{"id":5565,"date":"2019-08-22T20:57:41","date_gmt":"2019-08-23T00:57:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/?p=5565"},"modified":"2019-08-22T20:57:41","modified_gmt":"2019-08-23T00:57:41","slug":"features-79","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=5565","title":{"rendered":"Features"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>Here at the Indy the Mint Parade rolls on<\/strong> &#8211; an album by Barry Bauer<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/O_DdlK8lyjA\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Class of 1959 Reunion album<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-TYAO0I1es0\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The Rodney B. Wilson High School Class of 1959 held their 60-year reunion on August 8, 9 and 10. On Friday night they celebrated with a pizza party at the Roadhouse. On Friday they met at Motz Park, and on Saturday they held their banquet at the Emerald.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Residents of Clinton Commons enjoy Ice Cream Social<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hYgeTd1wMes\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Mint Country Garden Club sponsored an Ice Cream Social for the residents of Clinton Commons. Several flavors of ice cream and toppings were served along with cookies and brownies.<\/p>\n<p>Residents enjoyed homemade goodies, and visiting with other residents, and especially tunes a volunteer played on the piano. Each table was decorated with fresh flowers from a volunteer\u2019s garden.<\/p>\n<p>Residents and volunteers with the garden club are looking forward to next year.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Local youth earn top honors in 4-H Youth Dairy Days dairy management contest<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Branch, Clinton and Kent county youth took home the rank of high individual overall in the Michigan 4-H Youth Dairy Days dairy management contest. The 2019 event, held in conjunction with Michigan Dairy Expo, took place July 15-19, at the Michigan State University (MSU) Pavilion for Agriculture and Livestock Education in East Lansing.<\/p>\n<p>The dairy management contest is a practical, hands-on competition that tests contestants&#8217; dairy knowledge. Youth rotate through a series of stations representing a variety of dairy management-related topics. At each station, contestants may be asked to perform tasks, identify common tools, feeds and other items used on dairy farms, write an answer on a card, or deliver an answer orally to a judge.<\/p>\n<p>Dairy management contest participants can compete in one of three age divisions: novice (ages 8-11), junior (ages 11-14) or senior (ages 15-19). Contest material becomes more complicated as the age division increases.<\/p>\n<p>The top 10 high-ranking individuals in the junior division were:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/landon1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"370\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5568\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Landon Thelen, left, Jordan Hicks, middle, and Emma Fox were three of the four members a part of winning the blue ribbon for the junior division team management category.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Landon Thelen, Clinton County (Westphalia)<br \/>\nTristian VanDenBerg, Allegan County (Plainwell)<br \/>\nMegan Wilson, Isabella County (Blanchard)<br \/>\nSage Scripps, Allegan County (Allegan)<br \/>\nWillow Evans, Clinton County (St. Johns)<br \/>\nPaul Meyer, Ionia County (Ionia)<br \/>\nJosiah Tripp, Allegan County (Dorr)<br \/>\nLexi VanDenBerg, Allegan County (Plainwell)<br \/>\nKaden Petroshus, Allegan County (Gobles)<br \/>\nLydia Deters, Newaygo County (Fremont)<\/p>\n<p>Clinton County Team A clinched the blue ribbon in the junior division team category. Team members were Landon Thelen of Westphalia, Jordan Hicks of St. Johns, Paul Meyer of Ionia, and Emma Fox of Elsie.<\/p>\n<p>The top 10 high-ranking individuals in the senior division were:<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/adalee.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"385\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5569\" \/><br \/>\n<em>Adalee Thelen, left, Miriam Cook, right middle, and Madison Halfmann, right, were the winners of the senior management team.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Shannon Good, Kent County (Caledonia)<br \/>\nMiriam Cook, Clinton County (Pewamo)<br \/>\nKatie Wilson, Isabella County (Blanchard)<br \/>\nJonah Haskins, Lapeer County (Marlette)<br \/>\nDrew Neyer, Isabella County (Shephard)<br \/>\nJoshua Tripp, Ottawa County (Dorr)<br \/>\nCaleb Tucker, Allegan County (Hopkins)<br \/>\nMadison Halfman, Clinton County (St. Johns)<br \/>\nAdalee Thelen, Clinton County (St. Johns)<br \/>\nDakota Dershem, Clinton County (St. Johns)<\/p>\n<p>Winning the senior division was the Clinton County Senior A Team: Ian Black of Eagle, Miriam Cook of Pewamo, and Madison Halfmann and Adalee Thelen of St. Johns.