Union Court Assisted Living, a senior living facility in St. Charles, opens its doors this week offering all the warmth of home in its newly renovated facility located in the former Miller Elementary School building. A grand opening and public open house is scheduled for this Friday and Saturday, January 18 and 19. (TCC Photo by Deb Miller)

Things are shaping up at the new senior living facility in St. Charles.

A warm and welcoming atmosphere, and all the comforts of home, including delightful dÈcor and a cozy living room, await within the walls of Union Court Assisted Living, a state licensed home for the aged located in the former Miller Elementary School building.

A grand opening and open house will be held this Friday, January 18 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, January 19 from noon to 5 p.m. Tours of the newly renovated facility will be available, along with the opportunity to apply for residence.

The facility has 28 residential rooms and is licensed for up to 56 residents. It is open to anyone over 60 years of age and offers a clean, well-maintained environment, with landscaped courtyards and assisted care ranging from independent living to total care.

A variety of services will be available to residents including meals, snacks, laundry and linen services, housekeeping services, personal and medical services, and medication monitoring, along with a variety of activities and other amenities.

Daily activities and programs will be offered including social, fitness, and spiritual activities.

Highly trained staff will be available at all hours to assist with residents' needs.

Coordination of care will be handled through the staff physician and staff nurse who will be available to monitor residents' medical care.

Resident assistants will be available to help with any daily needs and care needs residents may have.

Telephone, Internet, and cable will also be available for those interested.

A special feature of the facility is the secured Memory Care Unit where dementia and Alzheimer patients will be cared for completely separate from the independent living area of the facility.

The Memory Care Unit is contained within its own private community with a separate dinning area, courtyard, and activity room.

Along with the memory care unit rooms; the facility offers a variety of room choices including private and semi-private rooms or suites.

The facility boasts a state-of-the-art fire and security system that includes a video security system that monitors entryways and hallways, keypad security doorways in the memory care unit, and a magnetic door system that automatically shuts all doors in the event of a fire.

Residential rooms are equipped with individual keyed entrys for the privacy of residents and also features a unique magnetic system which allows residents to prop their individual doors open but automatically closes the doors in the event of a fire creating a fire barrier in the rooms which are each surrounded by fire walls.

The facility is completely ADA compliable with all entrances being handicap accessible and follows state requirements and regulations for both the building and its operations.

Operation of the facility, including safety issues, resident care, nutrition, and sanitary conditions, will be monitored by the state.

The facility is located at 302 Fulton Street in downtown St. Charles.

For more information visit www.unioncourt.net or call 865-8100.

Chesaning Chamber begins new year with new gala

CHESANING -- The Chesaning Chamber of Commerce begins the new year with the all-new Chamber Gala "Good Times, Good Friends, Good Business," formerly known as the annual Membership Meeting and Dinner, on Saturday, Jan. 19, at the Peet Community Center in Chesaning.

The new gala will begin the evening with entertaining music and a cocktail reception for networking with fellow members, followed by the dinner and the tradition of honoring business persons in the community.

Newly added this year is the "Star Employee Award." The board of directors felt it was the right time to begin honoring a chamber member's employee who often times is the true mainstay of a company, going quietly about his or her job duties with dedication and class.

To qualify, a chamber member submitted an application on an employee, providing examples of excellence, service, leadership, positive attitude and being a team player.

This year's "Star Employee Award" is awarded to Pam Damic and her employer, Doug Gerding, of Hehr International. The two will be honored guests at the gala and presented their awards.

The Chesaning Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1924 to actively foster business growth, member services and a united community.

Benefit auction Jan. 20

CLIO -- The Whistle Stop Cafe in downtown Clio will host a benefit auction for Brandon Pringle on Sunday, Jan. 20, from 2-8 p.m. Buyers and sellers are welcome.

Pringle is a 2-year-old with a muscle disorder that has yet to be diagnosed. He is currently being seen by a doctor at the University of Michigan.

Ten percent of all sales from the fundraiser go to pay for medical bills and equipment.

Items for the auction include horse tack, antiques, jewelry, TVs, DVDs, clocks, CDs, household items, feed buckets, saddles, bits, blankets, deer blind, poodle puppies, boots, saddle pads, toys, leather reins, new and used items and more.