06-11-2020 Roseanne Bittner pens another novel; Lawman in the High Lonesome;

Roseanne Bittner pens another novel; Lawman in the High Lonesome

Coloma award-winning author Rosanne Bittner has released her latest novel, Lawman in the High Lonesome, available from Amazon.com July 1, 2020. The story is the second in a trilogy called “Men of the Outlaw Trail,” the third book to be released in November, Journey to High Lonesome. The first book in the trilogy, Ride the High Lonesome, was published in late 2019.

Bittner stated that the books are not a continuing series, but rather, each story has completely different characters from the last. In Lawman in the High Lonesome, Sheriff Matt Stover heads for outlaw country in pursuit of bank robbers who killed his wife and unborn child. However, the plight of a widowed woman stolen away by buffalo hunters interrupts Matt’s plans and leads him into danger on two fronts. Outlaw country is forbidden territory for lawmen. It takes a man with great courage and determination, and a man driven by love, to risk his life against such impossible odds. Through it all, Matt fights emotions that could turn him from a lawman into the very kind of men he is hunting – an outlaw. “This series was designed to bring in major characters from past stories,” Rosanne tells us, which helps create

new sales for older books. The first book in this new trilogy featured a cameo of Jake Harkner from my Outlaw Hearts series. This second book introduces readers to Sage Lightfoot, from my 2013 story, Paradise Valley. Book #3 in November will feature Moses Tucker, from my 1990’s story, Lawless Love. This helps stir interest in my older books, most of which are still available through Amazon.com. It also helps bring reality to all the stories, since I write so many books set in roughly the same time period and often the same locations. Having characters from other books run into characters from these new books just seems natural. Rosanne is a USA Today best-seller with 72 books published over the past nearly 40 years, most of them still on the market. She is a lifetime resident of Coloma and graduated from Coloma High School, as did her two sons and her three grandsons. She belongs to several historical societies and the Coloma Lioness Club, and she is available for speaking engagements. Locally, you can find her books at Harding’s Market and Linda’s Antiques in Coloma, and at Back On The Rack in Watervliet. Nearly all of Rosanne’s books are available for quick ordering on Amazon.com. Rosanne and her husband Larry have traveled the West extensively and have visited most of the locations Rosanne writes about in her stories. You can learn more about all her other books by visiting Rosanne’s web site at: www.rosannebittner.com. She also has a Facebook Author page and is on Twitter, Instagram, Goodreads and Pinterest. You can e-mail Rosanne at rosannebittner17@outlook.com.

Coloma Schools working on year-end wrap-up

By Annette Christie All of the school administrators reported to the Coloma School Board on Monday night, June 8 that they were working on wrapping up the 2019-2020 school year. While schools in the state and across the country ended in-person instruction abruptly in mid-March due to the coronavirus pandemic, online learning and connections with the school did not end. Principals reports High School Principal Mike Churchill said that this is the last week of education for the kids. He reported that administrators and teachers have been contacting students and making a final push to get work finished and turned in the best that they can. Administrators personally delivered caps and gowns and announcements to the Top 10 of the Class of 2020. The graduation ceremony will be done drive-in style this Friday, June 12 at 7:00 p.m. Students are continuing to drop off materials which can be done at the school and senior graduation packets are being picked up. Junior High Principal Wendy Tremblay echoed Mr. Churchill’s comments. “Our teachers have gone above and beyond working with students and families to finish things up,” Tremblay said. Last week they collected supplies such as Chromebooks, text books, library books, etc. and they distributed awards. They will be closing the year with a send off video to the 8th graders and a 5th grader transition process. As the year comes to an end for the Intermediate School, their pick up and drop off events have offered staff an opportunity to get together, safely, and see the kids. All of the Intermediate staff participated both days. Elementary students had their opportunity to turn in work and pick up personal items left at the schools. All of the students will have an opportunity to receive up to nine books delivered right to their homes through the Kids Read Now program. Parents need only make contact on the phone or online. Information will be provided through social media and school messenger. School Board President Heidi Ishmael expressed gratitude to all of the administrators and their staff for working so hard for their students. “You all did an awesome job,” Ishmael said. Other business Starting with the July meeting, the School Board meetings will be held in a specifically designated meeting room at the Junior High. They approved their meeting schedule for the 2020-2021 school year, that being the second Monday of the month at 7:00 p.m. The School Board opted to continue to participate in the 5-year senior / Early College program. The program offers students an opportunity to attend high school and college and by putting in a fifth year through the high school, they can successfully graduate from high school and obtain an Associate’s Degree at the same time, without all of the cost associated with college. There are currently six kids in the program. As of right now, all of the summer programs that would have been held on school grounds have been canceled due to COVID-19. Superintendent Dave Ehlers said that they will hold off until the end of July and/or until they get further guidance from the Governor’s office. He did tell the board that coaches can begin working with athletes starting June 15. “This is our first and best opportunity to show our community that we can keep our kids safe,” Ehlers said. While the school has been able to provide breakfast and lunch for kids under the age of 18, this year they will be able to continue delivering food all summer long on the bus routes that they are currently running. The home delivery program began when the schools were forced to close in March. The summer feeding program is usually only available on the school grounds. “Everyone will help to keep food distributed to our kids,” Ehlers said.

