City Recreation camps begin June 20
Summer Camps start June 20, 2016. Sign up deadlines for the first day of each camp week is the Thursday, the week before. There are many different themes from sports to pirate day camp and include activities like games, hikes, and crafts. Afternoon campers will get to go to Sleepy Hollow on Wednesdays to experience a new activity like archery or geocaching.
For a complete listing of recreation programs with descriptions, dates, and prices please visit the city website.
If you are interested in signing up for any of our programs, the registration forms can be picked up in the City Offices or downloaded off our web site. Registrations forms must be dropped off or mailed in with payment. Any questions can be answered by calling the Recreation Department at 224-8944 ext. 227 or 228 or by emailing
rfaivor@ci.saint-johns.mi.us.
Tips for handling food safely this summer
Backyard barbeques and family picnics are in full swing, so the Mid-Michigan District Health Department (MMDHD) would like to take this opportunity to reinforce the importance of proper food handling.
To help keep your family safe from foodborne illness, follow these steps when handling and preparing food:
Step one is to avoid the spread of bacteria. Wash hands and lower arms with warm, soapy water for at least 20 seconds before preparing food, and after handling raw meats or poultry, using the bathroom, touching pets or changing diapers. Always wash raw fruits and vegetables in clean water, and clean cooking surfaces, utensils and counters often with soap.
Step two is to keep cold food cold. Perishable foods normally kept in the refrigerator must be kept in a cooler with freezer packs or ice to keep the temperature at or near 40o F. Also put leftovers back in the refrigerator or cooler as soon as you are done eating. The simple rule is: When in doubt, throw it out!
Step three is to keep raw meats and poultry separate from cooked foods to avoid cross-contamination. When you pack a cooler, wrap uncooked meats and poultry separately, and put them on the bottom to prevent raw juices from dripping onto other foods. A separate cooler for storing raw food is ideal. Make sure to wash all plates, utensils, and cutting boards that touched or held raw meat or poultry before using them again.
Step four is to make sure to kill harmful bacteria by thoroughly cooking food. Visual cues, like color, are not a guarantee that food is safe. Don’t guess! Use a metal stemmed thermometer to check when meat and poultry are safe to eat. Foods are safe to eat when internal temperatures are:
155o F for 15 seconds for ground beef
145o F for 15 seconds for beef steak
165o F for 15 seconds for poultry
145o F for 15 seconds for pork chops/steak
For additional information on proper food handling, visit the United States Department of Agriculture website at www.usda.gov.
Baker College Owosso Campus to graduate nearly 500 June 10
The Baker College Owosso campus will honor 479 graduates at the 2016 commencement ceremony, 5:30 p.m., Friday, June 10, at Dort Federal Credit Union Event Center, 3501 Lapeer Road, Flint.
Kimberly Thelen, of Fowler, is the student speaker at the commencement ceremony. She will graduate as an honor student with a bachelor’s in business administration with majors in accounting and management. She plans to become a certified public accountant.
Thelen is the recipient of 14 President’s Awards and has remained on the dean’s list throughout her time at Baker College. She served as a Becker Professional Education Campus Ambassador while completing her degree and received scholarships from the Lansing Chapter of the Institute of Internal Auditors and the Michigan Accountancy Foundation.
Thelen and her brothers are creating a family legacy at the Owosso campus. Her older brother graduated from Baker College, earning a bachelor’s in information technology and security, and her younger brother is enrolled in the college’s diesel service technology program.
For more information about Baker College, contact Mike Konopacke in the admissions office at mike.konopacke@baker.edu, 989.729.3350 or 1.800.879.3797, or visit www.baker.edu. Follow Baker College on Twitter, @bakercollege, or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/bakercollege.
Local residents receive degrees from Michigan Tech
Michigan Technological University honored the achievements of nearly 1,000 graduates at Spring Commencement April 30, including the following students from the local area:
– Nia Becker, Bachelor of Science In Forestry, Dewitt High School
– Jacob Frankmann, Bachelor of Science In Psychology, Saint Johns High School
– Marquis Gill, Bachelor of Science In Chemical Engineering, Saint Johns High School
– Kevin Schmitt, Bachelor of Science In Psychology, Pewamo Westphalia High School
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Local Students Make Michigan Tech’s Spring Semester Dean’s List
Michigan Technological University has released the Dean’s List for the 2016 spring semester. To be included, students must achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or higher. A pound sign indicates a student who earned University Honors, finishing in the top 2 percent of their College or School. Asterisks indicate those earning straight-A averages of 4.0.
Among the honorees are the following from the local area:
Bath, MI: Russell Lipe, Wildlife Ecology & Mgmt
DeWitt, MI: Brandon Hill, Surveying Engineering; James Stine, Mechanical Engineering Tech
Eagle, MI: Esther Gilliland, Biomedical Engineering
Saint Johns, MI: Antonio DiCicco, Computer Network & System Admn
Westphalia, MI: Hal Hattis, Computer Science; Kevin Schmitt, Psychology; Derrick Smith, Computer Science
Soup kitchen to make stops in area
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, June 14 and at
_ Beacon of Hope/First Baptist Church, 512 S. US 27, St. Johns, from 5:30 pm to 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 14, and at
_ Carson City United Methodist Church, 119 E. Elm St., Carson City, Thursday, June 16 from 11 a.m to 1 p.m, and at
– Pompeii United Methodist Church, 135 W. Burton, Pompeii, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Thursday, June 16.
