Simply Hers May/June 2024

For times when seconds count.

BRANCH/HILLSDALE/LENAWEE/JACKSON

Donna Olmstead owner

Perfect outside dining seating while watching the kids play!

Marlanea McGraw Owner/Publisher

I am LOVING the sun and warmth and return of green views instead of brown and gray! We’re heading into summer but I’m fully enjoying the spring, too.

We have a packed issue for you this time! Our cover presents Lindsey Crouch who serves as the director of Home Care and Durable Medical Goods for Hillsdale Hospital. The mock cover details a long-time area business that is adding services and dining options. Read about how Brett Boyd is taking Market House into new directions.

There are features on the local chapter of the DAR and the Great Start Collaborative’s safety fair. Simply Hers is proud to be a co-sponsor of the safety fair which offers area families so much great information and help to keep their children safe! Business spotlights cover the Hitching Post Antiques Mall’s 40th anniversary and a unique skin renewal technique available at Phoenix Rising Wellness Center.

We have our usual columnists, some recipes that take advantage of Michigan’s wonderful strawberries, and a new set of shelter pets looking for their forever homes.

Please look at the ads as well as the articles. We are only able to continue publishing this magazine because local businesses support us through their advertising. Small communities like ours will continue to thrive only if we support the retailers, restaurants, service providers, and professionals that have chosen to be in our towns.

Willie

Cyndi Young Sherry Sheffer

Hannah Sayles

Heidi Lanius

Tracie Clough

Lindsey Dane

Please thank our ADVERTISERS

Without their continued commitment & support, this publication would not be possible.

All Aboard Travel - 37

Arrow Swift Printing- 35

Bailey, Hodshire & Company P.C. - 39

Barrett’s Showplace Gardens

and Flower Shop - 77

Baxter Lawn & Snow - 45

Bean Creek Garden Center - 72

Becker & Scrivens - 69

Belson Asphalt - 91

Bildner & Donahue, PC - 64

Blossom Shop - 18

Brandy Titus - 68

Breathe Free Duct Cleaning - 49

Broad Street Auto Service, LLC - 57

Buentello Pest Control - 72

Bundy Hill Diner, LLC - 64

C&H Care Center - 39

Carpet Outlet Plus - 89

Cavoni’s Pizza - 63

Christie Plemmons Realty - 56

Classic Cabinets - 10

Coldwater Auto - 51

Coldwell Banker Groves Real Estate James/Marlanea - 65

Coldwell Banker Groves

Real Estate - 99

Comfort Keepers - 72

Cottage Inn Pizza - 4

Country Boots & Bands - 47

Country Carpets - 69

County National Bank -29

D&D Heating & Cooling - 18

Daphne’s Framing & Gifts - 81

Daughters of the American Revolution - 61

DarkSyde Acres - 81

Devils Lake View Living - 49

DMCI - 39

Drew’s Place - 97

Eagle Funeral Homes - 57

Edward Jones / Don Toffolo - 57

El Cerrito Mexican Restaurant - 55

Empowered Image Consulting - 82

Family Life Radio - 32

Farm Bureau Insurance

McGraw Agency - 50

Fry’s Painting & Restoration - 45

Gene’s Auto Service, LLC - 41

Great Start Collaborative - 30,71

Green Energy LP - 31

Greener Grass Farms - 41

Griffiths Mechanical - 68

Habitat for Humanity - Restore - 66

Hampton Funeral Homes - 59

Harts Local - 95

HD Mechanical LLC - 41

Heffernan Soft Water - 90

Hillsdale College Halter Center - 78

Hillsdale College Dow Center - 43

Hillsdale Community Schools - 64

Hillsdale Community Thrift - 66

Hillsdale County Community Foundation - 32, 61

Hillsdale County Medical Care Facility - 87

Hillsdale County Veteran Affairs - 67

Hillsdale Family Chiropractic - 79

Hillsdale Hospital - 2, 100

Hillsdale Jewelers - 18

Hillsdale Medical Associates - 29, 31

Hillsdale Natural Grocery - 63

Hitching Post Antiques Mall - 55, 66

Hobbit Greenhouses -35

Hot Deals - 66

Independence Heating - 45

I’ve Been Framed! - 41

Jake’s Concrete - 87

Jilly Beans Coffee House -18

Jonesville Lumber - 93

June’s Place - 66

Karen’s Uptown Cafe - 49

Karim HealthCare - 14

KB Law - 68

Kelly’s Furniture - 35

Kissy Face - 30

Lakeside Cafe - 79

Leigh Raddatz, CPA - 41

Local BUZZ Radio - 79

Lone Ranger Cafe - 95

Longstreet Living - 33

Lorrie Miller - 67

Maggie Anne’s -83

Market House Supermarket - 15

Mark Stoll Construction - 45

Mindy Shoemaker, Viaggio Salon - 82

Molli Grace Boutique - 85

MT Hardwoods - 63

Omega Physical Therapy - 39

Parney’s Car Care - 83

Pediatric Place - 29

Performance Automotive - 33

Phoenix Rising Wellness - 59

Pittsford Gas & Tire - 69

PRIME Fitness - 27

Professional Hearing Services - 31

ProMedica - 75

Pub & Grub - 79

Raker-Roberta Retail Shop - 37

Right to Life - 98

Rightway Auto - 64

Rob Sayles / Stillwell Ford - 85

Rosalie’s Roadhouse - 91

Ryan & Bradshaw - 95

Serenity Salon & Day Spa - 18

Shea’ Nanigans - 49

Sidewalk Blooms - 45

Smith’s Florial Boutique - 64

Southern Michigan Motors - 6

Southern Michigan RV - 8

Spangler’s Family Restaurant - 63

State Farm Insurance

Jason Adock - 67

Stillwell Ford - 5

Sweet E’s Custom Cakes - 41

Tammy’s Affordable Furniture - 45

Ten East Treasures - 51

The Posy Shop - 57

The Salvation Army - 66

The Sauk - 9

The Truck Shop - 81

Todd H. Ryan, D.D.S. - 33

Trevathan’s Sweep & Sew - 49

WCSR - 19

White Birch Wedding Barn - 7

Lindsey Crouch

Caring, Helping, Teaching

by Melissa McCance

After a serious illness, a significant injury, or the worsening of a chronic condition, home health care can be a lifeline to managing your situation. Lindsey Crouch, Director of Home Care & Durable Medical Equipment for Hillsdale Hospital, heads a team of skilled providers who are ready to help with a variety of issues.

A lifelong Jonesville resident, Lindsey was first employed at County National Bank. Later on, she decided to join the nursing profession and completed her RN in 2010. Lindsey was an investments specialist at CNB and found she enjoyed teaching her customers and helping them understand what they found difficult to navigate. They often shared details about their health problems, so, when she wanted a career change that would still be a helping position, she realized that this was another way to assist people with their life challenges.

She initially worked at the McGuire and MacRitchie Skilled Nursing Facility at night with long-term and rehabilitation patients, followed by a time of handling admissions and discharge planning. Her past experience with unraveling complex issues for people came into play there as part of her responsibilities involved helping patients understand their Medicare benefits and coverage.

After coming to Hillsdale Home Care in 2019, Lindsey started as intake coordinator and then became the clinical supervisor shortly afterward. When she assumed the role of director in 2023, she was responsible for overseeing and coordinating multiple services all dedicated to helping people.

The home care staff assists patients with understanding the next steps in their recovery. This can include understanding insurance, the importance of follow-up appointments and various therapies, signs of infection to watch for, what circumstances could require a trip to the hospital, etc. Patient education is essential and also covers medications (what they’re taking, why, how

to manage them) and their disease process to give a clear picture of what to expect. They provide caregiver teaching in areas like wound care to prevent infection and how to move the patient safely.

