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Although disappointed that the pageant lacked the traditional formal gowns and included only an interview process, Hebl said the small pageant allowed each girl to have thirty minutes of discussion with a judge, putting the pageant on a more personal level.

2007 Queen Chelsie Hurst crowned Hebl at the Montrose High School auditorium early this month and Samantha McCullen was selected for the Blueberry Court.

The queen and her runner-up were selected by judges Jim Kramer, DJ for 98 FM; Beverly Clark, Judges Chairperson for the Miss Davison Pageant; Tom Castle, Business Manager for Primary Fuels; and Hedi Munsey, Instructor and Advisor at Mott Community College. The contestants each answered four of the same questions, drew questions from a basket and answered the traditional final question as if they had been on stage.

Pageant Director Amy Castle said the judges had a difficult job of selecting from the three contestants, Hebl, McCullen and Jennifer Vaughn, the 16-year-old daughter of Marion and Robert Vaughn.

Family and close friends of the contestants and 2007 Queen attended the personal pageant.

Hebl, the 18-year-old daughter of Gloria and Keith Hebl, also competed for the 2007 Blueberry crown.

Hebl said her desire to represent her hometown festival stemmed from watching past queens as a child. "Everything else around her stopped," she said. "She just seemed like the world to me. From then, I've wanted to grow up and be the Blueberry Queen."

Hebl, a member of Montrose's Class of 2008, plans to attend Baker College to pursue an Animal Science degree to become a veterinary technician. Hebl has received Academic Excellence awards her freshmen, sophomore and junior years; a biology award her sophomore year and was selected as student of the month.

The senior also plays basketball and softball and enjoys scrapbooking, hunting, golfing and shopping in her spare time. Hebl works at Carter Elementary through a co-op program and works in the Birch Run Prime Outlets.

McCullen, the 18-year-old daughter of Dean and Carrie McCullen, was also honored as the homecoming queen. The senior has also received Chamber's Choir awards and participated in drama. She also enjoys serving her community, being involved in her church youth group and spending time with her friends.

McCullen plans to attend college in the fall to obtain a degree in elementary teaching.

Hebl and McCullen will represent Montrose, participating in 20 to 25 parades. The duo will also great the festival-goers at the August 13-17 Blueberry Festival. The queen will also host the baby pageant and the Saturday morning Queen's Breakfast.

After fulfilling their Blueberry duties, Hebl will receive a $1,500 scholarship and McCullen will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Hebl said she is most looking forward to representing Montrose. "We're just a small town," she said. "...[Blueberry] is a great way to bring the town together."

Memorial bariatric surgeon to speak

Owosso - Dr. Nathan Tomita, general and bariatric surgeon with Memorial Healthcare's Bariatric Center, will present a community information forum on the topic of Bariatric Surgery on Wednesday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. This presentation will be held at Rehmann Health Center, 147 S. Saginaw Street in Chesaning.

Those interested in learning more about Memorial's bariatric surgery program, featuring the LAP-Band (laparoscopic) and Roux-en-Y (laparoscopic or open) procedures, will find Dr. Tomita's presentation to be informative and of value in determining if surgical weight loss is an appropriate healthcare choice.

Dr. Tomita will interpret the reasons why medical conditions such as hypertension, diabetes type II and sleep apnea can be improved or resolved with substantial weight loss. He will discuss the changes that occur with energy levels, self esteem, and overall improvement in quality of life as related to this program.

This is a free, no obligation seminar where you will have an opportunity to meet the medical team and post operative patients from this program. To RSVP for this informational session, contact 989-729-3168. For further information about Memorial Healthcare bariatric services, visit www.MemorialHealthcare.org.

Shiawassee Home Garden Business Expo set for March 8-9

Owosso - Make plans to visit the annual Home-Garden-Business Expo sponsored by Metro Mortgage and the Home Builders Association of Shiawassee County. The 2008 Expo is featuring nearly 200 professional exhibit booths located in the gym, cafeteria and halls of the Owosso High School.

"We think you'll be amazed and delighted with the variety of products and services showcased here!", said Chamber Vice President Sue Kadlek. The show is March 8 & 9.

New for 2008 is a Farm Toy Show. In addition to all of the Expo vendors, there will be an added Farm Toy Show featuring over 60 tables of items for sale. The pay-one-price admission of $3.00 for 18 years and older will include access to both the Expo and Farm Toy Show.

Traveling from Atlanta, Georgia is Oscar The Robot! Oscar is 5'6" tall and weighs 250 pounds. He can speak 15 languages. Since 1987, Oscar and his partner, Jack Prather (a professional entertainer since 1979) have toured thousands of shows across the United States. Visitors to the Expo will have a blast meeting Oscar and kids young and old will be delighted!

