Illustrator celebrates 20th Anniversary of The Legend of Sleeping Bear
In June of 1998 the Michigan Legislature proposed and adopted Resolution # 286. A Resolution commemorating The Legend of Sleeping Bear as the State of Michigan’s Official Children’s Book, illustrated by Gijsbert van Frankenhuyzen. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the book. To celebrate, the van Frankenhuyzens will again host Fall at the Farm.
For this special occasion there will be multiple door prize drawings throughout the weekend. You do not have to be present to win, merely drop your entry form in the basket.
The event will be October 25 – 28, 2018. Open House hours are Thursday and Friday 4 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Prints, originals and all of their book titles will be available for purchase. They encourage folks to come in casual wear to hike the five miles of trails through the 40 acres of beautiful wetlands, woodlands and prairies. They suggest comfortable shoes, camera and binoculars.
“Everyone who has walked the property has shared a sense of awe and peacefulness that they felt as they strolled the back 40,” van Frankenhuyzen says. This event is free and open to the public.
“Several years ago we put our property into a conservation easement protecting it from any future development,” explains van Frankenhuyzen. “We encourage others to walk the property in hopes it will inspire them to do the same.”
Fall at the Farm is at Hazel Ridge Farm 7409 Clark Rd. Bath, Mi 48808. For those unable to attend, special gallery by appointment visits can be arranged. 517-641-6690 www.hazelridgefarm.com.
More Homecoming photos
Courtesy photos
New Chordman comes from St. Johns
John Keil, age 19, from St. Johns has just been accepted to sing with the Capitol City Chordsmen, an acclaimed barbershop singing group in Lansing. They performed at the Concert in the Park series 2018 under Clinton County Arts Council.
John, who was at the concert, was inspired to talk with them afterwards to see if he could join them. Upon hearing him sing he was accepted.
DeDecker and Humphrey appointed to Michigan 4-H Foundation Board
Jacob M. DeDecker, of St. Johns, was elected to a two-year term as secretary of the Michigan 4-H Foundation board of trustees at its October board meeting. Melissa Humphrey, of Fowler, was elected to a two-year term as treasurer.
DeDecker was appointed to the board as the acting state 4-H leader for Michigan 4-H Youth Development and current codirector of MSU Extension’s children and youth programs. DeDecker joined MSU Extension in 2006 as 4-H program leader responsible for 4-H STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), small animal and agriculture programs. He has served as MSU Extension associate state 4-H leader since 2014 and associate director of MSU Extension’s children and youth programs since 2017.
He works closely with 4-H supervisors and county-based 4-H program coordinators in 4-H policy, partnerships, risk management, and evaluation systems. He is a member of the Michigan Association of Extension 4-H Youth Staff (MAE4-HYS) and received the MAE4-HYS Team Effort Award in 2011 and 2015. An Illinois native and 4-H alumnus, DeDecker was raised on his family’s swine and grain farm. He received his bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in animal sciences, along with a certificate in business administration, from the University of Illinois.
Melissa Humphrey serves as regional vice president of sales and customer relations for GreenStone Farm Credit Services. In this role, she is the leader of the financial services officers, crop insurance agents and financial services staff in the Charlotte, Grand Rapids, Hart, Hastings and Ionia offices. She is responsible for customer service and for guiding and developing the sales team.
She began her career at GreenStone in 2004 as a credit trainee. She soon became a financial services officer, and later a senior financial services officer at the St. Johns branch. In this role, Humphrey assisted part-time farmers and country living customers with financing home, home site and recreational land purchases, as well as construction projects. A graduate of Michigan State University, Humphrey earned a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness management. She also graduated from the Great Lakes Leadership Academy at MSU in 2015.
Michigan 4-H Foundation trustees are volunteers who manage foundation policies and operations and are community advocates for ongoing and increasing support for 4-H. They are also charged with overseeing the activities of foundation staff members and working on committees developed to facilitate foundation operations.
The Michigan 4-H Foundation is a not-for-profit 501 (c)(3) organization that supports the mission and vision of Michigan State University Extension 4-H Youth Development. The foundation receives donations from individuals and organizations to support 4-H youth development activities and to train Michigan 4-H’s adult and older teen volunteers. For more information about Michigan 4-H, visit www.4h.msue.msu.edu.
A Look Back – Master Clock
by Barry Clark Bauer
When I was in school I always understood that all classroom clocks were set by one master clock. This may be a photo of such a clock.
The woman in the photo may be Betty Wilbur.
Letters – Reader endorses Link and Habitat and CAC say thanks to donors
Vote for Eunice Link, CC Commissioner
It has been a pleasure to know Eunice Link and follow her involvement in community and state-wide projects over the year, and a privilege to support her candidacy for Clinton County Commissioner, District 3, St. Johns and Bingham Township.
A fourth-generation St. Johns area resident, Eunice knows and understands the importance of community growth and development that’s based on solid practices: varied employment opportunities; quality education programs available to all ages; safe, secure environment; and a wide variety of options for volunteer service that engages – and assists – all residents.
Eunice is committed to working collectively with all governmental agencies as well as private and non-profit organizations to move St. Johns/Bingham Township forward together.
Please join me in voting for Eunice Link on Nov. 6.
Rhonda Dedyne
St. Johns
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A huge thank you to everyone who came out for our Fifth Annual DreamBuilders Gala – A Night at the Hop. Thank to everyone who donated, sponsored, bought silent auction items, dressed up or worked the event!
