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Charlotte

Charlotte

Featured Story

Moms on Wheels

Kelsey Klont
Contributing Writer

(Photo Provided – An inspiring auto biography by Shannon Klann is available now.)

Many people may not know Shannon Klann, but one look at her new book and you will definitely be captivated by her awe-inspiring journey. Shannon lives in Charlotte with her three children and husband. She has a neuromuscular disease which was triggered by trauma from an accident, leaving her in a wheelchair. For all of her adult life Shannon has lived life in her wheelchair, including motherhood. She has recently released a new book, “Make it Work: Moms on Wheels” which tells her story of navigating motherhood from a wheelchair.

Shannon thought about writing this book 20 years ago. To start this endeavor she created a blog, “Moms on Wheels” where she talks about her life experiences. Motherhood can be hard for any woman, but for Shannon it was difficult because as she states in her memoir, “I have been confined to a wheelchair since well before the birth of my first child.” She explained, during a time when “I could not find any documentation on the subject, so I decided to write about my experiences in blog form, with the hopes that someone else in a similar situation might find it helpful,” Shannon says in her book. She has paved the way with her new autobiography, writing it for anyone who is in a wheelchair, telling her story going through motherhood.

For Shannon and her husband, Chris, it was a saving grace in 1998 when they found the baby brand Babee Tenda which made wheelchair friendly cribs and highchairs, before they went out of business. Upon conquering hardships in a wheelchair Shannon wants to encourage everybody to “overcome obstacles no matter the issue in the whole world.” This book is wheelchair parenting 101 and a positive resource for anyone who is in a wheelchair or mothering in difficult times.

Shannon shared that through this writing process she has found more healing, learned that she can be very expressive, and likes to help people with similar issues. The hope for readers to take away from her book she said is to find perseverance, resilience in the meaning of life, and power through with a little bit of determination and have a lot of Christian faith. From having the opportunity to meet and talk with Shannon myself I can say that she has overcome more than one’s fair share of obstacles and still has a positive outlook with her ability to give others encouragement that in any situation you can make it work.

So far, Shannon has received wonderful feedback and she said it feels so rewarding because it can be hard to be so transparent. You can get your own copy of “Make it Work: Moms on Wheels” on Amazon. Follow Shannon’s journey on Facebook at Make It Work and on Instagram at makeitworkwcparenting. Truly a tale of one woman’s remarkable life story.

Olivet

Olivet

Featured Story

Vietnam Veterans Annual Picnic

Christi Whiting 

Editor

(Photo Provided)

 

This year’s picnic is planned for August 26 at noon at Bennett Park in Charlotte. All Vietnam vets and their spouses are invited and should bring a dish to pass. Whistlepig BBQ in Charlotte will be furnishing pulled pork for the group, with water and place settings also provided. “As long as you guys meet, I’ll help you out,” Whistlepig BBQ owner Jason Strotheide told Jerry Taylor, one of the organizers of the now-annual event. “The guys appreciate this very much,” Taylor added. The last picnic was held in 2022 with 38 people attending.

Many veterans remember some tough stuff about their experience in the military during the Vietnam war. How they were treated when they returned home is especially painful. There were no parades or welcoming parties. Many were treated disrespectfully due to the war being so unpopular. They learned to hide their veteran status, and many have refused to discuss their experience in Vietnam over the years because of the attitudes that were directed toward them. 

Jerry Taylor, Dave Smith, Fred Meyers, and Darrell Gingrich – all Eaton County Vietnam veterans – decided to do something about it and started this back in 2017. They set out to bring as many Eaton County Vietnam veterans as possible together, as a kind of reunion, to talk, share stories, and reminisce about their mutual experiences. They organized a Vietnam veterans’ picnic and invited everyone that they knew to be a veteran of the conflict. “The stories and the camaraderie are what keep many vets coming back,” Taylor said. Taylor is the last man still alive from his unit, so there’s no chance of a reunion with those with whom he served. “We don’t want to see it end,” said Taylor. “We look forward to it.”

