Traverse City Record-Eagle

Columns

March 20, 2009

Northern Notes: 'Bunnies' needed

The Father Fred Foundation is looking for volunteer bunnies to help area children have a happy Easter.

"Each year, foundation volunteers supplement our pantry and financial assistance programs by adding something special for an event or the holidays," said Martie Manty, executive director. "For Easter we will distribute Easter baskets from March 30 through April 9 via the foundation pantry. Our wish is to have 200 baskets donated and filled with goodies and stuffed toys for young children to enjoy on Easter."

Call 947-2055 or visit www.fatherfred.org.

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Sometimes publicly thanking an organization that serves the public is a way to let the people they serve know what a wonderful asset they have in their community. Visitors from Greenville, Mich., and Chester Springs, Pa., both wrote to commend Munson Medical Center and its staff and the staff at the Great Wolf Lodge for reacting with calm skill in emergency situations.

Robert Kutulis of Chester Springs wrote to praise the care his wife received when she was admitted to Munson Medical Center experiencing difficulty breathing and constant fatigue.

"Many tests came back negative, but they never gave up," Robert wrote. "Through the persistence of the internist and cardiac doctors, she was diagnosed with a blockage in an artery in her heart and her condition was corrected.

"We are so thankful for the care and treatment she received," he wrote. "I have had several experiences with other well-known hospitals and can honestly tell the citizens of Traverse City that they have a wonderful hospital and staff, equal to the best in the country."

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Shawntae Petersen and her husband recently visited the Great Wolf Lodge in Traverse City with friends, where they enjoyed the water park and all the other activities.

Shawntae and friends decided to take one last ride down one of the water slides before leaving. Part way down, the tube flipped over, the riders fell off, and Shawntae hit her head and lost consciousness. The lifeguards responded before the other rider even got out of the slide.

"When I awoke, there were at least 10 lifeguards, as well as the manager on duty, Sandi, and the director of aquatics, Cory, (surrounding me)," Shawntae wrote. "The swift action of the staff ... ensured that I was stabilized and safe. I was taken to Munson Medical Center, where I was taken care of by wonderful doctors, nurses and technicians from various departments."

Shawntae, of Greenville, just wants to make sure the Traverse City community knows how great both the Great Wolf Lodge and Munson Medical Center staff reacted in this emergency situation.

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Del Corner still needs people to fill his bus for a veterans tour to Washington, D.C., May 21-26. Cost is $550 per person, double occupancy. For more information, call Dell Corner, 632-6955.

Reach Stephanie Beach at 933-1506 or e-mail her at sbeach@record-eagle.com.

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