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Conservation Corner

Spring time is tree

planting time

Welcome to another Conservation Corner! After a few months of trudging through the snow, scraping ice off the car, and filling the woodstove, we are all ready for a sunny, warm spring. To the Crawford-Roscommon Conservation District and many of the landowners we serve, spring also means it’s time to plant some trees.

Districts around the state are taking in orders for their annual sale of hardwood and conifer trees, wildlife shrubs, fruits, vegetables, flowers, and more. Tree planting may seem like a daunting task, but getting your tree off to a healthy start will ensures it provides tree-mendous benefits throughout its lifetime. Knowing your goals for the tree planting is the first step to a successful outcome. Timber production, wildlife habitat, privacy, shade, diversity, erosion control, these are all examples of what a planting can provide for you and your property. Evaluate your planting site and take note of existing vegetation, wildlife activity/browse, soil texture and moisture, sun availability, and any other conditions such as slopes or valleys that may affect plant growth. The natural surroundings of your planting site will help guide what you can plant there, but non-natural features should also be considered. Be sure to avoid planting large trees or shrubs under power lines, near septic fields, or close to structures, driveways, or sidewalks. Know the location of and avoid all underground electric, water, and gas lines.

Now that you know why and where you are planting, it’s time to pick out some trees! Local conservation districts and nurseries are a great source for native, healthy stock that is adapted to the areas

climate and weather. There are many resources available to figure out what tree or shrub would do best in your conditions, but the easiest way to ask the seller to narrow down the species based on your site and goals. Many conservation districts have foresters that may even provide an onsite assessment.

After choosing your trees, it is time to prepare the site for planting. For small scale plantings, scrape away any weeds within a 36inch diameter circle. Herbicides can be used, but be sure to read labels to avoid hurting your trees. Keeping weeds from outgrowing your tree is one of the most important steps for their survival. Planting can be done using a shovel, planting bar/dibble, or mechanical tree planter. With any method, the hole should be deep enough for the roots to go straight down and watered immediately. Trees should be spaced out properly based on the planting goals and species.

The last step is an ongoing one: Don’t forget about your tree planting. Water seedlings in times of drought, keep weeds away from your planting site, and protect trees with tubes or cages if they are being damaged by wildlife. Taking the time to check in on your investment is the only way to achieve your planting goals.

Planting trees can be a rewarding experience. As a landowner, the benefits can be immeasurable, from the enhanced beauty of your property to the legacy left for future generations. Tree planting is also doing your part to care for the wildlife, increase biodiversity, clean the air we breathe and water we drink, and create a sustainable ecosystem here in Northern Michigan.

To discuss your tree planting with District Forester, Tabitha O’Dell, or for more information on the Conservation District’s Spring Tree Sale, call 989-732-4021 or email tabitha.odell@macd.org.

The Crawford County Commission on Aging and Senior Center (CCCOA) events for March, 2020 include:

The CCCOA is hosting a Community Meeting regarding the Facility Bond Proposition that will be on the March 10 ballot. The COA is asking for 0.3171 mills to support the acquiring, constructing, renovating, expanding, equipping, and furnishing of the Old Mayday Windows Building and the adjacent lot located at 4388 M-72 West (east of town by Grayling Car Care) into new facilities to house the Commission on Aging & Senior Center operations. Executive Director, Alice Snyder, will lead the meeting to help the public learn more about the proposal. The Community Meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 3 at 6 p.m. in Community Room B, at Kirtland Community College located at 4800 W. 4 Mile Road.

Starting March 9 and continuing the second Monday each month, from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m., the CCCOA will host a support group for adults with vision loss. This support group is designed to provide emotional support, helpful information, and practical solutions for those dealing with vision loss.

St. Patrick’s Day Dinner on Thursday, March 12 from 4-6 p.m. Enjoy a dinner of corned beef & cabbage, parsley boiled potatoes, ginger and brown sugar glazed carrots, green Irish fluff, and chocolate mint Crème pie. Dinner is open to the public and no reservations are required.

A weekly Scrabblers group will meet every Thursday at 10 a.m. starting March 12. No experience is necessary and it is free to watch or play.

The Winter Walking Program happens every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for five weeks starting March 16 with indoor walking. The group will meet at Kirtland Community College Room 1411 on Mondays and Fridays from 1-2 p.m. and Fridays at Grayling Elementary School from 4-5 p.m. Registration is not required and participants can join this free program at any time.

A breakfast presentation will be held at the CCCOA center on Tuesday, March 17 at 9 a.m. The topic will be Scams, Schemes, and Frauds featuring Trooper Brian Koboldt from the Michigan State Police. Join us for breakfast and information about some of the internet scams impacting the senior citizen community. Breakfast includes an omelet station, hashbrowns, muffins, mixed fruit, juice, and coffee

Because every second counts, the CCCOA is offering another opportunity for Crawford County residents to sign up for the Smart911 Program on Wednesday, March 18 from 1 – 3 p.m. Smart911 is a free service available in the area to help you when you call 9-1-1. Once you have signed up, first responders will be aware of important information you have provided that will help them address your emergency.

The CCCOA and the American Heart Association are hosting a First Aid, CPR with AED Certification Event, Thursday, March 19 from 2-7 p.m. The class will be taught by Captain Dana Swander of the Frederic Fire Department. The skills covered in this course include first aid, choking relief, addressing sudden cardiac arrest, and education in the use of the Automated External Defibrillator (AED) machine. To register call the Senior Center at 989- 348-7123.

