A4 — Saturday, March 10, 2018, The Advertiser
Musing of a Meandering Mind
In like a lion
What a difference a day Seeing them the day after makes. Wednesday, February a snowstorm, I understand 28, the high temperature why. They are a cheery sight. If you need another sign hit 61. The next day March came in like a lion. The high of spring, here it is. March of 38 came in the morning 11 marks the beginning of and temperatures slowly Daylight Savings Time. dropped. Parts of southern Already. It seems we only Michigan were under a just gained that extra hour winter storm warning with of sleep, and now we will 5-9 inches of snow; Linden lose it again. Parents of expected 3-6. Snow began young children swear the only reason for falling at 10 a.m., changing the clocks just as predicted. is to mess with Keith and their kids’ sleeping I needed to habits. be in Lansing On a completely that afternoon unrelated note, to babysit my several types of granddaughters. squirrels make We left the house at their homes in 1 and headed south Sandy Sheppard our trees. The fox onto Argentine squirrels make up Road, an 11-mile stretch of hills and curves. the largest population, but Snow continued to fall occasionally we entertain lightly, the temperature (or they entertain us) a few hovered at 35, and the road gray squirrels and feisty was clear for the first five little reds. They all compete miles. Suddenly we drove for bird seeds which have into the thick of the storm. fallen to the ground, but if Within the next mile we they are feeling brave, they found a couple inches of will climb up to our deck slushy, wet snow on the and go after any hanging road. I naively hoped that by bird feeders within reach. the time we reached M-59, One of the foxes destroyed a heavily traveled highway, a hummingbird feeder I the road would be cleared. used for at least 15 years; I Keith carefully negotiated was not happy about that. the turn onto 59 and the The squirrels are fortunate farther we drove toward because we have two walnut Howell, the worse the trees. The reds, which tend conditions. Snow had fallen to hoard walnuts in a stash, so quickly the plows were sometimes leave a pile of not out yet. We soon learned nuts under a tree in the back that a semi passing through yard, and then protect it three inches of snow in the from pilfering by the foxes. left lane can completely Reds are less than half the size of a fox, but they can blind you. By the time we joined I-96 run a lot faster. Fox and gray squirrels we came through the worst of the storm. The highway bury walnuts all over the was clear, but winter has yard. Keith laughs because not been kind. Instead of he says they will never navigating through snow remember where they put we dodged major potholes. the nuts. Researchers used Orange barrel season may to think squirrels found their buried nuts mostly by scent. be wicked this year. Sunshine and temps in the More recent studies show 40s melted most of Lansing’s that squirrels often use their snow by early Friday memory to find a buried afternoon. Keith looked snack. I can’t remember out the back window and from one minute to the next called me over. “Bluebirds,” where I laid a bill or my car he said. “They are one of keys. Apparently squirrels the first signs of spring.” have better memories than We counted three flitting humans. Last week Keith made a between the fence, the trees and the ground. During all hilarious discovery. He was my years in Vassar I saw cleaning out the garage part only one in my backyard, of our pole barn. He looked and we have too many trees into a carry-on bag that was around our house in Linden. unzipped and found two Bluebirds prefer more open walnuts. When he moved a areas and, as Keith said, are toy village, a walnut rolled among the first spring birds out from one of the rooms. He brought me a box with to return to the north. Have you ever wondered unused kitchen items and I where the expression opened it to see what was “bluebird of happiness” inside. Right in the middle came from? American 20th of an orange bowl sat Century writer George J. another walnut. Whoever Carroll first used the term put the nuts in the garage in a poem: ”look beyond was unable to get back those mountains where the inside to find them again. Or bluebird of happiness flies.” he forgot. Now, where did I put those The bluebird symbolizes hope, renewal and joy. car keys?
COURTS
Viewpoint| HONORS
Community Focal Point
Story Continued
Continued from A3
Perz married Gwen, his high school sweetheart, in 1973. The couple has two daughters and two granddaughters. Jones, who is retired, was an elementary teacher at Caro’s McComb Elementary School. An Allegan native and Western Michigan University graduate, Jones moved to Caro with husband Allen Jones in 1970. The couple has two daughters and four grandchildren. In her nearly five decades in Caro, Jones has volunteered for a plethora of causes, including: Relay for life, Tuscola County Great Start, Caro Imagination Library, Taste of Caro, Caro Chamber of Commerce, Caro Gingerbread Village, and more. Jones is also a former Tuscola County Teacher of the Year and State of Michigan Teacher of the Year. Strachan, a Caro High School senior, was one of four nominees for Junior Citizen of the Year, along with fellow Caro students Mackenzie Baranski, Cole Gomez and Kaylin Whittaker. Strachan has served as treasurer of both the Caro Student Council and Caro Key Club and is a member of the National Honor Society. Strachan has volunteered for numerous causes and events, such as the annual Caro Senior Citizens Dance, and will be a covaledictorian this spring. He will attend Hillsdale College in the fall, where he signed a National Letter of Intent to play baseball for the (Courtesy Photos) Chargers. At Hillsdale, Strachan Dolly Jones speaks to the plans to major in mathematics and audience Saturday at Caro minor in biology, and later attend Knights of Columbus hall after a graduate school to become an accepting the Caro Chamber of Commerce Merit Award at actuary. the chamber’s 49th Community Dinner.
GARBER
Melissa Armstrong (left), assistant director of Caro Area District Library, accepts the award for Outstanding Community Service from Caro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors member Susan RickwaltHolder. Armstrong accepted the award on behalf of the library Saturday at the chamber’s annual Community Dinner.
