-- To property owner Bill Habich and the Leelanau Conservancy for working to preserve 100 acres along the Cedar River to maintain habitat for a diverse selection of wildlife and plants as well as maintain the only walkable access to hundreds of acres of state land. The swath of land, which Habich and two partners purchased three years ago, was the last privately owned property along the Cedar, also known as Victoria Creek, between there and Lake Leelanau. The property links the Pere Marquette State Forest with Solon Township Park; with the Cedar River Natural area along Lake Leelanau, there is now 1,800 acres of contiguous public land.
-- To recreational therapist Sue Gotts and physical therapist Ann Reichert, who founded Northern Michigan Adaptive Sports and Recreation 12 years ago and continue to offer people with physical disabilities, along with family and friends, a variety of sports and recreational opportunities on a monthly basis. Sports equipment is adapted to the participants' needs, such as using a bi-ski or outriggers to downhill ski. The program's mailing list has grown to 200. For more information call Gotts at (231) 935-7331 or by e-mail at: sgotts@mhc.net.
-- To Mark Evans, owner of Evans Avionics LLC, for winning a Federal Aviation Administration award for his work repairing airplane avionics -- instrumentation such as GPS, radio communication or autopilot flight controls. Evans, who has clients from across the Midwest, was nominated by a customer. The award was presented by the Michigan Federal Aviation Administration Safety Team. He also flies for Wings of Mercy, which provides free air transportation for people who need treatment at distant medical facilities.
-- To Traverse City Area Public Schools for adopting new strategies to help improve student test scores in both writing and math. The programs include support programs like READ 180, a class for fourth- through 12th-graders, and reading recovery, a one-on-one session for first-graders. New math materials used in some elementary classrooms offer additional practice, larger numbers in calculations and parent resources. Officials said textbook publishers are adjusting their books to match the new curriculum.
-- To downtown Traverse City businesses for hosting activities in conjunction with the city's annual children's celebration, including arts and crafts for young children at the City Opera House, a wildlife presentation at Horizon Books and face-painting, goodie bags and information on kid's banking at Traverse City State Bank. Activities are planned for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. About a dozen other businesses and organizations will provide entertainment ranging from necklace-making at Miners North Jewelry to hula-hooping at Candlelight Amish Furnishings. For more information, contact the DTCA office at (231) 922-2050.
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