Winter Reflections 2019 by Sunrise

Reflections Winter 2019

A special supplement of the Arenac County Independent, Ogemaw County Herald and Oscoda County Herald

Reflections

Page 2 â&#x20AC;˘ Reflections - Winter 2019

Winter 2019

ÂŠ 2019

A supplement of the Arenac County Independent, The Ogemaw County Herald and the Oscoda County Herald

3 - Rose City woman shares her time, skills and faith

9 - Looking out for the community for nearly 30 years

4 - High school sweethearts can last

10 - What my grandpa taught me

6 - Working with friends

13 - Q&A with foster grandparent Rainell Krueger

d e r e e t n u l o V

Reflections - Winter 2019 • Page 3

A life

Rose City woman shares her time, skills and faith

By Kimberly Landenberg

Rose City resident Linda Hall finds joy in volunteering, putting in the hours for love of kids and the arts. Hall currently holds the positions of GAP director and family ministries outreach coordinator at West Branch First United Methodist Church and president of the West Branch Creative Arts Association, but long before these opportunities came about, she was finding other ways to serve. Born in the Grand Rapids area, she graduated from Eaton Rapids, married her high school sweetheart and moved up to Rose City, where the couple has since lived for 39 years. Upon moving, Hall began teaching Sunday school at Trinity United Methodist Church. “Somehow I’ve always fallen into the volunteer world. You work just as hard in the volunteer world as in the profit world, except at the end of the year you’re broke,” Hall said with a laugh. “I’ve always championed the underdog, championed those in need.” As a teenager Hall first got a taste of community service in 4-H, participating in home economics, photography and gardening, running club meetings as a teen leader and attending 4-H Council meetings in Eaton County. Her family also hosted an exchange student from Japan through 4-H. She would later return to these roots. “I have found that sharing knowledge or skills with others is my calling,” she said. Hall volunteered in 4-H while her three sons were young, also serving a term as a VISTA AmeriCorps member through Michigan State University Extension. Recently she has again participated in 4-H for four years with her grandchildren, their cousins and other local children, sometimes having her house full with up to 14 children. “It will sound like more work but I think it’s fun — I do craft days for my grandkids and their cousins and friends,” she said. “I share different forms of art with the grandkids — cooking and baking and sewing — once or twice a month. I like to share what I do with the kids.” Through 4-H and in partnership with local public schools, she has also volunteered at

Linda Hall is president of the West Branch Creative Arts Association and has some of her own works featured in the gift shop and gallery. Photo by Kimberly Landenberg

the schools for more than 12 years, helping kids learn how to read. Also for the sake of her three sons when they were young, Hall began serving in the Boy Scouts of America. “My neighbor was really involved in Scouts and he had a computer,” she said. “I would go over to use his computer and he would say, ‘Linda, you have boys, you need to be in Scouts.’” In her time in the Scouts she held multiple positions, from den leader to running the group as committee chair, making sure fundraisers happen, money is spent correctly,

boys get to and from their activities and more. On the district level she became Round Table commissioner, training adults from four counties to provide Cub Scouts to their areas. “I’m not a parent to just drop my kids off and scram,” she said. She stayed involved in the Scouts for another 11 years after her boys graduated, finding she couldn’t say no. “I really believed in the program and its values, how it teaches not only boys but families life skills they need to be successful adults,” Hall said.

Now her son Russ is carrying on the tradition as a Scoutmaster, with his children now in Scouts too. When she left the Boy Scouts in 2013, she soon found herself president of the West Branch Creative Arts Association after only a few months as a member. The association, a co-op composed of more than 30 artists mostly from West Branch, promotes arts in the community, sponsoring the Fourth Street Gift Shop and Gallery and various events throughout

See VOLUNTEER, 11

Page 4 • Reflections - Winter 2019 Closed Sundays Closed Sundays

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High school sweethearts can last By Dominic Trimboli

