Our Community 2014

8/12/2019 Our Community 2014

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OUR

community2014

CONNECT WITH YOUR COMMUNITY


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The Cadillac News serves many towns in the Greater

Cadillac Area and considers the entire coverage area

Our Community. Weve worked diligently to make thisan inclusive publication offering stories about people

and organizations that dene the Greater Cadillac Area.

Within these pages, youll nd messages from localbusinesses that play an instrumental role in the continued

success of our community. Additionally, youll read

stories about friends, neighbors and organizations thatare working hard to make a difference in the lives of ourcitizens and strengthen our community.

This publication is an effort of the Cadillac News,

consuming months of interviews, reporting, photography,creative advertising and design efforts. It is our purpose

to provide information that enhances the lives of the

people, businesses and communities we serve. We

thank all those who contributed to our 2014 edition and

hope you enjoy this opportunity to connect with yourcommunity.

NewsC A D I L L A C

Trusted. Local. Connected.

FEBRUARY 2014A special section of the Cadillac News

130 N. Mitchell, Cadillac, MI 49601

Thank you to everyone for submitting your photos. We had over 100 entries.Stay tuned for more photo contests in the future! To check out all of theentries, visit us at www.cadillacnews.com/photocontest_gallery.

Thursday, February 20, 2014 | www.cadillacnews.com Cadillac News - OUR COMMUNITY 2014 3

Abandoned barn

located off Lakola in TustinAndrea CoolPhillip, Tustin

Autumn View of an extremely

calm Lake MitchellDavid Dalton, Cadillac

PHOTOCONTEST

2014OurCommunityCongratulationsotthewinners!

ON THE COVER ON THIS PAGE

Your photos showed us the true beauty

and tranquility of this great community.


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To everyone that submitted photos, wedidnt realize how beautiful of a place we trulylive in! Youve brought the landscape to life!

Thanks forSETTING THE SCENEfor this years Our Community Section.

cadillacnews.com

Here are a few of our favorites. Please taketime to check out all of the entries at

www.cadillacnews.com/photocontest_gallery/.

4 OUR COMMUNITY 2014- Cadillac News www.cadillacnews.com | Thursday, February 20, 2014


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06 Honor, Duty, Devotion12 Honor Guard is a Brotherhood18 Serving Neighbors24 On Call for you when an emergency hits

28 The Transformationof George Corliss

34 Habitat for Humanitybuilds on ReStore

38 From a condemnedshack to dignity

40 Im listening44 Much more than just mapping48 A new opportunity After 26

54 The power tochange your mind

56 Fighting Hungera backpack at a time

60 A calling by example64

Curator, collector, historybuff and sharpshooter

66 Going the extra mile toanswer the call

70 Ebels had a humble start76 Polar Plunge drawshundreds to Lake City78 Mechanic overcomes

smashed hand to take back

job he loves

81

Reed City Depotreconstruction was a

labor of love

60pg.

24pg.

78pg.

contentsWHATS INSIDE...


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Honor, Duty

DevotionBY MARDI SUHS

CADILLAC NEWS

hen Ray Nelson retired from

teaching and moved to Cadillac,

he became a charter member of

the Korean War Veterans Associa-

tion, Dale H. Williams Post No. 1996.

Next, he joined the American Legion Post

No. 94 because they had an honor guard. In the

1990s, each veterans group had one.

But, Nelson recalled, the groups were going

down, down, down.

The last time I was on the (old) honor guard

I was the only one there, so I said, Thats

enough, he said.

Nelson decided there should be one combined

honor guard. Korean War veteran Chuck Bath-

erson agreed, so they contacted all the veterans

groups for approval and started with eight

men and a new name, the Cadillac Area Honor

Guard.

This is a phenomenal group, Nelson said.

Years ago, my wife, Betty, and I gave up being

snowbirds to stay home and nurture my guys

as much and in any way that I could. I have no

regrets.

COURTESY PHOTO

Veteran Ray Nelsonhas been volunteeringin the Cadillac HonorGuard for years inrememberance of afallen friend.

Honor Guard Founder Ray Nelson gives his all

W


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PHOTO COURTESY OF RAY NELSON

Ray Nelson, front left, is proud to provide military rites toany and all veterans of the U.S. military.

Ray Nelson put this together and he stuck

with it until four years ago, explained Steve

Birdwell, now co-commander with Greg Burk.

When he got sick, he and his wife decided it

was time for him to step down.

I didnt really resign, Nelson, 86, insisted

with his usual spunk as he recovers at home

from an illness. I still get calls and help them as

much as I can. I give it everything I have.

In the back room of his home near Lake Cadil-

lac, Nelson is surrounded by honor guard files

and photo albums. He has started organizing

visitation call lists so veterans have visitors

when they are hospitalized.

I wanted to guide this thing, Nelson ex-

plained, referring to the red tape and bureau-

cracy he wades through to keep the group viable.

We are in the process of getting 20 new

rifles and we are having a heck of a time. Its

ridiculous, its a rat race. People dont realize

the things we have to do to keep going with this

thing, he said.

SEE PROFESSIONALON PAGE 8

Guiding Honor Guard through red tape


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CONTINUED FORM PAGE 7

As Nelson was keeping an eye on paperwork, Birdwell and

Burk set a goal to improve the groups professionalism with

training sessions. Today there are 40 to 50 volunteers that are

certified to provide military honors. In 2013, they did 58 funer-

als.

Peterson Funeral Home owner Ross Meyering has witnessed

the honor guards improvements.

Back in the early 1990s, sometimes only four guys would

come to do military rites. And you cant do it right with four

people. It was a little embarrassing. But they turned it around

360 degrees, plus.

Meyering added that people are impressed with the dignity

and caring of the honor guard and by word of mouth, the

group is getting more and more requests.

Mark Holdship, of Hitesman-Holdship Funeral Home,

agreed, adding that the service they present is impressive.

They have 15 to 20 guys show up completely as volunteers and

they present honors appropriately with Taps and the gun sa-

lute. Its very professional.

