 Michigan Works! West Central moves office to Newaygo; Open house Dec. 19 NEWAYGO – Michigan Works! West Central is pleased to announce the opening of its new service center in the city of Newaygo. The service center officially opened its doors on Dec. 2, at 9075 S. Mason Drive in Newaygo, the former VFW hall. To celebrate the new location, an open house will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, at the new service center. The River Country Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m. at the event. Michigan Works! West Central’s Workforce Development Board voted in June to move the organization’s Newaygo County service center from Fremont to the Newaygo to better meet the needs of its clients. “The decision to move was, in part, based on the population of Newaygo County. Our research shows that the city of Newaygo’s population increased significantly in comparison to Fremont between 1990 and 2017,” said Shelly Keene, Michigan Works! West Central executive director. “During that timeframe, Newaygo saw a 28.4-percent increase, while Fremont saw a 10.6-percent increase. To best provide services to our clients, we need to be located in a highly visible and easily accessible area to reach as many clients as possible. “We feel the new location will help make our services and programs more accessible to those who need our assistance. The new service center is more than double the size of our previous location in Fremont, and will house several of our agency partners to make the new office a central location for those in need.” Partners located in the new service center include Michigan Rehabilitation Services and Michigan Veterans Affairs, among others. The new location is nearly 7,000 square feet, and includes a large conference room area, computers for job searching, cubicle office space and more. Michigan Works! West Central currently is seeking additional partners to locate to the new facility. Michigan Works! West Central, which covers Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Newaygo, Oceana and Osceola counties, offers services to both employers and job seekers. For employers, it offers assistance with recruitment, posting job opportunities, hosting job fairs, training dollars for new and existing employers and more. Michigan Works! West Central offers job seekers assistance with resume/cover letter writing assistance and help with creating a profile/resume on Pure Michigan Talent Connect, and other employment related services. Various classroom and on-the-job training opportunities may also be available for adults, dislocated workers, and youth through several available funding sources. For more information about the new Newaygo service center, contact Michigan Works! West Central Business Services Director Merri Bennett at (231) 583-2029. For more information about services provided to job seekers, please call (231) 924-3230. 
0 Comments
The Newaygo County Treasurer as well as County Treasurers throughout the State are required by State Statute to publish a list of taxpayers in jeopardy of tax foreclosure on March 31, 2020. This is one of the many strategies County Treasurers use to prevent foreclosure and ensure that taxpayers retain their property. Treasurer Moon is anxious to meet with taxpayers and refer them to agencies and non-profits for tax and financial help. More than 15-20 measures are taken over the 25-month period of delinquency to help people avoid foreclosure. More than 138,000 Michigan properties were scheduled to be foreclosed in 2019. Over 128,000 of them were redeemed before April 1, 2019, largely due to the efforts and activities of county treasurers. That’s a 92% redemption rate! “These efforts are made because it is the responsible approach to take, and it keeps families and small business owners in their properties,” stated Treasurer Moon. “If you or someone you know is on the attached list, please contact the County Treasurer’s Office for assistance at 231.689.7233.”
