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New Class for Moms & Moms-to-Be will help Quit Smoking, Vaping
Countless moms and moms-to-be quit smoking and vaping every day! And a new class by Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial will offer the tools and support to help give a healthy start in life to unborn, newborn and growing children. This free, 4 week class will be held on Wednesdays, January 10 through 31, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Tamarac, 1401 W. Main Street, Fremont. Free child watch services will be provided during the class at the Tamarac Tree House. Smoking tobacco and vaping nicotine products are harmful to a growing unborn child, as well as to the mom and other children in the household. A mom smoking while pregnant, or even smoking around young babies and children, can increase the risk of prematurity and SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). Children living with smoke in the home grow up with more ear and lung infections as well. But ask any mom: quitting can be one of the hardest things to do because nicotine is so addictive. The Quit Smoking, Vaping Class is the only one of its kind in Newaygo County that is just for pregnant and new moms. The class will be given by Sally Wagoner, an RN at Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial and a Tobacco Treatment Specialist. Wagoner was trained through the University of Massachusetts’ nationally recognized tobacco treatment certification program, as well as by the SCRIPT program – Smoking Cessation and Reduction in Pregnancy Treatment. For information, and to register for the free class and child watch, contact Sally Wagoner: 231.924.7589; sally.wagoner@spectrumhealth.org
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 A porch scene at SWK World Headquarters and Cavalcade of Christmas Decor You can’t say we haven’t tried.
From the eclectic collection of creations that continue to emerge at the Artists Market to the eclectic collection of creations coming forth with froth from Newaygo Brewing Co. the staff of Shopping With Ken, a congenial though somewhat intrusive lot, has poked about to find some last minute ideas for our readers. Our latecomers guide continues on knowing full well that we may be preaching to the choir at this point. If by now you haven’t dug in with a few ideas there’s no need to read on from here. Because you have no time! The rambling repartee’ these pages are noted for….well maybe mentioned as….ok, complained about..will need to be limited because you have to hop to it You can still get to all the places mentioned in the previous articles (search SWK} a collection of our local faves and in addition here are ideas as you wander about aimlessly wondering where on earth the time ran off to. If you’re looking for the gift for the special someone you want to convince of their specialness though you’ve not even started to get them a gift…. Clothing Guys. If you are thinking about getting a woman who shares your life clothes a few thoughts. When it comes to style and size do not and I mean Do Not guess. While recognizing there are those of you out there perfectly capable of making successful sartorial selections for your spousal partner, many many more of you believe you possess such capacity. You don’t. And if you think it’s not a big deal? You really, really don’t. So a stop at Rivers End, or 37 North should likely result in a gift card. Jewelry A great fallback for a late in the game rush. A cautionary note however. You’d best know what would be pleasing to your giftee because if you’re rolling out something with a little expense attached there’s no pretending you bought it months ago so while a late thought is forgivable a total miss on what might be desired is less so. Ask the friendly folks at Liberty Jewelers about exchanges or similar strategies. Indulgence Massage, facials, mani/pedicures and all kinds of other pampering gifts are available locally. The Spa at Tamarac has a number of services focused on helping folks feel their very best and there are massage opportunities in Newaygo with Newaygo Therapeutic Massage. Hard to miss on these but DO NOT buy a loved one a gym membership unless they said “Please for Christmas Buy Me A Gym Membership” and you have it recorded. Likewise any piece of exercise equipment. Flowers Only advice on this one? Go big. Not your Primary Present person? Get a gift card at one of our local eateries for friends, co-workers, neighbors extended family members and others you might feel generous toward. Check our Nibbler section for ideas. Nobody hates food as a present (unless of course it's fruitcake) and listen, don't be cheap. Make sure if you're gifting to make it worth the effort and include enough for a date night. Got it? Now go get it.] It’s a sliver of time til Christmas and you’ve still a chance to be a hero. And remember…. Buy local. Be local. Practice Kindness.  