Nelson loves to still be involved. Although he looks frail, he

has gained weight after his surgery and responding to treat-

ment. He noted that in Korea, he only weighed 121 pounds.

SEE TOOMANY GO DOWN ON PAGE 10

A professionaltribute to veterans

MARDI SUHS | CADILLAC NEWS

Korean War veteran Ray Nelson proudly wears his military cap, with patch-es and pins from the 2nd Infantry Divison in Korea.


Top: Ray Nelson cel-ebrates with fellowCadillac Area HonorGuard members ata recent fundraisingevent for new uniforms.

PHOTO COURTESY OF RAY NELSON

Left: Korean War veter-an Ray Nelson marcheswith the Cadillac AreaHonor Guard in a

Memorial Day parade.


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CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8

In the back room of his home near Lake Cadil-

lac, Ray Nelson, 86, is still involved with the Ca-

dillac Area Honor Guard.

My problem was I was so small, he laughed.

But I was a sergeant. The recruits would look at

me and laugh. But if Id yell, hit the ground!

we had fire going over and if they didnt listen,

they would get whacked. They knew I knew what

I was talking about. I was trained right with my

father.

Nelson believes he survived infantry combat

because he learned outdoor survival by hunting

and fishing with his father near Cadillac.

I knew how to do stuff, how to keep my feet

dry and I knew the direction we were going.

It was terribly cold and wet over there. I knew

when to carry a pistol or a carbine. If it got too

big (to manage), Id throw it away. I always had

knives in my boots.

Nelson is disturbed that so few Americans un-

derstand the reality of the Korean War or that it

is still ongoing.

When he returned from the war, one of the

most annoying questions was, Was there any

firing over there?

Nelson, one of the frozen chosen, was in com-

bat from Pusan to Seoul for two years. His 2nd

Infantry Division was instrumental in smash-

ing the communists spring offensive in 1951.

When asked why he gives so much to honor

guard, he didnt pause.

Ill tell you exactly why. One of my best

friends, I saw him killed ... I told myself if I ever

have a boy, Im going to name him Dan, he said.

And I did. That was for him. I believe in this. Ive

seen too many go down.

For those that went down, Nelson gives his

all.

I get tears all the time. People think its easy to

go up there and give a flag (at a funeral). But Ive

broken down and cried. Its hard, he said. You

keep thinking about what you saw. Right now, Im

almost in tears. Regardless, this is to honor vet-

erans, all veterans, whether in combat or not. Its

an honor to be able to do what I do. I worked hard

on it. I gave it everything I could.


In the back room of hishome near Lake Cadillac,Ray Nelson, 86, is stillinvolved with the CadillacArea Honor Guard.

Ive seen too many go downPeople think its easy to go up there

and give a ag (at a funeral). But Ive

broken down and cried. Its hard. Youkeep thinking about what you saw.

Ray NelsonCadillac Area Honor Guard

n


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BY MARDI SUHS

CADILLAC NEWS

ince it was formed in the 1990s, the Cadillac

Area Honor Guard has become a respected

presence in Cadillac and the surrounding

area.

The volunteers provide military honors at veteran

funerals. Families cherish the reverence and dignity

offered by the honor guard as they pay their last re-

spects.

During a military funeral, each veteran member

of the honor guard walks to the front and salutes the

flag with a funeral salute that lasts seven seconds.

The last man turns and salutes the family in silence.

At the end of the service, the chaplain and com-

mander present the flag and a flag box to the family.

If requested, they also provide a 21-gun salute and

Taps. Their presence adds a depth of dignity, rev-

erence and appreciation for those who served. Its a

sober reminder of their sacrifices.

The community also has grown attached to the

men that march in all of our parades, conduct Veter-

ans Day, Memorial Day and Fourth of July celebra-

tions and ceremonies.

Heading up the volunteer group are co-command-

ers Steve Birdwell and Greg Burk.

Birdwell enlisted in the Navy in 1967, worked state-

side and at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Burk enlisted in

the Army in 1980. His dream of a military career was

cut short in 1987 when his car was struck by a snow

plow in a blizzard. After recovering, he was medi-

cally discharged in 1988.

Both were recruited to the Cadillac Area Honor

Guard by its founder Ray Nelson. And if you were

to ask any of the 45 volunteers, they would all give a

variation of the same answer for why they do it.

SEE SHOULDALWAYS DO ON PAGE 14

Honor Guard is

a brotHerHood

Cadillac Area Honor Guard Commander Greg Burk raises the flag at theLake Cadillac Veterans Memorial on Veterans Day 2013.

s


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Vietnam veteran Joe Fuscone put it this way: Its an honor to be part of

an organization that pays tribute to veterans. Im involved with a part of

democracy. Its important for every American to feel the love of country,

the willingness to serve and help your fellow veterans and citizens.

The hours they dedicate to community events, meetings and practices is

time spent with like-minded brothers. The camaraderie runs deep.

We hang out together, explained Burk. We are the tightest club you

will find. We go on trips together. Its an extended family, as close as you

can get to being back in the military with your old unit. Weve just created

our version of it on the outside.

The co-commanders have been working to improve the groups profes-

sionalism with increased practices and a fundraising campaign for new,

military style uniforms. They plan to debut their new uniforms in the

Memorial Day parade.

You only get one chance at a first impression, explained Burk. We

take personal pride in our appearance.

Both men believe members of the honor guard also are emissaries for

the city.

SEE HONORINGTHE VETERAN ON PAGE 16

A job that someone should always do

Veterans of the Cadillac Area Honor Guard bowtheir heads in prayer during services held onVeterans Day 2013.


15/83

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We are the face of Cadillac, stated Burk. People see us a lot. When

people come here on vacation they see us lead all the Cadillac parades. And

families in the community see us at their lowest time, when they lose a fam-

ily member, more than likely a very big leader of their family as a veteran.

We respect him and the family. But doing that job, doing the best we can, that

reflects well on Cadillac.

People see us in parades, in ceremonies, the schools and at funerals,

agreed Birdwell. People see my coat with the patch and they come up to me

all the time.

