12/07/2006

Northern Notes

Friends invited to help man celebrate 100th birthday

By Stephanie Beach
Local columnist

Birthday congratulations go out to Leslie "Les” T. Plautz, who will celebrate his 100th birthday on Christmas Day.

Les was born in Benton County, Ind., on Dec. 25, 1906. He received an engineering degree from Purdue University in 1929. On July 9, 1932, he married Georgia E. Smith. In the 1930s, Les worked for Consumers Power of Michigan. He and Georgia first moved to the Grand Traverse area in the 1940 when they purchased and farmed a cherry orchard on Old Mission Peninsula. The couple later moved to Florida where they were involved in many ventures. In the 1950s, they purchased property on the south end of Lake Leelanau, where they built a home and lived in the 1960s. For decades they ran an antique business from that location.

Plautz

Les and Georgia are members of Bayview Wesleyan Church. They were founding members of the local antique club and have been active in other organizations and community events through the years.

All of their friends from throughout the years are invited to an open house to celebrate Les' birthday. It will be held from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17, in the multi-purpose room at the Grand Traverse Pavilions, 1000 Pavilions Circle, Traverse City.

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The Yagle Brothers Detachment 165 of the Marine Corps League will honor veterans currently living at the Grand Traverse Pavilions with a special holiday luncheon on Saturday. They will present each veteran with an American flag.

The league has hosted this special event for several years.

"It's a great way to honor the brave men and women who have served our country,” said Marine Anthony "Tony” Buday, of Traverse City, coordinator of the event.

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More than 500 Elmwood Township residents attended the inaugural Brat Fest to raise money to purchase a carbon monoxide tester to be used by the township's fire and rescue unit. The event was manned by 50 volunteers.

The goal was to raise $3,000. When all the donations are collected, that goal will be reached, making the fundraiser an overwhelming success.

Marvin Scott wrote on behalf of event organizers to thank the following businesses who helped, including Silver Swan Restaurant, Orchard Creek Assisted Living, Infinity P.O.S., Gordon Food Service, Tri-Gas Company, Skilled Manufacturing Co., Tom's Food Market, Cherry Bend Grocery, Leelanau Produce, McDonald's restaurant, Elmwood Fire Department and West Bay Covenant Church.

"To everyone who helped make this event a success, especially the volunteers, thank you, thank you, thank you!” Scott wrote. "You see what can happen. When many people work together, good things can and do happen. Thanks again Elmwood for supporting your Fire and Rescue Department.”

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Christi S. Hulett, adviser for the Mesick High School chapter of the National Honor Society, wrote to let everyone know that through the hard work and dedication of the Mesick NHS chapter and the untiring support of the community, the chapter raised more than $2,000 at its Cystic Fibrosis Activity-a-Thon.

The event includes basketball, volleyball, ping pong and board games, arts and crafts projects, walking and running. NHS members participated in four-hour blocks of time, with some members continuing long after their required hours were up. Other students and community members also participated for substantial amounts of time.

Jennifer Kelly collected the most money, followed closely by Gabby Beckelic and Maureen Meis.

"It was a very rewarding day,” Christi wrote. "In addition to outstanding monetary results, the Mesick High School students showed a phenomenal amount of respect, courtesy and sportsmanship throughout the day. I am very proud to be associated with such caring and dedicated students and to be a part of such a giving community. Thank you to all those who support the fundraiser to fight cystic fibrosis. We appreciate all you did to help us.”

Items for this column may be sent to Northern Notes, Record-Eagle, P.O. Box 632, Traverse City, MI 49685-0632; e-mail sbeach@record-eagle.com.