Focus On Health - Scene Magazine

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ENTER SCENE MAGAZINE’S ANNUAL...
The deadline for Scene’s Christmas Story Contest
is October 21, 2005 with prizes of $75, $50 and
$25 to be awarded to three winners. For your
story (fiction or non-fiction) to be eligible for
consideration, just follow these easy guidelines.
Story length must be 2,000 words or less.The story must
be typed and may be submitted on CD or floppy (hard copy
must accompany the disk) or e-mailed to rick@scenepub.com.
The story (a true account or fiction) must relate
to Christmas, the Holiday Season or Hanukkah.
Please state, above the title, “A true story,”
or “A fictional story.”
Please include with your manuscript a
self-addressed stamped envelope if you
would like the story returned to you.
The Christmas Story Contest is open to
anyone who is 14 years of age or older.
SEND OR DROP OFF YOUR STORIES TO:
Scene magazine, 4642 Capital Avenue, S.W
Battle Creek, MI 49015, (269) 979-1411 ext-100
Or email to: rick@scenepub.com
STORIES WILL APPEAR IN SCENE VOL 30 NO.11
AND ON OUR WEBSITE WWW.SCENEPUB.COM
2
New Classes
Starting Soon
We have lots of
programs to help
make buying a
home affordable ...
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Puppy Classes
Obedience
Agility
Showmanship
Group or Private
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Consultations
291 E. Columbia, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-963-0820
Robert VanderWaal, Sales Mgr.
269-781-7800
Equal Housing Lender. SunTrust Mortgage, Inc., 901 Semmes Avenue, Richmond, VA 23224. ©2005,
SunTrust Banks, Inc. SunTrust is a federally registered service mark of SunTrust Banks, Inc. stm 11418-05
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50 West Jackson St., Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-965-5380 www.bc.wmich.edu
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145 Columbia Ave. W.
Battle Creek, MI
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AMERICAN SOCIETY OF
PLASTIC SURGEONS
105 Capital Ave., N.E. at North Avenue • 962-5527
A Newspaper
For And About
Area Senior
Adults
269-979-1479 • www.scenepub.com
3
We have been collecting for years, and we’re constantly
looking for unique items that we love ourselves and want
to share with others. Our booths are 94-95, 83-84 and 43-44
at the Allen Antique Mall (new mall next to the dirt road) and
36-37 at the Allen Antique Barn (main floor & upstairs).
We offer glassware, brass, furniture, paintings, lunch boxes,
tools, sculptures, baskets, dolls, toys, music boxes, jewelry,
chess sets, books and much more.
If you’re looking to add to your collection, or just want
something beautiful for your home or as a gift, you’re sure
to find it among the thousands of items on display.
When you need a break, there is a restaurant right on the grounds.
517-869-2788 / Open 7 days a week / 10:00am to 5:00pm
517-869-2888 / Open 7 days a week / 10:00am to 5:00pm
Directions: Take I-69 south to the Coldwater exit 13,
then 10 miles east to fun and excitement.
VISIT STUFFNIQUES IN BOOTHS 94-95, 83-84 & 43-44 AT THE ALLEN ANTIQUE MALL
AND BOOTHS 36-37 AT THE ALLEN ANTIQUE BARN
Redecorate the simple way.
• Convenience: We arrive at the time you decide
• Expertise: Consultants Mohawkcertified in flooring design and
window fashions
• Selection: Latest styles and
colors from the industry’s trend
leader
• No Guesswork: Match samples
to room decor and lighting
• Confidence: Mohawk is a name
you know and trust
MICHIGAN TILE & CARPET
99 E. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek / 269-962-6227 / www.michtile.com
Hours: Mon 9am-8pm; Tue-Fri 9am-6pm / Sat 9am-3pm
4
HANS & ALICIA STARK
VOLUME 30 - NUMBER 8
Contents
ARTICLES:
Goodwill’s Programs Turn Lives Into “Success Stories” ............ Karen C. Murray .................................................................. 8
Sick and Tired – Rachel’s Story .................................................... Tracy Summers-Miller ....................................................... 34
Minority Business Development Month ....................................... Joyce A. Brown Ph.D. ........................................................ 46
Marshall’s Newest High School Team – Synchronized Swimming ....... Susan K. Collins ................................................................. 56
COLUMNS:
FEATURES:
As Scene By ........................ Richard F. DeRuiter ................ 6
Antiques Today .................. Marsha Tech ......................... 17
Health Scene ...................... Peter Phelps ........................... 20
To Be Drug Free ............... Laura L. Martinez ................. 50
Crime Scene ...................... John Hallacy ......................... 51
Your Family’s Health ....... Ginger A. Hentz .................... 52
For The Family ................. Rosemary Gardiner ............... 53
Real Estate Scene .............. John L. Stauffer .................... 54
Remodeling Scene ............. Linda Holderbaum ................ 55
Business to Business ........................................................... 14
Business Perspectives ......................................................... 16
Local Interest.............................................. 18, 40, 42, 43, 44
Health Guest Columns.................................................. 21-33
Entertainment Calendar.................................................... 38
Business Listings................................................................. 45
Advertisers’ Index .............................................................. 60
Business Directory.............................................................. 60
COVER:
This month’s cover was created with the
digital magic of Rick DeRuiter...and inspired by
Battle Creek & Marshall health care.
STAFF:
Publisher ................................................ Richard F. DeRuiter
Assistant Publisher/Sales........................... Shirley DeRuiter
Office Manager.................................................. Shelii Penny
Calendar Editor................................................. Beth Rubley
Executive Editor ............................................. Sherii Sherban
Managing Editor ................................... Gordon Rosberg, Jr.
Publications Coordinator ...................... Frederick DeRuiter
General Manager/ Systems Manager ........... Keith Sherban
Typesetters ..................... Frederick DeRuiter, Terri DeRuiter
Artists ....................................................... Frederick DeRuiter
Richard F. DeRuiter, Beth Rubley, Matt Travis
Staff Photographer............................................. Nate Zanotti
Advertising Sales ................... Shirley DeRuiter, Leslie Hole,
Gordon Rosberg, Jr., Sherii Sherban, Emily Cowart
Printing.................................... Millbrook Printing Company
Scene was established in June, 1977, and is published twelve times per year by
W.W. Thayne Advertising, Incorporated. Scene is distributed free through our
advertisers, area professional offices, and key points of interest in the Battle
Creek/Marshall area. Scene is also available by mail subscription, $22 for
twelve issues, $38 for twenty-four issues. Due to bulk rate restrictions, copies
of Scene are not forwarded automatically by the U.S. Post Office to recipients
when they move or are temporarily away. Please contact our office with your
new address before you move so we can update our mail list and provide you
with uninterrupted service. Opinions expressed by writers in Scene are their
own and do not necessarily reflect the opinion or policy of Scene or W.W.
Thayne Advertising, Incorporated. All rights reserved. Reproduction without
permission is prohibited.
For advertising and publicity for your event or organization:
Scene Magazine
4642 Capital Avenue Southwest
Battle Creek MI 49015-9350
Our telephone is (269) 979-1410, telefax (269) 979-3474
Or you can e-mail us at: sheriis@wwthayne.com / leslie@wwthayne.com
For editorial: sheriis@wwthayne.com
For ads, photos or graphics: rick@scenepub.com
REMEMBER TO VISIT SCENE’S WEBSITE AT... www.scenepub.com
© 2005 by Scene Magazine, a division of W.W. Thayne Advertising Consultants, Inc.
Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited except by permission. All rights reserved.
5
As Scene By
BY RICHARD F. DERUITER, Publisher
Topinabee…It’s On The Way
Q: It’s been a sweltering
summer.
Have you been able
to cope?
A: You have to keep
it in perspective. I’ll
give you an example. I was in a parking lot at a shopping
center on a humid 95
degree day. To my left I noticed a lady getting ready to get into her oven ready for
“cookin” car. She was carrying several
bags and was obviously perspiring. You
could tell she was reluctant to get in. I
looked over at her and said, “Do you realize that if this was a cold, blustery February
day, you would be the happiest person in
the world when you open that door and
would feel all that heat.” We both laughed
and she thanked me.
Q: I see you’re packing. Heading out for a
little adventure?
A: First, before anyone gets the wrong
idea, I’m not packing a weapon, I’m packing my clothes. I’m heading up north for
my annual visit to the UP.
Q: Are you going to walk the Big Mac
Again?
A: Not this year. In fact, the last time we
walked they closed the bridge after we got
on because of strong winds. I’ve walked
the Big Mac about 10 times and may do it
again, but not this year. It’s not that I can’t,
but there are so many other things I want to
do. The other reason, is that after the bridge
walk, I have to drive home and I’m
exhausted. In fact, one year, I had to pull
off the highway and snooze for a couple of
hours. You forget that you have to get up at
3am and then stand in line to catch a bus to
cross the bridge, and then wait in line until
7am to begin walking. So basically, you go
back to work on Tuesday a tad weary.
Besides, I have been doing a ton of physical things this summer, and I’ve reached
my “plum wore out limit.” I’m going to just
take my time and drive along the Great
Lakes shore lines and enjoy the spectacular
view, look for garage sales and antique
shops. Of course, I’ll go up and watch the
freighters go through the Soo Locks, as you
know I always do. Probably make a trip to
Mackinaw Island and a little side trip to
Hessel and try my luck at the Hessel Indian
casino. I found the casino in Hessel by
accident as I was going the back way to the
Soo. I stopped just for a few minutes and
won a couple of hundred dollars with a
royal flush on the nickel poker machine.
The locals were all excited for me until
they realized that I only played 5 nickels. If
I would have played 25 nickels, maximum
amount on that machine, I would have won
DON’T MISS
YOUR
CHANCE
TO WIN!
a thousand dollars.
Q: Why didn’t you play 25 nickels?
A: I could have, but I would never have
made it to the royal. You’ve got to remember, I didn’t want to spend more than
$10.00.
Q: Every time I go up north, I’m always
tempted to stop at Sea Shell City. Have you
ever stopped there?
A: I did once, I think it was that one.
Anyway, I was lured by a billboard that
promised the world’s largest sea horses.
Turns out they were 4 inches long instead
of the usual 3 inches. In fact, it’s the reason
I never stop at the Mystery Spot in the UP.
I’m afraid that the real mystery will turn
out to be...”The reason you stopped.”
Q: You must drive hundreds of miles. Do
you do anything to pass the time as you
drive?
A: My wife and I love to play the alphabet
game. Just take one letter off a billboard, no
state road signs permitted, one letter per
board, until the first person reaches “Z”.
We like to play “create your own syllables”
for cities along the way. You know the old
“emphasasiss” on the wrong “syll-a-ble” or
even a letter in our game? For example,
Ithaca along highway 27 can be “I thay ca”
or “It Ha Ca “. I guess the one we get the
most laughs out of is “Topinabee” along
US 75. I’ll let you figure that one out.
Be a super sleuth...
join the ongoing hunt
for Rick DeRuiter
Pour through the pages of Scene this month and find the
elusive DeRuiter. Warn your friends. Warn your neighbors. He’s in
there somewhere, waiting for the one lucky detective to find him!
LAST MONTH...PAGE 42
LAST MONTH’S WINNER...
JODY KORN
Have you found him in this issue?
If yes, then call Scene at 979-1410
ext. 391 to have your name entered
in the drawing to receive TWO $12
Gift Certificates from RYAN’S Grill
Buffet Bakery. You must make your
discovery by September 23, 2005
and the winner will be announced in
the next issue of Scene.
6
LOOK! - Now you can e-mail your
detective work too! rick@scenepub.com
Include your name, daytime phone and
what page you found him. OR on-line
at...www.scenepub.com
WIN A VALUABLE PRIZE!
DANCE FOR ALL AGES!
ENROLLING NOW FOR THE
2005 - 2006 DANCE SEASON
Ballet • Jazz • Tap • Turns & Leaps • Acro • Hip hop • Modern / Lyrical • Preschool Combo
12898 Beadle Lake Road, Battle Creek
979.4500
Member of Dance Educators of America
7
Goodwill’s
Programs
Turn Lives Into
“Success
Stories”
BY KAREN C. MURRAY,
Director of Marketing and
Development
Michigan Heartland Goodwill
Industries
ANTHONY
CONLEY
KATHERINE
MASON
BOVIN
ERVIN
8
Michigan Heartland
Goodwill Industries
served a total of 1,169 individuals
in 2004, providing 52,000 hours of
service. A full 37% of those
served were minorities, with a
range of disabling and disadvantaging conditions.
Casually ask people what they
know about Goodwill and they’ll
initially mention retail stores,
where donations of clothing and
household items are accepted and,
in return, shoppers find bargains.
Keep the conversations going and
you’ll find awareness that
Goodwill exists to help people
become employed, and that store
revenues support programs to
address challenging employability
barriers.
Allow me to delve deeper and
interject a smile. The universal
Goodwill Industries logo is
dubbed the “smiling G”: the
lower-case letter G is fashioned to
show half a face with a pleasant,
upturned mouth. An essential
piece of the local workforce picture, Goodwill helps people overcome barriers to employment.
Many served through Goodwill
programs, however, tell personal
tales that prompt anything but a
smile from either listener or speaker. Tragic circumstances – homelessness, physical abuse, emotional
abuse, poverty, neglect, or poor
education – are often part of their
histories. Initially, such conditions
may seem insurmountable.
A large number of program participants are determined to
improve their life stories, and, happily, a Goodwill experience can
serve as their individual turning
points. The Goodwill logo can
well-represent their outcomes.
Daily at the headquarters of
Michigan Heartland Goodwill
Industries (MHGI), I am exposed
to the varied ways Goodwill programs positively impact people’s
employability and, by extension,
their lives. Successful graduates
of Goodwill programs improve
their skills, confidence levels,
financial status, and a sense of
connectedness with others. Their
stories continue to be written each
day, one person and one struggle
at a time.
The majority of people served
by Goodwill’s workforce development programs can, indeed, smile
as they face the real possibility of
a more stable future. I’m honored
to profile three outstanding individuals whose stories best illustrate what happens when Goodwill
touches people’s lives. They
embody a well-known Goodwill
tagline: “We Believe In The Power
Of Work!”
ANTHONY CONLEY
Battle Creek native Anthony
Conley experienced a lay-off from
a well-paying job, which led to
financial difficulties. In 2004, he
entered the Goodwill Works program, a seven-week welfare-towork course. While enrolled, he
consistently exhibited a calm, positive attitude and was never tardy.
He also achieved perfect attendance. When the program ended,
Conley applied for available positions in Goodwill’s manufacturing
division. Goodwill staff say his
exemplary conduct during the program and his possession of a commercial driver’s license, which he
earned in the preceding weeks,
were reasons he was hired full-time
as Goodwill’s truck driver/material
handler.
“Anthony succeeded because of
his determination to be present for
work, every day,” said program
manager Adam Smith. “He was
one of the most organized participants I have ever had in the ‘job
readiness’ class.”
While at work, Conley uses
Goodwill’s vehicles to shuttle parts
and assembled products between
the Goodwill plant and its business
clients. But, lack of owning a vehicle presented problems with getting
himself to his job day after day. He
was then referred to Goodwill’s
Wheels to Work program. Within
a few months, he was able to
purchase a 1993 Dodge Caravan.
His extended family, which includes
eight children, was delighted with
this development as well.
“I’m glad that the Goodwill
program was here to assist me,”
Conley said. “It kept me focused
and lifted my morale.”
Conley achieved his goal of
securing permanent employment,
and he continues his outstanding
performance on the job. Goodwill
recently honored him with its
Achiever of the Year award.
...continued...
9
Serving Those Who Served
The Veterans Affairs Medical Center in
Battle Creek has been putting veterans
first in providing quality health care
services since 1924. The Battle Creek
VAMC also wants to be the employer of
choice. Make a difference. Join our
forward thinking team. Care is
delivered in a variety of clinical settings
including Mental Health, Extended Care,
Primary Care, and Outpatient Care
throughout southwest Michigan.
Employee benefits include competitive salary
rates, health and life insurance, retirement plan
with 401K equivalent, generous paid leave,
military leave for Guard and Reserve Members,
10 Federal holidays, credit union, wellness program,
free parking, training and formal educational
opportunities, and on-site child care facility.
To explore a career with the VA, call Human Resources
Management Service at 269-966-5600, ext 3600
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center
5500 Armstrong Road • Battle Creek, MI 49015 • (269) 966-5600
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
BY APPOINTMENT
10
269-781-2564
KATHERINE MASON
Katherine Mason arrived in Battle
Creek in 1992, a single mother with five
children. The Chicago native readily
found employment, but an inconsistent
work history and lack of a high school
diploma prevented her from earning a
salary to support a family of six. She
eventually applied for public assistance.
In 2003, as a condition for continuing to
receive state benefits, Mason was
enrolled in the Goodwill Works program.
“To complete the program, each participant works at a job site for five
weeks,” explained Goodwill’s processing supervisor Carolyn Desgrange. “A
true work experience and the opportunity to be evaluated on the job are valuable components. Katherine was placed
in Goodwill’s processing department,
where she showed that she was committed to succeeding.”
Mason’s tasks included sorting donations and preparing usable donated
clothing for store displays. Her attention to detail ensured that the merchandise that reached retail store shelves and
racks were, indeed, of good quality.
“After Katherine completed her program, we hired her full-time, on August.
25, 2003,” Desgrange continued. “She
rarely misses work and is the most efficient sorter/hanger in our department.
Eventually, she gained new responsibilities to price and track some of our new
goods, and she’s become a proficient
record-keeper.”
Mason’s story only gets better: she
has earned a GED, was honored with
Goodwill’s 2003 Achiever of the Year
award, and plans to stay at her current
job. Her two youngest children remaining at home now have a parent determined to witness their high school graduation ceremonies.
“I want my children to see that I’ve
reached a certain level of success, but
through a more difficult route than it
had to be,” said Mason. “I am glad that
Goodwill gave me the opportunity to
show that I can be a productive employee and am worthy of increased responsibilities. I’m a big fan of Goodwill.”
BOVIN ERVIN
In June of 2004, 18-year-old Bovin
Ervin was methodically performing
requirements for earning a high school
diploma via the area’s alternative high
school program, Operation GRAD. Ervin
was determined to successfully complete
the largest and final task—fulfilling 240
hours of work experience. Through
Goodwill’s School-to-Work program, he
was assigned to work in the organization’s
manufacturing facility as an assembler,
inserting light bulbs into sockets for a
local automotive manufacturer.
“Bovin’s peers were enjoying a
mostly carefree summer, while he was
handling a heavy workload here,” said
Goodwill’s then-School-to-Work program manager Denise Shepard. “He
showed a positive attitude and had great
attendance, all while working another
job in addition to this workload.”
Ervin also expanded his employable
skills when Goodwill helped him obtain
a forklift license at the Regional
Manufacturing Training Center in Fort
Custer Industrial Park.
“He demonstrated that he had the
ability to learn new job skills and to
achieve a steady, acceptable rate of production in our plant,” Shepard said.
“Being well trained and prepared for the
employment world creates an employee
that adds value to the employer’s business, as Bovin was demonstrating
throughout his time here.”
Goodwill’s School-to-Work program
is designed to assist high schoolers with
special needs as they transition into
competitive employment upon graduation. The program instills a positive
work ethic and provides a “real-life”
work experience. If students perform
well at job sites, supervisors will serve
as references as the young adults apply
for work elsewhere.
Ervin benefited from a strong support network of family and friends, who
showered him with encouragement to
persevere.
At last, in December of
2004, Ervin possessed the high school
diploma he had coveted. Soon after,
Denso Manufacturing hired him as a
forklift operator.
“While I was at Goodwill, I learned
more new things,” Ervin said. “I liked
the assembly line experience and I liked
the people I worked with – they were
comfortable to be around.”
Ervin’s new goal in life is to always
be employed as a forklift driver, a natural extension of his ease at the wheel of
an automobile.
“Driving a forklift is like driving
inside of a building. You can’t do that
with a car!” Ervin said with a laugh.
His positive attitude and record of
achievement earned him Goodwill’s
Edgar Helms Graduate of the Year
Award, so-named in honor of the
founder of the Goodwill movement.
“Because most special needs high
school students seek minimal post secondary education, if any, they need
good skills and training to find and
maintain successful and meaningful
employment upon graduation,” Shepard
commented. “This is beneficial to their
self worth, and it helps them to become
productive and contributing members of
our society, as Bovin’s story shows.”
By working together we can achieve anything.
ASMO, a world class
manufacturer of windshield
washer systems and
servo motors.
Goodwill Works Job
Readiness program
Located in the Fort Custer
Industrial Park
Goodwill Works is a specialized
welfare-to-work program providing
...continued...
11
intense seven-week job readiness activity. The first two weeks consist of a class
where facilitators evaluate and assess
the interests and aptitudes of participants while enhancing their job-seeking
and job-keeping skills. For the remaining five weeks, participants gain work
experience, working 20 hours per week
for Goodwill at the minimum wage.
Upon successful program completion,
the collaborative efforts of the Goodwill
Works staff and the Work First staff will
be used to ensure that each participant
becomes successfully employed in the
community.
Health Partnership
Improving health
among populations of color
in Calhoun County
Tel: (269) 969-6467 / Fax: (269) 966-1489
190 E. Michigan Avenue, Suite A100, Battle Creek, Michigan 49014
Work Adjustment
Training program
Vascular Health Center
Comprehensive
Vascular And
Thoracic Surgery
Specialists in
Comprehensive Vascular
and Thoracic Care
M. Abidur Rahman M.D. F.A.C.S.
A. Karim Abushmaies M.D. F.A.C.S.
Tammy Gleeson, D.O.
33 Years of Cumulative Experience of Vascular and Thoracic Surgery
Providing the following:
Diagnosis of Circulatory Insufficiency of Legs and State-Of-The-Art
Diagnosis and Surgical Minimally Invasive Treatment with
Treatment of Carotid Balloon Angioplasty
Artery Disease to
State-of-the-art management
Prevent Strokes
of abdominal aortic aneurysm
Comprehensive
with stented graft
Office Management
Thoracic Surgery, comprehenof Varicose Veins and
sive surgical management of all
Injection Therapy
lung and esophageal disorders
BATTLE CREEK: 2845 Capital Ave., SW, Suite 201
KALAMAZOO: 2323 Gull Rd., Suite B
MARSHALL: 200 N. Madison, Suite 102
269-979-6310
ALSO LOCATED IN...
STURGIS - Sturgis Hospital • SOUTH HAVEN - South Haven Hospital
HILLSDALE - Three Meadows Professional Building
The Work Adjustment Training program provides work experience for
those who have little or no work history
or who have been out of work for an
extended period. Participants build confidence and learn good work habits and
attitudes while doing real work. Tasks
can be tailored to ensure growth and
development in areas of interest.
As participants become accustomed
to their jobs’ tasks and expectations,
they are gradually given more responsibilities so that they eventually attain
skills that allow them to compete successfully in today’s labor force.
Sometimes, providing job skills is
not enough to ensure a person’s success
in the job market. Important skills to
bring to the workplace are an optimistic
attitude and positive work ethic.
Goodwill’s rehabilitation program is
designed to ensure that Goodwill’s
graduates are cooperative, motivated
employees with positive attitudes
toward work.
At every step in the work adjustment
process, participants are evaluated on
their abilities to enter the mainstream of
full competitive employment. Some go
on to enter the job market; others are
placed in more structured worksites.
One Day Mini-Testing
Program
One day screening assessments are
tailor-made to private businesses’ needs
in assessing potential employees, while
helping participants identify feasible
goals and interests. A battery of tests
can be completed in four to five hours.
Results are ready, in most cases, the
next day. Testing may encompass any
of the following: oral/written directions
evaluations; sentence comprehension;
picture/word associations; paragraph
comprehension; various math functions
tests, finger dexterity assessments; and,
physical dexterity assessments.