We all want to do the best job we can possibly do for that veteran, stated

Burk. During a funeral, he is the focus, he is the reason we are there. Its not

a job that everybody can do. But its a job somebody should always do.


Greg Burk, left, and Steve Birdwell at a recent fundraising dinner to raise funds fornew uniforms for the Cadillac Area Honor Guard.

Honoring the veteran

Members of the Cadillac Area Honor Guard stand atattention to lay a wreath in Lake Cadillac to honorNavy veterans who lost their lives in service.


17/83


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Serving neighbors

BY KRIS VERHAGE

CADILLAC NEWS

ill Taylor dreamed of one day cooking

large Sunday dinners for a large fam-

ily.

That dream came true, and her prayers were

answered but not in the way she thoughtthey might.

Life is funny like that.

Taylor never married. But, with the help

of friends and volunteers, shes serving free

meals twice a month to the Buckley and Me-

sick communities.

Taylor is the director of the Buckley/Me-

sick Community Meals Program, which she

founded along with Ron Marlow and Matt and

Sandra Stevens in April 2012.

Dinner is served free from 5 to 6 p.m. the sec-ond Saturday of the month inside the Buckley

Community Schools cafeteria and the fourth

Saturday of the month at the Mesick Masonic

Lodge. Also, meals are delivered to about a

dozen homebound folks in Buckley and Me-

sick, and Thanksgiving dinners are prepared

for anyone who wants one.

An average of 60 to 65 people are served

twice a month, Taylor said.

The program goes beyond simply serving a

free hot meal to someone; its an opportunityfor community members to get together and an

opportunity for Taylor, Marlow, the Stevenses

and the volunteers to serve others.

KRIS VERHAGE | CADILLAC NEWS

Dinner is served twicea month to Buckley andMesick residents as partof the Buckley/MesickCommunity Meals Program.

JMaking community the main course


19/83


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SEE RIGHTINGREDIENTS ON PAGE 22


Volunteers gather inthe Mesick MasonicLodges kitchen topray before servingtheir guests.

Its free, nomatter what


Matt Stevens, of Buckley, chats with dinners guestslike Buckley resident Betty Schichtel, right, during arecent meal at the Mesick Masonic Lodge. Stevens, a

Lodge member, and his wife, Sandra, helped securethe location as one of the meal sites for the Buckley/Mesick Community Meals Program.


20/83

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Celebrating FaithConnects

A Community



21/83

Blessing the children, the poor and the saints.

984 Plett Rd., Cadillac (1.2 Miles South of Wal-Mart)Pastor Will Markham 231-878-0204 Visit us on Facebook & www.revcenter.org

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The people of

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Our hearts, minds and doors are always open

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22/83


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Sarah Wortley, who lives between Mesick and

Buckley, dined with a small group. It was her second

visit, and the reason for her return was simple:

The cook is awesome, she said.

Marlow plans and prepares the meals and has

drawn rave reviews for entrees like Salisbury steak

and meatloaf.

But he doesnt do this for the compliments.

Cooking for the community meals program stems

from a desire hed once had to go into a kitchen on a

holiday and serve dinners.

A perfect recipeThe ingredients for this program started coming

together more than two years ago.

Taylor was attending a meeting at The Tabernacle

in Buckley when a pastor asked those assembled

what their passions are.

So I got to thinking about it ... and I thought, I like

feeding people, she recalled.

Fellow church members Marlow and Matt and

Sandra Stevens joined her in starting the program.

Marlow, who works for DTE Energy, offered to serve

as head cook. Hed worked in two restaurants when

he was growing up.

Matt Stevens, a member of Mesick Masonic Lodge,

secured the lodge as a meal site. The program laterobtained permission from the Buckley board of edu-

cation to serve meals in the school cafeteria.


Jill Taylor, of Buckley, is the director of the Buckley/Mesick Community MealsProgram. She started the program with the help of Ron Marlow and Matt and SandraStevens after a pastor at her church asked a thought-provoking question.

Combining theright ingredients


23/83


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with each offering a different tal-

ent or resource, created a perfect

recipe for success, Marlow said.

Today, about 20 volunteers help

out in a variety of ways, such as

serving dinners to guests, deliver-

ing meals to the homebound and

washing dishes.

Marlows three kids Evan, 14;

Olivia, 10; and 8-year-old Hudson

also help out. At a recent dinner,

Evan helped his dad in the kitchen

and cleared tables after dinner,

while Olivia served water and cof-

fee to guests.

The program is entirely funded

through local sources. A 5K held

in Buckley last Memorial Day was

a success, Taylor said, adding the

second-annual run is scheduled

for this Memorial Day. Other fun-

draisers include a yard sale held

in front of the Stevenses busi-

ness, Stevens Propane, during the

Buckley Old Engine Show; and an

upcoming wild game dinner at The

Tabernacle.

While the focus is taking the pro-

gram one month at a time, Taylor

is thinking about its future. Shed

like a permanent meal site some-

day. Also, shed like to perhaps

lengthen the serving time beyond

one hour.

Whatever direction God wants

us to go, thats the direction well

go, she said.


Olivia Marlow, 10, serves water to dinner guests during a recent meal at the MesickMasonic Lodge.

Following

Gods direction


24/83


CHRIS LAMPHERE | CADILLAC NEWS

Missaukee County Central Dispatchoperator Kenny Bigger is oftenrequired to talk to people on multiple

phones, write down information fromcallers and access maps and directionson a computer all at the same time.

BY CHRIS LAMPHERE

CADILLAC NEWS

16-year-old girl runs away from home,and her parents are following her down

the road in their car.

Two vehicles collide on M-115 and one person

is hurt.

Reports are coming in that a burglary alarm is

going off at a local business.

While most people dont deal with these sortsof things on a regular basis, for a central dis-

patch operator, its all in a days work.

Missaukee County Central Dispatch operator

Kenny Bigger, 32, said trouble seems to come in

threes.

When one bad thing happens, you can almost

always count on two more coming, said Bigger,who has been a dispatcher more than 11 years.

