Alpenfest Grand Parade
Interactive Program

The Ralph Holewinski VFW Post 1518, Led by Commander Scott Starks.
The Post stays active with the community, always looking for new ways to help, and new members to join. They meet the third Thursday of the month, 6pm at the Landing Zone. Stop in to see if you qualify, or chat with one of our members today! As always, the Post is joined by their Auxiliary, who are always by their side, led by President Maria Moore.

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You will see multiple local and state public safety organizations represented throughout the parade and along the parade route. Thank you to our public safety personnel for being there to serve our community. This week would not have happened without them!

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Gaylord has been Brian’s home and place of work for his entire life. He graduated from Gaylord High School, attended Central Michigan University, and upon graduation began his teaching career at Vanderbilt Area Schools. Gaylord Community Schools hired him as a counselor in 1990, and thirty-six years later, he retired as superintendent.

Brian’s love for Alpenfest was fostered by his parents, Jan and Bill, who made the annual festival part of their family tradition. Brian carried on this tradition with his wife, Lori, and their two sons, Cameron and Austin. Over the years, Brian’s family has grown to include two daughters-in-law, Bailey and Gabby, and three grandchildren — Mack, Hayes, and Brooks — with whom he now shares this special experience.

Brian is honored to serve as this year’s Parade Marshal and is thankful for this community and the talented, caring people of Gaylord who have made his life here both enjoyable and rewarding.

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Iola Radtke and Marty Krusniak are playing on the Alpenhorns. These are traditional Swiss instruments consisting of a long tube and a small mouthpiece. There are no valves, and all notes are hit through changing the speed of air.

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Dana Bensinger was born and raised in Oscoda, Michigan, as the oldest of five children. Growing up in a close-knit family helped shape her strong sense of community, service, and leadership from an early age. She attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids, where she earned both a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology and a Master's Degree in Management. Following graduation, Dana spent 12 years working in the admissions office at Aquinas, helping countless high school students navigate their path toward higher education and future opportunities.

In 2006, Dana and her husband, Brad, a Gaylord native, chose to make Gaylord their home. Since 2011, she has served as the Executive Director of the Otsego Community Foundation, dedicating more than a decade to strengthening the community she loves. Through times of growth, challenge, and change, Dana has been a steady advocate for local organizations, community initiatives, and the people who call Otsego County home.
Above all, Dana is devoted to her family. Together, she and Brad are raising their four children—Ty (20), Jaron (18), Joey (18), and Josie (16). Whether supporting community projects, mentoring others, or cheering on her children, Dana brings the same compassion, dedication, and heart to everything she does.

Her commitment to serving others and her belief in the power of community continue to make a lasting impact throughout the Gaylord area.

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Bob has been part of the heart and history of Gaylord for more than 80 years. He moved to Gaylord in 1945 with his parents, Leo and Minnie Schlang, who opened the Bavarian Restaurant and helped introduce an authentic Bavarian spirit that became closely connected to Gaylord’s identity.

Bob continued the Schlang family’s deep commitment to the community through a lifetime of service and involvement. He served on the Gaylord school board and was active in many local boards and organizations, always looking for ways to help make Gaylord a better place.

He was also a founding member of Alpenfest and served as one of its early chairmen. Bob played an important role in shaping the festival’s early years, especially by helping bring quality entertainment to downtown Gaylord. Through Schlang’s beer tent, he brought in some of the best entertainment available, creating a lively and memorable gathering place that became part of the Alpenfest experience for residents and visitors alike.

Bob has been married to Ruth for over 44 years, and together they have continued to be part of the community story the Schlang family helped shape. Through hospitality, leadership, entertainment, and service, Bob Schlang has left a lasting mark on Gaylord and on the Alpenfest tradition.

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Anthony “Tony” Bernadyn, or “A.J.”, is a beloved figure in Gaylord, instantly recognized for his bright neon clothing and cheerful rides on his three-wheeled bike. A lifelong volunteer who never waits for an invitation, Tony tackles any task – big or small – whether cleaning up his apartment complex or the Elk Park area, greeting at church, or lending a hand anywhere help is needed.

For more than 20 years, he’s been a cherished fixture at Alpenfest, pitching in wherever needed and greeting visitors with his warm smile while eagerly sharing his favorite events, foods, and activities. Asked what he likes best about Alpenfest, Tony answered without hesitation, “ALL of it!”

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Kirk Miller is proud to call Gaylord home and feels incredibly grateful to be part of such a supportive and close-knit community. For the past nine years, he has worked for WM (Waste Management), where he enjoys serving the people and businesses that make Northern Michigan such a special place. He believes in showing up for others, working hard, and giving back whenever possible. Outside of work, his greatest joy is his family, and he is deeply thankful for the friendships, connections, and sense of community that Gaylord has brought into their lives. Receiving the Edelweiss Award is truly humbling, and he is honored to be recognized by a community he cares so deeply about.

