michigan, such as at Hesperia, Clare, White Cloud, Rockford, and Owosso, where dams were threatened and from which water might overflow. And AAA Michigan had an estimate that 15,000 persons took part in the walk on the Mackinac Bridge on Labor Day.Memorial Day 1976 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes, Tom Freel,
Research staff: Marci Guenther (office supervisor) and Barb Kisch
Field reporters: Bill Semion (on I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area and in central Lower Michigan), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Don Aune (in northeastern Lower Michigan), Bob Shuggen (in the Marquette area), Evelyn August (aerial observer in southeastern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Tom Freel (who did some reporting on Sunday)
Statistics: May 28-31, 1976July 4th 1976 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes, Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske
Research staff: Marci Guenther (office supervisor) and Barb Kisch
Field reporters: Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Bill Semion (on I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area), Evelyn August (aerial observer in southeastern Lower Michigan), Don Aune (aerial observer in northeastern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Tom Freel (who did some flying over southeastern Lower Michigan on Sunday), Jerry Cheske (along I-75 in the mid part of Lower Michigan),
Providing information about Upper Michigan: Jim Tretheway
Broadcasters: Victor Swanson,
Statistics: July 2-5, 1976Labor Day 1976 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes, Tom Freel,
Research staff: Marci Guenther (office supervisor) and Barb Kisch
Field reporters: Bill Semion (on I-75, in the Zilwaukee Bridge area and in central Lower Michigan), Don Aune (aerial observer in northeastern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Jerry Cheske (aerial observer along I-75 in the mid part of Lower Michigan), Tom Freel (who flew over the Detroit area on Sunday)
Providing information about Upper Michigan: Jim Tretheway
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson,
Statistics: September 3-6, 1976
Note: During this holiday, the big fire in the Seney National Wildlife Refuge and nearby state forest lands was yet a big story. The fire--or fires--began in the last week of July when Michigan was having the driest summer since 1936. M-28 was closed between Seney and Shingleton because of the problem. By the way, it was the seventh walk of the Mackinac Bridge for Governor William Milliken, who completed the walk in about 63 minutes, and AAA Michigan had an estimate that about 21,000 persons took part in the walk.Memorial Day 1977 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Jerry Cheske, Bill Banks, Stan Meretsky,
Research staff; Barb Kisch,
Field reporters: Bill Semion (on I-75 in the Bay City/Saginaw corridor and farther north), Gordon Charles (northwestern Lower Michigan), Berkeley Smith (flying over northeastern Lower Michigan), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Evelyn August (flying over southeastern Lower Michigan), Jerry Cheske (did some flying over southeastern Lower Michigan), and Jim Tretheway (reporting about Upper Michigan, as "the U.P. observer").
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson,
Broadcasters: Ed Blackmon, Mark Emge, Arlene Gero,
Statistics: May 26-30, 1977July 4th, 1977 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Len Barnes, Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske, Stan Meretsky, Bill Banks
Research staff: Marci Guenther, Linda Smith, Barb Kisch, Sheryl Klotz, Julie Meier, Laurie Berjeski
Field reporters: Bill Semion (on I-75 in the Bay City/Saginaw corridor and farther north), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Ann Coughlin (flying over or driving in northeastern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Jerry Cheske (did some flying over southeastern Lower Michigan), Tom Freel (did some flying over southeastern Lower Michigan), Evelyn August (did some flying over southeastern Lower Michigan), and Jim Tretheway (reporting about Upper Michigan)
Also reporting in while traveling: Len Barnes
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Donna Reed,
Broadcasters: Mark Emge, Jim Meredith, T. S. Taylor, Christine (Chris) Pietrizyk, Fred Schmidt
Statistics: July 1-4, 1977Labor Day 1977 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff:
Field reporters: Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Bill Semion (on I-75 in the Bay City/Saginaw corridor and farther north), Don Aune (flying over northeastern Lower Michigan), Evelyn August (did some flying over southeastern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Jerry Cheske (did some flying over southeastern Lower Michigan), Tom Freel (did some flying over southeastern Lower Michigan), and Jim Tretheway (reporting about Upper Michigan).
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson,
Broadcasters: Marilynn Root, T. S. Taylor Statistics: Sept 2-5, 1977
Note: The 20th annual Labor Day bridge walk at the Mackinac Bridge took place, and AAA Michigan had one estimate that nearly 30,000 persons took part in the walk, and Governor William Milliken completed the walk in about one hour. And "Operation C.A.R.E" (Combined Accident Reduced Effort) was given a big promotional push this holiday.Memorial Day 1978 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske
Field reporters: Bill Semion (on I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area and in central Lower Michigan), Steve Griffin (aerial observer in northeastern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working in southwestern Lower Michigan), Jerry Cheske (in southeastern Lower Michigan), Tom Freel (who did a little flying over southeastern Lower Michigan on Sunday and along I-75 in the mid part of Lower Michigan)
Providing at least one special field report: Len Barnes (at Mackinac Island)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson,
Broadcasters: Marilynn Root,
Statistics: May 26-29, 1978
Note: "Operation C.A.R.E" (Combined Accident Reduced Effort) was given a big promotional push this holiday.July 4th 1978 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff:
Field reporters: Jerry Cheske (in southeastern Lower Michigan), Steve Griffin (along I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area and in northeastern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Bob Lewis (on I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area), Bill Semion (who did some flying over southeastern Lower Michigan on Tuesday, July 4)
Providing information about Upper Michigan: Jim Tretheway
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson,
Broadcasters: Marilynn Root,
Statistics: June 30, 1978, and July 1-4, 1978
Note: "Operation C.A.R.E" (Combined Accident Reduced Effort) was given a big promotional push this holiday.Labor Day 1978 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske, and Len Barnes
Field reporters: Bob Lewis (on I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area), Bill Semion (aerial observer in southeastern Lower Michigan), Steve Griffin (aerial observer in northeastern Lower Michigan), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Jerry Cheske (aerial observer in southeastern Lower Michigan), Tom Freel (who did some flying over southeastern Lower Michigan on Sunday)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson,
Broadcasters: Marilynn Root,
Statistics: September 1-4, 1978
Note: In 1978, the Auto Club became involved with the "Lock It and Pocket the Key" campaign, a program aimed at reducing auto thefts. In addition, "Operation C.A.R.E" received promotion. And AAA Michigan had an estimate that 27,600 persons took part in the annual walk at the Mackinac Bridge, and Governor William Milliken crossed the bridge in one hour and seven minutes.Memorial Day 1979 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske
Field reporters: Steve Griffin (in northeastern Lower Michigan), Bob Lewis (on I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area and in central Lower Michigan), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Tom Freel (aerial observer over southeastern Lower Michigan on Sunday), Jerry Cheske (aerial observer in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Providing information about Upper Michigan: Jim Tretheway
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson,
Broadcasters: Marilynn Root,
Statistics: May 25-May 27, 1979
Note: "Operation C.A.R.E" is promoted.July 4th 1979 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Jerry Cheske, and Len Barnes
Field reporters: Bill Semion (on I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area and in central Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Steve Girffin (aerial observer along I-75 in the mid part of Lower Michigan), Jerry Cheske (aerial observer in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Providing information about Upper Michigan: Jim Tretheway
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson,
Broadcasters: Marilynn Root,
Statistics: July 3-4, 1979Labor Day 1979 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Jerry Cheske
Field reporters: Bob Lewis (on I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area and in northwestern/central Lower Michigan), Steve Griffin (aerial observer over I-75 in the mid part of Lower Michigan), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Bill Semion (aerial observer in southeastern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Jerry Cheske (aerial observer in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson,
Statistics: August 31, 1979, and September 1-2, 1979
Note: "Operation C.A.R.E" was promoted. AAA Michigan reported that 22,494 persons took part in the annual walk at the Mackinac Bridge, and Governor Milliken crossed the bridge in 63 minutes, which was longer than his record time of 46 minutes and 50 seconds of 1971.Memorial Day 1980 -- [This part is incomplete.]
Staff: Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske
Field reporters: Bill Semion (on I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area and in central Lower Michigan), Steve Griffin (aerial observer in northeastern Lower Michigan and above I-75 in the mid part of Lower Michigan), Jerry Cheske (aerial observer in southeastern Lower Michigan), Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck, working as aerial observer in southwestern Lower Michigan), Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Tom Freel (who did some flying over southeastern Lower Michigan on Sunday)
Providing information about Upper Michigan; Jim Tretheway
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson,
Statistics: May 23-26, 1980
Note: "Operation C.A.R.E." was promoted.July 4th, 1980 --
Staff members: Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske, Bill Semion, and James Karshner.
