Children join 15-year barbeque volunteer
The Rotary Chicken Barbeque this Sunday during the Plymouth Fall Festival is a real family affair for Ron Schmyr and his entire family.
“It’s amazing to me that decades ago some engineer figured out how hot the grills had to be, how far from the coals the chickens should be and exactly how long it would take to get them to the perfect temperature,” Schmyr said. He said he and his family had been fascinated by the barbeque for decades as they live close to downtown Plymouth and the enticing aroma on Fall Festival Sunday would fill the air. “The kids grew up smelling the chicken,” said.
When he moved his financial services business to downtown Plymouth, he joined the Rotary Club. That led to his first volunteer effort behind one of the enormous charcoal pits used to grill the chickens. He has eagerly maintained that position for more than 15 years and has been joined by two of his sons-in-law, his daughters and soon, he expects, three of his 11-year-old grandchildren. A sense of being able to give something back to the community is ingrained in his family, Schmyr said.
He explained that when his family moved to Plymouth from downtown Detroit decades ago, he was amazed that a place like Plymouth even existed. He was used to the rigors of Detroit which at the time was experiencing serious unrest. “I saw tanks in the street when I was 8 years old” he recalled, “so coming to Plymouth was an explosion of senses.”
He subsequently met his wife Julie when she was in the 5th grade and he in 7th and after their graduations they married and made their home in Plymouth where they raised their family.
“There is no other way to say it, this is just a very special community and I am very proud to be a part of it. I simply can’t phrase it any other way, this is just a love affair with Plymouth,” he said.
After 15 years, Schmyr has earned his spot near the head of the pit where he will man the grill from about 8 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon this Sunday, Sept. 8.
