Shirts for Sale

Community Unlimited has shirts for sale, there are 2 size small, one size medium, and two size large. Call Julie at 517-741-4656 for details! Call quickly and get in on the hottest fashion statement since the fig leaf!

NOVEMBER SENIOR BINGO UPDATE

Almost fifty participants were present at the CUYB November Senior Bingo, held at the Community Unlimited building on November 21. Sharon Smith, Janice Vosburg, and Glee Majors celebrated birthdays, and Sally Swartout celebrated her wedding anniversary, with cakes and song. A surprise birthday celebration was held for Bingo Caller Terry Binion, marking his 18^th birthday on November 6^th. Players were treated to his rendition of “The Zippedee Birthday Song” and treated him to a slew of cards, including one depicting a year’s worth of photos of Terry from previous bingos, signed by all the attendees.

A “blind auction” was held, with Hazel Bowerman winning with a bid of $105 Bingo Bucks. Her prize was $110 Bingo Bucks.

A special guest at the lunch break was Cindy Fox, of Jack’s Grocery. She came in to kindly accept a large thank-you card that had been signed by players and CU members, in appreciation of Jack’s donation of monthly food for the games. Cindy also had a November birthday, so was given a birthday cupcake also.

Julie Dibert, Project Director for Community Unlimited, also spoke with the players about current activities and the need for financial assistance. Explaining about the Endowment Fund and the newest project the Backpack Food Program, she encouraged those that are able, to continue their contributions. She also thanked everyone for their faithful support during the previous year, and looked forward to next year’s bingo games being as well-attended.

Thank You Jack's Grocery!

The November Senior Bingo had a special visitor at lunch break.






Cindy Fox, of Jack's Grocery in Union City,
stopped by to accept a thank-you card from everyone for Jacks' generous donation of food for each month's bingo games.




As Cindy had celebrated her birthday earlier that month, she was also treated to a birthday cupcake.















King Junior made sure that Cindy received a royal hug before she left!

Haunted Hallways 2009

The hallways of Union City Elementary, before the Haunting begins...




























Alison begins the task of decorating the doorways where the candy stations will be...














while Keith and Terry set up the outdoor sign.



The ghosts begin their dance as they wait for the trick-or-treaters to line up.











And did they ever line up! Over 1200 people came to enjoy a safe trick-or-treat experience at the eleventh annual Haunted Hallways!











Even the strollers had costumes, as the line wended its way to the parking lot.












Autumn Sparks of Mendon made sure she was the first in line, because nobody can deny candy to a cute pirate!












Miss Kitty hands out candy to Scooby Doo; the fur didn't fly but the yummies did!












Getting ready to give a scare... the shrieks could be heard clear down to Patricia Polacco's Graves House!

























Ahoy Mateys! Pirates were popular with all ages, as shown here with a young trick-or-treater and the Lady Pirate of Captain Bree handing out the candy!

Community Unlimited Communiqué

Vol. 1, Issue 1 September 2009

-221 Ellen Street '(517) 741-4656 :www.communityunlimited.org

2009 has marked many changes for Community Unlimited.

• Ø A new address as we moved into the former Learning Center at 221 Ellen Street, Union City.

• Ø Receiving the 21^st Century Learning Community Center Grant, to continue and improve the BLAST program.

• Ø The overwhelming success of Senior Bingo as a monthly event.

• Ø Opening a VITA tax preparation site at the Community Building in Union City, thus providing free tax services to low-income area residents.

And there is so much more in store for the coming year!

We have received a one-time grant of $2500 from the Food Bank of South Central Michigan to cover the start-up costs of our newest project, the Friday Back Pack Program. “The Kids' After-School Pack program targets children from low-income families who are at risk of going hungry over the weekend. Once each week during the school year, kids are given special backpacks that are filled with non-perishable food. A typical backpack, depending upon our Food Bank inventory, has contained items like: a protein (canned macaroni-o's & beef, or beans & franks, or beef stew, or peanut butter or soup), fruit juice and usually an additional beverage, crackers. Nutri Grain bars, single serve cookies, single serve chips, individual boxes of cereal, pudding cups, and packets of instant oatmeal.