Other Auto Club employees: Bob Lewis (field reporter on I-75 in the Zilwaukee Bridge area)
Research staff: Jo-Anne Harman, with Ellen Simmons, Katherine Cosgro
Field reporters: Gordon Charles (in northwestern Lower Michigan), Steve Griffin (in northeastern Lower Michigan, and Jim Tretheway (who provided information about Upper Michigan)
Airplanes: Len Bokuniewicz (a.k.a. Len Buck) flew over southwestern Lower Michigan in a plane from Northern Air; Steve Griffin flew over northwestern Lower Michigan in a plane from Van Air; and various staffers flew over southeastern Lower Michigan in a plane obtained from the 3-A Flying Club.
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Donna Reed,
Broadcasters: Robert De Giulio, Michael DePorossi, Laurie Burdue, Arlene Gero, Doug Gerowski, Michael Mankiewicz, Sally Neiger, Jon Ray, Wendy Reiss, Teresa Squillace, and Donald Watkins.
Statistics: July 4-6, 1980Labor Day 1980 --
Staff members: Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske, James Karshner, Bill Semion
Other Auto Club employees: Bob Lewis (field reporter)
Research staff: Jo-Anne Harman,
Field reporters: Barb Fraze, Steve Griffin, Gordon Charles, and Jim Tretheway
Airplanes: Northern Air (for southwestern Lower Michigan with Barb Fraze), Van Air (for northwestern Lower Michigan for Steve Griffin), and Three-A Flying Club (for southeastern Lower Michigan).
Weekend News Service reporters: Victor Swanson,
Broadcasters:Memorial Day 1981 --
Staff: Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske, Linda Lyles (later known as Linda Lyles Daniels), Jim Karshner, Evelyn August, Bill Semion, and Donna Bakun
Other Auto Club employees: Bob Lewis (field reporter)
Research staff: Jo-Anne Harman, Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (in Upper Peninsula), Gordon Charles (northwestern Lower Michigan), and Steve Griffin (northeastern Lower Michigan)
Airplanes: Vanair Aviation (northeastern Lower Michigan), Sparta Aviation (southwestern Lower Michigan), Steve Flick (pilot, southwestern Lower Michigan), and 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan).
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson,
Broadcasters:
Statistics: May 22-25, 1981July 4th, 1981 --
Staff: Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske, Bill Semion, Jim Karshner, Lynda Lyles, Evelyn August (Digon), Donna Jean Bakun
Research staff: Jo-Anne Harman, with Katherine Cosgro, Monica Scerri,
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Gordon Charles (northwestern Lower Michigan), and Steve Griffin (northeastern Lower Michigan)
Airplanes: Vanair Aviation (northeastern Lower Michigan), David E. Flick (southwestern Lower Michigan), Sparta Aviation (southwestern Lower Michigan), and 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Arlene Gero, and Kathy Schwarzhoff
Broadcasters:
Statistics: July 3-6, 1981Labor Day 1981 --
Staff: Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske, Bill Semion, Evelyn August (Digon), James Karshner, Linda Lyles
Special Reporter: Bob Lewis (field reporter)
Research Staff: Jo-Anne Harman, with Monica Scerri,
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Gordon Charles (northwestern Lower Michigan), and Steve Griffin (northeastern Lower Michigan)
Airplanes: Vanair Aviation (northeastern Lower Michigan), David E. Flick (southwestern Lower Michigan), Sparta Aviation (southwestern Lower Michigan), and 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Arlene Gero, and Kathy Schwarzhoff
Broadcasters: Anne Korze, Anna Barker, Stuart Miller, Beth E. Hopkins, Michael L. Saxton, Suzanne Jones, Kevin S. Murphy, Karen Dalessandro, David Simone, and Brian McEvoy
Statistics: September 4-7, 1981Memorial Day 1982 --
Staff: Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske, Linda Daniels, Bill Semion,
Special reporter: Bob Lewis (field reporter)
Also: Annemarie Schiavi
Research Staff: Jo-Anne Harman, with Soncha Barthwell, and Jackie Sanders
Field Reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Gordon Charles (northwestern Lower Michigan), and Steve Griffin (northeastern Lower Michigan)
Airplanes: Vanair Aviation (northeastern Lower Michigan), Sparta Aviation (southwestern Lower Michigan), Steve Flick (southwestern Lower Michigan), and 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root, Bruce Drobot, and Alisa Vento
Broadcasters: Judy Brandenburg, Tom Crown, Karen Dinkins, Arlene Gero, Tom Klopocinski, Doug Kramer, April Land, Maureen Michaels, and Herb Schollenberger
Statistics: May 28-31, 1982July 4th, 1982 --
Staff: Jerry Cheske, Bill Semion, Linda Daniels
Special Reporter: Bob Lewis (field reporter)
Also: Annemarie Schiavi
Research staff: Jo-Anne Harman, with Soncha Barthwell, Jackie Sanders, and Jane King
Field Reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Gordon Charles (northwestern Lower Michigan), and Steve Griffin (northeastern Lower Michigan)
Airplanes: Vanair Aviation (northeastern Lower Michigan), David E. Flick (southwestern Lower Michigan), Sparta Aviation (southwestern Lower Michigan), and 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root, Bruce Drobot, and Alisa Vento
Broadcasters: Judy Brandenburg, Cynthia Bryant, Thomas Crown, Karen Dinkins, Ronald Jolly, Thomas Klopocinski, James Przedwojewski, Herbert Schollenberger, and Arlene Gero
Statistics: July 2-5, 1982Labor Day 1982 --
Staff: Tom Freel, Jerry Cheske, Linda Daniels, Caryn Mathes
Special Reporter: Bob Lewis (field reporter)
Research staff: Jo-Anne Harman, with Jackie Sanders, Jeanne Schumacher, and Jane King
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Gordon Charles (northwestern Lower Michigan), Steve Griffin (northeastern Lower Michigan), and Kristin L. Van Vorst (southwestern Lower Michigan)
Airplanes: Vanair Aviation (northeastern Lower Michigan), David E. Flick (southwestern Lower Michigan), Sparta Aviation (southwestern Lower Michigan), and 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Bruce Drobot, Marilynn Root, and Alisa Vento
Broadcasters: Judy Brandenburg, Cynthia Bryant, Karen Dinkins, John Hall, Ron Jolly, Ann Korzec, Jim Przedwojewski, Ryan Renz, and Herb Schollenberger
Statistics: September 3-6, 1982Memorial Day 1983 --
Staff: Jerry Cheske, Linda Daniels, Jim Karshner, Nancy Cain (also known as Nancy Posavetz or Nancy Cain-Posavetz)
Research staff: Kim Poirier, with Nancy Sarpolis and Pam Light
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), and Kristin L. Van Vorst (southwestern Lower Michigan), Bill Semion (the Bay City/Saginaw corridor and farther north)
Airplanes: 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root, and Bruce Drobot
Broadcasters: Lea Allen, Russ Bennett, Maria Bulone, Dave Burns, Garland Campbell, Ann Korzec, Leslie Quinlivan, Paul Shillingford, and Paula Susin.
