Agency’s permanent home to serve Abused Children
courtesy of Kelly Schafer, Executive Director, The Voice for Clinton County’s Children
Five years ago, conversations and planning began to implement a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) Program and then add a CAC (Child Advocacy Center) to serve Clinton County’s abused and neglected children.
In June 2014, Clinton County’s first CASA Advocates were appointed to foster care cases. Our program currently has 15 active CASA Volunteers who visit their appointed child or sibling group every 7 to 10 days and report back to the court how the children are doing throughout their foster care experience. In November 2017, our CAC began services. Our CAC provides forensic interviews of children who have experienced abuse; our CAC team includes Child and Adult Protective Services, Family Advocates, Law Enforcement, Medical Professionals, Mental Health Services, and the Prosecutor’s Office.
As both CASA and CAC Programs evolved in Clinton County over the last five years, we have witnessed tremendous generous support from our community. We are humbled by the support of our volunteers, financial supporters, in-kind donations, and community partners. Working with children who have experienced physical and sexual abuse is not easy work but it is absolutely necessary work—work that is possible by our outstanding supporters.
One year ago, April 2017, our agency moved into beautiful office space located at 1207 N. US 27 in St. Johns. Through amazing donations of time and financial support, the building was transformed to a welcoming facility.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, National Volunteer Appreciation Week, National Sexual Assault Awareness Month, National Crime Victims’ Rights Week, and National Superhero Day—all prominent in our work. It feels appropriate to share our exciting news that our office space is now a permanent home for our work. This significant milestone has been made possible because of you; we appreciate all you have done to make this future possible for the children we are entrusted to serve.
We invite you to schedule a Tour of Hope — a tour to see the beautiful murals throughout our office, very large teddy bear, forensic interview equipment, and learn more about our CAC and CASA Programs. To learn more or schedule a Tour of Hope, please visit our website VoiceForClintonCountyChildren.org, call 989-640-5681 or email KellySchaferED@gmail.com.
Thank you for being a part of our supportive community. Your support has made CAC and CASA Programs, and now a permanent home for our programs, a reality for the children we serve.
National Volunteer Appreciation Week celebration with most of our amazing CASA Advocates including special guest, Judge Sullivan.
Fishing the Gulf of Mexico
courtesy of Bob Holzhei
Fishing, Fun, Seashells, Sightseeing and Dolphins near Port Sanibel, in Southwest Florida. Bobbers, Shrimp, Speckled Trout and a Few Surprises made for a Very Relaxing Day! Screeching drags, Fully-arched Rods, Tight Lines and Good Knots!
The 36-foot Contender was impressive as we walked down the dock right after sunrise. There were three 250 horsepower Yamaha outboards on the stern and we were met with a giant warm greeting from Captain Ryan Kane of Southern Instinct Fishing Charters. The targeted species for the all-day charter included Kingfish, Mackerel, Barracuda, and Cobia according to Kane.
I had fished the Gulf of Mexico for first time, years ago, as one of a dozen outdoor writers selected from the United States. The group was chosen from the Association of Great Lakes Outdoor Writers and included a writer from Outdoor Life Magazine in New York.
The opportunity to fish the ocean out of Port Sanibel, Florida was exciting. Fellow outdoor writer Dave Barus, his wife Rose and my wife Shirley, all joined up for the all-day charter fishing trip. The trip had been cancelled twice due to high seas; and on this day the winds did the same but we went anyway. The seas started at two feet, but eventually rose and crested at five-foot levels, which resulted in pulling the lines and fishing the shelter between two islands closer to shore.
Our trip began with a slow troll out of Port Sanibel Marina and then the fun started. As Captain Kane increased our speed to 30 mph. The three outboards roared, though they were just at half throttle. The scent of the ocean salt water, the memory of over-cresting waves and the spray from the wake slapping the boat was frozen in time. As we arrived at the fishing grounds the lines were let out 90 feet behind the boat.
“I use 15-pound braid and 60 to 80-pound test fluorocarbon leader line spooled on the Shimano reels. These are mounted on my Dan James Custom Rods that I use because of their ability to hold up under the challenge of big, bad, ocean fish,” said Kane.
The Dan James Custom Rods do exactly what they’re intended to do. Other rods break under the pressure. The Shimano rods are ergonomically correct and anglers have an easier time with these reels, they’re a step above other reels. The way the reel is made, the size of the handle, and the ease of using it is worth the cost,” added Kane.
Kane field tests several other Dan James Custom Rods that are in the prototype or development stage prior to these going into production.
