06/21/2007

Northern Notes

Prom a happy memory, thanks to generous community

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

Read past Northern Notes

The combined Traverse City West Senior High School and Traverse City High School prom was a great success and generated much happiness, thanks in part to the generosity of the community.

As the result of an item printed in this column requesting prom dress donations for girls who couldn't afford to purchase dresses so they could attend the event, more than 100 dresses in all sizes, colors and styles were donated to the school. In addition to dresses, the school also received purses, shoes, jewelry, a storage room at the school in which to hang the dresses and more.

"During lunch hours, the girls could pick out dresses, try them on and leave feeling good about being able to go to prom in a beautiful dress,” wrote Barb Vinocur, TC West social worker. "Donations came from far and wide, including offers from two Detroit women who had read the article, and I would like to thank Stephanie Carey, a tutor in TCAPS Students in Transition Program for organizing the dresses, overseeing the distribution, supervising the dressing room, returning phone calls and being an all-around wonderful helper (and) our principal, Joe Tibaldi, who accommodated our needs and requests.

"Many thanks also go to Wayne Schmidt at the Captain's Quarters who called me and said 'Send the boys in who need tuxes.' He outfitted a number of young men in the tuxes of their choice. (Thanks also) to the Little Black Dress Store for 10 new dresses and four pairs of shoes; the Happy Woman shop in Suttons Bay; Signature Salon for three hairdos; West Senior High art teacher Julie Foster for coming into school on Saturday to do hairdos for five girls; Mike at Windborne for free photos taken at prom; ML & Company for new dresses; TC West graduates who came back with their dresses from past prom days; a Traverse City Central High School student who donated a dress; Dorothy Grand, a secretary at Smith, Haughey, Rice & Roegge Law Firm who rounded up more than 15 dress donations; the TC West Student Senate; Grace Salon for hair supplies; Bill Skinner for his cash donation and 'priceless' comment that his 1942 prom costs were tickets $2, corsage $2, hamburger 10 cents and Coke five cents; Jan McFall for corsages; Fantastic Sam's for two hairdos; the Junior Class Council for a lot of work creating a beautiful atmosphere at the Grand Traverse Resort; the Traverse City West Junior High School eighth-grade class for cash donations to buy tickets; and to Andy Wares, a TC West teacher and Junior Class Council advisor for all his hard work, as well as for being generous with tickets for those who couldn't afford them.

"Not only did these donations enable more students to attend a meaningful school event, it is an excellent example for our young people to experience first hand a community's generosity and caring... A big warm-hearted thank you to all.”

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It's been almost two years since Hurricane Katrina struck and left a path of devastation in her wake and the Mississippi Gulf Coast is seeing the fruits of the labor provided by the many generous people who tirelessly assisted in the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

"We'd like to thank all of the members of Central United Methodist Church and Traverse Bay United Methodist Church who've given of their time, hearts and hands, and the countless others from the Traverse City area who also gave of themselves to aid in our recovery,” wrote Stephen B. Richer, executive director of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Convention & Visitors Bureau. "Words can't begin to express our appreciation. As we continue to rebuild our coastal communities, we are inspired by the ongoing commitment of so many people around the country. Because of this kindness, Traverse City has a permanent place in our hearts.”

Richer invites anyone who would like to see how the area is progressing to visit www.gulfcoast.org.

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Michigan Community Blood Centers wrote to acknowledge blood donors who recently reached new gallon levels.

They are: one gallon — Judith Albert, Kenneth Fitzhugh, Peggy Hall, Rusty Kiehl, Harold LaLonde, Susan Moore, Deborah Mullins, Joel Papcun, Brianne Pawloski, Thomas Pierson, Stephanie Primeau, Dave Raskey, Dennis Richards, Brenda Rohn, Andrew Schopieray, Tinia Snyder, Stuart Swiger, Larry Weaver, Kristin Wendland and Tabbie Wible; two gallons — Mathew Albert, Mary Jo Croft, John Dressler, Colleen Horton, Christie Jenemabi, Paula Lyons, Michele Shane, George Steinberg, Patricia Talbott, Levi Tarbell and Arline Tracy; three gallons — Benjamin Beckwith, Jan Dennis, Bruce Hasenbank, Dawn Ricketts, Christopher Smith and Jeffrey Wynkoop; four gallons — Carol Danison, Michael Jarvis, Lorraine Laird, Ronald Pegg, Carol Penney, Donald Piche, Melissa Rennie, John Weindorf and Rustin Werth; five gallons — Janice Baar, Dan Baldwin, Marnie Lane and Irma Tooley; six gallons — Alan Bodary and David Mellor; seven gallons — Betsy Rees and Alan Seeley; eight gallons — Conrad Caris, Eric Davis and Matthew Prisk; nine gallons — Matthew Kuhn; 10 gallons — Ralph Thorpe; 16 gallons — Adam Gahn; and 18 gallons — Richard Kowalcyzk.

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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.