Elk Rapids News and Features | Elk Rapids, Michigan

CAUGHTCHA BEING GOOD!

Tom Sloane

Photo by Kristie Wolgamott

Tom Sloane recently volunteered to help spread mulch for the Elk Rapids Garden Club’s community garden. The crew really appreciated his help with getting the pile of mulch distributed throughout this beautiful garden located at the intersection of Ames and Rt 31. “I’ve done it for a few years now. It’s great exercise and it’s for a great organization,” said Tom. Caughtcha being GOOD, Tom, and thanks for the good work!

CAUGHTCHA BEING BAD!

Chipmunk Seed Thief

Photo by Tom Vranich

This busy little chipmunk made an unwise decision to squeeze its way into a feeder, and after stuffing its mouth got stuck trying to escape. Not to worry the homeowner was kind enough to lift the top of the feeder to let it out!!

Paddle Antrim and the Village of Elk Rapids seeking public input

Paddle Antrim and the Village of Elk Rapids are looking for public input on a preliminary design of improvements for Elk Rapids Rotary Park. Paddle Antrim is leading the development of the Chain of Lakes Water Trail, one of Michigan’s state designated trails, and Rotary Park is a key access site along the trail.

Gourdie Frasier, Inc., hired to develop a preliminary design on improvements, including a universal kayak launch, for Rotary Park, has been busy working on a design option which will be presented at the public input session Thursday, July 9, 6-8 p.m. at the Elk Rapids Rotary Park. “We are excited to offer more water trail accessibility to paddlers with varying levels of mobility,” said Deana Jerdee, Executive Director of Paddle Antrim. “This launch will connect to the existing universal kayak launch at Milton Township Waterfront Park, creating the first accessible route on the Chain of Lakes Water Trail.”

“Improvements to Rotary Park, including a kayak launch, were identified in the Village of Elk Rapids’ Recreation Survey in 2017,” says Caroline Kennedy, Elk Rapids Assistant Village Manager. “We appreciate Paddle Antrim’s support in securing the funding for this project and look forward to working with the entire community to better utilize this beautiful park.”

Participants will have a chance to review the design and speak with the design team, Gourdie Frasier, Inc., Paddle Antrim and Village staff in an open house format. Participants will be encouraged to share their thoughts, ask questions, and provide feedback.

The Open House will follow all COVID-19 guidelines. For those who cannot attend, information can be found at paddleantrim.com/rotary-park, which will include a copy of the design and a short recording with background information. A copy of the design will also be available for review at the Elk Rapids Village Hall, 315 Bridge St, July 10-July 24, during business hours. Written comments can be submitted a)at paddleantrim.com/rotary-park, b) emailed to info@paddleantrim.com, or c) mailed to Paddle Antrim, PO BOX 323, Elk Rapids MI 49629. Comments must be received by July 24, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. to be considered. Anyone with questions about the project, process or event can contact Paddle Antrim at 231-492-0171 or info@paddleantrim.com.

Based on feedback received, the team will develop a final draft to be presented to the Village of Elk Rapids Parks and Recreation Committee and the Elk Rapids Village Council.

The kindness of friends and neighbors

Roger Gehrt can’t say enough about the many people who have stepped up to help him through the years. His voice is filled with wonder and gratitude when he describes what others done to help him as it has become increasingly difficult for him to move around.

“Oh mercy, there are so many things, fixing the roof, shoveling snow, installing a new floor, all sorts of lawn work, putting safety bars in the bathroom, changing lightbulbs, taking me or my dog to doctors’ visits, even buying me a new glider chair, the list goes on and on. There are so many wonderful individuals and families who have come to my aid, especially as I have to get around with a walker now,” Roger explained. “On the anniversary of my 75th year, I would like to give a gift of gratitude to all those wonderful people who have helped me! It’s the least I can do.”

In no particular order they are as follows:
B. Anderson family, M. Anderson family, C. Drinkwine, K. Benghauser family, J. Stephenson, H. Potts, D. Sinclair family, K. Price, D. White family, D. Wagner family, P. Vandenberg family, J. Ribby, M. Matchett family, D. Pond family, N. Nichols family, C. Pritchard family, P. Patchen, W. Potter family, C. Shively family, K. Lehrer family, D. Harfst family, D. Hoezee family, T. Popovic family, C. Steffel family, W. Steffel family, D. Davids family, D. Keaton family, B. Noecker family, J. Werner family, Denoyer family

Use extreme caution when handling fireworks

Michiganders who plan on celebrating Independence Day by setting off fireworks need to be aware of the dangers and risks involved, especially when dealing with powerful, consumer-grade devices such as firecrackers, bottle rockets and Roman candles in order to avoid tragedy.

“If you do plan to shoot your own fireworks, please remember that these are explosives and if they are used incorrectly, can cause irreparable injury and harm. It is vital that we all take every safety precaution possible to protect ourselves and our loved ones,” said Orlene Hawks, the director of the Dept. of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), in which the Bureau of Fire Services (BFS) is housed.

