Simply Hers Sept/Oct 2018

By Rob Shewman

Fall Car Care Month in October is the ideal time to give your car some extra attention before harsh winter weather sets in. Below are some items to check:

Che C k all fluids, including engine oil, power steering, brake and transmission as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/ coolant.

Che C k the hoses and belts to make sure they are not cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or showing signs of excessive wear.

Che C k the battery and replace if necessary. Make sure the connection is clean, tight and corrosion-free.

Che C k the brake system annually and have the brake linings, rotors and drums inspected at each oil change.

i nspe C t the exhaust system for leaks, damage and broken supports or hangers if there is an unusual noise. Exhaust leaks can be dangerous and must be corrected without delay.

Che C k the engine to make sure it is delivering the best balance of power and fuel economy and producing the lowest level of emissions.

Che C k the hVaC system as proper heating and cooling performance is critical for interior comfort and for safety reasons such as defrosting.

i nspe C t the steering and suspension system annually, including shock absorbers, struts and chassis parts such as ball joints, tie rod ends and other related components.

Che C k the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots.

Che C k the wipers and lighting so that you can see and be seen. Check that all interior and exterior lighting is working properly and replace worn wiper blades so you can see clearly when driving during precipitation.

517-439-1323

146 Lewis St Hillsdale

Marlanea McGraw Owner/Publisher

Fall . . . one of my favorite times of the year! I love the colors, the crispness in the air, seeing the fall décor, the change of wardrobe, and, of course . . . PUMPKIN SPICE! Sure, there are things I’ll miss about summer, but the cooler temperatures and being back on a more regular schedule help wake up my brain and get me going.

One thing I absolutely love about autumn is football! This year’s high school season will be tinged with sadness for me as my son Lucas is a senior and it will be my last season to watch him play for Pittsford. Actually, the whole year will have those moments, but I’m so proud of him and I know his senior year will also be full of fun, laughter, and very special memories.

We covered a lot of ground in this issue! From Rachel Yoder’s column on making applesauce with kids to Nancy Ryan’s book suggestions, from the humor of Willie Smith’s battle with church attendance records to Stephanie Gordon’s letter to her first child heading off to school, and from a possible disaster that turned into a very special wedding for Diane Clow’s daughter to our cover story on local audiologist and business owner Sandra Hepker, we hope we’ve given you plenty to make you laugh, touch your heart, and move you to think.

Know that my staff and I appreciate how many of you read the magazine, and we love your participation in our giveaways and the “likes” on Facebook. If you enjoy the magazine and haven’t yet liked our Facebook page, we encourage you to become more connected to the Simply Hers community by liking and following us. That’s the first place to find out what’s happening!

I realize that I always thank our advertisers, but I should and I always will. They believed in this enterprise and supported it, and we truly could not publish one more issue without them. To all the new advertisers who have come on board in the last year, I extend a warm welcome and a huge thank you! Please, always consider local retailers, service providers, and professionals for your needs. Small towns stay alive and vital through a network of mutual support.

Simply Hers Magazine makes every effort to provide accurate information in advertising and editorial content, however, does not make any claims as to accuracy of information provided by advertisers or editorial contributors and accepts no responsibility or liability for inaccurate information

e ditor

melissa mccance

g raphic d esigner s

angela blake amanda honeywell

p hotography

synergy i n motion studios

contributing Writers

peggie bildner

melissa mccance

laura loveberry

Willie smith

Jess piper

alicia curtis

r achel yoder

sarah gray

tim dixon

nancy r yan

stephanie gordon

diane clow

hannah burk hart

cyndi young sherr y sheffer

becky spratt

Sunday 9/23 • 2 pm & 7 pm

Allstar monster Trucks presented by Lake Pleasant Recycling

Mon 9/24 • 7 pm

Antique Tractor pulls

Tuesday 9/25 •7 pm

Internations Demolition Derby

Wed 9/26 • 7 pm

Western Days ministeries Rodeo

Thursday 9/27 • 7 pm

NTpA Truck and Tractor pulls

Fri 9/28 • 7 pm

NTpA Truck and Tractor pulls

Sat 9/29 • 3:30 PM

Shake Rattle and Roll Truck pulls

On the Cover:

audiologist sandra hepker has been offering caring, personal service to area residents for 30 years. o wner of professional hearing services, sandra graduated from north adams h igh school and received her b a. and m s. from the university of m ichigan. sandra values working in a small, friendly community and places an emphasis on combining skilled assessment and treatment with a welcoming, friendly approach. “i want to create an experience for each patient at every visit, making them feel important and listened to. We want them to come back and refer their friends to us!” she explains. professional hearing services is located at 1231 hudson rd., h illsdale. read more about sandra on page 48.

Photo by Synergy In Motion Studios

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The best thing about living in Michigan?

The amazing fall season we get every year. The worst thing about living in Michigan? The fact that it can be fall weather on Monday and summer again on Tuesday. Dressing appropriately can be challenging. Here are a few ideas that can make the transition to the cooler weather a little easier.

ADD A BLAZER

Make summer dresses work during the winter by throwing on a blazer as a much-needed layer. This way, your summer pieces can do double duty well into the fall season.

Keep the Sandals

One way to turn hard-core fall pieces into great transition looks? Pair them with sandals. Keep your toes exposed as long as you can to make the start of fall toe-tapping great!

add a sweater to the dress

Layering a sweater on top of a dress is a great way to transition your clothes from summer to fall. If Mother Nature changes her mind midday a quick trip to the ladies’ room will remedy the situation!

scarf season is here

Between seasons, a scarf will update any outfit. Belt it, wrap it, or rock it like a poncho and you’ll be just as warm as you are stylish. And, if the weather takes a warm turn, it can be stashed in your bag in a jffy.

embrace fall’s colors

Try wearing an outfit that matches the lovely autumn palette outside. When making the shift to a fall wardrobe, start dabbling in fall’s signature hues like orange, red, rust, and, of course, mustard yellow.

add tights

As you transition into fall, don’t take your favorite summer dresses out of rotation! Throw on a pair of tights under your pretty dress to create a put-together ensemble.

Beauty Routine Fall-iF y your

Autumn’s coming fast, and it’s time to trade in the flip-flops

for

chunky booties and heels and chic, cozy accessories. But while you’re beginning the process of winterizing your wardrobe, don’t forget about switching up your beauty routine, too.

Ditch the Pastel Polish

Fall is a great time to add some deep colors to your nail polish collection. Put away the cotton candy pinks and pastels and embrace the burgundys, plums, and chocolate brown hues that lend to the festive fall atmosphere.

Indulge in a New Hand Cream

Your hands are in and out of water all day long, so you need to apply moisturizer more often. That’s why it’s so important to have a hand cream in your handbag. When you are out and about and need to wash your hands, you’ll have the hand cream by your side instead of at your sink at home.

Keep the Sunscreen

We may have to stop basting in the sun but that doesn’t mean you can forget the sunscreen for the next six months. Sunscreen is a daily essential, so don’t forget get to include it in your regular routine. Use a moisturizer with SPF 15 at the minimum and reapply with a facial sunscreen throughout the day as needed.

Give Your Locks a Lift

Update Your Color Palette

Heavier eye makeup and rich, warm shades are perfect during cool weather. Time to put away summer’s peach and coral hues and break out the deep, jewel-toned shadows and darker, matte lipsticks. Look for nail polishes and eye shadows in this season’s hottest colors — mauves, espressos, greens, and grays.

If you’re the experimental type, autumn is the perfect time of year to test-drive a new hair cut or color. Trade the sun-kissed highlights for a chocolatey brown hue. Without being subjected to constant abuse by the sun, the shade will stay truer longer without fading or turning brassy. This is also the perfect time to try that short hairstyle you’ve had your eye on. This will effectively remove the sun-damaged strands and split ends with a little clip of the scissors.

Je SS P IP er ACe Certified Personal Trainer & Senior Fitness Specialist PrIMe Fitness

muSclE up — Cold Weather Workout Motivation

let’s face it, it’s easy to stay motivated with your workouts in the warmer months. there are pool parties, family reunions, beach vacations, weddings, and a million other reasons to stay on track with your workout regimen. When the snow starts to fall, resist the temptation to sit back and settle into hibernation mode.

Working out when it’s chilly can seem like more of a challenge, but it doesn’t have to be. here are some tips to stay motivated during the colder months:

1. remember, you didn’t work your tail off all spring and summer to give up now. set goals through the fall months and reward yourself when you reach them.

2. find a workout partner! When it’s crisp, it is easy to stay in that warm, comfy bed but having a workout partner can help hold you accountable and make it more fun for both of you.

3. create a new music playlist! sometimes all we need is a few of our favorite jams to get us pumped up about a tough workout.

4. buy some new workout gear. new clothes, new shoes, new yoga mat, anything that will help keep you excited about working out!

5. embrace the cold! bundle up, get outside, and move! raking leaves, cleaning gutters, clearing out gardens in preparation for winter, or going for a run when the leaves are ablaze are all great ways to burn some calorie. remember to layer up and choose dry fit material as opposed to cotton.

fall starts the “hibernation season.” you may feel like putting your workouts on hold, but remember, your exercise journey is a marathon, not a sprint. it is an investment in your overall health and wellbeing, and there is no offseason when it comes to that!

Human

Human Trafficking

part 2

By Melissa Mccance

In February, 2017, an Air Alaska flight attendant spotted a dirty, disheveled girl in her early teens on her flight who seemed an odd companion for the well-dressed older man with whom she was traveling. Further observation of the two convinced her something was very wrong, and she left a note for the girl in the restroom. After the girl wrote “I need help” on the back of the note, the pilot was alerted, and the girl’s companion was met by the police when the plane landed.

if you believe you have encountered an emergency human trafficking situation, call 911. However, you must use judgment in non-emergency situations. There could have been months of physical and mental abuse, constant physical relocation (thus disrupting his or her orientation and sense of continuity), physical restraint, endless psychological abuse, and other factors which erode the person’s ability to believe he or she can ever get away. there is also the ver y real danger of retribution against the victim and/or you if the trafficker suspects the victim is planning to escape. because of this, never try to force someone to “run for it.”

What you can do is call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-3737888 to report a possible trafficking situation and to receive guidance. They can also help you if you encounter someone who has broken free from being trafficked:

should you identify a victim who has escaped his or her trafficking situation and needs help, the national human trafficking hotline can connect you to a number of organizations where the victim can receive shelter, medical care, legal assistance, and other critical services. [national human trafficking hotline website]

the best way to help stop this crime is to acknowledge that it exists, learn the red flags, and take action if you believe you’ve seen human trafficking. in hillsdale county, a joint effort by child abuse prevention and awareness (CAPA), the Sheriff’s Department, the Michigan State Police, the Department of health and human services, and the salvation army is working to combat this heinous practice. With a combination of awareness, education, reporting, and enforcement, we have the opportunity to stop human trafficking in our area.

[note: according to federal law, any minor under the age of 18 engaging in commercial sex is a victim of sex trafficking, regardless of the presence of force, fraud, or coercion.]

the following list of warning signs indicating a possible trafficking situation is taken from training materials for a Salvation army anti-trafficking social services conference.

