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.

February 2009 Senior Bingo

The First Congregational Church in Union City was filled Saturday, February 14, with fifty-four players as Community Unlimited Youth Board held their monthly Senior Bingo. Paula Blue, Ronda Fisk and Terra Logan came in at nine in the morning to supervise CU YB and members of National Honor Society in setting up tables, setting up the Bingo Bucks Store, decorating, running games, serving snacks, handing out prizes and socializing with the Bingo players.
“I wish people could see just how much work these kids put in, to put this event on every month,” commented Blue. “They come in early to set up and decorate, then stay late to take down everything and clean up. When we had the Christmas/New Year Celebration, some of us were here at the church for over twelve hours!” The amount of work increases when the games are held at the Congregational Church, because the prizes, bingo equipment, decorations and extra snacks are stored at the Wesleyan Church. Students made six trips after Bingo was finished, to get everything back where it belonged.
Drew Dinsmoor, Terry Binion, Paul Vosberg and Randy Taylor set up tables with help from Jeremiah King, David Wright, Matthew Miller and Devin Snyder. Working on decorations were Ashley Spottek, Karlie Snyder, Tabby Logan, and Maria Sebolt.



Maddie Spottek helped out at the registration desk.







February birthdays were celebrated by Alan Wilcox, Charlotte Garnsey, Loretta Hoskin and Sally Swarthout. Ruth and Quentin Waite celebrated their February wedding anniversary. Joe Morrison won the mystery auction with a bid of 40 Bingo Bucks. His prize: 40 Bingo Bucks, and a heart centerpiece.

The next Bingo will be held on Saturday, March 14, from 1-4 PM at the Wesleyan Church (by the park). Join the fun and games with CU Youth Board!