Lakeland HouseCalls welcomes new physician

Spectrum Health Lakeland is pleased to welcome family medicine physician, Thomas Wright, DO, to the medical staff. Dr. Wright is the associate medical director and seeing patients at Lakeland HouseCalls, a Caring Circle program for those who have serious or chronic conditions and who are unable to travel to a physician’s office or clinic for care.

As a family physician, Dr. Wright has broad experience in ambulatory care, inpatient acute care, rehabilitation, and regional delivery system leadership. Prior to joining Lakeland, he served as the division chief for Spectrum Health Medical Group managing physician performance for nine offices across three counties. Dr. Wright earned his medical degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed a family practice residency at Midland Hospital Center. He is board-certified by the American Board of Family Medicine and a member of the American Academy of Family Practice. Dr. Wright also serves at the founder, president, and medical director of Hope House Free Medical Clinic in Big Rapids, Michigan. The skilled physicians and providers at Lakeland HouseCalls see patients in their own homes, adult foster homes, and assisted living facilities. HouseCalls services do not require referrals or pre-authorizations from other physicians to begin medical care. For more information, or to set up a visit, call 269-985-4467

Honor Credit Union reveals COVID-19 community impact numbers

As a community partner, Honor is committed to taking care of its team and its members, especially during uncertain and uneasy times. In response to public concerns, the Honor Financial Relief Package was announced in early March 2020. The Honor Financial Relief Package offered diverse financial relief solutions, including Skip-A-Payment, which allows members to skip their next payment on eligible consumer loans without fees. “The last few months have been challenging for many as we work through this uncertain time. Through it all, Honor remains committed to supporting the credit union philosophy of ‘People Helping People’ and being there for our members and community during this time of need,” commented Dustin Nehls, Vice President of Consumer Lending. Across the board, members saved $366,598 in fees waived, and $491,495 was disbursed in Financial Relief Loans to 352 members through Honor’s Financial Relief Package. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) provided funding for 441 loans, totaling over $30 million in assistance for small businesses. The feedback from this financial package has been remarkable and has spread to an outpouring of community support. Honor purchased over $2,000 for team lunches across 24 member centers throughout Michigan in support of business members in our communities. Team members were gifted $100 each to support local businesses, totaling $34,000 towards economic giveback. Additionally, Honor assisted four-legged friends at the Humane Society, donated $2,500 in gift cards to hospital staff throughout Michigan, and the organization’s IT department supplied two retired servers to the remote workforce at United Way. Honor Credit Union is proud to serve more than 85,000 members across the State of Michigan. Providing solutions for your financial success and giving back to the communities we serve remain the driving forces behind Honor Credit Union. For more information, call 800.442.2800, or visit www.honorcu.com. Read your local news online at tricityrecord.com or call 463-6397 for a subscription.