Elk Rapids News

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

One lucky snapping turtle is alive today thanks to a kind-hearted stranger who stopped to save its life. Mike and Susie ...
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!

Congratulations Elk Rapids High School & Sunrise Academy Class of 2025!!!
05/28/2025

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

Sue Schumacher exemplifies the spirit of Caughtcha being GOOD repeatedly! Whether it be the PTA, Band Boosters, Art Rapi...
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!

Jerry Suminski was playing ball with his dog, Piper, at Veterans Memorial Park in Elk Rapids recently when the 25-pound ...
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.

Greysen Fischer (7) and Cora Fischer (4) were caught being very MERRY and GOOD this holiday season when they volunteered...
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.

Local resident Kim Banwell did her part in helping the Elk Rapids High School soccer team get ready for their championsh...
11/20/2024

Local resident Kim Banwell did her part in helping the Elk Rapids High School soccer team get ready for their championship game. She devoted her entire day (and studio space) to giving the varsity soccer team new hairdos, which was a “super adorable bonding experience,” remarked one of her admirers. Later she hosted a candle lit team dinner for the boys. Although the team fell short of winning the title game, they came away with many memories made both on and off the field. Thank you, Kim

In September, during Homecoming weekend, a mere hour before Chloe Taylor and Luke Wolgamott were scheduled to be in the ...
10/24/2024

In September, during Homecoming weekend, a mere hour before Chloe Taylor and Luke Wolgamott were scheduled to be in the Homecoming Parade, they found out that the convertible they were to ride in was not available. A mad scramble ensued to find someone who owned a convertible and who would be willing to drive them in the parade. Fortunately, the last-minute snafu was narrowly averted with the help of local resident Gary Yankee and his black Mustang convertible coming to the rescue. “I was glad to help. I had a great time driving Chloe and Luke,” said Gary. “It reminded me of my own high school homecoming, particularly since I played football. So I know how important homecoming is to these kids.” Caughtcha being GOOD and thank you, Gary, for helping to support our schools. We appreciate you!

Recently, Bubba, a black lab, got away from his owners and was seen running around Elk Rapids. Finally, he wondered into...
10/03/2024

Recently, Bubba, a black lab, got away from his owners and was seen running around Elk Rapids. Finally, he wondered into the parking lot of the Village Market, where luckily, Sydney, an employee, was taking her break and saw the lab near some bushes. She was able to get a hold of him and read his collar tag to phone his owners. After giving the thirsty pup some water, Sydney sat with him until he was reunited with his owners. Well done and thank you, Sydney. Bet Bubba was happy to run into you

Holly Alberts, a lifelong Kewadin resident and member of the Kewadin Indian Mission, and her family would like to commen...
09/26/2024

Holly Alberts, a lifelong Kewadin resident and member of the Kewadin Indian Mission, and her family would like to commend Jeremy Poertner for going out of his way to help her community. The community owns and has access to waterfront property right across from Sunny›s Waters Edge Market in Kewadin. Although none of the immediate community members have boats, their young people enjoy the thrill of a floating raft for jumping and diving into Elk Lake. During the stormy weather the week before school started, their raft went MIA. According to Alberts, “A few of our community members went driving and on foot as far as they could to try and look for the raft but had no success.” Later someone responded to a Facebook post, saying that they saw the raft and would secure it until it could be retrieved. Unfortunately, there was no easy way for community members to do that. But according to Alberts, tribal member Jeremy Poertner came to the rescue, traveling out to Kewadin from his Traverse City residence to retrieve the beloved raft! When he got to the beach, he put his boat in the water then loaded up three local youth and went on the hunt. “It took about a half hour to locate and strap the raft to his boat. Fortunately, with the boater’s teamwork and his willingness, we were able to clap and celebrate as he pulled the raft back to our shoreline!” said Alberts.

She further praised Jeremy, saying “He is a very honorable and hardworking young man! He has also donated his time mowing the K.I.M. church property and our beach front property several times throughout the last few summers. Our community/ family truly appreciates all the effort he puts forth and believes that he is very deserving of this local award! Caughtcha being a great neighbor and friend, Jeremy. Thank you!

Bruce Burry’s 145-pound German shepherd, Bosco, is a lucky dog, thanks to their Williamsburg neighbor Larry Lelito and h...
09/20/2024

Bruce Burry’s 145-pound German shepherd, Bosco, is a lucky dog, thanks to their Williamsburg neighbor Larry Lelito and his grandson, Eli Lelito. Burry, Bosco, and Burry’s two other dogs were hiking along an old railroad track near Barker Creek when Bosco stepped into what Burry at first thought was simply a fissure of some sort, perhaps an overgrown creek. But Bosco quickly became submerged up to his armpits and was unable to scramble out of the mucky, murky substance.

“He was very calm, but he couldn’t get out,” said Burry, who is visually impaired and was unable to pull the heavy pooch out by himself. So, he called neighbor Larry who, along with Eli, was able to extricate Bosco with the aid of a tow strap. Bosco seemed none the worse for his time in what Burry describes as something that acted very much like quicksand.

Michigan DNR wetland habitat biologist Randy Knapik says quicksand-like conditions can occur in bogs where organic soil and peat become extremely saturated with water, making them soft and unstable. While he said that someone who encounters this condition may become stuck, they won’t get sucked under. “Is it generally life-threatening like in the movies? No,” he said. “Could you have a leg suctioned in mud and be stuck? Yes.”

Caughtcha being good Larry Lelito and Eli Lelito and thank you for coming to the aid of your neighbors Bosco and Bruce.

The new Pickleball Courts at Veterans Memorial Park are already being taken care of by local citizens. Recently, Gemma a...
09/12/2024

The new Pickleball Courts at Veterans Memorial Park are already being taken care of by local citizens. Recently, Gemma and Leo Rubert were found picking up trash between the fences at the new courts “just to make them look nice.” Gemma, 13, is a student at Cherryland Middle School, and her brother Leo, 8, is a student at Lakeland Elementary School. Caughtcha being GOOD and thank you, Gemma and Leo, for selflessly taking action for the betterment of your town and the environment

The Friends of the Elk Rapids Library were setting up for their big jewelry fundraiser, Glitter, Glamor, Glitz, at the H...
09/04/2024

The Friends of the Elk Rapids Library were setting up for their big jewelry fundraiser, Glitter, Glamor, Glitz, at the HERTH on July 26 when they noticed that three lightbulbs were out right above the auction table where the best items were to be shown. Not sure of who could help, calls were made to several different places around town, but it was late afternoon at the end of a work week, so things didn’t look hopeful. That is until Rob Ford came to the rescue! He came with his trusty 18-foot ladder ready to light the place up. With the help of a few Friends, tables were moved so Rob could quickly fix the problem and the event could get under way. The Friends of the Library truly appreciate our friend, Rob Ford.

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Elk Rapids, MI
49629

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