Besides Lindsey, Hillsdale Home Care has field nurses who are skilled in wound care, IV medication administration, and provide patient/caregiver education to improve patient outcomes. There are two office support staff, and a team of talented, caring therapists in physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

Another part of the continuum of post-acute care encompassed by Lindsey’s position is centered at Hillsdale Home Oxygen and focuses on durable medical equipment. This can include providing home oxygen, CPAP and BiPAP devices, concentrators, and nebulizers as well as teaching the proper use and care of these items. In addition, they stock wound care supplies, mobility aids, and orthotics. The staff includes an office coordinator, a CPAP specialist, an oxygen delivery technician, and a wound care and orthotics specialist.

In addition to overseeing the staff at Hillsdale Home Care and Hillsdale Home Oxygen, Lindsey reviews all patient assessments to ensure that they match the documentation. Her administrative duties encompass budgeting, strategic planning, and a range of meetings, doing what’s necessary to keep things running effectively and efficiently. She was happy to report that at their accreditation survey by the Community Health Accreditation Partner in January, both Hillsdale Home Care and Hillsdale Home Oxygen performed exceptionally well.

Lindsey believes in a team approach to providing care for the patients served by her departments:

“I’m building relationships with case managers in our community and between my departments so we can work together and provide a better, more cohesive patient experience. I oversee quality improvement plans for my department. Hillsdale Home Care has goals of improving

patient satisfaction and reducing hospital readmissions. We are one of the highest-rated Home Health Agencies in our area. Part of Hillsdale Home Oxygen’s quality plan involves tracking and identifying unmet needs for our patients. When a patient or provider asks for an item we don’t have, we look into how that need can be met.”

When asked what she finds especially satisfying about her job, Lindsey replied,

“Being

here for

people

in

our community who

really need our services. When people are discharged from the hospital, they’re often weaker prior to going in. They have a lot of new information— new medications, new appointments, people they’re supposed to go see, and a

lot of

them don’t

know

where

to start Many

don’t have family or caregivers in the area to help them. Within 48 hours of being notified of a need, our clinicians are at their homes, helping them with those things, teaching them in smaller bites that are easier to understand and absorb.”

Among the challenges for home care in the area can be a lack of resources such as transportation to get to follow-up appointments or to the wound care or pain clinics. It can be difficult for patients to follow instructions from their medical team because they don’t have the funds for quality food or prescriptions. In addition, Lindsey says there’s a real need in our area for more caregivers, more readily available transportation, and community education about the existing type and range of services and how to access them.

Lindsey is as busy at home as she is at work. Married for 18 years, she and her husband have four children between the ages of five and eleven. Her hobbies include painting and remodeling houses with her husband. The Crouch family are rock hounds and enjoy trips to the shores of Michigan to collect rocks they bring home to tumble.

We are fortunate to have the home care services in place that our area enjoys and especially fortunate to have a caring, dedicated person like Lindsey Crouch in charge.

Hillsdale Home Care serves patients in Hillsdale County and surrounding areas. You can reach them at (517) 439-5740 from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Market House

Market House Service, Variety & Innovation

by Elyse Apel

Next time you go into Hillsdale Market House, it might be for groceries or it might be to eat at one of its many different restaurants.

After recent expansions, Market House now offers its customers Biggby Coffee, Sharon’s House of Pancakes, Blimpie Subs & Salads, Krispy Krunchy Chicken, Underdogs: Sliders, Spirits, and Sports, and Sushi Kabor.

Adaptability and great employees have been key to Market House’s success.

“We have learned over time that the secret to success is great employees and taking care of our customers,” says Brett Boyd, the fourth-generation owner of Market House. “We have the best people in the business to offer more and more food options for our community.”

Brett says that part of the challenge of being a small-town grocery store is how to stand out from the other big box stores, which Market House has done by providing unique dining experiences.

“We try to differentiate ourselves from other stores in our community both through our amazing staff and by providing more food options for our community,” he explains.

Each of the different restaurants fills a specific need, from breakfast food at Sharon’s House of Pancakes, to sliders and a full-service bar at Underdogs, and even an award-winning salad and hot bar.

“About two months ago, we opened Underdogs,” Brett says. “Underdogs is open seven days a week and features 12 on-tap beers, mixed drinks, and fine wine.”

Underdogs provides the first sports bar experience in the Hillsdale community area, which Brett says has brought a lot of new customers into Market House.

“We’ve got 16 large-screen TVs and we show all the major sports,” he explains. “We are getting a lot of folks from the outer communities coming in to check it out, especially because we just have so much to offer under one roof.”

Underdogs also broadcasts all the Hillsdale College games and will soon begin showing UFC and golf events.

Sushi Kabor opened at the same time as Underdogs and can be purchased at Underdogs, or to-go. “Our sushi is made fresh every day,” Brett says. “That’s been highly, highly popular as well.”

Biggby Coffee has been very popular in the community since its opening and is directed by Brandy Boyd, Brett’s wife and co-owner of Market House.

“We opened Biggby Coffee as a part of our renovation

in 2018, which is very, very popular with the community,” Brett says.

Ever since Brett’s great-grandfather started Market House in 1941 in downtown Hillsdale as a small meat shop, the store has been slowly making adjustments to remain a successful business in the community.

“We are just continually trying to evolve as a company to better serve our community and take care of our customers,” Brett says.

He adds that Market House’s success wouldn’t be possible without its staff.

“Unfortunately, family-owned supermarkets are continuing to disappear one after another. We are just very blessed and fortunate to have such phenomenal staff,” Brett says. “At the end of the day, it’s one thing to offer all these great alternatives, but we could not do it without great people and we are very blessed to have some phenomenal folks.”

Market House recently launched a “Sip and Shop” program, allowing customers to buy a drink from Underdogs to drink while they shop.

“We’re one of the first places in the state of Michigan where you can enjoy a glass of wine or a mixed drink or a beer while you shop,” Brett says. “We call it ‘Sip and Shop’ and it allows customers the opportunity to shop while they have a glass of wine, a mixed drink, or a cold beer.”

On top of all the different dining options, Market House also offers a full-service supermarket which includes a bakery, a butcher shop with fresh-cut meats and local beef, and a large liquor selection. Market House even has a space that can be rented out for private or corporate events.

“We recently doubled our displays of liquor, fine wine, and beer,” Brett says. “Our customers are enjoying that we have such variety.”

Market House plans to continue finding new ways to serve the community.

“We will continue to add a lot of new things. We are looking forward to adding karaoke, trivia nights, and maybe even Euchre tournaments,” Brett says. “We are really excited about doing some other special things over there for the community.”

These events will include mixology cocktail nights, bourbon nights, and wine sampling nights.

Brett says that none of Market House’s success would be possible without the support from the community.

“I want to give a big thank you to the community for supporting us for the past 84 years,” Brett says. “As my grandfather said, good things happen when you are surrounded by good people.”

For more information on Market House, call (517) 437-2100.

206 Park Street | Litchfield, Michigan | 517-542-3877

Mani’s & Pedi’s | Hightlights, Cuts & Color

We Carry Two Organic Product Lines: “Loma” & “All-Nutrient”

Shannon Lewis | Owner

SPECIAL OCCASION DRESSING

By Mindy Shoemaker

This time of year is one of my favorites, the end of spring and the beginning of summer. Everything feels fresh and new again! We’re seeing the fun bright colors of the season in all the stores making us want to pull out our summer clothes and shop for some new uplifting colors for our wardrobes.

We have Mother’s Day, weddings and graduations to look forward to along with a lot of outdoor gatherings. This is the

perfect season to add some beautiful new dresses and outfits for all of the events we will be attending this summer.

As you’re shopping at your local boutiques, malls, and online, you’re going to see a lot of fun new trends for the season. Dress patterns are bright with geometric prints, tropical palms, and large bold flowers. The lace, cutwork and crochet details on sheer sleeves, hems, and bodices are quite stunning.

Whatever the occasion, one of these five dress styles will be perfect for any occasion you may have this summer.

1. A- Line: Whether sleeveless, strapless, or short puffed sleeves, an A-Line dress is great for anyone who’s challenge area is in the hips and thighs.

Expert Tip: To balance your pear or d body shape, avoid a halter-style top

2. Drop Waist Dress: This style tends to fall away from the body, which is more flattering if you’re prone to gaining weight in your abdomen area.

