07/26/2007

Northern Notes

Area's beauty overshadowed by the great heart of its people

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

Read past Northern Notes

Janet and Herb Broda, of Wooster, Ohio, were anticipating a restful vacation in Traverse City only to be rear-ended by a distracted motorist as they arrived in town.

"Although grateful that the 10 people who were passengers in the three cars involved in the crash were fine, we were sick to see that our car was definitely out of commission,” the Brodas wrote. "Having vacationed in Traverse City in previous years, we are well aware of the great beauty that surrounds your community. This time however, we were struck by the great heart of the people who live here. (And) thanks to some very helpful people, our trip was not a total loss.”

The Brodas went on to recognize a very kind policeman, a tow truck driver, Chris from Cherry Capital Body Shop, Justin from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Jean from AAA, Sue from Budget, Mac from Traverse Motors and Aundre from Bowers Harbor Restaurant.

"Although we may not have seen all of the sights in the area that we had originally planned to visit, we found something more important, very caring people who do your community proud. Thanks to all of you for helping us make the best of an unfortunate situation.”

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Joann Fitzmaurice of Traverse City would like to thank the person or people who found her purse at Home Depot and apologize that her thanks comes so late.

Joann didn't realize that her purse was missing until she got home and immediately called Home Depot to see if it had been turned in — no purse.

"I then figured I'd go out there and look around the area where I had parked. The young woman there even helped me look. Still no luck,” Joann wrote. "I came home and there to my relief and amazement I found my purse between the storm door and door to the house. I can never thank the person or people who took the time and trouble to do this as much as I'd like to. My life is in my purse. Thank you, thank you! I hope someday, somehow to repay you. You lifted my spirits and belief that there are still good people.”

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The Northwest Michigan Association of Volunteer Administrators (NMAVA) recently sponsored the first Regional Volunteer Recognition at Wuerfel Park.

Sixteen organizations invited 915 volunteers to attend a Beach Bums game to celebrate volunteerism in area communities. The volunteers were from the Northwest Michigan Transportation Alliance/BATA, Catholic Human Services, Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan, the Dennos Museum, the Department of Human Services for Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties, the Disability Network, the Father Fred Foundation, Goodwill Industries of Northern Michigan, Grand Traverse Area Community Living Management Corp., Michigan State University Extension, Munson Hospice, Munson Manor, Munson Medical Center, Probate Court GTVC, the Retired Senior Volunteer Program of the United Way of Northwest Michigan and the Traverse City Senior Center.

The NMAVA would like to thank the Wuerfels, the Beach Bums and their staff for making this event possible. They also would like to thank the generous donors who made the prize awards to some lucky volunteers possible, including Passageways Travel and the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island for providing a grand prize won by volunteer Rhonda Robinson. Thanks also to Dave McGinnes for donating a Tall Ship Manitou sail for two and to Rhonda and Steve Voorheis and their staff at Migun of Northern Michigan Renewal Body Works for the coupons for free use of a massage bed awarded to many volunteers.

"We appreciate and honor the in-kind services given to many in our area due to the work of volunteers,” wrote M. Egan McGlynn, community resource coordinator for DHS/Grand Traverse and Leelanau. "If you see a volunteer ... thank them for their service in our community!”

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The Northwest Michigan Chapter of Korean War Veterans would like to thank the people of the Grand Traverse area for their generosity and support of the organization's Rose-of-Sharon fundraiser.

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.