School-to-Work Program
The School-to-Work program is
12
designed to assist high school seniors as
they transition into competitive employment upon graduation. The program is
focused on developing soft skills, with
emphasis on a good attitude and positive work ethic. The work experience
also provides a job reference resource
for future employment opportunities.
Staff meetings are held at midterm and
again at the term’s completion with
Michigan Rehabilitation Services representatives and school personnel, who
discuss each student’s progress and pertinent issues.
A TRIUMPH OF
CARE AND
COMPASSION
Providing health care for the
homeless and uninsured.
Nursing Clinic of Battle Creek
34 West Green Street, Battle Creek, MI 49014 • (269) 962-6565
Return-To-Work Program
The Return-to-Work program provides light duty tasks to those receiving
workers compensation, with two benefits: it eases injured workers back into
the workplace, and it often saves
employers money on workers compensation costs.
There are two services available:
Goodwill Industries as the
employer of record: Injured
workers are employed at
Michigan Heartland Goodwill
Industries for up to 40 hours per
week, at the minimum wage. The
weekly cost to the employer is
$325 per employee.
Contracting directly with
employer: Injured workers perform light duty work, within their
restrictions and limitations, at the
Goodwill Industries worksite.
Their employment status remains
with the employer purchasing the
service. Goodwill Industries will
provide the company with the
hours employees worked on a
weekly basis, and the company
pays their employees. The weekly cost to the company is $125 per
employee.
Vocational Evaluation
Program
This is an extended work assessment
for those referred from Michigan
Rehabilitation Services, industrial businesses, and private insurance companies. Testing is customized to measure
appropriate abilities, aptitudes, and
transferable skills. Participants may
undertake a battery of exercises, such as
completing written tests, taking an
interests inventory, and handling standardized work samples. Once testing is
completed (usually within three to four
days), participants are placed into work
situations and evaluated regarding their
traits and barriers to employment; evaluations may measure physical stamina,
skills, work ethic, and any necessary
accommodations for job success. A
case conference is held to summarize
results and outline recommendations.
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Plastic Surgery and CAQ Hand Surgery
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13
Business to Business
Judi’s Express
Joins Chamber
Wiseley Named
Services Manager
Judi’s Express is located at 966 W.
Territorial Road and Chamber
Ambassadors, local car club members
and owners Mark & Judi Depuy celebrate joining the Battle Creek Area
Chamber of Commerce. Judi’s Express
has a full drive-in type menu with
Hershey’s & soft serve ice cream’s to
delight your taste buds. Open 7 days a
week from 6am – 9pm for a late night
snack. Mark & Judi Depuy owners of
the family operated business invite you
to stop in and try out their daily special
or enjoy your own favorite sandwich.
Angela D. Wiseley is Senior Services
Manager for Calhoun County Michigan.
She earned her Bachelor’s degree in
psychology and sociology from the
University of Michigan and her Masters
of Social Work Degree from Western
Michigan University. Angela has utilized her education and has dedicated
her career to improve programs serving
senior citizens. As former Executive
Director of the Elkhart County Council
on Aging, Angela initiated new programs for transportation, senior companionship, and volunteer respite for
caregivers of Alzheimer’s patients.
Left to Right: Kristy Foster-Potter, Brenda
McPherson, Jeff Travis, Kathleen Mechem,
Mark & Judi DePuy, six members of “Judi’s
Outlaws” unofficial classic car members,
and Jodi Eldred.
AMBUCS Donates
‘AmTryke’
Giving is better than receiving. That
was never more evident then when the
Battle Creek chapter of AMBUCS
(American Business Clubs) gave away
an AmTryke, a special tricycle geared
for children with special needs. The
most recent recipient was Nathan
Martin, five-year-old son of Tammy and
Doug Martin. If you would like more
information about AMBUCS contact
Judy Robinson at (269) 968-6415 or
visit the web site at www.ambucs.com.
Photo: Battle Creek AMBUCS Chapter president Judy Robinson and past president Dr.
Bill Wentworth, present an Amtryke to
Nathan Martin and his parents Doug and
Tammy Martin.
14
Wiseley
quality turn-key services covering all
aspects of aircraft support including:
engine and airframe mechanical &
structural repair, avionics, interior, custom paint, fuel sales, pilot training, and
more.
Board Game a
Hit at DENSO
DENSO employees lined up recently
to buy the “Battle Creek On Board”
game, the “opoly” of our city. Fortyeight games were sold as part of an
employee event. DENSO and its
employees are well known at Habitat as
great supporters. Games are available at
Felpausch stores. Sales will go to build
two Habitat homes. More information
can be obtained at www.habitatbc.org
or 269-966-2502.
Creech
Creech Named
President
John Castle, CEO of Southern
Michigan Bank & Trust and Southern
Michigan Bancorp, Inc., announced the
appointment of Tim Creech as
Community President - Battle Creek
Region. Creech will be responsible for
all Lending and Retail Operations in the
Battle Creek, Kalamazoo and Marshall
communities.
Centennial Aircraft
Wins Championship
Centennial Aircraft Services, Inc.
located on the W. K. Kellogg Regional
Airfield in Battle Creek, has received
the highest honor for antique aircraft
restoration, 2005 GRAND CHAMPION at the Sun-N-Fun Aviation
Convention. Centennial provides high
Photo: DENSO employees Jim Burkheimer
and Chris Reed show off the Battle Creek on
Board game at their offices in Battle Creek.
Devil Rays New
Retail Store Opens
The SouthWest Michigan Devil Rays
officially opened their new merchandise
store in Lakeview Square Mall.
(Located near the Food Court) John
Jaso, (#7 - Catcher) and Fernando
Perez, (#2 - Outfielder) were on hand
giving away signed photos for fans and
talking to kids about baseball and the
importance of staying in school. The
new retail store is open with regular
Mall hours and is stocked with a wide
verity of Devil Rays items.
Photo left to right: John Jaso, Janja Taylor,
Brian Cheever, Martie Cordaro, Mike
Wagenheim, and Fernando Perez.
Formsma Has
Ribbon Cutting
The Battle Creek Area Chamber
Ambassadors held a ribbon cutting ceremony for Dr. Kari Formsma, M.D. and
her staff, who recently joined the
Chamber of Commerce and is currently
accepting new patients. Kari Formsma,
M.D., a board certified Obstetrician,
Gynecologist and Gynecological
Surgeon, recently opened a medical
office at 244 North Avenue. Her medical degree is from MSU.
Goodwill Store
Earns Award
The Goodwill retail store in the
Charlotte Plaza has been selected by the
Michigan Works! Association to receive
its Welfare-to-Work Business Volunteer
of the Year Award. The honor is given
annually to a business that has established a welfare-to-work plan that
increases the self-sufficiency of welfare
recipients through hiring practices and
training or promotion opportunities.
Goodwill representatives will accept the
award at the Michigan Works! Annual
Conference in September.
& Economic Growth. The project will
augment services for high-schoolers
with disabilities who are enrolled in the
2005 School-to-Work Program. The
funding will enable MHGI to employ a
full time project manager.
Gospel Singer’s
CD Available
Well-known Battle Creek soloist and
voice teacher, Dixie Hamlin, released a
new CD recording of traditional gospel
hymns, “Darkness to Light,” and is
available at the Music Center. She has
performed gospel concerts throughout
Michigan, Indiana and Alaska. Hamlin
currently teaches voice at the
Community Music School at the Music
Center.
BCHS Receives Gift
From Junior League
Members of the Junior League of
Battle Creek, following its focus on
children’s issues, presented a check for
$1,000 to Battle Creek Health System to
be used in the hospital’s new entrance
and emergency department waiting
rooms. The funds will be used to purchase child-friendly books and games
so children will have educational and
entertaining things to do while they are
in our waiting areas.
Kilmer is responsible for teaching
courses in women’s studies and revising
the women’s study minor. She will continue traditional center programming
activities and plans to introduce a book
study and help coordinate a women’s
conference.
Howard Joins
Law Firm
William D. Howard has joined the
law firm of Kreis, Enderle, Callander &
Hudgins, P.C., Grand Rapids office.
Bill’s practice areas are product and
general liability and insurance defense.
First Anniversary For
Martial Arts School
Congratulations to Hee Kwan Lee on
his Korean Martial Arts School first
anniversary. A demonstration for
guests was presented by students to celebrate the occasion. Master Lee
became a two time Korean National
Hap Ki Do Champion. For additional
information visit Hee Kwan at
www.heekwanlee.com or call 269.
963.5425.
Photo of Master Hee Kwan Lee, Students at
Korean Martial Arts, LLC., Chamber
Ambassadors and Springfield Officials.
Pictured (L-R): Jeremy Evans, Rosie Burrill,
Deborah Niles, and Marty Whitacre.
Goodwill
Receives Grants
Kilmer Named
Resource Director
Michigan Heartland Goodwill
Industries (MHGI) has been awarded a
Community Rehabilitation Project grant
by the Michigan Department of Labor
Rev. Julie J. Kilmer, Ph.D., has been
named director of the Betsy Dole
Women’s Resource Center and associate professor of women’s studies at
Olivet College, according to an
announcement by Norma Curtis, vice
president and dean for academic affairs.
Holderbaum
Kilmer
Hamlin
City of Marshall
Breaks Ground
The City of Marshall, in conjunction
with Marshall Economic Development
and the Local Development Finance
Authority (LDFA), broke ground on
Part One Phase One of the 125-acre,
$1.36 million expansion of The Brooks
Industrial & Research Park. For information, please contact Marshall
Economic Development at 269-7815183 or visit http://www.marshalleconomicdevelopment.com.
Howard
15
Business Perspectives
BY DENNIS G. DURHAM
News From Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce
Political advocacy has different
meanings. To most
it means supporting certain positions of an issue
and actively lobbying that position on
behalf of an organization, its members and the community at-large.
Special interest groups have different
takes on issues depending upon the constituencies they represent. This is true
whether the issue is a specific local
issue such as city budget priorities, or a
much wider concern such as global
trade agreements with other countries.
The process of engaging in a public discussion of the issues is healthy, and usually leads to the best possible outcomes
for the community, state and nation.
The Battle Creek Area Chamber of
Commerce is an advocate organization
representing the interests of local business members through its business advocacy efforts. In recent months, the
Chamber has joined with its community
partners to actively support keeping the
110th Air National Guard unit in Battle
Creek; maintaining rail service to the
area through continued funding support
of Amtrak; initiated a local discussion
about proposed changes to the allocation
of Community Development Block
Grant funding by the state legislature and
Family
®
supported passage of new trade legislation in Congress that will open up markets to U.S. businesses and create jobs.
110th Air National Guard – The
BRAC Commission has been reviewing
recommendations from the Pentagon
for the closing of a number of military
facilities across the nation. The 110th
Air National Guard installation in Battle
Creek was included on the initial list for
base closings. A contingent of community leaders and Chamber members
traveled to St. Louis in June to appear
before BRAC Commissioners to present
information supporting maintaining the
unit in Battle Creek. On July 29, a
BRAC Commissioner visited the base
to get a first-hand look at the valuable
Battle Creek facilities. A decision is
expected later this fall as to the future of
the 110th Air National Guard facilities
in Battle Creek. The base represents
millions of dollars to the local economy
and approximately 300 jobs.
Amtrak Rail Service – Amtrak
funding is a long debated issue as the
agency continues to suffer financially
from year to year. But this important
transportation service is important to
the economies of Battle Creek and
many communities in southwest
Michigan, as well as other Midwest
states. The Chamber continues to
actively support the continuation of
Amtrak funding by the State of
Michigan.
Center of Battle Creek
Family Friends Fitness Fun!
• State of the art Health Enhancement Center
features Icarian, Nautilus and Hammer Strength weight
equipment, over 60 cardiovascular stations, aerobics,
spinning and certified personal trainers to assist you.
• Multi-Sports Complex featuring:
Basketball,Tennis,Volleyball and Soccer
• Aquatic Center featuring:Two Pools Open/ Lap/
Family Swim,Water Fitness, and Lessons for all ages
• FREE Child Watch and Y in the Sky Youth
Activity Centers allow you to work out while
your children have fun!
Call, stop in for a tour, or visit us online for
more information.
We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities.
182 Capital Avenue NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-963-YMCA • www.ymcabattlecreek.org
16
Community Development Block
Grant Funding – The Michigan legislature is considering changes to the
process for allocating block grant
monies distributed through the
Michigan Economic Development
Corporation (MEDC) to benefit small
rural counties in Michigan at the
expense of larger counties like Calhoun
County. These funds stand as key
sources of funding for economic development projects in communities like
Battle Creek.
DR-CAFTA – With passage of the
Dominican Republic-Central America
Free Trade Agreement (DR-CAFTA) by
the House of Representatives during the
last week of July, an important piece of
legislation was created which, like
NAFTA before it, will open up trade,
create jobs and benefit industries specifically important to the Battle Creek
economy.
And work continues on a number of
issues that could have a dramatic effect
on Battle Creek businesses. Legislators
in Lansing are debating proposals to cut
business taxes. Communities from
around southwest Michigan are pushing
for funding to widen I-94. The City of
Battle Creek will soon be working to
develop budget priorities for the coming
fiscal year. It is imperative that the citizens, businesses and non-profit organizations of Battle Creek are engaged in
the political process.
I recently joined the Battle Creek
Area Chamber of Commerce taking on
the business advocacy responsibilities
for our business members. Business
advocacy for the Chamber involves candidate endorsements, issue analyses,
position development, managing the
Chamber’s political action committee
(BAC-PAC), and furthering the positions
of the Chamber in Lansing. With a background in local government working for
the cities of Littleton, Colorado, Portage
and Kalamazoo, Michigan, I am excited
about the opportunity to serve the community where I grew up, and to represent
Battle Creek area business interests in
the political process.
Later this summer, the Chamber will
be gearing up its candidate endorsement
process for the Battle Creek City
Commission election in November. You
will be able to watch the candidate
interviews on AccessVision in
September and October. Get active and
make your vote count for the future of
the Battle Creek community.
Antiques Today
BY MARSHA TECH
Aluminum Kitchenware
Years ago my
mother worked at
Ben Franklin Five
& Dime (parking
lot now) in the
West End of Battle
Creek across from
McCamly Park.
Behind that store,
on Jackson Street (it was two way then),
was Sullivans Dairy, the favorite ice
cream store for all ages. The part I
don’t remember was the containers that
cottage cheese and other products from
Sullivans came in, colored aluminum.
But Sullivans was not the only way to
acquire these pieces, other dairies and
manufactures used them as promotional
give-aways too.
I do remember sitting in front of our
10” screen TV and watching Captain
Kangaroo, eating cereal from my
favorite blue bowl or in the afternoon
eating popcorn out of a green bowl with
my dad while Channel 3 Club House
was on. Those were my priorities in life
at that time, a certain bowl for each
occasion. And it just occurred to me
that you didn’t pick up the bowl if it
contained something hot nor did you
hold your glass very long if the milk
was real cold.
Now I don’t know about you, but I
didn’t pay attention when the milk man
came or what was bought at the dairy,
let alone what they came in. Quite a
few companies made these wonderful,
now very collectible, pieces that consisted of but not limited to: several sizes
of glasses, bowls, pitchers, shakers, etc.
I always thought it a treat to go to grandma’s and be able to eat from one of her
aluminum custard dishes. Little did I
know that all of the grandchildren were
given those to use because our grandparents were afraid of us breaking the
“good stuff”.
As luck would have it for me a collector called and asked if I would be
interested in seeing his accumulation of
aluminum kitchenware. Imagine my
surprise to see over 200 pieces in a multitude of colors, shapes and sizes.
This collection had many makers of
these fine pieces, with each piece in
pristine condition I might add: Royal
Sealy, West Bend, Bascal, PermaHues,
Sunburst, Color Craft, Beacon Ware,
Hal-Sey L & M.
I was told that these aluminum pieces
are harder and harder to find, that once in
awhile he finds them at garage sales for
less than a dollar and always in antique
and second-hand stores for up to $40 for
a set of 8 glasses in a holder. The bowls
run from fifty cents to $10 each, pitchers
$10-$35 each, salt & pepper sets $4-15,
with the largest and most expensive purchase for him was $200 for the following: eight 3” juice glasses, eight 6” milk
glasses, eight 10 water glasses, three
pitchers, eight 4” cereal bowls, eight 6”
salad bowls, ten 12” chip or popcorn
bowls, ten 15” bowls, fifteen sets of salt
& pepper shakers, eight creamers, eight
sugars, and eight platters.
My caller stated that the going price
now is very high for aluminum ware
because of them being so scarce – wonder if it’s because of the collectors?
Most of the pieces that I have written
about were thrown away because of
condition or upgrading of the dishes in
the house, either way they are very hard
to find now.
In my basement, on several sets of
metal shelving units, are over 400
pieces of aluminum dishes, this is my
husband’s collection. He has been collecting for over 10 years, with the help
of my mother and friends who shop
garage sales. This collection has also
had help from a few of our trips; one
store provided Donald with at least 90
pieces that he purchased. As I have
mentioned in the past, if prices are quoted above they are not all conclusive and
should not be used as a standard to go
by when purchasing a product. Dealers
buy if they feel they can make a profit
with re-sale; collectors will pay what
their budgets will allow.
When you decide to start collecting
anything, buying a book on the subject
by an expert will help you with the difference between old and reproduction.
Most of these books have the price and
buying guides, plus a listing of other
articles or publications to read.
17
Local Interest
BY J. CHRIS SCHWEITZER
Schweitzer Inc.: “A Tradition of Contracting for the Future”
In this day of fads that come and go,
and businesses that seem to appear out
of nowhere, there’s something to be said
about longevity and tradition.
Schweitzer Inc., a Battle Creek-based
local contractor in business for more
than forty years, brings a tradition of
integrity, quality workmanship, and
strong business relationships to the
Battle Creek community.
“Our business motto basically sums
it all up,” says J. Chris Schweitzer,
President, “it’s our belief, our philosophy, and what we do each day. We are
‘Contracting for the Future’, and that
means working to improve the future of
our community. We create quality
work, and do it in a way that gives lasting value.”
Schweitzer Inc. is now in a thirdgeneration family business, with Chris
Schweitzer’s son Andrew, taking his
place as Project Manager. Founded
nearly fifty years ago by the late John J.
Schweitzer, Chris’ and Vice President
David Schweitzer’s father, the business
has left an important mark on the Battle
Creek area landscape. Schweitzer is
known for work in general contracting,
primarily in industrial and commercial
projects.
“When my father founded this business,” says Chris Schweitzer, “he made
a commitment to building a long-term
business tradition. He built long-term
business relationships as well. He wanted us to leave a positive mark on every
project we had a hand in, large or small.
His commitment to excellence helped
us build a base of loyal and returning
clients. To him, trust from the client,
David, Chris and Andrew Schweitzer
18
and their knowledge that the job would
be done correctly, and on time, by us at
Schweitzer, meant everything. Today,
we continue to make sure that all we do
has that tradition of excellence.”
Schweitzer has left the mark of
excellence throughout the Battle Creek
community. In its earliest days, the
company grew in response to customer’s specific needs, and evolved into
general contracting, design/build services, construction management, steel fabricating, and painting and coating. The
most recent addition has been millwright services; heavy machinery moving and setting.
“We have a tradition of not only
long-standing clients, but also of
employees who have been with us for
years. They’re part of our commitment
to “Contracting for the Future”, says
David L. Schweitzer, Vice President,
and also a son of founder John. “We’ve
built strong relationships with them, as
well as with our clients. Technically,
they are union workers, but to us, they
go beyond their job titles, they are part
of the Schweitzer team.”
That team has built client relationships that go back decades. “We sincerely believe that our work supports
the quality of life in this community,”
says Chris Schweitzer. A quick drive
around town backs him up. Schweitzer
Inc. has been involved in projects such
as the revamped Y-Center, Michigan
National Bank, First Church of Christ
Scientist, the Emily Andrus Senior
Residence, the Family Health Center,
Binder Park Zoo’s Administration
Center, Brookside Medical Center, the
Koyo Corporate Addition, and
Gallagher Industrial Laundry.
Those projects are just part of the
work Schweitzer has done over the last
several years. Additionally, Schweitzer
has “Contracted for the Future” through
projects at Oaklawn Hospital’s Bear
Creek Campus, (Marshall), Cedar
Creek Wet Lab, (near Hastings), Battle
Creek Postal Credit Union, Coldwater
School Employees Credit Union,
Hunter-Prell Co., and Kellogg House.
The company’s full plate also
includes work on select facilities of the
Kellogg Company, W.K. Kellogg
Foundation, Kellogg Community
College, and the interiors of McCamly
Plaza Hotel and McCamly Place.
“We’ve been busy this spring and
summer with quite a bit of schoolwork,”
says Chris Schweitzer, “and that means
that students will get to go to school in
buildings that are spruced up, and have
a fresh look. We think that makes for a
good learning environment.”
Schweitzer Inc. has been involved
with work at Miller College, which will
open its doors for the first time this fall.
Located in the former Kellogg
Foundation Building, next to Kellogg
Community College, Miller College has
been given paint, a fix up, and a generally spiffy new look by Schweitzer staff.
“We also have been doing work in
some of the Battle Creek Public
Schools, including the Middle Schools,”
adds Chris, “everyone likes to come
back to a building that looks good.”
Schweitzer Inc. also recently worked
on remodeling another Battle Creek
area tradition, the W.K. Kellogg
Foundation, as part of the Foundation’s
75th Anniversary celebration and open
house.
“We are involved in our community,”
says Chris Schweitzer, “we encourage
our employees to get out and be a part
of whatever volunteer work is of interest
to them. My brother David, was a volunteer for Anybodies Playground, a
handicapped accessible playground,
built by volunteers in Bailey Park.” He
adds, “We are grateful for what this
community has given us here at
Schweitzer – their trust in our abilities
to do an outstanding job on their projects. We give back to our community
by our “Contracting for the Future”; by
having a tradition of excellent work, and
a commitment to make Battle Creek a
great place to live by consistently doing
outstanding work on every job.”
Local Health
Facilities Built by
Schweitzer
Left (top to bottom):
Office of Doctor John Morris, D.D.S.
Oaklawn Hospital Bear Creek Site
Oaklawn Hospital Life Improvement Center
Right: Family Health Center
The Schweitzers: John J. Schweitzer, Founder / J. Chris Schweitzer, Pres. / David Schweitzer, VP/ Andrew D. Schweitzer, Project Mgr.
General Contracting / Concrete & General Trades
Construction Management / Millwright Services
Painting & Blasting / Design & Build Construction
Steel Fabrication & Erection / Miscellaneous Services
9 8 0 7 B e l l e v u e R d . , P. O . B o x 1 3 4 0
Battle Creek, MI 49016
269-963-1579 / fx 269-963-3513
w w w. s c h w e i t z e r - i n c . c o m
19
Health Scene
BY PETER PHELPS
Don’t Procrastinate on Flu Shots
Pandemic.
E p i d e m i c .
Regional
outbreaks. Those are
words of which we
all should heed, but
there certainly are
precautions we can
each take to reduce
the possibilities or
lessen the severity of those situations.
The generally recommended precaution
is a flu shot – that little jab in the arm.
Last year’s flu season was difficult
because of limited influenza vaccines.
At first they were rationed and then
were made more widely available as the
flu season progressed. As a result, there
was a cluster of deaths. Those deaths
sounded an alarm. Parents across the
country scrambled to have their children
vaccinated and seniors were urged to
visit their health care providers to get
their shots because the very young and
very old are most vulnerable.