The wind speed rose yet again to 35 mph and Captain Kane was forced to head for calmer waters. We boated toward the safety of islands and dolphins surfaced, following us for the fun of jumping in the boat wake. Time stopped again and I also became air-born, but unlike the dolphins, I would not reenter the ocean. Rather I would take flight on the never-ending memory of such an incredible experience. The dolphins were only three to four feet away. Their eyes and expressions were talking to me.
Eventually, we stopped to fish in a sheltered and secret Captain Kane spot. We caught speckled ocean trout and these have a slot limit between 15 and 20 inches under Florida fishing regulations. In addition, Shirley caught a handsome Bonnet Head Shark and we released it unharmed.
“Fish on!” Rose Barus yelled from the front of the boat.
I grabbed the rod that was in a rod holder right next to me. The drag was screaming! This was a bigger fish as line screeched and shouted from the Shimano open-face reel. I tightened the drag on the reel, but the fish was too green yet in its attempt too free itself from the hook. After 15 minutes or so, my arms and shoulders tired and I asked Dave Barus to take over. Barus moved from side to side of the boat as the fight continued bow to aft. Finally, we saw the fish, it was not a fish! It was a Stingray! The 40-45-pound Stingray stretched to over three feet in width. When it first surfaced, I got my first look at it as it dove down deep again in an attempt to free itself. It surfaced a number of times, going under the boat in an attempt to get loose. Barus put his finger on the drag spool in order to add slightly more manual drag and keep the reel from burning up. The spool holding the line was actually hot. The battle lasted over 45 minutes before a gaff hook was carefully placed to bring the Stingray aboard where the venomous stinger was cut off by Captain Kane. The captain provided us with instructions to place the stinger in an empty water bottle for now and then later, add bleach until the stinger turned white. The venom would be neutralized then and safe to handle. Another stinger would grow on the ray.
“Get over here Bob and get in the picture,” stated Rose Barus.
Following some quick photos, the Stingray was released into the ocean and swam back to its natural habitat.
Southern Instinct Charters offers a world-class fishing adventure off the water of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island. Tarpon, Kingfish, Redfish, monster Snook, Wahoo, Tuna, Red Snapper, Cobia and sharks are additional species that Captain Kane will target at your request. In shore and offshore fishing adventures are offered, in addition to shelling and sightseeing trips.
The memory of the day-long fishing charter will live on forever in my mind and I will once again experience fishing the Gulf of Mexico in the future to escape the frigid Michigan for this warmer climate.
Fishing the Gulf of Mexico was the fishing adventure of a lifetime and I plan now to return again and again to re-live the permanent memory of this experience. I will fish with Kane another year and it is no surprise that his open date list is short.
For anyone across the country, if you seek the fun of a new big fish adventure, choose Southern Instinct Fishing Charters. It’ll be the trip of a lifetime
For additional information: www.southerninstinct.com phone 239 896-2341 and Lee County CVB/The Beaches of Fort Myers and Sanibel Island www.fort-myers-sanibel.com.
A Look Back – Main Street U.S.A.
by Barry Clark Bauer
This photo was taken in 1974 during the St. Johns High School parade in downtown St. Johns. It’s interesting to note that this was the year before the Steel Hotel (tallest building in the back) was gutted by fire.
On the right, east, are the Treasure Chest and Western Auto which no longer exist. On the left, west, are the D & C Store, E. MacKinnon & Son, and Holden Reid. They are also gone.
Apparently the Queen and her court mingled with the crowd.
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – The Difference Between FeLV and FIV
courtesy of Jessica Vogelsang, DVM
Of all infectious diseases in cats, few are as feared as FeLV and FIV—and with good reason.
Between 2-4% of feline population in the U.S. harbors one or both of these potentially fatal viruses. Many clinics use an in-house test that checks for both viruses at the same time, and most wellness conversations about infectious disease covers both topics, so it’s easy to see why owners might confuse the two. But while they are similar, there are some important differences in both transmission and how the virus works in the body.
What Are FeLV and FIV?
Both feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) are retroviruses. Unlike some forms of virus that infect cells and then kill them, retroviruses actually alter the genetic material of the infected cell and turn cells into little virus factories. This process takes time, so in both cases cats may be infected for many years before becoming clinically ill.
How Do Cats Get FeLV and FIV?
Both FeLV and FIV can be transmitted through bite wounds. In the case of FIV, saliva from an infected cat is the primary mode of transmission. The FeLV virus is shed through saliva, nasal secretions, urine, feces, and milk; it may be transmitted through mutual grooming, from queen (mother) to kitten, bite wounds, or rarely, through shared litter boxes and feeding dishes.