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After graduating from Mio AuSable in 1940 as high school sweethearts, who would have guessed that nearly 80 years later Rex and Florence McGregor would still be together in the same town they grew to love? This year Rex and Florence will celebrate their 79th wedding anniversary and their 99th and 98th birthdays, respectively. Over those decades together Rex and Florence raised four boys who went on to start families of their own, eventually blessing them with seven grandchildren and even more great-grandchildren. As every story has a beginning, so too do

families. Rex and Florence’s originated in 1938 when Rex’s family moved to Mio from the Flint area when he was 16. It was at Mio AuSable High School that Rex first met Florence. She had lived the majority of her life in Mio, moving there with her family from Rose City at the age of 4. An athlete and musician, Florence graduated in 1940, the same year as Rex even though there was a slight difference in their ages. Rex and Florence wasted no time deciding they were meant for each other, as a few short months after graduation they were married in a private ceremony Nov. 30,

See SWEETHEARTS, 7

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Reflections - Winter 2019 • Page 5

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Working with friends

Page 6 • Reflections - Winter 2019

By Trevor Drew

Planning, coordinating and putting on 30 different activities for 30 days probably sounds like a tough challenge to many, but for Eden Fields Activities Director Marcia Karbowski, it’s all part of the fun of the job. Karbowski has been on the job for more than two years now and is in charge of putting together activities, trips and guest visits for nearly every day of the week. Whether it’s performing music or setting up a round of hallway bowling or an ever-popular game of bingo, Karbowski always has something up her sleeve to keep the rambunctious bunch over at Eden Fields entertained. “A lot of times, I have a lot of fun,” Karbowski said. “I can’t tell the difference between work and play.” Along with serving as activities director, she also plays the guitar in the “Eden Fields Band,” in which she and residents who are fellow musicians come together and play music for the rest of the residents there. When they aren’t performing music,

Karbowski and the gang often go out and check out events around the community, stopping by the Northeast Art Center Quilt Show or simply going to the Dollar General to do some shopping. In addition to setting up activities and going on trips, Karbowski is constantly reaching out to schools, churches and other groups in the community so they can stop by and share some time with the Eden Fields residents. During the homecoming season, Karbowski said the Standish-Sterling Central queen’s court usually comes in, chats and answers questions for the residents. Karbowski said residents especially enjoy talking with children in the area and that the interaction is mutually beneficial to the residents and children. “The residents love kids and kids love the residents,” Karbowski said. “I think the residents enjoy what the community does for them and they appreciate it, and the things that the community does for us, it makes (the community) feel good.”

See FRIENDS, 8

Marcia Karbowski poses with a resident clutching a doll Karbowski had brought from home for the residents to enjoy. Courtesy Photo

Reflections - Winter 2019 • Page 7

Sweethearts

FROM PAGE 4 1940. In the beginning of their relationship, Rex owned and operated Doan’s Gas Station. Before long they’d brought their first child, Rex Jr., into the world. Not long after their first son was born, Rex enlisted in the Army in order to serve during World War II. Rex was, and still is, proud of his service to the country. To this day he appreciates the opportunities it bestowed upon him, such as when he shook the hand of the future Queen of England, Princess Elizabeth. Once his time in the military came to a close, Rex returned to Florence in Mio. Back together for good, the two got to work expanding their family, and within a few years had an active household with four young boys. Robert, James and Timothy, the newest additions to the family, kept their parents busy when they weren’t at work. Rex returned to Doan’s, but also picked up a second job working for a construction company out of town. Florence was hard at work as well, ensuring her boys went to school, worked hard and became the young men she knew they could be. In addition she worked around the home, scheduling, bookkeeping and making sure everything remained in tip-top shape. Eventually Rex found a job closer to Mio, allowing him to be home with his family

much more often. Driving logging trucks during what was known as a logging boom, Rex had a steady flow of work while his boys matured. As their sons grew old enough to strike out on their own, none of them left the area for long. Each returned to Mio to raise their children around their grandparents. During this time Florence picked up plenty of jobs around the area. She worked in a lumber yard and at various markets around the area. Rex eventually retired from driving the logging trucks and took a new job driving a small school bus for his alma mater. Eventually, with his knowledge as a mechanic, Rex became the head of transportation for the Crawford, Oscoda, Ogemaw and Roscommon Intermediate School District. Florence joined him in his endeavors, driving school buses as well. Each of them retired for the final time from the district. Throughout their lives Rex and Florence maintained the McGregor centennial farm, established in 1910. Until recently it was a sheep farm, and Rex still has his Sheep Herders Association membership. Now, Rex and Florence have slowed down to enjoy their retirement, relishing some of the deepest familial roots in the area, developed over nearly 80 years.