“Influenza is a respiratory illness
spread by a virus that infects the nose,
throat, bronchial airways, and lungs,”
said Dr. Gregory Harrington, medical
director at the Battle Creek Health
20
System Center for Infectious Disease
and Pulmonary Medicine and for the
Calhoun County Public Health
Department. “The highly contagious
virus is spread via airborne droplets
from coughing and sneezing. Incubation
takes from two to three days.”
“There are a number of false
assumptions about the flu vaccine,” said
Dr. Harrington. “Because it is made
with inactivated virus it cannot give you
the flu. It does, however, take a couple
of weeks before your body builds up
enough antibodies to be protective, so it
is possible to get the flu in the period
shortly after having the shot. It is also
possible that the strains selected in the
annual vaccine may not adequately
reflect the most common strain in your
area. And because the dominant strains
vary each year, you have to be vaccinated every year to maintain protection.”
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for healthy children
between 6 and 23 months and for children over 6 months with medical conditions that put them at high risk, including diabetes, asthma, and HIV.
Although infants under 6 months of age
are too young to be vaccinated, experts
recommend vaccinating people who
will come in contact with the baby.
At the other end of the spectrum,
seniors, as well as those with chronic
diseases such as diabetes, heart and kidney disease are susceptible to complications and need protection too.
Pneumonia, the most serious complication of flu, is responsible for many thousands of deaths annually.
When should you get a flu shot?
October and November. Caregivers
should get a flu shot then as well.
Where can you get the flu shots? You
might contact your primary care physician or health care provider first or you
can visit one of the flu clinics.
“Although we might worry about the
devastation of a pandemic or epidemic,
we already possess an effective weapon
against the flu strains that crop up year
after year – immunization,” said Dr.
Harrington. “If Americans heed the recommendations, many thousands of lives
will be saved and much illness will be
prevented.”
Do not wait until you start to feel
achy – get your influenza vaccination as
early in the season as possible. A flu shot
really is more than just a shot in the arm.
Health Scene
BY KEITH L. PAPENDICK, M.D.
Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is a condition manifested
due to a glucose /
sugar metabolism
abnormality. The
syndrome has a
set of risk factors
that includes: abdominal obesity, a decreased ability to
process glucose (insulin resistance),
blood cholesterol problems, high
blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes. Patients who have this syndrome have been shown to be at an
increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease and/or type 2 diabetes. Metabolic syndrome is a common condition that goes by many
names (dysmetabolic syndrome, syndrome X, insulin resistance syndrome,
obesity syndrome, and Reaven’s syndrome) but few people have heard of
it, let alone understand it.
Sound complicated? It doesn?t
have to be. Ever see a child in a high
chair who’s had enough to eat, is totally full and will not open his mouth
when his mother tries to get him to
take just one more bite? That’s similar
to what the cells in your body are
doing to sugar from the bloodstream if
you have insulin resistance, the underlying problem in metabolic syndrome.
Insulin resistance develops when your
cells refuse to let insulin help get anymore sugar into them.
The body normally produces the
right amount of insulin at the right
time. Insulin combines with sugar to
be transported into the cell; much like
the sight of the approaching spoon
signals a youngster in a high chair to
open his mouth for the spoonful. If the
cells of your body have more sugar
than they need for extended periods of
time – say from sweets, breads, chips
or even just starchy vegetables – they
decrease transport of insulin and
sugar.
The pancreas, an organ near your
stomach and liver, may put out more
insulin and try to force the sugar into
your cells. The body changes the way
it deals with energy from the food you
eat. More energy is stored from your
food as fat. Often, a lot of the fat ends
up in the belly area, a danger sign.
After awhile, the pancreas may
fatigue from all the work of churning
out extra insulin and responds slower.
This may cause the body to become
diabetic, the latest American epidemic. And of course, diabetic or not, it
is still metabolic syndrome, which
comes with a host of other health
problems. Infections, strokes, heart
attacks, hormone imbalance, erectile
dysfunction, and probably decrease
immune function which can lead to
cancers.
No one elects to have this problem!
Does it sound unavoidable? Not at all.
It may come as a surprise, but even
when overweight forever, even if
you’ve tried everything and failed:
You CAN do this!
The most essential step is figuring
out the vitamins, minerals, protein,
fatty acids, fiber, water and exercise
an individual needs daily. Get educated and work with your doctor to
design your diet and a lifestyle based
on solid facts, not wishful thinking.
Some believe that one reason our bodies seem to crave additional food is
the abysmal lack of the fiber our gastrointestinal tracts need in order to
function properly. It’s a rare American
who gets the recommended 25-30
grams of fiber a day recommended by
the Surgeon General. We also learn
how much water our bodies need in
order to carry out essential steps in
generating energy and be sure to drink
enough. And we need to quit stuffing
our bodies with junk food that fails to
provide us with these essentials and
impairs the normal functioning of our
pancreas. Remember sugar is the
basic building block of starch, sweets
and most commercial sweeteners.
These products are the same as eating
pure sugar from the bowl.
Take Charge of Your Life!
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The Skin Rejuvenation product restores a more youthful cell rejuvenation cycle
resulting in a healthier skin more resistant to pollution and infection, in addition to
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Lee B. Papendick, PA-C, Certified Physician Assistant, Family Practice
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bring them into a healthy balance to reduce menopause (female) and andropause (male)
symptoms such as weight gain, sleep disturbances, night sweats and mood swings.
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21
Health Scene
BY PAT SLAYTON MSN
Diet and Exercise Combination for the BEST WEIGHT LOSS Results!
It is well
known that clinical studies support and have
reported that the
loss of weight
occurs when an
exercise program
can accompany a diet. The research
states that 30% of women will not
actively consider joining a fitness center, when they begin a diet program
nor will they increase their exercise
routine while their metabolism may
decrease due to lower caloric intake.
Many of the popular paid diet centers purport exercise yet do not have
well directed programs for exercise.
Women need to develop plans to
increase activity while entering into a
diet program, these activities can
include gardening, walking, fitness
centers, gyms and Y centers, to name
a few.
All women who diet and do not
exercise have to be very concerned
about losing bone density and body
mass or lean body tissue. Exercise
while maintaining metabolism also
protects loss of muscle mass. Please
remember decreasing body weight is
Introducing the Curves 6 Week Solution. Six weeks of small, intimate nutrition
classes where you’ll learn how to lose weight and keep if off for good. Classes
starting September 12th. The power lasts forever. Six-week program for just
$69. Includes a tote bag full of the tools you need to help you reach your goals.
Over 9,000 locations worldwide.
(269) 565-4412
(269) 962-7886
1257 E. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49014
1571 Capital Ave NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017
(269) 484-1100
(517) 629-3609
9880 E. Michigan Ave (above Galesburg Pharm)
Galesburg, MI 49053
110 Watson (Felpausch Center), Albion, MI 49224
curves.com
Prices may vary. Void where prohibited. Offer valid at participating locations.
22
desirable, but not at the expense of
health. Many women will say, I’ll lose
weight first then I’ll have the “energy
to exercise”. Please remember that
exercise will actually energize you
and give you the results to succeed. It
is also well known that exercise
decreases appetites and increases
endorphins for a natural mood elevator…so if you are one of the millions
who want to lose weight don’t forget
to include your exercise program as
well!!
Beginning this August, the
announcement of the Curves 6 Week
Solution will revolutionize the diet
industry in much the same manner
that it changed the way the women
exercised. Simply put, no other company can offer both nutritional guidance and exercise support in a onestop environment. Classes will start
nationally September 12, 2005 with
national television ads and a local
campaign. Call the local Curves nearest you to hear more.
Pat Slayton, MSN, and Dianne
Niecko MSN, RNC, CANP are coowners of six local Curves Franchises.
They chose the Curves brand because
of the franchises commitment to
women and their health issues.
Curves has been
in our community since 2001.
Health Scene
BY P. JEFFREY COLQUHOUN M.D.
Southwest Michigan Eye Center adds NearVision CK Procedure
Last year the
FDA approved the
first vision technology that improves near vision
in the millions of
presbyopic baby
boomers. Out of
90 million boomers, close to 45 million fit the profile
for
Near Vision
Conductive
Keratoplasty. Presbyopia, Greek for
“aging eye” is the most prevalent eye
condition in America affecting most
people by the age of 40 and everyone
by the age of 51. Even if someone is
nearsighted they will eventually need
bifocals in their distance correction to
enable clear close-up vision.
Near Vision CK is a less invasive
alternative to LASIK and intraocular
lens placement for presbyopic patients
with good distance vision but are tired
of their reading glasses. Rather than
using laser energy, Conductive
Keratoplasty uses a radio wave energy
channeled through a very tiny probe
with a tip about the diameter of a
human hair. The minimally invasive
procedure, which is performed in an
office minor surgery suite under topical drops of anesthesia, takes about
two to three minutes. For a typical
case, a ring of 8 spots is placed around
the peripheral cornea without any
involvement of the central corneal tissue, which differs this procedure from
LASIK where the central cornea is
reshaped. Post-operatively, patients
may experience some mild scratchy
sensation for one day but typically
there is no discomfort the following
day. Returning to full activities in 24
hours is typical. The patient will take
drops four times a day for five days
following the procedure.
The ideal candidate is someone
who has been blessed with good
vision into their 40’s until they discover the need for reading glasses
around age 45. Symptoms of presbyopia include difficulty with all forms
of near vision such as reading, ordering from a menu, checking a price tag,
dialing a cell phone or even doing
hobby work. People affected by presbyopia often own multiple pairs of
reading glasses (called granny glasses, readers or half-eyes) and must rely
on for even the most mundane daily
tasks such as checking their watch.
Following Conductive Keratoplasty,
98% of patients see Jaeger 5 (magazine or newspaper size print) in the
eye that was treated. 87% of patients
typically see 20/20 in the distance eye
and also Jaeger 3 (phone book size
print) and significantly smaller
newsprint when using both eyes. In
the FDA trials for Near Vision CK no
reported serious sight threatening or
anticipated safety events occurred.
In summary, if you are over the age
of 40, have had good vision your
whole life and rely on reading glasses
to compensate for the loss of near
vision, please contact P. Jeff
Colquhoun, M.D. at Southwest
Michigan Eye Center for a compli-
mentary refractive consultation.
P. Jeffrey Colquhoun, M.D.,
Randall C. Stout, M.D. and Larry M.
Vander Plas, M.D. offer complete
local eye care with over 50 years of
combined experience. Southwest
Michigan
Eye
Center
offers
Comprehensive eye exams, LASIK
vision correction with WAVEFRONT
or INTRALASE, Near Vision CK, no
shot - no stitch - no patch cataract surgery, glaucoma screening and treatment, diagnosis and care of disorders
of the eye, oculoplastic surgery with
associate surgeon, Dr. Nassif, total
eye care and emergency care.
Southwest Michigan Eye Center is
committed to providing their patients
with quality care and are located in
the Brookside Medical Center at 3600
Capital Avenue, SW., and one mile
south of I-94. They may be reached at
269-979-6383 or 1-800-274-6699.
It’s time to end your frustration with reading glasses.
Medicine bottles becoming more diffiCK is proven in studies to be very effeccult to decipher? Wish your arms were tive in helping patients, using radio waves
just a little bit longer?
to increase their eye’s
If so, you may be interability to see close the
ested in CK, an eye proway they did years ago.
Southwest Michigan
cedure that “turns back
Eye Center is now offerthe clock” for eyes with
ing this to our patients in
Presbyopia.
our continuing efforts to
Presbyopia is a natural
always provide you with
aging process that causes
the best technology and
the eye’s lens to become
procedures available.
less flexible and less able
Call 979-6383 to schedule a complito focus on smaller objects. Usually it
starts when a person is in their early to mentary refractive evaluation with Dr.
Jeff Colquhoun today.
mid-forties.
3600 Capital Avenue S.W., Battle Creek, 49015
(269) 979-6383 • (800) 274-6699 • Fax: (269) 979-6381 • www.swmec.yourmd.com
23
Health Scene
BY PATTY HOCKET, Program Volunteer Coordinator
No Magic Pills
Our lifestyle habits and lack of proper exercise contribute to age-associated
declines in aging adults. We have
become a sedentary society, which
results in weakness and inflexibility;
therefore, promoting muscle and joint
problems. Inactive people become frailer than active people and are more likely to sustain a serious fall that could
lead to hospitalization, permanent disability, dependence and even death.
According to the federal government,
Americans live an average of 73.7
years, but spend their last 11.7 years in
“dysfunctional life”, which is caused by
disease and injuries. A review of more
than forty studies indicates that sedentary individuals have almost twice the
risk of developing coronary heart disease as physically active individuals.
With proper exercise you can prevent
injuries and decelerate the age-associated loss of muscle function. Reducing
the number of years lost to restricted
physical activity has become a national
priority.
Most older individuals are well aware
that they need regular aerobic exercise,
such as walking, swimming, or running,
to strengthen their heart and lungs and
tone their bodies, but many dismiss
weight training (also called resistance
training) as an activity predominantly for
bodybuilders and the younger crowd.
However, it is the only type of exercise
that can substantially slow, and even
reverse, declines in muscle mass, bone
density, and strength that were once considered foreseeable consequences of
aging. Resistance training is usually provided by free weights or machines, but
individuals can also get stronger by exercising in water. Experts believe that as
muscles are challenged by the resistance
of a weight, some of their tissue breaks
down; as the muscles heal, they gradually increase in strength and size.
Aerobic activity and strength train-
Membership Dues:
- Basic Membership $50.00
- Fitness/Pool Membership
$100.00 (Individual) - $180.00 (Couple)
•
•
•
•
•
Area Agency on Aging Region IIIB
In-Home Care Services Health and Wellness Programs
Pool and Fitness Center / Leisure and Fun Activities
Educational Classes / Meeting and Room Rentals
Laura’s Gourmet Catering
Burnham Brook is
committed to providing
comprehensive
services that
promote active
aging
200 W. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49017 /
24
M-F
6AM-9PM
SAT 8AM-3PM
CLOSED
SUN
269-966-2566
/ www.burnhambrook.com
ing are each important for health, the
American College of Sports Medicine,
recommends that able adults do both on
a regular basis; 20-60 minutes of aerobic activity is advised 3-5 days a week
and weight training should be done for
20-30 minutes 2-3 times a week. The
guidelines also suggest that people perform stretching exercises – which
increase the range of motion, or amount
of movement, of joints – a minimum of
2-3 times a week. Increase your strength
and flexibility by taking Yoga or stretching class. It is also well known that
weight training can increase bone mass,
which lowers the risk of developing
osteoporosis and fractures. Strength
training adds more weight to the skeleton by building muscle; this stimulates
the bones to strengthen and grow to bear
the heavier load on the body. Studies
have shown that starting exercise, even
in the 90s, can restore some of the loss.
There are four components of fitness
which are cardio-respiratory endurance,
muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition and each
component improves functional ability.
Research has been well documented
that regular activities have physiological, psychological and social benefits.
Some of the physical benefits are
improved sleep, stamina, increased
strength, enhanced flexibility, and an
increase in balance and coordination.
Some of the psychological effects are
improved relaxation, reduction of stress,
enhanced self-esteem, and lessens
depression. Physical activities also
expand social networks and improve
quality of life. Increasing the level of
activity will improve your health and
you may well be on your way to achieving an athletic and fit body.
Everyone should see a doctor before
they start an exercise program, and then
work at their own pace. Listen to your
body and go with the pace your body is
telling you. It is never too late to start
an exercise program. Make sure that
you choose a variety of physical activities that you enjoy. There is no magic
pill to make you manage weight, stress,
or live longer; however, everyone can
experience improvements in their quality of life by adding exercise to your
lifestyle.
Health Scene
BY R. CRAIG DIEDERICH
A Healthy Mouth Contributes To Overall Health
The next time
that you see your
dentist, don’t be
surprised if you’re
checked for more
than just cavities.
Recent research
has shown that
there is a close
connection
between the health of your mouth and
your overall health. Several significant
diseases are now thought to have strong
links to oral, and especially periodontal
health.
Periodontal disease, or gum disease,
is caused by a sticky film of bacteria
(plaque) that forms on the teeth. If not
removed regularly by effective tooth
brushing and flossing, the plaque
colonies continue to grow and in the
process, cause breakdown of the healthy
gumline and bone support for the teeth.
This breakdown is the result of the
inflammation of the gumline from bacterial toxins and involves the formation
of pockets between the teeth and gum
tissues. A recent study published in the
Journal of Periodontology reports that
one in three people over the age of 30
have some form of gum disease. While
this scenario has been well understood
for decades, the connection of gum disease to overall health is a new development.
One systemic disease that causes
patients to become more susceptible to
infections is Diabetes. The increased
level of blood sugar suffered by diabetics prevents normal body systems from
working properly – most notably bacterial or infection resistance. Diabetic
patients, therefore, are especially susceptible to periodontal disease and need
to be screened regularly to be sure that
the gum tissues are staying healthy.
Recent findings also suggest that the
reverse is true as well. That is, if a diabetic patient has healthy gums, they
have an easier time keeping their blood
sugar under control.
For many years heart disease has
been known to be a leading cause of
death in the U.S. Periodontal research
has recently found that there may be a
link between periodontal disease and
disease of the coronary arteries. Heart
disease is the result of narrowing of the
coronary arteries that supply the heart,
and if an artery becomes clogged, some
of the heart muscle dies and a heart
attack occurs. Reports published recently have shown that the material clogging
the arteries contains the bacteria
involved in periodontal disease. It
appears that the inflammation of gum
disease allows the bacteria involved to
enter the bloodstream and eventually
end up in the coronary arteries. People
with gum disease are thought to have
twice the risk of having a heart attack as
those without gum disease.
Two other important systemic conditions that have links to periodontal disease are pneumonia and the premature
delivery of low birth weight babies.
Since periodontal disease is caused by
high numbers of bacteria in the mouth,
the bacteria at the teeth and in the throat
can serve as reservoirs to re-infect the
lungs. This can make it difficult to treat
certain types of pneumonia and may
worsen existing lung conditions.
Women who are pregnant and who have
periodontal disease are at risk for complications since another component that
can enter the bloodstream at the gumline can induce premature labor. It is
estimated that pregnant women with
periodontal disease are 7 times more
likely to have a premature delivery and
low birthweight baby which then
increases the chances of birth defects.
While all of this may sound a bit
scary, the good news is that there is a
quick and easy method of screening for
any evidence of gum disease. So, it is
important your dentist or dental hygienist check the health of your gum tissues
at each cleaning visit, and not just look
for cavities. Don’t be surprised if the
examination portion of your cleaning
visit takes an extra minute or two to
evaluate the health of your gums. Be
sure and ask if any pockets have
formed. If you do not have a regular
dentist, or if you would like the opinion
of a periodontist (gum specialist), a
screening exam can be scheduled without a referral.
For more information go to
www.doctordonline.com
Periodontics & Dental Implants
My staff and I are committed to providing you the highest level of
personalized care, in a comfortable and compassionate atmosphere. We will:
• Guide you through a thorough examination, then review and explain the findings.
• Help you make an informed choice to assist you in achieving the highest level
of health possible.
• Assist you in maintaining your natural teeth or dental implants in comfort and
function for the rest of your life.
269-964-3931
Hours by Appointment
/ www.doctordonline.com
Oak Ridge Office Center, Suite 7, 475 E. Columbia Avenue, Battle Creek Michigan
DIPLOMATE OF THE AMERICAN BOARD OF PERIODONTOLOGY
25
Health Scene
BY VICKI BLANCHARD, RN, Executive Director
“I Can’t Imagine Doing Anything Else.”
As a nurse
and a manager,
many have questioned my choice
of career. “Why
would you want to
do Hospice; care
for the dying?”
My answer is simple: I can’t imagine doing anything
else. In my years with Hospice I have
been faced with many tragic and heart
wrenching situations. Easy? No, it is
not, but it is absolutely worth it. I‘ll
give you an example.
Ava was a 40-year-old hospice
patient who was dying from years of
bad decisions. She knew that her
lifestyle had brought her to where she
was that day. During our first Hospice
visit, Ava was apologetic – guilty- about
her disease and the way she lived. Ava
was used to being judged and made to
feel shame. We explained that Hospice
26
doesn’t care why you are ill or judge
you for your decisions. We are there to
support you and your family and make
you as comfortable as possible for the
rest of your journey.
Ava had a son, David, who was only
14 years old when hospice started caring for his mom. David hadn’t been in
school for a couple years. He lived as
he could, sometimes on the streets.
David knew he needed to survive. He
needed to take care of his mom. Ava
struggled with David’s future and who
would care for her son. Did Ava and
David make all the right decisions? No,
they did not. Did my Hospice staff
struggle with Ava’s and David’s situation? Of course, they did.
David and Ava were in a desperate
situation. There was no available family to care for Ava. Unfortunately, the
burden of caring for Ava rested with
David, a fourteen-year-old boy. He had
no choice in this matter. He was the
man in the family and had to step up to
the plate. But, who would care for
David? They had little financial
resources, the electricity had been shut
off and they had an empty, hot refrigerator. The house was a mess. Ava was
too weak to keep up the housekeeping
and realistically David was a child.
They both were doing the best that they
could. But Ava and David needed help.
At this point you may be thinking,
“What does this have to do with
Hospice?” Let me explain.
Hospice is a philosophy and believes
that death is a natural part of life. We
base our beliefs on quality of life rather
than quantity. We strive for healing the
soul and to bring a sense of acceptance
and peace during the end of life’s journey. Hospice believes the physical,
emotional, spiritual and financial needs
of the patient and family are inseparable. Our goal is to eliminate all types of
pain and suffering. It does not matter
what made you ill, we are there to help.
From the first day Hospice set foot in
Ava and David’s house, we began coordinating services. David cared for his
mother as well as he could. The Hospice
nurse worked with Ava’s doctor to make
her as comfortable as possible. The
nurse made sure Ava had all the medications and equipment she needed. Ava
needed a hospital bed; it was hard for
her to lay flat. The next day a hospital
bed was delivered. The Social Worker
helped Ava apply for Medicaid and contacted a lawyer to make sure David was
taken care of after Ava was gone. The
Hospice volunteers shopped for groceries and made meals for David and
Ava. Other community agencies were
contacted to help with cleaning and the
upkeep of David and Ava’s house. The
electric bill was paid by a local church.
It was a group effort.
Ava died with David at her side; he
struggled with her death. Hospice was
there, too. In my heart, I know David
was thankful for Hospice but was
unable to talk about his feelings.
Realistically, he was only a fourteenyear-old boy – a fourteen-year-old boy
who had become a man by caring for his
dying mother. Thank you, David, for
allowing Hospice to be part of Ava’s and
your life. It was a privilege.
Health Scene
BY JAI MCFALL
What Is Health?
Hipprocrates said, “A wise man
should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings.”
The World Health Organization
defines health as “a state of complete
physical, mental and social well
being”.
The word health derives from a
Greek word meaning complete or perfect; unshakable; having energy and
strength.
Does that describe how you feel?
Many of us are stressed out, tired, have
many aches and pains. There are many
diseases today that were unheard of 50
years ago. Few people today feel like
they have optimal well-being.
Nature has given us a wondrous
immune system and all we have to do
is take proper care of this inner healing
force. But we no longer are in touch
with our bodies due to our hectic
lifestyles with long work hours; hightech stress; our polluted environment;
fast foods; alcohol abuse; and drug
dependencies.
What can we do? One-way, which
is a very enjoyable, is to add massages
into your weekly routine. Massage has
been used throughout history for treatment and prevention of disease; for
relaxation and as beauty treatments.
Massage is holistic and affects the
body in many ways, It:
• Relieves pain
• Reduces high blood pressure
• Boosts your immune system
• Relives muscle fatigue and increases
recovery of illness
• Relaxes and calms
• Invigorates, stimulates and revitalizes
your body
Anyone at any age can benefit
from massage. You can come into
MIGUN of Battle Creek for FREE
therapeutic massages for three full
months. The massages release tension
and pain in a quiet and peaceful surrounding while you are fully clothed.
