  “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
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 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  From left to right: Joyce McDonald, Village Trustee and Hesperia Beautification Committee Member; Joann Borgman, Village Treasurer; Vicki Burrell, Village Clerk and Hesperia Beautification Committee Member; Mark Kraus, Hesperia Beautification Committee Member; Mike Farber, Village President; John P. Buckley, Jr, Gerber FCU President/CEO; Sally Kraley, Hesperia Beautification Committee Member; Heather Wiersema, Gerber FCU Marketing Officer; Jim Smith, Village Trustee. FREMONT, Mich. Gerber Federal Credit Union (Gerber FCU) invested the remaining $20,000 to complete the Pavilion project downtown Hesperia in Vida Weaver Park. This park enhancement will serve as a focal point for gatherings, events, and leisure activities, fostering a sense of community and belonging on the banks of the White River. “By supporting this initiative, we are committed to enriching the quality of life for residents in the communities we serve. Improved public spaces will offer areas for community gatherings, recreational activities, and a renewed sense of pride in the neighborhood,” said John P. Buckley, Jr., Gerber FCU President/CEO. "We are thrilled to join the Hesperia Beautification Committee and various community stakeholders to bring this placemaking project closer to completion," he continued. The Hesperia Beautification Committee is a non-profit that has been contributing to the aesthetic and environmental improvement of public spaces in Hesperia. The committee was established in 1988 and its mission is to enhance the quality of life for residents by beautifying public areas.   District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) is excited to announce that all 10 county offices now have sensory-friendly rooms after the addition of Crawford, Kalkaska, Mason, Mecosta, and Newaygo County. DHD#10’s sensory-friendly rooms are made possible through grant funding from the Children’s Special Health Care Services (CSHCS). Sensory rooms provide DHD#10 staff with a quiet, calming space to see clients. Sensory rooms reduce noise, remove bright lights, and can have a calming and therapeutic response that is beneficial to children and/or adults receiving immunizations. Clients and families with sensory-related needs can request the sensory rooms while making their appointment with DHD#10. Clients can also complete their paperwork in the sensory rooms, giving them more time to adjust before the appointment. After receiving their immunizations, clients can request extra time to remain in the sensory room if desired. "All 10 of our DHD#10 locations now have sensory rooms," stated Jessica Grace, DHD#10 CSHCS Supervisor. "All of the new sensory rooms went with the Under-the-Sea theme. We can’t wait for residents to be able to schedule appointments in the new rooms!” If you are interested in receiving immunizations and exploring the new sensory rooms, please call 888-217-3904 and schedule your appointment today! To learn more about what services DHD#10 has available, please visit https://www.dhd10.org. |
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