The PulseMt. Pleasant’s Weekly Community News

Vol. 2, No. 3

Thursday, Jan. 21, 2016

www.centralmichiganpulse.com

Bantam Patriots Win Tourney

CAMPUS NEWS pg. 8

CITY NEWS pg. 6

POLITICS & MEETINGS pg. 4

CALENDAR OF EVENTS pg. 2

CLASSIFIEDS pg. 22

SCHOOLS pg. 16

COMMUNITY GROUPS pg. 14

COMMUNITY SERVICE pg. 12

COMICS pg. 29

OUTDOORS pg. 26

ENTERTAINMENT pg. 23

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CROSSWORD pg. 28

By MATT ROBERSON

Did the AHAMP hockey teams head to the Sault Ste. Marie Cabin Fever Tournament this weekend think-ing they’d do well? Yes. Did they expect to win? Well, suffice to say there was some incredibly stiff competition, and no one did a lot of daydreaming about bringing home the tournament banner.

And the Midgets did great, placing fourth in their bracket. The Bantams? After four bruising games, they found themselves in the championship against the vaunted St. Ignace Saints, a team that’s lost fewer games

in the last two years than you can count on one hand. The game started as a lot of people expected, with the

Saints pulling out to a 3-0 lead at the end of the first period. But then the tides turned, and with a ton of hard work (and a little bit of luck), the Patriots came fighting back, goal after goal, until they led 4-3 at the end of pe-riod two. By the end of period three, they were up 6-3, and that was all she wrote. Champions at the Soo!

Leah Palmer was the MVP of that game, Evan Chom-chai took home two MVPs in the tournament, and TJ Inosencio also won MVP honors.

Congratulations, kids!!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS ThePulse2

UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS

January 21st8a - Mt. Pleasant Downtown Development Board Mtg

6p - All about Capricorn, Saturn & 10th House Astrology @ VML7p - Hypnotist Chris Jones @ Plachta Auditorium

7p - Community Action for Black Lives Matter @ Bovee Center Terrace Rooms10p - brotha James @ Rubble’s

January 22nd2p - MPHS Solo and Ensemble @ MPHS Auditorium

4p; 5:30p; 7p - MPHS Girls Basketball vs. Saginaw6p - MPHS Hockey vs. Cadillac

6p - Family Fun Movie Night @ Mt. Pleasant Community Church6p - Learn to Paint with Bella Arte! @ Pleasant City Coffee

January 23rd11a - Zoo to You @ VML

12p-2p It’s Snowtime! event @ Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum3p - CMU Hockey DIII vs. Northwood

4p - IWE Battlezone X (Imperial Wrestling Entertainment) @ MACTV Studio7p - Music - Tinkers Folly @ Pleasant City Coffee

9:30p - The Red Wires, Shoreless Ocean, & Marni Sison @ Rubble’sJanuary 24th

8a - Country Breakfast @ Wabon Lodge 3059a - Winter Warriors Snowman’s half/10k/5k starts at O’Kellys

12p - Winter Horseshoe Tournament @ VFW Post 30337p - Trumpet Studio Recital @ CMU Chamichian Hall (free)

January 25thMt. Pleasant Daddy-Daughter Date night registration deadline

4p - MPHS Ski Team @ Snow Snake6p - Peace Making Ceremony @ MPHS7p - Mt. Pleasant City Commission Mtg

January 26th5:30p - Mt. Pleasant City Commission Special Meeting for goal setting discussion

7p - Mt. Pleasant Parks & Rec MtgJanuary 27th

6p - Mt. Pleasant Citizens Academy Session #2 of 67p - MPHS Hockey vs. Bay City

7p - Mt. Pleasant Zoning Board of Appeals Mtg7p - Union Twp Board of Trustees Mtg

7p-9p - Speak Up Speak Out Forum ‘Racism, Police, Communities’ @ Park Library AuditoriumJanuary 28th

5:30p; 7p - MPHS Girls Fresh & JV Basketball vs. Bay City Central6p - MPHS Wrestling SVL Home match

6p - Isabella County Road Commission Mtg

Email your event to The Pulse’s community calendar at centralmichiganpulse@gmail.com.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 3ThePulse

January 29th5:30p; 7p - MPHS Boys & Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Bay City Central

January 30th10a - MPHS Cheerleading - Oiler Invite

11a - Shepherd Bowling vs. St. Louis & Breckenridge @ Riverwood12p - Dart Tournament (open to the public) @ VFW Post 3033

1p - Exhibit Lecture by Cameron Wood @ Ziibiwing2p - MPHS Hockey vs. Midland Dow

7p - 1st Annual UUFCM Social Justice Party7p - The Sapp Brothers @ Pleasant City Coffee

7:30p - CMU Hockey DIII vs. Lawrence Tech UJanuary 31st

2p; 6p - Mt. Pleasant Parks & Rec annual Daddy-Daughter date night @ Comfort Inn2p - Food and Flicks for Families (Lilo and Stitch) @ Johnston Memorial Library

February 2nd4p; 5:30p; 7p - MPHS Boys Basketball vs. St. Johns HS

7p - WANA Neighborhood Mtg @ VMLFebruary 3rd

6p - Mt. Pleasant Citizens Academy Session #3 of 67p - Comedian Jonathan Burns @ UC Rotunda

February 4th4th-7th - WPBA Masters 2016 (Billiards) @ Soaring Eagle

February 5th5th - 7th & 11th - 14th - Central Michigan International Film Festival

4p; 5:30p; 7p - MPHS Girls Basketball vs. Bay City Western HS7p - MPHS Hockey vs. Walled Lake Northern

9:45p - TLC: Glostick Willy, Desmond Jones, & Everyday Junior @ Hunters Ale HouseFebruary 6th

9a - Man vs. Mountain9a-12:30p - Isabella County 157th Founder’s Day Celebration with Quilt Show & Historic Displays @ First United

Methodist Church1p - CMU Super Meet & Greet: Fantastic Football & More - Veteran’s Memorial Library

6p - SHAgala 2016: South of the Border Auction @ Sacred HeartFebruary 7th

8a - MPHS Wrestling - Valley Home MeetFebruary 8th

5:30p; 7p - MPHS Girls Fresh & JV Basketball vs. Midland Dow HS7p - Mt. Pleasant City Commission Mtg

February 9th4p - Union Twp Sustainability Mtg

5p - Business After Hours @ Mountain Town Station7p - Chop and Chat - “Un” Valentine’s Day @ The Market on Main

Email your event to The Pulse’s community calendar at centralmichiganpulse@gmail.com.

POLITICS & MEETINGS ThePulse4

WHO TO CALL - REPRESENTATIONIsabella County Board of CommissionersD1 - George Green (Chair) (989) 588-4216 [Farwell (R)]D2 - John Haupt (989) 644-3390 [Mt. Pleasant (D)]D3 - Jerry Jaloszynski (989) 330-4890 [Shepherd (R)]D4 - Jim Horton (989) 621-1534 [Mt. Pleasant (R)]D5 - James Moreno (989) 773-5797 [Mt. Pleasant (D)]D6 - David Ling (Vice-Chair) (989) 773-7823 [Mt. Pleasant (D)]D7 - Michael Fisher (989) 860-1807 [Mt. Pleasant (D)]