You can come in every day. We invite
you to take advantage of this marvelous opportunity.
Discover for yourself how wonderful you can feel. MIGUN of Battle
Creek has been providing its guests
with life-changing experiences in
downtown BC for over a year.
MIGUN of Battle Creek is an education, demonstration and sales center.
“Our product is so unique and so effective that we provide a 90 day free trial.
That way our guests can discover for
themselves the marvelous benefits of
the Migun Deep Heat Massage” says
Jai McFall. This new mechanical
device, developed in Korea, provides
deep heat, massage and acupressure
simultaneously. The treatments are
given while fully clothed. Our experienced staff ensures that our guests
experience a relaxing, comfortable and
beneficial massage.
“Our clientele in and around the
Battle Creek and the Kalamazoo area
are feeling better, having more energy
and getting rid of their pain. We want
to spread the word about our healing
massages, and give our customers a
chance to share their stories with those
interested in improving their health
naturally with free therapeutic massages” says Jai McFall.
MIGUN of Battle Creek invites
anyone with back pain; stress; carpel
tunnel; fibromyalgia; chronic fatigue;
arthritis; high blood pressure; diabetes
or other health challenges to come in
and find out for yourself if our massages can help you feel better.
MIGUN IS CHANGING LIVES,
ONE MASSAGE AT A TIME!
FEEL STRESS,
PAIN AND TENSION
MELT AWAY WHILE
REVITALIZING
& REJUVENATING
YOUR BODY
MIGUN
OF BATTLE CREEK
CHANGING LIVES
ONE MASSAGE AT A TIME.
Battle Creek Tower
70 W. Michigan Ave. • Suite 900
269.788.6636
Store Hours: M-F 10-8 / Sat 10-2
www.migunworld.com
27
Health Scene
BY CONNIE ROE
Home Health Support / Senior Home Support
There is not a more comfortable and
secure place than your own home. For
individuals faced with aging and disabilities requiring assistance to stay
within their homes, the majority of them
would choose to receive these services
at home. The need for health care services in the home is increasing due to an
aging population that desires to age in
place, and stay in their own homes with
support services being provided by
home care agencies. Increasingly individuals are discharged from hospitals
and nursing homes in rapid time and the
need arises for home health agencies to
provide the continuing care and services
in the home. An individual’s family may
be available for support and care, but
often an individual is without any type
of support system. This is a critical time
when that individual must choose the
health care agency that will not only
meet their requirements but also an
agency they can trust to provide those
services within their home.
Home Health Support and Senior
Home Support are not-for-profit agencies located in Augusta. These agencies
are divisions of the Foundation for
Behavioral Resources and provide services to multiple counties in southwest
Michigan. Senior Home Support was
established in 1993. Home Health
Support is one of the newest home care
agencies in this area, becoming a
Medicare-certified agency in July 2003.
When a client selects services from these
agencies, their health care needs can be
managed efficiently without duplicating
services or wasting time searching for
multiple agencies to meet all the needs in
the home. This valuable time is better
spent recovering from the illness that
caused the need for home care.
Home Health Support can provide
intermittent skilled nursing, homehealth aide, physical and occupational
therapy, and medical social worker serv-
Senior
Home Support
269-731-5787
Initial Assessment by Social Worker or Nurse
Services Include: Personal/Respite Care, 24-Hour Care,
Shopping, Cooking, Cleaning, Laundry, Transportation,
and Handyman Services
Home
Health Support
269-731-5775 ext. 137
Medicare Certified Agency
Services Include: Intermittent Skilled Nursing, Home
Health Aides, Physical & Occupational Therapy, and Medical
Social Work Services as ordered by your Physician
Senior Home Support &
Home Health Support are
Divisions of the Foundation
for Behavioral Resources
6 0 0 S . L I N C O L N S T R E E T • A U G U S TA , M I 4 9 0 1 2 • 2 6 9 - 7 3 1 - 5 7 7 5
28
ices in the client’s home. Medicare
requires that a physician orders our
services and that the client is homebound. All of the staff of Home Health
Support is licensed to provide professional care, and maintains professional
standards of practice through continuing education and in-service training.
The cost for providing these services is
covered one hundred percent by
Medicare. Referrals are obtained from
multiple sources, including hospital discharge planners, family members, nursing homes, physician offices, and from
individuals who have had a change in
their health status and need help in their
home.
Senior Home Support offers a unique
program of flexible services. These
services include personal/respite care,
twenty-four hour live in care, shopping,
cooking, cleaning, laundry, and transportation. Senior Home Support contracts with various community agencies
to provide services in the home or a
client can pay privately. A variety of
handy-man services including carpentry
work, minor electrical and plumbing
repairs, and landscaping and gardening
are available. Specific program costs are
determined after an initial evaluation
visit by a social worker or nurse. Costs
for any handy-man services are determined by an on sight visit and a written
estimate is prepared prior to any services being rendered.
Home Health Support and Senior
Home Support have a high commitment
to excellence and client satisfaction. We
are a small agency with evolving program development that is resulting in
services designed to meet the specific
needs of our clients in the community.
We promote our services by being visible in the community, participating in
events and activities that promote health
care, and by interacting/networking
with other agencies. Our agencies strive
to provide the services in a manner that
will exceed the client and or families
expectations, promote wellness and
increased independence of the client
within the home. Home care is the
answer to our National health care crisis. Home care is less costly than hospitalization and services are delivered in
the least restrictive environment – the
client’s home.
Health Scene
BY THOMAS M. DOBBINS, M.D.
Boning Up on Osteoporosis
When it comes
to getting older,
doesn’t it seem like
there are a lot of
new health issues
out there for us to
worry
about?
Osteoporosis is a
good example. I am
certain your grandmother never heard that word, but
chances are she suffered from the disease.
All she knew was that she was “shrinking” and a lot of her friends were falling
and breaking something, usually a hip.
The definition of osteoporosis is
“porous bone”. It affects an estimated
10 million people, both men and
women. And it is estimated that 34 million more of us have decreased bone
mass, which increases the risk of osteoporosis. The disease begins with
decreased bone mass and by the time a
diagnosis is made there is a deterioration of the bone. This means that the
bones are fragile and fractures can
occur. The most common sites for fractures in persons with osteoporosis are:
the pip, the spine and the wrist. This is
usually a disease thought to affect
women, but not always. Twenty percent
of those affected are men. It is usually
thought to be an “older person’s” disease, but it can strike at any age.
Now that you know what it is, are
you at risk for osteoporosis? The things
that cause you to have an increased risk
for osteoporosis include: being thin or
small framed, an inactive lifestyle, ciga-
rette smoking, excessive use of alcohol,
a diet low in calcium, advanced age, a
family history of the disease, and of
course being a female after menopause.
Caucasians and Asians are at higher
risk, but African-Americans and
Hispanic-Americans also have a significant risk of osteoporosis. Certain medications such as steroids or seizure medications may also increase your risk.
If you have any of these risk factors
it is important that you discuss them
with your family doctor. The best way
to diagnose osteoporosis is by bone density testing (bone densitometry). This is
a test using very low dose x-rays that
very accurately tells you how strong
your bones are. Osteoporosis is known
as a “silent disease” meaning that you
frequently don’t know you have it until
after you have fractured a bone. If you
have any risk factors, it is important to
be screened for the disease. Remember
you cannot tell if you have osteoporosis
by a traditional x-ray.
Just how serious is osteoporosis? More
people die each year following a hip fracture than from gastric or pancreatic cancer. The risk for women dying from complications of a hip fracture equals the
number dying from breast cancer. Once a
hip is fractured, one-third of these patients
are dependent on others for their care, and
19% require nursing home care. And once
a woman suffers a first fracture of her
spine, she is five times more likely to
develop a new fracture within one year.
The incidence of osteoporosis is increasing due to the aging population and
lifestyle factors. With this will come an
increase in bone fractures, an increase in
hospitalizations, and an increase in the
cost of prescription medications to treat
these patients. I think you will agree that
this is a serious medical issue.
With all this in mind, what are our
options for treating osteoporosis? The
most obvious is prevention. Before the
age of 35 we need to be aware of what
builds strong bones. Things like healthy
lifestyles. This would include a diet rich
in calcium and vitamin D, regular exercise, no smoking, and limiting alcohol
intake. Talk to your doctor if you have
any of the risk factors and get tested early.
If you have been diagnosed with osteoporosis, there is no cure. However, there
are medications that can stop further bone
loss or fractures. Something as simple as
calcium and vitamin D supplements, or
more complicated prescription medications like hormone replacement therapy
(HRT), bisphosphonates (Actonel or
Fosamax), cacitonin (Miacalcin nasal
spray), and raloxifene (Evista). The evidence regarding the effectiveness of
reducing fracture risk varies with each of
these medications; you need to discuss all
your options with your physician and
decide the best course of action based on
your individual needs.
Remember that healthy bones begin
with a healthy lifestyle. If you believe
that you are at risk for osteoporosis, it is
important to get tested early and partner
with your health care provider to determine the best course of action for your
needs. It is never too late to start.
Providing all aspects of care for your family, including: Obstetrics care, newborn
and well-child care, women’s health care, and all aspects of health maintenance.
Call 781-9867 (Marshall) or 517-629-3909 (Albion) for an appointment.
James G. Dobbins, MD • Thomas M. Dobbins, MD • Mark Z. Machalka, MD
Miguel De La Torre, MD • Lauren S. Piper, DO
A MODERN FACILITY – Marshall /
Albion Medical Associates offers onsite laboratory services, x-ray, ultrasound, and bone density screening.
A PARTNERSHIP FOR LIFE – We accept most forms of
health insurance, Our five family practice physicians can provide a vital link, for a lifetime of overall health and are looking
forward to a long relationship with you and your family.
29
Health Scene
BY BRIGETTE R. REICHENBAUGH
Prevention, Prevention, Prevention –
How Calhoun County Public Health Department is working to prevent disease.
School’s starting,
fall
is
approaching, and
cooler weather is
on the way. As the
weather turns colder, children and
adults feel the
effects.
Coats
come out of the
closet, flip flops are packed, and soon
come the sniffles and body aches. Many
Americans, in their quest to prevent the
common cold or flu, will visit their doctor’s office for care including immunizations, flu shots, or antibiotics. But
for many Americans, including about
14,000 uninsured and 24,000 underinsured Calhoun County residents, visiting the physician office is not an option
due to rising health care costs and lack
of insurance.
The Calhoun County Public Health
Department (CCPHD), a State of
Michigan fully accredited Health
Department, has been preventing
disease for the people of Calhoun
County since 1935. With support from
community partners, local, state, and
federal grants, CCPHD offers a variety
of prevention programs including:
Breast and cervical cancer screening,
Communi-cable disease surveillance,
prevention, and control, County Health
Plan, Environmental health services,
Immunizations, Nursing Clinic of Battle
Creek, School wellness, STD testing
and treatment, Student Health Center,
and WIC (Women’s, Infant, and
Children).
CCPHD offers several children’s
health programs including school wellness, the Student Health Center located
at Battle Creek Central High School,
and immunizations. These three programs serve the many children in
Calhoun County who are without proper medical care. Like all school-aged
children, they are exposed to many
types of infectious diseases and are
often the first to catch the common cold,
flu, or “bug” that is going around. The
CALHOUN COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT
PROMOTING HEALTHY LIFESTYLES, PROTECTING HEALTH,
AND PREVENTING DISEASE
Prevention Programs Include:
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening • Nursing Clinic of Battle Creek
Communicable Disease Surveillance, Prevention, and Control
Environmental Health Services • Immunizations • School Wellness
Student Health Center • STD Testing and Treatment
WIC (Women’s, Infants, and Children).
190 E. Michigan Ave. • Battle Creek, MI 49014
Tel: (269) 969-6370 • Fax: (269) 966-1489 • www.calhouncountymi.gov
30
school wellness program, offered in various school districts in Calhoun County
including the Student Health Center,
provides direct care to students and
staff, facilitates enrollment in health
care coverage programs, and works to
prevent and control infectious disease.
The CCPHD immunization program
aims to protect the public’s health from
vaccine-preventable disease. The Health
Department offers clinics to promote
complete immunization for all Calhoun
County citizens. Children receive
immunizations before they start school.
Flu shots are given in the fall and winter
months.
The Nursing Clinic of Battle Creek, a
partnership among area physicians,
Battle Creek Health System and
Calhoun County Public Health
Department, provides health care for
homeless and un/underinsured people
of Calhoun County through a network
of donors, volunteers, and services.
Services offered include primary health
care, foot care, nursing assessments,
chronic disease management, and prevention of acute illness. Located in the
impoverished Franklin neighborhood of
Battle Creek, the Clinic is conveniently
located across the street from two
homeless shelters and a transitional living program. The Clinic will begin providing mental health and substance
abuse services as well as working with a
new county health plan in order to provide economically disadvantaged people in Calhoun County with proper
medical and prevention services.
In January 2006, the county health
plan, one of the key initiatives executed
by CareSource, a Healthy Community
Access Program (HCAP) in cooperation
with Battle Creek Health System, will
begin providing low-income persons
(who are ineligible for other forms of
health care coverage) with health care
coverage. County health plans are common throughout Michigan and provide
access to primary care services for lowincome, uninsured persons who are
ineligible for other forms of coverage.
The Calhoun Health Plan was incorporated in spring 2005 and is governed by
its own Board of Directors.
Remember there are many programs
available to keep you and your family
healthy. To learn more about Calhoun
County Public Health Department’s prevention programs, please call (269) 9696370 or visit www.calhouncountymi.gov.
Health Scene
BY TIM WHITE, M.D.
So...turn off the TV, get outside, and eat healthy!
“What do you
think about my
child’s weight?”
Parents commonly ask me if their
child is in the
healthy range. At
every physical I
measure
children’s height and weight to ensure it is
in the healthy range. Unfotunately, I
see more overweight children every
year. This leads to many problems.
Overweight children get teased, starting at a very young age. They have
lower self-esteem. They are more likely to have asthma. They even are
developing Type II diabetes, which
used to be only an adult problem. Our
current lifestyles make it easy for a
child to become overweight. Parents
can take some easy steps to prevent
and fix weight problems.
There are many great gifts we can
give to our children – love, security,
support, education, and many more.
One of the important ones is a healthy
lifestyle. It is more important than
ever, as our culture is changing.
Children don’t walk to school often
anymore. We are busy and eat more
fast food. Fast food portions are bigger, and there is more junk food available.
Staying active is really important.
Every child should have some physical activity that they enjoy. Some will
choose to play on teams. If your child
does not play team sports, try something else: dance, family walks, running or swimming are all great.
Anything done regularly has huge
benefits. There are many great opportunities in the area. Check out Full
Blast, take a walk at the Zoo or on the
linear path, or explore some of the
local parks. If it’s summer, get to the
beach. In the winter, try skiing or
throwing snowballs.
Shutting off the TV helps too. The
average child now watches around
twenty hours of TV a week– that’s a
part time job! Children burn more
calories sitting on the couch when the
TV is off. Food advertisements parade
across the screen, causing children to
be more hungry. Children often
absentmindedly eat chips and other
unhealthy foods as they watch. Video
games aren’t much better.
A healthy diet is really important
as well. That’s easy to say – but how
does a parent make their child eat
healthy? Parents should watch what
they eat– children copy their parents.
If your child is overweight, look at
what they eat. Where do they get extra
calories? Watch what they are drinking. One glass of juice or soda every
day adds up to about ten pounds over
a year! Change from sugary drinks
like soda and juice to water and diet
drinks. It is easier to start with this
then
with
limiting
amounts.
Sometimes, amounts need to be limited, though. Children should have reasonable size servings, with small seconds. They should not have too much
fried or fatty foods. Healthy snacks,
like fruit and vegetables are much better than prepared foods.
So... turn off the TV, get outside,
and eat healthy! Your children will
thank you for it!
Standing (left to right): Linda Hibst CPNP and Timothy White M.D.
Front: Larry Keefer PNP, John Dolbee M.D. & Martha Kelly PA-C
Our
Physicians
Are Board
Certified in
Pediatrics
• New patients
welcome
• Treating children
newborn to high
school graduation
• Health promotion
and disease
prevention to enable
each child to reach
their full potential.
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
269-969-8723
2545 Capital Ave. SW
Battle Creek, MI 49015
• A caring
provider will see
your sick child
within 24 hours
31
Health Scene
BY DIANE GIANNUNZIO, President/CEO
The Latest Technology With A Health Atmosphere
When patients
leave an acute care
hospital, they are
often not quite
ready to go home.
After stroke, trauma, or surgery, for
example, patients
need a place
where they can rest and recover, win
back their physical abilities, and prepare for going back home or to work.
Helping people to return to independent living is the special role we play at
Southwest Regional Rehabilitation
Center.
This past summer we opened the
doors to our new facility on East
Roosevelt in Battle Creek, which presents the perfect environment for helping patients recover and rehabilitate
following trauma, surgery or disease.
All the technology, equipment and
resources in the new center have been
32
carefully selected and reflect the latest
advances in rehabilitation medicine.
Whatever a patient may need to win
back the ability to speak, stand, hear,
see, drive a car or walk up a set of
stairs can be found in the new center.
Some of this technology is focused
on communication. That’s because
each patient who comes to Southwest
becomes part of a therapy team that
includes therapists, nurses, social
workers, case managers and other professionals under the leadership of our
skilled medical director, Zihni Yilmaz,
M.D. This new communications technology ensures that team members can
stay in close touch with each patient’s
daily progress and make adjustments
or respond quickly to individual needs
as they arise.
But technology and equipment are
only a part of the story. Great effort
and care have gone into giving the center a nurturing, healing atmosphere,
which is so important in rehabilitation.
Patients who have lost basic physical
capacity such as speaking or walking
are often discouraged. The positive
environment of the new center is inspirational: the basic design theme is
calm, tasteful and reassuring. Walls
carry original art by the watercolorist
Bea Washburn. Patient rooms are
comfortable, bright and contemporary
with windows that look out on a natural setting. The rehabilitation gyms
are spacious and gleam with the latest
therapeutic equipment. A soothing
therapy pool provides an ideal environment for improving joint and muscle strength and flexibility. The site
features a pond and fountain, walking
paths through the wetland where
patients can get exercise, and healing
gardens, patio, and decks where
patients can get fresh air, and be close
to nature, important in maintaining a
positive frame of mind. A full kitchen
under the leadership of a trained chef
ensures creative, well-prepared,
restaurant-quality meals for both
patients and visitors. One recentlydischarged patient referred to the new
center as “a palace.”
Perhaps the most inspiring place in
the center is a “Wall of Courage”
which bears plaques honoring former
patients of the hospital, whose personal stories inscribed there prove that
rehabilitation medicine combined with
a strong desire on the part of the
patient to recover can produce amazing results, even miracles.
The center has also been designed
with many outpatient and community
programs in mind. It has a modern fitness center, a complete audiology lab
for hearing evaluations and hearing aid
fitting, a driver rehabilitation facility,
an outpatient therapy gym for various
injuries and follow-up care, and even
a bistro for visitors to the center.
As more is asked of our healthcare
system, the role of rehabilitation will
become increasingly important.
Southwest Regional Rehabilitation
Center has been designed and built to
provide the very best of care in an
ideal environment to serve our patients
for many years to come.
Health Scene
BY SURENDAR S. PUROHIT, M.D.
Diseases and Surgery of the Retina and Vitreous
Age
related
macular degeneration (AMD) is the
leading cause of
vision loss in people over the age of
50 in the United
States. It results in
damage to the
macula. The macula is the part of the retina that is used
for central vision. Without good central
vision, patients can have difficulty with
many essential activities of daily living
such as reading and driving. Macular
degeneration can vary in severity. In the
worst cases, it can result in complete
loss of central vision and in milder cases
only minimal distortions in the central
vision may be noted. Risk factors for
macular degeneration include smoking,
obesity, Caucasian race, family history
and female gender.
Patients with AMD may notice gradual or sudden loss of central vision.
More subtle signs of the disease might
include difficulty reading or distortions
in vision. For example, straight lines
may appear wavy. If a person notices
any of these signs, they should be examined by a retina specialist as soon as
possible.
AMD is classified into two types:
wet (neovascular) and dry AMD.
Ninety percent of patients with macular
degeneration have dry AMD. A retina
specialist uses a number of tools to
determine which of the two macular
degeneration types a patient might have.
These tools include microscopes and
lenses to examine the macula. In addition, tests such as fluoroscein angiography and ocular coherence tomography
(OCT) may be performed to gather
more information.
In dry macular degeneration, there is
gradual degeneration of macular tissue
and presence of abnormal deposits known
as drusen. These changes can result in
vision loss and progression to wet AMD.
Treatment of dry macular degeneration
consists of careful monitoring of the retina by a retina specialist. Patients are
instructed to use an amsler grid to look
out for changes. In certain patients who
are at high risk for vision loss, the retina
specialist may recommend use of antioxidants to reduce the risk of further progression of the disease. These antioxidants include vitamin C, vitamin E, betacarotene, zinc and copper.
The hallmark of wet AMD is the
presence of abnormal blood vessels
underneath the macula. These blood
vessels can cause devastating loss of
vision by causing leakage, bleeding or
scar tissue. Fortunately, if caught early,
we now have a number of treatments for
wet AMD. If the abnormal blood vessels are away from the very center of the
macula, then they may be cauterized
with a thermal (hot) laser. In most
cases, however, these abnormal blood
vessels are under the center of the macula. In this situation, there are a number
of options. A nonthermal (cold) laser
known as photodynamic therapy may be
used. In this treatment, a medication
(verteporfin) is given intravenously.
This medicine accumulates in the
abnormal blood vessels. A laser is then
used to activate this medicine so that the
abnormal blood vessels stop leaking.
Often times, this treatment is combined
with a steroid (triamcinolone) injection
into the eye. Another treatment that is
now available for wet AMD is the medication known as Macugen. This is a
medicine that is placed in the eye every
six weeks to help stabilize the macular
degeneration. In some cases of AMD,
there can be a large amount of bleeding
under the retina. For this scenario, the
retina specialist may recommend surgery to remove the blood.
There are certain things all patients
can do to reduce the risk of developing
severe AMD. These include, eating a
diet rich in green leafy vegetables, quitting smoking, exercising, maintaining
normal blood pressure and seeing a retina specialist if there is any sudden
change in the central vision.
Surendar S. Purohit, MD is a retina specialist with
TLC Michigan. He is part of a group that also includes
Dr. Paul Ernest and Dr. Kevin Lavery. All three doctors
are pleased to be serving the Battle Creek community at
our center located at 363 Fremont St. Suite 301. Our services include treatments for eye disease, macular degeneration, glaucoma, dry eye, diabetic eye care and the latest
technology for cataract surgery. Ask us about the revolutionary intraocular lens called ReSTOR® which offers
patients the possibility of full range of vision correction
thereby reducing dependence on glasses. Also, TLC
Eyecare & Laser Centers are leaders in the field of laser
vision correction. Please call us at 877-852-8463 to
schedule an appointment.
TLC Eyecare & Laser Centers the area’s most
trusted source for comprehensive eyecare.
Laser Vision Correction including True Custom LASIK...
Diseases of the Eye, Macular Degeneration, Diabetic Eye Care, Dry Eye, Glaucoma
Ask us about the new and exciting options
for cataract treatment including:
• No Patch-No Stitch-No Injection Surgery
• The Revolutionary ReSTOR ® intraocular
lens designed to allow patients to see
clearly at all distances
Paul Ernest MD, Kevin Lavery MD,
Carmelina Gordon MD, Surendar Purohit MD,
Beuker Amann MD
We accept most insurances. Financing Available.