In addition to the annual picnic at Bennett Park, a group of Vietnam veterans also meets at the Charlotte Big Boy restaurant about 8 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. They have breakfast, and sit and talk about a little of everything, Taylor said, and they welcome others to join them.

They also utilize the services of Thomas Lewis, Veterans Service Officer for Eaton County. Lewis provides services for veterans and their spouses. “He’s great at helping folks out,” explained Taylor, “whether it’s death benefits, housing, education, insurance, pensions, or medical care, he’s there for us.”

For additional information about the veterans’ events contact Jerry Taylor at 517-242-3048.

Bellevue

Bellevue

Featured Story

Countryside Armory opens in Belleuve

Kelsey Klont
Contributing Writer

(Photo by Kelsey Klont/TCJ – Trevor Watson opened Countryside Armory on August 19.)

Countryside Armory is a new ammunition and gun shop in Bellevue. Owner Trevor Watson said he was surprised when he went to open the doors on August 19, 2023, and saw a line down the block!

Watson grew up in Hastings during his childhood and currently lives just north of Battle Creek. Watson and his wife Sarah, who works at Bronson Battle Creek Emergency Department, have a 17-year-old daughter and a 10-year-old son, who helps Trevor out at the store.

Watson shared that his inspiration for opening Countryside Armory came after he beat cancer. In May of 2022 he was diagnosed with Stage 3 Colorectal Cancer. Treatments included two types of chemo, radiation, and surgery – and he came out on top. When he became cancer free, he decided to do something that he has always wanted to do, get his Federal Firearm License (FFL). This license allows him to sell firearms out of a shop, and he knew Bellevue would be a good location for the Countryside Armory storefront because he likes the small-town feel and the community.

Watson said that he appreciates small businesses. He went on to say, “Small businesses are only as good as the service you provide to the community, so I try and make everyone feel appreciated.”

Countryside Armory sells a wide selection of popular firearms, ammunition, knives, and optics, as well as some bow accessories. Watson said he eventually would like to buy another building and make that a pistol range.

“Trevor specializes in all types of firearms needs, he can even special order anything you want. I have been one of his customers since the beginning and he has always taken great care of me. Trevor is very knowledgeable and friendly with all customers,” says longtime customer and brother-in-law, Nathan White.

Watson is very knowledgeable from his long experience in the firearm industry, he is even an approved contractor for the Department of Defense. Currently the staffing includes Trevor and one part-time employee. Countryside Armory just held a Labor Day sale, and there will be more sales coming in the future, including for opening season. You can find Countryside Armory located at 124 N. Main Street in Bellevue. Call them anytime at 269-298-9366. Hours are Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The business is closed on Sunday. To see what Countryside has in store for you please visit them on their website at www.countrysidearmory.com.

Eaton County

Eaton County

Featured Story

Moms on Wheels

Kelsey Klont
Contributing Writer

(Photo Provided – An inspiring auto biography by Shannon Klann is available now.)

Many people may not know Shannon Klann, but one look at her new book and you will definitely be captivated by her awe-inspiring journey. Shannon lives in Charlotte with her three children and husband. She has a neuromuscular disease which was triggered by trauma from an accident, leaving her in a wheelchair. For all of her adult life Shannon has lived life in her wheelchair, including motherhood. She has recently released a new book, “Make it Work: Moms on Wheels” which tells her story of navigating motherhood from a wheelchair.

Shannon thought about writing this book 20 years ago. To start this endeavor she created a blog, “Moms on Wheels” where she talks about her life experiences. Motherhood can be hard for any woman, but for Shannon it was difficult because as she states in her memoir, “I have been confined to a wheelchair since well before the birth of my first child.” She explained, during a time when “I could not find any documentation on the subject, so I decided to write about my experiences in blog form, with the hopes that someone else in a similar situation might find it helpful,” Shannon says in her book. She has paved the way with her new autobiography, writing it for anyone who is in a wheelchair, telling her story going through motherhood.

For Shannon and her husband, Chris, it was a saving grace in 1998 when they found the baby brand Babee Tenda which made wheelchair friendly cribs and highchairs, before they went out of business. Upon conquering hardships in a wheelchair Shannon wants to encourage everybody to “overcome obstacles no matter the issue in the whole world.” This book is wheelchair parenting 101 and a positive resource for anyone who is in a wheelchair or mothering in difficult times.

