07/24/2006

Editorial

Cheers

• To the Grand Traverse Literacy Council for its Scrabble Challenge this month and its plan to turn the "trial run" into an annual Scrabble fundraiser, possibly as early as October. Hosting a Scrabble tournament can only spell s-u-c-c-e-s-s for the literacy council. Scrabble fans abound and the game is a scintillating way to call attention to the importance of literacy. Spelling and reading go hand-in-hand. Both are keys to success in school, college, jobs, careers and a creative and rich life. The council has 50 volunteer tutors who work with people of all ages to improve reading and writing skills. Their commitment and hard work are lifelong gifts to the people who become better readers and to area schools, college and community. A successful annual fundraiser can only further their work.

• To the emergency personnel, utility company linemen, tree-removal crews, police agencies and the National Weather Service for helping area residents weather sudden thunderstorms and 60-mph winds that roared and zoomed across northern Michigan on July 17. The storm toppled trees and power poles, downed lines and ruins many fruit crops. The cleanup was mostly completed by mid-week in heavily hit areas. Sadly, many area farmers will feel the effects for some time.

• To the Downtown Traverse City Association for once again hosting Friday Night Live on the 100 and 200 blocks of East Front Street from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The first one was Friday. The rest will be held July 28, Aug. 4, 11, 18 and 25. The summer evening festivities are great fun for families, kids, tourists, city and area residents.

• To the Traverse City Orthodox Mission Church, which recently earned its charter from the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Detroit. Parishioners have worked since 1999 to fill a gap in northern Michigan where no Eastern Orthodox churches exist. Orthodox Christians — Greek, Russian and Antiochian — have lived in the area for 75 years, church members said.

• To area equestrians who have turned the 3-year-old Horses By the Bay show into a success. The popularity of the event teaches "non-horse" people about Olympic dressage and grand prix show jumping. Cheers also to the Bay Harbor Equestrian Club in Petoskey and Northern Pines Farms show barn in Maple City, which trains boarding students at The Leelanau School and competes in about 24 rated shows around the country.

• To the Bay Area Transportation Authority for the grand opening Friday of its handsome new transit center on Hall Street. Its location close to downtown and its user-friendly design do much to improve the comfort of commuters and underline local commitment to, and respect for, public transportation.