Expert Tip: A dress in this style with a belt is not your best look.

3. Halter Neck: This design brings the eye up to the face and shoulders.

Expert Tip: This style is great for an hourglass or X body type or someone with narrow shoulders.

4. Voluminous Sleeves: This trend is showing up on many different types of dresses and shirts whether they are short or long sleeves.

Expert Tip: If you are petite, this style could overwhelm your small frame.

5. Shirtdress: This year, we are seeing this classic style dress with a few updates like bold floral and prints!

Expert Tip: Any body type can wear this style!

If you’re just not a dress wearer, you can always go with a classic suit, either with a skirt or trousers.

Expert Tip: If you’re petite in stature, go with a jacket that hits shorter on your waist. For those of us who carry our weight in our abdomens, flat front pants are a better choice than pleated trousers.

The classic blazer and shorts combo is making a comeback this year. When shopping for this look, think more Bermuda length shorts.

Expert Tip: If you’re petite, you may want to have your shorts hemmed for a better length.

A great fitting pair of trousers or dressy cargo pants are also an option. Linen or linen-like are great options for the summer heat and some cute silk cargos can really dress up your outfit.

Expert Tip: Depending on where you carry your weight, make sure you’re picking out the correct pants (flat front or pleated). If you carry your weight in your hips and thighs, you’re going to want a cargo pant with just a single pocket on the side of the leg and regular pockets—not the stitched front ones you see a lot on cargo pants.

Blazers are a huge trend again this year; the cut of them is less structured and there are a lot more prints from plaids to florals.

Expert Tip: For the taller ladies, you will want to make sure your blazer is longer in length and not the newer cropped styles.

Jumpsuits are another clothing item that adds a versatile and stylish option this season. Whether you’re looking for a print or solid, jumpsuits are a great transition piece that easily go from day to evening just by adding a jean jacket, blazer, or pashmina.

Expert Tip: The goal when buying a one piece garment like this is to be sure that it fits the widest part of your body comfortably and get it taken in everywhere else as

To finish off any special occasion outfit that you choose, it’s a good chance you’re going to need some type of jacket this season with Michigan’s fickle weather. Choosing a classic trench coat never goes out of style. Depending on your height, you can choose a short or long coat, a neutral or trendy color in your specific color code, or even a fun print.

Expert Tip: This type of coat is one you can have for many years, so shop around for a quality piece that will last.

Tips For Healthy Glowing Skin This Spring

Spring is here and the weather is getting warmer. It’s time to update your skincare routine as well as updating your wardrobe to ensure you have healthy glowing skin in time for the sunshine. Here are some effortless spring skincare tips to keep your face and body looking fresh and feeling radiant.

1. Spring Clean your Skincare

The new season is a good reason to clean out all your old skincare products that have been half-used and forgotten about. The warmer weather will mean what worked for your skin in winter won’t work in the spring and summer.

2. Exfoliate for Glowing Skin

After the harsh winter months, the best way bring your skin back to its glowing self is to exfoliate all your old, dry skin to reveal fresh new layer underneath ready for the warm spring/ summer weather.

There are plenty of exfoliators in the market—always opt gentle exfoliation over harsh. A harsh exfoliator will take off the dead skin cells and some of the fresh skin cells too which will cause skin irritation.

3. Always Use a High SPF Sunscreen

Don’t underestimate the damage of harmful UV rays on your skin; they can lead to permanent skin damage, sunspots, wrinkles, discoloration, and possible skin cancer in the long run. Use a high-quality sunscreen, don’t just opt for the cheapest on the market, and use sunscreen as a separate part of your beauty routine, not just an SPF mixed in with a moisturizer of foundation. It can reduce your susceptibility to sunburn and make sure you cover both your face and your body.

4. Moisturize More!

vitamin E or ones with antioxidant properties is always a good option.

6. Stop Using Heavy Foundation and Concealer

Spring is the time for getting that natural-looking, glowing skin. What you don’t want to do is go covering it up with a heavy foundation. Try using a light coverage foundation, BB cream, or go fresh-faced for the day.

Using a less-coverage foundation will help revitalize your skin and achieve that fresh-faced natural skin. Concentrate more on skincare rather than covering up your skin. The extra heat will make you sweat more and dirt will build up in your pores. So, as much as possible, avoid using heavy foundations in the spring and summer months.

Ditch the concealer. You won’t need it and it will help your skin breathe a little more and will help improve any blemishes or spots.

7. Change the Way you Cleanse Your Skin

Spring is here and the weather is getting nicer. One easy way to change and improve your skin is to update your facial cleanser. Doing this will help with the pollen and pollution and clean out your pores more effectively.

In both the morning and evening, wash your face with a gentle censer like CeraVe hydrating cleanser and make sure you cleanse properly in the evening to help remove all the sweat, pollen, and pollution that have built up during the day. When removing your make up, try using a micellar water. It will remove all your makeup and any sweat off your skin from the hot weather.

8. Prep for Your Allergies

Spring is here, the weather is getting nice, and we are wearing fewer layers, so it’s time to get in a good moisturizing regime. Change your moisturizer—what worked for your skin in winter won’t work the same in spring or summer.

Use a light feeling moisturizer and ditch the heavy creams during the day. Save the heavy creams for your nighttime routine.

Choose a moisturizer with an SPF but don’t rely on that alone; you’re going to layer up the SPF so you will be more protected against harmful UV rays throughout the day.

5. Refresh with a Facial Mist

Using a facial mist is a quick, effective, and easy way to refresh your skin when you’re outside. During the warm months where pollen and pollution are all around, using a facial mist will keep you cool, keep your skin looking great, and can help with allergies. There are lots to choose from and opting for ones with added vitamin C or

Spring is here, the flowers are starting to bloom, and you know in a couple of weeks your allergies are going to kick in. Get ahead of the horrible allergy season and prep now. Protect yourself from pollen-induced allergies and buy the necessary medication early. Don’t wait until you are sneezing and itching.

Most pollen allergies lead to skin inflammation, reddening, or sneezing constantly. Most reactions are easy to resolve by taking over the counter antihistamines. Or, one simple and natural way to help with a pollen allergy is to add locally sourced honey into your diet, but if your allergies are extreme, always speak to your doctor.

9. Drink More Water

A simple and very effective way to improve your skin is to drink more water. It sounds simple but swapping that coffee before bed to a glass of water or adding an extra drink of water in the morning really helps your skin look and feel better.

beautifullyoriginal.com

Health & Fitness

Spring into fitness:

Four Tips to Revitalize your Health and Fitness Resolutions

As we transition from the cozy winter months to the brighter and warmer spring months, it’s the perfect time to revisit those New Year’s resolutions. We get it – the winter blues may have settled in, making it challenging to stay motivated. But fear not! With the arrival of spring, the days start getting longer and the sun shines a little brighter, which is the perfect way to renew your motivation.

For example, if your initial resolution was to exercise three times a week but life got a bit hectic – no worries! Reevaluate and set a more realistic goal that aligns with your current schedule. Small, sustainable changes lead to lasting results.

Remember that nutrition resolution you made at the beginning of the year? Well, guess what – it’s never too late to hit refresh on your healthy eating goals. Whether it’s adding more colorful veggies to your plate, staying hydrated like a champ, or making mindful choices, revisit your resolution and make attainable new goals.

Resolutions aren’t set in stone. Life happens, circumstances change, and that’s perfectly okay. Instead of viewing revisions as setbacks, see them as opportunities for growth.

Spring Brings Renewed Motivation

According to a study by Nature Journal, the rates of seasonal depression spike in the winter months. The good news is that exercise has proved to be a powerful antidote. Workouts can uplift your mood and boost your mental resilience. As you lace up those running shoes or step onto the rower, remember that each stride is a step toward improved mental health.

The new season can also bring a renewed sense of motivation, and science also has our back on this one. A study by the National Institute of Health shows that exposure to natural light and warmer temperatures during spring can positively impact mood and increase serotonin levels, those feel-good hormones.

What does that mean for you? Combining the mood-lifting effects of exercise with the natural mental boost of spring equals a happier, healthier you.

