INTRODUCING your 2026 nATIONAL TROUT FESTIVAL® ROYALTY

The Directors of the National Trout Festival received a record number of nominations this year for Trout King and Trout Queen. Our community really stepped up in wanting to honor their fellow Kalkaska County residents. Every nominee was very deserving of the titles so it made the decision difficult. In the end, we are all confident we selected two people who are wonderful role models and inspirations.

Watch in February when we will begin accepting nominations for the 2027 National Trout Festival King & Queen.

Karl and his wife, Barb built their permanent home on Crawford Lake in 2009. Having been raised on the importance of contributing to your community, he has always spent significant time and energy volunteering. “To me, ‘volunteering’ builds healthy communities from the inside out. Connecting with our neighbors and supporting initiatives makes for a better culture and overall economy.”  

Along with leadership in the Village, county, the local Kiwanis, community members and several fellow pilots, Karl helped organize two successful fly-ins at our local airport. At Crawford Lake, he is spearheading an effort to protect and responsibly manage the health of the lake. Most recently, he has been a Board Trustee for Kalkaska Memorial Health Center. 

Now in his third year as chairman, he thoroughly enjoys working with our community board members, the medical staff, leadership and all members of the KMHC family. The past few years included the campaign to allow our shift to a 501c3 organization, coordination of a national executive search for our new CEO, refinement of Board member education and committees, establishing good relationships with local and regional community leaders and more.

 “It is truly an honor to be so involved with the great teams at KMHC. The hospital leadership has demonstrated their commitment as good stewards of taxpayer dollars and has earned the trust of our community. An obligation we do not take lightly.”

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This year’s logo designer, EllaKay Beggs, is a junior at Kalkaska High School and an art student. She says she's always loved art growing up."It's just been my jam."

Her mom, Stephanie Ashenden, is the coordinator for the Festival of Trees and EllaKay donated a painting  for its silent auction tohelp raise money for KAIR's food pantry. Her family is rounded out with step dad James Maurer and her older sister, Amariya. After graduation, EllaKay plans to attend Kirtland or Detroit Mercy for a law program. 

I don't know about everyone else, but I hope continuing to create art is also on her life's plan. Thank you for submitting your fabulous piece and congratulations!