Walkers know how to do Halloween.
It was the fall of 2020 when COVID restrictions continued to limit activities. Bob Walker of Newaygo looked around and didn’t like what he was seeing. Or maybe not seeing. “It was awful what kids had to go through with all the restrictions. There was nothing for them to do. They couldn’t go anywhere or do anything fun.They even had police tape around the skate park.” So Walker decided to do something about it. That fall he began creating what is surely one of the most wonderfully eerie and spooky yards to be found anywhere as a Halloween haven for trick or treaters. And it continues to grow as anyone who drives past their Barton Street home can attest to. With Bob’s wife Cathy on board with it all from the beginning, he has created an array of bone related beings, each telling their own fascinating story. A winding and weaving path takes you through the yard, but go slow because there is a lot to take in. And hey, don’t forget the big guy on the roof. He’s hard to miss. “The first year we had just over 700 come through. We ran out of candy so we ended up grabbing granola bars and lunch snacks to finish the night. Last year was just over 1500 but we had about a foot of snow the night before, so that slowed it down a little." "Cathy said I forgot to get dog treats.” he added with a laugh. “We get quite a few of the four-legged visitors as well.” Kudos to the Walkers who go the extra mile to make their community just a little bit friendlier. And while it may sound strange to think of this veritable melange of macabre an act of kindness? It fits perfectly with what Bob and Cathy Walker have accomplished.
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 Submissions Close October 6, 2024
District Health Department #10 (DHD#10), a MiThrive partner, is reminding residents to participate in the 2024 MiThrive Community Health Survey. The 2024 MiThrive Community Health Survey closes October 6, 2024. MiThrive covers 31 counties throughout Northern Michigan and is comprised of Hospitals, Health Departments, and a number of Community Partners. The responses collected from the Community Health Survey helps influence decision making to improve the health of the community. If you reside within DHD#10’s jurisdiction, you’re eligible to participate! Community Health Survey Details:
To find out more about MiThrive and this unique opportunity to share your voice, visit their website: https://northernmichiganchir.org/mithrive/. District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) is announcing upcoming COVID-19/Flu vaccination clinics. As a reminder, the new Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination is now available at DHD#10 for everyone ages 6 months and older. To learn more about the COVID-19 immunization schedule, please visit: https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/index.html. DHD#10’s COVID-19 and Flu walk-in clinics have already begun for the fall season. DHD#10 COVID-19 and Flu walk-in clinics are added weekly; however, residents can schedule appointments at DHD#10 over the phone (888-217-3904) or online by visiting https://www.dhd10.org/schedule. DHD#10 is hosting public COVID-19 and Flu walk-in clinics at the following locations: Newaygo Congressional United Church of Christ 432 Quarterline St Newaygo, MI October 9, 9am-11am Grant Township Hall 1617 E 120th St Grant, MI October 10, 1pm-3pm  Unveiling of the Gerber Foundation NICU at The Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital in 2011 (Pictured Gerber Foundation Trustees, Staff, and The Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Staff) The Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center at Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital celebrated its 50th Anniversary on Friday, September 13, with a brunch hosted by the Corewell Health and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital Foundations at Corewell Health Place in Grand Rapids. In 1973, the Gerber Foundation made a landmark gift to advance neonatal care at Butterworth Hospital. In 1972, Dr. John Wilson, pediatrician for the Gerber children in Fremont, Michigan, approached Dan Gerber with an appeal to support neonatal intensive care at Butterworth Hospital. Dan Gerber sent John Whitlock, president of what at the time was known as the Gerber Baby Foods Fund, to Grand Rapids for an on-site visit. History was made when the head nurse placed John Whitlock’s gloved hand into an incubator and into the grasp of a two-pound baby girl who grabbed his finger with her tiny hand and wouldn’t let go. “I felt she was pleading with me to help her live. I lost it then, and I still do today,” said John Whitlock. “I told Dan, ‘We have to do this. We have to help save babies’ lives.’” The Fund made its largest gift ever at the time, $100,000, to establish a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Butterworth Hospital. The Gerber Foundation continued to support the NICU with several capital gifts throughout the years. In 2006, during the construction of the new Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital (completed in 2011), the Foundation made a landmark $5 Million gift, establishing The Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center. “We could see there was something very special going on at Butterworth and Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital that made us want to continue to partner with them to help bring the dream of world-class care for children in West Michigan to reality,” said Barbara Ivens, Board President of The Gerber Foundation. During its 50-year history, The Gerber Foundation NICU has served over 46,000 babies, become the largest NICU in Michigan, and is designated as the highest level of NICU able to care for the most critically ill babies. In 2023 alone, 1,706 babies were admitted to the Gerber Foundation NICU. The NICU employs over 300 nurses and ten neonatologists and cares for babies from 37 counties in the state of Michigan. At the 50th Anniversary celebration, the Board of Trustees of The Gerber Foundation presented a gift of $50,000 to purchase equipment that will enhance the staff's ability to care for babies in the NICU. “We are incredibly proud of the NICU that bears our name. We thank all the incredible staff, past and present, who work tirelessly to make world-class care possible in our backyard,” said Sara Hohnstein, Foundation Director of The Gerber Foundation. To see a video about The Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center, go to: https://www.gerberfoundation.org/2024/09/the-gerber-foundation-nicu-celebrates-50-years/  Celebrating the 50 th Anniversary of the Gerber Foundation Neonatal Center at the Corewell Health Place, Grand Rapids, Michigan