Volunteers sorting gifts prior to TrueNorth’s Children’s’ Christmas Program TrueNorth’s CCP Provides Christmas for over 2,100 Newaygo County Kids NEWAYGO COUNTY – Every year since 1952, TrueNorth has run its Children’s Christmas Programs to ensure that kids of low-income Newaygo County families get to experience the joys of Christmas morning, and 2017 was no different. The distribution, which took place December 11 – 15 and 18 - 19, was busy, fun, and exhausting. After all the Christmas dust had settled, over 775 families were served, ensuring Christmas morning joy for 2,123 Newaygo County children, a number slightly higher than in 2016. Children’s Christmas Program couldn’t happen without the support of the community. Many volunteers gave countless hours of service to the program. Although contributions are still coming in, TrueNorth is happy to report that more than enough money has been raised through the generosity of hundreds of supporters, Fremont Area Community Foundation, Gerber Foundation, and the Keith Johnston Memorial Fund at Fremont Area Community Foundation to help purchase age-specific gifts and provide them a head start for next year’s event. All this in addition to the hundreds of donated toys, stuffed animals, socks, hand-knit hats, mittens and scarves, sporting goods, bikes, and the like. Because of you, Christmas morning was filled with joy and good memories for thousands of local children.  Volunteers logged countless hours for the initiative  the What? There’s like 4 days remaining right? And you’re not done yet, correct? Lot more to go? Huh? Haven’t started? You are in the right place Bucko because Shopping With Ken is going to save your belated behind with some timely tips for filling in the list that seems to grow more fearsome looking each day. Back in the day when I was younger and single, exchanges of beer and wine were frequent gifts that criss crossed among comrades and were always met with an adequate level of enthusiasm. Of course it was rarely wrapped in anything but a paper sack and generally consisted of either a bottle of Boone’s Farm Strawberry Hill (forever) wine or a 6 pack of Schaefer’s (usually less than a buck)”The one beer to have if you’re having more than one”. Needless to say times have changed and so have the imbibing habits of most folks. Newaygo Brewing Co. has become one of the major gathering hubs for the surrounding community with a congenial Tap Room culture accompanying their ever evolving selections of locally brewed beer, a fine variety of Newaygo Wines and some seriously good eats. So here you go. Friday and Saturday they’re having a buy-one-get-one-half-off on bottles of vino to go. You can double up your gift to your oenophilic friends or even keep one for yourself to open when you celebrate the end of this year’s shopping. Quick aside: This is generally the time you make yourself that doomed to be unkept promise to start earlier next year. Beer lover on your list? One word. Growler NewBrewCo has an exceptional selection of finely crafted brews and the beer-loving gal or guy on your list would be happy to be bringing home one of their faves in a growler of your gifting. You can also get a limited edition Christmas Edition Meowler a 750ml container meant to be filled with some holiday cheer. T-shirts. Wear the flag of your favorite watering hole with some civic pride. Many varieties populate the premises as do knit logo beanies and fleece logo beanies. And don’t forget a sticker for a stocking stuffer. Overwhelmed with choices? Get a gift card. If you have a giftee who hasn’t experienced Newaygo Brewing Co. you may likely launch them into regular status. If they’re already regulars, rest assured the gift will be met with ample appreciation. Give the gift of entertainment. The Dogwood Center tossed out a pretty amazing year in 2017. Livingston Taylor and David Lindley each combining their masterful musicianship with stories covering decades of performing, the majesty of the Grand Rapids Symphony and the magic of the Luthier’s Concert, Rough & Tumble gave us a two dog night and an appealing array of musical and lyrical innovation while Lunasa brought a piece of the Irish Fest to Fremont. From plays to kids programming to an appearance by Second City’s talented troupe the stage was alive all year with options for all. And culminating the year was a sold out performance by Jeff Daniels who returned to the Dogwood touring with the Ben Daniels Trio. Gift certificates are available so take advantage of this amazing facility while delivering a most unique gifting opportunity, the chance to pick your own present by selecting a show to attend. SWK is reminded every so often that it might be time to get a trim though the reminders are much further apart than during shoulder length days of the distant past.With a tendency to seek haircuts on a spur of the moment kind of way SWK has been accommodated twice in such situations by the dynamic duo at Madhatter Salon located in downtown Newaygo (conveniently close to the Brewery) and thus as a presenting option for those who might need a cosmetological intervention we recommend gift certificates for anyone who might already be a customer there or one who might be searching for new digs for their ‘dos’. Hear that? It’s the clock ticking down to the Big Day so get moving. If you still have an idea for a last minute place or item shoot us an email or message us on facebook. It might be late in the game but we remain committed to helping out the present procrastinators who seek relief from that desperation arising from an absence of ideas as well as gifts readied for giving. And remember Buy Local Be Local Embrace your Bipeninsular side  Gala Gourmet, the place to embrace epicurean elegance We at SWK have been famous for...... well not famous for but perhaps known for….ok, again likely not truly known for but maybe recognized on occasion for leaning toward an epicurean genre of gift giving options. I mean, seriously, how can one go wrong when making a present of food and/or drink? Well, unless of course, it’s a fruitcake. Then it’s so totally wrong. In some quarters receiving a fruitcake is like getting dead flowers. It tells you something about how the gifter feels toward you and believe me it’s not likely to be endearing affection. Yesterday