Traverse City Record-Eagle

Stephanie Beach: Northern Notes

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  • Stephanie Beach

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  • The guest list for Pauline T. Harrand Lamie LaBonte's 90th birthday party included not only her sons, their spouses, numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends, but classmates from Pauline's graduating class of which she was valedictorian. Pauline and her classmates were members of the class of 1939, the first graduating class at St. Mary's High School in Hannah. Pictured, standing left to right behind Pauline, are classmates Homer Hahler of Greenville, Art Schmuckal of Traverse City, Eleanor Howard of Traverse City, Ed Schichtel of Kingsley, and Al Clouse of Traverse City. Special to the Record-Eagle

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August 21, 2011

Northern Notes: Victim well taken care of

By STEPHANIE BEACH Local columnist

Recently Jim and Michelle Steele's son was involved in an automobile accident and needed medical attention.

The Traverse City couple wrote to thank the responders from Elmwood Township Fire Department in Leelanau County, including Lynn, Dan and another firefighter who directed traffic, for going above and beyond their jobs to make their son feel very comfortable and safe, and also to make sure they knew where he was.

"On behalf of our son and ourselves, we want to send out a big thank you to the Elmwood Township Fire Department for their care and compassion," the Steele family wrote. "Elmwood Township should be very proud of their fire department. We are!"

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Albert Ockert wrote on behalf of the Northwest Michigan Chapter of the Korean War Veterans to thank the people of the Grand Traverse area for their generosity during the organization's annual fundraiser.

"It amazes me, with times like they are, how generous the people of the Grand Traverse area are. Thank you all," Albert wrote.

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The Kiwanis Club of Crystal Lake wrote to say how much they appreciate the residents, visitors and business owners in Benzie County who support the organization's educational programs in Benzie County schools through three annual fundraisers.

The Kiwanis Club sponsors a Memorial Day pancake breakfast, builds and raffles off a playhouse, and sells and installs 911 Home Identification signs to allow more rapid response to emergencieas are area residences.

These fundraisers and their generous supporters fund the club's "Reading is Fundamental" program in the first-grade classes at all five Benzie County elementary schools; the distribution of dictionaries to every third-grade student in the county; the Terrific Kid program for fifth-graders; the Builder and Key Clubs at the middle school and high schools respectively; and a banquet honoring the top 10 seniors and their parents. The fundraisers also award two scholarships to deserving graduating seniors and send two students to a one-week program at the Michigan State Police Academy in East Lansing.

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Bay Ridge Assisted Living residents participated in their second annual Cherry Pit Spit Contest recently, under the direction of Herb and Barb Lemcool and BRAL Life Enrichment Coordinator Andria Carmien, and congratulations go out to the winners.

Nan Ferguson, the 2010 winner, defended her title and competed with 18 residents. The 2011 Cherry Pit Spit Crown went to Ralph Williams with a 22-foot pit placement; followed by Helen Donahue in second place with a 20-foot "spit." Third place went to Bob Anderson with a 17-foot 8-inch attempt.

Stephanie Beach can be reached at sbeach@record-eagle.com.

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