Annual Easter Egg Hunt 2023
Bunny sHop with Maralyn
by Maralyn Fink
I attended the Bunny sHop event in downtown on Thursday evening. It was fun watching the kids interact with the Bunny. This was a great event for our town.
Fowler native publishes new book
After 35 years of writing advertising and public relations for major corporations, Chris G Thelen is now writing books and blogging. His book Islands of Deception builds on his years of corporate and government experience as well as his love of Michigan’s Great Lakes, islands and wilderness.
His first job out of college was writing advertising for a major corporation. From there he did stints as a writer at ad agencies in Detroit, Cleveland and Midland, Michigan. The remaining portion of his career was spent in corporate communications and working in community development in the Lansing area.
Chris was raised on a farm, graduated with the Fowler High School class of 1979 and now lives in Frankfort, Michigan along the shores of Lake Michigan. He enjoys kayaking, biking, hiking and cross-country skiing.
He holds a B.A. in Journalism from Michigan State University and a Master’s Degree from Grand Rapids Theological Seminary. He has been married to his wife Joanne for 41 years. The couple has two children.
Thelen’s new book Islands of Deception launched this week and is available to order at your local bookstore or online wherever books are sold including Amazon.
If you love crime thrillers, you’ll love Islands of Deception. It’s the perfect reading escape full of political intrigue, adventure, plot twists, and characters to care about. This book will take you on a gripping adventure through Michigan’s lakes, islands and wilderness. Join the race to reveal the truth as the characters travel from the streets of Detroit, the state capitol in Lansing, to Charlevoix, and Beaver Island.
Who can you trust when nothing is as it seems?
For more information visit www.islandsofdeception.com or www.chrisgthelen.com.
Holocaust survivor visits SJMS
Irene Miller, a Holocaust survivor, visited with 7th and 8th grade students at St. John Middle School on Thursday. Her presentation was an inspiration to students and staff who were very appreciative of the chance to hear her first hand accounts.
Miller was in town on April 5 to speak at the Briggs District Library where she discussed her memoir, Into No Man’s Land: A Historical Memoir, and share her message promoting tolerance and diversity.
Remember When – The Hunt for the Eggs in 2015
by Maralyn Fink
A nice, clear sunny day brought out a host of little ones to the Church of the Latter Day Saints in search of as many eggs as they could find. This is the eighth year the church has hosted this event. When it first started, it was for the congregation only but that has changed to include anyone in the community who would like to attend.
Upon arrival, the youngsters go in and have a craft time in which they can make a craft and color. This also follows at the end of the hunt. For the hunt, it is done by a certain age group, the youngest first. The older group follows a short time later.
The eggs are filled by the church’s Cub Scout group, which filled 845 eggs this year. The eggs are then hidden by the Church Missionary group. Last year 50 children came to enjoy the activities.
I spoke with the Branch President Daniel Bearl who told me that the Church was excited and happy to do this at this time of year for the community and that this is his favorite time of year because it is the celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and that makes us Christians.
After the hunt, everyone is invited in for hot chocolate and doughnuts and conversation. I thank Branch President Daniel Bearl and congregation for their time, and I enjoyed being able to share this with them.
Now it’s time to head to the doughnuts, next best thing to cookies,
Letters – Lions thank Egg Hunt supporters
The 2023 St. Johns Easter Egg Hunt is over, and it was another successful year with a good turnout. This would not have been possible without the support of City of St. Johns officials who allowed us to use the city park, financial sponsors, and numerous other contributors identified below.
Special thanks to SJ Indy for the great publicity and the Clinton County News
for publicizing the event as well.
Thanks also to the many children, parents, and grandparents who took the time to participate.
