CAUGHTCHA BEING GOOD!

Ellen Dunbar and the
​Knit & Purl Girls 

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Sue Leasner celebrates her birthday. Courtesy photo
Trying to celebrate the birthday of a dear friend can be challenging during covid. But Ellen Dunbar and the Knit & Purl Girls Club in Elk Rapids found just the way to do it. Unable to meet in person, they surprised Sue Leasner, the birthday gal, by showing up at her home wearing silly hats and bearing gifts. With a rousing chorus of Happy Birthday, accompanied by the banging of pots and pans, they let her know how much they miss seeing her. “Sue is such an important member of our group. We all look up to her for her guidance. She is a very positive individual,” said Connie Clark, a member of the Knit & Purl Girls Club. So, with a little thoughtful planning and creativity, the Knit & Purl Girls Club brought some birthday magic to Sue’s special day.

While Joe was trying to help Marge, Rob Richardson, who was also driving by, saw them and immediately stopped to lend a hand. The two men kept Marge warm with their coats and stayed with her until an ambulance arrived. “She handled herself with such grace, even though she was in tremendous pain,” said Rob. After the ambulance left with Marge, Rob went to notify Marge’s family. Later, Rob, who happens to be vice president of facilities at Munson Healthcare, made a point to stop by at the hospital and check on her. 

Happily, Marge is currently recovering in rehab and said her rescuers “were so good and patient with her and kept her company until the ambulance arrived.”
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Thank you very much, Joe and Rob. Marge and her family are so grateful you were there at the right time and right place! Caughtcha being VERY GOOD!

ELK RAPIDS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Chamber welcomes new business

The Elk Rapids Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting on February 17, at the new Short’s Pull Barn to celebrate the opening of their Tap Room located at 211 Industrial Park Dr., Elk Rapids. Hours: Mon-Thurs 2-10 p.m. Fri-Sun 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
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Leah (w/scissors) and Joe (w/ sword) Short and friends at Short’s Pull Barn. Photo by KLW

Michigan Reconnect and its regional impact

Michigan Reconnect is the largest effort in state history to ensure Michiganders who are 25 or older and don’t have a college degree – more than 4.1 million people in all – have an opportunity to earn a tuition-free or deeply discounted associate degree or skills certificate.

The aim of Michigan Reconnect is to make it easier and more affordable than ever for adults with some or no college experience to earn a postsecondary degree or skills certificate. In northern Michigan and the U.P., 395,000 residents would be eligible for the scholarship.

Reconnect scholarships are accepted by all Michigan community colleges and are also available to eligible adults already enrolled in their local community college. The program pays the remaining balance of tuition and mandatory fees after other state and federal financial aid have been applied.

“Our school and others in northern Michigan and the U.P. are seeing a huge interest in using Reconnect scholarships to begin – or sometimes to wrap up – that associate degree or skills certificate,” said Donald MacMaster, Alpena Community College president.

Eligible residents can attend community college tuition-free at the campus within their community college district. For those who don’t live in-district or choose to attend another campus, Reconnect will cover the in-district portion of tuition.

To be eligible for Michigan Reconnect, you must: Be at least 25 years old when you apply; Have lived in Michigan for a year or more; Have a high school diploma; Have not yet completed a college degree (associate or bachelor’s).

Michigan employers’ ability to find highly skilled and capable employees is more difficult than ever and is cited as a top concern in the most recent Michigan Future Business Index Report. Only 34% of northern Michiganders 25 or older have an associate degree or higher, according to state Department of Technology, Management and Budget data.
Michiganders without a college degree or training credential often face economic challenges. A 2020 analysis by the American Association of Community Colleges reports the median earnings of full-time employees with a high school degree is $40,510 annually, while those with an associate degree make $50,079 per year, based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Individuals looking to take advantage of Reconnect who are unsure what they’d like to study are encouraged to consider some of Michigan’s high-demand careers. A list of those careers and wages by occupation and region is available on the Michigan Reconnect website.

Michigan Reconnect builds on the success of the Futures for Frontliners initiative Gov. Whitmer launched last September and to which more than 120,000 essential front-line workers submitted applications for tuition-free college or high school completion.

Michigan Reconnect – one of Gov. Whitmer’s signature accomplishments introduced in her first State of the State address – is included in her recommended budget for fiscal year 2022 with a proposed quadrupling of funding with a one-time $120 million appropriation.
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Eligible residents can learn more and apply for Michigan Reconnect at michigan.gov/Reconnect.

Elk Rapids Almanac

PicturePine marten tracks? Photo by Carl Freeman
February 15 –Walking: the easiest, yet often overlooked, exercise of all. During this pandemic many have continued their habit of walking regularly and others have just discovered its benefits. Not only does walking strengthen bones and muscles, but it prevents and manages medical conditions such as high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes. Walking assists in improving balance and coordination and also helps to maintain a healthy weight. Walking can improve one’s mood. Who wouldn’t enjoy that benefit in the midst of winter? 