 L-R Lenore Bacon and Donna Hieftje, two of the friendly Recycling Volunteers stand ready to help you with recycling at the Fremont site The public is invited to celebrate the Volunteers of the Fremont Recycling Site at the CEWAC Holiday Meeting on Thursday, December 12. It will be held from 6pm to 7:30pm at Brooks Township Hall, 490 Quarterline Street, Newaygo. A review of 3REE and CEWAC past year’s activities will be presented, and refreshments will be served. Citizens Environmental Watch and Action Coalition (CEWAC) is a taskforce of 3R Environmental Education, a community organization that provides programs about local and global environmental issues, solutions and advocacy. The Fremont Recycling site at 5510 56th St, Fremont, is one of Newaygo County’s six recycling sites but is the only one that is staffed by volunteers. “The volunteers are an amazing group and the Fremont Site would not be successful without them. They truly deserve to be recognized,” states April Pickard, the County’s Drain Office Secretary and the original volunteer staffing coordinator. The Fremont site is volunteer staffed to ensure that only clean, acceptable recyclables are added to the bins by community members. Unfortunately, unstaffed recycling sites and bins are often contaminated with items that are currently not allowed at the Kent County Material Recovery Facility, where all of Newaygo County’s recyclables are taken. This contamination can lead to much of the bin contents taken to landfills instead of being recycled. The Recycling Volunteers offer assistance to community members who need help placing their items in the bins. They also provide important education to residents such as which items are currently acceptable, making sure recyclable food containers are rinsed out, and which kind of Styrofoam packing materials are allowed. They also applaud our many resident recyclers. New volunteers are always welcomed to join this elite group of fun frontline environmental advocates by contacting Nick Looman at 231.924.5288 or nicholaslooman@gmail.com. The public is welcome to come to the monthly CEWAC meetings or join the enews list by contacting sallyw@3r-education.org. More information about local and regional recycling can be found at www.3r-education.org, and Kent County’s recycling website at www.reimaginetrash.org.  Still Time for Holiday Groceries, Gift Cards, and Giving The Third Annual Gene's Shopping Spree Raffle is your chance to win groceries or gift cards for the holidays, while giving to Grant students! The 2019 drawing will be held at 5pm on Monday, December 16. Prizes include a 60 second shopping spree, a $200 gift card, and a $100 gift card. Elliott and LaRissa Vanderlaan started this annual event in 2017 as a way to give back to the communities that have supported Gene's Family Markets in Grant and Croton. "We have been blessed with a great opportunity and platform to provide groceries and extra cash during this sometimes hectic, but wonderful time of the year," said Elliott. "During this season of giving, we wanted to create an event in between the holiday of giving thanks for what we have, and the holiday of giving gifts of things we don't have." In the first two years of the raffle, community members won over $2,700 worth of groceries and $600 in gift cards. Last year, over $1,300 in proceeds was also given to Grant Schools. For the 2019 raffle, proceeds will be given to the Grant High School Marching Band. Grant Bands use money raised throughout the year to help pay for marching season expenses. Please help Grant High School continue to offer these programs to band students by purchasing a raffle ticket today. The $10 raffle tickets are available for purchase at Gene's Family Market stores in Grant and Croton.   Consumers Energy to Conduct Siren Tests at Rogers, Croton and Hardy Dams December 12
CROTON– Consumers Energy announced the emergency public warning siren systems near its Rogers, Hardy and Croton hydroelectric generating plants on the Muskegon River will be tested on Thursday, December 12 at approximately 9:30 a.m. The tests will include a voice message, a 30-second siren and a second voice message. The public does not need to take any action during the tests. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission requires hydroelectric facilities to be able to quickly notify residents and visitors of any developing emergency at the plants. Typically, Consumers Energy performs the test once in August and in December each year. In the event of an emergency, the siren/speaker units’ initial warning will be supplemented by information on radio and television stations along with Newaygo and Mecosta County emergency notification systems. Consumers Energy offers a safety caution to those who visit dams in the winter. “Ice on a reservoir near a hydroelectric facility is not reliable and should be avoided by snowmobilers, anglers and others,” said Bill Schoenlein, Consumers Energy’s executive director of renewable generation. “Also, ice-covered water down river from a hydroelectric facility should never be considered a safe place to walk.”  Newaygo Students Sage Beerman and Katelyn Shue looked at water quality  The project of Alisha Snider and Kennedy Semposki (not pictured) was all about perception Local Newaygo County Career-Tech Agriscience Students Win at Nationals
Students from the Newaygo County Career-Tech Center (NCCTC), having won research competitions at the local and state levels, traveled to the National FFA Agriscience competition in Indianapolis, IN. The National FFA Agriscience Fair recognizes student researchers studying the application of agricultural scientific principles and emerging technologies in agricultural enterprises. The participants must conduct a scientific research project pertaining to the agriculture and food science industries, and present their findings to a panel of judges. Alisha Snider placed 10th in the nation with research conducted by her and Kennedy Semposki (Tri-County). Their research was on teenager perceptions of organic and conventional food. Sage Beerman (Newaygo) and Katelyn Shue (Newaygo) presented their research on the drinking quality of well water on and off farms, placing 8th in the country. ‘’These results speak highly to the level of commitment and passion our Agriscience students put into their research,” said Bernard Brown, NCCTC Principal, “as well as our instructors who have developed intentional practice and learning sessions based on each prior year’s learning.”  And one more (maybe) from our friends at MDOT...
