CHAMPIONS BOTH ON & OFF THE FIELD! Southwest 10 Conference Senior Scholar Athletes for 2019 were honored during a luncheon held at the Lawton Lions Community Center. Hartford Indian award winners pictured are (from the left) Front row: Abigail Garcia, Mikenzie Chambers, Riley Traver; Middle row: Corey Arnold, Makiah Tripp, Brandon Galvan, Blake Snyder; Back row: Herik Garcia, Marisol Robles, Alexis Griffith and Evan Delarosa. Not pictured: Trey Ackerman and Brynn Duffy.

Watervliet Library Park receives Plant Michigan Green Community Landscape Beautification Award

The Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association’s (MNLA) Community Landscape Beautification Award Program recognizes outstanding communities for their excellence in improving the physical and aesthetic environment of their neighborhoods and in raising the awareness of the positive economic growth and environmental impacts that quality landscaping brings to Michigan’s communities. These projects are designed to enhance the visual image of the neighborhoods, improve livability, build civic pride and promote community spirit. Congratulations to the following 2018 Community Landscape Beautification Award Winner: “Watervliet District Library Garden Park” submitted by Watervliet District Library. An award ceremony has been scheduled at the project on Monday, June 3, 2019 at 3 p.m. – 333 North Main Street. Community leaders are invited and encouraged to attend to recognize their community for its contribution to a community landscape beautification project. Other projects receiving the 2018 Community Landscape Beautification Award across Michigan are Calhoun County Building Courtyard, Cedar Avenue Courtyard – Gladwin, City of Burton DDA Special Project, Father Marquette Park, Genesee Master Gardeners District Library Headquarters – Children’s Garden Projects, Haslett Beautification Association, Marquette Streetscape Beautification, Meridian Garden Club Plant It Pink Garden, Oakland County FM&O, Petunia Pandemonium – Gateway to Marquette, Streetscaping Project in Frankenmuth, The Path of First United Methodist Church of Northville, and Trenton Cultural Center Gardens Produce & Flowers.

THIS KUTE KID IS… Austin Smith, age 12, of Watervliet. Austin is a student at Watervliet Middle School. His proud parents are Melissa Smith and the late Richard Smith. Austin is much loved by his Grandma Murlene Wolter of Watervliet, Aunt Verrell Caruthers of Coloma, Uncle Dan Smith of Grand Rapids and Uncle Rex Caruthers of Indiana. He has many other relatives that love him as well.

Lakeland one of 11 Michigan hospitals awarded for excellence in maternity care

The Economic Alliance of Michigan (EAM) recently awarded Lakeland Medical Center in St. Joseph with the Maternity Care Excellence Award for demonstrated excellence and improvement in maternity care and delivery outcomes. The award is part of EAM’s Maternity Care Project. Created in 2018, the project goals are to reduce the rate of unnecessary C-sections in the state, decrease infant mortality and reduce elective early deliveries. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Michigan had the 13th highest infant mortality rate in the country in 2017.

AWARD WINNING CARE… Spectrum Health Lakeland is proud to be one of only 11 hospitals in Michigan, along with three other Spectrum Health facilities, recognized by the Economic Alliance of Michigan for maternity care. Pictured are Bret Jackson (left), President of EAM and Loren B. Hamel, MD, President, Spectrum Health Lakeland.

For the award, hospitals were evaluated in four areas: cesarean rates, episiotomy rates, elective early delivery rates, and maternity care processes. To be awarded the Excellence Award, hospitals need to fully meet the standard in all four areas in the same calendar year. Lakeland Hospital Niles was also awarded the 2019 Maternity Care Improvement for demonstrated decreases in cesarean rates, episiotomy, and elective early delivery over a two-year period. The facility was one of only two in the state to decrease unnecessary cesarean rates by ten percent or more (15.6 percent). “We are proud to be one of only 11 hospitals in Michigan, along with three other Spectrum Health facilities, recognized with this honor,” said Jann Totzke, Executive Director, Women’s Health Services, Spectrum Health Lakeland. “With 1,642 babies born at Lakeland last fiscal year, the safety of both mothers and babies is always our top priority. Over the years we have placed a large focus on driving down the rate of unnecessary C-sections whenever possible. Like other types of major surgery, C-sections carry risks for both mothers and babies and may result in potentially serious complications in subsequent pregnancies.” “On behalf of the EAM and our members, I applaud the efforts of this year’s recipients and ask the birth centers in the state who do not report outcomes to The Leapfrog Group to step-up to the plate and be more transparent by participating in the annual survey,” said Bret Jackson, president of EAM. The data is from The Leapfrog Group, a Washington, D.C. based organization aiming to improve health care quality and safety for consumers and purchasers. For more information, or to compare birth centers, go to www.eamonline.org/maternity.

Pancake breakfast May 26 in Sister Lakes

The Sister Lakes Lions Club will have an all you can eat pancake and sausage breakfast on Sunday, May 26 from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon at its clubhouse in Lions Park, 66991 95th Avenue. The cost is $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 4 to 12; children under 4 are free. Tickets are available from Lions Club members or may be purchased at the door. Proceeds from the breakfast will go to support Lions Club projects.