Statistics: May 27-30, 1983
Note: In the spring of 1983, AAA Michigan purchased the bankrupt Boblo Island, and, over the next several years, the company made the park a favorite tourist attraction and amusement park. The park was often featured in Holiday News Service reports. In June 1988, AAA Michigan sold the park to International Broadcasting Corporation.July 4th, 1983 --
Staff: Jerry Cheske, Nancy Cain (worked in the office and was an aerial observer in southeastern Lower Michigan), and Linda Daniels (worked in the office and was an aerial observer in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Research Staff: Kim Poirier, with Pam Light and Nancy Sarpolis
Field Reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), and Kristin Van Vorst (southwestern Lower Michigan), Bill Semion (the Bay City/Saginaw corridor and farther north)
Airplanes: 3-A Flying Club
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Bruce Drobot, and Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Maria Bulone, Dave Burns, Garland Campbell, Mary Insprucker, Tom Insprucker, Ruth Jenuwine, Ann Korzec, Paul Shillingford, and Cindy Zbikowski
Statistics: July 1-4, 1983Labor Day 1983 --
Staff: Jerry Cheske, Linda Daniels, and Jim Karshner
Research staff: Kim Poirier, with Jo-Anne Harman, Nancy Sarpolis, and Pam Light
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), and Kristin L. Van Vorst (southwestern Lower Michigan), Bill Semion (the Bay City/Saginaw corridor and farther north)
Airplanes: 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Bruce Drobot, and Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Maria Bulone, Mary Insprucker, Tom Insprucker, Ruth Jenuwine, Anne Korzec [as listed this time], Teddy Ray, Richard Reincke, Paul Shillingford, and Cindy Zbikowski
Statistics: September 2-5, 1983Memorial Day 1984 --
Staff: Jerry Cheske, Linda Daniels, Bill Semion, and Nancy Cain
Research staff: Kim Poirier, with Jo-Anne Harman, Nancy Sarpolis, Pam Light
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Kathy Sanderson (southwestern Lower Michigan), Don Ingle (northwestern Lower Michigan), and Phyllis Costello (northeastern Lower Michigan)
Airplanes: 3-A Flying Club
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root, and Bruce Drobot
Broadcasters: Cynthia Bryant, Christine Copland, Chris Haywood, Jerry Kruse, Kathryn Leftwich, John McKinnon, Paul Shillingford, Meri Stefan, Alisa Vento, and Alan Yakubesan
Statistics: May 25-28, 1984
Note: This was the first holiday done from offices a 17000 Executive Plaza Drive, Dearborn, which was across the Southfield Freeway from other AAA Michigan offices at One Auto Club Drive.July 4th, 1984 --
Staff: Bill Semion, and Nancy Cain
Research staff: Kim Poirier, with Jo-Anne Harman, and Nancy Sarpolis, Pam Light
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Kathy Sanderson (southwestern Lower Michigan), Don Ingle (northwestern Lower Michigan), Phyllis Costello (northeastern Lower Michigan), and Cynthia Bryant (on I-75 in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Bruce Drobot, and Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Millie Anthony, Mike Campbell, Cary Crouch, Terry Crouson, Dwayne Greer, Jerry Kruse, Rex Lyle, Robert Winkler, Alan Yakubesan, and Alan Yaroch
Statistics: July 3-4, 1984Labor Day 1984 --
Staff: Jerry Cheske, Linda Lyles Daniels, Greg Gibson, Bill Semion
Research staff: Kim Poirier, with Jo-Anne Harman, Cheryl Bessonen, Theresa Digue
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Phyllis Costello (northeastern Lower Michigan), Brian Murphy (southwestern Lower Michigan), Douglas Durfee (northwestern Lower Michigan), and Millie Anthony (on I-75 in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Airplanes:; 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root, Bruce Drobot
Broadcasters: Rex Lyle, Peggy Pittington, Ann Rashid, Dan Ruthowski, Sherlie Smolinski, Sylvia Stahl, Deb Trombly, Alisa Vento, and Alan Yakubesan
Statistics: August 31 through September 3, 1984Memorial Day 1985 --
Staff: Jerry Cheske, Linda Lyles Daniels, Greg Gibson
Research staff: Kim Poirier, with Theresa Digue, JoAnne Harman, Jane King, Violet Madej, Carol Uglean
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Kim Clarke (northwestern Lower Michigan), Don Ingle (northwestern Lower Michigan), Phyllis Costello (northeastern Lower Michigan), and Lisa Farrell (on I-75 in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Airplanes: 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, and Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Annette Aben, Celeste Angellotti (also known as G. Celeste Angellotti), Jackie Davis, Susan Gold, Bill Graves, Lloyd Jackson, Hal Lamb, Curt MacDougall, Dave Martin, and Alisa Vento
Statistics: May 24-27, 1985July 4th, 1985 --
Staff: Jerry Cheske, Nancy Cain, Robert (Bobb) Vergiels, and Nancy Cain
Research staff: Kim Poirier, with JoAnne Harman, Theresa Digue, Carol Uglean
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Viv Chamichian (southwestern Lower Michigan), Don Ingle (northwestern Lower Michigan), Phyllis Costello (northeastern Lower Michigan), and Jim Owen (on I-75 in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Airplanes: 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Bruce Drobot, and Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Annette Aben, Celeste Angellotti, Jim Cochran, Bob Eccles, Vera Edgecome [as listed], Curt MacDougall, Joe Miller, Bill Murphy, Jim Owen, and Alisa Vento
Statistics: July 3-5, 1985Labor Day 1985 --
Staff: Jerry Cheske, Bobb Vergiels, and Nancy Cain
Research staff: Kim Poirier, with Theresa Digue, JoAnne Harman, Violet Madej, and Carol Uglean
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin, Viv Chamichian, Don Ingle, Phyllis Costello, and Jim Owen (on I-75 in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Airplanes: 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Bruce Drobot, and Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Annette Aben, Greg Angello, Doris Craft, Brian Donaldson, Vera Edgecombe [as listed], Marcus Gorfain, Colleen Kozowski, Dave Martin, and Joe Miller
Statistics: August 30 through September 2, 1985Memorial Day 1986 --
Staff: Jerry Cheske, Bobb Vergiels, Nancy Cain, and Greg Gibson
Research staff: Kim Poirier, with Laurie Burger, Carol Uglean, Alfreda Ridley, Linda Roman
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Vicki Greene, Billie Wright, and Doug Durfee
Airplanes: 3-A Flying Club (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root, and Bruce Drobot
Broadcasters: Ann Anderson, Dick Giles, Ron Jolly, Cindy Keleman, Tim Kherkher, Colleen Kozlowski, Glenn Oswald, Jim Owen, Alisa Vento, and Julie Werstein
Statistics: May 23-26, 1986July 4th, 1986 --
Staff: Jerry Cheske, Bobb Vergiels, and Nancy Cain
Research staff: Kim Poirier, with Soncha Barthwell, Alfreda Ridley, Carol Uglean, and Linda Roman
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Billie Wright, Ann Fisher, Mark Marentette, and James Owen
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, and Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Ann Anderson, Dona Beehler, Bob Curran, Dorothy Ducap (also known as Dee Ducap), Bridget Galvin, Cindy Keleman, Gary Kroll, Melissa McKeown, Jim Patten, and Julie Werstein
Statistics: July 3-6, 1986Labor Day 1986 --
Staff: Robert Vergiels, and Nancy Cain
Research Staff: Kim Poirier, Linda Roman, Anne Coakley, Kathy Cosgro, Alfreda Ridley, Carol Uglean
Field reporters: Jim Owen, others
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root, and Bruce Drobot
Broadcasters: Dona Beehler, Glenn Cooper, Bob Curran, Bridget Galvin, Paul Hund, Colleen Kozlowksi (also known as Colleen Kozak), Gary Kroll, Jim Patten, and Bob Suchyta
Statistics:Memorial Day 1987 --
Staff: Nancy Cain, and Jana Goldman
Research staff: Laurie Burger, Anne Coakley, Linda Cislo, Laurie Earles, Mary Jane Nehring, Helen Orcutt (who would later be known as Helen Cullen), and Carol Uglean
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Phyllis Costello, Don Ingle, and David Osborn
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Bridgette Galvin, Cindy Kelleman, Alisa Vento, Curt MacDougall, Sanford Glassman, Ken Bianchi, David Seeley, Mike Carroll, David Atwater, and Beth Williamson
Statistics: May 22-25, 1987July 4th, 1987 --
Staff: Nancy Cain, and Jana Goldman
Research staff: Soncha Barthwell, Laurie Burger, Anne Coakley, Linda Cislo, Laurie Earles, Helen Orcutt, Carol Uglean
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Tim Costello, Doug Durfee, Kathy Peterson, and Mary Ayre (on I-75 in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, and Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Bridget Galvin, Cindy Keleman, Annette Aben, Curt MacDougall, Dee Ryan, Dawn Moore, David Seeley, Mike Carroll, Tim Bajkiewicz, and Robert Cannon
Statistics: July 2-5, 1987Labor Day 1987 --
Staff: Nancy Cain, and Megan Swoyer
Research Staff: Soncha Barthwell, Laurie Burger, Laurie Earles, Jana Goldman, Helen Orcutt, and Carol Uglean
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Tim Costello, Doug Durfee, Kristin Calwer, and Mary Ayre (on I-75 in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, and Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Bridget Galvin, Dee Ryan, Dawn Moore, David Seeley, Tim Najkiewicz, Sanford Glassman, Kenneth Bianchi, Gary Kroll, Tony Ortiz, and David Asker
Statistics: September 4-7, 1987Memorial Day 1988 --
