 Looking for licensed mosquito spraying companies in Michigan? MDARD has a list available online Lansing– As part of its response to the Eastern Equine Encephalitis outbreak, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has posted a list of pesticide applicator businesses that are licensed to spray for mosquitoes in Michigan at https://www.michigan.gov/mosquitocontrolbusiness. “Consumers should do their homework before they sign a contract. Mosquito control companies have to be licensed and all their applicators must pass MDARD’s mosquito control certification exam,” said Jeffrey Zimmer, Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division’s Acting Director. “There are a variety of pesticides available, and they don’t all work the same way. Being certified means knowing the different species of mosquitoes, which pesticides are most effective, and when and how to spray them safely.” MDARD recently launched a one-stop portal for Michiganders to identify certified mosquito control applicators in their area. The website also gives consumers some insight on what to look for when hiring a mosquito control company. Consumers should be aware that pest control businesses are legally required to obtain their consent before making a pesticide application and must provide the following information:
In addition, when requested by a customer, pest control businesses must provide labels and/or safety data sheets of the pesticides that were applied. MDARD annually inspects and verifies that companies are licensed, and applicators are certified, to ensure continued compliance with state and federal law. The department investigates allegations of misuse or off-target drift. Complaints can be submitted by calling the MDARD Customer Service Center at 800-292-3939, Monday-Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. or through the department’s online form. For more information on MDARD’s Pesticide and Plant Pest Management Division, visit www.michigan.gov/MDARD. 
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 MDARD Reminds Industrial Hemp Growers to Test Before Harvest
Lansing– As the state’s first industrial hemp harvest begins, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development is reminding growers that they must have their crop tested for THC content before they can harvest. “Under the Industrial Hemp Ag Pilot Program, growers are required to have pre-harvest testing to ensure their crops do not exceed 0.3 percent THC,” said Gina Alessandri, MDARD’s Industrial Hemp Program Director. “Currently, MDARD’s Geagley Lab is the only approved lab for this regulatory compliance testing in Michigan.” First, growers need to schedule their test with MDARD’s Geagley Lab by calling the department’s toll-free customer call center at 1-800-292-3939, Monday – Friday between 8 am – 5 pm. “Growers will be scheduled for a specific day to submit their samples for testing. Samples must be received by the date the growers are scheduled if they want to get their results back the next week,” said Craig VanBuren, MDARD’s Lab Division Director. “It’s also critical that growers follow the sample collection process to ensure they get a good sample for us to test.” Sampling needs to be done according to the department’s Procedure #MDARD-HEMP-201908-1, which can be found under the “Forms” tab at https://www.michigan.gov/industrialhemp. Undried samples should be sent to the Geagley Laboratory, where they will be oven dried, ground, tested for moisture content, and analyzed to determine both the THC and CBD content, on a percent weight basis. The THC reported by the lab must be less than or equal to 0.3% for the crop to be compliant. Growers can submit up to three different samples from their crop. If after three samples the THC levels are more than what’s allowed, the crops will be considered un-useable. Results of testing will be communicated to the grower electronically by Thursday of the following week. Crops must be harvested within 15 days of the date the results are emailed to the grower. It is the grower’s responsibility to regularly monitor his or her email inbox for the lab results and other regulatory reminders being sent by MDARD. If the THC levels results exceed the concentration level allowable by law, growers may destroy the crop or repeat the testing two additional times. Crops determined to be non-compliant after the third test will be ordered destroyed, added VanBuren. For more information, visit the Industrial Hemp website.  DNR recruiting for 2020 conservation officer academy
Anyone interested in pursuing a career as a Michigan conservation officer is encouraged to review eligibility guidelines and submit an application for the Department of Natural Resources’ 10th conservation officer academy, set to start July 12, 2020, at the Michigan State Police Training Academy in Dimondale. "We are seeking male and female candidates from all backgrounds – including military veterans and current law enforcement members – who are passionate about the outdoors and interested in protecting the state’s natural resources and the people who enjoy them,” said F/Lt. Jason Wicklund. “This academy will teach the recruits the necessary skills they need in order to be successful as conservation officers." Jackie Mickovich was one of six women to successfully complete the DNR’s 2018 conservation officer academy, graduating last December. "Completing the Michigan DNR Conservation Officer Academy was extremely rewarding. It was by far the toughest task I have ever gone through," said Mickovich, who now patrols Muskegon County. "I accomplished things physically and mentally that I did not know I could do. It has all been worth it to become a CO." Conservation Officer Cole VanOosten, who now patrols Luce County, also graduated from Recruit School #9 in December. "Looking back, the academy is one of the best things I have ever gone through and it helped me mature in many aspects of my life," VanOosten said. "It was not easy, but it transformed me into a better person, as well as a more equipped conservation officer. You receive world-class training and the instructors truly care about making you into the best officer you can be." DNR conservation officers serve a distinct role in Michigan’s law enforcement community. They are certified police officers with the authority to enforce all Michigan laws. Conservation officers receive unique training in a wide variety of areas related to the protection of Michigan’s residents and natural resources. This includes extensive training in game, fish and trapping enforcement, recreational safety, firearms, precision and off-road driving, survival tactics and first aid. In order to be considered for the academy, an applicant must:
During the 23-week academy, recruits will become State of Michigan employees and receive biweekly paychecks. Upon graduation, they will spend an additional 20 weeks training throughout the state. When that training is completed, each officer will receive a county assignment where they will live and work. Learn more about the conservation officer hiring process and requirements by visiting Michigan.gov/ConservationOfficers or contacting a local recruiter.  Michelle Marciniak spoke to Fremont Rotary on 9/17 about changes to the Circles program. Circles Newaygo County has implemented modifications to more accurately reflect a rural program model. Some of the changes include reducing the program from 18 months to 12 months, and focusing more on improving quality of life for our community members through basic skills, self-development and self-sufficiency. Fremont Rotary has been a longtime supporter of the Circles program.  MDHHS reports one new human case of mosquito-borne EEE in Southwest Michigan and new counties with affected animals