Lane closures for pavement marking are now scheduled for tomorrow (Tuesday) between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on M-37 from south of Quarterline Street to north of M-82 (Curve Street/Croton Drive).  Christmas is right around the corner and if you're looking for a fun way to get active during the busy holiday season, the ChoiceOne Bank St. Nick Kick is just the race for you! Offering a 1 mile fun run/walk, 5k and 10k, there is a race distance for everyone. Prizes are awarded to the top 3 overall men and women and in the master's division. Age group prizes are awarded to the top 3 in each 5 year age group. The top runners for the 5k and 10k create competitive lead groups while the back of the pack provides a friendly, fun atmosphere for friends of all ages. At the conclusion of the race there is a plethora of hot chili provided by Wendy's, other delicious food and hot chocolate to warm up while awards are presented! For information about the race, go to https://www.rivercountrychamber.com/events/details/choiceone-bank-st-nick-kick-5k-10k-run-race-1-mile-walk-2019-33186   From our friends at MDOT....once again...
Lane closures for pavement marking are now scheduled for Monday, November 25 between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on M-37 from south of Quarterline Street to north of M-82 (Curve Street/Croton Drive).  Photo by Alexander Butler, courtesy of NC Emergency Services  Newaygo County Approves Hazard Mitigation Grant; Your Help Needed in Updating the Plan
Newaygo County, – On Wednesday, October 23, 2019, the Newaygo County Board of Commissioners approved a FEMA Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant in order to revise and reauthorize the existing Newaygo County Hazard Management Plan. The Newaygo County Hazard Management Plan is a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan developed pursuant to the criteria contained in 44CFR Part 201, as authorized by the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000. This plan is required in order to maintain eligibility to seek federal funding under the Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grant Program. The plan is required to be updated every five years and will expire in August 2020. Hazard mitigation is an important part of being a disaster resilient community. Hazard mitigation is any action taken before, during, or after a disaster to permanently eliminate or reduce the long-term risk to human life and property from natural, technological, and man-made hazards. Examples of hazard mitigation activities include voluntary acquisition or elevation of flood prone structures, creation of defensible spaces around wildland urban interface areas, protective measures for utility infrastructure, storm water management projects that reduce flood risk, etc. The purpose of mitigation planning is to identify policies and actions that can be implemented over the long term to reduce risk and future losses. Maintaining a FEMA approved Hazard Mitigation Plan has positive, local impacts within the County. In December 2016, Newaygo County was awarded $239,316.00 in grants to implement a new flood warning system for approximately 35 miles of the Muskegon River in Newaygo County utilizing the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Flood Inundation Mapper System. As a part of the project an additional two river gages, which were funded by the Fremont Area Community Foundation, were installed in Newaygo and Bridgeton. Newaygo County was eligible to apply for this Hazard Mitigation Grant because our community maintains a Hazard Mitigation Plan. Newaygo County is requesting assistance from the public with the updates to the Newaygo County Hazard Management Plan. Your participation will enable Newaygo County Emergency Services to collect and compile the most up-to-date community data and information. A draft Community Profile has been developed and posted to the County of Newaygo’s Website for review at http://www.countyofnewaygo.com/. In addition, a short survey has been created to gather additional information on different hazard events which have occurred in Newaygo County. Anyone with the following link can respond to the survey: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=FphJxb9yaEu0ITdZSCbc1t03a5ULdxJCkxRvak4PlzZUMjRCUVkzN0dJVzFKUFJRR1lVVVhBM1RKNi4u  UPDATE!!!!!!!
