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"I just love helping folks find that special gift for that special person," Collins noted when asked why she chose to continue the family business started so many years ago by her father Mel Neumann.

"And I love working with my family," she added.

Collins and her son Jeff currently own the jewelry store which is celebrating 60 years of business in Chesaning.

The business was founded by partners Mel Neumann and Walt Richner and was originally located on the opposite side of the street from where it is now located.

Their last names were combined to create the Neu-Rich name.

In 1953 the pair purchased the old Miller Produce building that sat at the corner of Broad and Front Streets. That building was demolished and a new building was built to house the jewelry store.

Neumann eventually bought out his partner.

Neumann's daughter and grandson have owned and operated the business since 1996.

The Collins' added the second story of the building in 2001 for storage.

Kathy Collins, who serves as the remount consultant and main sales person, notes that she can remember working in the store ever since she was in the fourth grade.

Her partner and son Jeff started helping at the shop when he was 13 years old and serves as the head jeweler, watchmaker, and engraver.

Neu-Rich continues to enjoy being connected to its community through the opportunity to serve generation after generation of the families in the Chesaning area providing items such as watches and wedding and engagement rings to many of the children and grandchildren of its loyal customers.

The store offers both fine and costume jewelry, Howard Miller clocks, Seiko watches, art glass, and a variety of gift items along with jewelry and watch repair.

Computerized engraving services are also available for a variety of items including glassware, plastics, plaques, urns, guns, bats and much more.

"Just about anything that will fit in the machine can be engraved," noted Kathy Collins.

Neu-Rich Jewelers is located at 103 W. Broad Street in downtown Chesaning.

Hours of operation are Monday through Friday fro 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday fro 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

Miller moves on

DEB MILLER

The Tri-County Citizen

ST. CHARLES - The building that has affectionately been known to the St. Charles community for the past 56 years as "Miller" is moving on to the next stage of its existence.

Hallways that were once lined with classrooms and lockers, and filled with school children, are now lined with residential rooms and handrails, and soon will be filled with senior citizens.

The building, which was built for use as an elementary school in March of 1950 by the St. Charles School District, was marked for demolition when voters passed the bond in 2004 to renovate Patterson Elementary School and combine the Patterson and Miller students into one building.

But the town's beloved Miller building was staved off from destruction when a group of St. Charles citizens decided that the facility still had great value in the community.

Pat and Kelly Cornford, Ray and Mary Cornford, and Linda Parsons joined forces in December of 2006 to purchase the building from the school district with plans to turn it into an assisted living facility.

Parsons will serve as the Manager/Director of the facility.

She noted that she is very excited to be a part of the project but admits the preparation has been a lot of work.

"I've been busy taking classes and trainings on everything related to running a facility like this, from management to Alzheimer's care."

Parsons noted that the group as a whole wanted to do something with the building that would benefit their community.

"We felt there was a real need for something like this in St. Charles and the surrounding area. The nearest nursing home is in Chesaning and there isn't an assisted living facility within a 20-mile radius. We looked at it as an opportunity to help our community by bringing jobs and also by giving our elderly a place to live where they can stay close to their families."

Parsons also noted that the group has received an enormous amount of support from members of the community.

"There have been so many people from the community that have come down here and helped us. So many people have pitched in to help make this a success," she stated.

Over the past 11 months, the building has been completely gutted and refurbished with all major components being replaced.

Major construction has included a new roof, new electrical and heating systems, all new plumbing, windows, doors, ceilings, flooring and drywall, and a new entry way, along with the addition of state-of-the -art fire and emergency systems.

Rooms that once served as classrooms have been divided to create 28 residential rooms.

The group hopes to celebrate the grand opening in January for the facility which has been named Union Court Assisted Living.

The Licensed Home for the Aged will be open to anyone over the age of 60.

Cost of living at the facility will be determined based on level of care needed and the type of room desired.

Upon acceptance, residents will be assed as to the level of care they require.

The facility is licensed for up to 56 residents.

