January 25, 2014 • Vol. 135 No. 4 514 S. Kalamazoo Ave. in Marshall, MI • Phone 269-781-5444 and FAX 269-781-7766 • www.advisor-chronicle.com
In The News: Economists say stagnant wages, retail leakage leave Calhoun County wanting
Redhawk Elementary
While the minimum wage value continues to shrink, now at 1980s levels in terms of 2013 dollars, and business and professional services flounder due to an apparent retail leakage to other counties, Calhoun County is only expected to gain an overall economic boost of about 1.5 percent in 2014. “Minimum wage hasn’t changed since ’08, however, it has not been keeping up,” said Upjohn Institute for Employment Research Senior Economist George Erickcek, who gave his annual economic update to Calhoun County business and community leaders on Jan. 16. “Minimum wage, in terms of real 2013 dollars, is actually less than it was in 1980, ’81, ’82.” Much of the 2014 predicted growth will likely be attributed to the strengthening manufacturing base in the county despite such a soft construction industry and flat real estate market. See story on page 28
... FUN for EVERYONE!
No longer a couch potato About 15 months ago, Tim Hauxwell was asked a rather sobering question by his doctor during a physical. “I went to the doctor and my blood pressure was pretty whacked out and he asked me how I felt about having a stroke,” said Hauxwell, 53, who used to describe himself as a fat couch potato. “‘Not real good,’ I said.” He was immediately put on medication to get his blood pressure under control. Hauxwell, who weighed 289 pounds, said after that encounter, he went home and took a good look in the mirror. “It was time to do something,” he said. See story on page 6
Overcoming the ‘winter blues’ For most of us, the cold, gray days of winter can occasionally give us a case of the winter “blahs” and a good dose of cabin fever. But for some, the blahs become the winter blues that can last through the fall and winter months which are characterized by cold weather, shorter daylight hours and cloudy days. Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD is a type of depression that occurs at the same time every year, sapping one’s energy and mood. Beth Anne List, M.A., an outpatient psychotherapist, working at Oaklawn Psychological Services since 1997, says that the condition has plenty to do with where you live. See story on page 7
Reuniting heroes: Marshall veteran connects with long lost friend A daughter’s love for her father and a desire to know him more deeply led her to find his long lost friend from the Vietnam War. Jennifer Owens of Tekonsha said when she found a 40-plus year old letter from Vietnam vet Willie Bradford tucked away in an old trunk of war memories collecting dust in the attic, she never knew what that would mean to her father, Joe Stephens of Marshall. “I didn’t even remember the letter,” Stephens said. Reading that letter brought back a flood of memories of his old war buddy, with whom he served in the 6th and 27th field artillery while overseas in the 1970s. See story on page 27
Wirtz family owns farm for 175 years Ken and Linda Wirtz are the most recent owners of the Wirtz farm, which has been owned by the family for 175 years. Each generation has added its touches to the home which began as a building with two rooms on the main floor and two bedrooms upstairs. See story on page 38
health, mind&body features throughout this issue!
T
he Redhawk Elementary Carnival is coming Feb. 1, to Walters Elementary with the promise of games, activities, a silent auction and exciting raffle prizes. Each year, this carnival, which is a joint fundraiser for Walters, Hughes and Gordon schools, earns thousands of dollars that local PCO members use to enhance their children’s school experiences. Pictured are fourth grade students Lisa Horton and Julian Sanchez. See story on page 21
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What do you do to stay healthy? Editor’s Corner
This week’s special section “ Health, Mind & Body” focuses what to do to maintain a healthy lifestyle. We asked these six people what things they do to improve their health.
