Homecoming Parade Part II
An album by Barry Bauer
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Briggs Library News
Jr. Readers
Join us for the “Pajamapalooza” program being held on Monday, October 26 from 7:00 – 7:45pm. This program is for children in grades 2 – 4 and includes a book discussion, snack, and craft — and the children can even wear their PJs! We will discuss “What You Never Knew About Beds, Bedrooms & Pajamas” by Patricia Lauber at the program, but participants are not expected to read it beforehand. Pick up a copy of the discussion worksheet at the Circulation Desk, or download it from the Library’s website, so the children can share with others about their bedrooms at home! Registration is required.
Chapter Chatter
Thanks A Lot! – Boys and girls, ages 6 to 8 years old (independent listeners) are invited to join us in showing our thanks to those we appreciate and those in need. Library staff will select and read chapter books about stories of thanks over the course of 4 weeks. Kids will be making a “warm” craft, a yummy treat, letters of thankfulness, and other theme related fun. We will meet on Monday evenings, November 2 – November 23, 7-7:45 pm. Registration is required.
Caroling Kids
Youthful singers ages 4-10 can join Caroling Kids at Briggs. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings, November 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th from 6:30 – 7:00 pm. Participants will be singing at the Dec. 3rd Holiday Program. Registration is required.
LEGO Block Party
Both LEGO and Duplo blocks will be available at our next LEGO Block Party, where we will try to build Halloween creations. The program will be held at the Train Depot across the street from the Library on Tuesday, October 27, from 6:30-7:30pm, and is open to children ages 2-11 (children ages 2-3 with a participating adult). Registration is required.
Last in the Library Book Club
When the Last in the Library Book Club meets next we will be discussing When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. This Newbery Award-winning novel tells the story of a twelve-year-old New York City girl who tries to make sense of a series of mysterious notes that seem to defy the laws of time and space. Each anonymous message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late. This parent/child book club is recommended for children in grades 4-8, though any who can read the material and would like to discuss it are welcome. The club meets Saturday, November 14 at 3:00pm. Copies of the book and registration are now available.
Bookaholics
The last meeting of the Bookaholics for the year will be Thursday, November 19 at 12:00pm at the Library or at 7:30pm at Bruno’s Bar when we will discuss The Underground Girls of Kabul by Jenny Nordberg. This gripping nonfiction account of young girls being raised as boys and presented as such to the outside world is a powerful account of those secretly living on the other side of a deeply segregated society. Copies of the book are now available. The club will resume its regularly scheduled meetings after the holidays.
Trick or Treat at the Library
Join in the spirit of Halloween by visiting the library on Friday, October 30th! Come in your costume between 3-5pm and pick out a treat for yourself. All ages welcome.
Library Closures
The Library will be closed on Wednesday Nov. 11th in observance of the Veteran’s Day Holiday. The drop box on the Library porch will be available for returns throughout these closures.
Contact Information
Library Director: Sara Morrison
Phone: 989-224-4702 * Fax: 989-224-1205
E-mail: smorrison@briggspubliclibrary.org
Street address: 108 E Railroad * Saint Johns, MI 48879
Briggs Public Library website
2015 Fall Open Gym Schedule
Open gym for adults 18 and older, will be held at the St Johns Middle School Gymnasiums starting October 26, 2015 and ending December 17, 2015.
Mondays will be open volleyball and basketball from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. and Thursdays will be open soccer from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m.
The cost is $4.00 per person per night. Open Gym cards can be purchased at the City Offices for $20 and are good for 6 visits.
Call the City of St. Johns Recreation Department at 224-8944 ext. 227 or email rfaivor@ci.saint-johns.mi.us for additional information. Like us on Facebook at St Johns Recreation.
SCH Auxiliary’s BINGO & Bags fundraiser – Saturday, November 14
Ladies, if you like purses you will love the Sparrow Clinton Hospital Auxiliary’s new fundraiser.
Gay Baker, Carey Harris, Shelley Gunther and Nancy Mino. Baker and Harris serve as co-chairs for the project.
Auxilians host BINGO & Bags on Saturday, November 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Agro-Culture Liquid Fertilizers in St. Johns.
This unique BINGO features 19 games – each with a Purse Prize valued at a minimum of $60. Purses may also be stuffed with coupons and a few surprises. The afternoon ends with a Grand Finale Game, featuring a designer purse valued at $400.
Your $15 general admission ticket provides one BINGO sheet for each of the 19 games. Buy-in for the Grand Finale Game is 3 sheets for $1. This event includes a 50/50 drawing, door prizes, snacks and a coffee bar.
Ticket sales are limited. Purchase your tickets by contacting Shelley at 517.331.0665 shelleyredman54@gmail.com or Robin at 517.281.8004 robin.motz@53.com.