The facility will offer a clean, well-maintained environment, with landscaped courtyards and assisted care ranging from independent to total care and includes a separate memory care wing available for dementia and Alzheimer residents.

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.

"We will have everything they need right here," said Parsons.

Well-balanced meals and snacks will be prepared in the main kitchen and served in the main dining area that looks out over the courtyard. All meals are included with the residential package.

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

Health and Wellness programs that include exercise and nutrition programs, coordinated by healthcare professionals will be available.

Exercise equipment including weights, treadmills, stationary bikes, and more will be available along with a Jacuzzi tub for therapy.

A full service beauty/barber salon will be located with in the facility.

A main community area will be used for activities including movie nights and planned entertainment events.

An additional activity room is located in the main hall for activities such as sewing and more, along with being available for private parties and private family dinning.

A library will be located next to the main office in the main entry area.

Residents will also have use of the fenced in yard with its landscaped courtyards.

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.

The facility also boasts a variety of community areas including a large sitting room in the entry hall and sitting areas and coves with couches and tables and chairs in each of the residential corridors.

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

A special feature of the facility will be 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 will be contained within its own private community with a separate dinning area, courtyard, and activity room.

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

The private rooms include a living room/bedroom and a full bath with optional kitchenettes.

Semi-Private rooms offer a living room/bedroom and a full bath with optional kitchenette.

Suites offer a living room, a bedroom, and two full bathrooms.

Rooms in the memory care wing include a living room/bedroom with a bathroom.

All resident rooms come furnished with a bed, a nightstand, and a dresser, however residents are welcome to bring their own furniture if they choose.

Along with Parsons, the staff nurse, and the resident assistants, staff for the facility will include an activity director, laundry and housekeeping personnel, maintenance personnel, and resident assistants.

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

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

Chesaning FFA flagpole project completed

CHESANING -- Over the past few years, the Chesaning FFA has been discussing landscaping around the high school's flagpole. After much discussion, plans finally sprouted.

Over the course of the 2006-07 school year, members were hard at work discussing the future plans. There were several designs discussed and finally one was chosen. In late spring the project started, the area was dug and the weed mat was laid.

Later in the summer, FFA members Dana Albosta, Heather Sawvel, Bryan Mahoney and Heather Wenzlick, along with Chesaning Union Schools Superintendent Kathy Stewart and FFA advisor Jerry Kovach, gathered to finish the project.

Stone was laid and plant were planted. Today, the flagpole remains landscaped and beautiful.

The Chesaning FFA would like to thank Struck Landscaping for donating the stone, Angst Landscaping for donating the weed mat and edging tools, and Mrs. Stewart for donating her time and plants.

Chesaning FFA Greenhand of the Month

Chesaning High School FFA Chapter member Jackie Albosta ahs been selected as the Greenhand of the Month for the month of December.

She is the 14-year-old daughter of Bruce and Lori Albosta.

Jackie is in the ninth grade and has served the chapter by helping to shave lambs at the 2007 Saginaw County Fair.

She exhibited the Grand Champion Pen of Lambs at the 2007 Saginaw County Fair along with winning the Overall Grand Champion Showmanship Award.

Her hobbies include playing soccer, tennis, and basketball, along with cleaning, sleeping, shopping, tending to her animals, and being with her family and friends.

Her future plans are to attend college however she is undecided as to what field of study she will pursue.

Chesaning FFA Member of the Month

Bryan Mahoney has been selected as the Chesaning High School FFA Member of the Month for the month of December.

He is the 14-year-old son of John and Doris Mahoney. He is currently a sophomore at CHS and is in his second year with the FFA.

While in FFA Bryan has participated in the membership auction, the flag pole project, the candy sale fundraiser, the broiler contest, the forestry team, and has attended the State and National Conventions. He has also exhibited livestock at the Saginaw County Fair.

He currently serves as the Jr. Sentinel for the chapter.

His hobbies include football and working on the family farm with his dad.

His future plans are to attend college at Michigan State University and work on the family dairy/cash crop farm with his dad.