Traverse City Record-Eagle - Stephanie Beach

Northern Notes: Boys give gifts to orphans
Watching your child reach certain milestones are proud moments for any parent, but for the parents of Duke Angers and Jake Niergarth watching them at their Holy Communion and confirmation had an added element of pride. Duke and Jake decided to accept only monetary gifts from their relatives and friends and to donate the money to an orphanage in Guatemala.
Northern Notes: Legion says thanks
Sherry Krause, auxiliary president, wrote on behalf of American Legion Bowen-Holliday Post #35 and Auxiliary of Traverse City to thank all the volunteers who distributed poppies during the recent "Poppy Days," the merchants who made them welcome, and the counters who counted and deposited the money, with special recognition to the public who so generously supported the event.
Northern Notes: Helpful people astound
Eunice Groesser of Traverse City and a passenger were turning off U.S. 31 to go to the Cracker Barrel when she heard a terrible sound. She stopped the car with what she thought was a flat tire, but what turned out to be a broken ball joint. Eunice has lived in Traverse City all of her life and still was "dumbfounded" by the number of concerned people who stopped to offer help.
Northern Notes: Parents raise thousands
Sue Harmon is a sixth-grade teacher at Frankfort/Elberta Area Schools, which she thinks is blessed with the world's most amazing parent organization, the Panther Parents.
Northern Notes: Angel had facial hair
While Tom Cicilian was in the Munson Medical Center intensive care unit recently awaiting surgery, he passed a Saturday evening listening to "Rockers International," a program of reggae music airing on WNMC. Tom called the radio station to request a song and the DJ, Marco Dedenbach, promised to play his request.
Northern Notes: Reunion set for May 31
It started four years ago when Del Corner helped five busloads of veterans attend the dedication of the World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., and took another busload the following year. In 2007, a float with veterans appeared in the National Cherry Festival, followed by a reunion for about 300 northern Michigan World War II veterans. That's where the idea was born to hold an all-state reunion.
Northern Notes: Thanks for girl's safety
One of a parent's worst nightmares came true for Nicole and Mark Wade when their 3-year-old daughter, Laurel, wandered away from their Traverse City home with the neighbor's dog on April 18.
Northern Notes: Fire victim thankful
Greg Whitten has just recently been able to move back into his Traverse City home that was heavily damaged by smoke and water in an attic fire in September 2007.
Northern Notes: Worker 'step above most'
Matt Dawson of Kingsley isn't sure if it was the solid attempt at an authentic Irish brogue on St. Patrick's Day, or the fact that the customer service she provided was top notch, but he found it refreshing to see a shining example of exceptional customer service behind the deli counter at Meijer in Traverse City.
Northern Notes: Bus driver to the rescue
Carol Shaffer of Traverse City, who is in her 80s, got off the Cherriot bus one day in March, took about eight steps and slipped on the ice in her driveway. "Thank goodness for the wonderful Cherriot bus driver," Carol wrote.
Northern Notes: Missing gift cards?
The lost and found department at Tom's West Bay Market contains the usual items -- gloves, scarves, keys and such -- but recently found at the store was a number of gift cards held together with a rubberband.
Northern Notes: Serviceman picks up tab
A gentleman overheard a soldier's discussion about his boot camp experience and told a waitress that he would like to pick up the tab because he too had been in the military and wanted to show his gratitude for the man's service in the Marines.
Northern Notes: Mr. Pizza comes through
Rachel Roberts, Northwest Michigan Human Services Agency/Crystal Lake Elementary Head Start in Benzonia, wrote to express gratitude to "Mr. Pizza" Andrew Miller, owner of A. Papano's Pizza in Beulah, for so kindly and generously opening his business to the 15 curious preschool children in her Head Start classroom.
Northern Notes: Example of hope to others
One night when Cy Balderach told his mom that he was starving, she commented that there were more kids out there who were really starving because they didn't have any food. Four-year-old Cy took her comment to heart and decided to raise money to help children who are less fortunate.
Northern Notes: Employee commended
Christina DuRocher of Traverse City mistakenly dropped her bank envelope in the mail slot with her other outgoing mail at the Garfield Branch of the U.S. Post Office and wasn't sure if she would ever see the $100 in cash that the envelope held
Northern Notes: An unexpected valentine
Marian and Joe Kastner of Traverse City received an unexpected Valentine as they were dining at Hunan Chinese Restaurant in Traverse City.
Northern Notes: Motorists to the rescue
Barbara Duwe wants to thanks some kind motorists who offered help on a blustery morning.
Northern Notes: Capone's praised for service
Joyce Lundberg recently decided to meet friends for lunch at Capone's, where they have never eaten before, but forgot to check the hours, and when they arrived discovered that the restaurant didn't open until 2 p.m. that day.
Northern Notes: Share the love with soldiers
During this Valentine and Easter season, area residents can show American service men and women how much they care and help them communicate with their loved ones, simply by donating their old cell phones.
Northern Notes: Manager goes above and beyond
Betsy Mackey of Traverse City is very grateful for the help she received on Jan. 27 when she took her 94-year-old mother to Red Lobster for her birthday dinner.
Northern Notes: A missing stuffed animal
Eight-year-old Abby Potter is worried. Somewhere out there is a little boy or girl missing their stuffed animal and Abby has her own beloved stuffed animal and knows how she would feel if it was lost.
