Published: September 28, 2009 07:20 am      

Northern Notes: View of bay for birthday

Longtime Traverse City resident Ardie Haughn got a birds-eye view of East Grand Traverse Bay as a gift for her 80th birthday. Ardie's birthday was Aug. 18, but because of weather delays she soared over East Bay on Aug. 30 on her first parasailing adventure.

Ardie is the wife of retired teacher and coach Ed Haughn, mother of four sons and one foster son, and grandmother to 15. She retired after 43 years of work, some at Traverse City Osteopathic Hospital and some at Munson Medical Center.

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Sara Titus, formerly of Traverse City, wrote with kudos to the Happy Hog Cafe on East Front Street in Traverse City for helping keep the memory of Sara's sister-in-law, Robin Titus, alive.

"We lost Robin, my husband's sister, June 5, 2009, to breast cancer at the young age of 47," Sara wrote. "During our trips to Traverse City to visit Robin, we happened on the Happy Hog Cafe for breakfast one morning. I heard a familiar voice and when the man turned around, it was my ex-boss from Pepper's Grille, Jeff Mugerian, who now owns the Happy Hog."

The day after Robin died, the family decided to go back to the Happy Hog and took one of Robin's Harley Davidson vests with them to see if Jeff would hang it up, since the restaurant has a Harley Davidson theme.

"Once again, we were welcomed with warm smiles and hugs. Jeff not only agreed to hang it, but said he felt honored. Robin would be so proud to know that part of her is being seen by all," Sara wrote. "Thank you so much to the Happy Hog Cafe. They are what community is all about and Traverse City is lucky to have this establishment as part of theirs."

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Antrim County High Tea for Breast Cancer representative Ed Huller declared the "Dinner at the Dockside for Breast Cancer Prevention" fundraiser a "huge success."

A steady crowd showed up for the event and helped raise $3,000 for the Antrim County High Tea (ACHT). The organization's mission is to educate and help uninsured or underinsured residents of Antrim County with breast cancer screening and testing.