The PulseMt. Pleasants Weekly Community News

Vol. 1, No. 17 Thursday, Dec. 24, 2015www.centralmichiganpulse.com

SHEPHERD JOURNAL pg. 18

COUNTY NEWS pg. 12

CITY NEWS pg. 4

CALENDAR OF EVENTS pg. 2

CHRISTMAS SEASON pg. 31

ENTERTAINMENT pg. 28

COMMUNITY SERVICE pg. 23

INCIDENTS & ACCIDENTS pg. 20

COMICS pg. 39

OUTDOORS pg. 36

SPORTS pg. 34

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CROSSWORD pg. 38

CALENDAR OF EVENTS2UPCOMING LOCAL EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS

December 27th8p - Cameo & Morris Day @ Soaring EagleDecember 28th7p - Mt. Pleasant City Commission Meeting8p - Rick Springfield & Eddie Money @ Soaring EagleDecember 29th6:45p - Central Michigan Sangha (Dharma practice group - all are welcome) @ UUFCM8p - Mike Epps & D.L. Hughley @ Soaring EagleDecember 30th7p - Nancy Carey Support Group for women who have or have had cancer @ Canterbury East Community Room8p - Tanya Tucker & Collin Raye @ Soaring EagleDecember 31st6:30p - 8:30p - New Years Eve Kids Gala @ Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum8p - 1st Annual New Years Eve Party w/ Girls on the Run - Performance by Jedi Mind Trip @ Comfort Inn

2016

January 2nd9a - MPHS Wrestling - Oiler Invitational12:30p - 2p - Jimmy Johns Lego Building Competition @ Veterans Memorial LibraryJanuary 4th5:15p - Isabella County Human Rights Committee MeetingJanuary 5th4p; 5:30p; 7p - MPHS Boys Basketball vs. Heritage HS7p - Isabella County Board of Commissioners Organizational MeetingJanuary 6th7p - MPHS Hockey vs. LapeerJanuary 8th8a - Isabella County Parks and Recreation opening day for 2016 camping reservations4p; 5:30p; 7p - MPHS Boys Basketball vs. Powers Catholic7:30p - CMU Hockey DIII vs. Aquinas College9:30p - Crazy Babies (Ozzy Tribute Band) @ RubblesJanuary 9th12p - Under the Big Top Circus (CRDL) @ Finch FieldhouseJanuary 12th4p; 5:30p; 7p - MPHS Boys Basketball vs. DeWitt HS6p - Business After Hours @ CMU Mens Basketball Game7:30p - Jeffrey Jacobs, Piano @ CMU Chamichian Hall (free)January 13th7p - Michigan Screech Owls presentation w/ a live screech owl - Chippewa Valley Audubon Club mtg @ Vets Library Annex7p - MPHS Hockey vs. Midland

Email your event to The Pulses community calendar at centralmichiganpulse@gmail.com.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS 3January 14th6:30p - Fiber Guild Meeting @ UUFCM7p - Isabella County Planning Commission MeetingJanuary 15th4p; 5:30p; 7p - MPHS Boys Basketball vs. Bay City WesternJanuary 16th9a - 7th Annual Frigid Doe Bowl disc golf tournament @ Deerfield Park12p - MPHS Bowling vs. Bay City Central / SVL @ Riverwood3p - CMU Hockey DIII vs. U of M Flint6p-10p - Oilers Booster Winter Auction @ Finch FieldhouseJanuary 19th11:30-2 - Genealogical Society of Isabella County mtg @ VML12p-6p- Red Cross Blood Drive @ Sacred Heart Parish4p; 5:30p; 7p - MPHS Boys Basketball vs. Arthur Hill HS6:30p - Mid-Michigan Area Storytellers meeting @ VMLJanuary 20th9a - Isabella County Zoning Board of Appeals MeetingJanuary 21st7p - Hypnotist Chris Jones @ Plachta AuditoriumJanuary 22nd2p - MPHS Solo and Ensemble @ MPHS Auditorium4p; 5:30p; 7p - MPHS Girls Basketball vs. Saginaw6p - MPHS Hockey vs. CadillacJanuary 23rd12p-2p Its Snowtime! event @ Mt. Pleasant Discovery Museum3p - CMU Hockey DIII vs. NorthwoodJanuary 24th9a - Winter Warriors Snowmans half/10k/5k starts at OKellys7p - Trumpet Studio Recital @ CMU Chamichian Hall (free)January 25th4p - MPHS Ski Team @ Snow Snake6p - Peace Making Ceremony @ MPHSJanuary 27th7p - MPHS Hockey vs. Bay City7p-9p - Speak Up Speak Out Forum Racism, Police, Communities @ Park Library AuditoriumJanuary 28th5:30p; 7p - MPHS Girls Fresh & JV Basketball vs. Bay City Central6p - MPHS Wrestling SVL Home matchJanuary 29th5:30p; 7p - MPHS Boys & Girls Varsity Basketball vs. Bay City CentralJanuary 30th10a - MPHS Cheerleading - Oiler Invite11a - Shepherd Bowling vs. St. Louis & Breckenridge @ Riverwood2p - MPHS Hockey vs. Midland Dow7p - 1st Annual UUFCM Social Justice Party

Email your event to The Pulses community calendar at centralmichiganpulse@gmail.com.

CITY NEWS4City of Mt. Pleasant starts its Large Item Pickup Program

CITY NEWS 5Large Items will be picked up on city trash collection days

CITY NEWS6City Christmas Tree Pickup

City to pickup Christmas trees Dec. 28 Jan. 8 The city of Mt. Pleasant will begin picking up

Christmas trees on Monday, December 28th for anyone looking to remove their tree within a few days of celebrating.

The collection process will continue for two straight weeks, ending on Friday, January 8th. Dis-carded Christams trees will only be picked up on weekdays, and their is no cost for this service.

All residents who wish to have their tree discard-ed by the city, including those with alleyside trash pickup, should place their Christmas trees on the curb for city pickup.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Christmas trees should be free of debris, so please

remove plastic bags and tinsel. When placing your tree curbside, the base of the tree should be facing toward the street.

According ot the city, tree remnants are pro-

cessed through a wood chipper; wreaths cannot be processed through the chipper and will not be collected.

The city does not, at this time, offer free removal

of Festivus poles or Channukah bushes.