Staff: Caren Collins, Nancy Cain, and Megan Swoyer
Research staff: Laurie Earles, Laurie Burger, Kathy Cosgro, Violet Madej, Mary Jane Nehring, Helen Orcutt
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Dennis Clark, Dwayne Byks, and Doug Durfee
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, and Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Bridget Galvin, Renee Fowler, Mary Insprucker, Tom Insprucker, Deanna Ryan, Sally Neiger, Susan McLean, Dawn Moore, Mary Lynn Barbee (also known as Lynn Barbee), Dana Cameron, and William Cobb (also known as Dean Cobb)
Statistics: May 27-30, 1988July 4th, 1988 --
Staff: Nancy Cain, Caren Collins, Megan Swoyer, and Earl Dowdy
Research staff: Laurie Burger, Diane Davis, Laurie Earles, Violet Madej, Helen Orcutt, Arlene Turbin, Christina Penn, and Judy Williams
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Jan Weist, Doug Durfee, and Jill Cummings
Also reporting in at least once: Tina Gainey
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Bridget Galvin, Sheila Smoot, Kim Gyuran, Sally Neiger, Dana Cameron, Steve Russell, Robert Gisler, Ruby Bailey, Curt MacDougall, and Dawn Moore
Statistics: July 1-4, 1988Labor Day 1988 --
Staff: Nancy Cain, Caren Collins, Megan Swoyer, and Earl Dowdy
Also: Gary Bubar (of Safety and Traffic)
Research staff: Laurie Burger, Laurie Earles, Helen Orcutt, Judy Williams, and Christina Penn
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Jill Cummings, Jan Weist, and Doug Durfee
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Sheila Smoot, Kim Gyuran, Dana Cameron, Mary Insprucker, Tom Insprucker, Curt MacDougall, Dawn Moore, and Susan McLean
Statistics: September 2-5, 1988Memorial Day 1989 --
Staff: Caren Collins, with Neal Haldane, and Nancy Cain
Research staff: Laurie Burger, Laurie Earles, Mary Jane Nehring, Helen Orcutt
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Mary Ayre (on I-75 in the Bay City/Saginaw corridor), Doug Durfee, Bill Driskell, and Jan Weist
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root
Broadcasters: Dana Cameron, Dean Cobb, Bridget Galvin, Kim Gyuran, Mary Insprucker, Sally Ryan, Tom Insprucker, Susan Mclean, Dawn Moore, Sally Neiger, Dee Ryan, and Denise Tolliver
Broadcaster (for Thursday preview): Charlie Ramirez
Statistics: May 26-29, 1989
Note: AAA Michigan had a special 25th-anniversary celebration this year, commemorating The Holiday News Service program. Plaques were issued to radio stations and to some people who worked on Holiday News Services, such as Barry Pope and Richard A. Roberts and others of "The 3-A Flying Club." The budget for the celebration amounted to $8,600.78 ($2,371.11 for plaques, $253.10 for 50 T-shirts, $1,645.46 for banners, $2,402.40 for bumper stickers, $172.55 for a "balloon lady" (to appear at the reception), $1,375.00 for cakes at the reception), and $381.16 (for coffee and other things at the reception).July 4th, 1989 --
Staff: Caren Collins, with Alvin Hayes, and Nancy Cain
Research staff: Laurie Burger, Laurie Earles, Helen Orcutt, Arlene Turbin, Christina Penn, and Judy Williams
Field reporters: Mary Ayre, Jan Weist, Doug Durfee, Dixie Franklin, and Bridget Galvin
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root, and Todd Wilkerson
Broadcasters: Cynthia Bryant, Ruby Bailey, Dana Cameron, Ron Dawson (whose air name was Ron Edwards), Kim Gyuran, Mary Insprucker, Tom Insprucker, Deeanna Ryan, Paul Stoppleworth, and Denise Tolliver
Statistics: June 30-July 4, 1989Labor Day 1989 --
Staff: Carol Collins, with Alvin Hayes, Neal Haldane
Also: Gary Bubar
Research Staff: Helen Orcutt, Violet Madej, Nary Jane Nehring, Katherine Cosgro, and Judy Williams
Field reporters: Dixie Franklin (Upper Peninsula), Jan Weist, Betsy Cutler, Dawn Moore, and Mary Ayre (in the Bay City/Saginaw corridor)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Marilynn Root, and Todd Wilkerson
Broadcasters: Bridget Galvin, Denise Tolliver, Mary Insprucker, Tom Insprucker, P.J. Stoppleworth, Kim Gyuran, Deanna Ryan, Steve Jacobs, and Dana Cameron
Statistics: September 1-4, 1989Memorial Day 1990 --
Staff: Caren Collins, with Alvin Hayes
Research staff: Helen Orcutt, Linda Cislo, Tracy Givens, Jordan Parris, Violet Madej, Arlene Turbin, and Judy Williams
Field reporters: Jan Weist, Betsy Cutler, and Mary Ayre (in the Bay City/Saginaw corridor)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Ron Dawson, ...
Broadcasters: Dana Cameron, Karen Dinkins, Bridget Galvin, Kim Gyuran, Mary Insprucker, Tom Insprucker, Sally Neiger, Deanna Ryan, Curt MacDougall, Denise Tolliver, and Sandra Washington
Statistics: May 25-28, 1990
Note: Once again, the Holiday News Services were being done from offices at One Auto Club Drive, Dearborn.July 4th, 1990 --
Staff: Caren Collins
Research staff: Helen Orcutt, Linda Cislo, Violet Madej, Arlene Turbin, and Judy Williams
Field reporters: Mary Ayre (in the Bay City/Saginaw corridor), Jan Weist, and Betsy Cutler
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, Ron Dawson, ...
Broadcasters: Denise Tolliver, Sandra Washington, Sheila Smoot, Sally Neiger, Bridget Galvin, Karen Dinkins, Debra Dawson, Dana Cameron.
Statistics: July 3-5, 1990Labor Day 1990 --
Staff: Caren Collins, with Neal Haldane
Also: Gary Bubar Research staff: Helen Orcutt, Jordan Parris, Violet Madej, Mary Jane Nehring, Arlene Turbin, Judy Williams
Field reporters: Mary Ayre (in the Bay City/Saginaw corridor), Jan Weist, and Betsy Cutler
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Swanson, ...
Broadcasters: Cynthia Bryant-Tatum, Karen Dinkins, Suzanne Easa (known by the air name Suzanne Easton), Bridget Galvin, Mike Hamm, Denise Tolliver, Mary Insprucker, Tom Insprucker, Nadara Wade, and Sandra Washington
Statistics: August 31 through September 3, 1990Memorial Day 1991 --
Staff: Caren Collins
Research staff: Helen Orcutt, Tracy Givens, Violet Madej, Lisa McClung, Laurie Burger, Jordan Parris, and Mary Jane Nehring
Field reporters: Mary Ayre, Jan Weist, Dale Houdek, and Bridget Galvin
Motorists, who could be called "Traffic Tipsters," who called in with at least one report: Pat Latrell, Gail McBridge, Linda Preede, John Godfrey, Carol Somers, and Jan Winter.
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote all the reports for the U.P. and did some broadcasting)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: ...
Broadcasters: Mary Lynn Barbee, Suzanne Easa, Kim Gyuran, Lisa LiGreci, Mary Insprucker, Tom Insprucker, Sally Neiger, Sheila Smoot, Paul Stoppleworth, Karen Trombley, and Nadara Wade
Statistics: May 24-27, 1991July 4th, 1991 --
Staff: Caren Collins
Research staff: Laurie Earles, Laurie Burger, Violet Madej, Lisa McClung, Arlene Turbin, and Suzanne Timma
Field reporters: Mary Ayre (in the Bay City/Saginaw Corridor), Jan Weist, and Dale Houdek Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Renee Monforton (employee of AAA Michigan), and Lisa LiGreci
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote all the reports for the U.P. and did some broadcasting)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: ...
Broadcasters: Karen Dinkins, Jesse Heindl, Sylvia Jones, Mike Kenyon, Karen McMillion, Robert Morosi, Larry Rodarte, Kirk Stewart, Paul Stoppleworth, Karen Trombley, and Claudia White
Statistics: July 3-7, 1991Labor Day 1991 --
Staff: Caren Collins
Research staff: Helen Cullen, Violet Madej, Mary Jane Nehring, Laurie Burger, Kathy Cosgro, Jordan Parris
Field reporters: Mary Ayre (in the Bay City/Saginaw corridor), Jan Weist, Tim Fifer, and Dale Houdek
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote all the reports for the U.P. and did some broadcasting)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Steve Jacobs, Ron Dawson
Broadcasters: Karen Dinkins, Bridget Galvin, Jesse Heindl, Mary Insprucker, Tom Insprucker, Lisa LiGreci, Karen McMillion, Robert Morosi, Karen Trombley, Suzanne Easa, and Sherry Wilk
Statistics: August 31 through September 3, 1991Memorial Day 1992 --
Staff: Caren Collins, with Neal Haldane
Research staff: Helen Cullen, Susan Colbert, Lisa McClung, Jordan Parris, Kathy Cosgro, and Laurie Burger
Field reporters: Mary Ayre (in northeastern Lower Michigan), Jan Weist (western Michigan), Dale Houdek, (northwestern Lower Michigan), and Bridget Galvin (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Megan Swoyer (employee of AAA Michigan), Chuck Banks
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote all the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Ron Dawson, and Steve Jacobs
Broadcasters: Pam Dickey, J.R. Scicluna, Sally Ryan, Tom Insprucker, Mary Insprucker, Karen McMillion, Theresa Tumer, Jim Miller, Steve Langs, Jesse Heindl, Gary Lichtman, Scott Huibregtse, and Robert Morosi
Statistics: May 22-25, 1992
Note: The AAA Michigan Bring 'em Back Alive Holiday News Service now had a toll-free hotline telephone number for people to dial so that they could report problems on the roads; for this holiday, the number was 1-800-621-9484.July 4th, 1992 --
Staff: Caren Collins, with Neal Haldane
Research staff: Helen Cullen, Lisa McClung, Mary Jane Nehring, Debbie Pearson, Jordan Parris
Field reporters: Mary Ayre, Dale Houdek, and Jan Weist
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Laurie Burger (employee of AAA Michigan), and Fred Doelker (employee of AAA Michigan)
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Steve Jacobs (who wrote some reports for the L.P.), and Ron Dawson
Also: Robert Morosi help write for the L.P.