House - 4th DistrictJohn Moolenaar (R)(989) 631-2552(202) 225-3561

Midland Office:200 East Main Street Suite 230Midland, MI 48640

Washington D.C. Office:117 Cannon House Off BldgWashington, DC 20515

SenateDebbie Stabenow (D)(517) 203-1760(202) 224-4822

Mid-Michigan Office:221 W. Lake Lansing Rd.Suite 100East Lansing, MI 48823

Washington D.C. Office:731 Hart Senate Office BldgWashington, DC 20510

SenateGary Peters (D)(517) 377-1508(202) 224-6221

Mid-Michigan Office:127 West Allegan StreetSuite 1810Lansing, MI 48933

Washington D.C. Office:724 Hart Senate Office BldgWashington, DC 20510

Isabella County Meetings:Board of Commissioners.............................(1st & 3rd Tues - 7:00p)Board Committee Work Sessions...............(1st & 3rd Tues - 4:30p)Parks & Recreation...................................................(1st Wed - 7:00p)Road Commission........................(2nd Th - 8:30a & 4th Th - 6:30p)

Mt. Pleasant City Meetings:City Commission........................................(2nd & 4th Mon - 7:00p)Airport Advisory Board............................................(2nd Th - 5:30p)Downtown Development Board...............................(3rd Th - 8:00a)Historic District Commission..............................(2nd Tues - 5;00p)Parks & Recreation..................................................(4th Tues - 7:00p)Planning Commission................................................(1st Th - 7:00p)TIFA & DDA*...........................................................(2nd Th - 10:00a) *Tax Increment Finance Authorities & Downtown Development AuthorityZoning Board of Appeals.......................................(4th Wed - 7:00p)

Township Board Meetings:Broomfield Twp......................................................(3rd Mon - 7:00p)Chippewa Twp.........................................................(1st Mon - 7:00p)Coe Twp..................................................................(2nd Mon - 7:00p)Coldwater Twp........................................................(3rd Mon - 7:00p)Deerfield Twp..........................................................(3rd Mon - 7:00p)

WHEN TO GO - MTGS

Governor - Rick Snyder (R)(517) 373-4000Mail to: P.O. Box 30013Lansing, MI 48909

House - 99th DistrictKevin Cotter (R) - Speaker(517) 373-1789Mail to: P.O. Box 30014Lansing, MI 48909

Senate - 33rd DistrictJudy Emmons (R)(517) 373-8661Mail to: P.O. Box 30036Lansing, MI 48909

STATE

COUNTY

NATION

MT. PLEASANTMt. Pleasant Board of CommissionersMayor - Kathleen Ling (989) 773-7823 [member since 2008]Vice Mayor - Allison Quast-Lents (989) 854-0444 [member since 2016]Commissioner - Jim Holton (989) 817-4288 [member since 2006]Commissioner - Tony Kulick (989) 289-7098 [member since 2014]Commissioner - Mike Verleger (989) 621-2384 [member since 2015]Commissioner - Nick Madaj (989) 854-5231 [member since 2016]Commissioner - Lori Gillis (989) 772-7544 [member since 2016]

Township Board Meetings (cont.):Denver Twp......................................................(3rd Th - 6:00p)Fremont Twp.................................................(4th Tues - 7:00p)Gilmore Twp................................................(2nd Wed - 7:00p)Isabella Twp...................................................(1st Mon - 7:00p)Lincoln Twp.................................................(2nd Tues - 7:30p)Nottawa Twp.................................................(1st Mon - 7:00p)Rolland Twp.................................................(2nd Tues - 7:00p)Sherman Twp................................................(3rd Mon - 8:00p)Union Twp.........................................(2nd & 4th Wed - 7:00p)Vernon Twp...................................................(1st Mon - 6:30p)Wise Twp..........................................................(3rd Th - 7:00p)

Rosebush, Shepherd, Lake Isabella Meetings:Rosebush Village Board.............................(2nd Mon - 7:00p)Shepherd Village Council.................(1st & 3rd Mon - 7:00p)Shepherd Planning Commission.................(1st wed - 7:00p)Shepherd Board of Appeals........................(meets by request)Lake Isabella Village Council......................(3rd Tues - 7:00p)Lake Isabella Planning Commission.........(2nd Tues - 7:00p)Lake Isabella Zoning Board.........................(4th Tues - 7:00p)Lake Isabella (LIPOA).................................(2nd Wed - 7:00p)

HELP & SUPPORT 5ThePulse

National Suicide Prevention Line1 (800) 273-8255

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

24/7 Crisis HotlineIsabella County

1 (989) 772-2918

Winter Shelter

The Isabella County Restoration House provides a rotating shelter open every night from Sunday, No-vember 1st, through March 2016. Shelter seekers must check in nightly at the Unitarian Universalist Fellow-ship, 319 S. University (next door to the public library, downtown Mt. Pleasant) between 4:30-5:45 p.m. Transportation is provided to the shelter each night. A hot meal and warm bed will be ready. Transportation from the shelter to the Soup Kitchen is provided each morning.

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings

Alano Club 1201 N. Fancher (989) 772-4955Mondays thru Fridays - 9a, 12p, 5:30p, 8pSaturdays & Sundays - 9a, 11a, 5:30p, 8p

Other Meeting LocationsCentral Michigan Christian Church3433 S. Lincoln Rd. - Mondays - 7p

First Presbyterian Church1250 Watson Rd. - Tues - 7p & Wed - 8p

St. Mary’s Parish1405 S. Washington - Wednesdays - 12p

Westlawn Church of Christ (Shepherd)222 Dearing Drive - Thursdays - 7p

Al-Anon Meetings

Alano Club 1201 N. Fancher (989) 772-4955Sundays 6:30p - Mondays 7p - Fridays 7p

Behavioral Health 2800 S. Shepherd Rd.Tuesdays 5p

Narcotics Anonymous Meetings

Wesley Foundation 1400 S. WashingtonTuesdays 6:30p

First United Methodist Church 400 S. Main St.Thursdays 6:30p

24-hour Alcoholics Anonymous Hotline1-800-821-3014

Additional Community Meetings

Refuge Recovery @ Saginaw Chippewa Behavioral Health (2800 S. Shepherd) - Wednesdays 6:30p

Gambler’s Anonymous @ First United Methodist Church (400 S. Main) - Mondays 6:30p

Additional Community Resources

Community Mental Health 301 S. Crapo(989) 772-5938

1016 Detox 2885 Health Parkway(989) 775-0604

Listening Ear 107 Illinois St.(989) 386-2774

Mt. Pleasant Police Department 804 E. High St.(989) 779-5100 (FOR EMERGENCY DIAL 911)

CITY NEWS ThePulse6

City Kicks off New Citizens’ AcademyCitizens’ Academy is a six-week informational series

put on by the city of Mt. Pleasant to help create a more well-informed community.

Citizens’ Academy of Mt. Pleasant, or CAMP for short, meets every Wednesday for six straight weeks, at various locations, from 6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

City Manager Nancy Ridley said that the city used to have a citizens’ academy many years ago, but it focus solely on public safety (police and fire).

Last night 18 community members, who had previos-uly applied to participate, filed into the Mt. Pleasant city hall commission chambers for the first session.

Session #1, titled ‘Administration and Budget’ kicked off with a prepared meal at 5:30 p.m., followed by a brief program introduction from City Planner Jacob Kain.

Kain, who celebrates one year with the city of Mt. Pleasant this coming Tuesday, was an integral part of not only seeing a need for CAMP in Mt. Pleasant, but also doing the necessary research, planning, and coordi-nating required to make it a reality.

Following his introductory statements Kain intro-duced City Manager Nancy Ridley who provided an overview of the city’s organizational structure, why the city was created, how a council-manager form of government operates, and a run-down of the various employee positions, commissions, and committees.

Ridley then turned the podium over to the city’s

Treasurer and Director of Financial Services Mary Ann Kornexl.

Kornexl provided insight into the various city budgets and financial processes, including answering several questions from the audience.

Next up was City Assessor David Rowley who ex-plained, among other things, how someone’s property tax could increase even though the value of their home goes down. “It’s not logical,” Rowley added, but it po-tentially could happen based on increase caps and other factors.

