In every successful community, there are people who work hard and volunteer harder. These are the movers and shakers who work their day jobs, and then go on to serve on boards or committees, secure grants, mentor our youth, or quietly place flags where our war heroes have been laid to rest. They build on our shared foundation and continue to enhance our community. Several more will publish randomly. Send us the names of the faces you'd like to see here.

JACK McKAIG - (1943-2018) John (Jack) McKaig was an attorney and ran his business in downtown Mancelona. Jack served in various capacities with the Mancelona Chamber of Commerce as President, Vice President, and Board member, and as a Mancelona Public Schools Board Member. In 1977, along with Gus Knopnicki, Jack founded the White Pine Stampede, a point-to-point Cross Country ski race. The race course changed through the years, and now begins at Mancelona High School and ends at Shanty Creek Resort’s Schuss Village in Mancelona, and Summit Village in Bellaire. The WPS drew national media coverage and hundreds of skiers from around the country and abroad. Volunteers from Mancelona and Bellaire communities worked the race alongside Jack each year. Jack served as the Race Director for 42 years, until his passing. The White Pine Stampede continues today, and his wife, Beth, is still actively involved.