LANSING– The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Bureau of Laboratories has confirmed Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) in an adult resident of Calhoun County. Eight cases of EEE have now been confirmed in residents of Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Kalamazoo, and Van Buren counties, including three deaths. “The increasing geographic spread and increasing number of EEE cases in humans and animals indicate that the risk for EEE is ongoing,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, MDHHS chief medical executive and chief deputy for health. “We continue to urge Michiganders to protect themselves against mosquito bites until the first hard frost.” Additionally, testing at the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory has recently identified EEE in one animal each in Calhoun, Jackson and Montcalm counties. As of Sept. 20, EEE has been confirmed in 21 animals from 11 counties: Barry, Berrien, Calhoun, Cass, Genesee, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Lapeer, Montcalm, St. Joseph, and Van Buren. There is an EEE vaccine available for horses, but not for people. Additional animal cases are under investigation. MDHHS is encouraging local officials in the affected counties to consider postponing, rescheduling or cancelling outdoor activities occurring at or after dusk, particularly activities that involve children. This would include events such as late evening sports practices or games or outdoor music practices. The MDHHS recommendation is being made out of an abundance of caution to protect the public health and applies until the first hard frost of the year. EEE is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in the United States, with a 33 percent fatality rate in people who become ill. People can be infected with EEE from the bite of a mosquito carrying the viruses. Persons younger than age 15 and over age 50 are at greatest risk of severe disease following infection. Across Michigan, residents can stay healthy by following steps to avoid mosquito bites:
Signs of EEE include the sudden onset of fever, chills, body and joint aches which can progress to a severe encephalitis, resulting in headache, disorientation, tremors, seizures and paralysis. Permanent brain damage, coma and death may also occur in some cases. For more information about mosquito-borne diseases, visit Michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.  From our friends at Newaygo County Emergency Services Schools and communities must be prepared for a variety of emergency situations in order to maintain a safe school environment for students and school personnel. Developing and maintaining a safe school environment is the responsibility of the entire school community. Within Newaygo County, over the past year a collaborative initiative has been developed in partnership with local school officials and public safety agencies (police, fire, EMS, 911, and emergency services). The initiative supports developing and maintaining a safe school environment through completion of essential emergency preparedness activities identified in best practices throughout the United States. All public schools within Newaygo County are participating in the initiative. As a part of the community, please take a moment to review the following safety terms (see below) being used in all public schools across the county. Use of common language avoids confusion and ensures an effective and safe response to an emergency. These terms are standard definitions established by the Michigan School Safety Task Force. Please note, that should an emergency occur, Nixle will be the primary means of communications from public safety authorities to the community during an event. To receive these alerts, text NewaygoES to 888777. The district may also utilize Skylert notification system to provide voicemail, text, and email notification directly to parents as soon as it is deemed safe to do so. Should a critical incident occur at the school which creates the need for parents/guardians to pick up your children outside of normal practices, it is important you do not come to the school. All schools within Newaygo County utilize a standardized family reunification process to reunite students with their families. This process is structured and well organized. Following staff instructions at the designated site will help parents/guardians to reunite you with your child in a timely and safe manner. Specific reunification instructions on where to go and what to do will be sent to you after an incident using Nixle and Skylert. You can expect these instructions to include a reminder not to go to the school, as the school and surrounding roadways are being secured by law enforcement and emergency first responders as a safety measure. In order to minimize congestion at the reunification site, we ask that only one, approved parent or guardian comes to sign out their student. This individual must be on the Emergency Contact Card on file with the school and photo identification is required. For the safety of our students and staff, only parents, guardians, and designated emergency contacts will be permitted to enter the reunification site.   From our friends at the Department Of Transportation:
A total closure for culvert replacement will be in effect this Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on M-37 between Bailey and Moore roads. M-37 traffic will be detoured on Bailey Road, Canada Road/McClelland Avenue and 136th Street.  N3 received this missive from the fine folks at Native Circle. Of all the great events our area offers, this one remains a favorite at N3 World Headquarters & Butterfly Ministry (N3WH&BM) Anii and Boozhoo Friends! The Native Circle of Newaygo County invites you to the 4th annual Native American Gathering: "We Are Still Here": Saturday, September 21, 11am - 7pm Sunday, September 22, 11am - 4pm Brooks Park, 28 State Road, Downtown Newaygo, MI 49337 This is a free family friendly, drug and alcohol free event located in the smoke free setting of Brooks Park. The Native American Gathering is a sharing of culture, history, traditions, music, food and arts. Speakers from around Michigan's Tribal Nations and friends will provide information and insights on history and current issues facing Indigenous people and the world in which we live. Please see the speakers schedule below. Volunteers Needed: If you would like to volunteer some time at this event, it would be most appreciated - many hands make light work. We are especially seeking help on Saturday morning 8am - 11am for set up, and Sunday afternoon 4pm - 6pm to take down. Volunteers to sit at the welcome table and comfort station for elders and mothers are also appreciated. If you are able to help for a couple of hours or so, please reply to this email. Silent Auction: We are seeking donations for the Silent Auction fundraiser which will be held on Sunday afternoon. If you have something to donate, please reply to this email. Donations of items that are new or gently used will be gratefully accepted. Miigwech from the Native Circle of Newaygo County to the many people who are helping to bring this event to our community. Miigwech to the Fremont Area Community Foundation, local businesses and individuals for their financial support. We look forward to seeing you there! Native Circle of Newaygo County 231.709.9005 nativecircle4@gmail.com Saturday-09/21/2019 11:00 a.m. Welcome 11:30 a.m. Jade Green- Native Youth and Current Issues 12:00 a.m. Banashee Cadreau- Decolonization and our Traditions 1:00 p.m. Beth Earl- Cradleboards 2:00 p.m. Gaylord Brooks- Healing Mind Body and Spirit 3:00 p.m. Blanket Dance 3:45 p.m. Open Dance (Inter-tribal) 4:00 p.m. Jennifer McLeod- Sovereignty 5:00 p.m. Punkin Shananaquet- Seeds 6:00 p.m. Open Dance (Inter-tribal) Sunday-09/22/2019 11:00 a.m. Welcome 11:15 a.m. Marsha Reeves- Food 12:15 p.m. Beth Earl- Breastfeeding 1:15 p.m. LJ Denemy and Sarah Jo- Line 5 Water Protectors 2:15 p.m. Jennifer McLeod- Unity 3:15 p.m. Gaylord Brooks- Who We are as Natives 4:30 p.m. Giveaway Drum- Woodland Boyz Emcee- Larry Plamondon Peacekeeper/Arena Director- Mike Loonsfoot  The fun continues all day Saturday and do not miss Gaellic Storm (Saturday night 9:30) if you go. They absolutely cooked it Friday night and they're just getting warmed up.
