"Getting the 'community' into Mental Health."-Hank Boks who was hired by NCMH the year they opened their doors.
NCMH – 50th Anniversary celebration N3- Newaygo County Mental Health has been providing services to the community for the past half century. As part of Mental Health Month we are running a series of articles highlighting the good work that has been done as well as the good work currently being done. This is the second and features a conversation with former Exec. Director Hank Boks who was part of NCMH’s original crew. 1972 – seems like so long ago. If you ask Hank Boks, former Executive Director of Newaygo County Mental Health, it seems like yesterday. “I was the first clinical hire of the agency – Glen Erard, the first Director of the Agency, hired me to move Newaygo County residents out of state institutions and back into Newaygo County. We had a lot of people both in Traverse City State Hospital and the Muskegon Regional Center that didn’t need to be there. It was a standard practice for babies born with disabilities for the parents to be told by their family doctor that the child needed to go to an institution. People didn’t know any different. “We worked hard to get all of these people home. Newaygo County was the first County in the State to get all of its residents out of State Institutions, and we continue to not use State Hospitals to house individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness today. “We were able to develop other options in the community that were better for the individuals, and allowed their families to develop relationships and visit them” says Boks. “We developed foster care homes in the community, and programs at Mental Health to serve and meet their needs here. They lived much fuller lives, and many were able to go on to living in their own homes and apartments.” Initially Community Mental Health offices were located in an old house on the other side of Wilcox. The current mental health building was constructed in 1979, with a major addition being added in 2009. “We focused on getting the ‘community’ into mental health. Over the years, we developed all of the array of services that we could offer. We provided case management, therapy, home-based services for children, and housing for adults with disabilities. We built three homes in the 1980’s to move persons with intellectual/developmental disabilities out of the institutions and into the community. "All three of these homes are still operating, and 3 more have been added since then. These homes provide a community based home for the people that live there. In one of the homes, 3 of the people that moved there in the late 1980’s still live there today, more than 30 years later.” Hank Boks would go on to become a clinical supervisor, and eventually Executive Director. He served the Agency for almost 28 years. “I am proud of Newaygo County Mental Health and the services they provide to the community. There have been many changes and new programs over the last 50 years that have changed lives for the better in this community. I know they will continue to serve persons in need for another 50 years.”
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 This Was Us-circa 1955. Photo by John DeLaat Sr. A Mothers Day Tribute
By Ken DeLaat It has been over 20 years of Mothers Days since my Mom followed my Dad’s footsteps into ‘“the undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveler returns” as Shakespeare so eloquently described. And during each of these annual tributes to those who have starred in this all consuming role, my thoughts wander back to her and the ways she expressed her love for her children. My Mother was a truly wonderful person, all familial prejudice aside. She adored my Dad, loved her children and provided us with a home where it was relatively easy to find happiness. My childhood memories of her always seem to place her in the kitchen where she spent countless hours in the planning and preparation of a seemingly endless stream of meals. Initially I recall sumptuous feasts finding their way to the table with all of us sitting around it waiting to dig in as my Dad shared a version of the Lord’s Prayer delivered with a swiftness that would shame an auctioneer on amphetamines. The man could whip through it in 3.7 seconds without missing a word, particularly if there was sweet corn on the menu. It was truly impressive. Later my (significantly older) brothers began to have busy lives with sports, part-time jobs and girlfriends while my Dad moved into jobs that led him to often work long hours so our mealtimes evolved into an ongoing parade of seatings that rivaled the scene at a hectic bistro. And my Mom handled it with the deftness of a gifted juggler not only preparing provisions wrought from an infinite inventory imbedded in her many cupboards, but individualizing these repasts according to the desire of the diner. At the time it seemed like no big deal but in retrospect it makes sense why so many of my recollections find her kitchen-bound. The lady was running an all-purpose dining establishment with no prep cooks, wait staff, or bussers. Once while in college and in the midst of a road trip whose purpose escapes me, three friends and I popped in on my parents around 9:30 on a Saturday night on