The 2018 Caro Chamber of Commerce Junior Citizen of the Year nominees, from left to right: Caro High School students Kaylin Whittaker, Steven annual Strachan, Cole Gomez and Mackenzie Baranski. Strachan was named winner.
Story Continued
Continued from A1
This year the auto dealership underwent another change, which became official when the business partnered with Garber Management Group – which has a total of 16 locations in Michigan, Illinois, New York and Florida. As for the sales department, the Curtis Garber sales team is “committed to a nopressure, high integrity approach when it comes to customer ownership experience,” said Mark Curtis. The online inventory of new and used vehicles on the website is updated daily. Customers are encouraged to schedule a test drive or stop by the showroom to experience all the dealership has to offer. The service and parts department features diagnostic and repair equipment. A new computerized front-end machine for four-wheel drive vehicles was purchased recently. Service appointments can be made online. The body shop offers repair service on
most makes and models of automobiles, not just those sold at the dealership. The body shop works with insurance companies, so customers can get back on the road in a timely fashion. “The fact is that we retain the same employees and take care of the customers when they come in and treat them like we would like to be treated,” Pat Curtis’ son, Dan Curtis, fixed-operations director, said. “It usually works out for both of us, which is a win-win situation.” On Feb. 1, the automobile dealership rolled out a new name, though the new signage is not yet in place. Mark Curtis and Dan Curtis are both managers at the dealership. Mark has been with the company for 13 years and Dan for 15 years. “I have known Mr. Richard Garber for over 40 years,” Pat Curtis said. “Garber has been a big player in the market and have been around for over 100 years.
Letters Almer Twp. residents should attend hearing
Editor, Advertiser: All Almer Township residents should attend the public hearing on Tuesday, March 13, at 7 p.m. at the Almer Township hall regarding the township’s proposed 2018-19 budget. The township board needs to answer questions why, when property owners in Almer Township have faithfully supported road millage over the past several decades, the board members are
“The boys were in on all negotiations through the process. They are excited about purchasing the dealership from the new corporation.” Pat Curtis says he plans to work for the next five years, at least, before retiring. “A merger was a way for the boys to make the dealership bigger,” Pat Curtis said. “It will drastically increase the used car inventory. There is a lot that Garber provides with structure and best practices which will benefit the boys.” The day-to-day operations won’t change. “The customer experience will be the same, if not better,” Mark Curtis said. “Our customer satisfaction has always been one of the highest in the area.” For more information on Curtis Garber Chevrolet Cadillac in Caro, visits its website at curtisgarberchevrolet.com, check out its Facebook page or call 989-673-2171.
Letters to the Editor must be signed and carry the telephone number of the writer for verification purposes. The editor reserves the right to edit or refuse any letter submitted.
not spending this “ear marked” money to fix and improve the township’s roads. Residents have voted in two (2) mills for roads which raises in excess of $120,000 each year for improvements. Last year (2017) only $29,228.00 was spent on roads. For 2018, only $75,000.00 is proposed to be spent. Where is the rest of the road money being spent? Could it be that it is being spent on attorney fees? Total tax dollars spent on attorney fees from January 2017 thru February 2018 is more than $93,000. Jim Miklovic
Story Continued
Continued from A2
Jeremy Carl Smith, 39, of Otter Lake, pleaded guilty to carrying a concealed weapon and dangerous weapon (miscellaneous). A sentencing date is to be set. Michael Wayne Richmond, 42, of Caro, was sentenced to one year in jail – delayed – with credit for two days served for delivery/manufacture of marijuana and possession of marijuana. He was ordered to pay $1,508 in costs and assessments.
Justin Robert Humes, 37, of Caro, was sentenced to 365 days in jail, with credit for one day served, for second-degree criminal sexual conduct. He is to be placed on three years of probation upon release and was ordered to pay $1,258 in costs and assessments. Timothy Edward Smith, 31, of Vassar, pleaded no contest to operating while intoxicated – third offense. A sentencing date will be set.
Karl Steven Schenk, 51, of Columbiaville, was sentenced to 365 days in jail with credit for three days served for two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (felonious assault) and carrying a dangerous weapon with unlawful intent. He is to be placed on five years of probation upon release and was ordered to pay $1,194 in costs and assessments. Joseph James Finkbeiner, 75, of Vassar, was sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay
$2,758 in costs and assessments for operating while intoxicated – third offense. Tyler James Meffer, 24, of Millington, was sentenced to 34 months to 20 years in prison with credit for 286 days served for delivery of less than 50 grams of cocaine, heroin or another narcotic and possession of less than 25 grams of cocaine, heroin or another narcotic. He was ordered to pay $326 in costs and assessments.
Tim Murphy, Publisher John Schneider, Editor Carla Alderson, Office Manager 344 N. State St., Caro, Michigan 48723 (989) 673-3181 • murphy@tcadvertiser.com
www.tuscolatoday.com
Adam Robert Maxson, 32, of Cass City, was sentenced to eight years to 20 years prison for involuntary manslaughter and identical six years to 20 years punishment for controlled substance – inducing a person to violate and delivery/manufacture of cocaine, heroin or another narcotic, respectively. All three sentences are to be served concurrently. He was ordered to pay $394 in costs and assessments.
A Division of Edwards Publicaiton POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Caro Publishing, 344 N. State St., P.O. Box 106, Caro, MI 48723. Periodicals postage paid at Caro, MI Published semi-weekly. USPS 644360 Subscription prices: Tuscola County, 1 year, $52.00; Michigan, 1 year, $62.00; Out-of-State, 1 year, $62.00 CARO PUBLISHING P.O. Box 106 ~ Caro, MI 48723 (989) 673-3181 • www.tuscolatoday.com