For the love of Labor Day
By - By Mike Misico, Correspondent (September 02, 2010)
Labor Day officially signals the end of summer. The leaves will soon begin to turn color, the temperature will begin to drop and for many, it’s back to school. However, Labor Day also means, for many, a day off as well. Yes, the joyous three-day weekend; A final opportunity to get out or even stay at home and enjoy summer’s final days with nothing to do but, well, whatever you want.
Officially, Labor Day is defined on a government website as being “The creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of American Workers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.” Did I mention a three day weekend?
To say I have tried my hand at many different types of employment over the years would be an understatement. To say some of those jobs were quite interesting would also be an understatement. For instance, how about the time I had to remove any rock I could find in a freshly tilled field by placing it on a swiftly moving trailer to prep for the planting of an orchard in 100-degree heat? Or the time I walked in straight lines for miles upon miles through mosquito-infested swamplands in southern Illinois as a surveyor’s assistant in 100-degree heat? Or the brine pits, ah the brine pits. I’ll leave that one up to your imagination. And yes, it was 100-degree heat. Oh, what about the good old asbestos removal job in the attic of a 100-year-old building… in the, you guessed it, 100-degree heat?
I digress. My point is this; no matter what you do, from rock removal to brine pits, 10 degrees to that’s right, 100 degrees, every job is important to the “strength, prosperity and well-being of our country.” But for one joyous three-day weekend a year, You, the American worker, get to relax and enjoy the final days of summer. So go ahead, fire up the barbeque, head to the water or into the woods, watch the Lions season opener (at your own risk of course), or even hit the snooze button as many times as you like if you choose to set your alarm at all. In short, simply do whatever you want, because you’ve earned it. And in the end, isn’t that what Labor Day is all about?
Moment of silence honors Mancelona marine
(September 02, 2010) 
United States Marine Corps Sgt. Jason Calo was killed August 22nd, while on patrol in Afghanistan. Sgt. Calo was a 2005 graduate of Mancelona High School, and a quarterback for the Ironman team. In 2006, he joined the Marines and was rapidly promoted to Sergeant.
During Friday night’s game, Elk captains Connor Cocking, Seth Wheelock, Derek Sentieri and Reese Isenhart joined Mancelona captains mid-field to release red, white and blue balloons in honor of Sgt. Calo. Later, former superintendent of Elk Rapids schools and announcer at Friday’s game, Jon Hoover, read a memorial for Calo and lead a moment of silence in honor of the fallen soldier. Fans in the stands collected $1339 for Calo’s family. –Tom Vranich
Members of the Elks and Mancelona teams stand together, as a show of solidarity during Friday night’s game in remembrance of Marine Corps Sgt. Jason Calo, who was killed during combat in Afghanistan on August 22nd. Photo by Tom Vranich
Community mourns soldier killed in combat in Afghanistan
(September 02, 2010) 
A 1992 graduate of Gaylord High School was killed Monday during a roadside bomb attack in Afghanistan. U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Matt West is the grandson of Elk Rapids resident Bea West. West said of her eldest grandson, “He was very proud of his job.” Sgt. West was trained in Explosive Ordinance Disposal and stationed prior to deployment at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo., where he leaves behind a wife, Carolyn, and three children: Four-year-old Tyler, three-year-old Joseph, and a newborn daughter Annalise, three months. West enlisted in the US Army in 2004 and has served in one tour of duty in Iraq and two deployments to Afghanistan. Sgt. Matt West is the son of John and Marcia West of Texas.
ELK RAPIDS SCHOOLS: Back to school! A letter to parents and students
(September 02, 2010)
Elk Rapids Schools are eager to welcome back students for an exciting and productive 2010-2011 school year. In addition to our already strong tradition of academic excellence as evidenced by all of our buildings receiving an “A” grade by the Michigan Department of Education, we have some exciting, new additions. These include Spanish in our Elementary and Middle Schools, the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program at Cherryland Middle School and additional Advanced Placement courses at ERHS. Elk Rapids Schools continue to invest in our students in order to prepare them to be the leaders of the 21st Century.
