Features – The St. Johns Independent

Lions Club Recycling Center reopens
by Maralyn Fink

The St. Johns Lions Club Recycling Center reopened on April 20 with limited hours 7 a.m. to noon, Monday through Friday only.

People will be asked to put materials into the baler themselves. They are asking for everyone’s cooperation to get through this change.

Someone will be there to tell you what needs to be done. Please be considerate of others and keep practicing social distancing. Some of us need more practice, but we’re working on it..

Quick Sheet For Older Adults and People With Higher Risk of Serious Illness.

Certain people are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) including:
• Older adults, and
• People with serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, lung disease, and people with compromised immune systems.

People at high risk for COVID-19 should pay attention for symptoms including fever, cough, and shortness of breath. If you feel you are developing symptoms, or have other symptoms that are severe or concerning, contact your medical
provider.

Take action to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.
• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and warm water are not available, use an alcohol-based sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid close contact (within about 6 feet) with people who are sick.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing.
• Routinely clean frequently touched surfaces (for example: tables, doorknobs, light switches, handles, desks, toilets, faucets, sinks, and cell phones.)

If COVID-19 is spreading in your community, take extra precaution.Reduce your risk of exposure by placing
distance (at least 6 feet) between yourself and others.
• Stay home as much as possible and avoid non-essential travel.
• Consider ways of getting food brought to your house by family or community networks.
• Avoid crowds, especially in poorly ventilated spaces.
• Avoid touching high-touch surfaces in public spaces (for example handrails and elevator buttons).

Have a plan for if you get sick.
• Work with your healthcare provider on any issues related to your health.
• Stay in touch with others by phone or email. You may need to ask for help from friends, family, neighbors, or community health workers if you become sick.
• Determine who can provide you with care if your caregiver gets sick.

Stock up on supplies and medications.
• Consider using a mail-order pharmacy to get routine prescriptions.
• Have extra over the counter medicines and medical supplies on hand.
• Have enough cleaning supplies and foodto last an extended period of time.

Remember when? – Oakland Place: A History of the House and its Owners
by Rhonda Dedyne

The impressive brick Colonial Revival home located at 506 South Oakland Street in St. Johns has been a landmark and showplace in the community for more than a century. It has undergone many modifications during the years – and survived a major fire – but the house and its owners continue to link the present and future of St. Johns with its past.

General Oliver L. Spaulding, an early lawyer in the fledgling village of St. Johns, built the original home in 1861, prior to his departure for battle. He returned from the U.S. Civil War in 1865 as a decorated officer, and went on to serve his country in various capacities, most prominently as the Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Treasury. Gen. Spaulding and his wife, Mary, enlarged and remodeled their home on Oakland Street in the early 1880s. The house was also veneered with brick at this time. The home and its landscaped grounds occupied the entire block.

In the early 1900s, the property was acquired by Charles T. Babcock, and his wife, Mary. Charles was the son of Marvin Babcock, Esq., who was the owner of a retail jewelry business and an early resident of St. Johns. Charles, a U.S. Government Indian Agent, prospered as a trader and investor in the Indian Territories. The Babcock’s remodeled and enlarged the home a second time about 1911.

They were prominent residents in St. Johns, and used the “Babcock Mansion” to entertain guests in the third-floor ballroom. Mary Babcock is responsible for the application of pastel frescoes as part of the decorative plaster in the music and library rooms on the main floor of the home. It was probably during this time period that the tennis courts were built on the property, which still encompassed the entire city block.

Charles Babcock passed away in 1926, and the following year the home and property was purchased by Ralph Ballantine and his wife, Beulah. The couple and their four children, Ralph Jr., Bobby, Betty, and Joan, lived here – in what the Ballantine children called “the Big House” – until 1940. During that time period, the home was filled with the sounds of children’s laughter. Bobby Ballantine Spicer has many memories of growing up in the Big House, including roller-skating in the ballroom, and playing on the landscaped grounds that still occupied the entire block. Beulah’s father, Reuben (Charles) Sowle, also lived with the family.

When the Ballentine family relocated in 1940, the house stood empty until 1945 when Dr. R. E. Benson, an osteopathic physician and surgeon, bought the home. It was during this time period that Oakland Place underwent a significant change. The Bensons divided the second floor into two, separate apartments.