SEE SPECIALINDIVIDUALS ON PAGE 26

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25/83

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Car Show - May 24th

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5K Rotary Run - August 2nd

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26/83



As a central dispatch operator, Biggers re-

sponsibilities include taking calls from resi-

dents and coordinating emergency response

among a multitude of individuals and depart-

ments.

Often, these responsibilities require Bigger to

talk to people on multiple phones, write down

information from callers, and access maps and

directions on a computer all at the same time.

Bigger said being able to multi-task is an es-

sential skill for a central dispatch operator,

especially in rural Missaukee County, where he

sometimes is the only dispatch person available

although if things get really hairy, help can be

summoned from a nearby jail receiving room. In

Missaukee County, dispatchers also work as cor-

rections officers in the jail.

Bigger is from Cadillac, married and the fa-

ther of two children, Riley, 8, and Oliver, 6.

Before becoming a dispatcher, Bigger worked

at Family Video. He said he got the idea to gointo corrections from a friend of his wife, who

gave the job high recommendations.

After receiving his corrections degree from

West Shore Community College, Bigger landed

the job in Missaukee County.

It has been an incredible blessing for our

family, Bigger said, adding the decent pay has

allowed his wife to be a stay-at-home mom.

Although he really enjoys being a dispatcher,

Bigger admits its not a job for everyone.

You have to separate yourself from what isgoing on, Bigger said. Otherwise, if you take it

home, it can bog down your entire life.

Similar to a police officer, paramedic or fire-

fighter, Bigger said dispatchers are exposed to

intense and sometimes disturbing circumstanc-

es on a regular basis.

Since the birth of his sons, Bigger said the

most difficult situations for him to deal with as a

dispatcher have involved children.

Calming down a parent or easing their mind

when their child is in danger is hard, Bigger

said. But there are times when the job is very

rewarding. You get to help a lot of people.

Bigger said one aspect of his life that has been

invaluable in helping him deal with the chal-

lenges of his job is his faith in God.

Faith makes a huge difference, Bigger said.

It really puts the emphasis on people. It makes

clear that things we (dispatchers) would consid-

er small are the most important things for (the

caller) in that moment. Its not a job I thought I

would ever do, but I feel like Im here for a rea-

son.

Typically, Bigger said the Fourth of July is the

busiest time of year for him due to the Greatest

Fourth in the North festival in Lake City.

As for individual events, Bigger said car

crashes usually require the most coordination

among various agencies, including police, EMS,

firefighters, and tow truck operators.

CHRIS LAMPHERE | CADILLAC NEWS

Kenny Bigger said being able to multi-task is anessential skill for a central dispatch operator,

especially in rural Missaukee County, where hesometimes is the only dispatch person available although if things get really hairy, help can be sum-moned from a nearby jail receiving room.

Central dispatch operators are special individuals


27/83


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BY MARDI SUHS

CADILLAC NEWS

traight up, this is a conversion story. Theres no other way to

explain the transformation of George Corliss.

Thirty years ago, Corliss was a bully with a big mouth.

At 63 and 400 pounds, Big George was working as a night-

club/bowling alley manager. He loved being the center of attention.

And after work, he described himself as a carousing, philandering

alcoholic.

People used to say, Big George is here! Corliss said. I was a big

guy that liked to have fun.

At 56, the old George has long since disappeared. No longer over-

weight, he is soft-spoken and charming, a gentle giant that eagerly

shares Gods message of love and forgiveness.

Seated behind the microphone of radio station WGCP 91.9 FM, Corl-

iss has found his calling as a religious broadcaster.

He believes everything led him to this point, including the turmoil of

the early 80s when he and his wife were divorcing and he moved out.To cope, Debby joined a Bible study and then called her husband to say:

I want you to know I love you and I forgive you. He hung up on her,

bewildered that her anger and bitterness had disappeared.

Later she asked him to attend her baptism and got this response: I

hate you. Why would I come to that?

One morning a pastor dropped by the bowling alley. Corliss was seeth-

ing, knowing his wife sent him. First of all, the doors were locked. How

did he get in? But Corliss did start reading a book the pastor left behind.

One night after work, instead of joining the guys, he took a drive and

ended up in his wifes driveway at 4 a.m.

I dont know who this God is, he told her. But hes changed you. Iwant to learn who he is.

He wasnt converted, but he knew he was headed down a dead end

road.

I didnt really know what love was, he said. But I didnt like the

love Id seen in the bowling alley. I was sick of that. I would come home

and I would see love. That love, the love of God, was pouring out of my

wife. I began to learn how much God loved me.

After they reconciled, Corliss became a door-to-door Bible story

book salesmen for six years. When people opened their doors to Big

George, he asked for their prayer requests. It wasnt a sales gimmick.

In 1989, he co-founded LISTEN America, a nonprofit education pro-gram. For more than 15 years the program inspired northwest Michi-

gan students to make positive choices through school assemblies and

events.


The transformation

of George Corliss


Above: Radio broadcaster GeorgeCorliss hosts three local shows onStrong Tower Radio, WGCP 91.9 FM.

COURTESY OF GEORGE CORLISS

Below: George and Debby Corliss havefive children and 12 grandchildren.Shown here are Gage Corliss, HarlowButler and Caleb Corliss.

S


29/83


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Corliss booked local and national speakers to

present character-building programs. He created

the NFL jam sessions with Super Bowl cham-

pions and large, weekend events featuring the

Detroit Lions and Hall of Fame hockey players.

Over a 10-year period, LISTEN America pre-

sented 5,000 awards and $55,000 in scholarships to

youth for their leadership efforts.

In 2008, when funding evaporated, Corliss be-

gan facilitating a program with Dr. Neil Goodman

called Start New, an eight-week boot camp, health

program based on the biblical principles of their

Adventist faith. Corliss lost 100 pounds.

In 2010, Corliss joined the board of Strong Tow-

er Radio WGCP 91.9 FM, a commercial free, lis-

tener supported radio with 24 hours of religious

programming.

SEE MIRACLEAFTER MIRACLE ON PAGE 32

PHOTO COURTESY OF GEORGE CORLISS

Twelve grandchildrenare blessings for Debbyand George Corliss.Here is George withJagger Corliss.