Photos by Lil DeLaat  Or really, "Did You Hear?...." in disguise
Social Media Hint # 237 When someone asks for a quote regarding snow removal and in trying to help you offer the following "It feels a lot colder when you're shoveling snow than when you're building a snow fort" -Cynthia Lewis. They apparently don’t mean that kind of quote. And there is a tendency for folks to get a bit snappish about such a reply. Still learning folks, still learning. The Riveridge Cider plant that opened last week south of Grant is a very cool story of perseverance as they cut the ribbon in their new plant just 14 months after a fire destroyed their previous location. And they put on a nice opening with over a couple of hundred guests sampling the cider (and taking advantage of a free lunch). We wish them well and like the cider...well except for the caramel flavored variety since we haven’t gotten along with caramel for several decades now. Go to a high school football game for pity’s sake. You don’t need to have a kid or grandkid or even a cousin twice removed playing just go because it is an autumn thing to do and these young people play their hearts out. Speaking of our recent spate of treacherous meteorological madness… Is anyone else puzzled at the concept of ‘straight line winds.Are they really just tornadoes without the twist (shaken not stirred)? And when it comes to power outages and traffic lights, come on people. When the traffic light is out at a place where it usually dictates your next move.. it means treat it like a 4 way stop. Drivers Training 101.  Beth Earl speaking at the 2018 Gathering 4th Annual Native American Gathering in Newaygo By Sally Wagoner The 4th Annual Native American Gathering will be held Saturday, September 21 from 11a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, September 22 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Brooks Park in downtown Newaygo. This family friendly event is free and open to the public. “Everyone is welcome to share in Native Indigenous music, dance, food and culture,” said Laci Reagan of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe, one of the coordinators of the event. “There will be demonstrations of moccasin making, beading and carving, among other arts and crafts.” “This Gathering is a remembering. It focuses on teaching and sharing our history and culture with others,” states Larry Gouine. “That is why we have speakers on both days as a main focus of the event.” Speakers will talk on topics related to Native American issues. Among the presenters will be LJ Denemy and Sarah Jo, both Water Protectors who hold vigil in support of decommissioning the Line 5 Enbridge Pipeline that runs beneath the Mackinac Straits; Punkin Shananaquet of the Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians (Gun Lake Tribe) who will talk about Native heirloom seeds; and Jennifer McLeod of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe on Native Sovereignty and Unity. Local Native Circle member Jade Green will talk about current issues facing Native youth. Other speakers will touch upon child-rearing with traditional cradleboards and breastfeeding; and healing the body, mind and spirit. “Traditional Foods, Our Most Intimate Connection with the Rest of Creation” will be presented by local Native Circle member Marsha Reeves. “We will look at the way people in this area have grown, gathered and prepared foods that have sustained folks here for many hundreds of years,” states Ms. Reeves. “Participants will get a chance to sample some traditionally raised and prepared foods. You’ve never really tasted corn until you’ve tasted a heritage corn pudding prepared in the old fashioned way.” In addition to speakers, there will be traders, artisans, food and a silent auction of donated items, many of which are handcrafted. The Woodland Boyz, a multi-tribal Drum hailing from this region, will be the Host Drum. Larry Plamondon will be Emcee of the day, and Mike Loonsfoot will be the Peacekeeper and Arena Director. “Even though this is not a Powwow, you can’t have a Native Gathering without Drum and dancers – it is who we are,” states Rhonda Loonsfoot, who is of the Dine (Navajo) & Pueblo Tribes. “Everything about the Drum and Dance is about traditions. The songs and the regalia that is worn have often been passed down from generation to generation. They tell what tribes and families we are from. They are a link to our ancestors, and we are connected to them through the songs, the dances and the regalia. It is a special time, and that is why the dance arena is smudged with sacred plants as a blessing before we begin.” “We welcome all people and all nations into the Dance Circle during an Inter-Tribal Dance. This is our tradition as well. We want them to feel the heartbeat of the Drum and experience the coming together of all people,” added Ms. Loonsfoot. “We wish to thank the Fremont Area Community Foundation, local businesses and the Newaygo County Historic and Cultural Museum who support this Gathering and other Native Circle events throughout the coming year,” adds Larry Gouine, Chair of the Native Circle of Newaygo County. “This is how a people come together to honor and respect the diversity among all of our Newaygo County community members.” The Native American Gathering is the major annual event by the Native Circle of Newaygo County (NCNC), a 501c3 non-profit organization. NCNC’s mission is in part to share Native Indigenous cultures with all people and to tell the history of Native Americans from their own experiences and perspectives. NCNC also offers other events such as Indigenous film viewing and cultural teachings throughout the year. “We hope everyone will come out to the Gathering and enjoy the cultures of our People,” added David Moore, event coordinator and Vice Chair of the Native Circle. “It will be an experience you won’t forget!” For information about the Gathering or the Native Circle of Newaygo County please contact: nativecircle4@gmail.com. Or call NCNC at 231.709.9005.  