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Jerome is the owner of 7-eleven in Gaylord. He and his wife, Cyndie, live in Lewiston and are parents of two daughters, Shannon and RaeAnn. While their girls were growing up, Jerome was an involved father who rarely missed a game, activity or special event.

Over the past 20 years as owner of the Gaylord 7-Eleven. Jerome has truly embodied a community orientated spirit. He has generously supported local athletics, school events and many other “Gaylord Happenings” including the annual Alpenfest. At 7-Eleven, Jerome as many customers who have become ‘regulars’. As they stop in, they will joke around with Jerome, chit-chat, or share personal updates, often following him into the coolers to continue talking! Jerome’s relationships with his customers go beyond the four walls of his store. He has helped his customers move, cleared down trees from yards and even driven customers to doctors appointments or the airport when needed. Over the years, he has attended customers’ children’s sporting events, school plays and graduation open houses.

Jerome’s kindess and friendships throughout the community are easy to see. Whether he is running errands with his family or going out to eat in Gaylord he is constantly stopping to wave, visit, and catch up with people he knows. Anyone who has walked the Alpenstrasse with Jerome during Alpenfest quickly realizes why he is considered “a great friend to Alpenfest”, as voices everywhere call out, “Hey Jerome!” or “Hey 7-eleven Man!” He is a great friend to many in the Gaylord community, whom he considers family.

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Each of these fine black jacket clad individuals have served as Parade Marshall in a past Alpenfest and love to continue participating year after year!

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Past Buergermeisters the former honorary mayors for the week of Alpenfest. There sure is a lot of VIPs on that float.

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Please help us congratulate our newly crowned Alpenfest Royalty (fill in names and roles once they’re awarded) these spectacular young women will be proudly representing Alpenfest and the Gaylord area for the next year all over Michigan at various festivals, parades, and community service events.

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The Gaylord High School Marching Band is represented by these students who love to make music and serve their community! They have shown the Alpine Tradition all over Northern Michigan by being recognized for their musical abilities, service, hard work, hospitality, and kindness by our community, other student musicians, clinicians, neighboring band directors, and audiences. Gaylord Bands strive to be better today than yesterday, and better tomorrow than today!

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Please welcome the Gaylord High School Cheerleaders! These dedicated athletes proudly represent Gaylord with pride, sportsmanship, and school spirit. Led by Coach Kelly Thompson and Kaydee Borkowski, the Blue Devils are ready for another exciting season. Let’s hear it for GHS Cheer!

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Kirtland Community College-Gaylord delivers dynamic, hands-on trades education in the heart of Northern Michigan. With cutting-edge programs in Electrical, HVACR, Welding and Fabrication, and Industrial Technology students master in-demand skills. With state-of-the-art equipment and expert, industry-seasoned instructors, Kirtland Gaylord shapes the region’s future workforce—giving graduates a real edge as they launch rewarding trades careers.

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We are good as our anchors will know what to say about us.

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Tommys Express is driven by enriching lives, adding value and serving communities all around the world. We are your car wash experts striving to provide you with a clean, shiny and dry car with locations worldwide.

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Gaylord Community High School and Middle School robotics Teams. The Devilbots and the Titanium Tridents.

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Eagle 101.5 is Gaylord’s radio station.

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2025 Otsego county fair queen Emerson DeWeerd and 2025 Otsego county fair princess Katelynn Greenman

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Family Plumbing and Heating is family owned by Kevin Westcott and has proudly served the gaylord area since 1995. They are sponsoring today's appearance of the Grand Traverse Pipes and Drums.

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Founded in 1974, the Grand Traverse Pipes & Drums have entertained crowds throughout Michigan. The haunting sound of the pipes, the crisp thunder of the drums, and the flash of the kilts are an unmistakable delight to the eyes, as well as the ears. Currently led by pipe major Peter Deneen and drum sergeant Tim Sleeman, the band has taken numerous prizes, including the Midwest Pipe Band Association’s Champions Supreme in 2017, 2022, 2023, and 2025.

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Here's a more polished and parade-friendly version:

**Unearth a Story** with the Otsego County Library! This year's Summer Reading Program is a prehistoric adventure featuring everyone's favorite dinosaurs. Be sure to wave hello to our friendly neighborhood dinosaurs, then stop by the library to register for Summer Reading. Join the fun, discover great books, earn prizes, and dig into a summer full of adventure!

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This wagon was donated to the Otsego County museum and was rebuilt by the Nutt Family for use in the parade

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Blondie's Sweet Spot, 125 N otsego ave serving all your favorite ice cream Sweet treats

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Creative edge making decals goodies shirts and more. Small buisness located out of Mancelona

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WM of Northern Michigan proudly serving Otsego County and beyond. Visit WM.com to see how we can serve you.

