 Author to deliver presentation at Family Of God event Family of God Community Church of Newaygo is excited to have Cynthia Hughes share her recently published book, GG Forgot My Name on Thursday, May 19th at 6:45 pm. There will be a light supper served prior to the presentation at 6:00pm. Cynthia Hughes’ book is about how Alzheimer’s Disease affects families. She will discuss “The Top 10 Hints”-Adjusting to Alzheimer’s.” Cynthia will talk about different examples from her family’s experiences as the Alzheimer’s progressed, and the love and kindness that was shown to her mother that provided the foundation for her book. Here are some thoughts Cynthia sent on adjusting to Alzheimer’s. “As a Health Educator, I thought I knew a lot about Alzheimer’s Disease. Yet when my mom started experiencing many of the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer’s I previously had taught others about, did I realize that I really needed hints. I needed hints on how to adjust to having someone you love, develop Alzheimer’s. “It was after many days of feeling frustrated from not knowing how to “fix” the changes mom was experiencing and trying many, many ways to make days easier-for both of us, did I discover what seemed to help on most days. Many of these findings, which I honestly believe helped us have better days, are included in my Top 10 Hints-Adjusting to Alzheimer’s. “ Cheryl Schneider from the Commission on Aging or Community Health will also be available to join in this discussion and answer questions. If this sounds interesting and you would like to learn about adjusting to a loved one experiencing Alzheimer’s, please join us. You do not need a reservation, and we welcome everyone, but if you would like to respond that you are interested in attending send an email to fogcc@fogcc.com. 
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  Newaygo County 4-H is pleased to announce it is the recipient of three grants from the Gerber Foundation for youth programming. Grant funds awarded to Newaygo County 4-H will provide needed archery equipment for a youth archery program, transportation for youth to 4-H Exploration Days on the campus of MSU, and for a new community outreach program, Discover 4-H! Discover You! Since 1902, 4-H has been reaching out to young people across America to develop leadership, citizenship, and life skills as they work in partnership with adult mentors. In 4-H, we are committed to helping young people, ages 5 – 19 years of age, develop skills that will help them succeed and reach their full potential. 4-H has deep traditional roots within agriculture, however, 4-H today also encompasses many learning opportunities designed to fit the needs of youth at different ages. Through a variety of projects—from food and forestry to rockets and sewing—4-H gives children and teens opportunities to learn life skills, to practice them, and become confident in their ability to use them in the future. There are hands-on, learn-by-doing, opportunities for everyone! In addition to community 4-H clubs, within Newaygo County, there are also a vast number of opportunities for youth to become engaged in 4-H through in-school programs, after-school programs and clubs, 4-H’s partnership with local libraries, and 4-H outreach opportunities such as educational workshops, and trips such as 4-H Winterfest, 4-H Capitol Experience, and 4-H Exploration Days. The Gerber Foundation supports a variety of youth programming within a 4-county area that includes Lake, Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. The Foundation has a long history of community support, including support to youth programs (for youth aged 0-18 years), education, and health and human services. To learn more about Newaygo County 4-H, contact Laurie Platte Breza, 4-H Program Coordinator at platteb1@msu.edu.  NC Mental Health celebrates its 50th
By Carol Mills, Executive Director, NCMH Newaygo County Mental Health was formed by the County of Newaygo in 1972 - this year, we celebrate 50 years of serving the mental health needs of Newaygo County. In so many ways, it was a different world 50 years ago. Richard Nixon was President, although it was also the year that 5 White House operatives were arrested for their role in the Watergate Scandal. Gas was 36 cents a gallon. The US would be in Vietnam for another year before beginning withdrawal of troops. In 1970, there were 11,134 people living in State Institutions in Michigan. As a result of Michigan enacting the Mental Health Code, by 1975, this number had been reduced to 4,925. Today, there are only 772 state psychiatric beds. In 1997 the State of Michigan closed all but 5 of its State Facilities. Three of these facilities serve adults, one serves children, and one is the Center For Forensic Psychiatry in Ypsilanti that takes are of individuals who are involved with the court system often for charges in which the defendant pleads either Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) or Incompetent to Stand Trial (IST). Newaygo CMH started in a house located on Wilcox in White Cloud, near the current offices. They constructed the current office in 1979, with a major expansion of this space in 2008. CMH