Driveway art makes waiting for the school bus easier
New works of art appear on North Ottawa every morning before school.
“Our driveway is still a bus stop even though all our kids are grown and out of the house,” says one homeowner. “Recently we noticed little drawings made by chalk in the driveway. At first I wasn’t sure who was doing them.
“This morning I was greeted by cute little kitties and leftover chalk. They must be doing it while waiting for the bus,” I decided.
“So I went to the store and bought a supply of chalk. Then I made hearts by the kitties and left a selection of colors nearby for whoever to use, or take.”
Lions Club celebrates 75 years
St. Johns Lions Club is celebrating 75 years of serving this fine community.
Founded 1948 on November 20, their primary focus was providing support services for the blind, including leader dogs, eyeglasses and even hearing aids for those less fortunate.
They clean up 2 miles of highway for the Adopt Highway Program, and provide the Easter Egg Hunt for the community.
This St. John’s nonprofit organization also has run the Recycling Center on Steel Street in St. Johns for years. They also provide the food trailer for the music in the park series each year in the St. John City Park.
They collect used eye glasses and hearing aids at several locations around the community. You can also find our Lions Club Mints and Candies for $.50 at the display tables in different restaurants throughout the community.
More Spring Fling
Sheriff congratulates new certified officer
The Clinton County Sheriff’s Office congratulates Kalen Ruggiero on his completion of the 111th Mid-Michigan Police Academy and becoming a certified police officer. They are all very proud of Deputy Ruggiero for his hard work and accomplishments. He will be a great addition to the Road Patrol.
The East Ward School story, Part 4
by Maralyn Fink
1937-1946
Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman were Presidents during the time. The United States had entered another World War and eventually ended that war with a new precedent in history-the Atomic Bomb.
The Atomic Age may not have had a dire affect on the people in St. Johns, but awareness in technology increased. Education became more important and classes at East Ward began to grow in size. It was during this time that Teresa Merrill came to teach at East Ward. She began in 1937 as instructor in the fifth and sixth grades as well as principal. Working with her during this first part of her career were Evelyn Putnam, Betty Cornell and May Belle Clara.
1947-1956
The United States saw a change in Presidents as Dwight D. Eisenhower replaced Harry Truman. At East Ward, however. Teresa Merrill remained as principal and was working hard innovating new programs.
Back: Greg Penix, Marcia Penix, Mickey Lynam, George Gavenda. Middle: __, Susan Wirick, Linda Greer, Brian Waltz, ____, ___ Front: Bob Ebert, Stuart Robertson, Jim Lancaster
Mrs. Merrill started the Safety Patrol Squad during this time. She was able to get the Automobile Club of Lansing interested in the project, and each year they sponsored a trip to Washington D. C. for the boy who received the most points. Dick Rasdale and Cayle Beagle were two East Ward boys who were awarded that trip. Robert Boling was the Captain of the first Patrol Squad. Other patrol boys recalled are:
Robert Cook
John Joslyn
Tom Welsh
Jim Lancaster
Bobby Lee
Douglas Kovieu
Larry Flak
Marvin Ball
Jim Wert
Robert Wagner
Jerry Bunge
Curtis Brown
Not to leave the girls out, Teresa Merrill initiated a Service Squad. These girls assisted other teachers, helped the younger students and kept the halls and rooms in order. Some of the first Service Squad members were:
Marliyn Muston
Carolyn Nickel
Mickie Lynam
Maureen Dunke1
Marilyn Moore
Susan Wirick
Sharon Roof
Carolyn Farrier
Joyce Marten
Beverly Leavitt
Carol Griffith
Elizabeth DeGeer
Viola Atkinson
Marilyn Blizzard
In the years following 1951 the East Ward kindergartners were bussed to the Swegles Street School. The children attended school only half of a day and were bussed back into their area at the end of the half day’s session.In 1956 the kindergarten classes were again returned to the East Ward school and remained for fourteen years.
The 1950s brought some innovations to the East Ward curriculum and general educational offerings. A projector and screen were purchased so that educational films could be used with the children’s classes.
Dark shades were also bought for the windows so the films could be seen better. The teachers were required to preview the films over at the high school (R. B. Wilson) so they could present a good lesson on the film. During this time a TV was purchased. The children had lessons in Spanish, music and science via the TV unit.
Starting in the 1950s new library books were added each year to the East Ward library which was housed in the main hall. Mrs. Allison, the librarian, came one day a week to help the children check out books.
In the fall of 1952 Mr. Lancaster, Superintendent of St. Johns Schools, came over to East Ward and took a look around. He decided East Ward needed some new lights. At that time there were a few hanging lights in each room. Soon after, new fluorescent lights were installed in all four rooms.