Classes begin on September 8th for a half-day. Elk Rapids High School will start at 7:45 a.m. and dismiss at 11:00 a.m. Cherryland Middle School will begin at 7:50 a.m. and will dismiss at 11:04 a.m. Lakeland and Mill Creek Elementary schools will begin at 8:50 a.m. and dismiss at 12:10 p.m. September 9th will be a full day with start times remaining the same and dismissal times of 2:32 p.m. at the High School, 2:37 p.m. at Cherryland Middle School and 3:48 p.m. at Lakeland and Mill Creek.
Parents of students who are impacted by any changes in busing schedules and routes, those new to the district, last year's 5th graders moving to 6th grade, and new kindergarteners will be getting a call from their bus driver to verify approximate times and stop locations. If you do not receive a call, please assume that your pick-up and drop-off time is approximately the same as last year. Carol Brokaw-Burry, Transportation Director, reminds parents it is school policy that riders need to be at the pick-up stop at least five minutes before the scheduled time, and that the bus might arrive as much as five minutes after that time. Also, the first weeks of school are a busy time and many changes will occur in the routes and times. Brokaw-Burry assures parents that every measure will be taken to minimize disruption and maintain student safety. Feel free to contact the Transportation Office at (231) 264-9321 if there are any questions or concerns. During the school year, the Transportation Office hours are 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. After hours, leave a message and we will return your call during the school day. In the event of a transportation emergency, please call Brokaw-Burry at (231) 409-3540. The office will be closed for the holiday Friday, Sept. 1st and Monday, Sept. 6th.
If you have not yet registered your child to attend Elk Rapids Schools, we welcome you to do so. This is going to be a fantastic year full of great opportunities for every student! Check out our website at www.ERSchools.com or call us at (231) 264-8692.
VILLAGE OF ELK RAPIDS: Village awarded grant
(September 02, 2010)
The Northwest Michigan Council of Governments and the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance will award the Village of Elk Rapids a $20,000 Community Growth Grant on Tuesday, September 7th at the Elk Rapids Village Council meeting. The grant award to the Village will be used to help study alternative ways in which to treat wastewater generated from food processing facilities. “We are excited to be receiving this grant,” said Bob Peterson, Elk Rapids Village Manager. “Agriculture is a very important part of our economy. However, processing agricultural wastewater is a problem because agriculture volumes and make-up are different than typical residential wastewater. We are hoping this study will help us identify alternative and cost effective ways in which to treat these wastes.” Peterson added that the ultimate goal of this project is to make it possible for job growth to take place in agricultural related businesses.
The grant was made possible from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, which awarded a one-year, $200,000 grant to the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments (NWMCOG), in partnership with the Northern Lakes Economic Alliance (NLEA). “This partnership between the Council of Governments and NLEA allows our two organizations to work more closely together with communities wishing to implement the goals of the Grand Vision’s Growth and Investment Group,” said Matt McCauley, Director of Regional Planning and Community Development for the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments. The Community Growth Grants program works to move the region’s Grand Vision into action by providing direct financial support and/or technical assistance to communities. There are six other Community Growth Grant awards throughout the six-county region of Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Wexford Counties.
The purpose of the study, which the grant will help to fund, is to look at improvements and additional new processes to Elk Rapid’s existing treatment facility in order to treat high-strength agri-food wastewater to normal domestic effluent quality. The problem is that wastewater from food processing has a very high organic content. The biological activity associated with disposal of untreated or minimally treated wastewater (i.e. field spraying) with high organic content is that it releases naturally occurring iron, manganese and arsenic that had been absorbed onto soil particles to a form that is soluble in groundwater. The feasibility study will look at various system improvements for the economic, market, technical, financial, and management implications of a pretreatment system to accommodate agri-food waste. NLEA’s President, Andy Hayes stated, “This grant from the Kellogg Foundation allows NWMCOG and NLEA to assist local unit of governments, such as Elk Rapids, to strengthen their economy, while protecting the environment.”
