Elk Rapids News and Features | Elk Rapids, Michigan

Photo by KLW

CAUGHTCHA BEING GOOD!

Abigail Petersen

Abby Petersen, a freshman at Elk Rapids High School, harvested her first deer with a compound bow on October 4 on her family farm in Kewadin. Abby donated the deer to a local single mother whose son is currently in boot camp. She wanted the son to have fresh venison when he came home. Caughtcha being GOOD, Abby, and thank you for your thoughtfulness

Library Campaign fall catch up

The Elk Rapids District Library Capital Campaign is hosting an informal gathering at the Library on Thursday, October 24 from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Come enjoy some fresh cider, learn about the expansion and restoration project, and get an update on the Capital Campaign. Bring along ideas and suggestions for future programs, services, and features for our bigger, better library!

Elk Rapids District
Library Corner

Upcoming Events:
Library Campaign Fall Catch Up. Thursday, October 24, 5:30 – 7:00 pm at the Library. Enjoy some fresh cider and learn about the expansion and restoration project, and get an update on the Capital Campaign.

An Evening of Ghosts, Goblins, Fairies & Elves with Jim Ribby. Saturday, October 26, 6:00 pm on the Library grounds. Join us around the bonfire as local bard Jim Ribby entertains with stories and poetry especially for Halloween and the Harvest Season. Cider and doughnuts will be served. Suitable for ages 8 and up. Bring your own chair or blanket. In case of rain Jim will present on the Library porch.

Learn to Knit Mittens. Three consecutive Tuesdays - October 29, November 5, and November 12 – at 6:30 pm in the Library meeting room. Kate Husband is back to teach knitters with knit and purl experience to make mittens! Call the Library to register.

Notice
The location of the Elk Rapids District Library Board of Trustees meetings has been changed to the Government Center, 315 Bridge St., Elk Rapids. The next regular meeting is Thursday, November 14 at 5:00 pm.

Please call the library at
231-264-9979 for more information

Veliquette to be ordained at First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids

First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids invites the community to attend the Ordination Service for Roger Veliquette on Sunday, October 20 at 4:00 p.m. Alton B. Pollard, III, Louisville Seminary President, will be preaching at this special service. Everyone is welcome to stay for a reception directly following the service.

Veliquette was awarded a Master of Divinity degree from Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 19, 2019. He is the son of Norman Veliquette of Elk Rapids and Marjory Veliquette (deceased).

WILD at Twisted Fish Gallery

WILD brings the natural world to life through painting and sculpture. With detailed brush work and finely crafted wood, bronze or soapstone, each artist captures the spirit and life force of their beloved subject. WILD features the works of Anni Crouter, Dani Knoph, Sam Soet, Roger Smith and James Troutman.

Anni Crouter has made an international name for herself having been invited to show in the UK and Africa last year. Her large-scale canvases and elaborate framing bring majesty to her artwork.

Artist and wildlife conservation advocate, Dani Knoph joins Twisted Fish Gallery from her home and studio in Elk Rapids.

Inspired by nature, Sculptor Sam Soet’s work can be found at the Walk of Art Park in Elk Rapids as well as outdoor exhibitions throughout Michigan.

Trained in taxidermy, Roger Smith sculpts with clear definition and refinement, but his artistry brings life to form.

James Troutman’s love of travel inspires his works. With each return home to Michigan, he brings the spirit of the adventure into studio to create his masterful soapstone carvings.

Opening reception on Friday, October 18 at 6 p.m. at Twisted Fish Gallery, of Elk Rapids. All are welcome to this free event. WILD will be on display through November 9. 10443 S Bayshore Dr. Elk Rapids. For more information visit www.twistedfishgallery.com

Moby Masters

Last Monday several MobyMax students spoke to the Board of Education and were spotlighted for their accomplishments over this past summer. Current and former “Moby Masters” from Lakeland and Cherryland Middle School: Blake Springstead, Keller Childs, Eric Sieklucki, Mackenzie Oeder, Emma Eardley, Jennell DeSantiago, Caleb Hoeksma, Jack Davis, Laila Horrighs, and Teagan Springstead. Photo by Kim Eardley Photography

More than 50 Lakeland students and their parents commit each summer to an online program called MobyMax. Kindergarten through 5th grade students work at their own level and pace in math and/or reading skills with a commitment of at least 10 hours. A Lakeland teacher monitors students’ work online and provides feedback as well as help through Mobymax’s Messenger. The program is offered in addition to summer school to prevent the “summer slide” or regression of skills during summer vacation.

Village of Elk Rapids
Harbor Commission update

By Jennifer Griffin, Contributing Writer

The Harbor Commission met Monday, October 14 at 7 p.m. with a full board present. After approval of the minutes from the last meeting the Harbormaster gave a brief rundown of what was going on with the harbor as the season wraps up. Winterizing has been in full swing with most of the buoys in the harbor being pulled in. The ones that have been left are for navigation purposes. The docks are up. The harbor has received its last fuel dump of the season, and the lawns have been winterized. The harbor is at about 17% occupancy and most of those boats are waiting to be pulled out for storage.

Doug Bronkema reported that the council met last Monday. They received complaints on excessive speeding on Lake Street as well as personal complaints about short term rentals. These were heard and discussed. Various appointments were made for boards and committees. The council is also moving forward working on fine tuning the Ethical Conduct of the General Code of Ordinance. There was nothing to report from the treasurer.