Know someone we should feature in Reflections? Email ericyoung@ogemawherald.com or call 989-345-0044

Page 8 • Reflections - Winter 2019

Above, Marcia Karbowski, along with the other members of the Eden Fields Band, perform music in the living area of the facility for the rest of the residents to enjoy. At left, Karbowski poses for a photo with her husband, Raymond. Courtesy Photos

Friends

FROM PAGE 6 She added that she feels the job is a great fit for her and she loves working with the residents, whom she considers some of her best friends. “The reason why I came here is because I have always loved elderly people or people that have disabilities,” Karbowski said. “My heart goes out to them. I look at them for who they are, not their disability,

not their age, and every one of them is special and unique in their own way. So, I look at them as friends.” She explained that she feels fortunate to have a job that allows her to interact with some of the community’s older residents; however, she said the main challenge occurs when residents develop dementia, and the result takes a toll on her as well as

Services & Programs • • • • • •

other residents. “The thing that is most surprising to me is dementia and how it changes people’s personalities, and I wish they would find a cure for it,” Karbowski said. “People that live totally normal lives and then their life is different, and so, if you’ve never dealt with that, you have to learn how to try to get them involved.”

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Reflections - Winter 2019 • Page 9

Looking out for the community for nearly 30 years By Scott Nunn Succumbing to the pressure of his firefighter brothers, Gilbert “Gil” Scott signed up to be a firefighter nearly 30 years ago, and he has never looked back. “That was compliments of my two brothers Wally and Buck,” Lupton Fire Assistant Chief Gil said. “They were both firefighters, so they talked me into doing it.” Wally, at one time the youngest chief in the county, was anxious to get his brother into the job that would later dominate much of Gil’s life. “It doesn’t matter where I am at,” Gil said. “If I hear a call and I am in the area… Wherever we are at and we are needed, we do it.” Gil’s son and fellow firefighter Gilbert “Guy” Scott Jr. said his dad set a wonderful example for him and led him to follow in his dad’s footsteps. Gil’s grandson Tony Scott said he also hopes to join the fire department when he’s old enough. “It was great growing up,” Guy said. “He joined when I was 13. Every little kid wants to see the fire trucks. I got to see them all the time. That propelled me to be the way I am. The day I turned 18 I signed up to be on the fire department.” Guy said his dad sets the bar high for him

Gilbert Scott, center, poses for a photo with his son Gilbert “Guy” Scott Jr. and grandson Tony Scott. Photo by Scott Nunn

See COMMUNITY, 12

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Larry Tierney poses for a picture at a past family reunion in South Haven. Courtesy Photo

What my grandpa taught me By Emily Tierney My grandpa, Larry Tierney, was the foundation of my dad’s side of the family my entire life and not only taught me about living life to the fullest more than anyone else, but also kept our family close, despite geographical differences. He had seven children, more than 20 grandchildren and a few great-grandchildren, and everyone lives throughout the country, from the West Coast and the East Coast to the South. My grandpa started family reunions in the ’90s to keep us connected. Every three years, we pick a destination and spend an entire week together in a condo or in cabins. He always paid for the entire thing, too, because keeping us close was important. Without these reunions, I’m positive I wouldn’t know my cousins by name, let alone talk to them on a daily basis through the blessing of social media. By the way, my grandpa hated social media, but he did get into texting his last couple years of life and was known for not only using emojis, but using them well. He died a little more than a year ago at the St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Pontiac, Jan. 23. Back in November, my dad called me and told me my grandpa was in the hospital because he broke his arm golfing. Of course, when anyone older ends up in the hospital it’s scary, but it seemed like he’d be out soon

getting ready to head to Florida for the winter like he usually did with my grandma. I went to visit him in his room in the Pontiac hospital and he was his usual self, making sarcastic jokes, asking about my siblings and cousins and so on. He couldn’t wait to get out of the hospital and head to Florida to see his friends and get away from the cold. My grandpa loved Florida. I went with him for a week my senior year of high school to his winter home and met several of his friends. He was the life of the party to say the least, a typical Tierney. I remember we went to a New Year’s Eve party to ring in the new year, 2011. My grandpa was laughing and blowing into a noisemaker on the table with a “2011” hat on, singing along to the music and dancing. His friends were laughing with him and eating desserts. I didn’t know at the time that this would be one of my fondest memories to look back on, especially now. Sadly, his broken arm was only the start of more problems to come. He had a heart procedure, which he handled like a champ, and his kidneys shut down, among other problems. He was put on hospice and surrounded by all his children and several grandchildren, myself included. Even as my grandpa was dying, he reminded me what it meant to be alive because of who