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.
CASA Volunteer Advocates Needed
CASA-The Voice for Clinton County’s Children is currently accepting applications for our next CASA Volunteer Advocate Training.
Those interested in serving as a CASA Advocate must submit a volunteer application, completely pass a criminal and personal background check, and participate in our 30-hour pre-service training.
Applicants should have ample time to visit their appointed child every 7 to 10 days (activities during visits may include playing games, playing outside, helping with homework, coloring, etc.). Our program continues to work toward our goal of having enough CASA Advocates for every Clinton County child who is in foster care.
For more information, please visit our website ClintonCountyCASA.org or contact our office at clintoncountycasa@gmail.com or 517-599-7145.
LAFCU letters offer Michigan artists a unique opportunity
LAFCU is calling Michigan artists to apply for the chance to create an original artwork by painting one of the five giant LAFCU letters as part of the credit union’s Art, Growth & Community Series.
The LAFCU letters will travel to venues throughout mid-Michigan providing each artist with multiple opportunities to display their work to diverse audiences and the public. Each winning artist will also receive a $100 gift card.
“This competition is for artists who want to create something unique and have it displayed in a traveling art exhibit that will be viewed by thousands throughout the remainder of 2016,” said Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, LAFCU senior vice president of marketing.
In addition to the traveling LAFCU letters, each of which are six feet tall, the artwork will be displayed digitally on social media, the LAFCU website and in videos.
Artists must be able to provide their own tools, equipment and latex paint, and will be reimbursed for paint costs up to $100. Design submissions must be aligned with the LAFCU Art, Growth and Community Series.
The winning artists will each be assigned a LAFCU letter on paint day, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday, July 13.
Online design applications will be accepted from Monday, June 13, to Thursday, June 30. Competition guidelines and submission information are available at www.lafcu.com/art.
When it comes to bats, be cautious
There’s no denying that bats are creepy critters. One glimpse of them darting across the nighttime sky is enough to send chills up and down your spine and make you run for cover.
Maybe people are naturally prone to fear bats, or maybe they’ve been featured in one too many horror movies.
Whatever the reason, bats certainly have a bad reputation. But is the bad rap warranted? Contrary to what many may think, bats are useful by helping to control the population of one of summer’s most dreaded insects: pesky mosquitoes. Like most animals, bats would much rather stay away from people, but they do sometimes find their way into our homes, and that’s when we need to be cautious.
Bats are among the most common animals in Michigan to transmit rabies, a disease that is fatal if untreated, so while fear isn’t warranted, caution is. First and foremost, if you are bitten by a bat, seek medical attention right away. If a bite does occur; or if a bat has been found in the room of a sleeping person, in the room of an unattended child, or near a mentally impaired or intoxicated person, it may need to be tested for rabies. In order to be tested, a bat’s head must be kept intact, so hitting it with any type of object, like a tennis racket, is not advised.
Capturing a bat isn’t as difficult as you may think. The first step is to make sure not to touch it with your bare skin (leather work gloves are ideal). Have a small box or coffee can, a piece of cardboard and tape ready. When the bat lands, approach it slowly. Place the box or coffee can over the bat and slide the cardboard under the container to trap the bat inside. Tape the cardboard securely to the container. To see a video demonstration on safe bat capture, visit www.mmdhd.org.
Once you have captured the bat, contact the health department at 989-227-3111 in Clinton County, 989-875-1019 in Gratiot County, or 989-831-3615 in Montcalm County for further instructions and to find out if the bat needs to be tested. Please, do not bring a bat to the health department without calling first.
Be sure to bat-proof your home by replacing any loose soffits, flashings, eaves and siding. Also, cover roof vents with screens, make sure all doors shut tightly with no gaps, and that window screens are not damaged or torn.
Bats, skunks, raccoons, foxes, and unvaccinated cats and dogs are all likely rabies carriers. To help protect yourself and loved ones from rabies, avoid approaching or touching any wild or stray animal. And remember, if you are bitten by a bat or other wild or stray animal, contact your health care provider immediately.
Mark Your Calendar
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Special Olympics Area 28 Golf Outing – June 11th
Mark your calendars June 11, 2016 for the 20th annual Special Olympics Area 28 (Clinton County) Golf Scramble at the Emerald Golf Course – Continental breakfast, 18 holes with cart, luncheon, raffles, prizes… all for only a $65 entry fee.
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Historical Society invites you to Come to Eat and to Meet – Tuesday June 21
6:30 p.m.
AgroLiquid, 1130 S. DeWitt Rd (corer of M-21 and DeWitt Rd)
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Save Some Summer for Art June 20-24th
Class size is limited to 15 and students should plan to attend all five days. Those interested should contact the gallery at (989) 224-2429 for registration information.
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Bike to Build 2016 is August 6, 2016
Registration forms are available on the website, www.habitatclinton.org.