Lane closures for pavement marking will be in effect this Friday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on M-37 from south of Quarterline Street to north of M-82 According to our friends at MDOT the lane closures for pavement marking originally set to be in effect Tuesday between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on M-37 from south of Quarterline Street to north of M-82…. Has been cancelled. We will update you as we receive more info.  On November 27, The Right Place in Newaygo County will partner with Hello West Michigan and regional event sponsors to attract talent back to Newaygo County through the hosting of the county’s second ReThink event. The event is part of ReThink West Michigan’s 8th annual evening of casual networking to attract former West Michiganders back to the region. ReThink Newaygo County is being hosted at Lakes 23 from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Those who pre-register online at rethinkwm.com/fremont will receive one drink ticket, free appetizers, free professional headshots and a chance to win a gift basket full of Michigan-made goods. On a day when many former Newaygo County college students and professionals are back in the area for the Thanksgiving holiday, area companies are coming together to convince them that it is time to “rethink” West Michigan. Employers who are participating in the Newaygo County event include Spectrum Health, Gerber Products, Family Healthcare, Nestle Nutrition Research & Development, Michigan Works! West Central and River Country Chamber of Commerce. While the event is aimed at visitors who are home for the holiday, anyone interested in career opportunities with participating employers are encouraged to register and attend. Not a traditional career fair, ReThink Newaygo County provides a casual, professional environment to network and discover many of the great career possibilities available in Newaygo County. “Event attendees will be able to learn about a number of openings available to them from regional employers like Spectrum Health, as well as from growing locally-based companies like Family Healthcare and Gerber Products,” shared Julie Burrell, Business Development Coordinator for Newaygo County, who is organizing the event. Several ReThink events are scheduled throughout West Michigan, including events in Grand Rapids, Muskegon, Hastings, Ludington, and Oceana County. For details, visit rethinkwm.com. Details on ReThink Newaygo County: Date: November 27, 2019 Location: Lakes 23 Restaurant and Pub, Watersedge Golf Course 1100 Ramshorn Drive, Fremont Time: 5:00 pm- 7:00 p.m. Registration: Register for FREE at www.rethinkwm.com/fremont  The drop-off recycling center located in White Cloud, Michigan has been moved to a new location. The new site is only a few blocks away behind city hall. The move was made at the direction of the County of Newaygo DPW and with the support of the city of White Cloud and Newaygo County Road Commission. The new location on Pine Hill Street allows for residential recycling to be available to White Cloud and County of Newaygo residents, but it is now fenced in and will no longer be open 24/7. The open hours for this site are Monday-Saturday, 8am – 4pm. It will be closed on Sundays, evenings, and major national holidays like Christmas. The recycling site will still accept the same items, flattened cardboard, glass, tin and aluminum cans, office paper, newspaper, magazines and rigid plastics. This move is intended to help alleviate contamination of the recyclables and dumping of trash on nights and weekends. The County’s Recycling program is currently funded by the County of Newaygo and a grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation. You can find up-to-date recycling information and the guide for accepted items on the programs Facebook page under “Newaygo County Recycling.”  Got Questions? Hope Network to hold informational meeting this Friday
At the last White Cloud City Council meeting on Tuesday, November 12, a presentation by Hope Network on a proposed apartment project drew an avalanche of questions from the packed gallery. After close to 45 minutes the question period was ended to allow for a resumption of the meeting agenda. As for those who attended and were not able to get their queries responded to as well as the folks who may have not been at the meeting and have questions of their own? Well, there’s a meeting for that. A press release by the organization sent out on Monday (November 18th) includes an invitation to: “A Neighborhood Meeting to discuss the proposed Riverbank Place Apartments at: Leighton Hall 601 N. Evergreen Dr. White Cloud, MI 49349 Conveniently located one mile north of the traffic light in White Cloud on M-37 Friday, November 22, 2019, 3-6 pm.” Per the release: This will be conducted as an informal drop-in format with three information stations. Development team representatives will be available to provide general information, answer specific questions, and keep a record of questions posed or comments offered by attendees. The three information stations are: 1. Location/Design Considerations: Information regarding why the White Cloud community has been chosen for these apartments, the scope and size of the project, what the site requirements are, and the preliminary design elements. 