In 1955 new desks for the students and teachers were purchased. New tile flooring was also laid in each room. Outside a jungle gym was added to the playground.
During these next. ten years the United States had three Presidents: Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. The Viet Nam War was the major issue this decade.
In St. Johns Teresa Merrill had given the principalship to Mrs. Gertrude Bennett. Mrs. Bennett was assisted by six teachers during her six years as principal (1957-63). Three teachers were Beatrice Pung, Edith Walling. Henrietta Longenecher, Alice Thrun, Dorothea Beagle and Thelma Weismiller.
A few more alterations were made on East Ward during this time. In 1957 a piano and electric drying tube were bought for use in the basement. In 1958 the third grade room gained new cupboard on one whole wall. In 1959 more cupboards were added to the kindergarten room. Also in 1959 Stan Cowan donated a refrigerator so the milk used at recess break and bus children’s lunch could be cool and fresh.
Margaret Puetz had the principalship at East Ward the first part of the decade. While working as principal, she also taught the second grade. Working with her were Pat Kuenzli, Margaret Wyrick, Ron Holley Mryna Tate, Retha Cook, Eather Hendershot and Erma Fritz. Mr. Holley was East Ward’s first male instructor.
In 1970 kindergarten was again bussed to the Swegles Street school. The students attended the afternoon session and were returned by bus to the East Ward area at the end of the day. This method is still in effect today. When promotions are granted in k1ndergarten, the children attend the East Ward school for grades 1, 2, 3, and 4.
The 1970s also brought the start of a hot-lunch program to East Ward. Students have the option of eating at school regardless of distance from home. Hot lunches are prepared in e1ectronic ovens at Central and transported to East Ward. The hot lunch program is government supplemented.
During this decade the United States saw Richard Nixon get elected president. Upon the resignation of R. Nixon a Michigan man came to be President. That man is our current President, Gerald Ford. Perhaps teachers at East Ward are working with a future President.
One hundred years from original construction East Ward is still one of our important elementary schools. The principalship has been given to Mrs. Ethel Huot. She shares this job between Swegles Street School and East Ward. During the 1975-76 school year the East Ward staff consisted of Margaret Wyrick, Carol MacDonald, Linda Parr and Mike Muehlenbeck.
The years have caught up with East Ward. In spite of the excellent care given by custodians such as Mr. Bond, Charlie Couter, Art Salters, Ray Stevens, Dale George and Ernie Baker, the need for updating has come. Mrs. Huot has succeeded in promoting some renovative projects that directly affect the safety and education of East Ward students.
The old hall library just did not meet the needs of our next generation and caused much confusion with movement of students in the hal1. Therefore a basement room was converted into an attractive reading room equipped with bookshelves, good lighting and space for special reading-counseling area.
A book list has been compiled and teachers have sacrificed their dole of PTA money to use in ordering better reading material for the students.
The teachers lacked a good conference and work room. Mrs. Huot saw that the other basement room was renovated. Paneling, paint and the addition of a table, shelves and lights helped to convert this room into useable workspace that the teachers desperately needed.
Next week: Teresa Merrill and some of the others who made the building a school
Letters – Volunteers plant flowers on Clinton Ave.
Thank you volunteers and everyone who made this possible. You’re appreciated and we look forward to seeing them bloom. What a fun and beautiful day!
Thank you,
AmberLynn -Global Coffee Co.
Ed-Gill-Roy Hardware, St. Johns, Mi
Jason Denovich-New Look Computer & Data
Chris Roberts-The Mint Door Boutique
Laura- Edward Jones
City of St. Johns, MI | DDA |GardenShoppe
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Cat Spay 101
The many benefits to spaying your female cat include eliminating the risk of uterine infections, reducing cat overpopulation by stopping pregnancy, lowering the risk of mammary gland cancer, and decreasing frustrating behaviors during heat cycles.
If you’re considering having your cat spayed, here’s some helpful info on the procedures, cost, best timing, aftercare, and changes you can expect after your cat is spayed.
What Is Cat Spaying?
A spay, or ovariohysterectomy, is a procedure that eliminates the possibility of pregnancy. Spaying removes the cat’s ovaries and uterus and prevents estrus (heat cycles) and possible uterine infections in the future.
This procedure is the female sterilization version of neutering. Neutering is performed in male cats by removing the testicles to eliminate sex organs/hormones and possible impregnation of female cats.
What’s the Cost for Spaying a Cat?
Cat spays range in price and depend on the location where the surgery is performed. Spays performed at local spay and neuter clinics are usually the most cost-effective, with prices ranging from $100–$300. Prices for spays performed at primary care veterinarians (your general practice clinic) usually range from $300–$800.