A total of 24 applications were received from 31 communities, requesting nearly $450,000 in funding.
The Community Growth Grants program will be awarding at least one community development project each in Antrim, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau and Wexford Counties.
Gas main struck
(September 02, 2010) 
Work on the gas pipeline along US-31 was halted after construction crews struck an existing DTE main early Friday morning. The incident occurred just north of the US-31/Ames Street intersection and forced the temporary closure of the highway until the gas could be shut-off. Pictured below is the Elmer’s digger and exposed DTE line. The highway was reopened by 9:30 a.m. and the main repaired.
Photo by Samantha Tengelitsch
“Wings of Mercy” span distance, bring hope
By - Priscilla Miller, Correspondent (September 02, 2010) 
A young northern Michigan man struggling with a life threatening disease learns of an experimental treatment available at only one medical facility in the country. A woman from Holland, Michigan living with Friedreich's Ataxia (a rare genetic, degenerative disease affecting muscles, including the heart) has the opportunity to take part in a clinical study showing promising results. The study offers her a glimmer of hope.
However, both people share the same problem. The facilities offering these procedures are located in other states, and financially, neither person can afford the associated travel expenses to obtain their treatments.
Thanks to a group of aircraft owners and operators known as Wings of Mercy, both of these patients were able to receive treatment at the out of state locations. Doctors and nurses like Mary Jo Robinson RN MSN volunteer their time to accompany patients who need special care while in flight.
Robinson says, “On my days off from work at the Health Department of Northwest Michigan I would accompany patients on flights with the Wings of Mercy to places like the Cleveland and Mayo Clinics. This past spring one of my home care patients needed a transport to Tampa and ever since then, I’ve been hooked.”
Two Traverse City Care Affaire Fundraisers to benefit Wings of Mercy are planned for consecutive Saturdays in September, starting with a pancake breakfast and plane rides on September 6th & 11th, from 7:30 a.m. to noon at the Cherry Capital Airport Evans Avionics Hangar in Traverse City. Plane rides and hotdogs will be available for a suggested donation: $30 (single engine) and $40 (double).
Robinson says, “This is a wonderful opportunity to raise community awareness for the Wings of Mercy program and a great way for the community to say thank you to the pilots who provide free transportation to those in need. There will be historic planes on display, along with a United States Coast Guard Helicopter and crew, fire trucks and emergency medical response personnel, area police and fire departments and of course, Michigan Wings of Mercy crew members.
For information on the organization or volunteering, go to www.wingsofmercy.org
This Beech Bonanza has been used on several Wings of Mercy missions. Photo by Kristen Rivard
Dam Beach Committee submits recommendations
By - Samantha Tengelitsch, Editor (September 02, 2010) 
On August 9th, the Dam Beach Committee presented their recommendations for the Dam Beach property currently leased by the Village of Elk Rapids. Antrim County currently owns the eight-acre parcel that has been the topic of a local movement to protect the dune.
The Elk Rapids Parks and Recreation Commission asked the Dam Beach Committee to examine and make recommendations for upcoming improvements to the site. These recommendations were intended to minimize the impact on beach and dune areas while increasing universal accessibility. In addition, the committee was charged with finding ways to reduce noise and dust disturbances for neighbors of the property.
Members of the Dam Beach Committee are hopeful Parks & Rec will support their recommendations this Thursday, September 2nd, and forward those recommendations to the Village council for future deliberation and implementation. Brenda Miller, Chairperson for the Dam Beach Committee, formally submitted a letter to the Commission on August 11th outlining the goals and specifications the Committee deemed necessary to “preserve the area as a natural area.”
These recommendations included making permanent a deed restriction on the property to protect the dune long-term. If not a deed restriction, the Committee recommends a County ordinance establishing development restriction at the site. Either change will require an amendment to the Village’s lease. In an effort to improve universal access, the Committee recommends improvements to the existing sidewalk to provide water access. In addition, making bathrooms and parking accessible “without disturbing the dunes.” Other recommendations include the addition of a drinking fountain and space for a porta potty during winter months to provide year-round bathroom access.
