Just when I thought I’d had enough And all my tears were shed No promise left unbroken There were no painful words unsaid You came along and showed me I could leave it all behind. You opened up my heart again And much to my surprise I found love, Baby Love in the nick of time- Bonnie Raitt How much of a random kind of thing is love anyway? It can be. Do we meet people along the way we believe ourselves to be in love with? Sure. Most people have been through at least a couple of relationship experiences with some semblance of love. Whether the broken heart of an unrequited passion for the prettiest girl in the 7th grade or an early 20’s romance that somehow soured with the passage of a little time or sometimes when there have been a few swings and misses when it comes to finding one who fits. The hope is to find the kind of love that is not only reciprocal in nature but chock full of potential for ongoing growth. An often delightful adventure that is also strong enough to endure whatever challenges might lie ahead. And whether that love arrives early in life or later... It always seems to be, as Ms. Raitt sings so well, in the Nick of Time. Here are the most recent couples who have signed on for the long run. Justin Croff, Coopersville & Michelle Blawat, Muskegon Keegan Tanis, Fremont & Ashley Cygeirt, Fremont Samara House, Fremont & Thomas Peterson, Kentwood Alex Lemley, Fremont & Melissa Avery, Newaygo
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Members of the Picture Perfect Showmen 4-H club will be heading to the State 4-H Hippology Contest held at Michigan State University on Saturday, March 16, 2024. Three of the girls, Brinley Grey, Kaylee Smith, and Zoe Westgate, competed last year and are returning for their second year in this contest, in the Junior Regular division (for ages 8-13). Last year they placed fourth as a team and Brinley scored in the top five individuals with top five placings in three phases of the contest. Newcomer Rio Phillips will be in the Junior Novice division, which is for members in their first year of state competition. The girls have been meeting all year for this contest and working hard to prepare for the various aspects they will encounter. Besides regular 4-H meetings and individual study, they attended several clinics on horse judging and competed at the county hippology contest in the fair last August and a practice contest with Mecosta County recently. Hippology, or horse knowledge, is a demanding competition. Members complete four phases individually and if on a team, a team problem where they have 10 minutes to prepare on a given topic/scenario and then five minutes to present to a judge. The individual phases consist of a written test, a slide test, two classes of horses to judge (halter and performance) with questions to answer, and stations to complete along with demonstrating a skill. They are tested on a wide range of horse knowledge, from breeds, tack, colors, markings, diseases, management, horse showing rules, parasites and more. Members do not use a horse in this contest, nor do they have to own a one to take part, which makes it very accessible, and provides an avenue of competition without a lot of expense. Any 4-H member from 5-19 may take part. Top scoring members in the Senior division are eligible for national competition. This is a great contest for any horse loving youth who wants to learn about horses and test their knowledge to possibly earn ribbons and other prizes. To learn more about the State 4-H Hippology Contest and 4-H, contact Laurie Platte Breza, 4-H Program Coordinator, at platteb11@msu.edu or by calling the MSU Extension office at 231-928-1056. A 4 week program to kick the Nic.