by John Hendler This week’s issue features several articles on health and wellness that will hopefully inform, educate and inspire some (or many) to take action to get to a better place in their life, health-wise. For most of my adult life, I have struggled with my weight. Looking at my high school senior pics, I was nothing but skin and bones and weighed no more than 140 when I graduated. Then came college and freedom; “freedom” to eat anything I pleased without my father nagging me about what that food would do to me. “Nothing but poison,” my father would tell me on the times I was home and he saw me eating greasy burgers or greasy pizza or greasy chicken or drinking gallons of pop. A few pounds here and few pounds there. (No big deal, I thought. Ah, to be young and stupid.) Before I knew it, I was over 200 pounds when I hit my mid 20s. And that’s where I’ve stayed for the majority of the past quarter century. In a few months, I will hit the big 5-0. (Book ‘em Danno. Sorry, I can’t help saying/writing that.) I’ve come to the sobering realization that the years to finally turn things around are becoming fewer and fewer. About 16 months ago, I found out I had gallstones and almost immediately, I stopped my junk food eating ways. I also eliminated pop and caffeine. Since I found out about the gallstones and had my gall bladder removed, I’ve lost close to 30 pounds. Since the new year started, I’ve dropped six pounds and for the first time in a long, long time, I can see the 190s on the horizon, a number I hope to hit by summer. In talking to Tim Hauxwell about his 60-pound weight loss, which is an article in this week’s issue, he said something that many of us seem to think when we achieve a major goal or milestone: If I can do it, anybody can. When I heard him say that to me, I thought, “Why not me?” and so I’ve challenged myself to be the next person to say, “If I can do it, anybody can.” Deep down, I believe we all have the strength and courage to make those changes that have, at least in my case, enslaved me since I was in college. And all this time, I had the power to change anytime I wanted; I just chose not to. It was easier to take the “easy” way out. As The Eagles sang in their song, Already Gone: So often times it happens that we live our lives in chains and we never even know we have the key. Until next week, may the good news be yours.
Monica Lubis, Marshall
Mike Johnson, Marshall
Dianne Kneller, Battle Creek
"I’m in cross-country and I’m training for a half marathon. I find it important to get nutrients outside of my workout because being healthy is both inside and outside the gym.”
"I work out two to three times a week at Oaklawn Life Improvement Center and attempt to stay away from saturated fats, which is usually difficult to do.”
"I work at Marshall High School and we are doing a ‘dump your rump’ wellness challenge. I workout together with my team - we go to the fitness center, take classes and eat healthy.”
Jerry Triece, Marshall
Gregg Norton, Marshall
John McAuliffe, Marshall
"I try to exercise five to six days a week for a hour at a time and I belong to Weight Watchers. By exercising and trying to eat better I’m hoping to see a lot of results this year.”
"I go to the gym, lift six days a week, eat nutritious, get my protein and do cardio because that’s important as well.”
"I swim to stay healthy. My advice: everything in moderation.”
Letters Show support for Math and Science Center on Jan. 27 To the Editor: On Monday, Jan. 27, the Marshall Public Schools Board of Education will be voting to pursue or to not pursue membership to the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center. Marshall is one of two schools in Calhoun County who has historically chosen to not belong to the center and, therefore, not secure any spots for Marshall students. The Math and Science Center currently has 15 area high schools sending it accelerated learners there for half the day to engage in hands-on, research-based
learning in math and science. For example, Lakeview High School is currently sending 92 of its brightest to the center, Olivet High School is sending 32 of their students and even Albion High School (whose students now attend Marshall) have six students over at the center. The Math and Science Center was established 22 years ago as a result of efforts by business/industry leaders in Michigan to enhance and specialize in the teaching of math and science. Their goal was also to increase interest in the ca-
reer fields of math and science, of which there is a drastic shortage of workers. If Marshall were to pursue membership for its students, there would be approximately five spots per grade level in all four high school grades...a total of 20 spots for Marshall students per year. Many parents and students believe they would like Marshall to have the same opportunities other Calhoun County students have. If you would like to learn more, please visit the Facebook page, “Marshall Par-
