Baldwin– Family Health Care (FHC) will hold two Community Health Fairs to mark National Health Center Week 2018. These events are part of a national campaign during the week of August 12-18 to raise awareness about the mission and accomplishments of America’s Health Centers and the dedicated staff who bring health care to the medically underserved. These health fairs, located at its offices in White Cloud and Baldwin, help FHC expand its vision of creating zero health disparities by connecting patients and community members with services the organization and its community partners offer. Each of these family-friendly events will include activities and games for children, fitness activities, health screenings, free food, and local health and wellness resources. Both of these events are free and open to the public. The first health fair will take place on Tuesday, August 14 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Family Health Care – White Cloud, located at 1035 E. Wilcox in White Cloud. The second will be on Thursday, August 16 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Baldwin Family Health Care, located at 1615 Michigan Avenue in Baldwin. Spectrum Health & YMCA will join FHC in Baldwin with the “Veggie Van,” handing out fresh fruits and veggies to attendees. Family Health Care proudly handles over 109,600 patient visits each year between Lake, Mecosta, Missaukee, Newaygo, Osceola and Wexford counties. It is driven to provide access to critical primary care services to everyone, regardless of age or ability to pay. The heroes who work at each health center help make affordable health care possible for people in need. FHC employs more than 330 people who work in positions that include physicians, midlevel providers, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, dentists and dental hygienists, behavioral health specialists, and much more. Working together, these health care heroes produce innovative solutions to the most pressing health care issues in their communities. They reach beyond the walls of conventional medicine to address the factors that may cause sickness, such as lack of nutrition, mental illness, homelessness and substance abuse disorders. It is their work that has helped reduce health care costs and reduce chronic disease, generating a record of success and along with it a long tradition of bipartisan support in Congress. To learn more about Family Health Care and the upcoming health fairs, visit familyhealthcare.og.
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Newaygo North Country Trail Section 8 – M-20 Trailhead to 3 Mile Rd. By Bret Brummel Distance: 2.95 miles A week-long vacation in a foreign country took us out of our running routine. Looking ahead at the next section of the trail, I questioned my ability to complete an 8.5-mile trail run after taking a week off. Combine that with the high temperatures and humidity, I decided to shorten our next leg to 3 miles. That was a good decision. The shorter distance allowed us to run on one of Anna’s assigned “fast” days during the week. She alerted me that she would be picking up the pace and I felt ready for the challenge. Crossing M-20 from the parking area, we headed through the trees onto the trail. It was a gradual uphill single-track trail and the pace Anna had set was quick. It felt great as we seemed to be flying up the hills. I’ve learned that every uphill section of the trail usually follows with a downhill of similar distance. The entire first half mile seemed uphill, so I was looking forward to the downhill that was sure to follow. Unfortunately, it only lasted a few hundred yards leading us to a bridge over the 2nd Cole Creek and a quick stop for a picture. The second mile of the trail heads north, and the gradual elevation increase continued. The mature forest with the enclosed canopy made for an interesting view, but that did nothing to help close the gap that seemed to be increasing between Anna and me. I tried sprinting any downhill portion, but there wasn’t enough downhill for me to keep her pace. At the 2.25-mile mark, the trail just wasn’t fair. A steep hill sapped what little energy I still had in my legs. The gap between us quickly became 30 yards and there was no downhill in sight. Fortunately, we met two men on mountain bikes heading the opposite direction that forced Anna to stop so they could pass. I was able to get back within a respectable distance for our sprint to the finish. Unfortunately, I had little sprint left in me and the large gap returned. I exited the trail onto 3-mile road only to hear Anna say between breaths, “That was all uphill… I wanted to stop so many times… I wasn’t far enough ahead of