Fremont, Mich., March 12th, 2024 – Corewell Health Gerber Hospital is offering an upcoming 4-week class series designed to help people kick nicotine once and for all. “Quit for good” starts Wednesday, April 3rd, from 4 p.m.-5 p.m. at Tamarac, 1401 West Main Street, Fremont, and meets every Wednesday for four weeks through April 24th. Corewell Health offers many options for community members looking to quit, and also offers classes virtually, as well as one on one appointments. All services are free. People who sign up and attend all 4 classes will also receive a free month pass to Tamarac. “Tobacco and nicotine use, whether as cigarettes, chew or vaping, is highly addictive – which is why it is so difficult to quit in any form,” said Caitlin Schucker, Tobacco Treatment Specialist. “All of these ways of using tobacco or nicotine are also extremely toxic, causing over 12 different kinds of cancers, deadly lung diseases, heart attacks and strokes – even in young people. There are many reasons why people want to quit, including the high cost of tobacco and nicotine products. It is an expensive way to have poor health.” Schucker said “Quit for Good” is designed to break the chain of tobacco and nicotine addiction for lasting positive results. “The class uses the latest tools to help a person have the greatest success rate for quitting. We determine which is the best nicotine replacement (such as the patch or gum), or if one of the prescription medications used for tobacco cessation will the be best. Or maybe it will be a combination of both.” “We also help each person plan what to do instead of smoking or vaping. Studies show that people can double or triple their success rates by coming to a class, using one of the medications or nicotine replacement products, and following a plan that is just right for them.” For more information or to register, call Caitlin at 231.924.7589. Several leaders from Family Health Care recently met with members of Congress during the National Association of Community Health Centers Policy and Issues Forum in Washington, DC. While meeting with the Congressmen who represent Family Health Care’s service area, the health center leaders lobbied for long-term increased funding for community health centers, protecting the 340B prescription drug program from ongoing threats from drug companies, increased funding for workforce programs such as the National Health Service Corps Loan Repayment Program, and making the COVID-19 telehealth policies permanent. Family Health Care is a Federally Qualified Community Health Center that serves medically underserved communities with six main clinics and five school-based clinics in Lake, Newaygo, Osceola, Mecosta, Missaukee, and Wexford counties. Goal is reducing court involvement among at-risk youth
NEWAYGO, MI – Arbor Circle celebrates a recent grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation in support of prevention education services for high risk youth and their families aimed at reducing court system involvement and building a strong future for the county’s most at risk youth. According to the 2022 Michigan Profile for Healthy Youth, 63% of 9th grade students and 47% of 11th grade students indicated they had used alcohol in the past 30 days. In Newaygo County, high rates of early use of alcohol, marijuana, and other drugs have a significant impact on youth post-secondary success, mental health, and risk for addiction in adulthood. “We are proud to support Arbor Circle’s prevention education programming,” said Shelly Kasprzycki, President and CEO of Fremont Area Community Foundation. “Arbor Circle has a long history in Newaygo County, and they are doing important work to help local young people and their families build healthier, stronger futures.” Arbor Circle has provided substance use disorder prevention programs in Newaygo County since 2011, with the goal of building life skills for youth to empower them to make healthy choices and achieve their full potential. Building and sustaining early success for youth increases the likelihood they complete high school and engage in post-secondary education; both traditional college or skilled labor. “We are so grateful for the Fremont Area Community Foundation’s support of this important work,” shared Leigh Moerdyke, Arbor Circle’s Director of Prevention and Advocacy. “These funds will strengthen our ability to effectively collaborate with our community partners in guiding youth towards healthy choices.” These funds will support Arbor Circle in working with Newaygo County Juvenile Justice and other partners to develop and implement enhanced prevention education services for high risk, underserved youth and their families aimed at reducing youth recidivism in the court system and encouraging youth in making healthy decisions for their future. We are proud to acknowledge the district level spellers. (Front row: L to R) Lily Yonker, Fremont Daisy Brook; Lisa Murawa, Newaygo Elementary; Kenzi Colantuno,Newaygo Elementary; Liam Grundel, Grant Elementary (Back row: L to R) Greyson Stiegman, Newaygo Middle; Brandon Hesse, White Cloud Elementary; Mavis Basso, Fremont Daisy Brook; Emerson Ashcraft, Newaygo Middle; Jake Christoffersen, Fremont Middle; Zenith Hollinger, Grant Middle; Georgianna Vanpopering, Grant Middle; Kennedy Clements, Grant Elementary; Jax Stariha, Fremont Middle; Landon Fankhauser, Big Jackson Not pictured: Leon Burns, Big Jackson; Phoenix Cox, White Cloud Elementary Spelling Bee Champ, District Winners announced Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency (NC RESA) hosted the 2024 County Spelling Bee on February 29 with 16 district-level winners and runners-up (grades 4 through 8) competing at the county level. Congratulations to Emerson Ashcraft from Newaygo Middle School, who was the overall winner by correctly spelling the word vicarious in Round 26. Emerson will now advance to The Greater Grand Rapids Spelling Bee on March 20 in Grand Rapids. We also extend congratulations to Greyson Stiegman who was the runner-up. Greyson also attends Newaygo Middle School. These students are commended for their determination in preparing for the different levels of competition at their local school District Bee, Newaygo County RESA County Bee, and The Greater Grand Rapids Bee. The winner from The Greater Grand Rapids Bee will have the opportunity to compete in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. For a detailed national competition schedule, please visit Scripps National Spelling Bee website at www.spellingbee.com. District Health Department #10 Highlights Student Satisfaction with School-based Health Centers
February is National School-Based Healthcare Awareness Month! District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) wants to take this time to recognize the impact of school-based health centers on the delivery of healthcare in the United States. DHD#10 works with 15 school districts to operate 17 school-based health centers. School-based health centers provide essential services to students like medical and behavioral health care right in the school building. This improves access to care for youth in our communities. Hear what clinic Youth Advisory Councils had to say when asked “Why is having a school-based health center important to you?”
