Elk Rapids News and Features | Elk Rapids, Michigan

Caughtcha being Good!

Sue Schumacher

Photo by Kristie Wolgamott

Sue Schumacher exemplifies the spirit of Caughtcha being GOOD repeatedly! Whether it be the PTA, Band Boosters, Art Rapids, Harbor Voices or the Elk Rapids Players, she has always been the go-to person to get something done. Audiences attending performances by the Elk Rapids Players may have seen her on stage as a Pigeon sister, Bloody Mary, Clara Johnson or in several other roles. But, according to Marcy Ford, it’s behind the scenes where she is just as valuable helping with props, costumes, and feeding everyone, often from her own pocketbook. She even provided the framed posters from ERP productions as well as the late Joni Braun artwork that adorns the HERTHA building. In recent years the ER Players have been writing and hosting monthly trivia nights in the off-season. Sue always arrives early to set up tables and chairs. She is the main door prize wrangler, again, at her own expense. Thank you, Sue, your help and kindness are invaluable and very much appreciated!

Publisher's Note

Dear Elk Rapids News readers,

Elk Rapids News is proud to celebrate our 20th anniversary of bringing local news coverage to Elk Rapids and the surrounding areas. When we started the paper in 2005 my vision was simple, and it remains true today: to inform readers about what’s happening here at home – the community’s successes as well as its challenges – and to bring you, local, positive community news every week.

Our paper has faced some challenges, particularly severe during the Covid shutdown, but our 20th anniversary is a testament to the ongoing hard work of our news and editorial team and the support and patronage from our local businesses and our loyal readers through the years, for which we are eternally grateful!

Thank you again for allowing us to be a part of this beloved community, and we look forward to serving our advertisers and readers for many more years to come.

Kathleen Weitschat,
Publisher, Elk Rapids News

Students visit Samels Farm

Students participate at the Samels Farm School program. Photo courtesy of Samels Farm

The historic Samels Farm recently hosted Mrs. Wilson’s eighth grade creative writing students as docents for fourth grade students at Lakeland Elementary and Mill Creek Charter School. Each of the eighth-grade students chose an area of the farm to learn through the school year as part of a team, assuming a character living on the farm. They shared their knowledge in the area of farm archaeology, barn, carpentry, blacksmithing, farmhouse, or the farm garden with groups of visiting fourth grade students. This year as in many past years, Samels Educational leader MaryAnne Rivers led volunteers with school visits and practice for a truly memorable experience. To find out more, please visit samelsfarm.org, or m.facebook/samelsfarm.

Elk Rapids village bird walk

Courtesy photo

Listen! What’s that bird?

Come along on the Elk Rapids Village Bird Walk with Green ER and GT Audubon Club and find out. Learn about the local birds that live here and those that are returning now.

For any level bird watcher. Approximately 90 minutes long. Binoculars and comfy walking shoes suggested. June 14, Saturday, 8:00 a.m. Meet at Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor gazebo area, at entrance to harbor parking lot. Limited to 15 people.

There will be a waiting list, so please cancel if your plans change. Optional prep: look up Chipping Sparrow, Pine Warbler, American Redstarts, Black-throated Green Warbler, Ovenbird.
Sign up at Elk Rapids Village Bird Walk

Committed to reducing the opioid epidemic locally

Many people think opioid overdoses only happen in urban areas, not here in northern Michigan. Sadly, Antrim County is not immune to the nation’s opioid epidemic. The Center for Disease Control states that “over 75% of the nearly 107,000 drug overdose deaths in 2021 involved an opioid.” The introduction of new, more powerful opioids, as well as adulterants like animal tranquilizers in the Michigan illicit drug supply, are truly “upping the ante” right here in our rural communities. According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Antrim County now ranks amongst the top ten counties with the highest overdose death rates per 100,000 residents. Anyone using opioids, whether prescribed or not with intent or accidentally, is at risk for an overdose. Even pets living where opioids are present are at risk for overdose! If you aren’t sure if one of your prescriptions is an opioid, ask your doctor or pharmacist; if it is, the risk is real and we can help by offering the free, lifesaving opioid reversal medication Naloxone!

Opiate dependence looks different for all of us! It could be the result of a prescribed medication for an injury, surgery, tooth extraction, or other acute or chronic pain. If not taken properly, opioids can easily lead to an overdose. In Antrim County, one parent needed information and help when her son accidentally overdosed, but she couldn’t find what she needed. That was three years ago, and now information and help are available thanks to a collaboration of like-minded volunteers, who made sure these resources are available on its website: antrimsfra.com.

Antrim Substance-Free Resource Alliance (Antrim SFRA) launched in June 2022. It started simply by creating resource lists to help guide families when an overdose, or overdose death, occurred. The Alliance has come a long way since partnering with Northern Michigan Regional Entity (NMRE) and Harm Reduction Michigan (HRMI). Together with our partners, the Alliance has placed Naloxone (Narcan) distribution boxes and 24/7/365 public access to free nasal Naloxone in 18 different locations across Antrim County. This medication is safe and legal to possess and administer for people of all ages. We encourage everyone to add a kit or two to their first-aid supplies.

