Recently, Jim and Connie Winter-Troutwine of Grand Rapids were getting ready for an enjoyable long afternoon paddle down the Manistee River. Moments later they were shivering on the river bank, trying to figure out what had happened.
Moments after their "put in" below the Hodenpyl Dam, Connie was caught in an eddy that drew her into a group of downed trees that pulled her and her kayak under. Fortunately, she found a tree to cling to. Jim heard her call for help and changed his course to come to her rescue.
"With the help of several quick-thinking afternoon strollers, we were pulled to safety ...," the Troutwines wrote. "... We were rescued from a very life-threatening situation, losing nothing more than a water bottle and paddle. In the days and weeks since, we find ourselves continually grateful to the three people who were there to help save our lives.
"We never exchanged contact information, but we learned that at least one of our rescuers is an engineer in Traverse City who lives in Mesick," the couple wrote. "We want to thank our rescuers publicly from the depths of our hearts for their heroic behavior."
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The 17th annual Easter Dinner, held at the Cherryland VFW Post in Traverse City, served 350 people and delivered 896 meals.
Meal coordinator Sandra Svec would like to send a "rose of thanks" to everyone who volunteered or made a donation that contributed to the success of the dinner.
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The Frankfort Farmer's Market recently found a delicious way to give to Habitat for Humanity of Benzie County. The market hosted a "For The Love of Chocolate and Humanity" fundraiser that raised more than $900 for the organization.
In addition to regular market vendors, there was a Habitat Chocolate Shoppe with chocolate items ranging from chocolate mousse and chocolate-covered cherries to Belgian chocolate brownies. The Roadhouse, Phoenix Cafe, Coho Cafe, Tali Bistro, Crescent Bakery, Betsie Bay Inn, Brookside Inn, Still Grinning Kitchens, Blue Stone Catering, Crystal Mountain Resort, Kilwin's, Bill Frostic and Lorene Gleason generously donated the chocolate creations, with all proceeds going to Habitat. Java 429 provided chocolate-themed beverages and Light of Day Organics provided cacao mint tea.
In addition, Barbara Disborough, author of "The Guide to Chocolate in the Grand Traverse Region," gave a presentation and donated a generous portion of her book sales to Habitat, while Suz McLaughlin of Still Grinning Kitchens set up her own chocolate shop and donated all the proceeds, $167, to Habitat.
Contact Stephanie Beach at sbeach@record-eagle.com.
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