you to do that… you kept closing the gap... my legs are dead!” I guess my pace wasn’t that bad after all. I was glad it wasn’t only me that thought this section was tough. It was a great choice shortening this leg from the original 8.5 miles. I’d have never made it. Gerber Memorial thanks community for making cancer center dunk tank fundraiser a success FREMONT – Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial today thanked the Newaygo County community for helping raise more than $500 for the local cancer center, by chipping in loose change for a dunk tank during the recently concluded National Baby Food Festival in Fremont. “Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial is extremely grateful for all the people who donated to the cancer center dunk tank fundraiser and support a local resource that ensures people can get the care they need right here in Newaygo County,” said Loretta Towne, Spectrum Health Foundation Gerber Memorial specialist. “It was great to see people from all backgrounds and of all ages step up in the fight against cancer, a couple of dollars at a time. The best part was seeing folks line up to get the volunteers wet and have a lot of fun while supporting a good cause.” Gerber Memorial expressed its gratitude to all the volunteers who sat in the tank, an hour at a time, in support of the fundraiser. The dunk tank volunteers were John Buckley, CEO and president of Gerber Federal Credit Union, and Brent Deur, GFCU senior branch manager; Mike Paige, local attorney and Attorney Referee for the Family Division of the Circuit Court; Clifford Kopp, representing the Special Olympics District 11; and Gerber Memorial staff Justin Schoenlein, Meghan Crawford and Jen Prewitt. “We express our deepest thanks to everyone that worked together to make this fundraiser happen, especially the brave volunteers who stepped into the dunk tank and took a dip in cold water for the sake of supporting our local cancer center,” Towne said. The idea for the inaugural dunk tank fundraiser came up when several Newaygo County businesses and organizations were informed by the American Cancer Society that the annual Relay for Life would no longer be held in Newaygo County. The businesses and groups, working with Gerber Memorial, sought a way to honor cancer patients and raise funds that would go back to the community. Hearing of the plight, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce proposed the idea of the dunk tank to Gerber Memorial and the local businesses, which included Gerber Federal Credit Union and Nestle Gerber. The dunk was open two hours each day from Wednesday to Saturday during the Baby Food Festival, and raised $501 in about seven hours. It is part of Gerber Memorial’s centennial celebration of 100 years of connecting with the community.
The Spectrum Health Cancer Center at Gerber Memorial saw 2,912 patients this past year, an increase of 150 patients compared to a year ago, with many of them from the Newaygo County area. For questions about the NBFF or the Gerber Memorial dunk tank fundraiser, contact the Fremont Chamber of Commerce at 231.924-0770. Family Health Care and Ferris State University Partner to Expand Services in Lake County BALDWIN– Increased access to vision care is becoming a reality thanks to a partnership between Family Health Care and Ferris State University’s Michigan College of Optometry (MCO). Beginning on July 30, 2018, an expanded vision center will be open to the public at FHC’s Loretta Adams-Ashby Health Center, located at 1101 Washington Street in Baldwin. The vision center will be staffed by Family Health Care’s Optometrist, Dr. Steven Kamrowski, and Ferris MCO faculty and doctoral interns, Monday through Thursday. This full-service clinic will provide patients with comprehensive eye exams, eye disease diagnosis and a wide selection of eyeglasses. The expanded vision center will provide greater opportunities for community members to have regular eye exams to check for common eye diseases, assess how the eyes work together and evaluate them as an indicator of a patient’s overall health. Dr. Kamrowski joined Family Health Care in Fall 2016 to launch the Vision Center at its clinic located in White Cloud, Michigan. He completed his Doctor of Optometry at Ferris and has 12 years of experience prior to joining FHC. “This partnership with Michigan College of Optometry, exemplifies our mission of providing the residents of Lake County with 100 percent access to the care they deserve,” says Kathy Sather, President & CEO of Family Health Care. “With the expansion of vision services in Baldwin, we hope to decrease barriers to health allowing patients to live their best lives possible.”
