What started as simply a regularly scheduled "Back Porch Coffeehouse" concert on Jan. 16 ended up as a fundraiser for victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
The Back Porch Coffee House is a once-a-month community concert series during the winter at community-run/sponsored Front Porch Cafe in Ellsworth.
More than 50 people in the small rural community came together with two musical groups to raise more than $250 for relief efforts in Haiti. Usually proceeds from admissions go to the performers.
"Thanks to the generosity and compassion of the scheduled performers -- Gordon Howie, Dwain Martin, Dave Runyan, Gregg Trudeau and Robin Luce -- as well as the members of the community who attended, we were able to make a wonderful wintertime concert something even more special to help in this time of need. Many thanks to the musicians and donors," wrote Kelly and Phil Shively and Robin and Pam Luce, hosts of the Back Porch Coffeehouse.
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Sharon Whitcher, a sergeant in the National Guard, wants to thank two Traverse City businesses for supporting the "Army Ten Miler" team from Camp Grayling. The team was made up of members of the 1071st Maintenance Co. and was called simply "1071st."
The businesses, Sullivan Auto Clinic and JenTees custom screen printing, provided invaluable help, Whitcher said.
"JenTees sponsored the team uniforms by donating the time and energy to order, design and print the team shirts," Whitcher said. "Sullivan Auto Clinic supplied the vehicle to transport the team to Lansing and also provided for the hotel rooms in Washington, D.C."
Karen Sullivan traveled to Washington with the team as a behind-the-scenes supporter and maintained baggage and supplies during the run.
The team, with eight runners from across Michigan -- all members of the Michigan National Guard -- competed with 30,000 registrants and placed eighth out of 27 teams in their division at the race.
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Irene Saylor, of Traverse City, would like to thank to Dr. Don Good for his help on Dec. 28.
Irene's husband, George Saylor, was coming out of the Infusion Center/Grand Traverse Heart building with his walker when he slipped and fell. Irene, who had gone to start the car, rushed to help him just as a gentleman rushed out of the building and helped her get George to his feet. Fortunately George didn't break anything and the gentleman, who the Saylors later found out was Dr. Good, more than lived up to his named and was very good to them.
"He took him into the building while I brought the car to the front, went up to his office on the fourth floor and came back to cleanse his wound (a few small cuts near his eye from his glasses), put a strip on it and asked if George was on blood thinners (yes), but it seemed to stop bleeding then. We thank Dr. Good, what an angel to stop and help like he did."
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