Advertisement

This year's fundraiser evening began with many raffles and games, with a dinner following. Live and silent auctions took place during the night with many gun and raffle winners. Carl Harris, of New Lothrop, won the gun of year, a 300 Weatherby Mag.

Jenna Schneider, of Chesaning Union High School, and Shauna Henige, of New Lothrop High School, were both awarded a $25 scholarship funded through the fundraiser.

Special guest Bill Adams represented State Senator Roger Kahn at the fundraiser, and honored a United States flag to the veteran winner.

The NWTF Shiawassee River Strutters is a non-profit organization that assists in maintaing habitats for wildlife. They also help fund the archery in the school program by funding Chesaning, New Lothrop and Ovid-Elsie in the last few years.

Each November, the NTWF contributes to the handicapped hunt, which takes place on the Shiawassee National Wildlife Refuge.

This past year, the chapter donated turkeys to the Chesaning CAER Center during the holiday season for needy families in the local area who needed a little help completing their holiday dinner.

NWTF Shiawassee River Strutters promotes and helps fund hunter safety and holds events in the outdoors for youth of all ages.

With the help of sponsors and local business donations, the fundraiser was a great success. The committee is planning its 11th annual fundraiser for Feb. 7, 2009.

CHS summer driver's ed eligibility

CHESANING -- Students attending Chesaning High or Middle School, who have attained the age of 14 years and eight months by May 12, or who will be 15 years of age by Sept. 12, 2008, or were born by Sept. 12, 1993, will be eligible to take driver's education this summer.

Applications will be distributed at both the middle and high school in early February to those students who meet the above eligibility requirements. Students will be informed of the exact time and place to pick up these applications.

Students living in the district, but attending another school of choice, may pick up an application at the high school office from Feb. 1 through Feb. 28. Those students must also meet the above age requirements.

The summer driver's education classes will start on Tuesday, June 10 and run through Friday, June 20. Students will be scheduled in one of two different class time frames 7:30-9:30 a.m. or 9:30-11:30 a.m.

Students must also attend two early sessions on either May 12, 13 or 14 so that driving can be started on time for the summer session.

The State of Michigan stipulates that all students must have four hours of class work before driving may take place. The student/parent may select the two most convenient days and times for attendance on these two early dates in May. The times to attend for these two early sessions will be from 3 to 5 or 5 to 7 p.m.

The student's final class will be scheduled after he/she has completed both their class work and driver schedule. The state exam and driving certificates will be awarded during the last class. This class will vary for students based on when they finish their driving.

By implementing the above program, students will fulfill the state required 24 hours of class time.

Driving time schedules for students may be assigned anywhere between June and August. Please note, it will take until May 5 to complete all students' personal schedules.

School board candidates announced

Barring strong write-in candidates, incumbents in the Chesaning and New Lothrop School Districts look to retain their Board of Education seats as they are the only names that will appear on the May 6, 2008 ballot in those districts. Montrose is the only district in the Citizen coverage area with a contested race.

Incumbents Kevin Briggs, and Kurt Henige, along with new comers Debbie Gross and Ron Loafman, will vie for two four-year seats on the Montrose Board of Education during the May election.

Chesaning Union School District Board of Education incumbents Jennie Carlton and Dave Eickholt have filed intent to run for the two four-year seats up in that district. Kent Shubert, who was recently appointed to the Chesaning board to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Bob Bell, will seek the three years remaining on that term.

In the New Lothrop School District incumbent Terry Wendling is the only candidate that filed intent to run for the four-year seat that is up in that district.

The election in the St. Charles School District is scheduled for the fall.

Memorial Hospice volunteer training set to begin in March

Owosso - Memorial Healthcare's Hospice program has scheduled its next Hospice Volunteer Training course beginning Tuesday, March 18 from 6 pm to 9 pm. The hospice program is always in search of compassionate and caring individuals to provide hospice services. This is also an ideal course for those currently providing care for a terminally ill loved one.

Hospice is a compassionate, patient-centered approach to medical care and support for people at the end of life and their families. Care is focused on maintaining dignity, increasing quality of life, and providing comfort, including pain and symptom control.

"The class helps volunteers and caregivers understand the grief process and the needs of the terminally ill. Training will cover basic techniques in patient care, understanding of the disease process, communication skills, bereavement, spiritual care and other topics," says Marsha Meeuwse-Hutson, Memorial Healthcare Hospice Coordinator.

Hospice volunteers come from all walks of life - retirees, homemakers, nurses, farmers, business owners, and many others. Volunteering is also a great opportunity for couples to work together. There are always opportunities for hospice volunteers, but coverage is desperately needed in the Byron, Lennon, Gaines, Ovid, Elsie, and Bath areas. The smallest amount of time can make a big difference in the life of a hospice patient and their family.

At the completion of training, volunteer activities may include visiting, reading, writing letters, listening to music, providing respite and support for family members such as shopping or household maintenance, babysitting a child, or assisting with Hospice office functions such as helping with mailings and fundraising.

There is no cost for this training. Classes will begin Tuesday, March 18 and continue each Tuesday and Thursday evening for three weeks, concluding Thursday, April 3. All classes run from 6 pm to 9 pm and will be held at Memorial's North Campus, 1488 N. M-52 (conference room D), Owosso.

Inquiries may be made by calling Meeuwse-Hutson at (989) 725-6454, extension 6271. In addition to volunteer training, Hospice speakers are available to any organization or group that is interested in learning more about the program. For further information visit Memorial's newly re-designed web site at www.MemorialHealthcare.org.

Recycle and raise the roof

Members of the Montrose Historical and Telephone Pioneer Museum are asking for help in raising money to raise a new roof for the building located at 144 East Hickory Street in Montrose. The group is collecting used books to be sold during the Montrose Blueberry Festival to help fund the project. The sale will take place in the museum parking lot during the August festival. According to Museum President Joe Follet, the building's flat rubber roof is 28 years old and will be replaced with a traditional peaked roof. Cost of the project is estimated at $22,000. The Jennings Foundation will match funds raised towards the project up to $11,000. Museum members and supporters hope to collect 12,000 books in time for the sale and have collected 3,000 books so far. Books can be dropped off at the museum on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Financial donations are also being accepted. Shown in the photo as they sorted books at the museum Wednesday morning are, left to right, Follet, along with museum members Anne Follet, Janice Westwood, and Karen Whitmire. For more information call the museum at 810-639-6644.