877.852.8463 /
www.tlceyecare.com
Locations include: Ann Arbor • Battle Creek • Chelsea
• Farmington Hills • Jackson • Kalamazoo • Lansing
33
Rachel’s Story
BY TRACY SUMMERS-MILLER
My interview
with Rachel,
a sufferer of Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome
By the time her second
child was two she decided
it was time to go to
the doctor.
34
Sleep…some of us love it,
some require eight hours of it, others think of it as a waste of time.
Rachel* tends to think the latter.
When she was a little girl bedtime
was as painful as chewing her
Flintstone® vitamin right after she
lost a tooth. Although, winter
wasn’t so bad, but the summer and
fall were excruciating. I mean,
making her go to bed when the
fireflies weren’t even out yet, well
that was just plane torture. Rachel
would do whatever she could to
stay awake; she didn’t need sleep.
There was too much to do to be in
bed, like riding her bike; playing
with the neighborhood kids;
watching TV with her parents;
reading; eating popcorn (because
the ONLY time to eat popcorn was
after it was dark; that’s always
when her parents ate it).
Eventually, she would succumb to
the night. As she got older she
understood why she needed more
sleep, however, that doesn’t mean
she agreed or liked it. Just like eating your green vegetables was supposed to be good for you.
Ironically, these two things, vegetables and sleep, will play an
important role in her adult life.
As Rachel transitioned into
high school, she was very active
with schoolwork, friends, parties,
school activities, and boys. All of
which kept her up late, so she
learned to live on roughly five to
six hours of sleep. She was often
ill, with the flu, strep throat and
colds, but kept up with the rigor-
ous schedule. By the time Rachel
was 15 she had suffered so many
throat infections she had to have
her tonsils removed. Rachel frequently complained of being tired
and just worn out, but dismissed it
as a hectic adolescent life. Often
when she was sick she would just
take the medication required and
keep going. Rachel, at 16, had her
first job, to add to the long list of
activities.
After graduation Rachel got a
full time job, and was never home.
She would work 40 hours plus, go
out all weekend long and work a
12 hour shift one day a week. At
this point in her life she was so
used to being fatigued she didn’t
realize how sleep deprived she
was. She would continue to have
swollen glands, sore throats, body
aches, headaches and inability to
concentrate but just treated the
symptoms as they occurred. In her
mind she thought, nobody is THIS
sick all the time.
Along came her wedding, and a
few years later her first born child.
Considering the schedule change
that a newborn brings, she expected to be exhausted at night and
drowsy all day at work. Weren’t all
new mothers? As time moved on,
she was so busy working, and taking care of the baby, things started
slipping, such as laundry, housework, and friendships. She was
finding it hard to balance all of
What’s Wrong
with Being Sleepy?
those things and still have time for
her husband, the baby, her family
and grocery shopping. Eventually,
she lost some friendships, and on
the weekends she physically couldn’t get out of bed until after 10 am.
So, needless to say she felt lazy,
and was so depressed that she
couldn’t be the way her mom was she felt like a failure. Ultimately,
time was on her side and her son
wasn’t so needy, the colic passed,
he was sleeping all night and life
was back on track.
When her son was three and a
half Rachel had her second baby,
and her life was really upside down
now. She loved her children dearly, but was so sleep deprived the
symptoms started up
again, however, much more
intense. Rachel passed it off as
having a newborn and a toddler, it
was flu season, and she was working full time. By the time her second child was two she decided it
was time to go to the doctor. At
this point, she was sleeping until 1
pm in the afternoon on Saturday’s
and 11am on Sunday’s. Although
her husband never mentioned it,
she could feel the tension. The
symptoms had become an unwelcome visitor in their marriage, and
they tip toed around it constantly.
It was such a vicious circle,
...continued...
You already may know that sleep is
good for the mind, but did you know that
sleep is good for the body, too?
When you don’t get enough sleep at
night, you may be well aware of the toll it
takes on your mind the next day as you
struggle with symptoms such as daytime
fatigue, irritability, impaired judgment, and
a reduced ability to pay attention and focus.
However, even if you think you feel fine
the next day or believe that your body is
gradually adapting to less sleep, chronic
sleep debt also can contribute to many
physical problems, including:
Excess Weight. Too little sleep, especially
slow wave, or “deep”, sleep causes a decline
in growth hormone production. Growth hormone deficiencies have been associated with
weight gain. Also, lack of sleep makes it more
difficult for your metabolism to process carbohydrates, enhancing your risk for packing
on more pounds.
Illness. Sleep debt has been associated
with a weakened immune system. Without
a strong immune system, you are more
susceptible to illnesses such as colds and
the flu.
Insulin Resistance. Short-term sleepers have trouble keeping their blood sugar
levels stable due to a drop in insulin
response. This reduced ability to process
blood sugar can lead to serious health conditions such as diabetes and obesity.
Heart Disease. Getting too little or too
much sleep can raise your blood pressure
and stress levels, both of which are factors
that can increase your risk of heart disease.
If you are not getting enough sleep, the
good news is that there are many easy
ways to sleep better and protect your
health. Consistent with our theme this
month you can add exercise to help sleep.
6 Quick Fitness Tips for Better Sleep
1. Exercise for at least 20 to 30 minutes per
day on most days of the week, or for longer
periods if your fitness level permits it.
2. For optimal sleep promotion, try to exercise in the afternoon.
3. Avoid intense exercise within three hours
of bedtime, which can disrupt sleep habits.
4. Intense exercise may offer more sleep
benefits; however, even moderate-intensity exercises can help. Do what you can.
5. Exercise in bright sunlight if possible.
6. Perform a combination of aerobic (walking, running) and anaerobic (weightlifting) exercises.
35
The Sleep Center
at BCHS
‘You spend a third of your life sleeping. If you are not getting a good
night’s sleep, the other two thirds of
your life will suffer as well!’
Sleep is not just a time out. It is
essential for renewing not only your
every-day physical health, but also
your mental wellbeing. If the time
you spend sleeping is not productive, you can expect your waking
hours to be unproductive too.
Sleep hygiene. Poor sleep hygiene
is often overlooked when a person
tries to analyze her or his sleepiness. We have terrible sleep habits.
Think about it, we lie around in bed
and watch television, we snack in
bed, and we tend to alter the times
when we go to bed and when we
arise, or even when we sacrifice
sleep to meet our busy daily schedules – all of those contribute to our
overall sleepiness.
About the BCHS center and staff.
The Battle Creek Health System
Sleep Center is one of only a select
few sleep labs in Michigan accredited by the American Academy of
Sleep Medicine (AASM). Located in
the Fieldstone Center on the corner
of Washington Avenue and West
Emmett Street, the BCHS Sleep
Center meets the needs of its customers by offering flexible hours,
conducting sleep studies seven days
a week, including both daytime and
nighttime so those who work nights
can be tested during their regular
sleep times. Pediatric sleep testing
and services are also available.
The Center has large, comfortable
rooms similar to hotel accommodations with full and queen-size beds,
TV, and private bathroom and
shower facilities.
Sleep studies at the Battle Creek
Health System’s Sleep Center are
offered by referral from a physician
only. If you think you have a sleep
disorder, consult your primary
health provider. When you do,
describe your symptoms as clearly
as possible. It might be helpful to
have your bed partner help in
describing your symptoms for the
physician as well. Ask your physician if she or he thinks a sleep study
would be helpful.
The Sleep Center director is a
board-certified sleep physician. The
highly skilled professional staff
includes a nurse practitioner, registered polysomnographic sleep technologists, registered respiratory
therapists, and registered electroencephalographic (EEG) technologists.
36
she slept so late she couldn’t go to bed
at night, so she started every work
week already wiped out. The symptoms were literally sucking the life out
of her.
The doctor’s appointment she went
to on a bitter cold day in January
changed her life forever. There were
blood tests, urine analysis, a physical,
and some ordinary mental questions.
Rachel was told she was suffering
from a chemical imbalance and
Chronic Epstein Barr Virus (CEBV)
and will eventually develop Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome (CFS). Apparently,
Rachel had contracted mononucleosis
(mono) six times over the past years,
and her immune system was weakened. Ultimately, she was told she
will own this disease the rest of her
life. She isn’t contagious; however,
she will need to change her sleeping,
eating habits and her all around
lifestyle. Due to the hormonal imbalance she was unable to get into a deep,
restful sleep, which in turn fed her
CEBV. She was advised to scale back
her calendar, start taking vitamins, eat
healthy and take care of her mental
and physical self. There is no cure for
this; one can only control it symptomatically.
Rachel’s mind was racing, she was
only 25! The diagnosis slapped her
hard in the face. What did the doctor
mean more sleep, less activity, naps,
eating more fruits and vegetables, not
working more than 40 hours...it was
endless? She felt broken, a failure at
motherhood just when it was beginning. How was she going to be Super
Mom like her own mother was? Such
as cooking every night, doing laundry
until 1 am, cleaning everyday, working
full- time, and going to activities.
What was this enemy and why did it
invade her life? People in their sunset
years get viruses, syndromes, and take
naps all day, don’t they? So, she did
what the doctor ordered, started taking
vitamins, drinking orange juice, eating
breakfast, eating more green leafy vegetables, but the sleeping part wasn’t fitting into her lifestyle.
Never a quitter, Rachel started her
own research, and was shocked at what
she uncovered. While there are still
debates on how you become infected
with this virus, experts agree in the
United States CFS is at epidemic portions. The disease affects children and
adults, over 70% of all Americans been
exposed. Alarmingly, 80% are women
between the ages of 25-45.
There are a number of other diseases with common characteristics
such as: Chronic Epstein Barr, myalgic
encephalomyelitis,
Yuppie
flu,
fibromyalgia, low natural killer cell
disease, and post-viral syndrome.
Neurasthenia is a disease dating back
to 1869 that had CFS characteristics.
The list of symptoms is almost neverending, fever, fatigue, sore throat,
swollen glands, joint pains, ear and
muscle aches, breathing pains, heat,
cold and light sensitivity, diarrhea, nausea/vomiting, chills, stomach pain,
weight loss, rashes, sleep problems,
dizziness, hair loss, night sweats, alcohol intolerance, bladder dysfunction,
lack of physical or speech coordination,
swelling of eyelids or hands and fingers,
odd sensations in the nerves or skin,
confusion, inability, to concentrate,
impaired reasoning, memory loss,
depression, anxiety and mood swings.
Researchers have concluded the CFS
disease is related to the herpes virus –
which is a common human virus.
Expert’s state by the time you are 6-8
weeks old the virus has marched into
your body and lays dormant until activated. CFS is known to activate or reactivate when the immune system in
weakened, by a common cold, the flu,
any type of infection, stress, depression
or lack of sleep. The other variances
from person to person are, the age of the
first onset, if the person is taking
immunosuppressive drugs and sometimes pregnancy. Researchers have also
noticed that 85% of CFS sufferers have
allergies that reactivate the disease.
Recently there has been information to
suggest this is hereditary. Some people
never realize they have it, while others
are handicapped by it.
Rachel has become skilled at living
with CFS for 8 years. She has moved
past the rage, the pity parties and faced it
head on. She has recently learned some
medications have been linked to side
effects of CFS; one she was prescribed to
help her with her sleep disorder.
I asked Rachel why she felt compelled to tell her story, her reply was
simple; “This disease/virus/syndrome
can take over your life if you let it.
Some doctors disagree on whether
CEBV and CFS are real or the ‘disease
of the month’. I just want people to
know I am real, and I deal with this
every waking moment of my life.”
Rachel informs me as we end this
interview, how ironic it is the things she
loathed as a child, eating vegetables, taking vitamins, napping and going to bed
on time are the very things that keep her
healthy, active and enjoying life with her
children today – how true that is.
If you feel you suffer from any form of
the above mentioned illness, please contact your doctor. For further information
please visit the following websites:
• www.well-net.com/prevent/cebv1.html
• www.holistic-online.com/Remedies/
cfs/cfs_drugs_causing_CFS.htm
• www.chclibrary.org/micromed/
00042760.html
• www.kathleenrockney.com/
Historic Northside
Family Practice
stephen
ROBINSON M.D.
seth
EGELSTON D.O.
marguerite
SAITH
M.D.
pam
NETHERY
NURSE
PRACTITIONER
327 CAPITAL AVE. N.E.
BATTLE CREEK, MI 49017
HOURS: MON, WED, THUR,
FRI 8:30 to 4:00
& TUES 8:30 to 6:00
269-969-6040
and looking to
be a part of yours
Select Speciality Hospital – a different kind
of hospital – uniquely designed to meet the
needs of medically complex, critically ill
and catastrophically injured patients. One
patient at a time, we make a difference in
our patients’ lives.
Our 32 bed acute care hospital is on the
6th floor of the Battle Creek Health System.
The setting is small, the work is vital, the
Charge Nurses:
Deb Smith, Jana Helkaa-Tenbrink,
Melinda White, & Cathy Winter
rewards are immeasurable. Help us to
rebuild lives by making us a part of yours.
300 North Avenue, 6th floor, • Battle Creek, MI 49016 • 269-565-8900 • www.selectmedicalcorp.com
*Name was changed to protect privacy
37
Entertainment Calendar
Events For September-October 2005 – ($) = Admission Fee (D) = Disabled Access
September
7 - Oct. 4: “Windows and
Mirrors”, Location: Olivet College,
Time: 8am-6pm, Contact:
(269) 749-7661
7 - 18: Summer Block Party!
Featuring displays and characters
made from LEGOS, Location:
Kellogg’s Cereal City USA, Contact:
(269) 962-6230 or 800-970-7020
www.kelloggscerealcity.com
7 - 30: Cornwell’s Turkeyville
Presents, “Singing in the Rain”
Location: Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA
Contact: (269) 781-4293 or 800-2284315 or www.turkeyville.com
7 - 30: Life in shadows & Hidden
Children from the Holocaust
This exhibit will only be in Chicago,
New York and Battle Creek!
Location: Art Center of Battle Creek
Contact: (269) 962-9511
www.unitedartscouncil.org
8: Singles & Couples Dance, Dick
Day, Time 7-10pm, Location Burnham
Brook, Cost: $5 members; $8 nonmembers, Contact: (269) 966-2566
10: Bronson Family Heath Fair,
Time: 10am-3pm, Location: Downtown
Kalamazoo
10: Alzheimer’s Association 2005
Memory Walk, Contact Angela Kelly,
(800) 337-3827
10: Civil War Rally and Social
Event, Location: GAR Hall
Contact: 800-877-5163
www.marshallmi.org
10: “Grandparent’s Day Tea Party”
Location: Leila Arboretum Society’s
Children’s Garden, Contact: (269) 9690270, Ext. 112 or www.lasgarden.org
10: Volunteer Dinner, Location:
Calhoun County Fairgrounds
Contact: (269) 781-8161
www.calhouncountyfair.org
10 - 11: 42nd Annual Marshall
Historic Home Tour, Location:
Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce
Contact: (269) 781-8544
www.marshallhistoricalsociety.org
10 - 11: Quilter’s Harvest
Location: Marshall Activity Center,
Calhoun County Quilt Guild
Contact: Joan Rop, (269) 962-9453
38
10 - 11: Cereal City Softball
Tournament, Location: Bailey Park
Contact: (269) 966-3431
www.bcparks.org
10 - 11: D.A.R. Antique Show
Location: Marshall Middle School
Contact: 800-877-5163
www.marshallmi.org
11: Animal Play Day “See Spot
Run”, Location: Binder Park Zoo
Contact: (269) 979-1351
www.binderparkzoo.org
11: West Michigan Muscle Car
Show and Swap Meet, Location:
Gilmore Car Museum,
Contact: (269) 671-5089
www.gilmorecarmuseum.org
12 - 13: Cole Bros. Circus,
Location: Lakeview Square Mall
Parking Lot, Time: 4:30 & 7:30,
www.gotothecircus.com
13: Battle Creek Ski Club
Time: 2nd Tuesday of each month,
6:30pm Trip sign up & Social hour,
7:30pm Meeting begins,
www.battlecreekskiclub.com
14 - 18: Gold Wing Road Riders
Rally, Location: Calhoun County
Fairgrounds, Contact: (269) 781-8161
www.calhouncountyfair.org
16: Lew Boyd Dance, Autumn
Dance, Time 7-10pm
Location Burnham Brook
Cost: $5 members; $8 non-members,
Snacks provided by Lew Boyd Band
Contact: (269) 966-2566
17: Animal Play Day “Primate Play
Day”, Location: Binder Park Zoo
Contact: (269) 979-1351
www.binderparkzoo.org
17 - 18: Arts & Craft Show
Location: Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA
Contact: (269) 781-4293 or 800-2284315 or www.turkeyville.com
17: Breakfast with Tony
Time: 8:30 AM - RESERVATIONS
REQUIRED, Location: Kellogg’s
Cereal City USA, Contact: (269) 9626230 or 800-970-7020
www.kelloggscerealcity.com
17: Alzheimer’s Association 2005
Memory Walk, Contact Angela Kelly,
(800) 337-3827
18: Fall Festival, Time: 9am-4pm
Location: Downtown Coldwater
Contact – Bob Huntley at (517) 2799375
17: Battle Creek Sweet Adelines
Annual Show “Harmony Showcase
2005 & Hometown Idol II”,
Location: KCC’s Binda Performing
Arts Center, Time: 7:30pm
Contact: (269) 962-9662
18: Historical Play, “Men of Vision”
Time: 2pm, Location: Historic
Adventist Village, Contact: Stanley
Cottrell, (269) 965-3000
www.adventistheritage.org
20: Dessert with Discussion Series:
Panda’s, people and policies
Time: 7:30-8:30pm, Location: KBS
Education Center, Gull Lake, $
Contact: Barbara Baker (269) 6718863 or www.kbs.msu.edu
20: Sparty Tea, Location: W. K.
Kellogg Manor House, $ Contact:
(269) 671-2416, www.kbs.msu.edu
22: Singles & Couples Dance, Night
Hawks, Time 7-10pm, Location
Burnham Brook, Cost: $5 members; $8
non-members, Contact: 966-2566
23 - 25: All Saints Superfest
Location: St. Joesph Church, $
Contact: (269) 961-2860
24 - 25: Antique & Flea Market
Location: Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA
Contact: (269) 781-4293 or 800-2284315 or www.turkeyville.com
24 - 25: Arts and Craft Fair
Location: Binder Park Zoo
Contact: (269) 979-1351
www.binderparkzoo.org
24 - 25: Civil War Re-Enactment
Location: Calhoun County Fairgrounds
Contact: Kathy Uker, (269) 671-4377
www.calhouncountyfair.org
24 - 25: Scout Expo, Location:
Binder Park Zoo, Contact: (269) 9791351 or www.binderparkzoo.org
24: Alzheimer’s Association 2005
Memory Walk, Contact Angela Kelly,
(800) 337-3827
24: “Harvest Festival”
Location: Leila Arboretum Society’s
Children’s Garden Contact: (269) 9690270, Ext. 112 or www.lasgarden.org
24: Reverend Raven and the Chain
Smokin’ Alter Boys, Location: Frankie
Center for the Arts, $
Contact: (269) 781-0001
25: Sunday Brunch, Location: W. K.
Kellogg Manor House, Time: 10am2pm, $, Contact: (269) 671-2400,
www.kbs.msu.edu
26: Golf Outing Hosed by MSU
Location: Battle Creek Country Club
Time: Registration begins at 11:30, $,
Contact: Don Keaton – (269) 968-3830
27: Positive Aging Series
Time: 6:30-9:30pm, $,
Contact: (269) 381-6290 ext.310
29: Singles & Couples Dance, Day
& Hodges, Time 7-10pm, Location
Burnham Brook, Cost: $5 members; $8
non-members, Contact: (269) 966-2566
October
1 - 29: Cornwell’s Turkeyville
The Center provides medical,
rehabilitation, over-night respite services
and social activities to Calhoun County
residents 18 years and older with
physical or mental disabilities.
Marian E. Burch
Boots Calhoun & Sadie Burch
1150 E. Michigan Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49014
269-962-1750
Adult Day Care Center
www.ccmcf.com/adult_day_care
e-mail: kjenkins@ccmcf.com
Presents, “Singing in the Rain”
Location: Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA
Contact: (269) 781-4293 or 800-2284315 or www.turkeyville.com
1: Fall Festival and Craft Show
Location: Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA
Contact: (269) 781-4293 or 800-2284315 or www.turkeyville.com
1 - 2: Howl-a-Palooza, Location:
Binder Park Zoo, Contact: (269) 9791351 or www.binderparkzoo.org
1 - 31: Life in the Shadows &
Hidden Children of the Holocaust
This exhibit will only be in Chicago,
New York and Battle Creek!
Location: Art Center of Battle Creek
Contact: (269) 962-9511
www.unitedartscouncil.org
2: Heritage Festival - Arts &
Crafts/Food, Time: 2-5pm
Location: Historic Adventist Village
Contact: Stanley Cottrell, (269) 9653000 or www.adventistheritage.org
2: Pumpkin Carving, Location:
Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA, Contact:
(269) 781-4293 or 800-228-4315
www.turkeyville.com
8: Marshall’s Harvest Festival
Location: Calhoun County Fairgrounds
Contact: CCAIS, (269) 781-8161
www.calhouncountyfair.org
8: The Battle Creek Symphony
Presents, “Elis Island: Dream of
America”, Contact: (269) 962-1911
www.musiccenterscmi.com
8: Animal Play “Just Horsing
Around”, Location: Binder Park Zoo
Contact: (269) 979-1351
www.binderparkzoo.org
8: “Celebrate Trees”, Location: Leila
Arboretum Society’s Children’s Garden
Contact: (269) 969-0270, Ext. 112
www.lasgarden.org
8 - 9: Antique & Flea Market
Location: Cornwell’s Turkeyville USA
Contact: (269) 781-4293 or 800-2284315 or www.turkeyville.com
9: Last day of 2005 at Binder Park
Zoo, Location: Binder Park Zoo
Contact: (269) 979-1351
www.binderparkzoo.org
39
Local Interest
Urology Associates
You have probably heard of Urology
Associates, we have been providing
comprehensive urologic care in the
Battle Creek, Marshall and surrounding
communities for over 30 years. The
physicians of Urology Associates, Louis
C. Remynse, M.D., Patrick J. Sweeney,
M.D., Douglas H. Green, M.D., Kevin
A. Brewton, M.D. and Jay M. Lonsway,
D.O. are dedicated to bringing state-ofthe-art care combined with compassion
close to home.
All of the physicians in Urology
Associates are university trained and
provide quality, state-of-the-art urologic
care. The past decade has brought some
exciting advances in the field of urology, providing new treatment options
both medically and surgically for our
patients.
We were the first group in West
Michigan to offer laparoscopic alternatives for treatment of multiple types of
urologic cancer, including cancers of
the kidney and prostate. In the past several years we have continued to offer the
most refined minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques available, including
the use of cryosurgery to freeze and
destroy tumors of the kidney and
prostate. In cooperation with Oaklawn
hospital, we continue to provide West
Michigan’s only center for da Vinci radical prostatectomy, in which the prostate
is removed laparoscopically with the
assistance of computer guidance.
Many people are bothered by bladder
and prostate issues that significantly
alter their quality of life. We are fortunate that in the past several years many
40
new medical and surgical alternatives to
the treatment of these disease processes
have occurred. We are able to offer
many medical alternatives to our
patients with significant urinary frequency and urgency symptoms, both
male and female. For those that require
further intervention, we are one of the
few groups in West Michigan that are
able to offer use of the Interstim device.
