Caughtcha being Good!
Stephanie Orschel 

Picture
Photo by Elizabeth Aseritis
The pungent smell of gas was unmistakable to Stephanie Orschel and her walking buddy, Teri Kufner, who were taking their daily walk on South Bayshore Rd. They looked around unsure of where it was coming from, sharing their concern with a passing neighbor who said he would try to look into it. A few days later while walking the same route they again smelled the gas, but the odor was even stronger, and they could hear the gas hissing from a corner house. This time Stephanie knew that something needed to be done. She called the Elk Rapids Fire Department who arrived promptly and notified DTE Energy. Both the fire department and DTE then began the process of finding the absent homeowner, knowing that they might have to break into the house before anything truly terrible happened. Finally, the owner was located, and the situation was determined to be a cracked gas line. “I am so impressed by Stephanie’s actions. She really saved the day,” said her friend, Teri. “And the ER Fire Department’s professionalism was exceptional. Everyone involved averted what could have been a very bad situation!”

​Village Council

The Elk Rapids Village Council will hold a work session on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. at the Government Center to discuss the next steps of the 13 Ways recommendations. The public is invited and encouraged to attend.

Project Graduation Trivia night

Picture
Winning team, the “Spinners,” Connie and Dave Burns, Sandra Collins, Molly and John Gregorski. Courtesy photo
There is a saying that it takes a village to raise a child. Last weekend we saw the village of Elk Rapids show their support with just over 75 participants coming out to play Trivia held at Shorts Pull Barn. Project Graduation is an annual all-night supervised alcohol-free event for all high school seniors organized by senior parents. Its intention is to create a fun environment to celebrate the ultimate milestone for teens while giving parents the peace of mind that their seniors are safe while celebrating.  

Joe Macaluso was the MC and ran down the questions to a packed crowd, with questions ranging from what country looks like a boot to asking the meaning of gen Z phrases and words. The trivia questions covered a wide range of topics to cater to everyone. In the end, the group called the “Spinners” won the prize of a $50 gift voucher to a local restaurant thanks to Dewey Insurance. The winning team was John and Molly Gregorski, Sandra Collins from Ludington, and Connie and Dave Burns from Roanoke, Indiana. John is this year’s senior class school advisor and is excited to watch this senior year graduate and finish up their high school career safely. 
​
The first of two Trivia nights raised over $1,200 and we would like to thank our sponsors: Shorts, Traverse Bay Farms, Pine Hill Nursery, Tinker Tailor, Stand Up for Great Lakes, Bella’s Salon, Harbor Wear of Elk Rapids, Shear Canine Pet Spa, Dewey Insurance Agency and each and every participant who came out to support the students. 
If you would like to join us at other events, please mark your calendars for Euchre on January 22 and February 26 at the AMVETS, another trivia night on February 19 at Shorts Pull Barn, Pearls for a Cause on January 27, and an online auction that starts January 29. More details coming soon. Project Graduation is also collecting and returning cans and Community Cash receipts. If you would like your receipts or cans collected just email projectgraduation.erhs@gmail.com and someone will be in touch. Thank you to the village of Elk Rapids.

ERW offering educational grants

The Elk Rapids Women Club (ERW) is offering three educational grants of $600. Women living or working in Antrim County will be given priority during the selection process.

The purpose of the grant is to support women who are preparing to advance themselves in order to enhance their employment, pursue further education, or development their careers. The grant may be used for but is not limited to tuition, assisting with a GED, attending job related educational programs, or enhancing employment skills. The grant is not available to recent high school graduates due to the scholarship resources available to this population.

Applicants may be currently employed or seeking employment. Classes may be taken at the college level, through adult education courses, or other community educational programs. The grant may be used for tuition or other related educational costs.

To request an application through the mail or for more information, call Laura Schmidt at 231-350-0462 or lschmidtsh@gmail.com. The deadline for submitting an application is February 15, 2022.

Applications will be reviewed by the ERW’s Scholarship Committee. Finalists may be called to schedule a personal interview with the committee before a final selection is announced.

Miss Elk Rapids Pageant 

The 93rd annual Miss Elk Rapids Pageant will take place on Saturday, February 5, at 6:00 p.m. at Peterman Auditorium. Five area women will compete for the title of Miss Elk Rapids 2022. Scholarships totaling $6,200 will be awarded. The theme for this year’s pageant is “A Night at the Movies.” If you have a favorite contestant, you are encouraged to purchase your tickets from her before February 3 to help her win the Miss Entrepreneur prize package. Tickets are $10 each (children 3 and under are free). Masks will be required for admittance. A limited number of tickets, whatever is not sold by the contestants, will be available at the door beginning at 5:30. Please plan to attend and show your support for all of these remarkable young ladies. 