<\/p>\n<p>As the youth-centered portion of the Michigan Dairy Expo, the largest annual dairy event in the state, Michigan 4-H Youth Dairy Days is a program of MSU Extension. It offers young people interested in the dairy industry opportunities to compete for premiums, ribbons and scholarships in various educational activities, including dairy quiz bowls, dairy management contests, dairy cattle judging competitions and the Dairy Days youth show. This year, nearly 160 youth from twenty counties participated in one or more of the educational competitions, and winners may go on to represent Michigan in national competitions.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Maralyn&#8217;s Pet Corner<\/strong> &#8211; Are Succulents Poisonous to Cats and Dogs?<br \/>\nCourtesy of Monica Weymouth<\/p>\n<p>Succulent plants are more popular than ever because they are easy to care for and work well as houseplants.<\/p>\n<p>Marked by their thick, fleshy leaves, succulents are native to desert environments but adapt easily to a variety of conditions.<\/p>\n<p>These hardy plants can thrive both indoors and outdoors, making them a favorite among both experienced gardeners and budding green thumbs.<\/p>\n<p>While succulents can be great, low-maintenance houseplants for humans, they are not always a great option if you have furry family members.<\/p>\n<p>If ingested, some varieties of this trendy plant could harm cats and dogs.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMost succulents are nontoxic to our pets, but we can definitely see that some are poisonous,\u201d says Dr. Elizabeth Muirhead, a veterinarian based in the Virginia Beach area.<\/p>\n<p>If you want to bring succulents into your home or garden, first take a look at this list of safe and poisonous succulents for dogs and cats.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Succulents That Are Poisonous to Dogs and Cats<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>If you have a dog or cat in your household, you should steer clear of the following varieties of succulents.<\/p>\n<p>Aloe Vera Succulent Plant<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/AloeVera.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"337\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5570\" \/><\/p>\n<p>One of the most popular succulents, aloe vera is frequently used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. Its sap is traditionally used to treat sunburns, and the plant\u2019s extracts can be found in supplements, cosmetics and flavored waters.<\/p>\n<p>However this succulent can be poisonous to pets. \u201cComponents known as saponins are toxic to dogs and cats and can cause gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting and diarrhea as well as lethargy,\u201d says Dr. Muirhead.<\/p>\n<p>Aloe plants are characterized by long, spiked tendrils. Some varieties have white spotted foliage, while others flower periodically. All varieties should be kept away from pets, advises Dr. Muirhead.<\/p>\n<p>Kalanchoe Succulents<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Kalanchoe.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"346\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5571\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Kalanchoes are beloved for their plentiful blossoms, ranging in color from pale pink to fiery orange. Popular as a houseplant, this tropical succulent is known by a number of nicknames, including devil\u2019s backbone, mother of millions and mother-in-law plant.<\/p>\n<p>Perhaps not surprisingly, pets shouldn\u2019t ingest something called the \u201cdevil\u2019s backbone.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe predominant signs you might see if your pet ingests this plant are vomiting and diarrhea,\u201d says Dr. Muirhead. \u201cAbnormal heart rhythms can also result.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If your pet ingests kalanchoe, Dr. Muirhead recommends seeking immediate veterinary care.<\/p>\n<p>Euphorbia succulents<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Euphorbia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"362\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5572\" \/><\/p>\n<p>A large, diverse genus, euphorbia includes tiny, low-growing plants to sprawling trees.<\/p>\n<p>Many succulents in the euphorbia genus, such as the pencil cactus and crown of thorns, are known to be poisonous to both cats and dogs, says Dr. Marty Goldstein, an integrative veterinarian and best-selling author.<\/p>\n<p>Symptoms of poisoning from ingesting this succulent range from gastrointestinal upset to skin and eye irritation, says Dr. Goldstein.<\/p>\n<p>If you have pets, it is best to avoid any plant in the euphorbia genus, including the poisonous poinsettia.<\/p>\n<p>Jade Succulent<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Jade.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"349\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5573\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Like aloe vera, jade is a common, easy-to-grow houseplant that can be found on many windowsills. Jade plants have thick, woody stems and plump, oval leaves, giving them a tree-like appearance.<\/p>\n<p>There are a number of varieties of jade\u2014and all should be kept out of reach of pets, advises Dr. Goldstein. If your cat or dog ingests jade, they may experience symptoms including gastrointestinal upset and incoordination, notes Dr. Goldstein.