City Clerk Jeremy Howard then shared about his role and how the clerk’s office often receives inquiries for activities that are actually performed by the county clerk, such as marriage licenses, dba applications, and passports. The city does regulate some types of busi-ness licenses, such as circuses, taxicab businesses, and auctioneers, but according to Howard in his eight years he has never licensed a side show. Howard added that Mt. Pleasant doesn’t have one licensed taxicab business, adding that they are all licensed, instead, with the state as limosine services.

Public Relations Coordinator batted cleanup on the first night, including the ways the city communicates with social media sites, newsletters, and newspapers.

You can get the latest city news by texting MPNEWS to 42828 and adding your email address to their list.

The Pulse

The Pulse is published weekly in digital edition on Thursdays.We are a community project that relies on citizens taking an active role. We strive to give all community members a voice. In simple

terms: we rely on community members to contribute articles and in-formation to create a more well informed community.

Article & Ad Deadline: Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.Editor/Publisher : Steve Covieo

Email us at: centralmichiganpulse@gmail.com

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Office Hours:Mon, Tues, & Wed 12-4

Mailing address: P.O. Box 674Mt. Pleasant, MI 48804

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POLITICAL CARTOONS 7ThePulse

POLITICAL CARTOONS ARE PROVIDED AS A SERVICE TO OUR READERS. OPINIONS AND STATE-MENTS MADE WITHIN CARTOONS MAY NOT REPRESENT THE BELIEFS OF THE PAPER OR STAFF.

CAMPUS NEWS ThePulse8

Students March for Equality - Martin Luther King, Jr. Week Begins

It was cold enough to break your breath, but the winter winds were no match for the spirits of several hundred Central Michigan University students and community supporters who took to the streets today.

The march, which both honors the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and brings hope for continued societal progress toward actualizing equal-ity and human rights for all, helped kick off Martin Luther King, Jr. Week.

The week, organized by CMU’s Multicultural Aca-demic Student Services, is filled with discussions and events focusing on issues of inequality and injustice.

Most of the events are free and open to the general public. The complete list a listed on the Multicultural Academic Student Services webpage (including the events from earlier this week) is as follows:

Calendar of Events

Monday, January 18

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. CommUnity Peace Brunch (Finch Fieldhouse), 10 am

MLK Day of Service (Bovee UC). 12 pmSponsored by the Mary Ellen Brandell Volunteer Center

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. CommUnity Peace March & Vigil (starting at Bovee UC), 3pm

Tuesday, January 19

Power in the Ballot: REVCMU Events (Register, Edu-cate, Vote CMU)(UC Rotunda) 10-12 noon- First Lady Ross & Selma Video1-3 pm- Information Fair3-5 pm- Iron Jawed Angels video*The Mobile Secretary of State will be available to register voters

CAMPUS NEWSThePulse 9

Students March for Equality

Wednesday, January 20

Martin Luther King, Jr. Blood Drive (UC Rotun-da), 12pm-6pm

Martin Luther King, Jr. Week Keynote Speaker Shaun King (Plachta Auditorium), 7pm

Thursday, January 21

“The Price of Providence” documentary (UC auditorium), 5pmCosponsored by CMU NAACP & Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.

Black Lives Matter (UC Terrace Rooms), 7pm

Friday, January 22

MLK Student/Faculty/Staff Charity Basketball Game (SAC Small Sports Forum), 6pm

Saturday, January 23

Unity Ball featuring the play “Humanity” (UC rotunda), 6pm$7 for students, $10 for general public

CAMPUS NEWS ThePulse10

January 15, 2016 - Mt. Pleasant, MI - In what some local citizens are already dubbing ‘The Great Public Land Grab of 2016’, members of the Snowman Militia have decided to stand their ground despite the current rainy weather.

The Snowman Militia took over the public land that is just south of, and nestled tightly between, Powers Hall and Warriner Hall on the campus of Central Michigan University recently. The initial demand of “more carrots, less coal,” has grown into a list of demands that includes snowplow amnesty, more phallic-free snacks, making the strip of land a dog-free zone, and saving the univer-sity’s Public Broadcasting television stations.

“We’re not going anywhere,” said Happy McSnappy Snowman (shown here with the makeshift laurel head-piece). “This land is our land,” she sang with her arms outstretched.

Thumbhead Snowman said he would stay as long as it takes to get results. “I’ve shrunk three inches since this morning, but not even this rain will stop us.”

Omer Freshmen Samantha Buykyureuz found it hard to get words over her tears. “It’s bloody suicide,” she said, “they’re going to die if we don’t get them inside. Why doesn’t somebody do sommething?”

Frank Bahkspehk, current Director of Inter-Abomina-ble Affairs with the President’s Office stated that freezer space has been secured in the bowels of the Towers if any members of the Snowman Militia want to give up their occupation of the seized lands and head into safer containment. “We have taken every step necessary to bring a mutually agreeable peaceful conclusion to this situation,” Bahkspehk said, “We’ve relocated all of the ice cream from the Towers to several personal administra-tive freezers to make enough space available for every snowman to take refuge if they so desire.”

When asked about the demand item concerning the current state of the university’s Public Broadcasting television stations Bahkspehk responded “That’s not in

Snowman Militia Members Stay Despite Rain

my jurisdiction, you’ll have to ask either Bob Anweevus at the Intra-Abominable Affairs Office or Greedy Mc-Greederson down in the university’s gold vault security room.” Neither Anweevus nor McGreederson were available for comment.

BigDumper Snowman said he was willing to come in out of the rain, but he no longer trusts that the admin-istration since waking up this morning with a large branch rammed through his mid-section. “I’m afraid that if they put us in the freezer, no one will ever hear from us again,” BigDumper said, “I don’t want to be-come some sophomore’s snowcone.”

So as talks ended today at 5:00 p.m., the stand-off be-tween the Snowman Militia and the Abominable Affairs Offices was no closer to a resolution. As the militia tries to settle in for the night, one can only wonder if they’ll make it through the rain and survive to continue their protest tomorrow.

CAMPUS NEWSThePulse 11

Community Remembers Snowman Militia

January 20, 2016 - Mt. Pleasant, MI - What started out as just another American group of miltia members standing up for their right to take over public land, has ended in tragedy.

The Snowman Militia members who stormed onto the campus of Cenral Michigan University, have all van-ished after the rainswept mid-week weaather change.

Several students tried to talk the militia members into seeking refuge, but the stubborn nature of mili-tia members everywhere, including both “the need to know” and “the need to be right” brought these local members to their ill-fated departure.

In lieau of a candlelight vigil, students and community members will gather in the lawn just south of Warriner and Powers halls on Saturday night to create snowman -shaped snow monuments to the melted soldiers.

Participants are encouraged to bring carrots and buttons. All of CMU’s Public Broadcasting television channels will go silent for a yet unannounced length of time to honor the efforts and legacy of the cold few who stood up for what they believed in.

COMMUNITY SERVICE ThePulse12

MT. PLEASANT AREA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDED GRANT THROUGH MICHIGAN HEALTH

ENDOWMENT FUND TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND WELLNESS OF ISABELLA

COUNTY RESIDENTS

Mt. Pleasant, Mich. – The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation recently announced it has been awarded a grant of more than $80,000.00 from the Michigan Health Endow-ment Fund to support initiatives aimed at im-proving the quality of health for residents of Isabella County.

The Mt. Pleasant Area Community Founda-tion grant dollars will support the building of an integrated care team to deliver primary medi-cal care at Isabella Citizens for Health, a newly designated Federally Qualified Health Center serving the residents of Isabella County and sur-rounding communities. This model addresses the needs of an expanding patient population and an increased number of insured people during a pri-mary care physician shortage. Specific outcomes of the project will include better coordination of preventative care, more opportunity for patient education on chronic disease management, and coordination and referral services related to other social determinants of health that contribute to a person’s overall health--all through a single medical home.