Original tenants in the apartments were the Donald Strouse family and the Enoch “Ink” White family. Ink White, owner and publisher of the award-winning Clinton County Republican News for many years, lived in the apartment when he first purchased the newspaper and moved to St. Johns in 1945. He and his family later moved one block north on Oakland Street, occupying the home on the corner of Park and Oakland streets until his death in 1995. It was also during this time that portions of the property were sold. The Bensons sold lots on Buchanan Street, and constructed a home for themselves on Wight Street where they moved after selling the brick colonial to Tony and Agnes Kuntz in 1950.

The house quickly became known as the “Kuntz Home” after it was purchased by the community-minded Kuntzes. Tony and Agnes raised their six children here – building even more memories for a new generation of St. Johns youth who had occasion to visit at the Kuntz Home. Today’s first-floor guest room at Oakland Place is fittingly called the “Kuntz Room” – it is the only bedroom Agnes slept in during the 43 years that she lived here. It was during the time that the Kuntz family owned the home that additional remodeling was completed, resulting in a third apartment being incorporated into the second-floor layout. Agnes continued to live in the home after Tony’s death in 1979.

In November1992 the house itself was nearly reduced to nothing more than a page in the city’s history. Fire that was ignited accidentally by a workman’s paint-removing equipment roared through the old timbers. The entire third floor was destroyed before firefighters could bring the blaze under control, and the remainder of the building sustained heavy smoke and water damage. Residents from across the community gathered in front of the landmark structure throughout the afternoon and evening hours – many tears were shed as the roof caved in and it appeared that a part of St. Johns would be lost forever. Fortunately, Agnes was not home at the time the fire started, and tenants in the apartments were able to be evacuated without injury.

One of the people most affected was Mark Barber, a lifelong St. Johns resident who lived directly across the street from the Kuntz Home. An advocate of historic restoration, Barber helped in the clean-up of the building in the days following the fire, and later, approached the Kuntz family with an offer to purchase the property. After the sale of the property was completed, Barber and a crew of helpers worked quickly to construct a temporary roof over the building in an effort to provide a degree of shelter for the interior structure during the winter months.

Beginning April 17, 1993, Barber and a host of skilled tradespersons took up the challenge of restoring the building to the 1911 design of the Babcock family. Barber contracted with historic building specialists Wigen, Tinknell & Meyer Associates of Saginaw, who took measurements so that the building could be duplicated exactly – including rebuilding the entire third floor.

More than a year later in May1994, Oakland Place Bed and Breakfast welcomed its first guests. The restoration project included a total of 4.5 miles of copper pipe and 13 miles of copper wire; five boilers and a massive 25-ton air conditioning unit; more than 250 gallons of paint, 150 rolls of wallpaper in the main hallway alone, and 2,200 square-feet of wood flooring in the hallways and kitchen.

Attention to historic detail is evident in the six guest rooms, each of which bears the name of one of the original owners; Barber turned the third floor into private quarters. The blend of classic, traditional style and modern conveniences in each room includes individually controlled heating and air conditioning, private telephone lines, cable TV with VCR, private baths with whirlpool tub and walk-in shower units.

From its awesome 35-foot-tall twin white columns that grace the front entry, to the wrap-around porches and upper-level balconies, to the driveway by the side portico, Oakland Place today stands ready to greet its visitors – just as it has for the past 125 years.

A labor of love

Fire-damaged historic home becomes bed, breakfast

Not only has the impressive Colonial Revival home located on South Oakland Street in this mid-Michigan community been a showplace for more than a century, the building literally rose from its own ashes to assume its current form of Oakland Place Bed and Breakfast.

Built in 1861 by Civil War Gen. Oliver Spaulding, the 29-room structure was ravaged by fire in November 1992. The entire third floor was demolished and the remainder of the building was heavily damaged.

Many area residents feared the historic structure would have to be razed, leaving a void in both the landscape – and soul – of the community.

“I remember crying that day,” says St. Johns native Joann Martis, who is a former director of the St. Johns Area Chamber of Commerce. Fortunately another lifelong resident and historic restoration advocate had a vision of what the building could become.