Ellsworth Stay, NC Prosecutor since 2017 Worth Stay, Newaygo County Prosecuting Attorney since 2017, was unanimously elected by his peers to be on the Board of Directors of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan (PAAM) on Saturday. PAAM is comprised of a 14-member Board of Directors and the Attorney General who represent Michigan’s 83 county prosecuting attorney offices. He will serve a one-year term through August 2020. Prior to being appointed as the Newaygo County Prosecuting Attorney, Stay had been an assistant prosecuting attorney for almost 10 years, five of those as chief assistant prosecutor. Stay has also served as Trial Court Director and the Friend of the Court. "We are looking forward to Worth Stay serving as a member of PAAM’s board of directors,” said PAAM President Bill Vailliencourt. “His proven dedication to public safety and protecting the rights of victims will make him a real asset to our board, and will ensure the issues he faces in Newaygo County will be a part of what prosecutors statewide consider as we address criminal justice issues in Michigan.” “I am honored to have been elected to the PAAM Board of Directors,” said Stay. “The Association serves as a strong voice in the state to protect public safety and victim’s rights. I look forward to serving in this role with the safety of Newaygo County and Michigan residents in mind.” The Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan was established in 1928. The primary purposes of the association are to promote equal justice in enforcing the state's criminal laws and continuing the education of prosecuting attorneys and other law enforcement officials.
 Guv says no to sales, ads
Yesterday, September 3, 2019, Governor Gretchen Whitmer ordered Michigan Department of Health and Human Services to issue emergency rules to ban the sale of flavored vaping products in retail stores and online, making Michigan the first state in the nation to ban flavored vaping products. Also banned is any misleading marketing of vaping products, including the use of terms like “clean,” “safe,” and “healthy” that perpetuate beliefs that these products are harmless. The Michigan Department of Transportation is also ordered by the Governor to enforce an existing statute to prohibit the advertising of vapor products on billboards. “As governor, my number one priority is keeping our kids safe,” said Whitmer. “And right now, companies selling vaping products are using candy flavors to hook children on nicotine and misleading claims to promote the belief that these products are safe. "That ends today. Our kids deserve leaders who are going to fight to protect them. These bold steps will finally put an end to these irresponsible and deceptive practices and protect Michiganders’ public health.” Rachel Uganski is part of the Headway Coalition a group of community partners working together for substance abuse prevention. She serves as the Project Coordinator for our local Drug Free Communities program. “Our schools and communities have seen dramatic rises in the youth vaping epidemic in the last two years, said Ms. Uganski. “This legislation is a huge win to protect our kids against the harmful effects of these products. “We commend Governor Whitmer’s efforts to protect our kids. Nicotine and vaping products have negative effects on brain development and lung health. We are proud that Michigan is leading the pack to prioritize kids over profits.” According to figures released by the governors office e-cigarette use spiked 78% among high school students and 48% among middle school students from 2017 to 2018, In 2018, more than 3.6 million U.S. kids, including 1 in 5 high school students and 1 in 20 middle school students were regular users. These rates are still climbing, likely fueled by the availability of flavors akin to apple juice, bubble gum, and Nerds. Dr Jennifer Morse is the Medical Director for District Health Department # 10. “Flavors make vaping more attractive to kids and some flavored e-cigarettes, particularly those with cinnamon, vanilla, fruit, popcorn, caramel, and coffee flavors, have been found to be more irritating and toxic to our airways,” she stated. “With over 200 illnesses and one death associated to vaping identified so far, with no one single common factor other than vaping identified, all vaping with or without flavored liquids should be seen as dangerous.” Vaping products have had an easy run with research and legislation tending to trail behind marketing thus far. But for now the order follows one of the primary strategies of substance abuse prevention. Restrict access.  Another way to get “Hey Did You Hear...?” into social media without reprisal
Nothing like a good cemetery stroll. No not at midnight during a full moon because while that can be fun, it's kind of late and it’s kind of dark, and truthfully a bit weird particularly on a first date with someone who says it's the only place they really feel complete...but that’s a whole other story from another era. History buffs or anyone who might have a bit of curiosity about the yesterdays of our beloved county seat will need to mark this one down. The fine folks at the history department of the nearly world famous White Cloud Library have put together a program for this coming Sunday that will include some speakers and a guided tour pointing out the most notable of those who reside on the hill heading west out of town. Call the library for details. 231.689.6631 Going to the Climate March on Saturday, September 14 at Brooks Park? No, you’re not because that event has been cancelled. However (and this is important) You are encouraged to come to the Thursday, September 12 meeting of Citizens Environmental Watch & Action Coalition, 6pm, Brooks Township Hall, Newaygo. Q & A on Recycling will highlight the meeting with Lola Harmon-Ramsey taking the queries. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/news/can-i-recycle-this-find-out-september-12 Poetry Slam night at Flying Bear this week Wednesday September 4, 7pm features Bitely poet...and yes we said Bitely poet... Alan Basting doing some readings as well as the other odistic endeavors by some of the regular rhymers. We haven’t made it there yet despite plans to do so but have heard from a number of people who enjoy the opportunities the slam presents for sharing their readings from free verse to sonnets to haiku. Mammograms. Hesperia. Important. Nice letter Julie Burrell. