Soap Box Derby 2023 called great success
by Maralyn Fink
It is amazing how an event can come together when an entire community shows its support. Organizers especially would like to thank all the local businesses that donated the use of their equipment.
– Martin Brower
– Mint City Excavating
– Bob’s Auto Body & Towing
– Northside Towing and Service
– Hutson, Inc.
– Smith Lawnscapes, LLC
– Miller Brothers Excavating
– Sunbelt Rentals
More Soap Box Derby photos
courtesy photos
Children’s Advocate receives award
We are not surprised that Brandi, Children’s Advocate for The SafeCenter, was awarded 2023 Champion for Children in Clinton County. Congratulations Brandi!
Plein Air names winners
Plein Air event may have ended, but the memories and the artwork are forever.
The 4th Annual Art & Soul Gallery Plein Air Event has wrapped up. A huge thank you to the many wonderful artists who participated in the event this year and to the incredible judges.
The artworks will only be available at the Art & Soul Gallery until July 5. Don’t miss your chance to buy these beautiful artworks now. Stop by the Art & Soul Gallery or purchase online.
Gallery Hours are Wednesday-Friday 1:00 – 6:00 PM or Visit the Website
– Best in Show: “Tug No More” by Mary Hertler Tallman
– Best in Emerging Artist: “Oaken Vacancy” by Susan Mahoney
– Best in Advanced Artist: “Cool Shadows on a Hot Day” by Susan Fernholz
Remember When – Plein Air, 2018
The Clinton County Arts Council sponsored a Plein Air Event on May 12, 2018. Plein air painting is about leaving the four walls of your studio behind and experiencing painting and drawing in the landscape.
– Best of Show was awarded to Cornelis vanSpronsen http://cornelisvanspronsen.com/
– 2nd Place went to Tom Tomasek for the Divine Mercy Parish http://tomtomasek.com/
– 3rd Place was award to Martha Elchert — with Martha Elchert Fine Art http://artalicious.org/?staff=martha-elchert
All work will be available at the Art Gallery through the end of the month.
Letters – Agencies concerned about local response to Domestic Violence
As members of the Board of Directors of SafeCenter Domestic and Sexual Violence Services of Clinton and Shiawassee Counties, we are writing to express our deep concern and disappointment in the Clinton County Prosecutor, who has failed to provide victims/survivors adequate representation and justice in the criminal court system. As representatives of one of the primary Victim Services Advocacy Organizations in Clinton County, it is imperative that we share our concerns widely to ensure others are aware of the safety and well-being that is currently at stake within the greater community.
SafeCenter works 24/7/365 with adult and minor survivors of domestic and sexual violence, providing the following services: 24-hour crisis hotline assistance, Emergency Shelter, Transitional Supportive Housing (scattered site and onsite), Advocacy and Counseling, Therapy, Legal/Court Advocacy, Supportive Services, Basic Needs, among other programs. All of our services are provided through a trauma-informed, survivor-centered lens, with the philosophy of empowerment as our guide. This allows us to start with any survivor where they are and let them be the expert in their own journey of awareness, education, and healing.
Throughout our service delivery in Clinton County, we have seen survivors working with the Prosecutor treated with disrespect, a lack of compassion and empathy, and the most telling of all – not moving forward with the highest charges on serious domestic and sexual violence offenses, delaying cases, or dropping cases altogether. In cases where there have been charges, these have resulted in plea deals with much lesser charges; for sexual violence cases, this has included not being added to the National Sex Offender Registry.
Here in Clinton County, we have well-known perpetrators of domestic and sexual violence with previous criminal histories walking our neighborhoods, driving our roads, spending time around schools and playgrounds, and enjoying local establishments and social media where they can continue to perpetrate their abusive patterns. In a recent meeting, our staff were told by staff of the Prosecutors’ Office that, “Victims will need to lower their expectations.” This is not acceptable.
The lack of perpetrator accountability in Clinton County is decreasing victim safety and therefore increasing our community vulnerability to further crime and injustice.
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Ensuring Justice and Support for Children in Clinton County
As voting members of the Board of Directors for The Voice for Clinton County’s Children, we support our Executive Director’s recent op-ed article. The board shares her concern regarding the Clinton County Prosecutor, who has exhibited a profound inability to provide support and favorable outcomes for the at-risk children in Clinton County. Failing to issue criminal charges in many recent child abuse cases woefully underserves our county’s children. Addressing these shortcomings in our criminal justice system is crucial to ensure the well-being and justice of our community’s most defenseless members. The collapse of a system created to support our children deserves to be presented to the community. The board finds these practices unacceptable and calls for transparency and accountability.