our way back to Mt. Pleasant. My Mom asked (of course) if we were hungry and while my buddies were polite enough to defer I was famished and replied in the affirmative. Mom proceeded to head to the kitchen where she prepared us burgers, hash browns, salads and tossed in a little ice cream for dessert. We wolfed down the vittles, expressed our gratitude and soon motored on back toward campus. My friends were astounded. On the way home they could not stop talking about the experience, as if they had just witnessed something extraordinary and the story was retold many times to equally amazed listeners. To me it was no big deal I guess. It was after all, what my Mom did. It was a part of how she expressed her love and if there was one thing Mom had down better than anyone I’ve ever known it was her ability to love. Though never attending college she had a PhD in love and practiced it like a master. So on this Mother’s Day I honor her and all the wonderful mothers I have known with a few words written by those who have said it better than I could ever dream to. “In a child's eyes, a mother is a goddess. She can be glorious or terrible, benevolent or filled with wrath, but she commands love either way. I am convinced that this is the greatest power in the universe.”- N.K. Jemisin, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms My mother had a slender, small body, but a large heart — a heart so large that everybody’s joys found welcome in it, and hospitable accommodation. ~Mark Twain The heart of a mother is a deep abyss at the bottom of which you will always find forgiveness. ~Honoré de Balzac “But kids don't stay with you if you do it right. It's the one job where, the better you are, the more surely you won't be needed in the long run.” Barbara Kingsover, Pigs in Heaven “Being a mother is an attitude, not a biological relation.”- Robert A. Heinlein, Have Spacesuit-Will Travel “Thank you, Mom, for the way you managed yourself during the childish, mean, selfish, insensitive, irresponsible, unreasonable, hateful moments I put you through. From your example I learned to be patient, positive, kind, selfless, sympathetic, reliable, sensible, and loving. You have my endless appreciation.”- Richelle Goodrich, Making Wishes And a poem “my mother is pure radiance. she is the sun i can touch and kiss and hold without getting burnt.” -Sanober Khan Publishers note: This is a revised version of a piece initially appearing the first week of N3’s existence (2016)  Kelly Smith, candidate for State Representative in the 101sf District Kelly Smith is running to be your House Representative in the state of Michigan. He may not be a polished politician, but he knows how to make a positive difference at our Capitol. Kelly is a proud lifelong resident of White Cloud in Newaygo County. Kelly began his professional career as a driver for the Newaygo County Road Commission in 1985, and was shortly elected by his fellow employees as Union Steward. Kelly was privileged to work his way to become manager at the road commission, where his duties included serving on several statewide committees to serve as an advocate for all Michigan county road commissions in Lansing for issues regarding funding, technology, and much more. His work taught him the benefits of hard work, friendship, collaborating with others, and the value of a dollar. Kelly has also served as a member of the Fremont Area Community Foundation’s Community and Economic Development committee, which handles grant funding for organizations seeking to strengthen and grow a sustainable local economy. His experiences have strengthened his belief in protecting our American Constitution, restoring our economy, job growth and creation, and listening to the voice of the people as we work to a stronger future. His wife Pam, their four children, and their 2 grandchildren are all happy to support Kelly on his run for office. They believe his experience in Lansing, and his devoted work ethic, will empower Kelly to represent the 101st district and steer the right kind of change. More information is available at www.ksmith4mirep.com "Paid for by the Committee to elect Kelly Smith" Advertisement  From left to right, Viktoria Ringh (Sweden), Johanna Bartsch (Germany), Claudia Louzao (Spain), Laura Haavisto (Finland), Filippa Hollmark (Sweden), Levinia Marquardt (Germany) European exchange students add to Newaygo Soccer Story and photos by Tara Hefferan For the second Spring in a row N3 has been privileged to have Tara Hefferan covering the Newaygo Lions Soccer team with photos and insights into their matches. Here she shares the unique story of how six exchange students from across the pond have helped give the team an international flavor while contributing to what has thus far been a very successful season. Soccer brings people from around the world together. This is true of Newaygo Lions women’s soccer, too, which includes six European exchange students. Levinia Marquardt and Johanna Bartsch come from Germany. Filippa Hollmark and Viktoria Ringh hail from Sweden. Laura Haavisto is from Finland, and Claudia Louzao is from Spain. The exchange students wanted to come to the USA in order to meet new people, improve their English language skills, and partake in the American high school spirit. Nowhere is that spirit more alive than in this tight-knit soccer team, where friendships are central to Lion success. “All the jokes and laughs we have had, the team is really amazing and we always have so much fun” says Hollmark. The girls look forward to game days, and they especially enjoy the away games, where riding the bus and team-bonding are part of the experience. After the soccer match in Hart, for example, the bus made a detour for an all-American meal at McDonald’s, which was “pretty fun” said Bartsch.  