BESSEMER BOOSTER AND ALUMNI GIFT

AT A JAN. 30 varsity game of the Speedgirls and Speedboys at A.D. Johnston Junior and Senior High School in Bessemer, "Bring One Home" author Tom Pelissero of Erwin Township presents $500 checks to both the Bessemer Booster Club and the Bessemer Friends and Alumni Association. The Booster check was in honor of the Speedboy basketball players and cheerleaders who were part of a Jan. 21,1966, win addressed by Pelissero in his book. The Alumni Association check was in recognition of Carl Gregas, the 1966 basketball coach and a teacher during that time. Accepting the checks were Mike Partanen and Deanna Harju, for the Boosters, and Tracy Rowe, for the Alumni Association. From left are Partanen; Harju; Jim Milakovich, a basketball player on the 1965-66 team; Pelissero; and Rowe. The Speedboys' 1966 win broke what was regarded as an epic losing streak. Pelissero's book, which recently won a bronze medal from the North American Book Awards, highlights the game, as well as the character of the city during that time. On Jan. 30, the Bessemer players were competing against the Gladiators of the Ontonagon Area School District.