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School board leaders honored In January

ST. CHARLES -- School Board Recognition Month, in January, is celebrated by 552 local and 57 intermediate school districts in Michigan, as 4,100 elected school board members are honored by their schools and communities for untiring dedication to school governance. "The foundation of school leadership is ensuring equal learning opportunities for all students," says Michael Wallace, superintendent of St. Charles Community Schools. "We're proud of our district, and School Board Recognition Month is the time to recognize and celebrate the accomplishments of our elected trustees." In St. Charles Community Schools, school board members must develop policies and make tough decisions on complex educational and social issues impacting the entire community. They bear responsibility for an annual budget of $9.3 million, 11 students, 145 employees and 4 buildings. "School board members make decisions that affect 1.7 million Michigan children and $13 billion in educational expenditures," noted Wallace. "They preserve the core of our democracy-public education." More information is posted on the St. Charles Community Schools web site at www.stccs.org

The men and women serving St. Charles Community Schools and their years of service are: Ron Gonzales, 6 years; Joe Wilkins, 4 years; John Germain, 3 years; Steven McNally, 7 years; Lenny LeFevre, 12 years; Leon Larsen, 2 years; Jim Swartzendruber, 7 years; Felicia Reinke, student, 2 years.

STC Schools accepting school of choice apps

St. Charles Community Schools are now accepting applications for all grade levels from non-resident students wishing to enroll under school of choice for second semester. Second semester begins Tuesday, January 22, 2008. For more information call Superintendent Michael Wallace at 865-9961 or visit our website at www.stccs.org.

* Highly Qualified Workforce

* Clean and Safe Learning Environment

* New and Newly Renovated Schools

* Latest Technology

* All Day Kindergarten

* Caring and Knowledgeable Staff

* Five-Time Michigan's Education Excellence Award Winner

People needed for CAC's commodity food program

SAGINAW -- Some of the federal government's surplus food is thrown into landfills because people who are eligible don't sign up to get it. The Chesaning area's three senior citizens centers and the Saginaw County Community Action Committee, known as CAC, are taking steps to reduce the waste. Food is distributed every month to senior citizens ages 60 and older, and every three months to younger families in need. The next date for seniors is Thursday, January 27, and the next dates for all families are Thursday and Friday, March 23 and 24. "Some people may not realize that this is available, and others don't want to take it because they think of it as some sort of a handout," says Arlene Hemgesberg, director of the Chesaning Young at Heart Club, 218 Church, formerly known as the Chesaning Senior Citizens Center. "This is not a handout program. In fact, we need people to come and help us out. The participation of the people is very important to keep our center open and remain viable. With our food distribution and our hot lunches, this is the starting point to begin the socialization which is so important for our seniors. We hope people will not let pride stand in the way because we need everyone's support." Other partners are the Maple Grove Senior Citizens Center at 4017 Peet Road and the Brady Township Senior Citizens Center at 16020 Peet Road. Sue Soriteu is the manager of the CAC's Commodities Program, which is based in the City of Saginaw at 2824 Perkins but which serves the entire county. "People have paid their taxes and they should not hesitate to receive something in return," Soriteu says. "The food is from the United States Department of Agriculture and it is distributed through the state government in Lansing. We receive our quantity of food based on the number of people we serve. Right now, we are serving about 1,400 people but we have slots available for 2,200. This means we need to find 800 more people to come on board with us, in order to receive our full allocation of food. Otherwise, the food will go to waste." For a single senior citizen to qualify for food, the maximum income is $1,361 per month or $16,332 per year. For a couple, the maximums are $1,825 per month or $21,900 per year. For someone younger than age 60, the maximum income for a single person is $1,106 per month or $13,272 per year. For a two-member family, the maximums are $1,483 per month or $17,796 per year. Add $377 for each additional person in the household. For example, a single mother with three children could have an income of $2,237 per month, or $26,844 per year, and still qualify for a food package. "Many people are surprised that the income levels are this high," Soriteu says. "Even if a person does not qualify for themselves, we believe they will know other people who will qualify and we encourage everyone to please spread the word. This is an excellent way to stretch that income," Soriteu says. A typical food package includes canned meats and vegetables, fruit, pasta, rice, cereal, flour, sauces, soup and cooking oil. Seniors may pick up their packages at the three centers on the fourth Thursday of each month, starting with January 27. Younger families must travel to Saginaw. The COC location is only a short distance from M-13 or I-75. Soriteu suggests that families could car pool in order to save on gasoline. She also notes that if a church or social agency in Chesaning would donate the use of a building, she would be eager to establish a distribution site for the younger-than-60 age group. CAC is Saginaw County's main arm of the federal government for various programs to combat poverty. Other services include home weatherization, tax preparation, senior citizens outreach and home mortgage counseling. For information on the CAC's Surplus Food Commodities Program, call Sue Soriteu at (989) 753-7741. CAC would be especially interested in hearing from anyone who would offer their building, four times per year, to provide a food distribution site for younger families in the Chesaning area.

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Lose the weight in 2008

Free seminar sponsored by Healthway Compounding Pharmacy Healthway Compounding Pharmacy is sponsoring a free seminar titled "Lose the Weight in 2008" on Thursday, Jan. 10 at Bay Valley Hotel and Resort from 7 to 9 p.m. The seminar will feature Keri Topouzian, MD, speaking on the relationship between hormones and weight loss. Michael Collins, R.Ph., and prescription compounding specialist, will discuss the effects of cortisol and nutritional supplements in weight loss. Both Topouzian and Collins are fellows in the American Academy of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners. In addition, Collins is a certified menopause educator. Nancy Silk, of Body Works, located at Serenity Spa on Midland Road in Saginaw, will discuss the benefits of exercise in maintaining and losing weight. Paulette Lenk, from Weight Watchers International will speak on life style changes for healthy weight loss and what to look for when choosing a weight loss program. The seminar is free and open to the public, however space is limited and registration is required. To register, or for more information, call Healthway Compounding Pharmacy at (989) 791-1691.