Traverse City Record-Eagle

Opinion

June 18, 2012

Cheers: 06/18/2012

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-- To Beth Gunztviller, owner of Miner's North Jewelers downtown, who received the 20th annual Lyle DeYoung Award last week for her nearly 40 years as a downtown business owner, retailer, marketer and community supporter. She opened her shop in 1974 and grew it into a downtown mainstay through promotion and attention to the business district. She served on the Downtown Traverse City Association board from 1997-2006 and has been a major fund raiser for downtown as well as Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan, the Father Fred Foundation and the Traverse City Film Festival.

-- To the 84 students in the Northwest Michigan Works adult education Class of 2012 who received their General Education Diplomas in commencement exercises at Milliken Auditorium Thursday. Kudos also to the agency for its adult education program, which operates six learning labs in 10 area counties as well as its high school completion program at the Traverse Bay Area Career-Tech Center. The learning lab programs are free and include high school completion credits, GED preparation, English as a second language and basic reading, math, writing and computer skills.

-- To Mel Gee, a local musician, music lover, music store owner and 58-year National Cherry Festival volunteer. He died June 8 at age 84. Gee was a longtime supporter of Traverse City's high school bands and a fixture in the First Congregational Church's music program for more than 70 yeas. He founded what is now the Grand Traverse Pipes and Drums in 1974 and was a charter member of two local barbershop organizations.

-- To Bob and Laura Otwell who returned home in early June after cycling 9,270 miles through 23 states and Ontario in 256 days. They started their journey on Aug. 22, 2011. They arrived in California in time for the Christmas holidays and began their ride home on Jan. 8.

-- To 12-year-old Jenna Elsenheimer of East Bay Township, who was selected to sing the national anthem and "America the Beautiful" Sunday to crowds at Comerica Park during the Father's Day game between the Detroit Tigers and Colorado Rockies.

-- To Maple City eighth-grader Tristan Tarsa, 14, a St. Mary Middle School Band flute player who recently composed solo piano pieces for the band. Both were performed at the school's spring arts festival. Tarsa, who played the piano piece from memory, earned a standing ovation. He is now teaching himself guitar and saxophone.

-- To the Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City for planting the Logo Garden for the 25th year and the club's long service to beautify the city.

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