Laura Haavisto celebrating her first US goal  Filippa Hollmark high fiving the Lions fans Of the six students, only Viktoria Ringh and Laura Haavisto are soccer players back home. Both typically play defensive roles on their home teams, but here in Newaygo, Ringh has found herself more often in the midfield, while Haavisto has been spending most of her time as a striker. Commenting on soccer in Sweden, Ringh says, “Soccer at home is much more common and available in every different way. It’s the same rules, but people don’t know as much about soccer here in the US as home.” While soccer is more popular back home, Bartsch and Marquardt said that in Germany, there are no athletic teams associated with the high schools. Soccer is played only through clubs. In Finland, Haavisto practices with her club team three or four times a week, with games on the weekends. As Ringh reports, “one of my dreams as a kid had always been to play soccer in high school.” Newaygo Soccer is making that dream a reality.  Viktoria Ringh moving past a Grant defender  Claudia Louzao on the dribble against Hart Here in our small town, there are plenty of opportunities for international students to get outside of their comfort zones, which several girls said is necessary for the full American experience. “Don’t be afraid to try something you never did before, do as many things you can do, use every chance you get, enjoy it!” said Marquardt. Soccer is about community. It unites people across language, culture, and nationality. It is “The Beautiful Game,” and it shines brightly here in Newaygo. Says Bartsch, “I am really happy and thankful that I had the opportunity to be part of this amazing team. It is one of the best things I did this year, and I will really miss every single one of the players.” In total fifteen international students attend Newaygo High School in the 2021-2022 school year as part of the Council for Educational Travel, USA (CETUSA ) exchange program. CETUSA is currently recruiting host families for the next academic year.  Johanna Bartsch practicing her technique  Levinia Marquardt having fun during warm-ups By Kristie Bulger We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals." – Immanuel Kant, German philosopher The previous shelter story offered some suggestions on how to keep your dog from becoming lost. While I hope my suggestions were helpful, it is still true that sometimes accidents happen no matter how hard we try to be well prepared. So here is Part 2 of Lost Dogs. We’ll look at some advice on how to find your dog if he/she has become lost. Let's assume your dog has a microchip and the chip information is up to date. Whatever company your dog's microchip is registered with, you need to call them right away. Let them know that your dog is missing. If he/she is turned into a shelter or taken to a vet, he/she will get scanned and the company chip will get called. If you've called the company first, then your dog is "flagged" as lost or stolen. Put your dog's bed/blanket and soiled items of the owner's clothing outside the door. I hate to say it but the smellier the better. Also notify neighbors, mail carriers, and delivery drivers to be on the lookout for your pet. Report your missing dog to the shelter and non-emergency police line. Michigan has a 7 day stray hold. The shelter will take your information and keep an eye out for any stray matching your dog's description. If someone calls the shelter with info that sounds like your dog, you will be notified. Put large bright colored posters up all over the area. Your poster should include: one or two clear photos, description of your dog’s breed, size, sex (spayed or neutered), when/where your dog went missing, who to contact and how to contact them and if there's a reward. Also put a large sign up in your yard that can be seen from the road. Use the same information on 8 1/2" X 11” paper to make a bunch of flyers. Put up the flyers around the neighborhood where the dog went missing. Knock on doors. Tack or tape up posters/flyers nearby, at vet clinics and shops. Plaster your area with them. Very often a lost dog is still in the neighborhood, so start there. Use this poster information to do on line posts to https://www.facebook.com/For-the-Love-of-Louie-Michigan-Lost-Pet-Lookers-264553563570926 ,https://www.facebook.com/PawBoost, local lost & found pet pages, and community Facebook pages for the area. Put an ad on Craigslist lost & found and search there often. Here are links to Newaygo area lost/found FB groups: https://www.facebook.com/groups/847578175294481 https://www.facebook.com/NewaygoCountyLostFoundPets https://www.facebook.com/groups/1172743782901503 https://www.facebook.com/groups/1493008454076858 Contact https://www.facebook.com/LostPawsLLC or a local