• Evidence of being controlled, rarely alone

• Hyper-vigilant or paranoid behavior, persistent fear of disclosing information

• Appears unaware of what town he/she is in or where he/she has lived before

• No access to photo ID, birth certificate, or passport

• Non-English speaking and accompanied by a friend or interpreter

• Unpaid for work, working “off the books,” or paid very little

• Lives with co-workers and “employer”—no privacy

• Untreated illnesses and infections

• Unexplained bruises, marks, or scars

• Expression of inability to leave or change job

• Works in the commercial sex industry

• Evidence and expression of dominating or controlling relationships

• Repeated interruptions in a conversation by a “concerned friend” or “boyfriend”

• Unexplained shopping trips or sudden possession of expensive items

• Using phrases such as “the life,” referring to boyfriend as “daddy”

• Vagueness concerning whereabouts, defensiveness in response to questions

• A tattoo that he/she is reluctant to discuss

• Inconsistent personal information, changing historical information

• History of family abuse (sexual, physical, neglect)

• Signs of substance abuse

By Hannah Burkhart, FNP

bonE dEnSity Screening

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, more commonly known as a DEXA scan, is the most comprehensive scan available for the skeletal system. It is the most-used type of medical imaging ordered by doctors in order to help diagnose bone diseases such as osteoporosis.

osteoporosis is a condition that frequently affects women after menopause but may also be found in men and rarely in children. the condition involves a gradual loss of calcium as well as structural changes, causing the bones to become thinner, more fragile, and more likely to break. DEXA scans are also effective in tracking the effects of treatment for osteoporosis and other conditions that cause bone loss.

The DEXA scan can also assess an individual’s risk for developing fractures. the risk of fracture is affected by age, body weight, history of prior fracture, family history of osteoporotic fractures, and lifestyle issues such as cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. these factors are taken into consideration when deciding if a patient needs therapy.

Women are more at risk for osteoporosis, and most doctors will suggest that women over the age of 65 get a DEXA scan. Men who are over 70 may also be recommended to our medical imaging center for a scan. people with a family histor y of osteoporosis or relatives with hip

fractures should also get a scan to assess the condition of their bones.

DEXA scans use x-rays to assess a patient’s bone mineral density (BMD). Two x-ray beams of different energies are aimed at bones in the body. the amount of energy absorbed by the minerals in the bone is used to calculate the bmd densities that are too low could suggest osteoporosis.

DEXA scans uses x-rays, which is a type of ionizing radiation. the amount of radiation used in DEXA scans is one of the lowest found in any piece of medical equipment. dexa scans are pain-free procedures; you can’t feel the scanning procedure being performed. and, unlike a noisy and claustrophobic MRI machine, DEXA scanning equipment is quiet and more open. you simply lie on your back while the scanning arm moves over you and performs the scan.

No matter our age or our health history, DEXA scans are very important. While healthy bones will heal if we’re in an accident or have an injury, unhealthy bones won’t heal as readily. on top of that, unhealthy bones are also more likely to fracture in the first place. if it is determined that osteoporosis has developed, appropriate treatment can lessen the likelihood of fractures and a possible reduction in quality of life.

Grow Where You Are Planted.

By Rachel Yoder

applesauce!

the amount of applesauce my family consumes is unreal last year i processed over two bushels’ worth of apples into sauce and it only lasted us a couple months! plus, we shared with my sister and her family. food is my love language so i’ve gotta keep my little niece plied with applesauce as well. i plan to process at least six bushels of applesauce this season (not even going to think about how much I’ll need for my prizewinning apple pie filling right now). the work is totally worth it. it saves money— especially if you manage to pick a neighbor’s tree for free—and preserving your own food cuts down on waste. plus, you get the added bonus of family time and passing traditions down through the generations.

so, fill the sink with apples, wash them, quar ter them, and sprinkle them with ball fresh fruit produce protector as you cut. place the prepared apples in a big pot with a few cups of water, turn the heat to medium, slap the lid on and let them cook until they are tender, stirring occasionally to prevent burning. then we simply scoop them out of the pot and into the basin of a food mill: we use my grandma’s squeezo strainer with the tomato screen to get a nice, smooth sauce.

the food mill removes the stems, seeds, and skins and leaves you with nothing but applesauce. if you’d like, you can core and peel your apples first. however, you do tend to waste a lot of apple that could otherwise be sauce this way. reheat the sauce to boiling and pour the fresh sauce into hot sterilized jars and process in a hot water bath canner: 15 minutes for pints, 20 minutes for quarts. if you prefer a pressure canner, process at six pounds of pressure, eight minutes for pints, 10 minutes for quarts. for safety, please familiarize yourself with your particular canner’s operating instructions before beginning.

You can add sugar to your sauce but we never do; it’s good without it and since it’s mainly for the kids, we try to limit their sugar intake. We do, however, add cinnamon. I probably put in one-quarter cup depending on the size of the batch, but it all comes down to taste. the apples we had were a mix of lord-knows-what varying in texture, size, color, and acidity, resulting in an amazingly flavorful applesauce.

it’s a fun kitchen activity for the kids to get involved in. i pop aprons on them and let them crank the handle of the food mill while i plunge the apples down into the machine. the only problem i have is getting them to stop cranking the handle when i need to empty the milled sauce. i hope someday my boys will grow into capable men in the kitchen and they will pass down this information to their families, and i’ll be the grandma they borrow the squeezo strainer from.

Rachel is a gardener, beekeeper, wife, mother of three wild and crazy boys, and lover of all things homesteading. Come grow with her at greenpromisegrows.com.

by Nichole Ellis, D.O. Simply Hers Magazine

Words are important in day-to-day interaction but especially when giving one’s medical history. i believe that it is very important no to over-exaggerate a child’s health situation. this becomes particularly dangerous in medicine because some descriptions, if used incorrectly, could result in various misunderstandings and potentially lead to needless testing. below, you will find two commonly misused descriptors (lethargic, projectile vomiting) that simply send the wrong message to your doctor and a third descriptor (obesity) used by physicians that is commonly misunderstood by patients.

Lethargic: ill children sleep—a lot. so, while your child may be more tired and their sleeping has increased, they are unlikely lethargic. sleeping or napping children are easy to arouse. ill children are less active. they are not playful, but want to rest or watch TV, to cuddle or to read instead of climbing and running. true lethargy indicates that your child is unresponsive, is difficult to arouse or is mentally sluggish. this is a medical emergency and requires an immediate doctor’s or emergency room visit. to assist your child’s doctor in making the best medical decision, it is most helpful to describe the exact symptoms or behaviors that concern you the most.

of Wisdom

ProjectiLe vomiting. infants will spit up and vomit. children also vomit. it may look like a lot or could be preceded by gagging or heaving. Vomiting can also be forceful. Projectile vomiting, however, is not spit up or even forceful vomiting. it is vomiting that comes out so violently it lands a significant distance away from your child. in infants, projectile vomiting is a surgical urgency. Vomit should be described by color, consistency, and frequency; if there is forceful vomiting, then then you should certainly describe it as “forceful.” in short, use “projectile” as a describing word judiciously.

obesity. i support positive body image. When the term “obesity” is used in medicine, it follows a set of criteria based on an individual’s weight and height. His or her BMI (Body Mass Index) statistically has been linked to increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other chronic medical conditions. a physician using this term is not talking about image; they are talking about health.

in closing, i hope these explanations are beneficial in helping you be a good advocate for your child.

discuss, please email them to us at marlanea@simplyhers.net

By kathleen Walworth, PT, DPT, ceeaa Board certified geriatric clinical Specialist (gcS)t

As summer comes to a close, many of us are getting ready to send our children back to school which often comes with shopping for new supplies. While it’s great to let kids choose which superhero is on their lunch boxes or how many different color pens they’ll need for notes, there are some important things to keep in mind when choosing the correct backpack to fit your child’s needs.

Weight

The current recommendation is that kids carry no more than 10-15% of their body weight in their backpack. For example, a child who weighs 80 pounds should carry no more than eight to 12 pounds. Backpacks that are too heavy can cause problems like back or shoulder pain or even numbness and tingling down in to the hands. Use a bathroom scale to ensure your child’s bag isn’t becoming too heavy for that growing body.

Fit

Your child’s backpack should be no bigger than their torso. When the straps are adjusted properly, the backpack should start two inches below the shoulders and

fall to no more than two inches below the belt line. Choose a backpack with wide, padded shoulder straps. Narrow straps can dig into shoulders causing pain and irritation to nerves. Your child should always use both shoulder straps and secure the pack with a waist strap. This allows the weight to be evenly distributed and kept as close to the body as possible, placing less stress on joints and muscles. Using the backpack over one shoulder or across the chest may seem easier or look cooler but it causes a child to lean to one side to compensate for the uneven weight.

Packing

Try to choose a backpack with multiple compartments in order to distribute the weight more evenly. Heavier items like textbooks and computers should be kept in the main compartment close to your child’s back. A padded back provides extra comfort and protects your child from being poked by sharp objects such as binders, pens, and pencils.

Although packs on wheels may be good options for students who have to carry

really heavy loads or who are physically unable to carry a backpack, they’re very hard to pull up/down stairs and to roll over uneven grass or snow. Some schools do not allow them as they can be a tripping hazard to other students in the halls or classrooms. Always check with your student’s school prior to purchasing a rolling backpack.

Encourage your children to utilize their desks and lockers as much as possible and to bring home only the books required for that night’s homework. Make sure they are not carrying around unnecessary personal items that add weight to the backpack. If your child is complaining of aches and pains from the backpack, talk to your doctor or physical therapist about possible options.

For more information and to find your closest Athletico location, visit www. athletico.com or call the Brooklyn office at 517-592-8695. We also offer free injury screens to determine if you are a physical therapy candidate and/or to help guide you in your medical options.