“The Bureau of Fire Services is aware that many community fireworks shows have been canceled due to COVID-19,” said Fire Marshal Kevin Sehlmeyer. “We also anticipate that many people will purchase consumer fireworks and provide their own fireworks show over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. BFS is asking consumers to understand basic fireworks safety before using consumer fireworks.”

State law requires that consumer-grade fireworks only be ignited from personal property. It is illegal to ignite fireworks on public property (including streets and sidewalks), school property, church property, or another person’s property without their express permission. State law makes it illegal to discharge fireworks when intoxicated or under the influence of drugs.

When fire-related incidents involve consumer, low impact, or illegal fireworks resulting in property damage, injury or death of another person, individuals are subject to a misdemeanor or felony punishable by imprisonment of not more than five years and fines of up to $10,000 or both.

Consumers should always buy from state-certified fireworks retailers – whether in a permanent building or a tent. Consider the following safety tips to protect lives and property:

Always:
Follow the manufacturer’s directions.
Have an adult supervise fireworks activities, including sparklers.
Light fireworks one at a time, then immediately back away to a safe distance.
Ensure people and pets are out of range before lighting fireworks.
Light fireworks outdoors on a driveway or other paved surface at least 25 feet away from houses and flammable materials such as dry grass or mulch.
Keep a bucket of water or a garden hose handy in case of fire or other mishap.
Douse spent fireworks in a bucket of water before discarding them in a trash can.

Never:
Buy fireworks packaged in brown paper or use unlabeled fireworks – they are for professional use only.
Experiment with or make your own fireworks.
Allow young children to play with or ignite fireworks.
Place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse.
Try to re-light “duds” or pick up fireworks that have not ignited fully. (Rather, wait 15 to 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.)
Point or throw fireworks at other people.
Carry fireworks in a pocket or shoot them off in metal or glass containers.

Sparklers should not be considered harmless for kids. More than 50 percent of sparkler-related injuries happen to kids under age 14 across the country. Sparklers can reach 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit and have the potential to cause significant burn injuries and quickly ignite clothing and can cause grass fires if thrown on the ground. Always keep a bucket of water close by to dispose of used sparklers promptly.

Elk Rapids District
Library Corner

Open for Curbside Service! Although our doors are still closed, we can get you books, movies, magazines, or CDs and deliver them to your car. You can reserve items in the Online Catalog on our website, or call us with your requests.

Island House Readers. Wednesday, July 1, 12:00 pm on the Library grounds (weather permitting). Bring a chair and have a social distancing discussion of “Leadership in Turbulent Times” by Doris Kearns Goodwin.

Virtual Summer Reading. We are planning a very different Summer Reading Program this year. We will offer virtual programs available on our website each week from June 29 through August 3. Enjoy The Music Lady, Alex Stephens & Friends Puppet Show and Animation Workshop, Acting Up Theater, and our favorite funny magician, Cameron Zvara. We will also have a reading challenge and activity sheets on our website and available for pickup beginning June 29.

Beach Reads are back! On nice days we will put a cart of paperbacks and a basket of magazines outside. Take one, pass it on or return it to the cart. Our Little Free Library at the entrance to the park is also open for business.

Moving Forward. People are asking when we will allow the public into the building. This building presents us with unique challenges meeting the requirements for opening as outlined in the Executive Orders. Social distancing and building capacity are the biggest hurdles we need to overcome. The creative and motivated staff continue to discuss our options and come up with new ideas for providing the services the community wants and needs. We will keep you informed!

VILLAGE OF ELK RAPIDS
Village Council Update

On Monday evening, June 29, the Elk Rapids Village Council met via ZOOM to establish a special Public Hearing concerning the short term rental (STR) ordinance being considered by the Planning Commission. This issue has been under consideration by the commission for months and has received much public input.

The Public Meeting about STRs will be held on Monday, July 20, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. and conducted on ZOOM. Information about how to participate will be included in the agenda and posted on the Village Council website. – Submitted by Dolores Hibbard, Contributing Writer

VILLAGE OF ELK RAPIDS
Planning Commission

By Jennifer Griffin, Contributing Writer

The Planning Commission held a special meeting via Zoom on Monday, June 29 at 6 p.m. This would be the last meeting to get the details right before presenting the Short Term Rental Ordinance before the Village Council for approval. Everyone was present except for Lauren Dake and Matt Conrad, who were both excused.

Before the meeting actually started it was explained that two ordinances were being worked on. One was the general code ordinance that would contain the bulk of the work being done and the second would actually be additions to the existing zoning code. The commission then proceeded to go through each section, cleaning up language and definitions to make sure everything was straight forward and understandable. It was decided to add maps to the applications to demonstrate the current saturation of short term rentals.