A backpack can weigh 5 to 7 lbs., depending upon what's in it. The cost of the food included in a typical Kids' After-School Pack averages $3.50/pack. This does not include the cost of the cloth backpacks.”(From the website of Food Bank of South Central Michigan.)

Sponsors are being sought to help continue funding for this worthwhile program, and donations are tax deductible.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Upcoming events in the next three months include:

September

*8: Before-school BLAST program begins, Union City Community Schools

15: Community Unlimited Board Meeting, 6:30 pm, 221 Ellen Street, Union City

19: Senior Bingo, 1-4 pm. First Congregational Church, Union City (theme: Coronation and Back to School/Homecoming)

*21: After-school BLAST program begins, Union City Community Schools

October

*3: Heritage Day Celebration, downtown Union City

20: Community Unlimited Board Meeting, 6:30 pm, 221 Ellen Street, Union City

24: Senior Bingo, 1-4 pm, location to be announced (theme: Halloween)

*31: Haunted Hallways, Union City Elementary School, time to be announced

November

17: Community Unlimited Annual Board Meeting, 6:30 pm, 221 Ellen Street, Union City

21: Senior Bingo, 1-4 pm, location to be announced (theme: Thanksgiving)

*27: Union City Chamber of Commerce Annual Christmas Parade, downtown Union City, time to be announced. Youth Board members will be accepting donations of non-perishable canned goods for the Community Food Basket Project before and during the parade.

December

15: Community Unlimited Board Meeting, 6:30 pm, 221 Ellen Street, Union City

19: Senior Bingo, time and location to be announced (theme: Christmas gift exchange, New Year Celebration)

*TBA: Packing and distribution of Community Food Baskets

Events marked with an * indicate volunteers are needed.

***Dates and/or times are subject to change. Please call the office to confirm any activity that you are interested in!!***

We are looking for volunteers to be trained to prepare simple tax returns at our VITA site this upcoming tax season. If you are interested in this FREE training, please call Julie Dibert at the office for information.

The August Senior Bingo initiated not only the beginning of our second year of the games being held every month, but also the Bingo King and Queen. Court members were randomly selected and voted for by the entire congregation on August 22, 2009. Coronation of the new King and Queen for the year will be at the September game, September 19 at 1 pm at the Congregational Church in Union City (the one with the cannon).

Trained volunteers prepared taxes for approximately fifty families during the 2009 tax season, which enables Community Unlimited to offer the program again for the 2010 season. If you are a low-income resident of Union City, Burlington, or Sherwood and are interested in getting your taxes prepared for FREE next year, be sure to set up an appointment when you get your W-2!

Ideas are being solicited for suggestions on expanding the use of the Community Building for the community, developing local recreational facilities, and fund-raising activities. Please call Program Director Julie Dibert at 517-741-4565, or email jdibert@communityunlimited.org with your ideas and input, and be sure to watch for the next CU Communiqué in December! You can also follow the adventures of Community Unlimited at http://comunl.blogspot.com/ and in the Battle Creek Enquirer, Union City Clarion, Bronson Journal, Homer Index, Marshall Shopper, and Coldwater Daily Reporter.

August Senior Bingo News from Community Unlimited

Four new players joined the fun this month at Senior Bingo, sponsored by Youth Board of Community Unlimited. August 22 marked the first year anniversary of the games being held monthly, and just fewer than fifty seniors gathered to celebrate.

It was a very busy day, as players not only voted for “Senior Bingo King and Queen” (results to be announced September 19 at the next gathering), but they also donated 126 items of food for the local food pantry in Union City. The August party theme was “Vacations,” and everyone that brought in a souvenir from their vacation received a Bingo Buck. Decorations included two wall-size world maps, souvenir cups and glasses, and placemats made from state maps culled from an atlas. One player serendipitously got the section of the Michigan map that contained the city where his mother used to live. Another player gifted advisor Paula Blue with a picture postcard from Paula’s home state.

Advisor Ginger Palmerton helped YB members Jeremiah King and Tabitha Logan keep players supplied with snacks and drinks, as well as handing out Bingo Bucks to the happy winners. Carolyn Smeltzer assisted in the kitchen, keeping the coffee hot and the ice cream cold (and keeping the workers from indulging in too much of the ice cream!).

