Traverse City Record-Eagle

Stephanie Beach: Northern Notes

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December 11, 2011

Northern Notes: Veteran a 'devoted son’

By Stephanie Beach, sbeach@record-eagle.com ----

The Grand Traverse Area Veterans Coalition honored Larry Kidd, a U.S. Coast Guard retiree, with its “Veteran of the Year” award for his three decades of service to veterans, youth and the community, but the staff and residents at Bay Ridge West know him better as a devoted son.

“While compliments are being doled out to Larry Kidd for winning ‘Veteran of the Year’ let us also add that he is the ‘most devoted son’ to 101-year-old Margaret Kidd, who lives with us at Bay Ridge West,” wrote Bay Ridge resident Elizabeth Johnson. “We all know him as he’s here nearly every day.”

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Forty-five cats and dogs were spayed or neutered at a clinic sponsored by Cherrybend Animal Clinic. Not only did the clinic perform the required surgery, the animals were given rabies shots, deworming, flea treatments and lots of personal attention ... all free of charge.

Ten dogs were from the Cherryland Humane Society, and word about the clinic went out through area agencies so that the message would reach pet owners who needed help getting the surgery for their animals.

“The most endearing part of the event was that there were clients of the clinic volunteering and former employees doing the same ... cleaning instruments, helping animals in pre- and post-op,” wrote Kathy Coffin-Sheard, whose husband, Dr. John Sheard, is medical director at the clinic. “Two other vets besides my husband were there and Cherrybend’s full staff of 15 people, who all pulled together this MASH-like unit and worked for free.”

Betsy Van Westen, of Suttons Bay, was one of the volunteers who happened upon the clinic by accident.

“I went to buy some dog food and ended up volunteering and helped animals to wake up after their surgeries,” Betsy wrote. “The time and energy the doctors and staff put in was tremendous and such a great community service.”

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The Grand Traverse Area Children’s Garden wrote to thank Michael Hill, Rene Childers, Kathleen Hayes, Kathie Begin, Matt Nausadis, Gary Scarcia and Jan Warren from the Traverse Bay Area Intermediate School District for volunteering to work with United Way’s Day of Caring this fall to help get some of the garden beds ready for winter.

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Dave Taghon, president of the Empire Area Heritage Group, wrote to thank everyone who made the Empire Heritage Day such a wonderful celebration.

“Thank you to all the presenters who made time to share their talents and special crafts or exhibits with us. Thank you to all the museum volunteers who helped make the day so much fun and educational and a special thank-you to the hundreds of people who made it all worthwhile by showing up and supporting our wonderful museum complex,” Dave wrote. “Last, but by far not least, thank you, Fire House Quilters, for making the wonderful quilts year after year to support the museum and the fire department.”

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Sue Bauer, volunteer coordinator at the Father Fred Foundation, would like the community to know that the Father Fred Fall Food Drive would not have been successful without the great volunteers.

Sue mentioned volunteers representing Bay Pointe Community Church, Long Lake Elementary School, the U.S. Coast Guard, Bank of Northern Michigan, DTE, Home Depot, the Knights of Columbus, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Veterans for Peace, Fireside Hearth and Leisure, Brandon Everest’s sociology students at Northwestern Michigan College and the Grand Traverse Academy Key Club.

Sue also wrote that regularly scheduled Father Fred volunteers stepped up and filled many slots as did community members who saw announcements asking for help.

“The number of families who volunteered with their children was amazing and heartwarming,” Sue added.

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

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