2. Asset/Property Management, Maintenance, and Affordable Apartments Tenant Selection: Information regarding the long-term care of the apartments, the ongoing property management and maintenance, and how tenants of the affordable/workforce apartments will be selected. 3. Transportation Services, Supportive Housing Services, and Tenant Selection: Information regarding the type and level of services provided to all tenants, including work- related transportation, and those specific to tenants of supportive housing apartments. This will also cover the supportive housing tenant identification and referral process. Here is your opportunity to learn about the initiative as well as chime in on any thoughts you might have regarding this proposed project. And remember… “If you do not ask the right questions, you do not get the right answers. A question asked in the right way often points to its own answer.” – Edward Hodnett  Lauren Boerger enjoyed every minute of her camp experience last summer Gerber Foundation to support the 2020 OsteoCHAMPS summer camp at
Michigan State University The Gerber Foundation will be offering 2 scholarships for attendance at the 2020 OsteoCHAMPS summer camp to be held at the MSU campus in East Lansing July 5-12, 2020. The cost of the camp is $1,500. Scholarships are open to any Newaygo County Sophomore or Junior student with a minimum overall GPA of 3.0 interested in entering a health-related field. OsteoCHAMPS is an intense 9-day summer program of the Osteopathic Medical School at Michigan State University. The program provides a range of instruction in the health sciences for students interested in entering one of the many healthcare fields. Lauren Boerger of Fremont attended the camp in the summer of 2019. Lauren acquired a lot of practical knowledge regarding the medical field and requirements for becoming a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. From learning problem-solving skills in the classroom to living in a dorm with a roommate, she enjoyed every minute of her camp experience. “The OsteoCHAMPS program has helped me recognize the tools needed to advance my future career in medicine.” In addition to the summer camp, the program offers mentoring throughout the student’s college career. Dr. Aguwa, who began the program in 2000 says, “We want to be part of their academic and professional progression. That way, we can track them, mentor them, and let them know that they have a significant support system.” The curriculum in the OsteoCHAMPS program includes courses, hands-on activities and field trips where attendees learn about anatomy and physiology, mathematics, medical research, physical examination skills, interviewing, resume writing, and general study skills. Only 50 students may attend the program, selected from a pool of over 120 applicants from across the state of Michigan. The application process will open December 1 and students must apply through the MSU website at http://com.msu.edu/OsteoCHAMPS/Default.htm. The deadline for applications is March 1, 2020. Once selected by the program, The Gerber Foundation will be notified and will make a selection on those who will be funded by their scholarship. For questions, please contact the Osteochamps program at osteochamps@hc.msu.edu or The Gerber Foundation at 231.924.3175.  Dault draws for the win
By N3 News Team Thursday afternoon the two candidates for the third and final seat on the White Cloud City Council met in the office of Newaygo County Clerk Jason VanderStelt to determine which of the two would assume the seat come January. An Election Day dead heat left both aspirants with 73 votes so by law the winner would be decided by the luck of the draw. Two slips of paper, one with the word ‘elected’ and the other stating ‘not elected’ were placed in a box then each candidate drew a playing card to determine the order of selection. Candice Dault who received the higher number card chose the option of deferring the first draw to Jerry LeBlanc and when the slips were opened she emerged as the winner. Dault’s deciding draw meant the White Cloud City Council will be going through a significant change in personnel come January since it gives the 7 person council three new faces with Lori Shears (117 votes) and former council member Herm Becker (105 votes) joining Dault at City Hall. Long time council members Cassie Rickert and Charles Chandler, who also served as mayor, chose not to run creating the two open seats on the board that serves the citizens of the Trail Town designated city. 679 registered voters or approximately 82% of the electorate sat this one out, This revised group will likely hit the road running as proposed initiatives look to alter the landscape of the county seat. The recent Council meeting had a pair of hot button issues on the agenda including the move toward adding recreational marijuana to the list of cannabis businesses likely to set up shop in town and a proposal by Hope Network involving the construction of a 55 unit supportive housing facility aimed at providing a residence to people struggling with homelessness. Both issues drew comments and questions from a packed house at this past Monday’s meeting. Mayor Jamie Denslow who fought off a challenge from Mike Kymes to retain his position is returning along with the three council members who were not up for reelection this term, Jeff Murchison, Ashley Zatalokin and Kay Scott.  Fundraiser Supports Panther Athletics