YB member Terry Binion, between calling numbers for the games, spoke to the assembly regarding funding for future games. The Youth Board plans to give presentations to local boards and companies in a search for corporate sponsorship. Players Renita Halbieb, Ruth Edwards, Martha Wilcox and Carol Adams were the first to volunteer to attend the presentations as representatives of the players, to share first-hand expressions of their appreciation for the monthly activities.

During the lunch break, seven people celebrated August birthdays with cupcakes, songs and photos. Enjoying the attention (and extra Bingo Bucks!) were Ruth Waite, Renita Halbieb, Mary Perry, Jeanette Stevens, Carol Adams, Donna Lou Lepper, and Don Edwards.

The Youth Board would like to extend a hale and hearty “THANK YOU!” to Pastor Karen Nachtigall for making the fellowship hall available to the seniors while the Wesleyan Church undergoes renovation on their hall. The next monthly game will be on Saturday, September 19 from 1-4 pm at the First Congregational Church in Union City (the one with the cannon). Be sure to join the fun and learn who the new Bingo Queen and Bingo King will be! New players and those with September birthdays will receive extra Bingo Bucks. The themes for September are “Coronation” and “Back to School/Hom

Publish Post

ecoming;” wear your Union City Varsity coat for extra Bingo Bucks!

MAY SENIOR BINGO WITH COMMUNITY UNLIMITED

MAY SENIOR BINGO WITH COMMUNITY UNLIMITED

Saturday, May 30th, found approximately fifty people having the Fiesta of a Lifetime at the Fellowship Hall of Union City’s Wesleyan Church. Community Unlimited’s Youth Board hosted its monthly Senior Bingo with a multiple theme of Mother’s Day (with corsages for the ladies), May Day, and Cinco de Mayo. Calhoun County Office of Senior Services contributed magnifiers for the players, which were very popular with everyone.
After three hours of swinging at the parrot piñata, it looked like the Baseball Hall of Fame wouldn’t be getting new members anytime soon. But after removing the hidden interior brace, a little more damage was done, and many players won candy and Bingo Bucks as they spilled from the cardboard bird. No eggs were laid by the parrot in the process.

Nellie Bennett, Junior Edwards, and George Wrigglesworth, Sr. celebrated May birthdays, enjoying cupcakes, candles, and extra Bingo Bucks, as well as the choral rendition of “Happy Birthday” crooned by their peers.

Due to the renovation of the Wesleyan Fellowship Hall, the next Bingo game will be held on Saturday, June 27 at the First Congregational Church (yes, that’s the one with the cannon). Games begin at one o’clock; be sure to be on time as the theme is Hawaiian Luau. Will Terry wear a grass skirt? Will Drew do the Hula? Join us for Bingo and find out!

SUMMER BLAST WAS BACK WITH A BANG

SUMMER BLAST WAS BACK WITH A BANG

Community Unlimited’s Summer BLAST program is back with a bang! After one week of “vacation” (if you can call getting ready to educate and entertain over two hundred kids of all ages a vacation) the formidable staff of CU is back in action.

Malinda Olmsted is the site director for the high school, where over thirty students are enrolled in credit-recovery activities. Visits to local colleges are also planned, to acquaint the future graduates with the college campus and activities that are available. The garden club is planting a butterfly garden in the courtyard of the high school, and joining the middle school in a vegetable garden.

At the middle school, Cher Troup, interim site director, is very excited about the upcoming summer and the activities that are planned for the kids. “We are just so excited to be back!” she said in an interview. “We have so many things planned, and the kids are great. Our teachers are the best; we have Ronda Fisk, Dawn Morris, Kyle Miller, Nick Martin, Kim Palmerton, Hannah Burdick, and Sherry Smurr. They have so much experience to share, and are looking forward to a great summer!” Approximately sixty-five middle schoolers have signed up as of the first week of the program. Activities include the gardening club, which has started a vegetable garden behind the middle school building. A part of the harvest will be donated to the Union City Food Bank. The rest will be canned and sold at the Farmer’s Market later this summer. Another popular group is the Inventors Club, where a few inventions are being re-invented and many others are coming up from Original Thoughts.

