 And a few words on marriage longevity
“After 47 years of marriage, isn’t it amazing when you can look at your partner sound asleep next to you and still believe they have potential.” Kaylin McFarren The other night I had the opportunity to socialize amidst the tossing of cards with some old friends. And when I say old friends I mean... (a) they have been friends a long time (b), like me…they’re old. Each of us have had lengthy experiences with marriage with most approaching the half century mark of our relationships with these exceptional (and profoundly patient) partners. Each of us speaks well of our spouses (spice?) and each of us are acutely aware that our marital roads did not always involve easy travels. And yet somehow the relationships found a rhythm of sorts and managed to thrive. What kept us together? Well, there’s love. Always a factor and likely a necessary element if a couple is to get through the constant adjustments inherent in a long term relationship. Particularly when said relationship involves kids, career moves, geographic moves, midlife crises, grandkids, the aging and demise of our own parents, retirement, and the plethora of other changes we all go through. There’s commitment. The notion that the other person is #1 and the relationship is more important that the cosmic debris life sometimes tosses our way. The acknowledgement of a special type of partnership. And of course there is friendship. The overlooking of perceived shortcomings is always ten times easier with friends and nothing sheds a light on a person’s shortcomings like spending a few decades living with them. These seem to be the primary factors that have held these long-term unions together. Along, of course, with the aforementioned patience of our partners. Because while my friends and I have each progressed toward attaining the developmental maturity to match our chronological age… It hasn’t come without challenges. And few of us can legitimately claim arrival. So a toast to these new marriages. May these couples find the rhythm of their own relationship and dance to it through the years ahead. With care taken to minimize those inevitable missteps. The following couples have applied for marriage licenses at the Newaygo County Clerk’s Office. Jessie Roman, Marlette MI. and Melissa Deible, Grant Shelley McDonald, Fremont and Rodney McDonald, Fremont Katelynn Myers, Roseville MI. and Tristan Stehle, Newaygo Robert Berens, Fremont and Teresa Armstrong Fremont
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 L-R Lynette Hodges, NC RESA Director of Intervention & Prevention Services; Ed Canning, White Cloud Public Schools Superintendent; Yasmeen Rodriguez; Buzz Brown, Vice President of Customer Engagement & Chief Data Officer with Munetrix; Dr. Lori Tubbergen Clark, NC RESA Superintendent. Yasmeen Rodriguez receives Munetrix Scholarship
Yasmeen Rodriguez is one of 10 students in the MAISA intermediate school districts (ISD) regions who received a scholarship from Munetrix to attend her choice of trade school, college or university. Yasmeen resides in White Cloud and attends NC RESA’s Education & Activity Center. She is also enrolled in the Career-Tech Center’s cosmetology program. Yasmeen is working towards finishing the esthetician program and then plans to take her board exam. As a student leader, she is one of the founding members of the EAC’s Friends of Rachel club, which impacts the school with acts of kindness. Munetrix and Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) partnered to award ten $1,000 scholarships to students enrolled in an ISD-based program and “have demonstrated academic leadership and potential for professional success,” according to MAISA’s judging criteria. “This gives us a lot of joy and pride as a company,” said Buzz Brown, vice president of customer engagement and chief data officer with Munetrix. “This program is just another reflection of our commitment to improving education and helping educators, administrators, students and families alike across Michigan.”  Promoting Positive Changes Via Prevention
Newaygo County has had a substance abuse prevention affiliate since 1989 with the involvement of key leaders and agencies. The Newaygo County Community Collaborative (NC3) established the Safe and Drug Free Schools and Communities Affiliate in 2007 and the Suicide Prevention Workgroup in 2009. In April of 2010, the NC3 Executive Council merged the two separate groups to form a more unified alliance in prevention, treatment and recovery for Newaygo County. The coalition is now known as the Headway Coalition and is made possible through a variety of state and federal funding opportunities and the support of the acting fiduciary for coalition, Newaygo County Regional Educational Service Agency (NC RESA). The Headway Coalition partners with members and community agencies to utilize the Strategic Prevention Framework (SPF) to garner