With respect to parking, the Dam Beach Committee recommendations outline environmentally friendly non-solid surfaces to reduce runoff into the waterway and include the goal of making “parking area more aesthetically appealing” while controlling “dust and noise from parking area” and reducing the “impact to neighbors.”
ER Village Parks and Recreation will meet Thursday September 2nd to discuss the recommendations at 7 p.m. at the village offices on Bridge Street.
Brenda Miller presented the recommendations by the Dam Beach Committee to the Elk Rapids Village Parks and Recreation Commission in August. Recommendations include protective covenants to protect the dunes long-term. Photo by Samantha Tengelitsch
Letters from a Small Town Editor
By - Samantha Tengelitsch, Correspondent (September 02, 2010)
I’ve written about my stepfather in the past. He’s my hero in many regards; and on Labor Day, when we celebrate those American workers who keep our economy afloat, I think of him mostly.
Like many folks in the newspaper business, Tom (Dennehy) doesn’t get a break on Labor Day. In fact, he hasn’t taken time off in over a decade. Tom delivers papers for several publications in the region and his job requires him to work long hours seven days a week, even on holidays like Labor Day.
While at the house for lunch the other day, I asked him about what it is he likes most about his job. He laughed, but not in the hearty-sarcastic way you would expect. Instead, he told me of the realities in having to get in the car at 2 a.m. and drive hundreds of stop-and-go miles with the window rolled down whether it’s a warm and balmy summer night, or sleeting and miserably cold.
I’ve seen his hands after these deliveries; swollen and stained black from the newsprint. It’s easy to see why he loves this line of work.
Sarcasm aside, you’d think following seven back surgeries and no relief from the stress of the job, I’d hear a lot of complaining. I don’t. Not even on Christmas morning, when I witnessed a customer call to say Tom had forgotten their paper. I was furious, but Tom just said it was part of the job and off he went into a wintry morning to deliver the missed paper.
It took me some time to figure out it isn’t so much about the job with Tom, it’s about a certain level of dedication to it he prefers to maintain. In this, it makes sense he doesn’t think in terms of time-off, but focuses instead on which books-on-tape he can listen to while working, or a retelling of the story of the cougar he once spotted just North of town.
When I asked him what he loves most about this job, he said, “I get to be outdoors.” And added with a wry smirk, “Though maybe not exactly at the time of day I’d prefer.” Tom said he is proud that in his 20 years delivering papers, he has never once struck an animal. “I’ve hit everything else; mailboxes, signs, heck, I even ran over myself once.”
It’s true. Last spring, while affixing a tube to a mailbox, a paper-bundle fell off the dashboard of his car and kicked the car into gear. It rolled forward, pinning Tom to the post.
Okay, so maybe what Tom loves most about his job has nothing to do with the papers at all, but everything to do with the experience of being connected with the community. While mostly we think it’s nice to have someone on whom we can count; for him, it’s all about being that person.
[Editor’s note: On Tuesday, our office was notified of the death of a second soldier killed in combat in Afghanistan. No matter the war or cause, the efforts of all those who face the kind of unimaginable. Calo of Mancelona and Staff Sgt Matt West, a 1992 fear and uncertainty presented in war, exude an enormous amount of courage. Our hearts go out to the families of Sgt Gaylord High School graduate. Matt is the grandson of Elk Rapids resident Bea West.]
Thank-you kindly, Samantha Tengelitsch, Editor
Your Letters
(September 02, 2010)
Back up and admit mistake
Sometimes, I wonder, just how our quaint little village rates a visit from such an esteemed celebrity as a National Geographic photographer? I didn't agree with his approval of 'back-in' parking, though I appreciate his input. And then again, I wonder if he would "back up" to a Kodiak bear to photograph it? Someone smarter than all of us designed the human body; HE put our eyes in the front of our head: To see where we are going. Isn't it time for the powers that be, back up and admit a mistake by correcting it? Before a precious child loses it's life chasing an errant ball and someone 'backs up' over him?