Stephanie Ray, PT, DPT HillSDale FaciliT y ManageR

Brian Mcewan, PT aDRian FaciliT y ManageR

Marilyn Rendel, MSPT HuDSon FaciliT y ManageR

Sue gruber, PT BRooklyn FaciliT y ManageR

By sarah gray simply Hers Magazine

tak E a gambl E

on Yourself

You must do the things you think you cannot do. –Eleanor

Roosevelt

Nothing ventured, nothing gained. – Benjamin Franklin

there are hundreds of motivational quotes like these from famous people that are meant to do one thing—motivate. you hear them and you want to try a little harder. you picture the people who said them and think of all they accomplished and it gives you a little boost. you want to tr y a little harder, be a little braver, and go outside of your comfort zone. i recently did just that by going on stage for the first time in 30 years.

i really admire those who perform on stage. they can make it look so easy. i sit in the audience and i watch them up there and it makes me want to go up there, too. it looks like so much fun. but then the curtain closes, the house lights come up, and reality sets in. because being on stage means having to audition—in front of people. this is not just saying the words along with the actors in the play or singing in the shower, this is you, on your own, in front of people, acting (or my attempt at it anyway). it’s scar y.

and, it’s not just the auditioning part. it’s the fear of not getting a part and also the fear of getting a part. it’s the thought of being on stage for a show with all those people looking at you, judging you . . . . Well, it’s scary enough for me that i chickened out many, many times from auditioning.

then, i finally did it—i auditioned. and, it didn’t work out. i was bummed, yes, but it was definitely for the best. so i decided to tr y again. (Benjamin Franklin didn’t invent bifocals on his first try, right?) this time, success! it was still scary and i was far from per fect, but for the first time since I was in third grade, I got on stage (in front of people) and was part of a play. it was a wonder ful experience and i am so glad i took a chance on myself and tried.

i have been a pretty cautious person all my life, but as I approach the big 4-0 I think maybe it’s time to start taking some calculated risks. calculated doesn’t sound all that risky, you may say, but for me, it’s pretty huge. my kids aren’t going to be little forever and i need something else to define me other than “mom.” so maybe 39 will become the year of taking risks (calculated as they may be).

so, you may think, geesh sarah, being on stage in a play is not some life-changing event. And, you’re right. it may not be—to you. but it doesn’t really matter what the thing is that gets you to take a chance on yourself. the point is to take that chance. to do the thing you think you cannot do.

i am saying to you: whatever that thing is—try. run your first race, enter that competition, go back to school for that degree, go for the promotion. Just try. yes, you may fail and that is ok. the point is you put yourself out there, you gambled on you.

and if you did it once, you can do it again.

g raY Matters

The Local Beat

What’s ne W W ith your favorite businesse s

By Rachel Yoder

Michigan g ypsy Boutique

michigan gypsy boutique is the perfect stop to add to your next girls day out. located in manitou beach, the shop carries a wide variety of michigan items, home décor, casual clothing, jewelry, and a great selection of unique gifts for all ages. the boathouse art gallery in the connected space carries a wonderful array of fine art at prices to meet everyone’s budget.

new at michigan gypsy boutique, print on demand! pick from a wide assortment of tee shirts and sweatshirts and personalize them with a design of your choice. your order will be printed while you shop! coming this fall, you’ll also be able to purchase new designs and exclusive products online through michigangypsy.com and have them conveniently shipped to your door. stop by michigan gypsy today at 136 n lakeview blvd., manitou beach, michigan 49253. contact them by phone at (517) 224-1984, and be sure to like Michigan Gypsy Boutique on Facebook to keep up on all the new, exciting merchandise arriving weekly.

h illsdale h ealth & Wellness

hillsdale hospital is pleased to announce the recent purchase of hillsdale health & Wellness. although the ownership has changed, you will still see many familiar faces when you visit, providing the same high standard of care you have some to expect.

hillsdale health & Wellness provides treatment of minor illnesses and injuries when regular provider offices are closed or you can’t get into your family health practitioner. the convenient hours offer a more affordable alternative to an emergency room visit. hillsdale health & Wellness will happily coordinate care with your existing providers. most insurance plans are accepted

The office is open 7 days a week from 12 noon – 8:00 p.m.; appointments and walk-ins are welcome. Call or stop by 12 E. Bacon Street, Hillsdale, MI 49242, or call (517) 437-7040.

Additional health clinics are located in Litchfield and Reading, which means that first-rate health care is available locally and when you most need it.

s tocks h

aunted Mill

If you’re looking for a family-friendly haunted tour this fall that’s minus all the blood and gore and with a unique twist, then wind your way through the dark corridors of stocks haunted mill and face “ the revenge of the hunted.” you won’t find any zombies or demons here. the tour is too scar y for small children, but ideal for junior high and high school ages and up. the mill, built in the 1830s, has a naturally foreboding atmosphere offering a non-traditional haunt that makes it the perfect nearby destination to get into the halloween spirit. after you’ve been scared out of your wits, cozy up to a donut made fresh in house, hot buttered popcorn, and an apple cider slushie.

New this year, Stocks Haunted Mill is taking group reservations – perfect for youth groups, 4-H clubs, sports teams, and parties! they’ll also be open halloween eve and halloween night this season so you can take advantage of the most terrifying night of the year with your friends and family. check them out on facebook for hours and info or give them a call to schedule your group event.

When families struggle with addiction, abuse, and neglect, children oftentimes get the short end of the stick. their lives are turned completely upside down. instead of making happy memories as a family, they are sent to live with new foster families and have to adjust to new schools, attend court hearings, and many get lost in the system. hillsdale county casa volunteers provide something these children need most: an advocate and a friend.

casa stands for “court appointed special advocates.” casa for children is a national program with nearly 1,000 local community programs in 49 states. There are 27 CASA programs in michigan alone. hillsdale county casa was started in 2014 with three volunteers. heather upton joined Hillsdale’s program in 2017 after previously volunteering as a casa in Kansas where the hillsdale native lived for 14 years. she has since has become the program director. in her first year she tripled the number of volunteers in hillsdale’s program. it can be a hard job and it takes a special kind of person to do it, but with heather’s upbeat

attitude and wonderful sense of humor it’s no wonder that she’s been able to grow the program so much.

the branch now has 29 volunteers serving 64 children in foster care, and, as a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit, it runs solely on grants and donations from the public. but, there are over 140 cases in hillsdale county. many more children could benefit from having a casa on their side. they are always looking for new volunteers and anyone can become a casa volunteer as long as they meet a few basic requirements. Volunteers must be 21 or older, have reliable transportation, pass a background check, and be able to commit for the length of a case which is typically about a year.

you don’t need a background in social services, child care, or anything related to kids—great volunteers come from all walks of life, from teachers to mechanics. Volunteers are just ordinary people with a passion to make a difference in the lives of these children. hillsdale county casa provides 30 hours of training, meeting twice a week for five weeks. as a volunteer, you will meet with the children in your case every

BY RACHEL YODER

7-10 days and simply listen to them, working with case workers and care providers to advocate for the child’s best interests in court. casas are dedicated to only one case at a time providing the one-on-one attention the kids need. heather says, “ there is a big need for male CASAs especially; the kids really benefit from having an engaged male role model present.”

casa’s main goal is always reuniting the children and their parents but sadly that doesn’t always happen. the judge chooses the cases where the children will most greatly benefit from having a casa heather’s goal is to continue to increase volunteers until every child in foster care is able to have a casa the organization just moved into the old roger losey Jewelry building. the new, more centralized location will give the program the chance to increase community outreach and promote the services they provide. if you are interested in being a positive force in these children’s lives and would like to become a volunteer, or if you’d like to make a donation, call 517425-4145 for more information, check them out on facebook, or stop by hillsdale county casa at 36 n. howell st., hillsdale, mi 49242.

“Giving a voice to the voiceless.”

BY Stephanie Gordon, Simply Hers Magazine

w H at matt ERS mo St to my

first daughter

i remember when eloise was three months old, nearly four years ago. i was probably nursing her while i scrolled through my social media feed. i saw first day of school pictures – one after the other. parents hugging and kissing their preschoolers. Kindergarteners shining in their new shoes. high schoolers driving off on their last first day of school. i also remember thinking, “I’m so glad I have a lot of time before that day comes.” fast for ward a fast four years later. matt and i will soon send our firstborn off to preschool.

this is essentially the start of her academic career that might sound a little far-fetched – this is just preschool – but in all honesty, there’s no going back, just forward. from here on out, there will be endless activities, sports, field trips, new friends, and continual growth. truly, this is the beginning of her life as eloise davinia. matt and i are here to support and guide her. so, dear eloise, i will tuck this article away just for you to look back on some sweet day.

to my first daughter as you begin the next chapter in your life, please keep this in mind . . . .

Be kind: above all else, be kind to others. your actions and choices you make each and every day define you as eloise. help your peers, support your friends, and use your manners. being kind is ever so easy and rewarding.

Listen: this is a learned skill, and doesn’t always come easy. it gets better with time. listen to your wiser teachers. listen to friends in need. listen to your heart..

Challenge yourself: it’s easy to find “easy.” but, sometimes the easy way isn’t always the “right” way. learn to stretch yourself mentally and physically. every step in life usually comes with challenges. each challenge makes you a stronger.

Have fun: i know you don’t think about this right now, but life is short. life gets hard and can get you down. Whatever is in front of you or whatever might come your way, please do have fun. look on the bright side. smile. laugh. play. you are my sweet, sweet eloise –always looking for the fun. don’t ever lose that.

Know that you are always enough: certain events and people will make you question yourself. do know that you are worthy and unique. you bring something special that not everyone has. you are you! people will stretch you in many ways, but do know that you know yourself best. you are eloise, and that is always enough. i know these words of advice are a bit advanced, but i will put these words in simple terms for her. i get to hug and kiss my firstborn off to school in the next few days. i’m hanging on tight before she spreads her wings and starts to do even more amazing things. how amazing and rewarding is that?

Stephanie is a paleo enthusiast, wife, full-time SAHM, parttime marketing director/contractor, and blogger. Follow her at www.stephgordonblog.com.

By timothy Dixon simply Hers Magazine

planning FoR youR and youR lovEd onES’ FutuRES

When contemplating life and death matters, some common questions arise such as: Who will raise my children if i die while they are minors? What control do i have over the beneficiaries of an inheritance? Who will handle my finances if i become unable to handle them myself? Who will make medical decisions for me if i become unable? how can i control what happens to me if i am being kept alive by life support apparatus?

the legal documents available to address these and similar inquiries consist of Wills, trusts, powers of attorney, durable powers of attorney, durable powers of attorney for medical care, and living Wills. some of these documents are known by other names, such as patient advocate, living trust, advanced directives, etc., but they still accomplish the same goals.

Timothy E. Dixon

Licensed Michigan Attorney Law Office of Timothy E. Dixon 27 N. Broad St. Hillsdale, MI 49242

Ph: (517) 437-4070

Fx: (517) 437-4062

a will takes effect when you die and it names a person or entity to administer your estate, named a “personal representative” in michigan. the personal representative is responsible to collect your assets, pay your debts, and distribute your estate according to your will. a will may also address your burial wishes and name a guardian for your minor children. a will is typically probated and becomes a public record.

trusts are legal devices that involve transferring ownership of property to the trust’s trustee. the trustee then administers the trust property for its beneficiaries which may include managing your investments and assets, paying your debts, distributing assets upon your death, and/or distributing them over many years after your death. a trust can be designed to keep a special needs

child from losing government assistance, to spread an inheritance over many years, to protect a child’s inheritance from the child’s creditors, or to incentivize desired accomplishments. as a rule, trusts do not require court involvement and so typically remain private.

powers of attorney, durable powers of attorney, and durable powers of attorney for medical care all name an individual to act as your agent. this means you provide the named individual with authority to act legally on your behalf for financial matters and/ or medical matters. the agent’s authority in financial matters can be extensive or limited based on the authority you provide your agent in the document. the agent’s authority in medical matters can only arise when you are deemed incapable of handling matters yourself and once you regain your wits their authority stops. to enable any agent to have the legal authority to act during your incapacity, however, the document must be durable. this means it must have the required wording to remain effective upon disability. regardless, the authority these documents provide end upon your death.

a living will defines the medical care you want to receive if you have a terminal illness and are being kept alive by artificial means. it provides your family with guidance and direction as to your desires and may provide comfort to them if decisions are made to disconnect life-sustaining equipment.

Know, however, that if you fail to plan for incapacity and death, michigan will make these decisions for you through its statutory law.