For more information, please call the City of Mt. Pleasant Division of Public Works at 989-779-5401

Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves have arrived to spread Christmas cheer in Shepherd. Santas House was built in 2014. It was met with great enthusiasm from the community, and inspired further building for the next holiday season.

Before or after seeing Santa, children may visit Mrs. Claus in the newly built Elf House. They

can be creative and show their Christmas spirit by decorating sugar cookies, just like Santas elves.

Both houses were made possible by grants from the Shepherd Community Fund in Honor of Robert Bates through the Mt. Pleasant Area Community Foundation.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Visit mpacf.org for more information

CITY NEWS 7

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64649 Sign.indd 1 9/23/2015 4:06:29 PM

December 28th Mtg Cancelled

The Midw es t s P r emier A mer ic a n I ndia n Museum open monday thru saturday 10am - 6pm 6650 East Broadway Mt. Pleasant, MI museum phone: 1.800.225.8172 ext. 1-54750 www.sagchip.org/ziibiwing webstore: 989.775.4783 www.nativedirect.com

GREAT LAKES NATIVE AMERICAN

COLLECTION

Changing exhibit on display now through April 9, 2016 Admission complimentary with Permanent Exhibit admission

EXHIBITLECTUREat the Ziibiwing Center

by Cameron Wood Cranbrook Curator of Collections

CRANBROOK INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE

January 30, 2016 1pm-2pmExhibit Lecture Free & Open to the Public

WHO TO CALL - REPRESENTATIONIsabella County Board of CommissionersD1 - George Green (Chair) (989) 588-4216 [Farwell (R)]D2 - John Haupt (989) 644-3390 [Mt. Pleasant (D)]D3 - Jerry Jaloszynski (989) 330-4890 [Shepherd (R)]D4 - Jim Horton (989) 621-1534 [Mt. Pleasant (R)]D5 - James Moreno (989) 773-5797 [Mt. Pleasant (D)]D6 - David Ling (Vice-Chair) (989) 773-7823 [Mt. Pleasant (D)]D7 - Michael Fisher (989) 860-1807 [Mt. Pleasant (D)]

House - 4th DistrictJohn Moolenaar (R)(989) 631-2552(202) 225-3561

Midland Office:200 East Main Street Suite 230Midland, MI 48640

Washington D.C. Office:117 Cannon House Off BldgWashington, DC 20515

SenateDebbie Stabenow (D)(517) 203-1760(202) 224-4822

Mid-Michigan Office:221 W. Lake Lansing Rd.Suite 100East Lansing, MI 48823

Washington D.C. Office:731 Hart Senate Office BldgWashington, DC 20510

SenateGary Peters (D)(517) 377-1508(202) 224-6221

Mid-Michigan Office:127 West Allegan StreetSuite 1810Lansing, MI 48933

Washington D.C. Office:724 Hart Senate Office BldgWashington, DC 20510

Isabella County Meetings:Board of Commissioners.............................(1st & 3rd Tues - 7:00p)Board Committee Work Sessions...............(1st & 3rd Tues - 4:30p)Parks & Recreation...................................................(1st Wed - 7:00p)Road Commission........................(2nd Th - 8:30a & 4th Th - 6:30p)Mt. Pleasant City Meetings:City Commission........................................(2nd & 4th Mon - 7:00p)Airport Advisory Board............................................(2nd Th - 5:30p)Downtown Development Board...............................(3rd Th - 8:00a)Historic District Commission..............................(2nd Tues - 5;00p)Parks & Recreation..................................................(4th Tues - 7:00p)Planning Commission................................................(1st Th - 7:00p)TIFA & DDA*...........................................................(2nd Th - 10:00a) *Tax Increment Finance Authorities & Downtown Development AuthorityZoning Board of Appeals.......................................(4th Wed - 7:00p)Township Board Meetings:Broomfield Twp......................................................(3rd Mon - 7:00p)Chippewa Twp.........................................................(1st Mon - 7:00p)Coe Twp..................................................................(2nd Mon - 7:00p)Coldwater Twp........................................................(3rd Mon - 7:00p)Deerfield Twp..........................................................(3rd Mon - 7:00p)

WHEN TO GO - MTGS

Governor - Rick Snyder (R)(517) 373-4000Mail to: P.O. Box 30013Lansing, MI 48909

House - 99th DistrictKevin Cotter (R) - Speaker(517) 373-1789Mail to: P.O. Box 30014Lansing, MI 48909

Senate - 33rd DistrictJudy Emmons (R)(517) 373-8661Mail to: P.O. Box 30036Lansing, MI 48909

STATE

COUNTY

NATION

MT. PLEASANTMt. Pleasant Board of CommissionersMayor - Jim Holton (989) 817-4288 [member since 2006]Vice Mayor - Rick Rautanen (989) 944-5383 [member since 2012]Commissioner - Jon Joslin (989) 772-7381 [member since 2001]Commissioner - Tony Kulick (989) 289-7098 [member since 2014]Commissioner - Kathleen Ling (989) 773-7823 [member since 2008]Commissioner - Matthew Sous (989) 714-9253 [member since 2013]Commissioner - Mike Verleger (989) 621-2384 [member since 2015]

POLITICS & MEETINGS10

Township Board Meetings (cont.):Denver Twp......................................................(3rd Th - 6:00p)Fremont Twp.................................................(4th Tues - 7:00p)Gilmore Twp................................................(2nd Wed - 7:00p)Isabella Twp...................................................(1st Mon - 7:00p)Lincoln Twp.................................................(2nd Tues - 7:30p)Nottawa Twp.................................................(1st Mon - 7:00p)Rolland Twp.................................................(2nd Tues - 7:00p)Sherman Twp................................................(3rd Mon - 8:00p)Union Twp.........................................(2nd & 4th Wed - 7:00p)Vernon Twp...................................................(1st Mon - 6:30p)Wise Twp..........................................................(3rd Th - 7:00p)Rosebush, Shepherd, Lake Isabella Meetings:Rosebush Village Board.............................(2nd Mon - 7:00p)Shepherd Village Council.................(1st & 3rd Mon - 7:00p)Shepherd Planning Commission.................(1st wed - 7:00p)Shepherd Board of Appeals........................(meets by request)Lake Isabella Village Council......................(3rd Tues - 7:00p)Lake Isabella Planning Commission.........(2nd Tues - 7:00p)Lake Isabella Zoning Board.........................(4th Tues - 7:00p)Lake Isabella (LIPOA).................................(2nd Wed - 7:00p)

COMMUNITY POSTINGS 11

COUNTY NEWS12Friend of the Court dethrones the Recycling Center

Isabella County has a creative way to help em-ployees get in the festive spirit.