Prices may increase based on age, if your cat is in heat, or has a uterine infection (pyometra), as these cats are higher risk and the procedure is more difficult due to enlarged blood vessels and/or systemic illness. Costs of spays performed by a board-certified surgeon or at emergency hospitals can range from $2,000–$4,000 depending on the stability of the cat’s health, age, pre-operative blood work findings and how long hospitalization is necessary.
Most rescues and humane societies perform spays before a cat even gets adopted, which eliminates this hefty cost to the new pet parent. If the kitten is too young for the spay to be safely performed, these facilities often will offer a certificate or receipt that honors a spay in the future at no additional cost to the pet parent.
When to Spay a Cat
Factors that need to be taken into consideration when spaying a cat include the pet’s overall health and age. Cats can be impregnated as young as 4 months old, and some veterinarians and rescues/shelters will perform spays at this age. The average age for spaying a cat is 5-6 months, though they can begin to ovulate (release eggs from the ovaries) earlier than this. Female cats generally have two or three heats per year during their breeding season, which is usually February to October.
It is best to spay a cat when she is not in heat, as this causes blood vessels feeding blood supply to the reproductive system to enlarge. Spays can be performed during heat cycles, but the risk of bleeding and infection increases due to these engorged blood vessels. Unfortunately, since female cats can go into heat frequently during breeding season, sometimes spaying during heat cannot be avoided.
Female cats recently rescued or found outdoors should be assessed for a spay scar, which is usually located just below their belly button (umbilicus). These scars can be quite small, so if you are unsure if there is a spay scar, evaluation by a veterinarian and/or discussion about hormonal testing can be considered.
How a Cat Is Spayed
There are two surgical options for spaying a cat: ovariohysterectomy and ovariectomy. In both instances, general anesthesia using pre-medications (such as buprenorphine and midazolam), induction agents (propofol or alfaxalone), and gas anesthetic (isofluorane or sevofluorane) will be given.
The surgical procedures range from 15 minutes to 1 hour depending on the size of the patient, the size of the uterus, and the skill of the surgeon. The entire length of pre-operative procedures and recovery from anesthesia is usually 2-3 hours.
Either procedure can be completed with laparoscopy. This method uses an endoscope, a thin tube with a light and camera to help the vet see inside your cat. Vets who can do laparoscopic surgeries have gotten extra training in this technique.
Some veterinarians will recommend hospitalization overnight for monitoring, pain control, and fluid therapy, even in routine spays.
Ovariohysterectomy
An ovariohysterectomy is the spaying procedure most often used. This surgery removes the cat’s uterus and ovaries.
To do the ovariohysterectomy, the vet will shave an area on the underside of your cat’s belly. Removing the hair lowers the risk of infection. Then, the vet will make an incision (cut) in the shaved area and remove the entire reproductive tract. This includes the ovaries, uterus, and the area where the uterus and fallopian tubes connect (uterine horns).
Ovariectomy
The less common procedure is an ovariectomy, which only removes the cat’s ovaries, leaving the uterus intact. For this surgery, the incision can be made on the underside of your cat’s stomach or on her flank (the side of her stomach). Leaving the uterus means that there is still a chance your cat could get uterine cancer later in life.
Aftercare for Cat Spaying
A spay procedure is abdominal surgery (the abdomen is opened for surgery to be performed) and requires restful downtime and close monitoring after completion. The incision takes about 10-14 days to heal. An Elizabethan collar (cone) is usually sent home with you to avoid licking the incision, which can cause infection, swelling, pain or even worse, can open the incision site.
Strict rest is recommended until the recheck examination in 10-14 days. This means confinement to a crate or a small room to lessen movement that could pull open the incision. Pulling at the edges of the incision can lead to incisional breakdown, infection, fluid formation under the skin, and pain.Your veterinarian will ask you to closely monitor the incision daily and to report any concerns.
Female Cat Behavior After Spaying
Changes in your cat’s behavior will be minimal after spaying. This procedure can eliminate annoying mating behaviors such as vocalization, rubbing the hind end all over the house and you, or trying to escape outside. Thankfully, your cat’s overall behavior will likely stay the same. Spaying does reduce sex hormones, which can make your cat seem calmer overall after the procedure, but most veterinarians believe that is due to eliminating mating behaviors.
Do Spayed Cats Gain Weight?
Slight to moderate weight gain can also occur after spaying due to the decrease in sex hormones.These sex hormones help to maintain metabolism, and as they decrease following a spay, so does the metabolism.
It is necessary to monitor your cat’s body weight for several years after spaying to avoid obesity, which can lead to issues such as joint disease and diabetes. It is also important to discuss exercise and caloric requirements for your cat prior to and after a spay procedure.