3 boys and a tRanSplant

By Alicia Curtis, Simply Hers Magazine

NE toug H l I ttl E B o Y .. .

i want to thank those of you who continue to read about my precious baby boy i feel very blessed to be able to share his beautiful story of love, courage, organ donation, and a perfect example of one of god’s miracles. up to this point in the “oscar stor y” my little guy has been diagnosed with biliary atresia, a rare liver disease that affects about 350 kids in the world each year. he was diagnosed with mastocytosis which is a rare skin condition. he has had open heart surgery and broken his femur twice which diagnosed him with brittle bones.

oscar is currently six years old and thriving! even though i have not shared his whole story leading up to his happy life, i am going to pause to share about a moment in the now. throughout all of oscar’s trials and tribulations i have him figured out down to his blinks. for the first couple years of his life he could not communicate with us. i became very good at knowing what every little movement he would make meant. the tough part about that now is that it doesn’t stop. even though he is a healthy little boy who runs around dancing, laughing, and playing with his brothers, i’m constantly looking for signs of sickness. i thought it would get better as he got older but, unfortunately, it hasn’t. this happens to a point of driving myself crazy sometimes.

about two weeks ago i was getting ready to leave for a long weekend. i’m rarely away from my kids and was looking forward to a girls weekend. as i was packing up my car getting ready to leave, our babysitter brought oscar inside. he had fallen on our trampoline. oscar’s pain tolerance is incredibly high. he literally doesn’t complain about anything . . . ever. now, as a mom of three little boys i did the whole “brush it off, you’re fine” routine. all three of my kids have broken bones, it kind of goes with the program of having all boys. but, when i looked at oscar who was just whining a little bit i knew something was off. he wouldn’t move his arm. i knew. i knew it was broken. i called my husband who came and scooped him up and off to the hospital.

now, in a perfect world, my girls weekend would have been some friends getting together informally. not this weekend. this was a bachelorette party and guess what my role is? you guessed it! matron

of honor all of the reser vations were under my name and all of the plans i had made. my husband assured me it was okay to go and, honestly, i thought it was, too. so i’m now four hours away from my baby and i get a text. not only did oscar break his arm but he broke it really bad. back in the car i went.

in true oscar fashion, nothing had changed. he was still happy go lucky. didn’t complain, and it was like wrestling a bear trying to get him to stay calm in his sling. We had to wait until monday to see if he was going to need surgery. my mind had gone down the drain. it was a simple fall—why had it broken so bad? is something going on with his liver? does he have cancer? brittle bones? if they operate, will he have to have more and more operations on that arm as he gets older? is he getting sick again? have there been other falls that i haven’t noticed? oh, yeah, it was bad. the ptsd was really and i mean really bad. The last bone break he had put him in a half-body cast, and at this current moment i was right back in the er holding onto that little tiny baby that was slowly getting sicker and sicker.

as it ended up, oscar had broken his tibia. all of his scans turned out well and he didn’t need surgery. in the words of his doctor “the top of his ice cream cone just slid off a little bit.” oscar continues, even years later, to be the toughest little guy i know. i really look forward to sharing the rest of his courageous battle with you. he truly is a miracle.

o

JV Lumber

Sa NDR a H EPk ER

PROFESSiONal HEaRiNG SERviCES

By Melissa McCance

sandra, who founded professional hearing services in hillsdale thirty years ago, invites invites family and friends to accompany patients to appointments for support and encouragement. Hearing better is lifechanging.

think of all the sounds you love most— a baby’s giggle, “hello” from a loved one, waves on the beach, birdsong at morning, or a favorite song. now, think of how much you’d miss it if these sounds became muted, distorted, difficult to hear. restoring hearing to the best possible level is sandra’s mission.

a graduate of north adams high school, sandra received her b a. and m s. degrees from the university of michigan. she and her husband steven lived in pennsylvania for four years before returning to michigan in 1988 when the demands of a household with two working parents and two small boys made it clear that family support would be a huge help. sandra opened professional hearing services in hillsdale that fall. she also had an office in Jackson from 1989 until 2012, working in association with two otolaryngologists for part of that time.

“Will you marry me?’ That was the first question an elderly woman heard when audiologist Sandra Hepker fit her with her first hearing aid. “Yes!” she responded to her companion.

After decades of practice, Sandra is still enthusiastic about helping people hear better. “I can’t believe it has been 30 years! When you love what you do, it doesn’t seem like work.”

Sandra said her two biggest challenges are getting patients to admit they have a hearing problem and convincing them the expense will improve their lives. Although a spouse or other family member may bring an individual to her office, she said the patient has to be ready to be helped. Her father, ray Nevins, was her first test case.

”My father was hearing-impaired and I saw the strain that put on my mom and the rest of the family,” she said. “I fit him with his first hearing aid while I was in college. That was very rewarding.”

Hearing instruments have advanced incredibly since she first established Professional Hearing Services. Digital and wireless technology have opened the door to increased clarity and fine tuning of sounds; streaming audio from televisions and cell phones directly to the hearing aids; and remote controls to adjust volume and background noise. Small remote microphones worn by another person help with conversations in difficult environments. rechargeable batteries add greater convenience for hearing aid users.

Sandra emphasizes a caring approach for her patients: “I don’t believe in making my patients wait. I try to see patients when they first arrive, sometimes even before their scheduled appointment. I want to create an experience for each patient at every visit, making them feel important and listened to. We want them to come back and refer their friends to us!”

When someone visits Professional Hearing Services for the first time, Sandra completes the history form

with the patient. She then does a physical exam of the ears to check for wax or other medical conditions. A complete evaluation is performed in a sound booth and the results are discussed with the patient and, if desired, an accompanying family member.

Sandra asks each patient to identify situations where they want to hear better, such as church, television, or family gatherings. With those goals in mind, Sandra selects and orders the hearing aids that will best meet their needs. The patient returns to have the aids fitted and all the follow-up checks that might be necessary. If someone still isn’t sure about getting hearing aids, she offers a no obligation, one-week test run.

Sandra loves practicing in a smaller community where she feels that things are more laid back and friendly. Her patients have given her baked goods, brought in their dogs to meet her, played guitar for her and sung to her, even cried when they begin to hear better. Sandra is also grateful for the long-term working relationship she has with her receptionist and friend, Joanne Mackler, who has been with her for 22 years.

Her dream to have her own building was realized in 2014 when Sandra purchased and renovated the building at 1231 Hudson road. The remodel took about six months and was handled by her husband and an Amish crew, and the result is an attractive office with welcoming, contemporary décor. Although the remodel presented the usual challenges that such projects do, Sandra is justly proud of how it all came together.

If you need an appointment for hearing services or just want to have some questions answered, you can reach Sandra by calling Professional Hearing Services at 517-437-1610.

SiGNS SOMEONE MaY NEED TO SEE aN aUDiOlOGiST

Difficulty picking out words in the presence of background noise

Describes moments lacking clarity in speech or understanding

Complains of tinnitus—buzzing or ringing sounds in one or both ears

Difficulty hearing on the phone or when watching television

Speaks loudly and has trouble understanding or responding

Has a history of falls or has problems with balance or dizziness

Depression, worry or anxiety related to the inability to hear exposed to high noise levels on the job or recreationally reports that everybody mumbles

Others say the television or radio is too loud

Difficulty multitasking and/or learning in school

RiSk FaCTORS FOR aND SYMPTOMS OF HEaRiNG lOSS

Age: 45-65 years old (20%) or anyone over 65 (29%)

Cardiovascular disease, hypertension—3 times greater incidence

Diabetes—2 times greater incidence

Obesity—2 times greater incidence

Smoker, past smoker, or exposed to secondhand smoke—2 times greater incidence

Dizziness: lightheadedness, imbalance, or vertigo

Balance issues

Irritability or socially withdrawn, symptoms of depression

Usage of ototoxic medications: salicylates (aspirin and NSAIDS), aminoglycosides (antibiotics), loop diuretics, and antineoplastic agents (anti-cancer drugs)

By laura loveberry Elementar y School Assembly Author/Speaker, Inspirational Speaker Women’s Retreats/Conferences, Caricature Artist

life is the berries

365 Days of love

do you have a prodigal adult child who refuses to have any contact with you for years? do you have grandchildren and are denied access even to visit them? do you long for connection and relationship with a family member who wants nothing to do with you ever again? oh, i imagine the ache, pain, and grief is unbearable.

We do not always have control of heartwrenching situations. We cry out to god in prayer over a relationship we deeply desire to have healed. We “let go and let god” work in his divine plans. We seek wisdom and discernment on how best to handle the desperate circumstances. We choose to be still and know he is god. We speak words of truth to renew our minds with bible verses such as, “though he slay me, yet will i trust him,” Job 13: 15 NKJV Bible.

in this earnest time of waiting, i offer another tangible, practical suggestion to help you love the person with whom you long to restore a relationship? my suggestion for you involves a love commitment of 365 days in one year. i heard a theologian share how he wrote notes and prayers in the margin of a fresh new bible for each of his children. he has a deep relationship with each child like i do, but he wants to leave them a legacy to know their worth and value in his eyes and the eyes of god.

i love this idea for a dear friend who is struggling because her son is estranged from the family by his choice. the family longs for restoration. it is slashing her heart daily. it comes to me that she could demonstrate her unconditional love for her distanced son in this time of unwanted separation.

i sent this distraught momma the following message of my idea to help her through this wilderness season:

“Dear Sue (I changed her name for privacy), i heard this idea i would like to do for my kids just to give them a legacy of love, but i think it will be per fect for you and your son who has separated himself from the family. get a bible with room on the sides for notes. take this year and read through the bible everyday and Write out prayers to your son in the margin. Write his specific name throughout this Will be the sWeetest GIFT FOR HIM TO KNOW YOU LOVE AND Kept him in prayers Journally through a bible specifically for him it will give you a positive way to say connected in the “waiting room of separation.” When the time is right, you can bless him with a 365-day gift bible personalized with prayers and dreams for him from your heart. god can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. thought you may like this idea. i love it for my kids and “glamdaughter.” love you. you keep climbing! -Laura”

my friend’s response is emotional. she is in tears and says the idea is brilliant for her. she sends hugs and gratitude. she will warrior on and now has a mission to love unconditionally in a practical measurable way even in the valley of hard.

no matter what relationship you have with your children, you can personalize prayers for each child or grandchild written in the margin of a bible as you read through in a year. Wouldn’t this be a legacy blessing for the recipient to know you prayed for them every single day? they, too, can later read through this bible for their daily encouragement from god. even with an estranged relationship, you can spend a glorious year in private written prayer for the person with whom you long to have a restored relationship. i cannot think of a more precious gift than the Word of god and 365 days of written, personalized love and prayers.

By Nancy r yan simply Hers Magazine

Well, i’ve had a pretty good run of reading materials lately, so i’ll get right to it.