The Isabella County Holiday Door Champion-ship started in 2014, allowing county departments the opportunity to decorate the doors leading into their offices. Departmental employees decorated the doors off-the-clock, on their own time.

Last year, in the inaugural Holiday Door Cham-pionship, the Recycling Center took top honors. For their efforts, the Recycling Center was award-ed the championship trophy, which it turns out is a miniature door.

This year several departments participated, and county commissioners George Green and john Haupt went around to judge the entries.

After careful consideration, the Isabella County Friend of the Court was crowned this years winner.

Of course, what would a competition be without a little controversy, and this years competition was no exception.

The Championship is intended for the decorating of office doors but this years winner decorated two inner hallways along with their office doors, which required some consideration before crowning them the cham-pions. But after considering the entry, the Friedn of the Court was given this years trophy.

Following this article are the pictures of a portion of this years winning decorations, the coveted door prize trophy, and some other entries from this year.

COUNTY NEWS 13Isabella County Selects Holiday Door Champion

COUNTY NEWS14Friend of the Court dethrones the Recycling Center

COUNTY NEWS 15Isabella County Selects Holiday Door Champion

National Suicide Prevention Line1 (800) 273-8255

www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org

24/7 Crisis HotlineIsabella County

1 (989) 772-2918

Winter Shelter

The Isabella County Restoration House provides a rotating shelter open every night from Sunday, No-vember 1st, through March 2016. Shelter seekers must check in nightly at the Unitarian Universalist Fellow-ship, 319 S. University (next door to the public library, downtown Mt. Pleasant) between 4:30-5:45 p.m. Transportation is provided to the shelter each night. A hot meal and warm bed will be ready. Transportation from the shelter to the Soup Kitchen is provided each morning.

Alcoholics Anonymous Meetings

Alano Club 1201 N. Fancher (989) 772-4955Mondays thru Fridays - 9a, 12p, 5:30p, 8pSaturdays & Sundays - 9a, 11a, 5:30p, 8p

Other Meeting LocationsCentral Michigan Christian Church3433 S. Lincoln Rd. - Mondays - 7p

First Presbyterian Church1250 Watson Rd. - Tues - 7p & Wed - 8p

St. Marys Parish1405 S. Washington - Wednesdays - 12p

Westlawn Church of Christ (Shepherd)222 Dearing Drive - Thursdays - 7p

Al-Anon Meetings

Alano Club 1201 N. Fancher (989) 772-4955Sundays 6:30p - Mondays 7p - Fridays 7p

Behavioral Health 2800 S. Shepherd Rd.Tuesdays 5p

Narcotics Anonymous Meetings

Wesley Foundation 1400 S. WashingtonTuesdays 6:30p

First United Methodist Church 400 S. Main St.Thursdays 6:30p

24-hour Alcoholics Anonymous Hot-line1-800-821-3014

Additional Community Meetings

Refuge Recovery @ Saginaw Chippewa Behavioral Health (2800 S. Shepherd) - Wednesdays 6:30p

Gamblers Anonymous @ First United Methodist Church (400 S. Main) - Mondays 6:30p

HELP AND SUPPORT16

Additional Community Resources

Community Mental Health 301 S. Crapo(989) 772-5938

1016 Detox 2885 Health Parkway(989) 775-0604

Listening Ear 107 Illinois St.(989) 386-2774

Mt. Pleasant Police Department 804 E. High St.(989) 779-5100 (FOR EMERGENCY DIAL 911)

HOLIDAY TIPS 17Holiday Tips to Prevent Food Borne Illness

Keep food safety in mind this holiday season. Keep cold foods cold and hot foods hot.

The holidays are fast approaching and excitement is in the air. When making plans for your holiday feast, food safety should be on the top of your list. Most guest lists include people who are especially vulnerable to food borne illness older people, young children, pregnant women, and anyone with a compromised immune system. To keep your family gathering from being memorable in the wrong way, its important to take steps to protect your guests from food borne illness. To ensure our holiday foods are not only delicious, but safe, the following suggestions of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are provided to reduce the risk of the most common foodborne illnesses stated Michelle Patton, Director of Environmental Health Services for Central Michigan District Health Depart-ment.

Cooking: Cook to proper temperatures. Foods are properly cooked when they are heated for a long enough time and at a high enough temperature to kill the harmful microbes that cause foodborne illness. Follow temperature guidelines provided with the food packaging and if in doubt visit www.cmdhd.org for a handy temperature chart you can use for reference. Chilling: Refrigerate promptly. Public health officials warn people to refrigerate foods quickly because cold temps keep most harmful microbes from growing. Place leftovers in shallow containers, leaving the cover loose to vent steam. Dont stack the cooling food containers so there is plenty of air circulation. Refrigerators should be set at 40 degrees F and the freezer at 0 degrees F to keep stored food at safe temperatures. Whatever you do, dont rely on the natural outdoor temperature on the porch to keep foods at proper temperature.

Baked goods: The FDA warns people not to eat uncooked cookie dough, homemade or premixed; or batters made with raw eggs, because raw eggs may contain microbes that can cause illness. Proper cooking kills the microbes that cause illness.

Eggnog: Eggnog made with raw eggs also presents disease risk to consumers. While cooking can destroy the dis-ease-causing microbes, people can still get sick when the eggnog is left at room temperature for several hours before drinking. Other options are pasteurized eggnog brands sold in grocery dairy cases; these should also be kept refrig-erated.

Turkey: Thawing the turkey fully before cooking is important to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. If a turkey is not fully thawed, the outside of the turkey will be done before the inside, and the inside will not be hot enough to destroy disease-causing microbes. Allow the correct amount of time to fully thaw and cook a whole turkey. Allocate 24 hours per 5 pounds to defrost in the refrigerator, and whatever you do, dont defrost the turkey on the kitchen counter. Refer to temperature guidelines for stuffed turkeys which need to be cooked longer. To check a turkey for doneness, insert a food thermometer into the inner thigh area near the breast of the turkey (thickest part), being careful not to touch the bone. The turkey is done when the temp reaches 165 degrees F. If the turkey is stuffed, the temp of the stuffing and turkey must be 165 degrees F to assure that it is completely cooked and safe to eat. It is rec-ommended to cook the stuffing separately from the turkey.