Northern Notes: Festival chugs way to a record
Just like "The Little Engine That Could," the Festival of Trains chugs merrily along gathering more devotees each year and, now in its fifth season, has become a holiday tradition for train buffs both young and "young at heart."
Northern Notes: Man shows spirit of giving
As one of Santa's "helpers" in the Traverse City area, (Santa) Al Lien of Traverse City always likes to say thank-you for "good deeds done with a happy heart."
Northern Notes: One owner found, another sought
An item in the Jan. 3 Northern Notes column resulted in a call to Suzanne Hoff that reunited the owners with their New York City travel books and maps. Now, Elke Gustafson is hoping that her hunt for the owner of a Hershey's fund-raising kit will be as successful.
Northern Notes: Finding owner of books, maps
Suzanne Hoff of Suttons Bay found a bag full of travel books and maps of New York City in a Tom's Market bag, which had been in her utility room since the first or second week in December, and realized that her chances of finding the owner were slim.
Northern Notes: Small act gets big thanks
A thank you was received in the mail with no name or address. The only clue is that the envelope was postmarked Traverse City. Although we rarely publish items anonymously, we didn't want the act of kindness to go unacknowledged.
Northern Notes: Generous angels abound
When Santa Claus visited the Zonta Club of Traverse City's Festival of Trees, he was overwhelmed by the generosity of one little 8-year-old "angel," who showed a maturity and generosity far beyond his age.
Northern Notes: Generosity fills food pantry
Because of the generosity of the Traverse City community, Oleson's Food Stores and the Harley Owner's Group (H.O.G.S.), the Salvation Army will be able to provide food for many less fortunate neighbors and families this season, wrote Major Bruce Jennings of the Traverse City Corps Command and Community Center.
Northern Notes: Veterans can visit memorial
Pearl Harbor Day is tomorrow. A day to be remembered by everyone who cherishes their freedom, but those who fought during World War II to maintain that freedom in the United States are being lost at an alarming rate. Joyce Fisher of Howell, Mich., wants to make sure that the 6,000 Michigan World War II veterans still with us are aware of a program in their honor.
Northern Notes: Being a good neighbor
Michelle Goetz Grahl of Traverse City arrived home after a hectic day recently to find a group of teen-agers in her front yard raking leaves. "By the time I parked the car and came through the house, they were gone," Michelle wrote.
Northern Notes: Help make holidays bright
With the holidays fast approaching, several area agencies and businesses are asking for help to make sure the holidays are bright for those who might not otherwise have a holiday. (Plus more notes from around the region.)
Northern Notes: Grateful for safe return of purse
Jean Stapleton of Eastport walked out of the Burger King at Chum's Corner without her purse, and was almost out of Traverse City before she realized it was missing.
Northern Notes: Holiday 'stocking stuffers' sought for deployed soldiers
In 2006, wanting to find a way to support U.S. soldiers serving in Iraq, Michelle Jokinen contacted local recruiting offices for recommendations and on their advice joined a nonprofit organization called adoptaplatoon.org that supports all deployed US soldiers who want assistance.
Northern Notes: Volunteers raise money for fund
A gracious thank-you goes out to the Traverse City Area Public Schools transportation drivers, aides and office staff for volunteering 750 man hours over the week at the Northwestern Michigan Fair to sell admission tickets at the fair entrance and guard the camp/gate checking passes.
Northern Notes: Coat donations sought
Skilled Manufacturing Inc. has teamed up with local radio stations Lite 96.3 and 106 KHQ to collect gently used or new coats and other winter items for a community coat drive.
Northern Notes: TC Rotary donation makes life-changing trip possible
Melissa Brief of Traverse City wrote with a "big thank you from the bottom of my heart" to the Traverse City Rotary Club. Melissa's 3-year-old son, Michael Brief Jr., received a gastric feeding tube when he was 8 months old due to failure to thrive until he was well over 11/2 years old, he took nothing by mouth.
Northern Notes: Kingsley woman thanks 'angel' who turned in money
Marlene Cnossen of Kingsley would like to thank the honest and very kind woman in Kingsley who turned in a sum of cash to the Northland Food Market recently. Marlene accidentally dropped several $20 bills in the parking lot and the Good Samaritan turned the money in to the cashier at the store.
Northern Notes: Woman thanks community for rallying behind her
Susan Schweikart would like to thank everyone who helped her and her family while she battled a rare disease that nearly took her life.
Northern Notes: Accident changes family's life
As part of her job at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa, Kris Ruckle travels to trade shows about four times a year. In April, she woke up early for a trip to a show in Nashville, Tenn. It started out just like other travel mornings and Kris didn't realize then that her life was about to change forever.
Northern Notes: Man hopes to return found bracelet
Chris Seaburg of Allen Park, was exploring Grand Traverse Bay with a metal detector when he found a bracelet about a foot down in the sand in four feet of water and is hoping to reunite the bracelet with either the person or family to whom it belongs.
Northern Notes: Couple happy to have wallet returned
Toni and Larry Way of Rapid City would like to thank the person who returned Larry's wallet at the Village Market. (Plus more notes from Northern Michigan)
Vets express gratitude for recognition during festival
Veterans say thank you for World War II reunion
Area's beauty overshadowed by its people