Garden Club Project needs community involvement

Work continues on a special project at Iva’s North Arrowhead Garden at the northeast corner of Ames and US 31. Born from a desire to make the garden a beautiful respite for those visiting, the crew for the garden were inspired to create a special arbor to add to it. After considering standard arbors, the group spoke to well-known metal artist Ann Gildner who agreed to create a unique structure using recycled garden tools and small farm implements. This will be a one-of-a-kind and visually striking piece and the club needs the community’s help to make this happen.  Numerous (enough to fill the back of a pickup truck!) handheld or smaller farm tools such as rakes, trowels, watering cans, hoes, loppers, snippers, buckets…any garden or small farm tool that is primarily metal are needed for this project. No plastic unless it is a small part of the item that can be removed. Slightly used or broken will be just fine! The group will be accepting donations of these items on two upcoming Saturdays, January 22 and February 19 from 10 a.m. to noon at the shed located at the Elk Rapids DPW, 117 Lake St. So search your garage, shed, basement or barn, gather your items and be a part of this very special project! For more information, contact the Club at elkrapidsgardenclub@gmail.com.

Terri's Take-Aways
with Terri Glenn, FNP-BC

“Lowering the bar” 

Picture
Happy New Year!! This is the time of year that is usually bustling with New Year resolutions and lifestyle changes. Nutrisystem ads have replaced the “Medicare supplement” and we are all looking forward to a healthier, happier, and hopeful New Year! My article this month was to support that effort, turn the corner on the stressors of 2021 and motivate us all (yes, including me) to set new goals and begin this year with enthusiasm!! Then Omicron!! Nothing like a new variant to “knock the wind out of your sails.”

I have been concerned for a while about “pandemic fatigue” and also how we have “lowered the bar” in so many areas of life, including our health! We accept long waits and limited hours at restaurants and stores, the acceptance of work and work ethics that would have been unacceptable just a short time ago, the delay of healthcare and tests. I don’t have to give many examples. We all know it! When will it end and how do we get back to a “healthier” world? I often wonder if this is how parents felt as WWII raged on and on. How did they keep their optimism in a world of turmoil with an unknown ending? I wish I had thought to ask them when I still could. 

What we do know from the greatest generation is that there will be an ending and if history repeats itself there will be growth and prosperity. Until then, what can we do? What do we know, in the midst of so much confusion?

We know there is no “easy button” out of this. Whether vaccinated or not, this virus is tough! We have to be tougher! We know a healthy immune system, including taking immune boosting vitamins, keeping weight under control, exercise, and stress reducing activities help in fighting Covid. We need to look at treatments early before hospitalization to decrease mortality and the stress on our hospital systems. Much of this is a mental battle and when you are sick, grieving, and anxious, it is tough to motivate yourself to do what is necessary to stay fit! Bright side, the year is young and there is hope! 

Take-Aways: Like you, I am hoping that this new variant will temper this virus. That even though many will get it, it will pass through quickly and we will be better on the other side of it. Until then, please take your Vit D3, Vit C and Zinc if able. Don’t abandon goals to eat healthier, get some exercise and do some activities that help improve your mental health. Decrease your screen time especially if it is full of fear and promotes panic. Don’t use Covid as an excuse to ignore your other health concerns or preventative care measures. Most of all, “don’t give up!” Start with small goals; increase your water intake, take short walks, relax (meditate), try not to “lower the bar” and as always, give “faith a fighting chance!” Terri Glenn, FNP-BC is a Nurse Practitioner at the Elk Rapids Medical Clinic with Dr. Ann Kuenker, DO. 

Elk Rapids District
Library Corner

Picture
Valentine Mailboxes for kids! Decorate a small box or paper lunch bag to use as your Valentine’s Day mailbox. Bring it to the Library by February 7th. Return on the 15th to collect it and the cards you have received. Be sure to put your first name and age on the box.

New AWE Early Literacy Stations. Elk Rapids Rotary and the Friends of the Library have each purchased a new kids’ computer for the Library. Come on in and try them out!

Calling all young artists! Help us decorate our windows with snow men/women you create! Drop off your homemade snow people and we will cover our windows. Let’s see how many windows we can decorate!

For everyone’s safety… we are offering curbside pickup of Library materials again. Just call us and we will bring your items to your car. We are asking that everyone who comes into the building wears a mask. 

Indoor Activity. Don’t forget about our assortment of STEM Kits to keep the kids occupied on nasty winter days. Learning can be fun!