See GRANDPA, 12

Reflections - Winter 2019 • Page 11

Volunteer

FROM PAGE 3 the year including a youth art fair and the Victorian Art Fair, and gives out an art scholarship of about $500 each year. “The arts are important and they’re taking them away from public schools more and more,” she said. “Newspapers are art, social media is art.” As president, Hall said she does a little bit of everything, overseeing the store, gallery and the organization itself, and presiding over the board. She said there are chairpersons for each event, and she noted that the association is always looking for new members and artists. “All volunteer work is a collaborative endeavor; no one person makes anything in the volunteer world,” she said. She also has photos and oil paintings in the gallery, and knitting and sewing items in the gift shop. While her call for volunteering has always been strong, her call from God is the loudest, allowing her to share her faith in a more direct way through her work at First United Methodist Church. “GAP — God’s Awesome People — fills a gap for parents in the community because they need a place for their kids to go in the summer months,” Hall said. “Not everyone can afford child care.” For six weeks in the summer, the program provides care for kids going into first through sixth grade, giving them “food, fellowship and fun.” The church utilizes several partnerships, including West BranchRose City Schools’ summer food program, the library reading program, Michigan State University Extension and 4-H, Tpr. Shane Noble of the Michigan State Police and lifeguards from Ogemaw Heights. In addition, four to five young interns are hired — Hall said more are needed right now — with the rest of the staff being volunteers from the community. Though the program only lasts six weeks out of the year, the planning, fundraising and grant writing involved makes it an all-year

Linda Hall stands at the counter at the Fourth Street Gift Shop and Gallery.

Photo by Kimberly Landenberg

job for Hall, with hours extending beyond those paid by the church. She said one thing the program does is connect kids to the community, offering them the chance to get involved in service projects such as tying polar fleece blankets for Lydia’s Gate women’s shelter in Mio or raising money for the food pantry in West Branch. Hall stressed the importance of spending time with kids and handing down knowledge and experience. “Personally I feel it’s important to share our life skills with our young people today so they make smart decisions as adults,” she said. “Because at some point they’re going to be taking care of me, and I want them to make smart decisions when it comes time

for me to depend on them.” “When you don’t spend the time with them now they won’t think to take time on anyone except themselves,” she continued. “You as a volunteer can make that difference. If somebody didn’t spend the time, you wouldn’t know how to measure what’s important and the choices to make.” While putting in the time to help kids and others, Hall has gained organizational skills many might only attribute to the profit world. “I’ve learned how to organize and work with other agencies and people to create events that others would enjoy,” she said. “I’ve learned how to publicize, create a desire to participate in the activities. I’ve learned how to have fun while I do it, to

organize and put together an event that others enjoy attending and doing.” Hall said the volunteer life is also good for the spirits. “I find that if I’m busy and active I feel good,” she said. “If I’m not doing much I get depressed. I don’t want to be depressed so I stay busy.” But this isn’t her only reason to stay active, as Hall’s faith has much to do with her choices to volunteer. “I vow to live JOYfully, as a child of God,” her Facebook introduction reads — JOY standing for Jesus, others, yourself. “I try to share his love and engage all in his ways!” “I feel compelled by God that this is what I’m supposed to do with my life,” she added.

