One ship drives east, and another west 
With the self-same winds that blow;  
‘Tis the set of the sails  
And not the gales  
That decides the way to go.

Like the winds of the sea are the ways of fate,  
As they voyage along through life;  
‘Tis the will of the soul  
That decides its goal,  
And not the calm or strife.

—

When it comes to sailing, Ella Wheeler Wilcox, poet and author of “The Set of the Sails” above, knew very little. Ella Wheeler was born in 1850 on a farm in rural Johnstown, Wisconsin. She authored poems, married a Wilcox, bore a child, and died in 1919. She did not sail and upon review of some portraits she didn’t get out in the sun much either.

With this poem I can relate on a couple levels. First, I agree that the ideal of destiny or fate is nonsense; I make my own fate and there is no plan. Second, I myself sail, so any straightforward poem turns into an epic when it includes a sailing metaphor. And third, I can relate with her in that, upon taking a position at the Gratiot County Herald, I write about issues I don’t know anything about either.

Rural Urban Days, Ag Expos, pro stock racecars, or wolf statuses affecting the DNR are all new topics I am getting acclimated to. My favorite so far was a headline I read about the 2008 Fair for Youth: “Donkey Bash returns to Fair for Youth by popular demand.” I’m no animal lover but I thought the event might be a little harsh before I actually read the article. If you aren’t familiar with the event either, know it’s a race and not a massacre.

—

I’ve been sailing my whole life. It isn’t some day-sail, drink beer, and sit in the sun excursion either. I’m talking I race sailboats. Fast boats. Built for speed, not comfort, boats. My sailing peers all have some sayings further establishing this point: “if you’re comfortable you’re doing something wrong,” or “blood makes the boat go faster.”

When I’m racing I’m trying my hardest and focusing to the best of my ability. I focus on the wind and use it to my advantage. If I’m sailing upwind and a gust hits the nose of my boat I get “knocked” (a bad thing), I can simply tack and be on a “lift” (a good thing). That same wind that was knocking me before is now lifting me and I’m gaining. If I don’t tack I lose ground (or water in this case) and if I don’t make the adjustments necessary the whole race I lose…period.

—

Ella Wheeler Wilcox didn’t know about sailing but she knew what she was talking about when it came to life in general. It isn’t the wind that makes the boat go where I want it, it’s me. I’m an extremely average sailboat racer, but what I learn from it I can apply to life, and with it I try to be an above average person.

If I sail through life and just let the wind take me where it wants I’d be knocked all the time. I’d be losing to the rest of the fleet that was making the necessary changes to further themselves.

—

For the first month I was working at the Herald I was commuting from Lansing. 45 minutes every morning was exhausting, I was fresh out of college—still getting used to reporting, and I was writing about events I knew little about.

A couple weeks ago I moved to a pleasant apartment in Ithaca. I’m getting attuned to Gratiot County quite easily and everything and everyone I’ve come into contact with is great. I can tell the difference between a tractor and a combine and I have learned to like this rural community.

I tacked.

Herald Staff Writer

Alma’s Police Athletic League (PAL) chapter will be hosting a golf outing Sunday, July 26, to raise funds for their organization. PAL is a crime prevention program that utilizes educational, athletic and recreational activities to create trust and understanding between police officers and youth, according to the organizations website and Alma PAL intern Marciel Davis.

“Alma PAL is a non-profit that started about five years ago,” Davis said. “The organization is run by police officers and volunteers that provide athletic camps and leagues for youth.”

PAL offers a variety of sports camps for children: boys and girls basketball, football, volleyball, cheer, and soccer camps. All the sports camps are completed except for soccer, which begins July 27.

Nationally, PAL is a large and growing organization. Over 60 years ago, six PAL chapters on the eastern seaboard joined together to form an association to share ideas and compete in several sports.  Today, there are over 400 PAL Member Chapters in law enforcement agencies servicing over 700 cities and 1,700 facilities throughout the United States, serving more than two million youth, ages five to 18.

“The camps all cost around $15 but that just goes for a t-shirt and the coaches at the camps,” Davis said. “The only fundraiser we have really is the golf outing coming up, so community support and volunteers is essential.”