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/the-pulse/letter-mobile-mammogram-on-sept-6-lets-women-take-charge-of-our-health The Dublin General Store has been an up north icon forever.They pre-date the infamous Flea Roast Ox Market of nearby neighbor Irons which began in the mid 1970’s by nearly 40 years. We traveled to that area recently and stopped in for old times sake having frequented the site in the past. It was as impressive as ever and apparently evolved into the jerky Mecca of the North with a satellite store in Grandville. Yes, Grandville. A city that truly bears no resemblance to the woodsy yet regal region round Dublin and Dublin, thankfully, doesn’t have a huge castle-like structure either. But we digress. Now here we are just a couple weeks later and it not only burns to the ground but those nasty two words ‘foul play’ make their appearance according to reports from presumably reputable sources. While we’re certain this will provide cannon fodder for the conspiratorial clowns who prowl social media in hopes of gaining relevance through controversy, it is our hope most folks opt to ignore them rather than feeding into their clarion call to engage in one of their social media slap fights. And we hope the store returns as soon as possible because when it comes to getting your hands on their fine jerky a drive to Grandville just doesn’t match up to northbound cruise up m-37.. Once you get past the bridge of course. Netflix recommendation of the week : The Kaminsky Method. 8 episodes, Alan Arkin and Michael Douglas. Sublime. We can’t wait for season 2. “Cemeteries are like a giant library of stories.” - A.L. Mengel, The Mortician  From left: Newest WC Rotarian Betty Kreuger with Club President Holly Moon, Betty's sponsor. The White Cloud Rotary Club recently inducted Betty Krueger as its newest member in the Club. Betty is the Branch Manager for Independent Bank in White Cloud. The Club is pleased to welcome Betty into the Club and looks forward to her contributions as a Rotarian.
White Cloud Rotary is a volunteer organization based on the principle of ‘Service Above Self’ and the advancement of high ethical standards, goodwill and civic responsibility. The Club meets every Wednesday at 11:45 a.m. at The Eagles conference room in White Cloud.   Zachary Newfer, badge attached, helping out at the front table They arrived in droves to grab some of the best breakfast deals to be found anywhere, an array of finely crafted foods prepared and presented by the Newaygo Fire Department folks and their many supporters. “I told you there would be bacon,” said a pancake patron to his companion after reading the menu displayed at the front.. “If it’s at the fire department they’re gonna have bacon.” Of course there was bacon. And sausage and eggs and juice and of course pancakes for the mere cost of whatever one wished to donate to an excellent cause as the money raised will be used to purchase rescue gear for medical responders and firefighters. The lightweight gear can be used to protect fire department members during extractions, motor-vehicle accidents, technical rescues and more. Breakfast-goers also got a peek at the recently refurbished truck parked out front. And we got to meet future Chief-in-Waiting Zachary Newfer.  Lola Harmon-Ramsey of Cart-Right Recycling with one of their tipping trucks Lola Harmon-Ramsey to speak at CEWAC meeting-all invited
Bring your recycling questions and questionable items to the next CEWAC (Citizens Environmental Watch and Action Coalition) meeting on Thursday, September 12, 6pm, Brooks Township Hall, 490 Quarterline Street, Newaygo. Lola Harmon-Ramsey of Cart-Right Recycling will provide answers on what can and cannot be recycled in Newaygo County. Lola and her husband Mark provide hauling for the recycling sites in the county and for curbside recycling in Fremont. Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to Save Money How to save money on your trash bill and save the environment by following the 3 Rs will also be shared: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. “Reducing how much we buy that is wrapped in plastic or styrofoam, and following tips on how to sensibly reuse everyday items are the best ways to save our money and our Earth,” states Sally Wagoner, CEWAC Coordinator. “Recycling is incredibly important, but is the last “R” and should be the last resort.” “People in our communities are eager to recycle,” states Lola Harmon. “But often people put items in the bins or dumpsters that are not able to be recycled at the Kent County facility where all of our recyclables go.” What happens when trash gets mixed with recyclables? “The trash, along with a lot of good recyclables, may go right into the landfill,” states Lola. “Just because it is plastic or metal does not mean it can be recycled.” Contents of the recycling bins and dumpsters are hauled by Cart-Right to the Kent County facility. People there go through the tons of items by hand as it all comes down big conveyor belts. It is a messy, dirty job, and It may be safer and easier for the workers to reject a load if it has a lot of trash or unacceptable items. “Dirty food containers, greasy pizza boxes, bread wrappers and deli meat baggies are some of the common items we cannot take,” adds Lola. “Things that can tangle up in the machinery are not good also, like coat hangers, plastic strapping and rope. And plastic that is too small can jam up or fall through the machinery, so loose lids from bottles, jars and drink cups as well as plastic straws should be put in your trash.” So what CAN be recycled! “A lot!” states Lola enthusiastically. “If we do it right, dozens of dumpsters each week that are filled with good recycling will NOT go into our landfill.” People are encouraged to share the following at the September 12 meeting: 1. An item that you are not sure is recyclable or not. 2. What you do to reduce the amount of plastic that you buy. 3. Ways you reuse items instead of throwing them away. CEWAC is an initiative of 3R Environmental Education, a non-profit community organization that encourages “Green Mindfulness” in Newaygo County through practice and policy. For more information email: sallyw@3r-Education.org.  A cleverly disguised newest edition of Hey, Did You Hear…?
