A number of seniors enjoyed a free boating/fishing trip off of Auger’s Resort on Lake Shamineau July 20. Pictured above, in a pontoon donated by Coast True Value in Staples, are (from left) Jeff Halvorson, conservation officer; Lois Bense, Harmony House resident; Lil Rychner, Harmony House Sr. Coordinator; Mary Stemple and Adele Sprengeler, Harmony House residents; Wayne Barros, Motley Utilities Supervisor; Carolyn Lohman, Harmony House Activities Director; and Motley Police Chief Brian Madison. Another pontoon was used that day as well, complements of Auger’s Resort. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) Twenty-three seniors from the Motley area enjoyed a free boating/fishing adventure on Lake Shamineau July 21, complements of Auger’s Resort, Coast True Value in Staples; and the generosity of Motley Police Chief Brian Madison and Motley Utilities Supervisor Wayne Barros.

“We couldn’t have asked for better weather,” said Chief Madison, who helped organize the outing, along with Barros.

Mary Stemple, 100-year-old resident at Harmony House in Motley, enjoyed a recent boating/fishing trip on Lake Shamineau (along with other seniors from the Motley area). Pictured above, Mary reels in a nice sunny, with the help of Carolyn Lohman, Activities Director at Harmony House. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) Sunshine, blue skies and peaceful water described the setting on Lake Shamineau that day. A few loons could be seen floating not far from the pontoon boats, their occasional cries sounding out across the lake.

It was a trip that brought back a lot of memories for folks who hadn’t been out on the water for years; and for others, it was a day of a few ‘firsts.’

At 80-something-years old, Margaret Beseman, a resident of Harmony House in Motley, said it was the first time she had ever picked up a rod and reel.

Adele Sprengeler, resident of Harmony House in Motley, caught a couple of nice fish during a senior outing on Lake Shamineau. Pictured with Adele is conservation officer Jeff Halvorson, who volunteered his services for the event. (Staples World photo by Dawn Timbs) “I guess you’re never too old to learn how to fish,” Margaret laughed, posing for a photo with her very first catch - a respectable sunny, which she was slightly anxious to throw back into the water.,

“He’s so small...I don’t think we should keep him,” she said, soliciting the support of Conservation Officer Jeff Halvorson (and driver of one of the pontoons), who helped her free the sunny from the hook.

For Mary Stemple, 100 years young, the sound of the waves brought back memories of her childhood in Scotland.

“I was 19 years old when we traveled by boat all the

way from Glascow to New York,” Mary reminisced. “I loved the water; and my

Andrew loved to fish,” she added, in reference to her late husband.

She got some help putting bait on her line during the recent excursion, but for the most part, Mary enjoyed manning the fishing pole herself; and she reeled in at least two fish during the afternoon.

As she chatted with Activities Director Carolyn Lohman, from Harmony House, Mary mentioned that she couldn’t remember if she had actually fished in the past.

Mostly, she remembers cooking for all of the men and family friends who came to fish at the family cottage on Lake Michigan, Mary recalled.

“But that was a long time ago,” she added.

Although a few people sat in wheelchairs on the pontoon; and underneath the straw hats, their hair was mostly white or gray, for at least an hour that July afternoon, they were kids again.

“I got such a kick out of seeing these elderly people go from the age of 80-plus right back to their 20’s,” Chief Madison said. “Everyone really had a great time.”

Madison said the idea to host a fishing trip for seniors was inspired by long-time Motley resident Dolores Morey.

The wife of the late Edward Morey, founder of Morey’s Fish in Motley, fishing had been a major part of Dolores’s life for many years.

“She used to go fishing all over the world, it was a really big deal to her,” Madison said.

The police chief said he had stopped by to see Dolores one day on a welfare check.

“We got to talking about fishing and I asked her, ‘If there was a way for you to go fishing again, would you go?’” Madison said.

Of course she would, was Dolores’s enthusiastic response.

Madison shared this encounter with Barros and the two got to thinking about it. “Hey, why don’t we bring all of the seniors out fishing?” the police chief said. “A way to show our appreciation to them for all they’ve done over the years.”

Other people in the area thought it was a good idea as well. Auger’s Resort opened up their dock for the afternoon and donated the use of a pontoon. Dave and Carolyn Lester (Coast True Value in Staples) loaned another pontoon. Jeff Halvorson was happy to donate his time.

Madison and Barros donated their time too, as well as fishing poles and lifejackets. They also picked up miscellaneous expenses such as drinking water and bait.

“It was all worth it,” Madison said.

Unfortunately, Dolores (the inspiration for the event) was not feeling well enough to take part in the fishing excursion, Madison said. “I know she’d be here if she could.”

Because of her, however, a number of seniors enjoyed an afternoon out on Lake Shamineau.

“It was a great day,” Madison said. “I hope we can do it again next summer.”