The golf outing will be held Sunday, July 26, this summer at Hidden Oaks Golf Club in St. Louis. There will be a shotgun start at 10 a.m. for the four-person scramble. Registration is $240 per team which includes lunch and golf, while $5 skins is optional.

With any questions regarding the golf outing, or soccer camp coming up later this month please contact Marciel Davis at (989) 466-7622.

Herald Staff Writer

In February, the United Way of Gratiot County moved from 112 Superior to 525 State Street in Alma. The United Way organization continues to provide the community with services and is currently renovating their new space.

The United Way in Gratiot County serves as a parent organization to other non-profits in the county.

“We serve as an umbrella organization to support community agencies and programs,” Sharon Fenton, Gratiot County United Way Executive Director, said. “We do everything from helping the homeless to youth development.”

According to the Gratiot County United Way’s website, the organization has helped 70 percent of children looking for a mentor receive one, since the beginning of last year as well as helping 65 percent of young women in the organization realize their responsibility to help others in the future.

The new building, donated by Dave and Marge Roslund, was the Warwick Living Center until their operation was moved to a new building. In December 2008, the Roslunds donated the center to the Gratiot County United Way, a donation valued at $340,000.

“The United Way was given a golden opportunity from Dave and Marge Roslund,” Fenton said. “Twenty years ago in the county strategic plan there was a need for a centralized building for the non-profits and volunteer agencies in the county and this was our chance.”

After renovations, which are slated to be done November 1, 2009, ten organizations will move into the new building. These organizations include the American Red Cross, Literary Council of Gratiot County, Woman’s Aid Services, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Child Advocacy 4-C of Central Michigan, Police Athletic League, Eight-Cap, Addiction Solutions Counseling Center, Community Mental Health, Habitat for Humanity, and the United Way of Gratiot County.

“The new building will be like a ‘one-stop shopping’ for people in the area,” Fenton said. “A mother in need of financial help as well as parenting services could come to this building, it’s kind of a dream.”

The new building, as of now, is named the Wilcox Non-Profit Center and the renovations are being spearheaded by Doug Yarnell, Co-Executive Director of the Gratiot County United Way.

“We’re currently on target for completing the renovations by November 1,” Yarnell said. “We still have a long way to go and need volunteer support and financial support for the project.”

The just-established campaign goal of $310,000 raised for the fiscal year by the Gratiot County United Way is completely separate from the building renovations. Currently the renovations of the building are in need of funds and volunteers to finish on time.

The facility will be funded completed by rental charges and foundation grants. Due to the United Way being a non-profit and the Wilcox Center being a non-profit building the facility must be self-supporting. The fundraising conducted in the fall is for support of local programs with zero fundraising dollars going towards the building renovations or maintenance upon completion.

Michigan Works! has worked closely with the Gratiot County United Way to provide volunteers from the summer youth employment program to help with the renovations.

The building, once completed, will serve as a non-profit office space and with the help of the United Way the agencies calling the Wilcox Center home will work closely with one another to provide services and opportunities to the surrounding community.

Working closely with one another will also make it easier for the different organizations to receive grants, an important fundraiser for non-profit organizations.

“Collaboration is so important for outside funding and grants,” Fenton said. “It’s much easier to receive these grants if you demonstrate cooperation with other organizations.”

Like organizations cooperation and working together, it is also important for the people to work together and volunteer at the new building, Fenton added.

“People can help by planting flowers, painting walls, making repairs, and many other things,” Fenton said. “Feel free to call and ask questions for just stop by the new building and visit.”

Questions can be directed to Sharon Fenton at 463-6245, or Doug Yarnell at 463-5709.

Herald Staff Writer

Saturday, July 11, the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) High School All-Star game was held at Spartan Stadium on the campus of Michigan State University, in East Lansing.

High School standouts from all over the state and from all divisions competed with area player Kyle Lark (Alma High School Linebacker) and area coach Randy Lark (Alma High School Head Coach) participating in the affair.

“It has been a long process,” Randy Lark said. “First finding out I’m coaching the [West All-Stars], then finding out my son was chosen to play…it’s been a great experience all around.”

