SJHS Graduation, 2021
St. Joseph students clean rail trail
5th and 6th Graders cleaned up the Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee (CIS) Rail Trail on Monday morning.
Remember When – City acquires Grand Trunk depot in 1998
By Rhonda Westfall
New life for venerable building
It took nearly 18 months of negotiating, but the old Grand Trunk depot is finally back in the hands of its home community.
The city of St. Johns finalized the $85,000 purchase agreement Feb. 19 with Central Michigan Railway. City officials had originally submitted a bid to purchase the building and site in the fall of 1996.
The city’s interest in obtaining the site is primarily to hold it as a public trust for future use, officials say.
“Our intent is not necessarily to do something with the building ourselves, but because of its unique value for the whole community, the city would like to have some input into its future use,” St. Johns City Clerk Richard Coletta said.
With that in mind, city commissioners began the formation of a Depot Study Committee which will review options and make recommendations about possible uses for the depot site. Initial committee members include Jack Giesecke, Shana Mazzolini, Ed Mikula, Brian Mills, Jeanne Rand, Jennifer Vincent, and Rhonda Westfall. Additional representatives from the Historical Society, Downtown Business District, and financial institutions will also be appointed.
While the current depot isn’t an “original,” it still has a strong connection with the history of the city. The present site became the depot’s home after a devastating tornado in 1920 destroyed the Grand Trunk building that had been located near the current building.
Information from The History of Clinton County (1980) tells the story:
“Without doubt, the greatest disaster that ever visited Clinton County occurred last Sunday afternoon, March 28, shortly after 5 p.m., the havoc being wrought by a tornado which came to Michigan from Indiana. Probably not less than 40 or 50 houses and barns were blown down. Fortunately there was no loss of life.”
The owners of the Grand Truck line made plans to rebuild that same year:
“The new depot in St. Johns will be located 220 feet east of Clinton Avenue, one and one-half blocks west of the old depot. It will have a brick foot walk 10 feet wide and 550 feet long. The new passenger depot will be 105 feet x 30 feet, and the freight house 32 feet x 200 feet with a deck 32 x 40 feet. A macadamized drive from Railroad Street through the grounds will be built. The grounds will be made into a park with lawns, trees, shrubs, and flowers. The cost has been estimated at more than $100,000.”
Although the depot has been vacant since before the railway was formally abandoned in 1994, the building itself is structurally sound and is in relatively good shape inside and out. Both the original brick foot walk and macadamized drive through the grounds are visible – although both are overgrown with weeds.
The city plans to start work on cleaning up the site within the next several weeks. Brush and trees will be trimmed around the building, and fencing on the east side of the depot will be removed.
Letters will be sent to members of the Depot Study Committee in the near future, advising them of the scope of their duties and setting an initial meeting date.
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – How to Help Dogs With Arthritis
Arthritis in dogs is a condition that causes joint pain, and one that will afflict most dogs as they age.
Watching your best friend get older is never fun, but there are some things you can do around your home and in collaboration with your veterinarian to help dogs with arthritis manage their pain and improve their joint health.
Here are some tips for relieving your dog’s joint pain and reducing inflammation.
Modify Your Home to Accommodate Dogs With Arthritis
Making a few basic modifications to your home can help alleviate your dog’s pain and anxiety.
Nonslip Rugs
Dogs with arthritis and joint pain may have a fear of walking on slippery surfaces like hardwood or tile because they have limited mobility and they expect to feel pain if they fall.
Using nonslip mats, rugs, and carpets on slippery floors can help your dog get around the house more without the fear of slipping. Placing nonslip rugs at the base and the top of staircases, and near couches and beds, will help decrease dog joint pain by lowering the impact on their joints.
Orthopedic Dog Beds
Comfortable dog beds that are low to the ground and have orthopedic support will ease your dog’s joint pain and allow them to get back up without struggling.
Make sure that your pet’s favorite spots to rest and sit have thick bedding with nonslip mats to prevent injury or pain when they try to stand up.
Blocked-Off Stairways
Stairs should be blocked off with a pet gate to ensure your dog’s safety when they’re not under your direct supervision.
Dog-Lift Harness
Considering purchasing a sling, or dog-lift harness, to assist with mobility around the house. This type of harness can help ensure proper and safe movement through certain areas for pets severely affected by hip, knee, shoulder, and elbow arthritis.
Ask Your Vet About Joint Supplements and Medications
Using a multimodal approach—combinations of different types of medications and joint supplements—to treat arthritis in dogs is the best way to ensure quality of life and successful treatment.
NSAIDS
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) play a major role in controlling dog joint pain and inflammation. Prescription medications such Galliprant, Carprofen, and Meloxicam are the safest options for controlling pain and inflammation compared to over-the-counter, non-veterinary products.
You may see the full results after three months of daily use. Speak with your veterinarian about which product and dosage is right for your pet.
Adequan Injections
Adequan, an FDA-approved series of injections performed by your veterinarian, has shown to help with inflammation and to increase joint lubrication.
Joint Supplements and Diets
Oral supplements that contain methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), glucosamine hydrochloride, long-chain omega-3 fatty acids—eicosatetraenoic acid (ETA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—and chondroitin sulfate are known for supporting dog joint health.
Quality products formulated specifically for dog joint health include Nutramax Dasuquin, Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d dry dog food, Hill’s Prescription Diet j/d wet dog food, Bayer’s Free Form, and Nutramax Welactin, among many others.
Many oral supplements can have significant side effects, wreaking havoc on the gastrointestinal tract of our canine friends, so you should consult with your veterinarian before adding them to your dog’s diet.
Dog Breeds That Can Benefit From Joint Supplements as Puppies
In breeds that have the potential for joint disease, it is recommended to start joint supplements as early as 8 weeks of age. These breeds are most commonly at risk for joint issues:
Hip and knee: Any toy to giant breed dog can be affected, but these are the most common:
Toy breeds: Miniature Poodles, Boston Terriers, Chihuahuas, Pugs (knee), and Yorkshire Terriers
Medium to large breeds: American Staffordshire Terrier, Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, Boxers, American Bulldogs, English Bulldogs, German Shepherds, Mastiffs
Giant breeds: Great Danes, St. Bernards
Elbow (tends to be breed-specific): English Bulldogs, Welsh Corgis, Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers
Shoulder (tends to be breed-specific): Labradors and Golden Retrievers
Consider Secondary Therapies
These treatments can be used in conjunction with primary treatments to help relieve dog joint pain.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is the insertion of thin needles into the skin at certain points of the body. There is clinical evidence that acupuncture, in combination with a multimodal therapy approach to arthritis, reduces chronic dog joint pain.
Speak with your veterinarian to determine if acupuncture is a good option for your pet.
Managing Your Dog’s Weight
Weight management is a critical component of relieving dog joint pain. Obesity contributes to increased pressure on the joints, which leads to pain and discomfort. Controlling your dog’s weight can help ease their pain as they age. Speak with your veterinarian about the ideal weight for your pet and long-term weight management.
Moderate Exercise and Physical Therapy
Physical therapy, massage, and daily exercise can be very beneficial to dogs with arthritis.
Consider daily exercise in moderation: Start with short walks, up to 10 or 15 minutes, three to four times per day. Following the same routine every day without high-impact activities (such as ball chasing, running, or jumping) is key to giving your dog some exercise without increasing stress or pain.
Speak with your veterinarian about consulting a certified small animal physical rehabilitation practitioner. They can lead your dog through therapeutic exercises like passive stretching, range of motion exercises, controlled walking with obstacles, and using underwater treadmills.