Site Director Emily Dibert is staying busy at the elementary school, with over one hundred kids participating in Summer BLAST. Keeping everyone in line are foster grandmas, as well as CU staff Marcia Stuart, Tim Minor, Lance Wilkinson, Kelly Smeltzer, Alisha Gaylord, Ali Baklund, Kandice Harrington, Emily White and Joe Good. Joining the party for this summer is intern Alona Gaylord, who is filming a documentary on the program. The free breakfast and lunch program has been extremely popular at all the schools; however, probably the most fun place to be an observer is the elementary. Some of the younger students can barely see over the counter to get their bagged lunch! Their excitement is evident; one young lady was overheard saying, “We get oranges? COOL!!!” After eating, they clean up and take to the afternoon activities, from the playground to doing arts or learning cooking, or so much more. On Wednesdays, the afternoon is filled with towels and swimsuits as the schools join together on buses to travel to Coldwater’s Heritage Pool. Friday has field trips to many interesting sites, such as Kalamazoo Valley Museum and upcoming trips in June to Coldwater’s Popcorn Theater, Little River Railroad Depot Tour, and Binder Park Zoo. Earlier trips have included Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, and Full Blast in Battle Creek.

For more information on upcoming trips and activities, call Julie Dibert at 517-741-4656, or check the website at www.communityunlimited.org. Volunteers are welcome, and new ideas for activities are also appreciated!

SENIOR COURT CHOSEN!

Nearly fifty senior bingo players were treated to a surprise this month at the First Congregational Church, when it was announced that they would be voting for a Bingo King and Bingo Queen.

“Since this group is practically a family, we felt that there should be a family leader,” Terry Binion told the assembly. Sealed envelopes were distributed to players with Bingo Bucks, with eight random envelopes containing a $5 Bingo Buck. Recipients were Junior Edwards, Al Wilcox, Harold Connin, Howard Streeter, Ruth Booth, Ruth Edwards, Fern Jones, and Donna Lou Lepper, comprising the first annual Bingo Court.

Tickets were then handed out to each player to cast their vote for King and Queen. Results were tallied after the games, with the results to be announced at the next monthly bingo meeting on Saturday, September 19 at the Congregational Church. A fun-filled coronation ceremony is planned, so be sure to join the fun beginning at 1pm!

July Senior Bingo

Saturday, July 18th marked another successful Senior Bingo for Community Unlimited. The events (which have been occurring regularly for almost a year now) provide an enjoyable opportunity for the community's seniors to get together and socialize. However, due to the dedication and creativity of CU's Youth Board members, they've grown to be much more than that, with concepts such as "Bingo Bucks" (imitation money printed by the Youth Board and won through the game, then traded for prizes), themes (examples include Hawaiian luau, May Day/Cinco de Mayo, and Easter), and recognition of birthdays and anniversaries for any of the seniors during that month.

This weekend's event was no exception; the room at the hosting Congregational Church was decorated in accordance with the month's theme of Independence Day (there was also a cake assembled to resemble the flag). Aside from the elaborate additions, the activity on its own is a worthwhile event, with the vast personalities emerging and flourishing in the community (as well as playfully competitive) atmosphere. It was led by the regular caller, Youth Board secretary Terrance Binion, with several other Youth Board members helping out by pouring coffee, writing down the numbers, and handing out the Bingo Bucks to the winners.

Terry Binion said, "I love the look on people's faces when they get a bingo. Everyone has their own 'winning face.'" He also added that people have "their own disappointed face...when I tell them to clear their cards." With games running the gamut from straight bingo to “X Marks the Spot,” “T for Terrific,” “I for Independence,” and Cover-all, Terry gets to see plenty examples of both throughout the afternoon. And of course the happy faces when lunch break is announced, and the line forms for the ice cream floats and other delicious snacks!

