Caughtcha being Good!
Betty RussellIt started off being a nice day for Don Michie and his 14-year-old dog Mello. Just like they have done for many years, he and Mello were going for their daily walk near the water’s edge at the southeast side of Torch Lake. They were on Best Road when Mello abruptly crossed in front of Don, tripping and sending him flying. Don went down hard, hitting his head. Luckily for him, Betty Russell was just leaving her friend’s home when she saw him fall. She rushed over to see if he was ok. He was shaken up and thought that he had broken his nose. Betty asked if he wanted to call an ambulance and when he said no, she insisted on taking him to a clinic in Bellaire. After they dropped off Mello at home, they headed to Belaire only to find that the clinic was closed. Betty then took Don to Kalkaska Memorial Hospital where he was examined and tested to make sure that he didn’t have a concussion or a broken nose. Betty stayed with Don the entire time he was there. When he was finally released, she took him home but not before making sure he had something to eat.
Don was overwhelmed by her calm, relaxed demeanor and her sheer kindness in going above and beyond to help him in his hour of need. “I just want everyone to know what an angel she is.” Later, Betty, who does volunteer work in assisted living homes and at area hospitals, said, “I’m so glad that I was there, there was no one else around. Don was all by himself. If it were a loved one of mine, I hope that someone would help them too.” Caughtcha being BETTER than good, Betty! And thank you very much! Memorial Day guest speaker Donald D. Pond![]() Don D. Pond is the retired owner of Triangle Industrial Sales in Southfield, Michigan. He grew up in Elyria, Ohio, attended Kent State University, and served in the US Army as a helicopter pilot. He now spends time in both Elk Rapids, Michigan and Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
Don has been married to Louise for 45 years, has two children, Emily and Daniel and two grandchildren, Lola and Wynn. He is active in two golf communities and enjoys fishing and hunting. Aside from his tour of duty in Vietnam, Don has traveled extensively in Europe and Asia, visiting many countries. He flew over 2000 hours of combat aviation time in two tours in Vietnam, 1969 and 1970 with the 92nd Assault Helicopter Company. Don was awarded the Bronze Star, Air Medal for Valor, 11 Air Medals, Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star and Bronze Star, Gallantry Cross, Gallantry Cross with Gold Star and NDSM. He continued flying helicopters for Army Guard units in Ohio and Michigan until 1985 and left as a Master Aviator, Chief Warrant Officer 4. He is a member of the following organizations: Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, VFW, MOAA, AMVETS, AVMS, Northern Michigan Angels and Elk Rapids Rotary. Governance trainingOn May 18, 2022 Michigan State University Extension (MSUE) led a training for village council trustees, appointed board and commission members, staff, and citizens. The purpose of this training was to familiarize village officials and community members with the basics of good governance practices.
Over 40 board and commission members participated in the two-hour session that focused on roles of government official and staff, best practices, and public meeting etiquette. The Elk Rapids Village Council hopes to continue offering training sessions for individual boards and commissions on subjects such as parliamentary procedure, as well as offering training as a large group for all officials on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Training (DEI) within the next year. “The governance training is part of an ongoing effort to improve the quality of our volunteer boards and the Village Council,” said Jim Janisse, Village President. “Elk Rapids deserves well trained public servants.” The next time all village officials will gather is Saturday October 1, 2022 for annual reports and listening session at the Elk Rapids Edward C. Grace Memorial Harbor Pavilion at 9 a.m. The public is welcome to attend. Elk Rapids Community Cupboard![]() Prices are continuing to climb, especially for essentials such as gas, utilities, toiletries and most importantly, food. The Elk Rapids Community Cupboard was established in the mid 1980s to help people living in the Elk Rapids Schools district. Accepting food from the Community Cupboard means that your precious dollars are available for other essentials items.