Save big $$$ at the new Surplus Sale featuring scratch and dent, surplus, odds and ends, appliances, carpet, lawn mowers, etc. Located in the exit hallway of the Expo.

Sunday Is Kid's Day! Again this year the Shiawassee County Sheriff's Posse will offer free identification cards and fingerprinting for children. And, Tazer the K-9 dog will make an appearance on Sunday afternoon. There will be a make and take craft project sponsored by Home Depot. The Chamber Ambassadors will be offering pictures with the Easter Bunny, take your own for $2.00 or a Polaroid is $5.00.

The Dream Ticket Grand Prize drawing returns this year with some high-tech prizes prizes! The Grand Prize, sponsored by the Shiawassee Home Builders Association, is a Nintendo Wii system and a gflat screen HDTV! The winner will receive both! The second prize, courtesy of Meijer, Inc., is an iPod. Third prize will be announced at the show. All Expo visitors have a chance to win the prizes at no charge with the Dream Ticket that is given at the admission door.

Back by popular demand will be the Restaurant Row featuring "A Taste of Shiawassee" from ten area restaurants. Tickets will be sold at the show for tasting samples. Join us Sunday for the Chicken Dinner Special or enjoy snacks and lunch at the Owosso High Cafe, a special food service provided exclusively for Expo.

Make your visit to Expo 2008 a weekend outing with family and friends! Thank you for considering a visit to the show! We hope your experience will be both fun and informative! For additional information, contact the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce at 989-723-5149.

Scholarship applications available

OWOSSO -- The Owosso-based Paul-Arn Chapter of the American Business Women's Association (ABWA) is accepting scholarship applications. Eligible applicants include seniors preparing to graduate from a local high school, current Baker College of Owosso students and past Paul-Arn ABWA scholarship recipients. Each year, Paul-Arn distributes more than $2000 to support furthering education.

Applications are available in the area's high school counselors' offices or the Baker College of Owosso Career Services department. Interested persons may also call 989.743.5570 or 989.729.4780. The deadline for application submission if April 1.

Paul-Arn will host its 14th annual Golf Outing fundraiser on July 12 at Corunna Hills. The event is a nine-hole, four-member team scramble (co-ed welcome) beginning at 9 a.m. with a shotgun start. Cost per person is $40 for Corunna Hills Members or $45 for non-members. Ticket includes golf, cart and lunch buffet. There will be lots of door prizes.

For more information about the Golf Outing, contact 989.725.5983. All proceeds support the annual scholarship awards program. If your business would like to sponsor this event, cart, tee, silver and gold sponsorships are available from $15 - $100. Call for a sponsorship form today.

"Take Care of Your Voice" seminar set for March 18

Owosso - Persons who struggle to speak with a strong, confident voice because of vocal strain should plan to attend a special seminar on Tuesday, March 18.

This one-of-a-kind workshop will begin at 6 p.m. at Memorial Healthcare's Auditorium, located at 826 W. King Street, Owosso. Participants will learn valuable tips on how to speak for long periods without creating vocal strain and hear about the latest diagnostic testing available at Memorial Healthcare.

"There are a multitude of occupations and careers that rely on a person's ability to speak confidently and project clearly without the interference of gradual hoarseness or loss of tone," says Renee Krupp, MA, CCC/SLP, speech language pathologist at Memorial and facilitator of this event. "For most, the strain of overuse on the vocal cords is an accepted part of every day routine."

In the last 10 years, scientific and technological advances have resulted in dramatic improvements in medical treatment of voice disorders. Memorial is pleased to offer its patients laryngeal videostroboscopy, one of the most useful and state-of-the-art techniques currently available for the examination of the larynx. This advanced technique provides a magnified, slow-motion view of vocal cords in action. It enables physicians to make an accurate diagnosis of conditions and diseases of the vocal cords, including masses or lesions, abnormal motion, inflammation, broken blood vessels, scarring and other disorders.

Memorial Healthcare is pleased to offer this event free of charge. Please contact 989-729-6422 to reserve aspot. Visit Memorial's new web site at www.MemorialHealthcare.org for additional information on upcoming events and activities.

American Red Cross provides free CPR training

Saginaw -- Performing basic Adult CPR can quite possibly mean the difference between life and death for someone suffering from a cardiac or choking emergency. The most effective way to learn these life saving skills is to participate in a hands-on training course taught by a certified Red Cross instructor. And, in order to remain confident and keep skills current, it is recommended that you attend refresher courses and be re-certified yearly.