Following these simple guidelines will ensure you have a happy and safe holiday season! says Director Patton. Re-member the golden rule: Keep hot food hot and cold food cold.

This article has been brought to you by Central Michigan District Health Department, which serves the counties of Arenac, Clare, Gladwin, Isabella, Osceola and Roscommon. Visit our website at www.cmdhd.org, LIKE Central Michigan District Health Department on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @CMiDHD.

SHEPHERD JOURNAL18Shepherd Journal Updates brought to you by JON MORGAN

Shepherd New Year Resolution 5K to be held on January 1st

Registration for the Shepherd New Year Resolution 5K Run is open until December 30, 2015.

The Resolution 5K run will be held on Friday, January 1 from 10 a.m. until noon. The cost to register is $20 plus a $2.50 sign up fee. Find out more about the race on the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival 5K & 10K Facebook page.

From the registration page for the race: The New Year Resolution run will be a road race through the town of Shepherd. It will utilize the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival 5k course. Come start out the New Year with a commitment to getting fit with us.

Shepherd Community Calendar

Do you have an upcoming special event you would like to have included inside the Community Calendar? Submit your event information via email at shepherddigest@gmail.com or online at https://shepherdjournal.wordpress.com/submit-a-news-tip/

Shepherd Middle School Competitive Team places 2nd Place in Invitational

By Shelley Bryant

On Saturday, the Shepherd Middle School Competitive Cheer Team placed 2nd out of four competing middle school teams. This is the second year that the middle school has offered competitive cheer as a sport, and the first year that the team has placed.

The girls have dominated their back walk overs which last year only a handful of 12 could do. Although the team is significantly smaller the dedicated few are working hard with their coach to make this year a dominat-ing one for the Middle School Lady Jays.

The members of the team are Rebecca Bryant, Emily Jean Flaughter, Maddie Strawder, Amber Smith, Kaitlyn Griffen, Aliva Florian and Kylie Taylor. Their coach is Dannielle Bentley.

SHEPHERD JOURNAL 19Shepherd Journal Updates brought to you by JON MORGAN

By Jon Morgan

Last Monday, I talked to Joel Frederick on the phone as I was driving home from work. That conversation was a pretty good representation of how many conversations with Joel would go. He told me that he had just gotten done helping a friend out with their clogged kitchen sink. He had gone over to their house, checked out the situation, knew what to do, and then showed them how to fix their problem. Hopeful, I said that we had been experiencing a similar-sounding issue in our bathroom sink.

He said he would be happy to come over some time to take a look and help me fix things. That was Joel, always willing to help whether you had a question involving cars, home maintenance, computers, or general advice.

The last thing we talked about was some of the improve-ments he has been making to the Shepherd Maple Syrup Festival website. He had been working on a module which would have shown updates on the sites homepage in a cool and new way. This would have been our seventh year work-ing together on the site.

I first met Joel at a committee meeting for the Shepherd Sesquicentennial committee, but we became friends later through church (we both attended the Shepherd Meth-odist Church for a while). We always shared an interest in technology and web design and talked about it a lot, but we also discussed a wide range of subjects like work or life. I learned a lot from talking to Joel.

We became collaborators on the SMSF website shortly after the sites original developer, Jim Bush, passed away. We both agreed that the website was an important tool for communicating information about the festival, and that it should continue. The site slowly evolved over the years as Joel updated it.

The best thing about working with Joel was that he brought balance to my thinking about technology. He was often the pragmatist, listening to my ideas and then asking those important questions such as Why? and Wouldnt this other way be better? He kept me grounded in my thinking. He was always honest and direct, but also sensi-tive to my feelings.

Joel was one of the most knowledgeable, well-rounded, and good natured people that I knew, and a good friend. You always had the sense that he wanted to do the right thing, something I admired. He also had a unique sense of humor; he teased, but it was in a fun way.

Ill miss you Joel. Ive learned a lot from you over the years and I really enjoyed the work weve done together. You have not only inspired me to try harder professional-ly, but youve inspired me to try to be a better person. Im a different person by knowing you and I will always be grateful for having known you. So, thank you very much for everything youve done.

My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Sheila, and son Zachary. Joel was an all-around great guy.

Shepherd Community CalendarJanuary

* Friday, January 1 - Shepherd New Year Resolution 5K* Second Week of January - Shepherd High School Talent Show Auditions* Friday, January 15th - 7 - 9 p.m - Mother and Son Activity Night* Tuesday, January 19 - 5:30 p.m., SHS Media Center - Info about the New Assessments for HS Students

February

* February 11 - Shepherd High School Talent Show* Friday, February 12th - 7 - 9 p.m. - Daddy and Daughter Dance

March

* Mid-March - The Addams Family Musical - High School Drama Club and Choral Department

Goodbye Joel, and thank you for being a friend

INCIDENTS & ACCIDENTS20Dozens arrested early Saturday Morning at Franklin Village

Local police responded to a nuisance party call early Saturday morning in the Franklin Village apartment complex at 1333 E. Gaylord Street.

The attendees at the nuisance party in building 2 refused to open the door for police, prompting law enforcement to get a search warrant.

Once the police were inside the premises everyone present in the apart-ment was taken into custody, including forty-three adults and fivee minors. The moinors were released to family, while the adults were lodged in the Isabella County jail. The police also transported a dog that was found inside the apart-ment, which was to be taken to the shelter.

The 12-passenger transport van made multiple three trips to and from the jail. Of the seven police cars on site, several of them carried attendees who were in custody as well.

The Mt. Pleasant Police Department, the Isabella County Sheriff s Depart-ment, and the State Police Department were all on the scene. A worker in an Olivieri Management van arrived on scene as well, perhaps to assist with a key for entrance.

According to Franklin Villages web-site, they have a total of 48 2-bedroom apartments within the complex.

INCIDENTS & ACCIDENTS 21Rollover Accident Near Downtown

Lunch hour traffic between Mission street and down-town Mt. Pleasant was diverted from one of its main through-ways around noon today due to a rollover acci-dent on the corner of Fancher and Mosher streets.

According to police a Mercury Grand Marquis was travelling southbound on Fancher when the driver ran through the stop sign and struck a Chevy Equinox that was travelling westbound on Mosher.