Mark Barber purchased the property several weeks after the blaze and began the arduous task of rebuilding.
“We took measurements and tried to duplicate the building exactly,” Barber says of the extensive project that was completed in May 1994.

“The work just seemed to go on and on, but it was worth it. We’ve taken a piece of St. Johns’ history that would have been lost and preserved it.”

The restoration project included a total of 4.5 miles of copper pipe and 13 miles of copper wire; five boilers and a massive 25-ton air conditioning unit; more than 250 gallons of paint, 150 rolls of wallpaper in the main hallway alone, and 2,200 square-feet of wood flooring in the hallways and kitchen.

Attention to historic detail is evident in the six guest rooms, each of which bears the name of one of the home’s owners during its long history. The blend of classic style with modern conveniences in each room includes individually controlled heating and air conditioning, private telephone lines, cable TV with VCR, private baths with whirlpool tub and walk-in shower units.

Mark Barber with Rep. Mike Rogers at the grand opening

While Barber and his partner, Terry Theriac, enjoy entertaining visitors from around the globe at Oakland Place, they did recreate a piece of history for themselves as well. The former third-floor ballroom that was destroyed was rebuilt as Barber’s 1,750 square-foot private living quarters, complete with 12-foot ceilings and skylights.
A focal point of the rooms is Barber’s father’s 1913 Old Town canvas canoe – which hangs suspended from the living room ceiling.

“My father said he took that canoe down every river in Michigan,” Barber says with a laugh.

Cherry and mahogany wood trim is featured throughout the hallways and downstairs rooms, highlighted by contrasting solid oak floors that are scattered with majestic Oriental floor-coverings. Guests can enjoy books from the collection of classic volumes housed in cherry bookcases in the study, and sink into burgundy leather chairs near a fireplace with original, iridescent Pewobic tile.

A 10-foot mahogany table holds center stage in an adjacent room which can be used for small group meetings. The room is equipped with a fax machine, TV-VCR, and overhead projector. A set of 12-foot, beveled-glass, sliding pocket-doors offer privacy for both sets of rooms.

Breakfast is a memorable experience in the dining room that provides a view of the north lawn through the wall-length window, flanked by built-in china cabinets filled with antique pink depression glass and “flower fairy” plates. The hand-painted plates bring the poems of Cicely Mary Barker to life.

Navy and burgundy wallcovering in a plum pattern helps highlight the mahogany sideboard and trim, along with another Pewobic tile fireplace.

Completing the main floor public rooms is a bright, airy sunroom located at the west end of the house, overlooking the backyard.

An Italian marble fireplace in the main floor hallway is adjacent to the open stairway that leads to the guest rooms. Each room is uniquely furnished, beginning with the master suite named for the home’s first owner, Gen. Spaulding, that features a king-size bed with detailed cherry-panel headboard.

Other rooms offer private balconies, and unique decorative touches like the antique armoire that hides the TV-VCR in the Benson Room, or the nautical theme in the Ballentine Room with its brightly polished brass bed.

In addition to overnight guests, Oakland Place is available for private parties and small receptions, as well as for business meetings and group conferences.

Published in “Michigan Vacation,” 1998; written by Rhonda Dedyne

Letter – Stay Home’s effect on children

As we work hard to Stay Home, Stay Safe, juggling work, and living our lives there are many tasks on all of our radars. One of mine has always been the kiddos we serve and the kiddos we have not yet met.

Closer to my home is my perfect 3 year old granddaugher. I have a million pictures I’m happy to share anytime and countelss stories. A recent interaction with her stands out during these unsettled times because one thing on our radar is what are kiddos absorbing about our changed world?

With her parents being essentail workers, my (mostly) remote work place and her daycare closed, we are lucky to be able to help care for her. Her parents are not in a position of making difficult alternative daycare choices.

