St. Johns Kiwanis builds beds
Our St Johns Kiwanis 707 donated $1000 to add to the district’s funds, and the combined clubs joined forces this week to build 50 beds at $250 cost each for Sleep In Heavenly Peace.
Sleep In Heavenly Peace is dedicated to keeping kids from having to sleep on the floor or a couch. It took workers less than three hours to build 50 beds. This is the sort of thing Kiwanis does.
Sparrow Clinton honors DAISY Award recipient for outstanding nursing
DAISY Award honoree Lily Mendez, BSN, RN, (center) shows off her award with Sparrow Clinton Hospital Chief Nursing Officer Mariah Hesse, BSN, RN, CENP, (left) and Emergency Services Manager Diane Simon, MSN, RN, CEN.
Sparrow Clinton Hospital recently honored a nurse with the DAISY Award for her compassionate care, outstanding nursing skills, and patient advocacy.
Emergency Services Nurse Amarily “Lily” Mendez, BSN, RN, was named a DAISY honoree based on a patient letter, recognizing her extraordinary bedside manner, and identifying her as “the most caring, kind, gentle, and understanding caregiver.”
One of nine Sparrow Clinton nurses nominated for this prestigious award, Mendez has been a Sparrow caregiver since 2017. In 2020, she received the Outstanding Latino Caregiver Award presented by the Lansing Latino Health Alliance and Sparrow Health System.
DAISY Committee nurses presented Mendez with a certificate of recognition, a DAISY pin, and a hand-carved sculpture entitled The Healer’s Touch. In addition, a DAISY Foundation banner signed by Mendez and previous DAISY Award winners was posted in the hospital.
“Our DAISY Award nominees personify the remarkable patient experience at Sparrow Clinton Hospital,” said Sparrow Clinton Chief Nursing Officer Mariah Hesse, BSN, RN, CENP. “These nurses exemplify the very best standards of advocacy, dedication, resourcefulness, and excellence.”
Individual DAISY nominees included Brittany Betzer, RN; Cyndy Bush, BSN, RN; Teri Cary, BSN, RN; Joren Fabiano, RN; Joslyn Fraidenburg, MSN, RN; Brittany Hagerman, BSN, RN; Melanie Kotowicz, BSN, RN, CNOR; and Cory Mygrants, RN.
The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary, compassionate, and skillful care given by nurses every day. Nurses are nominated by their patients and patients’ families. This was the 14th DAISY presentation for Sparrow Clinton Hospital, marking 208 total DAISY nominations.
Sparrow Clinton honors two nurses each year as DAISY Award honorees. A DAISY Team Award also is presented as recognition is merited. To nominate an exceptional nurse or nursing team, please complete and return a form from one of The DAISY Foundation displays in the hospital.
Historic St. Johns home is on the market
courtesy photos
The familiar house, built by John Hicks at 205 W State St. in St. Johns is being offered for sale. The 7 bedroom, 4 bath, 5,404 square foot mansion is listed at $339,900.
Take a step back in time when construction quality was unmatched and life was a little simpler. You will be in awe at every turn at the attention to detail and grandeur of the finishings. Known as the Hick’s Mansion, this 13 room home was constructed in 1873. Built in the second Empire French Renaissance style with mansard roof, heavy ornate window eyebrows, and massive carved walnut doors with original glass, this home also has a 2 bedroom apartment in the lower level.
The foyer features Italian tile and ornate walnut banister and staircase. In the magnificent living room with mahogany wood finishes, gas fireplace, tall ceilings, and window seats and door leading to the garden. The parlor is a site to behold. The gold gilt cornices and mirror were brought from Germany in 1860s and stored until the home was finished. The ceiling was originally painted by an Austrian artist.
The dining room is a perfect place to host a formal meal or afternoon tea. It has been a rumor that President Roosevelt may have eaten here on one of his whistle stop tours. The large eat-in kitchen and first floor laundry has plenty of natural light and built in storage.
The second floor has two staircases leading to it and a multitude of rooms to choose as sleeping quarters. Two of the bedrooms have original sinks and fireplace facades. The original tile in the bathroom is beautiful and leads to additional built in storage and a small door to the back bedrooms.
The third floor could be finished and has lots of room for storage or fun. The detached carriage house has a walk up attic. Situated on 4 city lots, this 1.2 acre estate is one of the most elegant and jaw dropping homes you will ever see.
The home is listed by Rooted Real Estate Of Greater Lansing, RE/MAX Real Estate Professionals, Inc. East Lansing 517-339-8255
A Look Back Again – Cub Scout Troop 520
by Barry Bauer
Taken in 1972, this photo shows the Cub Scout Troop from East Essex.
That’s Roger Dershem on the left in the back and the guy on the right looks like a Droste. The tall guy in the back is unidentified and appears to be representing the VFW.
