The Firefighters who fought the Fowler fire
courtesy photos
Students wow Legislators, Policymakers at Technology Showcase
Students from St. Johns Middle School and six other area schools were among the few in the state selected to bring cutting edge and innovative technology demonstrations from their classroom to lawmakers at the state Capitol Building.
Pictured (L-R): Nevaeh Toepler, MACUL President Steve Dickie, Kolby Stevens, AT&T Michigan President David Lewis, Austin Dailey, Lt. Governor Brian Calley, Christopher Kaufmann
The 18th annual AT&T/MACUL Student Technology Showcase took place on Wednesday, December 5 in the rotunda of the state Capitol Building.
Presented by the Michigan Association for Computer Users in Learning (MACUL), and underwritten by AT&T, the 2018 Student Technology Showcase featured demonstrations from students representing 39 different schools.
“The Student Technology Showcase is now in its 18th year, and this year’s student presentations are among the most impressive in decades,” said Mark Smith, MACUL executive director. “This community has every right to be proud of these students.”
Students displayed a wide variety of technology projects that blended science, mathematics, social studies and language arts with the latest digital tools. Their work featured app development, artificial intelligence demonstrations, coding, robotics, web design, and many other technology demonstrations.
Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
by Maralyn Fink
I stopped into Walgreen’s and found that it was Ugly Christmas Sweater day. So I snapped the employees that were showing off their sweaters.
What a great group of employees they have working there. There was a theme for each day of the week, bringing in the Christmas spirit for all to enjoy.
A Look Back – Santa’s Helpers
by Barry Clark Bauer
The outfits these bygone days Santa’s Helpers wore have evolved but the meaning is still the same. A popular gift back then was bags of candy, nuts and fruit.
This photo comes to us from 1936 during the heart of the Great Depression. The headline says that 450 St. Johns youngsters will receive Red Stockings. The charity was a project of St. Johns Rotarians.
Letters – Voice for Clinton County’s Children sends thanks and Habitat makes appeal
The Voice for Clinton County’s Children extends our gratitude and appreciation to all in our community who provide such care and generosity!
I often think thank you does not adequately capture the many ways your support is provided to our Child Advocacy Center (CAC) and CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Programs. Yes, the work we do is challenging but there are many rewards–a child’s truth that is heard and supported is a reward beyond measure–your support allows for children who have experienced abuse or neglect to have a voice.
We wish you and your family a wonderful Holiday Season and look forward to celebrating and honoring 5 years of service with you in 2019!
Thank you,
Kelly Schafer, Executive Director
The Voice for Clinton County’s Children
Thankful Tuesday for our friend’s at Nicole’s Salon and Day Spa for collecting hats and mittens for our children and families
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Before I came to Habitat, I was a working journalist with more than 20 years of experience. Most of that time was spent in small towns, places not terribly different from Saint Johns, DeWitt or most other communities in Clinton or Gratiot counties.
The work was always enjoyable, because the stories were about people. The Kiwanians who had faithfully put on an annual community chicken barbecue for more than 60 years, the high school football team that battled back from a 2-2 start to win a state title, the grievously wounded Army vet whose friends rallied around him to organize a benefit he and his family would never forget.
I’ve also covered a couple of Habitat home dedications, which are very special occasions. It’s the culmination of many hundreds of hours of work by everyone from the homeowner to a host of volunteers. Whether you prepared a meal or swung a hammer, you played just as large a role in helping that homeowner achieve their dream of safe, decent and affordable housing.
As 2018 winds down, Clinton-Gratiot Habitat for Humanity is planning for its next home build in St. Johns in the spring of 2019. As you consider how to allocate your hard-earned dollars toward donations, think about the impact even $25 could have. It may take a village to raise a child, as the old saying goes, but it also takes one to build a home.
To donate, click here: https://habitatclinton.networkforgood.com/projects/57646-2018-st-johns-build
Dawn Parker
Maralyn’s Pet Corner – 12 Holiday Gifts for Pets to Surprise Your Four-Legged Friends
courtesy of Teresa K. Traverse
Our pets are part of our families, and the holiday season is a great time to make them feel extra special. Refreshing your inventory of pet supplies is a great way to keep them happy, healthy and entertained.
Check out this list of 12 great gifts for pets for a fun holiday surprise for your beloved furry family members.
Frisco Cat Tree With Hammock
The Frisco 78-inch cat tree with hammock makes a great cat gift that keeps on giving. Your cat will be entertained for hours climbing up and around the tree, using the cat scratching posts and taking relaxing catnaps in the hammock.
This extra-large cat tree is perfect for an energetic cat or multi-cat families. With ten different sisal-wrapped scratching posts and three dangling cat toys, your furry felines will never run out of activities.
Katris Mix and Match Block Cat Scratchers
Katris has turned cat scratchers into fun and stylish home decor. Their cardboard cat scratchers come in a variety of geometric shapes so you can mix and match them to fit your home and create your own custom cat scratcher design.
These heavy-duty cardboard scratchers come with securing clips so they can be anchored to a wall or stacked on the ground. They can be combined to form a cat tree, a climbing tower or even a condo furniture system. Each sturdy scratcher is designed to hold up to 300 pounds, so they are great for multi-cat homes.
They even include five bags of catnip to help entice your kitty to play!
