Did you ever have a week when you felt depressed and blue? The years have gone too fast, what am I supposed to do? In spite of a daily pep talk and an effort to squelch a tear If I were a drinking woman, I’d be crying in my beer. Down deep in my heart, I know why I’m sad God put my life on fast forward, and I’m kinda mad.
I’ve done all the things I’m expected to do And accomplished a few extra things too I recall regrets in my life (quite a few) But we all have regrets, this is nothing new.
Those promised golden years are tarnished at best I sometimes think I’m being put to a test, Just when life should get easier it’s not that way We squat down or bend over and hurt all day. Word games keep my mind alert, I even play for two I even assemble puzzles … a cool thing to do.
So I’m dragging my heels Being stubborn, you see Grow old gracefully? Never! … Not me! I’ll be 98 on the 12th, give me a call then My birthday will be over and I can smile again.
Volunteers Cheryl Riekena and Ruth Garrett receive a check from Cindy Miller.
For the last three Decembers, the Schoolcraft Hardings storeowners and managers Dale and Cindy Miller have designated the Eagles Nest, a non-profit which includes a food pantry and the Schoolcraft backpack program, to receive proceeds from a fundraiser.
With the help of local shoppers and the Schoolcraft community, this year’s drive provided over $4,000 to support the local food pantry. Receiving the check are Cheryl Riekena and Ruth Garrett, two retirees who once a month pack about 35 grocery bags of food for senior citizens. They also shelve and organize food and help keep the Eagles Nest clean.
Bookflix – All during the month of March we will be featuring books that are now streaming on a variety of streaming services! Read before you watch!
Read Across America – March 2-9. Engage in READING BINGO, take home crafts, scavenger hunts and other activities for a chance to earn a cool Dr. Seuss pencil and topper.
Tot Time and Story Time – Tot Time will resume Tuesdays in March at 9:30 a.m. with optional free play from 10-10:30 a.m. Followed by Story Time from 11-11:45 a.m. Tot time ages 18-36 months., Story Time ages 3-6 years.
Take and Makes – Available all month for ages 3 and up.
Prairie Page Turners Book Club – March 13 at 2 p.m. Book Club pick is “Night of Miracles” by Elizabeth Berg.
Friends Meeting March 13 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the library. The Friends meet every second Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. For more information contact Brooke Matyas at matyas.brooke@gmail.com.
WONKA – March 27 1:30-3:30 p.m. Showing in the Robert Crissman Community Room. This movie is rated PG. Sign-ups available in March.
Eclipse Series Event—March 25 at 5:30 p.m. Richard Bell from the Kalamazoo Astronomical Society presents a program in anticipation of the April 8 event. All ages welcome and free glasses given out at the event. Look for registration in the coming weeks.
We Both Read – New collection of books for parent and child to read together.
Mary Judnich, regional manager for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow’s West Michigan office, came to Schoolcraft Junior/Senior High February 7 to speak with the eighth grade students about herself, her job, and the senator.
Judnich was invited to Schoolcraft by eighth grade social studies teacher Karl Schook. “While 8th graders receive a comprehensive study of the U.S. Constitution and the system of government it creates, it can be a bit abstract for young people who aren’t yet active voters,” explained Schook. “The reason I reached out to various elected officials. . . was the hope that we could ‘humanize’ government and make [it] more real for the students.”
Thanks to US Senator Debbie Stabenow’s office, Schook was able to provide the students with the experience he’d been hoping for. Judnich’s charisma allowed her to be both informative and humorous, appealing to the minds of her young audience. But Schook and the students weren’t the only ones who enjoyed Ms. Judnich’s visit.
She did as well. “I love talking to students. If we can get people excited about government and their role, then it’s a pleasure to do that. . .”
And excited they were. Prior to her arrival, the eighth graders came up with numerous questions for Schook to send Ms. Judnich, as well as several more inquiries asked in person. The questions ranged from “Have you ever met the president?” (Yes, when he was vice-president) to “What’s the Senate like?” (“Every day is different.”) to “Would you consider yourself friends with Debbie Stabenow?” Judnich was happy to supply answers that were diligent, thorough, and engaging, further capturing the kids’ interest and attention.
“. . . I always love to hear from students,” Judnich mentioned. “I got great questions and [they] have great views.”
The students enjoyed listening to Judnich as well. Eighth grader Isabelle commented, “I think that Ms. Judnich was good at what she did. She gave a very informative speech. . .and she did a good job explaining some of the things that she does and how she got [her position] and ways to get there if you are interested in doing it. I think that she was very kind and she was very good at answering questions and she also explained a good amount. . .”
In addition to speaking about her duties as a regional manager and background in social work, Judnich also provided insight on how to apply to a military academy and gave helpful advice on voting: “If you never voice your opinion, you’ll never know if it will make a difference.”
Afterwards, Judnich made time to speak to students one-on-one, answering all of their remaining questions.
But was Judnich able to ‘humanize the US government in only one visit?
“Based on the feedback I received from our students,” answered Schook, “that goal was accomplished.”
After graduating 6 of 7 bowlers in 2023 on the girls bowling team and 2 on the boys team, coaches knew it was going to be a rebuilding year.
Joining returning junior Addison Haley on the girls’ team this year were seniors Ella Teague, Celia Gerfen and Megan Dykema and freshmen Allison Reed and Elli Lint. The girls finished regular season with a 7-6 overall record and a 6-6 record in the Valley Division of the SAC Conference. The SAC Conference Tournament was held on February 16 at Airway Lanes. Haley, Reed, Gerfen and Dykema were recognized for making Honorable Mention All-Conference. The Golden Eagle Girls team finished in 5th place of 11 teams bowling.
The Schoolcraft boys team grew this year with many new bowlers: seniors Aiden Carpenter, Riley Reed, Slater Endres, junior Cooper Blum, sophomore Brady Chobot, and freshmen Logan Haley, Caden Fritts, Jackson Watterson and Leeland Perry. Returning bowlers were sophomore Cayden Verburg, juniors Braden Kroetsch, Nathaniel Jirkans, Ethan DenHartigh, Carter Parlin, Lucas Hamelink, Lukas Rinderspacher, Garret Dzierzyc, and seniors Hunter Barkalow and Ayden Remmert.
The boys finished regular season with a 5-6 record, going 4-6 in conference play. At the conference tournament the boys struggled and finished in 12th out of 15 teams competing.
Both teams headed south to Bronson Strike Zone on February 24 and 25 to compete in the Division 4 Region 27 Regional championships.
Schoolcraft girls finished in 6th place, falling short of the top 2 places needed to advance to the team state championship. The boys finished in 5th place, also falling short of the coveted top 2 spots.
To qualify for the March 2 individual state championship, bowlers needed to finish in the top 7. Megan Dykema finished in 14th place with a total of 828 total pinfall after 6 games, followed by Addison Haley in 18th with a total of 783. On the boys’ side, Lucas Hamelink punched his ticket to the Singles Division 4 State Championships in Muskegon by finishing in 7th place with a total pinfall of 964, just 2 pins ahead of 8th place Jonathon Rau of Kalamazoo Christian. Ayden Remmert tied for 27th with a total of 817.
Coaches are very optimistic about the enthusiasm they witnessed this season and are looking forward to growth over the summer.