in Newaygo County serves people of all ages and disabilities. From Children to Adults, both with mental illnesses and intellectual/developmental disabilities, Newaygo CMH works to meet both their clinical needs, as well as housing for people needing foster care. Newaygo County Mental Health is governed by a Board of Directors that is appointed by the Board of Commissioners to 3 year terms. We are locally accountable to this community that we serve. Newaygo CMH serves approximately 2,500 Newaygo county residents per year. Today, there are no County residents living in a State-run facility. People who are unable to live on their own without assistance often live in a foster care home in the community. Newaygo CMH provides jobs to the community by hiring caregivers. We believe that people have a choice on where they live, and what they do. We strive to provide choice and self-direction in helping everyone lead meaningful lives. Over the years, we have served many people in this community. We appreciate the public’s trust in our cause, and work to reduce the stigma of mental illness and substance use disorder. Over the next few months, we will share our personal stories and history with Newaygo County. We hope that you will join us as we celebrate our 50th year of serving the greater Newaygo County community.  GFCU staff at Newaygo Elementary FREMONT, Mich. Gerber Federal Credit Union staff recently read the book Count on Pablo by Barbara deRubertis to local 2nd grade classrooms. Pablo is excited about helping his grandmother sell vegetables at the farmer's market. But no one stops to buy any. Pablo's solution is clever—and delicious! With engaging stories that connect math to kids’ everyday lives, each book in the Teachers’ Choice Award–winning Math Matters series focuses on a single concept and reinforces math vocabulary and skills.Bonus activities in the back of each book feature math and reading comprehension questions, and even more free activities online add to the fun! Following the book read, staff discussed good money management and presented every student, their teacher and their school library with a copy of the book. Gerber Federal Credit Union donated a total of 675 books to the following school districts: Big Jackson, Fremont, Fremont Christian, Grant Christian, Grant, Hesperia, Holton, Newaygo and White Cloud. Find out more about Gerber FCU’s youth programs at www.gerberfcu.com/youth.  Spectrum Health adds free suicide prevention training to address mental health, wellbeing
Fremont, Mich., May 2, 2022 – Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial has added a free suicide prevention training that is open to all community members. A training in Twin Lake in June has been added to four sessions scheduled in Newaygo and Muskegon counties. Spectrum Health’s certified trainers will lead the free “Question, Persuade, Refer,” training. QPR training is designed to increase the ability to identify people with suicidal thoughts or behaviors and intervene to save a life. The QPR training will teach participants how to recognize the warning signs of suicide, offer hope and get help to save a life.
Spectrum Health has held two sessions, one each in Fremont and Newaygo, in March and April, respectively. “Spectrum Health’s ‘Question, Persuade, Refer’ training is designed to empower anyone, anywhere, to have the tools and knowledge that can help spot individuals in trouble and engage them in ways that can potentially save lives,” said Jena Zeerip, Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial community education manager. “We encourage everyone in the community to sign up for this free training, especially as mental health and wellbeing continue to be concern in our communities, schools and workplaces. Spectrum Health’s ‘Question, Persuade, Refer’ training can make a real difference by engaging with compassion, raising awareness and offering hope.” To register: 231.924.3073 or communityhealth@spectrumhealth.org  Students of Big Jackson Public School holding white pine seedlings courtesy of Newaygo Conservation District and Newaygo County 4-H. 150th Celebration of Arbor Day Arbor Day is a great way to celebrate nature and the importance of trees in our environment. Newaygo Conservation District along with Newaygo County 4-H marked the 150th Celebration of Arbor Day this week by providing white pine seedlings to 2nd grade students in school districts throughout Newaygo County. Over 575 seedling which were grown at the Newaygo Conservation Nursery in Newaygo were given out along with planting instructions to youth to take home and plant with their families. Arbor Day, much like Earth Day, focuses on nature and encourages people to plant trees. Arbor Day has a long, rich history dating back to 1872 when J. Sterling Morton encouraged his fellow Nebraskans to plant trees in their communities. Nearly 1 million trees were planted in the first year! Within 20 years, Arbor Day was celebrated in nearly every state. It wasn’t until 1970 that Arbor Day became recognized nationwide as a holiday thanks to President Richard Nixon. Now it is celebrated around the world!
 Recognizing 4-H Volunteers during National Volunteer Week!