Shelter In Place is nora roberts’ latest novel, and she didn’t disappoint. A page-turner. A massacre takes place at a mall/theatre and several are killed and several hundred are injured. the killers are three young teens, killed at the scene. the story follows our two leading characters through the next ten years. reed is a survivor of that day at the mall, and he turns to a life as a protector, becoming a police chief. simone is also a victim at the theatre, but she has turned inward and become an introspective artist living with her aunt. the story follows these two through the next ten years as they grow up, meet, and eventually fall in love—of course. meanwhile, the master planner of the massacre, a sister of one of the teens killed, is continuing her psychopathic drive to murder the survivors. nora roberts is, indeed, a master storyteller.

emily giffin has written another good story in All We Ever Wanted. beautiful, nice, rich n ina is married to handsome, rich, jerk Kirk. at a teen party, her son finch is caught taking sexually explicit pictures of the inebriated but lovely and sweet Lyla who lives in the nearby bluecollar neighborhood. her dad, tom, is raising her alone. n ina meets tom over this sex episode and their lives are changed forever. is finch lying, or is lyla? both seem to be good k ids, being raised by loving parents. the last few chapters will surprise you. i say no more!

dorothea benton frank is another author i enjoy her new novel By Invitation only is a favorite of mine. some of her novels seem repetitive, but i enjoyed this one! i t is the story of two families, one from the low country of south carolina struggling to do well with their peach farm and the associated businesses that it provides. their son, freddie, has traveled north to chicago to make his way in business. (Freddie is called Frederick in Chicago) He has met shelby who is very rich but who loves him and recognizes his worth and family values. Well, when their two mothers meet up to plan the various wedding events, the fun begins! Shelby’s mother, Susan, is a well-meaning, control freak, rich snob. Freddie’s mom, Diane, is a well-meaning, down-to-earth, control freak. The two cultures and the two women do not mix, and it is a fun read!

my friend, carolyn, is reading the Perfect Couple by another favorite of mine, elin h ilderbrand. the story takes place on the island of Nantucket (where else, all her stories do). It revolves around a wedding at which all of the guests are flying in to stay at the same location. The maid-of-honor

tuRn tHE pagE

Book and a uthor r eviews

is found dead after the rehearsal dinner, and a murder mystery evolves. i think this is a first for h ilderbrand as hers are usually just love stories. the bride and groom seem in love and well-suited, or are they?

fellow reader K athleen put me on to a few new authors with books she really enjoyed. I Almost Missed You by Jessica strawser, Before I Met You by lisa Jewell and Before We Were Yours by lisa Wingate. so far, i have read I Almost Missed You and concur with Kathleen’s five-star review! In this book, Violet and Finn meet on vacation but due to an accident on the beach they never learn each other’s names. through fate, they eventually meet and marry. on their first vacation with their little son, finn disappears with the boy and leaves Violet confused and terrified. As she implores her friend caitlin and her husband for help, we also discover secrets in that marriage. i t is an interesting story with an interesting ending . . . .

i am on a waitlist at the library for Jewell’s Before I Met You, but in the meantime i picked up another of this author ’s books entitled I Found You and gave it a five-star. In it, Frank wakes up on a beach in england with no memory and is rescued by kind-hearted Alice, who takes in strays. They try to discover who he is without contacting the police because he is having memory flashes and fears he’s done something illegal. Meanwhile, newly-married Lily is missing her husband. she is trying to track him down with little knowledge, as it was a short courtship. she is not from england and knows almost no one to help her except a guy from his office. the police are skeptical that he is missing i will not disclose more than this, but it is not the obvious conclusion you have drawn.

i just received a call from the library and picked up Kathleen’s third recommended book Before We Were Yours Wingate is the author of 20 best selling novels, so i hope i enjoy it. the word “heartbreak“ is one of the words in the description of this book on the back cover (which I don’t usually read), and i don’t do heartbreak books very well. We shall see. i t comes highly recommended, so i will dive in. you should read it and decide for yourselves!

as a point of interest, i attended a church in livonia, m ichigan, recently and the newsletter announced their upcoming book club picks. they are the great Alone by Kirstin hanna, Bear town by fredrik backman, the Summer Before the War by helen simonson, and Calling Me Home by Julie Kibler.

lots to read see you at the library!

The many fans of Jilly beans in downtown h illsdale will be happy to k now that there’s another location of the popular coffee house. Jilly beans too is now open and “putting the Jo in Jonesville.” located at 245 e chicago road on the north side of u s 12, the second shop has a different look and feel from h illsdale’s Jilly beans. “We kept the interesting architectural features of the space, and it has a mix of rustic and industrial looks,” explains owner mary ellen sattler. “ the h illsdale location has a hominess to it in the set-up and décor.”

however, customers don’t need to be concerned that the different look of the new location means a change in the patroncentered atmosphere! people stopping at Jilly beans too will get the same warm welcome, the same courteous service, and the same quality food and beverages they’ve enjoyed in Hillsdale. The new store is also kid-friendly like the original with menu options that appeal to

Putting the “Jo” in Jonesville

By Melissa McCance

children. besides the coffee house, mary ellen is hoping to create a business meeting space that will be equipped with group seating and a big screen television for presentations. one thing she is especially looking forward to is being able to move her office out of her living room!

mary ellen relocated to this area from st. clair county about eight years ago with many years of experience in automotive and aerospace manufacturing. she and her daughter would visit the farmers market and then go to Jilly beans for quiche and coffee after their shopping was done. upon returning from an out of state sisters’ get-together and learning that the shop was for sale, mary ellen immediately began mak ing calls to start the process of acquiring the business.

after being approached by a Jonesville business about the possibility of putting a second store there, mary ellen began investigating available space. the first option

had some issues with square footage and necessar y renovations but further exploration found the other property. although, as is often the case with remodeling, there were challenges and surprises in getting the new store ready, mary ellen is quick to praise the Jonesville city manager and staff for their help. “ they’re there whenever i have questions or need advice. i can’t say enough about how helpful they’ve been!”

mary ellen also has nothing but praise for her staff. she says they were eager to get into the new space and make connections in the Jonesville community: “i want to thank each and every employee for making this a reality.”

best wishes to mary ellen and her staff as they star t “putting the Jo in Jonesville!” you can keep up with the latest happenings through their facebook page.

by melissa mccance

I’ll admit it . . . this is my FAVORITE season! I can’t handle high temperatures and humidity so summer doesn’t ring my chimes as it does for so many. fall often brings us warm days with brilliant blue skies and cooler nights that make for great sleeping. then there’s the beauty of autumn leaves, displays of chrysanthemums, asters, and sedum, fresh apples and cider, meals featuring hearty soups and stews, fall baking, and pumpkin everything! What’s not to love about autumn? (OK, yeah, I know—lots of you can’t forgive the fact that it’s followed by winter.) to help you make the most of fall fun, we’ve highlighted a few apps for you.

remember, things change quickly in the cyberworld, so we suggest looking for some online reviews of these apps before you download them, especially if there’s a fee. also, when you’re searching for our app suggestions, remember that some may only be available for your phone and not your tablet. if you’re looking for them on a tablet, be sure your filter is set for phone apps!

APPLES

fall is apple season! pick them yourself at orchards or buy them at farm markets to bring home and make them into applesauce, apple cake, baked apples, apple crisp, and more. yum!

apple recipes for android devices offers 124 recipes for apple lovers. free, 4.3 out of 5 stars

apple recipes!! brings you over 130 apple recipes sorted into categories like Main Dishes/ appetizers, pastries, healthy recipes, and more Available for iOS, $0.99 (although it’s sometimes offered for free), rated 5 out of 5.

FOOTBALL

fall and football are a natural combination. if you love keeping track of how your favorite school is doing, check out the following apps.

sports alerts ncaa football sends you score updates and alerts (game and specific player). the alerts are stored to make sure you don’t miss any and the alerts are configurable. Available for Android, free, rated 4.7 out of 5.

bleacher report: sports news has almost 100,000 downloads and high ratings. this app lets you pick your favorite teams and stream scores, videos, stories, and pictures with notifications available to alert you to the latest. available for ios, free, rated 4.8 out of 5.

PUMPKIN CARVING

besides the fun of creating pumpkin faces with the app, you can use them to design faces everyone likes before you cut into your real pumpkins!

halloween pumpkin carver lets you use your fingers to carve faces and create jack o’ lanterns. dim the onscreen lights and see the pumpkin glow! available for android, free, rated 4.0 out of 5.

pumpkin pal has a small download fee but offers a lot of nice extras such as automatically storing the completed designs. there are also 4 different pumpkin shapes, a number of included shapes to use for faces, or you can carve your own with a finger. available for ios, $1.99, rated 4.5 out of 5.

OUTDOOR FUN

All Trails connects you with 50,000 handcurated trail maps along with photos and reviews to help you pick just the right spot to walk, bike, or run. you can search for trails that are suitable for children, allow dogs, and other options. fall is a glorious time to get outdoors, and this app helps you make the most of it! available for android and ios, free, rated 4.8 out of 5.

oh, ranger! parkfinder allows you to enter your location and see all the parks in your area as well as the activities for each park. definitely beats loading up the kids and bikes and driving to a park only to discover that biking isn’t allowed on the trails! available for android and ios, free, rated 4.4 out of 5.

ROME

OSSEO Little

Red

Renewing

Hitching Post

HILLSDALE

THE CROW’S NEST

Antiques Mall

Hitching

Mall

10-6 517.938.8147 idkcreativedecor.com Vintage, Industrial, Antiques, Jewelry SIMPLY FOUND CREATIONS, LLC 9991 Stoddard Rd • Adrian Corner of Onsted Hwy. & Stoddard Rd Tue-Sat 10-6 517.467.5736

hitchingpostantiques.com

hitchingpostantiques.com

CENTER 6282

antiqueboulevard@yahoo.com

By Willie smith simply Hers Magazine

Over The EDG E

did you know i work at a church now? it’s a lutheran church, though, and i’m pentecostal so obviously i don’t attend the services. my ways are a little too radical for the lutherans, but i love working there. one of my duties is checking the attendance sheets each week. When it’s “in season” and all 300+ members are there, it takes forever to get through that process. it’s very time consuming, what with having to go from A to V back to D, but i came up with a brilliant solution. When i told the pastor my idea he was not receptive at all. this issue of attendance was going to be enough to put us both over the edge.

When i first proposed my idea to the pastor he laughed. he didn’t think i was serious. it took me a couple of weeks to get over being mad at him for laughing at me, but then i thought about it and figured because he was a “man of the cloth” maybe i should give him the benefit of the doubt and try again. the second time he got annoyed with me. can you believe that? i was really miffed and told him i didn’t appreciate him not giving careful consideration to my solution. i mean, really, who does the attendance, me or him? me, that’s who. i was right in the middle of my tirade when he asked me to leave his office. Well, phooey! i left, but i wasn’t happy.

i look back now and feel a little guilty because i wasn’t very nice to him after that. i might have even kind of sort of made his life miserable enough that he gave up and told me he would announce the new seating arrangement to the congregation that sunday yippee!! on sunday he told everyone that they were to sit in alphabetical order from that point on. he told them there were signs at the end of each pew as to who was to sit where. because the attendance list is in alphabetical order, i thought if people sat in alphabetical order, it would be a breeze to whip right through those attendance sheets. i really think it could have worked, but i believe it was the pastor’s presentation of the idea that caused the whole

thing to crumble. he could have worded things differently for a much better effect.

there was so much grumbling and complaining i thought moses had brought the israelites to church. sure, the congregation wasn’t happy about being told where to sit, but, really now, was it that big a deal? apparently it was a big deal to the people who had sat in the same pew for the last 40 years. Who knew moving over a pew or eight would hurt so much? and then there were the people who didn’t like their alphabetical cousins. Wow! that caused quite the brawl some of those little old ladies can throw a punch or two. thank goodness the people blamed the pastor for even bringing up the idea. i played along and pretended to agree with them. crazy idea! What was that man thinking?

the pastor had previously made it known that he would be retiring soon, but after the seating debacle the people decided it might be best if he left immediately. they thought maybe the job was becoming too much for him because who else would come up with a crazy idea like that except a crazy man? they thought they were doing the poor guy a favor. he must have needed a long rest and they were willing to give it to him. i felt a little bad that they thought the pastor was losing it, but he had wanted to retire and now he could do it without feeling guilty. It was a win-win for everyone.