Randy Lark finished his football-coaching career in the All-Star game with a 43-22 win over the East All-Stars. Lark has stepped down as Alma High School coach.

“It was great to be selected as a coach and finish at Spartan Stadium,” Randy Lark added. “The MHSFCA is made up of coaches and to be chosen by my peers was a real honor.”

Randy Lark was pleased to see his son play at Spartan Stadium as an All-Star as well. “Being an ex-Spartan football player and seeing my son play on the same field I played on was great,” Randy Lark said.

Kyle Lark, Linebacker and standout at Alma High School, donned a West All-Star jersey for the game last Saturday.

“We came in a week before the actual game,” Kyle said. “We stayed in Wonder’s Hall at MSU with the other players and it was a great experience meeting players from different backgrounds and I was surprised at how much we bonded in that short time.”

Kyle Lark will be going to Western Michigan University to play linebacker for the Broncos. “I’m pretty excited and honored to be on scholarship at WMU,” Kyle added.

The All-Star game itself was a defensive battle in the first half and an offensive clinic in the second. The first half ended with a 13-9 lead for the West and the game finished with a final score of 43-22.

The West exploded in the third quarter and laid down a 21-0 run going into the final stretch.

The score may have been more lopsided if not for a new rule put in place for the All-Star game. If a team is down by more than 12 points after scoring in the fourth quarter, that team continues to receive the ball.

Herald Staff Writer

Saturday, July 25, St. Louis will be hosting the city’s 10^th annual “Community Day.” It will be held at Clapp Park, on the corner of Franklin Street and Clinton Street and the event is sponsored by the local community members and business owners.

 The celebration begins at 10 a.m. and will come to an end at 4 p.m. that day. Included in the occasion will be a classic car show, military trucks with representatives from the armed services, an ABATE of Michigan motorcycle show, dunk tank, several hot air jumpers, several kids games, a civil war drill and recruitment camp, petting zoo, three magician shows, and much more.

 Citywide yard sales are also incorporated in St. Louis’ Community Day. If you wish to have your yard sale advertised on the city map please call Nicole Koutz and leave a detailed message at (989) 681-3906.

 Koutz is the event organizer and the driving force behind the occasion, according to Phil Hanson, director of the St. Louis Downtown Development Authority (DDA).

 There will also be a baby photo contest. Two age categories include newborn to one year old and two to four years old. Send photos to Jillian Davis, 118 West Marshall Street, Alma, MI. Put the name, age and contact info on the back of the photo. Photos will be returned and the cost is one penny per vote. Prizes will be awarded for the most votes in each age group.

 “This year we’re having more things to do than any other year we’ve hosted the occasion,” Koutz said. “We’ve never had a magician or a petting zoo and if everything goes as planned the day will end with a movie shown outside at the football field.”

 Koutz will be stepping down as the event organizer after this year. She’s been involved with St. Louis Community Day since the event’s conception.

 “I’ve been [organizing this event] for the past ten years.” Koutz said. “I’ll be stepping down after this year and it’s been an honor as well as a privilege to serve the community of St. Louis.”

Herald Staff Writer

Fast greyhounds and fast cars can be observed Saturday, July 25 at the Crystal Motor Speedway in Crystal.

 Compassion for Greyhounds is sponsoring a “meet and greet” where the public can pet and meet these gentle retired racers and learn about the greyhound breed. Rescue volunteers will be available to answer questions about adoption, fostering and volunteering to help greyhounds in need.

 A visit from greyhounds is a first for the Crystal Motor Speedway, which has hosted auto racing in central Michigan since 1952. The “YES to KIDS Night” will have the infield filled with racecars for the crowd to admire. Another highlight of this event will be racecar drivers giving free autographs from 6 to 7 p.m.

 A full night of auto racing will follow at 7:30 p.m. with 4-cylinder, street stocks, pro stocks, pro trucks, IMCA Mods, and late model racing car races all sponsored by Royston Auto Sales. Adult admission is $10 and children 5-11 $4.

 Compassion for Greyhounds will be giving out free Dog Safety coloring/activity books to the first 200 children in the gate at the event.