positive change related to substance abuse. This framework allows the coalition to identify and select evidence-based programs, policies, and practices to address specific areas identified as target priorities. The Headway coalition is guided by the following statements: Vision Statement: A supportive community that ensures all individuals and families are engaged, healthy and thriving. Mission Statement: To align and integrate resources and efforts that reduce behavioral risk factors and support all aspects of prevention and recovery. The 12-sector coalition representation uses data collected from the Michigan Profile for Health Youth (MiPHY), Supplemental Youth Survey (SYS), and local focus groups to identify priorities for the work of the coalition. Data driven collaborative problem solving and efforts of environmental change are at the core of the coalitions work to mobilize the community and act as a catalyst for change. Of the 12-sector representation, the Headway Coalition has three substance specific action teams (tobacco, prescription drug, and marijuana) that were created to allow coalition/community members to devote energy in their area of passion. These action teams develop relevant, and data driven action plans to carry-out the work of the coalition. A large part of the coalitions work revolves around partnerships with Newaygo County local high schools in the development of Youth Prevention Coalitions. These youth-led (adult facilitated) meetings strive to build prevention ambassadors in each of the local districts using peer-to-peer education. Youth Prevention Coalitions work to impactfully identify and address substance related factors relevant to their peers and community. Helping to facilitate the coalitions efforts, the Headway Coalition employs two full time staff members from NC RESA. If you have any questions regarding the Headway Coalition or would like to know how you can be involved in the coalition, please contact Katherine Mater-Project Coordinator for Drug-Free Communities at 231-652-3625 or [email protected].  Gerber Foundation awards over $103,000 in Spring Grant Round The Gerber Foundation awarded 24 grants totaling $103,274 to various nonprofit community organizations in West Michigan for programs serving the youth in Newaygo, Muskegon, Oceana, and Lake Counties. Grants were made to support a variety of activities in the areas of science education, summer programming and camp scholarships, other general youth programming, and early literacy skills. Several grants were made to various camps for summer camp scholarships, including to Harbor Hospice’s Camp Courage, Tall Turf Ministries’ Camp Tall Turf, American Diabetes Association’s ADA Imagine Camp, and Rose Lake Youth Camp. Additional youth program support went to Croton Township for the summer recreation program and to Joyful Strides Foundation for scholarships to therapeutic riding sessions. Numerous grants were provided in support of education and training: Grant Christian schools for their STEAM Fueled Outdoor Education program; Reeths-Puffer Education Inc, for “Starting the Cartoonversation™ for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” book printing costs; MSU Extension Lake County for summer 4-H STEAM Learning kits; Muskegon Area ISD teacher training for Engaging Students in STEM through Place-based Stewardship Education Projects; Junior Achievement of the Michigan Great Lakes for Newaygo County elementary student financial literacy programs, the White Cloud Library for their childhood literacy program, “Reaching Out and Bringing Them In”; and to TrueNorth Community Services for after school programing. Various other grants were made to the Holton United Methodist Church for their school backpack and supply program; Community enCompass for support of the Muskegon County Youth Empowerment Project; and to the Gerald R. Ford Council, Boy Scouts of America, and Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore-to-Shore for scout outreach, recruiting, and retention programs. “We are so very grateful for the commitment and resiliency of our community partners.” said Sally Hall, Assistant Program Manager, The Gerber Foundation. “Despite uncertainty and trying situations organizations have found ways to operate their youth programs in safe and secure environments giving our children an opportunity to again interact with each other, learn, laugh and make new friends.” Additional grants were awarded to: Baldwin Family Health Care – to help purchase a Digital Panorex X-ray Life Resources of Northern Michigan – for their crib program to promote safe sleep Newaygo County Museum and Heritage Center -- for youth field trips to the museum Ronald McDonald House of Western Michigan -- for the Family Support Program SAE Foundation -- for hands-on STEM teacher training and programming  Croton Township Summer Rec Program- Photo from their fb page  “Who you gonna call?”