Exams and treatment will be provided by Ferris faculty doctors and interns who are working to complete their doctoral degree in optometry. Faculty doctors work with interns to examine, diagnose, treat and manage a wide variety of eye and vision problems. “Giving our future optometrists a real-world experience while providing much-needed care to the community is a top priority for us,” said Dr. David Durkee, assistant dean for Clinical Education at Ferris. “Expanding on our long-standing partnership with Family Health Care helps achieve our mission of making our patients’ welfare the highest priority.” The Baldwin Vision Center is open to everyone and most insurances are accepted. A discount may be available to those who qualify. Dr. Kamrowski is available Mondays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Ferris interns are available on Tuesdays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. To make an appointment with Dr. Kamrowski, call (231) 745-5002, or with Ferris State University, call (231) 591-2020. Newaygo North Country Trail Section 7 – Centerline Rd. to M-20 Trailhead
By Bret Brummel Distance: 4.14 miles Ryan drew the short straw today and “volunteered” to help transport us to this section of the trail. He follows us in his vehicle to the final destination where we drop off my van. Then, we climb in his car to be taken to the start. The farther north we get, the more time this takes, so Ryan decided to join us on the trail today. After a brief description of the trail, one last drink of water, and a race selfie, off we went. Ryan’s pace is fast enough that it wasn’t long before he was out of sight. The trail begins with a half mile road section on Centerline turning on Echo Drive before changing to the single-track trail through the woods. Anna was running a nice pace and we quickly found ourselves on a beautiful bridge crossing the White River. A quick stop for a picture may have been a mistake because it offered the deer flies opportunity to land on my head. As we continued to run, I was jealous of Anna for having a pony tail that seemed to be acting like a fly swatter with each step. I was a bit concerned when we reached the sign for the White Cloud Junction. White Cloud is a designated Trail Town for the North Country trail. At the junction, the NCT meets with a connector trail that leads to White Cloud Park and Campground. When giving Ryan a quick description of the trail, I had referred to our stopping point as 1-mile road and not as M-20 like it was displayed on the sign. I hoped he picked the correct path and didn’t end up running to the Cross Country course used by White Cloud High School. Up next, we found a unique portion of the trail through the Rattlesnake Creek area. A 2-board wide bridge made of 2” x 8” boards zig-zags through the marshy area for quite a long distance. It is perfect for hiking, but the bridge is an added challenge if you are running. It was hard to decide whether to stay on the board to the left, or the one to the right, or to alternate between them. Both Anna and I had to slow our pace to make sure we didn’t end up falling in the marsh. After what seemed like a quarter mile, we hopped off the bridge, up a small incline, and resumed our familiar single-track path that would take us to the finish. Anna’s favorite part of the trip came with a half mile to go. We actually ran into some people! It was the first time in 30 miles we had seen anyone on the trail. Having to deal with the heat and the deer flies, it was encouraging to see someone headed the other direction. That meant that we were nearing the finish and we weren’t the only crazy people out there. When we came to the parking area on M-20, it was full of cars. Ryan had the air conditioning running and had only been waiting for about 10 minutes. Thankfully, he had made the correct path choice at the junction sign. When I asked how he dealt with the flies, he replied: “I just put my shirt over my head when I run. It’s less annoying than swatting at the bugs.” It worked for him. I think I might just bring a hat next time. By Alexis Mercer Training for a marathon requires a considerable time commitment. When I decided to run the Grand Rapids Marathon, I was still just about six months out from race day. I talked to my husband. Me: “I have decided to do something.” Hubby: “Uh oh.” Me: “No, it’s a good thing.” Hubby: “Then why are you prepping me?” Me: “I am thinking of running a marathon.” Hubby: “So you’re taking on another part time job?” Me: (raised eyebrow deep sigh) “That wasn’t really the excitement I was hoping to get from you.” Even at the time, I knew he was right. Adam is always supportive of me and my endeavors. And while I am quite sure he thinks I am nuts for wanting to train months upon end for a 26.2 mile race, it isn’t as if he doesn’t have his own athletic pursuits that require time and commitment. I knew he wasn’t so much commenting on the idea of the marathon as how I would fit it in to all the other things