We have a new pastor now and he’s a great guy. i’m giving it a few weeks for him to settle in before i pitch the idea of alphabetical seating again. i’m hoping the people will be a little more receptive this time around. i really think this plan could work and i’ll try to coach the pastor on his presentation, but if he just can’t get it right, hopefully he’ll be able to find another job real quick. i’m just hoping this seating arrangement idea doesn’t put us all over the edge.

RESalE tRail R S lE Ra l

Adrian

423 W. maumee st., adrian

Mon-Fri 9-5 / Sat 10-4

517.438.8263

www.neighborsofhope.com

Proceeds help the homeless and hurting. Antiques, vintage items, furniture, housewares, clothing & more.

1400 US 223. • Adrian Mon-Sat 9-8 / Sun Noon-5

517.263.2135

www.goodwillsemi.org

Shopping our stores in Adrian, Saline, Monroe and Lambertville helps to provide exceptional opportunities for people facing barriers in our community. Check out our eBay, Amazon, half.com and ShopGoodwill.org stores online at: http://goodwillsemi.org/shopping

1025 E. US 223 • Adrian Tue - Sat10 -5 517.266.0746

Donations and purchases help to build and repair homes in Lenawee County! Selling new and gently-used donated building supplies, appliances, and furniture

795 Division St. • Adrian Mon-Fri 9-5 • Sat 10 -4

517.266.7002

www.helpinghandsthriftstore.org

Gently-used quality furniture, appliances, household, art, tools, med sical beds, antiques Donations welcome. Some free pick-ups. Call for details.

HILLSDALE

Family Store & Donation center

2940 W. carleton, hillsdale

Mon -Sat 10 - 7

517.439.1202

New and gently-used items including clothing for men, women and children, housewares, kitchen wares, home decor, furniture, books, electronics, jewelry, collectibles. Donations are tax-deductible & always accepted.

Reading

125 s main, reading Fri & Sat • 9-5

517.283.1888

Clothes, household items, holiday decor, small appliances, books, movies, toys, games, and occasional vintage. All items are clean & cheap! Taking garage sale leftovers & estates.

Resale shopping is one of the fastest-growing retail categories today, and we wanted to introduce you to some of our favorites! Be sure to check the listings in each issue for new updates and special offers exclusively for Simply Hers readers.

Happy trails!

ma RR iag E, m e no pa u sE and mutt S - o H my !

by peggie bildner

Well, after last issue’s exercise in transparency, i’m still married! but to take a little heat off, i thought this time i’d just share some observations and brief snippets about this crazy life :

MARRIAGE ~

the concept of “slipping into something more comfortable” has taken on new meaning at this age and after 38 years of marriage. the other night as i came into the room dressed in my blue pajamas, pink robe and purple slipper socks, buzz looked up from his iPad and (with absolutely no change in expression) asked, “What circus are you joining?!”

and, if the neighbors are wondering why they hear me yelling, here’s a common morning scene….

ME (to Buzz): Have you put in your hearing aids this morning?

buZZ: What?

ME (louder): Have. You. Put. In. Your. Hearing Aids??

buZZ: huh??

ME (screaming): HEARING AIDS???

buZZ: i can’t hear you—what???

me: never mind . . . .

MeNOpaUsE ~

Memory loss (aka brain fog) has its advantages. You don’t worry as much because you can’t remember what you were worried about. i did feel a little silly, though, when i donated a bunch of books to a fundraiser and then ended up buying one of them back at the sale! the worst part is that i got several chapters in before i realized it!

and speaking of celebrating the advantages of “maturity,” i’m thinking if my eyes get any droopier, i can streamline my makeup routine. i will be able to draw one line, blink and just like that, i will have put on eyebrows, eyeliner and eyeshadow!

What is with this new goal of young women to have a “thigh gap” all about?? geez, i feel like it’s a good day if i can walk across the room without the thigh-friction starting a fire!

and MUTTS ~ got all warm and fuzzy inside the other day when i heard buzz say, “you’re too busy being fabulous!” i turned around to give him my best thank-you-sweetest-husband-ever smile only to see that he was talking to the DOG!

Katie and Buzz have both claimed the same chair (a soft, buttery, leather recliner) for their own. It gets pitiful when Katie sits and stares at him, even giving him dirty looks and whining, until he gets up and lets her have the chair! We tried buying her own little beanbag chair. but this is how it played out . . . .

BY Melissa McCance

A Passion for Hunting ...

Vi ewing the photo of stephanie ray with the 250-pound wild hog she shot last spring, you can’t help being amazed. she didn’t grow up as a hunter, but in her mid-20s she went along with a friend who was deer hunting. after watching him get a buck, she thought, “i can do that!” stephanie got some firearms training, went deer hunting herself, and was hooked on the experience with her first buck, shot with her bow.

stephanie doesn’t hesitate when asked what it is she loves about hunting. “first, it’s the challenge. second, it’s being outdoors— deep in the woods. i love that i’m feeding myself; I never buy beef, anymore. My freezer is stocked with venison and other wild game. i like the shared experience when hunting with friends and family, and the feeling of accomplishment.”

it’s not only through hunting that stephanie accomplishes things. raised in sylvania, ohio, she attended ohio state for her undergraduate education where she also ran track. she continued on to graduate school at ohio state and completed her doctorate in physical therapy in 2008. stephanie is currently employed as the facility manager of athletico physical therapy in hillsdale where she oversees a team of physical therapists.

besides deer, stephanie hunts turkeys, waterfowl (ducks and geese), and small game like rabbits and squirrels. the enormous wild hog was taken on a trip to oklahoma, and you hear the pride in her voice when she tells you that not only was it one of the largest ever taken on that property, but that she took it down while hunting by herself. she laughs about the

conversation when she called the others in her group to get help dragging her prize out of the woods. “so, how much help do you need?”“a lot.”“how big is it?”“big . . . really big.”

stephanie posts her hunting and fishing experiences on instagram where she has almost 25,000 followers. she loves how social media connects her with others who share her passion. In the fall of 2017, a group of women from flint that she met through Instagram joined her for a women-only waterfowl hunt. they met at one woman’s house, set up the decoys, did the calling, and handled the clean-up. Stephanie reports that they all took their limit in geese as well as getting some ducks.

Nearly 9,000 years ago, receding glaciers shaped the beautiful shorelines of the great lakes. Since then, many of Michigan’s natural wonders including forests, cliffs, and sand dunes have been left untouched.

Michigan’s state parks protect these must-see lakeshores, lighthouses, and museums.

stephanie has established partnerships with a number of companies that manufacture hunting and fishing gear in the industry. she is a michigan rep—and the third female rep

nationally—for CVA which produces muzzleloaders and single-shot rifles. Stephanie is also linked with Hunter’s Haul (a subscription box service for hunters), lucky tackle box, bison coolers, legendary Whitetails, Clenzoil USA, Vapor Trail Archery (bow accessories), and Ochocos (which Stephanie describes as “the amazon of the outdoors”).

to get a sound and safe start in hunting, stephanie recommends hunter safety education as a first. she also advises learning from your mistakes, connecting to the hunting community for advice from experienced hunters, searching youtube for tutorial videos, and finding the hunting channels. to keep up with stephanie’s future hunting and fishing exploits, follow her instagram feed: the_gazelle_16.

By Diane k Clow Sewist

keeping it in Stitches p ull

during my banking career, i worked with an amazing young manager. she worked alongside her staff, never asking them to do what she wouldn’t herself. she was firm but fair she had a wonderful sense of humor and understood the power and value of being supportive and acknowledging efforts. her office wall posted, “pull up your big girl panties and deal with it!” this was a message both to amber and those in her depar tment.

in June, our one and only daughter married. Kelly and Joe planned this once-in-a-lifetime celebration for over a year. as the groom’s family was from out of state, plans included a friday picnic for family introductions, a saturday wedding, and a sunday brunch all held at the rustic elegance of pokagon state park’s potawatomi inn. the setting was amazing, the decorations beautiful everything was planned to perfection. but, as we all know, “man plans. god laughs.”

you expect little hiccups. a forgotten vase for the bride’s bouquet, a last minute run for nuts and mints. each one so small that you think, “if this is the worst thing to happen . . . .”, and then it begins

by noon, the decision was made to move the outdoor 2:00 p.m. wedding ceremony inside due to the threat of rain. Just before 2:00, the sun briefly came out. the indoor ceremony was lovely and very emotional. so when the rings rolled off the officiant’s notes to the floor while performing the rites, it lightened the mood— perfectly.

since the sun came out, wedding pictures could take place outside near the gardens, the lake, old gnarled trees, and the infamous bobsled run. guests were treated to hors d’oeuvres and drinks until the bride and groom joined in. everyone

was seated for dinner, and the ambience of a darkened room made for a romantic setting. only, the darkened room was a gift from mother nature, as a storm came up and the power went out. now pokagon has its own water source, which means its availability is tied to the electric source. Which meant no running water and no flushing toilets. for 125 guests. however, water was readily available where it was pouring in under doorways from the driving rain.

the bride and groom took it all in stride until the dJ inquired if, due to the lack of electricity, should he call it a night. overwhelmed, the bride excused herself, and, trailed by her girlfriends, she went downstairs to her patio-level room (from which she was to have ascended the stairs to the upper patio overlooking the lake to be married had the weather cooperated). off came the wedding gown, libations were distributed, and the bride stood in a button-up shirt, shorts, and her not-yet-tossed garter. Moments later she looked over to me and said, “i’ve got to pull up my big girl panties and go back up there, don’t i?”

long story shor t: two tornadoes, three hours of power outage, two portable generators (one of which caught on fire) and then it turned into a wonderful evening! truly. a ring of candles from the guests’ tables was placed on the floor for the bride and groom’s first dance. it was intimate and magical by candlelight. cake was served and guests hung in there. at eight o’clock, the lights came on, toilets flushed, and all the agenda’s planned items took place. speeches and toasts were made, the groom’s video of courtship photos was played, everyone danced, and a conga line formed.

sometimes you just have to pull ’em up and deal with it. congratulations Kelly and Joe, as stories of this day will be keeping us in stitches for years to come!

and Long Arm Quilter Eversew Quilted

a bored pet can be destructive in its efforts to entertain itself, and chronic boredom may lead to depression. this is a particular concern for small mammals which spend a lot time confined to cages. i f your household includes these little furballs, consider the suggestions given below to add stimulation and variety to their lives. also, never forget that rodents’ incisors grow continuously and must be worn down through gnawing. consult a vet or pet supply store for the best options to give your pets this essential cage feature.

