Everyone loves to share “Good News”

and there are a lot of people doing “Good Things”

98.5UPS encourages listeners to share those stories.

Spread some positive vibes around our community,

and encourage others to be “Neighborhood Nice Guys”

Nominate someone you know that deserves

to be recognized for their kind deeds!

Just nominate one-time. We will hold onto all

submissions for future award considerations.

They will be awarded a kind gift of appreciation!

Sponsor ~

The Northern Center

Banquets & Events

Host your special

event, up to 500

guests, catering available.

SPONSOR ~

The Fox Den Restaurant is a new restaurant located inside the 

Northern Center, featuring  unique

dishes and exceptional quality.

Try us out! You'll be back!

7784 Stone School Road

Houghton Lake, MI 48629

989-202-4888

Award:

  $75 Gift Card to

The Fox Den Restaurant

How to:

Submit the Form Below

Dates:

Nominate all month long.

One winner selected on

First Friday of each Month

Nominated by:

Submitters Name

Sorry, no Anonymous submissions

Nominated for:

Reasons for deserving this honor

Monthly

Receipent Name and Photo:

Please attach a recent 

photo of the person

being nominated!

The mark of a great man is one who knows when to set aside the

important things in order to accomplish the vital ones.

-Brandon Sanderson

March 2026 Nice Guys

Ron & Joanne Homan

Best Choice in Houghton Lake

Houghton Lake

My mom just lost her husband a few months after moving to Roscommon.

Not knowing anyone was hard enough before she found out all of the life insurance was going to his adult children leaving her with nothing.

Every week she goes to her favorite store and buys one filet mignon to share with her best (and only) friend (her dog Gracie).

The butcher came out after he wrapped up the filet and brought her another one, free of charge, so they each could have their own this week.

The small good deed made my mom smile and for the first time since my dad died she had faith that good people did still exist.

Hearing that story brought me to tears as I am trying so hard to help her as she has beginning stages of dementia.

To hear someone being good to her, I can't even describe the joy it brings to me.

Kristi Stachurski

February 2026 Nice Guy

Rick Kempton

Canadian Lakes

Ricks been my boss & mentor for 3 years and I've never had someone at the helm so generous.

He takes care of our entire team, and although he is recently semi-retired after 30+ years in the business as a Realtor for Coldwell Banker Lakes Realty he's STILL there for us for questions, problems, & realty challenges; to lend a hand when you need it!

And what put him over the top for me today; it's my birthday and he surprised me and my boyfriend at our favorite restaurant "The Forager" in Howard City, by calling ahead and paying our bill for my special day.

I'm not the only one he helps to feel special, but this guy is truly THE Mr Neighborhood Nice Guy. Love ya Rick!

Desiree Winans

January 2026 Nice Gal

Destiny Gruno

Gladwin

Destiny is a great asset to the community.

She is especially talented when it comes to planning special events for all the children of the community.

She organizes Easter egg hunts, Santa visits and much more.

She includes all the local children and really anyone who wants to attend these events.

I think she needs to be recognized for being a Neighborhood Nice Gal.

Chrystal Swerdan

December 2025 Nice Guy

Jerome Senske

Bentley

He helped me move a gun safe and moved furniture and took care of my animals when I was gone to a wedding over a weekend.

Yvette Ross

November 2025 Nice Guy

Brenda & Jim Johnston

Coleman

Brenda and Jim are always there to lend a hand to a friend in need. Their Volunteer Services are too numerous to list. They offered me the use of their car when my car was disabled, and Brenda even did a Vendor Event in my place while I was hospitalized. They would both open their home, their services and their hearts to a worthy cause.

Debby Ratell

October 2025 Nice Guy

Dan O'Keefe

Higgins Lake/Roscommon

Dan will drop whatever he is doing at any time to run to help a friend in need or a stranger who needs help.

Whatever the issue is, Dan will find a way to solve it. From a dripping faucet, to framing a garage, or going on the lake to help a boater in distress he does it all!

In the spring and fall, he will be cleaning up the yards of our elderly neighbors.

Recently, a stranger flagged him down. He had run out of gas. Dan drove to his house, picked up a gas can and returned to get the stranger back on the road.

He will never accept anything for his efforts.

