Fraser Recreation Commission elects officers, previews summer events and senior programs

The Fraser Recreation Commission elected Commissioner Pepcic as chair and Chris Cook as vice chair at its June 3 meeting and reviewed a slate of summer events, volunteer projects and senior programs that organizers say will begin in June and continue through August. The meeting was held at Fraser City Hall and adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

The nominations occurred under the commission’s bylaws: "the Recreation Commission is supposed to elect their officers in the month of June each year under article 4 section 1," the presiding chair said during the meeting. Commissioner Pepcic accepted the nomination for chair; Chris Cook accepted the nomination for vice chair; Echo Hunt accepted the nomination to serve as secretary. The commission deemed the nominees to their offices after no other nominations were offered.

The commission approved routine business before the elections. A motion to excuse Commissioners Rustelli, Walker and Rice was moved by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Hunter and carried. The agenda for June 3 and minutes of the April 1, 2025 meeting were approved by voice vote with motions recorded in the meeting minutes.

Recreation staff and volunteer groups detailed the summer schedule and community activities. Chris, recreation department staff, summarized recent and upcoming events and attendance: "We had roughly 50 people come to that event," referring to the "Let’s Go Fly a Kite" program held in May. He also reviewed the vendor show scheduled for Saturday, June 7, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., saying the event had roughly 25 vendors signed up so far and would include food trucks, face painters and a DJ for the four-hour event. Each vendor will be assigned a 12-by-12 space.

Vienna Apps, president of the Fraser First Booster Club, briefed the commission on that group’s activities and fundraising. "We are going to have our our annual weeds and wine on June 10," she said, and noted volunteer projects including raised-bed gardening and a planned (postponed) bike parade at McKinley Berry Free Park. Apps also said the Booster Club plans a raffle at the city carnival in August.

Commissioner Echo Hunt reported that the Fraser Beautification Club received a mini grant from the BCSCM for $750 to convert a wedge of public space into a native pollinator garden. Hunt said the group plans a ticketed event July 17 called "Toodles Tour 25" at Miss Mary’s Garden, 34824 Garfield Road, Fraser; tickets are listed at $12, and the club will run a craft activity and continue regular plantings and mulching projects.

Senior programming drew detailed updates. Staff described a Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) trip that was canceled and then restored when a bus became available, a sellout Tigers outing for 13 seniors plus the bus driver, and a senior summer festival set for Friday, June 6 from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The summer festival is limited to 50 people; the commission rented a 20-by-30 tent and contracted Famous Dave’s to provide a meal; staff said members paid a subsidized fee. A Detroit Zoo trip on Tuesday, June 17 was listed as “half full” at the time of the meeting; the bus was scheduled to depart at 10:15 a.m. and return at 2:30 p.m.

Public participation included a request from Apps for children’s book donations to restock the city’s little free libraries and an update on a community fundraising program that uses "fairy and troll doors" and local business gift-card donations. Apps said volunteers and local businesses repaired and supported damaged little-library boxes at McKinley and Fort Fraser parks.

Commission members also raised other community items: plans for a city garage tour June 20–22, a child safety day hosted by the fire department on June 7 (2–5 p.m.), and discussion of a possible community or senior garden on the senior center’s exterior wall for 2026. Commissioner Cook said she would follow up with senior-activity-center staff to develop flyers and volunteer sign-ups; staff provided the senior center email address for coordination.

Formal business closed with a motion to adjourn at 7:50 p.m., moved by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Hunter, and approved by voice vote. The commission indicated newly elected officers will assume duties starting in July and that many of the volunteer-driven events and vendor shows will return in subsequent months.

The commission’s next regular meeting will follow its usual July schedule; staff asked volunteers and vendors to monitor the commission’s social media and the city website for updated event locations and vendor maps.