Recently I was doing a grocery pick up and she rode along with me as she is a little stir-crazy sometimes, too. We took the ‘scenic’ route through St. Johns (we only live about five minutes from St. Johns) on a day the weather was quite nice. She kept saying things like look there’s a girl, there’s some boys, who’s that, see the yellow flowers, more flowers, there’s a dog, there’s another dog! While parked at the store, she pointed to the truck parked next to us, both of us were in our vehicles and had windows open, and said, “Grammie I hope that guy doesn’t get all our food.” He smiled and laughed.. While the kind store worker put things the back of my SUV, she twisted in her car seat and yelled (like little 3 year old girl high pitch yell), “THANK YOU!” everytime new bags were added. When heading for home, I let her know I’d put up her window and to watch her little fingers. She said, “No, Grammie , I need to see people.”

That really struck me. Even at her young age of 3, she feels this.

Since that quick trip I even more so guard what I say in her earshot and keep her away from the news on TV. I would do anything in the world to protect her, but not I or any other of her adults can protect her from our changed world.

I challenge all adults to be aware and mindful of your words and how much news they view in front of your littles. They are unsettled, too.

We wish you and your family peace and health! PLEASE Stay Home and Stay Safe!

Kelly L. Schafer, Executive Director
The Voice for Clinton County’s Children

Maralyn’s Pet Corner – Dog Microchip FAQ

Pet microchips save lives.

A microchip provides permanent identification for your pet that links them to you, no matter where they end up. If your dog is lost, any shelter or veterinarian can scan your pet’s microchip to find out your contact information so they can reunite you as soon as possible.

Here are some common questions and answers about microchips for dogs.
Microchip FAQs

How Do Pet Microchips Work?

Microchips are tiny implants about the size of a grain of rice that are placed under your dog’s skin.

The microchip contains a unique identification number that becomes your dog’s permanent ID. Once the chip has been implanted in your dog, it will link your contact information to your pet.

All veterinary clinics and animal shelters have handheld scanners that can detect your dog’s microchip, read the number, and identify the associated microchip company.

After scanning your dog, the vet or shelter can contact the microchip company. The microchip number is verified, and your contact information is given to the vet.

It’s crucial that once you microchip your pet, you go to the microchip company’s website and enter your contact info right away. You can also do this over the phone, and your vet will provide the phone number or website.
How Big Is the Needle?

The size of the microchip needle depends on the microchip company. For dogs and cats, most microchip needles are very small and are 12 gauge to 15 gauge.
How Are Pet Microchips Implanted?

Microchips are implanted the same way a vaccine or shot is administered. A needle punctures the skin, and a syringe with an embedded microchip is inserted.

The microchip is then scanned to ensure appropriate administration of the microchip.
Where Are They Implanted?

For dogs, the microchip is implanted under the skin, in between the shoulder blades.
Can You Feel a Microchip Under the Skin?

The microchip can occasionally be felt in animals with thin skin or poor body condition.

Is Pet Microchipping Painful?

Microchipping is not painful. It takes seconds to administer a microchip.
Can It Cause Side Effects?

Millions of microchips are implanted every year, and the side effects reported are minimal. Overall, research has demonstrated that the benefit of a microchip greatly outweighs the risk of any side effect.

That said, reported side effects can range from minor problems such as tenderness at the site of injection for 24 hours to major problems such as abscess formation or tumor encapsulation.
How Much Does It Cost?

A microchip can range in price from $15 to $50.

Can You Track a Pet With a Microchip?

Microchips do not have any tracking capabilities like GPS.

Microchips use RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) technology that enables a scanner to emit an electrical field to activate the microchip.

Once the microchip is activated by the scanner, the scanner displays the permanent ID number associated with the microchip.

Do Pet Microchips Need Batteries?

Microchips do not need batteries. They are implants that emit a radio frequency when activated by a scanner.
What Kind of Animals Can Be Microchipped?

All animals can be microchipped. However, the most common species regularly microchipped are dogs, cats, birds, and horses.

How Do I Connect My Information to the Microchip Number?

Once your pet is microchipped, you will be informed of the microchip permanent ID number and its associated microchip company.

You should then contact the microchip company via website or phone to register your pet’s new microchip with your contact information.

Keeping up-to-date contact information with your associated microchip company is very important. If your information is outdated in the company’s database, then it will be even more difficult for a veterinarian or shelter to track you down to return your dog to you.

How Long Does a Microchip Last?

Microchips last for the duration of an animal’s lifetime.