The Elk Rapids Community Cupboard (Food Pantry) is open, accepting new clients and ready to assist singles, couples and families. The pantry provides groceries every two weeks on Tuesday evening from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. and Friday morning from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Items provided include chicken or beef, milk, eggs, tuna fish, hot dogs, fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, pasta, canned tomatoes and sauces, cereal, margarine, eggs, juice, toiletries, toilet paper, cleaning supplies and other items. To qualify for assistance, a client family must meet Federal Poverty Guidelines as published annually. The guidelines can be found at https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/ files/documents/4b515876c4674466423975826ac57583/Guidelines-2022.pdf. Our pantry uses 200% of the Federal poverty level as a qualifier. Eligibility is based on the financial situation of all members in a household. Everyone who lives together and purchases and prepares food together is considered a member of the same household. If you, or someone you know, could use some help call Pam Coleman at 847-445-8239. Food donations or toiletries may be delivered to the Elk Rapids News or dropped in the brown donation box outside the Community Cupboard entrance at the corner of Chippewa and Spruce Streets. (Opposite side of the First Presbyterian Church entrance 404 Spruce St, Elk Rapids). Monetary donations may be sent to Elk Rapids Community Cupboard, Box 572, Elk Rapids, MI. 49629. Day Park cleanup
Elk Rapids Rotarians and Friends, along with Antrim County Day Park Ranger Bob Jones and Park Director James Hunter, cleared downed trees, branches, and blew leaves out of the parking area at the Elk Rapids Day Park on Saturday morning in preparation for this summer’s activities. New toilets and sinks have also been installed in the park restroom for visitors. A second work detail in June will work to remove leaves along park trails.
Albino robinAn albino robin has been making its home near by Huntington Bank in Elk Rapids for the last two years. Albinism and partial albinism have been recorded in robins more than any other wild bird species. One study found that 8.22% of all albino wild birds found in North America were robins. But only about one robin in 30,000 is an albino or partial albino. Source: journeynorth.org.
Garden Club welcomes spring!Members of the Elk Rapids Garden Club are happy to say goodbye to winter and hello to a long-awaited spring with several ambitious projects already underway. In conjunction with Green ER activities the club has requested essays from ERHS students that outline how village residents can “invest in the earth.” Three winners will be chosen, and awards will be presented at the May club meeting. The club will be planting sunflowers in all 10 of the club’s community gardens this year. The flowers are being donated by Pine Hill Nursery. And stay tuned for highlights of a very special project underway at the Zupin-Anderson Memorial Garden that will use QR codes to identify plants along with their planting specifics. More to come. The club will be participating in the Green ER Nature Fest on June 18 at Veterans Memorial Park. Stop by the table near the new butterfly mural located by the tennis courts. Club members will be on hand to answer your questions regarding pollinators and native plants. The club will be meeting on May 24 at the Elk Rapids Harbor Pavilion beginning at 12:30 p.m. Hear from Cindy Roach, curator of the GT Butterfly House and Bug Zoo in Williamsburg, about the annual monarch butterfly migration and the importance to the environment. The club always welcomes new members, so join us! For further information contact elkrapidsgardenclub@gmail.com.
Job Fair @ Railroad SquareLocal employers and community organizations will be featured at a community event Wednesday, June 8 in downtown Kalkaska. The Job Fair @ Railroad Square will take place at the pavilion and open space at Railroad Square, 107 S. Elm St. and will give attendees the opportunity to meet with employers and community organizations from Kalkaska, Antrim, Crawford, Grand Traverse, and Wexford counties. The event will run from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. and is being hosted by the Kalkaska Downtown Development Authority and Northwest Michigan Works! Businesses participating in the event include Dean Transportation, Grand Traverse Plastics, ITW Coding Products, Kalkaska Screw Products, and more.
The Job Fair @ Railroad Square is open to the public and there is no cost to participate. Job seekers are encouraged to register in advance for this in-person event, but registration is not required. Employers and community organizations will need to register in advance and should bring their own tables, chairs, canopy and any other items they will need at the event. Registration is available at nwm.org/JobFairRailroadSquare. Registration closes Thursday, June 2 at the end of day. For more information, please contact Northwest Michigan Works! at 231-922-3700. |
AMVETS Post 114 officer installation ceremonyOn May 22, AMVETS Post 114 held an officer installation ceremony.
![]() Tim Young, Judge Advocate, performing installation; Chuck Perry, Trustee; Jerry Hubbell, Trustee; Drew Davenport, Trustee; Tom Brown, Provost Marshall; Craig Huber, Finance Officer; Gerg Movsesian, Adjutant; Pat Muoio, 3rd Vice Commander; Jim Braun, 2nd Vice Commander; Brian Lark, 1st Vice Commander; Jack Moran, Commander, AMVETS Post 114. Courtesy photo
VILLAGE OF ELK RAPIDS
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Elk Rapids News
212 River Street P.O. Box 176 Elk Rapids, Michigan 49629 231-264-6670 Phone 231-264-6685 Fax |
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