while in the grocery store there were samples. I love sample day. Years ago when we lived in that fine metro area to the south of us LSC Lil, patient woman that she is, used to ask if I was ever going to take her to lunch somewhere other than D&W on Fridays. Last week we were in a Meijer store (Alpine I think) and they were giving out whiskey samples. For real. In miniature shot glasses. Yes we did. Anyway this store had blueberry turnover samples which were marvelous and fruitcake that was rather emphatically declined by all who I watched hit up the sample station. But I digress. Stumped at this point are you? Searching for that gift that will deliver a little peace of mind and cure the “it’s almost here and I got no clue what to get” blues? SWK has just one word for you. Consumables. Stuff to eat and drink. Two reasons. First off if it’s a regular type present the giftee immediately has to feign excitement, consider what to do with it, wonder how it fits in their life and if it doesn’t how to go about not hurting your feelings because your gift kind of, well, sucked I guess. Not so with edibles. There’s a little anticipation of how that salmon will go with the nice Chardonnay accompanying it, some planning for the chocolate to be part of a late night snack and maybe how those steaks ae going to look on a plate nestled beside a perfectly done baked potato.. Convinced? Then here’s a few ideas. Gala Gourmet in downtown Newaygo is an epicurean treasure for foodies throughout the region. Owner Terrie Ortwein (known to SWK as simply “T”) has created a classic culinary colony of scrumptiousness with an exotic array of cheeses and meats (and generally salmon) along with some nice antipasto options in the deli case, breads and baked goods in the neighboring counter, Ferris coffee (Love the Colombian French Roast but for a special treat the upscale Blue Mountain is sublime) and grass-fed beef from Great Lakes Cattle Co. of Fremont. Then there’s the wine. Gala Gourmet boasts an outstanding selection and they are knowledgeable for those of us who may not be oenophilically inclined. I once went to T and asked for a wide selection of wines for a dinner party and the guests marveled at the options offered, praise I personally embraced as my own of course. They also have a gallery of cookware conducive to creative cheffery if you’ve someone on your list who enjoys such activity. For me it’s more of a spectator sport while awaiting the enjoyment of the finished product. Jerkies Jerky Factory is also in downtown Newaygo and boasts the best dried meat in the universe (SWK personal opinion perhaps, but one formed from decades of jerky samplings). They will create a gift basket bearing samples of their wide variety of sumptuous snacks along with Michigan beers and wines, some of their dips and a smattering of their other tasty delights. It’s a pretty safe bet present-wise because many more of us chew jerky than eschew jerky. There’s just something immensely satisfying about gnawing on a bit of jerky while, say, on a road trip or watching a ballgame or maybe in line at the Secretary of State’s office. Anytime really, but word of advice from someone who knows, it’s not always a great idea during job interviews. How about a box of steaks? Would you say no to a little collection of NY Strips or T-Bones staring you in the face as you open your gift? Yeah, neither would I though one needs to be aware of the level of carnivorousness in the giftee. I mean you certainly don’t want to risk slapping some ‘Secret Santa’ steaks in front of a person who has chosen a vegan path. As in all such situations, one must be certain of the culinary customs of one’s giftee, but those who enjoy a fine filet of beef will beam at the thoughtfulness. Gene’s Market in Grant (as the James Earl Jones sound-alike guy says all too frequently on TV) has the meat. The Vanderlaans have done wonders with this little grocery gem since purchasing it earlier this year including instituting changes and redoing sections but the meat counter, a staple for those of us who like to get a custom cut from time to time, remains. Order a box for the brother-in -law, the boss, the barber, the neighbor who owns a plow and gives you a free push now and again, or perhaps the pal who might invite you over to share in the bounty. We know the dilemma staring some of you down. Desperation looms for those who have yet to fill their shopping lists, but fear not Near Northians. SWK will keep at it this week as an ongoing public service to our readers. And again shoot us an email (info@nearnorthnow.com) if you’ve an idea that bears investigation and we will put our crack team of wily shoppers into the fray. And always remember…. Buy Local Be Local Become Bi-Peninsular  During decades of writing in this and other venues reference has occasionally been made to a deep and abiding partiality personally held toward canine quadrupeds. Among the list of the better friends SWK has ever known exists a number of distinguished dogs and I have been honored to have several share their lives with us. Over the years there has also been a cluster of cats sharing quarters and coexisting with us. Though not one to get too close to cats (allergies) there has always been an enduring respect for the felines who took us on as house staff existing only to meet their needs and respond to their whims. Though currently dogless and catless we have granddogs who visit and have housed one or more of a trio of grandcats off and on. My esteem for these marvelous creatures and the majority of their brethren knows few boundaries and my judgmental side can emerge