“We are thrilled to partner with Isabella Citi-zens for Health to begin building their integrated care team in 2016 by adding, and co-locating, behavioral health services within the Health Cen-ter,” said Amanda Schafer, Executive Director of the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.

More than 30 community foundations across the state applied for funding through the Mich-igan Health Endowment Fund’s fall 2015 grant

application process. Grant requests focused on areas such as: prenatal care and infant mortality; health services to support adopted and fostered children; healthy food access; wellness and fitness programs; access to mental health services; tech-nology enhancements; health related transpor-tation needs; access to care/integrated care; and teen pregnancy prevention.

“The Michigan Health Endowment Fund board is proud to support a variety of very successful programs already positively impacting the health of Michigan’s children and seniors as a result of our first grant funding effort,” said Rob Fowler, board chairman. “We look forward to building additional relationships with Michigan’s com-munity foundations and other non-profit orga-nizations as they continue their focused work to improve the health of Michigan’s most vulnerable residents.”

The mission of the Michigan Health Endow-ment Fund is to improve the health of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of health care, with special emphasis on the health and wellness of children and seniors. The fund was created as part of 2013 state legislation that allowed Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to become a non-profit mutual health insurer. Nearly $38 million in grants were awarded by the Michigan Health Endowment Fund last year.

“We are excited to collaborate this year with community foundations on projects that seek to enhance the well-being of Michigan’s children and seniors in their local communities,” said Paul Hillegonds, executive director of Michigan Health Endowment Fund.

Additional information can be found at the Michigan Health Endowment Fund website at mhealthfund.com or by visiting the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation website at mpacf.org.

MPACF RECEIVES HEALTH & WELLNESS GRANT

COUNTY NEWSThePulse 13

CMMA Positioned for Growth with New Director The Central Michigan Manufacturers Association (CMMA) has appointed Harry Leaver, a regional leader in manufacturing, as its Executive Director. Leaver will focus on building the Association’s membership base and responding to the needs of manufacturers in Clare, Gladwin, Gratiot, and Isabella counties. Jim Shoemaker of Morbark Inc. serves as President of the CMMA. In announcing the appointment, Shoe-maker said, “The CMMA Board feels very fortunate to have attracted an experienced professional like Harry Leaver to lead its expansion and outreach efforts. Harry is well-known among manufacturers who will appreci-ate his insight and vision.” Most recently, Leaver spent twelve years working at Saginaw Valley State University, where he created and strengthened partnerships that supported workforce development and economic vitality. Beyond his experi-ence with higher education, Leaver has extensive expe-rience in manufacturing, having spent over 35 years in the industry as a manager and executive leader. “The CMMA has big goals for growth, increased visibil-ity, and impactful work,” Leaver remarked. “But, ambi-tious as those sound, they are necessary and important to the economic health of our region.” In addition to Leaver’s appointment, the CMMA has affiliated with Mid Michigan Community College (MMCC), which will serve as the base of operations for Leaver and the CMMA. The affiliation will further strengthen the College’s programs to meet the demands of industry employers. The collaboration marks a new level in the partnership between CMMA and MMCC. Leaver’s office will be located at MMCC’s Morey Technical Education Center in Mt. Pleasant. This positions him to strengthen the training-to-employment pipeline in manufacturing.

Leaver will work with the College’s workforce develop-ment team, including the Small Business Development Corporation, to connect industry demands with cus-tomized training and academic programs. He will also assist in creating educational outreach programs such as internships and apprenticeships that provide both high school and college students with first-hand manufacturing experiences. “Our local manufacturers are an ecosystem—support-ing and relying on one another and our communities at large,” said Leaver. “We want to ensure the vitality of that ecosystem. Mid is a key partner in the region and both organizations are committed to strengthening this industry sector.” The CMMA is a network of manufacturing organiza-tions created to exchange ideas and information and to promote manufacturing’s opportunities and contribu-tions to the region. In addition to Shoemaker, its Board is comprised of James Briggs of Grand Traverse Con-tainer, Michael Goin of American Mitsuba, Bill Hen-derson of Aircraft Precision Products, John Miller of JD Metalworks, Bill Quakenbush of Bill’s Custom Fab, Don Schurr of the Greater Gratiot Development, and Dawn Thomas of Alro Steel. New to the Board is Christine Hammond, President of MMCC. About CMMACMMA was formed to address the following needs by the manufacturers in central Michigan: the exchange of information and of ideas among the industrial com-munity, to create a manufacturing network, to promote a better understanding of fellow industry members, to make each manufacturer more competitive, and to educate the general public about manufacturing in their region.

For more information about CMMA go to www.cen-tralmichiganmanufacturers.org.

CMMA APPOINTS NEW DIRECTOR

COMMUNITY GROUPS14Mid Michigan Area Story Tellers Meet for First Time in 2016

ThePulse

By ELISE HUBEL

The Mid Michigan Area Storytellers met Tuesday for their first time this year. Being the first meeting of the year, general bookkeeping was performed and dues were paid.

After settling the business, the group of storytellers went on to share stories, present ideas and discuss storytelling as a whole. Members Cher Schafer, Philip Lewis, and Carol Garner each told their own stories in their own personal way.

To begin, Garner told her version of a story shared by a peer through the use of repetition, audience participa-tion and jingles. Garner then discussed how she often likes to share these types of stories with younger audi-ences. She stated that involvement is key when perform-ing for small children.

Following Garner, Lewis proposed his ideas for a per-sonal story he is in the process of writing. This story will share his experiences with public speaking and the nerves that he experienced in doing so. The group contributed feedback and compliments to Lewis’ work-in-progress.

After Lewis, Schafer, in her own words “had an epipha-ny.” She realized that there are strong similarities be-tween storytelling and songs. Schafer then experimented with telling an old Girl Scout song from her childhood as if it were a story. The progression of the story followed a similar pattern to Garner’s tale with the use of repeti-tion and various sung portions.

Pictured: Cher Schafer, Mark Shafer, Carol Garner, Philip Lewis, Eileen DeLorenzo, Janet Drzyzga

Cher Schafer shares a song in the form of a story. From left: Char Schafer, Mark Schafer

Members Philip Lewis and Eileen DeLorenzo listen to their peer’s story

COMMUNITY GROUPS 15Mid Michigan Area Story Tellers Meet for First Time in 2016

ThePulse

The rest of the meeting continued with an open discussion of the group’s experiences with storytelling as a whole. Members each shared their own insights and gave advice on how to be a more effective speaker.

“We’re here to support each other through storytelling,” member Eileen DeLorenzo said.

The Mid Michigan Area Storytellers then talked about how storytelling creates a shared human experience. They believe that through the use of oral stories, listeners can relate and realize that the world is a community.

Lewis stated that his goal when writing was “to come up with a story that conveys a message of ‘I’m not the only one.’” Oth-er members agreed, claiming that the use of stories allows different groups to understand each other.

Defined by themselves as “a group of story lovers and per-formers, supporting members with mentoring, networking, and performance,” the Mid Michigan Area Storytellers are available for hire for any occasion in which storytelling is desired.

The Mid Michigan Area Storytellers meet every third Tues-day in the Veteran’s Memorial Library Annex. Their next meeting will be held on February 18. For inquiries, email lead coordinator Joe Remenar at jremenar66@yahoo.com.

Above: Member Carol Garner shares her own version of a peer’s story with the use of gestures, repetition and audience participation.

Below: Mid Michigan Area Storytellers share their personal experiences regarding feeling nervous when public speaking. Bottom center moving clockwise: Janet Drzyzga, Cher Schafer, Mark Schafer, Carol Garner, Philip Lewis, Eileen DeLorenzo.