ents and Students for the Battle Creek Area Math and Science Center” and if you would like to show your support of this membership, please attend the Board of Education meeting on Monday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. at the Marshall Middle School Building. Public comments are welcome during the public comment portion of the meeting. Jim and Kara Malone, Parents of two Marshall Students
Columns Law that helps people...the history of the U.S. mail By GEORGE M. STRANDER Ingram County Court Administrator and Probate Register
First in a series. The United States Mail is in the news. The cost of mailing something is going up again. Now when you go to buy your “forever” stamps it will cost you 49 cents for each first class stamp. Someone might ask why we should care, given that electronic messaging,
especially through e-mail, and private delivery firms (e.g., UPS and FedEx) have transformed the way we send information and other items. In spite of this, though, the United States Mail remains an important part of the way we communicate. In this series, we will look at the institution and system we call “regular” mail and see how the laws behind it make it unique. T he C on st it u t ion : One thing snail mail has on e-mail, UPS and FedEx, is that it is recognized in the United States Constitution. In Article I, where the powers of Congress are enumerated, one of those powers given to the legislative branch is the power to “estab-
lish post offices and post roads.” [A post road was a Colonial-era road set up specifically to allow postal riders and mail coaches to transport mail from one town’s post office to another’s.] The office of Postmaster General (the head of mail operations) is, however, a Presidential appointment. Interestingly, and as a measure of its historical importance, the office pre-dates the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence (Benjamin Franklin was the famous first occupant of the post in 1775).
Continued to next page
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Marshall girls drop two straight After 9-0 start, varsity loses to Gull Lake and Charlotte
photo by John Hendler
The Marshall High School girls varsity basketball team, after starting the season 9-0, dropped their two contests last week at Gull Lake (Jan. 17) and also at home to Charlotte by a score of 61-40 on Jan. 21 to drop to 9-2. “We are simply not playing well,” said Marshall coach Sal Konkle, pictured below. “We aren't executing and our effort is just not good enough. It is unfortunate that we haven't built more confidence (starting) with a 9-0 record. Granted the last two teams we have played are two of the tougher teams we have played, but to be a great team you have to beat great teams.” Tierra Orban, above right, led Marshall with nine points versus Charlotte and also had four rebounds. Cortazia Wilson had seven points, while Chelsea Tobias and Layla Harkey, above left, each scored six points. Nikki Tucker had five points to go along with a team-high 13 rebounds. Kelsie Hicks, Jill Konkle and Emily Delmotte, above center, each scored two points and Taylor Jungel, below, going for the block, had one point. The girls varsity hosted Sturgis Friday evening and will play at Battle Creek Central on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
MPS Pool offering parenttot swimming on Saturdays through February The Marshall Community Pool at Marshall High School is offering parent-tot swimming sessions each Saturday from 11-11:30 a.m. through the end of February. The cost is $5 per child and there must be at least two people for the class to run to cover the cost of the instructor. The pool is also offering Lap Swim throughout the week on Monday-Thursday mornings from 6-7 a.m. Also on Saturdays, there will be Family/Lap Swim from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $3 person for Lap Swim of $10 for a family.
MHS boys beat Charlotte in dramatic fashion Jacob Brubaker’s buzzer beater gives Marshall 52-49 win
photos by John Hendler
Jacob Brubaker’s (pictured above left, earlier in the season) three-pointer at the buzzer gave the Marshall High School boys varsity basketball team a 52-49 victory at Charlotte Jan. 21 as the Redhawks improved their season record to 3-6. On the night, Brubaker finished with nine points. Angus Bennett, center, led Marshall with 16 points. Tyler Torrey had 12 points, while Tre Lane scored nine. Pictured above right is Chris Thomas, hitting the jumper versus Coldwater earlier this month. Coach Nick Dent called the Charlotte game, “One of the most exciting games I’ve ever been a part of.” Marshall hosted Sturgis Friday night and will host Battle Creek Central on Tuesday, Jan. 28.
