Published: November 30, 2009 10:08 am      

Editorial: Cheers: 11/30/2009

-- To Dan and Debbie Edson, who donated $1 million to Munson Medical Center to help relocate a non-invasive cardiology unit to Munson's heart center. Dan Edson had surgery at Munson some five years back to correct a defective aortic valve. "They gave me a new valve and a second chance at life," he said. Edson co-founded the locally based American Proficiency Institute, which checks the accuracy of medical laboratory tests. Munson needs an additional $500,000 to move the unit.

-- To Michelle Jokinen, who is once again gathering supplies for troops overseas for her "Stockings for Soldiers" program. Jack Pickard, of the Traverse City VFW, and students from Traverse City West Senior High are helping with the stocking stuffers. Money is needed for mailing costs and to buy items, which include everything from peanut butter and socks to DVDs, calling cards, snacks and hair products. Call Jokinen at (231) 590-8680*; make checks to Michelle Jokinen or Jack Pickard and mail to 19174 Beechridge Drive, Lake Ann MI 49650. There's a Dec. 7 mailing deadline.

-- To the 60 or so parents and children who gathered recently to stuff toiletry bags for Safe Harbor, a group of churches that provide overnight shelter to the homeless. The event was organized by United Way of Northwest Michigan to recognize National Family Volunteering Day. United Way volunteer coordinator Amanda Hilt said getting kids thinking about others in their community and developing volunteerism was the event's main goal.

-- To celebrity carpenter and Traverse City native Carter Oosterhouse, who was in town last year to tape two makeover shows, one of which was to air Friday on the HGTV holiday special "Carter Comes Home." Oosterhouse and his crew did a makeover of the Traverse City Fire Department's aging Station 2.

-- To the State Theatre in Traverse City and the Antrim County Democratic Party for giving away frozen turkeys at two sites last week, in time for Thanksgiving. Two hundred turkeys were given away outside the State Theatre in downtown Traverse City; Antrim Democrats were to give away 400 turkeys at the Mancelona Senior Center.

-- To the village of Onekama in Manistee County for landing more than $2.2 million in federal funds to improve its wastewater treatment system. The village will receive a $1,050,000 loan and a $1,187,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Development Water and Environmental Program. The money is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

-- To the Zonta Club of Traverse City and Impres Salon Spa for hosting an upscale fundraiser, Gals, Glam and Glitz -- Girls Night Out, to raise scholarship money for area women in need. The event, held at the Hagerty Center on Northwestern Michigan College's Great Lakes Campus, featured dancers, makeovers, performers, appetizers, local wine, door prizes and gifts.