White Cloud clinic adds physician and dentist WHITE CLOUD, Michigan – Christopher White, DDS, and Jack Norgren, DO, recently joined Family Health Care’s clinic in White Cloud. Dr. White is a general dentist with nearly ten years of experience providing care to rural communities. He graduated from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry and completed his undergraduate studies at Michigan State University. “I bring enthusiasm to the dental clinic while helping patients achieve all of their dental needs,” said Dr. White. “I take pride in helping my patients achieve systemic health by working with the other service lines at Family Health Care to offer integrated care that treats the whole person.” Dr. Norgren is a family medicine physician who recently completed his residency at Chickasaw Nation Medical Center in Ada, Oklahoma. He earned his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine. “I am excited to join a team that is dedicated to providing health care that is affordable and accessible to everyone,” Dr. Norgren said. “I have a passion for rural medicine and serving communities that otherwise would not have the same opportunities for health care that larger communities have.” Julie Tatko, CEO of Family Health Care, said adding Dr. White and Dr. Norgren will benefit Newaygo County. “Newaygo County is a medically underserved community. By adding an additional dentist and a family medicine physician, we will be able to increase access to care,” said Tatko. “This includes medical and dental services to Medicaid patients or those with limited income and would benefit from our sliding fee scale, which provides services at a cost tailored to what they can afford.” Tatko said Family Health Care is fortunate to have providers of Dr. White and Dr. Norgren’s caliber join their team. Family Health Care is a Federally Qualified Health Center that provides medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, pharmacy, laboratory, and X-ray services. Dr. White and Dr. Norgren are currently accepting new patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment, call (231) 689-5943.   Post pandemic plunge draws concern
Vaccines came into the forefront during the Covid Pandemic. Many folks were skeptical about the efficacy of the new development designed to help combat and/or contain the illness while helping to build a stronger community immunity. There has always been an element of anti-vax folks around, whether due to religious beliefs, distrust of pharmaceutical companies, fear of the possible risks involved or other reasons. However, the controversy surrounding the COVID pandemic seems to have sparked a dramatic increase in those choosing to eschew immunizations for our county’s children aged 1 ½ to 3. This is the age when kids generally are getting the usual complement of recommended immunizations aimed at preventing measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, polio and more. And while the percentage in the state of Michigan as a whole has rebounded from a 4 year decline and improved, the rates in Newaygo County continue to head south. In July of 2019 the vaccination rate for this age group in Newaygo County was 74.6%.. In 2023 it was 61.3% having tumbled each year since ‘19. And while this statistic may be applauded by skeptics of this form of preventative medicine, their decision is likely to make many of the young folks in our community more vulnerable. Some diseases that have been almost completely eliminated from the U.S., like measles in 2000, have found their way back and health care workers and researchers say this is due to lowered vaccine rates. "Lower vaccine rates are not just a concern for individual health, but a threat to public health as a whole,” said DHD#10 Family Health Clinical Director, Sheila Parker. “The resurgence of preventable illnesses, like measles, serves as a reminder of the importance of vaccination in safeguarding our communities against preventable, dangerous disease.” There continues to be a lot of disinformation regarding these vaccines out there thriving on various social media sites, but for accurate information on vaccines, speak with your licensed health care provider before making decisions for your children. For the DHD#10 Policy statement on vaccines please go to: https://www.dhd10.org/wpcontent/uploads/2022/06/DHD10_VaccinePolicyStatement_11x17.pdf   “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 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 September 3rd a new series begins. For more information on GriefShare please follow this link https://www.firstcrcfremont.org/grief-share  From left to right: Pete Slovinski, Gerber FCU Branch Manager Rick VanBoven, City Parks & Cemetery Karen Baird, Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce Matt Nieboer, Nieboer Electric Kathy Pope, Fremont Area Community Foundation Katie Nieboer, Nieboer Electric Todd Blake, City of Fremont Manager Randy Puff, Gerber FCU Board of Directors (Recently Retired) Eric Johnson, City Council Member John Buckley, Gerber FCU President/CEO Sandy Siegel, City Council Member Lola Harmon-Ramsey, City Council Member Andy Harrington, City Planning/Zoning Bob Johnson, City Council Member Brent Deur, Gerber FCU AVP of Consumer Lending A week or so ago part of our recent column focused on the dream-to-reality progress being made toward making a splash pad part of the Veteran’s Park vibe in downtown Fremont. And while we missed the gifting ceremony that was held last Tuesday we understand the community minded folks at Gerber Federal Credit Union once again ponied up to support the effort and allow for some added features on the pad. GFCU President/CEO John Buckley brought the obligatory big check for the photo op and delivered it to Fremont City Manager Todd Blake with a $30,000 figure that will help augment the splash pad experience and provide a welcoming venue for young families. “We are so pleased to enhance the attractiveness of downtown Fremont for residents, shoppers and visitors, " said Buckley. “Not only do these placemaking projects improve quality of life, they also increase the value of our members’ investments in this community. "We anticipate a thriving downtown scene in Fremont, centered around the new Splash Pad." Kudos to all the entities who came together to make this happen and, of course, to the GFCU for recognizing the importance of creating welcoming, interactive space in our communities.  Rural Housing Solutions provides help for low income home owners