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The Bavarian Festival Princess, Emma Browning, accompanied by her court, Louella Grablick and Danika Schmitzer. They invite you to join them in June of 2027 Bavarian Festival in Frankenmuth.

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Ring in the spirit of giving! The Salvation Army Red Kettle helps bring hope, help, and heart to those who need it most. The Salvation Army Gaylord Service Center provides emergency assistance services to individuals and families here in Otsego County. Your local donations helps to provide clothing and household goods, food, homeless prevention, transportation, and utility assistance to our residents. Their mission is to preach to gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

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2026 Miss Elk Rapids, Kelly Minidis is thrilled to be part of your parade today.
She is joined by her court: Miss Teen Elisa McCool Miss Pre-Teen Natalie Alexander, Young Miss Evelyn Alexander, & Little Miss Haizlee Mogford
They invite you to Elk Rapids Harbor Days August 5-8

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All in one mobile detailing will come to you to clean vehicles power sports or boats! All in one thanks Otsego county residents for the continued support!

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This 1936 Chevy Stake Rack Antique Truck is a replica of a truck used by Hendrick and Fred Meijer to transport groceries to their first store in Greenville, Michigan. Meijer is a family-owned retailer founded in 1934, and the pioneer of the “one-stop shopping” concept.

Meijer is a privately owned, family-operated retailer that serves customers at more than 500 supercenters, grocery stores, neighborhood markets, and express locations throughout the Midwest. As the pioneer of the one-stop shopping concept, more than 71,000 Meijer team members work hard to deliver a friendly, seamless in-store and online shopping experience featuring an assortment of fresh foods, high-quality apparel, household essentials, and health and wellness products and services. Meijer is consistently recognized as a Great Place to Work and annually donates at least 6 percent of its profit to strengthen its communities. Additional information on the company can be found by visiting newsroom.meijer.com. 

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Meijer has been in Michigan for 92 years. Helping the community they are in and surrounding communities. Meijer has 279+ stores and growing in 7 states.

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Little Guys Trash Co. is locally owned and operated by local Gaylord high graduates. They provide residential and commercial waste solutions to the Gaylord Area.

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Please welcome the North Central Academy 80’s Rock Band! These rock stars are teachers, administrators, and staff from North Central Academy in Mancelona—a tuition-free public school known for its small class sizes, individualized instruction, and commitment to developing the whole student. North Central Academy is helping students become not only great learners, but great humans! Riding on the float today are the principal, math teacher, art teacher, building substitute, custodian, and the one and only Grandma Crystal. They’re here to prove that education rocks and to keep on Rockin’ Our Students’ Education! Contact them for a tour!

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The Gaylord Area Elk Lodge #2544 is celebrating their 50th anniversary. They were chartered March 1976 by the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elk of the United States of America. The Gaylord Area Elk Lodge #2544 does lots to serve the community behind the scenes. They support our veterans. On the first Thursday of every month, all veterans are welcome to come and enjoy a FREE dinner at the lodge. The Gaylord Elks do many other activities. Major Project and Gold Key are two programs designed for the impaired and special needs children and young adults. Providing scholarships for education and equipment to help with their disabilities. "Hoop Shoot" is a basketball free throw program, to encourage our youth to practice and succeed. Walking along the parade route with the float is ELROY the Drug Awareness Program mascot. Passing out Drug awareness swag to encourage our youth and community to live a drug free life.

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From Presque Isle, this is what we do in our seniors years. Happy together, just taking it easy. Noble, Teri, and their son, Mike Morris.

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Legacy Roofing & Construction, a locally owned family business serving Northern Michigan. From homes and cabins to barns and businesses, they’re proud to help keep our communities covered through every season.

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Daisy Girl Scout Troop 9551

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Alpine Peak Gymnastics

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Gaylord youth hockey, supporting from ages 4yrs to seniors in high school.

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Jorja Ann Boulter is the 2026 Michigan Quarter Horse Association Princess.

Jorja is a student at Gaylord Middle School. She and her horse Ryder compete at American Quarter Horse Association Shows in Michigan Ohio and Indiana.

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Great Lakes Energy and Truestream!
Big things are happening at Great Lakes Energy! They power our community with reliable electricity and deliver lightning fast, life-
changing Truestream fiber internet to more than 30,000 connected members - and growing.
From reliable electricity to blazing-fast Truestream internet, we're here for you. Thank you, from Great Lakes Energy and Truestream!

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From Friendship Church, we have members of the youth group and the boys and girls clubs. They are walking today to remind everyone that Jesus loves YOU! When you put your trust in Christ alone, you recieve the gift of salvation: forgiveness of sins and a promise of eternal life. Come visit Friendship Church of Gaylord on North Ohio. Services are Sundays at 10 AM.