Gold Sponsor
DeWitt Meijer
Bronze Sponsors
Chasco Plumbing Martin Brower
Dr. Andrew Messenger J. Equipment LLC
St. Johns Business & Tax Service Uncle John’s Cider Mill
Other Sponsors
AgroLiquid Hub Tire
Appearances Master’s Auto Wash
Avery Eye Care MAHLE Engine Components USA
Butler Financial Group Ruth L. Pasch
GreenStone Farm Credit Services Spicer Group
Gift Cards/Coupons
Gill-Roy’s Hardware McDonald’s
Oh Mi Organics
In-kind Contributions / Event Volunteers
Kerry and Jacob Bendele KIDSight Coordinator Lion Lloyd Kilbreath
Boy Scouts Troop 72 Lansing Capital Lioness Lions Club
Addison Brown Sharon Shutes
Clinton County Champions Branch Club St. Johns High School Youth Action Committee
Lynne Gregory Young Chevrolet
Cheryl Hickey and nephew Devin
Again, many thanks to all. See you next year!
– The St. Johns Lions Club
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Pet Wellness Exams: How to Prepare
You know the saying: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Even though it’s become a cliché, it’s true. Regular wellness checkups help catch problems early, when treatment is most likely to be successful. They also keep pets happy and healthy and can save a lot of money in vet bills in the long run.
How Often Should Cats and Dogs Go to the Vet?
The recommended frequency for wellness checkups depends on a pet’s age.
Puppies and Kittens
Puppies and kittens grow and develop incredibly fast! They generally need to see a veterinarian for wellness care every 3 to 4 weeks, starting when they are 6 to 8 weeks old and ending when they are between 16 and 20 weeks old. Then their next wellness exam is usually scheduled about one year after their last puppy or kitten visit.
Adult Dogs and Cats
Most adult pets in the prime of their lives do just fine with annual wellness exams.
Senior Dogs and Cats
Because pets age more rapidly than we do, it’s a good idea to start bringing your pet to see the veterinarian every 6 months once they hit their senior years. This transition occurs around 7 years of age for medium-sized dogs, a year or two earlier for large and giant breeds, and a bit later for cats and small dogs.
What to Expect at a Pet Wellness Checkup
There’s a lot to cover during a pet wellness checkup. At every visit, the veterinarian, technician, and other clinic staff will:
Measure your pet’s weight, temperature, pulse rate, and respiration rate. By doing this at least once a year, your veterinarian can get a feel for what’s normal for your pet and see what’s changing.
Ask questions about your pet’s diet, lifestyle, behavior, and health history. This is the time to bring up any concerns you might have.
Perform a full physical exam. The veterinarian will examine your pet from head to toe, looking for early signs of health problems. This will include an oral exam, listening to the heart and lungs with a stethoscope, examining the eyes with an ophthalmoscope, looking in the ears with an otoscope, body condition scoring (a way to monitor weight), feeling lymph nodes and organs within the abdomen, performing a rectal exam, checking reflexes, watching how your pet moves, assessing them for pain, and much more.
Next, the veterinarian will review your pet’s records to determine what diagnostic testing is needed, based on your pet’s age, lifestyle, and overall health:
Fecal exam – Most adult dogs and cats should have a fecal examination at least once a year to check for intestinal parasites. Young animals are especially susceptible to worms, and they benefit from fecal examinations at every puppy or kitten visit.
Heartworm test — Dogs and cats over 7 months of age should be tested for heartworms before starting prevention. The American Heartworm Society recommends annual testing for dogs even when they are on heartworm prevention so that any breakthrough infections can be caught early.
FeLV / FIV test – It is important to know whether a cat is infected with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). According to the American Association of Feline Practitioners, the timing and frequency of testing should be based on a cat’s age, history, health, and lifestyle.
Bloodwork and urinalysis – When pets reach their senior years, it makes sense to run a panel of laboratory tests to screen for diseases that become more common in old age. Veterinarians commonly recommend a complete blood cell count, a blood chemistry panel, a urinalysis, and thyroid testing (for cats) at least once a year for their older patients.
Finally, the veterinarian will talk to you about what type of preventive care your pet needs:
Vaccines – At every wellness visit, the veterinarian will assess a pet’s need for new vaccinations and vaccine boosters (some can be given every 3 years). It may also be possible to check a pet’s vaccine titer to determine if boosting is necessary. Core vaccines are immunizations that virtually all pets should receive.