Carole Ann Campbell, Elk Rapids, MI
Harbor exceeds expectations
This letter is long overdue. Over the past several years my husband and I have had the great privilege of spending several weekends a summer at different harbors around Northern Michigan. Although all of them hold a certain charm and have many nice qualities, we have yet to find one that can hold a candle to the harbor we have here. Grace Memorial Harbor exceeds them all. Cheryl Werth and her staff go above and beyond the call of duty, both in friendliness and helpfulness. The harbor is always well staffed, clean and organized with registrations and transients being treated fairly and welcomed as if this was their homeport. Congratulations to Cheryl and the whole staff on a job well done. You continue to help make our harbor a huge asset to Elk Rapids.
Connie Nault, Rapid City, MI
A Moving Story
By - Rob Ford (September 02, 2010) 
Turn south off of River Street and travel a couple of blocks on Cedar Street here in the village of Elk Rapids. Between Ottawa and Chippewa Streets, just past the alley, look to your right and admire the large blue house on the double lot.
It’s an older house. You’ll know this by the plaque on the side that says 1886; the year that a small part of it was first built.
From a time that predated the dawn of the automobile, this house has been filled with families that have lived, worked and played in this great little village.
Since the summer of 1993, it has housed my own family.
The folks that we bought it from, Stu and Carol Merillat, did the same for a generation or more.
As with most houses, whoever owns it makes it into their own home. What we move out of today is a far cry from what we moved into 17 short years ago. We’ve added a garage and remodeled nearly every room from top to bottom. We even remodeled a prehistoric out building into a modern day garden shop and exercise facility.
Wait…did you just say move out?
Yes. I said that.
But, didn’t you just say that you had made it into your home and remodeled and added and blah, blah, blah…?
Yes, I said that.
Well, why would you do that? Your house is so nice, your yard is gorgeous and your neighbors have pretty much gotten used to you. After all that, why would you move?
Well thanks, it is a nice house, Marcy did all the yard work and the neighbors, well, it’s been a mutual getting used to thing. Besides, we’re only moving a few miles away; I’ll still have my gig here at the corner of River and Dexter streets and we’ll probably still keep in touch.
But I know what you’re asking.., Why move now?
Well it’s simple. It’s a big house. It was great when it was full of kids and their friends. And as great as this house looks from the street, the inside has even more character. And, it was a great place to raise a family. But last year, when everybody was gone, it became really big. And when it got very cold outside, which I’m sure it will do again this year, it became a really big, very cold house that needed to be heated. Which then became a big house with many warm rooms that we weren’t using.
We tried to use them.
We even put a Nintendo Wii upstairs in an effort to get us to go up there from time to time. It worked just a Wii bit, but not enough.
Beyond that, our feeling is that it’s time for a new family to put its mark on the character of this long standing house. We had had our fun with it. Let’s stimulate the real estate market a little bit, start something new and see what happens.
What I find interesting as I contemplate the whole bigger house, littler family evolution thing is that as a young, budding family, we thought we needed lots of room, but could only afford a house with just enough room. We were fortunate to move into this house and make it ours over the years. But just as we got it the way we really wanted it at the beginning, we no longer needed it that way.
So we’re moving. To a house that’s a hundred and ten years newer, with an empty lawn, no prehistoric outbuildings and a bunch of unsuspecting neighbors.
Music, beer entice thousands
(September 02, 2010) 
The annual Microbrew Fest was held this past weekend at the Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City. Will Havill, a former Elk Rapids resident and an organizer with Porterhouse Productions, concluded, “It was an awesome community party.” The festival was a fund-raiser for Little Artshram, an organization committed to nature-based community projects, including the annual Earth Day celebrations and parade. Chef Michael Peterson, owner of Siren Hall, was a vendor at the event. By early Saturday evening, Peterson reported he had already gone through over 10 gallons of falafel batter, and served another 10 gallons of hummus, and five gallons of tabouli. More than five thousand people attended the event.