These differences in transmission mean different populations of cats are at higher risk of infection. In the case of FIV, although both males and females get infected, intact outdoor males are at the highest risk of infection because they are usually the ones getting in fights. An FIV-positive cat that lives with other cats and interacts with them in a casual, non-aggressive manner is unlikely to infect them. Unlike FeLV, grooming is not thought to play a significant role in transmission of FIV.
With FeLV, the fact that casual cat-to-cat contact can result in infection means it is easier for cats to become infected, especially cats in the same household that spend a lot of time together. While cats of any age can become infected, kittens are much more susceptible to FeLV infection. The greater the virus exposure, the greater the risk of infection.
In both cases, the virus is very fragile in the environment and does not persist for a significant length of time outside of the body. Neither virus is infectious to humans.
What Happens When a Cat is Infected with FeLV or FIV?
In the early stages of both diseases, cats often show no symptoms at all. It is common for the cat to become mildly ill several weeks after infection only to return to an asymptomatic state for weeks, months, or even years. While it is believed the occasional fortunate cat can fight off an FeLV infection, there is no evidence this happens with the FIV virus. Progression of both diseases is unpredictable; cats may become progressively ill over time or experience bouts of illness interspersed with healthy periods.
In the case of FeLV, during this apparently healthy period the virus may be completely dormant or may still be present in excretions and a potential source of infection for other cats. In the later stages, FeLV causes a variety of symptoms based on the cells targeted by the virus. Diseases associated with FeLV can include:
– Anemia
– Intestinal disease
– Cancers such as lymphoma and leukemia
– Reproductive problems
– Secondary infections due to immunosuppression
– Poor healing
– Chronic respiratory infections
– Inflammation of gums
FIV causes a progressive destruction of the cat’s immune system through suppression of the white blood cells, so over time cats begin to show a variety of symptoms related to that immunosuppression. In addition to the low white blood cell count, symptoms often include:
– Inflammation of gums
– Diarrhea
– Skin infections
– Upper respiratory infections and pneumonia
– Weight loss
– Poor coat condition
– Seizures or behavior changes
How Are FeLV and FIV Treated?
As you can see from the list above, both FeLV and FIV cause a wide variety of symptoms in the cat; no two cases follow the same course. Veterinarians routinely recommend FeLV/FIV testing in cats because it is often an underlying contributing factor to a variety of diseases that appear unrelated, but because there is no cure for the virus, treatment is focused on relieving the symptoms of disease in the individual.
Despite this dire list of outcomes, it’s important to remember that many of these cats experience long and happy periods of health after the initial infection. A diagnosis of either FeLV or FIV should not be considered an automatic death sentence. Cats that have a confirmed diagnosis of either disease should be evaluated by a veterinarian twice a year, since they are so susceptible to a variety of diseases. In addition, the following is also recommended to owners to reduce risk to their cats, as well as to other cats:
– Schedule yearly blood work
– Spay or neuter your cat
– Keep your cats indoors, infected or not
– Do not feed a raw food diet to your infected cat
Are FeLV and FIV Preventable with Vaccines?
Vaccination against FeLV is recommended for all cats due to the prevalence of the virus and the efficacy of the vaccine. This is particularly important for young cats, which are at the highest risk of infection. As a cat ages, the decision on how often to boost the vaccine should be discussed with your veterinarian as the recommendations vary depending on the individual cat’s circumstances. FeLV vaccination does not interfere with the results FeLV testing.
An FIV vaccination exists but is considered more controversial, as its efficacy is less predictable. In addition, cats that have received the FIV vaccination may test positive for FIV during routine blood tests, even when they have not been infected. Certain at-risk populations may benefit from the FIV vaccine, but it is not routinely recommended for household cats.
While FeLV and FIV are dangerous and scary diseases, we know more than we ever have, not only in regards to prevention, but also the management of infected cats. With proper attention and care, we can minimize risk to other cats while giving FeLV or FIV positive felines the best chance at good health and a happy life.
Now and Then – Springtime in Alpena this year
by Jean Martin
We in Alpena did not enjoy all of the variety of experiences the St. Johns area did. We did not have thunderstorms or hail, maybe some sleet; but mostly we just had wind and snow. Lots of snow. Snow that lasted from Friday through Tuesday.
The wind made for some beautiful artwork at the small boat harbor.
It also cracked the steeple on St. Mary Catholic Church. The cross was moving side to side 10 to 12 inches, so 2nd Avenue is closed there until repairs can be made.
Meanwhile farther south on 2nd Avenue vehicular traffic was light enough to make way for a little cross country skiing.
And now comes the cleanup, spring cleaning Alpena style.