missing pet recovery team if more assistance is needed. These recovery teams are very experienced and have many resources available. Never give up. Every day there are stories of dogs being reunited with owners after months and even years of being separated. Sometimes they are found hundreds or thousands of miles away from where they went missing, all because of a microchip. If you find a dog, Michigan law requires you report it to your community law enforcement or animal control within 48 hours. The shelter and/or local vets will scan a found dog for a chip. Here’s a link to some very good information:https://www.lawinfo.com/resources/insurance/pet-law/michigan/if-i-find-a-stray-dog-can-i-keep-it-as-my-own.html. Finders can also help by putting up flyers of the found dog to reach families that are not on social media and who don't know to call dog control! It doesn’t take very long for a family dog to look ragged and thin if they’ve been lost for a while. Don’t assume that a matted dog is neglected. Many lost dogs don't need a NEW home, they need to GO home. Here’s a link to our FB page "Friends of Newaygo County Shelter” where you can see all our available animals: https://www.facebook.com/groups/979050632140887 The adoption fee for dogs is $90. This fee includes spay/neuter, deworming, heartworm test, rabies & DHLPP shots, flea & tick treatment and license. The adoption fee for cats is $65 This fee includes spay/neuter, rabies vaccine, feline distemper combo vaccine, FIV/FELV testing, deworming and flea/tick treatment. Newaygo County Animal Shelter 78 N. Webster White Cloud, MI 49349 231-689-1867 Monday - Friday 11-1 Appointments welcome and available upon request
Recently we did a story on the upcoming Poetry Slam, a project funded by the Fremont Area Community Foundation aimed at giving voice to the creative work of our young people. https://www.nearnorthnow.com/features-and-fun/setting-the-stage-for-a-slam Newaygo ELA instructor Donna Grodus serves as Project Coordinator and along with instructors from each of our 5 area high schools, has helped coach the young writers, eventually selecting a finalist from each school who will compete for the top prize, a cool $1,000. Each of the finalists have already received $100 for making it to the ‘final five’. Kaitlyn Bergman, Keera Simon, Lona Richards, Gregory Hearth, and Taylor Pasch will be on the Grant Fine Arts Stage May 17th, performing their poetry to all in attendance. Ms. Grodus: “These young poets have been so genuine, raw and authentic when sharing their flaws, struggles, and triumphs! I love the county-wide collaboration and support from the poets, educators and community members. These young high school poets have already captured our hearts and this opportunity to write, perform and publish poetry is what will unite our schools and communities in Newaygo County.” Each poet is meeting with Sprout, also known as KFG. Sprout coached the Grand Rapids Slam Team for the National Poetry Slam for a few years and has been teaching with the Diatribe Organization. The poets will meet with Sprout for a one-hour virtual workshop at their own high school during the school day. Each poet will also be creating a visual presentation that will run behind them as they perform their poem at the Grant Fine Arts Center on May 17 at 7 p.m. Any high school student from Fremont, Hesperia, Grant, Newaygo and White Cloud who submitted a poem for the competition will have the opportunity to have their poem published in an anthology which will be published after the Poetry Slam. Newaygo County Students, Educators and Community Members will be impressed and genuinely moved by the themes in the students' poems.   Or just a free check in
From our friends at Michigan DNR Yard cleanup season has begun, and so has wildfire season. Before lighting a fire, remember you need to check for permission to burn, or a burn permit, for activities categorized as “open burning.” Open burning includes the burning of yard debris like brush, garden clippings and leaves. A burn permit is needed any time the ground is not snow-covered. A modern burn permit isn’t a piece of paper saying you can burn, and there’s no cost to “getting the permit.” It’s really about checking burning conditions with the DNR or with local authorities. The online burn permit system indicates by location whether burning is allowed. In most of the Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, permission to burn is provided through the DNR’s online system at Michigan.gov/BurnPermit, or by calling 866-922-2876. In southern Michigan, burn permits are issued by local authorities. In all cases, know your local ordinances, which may be stricter than state or county rules. Permits are issued based on weather conditions, so an “okay to burn” in the morning does not guarantee that burning will be allowed later that day if wind comes up or temperatures rise. If burning is not permitted, composting and chipping brush are ways to dispose of yard debris that don’t involve the use of fire. Burning trash, plastic or electronics is always illegal, even when open burning is permitted. Responsibly dispose of these items by recycling or through municipal trash. Contained campfires, burn barrels with screens and cooking fires are exempt from burn permit requirements, but always follow safe burning rules. Never burn on a windy day, always have a water source nearby and never leave a fire unattended, even for a minute. An individual can be held legally liable for setting a wildfire. The daily fire danger map can be used to check weather conditions in your area. For more information, visit Michigan.gov/BurnPermit. Direct media inquiries to DNR fire prevention specialist Paul Rogers at 616-260-8406.  