Walgreens in ER

[Reply]

My kids go to First Presbyterians Light House Youth Group. And, yes, Gary is great with the kids. Call the church for more info!

[Whatever]

During the school year Elk Rapids has sports and Plays to offer the kids- parents need to encourage participation and provide transportation though. There is a movie theater, but I agree, there isn't much else to do for kids when it isn't nice enough to go to the beach, play basketball or tennis, or enjoy Wednesday nights on River St., Bowling is okay, but expensive- and available in T.C. for an occassional outing- a recreation room with ping pong and pool tables, games and cheap food would be great for the youth(maybe music and dancing once in awhile)- a fitness area would also encourage healthier choices. These types of activities are ususally funded by donations, grants,community effort, ect. Work is usually volunteer- therefore, jobs still need to happen. I understand the fear of having Walgreens come to E.R.,(usually more box stores follow) but they do hire youth, at least they do in T.C., it is also year round employment and the prices aren't too outrages for merchandise such as many stores in E.R. are. At some point if E.R. is to grow- these stores will make there way in, I guess it is a choice- do you want your town to grow, do you want more opportunity for people in your community- you cannot rely on seasonal jobs as many of E.R.'s business's currently are- to help keep your youth there and grow your community. If you have a few "name brand stores" such as Walgreens, you have a greater possibility of attracting other business's to your area. Without it- they simply will not come. Many moons ago E.R. was bigger than T.C., both places are beautiful with awesome views of the bay- the main difference is T.C. let the box stores come in and it is continually growing now. I remember when the CherryLand Mall came- T.C. was pretty small prior to that. It has it's pitfalls, I admit- but at least there are things for the teens to do and most of them are able to find work if they want to.

[Larry B]

really wrote:

<quoted text>
Do your kids go to the First Pres. youth group??? It is very good for the comunity, and the kids. Gary is great with those kids both really young all the way up to high school and beyond too.

Yes that was the one. They haven't gone in a few years. They allways spoke highly of Gary . A good man. They need more programs like Gary's. The Town should send some mo ney his way.

[Reply]

Larry B wrote:

<quoted text> Yes that was the one. They haven't gone in a few years. They allways spoke highly of Gary . A good man. They need more programs like Gary's. The Town should send some mo ney his way.

First Pres. Church 202 Spruce Elk Rapids, MI 49629 Send your Checks, or better yet come vist Sunday mornings 8:30 and 10:00. I am not sure on the youth group times but you can find out there!
Go Gary!!!

[Whatever]

Youth groups are great too only if the parents do not expose their children to them the kids usually won't go unless they are invited by a friend. It would be great if there were an outreach program to attract more of the communities children who are not attending currently. I understand most schools will not pass out information involving religious group activities but possibly an advertised promotional event would attract more local children? Just a thought...
So, if some of you disagree with my above theory- just how to you propose to add jobs and things for youth to do as well as keep them around if you do not want box store? Just wondering; In recent years it seems as though E.R. has lost more manufacturing jobs over gaining them- this economy isn't helping either (anywhere in Michigan) All I know that when I was a teen in E.R. I wanted to be anywhere but there and usually I was in Traverse- as soon as I could drive I worked in Traverse and purchased all my clothing and other items I felt I needed there as well because I could affordto get more because the prices and selections were better. As an adult I appreciate the small town side of E.R., I certainly understand why it's people would want to keep it that way if it weren't for the youth leaving and lack of jobs. It's a beautiful little town.

[What]

Someone needs to get the "ball rolling" to get a bowling alley in or near Elk Rapids

[acme sucks]

What wrote:

Someone needs to get the "ball rolling" to get a bowling alley in or near Elk Rapids

That would be nice just don't put it in Acme or you might get sued.

[aussie]

Youth Groups are fantastic. My kids went all their teen years and it saved them from other influences. Gave them a sense of involvement and they learned to help others through community projects,such as cleaning up roads, helping older people with projects, had leadership training within the group, focused on serving others instead of only thinking of themselves. And of course a deeper understanding of Who God is and great contemporary worship music. Bowling was also an intergral part of activities, as well as concerts and other summer camps events. Springhill in Evart was a every summer event. Great camp. Zipline,horses,crafts,sports.

[Been here forever]

I think there is only one bowling alley in T.C. And my 13yr old can't drive to it. Of course we do go, but wouldn't it be nice if Elk Rapids had one. Something the kids to do together as teens and stay out of trouble. Look at Bellaire, they have a Dollar General, Mc.D's and a bowling Alley, and more. Elk Rapids could do something for the fulltime residents, but they proably won't.

[Full-Time Resident]

I am failing to understand why "someone" needs to do something. I think that everyone on here that thinks the kids need something to do should get off their rears and make something for the kids to do. Do you know that just two bowling lanes, start to finish, costs about $250,000? Surely you don't expect the village to build that? Then the new topic of discussion would be our skyrocketing taxes...
Form a non-profit group like they did in Kingsley. That group purchased the old fire department and is building a youth center complete with pool tables, ping pong and a movie watching room and it was all done with donations and fund-raisers. Become a 4-H leader, start a scouting group, don't just talk, ACT...or quit whining about other people keeping your kids out of trouble.

