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Omer is a city in Arenac County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 337. As of January 2006, it is the smallest city in the state. Omer was founded by George Gorie and George Carscallen, who set up a sawmill along the Rifle River in the mid-1860s. The town was originally named Rifle River Mills, but Carscallen, the first postmaster, wanted to rename the town Homer. However, he found a post office in another town called Homer, Michigan and simply dropped the leading H, producing the final name. Omer was incorporated as a city following the lumber boom of 1903. Like many small towns in northern mid-Michigan, the height of activity in Omer centers on an influx of people during the spring and summer. The Rifle River that intersects the city attracts thousands per year during the sucker season. Folks from all over the midwest and Canada line the shores and engage in the sport of sucker fishing in the spring. During the summer, Omer is a popular weekend getaway for those looking to unwind by canoeing or tubing down the scenic river. There are also miles of unspoiled forests surrounding the city that bring in deer hunters from around the country in the fall. Hunting is such a popular sport that the local school in Twining, Michigan closes for the opening day of deer season rather than face the 50% or more absentee rate that would otherwise occur. Winter also brings snowmobilers and ice fisherman to the surrounding area, though not typically the city proper!
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