Broadcasters: Dwayne Carver, Rick Christian, Pam Dickey, Jesse Heindl, Scott Huibregtse, Steve Langs, Gary Lichtman, Karen McMillion, Jim Miller, Darcy Moen-Cortis (whose air name was Darcy Day), Steve Prinz, Paul Stoppleworth, and Theresa Tumer
Statistics:Labor Day 1992 --
Staff: Caren Collins, with Renee Monforton
Research staff: Deb Pearson, Lisa McClung, Parris Jordan, Sue Colbert, and Laurie Burger
Field reporters: Mary Ayre (northeastern Lower Michigan), Dale Houdek (northwestern Lower Michigan), Jan Weist (southwestern Lower Michigan), and Wendy Helsey (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Steve Jacobs and Robert Morosi wrote some for the L.P.
Broadcasters: Karen McMillion, J.R Scicluna, Jim Miller, Pam Dickey, Steve Langs, Bridget Galvin, Dwayne Carver, Rick Christian, Ron Dawson, Darcy Moen-Cortis, Steve Prinz, Theresa Tumer, Denise Tolliver, Jesse Heindl, and Sonja Gale Gendron
Statistics: September 4-7, 1992
Note: This Labor Day, President George Bush appeared for the start of the Mackinac Bridge walk (but he did not complete the walk).Memorial Day 1993 --
Staff: Caren Collins, with Jim Rink
Research staff: Debbie Pearson, Susan Colbert, Lisa McClung, Arlene Turbin, and Carol Banks-Williams
Field reporters: Wendy Halsey, Mike Ayre, Dale Houdek, and Jan Weist
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service reporters: ...
Broadcasters: Chris Baker, Randy Bhirdo, Melanie Blaine, Darcy Moen-Cortis, Pam Dickey, Ron Dawson, Marlin Kibbe, Margaret Micu, Karen McMillion, Jim Miller, Sally Neiger, Larry Scaglione, Kelli Schilling, Kimberly Simmons, T.S. Taylor, Denise Tolliver, and Todd Wilkerson
Statistics: May 28-31, 1993July 4th, 1993 --
Staff: Caren Collins, with Jim Rink Research staff: Debbie Pearson, Sue Colbert, Arlene Turbin, Lisa McClung, Laurie Burger, and Laurie Earles
Field reporters: Mary Ayre (northeastern Lower Michigan), Jan Weist (southwestern Lower Michigan), Dale Houdek (northwestern Lower Michigan), Mike Ayre, and Tracey Kramer and Kristi Kramer (on US-23 in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Special reporter (a motorist): Joan Scheel
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: ...
Broadcasters: Chris Baker, Randy Bhirdo, Melanie Blaine, Dwayne Carver, Ricky Christian, Darcy Moen-Cortis, Ron Dawson, Pam Dickey, Karen Dinkins, Stephanie Dugan, Mary Insprucker, Tom Insprucker, Karen McMillion, Jim Miller, Kelli Schilling, Kimberly Simmons, Denise Tolliver, and Theresa Tumer
Statistics:Labor Day 1993 --
Staff: Caren Collins, with Renee Monforton
Also: Suzanne Easa (did some writing for the L.P.)
Research staff: Debbie Pearson, Susan Colbert, Lisa McClung, Arlene Turbin, Judy Williams, and Jordan Parris
Field reporters: Mike Ayre (northeastern Lower Michigan), Jan Weist (southwestern Lower Michigan), Dale Houdek (northwestern Lower Michigan), Joe Kramer (on US-23 in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Special Reporter (Mackinac Bridge Walk): Joan Scheel
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Kelly Chabot
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: ...
Broadcasters: Chris Baker, Randy Bhirdo, Melanie Blaine, Ricky Christian, Darcy Moen-Cortis, Ron Dawson, Pam Dickey, Karen Dinkins, Stephanie Dugan, Karen McMillion, Jim Miller, Terry Page, Kelli Schilling, and Kimberly Simmons
Statistics: September 3-6, 1993Memorial Day 1994 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, with Nancy Cain, Debbie Keith, and Jim Rink
Research staff: Lisa McClung, Sue Colbert, Arlene Turbin, Eve Soltesz, Tracy Givens
Field reporters; Jan Weist (southwestern Lower Michigan), Mike Ayre (the Bay City/Saginaw corridor), Dale Houdek (northwestern Lower Michigan), Kristi Kramer (on US-23 in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Jerry Basch (employee of AAA Michigan)
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote the reports for U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Robert Morosi and Steve Jacobs Broadcasters: Dan Donakowski (whose air name was Dan Donovan), Scott Greenberg, Ricky Christian, Jason Jados, Dennis O'Neal, Terry Page, Jamie Guy, Roy King, Andy Gagnon, Lynn Davies Dooley, Pam Dickey, Lisa LiGreci, Karen McMillion, Darcy Moen, Chris Baker, Kevin Starks, Richard Piet, and Suzanne Easa
Statistics: May 27-May 30, 1994July 4th, 1994 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, with Debbie Keith, Jim Rink, Suzanne Easa, and Nancy Cain
Research staff: Lisa McClung, Eve Soltesz, Sue Colbert, and Arlene Turbin
Field reporters: Mike Ayre (the Bay City/Saginaw corridor), Jan Weist (southwestern Lower Michigan), Dale Houdek (northwestern Lower Michigan), and Joe Kramer and Marsha on US-23 in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Len Barnes (employee of AAA Michigan), Robert Delaney, and Emily Alcalah
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote most of the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcaster: Robert Morosi (wrote a few reports for the U.P. and L.P.)
Also: Steve Jacobs (wrote some reports for L.P.)
Broadcasters: Tom Insprucker, Mary Insprucker, Pam Dickey, Jason Jados, Jesse Heindle, Kevin Starks, Terry Page, Brad Ettinger, Jamie Guy, Ron Dawson, Lynn Davies Dooley, Chris Baker, Richard Piet, Darcy Moen, Karen McMillion, Scott Greenberg, Roy King, and Suzanne Easa
Statistics: July 1-4, 1994
Note: The final air shows took place at K.I. Sawyer Air Force Base in Marquette County of Upper Michigan this holiday; the base was going to be closed soon.Labor Day 1994 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, with Jim Rink, Suzanne Easa, and Nancy Cain
Research staff: Tracy Givens, Lisa McClung, Arlene Turbin, Eve Soltesz, Sue Colbert, Darwin ..., and ...
Field reporters: Jan Weist (southwestern Lower Michigan), Dale Houdek (northwestern Lower Michigan), Mike Ayre (the Bay City/Saginaw corridor), Dave Wanco, and Joan Scheel (Mackinac Bridge walk reporter)
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Sandy Chumack, and Nancy Veldkamp
Weekend News Service staffers: Victor Swanson (wrote most of the reports about the U.P.), and Robert Morosi (wrote some of the reports for the U.P. and L.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcaster: Brad Ettinger Broadcasters: Jason Jados, Karen Dinkins, Terry Page, Scott Greenberg, Jamie Guy, Kevin Starks, Jesse Heindle, Andy Gagnon, Ron Dawson, Pam Dickey, Karen McMillion, Dan Donakowski, and Chris Baker
Statistics: September 2-5, 1994Memorial Day 1995 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, with Suzanne Easa
Research staff: Eve Soltesz, Sue Colbert, Lisa McClung, Arlene Turbin, Melissa Jackson, Susan Stefanski
Field reporters: Mike Ayre (northeastern Lower Michigan), Jan Weist (southwestern Lower Michigan), Dale Houdek (northwestern Lower Michigan), David Wanko (southeastern Lower Michigan)
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Robert Morosi (wrote some reports for the L.P.), Brad Ettinger
Broadcasters: Dave Frisco, Chris Baker, Karen McMillion, Scott Greenberg, Richard Piet, Kevin Starks, Nicole A. Schifflett, Ken Hissong, Daniel Donakowski, John Moore, Robert Moore, Robert Back, Jim Miller, Diane Cross, Roger Hoppe, and Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor
Statistics: May 26-29, 1995July 4th, 1995 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, with Jim Rink, and Suzanne Easa
Research staff: Sue Colbert, Liz Smith, Arlene Turbin, Robin Burke, and Susan Stefanski
Field reporters: Dale Houdek (northwestern Lower Michigan), and David Wanko, ...