Shannon shared that through this writing process she has found more healing, learned that she can be very expressive, and likes to help people with similar issues. The hope for readers to take away from her book she said is to find perseverance, resilience in the meaning of life, and power through with a little bit of determination and have a lot of Christian faith. From having the opportunity to meet and talk with Shannon myself I can say that she has overcome more than one’s fair share of obstacles and still has a positive outlook with her ability to give others encouragement that in any situation you can make it work.

So far, Shannon has received wonderful feedback and she said it feels so rewarding because it can be hard to be so transparent. You can get your own copy of “Make it Work: Moms on Wheels” on Amazon. Follow Shannon’s journey on Facebook at Make It Work and on Instagram at makeitworkwcparenting. Truly a tale of one woman’s remarkable life story.

Vermontville

Vermontville

Featured Story

Great Lakes Bulk & Health Foods spices things up

Christine Terpening
Contributing Writer

(Photo by Christine Terpening)

Our Amish neighbors dot our local countryside adding beauty, culture and value to our community. A little drive down our back roads will lead you to hidden treasures. One such treasure, owned by Lamar and Rebecca Miller, lies just outside Vermontville village limits.

Great Lakes Bulk & Health Foods can help you check off the items on your grocery list whether you are cooking, baking or just satisfying a craving. Amish owned and Amish run, the store is located in the Vermontville countryside and well worth the drive. Large bulk portions to small, they carry baking supplies such as flour, dry yeast, corn syrup, molasses, vanilla, puddings and gelatins. Rows and rows of seasonings fill their shelves with a plethora of seasoning salts, fennel seeds, whole cloves, paprika, minced onion, red pepper and on and on and on. Rebecca Miller stated, “We carry healthy flour for healthy baking.”

Visit the meat and cheese counter for custom sliced Walnut Creek Foods Meat & Cheese. Many hard-to-find varieties of meat include hard salami, smoked hams, German bologna, roast beef and smoked turkey breast. The robust cheese selection includes varieties such as Muenster, pepper jack, white onion, horseradish, smoked hot pepper and old standbys such as Swiss, cheddar, provolone and colby.

Chips, pretzels and other salty treats pair well with an entire section dedicated to please any sweet tooth. Candies from old fashioneds like root beer barrels, caramel creams, buckeyes, circus peanuts and bubble gum to newer delights like M&Ms, sour gummi worms, and peanut butter cups.

“We make fresh deli sandwiches,” Miller added. Select your custom choices of meats, cheeses and toppings between two slices of homemade Amish bread. Stop by in the morning and get a sandwich to put in your lunch pail, bring the family for a unique experience, or just bring yourself because you deserve delicious food.

Whether you’re making a little or a lot of your favorite recipes, the aisles are filled with multiple sizes of your pantry essentials. Variety is the spice of life and that’s what you’ll find at this Amish treasure—food, staples, cleaning supplies, bird seed and gardening supplies are samplings of that variety. “We have quite a variety of baking supplies and spices,” Miller informed, “We want to have a store with the hard-to-find items that you can’t find in other stores.”

Great Lakes Bulk & Health Foods is located at 5680 Allegan Road in Vermontville and may be reached at (517)652-2686. Their open hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store is closed on Sunday. The deli and cheese counter closes one hour before the stores close for cleaning.

Potterville

Potterville

Featured Story

Vietnam Veterans Annual Picnic

Christi Whiting 

Editor

(Photo Provided)

 

This year’s picnic is planned for August 26 at noon at Bennett Park in Charlotte. All Vietnam vets and their spouses are invited and should bring a dish to pass. Whistlepig BBQ in Charlotte will be furnishing pulled pork for the group, with water and place settings also provided. “As long as you guys meet, I’ll help you out,” Whistlepig BBQ owner Jason Strotheide told Jerry Taylor, one of the organizers of the now-annual event. “The guys appreciate this very much,” Taylor added. The last picnic was held in 2022 with 38 people attending.