For the 4th year, Scott Rumsey, Owner of Ed’s Orchard Market, partnered with the Hesperia Athletic Boosters for a major fundraiser. Throughout the months of September and October, over 300 tickets were sold for an opportunity to win one of three timed shopping sprees. Three winners are chosen each year, two with 1 minute to shop and the grand prize winner with 3 minutes to run around the store, gathering as many items as possible. “We love supporting our local athletes and our community, and this is just one way we are able to support Hesperia” says Rumsey. The event has raised more than $7,500 over the past 4 years for the Athletic Boosters, which helps to support Hesperia Athletics with items such as uniforms, equipment and scholarships. Tickets for next year’s fundraiser will be available at Ed’s Orchard Market in Hesperia beginning in August 2020 and are open to anyone to purchase.  Pictured left to right: Jason Baldus, I.T. Instructor; Gavin Orcutt (Fremont); Gov. Gretchen Whitmer; Allison Truskowski (Newaygo); Dylan Seidletz (Newaygo); Tricia Foster, DTMB Director. Newaygo County Career-Tech students shine in state-wide competition
Highlighting the skills needed to fill the growing demand for cybersecurity talent in Michigan and beyond, students from Newaygo County Career-Tech Center (CTC) took home third place at the 2019 Governor’s High School Cyber Challenge. In the fourth year of the competition, 218 teams consisting of 654 students from all corners of Michigan participated in the challenge. Members of the team from Newaygo County CTC were: Gavin Orcutt (Fremont), Dylan Seidletz (Newaygo), and Allison Truskowski (Newaygo). They were coached by Jason Baldus, their I.T. instructor. “There will be millions of unfilled jobs in the cybersecurity field in the next year alone,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “It is critical that we get students interested and engaged in this ever-growing field at an early age. Through the participation we’ve seen in the High School Cyber Challenge, it is clear that Michigan students are picking up the torch.” More information about Michigan’s cybersecurity efforts and helpful links on ways to protect yourself from cyber threats can be found at Michigan.gov/cybersecurity.  Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial officially celebrates era of robotic surgery in Newaygo County FREMONT – Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial held a ribbon cutting on Tuesday evening to officially celebrate the new era of cutting-edge robotic surgery technology at the 101-year-old hospital. The three Gerber Memorial physicians trained in da Vinci robotic surgery – Erich Schafer, DO, Jeremy Kuiper, MD, and Jehanna Erho, MD – welcomed more than 70 people to the ceremony. Held at the main hospital lobby, the event also allowed visitors and children to try their hand at operating the da Vinci robot, with an interactive challenge to move tiny objects using high-precision tools and commands, much like a video game. During the ribbon-cutting, Dr. Kuiper said: “It’s a wonderful tool for us in a small town in order to offer things that might not have been impossible a few years ago – to give patients better outcomes, less pain with surgery.” Some of the procedures the physicians trained in the technology can now perform include hernia repairs, gall bladder surgery and anti-reflux surgery. In a column to the community in September... https://www.nearnorthnow.com/the-pulse/guest-column-dr-erich-schafer-shgm ...Dr. Schafer highlighted the benefits of robotic surgery to the patient: “Robotic surgery means faster recovery times, which means patients can get back to work quicker, with fewer lost work days.” For more information, contact general surgery at the Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Multispecialty Clinic: 231.924.4200.  Holding the ribbon during the ceremony are, from left: Karen Baird, executive director of the Fremont Area Chamber of Commerce; Jeremy Kuiper, MD; Meleah Mariani, Gerber Memorial chief nursing officer; Jehanna Erho, MD; and Erich Schafer, DO.  By Ken DeLaat Photos by Gail Howarth “This was a great and humbling experience once again providing free dental care for our local veterans.I can’t wait to see the turnout for next year!”