Northern Living
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Happy — and clear — trails
On snowy mornings, Glen Ruczynski especially appreciates a clever public-private partnership. Cycling to work 10 miles from the Bunker Hill Road area in Acme to Copper Ridge on the west side of Traverse City takes about half the time, thanks to some helpers who clear the TART trail. Without them, Ruczynski would still ride his mountain bike with studded tires or bike with fat tires. But it would definitely be a struggle. "It would be doable, but basically one-and-a-half hours of misery rather than a 50-minute commute," said Ruczynski, who bikes to his job two to three times a week. "It makes a tremendous difference."
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Storyteller keeps his eye on the goal
The thread of soccer still weaves through Anders Kelto's life, a continent and a decade removed from elite competition. Named Mr. Soccer as a senior in 1996 at Traverse City Senior High — meaning he was the best in the state — Kelto was heavily recruited. He attended Brown University, where the discovery and management of a heart condition limited his playing time. His dream of professional soccer withered. Now living and working in Africa as a radio correspondent, Kelto often taps the universal language of soccer to connect, to play, to compete and laugh. "I can talk about what's happening in the English premiership or go out and kick a ball," he said. "Soccer is the people's sport.
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A dollar a day
Kelto on poverty Grinding material poverty does not mean spiritual poverty. Anders Kelto has found the Africans he meets in general to be generous, welcoming and kind hosts, interview subjects and friends.
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Filling in the blanks of 2012
The year 2012 is officially over "“ and not in a catastrophic Mayan calendar way. I'd categorize 2012 as a Charles Dickens year: the best and worst of times. However, a literary reference seems too cerebral to sum up the last 365 odd days. I'd call 2012 pure Mad Libs.
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Bestsellers: 01/06/2013
Bestsellers: 01/06/2013
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Marriage applications: 01/06/2013
Marriage applications: 01/06/2013
Continued ... - Sunday, December 30, 2012
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'Buon Anno’ and other traditions
They may celebrate the arrival of 2013 with a ball drop, wishes for a “Happy New Year” and the refrains of “Auld Lang Syne.” But back home, local exchange students ring in the new year with different traditions. Zhanar Tuleutayev celebrates two new years in her hometown of Aktobe in the western region of Kazakhstan.
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Pilot helps create military port in a storm — or not
Traveling soldiers, sailors and Marines no longer have to worry about being stranded at Detroit Metropolitan Airport without a lounge to call their own. Thanks to a group of Delta Airlines employees, the year-old “Freedom Center” has taken the hubbub out of Delta’s Detroit hub. During its first year of operation alone, the Freedom Center hosted visits from 30,000 military personnel.
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Holiday spirit on the side of the road
It’s Christmas Day and we’re due at the Grayling home of my sisters-in-law at half past noon. I accidentally sleep in late, having forgotten to set the alarm. My husband is on the phone with a friend in Pakistan, but I can’t stop to say Merry Christmas because I have 15 minutes to get ready. I take a quick shower, brush my teeth and throw on some clothes, then cut several strings off the spiral scarf a friend in France made me for Christmas, and which just got caught in my brush.
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Lifelines: Life after the world's end
Now that the Mayan calendar has ended, I'll confess I'm weary of all these endings and beginnings. I've lived through too many of them, including growing up during The Cold War when the end was at some stranger's fingertips.
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Best-sellers: 12/30/2012
Northwest Michigan and national best-selling books
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TC Bridal Show is Jan. 6
The 19th annual Downtown Bridal Show will feature the latest trends in the wedding industry.
Continued ... - Sunday, December 23, 2012
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Best Christmas present: From foster to home
All Robert MacArthur wants for Christmas is a puppy. But even if he gets one, it can't top last year's present: a new last name, a permanent home and a mother's unconditional love.
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Spreading cheer, one pillow at a time
If Christmas elves and angels appear in disguise, G.G. Galla must be one of them.
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Kathy Gibbons: Kittens get 'forever family'
So I was back home after working out of town for three years, only coming home weekends.
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Ed Hungness: To Grandma's house we go
The Christmas tree is decorated, the presents bought and wrapped and the smells of home-baked cookies and fruitcake drift from the kitchen.
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Travel in Brief: 12/23/2012
CVB offers package; Auto show tickets; One Tough Mudder. (Plus more)
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Best Sellers: 12/23/2012
Hardcover fiction - 1. "Chickadees at Night" by Bill O. Smith, Sleepytime Press, $18.85
Continued ... - Sunday, December 16, 2012
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Neighbors Helping Neighbors
The 58 families BACN served Monday included 49 who came for food. Nine others sought financial assistance. Two were homeless, seven were living with others, 26 owned their house and 23 were renters.
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International exposure for Traverse City knitter's work
Laura Andrews is burning the candle at both ends after one of her hand-knit blankets was featured in a New York Times online gift guide.
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Trees, lighting displays & more
From elaborately decorated trees to drive-through lighting displays to boat parades and train shows, a variety of holiday spectacles are being staged through the end of December and into early January around the country. Here are a few of them.
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Travel in Brief: 12/16/2012
Chocolate tour; Dust Bowl exhibit; New FireKeepers hotel; Seaport museum opens; and more
Continued ... - Bestsellers: 12/16/2012
- Sunday, December 9, 2012
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Fatherhood brings language adjustment
I swear that I am not a profane person. However, good football games and bad drivers foul up my language.
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Best Sellers: 12/09/2012
Best Sellers: 12/09/2012
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Happy — and clear — trails