Many veterans remember some tough stuff about their experience in the military during the Vietnam war. How they were treated when they returned home is especially painful. There were no parades or welcoming parties. Many were treated disrespectfully due to the war being so unpopular. They learned to hide their veteran status, and many have refused to discuss their experience in Vietnam over the years because of the attitudes that were directed toward them. 

Jerry Taylor, Dave Smith, Fred Meyers, and Darrell Gingrich – all Eaton County Vietnam veterans – decided to do something about it and started this back in 2017. They set out to bring as many Eaton County Vietnam veterans as possible together, as a kind of reunion, to talk, share stories, and reminisce about their mutual experiences. They organized a Vietnam veterans’ picnic and invited everyone that they knew to be a veteran of the conflict. “The stories and the camaraderie are what keep many vets coming back,” Taylor said. Taylor is the last man still alive from his unit, so there’s no chance of a reunion with those with whom he served. “We don’t want to see it end,” said Taylor. “We look forward to it.”

In addition to the annual picnic at Bennett Park, a group of Vietnam veterans also meets at the Charlotte Big Boy restaurant about 8 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. They have breakfast, and sit and talk about a little of everything, Taylor said, and they welcome others to join them.

They also utilize the services of Thomas Lewis, Veterans Service Officer for Eaton County. Lewis provides services for veterans and their spouses. “He’s great at helping folks out,” explained Taylor, “whether it’s death benefits, housing, education, insurance, pensions, or medical care, he’s there for us.”

For additional information about the veterans’ events contact Jerry Taylor at 517-242-3048.

Eaton Rapids

Eaton Rapids

Featured Story

Eaton Rapids tennis program seeing plenty of growth

Ben Murphy
Contributing Writer

(Photo Provided)

A year ago, the Eaton Rapids boys’ tennis team was pretty young. In fact the Greyhounds had 10 underclassmen and just one senior on the roster.

“Our senior did an excellent job of leading the team and our young guys improved drastically,” third year head coach Jake Crandell said. “It was definitely a growing year, but we became more and more competitive as the year went on.”

There is still plenty of season left to be played, but Crandell can already see the benefits of his returning players having a year of experience and a crop of talented newcomers.

“This year has been a good year for the program,” he said. “We had an influx of guys of varying experience levels, and it has made the team stronger as a whole. We are still fairly young, and the guys are using their time this year to push each other to higher levels. They are improving every day and learning how to play competitively.”

With nearly 20 athletes coming to practices and meets each day, it has created quite the environment for the team. One that their coach is really happy to be a part of.

“One of my favorite things from this season is our numbers and our growth as a program,” Crandell said. “We have 17 guys on our roster this year and it’s a good group to work with. I’ve also enjoyed watching some of our younger guys step up as leaders here and there. That’s a credit to them and to our senior leader last year showing the team what’s expected of a leader.”

Sophomore Isaac Hokanson has been playing first singles this year. Despite going up against many juniors and seniors, he has held his own.

“Last year he played first doubles as a freshman, so he’s seen some competitive play, but first singles this season has been a different challenge,” Crandell said. “He has stepped up well and has become more and more comfortable in his new role, pushing more experienced players to three sets a few times already.”

At first doubles is the junior duo of Charley Sawyer and Lincoln Woodcock.

“They have had a great season so far and are consistently getting better as a doubles team,” Crandell said. “They picked up a very close three set win against a good Lansing Catholic team a couple weeks ago.”

Of course, with so many members on the team this year, those aren’t the only athletes making in impact on the team.
“We are proud of the team this year and the direction we are heading,” Crandell said. “Still fairly young, so learning how to compete, especially late in third set matches. We’ve had a few matches already this season where we dropped a handful of third sets. So, we are right there, just need to clean up a few things and some of those team results end up much closer.”

Eaton Rapids is scheduled to play at Marshall on Monday, Sept. 18, hosts Charlotte on Wednesday, Sept. 20 and hosts Lansing Waverly on Sept. 25.

“(We want to) consistently keep improving as a team and as a program,” Crandell said of the rest of the season. “We’re moving in the right direction.”

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