A smaller

George


30/83

The beginnings& growth

of someof our areas

142 Years

CADILLACNEWSCadillac

231-775-6565

Est. 1872106 Years

MERCYHOSPITAL

Cadillac231-876-7200

Est. 1908

90 Years

BAIRD, COTTER& BISHOPCadillac

231-775-9789Est. 1924

59 Years

DONSAUTO CLINIC


Est. 1955

35 Years

AUDIOLOGICALSERVICES


Est. 1979

26 Years

LON REDDYBUILDERS


Est. 1988

6 Years

PATCHES& PETALS


Est. 2008

6 Years

MCBAINAUTO SERVICE

McBain231-825-2729

Est. 2008

5 Years

LAKE TO LAKE

TRANSPORTATIONLake City

231-779-5373Est. 2009

25 Years

PEARSONDRILLING CO.

Lake City231-839-4444

Est. 1989

25 Years

OAKHEIRLOOMS


Est. 1989

21 Years

BUDGETTRANSMISSION


Est. 1993

18 Years

SABERTOOL


Est. 1996

31 Years

MAGGIESTAVERN


Est. 1983

34 Years

MR. CLEANAUTO CLEAN UP


Est. 1980

59 Years

VANDRIE HOME

FURNISHINGSCadillac

231-775-8536Est. 1955

54 Years

CADILLACPARTY LOUNGE


Est. 1960

49 Years

CADILLAC

PLUMBING &

HEATING SUPPLY

Cadillac231-775-2479Est. 1965

34 Years

GODFREYCHEVROLET

BUICKCadillac

231-775-4661Est. 1980

12 Years

JENSENS

RV CENTEROF CADILLAC


Est. 2002

11 Years

BELLE OAKES

RETIREMENTLIVINGLake City

231-779-4671Est. 2003

50 Years

PIZZA PLUSCadillac

231-775-7727Est. 1964

89 Years

PELLS RADIO,APPLIANCE & TVCadillac

231-775-3141Est. 1925

86 Years

COREYFUNERAL HOMEEvart

231-734-2251Est. 1928

82 Years

NORGE VILLAGELAUNDROMAT


Est. 1932

82 Years

PETERSONFUNERAL HOME


Est. 1932

117 Years

INA STOREIN BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN INA

Tustin231-825-2575

Est. 1897

140

BLICK DILLONINSURANCE


Est. 1874

35 Years

MCBAINBODY SHOP

NEW OWNER, SAME GREAT WORK!

McBain231-825-2001

Est. 1979



31/83

Leading

Businesses2014 Cadillac NewsHonor Rollof Businesses

132 Years

BOSTICKSDRUG STORE

Manton231-824-6465

Est. 188294 Years

EBELS FAMILYCENTERFalmouth

231-826-3333Est. 1920

93 Years

COFFEYINSURANCE


Est. 1921

31 Years

KNITTERSNEST


Est. 1983

3 Years

BELLA ROSE

REHABILITATIONLake City

231-775-3081Est. 2011

2 Years

WHITE PINE

OUTDOORBOILERS LLC

Marion231-282-3194

Est. 2012

1 Year

GIFTS OFGRACE

Prudenville989-202-2482

Est. 2013

29 Years

HIGHPOINTCADILLAC GMC


Est. 1985

45 Years

DAVESYAMAHA


Est. 1969

45 Years

MISSAUKEEGOLF CLUB

Lake City231-839-2901

Est. 1969

36 Years

ADVANCEREALTY

CAROL COE-VOKES, BROKER

Cadillac231-775-1368Est. 1978

29 Years

MINI STORAGEOF MANTON

OWNERS JANET & RICHARD TRIPLETT

Manton231-824-6406

Est. 1985

17 Years

CURRY HOUSE

ASSISTED LIVING

& MEMORY CARECadillac

231-876-0611Est. 1997

15 Years

CADILLAC UROLOGYDR. BRIAN DRABIK, D.O., P.C.

PATRICIA GABLE, F.N.P.


Est. 1999

38 Years

BREIDENSTEINOIL & AUTO

SERVICE

Cadillac231-775-3371Est. 1976

15 Years

CADILLACFAMILY

PHARMACYCadillac

231-775-8200Est. 1999

14 Years

KIDDIES KASTLEREED CITY COMMUNITY

CHILD CARE CENTER

Reed City231-832-0655

Est. 2000

26 Years

MCBAINBUILDINGPRODUCTS

McBain231-825-2110

Est. 1988

38 Years

DR. RICHARDMELSTROM,

OPTOMETRIST

Cadillac231-775-6031Est. 1976

79 Years

VOGUE DRYCLEANERSCadillac

231-775-2721Est. 1935

78 Years

WIGGINS TREECOMPANYCadillac

231-775-8838Est. 1936

75 Years

HOLIHANDRUGSEvart

231-734-2551Est. 1939

60 Years

ELLENSEQUIPMENTMcBain

231-825-2416Est. 1954

63 Years

VOELKERIMPLEMENT SALESLake City 231-839-8660Big Rapids 231-796-6302

Est. 1951

125 Years

FOSTER BROTHERSTRANSFER &

STORAGECadillac

231-775-3501

Est. 1889

29 Years

MANPOWERCadillac

231-775-1226Est. 1985

13 Years

EXIT REALTYCadillac

231-775-4100Est. 2001



32/83



He claims his life is the story

of miracle after miracle, start-

ing with the changes God made

in his wife. Corliss shares his

personal testimony during local

shows, Oasis, Mid-Morning

Music and Strong Tower Radio

Today with Jilane Fenner.We get calls from listeners

during Georges music pro-

grams, stated Fenner, People

say how much he has touched

their hearts with the things he

says and his selections.

Since its startup in 2009, the

2000-watt radio station has pur-

chased four additional stations

and is expanding into television.

This is not about doctrine,he said. Its about who God is

and how much he loves us.