Interested in getting involved? Follow your school clinic on Facebook or consider joining a Community Advisory Council (CAC). Each CAC meets twice a year and helps oversee each clinic’s goals and provides feedback. CACs are made of parents, school staff, community members, and students – calling your school clinic is the best way to join a CAC. For a full list and more information about our school-based health centers, check out our website at https://www.dhd10.org/schools/adolescent-health-centers/. An opportunity for Newaygo County residents with autism to develop water safety through swimming instruction
Join us Saturday, March 16, 10:00 a.m to noon Fremont Community Rec Center for FREE OPEN SWIM/ASSESSMENT DAY The swim time on March 16 will allow our instructor to evaluate the needs of our ASD community and their families in the area of water safety. After the assessment day, the level of instruction will be determined for each individual and offer an opportunity for lessons beginning in June. Our focus for this summer program will be on water safety skills and improving swimming confidence. Roughly half of children on the autism spectrum attempt to elope from a safe environment. The leading cause of death for children with ASD is drowning. Accidental drowning accounts for 91% of deaths reported in children with ASD who are 14 years old and younger. Dana Hansen Simon will be the swim instructor. She has been teaching swim lessons for 23 years, has a master’s degree in adapted physical education, has taught physical education for numerous years, and is currently a special education teacher. She is a certified Alaska Marine Safety Education Association instructor (AMSEA), which focused on survival in both land and water. While teaching in Alaska, she coordinated and implemented Red Cross' water safety swim program and AMSEA's survival program. Her program was designed for all elementary children, grades K-5 (200 students). Dana is also an Infant Swimming Resource (ISR) instructor and an aquatic behavior expert. We are very fortunate to have her experience and expertise. MORE... The Newaygo County Autism Community is very excited to announce the return of our Safe Swim Academy this summer. This is open to all people with ASD who reside or go to school in Newaygo County. The first step in getting signed up for the swimming lessons is to attend the assessment day on March 16 from 10:00 a.m. to noon at the Fremont Rec Center. This is basically an open swim time where our instructor will be in the pool with all participants, accessing their needs and skill level. You do not have to stay the entire time, but a parent must accompany the child for the duration of the time the child is there. After this assessment our instructor will set up a schedule for lessons which will begin in June, after the school year is finished. Please let us know if you plan to attend the assessment day on March 16. You can find us on Facebook at Newaygo County Autism Community. This opportunity is made possible through a grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation. “It renewed ny hope and deepened my faith in Christ” Deep grief sometimes is almost like a specific location, a coordinate on a map of time. When you are standing in that forest of sorrow, you cannot imagine that you could ever find your way to a better place. But if someone can assure you that they themselves have stood in that same place, and now have moved on, sometimes this will bring hope”-Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat, Pray, Love Few things are as painful to the human experience as grief over the loss of a loved one. It engulfs our lives and colors our world. Because grief is a personal path there is no timetable for its process nor is it possible to totally avoid the emotional pain attached to it. In 2011 a group from First CRC of Fremont started a GriefShare ministry for the community, a 13 week course involving a video series titled ““Your Journey from Mourning to Joy”, providing a Christ-centered perspective on grieving. Since then the twice yearly series of meetings have provided much needed support to community members who are navigating the stormy waters of the grief process. One participant said: “Thank you for being the host church for the GriefShare program. This program has helped me so much. It has been 5 months since my husband’s death and with these classes and great facilitators, I feel God is leading me on a path of understanding and maybe even a little joy.” Another one said: “After my husband passed in August, I did not have a hopeful future. I did not know how to move forward without him. Then I participated in your GriefShare class. It renewed my hope and deepened my faith in Christ. My life focus has shifted. I will forever be grateful for the help I got through GriefShare!” On March 5th a new series begins. For more information on GriefShare please follow this link https://www.griefshare.org/groups/179542 |
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