This is a small pacemaker-like device
that can actually override excessive
nerve stimulation to the bladder and significantly improve the quality of life for
patients with severe overactive bladder
symptoms that do not respond to the use
of medications. This amazing device
can also be used in patients who are
unable to empty their bladder, stimulating patients with chronic urinary retention to adequately drain their bladder
without the use of catheters. For those
with stress urinary incontinence, both
male and female, minimally invasive
surgical techniques have been developed
over the past several years that appear to
have long-term success and short recovery time. Some of these techniques can
be performed in the office, while the
remainder can generally be performed in
the outpatient surgery setting.
For men with noncancerous prostate
problems, we continue to offer a wide
spectrum of options ranging from medications to minimally invasive office
procedures such as the use of prostate
microwave therapy and Indigo laser of
the prostate. For those that require surgical intervention, we are pleased to
offer minimally invasive surgical solu-
tions such as Greenlight photoselective
vaporization of the prostate, an innovative alternative to the standard
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate
(TURP) with fewer side effects.
Urology Associates physicians continue to provide the best alternatives for
treatment of kidney stone disease,
incorporating the most modern minimally invasive techniques in treatment
as well as in prevention of kidney
stones.
In treating men with difficulties with
their erections we assist in the diagnosis
of potential underlying causes as well as
provide a variety of treatment options
for this condition. In the past several
years multiple medications have gained
wide publicity, but many men do not
realize that there are alternative forms
of therapy for those who do not respond
to these medications. We are pleased to
offer our patients additional therapy if
necessary.
We offer vasectomy and vasectomy
reversals in the office for the comfort
and convenience of out patients.
We will be moving to our new office
in November 2005. This new facility,
located at 4441 Capital Avenue SW, will
allow us to better serve our patients,
offering them a modern, comfortable
and enjoyable experience. We are excited about the new facility and sharing it
with our patients.
If you have any questions or would
like to schedule an appointment with
one of our physicians please call 269969-6196. Please see our website at
www.urologyassociatesbc.com.
B O A R D C E R T I F I E D I N U R O LO G Y
LEFT TO RIGHT
KEVIN A. BREWTON, M.D.
PATRICK J. SWEENEY, M.D.
LOUIS C. REMYNSE, M.D.
JAY M. LONSWAY, D.O.
DOUGLAS H. GREEN, M.D.
269-969-6196
Battle Creek:
363 Fremont, Suite 100
Marshall:
111 S. Hamilton
Also in Coldwater & Jonesville
• Prostate
• Impotence
• Prostate Cancer
Seeding
• Minimally Invasive
Surger y
• Kidney Stone
• Bladder Diseases
• Vasectomy
• Vasectomy Reversal
• Incontinence
• daVinci Robotics
visit us at www.urologyassociatesbc.com
41
Local Interest
BY MARILYN LIEBER
Bochenek Named Calhoun County Fitness Ambassador
Bob Bochenek of Marshall was
named as the Calhoun County Fitness
Ambassador and will be running with
Governor Jennifer Granholm in the 2nd
Annual Labor Day Mackinac Bridge
Run on September 5.
Bochenek who is an employee of the
State of Michigan in the Department of
Information Technology has been married to his wife Lorraine for 32 years
and has a son Rob living in Anchorage,
Alaska and a daughter, Lisa, son-in-law,
Brian and grandson, Jesse, who reside
in South Lyon, Michigan. As ambassador Bochenek will serve as a role model
for developing a healthier life style
through regular physical activity.
Bochenek starting running at age 46
to get rid of stress and to challenge his
aging body and has been running and
competing in races the past 12 years.
Bochenek commented “ At first I never
imagined I could complete a marathon
but after several years of running I
found that through training and perseverance I could be successful. I have
participated in many 5 and 10K races
throughout the state and completed several marathons including Detroit,
Boston, Chicago and U.S. Marine
Corps. I have even convinced several
of my Tuesday-Thursday Club members to walk in a marathon this year.”
Battle Creek’s
Original Christian Station!
The Christian Family Network, INC. • 269-965-1515
15074 6-1/2 Mile Road, Battle Creek, MI • EMAIL: wolyradio@sbcglobal.net
Ministry & Music for the Whole Family of God.
42
In addition to his personal running,
Bochenek has organized several running/walking events to raise funds for
the Sceleroderma Foundation of
Michigan.
This is the second year that the annual Mackinac Bridge Walk on Labor Day
will include a separate run. Bochenek
will join approximately 300 participants
from around the state who will begin
their race just moments prior to the start
of the traditional walk that hosted more
than 58,000 people in 2004.
“The runners in this event are so
inspirational,” said Marilyn Lieber,
President and CEO of the Governor’s
Council on Physical Fitness, Health and
Sports. “The
stories
of
our
Ambassadors often show that living a
healthy lifestyle is obtainable and
rewarding. We are honored to have so
many wonderful role models participating in this event.”
This year’s run will also include
employees
representing
21
of
Michigan’s state departments in honor
of these hard working individuals. In
addition, cross-country team members
of Adrian College, Central Michigan
University and Lake Superior State
University will represent their school in
this event by running and also volunteering at the finish line.
Ambassadors were selected by the
Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness,
Health and Sports as part of its Active
Michigan Summer program. The Active
Michigan Summer program is designed
to encourage Michigan residents to “get
moving” all summer as “training” for
the a five-mile walk on Labor Day,
either at the Mackinac Bridge or in a
local community walk. Active Michigan
Summer is sponsored by Farm Bureau
Insurance and the Michigan Department
of Community Health. For more information on Active Michigan Summer,
visit www.michiganfitness.org or call
800-434-8642.
The Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness,
Health and Sports and the Michigan Fitness
Foundation envision a physically educated population with the knowledge and skills to enjoy a
healthy, vigorous lifestyle in communities
designed to support physical activity. Its programs
reach a wide range of people in a systematic way,
helping people to maintain lifelong health and
prevent chronic disease. The Michigan Fitness
Foundation is a nonprofit public charity foundation licensed to solicit charitable gifts and grants
to support council programs. For more information, contact the Governor’s Council at (800) 4348642 or visit www.michiganfitness.org.
Local Interest
Man Grateful to Wheels to Work
Today Anthony Torres is a man in
constant motion: full-time social worker for the Nursing Clinic of Battle
Creek; father of two toddlers; graduate
school student; community volunteer.
His 1987 Ford Escort station wagon
represents more than a simple method
of traveling from one place to another
– Torres credits the vehicle, obtained
through Goodwill’s Wheels to Work
program, for allowing him to continue
earning his livelihood, following an
automobile accident.
“I am so fortunate to live in this
community, where something like
Wheels to Work is available,” Torres
said. “Without it, I could not have
maintained my employment or continued my education.”
Life changed in an instant for Torres
during a sudden winter storm in 2002.
While driving from Western Michigan
University classes to his then-workplace, the Food Bank of South Central
Michigan (located in Fort Custer
Industrial Park), his car slid across the
lanes of M-96, into the path of an
oncoming truck. The truck struck
Torres’ 1987 Mercury Grand Marquis
with such force that the car crumpled
around him. Emergency crews at the
scene extricated Torres from the
wreckage with pry bars.
Torres found himself nursing broken bones, which he dismissed as the
least of his troubles: “I’m a veteran –
old soldiers do not feel pain!” he
laughed as he recalled the early days
after the accident. “But the hard reality hit me that I desperately needed a
vehicle to keep my job. My position
mandated that I travel throughout the
Food Bank’s eight-county service area.
Plus, I need to drive back and forth to
WMU’s campus in Kalamazoo for my
final exams and to begin my last
semester as an undergraduate. I felt
anxious and uncertain about how my
life could progress.”
Torres made some inquiries and was
referred to Wheels to Work, a program designed to provide vehicles at
lower-than-fair-market value for individuals needing transportation to maintain their employment. Wheels to
Work had just been launched by
Michigan
Heartland
Goodwill
Industries two months earlier, and the
timing was right. The day Torres met
with Wheels to Work Vice President
Doug Ivey, a generous donor had
dropped off the Ford Escort wagon. It
sported a 4-speed manual transmission
and its odometer showed 94,000 miles.
“I took a test drive, and though it
may not seem to be a very ‘manly’ car,
it felt just right for me,” Torres said. “I
purchased it for about $800. I left the
Wheels to Work lot, thinking, ‘What a
value; what a deal!’”
Months followed, filled with physical therapy, a slow return to a full-time
work schedule, more class work, and
eventually marriage and children.
Torres feels that he would not be in his
self-described “fortunate station in
life” without the opportunity to close
the transportation gap after his accident
with a Wheels to Work vehicle.
“None of this could have happened
without somebody actually donating a
vehicle to Goodwill,” Torres concluded. “I wish I had the opportunity to
meet the person who had the vision and
compassion to make transportation a
reality for me. Most of us take transportation for granted. That car, donated to Wheels to Work, has allowed me
to resume my life and accomplish so
much. And I’ll never take that for
granted.”
The truth about
vehicle donations...
The 211 calls continue. People need reliable
transportation to maintain employment and
we cannot meet the demand!
If your donated vehicle is used in a program like Goodwill’s Wheels
to Work, you may still deduct the fair
market value from your taxes.
A person who wants to
be a productive citizen
needs your vehicle!
CALL GOODWILL’S WHEELS
TO WORK to see if your vehicle
qualifies. 269-962-9000
MICHIGAN HEARTLAND
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES
www.mihgoodwill.org
IT’S OKAY TO DONATE YOUR VEHICLE !
43
Local Interest
BY ANGELA KELLY
Alzheimer’s Association’s Memory Walk
The Alzheimer’s Association’s
2005 Battle Creek Memory Walk for
Alzheimer’s disease will be held
Saturday, September 10, 2005 at
Binder Park Zoo. The annual event
raises awareness and funds to support
local programs for people with
Alzheimer’s disease, their families and
caregivers.
Funds are generated
through sponsors and donations made
to walkers.
“We expect nearly 170 people from
the Battle Creek area to participate in
the walk,” said Mary Frenza, president
and CEO, Alzheimer’s Association,
Michigan Great Lakes Chapter. “Their
participation allows us to continue to
provide a broad range of programs and
services for people with the disease,
their families, care partners, and health
care professionals.”
Memory Walk is a family event that
features refreshments, displays, and
information about Alzheimer’s disease. Shirley DeRuiter, assistant publisher, Scene Magazine, is honorary
chair for the 2005 Battle Creek
Memory Walk and will lead walkers on
the 1 and 3 mile walks through Binder
Park Zoo. Each walker will receive a
free goody bag with items from local
merchants; walkers that turn in $75 or
more in donations on Walk day will
receive an official Memory Walk T-
shirt. All participants are welcome to
walk in honor of or in memory of a
loved one. Memory Walk registration
kicks-off at 8:00 a.m.; the walk begins
at 9:00 a.m. To register for Memory
Walk 2005 or make a donation, call
800.272.3900 or visit www.alzmigreatlakes.org.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s
Memory Walk, held in more than 600
communities nationwide, has raised
approximately $175 million for programs and services to support individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Last
year, nearly 2,400 walkers took part in
the Michigan Great Lakes Chapter’s
10 walks and raised more than
$340,000 to help provide education
and support services for local families
affected by Alzheimer’s disease.
Today, about 4.5 million Americans
have Alzheimer’s disease including
more than 2,500 Calhoun County residents.
Battle Creek Memory Walk is funded in part by Heartland Health Care
Centers and WBCK 930 AM.
The Alzheimer’s Association is the
world leader in Alzheimer research
and support. Through a national network of advocates and chapters, it
advances research, improves services
and care, creates awareness of
Alzheimer’s disease and mobilizes sup-
Spending Time With Your Loved One
by Becky Moore
If you have a friend or loved with
Alzheimer’s then you have probably
experienced some frustrations as you
try to communicate, enjoy activities,
or just plan your day. Planning activities for the person with Alzheimer’s
disease involves continual experimentation and adjustment. Consider the
person’s likes and dislikes, strengths
and abilities. As the disease progresses, keep activities flexible. Choose
activities that bring meaning, purpose, and joy to the person’s life.
Look for activities that are dignified
and appropriate for adults. Select
activities where the process is more
important than the final outcome.
44
Examples of Activities:
• Prepare and eat breakfast
• Make a craft or reminisce
• Do household chores
• Take a walk
• Listen to music
• Do some gardening
• Reminisce over coffee and cookies
• Read to them
• Give a massage
In most cases, structured, pleasant
activities decrease agitation and
improved mood. The nature of the
activity and the degree to which the
person completes it successfully are
not as important as the pleasure and
the sense of accomplishment the person derives from it.
port. The Michigan Great Lakes
Chapter serves a 21-county region of
Michigan that includes Calhoun
County. The chapter has offices in Ann
Arbor, Kalamazoo, Lansing and
Muskegon and serves an estimated
41,000 people with Alzheimer’s disease.
Evidence mounts: Healthy lifestyle
may protect the brain
Need another reason to lose weight,
stop smoking, eat your broccoli and
get off the couch? Research suggests
that weight, blood pressure, cholesterol level, lung function, leisure activity and a diet rich in vegetables are all
linked to the risk of getting
Alzheimer’s disease.
“Although Alzheimer’s is a complex
disease with complex causes, studies
bolster evidence that we may be able to
influence at least some factors in the
mix,” said William H. Thies, Ph.D.,
Alzheimer’s Association vice president, medical and scientific affairs.
A decades-long study under way at
Stockholm’s Karolinska Institute
shows that individuals who were obese
in middle age are twice as likely to
develop dementia later. For those who
also had high mid-life cholesterol and
blood pressure, dementia risk was six
times higher. Another Karolinska
study found women who scored in the
lowest fifth on lung function stood
twice the risk of developing dementia
as women with the healthiest lungs.
Yet another Karolinska project suggests that leisure pursuits involving
mental, social or physical activity all
seem to offer some protection against
dementia. The greatest benefit came
from complex pursuits combining two
or three types of activity.
Diet may also play a role. Findings
from the long-running Nurses’ Health
Study show that women who eat the
most vegetables from the leafy green
group (such as spinach) or the cruciferous family (broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale and their relatives)
declined less on cognitive tests than
those who eat little of these foods. The
difference amounted to being about
one to two years younger in terms of
cognitive aging.
IF YOU’RE ON THE LIST...THEN YOU’RE ON THE WEB...
ALLEN ANTIQUE BARN
9247 W. Chicago Rd., Allen, MI 49227
517-869-2888
www.allenantiquebarn.com
DOMINO’S PIZZA
145 W. Columbia, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-968-6200
www.dominos.quikorder.com
OMNI FAMILY CREDIT UNION
3141 Capital Ave., SW, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-441-1400
www.omnifamilycu.org
ALLEN ANTIQUE MALL
9011 W. Chicago, Allen, MI 49227
517-869-2788
EDWARD ROSE & SONS
115 Pine Knoll Dr., Battle Creek, MI 49014
269-962-0222
www.edwardrose.com
PHAFF PORTRAIT STUDIO
690 Capital Ave., NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-964-4306
e-mail: Phaffoto@aol.com
ARON’S BISTRO
Lakeview Square Mall, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-979-3395
FAMILY Y CENTER
182 Capital Ave., NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-963-9622
www.ymcabattlecreek.org
PROGRESSIVE PRINTING & GRAPHICS
148 E. Columbia, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-965-8909
www.progressiveprinting.net
BATTLE CREEK ASSN. OF HOMEBUILDERS
159 S. Woodrow, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-962-2844
fx: 269-962-2844
FARLEY ESTES & DOWDLE FUNERAL DIRS.
105 Capital Ave., NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-962-5527
www.farleyestesdowdle.com
RADIO COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
176 Meachem, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-963-4171
fx: 269-963-2426
BATTLE CREEK CARDIOLOGY
363 Fremont St., Ste 108, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-965-3521
fx: 269-965-8715
FELPAUSCH SUPPORT OFFICE
127 S. Michigan, Hastings, MI 49058
269-945-3485
www.felpausch.com
RE/MAX Perrett Assoc., Inc./MIKE DOWNING
121 Capital Ave., NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-968-6101
www.battlecreek-homes.com
BATTLE CREEK HEALTH SYSTEM
300 North Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49016
269-966-8000
www.bchealth.com
FOUNDATION FOR BEHAVIORAL RESOURCES
600 South Lincoln, Augusta, MI 49012
269-731-5775
fx: 269-731-5346
SCHWEITZER
9807 Bellevue Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49016
269-963-1579
www.schweitzer-inc.com
BATTLE CREEK LANGUAGE & CULTURE CTR.
7 Heritage Oak Lane #4, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-979-8432
www.bclanguageculture.com
FRANCOIS’
116 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-381-4958
www.francoiskazoo.com
SIMS/KNOLL’S ELECTRIC
466 Main, Battle Creek, MI 49014
269-963-7910
fx: 269-962-7276
BATTLE CREEK TILE & MOSAIC CO.
1338 W. Michigan, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-962-8779
fx: 269-962-0620
GINNY SUE’S FRAME & DESIGN
By Appointment
269-781-2564
SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN EYE CENTER
3600 Capital Ave. SW #203, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-979-6383
www.swmec.yourmd.com
BURNHAM BROOK
200 West Michigan, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-966-2566
www.burnhambrook.com
GREAT LAKES PLASTIC & HAND SURGERY
3600 Capital Ave., SW, Ste. 205, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-979-0900 www.glplasticandhandsurgery.com
STUFFNIQUES
9011 W. Chicago, Allen, MI 49227
517-869-2788
269-979-1411 ext. 103
CAL. CO. MEDICAL CARE FACILITY
1150 E. Mich. Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49014
269-962-5458
www.ccmcf.com
HURON CAMERA & VIDEO
10 W. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-965-7285
www.huroncamera.com
SUNTRUST MORTGAGE, INC.
291 E. Columbia, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-963-0820
www.suntrustmortgage.com
CAPITAL FLORIST & GIFTS INC.
19615 Capital Ave NE, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-962-5422
www.flowerfocus.com
JIM HAZEL CITGO/AUTO PARTS STORE
14301 Beadle Lake Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49014
269-966-9153
fx: 269-968-1142
TAKING THE LEAD DOG TRAINING
2050 17 Mile Rd., Marshall, MI 49068
269-781-7800
www.MichiganDog.com
CARPET WAREHOUSE
20 Griffin Ct., Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-968-1269 www.cwcarpetwarehouse.com
LISA’S BOUTIQUE
1552 E. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49014
269-788-9303
TLC EYECARE & LASER CENTERS
363 Fremont, Suite 301, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-964-3018
www.tlceyecare.com
COLDWELL BANKER JOY BROWN REALTY CO. / ANNETTE GOODALE
7055 Tower Rd., Ste. H, Battle Creek, MI 49014
269-986-2155
annettegoodale@aol.com
MICH. HEARTLAND GOODWILL INDUSTRIES
4820 Wayne Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-964-9455
www.mihgoodwill.org
UROLOGY ASSOCIATES, PC
363 Fremont Ste. 100, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-969-6196 www.urologyassociatesbc.com
COMPUTER VISION NETWORKS, INC.
1204 N. Eaton, Albion, MI 49224
269-288-0415
fx: 269-288-0418
MICHIGAN TILE & CARPET
99 E. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-962-6227
www.michtile.com
WESTERN MICH UNIV. - KENDALL CENTER
50 W. Jackson St., Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-965-5380
www.bc.wmich.edu
CSM GROUP INC.
13800 E. Michigan Ave., Galesburg, MI 49053
269-746-5600
www.csmgroup.com
MONARCH COMMUNITY BANK
107 North Park Ave., Marshall, MI 49068
269-781-5103
www.MonarchCB.com
WOLY AM 1500
15074 6-1/2 Mile Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-965-1515
fx: 269-965-1315
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MED. CTR.
5500 Armstrong Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-966-5600
fx: 269-966-5433
NARCONON STONE HAWK
216 St. Mary’s Lake Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-969-9773
www.narcononstonehawk.com
WORGESS INSURANCE AGENCY
55 N. McCamly, Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-965-3221
fx: 269-965-8853
DIGITAL HIGHWAY
175 Hill-Brady Rd., Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-660-6600
www.digital-hwy.com
OAKLAWN HOSPITAL
200 North Madison, Marshall, MI 49068
269-781-4271
www.oaklawnhospital.org
WW THAYNE ADVERTISING
4642 Capital Ave., SW, Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-979-1411
fx: 269-979-3474
45
Minority
Business
Development
Month
BY JOYCE A. BROWN, PH.D.
Organizational Development
Solutions LLC
October is Minority
Business Development Month.
tax base, expands employment
Minority Business Development
opportunities, and generates
Month serves several purposes.
wealth for business owners and
The month affords the entire com-
their families. Expanding both the
munity an opportunity to honor
number of businesses and increas-
minority businesses for their con-
ing supplier diversity are two
tributions to the economy as well
strategies for boosting the local,
as the quality of life within their
state, and national economy.
communities. The month brings
The number of minority busi-
“Carla’s advise to new
together people to share their suc-
nesses is growing six times faster
entrepreneurs is to learn all you
cesses, learn from one another and
than non-minority businesses. In
gain insights in stronger business
1997, more than three million
development. Finally, the month
minority-owned businesses were
offers an opportunity to explore
identified; 84,000 of these busi-
how to create stronger partner-
nesses posted annual revenues in
ships, stronger business diversity
excess of $1 million and employed
programs that are beneficial to the
more than 50 percent of their com-
total community.
bined 4.5 million workforce.
can about your field of
business – the positives as well
as the downfalls. Never be afraid
to take a risk on yourself.”
The minority population is the
The U. S. Census Bureau
fastest-growing segment of the
released preliminary data from the
nation’s population, with a buying
2002 Survey of Business Owners
potential projected at $1.5 trillion.
recently. The report contained
Creating, strengthening minority
good and bad news relating to the
business is critical for all aspects
nationwide growth of minority
of community development.
businesses during the five year
Creating new opportunities for
period, 1998 – 2002. The number
minority-owned (African
of Hispanic-owned firms grew by
American, Asian American,
Hispanic American, or Native
46
American) businesses increases the
31%, and Black-owned firms grew
by 45%. The national rate of
growth was 10%.
Sales receipts for these groups
also grew significantly. Hispanic
firms’ receipts grew by 22%, and
Black firms’ receipts grew by 30%.
The national rate of growth for all
firms was 22%.
The growth of minority businesses in the State of Michigan
was uneven. The number of
Hispanic businesses fell by 1% but
saw their receipts grow by 63%.
The number of Black-owned businesses grew by 73% but receipts
fell by 6%.
...continued...
47
CARLA C. REYNOLDS
EXCLUSIVE AGENT
285 North Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-962-0822
Email: a066538@allstate.com
24 Hour Customer Service
Auto, Home, Business and Life
LYNETTE LOMASON
PRESIDENT
165 South Union St.
Battle Creek, MI 49014
CALHOUN
COUNTY ANIMAL
SHELTER, INC.
269-963-6582
www.ccanimalshelter.com
J. ELAINE BROWN, PhD
PRESIDENT/CEO
235 North Avenue
Battle Creek, MI 49017
269-962-3001
Specializing in Comprehensive Roofing
Needs For Corporations
48
The Census Bureau’s 2002 Survey of
Business Owners data on minority- and
women-owned businesses is very helpful in understanding the growth and
other changes that are taking place with
these businesses. More detailed reporting, including county level data, will
become available in 2006. Minority
businesses face multiple challenges during start-up and growth. Numerous
studies indicate that the most common
reasons for the failure of new businesses include:
• Inadequate market knowledge
• Ineffective marketing and sales efforts
• Inadequate awareness of competitive
pressures
• Poor timing for the start of the new
business
• Undercapitalization, unforeseen operating expenses and related financial
difficulties
It is important to go beyond just statistical rationale for observing Minority
Business Development Month. Beyond
the statistics are local men and women
who are succeeding as entrepreneurs.