Bring Your Workouts Outdoors for an Added Boost

Springtime is prime time to take your workouts outside and embrace the fresh air. Here are some easy ways to get your heart pumping outside:

• Head out for a rejuvenating run or walk outdoors.

• Take a hike and check out a local trail.

• Hit an outdoor workout. Is there a park nearby with fitness equipment?

• Dust off your bike and explore the world outside your front door.

The benefits? Beyond the Vitamin D boost which comes from exposure to the sunshine, outdoor activities spice up your fitness routine. Plus, the variety in environment challenges different muscle groups, keeping things interesting.

Embrace Fresh, Seasonal Foods

Did you know spring coincides with the arrival of fresh, abundant produce? Think juicy berries, crisp asparagus and fragrant herbs. But it’s not just about tantalizing your taste buds – these goodies can supercharge your fitness journey!  You can make colorful salads bursting with antioxidants, berry-packed smoothies for a post-workout refuel, or zesty herb-infused dishes that elevate your meals to a new level.

Spring into Wellness

So, let’s shake off those winter blues, welcome the warmth of spring, and let it inspire a revitalization of our workout routine and nutritional resolutions and a journey towards personal wellness achievements that fill us with More Life!

orangetheory.com

Ask the Doctor:

Why Every Day is Mother’s Day

Finding appreciation for all that you do every day as a mom

When you become a mom, you have dreams of sleeping in on Mother’s Day while your partner and kids make you the perfect French Toast breakfast and bring it to you on a tray with flowers and a nice glass of juice. You have visions of cuddling that adorable, sweet-smelling baby who rarely cries and when she/he does, of course your mother’s intuition leads you to know exactly what’s wrong and how to make everything better. What you do not expect is the demands for juice or a diaper change. You don’t expect to be searching your house at midnight for the tiny plastic dinosaur toy that your child lost and cried herself to sleep over. And you don’t expect Mother’s Day to be just another day filled with laundry, a trip to the store for poster board for the newest school project, and demands for more cookies. But for many moms, that is exactly what Mother’s Day is—just another day. We don’t do some elaborate breakfast in my house. We don’t go out for some big meal. I don’t take the day off to lay in a hammock. We just treat it like another day, perhaps with a card or gift and a hug to say “I love you.”

Although I really value the thinking behind Mother’s Day—recognition of your mom and everything that your mom has done for you—I think that part of being a mom is turning every day into Mother’s Day. It’s easy to get bogged down by the constant demands that come with being a Mom. You spend hours cleaning stains out of your kids’ clothes or folding their laundry and no one even notices that it’s done (unless a favorite shirt hasn’t yet been washed and then it is a catastrophe). Each day you help with homework, chauffeur your kid to soccer/ baseball/gymnastics/dance practice, and make it home just in time to put a meal on the table and then do the dishes. Or you work an 8 hour day and rush to the grocery store to pick up essentials on the way to pick your kid

up from aftercare, never stopping to relax and take a minute to wind down. It is easy to feel unappreciated and overwhelmed by the demands of every day living.

But that is why part of being a mom is finding ways that your kids show that they appreciate you every day. When my kid claps with glee and says “Good job Mommy!” when I go down the slide after she has, I know that means that she is happy that I am playing with her. When my daughter kisses my throat when I have laryngitis to make my boo boo feel better, I know it means that she knows that I make her feel better when I kiss her boo boos. When her face lights up if I give her a bowl of grapes and she says “Thank you Mommy!!” I know that she appreciates the time that I took to go to the store and get her her favorite foods. When she demands that I drag my weary body off of the couch and pick her up to dance to the “Hot Dog” song on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse after I’ve worked a 9 hour day, cooked a meal, and done a load of laundry, I know that means that she likes the way that I make a fool out of myself to turn our house into a dance party. Mother’s Day is all about being appreciated for everything you do, but I don’t need some fancy breakfast or taking the day off to lay around to show me that. I just need to look for signs of it in my daily living to turn every day into Mother’s Day.

Amy Przeworski, Ph.D., psychologytoday.com

Lynn & Sarah Hartzler, Owners, with their three daughters.

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Life is the Berries

Hard to Love

By Laura Loveberry Elementary School Assembly Author/Speaker Inspirational Speaker Women’s Retreats/Conferences Caricature Artist

Do you know a hard-to-love person? I know a few I call “H.T.L.” peeps. I shake my head, dodging them quickly. These folks epitomize the HARD TO LOVE. Period. And they plop on the scene at family gatherings, church events, and ministry outreaches. These fellow brothers and sisters, followers of Christ, rub us wrong.

Sometimes it’s negativity, laziness, unkept hygiene, or mean-spirited jabs. Certain personalities do not attract us. Some fellow disciples struggle with immaturity, insecurity, jealousy, showboating, or whatever.

You and I should strive to be more like Jesus. Perhaps, my personality bugs others. I’m working on it. We Christians all fall short, especially me, so I should extend grace to other “H.T.L.” Believers. It’s easy embracing complementary personalities, but what about dispositions grating against us? Maybe lower expectations to raise love. I do.

It’s wrong for me to be unloving.

Check out what Jesus commanded. It is not an option. It’s an order. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another,” (John 13:34-35 NIV). Jesus references Believers here. Christians should love fellow Christians.

My lack of love toward Christians is always my own fault.

A lack of love for others shows my lack of love for God. I need to stop walking in an unloving manner. My character deficiencies flare up when I neglect reading his Word to strengthen my Godhonoring affection toward other modern-day disciples.

God will provide opportunities for you and me to grow, develop, and persevere through interactions with hard-to-love individuals in the body of Christ. Sometimes love means addressing issues. Regardless of the “H.T.L.” person’s tone, snarky ways, eye rolls, and body language; I am required to treat people according to whose they are and not where they are in their spiritual walk.

Jesus expects us to love fellow disciples.

God brings difficult Believers to grow me. Let’s love the unlovely. Why do I fail in my attitude toward them? My immaturity. I can develop a Christ-like character. Every command of God is my choice to obey. People can be stinky, contentious, domineering, petty, pesty, and awful. It’s difficult. We can love, anyway. Jesus commands it.

Fellow Believers, let’s love the “ONE ANOTHER”s.

It’s Almost Strawberry Season!

By Diane K Clow Quilter and Sewist Picker

And, hopefully, Good Friend

It’s the most wonderful time of the year . . .  No, not that December holiday – Michigan Strawberry Season!

There is nothing like a freshly-picked Michigan strawberry. Those berries shipped into the stores from out of state are a totally different species of berry. Michigan strawberries are firm but juicy, sweet, and fragrant, and fully mushable for an epic strawberry shortcake.

A dear former co-worker from my previous banking career and her husband own and operate a family-run fruit farm. In their “spare time.” Both continue with their high-level careers by day and strawberry farm by night. Their operation is a super-organized, clean, and friendly place to visit. It draws hundreds of strawberry pickers and buyers each year. They employ a number of middle school and high school students as pickers, helping to provide lifelong work ethic lessons and the coveted spending money.

It’s the culmination of a year’s worth of work for what appears to the public as a six-to-ten-day season of strawberry availability. (Yes, there is so much preparation to provide these beautiful berries, including the weeding, cultivating, rotating fields, watering, protecting the plants from a late frost, putting the plants to bed at the end of the season, only to awaken them again in the spring.)

Once I retired from banking, I was invited to join the farm family during strawberry season. For

the last seven years (along with two other bank retirees), we have worked at the front of the strawberry barn, cashiering and selling berries. And it is a blast! There are lines of people waiting to purchase pre-picked berries and streams of cars going back to the fields to pick their own.

Families make a day of it. It has become a generational tradition for some families. Small children come up to checkout with their full buckets, mouths stained red from their “product testing.” At the checkout, stories of how the berries will be utilized are shared, such as recipes for freezer jam, strawberry pie, freezing berries to enjoy through the year, and strawberry shortcake made to celebrate Father’s Day. The energy is contagious and uplifting. There is even a large order of pre-picked berries for a local brewery that makes seasonal strawberry beer.

