{"id":16098,"date":"2022-06-16T20:57:01","date_gmt":"2022-06-17T00:57:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/?p=16098"},"modified":"2022-06-16T20:57:01","modified_gmt":"2022-06-17T00:57:01","slug":"features-223","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=16098","title":{"rendered":"Features"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>More First Responders Mural photos<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8sf-ldP8LL0\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>2022 Soap Box Derby<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/319-HeZtuhY\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Harbor Springs Police Chief rewards students<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/kyleknight.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"344\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16102\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A Harbor Springs 1st grader joined Chief Kyle Knight at Johan\u2019s for the last PBIS of the school year. Students earn tickets for good behavior, and each month one student is selected for a ride to school with Chief Knight. They stop at Johan\u2019s for a delicious donut on the way to school.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Remember When<\/strong> &#8211; 2013 Mint Queen and Court to reign<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/mintcourt2013.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"402\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-16103\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A new queen was crowned at the 2013 Mint Festival Pageant on Tuesday July 30, 2013 and she is Alyssa Mee.<\/p>\n<p>Alyssa will be accompanied by her 1st Runner Up Paige Hufnagel, 2nd Runner Up Kaylee Bauman, Junior Miss Mint Alyssa Thompson and Little Miss Mint Audrey Rademacher.<\/p>\n<p>The Queen, Junior and Little Miss Mint will participate in approximately 15 parades over the next year, and all of the girls will participate in another 5-10 Clinton County Chamber of Commerce activities and other community events.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Letters &#8211; Reader writes about unrest in the SJPD<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>My name is Dana Worrall and I live in St. Johns. I would like make a statement:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/06\/sjpdlogo.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"250\" height=\"250\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-16108\" \/>My husband has been a law enforcement officer for over 20 years and has served this community for over 13 of those years. He was a sergeant for a number of those years but being the type of person he is he knew he had no desire to go any further and it wasn\u2019t fair to hold anyone back that wanted to further their career.<\/p>\n<p>When he made that decision and advised Chief Knight of this decision Chief Knight was impressed by his selflessness and his admiration for this community. But before Chief would let him make the final decision Chief called me one evening just to be sure I was comfortable with the decision.<\/p>\n<p>You may ask why I bring this up. I feel it\u2019s important to provide a background of what use to be and now what is. See I\u2019m an outsider too I wasn\u2019t born and\/or raised in this community and the men and women from the department took me in as family but most importantly as a friend. We have been through divorces, marriages, new babies, death of loved ones, and all the in between together. We supported each other regardless of your job title.<\/p>\n<p>Within a month of Mr. Kirk becoming a chief the department was advised that it\u2019s not a family, and from that point forward everything changed. No one likes change, but you take it for what it is and go on, and that\u2019s what everyone seemed to do. Go on. Long time employees left because of the work environment, but through those departures not a single person came to City leadership to complain; they simply went on with their lives.<\/p>\n<p>Now look at what this department has become. The last two months of living in this community has been hell. As a spouse and member of the community I cannot go to the store without being questioned about what\u2019s going on. I\u2019ve had to address countless rumors regarding the chief&#8217;s leave. From him being sick, he had resigned, employees are just \u2018whining\u2019 because he\u2019s an outsider, they don\u2019t want to follow policy and procedures, the list goes on and on.<\/p>\n<p>But the truth of the matter is none of those things are true. The City asked the employees to voice their thoughts and concerns, so they did. You may wonder why you didn\u2019t receive responses from all of the employees, but I think the current situation says it all. Maybe it\u2019s hard to see the big picture when you\u2019re not directly involved, so let me provide some insight. What has been done to these employees over the last two months has been shameful.