Traverse City Record-Eagle

Opinion

February 18, 2013

Cheers: 02/18/2013

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n To Andrew Dost, a 2001 Frankfort High School graduate, and the band fun., which took home two Grammy awards — for Song of the Year for "We Are Young" and Best New Artist. Several hundred people joined Dost's family at Frankfort's Garden Theater to watch the ceremonies live from Los Angeles Sunday. In a letter read that night, Dost thanked the community for being so supportive and singled out the school band program.

n To Dr. John Bruder, who took part in his first Vasa event in three years after being diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer in December, 2010. The 66-year-old Bruder, an orthopedic surgeon, continues to work and continues to ski, thanks to a portable oxygen tank and what he called excellent health care by a variety of physicians. A special "Ski With John" 12K event was held at Timber Ridge Resort. It was Bruder's 28th Vasa.

n To Nancy Hayward, a 1970s downtown advocate, demographic researcher and citizen planner who helped save downtown from what she called the "malling of America." She died Feb. 10. Family and friends recalled Hayward as a visionary and ardent supporter of the environment and human rights. She was executive director of the Data Research Center, which prepared regional demographic and economic data for area planners.

n To the volunteers who stood in the bitter cold waiting for donations of canned goods and cash for the Father Fred Frostbite Food Drive. The week long drive was intended to replenish The Father Fred Foundation's shelves. Organizers hoped to fill more than two semi trailers with food. Donations will be matched up to $100,000 for gifts of food and cash.

n To the Kingsley Friends of the Library, which was named the state's 2012 Outstanding Michigan Friends of the Library for libraries serving a population under 12,000, in part because of the Friends-driven annual Adams Fishing Fly Festival in Kingsley last summer. The festival attracted more than 700 people and raised more than $13,000. The Adams Fly, the prototype of the fishing world's most widely used fly, is permanently housed at the Kingsley Branch Library.

n To American Waste, which was selected as the 2012 Take It Back Recycling Program "Recycler of the Year" by Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery (RecycleSmart) for its "Take It Back" recycling program.

n To the Great Lakes Children's Museum for hosting the fund raising gala, "Farm Fete," Feb 23 at The Inn at Black Star Farms in Suttons Bay. Farm Fete will celebrate the museum and local foods and wines with a three-course dinner. Live and silent auctions will feature several prizes from the local agricultural community.

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