WOW! It was a great night. A Super big thank you to Morgan Schwanky our intern and the Lansing Derby Vixens who skated all night while delivering root beer floats and other items. You guys rocked the night. Jim Geyer, we appreciate your ever so wise judging, Rod Carpenter the best DJ in the world – you played the best music around! Ever the perfect emcee: Ernest Werth-Toward – we love the way you make our event fun! Our food station sponsors: St Johns Rotary, Commercial Bank and St Johns Business and Tax Service. Table Sponsors: Spicer Group, Journey Federal Credit Union, Avery Eye Care, Mercantile Bank, Chelsea Lumber, Sparrow Clinton Hospital, L Quinn Lincoln-Keon, Michael Wyllys, Law Office of John Salemi, Dave Baert, Larry Mott, Emily Smedley and Tracey Cordes. The board of directors who worked tirelessly in planning and worked the evening of. St Johns NHS volunteers Aubrey and Anna. Thank you Litwiller’s Catering for another great meal. Meredith Reynolds and Michael Wyllys and Jessica you made the best decorations and gave the whole place a 50s feel.
Clinton-Gratiot Habitat for Humanity
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Appreciation for outstanding Child Advocacy Center partners. Pictured are most of our partners in Law Enforcement.
We appreciate our CAC Team!
The Voice for Clinton County’s Children
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Safety Considerations for Halloween Pet Costumes
courtesy of John Gilpatrick
Halloween is a great time to let loose, become someone (or something) else for a night, exercise creativity and just revel in some good fun.
For pets, however, Halloween can be quite an unnerving and stressful holiday. Everyone and everything around them looks different—stranger, scarier—and they don’t have the cultural context to grasp why. And that’s only getting into the human costumes.
Before you plan a matching costume with your pet, consider these possible Halloween pet safety hazards to see if their Halloween dog costume or cat costume is a good fit.
Stress
Trying to put dog costumes or cat costumes on your pet can sometimes amplify their stress and discomfort. Some pets might not think much of it, especially if the costume is lightweight, has only a few pieces and doesn’t obstruct the pet’s eyes, nose or mouth, says Dr. Ladan Mohammad-Zadeh, critical care specialist at DoveLewis Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Hospital in Portland, Oregon. Other pets may find it overwhelming and not tolerate the costume at all.
How can you know if a costume will ultimately stress out your pet? “If you’re not sure, test it out by putting a small T-shirt on them first,” Dr. Mohammad-Zadeh says. “You’ll know immediately by their body language.”
“Some signs that they are uncomfortable might include pawing at the costume, attempting to remove it, shaking their body vigorously, nervous running, cowering, constant scratching, pinned-back ears or a tucked tail.”
Another surefire way to know if a cat is stressed out by wearing a costume is if they freeze or fall over and don’t move at all.
Choking
Anything with a lot of buttons or bangles may be a hazard for your pet, says Dr. Erick Mears, a veterinarian with BluePearl Veterinary Partners. But that doesn’t just apply to your pet’s costume—be conscious of the accessories on your own Halloween costume as well. Small pieces that can break off and be swallowed pose a threat to pet safety.
“Any costume parts they ingest can be dangerous and cause intestinal obstruction or other issues,” says Dr. Mohammad-Zadeh. “If your dog swallows a part of the costume, call your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital to discuss whether your pet needs treatment. If your pet has trouble breathing or begins to vomit, seek medical care immediately.”
Limited Visibility
Pets can get spooked easily—not necessarily due to an especially frightening costume, but rather if they can’t see everything around them.
“This can lead to further stress or injuries, depending on your pet’s reaction,” Dr. Mohammad-Zadeh says. “Be careful with hats, wigs or any headgear that could fall down and cover your pet’s eyes.”
The Wrong Fit
“If you put your pet in a costume, make sure it’s loose-fitting and doesn’t restrict their movements,” Dr. Mears says. But if a dog costume or cat costume is too loose, you risk them getting entangled and tripping while they walk.
“The costume should be easy to slip on the pet and give the pet full mobility,” Dr. Mohammad-Zadeh says. “It should not be skintight. If your pet starts to show signs of shortened breath, heavy breathing or any other respiratory issues, remove the costume immediately.”
Pay especially close attention to the fit around the neck and chest areas. If breathing issues persist, seek veterinary care immediately.
Not Using a Leash
Just because Dorothy carried Toto in a little wicker basket doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep your Toto on his dog leash.
“Even the most tame, well-trained animal can get scared from all the hustle and bustle outdoors on Halloween,” Dr. Mohammad-Zadeh says. “If not on a leash, a frightened pet could easily escape, and their costume could get caught on trees, bushes or fences. Your pet may get stuck or seriously injured in the process.”
If your pet runs away, they could also be hit by a car, causing serious injuries.
Safe Pet Costume Ideas
Dog costumes or cat costumes that adhere to these pet safety guidelines should be safe for Halloween. Here are a few ideas to consider:
For a simple dog costume that is sure to entertain everyone, you can try the Pet Krewe big dog lion mane. This costume is minimal, so it will not make your pet feel restricted, and it is sure to put a smile on people’s faces.
For small dogs or cats, there is the Pet Krewe pirate dog and cat costume, which is great for pets who do not like full-body costumes. It only covers the front of your pet, but doesn’t compromise on being a great costume.
Before Halloween night, let your pet wear the costume around the house to get used to it. This will also let you know if the costume will irritate your pet’s skin or if your pet is allergic to the materials.