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Please welcome Miss Bellaire 2026 Brooklynn Stevens and her court, Morgan Reh, Shaelyn Shumaker and Amelia Maza. They would like to invite you to join them at the 39th Annual Rubber Ducky Festival the third weekend in August in Bellaire. Bellaire is Fresh Air.

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The Knights of Columbus 4th Degree or Patriotic Degree is known as the visible arm of the Order, appearing in church events, holidays, ceremonial events, funerals and parades. Known by the title of Sir Knights, they are religiously devoted and patriotically proud!

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Kiersten's Ride wants you to know that YOU MATTER!
Annual Event August 15th. Ride your Horse, Bike, ORV or walk! you can Participate or Sponsor.
Together, we can make a difference!

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The tradition of gathering around the table reaches around the world. We prepare. We plant. We nurture. We harvest. We share. The Otsego County Food Pantry believes that feeding people builds community. We are thankful for all who support that effort. Let's end hunger together!

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Avery Wohlfiel is Zonta's Young Woman in Leadership Winner. This Gaylord High Graduate plans to earn her Masters in Education. Ashtin Troll, an incoming Gaylord High Freshmen, sailed lake Michigan for three days on the Inland Seas Schooner because of Zonta & AAUW's Scholarship.

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Luke Miller is in the running for a nationwide scholarship. Luke graduated with a 4.5 grade point average.( Summa Cum Laude) From our own Gaylord High. He will be attending Michigan Teck in the fall, in engineering. Luke created a DUCK TAPE suit to become a finalist. Now he needs your vote TO WIN! Scan the QR code and VOTE for LUKE!!!

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Miss Mancelona Bella Deisenworth and court

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Anywhere ice Cream Truck bringing sweets to the streets ,owned by Ashley and Natalie, based out of Traverse City and traveling all the way to Gaylord to bring the nostalgic feeling and memories that the Ice Cream Truck has brought for decades. Give them a call for all your sweet tooth needs!

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This entry is from The Refuge in Otsego County, our local homeless program.

They want you to know that everyone needs a real home!

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Living Word FM is Gospel Centered Radio on 88.1 FM and online at livingwordfm.com. Playing encouraging gospel music and teaching programs that will strengthen your life, Living Word FM has been on the air since March of 2000 and loves serving as an outlet for the Gaylord community to broadcast and promote their special event, fundraiser, or public service announcement.

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State Representative. Representing all of Otsego, Crawford, Roscommon, and Missaukee countries as well as parts of Kalkaska, Antrim, and Oscoda counties.

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Life-Changing Radio, The Promise FM...Broadcasting with 5 full-power radio signals, to "see lives changed, families strengthened, and communities impacted for Jesus Christ, in Northern Michigan and Ontario!" We invite you to join us every weekday morning from 6-10, for "The Morning Perk, with Sarah and Hutch" - getting your day going with a little bit of coffee, and a whole lotta Jesus!

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Here comes Snethkamp CDJR! We're honored to be part of today's parade and proud to serve our community. Thank you for your support, and we hope you and your family have a fun and safe celebration!

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The zombie outbreak response vehicle, is a heavily modified, post apocalyptic survival vehicle featuring zombie defense features like bar-covered windows, a protected squirt gun turret, and bubble cannon!

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August 20th at Ogemaw county fair crazy trailer races

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Welcome Otsego County 4-H! These youth are representing one of Michigan's largest and oldest youth programs, where members learn leadership, gardening, livestock, arts, and community service. Through hands-on projects, 4-H helps young people build confidence, skills, and a love of learning while making a difference in their communities.

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Founded in 1995 by Al and Sandy Glasby and Sandy Gartleman, this year marks GCP's 31st year! Every person who has ever been part of GCP is a volunteer, and our love of theatre brings us together year after year. Join us August 5-9 as we present Anastasia, a show that brings together the onstage and backstage talents of over 80 people from around northern Michigan.

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Proudly serving the Gaylord area for over 62 years, Spartan Septic & Sewer has built a reputation for dependable, professional septic services. Now under new ownership, we're committed to carrying on the trusted tradition while providing exceptional customer service.

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Twice Trendy Tots
Second hand kids store, from infant to your teens
Where kids never outgrow looking good!!

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We will need to email our new cherry queen bio after July 11th once we know who it is :) Let me know if you have questions. Thanks!

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Car and trailer rentals

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The Petoskey Steel Drum Band brings a unique sound to events all over Michigan. This group of about 40 students performs a blend of Caribbean steel drum music with contemporary tunes. The combination of exciting rhythms and vocals captivates audiences and creates a refreshing experience for everyone! They can be found performing all over Northern Michigan and as far away as New Orleans during Mardi Gras and Chicago for the Festival of Lights Parade in November!

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Northern Veterinary Services offering veterinary care to farms of Gaylord and Northern Michigan since 2012.

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LOCAL TOWING COMPANY

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