Antrim SFRA members are committed to saving lives. Our mission, specifically focused on reducing the effects of the opioid epidemic, is to provide education and free resources to residents and visitors of Antrim County. We’ve seen that coordinated efforts to provide caring support, without judging or condoning, works to reduce opioid overdoses and deaths. Antrim SFRA has written goals, and its actions are guided by evidence-based prevention models to make a difference right here, right now. The Alliance membership includes local business owners, clergy, local law enforcement and judiciary, and local family health centers. It also includes others with in-depth, current knowledge and insights into prevention, treatment, and recovery, such as certified prevention specialists, peer recovery coaches, and treatment professionals. But we need your help, too! We would like all sectors of the community represented in our alliance and are seeking volunteers.

We are a 501c3 non-profit community prevention organization. Antrim SFRA operates on private donations, which provide the funding for our social media and billboard outreach efforts, for participation in public events, and for flyers and other event giveaways. Through its partnership with Harm Reduction Michigan, Antrim ASFRA supports educational community events to promote opioid/Naloxone awareness. If you are looking to give back to Antrim communities, as a volunteer or through a donation of any amount, please reach out through our website: antrimsfra.com. We will be most grateful for your support of the efforts of the Antrim Substance-Free Resource Alliance.

ELK RAPIDS TOWNSHIP
Elk Rapids Township Update

By Mark McAlpine, Contributing Writer

The Elk Rapids Township Board met for their regular monthly meeting on Monday, June 9 at the Government Center. All board members were present. Attorney Thad Morgan and Brad Muma, Civil Engineer with Performance Engineers Inc., attended and participated in the meeting.

A large group of residents attended the meeting and provided public comments regarding the decision by the township board to consider the sale of the Historic Elk Rapids Township Hall (HERTH) building. Representatives from HERTHA, the association that has held the lease on the building since 2012, the Elk Rapids Players, and other concerned residents expressed their hope that the township finds a way to sell the building to HERTHA at reduced price with credit for improvements made to the interior of the building through the years. All speakers noted the importance of the building for community events and activities over the years and the concern that selling the building would be a big loss for the community.

Following the public comment, the board approved a motion to accept the agenda as submitted. It also approved a motion to accept the consent agenda. The consent agenda included minutes from the May 12 meeting, a special board meeting and closed session meeting on May 19. It also included the zoning report, treasurer’s report and authorized the payment of bills.

Sheriff Kevin Hoch was not available for the Sheriff report. In his absence, the County Commissioner Bill Hefferan noted that the Sheriff’s department is adding five new deputies and body cameras this summer. Hefferan announced that delays in federal funding to the state may affect the county marine patrol grant funding in the future. He indicated that it would not impact on the patrols this summer. Hefferan confirmed that an ad hoc committee has been at work to try to carve out a compromise for funding a new safety center. According to Hefferan the committee must provide a recommendation to the county board by July 1. Fire Chief Ken Williamson provided his Ambulance and Fire Department report for May. Williamson confirmed that the new fire truck is expected to be delivered by the middle of August.

Related to HERTH official business, a motion was made to adopt resolution 2025-10, which authorizes the board to proceed with the process of hiring an appraiser and commercial real estate agent for the proposed sale of HERTH at market prices and request a rezoning of the building from the village to R-2 residential from its current public property zoning. The board confirmed that they have chosen G.D. Zachritz for the appraisal work and Dan Stiebel with Caldwell Banker / Schmidt Realty to represent them on the building sale. The board indicated that the appraisal is scheduled to be completed and delivered to Stiebel by Friday, June 13. In discussions, the board confirmed that the rezoning would still allow a nonprofit owner of the building to lease the building and conduct special catered events in the building. Following discussion resolution 2025-10 was passed.

Brad Muma, Civil Engineer with Performance Engineers Inc., provided a progress update on the North Bayshore Sewer project. Muma confirmed that the project was fully funded following the sign up and payment from 18 of the 19 property owners in the district. The funds for the project are being held in a special account with the township. Muma also reported that construction bids had been opened with one contractor submitting a bid 20% below original project estimates. Muma requested a vote from the board authorizing the hiring of Manthei Construction from Charlevoix for the construction work on the project. He indicated the permits from EGLE were in process and Manthei would be required to post a bond before construction began. Following discussion, the board approved a motion to authorize the hiring of Manthei for the self-funded sewer project. Muma continues to estimate the completion of the project in July 2025.

The board also passed a motion to adopt resolution 2025-11 that establishes a revised board and administrative policy manual dated May 2025. The adoption follows a lengthy review of the policy manual. Attorney Thad Morgan presented his attorney report. Village Council representative Beth Guntzviller provided an update for the village. Guntzviller confirmed that the village has hired David Tait as the new village manager. Tait is currently the city administrator for Croswell, Michigan. He is scheduled to begin his duties on July 1.