-NFDC Hygienist Trisha Tramper. Mike McClain moved to Newaygo County a dozen years ago. The Vietnam veteran hadn’t been to the dentist since that move so when he read about Newaygo Family Dental Care holding a free day of dental work for Vets he came into their office last Friday morning. “These people have been just terrific,” he said as he sat in the waiting room. “I had my teeth cleaned and x-rayed and now I’m waiting to have a wisdom tooth extracted.” “I’m going to make this my dental office.” McClain echoed the feeling among those sitting in the waiting room. “These folks have been so polite and courteous,” said Air Force veteran Lawrence Hein who traveled from Mears to take part. This past Friday for the second year the idea hatched by the Drs Nelson (Dennis, Ross) and supported by their exemplary staff brought free dental services to veterans on a first come first served basis. By 10:45 nearly 20 vets had already been in a chair at NFDC and the afternoon promised more to come. The office was decorated in their best red white and blue and the waiting room offered a table of refreshments (including some very good cookies) for their patrons. “This was a great group of veterans,” said Dr. Ross Nelson. “ Everyone was friendly, appreciative and patient.” While the numerous local state and national celebrations that took place on Monday were fitting tributes to the many men and women who have served our country, initiatives like this shift that gratitude from a noun to a verb. An old friend used to say “Some folks who come to visit thank you for your hospitality and that’s nice. “Others bring the groceries.” Last Friday the staff at Newaygo Family Dental Care brought the groceries. Nicely done folks. Nicely done indeed. A few of the Veterans who visited NFDC during the event- Photos by Gail Howarth
 From the Newaygo County Sheriff's Department:
On November 11, 2019 at approximately 8:09 am, Deputies of the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to S Mason Dr (M-37) north of E 112th St, in Ashland Township on a report of a two vehicle accident. Upon arrival on scene Deputies found that a passenger vehicle was southbound on S Mason Dr, lost control and crossed the centerline. A SUV was going northbound could not avoid the southbound vehicle and crashed into the passenger side of the southbound vehicle. The driver of the northbound vehicle, a 41 year old female from Grant, was uninjured. The driver of the southbound vehicle, a 28 year old female from Newaygo was fatally injured and pronounced dead on the scene. There were no passengers in either vehicle. The accident remains under investigation by the Newaygo County Sheriff’s Office, however, alcohol and drugs do not appear to be a factor in the accident. Deputies were assisted at the scene by the Michigan State Police, Grant Police Department, Ashland-Grant Fire Department, Life EMS, Newaygo County Central Dispatch, Newaygo County Road Commission, and Mid-Michigan Medical Examiner Group.  Sue Seaben, Gerber Memorial Gift Shop and Volunteer Coordinator, gets the Gift Shop ready for its Holiday Open House on Friday and Saturday. Proceeds from sales benefit Gerber Memorial programs and services. Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial Gift Shop to host open house Friday and Saturday; sales benefit patient programs FREMONT– Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial will host its annual Holiday Open House on Friday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 16, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Gift Shop is located on the first floor of the main hospital building, east of the main lobby and just past the Betty Ford Breast Care Services waiting room. This year’s annual open house features new and unique items, including jewelry, hats, scarves, handbags, purses, home décor items, stuffed animals, women’s apparel, and Carefree Threads tops and lounge pants. All proceeds from sales at the Gift Shop benefit Gerber Memorial programs and services though the Spectrum Health Foundation Gerber Memorial. “Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial’s Gift Shop is an important piece to our organization and a big contributor to our commitment to provide quality care and an exceptional patient experience to the families we serve,” said Sue Seaben, Gerber Memorial Gift Shop and Volunteer Coordinator. “We invite everyone to come to our Gift Shop Open House to buy special holidays gifts for friends and loved ones, and give back to our community at the same time. Thanks to our Gift Shop and our terrific customers, Gerber Memorial can upgrade patient amenities, purchase much-needed medical equipment and improve comfort and convenience for our patients.” Some upgrades that Gift Shop sales directly funded include the purchase of a portable X-ray machine and the MRI machine in Gerber Memorial’s Radiology Department, as well as partial funding for the construction of Gerber Memorial’s Emergency Department, among other projects. For more information, contact the Gift Shop at 231.924.1368.