Next month's bingo will take place Saturday, August 22 at the Congregational Church, from 1 to 4 PM. There is a combined theme of Birthday Party (celebrating the one-year anniversary of the bingo) and Getaway Vacation. Anyone bringing in a relic of one of their previous vacations (pictures, souvenirs, etc.) will automatically receive an extra Bingo Buck. Players may also earn extra Bingo Bucks by bringing in 2 non-perishable food items for the Congregational Church’s food drive (one Bingo Buck for each two items) that day.

Aloha from Youth Board Bingo!

Aloha from Youth Board Bingo!

First Congregational Church was the host for Community Unlimited Youth Board’s June Senior Bingo on Saturday, June 27. Twenty-nine players celebrated with a Hawaiian Luau, complete with music and grass skirts.

Ginger Palmerton returned to help Paula Blue lead the Youth Board kids in setting up the Bingo Bucks store, decorating the fellowship hall, and running the games. Terry Binion was assisted with calling numbers by his best friend and baby brother, Justyn Kalvin Richard Costigan. Devin Snyder and Matt Miller greeted players at the door with festive leis; and Carolyn Smeltzer helped in the kitchen with keeping the Kona coffee, a specialty Hawaiian blend, hot and ready for the players.

Judy Carpenter was the only June birthday, celebrating her twenty-first birthday again. Player Betty Baylis donated a slew of “M&M Candy – Man’s Survival Kit” packets for the edification of stress relief through chocolate. A small net bag of six different color M&M® Candies, accompanied by directions for each color (“at the first sign that your wife is mad, eat the red one”) were given to each player. Many laughs were shared as directions were read and candies eaten.

Lunch Luau included Hawaiian Punch (of course), Hawaiian Fruit and Meat Skewers, Hawaiian Fruit Salad, and cupcakes decorated with festive Hawaiian-colored coconut shreds. Hawaiian music filled the air and Paula entertained with her hula dance in a purple flowered muumuu. The teens, in their imitation grass skirts, to everyone’s disappointment declined to hula dance.

Next month’s bingo is scheduled for Saturday, July 18 at the Congregational Church from 1-4 PM. The party theme will be a traditional Independence Day. Be sure to join in for an “explosive” good time! Call Paula Blue at 517-765-2740 to confirm date and time, and be ready to “sparkle” with fun!

AFTER-SCHOOL FUN AT THE ELEMENTARY

The youngsters participating in the Community Unlimited After-School BLAST program were having lots of fun on Tuesday, May 5. CU Staff member Alison Baklund (a/k/a “Miss Ali”) spent the first part of the afternoon helping first and second graders improve their reading skills with the help of “Goldilocks and the Three Bears,” as they followed along with a CD and their books. Other academic enhancement activities included third and fourth graders working on homework, and playing “Upwords,” a game that takes Scrabble in a new direction—up! Players could change words by placing a different letter on top of a letter on the board. Vocabulary skills were in good supply as Kelly Smeltzer and Marcia Stuart supervised players and homework assistance.

Later in the afternoon, Tim Minor, Alisha Gaylord, Emily White and Kandice Harrington led the sixty children in dividing up into that week’s Kid Klub activities. All grades were able to choose between board games, Wii, kickball and sidewalk chalk drawing. Site Director Emily Dibert was pleased with the day’s turnout, and looks forward to keeping kids active both physically and mentally through the end of the school year.

SENIOR BINGO APRIL 2009!!!

The doors of the Wesleyan Church Fellowship Hall opened at 9 AM on Saturday, April 25, as over a dozen CUYB members and volunteers began the daunting task of setting up the April Senior Bingo Games.

While adult volunteers began cooking an early lunch for the kids working, the 27 “kid-hours” began. Setting up tables and chairs for fifty players, hauling in huge Rubbermaid totes of decorations and prizes were the first jobs. Sixteen tables later, the real work started. Decorating the tables, setting up the refreshment table and Bingo equipment, organizing the sign-in station, and unpacking and displaying literally hundreds of Bingo Bucks Store prizes gave everyone just enough time to sit down and enjoy chips and “Grandma Blue’s” sloppy joes before the first players began to arrive.