Gerbils are diggers and burrowers, so layering their habitats with materials that allow for this will let them “do what comes naturally.” this is different from what you provide for bedding, so be sure to have both in the cage. one combination that seems to work for gerbil owners is wood shavings mixed with hay. (Check your pet supply store for hay that is safe for them.) they also need toys, cage furniture, and running wheels.

Hamsters also enjoy digging and burrowing, so give them an area where the bedding is deep and small shelters where they can create little nests.

Mice might be the smallest of these creatures, but in the wild they range widely and create networks of tunnels and nests. your mice will be happiest if you give them cage furniture and/or multi-level caging so they can build a system that resembles their natural habitats. nesting material that’s a combination of soft cloth and long strips of paper seems to be very popular with mice.

pet talk

by melissa mccance

Rabbits and guinea pigs have two basic behavioral needs: security (i.e., hiding) and continual grazing. Since guinea pigs do not build nests at all and female rabbits do only when about to give birth, nesting material is not an issue. however, make sure you provide houses where they can hide. also, guinea pigs lik e to be able to wander the perimeter of their cages, so don’t put things in places that will block this.

Rats do best in complex environments that allow them to climb and explore. a natural movement for rats is to rise up on their hind legs, and owners should ensure that their housing gives them the freedom to do this.

i f you can, consider group housing for your rodents. research has shown that rats, gerbils, and guinea pigs usually get along well with others of their kind and will choose group housing when it’s offered. however, be careful about having more than one male mouse in a group or more than one female hamster, as there could be fighting.

remember that there’s more to having pets than just “having” them. no one likes to live in constant boredom and that includes small mammals. make an effor t to provide them with the variety they need, and you will have much happier pets.

i nformation for this article was drawn from “Enrichment for small mammals—what owners need to know” by pritt & h ickman.

Jacoby is a year-old, shorthair tabby. He is social with other cats and has been around dogs. he loves to be held and will almost always purr when he is petted. Jacoby will make an excellent pet for an individual or an entire family.

he is neutered and up to date on his medical needs. adoption fee: 60.00

blitzen, originally found as an emaciated street dog in detroit, spent seven months out of her young life with us searching desperately for a new home. this girl now needs you more than ever. blitzen shuts down in the shelter because she needs to be with people. We don’t want her to give up on life--not when we know the perfect one is out there, so please, please help us save her! blitzen prefers to be the only pet but she loves humans of all shapes and sizes. apply to adopt or foster this beautiful girl online at lenhumanesoc.org or in person at lenawee humane society and we’ll set you up on your first date!

p s blitzen has been dna tested thanks to aranda dog training! that’s how we know the breed mix.

with Peanut

Happy

We know that many of you wait all year for halloween fun, and we’re going to help you find the perfect event! We’ve also included some spots that may not have haunted houses and corn mazes but do have pumpkin patches and fall décor to beautify your home. as always, we strongly recommend that you contact the venue before heading out, because we go to press well in advance of when these events begin.

HILLSDALE COUNTY

Crossroads Farm

5520 Card Rd., Reading

517-283-3982

www.crossroadsfarm.org

open fridays and saturday only throughout october, this annual corn maze event is completely family-friendly. Adult admission is $5, students are $3, and anyone under age 5 is free. the maze will be closed to the public on 10/19 and 10/20 for the EVER-POPULAR teen murder m ystery corn maze. contact crossroads farm for more details.

DarkSyde Acres Haunted House

11375 Rowe Rd., Jonesville

517-549-5100

www.darksydeacres.com

multiple indoor and outdoor attractions i ndoor attractions are rated “very scary” while the outdoor sites are family-friendly. Five haunted house attractions are included in one ticket price. Venue includes a refreshment stand, gift shop, indoor waiting, and free parking. show your military id for free admission! Venue is open Fridays from september 21 to november 2, saturdays from september 15 to November 3, and (of course) on halloween.

Glei’s Orchards

3500 m ilnes rd., h illsdale

517-437-4495

www.gleisinc.com

Pick up some freshly-pressed cider, choose your jack o’ lantern pumpkins, select beautiful fall decorations, and finish up with a dozen delicious doughnuts.

Meckley’s Flavor Fruit Farm

Pumpkin Patch

10951 S. Jackson Rd

Somerset Center

517-688-3455

www.flavorfruitfarm.com

a great site for a nice family outing without the scary stuff! Kid-friendly hayrides and corn maze, pumpkin patch, gift shop, bakery, and other attractions. free park ing.

Stock’s Haunted Mill

115 E. Bacon, Hillsdale

this is a milder haunted house suitable for all but the very youngest or most timid children. this venue is free of blood, gore, and guts, going for a different approach. refreshments are available. message them through facebook for more details

JACKSON COUNTY

Corpse Barn Shock Haunt

6220 Brooklyn Rd., Jackson (Napoleon) 517-206-3211

www.corpsebarn.com

r ated ver y scary, this indoor haunted house has upped its live scares from 70 to 80! Described as an “interactive, high energy shock haunt,” there are glow-in-the-dark wristbands available for younger guests that cue the performers to tone things down a bit. the interactive indoor waiting area is an experience in itself! they have held a couple of specialty nights in the past; contact the venue to see if these are on tap for 2018. free park ing.

LENAWEE COUNTY

Carpenter Farms Pumpkins

2534 E US Hwy 223, Adrian 517-265-8399

www.carpenterfarmsadrian. com

lots of fall fun at carpenter farms! there’s a corn maze and two corn pits (one each for older and younger children); hayrides; indoor straw maze and pit (equipped with rope swing, slide, tunnel, and other features); farm animal petting zoo; many varieties of pumpkins, gourds, and squash; and free pony rides (check the website for dates).

Kapnick Orchards

4245 Rogers Hwy., Britton 517-423-7419

www.kapnickorchards.com select your per fect pumpkin while enjoying the fall weather at Kapnick orchards. as pumpkin pickers ride in a wagon to the apple orchard and pumpkin patch, they also enjoy a trip through the decorated woods where there are many fun, non-scary things to see.

Fall Golfing

in Michigan t

written By: michigan tourism

he days are shorter and the air is getting crisp, but Michigan golfers are still teeing up! Michigan is on its way to transforming into an explosion of reds, yellows, and oranges around the greens and fairways. there are stunning fall views and golf destinations in every region of the great lakes State.

Northern Michigan

Arthur Hills Course at Boyne Highlands –Harbor Springs

Boyne is known for premier skiing in the wintertime, but nothing beats the view from the 13th tee on the h ills course in peak fall color. this arthur h ills design is a must-play for every serious golfer. Make it a long weekend and stay in one of Boyne Highlands’ deluxe hotel rooms, condos, or cottages. for even more fun, Boyne Highlands offers an adventure pass which includes unlimited ziplining, s egway tours, horseback riding, and chairlift rides!

Northeast Michigan

Jones Masterpiece at Treetops – Gaylord

Gaylord is known as america’s summer g olf m ecca, but it only gets better in the fall. the m asterpiece course at treetops sits at the

highest city elevation in the lower peninsula making each tur n just as breathtaking as the last. With multiple nationally ranked courses in the area and hotels and resorts with spectacular packages, Gaylord should be on your fall golf bucket list. While in Gaylord, it is worth it to stop at t Elk Park to view the massive, beautiful herd. across the street, you can also visit Call of the Wild, a museum containing 60 displays of north american animals

Southeast Michigan

Shepherd’s Hollow Golf Club – Clarkston the second arthur h ills course on our list, shepherd ’s hollow g olf club truly is a course of beaut y. located just north of d etroit, the rolling hills and forest-lined greens would make you believe you were golfing in norther n m ichigan but with a much shorter commute. located in the middle

of a 25-acre pine forest, the clubhouse is a sanctuary equipped with full service locker rooms and an elegant restaurant featuring vegetables and fruit from a garden right outside its double doors.

West Michigan

Stonehedge Courses at Gull Lake –Augusta

m idway between Kalamazoo and battle creek sits the north and s outh stonehedge courses at Gull Lake View Golf Course and Resort. The five-course empire is located near the lake m ichigan shoreline which will k eep you feeling refreshed in the perfect autumn weather. i f you need an extra round, experience the newest course at the resort – Stoatin Brae fall is a great time to hike or bike the Kal haven trail or spend the day exploring the Binder Park Zoo

Upper Peninsula

Greywalls at Marquette Golf Club – Marquette the dramatic Greywalls course at m arquette is probably the first course to visit if you can’t wait for the fall color; the colors begin to change around mid-September to the first week of October. this course is set high above lake superior with dynamic color coming from maple and birch trees and there are granite rock formations jutting out along the course. i f golf and food sound the like the perfect pairing, a piping hot pasty from Lawry’s Pasty Shop s the perfect post-golf snack in the fall.

To plan your trip, visit michigan.org/golf or see some of the best holes available in m ichigan at michigan.org//puremichigan18.

each year, more than 600 communities throughout the unites states par ticipate in the world’s largest event to raise funds and awareness for Alzheimer’s disease: The Walk to End Alzheimer’s. This year, Visiting angels of adrian has taken a unique approach to raising not only donations but also hope to find a cure.

Thirty-three miles is the distance that separates Visiting Angels adrian from the alzheimer’s association in ann arbor, m ichigan. to many people, 33 miles sounds like an impossible task to cover by foot. Visiting Angels owner Tim Welbaum and business operator Scott Doney are taking this feat a step further by adding 35-pound ruck sacks to the march, challenging themselves in an effort to raise awareness.

Welbaum and doney are both u s army combat veterans who have continued to serve our country through their Visiting Angels franchise. their mission is simple: “providing liberty and dignity through Service.” As a locally owned and operated business, Visiting Angels south central m ichigan is honored to care for local veterans, seniors, and disabled adults.

visiting angel veterans march to End alzheimer’s disease

When the opportunity came to participate in the 2018 Walk to end alzheimer’s, Welbaum wanted to make the event unique. by turning the walk into a long-distance, military-style march, Welbaum and doney will be traveling in solidarity with the seniors, families, and caregivers who face the struggles of alzheimer’s disease every day. “for us,” Welbaum said, “33 miles represent hope, continued research, and a dream to find the cure to this nasty disease.”

Welbaum and doney will embark on their “march” to end alzheimer’s on Friday, September 7, 2018. With a goal of raising $33,000 for Alzheimer’s awareness, support resources, and medical research, these two veterans are asking for your help.

Donations to the Visiting Angels Walk to End Alzheimer’s team can be made online or via mail. Visit their team page to make a contribution via credit card at http://act.alz.org/goto/Tim. Checks made payable to “The Alzheimer’s Association” can be sent to the Visiting angels adrian office at 235 n main street, adrian, m ichigan, 49221. i f you have any questions or would like to learn more about the Walk to End Alzheimer’s, please contact Tim Welbaum of Visiting Angels Adrian at (517) 920-4254.

Cotton Candy made fresh daily!