I look at how patient God has

been with me, Corliss stated. I

hope that by reading this story,

people will realize there is hope

for them. They can come and

talk to me. Come see me. Thats

why God has me here. Im in the

place right now where I dont

have to shut up.Corliss is the radios market-

ing and development director,

on-air personality, and frequent

speaker at Adventist churches

throughout the state. He and his

wife, Debby, have been married

34 years. They have five sons and

12 grandchildren. You may con-

tact George at: george@strong-

towerradio.org

Georges life: Miracle after miracle


George Corliss in 2008 as a facilitator of a health boot camp called StartNew. Corliss lost 100 pounds in the program.


33/83


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34/83


JEFF BRODDLE | CADILLAC NEWS

Josh Flint, a self-employed construction worker, rummagesthrough the shelves of the hardware section of the WexfordHabitat for Humanity ReStore. Flint says he often finds useful

treasures, such as vintage speakers he can refurbish, or usedtools that are hard to find anywhere else.

BY JEFF BRODDLE

CADILLAC NEWS

Prior to opening the Wexford Habitat for Hu-

manity ReStore, the charitable organization

was able to build affordable housing for fami-

lies at the rate of approximately one a year.

Now, with the ReStore in full operation insupport of the Habitat for Humanity mission,

they are able to build about three homes a year,

according to Executive Director Deb Maxey.

Habitat was founded as a Christian ministry

in Georgia in 1976 by Millard and Linda Fuller.

Contrary to popular belief, it was not founded

by former President Jimmy Carter, although

the Carters are longtime supporters and volun-

teers. The average Habitat homeowner has an

income that is 30 to 60 percent of the Wexford

County median income. Homeowners are not

given the modest houses constructed throughthe help of volunteers, rather, they have to

work for them. They invest at least 300 hours

in sweat equity and are able to purchase

the homes thanks to reasonable mortgage

payments made possible through Habitats no-

profit, no-interest loans.

They are not custom homes. They are sim-

ple, decent, affordable homes, Maxey said.

As with most non-profit thrift stores, the

ReStore accepts donations of castoff treasures

such as housewares, books, sporting goods,

furniture, electronics, appliances, and an-tiques and collectibles in addition to a broad

range of building materials and supplies, ac-

cording to Assistant Executive Director Mike

Niebauer.

Habitat for Humanitybuilds on ReStore


35/83


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When rows of decent kitchen

cabinets are donated to the ReStore

as part of a remodeling project, for

example, the donation helps more

than just the person searching for

affordable cabinets. Habitat uses

the proceeds of the sale to help sup-port its mission, and the cabinets

are prevented from being disposed

of in the landfill.

The store doesnt accept dona-

tions of clothes however, or offer

them for sale.

Habitats homeowner partners

may shop in the ReStore when they

are looking for materials for their

home. They may find useful items

such as handrails or a vanity or tile

for the bathroom, Maxey said.

The ReStore has five paid employ-

ees working part time, including

an assistant manager. It opened for

business in 2005, and opened in itscurrent location at 7545 E. 34 Road

(Boon Road) in 2010.

There is 8,000 square feet of mer-

chandise to choose from.


Volunteer Dianna OMalley tidies knick-knacks on the shelves of the ReStore.

Helping theshopper and the

environment


36/83



One shopper, a self-employed Ca-dillac construction worker named

Josh Flint, said he often picks

through the merchandise and finds

tools he wouldnt find anywhere

else.

He picked up a used cut-off wheel

for cutting steel or concrete. They

retail new for $40 to $60, but found a

used one on the shelf for $4.

Still a lot of life left, Flint said.

Another success story involvedan old Stanley vacuum flask. Flint

had one, but lacked the cup to go

with it.

Now hes got it all together he

found a cup that fit for sale on the

shelf at the ReStore.

Lizelle Bazuin found just what

she was looking for: A handful

of empty wooden picture frames.Bazuin, who lives in McBain, said

she purchased them to paint and

repurpose as a jewelry organizer

based on a craft idea she saw on the

website, Pinterest.

Keeping the shelves stocked

happens thanks to the efforts of

approximately more than 100 vol-

unteers.

Volunteers may be working at the

store to fulfill community service,or they may be volunteers who are

more than willing to give of their

time.

We wouldnt be able to do it with-

out our volunteers, Maxey said.

Among the recent volunteers was

Lesley Taylor, an intern from Baker

College and a business manage-

ment student. Taylor was learningeverything about the store, from

day-to-day operations to running

the cash register.

The internship particularly

suits her, Taylor said, because she

wanted to be doing something that

makes a difference in the lives of

others. When not going to school or

interning, Taylor is a care provider

for the Wexford County Council on

Aging.So if I can use my time to make

a difference in someone elses life,

thats time well spent, Taylor said.

Maxey and Niebauer said it

would be difficult to identify the

most unusual donation they had

ever received. But just recently,

Maxey said, they had taken in a

large collection of teapots 200 ofthem.

And then there are the donations

that completely confound.

To tell you the truth, we have a

lot of things that come in, we dont

know what they are, Maxey said.

Most of the time, however, they

are able to identify the object, and

come up with a price, with the help

of some Internet research.

Beyond the financial support, theReStore helps provide exposure of

the Habitat mission to the commu-

nity.

We wouldnt be able to do what

we do without the ReStore, Maxey

said.

Volunteers help keep the shelves stocked


Sporting goods, hardware and sometimes even

the kitchen sink can be found at Wexford Habitat forHumanity ReStore, which often accepts donations fromremodeling projects.


37/83


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38/83


BY MARDI SUHS

CADILLAC NEWS

n polite conversation, Kathy Hannum

might never admit shes had a hard life.

She closed that chapter a long time ago.

Now shes a familiar sight at charitable events

as a volunteer for Wexford Habitat for Human-ity.

Statistics couldnt have foreseen what Han-

num has accomplished. She was once a high

school dropout and a widow with three chil-

dren. She once lived in a condemned shack.

After she was forced to leave her home, she

lived with 14 other people, where her small

daughter was run over in the driveway. Doctors

said it was a miracle the child survived.

But Hannum overcame these odds with a little

help from God and the volunteers of Habitat forHumanity.