 Yes the bridge over the River is open at long last. As we have mentioned before we remain impressed with the patience and fortitude most of the Newaygonians, Fremontians, Crotonaires, White Clouders, etc. have put on display during this prolonged project. The very fact that it began at the height of our tourist season, carried on through the beginning of the school year then was extended a month beyond the original ETA would frustrate less forbearing folks into a frenzy. But not the majority of peeps from this section of bipeninsular beauty we inhabit. They rise above and carry on. And we want to give a shout out to the MDOT folks who kept us informed via email of developments in the project and answered each query we presented. Note: We reference most and the majority because we realize there were some out there who got a bit, uh, testy at times. You know who you are and so do we. Lighten up a little and when there’s construction just plan to leave a little early. Both will do wonders for your peace of mind. * Speaking of bridges… One of the coolest online publications (this side of N3) is Bridge Magazine. If you want a good read about the political wranglings in our state, the hot button issues and what in the world might be going on in our capital city, this is the place for you. They have covered the Enbridge (bridge again) Line 5 controversy extensively including a recent story that involved the company’s assurance that they would be able to muster the resources should the unthinkable happen-a leak or malfunction that would likely devastate the straits and beyond. Enbridge has paid $1.2 billion for cleanup and restoration due to the line that broke in the Kalamazoo River in 2010 spilling over a million gallons of crude oil. They termed the possibility of a rupture in the dual pipelines crossing the tip of the Mitten as ‘unlikely’. Hmm. Your thoughts folks? * Toys For Tots has begun so when you see those boxes spring up around town pony up folks. Apparently the original TFT was started in 1947 by a marine corps reserve officer who was inspired by his wife when she tried to donate a homemade Raggedy Ann doll to a needy child but couldn't find any organization to do so. At her suggestion, he gathered a group of local Marine reservists who coordinated and collected some 5,000 toys for local children that year from collection bins placed outside movie theaters. So what were the hot toy items? Well, Slinkies had been around a few years by then and Tinker Toys came into being in 1941 but Mr. Potato Head hadn’t sprouted yet and you couldn’t yet access the ‘educational’ game Cootie. But that was the first year you could get your hands on a John Deere cast iron toy tractor. And that is likely still a prized possession as is the Raggedy Ann doll that got the whole thing going in the first place. Granted those aren’t perhaps at the level of Rizmo or a Demo Duke… But they still can bring a smile to little ones at Christmas time. * Body soap, conditioner, deodorant, shampoo, lotion, tampons and pads, toilet paper, toothpaste and brushes, towels and washcloths. No not a shopping list but a list of items that are badly needed by folks in our community who struggle to meet basic needs like food and housing and have little left for these ‘extras’. “While we might know women, men and families who can’t put food on their tables, we probably don’t realize they also can’t afford personal hygiene and basic care items,” said Melissa Geroux, a Self-Sufficiency Specialist with TrueNorth Community Services. “That puts them at great risk for their own health and well-being. That’s why we decided we needed to do even more to help.” Thus… From November 16th (that’s next Saturday) to November 24th the fine folks of TN are collecting personal hygiene and feminine care products to help women and their families. And our favorite local haunts (the libraries) are where you’ll find the collection boxes including Croton Township, Fremont, Grant, Hesperia, Newaygo and White Cloud libraries. Ok, maybe grabbing a six pack of Charmin doesn’t have the same Christmas feel as an Etch a Sketch or Slinky but hey… It provides a service no amount of Lego’s could possibly match.   All lanes are open on M-37 over the Muskegon River according to the press release from our friends at MDOT who added:
The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is investing approximately $503,000 to improve the M-37 bridge over the Muskegon River. The project includes expansion joint replacement, substructure repair, new pavement markings between Quarterline Street and Croton Drive/M-82, and new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant sidewalk ramps at M-37 and M-82/Croton Drive. |
CategoriesArchives
December 2019
|
RSS Feed