08/16/2007

Northern Notes

Seasonal residents thank Good Samaritans for their help

By Stephanie Beach
Local columnist
sbeach@
record-eagle.com

Read past Northern Notes

Betty B. Richman and her husband wrote to express their gratitude to two young gentlemen who stopped and pushed their car from Garfield Avenue into the driveway of a nearby bank, but left before the Richmans learned their names. They also want to thank Policewoman Jill, Badge #231, who came to their aid by calling a tow truck, remained with the couple until the truck arrived and then drove Betty home.

"We are seasonal dwellers in Traverse City,” Betty wrote. "You can be proud of the caring and heartwarming citizens of Traverse City.”

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Mary Koehler of Missouri City, Texas, e-mailed to thank the staff at Twin Birch Golf Club in Kalkaska.

The Koehlers were golfing at Twin Birch while on vacation in the Traverse City area and left their camera in a golf cart. When they packed to go home, they couldn't find the camera and figured it was in their golf bag, which they left in Traverse City with family.

"When we returned from our trip, someone from Twin Birch had called us saying they found our camera,” Mary wrote. "We would like to thank the staff at Twin Birch for going out of their way. They shipped the camera back to us at their expense (and) our vacation will be preserved. Another example of the graciousness of northern Michigan.”

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The Traverse City Convention & Visitors Bureau wrote to thank all of the area businesses, organizations and especially the nearly 200 volunteers who contributed to the very successful hosting of the National Governors Association annual meeting in July.

The bureau also would like to express a special thank-you to Rhonda Estes and Bev Newson who, as volunteer coordinators, gave hundreds of hours to organize all of the various duties and assignments for all of the volunteers throughout the weekend.

"Throughout the NGA annual meeting, we heard many favorable comments about our beautiful area and about how friendly and welcoming our volunteers (were),” the letter stated. "It (was) the area's natural beauty that surprised our visitors, but it was the friendly and welcoming spirit of our volunteers that gave our community the heart that our visitors will always remember.”

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Lori Tylutki, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Fibromyalgia (CFS/FM) educator, wrote on behalf of the Michigan Chronic Fatigue and Immune Dysfunction Syndrome Organization and the Traverse City CFS/FM support group to thank the following individuals and companies for graciously donating education funds for people who otherwise wouldn't have been financially able to attend the conference on Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia: Federico's Design Jewelers, Community First Holding, the Record-Eagle, Quota International of Traverse City, East Bay Animal Hospital, Mark W. Viel, PC, the Tack family, the Gadbaw family, the Theis family, the Huron family and the Tylutki family.

"Your kindness comes from having a compassionate heart and we appreciate your generosity,” Lori wrote.

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The House of Hope's second annual Kick for Hope fundraiser was a huge success. Through the support of the community, the event raised $6,500 for the House of Hope Scholarship Fund.

House of Hope also would like to thank the corporate sponsors for their generous donations: Plante & Moran Financial Advisors, the Bank of Northern Michigan, IRR Residential/Veritech, Dane Marketing and Events, Bill Marsh Automotive Group, Alfie Embroidery, Signplicity, Family First magazine, KISS Carpet, Charter Media, the YMCA, CC Jewelers, Chase Bank, Lamar Advertising, Northern Express, Pepsi-Cola Company, Kohl's Department Store, C & M Insurance Services, Nealis Engineering, Grand Traverse Container, Traverse City Record-Eagle, and Progress Printers.

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Stitches from the Heart is a nationwide group of volunteers who love to knit, crochet and quilt for needy babies and children. Volunteer stitchers with this 501 (c) (3) organization have donated thousands of handmade hats, booties, sweaters and blankets to more than 411 hospitals and charities throughout the United States.

The organization is looking for volunteers to craft blankets, sweaters and hats for babies in need. The items are donated to hospitals all over the country and patterns are available. In addition, yarn donations are needed for seniors and children's knitting programs.

For more information, call Kathy Silverton, toll-free at (866) 472-6903, e-mail StitchesFromHeart@aol.com or visit www.StitchesFromTheHeart.org.

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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.