At the end of my shift, I walk away with my own bucket of strawberries – the best benefit of this employment – along with the farm emblem tee and sweatshirts! At home I will make baking powder biscuits and we will have strawberry shortcake every night for the next two weeks in a row!

Thank you, Amber and Patrick, for all your dedication in providing beautiful Michigan strawberries at Kohler Farms.

Keeping It in Stitches and Michigan Strawberries

TURN THE PAGE

Book and Author Reviews

By Nancy Ryan Simply Hers Magazine

As I write this, spring is around the corner. Hooray!

On one of my Facebook apps for books, I noticed people mentioning The Housemaid by Freida McFadden. I picked it up at the library and gave it a read. It’s a psychological thriller, very much like Colleen Hoover’s Verity, but without the explicit sex scenes. Our heroine Millie narrates her story in the first person. She is a down-and-out ex-con, trying to find a job. With a shaky resume, she is hired by a wealthy family as their housemaid. Weird things are occurring in this family, but our heroine needs this job and so she overlooks the strangeness. She must make the best of it, at least until she can save enough money to move on. There is an interesting twist at the end, and I’ll leave it up to the reader to discover!

I have found two sequels, entitled The Housemaid’s Secret and The Housemaid is Watching. There are very good reviews for both books, apparently not redundant. I guess I’ll carry on with the sequels. On my latest trip to the Hillsdale library, I was reviewing the most recent New York Times book review list (which is available near the checkout desk). I discovered author McFadden also has two other books in the top ten! #6, The Inmate, #7 The Teacher; along with the previously mentioned #10, The Housemaid

Speaking of sequels, here is another choice. Author Karin Slaughter is described as an American crime writer. She has written 24 novels, including the Grant County Series, currently the Will Trent series, and six stand-alone books. I just finished her latest in the Will Trent series, After That Night. I found the story to be implausible and skipped to the end and found that equally so. Also, this latest effort, The Will Trent Series, has been made into a weekly television program. I have been somewhat put off by it, because the

casting of the leading characters do not remotely match the descriptions of the heroes in her books... I do, however, recommend reading her Grant County Series. They include Blindsighted, Kisscut, A Faint Cold Fear, Indelible, Faithless, and Beyond Reach. They should be read in order.

It looks like this article is all about sequels and series! One of my grandsons (who is entering his senior year, age appropriate) is reading the Witcher series written by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski and translated into English. A Witcher is a mutant human who possesses supernatural abilities and has been trained from childhood to battle monsters. The Witcher books follow the story of the titular Witcher Geralt of Rivia and his encounters with evil. These books should be read in order. The Last Wish, Sword of Destiny, Blood of Elves, Time of Contempt, Baptism of Fire, The Tower of the Swallows, The Lady of the Lake, and Season of Storms.

And yet another sequel! A few months ago, I reviewed local author Sheri Lynne’s two books, Hawaiian Dreams and Hawaiian Flames. I have now learned that her third and much-anticipated final sequel, Hawaiian Embers, is about to be launched and features the other twin brother Mark. The stories are somewhat based on the author’s deceased husband and his twin brother. Both served in the military and had once hoped to open a restaurant in Hawaii. It’s available at Hillsdale Market House, and Polly’s Stores in Jackson, Brooklyn, Chelsea, and Adrian. They are also sold at Bob’s Country Market in Hudson, online, and are in libraries in the surrounding areas.

What are you reading? Email me at nancyryan47@ gmail.com. See you at the library!

Over The EDG

EBy Willie Smith Simply Hers Magazine

How’s your spring going? Okay, I know it’s not officially spring, at least I don’t think it’s spring. To be honest I don’t know what season we’re in. It was cold and now it’s warmer, which I understand doesn’t necessarily make it spring. I need to make a trip to see the grandkids and spring is the time to do it so I can stay warm, but without the need for bulky winter jackets. Plus, everyone seems to be in a better mood, especially me. You see, I’ve lost most of the pictures on my phone so I really need to take new ones. If I could just find the calendar on my phone I would know when spring is and I could plan my “photo shoot.” Finding anything on my phone since the last “update” is hopeless and it’s enough to put me right over the edge.

I’m not real tech savvy, but I’m no dummy either. I learned a long time ago how to make folders to keep things I don’t want to lose such as pictures of the kids and grandkids. As any mother/grandmother knows, those are the most precious things a woman can keep. My son helped me organize my photos in a new app that I wasn’t familiar with and I’m struggling to remember all he taught me. I try to remain calm, but sometimes I lose my temper and even say some bad words! Do you think that helps? No, I assure you it does not help. My oldest son who lives in Germany revoked my technical support some time ago so I’ve come to rely on my second son. However, I do believe I’m beginning to get on his nerves too. Can you believe that?

You see, the second son was here visiting last week and he downloaded the aforementioned new photo app and explained the whole thing to me, more than once I might add. I can’t ask

the boy to explain it to me again after he spent two hours giving me several walk-throughs of the app. He asked me each time if I understood what he was telling me and like a dummy I said of course each time. I kind of, sort of really did understand what he was saying while he was sitting right in front of me and pushing all the right buttons, but now he’s gone back to Indiana and I can’t remember what he told me to do.

And here’s the most brilliant part—I just ordered a new phone. What in the world am I going to do now, I ask you? Will my photos automatically transfer? My son says the photos are always backed up in the cloud, but the question is where in the *&^% is the cloud and how do you get there? I need to find someone to tell me where the darn cloud is? Do I sound like I’m panicking to you? Thought so ‘cause I sound panicky to myself.

The second son always says when all else fails try YouTube. Guess I’ll be spending the next several days, maybe weeks, learning the new photo app on my new phone. This should be interesting. I just don’t know how this happens. I learn something and the next thing I know it gets updated or somehow lost in cyberspace for no reason whatsoever! It’s so frustrating! I tell you it’s enough to put me over the edge.

“Some

Hillsdale College’s Searle Center and stunning Hoynak banquet hall provide elegant venues ideal for weddings, rehearsal dinners, receptions, business banquets, meetings, or other group events; additional meeting/ conference spaces are also available. Couple your event with a stay in one of our beautifully updated 36 hotel rooms for the convenience and service that best suits your needs!

The Searle Center Offers:

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• Large lobbies for pre-function events

• Elevator and escalator

EXPERIENCE CLASSIC ELEGANCE in the ELIZABETH HOYNAK ARCHIVE CENTER!

Located in the Dow Center, the Elizabeth Hoynak Archive Center accommodates up to 100 people in a lovely setting, distinguished by its grand staircase and collection of historic artifacts. This room provides the perfect setting for your dinner, fundraiser, or wedding reception.

For rental information, please call (517) 437-3311 or email Kristine Healy at khealy@hillsdale.edu

Summertime is Party Time! di G

DRIVE-IN MOVIE PARTY

June 6 is Drive-In Movie Day, so why not have a drivein movie night in your backyard? You can host a lot of people or just a few—maybe make it a block party! Here are the essentials to consider when planning it:

• The movie! (Of course.) Things to keep in mind are genre (horror, thriller, comedy, musical, rom-com, adventure, sci-fi, superhero, etc.), length, and suitability for your audience.

• Audience. This ties in with selecting your movie, as you want to be sure everyone will enjoy the show and that it will be appropriate for all. Younger children are likely to get restless and possibly disruptive if the movie’s too long. And, it’s better to err on the side of caution when it comes to movie content.

• Location. Party size will depend on how much room you have in your yard. Make sure everyone’s view is unobstructed.

What will the seating be—blankets on the ground or lawn chairs? If it’s blankets, clear

Party Tips

written by: Melissa Mccance

away rocks and roots. If it’s lawn chairs, be sure you have enough space on reasonably level ground or people could tip over.

• Screen. The cheapest, easiest screen is a white sheet fastened to the side of a house or garage. If that won’t work for you, there are inflatable screens you can purchase. Easy instructions for a 7’ by 7’ DIY screen can be found here: www. theshabbycreekcottage.com/diy-outdoor-movie.html.