"We want Saginaw County to be Red Cross Ready. At least one person in every household and on every office floor should be trained and certified in CPR," says Shannon Vasko, director of preparedness and response for the American Red Cross, Saginaw County Chapter. "And thanks to the generous support of our community partners and volunteers we are able to provide this training to Saginaw County free of charge through our annual Operation CRP event."

In recognition of Red Cross Month, Operation CPR will be held Saturday, March 29 from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Valley Lutheran High School. There is no charge for the training but registration is required. Contact the American Red Cross, Saginaw County Chapter at 989-754-8181 for more information.

Memorial reschedules Heart Fair for March 15 Physician speakers highlighted during annual event

Owosso - Memorial Healthcare has rescheduled its annual Heart Fair for Saturday, March 15 from 9 a.m. to noon in Memorial's Auditorium, located at 826 W. King Street in Owosso. The event was originally scheduled for February 2 but was cancelled due to bad weather.

According to the American Heart Association, cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are our nation's number one killer. Take the first step in controlling your risks of developing heart disease by attending this informative community outreach event.

Featured speakers include Owosso-based board certified and fellowship trained cardiologist Juan Hernandez, M.D., and board-certified and fellowship trained geriatrician Ly Gau, D.O.

Dr. Hernandez will be offering a question and answer series on "Cardiology Updates" at 9:30 a.m. and Dr. Gau will discuss "Controlling Your Risk Factors for Heart Disease" at 10:30 a.m. Both presentations will be held in the Lower Level at Memorial's Auditorium.

Free health screenings include blood pressure, height/weight/BMI, heart health risk assessment, lower extremity arterial screening and more. Cholesterol screening will be available for a nominal fee of $10 (fasting, nothing to eat or drink except water for 12 hours, is recommended for cholesterol screening). All health screenings are based on a first-come, first-served basis.

Individuals can talk to specialists and receive an abundance of information on keeping a heart healthy. Vendor booths will feature information on diabetes, cardiovascular disease risk factors, exercise, living with stress, dietary needs, and more. In addition to free heart-healthy snacks and cooking demonstrations, attendees can also register to win one month of free visits to the Heart and Fitness program at Memorial.

For additional information on speakers and vendors please contact (989) 729-4514 or visit www.MemorialHealthcare.org. This event is sponsored by Memorial Healthcare SmartHearts Program, Memorial Center for Senior Health, Owosso Heart Institute and the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Institute.

2008 ROOT program begins for residents in 21 Southeast Michigan counties

The Department of Natural Resources, together with the DTE Energy Foundation, and the USDA Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, has announced the start of the 2008 Restoration Of Our Trees (ROOT) program. The ROOT program will assist residents in southeast Michigan's 21 Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) quarantined counties in replanting trees lost to EAB.

"The ROOT program will help to replant our urban, suburban and rural landscapes, and support those who have been impacted by the devastating effect of EAB in Michigan," said Lynne Boyd, chief of the DNR's Forest, Mineral and Fire Management Division.

Residents of the 21 EAB quarantined counties in southeastern Michigan are eligible to participate in the program. A maximum of two trees per household can be purchased at a cost of $21 each. The DTE Energy Foundation will pay the remaining cost. Available tree species for the 2008 program are sugar maple, river birch, ginkgo, tulip tree, dawn redwood, London planetree, red oak and swamp white oak. Trees are in five-seven gallon containers and five-eight feet tall. Trees purchased may be picked up in April.

"At DTE Energy, we are well aware of the devastation that the Emerald Ash Borer has caused in southeast Michigan," said Fred Shell, vice president of DTE Energy's Corporate and Governmental Affairs and president of the DTE Energy Foundation. "We have added emphasis on ash tree replacement to our existing Tree Planting Grant Program, and we are happy to sponsor the ROOT program which offers assistance to homeowners who want to replace their lost ash trees."

To participate in the program, residents should contact one of the eight participating local partners, or visit the DNR ROOT Program Web site at www.michigan.gov/dnrucf to download a random drawing form or order form.

Locally, the Genesee County Parks and Recreation Commission, at the For-Mar Nature Preserve and Arboretum, will be offering 250 trees for sale on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact the commission at bvanpattten@gcparks.org, or at (810) 789-8568.

As a result of the overwhelming homeowner response to last year's program, trees sold by the local partners will either be through a random drawing process, or on a first-come, first-served basis.

The order form/random drawing form for each local partner will provide instructions on how to participate. A homeowner does not need to have lost an ash tree to participate in the program.

Trees are non-refundable with no exchange, no warranty and no guarantee.

The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state's natural resources for current and future generations.