From the folks at MSU Extension/Michigan 4-H Environmental & Outdoor Education: Are you interested in a fun hands-on youth citizen science project this summer that will have an environmental impact in your community? The best part is that you can also do this right in your own backyard. Join the team of heroes called the 4-H Moth Busters and help suppress the population of gypsy moth across the state of Michigan. Join one of two orientation sessions that will be held via Zoom and following that you will be sent the full ePacket of materials that will help you launch into your own self-paced and individual tracking program. There is a recognition program for those who participate in any of the three potential participation levels. This is a great opportunity for a parent or grandparent to offer support and guidance. The orientation sessions will be offered conveniently on either Tuesday June 29th at 2:00 pm or Wednesday, June 30th at 7:00 pm and should last about ½ hour or less. Contact Rebecca Sova at either [email protected] or John Wurm [email protected] to register and receive the Zoom link.  There’s been a ton of research about marriage and certainly a lot of opinions. An ocean of articles, books, podcasts, et. al. have been published and posted on the subject with no apparent end in sight. These all generally offer advice for maintaining a successful union, keeping the romance alive, revitalizing the relationship, and so on and so on. One dynamic that has always stood out for me is how couples speak of one another in the presence of others. A small amount of good natured kidding aside, the manner with which twosomes interact in such settings seems to speak volumes about their relationship. The couples I’ve known who show a tendency to refer to each other and their marriage in a positive manner likely experience a level of love based acceptance and there exists a connectedness that coincides with an enduring aura of kindness in the relationship. And the stories that are told by them reflect their regard for one another and, more importantly, how much they value their relationship. Food for thought as we post the most recent marriage license applicants who signed on at the Newaygo County Clerk’s office. Jason Mansfield, Fremont and Samantha Scott, Grant Autumn Andrews, Fremont and Jayson Potter, Grand Rapids Curtis Thomas, Hesperia and George Lambright III, Howard City Darcy Olbrich, Trenton,MI and William Price III, Grand Rapids Suzanne Schoen, Comstock Park and David Patrick, Big Rapids Enrique Reyes, Fremont and Emily Bishop, Fremont “They slipped briskly into an intimacy from which they never recovered.”-F. Scott Fitzgerald  LiveWell Mental Health Resources Campaign As the physical health effects of the pandemic are beginning to lessen, its impact on our mental health continues. Nationwide, our rates of those reporting depression and anxiety have increased dramatically, and so many continue to struggle with feelings of loneliness and isolation that have been part of our pandemic experience. Even before the onset of the pandemic, residents of Newaygo County had identified mental health issues as among the most pressing needs in our county. LiveWell is a local human services coalition that focuses on improving the health of residents and the environment here in Newaygo County. LiveWell recognized the need by focusing some of its work on combating social isolation by raising mental health awareness. The group wanted to reach out to see how people in the county are feeling, assure them that if they are struggling, they are not alone, and provide some resources to help them access services. They also knew much of Newaygo County struggles with internet availability. The solution to this was an old-fashioned mailer /newspaper ad campaign. Our LiveWell “We’re checking in” message to Newaygo County residents is being sent out because we want everyone to know that someone does care and that it’s okay to reach out if you are struggling. There is help out there for all of us. Resources include a variety of help line numbers and websites from local agencies to national organizations. Below is a list of several resources available to residents. Our goal is to try to reach all Newaygo County residents this month. The LiveWell committee recognizes that it has been a tough year and really wants you to know that it’s OK to ask for help. How are you doing, Newaygo County? Mental Health Resources Call 2-1-1 Newaygo County Mental Health Find a Therapist National Institute of Aging Friendship Line (Ages 60+) WISE Domestic Violence Helpline Michigan Crisis and Access Line (MiCAL) Family Health Care National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255) If you or a loved one are in crisis, call 9-1-1 or go to the Emergency Room LiveWell Mental Health Resource Campaign Sponsors Aging Well in Newaygo County Arbor Circle Fremont Area Community Foundation Newaygo County Community Collaborative Newaygo County Mental Health Newaygo County MDHHS Board TrueNorth Community Services Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial   From our friends at DHD#10