when confronted with a human who disdains them. I’ve found if one is puzzled as to the trustworthiness of someone newly met it is handy to find a way to ask their feelings about dogs. If they don’t respond with appropriate enthusiasm there’s a personal tendency to become a bit wary. Bellwether Harbor does wonderful work.Their services are many, their compassion for the work is vast and their hearts are in the right place. I have visited several times and always come away with a high level of regard for their mission. SWK’s late companion Shotgun always insisted they be included on our list of recommended shopping stops for the family pet(s) but this year the gifts we are recommending are for the humanoids on your list. Calendars. We all need them and the house where SWK is allowed to reside (because of the depth of patience possessed by LSC Lil) generally features a couple in key spots for quick reference which comes.in handy if your phone is lost.. I mean... if unlike SWK you know how to use the one on your phone. Bellwether has put together what is perhaps the perfect calendars for the dog and/or cat lover on your list and seriously, if they don’t like animals should they really be on that list anyway? But I digress. These great gifting opportunities are $20 each and can be found at Bellwether Harbor, NCCA- ArtsPlace, or Liberty Jewelers in Fremont, or can be purchased online at https://shop.theprintshop.biz Themed off of famous movies , each month features a caricature of one of the BH shelter animals in the starring role of a familiar film. The story of the animal is on the back of each month along with the photo that was used as the inspiration. The creative keepsakes involved a collaborative effort from the imaginative mind of Genji Leclair, the artful eye of Treasured Images by Jeffrey, and the discriminating design skills of Kiki Kolakowski. Brandmark Goods and The Original Print Shop produced the calendar design and production. Buy one. Or maybe buy a couple. Look, there are people on your list who spend hours looking at cat or dog videos online so you know a calendar of cuteness will be right up their alley right? And if you make your purchase at Bellwether or NCCA-Artsplace make sure you tell them Ken sent you and I am certain you will be met with a puzzled look and the time honored reply….. “Ken who?” Time's a’wastin’ because the Big Day is approaching with the speed of a runaway train (or sleigh) so get hopping you petulant procrastinators. And again, should you have an interesting shop for us to visit or a product that deserves mentioning send an email to info@nearnorthnow.com and Shopping With Ken will do our best to check it out. In the meantime remember.. Buy Local Be Local Embrace The Mitten  It’s definitely on now folks. If there was any question before it is most certainly on. We are careening toward Christmas and if you are one of those fine folks who have their shopping done by July well more power to you. Admittedly when one tells me such a thing with obvious pride I can’t help but think it a bit strange. I mean first off isn’t the whole gig about Christmas shopping is that it needs to be done in the waning weeks (or for some of us the waning days) before Christmas itself? Because it’s kind of part of the whole package. There’s trees and decorations and special cookies and an unending ocean of Hallmark movies, and seasonal music playing nearly everywhere…. And Christmas shopping. For those of us who rationalize this yearly dilemma as being part of the holiday due to a less than highly organized behavioral pattern here are a few of Shopping With Ken's interesting tips on some local non-mall gifting opportunities. Two are accessible via website and facebook and two involve visitation depending on your particular preference. Who doesn’t like T-shirts? Ok, Ok I forgot these are the days when rhetorical questions such as that draw in the folks who sit there keyboard-ready with an argument on anything so let me rephrase it. Few among us disdain T-shirts. People wear them not merely as clothing but to make a statement, tell a tale of travels relate a joke, express an opinion or as a way to explain things to people as my friend Tim (who says he’s not my friend but really is) does when he proudly dons his favorite tee with the word STUPID blazoned across the front. Once on an annual golf trip to Florida a group of us used to survive he wore it to the course while his elder sibling Bob wore one that said “Stupid’s Brother”. True story and the least of many involving those legendary trips, some of which can be told like how we once accidentally left a guy in Indiana but that’s for another time perhaps. And no, we didn’t go back for him in case you were wondering Aren’t You A Smartee is the brainchild of a pair of college friends, one of them Lisa Jahr of Fremont. “The idea for the business came from a conversation with a long-time kindred spirit. We became fast friends in college because we possessed the similar goal of finding things to laugh at daily, even though most of the time it was ourselves. “Through our lives we stayed close and supported each other through the deaths of our husbands and raising kids on our own. We continued to try to find things to laugh about, find joy in each and every day and just be there for each other. Everyone needs that at some point in their lives. “The world can be a very negative place at times. I want to help everyone find humor and joy. We all have bad days. We all make mistakes. We all have embarrassing moments. Learn to laugh at yourself. So you fall off your bike, laugh it off and tell people