As a result of the collision, the Equinox rolled over and came to rest on the grass just off the street on the south-west corner of the intersection. Neither driver appeared to have serious injuries, but the driver of the Equinox was transported to McLaren hospital by MMR to get checked out.

The driver of the Grand Marquis was issued a citation for failure to yield.

INCIDENTS & ACCIDENTS22Tree Thief Takes a Little off the Top

Christmas is a wonderful time of year filled with fes-tivities, family gatherings, gift giving, and the traditional decorating of Christmas trees.

Artificial trees can be purchased at nearly any large retailer, and authentic tress are sold in local tree farms and retailer parking lots. To find the right tree is only a matter of shopping around. They are everywhere.

Some local shopper(s) took it a little further this year, deciding that their ideal tree was one that is free. So instead of going out and purchasing a tree, they instead went to the city of Mt. Pleasants Mill Pond Park and cut off the top of one of the large trees that stands just north of the pavilion.

The cut is high enough off the ground that a ladder was most likely used, and the saw dust shows that in addition the thief (or thieves) used a saw to steal the tree top.

Anyone with information should contact the Mt. Pleasant Police Department.

COMMUNITY SERVICE 23Toys for Tots helps local families at Christmas

Twenty-eight years ago Richard Barz started a local tradition of giving when he, assisted by family members, wrapped and delivered 50 presents to local families in the areas first Toys for Tots campaign.

Barzs daughter, Lucinda Clark, helped every year, and has continued to keep the tradition moving forward even after her fathers passing.

This year Toys for Tots distributed about 250 toy collec-tion boxes to local businesses. Last week all of the boxes were collected and all of the toys were brought to Finch Fieldhouse, where Toys for Tots has been distributing toys for about six years now.

Last year nearly 7,500 toys were distributed to 2,400 children.

Toys for Tots is a United States Marine Corps program that started nearly seventy years ago. Keeping the local tradition of Marine Corps involvement intact, this year PFC Steven Green volunteered his time to the cause. Green is a 2014 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School.

Toys for Tots relies on its volunteers and this year nearly two-hundred communnity members and family members helped out.

The next few pages show pictures from Finch Field-house, including volunteers, toys, and supporters.

COMMUNITY SERVICE24Toys for Tots helps local families at Christmas

COMMUNITY SERVICE 25Toys for Tots helps local families at Christmas

COMMUNITY SERVICE26Syrian Refugee Assistance

Two weeks ago community member Daniel ORourke read an article about how to help the Syrian refugees. The article detailed ways for us to help from right here in Michigan, including two drop-off locations where we can take donations.

After reading the article ORourke had the reaction many of us often do, including the desire to help. What makes Daniel ORourke different is that he acted on his desire to help and decided that he was going to find a way to bring donations to the drop-off location in Grand Rapids.

By reaching out to his friends and posting a message on Facebook about collecting donations ORourke filled his truck and left at 9:00 a.m. sharp, on Tuesday, to deliver all the donations to Grand Rapids.

Daniel and his truck were in front of Rubbles Monday night receiving last minute items. Some of the most re-quested items are blankets, winter clothing, and house-hold items.

The Mt. Pleasant area is full of kind and giving com-munity members, and Daniel is just another example of our giving spirit. In fact, Daniel has plans to collect more donated items for future trips. He headed down Tuesday to make to get one load of items delivered in time for Christmas.

The Pulse will update with more details about the future donation collections once more information is available.

MPHS Hockey

Mt. Pleasant Hockey was very active in its last week before heading on a long break, including hosting its first ever alumni game, organizing a hockey jersey auction, and reading to local children, as well as hosting Marysville on December 19th (see story and photos in the Sports section).

The ice time for the alumni game was donated by a hockey team supporter. In addition $110 was raised during the inaugural alumni game, which ended in an 8-8 tie.

The current high school team took the ice at 3:00 p.m., at which time the jersey auction ended. The auction raised approximately $1500, which will be used, according to booster volunteer Laura Angera, to offset equipment and player expenses. Angera was happy with the support the team has received, adding we are extremely grateful to the many that donated and continue to support the Mt. Pleasant Oiler Hockey program both financially and as en-thusiastic fans!

Several members of the hockey team participated in the Read and Feed program at Ganiard elementary this week as well. The following information was sent in by head coach Michael Wil-lett:

On Monday, December 21, 8 of our 23 players attended the Read and Feed program at Ganiard Elementary. Read and Feed is an event where parents, grandparents, or family members come in and share lunch and books with their kids. MP Oiler Hockey reads to and interacts with the children who dont have someone that can make it to the event.

While we are a program that prides itself in great on-ice perfor-mance, we place as great an importance on developing young men and women who will be positive and productive members of their community. In addition, it is important that we use our platform as a varsity sports program to spread as much good as is possible in the Mt. Pleasant community. To this end, we participate in volunteer work with the Amateur Hockey Association of Mount Pleasant (AHAMP)

COMMUNITY SERVICE 27MPHS Hockey

where we help instruct young players on ice and help around the ice arena when possible. Read and Feed is another example of the volunteerism our players participate in.

Our players (from left to right in the bottom left photo--Kyle Reihl, Alex Dickinson, Zach Heeke, Mitchell Haines, Cole Smallwood, Kaleb Ramon, Aaron Friedlein, Donnie Uzarski) attended the event along with Bill Dennis, an adviser and assistant coach to the MP Oiler Hockey program. They all shared the fun and exciting time they had reading, eating, and interacting with the elementary students. Our hope is that the elementary students can share in their positive experience with our players.

In the additional photos, Alex Dickinson is sharing a photo with an elementary student and Zach Heeke/Kyle Reihl are in a photo with several other students.

