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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.

Frank Tanana scheduled to speak at local church

Retired Detroit Tiger now delivers messages of hope

BRADY TOWNSHIP -- The congregation of Brady Wesleyan Church (BWC) in Oakley will feature guest speaker Frank Tanana during the morning worship service on Sunday, March 2 at 10:30 .am.

BWC would like to invite the community to come hear a message of hope from Retired Detroit Tiger pitcher Tanana. He shares with many business and church groups throughout the year about his baseball career developed and then ultimately how his career affected his spiritual life.

For those who may not know much about Tanana, he successfully set many records in professional baseball over his twenty year pitching career. His career started in 1973 when he joined the California Angels and ended in 1993 when he retired from the New York Yankees.

Tanana holds the record for starting more games than any other left-handed pitcher. In 1974, The Sporting News named Tanana Rookie Pitcher of the Year. In 1976, while with the Angels, he was able to clinch his first of three consecutive spots in All-Star games. He racked up 19 wins and had an ERA of 2.43. While with the Angels, Tanana set many records as a left-handed pitcher, but his greatest achievement may have come nearly a decade later when he joined the Detroit Tigers.

Tanana played for the Detroit Tigers from 1985-1992. Some believe that it was during his stint with the Detroit Tigers that Tanana reached his personal zenith as a professional baseball pitcher. On the final day of the 1987 season, Tanana led his team to shut out the Blue Jays, 1-0 which won the Detroit Tigers the American League East Title.

Now that Tanana is retired, he looks back on his career in professional baseball and views past experiences as a process of being develop into the person that he needed to be.

Tanana now travels the country and shares with groups about this growing process through which he believes God has brought him and wants to help people realize that they too can experience lives that are filled with contentment and satisfaction.

Following the worship service, there will be a chili pot-luck dinner at the church. Brady Wesleyan Church is located at 17108 S. Hemlock Rd. in Oakley. For more information or directions to the church, please call the church at 989-845-7197 or send an email to bradycenter@centurytel.net.

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.

United Financial Credit Union ribbon cutting Feb. 27

SAGINAW -- Members of the media and community are invited to an opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for United Financial Credit Union at 9 a.m. on Feb. 27 at 4685 State St. in Saginaw. Coffee and Donuts will be served.

The new building replaced the existing State Street location and features improved member service delivery methods addressing security, operational efficiencies, and will capitalize on the latest in available technology to serve our growing membership according to President/CEO David Cibulka.

United Financial Credit Union was founded in 1964 to serve a small group of tool and die workers in the Bridgeport area. United Financial C.U. currently has four locations located in Bridgeport, Saginaw Township, Chesaning & Freeland and serves over 13,300 members. Anyone who lives, works or worships in Saginaw, Bay or Midland Counties is eligible for membership.

McLaren to host health careers open house

FLINT - McLaren Health Care will host a Health Careers Open House on Tuesday, March 11, from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. at McLaren Regional Medical Center's Ballenger Auditorium at 401 S. Ballenger Highway in Flint.

Candidates interested in career opportunities as a dosimetrist, graduate nurse, medical technologist, pharmacist, physical therapist, physician assistant, radiation therapist, radiologic technologist, registered nurse and speech language pathologist are invited to attend the session.

Attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about McLaren, a health system that has been rated as one of the nation's Top 25 Integrated Health Networks by Modern Healthcare. Leadership and staff will be available to discuss career opportunities and answer questions in an informal atmosphere. Guided tours of McLaren Regional Medical Center's departments will also be available, along with complimentary refreshments and giveaways.

For more information, call Yolanda Lemmer, Recruiter at 810-342-2533 or 800-McLaren (option three, then one) or visit www.mclarenregional.com.

American Red Cross offers lifeguard class

Saginaw - The Saginaw County chapter of the American Red Cross wants everyone to get ready for all of the fun that summer brings. And what would summer be without dips in the pool and weekend trips to the many lakes that Michigan has to offer.

For all the fun water can be, it can be dangerous without a watchful lifeguard. Become a member of this elite squad of everyday heroes. Let a Red Cross trained instructor teach the skills needed to save a life in the event of a water related accident. Becoming a certified lifeguard is not only a fun employment opportunity but is also essential training for anyone with a home pool.

Enrollment is easy and classes are centrally located.

Call the American Red Cross at (989) 754-8181 for more details and to enroll.

A lifeguarding class will be taught at Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw on Tuesdays and Thursdays March 16 - May 6, from 6 to 10 p.m. The cost is $90.

For more information on this and other Red Cross training, contact the Saginaw County American Red Cross at 989-754-8181 or log on to www.redcross-saginaw.org.

Grnak joins Senator Roger Kahn's staff

LANSING - State Senator Roger Kahn today announced Bob Grnak as district liaison and local media relations coordinator.

"I'm pleased to welcome Bob Grnak to our team. His background as an elected official, his community involvement, and his many years of experience with our local media will serve our office well," said Kahn, R-Saginaw Township. "I am confident Bob will be a tremendous asset as we remain responsive to the needs of Saginaw and Gratiot County residents."

Grnak has 38 years of journalism and managerial experience. He served as editor of The Township Times for nearly 10 years, and as business and farm editor of the Owosso Argus Press in Shiawassee County for 14 years. He was also managing editor of five community newspapers published by Saginaw Valley News, Inc. in Saginaw and Genesee counties for nine years, and editor of The Michigan Traveler.

Grnak was an elected municipal clerk for 21 years for St. Charles Village and Swan Creek Township. He served as chief of Staff for State Senator Mike Goschka, chairman of the Saginaw County Metropolitan Planning Commission, and president of the Saginaw Township Business Association and St. Charles Chamber of Commerce.

He attended Saginaw Valley State University, Delta College and Michigan State University, and is a graduate of Chesaning Union High School. He and his wife Maryann reside in Thomas Township. They have two children, Amber and Jordan.

Saginaw County Sheriff Department announces boating safety classes

SAGINAW - Boating safety classes, taught by the Saginaw County Sheriff Department, are scheduled for several different locations. The classes are six hours long, split into two three-hour sessions with the exception of the March 29 class, which is a one day class.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a Boating Safety Certificate. The classes are free for students; parents and other adults may attend the classes as well.

Classes are scheduled for 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on March 6 and 13 at the Frankenmuth Public Safety training room, March 13 and 20 at Chesaning Union High School, March 27 and April 3 at Hemlock High School, April 17 and 24 at Freeland High School, April 21 and 23 at Swan Valley High School, and May 1 and May 8 at Birch Run North Elementary #505. Three 6 to 9 p.m. sessions will be offered at Boater's World, located at 3005 in the Bay Plaza-March 19 and 26, May 14 and 21, and July 8 and 15. A March 29 class from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. is scheduled to take place at the UAW 699 on Bagley Street.

State law requires children less than 12 years of age to be accompanied by a person 16 years or older when operating a boat with a 6-horsepower motor or larger. Children between 12 and 16 must be accompanied by a person 16 years of age or older or have their Boating Safety Certificate in their possession. An individual born after December 31, 1978, unless they have received a Boating Safety Certificate, may not operate Personal Water Craft.