Core vaccines for dogs: rabies, distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus
Core vaccines for cats: feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, rabies
The decision to give non-core vaccines like Bordetella, canine parainfluenza, canine influenza, Lyme, and leptospirosis (dogs) or feline leukemia virus (cats) is based on a pet’s age, health, and lifestyle.
Parasite prevention – Dogs and cats are at varying degrees of risk for fleas, ticks, heartworms, intestinal worms, and other parasites based on their age, where they live, and their way of life. Your veterinarian can put together an appropriate parasite prevention plan based on all these factors. Many products now treat multiple types of parasites with a single dose, given monthly or less frequently.
Pet ID – Combining visible forms of pet ID, like a collar tag along with a microchip, greatly increases the odds of being reunited with a lost pet. Once a pet has a microchip, you must keep your contact information current with the chip’s company. Inserting a microchip under the skin is a quick, relatively inexpensive procedure that your vet can do at any appointment.
Spay/neuter – Most pets who are not going to be a part of a breeding program should be spayed or neutered. Your veterinarian can discuss the benefits, risks, and appropriate timing of spaying and neutering.
Dental care – Good dental care is essential to pet well-being. Your veterinarian can tell you if your dog or cat needs a professional dental cleaning and recommend appropriate dental home care.
Grooming – Regular brushing, bathing, nail trims, haircuts, and ear cleanings may be needed to keep your pet looking and feeling their best. Your veterinarian can help you determine what grooming your pet needs.
Daily life, behavior, diet, and exercise – Your veterinarian will give advice about behavior, diet, exercise, environmental enrichment, litter box management, diseases that can be passed between pets and people, and disaster preparedness.
How Much Does a Vet Checkup Cost?
Below are some typical costs associated with routine wellness care for dogs and cats:
Office visit/physical examination: $40 – 90
Panel of screening bloodwork: $50 – 200
Urinalysis: $20 – 60
Fecal examination: $25 – 50
Core vaccines (each): $20 – 45
Microchip placement: $20 – 75
Heartworm test: $20 – 50
FeLV/FIV test: $20 – 40
Nail trim: $10 – 20
Veterinary offices should be able to provide you with a detailed estimate for your pet’s expected wellness care. Don’t be embarrassed to ask for an estimate before you schedule an appointment.
The cost of pet checkups can vary quite a bit, based on several factors, including the age of your pet, where you live, and the type of clinic.
Your Pet’s Health and Age
For example, a wellness visit for a healthy 2-year-old Shih Tzu who doesn’t need any vaccine boosters is going to be relatively cheap. On the other hand, a wellness checkup for a 15-year-old Siamese cat who routinely goes outdoors could include multiple vaccine boosters and a lot of lab work, and those costs add up.
Location
Location also plays a big part in determining the cost of veterinary care. The 2019 Nationwide/Purdue Veterinary Price Index shows that the highest average weighted price for veterinary services ($406 in San Francisco) was 1.5 times higher than the lowest average weighted price ($265) for rural areas far from large cities.
Type of Clinic
Finally, the type of clinic you go to affects what you will pay. Some not-for-profit organizations provide basic care, like rabies vaccines, at cost. Vaccine clinics also tend to be inexpensive, but you may not be able to access all the care your pet needs.
Getting pet wellness care through a full-service veterinary hospital may not be the cheapest option, but it does provide one-stop-shopping and lets you build a relationship with the doctors and technicians you’ll be relying on if your pet is injured or becomes sick.
How to Prepare for Your Pet’s Wellness Exam
Being prepared will make your pet’s wellness exam go more smoothly, be less stressful, and even save you money. Here are some steps to take to prepare:
If your pet has received veterinary care elsewhere, bring their health records with you or have them forwarded to your current clinic. This will help prevent unnecessary duplication of diagnostic tests or preventive care.
Take pictures or make a list of all the medications, supplements, and foods (including treats) you give your pet.
If possible, bring a fresh stool sample from your pet with you, but don’t worry if that’s not possible. Your veterinarian will probably be able to collect a sample from your pet if necessary.
Write down any questions you have about your pet’s wellness care. Your veterinarian will be happy to talk anything over, but you have to ask.