You can learn more about the program by visiting mpoilerhockey.com, liking us on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/oilerhockeymp/, and following us on twitter at https://twitter.com/mpoilerhockey

ENTERTAINMENT28MAC TV Network Channels Schedule

SUNDAY1:00 AM IWE Battlezone TV - Wrestling 191-MAC13:13 AM Isabella County Work Session 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov9:00 AM Faith Community Church 191-MAC19:00 AM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 9 AM 187-MAC210:00 AM Grace Church Live 191-MAC111:00 AM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 11 AM 187-MAC212:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov1:00 PM AUMC 191-MAC11:00 PM Trinity Church 187-MAC22:00 PM U. Tshp Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov3:00 PM Clare Ment. Health - EMT 191-MAC13:00 PM Sacred Heart Parish 187-MAC25:00 PM AUMC 187-MAC25:00 PM MP Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov7:00 PM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 11 AM 191-MAC17:00 PM Grace Church 187-MAC27:50 PM Clare Ment. Health - Mindful... 191-MAC18:00 PM MP Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov9:00 PM Faith Community Church 187-MAC29:30 PM Trinity Church 191-MAC19:39 PM FCC Promo 2 187-MAC211:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC1

MONDAY7:00 AM Trinity Church 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov8:00 AM Democracy Now 191-MAC19:00 AM Faith Community Church 191-MAC19:00 AM Sports Attack 187-MAC29:27 AM UT Board of Trustees 188-Gov11:00 AM Christian Music Videos 191-MAC112:00 PM News Central 187-MAC212:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov1:00 PM A2 to TC Train Presentation 191-MAC11:00 PM News Central 187-MAC21:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC22:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC12:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC22:30 PM Volleyball - Alma vs Shepherd 187-MAC24:00 PM What Should I Be... - Farmer 191-MAC14:00 PM News Central 187-MAC25:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC15:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC26:00 PM Christian Music Videos 191-MAC16:00 PM News Central 187-MAC26:30 PM Art Review 187-MAC27:30 PM Alma String Fall Concert 191-MAC17:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC28:00 PM Football - Ithaca vs Shepherd 187-MAC210:00 PM Democracy Now 191-MAC110:00 PM Volleyball - St Louis vs Ithaca 187-MAC210:50 PM Football Highlights - STL v ITH 187-MAC211:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC1

TUESDAY12:54 AM MAC TV Zombie Film Fest. 14 191-MAC17:00 AM Trinity Church 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov8:00 AM Democracy Now 191-MAC19:00 AM Faith Community Church 191-MAC19:00 AM Sports Attack 187-MAC2

WEDNESDAY12:39 AM IWE Battlezone TV - Wrestling 191-MAC16:00 AM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 11 AM 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov8:00 AM Democracy Now 191-MAC19:00 AM Sports Attack 187-MAC210:00 AM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC110:00 AM U. Tshp Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov11:00 AM Sacred Heart Parish 191-MAC112:00 PM News Central 187-MAC212:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov12:30 PM Clare Ment. Health - EMT 191-MAC11:00 PM News Central 187-MAC21:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC22:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC12:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC22:00 PM UT Board of Trustees 188-Gov2:49 PM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 9 AM 191-MAC13:00 PM Dueling Pianos (Clean) 187-MAC23:57 PM Sacred Heart Parish 191-MAC14:00 PM News Central 187-MAC25:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC15:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC25:15 PM What Should I Be... - Farmer 191-MAC15:30 PM A2 to TC Train Presentation 191-MAC16:00 PM News Central 187-MAC26:30 PM Christian Music Videos 191-MAC16:30 PM Art Review 187-MAC27:05 PM Alma Strings Fall Concert 191-MAC17:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC28:00 PM Christian Music Videos 191-MAC1

10:00 AM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC111:00 AM Clare Ment. Health - Mindful... 191-MAC112:00 PM News Central 187-MAC212:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov1:00 PM Clare Ment. Health - Yoga 191-MAC11:00 PM News Central 187-MAC21:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC22:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC12:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC22:00 PM UT Planning Commission 188-Gov3:00 PM Veterans Update 191-MAC13:56 PM AUMC 191-MAC14:00 PM News Central 187-MAC25:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC15:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC25:00 PM MP Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov5:30 PM Clare Ment. Health - Music Ther 191-MAC16:00 PM News Central 187-MAC26:30 PM Art Review 187-MAC27:00 PM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 9 AM 191-MAC17:00 PM 15 HF: Alma Mid. Jazz Band 187-MAC27:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC27:45 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC28:00 PM Volleyball - Alma vs Shepherd 187-MAC28:00 PM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov9:10 PM Football Highlights - STL v ITH 187-MAC29:30 PM Stupid Laws 187-MAC210:00 PM Democracy Now 191-MAC110:00 PM FMP - Live & Lessons 187-MAC211:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC1

ENTERTAINMENT 29MAC TV Network Channels Schedule

THURSDAY12:54 AM MAC TV Zombie Film Fest. 14 191-MAC17:00 AM Trinity Church 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov8:00 AM Democracy Now 191-MAC19:00 AM Faith Community Church 191-MAC19:00 AM Sports Attack 187-MAC210:00 AM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC110:00 AM UT Planning Commission 188-Gov10:30 AM Veterans Update 191-MAC111:00 AM Clare Ment. Health - Music Ther 191-MAC112:00 PM Clare Ment. Health - Yoga 191-MAC112:00 PM News Central 187-MAC212:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov1:00 PM Disability Network 191-MAC11:00 PM News Central 187-MAC21:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC22:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC12:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC23:01 PM Uncle Ducky 191-MAC13:49 PM AUMC 191-MAC14:00 PM News Central 187-MAC25;00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC15:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC26:00 PM News Central 187-MAC26:06 PM Alma City Commission 191-MAC16:30 PM Art Review 187-MAC27:00 PM Democracy Now 191-MAC17:00 PM 15 HF: Alma Mid. Jazz Band 187-MAC27:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC27:45 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC28:00 PM Volleyball - Alma vs Shepherd 187-MAC28:30 PM H.A.T.S. 191-MAC19:00 PM Isabella County Reg Meeting 191-MAC19:10 PM Football Highlights - STL v ITH 187-MAC29:30 PM Stupid Laws 187-MAC210:00 PM Clare Ment. Health - Mindful... 191-MAC110:00 PM FMP - Live & Lessons 187-MAC211:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC1

FRIDAY1:00 AM IWE Battlezone TV - Wrestling 191-MAC13:13 AM Isabella County Work Session 191-MAC17:00 AM Trinity Church 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov8:00 AM Democracy Now 191-MAC19:00 AM Sacred Heart Parish 191-MAC19:00 AM Sports Attack 187-MAC210:02 AM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC112:00 PM News Central 187-MAC212:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov1:00 PM News Central 187-MAC21:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC22:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC1