BINGO & Bags, the biggest fundraiser hosted by SCH Auxilians in 2015, helps the group meet their pledge of $100,000 toward construction of Sparrow Clinton Hospital’s new Emergency Services Department, which has been in full operations since July 2014.
Two additional events round out the Auxiliary’s fundraising calendar this year. Saturday, Dec. 5, marks the Auxiliary’s annual holiday poinsettia sale. On Sunday December 6, lucky shoppers embark on a two-day bus trip to Chicago. Reservations for the Chicago trip must be made by 6 pm Tuesday, October 20.
CAFR meeting rescheduled – October 28
Clinton Area Fire and Rescue has rescheduled a public meeting on October 28, 2015 at 7:00 pm to discuss the ISO Public Protection Classification in Greenbush, Victor and Washington Townships. The meeting will be held at Clinton County RESA, 1013 Old U.S. 27, St. Johns. Skip Starling, ISO Independent Consultant, will be in attendance to answer questions.
ISO (Insurance Services Office) analyzes relevant data in a community and assigns a Public Protection Classification – a grading from 1 to 10. Class 1 generally represents superior property fire protection, and Class 10 indicates that the area’s fire suppression program does not meet ISO’s minimum criteria. Clinton Area Fire and Rescue currently has a rating of 4/8Y.
Insurance companies use PPC information to help establish fair premiums for fire insurance – generally offering lower premiums in communities with better protection. By offering economic benefits for communities that invest in their firefighting services, the program provides an additional incentive for improving and maintaining public fire protection.
For more information about ISO and the PPC program visit www.isomitigation.com.
Why get a flu shot?
Have you received your flu shot yet? If not, what are you waiting for? There are numerous reasons why you should get a yearly flu shot, and here are just a few:
Reason #1: Symptoms of influenza include high fever, chills, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. A bout of the flu can make you quite miserable and put you out of commission for up to a week. Not everyone with the flu will experience all of these symptoms, but why take the chance?
Reason #2: One person infected with the flu can potentially infect up to 15 others. It’s easy to see how the flu can spread quite quickly, especially in confined areas, such as schools and daycares. That’s why it’s so important to keep kids home when they are sick.
Reason #3: Children less than six months of age are too young to get a flu vaccine, so the best way to protect them is to vaccinate those around them, including parents, family members, and those who care for them.
Reason #4: The vaccine is effective throughout the entire flu season, which can begin as early as October and last as late as May. Contrary to what some may think, receiving the flu vaccine does not “give” the person the flu, but some people may experience brief nasal congestion and a runny nose.
Reason #5: Research has shown that the absolute best way to prevent the flu and it’s potentially life-threatening complications is for everyone, including healthy people, age six months and older, to get vaccinated.
Reason #6: For those at high-risk for developing serious flu complications, such as the elderly, young children, pregnant women, those with weakened immune systems, and people with certain health conditions, vaccination is especially important.
Getting the flu vaccine has never been more convenient. The vaccine is available at a variety of places, including your doctor’s office, many pharmacies, or MMDHD.
Mid-Michigan District Health Department participates with the Vaccines for Children (VFC) program, as well as many types of insurance plans. We offer Flumist nasal spray, Fluzone High Dose, and preservative-free options,
as well as the “regular” flu shot. Please call your nearest branch office for more information, to see if we participate with your insurance, or to schedule an appointment.
Clinton County Branch
1307 E. Townsend Road, St. Johns
989-224-2195
You may also visit www.mmdhd.org for more information.
Mid-Michigan District Health Department serves the residents of Clinton, Gratiot and Montcalm Counties.
City to host annual Zombie Run – Friday October 23
Join us Friday October 23rd in the St. Johns City Park at 6:15 for the 3rd Annual Zombie Run. Navigate the 1.5 mile course as Zombies try to take your 2 “life” flags from your belt. This 1.5 mile road/trail race will take runners through post-apocalyptic St. Johns City Park and Clinton County Fairgrounds.
Cost is $10 prior to race day, race day registration $15. Children 10 and under can run for free with a paid adult registration. Children 10 and under must run with an adult. Registrations for the run can be picked up and dropped off at the City Office and are also available online at www.cityofstjohnsmi.com/Departments/ParksandRecreation. In addition you can register online at www.runsignup.com/Race/MI/StJohns/RUNFORYOURLIFE. Last day to register on line is October 22, 2015. The City Offices are located in the County Courthouse.
Being a Zombie more your style? You can be a member of the zombie horde by going to www.runsignup.com/Race/MI/StJohns/ZOMBIEHORDE. Cost to be a zombie is $8. Deadline to sign up to be a zombie is October 22, 2015. Zombies must arrive early to get painted.