Remember, we have wifi. You can get a signal anywhere on the island even when we are closed, and we have hotspots you can check out to have wifi at home. You must have a library card in good standing to check out materials. Coming Soon! We have received an MI-83 Grant and will soon have Chromebooks for checkout.

VILLAGE OF ELK RAPIDS
DDA board makes major commitment to planning in 22

By Steve Yencich, Contributing Writer

The Elk Rapids DDA Board of Trustees started the New Year with plenty to do and first heard a report on upcoming events sponsored by Green Elk Rapids. In addition, efforts are being made with Networks Northwest to complete a study on ways downtown ER can be improved.

Jim Janisse provided an overview of the recently completed 13 Ways Report. As council president, he has asked each affected group to go through and dissect it. “What did we accomplish? What do we need to improve? Janisse reported that those sponsoring the plan were approximately $40K short for the next phase of the 13 Ways strategic plan. Ten thousand dollars have been committed from the village, which requested that the DDA do likewise. The funds, it was said, would cover costs of basic governance training to “get everybody on the same page.” There was respectful pushback from trustees on the matter, with questions such as, “Why should the DDA contribute to the effort, and how are we prioritizing economic development? Trustees also asked questions about how Phase 2 of the plan might look. Janisse provided a broad overview, which included pointing out the need for board development training. When pressed for additional details, he demurred, indicating that Doug Griffiths, founder of 13 Ways, had told him that Phase 2 “wasn’t even on his radar” and “having discussions about money is premature.” Janisse advised the board that they should budget it just in case the coalition moved to Phase 2, and after further discussion, the motion was passed.

More specific to the DDA’s strategic needs, the organization will continue to contract for professional services from Statecraft, LLC to continue refinement/implementation of the DDA’s Strategic Plan. The board moved into a mini workshop with its facilitator, Elyse Craft, covering a wide gamut of past, current projects, developing punch lists, and looking at the “massive undertaking” that would go into the 13 Ways plan implementation. Maryl Kohl provided an overview of the “Discover Elk Rapids” website improvements. Kohl indicated the entire site would be updated in an ongoing process, focusing on optimizing it to make it easier for visitors to find it. This can be done for free by chamber staff simply creating links to other notable tourism websites. Trustees agreed that the website is foundational to the DDA’s overall effort.
​
The board moved up its March meeting from March 9 to March 2. As the meeting closed, there was a brief discussion about a grant calendar being developed and an upcoming event, “It’s all about the Water,” expected to draw around 200 people to the Grand Traverse Resort. Additionally, Elk Rapids resident Gary Chenoweth was recognized as District Chairman of Rotary International. The DDA’s next meeting is set for 6:30 p.m. on February 9, 2022.

ELK RAPIDS SCHOOLS
Public raises concerns and the District responds

By Steve Yencich, Contributing Writer

Students and principals opened the January 2022 ERS Board Meeting with a presentation recognizing school board members for their many contributions to the District in recent years. Students from each school expressed their gratitude in unique ways, praising board members for their diligent efforts. The community apparently agrees as the 2020 bonds now being used to improve all buildings were passed by what was described as a “landslide margin” in regional media.  

Also up were two concerned residents who shared concerns during Public Comments. The first was from a new local civil rights organization called FAIR that concerned parents formed to advance, she said, “a more tolerant and optimistic future.” FAIR opposes mandatory masking of school children and vaccine mandates and supports the US and State of Michigan Constitutions. The second speaker had previously addressed the board in its November and December 2021 meetings. He’d returned to report he’d had a “great conversation with Superintendent Julie Brown” in follow-up to his concerns that philosophies such as Critical Race Theory or transgender equity had or might be taught in Elk Rapids Schools.

To a considerable measure, Superintendent Julie Brown’s report focused on the District’s response to concerns raised by parents and community members. In brief, Brown said she’d identified four general issues raised in her many conversations with parents.  

First, technically and legally, no Michigan public school can teach CRT, transgender equity, and similar issues in Michigan schools. All districts must adhere to state standards, established in open hearings, and reviewed by regulators and policymakers alike. Brown said those issues do not appear in State of Michigan Standards.  Curriculum materials must adhere to state standards and be approved by the ER Board of Education. Board policy prohibits teachers teaching their personal curriculum. Brown said parents always have a right to raise concerns.  However, she suggested parents approach teachers first with any classroom concerns. Should such efforts fail, she asked parents to move on to the principal, and if problems still exist, Brown invited parents to contact her personally.

