Traverse City Record-Eagle

Opinion

June 25, 2012

Cheers: 06/25/2012

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Cheers

  • To the Grand Traverse Conservation District for hosting its 6th Annual Boardman River Nature Fest at its nature center. It included hikes, guided river trips, arts and crafts, fly casting and the Grand Traverse Astronomical Society's specialized hydrogen-alpha telescope for sun-gazing. Area fly rod maker R.W. "Bob" Summers also was on hand.
  • To Bob Russell and Sally Vleck on the 25th anniversary of the Neahtawanta Research and Education Center and the important role their environmental, peace and public education efforts and their social justice activism have played in the Grand Traverse Region.
  • To the Bay Area Transportation Authority for offering a free shuttle service to help relieve traffic congestion during the eight-day National Cherry Festival. Two buses will travel on the hour from Northwestern Michigan College and Thirlby Field, with stops along Front and State streets.
  • To the U.S. Coast Guard and local marine law enforcement officers for increasing patrols on area waters to enforce boating under the influence laws. The effort is part of the nationwide "Operation Dry Water" campaign against drinking and boating launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the Coast Guard.
  • To sharp-eyed Traverse City resident David Colyer, who noticed a 4.7 percent in his $33 quarterly trash bill and asked questions. It turns out the city's five-year contract signed in 2011 with American Waste has a built-in 3 percent annual increase and an allowed adjustment for fuel cost. But the agreement also says the hauler "is to provide notice" to city and residential customers. A company spokesman called it an oversight and said it would send customer letters out early July to explain the increase.
  • To local history buffs who celebrated Michigan's Log Cabin Day at the Hessler Log Cabin at Lighthouse Park on Sunday. Lighthouse tours benefited the Old Mission Peninsula Historical Society. The otherwise free event included old-fashioned furniture making, weaving, spinning and people costumed in period dress. The Dougherty House, built in 1842, was also open in Old Mission.
  • To all who participated in Thursday's beach cleanup along Traverse City's waterfront. The event was sponsored by the Watershed Center Grand Traverse Bay, Alliance for the Great Lakes, Traverse City Young Professionals and Barefoot Wine.
  • To the Lake Leelanau St. Mary Eagles golf team and Coach James Varley for winning the Division 4 State championship on June 17 in East Lansing — a first state championship in school history in any sport.

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