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Elk Rapids News

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Elk Rapids News

The Elk Rapids News is commited to local community news, sports, government, and various news topics

11/13/2025

Laura and Dennis Standhardt were attempting to replace a lightbulb on their front porch just before Halloween, as they wanted the area to be safe for trick or treaters. So, they got their ladder out, changed the lightbulb, but couldn’t get the rusty screws refastened over the globe cover. They had been trying for a while, Dennis on the ladder and Laura behind him watching his back, when a car pulled up, and a voice said, “Can I help you?” Laura looked up and Amy was standing there offering to help them. She had been driving by and noticed the couple struggling.

“It was the kindness of a stranger,” Laura said. “We are in our 80s and some things aren’t that easy to do anymore. Amy got right up on the ladder, we handed her the tools, and she got the cover on for us. I want people to know there is kindness everywhere, especially in this small town.”

Amy is quietly appreciative of the recognition, and her response is to ask others to be more aware and caring for the people around them. She said that special feeling of reaching out and connecting with your community is all that we need for our collective well-being! Caughtcha being GOOD, Amy. Thank you!

10/30/2025

Members of the Little Elks Homecoming lemonade stand raised $157 each for Project Graduation 2026 and for Waterside Wellness’ mindfulness and meditation programming at Lakeland Elementary. This was the third year for the fundraising lemonade stand, with proceeds previously going to the Lakeland playground fund and Lakeland’s Backpack Club/Snack Fund. When asked why they picked Project Graduation, Little Elk Alice Cannon said, “Because my brother is a senior this year and we wanted to help!” Caughtcha being GOOD and thank you, Little Elks!

10/16/2025

Inez Gotts was out and about doing some errands when the low tire pressure light came on while she was driving. Not being familiar with what it meant she was concerned that it might not be safe to keep on driving, so she pulled into the nearest gas station. The attendants there couldn’t help her, but luckily Brandon Johns happened to be there and said he could take it a look at it. After checking it, he thought it wasn’t anything to worry about, but perhaps she should take the car to Elk Rapids Tire and Alignment. The crew there was more than helpful, giving the car a quick look over and putting some air in the tires and sending her on her way. Caughtcha being GOOD, Brandon Johns and Elk Rapids Tire and Alignment. Thanks for helping Inez!

10/09/2025

Natalie Jorae was in a quandary. The brakes in her car were not working and she had just started a new job, working 48-hour shifts at hospice. To make matters worse, she had recently lost her fiancé, Rob, in a truck accident. “My life has just been a blur,” she explained. “Rob did all those kind of repairs for me. I never had to worry about doing any of that.” A friend advised her to take her car to Lakeshore Auto Repair, in Eastport, saying that they would be able to help her out and quickly. So she dropped it off at the shop and got a ride to work. Much to her surprise, when she got home after one long shift, her car was parked in the driveway with a note pinned to it, saying that both front and back brakes as well as a few other things had been repaired and that the business was praying for her and her family!

“I was just floored by Lakeshore Auto’s kindness to me, knowing what I have been through and that I needed my car to get to my new job. I am more than overwhelmed and feel very blessed with the friends and people who have helped me through this difficult time,” said Natalie. Caughtcha being GOOD, Lakeshore Auto Repair, your kindness won’t be forgotten!

08/14/2025

Natalie Peters is a florist who locally grows the most beautiful and unique flowers. She sells them to many here in Elk Rapids and at the weekly farmer’s market.

Natalie provided flowers for a wedding a couple weeks ago hosted by a pastor who lives across the street from her. When she delivered the flowers, she realized the host was quite overwhelmed preparing his home for the wedding. Among other things, the septic system had failed and he was fixing it. She dove right in and helped complete set up for the wedding.