 “We are excited about bringing our hounds to the Crystal Motor Speedway,” Cory Sayen, a Compassion for Greyhounds volunteer for the event, said. “When people first meet the dogs they are in awe of their aerodynamic build and bulging muscles, as these hounds are just incredible athletes and perfect running machines.”

 Sayen added that people are surprised at the breed’s calm nature.

 “It is no wonder that it is a pleasant surprise when folks get to meet the dogs and they discover how mellow and kind they are,” Sayen said. “Greyhounds make wonderful pets and faithful companions, as they bond strongly to their people.”

 Compassion for Greyhounds was founded in May of 2003. The organizations mission is to educate the public about the true personality of the greyhound breed and alleviate common misconceptions many still have about the breed while finding homes for the dogs.

 Compassion for Greyhounds is a non-profit organization and is registered with the state of Michigan. Volunteers who give up their time, energy and resources for the greyhounds solely run the association.

Herald Staff Writer

Five months into the Hogan Athletic Center renovations at Alma College and work continues to be on schedule and going strong.

 The $10.2 million renovation of the old physical education building includes a 29,000 square foot arena and convocation center along with renovated locker rooms, athletic training space, natatorium, coaches’ offices and classrooms in the existing Hogan facility.

 When all is said and done come August, 2010, there will be a new home court for the men’s and women’s basketball teams as well as the volleyball team.

 “Everything is on schedule and up to date,” Mike Silverthorn, Alma College Director of Marketing, said. “There are, of course, several phases that are being completed and all the phases scheduled to be done come fall, when the students return, are on schedule.”

The new addition to the Hogan facility is designed to be Alma College’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified building, the nationally recognized mark of sustainable construction. The renovations also will enhance the sustainability of the overall facility, says Alma College President Saundra Tracy.

Sustainable components of the new facility will include use of recycled content in ceiling panels, carpet, rubber and vinyl floor tiles, bleacher construction and sub-floor system in the new arena; light pollution reduction; water efficient landscaping; maximized energy performance; water use reduction measures; and energy star compliant roof system.

The new arena will seat 2,430, with additional floor seating of 600 for non-athletics events. The new facility will be handicap accessible, with a ground-level entrance, new elevator, and 6,600 square-foot lobby with new concession stand and restroom facilities. The basketball court will feature a four-sided, ceiling-hung scoreboard over center court, floor-mounted basketball goal supports, and theatre-style seating on the “home” side of the court.

Interior work began March 16 while on April 20, coaches and staff vacated the Hogan Center for temporary office space in the Stone Recreation Center as a construction fence was installed around the worksite.

Work will continue in 2010 with renovations to the pool, locker rooms and second-floor lobby along with the conversion of Cappaert Gymnasium to a practice gymnasium.

Herald Staff Writer

Alma College will be seeing a new face on the sidelines come winter. Keisha Brown will take the helm as the new women’s basketball coach at Alma College after long-time coach Charlie Goffnett retired earlier this spring.

 Brown was hired after a successful stretch as the head coach of Sacred Heart Academy’s boy’s basketball team. Over the past six years Brown coached her former Mount Pleasant Sacred Heart team to a 79 percent winning percentage, a compiled record of 114-30. Her former squad was also the 2006 Class D state runner-up. In her tenure Brown assembled five consecutive league championships, four district titles and three regional titles.

 John Leister, Alma College’s athletic director, announced the hire June 24.

 “We are very excited to be able to announce the hiring of Keisha Brown as our new coach,” Leister said. “Keisha brings energy, humility and a commitment to excellence, both on the court and in the classroom to our campus and we are happy to have her.”

 Brown is excited to be coaching her first collegiate club and carry on her winning tradition.

 “I am thrilled to be joining the Alma College community as women’s basketball coach,” Brown said. “I come from a school that has a lot of athletic tradition and I hope to carry over what I have learned at Sacred Heart to continue the tradition and success that Alma College has experienced in women’s basketball over the years.”

 Alma College’s women’s basketball program can thank their tradition of success, in large part, to former coach Charlie Goffnett.

 One of the top Division III coaches in the nation, Charlie Goffnett has built the Alma women’s basketball program into a national powerhouse. With three MIAA titles, five NCAA Tournament berths and one national championship under his belt, Goffnett is one of the most accomplished coaches in the nation.

