Northern Notes: Helping hand for AFC home

Stephanie Beach: Northern Notes

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Stephanie Beach
Getting five generations together is the perfect opportunity to get out the camera. Standing is mom Jordan McCary-Johnson, of Traverse City, holding daughter Eliaana Debra Johnson. Seated, left to right, are great-grandmother Suzanne Redfield McCary, great-great-grandmother Maxine Redfield, 91, both of Traverse City and grandfather Frank McCary Jr., of Lake Ann. Special to the Record-Eagle

May 15, 2011

By STEPHANIE BEACH Local columnist The Record Eagle Wed Apr 11, 2012, 10:34 AM EDT

The management of Rivershore AFC, Elk Rapids, wrote to thank everyone who offered assistance when they were displaced from their AFC home because water damage required emergency renovations.

"Most would think that this would be a time of mass confusion," the management wrote. "However, due to the help of several local businesses, this transition went very smoothly."

Marna Robertson, affiliated with Meadowview Apartments connected to Meadowbrook Medical Care Facility, had an apartment set up with specialty equipment needed by residents and welcomed the group with open arms. When the group needed to relocate once again, she offered the use of the equipment for the move.

"We appreciate all she did for us," the letter said.

The group then relocated to the All Seasons Resort in Kalkaska where everyone was very accommodating, especially Monica who was right there whenever the group needed anything.

Other help came from the Commission on Aging, which supplied lunch for several days, and Westwood Home in Kalkaska and Dawn and staff who helped with evening meals. Timmy and the staff at Elmwood in Traverse City had one resident stay with them for several days. Thanks also go to Jeanie and the staff at Summerfield for loaning the use of their extra van for transportation.

A very big thank-you also goes to the staff at Rivershore for all the extra hours, teamwork, adaptability to change and willingness to "tough it out" and make a very difficult situation go exceptionally smooth.

"Thank you to everyone who was involved," the management wrote. "We are glad to be back in our home. This just goes to show what type of communities we live in and are glad that we do."

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Many of the students and staff at Mill Creek Elementary School learned what it's like to go without shoes by participating in the "One Day Without Shoes," an annual event sponsored by Tom's Shoes and United Way that encourages individuals to spend part or all of their day without shoes.

The students met in the gym and talked about people in developing countries and the fact that many children grow up barefoot. They watched the video "One Day Without Shoes" and then the students and adults were invited to go without shoes for two hours or as long as they wanted.

"At some point during the day it became uncomfortable, and our feet certainly got dirty," said Mill Creek Principal Maggie Antcliff, "but by participating in this we helped raise awareness of the impact a simple pair of shoes brings to a child's life."

The students also were encouraged to bring in gently used shoes, and more than 50 pairs of shoes were collected and donated to the United Way.

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Recently two volunteers spilled cans and boxes across Parsons Road while transporting groceries to the Acme Christian Thrift Store (ACTS) and Food Pantry.

"We would like to thank the many people who pulled off the road and ran to help them gather up the food and return it to the trailer," the ACTS Board of Directors wrote. "Without their help, we would have lost a great deal of our order."

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Traverse Bay Christian School would like to thank the following sponsors who contributed to the success of the 2011 Founders' Banquet.

Sponsors are Alpine Electric; Eric and Judy Benson; Joseph and Erika Bradway; Ben and Jennifer Brower; Steve and Jan Brower (Starwood Ranch); Dr. Peter and Leigh Bump; Coldwell Banker (Karen Schmidt); Cooke Sheet Metal Inc.; Culver Meadows Adult Foster Care; Dean Boiler (Dale and Terri Palmer); East Bay Calvary Church; Mathew and Laura Echols; Elk Rapids Baptist Church; Grace Metal Products Inc.; Jeffrey and Idalia Harding; Matthew and Stacey Harding; Nicholas and Kristen Harding; Jeff Leggett Farms; Hinkle Tractor Service; Immanuel Baptist Church; Mason Construction; Kurt and Brenda Maurer; New Hope Community Church KidZone; Northern Welding Specialties; Danielle K. Patton, CPA, PC; Phelps Legal Group; Renshaw Electric; Dr. Michael and Michelle Salata; Sandy Knoll Software LLC; Sawdust & Woodchip Construction (Wayne Christine); Brian and Teresa Whitscell; and Larry and Virginia Wolfe.

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