DickinsonCounty MSU Extension
800 Crystal Lake Blvd.
Iron Mountain, MI49801-2765 /
P: 906-774-0363 F: 906-774-4672
/ E-mail:Web:
Director: Beth WaitrovichServSafe® workshops meet
food service managers’needs
The rules they are a changin’ for the food service industry. A new state law will go into effect June 30, 2009 that will require all food service establishments to employ managers who are trained and earned accreditation in food safety.
To help local food service managers prepare to meet this impending requirement, Dickinson County MSU Extension offered a ServSafe® workshop for nearly 40 food service industry employees in Dickinson County in April and July.
ServSafe® provides the resources to help keep food safety an essential ingredient in every meal. The 16-hour program provides managers with thorough training in all areas of food safety relevant to food service establishments. Waitrovich, is a registered ServSafe® instructor and proctor.
Food service establishment representatives attending the workshops included school food service managers, restaurant managers, camp food service managers, members of volunteer organizations such as 4-H, American Legion, Veterans Affairs hospital food service directors, nursing home food service managers.
A vast majority (96 percent) of the managers attending the workshops passed the food safety exam.
Additional workshops will be offered throughout the fall and winter months for others also needing the certification.
Focus Areas for Local Extension Programming
- Healthy Lifestyles for Adults and Children
- Better Kid Care
- Natural Resources Planning and Education
- Economic Development Opportunities
For more than 20 years, Dickinson County MSU Extension has sponsored the Proud Equestrian Program (PEP), is a therapeutic riding program for children with physical, mental, or emotional difficulties. This year’s edition took place at the Dickinson County Fairgrounds Aug. 4 - 8.
More than 90 participants contributed to the event. Under the instruction of a certified therapeutic riding instructor, 25 riders worked to improve their balance, posture, coordination, self-esteem and social growth while astride volunteered horses.
One rider who suffered a seizure the day before was more concerned with securing his favorite mount for his next ride than on his recovery, telling the instructor, “Save the black horse for me.” He had been astride the black horse while suffering the seizure and proper safety procedures by staff prevented injury.
A number of 4-H teen and adult volunteer leaders contribute their time and energy to PEP, providing horses for the program, caring for them throughout the week andthen leading the horses or walking beside the riders during sessions.
Numerous community sponsors provide monetary resources, food, supplies for horses, water bottles and physical therapists to assist riders. United Way of Dickinson County provides the greatest monetary support, but the contributions of all contributors and volunteers are greatly appreciated.
/ Michigan State University Extension helps people improve their lives through an educational process that applies knowledge to critical issues, needs and opportunities. Offices in counties across the state link the research of the land-grant university, MSU, to challenges facingcommunities. Citizens serving on countyExtension councils regularly help select focus areas for programming. MSU Extension is funded jointly by county boards of commissioners,the state through MichiganStateUniversity and federally through the US Department of Agriculture. / Dickinson
County
MSUE
Summer 4-H camps take youngsters on ‘Safari at Sawyer Lake’
Two summer camp sessions were offered at 4-H Camp Molinare during July. This year’s theme was ‘Safari at Sawyer Lake,’ andalong with enjoying the beautiful setting, campers participated in a wide variety of activities related to the theme.
About 100 campers between ages sixand 12 participated in swimming, canoeing, recreational and team building activities and craft sessions. More than 25 staff members and parentsserved as counselors, a camp nurse, cooks, lifeguards, director, craft leaders and guest speakers.
Campers practice teamwork and responsibility skills as they assistedin dining hall set-up and clean-up, campfire preparation, raising the flag and leading the Pledge of Allegiance and the 4-H pledge.
They worked in teams to complete a safari hunt, gathering items from nature. Craft projects included pinecone owlets that complemented an owl discussion, a safari bag from denim, memory books and a jungle picture frame.
Guest speakers included Tony Erickson, a 4-H-certified shooting sports instructor, who discussed shotgun safety. Following his talk the campers took part in trap shooting at the local Sagola Sportsmen’s club.
One camper who initially wasn’t interested in participating in trap shooting tried it and then asked, “Can we do this again tomorrow?”
Jim Helmar, a local amateur astronomer, brought three telescopes and talked to the campers about the stars and the moon. He then allowed all campers to use the telescopes to see the moon’s craters and make other celestial observations.
The older campers have the chance to show their creativity as they plan and present their own skits to other campers and their families on Parents’ Night. This year’s groups went the extra mile, designing their own colorful backdrops and props and writing dialogue.
4-H Summer Camp gives participants much more than the chance to have fun and meet new friends. From learning experiences to team building and meeting responsibility, the youngsters learn about themselves, their abilities and the possibilities for their futures. / Residents find FRESH produce with help from MSU Extension
According to a 2005 surveyby the Center for Disease Control, only 22.8 percent of Michigan residents eat five or more servings of fruits and vegetables per day. This figure is probably higher for low-income families and individuals who may not have the resources or nutritional information available to them.
To help meet this need the Family Nutrition Program (FNP) and Food Stamp Nutrition Education (FSNE) program and MSU Extension work with the Dickinson–Iron County Health Department to bring Project FRESH, the Farm Market Nutrition Education Project to Dickinson County again this summer.
Project FRESH is an initiative to use local farmers’ markets in Michigan to make nutrition education and fresh produce available to low-income, nutritionally-at-risk consumers.
Coupon books worth $20 for fresh fruits and vegetables are provided to pregnant women or mothers of young children who are currently enrolled in the WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program.
County MSU Extension director Beth Waitrovich and FNP associate Kristine Champagne have offered nutrition education to nearly 350 people and will serve an additional 96 older residents this year through Senior Project FRESH. Sessions were held at the MSU Extension office and at senior centers in Norway, Iron Mountain, Sagola and Felch.
Lessons focus on basic nutrition concepts, food-buying skills, proper food storage, sanitation and managing available resources.
This year Dickinson County offered Senior Project FRESH to an increased number of residents ages 60+ who met income guidelines.The USDA started Senior Project FRESH to encourage farmers to sell more produce through markets and roadside stands. It also helped seniors get more fruits and vegetables into their diets.
Project FRESH and Senior Project FRESH are sponsored by the USDA, the Michigan Department of Community Health/WIC, the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, the Dickinson Area Community Foundation and MSU Extension.
Participants are given an opportunity to enroll in Michigan State University Extension’s Nutrition Education Program (FSNE) classes.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal opportunity institution, Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status. Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Thomas G. Coon, Extension Director, MichiganStateUniversity, E. Lansing, MI48824