Games Postponed, Rescheduled! Soon after they arrived in town to play the Packers the Orioles got on the board with a touchdown and conversion to take a lead into the 2nd quarter that never got played because lightning took over so… The game will be resumed today (Friday) at 4pm. And if you wanted to make the trip to Shelby to see the Tiger/Tiger matchup but couldn't shake free last night you can cruise up there tonight and see if the Tigers (Grant variety) can hold a 14-6 lead they currently hold in the second quarter. Oh and tonight the regularly scheduled games include Kent City at Newaygo and North Muskegon at Hesperia. 7pm. No storms have been predicted, but of course The thieves among us. The lady whose face, height and weight along with her name (presumably her name) has been plastered across the fb pages to such an extent that she is now among the top ten most recognizable people on social media gained this notoriety due to being what is commonly known as a petty thief. Her crime? Hanging some bad paper hereabouts. This is the reason when merchants are asked why they don’t take checks their mind likely goes directly to that drawer filled with bogus paper promises representing dollars lost and also why banks sometimes ask for everything from your license to your last 4 addresses even if the teller is your sister. There have always been thieves, none as clever as they would like you to believe, but always capable of justifying their violation of others. We know this, we accept this and we all know it's unlikely to ever change. But it remains so utterly disappointing. Horse pulls info We saw some confusion and questions on a local site about the horse pulls coming to Shaw Pask Saturday. They start at 5pm and are pretty cool things to watch if you like horses, big horses, big horses working hard and a glimpse at how things were once done. Shaw Park is across from the Newaygo cemetery on Croton Drive. Bring a lawn chair for comfort. North Shore (Shoe), Smugglers, and ??? And it looks from the photo above as if maybe work on the Hess Lake eatery site has begun to get some traction. We can’t wait. The end of summer? And this is it folks. Labor day weekend that 3-day stretch that seemed like a distant far off beacon of autumn back when Memorial Day was just kicking summer into gear (well except for June) is here. They’ve already begun taking school supplies off the shelves so prepare to see Halloween stuff starting next week. "August rain: the best of the summer gone, and the new fall not yet born. The odd uneven time."-Sylvia Plath  Stumbled across yet another lone abandoned footwear this time in back of Jones Ice Cream, Baldwin. What does it mean? No Friday night lights in WC, bookstore adjusts hours and bridgework to resume anytime now
Last week we began to post what we hope will be a regular feature featuring tidbits of info from here and there. Apparently facebook didn’t find it to be an appropriate title...and anyone who follows facebook knows how diligent they are about keeping their material factual (ahem). They decided our title was clickbait (who knew?) and have imposed a 2 week punishment of relegating all our stuff to a lower tier of exposure. Ok so our plan to leave fb at some point might be moved up a bit, You’ll see less of us on it as we begin to wean off and hope you will follow us by subscribing (free) and/or going directly to our site. So here, in spite of our slap on the proverbial wrists is our latest version of Hey Did You Hear...? White Cloud cancels Varsity football season. Back in 2010 the Cloud could not field a varsity football team. Since then the program has gone 8-64. This year once again the Indians could not field a team and will be forced to forfeit the 9 games on their schedule. Is it time to move to the 8 player game? Even though there were apparently not enough numbers at WC to allow a switch to the adjusted format this season there are a growing number of schools that have made the shift including teams forming the West Michigan 8 man conference. Most are class D schools with lesser enrollment than WC but once familiar foes such as Brethren and Baldwin have made the switch. Truth is, the team has been struggling with numbers for a long time. Over the years, spending time on the sidelines and in the booth at their field, we’ve watched a gritty and game group of players with diminished numbers wear down against teams who could substitute freely rather than having a small handful of players on reserve. And should an injury or two occur as they always do? It rocked the team and meant a significant thinning of an already inadequate amount of players in waiting. Maybe things will change. Perhaps the youth program that has also struggled to attract players will begin a slow growth and provide a future crop of gridders in numbers enough to field a competitive 11 man squad. But maybe not. And despite falling short of even coming up with enough for that version of football this season it remains significantly easier to staff a squad of 8 than it is 11. From our friends at Flying Bear Books in Newaygo: College is starting and Fall class hours are affecting store hours of operation. At Flying Bear Books the part time help will be attending classes during current hours of operation. In order to support this shift and to maintain a love for Pickleball playing the Bears hours are changing. Effective August 27 the new hours are Noon to 6:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday. The Bridge. As most have observed there is no work being done lately so we contacted the MDOT communications guy John Richards to get the skinny.He reported that though there had been some issues with relocating AT&T utilities those issues have been worked out and work should resume and the work should still be on target for an early to mid-October finish. Which led us to ask when might construction resume? “Soon if not today (Monday),” was the reply. Which leads us into a little pep talk. With the Labor Day weekend looming let’s keep our tempers in check and a plethora of patience in our pockets as those touring through and those visiting our inviting area quadruple the traffic flow. Remember we’re known for our overall welcoming and hospitable nature so time to put it on display behind the wheel.  Lola Harmon-Ramsey to present on September 12th