you are practicing to be a stunt person. Everyone has their own special gifts and talents. Find it! Let it shine! You are smart! You are talented! You are awesome!” These are quality tees with a sense of humor and there is no one who couldn’t use a bit more humor in their lives. Lisa will either create a design for you or take your design and slap it on a tee or two (or more) for you. www.arentyouasmartee.com Or email at arentyouasmartee@gmail.com Nap Time Knit Shop produces some very cool stuff from the hands of my daughter-in-law Casi who happens to be among the family members I claim (the rest of you know who you are). “It all started during those oh so precious napping hours of my sweet daughter. (Ed. note: Referenced daughter being Harper, one of the four most intelligent good looking and downright likeable humans who just happen to be the grandchildren I share with LSC Lil). “It could last 10 minutes or 3 hours. I would sit quietly in the room next to where she slept and make whatever my heart desired. As I tried new things and patterns people started asking me to make more and more so the shop was born! “ Handmade and local you can visit the shop via their facebook page. Custom items can also be requested. In our most humble of opinions the best presents emerge from the stockings. It’s this golden opportunity to pack the sock of a loved one with little trinkets that sing fun and silliness. I lean toward slinkys yo-yos, silly putty, bubbles and cheap musical instruments or perhaps a box of new crayons and that’s just for the adults on my stocking list. But those are the staples and one should always introduce an element or two of surprise when it comes to Christmas socks. A few years ago when SWK was in its infancy we discovered the neat stuff on hand at the Friends of the Fremont Library Gift Shop. What was planned to be a quick walk through turned into more of a shopping excursion as I found it to be filled with ideas for stuffers. It’s open the next two Saturdays before Christmas from 10am-1pm. The Gift Shop at Gerber Memorial is a rather remarkable place serving well as a browsers paradise. They change up inventory often, have a truly eclectic collection of gift ideas and are driven by an exceptional crew of volunteers. Years ago when duly employed at Gerber it was a regular stop for a quick meal (they have candy bars) that inevitably led to some perusing and purchasing. These are a few of our suggested sites. If you know of a place or a product worth investigating do not hesitate to contact the offices of SWK via info@nearnorthnow.com and we will most assuredly send out our quietly quixotic staff to investigate and report back in these pages. Remember friends… Buy Local Be Local Wear your Mittens  Participants in the winter Becoming an Outdoors Woman program enjoy a class in skijoring at the Bay Cliff Health Camp north of Marquette Registration underway for this winter’s program in Marquette County
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources today announced registration is open for the winter “Becoming an Outdoors Woman” program, which is set for Feb. 23-25, 2018 in Marquette County. This winter’s gathering will mark the 16th annual winter BOW program for women, ages 18 and older, who are seeking an opportunity to improve their outdoor skills in a relaxed, non-competitive atmosphere. “Registration for this popular program is already filling up fast,” said Michelle Zellar, BOW program coordinator in Newberry. Typically, about 80 women attend the weekend’s activities. The BOW program is sponsored by the DNR and offers instruction in more than a dozen types of indoor and outdoor activities, including cross-country skiing, archery, winter shelter building, ice fishing, photography, wilderness first aid, wood burning, snowshoeing and more. Instructors provide basic and advanced teaching that is tailored to each participant's individual ability. The program also includes special evening programs during the weekend. BOW participants stay and take their classes at the Bay Cliff Health Camp, a universally accessible facility overlooking Lake Superior, which is situated about 30 miles north of Marquette in Big Bay. Participants will be housed in a dorm-style facility with amenities, including a sauna and hiking trails, with access to northern hardwood forests and Lake Superior. The $200 registration fee includes all food and lodging, as well as most equipment and supplies, except as noted in the registration materials. Scholarships are also available on a limited basis. Class information and registration materials are available online to print at www.michigan.gov/bow. Payment and registration materials should be sent to the address on the registration paperwork in Newberry. For more information on the winter BOW program, contact Michelle Zellar at the DNR office in Newberry at 906-293-5131 or by e-mail at zellarm@michigan.gov.  It was a clean shaven group of police officers joining a beardless Sheriff Mendham when he presented two checks Tuesday in the amount of $755.00 each to the DHHS Foster Kids Christmas program, and the Newaygo County Autism Community. The donations were collected in the form of fines to the Sheriff's Office employees for growing facial hair during the months of October and November. Typically employees must be clean shaven except for a mustache. Employees were allowed to grow facial hair during this time, however they were fined $25.00 each month. A statement from the NCSD read: “Today we had the honor of giving back to the community that we love to serve.” |
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