Mint Door opening planned since July
by Maralyn Fink
Chris Roberts and Corinne Trimbach have planned the opening of the Mint Door since July. The store is located at 105 W. Higham St. and is open on Wednesday thru Saturday. The hours on Wednesday through Friday are 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday.
Trendy and stylish clothing and accessories are available. New merchandise arrives often. There is something new behind their Door.
The store has been Chris’s dream job for many years. She moved to St Johns 2 years ago, and the opportunity presented itself so her and Corinne became partners. Corinne has made ladies beautiful for 40 years and now she wants to dress ladies beautiful.
Stop in and see what’s behind their Door. Welcome to your your new adventure, and we all wish you well.
Homecoming 70s Days
by Maralyn Fink
On Wednesday while it wasn’t raining, I went to St. Johns High School for the 70s dress day as part of spirit week.
There I found students in the 70s attire that also brought back some memories from the day. Spirits were great and the students were very accommodating in having their picture taken. Thank you to all the students for doing this for me.
Looking forward to Homecoming Weekend!
A day at work involves Dreams and Diversity for Brian O’Connor
courtesy of Jaci Hoffman for Elite Magazine
As a young boy, Brian O’Connor was so moved by the performance of a marching band that he proclaimed a dream to his mother. Years later he fulfilled that childhood dream when he became the drum major of the Spartan Marching Band for Michigan State University and let the band in the 1988 Rose Parade and Rose Bowl football fame.
Now as an adult Brian and his team help millions of people fulfill their dreams each year. As Vice President of the Brand and Corporate Communications for Princess Cruises, his diverse range of duties affect the guests cruising on 17 ships worldwide as well as employees, charities and communities supported by Princess Cruises.
Some days involve celebrities, such as when Brian rehearsed the tour route onboard Majestic Princess with a 16″ stick above his hear to ensure 7 foot inch tall Yao Ming (NBA All-Star, Hall of Famer, Houston Rockets) would be able to tour the ship for the Naming Ceremony in Shanghai where he served as the Naming Ambassador, or when Princess Cruises and the ensemble cast of the Love Boat were recognized with an honorary plaque on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“The Love Boat hold a warm and nostalgic place in people’s hearts and minds,” said Brian, who grew up watching the hit show that featured princess Cruises’ ships. That connection to the past is still alive today through the “Love Boat Dram,” a chocolate mousse and brownie indulgence, served onboard all ships. Guests devour 10,000 of them weekly making it Princess Cruise line’s most popular dessert.
Other typical days for Brian might involve planning the arrival of a ship’s first time at a port, enveloping plans for launching a new ship, or learning more about a department’s new procedure, enhanced service, or product and subsequently communicating it to the proper audience.
“Brian’s energy and passion contribute to his persistent drive to succeed,” said his executive assistant Cynthia Lamster. “He embraces the larger purpose and aligns our team to ensure the best result for Princess as a whole.”
One of Brian’s proudest accomplishments was first being promoted to vice president of sales (North America), followed three years later by being promoted to succeed retiring vice president of public relations Julie Benson.
“Julie had become a PR icon in Southern California and left very big shoes to fill,” Brian Confessed.
As he stepped into his new role, he assumed more involvement in the community. Brian serves on the executive committee of the board of directors for the Santa Clarity Valley Chamber of Commerce and on the board of directors for Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation. In 2016 he was recognized as one of the Signal’s “51” individuals who made positive impact in the hospitality/philanthropy category in our community. In mid-October the Los Angeles chapter of the Public Relations Society of America will name him the Public Relations Professions of the Year. He has served as past president, vice president, and five-term board member for the organization.
Brian’s duties include rich involvement with local charities, which is another way Princess Cruises helps individuals fulfill dreams. That work includes serving as event sponsors, donating cruises for live auctions, designating special onboard program profits to charity, and even creating Stanley, a teddy bear in a captain’s uniform that directs a portion of profits to animal welfare and preservation programs.
A not-so-known fact about Brian is that he is a certified protocol officer and a graduate of The Protocol School of Washington. He provides guidance about visiting dignitaries, high-ranking officials, and royalty to executives and ship officers. Those guidelines, based on a generally accepted system of international courtesy, describe how to greet individuals, work with interpreters, and exchange business cards and gifts.
With Princess Cruises since 2006, Brian has spent 200 days at sea and experienced 35 cruises. About one-third of the cruises were for pleasure while the rest were work related. His bucket list includes visiting Japand and Norway on a future Princess ship.
Brian, the son of Roberta and the late Michael O’Connor, is a 1985 graduate of St. Johns High School.
A Look Back – St. Joe’s Carnival
by Barry Clark Bauer
This was taken in 1968 promoting the upcoming Carnival held at the St. Joseph Catholic School.
The four girls are unidentified.
Letters – Readers support Commission candidate
We’re writing as City residents to ask for consideration of support of Bob Craig for St. Johns City Commissioner. Bob is the only incumbent running for re-election which is part of the Non-Partisan ballot, at November General Election, Tuesday, November 6, 2018.