<\/p>\n<p>It doesn\u2019t just affect their work, but it also affects their families and home life. The families of these employees have given up so much over the years &#8211; missed birthdays, holidays, family dinners, children\u2019s sporting events &#8211; all of the things each and everyone of you take for granted, we have given up supporting our loved ones career. But the question now becomes for what? To hear comments from the community that the department is filled with \u2018rumors\u2019, \u2018whining\u2019, \u2018they don\u2019t want to follow policies and procedures\u2019.<\/p>\n<p>My husband has built his career on following policies and procedures, and you can ask anyone of his former supervisors and they\u2019ll tell you he is one of the most rule abiding people you\u2019ll ever meet, and I feel confident enough to make this statement for the rest of the individuals. They have not gotten where they are from not following policies and procedures.<\/p>\n<p>I end with this. The lack of support, follow through, respect and care that has been provided to the employees by City leadership is unacceptable. You have essentially said that if they don\u2019t like it, leave. What that really sounds like is our families need to make a choice. Do we provide for our family and continue to let our loved ones work in an environment that is filled with tension from the inside because the job isn\u2019t difficult already or do we stand up for what we believe in and walk away from a community and department we have dedicated our lives to?<\/p>\n<p>&#8211; Dana Worrall<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Maralyn&#8217;s Pet Corner <\/strong>&#8211; 8 Surprising Ways to Say \u201cI Love You\u201d in Cat Language<br \/>\ncourtesy of Jackie Lam<\/p>\n<p>Most cat lovers don\u2019t need to be told that a steady supply of cuddles and cat treats will keep their feline friends happy. But what are some methods to show your cat signs of affection that go a little deeper? By learning more about innate cat behavior, you can enhance the bond you share. Here are eight fun ways to show your cat love\u2014in cat language.<\/p>\n<p><em>1. Gaze Softly Into Your Cat\u2019s Eyes<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Did you know that you can show your cat affection simply by looking at her? It just takes some finesse. \u201cWhen you look at your cat, always use a soft gaze and never a hard stare,\u201d says Pam Johnson-Bennett, CCBC, and best-selling author of \u201cCatWise.\u201d \u201cIn the animal world, a direct stare is viewed as a threat.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you really want to amp up the affection factor,\u201d Johnson-Bennett adds, \u201coffer a slow eye blink as well.\u201d In cat language, blinking slowly signals that you\u2019re relaxed and mean no harm. If your cat feels the love, too, she might blink back. \u201cThis is commonly referred to as a cat kiss,\u201d Johnson-Bennett says.<\/p>\n<p><em>2. Respect Petting Preferences<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Has your cat ever come to you for cuddles, only to wriggle out of your arms seconds later? If so, you may need to modify your petting style. \u201cThe cat\u2019s body is very sensitive, and when you stroke certain areas, you want to get a positive reaction and not a defensive one,\u201d Johnson-Bennett says. For instance, some cats enjoy a good chin-scratching, but others prefer long strokes from head to toe. \u201cObserve how your cat reacts when you stroke various areas of the body so you\u2019ll know what creates a calm, enjoyable reaction,\u201d says Johnson-Bennett.<\/p>\n<p>And while many cat lovers could probably pet kitties for hours on end, it\u2019s important to know when to stop. \u201cYou always want to end the session on a positive note,\u201d Johnson-Bennett says, \u201cso watch for signals that kitty is getting tired of the physical contact.\u201d Learning how your cat communicates with their body can help you figure out when your cat is ready for their petting session to end.<\/p>\n<p><em>3. Enrich Your Cat\u2019s Environment<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Cats spend a lot of time at home, so it\u2019s essential that their environment be a safe and stimulating one. \u201cAll the hugging, petting, toys, sweet talk and other forms of affection won&#8217;t matter if the cat doesn&#8217;t feel safe or is stressed,\u201d says Johnson-Bennett. Make sure your cat feels secure and has convenient access to resources like food, water and a cat litter box. \u201cIt doesn&#8217;t take much to tweak the environment to be more cat-friendly,\u201d Johnson-Bennett says. \u201cIt just takes looking at things from the cat&#8217;s point of view.