Once the details had been examined and discussed to the commission’s satisfaction a vote was taken. Just as the vote was about to be called a member was lost due to a power outage in her area. Since there were still enough members to do a vote a voice vote was held and the first of the ordinances was passed. Barb Mullaly was able to contact the missing member and she voted with the other members to pass the second ordinance.

The Short Term Rental Ordinances will be presented to council with a public hearing on July 20. If accepted the ordinances must be published within 15 days of being passed. Seven days after publication the ordinances will be considered active. If all goes smoothly the ordinances will be active by the end of the moratorium for short term rentals ending in August.

Around Town
with Rob Ford

Well, Columbus, you had a good run.

For half of a millennium you were a rockstar amongst the explorers of the new world crowd. You and your Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria sailing club were way better than Magellan and his fleet of the Trinidad, the San Antonio and the Santiago. Even better than Henry Hudson with the Half Moon, better than Captain Bligh and the Bounty and better than Captain Ahab and the Piquant.

To be fair though, I used Google to get Magellan’s ship names and Ahab was a fiction of Herman Melville’s mind so maybe I’m wandering here.

As a student, I found the explorers to be quite interesting. Guys like Columbus and the others looking to find better ways to get around the world without sailing off the edge in the process. The conventional wisdom from my elementary school education was that they were in search of trade routes and spices.

As for what they discovered, well, history has been rather revealing about early world exploring folks. Nobody told me this as a kid, but when these explorers got to the “new world,” there were millions of people that had been here a pretty long time already.

Don’t misunderstand me, sailing across the Atlantic Ocean in a 1490s model wooden ship, was no small task. That most of your friends thought that the earth was flat didn’t make doing that any easier. But those guys got so much mileage out of doing it. For the next five centuries they got all the good press; especially Columbus.

Towns, streets, rivers and schools named for Columbus are all over the “new world.” In honor of the 400th anniversary of his discovery, the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair was titled the Chicago World’s Columbian Exposition. One commemoration that came from that was the annual October celebration of Columbus Day.

Among the many institutions with Columbia in the name are universities and a major broadcasting company. Even one of our NASA space shuttles was named Columbia.

Debate the merits of Christopher Columbus and the ramifications of all he did among yourselves. The effects of his life on mankind will echo for eternity.

But that’s not what I’m fascinated with.

What fascinates me is how someone could do something, be celebrated for it for so long, and then get kicked to the curb.

400 years after discovering the “new world,” it was fodder for celebration and statue worthy. But, by 500 years after discovering America, the script had been completely flipped.

Not to put myself in the same boat as Columbus but for comparison and exercise, consider this: an anthology of my columns somehow becomes the honest voice of the early 21st century. This anthology, for the next four centuries, is considered to be the light that shines upon anything else written about or during this period in time. Therefore, all other writings of this era must pass through some type of “Fordian Prism.”

In the process, the world comes to revere my name. People name their golf courses, fire pits, used cars, cinnamon flavored whiskey, and all kinds of simple everyday things after me. Perhaps, the afternoon nap comes to be commonly referred to as “taking a Robbie.”

Then, in the year 2550, people once again realize that Rob Ford was little more than a guy lying on his couch typing out and publishing simple thoughts in a local newspaper.

After half a millennium his work is trashed and bleached from the public eye.

However, the names of stuff, particularly the nap, will forever bear his name.

I guess I could live with that.

Coronavirus-Related Medicare scam alert

Since older Americans are particularly vulnerable to coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to remind Medicare beneficiaries to be vigilant and take precautions to avoid falling victim to healthcare fraud during this pandemic. We’re warning Medicare beneficiaries that scammers may try to use this pandemic to steal their Medicare number, banking information, or other personal data.

Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of the most vulnerable people during times of uncertainty and change. You must protect yourself by making sure you only give your Medicare number to your doctor, pharmacist, hospital, health insurer, or other trusted healthcare provider.

If someone calls you on the phone, saying they’re from Medicare, and asks for your Medicare number or other personal information – just hang up. Medicare representatives will never:

•   Call beneficiaries to ask for or to “verify” Medicare numbers.
•   Call to sell you anything.
•   Promise you things if you give them a Medicare number.
•   Visit you at your home.
•   Call you to enroll you in a Medicare program over the phone, unless you called us first.

Medicare cards no longer have Social Security numbers on them to reduce fraud and protect beneficiaries from identity theft. Even with this change, you should guard your Medicare card like you would a credit card. Be sure to check your Medicare claim summaries for errors and questionable bills.

If you suspect Medicare fraud, please report it by calling Medicare’s toll-free customer service center at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227). You can also visit Medicare online at www.medicare.gov/forms-help-resources/help-fight-medicare-fraud.

Please help inform others by sharing this message with family and friends. Source: Vonda VanTil, Public Affairs Specialist for West Michigan. You can write her c/o Social Security Administration, 3045 Knapp NE, Grand Rapids MI 49525 or via email at vonda.vantil@ssa.gov.