<\/p>\n<p><em>Succulents That Are Safe for Cats and Dogs<\/em><\/p>\n<p>If you are really looking to expand your plant collection and think succulents are the way to go, Dr. Muirhead recommends these pet-friendly options:<\/p>\n<p>Hen and Chickens Succulents<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Hens-and-Chicks.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"356\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5574\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Also known as houseleek, hen and chickens (hen and chicks for short) among the most popular succulents, and for good reason.<\/p>\n<p>Famously low-maintenance, they thrive everywhere from planters to rock gardens to succulent wreaths. The main plant\u2014aka the \u201chen\u201d\u2014is connected to the smaller offshoots (her \u201cchicks\u201d) through small, delicate roots, making for a visually appealing display.<\/p>\n<p>Haworthia succulent<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Haworthia.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"363\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5575\" \/><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019re a fan of aloe vera\u2019s spiked silhouette, consider a haworthia instead. Also known as the zebra cactus, this easy-to-grow succulent has a similar appearance but is nontoxic to pets.<\/p>\n<p>Burro&#8217;s Tail Succulent<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/Burros-Tail.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"450\" height=\"351\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-5576\" \/><\/p>\n<p>With lush trailing tendrils, the burro\u2019s tail is perfect for displaying in hanging planters and on shelves. Although it doesn\u2019t usually bloom, some plants will offer pink or red flowers under perfect conditions during the summer.<\/p>\n<p><em>Protecting Your Pets From Toxic Plants<\/em><\/p>\n<p>With thousands of varieties of succulents and increased availability of exotic plants, the best way to protect your pets is to identify exactly which plants are poisonous to dogs and cats, and refrain from bringing them into your home.<\/p>\n<p>Before buying a new plant, Dr. Goldstein recommends referencing the ASPCA\u2019s extensive poisonous plant database as well as the Pet Poison Helpline\u2019s toxicity list.<\/p>\n<p>If you already have plants in your home and garden, look up each one to verify that it is safe for pets.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also important to note that any plant, toxic or not, can cause problems for pets.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven if plants are not toxic, ingesting plants is going to cause a gastrointestinal upset,\u201d says Dr. Goldstein. \u201cYou should discourage your pets from eating plants\u2014anything can be dangerous in high quantities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>For this reason, pet parents should know the names of every plant in their home\u2014including nicknames and Latin names.<\/p>\n<p>If your pet does end up eating one of your nontoxic plants, or happens to eat a plant that could be poisonous while on a walk or while visiting a friend\u2019s home, the best thing you can do is to first identify the plant.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Goldstein holds a veterinary degree from Cornell University, where there is an educational garden dedicated to poisonous plants. Even so, he admits, he would be unprepared to identify many species of dangerous plants on the spot\u2014as would the vast majority of veterinarians.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cKnow your plants ahead of time,\u201d says Dr. Goldstein. \u201cIf your pet ingests a plant, look it up online for potential toxicity. I usually try to educate away from the internet, but this is tough, with so many different plants and toxic reactions.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Before an incident occurs, you can familiarize yourself with some of the most common poisonous plants for dogs and cats that grow in your area or that friends might have as houseplants.<\/p>\n<p>If you have any doubt whatsoever as to whether a plant is poisonous to pets, call one of these animal poison control hotlines:<\/p>\n<p>ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: 888-426-4435<br \/>\nPet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Here at the Indy the Mint Parade rolls on &#8211; an album by Barry Bauer Class of 1959 Reunion album The Rodney B. Wilson High School Class of 1959 held their 60-year reunion on August 8, 9 and 10. On Friday night they celebrated with a pizza party at the Roadhouse. On Friday they met <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=5565\">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-5565","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-features"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5565","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=5565"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5565\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=5565"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=5565"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=5565"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}