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Page 12 • Reflections - Winter 2019

Grandpa

FROM PAGE 10 he was. I learned what it meant to love people so much, cherish every moment and really take everything in. Because every second we are alive we are writing the stories of our lives, creating a legacy that can never be demolished. When I was told it was time to say my final goodbye to my grandpa, I knew this was a moment I would never get back. I told my grandpa I knew he was scared. I thanked him for being the best grandpa and told him how much I loved him. It was the hardest moment of my entire life, but also an important memory, and I can remember every detail. When a person dies, they are with you still in a way. Those memories never fade away and create a sense of energy, an energy that can never be destroyed. Like our candy store visits. My grandpa would take all the grandchildren to the store and let us get candy, the best treat to a ’90s kid. Hey, we didn’t have tablets or Wi-Fi back then. Or when I was 13 and in a hotel room in Paris and called my grandpa, who was also a big traveler, and told him all about my European adventures. Then there was the time I stayed with him for an entire week in Florida. There was an outdoor pool, but it was only about 50 degrees

outside. He told me there was a pool heater and convinced me to jump in. I took the leap and was shocked at how cold the water was. “I didn’t say the heater was working,” my grandpa said. And the thing is, I couldn’t be mad because it was so funny. This is how my grandpa was. He never let getting older stop him from loving life and having fun. He never took life too seriously. Up until the end, he was golfing, traveling and spending time with people he cared about. And I’m just one of several people who had the privilege of knowing him. He touched so many lives, and created so many memories for so many people. That kind of energy just doesn’t fade away, even with death. My grandpa also gave all his grandchildren the best Christmas and birthday presents, and offered a family scholarship to us called the “Larry Water Scholarship” for earning good grades in college. Our education was very important to him. I won’t lie. Losing my grandpa was incredibly hard, and I would do anything to have him back. But I have accepted that this is part of the cycle of life, and all I can do now is live life to the fullest, just like my grandpa. I know that’s what he would want.

Community

FROM PAGE 9 and everyone in the department. “He goes no matter what,” Guy said. “There are a lot of guys that say ‘It’s not bad enough. I’m not going.’” Gil said that dedication is mimicked through the entire Lupton Fire Department. “The dedication from the Lupton firefighters is up and above,” he said. “Because we care about our people and our townships.” Living in Lupton, Gil is known for assisting with any emergency situation, but especially those in the Lupton, South Branch, Hale and Rose City areas. “He always has his radio and he knows for us to respond out that way takes a lot of time,” EMS Director Trista Spencer said. Spencer said Gil recently assisted a person who went into cardiac arrest and said there was no doubt he helped in saving the person’s life. Becoming a firefighter wasn’t an easy task for Gil, who had to battle with his inability to read and write. However, Gil didn’t let his illiteracy stop him and with the support of his wife and coworkers in the steel union, he was able to obtain multiple levels of fire training. That training, combined with his years of learned skills working alongside other talented first responders has earned Gil recognition for going above and beyond. Rose City Fire Chief Jeramie Brookins said Gil’s reputation for looking out of people who were unable to do for themselves preceded him because he knew of Gil when he joined the fire department in 2002, but in the last five or six years he has had the opportunity to get to know him.

“He is just one of those kind of guys who is there for anyone that needs something,” Brookins said. “If you need something, you get ahold of Gil.” “I know if there is any kind of emergency call close to where he is at, he is going to help out,” he said. “He is just a genuinely nice guy that wants to help the community out.” Gil said he isn’t sure what draws him to the work, but it is second nature for him to answer the call. “I guess I hope that someday what goes around comes around and someone is there when I need help,” he said. “It is because I want to be, not because I have to be. Sometimes being first makes a difference between life and death.” It isn’t only emergency calls that Gil responds to, but also calls from community members who need basic help. Guy said Gil has been known to help people get in or out of vehicles so they can go to medical appointments. “It is a passion I have,” he said. “People need help and I am able to do it. A lot of their families don’t live in the area and if they need me, I am there. Anything from water leaks to fixing things, I am there.” Brookins said Gil’s drive to help others makes him stand out. “He does it because that is who he is,” Brookins said. Helping others has become a lifestyle for Gil. “It goes back to the way it used to be,” he said. “Take care of your neighbor. Helping people is my favorite thing.”

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Q A and

Reflections - Winter 2019 • Page 13

WITH FOSTER GRANDPARENT RAINELL KRUEGER

Rainell Krueger of Mio has been volunteering as a foster grandparent through the Northeast Michigan Community Service Agency for six years in kindergarten teacher Judy Eurich’s classroom. She said she looks forward to waking up every day to spend time with the kids. The Herald had the opportunity to sit down with Krueger for a question and answer session Thursday, Feb. 21. Here is what grandma Krueger had to say:

Foster grandma Rainell Krueger helps assist students with a counting and color activity.