SCHOOLS ThePulse16

MMCC Honors List

The High Honors and Honors Students for Mid Michigan Community College, Fall 2015 Semester, are below. To achieve Honors, a student must have completed at least 12 credit hours during the semester and achieved a GPA of 3.5 through 3.89. High Honors is for those who achieved a GPA of 3.9 through 4.0.

Mid Michigan Community College Fall Honors

HONORSStudents CityStephanie Cochran AlmaAustin Coleman AlmaBrennan Hall AlmaStephen Maharaj AlmaNicole McCowen AlmaTracy Mikel AlmaLisa Johnson AltoMadison Vaerten Bad AxeJennifer Eaton BeavertonKatelyn Hansen BeavertonGarrett Horn BeavertonRobert Hundley BeavertonNatalie Marble BeavertonAspen McFarland BeavertonRandall Roggentine BeavertonJacob Schlaack BeavertonTiffani Stewart BeavertonEmily Swinson BeavertonAngela Wyatt BeavertonKathleen King Big RapidsTaylor Hutson BlanchardPaul Sleeseman BlanchardPeter Taylor BlanchardErika Wendling BreckenridgePaige Phillips CantonBryan Cody CaroGrant Gage Carson CityJosiah Bear ClareMaisie Beckner ClareMolly Cole ClareKaitlyn Corell ClareBayley Dangler ClareKyle Duffett ClareNatalie Fedewa ClareKelsey Gage ClarePaige Gould ClareKarrisa John ClareKendell Koch ClareJamie McCoy ClareTrey Mongar ClareKyra Pappas ClareRaven Phalen-Price Clare

Alexis Sines ClareKenneth Smith ClareNickolas Stark ClareAlex Witbeck ClareMadison Crowl ColemanMonica German ColemanCrystal Horton ColemanNicole Martin ColemanKonnie Mayhew ColemanGideon Zielinski ColemanJocelyn Langeland Coopersville MiMikhail Myles East LansingZachary McCririe Elk RapidsStevie Duey EvartBrenda Peters EvartJacob Sorenson EvartKatelyn Whitman EvartAndrew Dieterman FalmouthTanej Mukkatira Farmington HillsMelissa Carpenter FarwellBecca Fisch FarwellCassandra Hanna FarwellKathryn Moran FarwellMaria Murphy FarwellRachelle Reihl FarwellMichelle Snell FarwellAbigail Sprague FarwellCassaundra Kramer FrankfortAutumn Clink GaylordLogan Hart GaylordKayla Neubert GaylordSarah Polena GaylordMorgan Arnold GladwinSavannah Celestino GladwinJanelle Dion GladwinAndrew Good GladwinKelly Greaves GladwinTimothy Green GladwinMallory Johnson GladwinBrenna Kind GladwinKara Lee-Samalik GladwinKaitlyn Money GladwinAmy Paiva GladwinKristopher Paulson Gladwin

Cobi Pellerito GladwinKaye Roe GladwinAshley White GladwinRachel McDermaid GoodrichBrett Merrill Grand RapidsLogan Forist GreenvilleSavana Allen HarrisonPhillip Hale HarrisonEthan Hall HarrisonDavid Hoefling HarrisonAngelique Jehnzen HarrisonQuincy Jones HarrisonKathleen Kelly HarrisonRachel Michalik HarrisonSteven Pothoof HarrisonKorey Sharp HarrisonBobbie Shipman HarrisonJohn Sleight HarrisonKevin Finkbeiner HaslettKrista Wilson Houghton LakeMahmoud Albu Qurayn InternationalMindy Campbell LakeChase Cassel LakeMeagan Lumbert Lake IsabellaAlison Kowalski Lake OrionAryssa Hagen LindenMardella VanderTuig MantonAnthony Kreis MarquetteKara Hughston McBainRaylin Vance McbainMelody Moore MerrillKevin Call MidlandTanner Diment MidlandMohammed Al Yahya Mt PleasantFaleh Alajmi Mt PleasantFaleh Alajmi Mt PleasantAbdulaziz Alanazi Mt PleasantAbdulrahman Alanazi Mt PleasantFahad Al-Jama Mt PleasantTaher Alsadeq Mt PleasantHussain Al-Shibr Mt PleasantKatelyn Bearse Mt PleasantNathan Brooks Mt PleasantBria Dalgliesh Mt Pleasant

SCHOOLSThePulse 17

Mid Michigan Community College Fall Honors

Nolan Daniels Mt PleasantSheridan Ervin Mt PleasantJoshua Francisco Mt PleasantTyler Grigar Mt PleasantMegan Grubbs Mt PleasantKayla Harris Mt PleasantKatelyn Hartman Mt PleasantDanielle Hawks Mt PleasantJamie Heleski Mt PleasantDaniel Hernandez Mt PleasantKylie Hines Mt PleasantNathan Houk Mt PleasantKarla Hoyt Mt PleasantEvan Huber Mt PleasantErik Johnson Mt PleasantPatrick Jones Mt PleasantAlicia Ketchum Mt PleasantKayla Lalk Mt PleasantBrittany Leatherman Mt PleasantShelby Litteral Mt PleasantKatie Machuta Mt PleasantCynthia Malott Mt PleasantAllen Martin Mt PleasantKelsi Martin Mt PleasantZachary McBride Mt PleasantAutumn McEuen Mt PleasantSamantha Mogg Mt PleasantTaylor Neyer Mt PleasantWhitney Petersen Mt PleasantJacob Phillips Mt PleasantEric Pierson II Mt PleasantPhilip Schafer Mt PleasantKarleen Sharrar Mt PleasantSamantha Smallwood Mt PleasantAlisa Sponseller Mt PleasantAlexis Strong Mt PleasantZinab Suwaileh Mt PleasantDrew Thurston Mt PleasantBrian Tice Mt PleasantAdam Toton Mt PleasantLuke Vriend-Dehart Mt PleasantKevin Wilson Mt PleasantKristopher Wise Mt PleasantMichael Mucha New LothropJesica McKnight North BranchCody Owen OrtonvilleJenna Smith OwendaleMonty Whitson Owosso

Emily Otremba PinckneyPeter Pineau Port AustinMacKenzie Straub PrudenvilleJoseph Borgula Reed CityRachael Bourdet RemusNoah Cranson RemusShawna Neyome RemusNicholas Reeves RemusRyan Brantley RiverdaleAlexandra Prewett RiverdaleKevin Bringhurst Rochester HillsCaitlyn Wilson RoscommonMary Enfield RosebushLaine Sheets RosebushAshley Collins Royal OakRyan Miller SaginawShannon Spencer SanfordAshley Albone Sault Ste MarieAbigail Moeggenberg ShephardKatelyn Bosio ShepherdAndrew Brookens ShepherdRyan Cline ShepherdNicole Cuthbertson ShepherdJacob Darnell ShepherdJessica Johnson ShepherdBradley Nartker ShepherdCurtis Porter ShepherdJacob Sunderman ShepherdAndrew Preston Six LakesCourtney Gantz St. LouisLindsey Kelley St. LouisTrace Layton St. LouisKristen Nienhuis St. LouisGrant Perry St. LouisAshtin Jacques VestaburgRussell Bolender Wadsworth, OHBenjamin Reed WeidmanAlexander Schafer WeidmanEllen Thompson WeidmanJessica Tice WeidmanKatherine Markel West BranchJared Johnson White LakeRyan Daugherty WoodhavenAbdulrahman Aljohani International

