12/14/2006

Northern Notes

Platte Grange ladies busy creating comfort for others

By Stephanie Beach
Local columnist

Members of the Platte Grange have been busy during 2006 making and filling tote bags for women and children served by the Women's Resource Center. They recently delivered 20 bags, have six more ready to go and continue working on items to fill more.

Grange members sew the fabric bags, nightwear and quilts and make slippers and afghans. The bags also include all the toiletries needed for a clean and comfortable night's rest including undergarments, a towel and washcloth, soap and a holder, toothbrush, toothpaste and a holder, shampoo and extras. Children's bags also include a toy or a book.

Four members of the Grange, Ida Phelan, Joyce Einodshofer, Wilma Howe and Laura Payment also have been recognized by the State Grange as "Toy Angels” for creating stuffed toys for more than 20 years. This year, toys were distributed to pediatric and emergency departments at Munson Medical Center, Paul Oliver Hospital, Child and Family Services, the Benzie Sheriff's Department and the Women's Resource Center. Toys also were given to the Lions Club collection barrels in Honor.

The Grange women meet from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays from spring until early December at the Platte Grange Hall, 9971 Esch Road. For details, call Wilma Howe, 325-3132.

---

Lizbeth Messing wrote to recognize the value of the TC Reads program and the generosity of this year's author, Elva Trevino Hart.

The TC Reads program is a community read concept fostered five years ago by Victoria Sutherland and carried on by her and a small committee. Hart's visit to Traverse City was made possible by donors that included the Friends of the Traverse Area District Library, the Northwestern Michigan College Diversity Program and the Leland Educational Foundation, among others.

During Hart's visit at NMC, she made a gift of a $2,000 scholarship to the Diversity Program, which will be matched by $2,000 from her husband's employer. She also made a gift of $1,000 to Leland, again matched by her husband's employer, to provide field trip scholarships for migrant students who wish to participate in optional field trips.

---

Glen Lake Community School students recently donated canned and boxed foods and video game systems to Munson Manor Hospitality House.

"...Glen Lake is committed to community service like all area schools,” Principal Kevin Kelly wrote. "In this particular case, our students exceeded our expectations. In exchange for their hard work, six lucky students were chosen at random to throw a pie at the principal, but it was a small price to pay for their hard work.”

Since November 2000, Munson Manor has served more than 17,000 families whose loved ones are receiving treatment for a serious illness, injury or other critical medical condition at Munson Medical Center.

Brian E. Hartzell, residential manager at Hospitality House, wrote to the Glen Lake Middle School staff and students to thank them for their generosity, saying that to his knowledge their donation represents the largest single gift of its kind during Hospitality House's six-year history.

---

Michigan Community Blood Centers recently acknowledged the following donors for reaching new gallon levels.

One gallon — Rayma Berden, Betty Bishop, Kelli Bott, Mary Charles, Sandra Dimas, Lottie Grabowski, Wanda Haag, David Hess, John Kay, Todd Kennell, Rebecca Lenz, Philip Meyette, Jane Mullins, Erin Schester, Stephen Siciliano, Eric Sika, Tracy Silcox, Robert Sophiea, Steven Stone, Karen Williams, Ken Witt, and Randal Wolf; two gallons — Gary Albert, Michael Bryan, Timothy Davis, Ernest Evans, Karen Groesser, Gregory Kotrys, Ginger Lautner, Clarissa Leach, Marilyn Ligi, Marily Schulz, John Waslawski, and Timothy Wright; three gallons — Margianne Alfonso, Sue Bruening, Kenneth Cooledge, Myla Dinger, Cecilia Gnadt, Kenneth Patterson, Robert Reinke, and Thomas Ulatowski; four gallons — Ila Cosgray, Joyce Sheridan, Patrice Steinhour, M. Frances Vandalson, and Susan Willard; five gallons — Bruce Davis, Gary MacAulay, Darlene Pedersen, and James Roos; seven gallons — James Vanderley; eight gallons — Buzz Gordon, M. Carol Spinniken, and Judith Zimpfer; nine gallons — Sue Loomis; and 10 gallons — Julie Fernandez.

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.