 Brown’s playing days are now long behind her but the experience gained on the floor will help in her new position on the sideline.

 In college, Brown played at Tulane University in New Orleans, where she was a four-year all-Conference USA player. She was inducted into the Tulane Athletic Hall of Fame and is the only player in school history to score over 1,000 career points and record over 1,000 career rebounds. Brown is also the all-time school leader in total rebounds and rebound average.

 Brown also played professionally for Tamperen-Pyrinto in Finland from 1994 to 1996 and averaged 23 points and 15 rebounds during her career.

 Brown is looking forward to coaching for Alma College and working with the student-athletes.

“It’ s a wonderful opportunity to work with student-athletes at a great school that is looking forward to [the new Hogan Center Athletic Facility]. I am very excited to be coaching at Alma College.”

Herald Staff Writer

July 3, 1874

Ithaca Liberties – 38

St. Louis Club – 6

The liberty club of Ithaca and the St. Louis Club played a match game, on the grounds of the latter, which resulted in a complete victory for the Liberties, the following is the score:

Innings – 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – Total

Liberties – 2 – 9 – 8 – 9 – 10 – 38

St. Louis Club – 1 – 0 – 0 – 0 – 5 – 6

From the above it appears that but five innings were played, at the end of which the St. Louis Club threw up the game; having lost all hopes of winning it.

July 2, 1880

A handsome streamer was yesterday thrown to the breeze in this village, from The Republican pale near the courthouse square, bearing the legend of “Garfield and Arthur,” it is 40 feet in length and was painted by Mr. Vaughan.

July 6, 1883

The one hundredth and seventh anniversary of American independence is now an event that was and is not. The day was honored in Gratiot County by four celebrations. The attendance at all celebrations was quite large and so far as we have heard, all passed off in an exceedingly quiet and dignified manner.

July 2, 1887

The salary of Ithaca’s postmaster has been raised from $1,100 per annum to $1,300. This indicates in a forcible way the steady growth of our village.

July 5, 1889

There was a fair attendance at the races on the fair grounds in the afternoon, but the fact that an admission fee of 25 cents was charged kept many away and was the cause of some dissatisfaction.

July 6, 1900

Census taken. W. J. Clark has completed the census of the township and finds the population of Ithaca village to be 2,027 people, of Ithaca Township 2,188.

July 2, 1914

Last Saturday afternoon about 5:30 a cyclone struck southeastern Gratiot and did about $15,000 damage. Those who were watching the storm saw a grayish funnel shaped cloud sweep suddenly down touching the earth at various points.

Herald Staff Writer

Budget reviews, requests for purchases  and a tax exemption certificate for Alma Products Company were part of a routine meeting for the city of Alma June 23.

 Commissioners adopted a resolution approving Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate for seven years for Alma Products while also approving a resolution authorizing Mayor Nyman and City Clerk Barb Gager to execute the P.A. 198 Tax Exemption Certificate on behalf of the City of Alma.

 Also approved were purchases of everything from radar guns to power washers.

 Commissioners approved the purchase of a $5,900 power-washer with accessories for use at the new Transportation facility; the items will be reimbursed 100 percent using Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) grant money.

 Also approved was a payment in the amount of $224,599 to Michigan Municipal Risk Management Authority for the annual liability premium. The premium represented a 3.5 percent decrease from last year’s premium, totaling a savings of $8,158 on the premium.

 The Board included approval of two purchases for the Alma Police Department: a Raptor RP-1 Dual K-Bank Speed detection device (radar gun) and a DV1 Modular In-car Video.

The radar gun will cost $1,604 while the in-car video system will cost $5,375.

 A $75,000 deficit will bring the total deficit to $300,000 on the year. Street lighting costs totaling approximately $55,000 coupled with snow removal and an increase in airport maintenance added to the shortfall. The general fund balance is currently at roughly $2.8 million.

 Mayor Nyman appreciates the excess in the general fund, especially in the current economic climate.

 “It’s nice to have some money in the general fund for issues,” Nyman said during the board meeting. “Especially during the current economic matters around the state and the country.”