HIGH HONORSStudents CityKatelyn Chavez Alma

Vanessa Waldron AlmaZachary Green BarrytonJordan Maust Bay PortLakin Boyer BeavertonAdam Burns BeavertonIsaac Davis BeavertonCiara Erbes Big RapidsSamantha Hoffman BreckenridgeKaroline Bushey CasevilleJoshua Arcuri ClareAmanda Brake ClareJennifer Campbell ClareStacy Chichester ClareAlex Crafard ClareJulia David ClareBrock Demo ClareMargaret Groves ClareSeth Harton ClareAutumn Horn ClareTessa Huovinen ClareAmanda MacDonald ClareJason Mathews ClareAshley Randall ClareRachyl Randall ClareScott Smith ClareRichard Walters ClareSterling Sobeske ColdwaterJoseph Berenyi ColemanLevi Veltkamp ColemanCurtis Fritch DeckervilleMariah Cook ElktonCarly Weinberg EvartWilliam Bouck III FarwellNina Buccilli FarwellChristopher Dysinger FarwellGrant Good FarwellMarissa Ingram FarwellAngela Johnson FarwellTanner Mittan FarwellLogan Pierce FarwellMary Pierce FarwellAngela Bowen GladwinMikaeli Campbell GladwinMichael Clifford GladwinKaitlyn Hickey GladwinDwight McCann GladwinSerena Potocki GladwinKristin Shoaf Gladwin

MMCC Honors List

SCHOOLS ThePulse18

Grant Applications are dueJanuary 27

Apply at mpacf.org

Dalton Thomas GladwinJustin Pfaff Harbor BeachMelissa Adams HarrisonSteven Bentley HarrisonSteve Brown HarrisonAllison Davis HarrisonWilliam Hoefling HarrisonJoshua Kiger HarrisonSarah Kohler HarrisonTyler Laporte HarrisonDaniel Penny HarrisonLindsey Querro HarrisonSerena Hernandez HighlandAmanda Beachnau Houghton LakeKatlin Kindel IthacaMegan Williams LakeKathy Kaczor Lake CityChristina Pree Lake CityKilee Sommerville LansingAmber Dzikowicz MarionCorey Juday MidlandAmal Abohasson Mt PleasantMohammed Alamer Mt Pleasant

Abdullah Albariqi Mt PleasantKathryn Alchin Mt PleasantAbdullah Alkhalaf Mt PleasantNawras Alqadihi Mt PleasantAmanda Anderson Mt PleasantIan Clark Mt PleasantLuke Davis Mt PleasantJustine Fisher Mt PleasantAndrea Fouty Mt PleasantNicole Fox Mt PleasantPaige Gross Mt PleasantKatelyn Hartupee-Malett Mt PleasantIsannah Henkes Mt PleasantCassie Johnson Mt PleasantRichard Johnson Mt PleasantArianna Kisell Mt PleasantAngie Koppleberger Mt PleasantRobert Mayra Mt PleasantAlicia Riggle Mt PleasantBrogan Sprague Mt PleasantErin Suraweera Mt PleasantNamuunbadralt Zolboot Mt PleasantBrent Martin Remus

Allyson Plank RemusPamela VanCuren RemusZachary Freed RiverdaleLindsay Martin ShepherdBrandon Stressman ShepherdAmanda Bajena St. LouisLeyscha Davis St. LouisVirginia Hartman St. LouisJordyn Loomis St. LouisEric Reyes St. LouisElijah Rutkowski St. LouisNicholas Sangster St. LouisAmy Parker StanwoodLydia Sabin SumnerBo Carrick WeidmanJoslin Clouse WeidmanKrista Faber WeidmanMegan Griffus WeidmanJeannette Holland WeidmanJade Kennedy WeidmanWesley Klein WeidmanAlexander Matthews WeidmanRyan Tilmann Weidman

MMCC Honors ListMid Michigan Community College Fall Honors

SCHOOLSThePulse 19

Next week, school will look a lot different for the students of Morey Montessori. Next week, students will still arrive to school as normal, being wel-comed at the door by Principal Johnson and leaving clumps of snow along the hall to their homerooms. But, next week, between the hours of 8:00am and 3:30pm, students will apply their learning in math, reading, and science in completely new ways!

Some students will paint geometric shapes in order to mimic the Cubist style of Picasso, applying the science of color theory and composition to their paintings. Others will research, cook, and taste yummy creations from cultures all over the world. Still others will be learning the physics of slope, speed, (and gravity) as they learn to downhill ski!

Planning for the week of IGNiTE began back in August with the Morey Montessori staff crowded around a long sheet of newsprint. As they called out ideas, the ink bled together with innovative, interesting, and uncommon elective courses which would soon be turned into the IGNiTE course catalogue.

“At Morey Montessori, we strive to ignite a pas-sion for learning. That’s why we created IGNiTE!” said Principal Eric Johnson, “It is our hope that IGNiTE will enhance our academic curriculum and allow our students to get opportunities they wouldn’t receive anywhere else.”

Hidden hobbies, skills, interests, and talents of the Morey team will come to life next week as they switch from teaching first grade to putting on a puppet theater, instructing Kindergarten to leading a group of Zoology Explorers! Students eagerly watched short commercials put on by each of the teachers and selected their favorites during Novem-ber, and they haven’t stopped talking about it since!

During the week of IGNiTE, students pre-school through 8th grade will take two elective courses of

Morey Montessori Students Explore with IGNITE! Program

their choosing. These courses, designed and taught by Morey staff will integrate the Common Core State Standards into hands-on, innovative courses. Students will apply ELA, Math, and Science skills in order to research, plan, and record gross science experiments, design and stitch their own creations, and experience the language and culture of South America!

“I’m excited about IGNiTE because I get to do Spanish and Zoology,” exclaimed Kenny, a third grad-er at Morey Montessori. When asked what he thinks he’ll do after IGNiTE he grinned and said, “Maybe I’ll get a career that involves animals!”

The ultimate goal of the program is just that: Ignit-ing a passion for real-world learning through expos-ing students to new experiences.

“I’m excited to learn how to cook next week!” said Mariah, a third grader. “I’ve never gotten to learn that kind of stuff at school, and now I’ll be able to cook recipes for my family at home!”

The course catalogue for IGNiTE can be found at the Morey Montessori website under IGNiTE along with the mini commercials produced by the Morey staff.

SCHOOLS ThePulse20

On a brisk December night, the parking lot of Kroger Foods was trans-formed by the sound of bells clanging together as a giggling group of three and four year old boys waved their arms wildly, shouting, “Merry Christmas!”

The heartfelt well wishes of Ms. Lawrence’s pre-school class brought more than just pennies and nickels for the Salvation Army’s great cause. They brought smiles to stranger’s faces and spread compassion. “I ring bells and I gave people candy canes,” reported three year old Caleb. “You just ring your bell and say Happy Christmas!”

During the month of December, the students at Morey Montessori were learning about the character trait Compassion as a part of the Character Choices Character Education Program. Through the program, students focus on a positive character trait each month ranging from Cooperation to Good Judgement. As a result, several classes took the initiative to plan a service proj-ect in our community in order to practice sharing Compassion.

Morey Montessori Students Serve the Community

Across town, the residents at Green Acres settled in to listen to holiday songs, poems, and books performed by Morey Montessori’s first through third graders. “I read to a girl named Katherine,” third grader Alicia said with a smile. When asked how it felt to be compassionate, Alicia replied, “It felt pretty good to me because I was making people happy!”

Amelia, a fourth grade student arranged the entire service project for her classmates, calling Herrick Park staff to set up the date, time, and task. Her fourth through sixth grade class worked hard to clean up fallen branches, helping to preserve the park’s beauty. When asked how it felt to serve in the community, fourth grader Lillian beamed, “It feels really good because when you help out somebody else, it also makes you feel good too.”