Since both Old Business and New Business were covered with the Harbormaster’s Report the only other things discussed were changing the dates for the final days that boaters would be able to change their mind on renting a boat slip and putting the Dock Proposal on for the 2020 budget. Along with changing the dates for the boat slip rentals it was also decided that adjustments and clarifications needed to be made in the Boat Slip contracts. This will be added to the November meeting agenda so that the new contracts can be updated and sent out for the 2020 boating season.

The next Harbor Commission meeting will be Monday, November 11 at 7 p.m.

THE JOY OF STARTING A MARIJUANA BUSINESS – OR NOT

The ability to legally sell marijuana in Michigan was the result of a voter initiated and passed ballot proposal. If you are considering starting a business involving the growing, distribution, or retail sales of marijuana, there are many rules that must be followed that are not required of other types of businesses. The following is a list of some of the unusual requirements relating to the marijuana business.

1. In order to open a business in the marijuana industry, you must first obtain a license. In Michigan, in order to obtain a license you must first have a licensed CPA in the business of public accounting prepare financial statements for you personally, as either an audit, review, or agreed upon procedures. A simple compilation or letter is not acceptable.

2. The applicant must meet capitalization requirements. For example, to operate a business as a Class A, Grower (cultivation of not more than 100 marijuana plants), you must have $150,000 of personal assets available for collateral, and at least 25% of this must be a liquid asset (an asset that is easily converted to cash, such as bank CDs, stocks, bonds, etc). Real estate is not a liquid asset. If you are applying for multiple licenses, you must meet the capitalization requirements using different assets for each license. You must submit proof of ownership of each asset, proof of the fair market value and proof that no liens or encumbrances on each asset exist, unless the asset is real estate.

3. Businesses operating in states that had legalized the selling of marijuana years ago were prevented from opening a bank account because the federal government determined the business was selling an illegal, controlled substance. More recently the banks have decided that it is not up to the federal government to tell the banks how to do business.

Now, the decision to work with a marijuana business is made on a bank by bank basis. Credit Unions are still not offering banking services to businesses in the marijuana industry.

4. Without a bank account, a business cannot pay their payroll taxes electronically, a requirement of IRS. You must make an appointment with IRS to pay your payroll taxes in cash, but only at specific IRS locations. If you must pay over $49,000 in a single transaction, IRS is not allowed to accept more than $49,000. If you need to pay more than this, you must make a second appointment.

5. Movement of marijuana from the grower to the retailer requires a licensed carrier.

6. Keep meticulous records, and do not lump several similar cost items into one expense category. It may be beneficial to create an expense category for each vendor with a very specific description of what was purchased. For example, not production supplies, but packaging, etc.

7. The federal government will tax the marijuana businesses based on gross profit, which is sales, less excise tax, less cost of goods sold only. Indirect costs such as rent, utilities, wages, etc may not be deductible. Michigan income tax is unresolved at this time. The intent of the law was to allow all ordinary deductions based on the normal net income, just like any other type of business. However, the Michigan income tax law states that Michigan business income tax is calculated based on the federal taxable income. This law has not yet been updated, leaving the taxpayer in a difficult position as to which taxable income applies to Michigan.

8. Do not combine sales of marijuana with the sale of other items within the same business. For example, if you are selling marijuana and marijuana related items such as pipes, you must keep separate, detailed records. The best option is to establish a separate business entirely and you are not allowed to share a cash register or retail space.

Due to the recent legalization of marijuana in Michigan, there is a lack of guidance in many areas of licensing and operations. That being said, producing the correct information and setting up your accounting systems correctly right from the start will save you a lot of misery when it comes to filing income tax returns. The information contained herein is subject to change at any time. If you are interested in operating a marijuana business, you must find an attorney and a CPA who are well versed in these matters.

For more information, search for GROWING AND SELLING MARIJUANA IN MICHIGAN. Submitted by Char Kirchner, CPA, MSA and Rex Rudolph, CPA

Sandie's Galley
by Sandie Parker

This recipe may not be fancy, but I’ll tell you something, it is sure darn good and pretty too! What can be better than a fast, complete meal all in one pan, except of course the pot you cook the noodles in. We try to limit carbs, but with this “all in one” meal it is a must. I did not use a recipe to start with, I just whipped together what I hand on hand and also food that we liked. Notice the onion and garlic. This meal is hearty, comfort food and so great for the fall, or any time for that matter. sandiesgalley@gmail.com

Sausage Cabbage Noodle Dinner
12 oz. kielbasa or sausage sliced
2 tablespoons olive oil divided
1 med. sweet onion, sliced thick
1/4 c. salted butter
1/2 head cabbage chopped large
1 tsp. chopped jarred garlic
2/3 c. frozen peas
8 oz. uncooked egg noodles,
salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste,
or Montreal steak seasoning

Cook noodles according to package directions but for 2 minutes less time, drain and set aside. In a large saucepan, heat olive oil, add sausage and onions. Cook over medium heat until lightly browned. Add butter, garlic and cabbage, cook until softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in peas, noodles and salt and pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese on top.

KUDOS
Lakeland Elementary’s annual Jog-a-Thon

Last week Lakeland Elementary School held its annual Jog-a-Thon. Later it was announced that the school’s goal of $7,000 had been matched and exceeded. The PTO uses funds raised for field trips, playground equipment and school supplies. Congratulations to all the students who participated!

Mr. McKenna announces that the Jog-a-thon goal of $7,000 was exceeded. Photo by Kim Eardley Photography