His favorite saying: "Helping you just made my day!"

Dan O'Keefe epitomizes the neighborhood nice guy moniker. I am proud to nominate him and proud to call him my friend.

Jim Pardoe

September 2025 Nice Gal

Julie MacNaughton

Roscommon

Julie ( and her hubby Rick) are very very special to me and my husband.

We have had many many serious medical issues in the last 2 years and they have been here ALL the time to help with whatever we need.

They also volunteer at the Bluebird Cancer Retreat in Holland, MI. & at the local food truck pick up days.

Always giving and expecting nothing in return. This world needs more Julie's and Rick's!!!!

Linda Miller

August 2025 Nice Guy

David Richards

Alger

He is the best neighbor in the world. He bends over backwards.

He does anything he can do to help you out. He would pick up prescriptions for me when I was sick.

He would always bring food over when I wasn't well. He always has football parties, it supplies all the food and beer.

His wife is just as grateful as she cooks meals for the games.

Martin DeShais

July 2025 Nice Gal

Annette Watrous

Houghton Lake

My mom is the nicest person you'll meet. She has been a proud member of the Houghton Lake community since she was a little kid. She has an extensive past of volunteering. She spent her time with the Bobcat Boosters and teaching catechism at Our Lady in the 90s and currently finds time to help out at St. Vinny's. She always has a smile and a compliment for everyone she meets, no matter what kind of day she's had. My mom truly is the nicest in neighborhood wherever she goes and deserves a wonderful meal she didn't have to cook herself.

Chrissy Abel

June 2025 Nice Guy

Dean Mathews

Beaverton

Volunteering at Beaverton Fire Department, and at the Roscommon Animal Rescue Clinic,

Dean is the first neighbor to lend a hand, a tool or his experience.

Thank God for people like Dean.

Roger Klemkosky

May 2025 Nice Guy

Guy Bradman

Gladwin

Guy has always been extremely helpful to me and the neighbors.

He was there for me when I had trouble with my dog, he dug a trench for me, helps with snow blowing, has helped with fixing a number of things and mows my lawn even though he has his own health problems and all without expecting anything in return.

I am truly thankful for him and his wife Heather.

Deanna Hughes

April 2025 Nice Guy

Thomas Zielke

Mt. Pleasant

The reason Tom is so special is because he will drop everything for those he cares about. I've witnessed him give up multiple weekends to help a friend get a house ready to sell or help a someone get caught up on their laundry, dishes or yardwork. He'd help a kid with their homework. Whatever needs to be done, he will make it happen.

All with smile on his face and when you tell him thank you he says, no thanks necessary, I'm just Tom, it's what I do.

Carla Nira

March 2025 Nice Gal

Debbie Weese

Sanford

From the time I was considering buying my home 6 years ago up to today, Deb has helped in so many ways knowing I am a single parent with a very limited income. Just a few major examples: knowing that I was having issues in the restroom, for my "birthday" one year, she bought and installed a handicap commode while I was at work. One day while I was at work, my son noticed water on his carpet, I told him to call Deb. Deb came over and looked, went to Home Depot, bought a hot water heater and installed it by the time I got home from work. I reimbursed her for the price of the water heater, then asked what I owed her for the installation and she said, "whatever you can afford ". I have been having problems getting around the past few months, knowing that, I just looked out my window and there she was, mowing my lawn. I've heard of, and seen her helping out many others as well. She is the kind of person that would give a total stranger the shirt off her back if they needed it. She helps so many with God's work in her heart. She is definitely a blessing to this world.

Holly Estabrook

February 2025 Nice Guy

Dean Mathews

Beaverton

Dean Mathews volunteers weekly at the Wildlife Animal Rescue in Roscommon.

He also is a volunteer fireman. He is always the first one to help people out in the neighborhood . He is an all around giving person.

Mary Klemkosky

January 2025 Nice Guys

Dunaj Family

Houghton Lake

This is their 47th year of making cookies and candy and handing out platters of these goodies to local businesses to say Merry Christmas and Thank you for their services. They make 15 different cookies and 7 kinds of candy. They spend long hours of hard, tedious work decorating and making these treats for our local community. They have done this for 47 years without any recognition for their generosity. I think for once they should be recognized for their hard work.

Denise McKissack