AROUND TOWNThePulse 21

CLASSIFIEDS ThePulse22

AUTOS

Auto AuctionZuker Towing 3110 Rogers Rd. MT. PJan 27 @ Noon2001 Grand Prix vin# 1G2WK-52J01F23226Reserve $1515.00

HELP WANTED

BOOKS

Now Available at The Pulse office

Signed Copies of ‘YOU MATTER: 90 Meditations for Joy’

By S. R.Covieo$13.00

POSTCARDSNow Available at The Pulse office:

Local historical photos and postcards reprinted as modern day postcards - several themes $1.00 each Also available at:

http://www.centralmichiganpulse.com/store/c10/Mt._Pleasant.html

ENTERTAINMENT 23ThePulse

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort - Upcoming Events

January 29th - Dwight Yoakam wsg Pam Tillis

February 4th-7th - Soaring Eagle Open XI & WPBA Masters 2016

February 13th-14th - The Price is Right Live

February 18th - Clueless Murder Mystery Dinner

February 20th - Cheech & Chong

February 26th-27th - Ram Trucks Snocross National

March 4, 2016 - Tracy Morgan

March 26, 2016 - Adam Lambert wsg Alex Newell

April 8, 2016 - Styx

April 16,2016 - The Band Perry

May 21, 2016 - Lewis Black

Staples Family Concert Hall - Upcoming Events

January 21st - Guest Artist Gabriela Martinez, piano

January 26th - Guest Artists WEE Trio

January 28th - Faculty Artist Mark Cox, tuba

January 31st - CMU String Day Guest Artist Hai Xin Wu, violin

February 2nd - Faculty Artist Adrienne Wiley, piano

February 4th - Faculty Jazz Combo

February 9th - Faculty Artist Tracy Watson, mezzo-soprano

February 11th- CMU Orchestra

ENTERTAINMENT ThePulse24

MAC TV Network Channels ScheduleSUNDAY

1:00 AM IWE Battlezone TV - Wrestling 191-MAC13:13 AM Isabella County Work Session 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov8:00 AM Faith Community Church 187-MAC28:51 AM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 9 AM 187-MAC210:00 AM Grace Church Live 191-MAC110:00 AM Trinity Church 187-MAC211:00 AM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 11 AM 187-MAC212:00 PM Grace Church 187-MAC212:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov1:00 PM AUMC 191-MAC12:00 PM Sacred Heart Parish 187-MAC22:00 PM U. Tshp Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov3:00 PM Clare Ment. Health - EMT 191-MAC13:30 PM AUMC 187-MAC24:06 PM MAC Gives Back: Clothing Inc. 191-MAC14:32 PM Clare Depot Receives Caboose 191-MAC15:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC25:00 PM MP Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov7:00 PM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 11 AM 191-MAC17:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC27:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC27:59 PM Clare Ment. Health - Mindful... 191-MAC18:00 PM Girls Basketball - Shepherd vs Alma 187-MAC28:00 PM MP Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov9:30 PM Trinity Church 191-MAC19:30 PM Boys Basketball - Shepherd vs Alma 187-MAC211:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC111:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC2

MONDAY7:00 AM Trinity Church 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov8:00 AM Democracy Now 191-MAC19:00 AM Faith Community Church 191-MAC110:00 AM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC110:00 AM Sports Attack 187-MAC210:00 AM UT Board of Trustees 188-Gov10:30 AM Art Review 187-MAC211:00 AM Christian Music Videos 191-MAC111:00 AM The Vanisher 187-MAC212:00 PM Girls Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC212:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov1:00 PM Merry Xmas from Clare Book Club 191-MAC11:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC22:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC12:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC22:30 PM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC24:00 PM What Should I Be... - Farmer 191-MAC14:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC24:10 PM MAC Gives Back: Girls on th Run 191-MAC15:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC15:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC26:00 PM Christian Music Videos 191-MAC17:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC27:30 PM Alma String Ass. Fall Concert 191-MAC17:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC28:00 PM Girls Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC29:30 PM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC210:00 PM Democracy Now 191-MAC111:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC111:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC2

WEDNESDAY12:42 AM IWE Battlezone TV - Wrestling 191-MAC16:00 AM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 11 AM 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov8:00 AM Democracy Now 191-MAC110:00 AM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC110:00 AM Sports Attack 187-MAC210:00 AM U. Tshp Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov10:30 AM Art Review 187-MAC211:00 AM Sacred Heart Parish 191-MAC111:00 AM The Vanisher 187-MAC212:00 PM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC212:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov12:30 PM Clare Ment. Health - EMT 191-MAC11:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC22:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC12:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC22:00 PM UT Board of Trustees 188-Gov2:30 PM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC23:00 PM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 9 AM 191-MAC14:00 PM Sacred Heart Parish 191-MAC14:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC25:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC15:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC25:15 PM What Should I Be... - Farmer 191-MAC15:30 PM Merry Xmas from Clare Book Club 191-MAC1

TUESDAY7:00 AM Trinity Church 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov8:00 AM Democracy Now 191-MAC19:00 AM Faith Community Church 191-MAC110:00 AM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC110:00 AM Sports Attack 187-MAC210:30 AM Art Review 187-MAC211:00 AM Clare Ment. Health - Mindful... 191-MAC111:00 AM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC212:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov12:30 PM Disability Network 191-MAC112:30 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC21:00 PM Clare Ment. Health - Yoga 191-MAC11:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC22:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC12:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC22:00 PM UT Planning Commission 188-Gov2:30 PM Girls Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC23:00 PM Veterans Update 191-MAC13:51 PM AUMC 191-MAC14:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC25:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC15:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC25:00 PM MP Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov5:30 PM Clare Ment. Health - Music Ther 191-MAC17:00 PM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 9 AM 191-MAC17:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC27:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC28:00 PM MAC Gives Back: Clothing Inc. 191-MAC18:00 PM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC28:00 PM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov9:30 PM Girls Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC210:00 PM Democracy Now 191-MAC111:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC111:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC2

ENTERTAINMENT 25ThePulse

THURSDAY12:54 AM MAC TV Zombie Film Fest. ‘14 191-MAC17:00 AM Trinity Church 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov8:00 AM Democracy Now 191-MAC19:00 AM Faith Community Church 191-MAC110:00 AM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC110:00 AM Sports Attack 187-MAC210:00 AM UT Planning Commission 188-Gov10:30 AM Veterans Update 191-MAC110:30 AM Art Review 187-MAC211:00 AM Clare Ment. Health - Music Ther 191-MAC111:00 AM Girls Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC212:00 PM Clare Ment. Health - Yoga 191-MAC112:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov12:30 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC21:00 PM Disability Network 191-MAC11:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC22:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC12:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC22:30 PM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC23:00 PM Uncle Ducky 191-MAC13:56 PM AUMC 191-MAC14:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC25:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC15:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC26:00 PM Alma City Commission 191-MAC17:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC27:30 PM MAC Gives Back: Clothing Inc. 191-MAC17:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC28:00 PM Isabella County Reg Meeting 191-MAC18:00 PM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC29:30 PM Girls Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC210:00 PM Clare Ment. Health - Mindful... 191-MAC111:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC111:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC2

FRIDAY1:00 AM IWE Battlezone TV - Wrestling 191-MAC13:13 AM Isabella County Work Session 191-MAC17:00 AM Trinity Church 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov8:00 AM Democracy Now 191-MAC19:00 AM Sacred Heart Parish 191-MAC19:59 AM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC110:00 AM Sports Attack 187-MAC210:30 AM Art Review 187-MAC211:00 AM The Vanisher 187-MAC212:00 PM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC212:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov1:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC2

