Long time Slot Car enthusiast and wife purchase ProSlot Ltd.

New owners vow to uphold same high quality manufacturing

 Another West Michigan husband and wife will continue the path of the longtime owners of the niche manufacturer ProSlot, Ltd. John and Angela Miller of Hartford, purchased the 44-year-old company from Dan and Cheryl DeBella of Lowell after the ProSlot founders decided to retire.

“I¹ve been a slot car fan and enthusiast for most of my life,” said John Miller. “Turning my hobby into a profession for me and my wife is a dream come true.”

Miller said they are committed to maintaining the same principals and high quality manufacturing practices that have contributed to ProSlot’s strong success over the years. To help ease the ownership transition, the Millers retained 20-year employees Joe and Roger Chiechi, who have played an integral role in the manufacturing process at the company. In addition, the DeBellas will mentor the Millers throughout the transition period.

“We are pleased that ProSlot will be in great hands,” says company owner Dan

DeBella, “It is comforting knowing our business will continue to be run by people as enthusiastic about slot cars as Cheryl and I.

“We want to assure our distributors that ProSlot products will have the same superior quality they have come to expect,” says John Miller, “We are doing everything we can to make the transition in ownership as smooth as possible.”

ProSlot Ltd. is currently located in Lowell, Michigan but will soon relocate operations to Hartford.

ProSLot Ltd. manufactures slot car parts, including armatures, chassis and motor parts for slot car markets in the U.S. and around the world. There are three employees besides the new owners.

Bones in Balance classes helps individuals with osteoporosis

 Lakeland Orthopedic Physical Therapy is now enrolling participants for Bones in Balance, a four-week program designed to teach those diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteopenia how to successfully live with these conditions through self-management. Bones in Balance incorporates education and exercise and is led by specially trained physical therapists. The program includes valuable self-management tips from a pharmacist, registered dietitian, nurse educator, and counselor.

Classes meet twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays for a four-week period at the Center for Outpatient Services, located at 3900 Hollywood Road in St. Joseph. Registration is now open for the next set of classes which will run from January 3 to 26 from 9:00 to 11:30 a.m. or 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Osteoporosis is a debilitating disease that affects over 44 million Americans, and although both men and women can develop the disease, over 80 percent of sufferers are women over the age of 45. Osteoporosis is commonly referred to as “the silent disease,” because bone loss occurs without any visible symptoms at first. Many people do not realize they have osteoporosis until their bones are so weak that the smallest strain or fall causes a bone to fracture.

A physician’s order is required to participate. There is a $25 registration fee to cover the cost of materials; the remaining amount is billable to your insurance. For more information or to register, call (269) 556-7150.