MHS girls JV beat Charlotte 53-5
Marshall wrestlers just edged out by Harper Creek, 42-36 The Marshall High School wrestling team just came up a little short, losing at Harper Creek 42-36 on Jan. 22. “I was very impressed with how hard our team fought tonight,” said Marshall coach Nick Zuehlke. “We never gave up but in the end lost a few close matches that made the difference. A key turning point was when Chase Cousino came down awkwardly on his elbow and had to default his match due to injury. After being emotionally down due to the severity of the injury to Chase, the team fought back and really showed how much heart they have. In the end, we just had too many things go against us.” Marshall competes at the Battle Creek Central Invitational today, Saturday, Jan. 25 at 9 a.m. and will be home to host the Marshall Quad on Wednesday, Jan. 29 at 6 p.m. 135: Bobby Owens (Marshall) fall over Jonny Ramos 140: Joey Ramos (HC) fall over Justin Saari (Mar) 145: Jacob Bishop (HC) injury default over Chase Cousino 152: Jasper Hilger (Mar) fall over Jesse Echtinaw (HC) 160: Jadon Austin (Mar) fall over Turner Shaw (HC) 171: Corey Dexter (Mar) by void 189: Nate Steele (Mar) by void 215: Drew Michaels (HC) fall over Brandon Womack (Mar) 285: Caleb Masten (HC) by void 103: double void 112: Mitch Coon (HC) by fall over Erik Doane (Mar) 119: Ethan Bishop (HC) by fall over Kiefer Bartlett (Mar) 125: Chris Hall (Mar) major dec. over Brunner Beck (HC) 14-5 130: Skylar Ashley (HC) by fall over Jin Kim (Mar)
photos by John Hendler
The Marshall High School girls junior varsity basketball team blew out Charlotte 53-5 on Jan. 21. Pictuered above are Carlee Long, left, and Rebecca Fillmore.
MHS swimmers take second at Haslett Inv.
photo by Lisa Ragan
The Marshall High School boys swimming team celebrate their second place finish at the Haslett Invitational on Jan. 18. Today, Saturday, Jan. 25 the team travels to Bridgman and will compete at Battle Creek Central on Thursday, Jan. 30. The team will host its final meet of the season on Feb. 6 versus Harper Creek.
Baseball and softball fundraiser is Feb. 8 at Marshall Moonraker photo by John Hendler
photo by John Hendler
Tyler Macfarland
Parker Cruz
Marshall 6th grade Rising Stars complete 10-0 season
photo by John Hendler
Eron Hill
Marshall Academy girls beat Pansophia 52-17; boys lose to Pansophia 48-33
Standing from left: Coach Amanda Lankerd, Charlotte Rogers, Katie Foster, Ella Hilton, Elizabeth Dowell, Danielle DeVine, Makenzie Bonnell, Olivia Zulewski, Coach Tonya Purcell. Kneeling from left:Emma Crow, Olivia Wheeler, Sara Horton, Isabelle Franks. Not pictured: Adrianna Aemisegger
The Marshall Academy girls varsity basketball team improved its record to 7-1 with a 52-17 win over Pansophia on Jan. 17. Leading scorers were Cheyenne Blaine with 23 points and Elayna Hoyt with 13 points. The boys varsity team lost to Pansophia 48-33. Marshall Academy’s leading scoerer was Justin Evans with 15 points.
On Saturday, Feb. 8 from 610 pm at the Marshall Moonraker, the 4th annual baseball/softball cash draw will take place for athletes at Marshall High School. Tickets are $50 each which includes a spaghetti dinner, free libations, and an opportunity to win a grand prize of $1,000 . On Jan. 31 during Marshall’s home basketball games versus Harper Creek, coaches Anthony Miller, Trevor Kelly and Matt West will be selling tickets for the event. At the Feb. 8 event, there will be 50/50 drawings, 50/50 cash boards (like Super Bowl squares) throughout and many other money prizes. Also, for many who do not win money, there will be multiple other prizes. One such prize is four box seats to any MLB baseball game that Marshall resident and MLB Umpire Bill Welke is working. All profits go to the programs. Finally, if your ticket is drawn and you win no money, you may then buy it back for $5 and have your ticket in the last chance drawing.
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ad-visor&chronicle – January 25, 2013 – Page 48
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