By Kristie Bulger “Dogs’ lives are too short. Their only fault, really.” – Agnes Sligh Turnbull This article is going to be a 2 part series about lost dogs and how to get them back home. But before starting at “lost", I’d like to make some suggestions on how to keep your beloved dog at home in the first place. The next article, in a couple of weeks, will be about how to recover your dog. * The most important thing is to have your dog spayed/neutered. Pets that have been spayed/neutered are much less likely to wander off. Over 90% of the dogs that end up in our shelter are unaltered. * Get your dog licensed and when outside keep his/her collar, with tags, on at all times. A license is the quickest, easiest way to get a dog back home. Here’s a link to Newaygo County license information. https://www.newaygocountymi.gov/departments/animal-control/dog-licensing/ * Get your dog microchipped. Shelters and vet offices will scan found dogs/cats for a chip at no charge. There are stories of dogs that have been missing for years and then have found their way back home to their owners because they were chipped. It’s relatively inexpensive to have done. Bellwether Harbor in Fremont only charges $17.76 for cats and dogs. They’re having a microchip clinic on June 4th and will be having other clinics throughout the summer. You can get updates on their FB page here: https://www.facebook.com/BellwetherHarbor * The very best way to keep your dog from becoming lost is to not let her/him outside off leash and unsupervised. The best containment option is a physical fence but even that is not a 100% guarantee. You have to know your dog and understand its breed. That cute little Doxie or JRT will probably not jump over your 4’ fence but they certainly will dig under it. Some of the herding breeds think climbing 6’ fences is no big deal and then there are huskies…..who just seem to be Houdini’s who can get out of any kind of fence. It’s important to check your fence frequently to make sure your dog is not digging under it, that your gate is latching properly and that there are no trees leaning on it. People lose their dogs after winds/storms because they didn’t know their gate blew open or the fence was damaged. Quite a few people are firm believers in underground fences and have great success keeping their dogs home. But there are dogs lost every day because their e-collars are not charged. Some breeds do better than others in underground fences. Once again, the huskies, with their thick fur and high prey drive, are notorious for running through electric fences. And what Beagle can ignore its nose? The other thing to remember is that while your underground fence may keep your dog in the yard, it won’t keep predators like coyotes and aggressive dogs out. Another containment option is a tie-out or cable. Once again, it’s important to check your tie-out to make sure it’s not getting weak or worn in places. If you have more than 1 dog, never tie them out close enough to get entwined with each other. I personally know of a dog that was choked to death when she was playing with the other resident dog and the cable accidentally became wrapped around her neck. Anyone who has been involved with rescue will start to see patterns in when/where/why dogs most frequently become lost. In my opinion there are 4 situations in a dog's life when they are most at risk for being lost. Let's look at these. #1. When we ride in a vehicle we are required to wear seat belts and to make sure our children are also safely secured. But our dogs are just left loose to wander our vehicle. In a car accident, dogs are ejected out of the vehicle or are mistakenly let loose by the First Responders who arrive on scene. Every day FB has stories about terrified dogs that have gotten loose during an accident. There are lots of good options for canine seat belts and I highly recommend using one for your beloved dog. The info is readily available online. #2. Many dogs go missing from their babysitters which is extra difficult because their owners may not be available to help look for them. Your dog may love to visit your parents/friends/neighbors/family so it’s perfectly understandable to ask those folks to babysit your dog while you’re away. But your dog knows that you’re not there with them and that they are not at home. This is another high risk time. When dogs are at a babysitter’s, it’s important for them to always have their tags on and to be on leash. #3. Adopting a dog from a shelter or a rescue is a wonderful thing. While you may be instantly “in love” with your new pet, they may not be quite as sure. Dogs don’t know that they now belong to you. Their love develops more slowly. When a newly adopted dog gets away from a new owner, it can be especially difficult to get them back. These dogs do not know where they are or who