• Projector and Sound System. You might already own something that will work. If not, put out the word among your friends to see if you can borrow one or consider purchasing one. (And, if you borrow one, make sure you invite those friends!)

• Food. It’s a movie, right? So . . . concession stand goodies are in order! LOTS of popcorn is must, and you can buy an assortment of boxed candy like you find at movie theaters. Think how happy your guests will be to get their Junior Mints and Milk Duds for free instead of paying $5 for them! Small bags of chips or pretzels are another possibility. Some pop, juice, and bottled water should also be on hand. Remember to have a non-caffeinated pop option as not everyone drinks caffeine at night.

Now, invite your guests and get ready for a wonderful evening!

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

What goes better with hot weather than ice cream?! An ice cream party is easy to put together and makes for a fun, relaxed afternoon or evening get-together for your guests. Decorations can be as simple as tablecloths and napkins in summery colors paired with some streamers and balloons. Go bigger by making and painting a cardboard cut-out that looks like an ice cream truck, purchasing honeycomb tissue paper ice cream cones to hang everywhere, shaping posterboard into cone shapes and topping with small balloons to mimic ice cream cones . . . the internet abounds with ideas!

For the ice cream, you can go classic with big tubs of vanilla and chocolate or buy smaller containers in a variety of flavors. Add variety by buying some gelato and sorbet along with ice cream. Consider making one batch of ice cream from scratch—more, if you can get your hands on enough ice cream makers. Collect and/ or borrow large bowls you can fill with ice and set the ice cream cartons or tubs well into them to stay cold. The fun part is the toppings! Here’s a list of ideas, and you can probably think of more:

• Nuts

• Sprinkles

• Whipped cream

• Fresh or dried fruit, like kiwi, strawberries, bananas and maraschino cherries

• Caramel, strawberry, and fudge syrup

• Marshmallow fluff

• Small candies

• Cookie crumbles

• Coconut flakes

• Mini pretzels

• Graham cracker crumbs

Purchase plain cones, waffle cones, and small bowls, and have a scoop or large, sturdy spoon for each ice cream. Be sure to have PLENTY of spoons and napkins on hand, as well as containers of towelettes for cleaning sticky hands and faces afterward. It’s also a good idea to have lots of bottled water chilled and ready, as the combination of summer heat and sugar will make people thirsty.

Friends, family, ice cream, and a hot summer day—a great recipe for a good time.

Hitching Post Antiques Mall Hitching Post Antiques Mall

Celebrates 40 Years

By Melissa McCance

Antiques malls are fascinating places, even if you don’t collect things from the past. The sheer number and variety of items is amazing, many of which will bring back memories. Marlene Nelson and son Ken, owners of the Hitching Post Antiques Mall in Tecumseh, are getting ready to celebrate their mall’s 40th year in business.

Antiques malls are fascinating places, even if you don’t collect things from the past. The sheer number and variety of items is amazing, many of which will bring back memories. Marlene Nelson and son Ken, owners of the Hitching Post Antiques Mall in Tecumseh, are getting ready to celebrate their mall’s 40th year in business.

To mark the 40th anniversary of the mall, there will be a storewide sale from June 1 through June 15. Everything will be at least 20% off with some things marked down as much as 40%. (Savvy antiques shoppers should plan to visit beforehand and make a list of what they’ll hope to purchase during the sale!)

Marlene and her late husband John got into the business through visiting an auction at which they purchased 15 antique clocks. They sold them out of their garage and enjoyed that so much they decided to open an antiques shop. Their first store was located in Northville, Michigan, and was called The Village Pump. The Nelsons ran that store for 10 years.

A love of the Irish Hills area drew the Nelsons to this area where they bought a horse farm. They opened an antiques shop on the property but it ended up being too small for their needs and they realized it was time to look for a commercial building. The current location—1322 E. Monroe Rd. (M-50) in Tecumseh—was purchased in 1984. It was originally a furniture store that sold Ethan Allen furniture and manufactured furniture in the rear section of the building.

The building encompasses 8,000 square feet of retail space divided into 24 rooms, each of which holds items from different dealers. In addition to the main building, there’s the “Furniture

Barn” with another 1200 square feet of space and two storage barns. The dealers rent their space monthly, and the Hitching Post’s dealers offer everything you can imagine. There’s a nice selection of Victorian items, beautiful lamps (and lamp parts), toys, military items, china and glassware, furniture, books, magazines and other ephemera, clocks, collectibles and more. (MUCH more!)

“The building is perfect for this kind of business with the different rooms,” says assistant manager Kelly Overholt. “The first dealers who rented space here were Jim and Dede Taylor from Birmingham, and they’re still here.”

Kelly started at Hitching Post Antiques Mall 14 years ago working weekends while in college. That progressed to part time and then full time. “I love it because it’s different every day and I’m always learning new things. The customers and dealers are fun. This business can be a challenge to stay on top of, though. Things can change quickly!”

Among the more unusual pieces available at the mall are a carousel horse and a number of old slot machines. According to Kelly, current hot trends in antiques are advertising pieces like signs, uranium glass, clocks and lamps, toys, and coin-operated items.

The Hitching Post Antiques Mall is open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day but New Year’s Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It’s two miles west of Tecumseh and not far east of the intersection of M-50 and M-52. You can reach them by phone at 517-423-8277 or through the website: www. hitchingpostantiques.com.

2020, ‘21, ‘22 & ‘23 Hillsdale People's Choice Winner!

What to know when preparing to sell your home...

add signi cant value to your home. But what if you want to spruce things up on a budget? Consider some of these!

-Fresh paint - a fresh coat of paint makes things look cleaner and brighter, and just gives a fresh feel. You'd be surprised what you can paint - even things like old outdated sinks, paneling, cabinets... not just walls!

-Clean up/spruce up landscaping - you don't have to do a major landscaping overhaul to clean things up and maybe add a little color here and there. Giving things a nice crisp, organized look can do wonders for your curb appeal!

-Spruce up entry ways/approach to the home - this is a person's " rst impression" of your home. So, the entry outside and inside should be made to look and feel welcoming.

-Improve lighting - Make sure you replace any bulbs that might be burnt out, and that lighting is nice and bright in all of the rooms.

-De-Clutter! This might require a few sessions of purging unnecessary items, but it is worth it! Clutter makes spaces look and feel smaller, and less relaxing. Eliminate clutter in the main living areas of the home especially. 81

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Phoenix Rising Wellness Center Phoenix Rising Wellness Center

Rising to New Skin Care Heights

Microneedling Therapy Restores Damaged Skin

By Molly Mason

The healing impact of tiny needles isn’t new to Elizabeth Stewart, Licensed Acupuncturist and the owner of Phoenix Rising, a wellness center known for its rejuvenating and healing practices.

“Many people come to us as a last resort,” said Stewart, who began practicing acupuncture over 20 years ago. “They are looking for an alternative to surgery or medications and other pain-relieving treatments.” Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and Five Element Acupuncture also help patients overcome challenging health conditions from cancer recovery or high blood pressure to anxiety and depression.

While Phoenix Rising’s acupuncture practices have helped patients with internal health issues feel stronger, healthier, and more mobile, a new cosmetic acupuncture therapy - known as microneedling - is helping patients overcome skin issues including troublesome acne, dark spots, scars, and wrinkled, sagging skin.

Microneedling is a medical device containing many tiny, sterilized needles that penetrate the epidermis, generating new collagen and skin tissue to firm and tone skin. Phoenix Rising’s medical-grade microneedle machine is safer and more effective than devices someone might pick up at a drug store. “Unfortunately, most people don’t know the store-bought devices are almost impossible to sterilize and can damage the skin by ripping it,” said Stewart. “Our device moves at 18,000 impacts per minute, the highest available, resulting in clean, tiny holes that our personalized serums sink into very well. An infrared light therapy is the final step to boost the results of the treatment.”

A stem cell serum is mixed with different types of herbs depending on the patient’s unique needs. “We have one herbal mix that works well to reduce the appearance of acne,” said Stewart. “Then we have other combinations used to build collagen, lighten dark spots and scars, and reduce puffiness.”