I enjoy and currently have going on in life. For the time being, I am able to fit running in to my schedule without much finagling. Because I am a teacher and am home with our kids during the summer, I am able to work around Adam’s work schedule rather well. (We shall see how this goes in the fall when I am back to teaching and coaching full time.) It works best for my family if I get up early to get my runs in before the kids get going with their day. So most of the time I get to enjoy an hour (or two or three if it’s a Sunday) focusing on my running. The remainder of my day is enjoyed with my family checking off our extensive summer bucket list. But the other day, Adam had to work very early in the morning and was scheduled to be gone until after dark. Problem number one. I had the kids, who are all about working out and love the outdoors, but I was supposed to run 5 miles with timed mile repeats in the middle of a warmup and cool down...my 5 year old wouldn’t really love that. Problem number two. It was going to be 80 degrees with 80 percent humidity by 8 am. Problem number three. Any one of these obstacles could have turned into an excuse that would have prevented me from running that day. I chose to make it happen anyway. I let the kids sleep in, knowing that it was going to be hotter than hot with the sun beating down on me, but it was a better option than dragging them out of bed at 6 (no one wants to deal with my youngest on little sleep). Snacks...lots of snacks were packed and we all piled in to the car, heading to the track to run my miles so that I could keep them in sight the whole time. I wasn’t loving the idea of running 5 miles on the track, but it was my only option. They hung out in the shade with toys and snacks and water. I endured the sun for a mile warmup, three miles at tempo pace, and a mile cooldown. I felt like I won the lottery when I finished. I so easily could have put my agenda to the side and allowed the circumstances to change the opportunity for me to run. Instead I overcame the obstacles that faced me and made it work. And as a result, I felt accomplished and ready to take on the rest of the day with my kids. Running constantly teaches me lessons that I return to in other aspects of life. This time I am stashing away for a rainy day the lesson that we can allow obstacles to turn into excuses or we can find ways to pursue our goals despite them. My new part-time job is going well. It’s too bad it isn’t paid. Newaygo North Country Trail Section 6 – 40th St. to Centerline Rd. By Bret Brummel Distance: 6.28 miles Anna and I were determined not to make the same mistakes we had made on the last section of the trail. The weather was hot and humid so we both drank lots of fluids and I double checked the maps before heading out for our run. As they say, “Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance”. We had run 4 miles of this section last fall and were looking forward to seeing what the last 2 miles had to offer. Trail running is so much better than running on the road. You don’t have to worry about traffic, angry dogs protecting their territory, and the scenery is much more unpredictable. This section began with some winding single-track trails that had a nice variety of hills and flat ground and keeping up with Anna seemed easy. After 1.5 miles, we both agreed this run was going great. I stopped for a picture when we came upon a large oak tree with a weird growth facing the trail. It resembled a face that reminded me of the tree Ents that lived in Fangorn Forest in J.R.R Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Beyond our tree Ent, there was a small section of large trees that created a canopy that trapped the air inside. This dense area had a wet smell of decaying vegetation that had that ancient forest feel. It was something you don’t experience running on the road. As the trail crosses 28th St., there is a sign describing the Coastal Plain Marsh. This area has unique plants and animals not normally found in Michigan. It was another nice change of scenery. The trail continued, and we were nearing a foot bridge that would mark the end of the familiar part of this section of the trail. We snapped our race selfie and headed into the unknown. We had just passed another bridge when I heard some rustling in the thick undergrowth on my left. I assumed it was a just a squirrel. Suddenly, a small fawn darted into the trail behind me and began chasing me as we ran. It took about 10 feet for the fawn to realize that I wasn’t his mom. It dashed off into the woods giving us a good laugh. The last two miles were relatively flat through some wetland and some planted pines. With a mile to go, Anna began picking up the pace. I was happy I was able to keep up until the last quarter mile. We reached the van both satisfied with our run and looking forward to the next section. Under grey skies and a most welcome drizzle racers took to the streets for the Annual Hess Lake Run for A-T. Saturday morning.