they can trust. For the first few months, a newly adopted dog should be wearing tags and kept on leash at all times. Some people use martingale collars and slip leashes, at the same time, to make sure a new dog does not go missing. #4. Unfortunately a lot of dogs go missing when they are quite old. Owners think that since they’ve been letting their sweet old dog out in the yard for 15 years that it’s ok to keep doing it. But dogs can suffer from senility and can get easily confused. They can get lost in their own backyards. Chances are your old dog is also suffering from some hearing/vision loss so they are even more vulnerable and difficult to find. It’s a myth that old dogs wander off to die. They do not. Here is a very good article about senility in dogs and cats. https://valevets.com/senility-faqs/. I hope these suggestions help you to keep your dog safe at home. My next article will be about getting your lost dog back home where she/he belongs. Here’s a link to our FB page "Friends of Newaygo County Shelter” where you can see all our available animals: https://www.facebook.com/groups/979050632140887 The adoption fee for dogs is $90. This fee includes spay/neuter, deworming, heartworm test, rabies & DHLPP shots, flea & tick treatment and license. The adoption fee for cats is $65 This fee includes spay/neuter, rabies vaccine, feline distemper combo vaccine, FIV/FELV testing, deworming and flea/tick treatment. Newaygo County Animal Shelter 78 N. Webster White Cloud, MI 49349 231-689-1867 Monday - Friday 11-1 Appointments welcome and available upon request  My tie each Opening Day It’s way, way early but Tiger season looking up
“We’re going to reestablish ourselves as a winning franchise and develop a winning culture. If you want to be a part of it then you’ll come. If you don’t then we’ll beat you.”- Tiger manager A.J. Hinch By Ken DeLaat Granted I was feeling a little elated after that stirring Opening Day come-from-behind victory the Tigers hammered out. With the above photo added to a social media post declaring “Undefeated!” it didn’t take long for the word to become obsolete when they fell short in the second game of the series against the White Sox who are the presumptive choice to win the AL Central. I’m writing this on Saturday so given the way baseball goes it's not unlikely they could drop Sunday’s series finale as well. But I’m an optimist when it comes to this team and Saturday’s loss was nothing more than more evidence to this aging fan’s eyes that this team is going to be fun to watch and will win their share of games. In the loss they scraped, clawed and grinded away at the Sox as they did in the comeback win. A couple things went against them and in a few situations they failed to get the key hit but they were in this one until the end. Also they have awakened the best fanbase in sports as the stadium, while not as packed as the previous day, had a huge crowd for a frigid day for baseball. Fans that were getting into the game in a way not seen at 2100 Woodward Ave in quite a few years. It’s a long season to be sure and while the chances of getting off to a 35-5 start ala the epic ‘84 team range from improbable to ‘are you kidding?’ this is a team that will win their share of games before all is said and done. Last season the Tig’s took their first 2 games and I joked about them being in first place with a magic number of 161. They didn’t seem to be terrible but truthfully there wasn’t a lot to get excited about other than the emergence of Akil Badoo. Then they followed up that modest 2 game streak to start the season by winning just 7 times in the next 31 games. This exercise in futility included a 4 game losing streak, two 5 game skids and even a 6 game run of losses without a win. In one of those games they gave up 15 runs. 15! The throwers getting hammered that day were Jose Urena, Buck Farmer, Derek Holland and Bryan Garcia (minors). None of them are currently on the team. In fact utility player Harold Castro finished the game tossing a scoreless inning, mind you. This is a team that was built to not just compete but to win. They spent some money to bring in some quality players and are beginning to enjoy the riches of what has been a robust minor league system. Even without the phenom in waiting Riley Greene (injury, out for a month or two) they pose a frightening lineup of hitters and adding Austin Meadows in a trade just before the season is a move that is going to pay off big time as will the promotion of likely future star Spencer Torkelson. I’m sure they will stumble along the way, maybe even fall victim to a lengthy losing streak or two. However, they’ve transformed into a good team. A really nice mixture of youth and veterans possessing multiple weapons with a relentless drive for success and a manager that knows how to get the most out of his players. So yes I’m optimistic. Mostly from watching the fans. Having spent the better part of the last six decades or so in a multitude of baseball stadiums I find Detroit fans to be the most knowledgeable of the lot. Second only perhaps to the regulars who fill Fenway. Tiger fans are quick to pick up on it when a team is a contender and, most assuredly, when it's a pretender. They will fill the seats for a good team and attend for the love of the game (albeit much less frequently) when the team is sub par. They know their baseball and they know when they have a hold of a winner. And while it's been just the first weekend my bet is you’ll find more fannies in the seats this season than CoPa has seen since they were collecting AL Central crowns a few years back. As I said earlier this team will be a lot of fun. And while known to have a tendency to be a bit too sanguine regarding the Tigers I hold no illusionary ideas of postseason miracles even with the expanded playoff picture adding more teams. But this season, while maybe just a preview of what is yet to come, looks to be a rollicking ride. So I’m getting my seat on the bandwagon early. Go Tigers.  