A quick look at the Mint Parade
by Maralyn Fink
Maralyn visits the beer tent
I decided to also check out the beer tent at The Depot.
Great music and great people attending!
Maralyn does the garage sales
I attended some of the garage sales during Mint Festival weekend. There were plenty of things to choose from.
Remember When – Residents turn out for 2010 bond informational meeting
by Dr. Ken Ladouceur, Superintendent, St. Johns Public Schools
After six months leading St. Johns Public Schools, I continue to be impressed with the strong support afforded the district by our community. Further evidence of this support was the turn out for this week’s kick off event for the upcoming bond election. If approved by voters, the bond funds will allow a significant renovation to our high school, as well as technology improvements, the purchase of buses and improvements to the middle and elementary schools.
In my opening comments, I stressed the fact that the Board of Education listened to the voters after the last bond was turned down. The board clearly heard that the community does not support the closing of the rural elementary schools and the construction of brand new buildings. They also are sensitive to the fact that voters believe renovating the existing high school is preferable to new construction.
Approximately 200 residents came out for a overview intended to inform voters well in advance of the May 4 election. High School Principal Mark Palmer and Business Manager Roy Piggott outlined the following:
– Voters will be asked to approve a $64.3 million bond.
– If approved, the bond will not increase the millage rate for taxpayers.
– If approved, the bond would be paid off in 2040.
– Nearly 90 percent of the funds raised by the sale of the bonds will be used for additions, remodeling and technology at the high school. In addition, new bleachers, restrooms and concessions areas would be installed at the athletic field.
– Two million dollars will be used to purchase 20 propane-fueled buses, resulting in a savings of $85,000 in fuel costs annually. Additionally, by purchasing new buses, the district will not be subject to making costly repairs on old buses to meet new federal emissions standards.
– Approximately 7.8 percent of the funds raised by the sale of the bonds will allow the replacement and upgrade of all classroom computers, purchase and installation of presentation units and upgrading of the district’s computer network, video surveillance and phone system.
– Improvements at the Eureka, East Olive and Riley elementary schools include paved parking, driveways and lighting.
At the middle school, the district will replace roofing, flashing, masonry, carpeting in the auditeria and add drinking fountains.
Letters – Chamber thanks community for another great Mint Festival
Thank you to everyone that came out to the 2021 St. Johns Mint Festival this past weekend. The weather was beyond beautiful and everyone was having a good time.
Thank you to the over 300 people that volunteered, whether you were directing traffic, selling ice cream or souvenirs or doing one of the many other jobs over the weekend, you were very much appreciated.
A Very Special Thank you to our Mint Festival Committee Sharon Bassette, Steve Bassette, Lisa Chapko, Karen Cressman, Joe Govea, Randy Hart, Lee Langlois, Madison McIntyre, Pat Fox Paseka, Kelsey Patterson, Jim Pearl, Heather Polash, Kaitlin Rooks, Eric Root, Jean Ruestman, Allie Salfate, MaLissa Schutt, Kari Sodman, Sue Strahle, Cindy Terpening and Karen Terpening.
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – 4 Tips for Treating Dog Ear Infections
courtesy of Jennifer Coates, DVM
Dog ear infections are one of the most common canine health problems, but the treatment isn’t so simple. While they may seem like quick-and-easy issues to deal with, they can actually lead to some serious health complications for dogs.
Here are a few tips for what you can do if your dog has an ear infection.
Don’t Wait to Go to the Vet if You See Signs of an Ear Infection
Chronic dog ear infections can lead to permanent alterations in the anatomy of a dog’s ears, making future infections more likely and more difficult to treat.
Signs of an Ear Infection in Dogs
Consult with a veterinarian quickly when you see these typical signs of a dog ear infection:
– Head shaking
– Scratching at the ears
– Redness on the underside of the ear flap
– Discharge and a foul odor from your dog’s ears
Have Your Dog’s Ears Cleaned Properly by Your Veterinarian
While it may be tempting to try to clean your dog’s ears, this can actually cause more damage or be very painful for your dog.
Go to your veterinarian and allow them to properly and safely clean all of the “gunk” out of your dog’s ears. In severe cases, a veterinarian may need to sedate your dog to thoroughly flush out their ears down to the level of the eardrum.
Once clean, your veterinarian will then thoroughly examine the eardrum to determine the the root cause of your dog’s ear infection.
Follow Your Vet’s Directions for At-Home Dog Ear Infection Treatment
Your veterinarian will prescribe the most effective dog ear infection treatment for your dog. Dog ear infections that involve structures behind the eardrum will require more aggressive treatment.
If you veterinarian has prescribed medications for your dog’s ear infection, follow the instructions exactly. You should never use products in your dog’s infected ear that you have not discussed with your veterinarian beforehand. Certain topical medications can cause deafness when used on pets with ruptured eardrums.
If your veterinarian has recommended that you clean your dog’s ears, use the product they have recommended. Do not dig down into your pet’s ear canal with cotton swabs or other objects, as this will simply push the material deeper and possibly lead to a rupture of the eardrum.
Follow these steps for cleaning your dog’s ears:
– Lift the earflap up to make the ear canal visible.
– Completely fill the ear canal until it overflows with the cleaner prescribed by the veterinarian.
– Fold the earflap over the ear canal.
– Gently massage the earflap until you hear a squishy noise.
– Then stand back and let your dog shake their head vigorously.
Allowing your dog to shake their head is important because it will bring deeper material to the surface where it can be wiped away.
Deal With the Underlying Issue
Healthy adult dogs with “normal” ear anatomy almost never get ear infections. In most cases, a pet’s ear infection should be viewed as a symptom of an underlying condition.
Many people think ear mites might be to blame, but almost every case of ear mites I’ve diagnosed has been in a kitten. Puppies can also get ear mites, but if you have an adult dog or cat that has not been in contact with kittens or puppies with ear mites, the chances that they have mites is very small.
A few things that can cause dog ear infections include:
– Food allergies
– Environmental allergies (like pollen, molds, and dust mites)
– Anatomical abnormalities
– Masses
– Foreign material within the ear
– Chronically damp ears
– Hormonal disorders
– Bacterial infection
– Yeast infection
If you suspect that there is something wrong with your dog’s ears, your vet is going to be your best source of help.