Wednesday, March 25 at 9:30am the CCOA will offer a presentation that will help demystify the issues surrounding Medicare. Tammy Findlay, Advocacy & Resource Coordinator, and volunteer Medicare/ Medicaid counselors will discuss the various parts of Medicare including what is covered or not covered, Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drug Plans, and how Medicare recipients who have low income can get assistance paying for Prescription Drug Plans and the Medicare Part B premium. Grow Your Knowledge March 27 at 9 a.m. We will be video conferencing with the Smithsonian American Art Museum to learn more about the civil war, the following reconstruction period, and its impact on American art. After the educational video session, there will be doughnuts and discussion of the topic.

Jennifer Thompson from That One Place is hosting a painting party to paint a 2-foot pallet-wood carrot sign. No experience is required! This event will be held on Tuesday, March 31 from 2:30 - 4:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. Registration

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and payment should be made at the Senior Center by March 24 to reserve a spot.

Events are held at the Senior Center located at 308 Lawndale Street in Grayling unless noted. Some events have a charge, call them at 989-348-7123 for more information. Save the Dates in April April 14 will be a Salon Outing to Kirtland Community College. The trip includes transportation and three cosmetology services of your choosing. Registration and payment by April 7. April 21 from 3 – 4:30 p.m. Heather Bennett from Creative by Nature invites you to a workshop to paint one of two DIY Doormat designs. No experience is required! Registration and payment is due by April 14.

April 30 will be the Michigan Blood Drive from 12:30 – 5 p.m. Appointments can be made by contacting 1-866-642-5663 or visiting miblood.org.

of Fairview Area Schools

Student-Organized Committee Works to Promote Kindness at Fairview Elementary

What was just an idea at the end of the 2018-19 school year has become reality for a group of fifth-grade girls at Fairview Elementary.

As fourth graders, the girls were inspired by various clubs being formed in the school and had the idea for a “Kindness Club.” They took their idea to Superintendent John Sattler for approval and at the beginning of this year, elementary teachers Kami Winton and Stephanie Bishop heard about the idea and liked it. They agreed to sponsor the club, but changed the concept to a committee to limit exclusion.

The Kindness Committee is made up of the girls in the current fifth-grade class. They meet twice a month to brainstorm ideas about how to promote kindness in the school. So far this year they have done several activities from reading the book “A Spot of Kindness” to students in kindergarten through third grades and giving stickers to remind students to be kind to one another to passing out kindness bracelets to each elementary student on his or her birthday.

Probably the committee’s most visible accomplishment was designing a t-shirt for students and staff to purchase to promote kindness. Any elementary student who has a shirt is encouraged to wear it on Fridays and will get a treat for doing so. The group has also designed a bookmark that promotes kindness. The bookmarks are being placed in random books throughout the library as a reminder to readers to practice being kind to others. The current activity the Kindness Committee is planning is to do a special art project with each class. The various pieces will encourage students to be kind and will promote kindness as they will be displayed in the halls for all to see. Top: The Kindness Committee, from left, Lia Kauffman, Rikki Smith, Samantha Marshall, Avery Tchorzynski, Ekaterina Phillips, Elizabeth King, and Jayliah Bowers. Bottom: This group of Fairview Elementary students was eager to show off their kindness shirts! Many teachers and a few other students throughout the school also have shirts but were not available for the photo. Student Council Plans for Homecoming—Twice! Dressed as characters from the Wii video game Mario Kart, the high school student council performed a skit for students to prepare them for this year’s homecoming. The theme concept is that classes will compete in a Race for the Cup using various characters and props from the worlds of the Mario Kart game. Homecoming started as planned, but then illness cancelled school and postponed the game and dance for two weeks. SPIRIT WEEK Mario Monday Teacher Twin Tuesday Western Wednesday Throwback Thursday Maroon & Gold Friday SPIRIT WEEK 2.0 Maroon and Gold Monday Hat Day Tuesday College Gear Wednesday Throwback Thursday Maroon & Gold Friday

Basketball Teams Wrapping Up 19-20 Seasons

The Varsity Boys (above, from left): Israel Oaks, Isaiah Ford, Anthony Freeland, Aaron Eaves, Nathan Alchin, Grant Lietzke, Nathaniel Eastman, Zach Freel, and Aden Travis. The boys have shown great improvement throughout the season. They have a current record of 4-13. They play March 3 and 5 on the road before the district tournament in Hale the next week. The Varsity Girls (above right, from left): Jessie Ross, Samantha Smith, Jaedyn Winton, Jera Nicholson, Talisa Yoder, and Katelyn Bowers. The girls have been fighting hard all season and have a current record of 9-8 with three regular season games to play. Districts are March 2 against Hale at AuGres. The winner will advance to the March 4 game v. Atlanta. The JV Girls (bottom right): Tylee Linsley, Maggie Alchin, Summer Forletta, Addison Lenz, Kalya Bowers, Libby Baker, and Emma Hoover. Not pictured: Elaine Matzke. These girls have been playing hard, and many of them have also contributed to the varsity team as needed. The JV Boys’ team has not been available for a photo.

HOMECOMING

of Fairview Area Schools

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