Significant numbers of minorities go
into business ventures with both preparation and a full understanding of the
challenges they will face. One of those
local entrepreneurs is Carla Reynolds.
Carla Reynolds is an Exclusive Agent,
Allstate Insurance Company. Carla has
been with Allstate since she graduated
from Western Michigan University in
1985. Carla has a Business
Administration degree with a minor in
Marketing. While preparing for life
after college, she interviewed with 11
companies. As she went through the
interview process, she began to reflect
on what was important to her. The companies she interviewed with were seeking employees; those jobs did not afford
her the flexibility she needed. She knew
that she would be starting a family and
wanted to be able to fulfill career and
family roles successfully.
Carla wanted flexibility and the
opportunity to be her own boss. She
wanted to work with people. When she
met with Allstate Insurance, Carla realized that she could develop and grow
her own business. In the early years,
Allstate provided her with training and
support. Yet, Carla faced the challenges
of being a woman in a male-dominated
industry. There were few women leaders in the insurance industry when she
began her business. There were no
meetings, no networking events and few
people she could call on for support.
Yet, she persevered and has now been
with Allstate for almost 20 years.
In addition to running a successful
business, Carla is wife and mom. Her
sons, Brandon and Brock are good students, active in sports, and involved in
numerous community activities. Carla
finds time to volunteer at their
schools—currently she serves as a
member of the Reproductive Health
Committee for Battle Creek Public
Schools. Carla gives back to the community that supports her. She has volunteered with the Urban League. She supports Cereal City Hoopsters, a youth
program where her sons play basketball
while developing leadership skills. She
has supported WFPM 99.5LP and the
NAACP. She is also a member of Delta
Sigma Theta Sorority.
Carla’s advise to new entrepreneurs
is to learn all you can about your field of
business – the positives as well as the
downfalls. Never be afraid to take a risk
on yourself.
Developing long-term opportunities
and corporate relationships that lead
to real business development opportunities.
Minority Business Development
Month is another opportunity to develop
relationships with other businesses. The
preliminary 2002 Census Bureau data is
instructive in thinking about how to
approach business development in the
Battle Creek community and the market
that serves the City of Battle Creek.
The contrast between the growth of
Hispanic and Black firms indicates the
volatility of business development
among disadvantaged and emerging
populations. Local corporate CEOs and
their boards are encouraged to review
these numbers and identify strategies to
promote growth in minority business.
Take some time during the month to
create at least one new relationship with
a minority business. Reach out to established minority business people in the
community, so that minority entrepreneurs can take advantage of development opportunities. Minority businesses
also need to identify potential company
partners and pursue relationship with
them.
Locally, we need to find a way to
bring together minority businesses with
the community’s business sector to generate the strategies to increase the number and vitality of minority businesses.
Such a dialogue will help minority businesses to gain new insights on how to
survive and thrive as vendors for major
corporations. Such dialogue can result
in increasing the purchasing activity
between major corporations and minority business enterprises.
Donet Jacobs and Jeremiah Boyle
wrote in Making the Case for Minority
Business Development in American
Corporations that minority supplier
development is a profitable undertaking
because it:
• Protects a company’s ability to
deliver. Developing a deep stable of
domestic suppliers safeguards the cor-
poration from sudden market shifts,
geo-political developments, and catastrophic disruptions in suppliers’ ability to deliver as promised.
• Taps domestic growth opportunities. Minority-owned companies in
America’s urban centers present
opportunities for corporations to
strengthen their supplier networks and
offer one of the last, untapped growth
areas in domestic markets.
• Creates affinities with emerging
markets. Doing business with minority-owned
companies
improves
employment opportunities in minority
communities, increasing their purchasing power and, potentially, creating an affinity for a company’s brands
or products within these fast-growing
markets.
Government purchasing and contracting
opportunities may be a way for you to build
your business. Did you know that the City of
Battle Creek spends millions of dollars
annually with small and large firms for a
wide array of goods and services? Please
contact Joyce Brown to register your busi-
Marc Morial, President of the
National Urban League said “Small
businesses create local jobs and offer
the minority community economic
empowerment – the opportunity to build
individual wealth.”
Minority businesses understand the
process of wealth creation and how to
preserve their legacies for generations
to come.
We need to use this month to dialogue about ways we can dramatically
increase the number, magnitude and
success rate of minority-owned and
women-owned businesses in Battle
Creek City; and dramatically increase
contracting and procurement dollars
spent with minority-owned and womenowned businesses. The following areas
are beginning topics for discussion purposes only. Facilitate greater involvement of minority-owned businesses in
identified growth sectors of the City’s
economy (e.g. tourism, technology, real
estate development). Working collaboratively, we can:
• Advocate for minority inclusion and
participation on equity projects utilizing public funding,
• Partner to bridge the gap between
small and large business entities.
• Encourage and facilitate partnerships
between developers, communitybased organizations for investment,
community development and workforce initiatives.
Please add your own growth suggestions to the list. Battle Creek and every
facet of the community needs to be committed to helping build and sustain a
strong minority business community –
because what’s good for the minority
business community is good for Battle
Creek. If our city is to move forward, we
must empower entrepreneurs, generate
jobs, build our tax base and create wealth
in every neighborhood in our city.
235 North Avenue, Battle
Creek, MI 49017
269.441.3202
fax 269.441.3205
joycebrown@ctsmail.net
ness with the City of Battle Creek or take a
moment to register your business with the
City of Battle Creek on their website...
www.ci.battle-creek.mi.us/purchasing
Open 24 Hours
Located on the corner of
Capital & Columbia
STORE: 269-969-9400 / PHARMACY: 269-969-9500
Pharmacist Always On Duty
Drive-Thru Pharmacy
• RETAIL ITEMS
• PHARMACY – EASY PRESCRIPTION TRANSERS
• ONE HOUR PHOTO –
INCLUDING NEW INTERNET PHOTO SERVICE
• GROCERY ITEMS
• SPECIAL ITEMS: Hallmark Greeting Cards,
All Your Cosmetic Needs, Russell Stover Candies,
“As Seen on TV” Items
OTHER LOCATIONS:
Capital & Emmett – 269-965-2338
Beckley & M-66 – 269-979-5394
www.walgreens.com
49
To Be Drug Free
BY LAURA L. MARTINEZ
Project TND Goes To School
The anti-drug campaign of the 80’s
was short, sweet, and to the point: “Just
say no!” It sounded like a logical
approach. Teens should simply say “no”
when offered a drug or alcohol. But
after spending a decade in youth ministry and, more recently, working with
the Substance Abuse Council of Greater
Battle Creek, I am acutely aware of how
lacking the “Just say no” approach is to
many of our teens in 2005.
Young people not only face intense
pressure to use alcohol and do drugs,
but they also face being ridiculed and
even ostracized if they don’t. Saying no
is easier said than done.
Earlier this summer I had the privilege of overseeing the implementation of
Project TND as a part of Battle Creek
Central High School’s Transition Camp
for some 66 incoming freshmen. TND
stands for “Toward No Drug Abuse” and
is a twelve-session program designed to
give teens the tools and truths they need
to make good choices regarding alcohol,
tobacco, drugs, and life!
What sets TND apart from other
drug prevention programs is its unique
philosophy of presenting facts, dispelling myths, teaching important life
skills and then allowing the teens to
think through the issues themselves. I
can tell you from personal experience
that most teens today are capable of
grasping the devastating effects of drugs
and alcohol and of making sound decisions for themselves.
Typically run in a traditional classroom setting, Project TND is led by a
trained facilitator. Facts are presented in
creative ways such as a game of
Tobacco Basketball where teams earn
the chance to shoot a basket by correctly answering tobacco-related trivia
questions. Students explore the effects
of substance abuse on family and
friends in a live talk show format in
which students play the parts of the
guests and the studio audience. Wearing
Fatal Vision Goggles while maneuvering through an obstacle course allows
teens to experience firsthand how even a
LISTENING • RESPONDING • WORKING TOGETHER
Battle Creek Public Schools has much to offer your
children Pre-K to Graduation. The diversity of our student
population, our curricular offerings, and extra curricular
opportunities are our greatest assets.
For a packet of information about Battle Creek Public Schools
contact: Communications Department 269-965-9486 or
srobbins@battle-creek.k12.mi.us.
3 West VanBuren Street, Battle Creek, Michigan 49017
Website: www.battlecreekpublicschools.org
50
small amount of alcohol can impair
vision and motor skills. Other topics
such as self-control, stress, goals, drug
myths, and violence are addressed using
small group brainstorming, role playing, group discussions, videos, and special guest speakers.
Transition Camp students who participated in the program this summer
were given an opportunity to share their
opinions at the end of the experience
through an anonymous survey. The
results showed that the Fatal Vision
Goggles were by far the most popular
activity with teens answering the question “What is one thing you learned during TND?” with comments like:
• “How hard it is to do things when your
vision is impaired.”
• “Don’t drink and drive!”
• “Don’t let anyone drive under the
influence of alcohol.”
But Fatal Vision Goggles were not
the only part of the curriculum that
impacted the students. Other answered
the above question with statements like:
• “Smoking and drinking is worse than I
thought.”
• “You have to have self respect.”
• “Even a small amount of a drug can
cause you to abuse it.”
• “How to deal with stress.”
• “Every time you smoke you lose seven
minutes of your life.”
• “Don’t be a bully; you might make a
kid blow up at school.”
• “No matter what drug you do it can
hurt you.”
• “How to control myself.”
• “Drugs are NOT a stress reliever.”
Lest I sound like we are declaring
“Mission accomplished,” let me assure
you there is much work to be done. The
Substance Abuse Council of Greater
Battle Creek is excited to be working
with Battle Creek Public Schools this
fall as Project TND becomes a part of
the health curriculum at both BCCHS
and South Hill Academy.
Remember, the goal of TND? To equip
teens with the truths and tools they need
to make good life choices. In light of that,
I must share what two other students said
they learned through Project TND. One
said, “Be your own leader.” Another commented that he/she learned “how to make
better choices.” It is difficult for young
people today to “Just say no” to drugs.
But when teens are equipped with good
information and crucial life skills, they
can make positive choices that will lead
to healthy, happy lives.
Crime Scene
BY JOHN HALLACY
Domestic Violence – “Men for Change”
There is a
quote on a plaque
in the Prosecutor’s
Office
Crime
Victim Unit that
applies to this article, it reads:
“Our lives begin
to end the day we become silent
about things that matter”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Too often in our society today, we
the members of the community have
come to isolate ourselves from the
troubles and difficulties that others in
our community face on a daily basis.
Domestic Violence is a great example
of an issue the community has been
silent about. While progress has been
made in addressing this issue, we have
more to do.
In 2003, law enforcement in
Calhoun County responded to 3013
calls for service relating to Domestic
Violence. In 2003, 1814 arrests were
made as a result of these calls for service. In 2003, the Calhoun County
Prosecutor’s Office issued 885
Domestic Violence related arrest warrants. In 2003, in 85.5% of the cases
issued by the Calhoun County
Prosecutor’s Office the victim was a
woman and the offender was a man.
In our society today it is rare to hear
a man speak out on the issue of
Domestic Violence. Usually it is a
woman or a women’s group that is
advocating for help or progress on this
issue. Why? Why does our society perceive Domestic Violence (and Rape) as
an issue that women should address?
Why is Domestic Violence considered
a “Women’s Issue?”
Today this question is being asked
in Calhoun County. S.A.F.E. Place
Domestic Violence Shelter has begun a
campaign called “Men for Change.”
This campaign is designed to educate
the public, especially men, about
Domestic Violence and the impact it
has on the victim, family, neighborhood and community. It is designed to
help men re-examine their views and
their willingness to venture beyond
their comfort zone and help bring
change and make a difference in our
community. Because like all crime,
Domestic Violence is not for one gender to address, it is an issue for the
community to address.
Domestic Violence is not an issue of
gender, race, religion, ethnicity or
socio-economics. Nor is Domestic
Violence an issue of substance abuse or
anger. Domestic Violence is an issue of
power and control. As Domestic
Violence continues in our community it
is seen and learned by those who witness the violence. In a 1995 study entitled “Ending the Cycle of Violence:
Community Responses to Children of
Battered Women,” it was found that
children who witness violence at home
display emotional and behavioral disturbances ranging from withdrawal and
low self-esteem to aggression against
peers, family and property. In 1991, a
study by the Family Prevention Fund
found that 79% of violent children had
witnessed violence between their parents. As a community we must work
together to stop the violence that is
occurring in the homes. With the impact
on our children so clear, what we do
today will have a great influence on
how our community looks tomorrow.
For more information on the “Men
for Change” campaign or for more
information on Domestic Violence
contact S.A.F.E. Place at 269-965SAFE (7233) or www.safeplaceshelter.org or contact the Calhoun County
Prosecutor’s Office Domestic Violence
Unit at 269-969-6980.
John Hallacy has been Calhoun
County Prosecuting Attorney since
2001. Prosecutor Hallacy serves a
member of the Board of Directors of
SAFE Place Domestic Violence
Shelter. Prosecutor Hallacy can be contacted
at
269-969-6980
or
jhallacy@calhouncountymi.gov .
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51
Your Family’s Health
BY GINGER A. HENTZ
When Talking To The Family May Do Some Good
It appears as if
some clarification
is necessary. The
number of telephone calls and letters that came into
the Calhoun County Public Health
Department
(CCPHD) after it
announced that it received a state grant
for “genomics” for the Health
Partnership would bear that out.
It appears that “genomics” is entirely
misunderstood by any number of people. First of all, genomics is not part of
a new Star Wars trilogy. It is not a town
where hobbits live. Nor is it a board
game played with checkers.
Actually, genomics is a science. Its
meaning can be simply derived from the
word itself. “GEN” is short for genuine,
“OM” (pronounced “ohmmm,” preferably in a deep, bass voice) is a holy
word of eastern religions that encompasses all there is, and “ICS”
52
(pronounced “icks”) means yucky. To
summarize, genomics is a science that
proves that just about everything is genuinely yucky.
Others of a more scientific persuasion, like the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC), for
instance, might argue that genomics is
the study of inheritance, or the way
traits are passed down from one generation to another.
So what does this mean to the average Joe? First of all, it is difficult to find
an average Joe any more what with
lattes and espressos, and mochas all the
rage. But what it might mean is that if
Joe wants to fool around with genomics,
he is going to have to talk to his family.
And that can be very annoying.
Knowing what diseases your family
members have died from or are struggling with in their lives can help inform
your behavior and potentially prevent
you from getting that disease. For
instance, if Uncle Howie died penniless
from betting all his money on losing
horses at the track, you may want to buy
lottery tickets instead.
The CDC might use an alternative
example. If there is adult onset diabetes
in your family, you may want to watch
your weight, take up a regular physical
activity you enjoy, eat healthier foods,
and get regular screenings from your
physician to hopefully prevent getting
the disease yourself.
The CCPHD genomics project, My
Family’s Health Tree, is directed to
African American adults and not without
good cause. African Americans in
Calhoun County have a 30% higher rate
of death from heart disease than do their
white peers. African American mortality
from diabetes is two times that of whites.
According to the Michigan Behavioral
Risk Factor Survey, 30% of blacks compared with 21.6% of whites are obese;
obesity is tied to Type 2 diabetes.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the
primary cause of death for all persons.
The American Heart Association identifies six major modifiable risk factors for
CVD including smoking, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, physical
inactivity, obesity and overweight, and
diabetes mellitus.
Experts, probably many of whom
work at the CDC, are particularly concerned about the rising numbers of
black adolescents, both girls and boys,
who are being diagnosed with type 2
(“adult-onset”) diabetes, which usually
is not seen until after age 40. Diabetes
could become the new latte in the next
generation.
The My Family’s Health Tree program will address these health issues
through the use of genomics in school,
community, and church settings. The
project will help people collect information related to family health history to
predict risk, institute early detection and
intervention, and motivate positive
behavior change. The program aims to:
1) increase quality and years of healthy
life among Calhoun County residents,
and 2) eliminate health disparities
between populations of color and
whites.
Genomics is just a start. Once one
understands from whence one comes,
one can then do something about it.
Like instead of complaining about how
one feels yucky all the time, one can
participate in behaviors that promote
health. Or at least sit somewhere on a
genuine rock and chant “OM.”
For The Family
BY ROSEMARY GARDINER
Help Children Survive Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence holds captive the
entire family and disrupts the development of trust in children. Too often, children living with domestic violence go
unseen among us and live out their
childhoods in fear. A childhood filled
with fear and violence requires intensive therapeutic services in order to
heal.
Home and Community
Intervention Services provide that healing, as the following story illustrates.
At seven, John operated as the head
of household for his single mother,
Rhonda and younger sister, Kate. He
had witnessed far too much violence
including a man holding a gun to his
mother’s head and the sexual assault of
his younger sister. Though only a young
boy, John was the family member who
called police to report the abuse.
While Rhonda, like most mothers,
loved her children, domestic violence
had taken a toll on her mental health.
Her emotional issues were overwhelming and her ability to parent effectively
had been undermined. She was often
suicidal and emotionally unavailable to
her children. The family was at risk of
disruption.
When the Agency’s Home and
Community Services became involved,
John was suffering from posttraumatic
stress syndrome and having episodes of
violence. He would throw things and
hear animal’s voices talking to him
though he was unable to hear people
talking and rarely remembered what
they said. His mental health issues hampered success at school. He did not
make friends, had many difficulties in
the classroom and on the playground
and could not read. School adjustment
became even more difficult since the
family moved frequently due to fear and
financial circumstances. In addition,
John was always on alert for danger and
had very low self-esteem. He felt alienated from other children and adults and
told his worker, “The animals laugh at
me when I fall”.
Several of Family & Children
Services’ programs offered intensive inhome counseling, case management
services and parenting training to the
family. These intensive services provided the first stability John and his family
had known. Program staff provided consistency, following the family regardless
of the number of moves they made.
John was surprised and delighted to see
his therapist arrive at each new school
he attended. He would run down the
hall joyfully to meet her.
Once mother and son developed trust
with the worker, they accepted individual help quite readily over time. Rhonda
made her household safe for the first
time, got the house organized, and utilized extended family members as a
support system with the children.
Eventually, John reported to his worker
with a smile, “Animals can’t talk
because they’re not people!”
As the family stabilized with intensive support, John’s emotional state and
behavior improved. He became a much
better student who now reads well, has
improved handwriting and makes
friends with other children his own age.
John and Kate are healing and beginning to experience the joys of being a
child!
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53
Real Estate Scene
BY JOHN L. STAUFFER, Realtor®
Improve your health and wealth at the same time!
Since this issue
deals with health
issues, I thought it
might be fun to see
if I could convince
my monthly readership to re-examine that “honeydo” list that so
many despise. You know that one that
has been stuck underneath the pile of
bills on the corner of your desk since
April! Instead of a “honey do” list, think
of the items that need to be fixed or
improved around your home in terms of
the dollars it might help bring in when it
is time to sell. Come on, get with the
program! You just got back from an
early morning workout at the gym – you
spent money for that membership – you
drove someplace to sweat and smell
other people’s body odor. For those of
you who don’t shower on site – get real!
Do you know what your car is going to
smell like after weeks or months of
commuting back and forth after workouts? Picture this – instead of going to
the gym, make that trip to Lowe’s to buy
those 2 x 4’s and drywall and get started
on that basement room you’ve always
wanted to finish. (You know – the one
that is on your “honey do” list.) Now,
before you get too panicked – give this
some real thought. You don’t have to
spend hours on the project. Take the 90
–120 minutes you would have spent getting ready to go to the gym, the drive
time back and forth and the actual time
spent working out. If you spend this
same amount of time working on your
new room in the basement, it will be
done long before your Gym membership runs out. Think of the perks – no
drive time, no stinky car, save gas
money, and when the task is all done
you will reap the benefits of having that
extra space you have always wanted in
the home. You will have added actual
cash value to your home, and by nailing,
sawing, lifting, painting etc, you have
actually probably completed as good a
workout as you would have at the gym.
Job
Average Return
Kitchen Remodeling
88%
Adding Room/Garage
84%
Bathroom Remodeling
82%
Converting Attic
75%
Refinishing Basement
69%
Graph provided by The National
Association of Realtors
This task (completing the room in
the basement) will actually exercise
both your mind and body and when the
job is done – you will feel satisfied in
mind body and soul! The chart above
gives you an idea what might be best to
work on. A friendly word of advise –
start with the honey-do list. If one of the
items in the chart are on your honey do
list – BONUS! Otherwise please the one
who created the honey-do list by working on that first and work your way up
to these bigger tasks. (Just like in the
Gym – start small and work your way
up to the big jobs.) I enjoy writing these
articles tongue in cheek. But seriously,
it really is a double win, by spending
your time improving your home, you
get the opportunity to get a workout and
get the added benefit of letting your
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54
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
family enjoy the fruits of your labor. If
the list from the National Associations
of Realtors is too short for you, here is
an extended list.
Each “improvement” is followed by
the percentage of “return on investment”. Interior Paint, 70-300%;
Exterior Paint, 70-300%; New Flooring,
50-300%; Kitchen Renovation, 75%;
Bathroom Renovation, 75-100%;
Bathroom Addition, 75-100%; Addition
to Existing Home, 40-60%; Basement
Development,
55%;
Landscape
Improvements, 50%; Underground
Sprinklers, 50%; Patio or Deck, 50%;
New Windows, 30%; New Exterior
Siding, 65%; New Heating System,
45%; Central Air Conditioning, 50%;
Built-in Dishwasher, 75%; Fireplace,
65%; Central Vac System, 60%; Water
Softener, 35%; Energy Efficiency
Features, 30%; Swimming Pool, 2550%; Garage, 75-100%.
Extended list compliments of Norm
Fisher of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Please, I must add a disclaimer here,
these returns on your investment projects are only averages. They change
depending on what part of the country
you live in, the time of year they are
done, and the condition of the item
before you made the improvement. That
is, if you just added the third style of
ceramic floor to your kitchen floor in
the last three years because you wanted
the latest color versus someone who is
upgrading from a ripped up, torn, 20
year old linoleum floor, the person
replacing the old linoleum should see a
much better return than you. The last
disclosure is, I do not have stock in
Lowe’s or Menard’s and I do not have
anything against any type of Gym – I
am passionate about helping you help
yourself get the most you can for your
home. Any suggestion that I make is to
assist you in accomplishing that end.
Now good luck shopping and, oh yeah,
before you head out the door to the
home improvement center of your
choice remember to pick up that “honey
do” list that is still under the stack of
bills on the corner of your desk.
Remodeling Scene
BY LINDA HOLDERBAUM
Eight Employee Retention Strategies
It’s must more cost-effective and better for business continuity to keep good
employees on your payroll than to hire
new ones. Preventing turnover is especially vital in tight labor markets. But,
with competitors courting the most talented employees, how do you keep
yours from migrating?
Hiring smart is the basis of staffing
your company with dependable, productive people. Beyond that, it takes
more than good salaries to keep
employees loyal to your company.
“Money is about the fifth or sixth item
on the list,” says Lucy Katz, VP of customer service and client development at
Katz Builders in Austin, Texas.
Here are some proven employee
retention strategies from housing industry professionals:
1. Don’t promise the moon. When
hiring top-notch candidates, most smallto medium-sized businesses can’t provide
a lifetime of opportunity for that type of
employee. Why paint a picture for them
that does not exist? If you hire correctly,
top-notch employees will help you grow
into a company that can and will provide
a longer term opportunity for them.
2. Be a good leader. It takes a lot of
listening to be a good leader and inspire
your employees to work toward your
company’s vision. Sometimes it’s hard
to carve out time to listen to employees,
given all the responsibilities and daily
“fires” that compete for a business
owner’s attention. Nevertheless, don’t
just spit out orders when things get
crazy. A disregard for others’ feelings
can lead to turnovers and lack of productivity. Be sure that your leadership
style is inspiring, not terrifying.