In May of 2013, Hannum was honored as the

Habitat 2012 Homeowner Partner of the Year

for Michigan at an awards banquet held in East

Lansing.

In response to her nomination, she described

the impact of Habitat on her life: Having a

Habitat home meant we didnt have to worry

that people would think we were trash because

we were literally living in a shack by the rail-

road tracks.Hannum was one of 10 children raised in

Muskegon. In the early 1970s, court-ordered

busing placed the timid and shy teenager in an

all-black junior high school.

Hannum recalls days filled with turmoil and

tension that made it hard to concentrate. Every

day she witnessed fights in school hallways and

confrontations in the lunch room. After the

school principal was beaten and hospitalized,

she was even more frightened.

I remember thinking that if they will do thisto him, they will do it to me, she recalled. You

couldnt go anywhere in school alone. There

were hall walkers. They had people on every

corner. The police were con-

stantly called. There were ru-

mors that our bus would get

attacked. Most of my friends

dropped out.

Hannum quit school and

got a job. She took a few night

school classes and later mar-

ried.Eventually, the couple

moved to Cadillac where her

father bought them a home

in need of repair. As her hus-

band became ill and disabled,

the home was condemned. By now they had

three children.

One day, when the bath tub sprang a leak,

Hannum shouted out in desperation.

God, if youre there, why dont you help me!

She gradually felt a new presence leading herlife. She heard about Habitat and started the ap-

plication process for a home.

God bless the women that came into our

home to interview me, she said. They could

see our conditions but they were so kind and

loving. I started getting a sense of hope. It

seemed like everything would be OK.

As she worked on the home, she became a fa-

miliar sight in the Habitat office.

Habitat Director Deb Maxey noted that they

encourage all Habitat homeowners to get in-volved, but Kathy is the most involved home-

owner that we have ever had.

Kathy is special, added volunteer Deb

Ballard.She has been a part of Habitat for

18 years. She gives back and wants to nurture

other families.

After moving into her home in 1994, Hannum

gained enough confidence to help in the office.

Soon she earned her high school diploma and

took college classes.

Although her husband died in 2003 and acar accident later left her temporarily dis-

abled, she made it through with renewed faith

and friendships. Her home was a source of

comfort and stability.

I think this is what God mapped out for me

and Im trying to follow that plan. This was

Gods answer. I was absolutely not going to ig-

nore this, she stated.

Because God answered her prayers, she is

determined to share that blessing with families

that are in dire circumstances. Now she serves

on the Habitat board, works in the Re-Store and

serves on the fundraising and family selection

committees.There are so many people in need out there.

But Habitat gives that chance to people. I have

seen so many families flourish, get on with

their lives and get jobs and go back to school

and raise their children ...

The reason Habitat changes lives, she ex-

plained, is that it makes people feel a part of

something.

So many people are in the background that

feel like they are nothing, she explained.

They hang their heads. I know. I did. I wasntable to look people in the eyes. I felt unworthy.

Financially I was always at the bottom. Im not

at the top, but Im happier.


Kathy Hannum often works at theHabitat ReStore in Cadillac.

From a condemnedshack todignity

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BY CHRIS LAMPHERE

CADILLAC NEWS

s their unofficial title of mans best friend sug-

gests, dogs will do pretty much anything for their

beloved owners even provide them some silent

company during a light reading session.

With this in mind, Cadillac resident Emily Lia-

benow, along with Manton-based Magnum Dog Kennels owner

Rob Rogers, recently established a weekly dog-centered readingprogram at Kenwood Elementary School.

The goal of the program is to give all students in kindergar-

ten through fourth grade the opportunity to read out loud to a

trained therapy dog as a way to build the childs confidence, in-

crease their reading enjoyment and improve their public speak-

ing skills.

Liabenow said she initially approached the school with the

idea of the dog-centered reading program after seeing the posi-

tive impact the activity had on her autistic son.

He flourished after he began reading with our dogs, Liabe-

now said. Its because dogs dont judge you when you mess up aword or a sentence. Reading becomes fun and not a chore.

Liabenow, along with Rogers and a few other volunteers, bring

their certified therapy dogs to the school once a week for a few

hours at a time.

Their faces just light up whenever they see them, said Liabe-

now regarding kids reactions to the dogs.

As part of the program, students each choose a book to keep

and read to the dogs. The books are supplied through donations

to the program, as well as through Liabenow herself.

Weve probably given away 4,500 books, Liabenow said.

Rogers, who trains dogs to eventually become certified throughTherapy Dogs International, said schools are not the only places

the animals are used.

SEE COMFORTINGDISTRACTION ON PAGE 42

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42 OUR COMMUNITY 2014- Cadillac News www.cadillacnews.com | Thursday, February 20, 2014 Thursday, February 20, 2014 | www.cadillacnews.com Cadillac News - OUR COMMUNITY 2014 43


They have been brought to nursing

homes, hospital waiting rooms and even to

the campus of Central Michigan Univer-

sity to ease stress during exam week.

They also have been brought in to relax

children who are testifying during trials in

Traverse Cit y.

Rogers said the dogs give people some-thing else to think about during times of

heightened nervousne ss and anxiety.

As for the dogs, experiencing new sights,

sounds and smells is helpful for them to

become better trained and obedient in any

situation.

Carolyn Mitchell, Title I reading teacher

with Kenwood, said students and staff have

been thrilled to be a part of the reading dog

program.

It gives our students another reason to

read, Mitchell said. Its wonderful for

them to be able to read to a four-legged,

non-judgemental audience. The dogs are

so well-behaved, and you can see from the

smiles on the childrens faces that they ab-

solutely love having their turn reading to

the dogs.

Ten-year-old fourth-grader Cameron Har-

old said he prefers reading to the dogs rath-

er than alone. Fellow fourth-grader Carlos

Gomez, 10, agreed with Cameron, saying he

enjoys the fact that the dogs listen to him

while he is reading.

Liabenow said currently, only a few dogs

and volunteers are involved in the pro-

gram, so they are limited in the number of

schools they can visit. She said their fund-

ing for books also is limited.