From our friends at CEWAC: We invite and welcome the public to attend the September 12th, meeting and special presentation hosted by CEWAC (Citizens’ Environmental Watch and Action Coalition) at Brooks Township Hall at 6 p.m. September's special presentation will be given by Lola Harmon-Ramsey from Cartright LLC. Her recycling hauling business is responsible for hauling recyclables for the county drop off sites, the city of Fremont, as well as local area businesses. The material her local business hauls, goes to the Kent County Recycling and Education Center, where they are sorted through an incredible process which you may like to view on this informational video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pOfeDxDs-Mw . Though the Kent County facility can separate the “single stream” materials (ie. all recyclables mixed together), the materials that go in have to be actually recyclable materials in the first place. No garbage, no diapers, no plastic without the recycling symbol, no food waste, etc. Lola will inform us of just what can and cannot be recycled and how to prepare it correctly for drop off or pick up as she shares the story of her and her husband, Mark Ramsey’s, journey into the recycling business thirteen years ago. There will be time for questions and answers. Have an item or two that you have been wondering about putting in the recycle bin but just weren’t sure? Bring it along and she will be able to help. Even the most seasoned recyclers have doubts or questions from time to time. Please put the 12th of September on you calendar and we look forward to seeing you there!  Newaygo Fire Department to raise money for Rescue Gear
NEWAYGO– Are you looking for one of the best breakfasts in Newaygo during Labor Day Weekend? If so, the Newaygo Fire Department is once again holding its annual Fireman's Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, August 31 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Newaygo Fire Department located at 177 Cooperative Center Drive, Newaygo, MI, 49337. Last year 600 people attended donating over $3,000 to help the department purchase a Zoll AutoPulse® Resuscitation System. “We are grateful to live in such a supporting community,” said Travis Kroll, Interim Chief at Newaygo Fire Department. “Being able to purchase this lifesaving equipment with the support from our community is a true blessing.” This year, money raised will be used to purchase rescue gear for medical responders and firefighters. The lightweight gear can be used to protect fire department members during extractions, motor-vehicle accidents, technical rescues and more. “It is important to protect those who are serving our community,” said Chief Kroll. “This lightweight gear can help reduce weight and heat stress for members during incidents where full turnout gear is not required.” The annual pancake breakfast is held during Newaygo's Logging Festival. It consists of eggs, sausage, tater tots, juice, coffee and, of course, pancakes—all cooked by Newaygo Firefighters. The public is encouraged to attend and the cost is by donation. Chief Kroll adds, “We look forward every year to this event. It allows us to serve our community outside of an emergency call.” Newaygo Fire Department proudly services 56 square miles in Newaygo County. This includes all of Brooks Township, approximately 60 percent of Garfield Township, and the City of Newaygo. This rural department is comprised of up to 20 firefighters and one station. Newaygo Fire Department provides the surrounding community with medical first response, fire suppression, and rescue from heights, water and vehicle entrapment. For more information visit newaygofire.com.   An Opportunity to Help Our River
By Sydnie Harding, Student Assistant for the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly From the MRWA newsletter: In the heart of the Michigan’s Lower Peninsula flows the mighty Muskegon River. The Muskegon River is Michigan’s second longest river, meandering over 219 miles through nine Michigan counties. The watershed covers approximately 2,700 square miles and includes ninety-four tributaries that sustain diverse populations of fish and many other aquatic species and wildlife. It is each of our responsibilities to help keep the Mighty Muskegon healthy and vibrant! To help protect the Muskegon River and her surrounding ecosystems, the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly (MWRA) is asking for your help. Get outside with us for the annual Muskegon River Trash Bash on September 14, 2019. The goal of this project is to remove trash and debris from the Muskegon River and nearby areas. Every single bit of trash picked up makes a difference. The 2019 Muskegon River Trash Bash includes multiple teams that are working together to cover over 50 miles of the river. Participants may bring their own canoes/kayaks and boats, contact local liveries, or walk the riverbanks. There are teams coordinating clean-ups in Evart, Big Rapids, Paris, Roger’s Dam, Mecosta, Bridgeton (August 3rd event), Hersey, Muskegon Lake, and Newaygo. BUT, there are still areas of the river that are in need. If you are interested in joining a team or starting your own cleanup team (great event for families, friends, organizations, and businesses), contact the MRWA today!! What a great reason to spend a day on the Mighty Muskegon River! To register for one of the teams or learn more you can sign up at www.mrwa.org or follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MuskegonRiverWatershedAssembly/. You can also contact the Muskegon River Watershed Assembly at mrwa@ferris.edu. Remember what happens up river doesn’t stay up river!  By Katie Clark There were 14 Newaygo county teens without electricity, phones, internet, or any other “connected” resources for six days this month. How did they survive one might ask? “They made new friends through face-to-face conversations. They found their entertainment in observing nature in action,” said Chelsea Clark, Mentoring Outreach Advocate for TrueNorth Community Services. The teens did all those things with The Stewart L. Udall Parks in Focus (PIF) program. In Michigan and four other states, Park in Focus’ purpose is to connect middle school youth to nature through photography, environmental education, and creative expression. Parks in Focus is offered to Newaygo County youth through a partnership between TrueNorth’s TrueMentors program and The Udall Foundation’s Parks in Focus program; and is funded by a grant from the Fremont Area Community Foundation. This year's Parks in Focus participants hailed from Newaygo, Fremont, Hesperia, Grant, and White Cloud; and were from the ages of 11 to 14 years old. There were nine girls and five boys in the group. Clark organizes two pre-trip training days in which students experience a full day out in the woods with provided cameras. “Participants have an opportunity to earn their cameras after completing the program,” she said. This year’s training days were spent at Newaygo State Park and Muskegon State Park. Students learned the The Seven Principles of Leave No Trace, practicing actions that minimize impacts while taking part in recreational activities. Because