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>There are many more ways to enrich your cat\u2019s environment beyond the basics. Mikel Delgado, a certified applied animal behaviorist and co-founder of Feline Minds, recommends items like cat scratchers, window perches and cat trees, which help cats feel safer and let them watch over their territory. She also can\u2019t overstate the value of a heated bed. \u201cAll cats enjoy being warmer than humans like,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd it&#8217;s especially great for older cats who may have some creaky joints.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>4. Nurture Your Cat\u2019s Inner Predator<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Cats are natural predators, but those chewed-up mouse toys behind the couch don\u2019t make very challenging prey. \u201cI think one of the best ways to show love for your cat is to engage them with interactive playtime every day,\u201d says Delgado. \u201cInteractive play means you move a toy\u2014such as a feather wand or Cat Dancer toys\u2014like prey, so your cat can let loose as the predator they are built to be.\u201d Not only does this activity nurture innate cat behavior, but it provides a stress-reducing workout, too. \u201cIt\u2019s a great way to bond,\u201d Delgado says, \u201cespecially when your cat isn\u2019t the cuddly type.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>5. Use Food Puzzle Toys<\/em><\/p>\n<p>You probably wouldn\u2019t want to have to solve a puzzle cube before every meal. However, giving your cat a food puzzle is a great way to appeal to her inner hunter and give her a mental workout. \u201cI&#8217;m a big fan of foraging toys or puzzles that require your cat to manipulate a ball or other object to get food out,\u201d says Delgado. Start your cat out with a simpler cat food dispensing toy that allows her to see the cat food or cat treats inside, like the Catit treat ball toy or the Petsafe Funkitty Egg-cersizer cat toy. Then introduce more difficult puzzle toys over time, like the Trixie activity fun board cat toy or the KONG Active cat treat ball toy. Crafty cat lovers may enjoy making DIY food puzzles at home.<\/p>\n<p><em>6. Create a Treasure Hunt<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Hunting and foraging are natural cat behaviors, but it\u2019s understandable if your cat isn\u2019t doing much of either in your living room. You can change that by creating a food treasure hunt for cats. \u201cPlace food and treats on cat trees, shelves, in puzzle toys and boxes and other spots for the cat to search for,\u201d says Marilyn Krieger, a certified cat behavior consultant known as The Cat Coach and author of \u201cNaughty No More.\u201d The hunt should start easy, with food placed where your cat can see it. You can increase the difficulty by putting food in harder to reach places like cat trees, but don\u2019t make it too hard, says Krieger. \u201cThe game should be challenging, not frustrating.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>7. Reward Good Behavior<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The same techniques that help deal with unwanted cat behavior can also strengthen bonds with humans, explains Krieger. Clicker training, a positive reinforcement training method, uses a consistent sound, such as a click from a clicker, to communicate to the cat when she is doing a desired behavior. Cat clicker training is fun for cats and also makes their home environment more comfortable. \u201cIt\u2019s effective for socializing cats and helping them feel more secure around their people,\u201d says Krieger.<\/p>\n<p><em>8. Show Your Cat Signs of Affection Every Day<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Even if your feline is fairly low-maintenance, show your cat love daily. As Krieger says, \u201cIt is mandatory that cat lovers schedule that special petting, cuddling, stroking time with their cats\u2014that is, for cats who like to be stroked and cuddled.\u201d And for those cats who don\u2019t, you\u2019ve hopefully discovered a few new ways to enjoy that quality time.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>More First Responders Mural photos 2022 Soap Box Derby Harbor Springs Police Chief rewards students A Harbor Springs 1st grader joined Chief Kyle Knight at Johan\u2019s for the last PBIS of the school year. Students earn tickets for good behavior, and each month one student is selected for a ride to school with Chief Knight. <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=16098\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16098","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-features"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16098","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=16098"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16098\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=16098"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=16098"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=16098"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}