Christine Belusar named Nautical City Queen
A night of pageantry and entertainment led to the crowning of a new Miss Rogers City Friday. Christine Belusar earned the title of Miss Rogers City, 2003, with a fine overall performance. She shared the talent award with Kari Rhode and Katie Krueger and shared the coordination award with Krueger. Christine won the evening gown award. Christine, daughter of David and Carol Belusar, impressed the judges with her wonderful rendition of the country love song ?Valentine,? made popular by Martina McBride.
Krueger was first runner-up, and Heather LaLonde earned the title of second runner-up. Katie Krueger, daughter of Eugene and Barbara Krueger, gave a narration and stirring vocal rendition of ?Castle in the Clouds.? LaLonde, daughter of Ed and Bev LaLonde, sang the recent country hit ?XXX?s and OOO?s.?
THE CONTESTANTS lit up the stage with a variety of talent presentations. Megan Marx, daughter of Michael and Alison Marx, sang ?The Prayer,? made popular by Charlotte Church. Melissa Fuhrman, daughter of Sue Furhman and Rhiney Schleben, danced and lip synched to the lively song ?Havin? a Hunch.?
Kari Rhode, daughter of Dennis and Susan Rhode, played Disney?s ?Part of Your World? on her clarinet. Miranda Bredow, daughter of Mary Krage and Jeff Bredow, sang a the spunky country tune ?Let ?Er Rip.?
THE NEW Miss Rogers City won $800 in scholarship money, the first runner-up earned $450, and the second runner-up earned $100. Each contestant was showed with a variety of gifts and certificates donated by area merchants. Pageant director Pennie Kelly led a team of volunteers, which included co-director Jean Mayes, sound engineer Mike Klann. Erin Fleming and Marsha Schulwitz served as assistants to the director. Art Ross kept the event going with his skill as master of ceremonies.
The contestants were introduced in a photo presentation by Richard Lamb, who served as portrait photographer for the pageant.
Alison Schuiteman, Miss Rogers City, 2002, choreographed the opening number, done to the Madonna song ?Die Another Day
The lighting crew consisted of Jennifer Fleming, Jared Fleming, and Zach Karsten. Jean Mayes and Sammi Kelly anchored the stage crew while Cathy Matthews served as ticket chair. Hair stylists Milissa Bannon, Julie Smolinski, and Kim Farmer prepared the contestants for the stage. Dressing room assistants were Bernice Kelly, Charity Lewis, Amanda Schulwitz, and Paige Hopp. The judges were Kim Smillie of Onaway, William Speer of Alpena, and Jane Modrzynski of Alpena.
Danielle Farmer, last year?s co-winner of the talent award, sang for the audience as the judges were making their final decision. The Nautical City Queen?s Pageant is the first event of the Nautical City Festival, which continues through August 3 in Rogers City.