Marathon Miles: Restoring Perspective By Alexis Mercer Here is a list of the things that have broken or stopped working completely in my house within the last few weeks: Microwave iPhone Enclave (our family vehicle) Television Desktop computer Then my credit card number was stolen and used fraudulently. It’s been an interesting few weeks in the technology department of our house. I figured on Friday I had two choices: cry or go for a difficult run to work out my stress. I’m not much for crying. So run it was. By 9:00 am it was already 80 degrees and humid. Really humid. I only had a short bit before I was to meet Ken and other N3 contributors for our weekly coffee and conversation at Riverstop Cafe, so I decided I would start downtown Newaygo. I headed North toward Wisners, and turn in to hit the riverside trail for my warmup mile. Nice and easy. And then I made the turn for Whiskeywood Hill. (I’m sorry for those who are offended by this name. I’m not originally from Newaygo - but it’s the only way I know this hill. Does it even have a street name? If so, I know I’ve never heard it called that before.) Those of you not from Newaygo - this hill is approximately half a mile long with winding turns so sharp you can’t see the top until after the 2nd curve. The first 200 meters is the steepest. It was at the very base when a fellow runner passed me coming from the opposite direction. She smiled, waved, and said “It’s better going in this direction.” But I needed this mental and physical challenge. I knew it would clear my head. Off I charged. To get up a big hill like this, you have to drive your knees and pump your arms and hang on for dear life. My lungs were fiercely burning 100 meters in. And I was loving it. I smiled and kept on. I got to the first curve knowing I had conquered the steepest section - and that now I could push the pace to maintain the burn in my lungs and legs. The occasional car would pass (there is no room on the side of this hill so it’s quite dangerous running here) but all the drivers were kind and slowed down and moved over. They were probably questioning my sanity, too. I continued on, turning the 2nd curve and could now see my destination: the street light that marked where I would turn around. I smiled some more. I tried to increase the pace one last time to finish the ascent feeling strong. I had done it. Now a quick descent, feeling like a million dollars (albeit a very sweaty, drenched million) and a push to end back downtown for my meeting just in time. This run was exactly what I needed. Life throws us hills. Sometimes they are small - and sometimes they are the size of Whiskeywood. I needed a physical hill to remind me of some things.
As I walked into Riverstop Cafe, my frustration had lifted, and I was ready to enjoy a morning conversation with friends. My perspective had been restored. And my gratitude for the gift of running was at an all time high. Gerber Memorial, community to raise funds for Cancer Center
FREMONT- Get someone wet for a good cause during the National Baby Food Festival Wednesday, July 18, through Saturday, July 21. Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial is partnering with local businesses and organizations to raise funds during the popular Fremont festival, by inviting the public to try their arm and their aim at the dunk tank located in front of the Fifth-Third Bank on Main Street downtown. For $1 a ball, three for $2 or any additional contributions, donors get to send a willing local volunteer into a tank full of water as part of Gerber Memorial’s centennial celebration. “As organizers of the National Baby Food Festival, the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce and our community partners are thrilled that we can also make this event about giving back to our neighbors,” said Sydney Baird of the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce and Co-Coordinator of the NBFF. “The Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Cancer Center has been such an important contributor to care in our community. We’re excited that we can offer a family-friendly fun way to raise funds that will stay in our community and support cancer patients, and which also coincides with Gerber Memorial’s Centennial.” The dunk tank is open Wednesday, 4 p.m.–6 p.m.; Thursday, 6 p.m.-8 p.m.; Friday, 4 p.m.-6 p.m.; and Saturday, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. The idea for the dunk tank came up when several Newaygo County businesses and organizations were informed that the American Cancer Society informed them that the annual Relay for Life would no longer be held in Newaygo County. The businesses and groups, working with Gerber Memorial, sought a way to honor cancer patients and raise funds that would go back to the community. Hearing of the plight, the Fremont Chamber of Commerce proposed the idea of the dunk tank to Gerber Memorial and the local businesses, which include Gerber Federal Credit Union and Nestle Gerber. “Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial is honored to that our community is so supportive of our efforts to provide care and comfort to our cancer patients,” said Karen Crowley at the Gerber Memorial Cancer Center and a longtime organizer and supporter of events for local cancer patients. “Our employees are really excited to be a part of this fundraiser because they’re members of this community and they’re 100 percent committed to caring for our neighbors. As part of Gerber Memorial’s 100 years of connecting with and caring for our community, we see this dunk tank fundraiser as another way for us to give back to a community that is so much a part of our DNA. This dunk tank fundraiser is a true community collaboration and we invite everyone who’ll be visiting the National Baby Food Festival to try their hand at dunking one of our volunteers for a great cause.” The Spectrum Health Cancer Center at Gerber Memorial saw 2,912 patients this past year, an increase of 150 patients compared to a year ago, with many of them from the Newaygo County area. For questions about the NBFF or the Gerber Memorial dunk tank fundraiser, contact the Fremont Chamber of Commerce at 231.924-0770. |
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