The next township board meeting is scheduled for Monday, July 14.

Around Town
with Rob Ford

Advertising has always been an interesting concept to me. Not the creation of ads but the consumption of them. The commercials of my youth were simple, fun, and jingle driven. If you’ve lived around here long perhaps you remember car ads on the radio for a local dealer named Chet Swanson? His jingle went “Chet Swanson, what a great guy. Chet Swanson, he’s got Olds and Cadillac buys…” and so on. It was catchy, upbeat and often the earworm for prospective car buyers.

The local 6:00 news broadcasts were frequently sponsored by Blatz Beer whose song was “I’m from Milwaukee and I oughta know, Blatz Beer tastes great, wherever you go…,” Hamm’s Beer that began with the iconic line, “From the land of sky-blue waters…,” and Carling’s Black Label that had a phrase rather than a song, “Mabel, Black Label” and others. I was just a kid, which meant the news of the day meant nothing, but the songs were everything.

Never advertised locally, but very much advertised nationally were cigarette ads. And again, if you’re my age or older, then you know what I’m talking about and the songs they were singing. “You can take Salem out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of Salem,” “Winston tastes good like a cigarette should,” Tareyton cigarettes slogan was always delivered by a guy with a fake black eye saying, “I’d rather fight than switch,” Marlboro’s were sold by cowboys telling us to “come to where the flavor is, come to Marlboro country,” and Camels were advertised by a guy in need of new shoes telling us the he “would walk a mile for a Camel.” I remember few details of the shows they advertised on or what was on the national news, but those slogans and jingles are branded into my memory.

Ads were aimed at kids too. What I remember the most is that when I was a kid, nobody feared the word “sugar.” Sugar Pops, Sugar Smacks, and Sugar Frosted Flakes all practically threw the word at the little kids. Somewhere the folks at Kellogg wised up, dropped the word if not the ingredient, and Saturday mornings were none the wiser. Kids breakfast cereals, as I recall, were more character driven than jingle driven. Apparently, throwing a prize into the box or having a cartoon Tiger say two words was a better advertising practice than creating an entire song.

We no longer see beer advertised during the news, smoking has been flipped entirely to PSAs for quitting the habit, and sugared cereals are dealt with similarly. Some say it’s part of just being “woke,” but I like to think it’s just how an enlightened population behaves. Like realizing that naming sports teams after the more aggressive aspects of our Native American population wasn’t appropriate, we moved away from singing for our next beer or cigarette, and I sincerely apologize if I put any ear worms into your heads in the process.

I bring this all up because I’ve recently heard my own grandchildren running around the house muttering phrases I know they’ve picked up from hearing ads. Phrases and slogans for everything from insurance and roofing companies to drugs for those with bad hearts or excess weight have crept into their everyday conversation. That must make both the content creators and the products they’re pushing very satisfied, and no, I will not stoop to saying/singing anything about them here.

If there is anything that tracks the progress of human evolution it just may be our advertising methods. If you want proof, just consider that my childhood airways were bombarded with smoothly crafted and cleverly written ads for beer, cigarettes, and sugary cereal. Then realize that my grandchildren are getting insurance, Type 2 diabetes medication and weight loss drugs.

The Latest from the Library

On August 5, 2025, residents in the Elk Rapids District Library (ERDL) service area will vote on a bond proposal to help fund the renovation and transformation of our new building.

Who can vote?
Registered voters in Milton Township, the Township of Elk Rapids, and the Village of Elk Rapids

What’s the proposal?
A 0.36 mill tax for 12 years
•   A YES vote will help complete our funding plan, keep us on track to start construction in 2026 and move in 2027
•   A NO vote means we’ll adjust our timeline to reflect funding availability

What would it cost?
For the average homeowner in the ERDL service area, about $1.44 per week, or about $74.88 per year.
Read more @elkrapidslibrary.org/millage2025

Open House: 6/25 10:00-11:30 a.m. @8980 Cairn Hwy
Tour the building, explore the project timeline, get insider details—all in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

*Library closed for Father’s Day – 6/15

Upcoming Programs
•   Storytime with Antrim Conservation District: Friday, 6/13, 10:30-11:30 a.m.
•   Family Game Night on the Lawn: Monday, 6/16, 5:00-7:00 p.m.
•   Make It! For Everyone: Shrinky-Dink Jewelry, Tuesday, 6/17 10:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
•   Drop-in Tech Help: Tuesday, 6/17, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. & Thursday, 6/19, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
•   Norte Bike, Books & Bubbles: Wednesday, 6/18, 10:30-11:30 a.m. @ Chain Hub
•   Winnie the Pooh – Live Action on the Lawn: Wednesday 6/18, 5:00 p.m.
•   ER Knitters: Thursday, 6/12, 2:00-4:00 p.m.

All programs take place at the Island House Library unless otherwise noted.
Questions? Call us at 231-264-9979 or visit elkrapidslibrary.org
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