SATURDAY12:54 AM MAC TV Zombie Film Fest. 14 191-MAC17:00 AM Mt. Pleasant Planning Comm. 188-Gov9:00 AM Uncle Ducky 191-MAC19:00 AM Sports Attack 187-MAC29:30 AM Trinity Church 191-MAC110:00 AM U. Tshp Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov10:50 AM Sacred Heart Parish 191-MAC111:52 AM Clare Ment. Health - Music Ther 191-MAC112:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov1:00 PM Alma City Commission 191-MAC11:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC22:00 PM Clare Ment. Health - Yoga 191-MAC12:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC22:00 PM UT Planning Commission 188-Gov2:30 PM Volleyball - Alma vs Shepherd 187-MAC23:00 PM Veterans Update 191-MAC14:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC25:00 PM Dueling Pianos (Clean) 187-MAC25:00 PM MP Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov5:30 PM H.A.T.S. 191-MAC16:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC26:30 PM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 9 AM 191-MAC17:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC27:45 PM The Vanisher 187-MAC28:00 PM Clare Ment. Health- EMT 191-MAC18:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov9:30 PM Stupid Laws 187-MAC210:00 PM Faith Community Church 191-MAC110:00 PM 15 HF: Chelsea House - Sat. 187-MAC211:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC1

Subject to change - Visit www.mactvnetwork.org for most up-to-date schedule

8:00 PM Football - Ithaca vs Shepherd 187-MAC28:30 PM Trinity Church 191-MAC110:00 PM Democracy Now 191-MAC110:00 PM Volleyball - St Louis vs Ithaca 187-MAC210:50 PM Football Highlights - STL v ITH 187-MAC211:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC1

2:00 PM Art Review 187-MAC22:00 PM UT Board of Trustees 188-Gov3:00 PM Isabella County Reg Meeting 191-MAC13:00 PM Dueling Pianos (Clean) 187-MAC23:50 PM What Should I be... Farmer 191-MAC14:00 PM Uncle Ducky 191-MAC14:00 PM News Central 187-MAC24:30 PM Christian Music Videos 191-MAC15:00 PM Pleasant Chat 191-MAC15:00 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC25:00 PM MP Zoning Board of Appeals 188-Gov5:30 PM Alma Strings Fall Concert 191-MAC16:00 PM News Central 187-MAC26:30 PM Mt. Pleasant FUMC 11 AM 191-MAC16:30 PM Art Review 187-MAC27:30 PM Sports Attack 187-MAC28:00 PM AUMC 191-MAC18:00 PM Football - Ithaca vs Shepherd 187-MAC28:00 PM Mt. Pleasant City Commission 188-Gov9:10 PM A2 to TC Train Presentation 191-MAC110:00 PM Democracy Now 191-MAC110:00 PM Volleyball - St Louis vs Ithaca 187-MAC210:50 PM Football Highlights - STL v ITH 187-MAC211:00 PM Grace Church 191-MAC1

ENTERTAINMENT30

Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort - Upcoming Shows

December 27th - Cameo & Moris DayDecember 28th - Rick Springfield & Eddie MoneyDecember 29th - Mike Epps & D. L. HughleyDecember 30th - Tanya Tucker & Collin RayeJanuary 29th - Dwight Yoakam wsg Pam TillisFebruary 20th - Cheech & ChongMarch 4, 2016 - Tracy MorganMay 21, 2016 - Lewis Black

Staples Family Concert Hall - Upcoming Shows

January 14th - Faculty Artist Andrew Spencer, percussionJanuary 19th - LaToya Lain, mezzo-sopranoJanuary 21st - Guest Artist Gabriela Martinez, pianoJanuary 26th - Guest Artists WEE TrioJanuary 28th - Faculty Artist Mark Cox, tubaJanuary 31st - CMU String Day Guest Artist Hai Xin Wu, violinFebruary 2nd - Faculty Artist Adrienne Wiley, pianoFebruary 4th - Faculty Jazz Combo

CHRISTMAS SEASON 31Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the reindeer at the library

The Veterans Memorial Library was the place to be on Saturday to see Santa,Mrs. Claus, and a few of Santas reindeer.

Mrs. Claus reads to children while they wait their turn to sit on Santas lap and tell him all about how good they were this year and all the gifts they want for Christmas.

Seven and a half month old Sven, one of Santas reindeer, hams it up for the camera.

CHRISTMAS SEASON ThePulse32Village of Ashley Country Christmas

Just a short drive from Mt. Pleasant, about forty min-utes to the South, is the little Village of Ashley.

Three years ago, after the rails from Owosso to Che-asening were decidely unsafe to continue, the Village of Ashley was selected as the new location for the Polar Express-style Country Christmas weekends.

For five weekends Ashleyites turn their village into a swirl of activity, replicating several activities from the 40s as well as adding a touch of the present.

Each weekend four train bring nearly a thousand passengers each to particiapte in activities like building wooden toys, to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, to watch artisans such as a glass-blower, old-fashioned candied nut maker, juggler, chainsaw carver, stilt-walker, among many others.

Vendors come from as far away as Canada, and passengers have visited from several countries from around the world.

One of the special moments for passengers is to get their pictures talen in front of engine 1225. The line for photos doesnt seem to shorten at any point during the two hours passengers are in town.

It is quite a sight just to come and peruse the happen-ings and places around town. You need not be a passen-ger on 1225 to particiapte as everyone is welcome.

CHRISTMAS SEASON 33ThePulseVillage of Ashley Country Christmas

Children can mail a letter to Santa in the old post office, visit the petting zoo, and of course fill up with sweet treats. There are several options for a quick meal, including The Hobo Kitchen which is set up in the fire station.

Do yourself a favor and put it on your calendar for next year right now. Village of Ashleys Country Christmas starts the weekend before Thanksgiving and runs for five straight weekends. For updates and more information, follow them at Facebook/villageofashley.

SPORTS34MPHS Hockey faced Marysville on December 19th

The Mt. Pleasant Oilers took on Marysville at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday in their final game of 2015.

After an up-and-down week that saw the OIlers give up sev-en goals in a 4-7 loss at Bay City Central on Wednesday only to bounce back and blank Port Huron 8-0 at home on Friday night, the Oilers sought to improve upon their 5-2 record.

The first period was all quiet ending in a still scoreless match, but it took Marysville less than five minutes into peri-od number two to score first.

The Oilers picked up their pace after going down 0-1, but seven minutes in they were suddenly short-handed after Ju-nior Isaac Angera received a two-minute penalty for tripping.

The Mt. Pleasant penalty killers were keeping Marysville away from the net, but an interference penalty on Senior Alex Dickinson put them down two, and Marysville quickly had a five-on-three advantage that lasted more than a minute.