June 3, 2021 – District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) is proud to report that, as of June 1, 2021, approximately 100,461 COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the ten-county jurisdiction, including first and second doses of Pfizer and Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccines. Since the COVID-19 vaccine became available in December 2020, DHD#10 launched a highly coordinated effort involving 200+ staff, numerous volunteers, and assistance from the National Guard to first vaccinate priority groups, and then the public. “We couldn’t be prouder of the efforts our staff and volunteers have made to achieve this milestone,” stated DHD#10 Health Officer Kevin Hughes. “Vaccinations continue to be one of Public Health’s greatest tools to prevent disease and for COVID-19, it is no different. Having exceeded 100,000 doses of the vaccine is a leap in the right direction to help keep our communities safe.” DHD#10 efforts are now shifting to take the vaccine out into communities to make it as easy and convenient for anyone to get theirs. Through various pop-up clinics and taking the new Mobile Clinic bus to festivals and events, the opportunity is there for anyone who wants it to get the COVID-19 vaccine. DHD#10 is also hosting COVID-19 vaccine clinics at each local office on Tuesdays from 8:30 to 6:20 and Fridays from 8:30 to 4:30. You can schedule online at www.dhd10.org/schedule or just walk in. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, go to www.dhd10.org/covid-19-vaccine. To stay up to date on the latest information, sign up for Public Health Alerts at www.dhd10.org/subscribe.  Photo from CDC link found below Preparing for an overabundant season
Ticks. We hate ‘em. We don’t even know any but hey, there just isn’t a lot to not hate about a parasite whether it be an insect or any other species. And man, if you talk to hikers lately ticks are bound to arrive in the conversation sooner than descriptions of rugged treks or spectacular vistas. This year they are apparently arriving in droves anxiously awaiting the opportunity to hop onto 2 or 4 legged creatures. Here at N3 World Headquarters & Deer/Rabbit Vegetable Gardens there has been significant research of late on finding the ultimate tick-plucking tweezers to be had. We’ll keep you posted. Here’s some info is from our friends at DHD#10: June 03, 2021 – Areas across Michigan, including Northern Michigan, are seeing an explosion of tick activity this year. As the weather becomes nicer and people head outdoors to enjoy nature, District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) reminds everyone to exercise proper precautions to prevent human-tick interactions. Proper precautions include:
Michigan also offers tick identification resources to residents and visitors for free. Physical ticks can be placed in a container and mailed to MDHHS, or photos may be submitted to [email protected] Questions regarding ticks and other vectors should be directed to DHD#10’s Environmental Health Division at 888-217-3904. Additional information regarding ticks and Lyme disease can be found here:
 DHD#10 HOSTING NUMEROUS OFF-SITE COVID-19 VACCINE CLINICS
Public welcome, no appointment necessary June 01, 2021 – Now that the COVID-19 vaccine is widely available, District Health Department #10 is bringing it to the community through off-site vaccine clinics. You do not need an appointment – just walk into any clinic to receive your vaccine. All clinics will have Pfizer for 12 and older and most will have Moderna and Johnson & Johnson for 18 and older. The following counties currently have off-site COVID-19 vaccine clinics scheduled: NEWAYGO Wednesday, June 2, 2:30-6:30PM – Hesperia Community School Gym, Hesperia Wednesday, June 9 and June 30, 8:30-9:30AM – TrueNorth Food Distribution, Fremont LAKE Wednesday, June 2, 11:00AM-3:00PM – Bread of Life Food Pantry, Baldwin MANISTEE Wednesday, June 9, 9:30AM-12:30PM – Manistee High School, Manistee Thursday, June 10, 3:00-6:00PM – Iron Fish Distillery, Thompsonville MASON Wednesday, June 2, 2:00-6:00PM – Ludington High School, Ludington Wednesday, June 9, 12:00-2:00PM – Caritas Food Pantry, Custer Wednesday, June 23, 9:00AM-12:00PM – Mason County District Library, Ludington OCEANA Wednesday, June 2, 12:00-5:00PM – Pentwater Public School Cafeteria, Pentwater Monday, June 7, 1:00-6:00PM – Shelby High School, Shelby Tuesday, June 22, July 13, and August 10, 4:00-7:00PM – New Era Farmer’s Market, New Era WEXFORD Wednesday, June 2, 10:00AM-1:00PM – Kirtland Terrace Apartments, Cadillac Thursday, June 3, 3:00-5:00PM – Cadillac United Methodist Church, Cadillac Monday, June 7, 3:00-6:00PM – Cadillac Jr. High School Cafeteria, Cadillac Wednesday, June 9, 10:00AM-1:00PM – Harbor View Apartments, Cadillac Friday, July 16, 5:00-7:00PM – Manton Truck Show, Downtown Manton More off-site vaccine clinics will be added and announced each week. For more information on the COVID-19 vaccine, go to www.dhd10.org/covid-19-vaccine. To stay up to date on the latest information, sign up for Public Health Alerts at www.dhd10.org/schedule. |
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