When it is gray, cold, and windy the thought of walking may be daunting. For those who walk on a regular basis, such conditions aren’t looked at adversely. It just means making some changes before going out, such as dressing more warmly, changing the timing of the walk for improved conditions, or picking a route with the least amount of wind. If you are just starting a walking routine, don’t push yourself. However once outside, you may find yourself walking farther than planned. 

When there is snow cover, winter walking is an excellent time to seek and identify wildlife tracks. Notice the gait. Was it walking, running, or jumping? Was it traveling in a direct manner or meandering about? Was it a lone creature or were there several together? Even if unable to actually see the wildlife, it’s possible to observe the tracks left behind and form a picture of the activity. While walking this winter I noticed canine tracks in the fresh snow on the path I was taking. I started paying closer attention to the tracks and took pictures. Thank you to James Dake, of Grass River Natural Area, for confirming that the tracks were made by a coyote, by the claws, oval shape, and negative space between the toes and heel pad. You can draw an “X through the negative space. Had I not been attuned to observing signs of wildlife, it would have been easy to tramp along and wipe out the tracks made by the coyote without noticing. “Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” Frank Lloyd Wright. – Ellen Baird.

February 16 – I recently spotted animal tracks in the snow near the village and was curious about what they could be. My photo was tentatively confirmed by James Dake, Grass River Natural Area, as bobcat tracks.  – Christine Petersen.

Note: Speaking of tracks in the snow, in late January, animal tracks in the Arcadia Dunes area attracted great interest as possibly tracks of a pine marten. Pine martens were reintroduced in the lower peninsula in 1985 in Pigeon River State Forest, and in 1986 in Manistee National Forest. These tracks look like weasel tracks – close set paired prints not close together – but too large for long-tailed weasel or ermine, and too small for otter.  What do you think? Though a population remains, the effort has not been largely successful. – Carl Freeman.

A pine marten taxidermy specimen is on display at the local Guntzviller Museum. Local residents have heard animal sounds in recent months believed to be pine martens. 
https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1308&context=mcnair
www.michiganradio.org/biologists.look

Fitzgerald named
“2020 Fire Fighter of the Year”

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ERFD Chief Williamson congratulates Lieutenant Shawn Fitzgerald on being voted 2020 Fire Fighter of the Year. Courtesy photo
Each year the Elk Rapids Fire Department votes to name one of their own “Fire Fighter of the Year.” This coveted award is given to the fire fighter that most portrays the department’s commitment of service to the community, fellow fire fighters and self. 

This year’s recipient is Lieutenant Shawn Fitzgerald. Shawn joined ERFD in 2009 and during this time has answered a plethora of service calls to help his community. ERFD Chief Williamson said, “Shawn is responsible for keeping all our firefighters’ uniforms and gear in proper order. Shawn is also one of our certified instructors and helps teach our firefighter certification classes! Shawn is truly dedicated to his community and we are very lucky to have him on our team!” Congratulations to Shawn for being chosen as 2020’s Fire Fighter of the Year!

VILLAGE OF ELK RAPIDS
Recycling

Recycling services are available to all citizens – regardless of village residency – in the gravel lot to the south of the Elk Rapids Government Center (315 Bridge St., Elk Rapids, MI 49629). The Recycle Center is a self-service facility operated by Antrim County and is open to all residents. Recycling rules are as follows: Acceptable materials include steel and aluminum cans, all glass food containers, #1 PET plastic bottles and containers, #2 HDPE plastic bottles and containers, #5 PP plastic bottles and containers, newspaper, magazines, catalogs, junk mail, corrugated cardboard and boxboard. All items must be placed inside the recycling bins. Residents with questions regarding these services should contact Department of Public Works Superintendent at 231-264-9971or vllgdpw@elkrapids.org. To “know it before you throw it.” Go to RecyclingRaccoons.org

ELK RAPIDS SCHOOLS
From the Superintendent’s desk

This past week, I had the privilege of spending time listening to the GMB architecture team talk with building-level facility design teams. Staff of Cherryland Middle School and Elk Rapids High School met with GMB and shared needs, wants, and wishes for facilities upgrades. During these meetings, two themes surfaced. 

First, discussions not only considered current facility needs, but also the future needs of students. In 2008, researchers Karl Fisch, Scott McLeod, and Jeff Brenman stated, “We are currently preparing students for jobs that don’t yet exist...using technologies that haven’t been invented...in order to solve problems we don’t even know are problems yet.” Twelve years later, this statement is even more true! In addition to the classroom environments that must change to meet the expectations of 21st century learning, the middle school staff’s vision includes the addition of a makerspace. i3Detroit.com describes a makerspace as “a collision of art, technology, learning, and collaboration.” A makerspace is a collaborative workspace that teachers, staff, and community members may use for making, learning, and exploring. The benefit of a makerspace over a dedicated STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) lab is the versatility of the space. While STEM work may be conducted in a makerspace, one might also see a world language or music class using the space. The makerspace includes both technology and workspace large enough for students to collaborate around research projects, project-based learning initiatives, and/or present findings to a large group. The key to a makerspace is the ability to adapt for the future that changes faster now than in any other time in our history.  

