LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Support the Nakwema Trailway

Dear Editor,

The Nakwema Trailway will be a year-round, nonmotorized trail for walking, cycling, snowshoeing, and skiing for everyone of all ages and mobilities. Building the trail segment from Townline Road to Elk Rapids brings people directly into town, driving economic vitality of our downtown businesses, restaurants, and shops. The trail provides a safe, ADA-accessible pathway for everyone—families, seniors, children, cyclists, and individuals using mobility devices. It also strengthens Elk Rapids’ standing as a Pure Michigan Trail Town and will connect us to a premier regional trail network. 

Community support for the trail is clearly strong among residents and leaders. We encourage residents to share their support with Village Council members and candidates about the importance of completing this Nakwema Trailway segment. We ask those who serve on the Village Council to publicly support The Trail and make this connection a reality.

Elk Rapids has an opportunity to create something lasting—an accessible trail that supports local businesses, enhances our quality of life, and connects our community to the beauty of northern Michigan.

This is an investment in our community’s future. Let’ s work together to make the Nakwema Trailway a reality!

Paula & Paul Moyer
Kewadin

Elk Rapids’ colorful history

Dear Editor,

On behalf of the Elk Rapids Area Historical Society, I offer our heartfelt thanks to the 100 people who joined us on September 26, for a one-hour tour of Maple Grove Cemetery. On a perfect autumn day, neighbors and visitors came together to learn about several of Elk Rapids’ colorful, accomplished, and fascinating founders.

We are thrilled that so many people share our interest in the community’s rich past, and we are especially grateful for the renewed enthusiasm surrounding Maple Grove Cemetery. Your curiosity, questions, and encouragement make programs like this possible. We look forward to bringing you Voices from Maple Grove again in 2027, with more stories from the people and events that helped shape our village.
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If you enjoy living history, please join us for the Community Potluck at HERTH at 6 p.m. this Thursday. Bring a dish to share and settle in for an engaging evening as Rob Ford interviews four beloved and fascinating elders of our community. Through their memories and stories, they will take us back to the Elk Rapids of yesteryear. We hope you will come, connect with neighbors, and help us keep the tales of our remarkable community alive for generations.

Nancy Baker
ERAHS, Trustee

Letter to the Editor Guide
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Letters to the editor provide a platform for readers to share their opinions and concerns about local relevant topics. By design, letters to the editor are opinion pieces allowing readers to have their voices heard. The opinions expressed are always the writer’s own. Elk Rapids News does not engage in fact-checking as we would like to due to time constraints and a limitation of resources. 

•    Please limit length to 200 words and two submissions per topic. 

•    Letters containing personal attacks will not be published. 

•    Letters are subject to editing for content and clarity, must be signed, and include address and phone number for verification purposes – only your name and community in which you live be printed.

•    Deadline is Monday 12 p.m. to be considered for that week’s edition.

As your only locally owned and operated local news source, we strive to be your local newspaper of choice and welcome your comments, suggestions. – Editor

Reminder to our readers that Letters to the Editor containing political endorsements will no longer be accepted. Instead, readers may pay for a political ad.