Then the fun really began. Making sure that everyone signed in and got their newsletter and Easter candy bag were Youth Board members Drew Dinsmoor and Allison Jackson. They also made sure that everyone got their pick from the big basket of crocheted Easter baskets, filled with candy and handmade Easter pins, made by members of the Community Unlimited Purls of Wisdom knitting and crocheting club Betty Baylis and Lyn McRae.

After an hour and a half of fast-paced Bingo fun, the snack break was announced and the thirty-nine players quickly lined up to get ice cream and a slice of Bunny Cake. During this time, Glee Majors won an extra Bingo Buck by getting the caller, Terry Binion, to say “the secret word” picked earlier (“shadow”). A rousing rendition of “Happy Birthday” was enjoyed by Betty Baylis, Fred Garnsay, Carly Kever, Ginger Palmerton, Joanne Shook and Doreen Wart as they received their birthday cupcakes.

When the games finally ended and the large group of very happy and satisfied players slowly filed out, the work of cleanup began. Tables were taken down and returned to storage, chairs folded, floors swept, trash emptied, kitchen cleaned, decorations packed, and Bingo Bucks Store was packed up to be returned to the Community Center until next month’s festivities. The tentative date for May Bingo is May 23 at the Wesleyan Church in Union City; the multi-theme will be May Day, Mother’s Day, and Cinco de Mayo. Be sure to watch your local paper and for flyers for the confirmed date and place, or call Paula Blue at 517-765-2740 or Ginger Palmerton at 517-741-7972 to reserve a spot ahead of time. New players are always welcome!`

Community Unlimited is a nonprofit organization funded in part by Michigan Department of Education 21^st Century Learning Centers; Community Foundation Alliance of Calhoun County; Branch County United Way; United Way of Greater Battle Creek; and receives in-kind support from Union City Schools and the Village of Union City. Donations are tax-deductible.

Betty Baylis, Fred Garnsay, Carly Kever, Ginger Palmerton, Joanne Shook and Doreen Wart celebrated April birthdays.

VITA INFORMATION FROM COMMUNITY UNLIMITED

Attention, procrastinators. Putting off your taxes until the last minute? News flash: the last minute is here! But to help avoid ulcers and migraines, Community Unlimited is sponsoring VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) until April 15. If your income in 2008 was $42,000 or less, you may qualify for FREE – yes, that’s FREE—tax return preparation. To schedule an appointment, call Paula Blue at 517-741-3632. Trained volunteers are waiting to help you; all it takes is a quick phone call. With EIC and home heating credit forms available, no one should miss this opportunity to save money.

Remember, April 15 is nearer than you think! So call now and get your appointment, before time (and your ulcer medicine) runs out!

Senior Bingo, March 2009

More than 40 seniors filled the Fellowship Hall at the Union City Wesleyan Church for CUYB’s monthly Senior Bingo, on Saturday, March 14. Youth Board members and members of the National Honor Society spent over three hours setting up for the games and the Bingo Bucks Store, plus three hours running the games, and two hours cleaning up afterward.

Charlotte Smith, bingo player, stated “I think all of us agree that these kids do a really nice job, it’s a really nice time, and I just can’t say enough praise for them. You always hear about the bad kids, but never the good kids. I think that because these kids are taking time out of their Saturday, instead of doing the things that normal teenagers do, I’m telling you they are wonderful!” Corky Ackerman added, “I agree with Charlotte. These kids do a great job, and there is really a lot of talent here; they are really personable, and entertaining.” Loretta Hoskins believes, “these kids don’t get enough credit for what they do.” Player Joanne Shook summed it up succinctly: “These are the best kids in town!”

Youth Board Secretary Terry Binion extended thanks to Mary Perry, for printing more Bingo Bucks, and Advisor Paula Blue wishes to give a BIG thank you to everyone who has contributed donations for the Bingo Bucks Store. Many beautiful hand-crafted items have been donated (and very quickly sold!), and each month brings new surprises.

Each player received a crocheted “pot of gold” from Drew the Leprechaun, with a shamrock pin in each one. Loretta Hoskins, Shirley Brand, and Joanne Shook were lucky winners with four-leaf clovers and (crocheted) gold coins. Mae Louise Brimmer was the big winner, as she was not only the single March “Birthday Baby”, but also the finder of a purple shamrock in her “pot of gold”!