Stem cell serum is derived from a rare version of Swiss apples, Uttwiler Spätlauberl, famous for their excellent storability without shriveling. The stem cells are used to boost the production of human stem cells, protect cells from stress, and decrease wrinkles.

“We customize the serum for the needs of our patient’s unique skin,” said Stewart. When used in conjunction with microneedling, stem cell serums intensify the results of the treatment because they are delivered to deeper into the skin. Phoenix Rising’s approach is unique due to a layering technique, blending stem cells with Chinese herbs, utilizing a professional needling device, and finishing with a light therapy which increases stem cell production by 300%.

“After four months, you can look ten years younger,” said Stewart. “Treatments typically include microneedling once a month, with nanoneedling every week in between for at least three months.”

Microneedling is a great alternative to Botox, laser treatments, or chemical peels that may damage the skin or require more frequent treatments. “It’s putting energy into your face, nourishing the muscles, so your face can go back to a younger position with all this new collagen,” said Stewart. “It works so well because it’s not depleting you but increasing your healing ability without harsh side effects.”

Microneedling is a safe, minimally invasive procedure with few side effects. Introductory pricing and financing for the customized treatment are available at both the Adrian and Manitou Beach, Michigan locations. To learn more, visit www.phoenixrisingwellnesscenters.com or call (517) 759-4018.

Check our ad on the next page for details on our upcoming “Swap A Size” event!

The DAR

By Melissa McCance

Dedicating to Preserving our Patriotic History

Founded in 1890, the Daughters of the American Revolution—commonly known as the DAR—was established by four women in Washington, D.C., during a time when the nation was experiencing a resurgence of patriotism and an interest in the nation’s founding. Frustrated by being excluded from men’s organizations, they created the DAR with three objectives that continue to this day. They are described on the DAR website:

Historical - to perpetuate the memory and spirit of the men and women who achieved American Independence; Educational - to carry out the injunction of Washington in his farewell address to the American people, “to promote, as an object of primary importance, institutions for the general diffusion of knowledge, thus developing an enlightened public opinion…”; and Patriotic - to cherish, maintain, and extend the institutions of American freedom, to foster true patriotism and love of country, and to aid in securing for mankind all the blessings of liberty.

As of early April, the website reports that over a million women have been members of the DAR. Membership is open to any woman 18 years or older who “can prove lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence … She must provide documentation for each statement of birth, marriage and death, as well as of the Revolutionary War service of her Patriot ancestor.”1

There were two local DAR chapters with one in Coldwater and one in Hillsdale. The chapters merged in the 1970s and the combined chapter name is the U.S. 12 Heritage Trail Chapter. Currently, the group has 48 members, split equally between Coldwater and Hillsdale. There are also members from Jackson and Lenawee counties.

The chapter is a busy one with a variety of projects and activities. They promote veterans’ affairs including Veterans Day and Vietnam Veterans Day. The group honors good citizens from 14 public schools—10 in Hillsdale County and four in Branch County—who represent the three objectives of the organization. The students are nominated by their respective schools and they’re eligible to participate in an essay contest with a $350 first prize with the winning essay moving on to the next level of judging. This contest has been held in our area since 1958.

Each August, the group collects and donates items from the wish lists for two schools. In 2023, the items were donated to Reading High School and Jennings Elementary School in Quincy.

This June the chapter will mark a major event that has been in the works for some time: the Revolutionary War Patriots Monument dedications in Branch and Hillsdale counties. These monuments will honor the Revolutionary War soldiers who are buried in the two counties. There are 14 in Branch County and 12 in Hillsdale County. The Branch County ceremony will take place at the intersection of Marshall St. and U.S. 12 at 11 a.m., while the Hillsdale County ceremony will be at the Hillsdale County Courthouse at 2 p.m.

“In addition to guest speakers, entertainment will be provided by the Plymouth Fife & Drum Corp. During the Branch County event, the names of those buried there will be read. At the Hillsdale ceremony, there will be a presentation of colors by the Hillsdale Composite Civil Air Patrol, and local families who are descendants of the Revolutionary War patriots will be honored,” explains chapter president Ann Schmidt.

For more detailed information about the DAR, visit their website: dar.org. They also have a public Facebook Page (US12 Heritage Trail NSDAR Public site) and a private group page (US 12 Heritage Trail NSDAR).

1Daughters of the American Revolution. (2024, March 20). https://www.dar.org/

RESALE TRAIL R S LE TRA L

ADRIAN

1025 E. US 223 • Adrian

Tue - Sat • 10 -5

517.266.0746

Donations and purchases help to build and repair homes in Lenawee County! Selling new and gently-used donated building supplies, appliances, and furniture

READING

49 Enterprise Drive, Reading South of Dollar General

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HILLSDALE

Hot Deals New & Used LLC

Clothes, household items, holiday decor, small appliances, books, movies, toys, games, and occasional vintage. All items are clean & cheap! Taking garage sale leftovers & estates. 1283 Hudson Rd. Hillsdale

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TECUMSEH

Hitching Post

Antiques Mall

1322 E. Monroe (M-50 at M-52)

Tecumseh • Open 7 Days 10-5:30

517.423.8277

hitchingpostantiques.com

Over 8000 sq ft – Victorian, Military, Clocks, Glass, Estate Jewelry, Lighting & Lamp Parts

HILLSDALE

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390 W. Carleton • Hillsdale

Mon-Sat 9-6 | 517.513.1729

The Warehouse — 90 W. Fayette St. • Hillsdale Fri 9 - 5 • Sat 9-4 | 517.513.1729

hillsdalecommunitythrift.org

New/gently used clothing for the family. Housewares, furniture, books, electronics, jewelry Donations are tax-deductible and accepted during business hours. Rewarding Loyalty Program. 501(c)3.

Family Store & Donation center

2940 W. Carleton, Hillsdale

Mon -Sat 10 - 7

517.439.1202

New and gently-used items including clothing, housewares, home decor, furniture, books, collectibles. Donations are tax-deductible & always accepted.

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Hillsdale County Great Start Collaborative

Staying Safe!

By Elyse Apel

On June 18, the Hillsdale County Great Start Collaborative is co-hosting a community-wide event with Simply Hers focused on teaching families how to prioritize safety. The second annual Hillsdale County Free Family Safety Fair will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Hillsdale County Fairgrounds.

“The goal is to provide education and resources around a wide variety of safety topics that impact kids and families in Hillsdale County,” says Stefanie Rathburn, director at Great Start.

All Hillsdale County families are welcome to attend this free event.

“Free lunches will be available to the first 150 kids under 10 to sign in,” Stefanie says. “Additionally, Cottage Inn, Lawless’s BBQ, and Kona Ice will be on-site with food and drink items available for purchase.”

Market House Supermarket is helping to sponsor the free lunches.

Many other organizations will also be present at the event. Last year, over 40 different local agencies were on-site and Stefanie says Great Start hopes to see similar participation this year.

“A number of agencies have already committed to being onsite this year but we expect many more to register between now and the event,” Stefanie explains.

Representatives from the community agencies and organizations will be present to share information and resources on many different safety topics.

“Topics anticipated to be addressed by agency partners include: firearms safety, child safety items in homes,

emergency preparedness, safe sleep, school bus safety, car seat safety, bathtub/water safety, pet/animal safety, pool and lake safety, internet safety, safe driving, fire safety, suicide prevention, agricultural safety, banking safety, medication safety, and much, much more,” Stefanie says.

So far, over ten agencies are signed up, including Child Abuse Prevention & Awareness (CAPA), Greater Hillsdale Humane Society, Helping Hands Pregnancy Resource Center, and Domestic Harmony.

Local schools and emergency services will also use the Safety Fair as an opportunity to get out into the community.

“We anticipate fire trucks, ambulances, police vehicles, a school bus, and more to be on-site,” Stefanie says.

There will also be a wide variety of activities for kids and adults, free giveaways, and car seat inspections.

“There will be an opportunity for families to have their car seats inspected to ensure they are properly installed,” Stefanie says of the car seat inspections.

In addition to car seat inspections, free car seats will also be given out to those in need.