Race check-in will be in the Main Pavilion in the City Park starting at 5:15 PM on race day. All pre-registered runners are guaranteed a belt with “life” flags. Minors under the age of 18 must have a parent’s signature. Children under the age of 12 must run with a parent or guardian. Children 10 and under are free and will need to sign a waiver for children when you arrive on race day. All proceeds will be used for the St. Johns Community Spray Park.
Soup kitchen makes two stops in St. Johns
His Cup Runneth Over, a mobile soup kitchen, will be making a stop at
– First Congregational Church, 100 Maple Ave, St. Johns 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, October, 20 and at
– Beacon of Hope/ First Baptist Church, 512 S. US 27, St. Johns 5:30 to 7:30, Tuesday, October 20.
Soup, bread, fruit and dessert will be served to all who come free of charge. For more information call 989-533-9535 or 989-544-5764
An Event So Good It’s Scary – October 30
On Friday, October 30 the Clinton County Chamber of Commerce along with many businesses in St. Johns will be holding their Annual daytime trick-or-treating event for young children. From 3:30-5:30 p.m. young children that are in costume can trick-or-treat at over 30 businesses.
A complete list of businesses that will be participating in the Event So Good It’s Scary will be available after October 26.
If you have any questions about the event; or if you have a business that would like to participate, please call the Chamber of Commerce at 989-224-7248.
Get the lead out
Older homes are full of charm and character, but they might also contain something not so desirable- high levels of lead.
If you live in a home built before 1978, it is more likely to contain lead-based paint, which can be toxic, especially to a young child. The most common places for lead-based paint to be lurking are in windows, cupboards, doors, porches, and outdoor surfaces.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), four million U.S. homes contain lead paint, and nearly half a million children, ages one to five living in the United States, have elevated blood lead levels that may cause significant damage to their health.
Lead exposure can affect nearly every system in the body. And because it often occurs with no obvious symptoms, it frequently goes unrecognized. A lead-poisoned child may seem healthy, but they could have any of the following signs:
· Learning and behavior problems
· Headaches
· Weight loss
· Irritability
· Tiredness
· Hearing problems
· Hyperactivity
So how exactly does lead poisoning occur? Something as simple as opening and closing a window painted with lead-based paint can send lead dust into the air. Lead can also be found in older plumbing fixtures and hobby materials. Once airborne, lead dust settles to the floor and gets on children’s hands and toys. The lead dust then enters their bodies when they put their hands or toys into their mouths.
So what can you do to reduce your child’s exposure to lead?
· Before you buy an older home, ask for a lead inspection.
· Get your child tested, even if your young child seems healthy.
· Get the facts! Visit www.michigan.gov/MDCH for more information.
Ask your family doctor or pediatrician to do a lead blood test on your child at 12 months and 24 months of age, or before starting school if they were never tested. Medicaid will pay for the cost of the test if your child is enrolled. If you have private insurance, coverage may vary.
Clean a Michigan Historical Marker – October 24
As part of the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Michigan Historical Marker Program, the Michigan Historical Commission and the Michigan Historical Center urge people across the state to gently clean their local Michigan Historical Markers on National Make a Difference Day, October 24. More information is available on the project site at http://makeadifferenceday.com/dashboard/project/i-care-4-mi-markers.
Over the last 60 years, more than 1,700 official state historical markers have been erected across the state. Most were purchased by local groups or individuals who researched their history and selected the marker program as the best way to commemorate their stories and share them with everyone, from school children to tourists.
“Gentle cleaning is the best way to prolong the life of a Michigan Historical Marker,” said Michigan Historical Center Director Sandra Clark. “All it takes is some warm water, a little mild soap, such as dish detergent, and a soft-bristle brush. Ideally, this should happen every fall and spring.”
It is imperative that the soap be mild and the brush soft in order to prevent damage to the marker surface. People also are encouraged to make sure the land around the marker is free of litter and well cared for. Plantings or hard-surface landscaping are recommended.
The commission and center also encourage people to share their marker-cleaning photos and videos by posting them on social media using the hashtag #icare4mimarkers.
The Michigan Historical Marker Program was established by the Legislature Oct. 14, 1955. The first marker under the new program commemorated the 1855 founding of Michigan State University. It was placed on the side of Beaumont Tower and unveiled Oct. 22, 1955. The second marker, sponsored by the Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company, marked the beginning of the Lake Superior iron-mining industry at the Jackson Mine in Negaunee; and the third, sponsored by the Ford Motor Company, was erected at the Highland Park Plant to commemorate the Model T.
Learn more at www.michigan.gov/mhc.
Annual Santa Parade of Lights is December 4
It’s never too early to start adding Holiday events to your calendar.
Please plan to join us on December 4th at 5:45 pm, downtown St. Johns for the Annual Santa Parade of Lights. Each entry is beautifully decorated with colorful holiday lights and also features Santa Claus!
After the Parade, enjoy the official lighting of the annual St. Johns Christmas Tree.