TO: All Upper Peninsula American Legion Posts, American Legion Auxiliary Units and S.A.L Squadrons
FROM: John M. Mella, Past State Commander, Post 50, Iron Mountain
SUBJECT: Transportation for 2023 Boys State and Girls State Attendees
I have again contracted a motor coach to transport the Upper Peninsula students who are attending the 2023 Boys State and Girls State programs. This will be a 56-passenger motor coach from Jag Motorcoach Company, Gladwin, Michigan. I am currently employed part-time by this company as a motor coach operator. To help keep costs down, I am volunteering my time and will not be paid to drive to or from Boys State and Girls State. My wife, Diana Mella, volunteered to accompany me as the chaperone.
The dates of the 2023 Boys and Girls State programs are June 18-24, 2023. The transportation cost per student is $150.00. Please make checks payable to: Jag Motorcoach and mail to: John M. Mella, 1571 W Ridge Road, Gladwin, MI 48624. Please mail the checks to me by June 1, 2023. Be sure to include, with your payment, the student’s name(s) and phone number and indicate the location where they will be picked up, so I can make a roster of who is to be picked up at each scheduled stop.
Post/Unit/Squadron: It is your responsibility to see that your Girls State or Boys State attendee receives a copy of this schedule! Please note that all times are approximate, but we hope to stay very close to the following schedule:
TRIP TO BOYS/GIRLS STATE
June 17, 2023 ~ Saturday (SATURDAY Evening!)
8:00 pm (Central Time) Load at The American Legion, Post 50, 916 River Ave, Iron Mountain
8:20 pm (Central Time) Leave parking lot
8:40 pm (Central Time) Arrive at the gas station at the junction of M-69 and M-95, Sagola
9:00 pm (Central Time) Leave parking lot
All the below times are Eastern Standard Time
10:45 pm Arrive at the BP gas station, at the junction of M-95 and US-41
11:00 pm Leave parking lot
11:20 pm Arrive at the Michigan Welcome Center at the Rest Area just east of
Marquette on US-41
11:35 pm Leave parking lot
June 18, 2023 ~ Sunday (SUNDAY Morning! This is the middle of the night from Saturday to Sunday)
12:25 am Arrive at the MI Carpool Lot behind the Mobil gas station at the junction
of US-41 and US-2, Rapid River
12:40 am Leave parking lot
2:00 am Arrive at MI Carpool Lot, junction of M-117 and US-2, south of Engadine
2:15 am Leave parking lot
3:00 am Arrive at the McDonald’s Restaurant on US-2, St. Ignace
3:15 am Leave parking lot
7:15 am Arrive at Grand Valley State University, Allendale (Boys State Location)
7:45 am Leave Grand Valley State University
9:15 am Arrive at Michigan State University, East Lansing (Girls State Location)
RETURN TRIP
NOTE: Students will be dropped off at the same locations where they were picked up on June 17th/18th. Unless noted, all times are Eastern Standard Time.
June 24, 2023 ~ Saturday
11:00 am Pick up the boys at Grand Valley State University, Allendale
4:30 pm Pick up the girls at Michigan State University, East Lansing
8:45 pm Arrive at the McDonald’s Restaurant parking lot on US-2, St Ignace
9:00 pm Leave parking lot
10:00 pm Arrive at the MI Carpool Lot, at the junction of M-117 and US-2, near Engadine
10:15 pm Leave parking lot
11:00 pm Arrive at the MI Carpool Lot, behind Mobil gas station, at the junction of US-41 and
US-2, Rapid River
11:15 pm Leave parking lotJune 25, 2023 ~ Sunday(SUNDAY morning! This is the middle of the night from Saturday to Sunday 12:15 am Arrive at the Michigan Welcome Center at the Rest Area, just east of
Marquette on US-41
12:30 am Leave parking lot
1:30 am Arrive at the BP gas station, at the junction of M-95 and US-41
1:45 am Leave parking lot
2:00 am (Central Time) Arrive at the gas station, at the junction M-69 and M-95, Sagola
2:10 am (Central Time) Leave parking lot
2:30 am (Central Time) Arrive at The American Legion, Post 50, 916 River Ave, Iron Mountain
*****PLEASE NOTE*****
Because all times are approximate, please plan to arrive at each pick up location at least 15 minutes early. The same applies for parents who are picking up the students on the return trip. That way, if we are running early, we will have the option to continue without waiting. Also, we will leave each location exactly on time. If you are not at your scheduled pick-up location by the scheduled leave time, we will continue to the next location. If you arrive too late to be picked up at your scheduled location, you can travel on to the next pick-up location. Anyone who misses their scheduled pick up is responsible for their own transportation to Boys State or Girls State.
All fees paid for transportation are non-refundable.CONTACTS:
John M. Mella (Organizer and driver) 906-774-0538
Diana Mella (Chaperone and Girls State volunteer) 989-640-0109
Jerry Lynch (U.P. Boys State Representative) 715-923-4395 ADDITIONAL STOPS AVAILABLE ALONG ENTIRE ROUTE WITH ADVANCE NOTICE
The route downstate from the Upper Peninsula is 75 south, to M-55 west, to 131 south, to 96 east to MSU. The return route is from GVSU to 96 east, to MSU, to 127 north, to 75 north to the Upper Peninsula.