The Voice for Clinton County’s Children, which houses our Child Advocacy Center (CAC), provides a safe, neutral environment where children’s voices are heard and their needs are addressed. A multidisciplinary approach, which brings together child protective services investigators, law enforcement, forensic interviewers, prosecutors, family advocates, and medical and mental health professionals, ensures a coordinated and comprehensive response to allegations of child maltreatment.
We have witnessed firsthand the tremendous impact our services have on the lives of Clinton County’s young victims. We strive to minimize further harm and facilitate healing. Our forensic interviewers, trained in child development and managing bias, provide a supportive environment where victims can share their experiences without fear or intimidation. This approach ensures the child’s well-being and enhances the quality and reliability of the information gathered for investigations.
Not only does the agency provide support for children, but our expert staff also prepares and makes available several supportive and valuable resources for use in legal proceedings to hold those convicted accountable. However, during the legal process, the Prosecutor rarely taps into these resources along with other outside sources available on the children’s behalf, which lessens the impact of the charges, and ultimately reduces the validation for these children. Despite our professional teams’ best efforts, we are dismayed by the lack of action by the Prosecutor’s Office when pursuing criminal charges in child abuse cases.
Additionally, plea bargains resulting in lesser charges than initially warranted, and failing to include sex offenders on the registry, further erode our faith in the Prosecutor’s ability to protect and advocate for these vulnerable individuals. Those perpetrators against children have then been released to live without repercussion in our community.
We refuse to allow child and youth crime victims to navigate the legal system alone or be subject to additional trauma during the proceedings. This is prevented by a Prosecutor who takes child abuse seriously, who aggressively pursues the maximum allowable criminal charges, and who uses the resources painstakingly collected by our agency to support their case.
We have witnessed firsthand the immense bravery exhibited by these children as they recount their experiences and trust us with their pain. It is incumbent upon the adults within the criminal justice system, especially the Clinton County Prosecutor, to honor that trust and prioritize the safety and well-being of our community.
We urge the community, our local officials, and stakeholders to become informed regarding the case history outcomes of this Prosecutor and his staff during his administration. It is imperative that he collaborates with us in leveraging the expertise and resources of the CAC. The only acceptable outcome is fully prosecuting child abuse cases, resulting in improved case statistics.
Our agency echoes the concerns shared by our partner, The SafeCenter, who serves victims of domestic and sexual violence. It would appear these crime victims are also underserved.
Together, we can ensure that the voices of the nearly 500 victims we are entrusted to serve, and those we have not yet met, are heard and respected. Our commitment to the children and youth of Clinton County remains unwavering.
– Board of Directors. The Voice for Clinton County’s Children
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – 19 of the Healthiest Dog Breeds
A healthy dog is a happy dog. And while there’s no guarantee that any dog will be free from illness their whole life, there are dog breeds that face fewer health problems overall.
The healthiest dog breeds have a long lifespan and are less susceptible to getting sick. This, when coupled with maintaining an appropriate weight and keeping up with exercise, means pet parents can ensure their dogs have the best life possible.
How to Keep Your Dog Healthy
Just like us, dogs’ lifestyles play a part in keeping them healthy. As pet parents, we can do several things to prolong the lives of our beloved pups.
Exercise
Exercise plays an important part in preventative care for dogs. It’s never too late to start your pup on an exercise routine, and doing so will give her long-term benefits. Exercise is a great way to combat obesity and allows your dog to ease into her senior years without the added stress extra weight puts on her body.
Diet
Pet parents should also be mindful of what they’re feeding their dogs. According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), a balanced diet must have six nutrients: water, carbohydrates (including fiber), vitamins, minerals, fat, and protein. You should also check the label to make sure you’re giving her an appropriate amount to eat.
Vet Care
Routine veterinary checkups benefit all animals, even a dog with few health issues. Annual checkups mean vets can catch the start of any hereditary diseases—or even prevent them altogether.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
1. Australian Cattle Dog
The Australian Cattle Dog is one of the healthiest dogs out there. Known for their intelligence, work ethic, and stamina, these dogs are a typically resilient breed that doesn’t face many health issues. Just as their name implies, they’ve been bred to herd animals and need plenty of exercise to stay in top shape.
2. Australian Shepherd
Smart, loyal, and energetic, Australian Shepherds enjoy keeping active, and need physical and mental stimulation throughout their lives. These dogs especially enjoy advanced obedience training and excel in herding jobs. As a breed, they can be prone to certain diseases such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and some eye diseases. Nevertheless, they are generally healthy dogs.
3. Chihuahua
Despite a tendency to forget how small they are, Chihuahuas are among the breeds with the longest lifespans. These loyal and energetic dogs pack a big personality and plenty of smarts. Since Chis—as they’re sometimes called—are prone to obesity, pet parents should be careful to give them lots of exercise, even if it’s just playing fetch in the living room.