Second, staff shared the desire to make the upgraded Elk Rapids Schools facilities open, welcoming, and an asset to our community members. The Elk Rapids High School performance gymnasium will be a point of pride for Elk Rapids Schools. However, for the district, the space is not just about high school athletics. The staff envisions a warm environment for families and community members to come and view events for kids of all ages, at different experience levels, and various activities. Carving out time during the week for community members to access the walking track throughout the year, but especially during the wonderful winter months, is a goal. Whether being active in the new gymnasium or attending an event in a makerspace, the message is clear: our community is part of our school district. 
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The Learn/Programming phase portion of the design process is coming to a close. The next phase of the work, Explore/Schematic Design, will begin the shaping of the conceptual drawings of the phase one bond work. Early drafts of site plans, floor plans, and estimated costs are goals in this phase. The process seems slow, but there is steady progress! – Julie Stolowski-Brown

Around Town
with Rob Ford

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I’m at a point in life where I wake up about the same time every day and go to bed most every night around the same time too. With small variations, decades of routine have dictated that this man of mirth and girth shall go to bed around 10:00 at night and wake up around 6:00 without the aid of an alarm clock. 

If I’ve learned anything during this so-called life of mine it’s this: There is a huge difference between waking up early to drink some coffee and read the morning newspaper and waking up early to get ready for work. 

For so many years, getting out of bed in the morning was the first stride out of the sprinter blocks and into the mad dash into the day. Not that my life was ever a high stakes rat race to win lots of cheddar, but it had its moments. 

Three kids had to get their clothes on, eat a bowl of corn flakes and get to school on time. 

Somebody had to get that going and keep it on track. 

Well, somebody had to drive the car.

Point is – a morning with a mission is different from a morning long enough to have an intermission. 

A morning that lasts long enough for a newspaper, a bagel, an hour of local news, a couple cups of coffee, some breakfast, two hours of national “news” and ten seconds of “Live! With Kelly and Ryan” before I get into gear may seem excessive and unproductive to some. I’m not saying it happens every day for me, but every day that it does happen for me … is fine. Particularly when rare days like these are mingled with the days where the news is consumed as the coffee brews, the bagel toasts and an eye is on the clock in order to leave home in time to be someplace on time. 

My wife tells me that I brew the best pot of coffee. I assume that its quality comes more from the idea that she didn’t have to make it rather from any secret quality that I add to it. Even if I did have a secret ingredient, it would be a relatively new advance in coffee making since I’ve only been a coffee drinker for the last 15 years or so. Prior to that, if anything, I drank water, milk or diet soda in the morning. These days, no matter how tight the time, a pot of coffee is the first and top priority.

A year ago, I began what has become the longest beard of my life. Both in terms of length of hair and length of longevity, the beard I sport today, 50 weeks since inception, is my life’s longest. I’ve grown dozens of beards over the years, each one a fairly closely cropped version that typically began in the fall and buzzed off in the spring. 

Looked at another way, this beard and its volume means that I haven’t spent much time shaving since last March either. I tell you that only because long beards and facial masks don’t play well together. Maskless, a clean and washed beard is a pretty easy thing to maintain. Kept behind a mask; trapped in humidity and creased with elastic straps, a bushy beard is a nearly constant distraction. Too bad though, the leisurely morning lifestyle has never included shaving.

Into this huge gulf of difference between the leisurely morning and the workday morning, I need to add one final rejoinder. No matter the reason for my morning, pleasure or business, kindly remember one rule if we meet; don’t talk to me until I talk to you.

Elk Rapids District
Library Corner

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We Are Open! The Library is open by appointment. Up to 4 people at a time will be allowed in for a maximum of 15 minutes during our current hours. People can browse the collection, use a computer or the photocopier, visit The Book Celllar, and check out materials. We will continue to have a laptop in the lobby for anyone who wishes to use it, and lobby pick up of materials for those who don’t want to come in. Newspapers and magazines will still be in the “free” basket for people to take on a first come, first served basis. When we have Friends volunteers lined up to work in The Book Cellar we will accept donations of gently used books. Masks and social distancing are required in the building. We look forward to seeing your smiling eyes again!

Island House Readers. Wednesday, March 3 at noon, via Zoom. Visit the library website for instructions to join the Zoom meeting to discuss The Night Manager by John LeCarre. All are welcome.

Take and Make Kids Craft. The bags containing everything you need to make an adorable “socktopus”, plus the QR code to link to the instructional video on YouTube, will be available in the lobby on March 1. These go very quickly. Thank you to Tami Laizure for sharing her talent! If you have a craft or skill you would like to share please give us a call.