National Volunteer Week, April 17—23, is an opportunity to recognize the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to build stronger communities and the force that transforms lives. With over 15,000 4-H volunteers across the state contributing to the success and expansion of the 4-H Youth Development program, volunteers are very much an intricate part of Michigan 4-H. They are, undeniably, the “heart and soul” of the program. Through their efforts young people experience new projects, leadership experiences, and engage in their communities. Leadership in 4-H doesn't depend on the amount of knowledge you have about a project. It relies on your willingness to help youth learn. While a young member's project might be photography, horses or sewing, the leader's project is always the YOUTH. Leadership is the ability to get along with people; to tackle a job and see it through. 4-H volunteers are valued partners and the key to the success of a member's learning, experience, and continuing interest in 4-H. A 4-H volunteer is many things - mentor, advisor, friend, teacher, referee, role model, pacesetter, and much more. Most importantly, a 4-H leader genuinely cares about young people and wants to help them learn and grow. 4-H volunteers volunteer for many reasons. Some want to work with youth, or pass along skills, and others just want to help out. Whatever the reason, 4-H leaders right here in Newaygo County play a vital role in the ongoing growth and development of youth within our county. When 4-H youth and adults work together, young people become more educated, independent, and responsible. This prepares young people to take their rightful place as caring, competent citizens and leaders in their community and the world. A special thank you to all of our 4-H volunteers and to all of the past volunteers that have built the Newaygo County 4-H program! To become part of the Newaygo County 4-H program, contact Laurie Platte Breza, 4-H program coordinator, at 231-928-1056 or email at platteb1@msu.edu.  Movement Disorders Specialist Ashok Sriram, MD Parkinson’s virtual, in-person support group features Spectrum Health expert April 21
FREMONT, Mich., April 13, 2022 – A Spectrum Health neurologist specializing in Parkinson’s disease will be the featured speaker at a Parkinson’s support group meeting on Thursday, April 21, that will be offered virtually and in-person. Ashok Sriram, MD, a board-certified neurologist and fellowship-trained movement disorders specialist, will share insights at the free event from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. With the hybrid virtual/in-person option, anyone with a laptop or a phone can join from anywhere. Participants choosing to participate from the comfort of their home can join via smartphone and laptop, or through a conference phone call. In-person attendees will meet at Room 1 at Tamarac, 1401 W. Main St., Fremont. At the support group meeting, Spectrum Health will share education on symptoms, treatments and living with Parkinson’s. Participants also provide support to each other as the meeting is an opportunity to share experiences and coping skills. The Parkinson’s support group meets every third Thursday of the month. “Spectrum Health’s Parkinson’s support group bring people together every month to share experiences so they know they’re not alone, and being able to offer the virtual option allows more people in more communities to connect with each other on this journey,” said Spectrum Health support group facilitator Shelly Klochack, RN. “Our Parkinson’s support group encourages a sense of belonging and acceptance. We look forward to having Dr. Ashok Sriram share his expertise in Parkinson’s research and empower families with helpful information.” To join the virtual support group, copy and paste the following link to enter the meeting: https://bit.ly/2X5EDRC. Then click: “Join on the web instead” and the meeting will open. For help getting the link or other questions, call Klochack at 231-924-3275. For those who don’t have a smartphone, laptop or tablet and want to call into the meeting, please dial: +1 616-773-2109, then enter conference ID 666 108 443#. (Be sure to press the “#” sign at the end of the ID numbers.) Dr. Sriram uses a multidisciplinary team approach to care for people with Parkinson’s disease, tremors, dystonia, ataxias, and other movement disorders. His clinical interests include surgical treatment/deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson’s disease, dystonia and tremors, and botulinum toxin injections for cervical dystonia, blepharospasms, hemifacial spasms, spasticity, sialorrhea and chronic migraines. Based in Grand Rapids, Dr. Sriram frequently visits and speaks with communities across West Michigan. To set up an appointment, contact: 616.267.7900.  April is Autism Awareness and Acceptance Month
Autism 101 Fact: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges. Autism Acceptance: “Please don’t ignore us or look the other way when we approach you. Doing that to us will note make us or our disability go away. We didn’t have a choice about our disability, but you definitely have a choice in how you accept us.” Annie Forts Fact: ASD is the fastest growing developmental disability in the U.S. There are 3.5 million individuals on the autism spectrum. 1 in 54 children will be diagnosed with ASD, boys being 4 times more likely to be affected. Autism Acceptance: “Autism is part of my child. It’s not everything he is. My child is so much more than a diagnosis.” S.L. Coelho Fact: The learning and cognitive abilities of people with ASD can range from gifted to significantly impacted. Autism Acceptance: “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism. Each one of them is so wonderfully different.”Autism Parenting Magazine Fact: Oftentimes there are no differences in how people with ASD look that would set them apart from others, but they may communicate, interact, behave, learn and experience the world in ways that are different from most. Autism Acceptance: “Different, not less.” Temple Grandin The Newaygo County Autism Community is a nonprofit organization supporting families impacted by autism. Prior to the pandemic, the NCAC held an annual walk to promote awareness and raise funds, planned educational support group meetings and sponsored a monthly swim time at Tamarac for individuals with ASD and their families. The organization also awards grant monies to Newaygo County residents living with ASD. In the last round, 6 grants were awarded. The next grant round will be in July and all grants are made possible by donations from generous individuals and businesses throughout Newaygo County. Donations are always welcome. For more information, access the Newaygo County Autism Community Facebook page or send inquiries to NCAC P.O. Box 56 Fremont, Michigan 49412.  VOR members pictured: Jared Watson, Lilly Holmes, Will Fehrlen, Christian Ringler, Brooke Ringler, Ryleigh Balke, Samantha Kukal, Aleeya Grifford & Kyleah Baker. White Cloud students step up
Voice of Reason recently sponsored a food drive for Benny's House in WC, March 14th through March 25th. Competition was fierce between Pride-Time classes. Mrs. Atwood's class, with 644 items, was the winner in the High School; Ms. Scott's class was the winner in the Junior High. Food donations equaled almost 1500 items along with generous gift card donations from Houseman's & Jim Tuman. Many will benefit from the generosity in our community. White Cloud Pride at its best!! |
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