[Youth]

Full-Time Resident wrote:

I am failing to understand why "someone" needs to do something. I think that everyone on here that thinks the kids need something to do should get off their rears and make something for the kids to do. Do you know that just two bowling lanes, start to finish, costs about $250,000? Surely you don't expect the village to build that? Then the new topic of discussion would be our skyrocketing taxes...
Form a non-profit group like they did in Kingsley. That group purchased the old fire department and is building a youth center complete with pool tables, ping pong and a movie watching room and it was all done with donations and fund-raisers. Become a 4-H leader, start a scouting group, don't just talk, ACT...or quit whining about other people keeping your kids out of trouble.

You make a good point. Next to the bowling alley in TC on Garfield there used to be an indoor roller skating rink, arcade, and snack bar. It was so fun for little and big kids alike. Unfortunately, it was closed and made into a nightclub--Streeters. The kids had so many good times there.

[Whatever]

Full-Time Resident wrote:

I am failing to understand why "someone" needs to do something. I think that everyone on here that thinks the kids need something to do should get off their rears and make something for the kids to do. Do you know that just two bowling lanes, start to finish, costs about $250,000? Surely you don't expect the village to build that? Then the new topic of discussion would be our skyrocketing taxes...

You got it!!! It will also cost the children quite a bit just to go bowling as well, not something every teen can afford to do or that even the parents would be willing to spend money on often.

Form a non-profit group like they did in Kingsley. That group purchased the old fire department and is building a youth center complete with pool tables, ping pong and a movie watching room and it was all done with donations and fund-raisers. Become a 4-H leader, start a scouting group, don't just talk, ACT...or quit whining about other people keeping your kids out of trouble.

Given a choice, most teens would rather have a club as you suggest rather than a bowling alley anyhow- good point!!!

[What]

Full-Time Resident wrote:

Do you know that just two bowling lanes, start to finish, costs about $250,000? Surely you don't expect the village to build that? Then the new topic of discussion would be our skyrocketing taxes...

Bowling Alleys are owned by individuals or Corporations. Villages and Cities do not build them. They would not affect our taxes and Elk Rapids would not have to come up with the money. Traverse City did not build the one on Garfield. 2 brothers own it. They have specials for teenagers to keep them in the bowling alley and off the street. The fact that most teens can't drive to Traverse keeps them from being able to participate and if they can drive, it's a 40 mile round trip. That adds $8 to $12 in gas to the night out. If we had one closer that $8 to $12 could be spent bowling. Not driving to bowl.

[Been here forever]

What wrote:

<quoted text>
Bowling Alleys are owned by individuals or Corporations. Villages and Cities do not build them. They would not affect our taxes and Elk Rapids would not have to come up with the money. Traverse City did not build the one on Garfield. 2 brothers own it. They have specials for teenagers to keep them in the bowling alley and off the street. The fact that most teens can't drive to Traverse keeps them from being able to participate and if they can drive, it's a 40 mile round trip. That adds $8 to $12 in gas to the night out. If we had one closer that $8 to $12 could be spent bowling. Not driving to bowl.

Very nice. I like what you wrote, because you know what you are talking about. Someone wanted once to make the old supertool building (across from Burnette Foods) a bowling & lounge place, but they were told no deal and never pushed it.

[What next]

Just to take my two children bowling on a day when timberlanes offers family discounts-(Sunday) It still costs our family 25-30 bucks to bowl three games each, maybe have a pop.(This does not include gas to drive there.) This takes app. two hours at most to do- I cannot see how a bowling alley will solve your problems for your teens, only offer more convenience to parents who do not want to drive. I hardly think parents would give their children more than thirty dollars a week to go bowling- if that, so you are not looking at filling a whole lot of time up for these kids by having an alley more centrally located for your needs. It makes more sence that it would be planned around a family outing in Traverse City whereas no doubt most of you "parents" go shopping for clothing, homecare items, ect., seeing as how the only store that has decent prices in Elk Rapids is the grocery store. Why not take time and plan a family outing? What these kids really need is parents who give enough concern to spend time with their teens- not just a place to "put them."
Who is their right mind, given the economy in Michigan- would want to pay to put a bowling alley in E.R. which would actually become another alternative for the "town club" drunks to patronage- not a solution for teens who do not have the cash to even play more than once a week at most- and if they hang out there and aren't playing then they will be in trouble for loitering. Give me a break!

[Fulltime resident]

What next wrote:

Just to take my two children bowling on a day when timberlanes offers family discounts-(Sunday) It still costs our family 25-30 bucks to bowl three games each, maybe have a pop.(

Teen Time at Timberlanes is Monday and games are $1.25 each. Adults and families are also welcome at $1.25.