“Children must be present and in a motor vehicle in order to participate,” Stefanie says. “New seats will be available, free of charge, to Hillsdale County children in need of one. Pregnant moms within one month of their due date are also eligible.”

Stefanie says she is excited that Great Start can serve the community by holding the event.

“The intent is to provide a fun atmosphere for families to come spend some time while receiving education that can support all families,” she says. “In addition, ensuring families know where to go or who to call to access necessary support . . . is a priority for the event!”

Hillsdale Famil y Chir opr actic

Dr. Matt Gordon

Dr. Sasha Gri s

Dr. Jenelle Devenney

Dr. Andrew Mekas

KEEPING FAMILIES HEALTHY

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79 Hillsdale St, Hillsdale, MI 49242 | (517) 439-9800 www.hillsdalefamilychiro.com

Crafted with Care: Michigan’s Brewmakers

Innovators and makers are dedicated to the art of Michigan’s craft beer.

When you have access to fresh water sourced from the Great Lakes and hops that grow in fertile conditions thanks to the Lake Effect, the result is pretty spectacular. Between these geographical gifts and a surge of interest in craft beers, it’s easy to explore microbreweries and enjoy a taste that is purely Michigan!

Ask any Michigander about local beer and they’ll probably mention Bell’s Brewery in Kalamazoo. Founder Larry Bell first began brewing commercial beers in a soup pot and started producing what are now classic Michigan craft brews, like Third Coast Beer and Kalamazoo Stout. Bell’s release of Oberon Ale has become a signal for the start of spring in Michigan. Meanwhile, Grand Rapids has gained national attention as Beer City USA with more than 40 breweries along the Beer City Ale Trail.

While Michigan’s craft beer scene has made its mark since the earliest days, there’s a whole new movement brewing: opening doors for people who don’t always have easy access to the industry. Of recent note, there’s Ypsilanti’s 734 Brewing Company, which is aiming to open the first Blackowned brewery in Detroit. Black Calder Brewing Company makes beer that also celebrates art and innovation in its packaging and collaborations.

Women leaders are also building up the beer scene to greater heights. Lending their support and knowledge to one another, a group of Michigan women in beer created Fermenta—a nonprofit organization committed to education, networking, diversity and empowerment. Barb Baker, aka the Siren of Stout, is the president of Fermenta and a first-level cicerone who honed her craft in Michigan.

While the beer industry is traditionally dominated by men, Baker found herself moving in these circles with some ease. “When I go to a brewery and I’m the only woman or the only person of color in there, it has never made me uncomfortable because I’ve been that person throughout my whole life.”

Baker gives a lot of credit to her mother who told her, “Wherever you go, you belong.” Using that philosophy, she’s turned her focus on forging connections among women and other marginalized groups in the industry.

Above all, Baker and other beer enthusiasts are expressive about what makes Michigan’s beer culture so special. Whether area brewers are focused on creating modern hazy IPAs or old-style German pilsners, she says, “we are more passionate, more innovative and we make really good beer!”

Another icon of Michigan beer is Annette May, who became the first female certified cicerone and teaches aspiring brewers and cicerones of all levels. Jess Stricklen recently opened Brewery Nyx in Grand Rapids, the first 100% gluten-free brewery in the state. Kris Spaulding is the president and co-owner of Brewery Vivant in Grand Rapids, the first production brewery in the U.S. to be LEED certified for its sustainable practices (and it also happens to be in a repurposed funeral home!). Last year, in honor of women in the beer industry, Bell’s created a specialty Belgian Tripel called Sparkle and SMaSH—brewed with hops and malts from women-owned Michigan businesses.

PET TALK 5

Reasons

As a pet parent, you love your furry friend more than anything. You take them for walks, play with them, and give them all the love and attention they deserve. But have you considered investing in professional pet photography? While it may seem like an unnecessary expense, there are many reasons why it’s worth the investment.

• Capturing Special Moments. Your pet is a member of your family, and, just like with human family members, you want to capture special moments with them. Professional pet photography allows you to have high-quality images of your pet to cherish for years to come. From candid shots to posed portraits, a professional photographer can capture the unique personality and spirit of your pet in a way that phone snapshots just can’t match.

• Celebrate Your Pet’s Personality. unique, with their own personality, quirks, and habits. Professional pet photography allows you to celebrate your pet’s individuality in a way that is both artistic and true to life. By working with a professional photographer, you can capture your pet’s unique traits and expressions, creating authentic, personalityfilled images. Professional pet photographers know how to get your pet to relax and have fun during their session so their true personality is in your images.

• Knowledge about pets. photographers have years of experience working with animals. They expect your

Why Professional Pet Photography is Worth the Investment

pets to act like the animals they were created to be and can work with your pet’s quirks. Reactive dogs, anxious cats, multiple pets—all of these should be no problem for your pet photographer.

• Professional Quality. Professional pet photography is just that—professional. A professional photographer has the expertise, equipment, and skills to create high-quality images that are visually stunning and technically sound. You can trust that your images will be well-composed, well-lit, and properly edited, resulting in images that you will be proud to display in your home.

• Personalized artwork. Professional pet photographers work with print labs to produce artwork that you can display in your home. These art pieces are custom designed to your style and decor. The artwork you display is one of a kind and produced live-laugh-love sign or a meaningful photograph of your your pets, hung over your mantel or couch?

Life Is A Journey

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Jr.

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Paul & Michele Plant

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David & Martha Town

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John & Jo Alipit

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Deacon John & Kathy Crowley

Jerry & Susan Denison

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Maribel Knight

Gary & Marcia Penix

Jim & Darlene Pohlman

Joe & Kendra Snyder

Kathy Stump

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Steve & Janice Wiler

The Real Value Of A Realtor

Realtors and the commissions they receive have come under much scrutiny recently. This leaves homeowners asking the questions “What is the value of a Realtor?” and “Are they really worth their commission?”.

As a Realtor that has been in the business for 10+ years, has worked with many di erent Realtors and homeowners, and has seen many di erent scenarios play out, I will tell you that the real value of a Realtor is in the fact that they care about YOU. They have your best interest at heart and will work whatever number of hours necessary to make sure that your transaction is handled correctly and that you are happy when it is nished. They are not keeping track of what their hourly rate ends up being. They are prepared to stand by your side until the transaction is completed, and beyond, no matter how long it takes. How much is that kind of allegiance worth?

NEGOTIATIONS: Going to bat for you and making sure you do not get taken advantage of is one of the most valuable aspects of a Realtor. Handling real estate transactions is what they do every day and they know the process well. They know what should happen and what should never happen. They have experienced many unique situations and are able to o er you advice from that experience. No one else in the real estate transaction process (attorney, title company, lender, etc.) is out there standing beside you as you tour homes, go through inspections, encounter setbacks, face disappointments, get angry, solve problems, nd a new way forward, and ultimately experience the joy of closing day but your Realtor.

PROFESSIONAL NETWORK: Realtors have a huge professional network because they encounter many people throughout a day and deal with many di erent aspects of a home during a transaction. This can prove to be invaluable to you as a homeowner whenever you encounter a situation during a transaction. Just make a phone call to your Realtor (more than likely your Realtor already knows because they were with you when you encountered the situation) and they will reach out to a quality professional to address the problem for you. You can have absolute peace of mind that it will be taken care of and taken care of well.

SCHEDULE: Realtors are on call almost always. We do not close at 5PM and you have to wait until we open the next morning at 9AM to contact us. You just pick up the phone and send a message and know that your Realtor will get to you just as soon as they can. Yes we have families and go on vacation and have lives but we are only a phone call away when an emergency strikes. How many other professionals in your life o er that kind of service?

LIFETIME SERVICE: A Realtor’s commitment to you does not end after closing day. You can call a Realtor with a question 5 years after you sold or purchased a home and they will be happy to assist you AT NO CHARGE. If they are unable to answer the questions themselves, they will once again tap in to that huge network and nd the answer for you. Realtors want you to be successful at homeownership.

Realtors are not just a service that you pay for. Realtors are a trusted friend that you take with you throughout life.