they come from different communities, the teens don’t know each other initially. Clark works hard on getting them connected to one another and to set expectations for how they will treat one another. This year’s group became especially close. Rachel, 11, shared: “I only knew one other person on the trip. I made a lot of good friends during our time together.” The PIF participants along with Clark and four adult volunteers drove six hours to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula jam-packed in TrueNorth’s two 12-passenger vans. Clark said: “We have six tents, 20 sleeping bags, 17 cameras, enough food for everyone to have for 15 prepared meals and snacks, 20 water bottles in 20 backpacks, and all the camp cookware and dishes needed for meals. Plus, each student brought their own personal items in one small duffle bag. Let’s just say we don’t have any leftover space.” The first night, the PIF group arrived at their campsites at Hurricane River Campground just before the thunderstorms were to hit. While this could have led to chaos, with the guidance of the adult chaperones, the campers put up their own tents (two girl tents, with four or five sharing the space; and one for the boys) and set up camp. Clark shared a tent on the girls’ site with Dawn, an environmental engineering professor at Michigan State University. Just across the road was the boys’ camp with Ross, a salesperson at Bedroom Center, in his tent next to the five boys’ tent. The campsite also housed the shelter tent, which was used as the main kitchen as well as the shared campfire. The kids named the other two volunteers (my husband and me) as Abuelo and Abuela. We camped two sites down with our own tent. Everyone hunkered down in their tents for about an hour waiting for the storm to pass. The first night’s dinner was a hit. You can’t go wrong with spaghetti. Clark did a survey of food preferences and needs with the teens before planning the meals and snacks. Park Ranger Kelly visited the camp afterward to introduce himself and remind the campers of the seven tenets of respecting nature. After a good night’s sleep (many stated that they were surprised by how hard they slept), the group was off on their first adventure. They packed back into the vans and headed 30 minutes to Seney National Wildlife Refuge. Two park rangers led the explorers in a class of pond study. Kids explored the large pond with nets, capturing creatures such as lizards, tadpoles, waterbugs to observe under microscopes (all released back into the pond after the class). Lunch of peanut butter and jelly, Go-Gurts, GORP, apples, and water was devoured under the park’s pavilion. Then, Clark presented the photography lesson and assignment. “I learned about macro photography. We got zoomed-in shots of things like flowers, leaves, bark that really makes the photo interesting,” explained Rachel. Students then went on a two-mile hike around the pond and through the woods applying the lesson. After dinner back at the campsite, the young photographers took sunset photos and “light painted” with glow sticks once the sun was fully set for amazing visual effects. “I had them set their cameras to long exposure, which captured the light as it moved into one image,” Clark described. “Drawing a shape like say a heart or even writing out a short word backward would show up in the photo as one movement.” Each day was filled with adventures in nature while using the camera lens to express their awe and wonder. On Wednesday, they hiked six miles to Chapel Rock. They were given the service job assignment of taking photos of human misuse of natural resources. The Park Ranger Station will be using the photos to help others understand the impact on the park and encourage the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace. Thursday was an exciting day. In the morning, we went to Beaver Lake and were met by two park rangers who guided the kids in canoeing across the pristine lake. Many had never paddled a canoe, so much there was laughing while learning. After the hour and a half canoe paddle, they pulled up their boats to shore and took the half-mile trail leading to the Beaver Creek outlet to Lake Superior. After lunch, the canoeists headed back to the vans to head over to Munising. That night was the big climax. The entire group would go on the Pictured Rocks sightseeing boats for a sunset cruise, specifically to capture the majesty of the cliffs from the water point of view. While in Munising they had a bit of time to kill, so they hung out at the Sand Point beach to swim in the heart-pumping cold waters of Lake Superior. Dinner was at the marina. Clark brought all the necessary ingredients and cook stove for chicken quesadillas, which were a big hit with the teens. In order to get the best views, the anxious group of photographers headed to get on the ship a bit early. The waves had reached up and tossed the boat a bit too much for the captain’s liking. The trip was cut short, but not before some great photos and memories were created. The last full day had the hikers exploring the Log Slide, viewing and photographing the wonderful sand dunes against the aqua blues of Lake Superior. It was breathtaking. Later that evening, the group was led again by Ranger Kelly, who guided them through the sands to the Au Sable Light Station. The campers were able to climb to the top of the lighthouse, taking amazing photos on the way. On their return, it was evident by the blue-stained mouths that they had come across a wild blueberry patch of epic proportions as everyone had plenty to eat. Leaving camp for home the next morning was sad. After packing up, the kids got scraps of paper from the art/games box and traded phone numbers and email addresses with one another. Everyone was looking forward to a hot shower, but would miss the wonderful friends and the exciting adventures they had shared together. “One main purpose of this program comes from the book The Last Child in the Woods, by Richard Louv. We want to get kids out into nature, which research has proven to strengthen kids’ physical and emotional health — many of whom are so reliant on technology and not often outside,” Clark said. “Through the camera’s viewfinder, each of our new photographers takes in nature’s detail and beauty.” To see their inspired photography, Parks in Focus is hosting a photo exhibit, slide show, and reception at 3 p.m. Sunday, August 25 at the TrueNorth Service Center, 6308 S. Warner Avenue in Fremont. The event is open to the community; and admission is free. If you are interested in volunteering to chaperone for next summer’s Parks In Focus Program through TrueNorth, contact Lisa Daniell at ldaniell@truenorthservices.org.  |
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