Traverse City Record-Eagle

Stephanie Beach: Northern Notes

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January 22, 2012

Northern Notes: Army veteran saluted

By STEPHANIE BEACH Local columnist

John Fasel, of Traverse City, wears his Army hat everywhere. He's a veteran of World War II, serving in Hiroshima and Nagasaki from 1945 to 1947. He had it on in Glen's on East Eighth Street before Christmas when a young girl thanked him for his service. He finished his shopping, only to have the cashier tell him his groceries were already paid for. Later, he went to Applebee's with his wife and a neighbor. They all ordered shrimp dinners ($9 each) and coffee, and a fellow diner paid their bill.

"I'm proud of serving our country," Fasel said, "and I guess others are grateful, too."

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Thanks to the efforts of Traverse City Eagles Auxiliary #383 and generous support from the community, the auxiliary was able to send 800 children's books to U.S. troops in Afghanistan through United Through Reading. In addition to the books, the auxiliary also sent a check for $350 for video equipment and DVDs.

Sherry Irwin, committee chairperson, wrote on behalf of the auxiliary to thank Chuck Thirlby for making and donating materials for posters; Sadie Smith for making labels for the books; Mary, Heather, Carol, Connie and Polly for all their help; the children of Old Mission Peninsula United Methodist Church for raising money and donating it to the cause; and the Traverse City VFW for sending out a batch of books.

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The Recovery Plus Program Committee holds an annual seminar for breast cancer patients and survivors. They wrote to thank the following people:

Nifty Things, Susie Curtis, the State Theatre, Bevery Cramer, Cali's Cottons, Kay's, Boyne Country Sports, What to Wear, Raven's Child, C.J. Banks, Ashleigh's at Grand Traverse Resort, Daisy Jane, Oryana Natural Food Market, Nancy Michelson, Regal Nails Salon & Spa, Old Town Playhouse, Poppycock's, Peppercorn, Jean Smith-J.B. & Co. Hair Styling, Grand Traverse Resort & Spa, The Last Straw, Catherine Ufer-Moumjian, Crystal Crate & Cargo, All That Jazz Salon, Theresa Youngman, Edible Arrangements, Cherry Republic, Burritt's, C. Quin's Hair Design, Pat Westbrook (Mary Kay), In the Moment Massage and Noreen Zakrajsek, the Navigator Program, Horizon Books, Susie Janis, Kathy Bechtold, Deb Francis, Jane Rolf, RN, Hilary Tarsney, Marilyn Wares, Kim Beckham, Judy Blandin, Deannie Schwannecke (Arbonne), Rebecca Kass (Bosom Buddy), and the many anonymous donors.

The committee also would like to extend a special thank-you to all the ladies who attended, Grand Traverse Resort staff, Zonta Club for its sponsorship, the American Cancer Society and an anonymous donor for their support, and the speakers including Laura McCain, RD, CDE; Philomena M. Colucci, DO; and Mary Raymer, LMSW, ACSW.

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

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