That’s a Good Samaritan, and it’s consistent with her kind spirit, work ethic, and the beauty she creates for others. Courtesy photo

07/17/2025

When Rick and Rachel Filar visited Elk Rapids in June, Rachel was part of a group of swimmers that swam across the East Bay and eventually finished at Veterans Memorial Park. Later when the couple returned home to Lapeer, Rachel realized that she had left her wetsuit in the grass, next to their parking space. They both figured it was gone forever. Then Rick discovered the “Overheard in Elk Rapids” page. He figured it was worth a shot to post a note about the missing wetsuit. When he checked Facebook a few hours later, he learned the wetsuit had been found by Michele Spillane, who had been driving by and saw the wetsuit laying near the side of the road. Subsequently, Michele let several people know that she had found the wetsuit. One of those friends then saw Rick’s Facebook post. After connecting with the couple by phone, Michele went out of her way to drop off the wetsuit with a relative on Birch Lake. “Michele’s kindness is greatly appreciated, and she wonderfully represents the Elk Rapids community,” said Rick and Rachel Filar. Caughtcha being GOOD, and thank you, Michele!

07/10/2025

One of our long-time local veterans Bob Ditzenberger was in need of a mobility scooter. His friends started searching and found a brand-new scooter on Craigs list. The owners had acquired it for a family member who passed away before he ever was able to use it. When the family heard the story and found out that Bob was a veteran, they decided to donate it to him!

“My late father was a Korean War vet and Bob Ditzenberger was a vet, so it is a blessing and an awesome opportunity for us to be able to help to a fellow vet. We are very happy,” said Scott Dalstra.

Caughtcha being GOOD and many thanks to the Dalstra Family for their extremely generous donation to a worthy veteran.

06/25/2025

One lucky snapping turtle is alive today thanks to a kind-hearted stranger who stopped to save its life. Mike and Susie Garrod were on their way to Saturday evening cocktails when Mike saw the turtle attempting to cross busy Ames Street in Elk Rapids. He quickly parked his car and walked into the street with raised arms to stop oncoming cars and let the turtle make its way very slowly into some bushes. “He was determined to save that poor turtle, said Susie. Caughtcha being GOOD, Mike!

05/28/2025

Congratulations Elk Rapids High School & Sunrise Academy Class of 2025!!!

04/23/2025

Sue Schumacher exemplifies the spirit of Caughtcha being GOOD repeatedly! Whether it be the PTA, Band Boosters, Art Rapids, Harbor Voices or the Elk Rapids Players, she has always been the go-to person to get something done. Audiences attending performances by the Elk Rapids Players may have seen her on stage as a Pigeon sister, Bloody Mary, Clara Johnson or in several other roles. But, according to Marcy Ford, it’s behind the scenes where she is just as valuable helping with props, costumes, and feeding everyone, often from her own pocketbook. She even provided the framed posters from ERP productions as well as the late Joni Braun artwork that adorns the HERTHA building. In recent years the ER Players have been writing and hosting monthly trivia nights in the off-season. Sue always arrives early to set up tables and chairs. She is the main door prize wrangler, again, at her own expense. Thank you, Sue, your help and kindness are invaluable and very much appreciated!

01/22/2025

Jerry Suminski was playing ball with his dog, Piper, at Veterans Memorial Park in Elk Rapids recently when the 25-pound Jack Russell saw some ducks on the river and gave chase. The dog fell through the ice and began to struggle. “I was in a panic,” said Jerry. “Piper was clinging to the ice shelf. I kept trying to reach for her, but she would have none of it.”

Suddenly a young boy who had been sledding on the library hill came running to help. “The young man Harrison Conrad was unbelievably brave,” said Suminski. “We both were laying side by side on the ice, calling out to Piper, trying to reach out and grab her.” At one point, Harrison fell into the water and was yanked back onto the solid ice by Jerry. The family friend who was with 10-year-old Harrison tried to help by pushing out their sled towards Piper, again to no avail. Finally, Jerry was able to shift and slide enough across the ice and grab the shivering and very wet dog.

“I am so grateful to that concerned young boy and his friend. I don’t think I would have been able to rescue Piper without their help.”

Afterwards, Suminski said he was in such a panic to get Piper home and warmed up that he left without really saying how much appreciation and gratitude he felt. “Harrison was very brave and a very enthusiastic rescuer! I can’t say enough about him and all the help he gave to me and Piper.

12/26/2024

Greysen Fischer (7) and Cora Fischer (4) were caught being very MERRY and GOOD this holiday season when they volunteered to ring the bell for the Salvation Army last Friday. They greeted every person who stopped by the Elk Rapids Village Market. “I’m so proud of their thoughtfulness and giving spirit,” said their mother, Rachel.

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