Photo by Rory Jacobs
Take it away
(September 02, 2010) 
Residents from Milton Township took advantage of Saturday morning's semi-annual trash drop off, with items ranging from refrigerators to railroad ties. Township Supervisor Lon Bargy reported seven compacted truckloads were hauled away by American Waste, along with two large rollaway bins filled with metal debris. Local migrant workers were paid a flat fee for their morning's labor to help people unload. Metal scrap collectors were also on hand, filling several trailers to sort out later.
Photo by Tom Vranich
A weighty fish tale
(September 02, 2010) 
Patrick Cole, of Elk Rapids, reeled in more than he expected Monday, when he hooked a catfish weighing in at more than twenty-three pounds and measuring 33 ¾ inches in length.
Cole was fishing off the western shore of Bass Lake in Elk Rapids using live bait when he hooked the large fish. He took the catch to the Village Market to have it weighed, photographed and recorded as part of a DNR “master angler” entry. The fish is awaiting identification from a wildlife biologist, but it is likely a channel catfish or a larger than normal brown bullhead. –Samantha Tengelitsch
Patrick Cole, of Elk Rapids, poses with his catch. The catfish, weighing in at over 23lbs, was caught in Bass Lake on Monday. Photo by Samantha Tengelitsch
Fore! End of August brings a close to the men’s leagues at the ER Golf Club
(September 02, 2010)
The men’s “Early League” is a four-man team competition with points awarded each week during the 12 weeks of play. Each team member accrues points through both match play (scored by holes won) and stroke play (lowest total score wins) against a player of similar capabilities. Handicaps are used to further even the competition. The winning team scored a total of 96.5 points, 11 points ahead of second place. The members of the first place team are: Gary McDowell, Ray Deude, Paul Pierron and Glen Hoff. The members of the second place team are: Lloyd Butler, Ron Kuite, Deems Smith and Stan Sheridan. Top individual point scorers were; A player – McDowell (23.5), B player – Deude (23.0), C Player – Les Teague (23.0), and D player – Don Green (21.0). President Peter Bacon and his teammates did a great job organizing league play and special events. League members also expressed appreciation to Rich Smith for performing an outstanding job as manager and scorekeeper during the year.
While the men’s “Late League” usually engages in individual play with winners having the low net score in their flight, the last week of play was team competition. Two man teams played a Ryder Cup – type competition that included three holes of best ball, three holes of alternate shot, and three holes of scramble stroke. An average handicap was used to determine net scores. Members of the winning team with the lowest score (29.125) are Bill and Bob Holdsworth. The second place team (29.5) members are Ron Dunbar and Pete DiMercurio. Very tight competition!
During the final dinner of the “Late League,” President Mac Endo announced the winner of the Chaisson Memorial Trophy. This competition honors Late League co-founder Tom Chaisson and his skillful play. The trophy is awarded each year to the player scoring the most points in a competition that measure a variety of golfing skills. Steve Breece was the winner and his name will be engraved on a plaque in the clubhouse and he takes home the traveling trophy that he can proudly display on his mantel during the next year. League members expressed their appreciation to President Endo, Treasurer Mark Viglione, skins manager Brian Perrault, events coordinator Ron Kuite and scorekeeper Deems Smith. The League members all expressed a special appreciation to Dick Larsen who managed the League’s excellent dinners throughout the season.
The members of both leagues thank the pro shop staff who make the weekly events run so smoothly. And we all appreciate Chris Drummond and his greens staff for the opportunity to play on such a well-maintained course.