Somehow the Oilers defense stood their ground and fought off both penalties. The offense was still stagnant, and Mt. Pleasant went into the final break down 0-1.

Two minutes into the third period the Oilers had their first power play opportunity, but they failed to score. It wasnt un-til there was less than ten minutes left in regulation that Mt. Pleasant got on the scoreboard with a goal from Freshman Cole Smallwood (assisted by Isaac Angera).

Three minutes later Junior Kaleb Ramon was credited with the Oilers second goal (assisted by Seniors Max Trucks and Zach Heeke).

The Mt. Pleasant defense fought to keep Marysville away from the front of the net, forcing Marysville to pull their goalie for an extra skater with 1:05 left in the match.

Heeke sealed the Oilers win with an empty net goal with just 12.7 second remaining (assisted by Max Trucks).Improving their record to 6-2, the Oilers now have two and a half weeks off for Christma break before taking on

Lapeer West at home on January 6th at 7:00 p.m.

SPORTS 35Oilers trailed going into the third period

OUTDOORS36New Walleye Limits on Saginaw Bay...with Chris Zimmerman

Chris Zimmerman

Linwood, Michigan- If theres one good thing about a mild start to the winter season, its that the walleyes in Saginaw Bay are still accessible. Usually at this time of year, the conditions are too wicked to be on the water, too sketchy to be on the ice.

Mild weather helped fuel my interest in fishing the bay. On-line walleye re-ports have been nothing short of spectacular. Limit catches, and big fish filled the internet bulletin boards.

The walleye limit on Saginaw Bay and a section of the Saginaw River was recently changed to eight fish, 13 inches or bigger. The previous limit was five wall-eyes larger than 15 inches. During the 60-mile drive to the bay, I think I jinxed our chances when I said to my friend, John Slack Its going to feel weird to keep that sixth, seventh and eighth fish.

Those famous last words haunted us for hours as we bobbed around a chilly Saginaw Bay without as much as a bite. We hardly marked a fish on Slacks electronic

fish finder in waters that were slightly above the freezing mark. The morale of the story is, just because the limit was raised to eight, doesnt mean that the fish jump in the

boat. For whatever reason, we couldnt unlock the mystery of how to catch some fish. Why was the limit changed? The walleye population is rolling along like a locomotive, says Jim Baker, a

fisheries unit manager with the Department of Natural Resources in Bay City. There are so many walleyes on Sagi-naw Bay, theyre having an impact on the forage base, he said.

When Baker says forage, he means small fish that are the mainstays of a walleyes diet. Gizzard shad, emer-ald shiners, gobies, spottail shiners, and yellow perch are favorites.

An intricate imbalance of biology lead to the per-fect situation for Saginaw Bays walleye boom that started in 2003. Without getting too far into the weeds, suffice it to say that the main predator for baby walleye alewives became almost nonexistent in Lake Huron. Alewives used to spawn in the bay at the same time the baby walleyes were hatching. The alewives fed upon the tiny walleye. Once the alewives disappeared, the walleyes flourished. And flourished. And flourished.

Baker suggests that there are too many walleyes for what Lake Huron can handle. We hope to reduce the population of walleyes to take some of the pressure off yellow perch, he said.

Every fall, the DNR uses a trawling net to help with a census of the spring spawning season. Trawling nets are shaped like a funnel, with a wide, circular mouth and fine netting that captures anything whisked inside. The net is dragged behind a boat for timed sessions on particular routes. Baker said that the 2015 hatch was about average when compared to historical figures.

The new limit for walleyes extends up the Saginaw River to the Center Street Bridge, which encompasses the most popular sections for fishing.

Ive always thought of the river as the nursery for

John Slack, from Mt. Pleasant, is all smiles even though the fish cooler is empty. Photo: Chris Zimmerman

small walleye. Seems like every time Ive ice fished the river, I could count on catching a bunch of walleyes that were just short of the 15-inch minimum.

Now thats going to change. If the DNRs goal is to reduce the walleye population, Im certain thousands of river anglers will accommodate them. Once the river ice is safe, it should be a carnival of fishermen on the river.

Its an ideal place to take a youngster ice fishing. The action can be fast and furious, and the best part of all, its not a far walk back to the vehicle. Most of the time you can park the car and be fishing after a hundred-yard walk.

Small walleyes arent really finicky. All thats needed is a small ice fishing rod, a reel, and any one of a hundred lures that the sporting good shops sell. Tip the lure with the head of a minnow, and youre in business. A good place to try it is near the Saginaw River mouth or in the shadow of the Zilwaukee Bridge. Trust me, there will be lots of other fishermen in both areas.

The jigging stroke isnt rocket science, but the lure should be at or near the river bottom. Lift quickly a foot or so, and let it settle on a taught line to when the lure plops in the mud. Lift again and let it settle. Most anglers develop a rhythm that resembles a cross country skier. Instead of ski poles, the angler has fishing rods. The bites come with the abruptness of a broken shoelace and feels like a third grader tugging on your sleeve.

Dont hesitate when that happens. Set the hook immediately and carefully play the fish up through the hole in the ice. Walleyes are prized table fare, but not are not necessarily known for their fighting ability. There wont be any tackle-mashing runs when reeling in a walleye.

It would be highly unusual not to have any ice this year, but then again, it isnt impossible. Check the DNR rule book for other regulations before venturing out on the ice, and by all means be careful.

Chris Zimmerman is the author of six Michigan-based novelsand an independent insurance agent in Shepherd.

Look for his outdoor articles twice monthly in The Pulse.

OUTDOORS 37New Walleye Limits on Saginaw Bay...with Chris Zimmerman

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BUSINESS LAW42Pet Trusts

Pat,

My Aunt said she set up a trust for her cats and is leaving all of her assets to this trust. Can she really do this?

Yes she can. A trust for the care of a designated domestic or pet animal is valid in Michigan. The trust terminates when no living animal is covered by the trust. The trust will be liberally construed by the probate court to carry out the general intent of the transferor.

Note that the court may reduce the amount of the property transferred to this trust if it determines that that amount substantially exceeds the amount required for the intended use for the pets. The amount of the reduction, if any, passes as unexpended trust property to other beneficiaries under the trust or heirs. Byron P. (Pat) Gallagher, Jr.Gallagher Law Firmbpg@thegallagherlawfirm.com

By PAT GALLAGHER