The next Senior Bingo will be themed “Easter,” and there will be many more surprises in store for players. So join the fun, and join the Senior Bingo!

COMMUNITY UNLIMITED APRIL ACTIVITIES

There is still time for procrastinators to get their taxes prepared through VITA at Community Unlimited! Fully trained volunteers are here to prepare and e-file taxes for individuals and families with a 2008 income of $42,000 or less. Call Volunteer Coordinator Paula Blue at 517-741-3632 to set up your appointment now—April 15 is closer than you think!

For the youngsters, Saturday, April 4 will be the Spring Fling Easter Egg Hunt at the Union City High School. Kids of all ages are invited to share in the fun, starting at 10 AM until noon. Games, crafts, and of course, LOTS of eggs will be available for the adventurous bunny-hunters! There is no fee for this event, but donations are appreciated.

For the young-at-heart, the Youth Board will be sponsoring its monthly Senior Bingo on Saturday, April 18 at the Wesleyan Church from 1-4 PM. Snacks, games, prizes, entertainment and shopping at the Bingo Bucks Store will keep you hopping like The Easter Bunny (who just might show up to say hello, since he will be done delivering eggs by then). There is no fee for the games, but donations for the Youth Board are greatly appreciated, as the recent 21st Century Grant does not cover pre-existing activities.

Volunteers are always needed for events. If you would like to help out, or be a member of the Board or Marketing Committee, please call Julie Dibert at Community Unlimited, 517-741-4656. Community Unlimited is a non-profit group so all donations are tax-deductible. Speaking of taxes, don’t forget to make your appointment with Paula for VITA and free tax preparation!

STUDENTS GET FIRST-HAND LESSON IN ICE SAFETY

Middle School students in the afternoon BLAST program learned about Ice Safety in preparation for the Adventure Club’s upcoming ice fishing trip, from a real expert: Deputy Steve Foster of Branch County Sheriff’s Department. Thursday, January 22, Deputy Foster spoke to over four dozen kids and adults, giving examples from his own long history with the BCSD Diving Team. Deputy Foster gave descriptions of the various types of ice, and how to tell whether ice is “safe” or not; he emphasized that while there is no such thing as “Safe Ice” (unless it’s in a glass!), there are many ways to be prepared for safety. “If you’re going to be on the ice, at some point, some day, you WILL get wet,” he told the students. “The important thing is to be ready and know what to do if you or someone else does go in.”

Deputy Foster stressed that the most important thing is to never go on the ice alone. After that, the most important thing to remember, and sometimes the hardest, is to NOT PANIC. He reminded them to never go on bad ice to save someone, toss a rope or hand them something (even your fishing pole, the hook hurts less than the freezing water!) to help pull them out of the water and onto the ice. If you do go into the water, he explained how to get out onto the ice, how to stay warm until you do get out, and how to spread out on the ice to minimize breakage when you get out. Deputy Foster explained the different ways to stay warm, between wearing a life jacket and not wearing one; and reminded them that the safest way back to shore is usually the same way that you went out, so go back the way you came.

Val Rossman will be taking the Adventure Club on an ice-fishing trip the first Thursday in February (weather permitting). They have been busy building their own ice-fishing poles, and with this lecture on ice safety they are now ready to go! Linda and Bob Burgett of Hank’s Landing have generously donated tackle and supplies to this project and the kids in Adventure Club are very appreciative of their assistance.

Community Unlimited’s 21st Century BLAST program runs at all three Union City schools. Before-school activities run from 6:45 to 7:45 AM, and after-school activities from 2:50 to 4:50 PM. Students can sign up for either or both sessions. For more information you may contact Youth Director Julie Dibert at Community Unlimited, (517) 741-4656; or visit the website at www.communityunlimited.org. Community Unlimited is a nonprofit organization funded in part by Michigan Department of Education 21st Century Learning Centers; Community Foundation Alliance of Calhoun County; Branch County United Way; United Way of Greater Battle Creek; and receives in-kind support from Union City Schools and the Village of Union City. Donations are tax-deductible.