Custom made: Candy bouquets party favors

goody bags

wedding favors

Candy Cases

bulk Candy: ChoColate gummies

wrapped Candy

name brands: m&m Color works

Jelly belly sanders Candy

hammond’s lollipops

albanese gummies

taffy town and more!

fire features

MakE aN OUTDOOR liviNG aREa COMFY lONG aFTER THE lEavES TURN W

HEaTER , a GlOWiNG FiREPiT, OR PORTaBlE FiREPl aCE.

Fire Pits — Bring a cozy glow and a stylish focal point to your outdoor living area with a firepit or portable fireplace. Irresistible for gathering, warming up, and roasting marshmallows, firepits and portable fireplaces come in a variety of materials, sizes, and styles.

Heaters — Boost the warmth of your outdoor living area by as much as 15-25 degrees in the fall or spring with the addition of a portable patio heater. You’ll find three basic models. Freestanding units resemble large floor lamps. Tabletop patio heaters rest on a table, bench, or garden wall. These compact units typically produce less heat than tall, freestanding models. Ceiling- or wall-mount patio heaters free up floor and table space, and typically emit heat via a halogen lamp.

Make your selection based on how much outdoor living area you want to heat and whether you want a model powered by electricity or natural gas or with a propane tank, which allows mobility.

Ogden Hwy • Adrian brownandsonsroofingsiding.com

3rd

Annual PATrioT’S DAy Fly-in Breakfast

GET YOUR MOTORS RUNNIN’...

Sun • Sept 9th 7 AM - 2 PM

Hillsdale Municipal Airport

Rain or Shine

Children (12 & under) - $4

Adults - $7

Military Display airplane rides - $30 experimental aircraft Helicopter rides - $35 reserve your seat on a c-47 - $95 (www.yankeeairmuseum.org/fly)

classic car show

(sponsored by the Bi-/centtennial car club)

SAT • SEPT 15TH 9 AM - 2 PM

VISIT STILLWELL FORD LINCOLN’S

FACEBOOK PAGE

& SIGN UP TO WIN A PRIZE

— FREE ENTRY—

DONUTS & CIDER

FOOD VENDORS ON SITE

50/50 Drawing

( Donations To Coats For The Community)

AWARDS & DOOR PRIZES

DASH PLAQUES

Come On Readers... Show us the Magazine!

Human tRaFFicking

We so appreciate our advertising partners and their cooperation in helping us distribute each issue of Simply Hers. But, sometimes people don’t realize how easy it to find, so we thought it would be FUN TO SHOW WHERE YOU PICK UP YOUR COPY! Take a photo of yourself with the latest Simply Hers in or in front of the store or restaurant where you picked it up. Then post it on our FB page to be entered to WIN a $25 gift certificate to El Cerrito !! (One winner weekly)

Pretty. Pretty. Pumpkin.

Pumpkins are most definitely not just for Halloween. Here are some quick and easy ways to use the versatile little gourd to add a festive touch to your home.

PUmPKIN FlORAl ARRANgEmENT gather your favorite flowers and the prettiest pumpkin you can find. Be sure to look for a flat bottom so it will sit well. Clean the pumpkin, scoop out the insides and line with a plastic bag, then fill with potting soil and add the arrangement. Easy as pumpkin pie.

mUmS THE WORd

magic happens when you combine two of the most colorful items that fall has to offer. Simply clean out the pumpkin, add soil and mums.

PAINT A PERFECT PUmPKIN

Add style with a few brush strokes and some gold and black paint. Use smaller gourds on the mantel while placing larger sizes on the floor or tables.

mUmS ROUNd TWO!

looking for a focal point for your next party? Use an awl to poke holes into a pumpkin and insert mums stems until completely covered. Keep cold until the event.

BRINg SOmE TO THE PARTY

White or green pumpkins will add a festive touch as well as height to your serving table.

mINI PUmPKIN WREATH

This wreath can be made in minutes. Start with a grape-vine wreath from the store and using floral picks and wire add mini white pumpkins and seasonal greenery to make it just the way you like it.

PUmPKIN TOPIARY

Start with a variety of bowls. Use florist foam to fill each bowl and stack them together. Then add pumpkins and fill in with herbs, berries, peppers or anything that tickles your fancy.

Even if you aren’t crazy about fall because it’s followed by winter, most of us love seeing those fall dishes with their sweet or spicy autumn flavors, especially apple and pumpkin! We’ve collected a quartet of recipes featuring these seasonal favorites. Enjoy!

pumpkin pie overnight oats

1 serving

Ingredients

1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (gluten-free, if needed)

1/3 cup pumpkin puree

1/3 cup almond milk

1 teaspoon chia seeds

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon pure maple syrup

Toppings: chopped pecans, pure maple syrup

directions place all the ingredients except toppings in a jar or other container with a tightly-fitting lid and give them a good stir. cover and refrigerate overnight or at least five hours. i n the morning, add additional liquid if you’d like. once you achieve the desired consistency, add the toppings.

recipe from www.foodnetwork.com

pumpkin pie protein Smoothie

2 servings

Ingredients:

1 frozen banana

1/2 cup (120g) vanilla Greek yogurt

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

1/2 cup skim milk

2 tablespoons pure maple syrup

2/3 cup pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)

1 cup ice

directions: make sure you have a strong, powerful blender. add all of the ingredients to the blender in the order listed. blend on high for at least three minutes or until smooth. this may take longer if your blender isn’t very strong. scrape down the sides of the blender as needed. add more milk to thin out if it is too thick. add a couple more ice cubes for a thicker texture, if desired. add more spices to taste, if desired.

recipe from www.sallysbakingaddiction.com

Herbed pork Roast & apples

14 servings

Ingredients

1 teaspoon dried sage

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

1 teaspoon dried marjoram

salt and pepper to taste

6 pounds pork loin roast

4 tart apples - peeled, cored, cut into 1” chunks

1 red onion, chopped

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1 cup apple juice

2/3 cup real maple syrup

directions

i n a small bowl, combine the sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, salt and pepper. rub over roast. cover and refrigerate roast for 6 to 8 hours or overnight.

preheat oven to 325°. place roast in a shallow roasting pan and bake in the preheated oven for 1 to 1 1/2 hours. drain fat.

i n a medium bowl, mix apples and onion with brown sugar. spoon around the roast and continue to cook for one hour more or until the internal temperature of the roast is 145°. transfer the roast, apples, and onion to a serving platter and keep warm.

to make the gravy, skim excess fat from meat juices. pour drippings into a medium heavy skillet. stir in apple juice and syrup. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until liquid has been reduced by half, about 1 cup. slice the roast and ser ve with gravy.

recipe from www.allrecipes.com

baked apples with crisp topping

4 servings

Ingredients

2 apples (recommended: Fuji or McIntosh)

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1/4 cup strawberry jam, jelly, or preserves

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons butter, cold and diced

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1/2 cup oats, uncooked

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Pinch salt

directions

preheat oven to 350°.

cut each apple in half along its equator. using a melon baller, cut out each side of the core, creating a rounded hole. rub exposed apple flesh with lemon juice. place 1 tablespoon of jam into each hole. for the topping: in a small bowl mix together flour, butter, brown sugar, oats, cinnamon, and salt. press this mixture on the top of each apple, covering jam. place in a baking dish filled with about a ¼” of water. bake until top is golden brown and apple is tender, about 35 to 40 minutes.

recipe from www.foodnetwork.com

St. peter’s Free clinic a Delightful evening to Benefit a great cause!

by melissa mccance

enjoy sampling delicious food and beverages while helping st. peter’s free clinic by attending the 14th annual taste of autumn slated for saturday, october 20. food from many area vendors will be available along with michigan wines and craft beers. the event is at the elks lodge, located at 60 n manning st., hillsdale. tickets are $50 per person and are limited to 100, so don’t delay if you’re interested in being part of this popular evening!

established in 2002 to ser ve uninsured and underinsured hillsdale county residents, st. peter’s free clinic is located within st. peter’s Episcopal Church at 3 N. Broad St. in Hillsdale; the entrance to the clinic is on the south side of the church. besides being seen by medical providers, patients also have access to an onsite pharmacy for non-narcotic medication such as blood pressure drugs and can get help with navigating the enrollment process for insurance coverage through the affordable care act.

executive director Jamie bauerly and Volunteer Coordinator Linda Monnich are the only paid staff members at the clinic. Jill pavka, the first executive director, came onboard when the clinic began, and Jamie took the reins in January, 2017, having already been part of the clinic staff as a volunteer

and board member. a total of seven medical providers—some physicians and some midlevel providers—are joined by three registered nurses and three pharmacists to treat and assist the patients. the medical personnel are there on a rotating basis, although Jamie says that some are there nearly every time the clinic is open.

There are also non-medical volunteers who set up before the doors open, staff the welcome desk, do coding on patient charts, help with pharmacy paperwork, and feed the staff dinner on clinic nights. all the food is donated, and Jamie says it’s not uncommon for everyone to share in a group meal once all the patients have been treated. “it makes for a nice opportunity to talk and relax together,” she explains.

all proceeds from the taste of autumn will go towards the clinic’s operation. tickets must be purchased in advance. you can reserve yours by calling the clinic at 437-4041 or stopping by during office hours: 9 am to 4 pm on mondays, 9 am until the last patient is seen on tuesdays, and 9 am to noon on Wednesdays. once you have reserved your tickets, you can pick them up in person at the clinic or mail in a check and the tickets will be held for you at the door. Jamie advises that event usually sells out, so don’t wait!

We are the proud new owners of the Lenawee Farm Bureau Oil Co-Op in Adrian. Our goal is to be a great neighbor — and we will do this by investing in our community, employees and facilities. As an example, we’re adding propane delivery service to the Lenawee, Monroe, Washtenaw, Jackson and Hillsdale county area.

Hillsdale Hospital continually strives to provide quality services in order to meet the needs of Hillsdale County in a challenging medical era.

Through the years, the county has grown and healthcare has advanced.  Hillsdale Hospital has continued to expand their physical plant, services, and expertise to meet the needs of the community.  With a philosophy to continually strive for excellence, Hillsdale Hospital has grown into a state-of-the-art facility that serves Hillsdale County residents and attracts patients from many surrounding areas.

Hillsdale Hospital manages the health needs of our local community through compassionate and highly skilled care in our clean, safe, healing environment.

BariatricSurgery/GastricSleeve

Behavioral Health

BoneDensity

Cardiac Care

Cardiac Rehab

Cardiopulmonary

CT Scan

Dermatology

Diabetes Education

EmergencyServices

Gastroenterology

General Medicine

GeneralSurgery

Health Promotion and Educational Services

Home Health Care

HomeOxygen

Laboratory

Intensive Care

Internal Medicine

JointReplacement

Laparoscopic

NutritionalCounseling

Obstetrics/Gynecology

OccupationalTherapy

Ophthalmology

Orthopedics

Pain Clinic

Pathology

Mammography -3D

Midwifery

MRI

Nuclear Medicine

Neurology

Pediatrics

PediatricOphthalmology

Pharmacy

PhysicalTherapy

Podiatry

PsychiatricUnit

Pulmonary

PulmonaryRehab

Radiology RemoteHealthMonitoring

SexualAssaultProgram

SkilledNursingFacility

SleepStudy

SpeechTherapy

TeleStroke

Ultrasound

Urology

WeightLossSurgery/GastricSleeve

Women’s Health Services

Wound Care