In every successful community, there are people who work hard and volunteer harder. These are the movers and shakers who work their day jobs, and then go on to serve on boards or committees, secure grants, mentor our youth, or quietly place flags where our war heroes have been laid to rest. They build on our shared foundation and continue to enhance our community. Several more will publish randomly. Send us the names of the faces you'd like to see here.

ELMER GRODY - (1924-2018)  Elmer Grody was a lifelong resident of Mancelona. He served our country in the U.S. Army during World War II.  Elmer was a tool and die maker for Standard Products in Gaylord. Elmer was very involved in the Mancelona community.  He was a member of the Mancelona Fire Deparment for 51 years, and was Fire Chief for many of them, and volunteered with the White Pine Stampede. Elmer was a driver for Mancelona Ambulance Service. He served the Village of Mancelona as a councilman for "eons," and volunteered each year at the annual kids' fishing day at Johnson's Pond on opening day of trout season. In 2015, Elmer was named Mancelona Bass Festival's Grand Marshal. 

After his death in 2018, a tree was planted in his memory near the depot building on the lot southeast of the U.S. 131/M-88 traffic light in Mancelona.   /2023