We’re pleased with the good progress that has been made in St. Johns recently by fixing our city streets, building a wonderful splash park for families and seeing our Downtown revitalized. We’re most excited about last month’s Glanbia/Proliant companies’ announcement for building a new $555 million cheese and whey manufacturing plants in
our SJ Certified Industrial Park. This will create 400+ construction jobs soon and 300 new full-time jobs, which will help the Michigan Dairy industry and our economy.
We hope you will join us in supporting Bob Craig for re-election to St. Johns City Commission on Tuesday, November 6th.
Sincerely,
Henry and Carol Burkhardt
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Get the Best Dog Harness for Your Dog’s Body Type
courtesy of Victoria Schade
Opting for a dog harness instead of a dog collar is a great choice for dogs that pull on the leash, are hard to control or have potential health concerns due to the shape of their heads and necks, like brachycephalic dogs such as Pugs and Boston Terriers. A dog harness prevents strain because pressure from the dog leash is distributed rather than concentrated around the dog’s neck.
The variety of different types of dog harnesses can make choosing the right harness for your dog a challenge, so the following tips on how to fit a dog harness will help you select the best option for your favorite walking partner.
How to Measure Your Dog for a Harness
Dog harness sizes are typically based on a combination of measurements. The exact body measurement requirements vary by manufacturer but nearly always include your dog’s girth, or the circumference of the widest part of the rib cage.
To determine your dog’s girth, wrap a measuring tape around your dog’s body an inch or so behind the front legs so that the tape is snug but not tight. You can also wrap a string around your dog’s body then compare it to a ruler to gauge the size.
Some dog harness sizing also requires a “lower neck” measurement, which is the thickest part of your dog’s neck, just above the shoulders. Again, adjust the measuring tape so that it’s not too tight around your dog’s neck.
Some types of harnesses for dogs that have a strap across the front also require a chest width measurement. To determine your dog’s chest width, simply place the measuring tape across the front of your dog’s chest and over the breastbone, ending about an inch behind each leg.
Finally, some walking harnesses for dogs also require your dog’s weight in order to determine the perfect fit. Rather than trying to coax your dog on the scale—which might lead to inaccurate reading—pick up your dog and step on the scale together, then subtract your weight from the total.
Keep in mind that there is no universal size chart for dogs, so one manufacturer’s “medium” might be another manufacturer’s “small.” Once you pick a harness style, make sure to follow the manufacturer’s suggestions for determining your pooch’s perfect fit.
Refining the Fit of a Dog Harness
When putting your dog’s harness on for the first time, adjust it so that it doesn’t chafe or rub your dog’s skin as he walks, particularly under the front legs in the “armpit” area. It should be loose enough that you can slip two fingers beneath the harness, but not so loose that your dog can accidentally slip out of it.
Remember that your dog has two possible escape routes from a new dog harness—wiggling out the front or backing out the rear. Make sure to test that he can’t get free of the harness. To ensure a perfect fit, adjust one strap at a time, until the harness is resting in the right spot on your dog’s body and your dog looks safe and comfortable.
Choosing the Right Harness for Your Dog
Given the many shapes, sizes and needs of our furry best friends, there is no single, best dog harness that works for every type of dog. The following suggestions can help narrow your focus when it comes to choosing the right harness for your dog.
Fashion-Minded Dogs
If you and your dog walk politely together and enjoy showing off your personal style, your options are unlimited! Traditional ribbon-style harnesses, like the Blueberry Pet Spring Prints dog harness, offer a variety of prints and colors with numerous adjustment points to ensure a comfortable fit. Mesh-style harnesses, like the Puppia Vivien harness, feature a breathable chest plate that can accommodate dogs of all sizes.
Hard-To-Fit Dogs
It can be challenging to find the right dog harness for breeds like English Bulldogs and Dachshunds because of their unique shapes. Pet parents need to make sure the harness is easy to use and accommodates aspects of their dogs’ bodies that could get in the way of a perfect fit, like broad chests and long torsos. The soft leather Buddy Belt Classic dog harness is a simple one-buckle, step-in dog harness that was actually created to fit a miniature dachshund, and also works well on barrel-chested bully breeds. The Julius- K9 IDC Powerharness is another great option for Bulldogs because of its heavy duty construction and ease of use.
Strong Dogs
A no-pull dog harness helps pet parents manage dogs that are challenging to control on leash. No-pull harnesses are specifically designed to decrease pulling—standard harnesses are not. The PetSafe Easy Walk dog harness features four adjustment points to ensure a perfect fit for dogs of all sizes and has a front ring leash attachment that gently reduces pulling. The Sporn Training dog halter is a veterinarian-approved system that humanely stops pulling without choking and features padded leg sleeves for a comfortable fit.
Senior/Handicapped Dogs
Some dogs need extra help when it comes to leash walking. Whether dealing with decreased mobility from old age, or post-surgical rehabilitation, a harness that provides extra support, like the GingerLead Support and Rehabilitation lifting harness can make trips outside easier. This harness enables pet parents to support a dog’s weakened back legs comfortably while allowing for necessary hygiene.
Double Duty Dogs
If your dog is the type that wants to go-go-go the second you turn off the car, opt for a harness that works as a dog seat belt restraint as well as a walking harness. The Kurgo Tru-Fit Smart Harness helps to keep your dog safe in the car with a crash-tested, all-steel buckle system and features five adjustment points so that your dog will remain comfortable during your post-drive walk.