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Slide 1: This is a sample version of the electronic edition. This sample is a collection of a few stories we have inside this week’s issue, but it will show you how you can read the Cass City Chronicle online. For any questions, contact us Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at (989) 872-2010. Note: The Cass City Chronicle’s actual front page will look different than the sample provided here. Osentoski promoted at Independent Bank Page 2 The verdict is in Slices of Life, page 3 Why parting words aren’t always sad Page 5 Complete coverage of the Cass City community and surrounding areas since 1899 VOLUME 105, NUMBER 18 CASS CITY, MICHIGAN - WEDNESDAY, JULY 20, 2011 FIFTY CENTS ~ 14 PAGES Joos celebrates 100th birthday in good health On July 18, Maurice will be 100 He has 2 sons: Don and Joellan of years old. Grand Rapids, and Richard and Connie of Independence, Mo.; numerous grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and great greatgrandchildren. His health is pretty good, except for hearing aids. He has been an avid Detroit Tiger fan. So when Detroit came to town to play the Kansas City Royals, dad and I went to the game. Maurice Joos He is always amazed at how the park is kept up. Damrow votes for ending retiree health benefits for Michigan lawmakers State Rep. Kurt Damrow voted recently in favor of legislation ending retiree health care benefits for Michigan lawmakers. House Bill 4087 ends the taxpayerfunded health care that lawmakers currently receive once they turn 55, after only serving 6 years in the Legislature. The change would affect all legislators who took office as of Jan. 1, 2007, along with all future lawmakers. “As we ask others to make sacrifices, it is only fair that we do our share.” said Damrow (R-Port Austin). Trimming over-the-top perks like these is a good place to start. We must put our state’s fiscal health ahead of our own self-interests.” Michigan lawmakers took a 10-percent pay cut that started in January, and also saw budget reductions for their individual Lansing offices. HB 4087 now goes to the Senate for consideration. MANUEL THIES discusses his adventures in hunting Thursday at the Rawson Memorial District Library in a crowded room. Thies of Owendale, retired from Owen-Gage Public schools in 2000 as superintendent, he has hunted around the world since then, collecting animals and memories along the way. (Related photo in this week’s issue, page 6) 90-day foreclosure prevention program extended to Jan. 2012 The 90-day foreclosure prevention program that would have expired July 5 has been extended until Jan. 5, 2012, after legislation sponsored by Sen. Mike Green was recently signed into law. “The foreclosure prevention program encourages homeowners and lenders to work things out and avoid an unnecessary foreclosure”, said Green, R-Mayville. “Getting mortgages back on track, when possible, benefits the homeowner, the lender and the community.” Under the program, mortgage lenders are required to mail written notice of a potential foreclosure to homeowners. The homeowner could then request a meeting with their lender, which would result in a 90day period for mortgage negotiations to take place, if applicable in the situation. Borrowers who do not take the steps required under the program or who do not qualify for a modification would still be subject to foreclosure proceedings. Senate Bill 398 is now Public Act 72 of 2011. THE ORIOLES ARE THE 2011 Cass City Minor League softball champions. Team members include (front, l-r) Haven Bouverette, Katie Autry, Macey White, Brittany Hamilton, Cameron Maguire, Sami Souva, Alissa Haddrill (back) Coach Lori Wallace, Kayley Colling, Kelsey Bouverette, Kelsey Priestley, Taryn Thorton, Sadie Souva and Coach Kathy Bouverette. With the official start of summer just around the corner, DTE Energy is offering the following tips to help customers save money and keep cool: DTE offers tips to keep house cool in the heat • Keep air conditioning units free of obstructions, inside and out, so air can flow freely. Outdoor units should be free of bushes, and leaf and grass debris. Indoors, move furniture and draperies to prevent blocking window units, vents and air returns. • Position window air conditioners on the shaded side of the house, away from direct sunlight. Window units generally are not designed to cool more than one room. Close the doors leading to uncooled parts of the house for more efficient cooling. • In homes with central air conditioning, leave room doors and air registers open so the system can operate effectively. Around the house • Close blinds, shades and curtains to keep summer heat out. • Keep the fireplace damper and doors tightly closed to prevent cooled air from escaping. • Run the dishwasher in the cooler part of the day when the lower temperature can better offset the heat and humidity the appliance will produce. Air conditioning • Set the air conditioner thermostat at the highest comfortable setting. When leaving home for more than five hours, raise the thermostat five to 10 degrees. Raising the thermostat just a couple degrees can cut cooling costs by as much as five percent. • Regular maintenance is important to operating air conditioners efficiently. Check filters at least once a month. Dirty filters cause air conditioners to work harder and use more energy. Many filters can be removed, washed and dried, and reinstalled. Check the owner’s manual or contact the manufacturer for more information. A cooler attic benefits the living area below. An exhaust fan or wholehouse fan mounted in the attic will pull hot air out of the attic and living areas and draw cooler air in. • Use an exhaust fan to blow hot air out of your kitchen while cooking. The savings in your cooling costs will far outweigh the fan’s electricity use. Fans • Make sure ceiling fan blades rotate clockwise in the summer months to draw cooler air up from the floor. • A window fan in an apartment or one-story home should be put in a window on the warmest side of the structure; in a two-story home, put it in an upstairs window. Fans draw cooler air inside during the night and circulate air during the day. Make sure draperies are secured away from the fan for better air circulation and safety. • Prevent heat build-up in the attic by opening attic vents and making sure any lower vents are not blocked. DTEENERGY.com/saveenergy For more ideas on how to save energy this summer, visit DTE Energy’s energy efficiency website, dteenergy.com/saveenegy. Be sure to check out the site’s interactive house that has how-to videos, seasonal energy savings tips, and information on energy efficiency programs and rebates available to DTE Energy customers. YourEnergySavings.com features DTE Energy’s free online program, MyEnergy Analyzer, which helps customers evaluate their energy use and offers customized recommendations on how to lower their energy bills. The site also has new interactive calculators that allow customers to add up how much they can save by taking energy efficiency steps like switching from incandescent to CFL bulbs, using a programmable thermostat and installing energy efficient appliances.