See area Artists at Agroliquid
Cartoon drawings, painting, sketching and etching are a few of the art forms you will see on Thursday, January 26th at Artist Invasion from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Come support multiple of our wonderful, local gallery artists at the Artist Invasion event at Agroliquid’s IQhub as they demonstrate their creative processes and chat. The exhibit will be located at 3055 M-21 in St Johns. For more information, call (989) 224-4117.
Emily Matticks is self-taught and has been painting for about three years. Emily does primarily acrylic paintings and is inspired by surrealist artists such as Dali and Chagail. She expresses her emotions through her art which is bold and passionate.
Having originally been an ink artist, Saige has always been drawn to the sharp lines, crunchy shapes and bold colors of graphic art, western comics and animation. However, as the years passed, she felt the limits of this medium and transitioned to becoming exclusively a digital artist.
Sophie is an artist from East Lansing, Michigan. She primarily works in oil and acrylic paint. While she has submitted portraits, she also paints landscapes. Sophie’s paintings will draw you in and we can’t wait to see what she is going to create.
E.J. is from St. Johns, Michigan and does wood engraving and Linocut print. “A linocut is a type of relief, or block print, and bears a lot of similarities to woodblock printing. Essentially, the artist carves an image into a linoleum (lino) block and what’s left of the block is inked and printed.”
Here is Hannah’s artist statement: “Urge to create. Inspiring. Passion. Movement everywhere. Admire my work. Hope. I hope that after viewers admire my work they are inspired to see movement everywhere. Slow down and take in the movement happening all around you.”
Hannah likes to do scratch art. She will be happy to talk to you about her art and what inspires her.
Cliff Bohm creates his art through welding. He has had pieces at Scrapfest in Old Town Lansing and they are amazing. We are fortunate to have one of those pieces at the IQhub as well as a few of his smaller pieces. Cliff will be making metal roses at Artist Invasion. It will be worth the visit to see his beautiful works of art.
Theressa is the Director of the Clinton County Arts Council. She also runs the Art and Soul Gallery in downtown St. Johns. She is a Canadian/American artist who has been painting for about 12 years. She likes to create cheerful work that brings a smile to the observer’s face and brightens their day. Theressa will be bringing in homemade clay and will be working with that. You can try working with the clay too and even take some home with you. Come see Theressa and her cheerful work.
Andrew says, “Doodles are good for the soul!” He has created a world of original characters that are called Gercs. They are a humble and joyful bunch that appeal to both young and old, while proving that you may grow old but you never have to grow up. It will be exciting to see which character Andrew creates for Artist Invasion.
Dylan Macarty began drawing in Kindergarten. He had a passion for comic books which propelled him into character art. He has been drawing fantasy, super heroes and monsters most of his life. A few years ago he started to draw abstract pictures which are his favorite. Join us at Artist Invasion to see what abstract picture he will be working on next.
L-R: Becky VanCamp, Mercantile Bank; Sue Kadlek, IQhub Administrator and Jaccii Maylle of Mercantile Bank.
IQHub wants to thank their friends at Mercantile Bank of St Johns. Recently hey delivered a donation check in the amount of $2500.00.
Local partnership aids county residents
Almost every month the Executive Director of The Voice for Clinton County’s Children Kelly Schafer gets together with The SafeCenter Executive Director. They appreciate the amazing partnership of another great Clinton County agency.
Netflix documentary on the Pez Outlaw of St Johns debuted Thursday
“The Pez Outlaw” debuted on Netflix streaming service on Thursday, January 19. The film centers around Steve Glew who found a way to make a lot of money selling knock-off Pez dispensers in the United States that he brought in in from all over Europe.
Remember When – The sweetest night in town in 2013
Paul and Joann Martis were among the participants in the Senior Center’s Chocolate Fantasy fundraiser in 2010
The Clinton County Senior Center will hold its 4th Annual Chocolate Fantasy on Thursday, February 7 from 6-8 pm at their facility at 201 E Walker Street in St. Johns.
They expect to have over 25 different delectable chocolate creations & beverages for you to sample. Some of the items will include mint cordial cups, chocolate dipped cheesecake, French silk tarts, chocolate covered cherries, chocolate peanut butter bars and much, much more.
Tickets for this sweet adventure are $10 per person and are available from any Senior Center Board member, at the Senior Center or at the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce office, 1013 S US 27 in St. Johns.
Funds raised from the annual event help pay for utility bills for the coldest months of the year.
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Do Dogs and Cats Grieve?
As pet parents, we will all experience the heartbreak of losing a beloved companion. After such a loss, people often work through personal grief by taking comfort in memories, photos, and physical reminders of the pet that we so dearly loved.
While we understand that death is an inevitable part of life, do pets also make this connection? How do dogs and cats understand and react to death? Do they grieve when they lose a beloved person or another pet in their family?
Do Dogs and Cats Grieve Their Loved Ones?
While it is unlikely that pets grasp the concept of their human companion being gone forever, there is definite evidence to suggest that they grieve the loss. This is shown through behavioral changes after a pet experiences a loss, likely in response to missing the company of their companion and the change in their shared daily routine.
You may have personally witnessed or heard stories about dogs that are closely bonded to their owners, or military and law enforcement dogs, that have shown behavioral changes consistent with grief and depression after a loss.