4. Beagle
Beagles are motivated by food and follow their noses everywhere—even into trouble. As pets, they are loving and affectionate. These dogs benefit from scent training and a controlled diet, since their insatiable appetites mean they will easily overeat given the chance.
5. Greyhound
The Greyhound is unique among hounds because it’s a sight hunter, meaning the breed relies on speed and agility to hunt prey. As sight hunters, they might not make good pets in homes with smaller pets, such as cats or rabbits, without proper training and introductions.
With their high energy levels and strong prey drive, Greyhounds need regular exercise. However, once they get their zoomies out, they can become cuddly couch potatoes.
6. Poodle
Poodles—whether the Standard Poodle, the Miniature Poodle, or the Toy Poodle—make wonderful pets. Smart, loyal, and easy to train, these dogs tend to get along with other animals and people alike. Poodles enjoy swimming and learning new tricks, and they tend to face only minor health issues as they age.
7. Havanese
The only dog breed native to Cuba, the Havanese has a long lifespan of 14–16 years. This affectionate small breed loves his pet parents and is easy to train due to his exceptional smarts. However, the breed can face a few medical conditions, including progressive retinal atrophy and patellar luxation.
8. German Shorthaired Pointer
German Shorthaired Pointers are prized as hunting dogs because of their speed and stamina. GSPs boast high energy levels and need lots of exercise, as well as physical and mental stimulation, to stay healthy and out of trouble. These dogs can be predisposed to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and bloat.
9. Old English Sheepdog
Old English Sheepdogs love being around their pet parents. Generally, these gentle giants are well-behaved and affectionate, and they do especially well in households with kids. This healthy dog breed is not prone to many ailments and has an average lifespan of 10–12 years.
10. Basenji
Typically an independent and energetic dog, Basenjis are sometimes described as catlike because of their aloof personalities and attentiveness to personal hygiene. Basenjis need plenty of mental and physical stimulation to satisfy their active minds and keep them out of trouble. This breed may be genetically predisposed to Fanconi syndrome, a kidney disease.
11. Shiba Inu
More than just a meme, Shiba Inus are small dogs with strong personalities. These dogs are known for being willful and for their classic “Shiba scream.” Their high intelligence makes them active and alert dogs that can become anxious if not given sufficient exercise. Though healthy, Shibas can develop arthritis in their old age.
12. Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested is an elegant dog that is deeply devoted to her pet parents. The breed has two varieties: hairless and powderpuff. Both kinds need special attention to keep their long fur (hairless Cresteds still have fine white fur on some parts of their body) well-groomed, but the hairless variety also needs sweaters to keep warm when out in the cold.
13. Border Collie
Bred as herding dogs, Border Collies are brimming with energy and need regular exercise. They enjoy having a job that provides both physical and mental stimulation—after all, they are one of the smartest dog breeds. Border Collies are hardy dogs but are also predisposed to some genetic diseases, such as Collie eye anomaly.
14. Whippet
Sleek and speedy, Whippets are capable of reaching speeds of 35 miles per hour. These easygoing dogs love chasing toys (and neighborhood squirrels), but their thin coats mean they can get cold easily. Whippets can be genetically predisposed to deafness, so pet parents should take them to their vet for regular checkups.
15. Siberian Husky
Siberian Huskies are working dogs that aren’t afraid to use their voices and speak their minds. These dogs are usually friendly and intelligent, but they can also be very strong-willed. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to stay healthy and happy. Huskies may be prone to cataracts, even as puppies.
16. Anatolian Shepherd
Bred as guardians, Anatolian Shepherds are giant-breed dogs that have calm demeanors. They are always on alert, however, because of their breeding history. Anatolian Shepherds tend to be independent and need outdoor exercise to release pent-up energy.
17. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise has lots of energy, but he doesn’t need prolonged time exercising outdoors due to his small size. Playful and affectionate by nature, Bichons tend to have long lifespans averaging 14–15 years. However, this breed is prone to developing diabetes mellitus, a condition that affects dogs’ abilities to regulate their blood sugar levels.
18. Belgian Malinois
Belgian Malinois are highly energetic dogs that serve as great companions for pet parents who enjoy outdoor activities, whether that’s cycling or hiking. Their intelligence also makes them wonderful working dogs, and they have been trained for jobs including herding and drug detection. The breed is hardy and healthy, though predisposed to cataracts.
19. American Foxhound
As the name implies, the American Foxhound was bred to hunt foxes. These energetic dogs love being outdoors and are usually devoted to their pet parents. At the same time, they do well indoors and can get along well with other pets. With a lifespan of 11–13 years, they are not genetically prone to many illnesses.