Anyone interested in helping out with the

program can contact Liabenow at (231) 920-

3117 or Rogers at (231) 824-6777.

Those who wish to make a financial do-

nation to the program can call Liabenow

at the above-listed number or visit http://

www.caninecounselors.org and click on the

Donations tab.

CHRISLAMPHERE |CADILLAC NEWS

Above: Cameron Harold, 10, reads to certified therapy dog Elliot, who enjoys giving kids a comforting paw to hold while they read. Top right: Kenwood fourth-grader RandySwisher reads to Eko, the Doberman Pinscher, a certified therapy dog. Bottom right: Kenwood second-grader Nate Tumath reads to Harvey, a certified therapy dog.


43/83


Much more than just mapping

BY JEFF BRODDLE

CADILLAC NEWS

As young as age 9 or 10, it was Sarahs job to

trace the route when the family went road trip-ping in their car. Her mother, a Girl Scout troop

leader, would toss the road maps to Sarah and

her brother and tell them to navigate as she

steered the car down the highways and byways

to their destination.

Now, making maps is Sarah Merz career as

the Geographic Information Systems specialist

for Wexford County.

Merz, 37, is a self-described geek at heart, wholoves Harry Potter, Disney, and science fiction.

The technology Merz uses to do her job draws

from the stuff of science fiction, such as com-

puters and satellite coordinates. From her base-

ment office tucked way in a quiet corner of the

Wexford County Historic Courthouse, Merz

helps keep track of and map the property valu-

ations the office needs to accurately bill for and

collect property taxes. Her position is part of thecountys Equalization Department.

SEE MOUNTAINSOF DATA ON PAGE 46


Sarah Merz at work in her office in the Wexford County Historic Courthouse, where she is in charge of Geographic Information Systems, or GIS, which is part of the countys

Equalization Department. Mapping information can quickly tell you who owns a piece of property, its taxable value, zoning, school district and much more.

Information helps lead EMS, police to your home


44/83


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Using her computer and an ex-tensive database, Merz can print

maps large or small showing the

countys roads, zoning, taxable val-

ues, and much more.

Most people see what I do as

creating pretty maps, but thats

only about 20 percent of it, Merz

said.

Beyond the black and gray lines

of the roadways and the city and

township borders are mountainsof data that can be associated with

a geographic point on a map.

For example, using GIS it would

be possible to walk a piece of

property with a handheld Global

Positioning Unit and take stock of

every tree within a certain area,

Merz said. By taking notes of the

characteristics of each tree, and

entering that information into a

table associated with the locationof each one, someone would be

able to pull up the map on a com-

puter and sort the information in

numerous ways. For example, one

could map the location of all the

deciduous trees, or all of the blue

spruce. Or someone might ask

to see all of the trees more than

10-feet tall, or all the trees more

than 20 years old, and so on.

As long as you have collectedthat information, you can organize

it and show it on a map, Merz

said.

Viewing a visual representa-

tion of the data can help reveal

patterns that would be difficult to

detect otherwise.

For example, the Michigan De-

partment of Transportation uses

a similar method to categorize and

map the level of wear and tear onarea roads. Being able to map the

data using a standard rating sys-

tem helps them make decisions on

allocating funds to make the most

impact.

The countys 911 emergency

dispatch system relies heavily on

Merz and the GIS office for keepingaddress location information up to

date. For example, when a builder

applies for a building permit, Merz

assigns the appropriate street ad-

dress to the property. Maps used by

911 use the GIS data to map the lo-

cations of homes and businesses.

Through the Internet, anyone

with a computer is able to gather

an astonishing amount of infor-

mation about any property in thecounty.

The GIS website can be found on-

line by visiting www.wexfordcoun-

ty.org and clicking on Services

in the menu on the left, and then

selecting GIS from the pop-out

menu.

A property search can be con-ducted by using a property owners

name, or one can bring up a map

showing parcel outlines and click

on each parcel to find out who

owns it. Information also includes

the address, jurisdiction, zoning

for each piece of property, school

districts, county commissioner

political districts, assessed value,

state equalized value and taxable

value, size of the property in acresand assessment roll description.

More detailed information such

as access to high-resolution aerial

photographs and property sales

data is available by paying $20 a

day, or $250 for a year subscription,

a service that many real estate pro-

fessionals take advantage of, Merzsaid.

Merz also volunteers on behalf

of her profession. Since 2008, she

has served as a board member of

IMAGIN, an acronym for Improv-

ing Michigans Access to Geo-

graphic Information Networks.

But in spite of the technical de-

mands of the job, for Merz, her ca-

reer in GIS is more than wrestling

with columns of data.I love to do crafts, so making the

maps satisfies my creative side,

Merz said.

There are mountains of data behind that map


One of the maps in Merz office shows the city of Cadillac and the surrounding area. Using the GIS database, Sarah Merz can tell usthat Wexford County has 1,960 separate bodies of water, including swamps, but not rivers or creeks.


46/83

A Great Place To Visit!

Reed City Depot

Rails To Trails

Reed City Depot

A jewel of a community at the junction of the White Pine andPere Marquette Trails. Visit the Depot! Hiking, biking, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling. Beautiful parks and canoeing,kayaking, camping, golf, fishing, hunting, music and art.Beautiful downtown. The Old Rugged Cross Museum. The Great

American Crossroads Festival and Evergreen Festival. Checkout the Osceola Quilt Trail - an art movement celebrating ourrural heritage and traditional arts.

Visit www.reedcity.org

Events Happening inReed City in 2014:April 24th 51st Annual Michigan Week Dinner...Celebrating Our CommunityMay 26th Memorial Day Parade

June 6th RC Chamber Golf Outing

July 18th & 19th City Wide Yard Sales

August 14th-17th Great American Crossroads Celebration Festival

October 11th Halloween in the Park

November 6th Community & Business Expo

November 28th & 29th Evergreen Festival

Chamber Lunch - 2nd Thursday of Each Month with Guest Speakers

Check website: www.reedcity.org for more information

Reed City, Michigan



47/83


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