SATURDAY12:54 AM MAC TV Zombie Film Fest. ‘14 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov9:00 AM Uncle Ducky 191-MAC19:30 AM Trinity Church 191-MAC110:00 AM Sports Attack 187-MAC210:00 AM U. Tshp Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov10:28 AM Clare Depot Recieves Caboose 191-MAC110:30 AM Art Review 187-MAC210:50 AM Sacred Heart Parish 191-MAC111:00 AM Girls Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC211:49 AM Clare Ment. Health - Music Ther 191-MAC112:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov12:30 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC21:00 PM Alma City Commission 191-MAC11:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC22:00 PM Clare Ment. Health - Yoga 191-MAC12:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC22:00 PM UT Planning Commission 188-Gov2:30 PM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC23:00 PM Veterans Update 191-MAC14:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC25:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC25:00 PM MP Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov5:30 PM H.A.T.S. 191-MAC16:30 PM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 9 AM 191-MAC17:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC27:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC28:00 PM Clare Ment. Health - EMT 191-MAC18:00 PM Girls Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC28:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov9:30 PM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC210:00 PM Faith Community Church 191-MAC111:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC111:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC2

6:00 PM MAC Gives Back: Girls on th Run 191-MAC16:30 PM Christian Music Videos 191-MAC16:58 PM Alma String Ass. Fall Concert 191-MAC17:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC27:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC28:00 PM Christian Music Videos 191-MAC18:00 PM Girls Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC28:30 PM Trinity Church 191-MAC19:30 PM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC210:00 PM Democracy Now 191-MAC111:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC111:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC2

2:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC12:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC22:00 PM UT Board of Trustees 188-Gov2:30 PM Girls Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC22:58 PM Isabella County Reg Meeting 191-MAC13:50 PM What Should I Be... - Farmer 191-MAC14:00 PM Uncle Ducky 191-MAC14:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC24:30 PM Christian Music Videos 191-MAC15:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC15:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC25:00 PM MP Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov5:15 PM MAC Gives Back: Girls on th Run 191-MAC15:19 PM Clare Depot Recieves Caboose 191-MAC15:30 PM Alma String Ass. Fall Concert 191-MAC16:30 PM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 11 AM 191-MAC17:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC27:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC28:00 PM AUMC 191-MAC18:00 PM Girls Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC28:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov9:03 PM Merry Xmas from Clare Book Club 191-MAC19:30 PM Boys Basketball - Shep. v Alma 187-MAC210:00 PM Democracy Now 191-MAC111:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC111:00 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC2

Subject to change - Visit www.mactvnetwork.org for most up-to-date schedule

OUTDOORS ThePulse26

Oh, the crazy things I’ve done ice fishing...with Chris Zimmerman

Chris Zimmerman

Of all my outdoor pursuits, ice fishing has to be the most dangerous. By most ac-counts I should be dead by now. If hypothermia didn’t get me when I was in grade school, and actually laid on the ice, watching a school of perch three feet below me, I should have bit the dust during college up at Lake Superior State University. Back then, we ventured out on the St. Marys River near the Valley Camp Museum in Sault Ste. Marie. There couldn’t have been four or five inches of ice and the current was deadly swift. Of course, I don’t remember how close we came to dying, but I do remember the burbot (freshwater cod) we caught and how good they tasted when compared to dorm food.

Ice fishing is fun, especially when the fish are biting and you actually catch enough for a meal. Fresh fish is not only tasty, but oh so satisfying when you’ve taken part in the harvest. Fresh fish – caught in icy waters – have flesh that is firm and tone, which means that the flavor is awesome. Whether your favorite fish is

walleye, perch, whitefish or trout, if they’re caught through the ice, they’re bound to be superb. Now that winter is finally here, and cold temps have helped our ice situation, I think about all the dumb things

I have done on the ice in search of a fish dinner. The college years featured some decent ice fishing action on Munuscong Bay in the east end of the Upper

Peninsula. I remember one time in late, late winter driving a Ford Festiva on what was left of the ice. It was probably late March or early April, and the ice had turned an eerie shade of gray. If you’ve ever enjoyed a freshly made slushie from Doozie’s or Dairy Queen, you know pretty much the consistency of the ice on that particular day.

After a mile or two drive out to the perch grounds, I couldn’t fish. All I could think about was the drive back in, and whether or not I’d make it. Instead of staying there and fishing, I turned around and drove back to shore, barely making it across the slush near shore.

About 20 years ago, I got a report that the perch were biting in the shallows of Saginaw Bay. It was early in the ice fishing season, and just cold enough so that the bay was covered in about an inch of ice.

A pal and I walked off shore several hundred yards. The ice had a malleable feel to it and it seemed to bend under the weight of our boots. Since there wasn’t any snow on the ice, we could see the schools of minnows and perch darting ahead of us.

After chopping holes in the ice and settling into our shanties, the perch came a-calling. It was fun to look down the holes and watch them dart to our baits, three feet below the ice. In a way, the scenario reminded me of my childhood when I looked down the holes and watched the perch entertained by our baits.

Yes, we caught some perch, that day on Saginaw Bay, but when the wind kicked up and the bottom started moving, I couldn’t figure out why.

Ice fishing season on our doorstep! Author Chris Zimmerman with a dandy Saginaw Bay walleye.

BUSINESS LAW 27ThePulse

Estate TaxPat, how does the Federal Estate Tax work?

By PAT GALLAGHER

The Estate Tax is a tax on your right to transfer property at your death. It consists of an accounting of everything you own or have certain interests in at the date of death. The fair market value of these items is used, not necessarily what you paid for them or what their values were when you acquired them. The total of all of these items is your “Gross Estate.” The includible property may consist of cash and securities, real estate, insurance, trusts, annuities, business interests and other assets.

Once you have accounted for the Gross Estate, certain deductions (and in special circumstances, reductions to value) are allowed in arriving at your “Taxable Estate.” These deductions may include mortgages and other debts, estate administration expenses, property that passes to surviving spouses and qualified charities. The value of some operating business interests or farms may be reduced for estates that qualify.

After the net amount is computed, the value of lifetime taxable gifts (beginning with gifts made in 1977) is added to this number and the tax is computed. The tax is then reduced by the available unified credit.

Most estates do not require the filing of an estate tax return. A filing is required for estates with combined gross assets and prior taxable gifts exceeding $5,430,000 in 2015 and $5,450,000 in 2016. See https://www.irs.gov/Businesses/Small-Businesses-&-Self-Em-ployed/Estate-Tax

“Why are we moving?” I asked my friend. “We’re not,” he said, urgently. “The ice is!”Let me tell you something: when the path to safety

starts drifting out to sea, it doesn’t take long to pack up your gear and run back to shore. Once there, we had to jump off the floe and wade through knee deep water to get to safety. It was madness.

Most recently, there have been times on Saginaw Bay that were a little nerve wrecking, but none that I thought my life was in danger. Of course, crossing the cracks on a snowmobile or a four wheeler, miles off shore makes a guy think twice about what he is doing. Saginaw Bay is, after all, a three-sided body of water. The ice in the winter of 2016 will be as unreliable as it was 20 years ago. With a little imagination, you can picture the ice shifting like a giant cookie sheet.

I’ve always made it back to shore thanks to a lot of common sense and a few important pieces of equipment. If you’re going to ice fish Saginaw Bay, follow the crowd and take along a GPS. Set a way-point where you cross a crack safely because you’ll want to cross it again on the way in. A GPS will also help you take the same track to shore as you took to the walleye grounds.

Whether you’re on a snowmobile or a four wheeler, don’t hesitate when you attempt to negotiate a crack. Momentum is your friend.

A pal of mine took his sweet time crossing a crack with his four-wheeler once and ended up axle deep in the water. There was at least a foot of ice, but the chunk where he decided to cross gave way. We had to pry him out from the rear, and pull him out from the front. It wasn’t fun, but we all learned an important lesson that day: zoom over the cracks, and make sure to have a rope handy.

Good luck fishing and be safe! Chris Zimmerman is the author of six Mich-

igan-based novels and an independent insurance agent in Shepherd. Look for his outdoor columns every other week in The Pulse.

Oh, the crazy things I’ve doneice fishing...with Chris Zimmerman

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