Photo by Emily Tierney

Q: A:

Why did you decide to become a foster grandparent?

I wanted to work with the kids, to help them develop and help them get to the level they need to be at. And I enjoy the kids and the school.

Q: A: Q: A:

How often are you here throughout the week? I’m here five days a week.

What do you do?

I help them with math, I help them with their writing and spelling. I help with basically everything that’s in the classroom. If there’s any problems with the kids I try to sit and talk to them, but I’m limited to what I can do because I am

See GRANDMA, 14

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Page 14 • Reflections - Winter 2019

Grandma FROM PAGE 13

through NEMCSA, so I do have to follow their guidelines.

Q: A:

What do you mean by guidelines?

Well, like, if a kid in a classroom gets to where he’s uncontrollable I can’t step in and help with that child. The teacher has to, or if they need to be taken down to another classroom, I can’t do that because I’m not qualified to do that. Or, you know, if a kid takes off running, I am not allowed to go chase that child. I have to let the teacher, the principals or one of the aides.

Q: A:

Why do you continue to do this every year?

Because I want to see the kids achieve their goals as they leave kindergarten, as they grow up. Because I mean on this floor here, most of them I’ve had previous years. And then third-, fourth-, fifth-graders, I’ve had all those kids. I want to see them achieve something.

Q: A:

Do any of your past kids or other students interact with you?

Oh, I’ve got them in high school. Oh yeah, the kids just come up and hug me. If I’m in the cafeteria they’ll come up and hug me.

Q: A: Q: A:

Do you have any kids or grandkids of your own?

Foster grandma Rainell Krueger poses for a photo with teacher Judy Eurich’s kindergarten class. Photo by Emily Tierney

I have five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren.

there with the kids. I’m a prep. I’ve done that for probably three years.

What do you do in the summer, during summer vacation?

Q: A:

In the summertime, when I’m not here, I’m at Camp Timbers, YMCA over in Ogemaw County. I work out over

Do any Mio kids go to the camp?

We don’t have very many of these kids go, but we did have one kid go last summer. But they’re mainly from Detroit, Saginaw, different areas.

Q: A:

So what does a typical day look like for you?

Basically in the morning they do the pledge and sing the anthem, and we do exercise, and then after lunch they do math and then usually a math paper. And a lot of times if a kid is struggling I’ll

take them to the back and work with them one-on-one.

Q: A:

What do the kids call you?

Grandma! Walk down the hall with me for a while, and you’ll hear a lot of them call me that.

Our primary focus is to provide aid and assistance to those people who need temporary help.

THANK YOU!

Thanks to our community and volunteers, in the last 3 years we have provided almost $200,000 in financial support to our community.

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Q: A:

What is your favorite part about being here (at Mio)?

Just being with the kids. I enjoy being with the kids, I enjoy being with Mrs. Eurich.

Q: A:

What did you do before you were volunteering here?

I was sitting at home. I lost my husband back in 2002 and after that, I worked at McDonald’s for a while and then I left McDonald’s and I just sat home for a while. And then my sister called me one day and she said, “Why don’t you try to get on the foster grandparent program through NEMCSA to work at the school?” So I did that, I called them and went up for an interview and was hired.”

Are there any special moments you can think of from this past year that you’d like to share with the community?

Well, we have a (100-day celebration) and the kids make capes and dress up and do their 100-day parade through the school and have a little snack after. That’s neat how Mrs. Eurich does that for 100 days of school. This year it was late because we had so many snow days. We did it about two weeks ago.

Q: A:

Did your kids go to Mio?

My daughter did. My son graduated from Wayne. My daughter graduated from here.

What advice would you give to someone else considering becoming a foster grandparent?

Well, it’s good to work with the kids. I mean you help them with different things they need help with. You get to sit with them and help them improve what they need to improve.

Reflections - Winter 2019 • Page 15

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Foster grandma Rainell Krueger helps kindergartners pick out books for library time. Photo by Emily Tierney

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Page 16 • Reflections - Winter 2019

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