3. Keep the work interesting. The
best employees will not be happy
unless they are challenged, learning and
growing. One good way to keep
employees motivated and help them
grow is to delegate important tasks and
projects to them. When you do it the
right way, you delegate authority but
keep responsibility for the task.
4. Keep the job safe – and sane. A
good jobsite safety program communicates to employees that you’re looking
out for their health and well-being.
Mental health is an important part of the
equation in keeping good employees on
your payroll. Prevent burnout by
encouraging or requiring employees to
use their allotted annual vacation leave.
In addition, consider rewarding top-performing employees with days off.
5. Offer flex time. One of the most
common mistakes managers make is
assuming that an employee must be at
the office to be working, and equating
the quality of work with how often they
are in the office. Today, time is at a premium for everyone, and little things like
arranging for dry cleaning pick-up or
other services or flexibility to meet daycare requirements, mean a lot. If possible, be flexible about office core hours.
Consider letting employees occasionally work from home, if that’s feasible,
and set them up with the proper technology (laptop computers, cell phones,
etc.) to make that happen.
6. Help them learn. There’s a lot to
be said for picking up knowledge on the
job. At many companies without formal
training programs, that’s about the only
education employees get. But, to grow –
and acquire skills to handle more challenging duties – employees must continually build their knowledge base. Help
them do that by supplementing jobrelated training with a variety of educational resources.
7. Praise them in public. When an
employee exceeds a sales quota, puts in
overtime to make a closing happen on
schedule, or otherwise goes above and
beyond the call of duty, make sure
everyone else knows. Highlight the topperformer in your company newsletter.
Tell your staff about the achievement at
your weekly meeting and give the
employee a voucher good for dinner for
two at the nicest restaurant in town.
Don’t forget your support staff.
Remember the often overlooked secretaries, administrative assistants, etc. and
recognize that they are often the glue
that holds a company together.
On the flip side, privately counsel an
employee who doesn’t follow proper
procedures or makes a mistake. Nothing
can make an employee look for other
employment faster than getting embarrassed in front of fellow employees. Turn
the negative into a positive by looking
for ways the employee – and the company – can learn from the mistake. Glitches
and goofs can be inadvertent catalysts
for improving your procedures.
Whether you’re writing business plan
goals, coming up with jobsite and office
procedures, or debriefing your production team after completing a house, ask
employees to suggest ideas on how to
do tasks efficiently and run projects
more smoothly. When they feel
involved, and see their ideas implemented, employees realize that they are integral to the company’s success. That’s
extremely motivating.
Employees are a firm’s most important asset. Loyal, inspired, successful
employees will help make a successful
company.
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W O R R Y I N G . ”
55
Marshall’s
Newest
High School
Team –
Synchronized
Swimming
BY SUSAN K. COLLINS
“You can’t hear much
but you must be able to
keep the beat until you come
back up above the water.”
During the summer of 2004,
Melissa Garrison started a very
obviously not a challenge to her.
small program that could build
She knew how to condition her
into a great new addition to
body for swimming and was will-
Marshall High’s sports. Melissa,
ing to do it.
aka Missy, was a swimmer in
The things that Missy says sep-
Mary Ann Egnatuk’s program in
arate synchronized swimming
Albion for all of her formative
from the usual distance swimming
years. Last summer she tried to
are the combination of sport, per-
begin a synchronized swimming
formance and rhythm. In regular
team for Marshall. She was able
swimming competition the partici-
to get 8 or 9 girls to try out for the
pants compete against swimmers
team.
from other teams. They all com-
Missy has been swimming in a
competitive program and on a syn-
pete against the clock.
She says to be a good synchro-
chronized team since she was 6 or
nized swimmer you need to master
7 years old. Mary Ann tells of her
music, mathematics, rhythm,
great competitive spirit since she
strength, diving and flexibility.
was a small girl. She was one of
That’s a real challenge!
the early Aquacats, synchronized
swimmers aged 8 and under.
Asking how much the swimmers can hear the music while
She had been involved in Mary
they are under water, she says
Ann’s Community Age-group co-
“You can’t hear much but you
ed Swim Program since she was a
must be able to keep the beat until
little girl and loved every minute
you come back up above the
of it! That led to Middle & High
water.”
School Swim teams.
When Missy reached high
school, she swam breaststroke,
individual medley and distance
56
freestyle. Strength training was
Mathematics come into play in
several different ways. Of course,
keeping the rhythm while under the
water is the first. You also have to
keep track of where you need to be
in relation to the other swimmers at
all times. Counting never stops!
The strength involved in this
sport is probably more important
that any other except possibly
weight lifting. Imagine holding
your body under water while your
legs are held upright above the
water. First of all, imagine keeping
your upper body below the water
level. Then try to think about
keeping your legs vertical above
your body while you do that!
Scary thought, isn’t it!?!
At the high school level the
swimmers maintain their legs
above the water line at mid-thigh.
At the Olympic level they keep
their legs above the water line at
the hip level! There are many of
the same movements involved in
diving. Not just the entry into the
water but the turning and twisting
that takes place before a diver actually makes contact with the water.
Flexibility is a very key element of
this sport.
...continued...
57
C O M P R E H E N S I V E
R E S T O R AT I V E
5761 Morgan Road West
Battle Creek, Michigan 49017
269-968-8151
58
D E N T I S T RY
While synchronized swimming is not
a sanctioned sport in the Michigan High
School Athletic Association or the
NCAA, several high schools in the
Detroit and Grand Rapids areas do have
teams. Albion may be the only community in the interior of the state with a
team at this point.
When Missy was attending Albion
High School she was fortunate enough
to attend a summer camp for the sport at
Ohio State University. The tremendous
amount of training time required may be
a deterrent to more schools fielding a
team.
When she was swimming for Mrs.
Egnatuk in Albion she would work out
with weights 3-4 hours per day and then
spend 2 hours per week for each routine
in which she would participate at the
end of the season. The goal for the season, in lieu of a tournament, was a
weekend of three performances.
The entire program wouldn’t fly if
not for many volunteer hours by parents
and community businesses. A local
hairdresser volunteers to braid the
swimmers hair. Missy says, “Hair in
your eyes is not a good thing and
bathing caps are just not a cool thing!”
Parents, siblings and the swimmers
themselves have to make costumes.
Many sequins, beads and braid need to
be sewn onto leotards. Someone has to
loan lights and then run them.
Olympic synchronized swimmers
spend six to eight hours each day in the
weight training room. They then spend
on average one more hour in the pool
working on their routines.
Mary Ann Egnatuk said, “Missy was
a great help to our program for many
years. She wrote routines, choreographed others and helped with the
younger swimmers. She coached the
Community Swim program one summer.”
The weekend performance at the end
of the season helped to raise money for
the Scoreboards and Touch-pads for the
Albion High School pool. It also helped
to pay for other equipment for the pool.
Another fund the synchronized swim
team has managed to raise money for is
the Barbara Shiery Scholarship Fund.
Barb was the assistant coach for the
Synchronized Team 8 & under. Her
untimely death brought on a need to
support the little swimmers. There have
been 17 $500 scholarships awarded in
her name over the years.
It will be wonderful if Missy can
begin a program in Marshall to go along
with the established program in Albion.
Working together, the two communities
can build a strong team that might be
able to compete with the existing teams
in the Metro areas of the state. It is also
another potential community bonding
program that Calhoun County seeks
every day.
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Battle Creek Assn. of Home Builders . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Battle Creek Language & Culture Center . . . . . . . . . .60
Battle Creek Health System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Battle Creek Nursing Clinic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Battle Creek Public Schools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
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Burnham Brook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .24
Calhoun County Animal Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Calhoun County Public Health Department . . . . . . . .30
Carpet Warehouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
CenterStage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Cereal City Pediatrics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
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Diederich, R. Craig, Periodontics
& Dental Implants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25
Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center . . . . .10
Digital Highway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Domino’s Pizza . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Edwardrose.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Equal Business Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Family Y Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16, 60
Farley Estes & Dowdle Funeral Directors . . . . . . . . . . .3
Felpausch / Zucca’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Foundation for Behavioral Resources . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Gunny Sue’s Frame & Design . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10
Great Lakes Plastic & Hand Surgery . . . . . . . . . . .3, 13
Health Partnership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Historic Northside Family Practice . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Hunt Club . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Huron Camera & Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Jim Hazel/CITGO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Lifespan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26
Lisa’s Boutique . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Macaroni Factory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Marian E. Burch Adult Day Care Center . . . . . . . . . .39
Marshall Albion Medical Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Michigan Heartland Goodwill Industries . . . . . . . . . .43
Michigan Tile & Carpet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
MIGUN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27
Monarch Community Bank . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Oaklawn Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Omni Family Credit Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Progressive Printing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Radio Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
RE/MAX Perret Associates
Michael E. Downing Realtor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Schweitzer Contracting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Senior Times . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Sims Electric . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Southwest Michigan Eye Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Southwest Regional Rehabilitation Center . . . . . . . . .32
Steely, Robin P., D.D.S., P.C. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Stuffniques . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Suburban Medical Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Suntrust Mortgage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Taking The Lead Dog Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
TLC Eyecare & Laser Centers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Urology Associates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Vascular Health Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Walgreens Drug Stores . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Western Michigan University . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Wolverine Feeder Company . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
WOLY AM1500 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Worgess Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Business Directory
ADVERTISING AGENCY
ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS, INC.
4642 Capital Avenue, S.W.,Battle Creek, MI 49015
269-979-1411
BOUTIQUE/CONSIGNMENT
Women’s • Men’s • Children’s
Accessories • Home Decor • Toys
Holiday Dresses!
Monday-Friday 10-5 / Saturday 10-3
1552 E. Columbia Ave., Battle Creek
269-788-9303
ANTIQUES
BUILDERS
COMPUTERS
PROVIDING QUALITY
NETWORKING SOLUTIONS
Call Toll Free: 1-866-897-8896
ph 269-288-0415 / fx 269-288-0418
FREE ESTIMATES / PROPOSALS
www.computervisions.net
EDUCATION
Carol Kubota
269-979-8432
269-979-8434 fx
427 Booths
Dealers From 6 States
Grill & Restaurant on Grounds
Bus Tours Welcome
9011 W. Chicago, Allen, Michigan • 517-869-2788
7 days 10-5
Take I-69 south to Coldwater exit 13, 10 miles east
AUTOMOTIVE
P. O. Box 2197 • Battle Creek, MI
962-2844
Accredited by NCA/CASI
COMMUNICATIONS
FITNESS
Radio
Communications, Inc.
auto parts store
14299 Beadle Lake Rd.
I-94 exit 100
CITGO
14301 Beadle Lake Rd.
I-94 exit 100
966-9153
968-1150
• Fax: 968-1142 •
60
Family Y Center
Building Strong Kids,
Strong Families,
Strong Communities
176 Meachem
Battle Creek, MI 49015
963-4171 • Fax:963-2426
Doug Hartough, Sales Manager
7 Heritage Oak Lane, Suite 4
Battle Creek, Michgian 49015
bclcc499@net-link.net
Authorized Two-Way
Radio Dealer
182 Capital Ave. NE, Battle Creek, MI • 616-963-9622
OF SCENE MA
G
EB R ATIN G 30
G
C EL
& C O U NTIN
It’s hard to believe it has been 45
years since Dave Eddy joined the radio
station most people wake up to, but
Dave’s involvement in the radio business actually goes back even further.
He started working at WALM shortly
after graduating from high school and
after five years joined the staff at
WBCK. That means 50 years of continuous service in radio.
Dave started out as a radio salesperson, a role he feels is better left to others. It wasn’t long after that his boss listened to a tape he submitted and decided to try him out at broadcasting. The
mold was set and Dave is now one of
the most respected broadcasters in radio
today.
On the anniversary of his 45th at
WBCK, the staff, four members of the
Barbershoppers, Bill Feldpausch, and
other media including Scene Magazine
and Senior Times were privileged to
surprise him on the set to congratulate
him. And NO, he’s not retiring.
We all hope you can hang in there for
a few more years, Dave, to entertain the
thousands of listeners you have earned
over the years.
RS
IN E
Dave Eddy Celebrates
45 Years With WBCK
EA
AZ
The OMNI Family Credit Union
Board of Directors
has announced Theodore Parsons as the
new President and
CEO of OMNI
Family Credit Union.
Parsons joins
OMNI from Community Choice Credit Union in Livonia,
Michigan, where he has served as Exec.
VP and COO for the past four years.
Prior to working at the credit union he
spent 19 years in retail banking where
he last held the role of Regional
Manager, overseeing the operation of 60
branch offices in Southeast Michigan.
“With the recent change in our membership charter, the credit union is positioned for substantial growth. We are
excited about the enthusiasm and leadership abilities Ted brings to the credit
union,” states Bob Lambert, Chairman
of the Board.
Ted has a Bachelors Degree in
Business Administration with a major in
Finance. He is currently serving his
third term as a Trustee for the Howell
Public Schools Board of Education.
Y
Omni Family CU
Announces New CEO
MUNITY F
IRST
COM
Scene Magazine
Bartenders Gordon H. Rosberg, Jr.
and Leslie Camburn-Hole serving
Rum and Coke and Bud Light
Wednesday,
September 28, 6-8pm
CALLING ALL VETERANS
544 W. Columbia Ave. • 269-962-0800
Mon.- Sat,11am-2am, Sun. Noon-2am
Check Our Website For Our Monthly Specials
www.battlecreekhuntclub.com
Join us for a toast to the VVA.
All tips go to Vietnam
Veterans of America,
Chapter 313
THREE GREAT RESTAURANTS IN ONE!
• Romantic French “service
augueridon” specials flamed
tableside.
• Northern Italian menu,
including pasta, pizza from
$8.99 to $13.99.
• Extensive wine list, a wide selection of beers, chilled cocktails.
• Listen to live blues band in the
Oyster Bar or dance to DJ
Top 40 – R&B in Tortilla Flats
Tuesday through Saturday.
• Open 7 days, 11am to 11pm,
Friday and Saturday until 1am
Francois News, menu entertainment schedule, gourmet
classes, catering information, discount coupons online:
www.francoiskazoo.com
Reservations Recommended –
FREE Valet Parking
269-381-4958 / 116 Portage St., Kalamazoo, MI
In the heart of downtown Kalamazoo on the corner of Michigan
and Portage – just a 20-minute drive from Battle Creek!
61
Barnes & Noble
Highlights
Huron
Camera &
Battle Creek / 10 W. Michigan Ave.
269-965-7285
Dexter / 8060 Main
734-426-4654
Saline / 450 E. Michigan Ave.
734-429-8575
Chelsea / 1090 S. Main
734-475-1023
Jackson / 159 W. Michigan Ave.
517-783-4820
www.huroncamera.com
Video
1 hour photo processing
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
video cameras
projectors
camcorders
film processing
cameras
camera accessories
digital cameras
• binoculars
• video transfer of movies & slides
• repair of all cameras and projectors –
any make or model
• vintage photo reproduction
(no negative necessary)
• we buy used equipment
Get The Picture!
We G i v e Yo u T h e B e s t ! Fo r T h e S a m e P r i c e A s T h e R e s t !
Call Us For A Furnace Cleaning!
PLEASE CALL
269-963-7910 and talk to the YELLOW TRUCK People!
Residential & Commercial
by Ronda Grundemann
Just because summer is almost over
is no reason to start putting on that
winter layer of the dreaded “f” word –
fat. There are many ways to keep fit
when the weather turns cold.
“You, The Owner’s Manual” by
Michael F. Roizen, M.D. and Mehmet
C. Oz, M.D. is a national bestseller
that will help you learn things you
never knew and assist you to live the
life you deserve. Another bestseller
“French women Don’t Get Fat” by
Mireille Guiliano tells how you can
indulge without bulge and emphasizes
freshness, variety, and always pleasure. Pick up Mireille’s funny and
wise non-diet book that could change
the way you eat and live. And finally
a newly revised edition of “Our
Bodies, Ourselves, The Boston
Women’s Health Book”, the bestseller
that has information on all aspects of
women’s health has recently arrived.
This book has been an immense
resource for women’s health information since it first came out in 1984.
If these suggestions don’t sound
like your kind of thing visit Barnes &
Noble and peruse the large variety of
diet, exercise, health, and beauty
books that are on the shelves. We also
have a large variety of exercise DVDs,
yoga equipment, and yoga DVDs that
can help you get started. Stop in and
start a new and healthy lifestyle.
Calendar of Events:
• Storytimes: Tuesdays at 10 am and
Wednesdays at 11:30 am
• Series of Unfortunate Events: the
2nd Tuesday at 7 pm
• Family Game Night: the 2nd
Tuesday at 6 pm
• Harry Potter Book Club: the 2nd
Saturday of every month at 2 pm
• Bookworms Adult Book Club: the
3rd Tuesday at 7 pm
• American Girl Book Club: the 3rd
Saturday of every month at 2 pm
Calhoun County’s ONLY Authorized Armstrong Dealer
Three Generations of Customer Commitment
62
See our store for a calendar of
events that includes author signings
and other special events.
MARSHALL
MUSINGS
•
•
•
•
•
by Susan Collins
Doesn’t seem possible, but it is
almost Scarecrow Festival time again.
This year’s Marshall Scarecrows are
due to happen October 15-30, 2005. A
new event this year will take place
October 15-16. There will be a wonderful tour of at least 12 artists’ studios.
These will range from muralist, Michael
Peck, who has installed oil-on-canvas
murals in the Waldorf-Astoria in New
York and in the White Sulphur Springs
Hotel in West Virginia along with
murals in several Marshall homes and
businesses. Also open will be Nippers
Studio on Mansion Street with the many
creative sculptures of Noree Woodard.
Lindey and Gordon Parrish will showcase their cut-glass and colored-glass
creations.
On the 15th of October the Living
History Portrayal will be held at
Oakridge Cemetery. Georgia Marsh
always has an interesting array of local
early citizens appear for this event. The
actors who portray each of the people
buried in the cemetery do a great deal of
research to show the people they represent as accurately as possible.
October 21-22 will provide a great
deal of entertainment with the Haunted
River Walk. Terri Tredeau and her crew
will provide a stroll along the city’s
Riverwalk that will scare you and entertain you. Teri manages to engage several students from Marshall High School
to produce this show.
October 29-30 will be the wrap-up
for the festival this year. The 29th, will
create a whole lot of community spirit.
The winners of the Scarecrow Festival
will be announced in front of Marshall’s
Town Hall at 12:30. Immediately after
the prizes are awarded, the Children’s
Costume Parade will step off to march
down the middle of Michigan Avenue.
What a sight it is!
Grandparents, parents and lots of
loving and adoring aunts and uncles
look on with smiles and cheers. For the
founder of this whole festival the parade
is still the especial favorite event of the
three weekends.
Mark your calendar for October 1530 to enjoy to Marshall’s Scarecrow
Festival. There will be maps available
at the Crow’s Nest in Downtown
Marshall (126 West Michigan Ave.) and
the Marshall Area Chamber of
Commerce and maps for the artists’ studio tour as well. There will also be
denim shirts, sweat-shirts, mugs, bags
and pins available for purchase.
It’s a great way to celebrate autumn
in Michigan.
Over 300 Booths on Two Floors
Stairs and Elevator to Second Floor
Limited Dealer Space Available
Brown’s Clock Repair
Furniture Reconditioning Supplies
9247 West Chicago Road, Allen, Michigan
517-869-2888 / allenantiquebarn@hotmail.com
www.allenantiquebarn.com
Hours: 10:00-5:00 – 7 Days
OWNERS: DEREK & EILEEN SCHROEDER
63
Scene Magazine
4642 Capital Ave., SW
Battle Creek, MI 49015-9350
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
ADRIAN MECHANICAL SERVICE CO.
Todd Carver / Adrian
Ph: 517-263-5025 Fx: 517-263-1430
todd@adrianmechanical.com
ANDERSON AIR CONDITIONING
Richard Adams / Lansing
Ph: 517-372-3100 Fx: 517-485-5812
FRY MECHANICAL INC.
Rodney Fry / Adrian
Ph: 517-263-0812 Fx: 517-265-4140
rodney@frymech.com
HUNTER-PRELL COMPANY
Dan Wells / Battle Creek
Ph: 269-962-7538 Fx: 269-962-7311
Lynn O. Morgan / East Lansing
Ph: 517-351-5720 Fx: 517-351-5131
shawwink@aol.com
JOHN E. GREEN COMPANY
Charles J. Osborne / Lansing
Ph: 517-322-4030 Fax: 517-322-9030
chuckosborne@johnegreen.com
SMITH-HAMMOND PIPING CO.
MYERS PLUMBING & HEATING, INC.
T. H. EIFERT, INC.
Kirk Myers / Lansing
Ph: 517-886-2255 Fx: 517-886-7854
PAUL E. BENGEL CO.
GRINDALL & WHITE INC.
SHAW-WINKLER, INC.
Jeff White / Jackson
Ph: 517-784-7124 Fx: 517-784-2239
grindall@modempool.com
Jerry Jehnzen / Jackson
Ph: 517-783-2803 Fx: 517-783-2153
jjehnzenpaulbengel@ameritech.net
GUNTHORPE PLUMBING & HEATING INC.
SCHECK MECHANICAL
Larry Gunthorpe / East Lansing
Ph: 517-333-2660 Fx: 517-333-2665
gunthorpe@tcimet.net
Pete Seklins / Battle Creek
Ph: 269-968-5201 Fx: 269-968-5242
pseklins@goscheck.com
Pete Seklins / Battle Creek
Ph: 269-968-5201 Fx: 269-968-5242
Tom Eifert / Lansing
Ph: 517-484-9944 Fx: 517-484-1699
dpowell@theifert.com
WILLIAM E. WALTER, INC.
Douglas Wyrwicki / Flint
Ph: 810-232-7459 Fx: 810-232-8698
dwyrwicki@williamewalter.com
Adrian Mechanical Service Co. • Alchin Plumbing, Inc. • Anderson Air Conditioning • Applegate, Inc. • Archtic Service • Bosch Mechanical Contractors • BRS Associates, Inc.
Cascade Refrigeration, Inc. • DSI Constructors, Inc. • Environ-Serv, Inc. • Franzen/Ruckel • Fry Mechanical Inc. • Gilmore & Sons, Inc. • Goyette Mechanical Inc. • Grindall & White Inc.
Gunthorpe Plumbing & Heating, Inc. • Hunter-Prell Company • Integrated C-E Services, Inc. • John E. Green Company • Johnson Controls •Kebler Plumbing & Heating Company
Lakeland Hills Constructon Co. • Lang Plumbing Inc. • Mall City Mechanical • Metro Industrial Piping, Inc. • Michael’s Plumbing Repair, Inc. • Midwest Mechanical, Inc. • Mills Refrigeration
MJR Mechanical • Myers Plumbing & Heating, Inc. • National Piping, LLC • Northern Boiler Processing • Paul E. Bengel Company • Power Process Piping, Inc. • Process/Piping/Equip
Professional Piping • Refrigeration Engineering Inc. • Remer Plumbing & Heating • Scheck Mechanical • Shaw-Winkler, Inc. • Smith-Hammond Piping Co. • Stafford Smith • T. H. Eifert, Inc.
Trane Company - Detroit • Trent Mauk P & H • Tri-Clor • W. Soule & Company • Wheeler Blaney • William E. Walter, Inc.
William North Co. • Wyers Plumbing Company, Inc. • York International
SERVICING: Adrian, Battle Creek, Jackson, Lansing,
Webberville and all areas in between
A directory of members is available on our website:
www.mid-michiganmca.org
700 North Washington Avenue,
Lansing, MI 48906-5133
517-485-7990 / fax 517-485-4129