ER Garden Club announces Village Pride winners
(September 02, 2010) 
The Elk Rapids Garden Club announced its Village Pride winners this week. Blue Heron Art Gallery (131 Ames), owned by Village President Dan Reszka & wife, Pat Curran took first place under the category of business. The gallery was built in 2001 and features local artists. Reszka, an artist, explained the swales were edged with chimney stones salvaged from the Sunnyside lodge cabins located at the site previously. The garden swales are designed to channel and filter storm run-off. Curran designed the landscape with native, drought tolerant plantings; grasses, cone flower, sage, lavender, hollyhock, and tall Mullein. Rose of Sharon, phlox and black-eyed Susan bloom near the signature blue heron sculpture.
Taking first place in the category of residential was the summer home of Ron and Mickey Kuite (309 Fairbanks) is located on the east side of Elk Rapids, near Bass lake. Mums and roses, chrysanthemum, and climbing Morning Glory are currently blooming in beds surrounding the lakeside patio.
Lighthouse reaches youth, community
(September 02, 2010)
What a busy summer it has been for the Lighthouse Youth. As soon as school was completed, 12 high school youth, Joey Perrault, Grant Gilreath, Nathan Atkinson, Donnie Fedrigon, Nate Lee, Eddie Shaw, Talon Felker, Kaitlin Eberle, Elise Coates, Marisa Rogers, Katy Derks, and Madi Gosselin, went on a mission trip to Marvell, Arkansas.
Marvell is a small rural town that has many struggles including poverty, education issues, and lack of opportunities for the town. The Lighthouse Youth joined three other churches and for a week worked on home repair and painting. They also organized and ran a kids club program. As soon as the mission trip was over, many of these same youth helped with the Vacation Bible School program, “High Seas Adventure,” for a week at First Presbyterian Church.
If you came downtown for Evening on River Street on Wednesday nights, you may have seen our face-painting booth. Proceeds from painting faces support the Lighthouse youth’s adopted child, Nesly Joseph from Haiti, through Compassion International and to support Operation Christmas Child shoebox program.
On Sunday nights, during the summer, the Lighthouse youth met at the Dam Beach for weekly bonfires, hotdogs and s’mores. This has been a time for us to stay in touch with each other and to support each other throughout the summer.
With summer coming to an end and the new school year about to begin, the Lighthouse Youth program is also about to begin. Sunday, September 12th is our kick-off program for the youth groups, with September 19th as our first official meeting time. The Lighthouse Youth program is open to all youth grades 6-12. It is a community-based program and it doesn’t matter if you belong to one of our many churches in our town or if you have no church affiliation. All are welcomed. The middle school youth group meets every Sunday night from 5-6:30 p.m. and the high school meets every from 7-9 p.m. Lighthouse Youth Ministry is an outreach of First Presbyterian Church and is located at the corner of Elm and First.
If you would like to know more about the program, please feel free to call Gary at 264-8167. -Gary Bekkering
Acoustic Americana at Town Hall
(September 02, 2010) 
Blending original compositions highlighting their life in Michigan with American traditional classics, musicians Max and Ruth Bloomquist entertained an enthusiastic audience at the historic Elk Rapids Town Hall on Sunday evening. The pair were joined by fiddler Daniel Seabolt and guitarist John King for their renderings of Ruth’s originals “Daddy Dance,” “I Know Love” and “Michigan Girl” as well as sing-a-long standards. For more information, visit www.ruthbloomquist.com
Photo by Tom Vranich
West Side Story showing benefit for ArtRapids!
(September 02, 2010) 
The Elk Rapids Cinema showed off its recent renovations to patrons attending last Wednesday’s ArtRapids! benefit , with entertainment provided by vocalists Katie McCall and Eric Fegan, accompanied by Cinema owner Joe Yuchasz on piano before the showing of the original 1957 movie West Side Story directed and choreographed by Jerome Robbins. Joe also shared a brief history of the theatre built in 1940, telling the packed house, “It was the people, mostly those here, who saved the theatre.” He purchased the landmark as the third owner in 1972. Proceeds from the benefit will support ArtRapids! ongoing support of student art scholarships, along with student and community education awards and grants.
Photo by Tom Vranich/tvranich.smugmug.com
(September 02, 2010) 