-- To the family and friends of the late Blair DuVall, a Michigan State Police Trooper who worked out of the MSP's Honor post, for rallying around the 44-year-old as he battled cancer. The 20-year MSP veteran died of melanoma last Monday, just two months after being diagnosed. A June benefit drew more than 1,000 people, and as many as 2,000 people were expected at his Friday funeral. He was widely praised as "good to everyone" and a consummate professional.
-- To the husband and wife team of Mimi Bruder and Don Hunt for creating Mim's Map Guide to the Traverse Region, which includes places to kayak or find the best fishing hole in the Grand Traverse region. The guide includes 259 entries including restaurants, scenic drives, shops and more. The guide is available at area outlets and at www.mimguide.com.
-- To Traverse Area Community Sailing, which last week broke ground on an accessible boathouse, boardwalk and a dock with a lift system at their site at Hull Park. The group is a partner in the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation's Access to Recreation at Boardman Lake Project. The accessible boathouse is a first step in creating infrastructure for individuals with disabilities in sailing programs.
-- To Bea Houghton, the 2008 National Cherry Festival Distinguished Senior, for her 30-year commitment to the Long Lake volunteer fire department and other volunteer activity. At 74, Houghton still goes on medical and fire calls when needed. She has also been active in the Parent Teacher Organization and was Long Lake Elementary School's librarian for more than 20 years.
-- To Traverse Area Developers, which held an inaugural "Building of the Year" ceremony to recognize new development projects in Traverse City over the past dozen years. Organizers said the structures account for more than $83 million in new development. The 2008 winner was the Bank of Northern Michigan building at 130 S. Union St., owned by Mark Dancer.
-- To the folks behind the Taste the Local Difference local foods initiative brochure this year, which includes a photo of bright red cherries spilled along a country road, a familiar sight during the annual cherry harvest. Anyone who has come across such a spill -- and who hasn't? -- had to smile.
-- To the State Theatre and filmmaker William Jamerson for teaming up to show his 1995 historical film "Cherryland" about the history of the National Cherry Festival. The 45-minute film, which was shown every day during the festival, documented the history of the festival as an effort to put Traverse City on the map and turn around its dismal economic situation in the early 20th century.
-- To longtime TV talk show host Phil Donahue, who will present his Iraq war documentary "Body of War" at the Traverse City Film Festival. The film follows an injured Iraq war veteran upon his return to the United States. He will participate in a panel discussion during the festival, which runs July 29 to Aug. 3.
Print this story
E-mail this story