Greenies Feline Catnip Flavor Dental Cat Treats
Cat dental care is an important part of your kitty’s overall health. If you are looking for a tasty way to include dental care in your cat’s daily routine, Greenies feline catnip flavor dental cat treats are a great option. These cat dental treats use a unique shape and delicious crunch to help scrape away plaque and tartar as your feline chews.
They’re made with chicken meal as the first ingredient, and they include dried catnip to create a tasty flavor that cats will love. And at just over one calorie per treat, they make the perfect morning, afternoon or nighttime cat treat.
Greenies dental cat treats are also certified by the Veterinary Oral Health Council (VOHC)—the gold standard in the veterinary dentistry industry.
Pet Zone Caged Canary Interactive Cat Toy
When it comes to cat gifts, you can never go wrong with a new cat toy. For cats with strong hunting instincts, the Pet Zone caged canary interactive cat toy will make a great holiday surprise.
The canary toy inside moves, chirps and flutters like a real bird, so it is sure to get your kitty’s attention and keep her mentally stimulated. The wobbling base helps to keep your cat engaged and keeps playtime going.
ViviPet Mykonos Elevated Cat Feeder
Are you looking to upgrade your cat’s feeding arrangements? It might be time to try a raised cat bowl. The ViviPet Mykonos elevated cat feeder has been thoughtfully designed to help create a stylish and functional cat bowl for mealtime.
This elevated cat feeder has two removable, shallow ceramic bowls that are set at an angle to help reduce whisker stress. The square side compartment has been included to house cat toys or pet grass to create an all-in-one pet bowl.
To make this durable cat feeder even better, the bowls are microwaveable and dishwasher-friendly.
iFetch Mini Automatic Ball Launcher Dog Toy
If you’re searching for the perfect dog gift, you’ll need a present that will provide your pet with endless entertainment and exercise.
The iFetch mini automatic ball launcher dog toy will help keep your dog entertained and active while you’re away. With this dog electronic toy, you can set a launching distance of 10, 20 or 30 feet, drop a ball inside the machine, and let your dog play.
And with some training, you can even teach your pup to drop the ball inside so he can play until his little heart is content.
GoughNuts TuG Dog Toy
The GoughNuts TuG dog toy has a figure-eight design crafted out of natural rubber that is sure to elevate you and your pup’s tug-of-war playtime. The two handles make it an ideal toy for tugging—your dog can grab ahold of one ring while you safely hold other side.
This dog toy is a great option for a holiday gift because it is meant for interactive play with your canine companion. Not only does he get a new toy, but he also gets to spend some quality playtime with his favorite human.
USA Bones and Chews Jumbo Bully Stick Dog Treats
If you have a dog that loves to chew, try an edible gift that keeps them preoccupied while engaging in their favorite activity. Bully sticks are functional dog gifts that promote safe and productive chewing habits.
The USA Bones & Chews jumbo bully stick is a great option for dogs of any size and is sure to be a hit this holiday season. The 100-percent digestible and extra-thick size will provide your pup with an engaging and challenging chewing experience.
Besides relieving your dog of boredom, these bully sticks can also help clean your dog’s teeth by scraping at plaque and tartar as they chew.
Each batch is sourced in the United States and free of chemicals, bleach and formaldehyde.
Petcube Play Wi-Fi Pet Camera
If you like to keep an eye on your pet while you are at work or out running errands, why not consider a pet camera? These digital lifesavers allow you to make sure your pet isn’t up to no good while you aren’t home, so that you can have peace of mind knowing your furry family member is safe.
The Petcube Play Wi-Fi pet camera syncs to your phone and gives you the opportunity to talk to your pet when you’re away. It also has a night vision feature so you can see and check in on your pet at night. You can even “play” with your pet using the built-in laser toy that you can use in real time or during a scheduled play time.
Frisco Orthopedic Textured Plush Bolster Sofa Dog Bed
If you have a senior pet or a one that simply loves their nap time, then perhaps a new pet bed is the perfect holiday pet gift. The Frisco orthopedic textured plush sofa dog bed is super comfortable and is sure to create the optimal sleeping spot for your furry family member.
The shredded foam filling provides your pet with cushioned support, while the three bolstered edges give your pet the perfect place to rest their head. The bed cover is also removable and machine-washable, so you can keep their new favorite sleeping spot clean and smelling fresh year-round.
PureBites Chicken Breast Freeze-Dried Dog Treats
Dog treats are always a welcome surprise for our canine companions. PureBites chicken breast freeze-dried dog treats would make a healthy holiday dog gift for your canine companion.
These PureBites dog treats feature just one ingredient—chicken breast. This makes them great dog treats for dogs that may have food sensitivities or a sensitive stomach.
They are made using a freeze-drying process that removes the water but preserves the aroma, flavor, texture and freshness. They’re also high in protein but low in calories, at just three per treat, making these good treats for dogs on a diet or for dog training sessions.
PetSafe FroliCat Dart Interactive Automatic Rotating Laser Pet Toy
If you are looking for an engaging cat interactive toy that will get your kitty up and active, the PetSafe FroliCat DART interactive rotating laser pet toy will make a great cat gift.
This automatic laser cat toy will keep your cat guessing and pouncing with its 360-degree laser patterns, four speeds and 16 engaging play combinations. It also has an adjustable timer so you can set your kitty up for a future playtime and have it turn off on its own when the play session is complete.
Just remember to keep some cat treats on hand as a reward for their hard work and hunting prowess!