By Robert Williams

Editor

The Frazee Area Community Club and the Turkey Days planning team officially announced the 2025 Turkey Days Grand Marshals with a change this year. Categories of Grand Marshal were added with Daneele Shipman being named the Community Champion and Dave and Roxann Daggett as Legacy Leaders.

“Daneele, your dedication to the Frazee community, the positive impact you’ve made, and the way you inspire others to get involved are exactly why you’ve been selected as this year’s Community Champion,” the planning team said in its formal announcement. “From contributing your time and energy to local events to helping bring people together, you truly help make Frazee a more vibrant and welcoming place—and we can’t wait to celebrate you during Turkey Days!”

Shipman was a mainstay on Main Avenue during Turkey Days as chair of the Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show that began after the death of her son and continued his love of Pontiac Fieros, the stars of each show.

The final show had a 15-year-high 46 pre-registered participants in 2024, a number which blew away every other show. In all, there were 86 participants, the second biggest show next to the first one (100) in 2010.

“Serving the community of Frazee has been a true labor of love,” said Shipman. “What was born of a tragedy our family never could have planned for ultimately has born so many blessings. It is hard for me to describe the contradiction that is to me so I don’t even try. I have to just live it the best way I can. Our community has been such a support to me personally and if I have made even a small impact I am grateful. I am both honored and humbled to be recognized in this way.”

Daneele was presented with a Pegasus Award for 15 years of community service during the show and she and her family had their hands full hosting a large group of show participants who camped at their home, affectionately named Camp Shipman.

Over the years, the Shipmans contributed thousands of dollars of scholarship money to local graduates and helped out families in need around the region, a pursuit that continues despite the show no longer being held. Members of the show also built the shed for CornerStone Community and Youth Center during Frazee’s summer celebration.

This past March, Shipman was also honored by the Frazee Area Community Club for 15 years of service as the outgoing treasurer. Shipman gave a short speech on her time as treasurer after joining just after Turkey Days in 2010, the same year as the first Tyler Shipman Memorial Car Show.

“I knew that I wanted to continue this in my son’s memory, but really wasn’t sure how to make that successful, make it happen, and I went into Jay’s (Estenson) shop,” said Shipman. “I really didn’t know what to do and she said, ‘You need to go join the community club.’ That’s what I did and here we are 15 years later and it’s been a tremendous learning experience; I’ve made a lot of friends and done a lot of things. It’s been a joyous experience and I’m looking forward to new things. It’s not like you’re going to get rid of me, I’m just chilling out a little bit and changing gears.”

Shipman did not give up all of her community positions. She has been a Frazee-Vergas School Board member since 2018 serving as Clerk her first term and currently as Vice Chairman.