There have been numerous photographs and videos of dogs waiting patiently by the front door, sitting at the end of the driveway, and even resting near their owner’s grave site that have been shared as proof that these animals miss their owners or handlers and are grieving their loss.
Cats can also show signs of grief, and although you don’t see as many media representations, there is plenty of evidence.
Signs of Grief in Pets
Several surveys and studies have revealed some common signs of grieving in cats and dogs.
Researchers in New Zealand reported in 2016 that dogs and cats exhibit signs of stress and grief over the loss of their canine and feline companions, and their behaviors were similar to those of young children who grieved the loss of a family member:
Behavioral Change Percentage of Dogs Involved Percentage of Cats Involved
More demanding of attention: dogs -35, cats -40
Being clingy or needy: dogs – 26, cats – 22
Seeking less affection from pet parents : dogs -10, cats – 15
Seeking out the deceased’s favorite spot: dogs – 30, cats – 36
Increased duration sleep: dogs – 34, cats – 20
Decreased amount eaten: dogs – 35, cats – 21
Slower eating: dogs – 31, cats – 12
Increased frequency of vocalizations: dogs – 27, cats – 43
Increased volume of vocalizations: dogs -19, cats – 32
In 1996 the ASPCA conducted a survey of cat owners to better understand whether cats grieve, and if so, what the most common signs of grief were.
Results of the survey revealed that most cats experienced a change in vocalizations following the death of their companion, and this sign was more common than any other physical or behavioral manifestation.
Other signs of grief included a loss of appetite, a notable change in sleep patterns (some cats slept more than they normally would, while others experienced insomnia), a change in the areas of the home where they preferred to spend time or rest, and an increase in physical affection or clinginess toward their human companions.
How Long Does Grief Last in Pets?
Just like with humans, there is no finite period for grief, as every animal responds differently to a loss. Many experts suggest that animal grief will run its course in weeks to months, but studies of other species of animals recognized grief in closely bonded wild animal communities that lasted for years.
How Does Our Grief Affect Them?
A 2019 study from Duke University reported elevated cortisol levels in the hair of humans who indicated they were suffering from significant stressors in their lives. The study also found that pets living with humans under stressful conditions had elevated cortisol levels in their fur, suggesting that pets do sense our emotions and may exhibit similar physical stress responses.
This can certainly translate to stress brought on by grief or loss, so it’s safe to say that your pet is also affected when you are grieving a loss.
How to Help Grieving Pets
After the death of a pet, there are several ways you can help other pets during their time of grieving:
– Stick to daily routines. Maintain a consistent mealtime schedule and continue any daily walks or other outdoor activities as well as playtime.
– Offer extra attention and affection to help pets recover emotionally from the loss of their friend.
– Try calming aids such as music therapy or Adaptil and Feliway diffusers and calming collars.
– Nutritional supplements such as Composure treats or Calming Care probiotics for dogs may also help alleviate your pet’s anxiety.
– Provide new, mentally stimulating toys and chews for dogs. For cats, you can offer new cat trees, interactive toys, or access to a safe outdoor enclosure.
If your pet begins to show behaviors such as house soiling, destruction of toys or furniture, or excessive vocalizing and whining, it is important not to punish or discipline them. This will only teach them to fear you and may increase their anxiety and make these behaviors worse.
Talk to your vet or ask for a recommendation for a behaviorist in these cases. Pets with more severe behavioral changes may also benefit from antidepressant medications.
The amount of time that a dog or cat grieves will vary individually, but eventually they do recover and will usually fall back into their daily routines at some point.
However if your pet continues to decline physically or emotionally, consult with your veterinary team to be sure there’s no underlying medical condition that’s causing symptoms that you initially thought were related to grief.
Cats in particular should be closely monitored if they stop eating, as prolonged anorexia in cats can quickly develop into a life-threatening condition known as hepatic lipidosis.
Should Pets Be Present When You Are Putting Down Another Pet?
The decision to allow pets to be present for euthanasia of their dying companion should be made on an individual basis. Some experts suggest that allowing pets to witness the euthanasia process and to see and smell their companion after they have passed will allow them to understand the finality of the situation.
Some pets may linger for a while or curl up beside their companion after they have passed, while others may give a brief sniff before walking away or leaving the room. Regardless of the intensity of the response, the remaining pets will know that their friend is gone, which may allow for an easier grief and recovery period than if the pet suddenly disappeared from the home.
Will My Pets Be Upset if I Get Another Pet Soon After a Death?
Another consideration is finding the appropriate time to bring a new pet into your home after a loss. This will depend on your feelings and also the temperament and adaptability of your other pets.
Bringing a new pet into the home too soon may cause increased stress and anxiety if your existing pets have not had time to process the absence of the companion that has died. This will inevitably disrupt the normal daily routine while the new pet becomes acclimated to their new surroundings. This increase in stress may result in some temporary undesirable behaviors, including house soiling or destruction of toys, bedding, or other household items.
For dogs, a good compromise may be to schedule play dates with other dogs that they have already met and like. You could also plan regular trips to a dog park to allow them to interact with other dogs, which might benefit them both physically and emotionally.
Cats may benefit from an increase in cuddling or physical affection from you as a means of distraction from the absence of their companion.