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – 7 Tips to Keep Your Pet Cool this Summer
Reviewed and updated for accuracy by Jennifer Coates, DVM
As the weather kicks it up a notch, the natural tendency can be to get everyone up and out of the house—pets included.
While spending more time outdoors can be a great source of exercise and fun for all involved, remember that hot weather is not always easy on our pets. To help your pet get the most out of their summer adventures, you’ll want to be prepared with how to keep your pet safe in the summer heat.
Here are 7 vet-approved tips for keeping your pet cool and healthy during the summer.
Avoid the Peak Sun Hours During the Day
Pets are smarter than we give them credit for, and prefer staying at home and lying on cool surfaces (like your tiled kitchen floor) in the heat of the day, says Douglas Aspros, DVM and President of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
Save your outdoor time with your pet for early in the morning or in the evening once the sun has set.
By taking your daily walk, run, or visit to the park either before or after the sun is at its hottest, your pet will be less likely to overheat and the ground will be cooler on the pads of their paws.
Find Some Shade
If you do find yourself out in midday with your pet, make sure you keep them out of direct sunlight or give them a shady place to get out of the sun.
Remember, your pets don’t wear shoes, so the pads of their paws can be burned walking across particularly hot sand, asphalt, or other surfaces, Dr. Aspros says. If it’s extremely warm, keep them indoors as much as possible.
Never Leave Your Pet in a Car
“One big mistake for owners is leaving a pet in a closed car on a sunny warm day when the temperature in your car can rapidly climb to over 140 degrees Fahrenheit,” Dr. Aspros says. Keeping the windows cracked open will do little to help. “It’s solar heating that’s the culprit, so you can face serious risks even on a comfortable day.”
Panting takes more exertion than sweating and can bring your pet to respiratory distress faster than you think, Dr. Aspros adds. So as much as your pet may love riding in the car or spending time with you, avoid any potential issues by keeping them safe and cool at home.
Always Have Water Available
Pets can get dehydrated quickly, so you’ll want to make plenty of fresh, clean water available to them.
Panting is effective in allowing animals to cool down because it helps evaporate fluids from the respiratory tract, Dr. Aspros says. You can help replace these fluids and prevent dehydration by leaving out water or water alternatives throughout the day—particularly when your pet has spent time outside in the heat.
Water alternatives—electrolyte solutions designed for pets or even Pedialyte—can help when pets are very dehydrated since they replenish electrolytes and taste great. Always keep plain water out too so your pet can pick what they need most in the moment.
Know Your Pet’s Limitations
If your pet is brachycephalic—has a flat-shaped face—like Pugs, Pekingese, Boston Terriers, and Persian Cats, they cannot breathe as effectively and are more susceptible to heat stroke.
Be especially careful with breeds like these in hot weather and keep plenty of water on hand, Dr. Aspros says.
You should also be careful with pets that are elderly, overweight, and/or have heart or lung disease. It’s best for them to be kept in air-conditioned rooms as much as possible in hotter temperatures.
Learn the Signs of Heat Stroke in Pets
You should always make sure that you have a cool, shady spot with clean water for your pet when hanging outdoors during the summer.
“Being covered by fur works well in the winter, but it can make it difficult to manage the heat of a summer day,” says Aspros. “Both dogs and cats dissipate heat by panting [and] as they get overheated, they pant more quickly trying to maintain a safe internal temperature.” However, if a dog or cat gets too hot, they risk developing heat exhaustion or heatstroke.
There are two major reasons pets get overheated, Dr. Aspros says:
High external temperatures can overwhelm the ability of dogs or cats to cool themselves, like when they’re trapped in a car or on a hot beach
Pets with compromised upper airways, like Bulldogs, or an acquired condition like laryngeal paralysis have more difficulty removing heat from their bodies through panting, Dr. Aspros says. These animals often find that, in attempting to cool themselves, they generate more heat through exertion and can fall victim to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
Symptoms of heat exhaustion include:
– Excessive panting
– Labored breathing
– Increased heart rate
– Increased respiratory rate
– Drooling
More severe symptoms that can be associated with heat stroke include seizures, bloody diarrhea, vomiting, and a body temperature of over 104 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heat stroke can be fatal, so if you think your dog is overheating, move your pet to a cool location and call your veterinarian right away.
Shaving Your Pet Isn’t Necessary
Finally, many pet owners incorrectly think that shaving their animals in the heat will help cool them down.
In reality the your pet’s coat helps insulate them against high environmental temperatures and protects them from sunburn. Trimming long hair is perfectly okay, but leave at least an inch or so of fur behind.
Pets with thick, double coats generally shed their inner layer of insulating fur for the summer. Brushing your cat or dog more often to help remove loose fur can help prevent overheating.