Are you a Newaygo County resident in need of the installation or repair of water wells or septic installation? Rural Housing Solutions can help. Our team is made up of conscientious licensed builders, who are committed to our mission of providing critical repair for low-income homeowners and promote well-being in our communities. For more information call 231 527 5309 or visit the website at https://ruralhousingsolutions.org/ Rural Housing Solutions was founded by a group of passionate concerned individuals who saw a need for homes to have environmentally safe well water and sewage resources. Donations are always appreciated and Your contributions will enable us to provide fresh water and septic security, meet our goals and fund our mission. https://ruralhousingsolutions.org/donate   By Sally Wagoner, Newaygo County Environmental Coalition The Newaygo Conservation Stewards Program will start in early September. Registration time and space are running out, so anyone interested in taking a deep dive into our local ecosystems are encouraged to apply by August 18! Who should participate in this program? “Anyone with an interest in our unique Newaygo habitats, and who wants to learn how to protect and restore our environment,” states Sally Wagoner from the Newaygo County Environmental Coalition, and a member of the program Planning Committee. This 8 week program is created by MSU Extension, and led by local and regional experts of the ecological areas found in Newaygo County: Forests, Wetlands, Lakes, Streams, Grasslands and Prairies. Presenters will include Jack Lemon of Trout Unlimited; Rod Denning, District Forester at Oceana Conservation District; Jeremy Hartsock, Wetland Ecologist at MSU; as well as David Wright of Big Prairie Township and Sarah Pregitzer of Newaygo Invasive Plants Project, among others. This will be the first time the Conservation Stewards Program will be held in the Newaygo County Region. A main purpose of having the program here is to increase the community’s awareness of the rich natural habitats here, and to engage people in their restoration and protection. Pat Fisher participated in the Kalamazoo Program last fall. “I have been doing volunteer work for years with habitats in my area, so I took the course to learn more about them,” states Pat. “But what I didn’t realize until I took the program was that these ecosystems, like the forests and wetlands and prairies, that they are interconnected, and how they depend on each other for their health and sustainability.” Sarah Pregitzer is a local Steward for the Newaygo Prairie Sanctuary, and will be leading one of the Saturday field tours. “Our hike will traverse mature Oak forest, Pine woods, remnant Dry Sand Prairie, Oak Savannah and restoration areas,” explains Sarah. “As we walk along we'll discuss the geologic history, hydrology, botany, native plants (both common and rare), as well as threatened and endangered species. We will see examples of ongoing work on privately owned sanctuaries and National Forest land.” "Residents of this area rarely realize Newaygo County's diverse nature. With over a dozen distinct natural communities, it is one of the most varied in our state,” added Sarah. Kirsten Lyons first took the Conservation Stewards Program in Oakland County in 2016, and has helped to coordinate it in St. Clair County since 2018. “What’s fun is to watch the connections that are made between people who take the program,” explained Kirsten. “They get to know each other, and often end up working on stewardship projects together after it is over. Some go on to lead their own restoration projects, and some become Board Members for environmentally focused organizations. You never know where someone’s participation will lead them!” The classes will meet on Mondays, September 9 - November 4, from 6pm - 8:30pm. They will begin with a short field tour at various sites around the County followed by classroom presentations by local and regional experts. There will also be two Saturday Field Trips: September 28 & October 19. Class size is limited, and registration ends on August 18. Scholarships are available and can be requested during the online registration. “I care about the health of my local ecosystems and how that impacts the global wellbeing of our planet,” states Emily Francart of White Cloud, who will be participating in the program this fall. “I live on a lake and am not sure of the best practices for wetland conservation, which I noticed was included within this program. I would like to do my part to ensure that we and future generations have a chance to enjoy nature undamaged by, or recovered from, human greed or waste.” Partners in planning the Newaygo Cohort of the Conservation Stewards Program include the Newaygo Conservation District, Newaygo Invasive Plants Project, Newaygo County Environmental Coalition, the Little River Band of Odawa Indians, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, MSU Extension, and the Fremont Area Community Foundation. More information about class locations and registration can be found at: www.canr.msu.edu/conservation_stewards_program/newaygo, or scan the QR code. Questions can be directed to Sally Wagoner: [email protected].  Restoration at Coolbaugh Natural areas. Photo by Sally Wagoner |
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