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote most of the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Robert Morosi (who helped write some reports), Brad Ettinger
Broadcasters: Roger Hoppe, Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor, Vic Doucette (whose air name was Al Victor), Karen McMillion, Diane Cross, Andy Gagnon, Robert Beck, Tom Insprucker, Mary Insprucker, Jim Miller, Pam Dickey, Karen Trombley
Statistics: July 3-4, 1995Labor Day 1995 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, with Jim Rink, Suzanne Easa
Research staff: Susan Colbert, Lisa McClung, Susan Stefanski, Eve Soltesz, and Arlene Turbin
Field reporters: Jan Weist (southwestern Lower Michigan), Dale Houdek (northwestern Lower Michigan), and Joan Scheel (covered the Mackinac Bridge walk),
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote most of the reports for the U.P.)
With broadcaster/writer: Robert Morosi
Weekend News Service reporters: Vic Doucette, and Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor
Broadcasters: Dave Frisco, Pam Dickey, Scott Greenberg, Karen McMillion, Diane Cross, Brad Ettinger, Chris Baker, John Moore, Richard Piet, Mike Gentile, Ray Gogolin, Jeanne Dlugos, Brian Vance, and Harold Bray
Statistics: September 1-4, 1995Memorial Day 1996 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, and Robert Morosi
Research Staff: Lisa McClung, Susan Stefanski, Eve Soltesz, Arlene Turbin, and Sue Colbert
Field reporters: Jan Weist (southwestern Lower Michigan), Dale Houdek (northwestern Lower Michigan), Sonja Semion (Monroe/Toledo area)
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote most of the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Vic Doucette (assisted Victor Swanson and wrote some reports for the U.P.), Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor
Broadcasters: Diane Cross, Richard Piet, John Moore, Jim Miller, Ricky Christian, Jesse Heindel, Tom Mazawey, Paula Ervin, Derek Modrok, Chuck Frescura, Ray Gogolin
Statistics: May 24-27, 1996July 4th, 1996 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, and Robert Morosi
Research staff: Sue Colbert, Susan Stefanski, Eve Soltesz, Arlene Turbin, and Lisa McClung
Field reporters: Sonja Semion (Monroe/Toledo area), Bill Semion (Monroe/Toledo area), Jan Weist (southwestern Lower Michigan), and Dale Houdek (northwestern Lower Michigan)
AAA Michigan employees calling in with at least one report: Beverly Cass, Steve White
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote most of the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Vic Doucette (assisted Victor Swanson and wrote some reports for the U.P.), Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor
Broadcasters: Dave Frisco, Richard Piet, Pam Dickey, Ray Gogolin, Derek Modrok, Georgann Spindler, Diane Cross, Tom Insprucker, Mary Insprucker, John Moore, Scott Greenberg, James Miller, Paula Ervin, Thomas Mazawey
Statistics: July 3-5, 1996, and July 7, 1996Labor Day 1996 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, and Robert Morosi
Research staff: Sue Colbert, Susan Stefanski, Eve Soltesz, Lisa McClung, and Rita Battocletti (a.k.a. Rita Donovan, wife of Detroit-area broadcaster Joe Donovan)
Field reporters: Justin Semion (Monroe/Toledo area), Bill Semion (Monroe/Toledo area), Jan Weist (southwestern Lower Michigan), Dale Houdek (northwestern Lower Michigan), and Joan Scheel (who was at the Mackinac Bridge during the 39th Annual Mackinac Bridge Walk and was even high in the south tower for a short while, looking down at the water and the walkers below)
AAA employees calling in with at least one report: Joanne Mekal (I-75 at Holly)
Motorists calling in with at least one report: Alan Secord (a truck driver), Candy Edmonston (from Cincinnati, Ohio, who was on I-75 at Standish), and Nancy Kauffel (on southbound I-75 at exit 254)
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote all the reports for Upper Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcaster: Vic Doucette
Broadcasters: Dave Frisco, Roger Hoppe, Pam Dickey, Carisa Gaynor, Jim Ross, Paula Ervin, Grant Arnold, James Miller, Mike Gentile, Richard Piet, Ray Gogolin, Diane Cross, John Moore, Steve Hirzel, and Sean May
Statistics: August 30-31, 1996, and September 1-2, 1996
Note: On this holiday, about 100 motorists had tires of their vehicles damaged by star nails on the freeways (mostly on sections of I-75 and I-94) of the Detroit area on Sunday evening, September 1, 1996.
Also, an incident involving police and two robbery suspects closed a section of I-75 in both directions between M-13 and M-81, south of the Zilwaukee Bridge, on Saturday, August 31, 1996, for much of the morning and early afternoon; mostly, only the southbound lanes were closed during the day. Police--at first deputies of the Bay County Sheriff's Department--began chasing the suspects at about 6:30 a.m.; the suspects were wanted in the questioning of a gas-station robbery in Roscommon County. The deputies and troopers based at Bridgeport exchanged gunfire with the suspects near I-75 and M-81, where the suspects had abandoned their vehicle. "One of the suspects died at the scene and the other died at St. Mary's Medical Center in Saginaw...."Memorial Day 1997 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson (supervisor), and Robert Morosi
Research staff: Rita Battocletti, Sue Char (formerly Sue Colbert), Eve Soltesz, and Lisa McClung
Field reporters: Sonja Semion (on I-75 in the Toledo area)
AAA Michigan employees calling in with at least one report: Marilyn Hogue
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Adam Claes (a friend of Robert Morosi's), Jinny Cox (a friend of Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor's), Joan Scheel
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote the reports for the U.P)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Vic Doucette, Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor
Broadcasters: Scott Greenberg, Jim Miller, Paula Ervin, James Jerome, Ed Vetort, Georgianna Spindler, Sondra Faulkner (who used the name Sonnie Faulkner), Pamela Parks, Pam Dickey, Karen McMillion, Diane Cross
Statistics: May 23-26, 1997July 4th, 1997 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson (supervisor), Robert Morosi
Research staff: Sue Char, Lisa McClung, Eve Soltesz, Dawn Haunshell, Laurie Earles, Kurt Krug (AAA intern), and Jay Soltesz
Field reporters: Sonja Semion (on I-75 in the Toledo area)
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Adam Claes
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Vic Doucette, Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor
Broadcasters: Roger Hoppe, Peter Vaughn, James Hopper, Ron Dewey, John Moore, Dave Shaw, Ed Vetort, Pam Dickey, Karen McMillion, Dave Frisco
Statistics; Thursday, July 3-Sunday, July 6, 1997
Note: On Sunday afternoon and evening, The Holiday News Service had a very long backup on southbound I-75 to report to the media and the public. At about 2:30 p.m., an accident occurred on southbound I-75 near Carpenter Road between Flint and Mt. Morris. State police had to close the freeway in the area, and motorists had very heavy traffic moving at reduced speeds on most of southbound I-75 in Genesee and Saginaw Counties through the afternoon and early evening. It was not till about 7:15 p.m. that the freeway was open again. Of course, southbound drivers had heavy slow traffic for several hours afterward.
Also note: On this holiday, for the first time, some information was provided to stations in Upper Michigan about road conditions in the northern half of Wisconsin; every couple hours, information was gathered from State Patrol Centers in Wisconsin.Labor Day 1997 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson (supervisor), Robert Morosi
Research staff: Sue Char, Eve Soltesz, Lisa Prewitt (formerly Lisa McClung), Dawn Kesterson (formerly Dawn Haunshell), and Jay Soltesz
Field reporters: Sonja Semion (on I-75 in the Toledo area), Joan Scheel (who reported from the Mackinac Bridge for the annual Labor Day Walk)
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Adam Claes, Roger Hoppe, Scott Renas, Joan Scheel, and Leonard R. Barnes
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote the reports for the U.P.)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Vic Doucette, Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor Broadcasters: Diane Cross, Pam Dickey, Karen McMillion, Peter Vaughn, Roger Hoppe, James Hopper, Patrick Campion, Ron Dewey, Karen Foran, Paula Ervin
Statistics: August 29-September 1, 1997
Note: A fatality accident caused a long backup--up to about 35-miles long--on southbound I-75 on Labor Day. The accident occurred at about 1:40 p.m. in the Birch Run area, when a vehicle driven by James Lee Brodus of Carrolton Township crossed from the northbound lanes to the southbound lanes (having hit a guardrail) and hit a van; three persons--James Lee Brodus and Valerie Lee Bevis and Glen Edward Bevis of Warren--died because of the accident. To clear away the accident, state police had to close the southbound side of the freeway in the area for about four hours and a half, and southbound drivers had long delays well into mid-evening.