By Ken DeLaat We understand a month-long Karaoke Competition is going on at the Sportsman's Club in Croton and began this past Friday. There’s been a long time personal interest in Karaoke but not as a participant or even a fan. Back when it’s popularity was soaring years ago I remember telling a group of friends who had gathered about one weekend night for socialization and refreshments that I wanted to let them know about a business idea I had. A couple people groaned and I thought I heard someone whisper ‘Amway?’, but I assured them it was nothing like that then went on to describe my idea. It involved drive thru Karaoke stands where folks could cruise up to a window and for a nominal fee pick out a song and belt it out to an attentive attendant who would applause at the end. After adding the part about how I felt it would be a great stress reliever for folks I finished up and took in the crowd of friends and acquaintances The reaction was priceless and ranged from truly puzzled and sympathetic looks to the shaking heads of those who knew me best. For years after that party my idea would come up in situations when someone in the group came up with something the others felt was boneheaded or simply stupid. “That’s as asinine as DeLaat’s Drive-thru Karaoke plan” became embraced as almost part of the group jargon, an accomplishment that honors me to this day. But I digress. We know nothing about this competition but are admittedly intrigued. Apparently the winners from the 5 April Friday night showdowns will compete on Saturday the 30th. First place $250 Second place $100 and Third place $50. Entry fee is a ten spot which is good because this should limit the entries to those who might have a chance. Or, based on past contact with the whole Karaoke experience… Maybe not. Another event that piques my interest is being held April 11th at the Fremont Library. Now granted, I watched the first season of Bridgerton and found it entertaining. However others have taken to the series with all the fervor shows like Downton Abbey or (dating myself) Dallas drew during their memorable runs. I recall watching Twin Peaks while several people I worked with were equally enticed by it. This led to a morning-after ritual of picking apart the show and discussing what this or that meant. It was a fun way to keep in touch with the show. But it was weekly. In these days of streaming I would be willing to bet that the true fans of Bridgerton finished the second season within about 24-36 hours after it was released on Friday March 25th. Thus, this invitation has been sent out via social media: Dearest Gentle Reader, As an esteemed member of the Ton, you are cordially invited to this season's most promising event yet: Spilling the Tea with Fans of Bridgerton. Come to enjoy tea and biscuits while discussing the Bridgerton televised storyline. Do be certain you have seen Season 2 in its entirety, for spoilers you do not wish to receive. Spilling the Tea with Fans of Bridgerton Fremont Area District Library April 11th from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Please RSVP by telephoning: 231-928-0256 This would be a veritable banquet of Bridgerton for the true fans who have taken heartedly to the innovative show, But take heed. If you have to ask what the Ton is, you’re not ready to attend. Speaking of TV and streaming… I admittedly am a latecomer to Mrs. Maisel. Having recently discovered this gem via adding Amazon Prime to the burgeoning streaming options at N3 World Headquarters & Kayak Dockage, I now see why the show has accumulated so many awards. From top notch performances led by the near perfect pairing of Rachel Brosnahan and Alex Borstein and the sublime support of Marin Hinkles and Tony Shaloub to the crisp and creative writing that delivers a rollicking romp through each episode this show is an absolute feast from start to finish. The best comedy I’ve seen on television since I was charmed by Cheers and buoyed by Barney Miller. Warning: It’s 2022 not the 70’s (Barney) or 80’s (Cheers) or even 90's (Seinfeld) so this is not your mother’s sit-com. If the occasional curse causes consternation, if sexual references or a splash of nudity tickle your tsk-tsk toggle, and if your sense of humor begins and ends with ‘good clean fun’...? This is not likely to be your cup of tea. But if you want to see comedic genius on many levels and are perhaps a bit less, uh, sensitive about such things give Mrs. Maisel a peek. |
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May 2022
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