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.

COMMUNITY UNLIMITED: UNLIMITED FUN FOR ALL AGES!

Community Unlimited of Union City has something for everyone. Monthly Bingo games are the current highlight of the local Senior calendar, but a new group is starting that is sure to give them a run for their money.

Beginning Thursday, February 26, the “Purls Of Wisdom” yarn art group will be meeting weekly. Intended for knitters and crocheters both, all ages and skill levels will be joining at the Community Unlimited Learning Center on Ellen Street in Union City.

If you are a beginner, or a never-done-it’er, advanced knitters and crocheters will be available from 4-6 PM, with other times available by appointment. If you are advanced enough to teach and want to help others learn you are welcome to join in and “Share the Knowledge!” If you just want to finish a UFO (UnFinished Object), bring your project and enjoy some time together with others catching up those Someday-I’m-Going-To-Finish-This Blues!

Thank you!

Community Unlimited, Inc. would like to thank the Village of Union City for their generous allowance of the rent-free use of the Community Building over the past ten years. As we have grown, so have our needs for space, and the Union City School District came through this year. While we are very glad to be moved into our new building, we will cherish the memories that were made at the Community Building. Many volunteers spent many hours there, planning activities and working out the details on so many projects. We want to thank the Village for taking care of the maintenance of the building, for plowing the parking area, for digging out the minivans when we got stuck (thank you- thank you- thank you!), for providing the dumpster, and every other little detail that they saw to for us. The Village of Union City has made every effort to provide Community Unlimited with a valuable example of a community of character, and we appreciate their contributions.

CHARGER PRESS ARTICLE FOR MARCH 2009

Over the course of this school year, Community Unlimited Inc. BLAST Program has provided over 150 students of all ages with after-school and before-school activities that enrich their minds and bodies.

From learning how to be a young entrepreneur to learning the skill of cross-country skiing, the students of Union City Schools are fortunate to have Val Rossman, Emily Dibert, Megan McKown, and Malinda Olmsted looking after their interests. With help from both paid assistants and unpaid volunteers, these busy ladies have kept CU’s goal of building a community of character for all generations. Ginger Palmerton and Paula Blue have led the Youth Board in activities ranging from Youth Leadership Training to operating the expanded monthly Senior Bingo games. “Starting Each Morning With a Blast” at the High School, provides homework help and socialization in the early hours of the day for students, helping not only to get a jumpstart on the day but increasing their networking and interaction skills.

BLAST (Bringing Learning And Success Together) provides activities, snacks, and field trips for students during the school year, and it doesn’t stop there. Summer BLAST registration forms will be coming home in Friday folders by the end of April! Be sure to look for them, so you can sign up for the annual FUN time we have every summer! Swimming, reading program, Binder Park Zoo, Fun Spot, and other field trips are only the tip of the “Summer Iceberg” of activities kids in the Union City School District can look forward to for six weeks during this summer.

Figure 1: UCMS students cleared the Angel Tree at Flagstar Bank in Coldwater.

Figure 2: Ashley and Maddie Spottek combine forces at Senior Bingo.

Figure 3: Val Rossman led the ice-fishing adventure in February.

Figure 4: Luke Browne and Damon Manchester get a lift at Timber Ridge.

Figure 5: Middle and High School students entertained us with "The Rented Christmas."

Figure 6: Middle School students learned to knit this year, so Nana O's Mitten Tree will be filled this coming December!

Ice Fishing with Community Unlimited BLAST Program

As the leader of the Thursday Adventure Club with Community Unlimited, Val Rossman’s goal is "no kid left inside". Her activities get kids outside, and involved in outdoor activities and the environment. On Thursday, February 5, Rossman and Ronda Fisk took fourteen middle- and high-school students ice fishing at Union Lake.

In preparation for the ice-fishing expedition, the kids built their own rods these past few weeks. They had to read & follow a set of directions, measure, drill, cut, sand etc. The poles are made out of dowels, paper clips, and safety pins. The students worked on tying several fishing knots before-hand; most decided "improved clinch knot" was easiest. The bobbers were even handmade, from small corks from Hensley’s. Part of the project included a safety lecture from Officer Steve Foster, of the Branch County
Sheriff Office and Dive Team; this was attended by not only the participants of the trip but also the thirty other middle-school students in the afternoon BLAST program.

Bob and Linda Burgett of Hank’s Landing donated line, hooks and bait for the project and gave all the kids a bag of chips when they left. The Burgetts are having an ice fishing tournament on February 21, and there will be a prize for the kid who catches the biggest fish using their homemade fishing pole.

Pastor Dan Wheeler of the Union City Wesleyan Church helped out, as well as John Heator and Ben Adams, who lives on the lake. Rossman provided hot chocolate, which went pretty fast!

Unfortunately, there were no fish caught. It was too cold for even the fish, and they had not been biting the last couple of weeks. Another trip for later in February is in the planning stage, hopefully with better results. There was a minimum of 16 inches of ice on the lake to drill through; the kids had fun auguring holes and were very happy that Ben Adams brought his power auger!

More fishing activities are planned for the spring and summer, as well as opportunities for getting the kids involved in river/lake stewardship and environmental issues. Previous events have included geo-caching, rock climbing at Climb Kalamazoo, and cross country skiing; an upcoming trip will involve downhill skiing at Timber Ridge.

Community Unlimited thanks Pastor Dan Wheeler, John Heator, Ben Adams, and Bob and Linda Burgett of Hank’s Landing for their support and assistance in this adventure!

January 2009 Senior Bingo

The Wesleyan Church Fellowship Hall was packed with avid Bingo players on Saturday, January 24 as the Community Unlimited Youth Board entertained 40 people with games, snacks, and lots of fun, with help from members of the National Honor Society. Terry Binion, Allison Jackson, Andrew Hedgcock, Paul Vosburg, Tabitha Logan, Randy Taylor and Maria Sebolt joined Paula Blue, Ginger Palmerton and Ronda Fisk in running games and dispensing food.

Youth Board Secretary Terry Binion amused everyone with his usual antics, and even ran a mini-auction that exceeded his expectations. Snacks were served during break, and the Bingo Bucks Store was well-browsed. China dolls that had been brought in during break were purchased within minutes of being set out.

Interest surveys were filled out by players, to help with upcoming monthly themes. Questions included such items as favorite song, favorite color, and favorite brand of automobile.

In the coming months, the answers will be used to win prizes during drawings, et cetera.

A quick survey was taken as to whether the February bingo should be rescheduled, but the consensus was to keep it as scheduled on Valentine’s Day. So if you are interested in playing bingo and having a great time with some real fun-loving people, be sure to call Paula Blue at 517-765-2740 or Ginger Palmerton at 517-741-7972 to reserve a spot ahead of time. Then meet us at the First Congregational Church in Union City (the one with the cannon!) on Saturday, February 14 from 1-4 PM.