Also note: A new construction hotline was set up on the first day of the holiday (Friday, August 29), and people could call 1-800-411-4823. Also, after the Mackinac Bridge walk, staffers at the bridge estimated that 63,000 persons had taken part.Memorial Day 1998 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, and Robert Morosi
Research staff: Arlene Turbin, Dawn Kesterson, Lisa Prewitt, Sue Char, and Eve Soltesz
Field reporters: Adam Claes (who traveled between his home in the Detroit area and a place near the Mackinaw City, using I-75 and going with his wife), and Justin Semion (who was on I-75 in the Toledo area)
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (who wrote all the reports for Upper Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Vic Doucette (who also did a bit of writing), and Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor
Broadcasters: Karen Foran, Ron Dewey, Sondra Faulkner, John Moore, Jim Hopper, Karen McMillion, Sheryl Orndorf, Ed Vetort (who also did a bit of writing for Lower Michigan), Dave Frisco, John Zadikian
Statistics: May 22-25, 1998July 4th, 1998 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, and Robert Morosi
Research staff: Dawn Kesterson, Lisa Prewitt, Sue Char, Eve Soltesz, and Scott Renas [Note: This time, Scott is listed as a true holiday staffer, having worked at least one day; for many years, such as in the 1980s and 1990s, Scott would usually help out for a few hours on the first day of a holiday, but he could not truly be listed as a holiday staffer.]
Field Reporters: Adam Claes (who traveled between his home in the Detroit area and a place near the Mackinaw City, using I-75 and going with his wife), and Justin Semion (who was on I-75 in the Toledo area)
Motorists calling in with at least one report: Joan Scheel
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote all the reports for Upper Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcasters: Victor Doucette (who broadcast and did a little bit of writing for Lower Michigan), and Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor
Broadcasters: Ed Vetort (who also did a bit of writing for Lower Michigan), Marc Cooper, Ron Dewey, Jim Hopper, Kevin McKenna, Lisa Chin, Lisa Farrell, Mark Brown, John Zadikian
Statistics: July 2-5, 1998
Note: A few days before the holiday began, the 100-millionth vehicle (or driver) went over the Mackinac Bridge. That event happened on Thursday, June 25, 1998. The driver was Dan Gilment (of the Alpena/Presque Isle area). The vehicle was a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. The day happened to be his birthday. Dan Gilment received a plaque and baskets with stuff, such as motel and golf freebies, which had been put together by nearby Chambers-of-Commerce staffers. (By the way, Dan Gilment was scheduled to be married in a couple weeks.)Labor Day 1998 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, and Robert Morosi
Research staff: Eve Soltesz, Sue Char, Ginger Peters, Arlene Turbin, Lisa Prewitt
Field Reporters: Adam Claes (who was on I-75 between Detroit and about Mackinaw City), Sonja Semion (who was in the Toledo, Ohio, area), Joan Scheel (who was at the Mackinac Bridge for the annual bridge walk)
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (wrote all the reports for Upper Michigan)
Weekend News Service broadcaster: Victor Doucette (who broadcast and did a little bit of writing for Lower Michigan)
Writer: Ed Vetort (did some writing for Lower Michigan)
Broadcasters: Dave Frisco, John Zadikian, Ron Dewey, Sheryl Orndorf, Karen McMillion, Marc Cooper, Lisa Chin, Jim Hopper, Lisa Farrell, Nick Craig
Statistics: September 4-7, 1998
Note: A big traffic accident took place on Sunday evening (September 6)--after The Holiday News Service had been shut down for the day. One person died and at least 10 other persons were injured in an accident on southbound I-75 near Holly Road in Springfield Township of Oakland County. Because of the accident, which had occurred at about 7:05 p.m., police had to shut down the freeway for several hours.Memorial Day 1999 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, and Robert Morosi
Research staff: Scott Renas, Arlene Turbin, Eve Soltesz, Sue Morosi (who used to be known as Sue Char)
Field reporters: Adam Claes (who was on I-75 between Detroit and about Mackinaw City), and Sonja Semion (who was on freeways in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Joan Scheel
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (who wrote all the reports for Upper Michigan)
Weekend News Service broacasters: Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor, and Dave Frisco
Broadcasters: Susan Krause, Nick Craig, Sonnie Faulkner, John Zadikian, Ron Dewey, Scott Ryan, Wayne Ferris, Jim Hopper
Statistics: Friday, May 28; Sunday, May 30; and Monday, May 31, 1999.
Note: Because of budget cuts, this Memorial Day Holiday was the first Memorial Day Holiday in which AAA Michigan did not operate on a four-straight-days basis.July 4th, 1999 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, and Robert Morosi (who had recently been promoted and had acquired the title of "Broadcast Coordinator" on June 28, 1999)
Research staff: Scott Renas, Ginger Peters, Sue Morosi, Eve Soltesz, Dawn Kesterson, Jay Soltesz,
Field reporters: Adam Claes (who was on I-75 between Detroit and about Mackinaw City), Bill Semion (who was on freeways in southeastern Lower Michigan)
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Bobbie Lee Scheel, Joan Scheel, Sonnie Faulkner, Jim Rink (an employee of AAA Michigan),
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (who wrote all the reports for Upper Michigan)
Weekend News Service broacasters: Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor, and Dave Frisco
Broadcasters: Jim Hopper, Ed Vetort, Susan Krause, Nick Craig, Sonnie Faulkner, John Zadikian, Scott Ryan, Sheryl Orndorf
Statistics: July 2-6, 1999Labor Day 1999 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, and Robert Morosi
Research staff: Sue Morosi, Ginger Peters, Arlene Turbin, Eve Soltesz (who would get married in Spring 2000 and become known as Eve Howell)
Field reporters: Adam Claes (who was on I-75 between Detroit and about Mackinaw City), Sonja Semion (who traveled freeways in southeastern Lower Michigan), Joan Scheel (who was at the Mackinac Bridge for the annual bridge walk)
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Ron Garbinski (editor of "Michigan Living"), Lisa Farrell,
Weekend News Service staffer: Victor Swanson (who wrote all the reports for Upper Michigan)
Weekend News Service broacasters: Dave Frisco
Broadcasters: Susan Krause, Ron Edward (a.k.a. Ron Dawson), Jim Hopper, Ed Vetort, John Zadikian, Nick Craig, Scott Ryan, Sonnie Faulkner,
Statistics: September 3-6, 1999
Note: By the end of the day of the Labor Day, AAA Michigan estimated that about 40,000 persons had taken part on the "walk," while the management at the bridge was reporting that about 60,000 had taken part. One way that AAA Michigan had a number of about 40,000 was that Joan Scheel was one of the last to finish the walk (in early afternoon), and her number was about 36,000. By the way, the first walk of the bridge had taken place on the dedication day--in June 1957, which was not a Labor Day, of course--and 65 persons had taken part in the walk.
Note: On Friday morning September 3, there was a bad accident on Highway 401 a little east of Windsor, in which estimates in newspaper stories noted the following day that at least seven persons had died and 63 vehicles had been smashed. Heavy fog was the main factor for the accident, which took place around 8:15 a.m. The accident affected both the westbound and eastbound lanes, and it was not till Saturday evening that 401 was completely opened again. About 45 persons were injured.Memorial Day 2000 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, Robert Morosi, and John Zadikian
Research staff: Susan Morosi, Arlene Turbin, and Scott Renas
Field reporter (of sorts): Adam Claes (who was on I-75 between Detroit and about Mackinaw City).
AAA Traffic Network staffer: Victor Swanson (who wrote all the reports for Upper Michigan)
AAA Traffic Network staffers (broadcasters): Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor, Nick Craig, Ron Edwards, Jim Hopper, Brian Lankford, Sheryl Orndorf, Adriana C. Krystoff Broadcasters: Niko Petrow, Marie Mardlin, Scott Ryan, and Dave Frisco
Statistics: Friday, May 26, 2000 (about 1:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.); May 27, 2000 (about 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.); May 28, 2000 (about 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.); and May 29, 2000 (about 7:00 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.)
