EMT supporting St. Johns cheese plant honored
State Rep. Graham Filler presented an official state tribute to Susan Payne, an EMT with CORE Safety Group, LLC, which has been working with Shambaugh & Son, L.P. to provide services to MWC.
“Susan has been an inspiration to our community during this time,” Filler said. “Despite the challenges that come with being an EMT during a global pandemic, Susan has gone above and beyond to ensure the health of those on the job site and keep everyone safe during the course of their duties. My hope is that she’ll always remember this document as a symbol of appreciation from our grateful community.”
MMDHD COVID-19 report
Mid-Michigan District Health Department is reporting the following COVID-19 positive cases and deaths as of June 11, 2020:
Clinton County: 145 cases and 11 deaths
Gratiot County: 80 cases and 11 deaths
Montcalm County: 74 cases and 1 death
For additional data, please visit the website: https://www.mmdhd.org/.
Doing business at the courthouse?
Are you ready to do business at the Clinton County Courthouse?
Here is some information you need to know before you make the trip.
www.clinton-county.org/693/COVID-19-Information
Spring Clean up is now Fall Clean up
Spring Clean-up is now Fall Clean-U. Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 19.
The same rules will apply as in the past. Watch for more information in the upcoming weeks.
Tri-County Office on Aging to Offer Online Workshops
The Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA) has promoted the independence and dignity of older adults for more than 45 years as the Area Agency on Aging for Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham Counties. TCOA’s priority is to keep all volunteers, staff, clients, and program participants safe while continuing to provide a variety of services such as information and assistance, coordination of in-home supports, and health and wellness workshops. TCOA generally offers five evidence-based programs to meet the needs of older adults, their families and caregivers. The agency is pleased to announce the availability of online workshops for three of its most popular programs.
The five programs usually offered are: Diabetes PATH (Personal Action Toward Health,) Chronic Pain PATH, A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns about Falls, Powerful Tools for Caregivers and Creating Confident Caregivers®. All programs are provided at no cost to the participant, have trained facilitators, and come with the materials needed to participate. Under Michigan’s Stay Home Stay Safe order, and in following advice from public health officials who recommend that people avoid group settings (especially older adults and individuals with chronic health conditions), TCOA temporarily suspended in-person evidence-based programs in mid-March. TCOA’s capable and resilient staff were able to shift Diabetes PATH and Powerful Tools for Caregivers workshops to an online format in order to complete the remaining sessions. New sessions of both, plus an added Chronic Pain PATH workshop are now launching for a 100% remote format. All sessions include a pre-workshop orientation to help participants become familiar with the workshop expectations and gain familiarity with the online format.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers is an interactive workshop designed to help family caregivers take better care of themselves while caring for a family member or friend. This program will give the family caregiver tools to help reduce stress and guilt, communicate effectively, take care of yourself, and much more! This program is not intended for professional caregivers. The session will run on Wednesdays beginning June 17 through July 22, 2020 from 2:30 – 4:00 pm. The Pre-workshop Zoom orientation will be held Wednesday, June 10 at 2:30 pm.
Chronic Pain PATH is designed for individuals with chronic pain. In this virtual workshop, participants are taught effective tools to better self-manage their condition and its impact on their life. A variety of topics are addressed, including fatigue management, dealing with difficult emotions, and pacing & planning. It also includes the Moving Easy Program: safe exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance. The session will run on Wednesdays beginning June 10 through July 15, 2020 from 10:00 am – 12 noon. The Pre-workshop Zoom orientation will be held Wednesday, June 3 at 10:00 am.
Diabetes PATH is designed for people with diabetes or pre-diabetes. The workshop includes diabetes education in an interactive style. Participants are taught effective tools to better self-manage their condition and its impact on their life. The session will run on Mondays beginning July 13 through August 17, 2020 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm. The pre-workshop Zoom orientation will be held Monday, July 6 at 1:00 pm.
From a participant who started a Diabetes PATH workshop in person and completed the workshop remotely, “Given the COVID-19 pandemic, I am impressed at the decision to carry on telephonically. The course content remained valid and the slower pace of working from home proved beneficial to applying the principles discussed. More often than not I found myself mindful of my actions and behaviors which improved my blood sugar levels and fell an average of 25 points.” From a Powerful tools participant who transitioned online, “I can’t imagine making the class any better! The leaders were incredible in their gentle yet ‘real’ way of presenting and listening. To find ways to continue our class during the pandemic is remarkable. The class was a ‘calm’ in the storm—especially as we went into quarantine.”
Notes TCOA Executive Director Marion Owen, “I have been proud of all of our staff for their hard work and commitment to meeting the needs of our clients and their families. Christine (Histed) has been proactive and is a leader among her peers in helping to restart these workshops because we know how valuable they are to the participants.”
To register, call Tri-County Office on Aging at 517-887-1465. If you have questions about the workshops, please contact Christine Histed, RD, Evidence-based Programs Manager, at 517-887-1450.
Take precautions to avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes
Michiganders have been cooped up indoors since mid-March, so now that the warmer weather is here, we’re all more than ready to head outside for a little fun in the sun. In addition to applying sunscreen to protect our skin from harmful rays, it’s also important to take steps to prevent getting bitten by mosquitoes.
Mosquitoes are known carriers of West Nile Virus (WNV), a disease that is transmitted through the bite of a mosquito that has picked up the virus by feeding on an infected bird.
Most people who contract WNV have no symptoms, but some may become ill three to 15 days after being bitten by an infected mosquito. Symptoms of West Nile virus can include high fever, confusion, muscle weakness, stiff neck and a severe headache. More serious complications include meningitis (inflammation of the spinal cord and brain linings) and encephalitis (inflammation of the brain). These diseases usually require hospitalization, can be life threatening, and even fatal.
One of the best ways you can protect yourself and your family is to apply an insect repellant, especially between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active and most likely to bite. with DEET, Picaridin, IR3535, oil of lemon eucalyptus or para-menthane-diol or 2-undercanone (following manufacturer’s directions). Don’t use repellent on children under two months old. Instead, dress your child in clothing that covers arms and legs and cover the crib, stroller and baby carrier with mosquito netting.
Additional precautions include:
– Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and socks when heading outside.
– Treat clothing with repellent.
– Make sure doors and windows have tight-fitting screens and repair those with tears or openings.
– Empty water once a week from mosquito breeding sites such as bird baths, buckets, unused wading pools and old tires.
Additional information can be found at www.cdc.gov/westnile. Visit Michigan.gov/emergingdiseases for information about current WNV activity in Michigan, including a summary of where WNV infection has been detected in mosquitoes, animals and people.
His Cup Runneth Over is back
Tuesday was a great first day of the 2020 season. His Cup Runneth Over serve 98 bowls of soup.
Spread the word that free meals are served on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at First Congregational Church, St. Johns.
Drive up and we’ll bring your meals out to you. If you need delivery call or text 517-388-2005 or 989-544-5764 by 11 a.m.
Area college students recognized
Spring Arbor University Announces Spring Graduates
DeWitt, MI
Rebekah Ruth Acker, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and English , Summa Cum Laude
Amanda Ward, Bachelor of Arts in Youth Ministry, Cum Laude
Julie Wethy, Master of Arts in Reading
Adam J. Zarotney, Bachelor of Arts in Social Studies Compreh, Cum Laude
Eagle, MI
Carlyn Ross, Master of Arts in Education
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Huntingdon College Student Inducted into Honor Societies in Montgomery, Alabama
Abigail Schuelke, Saint Johns was inducted into Alpha Beta. Alpha Beta is an honor society for upper-class students honoring excellence in scholarship and encouraging scholastic attainment.