Lynn Watson of Traverse City likes to take risks and has always wanted to try skydiving. The 68-year-old recently got her wish.
"This is something I've wanted to do all my life, plus I have a very tolerant husband who's used to the craziness," Lynn said.
Lynn has been in e-mail contact with the owner of Sky Dive Harbor Springs for about a year about tandem jumping with an instructor. The company only jumps three days out of the summer in the Traverse City area and so July 11 was her chance to have the experience of a lifetime. Lynn also came up with the idea to raise money for Black Sheep Crossing and in less than 24 hours was able to get donations totaling $359 for the Northport farm sanctuary.
"If I had thought of it earlier I know I could have raised a lot more," Lynn said, adding that the experience was "awesome" and she would love to do it again.
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The Grand Traverse Area Children's Garden truly is a community effort.
Through the Grand Traverse Regional Community Foundation and a matching grant from the Kellogg Foundation, a new pavilion, walks and more are being built that will give hundreds of children access to a free summer gardening program.
Local nurseries help with the annual spring plant sale and thanks go out to Pine Hill Village Gardens, Wildflowers in Glen Arbor, Zimmerman's Landscaping, Manitou Gardens, Oryana Natural Foods, Dobias Landscaping, Barker Creek Nursery, Grand Traverse Nursery, DeWeese Hardware, Breezehill Nursery, Cedar Hedge Hosta, Keystone Perennials, Mary's Plant Place, Misty Ridge Herb Farm, Garden Goods, Interlochen Perennial Farm, Cottage Garden, Waterscapes in Lake Ann, Blue Star Landscape Supply, Terra Bella Landscaping, Sweet Meadow Farms, Eden Hill Nursery, Skegemog Gardens, McGough's Inc., the TBA Horticultural School and Hibbard's Flowers.
Manual labor was completed by community volunteers and Home Depot donated and built the new garden beds.
"How do we thank those who help?" Susan Kuschell, children's garden director, asks. "Thank-you doesn't seem enough."
Susan also issues an invitation to everyone to come and see the children's garden, located on the Boardman Lake side of the Traverse Area District Library, 610 Woodmere Ave. To learn more, call 947-0422.
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Valerie Kirn-Duensing, director of development, wrote on behalf of The Women's Resource Center to thank Gary Horn of the Traverse City Elks Club for his efforts to secure funding for the agency's new Girls Empowered Together summer program for teens.
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