Note: The holiday service took on a new form. Generally speaking, Robert Morosi wrote reports about Lower Michigan from early morning to mid-afternoon, and John Zadikian wrote reports about Lower Michigan from mid-afternoon to the end of the day; the switch in writers occurred at 4:00 p.m. Robert Morosi also did some broadcasting. Susan Morosi, Arlene Turbin, and Scott Renas were the research staff, but they did not do all the researching this holiday; for the first time, broadcasters also did some research calls, such as calling police for traffic information. The only field reporter on the road was Adam Claes, who traveled from his home in the Detroit area to a vacation home in the far, far north of Lower Michigan. Almost all the broadcasters were members of the morning and afternoon shifts of the AAA Traffic Network; only Marie Mardlin was a person specially hired on for the holiday. Mostly, Nick Craig and Brian Lankford worked in the Traffic Control Center. And Debbie Pearson, the unit supervisor, was not in for the entire holiday; she was not in on Saturday.
Also note: On Friday, May 26, in the morning, there was a press conference at the headquarters building, which promoted "Operation C.A.R.E", state police patrols in Michigan, and the AAA Michigan Holiday News Service; actually, police from Indiana, Ohio, Minnesota, and Ontario (Canada) showed up at the event that mostly promoted "Operation C.A.R.E.," and the event was covered by the media, such as by Tom Greenwood (of "The Detroit News"), a writer of "Dearborn Press & Guide," and staffers of WWJ-AM, and WJR-AM; about 100 officers showed up, a couple of whom had arrived by helicopter.July 4th, 2000 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, Robert Morosi, and John Zadikian
Research staff: Susan Morosi, Ginger Peters, and Scott Renas
Field reporter: Sonja Semion (who was on roads in the southeastern quarter of Lower Michigan) and Adam Claes (who, generally speaking, traveled from the Detroit area to the Mackinaw City area on northbound I-75 to get to his summer place)
AAA Traffic Network staffers (broadcasters): Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor, Nick Craig, Sheryl Orndorf, Ron Edwards, Brian Lankford, Adriana C. Krystoff, Broadcasters: Ron Dewey, Scott Ryan, Marie Mardlin, Dave Frisco, and Myndy Colby
Statistics: Friday, June 30, 2000 (about 1:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.); July 3, 2000 (about 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.); and July 4, 2000 (about 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.)
Note: This holiday was sort of like the previous holiday (Memorial Day 2000) in that some broadcasters only worked in the morning or in the afternoon (afternoon/evening). This holiday was different from the previous holiday in that two main writers were used, and they were Robert Morosi and John Zadikian. Each writer wrote one report each hour, and each report covered Lower Michigan and Upper Michigan, and each report only focused on traffic. Very little events or tourism information was broadcast. Some written material had been put together before the holiday started, mostly by Sheryl Orndorf and John Zadikian; some of the material was a "Sun Damage PSA," "Fireworks Safety PSA," "Personal Water Craft Safety Tips," "Towing Trailer Safety Tips," and "Bicycle Riding--Safety Tips"; the material was contained in what were called "BEBA Binders." The usual weekly events release (currently being written by John Zadikian) was given to all the broadcasters so that they might from time to time use copy from it in reports. And no information about the roads in Wisconsin was broadcast.Labor Day 2000 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, Robert Morosi, and John Zadikian
Research staff: Sue Morosi, Ginger Peters, and Arlene Turbin
Field reporters: None.
AAA Traffic Network staffers (broadcasters): Nick Craig, Sheryl Orndorf, Ron Edwards, Brian Lankford, Adriana C. Krystoff, Jim Hopper Broadcasters: Ron Dewey, Scott Ryan, Marie Mardlin, Myndy Colby, Darren Proctor, and Vicki Desautel
Travelers calling in with at least one report (who could be called "Traffic Tipsters"): Lisa (and it is unknown for this report who Lisa was and what her full name was), and Debbie Pearson (who was given a "Marine Traffic Tipster" credit for the 9:45 p.m. report on September 4, 2000, about the boat traffic on the Detroit River)
Statistics: Friday, September 1, 2000 (about 1:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.); Saturday, September 2, 2000 (about 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.); Sunday, September 3, 2000 (about 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), and Monday, September 4, 2000 (about 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.).
Note: Again this holiday, some people only worked part of the holiday, such as only in the mornings or only in the afternoons. Three writers were used--John Zadikian, Nick Craig, and Brian Lankford (who also did broadcasting); these writers only put together reports with traffic information. Only one report, covering Lower Michigan and Upper Michigan, was written for each hour. Robert Morosi worked as only a broadcaster this holiday; several weeks before, he had broken bones in his left forearm/wrist, and he was yet wearing a cast. This holiday, Debbie Pearson returned to the idea of having clerical workers of the company to do research calls (which were only traffic calls, basically). Again this holiday, broadcasters were given "BEBA Binders," each having some pre-written material, such as "Hiking Trails Statewide," "Michigan Ferries/Cruises/Paddle Boats," "Things to do in Michigan Statewide," "Biking Trails Statewide," "Michigan Lighthouses," "Upper Peninsula Points of Interest--Weekend/Overnight," "AAA Michigan Broadcasting Fireworks Safety PSA," "Towing Trailer Safety Tips," "Bicycle Riding--Safety Tips," and "Personal Water Craft Safety Tips"; there were approved "BEBA safety tags, of course. Those who did duty in the "Command Center" were Nick Craig, Sheryl Orndorf, and Brian Lankford.Memorial Day 2001 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, John Zadikian, Sheryl Orndorf, Jim Hopper, and Nick Craig (the last four of whom were considered broadcasters, too)
Research staff: Susan Morosi, Arlene Turbin, Ginger Peters, Scott Renas, and Eve Howell
Field reporters: None.
AAA Traffic Network staffers (broadcasters): Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor, Heather Bopra, Tim Cook, Monica Ingles, Therese Comor, and Ron Dewey, Broadcasters: Craig Schuler, Chuck Myers, Marie Mardlin, Martin Butler, Gail Conway,
Statistics: Friday, May 25, 2001 (about 1:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.); May 26, 2001 (about 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.); May 27, 2001 (about 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.); and May 28, 2001 (about 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.)
Note: Those who did writing were John Zadikian, Jim Hopper, and Sheryl Orndorf, and Nick Craig, Sheryl Orndorf, Jim Hopper, and John Zadikian did some broadcasting, and those who also did duty in the Command Center were Jim Hopper and Nick Craig. The writers on duty during the holiday only wrote reports about traffic. Extra copy was furnished to the broadcasters through "BEBA Binders"; each binder had releases or pages of copy under various headings (which did not quite match the names on the releases or whatever), and the sections were, roughly, "Bed & Breakfast," "Biking," "Construction," "Fishing," "Gas Prices," "Golfing," "Hiking," "Lighthouse," "Things to do" (which had copy about day trips and about things to do, such as scuba diving, horseback riding, and bird watching), "Travel & Pets," "UP Points of Interest," "Weekend Events," "PSA tags" (such as about grill safety and canoeing safety), "Tags" (which were safety tags), and "Pronunciation"; sections for "Canoeing" and "Zoos" were available, but the sections were empty.July 4th, 2001 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, John Zadikian, Sheryl Orndorf, Jim Hopper, and Nick Craig (the last four of whom were also considered broadcasters)
Research staff: Eve Howell, and Matt Lefevre
Field reporters: None.
AAA Traffic Network staffers (broadcasters): Jo-Jo Shutty-MacGregor, Therese Comor, Monica Ingles, Jessica Thomas, Charles Myers, Martin Butler, Tim Cook, Heather Bopra, and Nicole Miracle
Broadcasters: Scott Ryan, and Craig Schular
Statistics: Tuesday, July 3, 2001 (about 2:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) and Wednesday, July 4, 2001 (about 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.).
Note: The writers were John Zadikian, Sheryl Orndorf, Nick Craig, and Jim Hopper, and Jim Hopper, Sheryl Orndorf, and John Zadikian did duty at the console of the Traffic Control Center. The reports focused on traffic, and one report was written for each hour. Again this holiday, "BEBA Binders," having pre-written material, were given to the broadcasters to use.Labor Day 2001 --
Staff: Debbie Pearson, John Zadikian, Sheryl Orndorf, Jim Hopper, and Nick Craig (the last four of whom were also considered broadcasters)
Research staff: Eve Howell, Sue Morosi, Ginger Peters, and Arlene Turbin,
Field reporters: None.
AAA Traffic Network staffers (broadcasters): Therese Comor, Monica Ingles, Charles Myers, Martin Butler, Tim Cook, Heather Bopra, Nicole Miracle, Scott Ryan, Craig Schular,
Broadcasters: Dave Frisco, Gayle Conroy,
Statistics: Friday, August 31, 2001 (about 1:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.), Saturday, September 1, 2001 (about 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), and Monday, September 3, 2001 (about 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.).
Note: The writers were John Zadikian, Sheryl Orndorf, and Jim Hopper, and, once again, the crew members were given "BEBA Binders."
And note: This was the final Holiday News Service.* * *
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