Second, Brown reported the District had no clear policy governing how teachers or librarians placed books into District libraries. Brown was unable to find any board, state, or legislative requirements that lay out such policy.  “I know that’s not a great answer; it’s just the best answer I have,” Brown said. She indicated staff and principals would be looking at the matter.

Third, the District’s mask mandate will remain in effect until ER District attorneys advise the board that the board can lift it. 

Finally, on the issue of transgender people using named male or female bathrooms, Brown reported that provisions of Title IX mandate such accessibility, saying, “It’s not my opinion, those are court opinions.” Key Title IX provisions have repeatedly survived challenges in state and Federal Courts. In recent weeks the US Supreme Court has given indication it may take the issue up for consideration. While the situation has not yet arisen in ER schools, Brown made it clear that laws will be followed as directed by the courts. The meeting closed with reports on sports and other district activities. The next meeting will be at 6 p.m. on February 1, 2022.

FILING YOUR OWN 
INCOME TAX RETURN

Tax season is here, and once again you will be able to use the IRS Free File option.  A taxpayer with income of $73,000 or less can use the Free File software for tax preparation and electronic filing, and anyone, regardless of income, can use their Fillable Forms, an electronic version of IRS paper forms to be filled in and submitted electronically.  To begin, go to HTTPS://WWW.IRS.GOV.  Scroll down and select IRS-An official website.  In the search box, type Free File.  From here you can select either Choose an IRS Free File Offer or More about Free File Fillable Forms, then follow the directions.  The Free File Fillable forms option will not be available until January 24, 2022.  Free state return options are also available.  Despite being run by private companies, the service is completely free and supported by IRS.  IRS has a toll-free Telephone Assistance Hotline to answer questions from individuals filing their federal income taxes.  To access, call 1-800-829-1040, which is available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.

At the top of the 2021 Form 1040, US Individual Income Tax Return is again the following question:  At any time during 2021, did you receive, sell, exchange, or otherwise acquire any financial interest in any virtual currency, such as Bitcoin?  A taxpayer selling virtual currency must recognize capital gain or loss on the sale.  Virtual currency received in exchange for performing services is ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the virtual currency (in US dollars) when received.  IRS is closely monitoring the activity within the virtual currency platform for sources of undeclared income.
The third Economic Impact Payment, which is an advance payment of the Recovery Rebate Credit, was required by law to be issued by December 31, 2021.  Most individuals have already received the third Economic Impact Payment maximum of $1,400 per person or a reduced amount if their adjusted gross income exceeded certain amounts.  If you received the maximum amount of the third Economic Impact Payment, leave line 30 blank.  You are not eligible for the Recovery Rebate Credit when filing your 2021 federal income tax return because you have already received it. 

If you were not issued a third Economic Impact Payment or issued less than the maximum amount, you may be eligible for the Rebate Recovery Credit depending on your 2021 adjusted gross income.  You must file a 2021 federal income tax return to claim the credit, even if you are not required to file a federal income tax return for 2021.  The Economic Impact Payments were issued based on your 2019 or 2020 federal income tax return.  The Recovery Rebate Credit Worksheet in the Form 1040 instructions can also help determine if you are eligible for the credit.  To check the status of your third Economic Impact Payment, go to WWW.IRS.GOV and click on File displayed in the top left corner, then click on Individuals, then click on View Your Tax Account.  In the blue box, click on Sign In to your Online Account, then review your options regarding creating an ID.me account.  

Let the free resources from the IRS-who aren’t as scary or as heartless as they sometimes seem-help you take charge of your own taxes.  
​
For more information, go to WWW.IRS.GOV and in the search box type FORM 1040 or RECOVERY REBATE CREDIT WORKSHEET.
Submitted by Char Kirchner, CPA, MSA and Rex Rudolph, CPA

New Early Literacy Stations installed at ER District Library

Two brand new Early Literacy Stations have been installed at the Elk Rapids District Library (ERDL), thanks to donations by the Rotary Club of Elk Rapids and the Friends of the Library.

Early Literacy Stations, AWE Learning’s flagship product, are found in over 40% of the public libraries across the United States. They offer children a safe, stand-alone computer loaded with over 70 education software programs for kids ages 2 – 8. They are designed to support school readiness and early education while making learning exciting and engaging.

“Kids love these computers designed just for them,” says ERDL Director Nannette Miller. 

According to Miller, the heavy usage of the Early Literacy Stations at the ERDL necessitated the need to replace the five-year old stations by purchasing new ones. “We are so grateful to Elk Rapids Rotary and the Friends of the Library for providing us with two new stations so that the kids can continue to use and enjoy them.” Photo and text submitted by Carol Heles.